Two A.I. Chatbots Talk to Each Other

We already know we can create quite amazing artificial intelligence programs capable of talking with a high degree of realism. But... what if we took one of those A.I. chatbots and made it talk to itself?

That's exactly what Cornell's Creative Machines Lab did, and the result can be seen in the following video.

CyanogenMod on the HP TouchPad

With the current "terminated" HP TouchPads being sold at an irresistible price (just $99), these tablets have become one of the hottest gadgets on the market. Everyone wants one, and - at these price ranges - it means the "hacking" community can toy around with it and put them to good use. So, even if WebOS might not have a bright future ahead, how do you feel about having your TouchPad running Android Honeycomb?

It's still very early in the development stage, but to prove it's possible, here's an HP TouchPad booting the popular CM7.

iPad Quad-Core Arrives in Late 2012

Evolution took us from single core to dual and quad core processors (and more), and it now is doing the same in the mobile arena. Apple has recently introduced their first mobile dual core chip - the A5 - in the iPad 2 (and soon, in the upcoming iPhone 5), but they're already working in the next generation A6 quad-core chip, based on the ARM Cortex A9 Quadcore.

This chip should allow Apple to battle Nvidia's upcoming Tegra 3 quad-core chips, and the new offering from other manufacturers - but unlike most of them, which will be done using a 40nm process, Apple's A6 will be built by TSMC in a much more efficient 28nm process. This will allow Apple's mobile CPU to be smaller, cheaper, more power efficient, and faster.

The "problem" is that these new chips should only be ready for mass production in the second half of 2012, forcing Apple to skip (or change) their usual yearly update cycle.
Considering this year's new iPhone presentation has already faced an unusual delay, maybe Apple will simply do the same with next year's iPad. That would also give them some extra time to solve their new iPad Retina Display production issues.

On the other hand, Amazon's low cost tablet is expected to arrive in the upcoming weeks, and it can certainly make a dent in the Tablet market - unless Apple is already planning a new low cost iPad (just like the rumors that talk about a new low cost iPhone model).

Storm Tracking Apps and Sites

With millions of people worrying about an impeding hurricane, nothing like using all the available tech to get updated info that might help you minimize damage and - ultimately - even save your life.

Besides FEMA website, you can gives these ones a try:

• National Hurricane Center
• Weather.com
• Weather Underground
• My Weather
• Google Crysis Response
• Stormpulse

But, nothing like having all this data in your pocket whenever you need it, and that's why you can give these Weather and Storm Tracking Apps a try:

iPhone:

• Hurricane HD App
• Nixle
• The Weather Channel Max
• Weather Alert USA
• RadarScope
• HD 4Cast
• WeatherBug Elite

Android:

• Hurricane Hound 
• Hurricane Hub
• My Weather Mobile 

Hope you'll find it useful.

Windows 8 to get Better File Copy Management

It might have taken them more than a decade, but it seems Microsoft is finally willing to enhance one of the most basic - but important - operating system's functions that left so much to be desired in windows: file copy management.

Instead of each file copy operation having its own window, file operations are now grouped under a single windows - where we can finally have a "broad view" regarding what's happening on our system. Better yet, you can not only pause, resume and cancel each operation - but you can visualize its progress as well.

Also, when conflicts arise, you can now preview files with the same names in order to select which ones to keep - all without having to leave the dialog window.

It's one of those things that should have been done since the time of Windows 95/98, but... I guess it's better late than never, right?

Steve Jobs Resigns - The End of an Era

Loved by many, hated by some, Steve Jobs is one of the most mediatic figures in the technological arena in the past decades. And now, he finally steps down from the company he founded in 1976 with Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne (this one, someone that will certainly regret having left the company when he did). Yes, Steve has stepped down from CEO at Apple.

In its letter to the board and the Apple community, Jobs thanks everyone - including the best friends he made at Apple - and recommends Tim Cook as his successor.

But, as we can see in the updated Board of Directors, Steve will still be closely linked to Apple in his new role as Chairman of the Board. (And sources say he'll still be actively involved in the development of "new stuff").

It's just that, this way, he'll be able to keep playing is role as a visionary without having to worry about the daily management tasks a CEO has to deal with. In that sense, nothing will really change at Apple, as this is exactly what's been happening for some time now, ever since Steve's health became an issue, and Tim Cook took over running the operations - but without the "official title" of CEO that he'll now get.

With a very long tradition of inovative devices, from the Macs to the iMacs, MacBook Airs, and not to mention the now almost forgotten iPod; Steve Jobs will certainly be remembered as the father of the iPhone and the iPad.
The first one, a smartphone that shook up the market, in a time where the telecommunication giants would laugh about the tought of a computer company trying to meddle its way into "their" market.
The second one, the first real-life, working, affordable tablet that will change the way people interact with information and computers - a change we're still only experiencing it first effects, but which are certain to become increasingly noticeable in the future.

If changing the world was in Job's "to do" list, I think we can agree that task can certainly be marked as "done".


What will come next for Apple?

Though no one will ever be able to replace the "visionary", Apple will keep chugging along as it has done in the past couple of years - not forgetting that Jobs already played a minor CEO role due to his health condition, and Cook was actually the man keeping things running.

With Apple becoming the most valuable company in the world (having more "cash" the the Government of the USA and the 30 biggest European Banks), Steve steps down in just the right moment, completely satisfied of having done his job. Let's just hope the company won't go downhill from here on.

Here's Steve's letter, for posterity:

To the Apple Board of Directors and the Apple Community:

I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come.

I hereby resign as CEO of Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board sees fit, as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee.

As far as my successor goes, I strongly recommend that we execute our succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO of Apple.

I believe Apple”s brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role.

I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you.
Steve

Samsung Recalls 2001 as Defense to Apple

With Apple and Samsung intertwined in a "copycat-lookalikes" patent battle regarding their tablets, Samsung decided to take one step back in time and travel to the now distant year of 1968, the year Kubrick adapted Arthur C. Clarke's sci-fi classic 2001 - A Space Odyssey to the big screen deu um salto ao passado em busca de uma defesa histórica.

In that movie, nearly 40 years before anyone would ever know what an "iPad" would be, two astronauts are eating while having two tablet like devices on their table: device that are flat, thin, and screens using up most of the frontal surface - in short: tablets!

So, let's hope this will show just how moronic the USA patent system has become, allowing for a number of design patents (and more) to be patented, that in fact were already conceptualized years - or decades - ago; therefore invalidating any patent claim.

Let's see how this proceeds, and if sci-fi movies will begin to serve as anti-patent weapons in this mad-patent-battle world.

Low Cost iPhone in the Making?

Besides the growing rumors that the next iPhone will be a world-phone, compatible with both CDMA and GSM mobile networks - and avoiding the two different models currently in existance - some say the low-cost iPhone is real and is already in the making.

Some suppliers say a new "low cost" iPhone with just 8GB is already in production and it will serve as a more economic offering in Apple's - until now unique- iPhone catalog. Sure, the iPhone is a big success in all the markets around the world, but there are many more emerging countries where low cost smartphones are becoming a technological and social revolution; countries where the $500+ iPhones have no chance of getting to the majority of the population.

With a $200-$300 iPhone model - while still "expensive" compared to lower cost Android Phones - Apple will then have a more accessible offering that can become a major weapon in attracting millions more customers. Such a lower cost iPhone could even be offered for free in subsidized contracts, making it even more attractive for low income end-users.

Guess we'll know what Apple is planning in the upcoming weeks.

Image Stabilization Lens

Ever wondered what happens when you toggle the image stabilization switch on your camera on? While some cameras use electronic image stabilization, the real deal is the optical image stabilization done in the lens (altough some systems use a moving sensor to achieve a similar effect - and therefore working with any lens).

But, that doesn't stop us from being amazed with what's going on inside a IS (Image Stabilization) Lens, like is show in the following video (a 18-55 Canon Zoom Lens).


Image Stabilization Revealed from Camera Technica on Vimeo.

Poster Printer - Print in Multiple Pages

Although large format printing is now cheaper and usually is just a drive away from your nearest printing house or shopping mall, there are still times where you might wish to do a larger scale printing using your current printer.

If you're using Windows, you might want to try this old but trusteful Poster Printer. It works by creating a virtual printer you can use to print whatever you want zooming it to as many pages as you want.
Then you just need to cut and paste the pages to form the final, large scale, assembly and marvel at your creation.

Working as a virtual printer has the advantage of working with any program you might have. If, on the other hand, you just need to blow up an image (not a word document, or other kind of file), you might also try this Easy Poster Printer.

... Just be sure you don't waste any more paper than you actually need to. It's quite easy to get carried away and start printing pages after pages of large-scale "puzzles". :)

V-REP Virtual Robot Experimentation Platform

For lots of people (myself included) there almost something magical about robots, and that's something that accompanies us since we were children. Unfortunately, its a fascination that is often relied to the imagination realm, as it isn't very common for anyone to have robots to tinker with around the house (though Lego Technics and similar "toys" have made it far more accessible than ever before).

