Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Aftermath Aerial Images

Image from maps.google.com

Google Earth and Google Maps has just updated their satellite and aerial imagery of several places. The update includes high resolution aerial images. One of the most interesting update is the aerial images of Sendai, Japan. The recent tsunami to hit Japan caused devastation across the country and Sendai was among the hardest hit. I must warn you it's a bit depressing to look at. You can see in detail the destruction that the huge tsunami had caused.

In the image above you can see Sendai Airport in Sendai Japan. Notice the neighborhood beside the airport was flattened. Just few houses left standing. 

Places that received the high resolution aerial updates:

USA: Phoenix, Tuscon, Albuquerque, Amarillo, Wichita, Austin, Cape Cod

Japan: Sendai

Countries/Regions receiving high resolution satellite updates:

Antarctica, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Canada, Chad, China, Croatia, Egypt, England, France, Georgia, Germany, Haiti, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Madagascar, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Nigeria, North Korea, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Senegal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United States, Uruguay, Western Sahara, Yemen, Zambia

View Larger Map

You can compare the images of Sendai, before and after the earthquake and tsunami at the Google Earth Historical Imagery.

Source: maps.google.com; google-latlong.blogspot.com

Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Aftermath Aerial Images

Image from maps.google.com

Google Earth and Google Maps has just updated their satellite and aerial imagery of several places. The update includes high resolution aerial images. One of the most interesting update is the aerial images of Sendai, Japan. The recent tsunami to hit Japan caused devastation across the country and Sendai was among the hardest hit. I must warn you it's a bit depressing to look at. You can see in detail the destruction that the huge tsunami had caused.

In the image above you can see Sendai Airport in Sendai Japan. Notice the neighborhood beside the airport was flattened. Just few houses left standing. 

Places that received the high resolution aerial updates:

USA: Phoenix, Tuscon, Albuquerque, Amarillo, Wichita, Austin, Cape Cod

Japan: Sendai

Countries/Regions receiving high resolution satellite updates:

Antarctica, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Canada, Chad, China, Croatia, Egypt, England, France, Georgia, Germany, Haiti, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Madagascar, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Nigeria, North Korea, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Senegal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United States, Uruguay, Western Sahara, Yemen, Zambia

View Larger Map

You can compare the images of Sendai, before and after the earthquake and tsunami at the Google Earth Historical Imagery.

Source: maps.google.com; google-latlong.blogspot.com

FlyNano Water Plane, Flying without a Pilot's License

Image from www.flynano.com

Don't have a pilot's license but want to fly? It may come true with FlyNano. It's a light weight water plane that doesn't really qualify as an airplane. Aviation rules require a pilot's license when flying an airplane. So if it's not technically a plane then you can actually fly it even without a pilot's license. Cool yet dangerous.

The FlyNano water plane was unveiled at the Aero 2011 at Friedrichshafen in Germany. The aircraft was invented by Pilot Aki Suokas. It has a super lightweight body made from carbon fiber, measuring 3.5 meters with wingspan of 5 meters. It weighs under 70 kilograms and can carry only one person. It can reach speeds over 140 kph and a height of 3 kilometers. Which is pretty high.

It will soon be made available to the market to you better save up. It will roughly costs around $36,000 - $39,000. The company offers three models to choose from: electric, petrol and a racing version. Yet to see an actual flight video or photo.

Source: edition.cnn.com ; www.flynano.com

FlyNano Water Plane, Flying without a Pilot's License

Image from www.flynano.com

Don't have a pilot's license but want to fly? It may come true with FlyNano. It's a light weight water plane that doesn't really qualify as an airplane. Aviation rules require a pilot's license when flying an airplane. So if it's not technically a plane then you can actually fly it even without a pilot's license. Cool yet dangerous.

The FlyNano water plane was unveiled at the Aero 2011 at Friedrichshafen in Germany. The aircraft was invented by Pilot Aki Suokas. It has a super lightweight body made from carbon fiber, measuring 3.5 meters with wingspan of 5 meters. It weighs under 70 kilograms and can carry only one person. It can reach speeds over 140 kph and a height of 3 kilometers. Which is pretty high.

