HTC 10 Launches with "World Class" Camera and Hi-Res Audio the Main Stars - Summary

HTC launched its flagship phone for 2016: the HTC 10. This new handset brings a redesigned all metal-body, a camera that HTC calls the best in the world, Hi-Res 24-bit audio and a fingerprint scanner.

The release of the HTC 10 backed up the claims made about its camera technology, having the best smartphone camera available on the market today, and about its battery life. The HTC 10's 12 MP rear camera includes optical image stabilization (OIS), dual LED flash, an F1.8 aperture lens and laser focus, as well as a selection of advanced shooting modes and RAW export capabilities. The front camera also has OIS and a special UltraSelfie mode that brightens up your selfies.

According to HTC, the HTC 10 is fitted with a 3,000 mAh battery they say will give you up to two days of use. You can also get a 50 percent charge in just 30 minutes, thanks to its fast charging capabilities built into the handset.

This device also contains a superior audio technology built into it. Hi-Res audio certified by the Japan Audio Society, 24-bit DAC and three amps for each stereo speaker and the headphone jack. There's even a pair of Hi-Res headphones in the box so audiophiles might find their ears pricking up.

The HTC 10 runs at a QHD resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels and its display size sits somewhere in the middle of the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus. It has a Qualcom Snapdragon 820 CPU, 4 GB of RAM and either 32 GB or 64 GB of internal storage (external memory cards up to 2 TB are also supported). It measures 145.9 mm x 71.9 mm x 9 mm (5.7 x 2.8 x 9 mm), weighs in at 161 g (5.8 oz) and adopts the new USB Type-C port tech.

The HTC 10 is up for pre-order for US$699.99 and will launch in a choice of four colors from later this month.

Reference:
http://www.gizmag.com/htc-10-launch/42769/

3D Fashion Project Set To Revolutionize Clothing Industry - Summary

The clothing industry is huge, with consumers in the UK alone spending approximately US $63 billion every year on new garments. As a result of this, 1.8 million tonnes of waste materials are generated and 6.4 billion m³  of water are used.

Loughborough University in the UK and garment manufacturer Yeh Group formed a partnership, aiming to launch 3D printed fashion. Their idea is to cut out the waste of the clothing industry and arrive at an eventual goal, which is to provide a system for personalized, printed polymer clothing that takes only 24 hours to produce.

3D printed textiles aren't a new concept, but the process of making them requires multiple stages. One of the biggest goal of this project is to streamline this process, creating technology that can produce finished garments, directly from raw materials, in a single step.

The new collaborative project is just in its early stages and there are a lot of work to do before the project's lofty goals can become a reality, but the researchers are confident that by the end of the project, the partnership will come up with the one-step process they are aiming to achieve.




Take a look at the video below to see more on the project.

Reference:
http://www.gizmag.com/loughborough-university-yeh-group-3d-printed-fashion/42890/

MSI's eye-tracking gaming laptop is now up for order (Summary)

Swedesh company Tobii Technology has been developing its eye-tracking technology for years and persons who are seeking a competitive edge - or at least a more convenient way to eat without interrupting gameplay - can now consider a new option.

Showcased at CES 2016, MSI's GT72S G Tobii gaming laptop includes eye-tracking technology that translates eye movements into commands for compatible apps and games.

At the bottom of the GT72S G Tobii's 17.3-inch 1080p display sits a trio of near-IR illuminators. This eye-tracking technology immerses users with intuitive hands-free navigation and control and is designed to maintain accuracy no matter the room type of lighting conditions.

Tobii's eye-tracking tech is currently compatible with over two dozen titles, including ArmA III, Assassin's Creed Syndicate, Assassin's Creed Rogue and Elite Dangerous.

The MSI's GT72S G Tobii comes equipped with a 6th gen, 2.70 GHz Intel Core i7 K processor and Nvidia GeForce GTX 900M GPU to maintain smooth video performance and high graphics quality. The notebook also has 32GB of DDR4 memory, combination 256GB SSD and 1TB HDD storage, Blu-Ray disc burner drive, and USB 3.0 with support for dual 4K external monitors. The laptop also has a pair of 3W speakers and dedicated subwoofer for added audio punch.

The MSI GT72S G Tobii gaming notebook is available to order now with prices starting at US $2,600. Each purchase ships with Tom Clancy's The Division.

Reference:

http://www.gizmag.com/msi-tobii-gaming-notebook/41717/

Samsung's brainBand to further understanding of concussion (Summary)

Samsung has developed the "brainBAND" to further our understanding of brain injuries and how they can be managed to avoid long term harm.  Picking up on the symptoms of concussion can be tricky at the time of an incident and measuring its effects thereafter aren't so straightforward either.

This device was developed with the aim of gathering data on head impacts across contact sports. Samsung received help from neuroscientist Dr. Alan Pearce and industrial designer Braden Wilson.

