Technology
Tizen; Will it beat Android and iOS?
May 16th
If you think the overly debated battle between iOS and Android has been taking too much heat, well it might just fuel up even more with a new contender; Tizen!
The fresh mobile operating system, Tizen, is being co-developed by Intel and Samsung. The impressive twist that Tizen brings to the market is the fact that it not only supports programs which were coded using Samsung’s Bada SDK, yet it also supports apps that were initially meant for the Android environment (at least that’s what the Handheld Blog claims).
Heretofore, the Tizen has not impressed with their swirling three dimensional user interface elements that merely resembled a monotonous early version of Android. Yet, the Tizen Developer Conference captivated many when they showcased a rumored Galaxy S II HD LTE running the HTML5-based apps as smoothly as if they were written in native code.
A program called “Application Compatibility Layer” (ACL) will also be supported by Tizen; a program not too different from Research in Motion’s Android player for the BlackBerry PlayBook. In case you were wondering which company is behind ACL, well it is no other than Open Mobile, and might we that they are quite proud to claim that Android apps have the ability to run on a Tizen-powered device without any compatibility problems causing you agony, although it is worth noting that this claim remains to be tested.
Another differentiation, that if proven valid, will give Tizen quite the upper hand, is that with this OS developers will be allowed to code in HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript rather than Objective-C and Java ( which, despite the misleading name, is much different from JavaScript)
Samsung ( and the other companies behind Tizen) are targeting developers with shorter development cycles and inferior costs by avoiding the eccentricity of native code. Mozilla has already attempted such a plunge with its very own Boot to Gecko , yet the financial power backing that Tizen has might actually make it a concrete competitor going forth into 2013.
The Tizen also claims to boast a similar level of responsiveness whether you using it on the device itself or on a native Android smartphone or tablet.
If this in fact turns out to be true, it’s quite safe to say that the Tizen device will actually have a bright future ahead granted that more and more hardware manufacturers decide to take up its cause.
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Tech gift ideas for your mom
May 13th
“Hundreds if dewdrops to greet the dawn,
Hundreds of bees in the purple clover,
Hundreds of butterflies on the lawn,
But only one mother the wide world over.”
~George Cooper
In celebration of Mothers’ day, we took it upon ourselves to give you a roundup of the best tech-related gifts that will surly brighten her day.
1. A tablet : A few years ago, a tablet may have merely meant a medicinal formulation made of a compressed powdered substance containing an active drug and excipients, i.e a pill. Yet, in this fast paced world of ours it has a different meaning, which most of us know as a kind of mobile computers, usually having a touchscreen or pen-enabled interface. Consider getting one of the many options out there ( Sony Tablet P, Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9, Amazon Kindle Fire and the iPad of course) and we’re pretty sure you’re mom will appreciate the much easier approach to watching videos/ playing games with the kids, manage calendars and discover new recipes. Add a beautiful bag to the purchase and you’re good to go. Here a review of the tablets by Cnet.
2. Belkin Chef Stand + Stylus: If your mom is already tech savvy and owns a tablet, this can come in handy, especially if she enjoys cooking and browsing for new recipes. The problem with this modern “recipe book” is that one might be too worried to ruin it by having it in the kitchen with all the mess and fuss. This is where Belkin Chef comes in handy; your mom can just adjust her tablet for easy viewing and navigate the page without getting messy fingerprints on the screen. The stylus is rubberized and designed to get messy and wiped clean again.
3. Fitbit Ultra activity tracker: We are all obsessed nowadays with our fitness level and daily walking/ running routines, hence the popularity of the pedometers. However, they are soon to be become obsolete with Fitbit Ultra since it takes a step further by tracking sleep patterns as well as the number of steps you climb each and every day. To make it a complete present, get the scale that goes with it; it will sync via Wi-Fi with the Fitbit Ultra.
4. The latest smartphone : Walking without a smartphone in this day and hour is like going to the beach without sun block, okay maybe not that drastic but still everyone seems to be obsessed to have their hands on the latest bit of mobile technology. We’ve conducted a comprehensive comparison chart earlier in April, which may help you choose the best one for your dear mom.
