You can engage experienced coaches or online pundits of FIFA Championship Manager to analyse the merits of individual football teams/players or even a supercomputer to work out the probability of match winners, but technology and cold logic is no match for Paul the Oracle.
In case you aren’t aware, Paul is not a person but rather an octopus residing at the Sea Life Aquarium in Oberhauser in Germany. It has generated worldwide interest with accurate predictions on results of German matches at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Paul the Octopus correctly foretold the Germans’ quarter final victory over Argentina, their second round win over England, as well as group round wins over Australia and Ghana and a loss to Serbia.
The octopus picks results when two boxes with flags from opposing teams are lowered into his tank. The food is placed on top of each box and the first box which the octopus moves toward is declared his choice.
To prove that Paul is not biased towards his countrymen or the colors of Germany’s flag, he has predicted a win for Spain over Germany for the semifinals. Spain and Germany are two of Europe’s finest attacking teams, thus football fans must not miss out this match, which should be full of suspense and goals.
Though it is not a nice feeling for football pundits to be outperformed by an octopus, I am sure most of them will be placing their bets according to Paul’s predictions.
TomTom App, a popular GPS software, promises more efficient and safer driving with its new multi-tasking functions as drivers can now receive turn-by-turn directions while running other apps on their iPhone.
Some of the multi-tasking capabilities integrated by TomTom (Version 1.4) includes:
• Seamless navigation while calling – Users can make and answer calls while navigating with the help of visual turn-by-turn instructions. With this feature, users see visual instructions even when they are on a call, so they are not distracted by the call and directions to their destination.
• Background navigation instructions – Passengers can use and view other apps on the screen while receiving spoken turn-by-turn instructions from TomTom app.
• Route Sharing – Car travellers can now send details of their current route, to their iPhone’s contacts via email. This feature lets friends and family keep up to date of your location.
• Departure Reminder – Drivers can now plan upcoming trips and add them to their calendar, with a departure reminder appearing on their iPhone when it’s time to travel.
• Eco-friendly Routing – Drivers can save money and reduce environmental impact by driving on more fuel-efficient routes. By using its advanced routing technology and the driving data of all TomTom users, the TomTom app will provide a more efficient route option.
• Car Symbols – Drivers can now personalise the car symbol on the driving screen by choosing the car icon, symbol and colour that best meets their style.
Availability and Price
TomTom app for iPhone (Version 1.4) is available for purchase via the App Store for USD $59.99. If you currently own a TomTom app, you can update to the new version at no extra cost.
Even though TomTom app (Version 1.4) runs on OS 3.0 and iOS 4, you should upgrade to iOS 4 to take advantage of all the new features.
1. Chrome Web Apps Working Quite Well
One of the big announcements at this year’s Google I/O was that a new Chrome Web Store was being built and some apps are working quite well.
4. Top Ten Geekiest Marriage Proposals
Here are 10 finest examples of geeky marriage proposals; and they involve video games, gadgets and even Google Street View.
7. Apple iPad Could get Pressure Sensitive Drawing App
The Apple iPad screen doesn’t support pressure-sensitivity. It merely just knows when your finger touches the screen and acts accordingly. Thanks to Ten One Design, this could soon change.
Larissa Riquelme, a lingerie model from Paraguay, has a lot to thank for the wonders of social networks, especially Twitter.
She catapulted to fame after a guy posted a Twitpic of her dressed scantily with an iPhone nestled against her bosom in the first match against Italy.
That picture apparently went viral. Now Larissa Riquelme is on the front pages of leading sports websites and she is tagged as Paraguay’s number one fan.
Larissa Riquelme recently teased football fans with a promise that she will strip naked and run on the streets in body paint if Paraguay reach the semi finals or finals of World Cup 2010.
Well, when you put Twitter, iPhone and a fame hungry voluptuous babe together, the result is a potent mix, especially when you position the iPhone strategically.
Larissa Riquelme’s popularity (and she is not even in South Africa) proves again the immense power of Twitter in getting your name or face out there in the shortest possible time.
Remember that futuristic looking Batpod custom motorcycle? Here is something which trumps it hands down and brings back fond memories of the movie Tron.
The most memorable aspect of Tron were the Light Cycle scenes. For a long time, the light cycle was an object of lust for every credible geek in town.
Now. thanks to the guys who brought you the Batpod, you can own Light Cycle. At US$35,000 they are a bargain for retro geeks considering that they are limited edition and only 5 of these will be made:
The Parker Brothers team is building 5 custom one off “Lightcycles” to the exact specs of the movie bikes. Each bike will be black with an accent color – 5 bikes with 5 different accent colors (red, blue, yellow, green, and orange).
There will only be one bike made per color so if you must have a certain color, you better call now… Now, about the bikes themselves, the wheels are custom made 22″ x12″ dual hubless wheels with custom made tires (Hoosier is custom making 5 sets just for us specifically for this project).
(Buyers will have the option of additional tires as needed) The frame is 2″ cold rolled and boxed hardened steel with carbon fiber/fiberglass bodies. Accent colors are neon glowing from behind frosted plexiglass and can be turned off or on with the flip of a switch.
Zipping around in a Tron Lightcycle is gonna up your street cred and attract the babes. It makes no sense to have just any helmet with the bike, so the creators will be giving you a TRON helmet to go with your bike.
Speculation is rife that Google intends to dethrone Facebook with its new social network, tentatively called Google Me.
The rumor gained credibility when Digg founder Kevin Rose reportedly tweeted, “Ok, umm, huge rumor: Google to launch facebook competitor very soon “Google Me,” very credible source” on June 28.
InsideFacebook also quoted former Facebook executive Adam D’Angelo, who says Google’s project is “not a rumor” and that there is “a large number of people working on it.” It seems that Google is modeling the project off of Facebook.
Though Google has not confirmed its new high-priority project, but to take on Facebook is ambitious. Failing in this endeavor with all the resources pumped in will be a huge embarrassment to Google.
Google already has many social services like Buzz, Friend Connect, Orkut, Gmail, GTalk, Wave, Reader, Docs, YouTube, SideWiki, etc. In that sense, Google is already a huge social network.
Setting up another social network modelled on Facebook may render its earlier products useless and there is no guarantee of success (why should people switch over if it is exactly the same as Facebook).
I think Google should just leverage on its existing services by improving on its profiles and connectivity of its products. Given that each Google account has a profile which is central to all Google activities, making them available for sharing will make it similar to Facebook Wall.
Can Google overtake Facebook as the king of social network? Probably not. I am sure Google will definitely announce a much better product than Buzz or Wave but I can’t imagine people leaving Facebook, after seeing how privacy issues fail to dent its popularity.
By the way, Facebook is also trying to move onto Google’s turf by using “likes” as relevance indicators in it’s search results. In addition, Matthew Papakipos, an engineer who “started and managed the Chrome OS project” is now with Facebook.
Improvement is always a good thing but Facebook has a long way to go before grabbing Google’s search market share.
With both giants moving aggressively into each other’s territory, it will be interesting to watch who ends up as the victor. The result will have significant impact on the businesses’ competitive moats. Stay tuned..
Kaspersky is one of my favorite antivirus programs for my PC and laptop. With the increasing popularity of smart phones and apps, it is now important to get a good antivirus program to protect your gadget from undesirable intruders too.
Kaspersky Mobile Security 9 is highly recommended as a comprehensive protection for smart phones, including real time anti-malware scans, automatic updates, blocking of dangerous network connections, etc.
To celebrate World Cup 2010, Kaspersky is offering free giveaways. You can download a free copy of Kaspersky Mobile Security 9 with valid license key to activate this mobile phone antivirus software.
Follow the simple steps below to get a free genuine registration key for Kaspersky Mobile Security 9 :
1. Scan the QR Code on right with your phone or type kms.kaspersky.com into your smartphone’s browser for instant download.
