I am highly intrigued by 3d printing in both in business, general use in the home, and in education especially autism education.
We are going to be working with a renowned 3d printing company or 2 in the near future. We are looking forward to the opportunity and the innovation that we expect to get familiar with.
Here is a nice video highlighting amazing things created with 3d printing.
I recently was sent a link to this cool video from Nasa. It shows the back or “dark” side of the moon. For those folks who are into tech this is really cool!!
We recently had the opportunity to review Manfrotto’s Fluid video aluminum monopod. To put it mildy, we were very impressed.
It was really easy to use and quite portable as well.
If I could afford one, I would buy one now and use it all of the time.
According to Manfrotto:
The 562B-1 is a compact and high 4-section aluminium fluid monopod equipped with a 357PLV sliding camera plate adapter to adjust the camera’s center of balance. This fluid monopod is ideal for camcorders up to 17.6lb (8kg).
I really like the little feet on the bottom. I have used other monopod’s in the past, but this is the king or monopods, larger, more stable and it is easy to use. I am tall, over 6 feet, so I appreciate a monopod that extends long enough for me to use.
I tested the monopod with a Nikon J1, and it worked perfectly for all of the photo’s I had the chance to take with it. I also used it at CES 2015, and received all kinds of positive comments about the “cool monopod” according to other news folks and bloggers that I ran into at the event.
I also took it hiking and due to its durability it was effective as a walking stick as well on the trail too. I feel that anyone who is into outdoor adventuring, hunting, motorcycling or out door activities would love the Manfrotto Fluid video aluminum monopod. I was really impressed with its design, durability and utility.
It combined a high level of utility with superb aesthetics and function.
That said, the panning action is smooth, and because it happens at the base, with practice, you have better control over the stability of the monopod while panning since both hands can create that movement, and you’re not having to use one hand to simply keep the monopod still while you pan with the other. You can, and should, use your whole body to make the pan. Tilt control is very nice as well and just as good as say a 701
The ‘bridging’ head is a great hybrid system, allowing quick release that us videographers are used to, plus the ability to click it back in place with quick fore and aft positioning.
The ball at the bottom is nice and stiff enough to let the monopod stand in place without holding on to it (but don’t walk too far away from it with your camera on it 🙂
For more information go to http://www.manfrotto.us/fluid-video-aluminum-monopod-with-plate
I wholeheartedly recommend Manfrotto for your tripod and lighting needs and am a huge fan.
I am a serious tech and chocolate nut, for those of you like me you must take a look at Hershey’s 3d Printing of Chocolate videos:
Video #1
Video #2
I had a chance to see the amazing Parrot AR Drone 2.0 and it is amazing. It flys, records video and is a truly amazing piece of technology. I would love one to experiment with and review it. I could not be more impressed by it.
1) Corporate video from Parrot
2) Another Corporate overview video
Press Release

Parrot ‘AR.Drone 2.0’:
High-Definition Excitement!
At CES Las Vegas 2012, Parrot, a global leader in wireless devices for mobile phones, reveals the AR.Drone 2.0, the new generation of its renowned high-tech quadricopter that can be controlled by Wi-Fi using a smartphone or tablet1.
With a new high-definition camera, video recording, flight data sharing, new piloting mode, increased stability and brand-new look, the AR.Drone 2.0 offers an experience like no other!
A flying HD camera
While in flight, the Parrot AR.Drone 2.0’s front camera transmits real-time what the quadricopter sees onto the pilot’s device screen.
For the first time the AR.Drone 2.0 camera, with a 1280×720 resolution, shows a view from the sky in high definition with smooth and unbelievable images.
The pilot enjoys an experience like never before, as if he was on board. For gaming purposes, this camera also can recognize specific shapes and colors to show augmented-reality elements on the smartphone’s screen.
Record and share flying experiences
Thanks to the new AR.FreeFlight 2.0 piloting application, players can record their own HD videos and watch them or share them with the AR.Drone community.
Additionally, with the “travelling” feature, the pilot can film HD video sequences like a professional! Simply select the direction of travel (forward, back, sideways) and the duration, and the AR.Drone 2.0 does the rest.
1 List of compatible smartphones and touchscreen tablets available at www.parrot.com
Press Release Las Vegas, 9 January 2012

