Robotic Samara: Single winged helicopter

Nature has always been a great inspiration when it comes to designing and developing new mechanical devices.  With the advent of the UAV age, flying machines are getting smaller in size. When it comes to hovering UAVs like mini-scaled helicopters the problem with them is the smaller they get the less efficient they become. So to solve this problem Evan Ulrich and colleagues at the University of Maryland in College Park turned to the biological world for inspiration. Many trees disperse their seeds by releasing those single-winged seeds that are also called "Samara". Evan Ulrich and colleagues built a mechanical Samara also know as Ulrich flyer whose dynamics are very similar to those of nature's Samaras.

Facebook finally introduces secure connection ("https")

The forth quarter of last year (2010) was a bit worry some for Facebook considering the fact that there were a lot of questions raised about the security of Facebook. The Firefox plugin Firesheep allowed any amateur to hack into someones Facebook account logged into the same WiFi or other public networks.

The only answer to this question was to make Facebook force the browser into using secure connection to communicate with the website to ensure that the information you send remains private, just like you find on Gmail, Paypal and a various other services which involve online transactions. Finally Facebook has introduced this feature.

This indicates that your browser is using a secure connection ("HTTPS"). 

CompuLab introduces Trim Slice: Energy efficient Mini PC

CompuLab an Israel based computer module boards and miniature computer system manufacturer announced a new energy efficient PC named Trim Slice. Its a miniature desktop computer powered by NVIDIA Tegra 2, the same processor thats powering the latest hi-end tablets and smart phones. Trim-Slice is said to be CompuLab’s smallest and most energy efficient computer. What makes this device unique is the fact that its a fairly small device almost looks like a small thin client in a sense. Don't go by the size it packs in quite a punch.

Vibro-Wind: The new way for Wind Power

Despite so much wind energy around us the only way to harness this energy man has figured is by the use of wind turbine. With their advantages Wind turbines have a lot of disadvantages too, as a result they are not that popular. They are huge, require large space for mounting and ultimate they cost a lot. A lot of conservationist consider them as a danger for birds and sensitive natural habitats. So the only way to solve these problems is to find a new design approach and that's what Vibro-Wind is about.

How to switch operator with Mobile number portability in India.

Finally the much awaited Mobile number portability service is now available in India. Now its possible to change your service provider without changing your Mobile number. 

This article is a six step simplified guide as to how to change your operator/service provider.

World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) today unveiled a new logo for HTML5

HTML5 is said to be the upcoming standard for the Internet which will support media rich content without the need for any or lesser plugins like flash player etc. The main aim of HTML5 is to make the Internet run more on pure markup language rather than making the user to install various plugins, their APIs and extensions to access media rich content on the Internet.

The new standard is being backed up by major IT firms like Apple and Google on a large scale. The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is also trying to promote the use of HTML5 by spreading awareness in the masses. The release of a this new logo is a way to builds momentum and create interest in the online community. W3C is also giving away free Logo stickers and selling T-shirts online.