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Tuesday, February 05, 2013

20 Optical Illusions That Might Break Your Mind

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5981603/20-optical-illusions-that-might-break-your-mind

20 Optical Illusions That Might Break Your Mind Viewer discretion advised! Do not scroll down unless your brain is made of steel and your nerves are Teflon. Some people simply cannot stand optical illusions. For the rest of you: Check out teh awesommmmmmmez.

The Warped Chair by Ibride

20 Optical Illusions That Might Break Your Mind Source: Dezeen

Rubik's tricky cube

20 Optical Illusions That Might Break Your Mind Source: brusspup

A trippy non animated classic

Source: Internet

Waving beans

Based upon the work of A. Kitaoka

Optical illusion wallpaper

Source: Krycha182

Rotating snakes

Based upon the work of A. Kitaoka

Another trippy classic: Rollers

Source: A. Kitaoka

Anomalous motion illusion

Source: A. Kitaoka

A floating cube

20 Optical Illusions That Might Break Your Mind Source: brusspup

Stare at the center of the image for 20 seconds, then look up at someone's face

20 Optical Illusions That Might Break Your Mind Source: Internet

Four circles. Caution: This might give you a headache

Source: Internet

Cover the middle of the corridor and the animation speeds up; cover the sides and it slows down

20 Optical Illusions That Might Break Your Mind Source: Internet

Our favorite optical trick from last year

20 Optical Illusions That Might Break Your Mind

Animation is born on transparencies

20 Optical Illusions That Might Break Your Mind Source: brusspup

This image won't stop

Source: BuzzFeed

Do not smoke

20 Optical Illusions That Might Break Your Mind Source: greeenpro2009

"Rotating" gears

Source: Constantin Shebzukhov

We know you've got some of your own. Post your beloved eye candy in the comments!

(Top image by Harry Thompson/Evening Standard/Getty Images)

MediaTek plans a tablet-focused processor for Q3

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/05/mediatek-plans-a-tablet-focused-processor-for-q3/

MediaTek may have only just reached quad-core smartphones in earnest, but its aims are expanding -- in a more literal sense. The company's Xie Qingjiang says that plans are underway to build a tablet-specific processor that would ship in the third quarter of the year. While other details are scarce, it's safe to say the chip will take advantage of all the extra breathing room for more performance. The real questions surround just who will use the new creation: there's no guarantee that Acer will find a fit for the design inside of its future 8- and 10-inch budget slates, for example. When MediaTek is seemingly making generational leaps in a matter of months, though, we suspect that there won't be a shortage of customers.

Filed under: Tablets, Acer

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Via: Unwired View

Source: Sina (translated)

An Awesome Interactive 72,000 LED Display Is What Every Children's Hospital Needs

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5981676/an-awesome-interactive-72000-led-display-is-what-every-childrens-hospital-needs

An Awesome Interactive 72,000 LED Display Is What Every Children's Hospital Needs This is wonderful. Jason Bruges Studio created an interactive installation that can react to touch and reveal digital animals inside a children's hospital. It's really clever, there are 70 LED panels with 72,000 LEDs in total hidden behind the wallpaper of the rainforest. When started, the wall makes it seem as if animals are traveling through the forest.

Different panels are hidden behind the wallpaper at different heights so that it can reach the various eye levels of kids. The animals actually look like they are moving inside the wallpaper because the wallpaper has been designed to reveal the patterns of light on the screen. It's lovely and absolutely incredible for a child.

The installation is inside the halls of the children's hospital in the new Morgan Stanley clinical building, the first part of the Mittal Children's Medical Centre in the UK. I think every children's hospital should have this. Better yet, I think every child's room should have this. To see a video of the wall in action, check it out here (it autoplays). [Jason Bruges Studio, DesignBoom via Neatorama]

An Awesome Interactive 72,000 LED Display Is What Every Children's Hospital Needs

Logitech's Ultrathin Keyboard Cover mini brings tactile typing to the iPad mini for $80

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/05/logitech-ultrathin-keyboard-cover-ipad-mini/

It was inevitable that Logitech would expand its Ultrathin iPad keyboard cover lineup to include an offering fit for the iPad mini, and the time has finally arrived. Priced 20 bucks less than it's full-sized counterpart, the $79.99 Ultrathin Keyboard mini brings tactile typing and some added protection to Apple's 7.9-inch slate. Like the bigger version, it offers full size keys to please tapping fingers, has an aluminum cover and comes in your choice of black or white. Folks looking to pick one up won't have much longer to wait, as the Ultrathin Keyboard mini will make its retail debut in the US and Europe later this month.

