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Showing posts from February, 2014

Ol' stuff (ask for more info): Clean S58 HTC (Legacy)

25/02/2009  03:29 a.m.           220.457 Adie-V1.3-genediag.nbh 19/06/2009  07:09 p.m.            87.671 ASP_Function_Test_USB_v23.rar 25/02/2009  03:29 a.m.           245.545 Bdie-V2.0-genediag.nbh 19/06/2009  07:10 p.m.           225.065 blacdiag.nbh 25/02/2009  03:28 a.m.           183.355 CONVDIAG.nbh 19/12/2008  09:55 p.m.           350.505 elf0diag.nbh 15/12/2008  11:32 p.m.           269.609 excadiag.nbh 15/12/2008  11:32 p.m.           347.945 heradiag.nbh 01/05/2011  03:22 p.m.           314.028 HTC_DesireHD_s58_PD98DIAG.zip 01/05/2011  03:30 p.m.           416.701 HTC_DesireS_s58_PG88DIAG.zip 01/05/2011  03:32 p.m.           269.169 HTC_D...

Ol' stuff for sale: SONY ERICSSON FLASHFILES [Classical Collection DB2xxx DB3xxx]

30391318  flasharea\C902\R3DA028_APP_SW_1204_1731_GENERIC_AO_REDBROWNBLUE_CID52_49_DB3150.software     23636787  flasharea\C902\R3DA028_FS_AMERICA_NAM_AO_REDBROWNBLUE_CID52_49.software     30067320  flasharea\C905\C905_R1FA035_APP_SW_1205_9079_GENERIC_SI_REDBROWNBLUE_CID53_52_49_DB3210.software     41718123  flasharea\C905\C905_R1FA035_FS_AMERICA_SI_REDBROWNBLUE_CID53_52_49.software     28865186  flasharea\C905\R1BA042_APP_SW_1205_9079_GENERIC_SI_REDBROWNBLUE_CID52_49_DB3210.software     38778510  flasharea\C905\R1BA042_FS_AMERICA_SI_REDBROWNBLUE_CID52_49.software       115758  flasharea\CDA Z520.htm        13955  flasharea\CUSTOMIZATION\Carolina_i_CDA102580_9_EUROPE_1.zip        21242  flasharea\CUSTOMIZATION\HB1_06_Generic_CDA102568_7_C_ASIA.zip        24822  flasharea\CUSTOMIZATION\K610im_CDA102690_1_I_...

Sony to shutter two-thirds of its US stores

Sony Electronics is closing 20 of its 31 US-based store locations, the Japanese consumer electronics giant announced this afternoon. The news follows layoffs at Sony affecting approximately 5,000 employees worldwide; it's unclear if European or Asian Sony stores are affected by today's news (we've asked). The announcement release cites Sony's need, "to maintain its competitiveness in an evolving consumer electronics market" as the reason for the closures. The company also sold off its PC business last month, making today's news yet another step in the ongoing restructuring of Sony. The 11 remaining stores are mostly in or near major markets: New York City, Los Angeles, and Orlando and Houston. Sony's two-floor flagship store in New York City is slated to remain open, though the building above it (housing a variety of Sony offices) was sold last year for a cool $1.1 billion. At the time (January 2013), Sony said it'd stay in the building as a r...

Google's Project Ara modular smartphone gets a trio of dev conferences

Google's got plenty of moonshots brewing in its Advanced Technology and Projects (ATAP), but one of the most intriguing is its modular smartphone design, called Project Ara. Because Ara's a platform designed to lets users swap out hardware (processors, cameras, or sensors) on the phone, it presents unique opportunities for developers to build different kinds of modules and the software needed to make them all work. That's why ATAP's going to be doing three developers' conferences this year, with the first one set to happen April 15-16 at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California. Folks that want to attend, but are outside striking distance of the Bay Area need not fret, however, as there will be a live webcast and interactive Q&A sessions of the conference, too. This initial event will focus on building the modules themselves, as Google will be making an alpha version of its Module Developers' Kit available at the beginning of April. We d...

Automatic Link driving assistant can now auto-post to Facebook, other apps

One of the greatest benefits of Automatic's Link driving assistant dongle is that it finally made it possible to hook your car's metadata to the web. You could then use your smartphone to do things like track your trips, note your parking spot and even figure out your Check Engine light problem without going to a mechanic. Well today, it's about to go one step further thanks to a partnership with IFTTT. IFTTT, if you're unaware, is a service that hooks up a variety of apps and services together with a series of "If This, Then That" formulas. Now with Automatic, you can create recipes that'll prompt an action once it detects certain information from your car. For example, you can set it so that you get a text message every time the car starts up, or send a push notification to your spouse whenever you're running late. You can automatically post trip summaries to Facebook, tweet if you're ever in an accident or keep track of your mileage in a de...

A new version of the Moto X is coming this summer

After Lenovo's recent purchase, questions immediately arose surrounding Motorola's planned device launches for 2014. In a Twitter Q&A surrounding the events at Mobile World Congress, the handset maker revealed that the next version of its popular Moto X is coming in "late summer." Unfortunately, that's about all the outfit was willing to spill for now, but we'll be curious to see how things like manufacturing play out in the coming months. SOURCE

Ford's 2015 Focus brings touchscreen Sync technology to Europe

Europe regularly gets Ford's latest cars, but it hasn't been so lucky with Sync -- the continent typically has to make do with the basic version rather than MyFord Touch . Locals won't have to settle when the 2015 Focus rolls out in the second half of the year, though. The redesigned car will bring Sync 2, which is effectively MyFord Touch under a new name; drivers get a similar 8-inch touchscreen interface with sophisticated control over the climate system, media playback, navigation and AppLink support. The 2015 refresh should bring a few welcome tech upgrades no matter where you live, including a now-standard rear view camera as well as optional blind spot detection and lane warnings. Ford isn't giving out prices at this stage, although we wouldn't expect this newest Focus to cost much more than the outgoing model. SOURCE

Hands-on with Huawei's first Firefox OS phone, the Y300

The Y300 marks Huawei's first entry into the world of Firefox OS. But unlike ZTE's Open C, this device runs FFOS 1.1 -- not the latest 1.3 build with its focus on stability. Regardless, the Y300 looks like much like its sibling FFOS devices in software and general build quality. The 4-inch handset has a WVGA display, 1GHz dual-core Snapdragon 8225 processor paired with 512MB RAM, 1,950mAh battery and is the first FFOS device to include dual cameras: a 5 megapixel module on back and VGA up front. As we mentioned earlier, the build is nothing special, but that seems to be the common thread for FFOS devices. The Y300 has a black, all plastic hull that's marked by a power button up top and alongside the headphone jack, volume keys on the right edge and a micro-USB port at the base. The FFOS UI appeared mostly unchanged on the Y300, but a Mozilla rep did confirm Huawei had made subtle tweaks including the addition of a rotation lock amongst other minor changes. Again, as ...

Orange's Gova smartphone promises fast LTE on a budget

We don't normally think of Orange's smartphones as quick, but we'll have to make an exception for the carrier's just-unveiled Gova. The 4.5-inch, Android 4.3-toting handset is the provider's first with 150Mbps LTE, giving subscribers fast data without making them spring for more advanced hardware. It's also one of Orange's more capable phones overall thanks to its 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 5-megapixel rear camera and 8GB of built-in storage. The Gova should reach Luxembourg, Mauritius, Moldova, Poland, Spain, Slovakia and Tunisia in April. Those that don't need quite so much power can opt for the already available Reyo, which combines more modest data speeds with a 5-inch screen, Android 4.2 and a 1.3GHz dual-core chip. Unfortunately, there's no word of UK launches for either of these frugal devices. SOURCE

Mad Catz C.T.R.L.i is an iOS 7 controller with Xbox heritage (hands-on)

Best known for its range of console and PC gaming accessories, Mad Catz has made huge strides over the past year to cater for mobile gamers. After it launched its M.O.J.O. Android gaming console in June, the peripheral maker has emerged at Mobile World Congress with C.T.R.L.i, its first controller to feature native support for iOS 7. While it's still in the prototype stage (so new, we're amongst the first to see it), the C.T.R.L.i is was fully playable when we discussed specifics with Mad Catz's representative, allowing us to experience an almost final version of the gamepad before it launches publicly in April. If the C.T.R.L.i looks familiar, that's because it's basically the same controller that ships with the M.O.J.O. Android box and its award-winning MLG Pro Circuit controller for Xbox 360. Swapping consoles for handhelds, Mad Catz has introduced a spring-loaded mount to cater for Apple's current iPhone range and any larger devices it may or may not de...