It will soon be made available to the market to you better save up. It will roughly costs around $36,000 - $39,000. The company offers three models to choose from: electric, petrol and a racing version. Yet to see an actual flight video or photo.

Source: edition.cnn.com ; www.flynano.com

New Nintendo Wii 2 will be in High Definition (HD)

Nintendo is rumored to release its HD version of Wii. Nintendo Wii has been the best selling console in years but is starting to lose its grip to that title. According to sources, Nintendo plans to unveil the new Nintendo Wii HD in the E3 conference in Los Angeles this June. There are no solid information yet about the rumored new console. This comes after Nintendo announced that it will be cutting the Wii's price to $150 from $200. It is said that Nintendo has been loosing sales and profits with its Wii and DS. The new price cuts will be effective May 15 said Nintendo. So better not buy that Nintendo Wii just yet.

Source: mashable.com

New Nintendo Wii 2 will be in High Definition (HD)

Nintendo is rumored to release its HD version of Wii. Nintendo Wii has been the best selling console in years but is starting to lose its grip to that title. According to sources, Nintendo plans to unveil the new Nintendo Wii HD in the E3 conference in Los Angeles this June. There are no solid information yet about the rumored new console. This comes after Nintendo announced that it will be cutting the Wii's price to $150 from $200. It is said that Nintendo has been loosing sales and profits with its Wii and DS. The new price cuts will be effective May 15 said Nintendo. So better not buy that Nintendo Wii just yet.

Source: mashable.com

NASA Released New Images of Planet Mercury

NASA released new closeup images of Mercury. The new images were taken by NASA's Messenger spacecraft which is now orbiting the planet using its Mercury Dual Imaging System. Messenger's mission is to research on the geochemistry, geophysics, geologic history, atmosphere, magnetosphere, and plasma environment of the planet. NASA is in partnership with The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. Messenger is expected to take 75,000 images of Mercury.

Messenger is an acronym for  MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging. It was launched on August 3, 2004 and went on fly-bys of Earth, Venus and Mercury. On march 17 it has started to orbit planet Mercury.

Source: www.cnn.com ; www.nasa.gov

NASA Released New Images of Planet Mercury

NASA released new closeup images of Mercury. The new images were taken by NASA's Messenger spacecraft which is now orbiting the planet using its Mercury Dual Imaging System. Messenger's mission is to research on the geochemistry, geophysics, geologic history, atmosphere, magnetosphere, and plasma environment of the planet. NASA is in partnership with The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. Messenger is expected to take 75,000 images of Mercury.

Messenger is an acronym for  MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging. It was launched on August 3, 2004 and went on fly-bys of Earth, Venus and Mercury. On march 17 it has started to orbit planet Mercury.

Source: www.cnn.com ; www.nasa.gov

Android Phones Preferred Over iPhone and BlackBerry in US

The smartphone market today is pretty competitive. Consumers have lots of choices with variety of phones in the market. Even though there are many phones available, most of them are under the Android operating system. This is because there are only three leading types of smartphones. These are Android, iPhone  and BlackBerry. And Android is only an operating system, so under Android you'll find everything from high end to low end phones. 

In the US, Android is ahead by just 2% against rivals iPhone and BlackBerry base on Nielsen.

Source: www.cnn.com

Android Phones Preferred Over iPhone and BlackBerry in US

The smartphone market today is pretty competitive. Consumers have lots of choices with variety of phones in the market. Even though there are many phones available, most of them are under the Android operating system. This is because there are only three leading types of smartphones. These are Android, iPhone  and BlackBerry. And Android is only an operating system, so under Android you'll find everything from high end to low end phones. 

In the US, Android is ahead by just 2% against rivals iPhone and BlackBerry base on Nielsen.

Source: www.cnn.com

Search Engine Bing Offers Daily Deals Feature

Screenshot of Bing's website

Microsoft's search engine, Bing, has introduced a daily deals feature. Microsoft claims that daily deals is what people are searching. They said: "Calling all bargain hunters, deal lovers, Groupon groupies and Living Social fanatics! Things just got easier."

