UN envoy wants to stop development 'Terminators'

Terminators or autonomous killing
machines / army robots

A special envoy of the United Nations calls to put a hold in the development of so-called Terminators a break. These robots can, without human intervention, kill people. That brings a lot of questions on the table, according to the UN envoy.

It is unclear which countries are currently engaged in the development of Terminators, but UN envoy Christof Heijn refers in his report to the technology of the United States and Israel and he has visited facilities in Mexico, Syria and Turkey. Terminators are robots that function without being controlled by people and thus independently make the decision to kill certain people or not.

Heijn stresses that such lethal autonomous robots do not yet exist in his knowledge.

For me it is impossible to predict how close we are to the point where lethal autonomous robots can be deployed. Several have committed to develop them and are currently having multiple development programs as we speak. Military documents describe robotic arms in the air, on land and at sea with various stages of autonomy.

The UN envoy doesn't reject the use of the Terminators in advance, but would particularly for agreements to be related to the software where the use of robots and who bears responsibility for the killing of people. "It seems logical to designate the human commanders but how can they know in advance that a robot commits an offense?" This involves, for example, civilian casualties, something that is seen as a war crime. Moreover, autonomous robots, the threshold to start to decrease, because there is no or less casualties in the army that attacks a war.

The report of the UN envoy will be considered by a committee of the United Nations that deals with human rights. The United Nations may adopt resolutions, but do not have the force of law. The ethical questions about the autonomy of robots on the battlefield there for years and various organizations worldwide calling for restraint in the development.

Earlier this year, Future-blog.eu already predicted military killing robots to hit the scene around 2918, some 5 years from now. Defense expert J. Burton explains further:

Especially the US (in cooperation with Israel and in some extend the United Kingdom) are currently in testing-phase of this new technology. While military killing robots have already been around for some years, autonomous versions are now used in testing fields and it's even been reported that they have been seen in real war battle zones.
In the deserts of Arizone and Texas many people have witnessed military killing robots, or Terminators engaged in war-games amongst other war robots. This has been going on for at least 4 years, the first reports came in around the middle of 2009.

Microsoft releases details about Windows 8.1

Microsoft has described in a blog post the main innovations of Windows 8.1. The update is available for free and includes a Start button which was removed in Windows 8.

Microsoft confirmed that the Start button returns in Windows 8.1 and now calls it the Start tip button which links from the desktop mode directly to the home screen. The start button is also available in the home screen and full screen applications.

The start screen in Windows 8.1 includes a number of innovations, including more and smaller live tiles. Moreover, the grouping and dragging of tiles has been simplified. Accidentally dragging tiles is now made more difficult since it requires a longer press-down. Within the All Apps view, frequently used apps are displayed at the top and can be searched by name.

Applications that use Snap View, that shows two applications side by side, can now open in multiple windows. This can be useful in multi-monitor configurations and on monitors with high resolutions. Also, the user can manually adjust the image division of Snap Views.

Windows 8.1 also includes improved search capabilities according to Microsoft via the so-called Search Charm. The search system uses more resources and make more links with relevant apps such as Wikipedia app. Also available is a new shortcut: if the user the Windows key together with the 'S' press is a search dialog visible.

Microsoft calls in Windows 8.1, the presence of an option to boot to an 'alternate screen' the PC. As an example, Microsoft's blog posting directly boot cited to Apps view. Also boot to the desktop comes back, however, where all the necessary rumors were about. Users of Windows 8.1, so their system to boot. Directly to the desktop without detours and tricks

The lockscreen also contains some innovations. Thus there Skype calls are accepted when the screen is locked, while permitting. Immediately activated a webcam The lock screen can be further adorned with pictures of the local hard drive or files on SkyDrive are put.

Windows 8.1 also includes extensive SkyDrive integration. This allows files are always saved in the cloud storage service by a storage facility to both the entire operating system. Continue if desired files without an Internet connection available, so promises the software giant. This must be marked accordingly. Directory or file level

Internet Explorer 11 IE10 will pay off in the update for Windows 8. According to Microsoft, IE11 can better handle touch input. Also, the browser is faster and IE11 can now always show the address in the 'modern view'. Furthermore, to synchronize between Windows 8.1 devices. Tabs A future update should also make it possible in Windows Phone.

