Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Google Pays $125 Million to Writers and Buys Us Some Free Books [Books]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/Knkd0isEaG4/google-pays-125-million-to-writers-and-buys-us-some-free-books

Google has been scanning somewhere around 3,000 books per day for its Google Book Search program. The only problem was that they never got permission from The Authors Guild or the Association of American Publishers. Today the three organizations reached an agreement that involved Google paying $125 million in licensing fees. But the flip side is that libraries will be able to access Google's online books in full for free, and individuals will have the opportunity to purchase selected texts in the future (including out-of-print books). Here are the full details:

Preview — Allows users to freely preview a limited number of pages of in-copyright works to help users decide if the book is right for them to buy. Generally, out-of-print books will be available for preview, and in-print books will not unless the rightsholder decides to activate previews through their participation in this settlement or through the Book Search Partner Program.

Consumer Purchase — Offers individual users the ability to purchase access to view an entire in-copyright book online. The rightsholder may set the price or allow the price to be set by a Google algorithm.

Institutional Subscription — For academic, corporate, and government organizations. Gives members of the institution full access to in-copyright, out-of-print books.

Free Public Library Access — Authorizes free, full-text, online viewing of in-copyright, out-of-print books at designated computers in U.S. public and university libraries at no charge to the library or the reader, with added revenues to the rightsholders through per page printing fees.

Future Services — The agreement allows for other services and uses, such as Print-On-Demand, Consumer Subscription and others, to be agreed in the future.

Unfortunately, it doesn'! t look l ike consumers outside of educational institutions or libraries will see many freebies. There's always a catch!

In terms of what book puchases will cost consumers, "Google will automatically set and adjust prices through an algorithm designed to maximize revenues for the book" though rightsholders will still have a final say. So in other words, we don't know yet, and it will vary. [Google and Authors Guild via Slashdot]

KDDI Fall Winter Cellphone Line Rocks Big Screens, Mobile TV, Fitness [Cellphones]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/zGZRnE7e46s/kddi-fall-winter-cellphone-line-rocks-big-screens-mobile-tv-fitness

Proving again that Japan has the prettiest phones in the world, au by KDDI has released its Fall and Winter lines, showing off eight new models with emphases on super bright and big Organic EL screens, multimedia "au BOX" connectivity, and a funky mobile personal trainer and calorie counter called "Karada Manager." While we will probably never see these gadgets States-side, I can't stop myself from obsessing over them. Perhaps I've got a case of unrequited mobile love.

The Hitachi Wooo W63H and Casio Exilim W63CA both came with 3.1-inch organic electro-luminescent screens and the ability to sync up with au BOX and Lismo Video (which lets you download full movies onto your handset). The Casio Exilim also boasts an 8.1MP camera, making it a pretty good point-and-shoot replacement.

Sharp Aquos' model beats out the Hitachi and Casio on screen size (3.5-inches), even if it's not OEL. While the battery life is probably shorter, those .4-inches could make a big difference if you're a big TV-on-the-cellphone watcher.

Sony Er! iccson's re fashion phone kind of reminds me of the Nokia I owned in High School, only its interchangeable fashion plates are much nicer. Right now, you can buy soon-to-be-dated 007 and Fifa World Cup themed plates.

The Toshiba W65T is a sportsy slider that includes, along with the au BOX connectivity and LISMO movie viewing, a Wireless Music option and GPS.

The last three phones in the line up are, more simplistic fashion phones. I guess not everybody's enamored with a handset that has more features than you can shake a stick at. Though the Kyocera W65K, SE W64S and Panasonic W62P (left to right) eschew LISMO and au BOX, they still come with the Karada Manager.

Even if none of KDDI's lineup makes it outside the Land of the Rising Sun, some of these features will probably trickle to the States a couple years down the line. [au by KDDI via Gizmodo Japan]

Artificial Diamonds Still Forever, Just Now Sparklier and Defect-Free [Diamonds]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/nSSQ5f9AX44/artificial-diamonds-still-forever-just-now-sparklier-and-defect+free

Artificial diamonds are forever,
Sparkling on your little scalpel.
Unlike before they are shiner, and better:

And new Chemical Vapor Deposition method means they
Are also more defect free-ee.

OK...I'll stop and explain properly. A team at the Carnegie Institution have come up with a way of improving the artificial diamonds that are used in numerous applications, from surgical cutting edges to quantum computing. Artificial diamonds have been grown for ages, but can possess in-grown defects that have to be removed by annealing. To avoid "graphitising" and de-sparkling the diamonds, this high-temperature process has to be done at high pressures, which makes it expensive and limits diamond sizes.

