Monthly Archives: May 2012

Another #Samsung vs #Apple Battle: #MusicHub vs #iTunes

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[AppTalk]

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http://www.geeky-gadgets.com/wp-content/ uploads/2012/05/Samsung-music-hub.jpg

Apparently Samsung is trying to compete with Apple on all grounds of digital entertainment mediums. First smartphones, then tablets, software, and now a head straight music platform attack.

A revamped music experience with “Samsung Music Hub”is promising to compete with Apple’s fiercely popular iTunes library of songs.

Samsung has partnered up with company called 7digital, carrying 19million songs in its library. That’s very competitive compared to iTunes 20million songs. They will offer 2 packages, free with random streaming as well as a premium package giving you 2 things: unlimited streaming and 100GB of cloud storage to save/upload your songs.

These features are available and promoted in EU countries for now. Watch out iTunes, competitors are rising.

Maybe now’s the time to create an application that doesn’t carry music, movies, and apps together. Or better yet, sue all those people who even have a concept of an “App market”, oh that’s right you never created an environment like that yourself, pity. Check this link, and verify by going to “Application Stores” section.

Anyway, let’s wait and see how the north American market reacts.

Source: Engadget

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#Eyejusters, an #inexpensive alternative to big branded prescription #glasses

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[ScienceTalk]

image

http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/17o4txppuhvw3jpg/xlarge.jpg

A typically-branded pair of prescription glasses would probably stretch a big hole in your wallet. Here’s a company trying to make things fit for people whose wallets can’t stretch far enough.

Introducing the Eyejusters.

At first glance, they might look somewhat normal, or even heavenly geeky, but rest assured these things are well equipped to easily replace a set of prescription pair in an instant. With its multi focal adjusters, you can pretend as if you stole a pair of glasses from the eye exam center. A one time investment of $40 well give you the power to wear, adjust, and save a lot of dough for years to come. That’s right, no future visit to the doc required, unless you’re going blind of course.

I have to say, the styling needs a big upgrade, but then again we live in a world where anything materialistically stylish or better costs more, so blame the world, my fellow cheaplings.

Source: Gizmodo

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#MIT saving us from… #Needles (#injections)

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[ScienceTalk]

image

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/images/jet-injector.jpg

Has anyone ever been afraid of needles? I was, and truth be told, still am. And realistically, I doubt if any of you were never afraid of getting multiple injections. Whether you were a kid or in your adulthood, the concept of getting a syringe punching through your skin always brings a burst of fear, if not a burst then at least an uncomfortable feeling attached with hospitals and painful medications slowly diverts your mind away from the real point behind injections.

Well, never fear fellow scaredy cats: MIT researchers are here!

They are in the process of creating a needle-free injection!
No needle = no pain.

Here’s the nitty gritty:
The concept is known as jet injection, with a certain property called  “Lorentz-force” actuator. MIT professor Ian Hunter and his team have developed this property involving magnets and electrocution that pivot the needle (the size of a mosquito’s proboscis) at the speed of sound in air. Since the velocity and intensity of the needle is clearly impossible to react with, there really won’t be any pain experienced by the human brain (i.e our minds are too damn slow to process the procedure).

Best part is that the “velocity and intensity” won’t be executed at the same rate on all patients. For instance, a baby’s skin is much more sensitive than adults, so in that scenario a “slower profiled” property will be executed, which basically means the injection will run at a slower rate.

Can’t wait for this revolution to become the next norm, I’m tired of getting scared by needles, as if a hospital visit isn’t frightening enough.

Watch the video for a demonstration!

Few cool things from the video:
- this process will allow doctors to apply injections directly into the eyes and ears (potentially replacing surgeries)
- this process will allow doctors to use powders to be injected into or bodies target than just liquid substances
- this process will allow doctors to play around with the force of liquid inside the body, the video explains it better

Source 1: Engadget
Source 2: MIT News

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#Babysteps to teach “computers” human #intelligence: #Intel gives a hand.

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[TechTalk]

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http://9.mshcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/jeopardy-6401.jpg

Scientists have always fantasized about A.I. (artificial intelligence) and the connected benefits. The thought of giving machines the ability to multi-task and multi-think like humans has been, so far, very difficult. There have been numerous projects aiming to perfect robotic intelligence: like IBM’s Watson. Intel believes its step by step approach might help revolutionize the whole theme.

