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NASA Nebula: World's one of the most powerful Cloud Computing Platform

Sat, 04 Dec 2010 11:52:49 +0100

OpenStack: Rackspace and NASA Nebula Join Forces for Open Cloud Ecosystem

This post is part of our ReadWriteCloud channel, which is dedicated to covering virtualization and cloud computing. The channel is sponsored by Intel and VMware. How one company graduated to enterprise wide virtualization. Learn more in this ReadWriteWeb special report, made possible by Intel and VMware: Simplot Australia Takes Virtualization Beyond Test and Development.

Rackspace and NASA are open-sourcing code and technology for people anywhere to create their own cloud environments.

Called OpenStack, the initiative is one of the most substantive efforts to support interoperability in the cloud. As part of the initiative, Rackspace is donating the code that powers its files and servers, the foundation for its public-cloud offerings. NASA will contribute technology used to power its Nebula Cloud Platform.

Twenty five companies have signed on to support OpenStack. These include Intel, Dell and Citrix. Discussions have started with companies like Microsoft. The goal is to create an ecosystem of open-cloud environments.

OpenStack will feature several cloud infrastructure components including a fully distributed object store based on Rackspace Cloud Files.

NASA Nebula is one of the world's most powerful cloud computing platforms. For instance, Nebula is processing the images from a camera that is orbiting Mars and taking images of the planet for use in the WorldWide telescope, a project of Microsoft Research. Nebula processed - and now hosts - more than 100 terabytes of high-resolution images, the equivalent of 20,000 DVDs worth of information.

This level of computational capability makes Nebula viable for any enterprise or government agency.

A Rackspace representative said the lack of interoperability is slowing down adoption of the cloud. Customers are asking about how they can move data around. When they don't find answers, they're having to make technology and architectural trade-offs.

Those trade-offs should not be happening. If all the cloud providers used the same core technology then customers could shop around based on the value of the different cloud services. It would create a market where the core technology is not the core differentiator.

All the cloud providers use open-source components. The need is for a Cloud OS that ties it all together.

Apple iPad - The Start of a Digital Revolution?

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 18:11:04 +0100

Well, yesterday (27 January, 2010) saw the release of Apple's long awaited iPad, which will probably take the term mobile connectivity into a completely new sphere - never mind a new dimension. The device is smaller than a laptop, but larger than an iphone, so if you thought of your laptop as the ideal instrument for mobile connectivity, and could not quite get used to browsing the web on a cell phone, then this might be the ideal solution for you.

The iPad is different in two main areas - as mentioned it is smaller than a laptop, but in addition to that, it also did away with the traditional keybord. Everything is now accessible through the iPad's responsive high-resolution Multi-Touch™ display. The iPad looks more like a tablet than a 'Pad'. It is sturdy in design - 0.5 inches thick and weighs a mere 1.5 pounds, and includes 12 new applications designed specifically for the device.

“iPad is our most advanced technology in a magical and revolutionary device at an unbelievable price,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “iPad creates and defines an entirely new category of devices that will connect users with their apps and content in a much more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before.”
The device has been designed to work in both portrait and landscape modes, automatically rotating the views depending on which way the user holds the device. Although the physical keybord has been removed, you still need this function though, and apple have solved the dilemma by incorporating the keybord into the screen as an almost full-size 'soft' keybord.

High definition is enabled, and one can use the device to do most things you would normally do on a PC - like browsing the web, watching movies, store digital media such as your favorite photos and albums, and view these as an elegant slide show, you can even read your current favorite e-book, and of course - there's music too. A new application called iBooks has also been developed for the iPad, which enables you to buy and read books on a mobile device.

