Fully scratch built, this model took just over 15 years (8000-10,000 hours) to complete. Begun in Kiev (Ukraine), in 1986 this masterpiece was profoundly difficult to construct due to the extreme scarcity of information on it.
All parts are crafted from either aluminum, brass, titanium, stainless steel or silver, including working hinges made of solid silver to prevent corrosion.
This helicopter has many authentic features including: linked controls (pedals that work in parallel motion), a battery powered motor that spins the main and tail rotor in the actual ratio of the original, adjustable tail rotor pitch, fabric covered stabilizer, landing gear with pneumatic rubber tires, compressable shocks, working lights, locks ,fans, aimable guns and titanium engine parts.
Over 100,000 parts were used in this model, many of them fabricated under a microscope to ensure accuracy. This replica of the Mil-24V hind was finally completed by Alex Sklyar in Toronto, Canada in 2001.
First 750GB Internal Hard Drive With Perpendicular Recording Technology From Seagate
(Link)
Wednesday April 26th 2006, Seagate introduced the world's first desktop hard drive to hit the 750GB capacity mark. The monster drive is part of the new Barracuda 7200.10 family built on perpendicular recording technology to meet the growing storage capacity, performance and reliability requirements of desktop computers and low-end servers.
According to Seagate spokesman Michael Hall, the suggested retail price of the 750-Gbyte Barracuda 7200.10 drive will be $590, while the 200-Gbyte model will sell for about $104. The drives began shipping last week to distributors, Hall said.
Somewhat surprisingly, the external 750-Gbyte Seagate External Hard Drive drive due next Monday will be priced at about $559; external drives are generally priced somewhat higher than their internal counterparts.
Fujitsu announced Thursday April 20th, 2006 the release of two new storage platforms, the ETERNUS8000 and ETERNUS4000 disk array systems. The ETERNUS8000 is an enterprise disk array available in four models, including a top-of-the-line model that boasts the world's largest storage capacity (1.36 petabytes) as well as the highest I/O processing performance. The ETERNUS4000, also available in four models, is a mid-range disk array providing superior cost performance.
Both new product lines combine massive scalability and high performance with robust data security and encryption features to manage the information assets of the enterprise, making them ideal storage platforms for customers dealing with new business compliance laws. The company taking orders today in Japan and in other countries.
Fijitsu's sales target is 14,000 systems worldwide over the next two years.
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum's New Book: My Vision - Challenges In The Race For Excellence
(Link)
A new book, ‘My Vision — Challenges in the Race for Excellence’, highlighting the breathtaking development of Dubai was launched by Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, here yesterday.
It was published by Motivate Publishing, Dubai and The Arab Institute for Research and Publication, Beirut. According to the co-publishers, the book is a unique and detailed account of the exceptional development of Dubai and the vision behind the outstanding accomplishments, that included transforming the UAE and Dubai from their role as a regional powerhouse to their new and advanced role as international economic and financial centres. The attainment of these high rates of growth, according to them, was accomplished by way of providing excellence in services and industry.
One of the most important features of the book, they noted, is the simplicity with which the author approaches complex subjects such as vision, leadership, state management, enhancement of skills, and expertise in human resources that played a paramount role in constantly pushing development in Dubai to new heights.
The English version of the book will be published soon. The book contains 13 chapters in five parts, plus introduction and conclusion, as well as a brief bibliography on the jacket.
Brief Editorial Review: Described by reviewers as one of the most important books published in the Middle East in the past 50 years, the book is primarily about development, as four of the five sections carry the word ‘development’ in their titles. In his book, the author reveals, for the first time, the ‘secrets’ that made the emirate of Dubai one of the most astounding development phenomena in the world.
The book is dedicated to UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum presented Sheikh Khalifa with the first copy of his new book.
I just purchased a copy of the Arabic version of this book and I can tell from the reviews that it is going to be a great experience for me to travel inside Sheikh Mohammed's mind.
