Wednesday, 31 July 2013

Why cane toads give us a small hope for climate change


How much ugly you want?
Credit: The Conversation

Studies of invasive cane toad populations in Australia show that at the advancing front of the invasion, the individuals move much faster than in stable populations: as much as one kilometer in a night. This is not just a behavioral change, the animals on the advancing front have longer, stronger legs which allow them to jump further at a single jump & continue jumping longer.

What this tells us is that, at the advancing front, there are different selective pressures, producing these more athletic pioneering individuals.

Once the advancing front has passed, the selective pressures change to those which produce the cane toads typical of a stable population. Result: the population evolves back to its static, less athletic form.

What does any of this tell us about climate change?

As climate change progresses, environments gradually change. There comes a point where the native flora & fauna reach the limit of their tolerance & must migrate or perish. A concern is that if a population can't move quickly enough, it will be destroyed by an incompatible environment. Cane toad studies give some hope that species may be able to migrate faster than previously thought.

http://theconversation.com/why-cane-toads-give-us-small-hope-for-climate-change-16455 / cane toads toad Bufo marinus Australia’s Australia most serious invasive species feral introduced species pest killing predators goannas quolls crocodiles tropical north toads advancing Queensland Kimberley new research shows toads evolve spread faster new environments good news animals move because climate change toads climate hopping ecological theory assumption population animals stable space individuals their offspring live same general area year after year reality messier many populations are not stable invasive species expand range spread long term long-term study University of Sydney Sydney-based Team Bufo Greg Brown radio track tracking tracker tracked radio-tracked invasive cane toads first arrived at an area near Darwin continued track newly arriving arrive arrival newly-arriving toads next several years Tom Lindstrom’s Lindstrom mathematical analysis radio-tracking results revealed dramatic shift published today in the journal PNAS first toads arrived near Darwin incredibly mobile often moving more than one kilometer kilometre within a single night but within a couple of years that rate had more than halved super-speediness seen at the invasion front probably driven by evolutionary forces that come into play only at an expanding range edge, and are not seen in stable populations earlier studies toad front had revealed these mechanisms current work shows just how spectacular the acceleration can be rapid decrease mobility after the invasion front passes through normal cane toads animals from long-established long established populations would underestimate potential rate movement want predict how quickly species can expand its range we need look right expanding range edge unfortunately logistically difficult most data animal dispersal rates come from long established long-established stable populations population result may be underestimating potential rates of population spread adapting adaptation adapt changing world problem doesn’t just relate invasive species Many species shift ranges range other reasons climate change rendering many areas unsuitable animal plant animals plants that currently live there becoming too hot or too dry creating those conditions somewhere nearby area that previously may have been too cold too wet species caught in this situation survive individuals either must rapidly adapt new conditions move area offers suitable conditions fast pace climate change makes both options very tough to achieve but not impossible species where individuals generally do not move about very much very far process expanding their range into new newly suitable newly-suitable area create evolutionary pressure faster dispersal end result many species will manage shift their distributions distribution more quickly from the movement rates measure existing stable populations provides glimmer of hope /

Tuesday, 30 July 2013

Dell's computer-on-a-stick


Credit: Dell/ Boy Genius Report

Currently shipping to testers, scheduled for a northern hemisphere fall release

http://bgr.com/2013/07/29/dell-project-ophelia-release-date/ / Dell working new device code name code-named code named code-name Project Ophelia report reports Android-powered Android powered computer on a USB stick struggling PC vendor apparently use Ophelia help reinvent company founder Michael Dell efforts take Dell private computer on a stick one step closer to launching recent report from IDG News Service Dell’s Project Ophelia turn any screen display HDMI port into PC gaming machine streaming media player now shipping beta testers public release scheduled this fall device will be priced around $100 IDG claims /

Monday, 29 July 2013

Self-driving cars may crank out data at 1GB per second


Credit: Google/ TechHive

Plus reduce accidents by using vehicle to vehicle communication & available to the general public in 5 years?

http://www.techhive.com/article/2045390/self-driving-cars-may-crank-out-data-at-1gb-per-second.html / self driving cars experts have predicted readily available within five years multiple myriad of sensors creating machine-to-machine machine to machine data rate of 1GB per second strategist Mark van Rijmenam big data strategist founder BigData-Startups.com sensors self-driving cars provide opportunity opportunities spot mechanical problems before they happen schedule repairs Google CEO Sergey Brin self-driving cars reality ordinary people" in less than five years California's California governor signed into law bill allowing vehicles on its roads tests Britain United Kingdom England UK General Motors GM plans an introduce semi-automated Cadillac driving system 2015 cars worldwide surpass one billion almost unimaginable how much data created Google's self-driving car common Google company working Rijmenam wrote 2020 autonomous vehicle functionality buy reasonable price point Thilo Koslowski analyst Gartner predict prediction predicts car manufacturers are working on self-driving cars Mobileye Dutch company specializes in inexpensive cameras assist self-driving cars true data creator data know where drive how fast to drive even detect new cigarette butt thrown ground knows person might appear behind a corner or car 2 petabytes of data a year Koslowski large amounts data between internal components automated car stored shared surpass surpassing surpassed today's smart cars autonomous car technology infrared sensors inexpensive video cameras laser based laser-based radar detect objects around them talk to each othe detect detecting velocity nearby vehicles react turn brake suddenly computer algorithms predictive models predict where other vehicles protecting drivers from others bad moves skill skills analyse analysis analyze autonomous cars sensors identify mechanical problems real time real-time proactively address them driver notified pending mechanical issue before problem develops develop development car would be able to schedule a maintenance appointment without driver assistance event data recorders 95 percent new cars already track behavior driver performance car future data collected help car companies quickly pinpoint areas upgrade upgrading adjust car appropriately time to market for new cars shortened /

Sunday, 28 July 2013

Free Software Foundation drives fundraising effort for "fully free" Replicant Android fork

http://www.engadget.com/2013/07/27/free-software-foundation-replicant-fundraising/ / Android variant variants various guises some liberating entirely free any kind of licensing issues Replicant example project 2010 new fundraising initiative Free Software Foundation vital boost key difference many other Android spin offs spin-offs doesn't rely on proprietary software play nice vendor hardware most of Android is free hardware interface level more complex FSF driving investment towards Replicant more hardware supported turn opening the OS up to even more users user source support /

Saturday, 27 July 2013

What the media hype is not reporting: 3D printers are bad for human health

Ventilation would be a big help.

