This is very clever:
Simon Berry is piggybacking on Coca-Cola's distribution system to bring life-saving medicine to the places that need it most.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Essential Medicine Rides Coke’s Distribution
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Are you being persecuted?
The Daily Mash, entertaining as ever:
Does the Today programme ban you from boring the shit out of everyone with two minutes of sanctimonious drivel every morning?
Lord Carey probably wouldn't see the funny side.
Sweet Lord, it’s the Christathon pub crawl
Could be a laugh:
This is an Easter event of biblical proportions - dozens of Londoners are dressing up in their finest Jesus attire and embarking upon a pub crawl to raise money for charities this Sunday March 31.
Sounds like a good use for a Sunday.
Time Out: http://now-here-this.timeout.com/2013/03/30/sweet-lord-its-the-christathon-pub-crawl/
Friday, March 29, 2013
I hate this wine
Most entertaining:
> The nose repels me: it is an odd combination of cough candy twist boiled sweets, volatile acidity and pine-scented clumping cat litter of the type that Kisu the cat would rather avoid.
http://elitistreview.com/2013/03/29/coume-del-mas-schistes/
> The nose repels me: it is an odd combination of cough candy twist boiled sweets, volatile acidity and pine-scented clumping cat litter of the type that Kisu the cat would rather avoid.
http://elitistreview.com/2013/03/29/coume-del-mas-schistes/
London’s airports
This is a new idea. Might be worth considering, if we really have to expand Heathrow:
Instead of expanding Heathrow to the north, as current third-runway plans would do, it would extend it to the west—and build not just one new runway but four.
Synthetic vaccines
Most impressive:
British scientists have developed a new method to create an entirely synthetic vaccine which doesn't rely on using live infectious virus
Although I suspect "British" probably means "based in Britain" rather than "all the scientists were British". The Government should further encourage this sort of research and relax the immigration rules to allow more highly skilled people to settl in the UK.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Exploding Glass Drop at 100,000 fps
Cool. Watch the video.
Exploding Glass Drop at 100,000 fps
http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2013/03/exploding-glass-drop-at-100000-fps/
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Gay marriage in America
Two articles, basically both in favour. The first, from The Economist, is a calm evaluation of the options open to America's Supreme Court.
The Economist: http://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2013/03/gay-marriage-and-supreme-court
The second, from The Onion, is less calm but much more entertaining:
"Yeah, of course gay men and women can get married. Who gives a shit?" said Chief Justice John Roberts, who interrupted attorney Charles Cooper's opening statement defending Proposition 8, which rescinded same-sex couples' right to marry in California. "Why are we even seriously discussing this?"
Cardiff Airport is sold to the Welsh government
Really?
Plaid Cymru also said it wanted to see the detail of the government's plans. "There is no reason why a publicly-owned national airport for Wales could not be far more successful than the airport in its present state," said party leader Leanne Wood.
Why does Cardiff even need an airport? And who believes a government, any government, can run a successful airport?
Breathometer
Great idea:
The Breathometer is a hardware device that works in conjunction with an application on the iPhone turning the device into a portable breathalyzer.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
'Ungoogleable' removed from Swedish language
An amusing own goal from Google:
In what can only be classed as a win for language lovers everywhere, "ungoogleable" will not be included in a list of newly coined "words" in Sweden.
Sometimes trademarks just don't help.
Techradar: http://www.techradar.com/news/internet/-ungoogleable-removed-from-swedish-language-list-after-google-grump-1140760?attr=all&src=rss
Monday, March 25, 2013
Death-Defying Photographs
Madness on high buildings.
8 Death-Defying Photographs That Will Make Your Palms Sweat
http://mashable.com/2013/03/25/mustang-wanted-photographs/
8 Death-Defying Photographs That Will Make Your Palms Sweat
http://mashable.com/2013/03/25/mustang-wanted-photographs/
Facebook Finally Adds 'Reply' Option to Comments
Long time coming:
Facebook announced on Monday it is rolling out a new feature so users can reply directly to comments left on their page
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Google Keep
And so, shortly after the announcement of the end of Reader, we have a new Google service:
Earlier this week, Google introduced Google Keep - a service intended to let you store notes and other information "in the cloud".
