House built of hemp / cannabis

Russ Martin, the former mayor of Ashville, North Carolina, likes to joke that if his house burned down, his neighbors could party hearty. Martin built his 3,400-square-foot-home partly out of hemp, Martin used Hemcrete to build the walls of his house. Hemcrete, made by British company Lime Technology, mixes dried hemp stems with lime. Workers take the moisture-laden "shiv" and pour it into wall forms. The slurry hardens, creating a thick concrete-like wall with a high insulation value. A 12-inch-thick Hemcrete wall has an R-value of R-28.

Treating epilepsy with medical cannabis / marijuana

Josh will sift through the propaganda, fear and greed encompassing medical marijuana. Recently featured on CNN, Josh and his brothers developed a non-psychotropic strain of marijuana which is drastically reducing seizures for many pediatric epilepsy patients in Colorado. With millions facing life-threatening illnesses, Josh outlines the hurdles needed to effect social change and maps a path toward helping those who desperately need revolutionary medicine.

Videography credits
Jenn Calaway, Enhancer
Michael Hering, Lodo Cinema
Sarah Megyesy, Side Pocket Images
Satya Peram, Flatirons Films
Sean Williams, RMO Films
Anthony Lopez, Cross Beyond
David Oakley

Charlotte's Web and Zaki's Journey

The Bloom Energy Server (The Bloom Box)

For all the people that know my blog, I am sure you guys know how much I am into renewable energy.
I was surfing the net last night and found something really cool.
Maybe some of you have heard of this technology but for me I was blowen away, specially because I only heard about it last night and this is now a few years old.

The Bloom Box:
The Bloom Energy Server (the Bloom Box) is a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) made by Bloom Energy, of Sunnyvale, California, that can use a wide variety of inputs (including liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons produced from biological sources) to generate electricity on the site where it will be used.
It can withstand temperatures of up to 1,800 °F (980 °C), that would cause many other fuel cells to break down or require maintenance. According to the company, a single cell (one 100 mm × 100 mm metal alloy plate between two ceramic layers) generates 25 watts.

Bloom stated that two hundred servers have been deployed in California for corporations including eBay, Google and Wal-Mart.

Continuity & Disaster Recovery Planning with Digica

In today’s uncertain world, catastrophic natural disasters cause disruption wherever they strike. Whether the incident is a hurricane, a tornado, flood or fire, the devastation can be widespread and long lasting. Businesses and their IT departments risk data loss and out of service systems. Depending on the scope of the disaster, the results can be extreme loss of business and erosion of customer confidence.

CONSTRUCTION-GRADE VS. HIGH-PERFORMANCE VARIABLE FREQUENCY DRIVE CABLE

Construction grade cables and high-performance variable frequency drive (VFD) cables differ in several key areas.

High performance VFD cables are constructed with high strand count flexible tinned conductors. Construction grade cables usually have only 7 or 19 bare copper strands as required by construction standards

High performance VFD cables are more stable thermally at the connection points.

High performance VFD cables are more flexible.

High performance VFD cables are preferred for high frequency drive output components due to the much larger conductor surface area compared to construction grade cable.

Fire with Fire - Ross Kauffman - GE FOCUS FORWARD

 Who would dare to pit one fatal disease against another... inside the body of an six-year-old patient? The results will shatter all expectations. GE works on things that matter. The best people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering, moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works.

200,000 Tonnes Diverted: Ontario Surpasses Waste Electronics Reuse and Recycling Milestone

Proving their commitment to a cleaner environment, Ontarians have reached yet another electronic waste collection milestone. Since April 2009, more than 200,000 tonnes of electronic waste has been collected and successfully diverted from landfill across the province, greater than any other diversion program of its kind in Canada.

"Waste diversion is a hot topic in Ontario. As we look at new ways to manage end-of-life electronics, it's important to recognize the success and momentum we're experiencing in electronics recycling," says Jonathan Spencer, Executive Director, Ontario Electronic Stewardship (OES). "It took about three years to set up our province-wide network of drop-off centers, and then reach our e-waste collection target of 100,000 tonnes. With the help of Ontarians, municipalities and service providers, we recently surpassed the 200,000 tonnes mark in less than 18 months. That's significant progress and proof that Ontarians support electronics recycling."

How-to build a 5 gallon hydroponic DWC system with trellis for cucumbers or any plant you like

In this video I need to move my cucumbers away from my peppers. So I create a 5 gallon dwc bucket system with trellis and sight tube. Thanks for watching. Please subscribe and feel free to comment!

The First De-extinction: Alberto Fernandez-Arias at TEDxDeExtinction

Alberto Fernández-Arias, head of the Hunting, Fishing and Wetland department in Aragon, Spain worked with his team in 2003 to bring a bucardo (a species of wild goat) back from extinction using cloning methodology. It was the first successful de-extinction. Unfortunately, the cloned bucardo only survived 10 minutes and died of respiratory failure. Fernández-Arias is committed to using current technology to ensure a more successful de-extinction.

To learn more about de-extinction, please visit Revive & Restore (the organizer of TEDxDeExtinction) here: http://longnow.org/revive/

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

Scientists Implant False Memories into Mice

Scientists expect it will aid understanding of "past life" experiences, memories of alien abduction and psychiatric diseases like schizophrenia.

Bringing Back Weird Extinct Animals

An extinct frog that hatches its young inside its stomach might be making a comeback thanks to science! In this DNews video, Anthony shows us this amazing little amphibian and how scientists are bringing it back from the dead.

Backyard Garlic Growing

Sorry I have not posted in a month May was super busy for me, I was planing to post a lot in may and ended up only making one post. Anyways its june 9th now and I have sometime to post so I am back.

the last month I spent a lot of time looking into solar power, growing food and things that would serve useful if we one day had to go off grid, I have even been trying to figure out a way to stay online and fully powered in the event something should happen. So here is my 1st post it is a simple one. HOW TO GROW GARLIC you can grow a year supply of garlic very easy.
Until 3 days ago I always thought Garlic was a summer crop, but you actually plant it in Sept and harvest in June.
Here are a few videos that teach you how to grow Garlic very easy and simple.

