China's Baidu developing digital eyewear similar to Google Glass

SHANGHAI |
Wed Apr 3, 2013 4:57am EDT

SHANGHAI (Reuters) – Baidu Inc (BIDU.O), China’s largest search engine, is developing prototype digital eyewear similar to Google Inc’s (GOOG.O) Google Glass that will leverage Baidu’s strengths in image search and facial recognition, a Baidu spokesman said on Wednesday.

Internally known as project “Baidu Eye”, the glasses are being tested internally and it is not clear whether the product will ever be commercialized, said Kaiser Kuo, Baidu’s spokesman.

Kuo said the device will be mounted on a headset with a small LCD screen and will allow users to make image and voice searches as well as conduct facial recognition matches.

“What you are doing with your camera, for example, taking a picture of a celebrity and then checking on our database to see if we have a facial image match, you could do the same thing with a wearable visual device,” Kuo said.

Baidu’s first foray in wearable technology will draw comparisons to Google’s Google Glass product, which is a piece of electronic eyewear that can live-stream images and audio and perform computing tasks. Earlier this year Google launched the Google Glass Explorer program, opening up the eyewear for early enthusiasts to test.

Kuo said comparisons to Google Glass were premature as Baidu has not decided whether or not to commercialize the product.

“We haven’t decided whether it is going to be released in any commercial form right now, but we experiment with every kind of technology that is related to search,” Kuo said. Kuo declined to comment on the other functions of the Baidu Eye or whether Baidu is working on other forms of wearable technology.

Wearable technology is the latest technology initiative with many firms, including Google and Apple Inc (AAPL.O), set to roll out devices based on the belief that users will increasingly seek to stay connected without being tethered to a desktop, laptop or tablet computer.

Apple is experimenting with a device similar to a wristwatch that would operate on the same platform as the iPhone and would be made with curved glass, the New York Times reported in February.

(Reporting by Melanie Lee; Editing by Matt Driskill)

China’s Baidu developing digital eyewear similar to Google Glass
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What to Expect at Facebook's Event

Today the cellphone celebrates its 40th anniversary and tomorrow Facebook makes its foray into the cellphone market.
Or at least that’s what the rumors and reports point to. Tomorrow, April 4, Facebook has invited press to its Menlo Park, Calif., campus to show off its “new home on Android.” However, even before the announcement of the event last week, rumors had been swirling that social network was working on its own phone.
Here’s a guide to the latest speculation about Facebook’s plans. Will any of them hold true? We’ll know all for sure tomorrow when Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg takes the stage to tell us what Facebook really has in store.
Facebook Home: Facebook’s New Android Software
Sources have reported that Facebook is going to unveil its own software that runs on top of Android. Similar to how HTC and Samsung reskin Google’s Android operating system on their phones, Facebook has been hard at work on a set of widgets and homescreens that put Facebook front and center on the phone.

According to 9to5Google, the software is actually called Facebook Home. Yes, Facebook’s clever “Come See Your Home on Android” invite was more cryptic than we thought. 9to5Google and Twitter user @evleaks have also posted some photos of the software. From the images it looks like Facebook has reworked the homescreen to focus on, well, Facebook. It appears that you can update your Facebook profile from any of the screens and see your newest messages or updates right on the main or lock screen.
HTC First: First Phone Made by HTC
But that software needs a home and it is reported by a number of outlets, including TechCrunch, The New York Times and 9to5Google that Facebook will announce that its new Facebook Home software will be available first on an HTC phone. It is said to be called the “HTC First” phone. HTC, a Taiwanese phone maker, made a phone in 2011 that focused on Facebook; it was called the HTC Status.
According to Android Police, the phone, which has been codenamed the HTC Myst, will have a dual-core Snapdragon processor, 1GB of RAM, a 5 megapixel camera and a 4.3-inch 720p display. According to more photos that have been leaked by @evleaks, the phone will come in an assortment of colors.
Other Facebook Phones to Come
But the First will just be the first. According to The Wall Street Journal, Facebook has been aiming to work with other phone makers. “The company now offers an app for Android devices, but through agreements with smartphone makers would make news feeds and other information immediately viewable,” The Wall Street Journal reported.
Tomorrow we’ll separate rumor from fact, when Facebook’s event kicks off at 10 a.m. PT / 1:00 p.m. ET.

