Matterhorn mapped by fleet of drones in just 6 hours

A bird-like drone takes to the Alpine skies

The Matterhorn, which juts out a full kilometer above the surrounding Swiss Alps, dominates the local skyline and has challenged countless mountaineers since it was first scaled in 1865.

Now this iconic peak has been mapped in unprecedented detail by a fleet of autonomous, fixed-wing drones flung into the sky from the summit by their makers. What's more, the entire process took just 6 hours.

The mapping, which was unveiled at the Drones and Aerial Robotics Conference in New York City last weekend, was carried out by unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) company SenseFly, and aerial photography company Pix4D.

Three eBee drones were launched from the top of the mountain, skimming their way down 100 metres from the face, capturing points just 20 centimetres apart. When they reached the bottom, a second team intercepted the drones and relaunched them for further mapping.

Speaking to Mapbox, the mapping company that built the 3D point cloud of the mountain when the drones had landed, SenseFly's Adam Klaptocz said: "Such a combination of high altitudes, steep rocky terrain and sheer size of data set has simply not been done before with drones, we wanted to show that it was possible."

by: Hal Hodson

Newscientist

Augmented reality system makes cars see-through

What's in front?

WOULDN'T it be nice if, next time you want to overtake a big, plodding vehicle on a narrow road, you could see right through it to the stretch ahead?

A new augmented reality system aims to make that possible, allowing you to time your overtaking safely.

Michel Ferreira and his colleagues at the University of Porto in Portugal developed the See-Through System, which uses a lightweight heads-up display to look "through" a truck up ahead. The system works by looking through a camera that records the trailing driver's perspective. Software recognizes the back of the lead vehicle, and replaces it with a video feed from a webcam mounted on that lead vehicle.

The image has a delay of 200 milliseconds, however, so it shows an oncoming car to be 10 meters further away than it actually is, if both it and the driver's car are moving at 90 kilometers per hour.

Hannes Kaufmann of the Vienna University of Technology in Austria worries it could be dangerous. "I think it's a good idea to support drivers to judge situations better, but it's a two-edged sword. What if the image transmission stutters?"

The system was presented at the International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality in Adelaide, Australia, this month.

by: Hal Hodson

Newscientist

Huawei Asks for Global Web Security

Huawei Technology asks for cyber space security protocols hailed and launched by all major manufacturers.

While in an Interview with Wall Street Journal, Huawei’s global cyber security officer, John Suffolk said that it is about time that all stake holders from Manufacturers to users start taking cyber space security seriously. He said that this initiative can be started by Governments as they are the leading users of Technology Hardware. Their demand for an equipment with more sophisticated security protocols shall make the large scale enterprises to ask for same hardware with similar security protocols.

John has put an equal blame on buyers and suppliers for lack of resolve to implement cyber security as both don’t want to use their influence in the industry to implement these much needed measures. He also said that individual programming with no collaboration is a recipe of disaster and only a globally verified and tested security protocols can pull out the results both for the industry and the users.

TV Timings App by Warid

You might have come across many crucial situations when you are waiting for your favorite TV shows and due to your busy schedule you are unaware of its passage. This moment could possibly be the sole reason of your depression and lack of focus on your tiring work too.

Many solutions have been presented to us in the form of different kinds of Dish Antennas, many GPRS packages and also in the most portable form of your cell –phone apps.

Android and iOS are now days top notch Operating Systems which have made their ways in to the tech market, you can also have a look at the app stores of both of the Smartphone champions.

Here you are definitely going to get thousands of apps (paid/free) regarding online TV shows. In addition to this remarkable collection, Warid is raising its handshake with Android to make its position much more strong in Pakistan’s telecom world.

Here we present you with the latest innovation of Warid Telecom’s TV Timings app, which is available for all mobile subscribers.

As the name shows, this app provides the customers with a wide range of options in an organized manner with multiple categories like Entertainment, Sports, and Cooking Shows etc. Warid customers can take benefit or every local and international TV channel’s schedule along with a detailed program guide; here they can also get regular updates regarding all latest shows worldwide.

This TV Timings app also allows you to set reminders for your favourite TV shows which eliminate the chance of missing it.

