Friday, December 19, 2008

Light Balls Stack, Recharge in Compromising Positions [Designmodo]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/iKzoaiL3woM/light-balls-stack-recharge-in-compromising-positions

Maarten DeCeulaer's Nomad Light Molecules lighting project consists of individual light "atoms" that can stand alone, but are recharged by plugging back into a "molecule."

When fully recharged, the light spheres can light up for about 4 hours individually. In order to recharge each sphere, it gets plugged back into the light molecule. The shape of the molecule is completely amorphous and can be flipped, twisted or turned around in any shape the owner desires.

Unfortunately, the project is still under development. The idea of changing the shape is unique—stick it in some interesting positions and it could provide great conversation fodder whenever you have guests over. "So, uh, is that what I think it's supposed to be?"


   


[Maarten De Ceulaer via Technabob]



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LaCie Says 6TB Ethernet Disk Actually Works With Apple's Time Machine [LaCie]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/f3sheRiyjhA/lacie-says-6tb-ethernet-disk-actually-works-with-apples-time-machine

LaCie's newest ethernet disk isn't only cool because it stores up to a whopping six terabytes in its stack. According to the company, it's also a NAS that's compatible with Apple's Time Machine.

We're note sure if it's officially sanctioned by Apple, but its press material suggests it has the same capabilities for Time Machine backups as a Time Capsule or an Airport Extreme with a USB disk attached.

The NAS features 6TB in a 1U 19-inch rack-mounted case and can work with all OSes out on the market. It can support a total of 100 users with customizable access rights and up to 25 users accessing it at the same time.

It's not exactly cheap. The 6TB edition costs $1,500. If that's a little too much space for you, there's a 4TB option for $1,100 or 2TB for $749. As for the Time Machine capabilities, here's what LaCie said:

LaCie Ethernet Disk: Up to 6TB in a Rack-Mounted Backup Appliance

* 1U 19" rack-mounted backup solution for small and medium business

* Most comprehensive data backup and protection software suite in its class

* Can be used together with Apple® Time Machine™

* Powered by trusted Windows® XP Embedded

* Instantly store and share files with Mac®, PC, Linux or Unix users

LaCie today introduced a new version of its award-winning Ethernet Disk, a network-attached storage (NAS) device featuring a capacity increase of up to 6TB in a 1U 19" rack form factor. Designed by Neil Poulton, it is the most compact all-in-one rack-mounted backup appliance operating in heterogeneous ecosystems.

Designed for small and medium business needs, the Ethernet Disk is powered by the field-prove! n Window s XP embedded operating system that provides all the necessary features for data backup, storage and file-sharing through its Gigabit Ethernet connection. Thanks to Active Directory compatibility, the LaCie Ethernet Disk supports a total of 100 users with customizable access rights to different shares, with up to 25 concurrent users.

"Microsoft is pleased to work with LaCie to provide the core embedded foundation for its new Ethernet Disk," said John Doyle, Senior Product Manager for the Windows Embedded Business. "We are excited to provide customers with an innovative platform that allows them to develop a, smart, connected device that offers increased security and storage capabilities."

Developed to provide data protection for Windows, MAC, Linux and Unix-based workstations, the LaCie Ethernet Disk ships with three licenses of both Genie Backup Manager ProTM for Windows and Intego Backup Manager ProTM for Mac, which can perform scheduled file backups for workstations. The LaCie Ethernet Disk's ability to work together with Apple Time Machine allows Mac users to take advantage of the continuous data protection the software provides.

The included backup software protects against major disasters and natural catastrophes by offering a computer recovery function for selected workstations. Optional extra licenses are available through the LaCie online store.

The LaCie Ethernet Disk can integrate into any global disaster recovery plan, as its built-in engine can back up its volumes either onto a USB-connected DAS (direct-attached storage) to be taken off-site, or remotely onto another NAS.

"Backing up data – even mission-critical data – always boils down to making and storing copies of data, located on your primary storage device, onto a secondary device," said Erwan Girard, LaCie Product Manager. "For this reason, the perfect backup companion for your information system should be kept simple and cost-effective. The LaCie Ethernet Disk offers computer backup and recovery! , and ba cks itself up onto a NAS or DAS, all at the best price-per-terabyte ratio in the market. It is therefore an excellent complement to the complex and expensive technology used in front end storage servers."

