Ubi-Camera: Frames photos with fingers

We know you’ve done this several times, framing shots with their fingers, pairing L fingers that forms square with their hands. And it’s interesting to know, that researchers at Japan’s Institute of Advanced Media Arts and Sciences are working hard to make this finger framed camera shoots to life.

However, at the moment the prototype seemed to be far from its commercial product. Dubbed as the Ubi-camera, the device fits over an index finger. It boasts a camera lens and sensor, along with an IR range finder. “You simply move the focal point around by moving your fingers away or towards your face: nearer to your face for wide-angle shots or further away for close-ups. Press a button and the shot is snapped.”

Unfortunately, there are still few hurdles for this project like the range finder getting out of whack by lighting conditions and also there’s no zoom; zoom is entirely done in post processing.

So before this finger loving camera, I just watch the video of Google Glass, and it seems that was way futuristic, though both seemed to be really cool when it hits the shelves in the near future.

Source: Engadget via OhGizmo!

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First Intel-powered smartphone due this week

Intel CEO Paul Otellini couldn't have made it any clearer: The first smartphone to use an Intel processor is due "later this week."
"Expect to see another important milestone for our business later this week. The launch of the first Intel architecture-based smartphone," Otellini said during his opening remarks in today's first-quarter earnings conference call.

That phone will likely be from Lava, according to a source familiar with the India-based smartphone maker's plans.
Specifications include an Intel Z2460 Atom chip, a 4.03-inch screen (1024x600), 8MP camera, HSPA+, and 16GB flash memory (see chart).
Smartphones running on Intel processors from Lenovo, Orange, Motorola, and ZTE are also due soon. While the launch of Lenovo's K800 is imminent -- and probably the next Intel-based phone to become available -- all of the others are slated for later this summer or in the second half of the year.
Intel, the world's largest chipmaker, is trying to refocus its chip design and manufacturing efforts on smaller devices like smartphones and tablets, markets where it has been virtually absent.

Via CNET

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Scan Hand For ATM cash,No Card Required

In a move that seems like it should have happened in the year 2000, a Japanese bank announced it will be installing about a dozen automated teller machines that can read customers' palms to identify them. Ogaki Kyoritsu Bank will be the country's first to introduce the system.

 

First, Ogaki Kyoritsu Bank (Japanese site) customers will register their biometric information at a branch, according to Gizmag's Darren Quick. Then they'll be able to go to one of the new ATMs and get cash simply by scanning a hand, typing in their birthdate and a four-digit PIN.

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Lenovo ThinkPad T420

ThinkPad T420: A Classic Workhorse

No one ever got fired for buying a ThinkPad, as the saying goes, and without a doubt no one will get fired for buying the latest Lenovo T420. This scintillatingly fast Sandy Bridge refresh of the familiar business-black, boxy-but-impressive, all-purpose laptop remains a reliable 4-pound workhorse, and you won't find a better keyboard anywhere. It's not pretty, as members of the IdeaPad series are, but it can do the job and then some.

Normally, Lenovo laptops earn an A+ for their ergonomics. The T420 comes close, but the rough surface of the T420's touchpad might be off-putting to some users. Nevertheless, the touchpad's texture makes it easy to locate by feel, and the placement and feel of the buttons are excellent.

The T420 scored a 124 on our WorldBench 6 test suite--an impressive score for an all-purpose laptop, even with an Intel Core i5-2520M, 4GB of DDR3 memory, and a 500GB, 7200-rpm hard drive on board. The frame rates sustained by the unit's Nvidia NVS 4200M GPU in our gaming tests were less impressive: The T420 is playable at low detail in resolutions up to 1024 by 768, but it's a near miss at higher detail settings.

At Lenovo's default power settings, we noticed a slight stuttering in high-bitrate video when the unit ran off of its battery. The stuttering didn't occur when the unit was plugged into the wall, or when we switched to less miserly power settings. On the other hand, choosing a different power profile means that--if you watch movies without the plug--you probably won't get the outstanding 8 hours, 37 minutes of run time that we recorded in our battery test.

The T420's audio is loud and clear, but lacking in bass through the speakers. The picture from the 720p webcam is outstanding, but while 720p is fine for taking photos or recording, unless you're on a local network, you should use a lower resolution for smooth video conferencing or calls.