Build a portable power pack with nothing but Wal Mart components.

Build a portable power pack with nothing but Wal Mart components.

Only $25 if you have a spare/free car battery.

Use a Group 24 marine deep cycle battery for best results of course.

EverStart Marine 24DC - $58 (as of 07/01/2011)

Battery terminals not needed if you use a marine deep cycle.

They normally have small lugs with wingnuts included.

Parts:

Marine battery box - $9.00

12v accessory socket - $5.00

ATO fuse holder - $3.00

Two battery terminals - $7.00 (not needed if you have marine batt.)

Two ring terminals and a butt splice - $cheap

Tools:

Combo wire stripper/crimper - $4.00

Check out my other videos to see this pack power a large woodgas cook stove.

‪Building New Experiences with Glass‬

Timothy Jordan gave developers at SXSW in Austin, TX a sneak peek at the Google Mirror API, which is what they'll use to build services for Glass. With the presentation, we set out to help developers and entrepreneurs start imagining what they could do on Glass.

‪Motherboard TV: The Thorium Dream (Documentary)‬

30-minute film on the grassroots movement to make thorium nuclear power a reality.

Ontario generates 10 million tonnes of waste annually

Ontario generates 10 million tonnes of waste annually. We generate a lot of waste. In fact, when compared to other provinces, Ontario is amongst the worst, generating almost 10 million tonnes of waste annually. Of that, only 25 per cent of all the materials we discard go into the recycling system. And despite the efficiency and success of the blue box program, we throw out a lot of materials that must stay out of landfill and still have value if recycled.

Researchers print flexible electronic tattoo directly onto human skin

From the research lab that brought us stick-on electronic tattoos, and recently the stretchable battery, we now have the first electronic sensor that has been printed directly onto human skin. These sensors can directly measure skin hydration and temperature, and electric signals from muscle and brain activity.

The skin-printable sensors, created by the Rogers research group at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, are a natural evolution of the lab’s electronic tattoos. The electronic tattoos are circuits that are affixed to an elastic polymer backing, which is then stuck to the skin (pictured above). Like temporary tattoos, though, these electronic tattoos are easily washed off in the shower or swimming pool, making them unsuitable for extended use. Now, by removing the polymer backing and printing the sensor directly onto the skin, the researchers have made a device that is one thirtieth as thick and better at conforming to the natural bumpiness of skin. ”What we’ve found is that you don’t even need the elastomer backing,” John Rogers tells Technology Review. “You can use a rubber stamp to just deliver the ultrathin mesh electronics directly to the surface of the skin.”

‪How To Win At Chess (BBC Documentary)‬

Something for you to watch on this gray sunday

‪How to Turn an Old PC into an Epic Router‬

‪Has Apple Really Ever Invented Anything?‬

I posted a text story a few months ago titled Has Apple Really Ever Invented Anything?
Today I found this YT video that sums it up.

The birth of Android (2007)

Sergey Brin and Steve Horowitz discuss the availability of the SDK, that it will be open source in the future, and demo applications on the Android platform.

+Android in Canada Blog  +Jason Stephen Ali 

How to Win at Roulette

I guess I am going to the casino next payday,lol

Brain-to-brain interfaces have arrived, One step closer to singularity

In a stunning first for neuroscience, researchers have created an electronic link between the brains of two rats, and demonstrated that signals from the mind of one can help the second solve basic puzzles in real time — even when those animals are separated by thousands of miles.

Here's how it works. An "encoder" rat in Natal, Brazil, trained in a specific behavioral task, presses a lever in its cage it knows will earn it a reward. A brain implant records activity from the rat's motor cortex and converts it into an electrical signal that is delivered via neural link to the brain implant of a second "decoder" rat.

Still with us? This is where things get interesting. Rat number two is in an entirely different cage. In fact, it's in North Carolina. The second rat's motor cortex processes the signal from rat number one and — despite being unfamiliar with the behavioral task the first rat has been conditioned to perform — uses that information to press the same lever.

BlackBerry Wants You to Be Able to Send Money to Friends Through BBM

BlackBerry is reportedly honing in on a new money messenger service through BBM, according to Bloomberg. A pilot project is currently planned for Indonesia, a country where BlackBerry has an enormous presence, that will allow users to transfer money between contacts with the greatest of ease.

Bloomberg said BlackBerry wants to introduce a feature that will make BBM stand out from the crowd, especially with alternatives like WhatsApp garnering so much popularity. “The application is designed to be as simple as repaying a friend for lunch if she picks up the tab,” Bianto Surodjo, head of electronic channels at PT Bank Permata.

The pilot program will allegedly only be available through one bank and work with BlackBerry 5, 6 and 7 generation devices. That new BlackBerry Z10 won’t work at all with the money messenger feature, unfortunately. But that could change in the future.

“Assuming the trial goes well, you could assume all kind of different expansion whether it be additional banks, additional countries, additional devices and of course all kinds of functionality,” said T.A. McCann, vice president of BlackBerry Messenger.

So if a friend owes you a few bucks, it might be as easy as messaging them the money. Seems like a pretty handy feature to have in an already solid messaging platform.

My Source:
technobuffalo

‪Nexus 4 Teardown - Disassembly & Assembly - Screen & Case Replacement - Drop Test Repair‬

For all my Nexus 4 owners & cell phone repair guys, Here is a good breakdown of how to fix your Nexus 4.
This seems fairly simple, just pay attention to what you do and take your time.

Also if you are into repair of cell phones for a living check out Delta Regis they offer several series of Electric Screwdrivers to suit different repair requirements.

http://www.deltaregis.com/

‪How to Heat a Greenhouse / Canada‬

This is great. I was even thinking if you are worried about it messing up your light cycles you can probably use Green light bulbs and that would not effect any light cycles  ;)

‪Facebook's energy efficient data center‬

This is an older video but still cool to see.

Also check out this video as well, just more from the data center.

‪How to take a screenshot on the Nexus 4‬

Taking a screenshot on the Nexus 4 is simple, but not obvious. Here's a short video demonstrating what you need to do.

