Archive for 2015

By February 19, 2015 Read More →

Will Driverless Cars Ruin the ‘Thrill’ Of Driving?

audi_autonomous_ttrs-2For many people, being behind the wheel of a powerful car provides them with a feeling of absolute freedom. There’s nothing quite like being in control of a roaring engine, burning rubber along a stretch of empty road. For people with a god complex, it’s a way to vent out their feelings as they let it all out on the open road.

A number of today’s new motor vehicles have technology that helps drivers avoid drifting into adjacent lanes or making unsafe lane changes, or that warns drivers of other vehicles behind them when they are backing up, or that brakes automatically if a vehicle ahead of them stops or slows suddenly, among other things. These and other safety technologies use a combination of hardware (sensors, cameras, and radar) and software to help vehicles identify certain safety risks so they can warn the driver to act to avoid a crash and reduce one of the leading cause of wrong-way car accidents.

Fully autonomous cars and trucks that drive us instead of us driving them will become a reality. These self-driving vehicles ultimately will integrate onto U.S. roadways by progressing through six levels of driver assistance technology advancements in the coming years. This includes everything from no automation (where a fully engaged driver is required at all times), to full autonomy (where an automated vehicle operates independently, without a human driver).

The continuing evolution of automotive technology aims to deliver even greater safety benefits and – one day – deliver automated driving systems (ADS) that can handle the whole task of driving when we don’t want to or can’t do it ourselves.

Would it be the same, however, if there would come a time when driverless cars would become the norm, taking the driver out from behind the wheel, and making him just another passenger in the car?

One of the principal causes of accidents in the country is distracted driving, that is why organizations are working with law enforcement agencies to encourage drivers to give their full attention to the road.

Autopilot engaged

Many believe that it would be convenient to have an autopilot system in the car. Driverless cars would also transform the way the public transport system works.

With driverless systems, the safety of roads would be increased dramatically. There probably wouldn’t be any traffic at all. In addition, with the computerisation of the roads, there would be no reckless drivers to speak of because everybody would be driving the same way and everybody would be synchronized to the system. This will also reduce the rate of drivers going too fast on the road and getting a speeding ticket in las vegas.

Heart of the driver disengaged

However, with the disappearance of the driver, the human element of driving disappears. There has always been something sensual about driving. The marriage of man and machine has almost always been personified by the relationship of the driver and his car. Gone will be the romanticized days of being distinguished as a highly-skilled driver.

The thrill of learning how to drive in itself will be lost, as learning how to drive will become obsolete. The human race will have lost an invaluable skill that had been developed over decades. Even with the undeniable advantages of having driverless cars, there is something with a lot of sentimental value to be lost when a driver is taken from his car. Auto accidents are still prevalent in today’s society. If you get into a collision then contact this car accident law firm in new mexico to assist you in the legal process.

The disappearance of the car’s appeal

With the disappearance of the driver, the appeal of owning a car and driving would be lost. The romance of aimlessly driving with someone would be gone. The new generation will never know how much fun it would be to get lost because they would always have to input a destination before setting out in a car.

The days of romanticizing car rides would be over. No more songs will be written about riding in cars, because of its impersonality. Driving will have the same appeal as zero-fat milk. For all the bad things that drivers and their cars have brought upon society (e.g. car crashes, traffic jams, air pollution), cars have also brought immense pleasure and entertainment for generations since their invention.

Disappearance of an important skill

Autopilot-driven cars may ruin the experience of driving, but don’t worry, it’s not bound to be made unto law anytime soon. We all still have plenty of time to enjoy driving and just ride for the thrill of it. Online resource hubs such as TopTests.co.uk help individuals learn about driving and test their knowledge of driving laws. Driving is a useful and fun skill to learn, and it will surely be handy when the autopilot fails.

By February 18, 2015 Read More →

Want to watch your favourite TV shows abroad? IPTV vs. Internet TV

The number of people migrating, buying holiday homes or spending their 3-month sabbaticals in a foreign country is continually on the rise.

For those TV lovers, an IPTV set top box is the answer to their prayers; in a nutshell, it allows users to continue to watch their favorite TV programmes whilst abroad.

Imagine a subscription service (similar to SKY) but dedicated for users who are abroad.

