Movies made heart-attackingly exciting

Have you ever felt like that booking seats for a movie is like playing Russian roulette (without the fatal consequences)? My friends and I experienced this as the new Marvel Comics film, The Avengers, went into its second week of release last week. Its half-price Tuesday and you’re trying to book seats for seven people. There’s a whole community of people who are having that same idea at that moment. The number of mini heart-attacks we experienced felt like a 3D experience in our chests. Being told your movie card cannot qualify for half-price, and then losing your seat because of it as everyone tries to get a place in that cinema… It really was some exciting stuff.

(And there’s nothing better than watching a film in 3D that deserves to be seen in 3D. Now we wait for the release of Christopher Nolan’s next Batman installment, The Dark Knight Rises” in June and hopefully not too long from now, a remake of The Matrix.)

To 2D or to 3D: This is the ultimate question

Back in 1960, William Fetter coined the term “Computer Graphics”. This is what we now know as 3D, and which is how we see every second film being churned out by film companies around the world. The beauty of three-dimensional images is that they not only seem extra real, but, depending, on how they are used, they can also embody a life that is surreal and jumps out at you when you’re glued to your seat. Films like the Lord of the Rings and The Matrix trilogies can be considered pioneers when it comes to CGI (computer-generated images), but their groundbreaking technology only served to pave the way for more innovative uses of 3D in the filming and editing processes.

Houston, we have a problem

3D is a great addition to our entertainment experience. However, when old movies are converted to 3D, it obviously becomes just a moneymaking ploy and not an appreciation of some great work. In many cases, the film’s appearance in 3D seems quite nonsensical. Two examples are the recent releases of The Lion King and Titanic in 3D.

Titanic in 3D is a bit much too stomach, but we can live with souped up 3D versions of Star Wars.

Thank Gosh for Choice

Thankfully, someone went to the cinema houses in South Africa and told them that they are not willing to pay extra money to not only watch a movie, but also to walk away with a free headache. So, as much as it might be great to watch a film in 3D, it’s always nice to fall back on the normal 2D option, which doesn’t cost more and doesn’t require headache inducing glasses.

Now, please excuse me as I look for a movie to watch. It’s half-price Tuesday tomorrow and I need to make sure I beat the crowds. Just in case.

Post by our new intern Boipelo Seswane

(Image by Barron Fujimoto, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0, via Flickr)

Technology allows us to send messages around the world in an instant via text or email, it enables us to socialise in ways never before envisaged, and it allows us to manage our finances without ever having to visit our bank.

Africa is behind the developed world in its adoption of the technology many people take for granted. However, there are several encouraging schemes, developments in low-cost computing, and new solutions for old problems which aim to bring Africa into the modern world.

These include:

One Laptop per Child

One Laptop per Child is a not-for-profit venture which aims to create affordable devices for the benefit of children in developing nations, including many countries in Africa.

The laptops have been designed to be durable and energy efficient and are packed with features that make suitable for their unique. For example, they employ solid state memory which is more resistant to shock than traditional hard drives.

In addition, Africa presently has very low internet penetration. Distribution of internet access is very inconsistent across Africa, with the majority of access being located in South Africa, Morocco, and Egypt.

To tackle this problem, the laptops have ad-hoc network functionality which allows students to network and collaborate without the need for expensive cable or satellite internet.

To date, 2.5 million units have shipped with further orders being taken.

Mobile Banking in Africa

mPesa is a mobile phone banking system which has changed the lives of millions of Africans across the continent. It is a micro-payment system which allows anyone with a mobile phone to send and receive money, pay bills, or deposit and withdraw money.

It is a branchless banking service which enables consumers who are unable to easily access traditional banking services to manage their finances simply, instantly, and affordably. All that’s required is a mobile phone!

Kenya and Tanzania are currently the largest adopters, with over 23 million subscribers.

Teaching Technology

The Raspberry Pi is a revolutionary new piece of technology. It is a credit-card sized bare-boned computer chip that runs Linux. The cost is $25 dollars a unit.

The aim of the project is to provide an affordable, versatile, and robust piece of equipment, which, according to creators, could be “used by kids all over the world to learn programming”.

The implications of a low-cost bare-bones solution would be profound for the future of Africa’s engagement with modern technology.

Its affordability makes programming and computing skills more accessible to everyone in Africa, and has the potential to do wonders for the diversity of skills and social mobility of many men, women, and children in the modern developing world.

(Guest post)

(Image Knight Foundation, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr)

What Is It?

Cloud computing is the storage of information in a ‘cloud’. A cloud is really a server housed and managed in a secure location, but the principle is that your information uploaded where it will figuratively float around until you want to pluck it from the ether (internet) again. Cloudsourcing is the latest development in the outsourcing era of business management. Just as companies will happily outsource online marketing and rely on external companies to develop their core brand, so too are companies surrendering the management of IT systems, databases and email archives. Cloudsourcing can offer you a wide variety of levels of integration. You can cloud source data storage, software usage and much more.

Benefits

There are three central benefits to cloud computing:

1. You won’t be responsible for IT maintenance. There will be no need for an IT department within your company and there will likely be a 24-hour support phone system to ensure that you are not left without access to your data or programs. Your greatest responsibility will be naming files correctly and this more rigidly monitored system can actually benefit business efficiency.
2. You will never be left without access to something that you need. Consider how many times you have been unable to complete something because you have been away from the office. You only need access to the internet and you will be able to look at your archives of data and emails. If you opt for it you could also potentially utilise very demanding programs, Adobe Creative Suite for example, while on the move and even when using a low-powered notebook. The fact that the processing will take place on another external server means that smaller machines will be able to handle far higher demands.
3. The cost! The section below explains exactly why.