Thanks to +Android in Canada Blog  for the Sweet Hook up. 

‪Firefox OS Detailed Walk Through at Mobile World Congress‬

Firefox has come to market with their own Operating System which they have officially launched at MWC 2013.

‪BlackBerry Z10 vs LG Google Nexus 4 Comparison Review‬

Nexus 4 (Tips & Tricks)

So I was lucky enough to win Myself a "NEXUS 4" from the good people over at +Android in Canada Blog  +Mark Roberts  & +Rogers Sarah (Thanks guys)
So I went online and found a few quick tip videos and how to get the most out of this phone.
Keep in mind this is only a few videos I will post more later, This is simply to get the ball rolling.

How to Use photosphere and panorama on Google Nexus 4

How to Insert the micro SIM card on Google Nexus 4 (LG)

This was Helpful I was stuck on how to insert SIM at first.
Also the SIM is a Micro SIM, so I had to go get a smaller SIM from my carrier.

Nexus 4 - 10 Tips and Tricks

Cloud Computing Skills Required for IT Employees

With the present impact of cloud computing on data access and storage, job descriptions are also experiencing some sort of a metamorphosis as businesses move to the clouds. This welcome change isn’t only transforming the IT departments but also the company, as a whole. Today, IT is no longer relegated to fixing issues. Employees in IT departments are now expected to search for cost effective cloud computing applications.

A sensational breakthrough: the first bionic hand that can feel

The first bionic hand that allows an amputee to feel what they are touching will be transplanted later this year in a pioneering operation that could introduce a new generation of artificial limbs with sensory perception.

The patient is an unnamed man in his 20s living in Rome who lost the lower part of his arm following an accident, said Silvestro Micera of the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne in Switzerland.

The wiring of his new bionic hand will be connected to the patient’s nervous system with the hope that the man will be able to control the movements of the hand as well as receiving touch signals from the hand’s skin sensors.

‪Your Brain at Work‬

An older Google talk from 09 but this is really good and insightful.
it has to do with the Brain and how to unlock some of the powers with in it.
and no this is not the Secret or some weird stuff. this is just a good Talk with really useful ideas.

VoIP 'is cheaper than bubblewrap and Post-it notes'

Investing in VoIP will not prove to be a financial burden in any shape or form, if one expert on the subject is to be believed.

Rachel Greenberg, writing a piece for Business 2 Community, has picked out five everyday office purchases that she believes are more costly than VoIP. As such, it goes without saying that firms should do all they can to invest in the hi-tech solution and benefit from the cheap IP calls it provides.

Third Galaxy Note 2 SAFE ad continues Unicorn Apocalypse story, demoes Group Play

In case you closely follow the Android-related news cycle, then you have surely seen the first two Samsung SAFE – or Samusung for Enterprise – ads (part 1 and part 2,) both centered around a gaming company working on Unicorn Apocalypse and using lots of Galaxy Note 2 units.

In the third part of the series, titled “Work SAFE with Group Play,” Samsung gets back to the Unicorn Apocalypse team and demos one of features of Samsung SAFE devices, Group Play, which helps team members safely bounce off ideas of each other regarding, well, unicorn designs, which must be important for the whole gameplay and should represent the way unicorns look in real life, glitter not included.

Obviously Samsung is very interested in reminding its customers that “the next big thing for business in here,” aka the SAFE devices, which means we’re certainly going to see more unicorn commercials in the near future.

My Source:
androidauthority

Utilizing VoIP Technology Saves Money without Diminishing Voice Quality

Recent reports have indicated that far more than 1 billion individuals will be using

free mobile VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) application technology through their

smartphones within the next four years. Apparently it is only through the lack of public

awareness that VoIP is not already the standard technology used for both fixed lines

and mobile devices.

Kaylee Goins elaborates on how to fail on the wonderful Google Plus

Google plus is a pretty easy place to fit in. However, here at SGPlusTelevision, we're all about helping people reach their dreams. +Kaylee Goins  elaborates on how to fail on the wonderful Google Plus.

" This is the best Vlog ever. its funny and its true."

‪3D printer can build a house in 20 hours‬

Unboxing video and software interface tour of the Oppo Find 5.

‪Marques Brownlee‬ explanes ‪The Super-Retina Display Smartphone!‬

‪The Rii Mini Bluetooth Keyboard vs The Lenovo N5902‬

‪Android 4.0 Mini (is this the future of Computing?) ‬

A computer on a stick, OEM Systems Co.'s Android 4.0 Mini PC is the smallest computer ever sold to consumers. Better still, the $70 stick will run Google's full Ice Cream Sandwich operating system on any screen you attach it to.

I think for people who do not have a way to get on line this would be a great option. this combined with  the cloud is a powerful set of tools in the right hands.

Revolutionary IBM Microscope Technique Yields Resolution 100 Times Smaller Than an Atom

Anyone who took high school chemistry is well familiar with that textbook diagram of a molecule, with atoms bonded by electrons in perfectly ordered formations. Now a team of researchers at IBM has developed a microscope that can actually view individual molecules and bonds with a resolution one hundred times smaller than an atom – down to three trillionths of a meter!

Interview with Aubrey de Grey about Ageing‬ (36 min long)

Big Think has a discussion with Aubrey de Grey about Ageing‬.
something fun to listin to

Nikola Tesla unlimited free energy forever (1:49:00 min)

Hosted by Bill Jenkins, formerly of ABC Radio, this comprehensive documentary features physicists and inventors who are challenging orthodox science to bring this non-polluting technology forward despite ridicule and suppression. See actual working prototypes that defy classical physics including phenomenal experiments in anti-gravity and the transmutation of metals.

My Source:

http://www.lightworksav.com/

An experiment with using a Galaxy Nexus as a dektop computer.

An experiment with using a Galaxy Nexus as a dektop computer. I might try to do this.

What Technology Organizations will use in the future ?

