Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Infrared LEDs make you invisible to CCTV cameras

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/238372127/infrared-leds-make-y.html

This German exibition is showcasing bright infrared LED devices that overwhelm the CCDs in security cameras, allowing you to move through modern society in relative privacy. I used this as a gimmick in my story I, Robot -- now I want to own one!

The URA / FILOART developed device promises to the citizens of a more reliable protection against security measures of the state (and other Überwachenden).
In addition to monitoring purposes organised systems interaction between man and machine is still IR.ASC an additional interaction between machines dar. This absurd accumulation of technology is symptomatic, because although the entire expense of the protection measures for the alleged safety of citizens is made, the person slips on the importance scale of the current security plan ever deeper down.

Link (Thanks, Bill!)

Debunk: Samsung P9 UMPC

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/238745164/

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Laptops, Portable Audio, Portable Video

We've been getting tipped all morning on a supposed Samsung P9 UMPC. Sorry Charlie, it's not the P9. It's not even from Samsung. As sleek and sexy as this crazy, detachable slider is, no amount of wishful thinking is going to make it more than a university design project. An HTC Shift-inspired concept by Umang Dokey. Okie, uh, dokie? Nevertheless, we've posted the video after the break -- it deserves to be seen.

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Integrate Skype IM into Pidgin [Featured Early Adopter Download]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/237586849/integrate-skype-im-into-pidgin

Windows/Mac/Linux (All platforms): Multi-protocol instant messaging client Pidgin can do a lot of things, especially through built-in plug-ins, but has yet to integrate internet calling service Skype into its offerings. Enter the Skype API Plugin, an early attempt at getting Skype's instant messaging features working in Pidgin (or Adium for OS X users). The good news: It's relatively easy to install and actually works. The bad news: Voice calls can't be made from Pidgin, and you have to keep the Skype application running in the background (which you might do anyways to make and receive calls). The plug-in also imports every out-call and phone contact in your Skype account as a contact, so heavy Skype users might keep this plug-in disabled by default. All in all, however, it helps reduce the number of contact windows on a desktop and provides a promising early look at (hopefully) tighter integration. The Skype API plug-in is a free download for Windows, Mac and Linux systems.

Skype API Plugin [via Geeks are Sexy]

Strip DRM from Your iTunes Purchases with DoubleTwist [Featured Windows Download]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/238333447/strip-drm-from-your-itunes-purchases-with-doubletwist

Windows only: Freeware application doubleTwist converts your DRM-laden iTunes purchases to DRM-free MP3s that you can play pretty much anywhere. In addition to the DRM-stripping (which really is the marquee feature), doubleTwist is actually a full-fledged tool for sharing music with friends and syncing your iTunes library to any device—currently supporting devices like the PSP and Sony phones, Nokia N-Series phones, Windows Mobile phones, and even the Amazon Kindle. The DRM-stripping isn't lossless (sound degradation is reportedly about 5%), but at a conversion rate of about 100 songs per half hour, it's very fast. Brought to you by DVD Jon (the guy famous for cracking DVD encryption), this freeware, Windows-only (for now) app can free you from the shackles of Apple DRM.

doubleTwist [via Gizmodo]

A Steak Toaster. Did You Hear Me? I Said a Steak Toaster [Good Eatin]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/238285649/a-steak-toaster-did-you-hear-me-i-said-a-steak-toaster

Sometimes, you just want a steak and you don't want to go through a whole process to get it. Who wants to light the grill just so you can have one measly steak? Why make a whole production out of it? What you need, my friend, is a steak toaster.

OK, so it's not called the steak toaster, it's called the Ariete SteakHouse Indoor Grill, but that's pretty much what it is. It holds your hunk of meat vertically, keeping the heating elements on the side so all the fatty, greasy juices drip down to a tray and don't smoke. Sure, for $220 you could just fire up the grill, go to a steak house or get a cheap George Foreman grill to get similar results, but then you wouldn't be able to brag to your friends that you have a steak toaster. [Product Page via Boing Boing Gadgets]