Friday, January 29, 2010
Feeding the iPad Frenzy
Yudu is quick out of the gate with a white paper comparing all current and soon to be forthcoming major e-readers including the iPad along with some commentary regarding the e-publishing industry. Clearly there is a little cheerleading involved as rapid market adoption of e-readers is certainly favorable for Yudu, but one quote did strike me: “every fifth book now sold in U.S. is now sold as an ebook” according to the U.S. Book Industry Study Group.
Vampires apparently have it right - blood from younger mice reverse signs of aging http://ping.fm/auGaO
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
The Apple Tablet Interface Must Be Like This - apple tablet - Gizmodo (a lengthy discertation) http://ping.fm/Lh9IU
Thursday, January 21, 2010
With Redesign, Reuters.com Goes After Consumer Audience, interesting approach, they only 3 add positions on most pages http://ping.fm/sEq8s
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Could Humans Detonate the Sun?
A Russian scientist has advanced a theory that we could indeed "nova" the sun utilizing thermonuclear weapons (nod to Next Big Future). This would require new technology to enable delivery of the warhead deep into the sun, but given the pace of technological development it's not outside the realm of possibility within 50 years or less.
I'm not competent to judge the soundness of his science, but I am bit skeptical. One reason is that objects of significant size traveling at great speeds and therefore delivering massive amounts of energy impact the sun on a semi-frequent basis and as far as we now haven't produced any catastrophic results.
A decent size asteroid smacking into the sun would likely produce energies orders of magnitude greater than a current day thermonuclear detonation. Additionally, one composed substantially of typical metals such as iron/nickel would likely penetrate a reasonable distance into the sun before dissipating.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Nanocapacitors could be the next big step in energy storage - and in explosives
According to Dr. Alfred W. Hubler, Director of the Center for Complex Systems Research at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, nanocapacitors i.e. digital batteries could store substantially more energy than chemical systems. Dr. Hubler states "The maximum density of retrievable energy in nano capacitors is comparable with the density of retrievable energy from nuclear reactions."
They could also have potential as explosives "The rapid energy release of nano capacitors discharged by an electrical short makes them potent explosives, potentially exceeding the power of any chemical explosive."
You can read Dr. Hubler's article here and find some interesting conversation on this topic at Next Big Future.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Oregon profs plan giant robotic space cockroach warriors, http://tiny.cc/Nwap0. I love the sarcasm from the Register!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Physicist Proposes New Method for Quantum Propulsion
According to quantum mechanics, any vacuum will be filled with electromagnetic waves leaping in and out of existence. This approach exploits aspects of quantum vacuum to create propulsive force. Article is on MIT's Technology Review.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Single-Atom Transistor Discovered
Science Daily reports that a research team has succeeded in building a working transistor "whose active region composes only of a single phosphorus atom in silicon". This research is working towards enabling quantum computing, with the idea of utilizing the spin degree of freedom of an electron of the phosphorus donor as a quantum bit, a qubit.
The researchers were able to observe in their experiments spin up and down states for a single phosphorus donor for the first time. This is a crucial step towards the control of these states, that is, the realization of a qubit.
A particularly interesting thought mentioned in the story that isn't heard often outside of the scientific community is that "the rapid development of computers, which created the present information society, has been mainly based on the reduction of the size of transistors." In other words, much of our way of life in the 21st century is substantially due to the historical and ongoing miniaturization of transistors.
The researchers were able to observe in their experiments spin up and down states for a single phosphorus donor for the first time. This is a crucial step towards the control of these states, that is, the realization of a qubit.
A particularly interesting thought mentioned in the story that isn't heard often outside of the scientific community is that "the rapid development of computers, which created the present information society, has been mainly based on the reduction of the size of transistors." In other words, much of our way of life in the 21st century is substantially due to the historical and ongoing miniaturization of transistors.
Usability defined
I ran across a very good definition of usability from Jakob Nielsen:
"a quality attribute that assesses how easy user interfaces are to use. The word 'usability' also refers to methods for improving ease-of-use during the design process." He defines five quality components of usability:
• Learnability: How easy is it for users to accomplish basic tasks the first time they encounter the design?
• Efficiency: Once users have learned the design, how quickly can they perform tasks?
• Memorability: When users return to the design after a period of not using it, how easily can they reestablish proficiency?
• Errors: How many errors do users make, how severe are these errors, and how easily can they recover from the errors?
• Satisfaction: How pleasant is it to use the design?"
"a quality attribute that assesses how easy user interfaces are to use. The word 'usability' also refers to methods for improving ease-of-use during the design process." He defines five quality components of usability:
• Learnability: How easy is it for users to accomplish basic tasks the first time they encounter the design?
• Efficiency: Once users have learned the design, how quickly can they perform tasks?
• Memorability: When users return to the design after a period of not using it, how easily can they reestablish proficiency?
• Errors: How many errors do users make, how severe are these errors, and how easily can they recover from the errors?
• Satisfaction: How pleasant is it to use the design?"
Friday, December 4, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
Superconductivity Achieved at Household Freezer Temperatures
Superconductor.org reports that superconductivity was achieved in a compound called 242K at 254 degrees Kelvin, which is about -2 degrees Fahrenheit.
Only about 74 degrees F away now from room temperature superconductors, superconducting batteries, etc.
Only about 74 degrees F away now from room temperature superconductors, superconducting batteries, etc.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
What's Augmented Reality's Killer App?