Availability
The LaCie Ethernet Disk is available immediately in capacities of 2TB, 4TB and 6TB through the LaCie Online Store or LaCie resellers at the suggested retail price starting at $749.99 (excluding VAT), which includes a three-year limited warranty. Silicon feet and bracket covers are included for standalone use, as well as power and Ethernet cables. The optional Rack Rail Kit is available for $59.99 while the Advance Replacement Option is available for European customers for €124. For more information visit www.lacie.com

About Neil Poulton
Neil Poulton was born in Thurso, Scotland. A graduate in Industrial Design from Edinburgh University and Milan's Domus Academy, Poulton first came into public view in 1989 as the creator of "the ageing pens," pens made from a "living," wearing plastic that changes color and form with use. Today, Neil Poulton designs and develops best-selling, award-winning products for a variety of international clients including LaCie & Artemide. Since 1991, Poulton has lived and worked in Paris, France. www.neilpoulton.com

About LaCie
Located in the USA, Canada, Japan, Australia, Europe, Singapore and Hong Kong, LaCie is the leading manufacturer of computer peripherals for Windows, Apple and Linux users. LaCie creates external storage solutions and color monitors that help professionals and everyday people easily manage their digital lives. LaCie has differentiated its products through original designs and leading-edge technology. Established in France in 1989, LaCie is listed on Euronext under FR0000054314 (LAC). For more information, visit www.lacie.com



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OLEDs to be Used to Treat Skin Cancer, Acne [Light Therapy]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/vdBEN3oMido/oleds-to-be-used-to-treat-skin-cancer-acne

OLEDs boast great resolutions and energy efficiency, but they could also be used to treat skin cancer and acne. A U.K. team is developing wearable OLED stickers that'll cure your skin ailments on the go.

Many skin cancers are currently treated by a combo of light and drugs (called photodynamic therapy), but current light sources are large and the therapy requires lengthy hospital visits. Lumicure Ltd. Is looking to use OLEDs in the treatment instead.

The OLEDs would be attached to sticking plaster that can be placed on the diseased skin. Not only will it be more comfortable, the patient could possibly do the therapy from home. Lumicure says it'll have the device out by Q4 of 2009, and that they're working on something similar to treat acne as well. [Printed Electronics via OLED info]



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Supermaterial Graphene Could Become Fireproof Megastorage Solution [Graphene]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/HmZg9orv_Hw/supermaterial-graphene-could-become-fireproof-megastorage-solution

Already known as the world's strongest material and a great solution for shrinking transistors, now researchers say it can also be used to make super-tough, super-small storage.

Researchers at Rice University demonstrated a graphite data storage medium that was only 10 atoms thick. They said it could provide many times the capacity of current flash memory and withstand temperatures (up to 200 C) that would make SSD memory disintegrate.

On the minus side, the researchers have only gotten an access time of 100 nanoseconds, about 10 times slower than SRAM. But they're confident that as they experiment more with the material, they'll be able to get that number down. [ComputerWorld]



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Samsung to Release a Full-Touch Android Handset by the Middle of Next Year [Android]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/JKobiMSigjo/samsung-to-release-a-full+touch-android-handset-by-the-middle-of-next-year

According to the Korean news outlet ETNews, Samsung is working on a touchscreen Android phone, which will be sold in the US through Sprint Nextel and T-Mobile.

The phone is said to be similar to similar to the Instinct and Omnia non-QWERTY handsets, which I'm pretty sure is ETNews' overspecific way of saying that it'll probably look like every other Samsung touchscreen phone because, well, it's a Samsung touchscreen phone. Details are slim, but this quote provides all the meat we need for now:

"We are accelerating the development process for Google phone in order to meet the specific need of local carriers.

We will be able to release Google phone in the second quarter of the next year in the US market."

It's not longer news when a company is 'considering' Android—they all are. But release targets for a new phone, even vague ones, are like sweet gadget manna. [ETNews via ModMyGphone—Thanks, Neerhaj!]



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Dell Adamo ultrathin laptop rumors surface

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/18/dell-adamo-ultrathin-laptop-rumors-surface/


According to the New York Times, Dell may have a little surprise on the way. Based on some wild trademark searches, a tiny bit of digging on the "internet" using a "search engine," and the lack of eye contact from the company's VP in charge of consumer sales (Michael Tatelman), there's a MacBook Air rival beneath all this subterfuge. It seems that the brand name "Adamo" is registered to the computer-maker with a site to match, and somehow the fashion blog (!?) Uptownlife.net came up with this gem: "Rumor has it that Dell is coming out with a computer called Adamo that will rival the MacBook Air." How they came up with that is anyone's guess, but apparently the look on Tatelman's face when asked about it was enough to convince at least one journalist that this is a done deal. Us? Well we're going to wait and see, but we're happy to work with Commander Adamo as soon as we see him.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

