Chip Implanted in the Brain to Help Control Your PC

According to Intel, its customers would soon have the possibility to have a computer chip implanted into their brains so they would operate computers, mobile phones, TV and more, using their thoughts, without any physical interaction.

Currently the company's new invention is being developed at its lab located in Pittsburg, USA. The chip will be able to feel brain activity with the help of a special technology based onFunctional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (FMRI). Scientists at Intel have not yet developed such a chip but according to one of the company's researchers Dean Pomerleau these are close.

Theoretically, different people thinking of the same word or image would have the same activity in their brains, but since no one really knows exactly how the brain works, this is not certain.

With the help of FMRI, Pomerleau together with his colleagues scanned the brains of volunteers in order to see whether brain patters match when people are thinking about the same things. It is worth mentioning that in theory different people that think of a similar word of picture have similar brain activity, informs Physorg. However, such theory cannot be proved since no one yet knows how exactly our brain works.

The research team says that up till now the results look rather promising. According to the lead researcher, in a decade or so people will be more inclined towards the company’s new invention implanted into their brains.

In 10 to 15 years it would be possible for people to operate hybrid computers by making use of a combination of new technology and living tissue, considers Associate Professor Charles Higgins of theUniversity of Arizona. His statement comes after scientists at the University managed to come up with a robot that is controlled by the eyes and brain of a moth. In the near future Intel's new invention could help people with some physical disabilities

Software that Allows Writing on Screen Using Power of Mind

A team of researchers managed to develop a software program that allows writing letters and number on the screen by simply thinking about them. The new invention developed by scientists at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville can be a great step towards a new type of communication that can prove to be useful for millions of people with paralysis and various neurological conditions.

Researchers discovered that people were able to make letters appear on the display by focusing on a specific letter when it was shown with a six-by-six grid of symbols. Their new invention represents the first step towards the creation of a mind-machine interface.

During trials, two patients had electrodes placed inside their skulls right on to the surface of the brain. The electrodes were placed inside the skull with the help of an incision called craniotomy. The team used these electrodes to follow the electrical signals generated by the nerve cells when a patient focused on certain figures on the matrix, reports The Daily Telegraph.

The results of the signals were then translated by a computer that ran the new software. As soon as patients focused on a specific letter, it was shown on the display. According to the researchers, in future, devices, which would be powered by the brain, would need surgery so they could be placed inside the skull. Dr. Shih considers that soon such devices could become so small that they could be easily implanted so computers could interpret signals from the patients' brains.

The first computer mouse ever created…

Forget about the modern technologies for just two seconds, forget about computer mouses with fancy wireless infra-red technologies, bluetooth compatibility or those that don’t even need to be held under the palm of your hands and can easily clip to your index finger – behold the first mouse ever to be built / created!

The mouse itself was invented by Doug Engelbart in the year 1964, at the time he and his team were heavily criticised and doubted for his idea and imagination to promote computers (especially the mouse) as a future tool of communication, rather than just a machine for writing out papers more neatly.

12TFLOPS Desktop Supercomputer

Scientists from the research group ASTRA, based in Belgium, recently presented their new desktop supercomputer, which is believed to be the world's fastest PC, being powered by six NVIDIA GTX295 dual-GPU cards along with one GTX275 single-GPU card.

The desktop supercomputer was installed at the University of Antwerp. It was built to considerably accelerate the interpretation of sophisticated, 3D medical images. The computer was developed in cooperation with Tones.be and ASUS. With 13 GPUs, FASTRA II can reach a total power of 12TFLOPS.

To be able to fit all the necessary hardware in one case, the researchers ordered a special cage where all graphic cards would be stored, being connected to the motherboard with the help of flexible riser cables. The whole system includes 4 power suppliesthat are meant to satisfy the 13 GPUs. It used at full speed,FASTRA II will be able to outrun even a moderately sized supercomputer.

With 8 graphics processors functioning in parallel, the current system is able to reach the performance of350 modern CPU cores. It would be used to carry out tomography tasks.

It would be interesting to note that this desktop supercomputer costs less than 4000 Euros. 

Touchscreen that Boasts Unlimited Finger Tracking Capability

Most of the devices that feature touchscreen technology and claim to support multi-touch are limited to the use of just two fingers. Cypress Semiconductordecided to solve the problem and came up with one ofthe most useful inventions for touchscreen devices - a tablet-sized capacitive touchscreen that boastsunlimited finger tracking capabilities.

The device allows the user to manipulate several images at a time thanks to the TrueTouch technology. With the development of tablet PCs, such technology can become one of the most used, says Cypress spokesperson Dhwani Vyas.

