1 In 3 London Kids Victim Of Tech Theft

The technological era is one that has been embraced by children, bullies, and muggers alike. While happy slapping hasn’t hit the headlines as much in recent months, the Guardian recently reported that as many as one in five kids in London have been attacked for their MP3 players and mobile phones.

It’s little surprise to learn that many children (approximately two thirds, in fact) carry more than £100 worth of electronic equipment. Clearly, you can’t expect somebody to leave their portable MP3 player or their mobile phone at home so something needs to be done. The Guardian article goes on to quote Lorraine Gamman (director of the Design Against Crime center) as saying that the “mobile phone companies have actually benefited from crime because lots of people just upgrade their phones.”

Of particular interest to me was the list of ways to “Design Out Crime” with perhaps the most intriguing being the Lanyard. The Lanyard, to the unknowing, is a form of garrote that is attached around the child’s neck with the target of theft attached to the other end like a tantalising handle for the opportunist.

Of course, this report probably means that the iPod Tazer and the Nokia Screech software are only months away from production by now.

WiiFit – Hero To Villain

The WiiFit has been applauded by most parties because it encourages us to get off our rotund rears and do some actual moving exercise. However, news that one offending WiiFit game called a “perfectly healthy” ten year old girl fat has raised some eyebrows and even more questions over the possible effects of such activity.

The WiiFit uses BMI to measure a persons size and shape, and to determine whether that person is overweight, underweight or perfect weight. However, the girl in question is described by her dad as being a 4ft 9 and perfectly healthy girl that enjoys swimming and dancing and weighs just six stone.

Of course, the National Obesity Forum has had something to say about it. They believe that the WiiFit should include a warning and called for children to be banned from playing the WiiFit. That’s kind of backwards in our opinion. Anything that gets kids (and adults) moving and exercising should be encouraged – the National Obesity Forum should be attempting to help manufacturers overcome the problems rather than demanding they be banned.

With that said, of course, any game or console that has groups like this calling for it to be banned inevitably witness a huge increase in sales.

Setting Up A Home Network The Easy Way

A home network can be a thing of joy – almost artistic in its uses. Conversely, it can be a bleeding nightmare – hellish in its lavish intricacies and baffling terminology. And then, of course, there’s the choice between using Ethernet or wireless.

The funny thing about Ethernet networks is that while there lurks behind your TV enough cable to stretch around the world seven times, there’s never quite enough to reach the spare room. On the other hand, while wireless networks are exquisite in theory, if you have walls any thicker than tissue paper then you’re going to be severely limited in the distance between router/switch/hub and wireless item.

The HomePlug Powerline range of products offers another alternative and while it is quite a bit more expensive it may just be the solution you’re looking for. Essentially by plugging your network cables into your wall plug sockets, your network will run through your standard home wiring.

With a range of up to 100 metres and very little package loss (especially when compared to wireless) it also negates the need to drape 17km of Ethernet cable around doorways, on skirting boards, through the ceiling, and between the cat’s legs.

The Facebook Refurb - Good Move Or Bad?

In terms of design and simplicity, Facebook has become a victim of its own overwhelming, short term success. Because of the increased number of users, applications, and other features, what was once considered an intuitive and clean interface has become cluttered and more difficult to use. In light of this, and backed by user’s ideas, Facebook will go through the cutting board with a design overhaul.

Rather than have a single page containing feeds, friends, applications, quizzes, and more it is believed that Facebook will now adopt a tabbed browsing system. Each category will then have its own tab so that users can once again enjoy intuitive management of their Facebook profile.

Facebook is consulting 85,000 of its 70 million active users as a sort of elite focus group. Primary consensus is that while some believe the site change is a good idea, others believe that it will detract from the site’s popularity. In reality, though, something does have to be done.

With more than 6 million user groups, 25,000 existing applications, nearly 150 new applications every day, and the largest photo sharing function on the Internet make Facebook the social media website that offers more than others. As such, profile pages do become very cluttered in a small space of time.

The question is, what do you think of the proposed changes? Feng Shui or the needless creation of work where none is required?

Affordably Automate Your Home

Affordably Automate Your Home

Home automation has yet to really take off in this country as it has in other areas of the world. In Japan, for instance, you can do pretty much everything around your house using your mobile – turning the lights on and off, filling the bath, starting the dishwasher, and letting the cat in (probably, anyway).

For the gadget freaks among us (that’s you, by the way), surely there can be nothing greater than having your entire house hardwired to a Logitech type remote control. Thanks to B&Q (I don’t say that very often) you can get up and running with a simple automation system comprising of one light switch, two plugs, and a remote for under £100.

There’s just something about the term starter kit that makes me want to find more. Fortunately, in the Ultimate Range, I’ve found more.

The Ultimate Range is where you will find beauties like the SMS Base Station that enables you to text commands to your automated home so you can perform simple operations like turn the lights on and off. Please ignore the potential lack of use of actually turning your lights on when you’re thousands of miles away, it was just a poorly thought out example.

Other Ultimate Range additions include a heating control (it controls your heating) and a door release (it allows you to remotely open, close, lock, and unlock your door – I told you, you could let the cat in didn’t I?). As yet, the whole automation thing is far from being that cheap to start off with but you can continue to add new bits and pieces as you go and it is most definitely (probably) the way of the future.

The jDome - Total Gamer Immersion

It looked, for a while, like we might have some great rumours about the Xbox 540 – the upcoming update of the Xbox 360 that would essentially be thinner, quieter, and quicker than the Xbox360. Unfortunately, though, Microsoft has stepped up to crush those rumours. So, instead, we thought we’d take a look at the jDome, designed by John Nilsson as the ultimate gaming dome.

