Google Glasses

Dying to get your hands on Google Glass, but don’t quite want to drop the dough to do so? Google is giving Bostonians the chance to try on the futuristic wearables this weekend as part of a fresh sales and marketing push for the gadget.

Representatives from the tech giant will post up from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 26th, at the Boston Center for the Arts’ Cyclorama on Tremont Street in the South End.

The exhibition will also host a display of the research and development history of Google Glass, stations to try out different Glass apps, and a photobooth, so you can snag a selfie of you sporting the tech.

Google wants to get the masses eager to buy the device before the official launch of Glass for consumers (though a date has yet to be determined or announced). Over the past few months the company has been trying to make the sci-fi-looking tech more appealing – and hipster – by partnering with reputable designers like Diane von Furstenberg and Ray-Ban.

But until Google slashes the $1,500 price tag on Glass, it’s hard to imagine people scrambling to get a set. Plus, it stings to know that a singular pair of Glass is estimated to cost Google less than $80 to manufacture. The early-adopting habits of the public never fail to surprise, however. When the company hosted a one-day sale in April, Google’s stock of titanium-framed wearables sold out.

But you’ll never know how you really feel about Glass until you slip on a pair and take them for a spin.

If you go: Google Glass Hits the Road; The Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts; 539 Tremont Street; RSVP here; follow the buzz with #BostonThroughGlass.

Nokia 3310 gets 41-megapixel, Windows Phone

Initially released in the year 2000, the Nokia 3310 went on to be one of the most successful mobile phones ever. More than 125 million were sold and, thanks to a small group of Nokia fanatics, this cult handset is making a modern-day comeback.Staying near-true to the original design, the Nokia 3310 with PureView will add a 41MP PureView camera with Zeiss optics and Xenon flash, and will run a modified version of Windows Phone 8 to fit the unique ‘ClearDiamond’ three-inch touch screenAs well as the classic metallic dark blue, the Nokia 3310 with PureView will also come in yellow, blue, red and green.Three ‘soft-touch’ navigation keys still feature a Windows Phone ‘home’ button has been introduced to you straight back to the Start Screen.LiveTiles and App Folders are supported and it comes pre-installed with MS Office, Xbox Games, Outlook and OneDrive that offers 7GB free cloud storage out of the box.
To power the next-gen operating system and class-leading camera, Nokia engineers have achieved the unthinkable, scaling down a dual-core processor, 2GB RAM and 32GB of on-board storage into a case that mimics the original size (113 x 48 x 22mm) and weight (133g).

A side-mounted MicroSD card slot offers additional storage expansion. The first devices will rollout with 3G connectivity while LTE-equipped devices will follow later in the year.With a nostalgic nod to yesteryear, the Nokia 3310 with PureView comes pre-loaded with four games – Snake II, Pairs II, Space Impact and Bantumi -, a currency converter and original monophonic ringtones.Norman Gage, who has been campaigning for the return of the Nokia 3310 since its discontinuation, said:

Specifications:

Dimensions
Height: 113 mm
Width: 48 mm
Thickness: 22 mm
Weight: 133 g
Display and User Interface
Display size: 3-inch ‘ClearDiamond’
Display resolution: WXGA (1280 x 768)
Display features: Brightness control, Nokia Glance screen, Refresh rate 60 Hz, Sunlight readability enhancements, Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3, PureMotion HD+, Sculpted glass, Wide viewing angle
Display colors: TrueColor (24-bit/16M)
Touch scren technology: Super sensitive touch
Sensors: Ambient light sensor, Accelerometer, Proximity sensor, Barometer,
Gyroscope, Magnetometer
Keys and Input Methods
User Input: Touch + Softkey
Operating keys: Volume keys, Camera key, Power/Lock key, Microsoft Home, Navigation keys.
Hardware
Connectivity
SIM card type: Micro SIM
Charging connectors: Micro-USB
AV connectors: 3.5 mm audio connector
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 4.0
Wi-Fi: WLAN IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n
Network: 3G
Battery:
Battery capacity: 1430 mAh
Battery voltage: 3.7 V
Removable battery: Yes
Wireless charging: No
Processor
Processor type: Dual-core 1.5 GHz
Memory
User data storage: In device
RAM: 2 GB
Mass memory3: 32 GB
Free cloud storage: 7 GB
Photography
Primary camera sensor size: 41 MP, PureView
Camera Focus Type: Auto focus
ZEISS optics: Yes
Sensor size: 1/1.5 inch
Main camera f-number/aperture: f/2.2
Camera focal length: 26 mm
Camera minimum focus range: 15 cm
Camera image formats: JPEG
Camera Flash Type: Xenon flash
Flash operating range: 4.0 m
Flash modes: Off, Automatic, On
Main camera features
Main camera – other features: 6-lens optics, Backside-illuminated image sensor, High resolution zoom 3x, Optical image stabilization, PureView
Image capturing
Capture modes: Video, Still
Scene modes: Automatic, Sports, Night
White balance modes: Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Daylight, Automatic
Light sensitivity: Automatic, ISO 100, ISO 200, ISO 400, ISO 800, ISO 1600, ISO 3200
Video
Camera video resolution: 1080p (Full HD, 1920 x 1080)
Camera video frame rate: 30 fps
Camera video zoom: 6 x
Video playback frame rate: 30 fps

The TF-X™

TF-X™ is the practical realization of the dream of countless visions of the future; it is designed to be the flying car for all of us.  In order to achieve this long-sought-after vision, Terrafugia will focus the TF-X™ program with clear goals that enhance the safety, simplicity, and convenience of personal transportation.  We believe these goals are achievable today.

 Safety:

 Operating a TF-X™ vehicle should be statistically safer than driving a modern automobile.
TF-X™ vehicles will be capable of automatically avoiding other air traffic, bad weather, and restricted and tower-controlled airspace.
TF-X™ will have a backup full-vehicle parachute system which can be activated by the operator in an emergency if the operator believes the TF-X™ to be incapable of auto-landing.
If a TF-X™ operator declares an emergency (which will automatically notify authorities of the situation), the TF-X™ can be landed in non-approved landing zones.
If the operator becomes unresponsive, TF-X™ would automatically implement an emergency auto-land at the nearest airport.

 Simplicity:

 Learning how to safely operate a TF-X™ vehicle should take an average driver no more than five hours.
TF-X™ will give the operator significant freedom in flight – controlled in a manner similar to steering a car.
TF-X™ will be able to fly in either "manual" or "automatic" modes between approved landing zones or airports.

                                                  Convenience:

TF-X™ will carry four people in car-like comfort.
TF-X™ will have a non-stop flight range of at least 500 miles.
TF-X™ will fit into a standard construction single car garage.
TF-X™ will be able to takeoff vertically from a level clearing of at least 100ft in diameter.
TF-X™ will be able to drive on roads and highways – providing true door-to-door convenience and an automotive level of weather insensitivity.

Learning how to safely operate a TF-X™ vehicle should take an average driver no more than five hours.

TF-X™ will give the operator significant freedom in flight – controlled in a manner similar to steering a car.

TF-X™ will be able to fly in either "manual" or "automatic" modes between approved landing zones or airports.

- See more at: http://www.terrafugia.com/tf-x#sthash.8LDSkKRE.dpuf

TF-X™ is the practical realization of the dream of countless visions of the future; it is designed to be the flying car for all of us.  In order to achieve this long-sought-after vision, Terrafugia will focus the TF-X™ program with clear goals that enhance the safety, simplicity, and convenience of personal transportation.  We believe these goals are achievable today. - See more at: http://www.terrafugia.com/tf-x#sthash.8LDSkKRE.dpuf

