Archive for the Category ◊ Tech Stories ◊

A More Personal Way to Karaoke
Monday, October 27th, 2008 | Author: techconsumer

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Most people have attempted  to vocalize their singing talents at least once using a Karaoke machine. Normally a Karaoke machine would be available at a bar or a party where participants would select and sing songs that sounds similar to the original versions. Even for people who do not Karaoke very often, there will be times when the song they wish to sing is not available. Also, sometimes people wish to sing their favorite song in their home or car without any interruptions from the lead singer.

Make-your-own-karaoke.com is a website that offers a vocal removing software. The program allows users to edit their favorite songs from compact discs, digital downloads, etc’. This smart software removes the vocals part of the original singer, while keeping the tune and any vocals from the background singers. As a result, when a person sings, they get a more realistic recreation of the song.

Once the original vocals are removed, the user can burn the music back to a CD and use it in any Karaoke machine, stereo, or upload it to their MP3 player. The software works with files of any audio format and is compatible with both PCs and Macs. Overall, this would be a nice gift to give children as well as adults.

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Modernizing the Traditional Office Space
Monday, October 27th, 2008 | Author: techconsumer

Just imagine going to work in the future, where the workstations have a built-in treadmill.

Workplace technology has evolved significantly in recent times. The introduction of laptops, Wifi, and blackberries signified that high-tech workers are often unattached to their desks. As a result, the office of the future will be designed to accomodate a more mobile workforce.

Another trend is the rising number of people working from home. The resulting empty office space would be converted to allow mobile meeting rooms. This approach stems from the observation that some good ideas rise from casual conversations and impromptu meetings when workers do occasionally go to the office.

Another trend is the introduction of green technologies to the office environment. With the goal of increasing energy efficiency, most of the heat in the smart workplace could originate from solar thermal energy as well as recaptured heat from generators. Also, adding daylight sensors and occupancy sensors means that lighting wouldn’t be wasted. Workers would additionally be given more control over their environment as far as temperature, air flow and lighting level and direction.

The treadmill at your desk idea is also being tested and it could really benefit many people who are trying to multitask work and health.

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The 1000 MPH Car
Sunday, October 26th, 2008 | Author: techconsumer

11 years have passed since the Andy Green, a Royal Air Force pilot, achieved the land speed record of 763 mph. This is an ongoing speed-breaking tradition starting in the 1920’s and Green will be awarded the chance to break the record yet again, within the next three years.

Nowadays, the newest rocket on wheels is being developed at the University of Wales, and is known as the Bloodhound SSC. The 42 foot long, 6.4 ton titanium “car”, will be powered by a rocket that will generate 45,000 pound of thrust, reaching a top speed of 1,050  mph in just 41 seconds. This is faster than a speeding bullet from a Magnum .357!

Besides achieving the speed milestone, the ultimate goal is to generate a large interest in the British technology and innovation capabilities among future science and engineering students.

The planners of the project are going to build up the buzz by using YouTube videos, Twitter, and other social networking tools.

This vehicle is touted as a form of a hybrid because a Falcon rocket will push it to about 760 mph before Green will turn on the turbo-charger EuroJet EJ200 engine delivering it to over 1000 mph.

Far from being a hybrid, though, the vehicle will consume approximately a ton of Hydrogen Peroxide rocket fuel every 22 seconds.

The required location would need to have 5 miles of flat terrain just to reach the top speed and additional 4.5 miles to stop the vehicle.

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Kill an Avatar, Get Punished
Sunday, October 26th, 2008 | Author: techconsumer

Take note, anyone who likes to play MMO games. A 43 year old Japanese woman has been arrested because she “killed” her online virtual husband, while playing the MMO game Maple Story.

The woman told police officials that the two were suddenly “divorced”. However, she stated that she did not plot any real revenge on the 33-year old man playing her husband. The man complained to the police after trying to log in and discovering that the character was deleted.

Maple Story allows the players to customize their character, socialize, fight monsters, and even marry and divorce.

After the ‘divorce’, the woman logged into her virtual husband’s account and deleted the avatar.

The police arrested the woman for illegally accessing a computer and manipulating digital data. Although she has not been charged yet, she could face up to 5 years in prison or a $5000 fine if she is actually convicted.

A similar case took place in the Netherlands when 14 and 15 year old teens were convicted of virtual theft after coercing a 13-year old to give them a virtual armlet and mask in the game RuneScape.