Introduction to the "Technology & Organization" module taught by Nottingham University Business School. Presented by Christopher Barnatt, Associate Professor of Computing & Future Studies. For more information on module content, please see its Moodle pages, or http://www.explainingthefuture.com/25things

Avaya Is Quickly Moving Video Conferencing to the Next Generation

In early 2012 when Avaya purchased Radvision, a video optimization company, many considered it to be an evolving move toward the next generation of video conferencing. Avaya’s recent announcement to enhance its Flair and Aura UC (unified communications) platforms certainly seems to validate these conclusions.

‪@BlackBerry 10: BlackBerry Movie Maker‬

It has been a whirlwind of news and new features at the BlackBerry 10 global launch event. By now you’ve seen the stunning new BlackBerry Z10 and BlackBerry Q10 devices, and you know they are ideal for creating, viewing and sharing rich photo and video content. +BlackBerry  Story Maker lets you create your own mini movies in a few easy steps, then share them with your social networks.

All you have to do is select the photos, videos and music you’d like featured in your movie, add a few titles (perfect for giving it a funky name), then choose from the premade filters and effects to give it that professional polish. It’s designed to make you feel like the director of your own Hollywood flick.

Vivek walks us through how you can make your own films on the fly

My Source:
blogs.blackberry

BBM gets video VoIP calling in BlackBerry 10

BBM now has video calling in BlackBerry 10. The popular BlackBerry Messenger instant messaging app adds video chats to the current text-based service.

BlackBerry 10 is the next generation of BlackBerry software, unveiled today on new phones the Z10 and Q10. Chat app BBM is the killer app for many BlackBerry users and adds video calling to text messages and recently-added online VoIP calls.

While making video calls, you can switch between front and rear camera, so the person on the other end can look up your nose or see what you're looking at.

And you can share what other apps are on your screen with the person on the other end, which is handy if you want to discuss a project you're both working on or just want to show something interesting to a friend.

Because it's free, BBM has proved popular with cash-strapped chatty Kathys who don't want to fork out for text messages, and has been a big hit with teenagers too. But with the rise of the iPhone and Android smart phones -- which are, let's face it, much sexier than BlackBerry -- video-calling apps like  RADVISION SCOPIA Mobile for business, Apple's FaceTime and free messaging apps like WhatsApp have chipped away at BBM's popularity.

Skype and WhatsApp are also arriving in the BlackBerry World app store ready to download to your new phone, which may threaten BBM even on actual BlackBerry phones.

Can video calling help BBM beat its rivals? Are you a BBManiac, or does your Android IM app best BBM? Chat away in the comments

My Source:
cnet

‪Blackberry 10 Launch (Full Event *runtime 1:15:01)‬

It has a faster Web browser and better apps. Its sleek operating system lets the user move easily between her inbox and social media, rather than closing one to open the other.

It has a bigger screen than the iPhone, making videos easy to watch. It has a vastly improved camera that can wind through multiple frames in order to open blinked eyes, as well as a central hub that aggregates Twitter, LinkedIn, and e-mail messages. In Facebook, scrolling through photos is no longer an arduous task.

In short, BlackBerry 10 is probably the best BlackBerry that Research In Motion Ltd. has ever built. And after years of criticism that RIM’s smartphones lack the razzle-dazzle of wildly popular models from Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. and Apple Inc., the new BlackBerry 10 touchscreen phone – which The Globe and Mail got a sneak preview of on Tuesday – actually looks kind of cool.

But now that launch day is finally here, after numerous delays and some dark days for the company, the question is: Will it be enough to save RIM?

"Watch the Event of launch of Blackberry Z10 And Q10 - RIM Is Now 'BLACKBERRY'

Alicia Keys Named New Global Creative Director Of BlackBerry

Also watch Blackberry Flow Feature unveiled."

My Source:
theglobeandmail
Video from Youtube 

Report: YouTube to Launch Paid Subscriptions

It looks like YouTube is about to take a big step towards monetizing its videos.

YouTube is planning to launch paid subscriptions for a couple dozen channels as soon as April, according to a new report in AdAge citing "multiple people familiar with the plans."

The online video site has reportedly reached out to a "small group" of channels asking them to apply to be among the first paid channels. There is also talk that YouTube might charge for live events like concerts and libraries of older episodes.

AdAge reports that the initial subscription costs would be between $1 and $5 per month. These channels would also have the option to show ads.

Right now, this effort is being billed as an "experiment," but it's one that YouTube reps have been suggesting for a long time. YouTube's CEO Salar Kamangar teased the idea multiple times last year and noted during the Reuters Media and Technology Summit in June that it had "seen demand from from the kind of networks that have smaller audiences on cable."

By effectively launching a-la-cart and pay-per-view options for consuming video content, YouTube would likely bring in more money from ad dollars and a cut of the subscription revenue.

YouTube did not immediately respond to our requests for comment.

My Source:
mashable

Screen Sharing: Macbook Pro & iMac (very useful)

Well I was going to buy a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse this weekend for my iMac, but than I had a moment of clarity, I thought I wonder if I can use my MacBook keyboard and trackpad, so I did a quick Google search and bamm! sure enough I found this cool video and not only can I use my Mac to Control my iMac but I can also Monitor it from my Mac. WOW this is so useful and amazing, this makes life so much more better, seeing as I have a 2nd monitor hooked up to my iMac, now I can have netflix full screen on one monitor, I can have twitter and gmail on another monitor and my blogs on my Mac, now I can do my blog work, and still control my iMac from across the room its almost like turning your MacBook into a remote control for your imac, now my Imac feels more like a TV.

Nexus 7 used as a monitor and usb controller with DSLR Controller

I think I want a N7 even more now.

HDMI monitors can run anywhere from $160 to $1000 depending on what you need and what you have for a budget. The Nexus 7 tablet comes in at $200 for the 8 GB model and $250 for the 16 GB model. Add to that the $8.99 DSLR Controller app, and a $3 USB OTG cable and you can use the 1280×800 IPS display on the Nexus 7 to monitor and control your Canon camera through the usb port.

