Author: Serkadis

Pat Laffaye, of Westport, Connecticut, has done the unthinkable. He beat George Costanza’s fictional Frogger record.

Laffaye is the first person in video gaming history to beat the “Costanza Score” of 860,630 points, set during a classic episode of Seinfeld, according to Twin Galaxies International –the official scorekeeper on all eras of video gaming since 1981.

Laffaye shattered George’s score, earning 896,980 points for crossing pixilated frogs across a busy street in a record-setting game that ended just before midnight on New Year’s Eve.

“Even though it was imagined by television writers, Pat has broken one of the most famous scores in pop culture,” Twin Galaxies Division Manager Patrick Scott Patterson said. “Pat’s amazing score will now forever be attached to not only Twin Galaxies history, but pop culture trivia as well.”

It might not be glamorous, but if a $110 camera is all you can afford — or all you’d trust your kid with — then it suddenly becomes of utmost importance. The new crop of A-series cameras fits such a bill, with the 12 megapixel, 4x zoom, optical image stabilized PowerShot A3100 IS in the “high end” at $180, followed by the 10 megapixel A3000 IS at $150; 10 megapixel, 3.3x zoom A495 at $130; and similarly specced A490 at $110. The differences between the A495 and A490 are muddled, outside of color choices and fewer scene selections. The Two A3000 cameras sports 2.7-inch screens and recharageable lithium-ion battery packs (a first for A-series cameras), with the A490 units going for 2.5-inches and trotting out the AAs. All four shooters should be out sometime in late February.

Canon debuts A3100 IS, A3000 IS, A495 and A490 low-end shooters originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 10:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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[Thanks, Lopez]

Nexus One hitting France at €450 contract-free? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 09:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Continue reading Tokyo University’s touchless pointing system could wipe out smudgy screens

Tokyo University’s touchless pointing system could wipe out smudgy screens originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Alfa Romeo is scheduled to show three new vehicles at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show joining the much-anticipated Giulietta. Sources have told Inside Line that the three models will debut in addition to the Giulietta, which will come to the U.S. in 2011, and will hint at the next 159 lineup.

The new 159 sedan will drop its numeric badging for a classic Alfa Romeo name; however, it is not clear yet as to what Alfa plans on calling the sedan.

“At Geneva, each of the Turin design houses — Stile Bertone, Pininfarina and Italdesign Giugiaro — will create a version of the new midsize model to be shown at their respective stands,” the source told the publication.

Speculation has it that Bertone will show a new coupe, Pininfarina will come with a convertible, and Italdesign Giugiaro will debut a sedan.

2011 Alfa Romeo Giulietta:

– By: Kap Shah

Source: Inside Line

Filed under: Apple Corporate, Apple Financial, App Store

Apple announced this morning that App Store downloads have officially broken 3 billion, and it happened in less than 18 months.

In a press release issued today, Steve Jobs said, “…this is like nothing we’ve ever seen before. The revolutionary App Store offers iPhone and iPod touch users an experience unlike anything else available on other mobile devices, and we see no signs of the competition catching up anytime soon.”

The App Store broke the billion-download barrier in April and hit 2 billion in September. With all the new iPhones and iPod touches (estimated) sold in the holiday quarter, this number should only climb higher.

Part of the store’s success is perfection of the impulse purchase. It’s ridiculously easy to find an app while you’re in line at the bank for instance, do a bit of poking around and hit “buy!” Why not, it’s only two bucks!

Competitors have been launched, some more successful than others, but Steve’s right in saying that nothing else has matched the App Store’s success. Congratulations to Apple!

TUAWApp Store tops 3 billion downloads originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you weren’t all that impressed with the sound that emanated out of the iHome line of speakers the latest iPhone/iPod dock is looking to change all that. The iP2 features  Bongiovi Digital Power Station processing through twin 3.5″ coaxial neodymium speakers which provides impressive sound in a compact package. The iP2 is a follow-up to the iP1 and uses a 50 watt class D bi-amplified architecture with Bongiovi sound processing and alots for a A clean minimalist design, suspended in museum-quality smoked acrylic.  There is also both an AV Jack and Line-In jack for increased expandability for the iP2 to mingle with other Mp3 players and output to the TV. No pricing or availability is known yet but expect to see hit iHome’s site soon.

The e-book space is becoming increasingly disputed and there a number of players, of various backgrounds, contending for a piece of the potentially lucrative market. The clear leader at the moment is Amazon with its Kindle device and e-book store. But Google is taking another approach, more in line with the Google of old, by focusing on the service and, in this case, content and leaving the hardware to specialized parties. The latest partnership is with Spring Desing, maker of the Alex eReader device, which will get access to Google Books’ extensive library of free and paid digitized books and the deal is said to make one million books available to Alex users.

“We are pleased to work with Spring Design and the Alex, which is an exciting new reading device, that combined with a wealth of free public domain books from Google, provides great value to eReaders,” Brandon Badger, Google product manager, said in a statement. “Our relationship with Spring Design is helping to expand the number of ways people access eBooks and search for information online, whether for business, education or entertainment.”