What to Expect at Facebook’s Event
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Saudi orders telcos to ensure Skype, Whatsapp meet local laws

RIYADH |
Sun Mar 31, 2013 9:31am EDT

RIYADH (Reuters) – Some Internet-based communication tools such as Skype and Whatsapp flout Saudi Arabia’s telecom laws, the regulator said on Sunday, instructing telecom operators to quickly ensure these services comply.

The announcement from the kingdom’s Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) follows local newspaper reports last week that claimed the government had asked telecom companies to look at ways to monitor or block these services.
“It has become evident that some communication applications through (the) Internet don’t meet regulatory requirements,” CITC said in a statement on its website.
“The authority has informed licensed (telecom) providers of the need to work with the developers of these applications to quickly meet these requirements.”
The statement listed Voice over IP (VoIP) providers Skype and Viber as well as Internet-based instant messaging service Whatsapp.
But it did not state what laws these applications had flouted, how long they would be given to comply with the regulations or what action would be taken if they failed to heed the instruction.
The CITC said it was acting to “protect society from any negative aspects that could harm the public interest”.
Saudi’s three mobile operators – Saudi Telecom Co, Etihad Etisalat (Mobily) and Zain Saudi – were not immediately available for comment.
The kingdom appears to making a greater push for greater control over cyberspace as Internet and smart phone usage soars, in part due to strict laws that limit opportunities for people to mix.
Mobile penetration was 188 percent by the end of 2012, CITC data shows. Saudi now has 15.8 million Internet subscribers and the average user watches three times as many online videos per day as counterparts in the United States, according to YouTube.
On Saturday, the English-language Arab News daily said Saudi Arabia may try to end anonymity for Twitter users in the country by limiting access to the site to people who register their identification documents, although it was unclear how such restrictions could be enforced.
Telecom operators can block content and access to particular sites, but this becomes more difficult if a user already has the application installed on a device.
For example, Skype and other foreign-based VoIP providers are widely used in the neighboring United Arab Emirates, despite an official ban, with residents downloading the software via virtual private networks or while abroad. Once installed, these can be used inside the UAE.
(Reporting by Marwa Rashad and Reem Shamseddine; Writing by Matt Smith; Editing by Catherine Evans)

Saudi orders telcos to ensure Skype, Whatsapp meet local laws
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Facebook Photo Uploads Double for HRC's Equal Sign

By Joanna Stern
@joannastern
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Credit: Facebook

We knew that the Human Right Campaign’s (HRC) red and pink logo in support of gay marriage had spread across the web at a record pace, but Facebook is now confirming that with some numbers.
Facebook says that millions of people change their profile photos every day, but on Tuesday, March 26, the day the HRC asked gay marriage supporters to “paint the town red” with a new logo, 2.7 million  more users changed their photo compared with the previous Tuesday. Profile photo uploads were up by 120 percent, it says. Facebook has more than a billion users.
Facebook doesn’t have exact numbers on whether all those users changed it to the pink and red logo or some variation of it. Facebook did confirm that the rise in uploads occurred after the HRC released its status message encouraging people to change their pictures in support of gay marriage.
“We find that the increase in uploads does indeed start around the time when HRC began urging their Facebook followers to change their profile photos at 1 p.m. EST,” Facebook’s Data Science Team said in a blog post today.
RELATED SLIDESHOW: Pizza and Bacon: The Red Equality Symbols of Social Media
Wondering how old many of the profile photo-switchers were? Facebook also says that more people around age 30 changed their profile photo, in comparison to the previous Tuesday. According to the data, “roughly 3.5 percent of 30-year-old Facebook users updated their profiles in response to the events surrounding the HRC campaign.”
Counties with bolder colors had more photo-switchers. (Credit: Facebook)
According to the released data, support shown via the photo change was spread across the country, but a county in Michigan — Wahtenaw County — topped the list, with approximately 6.2 percent of people who logged in from that county changing their profile photo in response to the campaign. It also appears that people in college towns were more apt to change their photos; among the highest towns were Orange (University of North Carolina), Durham (Duke University) and Monroe (Indiana University). San Francisco County and Washington, D.C., also ranked highly.
Since being released on Tuesday, the logo has made its way around the web in many different incarnations.

