Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Dell?s Ultraslim Adamo Series, Now $200 Cheaper
Announcing Pirates Love Daisies: an HTML5 Tower Defense Game by Grant Skinner
In preparation for the Internet Explorer 9 Beta in September, we had the opportunity to work with a wide group of talented web developers and designers. Since launch, numerous websites have enhanced their web experiences by taking advantage of features in Internet Explorer 9 that help make their sites shine. These successes gave us a great idea?we challenged Grant Skinner, the world-famous Flash guru, and his team to build an incredible game solely in HTML5. To be honest, it was a challenge not only to him, but one also intended to test the graphic capabilities of HTML5 and various browsers? performance.
And today, Grant released his new HTML5 tower defense game: Pirates Love Daisies.
If you are wondering about the name ? I mean, won?t the pirate?s parrot be jealous? ? you can get more details from Grant?s blog post. The idea for the game is original, but simple: you and your pirates are fighting to defend your precious daisies from being snatched by evil sea creatures. What I like about the site is the modular way in which Grant animated the game?s many elements, including the characters, scenery and the environment in general. If you inspect the code of one of the pages using the Internet Explorer 9 Developer Tools (F12), you will find that the HTML markup is relatively short. Most of the action happens inside the <canvas> tag, where all the graphic objects are drawn and animated using the new EaselJS framework.
Fluid animations, sounds that harmonize like an orchestra, special graphic effects, increasing difficulty levels?the vitality and excitement of Pirates Love Daisies is amazing!
Built using web standards and HTML5 (no Flash or plugins!), the game works beautifully in Internet Explorer 9, but it also runs in other modern browsers.
What about performance? Grant described Internet Explorer 9 as ?smoking fast.? It?s the only browser that can provide the experience you would expect as a game player. Grant designed a lot of little details (lightning flashes, thunder claps, rolling sea waves, flying birds, drifting clouds, etc) that improve user experience. I?ve noticed these little nuances work great in Internet Explorer 9, but tend to slow down the overall game and max out the resources if you are using other browsers. The good thing is that you can easily enable/disable them by checking/unchecking the little box at the bottom of the screen. If you are using Internet Explorer 9, make sure to try it out!
You can find more technical details, including some of the lessons we learned along the path working with Grant and performance analysis on my blog.
It?s been so much fun working (and playing!) on this project. I would like to thank Grant Skinner and his team, because they more than met the challenge we set: their Pirates Love Daisies game clearly demonstrates the potential of HTML5 and other web standards, as well as the results you can achieve through hardware-accelerated graphics and JavaScript. The Internet Explorer 9 team should be proud of the great browser they built (and keep building)!
Time to go to play now and beat Grant?s high score! :P
Giorgio Sardo, Internet Explorer Senior Technical Evangelist
XILINX WESTERN DIGITAL VOLT INFORMATION SCIENCES VISHAY INTERTECHNOLOGY VIRGIN MEDIA
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Upcoming Events for Startups and Entrepreneurs in Seattle
Upcoming Events for Startups and Entrepreneurs in Seattle:
| Recurring | |||
| FRI | December 17 | ||
| SAT | December 18 | ||
| SUN | December 19 | ||
| MON | December 20 | ||
| TUE | December 21 | Seattle Startups Open Coffee (Seattle) | |
| WED | December 22 | Seattle Lean Coffee (Seattle) Eastside Startups Open Coffee (Redmond) | |
| THU | December 23 | Hops & Chops Happy Hour (Seattle) | |
| FRI | December 24 | ||
| SAT | December 25 | ||
| SUN | December 26 | ||
| MON | December 27 | ||
| TUE | December 28 | ||
| WED | December 29 | ||
| THU | December 30 |
More Startup Events in Seattle...
Don't see your event? Submit your Startup event to our calendar.
GOOGLE GRUPO IUSACELL HARRIS HCL TECHNOLOGIES HEWLETTPACKARD
Giving the Gift of Employee Productivity and Merriment with Customized Small Business PCs
It?s time to deck the halls with boughs of holly, for its ?the season to be jolly? (or so the song goes). And speaking of halls, why not deck the ?business halls? with the latest and greatest hot technology for your employees? Not only do you get a nice tax write-off, but you also will put a smile on your employees? faces while giving your business a kick-start for the New Year.
