Audio output for computer, MP3
Harman Kardon has just released the GLA-55, a high-end glass and chrome two speaker system for computers, MP3 players, satellite radios and CD players. The GLA-55 combines numerous proprietary technologies with the powerful bass of Atlas woofers and crystal-clear highs of CMMD tweeters. The GLA-55 system equalization is computer optimized to offer a rich, complete sound stage over a wide range of listening positions. The system retails for $1,000.
Coping after the flood
Recovery work continues after the flood in Jeddah. Many resources are online to help families and businesses know the best means to clean up the mess. At www.doityourself.com/stry/flood learn effective ways to clean household items. Workers involved in flood cleanup can understand the hazards associated with this activity through www.osha.gov/OshDoc/FloodFacts.htm and http://nasdonline.org/document/1157/d000946/niosh-warns-of-hazards-of-flood-cleanup-work.html. The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) offer authoritative health information for individuals concerning flood cleanup at http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/recovery.asp. If you have a tough flood-related problem to handle, consult the list posted by Iowa State University at www.extension.iastate.edu/DisasterRecovery/flood.htm. It explains situations from how to poison rats after a flood to how to clean up a flood-damaged well and deal with mold in flooded homes.
Secure entry with biometrics
Tychi Systems (www.tychisystems.com) has expanded their biometric technology to a line of safes. BKK Safes range from 1.2 to 4.5 cu feet, approximately 13” to 30” high. They are made of industrial strength, laser cut steel plate with thick, inset doors secured by six solid steel bolts. BKK safes recognize fingerprints for access, eliminating problems of lost keys and combinations, or fraudulent entry. Up to 100 users can be enrolled with their fingerprints by the administrator, who can selectively delete them as well. In addition to the security of absolute identification by fingerprint, the BKK safes also retain an audit trail of entries by name, time and date.
More from your music
Shazam is a music discovery application that lets users identify music tracks with their mobile phones. The latest version of Shazam is available for download from Nokia’s Ovi Store for all Symbian S60 v3.2 and v5 models. Shazam has a database of eight million songs so it’s easy to find out more about most music and artists using the app’s search features. Tagged songs can be sent to friends at social networking sites.
Users get a 30-day free trial of the fully featured app from the first time they use it on a device. After 30 days, users can continue “Shazaming” for free on a limited feature and tagging basis, or choose to upgrade to the fully-featured, unlimited usage version. Even users who have tried Shazam before will receive a free 30-day trial. Additionally, the app is expected to be available in Arabic — “very soon.”
BlackBerry in the air
A new tool for BlackBerry smartphone users, Cortado Flight Mode (www.cortado.com/free), is an app that prepares a BlackBerry smartphone for a flight with just one click. Before Flight Mode closes down all wireless connections and turns off the smartphone, incomplete e-mail texts are downloaded from the mail server. Once the BlackBerry smartphone is turned on again after takeoff, wireless connections remain disconnected but the user can now use the flight time more productively to read and respond to messages. Upon landing, all connections can be restored with a single click.