Technology and Daily Inspiration

Root your android With just one click ....

2013-11-08T09:41:00.004-08:00

In this post you will find how to Android devices easily using the one click rooting tool Eroot.

*Eroot* is a free android root tool which is developed by China root team. It is a new tool and become the World’s Strongest Root Tool. Currently the Eroot supports Samsung, Motorola, Huawei, SONY, HTC’s most models, the total number of models have more than 200 models.

Disclaimer: The intention and act of trying to gain root access on your android device is solely your responsibility as I will not be held responsible if anything goes wrong during this process. I have personally tried this process and it worked for me, I hope it works for you too.

Downloads and Prerequisites:

I request you to take a full backup of all the important stuff that you’ve got on your device. Although, rooting won’t wipe or delete anything from internal or external memory, I would like you to be on a safer side.
Please charge your device up to 75% or above.
Download Eroot one click rooting Tool. here's the link http://www.4shared.com/rar/DC5K6INX/eroot.html
Download and Install your device pc suite (eg for sony-> download Sony pc companion and for Samsung-> download Samsung pc suite.) (The purpose of downloading pc suites is to install the USB drivers(adb drivers) of android device.) If these drivers don't get installed, phone would not be detected by Eroot.
Enable USB debugging. Go into the settings > applications > developer options and check the box for USB Debugging.

Rooting Procedure:

Extract the file Eroot.rar on your desktop and double-click and run the application Eroot.exe
Connect your Android device to your PC and wait until Eroot authorizes it. Below is a sample screenshot.
Here

NOTE:> If eroot do not show your device name, then it means your device drivers i.e. adb drivers are not installed on your pc. Download drivers and try again.
5. Click on Button Root and wait until the 4 options gets green check mark like the below screenshot.
6. Here

7.That’s it, now you have Rooted your Android Device. Make sure to look at the Superuser app on your menu.

Thank you for reading. In case you have any difficulties, please do let me know by comments and I’ll help you to solve the issues.

FIFA 14 now available as a free download for iOS, Android

2013-09-24T09:40:00.000-07:00

EA Sports on Tuesday announced the worldwide availability of FIFA 14 on mobile. Called the most popular sports franchise in the world by EA, the game is available now as a free download in five different languages on the iTunes App Store, Google Play and Amazon Appstore.

source:http://gadgets.ndtv.com/games/news/fifa-14-now-available-for-android-and-ios-423161

iMac family UPGRADED..

2013-09-24T09:23:00.001-07:00

Apple has announced the launch of the updated iMac all-in-one desktops with fourth generation Intel quad-core (Haswell) processors, new graphics, next-generation Wi-Fi and faster PCIe flash storage options.

The entry-level 21.5-inch iMac features a 2.7GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 processor and new Iris Pro graphics for enhanced graphics performance, while the high-end 21.5-inch model and both 27-inch models feature quad-core Intel Core i5 processors up to 3.4GHz and NVIDIA GeForce 700 series graphics with twice the video memory and up to 40 percent faster performance than the previous generation, as claimed by Apple.

Customers also have the option of upgrading to quad-core Intel Core i7 processors up to 3.5GHz and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780M series graphics with up to 4GB of video memory.

The iMac comes standard with 8GB of memory and a 1TB hard drive, and customers can choose to configure their iMac with up to 32GB of memory and up to a 3TB hard drive. iMac also comes with two Thunderbolt and four USB 3.0 ports for connecting to external storage and other high performance peripherals.

Just like the new MacBook Air devices that were unveiled in June, the iMac now supports next generation 802.11ac Wi-Fi. When connected to an 802.11ac base station, iMac delivers wireless performance that is up to three times faster than the previous generation, according to Apple.

The iMac now also features support for PCIe-based flash storage that makes Fusion Drive and all-flash storage options up to 50 percent faster than the previous generation. The popular Fusion Drive option combines the large storage capacity of a hard drive with the high performance of flash to deliver shorter boot times and faster access to apps and files. Customers can configure their iMac with a 1TB or 3TB Fusion Drive, and all-flash storage options are now available in configurations up to 1TB.

"iMac continues to be the example that proves how beautiful, fast and fun a desktop computer can be," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. "Inside its ultra-thin aluminium enclosure, the new iMac has the latest Intel processors, faster graphics, next generation 802.11ac Wi-Fi and faster PCIe flash storage."

The iMac ships with OS X Mountain Lion, that offers Messages, Notification Center, system-wide Sharing, AirPlay Mirroring, Dictation, Game Center and the enhanced security of Gatekeeper.

iCloud is integrated with OS X, Mountain Lion making it easier to keep content up to date across the customers' Mac, iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

The 21.5-inch iMac is available with a 2.7 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.2 GHz and Intel Iris Pro for a suggested retail price of Rs. 99,900 inclusive of VAT, and with a 2.9 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.6 GHz and NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M for a suggested retail price of Rs.1,14,900 inclusive of VAT.

