Internet's Best Secrets

LG Full HD LCD has only 5"

2012-05-28T13:31:00.000+01:00

If you thought smartphone's screen resolutions were about to pause for a while, now that we have HD 720 screens in most high-end devices... it seems you (and me) would be wrong. LG has just announced a FullHD - yes, the one with all the 1920x1080 pixels - LCD screen with just 5".

A screen that shatters Apple's "retina-display" pixel density with an amazing 440ppi that will surely make its images more lifelike than ever.

The screen uses an improved IPS technology (AH-IPS) that promises increased brightness, response speed, and wider viewing angles. And best of all, it will be available in the coming months.

Can you imagine having a smartphone with such a screen and a borderless design? It would make our wildest dreams come true!

Now... can I hear anyone say this is the screen we would hope to see in the upcoming generation of Apple's iPhone? :)

[via engadget]

How does an Accelerometer Work?

2012-05-27T13:43:00.000+01:00

We've reached a time and age where people look at their smartphones, and don't even consider the amazing piece of technology they're holding. Not very long ago, things like a integrated camera, bluetooth, WiFi - not even to mention GPS - were things would be proudly displayed alongside each device specs (for those that had it). But now... it's the sort of thing we assume "it's there" and don't even care to check it.

But modern smartphones have lots more under their hoods, and things most people won't notice, like the tiny accelerometers that allow your device to measure the tiniest movement and its orientation, represent truly amazing feats of engineering.

The following video shows us how an accelerometer work, and I think you'll be amazed by just how anyone was able to turn such a complex system into something at a microscopic scale... and be able to sell it for just a few cents!

Games on Sale

2012-05-26T13:46:00.000+01:00

Times are hard, and one way you may put your mind off it for a while is playing some games. So... how do you feel about being able to do so while saving some money? That's precisely what you can do right now, from May 24th to June the 1st. This Because we May initiative wants to celebrate "stores" that allow developers to freely price their games, and that means price reductions for games in Google Play, Apple's App Store, Steam, Mac, Windows... you name it.

And don't even think you'll only find unknown games in there... as a quick browse will prove you otherwise: World of Goo, Canabalt, Anomaly Warzone Earth, and many others.

Be sure to give a look... and don't pass up this chance to grab some of your favorites at a reduced price.

SpareOne - A Cell Phone Lasting 15 years

2012-05-25T13:29:00.000+01:00

I can't really say what's more impressive: if the fact that this SpareOne can last for 15 years on standby; or the fact that it's able to do so relying on just a single AA battery!.

As you'd expect, this isn't a cellphone that will compete with the latest batch of high-end smartphones like the Galaxy S3 or the HTC One X. In fact, this cellphone doesn't even have a screen! Yep, we're back to the old ages where you had to know which shortcut called which contact, or memorizing phone number.

However, if you need a way to be able to be in touch with the world even if you spend weeks or months away from a power supply... this might be just what you need.

And even if 15 years isn't enough for you... just imagine what you can do with pocket full of extra AA bateries! ;)

Yahoo Axis Browser

2012-05-24T13:28:00.000+01:00

Yahoo might be a long way off its peak period, but it has just released a new product that seems to be receiving positive feedback: it's new Axis Browser. A browser for iOS (iPad and iPhone) that is also available on the desktop, as a "plug-in" for most popular browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Safari.

The main thing you'll notice is that the search results are more visual than ever, with page thumbnails begin shown for most searches. But Yahoo reminds us of its customizable home page, its speed, and it's multi-device syncing - allowing to start a search on your PC, and seemlessly continue it on your iPhone or iPad.

However, its Chrome extension is currently under fire, as it seems to be providing Yahoo's certification file! Meaning, any attacker might create a malicious plugin for Chrome, and make it look like it's an official plugin coming from Yahoo!

Let's hope this gets sorted out as quickly as possible.

[via allthingsd/cnet]

Gtar - A Digital Electric Guitar Anyone Can Play

2012-05-23T13:13:00.000+01:00

Admit it, who hasn't thought of picking up an electric guitar and start playing out their favorite tunes? From high-powered rock to soothing ballads and lullabies, the guitar is still one of the most "wished for" musical instruments one would like to image to be able to play. Unfortunately, for most people, that couldn't be further from the truth, as any immediate contact with a guitar will make any audience cringe and run away as fast as they possibly can (ok, maybe trying to play the violin can beat that... ).

