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Droid gets overclocking, Nexus One gets tethering, Android hackers get mad props originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 09 Jan 2010 11:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Continue reading Touch Revolution puts Android in a microwave and makes an updated Nimble tablet, we go hands-on

Touch Revolution puts Android in a microwave and makes an updated Nimble tablet, we go hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 09 Jan 2010 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RunCore’s had a thing for delivering high-speed, enthusiast-level SSDs, and if you managed to pass right over the Pro IV, you may find the urge linked to the Pro V a bit too much to resist. TweakTown was able to spend some quality time with the device, which includes a SandForce 1500 controller and low(er)-cost MLC flash. Without getting into the dirty-dirty (trust us, you’ll find plenty of charts in the source below), we’ll pass along the following note: “we feel comfortable saying that the Pro V will be the enthusiast SSD to which all others will be compared to for the first half of 2010.” Of course, with the speed worries behind us, the only question remaining is cost — which always seems to best the case with SSDs. We’re told that it’ll cost more than the Barefoot-powered Pro IV, but with competition in the market heating up, hopefully the MSRP won’t sting too badly.

RunCore’s 100GB Pro V solid state drive gets benchmarked, loved originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 09 Jan 2010 10:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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I am entering into day 5 of the hoopla that is the CES, and have a rare moment to kick back and reflect on what I’ve seen at the show. Before arriving in Vegas for the show, my feeling was that this would be the year of the smartbook. I expected to see smartbooks everywhere, those little notebooks with ARM chips and either Linux or Android on-board. That’s not what I’ve found, though, and it makes me wonder if the smartbook is going to finally take off.

There have been a few smartbooks lying around, chief among them the Lenovo Skylight we caught on video. I am impressed with how well this smartbook works, and it is easily the thinnest, lightest notebook I have used. It’s hard to get around the MSRP of $499, though, and even though it’s going to be subsidized and sold by AT&T, it’s likely still going to be a healthy pile of coin. I definitely believe that in addition to the always-on nature of smartbooks with the integrated 3G, they must be dirt cheap for consumers to pick them up. Sadly, there have been no super cheap smartbooks bandied about at CES.

Wandering around the CES exhibits found no shortage of notebooks, but I expected that. Every vendor was hawking its latest and greatest notebook models, but to tell the truth nothing really jumped out and grabbed me. Sure, there was no shortage of notebooks with the latest Intel Core processors, and thin and light laptops were everywhere. But I didn’t find much new, and that probably has as much to do with companies no longer waiting for the CES to make big notebook announcements.  The Dell Adamo XPS is as innovative as any notebook that has launched in quite some time, but we’ve already seen months of teasers for that. Dell didn’t wait for the CES to launch it anyway. Heck, HP didn’t even have a booth this year, which is surprising.

In the mobile tech space the big thing was definitely the tablet, or slate as Microsoft and Intel have now dubbed them. You bumped into a slate display almost everywhere you went at the exhibition, and I lost count how many companies were pushing one at the crowd. These slates are in all shapes and sizes, from the super thin handheld sizes (5 – 7 inches) to the larger ones designed more for media consumption. I saw slates that stand alone and slates that pop into keyboard docks. There were literally dozens of these slates at the CES, and we should start seeing these hit the market pretty soon.

In the international exhibitions many Asian companies were hawking reference design for slates, trying to attract companies to bring them to market. There were slates running Linux, others running Android, and of course the mystery slate that Microsoft showed off at the keynote. That turned out to be a prototype by HP that is due to launch later this year. The anticipation over this slate was unfounded, as it is just a notebook without a keyboard that runs Windows 7.

It is clear that the months of rumors about the Apple tablet have gotten a lot of companies concerned. The conversations I had off the record with reps at several companies indicated that it is expected that Apple will bring something unexpected to market with its tablet, and that has many competitors concerned. Thus the race to get slates to market before Apple does is considered important.

Speaking of slates, so far the gadget that has impressed me the most at the CES is easily the Lenovo U1 Hybrid Notebook. Lenovo has done an amazing job integrating the two OSes involved, and it’s simply incredible how the device switches from Linux (in the slate) to Windows 7 (in the notebook). This integration makes this a slate with no compromises, as you always have Windows 7 and a keyboard when needed. You get it all with a single device. Let’s hope Lenovo can get the price down low enough to attract some decent sales. I’d love to see them have the incentive to further the development and evolution of the U1.

Given the hot focus on slates, it has been a lot of fun using the ThinkPad x200 convertible Tablet this week at the CES. It was a common sight to see me walking around the halls of the exhibit with the tablet in slate mode, interacting with the tablet via touch. It was a blast to see the interested looks I got everywhere, as folks were trying to figure out what new thing this was. I can only imagine the looks had I been walking around with the old HP tc1100 slate. Now that would have been something.

E-book readers are also everywhere you turn. I’ll have to address that down the road.

A la hora de diseñar los interiores la mayoría de marcas opta por encuestas, opiniones y entrevistas a los usuarios para determinar qué materiales y con qué texturas se fabricarán los acabados, obviamente teniendo bien presente los costes. Sin embargo Ford comienza a utilizar otro “público” objetivo para esta tarea.

Se trata de RUTH (Unidad Robotizada de Tacto y Sensibilidad), un robot que permite parametrizar la sensibilidad, aspereza, textura, suavidad y otros valores clásicos del tacto de los materiales para tomar las decisiones al respecto de su fabricación. . Reproduce los movimientos de un conductor tradicional, emula las acciones más comunes como cambiar de marcha, de sintonía y demás para tomar decisiones al respecto.

• Medida de la resistencia que ofrecen los mandos y botones para así garantizar la medida justa. El robot también compara diferentes mandos para garantizar que la resistencia es la misma.
• Determinar la suavidad y textura de las superficies, como por ejemplo el salpicadero, para asegurarse de que se encuentran dentro de las preferencias de los clientes.
• Toma de temperatura de los componentes para adecuarse a las expectativas. Por ejemplo, las superficies que parecen metálicas deberán transmitir frío para aumentar la percepción de calidad.
• Medición del espacio entre piezas para reducir los huecos y ofrecer un aspecto compacto.

La ciencia y la innovación han ido sustituyendo mano de obra de los procesos de fabricación por maquinaria. Este caso es un ejemplo más del inexorable avance del tiempo en el sector del automóvil.

Fuente | Ford

Following the announcment of Heavy Rain’s release date, Sony has affirmed that they’re still planning to release a demo to give prospective buyers an idea of what the game’s all about.

When Microsoft announced that there would be new content coming to Modern Warfare 2—and the Xbox 360 would get it first—gamers had one of two reactions. People with 360s were excited, while other gamers complained that Microsoft seemed to be yet again locking down content by writing large checks. At CES we sat down with Microsoft’s Aaron Greenberg, and asked about the business of getting exclusive content.

“I think about it like a sports team, when you sign a star athlete for your team… when you sign that free agent, I think it makes your team better. At the end of the day, we want to turn as many people as possible into Xbox 360 fans.”

Greenberg talks about Microsoft’s line-up of exclusive content this year as being incredibly strong. “And then to say, on top of that, to take the biggest game of last year, and be the exclusive place you can get that downloadable content first, I think that’s a big deal. That’s a big reason you’d want to buy an Xbox 360 instead of another console. So we think from a business standpoint that’s part of the reason more people are buying the Xbox 360, more people are on Xbox Live, it’s part of the reason more people are buying Modern Warfare 2—more than two to one our box vs. the PS3.”

He points out the “bet” Microsoft put on Modern Warfare 2, by putting out the custom console and showing it off at E3, and says now Microsoft wants to follow up that trend by offering the content first.

Will any of this convince gamers that are angry that Microsoft isn’t simply throwing money around? It’s doubtful. The fact remains, however, that you’ll have to own a Microsoft console if you want to play the newest Modern Warfare 2 content first. That’s a powerful selling point.

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MobilityMinded have published part 5 of their video review of the LG eXpo.  In this episode they demo the projector in what appears to be relatively bright conditions, which the small device appears to handle pretty well.

