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Largest OEM To Replace 1 Million Employees With Robots

Taiwanese based original equipment manufacturer, Foxconn has announced that it is going to supplant its workforce with close to a million robots. The two things that Foxconn is most famous for are the spate of suicides that plagued the factory or for the fact that it manufactures most of the gizmo’s around you (including the iPad and iPhone).

At the moment the company currently employs 1.2 million workers and has around 10,000 robots as well. The number of robots will be increased to 300,000 by the end of 2012 and by 2014, it will be increased even further to 1 million. The number of workers that will be displaced by the robots is uncertain at this time. However, it would be very unlikely that Foxconn would be looking to hire over the next three years.

The Foxconn chairman Terry Gou informed workers of the plan at the company Dance Party. Not the occasion we’d have picked…

August 2, 2011
Nokia embraces Symbian, Launches 1GHZ Nokia 500 / Fate
Nokia has launched the new Nokia 500, the first 1 GHZ symbian smartphone. The device is based on the existing C5-03 and offers little improvements over the existing device

Specs Include
- 3.2-inch capacitive touchscreen with 360×640 pixel resolution
- 3G, Wi-Fi (b/g), GPS with A-GPS support, GPRS/EDGE
- Bluetooth v2.1 with A2DP
- 5 megapixel camera
- Memory expandable up to 32 GB, 2 GB built-in
- Stereo FM Radio with RDS
- 3.5 mm audio jack
- Symbian Anna
- 1110mAh battery pack
Price is expected to be around the 12-15 thousand bracket considering the existing C5-03 retails for Rs.8,500.
August 2, 2011
Skype for iPad Released (PR)

The most anticipated update for Skype has been finally released. Skype for iPad is now official and brings voice and video chatting with others on Macs, PCs or other Skype clients. The app is not an add-on in the Skype for iPhone app but a separate iPad app available to download now from the App-Store. The app will let you enjoy the Skype goodness over Wifi or your data connection.

[toggle title_open=”Collapse” title_closed=”Read the Press Release” hide=”yes” border=”yes” style=”default” excerpt_length=”0″ read_more_text=”Read More” read_less_text=”Read Less” include_excerpt_html=”no”]Skype for iPad

Bring your Skype contacts closer with full screen video at your fingertips.
Beautiful and simple, this is Skype built especially for the iPad. Call, video call, or instant message anyone on Skype. Plus, if you add a little Skype Credit, call landlines and mobiles at really low rates.

Simple to use:
• Join Skype on your iPad in a few moments or just sign straight in to your account.
• If you already have a Skype account, your Skype contacts will automatically be there on your iPad.
• We’ve made adding new Skype contacts really easy.
• Once they’re in your Contact list, call, video or instant message them in one touch.
• Flick through recent calls and instant messages in your Skype for iPad history.
• Skype for iPad works over Wi-Fi or 3G (operator data charges may apply). Call Skype contacts on their iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, PC, Mac and even Skype enabled TVs.

Access free Skype features:
• Talk face-to-face or show what you’re seeing with front and back-facing cameras.
• Use Skype for iPad to call anyone else on Skype – and enjoy near CD quality (SILK) sound.
• Instant message and add emoticons to personalize your messages.

Then unlock even more features when you pay a little:
• Make cheap calls to landlines or mobiles from your iPad.
• Get an Online Number from Skype so people can call you on your iPad.

If you want to unlock these extra features, you can pay in a way that suits you.
• Pay As You Go with Skype Credit – great for when you’re using Skype every now and again.
• Pay monthly with a subscription – best if you use Skype a lot.

System requirements:
• Skype video calling requires iOS 4.0 or above.
• Send and receive video using front or back camera on iPhone 4, iPad 2nd Generation, and iPod touch 4th Generation.
• Send and receive video using rear camera on iPhone 3GS.
• Receive video only on iPad 1st Generation and iPod touch 3rd Generation.
• Works with any H264 compatible devices, including TVs.[/toggle]

August 2, 2011

Adobe’s Edge tool bring Flash ideologies to HTML5 (PR)

Adobe has just announced the launch of their new tool called HTML5 Web Motion and Interaction Design Tool. The software currently in its beta form is available to download free of charge and will allow web designers to bring animation, similar to that created in Flash Professional, to websites.