We released Windows 7 Professional to small businesses just a little over a year ago and nothing gives us more holiday cheer than hearing how small-business owners are instigating positive change in their organizations with our technology. We truly believe in the power of technology to transform businesses.
So with the holidays in full swing, bring some merriment to your employees with the latest and greatest PCs running Windows 7 Professional tailored with your needs in mind.
Check out our small-business recommendations of what to put on under the tree this season:
- Asus UL30A: Perfect for the business traveler as its light and thin design allows for easy transport. Its long-lasting battery allows for 10 hours of computing without plugging in. For a full review from Microsoft?s very own PC guy please visit the Windows Experience Blog.
- Dell Latitude Z: Advertising itself as the world?s thinnest and lightest 16-inch laptop, this computer is perfect for highly visual business travelers. Additionally, this is the first PC to ever feature the convenience of wireless docking and inductive charging.
- HP EliteBook 2740p: This multi-touch tablet computer comes with extensive wireless connectivity options as well as GPS to aid frequent travelers. A fingerprint sensor provides and extra layer of security.
- Sony Vaio Z: It?s lightweight, sleek-yet-sturdy design allows for easy carrying and stowing of this ultra-premium PC. Users can watch Blu-Ray disks on this high end machine and also create a mobile hotspot and connect up to five other PCs or devices. See the review of this luxury machine from Ben ?The PC Guy?.
We have more information on these PCs at: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/business/get-a-new-pc.aspx.
May your holidays be merry and bright!
FIDELITY NATIONAL INFORMATION SVCS FISERV GOOGLE GRUPO IUSACELL HARRIS
Kinect gets funky with Swarovski Elements
Forget Bing, it's all about bling for Microsoft now
Let's face it - there are two killer devices that are going to dominate this Christmas. If you're over 25 then you're likely to be on the receiving end of a Kindle shaped package, and if you're under 25 then your stocking is likely to be packing Microsoft's Kinect.
If you're one of the younger generation, then lucky you, but with everyone else getting on board the Kinect express, you'll need something to make your motion sensor system stand out from the crowd.
How about this Swarovski Elements Kinect edition which features over 5,000 genuine Swarovski crystals?
Tacky? Definitely. Over the top? Without a doubt. But we bet you still want one.
Costing just over ?400, the blinged-up Kinect is a bit more expensive than the regular edition but think of the money you'll save not having to buy a Disco ball to make that Dance Central experience all the better.
Tags: Microsoft Kinect Swarovski Gaming Kinect
Kinect gets funky with Swarovski Elements originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 21 Dec 2010 12:08:00 +0000
HON HAI PRECISION IND HYNIX SEMICONDUCTOR INFOSYS TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES
Blog Post: Un mando, una sonrisa
En estos lentos días navideños, en los que mucha gente anda de vacaciones, parece que no pasa nada. Pero para eso estamos nosotros: para recordar que algunas cosas, e importantes, están ocurriendo. Por ejemplo, la campaña "Un mando, una sonrisa".
Esta iniciativa que hemos puesto en marcha desde Microsoft sirve, por un lado, para celebrar la llegada de Kinect, con el que ahora "el mando eres tú". Y ya que esto es así, proponemos a todos los internautas el ceder virtualmente su antiguo mando de Xbox 360.
Por cada mando cedido a través de esta página, donaremos 1€ a favor de las asociaciones Anima Fundación y Namasté Voluntariado en Nepal. La primera tiene como objetivo social el mejorar la calidad de vida de niños enfermos crónicos y de aquellos en riesgo de exclusión social, mientras que Namasté crea casas de acogida para niños huérfanos en la zona de Katmandú, en Nepal.
La campaña "Un mando, una sonrisa" estará activa hasta el 16 de enero de 2011. Si ya has descubierto la magia de jugar sin manos, hagamos entre todos que esa misma magia sirva para apoyar las causas solidarias de estas dos ONGs.
