Modern inventions of the world

Do you remember the fascinating information we brought you about modern high-tech gadgets? Today, we will tell you more about some new inventions. These are not really gadgets; some of them are software or programs which are equally fascinating.

Read on and see if you like them.

Lie-detection software

When someone says something to you, how do you take it? Do you believe anything you hear without thinking twice? Sometimes, even our very closest relations may lie to us. How would we know that somebody is lying?

Now, researchers at Cornell University in New York, USA are hoping to take lie-detection to the next level by carefully analysing emails and SMSs for lies.

In a three-year effort to compile a list of indicators of written deception, the team drew from some 40 years of research in linguistics (languages) and lies, including recent work in the context of computer media and reviews of Enron (a US giant in the energy sector which was involved in a massive corruption and fraud scandal and which went bankrupt) emails.

By carefully inspecting word choices, verb tenses, and a variety of other textual factors, the software can use "contextual parameters" to spot lies. The researchers hope to market the goods to police agencies, suspicious spouses, and of course, corporate ethics committees.

Wireless power products

Energy without wires has always seemed like one of those novel concepts that sounds great in theory, but remains a bit difficult to imagine being implemented on a commercial basis in the immediate future.

Apparently, all that is about to change, as a Pennsylvania (USA)-based start-up venure is set to capture the hearts of all those wireless-loving people, when it introduces contactless power products.

The innovative company has already "signed nondisclosure (non-revealing) agreements to develop products with more than 100 companies, including major manufacturers of cell phones, MP3 players, automotive parts, temperature sensors, hearing aids and medical establishments.

The firm's radio-wave-receiving miracle device trumps (succeeds) existing attempts by "adjusting to variations in load and field strength while maintaining a constant DC voltage," essentially ensuring that only low wattages are thrown around.

The system basically consists of two parts - a wall-plug transmitter and a "dime-sized receiver" that handles the real magic - and energy is instantly transmitted whenever that disc comes within a yard or so of its tag-team partner. Get ready children, if all goes well, Power cast will be shipping 'many millions of units' by the end of 2008 or maybe, even sooner!

Keyboard in rainbow hues

We can't think of a much better way to complement your disco-inspired mouse than, you guessed it, a fantastic keyboard!

While we've seen our fair share of coloured keyboards, the latest elevates the game by letting you programme each individual key with one of 512 colours, "be it a single hue, a spectrum rainbow," or your own unique or nasty creation. Reportedly, users can even download colour skins or patterns directly from the firm's website, or you can save your own design for future reference, and actual brightness levels can also be adjusted right alone, with tone.

Moreover, users can make the keys light up or dimmer, based on the beat of the music surrounding it. This is sure to create the dance-floor experience right in your home.

Of course, every one knows this keyboard is best used with all the lights shut out.

Stopwatch measuring your progress

'Extreme' sports like snowboarding, mountain biking and full contact shuffleboard are all about taking it to the 'max', but how do you know whose 'max' is the maximum max, unless there are a clearly described set of criteria and properly-standardised tools to measure them with?

Enter the Hang Timer, a stopwatch with built-in tri-axis accelerometer that calculates how much 'air' you've gotten off a jump, and provides several tracking tools to gauge your own progress.

Users simply clip the small device to themselves with the built in carabineer (extra security is possible using zip ties), adjust the sensitivity settings based on activity, say a prayer, and then hurtle down whatever snow or rock covered hill they're poised to lift off from.

Though we can't exactly try them out in Sri Lanka, better to know about them isn't it?

Compiled by Janani Amarasekara