Tag Archives: pdf

BlackBerry Users Willing to Swap for an iPhone (PC World via Yahoo! News)

Almost 40 percent of BlackBerry users would switch camp to an Apple iPhone, a recent study into smartphone brand loyalty shows. Google's Nexus One is almost as desirable, according to the study by Crowd Science (PDF link), which shows that a third of the BlackBerry users polled were willing to switch their device for the Android-based phone.
Posted in Iphone | Also tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Send to Google Docs Uploads Files and Web Screenshots to GDocs [Downloads]

Chrome: Google Docs' open 1 GB storage space can be a handy, centralized space for stuff you find on the web. The Send to Google Docs Chrome extension makes web capturing very fast with instant page-to-PDF and file uploading. More
Posted in Technology | Also tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

GigaPan Epic Pro robotic camera mount shipping in April

We found GigaPan's Epic 100 robotic camera mount to be an impressive if not entirely practical solution when we got our hands on it back in May of last year, but it's unfortunately of little use with a full-size DSLR. GigaPan is set to fill that gap with its new Epic Pro model, which it's just announced will be available in April. This model will accommodate DSLR and lens combinations up to ten pounds, and give you a 7.2V, 4300mAH rechargeable battery (as opposed to the AAs used in the smaller models), along with a few new features like a multiple triggering option to take multiple shots at each image position. Of course, the Pro model also comes with a pro-minded price -- $895, to be specific. GigaPan Epic Pro robotic camera mount shipping in April originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Posted in Technology | Also tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nokia asks court to dismiss part of Apple patent lawsuit

How do we know we're years away from a final resolution to the Nokia / Apple patent lawsuit? It's been six months since Nokia first filed its complaint , and the two parties are just now starting to argue about which specific substantive claims they're eventually going to argue about. Let's do a quick refresh: at the heart of the lawsuit is a conflict over Nokia's wireless patents , some of which are almost certainly essential to how cell data and WiFi operate. As a member of the ETSI and the IEEE licensing groups which oversee GSM and WiFi, Nokia's required to license its patents to anyone who asks on fair terms, but those terms aren't set in stone -- Nokia can negotiate separate licenses as it sees fit, and it apparently wanted Apple to cross-license its touchscreen patents as part of the deal. Apple said no, and now we're all in court, with both sides alleging patent infringement in three different lawsuits (one of which is on hold ) and Apple claiming that Nokia is also liable for breach of contract, because it promised fair licensing terms and didn't deliver. Got all that? Right. So that brings us to yesterday, when Nokia asked the court to dismiss all of Apple's contract-related claims, saying that they're simply a distraction from the real issue, which is patents, and that its license offers aren't unfair simply because Apple doesn't like them. In short: Apple and Nokia's patent lawsuit is currently not really about patents at all, but about whether or not it should also be a fight about contract terms in addition to a fight about patents, and that question won't be resolved for months. And that's why vigilante justice is the future of America's tarnished civilization something like 90 percent of patent cases eventually settle out of court. P.S. Oh, and in case you're wondering, today Reuters reported that the first trial date isn't expected until 2012 . So, yeah. Nokia asks court to dismiss part of Apple patent lawsuit originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Posted in Technology | Also tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

US mineral companies to tech industry: drill, baby, drill

Even if your favorite gadget isn't flaunting them , rare earth metals are vital to all sorts of high-tech gizmos, from your flat-panel TV and computer hard drive to the hefty batteries that power the Toyota Prius . But over 95% of the world's rare earth comes from China; and late last year, China told the world that they'd like to keep the lion's share all to themselves. What will we Westerners do? Well, we could let China continue producing mountains of e-waste on our behalf. But we could also find plenty of rare earth just by digging in our own backyard. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the United States has over 13 million metric tons of rare earth with concentrated deposits in Mountain Pass, California and Diamond Creek, Idaho. But since the private firms that control those deposits aren't willing to spend the requisite eight years and minimum $500 million to construct a chemical separation plant, Idaho-based U.S. Rare Earths is just sitting on their ore for now, while California's Molycorp Minerals is forced to send their material all the way to China (once again) for processing. "No one wants to be first to jump into the market because of the cost of building a separation plant," former USGS rare earth specialist Jim Hedrick told LiveScience . Should China's export dwindle and the U.S. feel the pinch, that may change, but for now it's good to know that when the global game of StarCraft tells us "not enough minerals," we'll know exactly where to look. US mineral companies to tech industry: drill, baby, drill originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Posted in Technology | Also tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

iPad trainspotters divine e-book prices, My Documents and more from Oscar night commercial

