Sunday, August 10, 2008

Navy Drops $7.5 Million on an EMP Generator [Military]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/359847840/navy-drops-75-million-on-an-emp-generator

As anyone who has seen the Matrix will tell you, an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) can wreak havoc on electronics. You may also know that an EMP is a byproduct of a nuclear blast—which is why the Navy has handed over $7.5 million to L-3 Services, Inc. to build an EMP generator. The device is not going to be used as a weapon, instead it will be used to test the resistance of military systems to specific EMP levels as a preventative measure in the event that a nuclear weapon is detonated in US airspace.

The fear is that a king-sized EMP generated from a nuclear blast detonated in the sky could send this country back to the stone age. Even if the possibility of such a scenario occurring is remote, the Navy doesn't want to take chances. If all goes well, the generator is expected to be completed sometime in 2010. [Defense Industry Daily via Danger Room]


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Posted by Augustine at 8:52 AM

Windows Vista Pwned By Web Exploit That Can't Be Stopped [Windows Vista]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/359742631/windows-vista-pwned-by-web-exploit-that-cant-be-stopped

Presenters at Black Hat revealed that most, if not all, of Windows Vista's security features can be taken out with a single browser exploit, using Java and .NET to execute malicious code. What really makes this a killer, is that it is based around Vista's fundamental architecture, not a specific security flaw, and can be executed with any browser vulnerability. As researcher Dino Dai Zovi told SearchSecurity, "that's completely game over."

Microsoft programmers are apparently aware of the exploit presentation at Black Hat, and are waiting to see the findings themselves. Presented by Mark Dowd and Alexander Sotirov, of IBM and VMware, respectively, the exploit negates key security features such as Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR), Data Execution Prevention (DEP), which make it difficult to locate and execute code and data. And apparently this exploit is so broad and game changing that it could be applied to other platforms. OS X, beware? [SearchSecurity via Electronista]


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Posted by Augustine at 8:52 AM

ASUS Eee Box available Stateside, yours for $350

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/359531505/

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Asus Eee Box
There are cheaper computers out there, and even smaller computers out there, but the ASUS Eee Box seems to strike a similar chord to that of its laptop counterpart -- solid minimalism, just a dash of design sense, and a lovable price point. J&R has started selling a $350 version the computer in the States, complete with Windows XP, a 1.6GHz Atom processor, WiFi, memory card reader, 1GB of RAM and an 80GB hard drive. We're especially into the prospect of quick-boot Express Gate Linux tomfoolery, with a seven second boot time all that's keeping us from web browsing, Skype and IM -- oh, and buying one. Black and white versions are available now.

[Thanks, Mike]
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Posted by Augustine at 8:43 AM

Aigo P8860 MID surfaces in Windows XP colors

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/359615389/

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We've seen Aigo's flagship MID from just about any angle you could imagine, but now that the P8860 has started to ship, we're starting to see it freed from its Linux trappings and dressed up in a little bit of Windows XP. Video of just such harmony (or atrocity, if that's the way you see it) is after the break.

Continue reading Aigo P8860 MID surfaces in Windows XP colors

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Posted by Augustine at 8:36 AM

D-Link busts out "Green Ethernet" energy-saving firmware for existing routers

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/359747197/

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D-Link's been sipping power of late with its newish DWA-643 and DWA-556 desktop "Green Ethernet" switches, and now it's shipping those power savings upstream to its DIR-655 Xtreme N Gigabit router and DIR-855 dual channel routers with freely downloadable firmware updates. We'd scoff, but that's a power savings of 32 percent and 41 percent, respectively. It might only shave a few cents off those electric bills, but hey, you can always melt that copper down to make arrows for the coming apocalypse.

