MyAppleMenu | Tomorrow | Reader | Singapore | SushiReader
You are here in the archive: The Tomorrow Weblog > 2010 > June
Duncan Graham-Rowe, Technology Review
Software running on a remote server maintains a version of a PC's operating systems and applications. The software, called SleepServer, carries on tasks on behalf of the desktop machine while it is put into a low-energy sleep mode.
This lets SleepServer perform basic tasks on behalf of the PC, such as downloading files or staying logged into voice communications or instant-messaging software. When more complex activity is required, the software wakes up the computer, says Agarwal, a process that typically takes less than 10 seconds.
Associated Press
Chinese speakers will soon be able to tap out Internet addresses in their own language after the agency that runs Internet addresses says it will start accepting Chinese script for domain names.
Joseph Plambeck, New York Times
The music licensing company Rumblefish is introducing a service that allows users to buy a license to a copyrighted song for $1.99. For that price, the user gets the full version of the song and can edit it as well.
Lance Whitney, CNET News
Porn sites may soon be able to tag themselves with a .xxx address now that ICANN has given the new domain name its initial OK.
Leslie Katz, CNET News
A software program under development in Israel can supposedly detect depression in online communication, and not just through obvious indicators like "I'm sitting here alone in the dark mulling how much my sorry life sucks."
Erica Naone, Technology Review
A new service called Libox aims to make it easier for people to access content, no matter what gadget they're using.
Brooke Crothers, CNET News
The Nintendo 3DS, due next year, can produce 3D effects without the need for special glasses--what DMP describes as "naked-eye 3D stereovision"--and was a big hit at E3 2010 last week. It will succeed the Nintendo DS.
Clive Thompson, New York Times
For the last three years, I.B.M. scientists have been developing what they expect will be the world’s most advanced “question answering” machine, able to understand a question posed in everyday human elocution — “natural language,” as computer scientists call it — and respond with a precise, factual answer. In other words, it must do more than what search engines like Google and Bing do, which is merely point to a document where you might find the answer. It has to pluck out the correct answer itself.
Eric A. Taub, New York Times
Tom Simonite, Technology Review
Software uses images from millions of tourists to suggest ways for visitors to spend their time.
Matt Hickey, CNET News
Most people go to great lengths to keep others from knowing what's going on inside their pants. But skivvies that relay data about the wearer could benefit some people--say soldiers. Yes, we're talking about tighty whities that talk.
Randall Stross, New York Times
Companies like Groupon offer online discounts to small local businesses, provided that a certain number of people agree to participate in the deal.
Kate Greene, Technology Review
A new type of display from Microsoft produces multiple images and tracks the viewers' eyes.
Nick Bilton, New York Times
Aviary’s software allows musicians and students to create music and podcasts online.
Miguel Helft, New York Times
The Kno is a new twist on the tablet and e-reader concept, aimed at the college market; it allows students to view textbooks on two digital screens much as they would view them in their analog versions, with text, color images and graphics.
Declan McCullagh, CNET News
New crop of entrepreneurs finds new uses for the concept of augmented reality through video glasses and iPhone apps that may let users feed virtual dragons.
Candace Lombardi, CNET News
The Nokia Bicycle Charger Kit, which can be attached to any bicycle, powers up from the pedaling motion of the bike's rider. A dynamo--the electricity generator--is powered by the front bicycle wheel as a rider pedals and transfers electricity to a charger attached to the handlebar, which a phone plugs into.
Pui-wing Tam, Wall Street Journal
Claire Cain Miller, New York Times
Loyalty cards — those little paper cards that promise a free sandwich or coffee after 10 purchases, but instead get lost or forgotten — are going mobile. And merchants are looking for ways to marry the concept to games that customers can play to earn more free items and, it is hoped, spend more money.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.