IPad Mini 2
Each year brings with it an exciting new array of gadgets and
technological advancements. While some of these are secret up until
their release, others receive a great deal of hype and media coverage.
Here are some of the exciting new gadgets that are supposed to come out
in 2014.
Apple’s New “Exciting Product Categories”
Over the past few months, Apple has continued to drop hints about a
supposedly new and exciting product that will come out in 2014. They
have described it as being the sort of device that will not fit into any
of their current categories, and that’s all that they’re saying. A lot
of speculation has cropped up, particularly as 2013 draws to a close.
However, Apple has remained quite tightlipped, refusing to give any more
hints about the new product category except that it will likely be an
electronic gadget. Tech Crunch predicts that this new exciting product
won’t come out until mid summer.
The Stealth Remote One device that’s scheduled to come out either in late 2013 or early
2014 is the stealth remote. A number of electronic and gadget companies
are looking to break in on this particular gadget. The remote is
distinct from a universal remote as it is intended to automatically
recognize the kind of television it is being directed at. The most well
known model in preparation is about the size of a keychain and can
actually be fastened on the keychain. It’s similar to some practical
joke remotes that are already on the market, except that this one is
expected to have more practical uses in the long run. According to
tests, it should be as easy to use as file sharing is now with a good cloud storage program.
Foc.us
The Foc.us is supposed to be the first brain augmentation device that
will be made available on the market. It stems out of transcranial
stimulation through low electrical currents. The current studies on this
indicate a general improvement in simple tasks, but it’s not yet clear
whether the Foc.us will provide long term benefits for more complex
tasks. However, it’s definitely getting everyone excited at the
possibility. The device sits on the head like a large headband and
supposedly stimulates the brain when used for just minutes a day.
Scanadu Scout
The Scanadu Scout is actually a fitness monitoring device that goes on
to track all of your vital signs. All you’ll have to do to get a
diagnosis is press it to your temple. It then provides all of the
medical data relating to your pulse, electrical impulses, temperature,
oxygen levels, and more. But it goes even further in value by providing a
data analysis. It’s also expected to come out with additional add-ons
that can evaluate if you’re sick and with what.
When it comes to gadgets, 2014 looks to bring a number of exciting
new additions. Apple is one of the highlights, even if it has not yet
revealed what the new products are going to be. The stealth remote and
Foc.us look to provide great entertainment, and the Scanadu Scout could
revolutionize home medicine. These are only a few of the gadgets coming
out, and they will hopefully live up to the hype surrounding them.
Even though the new S-Class could have been first out of the
gate, Mercedes decides to take a pass on autonomous driving, for now.
Mercedes missed a barn-door sized opportunity last week when it
revealed technical details of next year's 2014 S-class, which showed
that while this flagship model could potentially have been the world's
first autonomous driving car, Mercedes has decided not to give it that
capability. For now, the driver's hands have to remain on the wheel at
all times.
"The car would do it [autonomous driving] today,"
said Jochen Haab technical support manager, "we have had test cars doing
that, but what happens if a child steps out into the street and the
radar misses it?"
English in the simulator
Distronic Plus Steering Assistance System
It is Mercedes' new Distronic Plus steering assistance system that
gives the forthcoming S-class< autonomous driving potential. It has a
lane-guidance capability, which locks on dotted white-lane markings, or
the car in front on highways at speeds up to 124 mph on turns of less
than 15 degrees. But while that and other systems would allow the
S-class to maintain its distance from the car in front, braking to a
complete halt, restarting from stationary and even stopping for cross
traffic, the driver has to keep hold of the steering wheel. If the
system detects that he isn't imparting torque to the wheel rim then it
will warn after 10 seconds and switch the system off after 15.
Driving the simulator
The sort of self-driving envisioned for the new S-class would "have
happened at certain places and at certain speeds," admits one expert. We
understand that it would have been at low speeds of less than 24 mph
only on congested highways where all the traffic is going in the same
direction, at similar speeds, with no pedestrians and no cross
junctions. "For sure there was a debate about it," admits Haab, "but
what if you have an accident?"
He says that while the product
liability issues and potential for crippling legal suits against
Mercedes were major deterrents to launching the world's first
self-driving car, there were other, equally important constraints.
"We would have to have full data recording on board," said Haab, "and would our customers be willing to accept such a system?"
English being watched in the simulator
In addition there were issues about the technology and its potential to
cover all eventualities. "Can the car detect whether it can drive
autonomously for the next 20 seconds?" asked Haab. "Probably not at the
moment."
