Gadget And Technology

Archive for May, 2010

There is a plethora of spy gadget available in the market, more than ever before – how useful are they really?

You can find a great variety of spy gadgets in the markets today, whether they are in special stores, in toy stores and, of course, from innumerable sites on the internet. Some of them come in the form of kits which you assemble yourself, though many of them may be for children. These may range from simple night vision binoculars or eyewear to spy cams to long range transmitters to easy to use lie detectors.

Advanced technology

The technologically wired world has made spy gadgets smaller and less easily detectable. They are also easier to use and where required have a great deal of memory. Gone are the days when lemon juice was used as invisible ink to send covert messages – today secret messages are usually heavily encrypted and sent by computers or mobile phones.

Neither do you need to use a crude device to listen through walls – today many covert voice transmitters and listening devices are available. And while you may have to physically follow somebody, you can even track the person’s movements either via a transmitter or tracking device attached covertly to a car or even via satellite imagery through the computer.

And you don’t have to use a handkerchief to talk into a phone in order to disguise your voice – there are more sophisticated voice changing devices which will make your voice totally unrecognizable.

You can track computer usage as well, whether it is of members of your family or staff, using undetectable software on computers.

How do the gadgets work?

Miniaturization and computerization have helped make the covert gadgets easier to use and decreased the likelihood of detections. Micro chips, GPS, mobile phones, computer software have all made tracking and keeping tabs on a person simpler.

Most gadgets emit some sort of signal which is picked up by the decoder and then put in simpler language or pictures for a lay person to understand. In the case of surveillance cameras, many are triggered by sensors and start recording when some movement is ‘sensed’.

While using audio gadgets these are usually voice activated. Security systems usually use security key pads which you have to key in. And then there is biometric or fingerprint scanning on a higher level, whether it is lock in a house, a safe or a computer.

Today, there are even gadgets which can analyze voices instantaneously and tell whether the person is telling the truth or not. Of course, none of these gadgets are infallible – even a properly regulated polygraph test by the authorities and people who are trained to use them can give erroneous results.

Why do people use spy gadgets?

Because criminals are also using technology to increase their fields of operations, because there is an increased paranoia about how ‘big brother is watching you’, because people are increasingly suspicious about their spouse’s behavior and it is easier to keep tabs on them, because people are more protective of their children, these gadgets find a ready market.

The fact that a lot of them are cheap and easy to use and buy (even though there may be legislation against their use by ordinary people) only results in more sales of covert gadgets.

Save £10 on any order over £30* with Google Checkout at Find-me-a-gift

Find-me-a-gift now offer Google Checkout which makes buying with us even easier. Google Checkout is a new secure way to purchase items online, simply register once with your credit card details and you can shop anywhere that has the Google Checkout logo without having to share your credit card details with individual retailers.

As a special launch deal for a limited period when you try Google Checkout you will save £10 off every order over £30*.

· The main benefits to using Google Checkout on Find-me-a-gift are

· You only need enter your Google Checkout username and password when purchasing items online.

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Taking Advantage of this amazing offer is easy just follow the simple steps below.

· Place the items you want in your shopping basket click the Google Checkout button and you will be taken through to Google Checkout.

· If you’re using Google Checkout for the first time, you will need to fill out one short page to complete your first purchase. If you have used Google Checkout before, or have an existing Google account, then just sign in and your details will be loaded automatically.

· Check your order carefully. At this point you can choose your delivery method and change the delivery address.

· Then click “Place your order now” button and that’s it Google Checkout will email you order confirmation through.

Click here to register for Google Checkout (link to GCO registration page)

https://www.google.com/accounts/ServiceLogin?continue=https%3A%2F%2Fcheckout.google.com%2F%3Fod%3Dcheckout.google.co.uk%26upgrade%3Dtrue&service=sierra&nui=1&ltmpl=default&hl=en_GB

*£10 off applies to all orders where the goods total £30 or more before VAT/ tax and delivery costs. This offer is provided by Google Checkout and not by find-me-a-gift. The discount will not show in your find-me-a-gift basket it will be shown in the Google checkout confirmation.