But, even those "toys" are usually quite expensive. Wouldn't it be great if one could play around with high-quality robotic systems without spending a single cent? That's exactly what you can do with: V-REP (Virtual Robot Experimentation Platform).

As its name implies, the software provides an unlimited proving ground for you to try out any robotic contraption your mind can come up with. And as you can see in the following demo video, there really are no limits to what it can do:




And before you think this is only "virtual", check out this video where V-REP is interfaced to an Wiimote and webcam, allowing you to control a virtual robot with very real and physical movements.




So... what are you waiting for? I dare you to come up with a better Mars rover design than the one Nasa is currently planning on sending to the red planet. Who knows?... Maybe you'll might be able to teach them a trick or two... :)

Animaps - Create Your Animated Google Maps

Ever wished you could create animated Google Maps? That's exactly what you can do with Animaps, and it can be done by anyone - no need to scratch your head looking into complicated APIs.

As you can see in this Animaps showcase you can create and animate simple callouts, placement pin, icons, routes, areas... you name it. I can imagine just how much such a tool would prove useful for interactive presentations at school back in my days.

But even today, I'm sure there are lots of students - and lots other people - that will put it to good use. And no one can deny it sure beats having a static Powerpoint presentation boring viewers to death! ;)

From Couch to 5KM in 9 Weeks

Ok, this is not about technology... but it's about something even more important: your health.

It's no secret most of spend most of our days sitting in front of a computer... and when we get home we go sit still more in front of another computer or TV screen. And, the truth is... we weren't designed to be sitting and still for so long. Sitting for more than a couple of hours is enough to dramatically raise your chances of health problems in the long run. (So, even if you take just a quick walk to drink some water every 60 minutes... do it!)

But, I dare you to do even more: I dare you to go out and run! In fact, let's make that 5km in under 30 minutes! (that's about 3.10 miles)

No matter what shape you're in, and if the last time you ran was a decade ago in high school, here's a very simple program that allows you to do that: the couch to 5Km program.

Truth be told, I don't really like running. I'm more of a fast walking kind of guy. But thanks to some "annoying" friends that were constantly teasing me to run with them, I finally joined them.

My first results were definitely not impressive, they had to run loops so they didn't leave me behind. But, slowly, week after week, I have to admit I highly enjoyed watching my results improve, to the point I was actually beating my goal of running the 5K in under 30 minutes. (And for that, nothing like using an App like RunKeeper to keep track of it all :)

And what I can tell you is: it isn't easy; but it sure gets kind of addictive!
(Not to mention all the good health related things that come with it. :)

Google+ gets Games

It was just a matter of time, but many people - myself included - thought it would take Google a little while longer to bring games to Google+. Well... we were wrong: Google+ games are here.

For now you can expect games such as: Angry Birds, Bejeweled, Bubble Island, Crime City, Sudoku, etc.

And although you won't find Farmville nor Cityville, Zynga is definitely making an appearance with their Zynga Poker, which means that, before you know it, one of their blockbusters might show up on Google+.

Google is currently rolling out this new games feature in Google+ gradually, so... it will show up on your Google+ page sooner or later.

File and Folder Sync and Backup

Tired of manually managing multiple copies between different computers, hard drives, USB Pen drives, etc? Always worrying you'll overwrite a more recent file with an older one, or forgetting to backup that photo folder you've just moved to your USB thumb drive?

I don't need to remind you just how important Backups are. At any moment, your computer hard drive or flash memory card might just decide not to work any more - leaving you with nothing but a panic attack. That's why it's so important to create a non-annoying backup routine you can follow every single day, that will ensure your more important digital data is always safe if/when things go wrong.

Back to the file and folder folder synchronization topic, on the top of the list I present you this amazing, free, and open-source program: Synkron (available for Windows, Mac, Linux . and in a portable version as well).

This Synkron is quite powerful and will certainly cater for any need you might have - just take a look at its advanced settings page and you'll see what I mean.

But even for the casual user, it will prove more than useful in synchronizing document folders to/from your external backup hard drives or USB pen drives.


Besides this Synkron, you might also give the following programs a try (nothing like trying a couple of them before deciding which best suits your needs):

• Syncplicity
• AllwaySync
• SyncBack

Fleet Commander

Space strategy games are nothing new, and there excellent ones out there right now. However, no one can deny that this is one kind of game that is perfectly suited to be played in a large multitouch screen - in fact, the bigger the better, as you can see in this Fleet Commander.

(This is one of the things that made me wish Microsoft's Surface table would be available at cheap affordable price back when it was first announced. As it is, I'm afraid this gaming area will soon be taken over by smartphones and tablets acting as controllers to games being played in our living room's TV screens.)

HTTPS Everywhere for Firefox

Often, the difference between putting your private data to risk and protecting it can be done by using a single extra letter when connecting to a web site. The most common protocol on the web is the http, and it works well for the most part - except it is a bit naive, as it assumes everything and everyone to be trustworthy.

These days we can never know who is listening to our streaming data zooming back and forth at the speed of light; and our personal details, bank account data, passwords, and lots more, become valuable info a lot of people would like to put their hands on.

This HTTPS Everywhere is a Firefox extension that will automatically use HTTPs connections for many sites that support it but keep using the unsecured connections by default.

Water at 7000fps

Because the most common things always look magical when recorded at high speed, check out these mesmerizing water droplets slowed down by a camera recording at 7000fps.


Team Ghost - High Hopes from 16ar on Vimeo.

Google Driverless Car Crashes

Looks like the driverless cars issue is about to heat up, now that one of Google's self-driving cars caused a chain car crash.

... But, before you go out touting these cars are a danger to society, you might want to know that at the time the car was being driven by a human driver. Yes, looks like the car would be better off by itself (unless it was a Volvo! :)

Apple's Logo Proportions

If you think Apple's logo was made up "by chance", than checkout the following analysis:

There's a lot of Golden Ratio going on in there, don't you think?

Video Calling on Skype for Android

It took them a while, but finally Skype for Android now enables video calling for a the majority of Android 2.2 devices (or so they say).

The officially supported devices now include the following:

• Acer A5
• HTC Desire (2.2)
• HTC Desire HD
• HTC Evo 3D
• HTC Evo 4G
• HTC Flyer
• HTC Incredible S
• HTC Sensation
• HTC Thunderbolt - Verizon (2.2) (US only)
• LG Revolution - Verizon (2.2) (US only)
• Samsung Droid Charge - Verizon (2.2) (US only)
• Samsung Galaxy S
• Samsung Galaxy S II
• Samsung Galaxy Tab
• Sony Ericsson Xperia mini pro
• Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY
• Sony Ericsson Xperia ray

But other than these, Skype says you should still be able to enable video calling in your Skype settings. ("Skype settings"-> "enable video calling").

But, it seems that even if you have a front faceing camera, non-supported devices might force you to use the back camera... which kind of make it a very lame video calling experience.

Layar Vision - (More) Augmented Reality

Remember the Layar Reality Browser that allows anyone to create their own augmented reality layers to overlap in the real world? Now they're about to take it one step further with the new Layar Vision.

The new system allows the creation of more immersive and interactive layers, such as sharing articles on a magazing, accessing special offers on a dinner menu, etc.

You just need to point your smartphone camera to an image to instantly access the extra features.

In the future, I imagine this kind of stuff to evolve into a standard that will allow any number of Apps to access this kind of "augmented reality" info - or better yet, they'll be integrated into the OS itself. But until that day comes, Layar sure is one of the most effective ways to accomplish it (and I wouldn't be surprised if one of these days one of the big "ones" - like Google, FB, etc. - tries to grab it while it's not to late.)

IsoStick - Optical Drive Emulator in a Pen Drive

It's not that hard to find great projects in KickStarter, a site that allows anyone to make their dream come true with the help of everyone. This IsoStick is one such project and will certainly appeal to everyone still lugging around boot CDs and DVDs.

Unlike the traditional "complexities" associated with booting ISOs from a USB drive, this IsoStick may look like a pen drive to you, but will be seen as a plain-old regular optical drive to your computer.

Better yet, you can copy multiple ISO files onto it, and you'll be presented with a ISO selection menu whenever you're booting from it.

It may not be cheap but... considering you've probably one of those guys/gals that spent well over $300 on your first CD-Rom Drive... it will help put this IsoStick cost into perspective, right? :)

Holiday Season 2011

Once again, the time comes for me to sail off into the sunset - just a figure of speech, though I wouldn't mind actually doing it - and enjoy a few weeks off.

I'll try to keep you guys posted on the latest new and the very best "secrets" I can find, but - please forgive me if you don't find anything posted for some days.

In any case, I think it's better to let you guys/gals know, in case someone would start worrying about what could have happened to me. :)