Tech Tuesday: VR Continues to advance

So it has recently been announced that Steam has their own entry into the VR market, the main feature of which is a set of controllers that are just shy of a glove, allowing natural movement of the fingers copied by your hand in game, allowing you to grab things by grabbing them, rather than retraining yourself to interact via less advanced controllers.

Enter Boneworks, a game built to display the hardware and, I suspect, serve as a game engine akin to how Source was used (but for VR, of course). I have my suspicions that this may be the killer app, once the hardware becomes more affordable ($1000 for a full Index VR rig, plus a VR ready computer). I expect the other members of the VR market will emulate the controllers in short order.

Tech Tuesday: I Want A Smartgun

I want a smartgun. No, not the pieces of shit everyone's always pushing for full of extra failure points of electronics and rings or fingerprint readers and whatever. I want a smartgun that counts the rounds in the magazine, that tells you if the magazine isn't seated properly, warns you of a jam in case you don't catch it under stress, a gun with an integrated light and/or laser from the start instead of some flavor of aftermarket finagling. The Taurus Curve had the integrated-from-the-start light/laser combo. Now, while it's currently an aftermarket change, there's a slide replacement that adds ammo tracking (with proper magazines) and similar.

https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2019/01/24/shot-2019-radetec-smart-glock-slide/

The video also includes a shot counter, and a traditional smartgun of the "only shoots for some people" variety. Politicians trying to force the latter style of smartgun on everyone aside, I'm not wholely opposed to the concept of the safety smartgun for those who seek it, but I want it to be an OPTION for those who want it.

In the future, it'd be nice to have it able to sync to smartglasses, if it can do it securely, or failing that perhaps a smartwatch. Screens are getting smaller, lighter, and sturdier, but the ability to confirm your weapon's status without actually looking at the thing. That would also be able to warn you it's trying to come loose in the holster, if such sensors are equipped. An integrated camera for AR aiming integration, or the ability to aim without exposing anything but your gun and hand, could be useful if the rest of technology is up to the task, but nothing else springs readily to mind that isn't potentially a detriment. Much of scifi has the ability to change fire modes and such, but that introduces a point of failure if software hitches or gets hacked.

Tech Tuesday: VR Accessories

Something came across my Facebook feed that reminded me of all the VR accessories that came and went way ahead of their time (Lookin' at you, Novint, with your sweet haptic feedback sleeves) and are now becoming Actually Relevant.

The Hardlight VR suit. In GURPS UltraTech, this is a Basic VR suit. The current gloves/controllers and mask setup that's popular is Glove VR.

http://www.hardlightvr.com/ Adds torso tracking, and a bit of vibratory haptic feedback to let you know what's happening beyond things that touch your hands.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/morgansinko/hardlight-vr-suit-dont-just-play-the-game-feel-it and of course the inevitable kickstarter.

Combined with the Virtuix Omni 360 treadmill (It's actually a person-sized touchpad with slippy shoes, essentially, rather than an actual treadmill), you're pretty well set for VR adventures.

That set me searching.

The Axon VR suit. Full VR, it provides haptic feedback and even resistance to motion if there's a virtual object in the way.

Meanwhile, the future continues to arrive with the Multimedia Wall. Sorry, the LG OLED Wallpaper TV. For providing the external view without being large enough to be in the way and get smacked while you're off in a digital world.

Tech Twednesday: better space exploration through non-newtonian propulsion

Away game crosspost.

http://www.iflscience.com/space/nasa-allegedly-conducts-more-successfully-emdrive-tests0


This is very interesting. A lot of hype and wild claims have been made about this being proof of warp drives (on the last go round of these). I'm not sure I'd go that far, but this does have substantial implications and applications if it's true.
First, there's plenty we don't know yet, so I wouldn't count out finding a way to interact outside of established newtonian physics. Quantum mechanics is completely separate and similarly well established. Perhaps we've stumbled onto a quantum thruster. Perhaps there's further realms of knowledge we're just getting a first glimpse of.Second, even if it's not warp, reactionless thrust (that is, being able to push something along without pushing against something else) will be our ticket to the stars. Nuclear reactors are practically old hat by now, able to produce substantial amounts of juice for very long times without refueling. Fusion reactors are being attempted (i believe i saw some German scientists trying to get one running in the moderately near future) and will be even better, allowing refueling with the most abundant thing in the universe. If we can work out what part of this EM drive is doing it, we can scale it up, and vastly increase our space reach.