Features

Feature	Description
Intuitive user Interface	The user interface is based on a stage, timeline, and panels for elements and properties. It’s influenced by our customers’ favorite features and functionality in class-leading tools like After Effects and Flash Professional, but innovates in its ease of use. Animations and timing can be controlled on a WebKit-based stage, or via precise property adjustments directly on the timeline. You can also make quick edits on individual or multiple objects.
Visually author animated content	Create new compositions from scratch using basic HTML building blocks, text, and imported web graphics. Manipulate objects with an array of transformation and styling options which Edge natively applies to our jQuery-based animation framework.
Add motion to existing HTML content	Add motion elements to existing HTML web documents. Edge stores all of its animation in a separate JavaScript file that cleanly distinguishes the original HTML from Edge’s animation code. Edge makes minimal, non-intrusive changes to the HTML code to reference the JavaScript and CSS files it creates.
Import web graphics files	Import existing web graphics such as SVG, JPG, PNG, and GIF files.
Standards-based output	Edge reads and writes HTML, CSS and JavaScript files natively. Animated content produced in Edge is expressed in a JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) data structure that preserves the CSS-based layout. JSON is a formatting style for JavaScript that is easily readable, and allows more flexibility to work with the document and animated content independently.
Reliable content on desktops and devices	Animated content created with Edge is designed and tested to work reliably on the iOS and Android platforms, WebKit-enabled devices, and popular desktop browsers such as Firefox, Chrome, Safari, and Internet Explorer 9.

[toggle title_open=”Collapse” title_closed=”Read The Press Release” hide=”yes” border=”yes” style=”default” excerpt_length=”0″ read_more_text=”Read More” read_less_text=”Read Less” include_excerpt_html=”no”]Adobe Releases Early Preview of New HTML5 Web Motion and Interaction Design Tool

SAN JOSE, Calif.–(EON: Enhanced Online News)–Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced the first public preview release of Adobe® Edge, a new HTML5 web motion and interaction design tool that allows web designers to bring animation, similar to that created in Flash® Professional, to websites using standards likes HTML, JavaScript and CSS. Because of rapid changes around HTML5, the company is adopting an open development methodology for Adobe Edge and is releasing the software on the Adobe Labs site much earlier than normal in the development process – before it even reaches beta – in order to allow user feedback to help shape the final product.

“Over the last year Adobe has delivered on several significant HTML5 milestones including contributions to jQuery, submitting code to WebKit, and enhanced HTML5 output in Creative Suite® 5.5”

While in public preview, Adobe Edge will be a no-charge download that web designers are encouraged to explore and provide feedback on, to help shape future preview releases. To download the software, visit www.labs.adobe.com.

Adobe Edge, first shown at Adobe MAX 2010, is ideal for designers who want an efficient way to leverage Web standards like HTML to create Web content with motion and transitions. Adobe Edge is being designed as a fast and lightweight professional-grade tool that complements Adobe’s existing Web tools, such as Adobe Dreamweaver® CS5.5, Adobe Flash Professional CS5.5 and Adobe Flash Builder® 4.5 software.

“Over the last year Adobe has delivered on several significant HTML5 milestones including contributions to jQuery, submitting code to WebKit, and enhanced HTML5 output in Creative Suite® 5.5,” said Paul Gubbay, vice president of Design and Web Engineering, Adobe. “Now, with Adobe Edge, we’re taking our HTML5 tooling to a whole new level and look forward to getting some really useful feedback from the community over the next few months, as we refine the product.”

The Adobe Edge preview works natively with HTML. It enables users to add motion to existing HTML documents without hampering design integrity of CSS-based layouts, and it also enables users to easily create visually rich content from scratch, using familiar drawing tools that produce HTML elements styled with CSS3. Users can import standard Web graphics assets such as SVG, PNG, JPG and GIF files and style them using CSS3. The design stage utilizes WebKit to enable design, preview and manipulation of content with incredible fidelity. The innovative timeline feature is both familiar for creative professionals and breaks new ground in animation productivity to enable users to define and customize motion applied to HTML elements with extreme precision. Content created with Edge is designed to work on modern browsers including those on Android, BlackBerry Playbook™, iOS , HP webOS and other smartphone mobile devices as well as Firefox™, Google Chrome™, Safari™ and Internet Explorer 9™.

This Adobe Edge public preview is available today on Adobe Labs as a no-charge download for anyone wanting to explore adding motion and animation to their HTML workflow or HTML animation to their skill set. Creative professionals are encouraged to dive into the public preview and provide their feedback at www.labs.adobe.com. The Adobe Edge preview is expected to be updated regularly as new functionality is added.