5. Clarisonic PLUS with Body Brush Head: Last but not least, our personal favorite is
The Clarisonic Skin Cleansing System; we all know how women enjoy their Spa experiences, and how rejuvenated they feel after each one. Well, treat your mom to a spa experience everyday with the oscillating brush.
Looking for a simple, elegant backup solution?
Genie Timeline 2012 is a new version of the number one continuous data protection program Timeline 2.1. It offers the first metro style user interface; enhanced performance, and added features. Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter for the latest news.
>Follow @Genie9backup
Can we get a smiling bird now?
May 10th
We’ve all been there; lying awake at night contemplating where life’s taking us, what the universe wants from us among other deep thoughts. Other times, we sob ourselves to sleep for not coming up with the simple yet oh so addictive Angry Birds game.
Yes, it has only been six months since reports have been released that the viral game has topped 500 million downloads. Developers have certainly not stopped there; releasing the Angry Birds Space version that is even more hooking that any other, with their clever manipulation of gravity. This version reached 50 million downloads in a mere 35 day interval (10 million downloads in 3 days), easily making it the fastest growing mobile game ever!
The milestones seem to just flock for the Finish developer Rovio Mobile, as he announced yesterday that the bird-flinging, pig-destroying portable strategy game franchise has been downloaded more than 1 billion times.
Hitting the big 9 zeros is definitely a momentous moment. The number includes every Angry Birds game that’s been downloaded since the series debuted in 2009, including the original, Angry Birds Seasons, Angry Birds Rio and Angry Birds Space.
In an attempt to show gratitude, Rovio has released a Thank You video that goes on a quick journey with a red bird as he slips the surly bonds of Earth and catapults into the face of the swine god.
It is estimated, according to what Rovio stated in November 2011, that Angry Birds enthusiasts play 300 million minutes of the game every day.
The game is now available on a range of platforms, including iOS and Android devices, the PlayStation 3, and Web browsers like Google Chrome.
Even though some gamers may condemn the game as being a mere pastime, Legend of Zelda and Mario creator, Shigeru Miyamoto, saluted the game last month stating:
“In particular the control scheme is excellent. When you analyze it, the controls are actually quite fuzzy in terms of the way that it works. It takes a little while to get used to the controls, I think, but once you’ve mastered them, you have a lot of precision. To make it the interface and controls work that well and intuitively… well, I think a lot of work went into getting that right.”
All this widespread success has not gotten in the head of Rovio, as he announced in January that he is not intending to follow in the footsteps of LinkedIn and Zynga in filing for an initial public offering (IPO). Peter Vesterbacka, Rovio marketing Chief clarifies that it is yet too early in the Angry Bird cycle to tackle the IPO.
As we are always wondering what would be next for this frenzy, Rovio hopefully won’t disappoint, as he is planning a feature film that will apparently examine the characters’ personal histories. Don’t get too excited though; the film won’t arrive till 2013 or 2014. He’s also developing Angry Birds-themed amusement parks in China.
If you were Rovio, you also would milk a successful franchise for all it’s worth as well, the question remains, when will the Angry Birds mania come to an end?
Looking for a simple, elegant backup solution?
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>Follow @Genie9backup
InstagramCam; Snap it, filter it, Print it and share it!
May 9th
Instagram has received a lot of press coverage in the past few weeks. Whether it’s well deserved or not is quite an individual issue. The latest Instagram related post was earlier this April when Facebook acquired the app for $ 1 billion
This time ARD, an Italian based design and communication studio have quite cleverly jumped into the hype and presented a brilliant concept called Instagram Socialmatic Camera.
Antonio De Rosa, the 34 ADR Studio founder and owner, who has previously manipulated rumors and speculations of what Apple could be bringing in a future product, to gauge people’s responses, has just recently released this concept for the real-life Instagram camera. One which, might we say, presents a combination of some of the latest cutting-edge technology and design with an entirely retro feel and the results are quite distinguishable.
While merely a week ago, a hilarious “advertisement” was leaked, intended to make fun of a fictional camera called the Instagram Snap; basically a Polaroid camera with “sharing” features (passing a photo to another person by hand) and “filters” (coffee filter = spill coffee on your picture).
