Looking for some information? The best place to visit is, of course, the library! It is the books and magazines in the library that have the data. We all have borrowed books from the library at some point in time or the other. Over the years, life has changed and so has the way we store and carry data - in electronic files. However, it is unfortunate that most libraries have not kept pace with the changes. They still have a photocopier machine for general use instead of a scanner. Now, does a photocopier really provide the library goers any convenience or does it make things somewhat easier for the library? Perhaps, it’s neither.

Ok, so this bad boy pops out 3.2 pages a second and has a stand that elevates the scanner by 122mm with an 18.8 degree angle thereby generating the best scan result even when you are scanning a book with hard and bulky cover.

The 4600 comes with ImageFolio 4.5 supporting complete image-tuning functions, support for TIF, PCX, BMP, TGA, JPG, PCD, WMF, and PNG file format. Also PageManager 7.10 with instant PDF creation or conversion to Word (maintaining color and images.)

Product Page...

I will be updating the website with news and more reviews soon.

Thanks!

Bill

Amazon.com today introduced Amazon Kindle, a revolutionary portable reader that wirelessly downloads books, blogs, magazines and newspapers to a crisp, high-resolution electronic paper display that looks and reads like real paper, even in bright sunlight. More than 90,000 books are now available in the Kindle Store, including 101 of 112 current New York Times Best Sellers and New Releases, which are $9.99, unless marked otherwise. Kindle is available starting today for $399 at http://amazon.com/kindle

The Kindle wireless delivery system, Amazon Whispernet, uses the same nationwide high-speed data network (EVDO) as advanced cell phones. Kindle customers can wirelessly shop the Kindle Store, download or receive new content—all without a PC, Wi-Fi hot spot, or syncing. Amazon pays for the wireless connectivity for Kindle so there are no monthly wireless bills, data plans, or service commitments for customers.

Technical Details

Display: 6” diagonal E-Ink electronic paper display, 600 x 800 pixel resolution at 167 ppi, 4-level gray scale
Size (in inches): 7.5” x 5.3” x 0.7”
Weight: 10.3 ounces
System requirements:  None, because it doesn’t require a computer
Storage: 256MB internal (approximately 185MB available for user content); available SD memory card slot supports up to 4GB SD memory cards (SD memory card not included)
Battery Life: Leave wireless on and recharge every other day. Turn wireless off and read for a week or more before recharging. Battery life will vary based on wireless usage, such as shopping the Kindle Store and downloading content. In low coverage areas or in 1xRTT only coverage, wireless usage will consume battery power more quickly. 
Charge Time: Approximately 2 hours
Connectivity: EVDO modem with fallback to 1xRTT; utilizes Amazon Whispernet to provide U.S wireless coverage via Sprint’s high-speed data network (Check Wireless Coverage)
USB Port:  USB 2.0 (mini-B connector) to optionally connect to a PC or Macintosh computer
Audio: 3.5mm stereo audio jack, rear-mounted mono speaker
Content Formats Supported:  Kindle (AZW), TXT, Audible (formats 2, 3 and 4), MP3, natively; HTML, DOC, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, MOBI, PRC through conversion
Included Accessories: Power adapter, USB 2.0 cable, book cover, rechargeable battery
Documentation: About Your Kindle Manual; Kindle User’s Guide pre-installed on device
Warranty and Service: 1 year limited warranty and service

http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Amazons-Wireless-Reading-Device/dp/B000FI73MA/ref=kd_ln?ie=UTF8

Craig Venter, the controversial DNA researcher involved in the race to decipher the human genetic code, has built a synthetic chromosome out of laboratory chemicals and is poised to announce the creation of the first new artificial life form on Earth.

The DNA sequence is based on the bacterium Mycoplasma genitalium which the team pared down to the bare essentials needed to support life, removing a fifth of its genetic make-up. The wholly synthetically reconstructed chromosome, which the team have christened Mycoplasma laboratorium, has been watermarked with inks for easy recognition.

It is then transplanted into a living bacterial cell and in the final stage of the process it is expected to take control of the cell and in effect become a new life form. The team of scientists has already successfully transplanted the genome of one type of bacterium into the cell of another, effectively changing the cell’s species. Mr Venter said he was “100% confident” the same technique would work for the artificially created chromosome.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2007/oct/06/genetics.climatechange
Source: Engadget

I don’t normally post sale deals but this is a great deal for anyone wanting to jump on the HD DVD band wagon. Right now Amazon.com is offering 3 additional free HD DVD movies along with the already great promo of 5 free HD DVD movies that’s been going on for a few months now. To be fair it’s really only 2 extra movies with the XBOX 360 HD add-on drive since King Kong already comes with the drive. Anyway you slice it you get 8 HD-DVD movies and the drive for $179!

Also the 8 free movies deal works with the purschase of a Toshiba HD DVD standalone player.

Xbox 360 HD DVD Player and Eight free HD DVD deal

Eight HD DVDs with the Purchase of a Toshiba HD DVD Player

The 8 free movies also works with the Sony PS3...but they are Blu-Ray HD movies

In the 40 years that humans have been traveling into space, the suits they wear have changed very little. The bulky, gas-pressurized outfits give astronauts a bubble of protection, but their significant mass and the pressure itself severely limit mobility.

Dava Newman, a professor of aeronautics and astronautics and engineering systems at MIT, wants to change that.

Newman’s prototype suit is a revolutionary departure from the traditional model. Instead of using gas pressurization, which exerts a force on the astronaut’s body to protect it from the vacuum of space, the suit relies on mechanical counter-pressure, which involves wrapping tight layers of material around the body. The trick is to make a suit that is skintight but stretches with the body, allowing freedom of movement.

