Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Raspberry Pi - the £15 computer


David Braben explains the raspberry PI scheme designed to give a £15 computer on a stick to every child. He is talking to the BBC's Rory Cellan-Jones

Monday, August 15, 2011

For all Gadgets+.Net Micro fans .Net Gadgeteer is now available...
http://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/product/297


Description
FEZ Spider Starter Kit is the first commercially available .NET Gadgeteer-compatible kit. it includes everything necessary for educators, hobbyists and even professionals. Embedded development is fast & easy (FEZ) thanks to .NET Micro Framework, .NET Gadgeteer and the numerous GHI value added features such as WiFi and USB Host.
The kit includes:
FEZ Spider Mainboard is a .NET Gadgeteer-compatible mainboard based on GHI Electronics' EMX module. This makes FEZ Spider Mainboard the most feature-full .NET Gadgeteer compatible device in the market. It contains all of .NET Micro Framework core features and adds many exclusive features, such as USB host, WiFi and RLP (loading native code). All these features combine to provide a rapid prototyping platform.

Key Features:
  • 14 .NET Gadgeteer compatible sockets
  • Configurable on-board LED
  • Configuration switches.
  • Based on GHI Electronics EMX module
    • 72MHz 32-bit ARM7 processor
    • 4.5 MB Flash
    • 16 MB RAM
    • LCD controller
    • Full TCP/IP Stack with SSL, HTTP, TCP, UDP, DHCP
    • Ethernet, WiFi driver and PPP ( GPRS/ 3G modems) and DPWS
    • USB host
    • USB Device with specialized libraries to emulate devices like thumb-drive, virtual COM (CDC), mouse, keyboard
    • 76 GPIO Pin
    • 2 SPI (8/16bit)
    • I2C
    • 4 UART
    • 2 CAN Channels
    • 7 10-bit Analog Inputs
    • 10-bit Analog Output (capable of WAV audio playback)
    • 4-bit SD/MMC Memory card interface
    • 6 PWM
    • OneWire interface (available on any IO)
    • Built-in Real Time Clock (RTC) with the suitable crystal
    • Processor register access
    • OutputCompare for generating waveforms with high accuracy
    • RLP allowing users to load native code (C/Assembly) for real-time requirements
    • Extended double-precision math class
    • FAT File System
    • Cryptography (AES and XTEA)
    • Low power and hibernate support
    • In-field update (from SD, network or other)
  • Dimensions: W 2.25" x L 2.05" x H 0.5"
Power
  • Supply voltages are regulated 3.3Volt and 5.0Volt DC.
  • Low power and hibernate modes
  • Active power consumption 160 mA
  • Idle power consumption 120 mA
  • Hibernate power consumption 40 mA
Enviromental:
  • Operating temperature: -20 to 65°C
  • RoHS compliant /Lead-free compliant
Most EMX software features are GHI exclusive, see software documentation for details.
For more information about .NET Gadgeteer visit:
http://www.netmf.com/gadgeteer/



Sunday, August 14, 2011

Breathalyser using Aurdino @ Science Gallery Dublin

Today we had workshop in Dublin Science Gallery @1300. Which was held by Irish robotic society, David taught us how to make breathalyser using Aurdino. It was a good fun.  
















Friday, August 12, 2011

Games in Google+

The launch of games on Google+ is no surprise. Back in June, a reference to “Google+ Games” appeared in Google+ code. Google has been taking its time to make sure Google+ is fully functional before wide release and before it starts accepting branded profiles, but gaming is clearly a big step toward building a viable competitor to Facebook.

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Hackers break into Subaru Outback via text message


We've already seen SCADA systems controlled by Google Search, and now the Black Hat Technical Security Conference is offering up yet another slice of cringe-inducing hacker pie. A pair of pros from iSec Partners security firm was able to unlock and start the engine of aSubaru Outback using an Android phone and a process they call war texting. By setting up their own GSM network, they were able to snatch up password authentication messages being sent from server to car, allowing them the option to ride off in a brand new crossover. Apparently, your car isn't the only thing in danger of a war-texting takeover, however, as the team says there are a slew of devices and systems, accessible over telephone networks, that are vulnerable to similar attacks, including A-GPS tracking devices, 3G security cameras, SCADA sensors -- and thus the power grid and water supply -- home automation, and urban traffic control systems. Somehow this group of otherwise innocent looking New York textersappears a whole lot more sinister now.
more

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Circuit Bee

CircuitBee
Instructables is great, don't get us wrong, but if you're just looking for a sweet new Arduino project or a super-charged Atari Punk Console, wading through the piles of Lego swords and wreath-making tips can be frustrating. Enter CircuitBee, a document sharing site dedicated to one thing, and one thing only -- schematics. It's kind of like Scribd but, instead of being loaded with court documents and shoddy how-to books, it features user-uploaded circuit diagrams to get you started on your next soldering and etching project. The selection at the site is rather sparse at the moment, but since it's only in alpha we'll cut it some slack. Check out the site at the source link, and don't be surprised if a few submissions from your favorite Engadget writers start popping up. more

Friday, July 29, 2011

Microsoft Project Code Named “Velocity”


"Velocity" is a distributed in-memory application cache platform for developing scalable, high-performance applications. "Velocity" can be used to cache any common language runtime (CLR) object and provides access through simple APIs. The key aspects of "Velocity" are distributed cache performance, scalability, and availability.

Overview:

Microsoft project code named "Velocity" provides a highly scalable in-memory application cache for all kinds of data. By using cache, you can significantly improve application performance by avoiding unnecessary calls to the data source. Distributed cache enables your application to match increasing demand with increasing throughput by using a cache cluster that automatically manages the complexities of load balancing. When you use "Velocity," you can retrieve data by using keys or other identifiers, named "tags." "Velocity" supports optimistic and pessimistic concurrency models, high availability, and a variety of cache configurations. “Velocity” includes an ASP.NET session provider object that enables you to store ASP.NET session objects in the distributed cache without having to write to databases, which increases the performance and scalability of ASP.NET applications.


For community technology preview 3 (CTP3), Microsoft project code named "Velocity" offers several enhancements and a new API. The enhancements include a cache notifications feature, performance improvements, security enhancements, and new cluster management options. There are also updates to the installation program. Perhaps the most material change for the "Velocity" administrator is that your options for editing the cluster configuration settings have been decoupled from your options for storing the cluster configuration settings. For more information, see the What’s New for CTP3 topic in the product documentation.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Nesting PC Virtual Tablet' Concept

 
'nesting pc virtual tablet' by sono mocci


a concept by japanese-born, italy-based designer sono mocci, 'nesting pc virtual tablet' is a combination tablet and data visualization 
interface with automatic battery charging and data syncing. phones, memory cards, CDs, USB ports, and I/O cables can be plugged 
directly into the device, where they will show up as images on the touchscreen for easy manipulation and access. the design was shortlisted 
from over 1000 concepts in our recent designboom competition 'a life with future computing', organized in collaboration with FUJITSU.

the 13-inch concept tablet features a dedicated dock for mobile phones. when inserted, a visualization of the phone onscreen 
works in the same manner as would the device itself, permitting dialing, calling, texting, and other use. the loading of disk media 
or flash drives offers a similar intuitive functionality. integrated charging eliminates the need for AC or outlet-specific adapters 
for these kinds of devices.



closer view of the phone, which can be used normally when docked in the tablet



view of the tablet's dedicated ports




closer view of the hybrid virtual-physical machine in use



white version






more

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

FEZ Ultimate Kit

This is a great product for .Net Micro framework developers.


Description

GHI also provides a complete and free project ebook  for the kit.

Already own a FEZ Panda or FEZ Domino? Or want to use the internet with Arduino or its derivatives?
Consider the FEZ Internet of Things Kit.

The FEZ Ultimate Kit Includes:
 This is a library provided by the community to add controls to FEZ Touch (watch the video) http://code.tinyclr.com/project/328/fez-touch-ui-controls/

Related products
This unique kit provides internet connectivity to FEZ processor boards.
72Mhz .NETMF powered board with Micro SD, many of IOs and a lot of exclusive features
2.4 inch color touch screen display with 240x320 resolution.
Go wireless with the same Ethernet port with this easy to configure Ethernet to WiFi Wireless bridge.
Related categories
Simple sensors for your next project with open source drivers.
Shields allow you to expand your hardware to create cool projects.

Google Plus



Visit https://plus.google.com/



A quick look at the first pieces of the project.


Sharing is a huge part of the web, a part that we think could be a lot simpler. That's why we've been working on adding a few new things to Google: To make connecting with people on the web more like connecting with them in the real world. We hope that you like what we've cooked up so far. And stay tuned, because there's more to come.


Circles


You share different things with different people. But sharing the right things with the right people shouldn't be a hassle. Circles makes it easy to put your friends from Saturday night in one circle, your parents in another and your boss in a circle all on his own – just like in real life.

Sparks


Remember when your Grandpa used to cut articles out of the paper and send them to you? That was nice. That's kind of what Sparks does: It looks for videos and articles that it thinks you'll like, so that when you're free there's always something to watch, read and share. Grandpa would approve.

Hangouts


Bumping into friends while you're out and about is one of the best parts of going out and about. With Hangouts, the unplanned meet-up comes to the web for the first time. Let your mates know that you're hanging out and see who drops by for a face-to-face-to-face chat. Until we perfect teleportation, it's the next best thing.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Solar Sinter Solar-powered 3D Printer

Solar Sinter solar-powered 3D printer turns sand into glass, renews our faith in higher education (video)
Where would we be without the world's graduate art projects? In the case of Markus Kayser's Solar Sinter, we might never have seen the day when a solar-powered 3D printer would turn Saharan sand into a perfectly suitable glass bowl. Well, lucky for us (we suppose) we live in a world overflowing with MA students, and awash in their often confusing, sometimes inspiring projects. Solar Sinter, now on display at the Royal College of Art, falls into the latter category, taking the Earth's natural elements, and turning them into functioning pieces of a burgeoning technology. Solar Sinter uses the sun's rays in place of a laser and sand in place of resin, in a process that is perhaps more visually stunning than the results. See for yourself in the video after the break. 

Source: Engadgets

Monday, June 20, 2011

Withings Blood Pressure Monitor for iOS


Withings users not satisfied with only being able to share their weight with the world can now add blood pressure and heart rate to the mix. This iPhone-connected blood pressure monitor made its first appearance at CES, but you'll finally be able to order one of your own today. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, the $129 accessory costs three to four times as much as off-the-shelf blood pressure monitors, but integrates well if you're looking to pair it with your Withings scale for a complete vitals management solution. Results can be sent to health sites like Google Health and Microsoft HealthVault, or directly to your doctor. Care to see how it works? Join us past the break for a hands-on look at the monitor, including a video comparison with the in-store vitals machine at our neighborhood Kmart.

Update: Withings wrote in to let us know that the blood pressure readings in the video below were likely inflated because we were talking, though we do appreciate the concern you've already expressed in the comments.


Source: Engadgets

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Comcast Cable Show Features 1Gbps Cable Modem Speed

As promised, Comcast CEO Brian Roberts treated Cable Show 2011 attendees to a quick demo of the company's latest and greatest tech earlier today. The presentation consisted of the new Xfinity TV platform with all its cloud processing and internet content from Facebook and others, as well as a speed test running on a Comcast cable modem that broke through the 1Gbps speed barrier on the production network. There's no word on when home users might see such speeds but the company promised to "keep up the pace as the internet continues to evolve" -- let's hope that extends to the increasingly restrictive 250GB bandwidth cap. The demo of new DVR software also went off without a hitch, appearing to run smoothly and showing off a vision of "cloud processing" that speeds up search, personalization and recommendations in the program guide by handling them at the head end instead of on the box itself. We're still waiting to get our hands on the RF remote and see if the experience is just as smooth ourselves, but for now you can get a taste in the 17 minute video embedded above.
Source: Enadgets

Kinect for Windows SDK Beta


Microsoft's been talking up its forthcoming Kinect for Windows SDK for quite a while now, and it looks like developers might soon finally be able to get their hands on it. According to WinRumors, Microsoft will roll out the beta version of the SDK during a special event on Channel 9 at 9:30 AM Pacific time (12:30 Eastern) tomorrow -- something that's now been backed up somewhat by the Channel 9 website itself, which is simply promising a "special Kinect focused event tomorrow." WinRumors is also reporting that the President of Microsoft Spain said during an appearance at a conference today that the beta SDK would be available "this week." So, it certainly seems like things are lining up for a release -- it's just a shame that "Kinect applications" doesn't have the same ring as Kinect hacks.


Soruce: Engadgets

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Father's Day






A Dad is a person
who is loving and kind,
And often he knows
what you have on your mind.
He’s someone who listens,
suggests, and defends.
A dad can be one
of your very best friends!
He’s proud of your triumphs,
but when things go wrong,
A dad can be patient
and helpful and strong
In all that you do,
a dad’s love plays a part.
There’s always a place for him
deep in your heart.
And each year that passes,
you’re even more glad,
More grateful and proud
just to call him your dad!
Thank you, Dad…
for listening and caring,
for giving and sharing,
but, especially, for just being you!

Happy Father's Day 2011