Filed under: Peripherals, Tablets

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Source: Blog.Logitech

Monday, February 04, 2013

BLU Products unveils Tegra 3-running Quattro 4.5, 4.5 HD and 5.7 HD

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/03/blu-products-unveils-tegra-3-running-quattro-smartphones/

It was just weeks ago that BLU Products' smartphones were largely dual-core models like the Vivo 4.65 HD. The company clearly wants to ramp things up, as it's kicking off the Quattro line based around Android 4.0 and the quad-core, 1.5GHz Tegra 3. At the entry level is the $250 Quattro 4.5, which includes a qHD display at its namesake size as well as a 5-megapixel camera, 4GB of built-in storage and a microSD slot. The next step is, unusually, the biggest: the $300 Quattro 5.7 HD (what you see above) keeps the same storage, but jumps to the extra-large category while upgrading to a 720p display and an 8-megapixel camera. BLU sees the $350 Quattro 4.5 HD as the real darling. It beats its non-HD cousin with a curved, 720p screen touting Gorilla Glass, and throws in a larger 16GB capacity as well as a more light-sensitive 8-megapixel camera. The two smaller models ship to the US early this month, to be followed by the 5.7-inch behemoth in late March. When they arrive, every one of them will carry unlocked HSPA+ 3G that supports both AT&T and T-Mobile.

Gallery: BLU Quattro 4.5, 4.5 HD and 5.7 HD

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

Comments

Source: BLU Products

Samsung and LG decide to settle OLED patent dispute behind closed doors

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/04/samsung-lg-oled-peace/

It looks as if Samsung and LG have both taken their fingers away from the red button marked MORE LITIGATION. It's being reported that the pair have come to an agreement to work out their OLED patent issues away from the harsh light of the courtroom. Korea's Yonhap News is claiming that a peace summit was held at a Seoul hotel, with Samsung's Kim Ki-nam saying that the pair will resolve the issues "one by one." Give peace a chance, folks.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Samsung, LG

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Via: The Next Web

Source: Yonhap News

Panasonic shows micro color splitters that double up image sensor acuity

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/04/panasonic-shows-image-sensor-that-splits-color/

Panasonic has developed a new type of imaging sensor that gets more photons where they need to be by foregoing the use of conventional CMOS debayering filters. Those can reduce sensor effectiveness by blocking 50 to 70 percent of the light, so researchers developed "micro color splitters" to do the job instead, which can separate hues microscopically using refraction. They did it by taking advantage of wave optic principals to create a new type of electronic "deflector" that can analyze and separate light wave frequencies much faster than previous methods. There's almost no loss of light during the process, and such devices can be made using conventional semiconductor fabricating techniques, too. There's no timetable for commercializing the tech, but Panasonic holds 21 domestic and 16 overseas patents on it -- meaning it's likely not just a science project.

Filed under: Cameras, Science, Alt

Comments

Via: Computerworld

Source: Panasonic

Raspberry Pi Model A hits Europe with $25 price tag, expected worldwide soon

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/04/raspberry-pi-model-a-shipping/

Looking for a slimmed-down Raspberry Pi with a single USB port, 256MB of RAM, no Ethernet and one-third the power consumption of a Model B board? You're probably in the market for Model A -- a $25 alternative designed for use in battery or solar-powered devices like remote sensors, WiFi repeaters, robots and so on. Europeans currently have exclusive access to the cheaper Raspberry Pi flavor, which according to an Adafruit test consumes only 100 mAh of juice (compared to about 300 mAh for the Model B, due to Ethernet power requirements). Beginning today, hobbyists can get their fix directly from RS Components and Element 14, with pricing fixed around £19, including VAT. According to the manufacturer's blog post, Model A exclusivity will be short-lived, with the device coming to the rest of the world "very soon." If you're based across the pond, however, you can hit up our source links to place your order now.

