Wednesday, August 14, 2013

How Prescription Drugs Get Such Weird Names

Source: http://gizmodo.com/how-prescription-drugs-get-such-weird-names-1132759044

How Prescription Drugs Get Such Weird Names

Prescription pharmaceuticals tend to have some pretty weird and wonderful names: Bremabecestat, Vepoloxamer, Nexbolizumab, Orilotimod. They sound more like characters from sci-fi films than something you'd want to ingest. So where the hell do they come from?

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How Philips Hue Light Bulbs Are Highly Hackable

Source: http://gizmodo.com/how-philips-hue-light-bulbs-are-highly-hackable-1133092324

How Philips Hue Light Bulbs Are Highly Hackable

If you're the proud owner of some smart Philips Hue light bulbs, watch out for blackouts—because the bulbs seem to be susceptible to malicious attacks according to new research.

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Samsung Hennessy is official: a dual-screen flip-phone with a quad-core CPU

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/14/samsung-hennessy-official-dual-screen-flip-phone/

Samsung Hennessy is official: a dual-screen flip-phone with a quad-core CPU

While we'd like to feign surprise at Samsung's official reveal of another dual-screen Android flip phone, yesterday's leak gave us ample warning. Samsung's Chinese website has officially outed the Hennessy (W789), and it boasts a pair of 3.3-inch 320x480 touch displays and runs Android 4.1 on a 1.2GHz quad-core CPU. The outer screen is bordered by a trio of capacitive keys, allowing folks to zip through Google's OS, as per usual. When it comes to other internals, the hardware packs a 1,500mAh battery, microSD slot, 5-megapixel rear camera and dual SIM support for CDMA and GSM radios. Naturally, the hardware also includes GPS and connectivity over Bluetooth and WiFi. Word on a release date, pricing or whether the device will see other territories still hasn't surfaced, but its GSM compatibility may inspire hope that imported units could work stateside. Now that the Hennessy has made its debut, it can't be long before the curtains are pulled back on the leak-prone Galaxy Folder.

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Via: Pocket-lint

Source: Samsung (Translated)

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Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Use Ad blocking software creatively

Source: http://missakins.kinja.com/use-ad-blocking-software-creatively-1063977745

Use Ad blocking software creatively

I use AdBlock for Chrome and it works marvelously for me. I feel like I would not want to be online without it. In addition to blocking ads I've also found several creative uses for it.

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MedSnap ID for iOS: Identify Pills & Potential Interactions In 1 Photo

Source: http://gizmodo.com/medsnap-id-for-ios-identify-pills-potential-interact-1127411537

MedSnap ID for iOS: Identify Pills & Potential Interactions In 1 Photo

For some people, taking up to 12 different medications a day has become the unfortunate norm. And when you add another one into that already complicated heap, it isn't always easy to identify the potentially harmful interactions in your own personal prescription cocktail. MedSnap hopes to simplify that problem by both identifying your pills and their potential interactions all through one, simple snapped photograph.

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Apple reportedly acquires video discovery service Matcha.tv

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/13/apple-reportedly-acquires-video-discovery-service-matcha-tv/

Apple reportedly acquires video discovery service Matchatv

It's time to add another entry on our "Apple television rumors" timeline, as reports tonight indicate the company has acquired the team behind the second screen web / iPad app Matcha.tv. VentureBeat initially posted news of the acquisition at a price of between $1 and $1.5 million, which would appear to explain the aggregator's sudden disappearance back in May. If you weren't familiar with it before now, Matcha.tv was one of a number of efforts seeking to enable content discovery from mobile devices. By the time it closed its doors, it included TV listings of what's on cable / satellite, queues for online streaming from services like Netflix and Hulu, personalized recommendations and social network tie-ins. CEO Guy Piekarz told TechCrunch in May that the company has a "plan to provide something better in the future." We'll wait and see if speculation leans towards an IR blaster tie-in for the iPhone similar to the Galaxy S 4 and HTC One, controls for an integrated living room TV experience or something else entirely.