The 2 teens were sentenced to community service by the Dutch court.

Whichever punishment is most appropriate, these cases present another example of how computers are becoming increasingly intertwined with our daily lives.

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Build Your Own Wiki
Monday, October 20th, 2008 | Author: techconsumer

Wiki (what I know is) sites have become commonplace since the introduction of web 2.0 to the Internet. Wikis allow users to add useful content from their own knowledge to the sites, creating a higher level of interactivity and collaboration between website owners and visitors.

For anyone seeking a good hosted wiki solution, check out Wetpaint, a Free Website. Wetpaint was launched in late 2005 with the purpose of helping users create their own wiki, in an intuitive and easy fashion. Many Free Website services exist that allow users to create an online presence, but either are hard to use or are not specialized for builiding wikis. Wetpaint is easy for anyone to use, and includes attractive designs to choose form. Wetpaint will also help users to promote their wiki and make their site searh engine friendly.

By using Wetpaint, users can easily add text, photos and videos, RSS feeds as well as more advanced features such as tagging of pages, ability to email pages, and designate author/moderator permissions.

Wetpaint can be used for both personal and businesses purposes, although it is more tailored for the former than the latter.

The site offers mostly Free Wiki services and is supported with contexual advertising, such as Google Adsense. Established educational websites are ad-free based on request.

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Qwitter for Twitter
Monday, October 20th, 2008 | Author: techconsumer

There is a new website called Qwitter, which offers a service for users to find out when their twitter buddies stop following. Everyone on Twitter loses some followers from time to time. The reasons are varied, from followers that stop agreeing with you, or when the tweets become less relevant or interesting to them.

Twitter doesn’t divulge the actual statistics of people who un-follow. As a result, Qwitter attempts to tap into the curiousity/nosiness factor of Twitter users.

The website simply notifies you when a Twitter user stops following and after which tweet. The twitter site gives this example:

John Gruber (gruber) stopped following you on Twitter after you posted this tweet:

What’s the difference between Arial and Helvetica?

This service isn’t likely to cause more than disappointment for twitter users who lose followers but will probably only put the nail in the proverbial coffin for people that at some point had a close relationship and had a falling out subsequently.

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UK government Invloved in Buying Cell Phones
Sunday, October 19th, 2008 | Author: techconsumer

Every person who purchases a cell phone will be forced to register their personal identity as part of a national database, according to a British government plan to extend the powers of state surveillance.

Consumers would have to use an official form of ID, such as passport, when purchasing a cell phone. Naturally, privacy advocates fear that this marks another move by the government to create a surveillance society.

British officials have raised the idea of such a database containing consumer names and addresses  during recent talks with telephone companies such as Vodafone.

The move is directed especially at the 40 million prepaid mobile phone owners who aren’t required to give their names, addresses, or credit card. These pay-as-you-go phones are popular with criminals and terrorists due to their anonymity.

This move is aimed to supplement the plans of creating a database for monitoring and storing Internet browsing habits, telephone records and email of all people in Britain.

The proposal has caused a big backlash by government officials, warning that the database is impractical, too large, and potentially unlawful. Due to the discontent, the full unveiling of the plan has been delayed until next year.

Appreciation for Wireless Technology
Friday, October 17th, 2008 | Author: techconsumer

We all have experienced for years the wired tangle of cables and wires that enabled many of the devices used in our modern lives. Wireless technology has improved that and allowed for the introduction of cell phones, mp3 players, PDAs, digital cameras, GPS units and many additional gadgets.

Perhaps the most emblematic symbol of the wireless revolution, the mobile phone, was originally designed as a cumbersome electronic device used for the transfer voice communication. At that time, no one imagined that a mobile phone could support additional services including: SMS, emailing, Internet access, gaming, bluetooth, infrared data transfers, camera, video recording, etc’.

Notably, although these are impressive technological achievements, the wireless innovation of today will become obsolete as continued improvements are made in the coming future. However, regardless of what progress is achieved, the consumers are still set to benefit.

Cell phone headsets provide such an example, starting with the wired kind that was available since the mid 90’s. Whether you’re a busy student, a frequent driver, or a professional business executive, the concept of a headset often appeals to many individuals. The headset was designed to free up the users’ hands as well as reduce the chance of radiation by providing some distance from the phone set. The wired solution is now superseded by the bluetooth version which offers the above advantages as well as becoming increasingly more of a high tech fashion accessory.