Facebook Photo Uploads Double for HRC’s Equal Sign
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Google Keep vs. Evernote: No Clear Winner

Note to self: Google’s recently released Keep app apes Evernote’s note-taking skills, but with a simpler look and fewer features.

We’ve all heard that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. But when a tech heavyweight like Google imitates a popular tool like the note-taking app Evernote, it can feel more like a land grab.
At least, that’s what I figured last week when Google announced Keep, a free smartphone app that, like the free version of Evernote, lets you quickly make and organize notes that are automatically stored online and can be accessed on multiple devices. Though Keep may eventually work its way over to the iPhone and other mobile and desktop platforms, as Evernote has already done, it’s currently just available for Android users.
Keep is well-designed, and it’s already snagging fans of its own (in the Google Play store it has nearly 11,000 reviews, averaging four-and-a-half stars). Yet after comparing Keep to Evernote, I doubt that Google’s new arrival is actually a bad thing for the incumbent—it’s not nearly as advanced, and it actually looks to be boosting its predecessor’s popularity.
Keep’s main features closely mirror those of Evernote: you can take notes that include text, audio, and photos, and make checklists. Your notes are synced with an online server—in the case of Keep, they’re stored in your free Google Drive online storage account—and you can edit notes on the Web, too.
On the surface, Keep’s main difference is its “Googley” design, which contrasts with Evernote’s busy, green-accented, multi-screen design for Android (on iPhone, Evernote goes for a more skeumorphic look, complete with little file folders). Keep features a barely gray background punctuated by a narrow bar near the top of the screen that lets you make quick notes or tap one of several gray icons to pull up a blank page where you may create a text note, a list, a note with a photo in it, or an audio note (which Google transcribes, sometimes erroneously).
A simple but smart touch is the ability to give notes different background colors. Marking important ones with bright hues and arranging notes as small squares on Keep’s home screen really does make it easier to keep things organized. Another smart design decision: when checking off an item on a list, Keep strikes through the text and lightens it from black to gray to emphasize its status as “done.”
Other notable features include the ability to unclutter an overflowing notes page by swiping old or unimportant notes left or right to archive them, as well as live search—I only had to type “mon” for Keep to know I wanted a list including such fictional tasks as “Get monkey chow.”
One concern with Google Keep is whether the app, which encourages diverse and consistent usage, will be available for long. Google doesn’t have the best reputation for supporting side projects over the long haul—just ask fans of Google Reader, which the search company is shutting down in July, or visit this helpful Google Graveyard that Slate recently compiled and lay digital flowers on the graves of various departed services. I’m optimistic that my notes’ home in Google Drive, at least, will be around for some time—that service has lasted for years thus far.
You can only do a fraction of the things with Keep that you can with Evernote. You can’t, for instance, sort notes into different “notebooks,” add attachments to notes, or combine checklists with regular text notes or audio notes. Of course, Evernote also has a huge head start. It has been publicly available since 2008.
The free version of the Evernote app, whose Android and Windows Phone versions received light facelifts several days after the arrival of Keep, presents a slew of editing and formatting options. Want a bullet-pointed list? A numbered list? A checklist? No problem. It also offers more flexibility with combining different types of media in a single note, meaning you can do things like take multiple photos at one time and append a few of them to a note, or create a note with voice, text, and photo elements. You can even see where you took each note in Evernote’s map view—a depressing sight for those of us who apparently don’t get out enough.
One of Evernote’s standout features, which is lacking in Keep, is its use of optical character recognition technology, which enables searches of the words in documents you’ve snapped pictures of. It takes a few minutes for Evernote to process the documents, but once it’s done, it works well.