Ford reportedly dropping Windows in favor of QNX for next-gen Sync software

Forget the fact that Ford CEO Alan Mulally was reportedly a contender for the Microsoft CEO job: the two companies have long had a cozy relationship, with Ford using Windows to power its in-car Sync software. That could change, though, if this story from Bloomberg is correct. The news agency is reporting that Ford plans to ditch Windows for its next-gen Sync system and base it on BlackBerry's QNX instead. In particular, Bloomberg's sources claim that a move to QNX would be more cost-effective, and also lead to potential improvements in "speed and flexibility." Indeed, the performance could be the deciding factor here: Ford has rated the quality of its vehicles "mixed" for the last three years, according to Bloomberg, with customers complaining about tech malfunctions in customer satisfaction surveys by J.D. Power & Associates and Consumer Reports. For now, Ford, BlackBerry and Microsoft have all declined comment. If the report is true, though, Ford ...

Google and LG are reportedly working together on an Android smartwatch

Rumors of a Google-powered smartwatch just got a little more tangible -- both CNET and the Wall Street Journal claim that the search firm is teaming up with LG to make the Android-based wristwear. We still don't know much about the hardware's capabilities, but CNET believes that Google would follow the Nexus model and create a reference device that would launch at Google I/O in June. The WSJ notes that other manufacturers could also join the fray. None of the companies involved have commented on the rumor so far, so you won't want to start budgeting for the gadget just yet. However, a Google-badged, LG-made smartwatch would make sense when the two companies have enjoyed success making phones like the Nexus 5, and LG is already designing wearables like the Lifeband Touch. SOURCE

Un abrazo y saludo a mis hermanos de Venezuela...

Y que no se detengan, no se cansen. Devolvieron CNN otra vez al ruedo en su pais, pronto seran mas cosas... Se que no es relevante; tampoco vivo alli, pero estoy un tanto pendiente de lo que sucede. Si desean usar este blog como medio de comunicacion para que el mundo sepa, adelante, este es su blog. Simplemente pongan en los comentarios o escribanme [ luigivsf@hotmail.com ] #FuerzaVenezuela Adelante hermanos, y no se detengan. Aqui, un servidor mas para ustedes...

I know, visits are going doooooooooooooown

Sorry for longtime no-posting stuff... But I was a little bit busy doing some cash (need it, wasn't shit from me asking for a couple of coins in donation-way), and perhaps will be still busy doing it. Stuff is getting shit out of me, but at least we're alive and with proper health. Isn't the best way of living we want it, but I'm thankful I have a couple of jobs to do and stuff is getting bit better. Anyways, If you want to contribute you can help me with your prayers, to get better thru this. To continue helping people and not forgetting you from this blog. To be the best for my mom & sister. To be a man who someone wants. Still thanks for your continue support, even If I don't post smth new. Ps. You already know PayPal/Payza address [ luigivsf@hotmail.com ] May The Lord Bless you all... :)

DIY repair your hard drive and save $$$

This three-year-old pizza won't kill you

It's the zombie apocalypse, and the only items on the menu are a year-old pizza and cockroach sashimi -- which would you choose? Well, if that pepperoni-smattered pie came from the US Army's Natick Labs, you've hit the jackpot. A team of food scientists at the facility are apparently hard at work developing pizza that can stay good for up to three years, specifically for deployed soldiers' pre-packaged meals. In fact, they just finished making a prototype this February. It took the team two years to perfect the current recipe, because you can't just dip slices in vats of preservatives and hope for the best. They used humectants (ingredients like sugars, salts and syrups) to keep the crust from being soggy and changed the acidity of the sauce, dough and cheese to prevent bacterial growth. While the prototype's nowhere near ready for distribution, the munchie experts' taste testers claim it's as good as something you'd "get from a pizza parlo...