But, thanks to the Gtar things are about to change - and indeed they will, as they've already surpassed the minimum required amount on Kickstarter!

With this Gtar, anyone 'll be able to play your favorites tunes, thanks to the brain of the entire system, your trusted iPhone 4/4S (they plan on making it compatible with other devices in the future.) You see... the Gtar isn't a regular electric guitar - in fact, it doesn't even have pickups - meaning you don't even have to tune it. It serves just as a lifelike guitar that sends your playing gestures to the electronic brain, which then handles all the "musical" aspects. So, you can think of it as a much improved and lifelike version of guitar hero. :)

Sure, its $350 aren't exactly "cheap"... but if you're really into music and want to learn how to play guitar in a more modern "iphone-assisted" way... (or simply want to take your guitar hero lessons to the next level)... then it might be worth every penny.

How to get to the Top of App Store

2012-05-22T13:19:00.000+01:00

For developers, the first step into making their App a success is making it to the top of App Store top 25 charts. This way, their Apps will be immediately visible to millions of users, which will be tempted to give it a try (or buy it), without having to explicitly search for it.

So... how can you make it into those desirable 25 top spots?

Distimo reveals the download volume meeded to get there, referring to the USA App Store market - each country will have its own volume, but the USA can serve as a reference (and if you want your App to be successful, you'll likely be interested in making it to the top USA charts as well).

For your App to show up in the global top charts, you'll need it to be downloaded 38 thousand times; and it shows just how competitive the game category is, hovering high above all others, with 25k downloads.

On the other end of the spectrum, a weather App can make it into the top with just 300 dowloads; which might serve as a suitable entryway to make your App highly visible.

Curiously, a Photo app needs just 3.1k downloads to make it to the top... if you asked me, I would think that number would be way higher.

Slef-Destructing SSD

2012-05-21T13:28:00.000+01:00

I can proudly say I still remember to patiently wait for each new weekly episode of the "latest" Mission Impossible TV series. A series where each episode would surely begin with a "should you choose to accept it" mission statement that ended up with a self-destruction sequence releasing a puff of smoke.

While in the real world most people will be worried about *not* losing their data (by the way, when was the last time you made you backups?), some areas might have information sensitive enough to warrant a self destruction system to prevent that data from falling into the wrong hands.

For them Runcore now offers s self-destructing SSD.

There are two protection methods: the first one simply erases all the data, but allows you to reuse the drive normally after reformatting; the second one... not so much. If you press the red button, the SSD applies an over voltage to the flash memory chips, physically destroying them and rendering the drive useless.

... Not the kind of drive to have if you have curious friends: "... so, what does this red button really does?... clic..." :)

Game of Thrones Theme on Floppy Drives

2012-05-20T13:32:00.000+01:00

Whether you're a fan of Game of Thrones or not, one thing's for sure: its TV intro and its theme is one of the most mesmerizing and enticing we have ever heard of.

So, I think we can consider to be perfectly natural for people to keep humming it over and over in their heads... and even take it out of their heads via unusual "musical instruments" like floppy drives.

Sure, you may be used to having high quality multi-channel digital sound; but for those that -like me- were here when the only sound a computer could make was a "beep" from the onboard buzzer, you'll certainly remember all the evolution that was made since then. From the sampled modulated sound that made the buzzer sound like a "low-fidelity" speaker; to the music made using the floppy drives mechanical parts.

This example makes use of 8 floppy drives to produce this amazing result:

ZeroN: Interactive Magnetic Levitation

2012-05-19T13:20:00.000+01:00

Now matter how much advanced technology we're surrounded by these days, there are still areas that still seem like "magic". At least, that's how I feel when we start digging into the magnetism area, and find things like quantic super levitation.

This ZeroN might now go as far as those superconductive magnets, but being able to levitate (and record and replicate movement in mid air) a small metallic sphere, still falls under the same "mesmerizing" category.

