Interface for future computers

In the research division Microsoft Research are doing a lot of interesting things. In particular, there comes a projection table, Microsoft Surface computer and camera controller Microsoft Kinect. They are not shy to play with technology inventions (see, for example, a recent trial using Kinect), but there are third-party developers that make things interesting on the latest technologies Microsoft.

Dr. Neal Rudin and his team demonstrate different Nsquared clever tricks with the Surface, Kinect, phone with Windows Phone 7 and Tablet PC.

In this video, Rudin shows how the phone can be put on Surface and seen on the surface of the table extension screen phone will be spread around the machine obtained by SMS.

Then, the inventor demonstrates how to drawn on a Surface chart at home can be imposed from the top plate, showing the three-dimensional image with textures and shadows (so imagine the configuration space is much easier). Also, the tablet can be held in front of him, seeing the rendering facilities, as the map displayed on the Surface, - to watch which way the plan is directed gaze.

Read more »

Conceived for those who like astronomy: camera + projector

It is known that on to study astronomy textbooks boring and unproductive, and what he saw live once stored constellation is much brighter. However, the modern city sky seldom allows to admire their bodies, and, increasingly, the fans want to get out a night of beauty outside the city. Korean designer Son Won Kim, Son, SW Kim and Chong Fa Li in his own decided this question. They proposed the concept of Stella, with which anyone can arrange a night sky, right at the ceiling. 

 Stella is a hybrid camera and projector, and the device is designed to be very compact and fits in your pocket.

Read more »

Planet-diamond ... Can I call it a planet?

A recent report about the latest astronomical discovery looks like a pretty mediocre piece of science fiction, beginning mid-nineteenth century. Or like a fairy tale. Nevertheless, it seems that the "planet-diamond" exists in reality.

Members of an international team of astronomers led by Professor Matthew Beylzom of Svinbernskogo University of Technology in Australia, reported the discovery of the pulsar J1719-1438, which is located at 4000 light years from our solar system, a fairly large and very dense satellite has a mass slightly smaller than Jupiter.

Planet-diamond ... But the planet is this?

Like all pulsars, this is a neutron star massive enough to form after a black hole.

This refers to the millisecond pulsar subtype, the period of its circulation is 5.7 ms. It is believed that these pulsars are rotating more slowly initially and accelerated due to the absorption of matter from a companion object.

The studies of the pulsar was found in his companion, which has much less mass, but has a high average density of 23 g / cm 3 . Apparently, once J1719-1438 b represented the kind of white dwarf star.

Read more »

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.

How to warm up at the bus stop

Scandinavian group of students decided that a good cook in the summer and sleigh has developed a concept, designed for cold winters. Fernando Barbato, Metya Alexis, Chris Bangston, Max Norman and Patricia Varella figured out how to warm up at a bus stop in inclement winter weather. Young people have developed the concept of an interactive game called "Adidas Hero - From below zero", which is proposed to play a waiting bus people. Win - 3 minutes of heat.

Read more »

New in OS X 10.7 Lion: Strange

Operating system, Mac OS X to the new version - 10.7 Lion. Among the innovations of many beautiful and even brilliant, there are annoying things (they are listed in the post " OS X Lion: Irritation "), but most of those that can not be assigned to any one nor the other category. Sometimes these innovations prichinayut inconvenience, but sometimes it is there - the main foundation for the future.

1. Upside-down scrolling. The first thing you show after you download Lion - it's the fingers that make seemingly not quite a decent gesture. No, Apple did not think to insult the user - just warn that the touchpad, Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad now squander the page as well as the iPad or iPhone: pull down - the page goes down, pull up - the page up. In the setting such a regime "natural." Well, the reason is: it is possible to imagine that we draw the page itself, rather than the slider bar. But in the habit will take some time and moral strength, and if sometimes we have to use older versions of Mac OS X or other operating systems, the torment will never end. Why are there - for the company to reverse course and switched the wheel on a conventional mouse. Maybe it correctly, but after ten years of training accustom himself to turn the wheel in the opposite direction on the complexity - about how to change your stride.

Read more »

New in OS X 10.7 Lion: Irritant

The new version of the operating system for "Poppies" OS X Lion many valuable and useful things (see " OS X Lion: A good "). Some of them have not yet revealed their full potential and does cause inconvenience may (read the post " OS X Lion: A strange "), and some have irritating. Here are the five most annoying properties of the "Lion."

1. Dirty calendar and address book. It is to run one of these standard applications, and we see the horrific attacks of wild victim designers. Instead of straining and did not leave a neat gray sockets and standard buttons, these programs for something to decorate.

Read more »

New in OS X 10.7 Lion: Good

In the evening (or early in the morning on New York City time) June 20, 2011, Apple rolled out in the application store a new version of its desktop operating system - Mac OS X Lion. It costs quite like a godly ($ 30), to the same electronic delivery is especially pleasant - no need to wait until the box dovezut to our retail and not hang a price tag on it with some strange numbers in rubles. Take it and enjoy. Not only that - is installed on all their computers, buying a time. Do not resist and not go look at the "Lion" was simply impossible. Here are five new features that I liked the most after one and a half days of use.

1. Installation and Recovery Partition. Does anyone setting "Lion" will certainly result in a crash, crash, fire and invasion by extraterrestrials. I'm not afraid to give at the mercy of his working notebook, and have not regretted. Of course, not the promised utsanovka took 33 minutes, and a good two hours, but the process was smooth and required to press only two buttons ("buy" and "set"), and on the road even entertained fascinating report, which I guess to pull in the Window menu .

Read more »

Why Apple OS mixes two.....

Of all the announcements last day Apple can certainly interesting to consider a new version of Mac OS X, code-named Lion. Waited long for this release - version two years ago (Leopard) adds only cosmetic changes, and the past (Snow Leopard) was mainly devoted to low-level optimization, and other pieces. "Lion" does not like that. It can be seen with the naked eye major changes in the interface of the system, perhaps the most serious since the first release of Mac OS X. But whether they are good?

At first glance at the monstrous hybrid interface iOS (of iPhone, iPod touch and iPad) with Mac OS X wants to spit. On top of the desktop can now call the Launchpad - analog home screen. Works are all exactly the same as there - the application can be moved, to lay out on several screens. But why do we need a system where there are so conventional desktop folders, and dock with it stacks?

Read more »

Umbrella, which need not keep his hands

How to carry bags and an umbrella at the same time? How do I open the front door, if in one hand and a dog leash, while in the other - an umbrella? Hammacher Schlemmer The company offers an interesting way - an umbrella that attaches to the back and not take arms.

Read more »

The Indians will connect PC to TV

Desktops 80s often were a candy bar and connected to the TV. Not a good life, of course, just money to spend on a dedicated monitor - it must have the courage to muster, as well - bought a PC and all. This mode is long gone, but the mobile phone operator Vodafone is going to revive the popularity of such devices.

First of all, a gadget called WebBox designed for developing countries - mainly India. He looks like a very fine keyboard, but his body disappears processor ARM, and runs the whole thing running Android 2.1.

Read more »

Why Google and Microsoft are doing social networks

Running Google + may well be regarded as a desperate attempt to start a real competition to Google to Facebook. In the same story seems to want to get involved, and Microsoft, according to the recently leaked to the Web screen shot of the project, code named Tulalip. He seems to be nothing but a social network. Why do companies that make software and services, so suddenly (and almost the same time) decided to stick his nose in a business where before they did not succeed? The popularity of social networks seems to be nothing in particular does not threaten their core product - the search in case of Google and the operating system and office suite - in the case of Microsoft.

His vision of the situation tried to explain to the slides (published, significantly, to Google +) Vincent Wong - an employee of a banking group HSBC. He notes the difference between your Google +, Facebook and Twitter, and concludes that, as a social platform Google + probably will not be a competitor or to any other popular services.

Read more »

The Swiss have created a batch of anti-PowerPoint.....

The administration of President Barack Obama more than a year struggling with PowerPoint. That is, not officially, but in March 2010 they hired Edward Tufte, a well-known statistics from Yale University, professors, among other things. This was done in order to optimize the administration. Tufte is known as a fierce fighter with PowerPoint presentation and made ​​it. He considers the program a terrible, and many presentations - a waste of time. But one professor - is one thing. In Switzerland, all in all seriousness created the Party against PowerPoint.

According to representatives of the parties, the use of aforesaid program for presentations annually costing Switzerland $ 2.5 billion (or 2.1 billion Swiss francs). They lead and figures on Europe - they were able to calculate that only about 160 flies PowerPoint billion a year. No specific sources of his party does not mention numbers, but argue that many employees working in government agencies make presentations and attend every week, while 85% did not see any sense in them.

The party seeks to hold a referendum, whose goal will ban PowerPoint, and generally any software for presentations across the country. In October, representatives of the parties intend to present themselves as candidates in elections.

On their website they are in several languages ​​explain its main goal: to get people's attention to the futility of drawing up the majority of presentations in the workflow.

Alas, it seems not all Swiss are willing to support the party - for the referendum failed to gather only 245 votes. Poems Matthias, head of the party, recently released a book "Deception PowerPoint", which describes in greater detail than the bad use of presentations. It costs 17 euros. On the question of, is not this all a publicity stunt to attract attention to the book, he replied that certainly, yes, but that his ambitions do not stop and he really wants to make people think, at a cost valuable time and money.

Why Google + good, and why it may fail to wait

The fact that Google launched a new social network (or rather, a conglomeration of social services) Google +, all who are interested probably already knows. Let's try to look at the news the other hand: What does it better than the competition, and why Google + - this is not another "alternative to Facebook", each of which is similar to the most popular social network in the world and thus can not offer users nothing really new and interesting ?

First of all, that would do in Facebook to make the communication and content sharing more secure, it turns out they have it rough and confusing. Recall the constant changes in the settings of privacy, groups ... It is standard everything you write, one way or another broadcast to your friends and share content with only a certain circle of friends is not that simple. Google + is based on the idea that the user writes, photographs and puts something specifically for a particular group of friends - this is the Google Circles. Create a circle just, and the addition of people is accompanied by a nice animation. In general, the whole point of Circles that any content you display is a certain range (eg, circle "all friends" - this is also Circle).

Sparks, the next part of the project, allows you to monitor information on their interests. Interests can also be introduced in the profile of Facebook, but here the news on them are chosen automatically - for Google, which has a News and Reader, this is a great idea. Also do not forget that with the help of Google + These data will be easy to share and discuss them with your friends (although those who have already received the invitation, saying that while working poor).

Hangouts - a new kind of online communication. When we send a private message to someone, we usually have in mind something concrete. But how to write that we simply want to communicate? "Talk to me somebody?" With just Hangouts and can show any of their community, that you wish to communicate. You can communicate via video or audio chat.

However, there will be an opportunity to communicate with targeted amended by a certain circle of people. In the mobile version is called Huddle. It's just a group chat, in which all participants are at once the circle - it initiates, of course, a man who belongs to this circle.

It looks very nice, especially since the design of the interface took part Hertsfild Andy, the designer of the first "Mac» Apple. That's just about the success of this project, alas, there are doubts. Recall what happened with Google Wave. No, I do not want to say that this is the same - quite the contrary, there is one thing that is alarming.

Apart from the fact that users could not understand the Wave, Google allowed them to test the product by invitation only. The standard scheme was as follows: two or three people get an invite, gladly test and go from there life because there's no one else. When it opened to the public, these men never returned. Given that the same pattern is repeated now, it's hard not to worry about such a fate for Google +.a