(Post #1000) Back to the future: Nike designer touts 2015 arrival for Marty McFly's Power Laces

Back in 2011, Nike MAGs brought the futuristic looks of Marty McFly to the feet of sneaker collectors. There was just one problem: the fashionably-lit footwear from Back to the Future II was lacking its key feature. Well, now it seems that the iconic Power Laces will finally arrive in 2015. Nike designer Tinker Hatfield confirmed that the closure is on the way next year at a recent appearance at the Jordan Brand's Flight Lab. "Are we gonna see Power Laces in 2015? To that, I say yes!," Hatfield said. In case you've forgotten, the pair of MAGs in the movie were all the rage in 2015, so the schedule lines up. As the folks over at Sole Collector note, the question remains whether we'll see a new Power Lace-equipped version of the MAGs or if the add-on will arrive on a completely new model that laces itself. If you're not into waiting or high-tech sneakers, the 2011 release is currently available on eBay for around $8,000. SOURCE

First Xbox One feature update goes live

Microsoft's spring update for the Xbox One is here! (Cue triumphant trumpets.) It's a few days later than anticipated but, as they say, better late than never. The first major update for the console packs a host of improvements, including better Kinect voice recognition, improved all-round stability, and some key fixes to the dashboard -- such as onscreen meters for the controller's battery and free HDD space (check after the break for a complete list). You'll also be able to plug a USB keyboard in, which should make web browsing and searching a whole lot less painful. The update is rolling out to customers during "off-peak" hours in their local time zones. Or as the ever eloquent Larry Hryb put it, "never fear you'll see it sometime over the weekend." If you're taking advantage of Xbox's Instant On feature, the console will check for an update next time you turn it off. New/updated Features Update to My Game & Apps to allow s...

Titanfall switches to an open beta on Xbox One today, PC will follow soon

Xbox One owners furiously refreshing their inboxes (or Respawn founder Vince Zampella's Twitter feed) looking for Titanfall beta codes can step away from the F5 button -- it's switching to an open beta. According to Major Nelson, it will appear on your console under the new game demos section, although it may take some time before everyone sees it. PC owners aren't entirely left out of the fun either, as Zampella indicates that version will follow "maybe tomorrow." The beta was originally scheduled to run until Tuesday night at 9PM ET, but that's going to be extended at least one day after server issues kept players offline most of Friday night. The plan is to "max stress" the all-multiplayer game's servers before it launches March 11th, but if you just want to find out if the former Call of Duty team can blend a 6v6 shooter with mech action then it should work for that too. SOURCE

Hackers stole Kickstarter user data, but payment info was left untouched

In a blog post this afternoon, CEO Yancey Strickler said hackers gained access to "some" of Kickstarter's customer data last week. The co-founder of the crowdfunding outfit went on to say that the breach was closed immediately and security measures were boosted system wide. As of now, no credit card info was nabbed by the infiltrators -- only usernames, email and mailing addresses, phone numbers and encrypted passwords. As you might expect, you're strongly encouraged to change the password associated with your account. "We have since improved our security procedures and systems in numerous ways, and we will continue to do so in the weeks and months to come," Strickler wrote. SOURCE

Some music to gear up...

More of... PTC: Follow me!

Follow me on NeoBux This is another PTC site (paid-to-click) to earn some extra lil cash, but I'd prefer first one (they pay a bit better...) but the technique to earn cash is having registered in many sites you can... so the more clicks you do, better payment you'll receive. Is not bullshit, im doing that right now :P Don't forget to click on link if I promote you to do that. Instead of seeing or watching useless stuff, at least here's a small way to get some $$$

PTC: Follow me!

http://bux.to/register.php?r=luigivsf Bux.to is a PTC (paid to click) site (click on ads, earn some extra little cash... u have to be persistent, money not gonna fall instantly), is easy to use and if U dont have something to do online, u can do some coins as me. Don't forget to click on the link! (if u r going to register) :) PS. Looks like bux.to pays better than neobux... but neobux is a bit faster to deploy ads

