Gadget Access

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has adopted a new nationwide warning system that utilizes cell phone SMS to alert the public of emergencies. Called the Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS), only three types of emergencies will be relayed to the public: a disaster (such as a terrorist attack), immanent or on going threats (such as earthquakes), or child abductions (Amber Alerts). The new program is not mandatory, but T-Mobile, AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon have announced their willingness to participate in the new warning system. The FCC has been working with the carriers as part of the Commercial Service Alert Advisory Committee (CMSAAC) for coming up with the technical requirements for CMAS. The FCC is giving the mobile phone operators the freedom to design and implement their own infrastructure for deploying the system. The only restriction is that the participating carriers must comply with the requirements and complete their construction within 10 months.

The plan for CMAS is to organize a not-yet-named federal agency who generates the messages and sends them to the participated carriers. The emergency messages are then relayed to the public via SMS by the carriers. For the disabled, the wireless operators are required to send the alerts via vibration or audio cues. Furthermore, cell phone users are able to opt out of receiving the emergency messages, should they wish not to be bothered.

The emergency alert system originated in 2006 after Congress passed the Warning, Alert, and Response Network (WARN) Act, which provided $106 million in funding to create the national alert system.

Read [PC Magazine]

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I have seen the future of television, and it is VideoClix. If you haven’t tried the wonder that is Clickable Video yet, just go over to the VideoClix site and watch the first few minutes of an episode of HBO’s Entourage.

VideoClix technology allows the user to watch a video and click on certain images for more information. For example, I clicked on one of the actors, and an information window gave me a description of his character. I clicked on the bowling shirt the actor was wearing, and I found out where I could buy it from. I clicked on the car the actor was in, and I saw the make and model. I clicked on the scenery the car was parked in front of, and I got information about the Grand Canyon!

In short, VideoClix makes the experience of watching television completely interactive. Considering that I do most of my television watching on the Internet anyway, I don’t see any reason why I can’t just rollover my cursor and find out more information about the actors, places, and objects on the screen. Sure, it’s an ingenious way of selling products, but at least it is fun for the user.

I have recently learned that VideoClix has teamed up with Revision3, a leader in exclusive Internet television, in order to “expand usability and interactivity for its viewers”. Revision3 plans to debut interactive episodes of their programs, including “Internet Superstar”, “Tekzilla”, and “The Totally Rad Show”.

I think we all know where this is leading: a time when all of our favorite network shows are in VideoClix format. That way, if we want to know more information about anything on the screen, it’s just a rollover away.

Source

How many devices in your home take AA or AAA batteries? I shudder at the thought of actually counting up the number in my house, but I can tell you it’s a lot. Most of the power-hungry gadgets have rechargeable batteries in them, while things like TV and DVD remotes have the less expensive throwaway kind. With this many batteries, I have three different chargers throughout the house. One thing I haven’t considered is keeping a battery charger in my laptop case.

I do carry a wireless mouse that uses AA batteries, so it would make sense to carry a charger. However, I really don’t like putting anything more in my bag than is absolutely necessary. I will say that this Freeloader Battery ChargerPop might just fit, seeing that it’s the “World’s Smallest USB Battery Charger.” Just $25 will make sure that you always have a fresh pair of AA or AAA batteries, no matter where your travels take you.

Source: GeekAlerts

If you want to teach your kids about saving money, there are a variety of ways to do that. While I won’t pretend to know a lot about banking and investments, but why not get them their own hi-tech safe to get them started?

This safe looks realistic enough that your kids will feel like they own a bank. They will be able to program in their own secret code which will open the door. It has a separate compartment which will catch change as it is inserted into the safe, while a larger compartment can store other valuables.

Sure, it probably won’t teach them the fundamentals of saving money, however, it’s better than a piggy bank. This safe will set you back $39.

Source: RedFerret

Filed in archive Tip by jim on April 14, 2008

<!– <rdf:Description rdf:about=”http://www.digital-shot.com/50226711/controlling_contrast_on_digital_pictures.php” trackback:ping=”http://www.creative-weblogging.com/cgi-bin/mt-tb.pl/119981″ dc:title=”Controlling Contrast On Digital Pictures” dc:identifier=”http://www.digital-shot.com/50226711/controlling_contrast_on_digital_pictures.php” dc:subject=”Tip” dc:description=”" dc:creator=”jim” dc:date=”2008-04-14T00:00:03-08:00″ /> –>

"Contrast" is the difference in color and light between parts of an image.