Bing Deals arrived Thursday on desktop PCs and smartphones. How does it work? Try searching for a local restaurant in Bing, then they say that the search engine will let you know if there are any deals that establishment. This is a great feature, specially nowadays, we always try to find best deals on everything.

Even in the Philippines daily deals has become the latest trend in advertising promos and events. We have sites like dealgrocer.com, ensogo.com and metrodeal.com.

Source: www.cnn.com ; www.bing.com

Search Engine Bing Offers Daily Deals Feature

Screenshot of Bing's website

Microsoft's search engine, Bing, has introduced a daily deals feature. Microsoft claims that daily deals is what people are searching. They said: "Calling all bargain hunters, deal lovers, Groupon groupies and Living Social fanatics! Things just got easier."

Bing Deals arrived Thursday on desktop PCs and smartphones. How does it work? Try searching for a local restaurant in Bing, then they say that the search engine will let you know if there are any deals that establishment. This is a great feature, specially nowadays, we always try to find best deals on everything.

Even in the Philippines daily deals has become the latest trend in advertising promos and events. We have sites like dealgrocer.com, ensogo.com and metrodeal.com.

Source: www.cnn.com ; www.bing.com

Wordpress Cyber Attack Caused Massive DDoS

Wordpress went though a massive distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack last Thursday. Wordpress' founding developer Matt Mullenweg called the attack "the largest and most sustained attack we've seen in our six year history." They suspected it to be politically motivated because of its non-English blogs but still has no evidence to support the claims.

Wordpress is one of the largest blog hosting sites and hosts 18 million sites and has an average of 600 million pageviews. Distributed denial of service or DDoS attacks are simple but

very hard to defend. Basically the attacks works by directing giant traffic to its target website and overwhelming the site's servers resulting to legitimate users not being able to access the website.

Source: money.cnn.com

Wordpress Cyber Attack Caused Massive DDoS

Wordpress went though a massive distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack last Thursday. Wordpress' founding developer Matt Mullenweg called the attack "the largest and most sustained attack we've seen in our six year history." They suspected it to be politically motivated because of its non-English blogs but still has no evidence to support the claims.

Wordpress is one of the largest blog hosting sites and hosts 18 million sites and has an average of 600 million pageviews. Distributed denial of service or DDoS attacks are simple but

very hard to defend. Basically the attacks works by directing giant traffic to its target website and overwhelming the site's servers resulting to legitimate users not being able to access the website.

Source: money.cnn.com

Control a Prosthetic Arm with Your Mind

Scientists found a way to control a prosthetic arm with one's mind. They connect the nerves from person's stump(end of a limb left after amputation) to muscles in his chest. It gives a person a wider range of movements that was not possible before.

Nate Bunderson was the one who presented the findings to the Society of Neuroscience conference in San Diego in November. He said "If you transfer the nerves [from the stump] to healthy muscles, then you can amplify the brain signals used to control the arm." Instead of sending signals to the arm, the

chest muscles sends signals to the computer, then the computer interprets the signals and send it to the prosthesis.

Mr. Sullivan was the first to undergo the surgery eight years ago and is doing great. Most amputees lose control of the nerves over time, because they can no longer control the muscles but Mr Sullivan's signals appear to become stronger. Mr Bunderson said: "Instead of having muscles interpret the neural command, we now have a computer trying to interpret the neural command and the brain has to adjust to that."

The technology is there, with more support I think we could have a good enough prosthesis to be considered as a replacement for the real thing. 

Source: www.newscientist.com

Control a Prosthetic Arm with Your Mind

Scientists found a way to control a prosthetic arm with one's mind. They connect the nerves from person's stump(end of a limb left after amputation) to muscles in his chest. It gives a person a wider range of movements that was not possible before.

Nate Bunderson was the one who presented the findings to the Society of Neuroscience conference in San Diego in November. He said "If you transfer the nerves [from the stump] to healthy muscles, then you can amplify the brain signals used to control the arm." Instead of sending signals to the arm, the

chest muscles sends signals to the computer, then the computer interprets the signals and send it to the prosthesis.