The Windows Store will show more information in Microsoft Windows 8.1. For example, there are lists of free apps become available, while go., New apps clearly brought to the fore In selected applications are now suggestions for related apps, and would also be expanded.'s Search capabilities

In the Control Panel are more elements adapted to be set via a touchscreen while the virtual keyboard would be improved. Microsoft also promises a 'better experience' in new apps for Xbox Music and apps for news, weather and travel. The camera app in Windows 8.1 provides a link with Photosynth and can handle panoramic photos. New are the apps and Health & Fitness Food & Drink. An official release date for Windows 8.1 is not yet published by Microsoft, but the software giant will release a preview version during the Build conference on 26 June.

New BlueStacks game console announced running Android

BlueStacks GamePop gaming console
running on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean

BlueStacks has announced that it will sell its new gaming console, powered by Android, for $129 later this year, while users are still required to pay a subscription fee of $6.99 per month. The game-console iss already available for pre-orders, but the price of the device, which BlueStacks named GamePop includes controller and 500 Android games.

If you order the BlueStacks GamePop online, the console will be delivered for free. However, you must have a subscription plan as follows that if terminated within a year, a $ 25 fee will be charged. BlueStacks is best known for its Android apps Several companies have invested in the start-up. Incidentally, besides BlueStacks also Ouya gets an Android gaming console on the market. Like the GamePop, Ouya is based on Android version 4.2.

Monkey Light, simply amazing!

This super cool invention lets you isplay images and animations on your bicycle wheels. You can use your own graphics, but there are also a lot of pre-loaded ones to start you off with. The system uses online software that allows you to create a playlist of pictures and animations, your own or choose from the large collection of cool artwork already made available.  Next you send your playlist to the Monkey Light Pro using Bluetooth and you're ready to amaze everyone! Monkey Light Pro is mounted to your bike wheels and once they start moving the graphics show inside the of it on both sides.  It's fully weatherproof, durable and designed for use on city streets.

Google conversational search

Google conversational search

In the coming days Google is rolling out something new: Conversational Search, an innovative functional addition to Google Search which allows users on all devices (including desktop, tablet and smartphone) to engage in ask and answer sessions with Google Search. This new service is however limited to Google browsers only (read Chrome). And example of a conversational search would be:

"Where can I find a train station in Rotterdam South" upon which Google gives you one or more answers. You could continue by asking "How about a metro station?" and when you receive more then one answer you may want to ask "Which one is most nearby my current location?" etc. etc.

In other words, the new service allows you to vocally chat with Goog;e's search engine. Questions and answers are both in spoken language, for now limited to English but that is expected to be widened soon to more languages. And here's fun thing to try... Ask Google conversational search the following question: "What's my name?" It will give you a funny answer and give you a list of websites with information about amnesia! They do still have their humor at the right spot at Googleplex!

Xbox One; One for all

A powerful console, with an enormous amount of storage... not the dedicated game-console we are used to when we hear the name Xbox but rather a complete home entertainment system.

For everyone. That's the new road Microsoft is headed to with the new Xbox One. Many recent and new feature will come standard with this Xbox One console such as Kinect, Smart Glass.

And its design? Have a look at the picture on your left.

Call Of Duty Ghosts, a new generation

If you witnessed the introduction of the new Xbox, you could be asking the question whether it was the new Xbox itself that got more attention or the synchronized introduction of the next-gen version of

Call of duty: Ghosts

It has been totally revamped and got itself a new engine as well. We could have expected that with a clear mind ofcourse, because who would invest in a new engine for an Xbox console that's running its last few miles...

And besides that, Modern warfare 3 already took everything possible out of the current game engine, so a lot more wasn't even possible anyway. The chances for a Modern Warfar 4 release any time soon are very slim, since the theme has been experiencing a slight fertique among gamers lately, but as for Call of duty...the sentiment is still enormously strong and the market is certainly ready for a new COD game! Call Of Duty: Ghosts!

