Art Lebedev Studio, headed by Artemy Lebedev has come with a masterpiece. Or is it? Titled “Optimus Maximus” it’s a high end keyboard with 133 tiny OLED display keys. Now coming to the part where I wish I was Richie Rich. This keyboard costs a whopping $1,600. A bomb. Did someone say that it is the costliest keyboard on the face of the Earth? More on that later. 
The trick here is each key can be individually programmed to display different tasks, like playing tiny movies, HTML codes, or your favorite websites. Let me break that down into common speak. There is a screen in each key that displays the function currently assigned to it. Each of its keys is a display which can dynamically change to adapt to the keyboard layout in use or to show the function of the key.
According to the company website, Optimus Maximus’s customizable layout allows convenient use of any language—Cyrillic, Ancient Greek, Georgian, Arabic, Quenya, hiragana, etc.—as well as of any other character sets: notes, numerals, special symbols, HTML codes, math functions and so on to infinity.
Optimus Configurator software allows programming every button to reproduce a sequence of symbols and editing the image separately for each layout.
Most of the reviews I came across on the internet criticized the keyboard for inordinately high CPU usage, slow response time, and buggy configuration software. Another grouse is that after plugging the keyboard to the USB port, one has to slog, programming the keys. The only talking points of this keyboard are that it lets you see the shortcuts visually and the level of customization it offers.
One can individually configure what each key does when it is depressed. Currently scripts, commands and few other functions can be programmed. The keys can display whatever you want it to display according to the guys at Gizmodo. They say that apart from static images, one can also play back a movie on one of the keys Wow. Is it Alien Technology?
Source: Art Lebedev Studio, Gizmodo, Wired.com
A person sitting in front of a computer connected to internet has the entire gamut of search engines available with just a click of a button to seek out the information he seeks. Now picture the same person with a high end mobile phone featuring GPRS. Again the power of search is at the tip of his fingers. Now I picture myself holding a sub $25 cell phone wondering how am I going to find the nearest available gas station or a convenience store. I do not have the luxury of a computer connected to internet nor do I have a high end cell phone that can connect to the net. So am I stuck, helpless, looking for the nearest telephone booth to look up the places?
Well if it wasn’t for the ChaCha, the answer would be yes. ChaCha is a free mobile search service that allows you to get answers to any question you might have, right on your mobile device. You can ask about weather, stocks, directions, restaurants, shops, products... and all your questions are answered by real people.
One can get restaurant recommendations on the go, last night's baseball score, and even the average weight of an elephant! All one has to do is Call 1-800-2-ChaCha or text 242242 with your question. Your question will be sent to a ChaCha Guide who will research the question and send you a text back with your answer.
ChaCha is a free service currently available only in the U.S. Normal text or voice charges from the carrier apply and this service is available 24/7.
ChaCha has been voted as the best consumer mobile application “Best Application” at the CTIA Wireless 2008. It has also won first prize at the “My Search is Better than Your Search” competition at the Search Engine Strategies conference held in
I have different Yahoo! Messenger ID’s. After logging into one ID, when I tried to log into another ID, I could not do that.
So what one can do is: To get multiple instances of Yahoo! Messenger running at the same time, follow this -
Download and run the ym8multi.reg file from this ZIP archive
For uninstall, download and run the ym8multi_unist.reg file from this ZIP archive
Now isn’t this great.
I just loved this patch.... :)
Continuing with the environment friendly initiatives on which I have been posting, this is a gem. The article is from BikeSite.com. Though I have not been able to determine the date, it’s still a must read for all those enthusiasts who have been waiting for and environment friendly bike to come along.
Intelligent Energy, British based company has developed a bike titled ENV. It stands for Emissions Neutral Vehicle. Intelligent Energy has partnered with Seymourpowell which has been working on this fuel cell technology for over 10 years to come up with this eco-friendly bike. The motorbike is powered by hydrogen cells. It has a top speed of 50 mph and a fuel range of 100 miles. The bike hardly makes any noise and is estimated to cost £3000 on the market. The cost might come down with the sops from the government. The design of the bike may not be to everybody's tastes according to the website.
Sadly, I could not find any pictures of this bike and further information was also scarce.