It sounds interesting but I'll be sticking with Evernote just in case Google suddenly decides that they don't want to be in this market (again - Notebook, which had similar functions, was closed by Google in an earlier rationalisation) after all.
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Google Graveyard
Google's dead products. I used a few and I'd like still to be using Desktop and Reader but life goes on, even with a little less Google.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Pizza Cone Set
Great stuff. Must have one.
Amazon.com: Pizzacraft PC0304 Grilled Pizza Cone Set, 6-Piece: Patio, Lawn & Garden
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008BZ9AWK/?tag=instash08-20
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Asteroid Threat?
It's difficult to imagine something short of a catastrophe that could prompt politicians to spend money on searching for and diverting potentially harmful asteroids, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try. NASA clearly agrees.
Rep. Bill Posey (R-Fla.) asked what NASA would do if a large asteroid headed on a collision course with Earth was discovered today with only three weeks before impact. "The answer to you is, 'if it's coming in three weeks, pray,'" Bolden said. "The reason I can't do anything in the next three weeks is because for decades we have put it off."
Facebook to Nag for Updates?
Please, no. I'd have to disable Facebook's access to my notifications if they did this.
Facebook Tests iOS Notification That Nags You to Post an Update
http://mashable.com/2013/03/20/facebook-nags-updat/
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Samsung Preparing Smart Watch
Here's a surprise. Samsung have been talking about their smart watch but they're a bit short on details:
Lee had no comment on what features the watch may have, how much it would cost and when it would go on sale.
It'll be interesting to see what Samsung launch, especially if they launch before Apple.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Cyprus Bailout
This is not good:
According to the plan announced this weekend (details are reportedly being rejigged so as to win parliamentary support), poorer Cypriots will be hit with a 6.75% tax on assets so as to cushion the blow on the rich, who will have to cough up 9.9%. Up until last Friday, bank deposits up to €100,000 were officially protected.
This sets a nasty precedent for the Eurozone. What happens if a Spanish or Portuguese bank needs to be rescued? Are the savings guarantees of the Eurozone governments still worth anything at all? If this plan is executed it will undermine all the Eurozone banks by making them more risky places to hold money; who would trust the EU not to make another grab for savings if something else goes wrong?
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Trouble Multitasking?
Interesting, especially if you already play first person shooters:
Fortunately, if you have trouble multitasking, it turns out that there may be a solution: playing first person shooter video games.
I'm a little sceptical (I should probably read the original report) but it doesn't sound totally implausible.
Forbes: http://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2013/03/09/trouble-multitasking-try-playing-first-person-shooters/
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Paper Plane Folding and Launching Robot
Facebook's Awful Advertising Tools
Egypt's Islamists warn giving women some rights could destroy society
From Reuters:
Egypt's ruling Muslim Brotherhood warns that a U.N. declaration on women's rights could destroy society by allowing a woman to travel, work and use contraception without her husband's approval and letting her control family spending.
And they're right - giving women rights will fundamentally alter the nature of their society - but that's a good thing. The trick now is to persuade the men running Egypt (and the other countries objecting to this declaration) that their current society is defective and in dire need of change, which won't be easy, and that granting rights to women is therefore a good, and a necessary, thing.
Friday, March 15, 2013
Samsung Galaxy S4 has Mobeam
This is the innovative new feature that will finally persuade me to dump my iPhone and buy a Samsung Galaxy:
Galaxy S4 uses pulses of infrared light to essentially fool traditional scanners into thinking the light represents a barcode.
Or maybe not.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Apple files for Smart Cover inductive charging patent for iPad
This is a neat idea, although I suspect it will be a while before it appears in a product:
Apple just applied for a patent that would see the Smart Cover being used as a wireless charger to charge up the iPad when the Smart Cover is closed.
