Google leaks intention to develop modular TVs

Modular display tiles that could be clipped together to create screens of various sizes and shapes have been mooted by Google. The company’s Google X division - a unit that looks at advanced technology concepts and is responsible for the company’s driverless cars, Project Glass (leading to Google Glass) and a drone delivery project - leaked details of the concept to the Wall Street Journal. According to reports Mary Lou Jepsen, who has worked on display technologies before, is leading the project, which is said to involve Samsung and Qualcomm. With details scarce it is not clear how Google intends to create displays that can handle the varying content requirements for different sized or shaped units. The technology giant also says it is looking to create bezel-less screens. This would be a huge development as established display manufacturers have achieved incredibly thin but not non-existent bezels. Contact Details and Archive...Google, Source: InAVate

Read More........→October 08, 2014

Google and SunEdison to develop new solar project on an old oil field

Google recently finalised an investment to install an 82MW solar power plant on top of an old oil and gas field in California. The new installation will be located in California’s Kern County after Google signed a deal with solar company SunEdison. The Regulus solar plant will generate enough energy to power 10,000 homes and will be SunEdison’s largest developed and constructed project in North America. It is expected to begin operating later this year. The site was once the home of 30 oil wells but now there are only five as the oil resources were depleted. The solar project will be funded with the help of Google’s $145 million equity commitment and will bring 650 jobs to Kern County as well as feeding 82MW of clean solar energy into the grid via a 20-year power purchase agreement. Prudential Capital Group also provided financing for the project. The structured financing arrangements were developed, designed and executed by SunEdison which will be responsible for construction of the plant itself. It will consist of over 248,000 SunEdison mono-crystalline solar PV modules. California is committed to increasing the amount of energy it generates from renewable sources. The Kern County project is the latest of 17 renewable energy investments Google has made since 2010, including 5 in California. “We’re continually looking for newer, bigger and better projects that help us create a clean energy future” a company spokesperson said. “The more than $1.5 billion we’ve brought to these projects to date not only helps provide renewable energy to the grid and to the public, but as they perform, they allow us to invest in more renewable energy projects. This cycle makes financial sense for Google and our partners while supporting construction jobs in local communities and clean energy for the planet we share.” Bob Powell, president, North America at SunEdison added that Regulus is a prime example of how the company’s end-to-end approach benefits everyone involved in a solar project. For additional information: Google, SunEdison, Source: Article

Read More........→October 04, 2014

Google Glass hack adds 'mind control' feature - video

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New attachment allows users to take photos and share them online just by thinking about it Are you concerned about what Google knows of you from your searches, clicks and reading patterns? Well, soon the tech company may be able to get inside your mind as well.

A new attachment for Google Glass will allow users to take pictures and share them online just by thinking. The technology, built by a London-based company, uses brain signals to control the wearable device. An EEG (electroencephalography) headband connects with an app built by user experience company This Place which measures electrical activity in the brain. That activity is then converted into instructions that are sent to Google Glass to trigger the device's functions. Dusan Hamlin, This Place's CEO, says that the app, named the MindRDR, could offer a more intuitive way to operate Glass than Google's current voice command and swipe system and could ultimately be used by those suffering from locked-in syndrome or quadriplegia. When a user concentrates, a white line appears in the corner of Google Glass's silicone heads-up display. As they continue to concentrate, the line grows and when it is full, the inbuilt-camera will take a photo. Google does not officially support MindRDR but a spokeswoman told the BBC that "we are always interested in hearing about new applications of Glass and we've already seen some great research from a variety of medical fields from surgery to Parkinson's". This Place researchers believe that MindRDR could offer a more intuitive way of interacting with the device. "We wanted to realise the true potential of Glass by allowing users to control it with their minds," said Hamlin. "Currently, users either have to touch it or use voice commands, which are restrictive for some social situations and for users with disabilities." The technology still has a long way to go, The Independent notes. At present MindRDR is limited to only a small number of functions. Its "lack of nuance" in determining what a user is thinking is one of the many challenges it faces. To combat this, the app's creators have launched MindRDR on the developer community GitHub, so that other programmers around the world can help to improve it. For further concise, balanced comment and analysis on the week's news, try The Week magazine. Subscribe today and get 6 issues completely free., Source: The Week.co.uk

Read More........→July 13, 2014

Kicking off the 2014 Google Science Fair: It’s your turn to change the world

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By Clare Conway, Can you imagine being able to convert one of your passions in an idea that will revolutionize the world? That's what hundreds of teenagers have been doing since the first Google Science Fair in 2011. The students have addressed some of the major challenges, such as a cold medicine , more effective ways to combat cancer , an exoskeletal glove , a flashlight without batteries ,bioplastics made ​​from banana skin and other efficient ways of farming . Now it's time to do it again.Again, we invite students between 13 and 18 years of age to submit their big ideas into fourth annual Google Science Fair, in partnership with Virgin Galactic , Scientific American , LEGO Education and National Geographic . All you need to participate is to be curious and have Internet access. Projects may be submitted until May 12 and the winners will be announced at the final gala to be held at Google headquarters in Mountain
View, California, on September 22. In addition to satisfying your curious mind, your project can also make you take some amazing prizes. The grand prize winner this year will be able to join the team at Virgin Galactic Spaceport America (New Mexico) when they are preparing for space flight and be the first to welcome the astronauts back to Earth; enjoying a 10-day trip to the Galapagos Islands aboard the ship National Geographic Endeavour and a year of free online access to Scientific American for their school.Winners in the age group may choose to enjoy inside the LEGO factory in Billund, Denmark and an amazing experience at a Google office or National Geographic. competition in this year, and give two new awards to honor more talented young scientists:

• The Prize of Computing (Computer Science Award) to an innovative and excellent project grants in the field of computing. 
• Winners of local awards . We will grant awards to participants from different places, they have tried to correct the problem or situation relevant to their community. 

The prize of Scientific American, Science In Action , recognize once again a project that attempts to resolve an environmental, health or resource problem. The winner will enjoy a tutorial of Scientific American of one year and a grant of $ 50,000 to invest in your project. stay informed of the competition in our Google+ page , get inspired with one of our virtual tours and ask questions to accepted scientific in our series of Hangouts live . If you need help starting your project, try our springboard for ideas . What is your passion?, what's your forte? What problems have always dreamed it would solve? It's your chance to change the world. Google Science Fair team. Source: Article, Image

Read More........→February 22, 2014

The Technogym treadmill controlled by Google Glass

Technogym has announced a new bit of fitness equipment for those who like to go running indoors and wear their Google Glass. The niche product, showcasing at CES this week in Las Vegas, will let Glass wearers tap into the specially enhanced treadmill allowing them to see running data on their headset rather than, look down at the huge tablet-like console directly in front of them. But it's not just Google Glass. The Android-based system, dubbed Unity, comes with an API that allows any app for a third party

to connect to the intelligent treadmill, meaning you can get data tapped straight into your favourite app or on to a device you are wearing. "Unity is part of Wellness on the Go, Technogym’s complete experience that allows users to engage and connect with others on any piece of Technogym equipment, anywhere in the world," explains Technogym, living up to its name. "Moreover Unity is the first and only console in the fitness industry that offers users the ability to communicate with their personal trainer or friends via webcam." Unity is already compatible with MapMyFitness, RunKeeper and Withings. No word however on price or when the treadmill will be available in the UK. Source: SAM Daily Times

Read More........→January 08, 2014