According to Mr. Vyas, the company's capacitive touchscreen is the most useful invention in the field, as it is the first to provide multi-touch all-point tracking of unlimited fingers for handheld devices. He added that the TrueTouch technology could be used in 7-17 inch touchscreen

IBM PRECEPTION ON FIVE INVENTIONS AND ITS IMPACT ON OUR LIVES IN NEAR FUTURE

ONE - RENDERING VIDEO CHAT INTO 3D TELEPRESENCE OR HOLOGRAPHY CHAT IBM, perceives that the latest technological development in 3D cameras, is expected reach homes world wide. The researchers at the University of Arizona have come up with a system which can send holographic pictures in near-real-time. The project will also enable researchers to overcome the limitations of 2 D screen. 
TWO- -AIR-POWERED BATTERIES IBM believes that in the near future, batteries that will use air to react with energy-dense metal will be commercially available. These batteries shall be compact and light. The Air powered batteries will also have much longer battery life as compared tour present day Li –ion batteries. 
THREE - SCIENTIFIC DATA COLLECTING SENSORS Scientific data is collected via very many devices and agencies. The IBM feels that in near future, it may be possible to collect most of the scientific data through sensors embedded in phones, cars, wallets,computers and other commonly used devices. It will be possible for scientists to collect and collate large volume of data cost effectively through sensors. 
FOUR - SMART COMPUTER SYSTEMS FOR DRIVERS In the near future, uninterrupted data shall be available to the drivers, on various aspects of commuting and travelling. Data on the traffic density, condition of the roads that affect travelling will be available. The computer will also suggest the best way to reach final destination. 
FIVE - OVERCOMING COMPUTER HEAT About 50 percent of the energy consumed by computer centers is spent on cooling computer processors. IBM feels that this heat can be captured and used for conventional heating chores. 

MADE in China(No CPU, No Hard drive, No Graphics Card and No Sound Card)

This is a conceptual product  that targets the entire 1.3 billion Chinese population. Designed by a winner for Microsoft & IDSA living lifestyle competition. Each aspect of the hardware derives from an oriental inspiration which improves the PC experience for the targeted market. The hardware features a “No CPU, No Hard drive, No Graphics Card and No Sound Card” concept. These PC components are stored in a Service Provider of the new infrastructure.

Thus, subscribing to a plan of the Service Provider will allow the use of these components. The data from the components is then wirelessly transmitted to the user’s hardware. Thus, all PCs are administered by the Service Provider. MADE stands for Massively Administered Digital Entities.

[sce: nextgendesigncomp]

A different idea approach…. Probably would be interesting if it was an interactive menu in restaurants. It might be a new fun way to place your orders . Pick and drop your food choice!

Toshiba Qosmio X305-Q708 Gaming Laptop

Here’s a new laptop by Toshiba aimed for hardcore gaming ladies or those who would love a striking pink fusion color laptop. Toshiba’s Digital Products Division (DPD), a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., released the Qosmio® X305-Q708 gaming laptop, the latest iteration from its flagship gaming line. With a stunning 17-inch diagonal widescreen TruBrite® display and the latest technology advancements from NVIDIA and Intel, the Qosmio X305-Q708 laptop is engineered to deliver unparalleled performance to gamer and multimedia enthusiasts.The Qosmio X305-Q708 features Toshiba’s trademark “fiery” Fusion finish with Rogue design.

A very different design approach from construction to graphics and color by Toshiba. A very daring move away from those conventional laptop designs and colors produced by them all this while. Gaming impression design, sound power emphasized….

Bold, wild and different!

'Forcefield' technology controls computers Minority Report-style

Researchers at Bristol University have developed a new system that simulates the feel of objects in mid-air using nothing but sound.

The “Ultra Hap-tic” system uses an array of ultrasonic transducers – a grid of small piezoelectric speakers that produce waves of ultrasound, the same as those used to scan babies in the womb – which align to produce an invisible layer of ultrasonic vibrations in the air above a display. This creates a small tactile sensation on the surface of human skin.

Hap tic feedback, as techniques like this are known, is the process of creating a tactile sensation for virtual objects. For instance, some smartphones vibrate on virtual button presses, while others emit audible keypad tones while dialing numbers.

“By creating multiple simultaneous feedback points, and giving them individual tactile properties, users can receive localized feedback associated to their actions,” said Tom Carter, a PhD student in the Department of Computer Science's Bristol’s Interaction and Graphics group.

Virtually interact with objects in mid-air

The array is placed behind an acoustically transparent display that monitors the motions of a user’s fingers above the screen, providing a tactile feedback layer as they virtually interact with objects like knobs and switch The ultrasonic layer can also be used for mid-air gestures, as well as allowing the user to identify different tactile properties without actually touching anything.

