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Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple, led a press tour Thursday morning highlighting some key gadgets that deeply influenced his engineering work.
"We've gone through more change in a single lifetime than probably any other time in history," the Woz said.
He should know. As a kid, Wozniak fiddled with minicomputer circuit boards at home, when the idea of having a computer in your own house was little more than a wild-eyed fantasy.
Everything from punch-card machines to old-school supercomputers, and from disk stacks to transistor radios, inspired an ambitious geek who would eventually create the Apple I computer that launched a PC revolution.
And while Woz eventually got forced out of Apple, his hometown hasn't forgotten him: There's a street in San Jose named Woz Way, after the town's favorite ultranerd.
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Photos: Jon Snyder/Wired.com
More than seven decades after German chemists discovered nuclear fission — the splitting of an atom that is harnessed by nuclear energy and nuclear weapons — scientists still can’t describe the process in detail. A paper to appear in Physical Review Letters underscores that knowledge gap with the report of a totally unexpected type of fission in the element mercury. Instead of splitting into two equal-mass chunks as theory predicts, this bit of mercury split into uneven chunks, one lighter and one heavier than expected.
In the new experiments, researchers thought the isotope mercury-180 would split equally into blobs of zirconium-90, which has 40 protons and 50 neutrons that stably fill the shells in the nucleus. “Zirconium-90 plus zirconium-90 makes mercury-180,” says Witold Nazarewicz, a theoretical physicist at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory who was not involved in the work.
Yet that’s not what the scientists saw in their experiments at the ISOLDE radioactive beam facility at CERN, Europe’s particle physics laboratory near Geneva. The researchers, led by Andrei Andreyev of the University of the West of Scotland in Paisley, instead saw the mercury-180 fission unevenly into ruthenium-100 and krypton-80 — isotopes that don’t have completely filled shells the way zirconium-90 does.
Not only were the products of mercury-180 fission asymmetric, but it’s the first time researchers have seen asymmetric fission and not been able to explain it by the filled-shells theory. “It was a big surprise,” says team member Piet Van Duppen, a nuclear physicist at the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium. “This is a totally new form of asymmetric fission.”
Puzzled, the scientists analyzed the energy it takes mercury-180 to fission. The most energy-efficient way turns out to be to split into ruthenium-100 and krypton-80 rather than equal parts of zirconium-90, Van Duppen says.
Other isotopes in the same part of the periodic table might also show the same uneven split, he says. The team has already tested a second isotope of mercury and seen asymmetric fission there.
Probing fission throughout the periodic table will get easier with a new generation of radioactive beam facilities coming online in the next decade, says Van Duppen. These include the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams at Michigan State University in East Lansing and the Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research at the GSI research center in Darmstadt, Germany.
“What we have here,” he adds, “is a new experimental tool to really verify our understanding of the atomic nucleus.”
Image: Mercury vapor glowing in an electrical discharge tube. Credit: Wikimedia Commons/Alchemist-hp
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Apple's latest mobile-operating-system update introduces a much-demanded feature: wireless printing. Problem is, it will only officially print from printers labeled "AirPrint-compatible," which you likely don't own. However, if you want to print from just about any printer, there's a mod for that.
AirPrint Hacktivator offers a solution for Macs to set up wireless printing with iOS 4.2 with any printer shared on your network. Here's how to set it up, with instructions courtesy of the hack's maker, Netputing.
This article is part of a wiki anyone can edit. If you have advice to add about printing from the iPad to any printer, log in and contribute.
UPDATE : Netputing has removed that file per Apple, Inc. request. Go here to download Airprint Activator [.zip] instead.
1. Copy the AirPrint Hacktivator software into your Applications folder, then launch the app.
2. Toggle the switch to "On."
3. Enter your admin password.
4. A window will prompt you to add the printer you want to use with AirPrint.
5. The hack will launch the Print & Fax utility in your Settings folder, and you'll be able to perform the add-printer task here.
6. And you should be ready to start printing!
See the video below by Netputing, the hack's creator, for a visual tutorial.
Originally submitted by Gadget Lab contributor Brian X. Chen.
WIRED'S TOP PICKS
Wired's picks for everyone from Google power users to Symbian lovers.
Photo: Wally Santana/AP
Phone shopping is more complicated than it was in the days when a dial tone was all you needed.
Today’s devices are multifaceted communication tools that do far more than simply make and receive calls. (Some don’t even do the calling part all that well, figuring that you’d rather text your friends anyway.)
That, combined with a sudden explosion of OS options, apps and skins, have made deciding which phone to buy as complicated as shopping for a computer.
Here are some pointers for picking out a calling/texting/surfing/tweeting device for this holiday season.
In our guide, we start with the carrier, because it’s the largest single factor determining how happy you will be with your phone. (Just ask the millions of iPhone users stuck with AT&T.)
Hardware exclusivity agreements mean that it’s entirely possible the phone of your dreams won’t be available on your network of choice. If that’s the case, you may just have to deal with an inferior carrier in order to get the phone that you want.
But don’t be fooled, there is no perfect wireless carrier. Knowing that, let’s have a look at the four main options for U.S. customers.
AT&T offers a solid nationwide voice network, with a steadily improving 3G data network. Though spotty data coverage is still reported in problem areas like San Francisco and New York — thanks in part to overwhelming demand for the iPhone — AT&T remains one of the more accommodating carriers for traveling overseas.
Exclusive phones: iPhone 4, BlackBerry Torch
Hidden perks: Sells cheap iPhone refurbs (with warranty!) through the website.
On the horizon: Forthcoming 4G data network (LTE) due by summer 2011.
Sprint is known for its speedy data network (it was the first to offer next-generation 4G coverage), lax credit requirements, push-to-talk offerings and passable voice network. Customer-service ratings haven’t been the company’s high point, though.
Exclusive phones: HTC Evo 4G, Samsung Epic
Hidden perk: Already offers 4G coverage in 55 markets.
On the horizon: Steady expansion of its 4G footprint throughout 2011.
T-Mobile positions itself as the cost leader in the wireless game. Setbacks like smaller voice and data networks are offset by cheaper calling plans, compelling handsets, overseas support and high customer-satisfaction ratings.
Exclusive phones: T-Mobile G2, HTC HD7
Hidden perk: Offers contract-free calling plans, and some of the cheapest smartphone promotions this holiday season.
On the horizon: 3G coverage expansion and speed upgrades. (Wait, didn’t we say that last year?)
Verizon prides itself on its reliable voice and data coverage, and its network is the most extensive of the U.S. carriers — but it comes at a price. The tradeoffs include a paucity of overseas-ready handsets, less-than-blazing throughput speeds and pricey calling plans.
Exclusive phones: Droid X, Droid Incredible
Hidden perk: Online phone purchases often offer instant rebates instead of mail-ins.
On the horizon: Forthcoming 4G data network (LTE) in mid/late 2011.
Once you’ve picked a carrier, you need to decide which phone to get.
Let’s face it: If you’re reading this guide, a smartphone (with advanced web browsing, e-mail and music features) is probably what you want. Unless, that is, you’ve decided to ditch your smartphone for a tablet.) Besides, it’s likely you already have a handle on universal goodies like caller ID, speakerphone and voicemail.
Here are four important smartphone features worth considering.
Operating systems are more and more relevant for smartphone shoppers. That’s not just because the OS determines how easy it is to use your phone’s basic functions (though that’s part of it), but also because the OS determines which add-on apps you’ll be able to use (see below for more on that).
Apple, Google and Microsoft have released polished, full-featured OSes in the form of iOS, Android and Windows Phone 7. Apple and Microsoft have focused on uniformity in looks and functionality with their OSes, while Google is more laissez-faire with Android. In use, this means the look and basic functions of iOS and Windows Phone 7 handsets are the same across a family of devices, while individual Android phones like the Nexus 2 and the Droid Pro sport entirely different layouts and menus (called ’skins’).
Some consumers have found the differences between Android’s various skins confusing, so make sure to research whether your carrier actually offers the right hardware/skin combination you prefer.
Much like Apple and Microsoft, Nokia’s overhauled Symbian^3 and RIM’s Blackberry 6 are noteworthy “uniform” OSes, although in use we’ve found them less polished and user-friendly than Android and iOS.
Virtual keyboards, QWERTY keypads and everything in between appear on handsets now. Before choosing a device, consider how its entry mode(s) will affect your usage. Are you heavy texter or e-mailer? The speed and accuracy of a physical QWERTY may be the way to go. Want quick, seamless access to your calendar, music and pics? Stylishly whisking around on a touchscreen might suit you better.
Some people find that typing on a virtual touchscreen “keyboard” is actually easier than with a physical keyboard. Our advice is to test out a few different kinds of phones and see how you like their keyboards, physical or otherwise. And keep in mind that physical keyboards can vary wildly.
Practically every gadget doubles as an MP3 player and digital camera now. In searching for a phone, consider the multimedia capabilities you’d like crammed in. For the richest experience, we suggest a handset with five or more megapixels that’s capable of recording 720p video. As far as memory, we’ve found that 16 GB or more is a good start for storing a modest helping of music, video and apps. Remember, the more multimedia chops your phone sports, the less gadget clutter you have to worry about dragging along with you at all times.
Also, as streaming video services like Netflix and Hulu start to pop up on mobile devices, you’ll want to be well-positioned with a capable handset.
Now that you’ve taken care of the core concerns, it’s time to think about the goodies. Before chasing the most expensive, feature-filled handset on the market, consider what extras you’ll actually need and which ones you’ll find handy down the road in your contract.
Sure, it’s not nearly as widespread as 3G (much less 4G). Wi-Fi should still be one of your first choices when it comes to extra features. When hotspots are available (say, at your home, office, or local Starbuck’s) Wi-Fi provides much faster download speeds than 3G.
Another potential advantage of Wi-Fi support: In addition to sucking down a Wi-Fi signal, a phone with a Wi-Fi chipset is at least theoretically capable of broadcasting its own Wi-Fi signal, turning itself into a hotspot. When combined with a 3G or 4G cellular data connection, that means your phone can provide internet connectivity to your laptop or other gizmos, a feature that’s often called “tethering.”
Each carrier has put the kibosh on Wi-Fi tethering at one point or another, but providers like Verizon and Sprint are starting to ease up on their restrictions (for a fee). Unless you have an Android phone, which has tethering built in to the latest versions, you may need to download an app and/or jailbreak your phone in order to make it work. Check the specs for tethering capabilities if you want to be sure.
If web surfing is even remotely appealing to you, you’ll want high-speed data service. Trust us, the fleet-footed download speeds are worth it. Although the unlimited all-you-can-surf plans are quickly becoming scarce, there’s a price plan out there for everyone. Here’s a quick breakdown on speed and pricing:
AT&T
Current Data Network: 3G
Quoted Speeds: 700 Kbps to 1.7 Mbps download; 500 Kbps to 1.2 Mbps upload
Price: Around $35 for unlimited e-mail and web
Verizon
Current Data Network: 3G
Quoted Speeds: 600 Kbps to 1.4 Mbps download; 500 Kbps to 800 Kbps upload
Price: $30 for unlimited e-mail and web
Sprint
Current Data Network: 3G + 4G in select markets
Quoted Speeds: 3G: 600 Kbps to 1.4 Mbps download; 350 Kbps to 500 Kbps upload 4G: 3 to 6 Mbps download, and 350 Kbps to 500 Kbps upload
Price: $60 for unlimited 4G or 5 GB of 3G coverage
T-Mobile
Current Data Network: 3.5G
Quoted Speeds: 4 to 5 Mbps download; 1 to 3 Mbp upload
Price: $30 for unlimited web if paired with a calling+text plan
Extending your inbox has never been easier. Even budget handsets offer rudimentary web-based options, while upscale devices sport dedicated e-mail support and push updates from multiple inboxes. It’s worth noting that each OS tends to handle message management a little differently. For example, iOS and Blackberry 6 have unified inboxes that group together e-mails from various accounts, while Android sports one app for Gmail and a generic “E-mail” app for other accounts. As a general rule, if staying on top of mission-critical e-mails 24/7 is crucial for you, then we suggest a unified inbox. Otherwise, the minimal work of hopping between and setting up periodic syncs works just fine.
While most smartphone OSes support “push” e-mail, some systems do it better than others. If you really want your phone to beep every time you get a new message, and you want it to happen reliably, BlackBerry is hard to beat. But if you’re not a stock trader, other OSes probably provide as much speed as you need.
Want to transform your phone into a gaming system, nightlight or pedometer? Then you want access to downloadable apps. Phones running software from Apple, Google, Microsoft, RIM and Nokia all offer options. Tread carefully, though: Not all apps are created equal. Apple’s app store has far more selection than any others, with more than 300,000 apps. The Android store is No. 2 with 70,000. Laxer oversight in the Android Market means that apps may be available there that Apple has forbidden in its own store — but it also means Android apps can sometimes be less polished and more buggy.
While selection isn’t everything (do you really need 42 different “pull my finger””apps?), it does make a difference: The more apps a store has, the more likely it is to carry what you want.
Newer, faster alternatives to traditional GPS have turned smartphones into navigation powerhouses. Though navigation services like assisted GPS, or A-GPS, (which uses cell-tower triangulation and Wi-Fi hotspot data to supplement signals from GPS satellites for more precise positioning) are becoming the norm, their reliance on wireless coverage can be a bit of a crutch in remote areas.
If wireless coverage isn’t an issue, then indulging in an A-GPS-powered handset and all of its location-based services (FourSquare anyone?) is a good choice. However, if you spend a lot of time off the grid, we wouldn’t recommend ditching a regular old satellite-pinging GPS unit for a smartphone.
Light has been put to work generating the same force that makes airplanes fly, a study appearing online December 5 in Nature Photonics shows. With the right design, a uniform stream of light has pushed tiny objects in much the same way that an airplane wing hoists a 747 off the ground.
Light’s new trick is fancier than a boring push: It created the more complicated force called lift, evident when a flow in one direction moves an object perpendicularly. Airfoils generate lift; as an engine propels a plane forward, its cambered wings cause it to rise.
Lightfoils aren’t about to keep an Airbus aloft for the time it takes to fly from JFK to LAX. But arrays of the tiny devices might be used to power micromachines, transport tiny particles or even enable better steering methods on solar sails.
Optical lift is “a really neat idea,” says physicist Miles Padgett of the University of Glasgow in Scotland, but it’s too early to say how the effect might be harnessed. “Maybe it’s useful, maybe it’s not. Time will tell.”
That light can have this unexpected lift effect started with a very simple question, Swartzlander says: “If we have something in the shape of a wing and we shine light through it, what happens?” Modeling experiments told the researchers that an asymmetrical deflection of light would create a surprisingly stable lift force. “So we thought we’d better do an experiment,” Swartzlander says. “Because this just looks too pretty.”
The researchers created tiny rods shaped kind of like airplane wings — flat on one side and rounded on the other. When these micron-sized lightfoils were immersed in water and hit with 130 milliwatts of light from the bottom of the chamber, they started to move up, as expected. But the rods also began moving to the side, a direction perpendicular to the incoming light. Tiny symmetrical spheres didn’t exhibit this lift effect, the team found.
Optical lift is different from the aerodynamic lift created by an airfoil. A plane flies because air flowing faster under its wing exerts more pressure than air flowing above. But in a lightfoil, the lift is created inside the object as the beam shines through. The shape of the transparent lightfoil causes light to be refracted differently depending on where it goes through, which causes a corresponding bending of the beam’s momentum that creates lift.
These lightfoils’ lift angles were about 60 degrees, the team found. “Most aerodynamic things take off at very gradual angles, but this has a very striking, very powerful lift angle,” Swartzlander says. “You can imagine what would happen if your airplane took off at 60 degrees — your stomach would be in your feet.”
As the rods lift, they shouldn’t stall out, the paper predicts. “The subtlety is that it actually self-stabilizes,” Padgett says. “It twists a little bit one way, and you think, ‘Oh dear, it’ll stop working,’ then the light rotates it back again.”
Swartzlander says he hopes to ultimately test the lightfoils in air, too, and try different shapes and materials with various refractive properties. In the study, the researchers used ultraviolet light to generate the lift, but other kinds of light would work just as well, Swartzlander says. “The beautiful thing about this is that it would work as long as you have light.”
Video: Riding a beam of light, a tiny particle thousandths of millimeters in size is pushed sideways by the same force that keeps airplanes aloft. Credit: Swartzlander et al.
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A novel anti-piracy measure baked into the Nintendo DS version of Michael Jackson: The Experience makes copied versions of the game unplayable and taunts gamers with the blaring sound of vuvuzelas.
Instead of “Beat It,” players get “Bleat It.”
The phenomenon was documented by YouTube user ctkxtreme, who posted the video above with the following explanation: “This is Ubisoft’s attempt at anti-piracy to the game. The game is an [Elite Beat Agents] clone, and there’s no notes playing, it freezes when it’s paused, and fucking vuvuzela noises over the music.”
With the annoying noise of the plastic South African horns, the illegally copied game sounds more like a raucous soccer match than a Michael Jackson record.
“The development team worked this feature in as a creative way to discourage any tampering with the retail version of the game,” a representative of Ubisoft, the company that developed the game, told Wired.com in an e-mail Friday.
Piracy has become a major problem for Nintendo because of the ease with which copied games can be played on the handheld device. Unlike videogame consoles, which need to undergo elaborate hardware modifications to play copied software, the handheld DS is comparatively wide open. All one needs to do is to buy a cheap rewritable storage card, download an illegal copy from a file sharing site, and load the card into the DS.
Games can be coded to have the the software check to see if it is running on a legitimate DS cartridge or if the code has been copied to a similar card. Ubisoft would not elaborate, as of press time, about the specific anti-piracy mechanism in Michael Jackson: The Experience.
Battling pirates “has been like a game of cat-and-mouse,” Nintendo President Satoru Iwata told investors in October. He said that while Nintendo does not entirely attribute low software sales to piracy, the company is “beefing up” the copy protection for the Nintendo 3DS, which it will release next year.
The unique anti-piracy measure coded into the Nintendo DS version of Michael Jackson: The Experience, which was released Nov. 23, is just the latest — and perhaps most hilarious — method used to fight illegal copying.
Many games have installed switches that detect pirated copies and act accordingly, like ending the user’s game after 20 minutes. Ubisoft has come under fire multiple times for what players have seen as highly restrictive anti-piracy measures that annoy legitimate users as much or more so than pirates.
But some more-mischievous developers have used tricks similar to the vuvuzela fanfare to mess with pirates.
Batman: Arkham Asylum lets unauthorized users play through the game as if it were a normal copy, with a single exception: Batman’s cape-glide ability doesn’t work, rendering the game impossible to finish — although you might bash your head against it trying to make what are now impossible jumps.
If you pirate Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2, brace yourself for an explosion, as your entire base will detonate within 30 seconds of loading the game.
Similar methods of messing with pirates’ heads go back at least to the 1995 Super Nintendo role-playing game Earthbound. It had a slew of anti-piracy gimmicks: In addition to filling copied games with an aggravatingly large amount of enemy encounters, it would freeze up just as the player was about to fight the final boss after 30 hours of adventuring, deleting every saved game on the disk.
Despite such measures, Alex Neuse, whose company Gaijin Games creates the Bit.Trip series for WiiWare, estimates that a whopping 70 percent of copies of his games are pirated.
“Piracy especially hurts small, independent developers who don’t command the sales figures/profits that the bigger companies do,” he said in a statement earlier this year.
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