‪Bioprinting: Organ Transplants Becoming A Thing Of The Past?‬ (The future is here)

I hope this all comes to the light with in my lifetime, who knows if I can live for another 20 years, And if they perfect this Tech maybe I will get to live to 100 or 120 that would be so cool.
Check out some other articles I posted a few weeks back that tie into this one.

DNA 'perfect for digital storage'

Exclusive Interview With Ray Kurzweil On Future "AI" Project At Google

Autodesk Developing CAD Software to Design, 3-D Print Living Tissue

You never know where a patent's use is going to lead. (IBM Video 2 min)

There is a lot more info out there I am simply posting articles like this to get your mind going so you can look into it more on your own. Hopefully you can become inspired from some of this information. I know I am.

Also I recommend you check out "transcendentman" a film by +Ray Kurzweil we live in exciting times ladies and gentlemen.  http://transcendentman.com/ if you have +Netflix you can check out "transcendentman" on there.
+CAD Software 

DNA 'perfect for digital storage'

Scientists have given another eloquent demonstration of how DNA could be used to archive digital data.

The UK team encoded a scholarly paper, a photo, Shakespeare's sonnets and a portion of Martin Luther King's I Have A Dream speech in artificially produced segments of the "life molecule".

The information was then read back out with 100% accuracy.

Netflix posts a profit, surprises everyone

The company and investors were forecasting a loss due to increased royalty fees and international expansion.

Instead, the company more than topped expectations and posted a profit. It was a small profit, but money in the bank nonetheless, $8 million, with fourth quarter revenue reaching $945 million, well above forecasts of $934 million.

That is not a bad showing for a company that has made a rough ride for itself over the past couple years. We all remember the grand idea in 2011 to split the company into two entities, one for the streaming content and another for the legacy DVD rental. We also remember how that idea was met with the warmth of waiting in line at the DMV. Thankfully, Netflix reevaluated its plan.

Mozilla unveils Firefox OS developer preview phone

Mozilla’s Firefox OS is a mobile operating system that will have a tough time cracking the iOS/Android duopoly, especially now that we have Windows Phone and BlackBerry 10 desperately trying to make a dent. But it will try nonetheless - Firefox is an HTML5-based operating system that will cater to users on budget.

VoIP for any school & business that uses an intercom or internal phone system.

According to the Portage Daily Graphic, the Portage la Prairie School Division recently installed a VoIP system in two of its schools and has since seen savings of $130,000 in a short period of time. The school system has intimated hopes of eventually phasing out all of their traditional intercom systems and replacing them with VoIP systems instead.

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) refers to a means of transferring phone calls over the Internet. This VoIP technology allows for affordable extensions for individual users instead of multiple expensive phone lines. In the case of the Canadian schools, they can use these extensions to communicate in place of the schools’ public intercom systems.

Here are some innovative ways to use VoIP technology that could make all the difference for any business that uses an intercom or internal phone system.

Top 10 VoIP Products for 2012

10.  RCA VoIP Phones. Name brands you have come to know and trust in your home have begun to emerge in the VoIP market. RCA VoIP phones for instance, along with Panasonic and AT&T, have begun to offer SIP phones that bring the consumer-friendly look and feel to your office. The most popular model, the RCA IP150, runs on an Android O/S and brings the Smartphone user experience to your desk.

9. Cisco SPA112 and SPA122. So long PAP2T and SPA2102! The new Cisco ATA’s are smaller, sexier, and more robust!

How to build a Solar Quick Charger for smartphone cell phone Fast Charger from solar power energy

Today I will be showing you how to build a quick solar charger (5.5W, 360mA). This solar charger can charge your smartphone or cell phone in about two hours! That's awesome if you have no access to electricity and you need access to your smartphone with a GPS. Great device to have as part of the 'end of the world' survival kit! ; )

Wind Mobile signs deal to become foreign-owned

Small Canadian wireless player Wind Mobile has signed a deal to be fully foreign-owned and controlled by a global telecom company.

The agreement is with VimpelCom subsidiary Orascom, which already owns 65.1 per cent of the company and was an original financial backer of Wind Mobile, chairman and CEO Anthony Lacavera said Friday.

Wozniak: "So Why Don't We Port iTunes To Android?"

If Apple wants to retain its dominance in the digital download market, the company needs to embrace Android and port iTunes to the Google Android platform, claims Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak.

“Let’s look at Apple. Apple’s real rise from the small market-share Macintosh company to the iProducts of today began with iTunes and the iPod. This turned out to be the second huge business which roughly doubled Apple’s ‘size’. If you remember, we ported iTunes to Windows. We now addressed 100% of the world’s market with this integrated system (iPod/iTunes) and it began the era of Apple that we are now in. So why don’t we port iTunes to Android? Did something get closed up? I love Apple products and iTunes and wish it were on my Android products too,” said Wozniak during a Q&A session on Slashdot.

Google Declares War on the Password

MOUNTAIN VIEW, California — Want an easier way to log into your Gmail account? How about a quick tap on your computer with the ring on your finger?

This may be closer than you think. Google’s security team outlines this sort of ring-finger authentication in a new research paper, set to be published late this month in the engineering journalIEEE Security & Privacy Magazine. In it, Google Vice President of Security Eric Grosse and Engineer Mayank Upadhyay outline all sorts ways they think people could wind up logging into websites in the future — and it’s about time.

2012 may have been the year that the password broke. It seemed like everyone on the internet received spam e-mail or desperate pleas for cash — the so-called “Mugged in London” scam — from the e-mail accounts of people who had been hacked. And Wired’s own Mat Honan showed everyone just how damaging a hack can be.

Still wondering what the #TL9000 is all about?

Still wondering what the #TL9000 is all about? Check out their informative video. Just a reminder, BroadConnect is the First Canadian Teleco to attain this amazing achievement!! #BCT #Telecom #VoIP 

Toronto, CANADA, January 10, 2013 — Broad-Connect Telecom Inc. is pleased to announce it was awarded TL 9000 certification in mid-December 2012, becoming the first Canadian telco service provider to achieve this status. Certification acknowledges consistency of its innovation, provisioning and post-sales service processes and compliance to stringent requirements based on industry best practices.