“Current systems with integrated interactive surfaces allow users to walk-up and use them with bare hands. Our goal was to integrate hap-tic feedback into these systems without sacrificing their simplicity and accessibility,” explained Carter.

Several systems, including Microsoft’s Kinect sensor and the LeapMotion, have pushed technology which monitors a user’s hand and body motions to allow them to interact with a computer interface, but have lacked any sort of feedback, bar audio and visual alerts from a display screen.

The research paper is to be presented at the ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology 2013 in St Andrews on Friday by Carter.es in mid-air.

Computer Reads Your Mind, No Hands Needed

f you can think it, you can make it happen.

This sentiment has inspired inventors to create technology which is totally out of this world. The new devices allow people to use the power of theirBRAINS to control computers. These latest inventions drew huge crowds at the CeBITtechnology fair where hundreds gathered around to watch a guy play pinball without using his hands.

A spokesman from the Berlin Brain Computer Interface – one of the companies who created this technology – says if the man thinks left-hand or right-hand, the electrodes monitor the brain waves associated with that thought, sends the information to a computer, which then moves the flippers.

But this technology is much more than a fun gadget, it could very easily be used to save your life. Scientists are looking at ways to monitor motorists’ brain waves to improve their reaction times. In an emergency situation, the brain activity kicks in on average around 200 milliseconds before even an alert driver actually hits the brakes.

Using this brain-wave monitoring technology, a car can also tell whether the driver is drowsy or not, potentially warning him or her to rest. At the g.tec stall, visitors watched as a man sat in front of a screen with a large keyboard, with the letters flashing in an ordered sequence. The user concentrates hard when the chosen letter flashes and the brain waves stimulated at this exact moment are registered by the computer and the letter appears on the screen. The technology takes a long time – it took the man around four minutes to write a five-lettered word – but researchers say it will definitely speed up in future.

Another device can control robots by using brain power. The small box has lights flashing at different frequencies at four points similar to a compass. The user concentrates on the corresponding light, depending on whether he wants the robot to move up, down, left or right and the brainwaves generated by viewing that frequency are monitored and the robot is controlled. The technology is being perfected for physically disabled people as well, who will soon be able to communicate and operate other devices using their brain.

Latest Invention: Invoked Computing - System that Turns Any Object Into Computer Interface

A team of researchers at the University of Tokyo is looking forward to creating a new standard in human computer interaction. Its latest invention, called "Invoked Computing", makes it possible to turn virtually any object into a computer interface and communication gadget.

One of the developers explains that when a user makes a gesture, the computer identifies it as "I want to use the telephone." Researchers also want to develop a system that learns what the user wants to do.

Another example given by the same developer involves using a laptop projected on a pizza box. To be able to make a computer out of the box the user simply has to make a specific gesture, the system recognizes it and projects the screen and keyboard of the laptop on the surface of the box. "Everything is ubiquitous, ubiquitous augmented reality".

It is worth mentioning that this invention won the grand prize at Laval Virtual 2011 that took place in France. It was also presented at the Digital Content Expo in Tokyo. During the demonstration of the system, the presenter transformed a banana into a phone. It was possible with the help of a high speed camera that tracked the fruit and a parametric speaker array that directed the sound in a rather narrow beam in order to make the impression that sound waves are coming right out of the banana. Another demonstration involved the use of the upper mentioned pizza box.

Researchers plan to extend the variety of gestures and objects that the system is able to recognize and interact with. This will allow develop a ubiquitous AR system able to learn and anticipate the user's intentions in different situations

Microsoft Announces Next-Gen Surface 2 Tablets

Hoping to take on the iPad, Microsoft had unveiled Surface series of tablets last year. Despite offering a unique design and pre-loading it with productivity apps, both the Surface RT and Surface Pro did poorly in the market. However, that hasn't stopped Microsoft from unveiling the next iteration of these tablets. Named as Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2, these new gadgets are said to offer multiple improvements over their predecessors.

Surface 2
Thinner and lighter than the original Surface, this slate features a redesigned two-stage kickstand that can be adjusted for the desk and lap positions. It's based on the NVIDIA Tegra 4 chipset that comprises of a quad-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A15 processor and GeForce 72 core GPU. The tablet runs Windows 8.1 RT operating system. For those not in the know, the RT version of Windows cannot run Desktop programmes based on the Intel x86 architecture. The tablet features a 10.6" ClearType Full HD display. It comes with a full-size USB 3.0 port faster file transfers. The Surface packs in a 5 megapixel rear snapper, as well as a 3.5 MP front-facing camera for video calling. Microsoft claims that the Surface 2 offers 10 hours of video playback on a single charge.

