Metro Reviews: The Massey Lectures, LEGO The Hobbit, Jean Paul Gaultier
Here’s my Metro Reviews for the week of April 7th. The Massey Lectures By House of Anansi Press iPad Three Stars This iPad art book elegantly packages the recordings and transcripts of the CBC series into an eBook collection where fans can take notes, join online discussions, and access free interviews. Lawrence Hill, Margaret Atwood,... Read More
What She Said: Beauty Technology And DNA Privacy
This week Kris Abel introduces What She Said’s Christine Bentley, Sharon Caddy, and Kate Wheeler to… Katia Vega is a computer scientist in Brazil who is pushing the boundaries of wearable computing by exploring smart materials for new forms of conductive make-up, facial triggers, and artificial nail sensors. Here’s a video of her latest project... Read More
Google’s Balloon Network No Joke, Travels The World In 22 Days
Everyone thought it was an April Fool’s joke, when nearly a year ago Google announced that they would offer internet access through a system of balloons. Yes, balloons, the wibbly-wobbly, drifting-bobbing helium-filled kind that give up to the winds if you let go of them for just a second. Everyone thought it was crazy, and... Read More
Metro Reviews: Infamous Second Son, Ravensburger, Strava
Here’s my Metro News reviews for the week of Mar 31st. Skulls & Bones: El Inglés Goes Missing By Jay Malinowski Kindle/iBooks/Kobo Three Stars In this first novella from Bedouin Soundclash singer Jay Malinowski, a weathered box gives up a collection of letters between an old sea dog and the granddaughter he left behind in... Read More
Facebook’s Futuristic Plans For Virtual Reality Headsets
With Facebook’s $2 billion acquisition of virtual realiy company Oculus VR making headlines several people have asked me to explain the story right from the begining so here you go. If you’re already familiar and simply want my thoughts, feel free to skip ahead to “Facebook Buys In”. What Is Virtual Reality? You can tell... Read More
Metro Reviews: Blend Spices, Yoshi’s New Island, F This Test, Angry Birds Epic
Here’s my Metro News Reviews for the week of Mar. 24th F This Test By Richard Benson iBooks/Kindle/Kobo Three Stars If you can’t give your teacher the right answer, at least make them laugh. This collection of High School howlers compiled by Summersdale Publishers (under the pseudonym Richard Benson) captures the feel of a school... Read More
Radar’s Future – Finding Airplanes With Lasers
Scientists in Italy have completed formal tests of the world’s first laser-based radar system that promises to capture highly detailed information about airplanes in the sky. The recent disappearance of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370 has highlighted the need for surveillance systems that can stay in contact with a passenger plane even when its own communications... Read More
Metro Reviews – Captain America, South Park The Stick Of Truth, Happy Camping
Here’s my Metro Canada reviews for the week of March 17th. Captain America: The Winter Soldier By Ed Brubaker Marvel Unlimited iPhone/iPad/Android Three Stars A new concept for digital comics, adaptive audio is a music soundtrack that changes tempo to match your speed in turning pages. Added sound effects are triggered by panels and the... Read More
Child’s Heart Printed In 3D For Life-Saving Operation
Among the trickiest operations they perform at Kosair Children’s Hospital in Kentucky are the ones they eloquently refer to as “children with complicated hearts”. 14 month-old Roland Lian Cung Bawi was born with a rare abnormality where the two main arteries of his heart were connected to the same chamber. Plotting out the complicated surgery... Read More
Metro Reviews: Dan Risken, Thief, UP Coffee, Doggins
Here’s my Metro Canada reviews for the week of March 10th Nature Is Trying To Kill You By Dan Risken Kindle/iBooks/Kobo Four Stars Zebras don’t throw their friends “under a bus”, they throw them under a lion. Daily Planet’s Dan Risken tears apart misconceptions about how benevolent and harmonious a “natural” lifestyle can be... Read More
Drummer Gets Bionic Arm, Has Fastest Drumsticks Alive
Some people struggle with a career choice, but Jason Barnes always knew that he wanted to be a drummer. He applied to the school where many of his idols went, the Atlanta Institute of Music and Media, and saved up his tuition by cleaning out the rooftop ventilation systems of restaurants. Three days before his... Read More
Metro Reviews: Wild Canada, Year In Focus, Plants Vs Zombies Garden Warfare
Here’s my Metro Canada reviews for the week of March 3rd Year In Focus 2013 By Getty Images iBooks Three And A Half Stars Proof that a digital book can hold more photos than paper, this retrospective from Getty Images is a wealth of zoomable slideshows and interactive panoramas that place you at sporting events,... Read More
Sniffer Dogs Offer Up A Breath Of Fresh Tech
A dog’s nose is a wondrous thing. That cold, wet snout that pokes between the bed sheets and wakes you up in the morning can sift through scents at an astonishing parts per trillion. Imagine taking a sip from several Olympic-sized swimming pools and tasting the presence of just a pinch of sugar and you... Read More
Metro Reviews: Wonders of Life, Tengami, Modernist Cuisine
