Technoholik

Is your computer “male” or “female”??

2011-08-27T00:22:00.000-07:00

1. Open Notepad

2. Type the following line in notepad:

CreateObject("SAPI.SpVoice").Speak"I love you"

3. Save file as computer_gender.vbs in any location

4. Run the file by double clicking on it... If you hear a male voice, you have a boy If you hear a female voice, you have a girl (:

Note: Turn on the speaker before running the file :)

IBM To Build Next Generation Chips Using DNA

2011-03-02T23:16:00.000-08:00

In future DNA wouldn’t just control human evolution but also computing evolution, if IBM succeeds to use DNA in development of next-generation microchips.

Scientists at IBM Research and the California Institute of Technology announced a scientific advancement that could be a major breakthrough in enabling the semiconductor industry to pack more power and speed into tiny computer chips, while making them more energy efficient and less expensive to manufacture.
Today, the semiconductor industry is faced with the challenges of developing lithographic technology for feature sizes smaller than 22 nm and exploring new classes of transistors that employ carbon nanotubes or silicon nanowires. IBM’s approach of using DNA molecules as scaffolding – where millions of carbon nanotubes could be deposited and self-assembled into precise patterns by sticking to the DNA molecules – may provide a way to reach sub-22 nm lithography.

The utility of this approach lies in the fact that the positioned DNA nanostructures can serve as scaffolds, or miniature circuit boards, for the precise assembly of components – such as carbon nanotubes, nanowires and nanoparticles – at dimensions significantly smaller than possible with conventional semiconductor fabrication techniques. This opens up the possibility of creating functional devices that can be integrated into larger structures, as well as enabling studies of arrays of nanostructures with known coordinates.

“The cost involved in shrinking features to improve performance is a limiting factor in keeping pace with Moore’s Law and a concern across the semiconductor industry,” said Spike Narayan, manager, Science & Technology, IBM Research – Almaden. “The combination of this directed self-assembly with today’s fabrication technology eventually could lead to substantial savings in the most expensive and challenging part of the chip-making process.”

The lithographic templates were fabricated at IBM using traditional semiconductor techniques, the same used to make the chips found in today’s computers, to etch out patterns. Either electron beam or optical lithography were used to create arrays of binding sites of the proper size and shape to match those of individual origami structures. Key to the process were the discovery of the template material and deposition conditions to afford high selectivity so that origami binds only to the patterns of “sticky patches” and nowhere else.
The paper on this work, “Placement and orientation of DNA nano structures on lithographically patterned surfaces,” by scientists at IBM Research and the California Institute of Technology, will be published in the September issue of Nature Nanotechnology and is currently available at: http://www.nature.com/nnano/journal/vaop/ncurrent/abs/nnano.2009.220.html.

Nokia Unveils Its First Linux Phone N900

2011-03-02T23:12:00.000-08:00

Nokia unveiled N900, its first smart phone running on Linux software, aiming at improving its offering at the top end of the market.
The Nokia N900 runs on the Linux-based Maeme 5 software, featuring true multitasking with applications as well as Web browsing with Adobe Flash support.

Nokia’s workhorse Symbian operating system controls half of the smartphone market volume — more than its rivals Apple, Research in Motion and Google put together. Nokia said Linux would work well in parallel with Symbian in its high-end product range.

“As Nokia announces the software platform that will drive its future services aspirations it created a dedicated solutions unit — the challenge will be to ensure that all these elements work in harmony in the face of fierce competition from Apple and Google,” said Ben Wood, head of research at CCS Insight.

The new N900 model, with cellular connection, touch screen and slide-out keyboard, will retail for around $712, excluding subsidies and taxes.
Nokia also unveiled a new Solutions business unit, which aims to better tie together its phone operations and new mobile Internet services offering.
Technical details of N900:
Display:
3.5 inch touch-sensitive widescreen display
800 × 480 pixel resolution

Web browsing:
Maemo browser powered by Mozilla technology
Adobe Flash™ 9.4 support
Full screen browsing

Camera:
5 megapixel camera (2584 × 1938 pixels)
Image formats: JPEG
CMOS sensor, Carl Zeiss optics, Tessar lens
3 × digital zoom
Autofocus with assist light and two-stage capture key
Dual LED flash
Full-screen viewfinder
Photo editor on device
TV out (PAL/NTSC) with Nokia Video Connectivity Cable (CA-75U, included in box) or WLAN/UPnP
Landscape (horizontal) orientation
Capture modes: Automatic, portrait, video, macro, landscape, action

Video:
Wide aspect ratio 16:9 (WVGA)
Video recording file format: .mp4; codec: MPEG-4
Video recording at up to 848 × 480 pixels (WVGA) and up to 25fps
Video playback file formats: .mp4, .avi, .wmv, .3gp; codecs: H.264, MPEG-4, Xvid, WMV, H.263

Music and audio playback:
Maemo media player
Music playback file formats: .wav, .mp3, .AAC, .eAAC, .wma, .m4a
Built-in FM transmitter
Ring tones: .wav, .mp3, .AAC, .eAAC, .wma, .m4a
FR, EFR, WCDMA, and GSM AMR
Digital stereo microphone
DLNA

2011-03-02T23:08:00.000-08:00

The University of Calgary, Faculty of Medicine scientists who proved it is possible to cultivate a network of brain cells that reconnect on a silicon chip—or the brain on a microchip—have developed new technology that monitors brain cell activity at a resolution never achieved before.
Developed with the National Research Council Canada (NRC), the new silicon chips are also simpler to use, which will help future understanding of how brain cells work under normal conditions and permit drug discoveries for a variety of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Naweed Syed's lab cultivated brain cells on a microchip.