It almost seems ironic that a concept for such a camera actually emerges, and grabs so much attention, that leaves many (including us) drooling in agony!
While we applaud innovative design, the hardware specs must also be up to a high standard, and the Socialmatic Cam certainly does not disappoint. It comes with 16 GB of mass storage, which is more than enough for a year’s worth of snaps of landscape, pets and food, and also boasts Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity for easy sharing.
Here is the full spec list of the proposed camera:
§ 16 GB mass storage
§ Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
§ 4:3 touchscreen
§ 2 main lenses, first for main capture, second for 3D filters, webcam applications and QR Code capturing
§ Optical zoom
§ Led Flash
§ Internal printer to make your Instagram photos real
§ Paper cartridge with Instagram Paper Sheets
§ Dedicated 4 colors ink tanks
§ InstaOS 1.0, which put together Facebook and Instagram App feature
You might wonder how this Cam would differ from what Android and iOS users can already enjoy. Well, it packs a quirky internal printer with the ability to bring those shots to life instantly, and the four dedicated ink tanks can print onto Instagram Paper Sheets, (yes it sounds a bit Polaroid-ish). The specialized sheets would have an adhesive strip along the back – similarly to a post-it – allowing them to be stuck wherever your heart desires, as well as a small blank space to leave your memoirs. You will be able to stick your preferred pictures on walls or in elevators or on the subway and other people who later like your photos can scan your QR code and follow your future work.
Such an independent camera which would definitely produce higher quality images than a mobile phone one, with an ability to share both online and in the real world (if priced right) would skyrocket. We’re sold, are you?
Looking for a simple, elegant backup solution?
Genie Timeline 2012 is a new version of the number one continuous data protection program Timeline 2.1. It offers the first metro style user interface; enhanced performance, and added features. Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter for the latest news.
>Follow @Genie9backup
Top 8 apps for this month!
May 8th
In this fast paced world of ours, we are always wondering which new app to download next. Well, we’ve compiled the best 8 for this month and we will be posting more in the upcoming blogs as soon as they are out, so stay tuned. Here are the ones for this month:
1. Idea Generator (Get it for your android or iOS)
Are you experiencing a writer’s block? ?Need to spark up your creative streak? This just might be the app for you! We all know how beneficial brainstorming with colleagues can be, but what if you are on your own and absolutely out of ideas? The idea Generator comes to your rescue just set off the right category to start the idea flow. When you launch the application, you will be treated with three configurable drop down lists. Pick the appropriate category that suits your taste and hit the generate button to create an idea.
2. Cartoon Camera (Get it for your android or iOS)
Well, if you are one of the aristocratic “artsy” type of a person whose apps are tailor-made such as Hipstamatic, this one is not for you! Cartoon Camera targets more laid back kind of people with a sense of humor. It does quite a decent job of turning a photo into a sketch-like cartoon. The bonus perk is that it’s free.
3. Clik (Get it for your android)
Clik allows you to control any web-enabled screen from your phone. You point your web browser to ClikThis.com and then open the Clik app on your smartphone. Scan the QR code on ClikThis.com and that web browser now becomes a big screen to watch videos on (with the Clik app being your snazzy remote).
4. Jittergram (Get it for your iOS)
If you are an avid 3D lover, then this is the app for you! Jittergram turns your photos into 3D stereograms by taking two consecutive photos and instantly turning them into GIFs, without hassle. The bonus here is that you can share all of your creations on Twitter with just a couple of taps, all for free.
5. Svpply (Get it for your iOS)
If you are an undercover or upfront shopaholic, this is the app for you! Svpply, the free app, brings a curated sampling of new products to you each day, selected from more than 70,000 stores and brands across the web. You can build your own custom-made wish list, browse different items, and search for clothes, home goods, art, gadgets, and more. Find the time and go shopping!
6. Calculations Pro (Get it for your android)
If you are a bit of a nerd who enjoys travelling this is just the app for you! Calculations Pro is a 5-in-1 tool; calculator, currency converter, unit converter, mortgage calculator and a tipping calculator. Imagine how convenient this would be on a night out with friends; no more worries about splitting the bill and adding the tip to the calculation!