The upcoming device, which will be launched at CES later this week, is pretty interesting and, with the right circumstances, could prove a rather popular e-book re… (read more)

Big news in the research world today: Gartner has announced that right at the end of 2009, it acquired competitor Burton Group for approximately $56 million in cash. Gartner financed the acquisition through the use of cash on hand and borrowings under its existing line of credit.

Burton Group is a Midvale, UT-headquartered research and advisory services firm that focuses on providing advice to IT professionals. According to the statement, Burton Group has approximately 41 research analysts, 40 sales and client service associates, and projected 2009 revenue of $30 million.

Gartner expects the acquisition of Burton Group to be accretive to its revenue, earnings and cash-flow over time. On a GAAP basis, the transaction is expected to be dilutive to income per share by ($0.12) – ($0.10) in 2010 and accretive to income per share by at least $0.00 – $0.03 in 2011.

Gartner’s stock is up a bit in early trading on NYSE.

Crunch Network: MobileCrunch Mobile Gadgets and Applications, Delivered Daily.

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The onslaught of small vehicles began these days in New Delhi, at the 2010 Auto Expo, with car manufacturers around the world displaying their smallest cars, the ones aimed to tackle emerging markets and the ongoing recession.

In Honda’s corner, the star of the lineup was the oddly named New Small Concept, a car which will eventually turn into a car specially aimed for India and other emerging nations. Unfortunately, not many technical details were made available by the Japanese … (read more)

Famed Sin City stage duo Siegfried and Roy are retiring to their den.

“Roy and I miss our audience. But there will not be a comeback,” Siegfried Fischbacher said in Tuesday’s edition of German magazine Neues Blatt.

Roy Horn, who was mauled by a white tiger during a 2003 performance at The Mirage in Las Vegas, is still battling the long-term effects of the attack. Roy was left partially paralyzed following the devastating attack.

Siegfried said, “It is a miracle that he can stand on his own feet again and enjoy life.”

The two performers, who are originally from Germany and live in Las Vegas, are getting used to their new life as retirees.

The animals from the show reside at Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at The Mirage.

For those not familiar with Amulet Devices they are voice activated remote controls that add a whole new dimension of couch potato to your world. However the previous version was pretty ugly so this year they will be launching a newer sleeker version to get lost in your couch. Their new second generation voice-enabled Remote control for Windows Media Center  is fully compatible with Microsoft’s new Windows 7 Media Center, as well as supporting existing Windows Vista users, the Amulet Remote uses simple voice commands to provide instant access to any media item in your digital library – music, television programs, movies, home videos and photos. The Windows 7 Amulet Voice Remote is due to ship in Q1 2010 and will retail for $249.

Northwestern Expert Offers Tips for Cold Weather Safety

As the snow continues to fall, many Chicagoans will head outdoors to enjoy the activities of the season.

While the winter months can bring great fun, experts caution that as the snow drops, so do the temperatures, which can pose a serious safety threat if you are not prepared.

“We typically see an influx of patients during cold spells,” said Rahul Khare, MD, emergency room physician and assistant director of operations for the emergency department at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

“Cases of hypothermia, as well as bumps, bruises and sprains from slips and falls are all very common this time of year.”

To ensure a safe and healthy season, Khare recommends the following tips:

Beware of Slippery Conditions: Icy conditions cause many slips and falls. Wear well-insulated boots with good traction on the bottom. Walk on shoveled sidewalks when possible. Take slower, shorter steps to reduce your chance of falling.

Watch for Falling Ice: Icicles build very quickly and can be dangerous for pedestrians. Pay attention to signs for falling ice and be aware of your surroundings as you walk near tall buildings.

Bundle Up: Walking in a winter wonderland won’t be so wonderful if you aren’t prepared for the weather. Dress appropriately before going outdoors and avoid being outside for extended periods of time in extreme cold weather. Dress warm by layering clothing and be sure to wear a hat, scarf and gloves, covering all areas of exposed skin.

Know Warning Signs: Serious health problems can result from prolonged exposure to the cold. The most common-cold related problems are frostbite and hypothermia. If you experience these symptoms seek medical attention immediately.

Frostbite Warning Signs: White or grayish-yellow skin, numbness and skin that feels firm or waxy

Hypothermia Warning Signs: (In infants) bright red and cold skin, and very low energy; (In adults) shivering, drowsiness or exhaustion, confusion, memory loss, slurred speech

Check on Elderly Neighbors and Relatives: Cold weather can put the elderly at higher risk for health problems, not to mention restricting them to their homes due to inclement weather. When sub-zero temperatures set in, be sure to check on elderly neighbors and relatives to ensure they have the food and other items they need on hand, and that their home is adequately heated.

Eat and Drink Wisely: Alcoholic and caffeinated beverages can cause your body to lose heat more rapidly. Drink warm sweet beverages or broth to maintain body temperature.

Prepare Your Home: More home fires occur during the winter months than any other time of year. Take safety precautions by having your furnace checked, your chimney inspected and proper smoke and carbon monoxide detectors installed.