The 27-inch iMac is available with a 3.2 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.6 GHz and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 755M for a suggested retail price of Rs.1,39,900 inclusive of VAT and with a 3.4 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.8 GHz and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 775M for a suggested retail price of Rs.1,54,900 inclusive of VAT.

The previous generation 21.5-inch iMac was priced at Rs. 85,900 and upwards, while the 27-inch version was priced at Rs. 1,22,900. Apple doesn't usually increase prices of new iterations of Mac products when it introduces them. However, it's likely that the increased pricing of the new iMac is due to the diminishing value of the Rupee against the Dollar.

article source: http://gadgets.ndtv.com/laptops/news/apple-upgrades-imac-family-with-intel-haswell-chips-starts-from-rs-99900-423123?pfrom=gadgetstop

Google Glass has some competition, say hello to GlassUp

2013-07-18T12:05:00.001-07:00

The jury is still out on whether wearable computing is really the next big thing in mobile technology, but that certainly won’t stop eager developers from moving in on the market early.

Google Glass may have brought wearable technology in to the headlines, but Francesco Giartosio had started his augmented reality project, called GlassUp, two years ago. The project takes the form of pair of glasses, and it will display SMS messages, emails, and notifications, much like Google Glass does.

Before Google Glass, everyone said our project was a silly project

But that’s really where the similarities end, as GlassUp is simply a second-screen output for internet-connected devices, which is quite similar to what the Pebble smart watch does. One key difference is in the way information is presented, information is presented in the center of your vision, rather than off-center like Google Glass.

GlassUp doesn’t have a powerful CPU, so it can’t do any real processing on-board, and it doesn’t even have a camera either. But this may end up working to GlassUp’s advantage, as it could end up being a bit cheaper than Google’s offering. Giartosio says that the device will be priced at $399 and should offer around 150 hours of standby battery life and eight hours of continuous use, thanks to its lack of a powerful CPU.

The start-up project is also heavily focused on appearances, and is determined not to make you look like a “cyborg”. If you’re unsure about the slightly cyber-punk look of Google Glass, the Italian made GlassUp may be a more stylish alternative.

article source: http://snatz.com/news_daily/article/18175712238885929764-13-07?newsSetId=3193&newsSet=NewsDailyLatest&chainName=GlassUp+%7C+Project+Glass

“There is an expiry date on blaming your parents for steering you in the wrong direction; the moment you are old enough to take the wheel, responsibility lies with you.” ― J.K. Rowling

2013-07-18T11:57:00.001-07:00

Audi to include super-techy ‘Matrix Beam’ headlights on 2015 A8

2013-07-16T07:26:00.004-07:00

In-depth look into some of the lighting technologies currently in the works at Audi. One of our favorites was the Matrix Beam headlight system.
Matrix Beam takes into account satellite navigation location, as well as onboard video camera images to adjust lighting. The system is so precise, however, that Matrix Beam is capable of illuminating “the areas between several vehicles in complex situations,” according to an Audi press release, which is demonstrated in the photo in the above photo gallery with the man holding a flashlight and two beams of light on either side of him.
Audi has dialed-in the Matrix Beam system and will be implementing it into the refreshed 2015 A8. Sadly, it won’t be coming to the States.
Why not? Presently, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requires automakers to have both a high- and low-beam setting on the headlights. Since the Matrix Beam would do both automatically, Audi does not include such a switch. Audi and several other European automakers have petitioned the NHTSA to change and update these regulations so that they better reflect the current state of lighting technology. Good luck with that, Audi and friends.
Audi is set to unveil the refreshed A8 with Matrix Beam headlights at this year’s Frankfurt Auto Show.

article source: http://www.digitaltrends.com

Recycled Yahoo IDs are now up for grabs.

2013-07-16T07:16:00.000-07:00

Yahoo on Monday officially opened the flood gates to allow users to claim a more desirable username that was once owned by someone else. Users have from now until August 7 to request their top five choices for a new Yahoo ID according to a blog post on the subject.

In the event your top choice isn’t available, Yahoo will try one of your backups and so on. The company said they will send out an e-mail in mid-August informing users which of their selections are available with a link to claim it. You’ll need to act fast though as the link is only valid for 48 hours.

Generate Disposable Email Addresses That Do Not Expire..

2013-07-10T13:05:00.000-07:00

Sometimes a website may require your email address but if that site isn’t trustworthy, you are very likely to use a disposable email service like 10minutemail.com or Mailinator.com to complete the sign-up process.