Apple’s smartphone market share collapse
Yup, Apple is doomed...
...if, by "doomed", you actually mean "in a very strong, and strengthening, position".
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
CubeSensors - Improving indoor living
Indoor environmental monitors:
CubeSensors are small, cordless and connected devices that continuously measure temperature, humidity, noise, light, air quality and barometric pressure for every room, they can even pick up unwanted vibrations that shake up your building.
CubeSensors: http://cubesensors.com/#benefits
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Over-Dressed Cardinals
These guys don't look at all ridiculous. I wonder how many of them wear high heels with their dresses at the weekends?
Cardinal Fashion Show: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/11/cardinal-fashion-show-vatican-wear-photos_n_2852944.html
Vool The Wooden Laptop Stand
At €299 this laptop stand isn't cheap but it is gorgeous and who wants to fill their house with ugly, utilitarian plastic?
Vool: http://vool.me/
College Student Creates Gel to Stop Bleeding Instantly
This is very neat:
Joe Landolina, a student at the Polytechnic Institute of New York University, is one step closer to bringing this medical cure to market. Landolina created Veti-Gel, a substance that closes up wounds to major arteries or organs to immediately stop bleeding.
Mashable: http://mashable.com/2013/03/11/veti-gel/
Monday, March 11, 2013
Techradar: Hands-on review: Updated: HTC One
Interesting phone. If I was planning to move away from the iPhone and if I had larger hands, this is a phone I would consider.
Hands-on review: Updated: HTC One
http://www.techradar.com/us/reviews/phones/mobile-phones/htc-one-1131862/review?attr=all&src=rss
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Comments on the Rumoured iWatch
Forbes believes the rumoured iWatch will fail:
An iWatch will fall flat the minute Tim Cook holds up his wrist to show it to the collected tech-scribes in San Francisco.
Even if we ignore the fact that similar things were said before the launches of both the iPhone and iPad and that Apple has a history of ground-breaking products, why would anyone publish an article rubbishing a product about which absolutely nothing is known?
Apple may, or may not, be developing wearable accessories which may, or may not, launch this year with the name iWatch. About the only thing that we can predict with any degree of certainty is that whatever they launch will differ greatly from what is expected. Can't wait.
Forbes: http://www.forbes.com/sites/haydnshaughnessy/2013/03/10/iwatch-the-distraction-that-will-drive-apples-stock-down/
The Problem With Google's Glasses
The technology is great but the problems, like not being able to use Glasses in public, could be pretty big:
Dave Meinert, the owner of 5 Point Cafe, stated that "People want to go there and be not known… and definitely don't want to be secretly filmed or videotaped and immediately put on the internet."
Attitudes will doubtless change as the technology matures but I suspect early adopters are going to experience an interesting variety of problems.
The London Gin Club | dedicated to the enjoyment of gin
You had me at "gin":
The London Gin Club is London's first club to celebrate all things gin. As dedicated gin drinkers, we set up the club for fellow gin-o-philes to come and enjoy exceptional gins in our relaxed bar, The Star at Night.
And it's in Soho, just round the corner from our office. Perfect.
London Gin Club: http://thelondonginclub.wordpress.com/
Salt - Not Necessarily Good For Us
The arguments continue but it looks as if salt probably isn't good for us in large quantities.
The findings suggest that salt spurs the specialization of TH17 cells. Although these immune cells protect us from harmful bacteria and fungi, they have also been implicated in illnesses such as inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, and psoriasis. TH17 cells mature from unspecialized T cells, and, depending on their influences, they can become beneficial or destructive.
The results haven't yet been confirmed in Humans so you should, for the moment, take them with a pinch of salt (sorry). That said, reducing our intake of salt probably wouldn't be a bad idea.