Cost Implications

Most people assume that the cost of cloud computing will be too high, but this is far from the truth. Cloud computing can potentially save you large amounts of money because it will allow you access to expensive programs at a low cost. The fact that it includes IT support can also save you huge amounts in staff costs. By paying a monthly fee you will be able to benefit from systems which could potentially cost you tens of thousands of dollars to set up in-house.

You Already Do It …

People stress that there are safety implications when using cloud computing. This is now almost entirely untrue and all data can safely be stored safely in a cloud, as long as you follow the correct security procedures. Despite safety worries, it is incredible how much of our data is now stored away from our homes. To ease your mind, here are some examples of how you are already utilising cloud:

• Social media – websites like Facebook have all of your information stored in servers (mostly in America). This information is in a ‘cloud’.
• Online banking – your bank details, history, and far more is stored in a ‘cloud’. Your ability to engage in online banking and the ability of businesses to conduct credit checks is all thanks to cloud computing systems, otherwise known as servers which are connected to the internet.
• Email – every externally hosted email system (like Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, the list goes on) works with cloud systems. This is how you can access emails from anywhere with internet access.

The simple truth of the matter is that cloud computing is a secure reality that we utilise every day. Without you noticing it, the smartphone in your pocket is connecting with multiple clouds on at least an hourly basis. The next step in technology development is to move business IT systems into the cloud and now is definitely the time to grab a bargain.

ProspectMX

(Guest post)

(Image by William Warby, CC by 2.0, via Flickr)

But at least the GM salmon can’t kill you (you’d hope). A major problem with fish imports is that fish are mislabelled and this has resulted in people being poisoned and hospitalized after eating toxic puffer fish when they ordered monkfish. According to a Daily Mail article, one quarter of fish imports are mislabelled. Now a DNA scanner has been developed that scans a fish and matches its DNA to the name.

Mislabelling fish is not only risky for the people consuming seafood, but also for the fish species. Endangered fish species often sneak onto people’s plates because they were mislabelled as a sustainable, farmed or “good” fish species. Fish are usually grouped into “good choice”, “avoid”, “never buy” or similar categories, but between the consumer and the fishing boat it has to pass through quite a few hands and mislabelling is rife.

The DNA scan will also reveal if a restaurant is passing off a cheaper fish as an expensive fish, but honestly, that is the least of the consumers’ worries as industries are making a profit from catching fish we should not and cannot eat.

In other GM news, we’ve heard about bioengineers trying to grow “cultured” meat for about ten years now. They are at the point of promising a synthetic meat by October 2012. The meat is made from a tiny amount of cells and grown into muscle and “exercised” to bulk up, but what it will taste like is still an open question. GM meat is not the same as synthetic meat, but you can GM synthetic meat to taste different, or grow faster based on characteristics incorporated from modified DNA.

There is a big ethical question mark hanging over these synthetic meat experiments. Some call GM foods “frankenfoods”, but what is synthetic meat then? The real Frankenstein meat slapped on bun and served as a burger? Others say that because meat production is the biggest contributor to greenhouse gas omissions, synthetic meat can greatly reduce this. Furthermore, the ethical dilemma of farming living, feeling, breathing beings for their flesh can be solved if synthetic meat production were to really take off.

More studies have to be done to ensure the safety of the synthetic meat. It is known that real meat contributes to health problems such as heart disease and cancer. Diets high in meat and low in carbs can also lead to dementia.

It will cost billions of dollars to get the synthetic meat production business going; money that could be spent in making vegetarian “meat” taste even more like real meat and convince people that that is the way to go. The health concerns are also ruled out as these contain soya, starch, wheat protein, onions and other well-known, healthy ingredients that do not have test tube origins. Most manufacturers of vegetarian products are also against GM food sources.

The conclusion is that while technological efforts are being made to ensure better safety for humans while making the most of the resources we have, we still have a long way to go. The ethical dilemmas of frankenfoods and GM foods are not easily solved and it seems to be in the hands of the consumers to decide what is best for them, but if they can’t trust the packaging or the menu, what can they trust?

Post by our intern Elizabeth Smit

 (Image by Artizone, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0, via Flickr)

Increase in Traffic
A site that experiences a large upswing in traffic will have problems in a shared environment, particularly with accessibility. It will be slower to serve pages or may go down altogether. Unreliable sites drive away visitors who will take their business elsewhere.

Outgrowing Disk Space
Going over the disk space allowance may incur overage charges or cause the website to be suspended. This is one of the pitfalls of shared hosting and can be very costly to a business.

Need for More Bandwidth
As a site grows larger and attracts more visitors, it uses more bandwidth. This can lead to extra charges by the shared host and it can also cause problems for other sites using the server.

Downtime
Even if a site is not mission critical, any downtime from your web host can result in lost visitors and sales, as well as a negative reputation. Frequent downtime can sometimes indicate a lack of security and is a clear sign to upgrade.

Customization
A business that designs special applications targeted at its customers often requires more resources than a shared host can provide, especially if the apps are downloadable.

Control and Security
As a site grows, so does its vulnerabilities and need for higher security. A company may also want more control over the configuration of the server, something that is quite restrictive in shared hosting.

If a business is suffering growing pains such as the ones listed above, a move to dedicated hosting should be seriously considered. Before taking the plunge, there are two aspects that must be looked at closely.

1) Affordability
A dedicated server is much more expensive than shared hosting. This is because all of the server’s resources are focused on one site, instead of spread among many. The company must be in a financial position to absorb the start up costs of a dedicated environment and to continuously benefit from it afterward. Site traffic and the overall revenue stream must be closely examined before taking such a big step.

2) Technical Knowledge
The dedicated environment also requires a higher level of technical expertise than is needed for shared hosting. This will require a business to either hire someone to manage the server, or obtain a managed package from the hosting company providing the service. A managed server comes at a higher cost than an unmanaged one, so this must be considered as well.