Tech Thursday: hands on with VR

I've discussed VR and AR devices and predictions of their applications in the future several times. Now I've got a brief hands-on with it to review, specifically the Samsung Gear VR.

Other than not quite being able to get it in perfect focus, it was pretty fantastic. There was no visual lag to be noticed, and most of the images were nicely crisp and reasonably 3d. Headset was easy to wear and comfy, and the whole rig caused no headache, vertigo, or disorientation (note: I'm mostly immune to these, your experience may differ).

The interface needs a bit of work, but various controllers and similar are in the works, and even the included touch interface would work just fine were it a personal model I could adjust the settings on. I'd like a bit wider field of view, but dedicated vr sets like the occulus rift will no doubt handle that. It also kind of requires you sit in a spinning chair, at least for the games I used.

VR and AR are technologies that are going places. A bit more streamlining and development and I'd bet they'll be as revolutionary a step as the smartphone was. Presently vr is stuck in a loop of not much development for it because nobody has it yet because nobody develops for it. I'm used to being a late adopter for tech, but i think this is one that's worth it to get in on.

Tech Tuesday: Technology and Traditional Gaming.

Not doing my usual Tuesday linkdump, although I'm overdue for one.

I've discussed a bit on how things like Roll20 with their character Field of View settings make a lot of interesting things possible to increase immersion and blur the line between traditional gaming and video gaming. I can't help but predict that things like the Occulus Rift, combined with easy digital modelling software like Google Sketchup, will lead to a further blurring of these lines, for GMs who are so inclined.

Just got a Logitech G35 headset as a slightly late Christmas present. One of the features it comes with is built in voice change software. Voice changing software is something I've been looking at for a while for GMing and playing characters. Why? Because there's something that bugs me about playing a woman with not-quite-James-Earl-Jones voice. Fantastic for comedy, but doesn't work so well and breaks immersion in more serious stuff. I haven't had the chance to play around with voice changers in a long time, they've come a LONG ways since where the ones I had as a kid.

Am I the only one who goes into this much depth to get my characters to be differentiated from just me talking? I can do, and maintain, an accent for a whole session as needed (or 5, or 10, if GMing. I've had several campaigns where the players couldn't remember which NPC was what, but could keep track of them based on the accents they'd had)

Tech tuesday: Raincheck and thoughts on technology in gaming

Ever since finding Pocket, it's been super easy to save tabs for later. I have copious amounts, enough that I might just use some (themed days) at a time to set some aside for slow weeks.

However, on the technology based theme, some thoughts I've had on tabletop gaming.

Did a one-shot of Shadowrun (Was supposed to be a full campaign, then things came up, as happens sometimes).

In this age of technology that has very nearly met up with the technology of science fiction, it makes it easier to truly utilize it. In that brief one-shot, it was perhaps the first game I've ever played, even of shadowrun, in which the technology was treated as simply a part of life, and utilized fully; in my past experiences, it has usually been "HEY, LOOOK, Looooook, crazy technology, SURE IS FUTURISTIC EH?".

For example, I was undercover (switching from my Shadowrunner identity of Biker to my Law Abiding Citizen, complete with a REAL SIN) so I could mingle at a party with friends from my old hometown in peace, and saw a bunch of gangers meeting up outside. Casually as you like, I used my trode-net Direct Neural Interface to send a text to the party (who don't know my real identity) that there was trouble brewing.

Casual as you like, the vehicle rigger pops into his car to take a look around with the sensors covertly, pops a minidrone over to take a listen and see if it's worth dealing with.


In previous games, even remembering "Wait, I have a commlink, I can just call/text/whatever people" has been a major ordeal (to be fair, in the last Shadowrun game I played, I had Gremlins 3, no skill in technology, and a default roll of 3. Basically, if I rolled a single 1, things went horribly wrong. I DID successfully argue that my Future AK was sufficiently idiotproof to be exempt from Gremlins, because freaking future AK)

Still, I have this feeling that as tech has become more integrated into our lives, and so close to what we always thing of as the future, it makes it easier to envision and casually use it in games.