If you are looking for a gift and would like to take up the google offer have a browse through our site or have a look at our top products below.

Picco Z Helicopter

The Picco Z RC Helicopter is the perfect gift for all kids (Big and small)…From Age 6 – 60, This is the kind of toy your dad say’s is stupid but secretly he’s playing with it while your asleep (thats why the batteries are always flat!) This fully operational, crash-resistant helicopter is perfect for indoor aerial action and comes ready to fly, with take-off, hover and left/right functions providing enough manoeuvres to make Torvil & Dean dizzy.

http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/picco-z-remote-controlled-helicopter.html

The Amazing Virtually Indestructible R/C Plane

Our Virtually Indestructible Remote Control Plane is different. It uses shape memory plastic in the fuselage and wings, meaning it always returns to its original shape even when you try and bend it or fold it! This is the only remote control aeroplane we’ve found that is worth buying. It also happens to be the cheapest!

http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/gifts-for-men/unusual-gadgets/the-amazing-virtually-indestructible-r-c-plane.html

Hydro Zorbing For Two

Expect to get very wet! Hydro zorbing is a totally different experience from harness zorbing as you do not rotate with the zorb, but instead 25 litres (2 buckets) of water (cold or warm) are added inside, and you slide from side to side and forwards and backwards while the zorb revolves around you, gaining speed with every revolution. The sensation has been described as a cross between a roller-coaster and a water fall! The hydro zorb run is approximately 200m long.

http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/hydro-zorbing-for-two.html

Dozen White Roses – Standard

Twelve beautiful white roses, blended with an array of complimenting foilage. Finished with a luxurious natural-coloured wrap, this vibrant rose bouquet is a beautiful gift for many occasions. The picture shown is of a ‘medium’ sized bouquet.

Why not customise your flowers with one of our carefully selected additional gifts? We offer a cuddly traditional Teddy Bear, a range of balloons for all different occasions, a box of tasty chocolates and a stylish glass vase. Please see our related products, listed below.

http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/flowers/flowers-delivery/dozen-white-roses-standard.html

Personalised Book of Cricket History

Relive the greatest moments from your favourite sport of International Cricket in newsprint captured in this beautiful personalised, hand made, leatherette book.

We have researched and compiled coverage of International Cricket from 1905, as reported in newsapers from the early 20th century to 2005.

http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/gifts-for-men/personal-gift/personalised-book-of-cricket-history.html

Chocolate Fountain

Chocolate good. Fountain good. Chocolate Fountain almost too good to be true! This sensational chocolate fountain has been selling out nationwide since its release but we’ve managed to secure some more Cchocolate Fountains at an extra special low price for our Find Me A Gift customers.

http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/chocolate-fountain-chocolate-fondue.html

Roboreptile Robot Dinosaur

Roboreptile is the newest Robot Dinosaur from the genius Mark Tilden at Wowwee! Roboreptile is slimmer than Roboraptor and far more mobile. Roboreptile can turn around, move quickly from place to place, hop and jump. Roboreptile includes audio, visual, and touch sensitivity, so it will hear and see you. The touch sensor on Roboreptile’s back allows it to respond to human interaction by performing a short animation.

http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/gifts-for-men/men/roboreptile-robot-dinosaur.html

Bar Butler – 6 Bottle Optics Dispenser

The American six shot chrome revolver does sound somewhat threatening and only people who are serious about their shots should try this at home. Nah, we’re just kidding! This chrome plated six bottle shot dispenser, otherwise known as the Bar Butler, is a must have addition to any home bar.

http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/gifts-for-men/unusual-gadgets/bar-butler-6-bottle-optics-dispenser.html