The new technology from the lab of Naweed Syed, in collaboration with the NRC, is published online this month in the journal, Biomedical Devices.
“This technical breakthrough means we can track subtle changes in brain activity at the level of ion channels and synaptic potentials, which are also the most suitable target sites for drug development in neurodegenerative diseases and neuropsychological disorders,” says Syed, professor and head of the Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, member of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute and advisor to the Vice President Research on Biomedical Engineering Initiative of the U of C.
The new neurochips are also automated, meaning that anyone can learn to place individual brain cells on them. Previously it took years of training to learn how to record ion channel activity from brain cells, and it was only possible to monitor one or two cells simultaneously. Now, larger networks of cells can be placed on a chip and observed in minute detail, allowing the analysis of several brain cells networking and performing automatic, large-scale drug screening for various brain dysfunctions.
This new technology has the potential to help scientists in a variety of fields and on a variety of research projects. Gerald Zamponi, professor and head of the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, and member of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute, says, “This technology can likely be scaled up such that it will become a novel tool for medium throughput drug screening, in addition to its usefulness for basic biomedical research”.

Read what you are hearing

2011-03-02T23:03:00.000-08:00

There have been many advancements in speech-to-text in the last few years. I’m sure that I’ll probably speaking these posts instead of typing them in the next few years, provided I’m not disturbing others in the room.
I’m sure that the hearing impaired would most benefit from speech to text technology, and this is what the Babel Fisk is supposed to do.
Designed by Mads Hindhede, the Babel Fisk has microphones built into the frame in order to pick up the voice of a person in the line of sight, and then an embedded speech-to-text program will create the text that is projected inside of the lenses.
You can even program it to record the text to a flash memory card for later use. So you can literally record everything that you hear as a text file.

The name of Babel Fisk is clearly a tip of the hat to The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. In that classic science-fiction satire, the characters had this tiny fish that they stuck in their ear known as a babel fish that could somehow miraculously translate any language spoken. Fisk apparently means “fish” in Danish.
Of course, this just has to be concept technology, and I’m not certain how well this would work, honestly. I mean, if you are with someone who is talking to much, would you literally be blinded by words?

Inductive Charger from Energizer

2011-03-02T22:59:00.000-08:00

The Inductive Charger only has power sleeves for the Blackberry Curve 8900 as well as the iPhone 3GS and 3G. At least, for now.

As it is, Energizer’s Inductive Charger is a Qi inductive charger, which is its strongest feature. Qi is the new universal standard for inductive charging as established by the Wireless Power Consortium.
Apparently, it won’t be long before Qi-enabled devices will be on handsets, so you can lay them on Qi-enabled Inductive Chargers without the power sleeves that you have purchase for them.
Another thing that sets the Energizer Inductive chargers apart from other wireless ones is that there is an extra USB port in case you want to recharge some USB-powered devices I can’t remember if Powermat or Wildcharger have this feature. What works against the Energizer Inductive Charger is that there is no magnetic lock like its competitors.
All in all, I would say that the Energizer Inductive Charger is an investment in your future as you might be able to say that you were the first to get a Qi-enabled wireless charger and can now charge any mobile device made after a certain time in the future. You can get the Energizer Inductive Charger now for about $89.

Cell Phone Design- "The Intruder "

2011-03-02T22:53:00.000-08:00

The latest cell phone designed by Dennis Hopkins, â€œThe Intruderâ€ has a concept which some people can relate to a UFO, actually influences from that field is mentioned on his website to. But without the outer space resembling this cell phones design is pretty much targeted at women.
Its diameter is of only 2.5 inches and when closed it is just one third of an inch thick. When opened it measures 5 inches in length and the display holds 220 x 176 pixels. And last but not least, when someone calls you a ring of light appears from the sides of the phone.
The website of Dennis Hopkins doesn’t let you in to all the technology used so for now we just have to say good luck to women that now have at their disposal a phone looking like a powder compact.

Electro Hub universal wireless charger

2011-03-02T22:51:00.000-08:00

We have reported on many supposedly wireless chargers before, such as the Powermat and Wildcharger. There was also that one from Energizer that is Q1 certified, so that someday, we will all just lay down our mobile devices on charging pads and we’ll say good-bye to our charging cords forever.
This is the ElectroHub, another wireless charging station to join the club, and is planned to make its shining debut at CES 2011. As someone who is thrilled to see that their invitation to CES has been accepted, I can’t wait to see it.

One thing that is promised to make the ElectroHub unique is that it occasionally doesn’t require the device to have a special case, but actually provides ElectroHub batteries, which come in both AA and AAA. That means that you can take any device that takes those aforementioned batteries, like a Wiimote, and swap it out for an ElectroHub one. As far as the devices with non-replaceable batteries, it does require a protective case that works as a converter to charge the device’s internal battery. I guess we aren’t to the Q1 case-less stage yet.
The ElectroHub is slated to be on sale during the first quarter 2011, and should cost $39. There are other battery sets that can be purchased separately for about $10.

World Lens Appplication(To read text content of an image )

2011-03-02T22:45:00.000-08:00

I generally report on end-user consumer devices, and usually do not report on cool Apps on this site. Otherwise, I would constantly fill this blog with the cool Apps that come out everyday. Maybe we should have a separate blog known as Coolest Apps.

However, there are times when Apps show us how far we have gone with technology, and Word Lens from QuestVisual has exploded over the tech blogosphere with what it can do with its Optical Character Recognition technology.
Word Lens is the product of two and a half years of work from John DeWeese and Otavio Good. You can see a video of how it works after the jump, but I have no idea if it works as well as you see in the vid.

I mean, I have seen augmented reality apps do some pretty cool things before, but to translate English to Spanish (as well as Spanish to English) in realtime is pretty amazing. It doesn’t even require a Wi-Fi or mobile connection!
From what I hear, it doesn’t work this smoothly. The video makes it look like the guy in the movie who is reading something in a foreign language, and it suddenly turns English (in the same font) so the audience can understand what the character has read.
If you want to see this App for yourself, it costs about $4.99 on the iTunes store.

Solar Powered iPhone

2011-03-02T22:37:00.000-08:00

So, I take my cell phone with me no matter where I go. I consider it a luxury, but I also like to think that I would have it with me in the case of an emergency, like when my brand new car broke down this morning, and I was stuck on the side of the highway. Oh I had my phone alright, but the battery was dead, and the charger was in my other (and I guess, better) car.

Well that wont ever happen to any of us again if Apple has it’s way. According to U.S. patent reports, Apple wants to be able to incorporate solar cells into some of their touch screen products. Can anyone say iPhone 5? Okay, can anyone say iPhone 6 then? Anyway, let’s imagine if you will, the premise of throwing your phone up on the dashboard and having it be ready to go anytime you need it. Awesome.

The Cupertino giants have a better idea for solar-charging than just sticking a whole bunch of ugly solar panels on the back of their iDevices, the plan seems to be to put energy collecting cells hidden underneath the ever popular touchscreen display. So the hope would be that the iPhone won’t look much different, but would be able to charge itself cord-free!
It’s not that solar powered cell phones haven’t been lurking around for a while. In fact, a couple of companies have already waved around some prototypes of solar powered phones quite a while ago, but they’re not here yet, and when a company like Apple starts talking solar, I say let the sun shine in. Of course I don’t know what you say when it rains, but I’ll let them figure that out too.
Source: patentlyapple.com

io-Jacket

2011-03-02T22:33:00.000-08:00

Although all modern gadgets have the goal to combine good-looks with multifunctional technology and effectiveness, this is so much better then the others! Why? Because you can actually wear it! It has all the cool stuff in it like a Bluetooth and built-in MP3 player or touch sensitive control pads. But the ability through which its promoted is its compatibility with GPSoverIP. It uses a hybrid GPS technology which enables you to look for the person wearing the jacket even inside a building. The person who wears the io-Jacket can upload the information to a mobile phone or to the internet giving the watcher (probably a deranged parent) the opportunity of observing his/her every move. Londefrey, the company which produces it has sold one for humanitarian causes carrying out an auction in the purpose of saving money for the â€œHumans for Humansâ€ foundation. It seems though that none other have been made for commercial purposes so we just have to sit and wait.

Pillete(Bluetooth headset)

2011-03-02T22:30:00.000-08:00

Pillete, the new concept of Bluetooth headset is so tiny, it’s almost invisible to the untrained eye when you are wearing it. So you don’t have to worry anymore about looking like Robocop when walking down the street with it, but you have to consider the possibility of people starting to think you’ve lost your marbles and you’re talking to yourself.

The downside is the fact that people have different sized ears and the device might be too small and slip out or to big and not fit. People who often use earphones will tell you I’m right. But once they’ll figure out a way to make the Pillete adjustable, this design will be the future of all headsets.

Best Computer Games

2010-09-07T22:28:00.000-07:00

What do gamers look for in any video game? Obviously the answer will be different from one another as everyone has varied choices. No wonder the video game companies come up with amazing and distinct games to play. Whether you love action-adventure shooting, RPGs, or nerve-testing strategy games, PC games provides them all. Even though there are many other, better video game consoles in the market today, there are players who still can't get enough of the best computer games these companies have to offer. If you're a fan (just like my brother who can't get enough of World of Warcraft, and he's 22), here's a list of not just top 10 games of all time, but 100 best PC games. Let's check them out.