At the heart of the Distronic Plus steering system is
the new 360-degree sensing systems, comprising a bewildering range of
six separate radar systems, a stereoscopic camera, 12 ultrasonic
sensors, which can detect close objects and four additional cameras all
around the body. The stereoscopic camera recognizes the speed and
trajectory of moving hazards up to 164 feet away, which means
cross-traffic hazards are detected and the twin-stage infra-red
detection system sees those hazards in the dark as well. Complex
algorithms identify and differentiate humans and animals and reacting
accordingly, braking for both but flashing a headlamp warning at humans
only.
New S-class sensor range
Most industry experts reckon limited self-driving capabilities will be
introduced within the next few years. General Motors' division has a
self-driving system on test known as "Super Cruise", capable of fully
automatic steering, braking and lane centering on highways under certain
conditions and according to Nady Boules, GM's director of electrical
and controls integration research, autonomous driving cars will go on
sale within the next ten years.
We drove the system on
Mercedes-Benz's driving simulator at its research department at
Sindelfingen in Germany. This massive installation gives a
computer-generated 360-degree view around a real car installed in the
hydraulically powered pod, which has a 40-foot base on which it is able
to react realistically to acceleration, braking and cornering inputs. In
a short urban `drive', the sensor systems picked up all the artificial
hazards (pedestrians running into the road, cars crossing intersections
against the light) that were thrown in its way, but then it would have
been extraordinary if they hadn't. Even Mercedes-Benz engineers admit,
however, that there are some `holes' in the barrage of systems. Fog
poses an almost impenetrable barrier to the sensor systems and the
computer algorithms are still far from perfect. World's First All-Light Emitting Diode Car
Mercedes is also claiming that its new car will be the world's first
bulb-less motorcar, although automobile historians will know that simply
can't be true as Karl Benz's 1886 Benz Patent Motorwagen appeared a
full 13 years before Thomas Edison first patented the electric light
bulb. What the S-class is, however, is the world's first all-Light
Emitting Diode car, with all its exterior lighting and interior
illumination courtesy of LED sources.
LED rear lamps in low-intensity mode
It also has what seems like the world's most complicated and
sophisticated headlamps, which incorporate an optional motorized masking
system for the high-beam headlamps so drivers can keep the high beams
on virtually all the time. Developed in collaboration with Automotive
Lighting, Bosch's old lighting division now owned by Magnetti Marelli,
the optional headlamp system is called Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus and
each unit is expected to cost about the same as a current Bi-Xenon
headlamp.
New S-Class LED headlamps
Using it stereoscopic camera and recognition algorithms, the new
Mercedes recognizes either on-coming headlamps, or the tail lamps of
vehicles ahead. It then deploys a moving motorized masking system, which
actively vignettes those light sources to prevent their drivers being
dazzled and allow the S-class's main beams to be left on all the time.
Three motors are used in each headlamp unit to allow this high-beam
system to operate: one each for vertical and horizontal positioning and a
third motor, which actively changes the light distribution.
Vignetting system of new LED headlamps
Mercedes claims its LED units require 34 watts per vehicle to produce
the same light output as that 120 watts of Halogen lighting or 84 watts
of Xenon lighting, saving up to 0.05 liters of fuel per 100km.
The S-class uses three main single-chip lighting units at the front: a
10 LED low beam and cornering unit, a 4-LED high beam unit, 10 daylight
running LEDs and 6 for each turn indicator. The infra-red night vision
system uses its own LED light sources to `light up' animals and humans
when they have been identified at a long distance.
All these
LED units are sealed in a single, common main-beam unit in which the
LEDs' heat is re-circulated, which means no separate heating is required
for the main glass. The system also dims the rear brake lights and turn
indicators at night and even more when stationary to prevent dazzling
drivers behind.
Active seat belt
There are also innovative rear seat-belts, which form part of the
Pre-Safe system which prepares the car in the event of a crash. In this
case the rear belt goes through its normal pre-crash tightening
procedure, but then inflates the belt itself on impact. This jams the
belt in the latch, which has the effect of allowing the lower part of
the belt to remain tight, but the diagonal part of the belt to be
progressively released on impact to help mitigate upper chest injuries.
It also disperses forces over a wider area of the chest for the same
effect.
A new company, called Square is turning the credit card processing
industry on its ear with an application available at the iTunes store.
Available for the iPad, the iPhone and iPod Touch, Square enables you to
take credit card payments for, well, just about anything.
Once you register for the free Square app they will send you a card
reader that plugs into your mobile device and then, let the swiping
begin. With no contracts or monthly fees. Receipts are sent
electronically and you can track your sales all in one place.
