If your laptop is anything like mine and only seems to be able to provide a maximum of three hours battery life on a good day, then you will be pleased to hear of a new device that has been launched to solve this frustrating problem.

The wiz kids at Tekkeon have just announced the launch of the myPower(TM) ALL Plus MP3700, an external laptop battery which comes with automatic voltage detection.

This simple device, consisting of a 50 Watt-hour lithium polymer battery, is plugged into the power jack of the laptop, where it will double its lifespan whilst you are on the move. On top of that, because it is modular a second battery can then be added to the device, meaning a total power time of seven hours can be achieved without an electric socket in sight.

As if that was not good enough, Tekkeon has made sure that the device can be used on as many other portable devices as possible, and it comes complete with nine adaptor tips for this purpose, as well as having the ability to charge via USB.

Jerry Yang, the president of Tekkeon, Inc, claimed that the myPower(TM) ALL Plus MP3700 is “the ideal solution for business users”, and that “this lightweight battery will power and charge the portable devices business users rely on most, including smartphones for up to 40 hours of talk time”.

The great thing about the All Plus MP3700 is its versatility. It can power nearly every type of laptop that comes with an adaptor, including most of the laptops that draw 90W output power from the device power adaptor.
It also claims to be able to add 96 hours to CD players, 42 hours to MP3 players, and 60 hours to the life of cell phones.

As it weighs in at just 15.4 ounces, it is a highly portable device that won’t inconvenience you at all, and it comes with a price-tag of $179.95 with the additional battery costing $99.95. This is set to be a hit with business travelers and anyone who finds themselves out and about with their laptop, and being mobile just got that little bit easier.

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The release of Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio (RDS) 2008 has just been announced to the joy of robotics enthusiasts across the world.

Coming on the back of the two previous editions, this third version aims to raise the standard with a number of far superior features, bringing the dream of a world run entirely by robots that little bit closer.

The new software has a simple programming model to support building synchronous applications, a set of visual authoring and simulation tools which aid application development, and a number of tutorials and sample code to allow beginners to get cracking straight away.

The two previous versions of RDS have found great support in the robotics community, winning fans in researchers, students, and commercial developers alike, and this release it certain to increase the fan base hugely.

More than 250,000 copies of the first two versions have already been downloaded, and more than 60 hardware and software companies use the platform as a part of their product development.

Tandy Trower, the general manager of the Microsoft Robotics Group, said that it showed the company’s “continued commitment and investment in supporting the emerging new robotics community”, adding that they hoped it would provide a “common ground and catalyst for the future of personal robotics”.

The main enhancements for fans include an increased runtime performance with speeds up to three times faster, improvements to the Visual Programming Language (VPL) tool for ease of creating applications, improvements to the Visual Simulation Environment (VSE) tool for recording and playing back simulations, and greater development flexibility.

It also provides support for importing content from DS SolidWorks(R) 3-D computer-aided design (CAD) software and Microsoft trueSpace 3-D modeling software, meaning it will be easier for developers to create simulated models and environments.

The aim is to get greater participation from across the robotics community by finding a common ground, and it looks like with this release that could be a reality very soon.

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Jacobs lives in Silverado Senior Living - San Juan Capistrano with a dozen other residents, where they provide assisted living for Alzheimer’s and other memory-impairing residents.  They’ve been using a Wii since March 2008.
“Mr. Jacobs was able to hit the baseball when no one else could, including those of us on the staff,” said Linda Szemenyei, director of resident engagement.

Jacobs has always loved baseball.  He played high school baseball, and then at the University of Southern California, and his corporate baseball team.  The use of the Wii opens up his favourite sport again to him, as it does  arrange of other activities such as golf, tennis or bowling. Some residents have no knowledge of the real sport, and have only played on the Wii, some like John Jacobs are previous experts.

Administrator Carole Shaw brought the Wii to Silverado - San Juan Capistrano – she says:
“I played with it and I had been reading about how senior citizens were enjoying it and using it for exercise… I hadn’t heard of it being played by people with Alzheimer’s Disease, but I didn’t see any reason that our residents wouldn’t be able to use it. Our philosophy at Silverado is to always look at what people with memory impairment can do, rather than what they can’t do, and I thought this would be exciting.”

They had to wait several months to find a Wii, but since March they haven’t looked back, gathering at 1.30 daily for afternoon fun and games!  Fortunately, other sports such as boxing are not proving popular.
Shaw said: “What our residents are doing with the Wii is a wonderful example of how much capacity and ability people with memory impairment have. It’s so important for the world to understand this and to help each person with memory disorder live to his or her full potential.”