Thr "trick" is achieved with an advanced magnetic control system that continuously adjusts its parameters in order to make the object float and move around in a 3D space. Add some cameras and projectors, and the recipe is ready for the amazing results you can see in the following video.

Google Knowledge Graph

2012-05-18T13:28:00.000+01:00

Microsoft might have recently deployed a "better than ever" Bing, but if you think Google wouldn't be resting on its laurels... you're right. Google has been working on making its search engine more powerful, and that's precisely what we're about to get thanks to Google's new knowledge graph

For a long time, search engines searched "text". Meaning, if you search for something like "Taj Mahal", you'd get results from lots of pages, whether it was referring to the world famous monument, the musician, a indian restaurant, a casino, or any other stuff containing it.

Now, Google will get to know individual entities, and allow you to narrow down your results to exactly what you're looking for. This knowledge graph now contains 500 million objects and 3.5 billion facts and relationships between them... and will grow even more from now on.

What can you exepect from this Knowledge Graph? According to Google

1. Find the right thing
Language can be ambiguous—do you mean Taj Mahal the monument, or Taj Mahal the musician? Now Google understands the difference, and can narrow your search results just to the one you mean—just click on one of the links to see that particular slice of results:

This is one way the Knowledge Graph makes Google Search more intelligent—your results are more relevant because we understand these entities, and the nuances in their meaning, the way you do.

2. Get the best summary
With the Knowledge Graph, Google can better understand your query, so we can summarize relevant content around that topic, including key facts you’re likely to need for that particular thing. For example, if you’re looking for Marie Curie, you’ll see when she was born and died, but you’ll also get details on her education and scientific discoveries.

3. Go deeper and broader
Finally, the part that’s the most fun of all—the Knowledge Graph can help you make some unexpected discoveries. You might learn a new fact or new connection that prompts a whole new line of inquiry. Do you know where Matt Groening, the creator of the Simpsons (one of my all-time favorite shows), got the idea for Homer, Marge and Lisa’s names? (hint: check his parents and siblings names).

The new Knowledge Graph view is currently being rolled out to U.S. English users. (And we hope the rest of the world will soon follow!)

How to set Home and Work Location in Google Maps

2012-05-17T13:45:00.000+01:00

If hardly a day goes by without you using Google Maps to plan a route, you might want to know that you can now set your home and work locations in Google Maps.

To do so, you need only to access your "My Places" section in Google Maps while logged in; and you'll find two new icons (home and work) allowing you to set their location. Once you do so, you'll see it on the maps with their own special icons.

Why should you do it?

Once these locations are defined, getting directions to/from home/work become a lot easier, as you can simply write "home" or "work" in the origin or destination fields. Beats having to type your full address, or inputting an approximate location just to so you can get on with it.

Lots of user have found their own workarounds to try and have such a feature available (like creating a home and work entry in their contacts list), but at least now you have an "official" way to do it.

Chrome 19 gets Remote Tab Access

2012-05-16T13:48:00.000+01:00

It was something some users could already enjoy in the development beta versions of Chrome, but at last is about to reach every Chrome user thanks to version 19 becoming ready for everyone. If you ever wished to be able to open that exact same internet page you were reading at home, now that you're using your laptop, you'll know precisely what I mean. With Chrome 19 you can access any other open tab you have on any other of your Chrome browsers.

Sure, you'll need to be signed-in into Chrome, which also makes sure a lot other stuff stays in sync (like plugins, bookmarks, etc.) but it sure will make it easier to manage your tabs across devices.

You might feel this isn't quite a real-time sync feature, but if you think about it for a second: do you really think it would be wise to have the pages you're browsing in your home computer popping open in your Android Chrome browser?

I think it's better to be able to access it, but only if and when we decide to do it... and that's precisely what this remote tab access feature allows.

You can get Chrome 19 right now (most likely your Chrome has already auto-updated), but the tab sync feature will be rolled out gradually over the coming weeks. So, don't despair in case you don't see it yet.

