FIFA Out With iOS and Android apps ahead of Next Year's World Cup Final

The governing body for nations's football, FIFA, has rolled out apps compatible with iOS and Android enabled gadgets ahead of the 2014 World Cup Final. The apps according to FIFA will feed football fans with updated news, videos, and photos of match results from nearly 200 leagues. The app will be available for free and user can select up to three favorites national teams, clubs and competitions. This will allow easy access to information from selected team. The app is also capable of streaming the 2014 World Cup Final Draw.

Samsung Sued For Copying Apple Devices

Two device manufacturers, Samsung and Apple, are at war over patent infringement mostly found in older Samsung tablets and smartphones. Samsung was allegedly sued for copying iPhone and iPad features in its devices. However, a US jury has found Samsung guilty and has ruled that Samsung must pay $290m (£180m) to Apple. Previously, a jury asked Samsung to pay $1.05bn to Apple for patent infringement. Recently, Judge Lucy Koh, ordered a retrial on the ground that the former judge miscalculated the amount Samsung must pay. 

According to Apple's spokesman, "For Apple, this case has always been about more than patents and money. It has been about innovation and the hard work that goes into inventing products that people love. While it's impossible to put a price tag on those values, we are grateful to the jury for showing Samsung that copying has a cost."

As if that was the end, another separate trial is scheduled for March 2014 as Samsung was found to have infringed Apple's patent that allows users to "pinch and zoom" on smartphone and tablet screens.

15 Fact About The New Xbox One Game Console

1. Price and availability
Starting from 22nd of November 2013, the Xbox One will be available in 13 countries: Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, the UK, and the US. It costs $499 in North America, £429 in the UK, AU$599 in Australia, and 499 euros in the EU countries listed above. On the other hand, Sony's PS4 cost $400.

2. You'll need an Xbox Live Gold membership ($60/year in the US) to do almost anything beyond play single-player games
Xbox Live Gold membership will be a requirement for any online Xbox gamer for streaming Netflix to game DVR functionality. Functions like this in PS4 only require a Plus Membership.

3. No 3D Blu-ray compatibility
The same goes for rival game console. PS4. Both Xbox One and PS4 are not compatible with 3D Blu-ray.

4. Xbox One hard drive is not user replaceable
Unlike with the Sony's PS4 where owners can self-upgrade with a standard laptop hard drive, Microsoft's Xbox One comes standard with a 500GB hard drive

5. Xbox 360 Games not compatible with Xbox One
Another disappointing feature for would-be Xbox One owners, your old Xbox 360 games will not play on Xbox One. Also, any downloaded games on your Xbox Live account won't transfer to your new game.
 

6. Bluetooth support not available
Device-to-Device connections will be handled via Wi-Fi Direct and 802.11n Wi-Fi but not bluetooth. On the other hand, PS4 has a bluetooth installed but not for device-to-device connections.

7. Kinect works well with your TV and cable box
Though a little challenging, the kinect could function as universal remote control such as controling TV volume control and channel-changing using voice


8. Xbox One is bulkier than the PS4
This is a visible comparision between the two rival consoles. The PS4 could fit into a smaller space than Xbox One. But if you have a bigger shelf, none will be a disadvantage over the other. Also, Xbox One has a bigger adapter while PS4 has a thinner adapter

9. Kinect comes packed in with every Xbox One
A new Kinect comes packed in with every Xbox One, making it a required purchase factor. It's also meant to be plugged in most of the time. You don't need it plugged in, but any automatic logging in, voice control, and gesture recognition, which is a big part of how the Xbox One works, won't function.


10.SmartGlass runs on Windows 8, iOS, and Android devices
Microsoft's second-screen SmartGlass app works on a variety of phones, tablets, and PCs, and promises to add media playback controls, in-game second-screen functions, and pop-up information viewing throughout Xbox One. Many iPhones, iPads, and iPod Touches, Android 4 devices 7 inches and larger, and Windows 8 phones, tablets, and PCs can connect.

11. Xbox One works with cable and satellite TV, but doesn't support DVR control
An HDMI input allows you to run your cable box directly into the Xbox One, feeding it all your TV feeds. The Xbox One has its own searchable menu for TV listings, too, and can change the channel on your cable box, acting on its behalf. But, while you can watch your DVR, you can't use the Xbox One to access your recordings or the menus; for that, you're going to have to use your remote, as usual.


12. DVR only records the last five minutes of what you're playing
Xbox One only keeps a continuously recording backlog of the last five minutes while PS4 records 15 minutes of your last game.

