tech2all.com

Google is apparently testing out click-to-call AdWords – I can’t see it myself, but here’s how it works, direct from the Google Click-To-Call FAQ:

What’s the phone icon on Google search results? How does it work?

We’re testing a new product that gives you a free and fast way to speak directly to the advertiser you found on a Google search results page – over the phone.

Here’s how it works: When you click the phone icon, you can enter your phone number. Once you click ‘Connect For Free,’ Google calls the number you provided. When you pick up, you hear ringing on the other end as Google connects you to the other party. Then, chat away on our dime.

We won’t share your telephone number with anyone, including the advertiser. When you’re connected with the advertiser, your number is blocked so the advertiser can’t see it. In addition, we’ll delete the number from our servers after a short period of time.

Seems Google’s getting into the pay-per-call business. What are the rates, I wonder?

Screenshots! Read the rest of this entry »

The Netherlands has issued the first lenticular “video” stamp, using a special printing process on a stamp-sized piece of plastic. Each stamp sells for €.39 (46 cents US), and before you think that’s crazy, keep in mind that these are not flat panel displays that we’re talking about. How does this work, you might ask? The technique is a variation on those little plastic decoder rings you might have seen as a kid—as you tilt the stamp to the left and right, the series of images appear to play back in sequence. Here’s how Outer Aspect, the company that printed these video stamps, explains it:

“Lenticular is a specialised printing process that can show depth, motion, HD video, film or combinations of these. The lenticular material is made up of tiny ridges or lenses (hence the name "lenticular" printing). We take raw images and process them through a computer algorithm, which matches the lens surface of the lenticular material. When the two work together it enables the image to be replayed back to you. The printing is always on the reverse side of the Lenticular lens material, as this is where the focal point is, allowing the images to be replayed back to the human eye as the viewing angle changes.”

This technology can also be used for 3D graphics and lots of other jaw-dropping stuff.

How It Works [Outer Aspect]

Offering up some competition for Samsung’s recently unveiled SGH-P900 TV phone, LG this week previewed its upcoming V9000 handset at the 3GSM World Congress 2006 in Barcelona. A swivel model, it – as does the SGH-P900 – relies on the DMB-T standard which has risen to popularity in Europe for receiving wireless digital TV transmissions, and also includes several other multimedia features.

Adding to its swiveling 262K colour display, the V9000 includes a 1.3 Megapixel camera as well as 30 MB of on-board memory and memory expansion courtesy of an hitherto unknown format; the ability to record up to one-hour long shows; and virtual 3D surround sound. In addition, the handset claims a battery life of up to three hours for TV viewing.

Expected to be available in several European markets including Germany and Italy in the first half of 2006, LG did not disclose further information concerning the expected pricing and specifications of the V9000.

SugarCRM has become the second open source software company challenging proprietary client/server ISVs to land a technology partnership with Microsoft.

The start-up and Microsoft have announced plans to improve interoperability between Windows Servers and SugarCRM’s hosted customer relationship management (CRM) suite.

SugarCRM additionally plans to release a distribution of its Sugar Suite under Microsoft’s Community License, part of Microsoft’s Shared Source Initiative. The Shared Source Initiative is Microsoft’s program that allows customers to view Windows source code, launched in response to concerns over the security of its software.

The SugarCRM partnership follows last year’s announcement Microsoft would integrate its Windows Server system with open source Java middleware from JBoss. Read the rest of this entry »

Winpooch is a watchdog for Windows that helps you increase the security of your computer.  
Winpooch can prevent suspicious programs from doing dangerous actions such as writing to system directories or sensible registry keys. It acts as a powerful anti spyware and anti trojans, and if you have ClamWin installed, you can tell Winpooch to scan every program before it runs. 
 
This new release provide a cache for antivirus, this prevents from scanning the same file several times and thus increase the computer speed.  It also contains many bug fixes. 
It can be downloaded here

Official HomePage