http://www.core77.com/blog/digital_fabrication/what_the_media_hype_is_not_reporting_3d_printers_are_bad_for_human_health--but_so_is_cooking_with_an_electric_frying_pan_25275.asp / research paper Illinois Institute of Technology little-examined little examined side 3D printing dangerous to human health Assistant Professor Brent Stephens heads up Built Environment Research Group Department of Civil Architectural and Environmental Engineering team grad students ultrafine particles UFP UFPs given off plastic melted extruded through commercially available desktop 3D printers brand names provided media outlets feverishly picking up story comparing 3D printing cigarette smoking health effects researchers found 3D printing gives off UFPs significant enough significant-enough amounts printers characterized high emitters offending particles particularly relevant health perspective they deposit efficiently pulmonary alveolar regions lung dead head airways deposition head airways lead translocation brain via olfactory nerve high surface areas associated UFPs also lead to high concentrations adsorbed condensed compounds epidemiological studies elevated UFP number concentrations associated adverse health effects cardio-respiratory mortality hospital admissions for stroke asthma symptoms certainly sounds disturbing research paper recent studies reported size resolved size-resolved total UFP emission rates other consumer devices appliances activities laser printers candles cigarettes irons radiators cooking on gas and electric stoves previous study reported total UFP emission rates same size range measured during various cooking activities comparison estimate total UFP emission rate single PLA based PLA-based 3D printer similar reported during cooking electric frying pan 3D printer utilizing higher temperature ABS feedstock emission rate estimate similar reported during grilling food gas electric stove stoves low power approximately order of magnitude lower than gas electric stoves operating high power Regardless, the desktop 3D printers measured classified high emitters study revealed emission rates UFPs approximately order of magnitude higher 3D printers utilizing ABS thermoplastic feedstock relative PLA feedstock higher temperatures required to extrude ABS chemical composition material itself that makes worse PLA given a choice between materials study reveal potential dangers to human health 3D printing surprising dangers cooking with conventional utensils shares of 3D printers research paper publicity commercially available commercially-available 3D printers exhaust ventilation filtration accessories inadequately ventilated unfiltered indoor environments controlled experiments particle emissions desktop 3D printers /

Friday, 26 July 2013

SanDisk introduces wireless flash storage drives


Credit: SanDisk/ The Gadgeteer

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2013/07/25/sandisk-introduces-wireless-flash-storage-drives/

http://techland.time.com/2013/07/26/sandisk-connect-pocketable-wireless-storage/

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2013/07/fetish-sandisk-connect/ / Flash drives USB WiFi key wireless storage devices SanDisk fun ultra-portable ultra portable attractive USB drive SanDisk Connect Wireless Flash Drives 16GB 32GB option larger cube-shaped cube shaped SanDisk Connect Media drives include 32GB 64GB versions, sharing your stored photos documents movies music wirelessly amongst your mobile devices even easily expand this storage space further flash drive microSD slot media drive includes a handy standard SDHC card slot goal save us need locate cables cords USB plug socket transfer files other mobile devices necessary nor is Internet connection access transfer files wirelessly SanDisk Android iOS Web app available App Store Google play Amazon access WiFi password protected password-protected wireless range 150 ft foot feet 50 metres meters battery life flash drive four hours media drive eight hour hours devices offer eight simultaneous device connections flash drive allows three HD media streams media drive offers five popular travel location photography anyone beam files wirelessly SanDisk pricing Flash drive $49.99 16GB $59.99 32GB version larger Connect Media Drive price $79.99 32GB $99.00 64GB version available right preorder Amazon Newegg Micro Center centre /

Thursday, 25 July 2013

Samsung Galaxy S4 Qi Wireless Charging Pad & cover


Credit: AnandTech

http://www.anandtech.com/show/7134/a-look-at-samsungs-galaxy-s-4-qi-wireless-charging-pad-review / wireless charging cell mobile smart smartphone phone phones includes support Samsung’s Galaxy S 4 S4 S3 S III SGS4 review unit Samsung wireless charging accessory kit Qi compatible wireless charging pad battery back wireless charging accessory simple remove stock battery back, snap new one plug wireless charging pad into Samsung charger originally shipped with phone wireless charging pad requires 2 Amp charger Samsung supplies SGS4 charging charger includes 1.2 V Volt signaling across D+ D- pins which signals 2 amp tablet-class tablet class compatible charging Samsung devices charging pad normal BC 1.2 compatible charger won’t work specification stipulates 1.5 amp delivery on its dedicated charging port charging pad SGS4 Qi compliant variety of wireless charging pads implement standard charge device test testing tester tested Energizer dual position Qi charger wireless charging back worked as expected downside with the wireless charging back add noticeably thickness SGS4 calipers measured an increase thickness just over 1.7 mm wireless charging back attached instead stock standard Battery Cover Stock Battery Cover SGS4 Wireless Charging Battery Cover huge difference noticeable added thickness front vertex of the camera thickest part of the SGS4 adds a bit of protection S 4 /

Wednesday, 24 July 2013

For pity's sake: DON'T MOVE to the COUNTRY if you want to live

Although you are more likely to be murdered in the city, the rate of accidental death in the country makes it more dangerous.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/07/24/for_pitys_sake_dont_move_to_the_country_if_you_want_to_live/ / big city dangerous place worry they might get murdered being killed on purpose more likely in town according to new research researcher study rare compared die dying in an accident more likely die unexpectedly countryside United States of America US USA U.S. U.S.A. cars guns firearms fire arms drugs causing majority injury deaths US Dr Sage Myers University of Pennsylvania risk of homicide higher big cities risk unintentional injury death 40 percent higher most rural areas most urban overall rate unintentional injury dwarfs risk homicide rate unintentional injury more than 15 times homicide among the entire population results massive study directed most common causes of injury death motor vehicle crashes leading to 27.61 deaths per 100,000 people in most rural areas and 10.58 per 100,000 in most urban areas risk firearm related firearm-related death difference across rural urban rural-urban spectrum entire population whole age subgroups studied firearm-related deaths found significantly higher rural areas children people 45 years and older people 20 to 44 risk firearm-related death significantly lower rural areas mean streets not so mean risk being run over wrapping your motor around tree telegraph pole mean compared open road country possibility probability likely get shot countryside too accident suicide opposed person most likely to shoot an American is himself more most likely die in a car crash fall accidental poisoning intentionally kill himself awful dangers posed computer equipment fearful engine of death the hot tub Annals of Emergency Medicine /

Tuesday, 23 July 2013

Wine judges fail the taste test (stream or podcast)

Turns out that "professional" wine tasters are no better at differentiating expensive wine from the cheapest plonk than anyone else.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-22/wine-blind-taste-testing/4835208 / study Great Britain England United Kingdom has found wine judges no better than general drinker picking most expensive wine lind taste test Oxford University psychologists finding research study found wine experts can judge faults quality maybe vintage year wine was made not always select top price top-priced bottle Professor Charles Spence Britain's top wine writers judges taste champagnes champagne turned out they had no idea what grape composition was which sounds shocking couldn't pick price their preferences were just flat 400 pounds $600-$700 tasted no better than 15-pound ($30) champagne alcohol /

Fukushima is leaking radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean after all


Credit: Gizmodo

Nuclear industry — broken promises — surprised?