Augmented Reality GPS Navigation with HUD from Pioneer

2012-05-15T13:44:00.000+01:00

If you're annoyed by not having a fancy Head Up Display in your car, that can help you navigate around your routes without having to take your eyes off the road, you might want to see what Pioneer is readying for launch with its new Cyber Navi augmented reality GPS navigation systems.

According to Pioneer, these will be the very first augmented reality navigation units with HUDs arriving to market next July.

Besides the camera that will allow you to have an augmented reality overlay on the navigation screen (over the real scenery in front of the vehicle), the Cyber Navi highlight is its translucid HUD screen that is installed in the driver's sun visor, and that can project high-resolution (720x260 pixels) images - and high brightness as well, using lasers to create its color images.

This system can display a virtual "route line" overlaid the real world, right in front of your eyes, as well as several other navigation info and map modes.

The only issue is that you'll have to part with about $4000 to get one of these Cyber Navi units, which might cause you to rethink if having that factory installed HUD option when you bought you car wasn't a good deal after all...

Anyway, I'm certain this type of technology will eventually make its way to most cars... some day.

[via engadget]

Pocket Sized Fuel Cell Charger

2012-05-14T13:42:00.000+01:00

No matter what smartphone you have, from the cheapest models to the latest and greatest high-end devices... there's one thing that unites them all - and I'm not talking about rings in a Tolkien story ;) - ... battery life. That's right, no matter how powerful smartphones are these days, they can hardly go a couple of days without requiring a charge; and they can even end up not making through a single day, if you happen to use them intensively!

So... how can we expect to be able to use our mobile devices in a truly mobile way, far from the nearest power outlet?

The answer may be arriving sooner than we'd expect, if we're to believe this Lilliputian Systems fuel cell pocket charger. It promises to completely charge your smartphone a dozen times before it runs out of fuel, which means you'll get a couple of weeks - or more - of stress free time away from any traditional power source.

Unlike some previous fuel cell solutions, which ended up having no real advantage over an external LiIon battery pack with similar volume, this one seem to really deliver what we'd expect.

Guess it won't be long before people will be requesting to "fill up" their mobile devices... :)

Best Ever Real Tranformer Robot

2012-05-13T13:04:00.000+01:00

Ever since the Transformers aired for the the first time, many have tried to create a real autonomous robot that could perform like they do. We've had a lot of mock-up models that could transform "by hand", but once you start adding all the motors and electronics, things begin to become a lot more complex.

Though its still a small scale model, this transformer however proves that we're not to far from a real Transformer robot - it's a fully functional vehicle, that can autonomously transform into a bipedal robot figure (with full range of motion), and back again.

Its creator says there's still room for improvement, and that make's us believe that we might not be too far off a real life-sized Transformer becoming possible in the near future! :)

[via theverge]

SoundWave - Doppler Based Gesture Recognition

2012-05-12T13:38:00.000+01:00

Microsoft has already brought us one of the most advanced (and popular) 3D recognition system available today: the Kinect. But that doesn't mean that its research time has stopped exploring new ways to recognize hand gestures made in space... and without even using cameras.

In this SoundWave, a Microsoft Research team decided to use nothing but the devices already available in most computers and laptop: speakers and microphone.

Using sound waves and thanks to the Doppler effect, they're able to detect gestures and movements made in the air - and I envision that with systems using multiple microphones (as it's becoming increasingly popular for noise reduction and multiple user interaction), such a system could have much greater accuracy in the future.

You don't even have to worry about noise, because they're using inaudible frequencies - although that would have to be tested with your pet around to really make sure it wouldn't annoy them! :)

Will it be possible to someday recreate a Kinect like device using nothing but soundwaves? My guess is that you shouldn't bet against it for now...

Etch A Sketch on the iPad

2012-05-11T13:14:00.000+01:00

I guess this project won't be near the record breaking $10 million Pebble has surpassed in Kicksarter, but one should never underestimate the power of nostalgia and the desire to bring back to life some of our old memories. If you have fond memories of Etch A Sketch, you might want to know that Etcher is working on bringing it back... onto the iPad.

Their goal is to gather $75,000 dolars (right now they're over $12 thousand, but they've just started.)