[Via TrustedReviews]
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Posted by Augustine at 8:35 AM

Another flexible circuit project emerges, carbon nanotubes to blame

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/359804716/

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Yeah, we get it, flexible electronics -- sans application -- are about as exciting as the circuitry under your keyboard. But it's Friday, and this here story has real-live carbon nanotubes, so you know it's a winner. Takao Someya of the University of Tokyo has built for himself a stretchy, flexible conducting material using carbon nanotubes mixed with a polymer. The nanotubes are mixed into a compound called "bucky gel" to prevent clumping, and after some rubber-like flourinated copolymer is mixed in and it's all poured onto a glass plate, holes are punched in the material to better flexibility. Apparently it ends up looking a bit like a nylon stocking, but we won't hold that it against it, since it can be stretched up to 38%, while also managing to be 100 times more conductive than any other elastic material. The possibilities for such technology is pretty much endless, but we'd say "nylon stocking that is also, conveniently, a computer" is the first product category worth felling.

[Via I4U]
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Posted by Augustine at 8:34 AM

Friday, August 08, 2008

The Scorpion, An Eco Car That Doesnât Look Like A Fridge

Source: http://cubeme.com/blog/2008/08/05/the-scorpion-an-eco-car-that-doesnt-look-like-a-fridge/

Environmentally friendly car usually look ugly, but a car being is released that doesn’t look like a cardboard box and is actually stunning. Designed by Austin-based automotive design and manufacturing company Ronn Motor’s, here comes the mighty Scorpion, a hydrogen fuel injected hybrid.

This innovative car utilises the new ‘hydrogen on demand’ technology, which generates water from the inbuilt tank, turns it into hydrogen and then injects it into the car’s system. This system allows fuel mileage to increase by between 20 to 40% and reduces carbon emissions to nearly zero. Coupled with its awesome design, the Scorpion will surely become a reference in the exotic performance car segment.

The Scorpion will be available in 2009 and can be yours for “only” $150,000. Who said you don’t have to be rich to save the planet?

Source: Ronn Motors

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Posted by Augustine at 8:03 AM

Mobile Subscribers Forecast to Top 5 Billion-Mark by 2011

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/OmMalik/~3/357844568/

A few days ago, I pointed out that India was finally getting its 3G act together by coming up with a liberal licensing policy that will boost mobile broadband in that country. A similar scenario is playing out across China, Brazil and Russia, which together with India account for a major chunk of the global mobile footprint.

That is one of the main reasons why Infonetics Research is expecting that by year 2011 there will be one mobile broadband connection for every four wired broadband subscribers. The Campbell, Calif.-research firm made some other bold predictions, among them:

  • Worldwide mobile subscribers will hit 5.2 billion by 2011
  • Cellular mobile broadband subscribers will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 104 percent between 2007 and 2011.

The research firm claims that WiMAX is going to play a role in the spread of mobile broadband as well.I checked with the firm to get more clarifications on the cellular mobile growth.

They said that the number of worldwide cellular mobile broadband subscribers (not including WiMAX or SMS) will more than triple in 2008 from 2007 and to continue ramping quickly through at least 2011. They went on to point out that “with an expected mobile subscriber base passing the 5 billion bar in 2011, which will be migrated to both 3G and 4G networks, there is a lot of potential for mobile broadband subscribers to outnumber wireline broadband subscribers in the long term ( in the 2015-2020 timeframe).”

As high-speed wireless pipes become commonplace, we can expect this new platform to spur innovation just like wired broadband. The availability of high-speed access over DSL and cable resulted in the formation of Skype, YouTube and Facebook. Despite the carrier chokehold on the networks, innovation will soon start to thrive in the wireless broadband world as well.

If this story interests you, check out our upcoming conference:
Mobilize — Mobile Web Today and Tomorrow

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Posted by Augustine at 6:55 AM

Bringing 3D TV to the Home

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/OmMalik/~3/358743014/

Forget HD. In its perpetual quest to provide bigger and better entertainment (and to sell new gear), the consumer electronics industry is pushing 3D televisions. But first it needs to figure how to deliver the 3D tech and what types of standards need to be set so the experience is the same as that of 3D movies. The Entertainment Technology Center at the University of Southern California said it has formed a 3D working group to solve some of these issues, and plans to make an announcement regarding the group in the coming days.

The effort, chaired by a representative from Dolby Labs, will also involve the major movie studios and consumer device makers. A spokeswoman for the ETC said each year the center focuses on a new technology, and this year that focus will be 3D for televisions. “3D is going to become more and more pervasive and we need to know how to carry it all the way from the theater into your home and what products will be best for the consumer in the end,” she said.