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2013/07/fukushima-is-leaking-radioactive-water-into-the-ocean-after-all/ / operator Japan's stricken Fukushima nuclear power plant contaminated ground water likely been flowing into sea acknowledging leakage first time Tokyo Electric Power Co Tepco came under fire Monday revelation number plant workers thyroid radiation exposure times exceeding threshold levels increased cancer risks ten times number released previously deep apology causing grave worries for many people Masayuki Ono Fukushima plant general manager Tepco repeatedly blamed overlooking early signs covering delaying disclosure problems mishaps head Japan's new Nuclear Regulation Authority created since March 2011 earthquake tsunami wrecked Fukushima contamination sea had been continuing since the accident admission came company general manager Masayuki Ono told news conference plant officials come believe that radioactive water leaked from wrecked reactors likely seeped into the underground water system escaped into sea atomic nuclear officials experts suspected leak Fukushima Dai-ichi earl crisis Tepco previously failed to confirm ground water leakage more than two years offer our deep apology causing grave worries for many people, especially for people in Fukushima soaring radiation Tepco based water sample tests any impact of the leakage appeared to be contained by silt fences erected near the devastated reactors utility is already injecting the chemical sodium silicate into part of the seawall separating the ocean from the plant site to prevent ground water from seeping through March 2011 earthquake tsunami knocked out cooling systems Fukushima plant triggering fuel rod meltdowns causing radiation leakage food contamination mass evacuations Tepco this month acknowledged levels radiation groundwater had soared suggesting highly toxic materials from the plant were getting closer to the Pacific uranium /

Monday, 22 July 2013

Kickstarter does it again: NFC ring! (video)


Credit: John McLear/ Kickstarter/ The Gadgeteer

NFC (Near Field Communication) ring — unlock doors, mobile phones & transfer information. Sign up for as little as £22 (as of this writing, 13:00 UTC Monday 22 July).

Or for just £8, the project team will supply the NFC inlay alone & you can 3D print your own ring.

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2013/07/21/nfc-ring-review/#more-135963 / finger no updates no charging no fuss take your phone out your pocket slide your hand under NFC Ring will unlock third party application app Google play store privacy private two inlays public private keep personal information private as you want NFC enabled door lock share WiFi information link to website contact information suitable passed securely your friends smartphones tablets tablet start apps custom settings parameters making really easy way personalize app experience to match your ring developing development develop year product invented John McLear automatically unlock cell mobile phone make jewellery practical wear a ring practical useful personal prototype prototyping 3D printer using Tinkercad create renders render metal RFID biggest problem developing ring naturally metal absorbs absorb RFID signal antenna induction fails does ability communicate with the ring intermediate layer material /

Sunday, 21 July 2013

Forget battery swapping: Tesla aims to charge electric cars in five minutes

http://www.technologyreview.com/news/516876/forget-battery-swapping-tesla-aims-to-charge-electric-cars-in-five-minutes/ / electric vehicle EV charge recharge LiIon lithium ion Tesla Model S typical home public charging station more practical Tesla Motors reduce reduced reducing charging times network supercharging stations designed exclusively future electric vehicles charge battery cell halfway 30 minutes half charge 20 minutes Tesla’s chief technology officer JB Straubel company eventually cut time fully charge battery just five minutes not much longer than it takes to fill a gas tank petrol gas gasolene battery swap technology Tesla recently unveiled take takes out depleted battery replace replaces fully charged one MIT Technology Review 120 kilowatts electricity deliver well under 10 kilowatts competition supercharging technology Japanese Chademo standard 50 kilowatt 50-kilowatt charging SAE International brand-new fast-charging standard adopted by major automakers General Motors GM 100 kilowatts kilowatt battery packs store three times the energy competition competitor electric-car batteries car Arindam Maitra, a senior project manager at the Electric Power Research Institute cooling system for the battery wall socket on-board chargers AC power from the wall convert DC regulate power delivered deliver battery AC-to-DC conversion challenge heat cool overheat damage damaging communicate electronics monitor state volt voltage temperature adjust charging rates charging system interface electrical grid supercharging station wind turbine solar panels batteries power grid /

Saturday, 20 July 2013

Panasonic announces the Lumix DMC-FZ70


Credit: Panasonic/ The Gadgeteer

Canon has a 50x super-zoom, Panasonic is preparing to one-up them with 60x. Perhaps not surprisingly, they've abandoned the across-the-range f 2.8 aperture of the FZ200, but then, they've reduced the minimum focal length to 20mm (35mm equivalent) & more than doubled the zoom range. Win some, lose some.

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2013/07/19/panasonic-announces-the-lumix-dmc-fz70/ / photograph image digital tighter shot close enough good quality picture wide angle zoom 20mm wide 1200mm telephoto f/2.8-5.9 stabilized optical zoom lens Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ70 ultra wide angle 20mm f/2.8 super-zoom Panasonic’s most versatile bridge camera newly announced 16.1MP megapixel mega pixel Panasonic Lumix FZ70 super-zoom mini-SLR SLR 60x O.I.S. optical image stabilization zoom previous FZ60 zoom range 24x FZ70 improved image stabilization long end of the zoom reducing reduced minimizing camera shake induced by exceptional 1200mm zoom length telephoto range new 16.1MP CMOS sensor promises improved noise levels higher film speed ISOs smoother low-light performance added ability to shoot raw photos For audio video enthusiasts shoot 1080i60 HD video auto focus new special sealed Wind Shield Zoom Microphone reduce extraneous wind noise staggering 70% improved features work in real life appear to us on paper articulated articulating LCD improved electronic viewfinder EVF specs camera vs. Panasonic’s current flagship DMC-FZ200 super-zoom due out September, 2013 expected price approximately $400.00 /

Friday, 19 July 2013

Human nature may not be so warlike after all


Credit: Douglas Fry/ Wired

Though the view is widespread that human beings are a warlike species, 2 anthropologists, Douglas Fry & Patrik Soderberg, have written a paper suggesting that individuals banding together to make war on another group is a relatively recent phenomenon.

This is not to say that human beings are not violent. One-on-one killings occur in almost all species, including ours, & have for a very long time. Examination of the behaviour of other primates, including chimpanzees, shows that war (group-on-group violence) occurs. However, say Fry & Soderberg, group-on-group violence is a relatively recent phenomenon amongst human beings.

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2013/07/to-war-is-human-perhaps-not/ / Longstreet awful history violence between groups of people humans predisposed to war new study of violence modern hunter-gatherer hunter gatherer societies may hold clues prehistoric human life warlike behavior relatively recent phenomenon humans violent researchers say most killing results flared tempers personal feuds rather group conflicts findings contradict notion humans evolved tendency form coalitions kill members neighboring groups wrote anthropologists Douglas Fry Patrik Soderberg July 18 2013 Science paper vast majority assume war is ancient part and parcel human nature perceptions very strong influences current day current-day society hope illuminate era stretching roughly 10,000 years ago metal tools appear archaeological record about 2.5 million years ago stone tool use became widespread period looms anthropological self regard self-regard humanity’s adolescence evolutionary crucible shape our species view reinforced studies conflict chimpanzees scattered archaeological evidence violent deaths prehistoric humans group on group group-on-group violence common constant reflecting influencing human nature research researcher researching researchers view unjustifiably dark scientific version original sin collective human violence aberration basic feature of life 2007 Beyond War: The Human Potential for Peace argued archaeological evidence prehistoric warfare misinterpreted modern hunter-gatherer violence exaggerated vast majority assume war ancient part human nature most foraging societies lethal aggression infrequent archaeological record violence regular group on group group-on-group character relatively recently people settled down ever larger ever-larger more complex hierarchical societies new paper looked at ethnographic histories 21 nomadic forager societies compiling database well documented well-documented incidence lethal aggression could be found reputable accounts spanning last two centuries counted 148 incidents more than half involved a single person killing another 22 percent involved multiple aggressors multiple victims one-third involved conflicts between groups behavior killings were motivated sexual jealousy revenge previous murder insults other interpersonal quarrels collectively between-group between group violence exceptional exception weight evidence suggests humanity humanity’s origins peaceful warlike foraging groups co-operation cooperation homicide homicides generally people get along very well humans have a capacity for warfar central part of human nature history of conflict /