IPTV vs. Internet TV

Internet TV and IPTV both refer to television programming and video transmitted over the Internet. In that sense, both formats are IPTV. However, the two forms are different:

  • Internet TV typically refers to television broadcast over the Internet that you view on your computer in a Web browser. Examples include news programming available for viewing on the Internet, Web sites that broadcast standard television programming, and even YouTube video. This kind of IPTV is characterized by low-definition video and uneven transmission speeds.
  • The second type of IPTV—the focus of this article—is a subscription service delivered to your home by a service provider through a set top box, much the way cable TV works today. This kind of IPTV not only provides high-definition (HD) television programming but also interactive features that allow you to play programs and movies on demand, pause and replay video, watch Pay-per-View shows, and other features. Some providers also include text messaging, digital telephone, and Internet access in the service.

 

How Do You Get IPTV?

IPTV is not available everywhere. Currently, it is more widely available in Europe. The service provider My TV Abroad currently provide their IPTV setbox Freeview receiver from the UK, Scandinavia or Greece, allowing you to view live TV from these countries anywhere in the world via your internet connection.

You will never miss an episode of your favourite TV show or the big sporting events again with this system. Simply plug the Ex-Pat TV box into your broadband router and your television and you will have live, uninterrupted access to all Free to Air channels currently are currently broadcasted in the those countries.

 

Making the Choice

IPTV may be new, but it’s growing rapidly. Today, there are about 29 million IPTV subscribers in the world.

According to a leading media analyst, the number of IPTV subscribers is expected to more than double in the next 2–3 years. This means that IPTV service is going to become more widely available in the near future—something to keep in mind if you’re planning to purchase a new television or signing up for a long-term service agreement with your current provider.

For those looking to watch British television programmes whilst abroad, My Tv Abroad have a wide array of channels for their subscribers to choose from.
Unlike others on the market, the My Tv Abroad system does not require a computer to make it work, nor does it require you to hide your location. It is very simple to use and easy to set up. All this from only £19 per-month.

If you are moving abroad or perhaps have a holiday home, now’s the time to take advantage of this great offer provided by My Tv Abroad. Click here for more details

 

Posted in: Apps & Games, Editorial
By February 17, 2015 Read More →

Parrot launch first dedicated games for the AR Drone 2.0

unnamedParrot has launched its first dedicated games for the AR Drone 2.0. AR.Race 2 is a single or multi-player racing game and AR.Rescue 2 is a single player game, with the Drone pilot’s mission to save a stranded spaceship and send it back home, all the while battling against obstacles and hostile monsters.

Both games allow Drone pilots to compare their scores and times against others around the world, bringing another level of competitiveness through the AR.Drone Academy. Full release below with a couple of images attached – let me know if you need anything else.

AR.Race 2 & AR.Rescue 2:
Compare yourself to Parrot AR.Drone pilots around the world

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Need an adrenaline shot? Crave new challenges? Discover two augmented reality games dedicated to the Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 quadricopter and connected to the AR.Drone Academy, allowing you to compare your scores to competing pilots from the community.
Create giant race courses with AR.Race 2 or be part of a futuristic quest with AR.Rescue 2.
May the best pilot win!

AR.Race 2: an aerial race without limit …
– Select a gaming zone; eg your house, your garden, a forest… Every part of the environment (walls, furniture, trees…) can become part of the game as potential obstacles.
– Create a course and indicate the starting/finishing line by placing a tag on the ground that will be recognized by the embedded vertical camera of the Parrot AR.Drone 2.0, allowing players to record race times.
On your marks! Get set! Go! Your flying machine is moving fast, veering between obstacles; right-turn, left-turn. Time is running out! Step on the gas, make a loop just after the straight line and make a U-turn just before crossing the finish line…
New players want to be part of the game? Add as many as you want and create infinite races
Compare your scores with the rest of the pilot community by connecting to the AR.Drone Academy.

AR.Race 2 can be downloaded free on the App StoreSM

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AR.Rescue 2: Aliens may-day…

An alien rocket has crashed. Survivors have to find every part of the spacecraft to rebuild it and go back home. But they need your help!
Piloting a Parrot AR.Drone 2.0, you will go through four augmented reality worlds (10 levels each) and collect, one by one, scattered pieces of the spacecraft. But be careful! Crunchers, little monsters who will devour scraps of metal, are looking for you and will do everything they can to stop you … Get your laser weapons ready, keep your head and be prepared for a long fight.
Compare your scores with the rest of the pilot community by connecting to the AR.Drone Academy.

AR.Rescue 2 can be downloaded free on the App StoreSM

Available from the AR. FreeFlight piloting App, the AR.Drone Academy is a sharing and exchange platform dedicated to Parrot AR.Drone pilots. Members can access exclusive features and content including flight data and statistics, videos, photos, identification of best flying areas and places to avoid, easy video uploads to social networks and sharing platforms…

Posted in: Apps & Games, News
By February 12, 2015 Read More →

What Celebrity would you would most like a selfie with this Valentine’s Day?