The new process however uses chemical vapor deposition to grow the synthetic diamonds at low pressure (which results in "dirty" brown diamonds), and then the gems are annealed using a microwave plasma technique that heats them to around 2000K at pressures below atmospheric...turning them clear or pinky.

The result is rapidly-grown, low-defect, optical quality diamonds. Why should we care? Well for one thing one team member notes the technique may allow "kilocarat diamonds of high optical quality". Which is just cool. And for another: diamonds are used in many more applications than you may realize. [Physorg]

Now Even the PS3 Surfs Faster than Explorer [Playstation 3]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/d4WtBC8M5FI/now-even-the-ps3-surfs-faster-than-explorer

It's a sad day, Microsoft, when Sony goes on record that their PS3 browser is faster than IE7. Firmware 2.5 is not only bringing the PlayStation 3 internet browser Flash 9, but its Javascript update promises to speed up the browser by an impressive 2.8X. Sony admits that they're still slower than Google Chrome, but as for IE7, it's eating their dust. If Sony's claims are true, it's straight up sad that the PS3's browser UI is worse than almost any browser on the market...including some on mobile devices. [IGN via Kotaku]

HDR tree

Some rights reserved Paulo Brandão's photostream

Anyone can see this photo

tree, sunset @ Parque Natural Ria Barosa, Barro, Pontevedra, Galicia. ( Spain, 2008 )

Thanks to everyone, this shot was in explore day13, #174, #223 and final is #239, Dropped :)

Cox Becoming a Virtual Wireless Provider Using Sprint's Network in 2009 [Cellphones]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/433803264/cox-becoming-a-virtual-wireless-provider-using-sprints-network-in-2009

New details have emerged on #3 cable provider Cox Communication's plan to enter into the wireless business. Apparently, subscribers will be able to control their DVRs, watch television, and automatically sync their address book with home PCs via their cellphone. Cox will be riding on the back of Sprint to get things going in the second half of 2009, but they are planning to take control of their own 3G network and even test 4G technologies down the line. Full details are available in the press release after the break.

COX TO LAUNCH NEXT GENERATION BUNDLE WITH WIRELESS IN 2009
Company Sees Opportunity in Deeply-Bundled Customer Relationships,
Integration & Simplicity

ATLANTA – October 27, 2008 – Today, Cox Communications announced its plan to add wireless offerings to its bundle of award-winning entertainment and communications services, such as digital cable, high-speed Internet and telephone in 2009. The company is delivering on its promise to enable residential and business customers to take their Cox services with them wherever they go. Today's news marks another innovative milestone in the company's history. In 1997, Cox was the first company to introduce a voice, video and data bundle to the marketplace. Today, more than 64% of Cox customers buy multiple services from Cox and one-third subscribe to all three products.

"Wireless service will be a key driver to Cox's future growth," said Pat Esser, president of Cox Communications. "As wireless communications enters the new generation, we are uniquely positioned to deliver the entertainment and communications services our customers want, whenever, however and wherever they want them. Our bundled customers will become even 'stickier' as we offer them the ! best cus tomer experience. To deliver the best customer experience, we will manage every aspect of the service, from product development to marketing and sales to back-office operations and customer support and billing."

Cox will utilize the Nationwide Sprint Network to quickly enter the market in 2009. At the same time, Cox is concurrently building its own 3G wireless network for additional market launches in 2009. Cox will also test 4G technology utilizing LTE (long term evolution). Earlier this year, Cox joined CTIA (the international association for the wireless telecommunications industry), the Rural Cellular Association and CDMA Development Group (CDG).

In recent years, Cox successfully acquired wireless spectrum in Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Auctions. "We've already invested more than $500 million to acquire wireless spectrum and to develop the infrastructure and human resources needed to architect our own advanced wireless service," said Esser. "Our commitment is firm, and the wireless services we deliver will further the Cox experience. As consumers are increasingly adopting a mobile lifestyle, we will continue to deliver in ways that are uniquely Cox – offering the first truly integrated bundle that is easy-to-use, reliable and supported by the best customer service available."

"Cox understands the importance of leveraging content across the television, computer and mobile device," said J. Gerry Purdy, Ph.d, vice president & chief analyst, Mobile and Wireless at Frost & Sullivan. "Given its existing business operations, Cox is well positioned to extend its local market assets for wireless and leverage its existing customer relationships in the markets it serves. This strategy is very similar to the company's successful entry into the landline telephone business more than 10 years ago."