The port selection on the T420 has a slight legacy bent. You get four USB 2.0 ports--one of them a combo eSATA/USB, and another always-on--but no USB 3.0 port. There's VGA and DisplayPort video output, along with SD/MMC and ExpressCard slots. Connectivity includes 2.4GHz and 5GHz (optional) wireless, plus gigabit ethernet. Bluetooth and WLAN antennas are integrated , but neither technology was on board our test unit.

The T420 is available with either a 1366-by-768-resolution or a 1600-by-900-resolution 14.0-inch display. Our $1249 test configuration came with the latter display, which proved crisp, bright, and flawlessly backlit. A DVD-RW burner comes standard, but there's no Blu-ray option to show off the screen to best effect.

Also available are a plethora of docking stations and accessories, a fingerprint scanner, and Smart Card reader. The many T420 configurations all seem to be on sale, all of the time. A barebones unit costs $799 (as of August 25, 2011) while one with the full panoply of extras, including an SSD, runs about $1600.

The T420 is available with Windows 7 Home Premium or Professional; a number of other software packages are available. Our test unit shipped without antimalware software, but Microsoft's Security Essentials is free for the download.

The T420 is solidly constructed and offers racehorse performance. It's highly configurable with multiple warranty options, as befits a business laptop. Just about every IT person we know swears by the T series--for their clients and themselves. That should tell you everything you need to know about the long-term reliability of these laptops.

Display

Display size	14 inches
Maximum resolution	1600 x 900
Display type	Matte LCD with LED Backlight

Processor

Processor class	Intel Core i5
Processor model	2520M
Processor speed	2500 MHz
Number of Cores	2
Cache size	3 MB

Graphics

Graphics Type	Switchable
Integrated Graphics Chipset	Intel
Integrated Graphics Chipset Model Number	HD Core i5
Discreet Graphics Chipset Model Number	NVS 4200M
Graphics Memory	1024 MB

Memory

Installed memory	4 GB
Maximum memory	8 GB
Memory technology	DDR3
Memory Speed	1333 MHz

Storage

Hard Drive Type	Hard Disk Drive
Total HD Size	500 GB
Hard Drive Speed	7200 RPM
Number of hard drives included	1
Other Storage	SD/MMC Card SDHC Card
Express Card	Express Card 34

Optical Drives

Optical Drive Speed	8 x
Optical Drive Loading Type	Tray

Networking

Ethernet Type	10/100/1000 Mbps
Wifi Type	802.11 n/b/g

Interface Connections

Number of USB 2 Ports	4
Number of Firewire Ports	1
Video Interfaces	DisplayPort VGA
Additional Interfaces	Bluetooth eSATA

Dimensions

Weight (min)	5.2 pounds
Weight (with accessories)	6.1 lbs
Width	13.4 inches
Depth	10 inches
Height	1.4 inches

Software

Operating system	Microsoft Windows 7 Professional
Included Software	Corel: WinDVD SD, DVD MovieFactory (Lenovo Edition); Lenovo Utilities

Other Features

Built-In Speakers	Stereo
Docking Station Port	Yes
Devices	Built-In Microphone Built-In Webcam Fingerprint Reader Keyboard Light
Input devices	Keyboard Touchpad (multitouch)

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2014 Chevrolet Impala gallops into the New York auto show

NEW YORK--The 2014 Impala debuts with a new, muscular design that calls on equal parts Malibu and Camaro to create a look that Chevrolet says "looks much more expensive than it is." Classic Impala design cues, such as the leaping Impala emblem on the C pillar and the raised Impala lettering on a rear chrome bar, blend with the more modern Chevrolet design language to create a large sedan that, while a bit visually busy from certain angles, is athletic and muscular.
Chevrolet's MyLink infotainment system will grace the Impala's dashboard with its large 8-inch color touch screen, keeping the driver and passenger informed and entertained. Skip the MyLink system and you'll still find yourself looking at a smaller 4.2-inch display. And keeping the passengers safe are a selection of new safety features, including full-speed-range adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation braking, forward collision alert, lane-departure warning, side blind-zone alert, and rear cross-traffic alert. There's also an industry first front-center side airbag that, aside from being a mouthful, inflates between the front seats in a side collision to keep the front passengers from re-enacting an episode of the Three Stooges and knocking heads together.
The new Impala will be available with the driver's choice of three engines, all of which featuring direct injection technology. The most powerful option is a 303-horsepower 3.6-liter V-6 engine. A new 2.5-liter Ecotec four-cylinder is the middle-of-the-road option, outputting 195 horsepower while delivering an estimated 30 mpg on the highway. At the most fuel efficient end of the scale is a 182-horsepower 2.4-liter Ecotec engine with the e-Assist mild hybrid system, which nets an estimated 35 highway mpg. Regardless of which engine you chose, the front wheel-drive Impala will feature a single-option six-speed automatic transmission delivering the power to the front wheels.
The 2014 Chevrolet Impala will go on sale in early 2013 in LS, LT, and LTZ trim levels. No word on whether we're ever going to see another Impala SS model, but I'll keep my fingers crossed.