Mr. Sullivan was the first to undergo the surgery eight years ago and is doing great. Most amputees lose control of the nerves over time, because they can no longer control the muscles but Mr Sullivan's signals appear to become stronger. Mr Bunderson said: "Instead of having muscles interpret the neural command, we now have a computer trying to interpret the neural command and the brain has to adjust to that."

The technology is there, with more support I think we could have a good enough prosthesis to be considered as a replacement for the real thing. 

Source: www.newscientist.com

Facebook Phone

Everything Mark Zuckerberg touches becomes gold. Facebook became a giant social networking site with over 500 million active users. Then the Social Network becomes a huge hit. Now a mobile phone manufacturer makes its next bet on Mark Zuckerberg as it set to launch the first "Facebook phone".

London-based INQ Mobile revealed two new Android smartphones for the UK market that are designed for Facebook users. The INQ Cloud Touch and the INQ Cloud Q. They have been working closely with Facebook for the phone's features. 

The home screen has visual feed that lets users quickly access updates, pictures, videos, and other Facebook content. The phone provides quick links to all the popular Facebook features, including chat, messages, wall postings and

notifications. The phones will also provide a single sign-on to access all of the Facebook features available.

Henri Moissinac, head of mobile business for Facebook, said: "INQ has built an innovative and easy to use set of features that enable people to use common Facebook interactions such as viewing photos and videos, chat, message, and check-in to their favourite businesses all from the home screen."

Phone's Hardware: 

- Cloud Touch is powered by a Qualcomm 600MHz 7227 chipset

- 3.5-inch HGVA touch screen

- 4MB of memory with an option to add more

- 5-megapixel autofocus camera.
- built-in Wi-Fi 802.11b/g

- built-in Bluetooth

- built-in GPS

- built-in FM radio

- accelerometer and  compass.

Prices has yet to be revealed. Cloud Touch will be on sale from April, with the Cloud Q launched in the third quarter.

Source: www.dailymail.co.uk

Facebook Phone

Everything Mark Zuckerberg touches becomes gold. Facebook became a giant social networking site with over 500 million active users. Then the Social Network becomes a huge hit. Now a mobile phone manufacturer makes its next bet on Mark Zuckerberg as it set to launch the first "Facebook phone".

London-based INQ Mobile revealed two new Android smartphones for the UK market that are designed for Facebook users. The INQ Cloud Touch and the INQ Cloud Q. They have been working closely with Facebook for the phone's features. 

The home screen has visual feed that lets users quickly access updates, pictures, videos, and other Facebook content. The phone provides quick links to all the popular Facebook features, including chat, messages, wall postings and

notifications. The phones will also provide a single sign-on to access all of the Facebook features available.

Henri Moissinac, head of mobile business for Facebook, said: "INQ has built an innovative and easy to use set of features that enable people to use common Facebook interactions such as viewing photos and videos, chat, message, and check-in to their favourite businesses all from the home screen."

Phone's Hardware: 

- Cloud Touch is powered by a Qualcomm 600MHz 7227 chipset

- 3.5-inch HGVA touch screen

- 4MB of memory with an option to add more

- 5-megapixel autofocus camera.
- built-in Wi-Fi 802.11b/g

- built-in Bluetooth

- built-in GPS

- built-in FM radio

- accelerometer and  compass.

Prices has yet to be revealed. Cloud Touch will be on sale from April, with the Cloud Q launched in the third quarter.

Source: www.dailymail.co.uk

Controlling Humanoid Robot Using Kinect

YouTube - ikaziso

This is one of many Kinect story surfacing on the web. It usually involves hacking or modifying the Kinect Hardware. This impressive example involves a robot being controlled using Kinect. Watch the video below.

The video is titled "Control Humanoid Robot with Kinect"

Source: www.youtube.com/user/ikaziso

Controlling Humanoid Robot Using Kinect

YouTube - ikaziso

This is one of many Kinect story surfacing on the web. It usually involves hacking or modifying the Kinect Hardware. This impressive example involves a robot being controlled using Kinect. Watch the video below.

The video is titled "Control Humanoid Robot with Kinect"

Source: www.youtube.com/user/ikaziso