+BROADCONNECT Telecom +laj prasher +Scott Camball +Jason Ali 

Verizon finds US developer outsourced his job to China so he could surf Reddit and watch cat videos

No, this is not the Onion, it’s not April Fools, and I’m not making this up. All of this comes straight from Verizon, or more specifically, a case study from 2012 outlined by its security team.

The story goes a little something like this. A developer at a US-based critical infrastructure company, referred to as “Bob,” was caught last year outsourcing his work to China, paying someone else less than one fifth of his six-figure salary to do his job. As a result, Bob had a lot of time on his hands; in fact, during the investigation, his browsing history revealed this was his typical work day:

• 9:00 a.m. – Arrive and surf Reddit for a couple of hours. Watch cat videos.
• 11:30 a.m. – Take lunch.
• 1:00 p.m. – Ebay time.
• 2:00 – ish p.m Facebook updates – LinkedIn.
• 4:30 p.m. – End of day update e-mail to management.
• 5:00 p.m. – Go home.
  

FaceBook now officially hates cats. and G+ still honours cats with Caturday just one more reason why I love G+

Do you currently maintain a personal Facebook profile for your cat? Or have a second profile with a fake name just for logging in to other sites? If so, your account will soon be disabled by Facebook.

There are more than 83 million fake accounts Facebook wants to disable, according to CNN Tech. Earlier this month Facebook updated their regulatory filing which now states that 8.7 percent of its 955 million monthly active users are actually duplicate or fake accounts. Moreover, duplicate accounts make up for 4.8 percent– equivalent to 45.8 million accounts– of Facebook’s total “active” member tally. Although Facebook has rules that restrict users from making more than one personal account, clearly their prevention methods are falling short.

RIM's @BlackBerry mobile payment solution gets thumbs up from Visa

The final pieces of the puzzle are falling into place just ahead of the big reveal on January 30th. The carriers are on board, there's apps galore and now Visa has approved RIM's Secure Element Manager (SEM) for its mobile payment system.

Being given the green light means that BlackBerry wont have to worry about being upstaged by the flood of Android devices coming down the pipeline with NFC payment solutions embedded in them.

It's also a major boost to the SEM platform developed by the Canadian firm which has already won the backing of many carriers in its homeland, like Bell, Rogers and TELUS, but has struggled to gain a foothold in the US. For more, check out the PR after the break.

Canadian innovation: Revolutionary paper tablet reveals future tablets to be thin and flexible as paper.

Intel®, Plastic Logic and Queen's University work together to revolutionize tablet computing

Cambridge, UK and Kingston, Canada - January 7, 2013 -- Watch out tablet lovers -- A flexible paper computer developed at Queen's University in collaboration with Plastic Logic and Intel Labs will revolutionize the way people work with tablets and computers. The PaperTab tablet looks and feels just like a sheet of paper. However, it is fully interactive with a flexible, high-resolution 10.7" plastic display developed by Plastic Logic, a flexible touchscreen, and powered by the second generation Intel® Core i5 processor. Instead of using several apps or windows on a single display, users have ten or more interactive displays or "papertabs": one per app in use.

The Rise of Mobile VoIP: VoIP Review’s Take on the Forthcoming Mobile VoIP Popularity Surge

This week, several tech publications took notice of a recent study from Juniper Research. According to Juniper Research’s press release, by 2017 there will be more than 1 billion people using mobile VoIP through free smartphone apps. 

Why have tech publications been taking particular notice of this story? Because for many people in the VoIP industry, it is surprising that mobile VoIP has not become that popular already. Mobile VoIP is the best option for cheap mobile calling out there, the same way that landline VoIP is the cheapest option for any business or home. So why the consumer lag?


It seems likely that the biggest obstacle standing in the way of widespread mobile VoIP use is simple lack of awareness. How many average consumers know what the word “VoIP” stands for, anyway? Lots of people use VoIP in the forms of Skype and Google Talk without even realizing they are using VoIP platforms.

Canadian Prime Minister earmarks $400m to stimulate VC investments

In an effort to encourage activity in the Canadian venture capital community, Prime Minister Stephen Harper has set aside C$400 million (US$407 million) to stimulate private-sector investments in the country, Global News reports.

Harper admitted during a news conference that Canada’s venture capital markets have been faced with “mixed results” over the past 10 years, especially during the recent economic crisis.

His Venture Capital Action Plan sets aside C$250 million for new funds in cooperation with provinces or investors. An additional C$100 million will go toward pre-existing funds and C$50 million will be put into “high-performing Canadian venture capital funds,” according to the report. The money will be disbursed over the next seven to 10 years.

“Our government firmly believes strong action is required to bolster the available risk capital in Canada,” Harper said, while on the set of “Dragon’s Den“, a television show that features entrepreneurs pitching to venture capitalists.

SEO in 2013: 7 Surprisingly Simple Factors That Will Take The Lead

This time of year is suitable for retrospection. We’re able to take a good look at how things played out in 2012, and get an idea of the trends and patterns that are most likely to dominate the coming year.

2012 was rough for SEO experts due to radical changes in Google’s algorithms, including many updates to Panda, as well as the the introduction of Penguin. While content quality and inbound links continue to play major roles in organic rankings, let’s take a look at the other factors that will govern SEO in 2013.

2012: The Year of Pandas and Penguins, Creating Value, and the Emergence of Guest Posting

Before we dive into predictions for SEO next year, let’s recap the major patterns of 2012.

Google invests $200m in Texas wind farm, ends 2012 with over $1 billion in renewable energy

Google on Wednesday announced an approximately $200 million equity investment in a west Texas wind farm that generates enough energy to power more than 60,000 average US homes. The company’s Treasury team actually struck the deal in late December, but because of the holiday season it delayed the details till now.

The month prior to this investment, Google put $75 million into a 50MW wind farm. At the time, the company revealed it had contributed almost $1 billion to the renewable energy sector.

Travelling made easy with Google Now (boarding pass)

Google Now pulls your boarding pass to help you breeze through to the gate. Travelling made easy with Google Now.

