New Tablet Perspective: Toughness:

There must be something about thin tablets, given that they lead the market when it comes to devices and pcs, but perhaps the public and techno fans have take it for granted that other than the thinness, tablet durability might also be one factor to consider when buying tablets. Fortunately, not all tablet, desktop and mobile devices manufacturer concern themselves with the idea that thin is totally in.

Panasonic has decided to come up with a ruggedized Android tablet. Panasonic is known for its Toughbook notebooks, so it isn’t really surprising if the company has designed a touch shock resistant tablet.

The new design is deemed to be launched in 2012, and the target market for the product is not the same market that has popularized Android Honeycomb contingents like Samsung, Asus, Acer, Motorela, Toshiba and Sony. The target population then are people who may possibly give their tablets a rough environment, like those who are often outdoors and exploring.

This is of course good because the conventional market will probably turn a thumbs down to the tablet because they value thinness more.

The new Tough tablet, with a codename of CM111, is 10.1 inch with silver chassis, a number of hardware buttons upfront and wrapped with rubberised grip in the sides. It may not be as thin as the svelte and elegant iPad and Galaxy Tab 10.1 but the new unit is further designed to have a multi-touch matte-style display, one that’s good for viewing things under strong sunlight. It is also modelled to support stylus input but its 3G connectivity is optional.

So how tough is the new Toughbook tablet? CM111 will be definitely temperature tested, whether it can endure an 200 degree C oven heat atmosphere or it can outstand a cold dip in a -85 degree C water bath.

Another temperature test that will be run on the unit is whether it can also survive quick temperature changing environment. Other tests like spraying the tablet continuously with water while it’s turned on, and dropping it from a 120 cm height on slabs of concrete and wood will also be done on the tough tablet. All these procedures are actually the qualifying processes for all Panasonic Toughbook notebooks, thus, it is just logical that the same will be given to the tablet as well.

If CM111 will get through all these tests, then welcome launch for the product should be already organized as early as now.

Android ToughBook – What You Must Know is a post from: Tech Pinger

Hasbro, a US multinational toy and board game company, has released an Operation board game that features R2-D2 as the patient in need of medical help.

Operation has originally been a battery operated game assessing the hand and eye coordination and other fine motor skills of the players.

The first version of Operation included the red nosed, chubby and naked character called Cavity Sam lying on an operating table and having fictional and humorously named illnesses such as Wrenched ankle Charley Horse.

Modern versions of Operation offered more complex mechanisms like a heart monitor for the patient, one which allowed the doctor player to pump oxygen to gain him more playing time.

Also, the characters no longer just include Cavity Sam, but also the characters of Buzz Light Year, Homer Simpson, Sponge Bob, Spider man and Doctor Who. The latest version again uses Star Wars R2-D2 as the sick client.

It seems crazy to have a droid as the patient, given that robots are not made up of the organs making up a human character but really, what harm can a little robot fun bring?

This is not to say the least that after all, the droid repair simply emphasizes that the world is really turning technology oriented. Soon, we might be seeing robots everywhere.

However, if we take in Star Wars characters, it shouldn’t be R2-D2 that should be on the operating table but C3PO instead.

R2′s character is a sturdy, feisty droid always giving his opinions while C3PO is the clumsy, always getting into more trouble than help robot.

What more, it seems to be always in separated parts, so it might be needing more repairs than R2. But then again, C3PO plays a small time role on the side of R2 anyway, with repairs needing to be mended in its neck.

This latest Operation version comes with the realistic sounds of the two droids, making the malady repairs done more fun.

So if you’re feeling like a little bit kid-like, or if you’re a Star Wars fanatic, you might want to add this up to your shopping cart next time. This toy costs only under $30, a great buy for a great fun!

Surgeon Wanted: To Operate on Star Wars’ R2-D2 is a post from: Tech Pinger

If you browse over the internet for brain making activities, you’d come up with a list of fun tasks to do.

But you probably will not expect that the search engine you’re using might just give you something like the following news.

This may not necessarily be about an activity but it definitely refers to brain shape items for sale online — only, this one isn’t for home décor or Halloween props (unless you want to give such for trick or treat), but one that is actually for that sweet tooth of yours.

What is this item? It’s a Giant Gummi Brain! How do you like that?

A jelly moulded into the shape of a human brain. If you’re feeling zombie-like, why don’t you gobble up this jelly instead of running around chasing humans for a bite?

Besides, you’re a zombie, not Dracula. Careful though, otherwise you’ll get your incisors and molars heavy with pain if they are too sensitive.

This is probably crammed with more calories than we can imagine, but who cares? Eating this will technically be a once in a life time event.

Who wants to eat gummies all the time? Surely, even those with the sweetest tooth will surrender, considering that it weighs about 3.18kg, with the dimensions of 19.5cm(L) x 15.6cm(W) x 7.5cm(D).

Wow, that brain surely weighs too heavy for one zombie dinner. It’s even heavier than the real brain mass of approximately 1.4kg!

What is its’ flavour? It’s Bubble-gum. No, don’t react yet, yes, its colour is red so it should taste like cherry or even strawberry, but then again, maybe the creator imagined that kids and teenager – the product’s target market – prefer bubblegum more than fruits, thus the colour.

Also, a marketability idea might point out as well that red (and even) orange – are colours associated with hunger.

Thus, the gummi brain’s colour will perhaps leave a hungry feeling in the target population, making them want this product although not necessarily eating it.

Anyway,to have it coloured in gray, which is the real colour of a human brain – might not seem appealing at all.

A plus factor for the Giant Gummi Brain is that it’s sugar free — so maybe, just maybe, it’s a healthy bit of food for the consumer. If you’re thinking of buying this, you can buy this product for £19.99 (~$32 USD) over at Firebox .

Sweet Thoughts for the Sweet Tooth – Giant Gummy Brain! is a post from: Tech Pinger

The most awaited Sony Playstation Vita is going to have a launch in Japan at the last month of this year.

While this news creates excitement for Playstation fans in Japan, the North Americans are just hearing the clocks ticking waiting for the Vita to finally come in their area.

Sadly, there’s no sign of Sony Vita as of yet in their area.

Apparently, it was announced that Sony will launch 26 games for the system that will include a wide array of peripherals and proprietary cards.

Basically, the system has no built-in memory that’s why you need to buy the proprietary cards in order to use the downloadable games, movies or music.

So, this is like a good strategy for Sony. On the other hand, battery life is also one that needs attention here. This may be the only downside that I can see in Sony Vita.

Imagine you should bother yourself in setting your brightness into default with Bluetooth turned off and headphones use for audio.

In order for you to have a greater picture of what I am talking about, take a look at this information provided below:

Available Memory Card System Battery Life
(Size) (Hours)

4GB -¥2,200 ($29) Game (3-5 hours approximate)
8GB -¥3,200 ($42) Video (5 hours approximate)
16GB -¥5,500 ($71) Music (9 hours approximate) stand by mode
32GB -¥9,500 ($124)

In other words, the release of Sony Vita is something that we expect, but taking into account its cost including the proprietary cards and the limited battery life are quite disappointing.

No wonder, one day we will also be required of buying a third party battery pack which I hope will not happen.

Sony Playstation Vita To Launch In Japan This December With Proprietary Memory Cards is a post from: Tech Pinger

After a week, the confirmation of Choi Gee Sung, Samsung’s CEO adds up to this disappointment by putting to rest the speculations of webOS deal. Although this rather sounds frustrating, the team at CM provides us with better solution.

With the straight to the point cut, CyanogenMod 7 for Android suggests that it will run better for your stagnant Touchpad.

Apparently, this platform will provide a more functional Wifi access, faster audio and operational accelerometer with easy access to Android Market.

However, the code is yet to be revealed by the team as they are currently configuring the Hamsterdance effect. In that case, we have to wait and hope for a faster development.

Meanwhile, there is a plan for webOS to receive split global business units.

Apparently, the two units specifically webOS software will be moved to the Office of Strategy and Technology, whereas the hardware division will go to the Personal Systems Group. The splitting of webOS units is viewed to optimize their technology.

But there is another hint that webOS will remain as the major platform for the HP Company.

Whether what move HP is going to make, we are petty sure that they are going to make the best move for their company.

But as a consumer, we can’t close our eyes to the other options offered by other developers. In this crucial moment, only one virtue will stand, it’s either loyalty or practicality.

CyanogenMod 7 for Android: Better Running in Touch-screens is a post from: Tech Pinger

A thirteen year old boy of the state of New York has won the 2011 Young Naturalist Award in his Oak Tree inspired Solar Array.

Adian Dwyer is a 7th grader who proposes that the Fibonacci sequence which can be found in the arrangement of oak tree leaves can be used as a basis in creating new design of solar panels.

The oak tree design solar panel was found to increase the energy efficiency from 20% to 50%.

According to Dwyer’s essay which was posted at the website of Young Naturalist Award, he was enjoying a nature trip when his attention was caught by how the branches of oak trees are arranged in a spiral pattern.

He wondered why the trees have that pattern and ask what could be the purpose of such.

Learning the mathematical pattern found throughout the nature called as the Fibonacci sequence, he then tested it with the spiral pattern of oak tree branches.

After that, he found out that the pattern adhered to the sequence.

This led him to hypothesize that the purpose of those spiral pattern has something to do with the process of photosynthesis in the trees.

In order to test his hypothesis, he made a miniature oak tree shaped solar array. And a result, his design generated fifty percent more power than the traditional solar power design.

This is due to the various angles of the array that effectively capture the light of the sun.

This idea is unique for a normal teenager like Dwyer. No wonder, he got the award as a young naturalist.

{Source: amnh.org }

13 Year Old Boy Comes Up With Efficient Solar Array ! is a post from: Tech Pinger

If you are happy getting along with your friends listening to a bunch of your favorite music, then I think this latest radio service integration may be a great advantage for you.

The Myxer Social Radio an internet radio service app created by an online media catalog for mobile devices was unveiled.

Apparently, this radio service will have its integration with the most popular social networking sites, Facebook and Twitter.

According to the site MyxerSocialRadio.com this radio service is totally refreshing and amazing build of group listening experience.

Aside from the fact that its 100% free streaming radio service, it offers both group and personalized listening rooms supported by the Social Boost technology and a real-time mobile chat.

In other words this radio service integration will allow the users to enjoy music streaming with their Facebook friends and Twitter followers.

This service will be available also to iTunes App Store, Android Market and to Myxer Social Radio website. This will also be released for iOS, Android and desktop web users.

There are no clear dates as to when they will be officially launching the service, but they are assuring the users that they will be notified via email.

So, if this sounds intriguing or better yet interesting to you, then you can freely subscribe at their site.

My impression tells me that these people are professional and dedicated to their clear intentions. Therefore, I hope for their success in this endeavor.

Myxer Social Radio: Internet Radio Service App in Facebook and Twitter is a post from: Tech Pinger

Google TV.

The search giant is indeed thriving to get success in their latest endeavor, the Google TV. For sometime the Google TV has already been enjoyed by the Americans but it seems like the market is not as enthusiastic as was expected before its release.

There can be various reasons for this US market response. One of these is having a wide array of cable companies that perhaps wouldn’t want their business to be injured with the seamless switching of TV and internet that was offered by Google TV.

For that reason, Google is moving to offer their deal in the UK market. According to Telegraph.co.uk, for the coming six months, Google TV will be available in UK.

Apparently, they can access Google TV by having a set-top box that enables them to search channels, videos and web using your television.

Also, an exciting feature is that you can even use your device as remote control with voice recognition. Moreover, the user will be allowed to access the BBC iPlayer, ITV Player and more.

