Google Chromecast was launched to compete with the Apple TV, which sells for $99.00, at a fraction of the price. The launch was an instant hit selling out in all of the major online retailers. Furthermore, Google is frantically posting job listings for their Chromecast team in order to meet production and create betas for Chromecast.

Chromecast is able to stream in HD quality to your TV in both 720p and 1080p, though some users reported a little lag in the 1080p streaming. Fortunately though, Chromecast works crossplatform on any machine that can download Google Chrome. In addition, Google is working hard to bring more support and apps for Google Chromecast.

In order for Chromecast to continue to move forward from its successful launch, Google needs to act fast in an effort to make it widely available to consumers.

Well, how close did this all come to a reality?

Google Glass physically consists of a 5MP camera with a clear prism that is attached to a flexible metal frame.  Google is working to incorporate prescription lenses for those who need glasses. The product comes with built in WIFI and Bluetooth technology, but no gps chip. In addition, Google Glass comes with 16GB flash memory preinstalled.

Directly from the Google Glass “What It Does” page:

• Take pictures, video, and live stream hands free
• Turn by turn directions in front of you
• Speak to send a message
• Ask any question
• Get translations for different languages
• Get answers without asking

In fact, Google posted a video back in February demonstrating these features:

One of the most heavily debated aspects of the device surrounds the ability to discretely record video or use the device. Privacy is a big public concern as people are afraid of the capabilities and customization options to come. Moreover, Google Glass has not even fully launched yet and it is already being banned in public places such as casinos.

Currently, Google Glass is not available to everyone. If you are one of the lucky developer’s chosen by Google, you can purchase a pair for a whopping $1,500! The tech world is speculating a late 2013 or early 2014 widespread launch of Google Glass.

Lenticular printing is a technology used in 3D displays to produce printed images with an illusion of depth, or the ability to change or move the image when viewed from different angles.

Here’s an example of Lenticular art to help give you a better picture. You can see that depending on your point of view, the image changes.

A Spanish organization ANAR, which aids children in distress has come up with a rather ingenious way to reach out to those who need help the most. Their use of lenticular printing in an advertisement has created a lot of conversation about the medium. Instead of simply trying to sell a product, it could quite possibly change someone’s life.

ANAR wanted to advertise their special hotline for minors at risk, but they faced a challenge in how to spread the word. If an adult, or potential aggressor could see the ad, it’s purpose would be defeated. Their solution was unique, and it allowed children and adults to be looking at the same advertisement, yet receive entirely different messages.

ANAR has used this technology to create a poster with a hidden message for people of different heights. Using the average height of a 10 year old, the ad was created so that children would see one message encouraging them to seek help, even if they were walking alongside an abuser.  The advertisement to those 4’ 5” and below is the face of an abused child with the message that reads, “if somebody hurts you, phone us and we’ll help you,” alongside the organization’s help line number. People 4’ 5” and taller, on the other hand, see a different message highlighting awareness of child abuse. Check out the photo below for a visual explanation.

To see the ad in action, check out this short video.

Lenticular printing certainly isn’t new, but this ad certainly encourages everyone to think outside of the box on how it can be used. While this ad is used to help children, however, it may only be a matter of time until the process is used to advertise products directly to children, while parents are none the wiser.

Detecting these types of cells is difficult. Achieving good statistical accuracy requires an automated instrument using what is called a ‘high-throughput screening’, which can examine millions of cells rather quickly. Even though microscopes outfitted with digital cameras are regarded as the ideal way to analyze cells, they just aren’t fast enough. Engineers at UCLA have developed an optical microscope that would stand up to the task. In order to view these cells, the cameras needed must have the ability to capture and digitally process millions of images continuously, at a very high frame rate. Conventional cameras are not rapid or sensitive enough, and the actually become less sensitive to light at a high speed because of the time needed to read data from the pixels.

The method currently used, relies on single-point light scattering, as opposed to taking a picture. This method is also not sensitive enough to detect early stage cancer cells, or other types of rare cells. UCLA has led research in breaking through to conquer these limitations. Experts in the field of optics and biotechnology have developed a high-throughput optical microscope that can detect rare cells with a sensitivity of one part per million in real time. In 2009, the same research team created the world fastest continuous-running camera, and they put it to good use here. Their developments are based on, but also enhance the technology behind the world fastest continuous-running camera.

This new technology is leaps and bounds more efficient when classifying cells in blood samples than conventional methods. Additionally, research indicates that false-positive results are at record lows with the new method, at a rate of one cell in a million. Early test results have shown that this new technology has the potential to quickly enable the detection of rare circulating tumor cells from a large volume of blood, which paves the way for both statistical accuracy in early detection of cancer, and for monitoring the efficiency of drug and radiation therapy. In addition to these breakthroughs, the technology can cut down on errors and reduce costs in medical diagnosis.

Tests were conducted by using lab-grown cancer cells, which were mixed with blood in various proportions to emulate the real-life blood of a potential patient. Clinical tests are also in the works, but researchers also say this technology can be useful in various other ways, such as for urine analysis, water quality monitoring and other related applications.