Science & Technology

By February 26, 2014 Read More →

Google Glass Banned?

Google-GlassGoogle Glass isn’t even on the shelves yet and it’s being banned from all sorts of places. It was reported towards the end of last year that the “wearable tech”, which incorporates a tiny screen and camera connected to the internet, was already unwelcome at some casinos in the USA. Is this a knee-jerk reaction to a genuinely exciting, even revolutionary new technology? Is it maybe a fantastic bit of PR?

 

Casino Bans

CasinoFor a piece of kit that only a tiny percentage of humanity has actually tried, a whole lot of people seem to have an opinion about it. Google Glass certainly does have implications for casinos and their patrons, both negative and positive, so if you manage to get your hands on a pair you might be better off testing those capabilities somewhere like Gaming Club online casino first.

In New Jersey, the ban is official. The state’s Division of Gaming Enforcement has ordered all 12 casinos under its jurisdiction to stop gamblers wearing Glass. Various other states have followed suit, including Nevada, meaning that casinos in Las Vegas (and Reno) won’t allow the device.

 

Posted in: Editorial, Science & Technology
By February 25, 2014 Read More →

Qualcomm Introduces New Snapdragon 801 Processor

SnapdragonToday Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. announced the introduction of the Snapdragon 801 processor, which includes several new enhancements to its predecessor, the highly popular Snapdragon 800 SoC, while maintaining some important similarities, primarily software and pin compatibility. The Snapdragon 801 processor enables even more compelling mobile user experiences, like higher quality imaging with support for larger, faster camera sensors and improved image post-processing, as well as improved mobile graphics and gaming, higher speed SD card memory, dedicated hardware for dual-SIM/dual active (DSDA) service in China, and enhanced overall performance.

Like the Snapdragon 800 processor, the Snapdragon 801 processor includes integrated 4G LTE Cat 4 and 802.11ac Wi-Fi for seamless connectivity, a quad core Krait 400 CPU for advanced processing performance and an Adreno 330 GPU for premium graphics, all while maintaining industry-leading battery performance. And in the Snapdragon 801 processor, Qualcomm Technologies has boosted the performance of key processing engines, including the CPU, GPU, DSP, camera sensor and memory components. As with all Snapdragon processors, Qualcomm Technologies continues to achieve superior processing performance through the unique and efficient integration of its custom-designed processing engines, including Qualcomm Technologies’ heterogeneous computing architecture. The Snapdragon 801 enables breakthrough, low-power mobile user experiences by utilizing just the right processing engine or combination of processing engines for a given task.

The Snapdragon 801 processor is expected to be available in commercial devices this quarter.

Posted in: News, Phones, Science & Technology
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By February 23, 2014 Read More →

Project Tango to map out everything around you

2014-02-20_14-52-44Google’s Project Tango are working on a phone that is able to scan the world around it and, over time, create maps out of it. The primary purpose of this will be for Google’s obsession with mapping and navigation. We have seen Google Maps implement as Street View focus on interiors of certain land marks and this has the potential to create interiors of almost any building anywhere on the planet.

Augmented Reality like they’re proposing isn’t new – there are primitive forms of it available on everything from current phones to the 3DS – but this phone could turn your entire world into a game stage, and let you simply add new content just by visiting new areas. Throw in the touch screen and motion controls and you’ve got a completely new way to play video games. 

Posted in: News, Phones, Science & Technology
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By January 29, 2014 Read More →

Some New Mini-Games for Glass

Google-Glass-Mini-Games-MatcherWhile Google still works on getting Google Glass ready for official public consumption, the company has been to building five simple games for the wearable technology in the hopes that it will encourage developers to make more games for it. There are already a couple of games out from third parties however on a whole things are pretty sparse.

These new games are all current available on Glassware to try out for those few people who were approved and managed for fork out $1500 for an early version of Google Glass. If you’re looking for some seriously advanced gaming to be found with these five titles, you won’t find it. These games are pretty simple but do illustrate different things you can do with Google Glass in conjunction with games.

Interested in seeing what these games are like? Well lucky for you Google has released a short video showing each one which you can watch above. It will be interesting to see if this does spur on some additional developer interest for Google Glass when it comes to games.

 

Posted in: Apps & Games, News, Science & Technology
By January 29, 2014 Read More →

Google Announces Prescription Glass Frames for Google Glass

TitGoogle announced their newest upgrade to the Google Glass wearable smart-glasses, only this time it isn’t a software or hardware upgrade, but is actually a structural one. They now have prescription glass frames available that are specifically designed to fit with Google Glass. They are called the Titanium Collection, and that doesn’t just describe their aesthetics. These new Google Glass frames are literally made of ultra-light titanium alloys. 

Their Titanium Collection includes “four feather-light titanium frames and two new styles of twist-on shades, designed just for you.” Now you can consider getting Google Glass without worrying about looking like a full-blown dork, just a half-dork! (We kid about this because some of us here at HQ are actually becoming more intrigued by this device regardless of how it looks to other.)

