Fahad Inc.

Apple Launches iPad

2010-01-29T00:28:00.003+04:00

Apple introduced yesterday iPad, a device for browsing the web, reading and sending email, enjoying photos, watching videos, listening to music, playing games, reading e-books and much more. iPad’s responsive high-resolution Multi-Touch display lets users physically interact with applications and content. iPad is just 0.5 inches thick and weighs just 1.5 pounds— thinner and lighter than any laptop or netbook. iPad includes 12 new innovative apps designed especially for the iPad, and will run almost all of the over 140,000 apps in the App Store.

“iPad is our most advanced technology in a magical and revolutionary device at an unbelievable price,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “iPad creates and defines an entirely new category of devices that will connect users with their apps and content in a much more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before.”

iPad features 12 next-generation Multi-Touch applications. Every app works in both portrait and landscape, automatically animating between views as the user rotates iPad in any direction. The precise Multi-Touch interface makes surfing the web on iPad an entirely new experience, dramatically more interactive and intimate than on a computer. Reading and sending email is fun and easy on iPad’s large screen and almost full-size “soft” keyboard. Import photos from a Mac, PC or digital camera, see them organized as albums, and enjoy and share them using iPad’s elegant slideshows. Watch movies, TV shows and YouTube, all in HD or flip through pages of an e-book you downloaded from Apple’s new iBookstore while listening to your music collection.

iPad will be available in late March worldwide for a suggested retail price of $499 (US) for the 16GB model, $599 (US) for the 32GB model, $699 (US) for the 64GB model. The Wi-Fi + 3G models of iPad will be available in April in the US and selected countries for a suggested retail price of $629 (US) for the 16GB model, $729 (US) for the 32GB model and $829 (US) for the 64GB model. iPad will be sold in the US through the Apple Store (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers. International pricing and worldwide availability will be announced at a later date. iBookstore will be available in the US at launch.

Read Also:
Apple iPad (Official Page)
Apple Lanuches iPad (Apple Press Release)

A Year in UAE Search: Google's Top Searches of 2009 Show Technology Terms Top the List

2009-12-06T08:45:00.004+04:00

Who was the most-searched celebrity of 2009?
Which new technology topped the charts?
Were people searching Google for information about the economic crisis or the outcome of their favorite reality show?

Three days ago, Google announced its annual Zeitgeist, a look at 2009 through the collective eyes of the world on the web. The 2009 Year-End Zeitgeist offers a unique perspective on the year's major events and hottest trends based on global searches, as well as searches conducted in UAE.

2009 has been an interesting year for the UAE and people are looking to Google for access to information. Here are some of the fastest rising results this year in the UAE.

UAE Fastest Rising Queries

Tribal wars game
Gitex 2009
netLog
FlyDubai
blackberry
Ramadan 2009
Twitter
Star academy 6
Etihad airways booking
Kingfisher airlines booking

UAE Fastest Rising News Search

Nadya-Suleman
Slumdog-millionaire
Fattah Al Islam
Eritrea
Afghanistan
India elections 2009
Tamil Nadu election
Swine Flu
VAT Fraud
Oscar Winners 2009

UAE Fastest Rising - What Is....

What is Twitter
What is Facebook
What is love
What is spam
What is recession
What is life
What is GDP
What is 3G
What is autism
What is ISO

These are just a sample of a few of the lists generated for the UAE - to find out more about the top restaurants serached for and most popular universities take a look at the global site: google.com/zeitgeist2009

In addition to telling us what people are curious about in UAE, Google Zeitgeist tools also offer insight into which topics were of interest across the globe. Top search terms from over fifty countries appear on our Google Zeitgeist webpage, google.com/zeitgeist2009 -- from political candidates in South Africa, to news searches in the United Arab Emirates, to electronic brand searches in Hong Kong.

This year's global fastest rising searches show interest across pop culture (with the King of Pop at the helm, followed by searches for movie New Moon and singer Lady Gaga), social networking sites and new technologies such as Windows 7 and Torpedo Gratis.

Global Fastest Rising Queries

Michael Jackson
Facebook
Tuenti
Twitter
Sanalika
New moon
Lady Gaga
Windows 7
Dantri.com.vn
Torpedo Gratis

Zeitgeist Explained

Google reveals the internet "Zeitgeist" (German for "the spirit of the times") through an exploration of the billions of search queries we receive each year. In addition to the Year-end Zeitgeist, which highlights the top trends of 2009, we also have several tools that give insight into global, regional, past and present search trends. Google Zeitgeist tools can never be used to identify individual users because we rely on anonymized, aggregated counts of how often certain search queries occur over time. These tools are available year-round for you to play with, explore, and learn from: www.google.com/zeitgeist

Google Celebrating UAE's 38th National Day with a Doodle

2009-12-02T19:16:00.006+04:00

Google is showing its own way of celebrating UAE's 38th National Day by displaying today the special Google's UAE National Day Doodle.