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Apple announces the Apple iBall to be launched in 2018

Today, Apple launch of  Inc. Released a press statement announcing the launch of its latest visionary product, the Apple iBall. The artificial, smart bionic eye would be Apple's answer to the Google Glass technology. The iBall would be surgically be implanted, replacing one of their "organic" eyes. As you already suspected this story is fully made up and not real. But it does make us all think how far the tech-giants of this world would go in their everlasting journey of innovation.

What are your thoughts?

Ninetology Stealth 3 specs, features, release date and price

Ninetology Stealth 2

As a relative new-comer in the smartphone market, the Malaysian Ninetology is on the right track to proof itself to be a worthy competitor to the already established brands. After having released the Ninetology Black Pearl, Black Pearl II, Insight, Palette, Stealth and Stealth II it's now the next turn to the Ninetology Stealth 3 to hit the market.

Ninetology Stealth 3 specs and features

Following are the widely expected specs and features of the upcoming smartphone model Ninetology Stealth III

Display / screen: 5" IPS capacitive touchscreen (LCD)
Camera: 10.2 megapixel (rear) with proximity and motion sensor
CPU: 1.8 GHz quadcore processor
OS: Google Android 5.0
Connectivity: 4G networking, WIFI, Bluetooth, USB and possibly NFC
Further details follow soon

Ninetology Stealth 3 price

Current prices for the Stealth and Stealth 2 are respectively $264 and $298. We expect the Stealth 3 to get an introduction price similar to the current Stealth 2 smartphone while the previous models will drop in price some 30 dollar.

Ninetology Stealth 3 release date

The new Stealth 3 smartphone is expected to get a release date somewhere in the forth quarter of this year or the first quarter of 2014 based on previous release date gaps and rumored specifications. The smartphone will be available in Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Brunei with a slight possibility of hitting the market in Hong Kong.

Oppo Find 6 release date, price and specs

Oppo Find 6 release date and specs

While popular brands such as Apple are steadily loosing market-share to their (cheaper) Chinese opponents, Oppo has announces the release of their new next-gen flag-ship smartphone the Oppo Find 6

Although the Oppo Find 6 price is expected to be well under $600, the specs certainly don't hide behind those produced by the competition such as Samsung Galaxy S5, Xiaomi Mi-4S, Apple iPhone 6 / iPhone 6s and Nokia Lumia 1020 to name a few. Here are a few highlights outlining the Oppo Find 6 specs and features:

Oppo Find 6 CPU / processor: Snapdragon 800, 2.8 GHz quadcore
Oppo Find 6 display / screen: 5" full HD 1080p capacitive touchscreen protected by Gorilla Glass
Oppo Find 6 camera: 13 megapixel behind + 8 megapixel front camera
Oppo Find 6 communication: NFC, 4G, WIFI, Bluetooth and mini-USB 3.0
Oppo Find 6 memory: 2 GB internal memory + 16 GB storage

Oppo Find 6 Release date September 2013

Best budget smartphone: Nokia Asha 501 / Features, specs, price, design, specifications

Not everyone can, or wants to spend a lot of money on a smartphone while they still want the best quality as possible. That's where the

Nokia Asha 501

comes in. A budget full feature touchscreen smartphone with the top-quality we are haused to from Nokia. The Nokia Asha 501 runs a revamped version of the exclusive Nokia Asha OS. As will cost you as little as US$ 99. In a recent statement, Nokia announces that the Nokia Asha release date is set for June. While Asha only supports 2G networking and WIFI, the price is still very competitive compared to some major competitors' low-cost models. A 3G Nokia Asha is on the way according to Nokia, expected to get a release date around the end of the year.

Nokia Asha 501  features design and specs

A 3 inch touch-screen, which is quite acceptable in size if the price is taken into account. One button in the bottom section of the Nokia Asha low-cost smartphone. Dimensions of 99,2 * 58 * 12.1mm and a weight of only 98 gram. A camera at the back with 3.2 megapixel QVGA quality. Standby time a massive 48 days while the Nokia Asha 501 can last up to 26 days at normal usage level. The Asha also features 2 SIM slots (dual SIM).

Google to compete Spotify with new music streaming services

Google Music service
to compete with Spotify
on Google Play and YouTube

Today, Google announces the launch of two separate music streaming services on their I/O event. One of those will be channeled through Google Play while the other music streaming service is going to be offered through YouTube.