LAWSON SOFTWARE LAND SOFTWARE LAM RESEARCH L1 IDENTITY SOLUTIONS KINGSTON TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
Freedom is Not Free
SONIC AUTOMOTIVE SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS SILICON LABORATORIES SI INTERNATIONAL SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY
Carl?s Jr. and Hardee?s Lead The Way In Interactive iPhone Check-In Social Rewards
EnergySavvy Raises $1.1 Million To Match Up Green Contractors, Rebates And Homeowners
Seattle startup, EnergySavvy, closed a $1.1 million series-a investment according to the company's founder and chief executive Aaron Goldfeder. EnergySavvy's site and service motivates homeowners to reduce their power consumption through retrofit-variety improvements. NorthWest Energy Angels led the round, joined by several investors in the Pacific Northwest, including Geoff Entress, Andy Liu, and aQuantive alumni Mike Galgon and Karl Siebrecht (the latter two are on EnergySavvy's board).
SYKES ENTERPRISES INORATED SYBASE SUN MICROSYSTEMS STANDARD MICROSYSTEMS SRA INTERNATIONAL
US rare-earth mine reopened as DOE plans for shortages
Right now, the majority of rare-earth metals are mined in China, but the country has been running up against limits to its ability to supply both itself and its trading partners. The Chinese government has made it clear that it considers its own industry the top priority, and has even hinted at using its supplies as a diplomatic weapon. All of that has rekindled interest in US domestic production. That interest has now been highlighted by the first reopening of a US mine, an event that came on the heels of a Department of Energy study that rates five rare-earth elements as likely to face supply disruptions within the next five years.
The reopening of a California mine may become a more common event. In the face of cheap supplies from China and environmental issues, the mine shut down in 2002. The economic equation changed as the supply dwindled and prices went up; it now apparently makes sense to update and reopen the mine.
Unfortunately, as the article notes, it will take a couple of years for it to reach its full capacity. And that, according to the DOE report, is precisely the problem. The economic signals that can help guide decisions about things like mining tend to change rapidly; adjusting the supply to match them can take years. And that's precisely the problem that the US faces when it comes to the elements identified in the report, which focuses on materials needed for wind and solar power, along with efficient vehicles and lighting.
Some of these, like lithium for batteries and the gallium used in photovoltaic panels, are unlikely to see a supply crunch. But five rare-earth metals and indium are all likely to see disruptions within the next five years, and these are used in materials like magnets and LEDs. Many of these are likely to remain in short supply through the medium (five- to 15-year) time window as well, although long-term supplies should be sufficient.
The report suggests that the DOE take several steps to help ensure a steady domestic supply of these materials. These include steps like encouraging the development of a domestic extraction industry and fostering a robust recycling program for the most critically limited elements. The report also recommends that the DOE fund research into developing substitutes for these elements. In the meantime, it recommends focusing on the global supply chain and working with the US' trading partners to help ensure that any short-term supply crunches aren't too disruptive.
Read the comments on this post
EASTMAN KODAK CO EARTHLINK DST SYSTEMS DISCOVER FINANCIAL SERVICES DIODES INORATED
Skype iPhone 3.0 to bring video calling to iPhone
Support document says new features coming
Skype is expected to bring video calling to the iPhone in the near future if a help document found on the company’s servers is anything to go by.
Found this Christmas, the document details how users should go about making a video call from their Apple phone – something that isn’t currently possible.
“How do I make video calls with Skype for iPhone?” asks the Verizon and Skype co-branded document before going into doing just that.
The document, which is still available (in Japanese) and uncovered by Engadget, details plenty of more new details about what will and won’t be available.
Users will be able to make video calls on Wi-Fi and 3G on an iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, a third or fourth generation iPod touch, and the iPad (although it doesn’t have a camera).
According to the document, users will be able to use both cameras:
“With the two cameras front and back with your iPhone or iPod touch is, Skype can switch between cameras during a video call.?iPhone 3GS in the back of the camera is used at all times. By changing landscape mode automatically changes the orientation of the camera image.”
Users, say the document, will also be able to share participate in a shared screen for both the Windows and OSX versions of Skype.