The doodle is only used on the www.google.ae site and not pages specific to other countries and will remain online for the day.

CNN Opens Abu Dhabi Production Center & Newsgathering Hub

2009-11-04T22:24:00.006+04:00

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed with Richard Quest & Tony Maddox
in the Opening of CNN News Center in Abu Dhabi

CNN Abu Dhabi, the latest newsgathering expansion from the global news brand, opened its doors yesterday.

Tony Maddox, MD and EVP CNN International, was joined for the opening in Abu Dhabi by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and Phil Kent, chairman and CEO of CNN parent company Turner Broadcasting System, Inc, and by Chief International Correspondent Christiane Amanpour and presenter Richard Quest, both in Abu Dhabi filming for the network.

CNN's new state-of-the-art production center and newsgathering hub for the Middle East will also be home to CNN's first ever daily live news show from the region.

The new facility sits alongside CNN's existing 32 international newsgathering operations which also includes three other digital production centers in Hong Kong, London and Mexico City.

CNN Abu Dhabi will coordinate newsgathering for the seven CNN operations in the region: Baghdad, Beirut, Cairo, Dubai, Jerusalem, Kabul and Islamabad.

Read Also:
CNN Abu Dhabi marks official opening with premiere of 'Prism' (CNN)

Paranormal Activity: $15,000 Independent Horror Movie Grossing +$66 Million in US & Canada

2009-10-31T18:11:00.008+04:00

Paranormal Activity is a 2007 mockumentary horror film written and directed by Oren Peli. The movie premiered at the Screamfest Film Festival in US on October 14, 2007, and was shown at the Slamdance Film Festival on January 18, 2008. The movie received a limited release in several U.S. cities on October 9, 2009 and had a nationwide release on October 16, 2009.

As of October 30, 2009, Paranormal Activity has grossed $66,605,222 in the United States and Canada and has become the most profitable independent film ever.

The movie centers on a young couple, Katie and Micah, who are haunted by a supernatural presence in their home. The movie is presented in a documentary style, using footage from the camera set up by the couple to capture what is haunting them, in a similar manner to The Blair Witch Project, and The Last Broadcast.

Read Also:
Paranormal Activity (Wikipedia)

ICANN Approves the Use of Non-Latin Characters in Internet Addresses

2009-10-31T13:05:00.004+04:00

The first Internet addresses containing non-Latin characters from start to finish will soon be online thanks to today's approval of the new Internationalized Domain Name Fast Track Process by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers board.

"The coming introduction of non-Latin characters represents the biggest technical change to the Internet since it was created four decades ago," said ICANN chairman Peter Dengate Thrush. "Right now Internet address endings are limited to Latin characters – A to Z. But the Fast Track Process is the first step in bringing the 100,000 characters of the languages of the world online for domain names."

ICANN's Fast Track Process launches on 16 November 2009. It will allow nations and territories to apply for Internet extensions reflecting their name – and made up of characters from their national language. If the applications meet criteria that includes government and community support and a stability evaluation, the applicants will be approved to start accepting registrations.

" This is only the first step, but it is an incredibly big one and an historic move toward the internationalization of the Internet ," said Rod Beckstrom, ICANN's President and CEO. "The first countries that participate will not only be providing valuable information of the operation of IDNs in the domain name system, they are also going to help to bring the first of billions more people online – people who never use Roman characters in their daily lives."

IDNs have been a topic of discussion since before ICANN's inception. It's taken years of intense technical testing, policy development, and global co-operation to prepare the Fast Track process for its coming launch.

"Our work on IDNs has gone through numerous drafts, dozens of tests, and an incredible amount of development by volunteers since we started this project. Today is the first step in moving from planning and implementation to the real launch," said Tina Dam, ICANN's Senior Director for IDNs. "The launch of the Fast Track Process will be an amazing change to make the Internet an even more valuable tool, and for even more people around the globe." The following video talks about this important event and shows examples of domains in different languages:

Read Also:
ICANN Bringing the Languages of the World to the Global Internet (ICANN News)
IDN ccTLD Fast Track Process (ICANN)

Dane-Elec Announces USA's First SuperSpeed USB 3.0 External Hard Drives and Solid State Drives

2009-10-26T06:00:00.002+04:00

October 19, 2009 Dane-Elec introduced its So SuperSpeed line of External USB 3.0 Hard Drives (HDD) to the U.S. market. The line includes the world's first USB 3.0 Solid State Drive (SSD), capable of true data transfer speeds of 250MB per second. Consumers will be able to purchase these high-speed USB 3.0 devices from Dane-Elec and its U.S. retail partners starting December 11th, coinciding with the launch of USB 3.0-compatible laptops and PCs from leading OEMs.