Google TV aims to change every user’s experience in watching and using the internet. I’m sure Google TV fans in UK are really excited with this. An introductory video are provided below for you to see the overview of how Google TV works.

In view of this, Google is expecting much in UK because of the region’s availability of free-to-air service unlike in the US. But we can’t say anything more as of yet until we see some good results.

So, we’ll wait for more updates of Google TV in UK within the next six months.

Google TV in UK: Coming Soon With High Market Expectation is a post from: Tech Pinger

This watch features the equivalent notation for every numbers in the clock. For example ’3!’ pertains to 6 because it is a factorial. Now if you can answer more than half of this clock’s notations then you’re really a geek.

Well, aside from being a certified geek, this watch is really stylish in silver. You can wear it every day in work, travel and in formal events. This watch is also accurate and assures you with a high quality. It has the standard watch battery, but it’s not waterproof. This is sold for $65.00.

So, if you’re really a geek and not just a chic why not grab one and try to answer the notations. And oh, before I forget, there’s a cheat sheet included in each clock. The following cheat sheet is shown below:

Cheat Sheet of Geek Wrist Watch

1 – Legendre’s constant is a mathematical constant occurring in a formula conjectured by Adrien-Marie Legendre to capture the asymptotic behavior of the prime-counting function. Its value is now known to be exactly 1.

2 – A joke in the math world: An infinite number of mathematicians walk into a bar. The first one orders a beer. The second orders half a beer. The third, a quarter of a beer. The bartender says, “You’re all idiots,” and pours two beers.

3 – A unicode character XML “numeric character reference.”

4 – Modular arithmetic, also known as clock arithmetic, is a system of arithmetic for integers, where numbers “wrap around” after they reach a certain value. The modular multiplicative inverse of 2 (mod 7) is the integer /a/ such that 2*/a/ is congruent to 1 modulo 7.

5 – The Golden Mean…reworked a little.

6 – Three factorial (3*2*1=6)

7 – A repeating decimal that is proven to be exactly equal to 7 with Cauchy’s Convergence Test.

8 – Graphical representation of binary code.

9 – An example of a base-4 number, which uses the digits 0, 1, 2 and 3 to represent any real number.

10 – A Binomial Coefficient, also known as the choose function. 5 choose 2 is equal to 5! divided by (2!*(5-2)!)

11 – A hexadecimal, or base-16, number.

12 – a radical

Geek Wrist Watch: Measuring The Mathematical Prowess Of A True Geek is a post from: Tech Pinger

Have you come across with the latest fad of Super7 store?

Well, here is the clue Darth Vader and Boba Fett. Yes, it’s Star Wars! I assure you this will be a great deal to add to your Star Wars collection.

Recently, the Super7 toy, art, design and culture store have their inaugural release of Star Wars X Super 7 collection and this is the Imperial Forces Wallpaper.

The wallpaper was designed by Brian Flynn of Super7 for his retail store in San Francisco.

Eventually, this design was noticed by Steve Sansweet, an avid collector of Star Wars. It features the Star Wars unforgettable characters such as Darth Vader, Boba Fett and many more. Today, this Star Wars wallpaper is already licensed under the Lucas Film.

Apparently, the wallpaper is intricately designed in textured portrait which is also hand screened in an artistic, sci-fi black and white hue.

Actually, the black and white are very good base colors to decorate your room as any colors can be paired to it.

At a first distant glance, you will not instantly notice that the designs were actually Star Wars characters, but when you take a stare at it, oh wow! It’s just amazing. I wish I could see some other neutral colors like gray and brown for this wallpaper.

It is sold from $75 for 17 sq. feet to $350 for 101 sq. feet. So, what are you waiting for, grab yours now and may the forces be with you as you feel the look of Star Wars inside your room.

You can get this wallpaper from the Super7 store here.

Star Wars Imperial Forces Wallpaper – Check it out! is a post from: Tech Pinger