In select regions, users will get free access to Xbox Music. The tablet will also come pre-installed with Office Home & Student 2013 RT and Outlook RT. For gaming, you have Halo: Spartan Assualt along with the likes of Angry Birds and Cut The Rope. The Surface 2 comes in 32 GB and 64 GB variants, priced at $450 (approx Rs 28,230) and $550 (approx Rs 34,490) respectively.

Surface Pro 2
Touted to be a true laptop replacement, the Surface Pro 2 runs the full-fledged Windows 8.1 OS. The tablet is powered by a fourth-generation Intel Core i5 processor clocked at 1.6 GHz. It also packs in Intel HD Graphics 4400 and can support up to 8 GB of RAM. The 10.1" screen is same as that of its RT sibling. In terms of storage, you get maximum 512 GB of flash drive. Moreover, Microsoft offers 200 GB on SkyDrive. Other specs include a USB 3.0 port, mini DisplayPort, microSD card slot, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. Similar to the Surface 2, the Pro version also features dual cameras.

Since the Surface Pro 2 boasts of an Intel processor, the Surface Pro 2 can run all your Windows programmes including Adobe Photoshop.

Starting at $900 (approx Rs 56,440), Surface Pro 2 will be offered in 64 GB and 128 GB configurations with 4 GB of RAM, and 256 GB and 512 GB configurations with 8 GB of RAM.

The Surface 2 will be released in 22 markets including the United Kingdom and the United States on 22nd October. China will get it in November, but there's no word on whether it will officially launched in India

Now 'Tougher' Screen Notebooks

About a year ago it would have seemed unnecessary to put your fingers on a notebook screen but thanks to Microsoft’s Windows 8, the number of touch based notebooks has been increasing leaps and bounds. So in order to keep the notebook display safe from scratches, Corning Incorporated have introduced the Gorilla Glass NBT.

The Gorilla Glass NBT offers eight to ten times higher scratch resistance as compared to the regular soda-lime glass and just in case you do manage to get it scratched it protects the entire display from disintegrating. In the official product page Corning mentions that this protection will be able to withstand “accidental bumps”, this means while your laptop display survive a travel in a crowded bus it may not be able to make it out safely in case of a drop on the floor.

According to the press release, Corning have stated that this protection would cost just the users a maximum of two percent of the notebook’s retail price and if you keep in mind the huge cost of a replacing a damaged display it might seem a price worth paying. Corning being the forerunners of hardened glass protection came up with this idea when they conducted a consumer survey which showed that notebook users have four times the number of complaints about their display as compared to mobile phones. Dell Inc. has already announced that they will be including Gorilla Glass NBT protection in their notebooks from this fall and we hope that other OEMs will follow soon.

Yet Another Mercury mTAB Unveiled

Kobian today launched its first 10.1" tablet — the Mercury mTAB10, with and LED HD panel and Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. The new tab features dual cameras, capacitive multi-touch screen, and a Li-ion polymer battery.

Mercury mTAB 10 is just 11.6 mm thick, which is big enough to watch videos and light enough to carry around. The 10.1" multi touch capacitive five point touch screen with LED high definition display panel. It is powered by a 1.2 GHz ARM Cortex A7 fast speed processor, 1 GB of DDR3 RAM, and packs in 8GB of internal storage with support for microSD card at up to 32 GB. mTAB10 comes with Wi-Fi, 2G SIM support, and 3G via dongles. It comes with a 0.3 megapixel front and 2.0 megapixel rear camera. There is a 5200 mAh battery to juice the device up. Other features include mini USB, TF card slot, HDMI, 3.5 mm stereo port, and DC Jack.

Backed by a 1-year warranty, the tab is slated to release in the 1st week of October. The price is expected to be announced soon.

Wacom Launches High End Tablets

Wacom, famously known for its Bamboo Pen launched its high-end tablets, Cintiq Companion, both in Windows and Android versions. The Cintiq Companion combines the on-screen creative experience of a Cintiq creative pen display, with the mobility of a high-performance Windows 8 creative tablet. It’s a power packed mobile workstation, which includes a pressure-sensitive pen, multi-touch control, and an Intel Core i7 processor with Intel HD grahics 4000. It comes with a full HD 13.3" wide angle display and 4 express-keys to let you create customised short-cut menus.

The Hybrid version comes with the same 13.3" display. It includes two HD cameras, and speakers. With Wi-Fi, you can access your e-mail, and even stream movies. Its powered by the new quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 4 CPU. It runs Android 4.2 Jelly Bean with a Wacom Creative Canvas software on top of it. With 2048 levels of pressure sensitivity, the Pro Pen offers precise control. Its compact carrying case also includes storage for extra nibs and rings.