Transaction fees are settled nightly, instead of monthly and it’s
available for use by anyone that would like to be able to take credit
cards, not just businesses.
Nokia shareholders approve sale of handset business to Microsoft
Helsinki: Nokia shareholders approved the sale of the
company's mobile phone business to Microsoft, deciding the deal's
financial benefits outweighed objections by a minority of investors
upset by the sale of a Finnish national asset.
An overwhelming majority of shareholders at a meeting in Helsinki
on Tuesday supported the deal, according to a final tally of votes. The
sale is expected to close in the first quarter of next year after
regulatory clearance.
Nokia
in September agreed to sell its devices and services business and
license its patents to Microsoft for 5.44 billion euros ($7.4 billion)
after failing to recover from a late start in smartphones.
This amazing concept is called LIFEBOOK X2 and starts from an
amazing idea: a folding laptop. The best thing about this laptop is its
compactness and it's amazing design.
As you can see in the pictures, the laptop has 4 superimposed components that could be opened in two ways.
What I like about this concept design is that you have a full size
laptop if you unfold all the components, but you can have a compact
laptop if you unfold only two components.
The
downside of this design is the middle line of the screen. When in full
size, a line can be observed in the middle of the screen. This cannot be
avoid due to the unfolding concept. But I'm sure you'll get used to it!
India's first mission to Mars launched successfully
ISRO’s
success has put India into a league China tried, and failed, to enter
last year. Japan’s Mars mission had failed too in 2003.
SRIHARIKOTA, Andhra Pradesh: The country’s first mission to the red
planet was launched successfully from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on
Tuesday at 2.38 pm.
The launch gives India
an entry into an exclusive club of nations with interplanetary travel
capabilities. The nine-month long journey, after the Orbiter goes around
Earth for 22-25 days, is scheduled to enter Mars’ orbit on September
24, 2014.
ISRO’s success has put India into a league China tried,
and failed, to enter last year. Japan’s Mars mission had failed too in
2003.
PSLV C-25 will put Mangalyaan weighing 1,340 kilograms in
the earth orbit. To reach Mars, the spacecraft has to enter three
phases, the earth centered phase, the helio centric phase and finally
the Martian phase.
The Rs 450-crore Mars Orbiter Mission is India's first interplanetary mission to planet Mars
with an orbiter craft designed to orbit Mars in an elliptical orbit.
The project, built over a remarkably short period of two years, is
primarily a technological mission considering the critical operations
and stringent requirements on propulsion and other systems of the
spacecraft.
The Mars Orbiter will observe the physical features of Mars and conduct limited study of the Martian atmosphere as finalised by the Advisory Committee on Space Sciences.
The
pay loads include Lyman Lpha Photometer to measure the relative
abundance of deuterium and hydrogen from Lyman- alpha emission; Methane
Sensor for Mars to measure methane in the Martian atmosphere, and thus
determine past existence of life; Mars Colour Camera to capture images
and information about the surface of Mars and its composition; Mars
Exopheric Neutral Composition Analyser, which is a spectrometer; and
Thermal Infrared Imaging Spectrometer to map surface composition and
mineralogy of Mars.
Just 21 out of the 51 missions launched to
Mars by different countries have been successful and that too by only
three space agencies — NASA, European Space Agency and the Russian
Federal Space Agency (better known as Roscosmos).
The
technological objective include design and realisation of a Mars orbiter
with a capability to survive and perform Earthbound manoeuvres, cruise
phase of 300 days, Mars orbit insertion / capture, and on- orbit phase
around Mars; ensure deep space communication, navigation, mission
planning and management,” a spokesperson for the mission pointed out.
It
has been configured to carry out observations of the physical features
of the Mars and also to carry out a limited study of the Martian
atmosphere.
Li-Fi is a label for wireless-communication systems using light as a carrier instead of traditional radio frequencies, as in Wi-Fi.
Li-Fi should not be confused with the more general term visible light communications (VLC),
which is the use of the visible light portion of the electromagnetic
spectrum to transmit information.
The term Li-Fi was coined by Professor
Harald Haas from the University of Edinburgh in the UK and pureVLC’s CSO, and refers to a type of VLC technology that delivers a networked, mobile, high-speed communication solution
in a similar manner as Wi-Fi. Therefore, the fundamental pre-requisite
for Li-Fi is a bi-directional link over the same medium. The term was
first used in this context by Harald Haas in his 2011 TED Global talk on visible light communication.
