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Thursday, March 01, 2012

Photoshop CS6 Will Easily (and Skillfully) Fake a Shallow Depth Of Field [Video]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5889469/photoshop-cs6-will-easily-and-skillfully-fake-a-shallow-depth-of-field

Even though you're only shooting with the crappy camera built into your smartphone, Photoshop CS6's new Blur Gallery will easily make it look like your shots came from an expensive DSLR.

Properly faking a shallow depth of field usually involves creating and strategically masking multiple layers with various levels of blur on each of them. But in Photoshop CS6 you just specify what in your image you want kept in focus, and adjust the shape and size of the area around it that's not blurred. That's it. Just a few clicks takes you from an amateur photog to a fake Ansel Adams. [YouTube via PetaPixel]

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

The Miracle Tree That's Making Dirty Water Drinkable [Science]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5889315/the-miracle-tree-thats-making-dirty-water-drinkable

The Miracle Tree That's Making Dirty Water Drinkable We take clean drinking water for granted, but in the developing world it's a big and expensive problem. Now, scientists are turning to a plant known as the Miracle Tree to create a new way of purifying water.

The Miracle Tree—or Moringa oleifera, if you're into Latin—has always had somewhat of a reputation, being grown in equatorial regions for food, traditional medicine and even biofuel. Some research in the past has shown that its seeds can be used to clean water, too—but one method was too expensive to use on a large scale, and another only left the water drinkable for a short period of time.

In a podcast on the American Chemical Society's website, however, researcher Stephanie B. Velegol explains how she's overcome those problems. First, she extracts the active, positively charged Moringa protein from the seeds; a protein that kills microbes. Then she combines it with negatively charged sand to created functionalized sand.

The result is a material that can be stirred through water as a purifier, even destroying bugs as dangerous as E.Coli. Next stop, the developing world. [American Chemical Society; Image: tonrulkens]

Use This App To Hold Companies Accountable For Dodgy Practices

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/this-app-lets-users-hold-companies-accountable-for-shady-practices-2012-2

For the nearly 100 million mobile device users that rely on apps to guide their shopping experiences, it's hard to imagine making a purchase without them.

Already, we can compare prices, organize shopping lists, budget spending, check business reviews and download coupons on the go.

It was only a matter of time until we had an ethical shopping app, too. Open Label takes crowdsourced reviews to another level, letting consumers scan any barcode to generate user feedback on the manufacturer's environmental, political, safety, health or medical records, according to Springwise.

"Every single time we buy a product, we are funding the actions of the company that made it," said CEO Scott Kennedy. "We finally have the tool to provide real transparency here."

You can follow the brands you support and there's also a way to earn klout as a reviewer, much like Amazon or eBay, so you'll know which reviews to trust. The app is still in beta but you can sign up for a free demo here.

Who knows whether warnings about Apple's dodgy Chinese labor laws or McDonald's pink slime recipe would really steer customers away, but it's another way to encourage conscious spending.

See the demo below for a peek at how it works:

Now take a tour of the first app that lets you check your credit score for FREE >

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A $1.5 Billion Advertising Giant Will Be Created Tomorrow

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/a-15-billion-advertising-giant-will-be-created-tomorrow-2012-2

Bill Wise, CEO of MediaBank

MediaBank and its competitor Donovan Data Systems have intended to merge for a few months.

Now the Department of Justice has given its stamp of approval and the two will become a new company, Mediaocean, tomorrow.

The deal values Mediaocean at $1.5 billion. MediaBank CEO Bill Wise tells us it will manage well north of $100 billion in advertising spending.

MediaBank and DDS are like the plumbing system for the advertising industry. Media buyers use them to manage advertising campaigns across television, print, radio, out-of-home (billboards and such), and digital. It helps them keep track of ad servers, ad networks, invoices and more.

"A caterpillar does all the work but the butterfly gets all the publicity," says Wise. "We want to be the caterpillar. The plumbing of the industry isn't necessarily the fun part, but if you can figure it out it is so needed."

Mediaocean will be a 1,000-person organization. Of course with any merger, some reorganization is necessary. Wise says they haven't discussed that yet. For now he's focused on growth.

"First and foremost we'll be creating a very new digital system," says Wise. "It will be a combination of assets of both companies, as well as new assets. We're consolidating everything into one global operating system. It's going to be an app store for advertising where there's a developer community that sits on top of the platform."

Here's our interview with MediaBank CEO Bill Wise and DDS president of digital JT Batson about the merger when it was announced back in September:

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Use This Proven Process to Sue a Company in Small Claims Court When They've Wronged You [Law]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5889059/use-this-proven-process-to-sue-a-company-in-small-claims-court-when-theyve-wronged-you

Use This Proven Process to Sue a Company in Small Claims Court When They've Wronged You Matt Spaccarelli sued AT&T for throttling his smartphone data speeds and won, but he wants you to know that it wasn't just a fluke. He did his research and prepared for court. Now he's helping others in similar situations do the same.

