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Memo clip
Memory sticks that plug in to your computer’s USB port have almost completely taken over from disks when it comes to transporting data, but most of them are plasticky and charmless. The Memo Clip instead offers a stylish, solid-wood clothes peg case for the latest generation of smaller 'USB sticks’ that are barely the size of a postage stamp. And you can always use it to clip notes together.
Materials: Pear or cherry.
Price: €33 (woodloops.de).
A PROTOTYPE of NASA's Lunar Electric Rover will make the journey along Washington's Pennsylvania Avenue on the day of Barack Obama's presidential inauguration, the space agency says.
The pickup truck-sized vehicle, which is equipped with beds and a toilet, can accommodate two astronauts for a fortnight for extended lunar explorations.
To be able to cover the moon's rugged terrain, the electric-motored vehicle can also move in any direction - even sideways, like a crab.
Its versatility may not be as useful on January 21 (Australian time), but it will have a good view of the elite guests, dignitaries and Washington insiders that will line the inaugural parade route, as Mr Obama moves from the swearing-in ceremony at the Capitol to his new residence at the White House.
Unless the Obama administration makes changes to current plans, US astronauts are set to return to the moon before 2020 under the Constellation program, with the aim of establishing permanent lunar bases.
The visit is widely considered to be the first step towards further exploring the solar system, including an eventual colonisation of Mars.
NASA also said it is also developing new technologies for the rover that can be applied to electric vehicles on Earth. (http://www.news.com.au/story)
WASHINGTON – More than 60 objects from President Abraham Lincoln's life are going on display at the National Museum of American History days before President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration, which will echo themes from the 16th president.
The exhibit, "Abraham Lincoln: An Extraordinary Life," opens Friday and features the top hat Lincoln wore the night he was assassinated. Other items include his office suit and Mary Todd Lincoln's purple gown, signs from the 1860 presidential campaign and casts of Lincoln's face and hands. The gallery also includes pictures from Lincoln's inaugurations in 1861 and 1865.
"In some ways, it's an exhibit we've been working on for about 140 years," said curator Harry Rubenstein. Lincoln's top hat was the first of Lincoln's belongings to come to the Smithsonian Institution in 1867, though it was hidden away for 26 years.
"I think when you see all of these pieces, you will see a different Lincoln — a more intimate look, " Rubenstein said. "It also helps to make the mythic Lincoln come to life."
This is the first major Lincoln exhibit at the Smithsonian in about 50 years and the first to gather all the museum's objects together in a single exhibit, curators said. It was planned for the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth in February.
The exhibit will be on view for at least two years in a gallery near the "American Presidency" exhibit. Another temporary exhibit opening Friday features documents on loan from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Illinois.
A rare signed copy of the Emancipation Proclamation, on loan from Washington businessman David Rubenstein, also is on temporary display.
Washington's historical attractions have been drawing big crowds in recent months. More than 550,000 people have visited the American History museum since it reopened in November following a two-year renovation, museum director Brent Glass said.
Obama's inauguration theme, "A New Birth of Freedom," is a phrase from Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.
15 January, 2009. A review by Neil McCormick of the Telegraph, UK. For my readers who are fans of U2.
I got to hear the new U2 album in its complete and final form. I can't say too much about it now, for fear that the skylight of my attic office would explode in a shower of glass and a black pvc clad figure descend from wires to seize my computer, leaving behind only a pair of blue tinted wraparound sunglasses.
Prone to exaggeration: Bono of U2 PHOTO EPA
Actually, I'd be more likely to find a drum stick rammed up my hard drive. Bono is the least of my worries. If it was up to him, the U2 singer would take this album around to every house in the country and sell it door to door with a money back guarantee. He says 'No Line In The Horizon' is the album U2 always wanted to make. He always was an excitable fellow, but he might actually be right.
So what can I tell you without infringing copyright? It took two listens to find my way into it, which has to be good a thing. It is dense, twisty, shiny, modern pop music, a big mash up of Eno ambience, Edge electricity, rhythm and soul. There are verses and choruses, though not necessarily in that order (and quite often its hard to tell which is which). It doesn't feel the need to hit you over the head, but has the Ninja confidence to sneak up and take you unawares. It makes love like its making war. It hasn't frontloaded all its big guns. There is a surge in the middle perfectly timed to quell any uprising, and a killer twist at the end. It could be the glittering sonic mind meld of pop rock and soul that Zooropa wanted to be. Or maybe, like Bono, I'm am just prone to exaggeration.
Bono says I listen to their new albums like a bodyguard. He is probably right. I approach with trepidation, protective of the band's place in my heart and ready to defend them should they drop their guard or their standards. Fortunately, they haven't had to call on my fighting skills yet (though we have had a couple of skirmishes).
