Daily Bits

Soon, Your Avatar Can Reflect Your Emotion in Real Time

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Avatar

The graphics of today’s video games have improved so much that I can’t help but be mesmerized even when I am a mere observer most of the time. I am thinking about games such as Skyrim, where the level of details is simply astounding. Even with all the advances made, though, there is still some room for improvement.

If you think about it, there video game avatars do not exactly have real facial expressions. While their expressions do change, there is still some way to go in this regard.

This is what Thibaut Weise of EPFL’s Computer Graphics and Geometry Laboratory has been working on. His idea is very simple: to enable avatars to reflect the facial expressions of their real life users in real time. [Read more…] about Soon, Your Avatar Can Reflect Your Emotion in Real Time

5 Common Internet Words and Their Real-world Connections

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Internet words
Internet words

Internet lingo has evolved over the years. And just like any other language, many of the words used in Internet speak have been borrowed.

Have you ever wondered where Internet words like ping and bugs came from? What their real-world connections are? For your dose of Monday trivia, let’s take a look at 5 of the most commonly encountered/used Internet words. [Read more…] about 5 Common Internet Words and Their Real-world Connections

Games to Keep You Occupied on a Long Flight

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I haven’t been on extremely long flights, but even on flights that take three or four hours long, I get fidgety unless I fall asleep. Lucky for me, my body seems to take a moving vehicle as a signal for sleep most of the time. If all else fails, there is the iPad which keeps me busy for the duration of the flight.

If you are going on a trip soon, and you are preparing yourself for hours on the plane, here are some iPad games that have proven to be entertaining. Download them before you go. You won’t regret it!

Flight Control

iPad Games
Flight Control

Every time I write something about awesome iPad games, Flight Control makes it to the list. It is that awesome. The premise is to route and reroute planes so that you can land all of them safely. It is a bit weird to play this game while you’re 30,000 feet above ground, but you’ll certainly not feel the time pass. [Read more…] about Games to Keep You Occupied on a Long Flight

DataWind Launches Aakash 2, The World’s (Almost) Cheapest Tablet

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World's Cheapest Tablet
Aakash 2

Earlier this year, we got wind of the Aakash, which was touted as the world’s cheapest tablet. Made by DataWind, a firm based in the UK, Aakash was specially tailored to fit the needs of students who do not have the means to purchase the more expensive and rather popular tablets. Back then, the aim was to sell the Aakash at around USD35. The tablet was launched, and the reception was rather poor for various reasons.

DataWind – and the Indian government – was not about to give up on their initial intentions, however. This month, they launch the successor of the world’s cheapest tablet: the Aakash 2. [Read more…] about DataWind Launches Aakash 2, The World’s (Almost) Cheapest Tablet

5 Fundraising/Charity Apps to Help You Give Back

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fundraising apps
Donations

For some people, giving to charity is innate. Probably thanks to how their parents raised them, giving to those in need has become part of who they are. For others, giving to charity may have come later in life. When you start giving does not matter, however. It is the intention and the action that arises from the desire that makes a difference.

It has never been easier to raise funds for a cause close to your heart or to donate to specific charities than it is today. Thanks to technology, finding a charity, donating online, or organizing a fundraiser can be as easy as clicking away on your computer. [Read more…] about 5 Fundraising/Charity Apps to Help You Give Back

Gadgets That Have Revolutionized Our Lives

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Gadgets

Technology is meant to change people’s lives. Whether it turns out to be for better or for worse, it depends on how the technology is used. There are some gadgets that have changed the way we live our daily lives so strongly, however, that it is worth taking a look at them. Maybe, we can even take a minute or two to evaluate whether their integration into our lives has resulted in something positive or negative.

Smartphones

If you are old enough, you will certainly remember the days when mobile phones were only seen rarely. Doctors, lawyers, and businessmen were usually the only ones who used them, and they were bulky as your winter comforter. And, all they could do was to make voice calls. [Read more…] about Gadgets That Have Revolutionized Our Lives