Best Computer Games of All Time

Compiling a list of top computer games sounds fun, doesn't it? Not entirely. Of course it's fun, but along with that comes a huge task of adding the best computer games for kids and adults, people who take playing video games very seriously. Perhaps you may not be completely happy with the list, however it has been put together keeping one thing in mind: entertainment.

Battlefield: Bad Company 2 - 2010
Warhammer 40000: Dawn of War II - 2009
ArmA II: Operation Arrowhead - 2010
Empire: Total War - 2009
Deus Ex - 2000
Demigod - 2009
Half-Life 2 - 2004
Civilization IV - 2005
World of Warcraft - 2004
SPORE Galactic Adventures - 2009
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - 2009
Killing Floor - 2009
The Sims 3 - 2009
The Secret of Monkey Island - 1990
Age of Conan: Rise of the Godslayer - 2010
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind - 2002
Mass Effect 2: Overload - 2010
Half-Life - 1998
SPORE Creepy and Cute - 2008
Rome: Total War - 2004
Napoleon: Total War - 2010
System Shock 2 - 1999
Doom - 1993
Grand Theft Auto IV: Episodes from Liberty City - 2010
Battlefield 2142 - 2006
Dragon Age: Origins - 2009
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City - 2003
Unreal Tournament (UT2004) - 2004
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion - 2006
Football Manager 2007 - 2006
Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne - 2003
Company of Heroes - 2006
Singularity - 2010
Call Of Duty - 2003
Operation Flashpoint - 2001
Quake III: Arena - 1999
Eve Online - 2003
Fallout - 1997
Star Wars: Knights of The Old Republic - 2003
Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn - 2000
Diablo II - 2000
Counter-Strike: Source - 2004
Mafia - 2002
Plain Sight - 2010
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines - 2004
Wing Commander IV: The Price of Freedom - 1995
Far Cry - 2004
Ultima VII: The Black Gate - 1992
GTR 2 - FIA GT Racing Game - 2006
Battlefield 1942 - 2002
Pro Evolution Soccer 6 - 2006
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time - 2003
IL-2 Sturmovik: 1946 - 2006
Need For Speed: Most Wanted - 2005
Psychonauts - 2005
Sam & Max Hit the Road - 1993
Microsoft Flight Simulator X - 2006
Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos - 2002
Tropico 3: Absolute Power - 2010
Duke Nukem 3D - 1996
Quake - 1996
Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars - 2007
X-COM: UFO Defense - 1994
Commandos 2: Men of Courage - 2001
Aliens vs Predator 2 - 2001
Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II - 1997
Beyond Good & Evil - 2003
Syndicate - 1993
Black & White - 2001
Carmageddon II: Carpocalypse Now - 1998
The Sims 2 - 2004
EverQuest - 1999
Medal of Honor: Allied Assault - 2002
Tomb Raider - 1996
Thief: Deadly Shadows - 2004
Neverwinter Nights - 2002
Guild Wars - 2005
TIE Fighter - 1998
Age of Empires - 1997
Planescape: Torment - 1999
Dungeon Keeper - 1997
X3 Reunion - 2005
SWAT 4 - 2005
SimCity 2000 - 1993
Garry's Mod - 2006
Trackmania: United - 2007
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl - 2007
Warhammer 40000: Dawn of War - 2004
Fahrenheit - 2005
Total Annihilation - 1997
Final Fantasy VII - 1998
The Longest Journey - 1999
Uplink - 2001
No One Lives Forever 2 - 2002
Frontier: Elite II - 1993
The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay - 2004
Grand Prix Legends - 1998
Splinter Cell - 2003
Silent Hunter III - 2005
Cave Story - 2005

These were just 100 best computer games for mac or any other PC. Battle with the demons, zombies, aliens, and many others to experience a whole new world with these best computer games. Get your game faces on!

SCiB Battery Technology

2010-08-29T08:50:00.000-07:00

I really like the idea of electric cars. However, the current lack of support in the form of charging stations the poor performance in regards to range and recharge time is something that makes me wonder if the electric car is just a pipe dream in terms of usability. That is where Toshiba’s SCiB battery technology comes in to smash any predetermined doubts you had regarding the electric car being unfeasible as a means of transport. Traditionally, it took electric car batteries over thirty minutes to charge (give or take a few minutes). The SCiB battery can recharge to ninety percent capacity in five minutes.
The buck does not stop there. The battery is touted to last ten years. That is not how long a single charge lasts – but how long the battery itself lasts before it will need to be replaced. This is good news for people who are ecologically minded. A battery can contain all manner of nasty materials that can do some serious damage to the environment. This is likely to be the battery that will finally make electronic cars possible and help reduce our need for (overpriced) petrol. It may also help companies finally start investing in electronic charging stations for vehicles.
There is no word on when this is likely to become available to consumers. However, it seems like it is something that it will not take long for companies who manufacture electric vehicles to start using in their production lines. It is something that will ensure that electric cars get the research that then need in order to make the technology feasible for the masses. I had some trouble finding out how far a single charge will carry the vehicle – if it is similar to that of the current electric vehicles that have been released then it may just be a winner.

USB power outlet concept

2010-08-29T08:47:00.001-07:00

Universal Serial Bus, better known as the USB, has been present for many years in computer history. Today we couldn’t imagine our computers and devices without USB support, and when USB was invented, its creators had no clue that it would become such a hit in the future. Recently we got an interesting concept that might enhance and change the way in which standard USB works.

As you know, USB was created in 1995 and over the years we got three versions of it that have provided us with different transfer speeds. The USB port is now widely used for transferring files from your USB device to the PC and vice versa. Besides that, the USB port is also used for recharging portable devices such as phones, cameras and media players. I suppose the only flaw of this method is that you’ll have to keep your computer turned on in order to recharge your devices.
However, if you want to recharge your device without your PC, this interesting concept might be the right thing for you. Designed by Lv Jianhua, He Dawei, Zhou Hanxiao and Xu Yao, this is a power outlet that has USB ports on it that will allow you to recharge all your USB devices with ease.

This looks like an interesting concept but so far its just an early concept. Who knows, we might actually see USB power outlets someday when we check into a hotel in the future.

To compete with Facebook Google acquires Metaweb.

2010-07-18T01:03:00.000-07:00

Google today made the competition even tougher for the social networking site Facebook the search engine has announced that it has acquired Metabeb that works on packaging information on the Internet.

Metaweb is a company that keeps an open database of the events and happenings of the world. Now Google wants to make the search even richer by adding more and more information to the web search page so that it is more meaningful for the users. By acquiring the company, Google has thus challenged Facebook which works on the same principal of dealing in the information.
Now if you type any word for instance barak obama birthday in the search box, you will see the answer right at the top of the page and specific events and dates will also appear. Earlier, Facebook had announced its Open Graph initiative to make the Web more meaningful.

Making melting pots: NITs asked to draw foreign students

2010-07-12T06:49:00.000-07:00

HRD ministry officials feel there might be something, after all, to the ‘melting pot’ — the metaphor used by colleges in the US to describe diversity on campus. Now, they want a similar thing in India. In a March 4, 2010, circular to the National Institutes of Technology (formerly Regional Engineering Colleges), the ministry has asked them to go all out to attract foreign students. Not just non-resident Indians or people of Indian origin (PIO), but students from the US, UK and Australia as well. As officials see it, building diversity on campus is just a step away from preparing students to subsequently deal with increasing diversity at the workplace.

“Our curriculum is at par with international levels. What we lack is branding, and this will happen only when more foreign students apply to India,” says MHRD deputy advisor N Mohan Das. In the letter, the MHRD entrusts the National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK) with the responsibility to “evolve a framework for publicising schemes” by creating “a web-portal for application, submissions and the entire admissions process”.

The reason for roping in NITs is that while these institutes are second-rung in India after the IITs, they are not recognised abroad. At the same time, the meltdown has made students look at relatively cheaper options in Asian countries, for both study and work, making it the right time to go international. Currently, the 15% quota reserved for foreign students is filled by NRIs and PIOs from the Gulf. “We do not get quality students due to a lack of information,” says Prof Sunil Sarangi, director of NIT Rourkela, Orissa. “Most people look at the US or UK, unaware of the facilities available here.” In its first year, the programme will focus on publicising Indian tech institutions in places with a substantial Indian population, like Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. Later, the aim will be to target students from countries known to provide quality education, like the US, UK, France and Australia. NIT alumnus, home on vacation and teachers on official visits abroad, are expected to organise popularisation drives.

Even though the institutes are wooing foreign students, they are quite clear there will be strict norms for admissions. While the MHRD wants to make the admissions process under the direct admission of studies abroad scheme more user-friendly, Indian institutions say they will only accept “quality” students. “We are modelling the system along the lines of those in the UK and US,” says Prof Sandeep Sancheti of NITK Surathkal, mentor-director of NIT Goa. Entrance to foreign students from this year will be based on their scores from international admissions tests like the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) unlike earlier, when their school-leaving marksheets would suffice.

That doesn’t deter people like Catherine Nalubega of Ukraine, who is currently doing her second year civil engineering at NITK and plans to live on in India. Nalubega picked NITK over options in Russia and China, and feels the Indian government’s scholarship schemes, if promoted better, will attract more foreign students. Having more foreign students will also bring in foreign exchange; especially when the recession has made people look at value-for-money, cost-effective education options. It’s a win-win for everyone.

New NITs in India

2010-07-09T11:01:00.000-07:00

New IIT announcements and news coverage overshadowed the new NITs announced in India. These NITs are not included this year AIEEE ranking as I exclusively ranked then based on GATE cutoffs and AIEEE scores. Probably I will add them to next year list because we will official data for them too.