Whats Intel’s solution? Teach machines all our 5 senses, especially how the body and mind coordinates them in an organized manner, but in baby steps.

First teach the machine what surrounds us, help locate and remind automatically, based on exposure and scheduled events. Then move on to other senses.

If you’ve been following R4T’s ScienceTalks, a weird pathway is being created here. A lot of focus, push, and research is being concentrated on implementing tech into human bodies themselves rather than improving life in general which is what machines are supposed to do, and every time I cover such a story, the horrific Terminator 2 images start hovering my mind, is it fear out of curiosity, fear out of Hollywood influence, or fear just based on factual evidence leading to a destructive path?

Time will tell.

Source: Engadget

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#SmartWatch pattern emerges with #MetaWatch

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[GadgetTalk]

image

http://www.blessthisstuff.com/imagens/stuff/meta-watch.jpg

It seems a new breed of tech companies are emerging, continuously gaining fresh and new investments (from donations and private investors).

Pebble Watch, as previously covered by R4T is a watch that connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth, and displays everything important like your notifications and messages on the LCD display. Best thing about these smartwatches is the ability to add custom made applications which even the user can make based on their preferences., choosing an average of under $200. And now another company wants to enlist itself an iOS exclusive smartwatch manufacturer (Motorola also makes MOTOWatch for Androids).

What makes me ponder is the fact how all the big named watch companies (CK, Seiko, Casio, Swiss Army etc) never even thought of stepping into this sector. Nowadays, I believe a watch doesn’t serve the purpose of time only, but the brand and how expensive the watch is, which is very stupid. Why would you spend more than $200 on a gadget that only shows you time? Without getting offended in your minds, you know very well the above statement makes sense. A gold or expensive watch is not a sign of prestige, its a sign of ignoring how to spend your money wisely.

Realistically, I think the concept of smart watches is also a waste of money, but its an emerging trend which is why its being covered.

Source: Engadget

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#BioTech: Digital #storage goes inside human #DNA.

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[ScienceTalk]

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http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3334/32986 91800_dfd2e120a2.jpg

Attempts to digitize or translate bio data in our DNA continues by researchers. Based on the source article, scientists have figured out a way to label certain genes with colored bits which might help look how DNA moves and sends instructions to an offspring. (in = green, out = red).

Unfortunately, the data size is very small and is labeled as unreadable, but it did provide the results including directional colors. They will be testing out DNA movement by increasing the data’s size to a byte, it will take 10years to achieve that target, let’s see how long we take figuring out Nature’s mathematics :)

Source: Engadget

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#VIA Technologies also present an #Android #DIY Barebone kit

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[GadgetTalk]

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http://apc.io/media/apc/img/apc-outlines.png

A few weeks ago I posted a link on how Android manufacturers are coming up with DIY concepts, and how you can actually make your own custom tablet.

Well, whoever was dumb enough to ignore that notion, another manufacturer has joined the party. VIA technologies have introduced a fresh new line of Android enabled DIY kit. And guess how much it costs, $50 USD. One of the greatest things about this “motherboard” is the fact how it can fit in macro-ATX as well as mini-ATX PC cases.

It comes pre installed with Android 2.3 with the following specs:
VIA 800MHz processor
512MB RAM
2GB flash memory (microSD enabled)
Built-in (up to 720p) graphics
HDMI pro, VGA port
4 x USB Ports
audio out / in
Ethernet port

.. Again $50. I bet Apple would never even think of enabling such perks for the general crowd because
1. Most Apple followers are n00bs and carry none to low technical knowledge, so the idea of customization is out of the question.
2. Even if they did release something like this it would cost us a fortune.

The point is this gives the custom-PC world another chance to exist amongst the corps.

Source: Engadget

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What’s up with 3D printing?

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[GadgetTalk]

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source: http://www.cheers4all.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/3d-printer.jpg

The concept of 3D printing sounds exciting, but exactly what is the idea behind 3D printing?

First, a beloved WikiReminder:

3D printing or additive manufacturing[1] is a process of making three dimensional solid objects from a digital file. 3D printing is achieved using additive processes, where an object is created by laying down successive layers of material.[2] 3D printing is considered distinct from traditional machining techniques (subtractive processes) which mostly rely on the removal of material by drilling, cutting etc.
(from wikipedia.com)

The above is a generic reminder about how 3D printing is performed in the world of design and architecture. The industry uses the standard AutoCAD related software to perform such tasks. The emerging trend in 3D printing is actually converting the complicated method of industrial printing into physical printing.