Radio Controlled K9

This 10 inch tall K-9 is a must for any true Doctor Who fan, old or young! K9 is a mobile computer in the shape of a dog constructed by Professor Marius of a medical foundation to be a companion for him whilst in deep space. K-9 is both a huge database and has defensive capabilities being equipped with a retractable laser in his nose which can be set to stun or kill. He can integrate with virtually any computer system including the TARDIS and has been responsible for getting the Doctor out of many a tricky and dangerous situation.

http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/children-gifts/presents/radio-controlled-k9.html

Space Hopper – 3 Pack of Racing Odd Balls

The Space Hopper Odd Ball Racing 3 Pack is the most fun grown ups can have in a garden, magically transporting you back to when you where a kid hopping round your parent’s garden in one of those long hot summers. These ADULT SIZE Space Hoppers called Oddballs and are very good quality. Oddballs are made of thicker rubber than the other 3 and 4 packs on the market, which can puncture more easily. These Oddballs are larger than the Space Hopper you used to have and because there are three Space Hoppers in this Odd Ball pack you can have proper grown up races which are three times the fun!

http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/gifts-for-men/unusual-gadgets/space-hopper-3-pack-of-racing-odd-balls.html

Large 16 inch Roulette Set

This is a whole lotta roulette set – a 16″ roulette wheel, chips, croupiers rake, 2 packs of playing cards and a reversible cloth (51 x 112cm) with roulette on one side and blackjack on the reverse. Get your best tux out, do your best 007 impression and you’re all set for an evening of gambling, fast cars and the obligatory bomb to disarm!

http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/gifts-for-men/unusual-gadgets/large-16-inch-roulette-set.html

If you have left it a bit late to buy your gifts? Don’t panic find-me-a-gift offer a next working day delivery if you place your order before 3.30pm.

Www.find-me-a-gift has over 1000 gift and present ideas for men, women & children for any occasion. Click below to see the full range

http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/

TWO major trends to watch

SOCIAL NETWORKING

Popularity versus Revenue

Categorized as “emerging media”, social networks such as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Linked-In and MySpace offer opportunities for individuals and companies to both connect and exchange information. From a company’s perspective, they have the ability to contribute to branding and real-time delivery of information.  Uses I’ve seen include sending alerts, flash updates on blog postings, breaking news, press release links, and even customer support Q&A.

What is unclear is even if you have people following your posts on a social network, does it lead to revenue?  Aside from something called “viral marketing”, the answer is no.  In fact, Twitter.com doesn’t even have a revenue model of its own.  Other sites rely on advertising links with the exception of Linked-In, which provides for certain paid-subscriber only benefits.  So, this begs the question, “Is it all a bunch of hype?”

Finding your Market

Not everyone is a fan of online social networking. Although few could disagree that traditionally, social networking has many, many benefits in our personal and professional lives. As it pertains to online use, and specifically to Twitter, the context of your messages (of who you follow (or subscribe to) and who follows you) is limited to 140 characters.  These short messages are known as tweets. Every smart-phone with few exceptions now has an application available to follow ‘tweets’.  Tweets span the spectrum of websites, cellular phones, Instant Messaging and RSS feeds.  With the potential of such penetration at zero cost, the benefits of the technology are limited to the value of your posted content and those that you ‘follow’.

Finding Value

With all the information available on the web, why would you care to follow somebody or a company on twitter?  For that matter, why would somebody care to follow you?  I believe the value here lies in the ability of getting the information first or ‘from the source’ as it happens.  The other value is in getting information from an inside or knowledgeable source that you can follow-up with in real-time. It’s a two-way medium.

Summation

I have not found much in the way of either financial or builder related companies using Twitter although some are already using other networks such as Facebook and Linked-In.  I believe we are still early in the adoption curve of this technology. What I do see is the preference of the Millennial generation to use these sites for making contacts and information gathering.  I believe many companies are jumping in to ensure they have a presence even though the benefits are uncertain.  That last sentence could have been said in 1995, about the emergence of webpages and websites.  Stay tuned.  The ‘what‘ and the ‘how‘ can not yet be answered, but I strongly suspect the ‘if‘ is a not-too-far-off certainty.