7. SoundWire (Get it for your android)
Throwing a party yet you cannot find the extension wire for your pc? Stuck at the office with no good music around except the over played radio stations? Well then SoundWire is for you! It so amazing that it lets you send any music (”what you hear now”) from your PC to your Android mobile devices or other PCs. SoundWire has low latency (audio delay), which means it can even be used to listen to the soundtrack of a movie or YouTube video while you watch (**Note you must adjust the buffer size in app settings for low latency).
8. SMS Flash (Get it for your android)
We all know how annoying it is when you receive an SMS right in the middle of playing your favorite game, or just when you are watching a movie or finally about to capture that long awaited picture; you have to stop it all because curiosity always kills the cat. Well, no more. With SMS Flash, you can touch through the displayed SMS and continue interaction with the screen.
Looking for a simple, elegant backup solution?
Genie Timeline 2012 is a new version of the number one continuous data protection program Timeline 2.1. It offers the first metro style user interface; enhanced performance, and added features. Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter for the latest news.
>Follow @Genie9backup
A new way with Touché; doorknobs are watching you!
May 7th
Just when you thought you were too old for Disney, they come and reinvent the whole “smart” world!
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University and Disney Research in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvanian have taken it upon themselves to think outside the box and bring us a much more advanced and visionary method to implement the “touch screen” technology and make it part of our daily life.
While smart phones and tablets seem to be the cutting edge technology of today since they effectuate capacitive touch sensing, these devices in fact only use a single electrical signal; the value goes up or down depending if the finger is touching or not. Hence, making capacitive sensing merely binary; either the user is touching or they are not, as the video provided clearly explains.
Disney developers take it a step further by presenting Touché.
So, in brief how is Touché different?
1. The operating requirements are very simple; a single sensing electrode be attached to the object at one end and a computer at the other, which will examine the capacitive profile changes.
2. Multiple frequencies as opposed to binary ones. Meaning that 5 gestures are supported (as opposed to only two); no touch, one finger touch, pinch, circle and grasp.
Why should we be concerned?
This new technology is called the “Swept Frequency Capacitive Sensing (SFCS)” and it is robust; even the human body or a body of water can be a sensor not to mention the enhancements to everyday objects.
Here are some examples:
1. Smart doorknob; unlocks when grasped in a certain way.
2. Smartphone; silences itself if the user holds a finger on her/his lips.
3. Tables and chairs; sense the position of people using them.
4. Coffee machine; started with the swipe of a table.
5. Lights; turned on when feet are on the floor, and turned off where they are not.
“Signal frequency sweeps have been used for decades in wireless communication, but as far as we know, nobody previously has attempted to apply this technique to touch interaction,” said Ivan Poupyrev, senior research scientist at Disney Research, Pittsburgh.
The team will present their work at the Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI 2012) in Austin, Texas today.
Looking for a simple, elegant backup solution?
Genie Timeline 2012 is a new version of the number one continuous data protection program Timeline 2.1. It offers the first metro style user interface; enhanced performance, and added features. Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter for the latest news.
>Follow @Genie9backup
Microsoft: Destination SmartHome!
May 3rd
Take a step back and look around you; how many electronically/ wirelessly controlled devices can you see? Probably more than a dozen, starting with your beloved smartphone, laptop, smart air conditioning system, wireless router, light system and the list goes on and on. Every day, we are introduced to a new “smart” appliance that can automatically do a task for us, and now we can brace ourselves with the “smart home”.
This is not an entirely new concept; Control4 sells a system that allows users to control appliances from their cell phones and in-home touch screens. Google announced its Android@Home platform last year, which will also let users control appliances directly from their Android phones (starting with a wirelessly connected LED bulb).
Microsoft targeted this issue more than a decade ago, and it seems their fire has not been put off just yet.
A white paper about their work on a HomeOs and a HomeStore was published in 2012, which contained early concepts around a Microsoft Research-developed home-automation system. Last month, these same concepts have been translated into prototypes published in another white paper on the Microsoft Research site.
