Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Friday, January 20, 2012

Useful tool for aspiring presidents to read your prepared speeches while looking right at your laptop webcam - http://ping.fm/5uq2U

drag2share: The $35 Raspberry Pi Can Stream Video From iPad to TV Using AirPlay [Video]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5877804/the-35-raspberry-pi-can-stream-video-from-ipad-to-tv-using-airplay

The Raspberry Pi project is trying to offer you a thumb-drive sized PC for $35, which is amazing. Only, it just got more amazing, because it can use AirPlay to stream video from your iPad to your TV.

In the video, one of the Raspberry Pi developers hooks the mini computer up to an HDMI connected TV, then runs a specially written AirPlay app on the Pi. He then starts playing a video on his iPad, chooses to stream it via Airplay and — bang — the little 'puter has it up and streaming to the TV.

Let's remember that this little computer will cost $35. Thirty five freakin' dollars. That is insane.

The great news is that the Raspberry Pi is already in production, the sad news is that we still don't know when it will be shipping. I was excited when I saw one running Quake III. Now I'm incredibly excited. [Raspberry Pi via Netbook News via Engagdet]

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drag2share: Zeal Optics iON goggles take full HD to the slopes, let you share the extreme thrills

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/20/zeal-optics-ion-goggles-take-full-hd-to-the-slopes-let-you-shar/

Ever find yourself shredding the gnar and wishing you could share the breathtaking rush of scenery with others? Well, now you can, courtesy of Zeal Optics. Not content to sit on its GPS-laden laurels, the company's added a new twist to the 'ol polarized ski googles, embedding the iON with an HD camera for 170-degree wide angle recording. The inbuilt module, centered up top, pulls in video and audio at full 1080p and can be controlled using an array of buttons alongside the mask or via the bundled PC / Mac software. If you're not interested in reliving your downhill trek one swoosh at a time, there's always the 8 megapixel cam for photo-taking. Unfortunately, this high-tech eyewear can't wirelessly transmit your captured media -- at least, not this version -- so you'll have to make due with the included microSD card. Sound like a neat proposition? Good, then be prepared to cough up $399 for this high-def slope accessory. Official presser awaits you after the break.

Continue reading Zeal Optics iON goggles take full HD to the slopes, let you share the extreme thrills

Zeal Optics iON goggles take full HD to the slopes, let you share the extreme thrills originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Jan 2012 04:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms! for use of feeds.

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drag2share: BASF, Philips team up to create transparent OLED car roof

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/20/basf-philips-team-up-to-create-transparent-oled-car-roof/

If you're the sort who wished your car had a transparent roof when the rain falls down but want some shielding when the sun's up (or, you know, vice versa) then BASF have good news for you. It's showing off the transparent OLED technology it developed with Philips that behaves like glass when inactive, turning opaque when activated. We're already familiar with the technology here, because it's the same kit that the chemicals giant showed off on its custom Smart Forvision it produced with Daimler back in September. As before, it's also been able to pair them up with transparent solar cells, for environmentally friendly sky watching: just remember that people will be able to see you pick your nose from all angles now, okay?

Continue reading BASF, Philips team up to create transparent OLED car roof

BASF, Philips team up to create transparent OLED car roof originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PhysOrg | source

BASF, Philips | Email this | Comments

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drag2share: Verizon's Droid RAZR gets violet coat of paint, price tumbles to $200 on contract

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/19/verizons-droid-razr-gets-violet-coat-of-paint-price-tumbles-to/

Motorola has already unveiled the RAZR's bigger, battery-savvy brother, the Maxx, but it's not yet done with the original kevlar-skinned smartphone. Yes, the RAZR will get a color palette refresh for the new year, with Verizon readying a metallic purple edition for just under $200 -- that's a hundred bucks less than what Big Red hopes you'll lay down for the newer Maxx. Like its white and black siblings, it will shed the 16GB SD card that arrived with the first issue RAZR, leaving 16GB of built-in storage. You'll be able to ogle at that puce wafer-thin profile when it arrives on January 23rd. Verizon's self-congratulatory fanfare is after the break.

