Football fans trying to watch the FIFA World Cup 2010 action or hear the commentators will attest that the vuvuzela is a nuisance.
The monotonus buzzing sound of this previously unknown musical instrument is really one of a kind.. you either love it or hate it.
Well, Google or rather, YouTube, has taken the liberty to assume that there is a sufficient number of people who enjoy the vuvuzelas.
Recently, YouTube installed a cute soccer icon on their video player (see below). Once clicked, it will play the vuvuzela’s legendary single note until you deactivate the button.
The button only appears on certain videos, so it can be fun trying to find one and irritate your friends.
What do you guys think of this droning buzz? If it helps you go to sleep, at least it is useful. I will prefer Google to deploy their programmers on more innovative projects than a vuvuzela button.
Apple has released a new version of their mobile OS, iOS4 to fanatic iPhone and iPod touch users. I can just imagine their excitement at seeing the announcement on ITunes – “A new iPhone software version (4.0) is available.”
iOS4 is a free update for iPhone 3G and 3GS models. Early adopters of iPhones has to look on longingly at the extremely useful multitasking feature which only work on the latest 3GS models and upcoming iPhone 4.
Well, don’t feel upset if you have a first-gen iPhone as your batttery may not be able to handle multi-tasking… that is a perfect excuse for you to upgrade to iPhone 4.
There are over 1500 changes made to the API, and several new features introduced. Here are some prominent highlights from iOS 4:
- Multitasking – yes, the missing piece in the iPhone jigsaw! A combination of persistent-state applications and backgrounding functions ensures you can tweet and email at the same time.
- Folders – If you have been downloading apps, you soon find that your homepage is overwhelmed. Sometimes you just can’t find what you want amid multiple screens of apps. Not to worry, as you can now organize your homescreen into folders with ease.
- iBooks – iPad has an eBooks reader, so why not the iPhone. In iOS4, just like the kindle app, your books will be synced across all your devices.
- Tap to focus Video – Focus with video capture.
- Bluetooth Keyboard Support – I have not much use for a bluetooth keyboard with my iPhone but for those who don’t have a laptop, it might help you finish a report on the go.
- Better Spell Check – Now available in Mail, Notes and Safari and other apps.
Actually, Apple is playing catch-up to other phone developers as such features are available on other platforms long ago. The playing field is more or less level now.
iOS4 is now available for download by plugging your device into iTunes.
With the frenzy over iPads and iPhones, it is not surprising to see sales of personal computers and laptops taking a backseat.
However, 3D technology could be the X-factor to push up their sales. Toshiba has jumped on the bandwagon by unveiling its first 3D laptop, Satellite A665-3DV.
The Satellite A665-3DV boasts a Core i7-740QM quad-core processor, Windows 7 Home Premium, 4GB of DDR3 memory, a 640GB hard drive, NVIDIA’s GeForce GTS 350M (1GB), a Blu-ray burner, LED backlit keyboard and 802.11n WiFi.
There is also a built-in webcam, a trackpad, a BD drive and support for 3D. The 1,366 x 768 native resolution spanning the 15.6-inch panel is impressive too.
The laptop is priced at $1,599.99. Well, since there will be an onslaught of 3D laptop in the near future, I will just hold back for a while and hope the prices hit $1000 before opening my wallet.
Yanko Design came up with an innovative idea of charging batteries through our jumping using a jump rope (or e-ropes).
The charging mechanism is placed in the handles and derives energy from the spinning rope. Just spend 20 minutes hopping on the e-ropes, and you can charge the batteries 100%.
Jumping ropes is great for your health and figure. And you get to save up on electrical bills too. So start practicing today! Erm, I mean jumping, not using it as pleasure device, even though the design looks like a vibrator or a dildo.
2. iPhone 4 Has 512 MB of RAM - Double That of iPad and 3GS
Apple has confirmed that the iPhone 4 has 512MB of RAM compared to the original iPhone 128MB while the iPhone 3GS and iPad have 256MB. Doubling the RAM in the iPhone 4 will allow developers more room to work with.
3. Google Eating Microsoft’s Lunch, One Bite At A Time
Microsoft just launched Office 2010 to great fanfare, and quietly slipped in a new free online version. It looks like they may have finally realized that if they don’t cannibalize their core business with a web based offering, Google will.
4. 10 Ways to Track your Lost or Stolen iPhone
iPhone is one of the most popular smartphones in US and currently has 2nd highest market share. Your iPhone is indispensable but what would you do if it gets lost or stolen?
5. Turning Old Hard Drives Into New Clocks
What happens to your old hard drive after you’re done with it? Some destroy it to protect sensitive data while others throw theirs away. Then there’s Ben Bedell, an artist with a techie flair who turns hard drives into clocks.