Another certainty: you have to experience the medium for yourself.  It’s not a love-it or hate-it proposition although I suspect that for many of us, it might take some digging to find the value.  At the very least, you’ll be the first to know that Shack stubbed his toe again or your nephew Trevor was arrested and is seeking bail money…

Recommendation

If you are ready to get your feet wet and experience a social network for yourself, the most beneficial from a company’s prospective at this time will be Facebook and Linked-In.  Try them by searching for both companies and colleagues. If you find any of interest, you’ll want to create your own account (and profile) so that you can become networked together.

CLOUD COMPUTING

Defined

You probably already use a form of cloud computing.  Services such as Yahoo Mail, AOL and GMail are all simple forms of cloud computing.  So are YouTube and Twitter.  These sites are all hosted across the internet, allowing you (the end-user) to access a specific server or service from anywhere at anytime.  You have no hardware to maintain and no software to buy.  At the most, some may charge you a periodic fee.  So what is it and why is this likely to be a paradigm in I.T. departments?

Commoditization. I.T. has been a complex, vertical silo in organizations for the last 20+ years (longer for the large corporations who could afford I.T. services prior to the PC’s debut).  Nowadays, it is quickly becoming a commodity where services need not be maintained in-house.  Rather, a highly streamlined I.T. department uses outside service providers for things such as storage, Emails and various software applications.   In essence, it offloads the chore of hardware, software, in-house expertise and in-house costs to an external provider specializing in a certain area.

Implications for the Organization

Since 2001, I have leveraged outside services for Web Design, Disaster Recovery, and Programming. Based on experiences at larger organizations – which actually taught me to have a contrarian view of certain practices – I maintain a belief that simple is better because it keeps focus on the business and not the technology behind it.  With these beliefs as my basis, Cloud Computing will be the next, natural evolution in the industry. Cloud Computing takes the concept of outsourcing a step further by replacing what once were completely in-house services (such as file servers, email servers, accounting programs, and even applications such as MS Office Word and Excel) with internet based sources.

There will be a day when most small to medium sized companies will have the option of drastically reducing their hardware & software footprint within the organization.  In-house technical expertise will be supplanted with a very small set of I.T. professionals who can focus solely on aligning their efforts with business goals.  Currently, much of I.T.’s efforts concentrate on the day-to-day housekeeping of I.T. upkeep.  Cloud Computing will bring simplicity to the I.T. environment and, at the same time, a reduction in costs and added resiliency of the services being provided.

In Harmony with Virtualization

Our company began virtualizing servers two years ago.  It allows us to consolidate two or more servers into one physical server.  The added servers are known as virtualized-servers. It reduces equipment, cooling and power demands while better utilizing the capacity of the hardware.  The benefits of virtualization and those of cloud computing could  easily reduce our existing infrastructure by 70% in the next three years and save us $120,000 every 36 months in equipment costs.  This accounts for the reduction in capital expenditures for hardware alone.  Added savings from software licensing would also be a significant savings.

Below is a diagram which shows how our Private/Internal network extends to the internet currently. Future services (represented by empty circles) constitute ‘The Cloud’.  It will be an extension of our network services – all of which are currently contained within our company.  For now, just know that when you hear somebody talk about the cloud – it isn’t necessarily a weather forecast being discussed!  Such capabilities are especially important to many companies in light of recent economic constraints and the reduction of in-house talent.  I’ll have more to share about this rapidly changing paradigm over the next 18 months.  This should be about the time that more services become available and mature to the point where we can begin relying on the cloud for many of our services.

Copyright (c) 2010 Suzanne Wells

Technology has always been a mystery to me. I’m a 48 year old mother of three. Lately, I feel like I’ve just arrived home from a major battle with the cultural technological machine.