Thursday, 18 July 2013

New Intel CEO reiterates: $300 laptops on the way

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-57594245-92/new-intel-ceo-reiterates-$300-laptops-on-the-way/ / Intel CEO Brian Krzanich Atom processors processor mobile products low-cost laptop company CEO Intel's second-quarter second quarter earnings conference low power battery mobile Atom chips equal partner mainstream PC processors push Atom sub $300 sub-$300 laptops convertibles $150 tablets CEO Brian Krzanich effort Atom major new Atom product launch Krzanich Bay Trail redesigned Atom mainstream Intel Core i series chips chip performance market markets touch enabled touch-enabled clam shell laptops coming $300 range convertible tablet tablet-laptop hybrid sub sub-$400 range $150 Stacy Smith Intel's chief financial officer Intel tablet volume fourth quarter /

Wednesday, 17 July 2013

Computers are now as smart as four-year-olds

http://www.dvice.com/2013-7-16/computers-are-now-smart-four-year-olds / world smartest computers intelligence test measure IQ computer ConceptNet 4 A. I. system pretty darn non-breathing form of intelligence scored four-year-old four year old interesting benchmark lead author Robert Sloan some irregularities in the data child scores varied symptom something wrong particular area learning A.I. A. I artificial intelligence faltered reasoning factually describe situation know why that situation had occurred instance irrelevant finding particular interest another group of scientists across the pond currently testing if robots are evil robots evil constructing horde super-strong potentially mentally-unbalanced mentally unbalanced four-year-olds four year olds bad idea /

Language matters: Framing the copyright monopoly so we can keep our liberties

http://torrentfreak.com/language-matters-framing-the-copyright-monopoly-so-we-can-keep-our-liberties-130714/ / liberty George Orwell most overlooked points most important language defines our reality what problems we perceive communicate solve theft of intellectual property sharing culture knowledge war of words 1984 George Orwell book increasingly define our society mixed dash of Aldous Huxley’s Huxley Brave New World central theme 1984 concept of Newspeak language Newspeak book pervasive throughout storyline concept Newspeak simple taking away expressions free thinking challenging authority language people in power would remove people other people’s ability conceptualize thoughts thus ensure obedience passage in the book translators Oldspeak into Newspeak trouble translating Declaration of Independence into Newspeak no way express says Newspeak Orwell comments appendix language has words rebellion freedom of thought dissent society will eventually throw off any tyrant matters because words define the society definition decides what problems need solved how nerds geeks tend not bother subtleties nuances communication except technically precise express all words have values some negative positive double meaning meanings evoke feelings happiness sadness discomfort aware discuss net liberty culture t paramount discussion side wins definitions wins long term long-term war coincidence deceptive term Intellectual Property relentlessly used copyright industry trying make it define the copyright monopoly make people think of their monopoly in terms of property positive word follow-up-defines follow up defines define violation monopolies stealing violation of property rights is stealing fall for using this term spread framing world correct others use of language use our own language consistently persistently tenaciously relentlessly our language defines world net generation give influence to the copyright industry repeat term adversary world view help them take away your rights terms that define our worldview help the net generation retain civil liberties people will copy your terms subconsciously happy when rude sample words conscious copyright industry use this consistently instead of record industry and/or and/or film industry highlights middlemen incumbents monopolistic parasites aren’t necessary cultural ecosystem having industrialized lobbying monopoly monopolies cashing in sharing knowledge culture this instead file-sharing file sharing term too technical doesn’t appropriately convey the usefulness of the act sharing knowledge and culture fundamentally positive technically correct people who share knowledge and culture never punished rewarded copyright monopoly copyright alone reinforce right right to freedom of speech reality monopoly use language patent monopoly Industrial Protectionism IP term some property self-defeating Industrial Protectionism value word protectionism sharply negative Manufacturing copies try avoiding downloading copies something implies taking leads down wrong line of thought manufacturing copies using their own raw materials copyright monopoly trying restrain legitimate activity when people are manufacturing their own copies of knowledge and culture highlight the process sharing knowledge and culture Digital Restriction Mechanisms DRM comment necessary Digital Restriction Mechanisms Management language defines and shapes problem problems discussion discussed discuss /

PayPal credits $92 quadrillion to man by accident

http://www.ubergizmo.com/2013/07/paypal-credits-92-quadrillion-to-man-by-accident/ / Carlos Slim, Bill Gates Warren Buffet scratched their heads Delaware County resident Chris Reynolds, temporarily richest man on the earth $92 quadrillion PayPal account balance $92,233,720,368,547,800 56-year old 56 year old million bucks debit credit owned owed quadrillions big surprise PayPal customer purchase sell items eBay vintage car parts spend donated $30 Democratic slate Delaware County Council email from PayPal depicted that amount account volunteered pay national debt down purchasing Phillies PayPal account 17 digits $92 quadrillion richer 15 minutes of fame /

Tuesday, 16 July 2013

This watch is made of wood


Credit: SpringBreak Watches/ The Gadgeteer

Maple, actually, though the timekeeping movement is constructed from stainless steel & other conventional watch making materials. Only the case & band are maple.

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2013/07/16/wear-a-wooden-watch-on-your-wrist-say-that-3-times-fast/ / wooden watches WeWOOD Tokyoflash wood wooden watch SpringBreak Watches affordability SpringBreak donation donate donates portion each sale help fight childhood hunger America donation provides up to 10 meals child in need watches are made Maple wood feature 46mm case size adjustable hypo-allergenic band Miyota movement white dial silver accents day of the week month dedicated dials watch doesn’t offer stopwatch capability other advanced features SpringBreak White Party Wood Watch /

Monday, 15 July 2013

Have a problem? Write about it for better health, both mental & physical

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01blrcp / ground breaking ground-breaking experiment American social psychologist James Pennebaker, published showed simply writing about emotions significantly improve health work expressive writing revolutionised revolutionized revolutionise revolutionize how emotions viewed within psychology Claudia Hammond travelled American Society for Personality and Social Psychology annual gathering New Orleans speak James Pennebaker receive Distinguished Scholar Award work expressive writing forward various directions Annette Stanton professor psychology psychiatry UCLA Laura King professor psychology University of Missouri Columbia Kent Harber associate professor psychology Rutgers University Sam Gosling professor psychology University Texas, Austin Adriel Boals University North Texas John Weinman professor psychology applied medicine at King's College James Pennebaker Department of Psychology University of Texas secret trauma /

Sunday, 14 July 2013

How elite security ninjas choose & safeguard their passwords

Security on the Internet: boring, often ignored, but too important to leave like that. This article includes links to other important Internet security related articles.

