Pop Secret addresses the challenges of popcorn-making with a free helper app

Existing users will be delighted to know that the latest version has improved Facebook sharing functionality!  :)

http://techland.time.com/2013/06/07/pop-secret-addresses-challenges-of-popcorn-making-with-free-helper-app/ / microwave pop popping popped iOS Apple iPhone iPod iPad Android Popcorn Ready Perfect Popcorn /

DARPA prosthetic interfaces give amputees new hope (video)

Credit: DARPA/ Dvice

Not just thought controlled movement, but touch too.  Other benefits are lower risk, less invasive surgery for fitting the prosthesis.

http://www.dvice.com/2013-5-31/darpa-prosthetic-interfaces-give-amputees-new-hope / Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency armed forces suffered amputated limbs nerve muscle interfaces more advanced prosthetics controlled directly through the user's existing nerves Reliable Neural-Interface Technology RE-NET researching long-term potential brain interfaces goal research develop high-performance interfaces reliable new interfaces signals nerves muscles control prosthetics interface direct sensory feedback give users ability to feel research interfaces interface developed RE-NET bionic performance reliability test tested implant implanting interfaces lower risk less invasive procedure better solution amputees programme program work injured soldiers new prosthetic interfaces innervation re-innervation rewiring nerves amputated limbs interfaces prosthetics control over existing muscles demonstrate the new sense of touch researchers flat interface nerve electrode FINE interfacing FINE residual nerves partial arm sense fingers restored restoration /

Holy Grail of influenza research: a universal flu vaccine

Credit: National Geographic

Why does an influenza vaccination only work for one year?  Others work for years, even a lifetime.

Existing vaccines work by "teaching" the immune system to recognize proteins in the coat which surrounds the virus.  Once the immune system is able to recognize the virus by its coat, it can attack & destroy it.

Unfortunately, the rate of mutation in the proteins in the coat is very high. This means that if you are immune to last year's influenza virus (i.e. your immune system can recognize the proteins in the coat of the virus), this year's virus will have a protein coat so different that you immune system can't recognize it.

Result?  A new vaccination is required each year.

http://theconversation.com/the-holy-grail-of-influenza-research-a-universal-flu-vaccine-14046 / flu shot protect pandemic yearly seasonal flu viruses circulation identify jackets jacket immune system influenza virus interact regognise immune system intruders viruses bacteria bacterium viri virii influenza outer coat proteins virus called hemagglutinin HA neuraminidase NA proteins change mutate proteins recognise virus mount defence mutations viral coat proteins influenza vaccine formulations changed frequently vaccination is recommended every year yearly targets universal influenza vaccine educating immune system less easily fooled small types influenza viruses lifetime types influenza infect humans type A B seasonal influenza vaccines comprise both types strategies influenza A complex subdivided subtypes reactivity specific tests antigen antigenicity genetic similarity hemagglutinin neuraminidase 2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza H7N9 strain infecting infection China epidemic universal influenza vaccine more broadly cross-protective cross protective vaccine against more than one strain of influenza A /

Patent Wars: Earlier iPhone, iPad models face bans in U.S. for infringing upon Samsung patent

http://bgr.com/2013/06/04/apple-samsung-patent-dispute-itc-ruling/ / U.S. International Trade Commission  limited ban and cease & desist order Apple products infringe infringing upon Samsung’s technology ruling concerns AT&T versions iPhone 4 3GS iPhone , iPad 3G iPad 2 3G claimed Apple violated patent patents ITC infringed encoding decoding cellular data order sent President Barack Obama 60 days veto ruling appeal ruling federal court /

Iowa City to ban red-light cameras, drones, & license plate readers too

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/06/iowa-city-to-ban-not-only-red-light-cameras-but-drones-license-plate-readers-too/ / first reading municipal bill local use of drones license plate readers red-light red light cameras tools used law enforcement privacy controversy ordinance local petition citizen group referendum red light cameras municipality state local petitions ordinances city council states lawmaking procedures bill City automatic traffic surveillance system devic, automatic license plate recognition system device domestic drone system enforcement qualified traffic law violation peace officer Parking Enforcement Attendant present scene witnesses witness event personally issues ticket violation allegation alleged violator time location vehicle Aleksey Gurtovoy StopBigBrother.org group red-light cameras proactive benefit public pass binding LPR parking enforcement privacy Linda Lye attorney American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California argued forcefully stronger restrictions domestic drones other purposes citations due process /

X-Mini Uno & Max portable speakers review

Credit: The Gadgeteer

After the unconventional Sonivo Easy Speaker, here's something a bit more mainstream: Bluetooth & wired connectivity included.

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2013/06/02/x-mini-uno-and-max-portable-speakers-review/#more-128295 / X-Mini Capsule II KAI Max II portable portability phone MP3 music tablet notebook music movies TV shows copied speaker copy counterfeit develop developing test testing releasing new products pirate pirates sound beyond size soft carry case charge extension cable instruction instructional manual 40mm Ceramic Cone weighted base microUSB cable 2.5W ceramic tweeter frequency range high low frequencies audio cable plug plugging charge extension cable Buddy Jack daisy-chain daisy chain stereo sound chamber speaker indicator LED /

Sonivo Easy Speaker

Credit: Sonivo

This speaker connects to your phone without wires, Bluetooth or WiFi.  All that is required is that your phone have an "external speaker".  Probably means a "built in speaker".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Shsh52gIOG0&feature=youtube_gdata_player

So how does it work?  A video, previously available on YouTube, claimed the speaker had "New Field Induction".  My guess: it uses induction from the built in speaker in your device.  Notice the iPhone in the video has to be placed directly on the speaker.  Can't imagine sound quality with such an arrangement can be very good.  I'd expect it to be inferior to Bluetooth.  And mono only. / near field communication NFC sound quality stereo wire cable connection battery internal rechargeable LiIon /