First you should understand the scope of this case. Matt won $850 in damages, which is a nice chunk of change for the average person but a blip AT&T wouldn't even notice was missing from their bank account. The win was more symbolic, as Matt was fighting for what he believed was right. If you decide to sue a company, that needs to be your motivation—not money. This is about utilizing the legal system to right a wrong. If you believe you have a case worth bringing to court, MacTech detailed what you should know and prepare in advance. Here are the highlights:

Find out where to file your case. National companies are generally subject to jurisdiction anywhere so you can file wherever is convenient, but sometimes you need to find their corporate offices and file there.
Review any contracts and agreements. You need to know what you've agreed to before you proceed.
Compile evidence that you're not getting what you paid for. In the case of an unlimited data plan
Know your damages. If you're going to file suit you have to be able to show how you were financially damaged.
Know the rules of your specific small claims court. Not all small claims courts operate in the same way, so it's important to know their rules before you make your case.

If you're looking to make a similar case to Matt's, visit his web site for some helpful documents and other information.

Matt Spaccarelli | via the New York Times and MacTech

Photo by Vladek (Shutterstock).

HTTPS Everywhere Keeps Your Personal Information Safe on Over 1,400 Sites, Available for Firefox and Chrome [Security]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5889087/https-everywhere-keeps-your-personal-information-safe-on-over-1400-sites-available-for-firefox-and-chrome

HTTPS Everywhere Keeps Your Personal Information Safe on Over 1,400 Sites, Available for Firefox and Chrome Chrome/Firefox: HTTPS Everywhere is a simple extension that, with just a one-click installation, can seriously increase your security on over 1,400 web sites by encrypting your connection.

We've talked before about HTTPS, what it does, and why you should use it. Many sites, like Gmail (and Facebook, with caveats) have options that let you browse with HTTPS always turned on, but the HTTPS Everywhere extension makes this simpler. Instead of turning it on for individual sites, HTTPS Everywhere will automatically routes all your data through a secure connection on any of its 1,400 supported web sites, keeping your information safe and away from prying eyes—in short, it's an extension everyone should have installed.

HTTPS Everywhere has long been a favorite of Firefox users, but today marks the first time Chrome users can get in on the fun, with a new beta version of the extension that quietly sits in your address bar and switches you to HTTPS whenever possible. The Firefox version has also been updated to 2.0, which adds a new feature called the Observatory which, when turned on, detects encryption weaknesses and will notify you when you're browsing a site with a security vulnerability. To read more about the new version of the extension and install it in your browser, hit the link below.

HTTPS Everywhere is a free extension, works wherever Chrome and Firefox do.

New 'HTTPS Everywhere' Version Warns Users About Web Security Holes | Electronic Frontier Foundation

Photo by dgbomb (Shutterstock).

Fix Your Photo's Exposure Problems in Seconds With This Simple Trick [Video]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5889078/fix-your-photos-exposure-problems-in-seconds-with-this-simple-trick

Despite our best efforts to take great photos, we can't always control the light in our images. When you end up taking a picture with an uneven exposure, this little trick can fix the problem in just a few seconds.

You can perform this trick with just about any image editor you like (so long as it supports layers, is able to invert the image, and offers the Overlay blending mode). To see how this works, watch the video above. Alternatively, just follow these steps:

Open up the photo and duplicate the layer containing it.
Invert the duplicated layer. (The shortcut is Control/Command+I in Photoshop and is likely the same in other image editors.)
Set the duplicated layer's blending mode to Overlay.
Optional: Reduce the opacity of the duplicated layer if the effects are too much.
Optional: Merge the two layers and adjust the levels or curves to suit your taste. (If you're in Photoshop, you can just make a new adjustment layer to do this.)

Problem solved! Pretty easy, right?

Most Popular PowerPoint Alternative: Keynote [Hive Five Followup]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5888913/most-popular-powerpoint-alternative-keynote

Most Popular PowerPoint Alternative: Keynote Creating an interesting, informative, and elegant presentation or slideshow for a company meeting or job interview doesn't have to be difficult, and you don't have to lock yourself into Microsoft PowerPoint to make a good one, even though it's the industry standard. Earlier in the week, we asked you which presentation tools you preferred. You responded, and we took a look at the top five PowerPoint alternatives. Now we're back to highlight the winner.