http://arstechnica.com/security/2013/07/how-elite-security-ninjas-choose-and-safeguard-their-passwords/ / feature hack hacker hacking hacked password crackers ransack long passwords numbers symbols punctuation upper-case lower-case upper lower case letters crack brea users password manager random randomly generate store long complex passcodes unique each site primer required reading Internet password security competing strategies contradictory imperatives encrypted password file cloud browser frequently used log-in credentials manage passwords variety computer operating systems different smartphone platforms checked five security experts learn approach choosing storing crack-resistant crack resistant passwords renowned cryptographer Bruce Schneier security futurologist BT Electronic Frontier Foundation board directors Adriel T. Desautels CEO Netragard firm gets paid hack large companies Jeremiah Grossman founder CTO WhiteHat Security;Jeffrey Goldberg defender against the dark arts AgileBits company develops developer develop developed 1Password password manager Jeremi Gosney password security expert Stricture Consulting experts password manager long complex unique password accounts variation store stores passwords plain text file stored encrypted virtual disk image physically encrypted USB key flash drive memory stick capable secure secured securing physical digita use plug copy and space paste copy-paste device LastPass KeePass dedicated managers home-made solution automatically generate random passwords meet specific site criteria maximum length passcodes do not don't contain special characters generate passwords banging on the keyboard random length letters number symbol cap very strong password storage strategy recall remember generate store most important passwords different products synchronizes passwords across major platforms he uses only exception FreeBSD systems Web browsing copy/pasting copy pasting paste SSH window PasswordSafe application develop LastPass memory recall remembering remember proximity tokens token one time one-time passwords log-in log in computer services offer password management built technology vulnerable at some level trust technology sensitive credentials choice use different passwords for each account passwords long as possible keeping easy for me to remember longest password 63 characters long benefits of a password manager in favor of passcodes that are easier to remember pick picking long memorable sentence blog post password cracking feature crackers word lists write passwords wallet other safe location diceware spaces specific password policy prevents prevent prevention strong strength something random process roll dice electronic equivalent word list external random process random number generator rolling dice misspell words long random randomness randomly generated passwords twenty three 23 characters character small smaller maximum truly randomly length guesses 128 bit 128-bit encryption key stronger several different common basewords various transformations applied sufficiently unique challenge synchronizing passcodes pass code codes across multiple devices run different platforms stated earlier tackles response challenge Windows Macintosh Mac OS X iOS Android operating systems system OS LastPass Linux iOS Android Windows Phone Blackberry advanced sync synchronisation synchronise synchronization synchronize settings in the Google Chrome browser encrypt encrypts saved passwords local database sync passwords Google account configured Chrome encrypt synced data separate sync password instead /

Saturday, 13 July 2013

AllPuter.com’s 3-in-1 Shutter Grip is a handy photography gadget for your iPhone


Credit: Allputer.com/ The Gadgeteer

It's a grip for your iPhone when taking photographs, it's a shutter release & it's an external battery that will recharge your phone. All for $US36.95.

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2013/07/12/allputer-coms-3-in-1-shutter-grip-is-a-handy-photography-gadget-for-your-iphone/ / 3-in-1 Shutter Grip Allputer.com perfect accessory picture snapping iPhone owners designed iOS Apple iPhone 4 4S 5 Shutter Grip 3 functions grip more secure hold capturing video shooting pictures photograph photography 3 buttons placed easy thumb reach toggle between video photo mode shutter release gallery launch handy tripod mount standard threaded socket bottom Shutter Grip 2500mAh external battery charge iPhone inserted grip /

Nerve growth stimulates prostate cancer


Credit: GOPAL MURTI/SPL/ Nature

http://www.nature.com/news/nerve-growth-stimulates-prostate-cancer-1.13373

http://www.nature.com/news/nerve-growth-stimulates-prostate-cancer-1.13373 / dense arrangement nerves linked aggressive disease prostate cancer cells colored coloured scanning electron micrograph inhibiting growth nerve fibres fibers shown slow down spread type cancer mice growth new nerve nerves around prostate cancers spurs tumour tumours tumor tumors grow invade other tissues studies mice shown results published today Sciencre searchers towards novel approaches approach treating cancer mechanism occurs humans cancers affecting other organs analysis samples 43 patients prostate cancer nerve density high patients fared poorly clinic paper John Isaacs cancer researcher Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions Baltimore Maryland study focus on trying unanswered questions previous work cancer cells migrate along nerves process associated poor responses therapy Claire Magnon Paul Frenette Albert Einstein College of Medicine New York colleagues studied tumour development mice injected human prostate cancer cells resulting tumours infiltrated certain types nerve fibres fibers fiber fibre chemical chemically destroying nerves prevented development tumours prostate team found class nerves associated tumour spread blocking certain receptors nerves prevented prevent cancer from invading nearby lymph nodes tumour growth blockade results suggest blocking nerve receptors including two types called β2- β3-adrenergic receptors treat cancer Magnon idea backed epidemiological studies people being treated cancer tend fare better taking beta-blocker drugs treat heart conditions anxiety disorders block β-adrenergic receptors new nerves make cancers more aggressive David Rowley cancer researcher Baylor College Medicine Houston Texas new nerve growth crucial step repairing wounds body perceives cancer associated tissue damage inflammation wound never heals nerves play role wound repair Rowley stands to reason nerves play role tumour’s environment designing drugs target process Isaacs β-receptors involved important processes solid tumours /

People in their 90s are getting smarter

Today's 90 year olds are smarter than their counterparts 10 years ago.

In the light of all the bad news about increasing incidence of Alzheimer's, this is good to see.

At first sight it is tempting to assume that this is just the outcome of a general improvement in health resulting from improvements in nutrition & health care. However, the study showed no difference in physical health between the two groups studied.

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn23864-people-in-their-90s-are-getting-smarter.html#.UeCnsP0aySN / Ninety-somethings ninety somethings oldest people surviving longer appear sharper minds Kaare Christensen head Danish Aging Research Center University of Southern Denmark Odense colleagues research 5000 nonagenarians mini-mental state examination cognitive tests designed age related age-related changes mental exam study Marcel Olde Rikkert Alzheimer's centre Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre Netherlands scientifically rigorous participate getting better all the time outcome underlines ageing malleable Olde Rikkert cognitive function very high age motivating people lifestyles, lifestyle environments age dementia experience cognitive decline improved education played part changes Christensen study disentangle individual effects responsible for the improvements 1915 cohort factors experienced better living working conditions radio TV newspapers earlier lives those born 10 years before no difference in the physical test results two groups authors intellectual environment physical basis improvement /

Friday, 12 July 2013

Judge rules Apple colluded with publishers to fix ebook price

http://www.macworld.com.au/news/judge-rules-apple-colluded-with-publishers-to-fix-ebook-prices-101731/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Apple+found+guilty+App+Stores+5th+birthday+Office+for+iPhone+and+much+much+more&utm_content=Apple+found+guilty+App+Stores+5th+birthday+Office+for+iPhone+and+much+much+more+CID_1104e5df761511e78b284cc81124572d&utm_source=Email%20marketing%20software&utm_term=Judge%20rules%20Apple%20colluded%20to%20fix%20ebook%20prices#.Ud-zDcsaySP / book judge throws at you ebook US District Judge Denise Cote handed down her ruling case between Department of Justice Apple ebook price fixing price-fixing Apple conspired conspire conspiracy five major publishers raise rates trial damages decide how much relief US Government coalition USA US states entitled five major publishers Hachette Macmillan HarperCollins Harper Collins Simon & Schuster Penguin government states trial kicked settlement required submit approval ventures undertaken collaboration other publishers only defendant go to trial company maintained done nothing wrong sign something fight CEO Tim Cook interview D11 conference May 2013 trial testimony Apple executives Eddy publishers CEO David Shanks Amazon personnel Russell Grandinetti retailer retailer’s vice president of Kindle content ruling presaged comments Cote trial began Government will be able to show at trial direct evidence knowingly participated facilitated conspiracy raise prices of ebooks long term long-term ramifications ramification decision benefit Amazon alleged target collusion between Apple publishers report reports Amazon started to raise prices judgement lying down conspire fix ebook pricing false accusations iBookstore 2010 customers more choice innovation competition market break breaking Amazon’s monopolistic grip publishing industry appeal judge’s judge decision /

Thursday, 11 July 2013

Lightscoop Deluxe for DSLR cameras review


Credit: Janet Cloninger/ The Gadgeteer

Lightscoop?

