Search keys for Bluetooth, and GPS

At a recent trade show CTIA Wireless in the U.S. by Cobra Electronics introduced its latest development - a system of Cobra Tag. The device is designed to track the location of various small objects: keys, smart phones, flash drives or wallets, that is all that is usually located a short distance, but tends to get lost.

Cobra Tag consists of a Bluetooth / GPS transmitter that connects to any of these items, and special applications for the smartphone, with the help of which will be monitored and the location of transmitter. The system works in two directions: Start the application at any time to determine where there is a trinket, as well as with the transmitter can send a signal to the phone, and the answer signal. In addition, the smartphone can set a certain distance and maximum distance transmitter smartphone from each other, and if this distance is increased (for example, have forgotten the phone in a cafe), then the system again, will give a signal.

With the disappearance of a charm (as an option, it was stolen along with keys), the system records the GPS-coordinates of the location and the last time it happened. Information can be submitted by mail, SMS or email on Facebook, Twitter and the like.

The cost of Cobra Tag is $ 60, its application is running on BlackBerry smartphones and Android. The system is sold in the U.S. since early July.

The device is useful to a curious and, however, raises many questions (because this is a finished product, not the concept). For example, we know that Bluetooth has a limited range (no more than 10-15 meters of energy-saving versions), which significantly narrows the search. Also, always-on Bluetooth on your phone battery consumption will increase decently, but it is so sore and "smart" phones. Finally, Bluetooth / GPS Keychain and he requires constant recharging, and gadgets that require power supply, modern man is already in short supply. In short, the question of questions: Is it worth all the trouble of this game, or simply to accustom themselves to put the keys in place?

Scientists have figured out how to steal PINs of bank cards

Sometimes it seems that security experts and just do what they themselves come up with ways in which attackers can crank out one way or another scam or any way to harm the victim. More recently, one such fellow diabetics to frighten the fact that their insulin pumps can control the hackers, and now researchers from the University of California at San Diego have come up with how to steal PINs of bank cards.

Their idea is that criminals can use the infrared camera to detect which keys to just pressing a man who successfully exploited the ATM. You just need to identify the "warm" button - that they just clicked. The method is very accurate, to protect themselves from it practically does not, and with the help of special software to collect the PIN codes can be automated.

The researchers conducted an experiment on 21 volunteers who were recruited 27 first codes on metal, and then on a plastic keyboard. It turned out that the easiest to use this method to steal PIN codes when using a plastic keyboard. That force with which the person presses the keys, is also important.

It was written by a special software that will automate the analysis of clicks - it worked correctly in 80% using a plastic keyboard. The analysis was performed after 10 seconds, after the owner moved away from the ATM card, but even after 45 seconds in 60% of the program could be considered the correct combination of numbers. Moreover, it was found that the software does a better job with the identification of stroke than people who look at the image of the chamber.

Cases using this method, the real criminals were not registered, but until they have read about this study ... In principle, the method of effective and not too expensive.

In Google + now has a game. Can I play?

Social Network Google + is growing by leaps and bounds: as the number of users (at last count it had reached 25 million) and Opportunity. With the latest update to Google + appeared the game (or there - give a new function, not all at once). While they are many, but an increase in their number seems to be nothing to prevent.

At the moment, the list consists of sixteen games. Here they are.

In the absence of an icon Wild Ones was not to blame either my browser or network - pictures was not even on Friday when they opened the game section, and it has not appeared until now. Probably, Google quietly looking at things like this: if something is broken or badly done, to repair and improve is always possible, but there is no need to rush (unless, of course, it was not an especially important thing - playing the social network they are likely , are only nominally).

This seems rather sluggish start - and not because of the bat icon, but because of the modest number of games and complete lack of new products and exclusives. But the worry for Google and for the new service is not worth it. The main thing is that it noted important publishers and developers: Zynga, Playdom, Electronic Arts, Rovio with the ubiquitous Angry Birds and others.

But if there is Zynga, where, then, Farmville, CityVille, Frontier Ville, Mafia Wars and other famous juicer time and money? They are yet to catch did not come out - prevents an exclusive agreement with Zynga Facebook. However, last year, Google invested in Zynga hundred million dollars, and now the purpose of this investment has become quite clear: soon we will see a lot more games in Zynga Google +.

Other developers will surely catch up with time in the "Plus". In Google promises soon to start the service for the micro (with their help, many games are bought domestic currency), and promises to take much smaller share than taking Facebook - five per cent against feysbukovskih thirty.

In the meantime, users of Google + can either completely ignore the new section for the complete absence of something interesting, or (if you do not have time to go through this before) get hooked on some Dragons of Atlantis or the City of Wonder. Recommend an intermediate option - to try to break records for friends in the G + Angry Birds, and if it does not, then hell with it.

An automatic transmission for a bicycle

Automatic transmission - on the one hand good, on the other hand does not help to save fuel. But now, think how nice it would be if she was on a bike! No need to worry about where to press the lever to switch the speed, everything happens by itself and is always comfortable ride. This sort of thing, meanwhile, is, and it is called NuVinci N360 .

