Gadgets Future

Can you imagine splitting up your computer into several small devices and manipulating them individually to suit your own taste? A clever new prototype for such a device has been demonstrated by the researchers over at MIT Media Lab. Dubbed as “Siftables”, this new prototype aims to “enable people to interact with information and media in physical, natural ways that approach interactions with physical objects in our everyday lives.” They call Siftables an “interaction platform” that gives a user entirely new ways to control data with the application of technology from wireless sensor networks to tangible user interfaces.

The technology behind Siftables is actually quite simple. It’s basically a mini computer with a 20 MHz AVR processor, full-color OLED screen, short-range infrared sensor, Bluetooth radio, tactile/haptic actuation driver circuits, a 3-axis accelerometer, built-in flash memory, rechargeable Li-Polymer batteries and expansion ports for additional sensors. So as you can see, it uses existing technology to do its new thing as if nobody ever thought of it before. It’s a new shot at organizing how you do your day-to-day computing. And personally, I think it’s a great idea so far.

As to whether or not this new technology actually becomes useful in our everyday life remains to be seen. Because judging from the video, Siftables look as though they’re only a mere novelty which would be best for kids or the occasional icebreaker. It almost makes one hope this doesn’t experience the same fate as digital photo frames, which as you might know, have become quite pointless in itself. I’m sure the creators, David Merrill and Jeevan Kalanithi will think something up.

Via [MIT Media Lab]

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Posted Mar 16th 2008 2:54PM by Ryan Block
Filed under: Peripherals
We might like it more if Behavior Tech Computer Corp. were in the business of creating devices to assist in BF Skinner inspired experiments, but instead they’ve just got stuff like this 9051H Cheetah keyboard / mouse combo. The board has that righty-oriented FPS key cluster, backlit keys that change color according to typing speed, comes bundled with that generic looking laser mouse with variable DPI (800, 1300, and 2000) and two programmable buttons. Sorry folks, no listed price or availability.

[Via Far East Gizmos]

Frankly I don’t get the idea behind Logitech’s diNovo Mini. If you have a TV and you want to easily control it, you’d normally use a remote control right? If you have a laptop or a desktop and you want to work on it, you’d not sit too far from it right? Then what’s the use of a wireless keyboard that you can connect to your PC and TV?

Well yeah, the diNovo Mini looks sleek, good and your friends would definitely say “wow, what a good looking small gadget you have there!” Other than that, the Logitech does some pretty standard functions that may either impress you or make you ignore it. The diNovo gives you convenience and style of a palm-size mini-keyboard with backlighting technology that makes text entry effortless even if you are in a low-light environment. This mini wireless keyboard has an integrated dual-purpose click pad that can be used as a touchpad to point and click for easy navigation.

And with the Bluetooth feature of the diNovo Mini, you can enjoy long-range wireless control even if you are located 30 feet away from everybody. This is one feature that I really don’t dig. Yes, it works best if you are using the diNovo Mini to control your LCD TV. But why would you use this to control or work on your PC 30 feet away from it? Unless of course you have a very large wide screen PC monitor. The Logitech diNovo Mini also works with the Playstation3. Probably when doing some uploading and downloading of game saves but definitely not for playing those PS3 fighting games.

The Logitech diNovo mini retails for around $149. No too much of a price to pay if you want to take it for a spin.

Product [Logitech] Via [jkOnTheRun]

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Six additional Blu-ray players have just been certified by DivX, joining the ranks of Sony PS3 that received its certification at the end of 2007. Such certification is important because it means only one thing: 25 hours of DVD-quality video can now be saved on a single Blu-ray disc. Since the end of the format war, Blu-ray has been gaining more popularity with the gadget society. Michelle Abraham, an In-Stat Principal Analyst, said:

“In-Stat expects worldwide shipments of Blu-ray players to reach 23 million in 2011. DivX is well-positioned to become a standard feature on Blu-ray devices, just as it has shipped in millions of DVD players worldwide.”

Looks like Blu-ray players are here to say. That is, as long as no new formats are going to be introduced, and digital downloads keep from gaining any more popularity. But as of right now, DivX certified players from Philips, Denon, and Panasonic can enjoy Blu-ray disc burning as their DivX certification becomes official. The latest players that received their certification included the Panasonic DMP-BD30EE, Philips BDP7200 and the Denon DVD-2500BTC1B, DVD-3800BDC1B, DVD-3800BDSP and DVD-2500BTSP.

Via [I4U News]

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Sony Ericsson’s newest patent comes afloat, and it shows us a new type of device allowing up to three input interfaces. The electronic device has a main body, a flip attached to the main body and multiple input interfaces (it says here), so basically this will be some kind of new device in which you can enter data via any of the available ways. From the illustration above, you can see that this will be some kind of cellphone/smartphone with a flap on its face that can go both ways. It’s reversible, and two different input interfaces will reside on that flap alone, aside from the input interface located on the main body of the phone itself. Now I have to say, it’s a fine concept and all, but the question is, will it work?

To save you from the boring stuff in the patent document itself, let me give you the rundown on Sony Ericsson’s latest patent here. What they’re aiming to do is answer the apparent need of consumers for an all-in-one device that will replace the currently bag-full of gadgets most of us carry around. This is not the first time someone is aiming for a solution to the said problem, and even Sony Ericsson itself has tried multiple times in the past to deliver this electronic device “jackpot” that will attract new customers by the hundreds like it was a killer app of some sort. Nokia’s tried to do it. Motorola has tried to do it. Everybody out there is trying to do it. And this is Sony Ericsson’s take. Their solution? One device with the input interfaces of three. To me, this is almost like saying, “Hey, you wanted an all-in-one device, right? You wanted something that can handle your phone calls, connect you to the Internet, and let you listen to music, right? So here it is, a cellphone with a keypad, a keyboard, and a click-wheel. It’s all you need.”

But really, although this is really a great concept as it gives a user choices when it comes to entering data into his device, this will mean having to deal with three different input styles altogether. Three different “languages”, if you may, that you have to master in order to get the most out of your multiple input interface endowed device. This is completely against the concept of the iphone, which has a very simple, unified input interface: the touch. Well, I doubt if a device like the one in this patent will come out any time soon, anyway, and besides, you never know for sure and Sony Ericsson just might be able to pull this one off. Or maybe I just talk too much.

Via [Just Another mobile phone Blog]

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Adopt an Olive Tree

You can have this for ?79.95

Is $30 enough to get you a decent mobile phone that can give you mobile web access? With Virgin Mobile’s Flare 30 bucks is all you need and you’ll have a small and yet nifty mobile phone. Flare is actually an LG manufactured flip phone packed with some cool basic features that you wouldn’t expect that a cheap phone like the Flare could have.

Virgin Mobile’s Flare really got some mobile phone flare aside from its flaring red face plate. The two most notable of these features are Bluetooth wireless technology and Mobile web access. Hey, where can you get those features for a measly sum? Aside from these two features, the Virgin Mobile Flare also has a full color screen, full color external display, voice dialing, is Spanish language menu capable, speakerphone and text messaging. But I guess those are pretty standard mobile phone features that we all expect from a simple mobile phone such as the Flare. And talking about simple standard mobile phones, I guess the most important thing to ask is how battery life is?  The Flare gives you 3.5 hours of talk time and 170 hours standby time.

Product [Virgin Mobile] Via [Engadget]

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Dell’s got a spanking new 20-inch widescreen flat panel lcd monitor. Based on the specs it should offer exceptional color accuracy, the Dell UltraSharp 2009W display is fully adjustable even down to the tiniest detail. Just by looking at the 2009W LCD monitor, you’d immediately know that underneath its elegant look are high end technology features waiting to be used and explored. The 20-inch size may not be enough for your personal widescreen viewing pleasure, but it is definitely more than enough to answer everyone’s need for additional workspace in their desktop computing needs.

The 20-inch high-resolution Dell 2009W displays 102% color gamut in a brilliant 2000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. This simply means that the 2009W monitor is capable of delivering wider and more accurate color representation of razor-like images and fluid motion. In fact, the Dell 2009W LCD monitor exemplifies what an HD display is all about. Clearer graphics, documents, video and even e-mail in a native 1680 x 1050 resolution and DVI with HDCP. This simple means that the 2009W can deliver superior, life-like clarity and stunning display of images and videos.

Not only will you get to enjoy crisp and clear image display, but you get to help save the environment as well if you use the Dell 2009. The UltraSharp widescreen monitor utilizes lesser electricity and power and produces less heat as well. The Dell 2009 is a good example of an environment friendly electronic product. Even in its packaging, the Dell uses environment sensitive product material. The Dell 2009 is the first Halogen-Reduced flat panel monitor.

Other features of the Dell UltraSharp 2009 widescreen monitor includes 5 millisecond response times, height adjustable stand, 4 USB 2.0 ports and premium panel guarantee. The Dell UltraSharp 2009W is currently available and retails for $289.

Product [Dell] Via [Gizmodo]

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So you think you’re safe? You think you can just carry on doing what you do in your life without thinking you’re in danger? Don’t you have any idea what’s going on behind the scenes when your computer automatically reboots, crashes, keeps sending your contacts suspicious emails or links to kiddie porn? If you do, then you wouldn’t have been here reading this. No, instead you would’ve been in a state of shock, like the rest of us who are in the know. Instead, you would’ve been curled up in bed, wondering how you managed to last so long without seeing the “real picture”. If you don’t understand what I’m talking about, just take a look at the photo above. See that? Know what that is? That’s what’s been eating up all of your computer’s resources lately. That’s the thing that keeps on destroying network after network and connection after connection, all without you even noticing. That, my friend, is a picture of computer malware. And if you look closely, if you could only try to look straight into its eyes, then maybe you’ll understand why I’m so tense right now.

Keep on reading for a few more renderings care of a wicked visualization program called Malwarez…

Stormy

IRCBot

PWSLineage Trojan

Via [Geekologie]

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Khrunichev and International Launch Services announce an anomaly during today’s Proton mission with the AMC-14 satellite.

The Proton Breeze M rocket lifted off at 5:18 a.m. today local time from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, carrying the AMC-14 satellite for SES AMERICOM and its customer, EchoStar Corporation. Preliminary flight information indicates that the anomaly occurred during the second burn of the Breeze M upper stage. The satellite failed to reach the planned orbit. The satellite was built by Lockheed Martin.

A Russian State Commission has begun the process of determining the reasons for the anomaly. ILS will release details when data become available. In parallel with the State Commission, ILS will form its own Failure Review Oversight Board. The FROB will review the commission’s final report and corrective action plan, in accord with U.S. and Russian government export control regulations.

Payload:
AMC-14 communications satellite
Lockheed Martin A2100 platform
Separated spacecraft mass: Approx. 9,127 lbs (4,140 kg)

Launch Vehicle:
Proton M/Breeze M
Weight at liftoff: 691,272 kg (1,523,565 lbs), including payload
Height: 56.2 m (184 ft)

Launch Date:
March 15 (Baikonur)
March 14 (GMT, U.S.)

Launch Time:
05:18 a.m. Baikonur
23:18 GMT
07:18 p.m. EDT

Launch Site:
Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launch Pad 39

Launch Customer:
SES AMERICOM, Princeton, N.J.
Part of SES family of companies

Satellite Manufacturer:
Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems,
Newtown, Pa.

Launch Vehicle Manufacturer:
Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center,
Moscow

Launch Services Provider:
International Launch Services (ILS), McLean, Va.

Satellite Use:
Advanced Broadcast Satellite Service satellite for SES AMERICOM’S AMERICOM2Home customer, EchoStar’s DISH Network direct-to-home entertainment service, covering all 50 United States.

Satellite Statistics:

* 32 Ku-band transponders
* Orbital location: 61.5 degrees West longitude
* Anticipated service life of 15 years

Mission Profile:
The Proton M launch vehicle, utilizing a three-burn Breeze M mission design, will lift off from Pad 39 at Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan. The first three stages of the Proton will use a standard ascent trajectory to place the Breeze M fourth stage and the AMC-14 satellite into a suborbital trajectory. From there the Breeze M will place itself and the spacecraft into a circular parking orbit. Following two additional burns of the Breeze M, the satellite will be injected into a geostationary transfer orbit. Separation will occur approximately 6 hours, 55 minutes and 50 seconds after liftoff.

Target Orbit at Separation:

* Apogee: 35,786 km (22,236 miles)
* Perigee: 6,257 km (3,889 miles)
* Inclination: 19.7°

Spacecraft Separation:
Approximately 6 hours, 56 minutes after liftoff

ILS Mission Statistics:

* 2nd ILS mission this year
* 7th ILS Proton launch for SES AMERICOM
* 11th A2100 satellite launch on Proton
* 45th ILS mission on Proton

Live Broadcast in U.S.:
AMC-1, transponder 17, C-band, 103 degrees West, downlink 4040 MHz (horizontal), analog NTSC. Test signals start at 6:30 p.m. EDT

In Europe, Russia & Kazakhstan:
NSS-7, transponder WHL4/EUH3, Channel 1, Ku-band, 338 degrees East; FEC 3/4, sym rate: 5,632; downlink 11095.6 MHz (horizontal), digital PAL, Test signals start at 22:30 GMT, broadcast about 22:55.