Read more at MobilityMinded.com

Guest contributor: Karen Collins, M.S., R.D., C.D.N.
Karen Collins holds a B.S. degree from Purdue and an M.S. degree from Cornell, both in nutrition. When she’s not writing or speaking, she conducts a private nutrition practice in Jamestown, New York.

Q: I’m confused by the changing headlines about low-fat diets for weight control. What’s the best advice?

The bottom line is that reducing dietary fat is a successful strategy for weight control only to the extent that it helps achieve the crucial goal of controlling calorie consumption. A study in the New England Journal of Medicine testing effectiveness of equally reduced-calorie diets — whether low or high in fat, low or high in carbohydrate, and average or high in protein — showed no difference in weight loss.

Two large studies looked at whether the proportion of calories coming from fat and the type of fat made any significant difference in weight gain. One study showed no difference, while the other suggested that greater consumption of animal fat or saturated fat might increase weight gain.

Even though evidence is not conclusive, we do know that fat is our most concentrated source of calories, so reducing consumption of high-fat foods and added fat is still a valuable tool for cutting calories, as long as the calories from high-fat choices are not replaced by other foods.

Q: Is it true that tea is actually higher in caffeine than coffee?

No. On average, caffeine content of brewed black or green tea is about half that of brewed coffee, although levels of caffeine in both coffee and tea vary somewhat depending on how they are brewed.

Tea brewed extremely strong may contain caffeine amounts approaching that of coffee, but is unlikely to exceed it. Brewing time seems to overcome any differences in caffeine content between varieties of tea.

Decaffeinated coffee and tea contain very small amounts of caffeine, usually 2 to 10 milligrams in a 6-ounce cup. Herbal teas generally contain no detectable caffeine.

Moderate caffeine consumption is generally defined as no more than 300 milligrams per day. This allows up to 3 8-ounce cups of regular coffee or 6 8-ounce cups of regular tea (perhaps 7 cups of green tea), unless you are getting additional caffeine from soft drinks, dark chocolate or over-the-counter medications.

(This article was provided by the American Institute for Cancer Research in Washington, D.C. A registered dietician is available to respond to questions about diet, nutrition, and cancer at the free AICR Hotline at 1 (800) 843-8114 during business hours.)

From the RSS feed of CalorieLab News (REF3076322B7)

The truth about low-fat diets and caffeine in tea and coffee

The war on terror is back, though the story has moved from Afghanistan (which is ostensibly now in nation-building mode) to Yemen, which up until recently, many Americans probably had never heard of.

Asia Times has an excellent overview of the situation written by former Indian ambassador M K Bhadrakumar. What’s most interesting is his analysis of Yemen through the lens of the broader tension between the US and China.

Most important, however, for US global strategies will be the massive gain of control of the port of Aden in Yemen. Britain can vouchsafe that Aden is the gateway to Asia. Control of Aden and the Malacca Strait will put the US in an unassailable position in the “great game” of the Indian Ocean. The sea lanes of the Indian Ocean are literally the jugular veins of China’s economy. By controlling them, Washington sends a strong message to Beijing that any notions by the latter that the US is a declining power in Asia would be nothing more than an extravagant indulgence in fantasy.

In the Indian Ocean region, China is increasingly coming under pressure. India is a natural ally of the US in the Indian Ocean region. Both disfavor any significant Chinese naval presence. India is mediating a rapprochement between Washington and Colombo that would help roll back Chinese influence in Sri Lanka. The US has taken a u-turn in its Myanmar policy and is engaging the regime there with the primary intent of eroding China’s influence with the military rulers. The Chinese strategy aimed at strengthening influence in Sri Lanka and Myanmar so as to open a new transportation route towards the Middle East, the Persian Gulf and Africa, where it has begun contesting traditional Western economic dominance.

China is keen to whittle down its dependence on the Malacca Strait for its commerce with Europe and West Asia. The US, on the contrary, is determined that China remains vulnerable to the choke point between Indonesia and Malaysia.