With this move, Google will directly become the main competitor of Spotify. Although rumors suggest that the Google Play Music variant will not have any free to listen option. Spotify does allow users to listen for free for a limited amount of hours (supported by audio ads). It is expected that the Google Music service is going to get a monthly usage fee of around US$ 4.00.

According to Google, the company has signed deals with the three largest record companies: Universal, Sony and Warner. Furthermore it is learned that the Google Play music service will be available to users as soon as this week.

How large is Google's database?

What we talk about here is Google's search database. Giving a near exact figure on how big Google's search database is, is very difficult to do. It's growing each millisecond and even if we were allowed to monitor it (everything related to the Google Search database is a corporate secret and only a few people know the real details), we would need a real-time counter.

Based on the information we -do- know there are some estimates however suggesting that the Google Search database (2013) is around 450 to 550 terabytes. And that's "just" the search part only. Imagine adding to that Drive, Picasa, G-mail, Blogger, Youtube and all the other Google services. I think we would be looking at more then 80 petabytes of Google at the very least!

Apple made it into the Fortune-500 top-10

Last week, Apple finally managed to secure a spot in the Top-10 of Fortune-500's list of most valuable companies. Apple thereby replaced Hewlett Packard which has seen enormous losses, in fact the biggest losses of the entire list. While HP dropped from the 10th place to number 15, Apple made its first ever entry into the top-10 ranking at the 6th spot and is currently the only top-10 tech company present in the Fortune 500 list of most valuable companies.

Here's the full top-10:

1 - Wal-Mart - 469 billion dollars in revenue
2 - Exxon Mobile with 449 billion dollars in revenue
3 - Chevron with 233 billion dollars in revenue
4 - Phillips 66 with 169 billion dollars in revenue
5 - Berkshire Hathaway with 162 billion dollars in revenue
6 - Apple Inc. with 156 billion dollars in revenue
7 - General Motors (GM) with 152 billion dollars in revenue
8 - General Electric (GE) with 146 billion dollars in revenue
9 - Valero Energy with 138 billion dollars in revenue
10 - Ford Motor with 134 billion dollars in revenue

Source: CNN Money / Fortune

Future technology in 2030

The next few years are very exciting indeed, until we reach the year 2020 a lot of new technology is being introduced and will come to the mass global consumer market, such as the flexible AMOLED TV's I've talked about in an earlier post, transparent and flexible smartphones, optical technology like Google Glass, 64-bit 16-core mobile processors and a lot more.

But what if we look even a little bit further down the future technology horizon? What comes next in technology? Here is a small yet significant selection of my take on these future technological developments!

Communication in the future

I personally believe that we are going to see a big shift from devices we hold in our hands or on laps to wearable devices (think for instance about the Apple's iWatch, Google Glass, Sony SmartWatch, et cetera) and then moving on to further development in retinal implant technology allowing us to actually get all of our daily information streams straight and directly onto our eye's retina. In a gradual pace, more and more we are going to see people getting nanoscopical microchips (nanochips) implanted into their body. which communicate on a wireless basis with our retinal implants as well as the entire world around us, whether close by or thousands of miles away.

Medical science in the future

As time allows us to get to know more and more about the genomes / DNA of human race and other animal species, we will gradually be able to modify our DNA and in effect enhance our physical and mental features (body modification and mind modification). This will come sooner then you would expect. I believe we will get to see the first genetically modified humans being treated in various medical trials around 2025 while it should be commercially available in the early 2030's.

World economy in 2030

We can expect the current shift that is going on between the traditionally strong western economies and the Asian economies take a further increase. In many areas, China is already at the 5-before-12 moment of surpassing the US economy wise, and economic analysts expect that by the year 2020 China has fully surpassed the United States as being the world's largest and most valuable economy.

China, as well as other Asian countries such as Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan will be dominating the world economy by the year 2030. This effectively means that the traditional Western economies need to find new ways to support their own economies. It is widely believed that the major Western economies are going into a new, bigger then ever recession around the year 2032 or 2033 due to their inability to keep up with other global economies.

Do you any thoughts or value added expertise of your own on this topic? What do you think will become mainstream some 15 years from now? Your comments are very appreciated!

Enhanced sight and sound...with this innovative mask

Eiedos Hero mask gives you
audiovisual superpowers!