"The eagerly awaited USB 3.0 revolution is finally here, and Dane-Elec is thrilled to be at its forefront," said Jon Christeson, Director of Marketing for Dane-Elec U.S. "With transfer speeds of up to ten times faster than USB 2.0 devices, these powerful products will be game changers for consumers and small businesses that regularly work with large files such as video content."

Dane-Elec's new USB 3.0 HDDs offer several storage options ranging from 500 GB all the way up to 2 TB, and are available in 2.5" or 3.5" formats for either laptop or desktop computers. The So Extreme SuperSpeed SSD product line offers consumers a storage option of either 80 GB (Intel M-25) or 160 GB (Intel M-25). Because these devices are powered by USB 3.0 controllers, users will be able to transfer bandwidth-intensive content such as photos, music and video to and from their USB 3.0 built-in port laptops and PCs at record speed, even up to 10 times faster than the transfer speed of current USB 2.0 devices. Observed data transfer speeds for the SSDs have reached 250 MB per second.

Dane-Elec will also be offering USB 3.0-compatible adapters for desktops with PCIe slots and laptops with PCIXpress slots. This will allow consumers using current machines (without built-in USB 3.0 ports) to take advantage of much of the increased speed capabilities of USB 3.0.

Read Also:
Dane-Elec to Sell First SuperSpeed USB 3.0 External Hard Drives and Solid State Drives in U.S. Retail Market (Press Release)
Dane-Elec So-SuperSpeed USB Drives Hit Retail in Dec (Everything USB)

Microsoft Releases Windows 7 with Promises of More Speed & Improvements

2009-10-25T13:04:00.003+04:00

Three days ago, Microsoft announced the release Windows 7 with promises of more speed and improvements over its predecessor Windows Vista which failed to get the wide acceptance and approvals of millions of users all over the world.

Windows 7 Improvements over Windows Vista & XP:

Open the programs and files you use most in just a click or two using Pin and Jump Lists features.
Navigate lots of open windows more quickly using Snap, Aero Peek, & Aero Shake feastures.
Easily share files, photos, and music among multiple PCs at home and print to a single printer from any PC in the house using HomeGroup feature.
Ability to organize lots of files, documents, and photos effortlessly using Libraries feature.
Ability to connect to any available wireless network in just three clicks.
Ability to run many Windows XP productivity programs using Windows XP Mode.
Faster sleep and resume.
Improved power management for longer battery life.
Touch and tap on screen instead of point and click using Windows Touch feature.

Editions & Prices:

Windows 7 Home Premium: $119.99 for Upgrade and $199.99 for Full version.
Windows 7 Professional: $199.99 for Upgrade and $299.99 for Full version.
Windows 7 Ultimate: $219.99 for Upgrade and $319.99 for Full version.

RIM Announces Blackberry Bold 9700

2009-10-24T01:52:00.003+04:00

Research In Motion (RIM) announced on Wednesday the BlackBerry Bold 9700 smartphone. The new BlackBerry Bold 9700 offers an extensive array of high-end communications and multimedia features in a compact and highly refined design that will appeal to both men and women and for both professional and personal use.

The BlackBerry Bold 9700 smartphone offers top-of-the-line performance, functionality and features with support for 3G HSDPA networks around the world, a next-generation (624 MHz) processor, 256 MB Flash memory, built-in GPS and Wi-Fi, a 3.2MP camera and a sharp, dazzling display. Cutting edge engineering and premium finishes extend to the exterior of the handset as well, with a smoothly integrated touch-sensitive trackpad and a highly tactile, distinctive, fretted keyboard. The dark chrome frame and leatherette back add to the new smartphone's sleek and elegant look, while the narrow profile, balanced weight and soft-touch sides allow it to feel incredibly comfortable in one hand.

"The BlackBerry Bold 9700 builds on the success of the original BlackBerry Bold with new, state-of-the-art features and a smaller, lighter and highly optimized design that looks, feels and performs great," said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO, Research In Motion.

Key features of the BlackBerry Bold 9700 smartphone include:

Sleek design measuring 4.29" x 2.36" x 0.56" (109 mm x 60 mm x 14.1 mm) and weighing only 4.3 oz (122 grams).
Sharp 2.44” light-sensing display (480 x 360 resolution at 245 ppi).
Highly tactile full-QWERTY keyboard – with finely sculpted keys and chrome frets – for fast, accurate typing.
Innovative touch-sensitive trackpad that allows intuitive and responsive navigation.
Built-in Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g) with support for Wi-Fi calling via UMA where available.
3.2 MP camera with variable zoom, autofocus, flash and video recording.
BlackBerry OS 5.0, offering users email management and calendar enhancements as well as a better browsing experience with faster JavaScript and CSS processing.
Built-in GPS for maps and other location-based applications, as well as photo geotagging.
Media player for videos, pictures and music (music play now extended up to 38 hours), plus support for BlackBerry® Desktop Manager for both PCs and Macs, and BlackBerry® Media Sync for easily syncing iTunes® and Windows Media® Player music with the smartphone.
3.5 mm stereo headset jack, dedicated volume controls, Lock and Mute keys seamlessly integrated across the top of the handset.
microSD/SDHD memory card slot that supports up to 16 GB cards today and is expected to support 32 GB cards when available; a 2GB card is included.
256 MB of Flash memory.
Access to BlackBerry App World™, featuring a broad and growing catalog of mobile applications developed specifically for BlackBerry smartphones. Categories include games, entertainment, IM and social networking, news, weather, productivity and more.
Premium and easy-to-access phone features, background noise suppression technology and high quality speakerphone.
Bluetooth (2.1) with support for Secure Simple Pairing, hands-free headsets, stereo headsets, car kits and other Bluetooth peripherals.
Support for BlackBerry® Internet Service and BlackBerry® Enterprise Server.
Removable, rechargeable 1500 mAhr battery that provides approximately 6 hours of talk time and 17 days of standby time in 3G mode

The BlackBerry Bold 9700 smartphone is expected to be available from carriers around the world beginning in November. For more information visit www.blackberry.com/bold9700.

Read Also:
RIM Introduces the New BlackBerry Bold 9700 Smartphone (RIM Press Release)

Google Launches Ejabat: Arabic Question and Answer product to Help Users Share Information

2009-09-09T12:17:00.003+04:00

How do you cure a stomach ache? What is the best way to make macaroni? What is the best hotel for beach access in Dubai? What airline should I fly to go from Riyadh to Beirut? - Questions such as these are ones that users have on a daily basis and the place they turn to is the internet. Today with the launch of Google Ejabat or إجابات (‘answers’ in Arabic) users can start answering these questions for each other.

Google Ejabat or إجابات, is a tool which allows users to post and answer each other’s questions in Arabic. This tool is purely based on user generated content. Given that less than 1% of content online is in Arabic users often are unable to find the same information that they would if they were searching in other languages such as English. However as more users in MENA are turning to the internet to find information, the Google Arabia team focused on launching products that empower Arabic speaking users to create more online content in their language. Google Ejabat is the latest effort to enrich the Arabic web.

"In our effort to understand the needs of the market we found out that Arabic users ask Google a tremendous number of questions every day however a lot of these remain unanswered due to the lack of Arabic content online. We recognize that users are the best at answering each other's questions within a community and this product is the perfect way to be able to share and contribute information" said Wael Ghonim, Regional Product & Marketing Manager MENA.

Recognizing the online content issue in Arabic, Google launched Ejabat in Arabic before English in order to address the needs of the market specifically. Ahmad Hamzawi, Head of Engineering MENA, further commented "The Google Arabia team is committed to enhancing the user experience for Arab speakers. We work on developing and launching products that will continue to enrich Arabic content online with Ejabat as the latest step in our ambitious plans."

Over the last two years Google has been busy launching other tools such as Ejabat that are useful for the Arabic market such as Google Translation Toolkit and Blogger.

To start contributing questions and answering questions go to ejabat.google.com

Visit the Ejabat video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocaxW0DCEV0

Kingston Releases DataTraveler 300 256GB USB Flash Drive

2009-07-28T18:03:00.000+04:00

Kingston announced a week ago the launch of the world’s first 256GB USB flash drive, the Kingston Technology DataTraveler 300. The Kingston DataTraveler 300, allows users to carry around a whole digital world, from thousands of image files to a whole database of documents. Users will also benefit from quick transfer rates and the option to password protects their data.

“The DataTraveler 300 will enable users to carry huge volumes of data with them everywhere they go – up to 365 CDs for example. That’s one album for every day of the year, and it demonstrates how far flash technology has developed,” said Kirsty Miller, Product Marketing Manager – Consumer, Kingston Technology Europe. “Business users and consumers can also safeguard their data by initializing the Password Traveler software which will allow them to password protect their data in a privacy zone without the need of administrator rights.”

The Kingston DataTraveler 300 is available only in 256GB and is backed by a five-year warranty and 24/7 Tech Support. The Kingston DataTraveler is built to order only; customers who wish to purchase the drive can place an order with many reseller and e-tailers.

Read Also:
Kingston Technology Unveils the World’s First 256GB USB Flash Drive (Kingston Technology Press)
Kingston DT300: the first 256GB USB Flash drive (Gizmag)

Ayna Announced Ayna Mobile Maps

2009-07-01T07:48:00.002+04:00

Ayna Maps has developed several technologies that enable users to locate themselves even if they don’t have a GPS system on their mobile, find any location they need quickly and easily, get directions to their destination and share it with others in addition to many other features...