If all parts of a photograph, be it color or B&W, were completely and equally illuminated, or at the same "brightness" level, nothing would stand out in the image.

There would be no point of interest, no "pop" to the subject, it would appear "flat", which describes a lack of contrast in a picture.

I happen to be a fan of higher contrast photography; but many people prefer less "edge" and a softer effect.

The picture above, depending on how it appears on your computer monitor, is an example of how I like a picture to look, in terms of contrast.

I think that a bit of extra contrast, not overdone to the point where there's no shadow detail, adds a bit of drama to an image.

Check out this excellent article with tips on how to control contrast in digital photography.

Source:www.jimippolito.com

IonHub has released a new Travel Charger that virtually charges just about any device you own (as long as the tips are available).

IonHub travel charger is a cell phone travel charger, an iphone/ipod travel charger and much more! Ionhub universal travel charger simultaneously charges multiple mobile devices such as iPods, iPhones, Motorola RAZR phones, Palm Treo, Zune, Sansa, Zen, Sony PSP, Nintendo DS Lite, Nokia phones, blackberry phones, Bluetooth earphones, cameras, camcorders, DVD players, GPS, PDA, and wide range of digital camera/camcorder batteries, Philips Norelco electric shavers, and more! It is a universal travel charger and can be used at home, work or on the road.

It is capable of juicing up to half a dozen of your favorite portable devices simultaneously via a single wall outlet or car lighter socket. Charge up your life with the IonHub Universal Charger today.

Rookies using the telescope find it hard to locate all the stars, asteroids, and planets, but don’t worry because the NexStar 4SE is here to help out.

The Computerized Star Telescope has a database with plenty of celestial objects, you just need to pick one and wait for the computer to do the calculations and find it. Easy as riding a bike - no pun intended for the people that don’t know how to ride one.

If you’d like to take some photos of all the celestial beauty, it is easy to hook up your digital camera onto the telescope and start shooting.

PC software easily prints star charts and helps you explore the universe.

The NexStar 4SE costs 250.

Product Page

The State of Virginia is reportedly mandating that Internet safety classes be offered in all public schools in all levels. This is the first in the US as a measure to protect young web users especially those in the primary levels. Since there are a great number of children getting victimized by perverts and sex offenders, this particular concern caused an alarm resulting to the recent mandate released by the Virginia government.

A study by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in 2006 revealed that almost 13% of 10-17 years old Internet users receive sexual solicitations from unknown preys. Just recently in Virginia, a 31-year old convict who had already abused 11 children online was discovered to be using a social network profile posing as a 15-year old. The convict was shown in a high school meeting in Richmond by attorney general Gene Fishel to present that such Internet abuse is already rampant, thus, the need for Internet safety classes. 

Read [WDBJ7] Image [theage.com.au]

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If you spend most part of your day alone, sitting in front of a computer with no one to chat, and at the same time love USB gadgets, check out the Tengu.

Basically, the small toy has bright LEDs that responds to different sounds, by displaying (14) various faces. Tengu can sing along while you’re listening to your favorite tunes, and also has a function to lip sync as you speak. I think Tengu is suppose to make that lonely feel go away, because you’ll start interacting with it, but I don’t know if a gadget like this will work with everyone.

To get it working just blow on his face, and if you want to see another facial expression, simply blow on the mic.

Watch the Tengu in action with the Around the World song from Daft Punk.

Price? 20.

Product Page

by Ryan Block, posted Apr 12th 2008 at 1:16AMNot a lot of people in the US know the name Lee Kun-hee, but he’s the chairman and son of the founder of the world’s largest gadget company: Samsung. And he’s also at the epicenter of one of the craziest corruption scandals the industry has seen in years. Kun-hee and his cronies have already been subject to government probes, and the disgraced chairman has already basically admitted his guilt and responsibility for Samsung’s bribery wrongdoings, but now he’s made the next ever so gingerly step towards the exit by stating, “I will deeply think about reshuffling the corporate management structure and the management lineup, including myself.” Sure, think it over, take all the time you need — just don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out, man.

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