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Archive for Smashing
Confirmed, AirTel to bring iPhone 3G in India
Well, I love technology in general and yes, I’m going to one of first who buys iPhone 3G when it comes to India. Being an AirTel customer, it is pretty good that I don’t need to change my existing number to move to iPhone 3G, earlier with news that Vodafone will be launching it, I assumed that I might have to move to Vodafone!… And again that updating contacts, new number stuff!
iPhone 3G will come around October this year in India. Earlier there was a news in media that Vodafone will be launching iPhone in India. But it is confirmed now via the PR on Apple web site that AirTel will be launching iPhone 3G in India later this year. I guess Vodafone will be also launching iPhone 3G for their customers too later this year, but it is not confirmed yet.
Soon customers will be able to purchase iPhone 3G at Airtel Relationship Centers. Details of pricing and availability will be announced at a later date. Airtel customers who wish to receive more information on iPhone 3G can send an SMS with keyword "iPhone" to 54321
Controlling Lights with Twitter
Even though most Twitter users use it to inform the world of their bowel movements, Justin Wickett came up with a slightly more clever use for the app. He uses an INSTEON switch and a computer in order to monitor a Twitter account for the on or off switch command send from his cellphone. When it’s received, the computer flicks the switch and turns off the light. Between the text message delay, the fact that he needs a COMPUTER hooked up, and the general way-too-geekiness of Twitter, he’s better off setting up an actual home automation system for his lights.
Control Lights with Twitter from Justin Wickett on Vimeo | Via: Gizmodo
Perfect Gift the HTML Girl…
Make sure you don’t walk around without a properly formatted Head. While we cannot ensure that Google will properly index the contents of your brain, these earrings could help. Be W3C verified. Always close your tags!
Sterling silver earrings engraved with “<HEAD>” on one and “</HEAD>” on the other. They measure roughly 1/2″ wide and 27/64″ high, with an overall length of 1″ including the ear wire…
…I wish I had a HTML girl… lol 
Microsoft Announces Surface Computer
At the D2007: All Things Digital conference Wednesday, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer will unveil Microsoft Surface, the first in a new category of surface computing products from Microsoft that will “break down traditional barriers between people and technology”.
A Surface computer is able to recognize physical objects from a paintbrush to a cell phone and allows hands-on, direct control of content such as photos, music and maps. Surface turns an ordinary tabletop into a dynamic surface that provides interaction with all forms of digital content through natural gestures, touch and physical objects.
The new product is aimed directly at hotels, retail establishments, restaurants and public entertainment venues and should be commercially available towards the end of the year.
It’s an interesting product in that it’s completely out of left field. Microsoft gives examples of ordering a beverage during a meal with just the tap of a finger and quickly browsing through music and dragging favorite songs onto a personal playlist by moving a finger across the screen. Build this into a bar and you’d get one-touch beer service although I’m not sure if they’ve found a way to work out when your beer glass is empty so replenishment becomes automatic, maybe in a later version.
The practical uses for Surface at the point of sale are broad. This is touch screen point of sale technology at a new level.
Initial launch partners include Harrah’s Entertainment, Starwood Hotels and T-Mobile. Coverage at CrunchGear here.
Update: Channel 10 has a great first look video here. Via: TechCrunch
Few notable things about Microsoft Surface:
- Music - You put your music player on the table, and your credit card. Both are recognized, then you drag songs to the player. Zune is obvious first device, but potential other partner in the works. One demo used a nano. Could partner really be Apple? Let’s not get carried away… yet…
- Virtual Concierge - A fairly self explanatory guide program, complete with mapping programs.
- Food & Drink - Not just interactive menus, but glass (and presumably plate and maybe even silverware) recognition. Like Music program, it reads credit cards just by placing them on table.
- Photo - A simple photo editor reminiscent of iPhoto.
- Puzzle - A game where you assemble actual pieces of glass on top of the table, each with a sliver of live video playing.
- Water - A water screensaver that you can touch to make ripples.
- Paint - Simple painting program that reads pressure sensitivity by judging the size of your fingerprint.