For many people, the perfect gaming rig is one that consists of the TV when you can grab a few minutes and a room free of children and pets. But the jDome would allegedly offer an experience like no other. You put the jDome in front of a projector, alter the Field of View settings on your game and away you go.

Because of the domed effect of the jDome, and the way the brain transmits visual data collected from your peripheral line of sight, you become immersed in the gaming world of your choice. What’s more, according to Nilsson, it would only cost the equivalent of around £100 (ignoring the cost of a reasonable projector obviously, but who doesn’t have one of them lying around?).

The jDome isn’t yet in production but if you’re really desperate to get one, you can donate to the project in a bid to see it come to fruition. It’s already been featured on quite a few high profile blogs, and you can YouTube it to see it in action. Modders are also needed to help modify games so that they work more effectively. Alternatively, visit the website to see some sample videos of the jDome in action.

Will The $100 Laptop Cause Ripples?

The $100 laptop is a project that has been in the pipeline for a while now. The premise is a good one, too. The OX is designed for use by children in developing countries and, while it is designed as such, some parties believe that serious questions will be raised over pricing issues and questions over the features in everyday laptops currently for sale.

Recent news from Microsoft means that the OX will be available with Microsoft XP and an open source equivalent. The laptops also include educational software and a number of other features. The education interface is called Sugar, and some doubt had been raised as to its efficacy since the introduction of XP.

However, Walter Bender, one of the founders of Sugar Labs resigned from the OX project in order that he and Sugar Labs could continue to develop the Sugar interface. Their intention is to open talks with other computer and portable device manufacturers in order to offer Sugar through a number of channels.

Sugar is an open source package, and this not only means it is available to use for free, but that the script and code can be acquired free and developers can create their own adapted versions and new features. Open source operating systems, including the popular Ubuntu, has already included Sugar as an integral part of their own recent systems.

The $100 laptop is a great initiative and while the main thrust of the program is to offer the developing world greater and more varied educational opportunities, the effects of the program are likely to be witnessed around the world.

Sound Asleep Pillow Review

Do you listen to music when you go to bed? Do you ever wake your partner up with your music blaring?  Do you wish you had a more comfortable pillow? If you answered yes to any of these questions then we may have found the gadget for you in the form of the sound asleep pillow.

I was searching the Internetfor a comfy pair of earphones to wear at night when I stumbled upon this microfiber pillow with a built in 3.5 mm jack to plug your music straight into (whether that be ipod, mp3, CD or tv). I just had to try it!

The sound asleep pillow is constructed of high grade memory foam with small air holes throughout to allow the sound to protrude through the foam.  Inside there is a speaker which is attached to a 3.5 mm jack that is sewn into the seam and pops out from the side of the pillow.

I was very sceptical on how effective the soundasleep would perform and never thought it would perform as well as the manufacturer described, however I am happy to report that is actually very good.  At the lowest volume you have to bury your head into the pillow to hear it but at mid levels the sounds are clear and can not be heard by other people in the room.  If you decide to have your music as loud as possible then there is a little background noise, but there is no way near enough to noise to disturb anyone.

The other great aspect was that I did not wake up once with cables wrapped around my neck or with a sore ear! Mission accomplished without the need for new earphones! The sound asleep pillow is priced at £20 which is actually quite reasonable when you consider the pillow is made of memory foam which makes it cool and comfortable.

The sound asleep pillow is available from www.soundasleeppillow.com or call 08707 662727 to order yours today.

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The Action Man Styled Wrist Tracker Thing

Despite looking like the type of thing you buy an Action Man fanatic kid for Christmas, the Wrist Tracker is serious piece of kit. It integrates all the functions of a mobile phone, GPS tracker and datalogger, oh and a watch. The GPS tracker could be handy for locating your kids but it would give you a distinct advantage when you’re next playing hide and seek.

The design of the thing really does turn me off it. I just can’t get over the commando green plastic look but the features and potential uses are great. I think. Fortunately, though, there are other watches offering similar features and functions but in different designs (some even look like they’ve been designed rather than thrown up).

The tracker can transmit coordinates of your current location (or, at least, the location of the watch – if you forget to put it on in the morning at least you’ll be able to track your bedside table) to your mobile phone or it can be located/tracked in real time using GPRS. Coordinates are also displayed on the watch itself.

The logger will track thousands of positions and will even update routes and maps into Google Earth so you can keep everybody updated as to your location.

Essentially I suppose it’s a marginally better looking alternative to electronic tagging although I’d be equally as inclined to hide this under my clothing, or in my pocket. Kids will surely love it though. The problem is that while this one doesn’t look as good as the others it offers more functionality than the majority.

Recent Discovery Could Lead To DVDs Holding Hundreds Of Films

When the mp3 file format came along, it negated the need to store hundreds of “backup” discs in the glove box of the car. It meant that we could happily record numerous discs onto one mp3 disc and just carry that single CD in the conveniently helpful CD player. Researchers have long struggled to perform a similar miracle with DVDs because of the limitations of diffraction.

While lab tests have discovered methods of counteracting this problem, scientists had yet to discover a means to transform these discoveries into robust and practical everyday solutions. Now, thanks to Hard University scientists, that could be about to change and we could soon be enjoying the same benefits we’ve enjoyed thanks to the compressed mp3 file format.

The new technology could mean a DVD capable of storing up to 3.6TB of data, whereas current DVD discs are only capable of managing 4.7GB – that’s an increase in storage of about 750 times the amount of data.

Another potential use for the science, as reported on the Technology Review website, is in the creation of silicon chips. Because the process involved in etching the chips suffers the same diffraction limitation, with alternatives costing an infeasible amount of money, this breakthrough could lead to smaller chips holding more data and costing considerably less.

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