Along with all the new applications, Apple also introduced a new version of iWork® for iPad, which is the first desktop-class productivity suite designed specifically for Multi-Touch. It also features Pages®, Keynote® and Numbers®, allowing you to create beautiful documents, presentations (with animations and transitions). The screen is a brilliant 9.7-inch, LED-backlit display, and features IPS technology for those clear, crisp images - and also - an ultra-wide 178 degree viewing angle which will display consistent color. According to Apple, the Multi-Touch display is amazingly accurate and responsive. In addition to the 'soft' keybord, you will also be able to plug in the new iPad Keybord Dock, which as you can imagine, is a full-size traditional keybord.

Image courtesy of Apple

The new A4 chip is responsible for excellent graphics and processor performance, with a battery life of up to 10 hours. Apple claims the device is good for about 1000 charges over a typical 5-year lifespan. There are two types of iPad available - one with Wi-Fi, and the other with Wi-Fi and 3G. The 3G versions can handle speeds up to 7.2 Mbps on HSDPA networks.

Pricing and availability

The device will be available as of late March 2010 worldwide. Suggested retail prices: $499 (US) for the 16GB model, $599 (US) for the 32GB model, $699 (US) for the 64GB model. The Wi-Fi + 3G models of iPad will be available in April in the US and selected countries for a suggested retail price of $629 (US) for the 16GB model, $729 (US) for the 32GB model and $829 (US) for the 64GB model.

More info: apple.com

Norway Sees The World's First Osmotic Power Plant Open on 24 November 2009

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 20:21:06 +0100

Renewable energy is a very hot topic these days, one which is receiving an incredible amount of attention - for good reason.

The world has by now realized that it cannot just keep consuming valuable environmental resources in the pursuit of energy.

This week marked another milestone in that very search for renewable energy technologies, in the form of the world's first Osmotic power plant.

The plant opened in Norway earlier this week, on 24 November 2009. Osmosis is the process where tiny water molecules move from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration, and now a way has been found to generate energy using this very phenomenon.

It is estimated that the energy generated using this method may eventually be able to supply about 10 percent of the world's total demand for electricity. Unfortunately, this type of energy generating technology can only be used where fresh water meets up or flows into seawater because it requires both fresh and saltwater for the process to work.

The WWF's head of Climate and Energy, Arild Skedsmo, said 'Osmotic power has great potential. In theory the power is available and it's an emission-free way of producing energy. This is an immature technology. But like all renewables, we need a whole range of technologies to be available. Osmotic power can definitely be part of the solution.'

Although the technology has not been rolled out on a large scale yet, the potential for its application is huge, and it seems environmentalists have given the project a big thumbs up. This project has been a story in the making, with about £10.7m spent on it since 1997. It is hoped that the osmosis generator may reach commercial status somewhere between the years 2015 to 2020.

My view: I hope this will be the greatest solution to energy generation to the friendly world of life style

The World's First Programmable Quantum Computer?

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 20:22:00 +0100

With only a few intense lasers, electrodes and some ultracold ions, researchers at the University of Sussex in Brighton, England, have been able to build the first programmable quantum computer.

What makes this experiment different is that this new system is able to perform more than 150 random processing routines.

For Quantum computers to become more useful, these machines should be able to be progammed just like a normal computer can be programmed. This will of course mean that the system will be able to run many different programs. Up until now, earlier versions of quantum computers have been very restricted with regards to the amount of specific tasks they could perform.

The new study is "a powerful demonstration of the technological advances towards producing a real-world quantum computer," says quantum physicist Winfried Hensinger of the University of Sussex in Brighton, England. The researchers, led by David Hanneke of the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Boulder, Colo. built the computer based on two cooled beryllium ions with a temperature of just above zero.

The ions formed the quantum bits, or qubits, analogous to the bits in normal computers represented by 0s and 1s, and were trapped by a magnetic field on a gold-plated aluminum chip. To perform the processing operations, short laser bursts were used to manipulate the beryllium ions. Magnesium ions kept the beryllium ions stationary, and from getting hot. It is believed that this system may be applied to larger-scale systems.

The system built was mostly experimental, but what is important is the fact that the principal may be applied on a larger scale, and therefor become practical.

