Showing posts with label Gadgets. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gadgets. Show all posts

Home Design Apps For Android

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Here’s a list of 3 home design apps for Android which you can use to create mock ups of your dream house, plan redecoration’s and more. Seeing how we’re talking about tablets and smartphones here, you can’t really expect the kind of advanced functionality and usability that can be found in desktop applications, but the apps I mentioned do come very close to being just as good as desktop software of this sort.

Let’s see what exactly it is that they can offer.

Home Design 3D Outdoor/Garden
Home design isn’t just about making everything the way you like it within the walls of your home, don’t forget about the outside, and that’s exactly what Home Design 3D Outdoor/Garden focuses on.

With the help of this app, you’ll be able to create a design of the backyard and the front of the house using hundreds of items and building types ranging from simple table sets to full on gazebos, see image above. Unfortunately, the same kind of freemium model is applied here like the one that can be found in the indoor version of Home Design 3D, seeing how the same developer is behind both of the apps. Still, app is fully functional apart from losing the save feature after 2 hours, but screenshots help with that, at least they did the trick for me.


Planner 5D
Planner 5D is a very advanced home design app for Android where you get a large database of all kinds of furniture in lots of different variations that you can use to decorate your rooms.

Since the app has a lot to offer it also requires a lot of storage space, close to 250MB. Four demo designs are available by default to help you familiarize yourself with the app. Online, in the Planner 5D gallery on their website, you can find designs shared by others or share your own creations. 2D and 3D view modes are available. Move around by holding down a screen tap, zoom with pinching, the usual. An optional paying subscription gives you access to an additional 3000 items from the paid database offered by Planner 5D for more detailed customizations of the designs that you’re creating.


Home Design 3D
Before we delve into what exactly it is that Home Design 3D has to offer, keep in mind that the app works on a freemium basis. What that means in case of this app is that for 2 hours after installation you have full functionality. After the 2 hours are up the ability to save designs is taken away, but you can still create designs and then take screenshots to share them with others.

Other than the previously mentioned limitations app works pretty much just like Planner 5D does, only the interface is a little bit revamped. Furniture selection is on the left. 2D and 3D modes are available. Room layout and furniture designs can be changed in both 2D and 3D. Furniture is placed into categories, and there’s a find tool to help you find the furniture that you need more easily.

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What is USB and What Can it Run?

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The majority of computers have a number of USB ports on the front or back (for a desktop) or the sides (for a laptop). It stands for universal serial bus, and essentially it acts as a communications interface between your computer and whatever device you have plugged into it. 


The problem is that the vast majority of devices that you might wish to use will have a different type of output. Essentially, they speak a different language from other devices of the same type, perhaps because the manufacturer has them using their own special language.

This situation is a nightmare for PC developers, because it means that the computer is expected to understand all of those many different languages, and provide plugs for them too. USB was developed to overcome this, as it is a single standard that your PC is able to speak to your device. Only the plugs differ from device to device, with the smaller devices using the mini or micro sized plugs because of space considerations.

USB is an incredibly useful interface, thanks to its versatility. USB ports can operate input and output devices, hence can accept keyboards and mice, and can run smaller, secondary monitors. They are excellent for transferring data, both onto and off of an external device.

There are are also different speeds available for USB ports. USB 1.0 is the slowest, 2.0 is considered high speed. Version 3.0 is currently still little used. For a particular speed to be achieved, both the PC and the device it is connect to must be able to run at the same speed-if one is capable of 1.0 and the other can do 2.0 then both will run at 1.0. The differences in speed between USB 1.0 and 2.0 can be stark, and this means that devices that will need to transfer a large amount of data are better off when run on 2.0.

Many USB ports are powered, though a few are not. A powered port can be used to charge mobile phones, PDAs and tablet computers, and to run a few other devices such as a USB powered fan. There are other, more unusual USB devices such as toys, and even a USB powered mini fridge!

Data transfer is an important function, and allows you to download photos and videos from either a cell phone or camera, and to upload videos, music, applications and other items onto a smartphone, MP3 player or even some of the hand held gaming devices, or data to or from a flash drive.

Importantly though, it can do both data transfer and power a device at the same time. This allows the running of external hard drives that don’t have their own power supply. By drawing their power through USB they remain incredibly portable and useful for carrying huge files from computer to computer, as well as backing up computers and other USB capable devices.

When you consider the fact that USB will also allow you to run a keyboard, mouse, or other controller on your computer too, it just goes to show how incredibly versatile this interface is.

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Top Ten Gaming Headsets

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As more and more games include voice chat functionality you'll want to invest in a headset for your gaming sessions. Headphones also offer more immersion and better quality sound but there are loads of headsets to choose from. Here is a rundown of ten of the best to suit any budget.