Caggie Dunlop 28As Valentine’s Day comes sweeping into the hearts of the public HTC would like focus their attention on those loving moments between couples, however they have noticed that the British public might just be wishing they could have a celebrity to cuddle this year.

The male and female celebrities Brits would most desire a Valentine’s Day selfie with are David Beckham and Jennifer Lawrence according to research carried out by leading design and technology company HTC, to promote its Desire 620 handset. Beckhams are top male heartthrobs. Unsurprisingly David Beckham topped the league of most desirable men to have a selfie with, but the main talking point is a new rival for the crown in the Beckham household with Brooklyn making an appearance on the most desired list.  Brooklyn Beckham beat out competition from celebrity heart-throbs including bad boy Justin Bieber and One Direction’s Zayn Malik who came ninth and tenth respectively. Combined the Beckhams achieved a fifth (19%) of the 2000 18-30 year olds polled, indicating the father-son duo could be one of the most sought after selfie opportunities possible.

Brits prefer American women. Jennifer Lawrence’s True Pheromones may have made her the most desirable female, but the biggest surprise was that the highest placed British woman was only number four. Selfie queen Helen Flanagan, was also beaten out by Rihanna and Katy Perry, indicating that most of the UK prefer American women.  The next highest ranked Brit was Kelly Brook in sixth.

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The Autograph is dead. The data also shows that the autograph is dead. Over half of Brits (55%) reveal they would choose a selfie with their favourite star over anything else, while less than a quarter would want an autograph with their celebrity crush. (22%)

Blokes would also be most bold, with a third of blokes most likely to ask their celebrity crush on a date or for a kiss if they met them. (32%) Women are shyer, with only one in ten likely to do the same (11%).

Most popular celebrity selfies. Ellen DeGeneres took the most popular selfie of the last year with her shot of herself by a who’s who of Hollywood actors, topping other famous selfies of the last 12 months including Kim Kardashian’s famous ‘belfie’, Lukas Podolski’s picture of the German World Cup winning team and Cara Delevingne’s ‘ugly’ shot.

Why do we care about celebrity selfies? We check up on our favourite celebrity’s twitter feeds between two and three times a day (2.51), with nearly a third of us looking at celebrity selfies to get a glimpse into their private lives (29%) or to get a behind the scenes look at what they have been up to (31%). Over a quarter of British females also check celebrity selfies to get fashion inspiration (29%) and a fifth to get beauty tips (22%).

Celebrities are inspiring us to be more selfie obsessed than ever, with the estimated 11 million 18-30 year olds in the UK posting a total of more than one billion selfies in 2014. The average 18-30 year old in the UK is posting over 100 selfies a year with nearly half (49%) now posting at least one selfie a week to social media. To cater for the huge interest in selfies and the desire to make ourselves look our best on our social networks, HTC has now created a range of hardware and software designed specifically for the selfie generation.

The HTC Desire 620 features best-in-class camera tools with a large 5” screen and quad-core processing power. The 8MP main camera has auto focus technology to deliver crisp shots every time, and the 5MP front-facing camera features a built-in countdown mode so you’ll never miss a selfie pose again.

Face Fusion is a tool that allows you to merge your face with that of a friend or celebrity for a completely original look and Live Makeup allows you to set the desired level of skin smoothing and preview the effect in real-time before the image is captured.

Voice Selfie also removes the need for awkward hand contortions by enabling you to trigger the shutter release with a simple command. Simply say “cheese” or “smile” as soon as you’ve struck the perfect pose or trigger the video recording with “action” or “rolling” commands.

Ben Walsh, Head of Marketing UK and Ireland at HTC, said: “There were some great celebrity selfies in 2014 and it’s clear that we’re more interested than ever, with the average person checking their favourite celebrity’s social postings multiple times a day. It is also inspiring us to imitate them, so we’ve created a suite of new features in our Desire handsets which allow HTC customers to get creative with their own selfies.”

HTC Desire 620_PerRight_SantoriniWhite

For more details on HTC’s Desire range, visit www.htc.com/uk/ The HTC Desire 620 is available in Santorini White exclusively from Three or in Tuxedo Grey on O2 or Vodafone from Carphone Warehouse. HTC EYE Experience features are also available on the following models: HTC One (M7), HTC One (M8), HTC Desire Eye, HTC One E8, HTC One mini, HTC One mini 2, HTC One max, HTC Desire 816, HTC Desire 820.