Specifications of Cintiq Windows 8:

• Display Size: 13.3" with 1920x1080 pixels.
• Weight: 1.8 kg / 3.9 lbs.
• Windows 8 or Windows 8 Pro.
• Processor: 1.9 GHz Intel Core i7-3517U.
• Storage: 256 or 512 GB Solid-state drive (SSD).
• RAM: 8 GB DDR3
• Cameras Front: 2 MP HD and Back: 8 MP HD.

Specifications of the Hybrid Version:

• Display Size: 13.3"with 1920x1080 pixels.
• Weight: 1.7 or 1.8 kg / 3.6 or 3.9 lbs
• Operating System: Android 4.2, Jelly Bean
• Processor: quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 4.
• Storage:16 or 32 GB.
• RAM: 2 GB DDR3.

Companion Hybrid's low-end model is priced at Rs 165,000, while the high-end one will set you back by Rs 185,000.

Companion Windows 8 low-end one comes with a heftier price tag of Rs 225,000, and the high-end model is worth Rs 250,000.

Google Play To Have 'Designed For Tablets' Section By 21st Novmbr

As Google readies to rehash and bring back version two of its Nexus 7 tablet; it is making sure that early adaptors find it easy to hunt for apps. A post on its Android Developers Blog hints at a new "designed for tablets" section on the Android Play Store listing starting 21st November. Aimed at making it easy for 7" and 10" devices to look for optimised apps and games, the post lays down developer guidelines to make their app tablet-friendly. The section will appear by default on Google Play on tablets.

On related note, Google has made its new Nexus 7 listing page live in India. Go over to the page here, and sign up to find out when it will start retailing on the local online Play Store. For those not in the know, the tablet packs in a 7" touchscreen with an IPS HD display (1920x1200 pixels at 323 ppi), protected by a scratch-resistant Corning glass. It comes with a 1.2 MP front and 5 MP rear camera, 1.5 GHz Snapdragon S4 Pro CPU with 400 MHz Adreno 320 GPU, and 2 GB of RAM. Other spec include Android 4.3, 16/ 32 GB internal storage, Dual-band Wi-Fi, NFC (Android Beam), Bluetooth 4.0, microUSB port, 3.5 mm audio jack, and a 3950 mAh battery.

Are Ubislates The World's Cheapest Tablets?

 DataWind, known for their Aakash tablets, have released three low cost “phablets” (phone + tablet), the UbiSlate 7Cx, UbiSlate 3G7, and UbiSlate 9Ci — all under Rs 7,000.

All the tablets have a capable-enough A8 or A9 CPU (around 1 GHz) with meagre 512 MB RAM (forget multitasking on these) and come with Android 4.0.4. You can forget Android updates too. And even if there are, we'd recommend staying away from them, especially with such low RAM and Android's bad habit of slowing down further in time.

"Despite the recent drop in value of the Indian Rupee, we are committed to bringing affordability in computing and internet access to India’s masses. With this commitment, we’ve held strong and not increased pricing of our products, and instead, now are introducing new products with breakthrough pricing", said Suneet Singh Tuli, President & CEO of DataWind Ltd.

DataWind promises that all new models are in-stock and available for immediate delivery by ordering on DataWind’s website. Products will be shipped within 24 hours of order and delivered by courier companies within 3 to 5 days, is what they say.

Here are the specifications:-

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Google Chromebooks

Google's finally introduced Chromebooks to India in partnership with Acer and HP for under Rs 27,000. Available as pre-order as of now till 17th October, expect them to hit retail stores thereafter.

What are Chromebooks?
Other than sounding like laptops with Chrome finish, these are light-weight, economical laptops preloaded with Google’s own proprietary Chrome OS and Google-centred apps. So if you are thinking full-fledged laptops with CD Drive and Windows, think again. This is a cloud storage centric device.

The two Chromebooks are from Acer and HP. Acer C720 comes with a 11.6" display weighing only 1.25 Kg and costs Rs 23,000, while the HP Chromebook 14  worth Rs 27,000 comes with a 14" display, weighing a little heavier at 1.85 Kg. Along with this you have your usual Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB 3.0, 2.0 ports, and an unspecified "New Intel Processor".

Space concerns
Both Chromebooks come with a meagre 16 GB space Solid State Drive (SSD), though making it faster and lighter to use. However, you also get 100 GB Google Drive Cloud Storage for 2 years, after which you'll have to shell out $5 per month (that is Rs 305x12 months = Rs 3660 per year). In comparison, an external hard drive would cost you Rs 4600 with a warranty of 2 years.

It Works Offline
At least that is what Google says, Chromebooks work with offline-ready apps emails, documents, photo editing, listening to music, watching movies, and even some games such as Angry Birds. But don’t expect it to run like a full-fledged laptop, restrictions do apply. Check out the Chrome web store for offline-ready apps.