THE ART OF GROCERY SHOPPING… My kids will tell you I can be heard on most Sunday afternoons pining for the good old days when going to the grocery store meant having actual conversations with real people. Nowadays, the shopping experience has been reduced to bar codes and laser guns that rudely shout a series of startling beeps and electronic grunts to let you know you’ve messed up the scanning process. Today the grocery store is a lonely landscape. You’re lucky if you get a “Thank you for shopping with us!” from the receipt.

Even in the old days, grocery shopping was never really my favorite experience anyway. It took me moves to Boston, Atlanta and Ohio to realize it is actually better to smile, look the checkout girl in the eye and politely take your change. I’m a stereotypical New Yorker who tends to view the checkout line like the Amazing Race; where the winner is the one who gets in and out as quickly as possible.

When I first moved to Ohio, I practiced the etiquette of grocery shopping for months before I would even enter the local checkout line. I would stand in front of the bathroom mirror and rehearse my tone and cadence to get my affect exactly right in order to ensure a pleasant shopping experience. Years of practice have refined performance. On the rare occasion when I actually encounter a living, breathing human in the store who is willing to have an actual conversation; I still secretly roll my eyes as I hear my New York voice lilt through “Have a nice day!

THE END OF TIME… The other day, after arriving annoyingly late for several important appointments, I realized it was finally time to turn in my old trusty Timex. I liked her ticking round face and lived-in watchband. She went everywhere with me wrapped happily around my wrist. We enjoyed our morning showers and the way we cooked breakfast together. We even plunged into the icy waters at our Lake house in Vermont together and dove head first into the summer swimming pools in several states. We washed the dogs, scrubbed the kids and hell, she even took a few surprise dips into overflowing toilets for me.

I spruced up her wardrobe with a new watch band last summer and that seemed to revive her for while, but not for long. I depended on her and she just wasn’t keeping time anymore. I went the distance for her though. Last week, I went to the mall to replace her battery in an attempt to get her face to pep up a bit. The jewelry store guy reassuringly slipped the wafer battery into her back and sent us on our way. By the time I got to the intersection in the mall parking lot, I was late for the red light that got me on the highway home. She was tired and I realized I would have to put her down.

When I got home I unclasped her battered buckle and solemnly placed her in the burial ground on my dresser next to the other graves of single earrings, broken bracelets and of piles of gold and silver odds and ends. I’d actually meant to bring her to the crematorium to see if I could get some hard cash to finance my new watch! Instead, I muttered a silent prayer for them all and started off to the local strip mall in search of a replacement. The suburban strip mall is home to the neon- blinking, traffic everywhere, fluorescent lighted, massive parking lot, anything you could want, ELECTRONIC SUPERSTORE! I mourned for her a bit on my way to the superstore monolith as I peeked down at my bare wrist all naked and vulnerable like that. I repeatedly glanced at the time on the dash just, to make sure I wasn’t late for myself again.

SHOPPING FOR A NEW WATCH… Finally, I arrive at The Sports Authority mega, monolith, anything-you-could-want superstore staring blankly at the watch display. I want a watch with a face. I like the idea of watching the second hand tick around the clock face, tapping each number as it spins around its circle, as though they were old friends slapping high fives as they pass each other in the hall each day.

I like the earth elements in the circular face of these watches. I like the way each cycle is divided into 12′s and how the hours are segmented into neat, equal quarters. The five minute intervals seem like a bunch of nuclear families all joined together in one big, circular bash. I am soothed by the way the numbers relate to each other in a collective way and how the hour hand and the minute hand seem like a father and son. I like the way the whole damn thing fits together in its little circle-world. I feel like I can find my way around there, like I can always get home. Watches with faces sooth me, comfort me and feel familiar. This is the kind of watch I want.

