Tuesday 24 December 2013

Having Trouble Finding a Holiday Gift? You Can't Go Wrong with an Awesome Tech Gadget

Everyone has at least a few people in their life who seem to make it impossible to find the right gift. Although you may feel like you've racked your brain over and over again in search of the right choice, you'll be relieved to know that there are still some options that are almost guaranteed to work. Thanks to their perfect balance of coolness and practicality, these gadgets will make even the toughest recipient happy when they open their gift from you:

Orb Audio Mini-T Amplifier V-2 ($69.99)
While these speakers can work quite well with a TV, that's not the only way people consume video. Whether it's regularly or every now and then, just about everyone watches videos on their computer, tablet or phone. What's awesome about this gift is it can take the sound of any speakers and greatly improve them. So instead of a smaller screen automatically meaning smaller sound, this sleek but highly effective amplifier can bring top notch sound to any viewing experience.

Hammerhead Bike Navigation ($75)
Shopping for someone who likes riding their bike or is planning on picking up this hobby in the near future? Then they will definitely like this really cool device. What sets this GPS apart from other options is instead of a small screen that forces users to squint, it has simple but effective LED lights that guide riders exactly where they want to go. And if that wasn't cool enough, the Hammerhead also has community and social features built around it that allow riders to share new routes with each other. Best of all, it's easy to manage this device from any iPhone or Android.

Leap Motion Controller ($79.99)
This device is a great fit for anyone who's into gaming. However, playing games is just one example of what the Leap Motion can be used to do. Even though it's quite small, this device is capable of tracking the motion of both hands. What's even more impressive is it can keep up with what each of someone's ten fingers are doing. Because it offers such precision, painting, drawing, sketching, drumming and strumming on a computer are just a few examples of what the Leap Motion can bring to life. And because it creates such an immersive experience, it's just as entertaining for kids as it is senior citizens.

Electronic Cigarette Starter Kit ($29.99)
If you're shopping for someone who still smokes traditional cigarettes, it's time to bring them into the future. With a starter kit from ZEMOcigs.com, smokers can enjoy a revolutionary experience that doesn't involve tobacco smoke or unpleasant vapors. Instead, the only thing that's produced is vapor. In addition to the obvious freedom that provides, e-cigs also cost less and last far longer than traditional cigarettes. In terms of the amount of nicotine provided, a single e-cig cartridge is equal to approximately two packs of standard cigarettes.

Kensington iPad SafeGrip ($54.99)
This iPad case was specifically designed for K-6 graders. The reason is while an iPad can really add a lot of the learning environment, that age group can also put these devices through a lot of abuse. This accessory ensures that even through that abuse, the iPad remains in pristine shape. Because of the great design of this case, it's also ideal for adults in plenty of different professions. For anyone who wants a simple way to carry their iPad without worrying about damaging it, this is the case to accomplish that goal. An added benefit is it can easily be secured thanks to the case's ClickSafe Security Anchor.

Eton BoostTurbine 4000 ($79.99)
Whether it happens halfway across the globe or just across town, everyone hates to suddenly realize that their phone is going to die before they're able to make an important phone call or send a crucial text. The good news is you can help anyone on your list avoid this dilemma by giving them the BoostTurbine 4000. What sets this backup device apart from others is even if someone is stuck somewhere without access to an electrical outlet, the hand crank functionality of this gadget means it can still provide power to keep a cellphone going.

Jordan Odell is a technology blogger. After graduating college five years ago and realizing that most "real" jobs are quite boring, he decided he would prefer to get paid for playing with and writing about all the types of awesome gadgets that he absolutely loves.

Sony updating Android 4.3 for Xperia devices



Sony Xperia
Sony starts distributing Android 4.3 for two of the first Z- devices. In addition to the Xperia Tablet Z and the Xperia Z there are additional updates to the ZR and ZL models.

The updates are, however, gradually spread. Sony distributes Android 4.3 for several older Z Smartphones and a tablet in the Z series, as the company announced earlier. The updates are as usual not all users are going to get it immediately.

The Xperia Tablet Z and the Xperia Z tested each with Android 4.1. With the update, Sony eliminates errors and brings the in-house software to a current status. In particular, the Xperia Tablet Z offers now have a better partitioning of different users according to Sony.

At the same time the update for the models Sony Xperia ZR and ZL is still pending in few countries. The distribution of Android 4.3 for Smartphones Xperia Z1 and Z Ultra was already launched last week. As usual this update is still pending for users of few countries.

Canonical launches Ubuntu and Android dual boot



Ubuntu dual boot
Canonical has released the developer preview of a dual-boot option for Ubuntu and Android. For both operating systems running on a Smartphone, and users can switch between the two.

Ubuntu on mobile can be in the current developer preview parallel to install Android on an Android Smartphone. On Android side various Android versions are supported by the open source variant AOSP. However, only Android 4.2 currently supported.