Digital Tigers Zenview Atlas 8-Screen Multi-Monitor LCD Display
(Link)
Digital Tigers Zenview multi-screen displays offer the best combination of display quality and affordability in the industry.
Zenview displays with ultra-thin screen bezels enable a virtually seamless multi-monitor desktop. Avoiding gaps between monitors, Zenview displays free up desk space normally consumed by individual monitor stands.
Zenview displays offer a natural "surround" curvature that keeps each screen at the same distance from the user, enhancing the ergonomics of muti-monitor use. What's more, the entire screen array can be raised or lowered with a single knob.
All Zenview displays include Zenview Manager multi-monitor utilities, which offer such features as a "Smart Taskbar" on each monitor, showing the active applications just on that display.
Zenview Manager also enables users to move applications between monitors with a single click, maximize applications across all monitors, and even manage different Windows wallpaper for each screen.
The Digital Tigers Zenview Atlas comes in two models. Both have 1280 by 1024 resolution per panel. The 19S model consists of 19-inch LCD Displays and is available for $4,999 & the 17S model consisting of 17-inch LCD Displays is available for $4,299
The high-performance Perific Mouse™ brings you variation, comfort and flexibility in every day computer work. By combining ergonomics and cutting edge design Perific is a wireless optical mouse that you easily can adapt to your workplace. Variation in work posture minimizes the risk for repetitive strain injuries -- with this in mind, the Wireless Dual Mouse™ allows you to switch between different work postures. Use it as a traditional desk mouse, or explore the benefits of off-desk usage. The Wireless Dual Mouse™ is the latest in wireless input devices. It offers you all the functionality of a traditional mouse and so much more.
The Perific mouse™ is two mice in one. With the shell in place, you have a regular wireless mouse. Remove it, and you gain a whole new range of ergonomic and practical benefits. Hold it anyway you want. The smoothly sculpted grip-friendly shell and finger-free inner mouse leaves the choice up to you. The trackball frees you from the desktop and the wireless connection is just that: wireless. Here are some Perific ways to use your new mouse:
• As a standard desktop mouse • Held in both hands, resting in your lap, leaning back in your chair • As a trackball on your desk • Held in one hand, free of the desktop, in any way that feels comfortable • Worn on the hand, for rapid but strain-free switching between mouse and keyboard
Smart phones and PDAs offer an impressive amount of computing power. But in practical terms, they are not always easy to use. Writing long emails or other documents can frankly be a pain.
The revolutionary Virtual Keyboard (VKB) uses the latest infrared & laser technology to project a full-size keyboard onto any flat surface. For the first time Users can then type as normal on this virtual keyboard (VKB), enabling them to work quickly and effectively, taking the pain and frustration out of minuscule keyboards and handwriting recognition software. You can also make your typing accompanied by simulated key click sounds!
Imagine how much easier it would be if you had a proper mobile phone keyboard that fits in your pocket ... The VKB works either with laptops, PCs or compatible Smartphone and PDA.
Serial Virtual Keyboard (VKB) is available for $199.99 while the Bluetooth Laser Virtual Keyboard is available in (Think Geek) for $179.99
Emirates Airlines Pays $195 Million For FIFA Partership From 2007 To 2014
Tuesday April 18th 2006, Emirates Airline has signed a $195million deal to become a FIFA Partner from 2007 to 2014. In its largest sponsorship deal to date, the Dubai-based airline has rights to all FIFA events - including both the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups - and will benefit from enhanced global media exposure and an association with FIFA's special events and development initiatives.
Emirates Airlines is a sponsor of the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. The deal was signed by the airline's chairman, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum, and FIFA President Joseph Blatter. Emirates Airlines expects to double in size by the end of its FIFA deal in eight years time.
Emirates Chairman, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, said: "It is part of Emirates plan to become a global brand and household name and association with the most high-profile sporting event in the world is one part of Emirates' strategy to achieve that aim."
"It is our intention for the United Arab Emirates to host a FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup during the rights period, which would be the first event of its kind to be held in the Arab world.", Sheikh Ahmed Al-Maktoum added.
Japanese electronics maker Toshiba on Friday March 31st, 2006 started rolling out its high-definition DVD players in Japan, becoming the first company to offer next-generation optical disc players worldwide.
Just few days ago, the new Toshiba DH-DVD players started selling in the US market. The players come in two versions, HD-XA1 for $799.99 & HD-A1 for $499.99.
Bigger Than T. Rex: History's Biggest Meat-Eating Dinosaur Discovered
(Link)
Skeletons of a huge, meat-eating dinosaur that overshadows Tyrannosaurus rex have been discovered in Argentina. The newly revealed species is one of the biggest carnivores ever to have walked the Earth, dinosaur experts say.
At least seven of the animals were uncovered together in a mass fossil graveyard in western Patagonia, a region famous for giant-dinosaur remains. Living some 100 million years ago, the largest specimen was more than 40 feet (12.5 meters) long.
Researchers say the new species, named Mapusaurus roseae, is possibly even larger than its close relative Giganotosaurus, which in 1995 took T. rex's crown as the world's biggest known carnivorous dinosaur.
The reconstructed skull of the newly discovered dinosaur species Mapusaurus roseae. Photograph by Rodolfo Coria from National Geographic.
Maxtor Introduces Maxtor OneTouch III Mini Edition
(Link)
Maxtor yesterday announced it is shipping the new Maxtor OneTouch III Mini Edition drive, the company's first small form factor external storage solution. Weighing in at approximately seven ounces, it is the first mobile storage solution that comes fully loaded with a software to protect and manage digital content, including automated backup, data encryption, data synchronization and system rollback to restore applications and operating system while keeping digital files current.
"With the fast rise of mobile computing, our retailers are eager to supply the market with sleek and trusted storage for people on the go," said Mike Williams, vice president and general manager, Maxtor Branded Products Group. "The Maxtor OneTouch III Mini Edition provides a high level of security for mobile users, along with some innovative software features that make it easier to manage and protect files."
The new Maxtor OneTouch III Mini Edition comes with two levels of security against unauthorized use - Maxtor DriveLock™ and Encryption. It also has the feature of automatic synchronization of two or more computer’s data. As for capacity, it's either 60GB or 100GB with maximum transfer rate of 33MB/sex (USB 2.0).
Currently available at major U.S. retailers, distributors and online stores, as well as at http://www.maxstore.com, the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the 60GB is $149.95 and $199.95 for the 100GB.
TDK Begins Shipping Its Blu-Ray Disc 25GB Recordable & Rewritable
(Link)
A week ago, April 10, 2006, TDK announced that it has begun shipping 25GB recordable and rewritable Blu-ray Disc media to US retailers. TDK is the first to market with bare Blu-ray Disc media. In addition, TDK will ship 50GB Blu-ray Disc media later this year.
Retail pricing is set at:
$19.99 for a 25GB BD-R (recordable) $24.99 for a 25GB BD-RE (rewritable) $47.99 for a 50GB BD-R (recordable) $59.99 for a 50GB BD-RE (rewritable)
Octave Multipod 5-in-1 USB Discontinued & No Longer Available
(Link)
What a sad news! I was shocked and saddened to find out that one of my favorite USB gadgets has been discontinued and no longer going to be manufactured and available for sale. I've been using Octave Multipod 5-in-1 USB for over 9 months now and you can see that all Fahad Inc. Flickr pictures has been taken by this amazing camera (If you are in UAE, then you cannot view Flickr since it has been blocked by USE Etisalat). The following are sample pictures I have taken using it. Click to view the true image size (640x480):
Just little over a month ago, I bought another Multipod because I received a great offer ... and am I glade I took that offer! It is still brand new in its original sealed box. I think I will keep this as a souvenir <:) I bought my first Multipid for about (US $100) ...