Warid TV Timing app is currently available for Android platform only. Moreover, the app is not exclusive for Warid customers only, i.e. any Android user of any network can use the app with convenience.

Features

• You can check program schedule of channels
• Multiple channels categories are included in app
• You can easily search favorite program by using keyword search.
• It is easy now to bookmark your favorite channels by just clicking bookmark option.
• You can set reminder for your favorite TV programs.
• Browse channels by just entering channel name keyword in search description
• Schedule the total using time of app according to your requirement
• All popular channels of Pakistan are included in app
• Very interactive but simple to use graphics interface of app
• App available for downloading 24/7 on Warid Telecom’s website (m.waridtel.com)

Screens

How to download

• You just have to visit following link to download the app from your mobile: m.waridtel.com
• You must have android 2.2 or above available in your smartphone to browse website and download the app.
• Size: 4.2MB

Pricing

• This app is free but only standard GPRS charges charged by telecom operators apply.

So guys! There is nothing better than experiencing it yourself. Get a mobile connection now and enjoy all these amazing apps from this link

By Faizan Mirza 

propakistani

HTC unveiled One Max with Fingerprint Sensor Feature

After numerous leaks over the past couple of month, HTC One Max was the phone that everyone was looking forward to.

HTC finally has unveiled its HTC One Max phone, and guess what? There is a Fingerprint Sensor too – a trend started by Motorola by introducing it in its Atrix phone, which has recently embraced by Apple in its Iphone 5S.

Beside the fingerprint sensor, the One Max is notably the same thing the techies were anticipating, including first true “phablet” features, a humongous 5.9-inch high definition screen.

The device also has 1.7GHz quad-core Snapdragon 600 processor (same as in the One), 2GB of RAM, and it runs on Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean) with Sense UI on top.

The One Max is radically a large version of the HTC One, released earlier this year, but few gripping changes have been made. Firstly, the back cover of One Max is removable, and as aforementioned, there’s a fingerprint sensor on the back of the phone that lets the user unlock the phone.

Besides unlocking, Fingerprint sensor could also be used to access various applications by assigning unique Finger for each of the App. Miserably, there doesn’t seem to be any functionality to enter your fingerprint as a password like you do in the iPhone 5s.

The phone is also running HTC’s new Sense 5.5 software. Sense 5.5 allows you to further customize HTC’s BlinkFeed menu and offers integration with services like Instagram and Google+.

The removable back cover will let you insert a microSD card for up to 64GB. However, You can’t remove the 3,300mAh battery, although HTC is offering an additional Power Flip case with a built-in 1150mAh battery.

One implied deadfall on HTC’s One Max is its weight. The One Max peaks the scales at a staggering 217 grams. Yes, you get a very big screen, but Samsung has already showed that it can create a 5.7-inch phone at 168 grams, which in my view is a lot more portable.

Other than that, this phone is pretty much the same thing as HTC One, with the same UltraPixel rear camera and BoomSound front-facing speakers.

The new device will compete against the likes of Samsung Galaxy Note 3, LG G2 and the upcoming Nokia phablet.

Here are the specs again:

• CPU: Quad-core 1.7 GHz Krait 300
• Chipset: Qualcomm APQ8064 Snapdragon 600
• OS: Android OS, v4.3 (Jelly Bean)
• Design:
  • Dimensions: 164.5 x 82.5 x 10.3 mm
  • Weight 217 g
• Display:
  • Capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
  • 1080 x 1920 pixels, 5.9 inches (~373 ppi pixel density)
• Memory:
  • Card slot: microSD
  • Internal: 16/32 GB, 2 GB RAM
• Connectivity: GPRS, EDGE, HSPA+; LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/ac/b/g/n, Bluetooth, NFC, Infrared, microUSB v2.0
• Camera:
  • Primary: 4 Ultra Pixels, 2688 x 1520 pixels, autofocus, LED flash
  • Secondary: 2.1 MP, 1080p@30fps, HDR
• Battery:
  • Non-removable Li-Po 3300 mAh battery
  • Stand-by: Up to 585 h
  • Talk time: Up to 25 h

The company has not revealed the price of the new model yet, but has announced that it will be launched in Asia and Europe in October and the US in November.