A company may be put off by the initial expenses of moving to dedicated hosting but must also consider the long terms benefits of security, stability and accessibility to customers. All of these factors will contribute to a bigger bottom line. Most mid to large sized businesses will have to consider the dedicated option eventually, as shared hosting is not geared toward that market, either in cost or resources.

Any business that is outgrowing its hosting should take a serious look at a dedicated server. The ability to have complete control over sites and applications, as well as reliable uptime, is well worth the investment.

(Guest post)

(Image by ivanpw, CC by 2.0, via Flickr)

Shadow Internet networks are slower than those from ISPs, and only some people have the know-how to set them up, but in theory they could replace the Internet. However, it is unlikely that it will come to that. Even in the event of service providers being forced to shut down their services, it can only be temporary and localized to that service provider’s area. I say temporary because a country’s economy will suffer immensely without the Internet and I can’t see the loss of revenue from other countries and Internet-dependant jobs being justifiable. People can relax about governments shutting down the Internet.

Even though the threat of SOPA/PIPA was real, it still wouldn’t have been able to be completely effective as there are too many people who are smart and sneaky. Instead it would have caused job losses to people making a living from web pages that were suddenly considered a copyright infringement. While a government can justify such an Act to control copyrights on a global scale, justifying job losses would not be so easy.

Interestingly enough, the Obama administration is apparently making an effort to establish shadow Internet connections in countries with authoritarian governments. One of these efforts is an “Internet in a suitcase”, which is a laptop and the software one will need to connect to the global Internet. Before you think this is for humanitarian purposes, the countries where they are helping people to undermine authoritarian governments include Iran, Syria and Libya. “What do the three nations just mentioned all have in common?” asks GlobalResearch.ca. “Their leadership does not subjugate itself to America and general Western interests.” Uh oh. You can see where they are going with this.

There are countless other examples of governments using the Internet for their own gain and it would be virtually impossible for a government to shut down the Internet or even try to limit people’s access without dire consequences. Our dependency on the Internet means that our worlds would collapse if government threats are carried out, but luckily a country’s economy and government need the Internet too.

(This is a post by our intern Elizabeth Smit)

(Image by Ben Dalton, CC By-SA 2.0, via Flickr)

Fortunately, you don’t have to spend hours on research when you could be enjoying yourself. Here’s a look at the similarities and differences between these two major satellite television companies. When you know the basics, deciding which company is right for you becomes simple.

Similar Satellite Systems

Both companies offer similar satellite television systems with more than 250 program channels, all of which include digital programming. You’ll also have the option to enjoy high definition television (HDTV) programming and digital video recording (DVR) capabilities. Most users will enjoy regular improvements to equipment and service, since both providers are dedicated to providing a high quality product with all the latest technology. The main differences between these providers are the subscription fees you’ll need to pay and the programming options available to you.

Equipment

New subscribers receive free satellite TV equipment from both companies, but installation and upgrade costs vary significantly. From DirecTV, you can expect to get free installation for up to four rooms in your home. Extra fees apply if you need equipment installed in additional rooms. Dish offers a slightly better deal, with free installation for up to six rooms.

DirectTV also charges an extra fee if you need to add an HDTV receiver or a DVR receiver to your home entertainment setup. Dish provides an HD-DVR receiver upgrade at no extra cost. This company also offers HD equipment for up to three televisions for free. Dish also offers new technology upgrades, such as PC and smart phone television options, on a regular basis.

Programming

Generally speaking, you’ll get more channel options from Dish than from DirecTV, at a lower overall cost. DirecTV offers more than 285 standard definition digital channels, including music, movie, pay-per-view, international and sports programming. Dish, by comparison, offers almost 300 SD channels across the range of programming options. International programming alone includes more than 200 channels in 28 different languages.

The situation is similar with high definition channels. Dish offers more than 200 HD channels for viewer enjoyment, versus only about 160 HD channels from DirecTV. Both providers offer an HD Free for Life promotion that gives subscribers long-term access to the full range of high definition programming for a given channel as long as the subscriber chooses a two year agreement and autopay billing. DirecTV does not offer this option for its starter package, but Dish subscribers can enjoy this option on all packages.

Pricing

You’ll pay different rates with these two providers in addition to receiving different service. DirecTV’s basic Choice package starts at about $30 per month and includes standard definition programming for about 150 channels, with high definition options for around 40 channels. Dish offers basic packages at about $25 per month, including all-HD access and 120 standard definition channels, plus 105 high definition-only channels. The price difference between the two companies remains when you look at more advanced packages; Dish allows you to add more features and better equipment at a lower price than DirecTV.

Satisfaction

Both companies provide around the clock customer support online and via toll-free telephone call centres. DirecTV maintains a lower customer satisfaction rating, however. Dish has been rated number one among all cable and satellite television providers in this area, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ASCI) for 2010. With better prices, a wider range of channel options, more HD channels and better customer satisfaction ratings, Dish Network is the clear choice.

This is a guest article by Ruben Corbo, a writer for the website Broadband Expert where you can find out if Dish Network is available in your area and compare prices on different deals for your mobile broadband needs.

 (Image by diaper, CC by 2.0, via Flickr)

So what are the best tablets on the market? Your answer will probably depend on what you want to use it for. Some tablets offer more entertainment features while others have stronger video chat capabilities and long battery life.

Either way, the four criteria to look out for are the features, hardware, display, and ease of use. When you find a tablet that perfectly fits all four criteria then you’ll know it’s the right tablet for you. I’m not even going to list Apple’s iPad 2 here; it’s time to shine the spotlight on other tablets for a change.