We tend to have a transactional and very temporary relationship with these disposable email accounts. Once the purpose is solved, the mailbox is abandoned and we will generate a new address the next time another website asks for our “real” email address.

MailDrop.cc is a new provider of disposable addresses but what makes them a little different is that they let you use custom (memorable) aliases for your temporary email address and your mailbox will stay around forever so you can use the same address later on other sites as well.

There are some rules though. Your inbox will hold a total of 10 messages and all the messages will be deleted if the mailbox stays inactive for 24 hours. The email address itself will however continue to exist. Also, the service accepts only text mails and any file attachments will be removed before the message is delivered to your inbox.

One more thing. Since MailDrop requires no logins or passwords, anyone can see your mailbox if they know, or happen to guess, your email alias. Thus, use the service purely for throwaway and temporary e-mail addresses.

Do what you love and love what you do...

2013-07-10T12:47:00.001-07:00

Google Glass: what you need to know

2013-07-10T11:07:00.000-07:00

Back in early 2012, before the world had heard of Google Glass, the tech world was ablaze with rumours that the search giant was beavering away on augmented reality goggles.
As the days went by, it was clear that not only was this true, but that Google's dream of wearable technology was far, far closer to release than anyone would have guessed.
Roll forward just over a year and the first versions are in the hands of developers who went into a lottery to fork out $1,500 for their own pair of spectacles.
TechRadar has had time with the Google Glass Explorer so you can find plenty more information right there.
But what exactly is Google Glass? Why is it attracting all this attention and what are the implications - both good and bad - of having a Google-eye view of the world?

Google Glass and its Prism Display

What is Google Glass?

Google Glass is an attempt to free data from desktop computers and portable devices like phones and tablets, and place it right in front of your eyes.
Essentially, Google Glass is a camera, display, touchpad, battery and microphone built into spectacle frames so that you can perch a display in your field of vision, film, take pictures, search and translate on the go.
The principle is one that has been around for years in science fiction, and more recently it's become a slightly clunky reality. In fact, the "heads-up display" putting data in your field of vision became a reality as early as 1900 when the reflector sight was invented Google Glass uses display technology instead to put data in front (or at least, to the upper right) of your vision courtesy of a prism screen. This is designed to be easily seen without obstructing your view. According to Google the display is "the equivalent of a 25-inch high definition screen from eight feet away". There's no official word on native resolution, but 640 x 360 has been widely mooted.
Overlaying data into your vision has obvious benefits; many of which are already functional in Google Glass. Directions become more intuitive (although it sounds like there is no GPS on board so you will have to pair it with your phone), you can view real-time translations or transcriptions of what is being said, and you can scroll through and reply to messages - all on the fly.

What can Google Glass do?

As well as Google's own list of features, the early apps for Google Glass provide a neat glimpse into the potential of the headset.
As well as photos and film - which require no explanation - you can use the Google hangout software to video conference with your friends and show them what you're looking at.
You'll also be able to use Google Maps to get directions, although with GPS absent from the spec list, you'll need to tether Glass to your phone.

To do that, Google offers the MyGlass app. This pairs your headset with an Android phone. As well as sharing GPS data, this means messages can be received, viewed on the display, and answered using the microphone and Google's voice-to-text functionality.
Google has given its Glass project a big boost by snapping up voice specialists DNNresearch.
That functionality will also bring the ability to translate the words being spoken to you into your own language on the display. Obviously you'll need a WiFi connection or a hefty data plan if you're in another country, but it's certainly a neat trick if it works.
Third parties are also already developing some rather cool/scary apps for Google Glass - including one that allows you to identify your friends in a crowd, and another that allows you to dictate an email.
The New York Times app gives an idea how news will be displayed when it's asked for: a headline, byline, appropriate image and number of hours since the article was published are displayed.

How it feels through Google Glass

What are the Google Glass specifications?

As well as a mooted 640 x 360 display, the built-in camera is a 5MP snapper that can film at 720p.
Battery life is apparently a day, although that's with the usual "typical use" caveat, which probably excludes a lot of videoing.
There's 16GB of flash memory built into the device, although only 12GB will be available for user storage. The device will sync to your Google Drive in the cloud
Bluetooth and WiFi will be built in, but no GPS chip - so the Glass will probably work best alongside an Android phone, although you can pair with any Bluetooth enabled phone.

What's the Google Glass price?

The Google Glass Explorer (the developer version being sent out now) costs $1,500 - around £985 or AU$1,449.
The consumer versions, which are expected to arrive by the end of 2013, are expected to be a little cheaper, although any actual prices remain speculative. They are unlikely to be super-cheap - but Google's success with the Nexus 7 tablet may prompt the company to subsidise some of the cost.