Shoveling Snow: While snow shoveling can be good exercise, it can also be dangerous. Each year thousands of people are treated in emergency departments across the United States for heart attacks, strained muscles and other injuries related to snow shoveling. Pace yourself and don’t work to the point of exhaustion. If you have a history of back or heart problems, have someone else shovel for you.

Travel Safe: Be sure to check the weather forecast before you hit the roads this winter. It’s also a good idea to pack a winter weather emergency kit in your car, complete with extra clothing and blankets, a shovel, sand (or cat litter) for traction and non-perishable snacks and water.

“Taking preventive action is your best defense against cold weather related injuries and illnesses,” said Khare.

“Simple precautions can offer peace of mind and keep you safe this season.”

It appears that our little trip back to Ostagar has taken a little detour. The DLC should’ve gone live today (qjnet/news/dragon-age-origins-dlc-due-next-week.html), but tough luck finding it. The community coordinator of the BioWare forums, Chris Priestly, has confirmed:

Dear Customer,
This month, we have decided to introduce our complete line of high quality large inch and metric cylindrical roller bearings for a wide range of applications included :
– Industrial gear boxes
– Steel and rolling mill
– Corrugators
– Mining and quarrying
From 2 ¾ inch (70mm) to over 60 inch (1500mm) all these bearings are certified ISO 9001.
– Deep groove ball bearings, angular contact ball bearings, duplex, full complement ball bearings, etc …
– Metric bearings type 61800, 61900, 6000, 6200, 6400, 16000, 71900, 7000, 7200, 7300, 7400, QJ, N, NJ, NF, NP, NU, NUP, RNU, NC, NNU, NCL, NCF, NNCL, NNCF, NJG, NNC, SL, etc …
– Inch bearings type XLJ, LJ, MJ, XLJT, LJT, MJT, QJL, QJM, LRJ, LRJA, LLRJ, LLRTA, LLRJB, LLRJN, MRJ, MRJA, MMRJ, MMRJA, MMRJB, MMRJN, XLRJ, XLRJA, LSN, MSN, RLSN, RMSN, NLJ, NMJ, RMSNE, etc …
– Cylindrical roller thrust bearings type 811, 812, 893, 874, 894, T7, etc …
Special bearings on request.
Manufactured at our Phoenix Bearings facility in Tewkesbury, England since over 50 years, our bearings are shipped to over 40 countries worldwide.
Ask for our free catalog !
RBC France: an international partner with a team ready to assist you!

Haydon Kerk Motion Solutions introduces the Haydon IDEA™ Drive stepper motor linear actuator. The IDEA Drive is an integrated linear actuator, electronic drive, and control unit fully programmable with an easy-to-use patent pending GUI (Graphic User Interface). Programming the actuator is through the use of on-screen buttons instead of complicated proprietary programming languages.
A unique benefit of the IDEA Drive GUI is the automatic population of the motor and drive parameters based on entering the actuator part number when prompted by the user interface. Complex parameter calculations or in-depth stepper motor knowledge from the user is completely unnecessary. For a more experienced user, auto-populated values can easily be adjusted as long as they remain within the safe range calculated by the software.
Another feature of the IDEA Drive GUI is a plotter that visually represents the move profile based on distance, speed, acceleration, and deceleration. The GUI also provides an interactive “debugger” for easy troubleshooting of the program. The user can command the drive to execute one program line at a time or multiple lines in a row.
Other features include programmable phase current control (including optional boost current during accel/decel ramping), a single supply voltage of 12 to 42 VDC, and 8 opto-isolated general purpose digital I/O. The Haydon IDEA Drive linear actuator is available in the captive, non-captive, or external linear versions, both single and double stack lengths.

Controllers for pH, ORP, EC, O2, CL, OZ, Turb. and ISE

It is no longer necessary to mount a transmitter for each pH, O2, etc. sensors!

The series FMC -5000 /VQ are field mounting 2 or 3 chemical variables, with relationship capabillity betwen each. They have direct input for chemical sensors and they give the control signal in the field, at the same time, they transmit the data by RS-485 Modbus. In option, communication by Radio or Ethernet networks, cable or WiFi mode, is possible through “gateway” adapters RMT, EMT or WMT-1000.

A colourful new range of hard-wearing, aluminium lenses has been launched by EAO – the expert partner for Human Machine Interfaces.

With a wide choice of brilliant colours as standard, plus options for convex lenses or illuminated spot, EAO now offers the world’s largest variety of aluminium-fronted switches.

Aluminium lenses and front bezels are available for all pushbuttons and indicators in the Series 04, 14, 56, 61, 71 and 84 switch ranges. They not only provide extra protection for switches, they will improve the look and feel of any Human Machine Interface. By standardising the colour and finish, customers can more effectively align colour to switch function to create easier to use, more intuitive controls panels. They can also mix-and-match switch types from different ranges according to their exact needs.

EAO can laser engrave lenses with any type of symbol or legend specified by the customer. The high-class finish brings style and sophistication to any control panel, whether it’s a new design or a refurbishment project.

Switches can be sealed up to IP67 (depending on series), which makes them suitable for a wide range of interior and exterior applications, anything from factory machinery to ticketing and kiosk machines, train cockpits to luxury yachts.