Continue reading Verizon's Droid RAZR gets violet coat of paint, price tumbles to $200 on contract

Verizon's Droid RAZR gets violet coat of paint, price tumbles to $200 on contract originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SlashPh one | source

Verizon | Email this | Comments

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drag2share: NetLED WiFi-enabled, app-controllable, LED light tubes come to Japan

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/19/netled-wifi-enabled-app-controllable-led-light-tubes-come-to-j/

Because deep down, all you've ever really wanted are smartphone adjustable WiFi-LED light tubes controlled by a remote server out in the ether. Snarkiness aside, that's exactly what Japan's Net LED Technology Corporation has done with a lighting system it lovingly calls NetLED. The setup isn't for frugal types as, before even purchasing lights, you'll need to plunk down 60,000 yen (around $780) for a netLED router that serves as an intermediary between those fixtures and the company's remote server. The addition of that hardware enables the 19,800 yen (around $260) WiFi-equipped 40W LED arrays to be monitored and adjusted remotely via a web browser or an iPhone app. And, if WiFi tubes are too rich for your blood, each WiFi-toting fixture can be paired with up to three cheaper WiFi-less slaves that cost 14,000 yen (around $182). It's complex and pricey stuff, yet the company estimates you'll cut energy consumption by half after you amass 200 units. Those brave enough to find out, can take the plunge February 20th when it all goes on sale -- just let us know how you fare, cool? In the meantime, get up close and personal with a shot of the light emitters themselves after the break.

Continue reading NetLED WiFi-enabled, app-controllable, LED light tubes come to Japan

NetLED WiFi-enabled, app-controllable, LED light tubes come to Japan originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CNET, TechCrunch | source

AVWatch | Email this | Comments

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drag2share: Arman Ahnood teases OLED display with solar cells, idealizes the self-sustaining smartphone

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/20/oled-display-with-integrated-solar-cells/

Plenty of effort is going into improving smartphone battery life, but only a few individuals are delving into radical realms to achieve the goal. Take for example, Arman Ahnood, a researcher at the London Centre for Nanotechnology, whose latest prototype uses solar cells to capture wasted energy from OLEDs. Similar to Wysips (which uses only ambient light), and equipment from UCLA (designed for LCDs), each project faces the unenviable task of making the smartphone a self-sustaining piece of gear.

Ahnood's handiwork relies on an array of solar cells that surround and sit beneath the phone's display. Currently, the system averages 11 percent efficiency in its energy capture, with a peak efficiency of 18 percent. Naturally, there are gains to be made. Of the light generated from OLEDs, Ahnood approximates that only 36 percent is actually projected outward. Critically speaking, this also suggests that similar power savings could be achieved with dimmer, more efficient displays, but we'll let that slide. As it stands, Ahnood's system is able to generate approximately five milliwatts of additional power, given a screen size of 3.7-inches. It's hardly sustainable, but if the creation lets us squeeze in a few more text messages on Friday night, we'll take it.

Arman Ahnood teases OLED display with solar cells, idealizes the self-sustaining smartphone originally appeared on ! Engadget on Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ExtremeTech | source

IEEE Spectrum | Email this | Comments

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drag2share: Wall Street's Hottest Smartphone App Can Sniff Out Corporate Bankruptcies Long Before They Happen

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/wall-streets-hottest-smartphone-app-can-sniff-out-corporate-bankruptcies-before-they-happen-2012-1

edward altman

One of the most widely-used and well-recognized measures of corporate credit risk is the Altman Z-Score, named after legendary NYU Stern Professor Edward Altman.

Specifically, the Altman Z-Score is used to predict the odds of bankruptcy. (More details below.)