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Dell Adamo ultrathin laptop rumors surface originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Alioscopy's 40-inch 3DHD autostereoscopic LCD headed for CES: no glasses required

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/18/alioscopys-40-inch-3dhd-autostereoscopic-lcd-headed-for-ces-no/


Mention 3D, and you'll get an enthusiastic shrug from most. Mention three little words in conjunction, and everything changes. In case you haven't guessed that magic trio, it's "no glasses required." We've seen the technology bandied about, but we're sensing that companies are about to get serious with it at CES 2009. Case in point: Alioscopy and TCL have tag-teamed in order to showcase the former's 3DHD autostereoscopic 3D LCD display (40-inch) and content creation technology in just under a month. There are no real details on the underlying juju, but you can bet we're stoked to see what it delivers in Vegas. Maybe those plans for a 3D Olympics in 2012 aren't all that loony after all?

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Alioscopy's 40-inch 3DHD autostereoscopic LCD headed for CES: no glasses required originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Dec 2008 17:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dell Studio XPS 13 leather-wrapped laptop revealed, Adamo info leaked!

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/18/dell-studio-xps-13-leather-wrapped-laptop-revealed-adamo-info-l/


Thanks to a totally amazing Engadget source, we've gotten our hands on photos of the absolutely sick Dell Studio XPS 13, and some new info about the company's forthcoming Adamo. First off, the photos in the gallery are of that Studio XPS we caught wind of way back in August. The pics we saw back then don't really do the laptop justice, as you can tell by these snaps. Meanwhile, that rumored Adamo is very much real, and very much like what we've been hearing. Apparently the device -- which the company plans to market as the "world's thinnest laptop" -- was slated to be released this month, but has been pushed back till at least February. The Adamo will sport a black and silver color scheme similar to the system you see here, but is "different," and we're told that it's most definitely Dell's play to nab some of that MacBook Air marketshare. We're working on some photos of that, but until those come through, enjoy the gallery below!

Dell Studio XPS 13 leather-wrapped laptop revealed, Adamo info leaked! originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Dec 2008 23:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung's Android phone hitting Sprint and T-Mobile by June

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/19/samsungs-android-phone-hitting-sprint-and-t-mobile-by-june/


Without a doubt, 2009 is destined to be the year of The Android. Samsung just announced its ticket to the party with a Q2 launch of its Android phones on both Sprint Nextel and T-Mobile in the US. Apparently, the touch-screen device will be an adaptation of the Omnia (Korea's 800 x 480 pixel version please) and Instinct. In other words, a rectangle with a full-screen display and minimal set of buttons just like every other touchscreen device out there. In case you missed it, this game is no longer about the hardware.

[Via ModMyGphone, thanks Neerhaj]

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Samsung's Android phone hitting Sprint and T-Mobile by June originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Dec 2008 05:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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IZ3D's 22-inch 3D LCD monitor finally hits the B&M scene

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/19/iz3ds-22-inch-3d-lcd-monitor-finally-hits-the-bandm-scene/


It's mildly amusing that up until now, your only option when buying IZ3D's 22-inch 3D LCD monitor was to buy it on a decidedly 2D website. At long last, the recently cheapened (now $399) display has hit the brick and mortar realm, with both Fry's Electronics and Micro Center agreeing to carry it. The move is just one more in the inevitable push to get 3D in the home, and we have all ideas that it'll be joined by a number of others after CES '09 is all wrapped up. Feel free to drop by one of the aforesaid retailers to check this thing out in person, but we'll warn you, those frightened by 3D glasses need not apply. Full release (including specs) is after the break.

Continue reading IZ3D's 22-inch 3D LCD monitor finally hits the B&M scene

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IZ3D's 22-inch 3D LCD monitor finally hits the B&M scene originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Dec 2008 07:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Thursday, December 18, 2008

Web Based Screencasting Apps - Create Screencast Videos sans Software

Source: http://www.labnol.org/software/web-screencasting-apps-create-screencasts-online/6038/

web screencastsAfter office suites and image editors, the next wave of applications that are moving to the "cloud" are screencasting tools or programs that create video recordings of your desktop screen sans software.

Web based screencasting apps aren’t always more powerful than their free desktop cousins (like Jing, Wink or CamStudio) but offer some distinct advantages:

1. You don’t have install any software for recording the screen - just an active internet connection would do.

2. Web based screen recorders are generally written in Java and hence support all major platforms and browsers.

3. The recorded video (aka screencast) gets uploaded to the web automatically so you don’t have to worry about web hosting or what format to choose when saving the video.