This summer Adobe is sponsoring the Expressive Web Tour HTML5 Camps in cities that include San Francisco, Tokyo, New York City and London to continue providing further support to people interested in HTML5.

In addition, Adobe has launched a new online resource showcasing some of the newest and most expressive HTML5 and CSS3 features being added to the modern Web. The new site, which was released today in beta, was created using new HTML5 and CSS3 features.[/toggle]

[Adobe]

August 2, 2011

800Mbps WLAN using Light Bulb Network

German scientists have discovered a way to transmit WiFi networks in a Building infrastructure using Light Bulbs. Earlier this year researchers hit 500Mbps with white LEDs now, using a combination of white, green, blue, and red, the team was able to bring that up to 800Mbps.

The only drawback of this technology is the fact that there always needs to be a line of sight between the device and the bulb, so we don’t see it eliminating true WiFi just as yet.

[Slashgear]

August 2, 2011
University of Southern Mississippi, honors – Honor Students with Galaxy Tabs

Now thats a way to make the students happy, University of Southern Mississippi handed out Galaxy Tab 10.1 devices to Honor students for the year 2011-2012. The devices are also preloaded with text and syllabus for the academic year, including the ability to purchase books and check grades.

Initially only a 1000 tabs were given away to students in the Honors College, McNair Scholars, Southern Style, and Gulf Coast programs.

Now thats a way to motivate the students, maybe the Indian universities should take some inspiration from this. Although it appears that the devices were sponsored by Samsung , look at the video below.

[Engadget]

August 2, 2011
The Orange Sound Charge T-Shirt

UK based mobile operator Orange has developed a new T-Shirt that can charge your mobile phone. It uses a piezoelectric film which is stitched on the t-shirt, to capture sound waves, convert them into electricity and store it in a battery. A variety of mobile devices can then be plugged into the battery to charge.

The Sound Charge uses an existing technology in a revolutionary way; by reversing the use of a product called Piezoelectric film within a specially designed t-shirt, allowing people to charge their mobile phones whilst enjoying their favourite act at Glastonbury.

Adding more details to the amazing T-Shirt, Andrew Pearcey Head of Sponsorship at Orange UK said:

We envisage that this pioneering technology could really change the face of mobile charging in environments where eco charging solutions need to be found. It could even influence trends in fashion, with designers looking to integrate this passive charging solution into clothing.

August 1, 2011
The Nendo Data Clip

Nendo, a Japanese company has designed a USB pen drive in the shape of a paper clip for Elecom. The design is supposed to define a new relationship between physical and digital media. It can be used as a standard paper clip to keep papers and files organized.

August 1, 2011
Possible iPhone 5 Leaked : Spy shots

Looks like someone managed to snap the images of a test iPhone 5 in the US. Images from a man claiming to have spotted an Apple employee field testing the iPhone 5 have surfaced. Although the images are really blurry, one can easily make out the Apple logo at the back along with the curvaceous back rumored for the iPhone 5.

9 to 5 Mac reported this incident, and their tipster claimed to have seen the device upclose.

Almost EVO-like in screen size, this iPhone also appears thinner than the current iPhone 4 but also wider. The edges are rounded metal like the edges of a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 but could still function as an antenna. The back is a curved/tapered glass or plastic, if I had to to guess I’d say glass.” Said the Tipster

If this is indeed the next gen iPhone 5 in testing, then you can bet your money on the fact that its going to be released end August this year. The above images also match the render images iGyaan found sometime back.

August 1, 2011
Is Apple Richer than the US Govt.?

According to the latest financial reports, it appears that Apple has actually more cash reserves than the US govt. itself.

Here is what Business Insider said :

the world’s largest tech company has more cash than the world’s largest sovereign government”

At the end of June 2011, Apple had a total of US$ 76.2 Billion, while the US govt still fighting the crunch of last years financial downfall, stay at a figure of US$73.8 billion in reserves. Whats more Apple has no market debt or bank loans, and it does not hand out dividends. Apple’s reserve is now nearly 16 percent higher than three months ago, the amount added last quarter is higher than the amount on hand 4.5 years ago and the cash added is higher than Google’s overall revenues in the quarter”

August 1, 2011
BMW showcases the new i3 and i8 Concepts, we drool! (PR)

BMW automobiles is a well known name in the automotive industry, especially when it comes to innovation. The i brand was announced for the electric division of BMW automobiles earlier this year. The launch of the sub brand comes hand in hand with the two concept electric cars.