It’s also easy to use Evernote on many different devices. While Keep is only available as an Android app and on the Web, there are Evernote apps for all the major mobile and desktop operating systems, along with Web browser extensions that make it easier to clip and save URLs, articles, and Web pages to your Evernote account. I took a shine to the Evernote Web Clipper for Firefox.
The biggest shortcomings with Evernote are its organization, which can feel cluttered as you start filling up notebooks with numerous notes, and the small monthly upload allowance that freeloaders get (60 megabytes, though Evernote helpfully points out how much you’ve used and about how many notes you can still make until your balance refills). Keep, meanwhile, feels cleaner—even with plenty of notes—and you get five gigabytes of free storage in Google Drive.
So who wins? It pains me to be so diplomatic, but it really depends.
If you need a robust note-taking app for everything from saving recipes to jotting down song lyrics, Evernote is the one. Beyond all the free features within Evernote itself, the company also offers a number of free complementary apps, like Skitch, which lets you draw on top of photos and maps. It’s so good you may even want to join the minority of users who pay a monthly fee to get additional features like increased note-storage space and the ability to view old versions of notes.
If, however, you’re a fan of Google’s apps and just want a clean-looking, low-frills notes app with plenty of free storage, Google Keep will win your heart. It’s likely to get more functions over time, a la Google Now (see “Google Now Gets More Travel-Friendly for the Holidays”).
And if, like me, you see the merits of both, that works, too: thankfully you can share Keep notes with Evernote, and vice versa.

Google Keep vs. Evernote: No Clear Winner
Computing – MIT Technology Review
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Understand How GPS Works

Global Positioning System (GPS) is a navigational aid originally developed for the military. The system simply receives signals. It is the applied technology that gives the GPS its versatility.
If you have ever used map and compass, you will understand a little about how the GPS
works. In order to find your position on a map, you need to have three points of
reference. The intersecting line from the reference points is where you are. Map and
compass work uses triangulation (bearings), GPS uses trilateration (distances) to calculate location. Satellites orbiting the earth emit unique signals that can be received by a GPS. The GPS software interprets the signal, identifying the satellite that it came from, where it was located, and the time that it took for the signal to reach the system. Once the receiver has both time and distance it begins to determine position.
Three satellites provide the intersection point and the fourth is used to check that the positioning is accurate. Accuracy depends upon the synchronization of atomic clocks in the satellites with the clock in the GPS system. Although the clock in the GPS is not atomic, utilizing the fourth satellite gives it that functionality as the internal clock adjusts itself to correct any discrepancy discovered.
GPS has gone far beyond its initial military application. Drivers can find their way
through city streets, long distance trekkers use the technology to cross unfamiliar terrain, mariners and pilots use GPS enhanced data to cross the seas and skies.
In–vehicle GPS can be integrated into the car entertainment system or can be installed as a removable device. These systems need to tell the driver where he/she is and how to
reach their destination. The information includes road directions plus relevant features along the way such as rest stops, gas stations, points of interest, etc. Auto GPS uses voice commands so that the driver can concentrate on the road.
Hikers and trekkers use similar technology, but normally without the inclusion of road
systems on their devices. Mapping software defines the territory that the hiker will
encounter. The user can enter waypoints (points of reference) so they can return using the same route. They can add points of interest such as water sources, possible campsites, and other items of interest on their trail. However, the portability demanded by hikers will also limit the functionality of the system as small screens mean that some detail will be lost.
It is GPS technology that is used to track individuals on home arrest, to trace missing
pets, stolen vehicles, and missing people. Small systems can be incorporated into pet
collars and wristwatches. As long as the receiver is active, it can be found.
Marine and aviation GPS units are sophisticated and specialized. The principles involved are the same as any standard system; the software is much more highly developed.
Any fisherman, who is using a fish finder on his boat, is using a GPS that is enhanced by
sonar and tracking devices. Units have been developed for use on float tubes also -– as
GPS technology advances, the systems become more and more compact and their uses
more and more extensive.
If you are considering purchasing a GPS, make sure that it can be updated easily. This is especially true if you buy a multi–function GPS or one that is used where conditions change regularly. An in–vehicle GPS soon loses its usefulness if it is not updated as road systems change.
Updates vary according to the device being used. They can come in CD/DVD packages
or as computer downloads. The user can purchase maps specific to the area in which the GPS will be used or a range of maps and routes. These are available from GPS software companies who will charge proportionally to the sophistication of the software.