Two-Acre Crop Portrait For Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum
(Link)
Stan Herd, known for his giant crop portraits, has created a new piece of art: a two-acre depiction of the sheikh, the former vice president of the United Arab Emirates.
Herd said he was inspired by a shared love of thoroughbred horses, plus the recent anger in the U.S. over plans to turn port security over to a Dubai-based company.
“We don’t know any Arab people. We know Osama bin Laden; we know the terrorists,” Herd said Wednesday. “My thinking is it might make sense for us to make common cause with Arab leaders who are reaching out to us.”
The portrait was scratched out of soybean stubble, plowed earth, crushed limestone, woodchips and sunflower seeds on land, south of Kansas Highway 10, owned by the Pendleton family.
The farm’s customers haven’t seen the portrait, John Pendleton said.
“It’s hard to believe that, when you step back to an aerial perspective, the subtle shapes and textures come alive,” he said of the artwork.
Sheikh Maktoum, died last January, may be best known as one of the owners of Godolphin Stables, one of the world’s pre-eminent thoroughbred racing horse farms.
World's Most Expensive Sandwich At Selfridges & Co. For (US $148)
(Link)
Hungry shoppers are being offered the chance to eat a gourmet sandwich, but the £85 (US $148) price tag might be too much for some to swallow.
The McDonald sandwich - named after its creator Scott McDonald, the chef at London department store Selfridges - is said to be the world's most expensive.
Its cost is down to the Wagyu beef that makes up most of the filling, packed in a 24-hour fermented sour dough bread. There have been at least five advance orders placed for the 21oz (595g) meal!
Wagyu cattle are one of the most expensive breeds in the world. The Japanese cows are raised on a special diet, including beer and grain. They are supposed to be regularly massaged with sake, the Japanese rice wine, to tenderize the flesh.
Special diet using beer ....... Thanks, but NO THANKS! Not only it is disgusting to feed cows beer, it is so weird to give them regular massages in order to renderize their flesh. I would feel like I'm eating a human being.
The Family That Walks On All Fours Does Not Prove The Evolution Theory
Five siblings from Turkey who walk on all fours could provide science with an insight into human evolution, researchers have said. Discovered in a remote area of southern Turkey last summer, the family of ethnic Kurds has sparked a scientific debate.
Born with a genetic brain abnormality, two of the sisters and one of the brothers are thought to have only walked on all fours their entire lives. The two other siblings can walk upright for short distances.
The siblings' parents are closely related and have had 19 children in all.
Uner Tan is a neurophysiologist—a doctor specializing in the functions of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves—at Cukurova University in Adana, Turkey. He believes the siblings, who range in age from 18 to 34, are evolutionary throwbacks—a "missing link" to our forebears.
Meanwhile German geneticists believe the siblings' genetic abnormality may have knocked out the gene responsible for bipedalism, or two-legged walking, in humans. The German team, led by Stefan Mundlos of the Max Planck Institute in Leipzig, says it has located this gene on a human chromosome.
As Muslims, we believe that Allah had created the first human (Prophet Adam), peace been upon him, in perfect shape and he was walking on two legs and that Allah had taught him Himself so he was highly knowledgeable and wise. I believe that Jews & Christians share with Muslims this belief. Just because we found about this family that walks on all four, that doesn't prove the Darwin theory in any way. It's so sad that some people have used this family as prove for the most non-sense theory on earth.
I like how the Official Google Blog put it ... "It's about time" :) Google launched today a calendar software system (Google Calendar Beta) that can scan e-mails or web pages for dates and times and, with one click, automatically log pending plans into an online calendar.