The i3 Concept

The i3 will drive 150km on a full charge, acceleration is about 0-60mph in around 8 seconds, while buying the vehicle owners will be able to opt in for the range-extending motor aptly named “REx.” The first consumer model should hit prime markets by as early as 2013. The charger will complete eighty percent charging in an hour, while a full charge could take as long as 6 hours.

The i8 Concept

The i8 on the other hand is highly aerodynamic and has a hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain, while consumption will remain around the region of 2.7 liters per 100km, while it will speed up from 0 to 62mph in 4.6 seconds.

[toggle title_open=”Collapse” title_closed=”Read The Press Release” hide=”yes” border=”yes” style=”default” excerpt_length=”0″ read_more_text=”Read More” read_less_text=”Read Less” include_excerpt_html=”no”]BMW Group presents mobility of the future +++ World premiere of the BMW i3 Concept and BMW i8 Concept +++ Reithofer: A milestone in the history of the company +++ Sustainability across the entire value added chain

Frankfurt a.M. / Munich. The BMW Group showcases its visions of future mobility in the shape of the BMW i3 Concept and BMW i8 Concept studies. Unveiled for the first time, these concept vehicles provide a glimpse of the first electrically powered production cars from the new BMW i sub-brand, due to be launched as the BMW i3 in 2013 and the BMW i8 in 2014.

“We are marking another milestone in the history of the BMW Group. As Chairman of the Board and an engineer myself, I am very proud of this project,” declared Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, at Friday’s premiere of the two vehicles in Frankfurt. “As the world’s leading premium car manufacturer, our aim is to offer customers purpose-built electric-drive cars as well,” he added.

With its zero-emission electric drive and a range of approximately 150 kilometres, the BMW i3 Concept has been specifically developed for use in an urban environment, its dynamic 125 kW electric motor and rear-wheel drive ensuring BMW-style dynamic handling. Thanks to its innovative LifeDrive architecture featuring a carbon passenger cell, the BMW i3 Concept combines an extremely low weight of 1,250 kilograms with optimal interior space and the highest crash safety levels. With four seats and a 200-litre luggage compartment, this vehicle is fully suited for everyday use.

Draeger: a revolution in car design

“This vehicle will mark the launch of the first volume-produced car featuring bodywork largely made of carbon. It’s a revolution in automotive design,” stressed Klaus Draeger, Member of the Board responsible for Development. The application of this new CFRP technology allows a weight reduction, compared to a conventional electric car, of between 250 and 350 kilos, and that means more dynamic handling coupled with a greater range. The BMW i3 does the 0 to 100 km/h sprint in less than eight seconds, while a high-speed charger achieves an 80% battery charge in just an hour.

Thanks to the emission-free drivetrain and a value added chain designed to be sustainable all along the line, life cycle emission figures for the BMW i3 are at least a third lower than for a highly efficient combustion-engine car. If the BMW i3 is run on electricity from renewable sources, the figures improve by well over 50%.

BMW i8 Concept: new-generation sports car

The BMW i8 Concept goes from 0 to 100 km/h in less than five seconds and boasts fuel consumption of under three litres per 100 km. Its plug-in hybrid drive with a system output of 260 kW allows a range of up to 35 kilometres in electric mode – sufficient for most everyday journeys. For more dynamic driving or out-of-town routes, a high-performance three-cylinder petrol engine also comes into play. The sports car has an electronically governed top speed of 250 km/h and space for up to four occupants. “The BMW i8 Concept is the sports car for a new generation – pure, emotional and sustainable,” Draeger underlined.

With BMW i, the BMW Group is corroborating its position as the most innovative and sustainable auto manufacturer in the world, as reflected in the fact that it has been the supersector leader in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes for the sixth year running. With BMW i, the BMW Group is providing answers to the mobility challenges of the future while pursuing a holistic approach. In addition to purpose-built premium vehicles with electric drive, the company is also offering intelligent mobility services.

The focus here is on solutions for improved use of parking space, intelligent navigation systems with location-based information, intermodal route planning and car-sharing schemes such as DriveNow. Following MyCityWay, ParkatmyHouse marks the second investment by the recently launched venture capital company BMW i Ventures in a company providing internet-based mobility services. Parkatmyhouse allows private individuals to use the internet or
smartphone app to rent out their private parking spaces on a short- or long-term basis.

Both the BMW i3 and the BMW i8 will be built at BMW’s Leipzig plant in Germany. Some 400 million euros are earmarked for investment in new buildings and facilities by 2013, while 800 new jobs are to be created. Vehicle production will be CO2 neutral and will draw on renewable resources. The company is currently investigating the possibility of erecting its own wind turbines on the plant site.

