Intel speeds up the fibers for computers

Researchers at Intel are showing off an silicon modulator that can pass 40 gigabits of data in a second, a new record that indicates that fiber-inside-computers is really coming. For the past several years, Intel, Primarion, IBM and others have been coming up with ways to mass produce optical components on standard silicon manufacturing lines. There have been prototypes for modulators, lasers, and other parts.


A modulator is an component from the fiber optic industry. It essentially chops up light from a laser into blips that ultimately will be understood as 1s and 0s by a computer. Right now, computers (and chips) pass signals via electrons traveling along metal wires. Metal wires give off heat, which has created an energy crisis inside computer. Fiber optics however transmit data with photons, which are faster than electrons and don't give off heat.

So we finally might be coming near to what we can call the next generation computers !

Air guitarists’ rock dreams come true

Remember all the times you've heard a great guitar solo being played and you wished you could play like that. And you'd even try to an imaginary guitar in your hands and imagined the tune being played in your hear. Well now there's a solution to it, it might actually work! I present to you the Air Guitar.

Aspiring guitarists can make their own guitar solos - without ever having to pick up a real instrument, thanks to a research by some Finnish computer science students.The Virtual Air Guitar project has been developed at the Helsinki University of Technology. It adds genuine electric guitar sounds to the passionately played air guitar.It uses a computer to monitor the hand movements of a "player"; the system adds riffs and licks to match frantic mid-air finger work.


By responding instantly to a wide variety of gestures, it helps even the least experienced air guitarist to be the next slash.The resulting system consists of a video camera and a computer hooked up to an appropriately loud set of speakers. A player then needs only to wear a pair of brightly colored gloves in order to start. Computer vision software automatically keeps track of their hands and detects different movements. The Finnish team created a library of guitar sounds based around the pentatonic minor scale – a progression normally used for rock guitar solos – in order to create the right sound for their virtual instrument.

As a player moves their left hand along the neck of their virtual guitar, the computer will run through the scale. Holding it one place while strumming frenetically produces fret board tricks such as hammer-ons – where slapping a finger onto an already vibrating string produces a higher note – and blues bends, which give a distinctive rock twang. And a floor pedal can also be used to switch the system into mode that plays several different chords. However, it requires a little work. The project is currently being demonstrated at the Heureka Science Centre in Finland where it has been played more than 5000 times over the last month. As a follow-up, the researchers are working on a version that will be compatible with a normal webcam and computer, thus giving wannabe rock stars the opportunity to practice their art in the solitude of their bedroom.

Update: system in action .. see the video !

BlackBerry Curve (BlackBerry 8300)

The New RIM BlackBerry Curve boasts of a sexy and slim design with an improved full QWERTY keyboard. This phone also has a 2-megapixel camera, Bluetooth, and a media player. There's a new spell-checker for e-mail and memos, and audio technology that automatically adjusts call volume in noisy environments.

Although this smart phone doesn't have Wi-Fi or 3G support, it still offers a best-of-breed and sleek design and a well-rounded set of features which make the phone an attractive device for consumers and mobile professionals alike.


Unfortunately however, the BlackBerry Curve doesn't Wi-Fi or 3G support. Also noticeable is that the device's camera still doesn't have video-recording capabilities, and call quality sounds a bit hollow. The 8300 is equipped with a microSD slot, but it is not very conveniently located. The RIM BlackBerry Curve ships with a travel charger, a USB cable, a wired stereo headset and a belt holster.

This device costs around $400.

Oakley Thump Pro

The Oakley Thump Pro sunglasses integrate an MP3 player into a compact, wearable, and straightforward design; they're extremely useful for outdoor activity. Like previous Thumps, these are compatible with both Windows and the Mac OS, connectible through a standard mini usb. If you're an active user looking to combine your love of music with your zest for outdoor activity, the Oakley Thump Pro MP3-playing sunglasses could be a great fit.


Available in a variety of capacities (256MB, 512MB, and 1GB) and frame/lens color combos, the Thump Pros nevertheless aren't for everyone. They're rather expensive--$249, $299, and $349 for the 256MB, 512MB, and 1GB, respectively and the style is active, rather than sleek. That said, the glasses are lightweight and comfortable, so they should suit their key market: runners, cyclists, and skiers/boarders.

Kenwood K-501USB-B Compact Speaker System

A new home entertainment system by kenwood, this player has been made keeping in mind all the new technology requirements. The unique feature associated with this deck system is that it has USB2 connectivity and SD car support. It might be a little confusing at first what these technology features are for, but quite simply you get hold of it when you think over it.

The USB2 connectivity is for easy connection with a digital audio player may it be your mp3 player or your computer. The idea is pretty simple yet very innovate, all the hassle of the axillary cable which can get damaged easily has been removed and the connectivity has been given a safer path. The SD card slot has a similar function, it enables you to play your tunes stored in your SD card directly in your entertainment system.


Also the system has a preset 7 band parametric equalizer, D-bass and acoustic sound control system. Two way speakers, with 10 cm woofers and 2.5 cm balanced tone tweeters ensure superior sound quality. The player plays mp3 and wma sound formats and also has support for CD-R and CD-RW.

Also included in the package is a 53 key standard remote, which ensures full functionality from anywhere within a room.


The price for this music system is around 250 euros approximately.

Panasonic DMP-BD10 Blu-ray Disc Player

Blu-ray is the next generation format for high definition entertainment. Its a new dimension in image and sound quality, and its the future of your home theater. A blu-ray disc looks a lot like a dvd but its performance far exceeds what a dvd is capable of. Blu-ray disc have a huge storage capacity for greater audio/video detail, interactive fuctions for better user control and a hard coating that resists scratches and dust.

The panasonic DMP-BD10 blu-ray disc player unleashes the power of Blu-ray. With its advanced Pixel Precision Progressive Processing power for HD, the player provides truely amazing image and sound quality. The DMP-BD10 also comes equipped EZ syncronization controls so you can easily control your entire home theater at the push of a single button.

The Blu-ray disc player can process 15 billion pixels a second producing pictures with astounding quality and clarity, if you view it on the Panasonic 1080p plasma screen, it'll be the most beautiful picture you've ever seen. The blu-ray comes with 7.1 surround sound support will give you an experience of a lifetime far beyond a dvd's capability.

Prices start at $600.

Hidden Camera Detector

There has never been more insecurity in public places with more worrying hidden cameras around, almost everywhere that you go you are likely to be caught on camera, but there is nothing that we can really do about it, because it is the way that we live now. But there is also a growing amount of hidden cameras used for surveillance at work and sometimes even at home, whatever the reason there is now a small device that you can use to see if there are any hidden cameras watching you.

If you want to be absolutely sure than nobody is watching you this device will tell you in seconds, it is very similar in size to a Flash Drive, and so would not create much hype when you pull it out, but once activated this device will tell you if there are any hidden cameras around you, so you can decide what you next move will be incase a hidden camera is present nearby to save yourself from embarrassing situations.

The working is really simple you just put it on and turn it across the room or space you suspect has a hidden cam, the detector will scan and if a frequency of 50 Mhz to 3 Ghz is discovered it will then sound an alarm, telling you that there is a hidden camera near you, you will be able to adjust the sensitivity to allow the scanner to check variable channels and distances.