Technology Up To Date

Do you remember a ‘Connected Watch’ concept called ‘Meta Watch’? So now another concept idea has been offered by the Nokia Research Centre called “Nenya”. Now you are able to control your phone just by twisting your ring. It looks like any other ring but it’s completely magnetic, can be moved from left to right in 8 different settings and changes functions while you move the ring. The magnetic ring connects to a bracelet which is in turn connected to your phone via Bluetooth.

Who says a good surveillance system needs to be expensive? Whether you want to protect your kids at home or monitor your company’s production line at the factory, you can always find a good video surveillance system with all the features you need. More suppliers are offering surveillance systems to wider market segment, making the overall price of available surveillance systems even more affordable. Even so, you can still apply these next few simple tips we are about to discuss to save even more money on surveillance systems.

Before you get quotes, make sure you understand exactly the kind of surveillance systems you need. You may be tempted to get an extensive system with 8 security cameras and a DVR recording server, but you can actually save a lot of money by buying the right system that fits your needs and wants perfectly; if you only need a system with 4 cameras, for example, you can certainly save almost 50% on getting the system compared to getting the extensive one.

You need to actively ask for discounts when dealing with the supplier you choose to engage. Suppliers tend to give you additional discounts when you ask for them because they want your business. You can get up to 10% of discount just by asking for it, allowing you to save even more money on the surveillance system you are getting.

Last but not least, consider buying a group surveillance package if you are covering more than one property. This will get you the kind of surveillance system you need without spending too much money in the process. You can also have additional features such as off-site monitoring and auto-archiving of security video footage without having to spend extra money to get them. Apply these tips and you will save a lot of money getting the right surveillance system for your property.

The University of Toronto, a world-leading research university, announces a breakthrough development in video camera design. The Omni-focus Video Camera, based on an entirely new distance-mapping principle, delivers automatic real-time focus of both near and far field images, simultaneously, in high resolution. This unprecedented capability can be broadly applied in industry, including manufacturing, medicine, defence, security — and for the consumer market.

Inventor and principal investigator of the Omni-focus Video Camera, Professor Keigo Iizuka of electrical and computer engineering, explained that “the intensity of a point source decays with the inverse square of the distance of propagation. This variation with distance has proven to be large enough to provide depth mapping with high resolution. What’s more, by using two point sources at different locations, the distance of the object can be determined without the influence of its surface texture.” This principle led Iizuka to invent a novel distance-mapping camera, the Divergence-ratio Axi-vision Camera, abbreviated “Divcam,” which is a key component of the new Omni-focus Video Camera.

The Omni-focus Video Camera is produced in collaboration with consulting investigator David Wilkes, president of Wilkes Associates, a Canadian high-tech product development company. It contains an array of colour video cameras, each focused at a different distance, and an integrated Divcam. The Divcam maps distance information for every pixel in the scene in real time. A software-based pixel correspondence utility, using prior intellectual property invented by Wilkes, then uses the distance information to select individual pixels from the ensemble of outputs of the colour video cameras and generates the final “omni-focused” single-video image.

“The Omni-focus Video Camera’s unique ability to achieve simultaneous focus of all of the objects in a scene, near or far, multiple or single, without the usual physical movement of the camera’s optics represents a true advancement that is further distinguished in terms of high-resolution, distance mapping, real-time operation, simplicity, compactness, lightweight portability and a projected low manufacturing cost,” said Wilkes.

The camera is still in the research phase. But it’s not difficult to imagine how far-reaching an impact the Omni-focus Video Camera could have on several industries. As for the future direction of his research, Iizuka sees the following possibilities:

(1) Application of the Omni-focus Video Camera to TV studio cameras. Consider the example of a musical concert being televised by a major network. Even though the singer is in sharp focus, band members in the background are invariably out of focus. Conventional video cameras are unable to focus simultaneously on both the singer and band members in the background. The Omni-focus Video Camera removes this limitation to deliver higher-quality video images and improved quality of experience to potentially millions of TV viewers worldwide.