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Source: VentureBeat, AllThingsD, Matcha.tv

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Samsung unveils first SSDs with 3D V-NAND memory, but only for enterprise

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/13/samsung-unveils-first-ssds-with-3d-v-nand-memory/

Samsung launches first SSD with 3D VNAND memory, but only for enterprise

Well, that was quick. Samsung said it was producing the world's first 3D vertical NAND memory just a week ago, and it has already started building the first SSDs based on that memory. Unfortunately, they're not meant for the enthusiast crowd: the new 480GB and 960GB drives are instead designed for enterprise-class servers, where V-NAND's blend of high capacity and reliability makes the most sense. Don't be too forlorn, however. Samsung promises that the new memory will eventually reach PC-oriented SSDs, which could bring spacious flash storage to a much wider audience.

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Source: Samsung

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Acer Aspire S7 review (2013): the second time's a charm for Acer's flagship Ultrabook

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/13/acer-aspire-s7-392-review/

Acer Aspire S7 review (2013): the second time's a charm for Acer's flagship Ultrabook

It wasn't easy writing a conclusion (much less a headline) for our original Acer Aspire S7-391 review. The company's third Ultrabook was near-perfect, with a stunning full HD display, exceptionally fast performance, an extra-light chassis and one of the most sophisticated designs we'd seen on any Acer machine, ever. Even so, the battery could barely last past the four-hour mark -- a poor showing, even compared to other machines on the market. Plus, the fan noise was some of the loudest we'd heard, so you couldn't enjoy that blazing SSD without a good deal of distraction. We ultimately recommended it, but with a sigh. This wasn't the Ultrabook we thought it would be.

Fortunately for us, we no longer have to hem and haw over whether to recommend an exquisite laptop with worst-in-class battery life: Acer recently released an update to the S7, aptly called the S7-392. Available with a 13-inch screen (the 11-inch version has been discontinued), it arrives with Haswell processors, a larger battery and the promise of seven-hour runtime. Additionally, Acer retooled its cooling setup so that the fans supposedly operate much more quietly. Otherwise, it's the same laptop: same keyboard, same thin and light design, same 1080p screen. So can we crown it a winner now?

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Samsung's 55-inch Curved OLED TV ships today for a sufferable $9,000 (eyes-on)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/13/samsungs-curved-oled-tv-shipping/

Any way you look at it, nine thousand dollars is a heck of a lot to spend on a television. But in the case of Samsung's 55-inch Curved OLED set, it's a fair share less than the $15,000 we heard quoted just last month. Just like LG's equivalent, the Samsung KN55S9C was designed with a curved profile in order to "envelope" viewers -- your viewing experience is improved, in theory, because you're more immersed in the display. The OLED set includes the company's Multi-View feature, which lets two people watch different programming at the same time when using compatible active 3D glasses, and it's compatible with the Evolution Kit Samsung introduced at CES. The 55-inch KN55S9C is on its way to select retailers, and can be yours for the considerable sum of $9,000.

Update: The set will be available tomorrow (August 14th) on Samsung.com. Additionally, Consumer Reports has already managed to review the TV, giving the Samsung KN55S9C high marks, despite its sky-high price.

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Monday, August 12, 2013

Chase goes all in on Isis, announces plans for nationwide rollout

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/12/chase-isis-nationwide/

Chase goes all in on Isis, announces plans for nationwide rollout

We'd hardly call Isis a juggernaut, but the would-be Google Wallet-slayer is certainly building steam. After convincing American Express to back it in a nationwide rollout, Chase has decided to hop on the expansion train as well. The mobile payment launch partner is clearly quite happy with how pilot programs in Austin, Texas and Salt Lake City, Utah went. Soon enough holders of Chase Freedom, Sapphire and Slate cards, along with those special people in possession of a JPMorgan Palladium card will be able to load their accounts into the Isis Mobile Wallet app and tap to pay at retail locations across the nation. Of course, if you're part of the one percent, walking around with your Palladium card, chances are you probably don't wander into to Walgreens to pick up your own Gold Bond Medicated Foot Powder very often anyway.

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NASA Satellites Can Even Make a Devastating Drought Look Incredible

Source: http://gizmodo.com/nasa-satellites-can-even-make-a-devastating-drought-loo-1108974715

NASA Satellites Can Even Make a Devastating Drought Look Incredible

Watching the animation above, it's hard not to get goosebumps when the the clock hits 2012 and the whole United States goes red. That's what it looks like from space when the Earth is parched.