And get a hold of this! If your website mentions events – including reservations, appointments and shows – Google Calendar can help you stay on people's radar. You can let people quickly add single events from your site to their calendars, or list public events you want people to be able to search for within Google Calendar. How cool is this? (Click here for details)
I have created the following sample event. Click at the following button to add this example event to your Google Calendar:
Webaroo: Surf & Search The Internet Offline
(Link)
Monday April 10th, 2006, Webaroo lanched a new software service that enables consumers to instantly search web pages and view web sites anytime, anywhere, without an Internet connection, on their handhelds and laptop computers.
Webaroo's advanced technology makes it simple to take the web with you and find what you are looking for anywhere, anytime. Webaroo stores searchable web content on your laptop, PDA or smart phone. Searches run and pages load instantly at memory speed. Your Webaroo content is updated every time you sync.
This is how it works in 4 simple steps ...
Webaroo servers scour the web and create "Web Packs".
Download Web Packs and web sites.
Search the content anytime, anywhere, without a connection.
When you re-connect, sync your device to get updated content.
By extracting and caching the best subset of the web, Webaroo makes the web portable. It puts the best of the web content in your pocket and gives you the freedom to use the web offline.
“As mobile use grows, consumers want to be able to do more with their mobile devices” said Rakesh Mathur, CEO of Webaroo. “Webaroo brings the power of web search to mobile devices with an innovative product that is truly ubiquitous and fast. At home or on the go, in the air or on vacation, users can now find the information they need, wherever they are.”
In recognition of the appeal of taking the web offline, Acer announced Monday (April 10th) it plans to bundle the Webaroo software on its laptop PCs worldwide.
“Acer believes that the new, powerful ability to search the web offline will bring tremendous advantages for consumers and business people,” said Campbell Kan, Head of Mobile Computing Business Unit, Acer Inc. “Acer is committed to being first-to-market with innovative products that are easy-to-use, dependable and empowering—enabling our users to be more productive. We plan on incorporating Webaroo's software into Acer's mobile PCs. We look forward to creating mutual success for Acer and Webaroo and even greater satisfaction for our customers.”
HAI Snap-Link USB Key To Access HAI Home Control System Over The Internet
(Link)
Another amazing application for a USB key. Thanks to Ivan from (Preview Gadgets) for bringing this to my attention.
Snap-Link is a USB key that plugs into any computer and directly communicates through the secure Ethernet port on an HAI home control system giving homeowners the ability to check and adjust lights, security, temperatures, and more. No on site computer is required. Snap-Link offers the ability to access webcams but does not have the sophisticated video surveillance recording capabilities of HAI’s Web-Link II. It is compatible with HAI’s Omni IIe, OmniPro II, Lumina, and Lumina Pro controllers.
Snap-Link will be shipping in the second quarter of this year.
“Snap-Link is perfect for people on the go,” explains HAI President Jay McLellan. “It’s a fast, easy and highly secure way to control your home from your laptop or PC.”
Ever wanted to go to the bathroom so bad but you don't want to miss your most favorite TV program? Maybe you always wanted to put a TV in your bathroom cause you don't want to live without it even for few minutes ... I guess Seura had come with a solution for your "urgent" need ;)
Seura has developed a system that combines an LCD television with a specially crafted mirror. Switch on the screen, and the mirrored glass lets the picture show through. Flip it off, and it's hidden. It can be hooked up to cable, DVD, satellite, sound or other systems.
If you have already purchased the $5,000 (BUSlink 64GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive Pro 2), then I'm sorry to say that you have paid too much! Now you can purchase the same storage capacity with 56% of that price .... only (US $2,800)!
The Kanguru Flash Drive Max comes complete with KanguruShield security software, allowing Windows users the option of password protection for secure data. The KanguruShield software allows users to resize and format the flash drive space into public and/or private partitions.
It is only about time that PayPal thinks mobile. It all started with TextPayMe and now it ended up with PayPal.
Thursday, April 6th, PayPal introduced PayPal Mobile, a text message-based service allowing consumers in the US and Canada to send money anytime, from anywhere, using their mobile telephones.