Gaming Headsets

To fully immerse yourself in a game and get the full benefit of the sound it is best to play wearing headphones. As games have increasingly added voice chat as a feature you may want to look at purchasing a gaming headset which will give you headphones and a microphone as well. In this article we have a look at the top ten gaming headsets on the market.


Sennheiser Communications PC 350 Mega

This is a large and comfortable headset which delivers full quality Hi-Fi sound so you could use the headphones to listen to music as well. There’s a handy microphone attached for gaming or Skype and it connects virtually to any PC sound card. The microphone is designed to cut out background sound and you can also mute it if you need to. The 3 metre cable should be plenty but this high quality headset does not come cheap at around $220.

Medusa 5.1 ProGamer Headset

This headset offers great 5.1 sound quality and comes with a detachable microphone. It also has comfortable collapsible earpads, a USB plug and will connect to any sound card. While this headset offers great sound quality at a relatively low price reviews report that it is flimsy and prone to breaking. This headset will cost you around $60.

Creative HS Fatal1ty Gaming Headset

This is a reasonably priced headset coming in at under $60. It is lightweight and designed to sit comfortably on your head for tense gaming sessions. Taking the name Fatal1ty because FPS star Johnathan Wendel has lent his tag to the product this is a user friendly headset with decent headphones and a noise cancelling microphone. It features a fast USB connection and Sound Blaster X-Fi technology built in. Looks like a good choice in the mid price range category with many positive reviews.

 

Creative HS950 USB Gaming Headset

This headset is at the cheap end of the market and the lightweight design offers decent quality sound and a good microphone. It claims to have accurate 3D positional sound and a noise cancelling microphone for clear speech but the reviews are mixed. This is a good option for people on a budget since they retail at around $40.

Sennheiser PC151 Headset

This headset has a padded over the head strap with comfortable earphones. There is a noise cancelling microphone for chat and commands and independent volume control. The sound quality is good and these are very affordable at under $50.

Razer Barracuda Headset

At over $100 you would expect something special from the Razer Barracuda Headset. It has a built in microphone with noise cancellation and features eight discrete audio drivers to enable pinpoint accuracy. It will work with all sound cards though you’ll need a good one to get the full benefit of this headset and it is designed to be used with the AC-1. Reviews are mixed and though the quality is good it is apparently weak on bass and a little uncomfortable to wear. You can find this heavily discounted on Amazon.

 

Zalman 5.1 Surround Headphones and Mic

These high quality headphones are great for the surround sound effect with accurate directional sound. They also have a high sensitivity microphone and clips for keeping cables out of the way. The headphones fold neatly away and although they are quite heavy they are comfortable. These are a good buy especially when you consider the price tag of under $50.

 

Icemat Black Siberia Headset

This headset comes with a detachable microphone with mute, nine feet of cable, separate volume control for the lightweight headphones and comfortable round earcups. The manufacturers also promise this headsey will help keep your head cool. It will set you back around $60.

Tritton AXPRO Gaming Headset

These offer 5.1 surround sound and they’ll work with an Xbox 360 or PS3 as well as your PC. There are four speakers in each earcup for accurate directional sound and they are lightweight and comfortable. There’s external audio control for all channels, 12 feet of cable and a quality microphone with a mute function. They look stylish and light up orange when you power them up. This is a great headset but you pay for this kind of quality and they are likely to cost you well over $200.

 

Plantronics Audio 370 Analogue Gaming Headset

The last entry on the list is the cheapest option yet at around $30. These are super light with felt covered earcups and an open ear design so you can hear yourself shouting into the mic. They offer good sound quality for the price and the only drawback is the fact they look a bit chunky.

 

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10 USB Flash Drives Geeks Can Gift their Girlfriend this Valentine Day

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1. Jeweled Heart USB Thumb Drive
Apart from data traveling your girlfriend can also wear it.



Price 36$ for 8 GB

2. Jeweled Heart Lock USB Thumb Drive 



Prices starts 34$ for 8GB

3. The “Pretty” Rhinestone USB Flash Drive

Price starts 65$

4.  USB Ring Thumb Drive

You can use it as Wedding Ring , Microsoft Game developer Ray Arifianto’s has already used it as wedding ring

5. Pink Heart Necklaced USB flash drive


Price 39$

6. Diamond Jeweled USB thumb Drive 
 price starts 39$


7. Golden Butterfly USB thumb drive


Price starts 22$


8.  USB Jewel Bracelet Thumb Drive
Price starts 33$

9. Glasses USB flash drive

Price starts 29$

10  Comb  USB Thumb Drive 

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Top 10 Super Computers in the World

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Ever wondered which are the most powerful supercomputers of all time? Supercomputers which with their supersonic speed broke various computing barriers and also brought in revolution in varied fields like nuclear science, medicine, environment and weather. The computing power of these computers is way beyond your imagination. So here we have compiled some of the most powerful computer in the world.

