Facebook’s crusade against pseudonyms and nicknames has just won out. After a German court ruled Facebook couldn’t force people to use their real, full names, a successful appeal from Facebook in another German court rules it can. The result? You’re stuck using your real name on Facebook. More »
A company that has a name like bēm wireless can only mean one thing – it deals with the wonderful world of wireless connectivity. Thing is, bēm wireless’ latest release would be the Outlet Speaker, and as its name implies, functions as a highly portable and powerful Bluetooth speaker that will plug in directly into an electrical outlet, be it at home or whether you are at the office. The bēm wireless Outdoor Speaker is said to be unique, complementing the user’s lifestyle as it helps to add a simple touch of elegance to any décor. Not only that, since it is relatively small in size – which bēm wireless claims to be somewhat similar in dimensions as that of a juice box, it takes up extremely little space, and yet delivers crystal clear sound, now how about that?
Bryan Katzel, Director of Marketing and Product Development for bēm, said, “Our thought behind the outlet speaker is to enhance the consumer’s everyday life. We believe big sound doesn’t necessarily need to come from a big speaker. The beauty behind the outlet speaker is in its simplicity. Plug it in while cooking dinner without taking up any counter space, stick it in an outlet behind your desk at work to hear your favorite tunes to spark your creativity, or tuck it behind the living room couch to fill your home with great music.”
Sporting a wireless range of up to 25 feet, the Outlet Speaker allows the user to control their music directly from an iOS device, or they can opt for other Bluetooth-enabled smartphones too, if they so desire. It will be accompanied by a built-in power adapter, which means you more or less never have to worry about it ever running out of juice. Each time your ears itch for your favorite music, all you need to do is plug it in, and listen, wherever and whenever convenient to you. Heck, there is also a built-in USB port that enables you to juice up compatible mobile devices with the Outlet Speaker while you enjoy clear audio from it. bēm wireless has also decided to throw in an Aux In and Aux Out so that you have more connecting options. You can pick up the Outlet Speaker from bēm wireless in white or black shades at $99.99 a pop.
Press release: bem wireless Media Center
[ bēm wireless unveils Outlet Speaker copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
WASHINGTON — A bill offered Thursday by Arizona’s two senators would aid a company that partners with Iran in an African uranium mine.
The bill, the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2013, is sponsored by Sens. Jeff Flake (R) and John McCain (R). It would swap 2,400 acres of federal land in Arizona for 5,500 acres of land that the Department of the Interior deems as “important” for conservation.
The idea is to give the Resolution Copper Mining Co. access to land that would allow it to extract vast amounts of metal, while theoretically boosting the economy and protecting public property. A press release from the senators said the mine would generate more than $64 billion in economic activity, as well as tax revenue, and would meet as much as 20 percent of U.S. demand for copper.
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We’re definitely curious as to what Nokia will be bringing to the table come MWC 2013, but until then we guess we will just have to be patient and hope that leaks and hints clue us in on what to expect. In any case the folks at My Nokia Blog have spotted a mysterious looking Nokia device in an advertisement meant to showcase the Lumia 920 on Dutch carrier, KPN. Based on what we saw in the video (embedded above and around the 0:05 mark), this particular device features curved edges which is definitely not of the Lumia 920’s design. Instead it appears to be something of a combination between the Lumia 822 and the Lumia 620, suggesting that perhaps this mystery device could be another budget Windows Phone offering by the Finnish company. Either way with the Lumia 920 currently being Nokia’s flagship smartphone, we doubt that they will be introducing a new flagship device so soon, but we guess we will just have to wait and see. We will be at MWC 2013 so be sure to check back with us then for all the live coverage of the latest news!
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Blackberry OS 10.0.10.261 Leaked, Available For Download, Google Rumored To Be Opening Their Own Retail Stores This Year,
After a German privacy watchdog ordered Facebook to allow the use of fake usernames “immediately,” an appeals court has said nein. While the protection body in the tiny state of Schleswig-Holstein argued that Facebook’s ban on pseudonyms breached the nation’s privacy laws, an administrative court in the region ruled that those laws don’t apply to the company, since its European HQ is located in less-stringent Ireland. Facebook argued that requiring the use of real names protects its users, but the regulator said it’ll appeal the decision all the same — thus prolonging the social network’s long-running German headache.
Filed under: Internet, Facebook
Via: Techmeme
Source: Associated Press
A group of genetic researchers has announced that they have identified a mutation in a human gene as the source of some of the distinctive traits that differentiate East Asians from other races. According to the scientists, the genetic discovery accounts for traits such as thicker hair shafts, more sweat glands, characteristically identified teeth, and other differences. The scientists claim that the gene mutation occurred about 35,000 years ago.
The scientists say that DNA changes at 400 sites on the human genome market turning points in differentiating populations on each continent from one another. The researchers found that the first of those 400 sites of the human genome studied contains a gene known as EDAR. What the researchers call the standard version of the gene is carried by Africans and Europeans.
However, in East Asians the researchers say that one of the DNA units is mutated. One team of researchers on the project studying thicker hair in East Asians led by Yana G. Kamberov and Pardis C. Sabeti were researching the gene in mice where its effects can be more easily explored. Researchers say that mice have the EDAR gene already.
The researchers studied a strain of mice where the EDAR gene has the same DNA change as East Asian human genetic material. The researchers found that when the mice grew up they did have thicker hair shafts confirming that the genetic mutation was the cause of thicker hair in East Asians. The researchers also discovered that mice with the mutated gene also had extra sweat glands. Another discovery with the mice with the modified gene was that they had less breast tissue than mice with the unmutated version of the gene.
[via NYT]
Researchers say they have identified genetic mutation linked to East Asian physical traits is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
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Knighthood, schmighthood. Apple’s British design head has just picked up a golden Blue Peter badge. The show, which has been running on UK TV for over 50 years, even had their gift reciprocated, with Sir Jonathan Ive offering up a solid aluminum Blue Peter badge (above) that took over 10 hours to craft. Ive can count himself in good company, joining other luminaries like JK Rowling and David Beckham. The segment will air during a gadget special tomorrow, but you can watch the exchange between kids TV and Apple design right after the break.
Via: TNW
Source: BBC
MOUNT VERNON, Va. — George Washington’s 1796 farewell address contained a stern warning to the nation about partisan politics, or the “dangers of faction” in the language of the founding fathers.
So, when a bipartisan group of U.S. senators was looking last fall to reach agreement on a plan to address the country’s budget and deficit woes, it seemed only natural that they went outside the Capital Beltway and met at Washington’s Mount Vernon estate, in hopes of finding inspiration in Washington’s shadow.
Those in the US suffering from blindness due to retinis pigmentosa (RP) will now be able to regain some vision bionically for the first time ever, thanks to Second Sight’s Argus II retinal prosthesis. The device was just approved by the FDA for sale stateside after surmounting the same hurdle in Europe almost two years ago — though it was first launched long, long before that. RP is a rare genetic disease that inflicts 100,000 or so Americans, destroying photoreceptors in the eye while leaving other cells intact. By implanting a device on the cornea that receives a signal from the eyeglass-mounted camera, those cells can be stimulated as if receiving light, causing them to transmit an image to the brain. Due to the limited number of electrodes, patients would only be able to discern light or dark, but most have reported better functionality with the device — being able to make out the shape of a curb while walking, or discerning between light, grey or dark colored socks, for instance. The Argus II has been certified by the FDA for “humanitarian use,” meaning there’s “reasonable assurance” that it’s safe, and should start popping up in specialized clinics by the end of the year.
[Photo credit: Associated Press]
Filed under: Wearables, Science
Via: CNET
In the middle of the South Pacific, one of the world’s most remote post offices continues to do brisk business in stamps, as tourists from around the globe flock to pay their respects to the postcard, a much-maligned, antiquated but great form of expression.
The small building is hardly a palace, like the greatest post offices around the world, but the trappings of the global shipping business are there. A small bank of post office boxes stands ready. A scale is prominently displayed on the counter. A variety of commemorative stamps are on display and on sale. A small damp sponge in a plastic container is available so that customers can wet the backs of their postage without licking.
In other words, but for the tropical music playing on the radio and a small classroom-style globe with a fluorescent star marking the remote location of this island in the South Pacific, this could be a small-town post office anywhere. It isn’t and that is why your letter may take a while to arrive. Fortunately, when the recipient finally picks it up they will likely be rather impressed by the Easter Island postmark.
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