Ayna Mobile Maps have been actively used by thousands of people in different countries in the Middle East and North African region. So, never get lost again with Ayna maps.

What are Ayna mobile map features?

Easy navigation: Get your driving directions from your start point to your destination point.
My location: Your location shows on the map directly (GPS enabled phones).
Cities: Predefined 26 cities in the Middle East and North Africa for easy access.
Share: Send direction to your friends through SMS.
Favorites: You can save your favorite places.
Search: Search for businesses, hotels, events, pharmacies, malls...
Satellite view.
Bilingual service: All Ayna mobile map information is written in both Arabic and English.
Feedback services: For sending suggestions, positive and negative feedback.

To download Ayna maps for mobile, you should:

Have internet access on your phone.
Point your mobile browser to jawal.ayna.com and click on “Get your Ayna Maps” link.
Download and install the edition relevant to your mobile (keypad or touch screen).
Start exploring Ayna mobile map services.

Amazon Releases Kindle DX with Bigger Screen & Auto-Rotate Mode

2009-05-07T05:48:00.003+04:00

Amazon.com introduced yesterday Amazon Kindle DX, the new purpose-built reading device that offers Kindle’s revolutionary wireless delivery and massive selection of content with a large 9.7-inch electronic paper display, built-in PDF reader, auto-rotate capability, and storage for up to 3,500 books.

Kindle DX’s display has 2.5 times the surface area of Kindle’s 6-inch display. The larger electronic paper display with 16 shades of gray has more area for graphic-rich content such as professional and personal documents, newspapers and magazines, and textbooks. Kindle reads like printed words on paper because the screen works using real ink and doesn’t use a backlight, eliminating the eyestrain and glare associated with other electronic displays.

Kindle DX features a built-in PDF reader using Adobe Reader Mobile technology for reading professional and personal documents. Like other types of documents on Kindle, customers simply email their PDF format documents to their Kindle email address or move them over using a USB connection. With a larger display and built-in PDF reader, Kindle DX customers can read professional and personal documents with more complex layouts without scrolling, panning, or zooming, and without re-flowing, which destroys the original structure of the document. Everything from annual reports with graphs to flight manuals with maps to musical scores can be viewed on a single, crisp screen with Kindle DX.

Kindle DX’s display content auto-rotates so users can read in portrait or landscape mode, or flip the device to read with either hand. Simply turn Kindle DX and immediately see full-width landscape views of maps, graphs, tables, images, and Web pages.

Kindle DX is on sale on Amazon.com for US $489.

Read Also:
Introducing Kindle DX--Amazon's Large Screen Addition to the Kindle Family of Wireless Reading Devices (Amazon.com Press Release)
Kindle DX: Amazon's 9.7" Wireless Reading Device (Amazon.com)

Windows 7 RC Released to Public Today!

2009-05-05T11:31:00.002+04:00

Today Microsoft has reached a significant milestone with the Release Candidate (RC) of the highly anticipated Windows 7 operating system, available starting from today May 5 on the Microsoft Windows 7 site. The RC milestone is a result of feedback from millions of customers and partners around the world. It indicates the operating system is entering the final phases of development and almost ready to be commercially available to public.

With the RC, Microsoft is also providing guidance on the minimum system requirements for Windows 7, showing that Windows 7 will work on a broader array of hardware than any other release of Windows at launch:

1GHz or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor.
1 GB of RAM (32-bit)/2 GB of RAM (64-bit) .
16 GB of available disk space (32-bit)/20 GB (64-bit) .
DirectX 9 graphics device with Windows Display Driver Model 1.0 or higher driver.

I'm going to download it today and test drive it! I hope it is better than Windows Vista.

Read Also:
Windows 7 Release Candidate Is Available From Microsoft (Microsoft PressPass)

Fujitsu Develops Secure USB Memory Device Featuring Automatic Data-Erase Function

2009-04-22T21:12:00.002+04:00

Fujitsu announced Friday April 17 the development of two new technologies designed to prevent the unwanted disclosure of data from lost USB memory devices and prevent uploads to file-sharing networks: a USB memory device technology that after a fixed period of time automatically erases data stored on the USB memory, and a file redirect technology which ensures that the data from the USB memory device can only be stored on a specified server. This creates a secure environment that protects confidential information and allows USB memory devices to be used as a convenient way to safely carry customer data back to one's own company to manage the data.

The new USB Drive enables data to be carried outside of a company safely and in compliance with the company's security policy. This environment consists of the following two technologies:

Secure USB memory device prototype: The new and unique USB memory device prototype contains a processor and battery. After a fixed period of time, if the USB memory device is plugged into an unauthorized PC, the data can automatically be erased or the USB memory device can be rendered unusable. For example, the USB memory device can be set up with a policy whereby the data will be automatically deleted after 24 hours, or it will be deleted if the USB memory is plugged into an unregistered computer even once. By storing and carrying data on a USB memory device that allows for this type of security setting, in the event that the USB memory device is lost, the data stored on it will be automatically deleted and thus enable strict security.
File redirect technology: Together with the self-erasing USB memory device, installing the file redirect software on a PC can be used to restrict the copying of data from the USB memory device, forcing it to reside only on the USB memory itself and a specific company server. This can also be used to prohibit confidential data from being sent as an e-mail attachment or from being printed. Since confidential data is prohibited from being written to the hard disk drive of the PC, it prevents data from being stored on PCs or USB memories and later transferred to file-sharing networks, whether by accident or intentionally.

KenKen: Puzzle For Elementary Math Students & You

2009-04-14T19:42:00.000+04:00

I love puzzles specially those dealing with numbers. I have tried Sudoku and then Killer Samurai Sudoku. I then tried Kakuro but now I'm fed up with all of them! Just a couple of days ago I discovered this new puzzle that not only deals with numbers similar to Sudoku and Kakuro, but also that involve other math operations (addition, multiplication, subtraction, & division). This new puzzle is KenKen! I also found it to be very useful and entertaining to elementary math students. I introduced it to my son in the 2nd Grade and he absolutly loved it!

KenKen is a puzzle invented in 2004 by the Japanese math teacher Tetsuya Miyamoto (above picture), an innovator who says he practices "the art of teaching without teaching". He intends the puzzles as an instruction-free method of training the brain.

Like Sudoku, even though difficulty may vary from puzzle to puzzle, the rules for playing KenKen are fairly simple:

For a X by X puzzle, fill in with numbers 1-X.
Do not repeat a number in any row or column.
The numbers in each heavily outlined set of squares, called cages, must combine (in any order) to produce the target number in the top corner of the cage using the mathematical operation indicated.
Cages with just one box should be filled in with the target number in the top corner.
A number can be repeated within a cage as long as it is not in the same row or column.

Now if you understand the simple rules, try to finish the above puzzle. I just quickly solved 4 squares. Try to find first how I figured out those numbers and then finish the game ;)

Read Also:
KenKen (KenKen.com)
KenKen (Wikipedia)

Pogoplug: Shares Any USB Drive Over The Web

2009-04-11T07:00:00.000+04:00

Now with Pogoplug you can easily access your USB flash drive or USB connected external drive from any PC that is connected to the web. You may also share the contents of your drive with family, friends, or co-workers. The device is a small white brick—little bigger than a regular AC adapter—that can fit just about anywhere.

The setup is so easy and does not involve configuring ports, routers, IP addresses, firewalls, or any other complicated setup. All you have to do is:

Plug your Pogoplug into a wall socket or power strip.
Connect your Pogoplug to your router with the supplied network cable.
Connect any external hard drive or memory stick to the USB port in your Pogoplug.
From your computer, go to my.pogoplug.com and type in your unique Pogoplug registration code
The drive is now online and ready to use.

Pogoplug costs $99 and is available for shipping only to the US and Canada.

Read Also:
Pogoplug review (Engadget)
PogoPlug - Missing Link Between USB Drives & the Web (Everything USB)
Pogoplug Shares Any USB Drive Over the Internet (Lifehacker)

EASEUS: Create and Manage Your Hard Drive Partitions for Free

2009-04-10T06:22:00.001+04:00

EASEUS Partition Master is a comprehensive hard disk partition management software for Windows Server 2000/2003/2008 and Windows 2000/XP/Vista partition to Resize and Move, Copy, Create, Delete and Format, Convert, Explore, Hide and Unhide server and non-server partitions.

EASEUS Partition Master Home Edition is a FREE disk partitioning utility that offers a range of powerful functions such as resizing partitions, copying partitions, creating new partitions, deleting partitions, formatting partitions, converting partitions, exploring partitions, hiding partitions, changing drive letters, setting active partitions, and a handful of other functions.

What's more, the freeware works perfectly with hardware RAID and Windows 2000/XP/Vista (32 bit) Operating Systems. Your data is completely protected during all operations. Why not free download EASEUS Partition Master Home Edition now to enjoy it like the commercial program Partition Magic?

EASEUS Partition Master Home Edition has a user-friendly interface and ONLY supports 32 bit Windows systems.

Microsoft Releases Internet Explorer 8

2009-03-20T08:30:00.000+04:00

On Wednesday, Microsoft announced the availability of Windows Internet Explorer 8. It can be downloaded in 25 languages at http://www.microsoft.com/ie8 starting yesterday.