According to The Financial Professional's Post, Professor Altman and Business Compass LLC teamed up to develop a smartphone app so that credit analysts can carry the power of the Altman Z-Score in the palm of their hands.

Here's an intro to the Altman Z-Score App for Android video. You can find more videos here.

You're probably wondering how the Altman Z-Score works.

First, it takes key financial measures such as current assets, current liabilities, intangible assets, sales, earnings before interest and tax, market cap, book value, total assets and total liabilities. Then it will tell you the probability of default over a period of 1 to 10 years.

You can read more about Professor Altman's work here.

If you must download this app now, head here.

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Join the conversation about this story »

Thursday, January 19, 2012

drag2share: Samsung aggressively aggregating acronyms as eMCP assembly activated

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/19/samsung-aggressively-aggregating-acronyms-as-emcp-assembly-activ/

Samsung's started foundries rolling for its new embedded multi-chip package memory for budget smartphones -- after the success of the high-end modules that were released in October. eMCP jams together 30-nanometer low-power DDR2 DRAM and 20-nanometer NAND flash memory into a single slice of silicon. In real terms, this means that there's a 4GB e-MMC (embedded MultiMediaCard) flash chip with a 256MB, 512MB or 768MB DDR2 DRAM module bolted on the side. According to the company, it'll consume 25 percent less power with 30 percent better performance, cost less to jam into your telephone and probably make you smell better, too. If you're starting your own phone company, or just curious about embedded systems, head past the break for the PR.

Continue reading Samsung aggressively aggregating acronyms as eMCP assembly activated

Samsung aggressively aggregating acronyms as eMCP assembly activated originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

< h6>Permalink | source

Samsung Tomorrow (flickr) | Email this | Comments

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drag2share: Apple revamps iTunes U and intros dedicated app (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/19/apple-revamps-itunes-u-and-intros-dedicated-app/

A facelift for iBooks wasn't the only change on Apple's agenda today, as the company's SVP Eddy Cue has just announced an overhaul of iTunes U. The service, mostly used as a means of delivering lectures to college students, has seen over 700 million downloads since its launch and is now gearing up to offer full online courses from the likes of Duke University, Yale, MIT, amongst others.

As an example of this new remote method of learning, the company demoed a Chemistry course at its event, showing an overview, syllabus, credits and even the professor's office hours. Tabs are placed along the right side of page with options for Info, Posts, Notes and Materials, allowing teachers to send updates direct to the app and students the ability to jot down important highlights. Wondering about integration? A simple tap on these pushed assignments will transport students direct to iBooks, where their specific coursework lies in wait and, once completed, can be crossed off on the provided task list.

The app can even be used for course registration, eliminating the frenzied rush typically associated with such events. It's all available to download on the App Store right now at no cost in 123 countries. So, if you're on Apple's participating list of schools and you're rocking an iPad, go ahead and get to virtually cracking those books.

Update: We've got our hands-on video up of the new iTunes U application!

Gallery: iTunes U app

Continue reading Apple revamps iTunes U and intros dedicated app (video)

Apple revamps iTunes U and intros dedicated app (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drag2share: Intel's CPU Insurance Is an Overclocker's Wet Dream [Intel]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5877447/intels-cpu-insurance-is-an-overclockers-wet-dream

Intel's CPU Insurance Is an Overclocker's Wet Dream Overclocking processors used to be extremely nerdy, but if anything it's becoming more common these days. For those intent on squeezing performance from their chip, Intel's new CPU insurance means getting it wrong needn't be that expensive.

Overclocking a CPU does bring performance increases, but it also brings extra heat which can damage the chip if you're not careful. That's why Intel is now offering a Performance Tuning Protection Plan for five of its CPUs, which bolts on additional coverage for overclocked processors on top of their standard 3-year warranty.