Filed under: Desktops

Comments

Source: RS Components, Element14, Ras pberry Pi

Sunday, February 03, 2013

How Chinese Hackers Infiltrated The New York Times

Source: http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2013-01/new-york-times-targeted-chinese-hackers

The New York Times published an article this morning saying that the newspaper has been the victim of persistent and, it must be said, not entirely unsuccessful cyberattacks originating in China. The attacks apparently started shortly after the Times published this report about the relatives of Wen Jiabao, China's prime minister, who have accumulated a "hidden fortune" to the tune of billions of dollars.

The attacks consisted of hacking into the email accounts of 53 Times employees, and the information accessed was apparently limited to information related to the Wen Jiabao story. The Times stresses that no customer information (credit cards, that kind of thing) was accessed.

An outside firm hired by the Times found that the technique used to gain this access was consistent with other attacks from China: a method called "spearphishing," an essentially simple way to gain access that involves sending malicious links that, when opened, install malware on the victim's computer. The emails were routed through American universities--also a Chinese hacker trademark--to disguise their origin. The Times has taken several steps to protect itself in the future, including changing every employee password, removing "every back door into its network," and adding more security. Read more here.

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Samsung buys five percent stake in stylus-maker Wacom, strikes manufacturing deal

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/31/samsung-buys-five-percent-stake-in-stylus-maker-wacom-strikes-m/

You don't have to look much further than the millions of Galaxy Notes sold to realize that Samsung is serious about the stylus, but the company's now made that commitment clearer than ever by buying a piece of Wacom. It's not the biggest of investments for a company of Samsung's size, but the $58.9 million it's laid out will give it a five percent voting stake in the company, and a further in with what is one of the world's leading stylus makers. According to Wacom, its share of the global pen tablet market stands at a whopping 85 percent, and its sales of its components for use in smartphones and tablets have nearly doubled from 2011 to 2012.

As for where the new cash infusion will be put to use, Wacom says that by March of 2014 the entire net amount raised from the sale of shares will be invested in "product development and manufacturing and supply system enhancements for products to be supplied to Samsung Electronics," adding that it aims to "expand its relationship" with Samsung even further.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

Comments

Via: Phone Arena

Source: Wacom (PDF)

Acer intros Liquid C1 smartphone packing Intel Lexington, low price to match

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/31/acer-intros-liquid-c1-smartphone-packing-intel-lexington/

Remember that unnamed Acer phone we caught skulking about Intel's CES event? It's been given a proper launch: meet the Liquid C1. True to form, the fully revealed device centers around a Lexington-based, 1.2GHz Atom Z2420 processor. The chip gives the C1 enough grunt to power an 8-megapixel camera with burst shooting while keeping the price in check, at about 9,990 baht ($335) off-contract for the inaugural Thailand release in February. Locals will otherwise get a solid Android 4.0 smartphone with a 4.3-inch display, HSPA+ 3G and a battery that lasts for nine hours of 3G talk. Other countries in southeast Asia are next on the list to get Acer's turn at an Intel-powered handset, although we wouldn't expect to see it everywhere -- Intel's Uday Marty warns ZDNet that the absence of LTE will keep phones like the C1 away from markets where the faster data is commonplace.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Acer

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Source: ZDNet

Canon PowerShot ELPH 330 HS and 115 IS hands-on (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/31/canon-330-hs-115-is-hands-on/

In Japan, they've been coined the IXUS 255 HS and IXUS 132, but folks in the US will probably recognize them as the ELPH 330 HS and 115 IS. By any name, they're Canon's two mid-range point-and-shoots for CP+, and while they were joined by the A2500 during this week's announcements, that latter model didn't seem to make it to the company's booth here in Yokohama. In any case, if you've handled an ELPH model in recent years, you know what to expect here -- Canon's design hasn't changed much, but we're not complaining. The 330 HS includes a 12.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, compared to a 16-megapixel CCD in the slightly smaller 115 IS.