A disclaimer: look, I am well aware there are a lot of people out there who find The Man Who Saved The World (as he is known to close friends such as the Pope) (only kidding) a pompous, egotistic, over-bearing, messianic megalomaniac (I think that about covers it), and furthermore consider U2 to be overblown, over-rated stadium rockists with nary a hint of nuance or subtlety. Some of you read this blog and leave derogatory messages every time I mention Bono's name. Well, get over it. Yes, I like U2. Yes, I went to school with them and was a fan from before they were even U2, but only because they were great then, and they are great now.
Here's the thing: I am not alone in holding them in high esteem. They have been together for over 30 years and sold 130 million albums around the world. Many key rock bands of the moment (Coldplay, The Killers, Arcade Fire, Kings Of Leon, Keane) openly incorporate their influence, and covet their slot at the top of the pile. Brandon Flowers of the Killers recently told me, "They're unbelievable, but they're getting old ... It feels like it's time." On this evidence, anyone who wants to shift U2 off their pedestal is going to have to take it by force.
(http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/neil_mccormick/blog/2009/01/15/u2s_no_line_in_the_horizon_the_new_album)
14 January, 2009: I came across this article in the BBC,UK and I thought many of my readers would be interested.
It looks like something out of a James Bond film.
But the presidential seal on the side marks this hulking limo out as something not even the superspy will be able to get his hands on.
These are the first pictures of the new armoured limousine which will be used to ferry Barack Obama around.
Nicknamed "The Beast", the Cadillac will make its debut on 20 January, as part of the inaugural parade.
It is traditional to show presidential cars off for the first time in this way.
'State of the art'
The Secret Service said the 2009 limo would provide it with a "valuable asset" in providing its occupant with the highest level of protection.
As expected, they are not giving too much away about the car, but Nicholas Trotta, their Assistant Director for the Office of Protective Operations is quoted in their news release:
"Although many of the vehicles' security enhancements cannot be discussed, it is safe to say that this car's security and coded communications systems make it the most technologically advanced protection vehicle in the world."
Observers say the car is likely to include bullet proof glass, an armoured body, a separate oxygen supply, and a completely sealed interior to protect against a chemical attack.
Some joke the car is so tough it could withstand a rocket-propelled grenade. Its tyres are said to work flat, so the vehicle will keep going even if shot at.
While the car's interior is a closely guarded secret, there is no doubt "The Beast" has been kitted out with the best and most up-to-date equipment.
David Caldwell, a spokesman for General Motors which makes Cadillac, told the BBC that the car is made to specifications that the company is given by the federal government.
"One of the specifications is that we don't talk about the specifications," he said.
But Mr Caldwell did reveal that the car has been made in keeping with the design of a contemporary Cadillac, and would include a hand-crafted interior.
When asked if it included such extras as an ipod dock, he said he could not comment specifically, but added that the limo would have "state of the art electronics".
1) No WMDs
Mr Bush built his entire case for war on the claim that Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction. However, he chose to ignore conflicting evidence and forever undermined not only his presidency, but the reputation of US intelligence agencies and his country in much of the world.
2) "Brownie, you're doing a heck of a job"
Mr Bush could not control the weather, but he had control in naming the director of FEMA, the agency in charge of disaster mitigation. His appointee, Mike Brown, was woefully underprepared and failed to facilitate proper aid to the stranded victims of Hurricane Katrina. Despite his tragic miscues, Mr Bush famously told his pall "Brownie, you're doing a heck of a job."
3) No Post-War Plan for Iraq
The outgoing president achieved his goal of ousting Saddam Hussein but had little planned for a destabilised post-Saddam Iraq. After six years, thousands of military casualties, an untold amount of Iraqi civilian deaths, and hundreds of billions of dollars spent, the war is still not over.
4) Permitting Torture
By stating that the Geneva Convention did not apply to "enemy combatants," Mr Bush paved the way for waterboarding, attack dogs, and other draconian interrogation tactics that will forever be associated with his presidency.
5) Ignoring Pre-9/11 Terror Memo
Just weeks before 9/11, while spending a holiday at his ranch in Crawford, Texas, Mr Bush received a memo from the CIA entitled, "Bin Laden Determined To Strike in US". While the President cannot respond to every single threat presented to the country, the timing and nature of this particular warning will forever blight his legacy.
6) "Mission Accomplished"
Mr Bush's bombastic declaration of victory in Iraq while aboard an aircraft carrier in May 2003 was premature to say the least: the vast majority of war casualties have occurred since the unfurling of the "mission accomplished" banner. He has admitted this was one of his biggest mistakes.
7) Entering Iraq without a UN mandate.
After months of deliberation, the UN Security Council could not come to an agreement over the proposed invasion of Iraq. Mr Bush impatiently led a "coalition of the willing" into the country and his decision is still considered by the UN to be illegal.
8) Insisting there was a link between Saddam Hussein and al-Qaeda
Mr Bush aimed to strengthen his case for war by linking the perpetrators of 9/11 to Saddam Hussein. As of today there is little to no evidence supporting his claim.