The BMW Group
The BMW Group is one of the most successful manufacturers of automobiles and motorcycles in the world with its BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brands. As a global company, the BMW Group operates 25 production and assembly facilities in 14 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

During the financial year 2010, the BMW Group sold 1.46 million cars and more than 110,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax for 2010 was euro 4.8 billion on revenues amounting to euro 60.5 billion. At 31 December 2010, the BMW Group had a workforce of approximately 95,500 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been built on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy. As a result of its efforts, the BMW Group has been ranked industry leader in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes for the last six years.[/toggle]

August 1, 2011
Epic Sunday Treat : Micromax Andro A70 Unboxing and Hands On
Here it is, we got over a thousand requests for the Andro A70 Unboxing and Review, while the review process is on, check out the unboxing and hands on below.

Key Features Include
- Android 2.2 (Froyo)
- Camera Primary 5.0 MP Secondary – VGA
- 600MHz Processor
- 8.128cm Multi Touch Capacitive Screen
- M! – apps – application store by Micromax
- WCDMA 2100 MHz
- HSDPA 7.2 Mbps
- Mi-Fi Pocket Wireless Internet
- GPS
- Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
- Battery 1450mAh
- Proximity Sensor
- Gravity Sensor
Price : Rs. 7599/-
July 31, 2011
A Solar Panel That Works Without The Sun

Solar panels have come a long way since the technology was first invented. But the major drawback of using photovoltaics on Earth is that it eventually gets dark. Researchers at MIT have developed a solution to this problem. They’ve come up with a photovoltaic cell which doesn’t need any sunlight and is built into a button sized generator that can run your smart-phone for a week.

In the image above, you have many of these generators that require a fuel, like butane, from which they generate heat. The material that the generators are made out of are pockmarked with billions of tiny (we’re taking nanometer scale here) holes. When this pockmarked surface heats up, it emits light in a few very specific wavelengths that are then captured by photovoltaic cells that are tuned to those specific wavelengths, and then you get electricity.

The basic principle of the new generators is the same as the one that feeds electricity to your house. A fuel is heated and converted into electricity. With a power plant, the heat is used to boil water to steam, and the steam is used to turn a turbine, which generates electricity. The new generators follow the exact same principle, but with no moving parts and a one step process, they are many times more efficient. Their prototype uses butane as a fuel but you can use anything that burns, coal, wood, uranium, you name it.

So as a consumer, what can you look forward to? Currently, MIT’s generator is about three times more efficient than a lithium ion battery, and since they run on butane, you just need to refill them and they’re good to go. With a little bit of work, MIT researchers say that they can triple their current efficiency, and since all this can be scaled down, you can expect a new smart phone using this technology to run for a solid week without a recharge in the near future.

July 30, 2011
Fusion Garage Attempts the JooJoo 2, calls it Grid 10

Fusion Garage is the name behind the highly unsuccessful tablet of 2010 called the JooJoo, the tablet had everything , Apps, social networking and internet fun but didn’t have a backbone or ability to do anything but surf the web. The company stopped production last year itself and has ever since been mum about it.

The company however is far from giving up and has sent a device right through the FCC for approval, and its called the grid 10. Calling it JooJoo 2 would have just been plain dumb. Grid 10 could also be the indication that the 10 app grid overlay UI they had earlier , lives on, but hopefully this time around they have a more stable OS running the guts, say Honeycomb.

July 30, 2011
New WiFi Standard Has A 100 Km Range

We’ve finally got a new WiFi standard to look forward to. The IEEE has officially released a new standard for 802.22 WiFi which can cover an area of over 31000 square kilometers from a single base station. You’re all probably familiar with the current standard 802.11 a/b/g/n as this is the standard that you use to connect to the Internet everyday.

The exponentially increased range is because the frequency that the WiFi network transmits on has changed. Over the last few years, analog television has seen a dramatic decrease in viewership. Using that very same frequency of 54MHz to 698 MHz the new standard gains increased range as these frequencies are very good for long range transmissions, which is why the range was used for analog TV signals.

The new 802.22 standard is not going to make your current router obsolete just yet. What it will be good for is to provide Internet access in rural areas or to provide municipal WiFi for an entire city. With a single base station having a transmission rate of 22 Mbps and a range of 100 km, it’s only a matter of time before we’re never without WiFi again. Well it’s perhaps time that we said goodbye to 3G.

July 30, 2011