Kristina Grifantini writes in MIT's Technology Review about Augmented Reality and cell phones, but doesn't really answer the question posed in the story's title.
Researchers plan to offer more than just directions with innovations in software and hardware.
First paragraph: "Augmented reality (AR), which involves superimposing virtual objects and information on top of the real world, may be coming to a phone near you. As mobile phones become packed with more sensors, better video capabilities, and faster processing power, many experts predict that AR will become increasingly common. But in a panel discussion today at EmTech@MIT in Cambridge, MA, panelists will admit that several obstacles still remain and that the "killer app" for augmented reality has yet to emerge."
Researchers plan to offer more than just directions with innovations in software and hardware.
First paragraph: "Augmented reality (AR), which involves superimposing virtual objects and information on top of the real world, may be coming to a phone near you. As mobile phones become packed with more sensors, better video capabilities, and faster processing power, many experts predict that AR will become increasingly common. But in a panel discussion today at EmTech@MIT in Cambridge, MA, panelists will admit that several obstacles still remain and that the "killer app" for augmented reality has yet to emerge."
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Is the Singularity A Load of Crap?
Alfred Nordmann writing in IEEE Spectrum seems to think so.
According to Mr. Nordmann "The story of the Singularity is sweeping, dramatic, simple--and wrong". He makes some good points around the acceleration of technological progress. However, his arguments seem anecdotal in nature, and are counter to my own experience working in the world of Internet businesses.
The most common definition of the Singularity is "the technological creation of smarter-than-human intelligence". My opinion is that this event is inevitable, the question is timing. If one assumes that technological progress continues at a linear pace and not an accelerating one, the Singularity would still occur, just at a point farther off in time.
Read the first portion of the article below, click through for the rest:
BY Alfred Nordmann // June 2008
This is part of IEEE Spectrum's SPECIAL REPORT: THE SINGULARITY
"Take the idea of exponential technological growth, work it through to its logical conclusion, and there you have the singularity. Its bold incredibility pushes aside incredulity, as it challenges us to confront all the things we thought could never come true—the creation of superintelligent, conscious organisms, nanorobots that can swim in our bloodstreams and fix what ails us, and direct communication from mind to mind. And the pièce de résistance: a posthuman existence of disembodied uploaded minds, living on indefinitely without fear, sickness, or want in a virtual paradise ingeniously designed to delight, thrill, and stimulate.
This vision argues that machines will become conscious and then perfect themselves, as described elsewhere in this issue. Yet for all its show of tough-minded audacity, the argument is shot through with sloppy reasoning, wishful thinking, and irresponsibility. Infatuated with statistics and seduced by the power of extrapolation, singularitarians abduct the moral imagination into a speculative no-man’s-land. To be sure, they are hardly the first to spread fanciful technological prophecies, but among enthusiasts and doomsayers alike their proposition enjoys an inexplicable popularity. Perhaps the real question is how they have gotten away with it."
Click here for the rest of the article
According to Mr. Nordmann "The story of the Singularity is sweeping, dramatic, simple--and wrong". He makes some good points around the acceleration of technological progress. However, his arguments seem anecdotal in nature, and are counter to my own experience working in the world of Internet businesses.
The most common definition of the Singularity is "the technological creation of smarter-than-human intelligence". My opinion is that this event is inevitable, the question is timing. If one assumes that technological progress continues at a linear pace and not an accelerating one, the Singularity would still occur, just at a point farther off in time.
Read the first portion of the article below, click through for the rest:
BY Alfred Nordmann // June 2008
This is part of IEEE Spectrum's SPECIAL REPORT: THE SINGULARITY
"Take the idea of exponential technological growth, work it through to its logical conclusion, and there you have the singularity. Its bold incredibility pushes aside incredulity, as it challenges us to confront all the things we thought could never come true—the creation of superintelligent, conscious organisms, nanorobots that can swim in our bloodstreams and fix what ails us, and direct communication from mind to mind. And the pièce de résistance: a posthuman existence of disembodied uploaded minds, living on indefinitely without fear, sickness, or want in a virtual paradise ingeniously designed to delight, thrill, and stimulate.
This vision argues that machines will become conscious and then perfect themselves, as described elsewhere in this issue. Yet for all its show of tough-minded audacity, the argument is shot through with sloppy reasoning, wishful thinking, and irresponsibility. Infatuated with statistics and seduced by the power of extrapolation, singularitarians abduct the moral imagination into a speculative no-man’s-land. To be sure, they are hardly the first to spread fanciful technological prophecies, but among enthusiasts and doomsayers alike their proposition enjoys an inexplicable popularity. Perhaps the real question is how they have gotten away with it."
Click here for the rest of the article
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Augmented Reality in a Contact Lens
From IEEE Spectrum
A new generation of contact lenses built with very small circuits and LEDs promises bionic eyesight.
BY Babak A. Parviz // September 2009
The human eye is a perceptual powerhouse. It can see millions of colors, adjust easily to shifting light conditions, and transmit information to the brain at a rate exceeding that of a high-speed Internet connection.
But why stop there?
In the Terminator movies, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character sees the world with data superimposed on his visual field—virtual captions that enhance the cyborg’s scan of a scene. In stories by the science fiction author Vernor Vinge, characters rely on electronic contact lenses, rather than smartphones or brain implants, for seamless access to information that appears right before their eyes.
Click through for the rest of the story
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)