10. Cray-1


Cray-1 was the world’s fastest machine that was installed at Los Alamos National Laboratory in 1976. Cray-1 boasted a speed of 160 million floating-point operations per second. The first model of the Cray-1 (Cray-1A) weighed 5.5 tons.


9. Cray-2


Launched in 1985, the machine held the title of the world’s fastest supercomputer between 1985-1989. Cray-2 was capable of 1.9 gigaflops peak performance. Cray-2 was predominantly developed for the United States Departments of Defense and Energy. Due to the use of liquid cooling, it was nicknamed `Bubbles’.

8. Connection Machine-5 (CM-5)


Launched in 1991, Connection Machine-5 (CM-5) held the crown for the world’s fastest supercomputer in 1992. The machine intended for artificial intelligence applications and symbolic processing found remarkable success in the field of computational science.

7. Fujitsu Numerical Wind Tunnel


Known as the Numerical Wind Tunnel, the machine was built by Fujitsu and Japan’s National Aerospace Laboratory. The machine was used to simulate wind turbulence on airplanes and in spacecraft as well as to forecast weather.

6. ASCI Red


The fastest computer from June 1997 to June 2000, ASCI Red was collaboration between Intel Corp and Sandia Labs. It was the first computer to break the teraflops barrier, which after the processor upgrade passed 2 teraflops.

5. ASCI White


ASCI White, an IBM system, replaced ASCI-Red as the fastest supercomputer in 2000. ASCI White held the spot for world’s fastest supercomputer for two years from 2000-2002. It was capable of computing 12.3 trillion operations per second.

4. The Earth Simulator


Built by NEC for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, the Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute and the Japan Marina Science and Technology Center, the Earth Simulator (ES) was the fastest supercomputer in the world from 2002 to 2004.

3. Blue Gene/L


Currently the seventh fastest supercomputer in the world, IBM BlueGene/L held the title of world’s fastest supercomputer for four years from 2004 to 2008. The supercomputer is located at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s. BlueGene/L (BGL) clocked 478.2 trillion floating operations per second.

2. IBM Roadrunner


IBM Roadrunner was crowned No. 1 in June 2008 after becoming the first supercomputer to break one petaflop/s. IBM’s Roadrunner managed 1.042 petaflops. The supercomputer is located at the Los Alamos National Laboratory.

1. Jaguar


The world’s fastest supercomputer according to TOP500 supercomputer list of 2009 is Cray XT5, also known as Jaguar. Jaguar bagged the No. 1 spot, beating IBM’s Roadrunner, who held the top crown from 2008 to 2009. It can perform more than 1 quadrillion calculations per second.
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19 Cool Products That Are Almost Impossible to Use

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Sometimes modern design and minimalism go a little too far and it’s hard to figure out exactly what the products are.
We’ve tracked down 19 products that look quite cool but leave you wondering wtf?