Posted in: Cameras, Editorial, Phones
By February 6, 2015 Read More →

Ever wonder about those glowing app reviews?

YPkG0HWIt’s no surprise that the business of getting people to download your app is a difficult one. With so many rivals clamoring to get their similarly themed application ahead of the competition, or nefarious sods who want to bombard you with adverts or straight up steal information, it seems almost absurd that the 100’s or 1000’s of glowing reviews in the Appstore or Google Play could have come from just one person. Or could it? A recent post on Reddit shows that the simplest tactic might be the easiest solution and what you had thought and probably dismissed might actually be way things really  are. Rather than resorting to clever coding and an intelligent work around for Apple or Google’s personal identification system companies are simply setting up dozens of tablets with fake user profiles and writing the reviews themselves. 

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Of course we all knew this was happening, however it’s not until you see it, and take in the impressive set up that you realise that this is a simple problem that we are having to deal with. No level of security or vetting with stop Guest10257 from telling you that “Facebook Messenger Lite +” and “Hotspot Sniffer Dog” are the greatest apps they have ever downloaded. Your security will be fine and you won’t find too many ads intruding on the screen. 

Now if only someone would write an app that allows the little lady above to post to all those accounts from just one tablet… that would be a step forward.

ConnectMyApps is a software integration platform for small businesses that lets you synchronize data between your Accounting, Invoicing, CRM, E-mail, E-Commerce and other apps.

Posted in: Editorial
By February 5, 2015 Read More →

Don’t get angry, get Neeson

8379-three-mobile-games-had-super-bowl-ads-this-year-here-they-are-if-you-missed-themThere were three mobile games to show off during the much coveted Super Bowl ad breaks this year. The most impressive of which was Liam Neeson making fun of his Taken role for Clash of the Clans. Whilst a little predictable, there is a genuine laugh to be had at Liam’s expense regarding a Barista. Certainly a nice addition to the typical big screen trailers, hardware previews and car commercials it proves that mobile gaming is really a force to be reckoned with and rumours of a $4.5m fee shows there is plenty of money to throw about. Advert follows:

 

Posted in: Apps & Games
By February 4, 2015 Read More →

Unboxing Revealmedia Body Camera

vlcsnap-2015-02-03-14h30m03s73Gareth takes a look at the RS3-SX Body Worn Camera System from Revealmedia. This unit is typically worn by the Police to document response situations. Built for reliability and designed to be light weight the Body Worn Camera is a versatile and almost essential piece of equipment for an officer on the job.

  • Accurate positioning. Horizontal and vertical camera adjustment.
  • Front-facing screen. 2.5” screen displays footage as it is being recorded. Proven to improve outcomes.
  • Multi-use. Use camera on body, in car or standalone (eg. in interviews).
  • Secure. Files will only load and play on a computer running DEMS software; not on any other device
  • Wide field of view. 120º horizontal, 60º vertical
  • Dock and go. Automatic file uploading and battery charging via cable or docking station.
  • Rugged case. Designed for use on the front line – where you work.
  • Usage log. Encrypted log on RS3-SX. Automatically detect if a video has been tampered with.
  • Playback. On camera video and audio playback. Review footage in the field.
  • Mark evidence. Mark footage as ‘evidential’ when in record mode. Automatic filing after upload to DEMS.
  • Stealth mode. Enables recording without screen or lights.

RECORDING

  • Audio and video recording – yes
  • Recording resolution – Full HD
  • Recording speed – 30 frames per second
  • Field of view, horizontal – 120º
  • Field of view, vertical – 60º
  • Encoding technology, video – H264
  • Encoding technology, audio – MPEG-4
  • Recording activation switch – single slider switch; one action record
  • Recording capacity – >8hrs
  • Recording format – .mov
  • Date and time stamp – yes

By February 3, 2015 Read More →

Unboxing the Amazon FireTV and Game Controller

vlcsnap-2015-02-02-16h20m46s104Gareth takes a look at the UK version of the all in one TV solution. Amazon’s FireTV is an Android based entertainment device that stream media from online sources and caters to the gaming crowds. Certainly, the FireTV has been out for a while, Gareth states his reasons why he is looking at this now and ultimately why he has chosen the FireTV over a Nexus Player, why he did not purchase another Roku 3 nor rely on a Chromecast.

The FireTV come in a standard package, with an optional gaming controller. Specs for the FireTV are pretty impressive for a set top box, aside from the one storage option of 8GB. However, as the device is designed with gaming as a major player it will be interesting to see how performance manages as technology progresses. 