Here’s my Metro Canada reviews for the week of Fwb. 24th. Brian Cox’s Wonders Of Life By Professor Brian Cox iPhone/iPad Five Stars It’s like falling down Alice’s rabbit hole by way of Google maps. This companion book for the BBC TV series (now playing on TVO) beautifully envelopes its scrolling pages within immersive animated... Read More
What She Said – A Self-Defense App For Indian Women & Disney’s Magic Bracelets
This week Kris Abel introduces What She Said’s Christine Bentley, Sharon Caddy, and Kate Wheeler to… World Championship Olympic Boxer Mary Kom who hails from the small community of Manipur. She says that women have a hard time feeling safe on the streets of India, so she’s using an endorsement deal with Vodaphone to develop a... Read More
Toronto Student’s Google Doodle Wins $10,000 Scholarship
17 year-old Cindy Tang has won a national competition put on by Google Canada to create a special design for the search giant’s homepage. She topped thousands of students across the country who submitted designs, each aiming to finish the phrase “If I could invent anything, I would invent…” When you visit Google.ca tomorrow you’ll... Read More
Playful Inventions From The New York Toy Fair
There were more than 150,000 toys on display at this year’s annual International Toy Fair in New York. For more than a century the industry show has been a welcome market for inventors and entrepreneurs to showcase their would-be hit toys alongside the big brands and this year saw many using new technologies to give... Read More
Entertainment Extra: The End of Jay Leno & Getting Aggro On Jeopardy
Check out this week’s Entertainment Extra where, amongst reviews of Three Days To Kill, Pompeii, and Tim’s Vermeer, film critic Richard Crouse asked me to join him for the second half of the show to take part in his weekly chat about pop culture. We discuss why Jay Leno is so hated, how Facebook is... Read More
Metro Reviews: The LEGO Movie, Ringo Starr, Sooshi, Jabra Sports
Here’s my Metro News reviews for the week of February 17th Photograph By Ringo Starr iBooks Four and a Half Stars It’s as if you’re sitting on a couch, knee-to-knee with Ringo Starr, going through his albums. Audio clips allow him to laugh and tell stories as you flip through pages of personal photos and... Read More
Police Use Lasers To Scan Crime Scenes In 3D
In Iron Man 3 Tony Stark analyzes a crime scene using holographic images. He pans and zooms through an impressive 3D model of Mann’s Chinese Theatre, even stepping into it to search for the tiniest of clues. It was intended to seem futuristic and it was…eight months ago. The Queensland Police Service in Australia are... Read More
Metro Reviews – Boston Marathon, Rain Shadow Love Recipes, Outlast
Here’s my Metro Reviews for the week of Feb. 10th Rain Shadow By Rebecca Hansen Carrer iBooks Four And A Half Stars The prospect of undiscovered wealth drove men to shameful acts of subterfuge and violence in the late 1800’s acquisition of water rights for Los Angeles. This well-researched, fictionalized account follows a young girl... Read More
Psychology Technology: Coping Virtually With Phobia, Addiction, and Schizophrenia
We perceive our world more and more through digital senses. It’s there in the way we map it, scan it, and digitize it into video games. It’s no surprise then that therapists are exploring new technologies for tools and exercises to help people cope with their fears and anxieties. This week we’re exploring three fascinating... Read More
Metro Reviews – Cinefex, George Harrison’s Guitars, Best Ceasar, Tearaway
Here’s my reviews from Metro News for the week of Feb. 3rd. Cinefex By Don Shay & Jody Duncan iPad Four Stars A journal of behind-the-scenes movie magic, Cinefex get their hands on the extras you won’t find on any DVD and the photographs that obsessive fans drool over. Going digital has actually lowered their... Read More
The Most Famous Human Brain In Medicine Has Been Uploaded To The Web
For the first time researchers have scanned a human brain at the cellular level, revealing an unprecedented amount of detail and structure on the most mysterious part of our bodies. When you view the brain at this level of magnification it becomes as expansive as the universe, and so rather fittingly, Dr. Jacopo Annese and... Read More
Metro Reviews: Sherlock, Tomb Raider, Wii Fit U
Here’s my Metro News reviews for the week of Jan 27th. Spirit Rising By Angélique Kidjo & Rachel Wenrick Kindle/iBooks/Kobo Three And A Half Stars Recipes and mp3s add a friendly interactive touch to this charming autobiographical tale of a restless girl in West Africa whose childhood of python festivals and Aretha Franklin records helped... Read More
A Faster Commute. The Promise Of Smart Traffic Lights, Elevators, And Bus Stops
You can listen to my radio series live every Monday on Moore in the Morning at 6:45 am Between traffic lights, elevators, and bus stops we spend a good portion of our lives just waiting. This week we’re exploring new technology that aims to eliminate those delays by sensing our moods and anticipating where we... Read More
Metro Reviews: Wordeo, Robert Evans, Assassin’s Creed Liberation HD
Here’s my Metro News reviews for the week of January 20th The Robert Evans Collection By Robert Evans iBooks/Kindle Four Stars No one enjoys telling self-aggrandizing Hollywood stories more than Bob Evans. Does he narrate his own books? Sure. Goes off-script? You bet. His often-mimicked humble brag tone is an unintentional delight and because he... Read More
