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Scientists have developed Star Trek-like phasers

November 22, 2009 by Ade

Ah, science. What would we do without you? You make everything just plain awesome. And you keep on topping yourself each time.

Case in point: scientists have created a way to create a phaser that causes paralysis. You know, as in “set phasers to stun.”

Scientists have developed a Star Trek-like phaser, capable of causing paralysis with a beam of light.

A phaser traditionally emits a beam capable of stunning or killing an enemy. However, anyone hoping that the machine will become a powerful new weapon could be disappointed, scientists have only proven the effect on worms.

Researchers have now found a way to paralyse tiny worms when they expose them to ultraviolet light. Even when the ultraviolet light was turned off the animals stayed stunned. However, if they were subsequently exposed to a different form of light they recovered again and were able to move.

The researchers claim that this is the first time that such an effect has been demonstrated in an animal. Although some of the worms died, most of them lived through the process. The effect is caused by using a molecule which changes its shape when exposed to ultraviolet light.

The scientists, from Simon Fraser University in Canada, fed the molecule to the worms and then tested what happened when they exposed them to the light. The team behind the study claim that the phaser could someday be used as a treatment for medical conditions, but admit that they are as yet unsure what they would be.

The findings are published in Journal of the American Chemical Society.

[via]

Filed Under: News, Tech News Tagged With: phaser, star trek, worms

Take Ten (1 Sep 09): Vaio/Chrome, movieIQ, Samsung app store, Windows Mobile 6.5, 3G problems by 2010, Wii channel free, Snow Leopard, Kindle in Europe, Nokia World

September 1, 2009 by Andy Merrett

take-ten-tuesday-logo

Every Tuesday, Gadzooki takes a look at ten top tech stories from the past week and serves them up to you in manageable chunks for easy digestion. Be sure to subscribe to our RSS feed or Twitter account so you don’t miss them.

1. Sony Vaio laptops preloaded with Google Chrome browser

sony-vaiosApparently it’s been happening for some time, but Sony has been preloading some of its US-destined VAIO laptops with Google’s Chrome web browser.

That’s a great result for Google, even thought VAIO’s aren’t necessarily the most popular laptops going and that Microsoft’s Internet Explorer and Mozilla’s Firefox have a huge market share in comparison (~70%/20%).

Is this a sign that Sony might be keen to get Google’s forthcoming Chrome OS on board? It would be interesting to know, though hard to measure, how much damage PC manufacturers have suffered as a result of sticking Windows Vista on their computers. Windows 7 might be better, but perhaps Chrome OS will join Linux as a credible alternative OS — even as a build option rather than by default — for hardware vendors wanting to distance themselves from Microsoft.

Chrome might only have about two percent of the browser market share at present, but I just get the feeling that share will grow as more deals are done and the word gets out to Joe Public.

Via

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Featured Articles, Tech News Tagged With: 3G, amazon, Apple, Blu-ray, Europe, google Chrome, Kindle, mobile applications, movieIQ, Nokia World, samsung, snow leopard, sony Vaio, Take Ten, Wii channel, Windows Mobile 6.5

Jamo 804 Surround Sound System

December 26, 2008 by Jim

 

Yeah I know the company name isn’t really a big bang with the audio industry but Cali Lewis of GeekBrief.tv seem to be pretty well pleased with their new system offering.  The <a href=”http://jamo.com/Default.aspx?ID=6509&M=Shop&PID=19152&ProductID=18072″>804 Surround Sound System</a> by <a href=”http://www.jamo.com”>Jamo</a> (new theater audio system) can be mounted horizontally as a center speaker or vertically as a chic black pillar emitting really good sound.

 

The speaker finish is housed in black leather and high gloss aluminum, kinda perfect for the bachelor or bachelorette in you, eh?  I’m sure your friends will remember this visual marvel.  They can be mounted as a three piece combo around your wall-mounted flat screen display.  

 

Each speaker seems to be a complete set-up of each own.  They have tweeters, 4 1/2 midrange speakers and 2 speakers for base.  The price for this setup is $449 when they’re released in January.  Ughhh…. too bad they missed the holiday rush, otherwise you’d see a lot of bachelors walking around and smiling from ear to ear! Ha ha.

 

Check out these specs:

 

System

3-way bassreflex

 

Woofer (inch/mm)

2 x 4½ / 114

 

Midrange (inch/mm)

4½ / 114

 

Tweeter (inch/mm)

¾ / 19

 

Sensitivity (dB – 2,8V / 1m)

87

 

Impedance (Ohm)

6

 

Weight (kg/lb)

5.9 / 13.0

 

Dimensions (HxWxD/mm/in)

700x160x100 / 27.6×6.3×3.9

 

Frequency Range

70-20,000

 

powerLongTerm

80

 

powerShortTerm

120

Filed Under: Tech News

The case of too many D’s… it may kill X

February 24, 2008 by Jim

Whoever said that technology is too fast to control has hit it bulls-eye once again.  I was strolling in a mall, brought my trusty 80GB iPod with me and tuned in to TWIT’s Leo Laporte saying “HD-DVD is now DEAD”.  That’s too many D’s to control I know!  The death blow may well be Walmart saying they will now officially just sell Blu-Ray DVDs,  BUT won’t push for it, would still continue to sell HD-DVD formatted way back the aisle.

I was a bit relieved that I didn’t include an HD-DVD player in my Christmas list!  I could just imagine my frustration to find out that that player dead technology a month later.  Crossing my mind is Tom Hanks’ “Green Mile” liner… “dead man walking… dead man walking….”.  Now it’s “dead tech gone… dead tech gone!”.

OK so aside from Walmart, what led to HD-DVD demise??? 

  • “Warner Bros.’ move to exclusively release in the Blu-ray disc format is a strategic decision focused on the long term and the most direct way to give consumers what they want,” chairman and CEO of Warner Bros.
  • All of us at Sony are feeling a bit blue today, but that’s a good feeling,” CEO Sir Howard Stringer said at a news conference, chuckling. “Along with Warner Bros.’ decision to support Blu-ray I want to thank Bob Iger at Disney and Rupert Murdoch at Fox for being ‘true blue’ from the start.”
  • Disney, the parent company of ABC News, was one of the first to commit to the Blu-ray format.
  • Rick Clancy, Sony’s senior vice president of electronics, echoed those sentiments

Well to note here that the rivalry between the two platforms of high-definition DVDs — Blu-ray is supported by Sony, while HD-DVD is supported by both Toshiba and Microsoft — has been raging since the discs’ development. While other Hollywood studios have gradually chosen one format over the other, Warner Bros. had been the lone exception, publishing movies in both formats.

There is a rumor that Toshiba will stop manufacturing HD-DVD players… just a rumor folks!  Now will that leave Microsoft alone on a limb… goodbye XBox?
 

Filed Under: Tech News, XBox 360

Televisions of the Future

February 2, 2008 by Mr Butterscotch

The CES show was host to some rather amazing gadgets and gizmos this year – in fact arguably one of the best years for some time. Things really seem to be getter better – but not only that, they seem to be getting bigger as well. What I mean by that is of course that televisions are the next (and current) big thing!

As a first at CES
, the world’s first laser television was displayed. This was debuted by Mitsubishi who state that it is a ‘new category’ of display to offer alongside the likes of LCD and plasma technology. The reason for the development of this type of screen is that it offers (apparently) more of the colour spectrum that the eye can see, which is reportedly limited in current technology.

The laser set comes in at a particularly impressive 65 inches and has three lasers in the standard colours of red, green and blue. These are projected from the rear of the television (in a similar manner of DLP) but offers amazingly crisp, vivid and colourful images. Prices haven’t been revealed but the tv will be shipped later in the year.

Samsung has expressed interest in laser technology, but it didn’t show any at CES. Instead, it decided to display a 3D plasma screen – interesting from a company that does some of the best plasma sets in the world. Apparently, the 42 and 50 inch screens will be available in 2008 and rely on a PC connected to the set and polarised glasses to create the 3D image.

Samsung have also shown their OLED (organic light emitting diode) displays, known for being brighter than LCD and much thinner. More importantly, they also use less power to create the image – something which will no doubt seem to be important to consumers being fed the green message at the moment.

The reason for the brighter image is that the OLED does not require a backlight for the display as the organic material is naturally lit when an electric current runs through it. Different materials produce difference colours and this provides screens that are brighter and have a better contrast ratio.

I can vouch that OLED does look excellent as my Creative Zen V is supplied with just this technology – however, unfortunately for television creation it is extremely expensive, meaning that this will be for premium sets only in the future.

Perhaps one of the most amazing developments at CES was the display by Panasonic, noted for their Viera and V-Real technology on their current plasma display systems. Their offering was in fact the world’s largest LCD display – taking up a whole wall and featuring Advanced High Definition.

Whilst of course, a 150inch tv is always going to look amazing (unless you’re standing too close and can see the rather large pixels), the really amazing technology behind it was the ‘interactive wall’ that featured facial recognition and customised displays.

The technology is expected to take up the whole wall (no doubt of some millionaire’s mansion) and is able to detect the distance of the viewer from the screen and optimise the size of the image to suit. Rather impressive I’m sure you agree.

Other items of note were the super-thin LCD (at only 3mm deep) and deep-black screens. So, whilst most of it was interesting, it’s perhaps the ‘taste of things to come’ that really offers up a glimpse of the future. I for one can’t wait.

Filed Under: Hardware and Gadget Features, HDTV, LCD, Tech News, Television

The Gadgets of CES

January 21, 2008 by Mr Butterscotch

Well, the CES was a little while ago now (back in 7-10 Jan, held in Las Vegas). Unfortunately, this year was more of an evolution of current gadgetry rather than a revolution to display anything genuinely exciting. Nonetheless, there are a few new developments we should, as gadgeteers, take a look.

Smart GPS

Not just a provision of point to point navigation equipment and software anymore, most of the major GPS suppliers are moving to ‘smart’ versions of their hardware. The focus is (luckily) still on getting access to on-the-move information such as cinema times, parking spaces and traffic awareness information.

This one would be particularly useful for me as there’s always a blackspot I hit every morning. Watch out for Dash Express – the more of these there are on the road the more accurate their reporting systems – definitely one to watch.

Wireless Cards

There are a few different cameras, stereos and gaming systems that are now wireless enabled. I’m convinced that it’s the way of the future, with some even talking about wireless power. However, for those without a really flashy camera, the Eye-Fi looks to be a great solution. This 2GB card can automatically hook up to your wireless wi-fi network and dump all images to a specified network location. This is scheduled as US only so far but will move into Europe later in the year.

TN Games Vest
For us gamers, there’s another take on the force feedback option about to hit the market (well, sometime soon anyway). That’s the TN Games Vest. It connects to the computer by USB and features an air compression system that allows the gamer to ‘feel’ where they have been shot, or even the G-Force of trying to turn a corner at 70mph. There’s also a full-body system, which might be taking it a bit far in my view but it’s certainly something to watch for the immersion stakes.

National Public Radio
For usability, you can’t beat the idea behind Harris Corporation and Towson University. Previously of course, radio was an audio medium – if you couldn’t hear then it was pointless tuning in. Now however, the aforementioned consortium is creating a system that translates speech on the radio into text in real time. Currently, the system works manually via a typist but this could well change in the future as the system will no doubt use adaptive voice recognition technology.

SLACKER
The problem with portable media players and music in general is that unless you’re a fan of a particular scene or regularly trawl the music channels on TV, it can be hard to find some new stuff that you like. Slacker is a gadget that could well take the pain out of this search and is for me one of the hottest gadgets at the CES.

It connects wirelessly to the network whenever you’re in range and downloads new music based on the preferences you’ve already shown the machine. There is a 500MB, 1.5GB and even 4GB version. Currently it’s only available in the US but sounds definitely worth a look if you’re over there.

Philips ECO TV

I’ve given this my ‘best in show’ as it were, due to the forward thinking nature of the product. Simply, it’s a 42inch, 1080p flat panel LCD that has various power saving features such as a dimming backlight for darker scenes and a room lighting sensor with automatic adjustment. Impressively, it’s got a very reasonable price tag of only $1399 dollars, which means that not only do you get something that sucks less juice but you also have a fantastic picture quality. One not to miss.

Filed Under: Hardware and Gadget Features, News, Tech News

Vista Performance Improvement with these Updates

October 4, 2007 by Jaren

While waiting for SP1 or the Tuesday Patch on October 9, though I’m waiting for the SP1 for quite some time, I’m starting to think if it would do me any good to wait for it. Microsoft has wordlessly release four updates for Windows Vista which will improve the performance and reliability. Although these “hotfixes” are not yet available on Windows Update. But You can download them and install them on your own.

Here’s the Detailed List of the Windows Vista(KB941649) update improvements:

  • It extends the battery life for mobile devices.
  • It improves the stability of portable computers and of desktop computers that use an uninterruptable power supply (UPS).
  • It improves the reliability of Windows Vista when you open the menu of a startup application.
  • It improves the stability of Internet Explorer when you open a Web page.
  • It improves the stability of wireless network services.
  • It shortens the startup time of Windows Vista by using a better timing structure.
  • It shortens the recovery time after Windows Vista experiences a period of inactivity.
  • It shortens the recovery time when you try to exit the Photos screen saver.
  • It improves the stability of Windows PowerShell.
  • A compatibility issue that affects some third-party antivirus software applications.
  • A reliability issue that occurs when a Windows Vista-based computer uses certain network driver configurations.

And While Your at it, I downloaded this Hotfoxes, better check it out too:
1. Update for Windows Vista (KB941651)

  • This is a reliability update. Install this update to improve the reliability of Windows Media Player 11 for Windows Vista in certain scenarios.

2. KB941600

  • Cumulative update rollup for USB core components in Windows Vista

3. KB941229

  • Several issues that are related to the Media Center Extensibility Platform.
  • An issue that affects digital cable card components when you use Scientific Atlanta cable cards.
  • Interaction issues that occur between Media Center PC and Microsoft Xbox 360 when Xbox 360 is used as a Media Center Extender.
  • Autolaunch issues that occur with video CD (VCD) media.

Filed Under: Computers, Gadzooki News, News, PC, Software, Software Features, Tech News, Windows

Sony to release OLED TVs in December

October 2, 2007 by Rogue

sony-oled-tv.jpgWith the HD war heating up, the battle between LCD and Plasma is reaching fever pitch. Just like HD DVD and Blu-ray, each camp has its avid supporters who extol the virtues of each technology. But Sony is about to stir things up with the announcement that it will finally release the first OLED TV this December.

OLED is widely seen as the best among the three technologies because it is more energy efficient and it allows for the production of extremely thin and ultralight displays. It is also a great technology for showing very vivid pictures that can render fast moving images — this makes it perfect for action movies or sports. Of course, the downside is that OLED is said to have a shorter lifespan.

Sony is banking on OLED technology to really push it in the new millennium. The company wants to use OLED as its rallying point to signal the revival of its leading position in technological innovations.

The first OLED TV will only measure a paltry 11 inches because one of its limitations is that present technologies are not capable of producing larger panels. The OLED TV will measure just 3 mm in thickness though, and will sell for $1,740m, which is a high as the price of current 40-inch plasma models.

We’ll see if OLED will really signal Sony’s resurgence or if this will go the way of other “pioneering” Sony technologies like the DAT, Minidisc, Atrac format and the Memory Stick.

[tags]Sony, OLED, Plasma, LCD[/tags]


NO OVERNIGHT SUCCESS

It is technologically difficult at the moment to make larger panels, limiting the appeal of the otherwise promising next-generation television.

Panasonic maker Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd is offering 103-inch plasma TVs, while the main battle ground for LCD TV makers are moving up to the 40-inch class market from the 30-inch class category.

An 11-inch panel is smaller than regular copier paper used in office.

“I don’t think OLED TVs will replace LCD TVs overnight. But I do believe this is a type of technology with very high potential, something that will come after LCD TVs,” Sony Executive Deputy President Katsumi Ihara told reporters.

Ihara said he set the 200,000 yen price tag without paying much attention to profitability, suggesting Sony will make a loss for each set it sells at least in the initial stage.

The new TV is set to go on sale in Japan on Dec. 1, while overseas launches have yet to be decided.

It has a life span of about 30,000 hours of viewing, which is about half of Sony’s LCD TVs, but long enough to allow eight hours of daily use for 10 years.

Monthly production will come to just 2,000 units. In comparison, Sony plans to sell 10 million units of LCD TVs in the year to next March.

Filed Under: Security, Tech News, Television

A 12 Year old OS : Windows 95

August 25, 2007 by Jaren

Microsoft Windows 95 is celebrating it’s 12th year anniversary since it was launched August 24 1995. The 32-bit successor of famous OSes Windows 3.1, Windows for Workgroups and MS-DOS. Windows 95 started it all. I remember an advertisement on a PC magazine — “DOS is Dead” — a Windows 95 Ad. Two months after the official launch, that Windows 95 had sold millions of copies. A year later, it boasted sales of 40 million units. Although Microsoftno longer supports Windows 95 there are still some that uses Windows 95. after it still has a DOS operating system to back it up, which is very stable OS.

“Windows 95 has been much anticipated and much has been written about it. But fundamentally, it is about unlocking more of the potential of computing,” Bill Gates, Microsoft’s chairman said in a statement about the launch. “We are moving into the next era of computing, which includes broader communications via email and the online world, dazzling multimedia and games, and richer educational software.”

“During the last decade, Windows 95 and Office 95 transformed the way people work,” Steve Ballmer, Microsoft’s chief executive said during the simultaneous business launch of Exchange 2007, Office 2007 and Vista in November last year.

I am a day late but heck… Happy Birthday Windows 95.

Filed Under: Computers, Random Thoughts, Software, Tech News, Windows

Microsoft Surface: Cafe/Bar/Resto Computing of the Future?

July 18, 2007 by DummyGeekGurl

While everyone was still reeling from the iPhone’s release, Microsoft had unveiled a project that is up to, or above Steve Jobs’ caliber in terms of innovativeness. Announcing, Microsoft Surface.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Computers, Hardware, Hardware and Gadget Features, LCD, Microsoft, Plasma Screens, Review, Reviews, Tech News, Windows

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