Nokia Lumia Icon coming to Verizon February 20th for $200

Yes, Windows Phones are finally keeping up with the Joneses. Thanks to the latest update , smartphones running Microsoft's mobile OS can now have top-of-the-line components. We got a good taste of how this feels with the Nokia Lumia 1520 (spoiler: It's pretty dang good), but most people would prefer flagship specs in a smaller phone. Enter the Lumia Icon, a loaded 5-inch WP8 device exclusive to Verizon that goes on sale in black and white colors February 20th for $200 with a two-year contract. (It'll cost $550 at full retail or Edge pricing.) The Icon comes with nearly all the same specs as the Lumia 1520: a 1080p display, 2.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, 20-megapixel PureView rear camera (with optical image stabilization, a 1.2MP front-facing webcam, a Gorilla Glass 3 screen, Qi wireless charging, NFC, dual-band WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth 4.0 + LE. Unsurprisingly, the 2,420mAh battery is smaller, and we hope it can efficiently manage the high-def scr...

How to reset Oil Light Change in ur Ford Fiesta 2010-

Ford Focus MK3 Test Mode

Here's a possible sneak peek at the homescreen for HTC's next flagship

The online rumor mill's been working overtime where HTC's upcoming M8 flagship is concerned, with some even going so far as to conjure fake mock-ups of the device. Leave it to @evleaks then to give us our first alleged glimpse of the handset, albeit via the device's homescreen. From what we can see in the image above, it looks as though HTC's given Blinkfeed, its Flipboard-like service, a slight makeover. There's also the presence of onscreen virtual navigation buttons, which gives some weight to the recent gossip we've heard about the M8's build. Beyond that though, it's hard to tell just how much HTC's evolved its Sense UI for the device. But with Mobile World Congress just a few weeks away, we should know the full monty soon enough -- that is unless HTC's cooking up a separate event of its own. SOURCE

Talk: CAN Hacking, the In-vehicle network

The Bus On the hardware side, there’s two types of CAN: differential (or high-speed) and single wire. Differential uses two wires and can operate up to 1 Mbps. Single wire runs on a single wire, and at lower speeds, but is cheaper to implement. Differential is used in more critical applications, such as engine control, and single wire is used for less important things, such as HVAC and window control. Many controllers can connect to the same bus in a multi-master configuration. All messages are broadcast to every controller on the bus. An oversimplified in-vehicle network The structure of a CAN message From a software perspective CAN message consists of 3 parts: an identifier, a data length code, and up to eight bytes of data. The identifier (ID) is used to specify what the message means, and who’s sending it. Typically standard IDs are 11 bits, but there are also 29 bit extended type IDs. The ID also defines the priority: the lower the ID, the higher the message’s priori...

Your car's computer system can be hacked with off-the-shelf parts

You probably don't spend much time thinking about the computer in your car, but a pair of Spanish security researchers sure does. In preparation for next month's Black Hat Asia security conference in Singapore, Javier Vazquez-Vidal and Alberto Garcia Illera have assembled a small electronic device that can leave a vehicle's computer system open to attack. "It can take five minutes or less to hook up and then walk away," Vidal says. It can also be built from off-the-shelf components for less than $20. What the gizmo can actually do depends on the car. The team says that they've wired the CAN Hacking Tool (named for the Controller Area Network bus it exploits) into four vehicles, and have used it to wirelessly manipulate lights, set off alarms, control power windows and even activate the vehicle's brakes. By the time the conference starts, they hope to outfit the prototype with a GSM radio, making it possible to control a vehicle's systems from virt...

Bose's new SoundLink III has improved sound, battery life

Today Bose unveiled the SoundLink III, a pint-sized speaker the company says is its best-performing Bluetooth model yet. Designed to be used primarily while you're out and about, the $300 portable speaker comes packing a longer-life 14-hour battery than its predecessor, as well as some sound improvements under the hood. Inside the three-pound speaker you'll find four neodymium transducers and dual-opposing passive radiators, a combination that makes it louder than previous models, while still maintaining "balanced and natural" sound. Music is streamed from your favorite mobile device to the SoundLink III using Bluetooth A2DP, and the speaker remembers the last six devices to connect, so you don't have to worry about constantly pairing. Five optional $35 cases keep it protected during your travels. SOURCE

Excuse me, my beloved visitors...!