1.     Asus Eee Pad Transformer TF101

This tablet can definitely compete with the iPad. Not only is it the first tablet to have a quad-core processor but it also has an 8MP camera and a 10.1 inch display at 1280 x 800 screen resolution.

• RAM: 1GB
• CPU: Quad-core 1.3 GHz processor, Tegra 3 chipset
• OS: Android OS v3.2 Honeycomb
• Memory: 32/64GB storage; microSD, up to 32GB
• Camera: 8 MP, 3264×2448 pixels, autofocus, LED flash; Geo-tagging, 1080p video capture
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth A2DP, USB 2.0
• Dimensions: 8.3mm thick, 586g
• Display: 10.1″ Super IPS+ LCD, capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors (1280 x 800); Gorilla glass
• Other: Proximity sensor for auto turn-off, DivX/XviD/H.264 video support, Digital compass, micro HDMI port, Accelerometer sensor for UI auto-rotate

2.     Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Wi-fi 16GB

The perfect Android alternative to Apple’s iPad; it’s lighter and thinner than the iPad 2 and has brilliant connectivity options.

• RAM: 1 GB
• CPU: Dual-core 1GHz ARM Cortex-A9 processor, ULP GeForce GPU, Tegra 2 T20 chipset
  • OS: Android OS v3.0 Honeycomb
  • Memory: 16/32/64GB storage
  • Camera: 3.15MP, 2048×1536 pixels, autofocus, LED flash; Geo-tagging, 720p video capture
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, dual-band, Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP
  • Dimensions: 256.7 x 175.3 x 8.6mm, 560g
  • Display: 10.1″ PLS TFT capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors (1280 x 800); Gorilla glass
  • Other: Proximity sensor for auto turn-off, DivX/XviD/H.264 video support, Digital compass, TV-out, Accelerometer sensor for UI auto-rotate

3. HTC Flyer

For many users the HTC Flyer is better in productivity and web browsing than Apple’s iPad. With a 7-inch screen this tablet is perfect for those seeking portability. It also has a Magic Pen that connects wirelessly to the Flyer, and unlike most capacitive screens, it measures pressure sensitivity so it could even be appealing to artists. HTC has also decided to opt for a single-core processor and higher clock speed rather than the standard dual-core processor.

• RAM: 1GB
• CPU: D1.5GHz Qualcomm processor, TI OMAP 3610 chipset
• OS: Android OS v2.3.3 (Gingerbread) with Sense UI
• Memory: 16/32GB storage, with microSD expandable to 32GB
• Camera: 5MP, 2592х1944 pixels, autofocus, geo-tagging, HD video at 720p
• Connectivity: HSDPA 14.4 Mbps, HSUPA 5.76 Mbps, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP, microUSB 2.0
• Dimensions: 195.4 x 122 x 13.2mm, 420.8g
• Display: 7.0″ LCD capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors (1024 x 600)
• Other: Handwriting support, Accelerometer sensor for UI auto-rotate, Two sets of touch-sensitive controls for landscape and portrait use, DivX/XviD/MP4/H.264 video support

4.     Amazon Kindle Fire

Even though it doesn’t directly compete with most Android tablets or the iPad, it is definitely a winner with its 8GB of internal storage space and very decent price. Unfortunately, you can only use apps from the Amazon app store.

• RAM: 512MB
• CPU: TI OMAP dual core at 1GHz, 3D OpenGL (ES 2.0)
• OS: Android OS v2.3 (Gingerbread)
• Memory: 250GB HDD memory, 8/16 GB storage, microSD
• Camera: 720p front camera with 720p encoding
• Connectivity: WiFi (802.11 b/g/n), USB 2.0
• Dimensions: 190.5 x 119.3 x 11.4mm, 412.8g
• Display: 7.1″ LCD capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors (1024 x 600)
• Other: Gyroscopic sensor HDMI output, Accelerometer, Digital Compass, Wireless Airplay

5.     Motorola Zoom 2

Quite the underrated tablet considering it was the first tablet on the market to have a dual-core processor.

• RAM: 1GB
• CPU: Dual-core 1GHz ARM Cortex-A9 processor, ULP GeForce GPU, Tegra 2 T20 chipset
• OS: Android OS v3.0 Honeycomb
• Memory: 16/32/64 GB storage, microSD expandable to 32GB
• Camera: 5MP, 2592х1944 pixels, autofocus, dual-LED flash, geo-tagging, 720p video capture @ 30fps
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi hotspot, 2.1 with A2DP, EDR, microUSB 2.0
• Dimensions: 249.1 x 167.8 x 12.9mm, 730g
• Display: 10.1″ TFT capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors (1280 x 800)
• Other: Gyroscope & barometric sensors, MP4/H.264 video support, HDMI port, Digital compass, Accelerometer sensor for UI auto-rotate

 (Post by Ivelina Dineva)

(Image by Walter Galan [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons)

The mouse is shaped like a pen with the tip on a swivel connected to a wide base. Manufacturing company Prestige International claims the Penclic provides a “relaxed working position and advanced precision” due to the integration of cutting edge technology and innovative Swedish design.

The device will be available in both corded (R2) and wireless (D2) versions, and is Mac and PC compatible. The wireless model will come with a rechargeable AAA battery as a bonus; however, pricing details have not yet been released.

You may already be wondering what is so great about the Penclic. For starters, you do not have to do a lot of clicking because the pen ‘understands’ the user’s grip, which means that you can avoid Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) that comes with traditional computer mice. The Penclic promises that its mouse will “counteract static tensions” by creating a relaxed navigating posture.And because it is also designed to work like a pen, you can use it for digital signatures as well. Awesome!

