We’ve spent a lot of time this week discussing how we can use technology to change our bodies. But according to new research, one of the gadgets we rely on daily is already having a measurable effect on our brains.
Researchers at Örebro University in Sweden found that cellphone usage increases the brain’s production of transthyretin, a protein found in cerebrospinal fluid that cushions and protects the brain. The researchers don’t know if the increased presence of the protein is good or bad for the brain, or what kind of effects it might have in the long run.
Regardless of the effects, this observation is pretty wild. We’ve talked a lot about how gadgets will change our bodies, but how will our bodies change to accommodate those gadgets?
Maybe increased transthyretin production is brain’s last-ditch effort to fight off cancer. Or maybe it’s the first of many adaptations we’ll see as we let technology become a part of ourselves. [Wired]
Zeemote has announced a version of their Bluetooth gaming controller for BlackBerry smartphones. The Zeemote JS1 is compatible with all BlackBerrys that have a trackball, and connects wirelessly for over fifty hours of battery-powered gameplay.
You get four action buttons and a thumbstick and it isn’t just for games. It can also be used to navigate the BlackBerry’s menus. That should help you BB users get your game on. It runs on two AAA batteries
. The Zeemote JS1 for BlackBerry will be available this summer, in a bundle that includes a free Gameloft title.
LG Electronics today released its new 2G clamshell phone in the Korean market. Known as the Whistle, the handset is powered by four different colors including white, dark navy, hot pink and sky blue. The Whistle cell phone boasts 115 LED lights on the front panel to create users’ own emoticon designs. Other features included a car diary function, and an automatic international roaming service in 18 countries. The phone is now available for 400,000 Won($319) via LG Telecom.
Garmin-Asus has finally and officially released its Nuvifone G60 phone. The G60 will be available in Taiwan on July 27, 2009. Meanwhile, the phone will be also released in Singapore and Malaysia in August 2009. Also in August, Garmin-Asus will launch the Windows Mobile Nuvifone M20 smartphone in Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Thailand. There is no info on pricing of these handsets. Both the G60 and the M20 will be launched in Europe later this year. The Nuvifone G60 will be available in the States before the end of 2009.