 

Posted in: Gadgets, News, Science & Technology
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By January 28, 2014 Read More →

A 4G router arrives at Solwise!

mailerSolwise are pleased to announce their first 4G/LTE router has finally arrived! The Solwise 4G-LTE-S4 is a full 4G router that includes 150Mbps 11n WiFi and WAN connectivity. The ‘S4’ router includes a  4G modem with SIM slot (standard size) so just insert your 4G SIM card, configure the unit with the login details for your 4G data account and you are then ready to share your 4G data connectivity. No need for a dongle. The S4 also supports 3G data SIM cards. 

The S4 has two antenna connectors for 4G and 1 built-in WiFi antenna. The antenna connectors allow you to attach an external antenna which may improve the 4G signal into your home.   The S4 works for UK standard 800MHz, 1800MHZ, and 2600MHz LTE (4G) bands.

Speed (4G) 100Mbps download; 50Mbps upload
Speed (3G) 42.2Mbps DC-HSPA+ download; 5.76Mbps upload

NET-4G-LTE-S4 – £215.06 including VAT
http://www.solwise.co.uk/3g-routers-4g-lte-s4.htm

Solwise offer a number of 4G antennas to compliment the new S4 4G Router.
http://www.solwise.co.uk/3g-antenna-outdoor.htm

Posted in: News, Science & Technology
By December 4, 2013 Read More →

Applebee’s to have tablets on the tables

applebeesSome one must be listening to our podcast and has taken a shine to the Tablet Table. Applebee’s have announced plans to install a tablet at every table in its 1,860 restaurants across the United States. Customers will be able to use the devices to order food, pay the bill, and entertain their children with games.

Recently, Amazon announced some flying barbecues to switch up their work force and Applebee’s look to be doing something similar. Eliminating the need to have a friendly server swishing around the tables collecting orders we will probably see the human touch reduced to shovelling plates from the kitchen and dealing with complaints when less technical patrons realise they have possibly pressed the wrong button.

Chili’s have also announced the idea in the last few months, even going as far to say the tablets will pay for themselves by bringing in extra revenue from impulse orders and at-the-table gaming.  Extra management will be probably be required for billing queries.

Posted in: News, Science & Technology
By December 2, 2013 Read More →

Amazon drone on about delivery times

2amzndron09870df1Recent reports suggest that Amazon’s work conditions can cause mental health issues. Stories of employees having to walk 11 miles a day with stressful deadlines and GPS tracking. It looks like Amazon are looking to rectify this by removing the human element from the equation.

A new service called Amazon Prime Air is slated for roll-out sometime in 2015, depending on FAA approval. Amazon have posted a video of how a new service will work onto YouTube. The video shows the process of a package being taken from the warehouse floor and delivery to the front steps of the customer’s home. Sounds exactly like that they do millions of times a day, however this time they have injected a somewhat dirty word, Drone. The idea is to have the drone deliver orders roughly 30 minutes after the customer hits the “buy” button on Amazon.com.

Speaking recently to the producers of 60 Minutes, before the unveiling, Bezos said, “If you can guess what it is, then… I will give you half my fortune and send you to Vegas with it.”

Reacting to the unveiling of the Amazon-branded drone, Bezos interviewer Charlie Rose said, “I had no idea what its purpose was at first glance… They actually look like something out of a Philip K. Dick novel.”

Whilst this first step of automation is hardly going to replace the hard working staff member, it certainly looks like the future is shaping towards the removal of moany and comlainy employees and the introduction of a work force that look like barbeques. You can watch the entire interview on the 60 Minutes website.

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By December 1, 2013 Read More →

Google Glass upsets a man

Google_Glass_Explorer_EditionNick Starr, a video teleconference network engineer, has posted on his Facebook page that he and his partner were at a restaurant called Lost Lake Cafe and Lounge. Starr was told by an employee that they didn’t allow people to wear Google Glass at the eatery. Whilst Starr claims he had worn the optical gadget before no one had ever told him to put them away or leave.

Rather than push the issue, Starr left and CBSNews.com has confirmed with Lost Lake Cafe and Lounge that they do not allow Google Glass to be worn at their establishment.

In a post on their official Facebook page, they updated that they asked a “rude customer” to vacate the premises because he would not remove the device.

“If you do wear your Google Glasses inside, or film or photograph people without their permission, you will be asked to stop, or leave,” said the post.

Co-owner David Meinert said to Forbes he does not permit Google Glass to be worn at Lost Lake Café and Lounge and his other establishment, 5 Point Cafe, because of privacy issues. Meinert’s concern is that people eating could be recorded or photographed without their knowledge.

“I think the crazy part is that this guy comes into a diner, and is asked to change his behavior in a way that’s our right to ask of him,” he pointed out. “He doesn’t like it, so he tries to get the server fired. It’s a total (expletive) move.”

It’s safe to say the two are finding it difficult to see eye to eye.

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By November 14, 2013 Read More →

Microsoft unveils state-of-the-art Cybercrime Center

Microsoft Cybercrime CenterWith security and cybercrime such a hot topic at the moment, Microsoft have today announced that they are to open a brand new Cybercrime Center, called, creatively, Microsoft Cybercrime Center.

It is to be a center of excellence at the forefront of the global fight against rising cybercrime and will feature the best of the best in legal and technical fields which includes an Entity Extraction software.

Microsoft have provided their full press release below.

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