Expect more companies to follow suit with their own Chromebooks such as Asus and Toshiba.

Forget Wi-Fi, Say Hello To Li-Fi

Chinese scientists have figured out how to use light bulbs for transmitting data signals, instead of traditional Wi-Fi based on radio frequencies.

Interestingly, four computers can be connected with to a one-watt LED bulb. A light bulb with special embedded microchips can produce data rates as fast as 150 Mbit/s (183 KB approx). The research team had been headed by Chi Nan, an information technology professor with Shanghai's Fudan University, in collaboration with the scientists from Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. They are dubbing this technology Li-Fi or Light Fidelity technique.

Why LiFi?
- It’s cost effective.
- Current WiFi equipment is expensive and low in efficiency.
- Energy utilization rate much lower than current technology.

However, Li-Fi is a long way from commercial success. "Wherever there is an LED lightbulb, there is an Internet signal. Turn off the light and there is no signal. If the light is blocked, then the signal will be cut off", said Chi.

Apparently, the principle of Wi-Fi and Li-Fi techniques are the same. Users will not need additional equipment, except adjusting their current internet settings under Li-Fi. Ten computers with Li-Fi kits will be exhibited at the China International Industry Fair 2013 next month in Shanghai.

Hands-On Review: Automatic, a Nanny For Your Car

Automatic is a cool idea: Monitor your car and your driving using a Bluetooth dongle plugged into the diagnostic port found on every recent car. But the service itself is frustratingly limited, a dunce driving nanny rather than a useful tool.

Automatic is a “driving assistant” that monitors certain car functions and attempts to help you drive more efficiently

What Is Automatic?

Automatic is a “smart driving assistant”, made up of two components:

1. A hardware dongle (the “Automatic Link”) that attaches to the OBD-II port found on every car sold since 1996, complete with Bluetooth Low Energy, an accelerometer, and a tiny speaker
2. A smartphone app that communicates with the dongle to provide information on your car and your driving style

That’s one sweet dongle you’ve got there, Automatic! iPhone 5 shown for scale.

The first component (the dongle) is remarkably cool. It comes packaged in a nifty box, has a slick and professional look, and seems quite functional and efficient.

Setup was quick and painless and everything “just worked”, even with my pair of not-officially-supported cars. The 2009 Mazda 5 sent a VIN to the app over OBD-II, allowing it to be detected automatically (if you pardon the pun). Even though my 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata did not do the same, an automatic (there I go again) solution was at hand: Scan the barcode in the door-jamb with my iPhone camera.

At $69.95, Automatic is cheap: Easily a third the cost of competing products, and far less than the pro-level OBD-II scanners of just a few years ago. That’s the main reason I jumped on the product on first notice: I always wanted to be able to “hear” what my Miata was willing to tell me through its port!

The devices paired easily with my phone, though the first frustrating limitation was immediately revealed: Each Automatic dongle can only be connected to a single car at once. Switching means losing all previous information. Oh well, I thought. I can live with that.

An App and a Dongle

Once everything was set up and I went for a drive, more annoyances revealed themselves. It seems that the Automatic dongle lacks enough sensors, memory, and power to actually do anything on its own. This is why it’s so cheap, I suppose.

The Automatic app supplements the dongle with the internal GPS, display, and storage on my iPhone. But this leads to serious concerns about long-term use:

• Automatic uses iOS 5′s “geofencing” capability to remember where your car is, keeping the app alive at all times. This puts a noticeable dent in battery life, a big issue for an app I only use every few days. I took to turning off Automatic’s access to my location in iOS settings, an annoying multi-step process.
• In iOS, Low-Energy Bluetooth is controlled by the same settings as “regular” Bluetooth, draining the battery further. I usually leave Bluetooth turned off to save energy but this adds another step to using Automatic.
• Without the GPS in my phone, Automatic apparently can’t remember where I drive, stop, or park, eliminating just about all of the device’s current functionality.
• Without the phone’s storage (since I turned off Bluetooth), Automatic can’t save any information on my trips.

I can live with Bluetooth always on, but I wish there was some sort of fallback option that didn’t use geofencing. Even adding a simple “on and off” slider in the app would be useful: It’s easier to turn everything on and off in the app before driving than to have to hit two different Settings screens.

So we have a device that works perfectly well when used as intended, but that intended use frustratingly impinges on everyday life: Leaving location services (geofencing) and Bluetooth on all the time allows Automatic to function, but I just can’t live like that.

Your Automatic Nanny

This is what’s wrong with Automatic: My score was 58 out of 100 for the week because I drove 70 mph on the Ohio Turnpike (the posted limit). That terrible score came even though my fuel mileage (32.9 mpg) was well above the car’s EPA highway estimate (28 mpg).

