Watch a Murderous Quadrotor Drone Take a Hacky Sack Break [Video]

It's pretty clear by this point that a quadrotor drone's main mission is to fly through our windows and kill us in our sleep. But what do they do for fun? Just juggle a ball better than I ever could. More »It's pretty clear by this point that a quadrotor drone's main mission is to fly through our windows and kill us in our sleep. But what do they do for fun? Just juggle a ball better than I ever could. More »

Original Link: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/iYI1Q-i79KY/watch-a-murderous-quadrotor-drone-take-a-hacky-sack-break

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How to Upgrade Your #Facebook #Profile Page Now

It is planned that Facebook roll out their new profile page design today. If you cant wait for them to roll this out, anyone can follow these simple steps and upgrade their profile page now.

To unlock the new Facebook profile, complete the following steps:

1. Head to http://www.facebook.com/about/profile/.>

2. Click on the green button at the top right of the resulting page.

3. Voila! You now have the new profile design.

 

AR Drone Full Teardown - iFixit

iFixit.com has a full teardown of the AR Drone and all its parts.  In the image below, you can see the ROCm Atheros AR6102G-BM2D b/g Wi-Fi module (bordered in orange). I wonder if this is replaceable with an 'N' wi-fi module.

RC Controlled AR.Drone with #Arduino UNO and #WiShield

One of the biggest limitations of the AR Drone is its WiFi 802.11b signal range.  Mheeli over at RCgroups.com has worked up a solution that bypasses the whole WiFi need completely and instead uses an RC Controller.  If your looking to mod your AR drone this will require some soldering knowledge as well as some light programming skills.  Check out his video below and if interested, his tutorial.  You can order all your parts from me here

Parrots AR.Pursuit #augmented reality shooter #app for AR.Drone now available on #iTunes

Parrot has just released AR.Pursuit which is the Augmented Reality shooter of its previously released app Free Flight.  They also have a video which is inline with the others they have produced unfortunately it does not show what happens when the Drone is shot or if there is feedback on the iPhone for the one piloting when the Drone is hit.  Either way, I look forward to seeing how it behaves with my drone and lighting mods made to the hull.

AR.Pursuit pinpoints the outstanding technical and flight capabilities of the AR.Drone, allowing the players to put their piloting skills to the test. This game demonstrates the extreme maneuverability and stability of the AR.Drone. Players are immerged in a world where real and virtual mix inside a pursuit race…a truly unique experience!  [iTunes]

Player one, the hunter, pursues player two, attempting to bring him down with virtual missiles. Once caught, the players change roles and a new pursuit begins!  [iTunes]

Here's how it works: the game uses the Drone's front-facing cameras and renders in bullets and missiles when players choose to fire. To avoid game-death, players will need to maneuver their drones in various directions, hiding and assaulting their opponent as needed.

The game, which retails for $2.99, can be played indoors and outside, provided a stable Wi-Fi connection can be accessed. Parrot recommends that you use those indoor stickers if you plan to play indoors, and obviously you'll want to pick a place that's large enough to move a radio-controlled craft around in. [Mac|Life]  > My recommendation is an empty underground parking garage or an abandoned nuclear silo.

How to find the best time to fly the Parrot AR Drone outdoors

I love my AR Drone but flying it outdoors can be a significant challenge when flying it outdoors especially if you live in a area where the weather changes frequently.  Wind and rain are naturally being the biggest threat to your drones electronics, battery life and your sanity.  There are a several apps available in the iTunes store that help you forecast the weather in your favorite areas to fly.  

Here are a few I use to determine the best time of day to fly all of which are available in the Apple iTunes App store.  

Seasonality Go Seasonality Go turns your iPad into a complete weather station.

Seasonality Go provides you with a wealth of weather data and you decide how you want to view it. By choosing from a selection of screen arrangements featuring a choice of data inserts, you can flexibly create your very own view of the weather. Some key features of Seasonality Go include:

• Over 30,000 pre-defined locations in more than 200 countries.
• Can use the iPad's location services anywhere in the world. 
• Current conditions, 7 day forecast, and astronomical data.
• Graphs for temperature, wind speed, precipitation, cloud cover and more…
• Animated map with radar imagery in the US and infrared satellite imagery worldwide.
• Fully customizable. Move and resize inserts to fit your needs.

WeatherProHD WeatherPro, Europe's number one paid weather app is now available for the iPad! Powered by the weather specialists at MeteoGroup, it features high-quality weather reports and 7-day forecasts for over 2 million locations worldwide.

Additionally, WeatherPro for iPad offers high-res weather radar for the UK, USA, The Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, France, Scandinavia, Spain and Switzerland as well as satellite pictures for Europe, America, Africa and Asia. Up to fifteen images can be downloaded and animated with full zoom and pan functionality.

Meteogram Are you interested in weather trends? Then this is the right application for you.

Meteogram gives you graphical depictions of trends with variables such as temperature, atmospheric pressure, humidity, wind speed, percentage of cloud cover.

The main screen contains two graphs. The upper screen shows a detailed summary for the next 48 hours, and the lower screen shows a change in temperature for 6 days in advance.
There is a special pop-up menu for easy usability. There is no need to follow the values on the vertical and horizontal axes, rather you "tap" anywhere on the chart and more detailed informations are displayed. With the Meteogram app you can access data for your current location or select a location from the database which contains over 110 000 cities worldwide.

The Meteogram application supports Imperial and Metric units.
Weather forecast from yr.no, delivered by the Norwegian Meteorological Institute and the NRK.

Damn you CakeDoodle! - How to have your iPad or iPhone confiscated by your kids/wife/neighbors

If you have kids and you value your own time on your iPhone or iPad do not share the CakeDoodle app with them.  I made this mistake over the Thanksgiving weekend when I downloaded and installed the app thinking it would be a fun, short-attention-holding app for my daughter.  Turns out it was too much fun and it virally spread throughout the gathering of kids.  I realized this was going to be a problem when the second iPad came out to handle the que and quench line jumpers.  

CakeDoodle is a clever app that provides the user the ability to make a cake from mixing up ingredients to finalizing the design with full-on decorations.  I thought it might be a little complex for my 5 year old but she quickly picked it up and had a complete cake making assembly in minutes in true Cake Boss fashion. This is a perfect app for any parent who looks to enrich their child's creativity when faced with significant dwell time such as travel.  

The app is available now at the Apple iTunes app store.  Caution - you may loose contact with your child or wife for hours.

Switch is a Smart Multi-User Browser for iPads [Downloads]

iPad only: The iPad is a device destined to be handed over to friends and passed among family members, but there are no user accounts or variable browser settings. Enter Switch, a clever browser that allows user accounts and anonymous guest browsing.

At its core, Switch sets up password-protected user accounts for a browser that show up whenever Switch is started up, or when returning from a screen lock. That alone makes it worth the current 99-cent price for many, but Switch has a few other tricks up its sleeve. Most helpful to iPad owners, who have a seeming obligation to show the device to their tablet-less friends, is a guest mode that doesn't mess with settings and wipes away history, cookies, and passwords whenever the guest is done.

Switch also offers multiple logins and passwords for individual sites, so those with multiple Twitter accounts, commenter logins, or other site credentials can switch between them at will.

Switch is 99 cents for a limited time in the iTunes Market, and is for iPads only. If you're far from the only one who touches their own iPad every week, it seems like a must-buy.
Switch [iTunes via @nathos]iPad only: The iPad is a device destined to be handed over to friends and passed among family members, but there are no user accounts or variable browser settings. Enter Switch, a clever browser that allows user accounts and anonymous guest browsing.

At its core, Switch sets up password-protected user accounts for a browser that show up whenever Switch is started up, or when returning from a screen lock. That alone makes it worth the current 99-cent price for many, but Switch has a few other tricks up its sleeve. Most helpful to iPad owners, who have a seeming obligation to show the device to their tablet-less friends, is a guest mode that doesn't mess with settings and wipes away history, cookies, and passwords whenever the guest is done.

Switch also offers multiple logins and passwords for individual sites, so those with multiple Twitter accounts, commenter logins, or other site credentials can switch between them at will.

Switch is 99 cents for a limited time in the iTunes Market, and is for iPads only. If you're far from the only one who touches their own iPad every week, it seems like a must-buy.
Switch [iTunes via @nathos

Original Link: http://lifehacker.com/5701088/switch-is-a-smart-multi+user-browser-for-ipads

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BendDesk: the curved multitouch workspace of the future (video)

The Media Computing Group -- otherwise known as the dudes and dudettes responsible for making multitouch hip again -- is back, and some might say better than ever. The BendDesk is an outlandish new concept workspace for the future, relying heavily on a curved multitouch display to bring the wow. The desk is the Group's vision of merging multitouch with a common physical area, and it's probably the best implementation we've seen yet. A full ten touch points are supported, but the lower portion is also designed to be used as a standard desk, holding your laptop, paperwork and ink pen collection if you so choose. Shockingly enough, the whole thing looks exceptionally ergonomic, too. Head on past the break for a glimpse of it being used, but don't hold your breath waiting for a ship date and price -- something tells us it'll be awhile before either of those are published.

Continue reading BendDesk: the curved multitouch workspace of the future (video)

BendDesk: the curved multitouch workspace of the future (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 27 Nov 2010 14:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Original Link: http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/27/benddesk-the-curved-multitouch-workspace-of-the-future-video/

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X-37B Secret Space Plane To Land Soon

Phoghat writes "The highly classified X-37B Space Plane is scheduled to land soon. It was launched from Cape Canaveral in Florida on April 22 atop an Atlas 5 rocket, and the Air Force is still being very secretive on all aspects of the flight. We do know that it's set to touch down at Vandenberg Air Force Base's 15,000-foot runway, originally built for the Space Shuttle program. In many ways, the craft resembles a Shuttle with stubby wings, landing gear and a powerful engine that allows the craft to alter its orbit (much to the dismay of many observers on the ground). Its success has apparently given new life to its predecessor, the X-34, which had been mothballed."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.Phoghat writes "The highly classified X-37B Space Plane is scheduled to land soon. It was launched from Cape Canaveral in Florida on April 22 atop an Atlas 5 rocket, and the Air Force is still being very secretive on all aspects of the flight. We do know that it's set to touch down at Vandenberg Air Force Base's 15,000-foot runway, originally built for the Space Shuttle program. In many ways, the craft resembles a Shuttle with stubby wings, landing gear and a powerful engine that allows the craft to alter its orbit (much to the dismay of many observers on the ground). Its success has apparently given new life to its predecessor, the X-34, which had been mothballed."

Read more of this story

Original Link: http://rss.slashdot.org/~r/Slashdot/slashdot/~3/di1PMhGVJ0U/story01.htm

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Weather Apps for IOS #ipad #iphone Meteogram, RadarScope, Boltmeter

#mce_temp_url#First review as it pertains to my other blog ar done mods but those looking to chase or follow storms in their area may find this useful.

First up, Meteogram. Meteogram gives you a graph based view of what the future weather for a specific area might look like.  It has a very intuitive layout that includes both imperial and metric temperature units as well as a set of customized views (wind speed, pressure, humidity, cloudiness) on the Y-axis with time on the X-axis.  Also on the temperature line simple iconography indicates day/night/overcast/rain/etc...   I use this app to better understand how the weather is going to look hour by hour to plan outside activities, one of which is flying the Parrot AR Drone (I blog about mods here).  The drone is very susceptible to winds over 5 mph. Getting a glimpse as to when the winds might subside help me plan on when I can pilot.  This would be helpful for those looking to run, fly a kite, or even know when the humidity will be low for astronomical viewing.   

RadarScope is exactly as the name describes, a view of over 140 NEXRAD doppler radars.  The level 3 data feed from NOAA gives you near realtime view of weather all over the lower 48 states with countless reflections. It now also includes Warning polygons for Tornado Warnings (RED), Severe Thunderstorm Warnings (YELLOW), and Flash Flood all of which being issued by the National Weather Service.  You have complete pinch and zoom and can track large storms all across the nation as well as Storm Spotters on the ground.   I use this app to keep close tabs on inclement weather while enjoying outdoor events, sitting in the airport wondering when we'll leave the tarmac, and scanning local storms reflectivity for a mesocyclone's tell-tale hook echo.

BoltMeter provides you with up to the minute lighting strike locations within a 30 mile radius. If your like me and love huge weather systems this app will help you know what the storm might be packing interms of static charge.  This app helps me better position myself in or out of the line of fire and identify where the storm has the most potential.

 

Anyhow, just a couple I use frequently enough to recommend.  I dont know why more in-car GPS systems have not included applications like these by default, they should.   What weather apps do you like?  Let me know.    

 

 

 

 

Clouds and Storms

My second life will involve weather engineering and storm chasing

Trips

Places I go

Exciting Kinect Stuff Already Coming Out

Just last week we learned that the Kinect had been hacked wide open and already we're seeing a flood of innovative stuff coming out. Jamie found a page with a lot of pictures and screenshots, and engadget has more.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.Just last week we learned that the Kinect had been hacked wide open and already we're seeing a flood of innovative stuff coming out. Jamie found a page with a lot of pictures and screenshots, and engadget has more.

Read more of this story

Original Link: http://rss.slashdot.org/~r/Slashdot/slashdot/~3/Bclginv_vhI/story01.htm

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After stuxnet, nuclear watchdog could gain computer security role

An analysis of the computer worm has found it was tailored to sabotage uranium enrichment. In response, the IAEA is considering steps to help protect against future cyberattacks.