TF-X™ is the practical realization of the dream of countless visions of the future; it is designed to be the flying car for all of us.  In order to achieve this long-sought-after vision, Terrafugia will focus the TF-X™ program with clear goals that enhance the safety, simplicity, and convenience of personal transportation.  We believe these goals are achievable today. - See more at: http://www.terrafugia.com/tf-x#sthash.8LDSkKRE.dpuf

TF-X™ is the practical realization of the dream of countless visions of the future; it is designed to be the flying car for all of us.  In order to achieve this long-sought-after vision, Terrafugia will focus the TF-X™ program with clear goals that enhance the safety, simplicity, and convenience of personal transportation.  We believe these goals are achievable today. - See more at: http://www.terrafugia.com/tf-x#sthash.8LDSkKRE.dpuf

Operating a TF-X™ vehicle should be statistically safer than driving a modern automobile.

TF-X™ vehicles will be capable of automatically avoiding other air traffic, bad weather, and restricted and tower-controlled airspace.

TF-X™ will have a backup full-vehicle parachute system which can be activated by the operator in an emergency if the operator believes the TF-X™ to be incapable of auto-landing.

If a TF-X™ operator declares an emergency (which will automatically notify authorities of the situation), the TF-X™ can be landed in non-approved landing zones.

If the operator becomes unresponsive, TF-X™ would automatically implement an emergency auto-land at the nearest airport.

- See more at: http://www.terrafugia.com/tf-x#sthash.8LDSkKRE.dpuf

Touch Sensors

 

Atmel® XSense® touch sensors open a new world of possibilities for touch-based products. A highly flexible film, XSense sensors can be used on curved surfaces and edges. So now you can design capacitive touchscreens in shapes that previously weren’t possible.
Envision sleek, edgeless and lighter smartphones, tablets and more. Imagine eliminating mechanical buttons, in favor of more reliable, moisture-resistant, touch-based buttons. Compared with traditional  touch sensors, you’ll be able to create a much more engaging touch user experience. With XSense touch sensors, you can truly go beyond the edge of your imagination for a new class of touch-based products.

 

Key Features

 

• Flexible material — Create unique touch-based products with excellent optical clarity with flexible XSense touch sensors, which can wrap around curved surfaces.
• Low sheet resistance — Get better noise immunity and lower power consumption via very low sheet resistance.
• Narrow border — Create larger active screen areas, maximizing use of the touchscreen’s glass surface.
• Narrow bond area — Experience improved device reliability and reduced material cost.
• Support for larger touchscreens — Create touch-enabled products of different form factors.
• Stylus support — Design products with a richer user experience, taking advantage of XSense support for active and passive stylus solutions.
• Linearity — Deliver greater accuracy in the touch experience as well as stylus performance.

Samsung Gear Fit – in pictures

Samsung’s new offerings include a slimmer version of its Gear 2 smartwatch, the Gear Fit, with a curved screen, heart-rate monitor and notifications.

 Samsung's new Gear Fit has a touch sensitive curved Amoled screen. Menus are navigated by swipes of the finger.

 The Gear Fit has a heart rate sensor built into its back.

 The biggest issue with the Gear Fit is that the watch face is horizontal and shifted 90 degrees from the orientation of a normal watch face.

The Gear Fit sits about 1.5cm tall on the wrist, but can be fit under most sleeves.

The curved screen of the Gear Fit means it is more comfortable to wear, fitting the profile of your wrist more readily.

The Gear Fit needs a charging adapter, that clips onto some metal contacts to allow the smartwatch to be charged via micro USB.

US Army Bag

Mission Pack, Micro Hydration, Multicam (MP-MH-MC)

The ultimate lightweight direct action bag!

Made in the USA

The Need:
Operators needed a smaller direct action bag that could hold mission essential items tight to their frame without interfering with gun belts, dump pouches, extra magazines, and other waist-level gear.

The Answer:
The Mission Pack, Micro Hydration has superior functionality for its ultralight design and weight.