(2) Application of the Omni-focus Video Camera to medicine. “I’d like to apply the principle of the Omni-focus Video Camera to the design of a laparoscope. It would help doctors at the operating table if they can see the entire view without touching optics of the laparoscope, especially if dealing with a large lesion,” said Iizuka.

via http://www.news.utoronto.ca/

Some people still consider video production one of the miracles which can be done only by a limited group of people. But in fact it is not write. Today practically everyone can become a famous after shooting his own video.

The only thing which is required to do that is your personal desire and special equipment which can be bought practically everywhere.

For example, you may require av tools which give an opportunity to work with your videos because you will have to convert your videos to different formats. In this case it would be a great idea to buy audio video extenders or dual dvi processor. Anther this which is required to work in video production is special software with the help of which you are given a possibility to add different effects and graphics. Afterwards you will be able to record a DVD or post these videos on your personal blog because your would like other people know more about your desires and interests. You see that today practically everyone can start creating his own videos using computer software and special equipment. Everything is quiet simple. Is not it?

No doubdt the first consumer-oriented convertible notebook based on a multitouch technology HP’s Touchsmart tx2 is the perfect New Year gift to yourself. The 12.1-inch screen uses a capacitive touchpanel that can track two points simultaneously, operates with fingers or a stylus, and comes with the Mediasmart 2.0 interface customized for the notebook.

Experience intuitive, two-finger control of entertainment within HP

MediaSmart.

• Enjoy music, photos, movies and TV programs within HP MediaSmart.
• Get fast, direct access to an HP tx2 Support Specialist @ 866.408.5408
• Twist the display up to 180° to share content and watch films — or fold it flat for writing.
• Surf the Web(15) and use applications intuitively by touching the screen with a finger.
• True Tablet PC: Write, draw and erase accurately with the included pen.
• Simplify your password management with the optional integrated fingerprint reader.
• Engage in live video chat using the HP Webcam(15) and integrated microphone.
• Enjoy the ultimate audio entertainment experience with SRS Premium Sound.
* All disclaimers shown on the bottom of page 2.
KEY SPECS
• AMD Athlon™ X2 Dual-Core Processor QL-64 (2.1 GHz, 1MB L2 Cache) (3)(4)(5)(6)(7) OR,
AMD Athlon™ X2 Dual-Core Processor QL-62 (2.0 GHz, 1MB L2 Cache (3)(4)(5)(6)(7) OR,
AMD Turion™ X2 Dual-Core Mobile Processor RM-74 (2.2GHz, 1MB L2 cache) (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)OR,
AMD Turion™ X2 Dual-Core Mobile Processor RM-72 (2.1GHz, 1MB L2 cache) (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)
• Genuine Windows Vista® Ultimate(1) (2) OR,
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium(1) (2)OR,
Genuine Windows Vista® Business(1) (2)
12.1-inch diagonal WXGA (1280 x 800), Integrated touch-screen, Convertible display
• ATI Radeon™ HD 3200(9) available
• Up to 8GB DDR2 SDRAM System Memory (2 SODIMM; 64-bit OS)
• 160/250/320/400G/500B(8) 5400 rpm SATA
• SuperMulti 8X DVD±R/RW with Double Layer Support(10) (11) OR,
LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD±RW with Double Layer Support(10) (11) (12)
• 802.11b/g WLAN OR,
802.11b/g WLAN and Bluetooth(15) OR,
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n WLAN(14) OR,
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n with Bluetooth(14) (15)

Obviously everybody has a digital photo frame these days. Once when the source I kept all my photos fell down I found that Cibox Digital Photo Frame is really perfect solutions to avoid just the usual kind of such troubles. If you want to be always enjoy with your photos and never loose them you may choose Photo Frame that will keep your pictures flipping up all day over, displaying both JPEG and BMP pictures Also this smart, nice looking gadget can play video files, as well as showing the time and date. It is really a Jack of all trades!

This is perfect way to keep your photos ready to hand to say nothing of possibility to give your most cherished photographic memories a permanent place on your desk, show off all your best photos on a single frame, easy and quick display your digital photos in style, use state-of-the-art technology to view your personal photos, display them beautifully, in perfect color and with all the features of professional prints. Besides that elegant Photo Frame will look definitely awesome on any office desktop or living room mantelpiece.

