Microsoft OS Windows 8 Will Reduce Boot Time to 8 Seconds -- Watch Live Demo

Its way early to say something about the features of Microsoft’s new edition of Windows i.e. Windows 8; as it is scheduled to be released in 2012 but the latest post on Microsoft’s blog shows a significantly improved boot time in the next iteration of the Windows Operating System.

Microsoft OS Windows 8 Will Reduce Boot Time to 8 Seconds

It sounds really fresh to see that Microsoft is dedicating to minimize long boot times, which is one of the most infuriating aspects of computing for many users.

Very soon just about 8 seconds you will need from the moment the machine is turned on until it’s fully booted, which would really be a huge progress over most machines running earlier versions of Windows today. 

Even with Windows 8 the boot time will differ for different machines depending upon the hardware of the machines. Systems with a lot of RAM and an SSD instead of a HDD will help out extremely. 

Wondering how exactly Microsoft’s engineers did it? Microsoft has provided a very detailed breakdown of this achievement. In short, it’s a hybrid between traditional cold boot and resuming from hibernate. 

Watch video of the live demo below:

Unmanned Systems North America 2011: Chinese Company AEE Tech Unveiled F50 Drone

Shenzhen-based Chinese firm AEE Technology Co. unveiled its small drone, F50, at world's largest robotics trade show in Washington hosted by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International that features robotic hardware from around the world. 

With the introduction of F50 China has already stepped in the market of drone technology being used for military and security purposes around the globe. F50 drone, relatively small, short-range drone with a high-definition video camera, might be the best tool for monitoring protests, or responding to building fires.

State-run and private Chinese companies have invested a great deal in recent years in developing drones both for export and for China's military and domestic security needs.

AEE became the first company from China to display its products at Unmanned Systems North America. In a small booth on the edge of the showroom floor, Wendy Wei, the firm's overseas sales department manager said the company was looking to drum up international sales—and potential orders from military and police customers.

How Google+ can help to enhance student learning in and out of the classroom?

Google+:  Prospective Role in Study and Teaching 

Google+ is the latest buzz in the world of social networking and the features provided by Google+ can easily challenge the supremacy of social networking giants like Facebook and Twitter. Google+ features like ‘Circle’ and ‘Hangout’ can make a big difference and might be used to enhance student learning in and out of the classroom.

Google's earlier shots at social networking, Google Buzz and Google Wave, didn’t succeed to feel the presence. Facebook and Twitter have, so far, dominated the field of social networking on the Internet.

However, with Google+ search giant came with the idea to exploit the weaknesses of its prospective competitors and thus manages to overcome one of the weaknesses of Facebook and Twitter; managing different groups with the same platform. This advantageous feature of Google+ let some professors thinking about how they might be able to use Google+ to better connect with their students.

If Twitter users want to manage different types of messages for different followers, such as personal versus work related messages, they would need to create separate accounts. To switch from one account to another, Twitter users would need a third-party app, or would need to log out and back in. Facebook allows users to create different groups and post messages to specific groups, but the process is clumsy and difficult to learn.

In Google+, creating different groups, called “circles,” is a central feature of the platform. Additionally, people in a circle are able to enter a video chat, called “Hangout,” with up to ten users at a time. (Facebook recently announced that it will add a video chat feature.) A professor, then, could easily create a circle for each class, or break up classes into study groups, each with their own circle. The study groups could meet in an online video conference, and the professor could be available for online office hours.

Volkswagen's All-new semi-autonomous hands-free driving system dubbed as Temporary Auto Pilot (TAP)

Temporary Auto Pilot (TAP) Driving System From Volkswagen

Volkswagen has introduced all-new semi-autonomous hands-free driving system dubbed as Temporary Auto Pilot (TAP); which is made to feel you easy while you are driving for long hours.

If you are driving a vehicle with this amazing new system you have to monitor the Temporary Auto Pilot (TAP) system with the freedom of free hands to do something else. Temporary Auto Pilot (TAP) works for semi-automatic driving on a highway at speeds of up to 130 km/h (80 mph).

Temporary Auto Pilot (TAP) is made to control the speed of the car, making sure it maintains a safe distance from other vehicles, while dropping its speed right before a bend. 

TAP also ensure that your vehicle’s central position is kept in accordance with respect to highway lanes. In case of any emergency the Temporary Auto Pilot (TAP) can be disabled at any time. 

Despite the amazing features you can enjoy with this Temporary Auto Pilot (TAP) being semi-autonomous, that doesn’t allow you to take off both eyes from the road and play around on your iPhone instead.