Tech Tuesday, a lot of AR stuff edition

http://www.iflscience.com/technology/gecko-style-climbing-pads-allow-man-climb-glass-wall
Gecko climbing. How far we've come from Adam Savage's crazy vacuum pump rig to today.

http://sploid.gizmodo.com/inside-the-lab-that-makes-the-instant-blood-stopping-ge-1660980006
Crazy ultra tech blood loss prevention, and the lab that makes it.

And now for a bunch of stuff for VR and AR.

Up first? A way to interact with it.
http://gizmodo.com/leap-motion-wants-to-bring-your-hands-into-virtual-real-1627903463
Leap Motion, while being of questionable utility with a regular computer designed to be used with a regular interface, has great possibility for VR use, or even just things like the RIG from Dead Space (what good are crazy floating holograms if you can't do stuff with them?)

http://gizmodo.com/how-magic-leap-is-secretly-creating-a-new-alternate-rea-1660441103
You've no doubt heard of Google Glass, but have you heard of Magic Leap? It's designed to be true Augmented Reality AND Virtual Reality, rather than merely a scouter from DBZ

http://gizmodo.com/project-tango-hands-on-computer-vision-is-so-much-cool-1596640923
Less groundbreaking but more conventional and likely to actually hit mainstream, is Project Tango. A high powered tablet, with the same tech as a Kinect (or Leap Motion) built in to allow it to do useful things like 3D map stuff. Also, AR.

http://gizmodo.com/the-fx-team-behind-gravity-to-explain-the-universe-usin-1661040176
And plans to actually USE AR, as opposed to "hey look, a thing we can do except it's terrible and pointless at this point!"

http://www.i-programmer.info/news/105-artificial-intelligence/7985-a-worms-mind-in-a-lego-body.html
A worm brain has been successfully wired into a robot, which reacts to all stimuli as expected. Worm got a full prosthetic body, although I imagine said body doesn't include much life support stuff.

http://gizmodo.com/5-new-details-that-show-how-apple-wants-us-to-use-its-w-1661147687
Not quite AR, but more development on integrating tech into regular use in ways that aren't obnoxious as heck.

http://gizmodo.com/quirkys-ohm-bluetooth-speaker-charges-wirelessly-so-its-1660785311
Wireless charging is getting to be more of a thing, and will likely be the way first generation cyberware runs, until we figure out a power generation system that is powered by the body in some way. Build it into a couch cushion, bedsheet, car seat, etc, and keep your 'ware topped up.

http://io9.com/this-2000-year-old-pigment-can-eliminate-the-third-dime-1661476168
A magic weird purple that does strange things to light. Probably not likely to advance SCIENCE! but interesting.

http://www.iflscience.com/technology/new-plastic-degrades-just-three-hours
This, however, IS useful. Super biodegradable and recyclable plastic, Presumably they'll be able to dial in that 3 hour time into something that won't instantly degrade if it ever goes outside.

http://www.iflscience.com/environment/human-poop-powered-bus-hits-uk-roads
Biomethane; poo-gas burns, and you can run an engine with it. Long as it doesn't make your exhaust doesn't smell like farts, might as well?

http://www.iflscience.com/brain/brain-scans-reveal-truth-puppy-love
And one last thing, Science determines that dogs do in fact love you.

Tech Tuesday, mega-edition

Woo tab clearing. Have some SCIENCE.

http://www.iflscience.com/technology/spacex-will-soon-be-launching-satellites-unfettered-low-cost-internet
I recall Google talking about something similar, but accomplished by way of balloons instead of satellites.

http://gizmodo.com/the-plan-to-turn-old-payphones-into-free-gigabit-wi-fi-1659688867
Meanwhile, a substantially more down-to-earth take on it is to convert the now largely defunct payphone network into a series of wifi hotspots.

http://gizmodo.com/this-clever-design-could-replace-ugly-qr-codes-with-lig-1659977613
Using all that freely available wifi may be a new alternative to the QR code, that's far less obtrusive to use, and doesn't require careful orientation of sensor to code.

http://gizmodo.com/networked-guns-are-a-smarter-attempt-to-keep-cops-in-ch-1658581063
On a less useful note, yet another thought on a smartgun. This one, however, is A) aimed specifically at police, and B) is purely a reporter, and in no way impacts the gun's actual function. I can think of a heck of a lot of ways to kill the thing REALLY easily, but that's par for the course for "smart"guns.

http://gizmodo.com/this-3d-welder-could-bring-metal-3d-printing-to-the-mas-1659919589
On the opposite end of the scale, in terms of guns, is a 3d metal printer that's not insane and ridiculous. Needs further development, but it's about the most realistic take on it I've seen so far for home use.

http://www.thegunyouwear.com/ Came across this thing, technology? Found via New Jovian Thunderbolt It looks freaky, but comfy, other than having heard iffy things on Taurus.

http://gizmodo.com/the-us-navys-first-laser-cannon-is-now-deployed-in-the-1659644456
LASER BEAMS. Now if we can just scale this down to be conveniently man portable...