2. Complete the Kaspersky Mobile Security 9 install and enter free registration code: BFK48-UJ3TR-AFKN3-RP5PU for registering the software.
Supported OS :
Symbian 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4 Series 60 3rd (Nokia only)
Windows Mobile 5.0, 6.0, 6.1, 6.5
If you are downloading from PC then you can download kaspersky Mobile Security 9.0 from the following link.
So you have bought your iPhone 4 and it will be such a shame if you misplace it or left it at home.
Mobile phones have become increasingly indispensable to us, whether it is to chat, send emails, listen to music, play games, or surf the net.
Well, here is a cool gadget, Bringrr, to ensure that your mobile phone is never far from your grasp. Bringrr is a small Bluetooth accessory that detects when your phone is nearby. When you start your car and the phone isn’t present, it will emit a sound to alert you.
The gadget is small and quite cheap at $35. For those who can’t live without their phones and are rather forgetful, Bringrr is a good investment. It is definitely better than driving all the way back to your home from your office just to get your cell phone.
It should come as no surprise that England fell to Germany but the manner of defeat was embarrassing.
Instead of blaming the Jabulani and vuvuzelas, this time the spotlight is on goal-line video technology after a goal from Frank Lampard, which could have changed England’s fortunes, was not allowed.
The Chelsea midfielder could have brought the game level at 2-2 before half time, but his goal was not spotted by the referee and linesman, despite replays showing it crossed the line about half a metre.
Going out of the World Cup before the quarter finals – and to arch rival Germany – was a shame. To be fair, England were outplayed for long stretches of the game and Germany absolutely deserve their victory. There was also a bit of poetic justice in England’s defeat. In the 1966 World Cup, England won against Germany by way of a goal which video analysis has shown did not entirely cross the line.
Nevertheless, FIFA has to ask itself whether such crucial mistakes should be prevented. FIFA has long opposed the use of goal-line technology.
In March, Fifa’s general secretary, Jérôme Valcke, ruled out the use of video replays firmly, saying: “If we start with goal-line technology then any part of the game and pitch will be a potential space where you could put in place technology to see if the ball was in or out, whether it was a penalty and then you end up with video replays. The door is closed.”
Head of referees for South African Football Association, Steve Goddard, also feels that video evidence is “time-wasting” and using two additional assistants, as in the Europa league is a better solution.
In any game, there will always be winners and losers, joy and disappointment, but most importantly, football fans want a fair result. Unfortunately, FIFA is still non-commital over implementation of goal line technology after today’s game.
A few days ago, the much awaited iPhone 4 was launched but the party wasn’t all that great. Yes, long queues were present at Apple stores. Nevertheless, there were some disappointment and tears after the unboxing of the iPhone 4.
Firstly, the hyped Retina display which promises crystal clear pictures that put all camera phones to shame became secondary to the disgusting pale yellow spot on the screen. Not all phones were affected though but you gotta check and it definitely spoils the enjoyment of taking pics and videos with your iPhone 4.
It was also reported that the signal strength may be affected and some calls got cut off, depending on which hand you hold the iPhone 4. Due to the iPhone 4 new design, holding it in your left palm will bridge the 2 antennae, leading to a drop in signals. You can use the Apple “bumper” accessory to solve the problem though.
In terms of shock resistance, the iPhone 4 didn’t pass muster either. Anybody who has used a mobile phone will have dropped it at some point of time. In the case of iPhone 4, such careless moments could be disastrous.
Seeing the smashed iPhone 4, it has lost all aesthetic appeal and pose a safety hazard as you can cut yourself easily. I don’t understand why Apple want to use glass (and it doesn’t look like tempered glass to me). The iPhone 4 will have looked equally slick with a stainless steel back instead of glass. At least it is more durable and resilient.
The manufacturing defects and design issues in this groundbreaking gadget worry me. Apple is gonna make a fortune repairing phones but it will do its reputation no good.
Let’s hope Apple fix these issues for their second batch of iPhone 4.
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