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Viper comes back, teeth sharpened

At the 2012 New York International Auto Show, Chrysler's SRT division, a new breakout group, showed off its latest work in the form of the 2013 Viper.

NEW YORK--Fans of the old Dodge Viper may be disappointed in its rebirth. While still driven by a ridiculously powerful engine, and maintaining its cabin far to the back of the car, the 2013 SRT Viper comes with unforeseen refinement.
Instead of strict power to the wheels with no electronic interference, the new Viper comes with traction and stability control. An active suspension system lets the driver choose between street and track modes. Body work around its side pipe should even protect the legs of passengers getting out of the cabin.

But it would be foolish to lament the previously unfettered Viper, as technology has proven itself again and again in performance cars. The traction system on the new Viper enables launch control, making it possible to actually use all of the car's massive torque. The suspension system's street mode should also make possible to enjoy a Sunday drive, rather than seeking out a chiropractor the next Monday.
With the 2013 Viper, it looks like the new SRT group was challenged to build a world-class super car, able to hold its own against the Ferraris and Lamborghinis of the world. And it may have well succeeded
The new Viper gets many refinements over the old model. While retaining the same basic body design, new aerodynamic touches reduce drag. The hood and rear deck are made of carbon fiber, while the doors are made of aluminum, all helping to shave 100 pounds of weight off the car.
Even the badge got a new design, suggested by Viper fans.

The seat shells are molded from carbon fiber and Kevlar, also helping to hold down weight. SRT raised the roof over the driver and passenger seats to accommodate helmets. But the cabin is also more spacious than on the previous version of the car.
What might really bother old Viper fans are the electronics used in the cabin. The LCD instrument cluster is more GT-R than Barney Oldfield, letting the driver configure the information display using steering wheel buttons. SRT even makes Chrysler's UConnect navigation head units available for the car.

Despite all the niceties, SRT still throws big displacement under the hood with an 8.4-liter V-10. Made of aluminum, it generates 640 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque, the most torque of any naturally aspirated production engine, according to SRT.
Throwing any notion of fuel economy to the wind, SRT shortened the ratios of the Viper's six-speed manual transmission. As the car hits its top speed in its top gear, every gear is given its full potential, occupying its own distinct place in the powerband. SRT has not yet said what sort of fuel economy the Viper will get, and it's probably best not to ask.
The new Viper comes out in base and GTS models late this year.

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Intel's Windows 8 tablet: Checklist goes public

Chip giant proposes a long list of specifications for upcoming Windows 8 tablets.

Intel is offering more specifics on the features of future Windows 8 tablet at a conference in Beijing. It's a laudable goal, but can Intel make it happen this year?
Underneath the glass will be beat an Atom Z2760 "Clover Trail" chip: dual-core capable with "burst mode" (for quick bursts of performance when needed) and Hyperthreading -- the latter allows a dual-core chip to behave in quad-core-like fashion in some cases.

 

Two basic tablet designs: The tablets themselves, as proposed by Intel, fall into two basic sizes: pure 10-inch tablets and hybrid 11-inch designs with physical keyboards.
Battery life: More than nine hours. That's just on paper of course. So, final products will tell the real story.
3G/4G: That's a must for tablets, of course. And Intel bought the wireless business of a little chip company called Infineon. So it can supply its own silicon here if necessary.
Weight/thickness: Under 1.5 pounds. No surprise here. The gen 3 iPad is 1.44 pounds, by the way. Thickness, as proposed, is under 9mm. Again, as a yardstick, the gen 3 iPad is 9.4mm.
Miscellaneous: NFC (near field communication) and Wi-Fi Direct.
All of the above is predicated on Windows 8 being commercially released in the second half of the year. That seems to be the plan.
And Intel is pretty adept at getting its satellite of customers and partners to make things happen. It should be an interesting fall for tablets.

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Fresh iPhone 5 rumors: Modified chip, new body, bigger screen

The next-gen iPhone is going to be a really big deal and include plenty of design tweaks, according to reports.

More next-gen iPhone rumors surfaced today pointing to a modified Apple chip, more memory, new chassis, and a bigger screen.
Display and chassis: Let's start with a report at Business Insider, which cites a research note from Topeka Capital Markets analyst Brian White (returning from a tour of component suppliers in China). White says the next iPhone will have 4-inch screen and "sleek look that we believe will require a unibody case."
The upcoming iPhone is also expected to have 4G (presumably he means LTE) capability, like the new iPad, according to the analyst.
Big launch: White ventures that the launch will come in August or September and believes the "iPhone 5 ramp...could be extraordinary, dwarfing previous launches and driving the stock closer to our $1,001 price target."
A5X chip and memory: Next up is a report from 9to5Mac, claiming that the "actual next-generation iPhone is specifically said to not include the iPhone 4/4S design, but Apple is testing these new devices in older casings to throw off leaks."
A prototype of the next-gen iPhone uses a derivative of the A5X processor used in the new iPad, according to the Apple-centric site. But like the gen 3 iPad the new iPhone will have 1GB of memory.

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SNAP Foldable Skateboard

A skateboard taken from your backpack is way cool and even way interesting when it folds. The SNAP foldable skateboard can do anything with this board that you could with a wooden one. The hinges are patented and are meant to secure the board so it doesn’t just fold up as you do an ollie.

The deck is constructed from 6061-T6, high grade aluminum, and fitted with 56mm premium, 85a urethane wheels using ABEC 7 bearings for fast and efficient cruising. It folds into a compact 14.3” x 7.87” x 5” dimension that can easily fit inside smaller lockers and backpacks.

According to the product page, here’s something for you to discover about the product that can make you decide to grab one.

Discover the Magic of SNAP Skateboard!

• It is just now on the market and really awesome!
• It is alluring, revolutionary, unparalleled and a new idea!
• It is foldable, invincible, affordable, cool and saves money!
• If not convinced, see the testimonials, comments and articles!
• If you doubt, try it out! Satisfaction guaranteed!

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Facebook Acquires Instagram For $1 Billion

Facebook buys the iPhone app of the year in 2011 —-Instagram, for whooping purchase price of $1 billion will be paid in cash and Facebook shares.

According to Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg:

This is an important milestone for Facebook because it’s the first time we’ve ever acquired a product and company with so many users. We don’t plan on doing many more of these, if any at all. But providing the best photo sharing experience is one reason why so many people love Facebook and we knew it would be worth bringing these two companies together.
We’re looking forward to working with the Instagram team and to all of the great new experiences we’re going to be able to build together.

For 18 months, Instagram have been on the limelight of photo sharing app gathering 30 million iOS users alone, not taking into consideration that the app have just debuted on the Android platform and got millions of downloads immediately.
According to recent company valuation done by Sequoia Capital, Thrive, Benchmark and Greylock, Instagram is reported  worth $500 million. And Facebook got a seemingly preventive offer of twice the worth of the company (which totally a crazy number) against Google, Twitter and Microsoft eying to take over the Instagram. “Facebook has the money (almost $4 billion in cash on hand as of December 2011), and certainly isn’t desperate for more users, most if not all of whom are already on Facebook,” as cited in a Forbes’ report.
The bad news all be to Yahoo’s Flickr as Facebook is taking the photo space and Instagram acquisition might put the final puzzle to conclusive takedown, though we still see that the Facebook-Instagram integration will need fine tuning in terms of aesthetics such bigger resolution and detailed filter effects done on the image.
Are you happy with Facebook acquiring Instagram for $1 billion?
Source: Forbes

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Toshiba Qosmio X875 gaming laptop with Ivy Bridge announced

Toshiba have just outed two new 17.3-inch Qosmio X875 and Qosmio X875 3D replacing the earlier model of X775. The X875 will be featuring aluminum-loving Black Widow design and Ivy Bridge while under the hood it’ll have the firepower of 3rd-generation Intel Core processors, NVIDIA GTX 670M graphics with 3GB of video memory capable of 1600 x 900 or 1080p display resolution, dual hard drive bays, quad Harman Kardon speakers and four memory slots and up to 16GB of RAM on board. Notably, the X875 is 25-percent thinner than its predecessor.