Obviously, Silverado offers more normal exercise such as time spent with children and animals, gardening, cooking, woodworking, etc, but the Wi is doing well popularity-wise, especially where people are unable to play for real any more.

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Much is said about the human brain but unfortunately a lot of what we believe is in fact false.  The following are 12 of the most common myths about the human brain that are simply not true.

1 The 10% myth

This has got to be number one on the list as it is arguably the most common myth regarding the human brain and the most widely spread. We hear constantly that we are only using 10% of our brains and that what the rest of the brain does is anyone’s guess. This is simply not true. The story probably began as a result of researchers discovering that only 10% of neurons are firing in the brain at any point in time, something quite different indeed. There are about 100 billion neurons in a human brain and each one of these neurons communicates with up to 10,000 other neurons in the brain. Obviously this in no way implies that the brain is only using part of its power. Perhaps a more accurate statement would be that too many of us are operating at only 10% of what we might be otherwise be capable of if only we bothered to try.

2 Holes in the brain myth

We don’t have holes in the brain even if damage to areas of the brain is sometimes referred to as holes or gaps. In fact, these so called holes are more accurately described as areas of the brain that are not active, or in other words, an area of the brain where no neurons are firing.

3 The right brain left brain myth

We’ve all heard it said that we are either right brained or left brained and many people will have even done the tests to establish which particular hemisphere they are operating in and to what extent. Yes it is true that some people display more left brained or right brained traits in their behavior but this is misleading as it doesn’t mean we are only using the right or the left side of the brain. The truth is we use both sides of our brains for mental functions as one side supports the other. In fact, if one side of the brain gets damaged and can no longer perform a particular function, in many cases the other side of the brain is able to take over and do the job just as well, alright it takes a bit of practice but yes it can be done. You only need to look at cases where people have learned how to write with their other hand after a brain injury.

4 The grey brain myth

Ask anyone to describe what the brain looks like and what colour it is and they are likely to tell you that it is grey. Some might elaborate a bit further and go on to say it is tough like a muscle. To be fair, the reason they see it like that is most probably because these are images that they have seen in pictures on television, books other forms of media. However the brain only looks like that once it has been removed from the body and preserved in certain chemicals. Our brains are actually very soft and jelly like and far from being grey, are a deep red colour.

5 The brain damage is permanent myth

Many people still believe that brain damage is permanent, but the fact is that in many cases the brain can repair itself. The process of brain regeneration is properly known as neurogenesis and scientists now have visible evidence that this takes place by using sophisticated imaging technology. Even as little as 2 decades ago, neuroscientists still believed that the brain couldn’t make new cells but recent discoveries show that it can. However, we still know very little about the brain so we have yet to work out why it might repair itself in some situations and not in others.

6 The when we get old we lose our memory myth

It’s a commonly held misconception that memory loss is inevitable as we grow older. There are many different factors that can affect our ability to take in, store and recall information, such as genetics, disease, drugs, general health, and so on. Yes it’s true that many people will appear to have less of an ability to remember things as they get older but no, memory loss isn’t inevitable. To keep your brain active and in good condition in your twilight years the best thing you can do by far is exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet with plenty of fish, fresh fruit and vegetables. Exercise improves the blood flow to the brain and keeps it oiled up and in good working order and if your diet provides the right fuel then you’re laughing. Unfortunately we do tend to become more sedentary as we get older so give your body and therefore your brain a regular workout no matter what age you are.

7 The brain is like a sponge myth

You’ll hear people saying from time to time that the brain is like a sponge and that once it has been saturated with information there is no room for any more. What they are basically saying is that there is only so much we can take in. This is false. There appears to be no limit to what the brain can absorb and learn in the way of new information and it’s not its ability to do so that is in question it is more a case of whether the learner can be bothered or not to make the effort.

8 The our brain is like a computer myth

This may be true if we were robots but we are not, well some of us aren’t anyway. Seriously though, the notion that our brain is like a computer is far from the truth. Yes the early computer models were based on what was known about the brain at the time but even if you combined the power of all the computers in the world they would never match the capacity of just one human brain. Our brains are so complex and sophisticated that to liken them to a computer is absurd. However, scientists are constantly working on computer technology in the hope that one day they can create one that mimics the human brain. I wouldn’t hold my breath but if they do happen to accomplish this then I think we’re in trouble.

9 The bigger the brain the smarter you are myth

It’s not how big it is, it’s how you use it that matters. Does that sound familiar? The same goes for the brain. Men have slightly larger brains than women and this has led to the mistaken assumption that they are somehow smarter. Not true. There is no real evidence that a larger brain means a higher level of intelligence. There are plenty of people out there with large enough brains who don’t use them and many with smaller brains who achieve more of their potential because they do.

