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They say Blu-ray and the future discs formats are here to stay, but I tend to disagree a bit. I have read some predictions coming from respectable analysts who pointed out the fact that memory cards could replace data discs. I don’t know if that will happen in the near future, as memory cards can hardly reach 64 GB of storage space for now. Anyway, Pioneer seems to think that the time for memory cards is still far away, and presents the first 16-layer read-only optical disc with a capacity of 400 gigabytes.

Pioneer has managed to raise the per-layer capacity to 25 gigabytes, which is the same as that of a Blu-ray Disc (BD). According to the press release this multilayer technology will also be applicable to multilayer recordable discs. This breakthrough will ensure that Pioneer will soon develop an important quantity of large-capacity optical discs, which are expected to become necessary in the near future.

For the read-out system, Pioneer achieved stability in the playback of recorded signals by employing a wide-range spherical aberration compensator and light-receiving element that can read out weak signals at a high signal-to-noise ratio in the optical pick-up mechanism. Since the optical specifications of the objective lens, such as NA (Numerical Aperture), are the same as those for the existing BD discs, it is possible to maintain compatibility between the new 16-layer optical disc and the BD discs.

The 16-layer optical disc technology, capable of storing much more data than the conventional discs on one disc, will greatly reduce the number of discs to be used and therefore contribute to the conservation of resources. Pioneer will also present elaborate details on the entire development at the International Symposium on Optical Memory and Optical Data Storage 2008 held in Hawaii beginning July 13.

Ever wondered how it’s like to swing like crazy between those downtown skyscrapers? Soon, you’ll be able to join Spider-man and Batman in their fight against supervillains… or you could only be saving your sorry behind when your entire office building crumbles to pieces. All you need is the Wizard.

DVice explains that the Wizard is primarily designed to be an emergency escape system that lowers you safely to earth if all hell breaks loose. All you have to do is strap on its all-encompassing belt and make sure the lifeline-containing drum on your back is secured in place. Then attach the cable and jump for your life!

You might want to know that the nicely-designed drum only holds 250m of its special Kevlar lanyard cable, so if you happen to be working in the Burj Dubai or any other taller building… bummer. But those buildings are supposed to be pretty secure, so you’ll probably want to use this only with apartment buildings or hotels. OK, you won’t be able to keep it up with Spidey and the Dark Knight, but you can at least make a smooth landing and maybe save some lucky girl on your way down. Or you could use the Wizard for Mission Impossible stunts and casino hits.

Projectors are becoming more and more affordable and these days, but LCD and plasma displays also tend to feature user-friendly prices. In case those mini projectors don’t seem too powerful for you, check out what the latest slim line from Casio can do.

Casio’s new line is intended for the boardroom, first and foremost. However, their slim design could make them tempting for home theatre enthusiasts as well. The Super Slim range comes with four models that include two with “Super Color” and two with “Super Bright” technology. Each of the four models has a 2x power zoom, 1,800:1 contrast ratio, automatic & manual keystone correction and a native 1,024 x 768 resolution (or maximum UXGA 1,600 x 1,200).

The XJ-SC210 and SC215 models are both able to deliver 2500 lumen brightness, together with a new high-fidelity color-rendering light engine algorithm and improved color wheel that expands the chromaticity region by 10-percent over current models. The pricier XJ-S52 and S57 have 3000 lumen brightness.

More options integrated in the SC215 and S57 models include a built-in USB host port for plugging in memory sticks directly or, alternatively, a WiFi adaptor for wireless use. All models have RGA D-Sub and composite connections. The Super Slim line will be available staring this August, while the models will be priced from $1,299 to $1,599.

Dubai could become the most technologically advanced city in the world in the next couple of years. As you might already know, there will also be the tallest building in the world, as well as some other superlatives, including, the biggest mall, the biggest amusement park, hotels, man-made islands, and many others. The latest projects include the first dynamic building and the coolest fountain. The fountain is said to be the largest and tallest in the world, costing around $281 million. You thought the Bellagio fountains in Las Vegas was the real deal? Take a look at how the Dubai fountain will end up looking.

Gizmodo informs that the Dubai fountain is going to be 825 feet long, making it about 25% larger than the Bellagio fountain. In order to power the huge fountain, the designers will be implementing pumps capable of shooting columns of water approximately 450 or so feet into the dry Middle Eastern air.

Since water and light go together so well, the designers also intend to put on an outstanding light and sound show produced by a network of 6,600 lights and 50 projectors that will illuminate the Dubai skyline at night. About 22,000 gallons of water are expected to cycle through the fountain at any given time when it is completed in 2009. It looks like the fountain will actually be placed somewhere in the Arabian Gulf, near the coast line.

Scientists have managed to determine the entire DNA code, but they’re still trying to decode it. While the DNA code itself may necessitate more time to be decoded, genetic testing can be easily applied to each individual to determine how susceptible one might be to things like baldness or cancer and other genetically-transmitted diseases. However, this type of test requires elaborate chemical labeling and sophisticated technologies which don’t come that cheap, especially for underdeveloped countries. Not to worry, some smart guys from Berkeley created a technique that uses electrostatic technology that is said to simplify the whole deal.

Now, don’t imagine that the test will be done in just a few seconds, as if analyzed by a tricorder. No, there still are some important steps. According to DVice, first of all you still have to prepare the DNA in a lab and put it on a surface called a microarray. Easy enough. Then negatively charged microspheres are spread across the surface, which push themselves into clumps as they move away from the like-charged DNA (and RNA) areas. Not only is the technique simpler and less costly than current techniques, the researchers say the resulting clumps are big enough to be recorded by simple imaging devices, like cellphone camera.

Pretty soon, each of us could be making DNA tests on our own, without the use of sophisticated machines. No more, monthly health checks and stuff like that, just send in the test to your personal M. D. and get instant feedback regarding appropriate treatments.