In October 2011, a number of companies and industry groups formed the Li-Fi Consortium,
to promote high-speed optical wireless systems and to overcome the
limited amount of radio-based wireless spectrum available by exploiting a
completely different part of the electromagnetic spectrum. The
consortium believes it is possible to achieve more than 10 Gbit/s, theoretically allowing a high-definition film to be downloaded in 30 seconds. In fact, Dr Gordon Povey provides a top level overview of VLC development until the end of 2011.A number of companies offer uni-directional VLC
products, however, the only known bi-directional system on offer is by
pureVLC. PureVLC is an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) firm set up
to commercialize Li-Fi, by bring out Li-Fi products for integration
with existing LED-lighting systems
VLC
technology has been exhibited on numerous occasions and has chiefly
developed over the last decade with the specific drive by Prof. Harald
Haas focusing on Li-Fi, rather than just VLC.Indeed, pureVLC demonstrated the world's first streaming Li-Fi system to complement VLC data rates of over 6 Gbps.
Furthermore, pureVLC was also the first to prove that that Li-Fi, or
VLC systems in general, do not require line-of-sight conditions.
Li-Fi has the advantage of being able to be used in electromagnetic
sensitive areas such as in aircraft, nuclear power plants, oil&gas
installations and other places without causing interference. However,
the light waves used cannot penetrate walls which makes Li-Fi
significantly more secure relative to Wi-Fi.
Designed by 21-year-old Yuhan Zhang from China, the Volkswagen Aqua
hovercraft concept offers an insight of a futuristic vehicle powered by
hydrogen and propelled by an impeller. It has been designed as a
solution to address the variety of terrain covering China, from the
lakes, rivers and coastal waters to the roads, wetlands and snow. The
futuristic vehicle was also shortlisted in the CDN Car Design Awards
China, based on the brief titled “Chinese off-road vehicle” by
Volkswagen.
The Volkswagen Aqua air cushion vehicle runs on more than one engine.
Its hydrogen fuel cell-powered primary motor runs the main fan to
inflate the skirt around the vehicle, which help raise the VW Aqua just
above the ground. The fans at the rear run on individual electric motors
to provide forward thrust and directional control. The Aqua has a
minimalist exterior and interior design, and it can seat two inside. .
The telescopic steering wheel enhances the driving experience. The
Aqua all-terrain vehicle is capable of traveling to any place with an
adjustable ground clearance. Aqua perfectly interprets the philosophy of
Volkswagen Design with no parting line and laconic appearance. Designer
Yuhan is a graduate from Xihua University with a degree in Industrial
Design..
Windows 8.1 ad features the return of the Start buttoninShare
The removal of the Windows 8 Start button last year turned out to be a hot-button issue for users of Microsoft's latest operating system. Following a range of feedback
from customers, Microsoft is now preparing to release Windows 8.1 on
October 18th with a Start button. The latest OS update also includes
optional changes to boot to desktop and disable hot corners, but the Start button is a permanent addition that users can not switch off.
Ad also highlights boot to desktop
Microsoft is choosing to highlight the button return in a new Windows 8.1 ad. After launching a "Windows Everywhere"
campaign back in June, the latest Windows 8.1 ad follows a similar
pattern. It highlights the ability to start up to the desktop (boot to
desktop) and "hit the start button to flip back and forth" between the
desktop and "Metro" Start Screen. Similarly, it also ends by featuring a
Windows tablet, PC, and Surface.
At Intel's developer forum recently, Microsoft's head of marketing, Tami Reller, revealed
that the company's August activations for Windows 8 were the highest so
far. Microsoft has been focusing on back to school promotions and it's
gearing up for new PCs and its own Surface 2 release ahead of the
holidays. After Surface and Windows tablets got off to a slow start last
holiday, Microsoft has partnered up with Best Buy
and some European retailers to create Windows Stores inside retail
locations. The company clearly hopes the retail presence and new ads
will help convince consumers to opt for a Windows tablet this fall.
Windows 8.1: Release date
Windows 8.1 will be officially launched at the Microsoft Build
developer conference in San Francisco on June 26. But you won't be able
to get hold of it immediately. The final version will be available as a
free downloadable Windows 8 update 'late 2013', according to Microsoft.
At that point also expect some new Windows Blue hardware in time for Christmas.
Microsoft has confirmed that Windows 8.1 will be released on 17 October
at midday in the UK. "It’s very exciting to be delivering Windows 8.1
to consumers just before Windows 8 celebrates its 1-year anniversary."
it said.
It will be available as retail and on new device starting from 18 October.
For now you can give the Windows 8.1 Preview a trial run. See also: How to try out Windows 8.1 Preview in the UK.
What is Windows 8.1 (aka Windows Blue)?