HomeOS aims to create “centralized, holistic control of devices in the home.” It goes beyond simply connecting a couple of gadgets; HomeOS provides a hub device that can interact with devices, power sources, sensors, lighting, and appliances to manage your home.
Microsoft is seeking to simplify the integration of new appliances, which to this date, are incapable of communicating successfully with each other. Their objective is to transform your home to a personal computer, which would make adding any new device to the network as easy as plugging in a USB mouse.
The HomeOS test bed, as illustrated in a new Microsoft Research whitepaper. (Credit: Microsoft)
HomeOS has been already tested in 12 homes for four to eight months at a time. Apps that will presumably be found in the HomeStore have been developed by over 5o students and Microsoft has come up with a number of applications as well. The already-developed apps include one that turns on music when lights are turned on, an app to control a light dimmer, and an app that lets you remotely control your security cameras.
Apps that increase home energy efficiency can presumably also be created by developers; one that turns on air conditioning only when the garage door is opened, or an app that opens the shades when the thermostat hits a certain temperature.
The only ambiguity remaining is whether or not HomeOS would be only associated with the Windows platform. This might constitute a problem for the non-Windows fans, and might not transform the prototype into a mainstream product.
This is not a given though, since there are other operating system research projects and incubations at Microsoft, including Singularity (PDF) and Midori, neither of which is Windows based. Yet, the new whitepaper on the technology explained that it was built using C# and the .Net Framework 4.0.
Looking for a simple, elegant backup solution?
Genie Timeline 2012 is a new version of the number one continuous data protection program Timeline 2.1. It offers the first metro style user interface; enhanced performance, and added features. Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter for the latest news.
>Follow @Genie9backup
Apple; apps using Dropbox’s SDK are rejected!
May 2nd
Apple doesn’t seem to want to get off its high horse according to the latest PandoDaily’s report on a support thread in Dropbox’s user support forums.
iOS app developers probably already know that the submission process can be quite a hassle; Apple provides developers with a HIG ( Human Interface Guidelines) that ought to be followed, yet it seems obscurities are inevitable when dealing with all-mighty Apple.
However, there is one specific barrier causing a stir among app developers, specifically apps that use the Dropbox SDK. Apparently a considerable number of apps are being rejected lately due to Apple’s rules and legislations that force developers to remove links in iOS apps that allowed for external subscriptions or purchases to be made — unless the same transaction was also available as one of Apple’s in-app purchases.
Yes, that’s right, if a service isn’t using Apple’s in-app purchase platform, it can’t provide an outside link to purchase a subscription service.
Apparently, the controversy at hand is the way Dropbox’s new SDK handles the authorization of third-party apps: it sends users to a page in Safari where they can grant access. However, that same page also allows new users to create accounts, after which they could drill down through Dropbox’s site and upgrade to a paid account. Apple does not applaud that.
Apple’s response to “faulty apps” was as follows:
“We found that your app provides access to external mechanisms for purchases or subscriptions to be used in the app, which is not in compliance with the App Store Review Guidelines.
Specifically, your app enables to user to create accounts with Dropbox and Google.”
Dropbox’s initial maneuver to try to surmount this was by removing a link to the desktop version of the site, but the review team still rejected apps. Dropbox’s team did not give up that easily though, and plunged into the forums with a new SDK released that gets rid of the hindrance. A long term solution is on the way, maybe as soon as next week.
One would think Apple might have learnt by now, with Samsung being the new crowned king of mobiles, that playing hard to get and greedy does not get you far, quite the opposite!
Looking for a simple, elegant backup solution?
Genie Timeline 2012 is a new version of the number one continuous data protection program Timeline 2.1. It offers the first metro style user interface; enhanced performance, and added features. Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter for the latest news.
>Follow @Genie9backup
Hulu: Is it over?
May 1st
Hulu, the website and OTT ( Over-the top) subscription service that allows people to watch TV shows, movies and even webisodes might be committing suicide, but don’t worry, you may have a year or two to spare!
