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U.N. Teams With Google for MDG
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Editorial, Google, Internet, Science,
The U.N. has gotten together with Google and Cisco Systems to launch a site this week that they say will let us know of the planet’s poverty fighting efforts. The Millenium Development Goals site gives statistics on health, education, malnutrition and women’s equality. Google Earth maps will show by satellite where the areas are established.
The U.N. is hoping that by 2015 the MGD Monitor will aid in accomplishing such goals as beginning to reverse HIV/AIDS, cutting child mortality by 2/3, and reducing people without safe drinking water by half. While we applaud the plan, we hope any money spent creating the MDG is justified by not spending it on the project itself.
Read More 
| Googland
Gallery: U.N. Teams With Google for MDG
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This year is teeming with mini-cameras and the VholdR has become part of the line that is made for those on the go that want their exploits seen online. The cam is only 3.7-inches and weighs merely 4.8 oz. Shooting 640 x 480 footage at 30 fps, it utilizes a microSD card for storage. Its lens has a twin laser alignment and can rotate, and the unit itself is waterproof and shockproof. The VholdR will be up for grabs sometime during the holiday season for $349.99, although the company is encouraging pre-order with a deposit of $50.00. Online retailer Twenty20 Cameras claims that there will be only a limited supply, but we figure that there are plenty of other mini-cams to choose from that we can actually touch before buying.
Read More | Vholdr
Gallery: VholdR Joins Mini-Cam Ranks
I’m ready for my close up, Mr.DeMille. After auditioning on MySpace, ten users have been selected to be part of “Faintheart,” a new romantic comedy that will be released next summer. The social networkers selected the actors as well as director Vito Rocco, after half a million viewed his submitted short. If you missed becoming part of the cast, you can still get in on the action and contribute to the script. The completed film should be released in the real world by next summer.
Read More | BBC
Gallery: Cast for New Film Chosen by MySpace Users
Make Your Car Wifi Source
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Internet, Misc. Tech, PC / Laptop, Transportation, Wireless / WiFi,
WAAV’s AirBox CM3 can turn your car into a mobile WiFi unit. The broadband cellular router plugs into your car lighter by Ethernet or wirelessly and will keep the connection up to speeds of 100 mph or up to 300 feet when you are parked. Its 3G digital cell phone network seeks out EV-DO, which is comparable to cable Internet or DSL connection. If that fails, it will find an available 2G network. Available for $499.99, you still have to pay for a data plan but at least you won’t have to seek out the nearest Starbucks when a communicative mood strikes you.
Read More | WAAV
Gallery: Make Your Car Wifi Source
Google has just announced some behind the scenes code changes to Gmail and other Google applications aimed at enabling great new information services in the near future. The new version of Gmail is rolling out to all users within the next few weeks, and brings a significant re-architecture to both their back end servers as well as the client side JavaScript.
The new JavaScript will make email pre-load in the background for faster access, unify the Gmail and Pages HTML editor boxes, provide richer keyboard shortcut support, and introduce a better contacts manager. While these might seem like minor features, Google promises that the upgrades will make it easier to roll out future (and as of yet unannounced) functionality, so keep your eyes peeled for a bigger, better Gmail 2.0 just around the corner.
Read More | Official Gmail Blog
Gallery: Gmail 2.0 - It’s coming
The UK company Hutchinson 3G, (generally known as “3”,) has developed a VoIP Skypephone. Users will have a dedicated button selection to reach the contact screen and make one touch calls. Included is the ability to integrate “normal” contacts and access to the 3 MusicStore. The handset’s price is only £50 (~$104.00) with a pre-pay contract, or free calls after a monthly subscription of £10 (~$21.00.) This will certainly be good news for Skype’s 200+ million users.
Read More | c|net
Gallery: 3 Releases Skypephone
BluePhoneElite 2: Your Mac and your phone, together at last
Posted by Sparky Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Internet, Misc. Tech, PC / Laptop, Software, Wireless / WiFi,
Gear Live has long been a fan of BluePhoneElite, and the new version 2.0. BluePhoneElite allows users to send and receive SMS messages via Bluetooth from the comfort of their computer, dial and receive calls, and generally provide solid integration between Apple’s iLife applications and a Bluetooth phone.
The new version fully supports Symbian and Windows Mobile devices, but sadly only supports the headset profile on the iPhone due to the closed nature of the platform. A new license BluePhoneElite 2 costs just under $25 and offers a 2 week trial so you can take it for a test spin. Current BluePhoneElite version 1 customers will get the new functionality as a free upgrade.
Read More | Mira Software via TUAW
Gallery: BluePhoneElite 2: Your Mac and your phone, together at last
For those of you who are never sure when to take your umbrella with you, the Ambient Forecasting Umbrella receives a daily report from Accuweather for about 150 U.S. locations. It also has blue LEDs that will flash if rain or snow is on the way. At a size of 41 1/2 x 58-inch diameter, the push-button opening umbrella also has network signal and low battery indicators, and runs on a single C battery (not included.) We think that for the $99.99 price, we would just as soon only have the handle, because if a huge thunderstorm is on the way, you definitely do not want to be under metal.
Read More | ThinkGeek
Gallery: Umbrella Issues Daily Report
I-Mate working on Foleo competitor
Posted by Sparky Categories: Smartphones, Design, Handhelds, Internet, Misc. Tech, PC / Laptop, Peripherals, Wireless / WiFi,
While the Palm Foleo died on the vine, the concept may live on. I-Mate, makers of many fine Windows Mobile based smart phones is rumored to be working on a “shell” to go with their new Ultimate line. While the new shell would not contain any processor or memory of it’s own, it would feature a 1024x768 screen and a full sized keyboard to act as a dock for the smart phone. It is still unknown if the shell would feature batteries to increase runtime, but if it does that could be a killer feature for todays power-hungry HSDPA chipsets.
This seems like it would be a better approach than the Foleo. It would be cheaper, provide similar functionality, and allow a user to select which form factor they want (laptop vs. cellphone) at any given time as simply as clicking the phone into the larger frame. If this comes to market in a timely manner and offers a good user experience it could signal a new style of cellphone based computing—and a step into the “world of tomorrow”.
Read More | UberGizmo via Gizmodo
Gallery: I-Mate working on Foleo competitor
Blackberry to Offer Music in U.K.
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Handhelds, Internet, Music, Portable Audio / Video,
Blackberry has announced that their latest phones, due out in November, will feature unlimited music. Omnifone, in cooperation with mobile device maker Vodafone, plans to debut the inexpensive service in November in the U.K. before releasing it to the rest of the planet. Customers will only pay a weekly fee of £1.99 (~$4.59) for the service that is about 10 million songs strong in 30 countries. This service will allow direct downloading even when on the go and may be adaptable to Vodafone mobiles and 2.5G and 3G handhelds without an upgrade.
Read More | The Courier Mail