The pen portion of the mouse has five buttons and a scroll wheel sitting on top of the base. Mouse sensitivity is as low as 800dpi and as high as 2,400dpi, excellent for those who work in the office. Penclic can be used both on the side of the computer like a typical mouse, or on the screen. It has already done its rounds of display in Europe, and it will soon be stocked in European stores, as well as in the USA in places like Walmart and Best Buy.

The market is pretty limited when it comes to pen-style devices for computers, focusing primarily on drawing tablets. But Penclic seems to have the ideal answer, a device that feels and looks like a pen but has the power of a mouse, which means that it won’t be one of those gadgets that you only use once in a while.

 (This is a post by Ivelina Dineva)

(Image by Nina Matthews Photography, CC by 2.0, via Flickr)

All kidding aside, this looks absolutely fantastic. This a specially designed computer algorithm that edits the movie in real time by choosing from 3000 different clips, 150 pieces of music and 80 voiceovers to make the movie. This also means that the movie has no beginning, middle or end, just a story.

Whiteonwhite:algorithmicnoir is directed by Eve Sussman. It’s a gritty sci-fi set in a dystopian future, similar to that of the 1964 French science-fiction movie, Alphaville.

According to Rufus Corporation, the film is set in a city operated by the New Method Oil Well Cementing Company. It follows the central protagonist, a geophysicist named Holz and his employer and a mysterious woman referred to simply as “Dispatch”. There is a narrator who describes the scenes and the effects on the city’s citizens.

The official synopsis states: “It becomes evident that the character is controlled by the city and the factory he is working in, as the course of the story is controlled by the machine that edits the film”.

This is an interesting concept that could pave the way for the future of the movie industry. Only time will tell if more producers will start using this or if most just see it as a gimmick.

(This is a post by our intern Kristian Meijer)

(Image by saschapohflepp, CC by 2.0, via Flickr)

Before you get too excited it is still only a prototype, as the name suggests. Fiona was on display at the International Consumer Electronics Shows (CES), and visitors were allowed to try it out and play a few games. The device is still being tested and upgraded, and is expected to be released sometime during 2013. Razer is currently working on their 0.8 version and are aiming to reach version 1.0 by the end of the year.

The tablet will be more rigid and sturdier than the usual tablets, and Razer will be adding their own gaming software. Fiona will support Windows 8 and use a Core-i7 Ivy Bridge CPU and comes with 1280 x 800 pixel resolution. Although it is uncertain what the battery life will be like, what is certain is that it will be just as good, if not better, than playing games on a PC. Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan says the company is aiming to sell the tablet for under $1000.

As for the screen and design, nothing has been finalised yet. However, a touchscreen will definitely be part of the tablet. Wait, touchscreen and computer games? Say what?! I’m sure the touchscreen will give gamers more options, but I can definitely see myself reaching for the keyboard and mouse. Luckily, the tablet is powerful enough to run high-end PC games without porting or emulation, making my life that much easier.

“This is the only tablet in the world designed specifically for PC gaming,” explained Hilmar Hahn, associate manager of project marketing at Razer. “A lot of companies are coming out with tablets this year, but we believe there’s not much innovation.”

I couldn’t have said it better myself. As far as I’m concerned, all the tablets that came out in 2011 seemed to have similar features, style and functions. Finally, someone decided to take the plunge and innovate instead of upgrade.

 (This is a post by Ivelina Dineva)

(Image by PatrickH~, CC by 2.0, via Flickr)

No one can deny that the iPad is an incredibly useful piece of equipment that makes it much easier to stay in touch with the world around us. At what cost though?

Two years ago, nearly 140 workers fell ill after using a poisonous chemical to clean iPhone screens. Last year, two separate explosions killed four workers and injured 75 people in Apple assembly plants.

The most recent explosion at the plant was caused by aluminium dust build up. The dust came from polishing iPad cases.

Although these events were tragic, it seems that not much has changed at any of the assembly plants. A warning was recently issued to the 120 000 workers at one of the plants: one of the banners read, “Work hard on the job today or work hard to find a job tomorrow.” The banner is very clear, if the workers don’t do exactly what they are told, they will be fired. And that is why many of the workers continue to work in these horrible conditions; to care for their families.

The NY Times recently completed a report on these factories and published it shortly after Apple announced it made $13 billion in profit in the last quarter of 2011.

In the last year, 18 Apple employees have tried to commit suicide. In another case, a Foxconn employee (the company that assembles most of Apple’s devices) jumped out of the window of his apartment after losing an iPhone prototype in 2009.

This led to ‘suicide nets’ being installed at some of the assembly plants to prevent workers from jumping off the side of the building.

A recent report by Apple found that there are 42 minors working some of their assembly plants in China. Although child labour is not illegal there, it still poses a moral question to anyone who buys their products.

(This is a post by our intern Kristian Meijer)

(Image by Robert Scoble, CC by 2.0, via Flickr)

• What’s difference between LED and OLED?

LED (Light-Emitting Diode) is the current technology being used in big screen TVs. The TV contains a LCD screen and needs a backlight to control the brightness of the TV. OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) contains a carbon film between the semiconductors (hence the ‘Organic’ in the name) and this helps the TV create its own light when electricity passes through.

• So which is better?

OLED is much better than LED or LCD. It is much thinner and can make brighter colours and much better contrast, meaning ultra dark black and super clear white. With OLED there is also no motion blur, like in some LCD and LED TVs.

• Price?

While the technology has only recently been debuted, most experts believe the price will be between R40 000 and R60 000 rand for the big 55 inch TVs. This big price will also mean that current LCD and LED TV prices will drop dramatically.

• The alternative to OLED

Sony recently announced that it’s working on new technology that it claims can produce better quality images than OLED. This tech is called ‘Crystal LED’. This TV uses micro LED paved in front of the colour producing pixel. This technology is currently being tested, but only time will tell if it will take off. For now OLED looks like it’s here to stay.