Google Now gets you just the right information at just the right time.

It tells you today’s weather before you start your day, how much traffic to expect before you leave for work, when the next train will arrive as you’re standing on the platform, or your favorite team's score while they’re playing. And the best part? All of this happens automatically. Cards appear throughout the day at the moment you need them.

My Source:

google

You never know where a patent's use is going to lead. (IBM Video 2 min)

You never know where a patent's use is going to lead. For example, many materials used in the semiconductor industry also apply to materials used in medicine.

IBM's record-setting 2012 patent tally was was made possible by more than 8,000 IBMers residing in 46 different U.S. states and 35 countries. IBM inventors residing outside the U.S. contributed to nearly 30% of the company's 2012 U.S. patent output.

Also check out this link to other IBM Research Projects  

IBM Research in Action

RIM contest offers up 30 new @BlackBerry 10 devices (#BlackBerry10TO) *Contest over*

RIM is showing Canadians the love and opened up a Twitter contest that could win you a new BB10 device, case and a trip to the big BlackBerry fan party. Piggybacking on a recent NYC Twitter contest, RIM will start promoting the Toronto event and interested Canadians (excluding Quebec) who want to participate should tweet “what you are most excited about for BlackBerry 10, and include the hashtag #BlackBerry10TO.”

Pretty simple. RIM notes that the contest begins today January 15th and ends at 11:59:59 pm ET on January 17th, 2013. According to the terms and conditions, there’s 30 prizes up for grabs:

“There are thirty (30) prizes available to be won (each a “Prize”). Each Prize consists of one (1) BlackBerry 10 smartphone, one (1) smartphone case and an invitation for the winner and two (2) guests to the #BlackBerry10TO Fan Event which will take place in Toronto, Ontario Canada on or around January 30, 2013 (“Event”). Actual date will be confirmed by Sponsor prior to the event. Approximate retail value of prize pack up to $1000 USD.”

Check it out here at RIM

I hope me & +Jason Stephen Ali get an invite and win a device. +BlackBerry
My Source:
mobilesyrup

How Hosted PBX Simplified Company Stress during the Holiday Season

Many businesses quickly realized exactly how hosted PBX phone systems simplified the stress of doing business, during the holiday season. The hosted PBX system provided the company the opportunity to use a single phone number that could be easily answered at a variety of locations, unbeknownst to their customers and clients.

During the holiday season, companies often experience a lack of employee resources, as many take additional time off to be with their loved ones. Using a hosted PBX system, their communication lines were simply rerouted to available employees on their landline phones, cell phones, smartphones or nearly any remote location.

HootSuite's founder learned lessons of entrepreneurship early

Ryan Holmes' technology career dates back to his days growing up in the '80s near Vernon when he won an Apple IIC computer in a computer programming contest at school.

Holmes' career has never stalled since his early forays into technology and today he is chief executive of Hoot-Suite, a social media company that he founded in Vancouver in 2008.

HootSuite is the darling of social media fans and investors alike, chalking up more than five million users for its social media dashboard, including 79 of the Fortune 100 companies and last spring attracting $20 million from OMERS Ventures, the venture capital investment arm of the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System.

HootSuite outgrew its Downtown Eastside offices and will be moving to a 33,000-squarefoot, two-storey office building near Broadway and Main to accommodate burgeoning staff numbers that grew from 80 to 230 in 2012.

In this Q and A, Holmes shares his story of a successful start-up, his thoughts on Vancouver's digital sector and his New Year's resolutions for entrepreneurs.

Exclusive Interview With Ray Kurzweil On Future "AI" Project At Google

In an exclusive with Singularity Hub, Ray Kurzweil gave one of his first interviews since the December announcement that he joined Google full time as Director of Engineering. Speaking with Keith Kleiner, Ray discusses his new role, how his research interests connect with his latest book How To Create A Mind and how technology will advance to produce a "cybernetic friend."

My Source:
theverge

Qualcomm takes the spotlight at CES 2013 (27 min long)

At CES in Las Vegas, Microsoft's Steve Ballmer surprises Qualcomm's CEO Paul Jacobs on-stage to discuss the company's new Windows Phones with Qualcomm's Snapdragon processor.

Western Digital's first hybrid solid state hard drive (Quick Look)

Dong Ngo gets excited abut the first Western Digital solid state hard drive.

The Significant Advantages of SIP Trunking over Hosted VoIP

As a more flexible and inexpensive solution for digital phone lines, SIP (Session Initiation Protocol)trunks are quickly pushing hosted VoIP out of the way. With all of its restrictions, VoIP is no longer a viable alternative to traditional communications, especially when measured against SIP Trunking, paired with IP-PBX.

The significant advantages of SIP trunking over VoIP include:

Broad-Connect Telecom becomes the First Canadian Telco Service Provider to Achieve TL 9000 Certification

Toronto, CANADA, January 10, 2013 — Broad-Connect Telecom Inc. is pleased to announce it was awarded TL 9000 certification in mid-December 2012, becoming the first Canadian telco service provider to achieve this status. Certification acknowledges consistency of its innovation, provisioning and post-sales service processes and compliance to stringent requirements based on industry best practices.

DIVINE VIEWER REVIEW - VR USING GROUNDBREAKING SMARTPHONE TECHNOLOGY

Today at Useful Agenda we are taking a look into Virtual Reality with the Divine Viewer Headset.

Now, I have reviewed a number of these headsets. The idea is that you put your smartphone inside of it. There are different apps like Google cardboard and YouTube 360, giving you a split left to right image, afterwards combining to render a fully 360 degree view experience. There is usually an accelerometer on your phone, so you are looking all around in a Virtual World. Really cool.

We have gone over this and looked at the Google Cardboard stuff, it is pretty inexpensive. But this Divine Viewer has some really neat additions to it which really takes us to another level. So, let us walk you through it.

The headset comes with the nice little carrying bag. The first thing I notice on the device is the padding. The reason why we come to this first, is that the major problem we have with most of the other virtual reality headsets that we have reviewed is that they just hurt to wear after a while. 