Being a digital version, you no longer have to worry about your creations fading away whenever someone shakes your tablet. I mean... yes, shaking will clear your digital drawings on the iPad, but before you do that you have the chance to preserve it and share it with the world, via Facebook, Flickr - or even uploading a time lapse video of your artwork being made to YouTube!

This Etcher can be yours for as little as $60... and that doesn't seem too high a price to relive some good old moments as well as allowing younger generations to have a glimpse at how "the first tablets" worked! :)

New Google+ App for iOS Gets Prettier Than Ever

2012-05-10T18:03:00.000+01:00

If you have an iPhone and you didn't notice you had new updates pending, you might want to know there's a new and much improved Google+ App in the App Store... and this time we're not talking about simple bug fixes, but a complete visual redesign!

Google knows very well just how much time people are spending online with their mobile devices, and so it makes perfect sense to make the Google+ not only easier to use... but more beautiful and appealing as well. As we very well know, people like "nice" things, and with this new App, I get the sense that lots more people will keep returning to it... even if just because it looks nice.

Google describes its new App:

Whether you post photos or articles or text, we’re making ‘em look gooood
We’re adding crisper fonts, larger profile pics and a friendlier homescreen
We’re making the stream easier to scan, and easier on the eyes with overlays, gradients and other visual elements
Conversations fall into view as you move forward and backward in time
Optical cues (like parallax) help the mind linger on individual posts
Important actions like +1 now float atop the stream, making it easy to endorse all your favorites

But I think the best way to describe its new timeline look is thinking of a mashup between instagram and twitter. :)

In case you haven't tried it yet... I urge you to at least give it a look.

(But there's still a few things missing... I'd like to be able to share things via email; and there's no excuse for some of the icons to have been forgotten in pre-retina display resolution - like in the embedded browser views).

[Google+ in the App Store]

Google+ gets "Inside" Gmail

2012-05-10T13:22:00.000+01:00

Google keeps pushing its Google+ offensive forward, and now it's trying to make it more appealing to the millions of Gmail users that still haven't the habit of jumping into the Google+ area (like myself.)

So, if Gmail users don't go to Google+ way... they're bringing Google+ into Gmail even more.

The G+ notification emails are now turning into an interactive and dynamice Google+ windows inside Gmail.

Meaning:

You can view, comment on, and +1 posts from inside your inbox
Your comments appear in the Google+ stream in real-time, and
Responses from others instantly appear in Gmail, as part of the notification message

As a big fan, and intensive user of Gmail, this might actually be what I needed in order to take G+ more seriously. (Although I won't stop believing that the Hangout feature is still the "one feature" that will ultimately make G+ stand out from the rest of the pack!)

Also quite handy, you can now reply to notifications from your mobile device (or any other email client). In the new notification emails you'll see a new prompt, "Reply to this email.” which allows us to reply directly without leaving our email program.

I just find it odd that, while the Google+ team is doing so much to make it more email and mobile friendly, the Blogger team seems to be doing exactly the opposite!
For instance, comment notifications previously allowed us to moderate/delete/mark as spam directly from the email - but have now been replaced by a link to the Blogger comment management section. Which, for the worst, is nearly unusable in a mobile device (relying on hover events, in this day and age where touch devices are so common?... It's kind of unbelievable.)

Internet Best Secrets Redesign

2012-05-09T13:11:00.000+01:00

Time does fly when you're doing the things you like. The "Internet Best Secrets" has been around since 2007, and for the most part I've been able to post daily articles regarding whatever I felt like sharing.

But, after nearly 5 years without a face change, I think the site is looking rather dated and "old". So, I'm considering a complete site redesign that will - hopefully - make it visually more attractive (even if I still have no clue at this moment about how it might end up looking...) But before I consider any of that, I'd like to know how *you* feel about the site current look and feel, and read your feedback about it as well.

So, if you have a minute to spare, please let me know in the following form:

<p>&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Loading...&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;</p>

iOS 5.1.1 Available

2012-05-08T13:36:00.000+01:00

In case you haven't noticed by now, there's a new iOS update waiting for you. The iOS 5.1.1 addresses several well know (and annoying) bugs - and that reminds me: Apple should really begin to show a little more appreciation, and respect, for its users. If you visit Apple's official support foruns you'll find endless desperate accounts of users facing such bugs, without receiving a single word from Apple to whether they're looking into it or when we'll be able to expect a fix...