9) Failing to capture Osama bin Laden
After 9/11, Mr Bush's primary goal was to capture al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. More than seven years have passed and the only evidence of Bin Laden is a series of grainy video tapes taunting Mr Bush and the United States.
10) Abandoning the Kyoto Protocol
In 2001, Mr Bush refused to sign the Kyoto Protocol, a treaty that requires participating countries to lower their greenhouse gas emissions. He cited its effect on the economy, but the auto industry is already on the brink and global climate change is a real problem. Even merely as a sign of intent, his signature would have been helpful.
11) Refusing to let Katrina ruin his holiday
Hurricane Katrina hit towards the end of a long summer holiday for Mr Bush. His immediate response was not to view the damage personally, but at five miles high through the window of Air Force One on his way back to Washington.
12) Underestimating the cost of the war
Like a contractor's ever-inflating estimates of a home renovation, Mr Bush's original $50-$60 billion price tag on the Iraq war sounds like a steal now. The current cost is closer to $600 billion.
13) Lack of body armour for US troops
Due to the budget constraints of an expensive war, many US troops lacked proper armour for the challenges in Iraq. There have been reports of families turning to eBay to purchase protective gear for their sons and daughters stationed in the Middle East.
14) Failure to include Louisiana's coastal parishes in state of emergency plan
On August 27, 2005, two days before Hurricane Katrina hit, President Bush declared a state of emergency for parts of Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi. Not included on that list were the coastal areas of Louisiana that included New Orleans, the city hit hardest by Katrina.
15) Tax cuts for the wealthy
Believing wealthy Americans would take their fortunes to tax shelters, Mr Bush granted large tax cuts to keep their cash in the US. Critics contend it disproved the trickle down theory, as the economy headed into recession.
16) Losing focus on Afghanistan
The early campaign in Afghanistan was relatively successful. Rather than continuing the effort there however, Mr Bush quickly switched focus to Iraq. Many, including President-Elect Barack Obama, believe that a greater presence in Afghanistan would be more effective in the war on terror.
17) Limiting stem cell research
One of President Bush's earliest decisions was to restrict the research of embryonic stem cells. These types of studies have shown tremendous results in lab rats (such as reversing the course of Parkinson's in the rodents). Humans will have to wait for his policy to be annulled before seeing any benefits.
18) Appointment and backing of Alberto Gonzales
Mr Bush appointed an old Texan friend Alberto Gonzales as his Attorney General after the resignation of John Ashcroft. Widely criticised as a sycophantic foil to "Dubya", Mr Gonzales oversaw questionable US attorney dismissals and the NSA's warrantless wiretapping before eventually resigning. Along with Mike Brown, Alberto Gonzales is an example of Mr Bush's perceived penchant for surrounding himself with "yes men" rather than qualified individuals.
19) Awarding lucrative Iraq reconstruction contracts to Halliburton
Halliburton, Vice President Dick Cheney's old employer, received a large reconstruction contract in Iraq shortly after the onset of the war. Rumours of it not having to bid are unfounded, but claims of a conflict of interest remain. In addition, their exportation of the country's oil has been a largely unsuccessful endeavour.
20) Warrantless Wiretapping
Shortly after 9/11, President Bush authorised the warrantless wiretapping of certain telephone calls for the sake of national security. Eavesdropping would often top most Presidents' list of reprehensible acts but Mr Bush, supported by Congress, contended that it helped keep America safe.
(http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/4228722/George-Bushs-20-worst-moments.html)
Silvio Rodriguez was photographing other surfers near the surf school students about midday when he noticed a large shadow. "At first I thought it was weed, but I kept an eye on it then I saw the massive fin come up," Mr Rodriguez, 31, said.
"It was only maybe 30m away from the nearest learner surfer." Former professional surfer Gary Hughes, who runs Gary Hughes Surface School of Surf and Surf Consultancy, said he was aware of the shark and had been monitoring it. "I did not tell the students because they just would have worried," Mr Hughes, 50, said. "It was just having a cruise, it wasn't showing attack behaviour."
(http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,24910597-1242,00.html)
 Overwhelming interest forced Microsoft to rethink its release plans |
The latest Windows release will be available to everyone after a surge in demand crashed the Microsoft website on 9 January, the original release date. (12 January, 2009)
In response, the company has lifted a planned limit on the number of copies of the Windows 7 Beta available for download.
Microsoft delayed the launch by one day to add "more infrastructure and servers" to cope with demand.
The unlimited download will last for two weeks, according to Microsoft.
Microsoft had initially planned to restrict downloads of the software to 2.5m copies, but now says that unlimited copies will be available until 24 January.
After that, the limit will be reinstated, though it looks likely to be surpassed by then.
Laurence Painell, product manager at Microsoft, said that it had removed the download limit so that Windows 7 would be available to "a much wider audience".
Shocking demand
"We would expect a beta to only be of interest to tech-enthused and those that have a vested business interest, to look at an operating system for testing purposes," Mr Painell explained.
"We didn't quite anticipate the demand that we saw."
Windows devotees flooded the Windows 7 blog with comments while waiting with bated breath for the delayed download.
A commenter on the blog called Adinelus posted from Romania on 9 January: "Thank God it's Saturday tomorrow, otherwise I would have missed this.
"Hope you guys have some spare servers…because millions wait for you!"
Mr Painell stressed that consumers should be aware that they are getting a preliminary version of Windows 7 which is meant for testing.
As a result, the software is likely to have problems that haven't been ironed out, and Microsoft does not provide technical support for it.
"It's not ideal for every consumer to install and use it on a daily basis," he explained.
Microsoft encouraged people with MSDN (Microsoft Developer Network) or TechNet accounts to download the software through their subscriptions, to avoid the congestion on its public sites.
Our sister paper the Sunday Times has caused something of a storm by publishing a story based on the research from a Harvard physicist who claimed that every Google search generates about 7g of CO2.
Here's the top of the story:
Performing two Google searches from a desktop computer can generate about the same amount of carbon dioxide as boiling a kettle for a cup of tea, according to new research. While millions of people tap into Google without considering the environment, a typical search generates about 7g of CO2.
Boiling a kettle generates about 15g. “Google operates huge data centres around the world that consume a great deal of power,” said Alex Wissner-Gross, a Harvard University physicist whose research on the environmental impact of computing is due out soon. “A Google search has a definite environmental impact.”
Google has been moved to respond on its official blog, saying that this estimate is *many* times too high. Here is the link to the blog. And here is the meat of the Google response:
In fact, in the time it takes to do a Google search, your own personal computer will use more energy than Google uses to answer your query.
Recently, though, others have used much higher estimates, claiming that a typical search uses "half the energy as boiling a kettle of water" and produces 7 grams of CO2. We thought it would be helpful to explain why this number is *many* times too high. Google is fast — a typical search returns results in less than 0.2 seconds. Queries vary in degree of difficulty, but for the average query, the servers it touches each work on it for just a few thousandths of a second. Together with other work performed before your search even starts (such as building the search index) this amounts to 0.0003 kWh of energy per search, or 1 kJ. For comparison, the average adult needs about 8000 kJ a day of energy from food, so a Google search uses just about the same amount of energy that your body burns in ten seconds.
In terms of greenhouse gases, one Google search is equivalent to about 0.2 grams of CO2.
What do you think? (http://timesonline.typepad.com/technology/2009/01/googles-respons.html)
Mike Harvey of TON, posted a summary and review of the top 10 gadgets of 2009 and following my review of the CES meeting and reading several Tec blogs and sites, I agree with Mikes's summary. It is an excellent review and all those people into gadgets better start saving up if you are going to be buying any of these item.
CES is all over, bar the shouting and it's time for a round-up. Here's my take on the 10 best and most significant gadgets, gizmos and launches from Las Vegas. I have put them in no particular order - except that I have saved the best to last. And no, it's not the Palm Pre.
1 SONY'S POCKET LAPTOP
The early contender for gadget of the week (because I have a thing about laptops) was Sony's Vaio P Series, a mini-notebook (not a netbook apparently) which is about the size of a big envelope and not that much thicker. It weighs just 638g.
The device has an Intel Atom processor, 2GB of RAM and a 60GB hard drive. Other features include mobile broadband, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS technologies with pre-installed maps. The 8-inch display that has a light-emitting diode backlight for more vivid colors than a standard LCD screen. The display has a resolution of 1,600 by 768 pixels and is "ultrawide".
The system runs Windows Vista, but has an instant-on option that launches directly into Sony's Xross Media Bar interface, which provides access to music, video, photos, and the Web. The Vaio P Series Lifestyle PC is available from February in the obligatory range of fancy colours. The only real problem is the price - from £849 in the UK - which is a lot for such a small screen. But it is a thing of beauty. Details here.
2 YAHOO! GETS INTERACTIVE WITH YOUR TV
Yahoo led the show-wide charge into getting more internet content on your TV. The company unveiled an avalanche of deals with TV manufacturers such as Samsung and Sony to put its TV Widget platform into the living room. With a Widget-enabled set you can interact with content and services that complement your TV viewing (but you don't get the full browsing experience). Press one button on your remote to bring up the TV Widget Dock, select a TV Widget, and view content.
You can track your favorite sports team, watch financial stocks, share photos with friends and family, go shopping, play games, view movies or web videos while you watch your favorite show. eBay, YouTube and MySpace are among the offerings. A significant move for the ailing company. Details here.
3 SKYPE FOR MOBILES
Skype, free video calls over the internet, is the one technology that my move to San Francisco from London has turned into a true life-changer. The company is now doing the same for mobile phones.
The Web-based voice and text messaging service owned by eBay has developed a "lite" version that can be downloaded for free to more than 100 models of Java-enabled mobile phones or those using Google's open-source Android platform.
The T-Mobile G1 runs Android software while phones from LG, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung and Sony Ericsson are Java-enabled. Skype "lite" is not yet available for the Apple iPhone. (ha!)
The "lite" version gives you the ability to make free Skype-to-Skype calls and low cost calls to landlines and mobiles (no video but still pretty fab). Details of the beta here.
4 THE BEST HD MINI VIDEO CAMERA
Ok, so the Flip Mino HD, strictly speaking, was launched months ago but it was one of the ten entries in the Last Gadget Standing competition at CES and I think it is just brilliant. The world's smallest HD-quality video recorder features 4GB of memory and up to 60 minutes of recording time and all-new built-in FlipShare software for easy saving, organizing and sharing of video. It is pocket perfection. Details here.
Sony entered the market at CES with a new line of HD cameras called Webbie HD, both models coming in under $200. The PM1 has a swivel lens with 4x digital zoom and captures high-definition video at 1080p and snaps 5-megapixel pictures. It has a USB connection allowing easy transfers to a computer and uploads to services such as YouTube. Personally I still prefer the Flip Mino and they were first. But here's a picture of the Sony Webbie, anyway.
5 SUPER-POWERFUL PC FOR GAMERS
One of the sexiest launches for gamers was HP Firebird, from the gaming supercomputer specialists VoodooPC. I'm no gamer but it was not difficult to see why everyone was getting so excited about this fantastic piece of PC engineering.
Currently only slated for the US, the top of the range model features a 2.83GHz Intel Core 2 Quad, 4GBs of RAM, two 2.5in 320GB hard drives, a slot loading Blu-ray drive, Bluetooth and Draft-N Wi-Fi, Creative Labs X-Fi sound and dual 512MB nVidia 9800S graphics cards. Which translates as everything a gamer might want. And because it is watercooled its runs in near silence. No word about when it is coming to the UK...
Details here.
6 PALM PRE HAS IPHONE IN ITS SIGHTS
The Palm Pre is the new cellphone sensation. There has been a lot of attention paid to this new smartphone from the old smartphone pioneers. I think it has great potential but because I have not had a chance to test it myself yet, I am going to sit on the fence. But it was easily the most talked about launch at the show. It will, I am told, be coming to the UK, probably in the second half of this year. Networkworld has got all the details and compares its specs with the iPhone.
7 NIGHT VISION CAMCORDER
My favourite "toy" of the show was the Digital Blue NightVision video camera. Aimed at kids and teenagers this camcorder employs infrared technology to allow users to see and record video in pitch black conditions up to 20 feet away. It is marketed at kids and teens who want to have "stealthy adventures in the dark". Now that sounds a bit weird but I think it is still a great gimmick.
The recorded videos can be played back on the camera's LCD screen, on a PC, or uploaded to social networking sites like YouTube. It also features a built-in flashlight "for safety", and a daytime recording mode. It will be available in the US this summer for $79.99.
The company website does not mention the new product yet but here is the press release.
8 JIVE ROBOT
Cute robot alert. WowWee Robotics have been turning out award-winning androidy products for a while (Robosapiens) but I was particularly taken with the Joebot. He is your interactive friend with a sense of style and rhythm. (pictured here with his launch companion the Roborover)
Joebot responds to voice commands and can beatbox and dance - his movements are sharp and swift and he can get himself up if he falls over. He has various modes but my favourite was battle mode when he will blast objects with the LEDs in his hands. You can even duel against him using any infra-red remote control. Waddya mean, this is just silly? Here's SlipperyBrick.com's take.
9 SEXIEST BLU-RAY PLAYER YET
Samsung unveiled the thinnest Blu-ray player on the planet with the BD-P4600. It can be wall-mounted and features support for internet interactive BD Live and Bonus View. Add a USB dongle for Netflix instant movie streaming and Pandora Internet Radio. This is a very cool product indeed. Gizmodo has the details. The Samsung website is pants.
10 THE WINNER - NEVER MISS A WORD
First of all - a confession. No, two. This is not a brand new launch but as above, it was part of the Last Gadget Standing contest and I had not come across it before. So I can include it. And secondly, yes, I know I love it so much because I am a hack whose shorthand is not what it was.
But this gadget is a fantastic piece of innovation and my favourite from CES.
The Livescribe Pulse smartpen places a computer inside a writing stylus to deliver a pen and voice recorder that remembers everything it writes and syncs it all with your PC.
There is a tiny scanner in the tip of the pen that picks up invisible dots in the special paper to keep a timeline of where the pen comes into contact with the paper. The pen can have its voice recorder activated, so it records audio while the notes are taken and afterwards, simply by touching the pen to any point in the notes, you can play back what was being said at the time.
If this sounds amazing, it is and it works. A journalist colleague swears by the smartpen now. Livescribe sells notebooks of the special Dot Paper, and users can even print out their own Dot Paper using a 600 dpi or greater printer.
Here's a video to help explain (it's a bit cheesy but it is aimed at students).
The pen is designed (by some ex-Apple people) to make note-taking - for journos and for students - really easy. What's more, the pen uses handwriting recognition to solve maths questions and translate words. No, I am not making that bit up.
The notes can all be transferred onto your computer using the Livescribe Desktop. The system is Windows compatible and there is a public beta to download for Mac users. A starter pack of the pen, the software, some of the special notebooks and other bits of kits costs around £185 in the UK.
And that's it. I hope you read this far. I should add that I have not included Microsoft's Windows 7 operating system update because I doubt very much that it will be fully released by the time the next CES comes to an end. So what did I miss?
IS it a car? Is it a plane? Actually it’s both. The first flying automobile, equally at home in the sky or on the road, is scheduled to take to the air next month.
If it survives its first test flight, the Terrafugia Transition, which can transform itself from a two-seater road car to a plane in 15 seconds, is expected to land in showrooms in about 18 months’ time.
Its manufacturer says it is easy to keep and run since it uses normal unleaded fuel and will fit into a garage.
Carl Dietrich, who runs the Massachusetts-based Terrafugia, said: “This is the first really integrated design where the wings fold up automatically and all the parts are in one vehicle.”
The Transition, developed by former Nasa engineers, is powered by the same 100bhp engine on the ground and in the air.
Terrafugia claims it will be able to fly up to 500 miles on a single tank of petrol at a cruising speed of 115mph. Up to now, however, it has been tested only on roads at up to 90mph.
Dietrich said he had already received 40 orders, despite an expected retail price of $200,000 (£132,000).
“For an airplane that’s very reasonable, but for a car that’s very much at the high end,” he conceded.
There are still one or two drawbacks. Getting insurance may be a little tricky and finding somewhere to take off may not be straightforward: the only place in the US in which it is legal to take off from a road is Alaska.
Dietrich is optimistic. He said: “In the long term we have the potential to make air travel practical for individuals at a price that would meet or beat driving, with huge time savings.”
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/engineering/article5489287.ece
LONDON: An Austrian jeweller has given 'bling bling' a new definition by designing the world's most expensive phone. Designed by Peter Aloisson the stunning diamond-encrusted iPhone comes for a whopping 1.8 million pounds. The one-of-a-kind phone features a rare 6.6-carat diamond on its home button, reports The Sun. Aloisson is credited as being the ultimate pioneer when it comes to blurring the lines between gadget, art and jewellery. |
Baghdad. In a significant development, the Government of Iraq has decided to rebuild the 15th century Sikh Guru Guru Nanak Dev's shrine which was destroyed in the 2003 war in Baghdad.
Talking to media here at his palace, Iraqi Vice President and senior politician Adil Abd-al-Mahdi has said that the government would rebuild the destroyed Guru Nanak Dev''s shrine in Baghdad.
He also thanked the Indian Spiritual Guru Sri Sri Ravishankar for taking up this issue with the Iraqi Government.
I hope my sikh friends will really enjoy this little article. Here attached are a couple of video's relating to Guru Nanak in Baghdad:
Another very recent video relating to Guru Nanak in Baghdad by Zee News
The Iraqi Vice President and Sri Sri Ravishankar, who is on a peace mission to Iraq met here and held discussion about rebuilding of over 500-year-old Sikh shrine.
Talking to media, Sri Sri Ravishankar said, "It was a part of my mission and the Iraqi government had agreed to rebuild the historical shrine."
The Gurudwara was founded Mohamad Pasha Amoot, follower of Pir Bakol at the time of Guru Nanak's visit to Baghdad in the year 927 AH (1520-1A.D).
Baghdad was visited by Guru Nanak Dev on his way back from Mecca and Madina. He stayed outside the city of the west of Dajala (Tigris) River, about two kilometers north of Baghdad West railway station.
He held discourses with Sajjadanashins (caretaker of mausoleum) of the mausoleums of Abdul Qadir gilani and Bahlol the Wise, who were greatly impressed by his views on God and religion.
After the Guru's departure, they raised a memorial in the form of a platform where the Guru had sat and discoursed. After some time when a room was constructed over the platform, a stone slab with the following inscription in Turki was installed in it. The shrine was completely rubbled during the 2003 war.
LAS VEGAS: SanDisk Corp unveiled a portable digital music system based on memory cards preloaded with songs, signalling a shift in its strategy to compete against the iPod. (8 Jan, 2009) The music system is designed for the casual music consumer and consists of a modest-looking player -- square and about as think as deck of card -- that comes bundled with a fingernail-sized memory card. The card holds 1,000 mostly classic tunes picked from Billboard magazine charts and arranged into playlists according to genre. The player and card will sell for about $100; additional cards, which may be introduced around specific genres, themes or artists, will sell for about $40. SanDisk, the No. 1 supplier of flash memory-based data storage cards, for years has been a distant No. 2 to Apple Inc in the portable music player market. A company spokesman called SanDisk a "strong No. 2," adding that its market share is bigger than Nos. 3, 4 and 5 combined. But the spokesman confirmed a shift in focus at SanDisk away from devices mimicking Apple's iPod and toward memory-based units. SanDisk has yet to live up to Chief Executive Eli Harari's hopes of transforming itself into a "consumer electronics powerhouse," a suggestion he made two years ago at CES. Like Sony Corp, Hewlett-Packard Co and others, SanDisk has failed to make a significant dent in the iPod's total market share. In the meantime, it has had to deal with overproduction and excess supply in the flash memory industry. Falling demand for consumer gadgets that use portable flash memory, in the wake of the economic downturn, is further hurting the industry. (for more details: http://infotech.indiatimes.com/Personal_Tech/GadgeTech/SanDisk_unveils_memory_card-based_music_player/articleshow/3950333.cms |
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Interest in Microsoft’s new operating system, Windows 7, is apparently significantly greater than the software giant had anticipated – the company’s servers ground to a halt almost immediately they opened for business from developer subscribers earlier today. Now, with the number of global downloads for the general public limited to just 2.5million, it’s likely that the free beta stocks will run out almost instantly.
This is despite the company’s official recommendation that typical consumers consider the beta as simply an experiment that’s primarily only suitable for the technically very literate and those pride themselves on being “early-adopters”.
In fact, however, the high-level of demand has been building for months. Windows 7 has proved itself to be unusually popular with developers, who have praised the operating system for being stable, efficient and more intuitive than its predecessor Vista was at an equivalent stage in development.
An official, final release date for the programme has not yet been confirmed by Microsoft, but the public beta will expire in August. Since the company says that it already contains all the features that are planned, that makes a release in time for Christmas seem plausible. Officially, the deadline for the product has been announced as early 2010. Previous deadline for Vista were allowed to slip, but Windows 7 has consistently been on schedule so far.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/technology/microsoft/4209917/Windows-7-downloaders-crash-Microsofts-servers.html
Halo 3: ODST
Platform: Xbox 360
Developer: Bungie
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Released: Autumn 2009
Master Chief 's tale may be over, but the Halo universe is still ripe for exploration and expansion. Two new Halo games arrive in 2009: Halo Wars, a console-friendly real-time strategy game and ODST (Orbital Drop Shock Trooper), the much anticipated next first-person-shooter title in the franchise. Taking place on Earth at the same time as the events of Halo 2, ODST puts you in the heavily armoured suits of the eponymous trooper squad. While Halo's outstanding gunplay will be present and correct, the game is said to be more 'film noir' in tone. It will be fascinating to see where the series goes without its hero, but with series creators Bungie at the helm, we are confident that ODST will be another superb, action-packed adventure. (TH)
MadWorld
Platform: Wii
Developer: Platinum Games
Publisher: Sega
Released: March 2009
Arguably the most controversial title in the pipeline for 2009, MadWorld could be pitched as “The Running Man meets Itchy & Scratchy”. Players control Jack, a contestant in an ultra-violent gameshow set in the future, in which the aim is to eviscerate as many opponents as gruesomely as possible. Aside from slashing up foes with a chainsaw, players will have the opportunity to electrocute them with live cables, stab them through the face with street signs and toss them into giant meat grinders. If all this sounds brutally horrific then, well... it is. And it's about time! Sega is to be applauded for attempting to bring more adult fare to the Wii console. If you disagree, don't worry, because MadWorld has to get past the censors first and if the furore surrounding Manhunt 2 was anything to go by, the BBFC is going to come down on this game like an anvil. (NC)
Alan Wake
Platform: Xbox 360
Developer: Remedy Entertainment
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Released: TBC 2009
Will it? Won't it? Whether Max Payne developer Remedy's new psychological thriller will ever actually see release has been as much a mystery as the games closely concealed plot since 2006. A new trailer has put those fears to bed and Alan Wake looks alive and kicking. A best-selling horror author, Wake arrives in the small town of Bright Falls to write his new book, based on his own nightmares. These terrifying visions then begin to alter the rural settlement to bear a horrifying resemblance to Wake's new story. The long delay for Alan Wake could see the game suffer mechanically, but the fascinating horror narrative could drive it to live up to expectations that have been building ever since the 360's release. (TH)
God Of War III
Platform: PS3
Developer: SCE Studios Santa Monica
Publisher: Sony Computer EntertainmentSega
Released: TBC 2009
At the end of 2007, the PS3's games catalogue seemed anorexic compared to that of its closest competitor. But as 2008 draws to a close Sony's console is almost on level pegging with the Xbox 360, and if things continue in this vain 2009 looks set to be even better. One of the key ingredients in Sony's console war strategy next year is God Of War III. Expected in March, the latest installment has a lot riding on it; not only will it have to match the high pedigree of its predecessors, it carries the added responsibility of being one of the Sony's flagship franchises. We can only hope that Kratos's upcoming adventure will be as packed with sex, violence and mythology as his past ones. At the very least gamers will find out what happened after the cliffhanger ending of God Of War II (pictured). (NC)
Heavy Rain
Platform: PS3
Developer: Quantic Dream
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Released: TBA 2009
The first tantalising glimpse of David Cage's new thriller at this year's Leipzig Conference indicated that in terms of visuals and characterisation, Heavy Rain looks to be raising the bar for video games. The game's plot is being kept under wraps, but Heavy Rain's success looks to depend on its branching storyline. You will control multiple characters and should you die during the game, that character will perish for good and the story will continue without them. With its unique control system and the exciting prospect of a truly organic plot, Heavy Rain has the potential to be a real breakthrough for storytelling in the medium. (TH)
BioShock 2: Sea Of Dreams
Platform: PS3, PC and Xbox 360
Developer: 2K Marin
Publisher: 2K Interactive
Released: TBC 2009
Out of all of the games on our list, BioShock 2 probably has the toughest act to follow. Its predecessor (pictured) not only garnered critical acclaim from both the mainstream and games industry press, it sold by the truckload, inspired rabid fandom and is currently in the process of being adapted for the screen by the team behind the Pirates Of The Caribbean franchise. In fact, when news of BioShock 2 first emerged, there was a lot of online speculation that it was simply a rumour started by 2K Interactive to inflate its market share price in order to stave off the takeover bid from EA. BioShock 2 couldn't exist; after all, how do you follow a game as perfect as BioShock? Well, if the trailers in circulation are anything to go by, we're all about to find out. Whether BioShock 2 manages to live up to the massive expectations heaped upon it, or whether it proves to be a colossal disappointment, its arrival is eagerly awaited by the franchise's cult-like fans. (NC)
Batman: Arkham Asylum
Platform: PS3, PC and Xbox 360
Developer: Rocksteady Studios
Publisher: Eidos Interactive
Released: August 2009
The Batman movie franchise may be back up and running after the last two films, but the caped crusader has never really excelled in video game format. If the upcoming Batman: Arkham Asylum is anything to go by, Eidos have sought inspiration from Christopher Nolan's movies in order to rectify this. The screenshots and trailers look suitably gothic and gritty, and the character design walks a fine line between pulp and horror. Rumours promise fantastic combat action, CSI-style puzzle solving and chilling atmosphere throughout. Gamers and comic fanboys alike have their fingers and toes crossed... (NC)
Resident Evil 5
Platform: PS3 and Xbox 360
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Released: March 13 2009
With Resident Evil 4 being widely regarded as one of the finest games ever created, we can't really blame Capcom for giving us more of the same. Except of course, for being bigger, better and shinier. The series seems to be stepping further away from its survival horror routes, however, as this installment of the zombie-infested franchise is set in the blinding light of Africa. Resi stalwart Chris Redfield returns with a new partner, Sheva Alomar, and the game is designed for online co-op play as Sheva helps Chris through the natives driven mad by a biological virus. We'll put the house on the sinister Umbrella Corp. being involved somehow though. (TH)
Street Fighter IV
Platform: PS3, PC and Xbox 360
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Released: February 2009
Already out in video arcades in Japan, Capcom’s flagship fighting game is set to be one of the biggest releases of 2009. Not only will it surf in on a massive wave of gamer nostalgia – everyone remembers the Street Fighter games, even if they never played them – but according to Capcom’s general manager, Yoshi Ono, the game’s brief is aimed at giving the franchise more mass appeal. While this means that casual players can breathe a sigh of relief, it’s unlikely to deter the hardcore. (NC)
Brutal Legend
Platform: PS3, Xbox 360
Developer: Double Fine Productions
Publisher: EA
Released: Autumn 2009
Tenacious D's song 'You Can't Kill the Metal' should perhaps become the theme tune for Brutal Legend. Unceremoniously dumped by Activision-Blizzard, Tim Schafer's rocktastic looking third-person action-adventure sadly found itself without a publisher. Riding to the rescue, presumably leather-clad on Harley-Davidson's, was Electronic Arts, picking the game up for release next year. Brutal Legend is best described as a Heavy Metal album cover come to life. Voiced by the D's Jack Black, Eddie Riggs is a roadie for a heavy metal band who, due to his cursed belt buckle, finds himself transported to a land of volcanic mountains armed with an axe and, er, an axe. His guitar riffs are used as attacks against a group of evil metal-heads lead by a bass-playing biker, voiced by Lemmy from Motorhead. Brutal Legend looks as mad as a box of hats and we'd expect nothing less from Schafer, the brilliant mind behind Psychonauts and Grim Fandango. (TH)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/technology/technologyreviews/videogamereviewsandpreviews/3777020/Most-wanted-games-of-2009-for-XBox-360-PS3-and-Wii.html
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