Star Trek's Universal Translator was created by .... Microsoft?!

Microsoft bought Skype for over $8 billion a few years back and it's been working on making it even better.  Now you can Skype with someone who is speaking in a different language and it will translate it in near-real time.  It's called Skype Translator.

It always amazes me how much Star Trek had a beat on our needs.  Now if we could just get that replicator thing working!

Support Online Creators

What can you do if you "Like" something you see on the internet.  I mean "Really Like."

Most content creators could use your financial support.  But no one is going to take the time to send a donation.  That's where Flattr comes in.  After creating a Flattr account, you make a once-a-month contribution to a safe account.  During the month, you can Flattr as many things as you see and like.  At the end of the month, your money is distributed to all those contributors.  Sure, it may only be cents.  But your cents are collected together with other people's cents.  And that can add up to alot of money.

So bring on the cute kitten videos!!  And look for this icon:

New Video? Game - Johann Sebastian Joust

Here's a new game that uses Nintendo Wii or Xbox controllers, but has no video screen!!!  It's called Johann Sebastian Joust and it was just released this week.

The idea is that 2 players fight each other (Joust) while listening to and moving at the speed of music.  If you move too fast, your out.  If you get pushed into moving too fast, your out.  That's the idea.

It's playground meets video game.



It sounds like a lot of fun.  But it makes me think, what other kinds of games/apps could combine our technologies with real-world, person-to-person, interactions?

http://www.google.com/glass/start/

Google glasses are a new hit in the tech world! They come in all sorts of designs some for the sporty people and some for the fashionistas. I think these are a big improvement in the tech world and are going to have lots more adventures with these.

http://www.gizmag.com/lunecase-electromagnetic-power-iphone-case/31837/pictures#2

These up and coming cases go above and beyond. I believe they will be the next big thing.

The first Website describes the new features expected to be announced exactly a month from today at WWDC. WWDC if you didn't know is Apple's annal press conference. Usually the new IOS and OSX are announced and demonstrated there. This year the key feature to IOS is called health book, its supposed to help you keep track of your health, and has about 20 known categories of health. For example, it knows your blood-sugar level, diet and how many hours of sleep. I think American iPhone users who upgrade their iPhone will also be shaving off the weight also. The second article describes how some features hoped upon users may not show up in this years cycle of IOS.

Here is a leaked photo of IOS 8. Notice there is healthbook plus a few features that have been seen on OSX for a long time.

IOS key new features, IOS 8 missing features?

Wearable tech for kids coming from LeapFrog

This new tech for kids is based on exercise and learning activities. It's called the "LeapBand". Starting at $40 for kids 4-7, this new band offers 50 different games and challenges for kids to play. It encourages healthy habits and active play for kids. LeapBand is a kid's very own smart watch!

Technology is changing everyday. Definitely for TVs. Now there are these new TVs that are ULTRA 4K, providing the best quality we have seen yet. The number of pixels in these new systems are amazing, but the price is ridiculously high for these systems. Is 25,000$ worth this 80in 4K Ultra TV?
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/sony-bravia-84-34-class-84-34-diag--led-4k-ultra-hd-tv-2160p-120hz-smart-3d-hdtv/7558048.p;jsessionid=BC01E9FAE0C46D11FEEAA3BB03D68ACD.bbolsp-app04-144?id=1219074248805&skuId=7558048&st=sony%204k%20tv&cp=1&lp=1

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/sony-65-34-class-64-1-2-34-diag--led-4k-ultra-hd-tv-2160p-120hz-smart-3d-hdtv/1912267.p?id=1219066831831&skuId=1912267&st=sony%204k%20tv&cp=1&lp=2

Self Driving Cars

      Self Driving cars are being contemplated in some U.S. states. Since 2011, when self driving cars became legal in Nevada, Google has logged nearly 700,000 miles with the cars. The only accidents that have occurred have been because of when the drive took control, or they were the fault of the other driver. You could take naps on your way home from work if you wanted to, or just let the car drive through densely urban areas to get to your destination. Google has been continually testing cars in Silicon Valley, where their headquarters is located. Other states have taken interest in the self driving cars but the problem is who's fault would it be if a driver got in accident while he or she was not driving. Would it be the driver's fault, or the auto makers fault. These are just some of the things that need to be taken into consideration before making them legal to drive on city streets in places like California.

What is best for you? (Smart Phones)

A lot of great new phones have came out recently life the Iphone 5S of the Galaxy S5. Nut what is the best phone on the market and why. Different Phones are great for different people If you are someone who likes to take picture the Nokia Lumia 930 with its impressive microphone and 20 megapixel camera But if you just want a phone that is easy to use you should probably buy and Iphone 5s with its easily to use interface it is a great first smartphone But if you want something with lighting speed and endless customization you probably need the galaxy s5 you will have a phone with amazing batter life and amazing features

Heartbleed bug in OpenSSL

Is your password safe?  What is the Heartbleed bug that people are talking about and do I really need to change my passwords?

The Heartbleed bug is kinda complicated, but basically it tricks servers into giving them access to whatever data is in memory right next to the connection spot.  Here is more information from nakedsercurity if you are interested in the details.

But the big question is "Is your personal data at risk?"  Here is a website that can help you answer that question.  It checks to see if a site has used the OpenSSL in the past (LastPass) and if they have fix it (Heartbleed test).

Bottom line:  The chances your password was hacked is very small.  Wait until you hear from the site that they have fixed the problem and then change your password.  Don't be in too much of a hurry or you may just give your new password away to the bag guys.  (Oh, a never ever follow a link to log in.  Always always type the URL in yourself.)

http://www.techradar.com/us/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-galaxy-s4-vs-iphone-5s-1215453

iPhone vs. GS4

Better Cars

Who makes the best Cars? Why are their cars the Best?

What is the best operating system? Mac VS Windows VS Ubuntu Linux What Makes that OS the best?

Wrap around head set for gaming

The hottest new device for gaming isn't even available yet, but game designers are very excited about its potential.  The Oculus Rift is an immersive virtual reality device you wear on your head.  It has wrap around cameras and is supposed to have fixed the "blur" from the old style.  This could be a "game changer"

Super Bowl 2014 Commercials

Here's a list of the top 10 commercials from Sunday's big game.  Which is your favorite and why?

Flappy Bird - Kill me now

What makes this game so frustrating !!!

Have you googled "Flappy Bird cheats" yet in order to try to get more than 3 points?
What is your highest score?

PS4 or Xbox One

The moment we've all been waiting for.

Virgin Galactic

TJ Turner
Period two
1/29/2014


In September 2013, Branson's Virgin Galactic said SpaceShipTwo completed an important test, breaking the sound barrier as it climbed from 42,000 feet to 69,000 feet over the Mojave Desert before descended using its tilt-wing "feathering" maneuver. It was the second successful powered flight for SpaceShipTwo -- a craft designed to carry up to six passengers.

This is cool because now people can visit space.

It makes you wonder whats instore for our future in traveling to space.

Apple iPad vs. Samsung Galaxy

There have been a lot of commercials recently about the new Samsung Galaxy Note tablet.  Supposedly it has higher screen resolution, is lighter and cheaper than the Apple iPad Air, and supports multi-windows.  But does it have the "WOW" factor to make you want to buy one?

Here's a break down of the stats.   After reading this, tell me which you would buy (or is there something else you'd rather have, say a Windows Tablet??)

3D Printers

I am fascinated with the idea of 3D printers.  I feel like we're at the cusp of something that will revolutionize everything in our lives.  Like cellphones did about 5 years ago.

3D Printers are almost affordable.  Amazon sells them for $1000-2000.  I know there are some scary applications (like plastic guns) and bunches of manufacturing applications, but I'm more interested in how this will look inside our homes.

When 3D Printers are just a couple of hundred dollars, what will we use them for?  No more going to the store for _____, we'll just print up a new one.  (For you Star Trek fans, it like having your very own replicator.)



What will you print?

Password Pill

Keeping track of all your passwords can be difficult.  And creating strong passwords is tiring.  So what it you could swallow a pill that would authenticate you to your laptop, cellphone, email, etc.

Read this article about this and other ways to simplify your life of passwords.  I liked the fact that your stomach acid is the energy source.

Would you take it?  Do you trust the FDA?