This new iOS 5.1.1 is mostly a bug fix realease, including:

Improved reliability using HDR for photos taken using the Lock Screen shortcut
Bugs that prevented switching between 2G and 3G networks on the iPad
AirPlay video playback bugs
Improved reliability syncing Safari bookmarks and Reading list

and... last but not least

Fixes an issue where "Unable to purchase" was shown after a successful purchase.

A fix that - I hope - also addresses the annoying "waiting apps" bug.

I'm the first to recognize that no platform is without its quirks and bugs, and that each update must be carefully tried and tested (or it can itself turn out to be the cause for bigger problems). But considering we now have the delta updates system - that makes it possible to push updates weighing just a few MBs, wouldn't it be better if Apple addressed its users complaints in a faster way, pushing bug fix updates it a more timely manner?

If you haven't updated your iPad, iPhone, or iPad yet, you can do it either via iTunes, or by visiting: Settings > General > Software Update

Dropbox new Dropquest is Coming

2012-05-07T13:18:00.000+01:00

Is you're up for a challenge and would like to expand your Dropbox storage space (by 1GB or even 100GB!) then you better get ready, because a new Dropquest is coming next saturday, May 12th.

The Dropquest is a multi-step scavenger hunt, where you'll be given clues and problems to solve, and where you'll be rewarded in the end. For everyone able to complete this quest, you'll get 1GB extra space on your Dropbox account. But... should you be one of the fastest ones to do it, the prizes are even better

1st place (1) Dropbox employee hoodie, LIMITED EDITION Dropbox Hack Week t-shirt, Dropbox drawing signed by the entire Dropbox team, invitation to help write the next Dropquest, 100 GB for life
2nd place (10) Dropbox employee hoodie, Dropbox t-shirt, 20 GB for life
3rd place (15) Dropbox t-shirt, 5 GB for life
4th place (50) 2 GB for life
5th place (100) 1 GB for life

Sure is a fun way to earn some extra GB of cloud space, as well as prove yourself among other "quest hunters"! :)

US Dollar Sticky Note Memo Pad

2012-05-06T13:42:00.000+01:00

Tired of jotting down your notes on the usual yellow sticky notes? Think your ideas are worth a lot more?

How about writing your notes of US currency... and I don't mean a lowly 1 dollar bill, but in a 1000 US dollars bill! That's something you can do - for a lot less than you'd might expect - with this US Dollar Sticky Note Memo Pad. :)

With this memo pad, you can spread around thousands of dollars to all your friends and colleagues without worrying about your credit rating, not to mention that your notes will be bound to get a lot more attention than it would otherwise.

This funny way to lift up your office spirits can be had for less than $4, and I can guarantee it will put a lot of smiles in people faces.

... You just have to take extra care if you happen to put one of these in your wallet... and try to use it to pay for your bills! :)

The 3 Facebook Passwords (You Might Not Know you Have)

2012-05-05T13:31:00.000+01:00

When you enter a password to access any kind of service, you'd expect to have to enter it exactly as you've typed it in the first place when registering for it. However, you might be surprised to know that you can access your Facebook account using slightly modified versions of your own password.

For instance, if your Facebook passwords were top be "aminhaPASSword", then you'll be able to login using either "AminhaPASSword"... or even "AMINHApassWORD"!

Bue, fear not. It's not a flagrant security flaw that allows anyone to access your account using random passwords. Quite the opposite, it's just an extra measure to prevent thousands of users complaining about not being able to login to their Facebook accounts, every day, due to very basic mistakes.

If you look closely you'll notice a pattern on these variant passwords:

One having inverted upper/lower cases, which happens should you forget your Caps Lock enabled
One having the first letter in upper case, which is common to happen in several mobile device keyboards which auto-capitalize the first letter.

By allowing these variants, Facebook avoids wasting a lot of time and resources dealing with such basic mistakes... and avoids user frustration as well.

[via labnol]