Currently, there are three online screencasting apps available on the web - Screencast-o-Matic, ScreenToaster and Skoffer. Let’s see how they compare with each other:

Screencast-o-Matic - YouTube for Screencasts

screencastomatic This is the original screencasting app built for the browser. Just pick a standard video size from the available presets (640×480, 800×600, etc.) and hit record. You can also add overlay text notes to recorded screencasts similar to annotations in YouTube.

The downside is that Screencast-o-Matic doesn’t allow you to record video of custom dimensions and second, it doesn’t render video in Flash so viewers will require Java to watch the recordings. On the plus side, Screencast-o-Matic is the only application that lets you export screencasts out the system as QuickTime movies that you may upload to other video sites.

Screen Toaster - Almost Perfect

screentoasterThis is an almost perfect screencasting tool that lets you record either the full desktop screen or a custom area. You hit the shortcut key (Alt+S) to start recording, drag a rectangle on the screen to select an area and then hit the same shortcut key to stop recording.

You can later add subtitles to the video before publishing on the web. Unlike Screencast-o-Matic that records both audio and video simultaneously, you can record voice narration in Screen Toaster only after the screen recording is complete. It uses Flash video so you can embed screencasts easily just like YouTube clips. The downside - ScreenToaster requires an invite and there are no export options. (See: Screen Toaster Review)

Skoffer - Build Your Own Screencasting Service

skoffer Skoffer is more than just an online screencasting app - it lets you add screen recording capabilities to any website / blog via an API. They even provide a plugin for WordPress so you may directly record and embed screencasts while writing a blog post.

The website require no registration and the quality (resolution) of recorded video is pretty good. Unlike the previous two services, Skoffer doesn’t offer a YouTube like portal for sharing screencasts nor there’s an option to export videos.

Web Based Screencasting Apps - Create Screencast Videos sans Software - Digital Inspiration

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Crowdsourcing 1 Image to 10000 Artists for 100 Dollars

Source: http://www.labnol.org/internet/10000-artists-100-dollars-1-image/6103/

american dollarTen Thousand Cents is a collaborative digital artwork of a $100 currency note created by 10,000 anonymous artists working in isolation from one another.

They were all asked to paint a tiny part of the note without knowledge of the overall task and were paid a cent each for their work via the Amazon’s Mechanical Turk service. Thus the total labor cost to create the $100 bill also turned out to be $100.

You can click anywhere on the $100 bill, defined by the red rectangle, to see how the "artist" went about painting that particular part.

The work is presented as a video piece with all 10,000 parts being drawn simultaneously. Interestingly, all proceeds from the sale of these $100 reprints will be donated to the One Laptop per Child (OLPC) project (formerly known as the $100 laptop).

Crowdsourcing 1 Image to 10000 Artists for 100 Dollars - Digital Inspiration

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YouTube Enables Deep Linking Within Videos

Source: http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/10/25/youtube-enables-deep-linking-within-videos/

by Jason Kincaid on October 25, 2008

It's not a big new feature but it's certainly one that will come in handy: YouTube will now allow you to send users to a specific point in a video by appending a short tag to the end of a video's URL. It's pretty surprising that this functionality wasn't available earlier, as Google Video introduced the same feature over two years ago. YouTube users have been forced to rely on third party services like Splicd to do the same thing.

To specify a point, append a tag to the end of your video link with the following syntax: "#t=1m45s" (you can change the numbers before the 'm' and 's' to edit the minutes and seconds, respectively.

Here's an example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bibCui3lFM#t=1m45s

As another nice touch, YouTube will also automatically detect when someone mentions a time in a video comment and add a hyperlink to that point in the video.

continue reading...  

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Spyware Terminator Kills Malware [Featured Windows Download]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/z2-vgxOXM2E/spyware-terminator-kills-malware

Windows only: While old faithful Ad-Aware and Spybot are good to have, you can add Spyware Terminator to your arsenal of malware scanner and scrubber tools while you're home for the holidays.

Spyware Terminator does just what you'd expect: scan your system for everything from cookies to shady processes, instate "real-time" malware protection, quarantine items, and, ya know, upsell you on the pay-for commercial edition. When I ran Spyware Terminator on my presumably clean system, it turned up a bunch of web site cookies (not life-threatening, but ok) and an invalid entry in my PC's startup. Not bad. Spyware Terminator is free for personal and commercial use, and it's for Windows only. Thanks, jamiemartin01!



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