Another World First - Ford Introduces Inflatable Rear Seatbelts For Production Cars

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 20:21:23 +0100

In another world first, the Ford motor company yesterday, 5 November 2009, announced the first ever production of inflatable seat belts, adding to the list of safety features the company has already implemented within their production vehicles.

The inflatable belts are designed to provide support and and additional protection for rear-seat occupants, and is a major leap forward in the ever advancing world of safety innovation.

The belts work in much the same way as an ordinary airbag - when the sensors detect an accident the gas filled cannistors quickly rleases cold gas into the belts, which then instantly transforms into something that readily resembles an airbag. The belt has been created to alleviate head, chest and neck injuries.

So, when can we expect to see this next generation safety feature, you ask? Well, very soon actually. The inflatable rear seat belts will feature part of the Ford's next generation Ford Explorer sport utility vehicle (or SUV), which goes into mass production next year. The company plans to eventually incorporate this new safety feature in all their vehicles globally.

When inflated, the seat belts cover five times more area on the human body during a crash, which spreads and reduces the impact forces a passenger would normally experience. This of course reduces the pressure on a passenger's chest, and also aids in controlling head and neck motion. What's more, of all the research participants used, over 90 percent were of the opinion that the belts were actually more comfortable than traditional safety belts.

In a crash situation, the belts wil inflate in 40 milliseconds.

“Ford’s rear inflatable seat belt technology will enhance safety for rear-seat passengers of all ages, especially for young children who are more vulnerable in crashes,” said Sue Cischke, Ford group vice president of Sustainability, Environmental and Safety Engineering. “This is another unique family technology that builds on our safety leadership, including the most top safety ratings of any automaker.”

It seems Ford has made a conscious and clear decision to continue growing passenger safety and comfort, which is apparent in the rlease of safety systems this year alone, comprising the new radar-enabled Adaptive Cruise Control with Collision Warning with Brake Support, and Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) with Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) in the new 2010 Ford Taurus and Fusion.

Charging Electric Cars Using 'Invisible' Power From The Roads

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 20:21:34 +0100

Who would have thought that a thirty year old concept could lead to the inspiration for a modern day problem? The concept of electric cars seem to be here to stay, but a number of challenges still need to be overcome.

At one or other stage in our lives we've all seen those little Scalextric cars - you know, the little racing cars running on a miniature race track.

The cars fit into an elecric slot embedded inside the track which is used to power the small electric engines that actually cause the cars to move forward at various speeds. Well, there seems to be an idea to use a portion of that concept to power electric cars of the future in almost the same way. The only difference is that future cars would not need to make any physcal contact with the embedded slot within the road. Instead of making physical contact with the 'charger', the cars will have the option of driving in a special lane designed to charge the car's battery via an electro-magnetic field that is emitted from the road surface.

This will also enable the car to be re-charged while standing still in a parking lot for instance. Using Maxwell electromagnetic laws whereby electric current flowing through a conductor generates a magnetic field, the car can be charged by by simply driving over one of the magnetic fields which in turn generates power and charges the batteries within in the car.

A definitive advantage with this method is that there does not need to be any physical contact with the car's charger, which obviously reduces wear and tear of the charging system to almost nothing. Another advantage is that this kind of system is that it not weather dependant, and where the range of electric vehicles used to be limited, this new system allows for a virtually unlimited range.

The company behind the concept, IAV Automotive Engineering Inc., is confident that electromagnetic induction technology may be developed and production ready within the next few years. A fulll scale test track are already in the planning stages in Lower Saxony, Germany.

Although actual implementation of this concept is probably years away, it does seem to address a number of challenges that current electric vehicles may face on the roads. This concept may be a viable alternative to the limiting factors for electric vehicles - especially in the area of range. It certainly seems to be a viable and practical solution. We'll have to wait and see... More info: IAV Automotive Engineering Inc

Super Robots - Able To Dribble A Ball Faster Than The Human Eye Can See?

