Ericsson cuts the USB cord. Transfer data using your body
The cable is archaic, so ways to transfer data without the use of one has been the focal point of many companies. We bet they didn't think of what Ericsson are calling 'capacitive coupling:' using your body to transfer data.
Ericsson's CEO Hans Vestberg demonstrated the technology by touching a smartphone, and upon touching a receiver which was connected up to a TV screen, an image taken on the phone immediately appeared. Fully automatic, fully awesome...
Lego Train set used to build data network
We're going to pick up the pieces, and build a Lego IP data-transfer network out of a train set, courtesy of Hackaday.com.
Possibly one of the slowest speed rates out there; but also the most charming. Hacker Maximillien has devised a system that utilises a USB flash drive, to carry data around to different nodes (we'll call them stations) on the rail. The four nodes consist of aluminium foil contacts, which establish the connection from the attached computer to the USB storage on-board the train. After the data is sent across, the drive is unmounted and the power flow is transferred to the train to propel it forwards to it's next requested destination.