Automatic does nothing at all while driving. There is no useful information on the static screen, and thus no reason to open or look at the app until you walk away from your car. So let’s turn to what Automatic actually does.

I’m kind of a hypermiler. I enjoy using the instantaneous fuel readouts in my 2013 Ford Flexto maximize fuel efficiency, and have achieved some remarkable numbers in that big wagon. But my Mazda 5 and Miata don’t have anything like this, and I had hoped to use Automatic as a surrogate. Boy, was I disappointed!

Nothing the Automatic app currently does appeals to me:

• At the end of each trip, the Automatic app (if it’s running) displays your total fuel consumption as well as an estimate of the cost of the trip. This sounds useful, but it’s really not. So what if I got 26 mpg on the trip if I can’t see real-time feedback on mileage as I experiment with different driving techniques and routes?
• In concert with the dongle, the app constantly monitors simplistic elements of your driving style. It will even beep when you accelerate or brake aggressively, and when you exceed 70 mph. But this is useless to anyone with even moderate driving ability: It’s not monitoring fuel use, it’s monitoring G-loads. Interestingly, it also gives “the brake beep” when I turn in quickly, which is pretty common in a Miata. Turning and braking aggressively can actually help fuel mileage in capable hands, and hybrid owners are wise to accelerate strongly (at least while electric motoring)! I turned the dongle’s beeps off, though the app keeps criticizing me.
• Automatic keeps track of where I parked, but it’s a rare day indeed that I can’t find my car. I suppose this would be nifty for car sharers, but that’s a serious niche market.
• The app will also display “check engine” codes, but these are a rarity with my well-maintained cars. And it’s nice that it calls for help in case of a crash, but I hope never to use this feature!

So we have here a device/app combo that drains your battery, criticizes a few aspects of your driving, and provides a bit of limited information after you’ve stopped. No thanks.

What It Should Do

One gets the feeling that the Automatic developers were actively looking for new things to monitor and report while intentionally avoiding the things current cars already offer: They opted for gross driving style monitoring and parking help rather than real-time mileage or performance data. But this is exactly the opposite of what I (and perhaps others) want.

I want Automatic to be my companion while driving, not while parked. I want it to help me drive better, not just beep when I accelerate too hard. I want to leave the app running all the time my car is!

• Display real-time and trailing fuel mileage, just like the latest cars. I bought Automatic because my cars don’t have these functions, so let me have them!
• Talk to hyper-milers about real efficiency techniques, integrating those rather than the simplistic G monitor. Astoundingly, Automatic doesn’t give “points” for improvements in fuel efficiency; it merely takes points away when you do the three simplistic things it thinks are bad.
• Give me all of the “fun” data you can pull out of the car. OBD-II includes lots of nifty info, from temperature to engine data. Let me see it, even just in a special window somewhere. Give me real-time engine rpm, engine torque, vehicle speed, fuel usage, etc. The data is there!
• Show me my current location on a map, like Waze or any competent GPS app. This would give me a reason to open the app!
• Maybe even include driving directions, and “learn” efficient routes based on real data rather than the generic info my car’s navigation system relies on. Help me avoid stop-start routes, bottom-of-hill stops, and other common fuel wasters!
• Integrate data services and open an API. Automatic could send trip data to IFTTT or Google Spreadsheets so I could compare different routes over a dozen trips to see which is really the most efficient

How to upgrade to Windows 8.1

 

Windows 8.1 is finally here, and it’s a significant update. Sure, the Start menu isn’t coming back, but you do get a more customizable Start screen, much improved apps (and more options for running them side by side), enhanced Search with Bing integration, smart syncing with SkyDrive, Internet Explorer, and a host of new tweaks and customizations (including the ability to boot straight to the desktop).

Should you upgrade from Windows 8? Probably, although you’ll need to make sure that your most important applications are Windows 8.1-compatible. This isn’t likely to be a big issue -- low-level programs like antivirus tools are the most likely to be affected, and they’ve mostly been 8.1-ready for months -- but it’s still wise to check your main applications for updates, first.

Keep in mind that this is a very bulky update, too, involving a 2.8-3.6GB download. If you’ve an option, run the upgrade from somewhere with a fast internet connection. But wherever you are, allocate plenty of time to work through the process: it’s not going to be over in a hurry. Not least because you’ll want to run a full system backup, first.

We’re assuming here that you’re starting from Windows 8 or the 8.1 Preview. Both scenarios mean upgrading will be fairly straightforward; here’s how it works.

1. Head off to the Windows Store. The very first tile should be titled "Update Windows" and offer to "Update Windows 8.1 for free"; click it. (You don’t see that tile? Windows 8 Enterprise editions, or editions which have been installed using an MSDN ISO and activated using multiple keys don’t get a free 8.1 upgrade. Sorry.)

