Sink or Swim

Just something to keep the creative juices flowing whether you’re a photographer, designer, painter.

Light painting is a photographic technique in which exposures are made by moving a hand-held light source or by moving the camera. The term light painting also encompasses images lit from outside the frame with hand-held light sources.

And below are few wonderful examples of this technique which will leave you breathless. You can check the full collection here.

The characteristics of embedded systems and applications

Gadgets and devices nowadays are getting smaller and compact. Thanks to embedded applications because they are the technology that made this happen.

Embedded applications are the most important component of compact devices that exist in the market today. These embedded applications are an integration of customized software and hardware that are embedded on a larger system to perform specific tasks.

Here are some characteristics of embedded applications that make it different from a general-purpose device like a personal computer:

• Dedicated to perform a particular task. Embedded systems contain microprocessor that has been programmed to perform a specific task. An example of an embedded computer is an iPod. It is particularly designed to play mp3 music only and can’t be use to do other functions like send an email, edit documents, and the like.

• Simple structure. The structure of an embedded system is simple as it does not contain any disk drive, operating system, monitor, RAM, etc. The embedded processor chip, controlled by firmware, manages the overall functionality of the device to which it is embedded. The firmware runs using limited hardware resources like limited memory capacity.

• Embedded systems are expected to run for many years without errors. Since they are embedded in a device, they can’t be replaced right way in case of failure so it is expected that the hardware and firmware of these embedded applications have been tested rigorously to make sure that it will last for many years or as long as the life of the device to which it is embedded. Embedded systems uses solid-state parts like flash memory as this are more reliable as compared to components with moving parts like buttons and switches.

• Embedded systems have the capability to recover by themselves if an error occurs.  Some devices with embedded systems like aircraft navigation must be running all the time for safety reasons, and so embedded applications used in these devices must be able to restart by themselves without shutting down the device, if problem occurs.

• Embedded systems have varied user interface. Some embedded applications can work without a user interface such as a keyboard while others have a much complicated user interface with the use of touch screen graphical user interface. Some embedded systems even use serial or network connection as the remote user interface of the embedded system.

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I saw several fuji digital cameras on sale today. I know I shouldn’t be planning on purchasing any gadgets / electronics but this is for my nephew who’ll be graduating in High School. I’d like to buy him a point and shoot camera to get him started with photography seeing how good his eye is when it comes to subjects. He has always been an artistic child but he gave up on sketching and watercolors, saying they are not for him. But now that I could see his shots using my husband’s DSLR and sometimes my iPhone’s cam, he could definitely be a diamond in the rough. The cameras aren’t exactly dirt cheap but I really want to buy him something that he can override manually yet not as expensive as DSLRs.

Okay, so I’m still using iPhone 3GS. But who cares, right? Knowing that as soon as I purchase an iPhone4, that iPhone5 will just be around the corner. Apple really makes us do silly things such as spending huge amounts of money every year. But they can get away with it since everyone is just addicted to all things Apple.

According to rumors, the iPhone5 is set to be released this September 2011.

What is the reason behind releasing iPhone 5 in September?

Apple recently announced iOS 5 at WWDC 2011 which is packed with new cool features, including Android’s drop-down menu style notification.  iOS 5 will be released in the autumn, more specifically in  September. Furthermore, Apple brings new generation iPods and iPod Touches in September. However, according to CNET UK, iPods are not enough glamorous to bring iOS 5 into the world. iOS 5 and iPhone 5 both will be the perfect platforms for each other.

But what does iPhone5 have to offer that iPhone4 could not?

See the list of rumored features below from iphonestuffs4u.com

• Storage Capacity: Apple is offering 16 GB and 32GB iPhone since 2009, so apple is aware this it would be hard push iPhone 5 without having 64 GB of storage. iPhone 5’s lowest model will come with 32G of space and 64G of memory.
• Signal Strength: Unlike iPhone 4, iPhone 5 is not having signal issue, as they are offering the strongest signal strength of any iPhone model ever even the best of any Smartphone to ever come to market.
• Face Recognition: The new iPhone 5 will have Face Recognition for Security sake so that you don’t have to worry about other people stealing your phone and trying to use it.
• Thickness: All three iPhone had thinner bodies than the previous model so the iPhone 5 can be the thinnest yet & much nicer overall body design of the phone.
• Longer Battery Life: iPhone 5 will have Up to 14 Hours of Talk Time On The 3G and 7 Hours on the 4G.
• Video Chat: Video Chat on a 4G network instead of a slow 3G one
• A5 Dual core processor: For Outstanding Video Quality Apple May Introduce A5 Dual Core Process with iPhone 5
• Screen: Shatter Resistant and Scratch Resistant Screen
• Built In GPS: You’ll never get lost or have to download one of those stupid GPS apps.
• iOS 5: It is much anticipated that Apple will introduce iPhone 5 with latest iOS 5.
• Surprise: As the tradition of apple iPhone 5 will also unveil some surprise features.

Now that I finished comparing quotes for a floor stand for my company’s exhibit next month, I can spend the rest of my morning posting about these really cool iPhone Apps for Developers and Designers. Check them out below. iPhone app developers never cease to amaze me. Imagine how much you can do with a small gadget. I know I will feel disabled without my iPhone. For those who are always on the go or meeting a client, these apps will help you in working offsite.

Database Viewer Plus

Network Utility

PHP Cheat Sheet

Color Expert

Typography Manual

Sketches

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I found a great discount online for a golf gps software this morning. Now I’m torn between checking out the cart or wait for more sales at our local mall this weekend. I still need to get a few portable disk drives too (for our macs so we can set up time machine) and hopefully, the much coveted wireless printer. My husband is even asking if I can get him a mighty mouse for his macbook. I had to put my foot down since both he and I know that a normal wireless mouse will do. This is why I really need to get huge discounts. One item is fine but when they add up, our credit cards will definitely take a beating.

Here’s a gadget-freak mom’s wishlist for Mother’s Day:

1. iPad 2. What else? As if I could ever ask for anything when I’ve been dying to get my hands on one of these babies.

2. Griffin Slap for iPod Nano

3. Sony USB Media player. So I can watch all my Gossip girl and Vampire Diaries episodes

4. Kindle. If my gift-giver can’t afford the iPad 2 yet,

5. Much-coveted Panasonic Lumix LX5