This Product is currently out of stock and is available through special order only. Minimum of 20 pieces is required for special order. Please call for bulk pricing and delivery information. 800-615-9007

Hydration: 100 oz (3 Liters) - bladder sold separately
Warranty: Lifetime
Material: 1000 Denier Cordura®
Weight: 1.8 lbs

Dimensions: Length x Width x Depth
16 in. x 12 in. x 6 in.

Volume:
1152 cu. in.

• Perfectly houses the VIPER Vest (VV), VIPER Vest Releasable (VVR), or VIPER Vest Holstered Releasable (VVHR) with full load out including: pouches, plates, IFAK, secondary weapon, and ammo.

EXTERIOR:

• (4) Exterior compression straps starting on the center of the pack rather than the sides to further cinch load to the operator's frame

• (6) rows of exterior MOLLE on pack face

• 3 in. x 10 in. VELCRO® brand exterior ID patch field.

• Reinforced top carry handle

• Underneath the pack: (4) lash points to attach bedroll/sleeping bag

• (2) grommet provide interior drainage when pack or pack contents become wet

• Angled bottom design provides extra space and distance from gear at waist level

• Zipper pulls affixed with button snap closure to hold both zippers together when hydration hose or comm antennae are threaded through the pack zippers

• Padded shoulder straps with D-rings and bar tacked loops for hanging flashbangs, smoke grenades, hydration hoses, or lashing other mission items.

• Vertically adjustable sternum strap to match the height of operator

• Padded mesh pack back for decreased heat, increased padding and a moisture-wicking effect.

INTERIOR:

• (2) 4 in. vertical strips of VELCRO® brand loop on interior of both pack lid and pack backing.

• (1) 2 in. circular strip of VELCRO® brand loop running the entire length of internal side walls to attach removable shotgun shell bandoliers or additional mission items.

• Hydration bladder loop attachment (accommodates up to 3 liter bladder)

• NEW FEATURE:Top hydration port with VELCRO® closure flap and overlapping elastic webbing for a secure hold on your hose.

• NEW FEATURE:Pack depth has been extended an additional 1.5 in. for even more storage and to accommodate the entire VIPER kit including the VIPER vest, side pouches, ammunition, pistol, Flat IFAK (VFIFAK), padded armor belt (VPAB), medical items, food, and Kevlar helmet with our external mesh adapter (MP-HGAP).

• Internal accessory options: (2) 12 round shotgun shell bandoliers, Hidden Internal Holster Module (HIHM), Shock Tube Dispenser Module (STD-DM), or Internal Pack Stiffener frames (MP-IPS).

Why it is not possible to regulate robots

There's an old joke about the sciences: biology is just applied chemistry, chemistry is just applied physics, and physics is just applied maths. It's really a neat little quip about essentialism and reductionism. While it's true that biology can be accurately described as "applied chemistry," treating living things as alive – and not as a set of chemical reactions no different in principle from making a cup of cocoa or extracting a pigment to use in housepaint – has undeniable utility.

But we draw boundaries. While there are disciplines that straddle biology and chemistry and treat organisms as though the most important thing about them is neither their chemical reactions nor the fact that they are living, we acknowledge that there are two great poles between which these gradations shade. There are a lot of things that we can point to and say, "that's chemistry" and there's a lot of things we can point to and say, "that's biology".

A computer that causes change:

 Is there such a thing as a robot? An excellent paper by Ryan Calo proposes that there is such a thing as a robot, and that, moreover, many of the thorniest, most interesting legal problems on our horizon will involve them.

 

Can 'robot law' be separated from software law?

 These are powerful regulatory tools, and they are in widespread use today. Surgical scalpels are horribly dangerous, and there are lots of rules about who is allowed to wield them and when, and what happens if you are negligent with one, or if you make one that isn't up to snuff. But we don't regulate anything that might be used as a scalpel. We don't try to keep anything that might be a scalpel out of non-medical hands. And we don't burden doctors or scalpel-makers with a mandate to ensure that they only part flesh in accord with the Hippocratic Oath.

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