Facebook continues to prove that it’s a social network like no other by using a new user-powered translation engine for their site. They’re going to use this to add 22 more languages to Facebook so that it will be accessible to more people across the world. Currently, Facebook is only available in four main languages: English, French, German and Spanish. This move will no doubt add to the site’s overall visibility and accessibility.
As mentioned previously, the translation engine will be a user-powered, so if you’re interested in contributing to Facebook’s expansion, you may do so by going through the simple application process here.
(Read the full post about ‘Facebook expands, plans to adds 22 more languages’…)
Sony has released its newest LCD TV series, the Bravia 4000 which according to Sony is “a new standard in picture excellence.” The Bravia 4000 features a picture frame mode that will let users display their photos when the television is not in use. While the HD photos are playing by way of a slideshow, the picture frame mode will reduce the LCD’s brightness. Users can also personalize their television with their own photos using the USB Photoviewer. Or if it is a hassle to you, you can just use the six pre-installed pictures of some pop and classical artists. In addition, the Sony Bravia W4000-series LCD TV also features the BRAVIA sync technology which uses HDMI connection to transmit commands to the various components of a home theatre system. (Read the full post about ‘Sony launches the Bravia W4000-Series LCD TVs’…)
The UV Card is perfect for all those who tend to scurry under the shade whenever the sun gets too strong for them, which isn’t a bad thing considering you have forgotten to put some sunblock on. Anyways, the more scientifically minded who love taking details of their environment will find the UV card to come in handy as it will be able to indicate the current UV intensity within three seconds, displaying it in three levels (1 to 3 indicates low, 4 to 6 is middle while 7 to 8 means staying indoors and wait till dusk). The UV Card retails for $11.50.
Tags: DAB, dvr, DVD, cable
Vehicular accidents due to sleepy drivers are a leading cause of death in the United States (or the world, for that matter). And it surprises me to know that not many people give thought or try to find ways to prevent such things from happening, even though the next person to doze off behind the wind shield could be them. But Mariana Figueiro and her colleagues at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York suggest that drivers take 30-minute blue light “baths” at truck stops and gas stations to keep them from falling asleep while driving. That would work, only you first have to find a way to build the blue LEDs in the cars to have the most efficient set up possible.
(Read the full post about ‘Researchers plan on using blue LEDs to keep sleepy drivers awake’…)
Just a couple of weeks after Steam started selling digital copies of the Unreal games, Ubisoft has announced it is bringing more than 40 games to Valve’s online distribution service.
Right now you can get Far Cry and Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell with a 10% discount if you purchase them before April 8. Another coupe for Steam is the fact you can also pre-order the PC version of Assassin’s Creed, so you will be able to play it the moment it is released via Steam’s pre-loading service.
Other titles we can expect to see in the near future include a selection of their Tom Clancy games, Heroes of Might and Magic games and the IL-2 Sturmovik collection.
(Read the full post about ‘40+ Ubisoft games heading to Steam’…)
The new, stylish CDMA handset ‘Mako S4000′ from Kyocera was announced at the CTIA Wireless 2008. The phone supports cellular, PCS, and AWS frequencies and meant for those who prefer affordable style to multimedia features. It features a clamshell design offering a color external display and tempered edges that make it easy to flip open. A graduated keypad with a vibrant 1.8-inch display is packed in the inside.
(Read the full post about ‘Kyocera announces Mako S4000, CDMA handset with dual display’…)
Some may say that Artificial Intelligence has advanced by leaps and bounds in recent years, but perhaps a very practical use for this has been discovered by a group of Tel Aviv University students. They have combined pinpointing software with physiological research. Amit Kagian, the program’s developer explained, “Coordinates are used for calculating geometric features and asymmetry”. To put it simply, the software gauges the distance and symmetry as well as texture and tone of the face. While Artificial Intelligence will perhaps never match human intuition, this could be useful for picking models, as well as facial-recognition software. Read [ZDNet] Keep up with the latest gadget goodness! (Read the full post about ‘Computer software can judge physical attractiveness’…)
Buffalo has announced a new digital media player that links users digital content into their home entertainment center – the LinkTheater HD DMP (LT-H90LAN). The LinkTheater allows users to view videos, pictures and music stored in users computer, network-attached-storage (NAS), USB hard drive or DNLA media servers. Compatible with both Mac and Windows computers, the Buffalo LinkTheater HD has an auto-backup feature which automatically performs back ups of any content stored in either a flash memory based video camera or USB drive. The LinkTheater HD comes with a remote control, supports 720p and 1080i HD video output and a 480i and 480p video modes. (Read the full post about ‘Buffalo announces the LinkTheater HD Digital Media Player, LT-H90LAN’…)
The PowerCube looks like an interesting device, being a scalable, renewable solar energy source which features a trio of 200 watt solar panels, 3,500 watts of non-stop inverter output, and 2,400 amp hours of battery storage. It definitely helps with the green initiative, but it sure as heck doesn’t look too convenient to bring around considering its size. Tags: electronic toys, amps, digital, M4A (Read the full post about ‘PowerCube Forges Green Path’…)
Posted Apr 2nd 2008 4:23AM by Thomas RickerFiled under: Gaming, HDTVDigiTimes is feeling pretty confident about the rumors they started yesterday regarding the Xbox 360 with integrated Blu-ray. They are so confident that they’re predicting a price war as Microsoft takes on Sony’s PS3 at its own game. Their sources claim that the Blu-ray Disc drive will cost Microsoft between $95 and $100 — much higher than the $18 to $20 DVD drives already found in the Xbox 360. Microsoft is of course, expected to sell its new Blu-ray rig at a loss as is customary in the console market. Sony may then be forced to lower the cost of the PS3 and/or retaliate by increasing Lite-On’s cost for the Blu-ray components (like the BD-ROM pick-up heads) purchased from Sony. (Read the full post about ‘Xbox 360 with Blu-ray to spark price war with Sony PS3?’…)
