Google cracks down on shady ads and app-promotion tactics in Google Play
via PCWorld http://ift.tt/1pywIUZ
9 stylish wearables that won't make you look like a high-tech dork
via PCWorld http://ift.tt/1jqAC0c
You Can Choose NASA’s Next Spacesuit
NASA has been working on its spacesuit prototype called the Z-1. The agency unveiled its designs back in 2012 and revealed a suit that didn’t look too dissimilar to the suit worn by Buzz Lightyear. Now, NASA has upgraded its original design to the Z-2 and is calling upon the public to help it finish the look of the outer shell.
‘Trends in Society’
The new Z-2 model sports a new hard composite upper torso, among other design features. There are three shell designs, all unique and rather strange looking. The first, called ‘Biominicry’ is based on a sea-creature, featuring reptilian-like scaly skin, while embedded lights channel the “”bioluminescent qualities” of deep sea fish.
The second design, ‘Trends in Society’, looks more like your everyday, average suit, with a cloth cover. However electroluminescent wire and patches mean it is anything but average.
Finally, ‘Technology’ is all about function, with built in collapsing pleats, which allow for more mobility, and abrasion resistant panels on the torso for increased durability.
There is a website where you can view all three designs and cast your vote. Unfortunately your favourite design will not be seen on the next images received from the International Space Station, as NASA has said that the suits will be used for Earth-based missions like training. Voting is open until April 15.
[Image via NASA]
SOURCE: http://ift.tt/1jn44a5
The post You Can Choose NASA’s Next Spacesuit appeared first on TechBeat.
via TechBeat http://ift.tt/1mjML79
McAfee Labs Stinger 12.1.0.846
Stinger is a quick and installation-free standalone tool for detecting and removing prevalent malware and threats, ideal if your PC is already infected. While not a replacement for full fledged antivirus software, Stinger is updated multiple times a week to include detection for newer Fake Alert variants and prevalent viruses.
via FileHippo.com http://ift.tt/140CAuN [[ We are also giving web service. Email:wasim.akh2@gmail.com]]
Expo Notes: Livescribe hopes to make the pen mightier in the digital age
via PCWorld http://ift.tt/1hL9k0h
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 2.0 Gets A New User Interface
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware has been given a make-over in the latest update to the software. Version 2.0 has a complete new user interface, which has been designed to make the product easier to use, more informative and provide quicker access to key functionality.
As well as a new look, the Quick Scan feature has been renamed to Threat Scan and is recommended by Malwarebytes as the best scan choice.
Other changes include:
- Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit integrated into the scanner (available under Detection Settings)
- Malwarebytes Chameleon driver integrated to provide self-protection for the Premium version (available under Advanced Settings)
- Enhanced version of Malicious Website Protection for Windows Vista SP2 and above (better performance, added ability to exclude processes such as BitTorrent clients from Malicious Website Protection, ability to manually exclude IP addresses and individual URLs/websites by domain name)
- Native x64 system location scanning, detection and malware removal
- Substantial improvements to core detection and removal technology
As well as the major changes, an issue with performance has also been fixed. Users had complained of a problem when streaming audio on Vista SP2 and newer when using Malicious Website Protection but the update has now resolved that issue.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 2.0 can be downloaded now via FileHippo.
SOURCE: http://ift.tt/1hlkBIp
The post Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 2.0 Gets A New User Interface appeared first on TechBeat.
via TechBeat http://ift.tt/1jHtL5d
FlashFXP 4.4.4 build 2042
FlashFXP is a powerful FTP client for Windows. With its intuitive and customizable user interface, Flash FXP provides the fastest and easiest way to transfer or backup files between your local computer and a remote server, or directly between two servers. In addition to FTP, FlashFXP provides additional security with SFTP (Secure Shell/SSH), FTPS ... 
via FileHippo.com http://ift.tt/1bjHyK1 [[ We are also giving web service. Email:wasim.akh2@gmail.com]]
Scientists Create Solar Cell From A Brand New High-Effieciency Material
Can you imagine being able to recharge your smartphone or tablet just by lying it out in the sun? Well scientists from the Nanyang Technology University (NTU) have created the next-generation solar cell material, which not only converts light to electricity but also emits light.
The solar cell has been developed from the wonder material Perovskite, which could prove to be the answer in producing a highly efficient, inexpensive solar cells. As well as lighting up when electricity is passed through them, the light can be customized to glow various colours.
The discovery came about almost by accident when NTU physicist Sum Tze and postdoctoral researcher Xing Guichuan shined a laser onto the hybrid Perovskite solar cell material. They discovered that when a laser beam was shone onto the Perovskite solar cell, it glowed brightly, which was unusual as normal solar cell materials absorb light but do not generate any.
“What we have discovered is that because it is a high quality material, and very durable under light exposure, it can capture light particles and convert them to electricity, or vice versa,” said Asst Prof Sum, a Singaporean scientist at NTU’s School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences (SPMS).