One can read the full article at Bike Site at the following link or clicking on the post's title: http://www.bikesite.co.uk/articles-21/75.htm
Society of Automotive Engineering (SAE) World Congress in Detroit, touted as one of the premier conferences of automotive engineers, executives and suppliers in the world saw some innovative ideas and concepts being showcased and discussed. One of them piqued my interest and I started digging for more information.
Cyclone Power Technologies Inc. has developed what it calls a Cyclone Engine. It is described as an environmentally friendly and highly efficient external combustion, heat-regenerative engine. It’s a water-lubricated external combustion engine that uses steam to power automobiles, lawn mowers and stationary generators. The company claims that the engine is capable of running on any liquid or gaseous fuel, including ethanol, bio-diesel and propane.
Developed by the company's President and CEO, Harry Schoell, the Cyclone Engine regenerates (or recycles) its heat, which allows it to run cleaner, cooler and more efficiently than traditional internal combustion engines. Charles J. Murray for Design News reports that according to Schoell, the engine doesn’t need a transmission, clutches, mufflers or catalytic converters. At the show, the company demonstrated a 100-hp version of the engine that weighed just 35 lbs. Schoell said the automotive version of the engine uses six cylinders.
The engine works by burning fuel in an external combustion chamber and sending its hot gases through three heat exchangers. The first of those three heat exchangers heats water to 1,100-1,200 deg F and raises the water’s pressure to 3,200 psi. The superheated water is subsequently injected into the cylinders where it expands by a factor of approximately 1,800, therefore generating rotary motion.
The engine is lubricated with de-ionized water instead of motor oil because it has no metal-to-metal bearings. Thus, it eliminates many subsystems like oil pumps, radiators, catalytic converters and fuel injectors. The Cyclone engines are expected to cost less to manufacture, operate and maintain and are highly scalable and sufficiently powerful for applications ranging from lawn equipment and small home generators, large stand-alone generators, to cars, trucks, buses, RVs, boats and ships, as well as earth moving equipment and locomotives.
Cyclone holds the U.S. patent, international patent applications, and exclusive commercial rights to the Cyclone Engine. But one sad thing is that no automaker has come forward to adopt this technology. Innovative technologies like these need outright support from major automakers that are now under pressure to make their technology green. Otherwise it would be an excellent opportunity lost to limit and prevent undue damage to our planet.
Source: Press Release, Design News
Yahoo! has at last has opened up to third-party publishers and developers for its search service. This new developer platform, which is called SearchMonkey, uses data web standards and structured data to enhance the functionality, appearance and usefulness of search results.
With this online tool, developers can build data services that can be used to present rich and useful search results. These data services can be constructed using structured data either from the Yahoo! Search index or from publicly available sources (such as APIs). Yahoo! is also throwing a SearchMonkey developers party on May 15 at Yahoo! Headquarters – Url’s Café, 701 First Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94089. Here one will get insider scoop on SearchMonkey, live demos, documentation and one can meet product managers and engineers face-to-face and not to miss the beer that will be served. :) (i am a tea totaler though)
After
Nokia’s N810, a Linux based is not a typical mobile phone. Its bundled with features which makes it in par with a mobile computer.
Yes and now this phone is also WiMax enabled to take advantage of new wide-area high-speed mobile WiMAX networks.
So you may ask me as to what the benefits are? Well the benefits of the device are in its Internet capabilities. WiMAX is effectively a cross between wifi and 3G, offering city-wide wireless broadband access without the need for a SIM card. WiMAX can be accessed from local hot spots.
A number of additional features further enhance the utility of the Nokia N810 WiMAX Edition. With built-in GPS, the Nokia N810 WiMAX Edition can easily transform itself into a fully featured personal navigation device, complete with real-time on-screen maps. An integrated media player and 2 GB of internal memory, expandable to a full 10 GB of memory with the addition of an optional microSD memory card, allows the Nokia N810 WiMAX Edition to store and play back a large library of music and video content. When not in range of a WiMAX network, the Nokia N810 WiMAX Edition can also access the Internet over Wi-Fi or via conventional cellular data networks by pairing to a compatible mobile phone via Bluetooth technology.
Also being introduced with the Nokia N810 WiMAX Edition is the newest Internet Tablet operating system. This new upgraded OS2008 introduces useful new features to the platform, including an enhanced e-mail client. The N810 supports a fixed 2.5GHz frequency and as it’s designed to work with the Sprint Nextel Xohm service is currently only available in the
The device should become available this summer, and although the exact pricing hasn’t been confirmed yet, it’s expected to be available for around $420.
Get your hands on one as soon as possible...
If you have used Yahoo’s oneSearch then you will love FreeMobile411 too. It gives access to millions of
As with oneSearch FreeMobile411 is a very easy to use VOICE-ENABLED search application. After downloading FreeMobile411, just open the application on your mobile phone, PRESS and HOLD the "talk" key and say the "City and State" you need. Next, select either "Search by Business Name", "Business Type" or "Person". PRESS and HOLD the "talk" key and say either the business listing you are looking for, a business category or a Person. Within a few seconds, the phone number, address, map, directions, nearby places and other great features will be displayed on you phone. You also have the option to make a search by typing in your request if you are in a very loud or quiet environment.
The downloadable version of FreeMobile411™ records your VOICE input, compresses it into a data file and sends it to our servers for processing. The recording will be converted into text and the results are sent back and displayed on your screen within seconds.
FreeMobile411 is completely FREE! Depending on your carrier and your carrier’s plan, you may be charged for text messaging or accessing data on your device. No matter which carrier you have, you will not be charged on a per search basis when using FreeMobile411.
Currently only the beta version of FreeMobile411 is available. The first version of FreeMobile411™ will be released soon. And the current app is supported by just eight Sprint phones.
So if you are a Sprint cell phone user, then why wait...check it out here...
Well you might be thinking as to what the fuss about Fring and VoIP is all about right? Let me tell you that Fring is not the first VoIP app for the iPhone, there are several before this, like Jah Jah. But it used to connect their analog to VoIP bridge before one can make a call. But Fring doesn’t do that.
According to an announcement from Fring, the mobile VoIP app has been made publicly available and will let users talk, chat and interact with other Fring users.
The pre-release version was developed in conjunction with Israel-based Holon Institute of Technology. The early version will give iPhone users a chance to dabble with the VoIP application and also enable Fring to get the low down on the user experience through feedback. That feedback will be used to influence future research and development for the full release version, which is scheduled for launch later this year.
To use Fring on the Apple iPhone, users need an open iPhone with the Installer and Wi-Fi access.
The free application will work on any jailbreaken'd iPhone or iPod Touch. One can make affordable local and international calls to landline and regular cellular numbers using your SkypeOut/SkypeIn account or almost any internet voice service (SIP) such as SIPNET, EuteliaVoIP, VoIPVoIP and VoIPTalk, even from non-SIP enabled handsets. The only charges one would incur would be the same as a SkypeOut or SIP call from a computer.
Even if it didn't allow voice calls, Fring would be useful as an all-in-one IM solution.
One good thing is that, fring will automatically log in to WiFi hotspots that one has previously logged into, so it can save time and hassle without having to configure WiFi access points each time and save even more on calls & chats to friends, as calls among “fringsters” and one’s online communities are 100% free when using an existing WiFi account.
Some features of Fring:
· Take All Im Buddies Mobile And View Them From One, Integrated Contact List
· Call landlines and regular cellular contacts using skypeout or SIP
· Choose incoming call and message tones
· Auto-roam in and out of wifi hotspots
What are you waiting for....download the new app and call your friends now!
Flickr has forayed into offering video hosting. One can upload a mere 90 second or 150MB video! And many flickr users are unhappy about that.... :(
The change is a modest but significant extension of Flickr's features. The videos will be shown as thumbnails alongside users' photos, and will inherit all the features of photos stored on the site: users can add comments, captions, comments, geotags, and privacy restrictions so only friends or family may view the videos.
Only those with "pro" subscriptions will be able to publish videos, but as with photos, those with free Flickr accounts and the public will be able to watch them. The site will support videos in AVI, MPEG, and MOV formats, showing them with a Flash player but storing the original, too. Existing upload tools will work with video, too.
