Tech Talk

When reaching checkpoints in an airport, we normally hear "Laptops must be removed from their cases and placed on the belt". But with the newly designed carry-on bags, security will allow to have laptops passed for x-ray inspection. This new case include either a fold-down section in a bigger briefcase or a stand-alone protective sleeve that contains no extra clutter and can be readily viewed through the scanner.
This new "checkpoint friendly" laptop case will be available by late September or early October by the two biggest luggage manufacturers - Pathfinder and Targus.


Reference: Sharkey, J. (2008) Bag Help Laptops Pass Air Security. NYTimes

The new "CMB Antimicrobial Wound Dressing with PROSIT" bandage generates a small voltage of electricity when you wet it, which prevents microbes, fungus, mold and yeast from getting through its treated polyester fibers. This style of bandaging has also been shown to reduce pain.


Reference: Medgadget (2008) Bandage that electrocutes your wounds is much better than it sounds.

A floating city!! This was a solution the Dutch builders thought of to counteract the rising sea levels. These eco-pads cand hold up to 50,000 people and is designed as a zero-emission floating home that uses solar, wind, tidal and biomass power to generate energy for its inhabitants. As of the moment, it is a fantasy... but in the future, builders may take on mega structures like these to deal with the rising sea levels.


Reference: Eton, K. (2008) Architect Dreams Up Lilypad: Floating City Ark for Eco-Refugees. gizmodo.com

Over the years I've used several virus scanners.. Problem is, the good ones tend to slow down the computer a lot, while the fast ones tend to get more viruses or spam. So before I buy a new virus scanner, I want to see what are you currently using right now, and what you think is the best virus scanner in the market ?

Join Firefox to set the record for the most software downloaded in 24 hours. All you got to do is get Firefox 3 now by 11:16 a.m. PDT (18:16 UTC) on June 18, 2008. That's 11:16 a.m. in Mountain View, 2:16 p.m. in Toronto, 3:16 p.m. in Rio de Janeiro, 8:16 p.m. in Paris, Madrid, Berlin, Rome and Warsaw, 10:16 p.m. in Moscow, and June 19, 2008 at 2:16 a.m. in Beijing and 3:16 a.m. in Tokyo.

Jelt Van Geest, a Dutch designer who created this robotic chair (RFID) created a chair which follows you (or your card) around so you will always have somewhere to sit.

I would say this is quite amazing, except for the fact that it is increasing to the obesity epidemic, where people are getting lazier and would need a chair to follow them around instead of looking for one.

Click here to see the youtube video: Robotic Chair

5. The Camera. There is no improvement from the first Iphone, not even for the software. It is still 2 megapixel, and has no flash or vanity mirror.

4. The price is $200 less than the first one, but you're not taking into consideration the additional $240 you will be paying for the contract over the 2 years.

3. No keyboard. The iPhone's software keyboard has documented issues.

2. Lack of upgrades. There is still no stereo Bluetooth, no MMS, no video recording, no character counter in the SMS app, no IM capability, no cut-and-paste, etc.

1. The 3g radio. Yes, I am going to complain about the 3G radio. Apple stuck a UMTS/HSDPA 3G radio in the iPhone. But why not use AT&T's HSPA network, which means faster uploads for pictures and e-mails? This offers about 3.36Mbps, where other phones in the market support 7.2Mbps.