Now the question is to join New NITs are not? If you read my earlier post regarding New IITs or old NITs and state universities, you may know my stand. If I am a student I definitely prefer Govt. run institute over private or deemed universities. The simple reason is Govt. run institutes offer same or better learning facilities on much lower cost. New NITs will participate in central counseling for this year B.Tech admissions.
New NITs and their mentors

Sl No.	NIT with Location	Mentor NIT
1	National Institute of Technology Arunachal Pradesh	NIT Durgapur
2	National Institute of Technology Delhi	NIT Warangal
3	National Institute of Technology Goa	NIT Surathkal
4	National Institute of Technology Manipur	NIT Agartala
5	National Institute of Technology Meghalaya	SVNIT Surat
6	National Institute of Technology Mizoram	VNIT Nagpur
7	National Institute of Technology Nagaland	NIT Silchar
8	National Institute of Technology Pondicherry	NIT Trichy
9	National Institute of Technology Sikkim	NIT Calicut
10	National Institute of Technology Uttarakhand	NIT Kurukshetra

Right from the beginning NIT Delhi, Goa, Pondicherry and Uttarakhand will share their place with Top NITs in India leaving behind old and private universities. Apart from geographical advantage they also have top mentoring institutes.
If you have any questions or want to share information please drop a comment and do not forget to subscribe for more details updates about engineering education in India.

Nintendo 3DS in the flesh and hands-on!

2010-07-08T22:57:00.000-07:00

That Nintendo announced the 3DS was not a surprise -- that they had a couple-dozen of these things to try out, that was. We elbowed our way to the front of the line to try one out, and the effect is actually not bad. It's not great, but the 3.5-inch screen on top certainly gives a firm illusion of depth without resorting to glasses -- or eye crossing. The feel is definitely reminiscent of those 3D cereal box prints, and as soon as you turn the device from left to right to try to look around anything the effect is immediately lost. You need to stare at the screen for a moment for your eyes to adjust and then not move around too much. If you do you'll need to adjust again. But, stay reasonably still and it's a compelling effect.

The new analog slider on the left feels a lot like the PSP's analog nub, but larger and without the texture. It's a bit easier on the fingers, and comfortable. Overall the device feels just like a current DS or DSi, though we couldn't get a good feel for the weight thanks to a bulky tether attached on one end to the device, and on the other end to the row of ladies who were surely told to not let the gadgets out of their hands or face certain doom. The only thing we could do here is rotate along a still frame -- Pikmin in a field, for example -- and play with the 3D slider. It is a pretty convincing effect, but it's hard to tell at this point if it's at all compelling -- it wasn't anything more than novelty in this demo, and we still don't know how it stands up to fast-moving footage. Actual games were promised to us for the show floor, so we'll hit that up later today. We snagged a few pics before getting elbowed out of the way, so check 'em out!

Microsoft Kinect gets official, Video Chat announced

2010-07-08T22:53:00.000-07:00

You knew it was coming, right? Hot on the heels of getting leaked a wee bit early Microsoft has made official the rebadging of a device desperately seeking a new name: "Project Natal" is no more, replaced by Microsoft Kinect. At a circus- and celebrity-filled affair, MS wrapped everyone in high-tech panchos (pictured after the break courtesy of Joystiq) and then took the wraps off of the new title. Quite a few game demos were shown, ranging from Star Wars to tiger petting, the Kinect interface to the Dashboard was shown (said by some to be Minority Report-like), and a video chat app called, wait for it, Video Chat. Through here you can naturally talk to friends (up to four total people at once was "shown"), and also share photos.

Sadly, no hands-on time was given nor did MS reveal the two crucial bits of information we're waiting for: price and date. Naturally a holiday release is expected, to give the Xbox 360 a nice sales boost, but we're hearing price rumors as high as $150. These choice bits of intel will surely be unveiled at Microsoft's event tomorrow -- if someone doesn't beat 'em to it. The hardware is still looking exactly like the early picture above, shattering hopes of a slimmer design to match new Slim Xbox 360.

Update: We've got official photos now, though solid textual info is still scarce. Stand by!

Update 2: So we're out of the wild, cult-like experience that was Microsoft's Kinect unveiling. Microsoft still has a lot of details to reveal, but there are a few things we gleaned from watching the demos:

Almost everything was one person at a time, particularly in the Kinect Sports games. Even a game like beach volleyball or soccer was boiled down to individual "moments" of interaction that get strung together into some sort of competition. Even the running in place games were one at a time, though the river rafting and mining cart games (both with a similar mechanic of jumping and ducking through an obstacle course while picking up tokens) could be played with two people at a time. You can at least play games like volleyball simultaneously with someone else over Xbox Live.
An interesting mechanic we saw was a second player "jumping in" to a game. In the mining cart scenario, when the second player jumped in it immediately went split screen, while in soccer different players took turns by just jumping into position. Sure, some of this stuff was edited for our benefit, but it seems Microsoft is working to make the introduction of a second player or the switching between players something less button-heavy.
The Star Wars game was pretty badass-looking -- you play a Jedi, rushing down stormtroopers and deflecting laser bolts left and right, wielding a few Force powers, and confronting a certain deep-voiced Sith Lord for a one-on-one duel. Based on the gestures and action we saw, though, it was a pretty heavily scripted experience. Still, there's no scripting a two-handed light saber grip, and that particular action looked like everything we've ever wanted in a Star Wars game.
The yoga game is actually a pretty smart use of the infrared and joint detection software we espied previously. Positions were "checked" by points on the joint -- making it certainly harder to fake the moves on Wii Fit -- and it seemed to have a tai chi element to it. Your avatar glowed a more intense red based on your three-dimensional approximation -- bright red for hands stretched forward, for example.
Next up: Kinectimals, a baby tiger pet simulator. You can scratch its ears, snuggle, and teach the little guy to jump and play dead. Adorable? Dangerously so. No one can tell us the developer, but based on the lighting effects, art style, and similarities to the previously-shown Milo, we'd wager a guess that it was Lionhead Studios.
The Kinect menu interface is about as simple as could be. You wave your hand to control a glowing cursor of sorts, and you push forward to "click" on the element you want. Of course, there's also a very simplified version of the Dashboard to go along with this control mechanism, so it's unclear if you'll be able to do everything via subtle hand waves, but the Twitter, Facebook, Zune and Netflix icons were clearly present.
The MTV Games-developed Dance Central has some on staff divided -- only Ross will actually admit to being interested in playing it. A series of dance moves are presented, including elbow jabs, swinging leg, guitar, "rocking out" (with your hand in the air). The art style is akin to Rock Band / Guitar Hero, and to be fair, this is probably one of those games that can't be done as well on any other console.

US firm bribed Indian PSUs

2010-07-08T22:41:00.000-07:00

Washington: Officials of Indian PSUs like BHEL and NTPC appear to be beneficiaries of bribes that were doled out by a California-based valve company to bag lucrative contracts, mostly for tools used in the construction of power plants.

Prominent among these Indian companies are Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd, Maharashtra State Electricity Board, Haryana State Electricity Board, National Thermal Power Corporation and Bhilai Electric, according to documents submitted by the US Department of Justice before a US court.

It is possible that the details of the beneficiaries are listed in the sealed court documents, but no names were immediately known.
California-based Control Component Inc (CCI) on June 31, 2009, pleaded guilty before the US court to having committing bribery in 36 countries from 2003 to 2007.
India, besides China, the UAE and Qatar, are some of the major countries where Control Component Inc indulged in unfair practices to bag contracts.
According to court documents, the payments related to India were made between 2004 and 2007.

Topping the list is the Sipat coal-fired power plant of NTPC, for which CCI paid a bribe of $163,449 in two instalments to an official of a Moscow-based company, who has been identified as Vladimir Batenko in the documents submitted by the Department of Justice before the court.
On Tuesday, the Department of Justice announced that it has extradited Flavio Ricotti, a former executive of CCI on charges of bribing foreign companies. An Italian national, Ricotti, was arrested on February 14 in Frankfurt, and arrived in the United States on July 2.
The alleged bribe for the Sipat thermal power plant was paid in two instalments. The first payment of $26,865 was made on November 29, 2005 from the company's Handelsbanken Bank account in Sweden to an account at Dresdner Bank in New York for the purpose of securing the contract for the Sipat thermal power plant.

The second payment of $136,584.98 was made in October, 2006 from the same Handelsbanken Bank account in Sweden to an account at the Baltic International bank in Latvia, the FBI alleges, for the purpose of making a corrupt payment to a Company 3 employee with regard to the Sipat thermal power plant in India, the DOJ said.

According to court documents, the CCI -- in two instalments on November 6, 2006 and January 9, 2009 -- made a total payment of $69,012 to BHEL and MSEB. BHEL officials are reported to be the beneficiaries in several other instances, but most of the amounts are less than $5,000.

In 2007, officials of the Bhilai Electricals are believed to have received $8,600, while those of HSEB received $15,802 through a transaction on July 7, 2007. In addition, Spin Industries, J Mehta & Co and MSEB were the beneficiaries of another bribery transaction of $15,000 made by CCI on March 3, 2004.
However, the court papers are not clear how many of these contracts were bagged by CCI and what was the value of the contracts it won.
The Department of Justice said CCI has admitted that from 2003 through 2007 it made approximately 236 corrupt payments in more than 30 countries, which resulted in net profits to the company of approximately $46.5 million from sales related to these corrupt payments.

Source: PTI

Sucessful night-flight of Solar plane makes

2010-07-08T22:37:00.000-07:00

This is one 'fly-by-night' operator we are sure happy about. A giant glider-like aircraft has completed the first night flight propelled only by solar energy. Solar Impulse, whose wingspan is the same as an Airbus A340, flew 26 hours and 9 minutes, powered only by solar energy stored during the day. It was also the longest and highest flight in the history of solar aviation, organizers said.