Trainspotters, eagle-eyed bloggers, and tech detectives of all stripes have had a field day with last night's iPad commercial . At the very least, we got a pretty good look at some e-book prices , ranging from Ted Kennedy's True Compass: A Memoir ($14.99) to Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Journey to Change the World... One Child at a Time by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin ($7.99). All gripping reads, for sure, and all more expensive than Amazon. In addition to all that, TUAW has made note of a New York Times button, possibly to bring up NYT bestsellers in the iBookstore. Delving deeper into the UI, a look at the Pages iWork app has revealed a button labeled My Documents (where have we heard that one before?). But Oscar night is not the only place for iPad leaks: according to a tipster named James Barcellano, close viewing of the iPad keynote video has revealed an "Open In..." button during the viewing of a PDF attachment in mail. Perhaps this is an indication that the device's file system will be a tad more open than we were expecting. Or maybe not! You know how these things go. One more pic after the break. Continue reading iPad trainspotters divine e-book prices, My Documents and more from Oscar night commercial iPad trainspotters divine e-book prices, My Documents and more from Oscar night commercial originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Posted in Technology | Also tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Apple ‘iKey’ Places a Combination Lock on Your Wallet [Patents]

At its surface, a recently uncovered Apple patent application describes a Motion Based Input Selection. But a closer look reveals that Apple wants the iPhone to become your life's omnitool. Using near field communication—or RFID, which isn't in the current crop of iPhones—coupled with a cute, onscreen UI (like a combination lock), Apple's patent describes a future in which iPhone users open their front doors and even pay for their next iPhone with a 3-digit pin. Many have already dubbed it the "iKey." I'm not sure that I could stand waiting at Walgreen's while the guy in front of me attempted to wield the iPhone's accelerometers with enough dexterity to purchase some antacid and the latest edition of Sport Fishing . But given that a good chunk of the world is already benefiting from phone-based RFID shopping, there's little question that the basic premise is a good one. [ Patent (PDF) and Telegraph and ElectricPig via Slashdot ]
Posted in Technology | Also tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How Do You Keep Your Computer Patched and Up to Date? [Ask The Readers]

According to researchers behind a white paper on computer vulnerabilities the typical Windows user has to patch their computer an average of 75 times a year. Many simply ignore the task. We want to hear how you keep things current. Photo by Sam Howzit . Over at the computer-centric blog Computerworld they highlight a security white paper published by the Secunia company: The typical home user running Windows faces the "unreasonable" task of patching software an average of every five days, a security and vulnerability research company said today. "It's completely unreasonable to expect users to master so many different patch mechanisms and spend so much time patching," said Thomas Kristensen, the chief security officer of Secunia. The result is that few consumers devote the time and attention necessary to stay atop the patching job, which leaves them open to attack. Secunia has a free tool called Personal Software Inspector that assists users in determining which portion of their operating system or installed software needs to be patched based on releases from the software vendors—it doesn't however download or install the patches for you. They analyzed the data from a millions of users and determined the average Windows user needs to patch software every 4.9 days to keep everything completely current. That isn't Windows Updates mind you, but updating all the various applications on their PC. In light of what a pain it would be to constantly keep on top of updates, we'd love to hear what solutions you're using to make managing updates easier. Sound off in the comments below with your tips, tricks, software tools, and other patch-related wisdom to help your fellow readers stay on top of updates and patches. If you've never considered what a burden keeping your software updated is, nor thought about getting a program to do so, start your research by reading our Hive Five on the topic . White Paper: The Security Exposure of Software Portfolio (PDF) [Secunia via Computerworld ]
Posted in Technology | Also tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Print a Free and Effective Flash Bounce Card [Printables]

You don't have to search for very long to find a variety of printable bounce cards online, but most of them look like cheap. Use this printable template to put together a free, effective, and good-looking bounce card. The bounce card template is provided by LADIG, the Los Angeles Digital Imaging Group, a group dedicated to promotion digital photography and digital media of all kinds. You'll need to print it out on cardstock for it to keep it's shape. Try it out by attaching it with a rubber band and if you like the design a couple dots of velcro will make it easier attach and remove it. If you really like the design and were feeling ambitious you could stop by your local print shop and ask for a piece of white and black vinyl cover stock, gluing them together and using a regular print out as your cutting template to create a really sturdy and durable version. You can download the template the link below or visit the LADIG website for more information about their organization here . Have a favorite DIY photography hack? Let's hear about it in the comments. Whacky Hack Bounce Card (PDF!) [LADIG via Make ]
Posted in Technology | Also tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Change the Background Color in Adobe Reader for Eye-Friendly Contrast [Tweaks]

Ed. note: If you do extensive reading on a computer screen you know how quickly start black-on-white text can strain your eyes. One Lifehacker reader, tired of straining his eyes, changed the default background color with pleasing results. We watch the #tips box every day to see all the tips, tricks, and clever uses Lifehacker readers come up with. Today's tip is focused on taking a widely adopted application—Adobe Reader—and tweaking the background to be less eye searing. I read PDF files everyday whether it's an ebook, a report, or notes from my classes. Unfortunately, the gleaming white background color of every PDF file was not easy on my eyes. So, I decided to change the default white background color. It's a simple change that can make reading PDF files easier on the eyes. Example: [imgur.com] 1) Open Adobe Reader. Go to Edit - Preferences - Accessibility. 2) Make sure the "Replace Document Colors" is checked and click on Custom Color. 3) Click "Page Background" color and then select "other color." Here's my custom neutral color settings: [imgur.com] You can also do the same for any of your favorite word processor applications. It will make writing and reading easier on the eyes! Have a tip for tweaking the background color in other applications? Let's hear about it in the comments. Thanks for the tip SandHammer !
Posted in Technology | Also tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment