Depending on where you live in the world, water can be seen as a very valuable commodity. Some places have water shortages, and it can be painstakingly difficult to find adequate aquatic resources. Element Four has created a device that could potentially put a massive dent in the fight for providing water to the masses.

The ‘Watermill’ is a machine that can condense moisture present in the air and purify to make drinkable water. The machine works simply; it draws air in and filters out the dirt and pollutants. Then it cools at the temperature that dew is able to form. Then UV light is used to take care of any disease that could be found in the newly condensed liquid.

There are a couple of obvious benefits of the Watermill. First, is being able to provide water to drier, and more arid places in the US. Second, it’s a more environmentally friendlier way to provide drinkable water than plastic bottles or containers. For the average consumer, the greatest benefit is the savings from the cost of the machine. It’s $1,200, but according to Elemental Four the machine will pay for itself in two years time.

The device will go on sale Spring 2009.

In Münster, Germany a cool multi-touch display technology was shown off to the public. The project is called Hightech Underground. Pretty cool to say the least. Enjoy the video.

You’d think that it would be common sense that Spyware is just ‘illegal’ everywhere. It’s basically the same as someone putting a camera inside your home, and selling the footage to someone. The FTC is really starting to crack down on Spyware users though, and taking away the profits of some of the larger spyware companies.

The latest fight the FTC is engaged in, is against RemoteSpy, keylogger software. The software was sold to clients, so that they could monitor consumer’s computers. The file could be hidden in any downloadable document. If clicked, it would then secretly install itself onto the person’s computer. It could show passwords that were typed in, image caps, websites that were visited.

This isn’t the first case the FTC has had against spyware companies. There have been numerous cases that have been won in varying states across the country. It really shouldn’t be a surprise though, as I think spyware makers, and distributors should see jail time.

[via: Network World]

An interesting video of Eric Schmidt talking about Barack Obama, and what the first CTO (Chief Technology Officer) will have to do.

In Obama’s tech policy statement, he mentions making government more transparent. It looks like he’s started the transparency in a way. His first weekly address has been posted on YouTube, and has received over 700,000 hits.

There’s nothing all that grand or special in the address. Just that we need to move forward together on the economy, and create more jobs.

It’s the action of posting the video on YouTube that is the real buzz. It’s a relief to see a leader have a grasp on technology, or atleast have people on his staff who are. I’m guessing the next step for the Obama site is to host their own videos. Because it kind of shows favor by just releasing Obama’s address on YouTube. There are other video hosting sites out there..

Here’s Obama’s video address for those interested:

The popular tech columnist, Walt Mossberg now has a YouTube video talking about new WiFi technology coming to the automotive industry. Autonet Mobile has created technology, which will allow for WiFi to be used in different cars. Mossberg is a bit better at me than explaining it: