Panasonic explains how its color splitter sensor works in a vividly detailed video

You'd be forgiven if you weren't entirely on the same page with Panasonic regarding its micro color splitter sensor: it's a big break from the traditional Bayer filter approach on digital cameras, and the deluge of text doesn't do much to simplify the concept. Much to our relief, DigInfo TV has grilled Panasonic in a video that provides a more easily digestible (if still deep) interpretation. As the technology's creator says, it's all about the math. To let in so much light through the splitters requires processing the light in four mixed colors, and that processing requires studying the light's behavior in 3D. Panasonic's new method (Babinet-BPM) makes that feasible by finishing tasks 325 times faster than usual, all while chewing up just a 16th of the memory. The company isn't much closer to having production examples, but it's clarifying that future development will be specialized -- it wants to fine-tune the splitter behavior for everything from smartphone cameras through to security systems. Catch the full outline after the break.

Via: GSM Arena

Source: DigInfo TV

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By: Unknown On 10:39 PM

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Stretchable, serpentine lithium-ion battery works at three times its usual size

While we've seen more than a few flexible batteries in our day, they're not usually that great at withstanding tugs and pulls. A team-up between Northwestern University and the University of Illinois could give lithium-ion batteries that extreme elasticity with few of the drawbacks you'd expect. To make a stretchable battery that still maintains a typical density, researchers built electrode interconnects from serpentine metal wires that have even more wavy wires inside; the wires don't require much space in normal use, but will unfurl in an ordered sequence as they're pulled to their limits. The result is a prototype battery that can expand to three times its normal size, but can still last for eight to nine hours. It could also charge wirelessly, and thus would be wearable under the skin as well as over -- imagine fully powered implants where an external battery is impractical or unsightly. There's no word yet on whether there will be refined versions coming to real-world products, but we hope any developments arrive quickly enough to give stretchable electronics a viable power source.

Via: ScienceDaily

Source: Nature

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By: Unknown On 11:16 PM

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Satechi releases $40 mini router that fits in a purse, works as a repeater

Satechi Multifunction Mini Router Improves & Extends Wi-Fi Range While at Home or on the Go

SAN DIEGO – Feb. 13, 2013 – The Satechi Multifunction Mini Router, available now, is the perfect mobile accessory for professionals on the go. Small enough to fit in any luggage, purse or briefcase, the compact Multifunction Mini Router gives users the convenience of converting a direct internet connection in conference rooms or hotel rooms to a private connection for added security and mobility. The plug and play router also extends the range of an existing Wi-Fi connection an additional 100 feet. www.youtube.com/multifunctionminirouter

The small but mighty Multifunction Mini Router combines maximum wireless speeds of up to 300 Mbps in a 2.4GHZ wireless band to improve range and optimize data rates, making it the ideal solution for high-bandwidth applications such as video streaming, VoIP and online gaming.

The versatile Multifunction Mini Router provides five working modes to meet any users' needs:

Access Point Mode – create a wireless connection
Router Mode – setup a wireless connection when connected to an internet-enabled service
Universal Repeater Mode – extend the range of existing Wi-Fi connection up to 100 feet
Client Mode – connect to an existing wireless network
Bridge Mode – allows two or more wireless access points to communicate with each other to join multiple LANs

The router supports the newest 802.11n wireless standard and is backwards compatible with older 802.11b/g standards, supporting a wide range of devices. Additional features include a Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) which allows users to set up their own security, automatically establishing a faster and more secure WPA2 connection.

The Satechi Multifunction Mini Router is available for an introductory price of $39.99 at Satechi.net and Amazon.com.

For more on the Multifunction Mini Router and all of Satechi's award winning products, "like" us on Facebook.com/Satechi and follow @Satechi.

About Satechi:
Established in 2005, Satechi is fully committed to offering unique accessories that people can integrate with their electronics in their homes, cars, and on the go. Satechi offers a broad selection of accessories from FM transmitters, battery chargers and speaker systems to car mounts, stands and keyboards. For more information, please visit www.Satechi.net.

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By: Unknown On 9:33 PM

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Seriously, How Does the Media Still Not Know How Facebook Works?

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You've probably seen the deeply silly Randi Zuckerberg photo privacy story going around. But the lesson learned might be more about how little everyone knows about Facebook itself, like these goons on the Today show.

Here's a clip from this morning's Today show:

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Just to really drive that home, here's a partial transcript:

"Show of hands if you understand how the photo got onto Twitter. I don't quite get it myself."

"Well, apparently something, th— b— ... privacy settings is the—the issue. You know, it's created some confusion, but I guess the sister posted it, then it got—she thought she was posting it with the privacy setting, then it got published to like 40,000 people. It was sent out, somehow."

"It was tweeted out."

"It was tweeted out, yeah."

So here's the thing. It's not a crime for people to not know how Facebook works. Lots of people don't know what the hell Facebook does. But these dufuses are ostensibly reporting about Facebook privacy, which actually does concern people, yet clearly know nothing about it. And worse, they're proud of that. While that likely puts them in company with their audience, the Today show being what it is, it's also explicitly negligent. That audience is probably made up of exactly the kind of people who would actually benefit from being informed by people who know what they're talking about. Instead, "privacy settings" is just bandied about as a scary buzzword, like when 60 Minutes decides to talk about "hacking."

Is it the worst journalistic oversight/laziness in the world? No, not really. And it's not like the daytime media's ever really been informed. But it's just staggering how aggressively you have to try to remain uninformed about something as simple and pervasive as Facebook, when occasionally talking about Facebook is part of your very visible job. Today's host sums it up pretty well: "What's the takeaway here? We don't know either." [MSNBC]

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By: Dilusha On 8:40 AM

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