Sukriti's Blog » latest technology

Lenovo’s laptops are the first to have eye-control ability

Sukriti — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 10:28:55 +0000

So according to an article I read recently, Lenovo and Tobii tech unveiled what they’re calling the “world’s first eye-controlled laptop,” on March 1st 2011. The idea is to add what the makers call a “truly natural interface” into everyday computing situations, allowing users of the laptop to control what happens in the UI using keyboard, mouse and where they glance on the screen–not entirely unlike the hand-eye-coordinated actions we do in non-computing environments. This taps into the current trend of natural user interfaces, and could change how you think about PCs.

Lenovo is exploiting Tobii tech in a very interactive way. The system is at heart just an infrared light source and a camera that observers a user’s eyes–by looking for reflective IR “glints” off your eyeballs. It combines that with clever software that works out where the eyes are positioned in space in front of the computer, and where they’re looking–translating the interpreted gaze into a corresponding position on the screen.

The result is that you can glance at an on-screen object like an icon and the system will pop up more info on that item. Maps can be scrolled or zoomed depending on the area of interest that you’re concentrating on, and more subtle UI events can be worked in to improve your workflow. These include things like dimming windows you’re not looking at, switching focus between windows based on which ones you what to see, and darkening the display if you’re not sitting looking at the machine.

Talk about user-friendly!!!

Talk about user-friendly

Zip Charge Quick Charger

Sukriti — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 02:38:32 +0000

With so many devices to tote around these days, making sure they have enough juice to run on is essential wherever we go. Unfortunately, that means packing a plethora of chargers to go, which surely goes a long way in adding the amount of weight you have to tote around. The Zipcharge Quick Charger aims to help you out with that, where it comes in the form of a rechargeable power stick that takes a mere 15 minutes of charging to provide your iPod with another 20 hours of audio playback, while you get 10 more hours of talk time. Now, these are all theoretical figures, so you might want to take it with a pinch of salt. How about a 60 second charge that offers 2 hours of playback on your iPod? Armed with a bunch of adaptor tips for virtually any portable gadget out there, the Zipcharge Quick Charger is going for £49.99.

Sidewinder – Another Wrist Mobile Phone

Sukriti — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 02:37:28 +0000

Here’s another hot wrist mobile phone – Sidewinder, designed by Susan Cho, whose idea was to create a multi-touch cell phone that a person could wear on his/her wrist.

Do you think, this might be the next stage in technological development? Unfortunately, the multi-touch technology has not reach the phase in which it could be used in a device with such a small interface. Nevertheless, Sidewinder watch phone is still worth mentioning .

The designer says that the watch phone has several menus and boasts a number of tools such as contacts, keypad, GPS, maps and other features that can be found today on smartphones. In addition, the Sidewinder incorporates multi-touch technology.

So go and watch at least instead of buying it.

Apple iPad

Sukriti — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 04:30:33 +0000

The recently-unveiled Apple iPad tablet computer, which comes at a time when most of the computer makers are attempting to strike a balance between “niftiness” and price point, has already started causing confusion among potential users – while some say that the iPad quite similar to the Amazon Kindle, others are terming it as an “iPod Touch on steroids.”

The tablet device has been much hyped, especially over the past few months, and boasts of some truly notable features; but what is most questionable about it is – which category of users is the device actually aimed at?

Featuring a 9.7-inch touchscreen, the iPad is equipped with a scaled-up version of the iPhone operating system; and it enables the users to surf the web via the Safari browser; play music using iTunes; view e-mail; and get around using Google Maps.

In addition, the iPad tablet also features an iBook application that facilitates the reading of electronic books; a photo-viewing tool; a notebook utility for meetings; and Apple’s address book application to keep a track of the contacts.

Despite the noteworthy features, the success or otherwise of the iPad depends largely on two main factors – firstly, whether the device can attract book lovers from the Amazon Kindle e-reader, which is far more economically-priced at $259 as compared to the iPad’s base model cost of $459; and secondly, whether it will entice full-fledged computer users to go in for the switchover!

Skype Brings Video Chat to Flat-Screen TVs

Sukriti — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 02:36:14 +0000

VoIP provider Skype has struck deals with two TV makers to offer over-the-Internet videoconferencing features to users. LG and Panasonic will release Web-connected TVs later this year which, combined with a separately sold webcam, will enable video chat from one’s living room. Skype also announced the availability of 720p HD video chat on its existing PC video call technology.

The makers of popular software that allows users to make free phone and video calls via the Internet announced new deals Tuesday with LG and Panasonic that put Skype inside new Web-connected versions of their HDTVs. Starting sometime in mid-2010, consumers who buy new Panasonic Viera TVs and LG sets with NetCast Access will be able to plug in special webcams (sold separately) and enjoy face-to-face conversations with family and friends.

Skype earned its reputation as a low-cost alternative to traditional phone calls via your PC, and that particular platform wasn’t ignored in Tuesday’s spate of announcements. The company also said it is now supporting 720p high-definition video calls over computers, and those attending this week’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas will get a chance to check out new HD webcams from Skype partners faceVsion and In Store Solutions that do all the software encoding within the cameras.

Google Nexus unveiled!!

Sukriti — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 02:33:33 +0000

Google has officially unveiled the Nexus One smartphone, a handset running an advanced version of the Android operating system. The Nexus features an AMOLED display, a 1 GHz processor, and extensive speech input capabilities. The phone is available immediately either as an unlocked phone or with a two-year contract with T-Mobile. A Verizon version is expected soon.

The device hit the market in two versions Tuesday — an unlocked version that will run on any GSM network, and a subsidized one from T-Mobile.

In addition to standard high-end smartphone features such as an accelerometer, a global positioning system (GPS), and connectivity to social networks, the Nexus One offers three-dimensional (3-D) capabilities and voice-enablement in all its text fields.

“Smartphones like the Nexus One are really minicomputers,” pointed out Erick Tseng, Google’s Android product manager. “We wanted to push the capabilities of their high-end chipsets with 3-D capabilities.”

Take a look at its specifications here…

Adobe Digital Editions

Sukriti — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 02:36:14 +0000

This is the perfect software for people who love reading. I’m sure that many of you must have faced problems such as not being able to find the eBook versions of books which we can’t seem to find in printed versions or which are simply too expensive to buy. In situations as these, we wish that there was some way we could get our hands on one of the online versions of the books we’d been searching for. Here’s a software to help you do just that!

Adobe® Digital Editions software offers an engaging way to view and manage eBooks and other digital publications. Use it to download and purchase digital content, which can be read both online and offline. Transfer copy-protected eBooks from your personal computer to other computers or devices. Organize your eBooks into a custom library and annotate pages. Digital Editions also supports industry-standard eBook formats, including PDF/A and EPUB.

Some of the features of this software include:

Interface designed for digital reading
Fast, Free download and installation
Stand-alone installer
Content Portability
Support for different formats such as PDF, EPUB, a reflow-centric XHTML-based format
Multimedia support
Easy eBook creation and many more.

Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic koala)

Sukriti — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 02:38:49 +0000

The latest version of the popular Linux desktop distribution Ubuntu 9.10 has been released and available from the official project web site. New features since Ubuntu 9.04 includes – Firefox 3.5, GNOME 2.28, an enforcing AppArmor profile, Linux kernel 2.6.31, ext4 file system (default), Empathy instant messenger instead of Pidgin, the Ubuntu One client, which interfaces with Canonical’s new on-line storage system. It also includes a new application called the Ubuntu Software Center. A quick screen-shot tour of new features available here .

Apple iPod Nano 5th Generation

Sukriti — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 02:37:36 +0000

Sizzling news for Apple products’ fans!! The Apple iPod Nano’s 5th generation series is now available. Here’s a sneak peek into its exciting features.

Decked in nine colours with two of them exclusive only to the Apple Online store, you’ll get either 8GB or 16GB of storage on the iPod nano now which was hitherto available only in Shuffle or Classic modes of the iPod. Its the slimmest Nano ever, and the most hyped about feature of this beauty is its built in video camera.

You can use the video recording feature in which ever orientation you want as the nano automatically switches to the orientation you are using. The new 2.2 inch screen is a perfect viewfinder as well.

Check out its other intricate details here..

LG launches its first transparent mobile in India

Sukriti — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 02:36:49 +0000

LG Recently launched its Latest LG GD900 mobile for the indian markets, the main feature of the mobile is that its transparent. Sounds amazing huh??

It has the same user interface as LG Viewty or LG Viewty 2 but the transparent sliding touchpad sets it apart. LG GD 900 is not just all about ‘coolness’ and style but it also support appreciable features. LG GD 900 is equipped with a 8 mega pixel camera along with self portrait image and flash.

Last but not the least, data storage support has also been provided as LG GD 900 can handle upto 16 GB of Micro SD cards to store images, videos, music files and other applications.The mobile is priced at Rs. 27000 and comes in with some handy features but its the transparent keypad that catches the eye, The mobile looks like a gadget of yet another Sci Fi movie.

Click here to view its specifications..