Google glass coming to developer near you(US citizens)

When is the Google Glass release date?

A final release date has not been announced, but sources tell us that the original suggestion of 2014 was actually overly pessimistic and we could see Google Glass arrive in time for the end of 2013.

Mount Everest gets 4G connectivity

2013-07-10T10:52:00.003-07:00

Huawei(network provider in China) in collaboration with China Mobile has successfully deployed 4G services on Mount Everest, about 5,200 meters above sea level. Announcing the development, Huawei revealed that work was completed last month and users can now access 4G services like streaming live HD videos from the base camp on the mountain. According to David Wang, president of Huawei Wireless Networks, said, “Bringing 4G to Mount Everest marks an important milestone in global LTE development.”

Wang said that successful deployment of 4G on Mount Everest showcases 4G's global potential and the impact it was having on global telecom markets. Having 4G connectivity at the base camp is definitely a milestone but, there is a long way to go before the services are made available at the top of the mountain which is another 3kms higher.

Mt. Everest already has 3G connectivity, thanks to the work for 2008 Olympics Games torch relay and users not having 4G smartphones can always use the 3G connectivity.

iOS 7 vs Android 4.2 vs Windows Phone 8 vs BlackBerry 10

2013-07-09T07:31:00.004-07:00

Control Centre

iOS 7: Yes, iOS 7 brings a new Control Centre to Apple devices, giving users quick access to toggles and other commonly-used features

Android 4.2: Yes, Android 4.2 does have a central Control Centre, but it varies as per the phone manufacturer.

Windows Phone 8: No, Windows Phone 8 does not have provision for a Control Centre, and users need to go to the Settings menu for this.

BlackBerry 10: Just like Windows Phone 8, BlackBerry 10 also does not have a Control Centre and use will have to go to the system access settings every time

Notification centre

iOS 7: Yes, Apple devices continue to have the notification centre, but it is now divided into three tabs, Today, All and Missed.

Android 4.2: Yes, Android 4.2 boasts of detailed notifications, including toggles, music controls etc.

Windows Phone 8: Microsoft’s Windows Phone 8 mobile operating system does not have a central notification centre, but users can access controls from the home screen via Live Tiles.

BlackBerry 10: To see all notifications and messages, BB 10 OS has a feature called BlackBerry Hub

Multitasking preview

iOS 7: iPhones, iPads and iPod touch will now get a flat design for multitasking preview with the new iOS 7.

Android 4.2: Users can switch between apps in Android 4.2 via the Recents list.

Windows Phone 8: Windows Phone 8 allows users to move between active apps via the multitasking preview feature.

BlackBerry 10: The BlackBerry 10 homescreen shows users all currently operating apps via the Active Frames grid

Photo grouping

iOS 7: Apple has introduced photo grouping features called Moments, Collections and Years with iOS 7.

Android 4.2: in Android 4.2, images are grouped by albums, dates and other tags.

Windows Phone 8: Photos are segregated as per albums and date in Windows Phone 8.

BlackBerry 10: The BB10 operating system categorizes photos by albums and recently clicked

Shared photo stream

iOS 7: Apple’s new mobile operating system allows people to share Photo Streams with other users

Android 4.2: Only Samsung Galaxy S4 has the provision to share such photo streams

Windows Phone 8: Users can only share images one by one in Windows Phone 8 OS

BlackBerry 10: Similar to WP8, BlackBerry 10 also requires users to share images one by one

Peer-to-peer sharing

iOS 7: Apple has introduced AirDrop with iOS 7 that enables people to share contacts, songs, videos etc over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi

Android 4.2: Android Beam is the NFC-based feature that allows people to share data wirelessly

Windows Phone 8: In WP8, users can share data with others via the NFC-based Tap+Share feature

BlackBerry 10: NFC-based sharing is also present in BlackBerry 10 operating system

Unified browser bar

iOS 7: Yes, a unified browser bar is present in the Safari browser

Android 4.2: Yes, the default Android 4.2 web browser features a central browser bar for all tabs

Windows Phone 8: Yes, Windows Phone 8 also has a unified browser bar

BlackBerry 10: Yes, a unified browser bar is also present in the BlackBerry 10 default web browser

Automatic app updates

iOS 7: Apple devices will now update apps automatically in the background

Android 4.2: While apps do not update automatically in Android 4.2, users can select the option while downloading them

Windows Phone 8: Yes, Windows Phone 8 does have an Update All option for apps

BlackBerry 10: Users can only update apps one by one in BlackBerry 10

Password-protected reset

iOS 7: Yes, Apple has unveiled the password-protect reset feature with iOS 7, so that stolen devices cannot be used until the owners’ Apple ID and password are provided