First, it focuses on the "Electric Bicycle" (electric motor in them helps the rider to climb the steep slopes). N360 automatically adjusts speed to the load on the leg cycling was minimal.

To manage the system, there are two controllers, attached to the handlebars. "The base Controller" allows you to select one of three behaviors gear - they are put into the system initially. "Advanced Controller" is designed for users who want to choose their own speed - that is, manual control.

The entire complex weighs 250 grams. Soon the N360 will be available with some models of bikes. Not with the cheap of course - the cost will start at $ 2,000.

Chinese car buyers gives advice

How to make the visitor to a supermarket to buy more? This is a whole science - how to place items they do not give a client note a less expensive product ... In China, the case decided to connect all sorts of gadgets and more. Shanghai Lotus Supermarket chain stores introduced the practice of using technology, Smart Cart. What is it?

First of all, all the carts in the stores now are equipped with networked wirelessly tablets, and, moreover, the buyer can download a special application on the smartphone, which is synchronized with the tablet. Using a special technique to locate the trolley in a supermarket and indoor augmented reality, Smart Card helps navigate the store.

Of course, not only to navigate. In addition to information about where that is, the application displays information about the products at a discount, which are close to the buyer keeps all sorts of coupons for shares, but also allows to make a shopping list. Positioning accuracy of one meter - very well.

Once the client is next to a cart equipped with a tablet, the application synchronizes with it, pumping it into the list, and authorizes the user. If tests prove successful technology, the SK Telecom, the developer of Smart Cart is going to further personalize the service. He will be able to gather information about customer habits, including analysis of their purchase history, and thus to recommend related products.

WhiteMagic - a new type of display Sony

In the Sony invented a new type of liquid crystal displays - with the screens of mobile phones and other gadgets will be spending less energy and produce greater brightness. But it seems that these qualities are not achieved simultaneously under normal conditions (that is, under normal room lighting) displays WhiteMagic will not work with full brightness. But if you make a gadget to the bright sun, turn the other mode in which the picture will become much brighter.

Description of technology implementation is quite simple: in the matrix except for red, blue and green pixels, are responsible for color output image will be white and - providing a bright backlight. Promises that the first examples of devices will be available in October 2011.

At Sony, there is a wide range of devices in which the new displays will be useful - for example, cameras and camcorders, smart phones and Sony Ericsson. The company is also preparing to release tablet operating system Android - and if the "white magic" and gets to them, it will give these tablets a good bargaining chip.

Windows Phone 7 - than in a store selling applications

Half the charm of smartphones - in applications. And not in those applications that come with the operating system (this is just the first half), and those created by third parties and distributed through the built-in store. Of course, hundreds of thousands of applications available for iPhone, none of the competing platforms is not finishing off, but something that can be found in the Windows Phone Marketplace quite encouraging.

But let's start with a design shop. We met already familiar to other programs interface Metro and the three main sections - applications, games and music. If the wind off the screen to the left, you can see a section with featured advertisers, then a large banner with the advertising of a particularly remarkable new application (usually a game).

So, cast your line into! Rather, go to the games section and download all that fall look. And no - I'm not going to get out and spend lots of money on programs for phones, issued on the test. In the Marketplace you can download free software, even without registering a credit card (all hated feature of App Store), but the games have a demo version. And they are not in a separate distribution, with a note Lite - next to "buy" button is available trial - click on it and starts downloaded the demo version.

The first harvest was more than successful: Plants vs. Zombies, Angry Birds, iBlast Moki, Earthworm Jim, Beards & Beaks and ilomilo. The first two games, as well as Eartworm Jim, a special presentation do not need the third - a fairly successful puzzle, which was published earlier for iOS, the last two games were created in collaboration with Microsoft Game Studios - that is the real exclusives!

With programs are not as luxurious as the games - in a store, for example, there is no Instapaper, or RSS-reader-caliber Reeder, or analogues of other powerful applications for the iPhone and iPad section of productivity - that is to be productive. But in each of the "tops" and then it skips the application with a note and relevant pictures. It seems that Microsoft has not yet been eager to enter the same strict censorship as the App Store.

Even here there are clients of social networks, and the company.We can Immediately downloaded and installed the Twitter and Facebook - both decorated by all the rules in general seem to Metro and standard applications. Alas, neither of them did not take the opportunity to write on the main screen, and they have no equivalent notification.

In general, given the youth Marketplace it can be called fully successful - or even very good, if not compare with the App Store, but with Adroid Market. On the main screen there are the best (really the best) programs, games of this caliber (and a decent amount!) Android users can only envy, and the simplicity of getting a demo version and upgrade to a full local Marketplace overtaking and App Store.

We should also note the presence of the music section, from which I downloaded without problems a few free songs. Not clear whether the music is officially sold in market but, at least, is likely to be something to download for free.