Yesterday my hard drive was dropped accidentally, so I've lost a LOT of info (about 2TB), so *maybe* will not be out there... of course will be solving my hard drive problem since I really need to recover that info ASAP, basically is my primary living source :/ Now the master plan... get funds and pay for data disaster + new spare hard drive (2tb or 3tb one) As always, donations are really appreciated. Best regards!

Toshiba's new drive could take the headaches out of networked storage

There aren't many network-attached hard drives for the home, and those that exist aren't always easy to use... not unless you enjoy drive mapping, anyway. Toshiba may just make the experience simpler with its just-shipped Canvio Home, though. This sequel to the Canvio Personal Cloud takes some of the guesswork out of setting up and finding your storage on your home network; if you just need to drag-and-drop files, you could be up and running within minutes. The Canvio Home also introduces official Mac support. As before, you can access the Canvio Home from anywhere (including Android and iOS apps), and it will stream media to local DLNA-capable gadgets. Toshiba is selling a 2TB version of the new disk for $200, while its 3TB sibling costs $260. SOURCE

Iridium's satellite hotspot will get you online nearly anywhere on Earth

Globalstar's Sat-Fi won't be the only game in town for satellite hotspots. Iridium has unveiled the Iridium Go, a hotspot that lets up to five WiFi-equipped devices hop on the internet, send texts and make phone calls from just about anywhere on the planet. It's built for outdoor adventurers with both a rugged design and an SOS mode that gets in touch with emergency services. However, software may be the Go's real ace in the hole; while it will ship with official Android and iOS apps, there's already a developer kit that lets third-party software take advantage of the satellite link on any platform. Iridium plans to ship the hotspot in the first half of the year. The firm isn't discussing exact pricing at this point, but it promises that Go will represent its "lowest cost" offering to date at below $800 -- for some people, it will be cheap enough to come along on that big summer hiking trip. SOURCE

Sony is reportedly in talks to sell its PC business

Sony's had much more success in gaming and home entertainment than with its PC division, so the latest news isn't exactly shocking. According to Japanese news service Nikkei, the company is looking to sell its personal computer business to an investment fund for as much as 50 billion yen (or $492 million). When we reached out to Sony for comment, a rep directed us to a statement responding to a similar rumor three days ago: A press report on February 1, 2014 stated that Sony Corporation ("Sony") is discussing with Lenovo Group ("Lenovo") the possible establishment of a joint venture for the PC business. As Sony has announced previously, Sony continues to address various options for the PC business, but the press report on a possible PC business alliance between Sony and Lenovo is inaccurate. While that doesn't address this latest report specifically, the statement makes it clear that selling off Sony's PC business isn't out of the question,...

Apple and carriers will donate free devices and broadband to US schools

The White House won't be going it alone as it brings US classrooms into the internet era through its ConnectED initiative -- it just revealed that a host of technology firms will also lend a hand. Apple plans to donate $100 million in iPads, MacBooks and software to underprivileged schools, while Autodesk and O'Reilly Media will give away free software and content. Microsoft, in turn, will heavily discount Windows to lower educational PC prices. Carriers are getting in on the action, too. AT&T and Sprint have both pledged to offer free wireless broadband to schools for multiple years; Verizon isn't giving away service, but it will donate up to $100 million in cash and other commitments. The combined efforts aren't going to fix the American education system by themselves, but they could create a level playing field for schools across the country. SOURCE

Microsoft to use Foursquare data in Bing and Windows products

It may not be the biggest news to come out of Redmond in recent hours. Still, the Windows faithful will no doubt be interested to hear about a licensing agreement involving two pretty notable outfits. Today, Foursquare announced it has struck a deal with Microsoft to use its location data in Bing services and Windows-powered devices. This, naturally, includes search and maps for Bing; and, for Windows, phones, tablets, laptops and desktops -- and yes, convertibles too. In a statement, Foursquare notes that, "in the near future," Microsoft will be utilizing the newly acquired license to enhance its products with "contextually-aware experiences and the best recommendations of any service in the world." That's not it, however, as Foursquare also revealed Microsoft has invested ($15 million) into its socially-driven company, which it says will help the service continue to grow and be accessible by more people. SOURCE