Android 4.2: No, Android 4.2 does have provision to protect devices when stolen

Windows Phone 8: No, there is no feature to protect stolen phones running on WP8

BlackBerry 10: No, BlackBerry 10 OS does not allow

In-car integration

iOS 7: Apple has unveiled iOS in the Car feature with the latest software update, so that they can access calls, messages, maps etc hands-free

Android 4.2: Driving Mode in Android 4.2 allows in-car integration for smartphones and tablets

Windows Phone 8: Nokia Drive is available on Windows Phone 8 for in-dash integration

BlackBerry 10: Though BlackBerry 10 does not have any default feature to make phones compatible with cars, a few third-party apps can perform this function

Facebook pushes out Graph Search, mobile version on the way

2013-07-09T07:22:00.003-07:00

Start looking for a new advanced search feature on your Facebook page today

Don't be surprised if it does. Starting today, Facebook is rolling out Graph Search, the advanced search feature that the social network launched in beta earlier this year. Graph Search is intended to help users more easily find people, photos, videos and places on Facebook.

Facebook is rolling out its advanced search feature, Graph Search.

Everyone using U.S. English on Facebook should get an automatic search box update over the next few weeks, according to the company.
As Graph Search rolls out, users will get a notice on their home page with a reminder about controlling what they share and with whom.

"This is just the beginning," the company wrote in a blog post. "We're currently working on making it easier for people to search and discover topics, including posts and comments. We're also working on getting mobile Graph Search ready."
The blog also said that since Graph Search initially came out in beta, tens of millions of people have tried it, helping Facebook make adjustments and improvements to it.
For instance, Facebook has made Graph Search faster at suggesting potential searches and displaying results. Facebook programmers also have tweaked the search service so it understands more ways of asking questions and is better at showing the most relevant results first.
Facebook's new search tool basically unleashes the collective knowledge and opinions of its more than 1 billion global users.
Graph Search, which appears as a bigger search bar at the top of each page, is designed to offer up an answer after combing through Facebook's own huge store of user information.
Want to find a great day spa in Chicago, for example? Graph Search will find out what spas your friends, and even their friends, have tried and liked.
If two people ask the same question, they're likely to get different results because their individual set of friends and contacts will be different so their likes and dislikes will also differ.
Facebook has a massive collection of information about what restaurants, bicycles, cars and airlines its users have tried. It also has a similar amount of data on who has attended a certain college and now works at a certain company in a particular city.
Looking for a locally owned café in Boston? Looking for an old classmate in Maine? What's the best hybrid car or vacation spot on the East Coast?
Facebook is hoping you'll search for the answer on its site.

Bluetooth Wireless Remote For Cameras..

2013-07-07T11:54:00.003-07:00

In photography, shutter release remotes have a useful purpose. Using one with your camera is an effective way to reduce camera shake: You can put yourself into family or group photos without having to set a timer (or pick the person you like the least), or create interesting long-exposure images. Satechi, an accessories maker of everything from speakers to presentation pointers, recently introduced the Smart Trigger, a Bluetooth receiver that lets you control the camera’s shutter remotely through your smartphone or tablet. Besides basic shutter control, the Smart Trigger helps you easily shoot long-exposure shots and time-lapse videos. Despite the low price, is it an important accessory you need? Let’s look at it further.

Features and design

The Smart Trigger is a small lightweight device – about the size of a box of Tic-Tacs – that’s designed to fit on top of your DSLR’s hot shoe and act as a remote shutter release you can control with your smartphone

or tablet. Depending on the version you buy, it comes with a cable to connect the Smart Trigger to match the camera’s remote control terminal. As of press time, the Smart Trigger is available for Canon’s EOS DSLRs (going as far back as the EOS 10D), as well as select PowerShot and limited Pentax models. Satechi says Nikon and Panasonic versions are forthcoming.

satechi-smart-trigger-1 The unit has a single button on top that’s used to pair with a smart device, put it to sleep, or re-pair the connection. There’s also an indicator light that lets you know if it’s in pairing mode (a steady flash) or that it’s going to sleep. The Smart Trigger uses two AAA batteries, which Satechi says will power the device for up to 10 years. Since we don’t have that kind of time to test it out, we’ll take their word for it.

To control the Smart Trigger, you will need the proprietary app loaded on your smart device, (free on iOS; an Android version is in the works). The Smart Trigger communicates with your device using Bluetooth 4.0, and Satechi says it has a range of 50 feet (the low energy attribute of Bluetooth 4.0 also accounts for the long battery life). When you first launch the app, it will scan for the Smart Trigger device. The app handles the Bluetooth pairing automatically, and there’s no passcode to enter.