On the other hand, digital watches devoid of familiar round faces, spinning second hands seem lonely without the organized circular landscape of their number families. They feel hollow and give me the creeps. It’s disturbing to gaze at their blinking squared off numbers faces and I am always jarred at the odd way they beep at random times. Even the eerie green glow they give off from their sharply lined faces scares me a bit. When I’m forced to enter a relationship with them, I’ll glance sideways at the little alien on my wrist and wonder if it’s recruiting me into its way of life. I wonder if I am being coerced into his weird alien, digital language. If I wear a digital watch too long, eventually I have visions of having to hire the “Coalition for the Freedom for Digital Watch Wearer’s” who specialize in reprogramming the sorry sacks that were naively taken in by the promise of chronographs and reprogrammable wrist alarms.

Unfortunately, in Sports Authority, my search for acceptable wrist wear is futile. The only selections with faces on them seem to be men’s digital watches, and they are big. After opening several packages and trying on a few, I end up with a snazzy, grey Timex number that is a good fit for my wrist.

TIME TO CHECK OUT… As I approach the checkout I am relieved to see a young boy who looks like he knows what he’s doing. Nothing satisfies my anal mind more than a check out guy who is efficient, knows the register and his merchandise and gets you on your way. This guy has an added benefit of being young enough to possibly be a digital alien himself and may be of assistance to me later on.

I mentally congratulate myself for my good choice in checkout guys and befriend him little at the register. I act a bit overly friendly but quickly recall my training in Ohio at the bathroom mirror and work hard to replace my hard New York accent with a sing-songy, southern drawl. I coyly batted my lashes to conceal the secret New York eye roll. Digital aliens are very helpful to have on your side in the case of a future battle with your watch, I think.

I ask him to please open the package before I leave. Nothing frustrates my burning, efficiency based mind more than un-openable packages wrapped in impossibly hard plastics with tiny plastic rings that cement the item firmly in its casing. He breaks out the scissors and goes to work. He finally liberates the item and I am happy to have my watch.

I place it on my wrist, smile at it and try to like it. The process reminds me of when you meet your best friend’s newborn who is really not that cute, homely even. You smile anyway into the little guys cooing face and pretend he’s not really a wrinkly, old bald man with a big nose and receding chin. You hope you will grow to like him and reassure her that kids always grow into their noses. I complete my purchase, head to the car and admire my new guy on my wrist. I cock my head to see if I can hear cooing from his square lips, then politely shift my gaze so he won’t notice my wince at the sight of his nose.

You just can’t imagine how important internet means to us. In other word, it’s never too excessive to say we can not live without the internet.

Except for some entertainment outdoor, what about your indoor activities, reading books, watching TV or playing games? Well, for me surfing online could combine all those activities together, for example, I can read e-books, watch online movies or play online games. With a computer I can do everything and have lots of fun. And I do believe that I am not the only one who enjoys online life.

To enrich your online life, here are three electronic gadgets you must have, that is, USB Eye Warmer, USB Small Refrigerator, USB Drumming Santa.

Equipment with a USB Small Refrigerator, there is no need for you to go out for food or eat fast food, the only thing you should do is to open the refrigerator and take out your favorite fresh food. This small USB refrigerator with a closed door design can not only reduce the temperature to 8.5 degree in 5 minutes but also warm things up to 60 degree! What is amazing is that a beautiful LED light will indicate its working condition.

You may doubted that what to do with a USB Drumming Santa. As is known to all, Christmas is coming, why not take this as a small Christmas gifts for yourself. Couldn’t such cute a gadget recall you beautiful childhood memory merely by plugging it into any USB port on your PC or notebook, you will appreciating Santa Claus drumming to the rhythm. Sitting in front of computer for too long a time, this must add interest to your work and help you relaxed.

Look at the last one: USB Eye Warmer. It is a must for those who are often in front of computer and use eyes too much. This useful cool gadget is ready to warm your eyes, promote ocular blood circulation and then protect your eyes. It can also reduce the under-eye puffiness and black eye symptoms to return your beautiful eyes. Most important, it will release your eyes fatigue, relax and enjoy a healthy and joyful online life.

Just imagine again: have your favorite cool drink, then put on the eye warmer, at the same time, play the pleasant Santa drumming. How wonderful and leisure life could be!