  • Processor: 1.7GHz Quad Core, Qualcomm Krait 300
  • RAM: 2GB
  • Storage: 8GB flash
  • Max. Output Video Resolution: 1080p
  • Dimensions: 115(L) x 115(W) x 17.5(H) mm
  • Weight: 281 g
  • Connectivity: 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n (MIMO), Bluetooth 4.0, Ethernet, USB
  • Power: Built-in universal 6 W power supply 

By January 21, 2015 Read More →

Security: stop your business from being hacked

It is a well known fact that hackers are becoming increasingly intelligent when it comes to hacking into businesses IT systems. In fact experts are now warning that over 50% of UK businesses could be hacked in just one hour – a pretty worrying thought!

After the vicious attack on Sony in 2014 which took the entire world by storm, it has become evident that hackers really do know what they are doing – and the results are potentially dangerous. This scam also highlighted the fact that very few of us are protected against these criminal offences thanks to the assistance of criminal lawyer Melbourne, but much more needs to be done in order to combat these criminals.

It is well known that attacks on both small and medium sized (SME’s) companies are extremely common due to the less sophisticated security software they have in place. Hackers are also aware of this hence why these are the businesses that are often targeted – security is a huge problem for all firms, but it is the SME’s that are truly under threat.

Protecting your business

Here are some of the highly recommended tips to securing your business:

Education

One of the most important things any business can do in their plight to remaining secure is to educate their staff on their role in security. Your employees really are the frontline of defense when it comes to the security of your business, whilst this isn’t the only way, according to experts like Andy Defrancesco, if staff are vigilant it means hackers will have a much harder time.

Endpoint Security

Many companies are also introducing Endpoint Security into their business in order to remain as safe and secure as possible. Endpoint Security is an information security method for protecting a corporate network through the focus of endpoints. Software, authentication and authorisation are each monitored carefully to ensure maximum security. This software will include antivirus, anti spyware and firewall protection.

Encryption

It is also recommended by experts that all business data is encrypted to ensure safety if any data is stolen. This works to ensure that if the data is stolen, the thief cannot read the data – only you can. This is one of the best security techniques out there.

Mobile

Now, it is no surprise that mobile is becoming huge – we are constantly on our phones, emailing or talking. So, it is important to set up mobile network security due to more and more members of staff working away from the office at home. Therefore it is vital to ensure that any wireless mobile connectivity is as secure as possible.

With these tips in mind, you will be able to protect your business for years to come from the infamous hackers.

By January 16, 2015 Read More →

Google updates to the Spiral 2

Project-Ara-Modular-Android-phone-2Google has finally unveiled it’s new prototype for Project Ara called the Spiral 2 and it features a 3G modem, 11 additional modules, and other selectable options. The Spiral 2 is a pretty decent step forward from the original prototype. So far it has a 3G modem / RF bus for antenna support and features a totally different processor which is an ASIC (application specific integrated circuits) processor. One of the more impressive notes is that Google has 11 prototype modules already and, of course, more are on the way as companies and developers make their own. These modules are held to the phone through magnets within the bracket frames so popping a module in is pretty easy.

If you have been following the whole Project Ara development then you will be interested to know that the hardware for Project Ara devices will not be made using mostly 3D printing as was originally planned. Hopefully the new method won’t affect the cost of production too much in terms of increasing it.

Google did not announce any sort of base cost for a Project Ara device, only that they are going to try and keep it low and let consumers customize their device as much as they like. This will allow consumers to control the cost of their device initially, and then future upgrades can be done whenever a user wants to do it and keeping it within a budget if needed. The base device will feature an exoskeleton type of set-up inside and users can just slip a module into the available spaces. Some modules that can be swapped out include ones for batteries, storage, processors, cameras, speakers, and other components.

Currently a third prototype is in the works, named the Spiral 3, and when that launches it will be labeled as a “Market Pilot Launch”. This means that a few lucky people will be able to get one of these third prototypes. Puetro Rico, or more specifically the University of Puerto system, is the first location announced for the Market Pilot. From here Google will determine how they want to scale the global Market Pilot launch for the Spiral 3 and are hoping to have “20-30 modules across 10 categories” by the time this takes place. This includes the possibility of subsidized / on-contract modules as well.

So for right now getting a Project Ara device is really difficult even if you are a developer and sign up for it. As for a launch date here in the United States, nothing was mentioned regarding that but hopefully we see this in 2015.

Posted in: News, Phones
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