Once the Smart Trigger and app are paired, you are directed to the Regular Shot mode, which has a giant virtual button that controls the shutter. This mode is the most basic: Press the button, and the camera takes a shot. If you are in the camera’s bulb mode, you can hold on the button to keep the shutter open for long exposures; let go of the button, and the shutter closes. The next mode, Manual Shot, requires your camera to be in bulb mode. Here, you can set the focus and keep the shutter open using the shutter lock button; a timer indicates exposure time. Manual Shot is ideal for capturing long exposure scenes like light trails and fireworks.

Tracking latest iWatch patents, rumors

2013-07-07T09:29:00.002-07:00

With an application filed on June 3 and made public last week, Apple is seeking to trademark "iWatch" in Japan. This comes on the heels of news that the company filed for the trademark in Russia last month.

Of course, this has added new energy to rumors of Apple releasing the iWatch later this year, however the trademark news must be taken with a grain of salt: Major tech companies like Apple are constantly filing applications for trademarks in order to protect themselves if a certain product were to exist. An iWatch may be in the works, but by filing the trademarks, Apple is seeking to make sure it has rights to the name, no matter what.

Here's a summary at the patent applications that have fueled the iWatch rumors to date:

September 2012: Apple was granted a patent for an electromagnetic induction system that could allow a device to be charged by shaking, a technology that would certainly be useful for the iWatch.

December 2012: The company was awarded a patent for a new process for creating high-quality curved glass.

February 2013: Apple was granted a patent for an "integrated touch sensor and solar assembly," which would allow a solar panel to capture energy from the sun while also being an optical sensor of a touchscreen. This technology could allow for Apple to make compact yet highly capable and energy efficient gadgets, like an iWatch.

Also in February, a patent for a "bi-stable spring with with flexible display," originally filed in August of 2011, made headlines. The patent describes a full-length, bendable, touchscreen display, and also a "slap-bracelet" mechanism for attaching the device to the users wrist for a custom fit. Additionally, the device would be able to sync with iPads, iPhones, and other Apple devices.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Apple had been granted a patent, originally applied for in January, for a curved, flexible battery. Rumors circulated that the curved battery would be part of an iWatch or an even more mysterious Apple product: a bendable smartphone.

Many analysts have taken the information from these patents and assumed the iWatch will launch later this year, but noted KGI Securities Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has a solid track record for predicting Apple product rollouts, expects the iWatch to ship in late 2014. Kuo released a report on May 22, writing that the iWatch will be Apple's first move into the wearable tech field, against Google Inc's glass, which is still in its "explorer" phase, wherein a select group of consumers were chosen to buy the new device for $1500. Moreover, he said the device will have a 1.5- to 2-inch screen and will focus on biometrics, which could provide heightened security features as well as health-care apps for measuring heartbeat, blood pressure, distance walked in a day, and more.

With the iWatch rumors so prevalent, Apple's main competitor has responded in earnest so as not to miss out on the potential market for smart watches. In March, Samsung Electronics announced it was developing a smart watch. As Lee Young Hee, the company's Executive Vice President for Mobile told Bloomberg in an interview, "We've been preparing the watch product for so long...We are preparing products for the future, and the watch is definitely one of them."

Samsung obviously does not value the element of surprise as much as Apple does, but considering how the Internet allows rumors to spread so wide and so fast, maybe Apple's use of secrecy is only a formality -- now part of the company's tradition.

This story was originally published on Minyanville.

The Telescopic Contact Lens That Lets You See Like The Terminator..

2013-07-05T11:05:00.002-07:00

Have you ever wished you had vision that could zoom in and out, like the Terminator? Well maybe soon you can.

A team is working on a new telescopic contact lens that is just over a millimeter thick. The lens is surrounded by a ring of movable components that magnify view by 2.8 times. As of yet, it is not able to compute the facial structure of what is being looked at but liquid crystal shutters allow the wearer to switch between normal and magnified vision.

The contact lens was developed at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) in Lausanne, Switzerland and at the University of California, San Diego by Eric Tremblay and his colleagues. The research and developement for the project has been funded by DARPA.

So far the team has integrated the LCD shutter mechanism into a pair of modified Samsung 3D TV glasses. The lens has been tested on an optomechanical model of the human eye and it is hoped that it won’t be too long before the LCD technology can be embedded directly into the lens itself, doing away with the 3D glasses.

According to New Scientist, the researches have said “Although the magnified images were clearly visible in our tests, acuity fell short of the design specification.” The team believe that if they can improve the refractive optics, then any diffraction related problems will be solved.

So while we await this interesting piece of techology, we will just have to make do with normal specs and cheesy Arnie impressions!

Source: http://mashable.com/2013/07/02/telescopic-contact-lens/

Brain implants let paralyzed woman move robot arm..

2013-07-05T03:00:00.002-07:00

Unrivalled control of a robotic arm has been achieved using a paralysed woman's thoughts, a US study says.
Jan Scheuermann, who is 53 and paralysed from the neck down, was able to deftly grasp and move a variety of objects just like a normal arm.
Brain implants were used to control the robotic arm, in the study reported in the Lancet medical journal.
Experts in the field said it was an "unprecedented performance" and a "remarkable achievement".
Jan was diagnosed with spinocerebellar degeneration 13 years ago and progressively lost control of her body. She is now unable to move her arms or legs.

Robo-arm

She was implanted with two sensors - each four millimetres by four millimetres - in the motor cortex of her brain.
A hundred tiny needles on each sensor pick up the electrical activity from about 200 individual brain cells.
"The way that neurons communicate with each other is by how fast they fire pulses, it's a little bit akin to listening to a Geiger counter click, and it's that property that we lock onto," said Professor Andrew Schwartz from the University of Pittsburgh.
The pulses of electricity in the brain are then translated into commands to move the arm, which bends at the elbow, wrist and could grab an object.
Jan was able to control the arm after the second day of training and over a period of 14 weeks became increasing skilful.
The report said she gained "co-ordination, skill and speed almost similar to that of an able-bodied person" by the end of the study.

Another Incredible Video DSLR From Canon...Canon EOS 70D

2013-07-04T03:30:00.001-07:00

Canon has always been one step ahead of the pack when it comes to putting video in DSLRs. But the new tech in the Canon EOS 70D could change things forever.

The Canon EOS 70D uses a new 20.2-megapixel APS-C sensor. That spec might not sound all the remarkable from the outset, but the sensor's architecture is completely new, which allows the camera to achieve the fastest and most precise continuous autofocus while recording video that we've ever seen.

When recording video, DSLRs use sensor-based autofocus, rather than the optical autofocus sensors that you use when you're simply shooting photos using the viewfinder. Initially, sensor-based systems where just too slow to work continuously because they only used contrast ratios to find focus. By sacrificing a couple of photodiodes on the sensor to phase detection, the new hybrid system was able to do the work of finding focus fast enough that it was reasonable to call it effective.

Now this year, the 70D introduces a new phase-detection only system Canon calls Dual Pixel CMOS AF. That sounds fancy, and actually, it is. The new CMOS sensor's 20.2-megapixel resolution has been divided into 40.1 million-photodiode architecture so that you've basically got two diodes capturing light for each pixel.

Why? Because now there is a phase detection diode at every point on the sensor. Instead of just a few scattered about you've got a sensor peppered with phase detection sensors. (The two diodes at each pixel point synthesize, so you're not losing light sensitivity-at least, that's what Canon tells us.)

In practice, this new AF system is pretty remarkable.The speed and precision of the autofocus during video was fast and precise.

One of the nice things about the tech is that it gets rid of the old ""focus hunt"" that inches closer and closer to focus. Instead, the 70D's focus algorithms find the focus super fast and then slides the focal point smoothly into place.

The camera will be available in September for $1200 (body alone), $1349 (W/18-55mm kit lens), and $1549 (w/18-135mm kit lens).

Wi-Vi system uses Wi-Fi to see through walls...

2013-07-04T03:14:00.002-07:00

MIT researchers have demonstrated the application of using Wi-Fi signals to track the movements, locations and number of people inside buildings. Dubbed Wi-Vi, the inexpensive and portable "through-the-wall" radar system could have practical applications in law enforcement, search and rescue operations and home security, even if it does present some potential privacy concerns.

While listening in on radio signals transmitted by standard Wi-Fi routers and access points, a Wi-Vi transceiver blankets the area with its own low-power, directional, wireless transmissions. As objects move within the target area, signals are absorbed and reflected differently. The device monitors these slight changes, giving Wi-Vi operators the ability to determine the movements, locations, speeds and the number of moving objects (e.g. people) behind walls.

Sony Smartwatch 2 : Specs and Features Review

2013-07-01T05:17:00.003-07:00

Sony comes with a new wearable computing wrist watch with the Android platform. This is a gadget of the year from Sony. Sony launched its first smartwatch recently and now launched Sony Smatwatch 2. Sony Smartwatch 2.0 will be available at the price tag of $99. Let’s take a brief look at Sony’s Smartwatch 2. Smartwatch 2 is the first smartwatch ever which is water resistant.

