These Are the Best Amateur Pictures of Space This Year [Image Cache]

The winners of the fourth UK Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition were announced yesterday—and boy are there some gems amongst them. Organized by the Royal Observatory, the contest generates stiff competition, so it’s no wonder that the overall winner—pictured above—is absolutely breathtaking. More »

Maybe the iPhone 5 Isn’t Tall Enough [Video]

The iPhone 5’s most notable update is a taller 4-inch display that finally provides a proper way to enjoy 16:9 content. But what if Apple didn’t stop there? What if the iPhone 5 had been given a 5-inch display, or 10, or maybe even 30 or 40 inches as this parody demonstrates? More »

Philippines passes a new law against cybersex and “cam girls”

lawsuitIf you have been around the internet long enough, you’ve probably stumbled across one or two questionable websites where girls (and presumably guys, but maybe not as common) will perform acts of the sexual nature via webcam in exchange for money. Given that these acts are done in the comfort and protection of their own home, we guess it’s a quick and easy way of making some extra bucks. However considering that perhaps not all these girls are willing participants and without a proper way to make sure that participants are of a legal age, the country of Philippines has decided to outlaw cybersex and online sex video chatting. Those found guilty will be fined $6,000 and a jail term of up to six months.

A cybercrime unit will also be set up which will exclusively handle cases that deal with the violation of this new law, and they are also looking into setting up cybercrime courts with specially trained judges. While that well and good, there are some who are worried that this law could be used to curb the freedom of the press, especially since it has listed internet libel as a cybercrime.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Samsung anticipates adding the iPhone 5 to their ongoing lawsuit with Apple, Preliminary injunction against the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 will still stand,

Samsung anticipates adding the iPhone 5 to their ongoing lawsuit with Apple

We knew that Samsung was looking to sue Apple over the iPhone 5, so it’s not surprising to learn that Samsung has submitted a document to the federal courts where they have stated that they anticipate adding the iPhone 5 to the list of grievances they have against Apple over alleged patent infringements. However this isn’t necessarily a done deal and it won’t be a 100% guarantee that they will be able to sue Apple over the iPhone 5 as they are still analyzing the device, making sure that there are elements of the phone which could have infringed upon their patents. One of which we’re guessing might pertain to 4G LTE as that was a feature Samsung claimed they will sue Apple over if the iPhone 5 were to come with it, and it did. Either way we’ll have to wait and see how this one plays out, but until then while the analyzing is being done and given the bureaucratic nature of the legal system, we expect Apple will continue selling millions of iPhone 5 units way before Samsung gets a chance to file a possible preliminary injunction.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: HTC and Samsung already taking legal action against Apple’s iPhone 5, New Samsung commercial mocks iPhone 5 hopefuls who are waiting in line,

Apple patent describes automated locking/unlocking of devices using facial recognition

Facial recognition used to unlock our smartphone isn’t exactly considered new technology, but a recent patent granted to Apple has revealed the Cupertino’s rather unique take on facial detection. When Google announced Android 4.0 ICS, one of its features was the ability to unlock the phone via facial recognition. Granted it was circumvented by showing a photograph of the user, the point is that this isn’t new. However Apple’s patent has suggested that not only can facial recognition be used to unlock phones, but it can be used to lock them as well. (more…)

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Apple patent describes “shake to charge” technology that could one day power iPods and iPhones, Patent for Apple’s universal removable battery system approved,

Britney Spears Sings ‘Happy Birthday’ On ‘The X Factor’ (VIDEO)

Britney Spears sings a live rendition of “Happy Birthday” to her “X Factor” co-judge L.A. Reid on a break during an auditions taping.

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Marco Rubio, In Mitt Romney Ad, Argues For Changes To Medicare

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) appears in an ad for the Mitt Romney campaign released Thursday, making the case that changes to Medicare are necessary in order to protect the country’s seniors.

“Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan get it. Medicare is going broke,” Rubio says in the ad. “That’s not politics. It’s math. Anyone who wants to leave Medicare like it is, is for letting it go bankrupt. My mother’s 81 and depends on Medicare.”