10 The we learn best by subliminal techniques myth

There has been a lot of talk and debate about learning, about, how we learn and how to retain what we have learned and many people have come up with the idea that we learn best using subliminal techniques. This has resulted in a proliferation of CDs tapes and other material that we can listen to as we sleep and so on. The truth is that we are all unique and the best way for us to learn is different from person to person. Some people may learn better with visual cues, others by listening, and others by participating and yet others who combine many techniques in order to maximize their learning potential, some learn best in groups and others prefer to work alone. There isn’t a single best way to learn, in fact it comes down to a very simple philosophy, what works for you works and that is it.

11 The depression is all in the mind myth

It seems hard to believe that in this day and age there are still people who think that depression is all in the mind and that all you have to do to get out of it is pull yourself together. This is not only untrue, it is a dangerous misunderstanding. Depression is real and people need to know that. We’re not talking about feeling a bit down in the dumps here, that is a normal part of life, we are talking about clinical depression that causes people to be unable to carry out their normal lives. There can be many reasons why someone will develop depression and another doesn’t, ranging from chemical imbalances, genetics, and environmental toxins to social circumstances and life events. What we do know is that people do not choose to become depressed and that without professional help they are far less likely to get through it. The problem with perpetuating a myth like this is that people who are truly depressed are going to be less likely to seek the help they need.

12 The videogames are bad for you myth

This is an interesting one as the rise in the use of video games for entertainment is quite a recent phenomenon in terms of human existence so we don’t have a lot of evidence to evaluate. Now, we’ve all heard it said that video games are bad for us, yes mainly by an older generation that don’t really understand them, but never mind, is it true? Well it would seem the opposite is in fact the case. Researchers are discovering that people who play video games are processing information more rapidly, are more able to multi task and quicker to assess situations and respond to them and are generally more mentally alert. So next time your partner or child is engrossed in a video game, don’t be tempted to complain, join in, not only will you run the risk of improving your brain power you might even have some fun too.

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Windows XP Home Edition

The Home Edition of Windows XP will work on just about any up-to-date computers, and is geared towards the home user who wants to communicate with friends, browse the internet, and do small scale personal projects such as playing around with digital photo editing and so on.

Minimum Requirements

233 MHz CPU
64 Megabits of RAM
1.5 Gigs of available Hard Disk space
Super VGA, at least 800×600 resolution
CD-ROM or DVD drive

Recommended Requirements

300 MHz CPU
128 Megabits of RAM
1.5 Gigs of available HD space
Super VGA
CD-ROM or DVD drive
Network adapter
Sound card and speakers or headphones

Windows XP Professional Edition

Professional Edition requires about the same as the home edition and is roughly the same operating system with a number of different features, geared towards producing professional grade work with your PC or Mac.

Minimum Requirements

233 MHz CPU
64 Megabits of RAM
1.5 Gigs of available Hard Disk space
Super VGA, at least 800×600 resolution
CD-ROM or DVD drive

Recommended Requirements

300 MHz CPU
128 Megabits of RAM
1.5 Gigs of available HD space
Super VGA
CD-ROM or DVD drive
Network adapter
0ASound card and speakers or headphones

Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 (MCE)

MCE is geared more towards, as the name implies, media creation and manipulation, such as video and sound work, or playing DVDs in high resolution.

Minimum Requirements

1.6 GHz CPU
256 Megabits of RAM
30 Gigs of available Hard Disk space for mobile systems
60 Gigs of available HD space for non-mobile systems
64 MB DDR 4x AGP DirectX 9 graphics card
1024×768 resolution for 4:3 aspect ratio
1280×720 resolution for widescreen ratio
DVD drive
Internet connection

Recommended Options

TV Tuner Card
MCE Compatible Remote Control

Windows XP Starter Edition

As the name implies, Starter Edition is sort of a bare bones version of Windows XP. This OS is available in various countries throughout the world such as Mexico, and is seen as a cost effective way to equip several computers with Windows. It should be easy to do most basic computer functions with the Starter Edition, but many programs will have to be bought seperately.

Minimum Requirements

233 MHz CPU
64 Megabits of RAM
1.5 Gigs of available Hard Disk space
Super VGA, at least 800×600 resolution
CD-ROM or DVD drive

Recommended Requirements

300 MHz CPU
128 Megabits of RAM
1.5 Gigs of available HD space
Super VGA
CD-ROM or DVD drive
Network adapter
Sound card and speakers or headphones

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Even if you have a rough idea of what Wi-Fi does, more or less, you still might be at a loss if you had to answer a question regarding the subject. For example, you might be using Wi-Fi right now and not even know it, or what it is, exactly.