And now for something completely different!
http://www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/gm-potatoes-may-benefit-health-approved-usda
Genetically modified potatoes, designed to be deliciously fried with less cancer.

http://www.iflscience.com/technology/graphene-based-supercapacitors-could-eliminate-batteries-electric-cars-within-5-years
More attempts at better batteries/supercapacitor bank things. Last time I saw these about 5 years ago they were promising within 10 years. Now it's within 5. Let's see if they actually pull this off. Then we just have to figure out how to power the things.

http://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/regenerative-medicine-has-huge-potential-it-does-not-come-cheap
Astonishing, cutting edge medical techniques are expensive!

http://sploid.gizmodo.com/scientists-reveal-how-spaceflight-affects-men-and-women-1659881761
Speaking of health related things, space continues to be bad for you.

http://www.usvethub.com/videogallery/army-evaluates-darpas-futuristic-soft-exosuit/
Speaking of space, more power suit stuff.

Tech Tuesday

A tech Tuesday, on an actual tuesday! Don't get used to it, I've already got a second interview with the company from Monday, and if I get the job I'll probably be back to my typical halfassed blogging.

http://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/new-hepatitis-c-vaccine-shows-promise-human-trials
More medtech, this time another vaccine, for Hepatitis C.

http://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/trial-announced-diabetes-drug-following-success-mice
While we're at it, let's see if we can fix diabetes.

http://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/editing-stem-cells-could-stop-hiv-invading-immune-system
And a potential genemod vaccine kinda deal (not a vaccine, because it doesn't work the same way, but same basic effect), for HIV

http://gizmodo.com/fast-acting-nuclear-reactor-will-power-through-piles-of-1655683450
New and improved nuclear power generation, continuing the tradition of not being the shitty 70s Soviet tech everyone thinks of when they hear nuclear power.

http://gizmodo.com/this-bizarre-high-security-lock-is-every-drunk-persons-1657308808
Less groundbreaking, a new and possibly improved lock. Looks fancy and complicated.

Tech Thursday

Came down with another case of "can't be arsed" on Tuesday, so here it is now because so many tabs open.

http://www.iflscience.com/brain/scientists-develop-brain-decoder-can-read-your-inner-thoughts
Not quite a "read your thoughts against your will" device, this has a lot of possible positive and negative uses that I can see (although negative uses, without a substantial jump in capability, would require regular use to become fairly widespread). At present it requires the system be trained for the user's brain. The article talks about it being used to allow people unable to speak to do so, but with the capability of voice control (or good old fashioned text command line) it could probably be used as a control interface for computers.

http://www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/new-device-helps-facilitate-communication-between-humans-and-dogs
More on the topic of communications, dog-to-human and back translator

http://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/device-shows-your-veins-bright-green-could-make-donating-blood-easier
Never had problems with that particular part of getting blood drawn (I've got veins like firehoses), still seems very useful for people that aren't insane and minmax in real life the way I do.

http://www.iflscience.com/physics/cheaper-more-compact-particle-accelerators-are-step-closer
Tabletop particle accelerator. SCIENCE!

http://gizmodo.com/your-smartphone-could-one-day-be-powered-by-jet-fuel-1655357337 The reason we got to where we are today on fossil fuels is because they freaking WORK. Batteries are terrible. I also approve of this because gas powered personal electronics are dieselpunk as hell, even if it doesn't have an actual engine (which I'll admit would be just a tad over the top). Just need to combine this with some work I've seen on synthesis of fossil fuels and it's extra all good.

