According to an article over on Patently Apple Apple have filed for a bike computer / ipod integration patent.

On August 5, 2010, the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that reveals various concepts behind a newly advanced Smart Bicycle System in development. The premise is rather like Apple's Nike + iPod system for runners except for cyclists. While the system is for individuals, it's also designed to work with teams of cyclists so that they could communicate with each other on-the-fly about course difficulty or perceived problems. The Bicycle system monitors speed, distance, time, altitude, elevation, incline, decline, heart rate, power, derailleur setting, cadence, wind speed, path completed, expected future path, heart rate, power, and pace. The system could utilize various sensors built-into the iPhone in addition to working with sensors already built-into the bike itself. Apple's patent is extraordinarily detailed and packed with interesting twists that the sporting cyclist will really appreciate

I wonder if the developers of the existing cycling apps are pissed? (more likely pleased to receive attention).

Seems apple are making a habit of patenting app developers ideas, here is a side by side comparison of an app and an apple patent application.

None of the mainstream news stories I read covered the story with enough detail for my liking. So here it is from the horse's mouth

Scrapertown from California is a place. on Vimeo.

Found via lastfm.

I listened to an excellent discussion of Vertical Farming on a podcast this morning. Vertical farming is the idea of growing produce in a building. 

Two reasons why this could be a great idea struck me immediately.

1. As the price of petrol increases, growing produce locally will become more economical. Vertical farms could allow cities to grow locally.

2. Climate change could mean increased droughts or floods in some areas, climate controlled farming can prevent damage to crops.

Here is a link to an mp3 of the podcast:

Futures in Biotech: Vertical Farms

You'll need to skip to about 33mins in for the vertical farming discussion to start

Great documentary on London Pirate Radio stations. Interviews Scratcha of Grimey Breakfast fame

Update Sat 24 April 2010

KML and KMZ files are now created daily.

• KML file
  All NZ MTB Tracks KML
  
• KMZ file (zipped KML)
  All NZ MTB Tracks KMZ
  

If you want Google earth to always have the latest up to date tracks, Add a "network link" in google earth and give it the URL to the KMZ file

So I got off my arse and updated Don's script to put all tracks.org.nz content in one big KML file.

Looks great in Google earth as it contains all NZ now not just Wellington.

File is attached to this post. here: All_NZ_MTB_Tracks.kml

Here is Mike Moore's intro.

So you can ask him anything you like and he'll post video responses.

The questions and discussion are on reddit.

The Guardian's greenwashing columnist has exposed New Zealand's clean green image.

Quote:

"New Zealand secured a generous Kyoto target, which simply required it not to increase its emissions between 1990 and 2010. But the latest UN statistics show its emissions of greenhouse gases up by 22%, or a whopping 39% if you look at emissions from fuel burning alone."

Link to article

As pointed out here the guardian article didn't even take into account the consequences of super-phosphates on NZ waterways