Gamera: Human Powered Helicopter made by Students of University of Maryland - - Ready for Test Flight on May 11, 2011 (Must See Video)

‘The Gamera’ is the name of Human Powered Helicopter project undertaken by the students of University of Maryland (Baltimore). 

Gamera: Human Powered Helicopter made by Students of University of Maryland

 The students will attempt to make history this Wednesday (May 11, 2011) when they set to attempt first full flight of their human-powered helicopter. The students are hopeful to win Sikorsky Prize for their brilliant effort.

Gamera has rotors at each of the four ends of its X-shaped frame. Each crossbar of the frame is 60-feet long and each rotor is 42 feet in diameter. Under the frame sits a pilot's model, where a student will power the helicopter with a combination of hand and foot pedaling.

If Gamera can hover for 60 seconds, reach a height of three meters and remain within a 10-meter box from lift off, the team will take home the Sikorsky Challenge's $250,000 prize. Doing so will also nab the team a world record for first human-powered helicopter powered by a female. 

This video was prepared in late 2010 when the vehicle was not fully completed. On May 6 the vehicle was fully assembled for the first time and the weight is down from the 140 lbs quoted in the video to an amazing 100lbs! That's careful design, planning, and testing at work. 

Team of Ophir Tours and Rocketship Tours Brings You More Affordable Space Adventure with COR Aerospace’s Lynx Suborbital Spaceship

To travel in space for fun and entertainment may always be a dream for anyone; but the cost involved in this kind of expedition is the biggest hurdle in turning dream into reality. Currently, the space travel is offered for as much as $200,000 from few tourism companies.

But now a more affordable package is on the cards. Affordable in the sense that it costs less than half of the prevailing cost. One of the well-known tour and travel agency, Ophir Tours has collaborated with space tourism company, Rocketship Tours, to offers passionate adventure seekers a ride in XCOR Aerospace’s Lynx suborbital spaceship for as little as $95,000 per person.

As per the program, the Lynx suborbital spaceship, which is a horizontal take off spaceship will take the passenger on a ride of their lives, by taking them to the very corner of space, show them the wonders of our planet from miles above and bring them back safely to the take-off site. 

The Lynx spaceship will ascend to an estimated 200,000 feet in just 4.25 minutes with a combined speed of an impressive Mach 2. The entire program that carries a price tag of $95,000 will also be inclusive of stays for the passengers in a luxury resort, where the passengers will be showered with luxurious amenities while they prepare for training, medical evaluation and screening. 

The entire trip will be composed of one passenger, one pilot and a training program conducted at the NASA flight center in Arizona. The suborbital flights aboard the Lynx spaceship will take off from Mojave Air and Space Port in California.

Google's April Fool Joke ‘Gmail Motion’ Turns into Reality by Institute for Creative Technologies

The newly introduced Google’s ‘Gmail Motion’ is nothing else than an April Fool joke. Google claimed that with this ‘Gmail Motion’ services user can control Gmail user interface with the movement and gestures of his body. The claim was just unbelievable; but when any user clicked on the "Get the Gmail Motion" he came to know that he became the victim of April Fool joke.

But this joke by Google stimulates the guys at Institute for Creative Technologies and they worked out something real out of this April Fool Joke. 

They are demonstrating their solution in the video - the Software Library Optimizing Obligatory Waving (SLOOW) - and show how it can be used with a Microsoft Kinect sensor to control Gmail using the gestures described by Google.

Iran's Humanoid Robot 'Surena 2' Listed in World's Top 5 Robots

Hamid Taahbaz Tavakkoli, the secretary of development and technology institute of Iran's Industries and Mines Ministry, told that Surena 2, the humanoid robot made by Iran, has been included among the top five outstanding robots of the world after assessing the performances of the world's advanced robots by ‘Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)’.

According to recent report issued by Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE); the performances of the robots Asimo (Japan), Reem-B (Spain), Justin (German), Charli (US) and Surena (Iran) were assessed, Mr Tavakkoli added.

He further told that the Association tagged Surena as an "unexpected development."

Surena 2, which weighs in at 45 kilograms and is 1.45 meter high, has a total of 22 degrees of freedom: each leg has 6 DOF, each arm 4 DOF, and the head 2 DOF.

Latest Version of Jumbo 747, Jet 747-8 Intercontinental, Unveiled With Latest Technology and Improved Eco-efficiency

The latest version of the 40 year old 747 jumbo jet, Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental, was unveiled on Sunday. The 747-8 Intercontinental is coloured a alluring Sunrise livery of red-orange, known for good luck and opulence, rather than the traditional blue and white.

Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental is the only airplane that will serve the 400-500 seat market. This airplane swanks of technological advancements that make it tremendously productive for its customers. These latest improvements include the best of the 787 Dreamliner as well and that facilitates the Boeing 747-8 to have a unique and spacious interior. 

The Boeing 747-7 will function at around 12% lower operating costs, 16% better fuel economy, 16% lesser carbon emissions per passenger and 30% smaller noise footprint than its oldest predecessor, with more room for passenger belongings and a curved, unique architecture.

Boeing 747-8 improves the eco-efficiency of the fleet it is associated with. The management at Boeing Commercial Airplanes is confident that this airplane will set a new standard in economic and eco-efficient performance and also provide a world-class experience to its customers.

SoundBite: An Interesting Technology for Hearing Impairment - - Already Cleared by FDA

Most of us are blessed to have good hearing in both of our ears. However, for those that aren’t so fortunate, there are obstacles to overcome. Thankfully in this day and age, we have a lot of different technologies to help accomplish this. One of the more interesting ones I’ve seen is this gadget called the SoundBite.

This is for people who have issues hearing out of one of their ears. One part of the device is worn around the ear, while the other is attached to the rear molars on the same side of the head. Yes, molars as in teeth. The sound waves picked up at the ear are transmitted to the small mouthpiece, which are converted into vibrations. These move through the teeth and bones, only to be picked up by the inner ear, which translates them into sound. Pretty nifty, huh? These have just been awarded FDA clearance, which means we might be seeing these on the market sometime in the not-too-distant future.

13.2 Billion Years Old Galaxy Discovered by Hubble

Hubble Space Telescope discovered the most ancient galaxy which might be 13.2 billion years old. The discovery made by the American and European researches while they were trying to peep through the past when the universe was came into existence.

Hubble was launched in 1990 which can see the dim light from these ancient galaxies because it orbits outside the Earth’s atmosphere. The more powerful Webb telescope is scheduled to be launched in 2015.

Mercedes-Benz Have Engineered a Twitter-Controlled Car - - Video Hits The Internet by Storm

The technological heads at Mercedes-Benz have engineered a Twitter-Controlled car. Yup, you heard me right. You tweet, it drives.

Those who think this is fake will be proven wrong as this upcoming viral video hits the Internet by storm. This Twitter-Controlled Car will be a part of a tweet race sponsored by Mercedes-Benz happening between Feb 2nd - Feb 4th as part of a genius campaign focused on social media.

Rechargeable Heated Insoles: Keep Your Feet Warm in Winter - - Best Alternative to Thermo Shoes

In the winter we have giant marshmallow-looking coats, gloves, scarves, and ear muffs to keep us warm. What do we do about out feet? Shoes and woolly socks don’t always do the trick. Thermo Shoes was looking out for us by making the Rechargeable Heated Insoles, which work the same way any insole would, but better.

This is a good two-in-one if you ask me. You won’t have to keep buying thick socks for the winter, and don’t have to worry about feet freezing because of it. These squishy feet-shaped heaters are powered by a Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery and can hold their charge for up to 8 hours. There are sizes S all the way to XXL, so it shouldn’t be hard to find your size. At $99.99, you’ll probably save on the pairs of socks you won’t have to buy, and your feet will definitely thank you.

Kraft and Intel to Answer "What for Dinner..? - - Using Anonymous Video Analytics Technology By Scanning Your Face

It’s the age-old question. “What’s for dinner?” There are days where we just have no idea what we can make for dinner, and sometimes we cave and go out to eat. This can be really expensive over time. There is finally someone to help you decide…or rather something to help you decide.

Kraft and Intel have teamed up together to make a kiosk that will help you out with some dinner suggestions and a shopping list. It works by scanning your face with Anonymous Video Analytics technology that can figure out your age and gender group, and make up some suggestions based off of that. People generally go off of the same ten recipes for meals, so this could be a good way to spice things up as well. Though it is helpful, it was made to help Kraft sell products, seeing as you could simply look up everything online.

Eyeball Camera With 3.5 Optical Zoom Developed by Scientists Yonggang Huang and John Rogers

This featured eyeball camera with zoom features was developed by Scientists Yonggang Huang and John Rogers as a step up from previous camera models. The eyeball camera has 3.5 optical zoom, captures sharp images and can be helpful in situations where night-vision surveillance and robotic vision is required.