In simple terms: let’s say you find an object online. You’d give anything in the world to make a design out of it. Instead of contacting your local architecture folks or attending an art class to learn how to build a precise shape, manufacturers are now making 3D printers to meet those demands, buy a local printer and let the printer do the precise 3D print.

Well, its an amazing thought of just loading an image and printing it in 3D, but realistically there are a few things to keep in mind.

- you can’t print anything in its pure color
- you can’t print specific (or all) shapes
- there are detailed requirements that an object has to meet
- the “ink” is a complicated concept itself. There are 2 ways to print in 3D: either have a printing needle that has a block of physical object to hammer on, which itself has to know the exact limitation and size of the object. Or use a toxic ink/powder that melts and molds into a 3D shape after its “cooling off” process.

The prices range anywhere from $500 upwards to about $5000. These generous printers meet very specific needs though. Its almost a God sent for those who might be struggling to exist in the art & fashion industry, but after seeing demo videos I’m almost certain that these things will become prominent in the industry.

Enjoy the 4minute video as the printer outputs an actual working wrench.

Source: Engadget

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#Windows8 – pushing #UEFI – attempt to remove #BIOS and the black screens

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[GeekTalk]

Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4e /Efi-simple.svg/316px-Efi-simple.svg.png

Microsoft’s latest and greatest is coming very soon to a desktop/laptop near you, and its called Windows 8. This will probably be the first OS in Microsoft’s history that is designed for multiple environments (desktop/workstations/tablets/phones) as well as chipsets (ARM and Intel/AMD). Multiple interactivity is a first for this version, and Microsoft is aiming to please everyone with loads of new nitty gritty enhancements. They’ve been releasing blogs/notes explaining how some of the features will work.

There’s one particular feature, which Im sure if you’re a PC user you’re very well aware of, “the black screen”. All Windows OS’ so far ride on this dark wave of deeply coded ‘bootstrapping’ ocean called MS-DOS. What’s MS-DOS you ask? Here’s a WikiReminder:

.. short for Microsoft Disk Operating System) is an operating system for x86-based personal computers. Since the release of Windows 95, it was integrated as a full product used for bootstrapping, troubleshooting, and backwards-compatibility with old DOS games and no longer released as a standalone product.

[Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MS-DOS]

Windows 8 is supposedly re-vamping the whole MS-DOS screen. It all stems from a motherboard carrying a BIOS (BIOS, in short term is a mini “loading” software for the hardware aka firmware-software), which Microsoft has been pushing to replace with UEFI. If all goes well, boards will soon come with UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) which is a fancier version of BIOS screens – giving users buttons and a colourful screen to interact with.

So, if your PC gets sick, you can enable UEFI to give you the list of regular options (changing boot sequence, boot drives, command prompts, recovery mode console). Ofcourse a button press will be required to get to these options, but its nice to know that the 18th century BOOT errors/screen will FINALLY be replaced with colour rather than black & white.

Maybe Microsoft will will re-introduce MS-DOS in 3D by the next century? [sarcasm]

Source 1: Engadget
Source 2: Engadget

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New #touch technologies emerge – from #Disney

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[TechTalk]

Source: http://www.extremetech.com/wp-content/uploads/2012 /05/touche-disney-capacitive-touching-profile.jpg

Touchscreens, glass displays, capacitive touch — fancy shmancy stuff indeed. What if everything we touched had an ability to convert the touch into a command, including water?

Disney recently discovered a way to embed touch-screen sensitivity to everyday objects like door knobs, water-based surfaces, etc, an example would be: let’s say you touch the door knob with your finger, it would change the status of your room to “Online”, or if you hold the door knob with your entire hand – that would change the status to “Busy”, etc. Disney calls it the “Touché” system, and I believe it can open up a plethora of gesture-based actions on all objects. Touché will detect exactly how we interact with an object – and it doesnt even matter what kind of a surface it would be, labeling it as Swept Frequency Capacitive Sensing (SFCS) technology.

Not sure if its target industry are smartphones, but rest assured I can think of a lot of other things it can be used for. Fancy spas, pools, virtual beaches, concerts, cars, houses, keys, floor panels, security detection etc.

Source: Engadget

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