The Cell Tankless Toilet
Even in the most modern bathroom design, a toilet is a toilet right? Apparently not, which is fine with us because why should your bathroom have to revolve around the throne? Downplay it with the egg shaped design of the Cell Tankless Toilet. [Via Yanko]
Recycled Paper Side Table
It’s kind of easy to call anything that could technically support a lamp and some magazines a “side table” which gives lots of room to minimalist designers. The Recyled Paper Side Table by Matt Gagnon technically fits the requirement of being able to hold something on it, although until you put a lamp on it people will have no clue what it is. $2798 [Source]
KONE Vacuum System
Usually you’re looking for a place to stash your vacuum in your tiny city apartment, but here’s one that you can leave out as a piece of modern art. The Dirt Devil Kone Vacuum is cordless, bagless and the coolest looking vacuum you never knew you wanted. $40 at Amazon
Das Keyboard Ultimate
Das Keyboard was designed to be the best keyboard ever made and it provides the best tactile typing experience… That’s great but why does it have blank keys? Apparently real typists can feel their way though so silly things like marked keys are unnecessary. daskeyboard.com
Flavor of Time
It’s been said that our most powerful sense is the sense of smell and that the scent of a fond memory can stay with you forever—like homemade cookies from when you were a kid, or the way that that she smelled the first time you kissed… But you probably never thought you’d be telling the time based on smell alone. That’s the idea behind the Flavor of Time Clock. There are 12 different “flavor capsules” so each hour a different scent is exuded from the holes on the face of the clock. Source
End Table Bookspine Saver
As most minimalist products you might not know what this is until you see it in use. And like the best minimalist designs, once you realize what Habitual Bedside Table is you realize it’s really the ONLY way to design a bedside table… especially if you read a lot. Via Boing Boing
Harmony Salt & Pepper Shakers
Is that one of those new tiny speakers I’ve heard so much about? Yeah, that’s got to be it. They’re for your iPod right? This product looks way more complicated than it is… seriously, it’s just a salt and pepper shaker. The outer part holds pepper while the center blob holds salt. corinagarona.com Source
Fuksas Mocha Cups
Don’t be surprised if your friends try to ash their cigarettes, or ignore these altogether because they look like art. The Fuksas Mocha Cups eliminate handles and that tired ‘cup’ shape most mugs have. Simple and of course very unique.Source
Mondrian T Lamp
Unless it’s on you might think this was some kind of hat rack or something. The Mondrian T is about as simple as it gets for lighting and you get the benefit of clean lines without loads of color which is usually what comes to mind when there’s a mention of something “Mondrian.” See it Source
Osorom Bench
A bench huh? It’s hard to imagine something that looks like this would have a purpose, but apparently it does. Actually the curved sides might be pretty comfortable as opposed to a hard square corner. Although those holes all over it seem like if you sit on this thing you’re asking for some uncomfortable snaggage. Yeah nevermind about the Osorom Bench seeming comfortable. Source
Pano Logic Computer
If you think that even the Mac mini has too many bells and whistles then you’ll appreciate the Pano Logic Computer. It literally fits in the palm of your hand, doesn’t have any disk drives, or even a hard drive and processor. We’re not really sure how it works, but we think some kind of voodoo may be involved. (Actually, all of the real computing is done off site somewhere which is subscription based) $300 panologic.com
Phillippe Starck Veiled Watch
If you’re a fan of the slick metal bands on a men’s watch, but hate a big clunky face you’re gonna dig the Phillippe Starck Veiled Watch. At first you’ll think this is just a cool metal bracelet but upon further inspection you’ll notice the subtle hands underneath… or you might not notice—they’re pretty obscure. $150 atAmazon
Sliding Shower
You could give someone all day to guess what that weird panel on the wall was and they’d probably never figure it out without the context of a bathroom or someone using it. The Sliding Shower feels like something straight out of a sci-fi movie and seems like it’s designed to make you feel uncomfortable with change.Source
Samsung ML-1630 Printer
Usually when you think of a minimalist gadget you think of mp3 players, speakers, maybe even computers, but printers? The Samsung ML-1630 Printer makes fools of us all. At first glance we weren’t sure if it was a digital scale or some kind of light-up paperweight, but we certainly didn’t think it was a printer. Kudos Samsung for making us want a printer for looking cool rather than what it does. $159 at Amazon
Stick Sound FM Radio
Hey that’s a neat penholder. No? Um, oh, it’s a joystick for video games? Oh it’s not? The Stick Sound FM Radio makes its purpose known when you grab the stick which tunes the radio, adjusts the volume and turns it on and off. And if that’s not cool enough for you, it’s base glows blue when it’s on. $39 at Singulier
Pendulum Wall Clock
This is the result of creating a minimalist grandfather clock. No numbers, no face, no housing… just hands and a pendulum mounted to a wall. It’s a pretty cool design, but we have to wonder what the point of a pendulum is on a minimalist clock since we don’t see the point of them on a regular clock. $114 Source
Ultimate Wheel
Who needs bike chains… or handle bars…. or a seat for that matter? The Nimbus Ultimate Wheel is as basic as it gets. Until now we though the unicycle was the stripped down version of the bicycle… but no, apparent it’s a wheel with some pedals. And sure, you may look at this and know what it’s for right away, but we dare you to use it! $90 at Unicycle.com via Geekologie
Bluetooth Laser Virtual Keyboard
This is definitely one of those products that you’ll have absolutely no clue what it is until it’s in use. And it uses lasers, which is always a plus. The idea behind this product is that instead of typing on the keys, this virtual keyboard can tell what you’re trying to type by how you interrupt the laser… it even simulates the typing “click” sounds so it feels pretty natural. $150 at ThinkGeek
Transformer Shelves
One of the marks of great minimalist design is that it actually serves a great purpose that you might not have noticed right away. The Transformer Shelves look like a table that makes cool uses of lines in its design, but it turns out it’s actually a very complicated customizable storage system. Or a very big rubix cube perhaps. Source
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