A problem with the built in flash on cameras, even expensive ones, is that it produces very harsh illumination & the dreaded red-eye. Lightscoop is a reflector which fits in front of the built in flash & bounces the light off the ceiling or wall, giving a much more even, softer light & completely eliminating red-eye.

Does it work? Compare the image above with the results you get from the flash on your camera.

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2013/07/10/lightscoop-deluxe-for-dslr-cameras-review/#more-135036 / Cameras 35 mm 35mm film digital equipment lens lenses filters price built-in flashes flash speedlight built in point directly centre center field power photograph photographs photo photos hot spot hotspot hot-spot dark background artistic snapshots snapshot image mugshot mugshots Professor Kobre camera harsh light 35mm SLR DSLR’s bounce light-colored light colored coloured color colour ceiling wall light subject exposure adjustment +1 +2 -1 -2 /

Wednesday, 10 July 2013

How to: Hide stock apps in iOS 7 beta 3 (video)

A lot of people have been waiting to do this with the Newsstand app ever since it first appeared.

http://www.funkyspacemonkey.com/how-to-hide-stock-apps-in-ios-7-beta-3-video / Apple iPhone iPad iPod iOS 7 beta OS iOS operating system app apps application /

Could liquid catalyst replace platinum & make fuel cells financially viable?

Fuel cells have a number of problems as a source of power for cars. One is a requirement for platinum as a catalyst. Replacing platinum with an inexpensive liquid catalyst promises progress on this front.

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1085401_could-liquid-catalyst-to-replace-platinum-make-fuel-cells-viable / cost reduction fuel cells future energy mix a few decades away inefficient energy intensive efficient efficiency inefficiency inefficient green produce hydrogen cost developing fuel cell vehicles expense expensive cells technology expensive platinum fuel cells Consumer Reports fuel cells combine oxygen hydrogen platinum-coated membrane generate electricity power vehicle EV electric vehicle rare increasingly important metal catalytic converters automobiles jewelry expensive dense heavy degrades use perfect long-term automotive use production fuel cells incredibly expensive British firm ACAL Energy liquid catalyst cathode liquid FlowCath generate electricity cell side-benefit side benefit cooling prevents decay U.S. Department of Energy's durability goals degrade degradation degrading recent tests characteristics automakers interested design GM Honda Toyota BMW Daimler Renault-Nissan Ford vehicles Toyota launch its refueling infrastructure viable /

Tuesday, 9 July 2013

ChargeSAFE – a MagSafe style connector for non-Apple laptop


Credit: ChargeSAFE/ The Gadgeteer

Macintosh laptops have a power/ charge cord which attaches magnetically. If the cord is accidentally pulled, the cable detaches easily without causing the laptop to fall off the desk. This reduces the risk of trip injuries, as well as preventing damage to the laptop.

Now, ChargeSAFE provides a mechanical equivalent for non-Apple laptops.

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2013/07/08/chargesafe-a-magsafe-style-connector-for-non-apple-laptops/ / magnet magnetic magnetized magnetised adapter plug connect charge battery laptop notebook note book lap top computer recharge jealous MagSafe magnetic power connectors built into Apple Macbooks Mac Macintosh ChargeSAFE break-away breakaway break away laptop power connector solution Hewlett Packard HP Dell Alienware IBM Thinkpad Lenovo Toshiba ASUS MSI, Gateway Fujitsu Sony laptop two piece solution small adapter plugs into power port releasable jack plugs end power cable non-magnetic mechanical break-away connection prevent damage tripping trip hazards power cord pulled jack safely separate from the plug designed manufactured /

Monday, 8 July 2013

xkcd: Prometheus


Credit: xkcd

http://xkcd.com/1228/ / comic strip humour humor mathematics comic strip comics fire god gods stolen steal /

25 Samsung Galaxy S4 hidden features (video)

http://www.gottabemobile.com/2013/05/24/25-samsung-galaxy-s4-hidden-features/ / Android unlock full potential device smart phone smartphone cell mobile features deep menu menus settings that power experienced users guide get more buy buying accessories apps secret button combination menu toggles toggle favorite root install custom ROM access functions function access other features features all versions device small differences functionality access two finger pull notification toggles quickly change settings one finger pull down notification center swipe side to side quickly edit notification toggles turn on easy mode launch Google Now fast your home work favorite sports teams pick up travel plans remind you automatically customize fast access to common settings Multi Window mode cool feature Multi-View run two apps on screen multitask productivity paired keyboard Bluetooth carrier carriers check alerts touch screen touching notifications motions and gestures air gesture quick glance icon icons Notification bar missed calls new text messages SMs battery Life current time speed up the home button double tap launch S-Voice /

Sunday, 7 July 2013

Why iOS 7's design is bold but flawed


Credit: Apple/ Macworld Australia

http://www.macworld.com.au/blogs/why-ios-7s-design-is-bold-but-flawed-100780/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=All+you+need+to+know+about+Safari+tax+on+Mac+portable+batteries+and+much+much+more&utm_content=All+you+need+to+know+about+Safari+tax+on+Mac+portable+batteries+and+much+much+more+CID_772a365043ce27ab9f3eb60f953c8294&utm_source=Email%20marketing%20software&utm_term=Christa%20Mrgan%20explains#.UdlLZMsayK2 / middle school middle-school girls UI user interface patterns reading Apple’s iOS Human Interface Guidelines week-long summer camp iOS development changes platform iOS 6 iOS 7 beta answer fuller explanation analysis faux 3D to real 2.5D D dimensions dimension emphasising user user’s content ornamentation users user top priority application app software human interface principles rich photorealistic details analogue metaphors intuition intuit how to use access content accomplish their task quickly and easily as possible visual cues helped us understand how to interact brand new brand-new type device cumbersome stale accustomed using these devices subsequent stripping away artifice ornamentation interface patterns merely removed unnecessary distraction 3D 3 dimensions faux-3D skin, iOS depth and motion artificial 3D image techniques deep shadows strong highlights gloss relying on spry animation parallax effects flat planes convey sensation of depth developer Manton Reece compared multiplane camera technology animation studiotwo-and-a-half-D 2.5D AfterEffects backgrounds images different planes z-axis animate virtual camera move through and around them planes look fully three-dimensional parallax depth-of-field effects compelling lifelike than moving image enhance sensation of depth tilting tilt phone hints subtly elements exist relation each other background interface home screen folder app feels effect is delightful static screenshots elements in a frozen state beauty new direction depth motion valid concerns design subjective problems Helvetica Ultralight system font mistake vision typography expert Erik Spiekermann completely unreadable increase by default Jony Ive’s Ive icon grid glyphs look harmoniously balanced Panic designer Neven Mrgan emphasis differentiation between choices Action sheets button borders bolder text UI user interface major overhaul OS operating system reinvention /