Cosmetically, the biggest difference between the two is the powerful 10x optical zoom lens on the 330 HS, compared to a still-respectable 8x optic on the lower-end model. Both cameras offer the same familiar PowerShot UI, and they look nearly identical with the lens retracted. Zoomed in, however, it's clear which camera is the more capable of the bunch. Both performed very well during our hands-on at Canon's booth, though we'd definitely opt for the 330 HS, which offers a superior sensor and extended lens, not to mention built-in WiFi -- it's definitely worth spending an extra 60 bucks to snag the $230 HS model. Both cameras are set to ship beginning in March, but you can check them out in our walkthrough today, embedded just past the break.

Gallery: Canon PowerShot ELPH 330 HS and 115 IS hands-on

Filed under: Cameras, Canon

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Google delivers Grand Canyon panoramas to less-than-patient tourists

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/31/google-delivers-grand-canyon-panoramas/

Google must take as long to sift through vacation photos as everyone else. A few months after it sent its Trekker cameras to sweep the Grand Canyon, the resulting panoramas are at last showing on Google Maps. The expansion gives us 360-degree views from paths spanning roughly 75 miles, including tougher routes like the South Kaibab Trail. The views won't fully convey the majesty of standing on the canyon's edge, but they're quicker than booking a hiking expedition in Arizona -- and certainly easier on the legs.

Filed under: Internet, Google

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Via: Google Official Blog

Source: Google Maps

OpenKit aiming to fill OpenFeint-sized hole, launches in private beta tomorrow

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/31/openkit-private-beta/

OpenFeint seed investor Peter Relan is fed up with his former creation's lack of existence -- the open source software once powered the social integration behind many mobile games. After Japanese social gaming giant GREE bought OpenFeint in April 2011 -- primarily to stifle competition with its own, similar service -- the service continued until it was closed this past December. Relan responded in turn, announcing plans for a new, similar service, called "OpenKit," that same month. Tomorrow, that service goes into private beta, with a variety of mobile devs already signed on.

The service can be employed across Android and iOS, implementing cloud data storage, leaderboards, achievements, multiplayer functionality, push notifications, and in-app purchases -- essentially exactly what OpenFeint once aimed to provide. Given the open nature of OpenKit, and Apple's already existing Game Center (which serves very similar purposes), we'd say this is gonna be a bigger hit with Android devices than iOS. Whether it gets adopted at all, however, remains to be seen. For now, it's in private beta, and "over 500 developers" have already signed on -- head to the main site if you'd like to take part. And do it quick, as only another 20 developers can get into the beta starting tomorrow. If you do miss out, there'll be more openings in the future, though Relan wouldn't tell us exactly when just yet.

Gallery: OpenKit

Filed under: Cellphones, Gaming, Tablets, Software, Mobile

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Java, Silverlight left in cold as Firefox disables all plugins by default -- except Flash

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/31/java-silverlight-disabled-by-default-firefox/

In an effort to prevent "drive-by exploitations," upcoming versions of Firefox will have Java, Adobe Reader and Silverlight disabled by default, according to a recent Mozilla Security blog. All other third-party plugins except Flash will also be disabled, requiring users to enable them using the so-called click to play feature introduced last year. All that is to prevent "poorly designed" Firefox plugins from crashing or recent headline-grabbing exploits involving the likes of Java, with Adobe's Flash player being the one exception that works out of the box -- though versions longer of tooth than 10.3 won't see daylight without your say-so.

Tuesday, February 05, 2013

The Warped Chair by Ibride

Rubik's tricky cube

A trippy non animated classic

Waving beans

Optical illusion wallpaper

Rotating snakes

Another trippy classic: Rollers

Anomalous motion illusion

A floating cube

An eye or a sink draining?

Which way is the wheel turning?

Peripheral vision turns stars into monsters

Stare at the center of the image for 20 seconds, then look up at someone's face

Four circles. Caution: This might give you a headache

Cover the middle of the corridor and the animation speeds up; cover the sides and it slows down

Our favorite optical trick from last year

Animation is born on transparencies

"Rotating" gears

Monday, February 04, 2013

Sunday, February 03, 2013

Thursday, January 31, 2013

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