Tech Thursday

Couldn't be arsed to make this on Tuesday, so you get it today. Both days start with a T, it's close enough.

http://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/stem-cells-turned-cancer-destroyers
Fighting cancer with toxin producing genetic engineering

http://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/nasal-leads-paralyzed-man-walk
More progress in fixing broken spines and such

http://www.iflscience.com/brain/genes-associated-violent-crimes-identified
Hey, nature and nurture has a nature component. Astonishing.

http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/poverty-matters/2013/dec/29/waterwheel-burden-women-water-container
Astonishing, not only finding that rolling water is easier than balancing it on your head, but successfully convincing people that rolling water is superior to making women balance it on their heads.

http://sploid.gizmodo.com/scientists-create-sparkling-apple-that-fizzes-in-your-m-1651691251
It's a fizzing apple. SCIENCE!

http://gizmodo.com/us-special-forces-new-sniper-scope-works-like-a-human-e-1649906438
A new scope, that uses adjustable focal length lenses rather than moving them around. Seems handy.

Tech Tuesday

http://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/embryonic-stem-cells-giving-stem-sight-loss
Figuring out how to fix problems.

http://www.iflscience.com/technology/fusion-power-nearly-here
Fusion will be handy for a great many things.

http://www.iflscience.com/technology/new-technique-will-allow-robot-perform-brain-surgery-through-cheek
I'm waiting on autodocs, going to make the system ACTUALLY fix problems with the healthcare system. We'll have to figure out a way around the fact that there are very few jobs that probably won't eventually be mechanized, but that's a matter to deal with a bit down the line.

http://www.iflscience.com/technology/scientists-create-electric-generator-only-one-atom-thick
And yet more power generation that isn't terrible. A web of these under the skin might someday power implants or whatever.

Tech Tuesday

http://gizmodo.com/new-li-ion-batteries-charge-70-percent-in-2-minutes-la-1645721894 Hey look, batteries that aren't terrible, that aren't made of Unobtainium. Progress!

http://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/closest-weve-come-robot-arms-and-hands-can-feel Cyberware gets ever closer. We aren't to where losing a limb results in an upgrade to prosthetics, but we're getting to the point where that's actually approaching feasible. How will society react if it's actually possible to trade up from meat to circuits? Going to be somewhat interesting.

http://www.123dapp.com/ Smartphone app, lets you take a bunch of pictures for something that get converted into a 3d model. Quality is passable. Could see this having interesting applications if you have a 3d Printer, of which there are now a plethora of ~$500 models even.

Tech Tuesday

http://www.iflscience.com/space/human-spaceflight-launches-will-return-united-states Goin' back to space.

http://www.iflscience.com/chemistry/faster-better-hydrogen-production Hydrogen production that isn't godawful!

http://www.iflscience.com/technology/new-liquid-metal-battery-will-make-renewables-competitive And better batteries!

http://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/spinal-cord-stimulation-allows-completely-paralyzed-rats-walk-again Remember the stuff for allowing rats paralyzed by spinal injuries to walk again? Variations on that have been approved for human trials in the moderately near future.

http://gizmodo.com/the-seek-gives-your-smartphone-predator-vision-on-the-c-1638998262 Thermal camera case for your phone, for a mere $200. Not a lot of pixels, but infravision!

http://gizmodo.com/google-glass-app-gives-conversations-real-time-closed-c-1642537840 Combine this with a directional microphone, and you have the makings of a lot of help for people with hearing problems. Pair it with good language banks and equal or better translator software, and you have the makings of nearly real time universal translating.

http://www.iflscience.com/physics/new-record-breaking-laser-could-dramatically-speed-internet Improving the tubes with lasers. Sadly these lasers do not help me in my quest to build a lasgun.

And now some news you can use,
http://www.iflscience.com/brain/apps-can-improve-your-vision Failing eyesight is a problem a great many bloggers and shooters have (and the overlap between them). Got one of those fancypants smartphones? Make it help!

Tech Tuesday; short but medtech edition

http://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/shock-and-kill-approach-cures-mice-hiv-world-first

http://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/%E2%80%9Csurprising%E2%80%9D-oral-vaccine-stops-hiv-monkeys

So, progress on curing the incurable. That's rather handy. Of course, with all the terrible and corrupt that is Africa, getting it where it's needed most will remain an issue, but having a cure/treatment is still a plus over "Welp, sucks to be you"


That's pretty much all I found in the past week. Still, handy stuff.