GPS units vary in price according to their usefulness. It is possible to buy units for less than one hundred dollars to units costing more than one thousand dollars. What your needs are will be a factor in the cost of your unit. If you are a backpacker then portability is a major consideration. If you are a trucker, you need to be able to find a delivery point as quickly and conveniently as possible. Whatever device you go for, cost is generally related to quality. Buy the best you can afford.



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How to buy a good truck or a car found at the Internet site?

The Net is constantly growing and its users develop more and more applications and utilize it in completely new ways. Several years ago a couple of new sites showed up in the Net; these sites were dedicated to the sale of automotive vehicles. Since that time the number of these sites has substantially increased and I have participated in building search engine for used truck sale -European www.truck1st.com , American www.truck1st.us and Russian www.truck1st.ru. Basing on my experience in Internet used truck sales, I can offer you several recommendations on buying trucks and cars; I hope you’ll find them very useful.
The main goal of this kind of sites is to connect sellers and buyers of automotive vehicles, both new and used. Using such sites makes vehicle trade much easier for sellers as well as for buyers. These sites create virtual marketplace where buyers can offer their vehicles and sellers can look through the buyersÂ’ stock. So the search for the customer or for specific vehicle becomes unnecessary, saving lots of time and money for both parties.
In practice it looks as follows. The seller places his vehicles at the website, usually it is vehicle description, pictures and additional info (price, delivery terms and contacts). See www.truck1st.com for specific examples. So when the buyer wants to buy a vehicle, he gets online, connects to the website and looks through the sellersÂ’ vehicles. Then he gets in touch with the seller, confirms vehicle specification and availability and purchases the vehicles. Such internet trade allows to shop for vehicles located not only your vicinity, but nationwide and even worldwide. Sometimes it saves a lot of money and lets find exactly what you are looking for.
It is clear that the used car or truck technical condition is a crucial factor. When choosing used truck or car, the more choice you have – the better the chances that you will buy a vehicle in good technical condition. In this case Internet purchase is a very effective solution.
So letÂ’s contact the seller and clear everything up. It is better done by phone, though email message is also acceptable. But you will save a lot of time by making simple phone call. Besides, the human factor in communication is very important, so pick up the phone and call him.
What should I mention during my first contact with the seller? Here is a list. But very important – write down everything the seller will say to you. Later, when you think everything over to make decision, you will appreciate it later.
So letÂ’s contact the seller and clear everything up. It is better done by phone, though email message is also acceptable. But you will save a lot of time by making simple phone call. Besides, the human factor in communication is very important, so pick up the phone and call him.
What should I mention during my first contact with the seller? Important – write down everything the seller will say to you. Later, when you think everything over to make decision, you will appreciate it.
1. First of all represent yourself, name the reason of your call and website where you have found the truck. Ask if the vehicle is still available.
2. LetÂ’s assume it is not sold yet. Then ask about every word in the description to check it is really true. It is much better if you spend 2 minutes of your time now, than to come to the buyer after and find out that there is no air conditioning, though it was mentioned at the website.
3. Ask about everything that was not described – minor technical problems, condition of engine, body, clutch, suspension, tyres, interior. Do not forget anything, you should have complete picture in your mind. For example, the cost of new tyres for tractor truck is about 200$ for a wheel and a lot of people usually forget to ask about tyre condition.
4. When it comes to price, do not be shy to argue a bit. Usually people put a little higher price that would actually satisfy them. Anyway a little of bargaining never harmed anyone.
It is much better for if you choose several vehicles and make several calls. You should not restrict yourself to a single truck, remember – the more choice you have, the better truck you will buy.
So by this time you should have called 3-4 sellers and have 3-4 papers with complete description at your table. Now its your time – relax and think everything over and make your final decision. Sometimes it is wise to call the sellers again and tell them that you have a little better offers – it will surprisingly move the prices down and help you make your final decision.
That’s it, now you are ready to go and pick up your new used truck. Just don’t forget to let your eyes see everything your ears heard – take the paper with vehicle description (that you have written down during your talk with the seller) and check everything. It is very advisable that you check the truck or car at the local service center – let professionals do their job.
And by the way, the last price is always fixed after final vehicle examination.

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How to buy a good truck or a car found at the Internet site?

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