Online Observations

Crazy trick photography

Here’s a new term that I learned today – Sleeveface – a phenomenon wherein one or more persons obscure or augment body parts with record sleeve(s), causing an illusion.Well, pictures are louder than words, and so, here goes. All photos are taken from Flickr, and are marked under Creative Commons. Click the photo to visit the photographer’s page to see other work by the photographer.

There are hundreds of these out there, go look for your own (just search for sleeveface).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have to say, the Windows Phone looks really slick

Windows Phone was announced today, and I have to say, I am impressed (if demo videos are anything to go by). It looks really slick, and at least graphically, it makes the iPhone look like something from the last century. Now, if it can only match up the iPhone on usability and ease of use, I am definitely going to consider getting one.

Head over to http://www.windowsphone7series.com/ for demos and general buzz. Notice that they want to call it Windows Phone, and not Windows Mobile 7. They are going to be very strict with manufacturers on the phone specifications (a leaf out of Apple’s book, I guess). Here are a couple of screenshots to get you started.

For a quick understanding of what’s new and what’s it all about, check out the coverage on MobileCrunch: http://www.mobilecrunch.com/2010/02/15/microsoft-announces-windows-mobile-7-now-officially-dubbed-windows-phone/

Google is experimenting with Gigabit Internet – WOW

This just came in. While Google has been discussing better bandwidth access with the US government agencies, it decided to take it up a notch by announcing an experimental gigabit internet access in Unites States for offer for up to 500,000 consumers. This is amazing, it really is. From their blog:

We’re planning to build and test ultra high-speed broadband networks in a small number of trial locations across the United States. We’ll deliver Internet speeds more than 100 times faster than what most Americans have access to today with 1 gigabit per second, fiber-to-the-home connections. We plan to offer service at a competitive price to at least 50,000 and potentially up to 500,000 people.

Well, I wish some of this high bandwidth stuff would come into India. Anyway, it would be interesting to see what people come up with for these type of bandwidths speeds. Google is hoping to see some innovation. So are we.

Another comic about good code

I love comics, because they often put the true reality in your face. Have you seen the comic about the only measure of code quality? Well, here’s another comic (this one by Geek and Poke) which describes exactly what good code is. Great one

A work of art, if not more

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of LG Chocolate Touch. All opinions are 100% mine.

These days there are so many options available when it comes to buying a mobile phone. The reason is that there are so many more requirements that the consumer has of their phone – making calls (of course), using the internet, listening to music, taking photos, social networking with friends, and many more. One of the phones that fulfills most of these requirements is a a device by LG called LG Chocolate Touch. This phone has a lot of neat features that have the potential to make this a phone of choice.

Let’s look at some features. If you listen to music on your phone, then you won’t be disappointed because it incorporates the Dolby Mobile technology for crystal clear sound. This means you don’t have to lug around that mp3 player with you anymore. A dedicated key for social network messaging allows easy access to send status updates to Twitter, Facebook or whichever social network that you are active on. The 3.2 megapixel camera and recorder eliminate the need to carry your point-and-shoot as well as your camcorder with you wherever you go.

These features combine with the great software which gives you very beautiful visual displays, great text and voice messaging capabilities, and cute features such as rhythmic vibrations which cause the phone to vibrate in sync with the beat of the music. All in all, it makes a great little package which should be a good option for people on the move who want to stay connected with their friends.

Twitter launches local trends

I like this. I really like this. To me, the Twitter trending function didn’t make a lot of sense a whole lot of times. The reason was because a lot of times the trends didn’t really appeal to a worldwide audience and were localized towards wherever the majority of the users come from (the USA?). Anyway, Twitter has now launched Local Trends.

As you can see in the image, you can set a location for where you are, and see what the people there are talking about. I am guessing that Twitter will use the geolocation information for finding out which tweets are coming from where.

You have to set your location for this to work. However, you are going to be disappointed if you do not live in either Brazil, Canada, Ireland, Mexico, UK, or the USA. Because these are the only countries for which local trends are supported right now. You can also further fine tune the local trends if you live in any of the 15 cities that are supported right now. A long way to go, but I am guessing now that the basic functionality is up, its just a matter of adding support for newer locations. Anyway, even now, you can see what people in Chicago are talking about, and whether its the same as what people in Atlanta are tweeting.

Nice going, Twitter.