Cox research indicates that consumers want a simple and easy-to-use wireless service that will integrate easily with their lifestyle. Management and deliver! y of con verged content is at the core of Cox's wireless strategy. Cox customers will be able to use their mobile phone to access television favorites, program their DVR, access content saved on their home computer and simplify their lives with enhanced voice features.

"We are in the business of making it simpler and easier for people to enjoy communications and entertainment," said Dallas Clement, senior vice president of strategy and product management. "Ten years ago, only Cox, a cable company, had the flexibility to introduce simpler telephone plans to the marketplace. And now, with wireless, we have the flexibility yet again to introduce a simpler and better wireless offer, making it easy for consumers to continue to choose Cox as their trusted provider. It's an exciting future for our customers."

Cox has a long history of innovation and customer service excellence. When Cox launched telephone service in 1997, it became the first company to deliver digital video, high-speed Internet and telephone service via a single network. This innovation and focus on customer service has earned the company many prestigious awards. In the last six years, Cox has received highest rankings in 15 J.D. Power and Associates Customer Satisfaction studies for telephone, video, high-speed Internet and commercial data. Cox is the only cable or telecommunications provider to earn highest satisfaction ratings across all product lines, including commercial data services.

Headphonies: 3-Inch Vinyl Figures Make Unique Portable Speakers [Portable Media]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/433850939/headphonies-3+inch-vinyl-figures-make-unique-portable-speakers

Portable speakers for the iPod are a dime a dozen, but these limited edition "Headphonies" are a little more eye-catching than other generic models. The set includes 5 figures created by several artists (including Frank Kozik), and 2 blank versions that you can decorate yourself. Naturally, you don't expect to get a booming sound with speakers this small, but those who have heard it claim that the sound is "surprisingly good." Each viny toy speaker will sold in 500 to 1000 limited quantities starting on November 30th. Fortunately, Headphonies are fairly inexpensive collector's items at only $30 apiece. [Headphonies via SpankyStokes via Ubergizmo]

Sprint LG Lotus Lightning Review [Lightning Review]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/433872264/sprint-lg-lotus-lightning-review

The Gadget: LG Lotus, an odd little monster of clamshell with a full QWERTY keyboard and a UI by Sprint in collaboration with Frog Design.

Price: $150

Verdict: The form factor is utterly bizarre—a flip phone as wide as Oprah's ass with a full QWERTY keyboard that takes its design cues from a chick's makeup compact thing (whatever the hell they're called). It doesn't bother to make it up by being RAZR-thin, either. Inside is another dumbphone that desperately wants to be smart, but it copies off the bright kids' paper enough to do a reasonable impression.

The UI is remarkably navigable, with real transition animations and a nice, contrast-y design, though it would benefit with a bit more horsepower to keep it 100 percent zippy and silky smooth. When you open it up, you've got a customizable row of icons you thumb left or right through, and after pausing for a second (this is where the bonus horsies would be nice) a pop-up fills the rest of the screen with what it does—for instance, the Google icon gives you Maps, Gmail and YouTube. It has an app manager too, also like a real smartphone. If only Sprint's thoroughly integrated stores were as well designed.

Email is really robust, and better than either Verizon or AT&T's standard email offering—the built-in client gives you access to all the majors (Yahoo, Gmail, Hotmail) and IMAP and POP accounts, plus it makes it easy to switch between them. It's the client that's been shipping on Sprint's feature phones for a bit, but since the Lotus has a QWERTY keyboard, it's actually usable now.

The browser is where it really reveals that it belongs in a remedial class—while it's another incremental improvement on generally crappy d! umbphone browser, it crashed the whole phone more than once on big pages, though it's totally fine if you stick to mobile optimized sites, especially with EV-DO. The other big flaw in this phone is the media player—it's too tightly wrapped up with Sprint's music store and takes too many clicks to get to, though the YouTube app ain't half bad. Bonus points for the power adapter, which lets you plug it in with any micro USB cable, though they're sorta negated by the 2.5mm headphone jack.

In short, if you can live with the form factor, the Lotus is a fairly capable little (big) phone for someone who's not quite ready to graduate to a big boy smartphone, though $150 for a wannabe is a bit steep when you can get one for that much (or less). $99 would make this a higher recommend. Baby steps, baby steps. [Sprint]