“Customers have made clear what they want in a Web browser — safety, speed and greater ease of use,” said Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft. “With Internet Explorer 8, we are delivering a browser that gets people to the information they need, fast, and provides protection that no other browser can match.”

Internet Explorer 8 offers the best security protections among leading browsers: a study released today by NSS Labs indicates that Internet Explorer 8 blocks two to four times as many malicious sites as other browsers on the market today.

In addition to offering improved security and privacy protections, Internet Explorer 8 is one of the fastest browsers on the market today, beating other top browsers in page load time on almost 50 percent of the 25 top comScore Inc. Web sites. It also helps people save time while using the Web with easy-to-use new features, including the following:

Accelerators. Accelerators make it faster and easier to perform common tasks online by making Web-based services such as ESPN.com, Live Search and Sina available for use directly from the page people are viewing. Users can simply right-click a word or phrase and instantly map, e-mail, or share it.
Web Slices. Web Slices in Internet Explorer 8 makes favorite information from sites such as Digg, Yahoo! Mail, OneRiot, and eBay instantly available wherever someone goes on the Web.
Visual search suggestions. The Instant Search Box in Internet Explorer 8 enables rich, real-time search from sites such as The New York Times, Amazon.com and Wikipedia, as well as sites from people’s own Favorites and History, complete with visuals and detailed information that saves time.

“We are excited about Internet Explorer 8 for several reasons, including its ability to provide our customers with updates to eBay products using Web Slices so they can keep track of their buying activity while surfing the web,” said Matt Ackley, vice president of Internet Marketing and Advertising at eBay.

Read Also:
Microsoft Announces Availability of Internet Explorer 8 (Microsoft PressPass)

NitroCream: Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream Machine

2009-03-13T07:34:00.002+04:00

You love ice cream, don't you? Well, you now have the opportunity to have your own ice cream machine that can serve to you your favorite ice cream within seconds with no need for having a freezer or waiting for too long. It was 4 years ago when I first knew that you can actually make ice cream using nitrogen.

NitroCream LLC announced Tuesday they have debuted N2-G4, hand-crafted ice cream, gelato, frozen yogurt and sorbet machine. Two options are available - the standard N2-G4 or a fully customized model. Each N2-G4 ("G" stands for "green) is environmentally friendly and produces the finest premium frozen dessert product that is unrivaled by any other in the industry in terms of flavor, texture and density. Different frozen dessert flavor combinations can be made fresh in seconds and the N2-G4 completely eliminates the need for freezers of any kind.

The luxury ice cream machine operates using liquid nitrogen - an abundant, inert, odorless, tasteless and automatically recyclable resource that comprises 78 percent of the atmosphere. Under normal atmospheric pressure, nitrogen can exist as a liquid between the temperatures of 63 K and 77.2 K (-210°C and -195.8°C). Below 63 K, nitrogen freezes and becomes a solid. Above 77.2 K, nitrogen boils and becomes a gas.

The bad news is that the machine is not cheap for everyone to purchase. The standard model N2-G4 prices start at $34,900 and custom models start at $75,000.

Read Also:
NitroCream (Official Site)
NitroCream Gives the Competition the Deep Freeze with New N2-G4 Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream Machine - Creating an Entirely New Category of Cool (Press Release)

LaCie Introduces Three “Keys” for Handy Portable Storage

2009-03-11T21:35:00.000+04:00

On Monday, LaCie announced three new ways to carry digital content – LaCie itsaKey, iamaKey and PassKey USB key drives, design by 5.5 Designers. LaCie had released CurrenKey last December also designed by 5.5 Desginers. 5.5 Designers had The inventive, compact key-shaped design conveniently fits in a pocket or on a key ring. The itsaKey and iamaKey store up to 8 gigabytes of flash memory. Alternatively, the PassKey has a built-in microSD card reader, which allows you to use your memory cards as stylish and handy USB keys.

The LaCie Keys are available now, starting at $9.90. LaCie products are available through the LaCie Online Store or LaCie resellers.

Read Also:
LaCie Introduces Three “Keys” for Handy Portable Storage (LaCie Press Release)

Amazon Announced (Kindle 2) Today

2009-02-09T20:37:00.006+04:00

Amazon today introduced Amazon Kindle 2, the new reading device that offers Kindle’s wireless delivery of content in a new slim design with longer battery life, faster page turns, over seven times more storage, sharper images, and a new read-to-me feature.

Kindle 2 is purpose-built for reading with a high-resolution 6-inch electronic paper display that looks and reads like real paper, which lets users read for hours without the eyestrain caused by reading on a backlit display. More than 230,000 books are now available in the Kindle Store, including 103 of 110 current New York Times Best Sellers and New Releases, which are typically $9.99. Top U.S. and international magazines and newspapers plus more than 1,200 different blogs are also available. Kindle 2 is available for pre-order starting today for $359 at http://amazon.com/kindle2 and will ship February 24.