Yes, we’re just as astound as any other Hulu enthusiast; we loved Hulu for its sole purpose to combat piracy. It got hugely popular not because of its high quality programming, but of course due to the fact that it was free and legal! This explains the 31 million unique users acquired in March under a free-for-all model.
Even though these are just rumors for now,we recommend you keep your eyes open for updates so you won’t be surprised one day.
What concerns us most though is whether or not this would just apply to Hulu’s free service, or if it will also apply to Hulu Plus subscribers.
Hulu Plus, which costs $7.99 per month, currently has somewhere between 1.5 and 2 million paying subscribers.
Here are some statements from Hulu’s sources:
“Even though an authentication requirement isn’t likely to happen right away, though, our source notes that what could happen relatively soon is that the content providers could require longer delays before their shows become available on the service for non-subscribers. Cable subscribers, under this model, would get access to a show on Hulu the next day, while non-subscribers would have to wait at least 30 days. This model would likely also apply to Hulu Plus subscribers. “
A lot of users seem to express discontent with this latest piece of news, as most of their comments sounded like this:
“Sorry cable companies, but this just makes me not want to subscribe to you. I haven’t for the past 4 years and I will continue to not.”
We agree, and how would this even differentiate them from Apple/ Google TV? Well, whatever happens, we hope you choose whichever conveniences you.
We loved their commercial for the Hulu plus, though! Enjoy:
Since it is Labor Day today, we leave you with this quote to ponder on:
” Work isn’t to make money, you work to justify life ” ~ Marc Changal
Looking for a simple, elegant backup solution?
Genie Timeline 2012 is a new version of the number one continuous data protection program Timeline 2.1. It offers the first metro style user interface; enhanced performance, and added features. Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter for the latest news.
>Follow @Genie9backup
Anti-fog? Maybe no more
Apr 30th
Have you ever wondered what it would be like if there was anti-fog, anti-glare and self-cleaning glass? Well, now we could ponder on that thanks to a new research by The MIT.
The secret twist of the research is layers of glass that are selectively removed to create microscopic cones. This nanotech innovation adds the desirable characteristics for this wonder glass. The glass would essentially look nearly invisible because of the lack of glare, fog or any other visual cue that the eye can see. Here is the paper that describes in detail this interesting technology.
Ultimately, if this technology can be implemented using an inexpensive manufacturing process, it could highly enhance the optical devices, the screens of smartphones and televisions, solar panels, car windshields and even windows in buildings.
Imagine how convenient it would be if our beloved touch screen devices were not only reflection free, but also resistant to sweat contamination!
Solar panels would also be quite grateful for this cutting edge technology. How? Well, if solar panels installed on roofs and on the ground could repel liquid and even be self cleaning, that could help the panels provide as much optimal power as possible for solar panels need to be cleaned periodically to work properly, thus, making them time and energy efficient.
Yet the majority of the population would applaud the last feature; self-washed car windows, no more dirt and grit on the exterior surface of the windows, no more glare and reflections that can impair visibility, and yes no more waiting for hours in those cold morning for the fog to evaporate!
Well, why haven’t we thought of this earlier? Maybe we should’ve paid more attention to nature, since that’s where the researchers seem to have drawn their inspiration from! Here is the statement from the MIT website:
“textured surfaces ranging from lotus leaves to desert-beetle carapaces and moth eyes have developed in ways that often fulfill multiple purposes at once. Although the arrays of pointed nanocones on the surface appear fragile when viewed microscopically, the researchers say their calculations show they should be resistant to a wide range of forces, ranging from impact by raindrops in a strong downpour or wind-driven pollen and grit to direct poking with a finger. “
Further testing will be needed to demonstrate how well the nanotextured surfaces hold up over time in practical applications, the report noted.
The research was funded by the Army Research Office through MIT’s Institute for Soldier Nanotechnology; the Air Force Office of Scientific Research; Singapore’s National Research Foundation through the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) Center, and the Xerox Foundation.
Looking for a simple, elegant backup solution?
Genie Timeline 2012 is a new version of the number one continuous data protection program Timeline 2.1. It offers the first metro style user interface; enhanced performance, and added features. Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter for the latest news.
>Follow @Genie9backup
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