It merits mentioning that HTC has recently posted its first loss on record last quarter, and might be planning to cover it by HTC One Max phone. However, it’s just a matter of time that we will find out.

By Sufiyan Ghori

propakistani

Nokia to End Support for Symbian and Meego from Jan 1st, 2014

Nokia has just discovered a new way to tarnish your new year celebrations. The Finns have announced that from the very start of 2014, it will be ending the support for its Symbian – once the king of mobile OSes – and Meego Operating Systems.

What that means is that while you will be able to download apps from those operating systems’ app stores, those apps won’t be getting updates any longer. No apps will be posted to the store after that either.

“If you have Symbian and MeeGo content in the Nokia Store, it will continue to be available for download to customers, and you will continue to receive download and revenue reports as well as payouts for downloaded content”, the company said in an email to developers. “However, starting January 1, 2014, you will no longer be able to publish any new content or update existing content for Symbian and MeeGo.”

While this news is not a surprise, recent events in the Nokia's history including the move to Windows Phone and the eventual selling of the phone division to Microsoft meant that this move was probably hastened.

Nokia had already announced earlier this year that it would never make a Symbian phone again.

By Azeem Ullah Hassan

propakistani

Samsung, Along with Ufone, Launches Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy Gear in Pakistan

Samsung announced the launch of its new products along with Ufone at a Press Event at Royal Palm, Lahore. The event was attended by the higher management of Samsung, Ufone and Samsung’s distributors along with media representatives.

Along with the devices, Samsung also announced a bundle offer from Ufone for Galaxy Note 3 users, comprising of free minutes, text messages and internet.

Expanding its Note Series, Samsung introduced the Galaxy Note 3, an elegantly designed device. It has a leather feel textured back cover, a 5.7” Full HD Super AMOLED screen and a selection of colours, including Jet Black, Classic White and Blush Pink.

The device is powered by an Octa Core Processor (1.9GHz Quad Core + 1.3GHz Quad Core), coupled with 3GB of RAM, making it the most powerful Smartphone in the industry.

The device encompasses the signature Note Series S Pen, which has been enhanced to include innovative features including Air Command comprising of Action Memo, Scrapbooker, Screen Write, S Finder and Pen Window. To ensure an uninterrupted experience, the device runs on a powerful & lasting 3,200 mAh battery. It is the ultimate on-the-go device which consolidates core benefits of diverse mobile devices while maintaining Smartphone portability.

Venturing into the wearable device category, Samsung also introduced the Samsung Galaxy Gear, which allows you to get the benefits of your high end Galaxy Series devices without ever having to take it out of your pocket.

It is an innovation that makes you re-think the way you connect and generally live your day-to-day life. Galaxy Gear ensures that you never miss a moment, and can capture it with just a simple flick and tap of your finger with the camera built into the strap.

The device also allows you to make calls by accessing your Smartphone’s contacts, through a dialer and via S Voice. You get notifications on your Galaxy Gear and can use multiple indigenous and third party applications.

Galaxy Note 3 has already been made available in the market for Rs. 82,000 and Galaxy Gear will be available later this month.

Mr. Farid Ullah Jan, Samsung Business Head Mobile Phones – Pakistan & Afghanistan said, “We are excited to unveil both the Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy Gear across Pakistan. Further, we are delighted to announce our co-launch with Ufone for Galaxy Note 3 + Gear. The innovative devices will empower our customers with everything they can ever desire so that they can simply feel free. With these remarkable products, I can say today that Samsung is well on its way of turning Pakistan Smart”.

“Ufone is as committed as always to providing its subscribers with cutting-edge communications solutions and tools. Our collaboration with Samsung is a step ahead in our efforts to be the best in smartphone category in the industry,” said Amir Pasha, Head of Public Relations and Corporate Social Responsibility Ufone.

“This Ufone-Samsung co-launch is unique for the Pakistan’s telecom industry, as the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 bundle will provide our valued customers the opportunity to avail free minutes, SMS and internet for one month”. He further added.

By Muhammad Zohair Chohan

propakistani