The Solar Impulse, a solar-powered HB-SIA prototype airplane, is prepared for its first night flight attempt at Payerne airport, Switzerland on July 7, 2010.

The aircraft took off July 7 at 06:51 am and reached an altitude of 28,543 feet by the end of the day. It then slowly descent to 4,921 feet and flew through the night on the batteries, charged during the day by 12,000 solar cells, which powered the four electric motors. The aircraft landed on July 8 at 09.00 am.

Michael Jackson's kids

2010-06-30T22:39:00.000-07:00

Despite the fact that it was their father’s, Michael Jackson’s, first death anniversary, his three grieving children were taken by Katherine, their grandmother, to Hawaii. There they were supposed to have some fun on that sad day.

Paparazzi noticed Blanket, 8, Paris, 12, Prince, 13 with their granny, friends and a security team during their small trip to Maui.
According to the latest reports, Paris was more depressed than her two siblings concerning the loss of her beloved father. Even this time, in the pictures made by reporters, she was swimming in a swimming pool with a serious facial expression.
According to some sources, Paris’ grief was so big that she couldn’t imagine how she was going to live further. But thanks to loving Katherine, who supported her granddaughter a lot, the girl started to feel much better.
On the contrary, Paris’ brothers were spending their time playing and smiling all the time. They were simply enjoying their pleasant getaway.
That source added that everybody in Jackson’s was in grief and this fact united them all and made them much stronger. That feeling of belonging and sharing the same emotions helped the children overcome their depression.

Project Nike--Nokia-Yahoo collaboration

2010-06-30T22:28:00.000-07:00

After tying up with Samsung, Yahoo teams up with Nokia to announce their joint venture ‘Project Nike’ on May 24. This launch will facilitate search, email and other applications pre-installed on certain Nokia mobile phones.
Some Nokia S40 devices already come installed with Yahoo Ready and Yahoo Go. Samsung’s Android and bada OS based phones also support Yahoo mobile services.

Yahoo seems to give tough competition to Google and Microsoft as Google incorporates its own huge eco system on Android phones and some other phones as well while Microsoft has its Windows Mobile 6.5 and forthcoming Windows Phone 7 platforms.

Typewriters still go clickety clack, In i-Pad era

2010-06-30T22:20:00.000-07:00

Ravi Robinson has been in love with his rusty but dependable typewriter for 40 long years and the bonds still go strong. In the era of the futuristic i-Pad and compact and high-speed laptop computers, Robinson has no intention of letting go the rickety machine that is his sole source of income.
He is not the only one.
The clickety-clack of typewriters still rings the air at the old court complex, abutting the Parliament Street police station, where middle-aged typists sit under open tin sheds filing up legal documents and affidavits.
Though the government has done away with tests for clerks and stenos on typewriters, these 60-70 typists are among the last bastions for the mechanical device invented in the 19th century that had to finally give way to the computer.
Roibinson explains his marriage to the typewriter.
‘I have been working here for the last 40 years. Typewriters still have their advantages as they do not require any electricity, are portable and easy to access,’ Robinson told IANS.
He is confident that computers and laptops can never totally replace the typewriter.
Seated a few tables away, Joginder Sharma echoed the sentiment. ‘All legal documents and certificates are typed. Anyway, I do this job to earn for my family,’ said Sharma, a veteran of 22 years at the complex.
Both Robinson and Sharma feel that computer work needs basic knowledge, which may be beyond their capacity to learn at this stage.
But they frankly admit that they are emotionally attached to the machine.
Yet, despite such loyal users, the typewriters are inching towards extinction as various hi-tech gadgets and electronic equipment flood the market every day.
Until about three decades ago, typewriters were omnipresent — in millions. Twenty years ago, India produced about 150,000 typewriters annually. Now, there is not a single manufacturer.
Despite the crunch, there are many still dependent on typewriters — either for work or simply for the emotional quotient of the old machine.
Indeed, dealers and retailers repair and reconstruct old, dilapidated typewriters.
‘Five years ago, typewriters accounted for 10 percent of my total sales. Now they only account for about 2-5 percent,’ Sunil K. Chawla of Chawla Enterprises, which sells typewriters and other electronic equipment, told IANS.
He said there were many loyal buyers for second-hand typewriters.
Rajesh Palta, owner of Universal typewriters in central Delhi, said: ‘Our business of selling second-hand typewriters is doing very well. We have customers who want them repaired because they have a certain emotional attachment to them. In fact people from the American and Japanese embassies have bought typewriters from us.’
The demand for typewriters mostly comes from courts, the army as well as paramilitary forces, according to the dealers.
One said that customers go for exchange offers, buying new typewriters over computers because they find them easier to work with.
‘The older generation finds it comfortable to work on typewriters.’
Anil Sharma, 60, a retired defence ministry official, has preserved his old but well kept typewriter in his work room.
‘It has a very special place in my life since it has been my faithful partner. It is in my houses so that I can see it each day,’ Sharma told IANS.