Windows Blue is a new version of the Windows 8 operating system which
Microsoft is working on. Instead of releasing service packs, Microsoft
will issue new versions of the OS much like Apple does with OS X.
The firm already does a similar thing with Windows Phone, for example, 7.5 'Mango' and 8 'Apollo'.
Tammi Reller, head of marketing and finance for the Windows, said:
"It will deliver the latest new innovations across an increasingly broad
array of form factors of all sizes, display, battery life and
performance, while creating new opportunities for our ecosystem. It will
provide more options for businesses, and give consumers more options
for work and play."
Windows 8.1: What new features will it bring?
Microsoft has given a 'first look' at Windows 8.1, detailing some of the new features which will arrive with the update. Personalisation and apps
As leaked information suggested, users will be able to personalise
the OS more. The Lock screen can now display a slideshow of photos (plus
the camera can be used without needing to log in). There will also be
more colours and backgrounds for the Start screen.
The updated Start screen will offer new larger and smaller tile
sizes. "You can now select multiple apps all at once, resize them,
uninstall them, or rearrange them." said Microsoft.
Newly installed apps won't be added to the Start screen
automatically, instead it will be displayed in a 'new' section of the
apps menu. Microsoft said users will also be able to view apps by name,
date installed, most used or by category.
Microsoft said the pre-loaded apps in Windows 8 will be improved
including Photos and Music. There will also be some new apps which are
yet to be announced and Snap Views will let you resize apps to the any
size and the ability to have three apps on-screen at once for better
multi-tasking.
"Also in Windows 8.1, you can have multiple windows of the same app snapped together – such as two Internet Explorer windows." added Microsoft. Windows Store
Microsoft will update the Windows Store in version 8.1. A redesign
will aim to show more information and a search bar at the top. Listing
are more descriptive and includes an related apps section to help you
find new apps. Search
The search section of the Charms bar will give 'global search results
powered by Bing' in order to give you the best result. It will work for
the web, apps, files, SkyDrive and actions you can take.
"Quick actions include things you would want to do like play a song
or video. Results from local files, apps, and settings are easily
accessed in the same convenient view by scrolling to the left." said the
firm. Other
Other updates will include PC settings which can be accessed without
using the control panel and Internet Explorer 11 touting better
performance. SkyDrive will also let you save files directly to the cloud
and offline access.
In what is, in a way, the return of the Start menu, the Start 'tip'
will now be the Windows logo and pop up when the mouse is moved to the
bottom left hand corner of the screen. It will also be visible whenever
you're in Desktop mode.
"There are also options to change what the corners do, and options to
boot into alternate screens. For example, if you prefer to see the Apps
view versus all the tiles, you can choose to have the Start screen go
directly to Apps view." said Microsoft. See also: Microsoft to bring back Start button in Windows 8.1.
A rumour is that users will be able to boot straight to the desktop
rather than the Start Screen. This is not currently possible in Windows
8. We'll have to wait and see if this tips up.
Windows 8.1: Price
Microsoft has announced that the Windows 8.1 update will be available for free via the Windows Store.
Wednesday 25 September 2013
Blackberry Empathy Phone
Communication technologies may allow interaction on an entirely new
level; still users feel cramped to communicate their true feelings on
certain occasions. Intended to integrate the concept of
social networking with human emotions, the new cellphone employs
biometric technology to sense and share the true feelings to ensure a
better communication among users.In recent past, social networking has
emerged as a popular medium, especially among gen-next, to interact with
friends and associates and discuss their day-to-day or business
activities..
Making the most out of the new trend, designers are working on different portable gadgets
that promises a better platform for social networking not only within
the our walls but on the move as well. The “Blackberry Empathy” by
designer Daniel Yoon is an identical phone concept that apart from
regular verbal communication also enables the user to go through the
activities and updates of their friends, while reading the emotional
state, using a biometric ring, of the wearer.Imagine sharing your
feelings not directly, but via the ring we mentioned. How cool is that?
BlackBerry Empathy connects the user straight away to sites like
FaceBook and MySpace for quick messaging and status updates.
The device
also comes with proximity sensors, allowing you to detect the emotions
of the folks nearby through an emotion chart with a visual
timeline.Empathy uses movable keys, a translucent tactile keyboard and a
flexible OLED display, plus a HUD (heads up display). The keypad on this phone can
change color according to the user’s emotions, that are sensed through
messages, phones calls and biometric sensors. Does this new take on
social networking scare you, or do you find the concept appealing?
The concept of Social networking through portable devices is already
popular among the masses, but the biometric technology will just take it
to another level. And with latest innovations in technology, the day
isn’t too far when you would be able to do live video chats using your
mobile handset on the go.