It may not be as advanced as the Terminator, but this eyeball camera with zoom will surely bring you a step closer to being more futuristic.

New Technology From US and Switzerland Researchers Which Can Produce Fuel by Using Solar Energy

A team of researchers in the US and Switzerland have created a machine that like plants uses solar energy to produce fuels, which can later be used in different ways. The machine makes use of sun’s rays and a metal oxide called ceria to break down carbon dioxide or water in fuels that can be stored and transported. Unlike solar panels, which work only during the day, this new machine is designed to store energy for later use. 

Ceria or cerium oxide has a natural property to exhale oxygen as it heats up and inhale as it cools down. In the prototype, carbon dioxide and water are pumped into the vessel ceria rapidly strips oxygen from them creating hydrogen and/or carbon monoxide. Hydrogen produced by the machine can be used in fuel cells, whereas hydrogen and carbon monoxide can be combined to produce sungas.

While the prototype does show a possible use of solar energy for producing energy through the night as well, the machine suffers from an efficiency problem. The prototype developed harnesses only 0.8 percent of incident solar energy to produce more energy, while a major portion is lost through the reactor’s wall or through the re-radiation of sunlight back through the device’s aperture. The research team is confident that the efficiency rates can be enhanced to 19 percent by making some improvements in insulation and by using smaller apertures.

Time Lapse Video of Lunar Eclipse on December 21, 2010 from Gainesville Florida - - Video Shot by William Castleman

Perhaps you weren’t able to witness the Winter Solstice Lunar Eclipse on December 21, 2010; luckily, now you can as Joe’s Daily has captured it all on video.

 
Time Lapse Video of Lunar Eclipse on December 21, 2010 from Gainesville Florida. 1:10 AM EST (6:10 GMT) to 5:03 AM EST (10:03 GMT). Music is Claude Debussy Noctures: Sirènes. 

I’ve personally never witnessed an eclipse in person, but after watching the video, I wish I have!

Click on the video and watch closely as the moon changes from white to back to red. 

Rainbow-Maker Machine Created by Michael Jones McKean - - Amazing Artificial Rainbows Using Natural Materials

Michael Jones McKean, a former resident at the Bemis Center and now a professor at the Virginia Commonwealth University, has created a machine that can create artificial rainbows using natural materials. McKean has been practicing the feat in parking lots for years and is now preparing for a larger installation at the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts in Omaha, Nebraska. 

Next June McKean hopes to produce rainbows twice a day for 15 minutes using rainwater harvested from the roof the Bemis Center and renewable solar energy. The unique project utilizes a system of high-powered jet pumps and custom fountain nozzles that spray water into the air, creating all necessary conditions for rainbows to be formed. 

The pumps are powered by a system of photovoltaic panels generating renewable electricity. McKean believes that visitors may be able to see rainbows from up to 1000ft away and even walk through them.

New Proofs of Life Beyond Earth Discovered by NASA Scientists

NASA scientists have made a new discovery that may prove life beyond Earth. They found 19 different types of amino acids in a meteorite from the asteroid 2008 TC3 that should not exist. Studies indicate that the meteorite was formed from the collision between two asteroids, which would raise the temperature of the rock above 1000 ° C, which would extinguish any body alive.

The major contribution of this study is the probability of an alternative means of formation of amino acids in space. If you once thought you had to water and low temperatures, shows that the meteorite amino acids can be created at high temperatures.

Amino acids are molecules essential for living cells to make proteins and from that, energy. They are obtained through food or else by the body itself.

This finding may be more important than the recent and controversial bacteria based on arsenic. Besides being able to prove the possibility of extraterrestrial life, it gives strength to the theory that comets can provide the materials needed to start life on a planet; with that we may become increasingly convinced that we are not alone.

Lacie Float Concept: External Hard Drive Plus External Trackpad - - A Concept Which Needs to Be Materialized

When you buy an external hard drive, there really aren’t a lot of extra features to consider. Generally you’re buying it for its ability to store files, so the only extras you’ll really find are the bundled backup software suites. But what if your external drive functioned as a secondary peripheral for your computer, such as a track pad. Would that make you more interested in purchasing one over the other?

This Lacie Float concept is an external hard drive that yes, is also a trackpad. I really have to say that such an idea really never crossed my mind. However, looking at the dimensions of the 2.5-inch SSD version, it does look like a fit. Granted, I still don’t see the point in an external trackpad, but that’s a user preference. Sadly, this USB 3.0-equipped hybrid device is only a concept at this point. Kudos to the designer for thinking outside the box.