But now after a week of its launch.....thousands of Flickr members have started protesting the service by signing petitions and joining groups like “No Video On Flickr”. A facetious group called “We Demand Doughnuts”, emerged calling for free doughnuts as a way to mock the demands of the anti-video crusaders. The group mockingly stated "If we get 20,000 people to join the group Flickr will be forced to give us free donuts!"
And oddly enough, Flickr has conceded on the doughnuts, though just over 2,500 members have joined the group. "We at FlickrHQ have heard of your noble efforts and seek to answer your cries for justice," said Matthew Rothenberg, a Flickr employee, in the group's discussion board. Rothenberg has promised to buy treats for Flickr members who meet at a pre-designated shop in
Though Flickr is only planning on giving away free doughnuts in
The World is moving at a rapid pace in terms of automotive technological development. Inevitably development is achieved at the cost of Mother Nature. Therefore, a huge guilt of humanity exists in each and every one of us. The guilt of not able to provide better hospitable living conditions, for our future offspring’s is making mankind search for greener technology. At least, implement green technology in a symbiotic relationship with existing polluting ones. Try and erase some of the guilt. And how successful it has been! Billions of dollars are spent in the search for feasible green technology and finally thanks to the advancement in the cutting edge sciences such as Nanotechnology, Corporates across the world have come with concepts which they claim will significantly reduce the carbon footprint.
Renaissance Of The Wheel
The humble Wheel as we know has its origin most likely in ancient
But the Boffins at Michelin have given an entirely new functionality to the Wheel. Imagine if one could just strap on a pair of wheels to one’s favorite couch and couple it with a battery pack and a rudimentary steering mechanism, you are looking at the most advanced form of transportation. It does not require any engine to run.
Michelin demonstrated two intertwined concepts at the Challenge Bibendum 2004, held in
A wheel equipped with Michelin's active wheel technology appears from the outside to be a standard wheel and tire package. But on the inside, it houses an active suspension unit, a drive motor and braking components. Voila! Complete mobility solution in a Wheel. Car makers in the near future will have to start building their cars around the wheel instead of the engine. What a difference that would make!
Electric motors not only turn the wheels, but can be used to slow and stop them, so traditional disc or drum brakes might eventually be eliminated, or at least reduced to smaller, redundant systems. And by using electric motors to turn the wheels, large and heavy transmissions and differentials become obsolete. These motors provide peak torque output of 1000Nm per wheel which enables phenomenal acceleration force of 1g. This kind of acceleration is seen in Formula 1.
With Michelin's active wheel system, vehicle designers could become more creative because suspension components that now intrude on interior space would be repackaged within each of the vehicle's four wheels, creating more room for people and cargo.
Challenge
Bibendum 2007With
Where 20 years ago the streets were full of bicycles, now the car is king and it is choking the city. Rather than trying to persuade people to drive cars less frequently, the solution proposed by the auto industry is to make cars greener.
Hybrids, it seems is the most popular solution to combat the problem of pollution and more importantly Global Warming. Any vehicle which combines two or more different sources of power to propel the vehicle is termed as a Hybrid. However, it is not that simple as it seems. There are different kinds of Hybrid implementations out there and each manufacturer touting that theirs is the best. Let’s take a look at the different types of hybrids out there in the market.
Electric-Internal Combustion Hybrid: These are the more ubiquitous ones found in the market. A petrol / diesel engine is mated to an electric motor. The electric motor is used to propel the vehicles from standstill especially at the traffic lights and the main petrol / diesel engine kicks in only when higher speeds are required. In lighter cars the electric motor is used to putter around the city at low speeds thus conserving the fuel and contributing significantly less to the carbon footprint. The electric motor also charges the batteries while braking through ‘regenerative braking’.
Fuel Cell Hybrid: It involves a hydrogen fuel cell generator teamed up with Lithium ion batteries. The generator powers an electric motor which is in turn coupled with a normal engine. However, auto manufacturers have come with concepts of stand alone fuel cell vehicles.
Hydraulic Hybrid: Hydraulic hybrids use an engine to charge a pressure accumulator to drive the wheels via hydraulic drive units. A hydraulic accumulator replaces the batteries.
Pneumatic Hybrid: This concept uses compressed air to power a hybrid car. The car runs on fossil fuel while the compressor refills the compressed air tanks.
Silicon Implants For Greener Tires
Now ladies, if this idea catches up you are looking at sky rocketing prices for silicon...ahem…silica that is. I guess that was bit of an over statement since silica is available abundantly in nature. Who would have guessed natural elements/products found in the nature would be used in technology to save nature from technology. Okay, my mind is spinning after that one. Here is the deal. Michelin in a never ending pursuit of reducing carbon footprint had come up with the Energy Tire. And it was a great success. However very few people were aware of it, me included. In 1992, Michelin came up with a concept of using silica in the tread of the tire to reduce rolling resistance to about 20% when compared to its normal tires without affecting performance and grip. If a tire has a certain degree of rolling resistance then the engine has to exert more energy to overcome the resistance. This means more fuel consumption. Thus, the Energy Tire with its reduced rolling resistance saves fuel consumption thereby reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Overdrive magazine reports that Michelin Energy Saver (the new moniker for the tire) reduces 0.2 liters/100km. This equates to a reduction of 4g/km of CO2/km. In other words, Michelin invented a tire that prevents nearly one ton of carbon dioxide being released into the air.
Your Footprint Can Affect The Environment !
Footprint here refers to the “Carbon Footprint”. A Carbon Footprint is a measure of the impact our activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases we produce. It is measured in units of carbon dioxide. Burning of fossil fuels including domestic energy consumption, transportation, lifecycle of products we use (their manufacture and eventual breakdown) all contribute to our carbon footprint. We can reduce our carbon footprint by following some basic steps:
- Use of solar water heaters can result in significant reductions in electricity and gas bills (especially in the metros).
- Use bicycles to work. Does wonders for your fitness and stamina. Try walking for short distances. Carpooling and use of public transport where ever and whenever possible.
- Big corporations can tap natural energy sources for their energy requirements.
- Turn off lights, taps and computer monitors when not in use. Set water heaters to a lower temperature in summers (reduction in a couple of degree C’s will make a significant saving in electricity over the season).
Icahn Triumphs At Last!
Motorola has caved in to Carl Icahn’s demands and has announced that that it will appointing Keith Meister as a non-executive and nominate William Hambrecht to the Motorola board at its annual general meeting. In return, Icahn will withdraw all pending litigation against Motorola. In addition, Motorola has also agreed to seek input from Icahn in connection with significant matters regarding the intended separation of the Mobile Devices business, including the search for a new chief executive to head the Mobile Devices business. This might probably bring to an end the 18-month squabble between Icahn and Motorola. Only time will tell.
Indians Flying High
After two of the legendary British marquees came under the management of Tata Motors, it was the turn of Videocon to express interest in acquiring a part of American heritage, Motorola. Motorola recently celebrated 35th anniversary of the world’s first cell phone. Standing at the corner of New York's 56th and Lexington 35 years ago on April 3rd, 1973, Marty Cooper placed the first ever 
cell phone call to Bell Labs engineer Joe Engel. Coming on the eve of the anniversary, many guffawed at Videocon’s interest to acquire the Mobile Handset division of Motorola. Some termed it as arrogant. Some said that it was impossible and immature of Videocon as it had no prior experience. Well Americans are yet to come to terms with “nothing is impossible” attitude of the Indians. Why don’t they ask the British?
Motorola Shuts Shop At
Motorola has announced that it will stop making mobile phones in
Axe Effect?
Motorola announced that it is axing a further 2,600 workers, thereby bringing the company's total employee cuts to more than 10,000 since last year. The company said that the cutbacks are being made across all divisions. In a filing, Motorola said that it will take a pre-tax charge of about $104m (£52m) in the first quarter to cover severance costs from the new layoffs. If we look back to 2007, Motorola had said that it would cut 3,500 jobs as part of a two-year cost-cutting plan to save $400m. Then again the company announced cuts of another 4,000 jobs in May last year with hopes of improving its financial and operational results. Statistics say that Moto has cut more than 10pc of its workforce since the start of 2007. The company will make public its full first-quarter financial results on April 24. Anyone willing to bet on the continuance of the Axe Effect?
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