So, below, we’ll get into…

What, Exactly, is Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is actually the trade name of a certain type of wireless technology. Wi-Fi is most often used in home and office networks, video gaming, and mobile phones. Almost every modern PC and Macintosh operating system supports Wi-Fi connectivity, and so do most modern printers and other peripherals (to save the hassle of dealing with cables and wires). Most of the current generation of video game consoles connect with Wi-Fi as well, including the Nintendo Wii and the Nintendo DS. Wi-Fi is popular as a way for portable game system users to connect within a certain physical distance of one another.

Wi-Fi is basically just a very convenient alternative to using a mass of tangled wires to transfer information from computer to computer, computer to peripheral, or video gamer to video gamer. Using Wi-Fi eliminates the need for switches, plugs, sensitive and fragile connectors and pins, wiring, cables, etcetera. It is simply a very easy way to connect electronic devices.

Another upside is that, within one household, several computers can be online at once. There still may be some lag, as there will always be when several20users are transferring information on the same internet connection all at once, but there won’t be an issue with a lack of ports and so on.

Hotspots

A Wi-Fi hotspot is an area where Wi-Fi based connectivity is provided to the internet or a network. Many coffee shops and libraries, for example, may be Wi-Fi hotspots, allowing visitors to work online or play video games with players in other countries while visiting the area, though a hotspot can be as small as a single room. A hotspot could also cover several square miles. Anyone who leaves their wireless internet connection unlocked by password can host a hotspot.

Wi-Fi can also work in so called peer-to-peer mode, wherein electronic devices connect directly to one another, rather than through the internet. For example, two Nintendo DS gamers could play a game together without an internet connection, or even download video game demos from download stations at a game store. Likewise, two cell phone users, depending on the model, could trade information or talk to one another directly through P2P Wi-Fi rather than by using a network.

Downsides

If there’s one major downside to Wi-Fi connectivity, it is that wireless connections tend to use more power than wire based connections. Depending on the amount of usage, this may be a marginal difference, but if you leave a Wi-Fi object on all day for example, it could really put a dent in a power bill (or eat up your batteries pretty quickly).

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1. Incorrect interference with neural pathways

This happens due to being surrounded by a constant field of static electricity, which in turn affects how the brain sends signals. The result can be incorrect bodily movements at very inappropriate times, for example, you are just reaching 2nd base when a touch of a graceful ballet dancer is required along with a stroking motion, then without warning “incorrect interference” kicks in and you suddenly start twitching, twisting, jumping and kicking, leaving the other half shocked, bewildered, and somewhat sore.

2. Repetitive fire finger strain

Come on, we have all had this whilst playing Halo? This is probably the most reported of all the gaming injuries. You know, hitting that fire button way too many times resulting in either a strained tendon or an uncontrollable finger shake. Now an uncontrollable finger shake you could get away with but a strained tendon would result in you having to use a different finger to perform any sexual function and as we all know those “other fingers” just don’t have the same training. Obviously this could result in an extremely poor performance…

3. Inappropriate phrase selection at height of excitement…

Again this one is very widely reported, it simply involves calling out phrases that are highly inappropriate for the situation you find yourself in. Some examples of these include “die noob”, “LMAO loser” or any combination of the following words and phrases; whoa are you freakin serious, LMFAO, time to kick some noob ass, blow me you retard, way to go, and so on. You get the picture. Can you imagine the face of your partner when they are about to reach orgasm and you shout “LMAO loser”? This would surely end up with any post coital cigarette being smoked alone in the spare room.

4. The gamer’s diet

Did you know that some food causes our bodies to release more sexual hormones than necessary? We could argue that World Of War Craft does the same but this has to be negated by the gamers typical diet of potato chips (crisps if your English) which is normally in the form of a giant size packet of Doritos washed down with huge amounts of Dr peppers… this will inevitably release huge amounts of MSG and Hydrogenated oil into the blood stream resulting in a short spike of energy to get you past that last level at 3am, but after that you’re simply bushed and just want to sleep, leaving your partner high and dry …

5. Level complete syndrome

You know, you promise yourself just one more level, “honey I will be right there… just one more level… yep be right with ya … almost there…”. Shit … now I have the super blast shot gun status of God and will have to keep going… “5 minutes, I promise …” 3 hours later and you finally make your way to bed, by then if your partner has not done it manually then they are certainly asleep … This can result in a very frosty morning after as well …

6. Disillusion character syndrome

Now this can swing a number of ways depending on your sexuality. Basically you really fall in love with Lara Croft or Master Chief and feel that by making love to your actual partner you are actually cheating on your gaming partner. This can be very distressing and can result in years of serious talking therapies trying to resolve your guilt.

7. Expansion pack problems

You’ve been playing for months existing only on your skill and your gamer’s diet and have all but forgotten your regular visits to the gym. Before you know it you have an unwanted expansion pack installed just where your six-pack used to be. Even if you do manage to muster up the energy to roll into bed your partner is unlikely to be turned on if they are smothered under a ton of extra blubber, and that leads us nicely to the next problem.

8. The cable is too short

All that Taurine you’ve been drinking might make you feel more bullish but unfortunately the new super-size you has increased the geographical distance between your manhood and where it wants to be. To be blunt about it, your cable is now too short for the job and you find it difficult if not impossible to plug in and keep it plugged in and all that faffing around is more likely to switch you both off. Ok, we’ve all had disasters between the sheets but this one takes months to undo and by then your partner is likely to be plugging someone else.

9. Image transference

The mood is absolutely perfect, your partner is obviously aroused and you are about to make an entrance when for some strange reason you are reminded of a login screen. This stops you in your tracks and all you can think about is your username and password. Worse still, you are watching your partner’s facial expressions during sex and the image transforms in your mind into one of the monsters you encountered earlier that evening, again your progress is interrupted. Try explaining that to your partner and see what happens to your night of passion.

10. Addict v Addict

This one is less common than the others but serious enough to merit a mention. Your partner just happens to be addicted to gaming too. Apart from all the other problems, the whole scenario becomes much worse if you have a higher level than your partner does, which can provoke anything from basic sulky jealousy to an outright declaration of war. Inevitably there will be some degree of competitiveness, how much will depend on the character traits of your real life partner. If you are lucky, and this is extremely rare, the drive to outplay each other can lead to rampant angry sex and fantastic adventures in the bedroom but the reality is more often than not night after night facing a cold and motionless, pyjama-clad body, with no action at all.

11. Failure to heed the warning signs

Apart from all the other signs that all is not well in the bedroom department, watch out for irritating comments like “you spend more time on your Xbox/Computer than you do with me” sort of thing, which if allowed to progress will invariably end with an ultimatum like “either the computer goes or I do”. You know the score; you’ve heard it all a hundred times before. The temptation to ignore it is overwhelming. If this is you then look out. Before you know what has hit you your partner is likely to be enjoying nights of passion with someone who isn’t attached to a console. This one is nearly always fatal for your sex life as it can be difficult if not impossible to convince your partner to come back to your bed. Ok so you get peace to play and don’t have to listen to the constant nagging whilst you’re trying to complete a mission but your sex life in the real world will be well and truly over, how else when you rarely leave your screen. Your only hope of action after that will be of the virtual kind with an avatar and your right hand.

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The makers of the game could easily knock up Facebook type system where they could expose players to advertising messages or simply improve retention rates. People could stop playing the game and yet still use the social site. The problem with any such social site is that it would be very insular and heavy with jargon, creating a barrier to new members, but would that matter as most people would come though the game.

Second Life is definately a social network, having not used it I do not feel empowered to comment further, however what I have read about it seems that social interaction is its primary function. Personally I am not attracted to such systems, the best social network I know of is the pub, but I doubt they are going to replicate that experience online anythime soon. I think the media are in love with Second Life more than the general public.

Maybe I will give second life a go and report back, but what’s the point when you can’t kill an orc with your trusty axe?

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One other PS2 title, Dragon Ball Z: Sparking! Meteor, cracked the top ten, but for the most part it was a DS party, with six of the top ten sellers being for Nintendo’s portable.

Will Seaman’s success be enough to convince Sega to bring the title Stateside? Probably not, more’s the pity.

We need more virtual pet Neanderthal man sims, don’t you think?

More like the Imperium Romanum review.

[Via: The Japanese Software Chart]

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The move follows a Sony announcement earlier this month that it would cut the price of its PlayStation 3 game machine by 10 percent in Japan and launch a new, lower-priced model.

The new Xbox 360 price compares with a 39,980 yen price tag for an upcoming PS3 model with a 40-gigabyte hard disk drive, which will go on sale on November 11.

Although popular in the United States and Europe, the Xbox 360 has been lagging behind Sony’s PS3 and Nintendo Co Ltd’s Wii in monthly sales in Japan.

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