This may be a hard topic to believe, but scientists are on the verge of developing materials that will turn objects and humans invisible. The mixture of materials have properties that keep light from absorbing or reflected, which allows light from behind the object to be seen. The theory behind this is that the material bend visible light in such a way that the creation of reflections or shadows are eliminated.

It is said that the materials work in limited wavelengths, meaning that they will be unable to hide buildings from satellites. This research is only the beginning to a new age of technology. If there is more news about this subject, we'll keep you posted. Who knows, maybe someday we'll become the "invisible nation"?

MSN [[article]]
Continue reading "Advanced Technology Turns People Invisible... Seriously!"

Internet Explorer (IE) has been notorious for having security and stability. Microsoft has been working to fix these issues and help Internet Explorer to be more competitive with other browsers such as Mozilla Firefox. After the new Beta 2 release of IE8, there have been many improvements with the software.

Some features include private browsing, improved searching, better tabbed browsing, and greater security. Microsoft has implemented accelerators which allow you to quickly view a map, check prices for products, and other features of items that you are viewing. IE has also included recovery tabs similar to Firefox where you can open the browser and start where you left off.

USA Today has included pros and cons about Internet Explorer 8.

Pros:
- Private browsing
- Improved search, security and navigation
- Web Slices and accelerator features have potential

Cons:
- A little sluggish at times
- Many Web pages don't fully appear until you click a "compatibility view" button
- Relatively few partners so far for Web Slice and accelerator features

For more information, check out Microsoft. Test IE8 Beta
Continue reading "Internet Explorer Makes a Comeback"

As many people have noticed in today's society, it is hard to not shop at electronic retailer stores like Circuit City and Best Buy. Best Buy has tried to reach the teenage niche and has done so successfully for quite sometime. Now what else do they have in mind?

Best Buy has decided to begin installing vending machine mini-stores inside airports to reach yet another demographic. They call it the Best Buy Express and it will be available in 12 airports. They will first see how successful it is before adding more, but there is almost a guarantee that this will increase their sales by a large percent.

They have these express machines located around Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, and San Francisco. Great news for consumers, Best Buy has announced that prices will be similar to their in-store ones. You are able to purchase various items including media players, gift cards, cell phones, digital cameras, chargers, electronic storage devices, headphones, and many other accessories.



Best Buy Express

MSN [[article]]
Continue reading "Best Buy. Airports. Brilliant!"

Have you ever had the feeling that you had the slowest internet connection in your neighborhood? Take a look at the link below. All you have to do is type in the first 3 digits of your area code and your connection type and the program does the rest. It compares your internet to different types of connections.

Take a look:

MSN [[article]]
Continue reading "Internet Speed Test"

Although the laptop may look like a joke, it is a serious computer. It is not intended for business use or any type of use in the United States. It's meant for people who could not otherwise afford a computer, let alone used on in their lifetime.

The XO laptop is a revolutionary step towards making computers available to the world, especially underdeveloped countries. The entire laptop costs $188, and isn't a bad deal.

It features a 433 MHz AMD Geode processor and 256 megabytes of 166 MHz DDR333 SDRAM.

The hard drive? One gigabyte of flash storage.

There are some surprising details about this computer that might spark your interest. It has a built-in webcam and microphone, and has an SD card slot behind the display. It also has wireless networking built into it, supporting both 802.11b and 802.11g standards.

However, the operating system might set many users back (if they've used a computer before). The XO laptop runs a Fedora Linux Core, modified to fit the interface and specifications of the OLPC's desires. Applications are called "Activities", and many of the "activities" are based off of actual Linux programs. However, as mentioned before, they're modified to create a unified UI.

The web browser is loosely based on Mozilla's Firefox browser, and as PC World put it "doesn't function very well, and they need to work on the program."

All around, however, OLPC's XO Laptop is a super good choice for those who need a computer and have never been exposed to one. It's not meant to be a beast. It's meant to be used in minimal ways, exploring what a computer is, and exploring the internet.

It's revolutionary, to say the least.

PC World [[article]]
Continue reading "OLPC's "XO" Laptop"

As we mentioned in an earlier entry, we would keep you posted with the latest news of the Mobile World Congress. The co-CEO, Jim Balsillie, of Research In Motion Ltd. suggested that the BlackBerry wireless device should implement the touch-screen capabilities. It has been rumored that RIM is making a new device that will break away from its typical keyboard and screen.

There have been no announcements for the new BlackBerry. Some people have become skeptical about the idea completely removing the keyboard from the pda, while others have anticipated this so much that they feel it the wireless device will never be released. For more information on the new BlackBerry, check out the link below.

ComputerWorld [[article]]
Continue reading "BlackBerry Touch-screen"

Kingston, one of the largest memory-related products manufacturer in the world, has released a flash drive that has a built-in microSD card reader inside of it.

These flash drives aren't limited because of the integrated card reader. They still come in very nice sizes of 1, 2, or 4 gigabytes, but will be a little more in price than their flash drive-only counterparts.



USA Today [[article]]
Continue reading "Card Reader and Flash Drive Are Now One"

The world's leaders in wireless technology are meeting this week in Barcelona, Spain, to show off new ideas for the wireless market, and are trying to get the opinions of consumers on what they really want to be the "future."

Could it be wireless broadband anywhere in the world? Could it be some new fangled technology that was once just a science fiction story?

We'll find out.

In the areas of mobile broadband, many players are already being involved. Nokia, Samsung, and LG are all trying to get into the mainstream mobile broadband race. Microsoft, Yahoo, and Google are all trying to work with those manufacturers to get their sponsored operating systems on those phones.

Microsoft will of course be advocating its Windows Mobile OS, which has most of the marketshare of smartphones in the world. Google, which created the Open Handset Alliance early last year, will be promoting its future Android platform, which is set to become a reality later this year. This will happen when manufacturer HTC releases a phone that will feature the first Android OS on it.

As the developments occur, keep checking up on IV to see what transpires at the Mobile World Congress this week. We'll keep you updated.
Continue reading "The Mobile World Congress Meets in Barcelona"

Retrevo recommends the best gadgets gifts for Valentine's Day including GPS, MP3 Players, Digital Cameras, and more.

This year, why not say “I love you,” with something that lasts longer than a dozen roses? The right gadget can score points with your favorite sweetheart and be the one Valentine’s Day gift that keeps on giving.

The iGifts Have It


Apple Macbook Air

For the ultimate gadget gift you could get that special someone in your life one of the sexiest laptops on the market; the recently announced, Apple Macbook Air. This super svelte laptop is so thin it fits inside a manila envelope yet it still boasts a full size keyboard and 13.3 inch LED backlight display. It may not be available for Valentine's Day but you can preorder it now for $1799.

iPhone, iPod, iPod Touch

Take your pick of Apple gadgets and score major points with your special gadget lover. You might consider an 8GB iPhone or a 16GB iPod touch for $399. The iPod touch which has everything the iPhone has minus the phone service.

There are many recently redesigned iPods to choose from including ones with different colors and capacities. Watching videos on iPods is very popular with videos becoming more widely available for download especially with Apple’s recent launch of an online movie rental business.

Apple iPod shuffles are smaller than ever and come in many colors. They cost $79 and hold 1GB worth of files which is about 240 songs. The iPod nano comes in colors, displays photos, plays videos or audio files, and costs $149 for a 4GB version and $199 for an 8GB one that will hold 2000 songs.

The iPod classic comes in black or white, has a big 2.5-inch color display. You can buy one with 80GB of storage for $249 or 160GB for $349. The iPod touch 8GB version sells for $299 and the 16GB version $399.

Buying red gadgets can help support the Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa. Apple offers a red iPod and Motorola has a red Razr that are both associated with the charity. Microsoft has a red Zune but it appears to be geared for Valentine's Day not for Bono's fund.

Free Engravings
For a special touch, you can get a free engraving on an iPod or iTouch when you buy it from Apple's online store.


Free engraving

Microsoft's Red Zune

Microsoft continues to improve their Zune MP3 player and even offers features not found on iPods like WiFi connectivity which lets you trade songs with other Zune users, surf the web, or use other online interactive features. For Valentine's Day they are offering a Red, 80GB Zune and free engraving with one of 20 special valentine designs or a personal text message. You can buy this or other similar Zunes for around $249.


Zune

GPS

The right GPS PND (personal navigation device) might just help find the way to your special friend's heart. GPS devices continue to get better and cheaper every day. For Valentine's Day gifts, we recommend looking at a portable unit that fits in a pocketbook or even one of the sports versions that you wear on your wrist.

The Garmin nuvi 680 could be a very expensive Valentines Day present but for under $600 you can give someone a highly rated, versatile GPS , that has a large 4.3 inch color display and is still small enough to fit in a pocketbook or briefcase.

The TomTom Go 920T is another highly rated GPS that falls in the same price range and feature group.

The TomTom XL-S sells for around $350. It has a 4.3 inch widescreen display, offers text-to-speech and MapShare which allows users to update maps.

For the budget minded, the Mio c230 is a basic 3.5 inch screen GPS that features TTS (Text-to-Speech) functionality and gets high marks for performance and ease of use for well under $200.

The Garmin Forerunner 205 is a GPS device that you wear like a wristwatch. It tells you how far you ran and how long it took. Serious runners rave about this GPS device. You can buy the Garmin Forerunner 205 for around $180. If you prefer to wait, Garmin just announced a very cool wristwatch type GPS called the Forerunner 405 which is supposed to ship in the first quarter of 2008 and sell for around $300.

Photo Frames

Digital Photo Frames were a big hit this holiday season. They provide an easy and attractive way to put your digital photos on the mantle, kitchen counter, desktop, or even on a key chain. Some units play audio files as well.

The Kodak EX811 is an 8 inch, 800 x 480 pixel photo frame, with 128 MB of memory that will cost you around $200. You can load pictures with the built-in WiFi, through the memory card slot, or the USB connector.

The Westinghouse DPF 0802, 8 inch photo frame has a wood frame,128 MB of storage, and a high resolution 800 x 600 screen. You load up the frame from your camera’s flash memory card or a USB connection. You can buy the Westinghouse DPF 0802 for around $150.

The Tao 1.4 inch Digital Picture Keychain holds 56 photos and costs $29. It has a rechargeable battery. You load it with a USB connector. They offer a square version and a round one.

The Coby DP 151 1.5 inch Digital Photo Key Chain is a tenth of inch bigger than the others. It stores 62 pictures and is on sale at Amazon for $16. Some users are happy with it, some aren't.

Digital Cameras

A small and compact point and shoot camera might be just the right gift this Valentine’s Day.

The Canon SD1000 fits easily in a pocket or pocket book, offers 7.1 MP and new face technology that makes taking bad pictures harder. You can buy one for under $200.

If you can afford to spend around $300 then take a look at the 12.1 MP Nikon CoolPix P5100 which has optical image stabilization to eliminate fuzzy pictures, a big 2.5 inch LCD screen, and 3.5x optical zoom.

Don't forget to check out all the latest information for GPS, Digital Cameras, Camcorders, Laptops, and more. You can also find manuals and reviews for all popular gadgets and gear.

For more information, visit:
Retrevo [[article]]
(Article By Andrew Eisner)
Continue reading "Best Valentine's Day Gadget Gifts"

Intel, Sprint, and Motorola have been working on a project that will make internet available anywhere in the world. It is said to be faster than most current internet connections. WiMax delivers a strong wireless signal that projects for miles rather than feet.

Users will be able to downloads music, movies, and other files without a desktop. The Sprint service will allow users to be able to open up their laptops anywhere they are and have internet access. This project is spread beyond the United States. If you travel to different countries, you will be able to open you laptop and get internet anywhere. You don't even have to sign up for another service provider. The high-speed wireless service from Sprint is said to cose around $30 to $40 a month.

ABC News [[article]]
Continue reading "Internet anywhere in the world; WiMax"

Laptops have impacted the way we communicate with others. It allows us to be in a mobile environment while still being able to transport any information you may need. What good does a laptop do if you can only use it for 30 minutes before it dies? Stanford University is trying to find a way to improve laptop batteries to last more than a day with only a single charge.

Researchers have found a potential to give a conventional battery-powered laptop 40 hours of battery life. If you are interested and want to look more in depth about the science of this, be sure to take a look at the link below this article.

MSN [[article]]
Continue reading "Improve your laptop's battery life"

Yahoo! is once again rejecting a Microsoft takeover that could mean the end of the 14 year old search engine provider.

Microsoft (MSFT) made a public bid of $31 per share on February 1st, making the total bid to be up around $44.6 billion. Yahoo! has long since been a company Microsoft wanted to take over. It's just one less competitor they have to deal with, and one less search provider taking business away from Microsoft's Live Search (formally MSN Search).

Yahoo! Inc's stock, which currently is valued at around $29 a share, rose after the public bid was made by Microsoft.

Yahoo! Inc has been very reluctant of Microsoft's offer so far. Yahoo's board met late last night to discuss whether this buyout would even be a good option, and this afternoon, they've said that they are rejecting the offer.

According to a person knowledgeable about the discussions between the Yahoo board members, they won't even consider an offer below $40 a share. If Microsoft were to match that, it would raise their overall bid by about $12 billion.

What does this mean to you? Most likely, you won't be affected by any of this. Let's say Yahoo! accepts the buyout, and Microsoft takes over Yahoo! Inc. If you have a Yahoo! ID, your e-mail and all of the other uses you have for Yahoo! won't be affected.

Your e-mail will still be going to your Yahoo! e-mail account.

The most notable change that would occur is the change from Yahoo!'s Search Engine to the Windows Live Search, obviously to promote Microsoft's own technology. Similarly, when Google bought YouTube in 2006, the default search engine for YouTube was switched to that of Google's.

Even if Microsoft did indeed succeed in buying out Yahoo!, they would have to fight the Justice Department again on anti-trust issues. This buyout would be a large cut in the amount of competition going on in the search engine provider sector, which concerns the Justice Department.
Continue reading "Microsoft Attempts Takeover of Yahoo!"

Gibson has released a self-tuning guitar that would make all of your trouble go away. This robotic technology allows the musician worry less about the guitar and more about the music. The user is able to set the guitar to standard tuning or other various settings. If they need to lower the pitch of one string to a certain note, the self-tuner is capable of doing this. The Gibson self-tuning Les Paul will not only make your life easier, but it also has some stylish looks.




Gibson informational video of the Robot Guitar
Continue reading "Having problems tuning your guitar? Let a robot do it!"

The Federal Communications Commission, on January 3rd, said that it will indeed allow broadcasters to "suspend analog broadcasting only if it is necessary to achieve their transition."

For those who may not know, the FCC has set a deadline, currently set for February 17, 2009, that will end analog television broadcasting for good. It's all in an effort to promote the digital age, and also to use radio frequencies much more efficiently. The radio frequencies currently being occupied by analog television signals are in the prime spot where wireless internet providers want to be located. They pushed the FCC years ago to get digital broadcasting in order, simply because digital television stations take up much less bandwidth than their analog counterparts.

Unless your television set was manufactured less than 2 years ago, then you will need to do one of the following to receive broadcasts "over-the-air" in 2009:

+ Buy a new digital TV.
+ Get a converter box.
+ Subscribe to satellite or digital cable.

It's quite a bind for many rural families, because many cable companies don't offer services in their area. Satellite only works when there's a clear view to the southern sky, so when you need to know what's going on, it may not work.

This only affects around 15 percent of the population, as around 84 to 85 percent of the population have subscriptions to either cable or satellite providers. If you are subscribed to a cable or satellite provider, you need not worry about the switch from analog to digital. Your cable or satellite service won't be interrupted or discontinued simply because you don't have a digital TV.

However, if you rely on over-the-air television signals for your entertainment purposes, you are in for a change. The federal government is offering people who will be affected by this change a coupon to get a converter box for their old televisions. The link at the bottom of this article will take you to get that coupon. It will also give you a lot of detailed information about what you will need to do to continue receiving over-the-air broadcasts. We here at Indirect Vision recommend you check this out if you are in any way affected by the switch.

TV Converter Program Website is where you need to go to get the information you need.


Continue reading "Digital Television: Are You Ready for the Switch?"