“We can save Medicare without changing hers,” he continues. “But only if younger Americans accept that our Medicare will be different than our parents,’ when we retire in 30 years. But after all they did for us, isn’t that the least we can do?”

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Bose unveils new SIE2 and SIE2i sport headphones

I wager pretty much everyone out there has seen the commercials for Bose products at one time or another. Bose tends to be a brand people love, or hate with few people in the middle. Bose has announced two new pairs of sport headphones that are designed with active people in mind.

The new headphones include the Bose SIE2 and SIE2i in both are specifically designed for exercise. Bose promises that the headphones will deliver high-quality audio and remain stable in the ear during activity. The headphones are also sweat and water resistant allowing them to be cleaned.

Both sets of headphones include a special Reebok fitness armband to hold a mobile phone or digital music player in place during exercise. The SIE2 sport headphones are designed to be used with most music players with the SIE2i version is designed specifically for Apple devices. The Apple device version of the headphones has an in-line mode control and a microphone that allows users to make phone calls and listen to music.

The in-line remote also allows users to adjust the volume and navigate stored tracks. The headphones also support voice commands. The SIE2 headphones will sell for $119.95, and the SIE2i will sell for $149.95.


Bose unveils new SIE2 and SIE2i sport headphones is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


HTC 8X announced

HTC continues to support the Windows Phone platform today with the announcement of two devices, and we will take a gander at the HTC 8X here. The HTC 8X does seem to be quite the powerhouse (Nokia should be looking over their shoulders in a nervous manner even with their flagship Lumia 920 announced), where this Windows Phone 8-powered smartphone will come with 16GB of internal memory and a beautiful, 4.3-inch 720p resolution super LCD screen that gets additional protection from normal knocks and scrapes thanks to lightweight Gorilla Glass 2, in addition to optical lamination that further reduces reflections and glare so that your eyes will be able to make out every single detail under bright sunlight.

In terms of its camera, HTC embarks on new territory this time around with their 2.1-megapixel shooter f/2.0 aperture, 88° ultra-wide angle front-facing camera that enables you to capture up to four people in a single shot, in addition to handling 1080p video capture without missing a beat. At the back, there is a 8-megapixel CMOS sensor with backside-illumination (BSI) for improved low-light performance, along with an f/2.0 aperture, 28mm lens and a dedicated imaging chip. HTC threw in a physical shutter button so that you can capture moments in a quick and easy manner.

You can choose from California Blue, Graphite Black, Flame Red and Limelight Yellow colors for the HTC 8X if you are interested.

Company Page

[ HTC 8X announced copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]


Netgear Push2TV PTV3000 slims Miracast and WiDi for your pocket

The WiFi Alliance promised us some Miracast products, and Netgear has stepped up to deliver, with its new Push2TV adapter taking on Apple’s AirPlay in a gadget that fits in your palm. The Netgear Push2TV PTV3000 Wireless Display Adapter uses Miracast to stream what’s on your laptop, smartphone, or tablet screen directly to your TV, though there’s also WiDi support for those with older, non-Miracast notebooks.

The box itself is a mere 83mm in length and measures about the same as a small stack of credit cards. Netgear will be supplying it with a microUSB power supply, but the Push2TV sips power in such a sufficiently humble way that it could also be juiced up by a spare USB port on your TV itself, should you have one. That way, you could avoid trailing cables from the STB altogether, relying on both USB and HDMI links with your display.

If hiding it behind a screen isn’t to your taste, Netgear also expects the Push2TV to find favor with mobile workers who might want to repurpose a hotel room TV for their own streaming content, rather than pay for on-demand movies. 1080p Full HD is supported.

Altogether, it’s a whole lot smaller and more flexible than Netgear’s older Push2TV adapters (the PTV1000 and PTV2000), as well as being cheaper too. The Netgear Push2TV will go on sale this month, priced at $59.99.


Netgear Push2TV PTV3000 slims Miracast and WiDi for your pocket is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.