Smart Contact Lenses Promise Eye Sensors And Zoom Vision
You can listen to my radio series live every Monday on Moore in the Morning at 6:45 am Follow @RealKrisAbel Smart Contact Lens The finger prick test for blood sugar is a pretty uncomfortable way to manage diabetes. I don’t know how people do it, other than you have to if you want to avoid... Read More
Metro Reviews: Device 6, Wolf Among Us, Crackle
Here’s my Metro News reviews for the week of Jan 13th. Device 6 By Jonas Tarestad & Simon Flesser iPad/iPhone Four and a Half Stars This brilliant puzzle book moves with its character, Anna. When she takes a turn, its pages rotate to match. As she passes a window, the illustrations change their view. Voices... Read More
3D Printed Food, Night Vision iPhones, And Smart Earbuds Among CES Best
You can listen to my radio series live every Monday on Moore in the Morning at 6:45 am Follow @RealKrisAbel From among the thousands of new gadgets and devices that were previewed last week at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas I’m afraid we only have time to look at three. There were curved... Read More
Metro Reviews – Cabinet of Curiosities, Dead Rising, Dog Biscuits
Here’s my Metro News Reviews for the week of January 6th Guillermo Del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities By Guillermo Del Toro & Marc Zicree Kindle/iBooks/Kobo Four Stars While making movies Guillermo Del Toro (Pan’s Labyrinth, Pacific Rim) keeps imaginatively illustrated journals. Select pages are used here for a deep and fascinating discussion into his influences... Read More
Criminals Can Be Found Reflected In Their Victim’s Eyes
You can listen to my radio series live every Monday on Moore in the Morning at 6:45 am Follow @RealKrisAbel Take a picture of someone up-close and you might just be photographing yourself, reflected in their eyes. Research led by Dr. Rob Jenkins at the Department of Psychology at the University of York, England has... Read More
Metro Reviews – The Hobbit, FitStar, LEGO Marvel Super Heroes, Cooking Matters
Here are my Metro News reviews from the week of Dec. 31st. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Official Movie Guide By Brian Sibley iBooks/Kindle/Kobo Three And A Half Stars Imagine thirteen helicopters transporting thirteen dwarf teams around a mountain or a sound designer’s daughter giving Smaug his dragon’s roar. Every faction of the behind-the-scenes... Read More
Metro Reviews – Steampunk Holmes, Web MD, Republique, Forza 5
Here’s my Metro Reviews for the week of December 23rd. Steampunk Holmes: Legacy of the Nautilus By P.C. Martin iPad Four And A Half Stars With remarkable devotion to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories, this alternate Steampunk adventure manages to give Sherlock a Victorian motorbike and Watson a prosthetic arm-cannon without trading away the deductive... Read More
Voice Donors Help Create Personalized Digital Speech
In the new movie Her, Joaquin Phoenix portrays a lonely writer who ends up falling for the Siri-like voice assistant of his new operating system, played by Scarlett Johansson. It’s an easy story to buy into because the computerized voices in today’s gadgets have become so convincing that having a relationship with one doesn’t seem... Read More
Metro Reviews: Saving Mr. Banks, Legend of Zelda, The Walk
Here’s my Metro reviews for the week of December 16th. Saving Mr. Banks: The Official Multi-Touch Book By Tyler Christian & Hilary Hattenbach iBooks for iPad/Mac Three And A Half Stars Yes, it’s a promotional pamphlet with profiles on Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson, but done with the added care of an expensive coffee... Read More
Google Buys Industry’s Worth Of Robots For Secret Project
Google has been quietly buying up robotics companies out of Japan and the United States. So far they have acquired eight companies for an undisclosed amount. It’s a major move, worth billions of dollars, and one that gives them a leadership position and early monopoly on an industry that doesn’t exist yet. What their intent... Read More
Metro Reviews: Ron Burgundy, Blackbar, Ryse: Son of Rome
Here’s my Metro New columns for the week of Dec. 9th Blackbar By Neven Mrgan and James Moore iPhone/iPad/Android Four Stars With their letters censored by a sinister authority, two friends must constantly invent covert ways to communicate. To follow along you have to type in their redacted words, guessing at what’s being said and... Read More
Family Adventure: Mountain Climbing & Freediving At The Ontario Science Centre
The Ontario Science Centre has opened a new hall called The Human Edge with 80 exhibits that explore the remarkably plastic nature of your body, the way it can adapt and change to the demands we put upon it in a lifetime. This week on Technical Knockout we’re looking at just two of those exhibits,... Read More
Metro Reviews: The Book Thief, Super Mario 3D World, John Lennon
Here’s my Metro New columns for the week of Dec. 2nd The Book Thief: Enhanced Movie Edition By Markus Zusak Kindle/iBooks Four Stars Snatched during a life made arduous by Nazi rule, a girl uses stolen books to tell her tale. It’s an unflinching account, very coarse in detail, but surprising in its warmth. This... Read More