AR.FreeFlight 2.0, a new piloting and sharing platform
In addition to flying the AR.Drone, new application AR.FreeFlight 2.0 – available to download for free from the AppStoreSM and AndroidTM Market – offers players a new interface and several options.
FreeFlight: Access to the piloting application. The pilot can record flights, take HD videos or photos and save them in the piloting device. All the flight data (altitude, speed, duration and place) can be saved, checked by the pilot and shared with the community.
Guest Space: Access an overview of the AR.Drone 2.0, the best flight videos and practical information.
Drone Update: Access the AR.Drone 2.0’s free software updates.
AR.Drone Academy: Get geolocation data of the best flight zones, watch other pilots’ videos and access their shared flight data.
AR.Games: Access applications/games available for the AR.Drone.
Photos/Videos: Directly access your own videos and photos. Watch or upload to YouTube
for the community to enjoy.
‘Absolute Flight’, a revolutionary ultra-intuitive flight mode
After the AR.FreeFlight 2.0 pilot application has been loaded onto an iOS or AndroidTM smartphone or tablet, the Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 connects to the device via Wi-Fi. After connection, all the on-board instruments appear on screen with a cockpit view.
Press the take off button briefly and the four brushless motors turn on. The AR.Drone 2.0 takes off.
Flying is very simple. With your thumbs placed on either side of the screen, a control button automatically forms beneath:
Press and hold the left button and the AR.Drone 2.0 follows the movement of the pilot’s device: it moves forward, backwards or sideways when you tilt the tablet forward, towards you or to the left or right.
Slide your finger over the right button, and the quadricopter rises, descends or rotates right or left.
Thanks to Parrot’s patented new ‘Absolute Control’ mode, the player accesses an even more intuitive piloting system.
With a 3D magnetometer, the AR.Drone 2.0 knows its precise orientation with respect to the smartphone, which becomes the reference point. The pilot no longer needs to care about the orientation of the AR.Drone 2.0’s front camera, which will accurately track the smartphone’s motion and tilt.
Experienced players will select ‘Relative Flight’ mode, the conventional flight mode. This disables Parrot AR.Drone 2.0’s magnetometer. The pilot manages the quadricopter’s orientation with no assistance.

Surprising stability at any altitude
The heart of the AR.Drone 2.0 contains MEMS (microelectromechanical systems). A 3-axis accelerometer, a 3-axis gyroscope, a 3-axis magnetometer and a pressure sensor give the Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 surprising stability, complete with:
2 ultrasound sensors, which analyze flight altitude up to 6 meters.
New! A pressure sensor completes the device and provides great vertical
stability.
4 blades, specially designed for the AR.Drone 2.0, make it possible to carry
out smooth flights.
A second camera, placed beneath the quadricopter and connected to the central inertial unit,
measures the craft’s speed using an image comparison system.
2 hulls made for both types of flight
The Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 has 2 hulls with specially designed contours. Made of EPP (a material used in designing car bumpers), they are light, highly resistant and protect the quadricopter.
For outdoor flight, the contoured hull, available in three colors (orange/yellow; orange/green; orange/blue), reduces wind resistance and preserves the AR.Drone 2.0’s handling and stability.
When indoor, a second hull protects the blades
from any impact. The black-and-white cockpit, underlined with a red stripe, reinforces the quadricopter’s mysterious,
thrilling appearance.
Finally, light-emitting diodes (green in front, red in rear), positioned on the landing gear, help the
pilot track the orientation of the AR.Drone 2.0 for easier flying.
An Open Development Platform
In order to expand the use of the Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 and its compatibility with other operating systems and to develop new flying games and applications, Parrot is providing developers and members of the Apple® and AndroidTM communities with a software development kit.
By logging in at https://projects.ardrone.org and accepting the terms of the license, developers can access the source code used to fly the AR.Drone 2.0. A wiki and a tutorial also are available. A forum is available to discuss new developments and share feedback with Parrot engineers.
***
The Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 runs on a rechargeable lithium-ion battery (included).
Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 will be available for purchase at selected retailers in Q2-2012 in the United States for $299 MSRP
For more information, visit www.parrot.com or contact: PARROT
Vanessa Loury / Fabien Laxague vanessa.loury@parrot.com / fabien.laxague@parrot.com Tel. +33 (0)1 48 03 60 58 / 89 83
Tel. +33 (0) 6 86 56 81 33 / +33 (0) 6 80 90 97 59
About PARROT
***
AGENCY for Parrot
Tim Wieland
parrot@airfoilpr.com
Tel.248-304-1414
Parrot, a global leader in wireless devices for mobile phones, stands on the cutting edge of innovation. The company was founded in 1994 by Henri Seydoux as part of his determination to drive the inevitable breakthrough of mobile phones into everyday life by creating high-quality, user-friendly wireless devices for easy living.
Parrot has developed the most extensive range of hands-free systems on the market for cars. Its globally recognized expertise in the fields of mobile connectivity and multimedia around Smartphones has positioned Parrot as a key player of in-car infotainment.Additionally, Parrot designs and markets an exclusive ‘Parrot by’ range, consisting of a prestigious line of high-end wireless multimedia products in collaboration with some of the world’s most well-renowned artists; and the AR.Drone, the first quadricopter piloted via Wi-Fi and using augmented reality.
Parrot, headquartered in Paris, currently employs more than 650 people worldwide and generates the majority of its sales overseas. Parrot is listed on NYSE Euronext Paris since 2006. (FR0004038263 – PARRO)
More information: www.parrot.com / www.ardrone.com / www.parrotoem.com