Voting was tight all weekend, but even though it's Mac-only, Apple's Keynote edged out the competition for the top spot with just over 35% of the votes cast. Behind it in second place however was the web-based Prezi, with 26% of the vote, and in third place was OpenOffice.org and LibreOffice Impress with 18%. Hot on Impress' heels in fourth place with close to 15% of the vote was Google Docs, and bringing up the rear in fifth with close to 7% of the overall vote was Beamer.

Qualcomm, Microsoft giving Snapdragon S4 PCs to Windows-on-ARM developers

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/29/qualcomm-windows-8/

Microsoft spent a big chunk of MWC today telling everyone about Windows 8 and if you're the coding type, the news gets even better. If invited, you'll be expecting something nice in the mail to arrive from Redmond very shortly. It's sending out test PCs powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon S4 MSM8960 that includes the beefy LTE, camera and sensor gear we played with in our hands-on. It's intended to give developers a head-start in building and refining Metro-style apps ahead of the operating system's big debut. You can check out the consumer preview of what was shown today here and if you'd like to know more, head on past the break for a sprinkling of PR.

Continue reading Qualcomm, Microsoft giving Snapdragon S4 PCs to Windows-on-ARM developers

Qualcomm, Microsoft giving Snapdragon S4 PCs to Windows-on-ARM developers originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 13:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung Galaxy S Advance hands-on (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/29/samsung-galaxy-s-advance-hands-on-video/

It's getting so you need a map to traverse Samsung's mobile Galaxy, but that's not stopping the outfit from cranking out handsets -- no matter how minuscule the tweaks. Announced back in January, the Galaxy S Advance falls solidly on the middle of the OEM's consumer scale, delivering a speedy 1GHz dual-core experience on a build of Android 2.3.6. Naturally, the device comes outfitted with TouchWiz, but that skin doesn't get in the way of the apparent snappy performance, as we noticed navigation, transitions and browsing all carried on without a hiccup. As you might've guessed, the saturated, 4-inch 800 x 480 display is of the Super AMOLED variety, so you won't have much difficulty viewing the screen from a variety of angles. And while the construction is a typical plastic enclosure with subtly textured back, the combination of its light weight and thin profile conspire to make this one attractive purchase. A mostly global roll out's already underway, though sadly, the US isn't included on that select list. Peep the gallery below for some additional shots and, while you're at it, check out the video after the break.

Gallery: Samsung Galaxy S Advance hands-on

Continue reading Samsung Galaxy S Advance hands-on (video)

Samsung Galaxy S Advance hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 14:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sharp AQUOS SH-06D arrives from Japan, we go hands-on (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/29/sharp-aquos-sh-06d-arrives-from-japan-we-go-hands-on-video/

Sharp's AQUOS SH-06D will most probably never leave the Land of The Rising Sun. That doesn't stop us, however, from lusting after its 4.5-inch. This 720p display also manages 3D, spread across a slinky 10mm frame that houses NTT DoCoMo's recently launched NOTTV streaming broadcast system. The device arrives in pink, white and blue options -- all provided with a matching dock and built-in aerial. Like several eastern phones with the ability to tune into live TV broadcasts, the AQUOS SH-06D has its own extendable antenna built into the side. The device, despite its largely plastic build felt solid in our hand, although the minuscule power and volume buttons proved difficult to manipulate at times. The screen technology is still a closely guarded secret, but it aims to bring both 3D functionality alongside a crisp HD display performance during two-dimensional antics. Viewing angles are great -- a welcome trend we've seen on plenty of handsets at this year's MWC -- but the heavily customized Android 2.3 skin took away some of that sheen. Applications are stowed away into several drop-down menus that took some getting used to -- regardless of any language barrier. Sharp hasn't revealed any plans to join its Japanese competitors in the frenzied global smartphone market, but some import options wouldn't go amiss. See why in our hands-on right after the break! .

Sean Cooper contributed to this report

Gallery: Sharp AQUOS SH-06D hands-on

Continue reading Sharp AQUOS SH-06D arrives from Japan, we go hands-on (video)

Sharp AQUOS SH-06D arrives from Japan, we go hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 15:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Virginia Residents Are Sounding The Alarm On Prepaid Debit Card Fraud

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/virginia-residents-are-sounding-the-alarm-on-prepaid-debit-card-fraud-2012-2

prepaid-debit-cards

As if legit prepaid debit cards weren't rigged with enough booby traps as it is, Richmond, Va. consumers have sounded the alarm over an influx of fraudulent card offers turning up in mailboxes, NBC News 12 reports.

The offers are usually addressed to fictitious names and are fashioned as products from well-known financial products like Turbo Tax, Western Union and even celeb-backed cards like the Rush Card.