All timed for back to school season, this mammoth laptop is perfect for desktop replacement. You can grab one until June 24th with starting price of $1,299 up to $2,499 for its highest config.

Check out the listings for Toshiba Qosmio X875 gaming laptop.

Press Release

TOSHIBA SPINS OUT NEW QOSMIO GAMING LAPTOPS WITH BLACK WIDOW DESIGN
Enthusiast-class Qosmio X875 Series Laptops Deliver High-End Performance and Unique Styling at a Sub-$2,000 Price
IRVINE, Calif. – Apr. 10, 2012 – Toshiba’s Digital Products Division (DPD), a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., today announced two new high-performance laptops, the Qosmio® X875 and Qosmio X875 3D, designed for enthusiast gamers, media creators and advanced users who demand the most powerful equipment. The laptops are fully equipped with the latest processor technology from Intel® and NVIDIA®, providing users with the power and speed required to take on the most demanding tasks and graphics-intensive applications with ease.
Premium Performance and Style for Power Users
The new Qosmio X875 and X875 3D laptops are powered by 3rd Generation Intel Core™ processors1 that deliver amazing performance and stunning visuals boosted by NVIDIA GeForce® GTX 670M graphics processor2 with 3GB of GDDR5 discrete graphics memory3 to take on graphics-heavy projects and the latest 3D games. The multimedia powerhouse gaming laptops are encased in Toshiba’s new Black Widow styling, featuring a diamond-textured aluminum body and a glowing red LED Qosmio logo on the cover with raised tile LED-backlit keyboard and 10 key.
“Power users have grown accustomed to a high level of performance and style from Toshiba’s Qosmio line,” said Carl Pinto, vice president of product development, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., Digital Products Division. “Whether it’s the latest graphics processors, new stylish designs or innovative smart technologies – we’re dedicated to bringing it all to our customers at an affordable price.”
The Ultimate Gaming and Multimedia Machine
Every technical component needed for a truly immersive gaming and multimedia experience can be found in Toshiba’s latest Qosmio laptops. A high-resolution 17.3-inch diagonal HD+ (1600×900)TruBrite® display4 – or a full 1080p HD with 3D-ready screen that includes NVIDIA 3D Vision® 25 Kit with Lightboost – offer the expansive screen real estate necessary for heavy duty gaming, content editing and multitasking. These brilliant displays6 are paired with built-in harman/kardon® quad speakers with Slipstream technology that produce superior audio and SRS® Premium Sound 3D™ that enhances the surround sound experience. All of these advanced audio/visual features combined with a Blu-ray Disc™ player make the Qosmio X875 Series the ultimate gaming and movie-watching powerhouse. The systems are also equipped with an HDMI® port that delivers 1080p output to an HDTV, as well as the Toshiba Media Controller7 software that lets users easily share and stream content with other DLNA-compatible devices within a home network.
Intelligent Features for Smarter Computing
Toshiba’s newest Qosmio laptops sport a variety of smart technologies, including Toshiba Sleep & Music8 that allows users to utilize the premium speakers to enjoy music even while the laptop is powered down. They also offer dual USB Sleep & Charge9 ports that enable users to charge their USB-powered devices while the system is sleeping or powered off. The devices are also well-equipped with four USB 3.010 ports and are available with speedy hybrid hard drives and dual hard drive combinations in configurations with up to 2TB11 of on-board storage, as well as up to four slots (two user accessible) for 1600MHz memory. They also offer high-speed connectivity with Gigabit Ethernet and wireless capabilities for faster upload/download and LAN gaming.

Pricing and Availability
The Qosmio X875 and Qosmio X875 3D laptops will be available for purchase on June 24, 2012 at major retailers, e-tailers and direct from Toshiba at ToshibaDirect.com. Pricing starts at $1,299 MSRP12 and runs up to $2,499 MSRP13.

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