This is great because they have put padding on the back so it is much more comfortable. That is one of the things that we want to point out right away. The other thing, again to the comfort, (this is the major thing if you are going to be wearing this, watching a movie, something like that), is the padding. After taking a closer look at the straps reveal they are padded on the back. When you strap this on to your head, you are supported by the padding, adding to the overall comfort. 

The straps are also adjustable. Featuring velcro retention, you can adjust this to the size of your head. And, adjustable on the top as well.

I want to explain another feature here which separates it from the rest, and that is the ventilation. It also has got venting for your phone on both sides, to keep it cool. Also, the plate in  the front can come out – allowing a phone to be placed inside.  Some virtual reality apps utilize augmented reality in combination with your camera phone.

The Divine Viewer is well put together you should also know. There is well placed magnets that hold it firmly together, also snapping shut. It all has a really nice feel.

The other big things here that we want to talk about, is how you can adjust it, both the distance of the lenses, in terms of left/right, of how close they are. And, then you can also adjust the forward and back distance. This is really important if wear corrective glasses.

After opening it up for a closer look, and I want to tell you about another key feature here, and that is the way the tray that holds the phone works. It is spring loaded, both on top and on bottom which allows you to use all different size phones. To test this out, we put in an iphone 6, which is a large phone. Inserting a phone is no problem at all.

One of the nice things about it, is the tab acting as a center point to line up the phone. Some of the entrances on some of the Google Cardboard leave you fooling around trying to get the center point.

The way these work is that they create a left/right image, and then combines it so it looks 3 dimensional.

Now, here is the problem with all these reviews of all these Virtual Reality headsets – We can not really tell you how cool it looks, but you are not seeing it with the full virtual reality 360 degrees from watching a video.

I want to explain a couple of other features in more detail while using your phone with this headset.  If we are using an augmented reality app, you can take the front plate off, making the camera assessable.  So, that is something where you can combine the world you are in with the virtual world so that is pretty cool. Also, the sound will come through ventilated holes which also help that your phone does not overheat. That's pretty neat.

Let us go over and talk about some of the adjustment controls, because I think that they are pretty special. The is a knob for controlling the distance that the phone is to your eyes. You can move it forward or backwards. This is important for nearsighted, farsighted, or corrected vision – You will be able to control what comes into focus. It is really easy to do.

The knob found on the top adjusts for the distance between your pupils. So you can move it closer or further, if you have a bigger head or smaller one, depending on where your eyes are set, you can get everything all lined up. So, these might sound like minor things, but they are key features. You can get this really looking sharp, and looking good for each individual. In combination with the padding it makes for a very comfortable experience.

Again, this is virtual reality, you are going to be turning and looking all around you, and moving like that. I noticed that my phone is staying put, and the door is not flopping open, which is important. Some of the other units, and the way that the phone is in there, they can kind of slip out. This is a major problem, because you obviously do not want to drop your phone onto the ground and smash it! We like this Divine Viewer because it is kept firmly in place. Yet to open it, once you use some pressure, it is not a problem. We really like how it stays in place, snaps shut, and allows easy access. That is a key feature.

Comparisons:

We have looked at a lot of these inexpensive virtual reality headsets. So, starting out with things like the Google Cardboard – it is very inexpensive, made out of cardboard,  you put your phone in, and it might sell for 20 bucks. But, this is clearly not comfortable. It might be cool for a demo, but it is not where you are going in terms of comfort.

Now we get to probably the closest competitor: the Noon. This one we actually like. It sells for 89 dollars though, so it is more expensive. The Divine Viewer sells for 65 dollars.  The Noon has got some nice features to it, also using the adjustable lenses, it is also lighter.It has some padding which is nice, and we definitely like this because it is very lightweight. The Noon is another nice option.

What is really cool again about the Divine Viewer is compared to all of those, you get the full padding in the front as well as the padding on the back of your head when you have the strap on. That is important, and of course the ventilation ports.

So, when you think in terms of a long term experience, the Divine Viewer is the way to go because of the padding. We also love the fact that you can adjust both the distance by moving your phone forward and backwards, and then also in terms of distance between your eyes.

Optional Controller:

There is another cool optional accessory that you can buy separately.  That is a Bluetooth game pad. What is cool about this is that sometimes it can be hard in a game to control everything, your phone is in there, and you can not access or touch it. So, most games are fine without, in that you can just look at it and where you are looking you can select it. At other times you need better control. This allows you to just that with a full bluetooth controller. You can find Bluetooth controllers that will work with this for cheap on sites like ebay.

The pad can also activate your phone, and use this bluetooth controller for many tasks, not just virtual reality. I will say, the only downside to it is that everything uses different controls. In Google Cardboard to actually do a click on the screen, you have to touch the screen, so even with the controller you can not do that. Other games which are starting to come out, which are made to work with a bluetooth controller. This adds a whole new dimension, you can be looking around, moving your head around to see different points of view, but if we want to do things like run, kick, throw, things like that, you can do it with the controller. It is also bluetooth enabled, and you just plug it in to charge it up, and then it is pretty straight forward if you have used any video game controller. Different games and different apps will have different controls for them, but without you needing to load up drivers and things like that, simple controls like pushing select, or the B button to go back, can be done like that right off the bat.

Conclusion:

Alright, so overall I really like the Divine Viewer , love the padding and the design. I love how you can move the lenses both forward and back, and left and right as well. And also loved the way that the phone sits securely in there.

In terms of dislikes, it is heavy. It is about .85 pounds, and it is heavy to have on your head. The field of vision is not as large as some of the other ones out there. You can also see a little bit of borders. So, onto what do you do with these things.

Just scrolling through Apple Store there are a lot of different apps. There are games, videos, virtual tours, even vr porn, you can surf all over. And, it is only getting better. This is still only in its infancy and more stuff is coming out all the time. It is a wide open field, so if you get in now, there is going to be a lot trendsetting. 

So overall, I like the Divine Viewer , it is an interesting virtual reality headset, and great for only 65 bucks.

Go over to http://www.divineviewer.com/ to check it out and pick one up.