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iPhone 4 Camera Is The Killer Feature - Stunning HD Video Sample

Posted by Marc

iphone 4

The iPhone 3GS was an industry-leading smartphone but fell significantly short in one specific area. The camera. While no other smartphone could offer the same functionality and app-savvy of the 3GS, so many other smartphones on the market were beating Apple on optics. 5-megapixel cameras, HD-quality video have been standard fare in the industry for some time, yet Apple has consistently put out phones that fell woefully short of the rest of the pack, until now.

The iPhone 4 camera now boasts a far more capable 5-megapixel camera, flash and ability to record 720p HD video. It's often said that the best camera for taking video or photos is the one you have on you when you need it. Unless you are a die-hard photog, most people are using their smartphone as their de facto camera. We suspect one of the primary reasons that 3G and 3GS owners will choose to upgrade to iPhone 4 will be specifically due to increase in quality of the camera.

Look at some HD video footage shot and edited on the iPhone 4, and you can clearly see why over 70% of new iPhone 4 owners are 'upgraders' from previous iPhones.

TAGS: Apple, Camera, Iphone, Iphone4, Smartphone
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Lighted Walking Umbrella

Posted by Marc

stride lite

If you do a lot of walking at night or on poor weather days, you might really appreciate this handy gadget called the StrideLite.

Includes a "6V" Krypton Bulb located at the base of the canopy which casts a 6’ circle of light when illuminated. You can be seen up to a quarter-mile away. It runs on 4 AA batteries and retails for $29.95 (US).

TAGS: Outdoor, Practical, Umbrella, Walking, Weather
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Sylvania LED - Looks Like a Bulb

Posted by Marc

sylvania led bulb Raise your hand if you have an unused CFL bulb tucked in a drawer or a cupboard somewhere? One of the bigger challenges of getting people to switch to more energy efficient lighting has been the awkward shape of CFLs and the over-bright flood pattern.

This summer Sylvania will be launching an LED bulb that looks like a regular light bulb and also has the expected flood pattern of your traditional bulb.

“Consumers want energy savings without compromise,” said Rick Leaman, Osram Sylvania’s chief executive. “They want a lamp that’s essentially equivalent to standard incandescents, one that performs and looks like a bulb.”

“We want a guarantee that bulbs will be placed in a socket, not just stored in the pantry.”

The key here will be affordability. LED lights tend to be considerably more expensive. If Sylvania can bring the cost down with a form-factor like a traditional bulb, they will undoubtedly sell a lot of these.

TAGS: Efficient, Home, Led, Light Bulb, Lighting, Sylvania
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Google Search redesign forthcoming

Posted by Jim Squires

Google has developed quite the reputation for exploring -- and then dominating -- the unknown. Google Labs has reinvented the way we tackle every mundane task in our daily lives. Whether it's Google Maps telling us where to go, Gmail helping us to remember messages from years gone by thanks to it's infinitely searchable archive, or recent additions to the Google family like Google Voice and Google Wave, both of which once again attempt to redefine how we communicate.

But what about Google Search?

After it's introduction in 1997 Google quickly rose to the top of the search engine pile, casting then-popular competitors like AltaVista and Lycos out of the public consciousness. Heck -- Google became so popular that the word is now a synonym for search. People don't "search" for things on the internet anymore, they google them. When your brand is so big that it becomes a culturally accepted verb, that's a remarkable achievement. Brands so big that they replace words only come along once in a blue moon. Coke. Xerox. Band-Aid. Google has joined a short but impressive list.

Now after 12 years, the Google Search page is getting a proper makeover that's going to streamline some of the functionality they've been trying to "band-aid" onto there over the past few years. News, photos, videos, blogs -- instead of opening up a separate page for all of Google's searchable data, you'll be able to do it all from the main search results page and filter your choices. You'll also be able to filter by time, so if you only want videos of pandas from the past 24 hours you can make that happen in seconds.

You'll also be able to filter by a host of new options like viewing results only from sites you've visited before or viewing more/less shopping sites. If you're trying to remember where you saw that picture of a squirrel kung fu fighting or where to buy your father a moustache comb just in time for the holidays, all of these new options become instantly appreciable.

There's no word yet on an official launch date, but that doesn't mean you can't get in there and check it out now. A team of crack commandos and coders at Mashable have found a way to gain access to the new Google Search a little early. For full details, be sure to check out their post HOW TO: Try out the New Google Search. And while it's not as simple as just following a link, we strongly recommend that the curious check it out. The difference is pretty staggering. It's one of those things you just have to experience to comprehends how much of an improvement it really is.

TAGS: Google, Search, Search Engine
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Microsoft announces Xbox 360 Wireless N adapter

Posted by Jim Squires

The lack of built-in wireless functionality is something that has haunted the Xbox 360 gaming console since it's 2005 launch, but could todays announcement of the 360's latest option for wireless gamers actually justify the decision to make the adapter an external peripheral?

This dual band adapter seamlessly synchronizes your Xbox 360 with the newest wireless N standard, allowing two times the range and a speed seven times faster than before. Easily stream all of your Xbox LIVE entertainment such as Games on Demand, HD movies and TV shows and music through Xbox LIVE or your media center PC.
The Wireless N Networking Adapter provides increased speed, coverage and reliability, and features a high-performance design with two external antennas that works great with 802.11a/b/g and n connections. Simply snap the adapter on to the back of your console and enjoy wireless connectivity in multiple rooms or congested wireless environments and connect safely with WPA2 security support.

In keeping the wireless adapter external, Microsoft has been able to offer an improved adapter well after release. Times and technology are changing, and unlike the other home consoles with built in wi-fi the decision to go external means the Xbox 360 is able to keep up with changing trends in wireless.

The Xbox 360 Wireless N Networking Adapter will be available at retail shortly, with an MSRP of $99.99 CDN.

TAGS: Gaming, Wireless, Wireless N, Xbox 360
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Missing Kindles May Be Lost Forever

Posted by Jp Lolin

The Amazon Kindle is close to achieving the status of being the e-book reader to have, if it hasn't already done so. Similar to what the iPhone has done---or is doing, depending on who you're talking to---to mobile phones, the Kindle is close to becoming a status symbol itself. However, I suggest you don't get attached too much to it, considering that Amazon doesn't have a recovery policy in place.

This made us wonder: is there any way to use technology to recover a lost Kindle? Our reader, Justin Smith, said that Amazon's Kindle Support told him that there's no way to send a kill signal down to the Kindle and have it shut off remotely.

Amazon is capable of de-registering the device so that additional purchases can't be made, but it can't disable the device remotely. It's unfortunate to read that the recovery policy is so limited for the Kindle, but who knows? Maybe after word gets around, the powers-that-be might actually look at options to find lost Kindles.

Source

TAGS: Amazon, Ebook, Kindle, Policy, Reader, Recovery
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Apple Releases Snow Leopard

Posted by Jp Lolin

Apple released Mac OS X 10.6 recently and the big question for users is whether to upgrade or not. Early adopters have the benefit of access to the new features but, as always, there's the risk of breaking something unintentionally. Here's one user experience you might be interested to read:

Running Leopard (10.5) takes 3 percent longer on the test than Snow Leopard/32, and 6 percent longer than Snow Leopard/64. The surprise here is that booting 64-bit Snow Leopard is faster; after all Photoshop CS4 is a 32-bit program. The difference suggests that the 64-bit Snow Leopard kernel is more efficient in general.

Hit the source to read more about what to expect. As always, a good backup will save you from the pains of reinstalling in case something breaks. For anything IT-related, taking the necessary precautions determines the difference between a half-hour's work on upgrades and spending an entire afternoon restoring everything.

Source

TAGS: Apple, Mac, Operating System, Os, Snow Leopard, Upgrade
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Japanese Restaurant Serves Robot Ramen

Posted by Jp Lolin

At some point in the future we all predict that robots are going to be a part of our lives. Given that, we should probably get used to the idea that they'll be performing all sorts of tasks, even those that we don't usually associate to be robotic, like serving noodles.

A restaurant in Japan is using two robotic arms to serve food to guests. The Fuamen Ramen noodle-shop has been using them to create 800 bowls on peak days.

You'll the right arm handle the broth and the toppings while the left one tosses the noodles. The right arm also handles serving the finished product to the tray, which adds another benefit: it will never complain about doing most of the work.

When idle, you'll also see them perform for guests by spinning a bowl and mimicking a sword fight using kitchen utensils. If one of them bled oil, even I would be entertained.

Source

TAGS: Food, Fuamen Ramen, Japan, Noodles, Ramen, Robots
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Zune HD Demo Footage

Posted by Jp Lolin

You're looking at stolen footage of the Zune HD. Microsoft's portable media player may not be as popular as the iPod (and probably never will be unless something truly revolutionary happens), but that doesn't mean they've given up. Check it out.