There are 10 physical the most essential security measures every organization should take, if you haven’t already done so of course.

#1: Lock up the server room
The server room is the heart of your physical network, and someone with physical access to the servers, switches, routers, cables and other devices in that room can do enormous damage.

#2: Set up surveillance
No doubt you need a way to know who goes in and out and when.
A better solution than the log book is an authentication system incorporated into the locking devices, so that a smart card, token, or biometric scan is required to unlock the doors, and a record is made of the identity of each person who enters.

A video surveillance camera, placed in a location that makes it difficult to tamper with or disable (or even to find) but gives a good view of persons entering and leaving should supplement the log book or electronic access system. Surveillance cams can monitor continuously, or they can use motion detection technology to record only when someone is moving about. They can even be set up to send e-mail or cell phone notification if motion is detected when it shouldn’t be (such as after hours).

#3: Make sure the most vulnerable devices are in that locked room
Because it’s not just the servers you have to worry about. A hacker can plug a laptop into a hub and use sniffer software to capture data traveling across the network.
#4: Use rack mount servers
Rack mount servers not only take up less server room real estate; they are also easier to secure.
#5: Don’t forget the workstations
Hackers can use any unsecured computer that’s connected to the network to access or delete information that’s important to your business.

#6: Keep intruders from opening the case
Both servers and workstations should be protected from thieves who can open the case and grab the hard drive.

#7: Protect the portables
Handhelds can be locked in a drawer or safe or just slipped into a pocket and carried on your person when you leave the area. Motion sensing alarms such as the one at SecurityKit.com are also available to alert you if your portable is moved.

#8: Pack up the backups
Backing up important data is an essential element in disaster recovery, but don’t forget that the information on those backup tapes, disks, or discs can be stolen and used by someone outside the company..

Don’t overlook the fact that some workers may back up their work on floppy disks, USB keys, or external hard disks. If this practice is allowed or encouraged, be sure to have policies requiring that the backups be locked up at all times.

#9: Disable the drives
If you don’t want employees copying company information to removable media, you can disable or remove floppy drives, USB ports, and other means of connecting external drives.

#10: Protect your printers
You might not think about printers posing a security risk, but many of today’s printers store document contents in their own on-board memories. Also think about the physical security of documents that workers print out, especially extra copies or copies that don’t print perfectly and may be just abandoned at the printer or thrown intact into the trash can where they can be retrieved.
You have to remember that network security starts at the physical level. All the firewalls in the world won’t stop an intruder who is able to gain physical access to your network and computers, so lock up as well as lock down.

An international science team from Penn State University in the United States and the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom has developed a process for growing a single-crystal semiconductor inside the tunnel of a hollow optical fiber, physorg.com reports. The device adds new electronic capabilities to optical fibers, whose performance in electronic devices such as computers typically is degraded by the interface between the fiber and the device.

“For most applications, single-crystal semiconductor materials have better performance than polycrystalline and amorphous materials,” said John Badding, associate professor of chemistry at Penn State. “We have now shown that our technique of encasing a single-crystal semiconductor within an optical fiber results in greater functionality of the optical fiber, as well.”

The team used a high-pressure fluid-liquid-solid approach to build the crystal inside the fiber. First, the scientists deposited a tiny plug of gold inside the fiber by exposing a gold compound to laser light. Next, they introduced silane, a compound of silicon and hydrogen, in a stream of high-pressure helium. When the fiber was heated, the gold acted as a catalyst, decomposing the silane and thus allowing silicon to deposit as a single crystal behind the moving gold catalyst particle, forming a single-crystal wire inside the fiber.

“The key to joining two technologies lies not only in the materials, but also in how the functions are built in,” said Pier Sazio, senior research fellow in the Optoelectronics Research Centre at the University of Southampton. “We were able to embed a nanostructured crystal into the hollow tube of an optical fiber to create a completely new type of composite device.”

The research team sees potential to carry the application to the next level. “At present, we still have electrical switches at both ends of the optical fiber,” said Badding. “If we can get to the point where the electrical signal never leaves the fiber, it will be faster and more efficient.”

sourse: www.physorg.com