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 20:21:42 +0100

Forget about movies such as 'Terminator' - today the robotic technology involved surpasses even the technology featured in those types of movies - in some ways.

If you have ever found yourself wondering just how powerful and exact modern day robotics have become, then this might shock you a little.To give you an example - imagine a robotic arm, dribbling a ball almost faster than the human eye can see. Or how about throwing and catching an object with such precision and dexterity that you would be forgiven for thinking that it's only science fiction. Well, it is science fiction no more. It's reality.

In all honesty, this kind of technology is mind boggling to say the least. True, we have all seen robotic arms perform their functions in places such as motor vehicle factories and during other industrial manufacturing processes, but this is quite different. Usually the robots in these factories are programmed to perform a specific task over and over - which makes it possible to execute a high number of repetitions in a very short period of time. This speeds up the manufacturing process significantly, because the robot is able to repeat the same action over and over with a high level of precision. But as mentioned, these robots can usually only perform a series of pre-programmed tasks.

Now imagine new technology that enables the robot to visually perceive its surroundings, and then react to what it perceives. This is now a reality.

Using a series of visual and tactile sensors, the folks at Ishikawa Komuro laboratory at the University of Tokyo have been able to demonstrate just what they can teach some of these new robots to do. And it is absolutely amazing. Some of the actions require the robot to act upon visual and sensory input, which means these calculations are done in thousands of a second. One of the actions shows the robot holding a cell phone, and then throwing it into the air. That's the easy part.

What follows is a demonstration that no other generation before us has ever seen. After throwing the spinning cell phone into the air, the robot manages to catch it with remarkable precision. Only when you see it being done, can you realize how fast the sensory input is relayed and converted into an actionable movement by the robot. It seems as if the robot's visual sensor may actually be faster than the human eye.

The only way to describe this kind of feat, is to imagine playing a game that requires a fair amount of dexterity - such as tennis for example. Now imagine playing tennis against one of these robots - only the robot cannot lose because its sensory inputs are so powerful that it does not seem to make a mistake, no matter how fast the ball comes at it. Oh, and it does not get tired... Amazing stuff...

Turning Roads Into Solar 'Power Stations' - A Brilliant, Fresh Approach From Solar Roads ...

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 20:21:52 +0100

Every once in a while, a really brilliant idea comes along, and we find ourselves wondering: Why didn't I think of that?

Well, this has got to be one of those brilliant ideas. Energy, especially solar energy, is a very hot topic these days. And with good reason. As the world's energy demands grow, the resources needed to supply this power seems to be getting less and less.

So, we have to think 'out of the box' to come up with a sustainable solution.

And that is exactly what Scott Brusaw from Solar Roadways, in Idaho USA, has done. What's more is that U.S. Department of Transportation is so impressed with his proposal that they have granted Solar Roadways USD$100,000 to further develop his prototype that turns roads into giant solar panels. The idea and the research behind it also makes a lot of sense in terms of cost, and environmental impact.

Firstly, Mr Brusaw believes that solar panel roads may last up to three times longer than current petroleum-based asphalt surfaces which have an average lifespan of about 7 years at a cost of USD$16 per square foot. Mr Brusaw hopes to produce solar panels with a lifespan of 21 years for USD$48 per square foot, which would not only save the inconvenience of road maintenance, but would also cost the same as a conventional asphalt road. Allright, so if it costs the same, then why implement solar roads instead of asphalt? Well, the answer is simple.

Although it costs the same, the solar power generated from the solar roads could potenially be more than what is needed for every home on the entire US power grid. In fact, if you were able to convert all the existing roads, parking lots and driveways in the US to solar panel roads, there would be more than three times more electrical power available than what all the homes in the entire US requires.

These calculations are not based on a more efficient type of solar panel, they are based on the average efficiency of a solar panel (which is only 15%). In effect, for this to work you do not even need to build more efficient solar panels. The efficiency on existing models produced will be enough.

Now, in addition to homes being powered just from this 'road grid', these roads can also be fitted with LED's that would further enhance driver experience by lighting up the roads much like the runway lighting seen at airports. The challenge now, is just to design the glass for the solar panels to have the same traction and load bearing qualities as current asphalt roads. But, Mr Brusaw says he has already spoken to scientists at Penn State University’s Materials Research Institute, and they have assured him they would have no problem in producing the type of glass with these requirements.

To put all of this into perspective, if they would replace one mile of a multi-lane highway with solar panels for instance, that would be enough to generate enough electricity to supply 500 homes completely, without having to tap into the main power grid. And all this can be done with an average of only 4 hours of sunlight per day.

If this system is implemented, Mr Brusaw says solar roads would be able to generate enough electricity to replace all centralized power stations (coal and nuclear powered plants included)

Sony 3D Television To Be Released In 2010 - A New Form Of Entertainment?

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 20:22:16 +0100

DexPlatform Ads

It seems Sony has decided to turn fiction into reality - in more ways than one. At a press conference in Berlin, Germany, Sony Corporation announced that it plans to lead the way in entertainment by bringing 3D to the Home in 2010.

The corporate giant said it plans to continue its efforts to create both attractive 3D content as well as hardware, and also provide new forms of 3D enjoyment. Sony's 3D compatable "Bravia" LCD TV incorporates what is known as frame sequential display and active-shutter glass systems. This, together with Sony's propriety high frame rate technology, enables reproduction of full High Definition, high quality 3D images. Sony believes this will form the centerpiece of Sony's 3 Dimensional experience at home.

Sony will also develop additional 3D compatability into more of its devices, such as Blu-ray Disc products, VAIO and Playstation 3, which will provide multiple ways for users to enjoy 3D entertainment.

Sony has been at the forefront of developing 3D hardware products for shooting as well as producing 3D movies, and according to the company, 3D screens are increasing rapidly, with an expected growth to about 7,000 units by the end of 2009.

It seems 3D entertainment is definitely gathering momentum, with companies such as Sony investing in, and almost "steering" the entertainment industry in that direction, with gaming eventually also moving towards 3D, giving users the ability to interact with games, instead of just "playing".

Alhough 3D is nothing new, with many people having already watched a 3D movie at the cinema at some point in time, it certainly is still fairly new in terms of home entertainment. So, 2010 will be the year to look forward to for this type of technology. The question just remains: Will production of 3D television programs also catch on quickly, or will it take longer? I suppose it all depends on the actual difference in cost of production between "normal" programmes, and those shot in 3D.

More Info: www.sony.net

Microsoft Unveils Powerful New Xbox 360 Gaming Technology

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 20:22:22 +0100

Microsoft recently unveiled a new type of technology to be incorporated into their now much more powerful Xbox 360 gaming console.

The technology, dubbed “Project Natal” uses a camera to track a player's body movements via full skeletal mapping, in effect turning the player into the game controller.

The system is also able to recognize voices and vocal commands.

The system makes it easier for a player to interact with a character on screen, and even has the ability to show pictures and information to other Xbox 360 players via the internet. The technology uses full body gesture tracking, in other words it is able to pick up every movement a player makes, not just hand movements for instance.

Microsoft is also planning on integrating music streaming 'last.fm', Facebook and Twitter into its online community.

By integrating these new technologies, it seems the $50 billion dollar gaming industry is not planning on slowing down any time soon, and by incorporating these technologies the industry is sure to attract even more users in future.

Microsoft is also empowering Xbox Live users by being able to connect to Facebook and Twitter, without the necessity of using a computer.

'Project Natal' as it is called, does not seem to be scheduled for release yet in 2009 however. An exact release date is not yet known at this point in time.

Now, if we understand this correctly, playing a game like for instance tennis, on your Xbox 360 in future, may prove to be not only a source of entertainment, but also a good dose of healthy excercise. Now all we need to do is get a bigger living room for all those hard to reach shots. Anyone up for a game? :)

More Info: www.xbox.com