• What else can OLED do?

OLED technology is currently being refined and Samsung recently showed the future of this by releasing a completely transparent OLED screen. Sony also showed it’s prototype of a flexible OLED screen. What this means is that in future, TVs will be completely transparent and can be put in front of a window and not block the light from coming through when it’s off. TVs will also be so flexible and light that you will be able to roll them up and take them with you wherever you go.

OLED seems to be the future of TV technology, so it’s time to start saving up, because when the big companies start releasing their super thin TVs, you are going to want one.

(This is a post by our intern Kristian Meijer)

(Image by PopCultureGeek.com, CC by 2.0, via Flickr)

Ultrabooks

This is just a fancy name for really, really thin laptops. Most of the big PC companies are debuting ultrabooks some time in the coming year. These are three of the most interesting ones this year.

• Lenovo IdeaPad U Series

Lenovo debuted an ultrabook that looked suspiciously like an Apple Macbook Air with a Lenovo sticker on the back. The U33 version weighs a modest 1.7kg, is only 18mm thick and has a battery life of 8 hours.

• HP Folio 13

The HP Folio looks like a normal laptop, just much thinner. Kudos to HP for not copying Apple.  It has a 13 inch screen like most ultrabooks, but is much lighter than the Lenovo at 1.5kg. It is well priced at $900, but local (South African) prices will differ somewhat.

• Intel Nikiski

The only thing that can describe this laptop is “WTF!” It looks like a normal laptop except for one key thing; the touchpad is completely see through and when you close the laptop is when the real magic happens. The touchpad works as a glass touch screen that uses the laptop’s normal screen to display everything. It is a nifty concept, but only time will tell if it will take off. A picture and video of the laptop is available on The Verge.com

Smartphones

As the race for the position of number one smartphone maker heats up, companies are using every possible opportunity to showcase their new technology. These are three of the best at CES

• Sony Xperia S

Did you notice the lack of the name Ericsson? Well, this because Sony recently bought the rest of the shares owned by Ericsson in their joint venture. All the new phones will now only be known as Sony, but will still have the same logo. The new Xperia S features a 4.3 inch reality display, a 12mp camera and will be upgradable to Google’s new version of Android, Ice Cream Sandwich.

• HTC Titan II

The successor to the HTC crown is a worthy one. The Titan II takes over from the Titan, and boy does it do it with style. It will run on Microsoft’s new Mango OS, and comes with a 4.7inch screen and a 16mp camera, the highest ever on a smartphone. All wrapped in a beautifully designed cover. One of the serious contenders for Apple’s smartphone crown.

• Asus Padfone

You may be asking yourself “Padfone?” and with good reason. It is a tablet and smartphone in one package. It is a tablet that features a dock for your phone, which can also be used separately. The idea is simple, if you need a larger screen to view documents or video, simply dock it in the tablet. A really good idea from Asus, and one which has some real potential.

Tablets

There is only one tablet worth a mention here, and that is the Razer ‘Project Fiona’. This is essentially a tablet designed to play PC games. It has two joysticks sticking out from either side of the tablet, which will work as the controllers. The tablet will also run Windows 7. It is capable of running any PC game, albeit somewhat lower graphic quality.

This is a very niche concept that has the potential to revolutionize tablet gaming.

In essence, this year’s CES was a cacophony of the new and the strange. Brilliant new smartphones were launched, alongside many new concepts and ideas that have the possibility to completely reshape the market.

 (This is a post by our intern Kristian Meijer)

(Image by PopCultureGeek.com, CC by 2.0, via Flickr)

The church, like any other church or religion, has a few sacred symbols. These are CTRL+C and CTRL+V, the shortcut keys for “copy” and “paste” on a PC.

The church also has a few sacred tenants, which are:

• All knowledge to all
• The search for knowledge is sacred
• The circulation of knowledge is sacred
• The act of copying is sacred

Although the church endorses file sharing (which is illegal), the Swedish police have confirmed that they will retain their ‘zero-tolerance’ stance on the matter.

The church has also stated that information is holy and copying is a sacrament. Information holds a value, in itself and in what it contains, and the value multiplies through copying. Therefore, copying is central for the organisation and its members.

Urban dictionary defines Kopimism as: “The philosophical belief that all information should be freely distributed and unrestricted. This philosophy encourages piracy of all types of media including music, movies, TV shows, and software.”

The church also organises ‘kopyactings’ where members of the congregation come together to share files and copy information.

Since it has become an official religion the church has been gaining massive attention, and the movement has spread to several countries, like Romania, Canada, Denmark, France, Russia and USA.

To me this is just a case of people using religion as a means to an end. A way of easily drawing attention to a cause that would normally have gone unnoticed.

Now this whole debacle has me asking myself: What next? The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster?! Oh wait, we already have that…

 (This is a post by our new intern Kristian Meijer)

(Image: Kopimi logo)

The Dutch website Beste Product recently carried out research on the Canon vs. Nikon debate in several categories and the results showed that Canon had a slight advantage over Nikon with experts when it comes to digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras. For normal users, Nikon was the DSLR crowd pleaser; however, Canon was a winner in compact cameras. In the sales category, Canon was by far the winner cashing in a whopping 11.5 billion Euros on cameras and 8.1 billion on DSLRs. Nikon on the other hand cashed in 4.8 billion Euros on camera sales and 1.9 billion on DSLRs. If you are deciding which one of the two you would like to use then these figures won’t help you much, so let’s draw a quick comparison between the general features of both Canon and Nikon.

Viewfinder

Canon: High eye point for many glass wearers.