Salty Food May Be a Culprit in Autoimmune Diseases - ScienceNOW
http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2013/03/salt-linked-to-autoimmune-diseas.html
Saturday, March 09, 2013
A little faster, George? | The Economist
Some great advice for the Chancellor:
Finally, Mr Osborne should make it clear that Britain wants talented people. The government's populist efforts to cut immigration, which deter the young and educated, are an economic disaster. The latest farce over Brazilian visas was notably brainless (seearticle). Most of the fall in immigration over the past year is caused by a drop in students. This is economic self-harm that should be reversed.
It's difficult to imagine the "thinking" that underpins the current immigration policy. More knee-jerk reaction than considered policy, unfortunately.
Friday, March 08, 2013
The World of 100 People
An interesting way to look at the world:
If the world were a village of 100 people, how would the composition be? This set of 20 posters is built on statistics about the spread of population around the world under various classifications. The numbers are turned into graphics to give another sense a touch – Look, this is the world we are living in.
London is a proper cycling city at long last
This is great news:
London is a proper cycling city. Boris's £913 million plan is proof of that. And it feels oddly neat that his announcement of the investment in cycle lanes, improved junctions and suburban "mini-Amsterdams" should come in the wake of an RAC report that poor families spend 26 per cent of their disposable income, and richer families 12 per cent, on their cars.
Thursday, March 07, 2013
Apple and Intel Once Again Rumored to be Considering Partnership
I can't imagine a scenario in which Intel wasn't continually trying to sell more chips into Apple, especially for mobile devices. Similarly, I think it's very likely that Apple, already a big customer of Intel, would want to at least explore options for reducing their dependence on Samsung.
If I had to pick an outcome, I suggest that Apple might initially dual-source from both companies then ramp down on Samsung as Intel ramps up. Or maybe they will just go to TSCM for all their mobile requirements.
Tuesday, March 05, 2013
Eunice Foote's Pioneering Research On CO2 And Climate Warming
Interesting stuff. Predictions of climate change are older than I had thought:
According to conventional wisdom John Tyndall was the first to measure the variation in absorption of radiant energy by atmospheric gases and the first to predict the impact on climate of small changes in atmospheric gas composition. Overlooked by modern researchers is the work of Eunice Foote, who, three years prior to the start of Tyndall's laboratory research, conducted similar experiments on absorption of radiant energy by atmospheric gases, such as CO2 and water vapor. The presentation of her report at a major scientific convention in 1856 was accompanied by speculation that even modest increases in the concentration of CO2 could result in significant atmospheric warming.
Faster Cycling
If you want to travel quickly by bike, and if you've got balls made of steel, this article describes the kit you'll need to hit 127mph.
Sunday, March 03, 2013
Crossrail's Tunnels
Some great photos of the new and refurbished tunnels through which Crossrail will run.
Saturday, March 02, 2013
The Relationship of Sugar to Population-Level Diabetes Prevalence
If you thought sugar was safe, read this:
Using econometric models of repeated cross-sectional data on diabetes and nutritional components of food from 175 countries, we found that every 150 kcal/person/day increase in sugar availability (about one can of soda/day) was associated with increased diabetes prevalence by 1.1% (p <0.001) after testing for potential selection biases and controlling for other food types (including fibers, meats, fruits, oils, cereals), total calories, overweight and obesity, period-effects, and several socioeconomic variables such as aging, urbanization and income.
Probably best to cut down...
PLOS ONE: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0057873
A Wind Turbine That Can Power 6,000 Households
Most impressive:
The turbine produces up to six megawatts of electricity, enough to service 6,000 households, and Siemens will install 300 in the U.K. beginning this year.
It would be useful if articles like this also quoted average power production at the planned installation sites because focussing on the maximum just encourages the sceptics (see comments).
PopSci: http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2013-02/mexapixels-wind-turbine-can-power-6000-households?dom=tw&src=SOC
Friday, March 01, 2013
Open and Shut
Great article which you should read if you're interested in the Open/Closed argument (with particular reference to Apple) and the effect it has on a company's success.
Daring Fireball: http://daringfireball.net/2013/03/open_and_shut
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