《时代》周刊评出2014年度最佳发明

5. 3-D-Printed Everything

3D打印一切

A machine that can build any object. It sounds like a sci-fi fantasy, but thanks to the rise of 3-D printers—devices that can build objects from digital blueprints, usually by layering plastic or other materials—it is rapidly becoming reality. That’s a boon for consumers and corporations alike. In the past year alone, middle-school students have 3-D-printed stock cars for physics lessons, scientists have 3-D-printed tissues for human organs, and GE has used 3-D printing to improve the efficiency of its jet engines. “This is one of those technologies that literally touches everything we do,” says Avi Reichental, CEO of 3D Systems, whose 3-D printers produce candy (as shown above) and musical instruments, among other objects.

可以造出任何物品的机器。听起来像是科学幻想，但随着3D打印机的崛起，这正在迅速成为现实。能够通过数字蓝图、多层塑料或其他材料制造物体的设备正快速变成现实。对消费者和企业而言，这是个福音。仅过去一年，中学生们的物理课上有了3D打印汽车、科学家用3D打印了人体器官、通用公司（GE）使用3D打印技术改善喷气引擎效率等。 3D Systems公司的3D打印机可以打印糖果、乐器以及其他物品，该公司首席执行官艾维•雷切托尔（Avi Reichental）说：“理论上说，这是能让我们涉及所有领域的技术。”

6. Watches that Redefine Smart

改写智能定义的手表

Most smart watches have proved to be anything but: they try to shrink down the experience of using a cell phone, with clunky results. Apple’s Watch, by contrast, wholly reimagines the computer for the wrist, using a novel interface that combines a touchscreen and physical buttons. Besides telling time, the Watch can send messages, give directions, track fitness and make wireless payments.

大多数智能手表已经证明纯属鸡肋：它们试图浓缩手机的使用体验，结果却难以令人满意。相比之下，苹果手表体现了全新的手腕电脑理念，利用新颖的接口把触摸屏与物理按钮结合到一起。除了具备钟表功能外，苹果手表还可以发送信息、导航、跟踪锻炼情况及进行无线支付。