But just call the 800 number listed in the letters and you could find yourself a few steps away from identity theft.

When resident Bob Beukema called to have the incessant mailings stopped, he told NBC the agent who answered wanted one thing first: his Social Security Number.

If you've received prepaid debit card offers you think are fraudulent, the Better Business Bureau advises consumers to rip them up and not even bother calling.

"If the first thing they're going to ask when you haven't even given them your name is asking for your Social Security number, they're going for the kill right there," the BBB's Tom Gallagher told NBC. "These folks are professionals. They can go in, find out what you got, where you have that information and they'll be able to strip your account."

Prepaid debit cards can be a handy tool for consumers looking to watch their budget, but they're loaded with fees that can add up to hundreds of dollars over the course of a year.

If you're in the market, try NerdWallet's prepaid debit card comparison tool online to find the right fit.

Contact the FTC if you've received fraudulent offers in the mail or by phone or email: 1-877-438-4338 or www.ftc.gov. Better Business Bureau: 804-648-0016.

Now check out the best rewards cards for road warriors >

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Option XYFI is 'world's smallest' personal hotspot -- we go hands-on!

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/29/option-xyfi-is-worlds-smallest-personal-hotspot-we-go-hand/

Option's XYFI (pronounced ex-WiFi) was announced earlier this week with little fanfare but piqued our interest with its claim to being the world's smallest personal hotspot. We had an opportunity to look and discuss it at a quiet table at MWC today, a nice change from a showy booth. Option has been out of the data connectivity game in any significant way -- for what seems like forever -- in a segment it once led with some 70% of market share. The XYFI is indeed small and at first glance looks like a simple USB modem and not an access point that can support up to 8 people's roaming internet needs via WiFi or 3G connectivity. The USB plug swivels open in switchblade-style -- we found that little button somehow so soothing -- and then pops into your desktop for a quick 4-step setup. As you've likely sussed, the XYFI doesn't have a battery of its own but rather relies on a beautiful 4000mAh xpal adapter the Option device plugs into -- and once connected we're told you can expect about 8 hours of battery life. Option's other accessories for the XYFI include a plug for the car and AC adapter. We'll admit that Option has a steep hill to climb in the mobile hotspot world, but we're sold already. Pricing should be sub $100 for the XYFI alone and we'll be back with details on the accessories and launch date as soon as can. Gallery of this really sharp looking device follows.

Gallery: Option XYFI is 'world's smallest' personal hotspot -- we go hands-on!

Option XYFI is 'world's smallest' personal hotspot -- we go hands-on! originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 10:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fox, Warner, SanDisk and Western Digital's Project Phenix: promotes DRM, misspelling

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/29/project-phenix-drm/

Studios Fox and Warner Bros. have teamed up with SanDisk and Western Digital to create "Project Phenix." Beneath the orthographically offensive name, it's pitched as DRM that'll permit you to organize, move and watch high-definition content on more than one device. It's the brainchild of the Secure Content Storage Association (SCSA), which has ensured compatibility with UltraViolet, so that users will be able to download cloud-based media to compliant WD and SanDisk storage -- to play on any alliance-approved TVs, tablets and display devices. We'll see the technology available to license later in the year, which promises to render content ten times faster than streaming media on "over the top internet" (translation: streaming services). Yes, there's PR after the break, but we'd only suggest taking a look if you've got a good pair of waders.

Continue reading Fox, Warner, SanDisk and Western Digital's Project Phenix: promotes DRM, misspelling

Fox, Warner, SanDisk and Western Digital's Project Phenix: promotes DRM, misspelling originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 11:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hands-on with FXI's Cotton Candy, now available for pre-order (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/29/hands-on-with-fxi-cotton-candy-at-mwc-video/

Hands-on with FXI's Cotton Candy, now available for pre-order (video)

By now, we hope you're mighty familiar with FXI's Cotton Candy -- the much anticipated pocketable computer that just became available for pre-order. We've previously shown photos of the device running both Ice Cream Sandwich and Ubuntu, but now we're able to bring you a video demonstration that may help you better understand what this tiny beast is all about. At the core of the Cotton Candy system is the Exynos 4210 SoC, which capably pushes 1080p video without batting an eye. As such, FXI hopes the miniature computer will gain traction with consumers who want an unobtrusive (and silent) media center or gaming setup in their home. To this end, the company will include the Polkast app for easy access to content and will also bundle games with the system -- though it's not yet able to share specific titles. Those with a sweet tooth may taste the delights of Cotton Candy in March, which will sell for $199.

Continue reading Hands-on with FXI's Cotton Candy, now available for pre-order (video)

Hands-on with FXI's Cotton Candy, now available for pre-order (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 11:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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