The Store now presents you with a page about Windows 8.1. You could read a little more about it, if you like, but with 2.8GB to move we’d just click Download immediately. And then be patient, as the download progresses. You can run something else on your PC, in the meantime, but if this involves more network or internet activity then you’ll just slow down the upgrade process further. Go do something else for a while, instead.

Once the download is finished, you’ll be prompted to restart your system. The reboot will happen automatically if you’re not around (as long as there aren’t open applications around to block it, anyway).

2. On restarting, you may see the full "Startup Setting" screen, with options like "Enable boot logging", "Enable Safe Mode", and so on. If so, just press Enter to continue as normal.

The next step is potentially quite lengthy, as the various Windows 8.1 components are extracted and installed. First you’ll see a black screen with the Windows 8 logo, a "Setting up" prompt and a "percentage done" indicator. But don’t be fooled: when the "Setting up" process is done, Windows just moves on to "Getting devices ready", "Getting ready", "Applying PC settings", "Setting up a few more things", and "Getting ready" (yes, again).

3. If you’ve given up and gone to make a coffee, then on your return you’ll hopefully find the Windows 8.1 License Agreement. Read and accept it, or not.

4. As with any Windows 8 installation, you’re now asked if you want to use "Express settings". Clicking "Use express settings" makes for a faster setup process, but enables some settings which affect your privacy to a degree; clicking "Customize" allows you to configure each setting individually.

5. Account Setup follows next, although this usually just involves confirming the existing account on your machine. If you normally sign in to Windows 8 using your Microsoft account, for example, you’ll just do the same thing now.

6. Microsoft may now ask if it can send a security account by email, to verify your identity. If you have another device which you can use to access your email, click Next, retrieve and enter the code. Otherwise click "I can’t do at this time" and you’ll be asked again later.

7. Finally, confirm your preferred settings for SkyDrive (just click Next to accept the default for now if you’re not sure), and the upgrade should be essentially complete: your system will reboot into Windows 8.1. It’ll take longer (perhaps much longer) than usual as the last installation options are taken, but within a minute or two your PC will be up, running, and ready for you to explore.

Real monitor repotr intrface

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  The human body is one of the most incredible machines ever, but its sensory input methods are somewhat limited. We have these five senses to tell us all about our world. What if we had a sixth sense – one that allowed us to draw on collective human knowledge? That’s what Pattie Maes and Pranav Mistry of MIT’s Media Lab propose. They want to equip humans with a roving, interactive internet-equipped interface that gives instant, nearly unlimited information about our surroundings while letting us manipulate information like never before.
• Their invention, called (appropriately) SixthSense, consists of a small wearable camera, a mini-projector, and colored finger markers. The colored markers act as cues to the camera to let it follow your finger movements. Simple movements are recognized by the system and act as commands. For example, drawing a circle on your wrist tells the system to project a watch face onto your arm. Framing a scene with your fingers will cue the system to snap a picture.

  
  

Any surface can be the screen for this ultimate computer. Pick up a book and reviews of that title will be projected right onto its cover. Hold up your hand and read which movies are playing, or even use your hand as a phone keypad. And you won’t even need to wear the goofy gloves Tom Cruise wore to interact with his system in Minority Report. You can wear the colored bands on your fingers, or simply paint your fingernails different colors

Although the incredible system is at least several years away from being ready for mass consumption, the team working on the project is confident that it will someday be a reality. The technology already exists, but condensing it into a small, inconspicuous package may be a challenge. According to the above video, the entire system will only cost about the same as a cell phone does today

• The camera picks up information from just about everything in your physical environment. If you go into a store and pick up a product, the system will tell you how well it matches your particular tastes and possibly give you further related information. Holding a plane boarding pass in front of the camera will allow the system to project flight information onto the paper.

Pen sort of instrument’ produces both the monitor as well as the keyboard

• Any wild guesses ?? No?? Well it’s hard to tell, I know, but it’s worth trying to guess – it could be anything, right?? Some of the smallest technology always gives away the biggest secrets! Whether you’re looking at Iphone 4 deals or an LCD keyboard without knowing it has LCD capabilities, you’re always going to get a big shock!! So what could this be?? You’ve just seen something that will replace your Personal_computer PC in the near future.

  

  
  
You’ve just seen the future of the Laptop. In the revolution of miniature computers, the scientists are ahead with bluetooth technology. This is the forthcoming computers you can carry within your pockets. This ‘pen sort of instrument’ produces both the monitor as well as the keyboard on any flat surfaces from where you can carry out functions you would normally do on your desktop computer.