Monday
Feb032014

Apple's new Ad commemorates the Macintosh, shot entirely on iPhones

Apple's new 1.24.14 ad is a nice tribute to 30 years of Mac, it was shot in one day using iPhones and shows just how widely used Apple's products and technologies are in everything from education, fashion, desigm, robotics and entertainment. Seems a fitting addition to the powerful "What will your verse be?" iPad Air commercial which debuted las month. The new ad was shot during an entire day across various locations. 100 iPhones were used for 70 hours of footage. The whole process was quite remarkable.
Sunday
Feb022014

Microsoft’s new Super Bowl ad sets out to touch hearts

Microsoft isn’t particularly known for releasing touching advertisements that try marry technology with humanity. That seems to be more Apple’s territory. But their new ad for the Super Bowl seems to have hit a good spot. The new ad features the voice of former NFL safety Steve Gleason, who is suffering from ALS. (He has a longer video from Microsoft here.) Microsoft has set out to explain how technology helps different kinds of people get through life and experience the world around them.

Source: CNET

Sunday
Feb022014

EasyDownloader lets you save Instagram videos and images on Android sans rooting

Android users could only previously save images and videos from Instagram if their smartphone is rooted. Now, a new app called EasyDownloader will help you download the Instagram media without the need to root your phone. Before you download the app though, make sure you have the Instagram app already installed. There’s a bug in the app that won’t let it run if you download EasyDownloader before Instagram.

Once you have it installed, you just activate the download images option and tap on the Instagram icon on the app. You just have to select the three-dot menu at the bottom of each image and select “Copy Share URL.” You will get the notice that the link has been copied to your clipboard but the app has already downloaded the photo if you slide your notifications pane down.

Source: Lifehacker

Sunday
Feb022014

Sensory Fiction concept to help you physically experience books

 

We’ve all heard of Smell-O-Vision as an idea meant to enhance the viewing experience. But we also know that is far from reality at the moment. But what about a book that lets you feel the plot? Well, MIT Media Lab researchers want to make that a reality with the Sensory Fiction prototype. In order to feel the book, the reader will have to wear a vest that is filled with actuators and sensors that are meant to change skin temperature through local heating; to express looseness and tightness through airbags; and simulate increased heart rate or shivering through vibration.

The researchers used the sci-fi novella “The Girl Who Was Plugged In” to pair and demonstrate the abilities of the vest. The book even comes with LED lighting to create ambient lighting for the reader.

Source: The Verge