6. Waiting for the Electric Car Price War
As plug-in hybrid and all-electric cars roll out over the next 12 months, more aggressive price war and hardcore marketing will begin.
7. First iPhone 4 Camper in Line Already – in Texas Heat!
Imagine the crazy lines outside Apple stores on June 24, the official launch date. If you haven’t pre-ordered your iPhone 4 yet, too bad, you have to wait till July 14th. This guy is not leaving things to chance as he camped outside a Texas Apple Store a week in advance.
Last week, the the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency launched solar sail, Ikaros, in space to much fanfare.
The solar sail was created using super-thin aluminumized plastic to reflect solar radiation back at the sun and in the process, propel itself through space.
Now, Ikaros needs to prove that solar-powered travel is indeed possible. It has been given five months to chart its way through space and its first destination is planet Venus.
This is an exciting new technology for future space-travel. You can ride these these solar sails like windsails but of course, you will want to travel in the opposite direction to the sun.
The US has taken a backseat on space exploration so it is great to see other countries like Japan and China stepping up on space technology research.
It is not often that a football gets more limelight than the millionaire football players, which include the mesmerizing Lionel Messi, flamboyant Cristiano Ronaldo and sublime Kaka.
However, for this World Cup 2010, its official football (Jabulani) has become the centre of attention for the wrong reasons. The Jabulani is either too light, too fast, or too round which results in unpredictable swerves in midair. In short, the ball sucks.
You must be wondering why FIFA uses a lousy ball for such a prestigious event. Actually, the Jabulani is created with cutting edge technology (see the video below for a glimpse of the technology behind the Jabulani).
I am heartened to see that every World Cup, FIFA strives to improve on the roundness and smoothness of the ball. But too much of a good thing can be negative.
Do you guys think that technological improvements to achieve a perfectly round ball are worth the trouble? After all, football fans just want entertainment and the more goals scored, the better. But so far, World Cup 2010 is far from being prolific.
Since Project Natal, now called Kinect, was announced at E3 last year, Microsoft has been hard at work. It promised to bring full body motion control to the Xbox 360 and at E3 2010, it did not disappoint.
Xbox 360 with Project Natal (Kinect) is more than a Wii clone. It provides a unique experience that caters not only to hardcore gamers.
There are games for girls (Kinectimals) and sports fans (Kinect Adventurous; Kinect Sports).
Big boys like Konami, Lucas Arts and Turn 10 Studios have embraced the next-gen controller system by developing games for adults, like Metal Gear Solid and Star Wars Kinect.
Another fun feature of Microsoft Xbox 360 is the alternative dashboard using Kinect. To log-in, you just wave your hand. Making selections and browsing through media is easy too, just swipe your hand to move the on-screen cursor. Kinect also recognizes voice commands.
Microsoft has leapfrogged above competitors Sony and Nintendo with full body motion control. Not having a controller may have drawbacks for certain games, but the gaming experience is superior as you fully immerse yourself in the action.
If the Kinect experiment proves successful, Microsoft will be the kingpin of motion control on the gaming console and computer. By the way, the Xbox 360 kinect is set to hit retail stores by November. Are you looking forward to connect with Kinect?
Microsoft is innovating 3D technology by ditching 3D glasses, choosing instead to beam images into our eyes. They have created a camera to track viewers’ eyes using a new special lens shaped like a wedge.
The wedge lens can direct light into a viewers eye by turning light-emitting diodes along its bottom edge on and off. By controlling the light, it can display different images on the screen and direct where each image goes.
I am not hung on 3D technology because of the ugly glasses which cost a bomb too. We have to congratulate Microsoft which has often been accused of being anti-innovation as compared to Apple. Now they are spending their R&D money wisely.
The prototype’s limitations is that only 2 people can watch 3D at one time (one image per eye) or 4 people can watch a 2D video. I am also skeptical about the side effects of our eyes being shot in the eye with lazer beams over prolonged periods.
However, if Microsoft continues to research into this 3D laser technology, they could be the first to launch 3D games on the mass market. Coupled with Natal, we could enjoy immersive and interactive 3D games soon.
DiGi has taken mobile broadband to the next level with MiFi – a portable 3G modem cum router. MiFi fits snugly into your pocket and support up to 5 different devices simultaneously.
DiGi’s MiFi comes with a reported 5 hour battery life and is able to churn out data at HSDPA speeds (the speed is not guaranteed though). If you need video conferencing, depending solely on WiFi is not a safe solution but for most internet surfing, this gadget should suffice.
MiFi isn’t available for purchase yet, but if you’re interested in buying a router/modem combo, check out the official pre-order website.
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