Nikon: The bigger expensive bodies are perfect for eyeglass wearers.

Autofocus

Canon: Excellent ultrasonic lenses, the focus and shutter release can be put on separate buttons allowing MF and AF simultaneously.

Nikon: Works very well with rare and expensive AF-S lenses and the newest bodies, but quite difficult to use with AF lenses.

Lenses

Canon: Large and long image-stablised glass.

Nikon: Wide angles and macro.

Body

Canon: Light-weight.

Nikon: Weighs more.

Fill flash

Canon: Very good with newest bodies and EX flashes.

Nikon: Excellent with D lenses.

Macro

Canon: Difficult to use with studio strobes or a handheld light meter because the bodies do not compute effective aperture.

Nikon: Bodies compute effective aperture.

Durability

Canon: Excellent with EOS-1 and EOS-3 bodies in the rain, very good with consumer bodies.

Nikon: Also very good with consumer bodies and water-proof with F5 and F100.

Perspective correction lenses

Canon: Superb auto aperture and tilt and shift in 24, 45 and 90mm focal lengths.

Nikon: The shift is good for controlling the architectural perspective, but due to the lack of tilt there is poor depth-of-field control.

Film transport

Canon: Incredible due to the rubber-belt systems in mid-range consumer bodies.

Nikon: Nothing special.

In my opinion, lenses matter the most. The type of lens that you are using, its focal lengths, its aperture capabilities and color rendition all play a significant role on the final image that you are presented with.

(Post by Ivelina Dineva)

(Image by fabiosvr, via stock.xchng)

• Why we need them, and why we need to buy the software. Old mainframe computers are still in use all over the world. The IBM’s 3270 protocol is the most common. That is why 3270 emulation is still in such high demand. The investment cost of those huge mainframe computers was astonishing. They are very stable, for example, an IBM mainframe computer can run for more than a year without being restarted, while handling the whole database for a global financial institution. To communicate with them, we need emulation software packages to fill the gap between our modern operating systems and the clunky, old, and very stable code of those huge monsters.
• Subscription licensing. Unlike many software applications, emulator applications were only available as a single purchase until recent times. There are still many older developers who are still operating in this way. More progressive companies have changed, and caught up with the times. They offer contracted licensing. Without licensing packages, the investment costs are astronomical. You have to think about large organisations with thousands of personal computers, printers, smartphones and other devices, and how much a one-off purchase, actually costs. Even subscription licensing for multi-nationals still entails a substantial fee. Monthly payment plans are available.
• Volume-based pricing. Just like any other transaction, you should be offered a volume-based pricing scale. Your business is going to increase, and that will mean more devices. The more licenses you subscribe to, the less you should pay for each.
• Consolidation. There is rarely a single company requiring a single emulation protocol. Emulation packages to consolidate your needs will further reduce your costs. In the past, we have seen companies purchase package after package as their needs have widened. Consolidation options are an absolute minimum requirement.
• Service, upgrade, support and maintenance. A subscription package should at least include version upgrades, technical support, feature enhancements, and a specified amount of assistance with modification for specific requirements, full installation, testing, and, of course, it must contain full security upgrades.
• Flexible terms and conditions. What your company needs this year, and what it needs next year, may, and probably will change. Subscription fees should be fixed, and allow for flexible arrangements for that fixed fee. For example, you might have lower user needs, and you are looking for extra features. That difference should be balanced without penalties. You could pay the same because you have fewer users, but are using a better product. All options should be a part of your contract.

Terminal emulation providers are getting highly competitive. Some will even offer cash-back deals, or heavy discounts for you to switch over to their supply.

(Image by Bjarni Juliusson (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons)

iPhone history

1. Did You Forget to Turn off Your iPhone?

If you’re one of those people who always forgets to switch off your phone at night, don’t worry. Open the Timer tab of the Clock App; configure the timer for the number of hours you’ll be awake and select “Sleep iPod” under the “When Timer Ends” field. No matter which application is open, Pandora or music, your iPhone will shut off.

2. No Need to Type in Country Code Anymore

Whichever country you’re in, you’ll need to type in your country code before dialing an international number. In the US, it’s 011. With iPhone 4, all you do is hold down the Zero key, to get a + on the screen. Just go ahead and type the international number and make your all. iPhone takes care of the country code.

3. Can’t Drive and Check Maps At the Same Time?

We’ve all been there; spreading out our maps right on top of the steering wheel, struggling to peer at lines and curves while staying alive on the road. No more of that, not if you have your iPhone 4. Double-tapping zooms your map for you and tapping it once with two fingers zooms it right back out. So anytime you want a closer look at a particular area, all you do is use the fingers of one hand, while holding the iPhone!

4. Want your iPhone To Remember Which Headphone You Used?

If your friends use their own headphones on your iPhone and you’re constantly resetting the volume to suit your needs, rest easy. Your phone’s headphone jack registers every pair of headphones that are used. It actually remembers the volume set for each pair of headphones! So when you switch to your headphones, you’ve got the music playing at your preferred volume.

5. How About Throwing Away Your Heart Monitor?

The Heart Fitness application monitors your heart without any wires or hookups. Put your index finger over the LED light at the back of your phone and also cover the camera. Your finger looks red, which is what happens when you keep it in front of a flashlight. The camera studies the red color of your finger and monitors the pulsing hue as your blood pumps. The Heart Fitness app then gives an accurate reading of your pulse and heartbeat. So if you’re a trekker or a climber, just grab your iPhone 4 and it’ll let you know how your heart is doing.

6. 3D Photos, Anyone?

Use your iPhone’s 3D camera to take a picture from an angle and take another from a different perspective. The camera gives you an accurate 3D photo that’s of cinematic quality. Plus, you can view your 3D image as an anaglyph (you’ll need 3D glasses), stereogram (no need for glasses) and Wigglegram (simulates a 3D effect).

