emf

Mr. Ghost iPhone EMF detector for hunting hauntings

There's a vehicle I often see in my neighborhood with "TAPS" written on it. That stands for "The Albuquerque Paranormal Society." TAPS is known around the area for ghost hunts and tracking paranormal activity, like a homegrown, less governmental version of "The X-Files."

Whether you believe in ghosts or not, it takes a lot of equipment to look for them. Rather than invest in a ton of gear like an electric charge detector, full-spectrum camcorder, night vision goggles, and an EVP mic, you can get started with ghost hunting for a $20 Mr. Ghost pledge on Kickstarter.… Read more

The 404 902: Where logical fallacies beg the question (podcast)

If you had to guess, how many pages exist on the Internet, including advertisements and computer-generated articles? Google just gave The World Wide Web Foundation a million dollar grant to answer that question.

We also want to talk about the next evolution of augmented reality apps, like a Google maps extension that overlays historical images on modern locations, and an Android app that shows you objects that would otherwise be invisible to humans- stuff like gamma rays, X-rays, and ionized gasses.

Finally, we'll examine the Electromagnetic Field (EMF) phenomenon that'd led a group of "Wi-Fi refugees" to live in the West Virginia mountains, where a Quiet Zone bans wireless signals across 13,000 square miles.

The 404 Digest for Episode 902

How many pages are on the Internet? Historypin overlays historical images on modern day Google Map. " Wi-fi refugees" shelter in West Virginia mountains. Kevin Rose goes full honeybadger on Gizmodo. Does 7-11 still have chilli and cheese for Nachos/Super Big Bite? Your daily 404 bathroom break: Boy scared of dinosaur.

Episode 902 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

Pic Shrinker

Uploading images is to Net newbies what parallel parking is to new drivers: it takes a lot of trial and error to get it right. And Megabyte-size snapshots hog Facebook bandwidth. Fileminimizer Pictures 3 from Balesio is a free tool that promises to help solve both issues. It resizes image files by up to 98 percent without zipping and without sacrificing quality. Its Facebook Uploader Module also makes it easy to post your pictures on Facebook.

Fileminimizer's interface is businesslike but attractive, with subtle but effective use of color and highlighting to differentiate the various icons and controls. Most … Read more

Basic document converter

ActMask Document Converter X is an easy-to-use program that lets users quickly convert files into different formats. It's nothing fancy, but it's a good choice for users find themselves needing to convert documents regularly.

The program's interface is basic and intuitive, and users can either open the program by itself or select it from the list of printers when printing a document. Users then simply select the format that they want to use, including PDF, TXT, and a variety of image file types. The program quickly converts the document to the desired file type. Many of the … Read more

Once again: Do cell phones cause brain tumors?

A collaborative of international electromagnetic radiation (EMR) watchdogs, including Powerwatch and the EMR Policy Institute, sent a paper to government leaders and media Tuesday detailing several design flaws in a major but oft-delayed telecom-funded Interphone study.

Now consumers get to wonder yet again whether the message behind the paper, "Cellphones and Brain Tumors: 15 Reasons for Concern, Science, Spin and the Truth Behind Interphone," is legitimate or the result of overzealous conspiracy theorists.

The paper's main conclusions are: There is a "significant" risk of brain tumors from cell phone use; EMR exposure limits that have … Read more

66: Hyundai and Microsoft team up

Hyundai seeks to one-up Ford SYNC, the cheapest car with standard GPS nav, who makes the best engine in the world, and a ride in the new 1 Series. Listen now: Download today's podcast

Retro Yubz brings the '80s to your cell phone

For a while, there seemed to be no end to the incredible shrinking of cell phones. The tinier your handset, the cooler you probably thought you looked around 2001 or so. But the trend has slowed, thankfully, and in some circles, there's a backlash against handsets that required toddler-size hands and heads to talk comfortably.

Take the Yubz retro handset, for instance. It's the same design from many millions of dial and push-button telephones in the 1970s and '80s, before cordless became king. The earpiece would fit snugly between your ear and shoulder as you walked several feet … Read more

Gadget allergies: Our worst nightmare

Imagine being allergic to every single gadget on these pages.

According to this article in the Daily Mail, that nightmare is a reality for 39-year-old Briton Debbie Bird.

Bird says she experiences a severe allergic reaction when exposed to electromagnetic fields (EMF). That means no cell phones, no microwave ovens, no computers, and even no cars in some cases. Bird is also sensitive to public Wi-Fi hotspots, which limits her possibilities for social outings.

Bird has experienced symptoms such as headaches, skin rashes, a burning sensation, and swollen eyelids when exposed to the electromagnetic fields created by today's technology. … Read more

EMF detector for peace of mind

Does it really work? That's anybody's guess. But given all the health scares that routinely make headlines, the "Cell Sensor" electromagnetic field detector will likely be a popular item for those who think of their mobile phones as a bodily appendage.

The gaussmeter--which, by the way, features a distinctly unscientific-looking logo--supposedly sounds an alarm when it detects certain emission levels from phones, computer monitors, TVs and the like, according to Red Ferret. Some of the skeptics at Crave have expressed their doubts, but we suspect that a good number of people will spring $40 even … Read more