John Carmack quit id Software because it wouldn't support VR games

We know the basic reason why John Carmack left id Software: he wanted to concentrate on his work at Oculus VR. However, we now know that it was more complicated -- it was the result of a dream denied. The game developer explains to USA Today that he had proposed a deal between ZeniMax (id's parent company) and Oculus VR that would have games like Doom 4 and Wolfenstein: The New Order support the Oculus Rift. He was heartbroken when the pact didn't come to be. "When it became clear that I wasn't going to have the opportunity to do any work on VR while at id Software, I decided to not renew my contract," Carmack says. The departure is ultimately "bittersweet," but it reflects his sincere belief that wearable displays represent the next big thing. SOURCE

Royal Caribbean uses 80-inch HDTVs to create 'virtual balcony staterooms'

Every cruise-goer wants the ability to recreate the Jack and Rose experience of "flying" on the bow of the ship from their room, but unless you book a window suite early, getting that experience can pose a Titanic-sized challenge. For latecomers who want the waterside experience, Royal Caribbean is offering "virtual balcony staterooms" with 80-inch floor-to-ceiling HD displays framed to look like an actual balcony. The TVs display close to real-time video from the bow and stern of the ship shot on RED Epic HD cinema cameras , complete with audio. Guests can set the mood by switching between cams using an in-room remote, or close the curtains on the display if it gets too romantic. Sound nauseating? Control Group , the company behind creating the rooms, worked with experts from M.I.T and Harvard on a special fibre-channel delivery system to make sure the experience of moving differently than what you see on the screen doesn't make you want to toss your cookie...

Rdio support for Google Chromecast is in the works

Now that Google has finally opened up the Chromecast SDK to developers, we can expect a whole lot of different applications to start being friendly with the $35 dongle. With this in mind, Rdio, via the RdioHelp Twitter account, let it be known that its dev team is already working to offer native support for Google's Chromecast. As it stands, Rdio subscribers do have the ability to stream music by casting a Chrome tab on the web, though this would indicate that a solution compatible with the service's mobile apps is on the way. The tweet doesn't mention any details about when Rdio for Chromecast could be available -- but, hey, at least we know it's coming. SOURCE

FDA approves swallowable 'PillCam' after almost a decade

It's been about nine years since we last heard from from Given Imaging, but the FDA has finally granted a version of the firm's minuscule snapshooter its blessing. Not everyone has an easy time undergoing traditional colonoscopy procedures (due to drug allergies, for example), which is where the outfit's PillCam Colon comes in. The camera takes a series of high-speed photos along its eight-hour tour through your digestive system, and transmits the snapshots to a device you mount on your belt. There is a caveat though, as the images aren't up to par with those taken with standard techniques. The PillCam has been available in 80 other countries for some time, but its US-approval could give the some 750,000 people who can't undergo normal cancer-and-polyp-scanning procedures a chance at early detection. SOURCE

Raymond Weil, Whose Swiss Watches Told More Than Time, Is Dead at 87

Swiss watch companies had dominated the world of precision timekeeping for two centuries by the 1970s, when a technological marvel known as the quartz watch — a cheaper, more accurate work of horology mass-produced in Asia — threatened them with extinction. Between 1970 and 1983, as watch buyers abandoned windup mechanical timepieces for digital ones, the Swiss lost half their watch companies, two-thirds of their watchmaking jobs and their unrivaled authority as the world’s most reliable timekeepers. Industry analysts called it the “quartz crisis.” Raymond Weil, who died at 87 on Jan. 26 in Geneva, started a watch company that bore his name in the midst of all that, joining a watchmaking vanguard that saved the nation’s signature product by redefining it. Swiss watches had been marketed as symbols of intellectual rigor and personal integrity. Beginning in the late 1970s, Mr. Weil and major Swiss watchmakers like Nicolas G. Hayek, founder of the Swatch Group, sought to repositi...