The prototype device comes in the form of a discreet band and is meant to be worn around the noggin like a regular sweatband. There's sensors embedded at the back of the head to measure the force of an impact with data able to be sent to medics, referees and coaches in real-time via a companion app.

On the brainBAND, there are LED lights that flash yellow, orange or red to indicate the severity of a knock, with red being the worst.

The team trialed the devices on professional rugby players to improve understanding and help avoid life changing effects in future players.

You can hear from a couple players in the promo video below. What are your thoughts on this device?

Reference:
http://www.gizmag.com/samsung-brainband-concussion/42438/

Apple says it won’t sue FBI to find out how San Bernadino iPhone 5c was hacked (Summary)

Apple revealed that it has no plan on suing the bureau to find out how it hacked the iPhone 5c used by San Bernadino shooter, Syed Farook. Apple’s officials said that they are certain the method used by the FBI would not be a security concern for its users.

Apple began implementing secure hardware enclave that makes it difficult to crack into passcode-locked iOS devices, beginning with the iPhone 5s and Touch ID. Because of this, FBI director, James Comey said “the hack used won’t unlock anything newer than the iPhone 5c”.

Comey also stated that, “this doesn’t work on 6s, doesn’t work on 5s and so we have a tool that works on a narrow slice of phones.

The FBI director is equivocal as to whether or not they would tell Apple about the method used because they may lose what little access they have to unlock locked iPhones.

Reference

http://appleinsider.com/articles/16/04/08/apple-says-it-wont-sue-fbi-to-find-out-how-san-bernardino-iphone-5c-was-hacked

New anti-snore patch targets the science of sound waves (Summary)

There’s this new anti-snore gadget that could help in reducing the volume of snoring or any nasal noise, so that you can get a better nights rest.

“The “Silent Partner” snore patch addresses the sound rather than the cause of snoring” says co-founder Netanel Eyal. “The patch has two thumb print size parts that sit on either side of the nose and are connected through a bridge over the nose, detecting snoring sounds and emitting a counter sound that cancels out the original snores.”

The Silent Partner uses noise-cancellation technology that relies on the physics of sound-waves. So for example; if the snore wave looks like a bumpy line, the counter sound would overlay the wave with its bumps in between the bumps of the snore line, which will result in the two waves cancelling out each other.

The device can be worn in any sleeping position and is effective from distances as close as 8 inches away (20 centimeters).

Eyal and his team received positive feedback from doctors about the Silent Partner.

Reference:

http://www.livescience.com/54021-anti-snore-device-targets-sound-waves.html

Response on Facial Recognition Drone Gives Your Selfie Stick Wings

Are we serious? What next I ask? I must admit that I was a little turned off when the phrase “selfie” was coined. As if that was not enough, now we have selfie drones.

Am I the only person raising alarm bells? I mean, there are starving persons in Africa, millions of displaced people in Europe and the Middle East and right in America a myriad of problematic issues that no one seems to have handle on. Yet we see merit in developing drone powered selfie sticks.

Pardon me for being a simpleton and a yes I am all for technological advancement, but at times I think we take it too far. Let’s keep it real. The cell phones are good, the remote, the dishwasher and even the lazy boy couches. But we would all readily admit that they have come with a host of attendant problems – one such being that they take away from the “naturalness” of life.

Have we not come to realize also that these innovative ideas have had a debilitating effect on our traditional areas of employment, for example the security camera replacing the security guard. I fear that with the advent of the drone selfie stick, the day of the professional photographer is numbered.

Finally, has IoT group done due process in considering the safety implications of operating another propeller driven autonomous craft in our already cluttered air spaces? The America Federal Aviation Authority (AFAA) is already struggling to enact an appropriate legislation to safe guard their airspaces and by extension protect human lives.

I’ve realized that in our technologically intoxicated era, this innovation may be hailed as yet another testimony of mans greatness and his unique ability to manipulate, for his enjoyment, the environment around him. I wish to however declare myself as the voice of reason and humbly ask; is this technological advancement necessary? Would it add value to your everyday living? Ask yourselves these questions.

Reference:

http://www.gizmag.com/roam-e-drone-selfie-facial-recognition/42600/

Summary on Boeing’s Newest Fighter Aircraft Makes First Flight

Boeing, arguably the most prominent and successful manufacturer of commercial jetliners and defense space and security systems has successfully completed the first test flight of the lethal F-15K Strike Eagle.

The war bird was flown by Boeing’s chief test pilot and weapons specialist. It flew at March 2, doing aggressive turns among a list of other systems check.

The test crew had only high praise for the craft declaring that it will be the dominant multi-role fighter for the Korean Air Force and that its handlers will be in high praise of it.

Boeing is contracted to deliver 40 such aircrafts to the ROKAF with final delivery in 2008. The F-15’s program manager has touted the successful flight as a great success and he highly acknowledged the cooperative effort if the several stakeholders.

The F-15K is the most advanced variant of the world acclaimed F-15E. Industry experts view this bird as superior to all other aircrafts in its class having no equals.

The F-15K certainly carries an impressive array of capabilities.

