50036979
submission
TinTops writes:
Lego is representing every area of society with its mini figures, including computer programmers. The description is pretty funny, although I'm sure many IT professionals will take issue with the 1-star "strength" rating attributed to the little plastic figure.
"Other computer whizzes can argue all they like about what kind of computer or operating system is the best one – the computer programmer knows that the only way to be a real expert is to master all of them..."
"He knows everything there is to know about computers and how to use them, from the biggest old-time mainframes to the tiniest next-generation nanotech prototypes, and he's always glad to share his expertise with anyone who needs his help – which is just about everyone eventually!"
49179895
submission
TinTops writes:
The UK's plans to outlaw Google's augmented reality headwear, Glass, are particularly pointless as they don't appear to have ever used the device, nor understand it effect. It's bizarre as they seem to be ranking it as more risky as a satnav centre console display. A kneejerk reaction, perhaps?
48995413
submission
TinTops writes:
Gimmicky augmented reality features aside, Nokia's JobLens app — which is launching today — is a really interesting idea. Not only does it provide the user with job recommendations based on Facebook and LinkedIn contacts, it also displays detailed info about potential employers and stats about the surrounding area.
What's more, Nokia is handing the app over to a cohort of graduate entrepreneurs and is hoping that they'll be able to develop the app further. Two birds with one stone, it seems!
48791695
submission
TinTops writes:
Granted, there's been a lot of attention given to 3D printing over the last 2 years or so, and its applications are certainly very niche at the moment. But from this list it's clear that even if some of what's mentioned comes true, we could be living in a very interesting world, relatively soon. Do we fancy printing our own drugs, though?
48694439
submission
TinTops writes:
Today we're going to be reminded the the UK's space industry really is quite a significant player on the world stage, with £200m investment going towards new projects such as the superbly-acronymed Synergetic Air-Breathing Rocket Engine (SABRE).
The UK space industry is worth £9bn per year and makes up 10% of the overall world space sector, which is rather significant.
But the funding won't see its maximum potential reached if the UK continues to lack crucial engineering skills, with a 40,000 STEM jobs shortfall incoming.
48554183
submission
TinTops writes:
In addition to being a set-top box replacement and gaming machine, Microsoft is now touting the XBox One as a business PC replacement. You can see where they're coming from, but some of the reasons given are decidedly shaky: "Utilize the size of that nice TV screen to see every smile and nod as your next great plan comes together. The difference here is that Xbox One and Kinect gives you the open space to move, gesture, show examples and see everyone more clearly."
Perhaps they do have a point, however. The XBox is more powerful than a good deal of PCs at the £429/$499 price mark. Could prove interesting.
48438665
submission
TinTops writes:
On the eve of the London 2012 opening ceremony, it emerged that cyber criminals had put together a credible threat to the national grid, which could have seen the power to the Olympic stadium drop out: "I got a phone call at quarter to five, which is always disturbing, particularly on your day off, but more disturbing because of the fact the phone call was from GCHQ and there was a suggestion that there was a credible attack on the electricity infrastructure supporting the games," said Olympic cyber security head Oliver Hoare.
48227595
submission
TinTops writes:
The UK's Office of Fair Trading is launching an investigation into IT procurement practices. They're trying to find out if the big vendors have too much sway in the market and if smaller vendors are being left out in the cold due to a lack of experience. The investigation is especially timely, as the government is trying to do exactly that: bringing more smaller vendors into the government IT fold with its G-Cloud service.
47508003
submission
TinTops writes:
China looks like it's keen to impress with its latest supercomputer; its new machine is mostly Chinese-made (other than the Intel bits) and has double the computing power of any previous super computer. So basically, it's pretty impressive. Have a look here: http://www.v3.co.uk/v3-uk/news/2275419/chinese-supercomputer-tianhe2-tops-world-rankings-ahead-of-us-titan