Tech Tuesday

Halfassed addition, now with almost some content! Most of which is by way of IFLScience, because I'm a lazy shit and these are mostly just whatever new tech related stuff comes across my desk.

http://www.iflscience.com/technology/scientists-create-transparent-solar-concentrator
Solar power is useful, it's just ugly and expensive. Solar windows and stuff? Good idea. Any advances in making it actually not incredibly terrible are useful.

http://sploid.gizmodo.com/space-station-cosmonauts-find-life-in-the-vacuum-of-spa-1624978001
Somehow, microbes made it to space. Alive.

http://www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/researchers-identify-genetic-recipe-lizard-tail-regeneration
First we figure out how to get hearing damage caused by noise to heal (pending more testing before it gets to people. Very useful for people into guns and such), now we've identified what allows body parts to grow back. Perhaps in the near future, you'll have the options of a chrome replacement or just growing a new one in case of losing a bit of you.

http://www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/neanderthals-survived-early-contact-humans
Astonishingly enough, humanity managed to coexist with another sapient race for a few thousand years, rather than going straight for trying to wipe them out.

http://www.iflscience.com/technology/hydrogen-generating-water-splitter-runs-aaa-battery
Hydrogen generation, on the cheap.

http://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/researchers-discover-proteins-block-both-hiv-and-ebola-virus-release
Not a cure, but a step in the right direction.

Tech Tuesday

Things seem to have been a bit lean on the "finding random new tech articles" front to ramble about.

http://www.iflscience.com/technology/inventor-develops-synthetic-leaf-produces-oxygen
http://gizmodo.com/nasa-will-make-oxygen-from-co2-on-the-surface-of-mars-1614018168
Various techs for making oxygen from CO2. Handy for space.

Aaaand, that is everything I have for that front

However, tech related, just got a new laptop. Sweet gaming rig. Still setting it up, posting this from my old one because I haven't gotten stuff all ready yet.

Tech Tuesday

Tab clearing. Had these building up since the last time I did one and now I have a bunch.

http://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/quadriplegic-man-uses-thoughts-move-his-limb Bypassing damage to get the brain to control parts it's lost connection with. Having that capability also means that a similar capability with prosthetics isn't far behind.

http://www.iflscience.com/technology/researchers-develop-muscle-powered-biorobots biorobots. We'll see where this goes, it's mostly just interesting. Too tired to ramble about applications and stuff.

http://sploid.gizmodo.com/scientist-creates-new-flu-virus-that-can-kill-all-of-hu-1599174385 It ignores the human immune system, from the sounds of it. Made for study, because science.

http://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/remote-controlled-contraceptive-implant-lasts-16-years Birth control with a remote control on/off. Handy, if it works.

http://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/dna-scissors-can-perform-surgery-your-genes Genemods. The potential uses and abuses are both significant.

http://gizmodo.com/googles-smart-contact-lenses-are-going-to-become-a-real-1605173326 Not the video lenses that I predict will be the real proto-cyberbrain interface, but health monitoring contacts are probably more useful for people that need them.

http://www.iflscience.com/technology/3dtouch-works-3-dimensions-could-replace-computer-mouse Touch seems to be a big thing interfaces are moving towards. 3D touch will be interesting.

Tech Tuesday: Sick Edition

Managed to catch a bug that slipped through my ridiculous HT stat, at least I can do something (vaguely) useful and write a bit.

http://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/scientists-make-progress-development-one-size-fits-all-artificial-blood Exactly what it says on the tin, progress on making artificial blood.

http://www.iflscience.com/technology/new-type-computer-capable-calculating-640tbs-data-one-billionth-second-could and another step up in processing power, complete with a substantial power requirement reduction.

http://www.iflscience.com/technology/hologram-projectors-your-smartphone-could-be-close Portable mini-hologram projectors? Closer than you think.

http://elitedaily.com/news/world/scientific-breakthrough-may-laid-groundwork-human-teleportation/613912/ Teleportation of the "copy, reproduce, and destroy the original" variety has all kinds of ethical problems, but if you can just teleport without any of that? Not bad, not bad.

http://sploid.gizmodo.com/holy-crap-nasas-interplanetary-spaceship-concept-is-fr-1589001939 Warp drives and spaceship concept art.

http://www.iflscience.com/space/scientists-discover-smallest-known-star It's barely bigger than Jupiter