Sunday, January 2, 2011

4 new stories on The Next Web today

4 new stories on The Next Web today

Link to The Next Web

Who needs PowerPoint? Use LASER for your next presentation.

Posted: 01 Jan 2011 03:21 PM PST

You think you’ve seen some cool presentations in the past, I bet. OK, maybe not. Presentations usually suck (with few notable exceptions). But what if you could do your entire presentation, including motion graphics and audio display, by using a laser?

An open-source project known as OpenLase has taken the code from the Jack project, mashed it up with a USB sound card and managed to power a laser display with the combination. The results? Pretty freaking cool:

I will not stalk my ex on Facebook, and other social media resolutions

Posted: 01 Jan 2011 03:04 PM PST

On Christmas day 2009, my ex defriended me on Foursquare and stopped following me on Twitter.

Fair enough, I suppose. I didn’t need to know what bars he was going to and he didn’t need to read my 140-character self-deprecations. But I noticed his unfollow immediately and I cried, really hard. Three glasses of mulled cider later and I began to meditate on the aspects of sharing our lives, our work and our love online.

For all the other modern messes out there, here are 5 New Year’s social media related resolutions:

1. I will not stalk my ex on Facebook. There are so many different reasons why Facebook makes breaking up with people exponentially harder. First, if you were in an established Facebook relationship, the ensuing broken relationship will fill up your friends’ newsfeeds, dragging your already broken heart out into the virtual highway. Second, it means you have access to his or her life, even after you are no longer a part of it. If you don’t have enough willpower to avoid viewing your ex’s photos like a slideshow, then feel free to de-friend him or her. Just realize, that chances are they won’t ask for your friendship on Facebook ever again so it could make for an awkward digital reconciliation .

2. I will be more discerning with my friend requests. On Facebook, if your News Feed looks anything like mine these days, then you need to start being more discerning with your friend requests. Ask yourself 3 questions: Have I met this person in real life? Do we have mutual friends? Do I want this person to see photos of me and status updates for the rest of my Facebook using life? If no, then hit ignore or keep them on the wait list until you can answer yes to all three of those questions, otherwise known as Facebook purgatory.

On Foursquare, this is even more important. You can’t seriously want people you don’t even know to know where you are every time you check-in. That’s downright dangerous. I receive loads of Foursquare friend requests from people I don’t even know, most of the time its because they are new to the platform and haven’t realized Foursquare is more personal in nature than other platforms. But some of the time, the requests are simply scary.

3. I will not “auto” anything on Twitter. Don’t auto-follow. Don’t auto-DM. Don’t auto-tweet. Don’t do anything that shortcuts the already less-than-personal nature of social media. Nobody likes being on the receiving end of auto-generated messages, so don’t be the person to send them. In other words, be a human.

4. I will not spam my “friends” asking them to “Like me.” So you’re an artist, a fashion designer, or a musician, or you just think you’re going to be famous because you live in L.A. and you can breathe properly. Don’t badger your entire network asking them to “Like” you. If you’re really trying to get your message out there and gain notoriety ask your Mom, Dad, your roommate, a couple close friends, your boss and your significant other, but then stop there. More importantly, do something worth notoriety. If its truly notable, people will notice. It’s already a shallow effort and chances are you’ll piss off quite a few people who would’ve “Liked you” on their own without having you request their approval. Lastly, you’re devaluing the entire “Like” process by guilting your friends into adding one more “Like” to their Facebook page.

5. I will forget about MySpace. MySpace had its day, along with Ace of Base, white washed jeans and JNCOs. There are much better ways to waste your time on the Internet.

Whether you’re stalking, sharing or spreading yourself all over social media, be mindful. Make a few resolutions to keep the online space classy in 2011. Although, I in no way advise doing away with LOLcats, OMGs, tbh, JKs, and emoticons. Happy New Year! :)

Hotmail users report empty inboxes, flood official Microsoft forums

Posted: 01 Jan 2011 01:21 PM PST

Owners of accounts on Microsoft’s Hotmail email service have been flooding the company’s official forums complaining of missing emails, stating that emails have disappeared not only from their inboxes but from all folders within their accounts.

Some account holders have been left thinking their accounts have been hacked, with a few complaining of issues over the past couple of days. Microsoft representatives have been busy acknowledging forum posts complaining about the issue, responding with messages that indicate Microsoft’s Hotmail technical team are aware of the issues and are actively working to restore access to emails.

It was thought that service was being restored to some accounts but it appears emails are still missing for a large number of users with no official explanation as to what might be causing it. Hotmail user Sloopjohnb notes the following:

Actually the issue has not been addressed. I still do not have access to my personal email folders. This has now been going on for 2 days. Is the public and news media aware of this recurring issue? Not only is the fact that I cannot access my stored emails frustrating but your total lack of communication and silence on your part suspect but your head in the sand approach is very unprofessional of one of the top software companies in the world.

Some users are so frustrated with the lack of acknowledgement they are taking to Facebook to help enlist support, setting up groups to connect people with the problems and force Microsoft into publicly acknowledging the issue.

The BBC contacted Microsoft, its spokeswoman noting there was an issue but it was not a widespread problem. The company said it was working to fix affected accounts and apologised for any inconveniences caused.Image Credit

Can you love apps a little TOO much?

Posted: 01 Jan 2011 11:05 AM PST

As fun and useful as they can be, some of us can seemingly get a little too passionate about apps from time-to-time. I have to hold my hand up and admit that I’m one of those people.

One thing that irks me is when an app I really want to use isn’t available for a platform I choose to use or the country I live in. In fact, once in a while I feel passionately wronged when things don’t go my way.

Take for example Instagram. This addictive app has become a sensation on the iPhone, with over one million users sharing exquisitely filtered versions of their mobile snaps in what has essentially become a giant online photography club. As I go through life I regularly think “That would make a great Instagram post!” The problem? There’s no Android version, meaning I’m left out in the cold.

Now, Instagram promises an Android version some time in the future, and having seen its service rocket into popularity from out of nowhere in a matter of weeks it’s no surprise that the team there has been unable to meet demand quite yet. I understand the reasons for the lack of an Android app but for now I’m out of the club and if there’s one thing sure to make me feel passionately wronged, it’s being left out of the “In crowd”.

Worried that I might be the only one with this emotional dysfunction, I took a look around the Get Satisfaction website, which is used as a support forum by many developers. One comment on Gowalla’s Android app forum complained about the lack of the latest iOS app’s features in the current Android build. On being given an early 2011 date for an update, one user writes

2011??? Android has just as many users (if not more) than iOS, but we always get treated like second class citizens….

Elsewhere, some users got a little hot under the collar about the lack of an Android version of photography app Hipstamatic, with choice quotes like

Personally I think it’s rather arrogant to keep this exclusive to the iPhone

and

Sounds like hipstamatic developers are Apple cultists maybe?

So, is it wrong, unstable and a little deranged to feel like we’re being hard done by for such minor, inconsequential things? It’s a First World geek problem for sure, but maybe apps are the new rock ‘n’ roll and we’re just like those screaming, crying Beatles fans back in the 1960s.

How to stay online while you get in shape this new year

Posted: 01 Jan 2011 09:01 AM PST

So, the new year has arrived and you want to get in shape. The trouble is, you love the Internet (perhaps a little too much) – how can you stay online while keeping fit? Luckily there are quite a few ways, from exercising at your desk to apps that combine working out with online social features.

Get a workout while you work

If you really can’t drag yourself away from your computer, why not exercise right at your desk? Isokinetics Pedal Exercisers allow you to stay physically active while you work by keeping your legs moving.

If you’re worried that moving a mouse around and typing isn’t a good enough workout for your upper limbs (hint: it’s not), you can move the equipment onto the desk and give your arms a quick go on the pedals while you keep an eye on your screen.

The manufacturers say that regular use will improve circulation, muscle strength, joint range of motion, and coordination.

The desk/workout station combo

If money is no object, the $4599 Sit-to-Walkstation could be the perfect choice for working out while you work. Combining a treadmill with an office desk, its height can be adjusted to standing level, allowing you to keep moving without leaving the office.

Then, when you need a rest, just readjust the height of the desk and place a chair next to the treadmill. An attached console shows your speed and calories burned, plus the time and distance you’ve covered.

This is definitely in the luxury bracket but if you have the spare cash and the will to keep fit without stopping work, it could be worth the investment.

Stay online at the gym

If you’d prefer to get out of the house and into the gym, the SurfShelf could be just what you need. Clipping on to many treadmills, cycle and exercise machines, it lets you rest your laptop while you gently walk, jog or cycle.

We wouldn’t recommend doing an intensive workout while you check your email, but if you’re just interested in keeping moving while you work it could be exactly what you need.

As we mentioned in our previous coverage of the product, one reviewer described it as “One of my favorite inventions ever”.

Track and share your weight online

The Withings Scale does more than just tell you what you weigh right now. This 21st Century scale ties into an online service that keeps track of important stats like your body mass and fatty mass so you can see how you’re progressing in your quest for the body beautiful. You can view your latest figures in a browser or via an iPhone.

What’s more, real over-sharers can set this WiFi-enabled device to automatically tweet out their weight each day. While that might seem a bit like Too Much Information, it could be just the encouragement you need to keep at it. After all, you don’t want your followers seeing you fail, do you?

Get training plans and learn more about what you eat

Daily Burn is a website that lets you to keep track of your calorie intake and other nutrition information along with customised training  plans. Motivational groups let you compare your progress with, and set challenges for, other people.

Meanwhile, the service’s iPhone apps let you to log your training progress, check nutritional information of food you eat using barcode scanning and take part in ‘Push up wars’ against others. Daily Burn membership costs $9.99 per month, although there’s a free 7-day trial period.

Track your fitness on the go

A number of apps designed to help you keep fit while sharing your progress online are available for most mobile platforms.

If you have an iPhone, iPod Touch or iPod Nano, the range of Nike+ apps are designed to track your progress and keep you motivated by using a sensor in your running shoe and music that can be set to reflect your pace and push you onward. After your workout, you can share your results online or just keep them to yourself, comparing your performance over time.

Other useful apps include Runkeeper for iPhone and Android which offers similar social fitness features and lets friends track your progress in real time on a map. The Pro version of Runkeeper is free throughout January so it’s worth downloading it, even if you don’t think you’ll be using it in the longterm. Endomondo is another competitor and is available for a large number of handsets including iPhone, Android, Blackberry and Nokia.

Get regular exercise with help from your phone

Another way to stay active at your desk is with FitFu. This iPhone app gives you small exercises to do regularly wherever you are, tracking your progress with the handset’s accelerometer.

A social element to the app allows you to compare your progress with friends’, whether you just want to cheer them on or compete for points. Yes, FitFu gives you a score and you can “Level up” the more you keep using it.

The app is currently on offer for the reduced price of 99 cents, so grab before 4 January to take advantage of the discount.

Meanwhile, GymFu offers a range of mobile apps that offer a similar experience but concentrating on individual exercises – pushups, pullups, crunches and squats.

If you have any more tips for staying connected while you keep fit, leave a comment and let us know.
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