Original Link: http://bit.ly/buKN4d

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Stick These Stickers On Your iPhone To Get Some "Real" Control [IPhone]

#iphone Gaming on the iPhone is great! That is, until you try to hadouken. Then you realize its limitations. So if you're sick of using those stupid touchscreen controls, here's a desperately bright idea: attach plastic stickers to moonlight as physical buttons. More »#iphone Gaming on the iPhone is great! That is, until you try to hadouken. Then you realize its limitations. So if you're sick of using those stupid touchscreen controls, here's a desperately bright idea: attach plastic stickers to moonlight as physical buttons. More »

Original Link: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/IMZBIGS7biw/stick-these-stickers-on-your-iphone-to-get-some-real-control

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5 Steps To Becoming An Expert Problem Solver

Your ability to make money is directly proportionate to how well you solve problems for your customers.

Problem solving is one of the most highly valued characteristics you can have as an entrepreneur. Hone this skill and you reap the benefits of saving time, making money and finding the next big idea for your business.

Check out the five steps to becoming a great problem solver >>

Join the conversation about this story »

See Also:

* TIP OF THE DAY: Find A Problem That Really Annoys You, Solve It, And You've Got A Business
* How To Solve Problems More Effectively
* 10 Lessons I've Learned Since Quitting My Paying Job

Original Link: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/businessinsider/~3/Q3RDkbLYeJk/5-steps-to-becoming-an-expert-problem-solving-2010-11

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Lemmings-like Spirits for iPad out now

Spirits for iPad, which I saw and played back at Indiecade this year, is out now on the App Store. The game is US$4.99, but as a premium iPad experience, it's worth it. The whole thing is extremely relaxing, and the art style is quite well done. If you enjoy Lemmings-style puzzle gameplay where your goal is to get a set of autonomous creatures to a level exit using their various abilities, you'll really enjoy finding your way through the 40 handmade levels in Spirits.

I was told a while back that an iPhone version is coming, but the iPad version was ready to go first, so here it is. Unfortunately, there's still no Game Center achievements or any other extra modes or gameplay, but that's ok. The point of the game is just to sit back and explore the world with these weird spirit creatures, so if you're looking to spend some quality gaming time with the iPad this weekend, Spirits won't let you down

Lemmings-like Spirits for iPad out now originally appeared on TUAW on Sat, 13 Nov 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Original Link: http://www.tuaw.com/2010/11/13/lemmings-like-spirits-for-ipad-out-now/

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Researchers Take Down Koobface Servers

splitenz notes the first actions in the war against the Koobface botnet, taken on the heels of a comprehensive report (PDF) on the operations of the botnet and the criminal gang behind it. The researchers who analyzed Koobface are the same ones who brought Ghostnet to light. "Security researchers, working with law enforcement and Internet service providers, have disrupted the brains of the Koobface botnet.The computer identified as the command-and-control server used to send instructions to infected Koobface machines was offline late Friday (US Pacific time). Criminals behind the botnet made more than $US2 million in one year. Facebook accounts are used to lure victims to Google Blogspot pages, which in turn redirect them to Web servers that contain the malicious Koobface code. This action is only a stage in the war against Koobface."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.splitenz notes the first actions in the war against the Koobface botnet, taken on the heels of a comprehensive report (PDF) on the operations of the botnet and the criminal gang behind it. The researchers who analyzed Koobface are the same ones who brought Ghostnet to light. "Security researchers, working with law enforcement and Internet service providers, have disrupted the brains of the Koobface botnet.The computer identified as the command-and-control server used to send instructions to infected Koobface machines was offline late Friday (US Pacific time). Criminals behind the botnet made more than $US2 million in one year. Facebook accounts are used to lure victims to Google Blogspot pages, which in turn redirect them to Web servers that contain the malicious Koobface code. This action is only a stage in the war against Koobface."

Read more of this story

Original Link: http://rss.slashdot.org/~r/Slashdot/slashdot/~3/F8s5kY2zJ20/story01.htm

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AR Drone Mods: Ball-bearing Replacement for Stock Rotor Bushings

AR Drone enthusiast are replacing the stock brass bushings for friction free ball bearings. Many have ordered from RCBearings.co.uk. which explains the lack of supply. For those living in the states, you can look at vxb.com where I placed an order for 10 ball bearings which was received in 4 days (fast).

For those looking for a how-to or step-by-step guide, check out Zenocha’s guide

I did not notice any increase in performance but the motors did seem to run cooler. This of course has not been confirmed with any actual readings and my ability to determine temp diffs with my fingers. I plan on replacing the bushings on the front two rotors opposed the back and determine a difference in temp between them. Test results to follow.

credit goes to jalexartis of http://cyclingexperiences.com/ for the initial post