“By tuning the composition of the material, we can make it emit a wide range of colours, which also makes it suitable as a light emitting device, such as flat screen displays.”
‘A Boon For Green Buildings’
“What we have now is a solar cell material that can be made semi-translucent. It can be used as tinted glass to replace current windows, yet it is able to generate electricity from sunlight,” said assistant Professor Nripan Mathews from the School of Materials Science and Engineering.
This could radically change and improve so-called green buildings and the scientists are working on larger scale versions of the materials for use in large-scale solar cells.
“Such a versatile yet low-cost material would be a boon for green buildings. Since we are already working on the scaling up of these materials for large-scale solar cells, it is pretty straightforward to modify the procedures to fabricate light emitting devices as well. More significantly, the ability of this material to lase, has implications for on-chip electronic devices that source, detect and control light,” said Dr Matthews.
There is a patent pending on the new material, which cost five times less than the current Silicon-based solar cells.
[Image via phys.org]
SOURCE: http://ift.tt/1hglhLq
The post Scientists Create Solar Cell From A Brand New High-Effieciency Material appeared first on TechBeat.
via TechBeat http://ift.tt/P3O7rA
Expo Notes: Sit or stand, the Ergotron’s WorkFit works both ways
via PCWorld http://ift.tt/1gL2s7Y
Recuva Version 1.51.1063 Released
There is nothing more frustrating than accidentally deleting files from your computer. The freeware Windows uitility, Recuva, is designed to restore all the files that have mistakenly binned, even if they have been emptied from the recycle bin.
Piriform has released the latest version of Recuva, with some added features and the usual minor bug fixes. The release notes detail the following changes:
- Added Ext2 and Ext3 file system support.
- Added recovery from volumes without GUID.
- Improved SSD detection and support.
- Improved Secure Overwrite on Windows XP.
- Optimized FAT32 volume deep scan algorithm.
- Improved partition detection on VHD images. (Recuva Professional only).
- Improved Show drives options.
- Minor GUI improvements.
- Minor bug fixes.
Recuva version 1.51.1063 is available to download via FileHippo now.
SOURCE: http://ift.tt/1jCUFv1
The post Recuva Version 1.51.1063 Released appeared first on TechBeat.
via TechBeat http://ift.tt/1hDj50B
Magnetocaloric Technology Radically Changes Refrigeration
Refrigeration technology hasn’t really changed much since it was introduced almost a century ago. However, General Electric (GE) who developed the first electric fridge, is now exploring the use of magnets to produce a more energy efficient refrigeration solution.
GE has employed the use of magnetocaloric technology, which operates the same type of heat pump used in traditional fridges but rather than compression, it is driven by magnetism.
Magnetocaloric methods have been around for some time but have never been put to a practical use. When some metals are exposed to a magnetic field, they heat up; take the magnet away and they cool again. GE exploited this trait and used it as a heat exchanger rather than vapour compression. Now, thanks to more advanced alloys and stronger magnets, magnetocaloric technology can finally be a serious contender for the traditional refrigerator.
The prototype that GE is working on has 60W of cooling, which is a little short of the 100W that current home refrigeration works at but the company is confident that within five years it can catch up.
The only downside is that it costs four times more to produce a magnetocaloric refrigerator, compared to a normal one but when you consider that the new technology provides 20% more efficiency, overall it has the potential to save billions and dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
[Image via GE]
SOURCE: http://ift.tt/O7ZlLm
The post Magnetocaloric Technology Radically Changes Refrigeration appeared first on TechBeat.
via TechBeat http://ift.tt/1hCHXpe
Hotspot Shield 3.37
Hotspot Shield is a versatile internet security and privacy solution. In addition to protecting you from dangerous online threats, it also protects your privacy and enables you to access any blocked websites and content. 
via FileHippo.com http://ift.tt/15ippep [[ We are also giving web service. Email:wasim.akh2@gmail.com]]
MySQL 5.6.17
MySQL Community Edition is a freely downloadable version of the world's most popular open source database that is supported by an active community of open source developers and enthusiasts. 
via FileHippo.com http://ift.tt/13Crlqv [[ We are also giving web service. Email:wasim.akh2@gmail.com]]
uTorrent 3.4.1 Beta 30746
µTorrent is the most popular BitTorrent client outside of China. It is a small, yet feature-filled package. The µTorrent 3.4 RC1 update, has multiples of new tweaks and features, which now makes it even better to use. µTorrent has a large feature set, holds strong performance, remains stable and has support for older hardware and different versio... 
via FileHippo.com http://ift.tt/13UpiiZ [[ We are also giving web service. Email:wasim.akh2@gmail.com]]
Google May Develop A YouTube For Kids Under 10
YouTube has become one of the most popular socila media video platform, with more than six billiob hours of videos watched every month. These stats prove it is even beating Facebook, with teenagers choosing YouTube over the social media giant. As a result of a huge young audience following, Google has decided to explore the possibilities of developing a new child-friendly site.
At the moment YouTube has safety measures in place to block inappropriate content to protect younger viewers but unfortuantely this isn’t always 100 percent accurate. The new site would be designed for children under ten years of age and would guarantee a safer viewing experience.
On YouTube weekly, Lamarr Wilson explains how a child-friendly YouTube site would provide parents the assurance that the vidoes their children are watching, are age appropriate.
[Image via youngtalents]
SOURCE: http://ift.tt/1o70TWa
The post Google May Develop A YouTube For Kids Under 10 appeared first on TechBeat.
via TechBeat http://ift.tt/1hCgJz5
Wearables, projectables, Office for iPad, and Oculus
via PCWorld http://ift.tt/1jUqhbl
[Tip] Enable New “Translator Bubble UI” in Google Chrome
Read rest of this article at AskVG.com
via AskVG http://ift.tt/1lpuFmO
Scientists Develop Thinnest LEDs Ever Seen
Tiny light-emitting diodes, commonly known as LEDs, are used in pretty much every modern electronic device. As technology moves forward and with the release of faster and smaller devices, there is an increasing demand for LEDs that are even smaller, with increased strength and energy efficiency.
Scientists from the University of Washington have been able to develop the world’s thinnest LED that can provide light energy in electronic devices. It is based around 2D, flexible semiconductors, which means it can be stacked or used in a wider variety of smaller devices. Made from flat sheets of the molecular semiconductor known as tungsten diselenide, the process is very similar to how graphene is produced, with sheets being extracted by regular adhesive tape.
University of Washington assistant professor in materials science,engineering and physics, Xiaodong Xu, explains what they have achieved saying: “We are able to make the thinnest-possible LEDs, only three atoms thick yet mechanically strong. Such thin and fold-able LEDs are critical for future portable and integrated electronic devices.”
Jason Ross, a University of Washington materials science and engineering graduate student, who worked with Xu said: “These are 10,000 times smaller than the thickness of a human hair, yet the light they emit can be seen by standard measurement equipment.
“This is a huge leap of miniaturization of technology, and because it’s a semiconductor, you can do almost everything with it that is possible with existing, three-dimensional silicon technologies.”
The researchers are now looking at different applications of this new technology, which could open up the way for employing the use of light to interconnect with nano-scale computer chips, rather than electricity.
“A promising solution is to replace the electrical interconnect with optical ones, which will maintain the high bandwidth but consume less energy,” Xu said. “Our work makes it possible to make highly integrated and energy-efficient devices in areas such as lighting, optical communication and nano lasers.”
The next step for the team is to find more efficient ways of producing the tiny LEDs and exploring what results from stacking the two-dimensional materials.
[Image via University of Washinton]
SOURCE: http://ift.tt/1crMuhV
The post Scientists Develop Thinnest LEDs Ever Seen appeared first on TechBeat.
via TechBeat http://ift.tt/1iE5gCv
Transparency Report: Requests for user information up 120 percent over four years
Today, we’re updating our Transparency Report for the ninth time. This updated Report details the number of government requests we received for user information in criminal investigations during the second half of 2013. Government requests for user information in criminal cases have increased by about 120 percent since we first began publishing these numbers in 2009. Though our number of users has grown throughout the time period, we’re also seeing more and more governments start to exercise their authority to make requests.
We consistently push back against overly broad requests for your personal information, but it’s also important for laws to explicitly protect you from government overreach. That’s why we’re working alongside eight other companies to push for surveillance reform, including more transparency. We’ve all been sharing best practices about how to report the requests we receive, and as a result our Transparency Report now includes governments that made less than 30 requests during a six-month reporting period, in addition to those that made 30+ requests.
Also, people have been asking about how we respond to search warrants in the U.S., so we’ve created an entertaining video to explain in plain language how this process works. We apply the same rigorous standards presented in this video to every request we receive, regardless of type.
You deserve to know when and how governments request user information online, and we’ll keep fighting to make sure that’s the case.
via The Official Google Blog http://ift.tt/1g43Cpi
Now you can buy a computer-powered rifle on the Internet with Bitcoins
via PCWorld http://ift.tt/1o4kru2
Freemake Video Converter 4.1.3.15
Freemake offers free program for video converting - developed as alternative to popular paid software. “Free, easy and of high quality” are the fundamental principles of Freemake. 
via FileHippo.com http://ift.tt/1a5yPYF [[ We are also giving web service. Email:wasim.akh2@gmail.com]]
Python 3.4.0
Python is a dynamic object-oriented programming language that can be used for many kinds of software development. It offers strong support for integration with other languages and tools, comes with extensive standard libraries, and can be learned in a few days. Many Python programmers report substantial productivity gains and feel the language enco... 
via FileHippo.com http://ift.tt/18qxkFV [[ We are also giving web service. Email:wasim.akh2@gmail.com]]