We’re eager to learn more, and 3D is certainly on the minds of movie makers. Last month, the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers formed a 3D task force to address the appropriate standards to deliver 3D content to the home via cable, DVDs, the web and other formats. My guess is if we think HD content requires a lot of data, 3D is going to blow our bandwidth caps out of the water.

Hat Tip to EEtimes

photo courtesy of nickstone333 via Flickr

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Posted by Augustine at 6:54 AM

Google Sites to Replace Google Page Creator

Source: http://www.labnol.org/internet/google-sites-replace-google-page-creator/4086/

google Google Pages is still a part of Google Labs but this web page creator software will never get a chance to graduate from labs as it is getting replaced by Google Sites - a new product similar to Google Pages but with a wiki.

Google has stopped accepting new sign-ups for Google Page Creator though existing users can continue using the product like before.

However, all your files, images and web pages stored in Google Pages will get shifted to Google Sites later this year. This may be a concern for some as it will lead to broken links because Google Sites and Google Pages follow a different URL structure.

A big difference between Google Page Creator and Google Sites is that the former lets you upload HTML pages that are created externally - this is something you’ll really miss when the Google Pages to Google Sites transition is complete. Thanks Satish.

Google Sites to Replace Google Page Creator - Digital Inspiration by Amit Agarwal

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Posted by Augustine at 6:53 AM

Show Large Images with Deep Zoom Composer - Video Tour

Source: http://www.labnol.org/software/tutorial-deep-zoom-composer/4094/

deep zoom composer Deep Zoom Composer is a free software from Microsoft that lets you place high resolution photographs and other large images in a web page without resizing them.

Your viewers can then navigate through the images using standard zoom and pan controls similar to what we have in Google Maps. The only thing they would need is Silverlight*.

It take three steps to create a composition (or collage) in Deep Zoom Composer.

Step 1: Import your pictures into Deep Zoom Composer.

 Import Pictures

Step 2: If you have just one picture to showcase, you are ready to go. Else your may arrange and resize the pictures in any manner you like. There’re are helpful on-screen guides to help you with the alignments and resizing.

Arrange Pictures

Step 3: The last step is to export your composition. You can either export them onto your local drive or let Deep Zoom Composer upload it to Microsoft’s PhotoZoom website from where anyone can view your pictures.

 Export Deep Zoom

You may also watch this screencast video on how to quickly create a composition with Deep Zoom Composer.

With Deep Zoom Composer, you can not only put high-res images on the web but the software can also be used for stitching panoramas on the fly. Just select the images that are part of the panorama, right click and select "Create Panoramic Photo."

Deep Zoom Composer | Get Silverlight | Photo Zoom | Team Blog

If you have Silverlight on your machine, check this photo gallery of Vista wallpapers made with Deep Zoom Composer. Click anywhere inside the image and use your mouse to pan or zoom.


*If you are looking for some non-Silverlight options for embedding large photos, check out Google Maps Viewer and Zoomify.

Show Large Images with Deep Zoom Composer - Video Tour - Digital Inspiration by Amit Agarwal

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Posted by Augustine at 6:53 AM

Website Not Loading in Firefox? Try Again, Automatically

Source: http://www.labnol.org/software/website-not-loading-try-again-firefox/4146/

website loadingWhen browsing web pages in Firefox, it often happens that the site you’re trying to access doesn’t load in one go.

May be the web server is down momentarily or there was too much load or maybe your own Internet connection dropped. Whatever be the case, such issues are often temporary and get resolved as soon you press F5 to reload the same web page.

connection timeoutIf you work with too many browser tabs, a better alternative to F5 could be Try Again. This is a Firefox add-in that will continuously try connecting to web pages that didn’t open successfully in the first instance.

TryAgain v 3.2 - Thinks of this as robot pressing F5 every 5 or 10 seconds.

And if the web server fails to respond even after several tries, you can always see a copy through Google Cache or the WayBack Archive.

Related: What To Do When Websites Fail to Open

Website Not Loading in Firefox? Try Again, Automatically - Digital Inspiration by Amit Agarwal

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Posted by Augustine at 6:52 AM

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