Unfortunately the help document doesn’t give us a launch date of the new service, but with CES just around the corner and a Skype press conference scheduled we suspect we won’t have long to wait.
Tags: Phones Mobile phone apps iPhone Skype iPhone apps
Skype iPhone 3.0 to bring video calling to iPhone originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 27 Dec 2010 10:40:00 +0000
JDS UNIPHASE JDA SOFTWARE GROUP JACK HENRY and ASSOCIATES IXYS ITRON
Monday, December 27, 2010
Blog Post: Feliz Natal e um Ano-novo de muitas felicidades !!
Membros !
Um abraço,
IRON MOUNTAIN INORATED IOMEGA INTUIT INTERSECTIONS INTERNATIONAL RECTIFIER
PalmPad all set for CES unveiling?
Four webOS 2.5 devices detailed by source
Fox News isn't exactly a hot-bed of tech news revelations, but the outlet has seemingly uncovered some juicy details regarding a range of new PalmPad tablets.
It is reporting that HP will use CES 2011 as a launching pad for its, er, pads - with four different models talked about (although only three will be shown off in Vegas).
Murdoch's organisation has got its mucky paws on a spec sheet and has listed the highlights.
The PalmPad devices will apparently be running on an updated version (2.5.1) of webOS and include front (1.3-megapixel) and rear (3-megapixel) cameras - both of which have an LED flash.
They will be Sprint 4G compatible, have mini-HDMI and USB 3.0 ports, and hardware specs "nearly identical to Apple’s iPad".
The report isn't too clear on the sizes of the devices - an 8.9 university-based model is mentioned (this is the one not being launched at CES) but there's no clarification as to what the other three may be - although, as mentioned, one will have similar specs to the iPad.
The PalmPad range is said to be hitting shops in March 2011 - which could be just in time for a head-to-head battle with the iPad 2.
Tags: HP Slate Palmpad Tablets Palm CES2011 webOS 2.5
PalmPad all set for CES unveiling? originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 09:31:00 +0000
DIRECTV GROUP ELPIDA MEMORY EMC FIDELITY NATIONAL INFORMATION SVCS FISERV
IRC Proceedings: December 24th, 2010
QUANTA COMPUTER RESEARCH IN MOTION ROGERS COMMUNICATIONS SAIC SATYAM COMPUTER SERVICES
PalmPad all set for CES unveiling?
Four webOS 2.5 devices detailed by source
Fox News isn't exactly a hot-bed of tech news revelations, but the outlet has seemingly uncovered some juicy details regarding a range of new PalmPad tablets.
It is reporting that HP will use CES 2011 as a launching pad for its, er, pads - with four different models talked about (although only three will be shown off in Vegas).
Murdoch's organisation has got its mucky paws on a spec sheet and has listed the highlights.
The PalmPad devices will apparently be running on an updated version (2.5.1) of webOS and include front (1.3-megapixel) and rear (3-megapixel) cameras - both of which have an LED flash.
They will be Sprint 4G compatible, have mini-HDMI and USB 3.0 ports, and hardware specs "nearly identical to Apple’s iPad".
The report isn't too clear on the sizes of the devices - an 8.9 university-based model is mentioned (this is the one not being launched at CES) but there's no clarification as to what the other three may be - although, as mentioned, one will have similar specs to the iPad.
The PalmPad range is said to be hitting shops in March 2011 - which could be just in time for a head-to-head battle with the iPad 2.
Tags: HP Slate Palmpad Tablets Palm CES2011 webOS 2.5
PalmPad all set for CES unveiling? originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 09:31:00 +0000
ACCENTURE ACER ADOBE SYSTEMS ADVANCED SEMICONDUCTOR ENGINEERING ALLIANCE DATA SYSTEMS
Microsoft Cannot Offer Security on the Web, Either
AUTODESK AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING AVNET BHARTI AIRTEL BT GROUP
December Exchange Update Rollup Releases
Update Rollups for versions of Exchange Server to the Download Center and via Microsoft Update.