An engrossing struggle is breaking out. The US is unhappy with China’s efforts to reach the warm waters of the Persian Gulf through the Central Asian region and Pakistan. Slowly but steadily, Washington is tightening the noose around the neck of the Pakistani elites – civilian and military – and forcing them to make a strategic choice between the US and China. This will put those elites in an unenviable dilemma. Like their Indian counterparts, they are inherently “pro-Western” (even when they are “anti-American”) and if the Chinese connection is important for Islamabad, that is primarily because it balances perceived Indian hegemony.

Read the whole story at Asia Times — >

Join the conversation about this story »

See Also:

• US Opens Third Front Of War: Yemen
• China Stunned As Japan Makes Shock Island Announcement In Key Economic Zone
• Terror And The Law: 10 Must-Read Books

The Bed Wedge is often called the reading pillow or husband pillow. This pillow is a nice product to have. My spouse and I often read for a few minutes in bed at night and I always use my wedge. Basically you stand it up and put it against the wall or headboard. I used to lay on my back and hold a book up but my arms were tired in a matter of minutes. Then you end up putting it on your stomach or knees with your head in extreme flexion. Shortly after, that becomes uncomfortable, so you lay on your side with your head cocked to the side. That is also short lived so you roll on your stomach with your forearms under your chin or upper body…And you guessed it, that doesn’t last long either. Now you are wide awake and have lost your page multiple times.

Then I discovered a simple cure – the Bed Wedge. Not only is it a must for others who like to read in bed like myself, I has a couple other great uses too. Lay it down so the angle isn’t steep but long and it will help you stay propped up. This is especially helpful in acid refux disorders or if you have a hiatal hernia. I have also had patients who suffer with dizziness use the bed wedge to stay more upright while sleeping. You can buy a craft-matic mattress (one that has a remote to elevate it) and spend thousands, or just use the bed wedge pillow.

Yet another great use is as a knee elevator. Place it under the knees for releasing tension in the low back. Flexion in the legs keep the hamstring, gluteus muscles, and lower back muscles relaxed, which is why so many people like this. The triangular shape allows your legs to rest comfortable instead of fighting to get a regular pillow in the right spot.

Additional Reading Resources:

• Stop the Neck Pain E-Book
• Positioning Products for Pain Relief
• The Bed Wedge
• Which Sleeping Position is Best For you?
• 6 Tips to Get Better Sleep
• Exercises to Cure Dizziness and Vertigo

Bookmark this on Delicious Stumble It!

Visit Arc4life.com for your online selection of cervical support neck pillows, positioning products and Home cervical traction units. Products for pain relief.

Visit us on the Web at Arc4life.com

Filed under: Apple Corporate, Rumors

More from the rumor mill: It appears that suppliers for Apple have already begun shipping touchscreen panels and will begin shipping aluminum casings for the much-anticipated-but-unannounced Apple “tablet” next month. This, according to Reuters, implies a Q2 product launch, right in line with what other predictions have been.

Supplying the cases is AVY Precision Technology, and both TPK Solutions and Wintek Corp are supplying the touch screen panels. All companies are based out of Taiwan.

TPK, through its German counterpart, Balda, was the initial supplier for the iPhone touch screen module. It’s unknown whether Balda is currently involved or whether Apple went directly to TPK.

The flow of information through Apple’s suppliers has always been sparse, due to Apple’s stranglehold on its own product message. Competition in the Taiwanese electronic component industry is fierce, keeping individual manufacturers toeing the line with Apple. But now that components are actually shipping, it’s harder to hide how things are shaping up for the as-yet-unannounced product.

TUAWRumor: Tablet set for Q2 launch, manufacturers ramp up originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Sat, 09 Jan 2010 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you’re a skeptic, you probably already know about the comedy musician Tim Minchin. He is simply brilliant, writing fantastic music about critical thinking. He was at TAM London and basically owned the place.

Skepchick Tracy King is overseeing the creation of an animated version of Tim’s absolutely fantastic song “Storm”, about a skeptic at a dinner party who runs into a woman who believes anything as long as it isn’t real. The song is incredible, and the animation looks to be as well: they just released the official trailer.

It’s notoriously difficult to know if a video will go viral or not, but keep your eyes on this. When it’s finished, it’ll be big.