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iPhone vs Symbian

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The following graphic, proudly copied from a TechCrunch post, blowed up my mind: I was expecting a big success for Apple's iPhone, but not this kind of numbers, this is huge!

Chrome, some bad news

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Update: Google's has changed the Terms of Service for Chrome.

Everyone is talking about the new Google's browser, coined Chrome. and the idea of launching a comic book to explain the advantages of Chrome a day before the launch is absolutely brilliant, and surely must be responsible for some of the hype generated along.

Since there is no Mac version available yet, I still haven't try it, but after reading some posts today, I'm glad I haven't:

  • Ryan Narraine, a security evangelist at Kaspersky Lab, found out that Chrome has inherited a serious security flaw from the old version of WebKit is based on: by combining a flaw in WebKit with a known Java bug, is possible to an attacker to trick Windows users into launching a Java file in one's computer. Try this demo to see the bug working (don't worry, it's only a proof of concept, the Java application that will be installed in your Windows computer will do no harm);
  • The other issue has to do with Chrome Terms of Service, which I believe will be changed in a near future, since point 11.1 states, and I quote, "By submitting, posting or displaying the content you give Google a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free, and non-exclusive license to reproduce, adapt, modify, translate, publish, publicly perform, publicly display and distribute any Content which you submit, post or display on or through, the Services". In my opinion, this make sense when we are talking of services like YouTube and such, but in this case we are talking about a browser, so, by accepting this term, I would be allowing Google to own any content that I would access through the Chrome browser, which is pretty abusive, don't you think?

In summary, I will wait for the version 1.1 of the browser, and for a change in the Terms of Service before trying it.

The GPS from the future

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The new Blaukpunkt's TravelPilot 700 is a beast: it features an integrated camera that displays realtime video with navigation overlays on their screen, traffic sign recognition, TV via DVB-T (while you are not driving), voice control, web and emails via wi-fi, traffic information which re-routes to avoid traffic congestions and the (already) usual bluetooth integration with your cellphone. Additionally, it comes with a speed camera warning, which I'm not sure if it's legal in the UE.

Watch the video below and see for yourself:

This is a all new ball game, it's time for TomTom, Garmin and such to speed up development and close the gap.

Note: I'm not affiliate with Blaukpunkt, I'm just looking for cutting edge technology.

RSS readers should click here to watch the video.

Robot corrects human

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In a project from Minho University (my University by the way), a human and a robot are working together to assemble an object from its parts. But the human is doing it wrong, so the robot is warning him of the case. See the video below:

This kind of investigation is needed for a future where people and robots work together, with machines understanding what their biological colleagues are doing and acting in conformity.

Via New Scientist.

RSS readers should click here to watch the video.

I'm a father

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Afonso has born yesterday, at 21h37 GMT, with 3.690 gr. He has an excellent health, and everything is well with the mother. The next days will be dedicated to him.