While FIFA is readying footballs with embedded microchips to establish the goal-line technology possibly by the FIFA World Cup 2010, AGENT, a strategic intelligence embassy has revealed a transparent football concept dubbed the CTRUS.

Fair play could creep in ever so well in the game of soccer if something like this interactive detection system, GPS and RFID included ball can make to the fore. This would mean easier identification of those close calls over the goal line, or the side line. Make obvious the off sides, and provide transparency in decisions like the ‘hand of God’ and the more recent Thierry Henry’s controversial handball goal against Ireland.

The inner structure of the CTRUS is made in skelle-core while the outside of the ball features a net-embedded shell, which leaves the ball to be the first transparent soccer ball. More images and video demonstration of the ball after the jump.

CTRUS - Envisioned by AGENT. from AGENT. on Vimeo.

[gizmowatch]

Among the many stands here at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona one non-IT company stands out: Puma. They weren’t here without a good reason, though, as they’ve partnered with Sagem to create their own phone, the Puma Phone.

The phone distinguishes itself from the pack with several features: it has a large solar charger on the back (with a charge indicator) which should give you some extra time when the batteries start to run out, provided you can catch some sunlight. It also has a couple of sport/fitness related gizmos, such as the pedometer, GPS tracker, compass, and stopwatch.

All of that is more than enough to catch my attention, but even without those features, it’s a decent phone. It has a 2.8 inch, 240×320 touchscreen, a 3.2 megapixel camera with LED flash, another VGA camera at the front for video calls, and USB/Bluetooth/HSPA connectivity.

It looks like a closed Pre with Puma logos on it, but the software isn’t really that similar, as the Puma Phone is more about fun than business. Very simple (and easy to use) menus, fun apps like the audio player with a turntable, an animated puma, countdowns which show you how many songs you can play “powered by the sun” – that’s the sort of thing you can expect from the Puma Phone. There’s no word on pricing just yet, but with a decent price tag, it might prove to be a successful little thing.

[mashable]

Snow-capped mountains are glistening with the season’s first snowfall and they beacon the avid skiers to slide over its untried, whitish veneer. For those who have decided to pick up the call, take a look at this new Aston Martin range of skis made from latest material including composites, aluminum and carbon.

The ski, designed to allow ultimate control for slalom and freestyle skiing, is well suited to the needs of a casual skier. While the ski is available in four different colors: Morning Frost White, Quantum Silver, Almond Green and Silver Blonde, one can personalize the color, which is just a phone call away.

[bornrich]

Sledding is one of the most enjoyable activities for both children and adults during the winter.  The snow shorts makes the activity much easier.  The shorts are truly a great idea that cuts down on a significant amount of time because sledding becomes much more simple.

The snow shorts have a literal built-in sled so that people can slide around on their bottoms.  This takes away the inconvenience of having to carry a heavy sled up and down a hill.  The pull-on snow shorts is the first wearable sled ever created.  The shorts just need to be pulled over an individual’s pants.  Once the person is in the shorts, they can steer the sled by shifting their weight.

The pants are created using a foam-padded PVC seat that is fused to the shorts.  The shorts can withstand up to -20 temperatures.

The shorts come in three sizes: small children, big children, and adults.  The cost for the snow shorts is $35.

[getgadgestic]