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Sunday, October 31, 2010
Google Wants to Drive Your Car
Google’s latest innovation is attempting to take the driver out of the driver’s seat.? After conquering the internet, and lately the world of smart phone operating systems with Android, Google is taking to the road.
Project leader Sebastian Thrun wrote on Google’s corporate blog, the goal of the research is to “help prevent traffic accidents, free up people’s time and reduce carbon emissions.”
The cars use video cameras and laser and radar technology to sense other traffic, construction or possible road blocks, and road signals.? They also used detailed maps that were gathered and drawn up using manned cars.
As the car’s computer system can respond to variables and emergencies faster than a human driver, the possibility to significantly reduce traffic accidents is exciting.? While the software needs to be monitored, and the cars themselves are never unmanned, it’s a huge leap forward in automotive technology.? The possibility of eliminating the human element in driving a car, making the road experience safer overall could trump all other safety devices, like air bags, and even seat belts.
Google fitted several Toyota Prius’s and an Audi TT with their latest technology.? And so far, the cars have driven a total of 140,000 miles on some of California’s major roads without a whole lot of human intervention.? In fact, seven of the company’s prototypes have driven 1,000 miles each without a human touching the controls at all.
Thrun’s blog even said the cars have navigated some of California’s most curvy and cliff side roads.
Google’s application of robotics for the self driving car could present a huge leap forward for the industry, which stands where the personal computer industry was 35 years ago – on the verge of an explosion in versatility and demand.
There has been no word on how Google intends to profit from this research, or how, when and if this technology will be made available to consumers.? While the technology could easily be marketed to the automotive industry, even optimists estimate its availability at least 8 years from now, and probably more.
Nokia Ipad Lawsuit
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IPad Coming to a WalMart Near You
Optimum7 is an Internet Marketing Company based in Morristown, NJ with offices in Miami, FL. Our primary focus is helping small to medium sized businesses achieve online marketing success. Click to Contact Us
Skype for Android…Finally!
Android users running version 2.1 or higher can finally use Skype on their phones.? Skype announced the expansion of its Voice over Internet Protocol services (which just means they offer telephone services using the internet’s connectivity system) to Android users nearly worldwide.
In the U.S., Skype users can currently only make calls using an operating Wi-Fi connection.? Verizon’s Android customers have been enjoying the use of Skype over a closed 3G gateway for quite some time.? The new version doesn’t require users to be Verizon customers and makes true VoIP calls.? There wasn’t much word on when, or if, Skype will eventually allow users to utilize its services over any 3 or 4G network and what that would entail.
The free app allows users to take advantage of most of Skype’s features, including free Skype-to-Skype calls worldwide.? It also lets users call mobile phones or landlines for a small fee assessed by Skype.? The app may even help cut down on pricey texting fees by texting between users.? It will also synchronize the user’s contact list with their address book to show who’s available for calling or texting.? When an existing Skype user downloads the new app they will conveniently find their full contact list automatically transferred to their mobile device.
While users can’t take advantage of Skype’s video capabilities via their cell phones and mobile devices just yet, it does allow you to be able to communicate for free with other Skype users without a computer.
Skype is having some difficulty with the app for Samsung Galaxy S users, and said they’re working to fix the bugs.? The new app was tested on the HTC Android with version 2.1, and worked well on that device.
The Skype app is not yet available to Android users in Japan or China.
It’s rumored the next version of Skype will focus on Facebook connectivity and functionality, although nothing has been confirmed.? Android and Skype users will just have to wait and see.
Android users can get the new Skype app from the Android marketplace, on Skype.com.
Yahoo’s New Search Engine
Yahoo’s search engine just got a face lift.? In an attempt to separate itself from other engines, Yahoo updated its software in a big way, making room for new additions in the future.
As far as what the new engine already has, the news, entertainment and sports sections were directly affected with new multimedia boxes that give the user all kinds of interactive options on the left side of the screen.? The features offer a more user friendly and convenient organization of important information like images, articles and even tweets.? Users will also be able to buy things like movie tickets through the new multimedia boxes.
To investigate these features, I searched Nicholas Sparks and the left side of my screen was totally revamped.? At the top was a “Quick Links” feature that has a direct link to Netflix where I could find any Nicholas Sparks tear jerker I wanted. I was given the option to make notes as I went – convenient when comparing or compiling research.? It also gives you a few of the top sites like Wikepiedia, IMDB, etc.? Additionally, there’s a list of related searches.? Mine came up with James Patterson, Jodi Piccoult, The Last Song, etc.
The Web interface has also been enhanced for iPhone, Android and other wireless users.? A new “Trending Now” slide show provides users with brief information on the most popular topics at that moment.? Tweaks to the image search feature also provide results in a slideshow format which can be viewed from Flicker and public Facebook albums.
However, real-time may be the name of the game for the future of Yahoo’s new search engine.? Yahoo’s 10-year relationship with Microsoft will allow Yahoo to use Bing – Microsoft’s search and search advertising engine.? This frees up space and money – $425 million to be exact – for Yahoo to focus on the possibility of developing real-time searches, technology that sites like Twitter already has.
For example, a real-time option in the future would allow Yahoo users to search for a hurricane about to strike South Florida and find a map of all Twitter users in that area and read their first-hand account of what is happening.? Of course, this hypothetical situation assumes users have cell phone service and can update their tweets during and after the storm, but you get the idea.
So, hold on to your hats as Yahoo takes advantage of its new found space and funds.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Angry Birds is Coming to Android
Love your Android phone, but hate that your addiction to the game Angry Birds makes you harbor some resentment for it?? Well, worry no longer!? In just a few weeks Android users will have a full version of the application at their fingertips.? Angry Birds has been on the top of Apple’s paid applications list for a long time, and Android users have had to settle for a lite version that only has 15 levels.? Not for too much longer though!
The wildly popular app is a typical destroy the castle type of game.? The story behind the game is the pigs stole the bird’s eggs, and the birds are attempting to rescue them with your help.? You’re equipped with an angry bird and a sling shot.? There are six varieties of angry birds, each with special abilities, which can be acquired as you progress through the game.? The goal is to perfect your aim to get at the pigs inside the structure and cause the most destruction.? Points and stars are awarded for getting the job done using fewer birds or being overly destructive.? Visit youtube.com for a full trailer of the game.
With Android’s wide range of screen sizes, developers are finding programming difficult. That’s what they are pointing to as the reason for the delay.
Once finished, the app will be very similar to the iPhone version, but will not include the “mighty eagle” plug-in.? Not all devices support apps with in-app purchase options.
Future versions of the game may allow users to transfer game files between devices.? iPhone and iPad users have been bugging for this feature, however Android phones make sharing files and data much easier.? So, the feature may be available on the Android front sooner than iPhone and iPad.
For those who just can’t wait for the full version, get the lite version for free at the Android marketplace. The lite version runs as a beta, and developers are asking users to report any problems, so they can be repaired in the full version of the game.
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