Bone marrow stem-cell therapy appears to have eradicated HIV in two patients

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-04/stem-cell-therapy-wipes-out-hiv-in-two-patients/4798396 / American doctors doctor patient two patients HIV-free HIV free bone marrow stem cell transplants transplant treat cancer treated Boston long-term drug therapy control HIV stem-cell developing lymphoma type of blood cancer Timothy Henrich Harvard Medical School doctors been unable find evidence HIV infection men since transplants doctor Dr Henrich made the announcement international AIDS Society conference Kuala Lumpur too early virus has disappeared from their bodies altogether one patient now been off antiretroviral drug treatment 15 weeks seven weeks stop terminate cease Human Immunodeficiency Virus target targets immune cells immune system weakening cause causing Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome AIDS people increased risk other infections and cancers emerged in the early 1980s initially known as the gay plague once regarded as a death sentence antiviral medicines normal life span developing countries millions of people do not have access to these medicines more than 1,000 new infections diagnosed in Australia each year research, which funded the study hopes cure for the virus infect infection infects stem cell stem-cell therapy disease Timothy Ray Brown the Berlin patient first person cured of HIV after receiving a bone marrow transplant for leukaemia in 2007 donor rare genetic mutation known as CCR5 delta 32 virtually resistant to patients test positive Australian scientists said optimistic discovered millions more people to get access to crucial antiretroviral drugs lower daily dose effective far cheaper dose current dosage /

Saturday, 6 July 2013

Flash drives: bigger, faster, cuter

Bigger: Kingston 1-terabyte


Credit: Kingston/ Slashgear

1 terabyte, USB 3.0, but the price tag! :(

http://www.techradar.com/news/portable-devices/other-devices/kingston-debuts-1-terabyte-usb-3-0-flash-drive-with-matching-price-tag-1124153

Faster: Intel "world's fastest flash drive"


Credit: Intel/ PC World

Thunderbolt ... 10Gbps!

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2040903/intel-shows-worlds-fastest-thumb-drive.html

Cuter: Sandisk Cruzer Orbit


Credit: SanDisk/ Gizmodo

http://gizmodo.com/nothing-in-your-pocket-will-damage-this-spinning-flash-485851531 / USB 3 2 Thunderbolt 2.0 thumb key portable terabyte terabytes megabyte megabytes TB GB terabytes terabytes /

Friday, 5 July 2013

Aspirin & cancer

Aspirin is something of a wonder drug. As well as controlling a headache, it has a place in treatment of inflammation, arthritis, stroke & heart disease.

Now, there is evidence to suggest a place in prevention, & possibly treatment, of cancer.

ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) has an interview in transcript & podcast forms:

http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/healthreport/aspirin-and-cancer/4023844#transcript

National Cancer Institute (USA)

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/prevention/aspirin-cancer-prevention/Page1

Cancer Council Australia

http://www.cancer.org.au/news/blog/prevention/does-an-aspirin-a-day-keep-cancer-away.html / invented Germany 1897 aspirin treatment treat range medical ailments simple headache inflammation cardiovascular benefits widely discussed news reports highlighted studies prevent some cancers particularly bowel cancer reducing cancer risk aspirin’s credential important consider evidence link between aspirin cancer found results seven trials 23,000 people randomly allocated low dose aspirin prevent strokes heart attacks monitored cancer outcomes studies showed link between aspirin 34% reduction deaths all cancers 54% reduction gastrointestinal cancer benefits terms of oesophageal lung pancreatic prostate cancers participants taking aspirin least five years see benefits low doses aspirin 75mg work higher doses taken each day low dose reduction cardiovascular deaths side effects of aspirin bleeding bowel brain study studies followed up over 20 years shown after taking aspirin seven and a half years 31% decrease all cancers 59% decrease bowel cancer results questioned cardiovascular disease recent study performed assess cancer risk group people carrying hereditary bowel cancer Lynch Syndrome high risk developing bowel other cancers sample group two 300mg aspirin tablets daily for at least two years study showed 59% decrease incidence bowel cancer patients taken aspirin incidence other cancers reduced underway examine optimal dose reduce cancer risk recommend daily reduce your cancer risk results impressive people at high risk bowel cancer talk to their doctor daily dose low moderate cancer risk effective aspirin how much how realize realise any cancer benefit daily low dose low-dose aspirin sufficient risk major bleeding uncommon life-threatening life threatening recommend anyone using daily aspirin without consulting their doctor evidence growing new information replace major lifestyle cancer prevention messages stop stopping smoking smoke control controlling weight including diet exercise limit limiting alcohol adopt sunscreen sun screen adopting sun protection measures summer best ways of reducing your cancer risk reduce our cancer risk /

First aircraft to taxi on electric power


Credit: Honeywell/ Safran/ Airbus/ Green Car Reports

Development continues on electric propulsion for commercial aircraft. In the meantime, electric drive for taxiing works right now.

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1084874_first-aircraft-to-taxi-on-electric-power-paris-air-show-premiere / low hanging low-hanging fruit aviation industry Electric Green Taxiing System EGTS Paris air show concept Aviation Week simple aircraft taxi runway power jet turbine engines electric motors mounted main landing gear power drive transmission benefits advantages Reduction fuel use taxiing small proportion fraction aircraft's aircraft plane fuel average flight gallon tug push move under its own power Auxiliary Power Unit save saving time money brake wear lower system braking regenerative benefits electric cars vehicle EV foreign object damage engines engine carbon dioxide co2 nitrogen oxide emissions reduced estimated 75 50 percent % carbon tax liabilities European airports system developed research researched Honeywell Safran tested Airbus A320 mid-haul short-haul mid short haul markets market savings save operators $200,000 per year per aircraft fuel costs companies develop development developing similar systems WheelTug electric taxiing handled nosewheel rather main gear systems testing stage 50 operators already interested first flight with electric taxiing /

Thursday, 4 July 2013

New MacBook Air gets better battery life & graphics performance

12 hour battery!

http://www.macworld.com.au/news/wwdc-new-macbook-airs-get-better-batteries-graphics-performance-98389/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=WWDC%20Apple%20reveals%20iOS%207%20OS%20X%20Mavericks%20MacBook%20Airs%20Mac%20Pro%20and%20much%20more&utm_content=WWDC%20Apple%20reveals%20iOS%207%20OS%20X%20Mavericks%20MacBook%20Airs%20Mac%20Pro%20and%20much%20more+CID_2145e96a69d565a90e974098d5482544&utm_source=Email%20marketing%20software&utm_term=New%20faster%20longer-lasting%20MacBook%20Airs#.UdVkHMsaySN / Apple future of the notebook MacBook Air Apple’s WWDC 2013 keynote fourth-generation core processor Haswell ULT replacement Intel Ivy Bridge processor lightweight notebooks significantly longer battery life faster graphics performance, greater energy efficiency 11 inch 11-inch MacBook Air hours battery life 9 hours standby 30 days 13 inch 13in Air 12 hours battery life wakeup time is 1 second Phil Schiller Apple’s marketing guru 10 hours iTunes movie playback designed design power savings more energy efficient CPUs Airs slower clock speed delivering 40 percent faster graphics performance solid state disc disk drive SSDD SSD flash storage faster previous version /

Can human brains be hacked?


