Technology posts

Fresh in from the historical inevitability department comes news of a failed Adobe Flash demo — and an all-new video clip showing what the proprietary multimedia standard can do on an Android phone. Last week’s FlashCamp Seattle saw Flash Platform evangelist Ryan Stewart demo Flash Player 10.1 on a Nexus One phone during his opening keynote. It didn’t go well, wrote blogger, Jeff Croft. Here’s what happened: On his Mac, Ryan pulled up a site called Eco Zoo. It is, seemingly, a pretty intense example of Flash development — full of 3D rendering, rich interactions, and cute little characters….

We have bestowed technology with the task of improving our lives, and as technology becomes more intertwined with our lives, it becomes a danger to mankind as well. So what happens when technology fails us? Could technology really result in the end of all humanity? If you’ve watched a few Hollywood flicks lately, it might not be too difficult to envision. A popular theme focuses on highlighting the consequences of technology, usually having technology posing all of humanity with a serious problem while our hero is tasked with saving all of us from extinction. But even though Hollywood tends to…

Next time you sit down for a slap-up meal out keep an eye on the waiter – he (or she) may well take your order with an iPad. This replaces older PDA-based ordering systems, and could mean diners can even take a look at luch full-colour pictures of what they are ordering. It may even help restaurants keep an eye on the stock they have in hand. System developed by 4asoft.com. Perhaps you’ll be paying for your meal using an iPad, too. Square today introduced an iPhone credit card payment system, following last month’s introduction of a similar system for the iPhone. Via: PocketLint. Thumbnail image…

Cool UK gadget retailer, Firebox, has begun selling the SmartSwipe, a handy USB device which reads, encrypts and transmits your personal credit card data directly to the online payment page. Now, there’s a lot of insecurity about these days. We’re told hackers and crackers and spammers and other enemies of the people are all working hard to undermine our security and get their hands on our credit card details. SmartSwipe should help beat them at their game. Shoppers just need to swipe their card and click ‘confirm’ usung the onscreen purchase wizard. Your banking details are then encrypted,…

Forget preconceived ideas that the techi world’s digital destiny is run by the boys, for the boys – it looks like the girls are driving the digital home, with women downloading twice as much mobile content as men. Surprised? Perhaps, but these are the fresh findings found by US mobile ents firm, Myxer (a peddler of ringtones, wallpapers and video clips). Myxer claims its female users downloaded twice as much content in April as its male users. Women accounted for 67% of its content downloads for the month: 4.5 million in total. Men downloaded just 2.2 million items during the month. Myxer admits…

Yesterday, among the challenges and inspiring messages in President Obama’s commencement address at Hampton University, was something a bit unexpected: a dig at modern technology. It was surprising because most things we’ve heard so far from this administration has been pretty pro-technology. But this is what Obama said: [Y]ou’re coming of age in a 24/7 media environment that bombards us with all kinds of content and exposes us to all kinds of arguments, some of which don’t always rank that high on the truth meter. And with iPods and iPads; and Xboxes and PlayStations — none of which I know how…

“With iPods and iPads and Xboxes and PlayStations — none of which I know how to work — information becomes a distraction, a diversion, a form of entertainment, rather than a tool of empowerment, rather than the means of emancipation.” That’s Obama talking about gadgets at large recently. Now, he was specifically referring to a citizen’s ability to stay informed and educated, but in or out of context, it seems like an odd thing to say, and to a tech geek, sounds damn near insulting. I dunno about you guys, but I feel pretty empowered every time I pwn a noob. In all seriousness, though, Obama…

If you’ve ever wanted to blow up something really small, you know how difficult it can be to find the right tool for the job without getting into a ‘sledgehammer to crack a nut’ kind of scenario. Now there’s just the thing. This tiny cannon is surprisingly powerful, using 3.2mm ball bearings to shoot tiny holes in various household items. The captivating part is what’s left unexplained. Why is he blowing up eggs, light bulbs and drinking glasses right next to his computer keyboard? Why would anyone make such a thing? Has Vern Troyer ordered one yet? Either way, this is yet more evidence that the world…

It’s what you’ve been praying for – you can now send the Pope a text. The Vatican has launched a service in Italy that allows people to send text message of support to Pope Benedict XVI. As the church reels from yet another pedophile scandal, the text service was introduced to allow catholics to show their support without being present at Saint Peter’s Square. A German priest on Saturday admitted he had beaten children at a Catholic orphanage, and is also being investigated on charges of  pedophilia. The number to send your text to is +39 335 18 63 091. Pope Benedict says he will be chillin’ at the mall…

Just when you thought having portable battery power couldn’t get any more crazy, the people at Brando have released this USB powered Wrist Band Battery. For those times when you have to charge your cell phone, laptop, or video game machine on the go, why not do it in style? Well I hope that this isn’t the next trend in fashion. It comes with a rechargeable 1500mAh Lithium ion battery and weights 82g. Using my trusty online conversion calculator, that comes to 0.180779 lbs. So it seems to be extremely light. I guess some people might think its a giant watch. It comes packaged with various connectors:…