7. Why Pay For A Scientific Calculator?

Here’s how you can save all kinds of money. Flip your iPhone into landscape mode when the Calculator App is open. Voila! There’s a complete, fully functional scientific calculator right there! You’ve got everything you need, functions for square roots, factorials, sins, coses and tan.

8. Track any iPhone or iPad User

iPhone 4 combines GPS technology with the ability to track any iOS device. All you have to do is use another iPhone, or a browser or an iPad to track an iPhone 4’s position. Is that cool?

9. Put Away All Your Outdoor Gear and Grab Your iPhone!

Put away all your altimeters and other outdoors gear and take only your iPhone 4. Why? Because it’s got an amazing 3D camera that you can use to grab real-life 3D topographical maps. Plus, the inbuilt gyroscope lets you know every tilt and every angle your body makes with respect to the terrain. See what we mean?

10. You Don’t Need Your Scanner Anymore

Don’t invest money in that expensive scanner. Your iPhone does it for you and here’s how. Traditionally, cameras don’t get the angle right without a lot of positioning. Here’s where the Genius Scan app comes in; it automatically sets the perspective right so you get a perfect picture every time. This means your scanned documents will be straight and perfectly readable. You can save your image as JPG or PDF and use it as you will.

Dean is an internet marketing expert and writes about the importance of conversion rate optimization and landing page optimization for small business owners.

(Image by marc.flores, CC by 2.0, via Flickr)

Human Hair

Apparently, human hair contains L-cysteine, an amino acid which is expensive to synthesize. According to listverse.com, it is removed from human hair and used to make dough for biscuits and bread more flexible and softer. Wikipedia.org also claims that it is also used to flavor food because when it is mixed with sugar it produces a meaty flavor.

Cochineal Insect

This little parasite of the Cactus plant was originally used to dye clothes red, according to Wikipedia.com. These days it is also used to make red food and cosmetic colouring. So, those charming little red Smarties you loved to eat as a kid were actually made of boiled and crushed beetles. Increasingly synthetic dyes are being used to colour things red, but the use of the Cochineal insect is still around today.

Varnish

Listverse.com says that varnish is used not just to varnish wood but also to varnish our food, giving it a shiny surface. Sweets such as Skittles get their gleam from the female Lac beetle. Ok then. This beetle secretes a substance to help her cocoon stick better but is used by humans to make their food look shinier and more appealing. If the food sold in shops was not as shiny as it is today, would we still eat it? I think somebody should research whether all these food marketing procedures actually work. Shiny food, really?!

Beaver Bum Juice

Now, this one is crazy. According to listverse.com, the anal juice of beavers helps to intensify raspberry flavour. So you ask, “Why don’t they just synthesize it and leave the beavers alone?” Well, apparently up until now no one has not managed to synthesize it. Someone should get on it.        

The mystery remains as to how exactly these things were discovered as being beneficial to food production and if they really help marketing. In all likelihood, if we knew what exactly all the ingredients and chemicals that went into our food were, we probably wouldn’t eat it. I know I wouldn’t.

 (This is a post by our new intern Talia Mitrania)

(Image by katman1972, stock.xchng)

The Hardware

Operating Systems are pieces of software but they are related to hardware because they are useless without it. There are vast differences between the hardware capabilities of these three OS types.

OS X Lion is only compatible with a 64-Bit processor, which means you have to have a fairly developed machine to handle it. Similarly, Windows 7 comes as either a 64-Bit or a 32-Bit installation, which limits it to use on modern laptops and desktops.

What the new Windows OS has to offer is set to change everything that Operating Systems aim to do. Building upon the Windows Phone interface, the new Windows OS is designed to operate through ARM. ARM is the processing system which is used in practically every smart phone and tablet. The goal of this is clear; to make Windows as portable as the iPhone. This goes further than Apple has ever gone, however. This capability means that the new software can be installed on practically anything, including the iPad 2, which runs a duel ARM chip.

The new Windows OS has been designed with tablet and touch screen PCs in mind but this enables a much faster operation on a desktop or laptop too. The boot time and the memory requirements have dropped dramatically; the new Windows OS can boot in an incredible 8 seconds!

Mobility

The reality of the system that Microsoft has created is that it can operate anywhere on ‘anything’. Microsoft has opened the gates to a whole new level of connectivity which expands on its previous practice of progressive compatibility. Older versions of Windows have always been compatible with the newer versions and their compatibility has expanded across platforms with their new development.

The start menu has vanished and been replaced with a start screen. This new setup is very similar to that of the Windows Phone and enables very easy transfer between desktop and touch-screen tablet.

The new OS X Lion has not made the same leaps and bounds as the new Windows OS. It is more of an evolutionary step with minor developments. Microsoft appears to have caught up with the competition on the face of it.

Appearance and Touch

The new Windows OS has a brand new appearance for those who wish to engage with the touch and Metro capabilities. In true Windows fashion, however, they have maintained the standard desktop to keep the traditional users happy.

There is a definite move towards touch across the entire industry, but while Apple has been developing it, Microsoft appears to have perfected it. The interface is very touch friendly and outstrips the efforts to develop it made by OS X Lion.

The Verdict

The new Windows OS far outstrips its predecessor, Windows 7, and has completely changed the face of Microsoft. It still offers all it did but it is now faster and easier to use.

Compared to Apple’s OS X Lion, it has closed the gap between Microsoft and Apple. The differences have become smaller and the next stage in the technology race is set to begin as Microsoft tackles the touch and app markets that Apple has dominated until now. Whether you have a PC or a Mac, you will want to try out the new Windows 8 Download.

(Image by Rounakr94 (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons)