Cool Tools (June 23): New and useful gadgets in the market
Published: Jun 23, 2010 17:01 Updated: Aug 11, 2010 11:33
• Wiki in your hand • Have fun while learning • Gain control of your PC • Bloggers reach out • Discover pretty posies
Wiki in your hand
When you’re reading a book or watching TV, do questions come to mind that need instant answers? That’s when it’s time to turn to Openmoko’s WikiReader. This $99 handheld device contains nearly all the text and hyperlinks of Wikipedia, a collection of more than 3 million articles. Search for information easily using the virtual keyboard on the pocket-sized, 4 inch WikiReader and view answers right away. In day to day operation there’s no need to connect the WikiReader to the Internet. Users only connect the device for updates, which are downloaded to the WikiReader’s microchip.
Have fun while learning
Summer vacation is just a few weeks away. Instead of teens letting their brains turn to mush during the break, they can turn on some awesome learning opportunities. Giant Campus, based out of Seattle, provides online education for students from anywhere in the world. Teens in grades 9-12 can study courses in concentrations such as Computer Science, Digital Arts or Business Innovation. Giant Campus students receive a transcript at the completion of each class and this can be added to their high school resume, helping to pump up a college application. Download the course catalog through www.giantcampus.com.
Gain control of your PC
AVG’s Rescue CD is used to recover computers that are not able to boot or are infected in a way that will not allow normal operation. This powerful offering contains all essential tools for users attempting to recover Windows-based operating systems. Upon booting a damaged computer using the AVG Rescue CD, the software will automatically mount all hard drives of the computer and scan them for viruses and malware. The Rescue CD will also automatically restore a safe network connection to the computer. For advanced users, the AVG Rescue CD also includes a Windows Registry editor, a TestDisk utility for recovering deleted files and lost partitions, a file browser for navigating folders and a Ping tool for basic network diagnostics. The AVG Rescue CD is a Linux-based boot utility with essential AVG security software already integrated. The AVG Rescue CD can be downloaded for free from AVG’s website at www.avg.com/us-en/avg-rescue-cd and burned onto any CD or DVD or extracted directly onto a USB flash drive.
Bloggers reach out
Mojofiti.com is a multilingual social publishing platform that syndicates blog content into 28 different languages — including Arabic — without the use of plug-ins. The goal of the free service is to help bloggers attract new readers and have their thoughts cross language borders. Mojofiti uses real-time language translation technology powered by a combination of humans and machines. It isn’t perfect but it can provide insight. Bloggers can opt to host a copy of their existing blog at Mojofiti.com, which will then be translated into 28 languages every time a new post is created. Bloggers can also choose to migrate their blog to Mojofiti.com permanently where they can enjoy a WordPress authoring environment, have their posts translated into multiple languages and take advantage of the social networking features built into the Mojofiti.com site.
Discover pretty posies
Join the private beta at the flower community site, GazoPa Bloom (http://bloom.gazopa.com). Developed by Hitachi, GazoPa Bloom allows users to search for flowers by uploading flower photos that are unfamiliar to them. Utilizing Hitachi’s GazoPa “similar image” search technology, users can find candidate flowers and can also ask other users to help them identify their flowers through an online community. GazoPa Bloom is more than just a flower search site. Users can share their knowledge of flowers, such as the best times and places to plant them, origin of the blooms, cultural significance, etc., with other avid gardeners.