About an app that exists for both Ubuntu and Android, you can switch between operating systems. The Smartphone will boot after a restart in the most recently selected system. However Canonical advises inexperienced users explicitly from the installation from, because it may well it might be necessary to flash the phone again if something goes wrong.

The actual installation of Ubuntu on mobile with the dual-boot option is quite simple: given only the dual-boot app for Android has to be installed. This will take care of installing Ubuntu and starts the new Smartphone, so Ubuntu instead of Android will be charged. In this case, the whole thing officially runs only on Google's Nexus 4, because other devices are not currently being tested.

Computer virus can be spread in the air to hack any computer!


Computer virus
Computer development is progressing at breakneck speed. Scientists have developed a prototype virus capable of transmitting data without requiring a network connection! This virus can in fact move in the air using inaudible sound frequencies. It is explained in detail.

As incredible as it may seem, scientists have invented a new concept of computer virus: A virus capable of traveling through the air. This invention is a team of German researchers based at the Institute for Communication work, information processing and Fraunhofer. The prototype requires only a microphone and integrated speakers to work.

Thus, they were able to travel information such as passwords or small amounts of data over distances of about 20 meters. Scientists explain in their paper and they described how the concept of air holes can be considered obsolete now that laptops quite common can communicate with each other through their speakers and internal microphone and can even form a kind of network noise ‘secret’. Hidden on this network, information can travel through multiple hops infected nodes, which means that they are interconnected so completely isolated networks and systems.

 " The sound frequency of which is very close to high frequencies and that of ultrasound is used borrowed from research to transmit data. all acoustic underwater! This allowed his team to transmit data between two laptops Lenovo T400 type simply using their integrated (micro and speakers) sound equipment. The data were thus transmitted at 20 bits per second, which is a fairly high speed to recover passwords, they explain.


“This small bandwidth may actually enable the transfer of critical information.” So far, the transmission of data from one computer to another required the presence of a network. Now, viruses and hackers can use this technique to transmit information while going completely unnoticed! It makes us shudder to realize that ... Would you ever imagine that could spread through the air and infect your computer virus?

How to stay safe in Public wifi connection



Public wifi
Everyone is happy to use internet from a public Wi-Fi hotspot, but many of us are unaware of the security risks beneath it. We all are willing to use open Wi-Fi, but none of us is willing to give away our sensitive information. Let me give you a clear idea about insecure popen Wi-Fi.

Does it easy to steal information in open wifi hotspot?

Yes, it is more easy to steal your information in public wifi hotspot. It is illegal to steal others information, but criminals never care about it. In fact, they won’t be caught since it’s not an easy one to prove as a crime.

Commonly accessed public wifi hotspots:

Open wifi hotspots are commonly provided by the following

(i) Airports
(ii) Libraries
(iii) Hotels
(iv) Hospitals
(v) Universities
(vi) Coffee shops
(vii) Restaurants and so on.

Problems in public wifi hotspot:

The most common problems occurred in open wifi hotspot are listed below

(i) Internet threats may occupy your system
(ii) Sensitive information may be theft
(iii) Computer can be hacked

Internet threats:

Internet threats include virus, malwares and spywares. They can easily entered into your system and spoil your security and privacy. These internet threats are the common issues that could reduce the performance of computer. They are more vulnerable in open wifi-hotspot.

Better keep your computer with an up-to-date anti-virus and anti-spywares. Microsoft provides better security from internet threats. If you are using Windows 8, then antivirus protection is turned on automatically.

If it’s not Windows 8 then download Microsoft Security Essential.

Security level:

Everyone of us like to have a more secured connection. Secured connection makes your computer to perform in a better way and gives virus free, spyware free and malware free computer. But most of the OS and software doesn’t provide a secure environment to access internet. The get hold on a maximum security level of your computer and stay away from risks, just maintain the following environment.

Better keep your firewall always on, never turn it off. In windows 7 and 8 we can configure our firewall to block all unwanted access to our computer.

Keep all software up-to-date. If not then never update any software in open wifi connection. It is an easy way to access and hack a computer.

Use a strong secured connection with more security. Better choose more secured connection even that you have to pay for it. Both windows 8 and 7 can reduce security risks.

Avoid information theft:

Most of the people are unaware of sensitive information theft. They may expose their personal informations that should be kept secured. Avoid typing such personal information in an open wifi connection. If you have any secured internet access, then better use it for sensitive information such as

(i) Online transactions and online payments
(ii) E-mail login
(iii) Social network login
(iv) Net banking and Mobile banking

Turn off sharing:

Avoid sharing personal informations in open wifi hotspot. Better turn off your wifi while you are not using it.
By following the above ways and keep those settings you can keep your computer safe and secured even in an open wifi hotspot connection.