Key Features of Sony Smartwach 2

1.6 inches OLED Display with 220 x 176 pixels
Android 4.0 platform
Bluetooth v 3.0 and NFC Technology
MIcroUSB Charging
Dust and Water Resistant
3-4 days battery backup

Functionality of Sony Smartwacth 2 :

You can access the call by simply touch this smartwatch
The smart camera App, you can photos by clicking the camera.
You can access the map on this smartwatch when you are driving.
You can read previous e-mail when you not connected to the internet.
You can control the music player with this wrist watch.

Detail Features of Sony Smartwatch 2 :

Design :
The Sony Smartwatch 2 looks like a watch. The smartwatch measures the space of 41.6 x 41.1 x 9 mm. The weight of watchband is 23.5 gram and 122.5 gram is of the main unit of metal strap. The device looks marvelous with slightly rounded corners and silver metal. The back of the device is coated in royal white and provides a glossy touch. To make the device clippable, a clip is included. The rubber wristband makes the device comfortable.

Display :
Sony Smartwatch 2 has 1.6 inches of an OLED screen with color display. The resolution of this smartwatch is 220 x 176 pixels. The worst feature is the display not works properly in sunlight and to see the time, you need to press the side button again and again. You can track information on display while playing music. The smartwatch provides a scratch & splash-proof multi-touch display.

Connectivity :
Sony smartwatch 2 supports Bluetooth 3.0 connectivity and you can connect the device to Sony handsets or other Android Smartphones. It supports NFC technology to share the files. You can reject and mute calls, pre-defined SMS, take calls and use a headset.

Battery backup :
The battery backup of the device is good and depends upon the usage time. The standby time of the smartwatch 2 is up to a couple of weeks. And the device provides 3-4 days of constant use. You can charge the device via USB cable.

Performance :
The app on the device comes with Event widgets. You can install other apps via play store and configured with the phone. After the installation and configuration you can see various kinds of stuffs on your screen. You can see the popups and the notifications of installed apps. You can install 40 apps in smartwatch 2.0. You can see the apps in full screen or as a widget on the screen.

Price and Availability :
Sony Smartwatch 2 will be available in September 2013. The price of this stunning gadget is about $99. Still the price is not revealed yet by Sony. We are expecting that it will be available at affordable price of $99. Sony Smartwatch 2 will be the gadget of the year 2013 from Sony.

Intel hopes to speed up mobile Atom chip development

2013-06-30T23:40:00.000-07:00

Intel has a real presence in the smartphone world, but its tendency toward just one or two mobile chip releases per year makes it a slowpoke next to its ARM-based rivals. New CEO Brian Krzanich clearly isn't happy with this gap -- he tells Reuters that mobile Atom development could speed up under his watch. Although the executive is short on specifics, he notes that Intel is "evaluating" the schedule for future chips with hopes of improving their timing where possible. The proof will be in the pudding, of course -- the company needs to give opponents like Qualcomm a real run for their money. Just don't expect a similarly breakneck pace with Intel's TV service plans. Krzanich says Intel is being "cautious" about entering an industry that depends more on content than pure technology.

Your purpose is Worth fighting for.....

2013-06-30T23:38:00.002-07:00

You can get a new smartphone for half off at AT&T LAST DAY HURRY...

2013-06-30T01:21:00.003-07:00

AT&T kicked off a smartphone trade-in deal that knocks 50% off the price of several of the newest smartphones -- including the iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy S4 -- subject to a new two-year agreement.

The offer lasts only today, and is available either online or in-store. Activation fees are also waived during the offer. The discount applies with the trade-in of a current smartphone.

Also, AT&T's offer applies to smartphones that cost up to $199.99, which eliminates some versions of the iPhone 5 and Galaxy S4 that have storage above 16GB.

In addition, AT&T is now offering the iPhone 4 for free with waived activation, but only on the Web, and subject to a two-year agreement. Other phones in the half-off program include the BlackBerry Q10 and the HTC One.

This article, You can get a new smartphone for half off at AT&T this week, was originally published at Computerworld.com.

KEEP ON TRYING - IT's Worth..

2013-06-30T00:26:00.001-07:00

Capture screenshots correctly on android.

2013-06-29T22:41:00.001-07:00

Screenshots are often used for documentation. In case of android devices, taking screenshots is bit tricky and steps vary as per the android version.
In versions before android 4
Screenshot can be captured by keeping the home + volume decrease buttons pressed for few seconds.
From android 4 to version 4.0.3
You'll need to press the POWER button + Volume decrease button together for few seconds.
From android 4.0.4
Screenshot can be captured by pressing home + volume decrease buttons for few seconds.