“Kindle 2 is everything customers tell us they love about the original Kindle, only thinner, faster, crisper, with longer battery life, and capable of holding hundreds more books. If you want, Kindle 2 will even read to you — something new we added that a book could never do,” said Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com Founder and CEO. “While we’re excited about Kindle 2, we know that great hardware is useless without vast selection. That’s why the Kindle Store offers customers over 230,000 books.”

Kindle 2 is 0.36 inch thin (9 mm) and weighing just over 10 ounces (290 gm), so it is pencil thin and lighter than a typical paperback. With 2 GB of memory, Kindle 2 can hold more than 1,500 books, compared with 200 with the original Kindle.

Kindle 2 users can read for four to five days on one charge with wireless on and for over two weeks with wireless turned off. Kindle 2 comes with the New Oxford American Dictionary and its 250,000 word definitions built-in, and with Kindle 2 definitions appear instantly at the bottom of the page.

Kindle 2 offers the experimental read-to-me feature “Text-to-Speech” that converts words on a page to spoken word so customers have the option to read or listen. Customers can switch back and forth between reading and listening, and their spot is automatically saved. Pages turn automatically while the content is being read so customers can listen hands-free. Customers can choose to be read to by male or female voices and can choose the speed to suit their listening preference. Using the read-to-me feature, anything you can read on Kindle, including books, newspapers, magazines, blogs, and personal documents, Kindle 2 can read to you.

Read Also:
Introducing Amazon Kindle 2 (Amazon Press Release)

Western Digital Launches First 2TB Hard Drives

2009-01-29T16:40:00.001+04:00

Western Digital announced two days ago the first 2TB hard drive - the world's highest capacity drive and the latest addition to WD's popular, environmentally friendly, cool and quiet, WD Caviar Green hard drive family. This new 3.5-inch platform is based on WD's 500 GB/platter technology (with 400 Gb/in2 areal density) with 32 MB cache.

Formatted capacity - Windows Vista 32-bit, NTFS partition

WD Caviar Green drives are designed for use in USB/FireWire®/eSATA external hard drives, desktop computers, workstations, and desktop RAID environments.

"Saving power without sacrificing storage capacity is what consumers want, and what many businesses are requiring today. With the launch of the new WD Caviar Green 2 TB hard drive, customers receive the additional capacities needed to operate today's highly advanced programs and high-resolution digital files while using less power than typical drives with similar performance and capacities," said Jim Morris, WD senior vice president and general manager of client systems.

The WD Caviar Green 2 TB is available at select resellers and distributors. MSRP for the WD Caviar Green 2 TB hard drives is $299 USD.

Read Also:
WD Launches Industry;s First 2 TB Hard Drives (Western Digital Press Release)
Western Digital 2TB Caviar Green Drive Preview (Hot Hardware)

SanDisk Launches World's First Button Backup USB Flash Drive

2009-01-23T10:00:00.002+04:00

SanDisk introduced earlier this month during CES 2009 the world’s first backup USB flash drive with simple backup software activation at the touch of a button. The SanDisk Ultra Backup USB portable flash drive is the first offering of the company’s new SanDisk Ultra USB product line.

With capacities up to 64GB, the SanDisk Ultra Backup USB flash drive is designed to protect computer users’ photos, music, videos, personal and business documents, and other types of digital files, with the simple touch of a button. No software installation is needed. The drive protects onboard digital content with a dual layer of security, including password-protected access control and ultra-secure AES hardware-based encryption.

The new SanDisk USB flash drives will first become available in April 2009. The SanDisk Ultra Backup drive will be available in capacities of 8GB-64GB with MSRPs ranging between $39.99 and $199.99.

The SanDisk Ultra Backup drive includes a 5-year limited warranty.

Read Also:
SanDisk Launches World's First Button Backup USB Flash Drive (SanDisk Press Room)
SanDisk Ultra Backup USB Flash Drive (SanDisk)

BumpTop: Beta Release Available By Invitation

2008-12-24T21:30:00.000+04:00

I heard about BumpTop for the first time about 2 and a half years ago. I wrote a blog about it when I had watched the demo video. I was really amazed and anxious to try it one day. On the 12th of this month, I have received an invitation from BumpTop to download the beta version of the 3d desktop application!

Right away, I downloaded the software and installed it in my Windows Vista (it works only on Windows XP and Vista). It looked different than the demo I watched 30 months ago, but much better! BumpTop will make your virtual desktop look more like a real desktop with your files and folders scattered around and stacked the way it fits your need and taste.

You have the choice of downloading more BumpTop themes. See some snapshots I took for some of those themes. Sign up for a beta download invitation and you might experience BumpTop soon :)

Read Also:
BumpTop Beta In Action (Lifehacker)