Scientist at the Max Planck Institute and Saarland University reveal a means to turn the human body into a mobile device controller-- the iSkin, a sensor one can put on different body parts, such as fingers, forearms and even behind the ears.

The iSkin consists of biocompatible silicone rubber (specifically polydimethylsiloxane, aka PDMS) and conductive carbon black powder. It carries multiple pressure-sensitive sensors and is flexible enough to detect input pressure even when stretched by up to 30% or bent at a radius of 0.5cm.

So far the team has built prototypes in multiple shapes and sizes handling tasks such as answering calls alls, playing music and volume control. Another take on the technology involves a roll-up keyboard for smartwatch use.

Eggs are not just one of the best breakfast foods-- scientists at MIT and Tsinghua University use egg-y inspiration to create a "yolk-and-shell" nanoparticles boosting the capacity and power of lithium-ion batteries.

The "egg" in question consists of an aluminium nanoparticle (the "yolk") surrounded by a titanium dioxide (aka titania) "shell." According to the researchers the combination is a "high-rate champion among high-capacity anodes,” meaning it can lead to the more powerful batteries of the future.

Current lithium-ion batteries use graphite anodes with a storage capacity of 0.35 ampere-hours per gram (Ah/g). Researchers have been long looking into better performing alternatives, but most fall short. For instance, lithium mettle might store much energy per gram but is prone to short circuits or catching fire, while silicon and tin have high capacity that drops at high charging or discharging rates. Another potential replacement is aluminium, with a theoretical capacity of 2 Ah/g.

The Dot might look like a standard Fitbit-style wearable, but it is actually far more remarkable-- the is, in fact, the first Braille smartwatch, designed for visually impaired customers.

Instead of a display the Dot features a series of pins spelling 4 Braille characters at a time by rising and falling at custom speeds. The devices connects to smartphones via Bluetooth and provides regular smartwatch features (such as watch, alarm, messenger and navigation) as well as act as a Braille eReaders.

According to the Wall Street Journal and 9to5Google Google quietly released a new version of the Google Glass wearable-- an "Enterprise Edition" (aka "EE") designed for, well, enterprise.

As the news sources put it, the updated Glass has a tougher design to withstand any drops and bumps met on the workplace. The prism display is larger and more adjustable and, depending on who you ask, the device features either a button-and-hinge system for attachment to different glasses or "robust" hinges allowing wearers to fold it like a regular pair of glasses.

9to5Google describes the device as being "better fit in a factory or a hospital than on a runway… with a focus on function over fashion."

Further details include updated internals, including an Intel Atom processor, "moderately improved" battery life, wireless connectivity improvements and better heat management.