Credit: How Stuff Works

Can the human brain, like a computer, be hacked?

http://www.livescience.com/37938-how-human-brain-could-be-hacked.html

Is treating post traumatic stress disorder an application?

http://www.technologyreview.com/featuredstory/515981/repairing-bad-memories/ / mind hack hacker hacking hacked vulnerable susceptible episode Science Channel Through the Wormhole host Morgan Freeman explores potential dangers hacking the mind computers human brains vulnerable vulnerability hackers technology already allow allowing scientists read people's people person person's thoughts plant new ones in the brain explores the potential dangers hacking the mind world of data show our innermost thoughts Super-Intelligent Machine super intelligent Robotic Futures show sophisticated forms of mind reading neuroscientists already translating language brain plain English neuroscientist Jack Gallant University of California Berkeley UCB compiling brain dictionary translate thoughts into pictures words colleagues showed people different images measuring brain activity via functional magnetic resonance imaging fMRI brain activity team reconstruct approximate images people saw scientists also developing dictionary concepts allows them guess what people are thinking images they're seeing mental modification technologies already raising ethical issues how fast technology progress explore startling possibility thoughts decoded could they also be altered turn amateur into expert mission neuroscientist entrepreneur Chris Berka athletes performers experts state extreme mental focus called being in the zone zone state amateur amateurs can achieve particular signature brain activity neurotech company Berka runs developing technology monitor people's brain activity during task archery notify them when they have reached their peak performance state aka zone technology people ability hack into their own brains order improve their performance plant thoughts there computer programmers break secure systems using cracks sense of smell exploit crack brain Ilana Hairston psychologist The Academic College of Tel-Aviv Yaffo Israel smell plant information brains while they sleep train trains snoozing people to associate certain pleasant foul odors particular sound notion sounds like science fiction sci-fi, relies brain pathway allows senses like smell enter brain without conscious awareness mind probe probing mind-probing efforts method methods described aim restore improve human abilities imply future PTSD bad memory trauma traumatize traumatise New York Psychoanalytic Institute cerebral grad students stag, neuroscientist Daniela Schiller mini lecture mini-lecture memory recent research memories memory unchanging physical traces trace brain malleable constructs rebuilt every time they are recalled research suggests doctors psychotherapists knowledge help patients block block fearful emotions experience recalling traumatic event converting chronic sources debilitating anxiety benign trips down memory lane /

iOS 7 might be more innovative than we think


Credit: Boy Genius Report

http://bgr.com/2013/06/26/ios-7-innovation-analysis-3d/ / in depth in-depth look iOS 7 plenty excited about Apple Apple’s upcoming overhauled mobile software real innovation scarce what meaningful innovative functions capable performing iOS 6 recent Forbes Innovation Apple’s secret weapons mobile phone cell Lars Hard founder Swedish artificial intelligence specialist Expertmaker Apple’s shift 3D user interface innovative move that will open the door for richer user experiences first step towards more exciting user experiences connected layering parallax effect beginning lead much more complex features make use of various hardware sensors perform functions not seen on today’s devices pave path iPhone more predictive rather than just responsive native apps built by third-party developers third party critical point iOS 7 design provides developers opportunities innovate design phone also releases developers do more my analysis current beta form about pushing forward imagine imagined reimagined platform lays groundwork innovation /

Wednesday, 3 July 2013

Fuel cells • Finally ready for prime time?


Credit: Toyota/ Green Car Reports

Toyota claim their fuel cell vehicle will match Tesla on range & price in 2014. This still leaves a few questions unanswered:

• Judging from the photograph above, no competition on appearance. To be fair, it is a prototype, the production car may look very different.
• Performance? Tesla's Model S is a tough act to follow.

Time to take another look at the "fuel cell miracles".

If the product matches its hype, the first two (price & range) will have been answered to a degree. Matching the Tesla Model S on price & range is hardly record breaking. Although the S is a superlative vehicle, internal combustion engine vehicles do better on both price & range.

And the rest of the miracles? Price of hydrogen (energy cost as well as monetary cost), lack of fueling infrastructure & continuing improvements in competing technologies remain barriers to widespread adoption of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1085124_toyotas-fuel-cell-car-to-debut-in-tokyo-match-tesla-model-s-on-range-price

GM & Honda are getting cosy too

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1085153_gm-honda-latest-automakers-to-collaborate-on-fuel-cell-tech / buy fuel cell car similar range similar price Tesla Model S electric car EV electric vehicle Toyota customers Bloomberg reports report Japanese automaker fuel cell vehicle November Tokyo Motor Show new car expect expected debut 2014 2015 model year vehicle markets initially appear brand hydrogen fuel cell vehicle company badged Lexus sell $50,000 cost price ballpark Chris Hostetter U.S. group Vice President advanced product development reporters price competitive Tesla Model S just under $70,000 before incentives tank H2 hydrogen range around 300 miles suitable network fuel cell vehicles promises similar range Model S filling times regular gasoline diesel vehicles internal combustion engine ICE stylistically clues fuel cell car existing FCV-R concept new Prius around family resemblance green flagship green transport sector top automakers working fuel cell projects Toyota teamed up with BMW expedite reduce costs future development less convinced Elon Musk fool cells interview stupid theoretical theoretically most efficient best case does not compete Tesla Motors CEO LiIon lithium-ion cells optimum too hybrid technology five million cars hybrids guarantee fuel cells improvements groundbreaking compete /

Tuesday, 2 July 2013

7 ways telemarketers get your cell phone number

http://techland.time.com/2013/07/02/7-ways-telemarketers-get-your-cell-phone-number/ / mobile land line inundated calls telemarketers phone registered FTC National Do Not Call Registry regulations limit ways debt collectors companies selling pester you your thinking grounded in reality marketer market sell selling growing number tele telemarketing companies don’t care lists list legislation harass you unwanted calls texts your mobile phone tech analyst recently estimated 100 billion robocalls lacking human being other end other solicitations U.S. US U.S.A. USA telemarketers your phone number overshare your number anytime you fill out a form contest entry warranty registration signup form online service you include your social networking profile opening yourself up solicitations retailers your number loyalty points to score discounts in-store credit in store phone number email signature can put you at risk form supplying your information chance that policy stating protect protection protected Jonathan Sasse, CMO PrivacyStar app block numbers Android smartphone report abusers government accept Terms of Use without reading or understanding them growing number mobile apps—things like flashlight utilities or games really only interested harvesting your personal information and selling it becomes scraping device your contacts information signed up information you’re providing accept whatever terms you just put in front of me big data has killed privacy brief primer age computers are so smart fast crawl the web look billions data points instantly look everything Like pin tweet mine census data and public records how much you paid for your house foreclosed upon search for yourself on Pipl.com number companies claim have information family income phone number information share online technology credit bureaus give away your information charities philanthropic /

Monday, 1 July 2013

Brisingid sea star


Credit: Jon Moore/ Live Science

18 legs! Count them!

http://www.livescience.com/1-image-day.html / deep sea deep-sea dweller collected by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration ocean exploration program sea star fish Manning Seamount underwater volcanic mountain coast of New England Atlantic Ocean echinoderm 16 long spiny arms use feeding starfish deep sea deep-sea locations Caribbean southwestern Pacific Ocean near New Zealand /