Reference:

http://www.gizmag.com/go/3820/

"Spotlights" - Skimming Software - Summary

When doing online research, how hard is it having to read all these articles? I know, very difficult. This can in turn result in eye strains, fatigue and tiredness etc. Most persons do not even read every detail rather they tend to skim through these online texts. Because of this, researchers at Finland's Aalto University created a program that lets people skim even faster, while retaining more information.

According to the online article "New software will let you skim this article even quicker" (Ben Coxworth, March 29, 2016), this spotlight software automatically detects "visually important" contents such as headlines, tables and/or images on the pages that are scrolling by. Then, this content will briefly be superimposed over top of the scrolling text, drawing the users' attention to it. With this, it is possible to get a sense of what is being said without scrolling slowly to pick out important stuff manually.

"Browsing of long texts speeds up by 60 percent and less than half as much time is spent locating the desired locations in the text" says researcher Byungjoo Lee. "In addition, the probability of noticing points of interest in the text is increased by 210 percent compared to normal scrolling technique."

"Spotlights" is still in prototype form. However, it is hoped that it will soon be integrated into applications such as browsers and PDF viewers.

Reference:

http://www.gizmag.com/spotlights-skimming-software/42537/

Response to Flow Barbados Blocking “Unauthorized Content”

Barbadians awoke to news that its telecommunication provider, (FLOW Barbados) is threatening to block contents on its network that would affect set-top boxes that access off-market television and/or movie streams.

The telecommunication giant stated “we wish to reiterate that C&W does not monitor what a customer accesses on the internet, nor do we know what they are watching. We are simply preventing unauthorized contents from entering the region on our networks.”

In my opinion, this smacks in the face of a monopoly.  And, the questions beg to be asked; where are the net neutrality laws envisioned to protect the Barbadians rights to their choice of network viewing? Where are those individuals, vested with the power to ensure that there are no arbitrary changes to Internet-based Over-The-Top (OTT) applications that would put the common man at a disadvantage? Has FLOW Barbados gone through due process in arriving at this decision?

I firmly believe that this decision was made solely for the purpose of destroying the growing market for the alternative choice of live streaming of Internet-based Over-The-Top (OTT) applications.

Additionally, I believe that FLOW Barbados is afraid of the challenges these set-top boxes and their providers would pose to FLOW and its profits margin.

The nation of Barbados should realize that this is unfair on their path and that they should fight for net neutrality laws to be implemented to prevent this from happening.

Reference:

http://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/78376/flow-blocks-pirates

Summary on article "Print Your Hike! 3D Keepsakes Memorialize Mountain Conquests"

Hikers can now memorialize their impressive conquests in 3D-printed sculptures made from GPS tracks.

According to the online article “Print your hike! 3D keepsakes memorialize mountain conquest” by Denise Chow, Sci-Tech Editor, (24 March 2016, 3:36 p.m. ET), a computer science Ph.D. candidate named Oscar Ardaiz, based in Barcelona, Spain, started a project called Nice Trails to create models or “trophies” that feature GPS tracked hiking trails, cycling trails and or other mountainous routes in three dimension. Models include details such as lakes, snow covers, grasslands etc.

Ardaiz came about with the idea after he climbed Mount Rainier and was extremely proud and happy of his accomplishment, but according to Ardaiz, “the line on a map on my phone didn’t quite represent the awesomeness of the day spent conquering the top. I wanted to view my track in 3D, to see the crests and valleys that I crossed.”

To obtain one of these models a user can simply upload and save their GPS track to the projects website, allowing them to create a 3D replica of the path and surrounding terrains.

These models, according to Nice Trail, are made with a gypsum-based powder bound with adhesives, it can take about 2 weeks to produce each customized trophy and the prices vary based on the three available sizes.

Image of what the trophy looks like:

Reference:

http://www.livescience.com/54163-nice-trails-3d-printed-mountain-models.html

Summary on Why Apple Halts iOS 9.3 Updated for Older iPads and iPhones

Apple pauses iOS 9.3 update for its devices after complaints about activation issues.  According to Mikey Campbell on an online article “Apple halts iOS 9.3 updated for older iPads, iPhones after activation issues” users updating older iPhones and iPads are complaining about their devices being unusable after updating the newly released Operating System iOS 9.3.

Statements that were provided mention the problem being in the password authorization phase of the process. “Updating some iOS devices (iPhone 5S and earlier and iPad Air and earlier) to iOS 9.3 can require entering the Apple ID and password used to set up the device in order to complete the software update” Apple says. “In some cases if customers don’t recall their password, their device will remain in an inactivated state until they can recover or reset their password.”

Apple tried offering workaround suggestions to pass that phase of the process, but users have found limited success with the suggestions given.

Because of this problem, apple temporarily pauses download for the affected models while it works on a fix.

Reference:

http://appleinsider.com/articles/16/03/24/apple-halts-ios-93-updates-for-older-ipads-iphones-after-activation-issues