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2007/biosuit-0716.html
Source: http://www.slashdot.org

Scientists have created the world’s first human-sheep chimera - which has the body of a sheep and half-human organs.

The sheep have 15 per cent human cells and 85 per cent animal cells - and their evolution brings the prospect of animal organs being transplanted into humans one step closer.

Professor Esmail Zanjani, of the University of Nevada, has spent seven years and £5million perfecting the technique, which involves injecting adult human cells into a sheep’s foetus.

He has already created a sheep liver which has a large proportion of human cells and eventually hopes to precisely match a sheep to a transplant patient, using their own stem cells to create their own flock of sheep.

The process would involve extracting stem cells from the donor’s bone marrow and injecting them into the peritoneum of a sheep’s foetus. When the lamb is born, two months later, it would have a liver, heart, lungs and brain that are partly human and available for transplant.

Now scientists create a sheep that’s 15% human

Tipster Matt Sparks informs us of a new patent that...well here read:

“Sticking to an exercise regime is always easier if there’s some sort of reward or punishment involved. Well, Sony Ericsson reckons that a phone or PDA could provide just the right incentive.

A wireless device could have a pedometer that set to a target - say 10,000 steps in a week. If the owner hits the target the device then downloads a ring tone, a music track or video clip by way of reward. Or, if the owner slacks off and misses the target, the device malevolently deletes a file from its memory.”

Hmmm...Sony’s new logo could be the carrot and stick.

http://www.newscientisttech.com/article/dn11308?DCMP=Matt_Sparkes&nsref=cell-treat

I am just trying to catch up with reviews after CES and Vegas. Updates should start to come in soon.

Thanks,
Bill

I saw this post on engadget.com and have to say that this is one of the cooler things I have seen recently; keep in mind I just came back from CES.

The designer’s own words:

"There has been little development of the toaster since the start of the century, whilst other appliances have developed and improved incorporating new technologies and thinking, toaster have remained relatively untouched. When the toaster was first invented eating toast was a social activity that took place on the breakfast table, these days toasters have been relegated to cheap plastic objects hidden away in the kitchen landscape. This toaster is designed to engage the user, re-invigorating the social context of toasting by questioning everything about what we toast with today. I was also keen to make playful object to be proud of having on your breakfast table. Slip moulded bone china allowed me create this intricate and sculptural form, but also provided the material longevity that I required. This is a toaster that brings life and joy to a stagnant domestic appliance, and iconic object for the home.”

http://www.designboom.com/contest/view.php?contest_pk=16&item_pk=11744&p=1

See...there is hope for those early arrives…

From the article:

“These large scale ‘blast’ waves occur infrequently, however, are very powerful. They quickly propagate in a matter of minutes covering the whole Sun, sweeping away filamentary material”, said Dr. K. S. Balasubramaniam. “It is unusual to see such powerful waves encompassing the whole sun from ground based observatories. Its significance comes from the fact that these waves are occurring near solar minimum, when intense activity is yet to pick up.”

http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/061208_solar_tsunami.html

From the Review of the Wii:

“If you’re an HDTV-owning home theater enthusiast who puts surround sound capability, eye-popping technological pizzazz, Blu-ray/DVD support and on-demand access to downloadable music and video content above base game play, this is the point where you can officially stop reading. Beg, plead, whine, cheat, steal from some poor teen who preordered the unit, even. Whatever it takes to get the job done, the system you’re looking to lay hands-on this year is the PlayStation 3. However, should you be a longtime hobbyist chagrined by the industry’s recent focus on cookie-cutter sequels, a gaming neophyte intrigued by this growing interactive entertainment fad, a fan of all-time great franchises like Mario and Zelda or simply an everyday admirer with a passing interest in the subject matter, we’ve got some good news. The Wii is your console of choice, and just the sort of eye-opening kick in the pants the biz has been desperately in need of for, oh, roughly the last half-decade or so. “

Link to the review: http://reviews.digitaltrends.com/review2606.html

Hi all. Sorry we are slow on updates at the moment. There are several reviews almost ready to publish. It’s been a really busy two weeks a work. Stay tuned!!

Newgie.com is set to deliver news that you want most. Newgie’s news database is coninuously updated with news stories from thousands of the most respected news providers, yes even PDAToday. You then have the ability to sort through these news articles using a variety of Newgie’s own organizational tools. And Newgie’s IntelliRank technology will help you easily locate the most relevant and important articles so that no time is wasted.

They even get social with Newgie COMMUNITIES. Newgie Communities are groups of Newgie users who share a common interest. When you subscribe to a community, you will have the ability to recommend articles to the other members of the community, and in turn, you will see all the articles recommended by the other members. Communities are perfect for users with specific niche interests because they enable users to consolidate news on virtually any topic under the sun.

You can check it out here: http://www.newgie.com/

Hmmm, here is a change of pace from Digital Trends. They take a look at space saving computing furniture. They like the Anthro’s convenient storage and charging solution, the contemporary look and they noted that the instructions are easy to read. However the ccessory shelves are not included and the flimsy latch did not match the $589 price tag; also it could be hard for one person to install.

Quote: If you live in a small apartment or studio you probably know the value of wanting more space. While you might not be able to squeeze a big desk into the corner because your dining room table is already there, Anthro Corporation thinks they may have the answer for your desktop needs: the wall-mounted eNook.

A self described “gas station for your gadgets”, the eNook is positioned by Anthro as the place to drop your small devices so they can be plugged in and charged while not in use. It has a flip down work surface which Anthro feels is big enough to accommodate a laptop computer, mouse and notepad or more. Does the eNook live up to its maker’s claims, or is it just another pretty piece of art hanging on the wall? Read on to find out.

http://reviews.digitaltrends.com/review3968.html