- Update Rollup 2 for Exchange Server 2010 Service Pack 1
- Update Rollup 2 for Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 3
- Update Rollup 5 for Exchange Server 2010 RTM
- Update Rollup 5 for Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 2
Update Rollup 2 for Exchange Server 2010 SP1
This update contains a number of customer reported and internally found issues since the release of RU1. In particular we would like to specifically call out the following fixes which are included in this release:
- 2322161 Passive DAG Copy Doesn't Replay Logs if "Don't mount this database at startup" is Checked
- 2431500 Cannot connect using Outlook Anywhere as the same user from multiple XP Clients
- 2409597 Implement OpenFlags.AlternateServer for PublicLogon
Update Rollup 3 for Exchange Server 2010 Service Pack 1 is currently scheduled to release in February.
Update Rollup 2 for Exchange Server 2007 SP3
This update contains a number of customer reported and internally found issues since the release of RU1. In particular we would like to specifically call out the following fixes which are included in this release:
- 972186 Need to include the server service as a required service for Exchange 2007 running on Server 2008
- 2290105 OWA Sharepoint/UNC Access is broken after SP3
Update Rollup 3 for Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 3 is currently scheduled to release in February.
Update Rollup 5 for Exchange Server 2010 RTM
This update contains an internally found issue which can impact upgrades from RTM RU4 to Service Pack 1. We have opted to release an out-of-band update rollup for Exchange 2010 RTM proactively to ensure customers have as smooth an upgrade experience as possible.
- 2266458 Setup cannot perform a mode:/uninstall on a HT role server since RU2 delivered MSFTE.msi
Currently, we have no plans to release future update rollups for Exchange Server 2010 RTM. We strongly recommend customers upgrade to Service Pack 1 with the latest Update Rollup after installing this update.
Update Rollup 5 for Exchange Server 2007 SP2
This security update was released earlier this morning via the Microsoft Security Response Center. Details of this bulletin and it's fix can be found below:
Currently, we have no plans to release future update rollups for Exchange Server 2007 SP2. Instead, we strongly recommend customers upgrade to Service Pack 3 with the latest Update Rollup.
Send via e-mail
Submit to Digg
Add to Live Favorites
RACKABLE SYSTEMS QUEST SOFTWARE QUANTUM QLOGIC PROGRESS SOFTWARE
The beta of the MAP Toolkit v5.5 is now available
Take a minute to learn about the exciting new features available in the MAP Toolkit v5.5 Beta and get involved in our Beta program. IT pros like you make a tremendous difference in the quality and effectiveness of the products we release and we want you to know how much we?d like you to be involved. The feedback that you provide is invaluable to us and as a way of saying thank you there will be a lot of potential prizes that can be won by those who participate. It all starts with a simple download.
Please take a minute to download the MAP Toolkit v5.5 Beta now and find out about the new features we have to:
- Simplify migration of web applications and databases to Windows Azure and SQL Azure.
- Estimate the costs of running your web applications and databases on the Azure Platform.
- Identify and migrate databases from competing platforms like Oracle and MySQL to SQL Server.
- Identify Internet Explorer compatibility issues in your organization that prevent upgrading to Windows 7.
You must register via the Connect site to access the beta. Let us know your thoughts on this very useful tool.
METHODE ELECTRONICS MENTOR GRAPHICS IMS HEALTH IMATION IKON OFFICE SOLUTIONS
Daily Crunch: Anticipation Edition
Grab Great Holiday Shots This Evening: 5 Tips For Shooting With Your New Camera
So you got that new camera eh? Congrats! Now the whole family will expect you to be the camera guy at all of the get-togethers. Not only that, you're probably trying to take pictures of the kids opening their gifts. Here are a few helpful tips on how to do it.SPSS SPANSION SONUS NETWORKS SONIC AUTOMOTIVE SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS
Kinect gets funky with Swarovski Elements
Forget Bing, it's all about bling for Microsoft now
Let's face it - there are two killer devices that are going to dominate this Christmas. If you're over 25 then you're likely to be on the receiving end of a Kindle shaped package, and if you're under 25 then your stocking is likely to be packing Microsoft's Kinect.