I really like how smooth the graphics are, particularly with the scrolling. The fade-in and fade-out animations are pretty smooth too (yeah, I want that upgrade on my screen too). The guy doing the demo said something about benchmarking battery options so that's something to look forward to. We'll see what Microsoft comes up with later on as development continues.

Source

TAGS: Demo, Microsoft, Portable Media Player, Video, Zune Hd
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Toy RC Chopper Powered Via USB

Posted by Jp Lolin

RC fans won't want to miss this toy chopper from Brando. It's a fairly ordinary remote-controlled flyer with a cost-saving exception: it's rechargeable via USB. Check out the features:

Tiny USB Rechargeable RC Helicopter
Wireless 3-Channel IR Controller
With Flashing LEDs on Two sides of the Helicopter
Two-way charging for Helicopter: 1. USB Cable 2. Remote Control
Steering/Ascend/Descend/Forward/Backward/Left/Right Turn/LED Light

Aside from the USB power source, there's not a lot of other things that makes this toy stand out. Still, at $40 USD, it's not too shabby. At the very least, it will save you from worrying about draining the batteries too much, or too often.

Source

TAGS: Chopper, Helicopter, Toy, Usb
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Google Announces Chrome OS

Posted by Jp Lolin

Google is recognized in the tech industry as a rival to Microsoft, but have you ever asked yourself why? Sure, there's the competition over search but that's not the only thing that Microsoft is known for, right? In fact, it's more popularly known as the company behind Windows, the ubiquitous operating system for desktop and enterprise environments.

Google is looking to make the rivalry more obvious by delving into Microsoft territory. The popular search engine company is taking its Chrome brand and is expanding it to become a full operating system.

Google Chrome OS is an open source, lightweight operating system that will initially be targeted at netbooks. Later this year we will open-source its code, and netbooks running Google Chrome OS will be available for consumers in the second half of 2010.

We'll all have to see how well the reception will be for Google's OS.

Source

TAGS: Chrome, Google, Microsoft, Operating System
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DIY: Bookcase Opens To Hidden Workspace

Posted by Jp Lolin

Here's a little DIY project that appeals to the spy in you. If you fancy having your own nook or just like the idea of creating a really personal space, then this bookcase/doorway is perfect. Here's how you can build your own:

This is how we know about the fantastic project. All it took was a pair of Ikea Billy bookcases (picked up from Craigslist), a piece of fiberboard with some cleverly placed casters and some sturdy hinges.

It's a neat idea that doesn't involve a lot of gadgetry. It might challenge you a bit in terms of carpentry though, so be warned. You can use it to hide your home office or den. I like the privacy it provides. This idea is begging for a book to act as a doorknob, just like in the movies. Too bad plans for those aren't included.

Source

TAGS: Bookcase, Diy, Office, Project, Work
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Toyota Reveals Mind-Controlled Wheelchair

Posted by Jp Lolin

New discoveries are announced almost regularly and some of them are important enough to get a passing comment or two out of us. Why only a passing comment, you ask? It's because there are only a few of them that will have a real, practical effect on us. And when it comes to practical discoveries, none of them are felt as strongly as the ones for the disabled.

Car manufacturer Toyota, in collaboration with Japanese researchers, have come up with a mind-reading wheelchair. While it won't tell the user's fortune, it is capable of moving to the direction that its occupant is thinking. Here's how it works:

The system analyzes brain wave data using signal-processing technology and delivers neuro-feedback to the driver. In layman's terms, a device, usually a cap wired with sensors, detects a person's brain waves. That information is analyzed by a computer and applied to the device in question.

A user can head right, left and forward. Stopping is done by puffing up a cheek. Plans are already being made to put this product out to the market.

Source

TAGS: Health, Mind Control, Toyota, Wheelchair
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Kingston Makes 128GB Flash Drive

Posted by Jp Lolin

Flash drives are ubiquitous devices these days. Now that they come in all shapes and sizes, almost anyone who dabbles in digital information has one. In fact, you probably know a couple of people who own more than a few units. After all, in terms of data storage, there is no such thing as too much space.

Hardware manufacturer Kingston agrees with that and is making 128GB flash drives. Yes, you read that right: one hundred twenty-eight gigabytes of portable storage. There's a catch though, and I'm not talking about just the price:

For those thinking that this would be a neat way to expand the memory of their netbooks, think again. The 128GB drive is build-to-order and will cost a wallet-emptying $546.

So if you think the need justifies the cost, feel free to place an order. All I can say is for that price, it better be one heck of a need.

Source

TAGS: Flash, Gigabyte, Kingston, Storage, Usb Drive
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