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Sony's rumored QX10 and QX100 'lens cameras' pair with your smartphone or tablet, pictured ahead of release

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/12/sonys-qx10-qx100-lens-cameras/

Sony's rumored QX10 and QX100 'lens cameras' pair with your smartphone or tablet, pictured ahead of release

Now this is innovation, folks. Sony's reportedly gearing up to announce a pair of "lens cameras" that attach to your existing smartphone or tablet. The unique devices are said to feature a sensor, processor, zoom lens, WiFi connectivity and an SD card slot, but no display or other typical controls (beyond a zoom toggle and perhaps a shutter release). You'll use your handset or slate to control the lens, adjust framing and transmit images. According to SonyAlphaRumors, the electronics giant is expected to release two models: the DSC-QX10 (pictured above) and the DSC-QX100. The latter will ship with the same 1-inch sensor used with the RX100 Mark II, while the other lens will include a larger 10x focal range and a 1/2.3-inch 18-megapixel CMOS sensor. There's no word on pricing or availability, but with Sony's IFA press conference right around the corner, we'll likely get the full scoop (and hopefully some hands-on time) come September 4th.

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Source: SonyAlphaRumors

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Sunday, August 11, 2013

See NYC From a New Angle With These Awesomely Nerdy Maps

Source: http://gizmodo.com/see-nyc-from-a-new-angle-with-these-awesomely-nerdy-map-1093545954

See NYC From a New Angle With These Awesomely Nerdy Maps

On July 25, data fans rejoiced when New York City government opened up a gigantic amount geospatial data to the public. The dataset, PLUTO, is “a real-world version of SIm City” based on tax lot data (it sounds less interesting than it is). Now, maps based on PLUTP are hitting the web—and these are some of the coolest.

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NSA releases outline of security programs, says it 'only' touches 1.6 percent of internet traffic

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/09/nsa-releases-outline-of-security-programs-says-it-only-touche/

NSA releases outline of security programs, says it 'only' touches 16 percent of internet traffic

Even as President Obama proposes a review of NSA procedures and oversight, the organization published a seven page document laying out in broad terms what it does, how it does it and why it thinks that's OK. As Ars Technica points out, the memo claims "We do not need to sacrifice civil liberties for the sake of national security; both are integral to who we are as Americans. NSA can and will continue to conduct its operations in a manner that respects both." While many would argue those points in light of the many programs recently uncovered, the NSA has a response there also:

According to figures published by a major tech provider, the Internet carries 1,826 Petabytes of information per day. In its foreign intelligence mission, NSA touches about 1.6% of that. However, of the 1.6% of the data, only 0.025% is actually selected for review. The net effect is that NSA analysts look at 0.00004% of the world's traffic in conducting their mission - that's less than one part in a million. Put another way, if a standard basketball court represented the global communications environment, NSA's total collection would be represented by an area smaller than a dime on that basketball court.

Other sections go on to detail how it believes American citizen's information could be picked up, and what it does to identify and minimize that data. Particularly illuminating is the six point process (listed after the break) by which it applies Executive Order 12333, considered "the foundational authority by which NSA collects, retains, analyzes, and disseminates foreign signals intelligence information" alongside the Foreign Intelligence Service Act of 1978 (FISA). It's highly doubtful that any of these points will change your level of comfort with the policies and programs revealed or feelings about their need to change, but reading the document linked below may give some insight about how and why they were created.

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Via: Ars Technica

Source: NSA (PDF)

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Smart's Fortwo ED leasing for $139/ month, battery rental included

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/10/smart-fourtwo-price-drop/

DNP Smart's Fortwo electric leasing for $139 month,

Assuming you're small enough to fit comfortably, owning the cheap EV of your dreams could soon become a reality. Chevy recently cut the Volt's price and, as of this week, the Smart Fortwo Electric Drive is available for less, too. Specifically, it's $139 per month on a three-year, 30,000 mile lease that includes its "battery assurance plus" program, an $80 per month option for purchasers. However, to get that special rate, you'll have to put $1,999 down and sign paperwork either in California, Oregon or along the East coast. If you'd rather buy outright instead of leasing, Daimler's compact division has incentives for you, too. In addition to any tax breaks you get from the state and or federal government, the company is knocking $5,010 off the ED's already low $25,000 sticker price. It's finally looking like your payments could match the electric two-seater's diminutive stature.

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Source: Autoblog (1), (2)

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