Have you ever been in a place so incredibly crowded, and you wonder what those people over at the other side of the room are talking about... Or maybe you would sometimes wish to be able to apply filters and effects to what you see...

With this innovative mask it can all be done! The awesome 3D-printed, technologically advanced piece of equipment is called Eiedos Hero and has been developed by a group of students from the Royal College of Art in London. Hi-tech vision and audio has been put inside to supply you with all the tools you need to perceive the world around you even better and even more awesome. The mask consists of two pieces, the lower part covers the ears, mouth and nose while the upper part goes around the eyes. You may look a bit like Iron Man, but hey, is this cool stuff of what!

Google and zerg rush

Here a neat little easter egg thing, go to Google Search and type:

zerg rush

hit enter and see what happens... :)

Recent Samsung patent submissions

Samsung files for patent of Panoramic camera lens

Samsung Galaxy S5: will this smartphone
get a panoramic camera/.

In a late March patent submission, Samsung filed for a patent on a panoramic camera lens stating that the particular invention would provide for a panoramic imaging lens that is capable of suppressing stray rays causing flare or ghost phenomenon while improving image quality, and a panoramic imaging system using the panoramic imaging lens.

I personally believe Samsung will start using this newly invented panoramic camera lens in their Samsung Galaxy S5 smartphone (Galaxy SV), which has an expected release date in early 2015 (first quarter).

It should be noted that meanwhile, world's most high-end smartphone brand Xiaomi is also working on a similar panoramic 3D camera lens to be included in its Xiaomi Mi4 smartphone which has an expected release date at the end of 2014. It looks like we will be getting yet another game-changer in the field of smart devices now that both Samsung and Xiaomi (the world-leader and the best ranked) as well as reportedly Nokia (rumored) are all very busy with both panoramic and 3D camera technology.

Samsung patent reveals flexible TV screen 

Samsung patent HDTV flexible TV display screen

We record the 9th of May, 2013 on the calender. Today the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from the Korean smart device giant and market leader Samsung Electronics unveiling an interesting future technology:

An HDTV display that consumers will be able to bend to a better viewing angle with the use of their remote control.

Samsung flexible TV screen 
design concept prototype

Samsung's flexible HDTV screen patent summary showcases their invention which includes a panel deformation member that's located on the rear surface of the flexible TV display panel and changes the shape of the flexible TV display. The Samsung patent also describes a panel rotation unit supporting  the flexible TV display panel.

In a statement by Samsung, we get to know that the remote control of the Samsung flexible display unit can adjust the images in a way that the viewing experience will remain the same. The visual representation will be adjusted by the system according to the bend and viewing angle.

LG Curved OLED TV
available in the summer

When we take notice that LG recently announced it's now accepting pre-orders for its new curved OLED TV expected to be available in the summer, and other manufaturers are as well very busy with the "curved TV" thing, we can expect that the new trend in television land for 2014 is definitly

Curved OLED TV's

among the other new trends AMOLED TV and 4K TV / 4K screens. Just imagine... what would it be like to have a ginormous 84-inch transparant and flexible AMOLED 4K TV in your bedroom with full glass-less 3D and a mega high-end audio system?! And in the meantime the author of this article is still watching his favorite shows on a 4 year old Sony Plasma TV, which by the way just returned from the repair shop after being hit by a strike of lightning)...what a shame!

Nokia Lumia 1020 - Possible specs and design

Nokia Lumia 1020 design concept
specs, release date, deatures

This is what is being rumored in the scene and I'll share it with you. The highly probably specs for the

Nokia Lumia 1020

which is set to have a release date around September 2014.

Screen: 5" AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 pixels
OS: Microsoft Windows Phone 8.5
Camera backside: PureView 14 megapixel with dual LED flash
Camera front: 3.2 megapixel BSI sensor
Processor: 2.4 GHz Quadcore
Internal memory (RAM): 2 - 4 GB
Internal storage: 64 - 128 GB
Battery: 7200 mAh
Casing: Metal and carbon-fiber
Weight: Approximately 140 - 145 grams

Samsung Galaxy S5 (SV) - Design, specs, release dates, prices, features and innovations

With each and every new Samsung Galaxy S installment (and not only limited to the Galaxy S series) of smartphones the rumors about the next big release intensify week by week. The Galaxy S5 / Galaxy SV is coming! And we sure want to know everything about it! Don't we? So let's go on a little journey with me and we'll explore the most probable features, specs, design specifications, capabilities, price and all sorts of other stuff related to Samsung's next big thing, the Galaxy S5. Let's go!

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Samsung Galaxy S5 (concept) design features

Samsung Galaxy S6 design concept

I can't say I have noticed any huge surprises in the way the Galaxy S design has changed over the couple of years, ever since the launch of the first model back in early 2010 (although I hoped for it), so based on that I just don't expect many revolutionary changes this times around. The Koreans are known to stick to things for years once they are satisfied with it, so that is another indicator that I believe the basic S5 design concept will remain somewhat similar to what we have seen so far.

That being said, I do know that Samsung has been working quite  some time on flexible display technology and we've also seen a concept phone using this technology at CES 2013 , and we are quite exited indeed to find out if this is something that will be incorporated into the SV design. Whether the flexible screen technology will be included in the Samsung Galaxy S6 which is said to have a realease dat in late 2014 (ref. Samsung Galaxy S6 release date) remains, for now, a big question mark on our desk I doubt it will come this time around, but Samsung can be full of surprises at times....

Samsung Galaxy S5 screen / display

The general trend in smartphone land is that the display sizes are constantly being increased (as it seems until we reach a certain ceiling of about 5.6 inch). And that will go on for a little while longer, until we will see a complete new display technology coming around which enables the user to actually choose the display-size according to his particular needs at that very moment (you can find more on that further on this blog). I expect the Galaxy S5 to come with a screen of 5.2 inch, although there are a few rumors that it may even get a little bigger then that! Here are some other highly rumored specs for the Samsung Galaxy S5 display:

• Unbreakable, unscratchable Gorilla 4 glass
• Super AMOLED plus
• Full HD, 3D and a very high resolution of 472 PPI
• Capacitive touchscreen
• Also rumored that Samsung will use its newly patented Samsung Youm flexible display in the new Samsung Galaxy S5, which steps away from Gorilla Glass and instead use a polymer as substrate removing the need for glass cover, a metal backing, and touch matrix, combining them into one integrated layer

Here you can see a demonstration of the 

Samsung Youm flexible display (CES 2013) 

Will it be included in the Samsung Galaxy S5?

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Samsung Galaxy S5 release date

When I observe all previous release dates of the Samsung Galaxy S series of smartphones it becomes quite evident that they aim to release a new Galaxy S once a year. Based on that plus the fact that Samsung always tries to overshadow its main rival A, I expect... Galaxy S5 release date to be in February 2014.

Filed under: This blog article describes the new smartphone series Samsung Galaxy SV or Sansung Galaxy S5 release date and technical specs. If you want to learn about the new Galaxy s5 features on this blog with price or pricing in Malaysia and UK and also when you're looking for the release date and specs of the Samsung Galaxy SV price in Indonesia, Belgie, Deutschland, France and Espana. For overseas Samsung Galaxy S5 features in countries like Brazil or Venezuela or Canada, we have the latest information on the S5 in the US or United States for pricing and latest price and pictures design.

Samsung Galaxy S5 price

We are receiving rumors that the Galaxy S5 is likely going to be priced around $700 for the US mainland market. This is slightly higher then the S4, but given the many new innovations and capacity enhancements this slight price increase in not a real surprise. The two versions 32 GB and 64 GB Galaxy S5 models will have a price difference of about $30 to $40.

Galaxy S5 to be equipped with in-case fingerprint reader

Smartphone technology has greatly evolved over the past two years, especially anything related to screens and processors. This time around though, a rumor of another kind has emerged, which reveals that Samsung is ready to incorporate fingerprint reading technology into its upcoming Galaxy S5 model.

Based on stereotypes that have recently filtered SamMobile, the South Korean tech company would work on this firmware adaption for a long time. It was even supposed to be developed for the Samsung Galaxy S3, then the S4 and now finally the S5. The fingerprint reader might even be ready for the Galaxy Note 3 . But what is certain is that it will have some impact on the design of the devices.