砷士的筆記本: 08/21/11

2011年8月21日星期日

IBM Unveils New Chips That Mimic Brain-Like Functionality

IBM Unveils New Chips That Mimic Brain-Like Functionality:

IBM have announced the creation of two experimental chips by it researchers that are structured more like a human brain than a computer chip as we know it today. IBM are calling the new chips an “unprecedented” step forward in creating intelligent computers and is hoping the new experimental chips will become the building blocks for it to develop cognitive computing.

In developing these new chips IBM is hoping to create technology that more closely emulates human behaviours in the way they learn and take action. Providing the chips with the ability to be able to make decisions by processing immense amounts of data. “We aren’t there yet, but before long these chips will be able to rewire themselves on the fly,” says Dharmendra Modha, an I.B.M. researcher.

IBM

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Original Story IBM Unveils New Chips That Mimic Brain-Like Functionality

Porsche Designed Mouse And Mousepad

Porsche Designed Mouse And Mousepad:

If you are a Porsche fan but cant quite bring yourself to part with with your hard earned cash to buy a full size one. Porsche have launched a set of computer peripherals in the form of the Porsche designed mouse and mousepad.

The mouse has the same as the Porsche 911 and like the car was designed in the design studio of Porsche Weissach. Its equipped with a high-resolution 2,000 dpi sensor, 2.4 GHz technology, aluminium mouse wheel and supports both PC and Mac systems.

Porsche designed mouse and mousepad

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Original Story Porsche Designed Mouse And Mousepad

Borderlands 2 Teaser Trailer (video)

Borderlands 2 Teaser Trailer (video):

Earlier this month game developers 2K Games and Gearbox announced that a sequel to the popular game Borderlands was currently being developed with an expected launch date somewhere between April 2012 and spring 2013. Following up on that announcement the team has now released a quick teaser video confirming their intentions. Watch the Borderlands 2 teaser video after jump.

Borderlands 2

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Original Story Borderlands 2 Teaser Trailer (video)

“To The Moon” Trailer Could Draw Tears From A Stone

“To The Moon” Trailer Could Draw Tears From A Stone:

While the art style will most definitely stir Chrono Trigger nostalgia, there’s more of an Up quality to this achingly beautiful trailer for what’s sure to be a thoroughly emotional game. The story behind the game, which the trailer is too busy tugging heartstrings and conjuring up regret-tinged memories to properly go into is that Dr. Eva Rosalene and Dr. Neil Watts can alter a dying person’s memories to make him experience the life he might have wanted and proceed to do so for a dying old man named, curiously enough, Johnny.

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Original Story “To The Moon” Trailer Could Draw Tears From A Stone

Apple Exploring Enhancing Maps with Augmented Reality

Apple Exploring Enhancing Maps with Augmented Reality: One area that Apple has been heavily investing in over the past few years has been in mapping technology and resources. We'd heard a few years ago that Apple was actively recruiting mapping specialists, and the public signs have been considerable since then.

In 2009 and 2010, Apple acquired two mapping companies Placebase and Poly 9. Apple has also been actively recruiting for their "Geo Team" to take their Maps app "to the next level". We've even found evidence that iOS 5 might already have some of the underpinnings to Apple's own mapping solution.

Last week, we saw the first patent application filed by Placebase founder's Jaron Waldman after he began work at Apple. This week, we have found another that's even more interesting.

Jaron Waldman is credited as the inventor for this Apple-assigned patent application which details the use of augmented reality in assisting with directions and finding points of interest.

This concept isn't new, of course, and we've seen a number of Augmented Reality applications appear in the App Store. The basic concept revolves around taking live video using your iPhone and then overlaying relevant information, such as points of interest.

Apple's implementation focuses on searching for a landmark and then getting directions. Here's an example of an existing iPhone app the tries to do similar:

Screenshot from existing Augmented Reality app

Early Augmented Reality applications have been somewhat clumsy, but seem to show a lot of promise.

Apple files many patent applications each week which means that most never make it into products. Apple's mapping interest, however, has been particularly well known, and we feel there may be a lot coming from Apple in this realm in the near future.

Few Companies Left Out of Mobile Patent Lawsuits

Few Companies Left Out of Mobile Patent Lawsuits:

This info graphic from Reuters is an updated version of one the Guardian built nearly a year ago.

In a single graphic, it shows how many companies are involved in litigation over mobile patents, and how they are all interconnected. Perhaps unsurprisingly given the lawsuit coverage on MacRumors recently, Apple is at the center of more lawsuits than any other company.

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2011年8月21日 星期日