13. Broadcasting with Twitch possible but not yet available
The PlayStation 4 has the ability to create your own live broadcast of your gameplay for the world to see via Twitch, or watch what others are streaming. The Xbox One has a Twitch app, but it's only for viewing streams: creating your own live stream won't be possible on Xbox until, most likely, early next year.
 

14. Snap is a multitasker's dream...but some apps don't work for it
Using Snap, you can create a side split-screen of live TV, NFL scores, or whatever else you can think of while playing a game...or, combine apps that involve no gaming whatsoever. Some apps don't support Snap yet, but discovering which do takes some trial and error.


15. It's always on, for better or worse
The Xbox One encourages you to run your TV and home theater through it, meaning you'll have your Xbox One on even when watching old DVR recordings or when watching a movie. The Xbox, and that Kinect. You might get pop-up Skype calls, or game notifications, right in the middle of a show. Of course, you can always disconnect it from your TV feed, too. 

Credit: CNET

 

Microsoft's Xbox One launched 22/11/2013

The long awaited Game Console from Microsoft has been released, 22/11/2013.

The BIG QUESTIONS are,

1- will the Xbox One match up with rival, Sony's PS4?

2- will the new console pull waves like the rival and even sell up to the rivals unit?

These and many more we hope to answer shortly.

Could Modern Computers Think And React Like Human?

This has been a discussion between me and my friends. Technology has reshaped our environment, even the evolution of calculating machine was a ease to human. We have seen a whole lot of changes and we are still waiting for the ones that will “whao” our imagination. Dr. Dharmendra Modha, founder of IBM’s Cognitive Computing Group is on a mission with his team to unveil a cognitive computing chip and software ecosystem inspired by the human brain that could power everything from search and rescue robots in hazardous environments to intelligent buoys which float on ocean waves, predicting tsunamis or warning of oil pollution. The new technology according to him will use less power and space than today’s computers.

The team has decided to seek assistance from global experts in Neuroscience, Nanoscience and Supercomputing to build this complicated system. In our world, we haven't seen anything, but what would you say to computers thinking and acting like human?

Airplane Inspired, BladeGlider Concept Car from Nissan

Does the image you are seeing look like the ones you see in Sci-fi movies? That was what I thought also until I read from Francois Bancon, General Manager of Product Strategy and Product Planning at Nissan about the possibility of the car been seen on the street. The electric car, BladeGlider, got its inspiration from the front shape of an airplane. The design with an arrow front shape will significantly improve the vehicle's aerodynamics. The concept vehicle sits on a carbon-fiber under-body. Power comes from lithium-ion batteries and is been fed to the rear wheels.

According to Nissan's GM, “The goal was to revolutionize the architecture of the vehicle to provoke new emotions, provide new value and make visible for consumers how Zero Emissions can help redefine our conception of vehicle basics” , BladeGlider's unique triangular shape allows for 1+2 seating.

 The concept vehicle will soon hit production line but details of it remains in the shell.

Have You Ever Thought of an Air-less Tire?

We are all used traditional tires that make use of air to provide support and absorb shock. The trend started from tubed tires to tubeless and then the run-flat tires. Most of these supporting devices, tires, are still in vogue but what we are about to welcome is an Airless Tires. The new design known as Tweel Airless Tire was first announced by Michelin in 2005. A deformable wheel replaces the hub in the traditional tire while flexible spokes also takes the place of air. The outer surface, Sheer Band, in contact with the ground also contains tread like the traditional tires.

The flexible spokes absorb road impacts the same way air pressure does in traditional tires. The tread and shear bands deform temporarily as the flexible spokes bend, then quickly spring back into shape.

Design is inspired by Bridgestone's puncture-proof tires, and Michelin's Tweel. According to them, the Tweel Airless Tires will provide more comfortable ride. The design is lighter; therefore it will improve a vehicle's fuel efficiency and are actually quieter than traditional designs. Recyclability is another unique point for the new design. Apparently, the new design will be puncture-free.

The new product will hit stores very soon. We only hope it will be affordable for mass consumption.

It is only meant to be a Concept Car, M. Benz AMG Vision GT Concept

The German luxury car manufacturer, Mercedes Benz has unveiled their concept car, Mercedes Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo. The concept car was created by Mercedes Benz in-house design team to be included in Sony’s new PlayStation 3 game Gran Turismo 6. 

 The model is planned to be revealed at the opening ceremony of Mercedes-Benz’s new research and development centre in Sunnyvale, California.

 It will amaze you to hear that the model will not see production; it will remain a concept car to reveal creativity and future mobility.