You can buy the insurance any time within a year from purchase, and the policy lasts three years. So, burn your chip out from overclocking, and it's replaced free of charge. Insurance is available for five unlocked processors, and the cost varies by model as follows:

Core i7 3960X ($35)
Core i7 3930K ($35)
Core i7 2700K ($25)
Core i7 2600K ($25)
Core i5 2500K ($20)

It seems pretty cheap. But then, maybe that means Intel doesn't expect to have to replace many. [Intel via CNET]

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drag2share: Apple's iPad Textbooks: Everything You Need to Know About iBooks 2 (Updating Live) [Apple]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5877500/apples-ipad-textbooks-everything-you-need-to-know-updating-live

Steve Jobs wanted to do to education what he did for music, phones and tablet computers. Apple's new textbooks was his Next Big thing (or one of them). They want to change the way students access education material with their new iBooks 2.

This is what they're doing.

Apple—and most teachers—thinks that schools "need a reset." According to Phil Schiller, who is presenting this now in New York City's Guggenheim museum, they can't fix it, but they can help. Apple believes that current books are not good enough: too big and heavy, not durable or interactive. That's why they are coming out with iBooks 2.

Key features

All the iBook 2 features are going to be available to every book, not just textbooks. This is probably the best news of this announcement. Here are the key features:

Interactive graphics and built-in videos: The new textbooks—and any iBook 2-compatible book I guess—would be able to use all the features that any application can use. Instead of just text and photos, they will include multitouch, video and interactive objects.

Apple's iPad Textbooks: Everything You Need to Know About iBooks 2 (Updating Live) Thumbnail navigation: You would be able to go through books using a visual index, with thumbnails marking the sections of the book.

Custom glossary: They also include a feature similar to the current iBook's dictionary, in which you will access each textbook's custom glossary by highlighting words.

Apple's iPad Textbooks: Everything You Need to Know About iBooks 2 (Updating Live) Quizzes and review questions: Another cool feature that I'm sure students will love are the instant quizzes built-in into the textbooks. The quizzes and review questions are built right into each book.

Study cards: This is another really neat feature. The app will automatically turn your highlights and notes into study cards. This will also be useful for any kinds of research, if it's available for every book through the iBooks 2 application. The current iBook highlighting and note taking is very limited when it's time to review whatever notes you took. Their study cards, which are like virtual paper study cards, will help a lot here.

There are already eight free books on the store, but the ones coming from the big publishing companies will be $15 "or less" each. They are working with Pearson, McGraw-Hill, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, DK publishing—which is starting with four kids books—and the E.O Wilson Biodiversity Foundation. The latter has made available the first chapters of Life on Earth for free, and they will be adding new chapters for "a low price."

How to make them

Apple is also releasing a new application for Mac OS X called iBooks Author. This is an app that anyone can use to create iBooks compatible with the new iBooks 2, not just big companies.

It works like the Apple iWorks applications—which is not a surprise, knowing that iWork's chief Roger Rosner is in charge of this. It basically gets any content that iWork would admit, which includes text, shapes, graphics, video and even entire Keynote presentations, which are fully animated. The app is compatible with Word too, which is a must in a world dominated by Office.

From the demo—he just created a basic textbook in five minutes—it seems like this could be a winner for everyone, not only big publishing companies. The app will be free, and it's available today at the Mac App Store.

Higher education

Apple has an iPad app for higher education too, called iTunes U. It's not just for college books, but for entire online courses from universities (the current iTunes U has had 700 million downloads since it started four years ago).

Updating live...

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drag2share: Apple's iBook 2 Textbooks Arrive Today for $15 [Ibooks 2]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5877512/apples-ibook-2-textbooks-arrive-today-for-15

Apple's iBook 2 Textbooks Arrive Today for $15 Algebra, Biology, Geometry—these have never been particularly exciting words when it comes to textbooks, but that could change today. Apple's attempt at reinventing learning is officially online and ready for download—with each title offered at only 15 bucks.

So far the iTunes selection includes the aforementioned titles, along with E.O. Wilson's Life on Earth (first two chapters free!), Chemistry, Environmental Science, and Physics. That makes for eight textbooks in all, covering a decent range of topics but nothing too drilled down. Interesting, too, that Apple's taking its textbook offensive to high schools first, not colleges. Possibly because high schools encompass a narrower curricula. Also: get 'em while they're young.

One potential hiccup to the textbook plan? These puppies are huge, over a gig on average, with Biology tipping the scales at 2.77GB. They may not weigh down your backpack, but they're going to fill up your iPad pretty damn quickly. Looks like the money you saved by switching from hardcover is going to have to go towards a higher storage iPad.

Apple's clearly starting with the fundamentals here, and publishing partners include the big three: McGraw-Hill, Pearson, and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (although the latter doesn't have any available titles yet). But this library should be fleshed out very fast, very soon. [iTunes]

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drag2share: Adlink launches fanless quad-core Intel Core i7 computers, keeps its cool with mobile connectivity

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/18/adlink-launches-fanless-quad-core-intel-core-i7-computers-keeps/

Adlink's announced a new series of quad-core computers that laugh in the face of overheating. Apparently forgoing the need for fan installation, its Matrix MXE-5300 line-up covers Intel Core i7, i5, and i3 processor setups and are tweaked especially for wireless optimization with 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS. The MXE-5300 is peppered with six USB ports, four serial ports, ethernet, two Mini-PCIe and a single USIM slot. The embedded PCs are geared towards in-vehicle multimedia systems and the ever-so-slightly less interesting likes of factory automation. Well, something has to tell those robots what to do.

Continue reading Adlink launches fanless quad-core Intel Core i7 computers, keeps its cool with mobile connectivity

Adlink launches fanless quad-core Intel Core i7 computers, keeps its cool with mobile connectivity originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | source

Adlink | Email this | Comments

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drag2share: Behringer outs three iPad-housing USB mixers

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/18/behringer-outs-three-ipad-housing-usb-mixers/

When it's not bringing the crazy that is iNuke, Behringer turns out some pretty serious audio gear. The latest offering? Three new mixers that throw an iPad into the EQuation. A dedicated app serves as an interface, while the iPad provides the brains and the power source. They're no dumb terminals though, as you'll also find a dedicated audio interface, mic pre-amps and a new dual-engine KLARK-TEKNIK FX processor, complete with 32 configurable "studio grade" presets (reverb, chorus, flange and so on). The trio comes in three sizes: 16 channels for the iX1642, 24 on the iX2442, and 32 for the big ole iX3242. Behringer's keeping the volume down on pricing and availability right now, but they'll be on display at NAMM this week if you want to have a fiddle. Not going? Then fade-in the press release after the break for more info.

Continue reading Behringer outs three iPad-housing USB mixers

Behringer outs three iPad-housing USB mixers originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Jan 2012 23:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Music Radar | | Email this | Comments

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Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Friday, January 20, 2012

drag2share: The $35 Raspberry Pi Can Stream Video From iPad to TV Using AirPlay [Video]

drag2share: Zeal Optics iON goggles take full HD to the slopes, let you share the extreme thrills

drag2share: BASF, Philips team up to create transparent OLED car roof

drag2share: Verizon's Droid RAZR gets violet coat of paint, price tumbles to $200 on contract

drag2share: NetLED WiFi-enabled, app-controllable, LED light tubes come to Japan

drag2share: Arman Ahnood teases OLED display with solar cells, idealizes the self-sustaining smartphone

drag2share: Wall Street's Hottest Smartphone App Can Sniff Out Corporate Bankruptcies Long Before They Happen

Thursday, January 19, 2012

drag2share: Samsung aggressively aggregating acronyms as eMCP assembly activated

drag2share: Apple revamps iTunes U and intros dedicated app (video)

drag2share: Intel's CPU Insurance Is an Overclocker's Wet Dream [Intel]