TechBytes: Christmas Light Hotline
In TechBytes: House Becomes Wii Game, GE Santa Sleigh, Yule Log Application
Dec. 24, 2009— -- The Chicago company Ulta-Lit Technologies, Inc., is offering phone advice for anyone frustrated with lights that burn out. The number is 888-858-2548. The company also makes a handy little device they promise will fix bad lights.
A California man probably isn't much of a hero to his neighbors, after turning his house into the ultimate guitar hero game. Over 21,000 lights around his house are linked to his Wii and respond to his every strum. People passing by can even tune in and blast the music on their car radios.
Santa's getting some help this year from GE. They've updated the old man's sleigh, with a high tech flying machine. A special coating cuts through ice. Powerful O.L.E.D lights do the work of Rudolph, only brighter. The sleigh even has a wireless medical sensor to keep tabs on Santa's health. GE engineers came up with the design using technology that really exists.
No Christmas is complete without the Yule log. The crackling fire was first shown on a New York television station back in 1966. There was nothing to it but video of a fireplace with Christmas music playing in the background, but it has developed a cult following over the years.
In more recent years, it went HD, and is all over YouTube. And now it even travels. There is an iPhone app lets you carry the warmth of the holidays wherever you go.