If you're one of the younger generation, then lucky you, but with everyone else getting on board the Kinect express, you'll need something to make your motion sensor system stand out from the crowd.
How about this Swarovski Elements Kinect edition which features over 5,000 genuine Swarovski crystals?
Tacky? Definitely. Over the top? Without a doubt. But we bet you still want one.
Costing just over ?400, the blinged-up Kinect is a bit more expensive than the regular edition but think of the money you'll save not having to buy a Disco ball to make that Dance Central experience all the better.
Tags: Microsoft Kinect Swarovski Gaming Kinect
Kinect gets funky with Swarovski Elements originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 21 Dec 2010 12:08:00 +0000
MICROSEMI MICROS SYSTEMS MICRON TECHNOLOGY MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY METHODE ELECTRONICS
NEC to unleash dual screen Android tablet at CES
The Cloud Communicator is coming
NEC is all set to reveal the world's first dual-screen Android tablet at CES 2011, with a device that goes by the name of The Cloud Communicator.
The double LCD boasting device will have two 7-inch touchscreens, have connectivity via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and 3G, have a stylus-pen input (no details yet as to whether one or both of the screens will be capacitive) and it will also let you multitask by having two different apps on the go over the dual-displays.
As well as the dual screen effort, NEC will also be showing off a single 7-inch screen Cloud Communicator with a camera on board, an Android powered "Mobile Notebook", and its own Android marketplace entitled Andronavi.
Pocket-lint will, of course, be over at CES in full force and we'll be bringing you all the news as and when it breaks.
?
Tags: NEC Cloud Communicator CES2011 Tablets NEC Android
NEC to unleash dual screen Android tablet at CES originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 21 Dec 2010 10:47:21 +0000
L1 IDENTITY SOLUTIONS KINGSTON TECHNOLOGY COMPANY KEY JDS UNIPHASE JDA SOFTWARE GROUP
Sunday, December 26, 2010
eBay?s Top Holiday Product Searches: Nintendo Wii; Xbox Kinect And Ugly Christmas Sweaters
E-commerce giant eBay sees a massive amount of searches every day?the company just announced that it handled more than 2 billion U.S. product searches in the third quarter alone. For the same time period, comScore reports that Amazon saw 847 million searches, while Google handled only 226 million product searches. Similar to the fact that top Google searches can show what's trending during a specific time, eBay's searches can show us what is popular in terms of e-commerce at a given time. The company has releases data on the top product searches on the marketplace during the holiday shopping season (Dec. 1 through Dec. 22). During the time period, the top three products that saw the largest spike in searches (in order) are the Nintendo Wii Console, Xbox Kinect, and "Ugly Christmas Sweater." 
TRIDENT MICROSYSTEMS TRANSACTION SYSTEMS ARCHITECTS TOTAL SYSTEM SERVICES TNS TIBCO SOFTWARE
Feature: Raising a healthy gamer: seven tips for parents
This feature originally ran in the middle of 2009, but with video games being such a popular gift for the holidays, this seemed like a good time to revisit the issue. We were happy to see that very little needed to be changed in the piece, proving that gaming is like any issue with parenting: common sense and consistency are the most effective tools.
If you're a parent, or a soon-to-be parent, the noise about gaming and children can be deafening. Video games turn kids into killers. Video games are addictive. Video games get in the way of learning. There is nothing good to be gained from playing games.
If you don't play games yourself, it can be intimidating to have a child who is into video games. You don't understand the hardware. The controller looks complicated. You don't get the games. At the same time, isn't it a little drastic to simply not allow video games in the house?
In this article, we'll take a look at some of the issues that surround video games and the family, and we'll give you some real-world advice on what to look for, what the dangers are, and what you can do to have gaming be a safe and fun part of your household. What we hope you'll find is that most of this advice is common sense, and that by using your head and doing a bit of research you'll eliminate most of the problems that can pop up with children and gaming. In fact...
Read the comments on this post
TEXAS INSTRUMENTS TERADATA TELETECH HOLDINGS TECHNITROL TAKETWO INTERACTIVE SOFTWARE