Latest Inventions

posted by admin on Feb 16

There has been so much going on so far this year - and we are only in it by around 6 weeks!

So, let’s start with the question that is on everyone’s lips since the iPad was launched and the Kindle wanted to get bigger: so read Tabitha Mcivers article 25 Essential Free iPhone Apps to “Kindle-ize” Your iPhone to save you some money on upgrades if you can resist these new gadgets!

Shakira Dawn joins in the debate too with a great use for one of this years greatest releases: The Clinical iPad? 25 Ways Tablet PCs Are Used in Healthcare.

Another current topic in the news at the mo is related to social networking sites (and Facebook have changed their layout AGAIN) and here Aaliyah Williams gives us her opinion with her article titled: Google launches Buzz to take on Twitter and Facebook.

A comical article now from Big Cajun Man with a wishful article on a Financial Shock Collar!

Onto the future now with an interesting article by Will - who thinks that there is the potential for 3D Content & Programming On The Way - interesting, no?

A short one to finish with Ankesh highlighting a potential eco-phone: Sharp rolling out solar powered phone this month.

Happy Pancake Day!

posted by admin on Jan 25

There is a great new way to link up your work between your different hardware solutions! 

If you’re a techno-geek like me then you’ll no doubt have more than one computing device. Personally I use a laptop, desktop and a smartphone depending on where I am and what I’m doing.

But the use of multiple computing devices in this way can be a major inconvenience for one big reason. And that is file sharing.

The Current Problem: 
If I create a spreadsheet on my laptop while travelling, I don’t want to waste time emailing it from one computer to another, or saving it onto a memory stick and then manually copying it across to my other computer.

I just want to be able to create or edit a file on whichever device I happen to be using at the time, and then be able to access it from my other machines. So for example, if I am working on a presentation at the office and then want to move it onto my laptop so I can actually take it to my client, I don’t want to mess around. I just want it on my other computer. Without fuss.

And without fuss clearly means without wires or other gadgets. I don’t want to go to all the trouble of setting up a home network, convincing my computers to communicate with each other and so on. Not fun!

The Easy Solution?
So recently I was very pleased when a friend of mine introduced me to a fantastic new piece of software that does just this.

The software is called DropBox and comes with a variety of subscription models (including a free version for light users like me).

Essentially you install the DropBox software on all your computers and the software then creates a “worm hole” between all your devices. On the desktop screen of each piece of hardware you will see an item called “DropBox”. Simply drag a file into that folder and you will be able to access it securely from any of your other devices.

The software itself is password protected for your privacy and simply uses an internet connection to quickly and easily sync your files for you. I haven’t been this impressed with such a simple application in a long time.

Nice job, DropBox!

posted by admin on Jan 7

Just a quick update on the story of the Apple iSlate that is being talked about…..

Apparently, Microsoft have just unveiled THEIR new slate pc - a Hewlett Packard model about the size of a large paperback! 

They got it out for a look see at the Consumer Electronics Show in Law Vegas, along with 2 other versions: A much larger model from Archos and a slightly longer model made by Pegatron Corp.

Now, whether they did this after all the speculation about the iSlate, or the speculation about the iSlate began after Microsoft booked the stand at the CES makes no difference - they are both due out later this year: but no dates have been given yet for either!

Microsoft’s offering makes use of their very successful Windows 7 software - which turned out to be the fastest selling operating system ever!  Apparently it offers all the same user-friendly technology as a laptop and smartphone - books, music, movies and other applications, but no exact specs have been given.

So, we still have to wait to see what Apple have got up their sleeve at the end of the month before a direct comparison can be made between the 2 - so watch this space……

AND - the Kindle is planning to launch in a bigger size soon as well - the Kindle DX - but will we need it if the new slate computers run the Kindle software?  Keep the smaller one for reading on the move - and use the larger slate pc for at home on the sofa!

posted by admin on Jan 3

There is lots of speculation - but nothing confirmed?

Seeing as the netbook niche has been so popular - and people aren’t put off by the size of the iPhone, it seems as though Apple are going to merge the 2 ideas and create a giant version of the iPhone - about the size of a closed netbook!

The iSlate seems to be the name in the media at the moment - and apparently Apple have already brought the domain name iSlate.com - so are they right?

Apparently Apple have recently released the patent details for such a gadget, but still the details are not certain. 

The ‘Facts’
Well, a 10.1 inch touchscreen display seems to be the most talked about quality of this new gadget, (or possibly a 7 inch smaller version) but writers are also speculating about it having an embedded front facing webcam as well - which would certainly be a nice touch.

The keyboard would be on the screen itself, with the potential for slightly raised areas within the screen to identify where certain ‘home keys’ are if not all keys having raised lips.

Also, it would have internet access - probably wi-fi - with access to iTunes as well as films, TV and books - making it a huge ebook reader!

Apparently rumoured to run on the iPhone OS software, this tablet computer should have all the standard features of any other laptop or netbook.

It is also rumoured that an industry insider reported that Apple are already in the process of making up to 10 million iSlate tablet computers for release this year; 2010.

The Idea:
Some of the mock-up images of the iSlate look amazing with a magazine front cover on it, or some photo’s of friends, but how will you carry it around?  Yeah, ladies can put it in their purse - but it won’t be fitting in any-one’s jean pocket - so will it be as social as the iPhone currently is?

Without a ‘lid’ so to speak - will it be practical for use and transporting around between meetings or when on vacation?  The screen could be up for a real hard time - unless it stays at home like a coffee table ‘book’ used for parties, get-togethers or instead of the TV!

And the cost will certainly be around the same as a small netbook as well - or more for all the Apple specific features - so people are guessing at around $800 to $1000 for an estimated price.

The Launch:
Apple have apparently rented a stage at the Yerba Buena Center in San Francisco for an announcement about a ’major product launch’ on January 26th, 2010.

And there is apparently an artists impression of a possible Apple Tablet computer on a Clearwire site showing all the other Apple gadgets! Interesting indeed.

See you at the end of the month!

posted by admin on Aug 6

Want to save ink without having to shrink the font size?

Well, now you can reduce the amount of ink you use when printing normal-size fonts by using a special ‘perforated’ lettering technique.

This new Ecofont has been designed by a Dutch marketing firm to save ink without shrinking your advertising to the size of a thimble!

How Does It Work?
Basically at small sizes - such as a normal 10-font size - the printing just looks a bit paler than any other normal text, such as Tahoma. However, the secret of this potentially massive money-saving ink-reducing eco-advance can only be seen when you blow up the font size to larger sizes like 32.

Then you see that it is full of holes!

Basically someone has gone through all the letters, numbers and symbols with a tiny cookie cutter and the resulting ‘holey’ print can save a fifth of the usual ink needed for basic home printing needs.

I can’t believe nobody thought of this sooner!

Scaled up- Spranq - the company involved in this eco-invention - reckon that a company with 5000 employers could save around $125,000 per year! That is a lot of savings - and not a lot of ink cartridges to replace!

Scaled down - it would certainly be suitable for printing general stuff off the Internet like road directions or receipts and product details. Work emails can be printed off without the added costs that bosses normally moan about and kids can print out their homework without their parents giving them grief about the money!

It Has Limitations, Of Course…
…but this Ecofont isn’t designed for massive posters and street-side adverts.

Nor would it be appropriate for job applications and legal documents - but it is certainly and great idea for the home, school and small businesses - and could still be part of the recession-proofing of many larger companies who would rather cut back on ink than staff!

Download yours now for free at ecofont.eu and pass on the word!