With PayPal Mobile, users can send money, purchase items or donate to charities from their mobile devices. Using PayPal Mobile's Text to Buy service, consumers can buy things instantly, such as CDs, DVDs, shoes and apparel, by sending product codes via text message. Already, companies like 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, Bravo, MTV, and the NBA Store are offering items for purchase with Text to Buy. PayPal Mobile also enables users to Text to Give to charities such as Amnesty International, Starlight Starbright and UNICEF.
"With the overwhelming popularity of mobile phones, the time has never been better for the merging of ecommerce and wireless devices," said PayPal President Jeff Jordan. "PayPal already has more than 100 million accounts worldwide, and our customers have already entrusted their personal and financial information to PayPal. Now, making payments is as easy as sending a text message anytime, from anywhere for the millions of customers that prefer to use PayPal."
To use PayPal Mobile, customers first activate their telephones by logging into their PayPal accounts at https://www.paypal.com/mobile. After registering their mobile telephone numbers, users must choose a secure Personal Identification Number (PIN) which protects every mobile payment.
PayPal Mobile users make payments by sending a text message to PayPal. PayPal calls the user back to confirm the mobile payment, and then sends the money to the recipient. In the case of a Text to Buy purchase, after the merchant receives the payment, the item is shipped to the address already saved in the user's PayPal account.
Every PayPal Mobile payment is PIN-protected and backed by PayPal's state-of-the-art fraud prevention system. With PayPal Mobile, financial information is never shared with the recipient. Each user's financial information is stored on PayPal's secure servers, not on the mobile telephone, so even if the telephone is lost or stolen, the user's PayPal account remains secure.
Currently it is available for the following wireless carriers:
Dubai 3D Browser: Attractive & Creative Way To Browse Dubai
(Link)
First ... Thanks to 3D-Freak for bringing to my attention this very amazing Dubai project.
Dubai 3D Browser is the full 3D modeling of Dubai. The Dubai municipality will provide the best tools to advertise your company in Dubai and all over the world. Now you have the power to reach and be reached. The unique Dubai 3D browser lets your company be seen in a dynamic manner. It will also advertise your company just like the real Dubai City, available from any place in the world. Each building, road, urban object is modelled in 3D for a better quality.
Dubai 3D will be available on internet, CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs. On Internet, will be live browsing by clicking in the screen or by using the navigation menu. On DVD-ROMs, will be live navigation, walkinside real time.
Google Romance: Another April's Fool From Google
(Link)
Google to Organize World's Courtship Information with Google Romance
Service to offer psychographic matchmaking plus free “contextual dating” option
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., April 1, 2006 - Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) today announced the launch of Google Romance™, a new product that offers users both a psychographic matchmaking service and all-expenses-paid dates for couples who agree to experience contextually relevant advertising throughout the course of their evening.
"Our mission, as you might have heard, is to organize the world's information," said Jonathan Rosenberg, Google's senior vice president, product management. "And let's face it: in what area of life is the world's information more disorganized than romance? We thought we could use our search technology to help you find that special someone, then send you on a date and use contextual ads to help you, ya know - close the deal."
Google Romance users who find one another via Soulmate Search™ may then select the Contextual Dating option, which offers an all-expenses-paid romantic evening in exchange for viewing contextually relevant advertising throughout the course of the users' date (learn more). "Our internal projections say Contextual Dating is going to be unbelievably huge, just a total cash cow," said Google CEO Eric Schmidt in prepared remarks placed into the notes section of an executive PowerPoint presentation and intended solely for internal use but promptly leaked onto the web and then roundly mocked on Digg and Slashdot. The product, a beta release currently residing on Google Labs, can be experimented with at www.google.com/romance/.
That was all a LIE! All of the above is April's Fool (click here)! What a joke ... ha ha .... Not funny at all Google! This is not the first time Google fools us with April's Fool .......... Do you still remember ..... Google Gulp?
