Tuesday - November 3 2009

PSYence Service Announcements



MIT Introduces a Friendly Robot Companion For Your Dashboard



With all the sensors, computerized gadgetry and even Internet connectivity being built into cars these days, it's a wonder our automobiles aren't more like Optimus Prime. Our cars will now email us when they need to have their oil changed, and recognize our facial expressions to determine whether we're enjoying ourselves, but for all the information available to us when we're driving, it's often not possible to organize it all in real-time and package it in a way that we can digest while behind the wheel. Researchers at MIT and Audi created the Affective Intelligent Driving Agent to address exactly that problem.

AIDA communicates with the driver via a small, sociable robot built into the dashboard. The idea is to develop an informed and friendly passenger, the buddy perpetually riding shotgun who aside from reading the map and helping with navigation, acts as a companion. As such, AIDA is being developed to read drivers' moods via their facial expressions and other cues (hand gestures?) and respond to them in the proper social context. It communicates back in very human ways as well: with a smile, the blink of an eye, the drooping of its head.

Prompting memories of KIT from the (most excellent) television series Knight Rider, the idea is for AIDA to have personality and establish a relationship with the driver in which both parties learn from each another and help each other out. AIDA analyzes the driver's mobility patterns, common routes and destinations, and driving habits. It then merges its knowledge of the driver with its knowledge of the city around it, mashing up the drivers priorities and needs with real-time information on everything from tourist attractions to environmental conditions to commercial activity to help the driver make better decisions.

If, for instance, there's a parade route between you and the grocery store, AIDA will tell you about it and help you find your way around it. Or it might simply remind you that your gas tank is low, knowing that given the time of day you must be on your way to work several miles away. AIDA will even give you feedback on your driving, helping you increase your fuel efficiency or suggesting that your policy of making rolling illegal lefts through stop signs while in school zones may be ill-advised.

Unlike the sci-fi cars of our childhood fancy -- KIT, the Batmobile, Herbie -- AIDA is still a ways from pulling off daring rescue maneuvers or other heroic acts of derring-do. But it can make the road a safer, more informed place, and if the MIT robotics researchers have their way, one that's not quite so lonely.



Dutch Hacker Holds Jail-Broken iPhones Hostage, Demands Ransom Or The Gadget Gets It




The media generally portrays hacker as criminals going after law-abiding computer users, but one Dutch hacker has turned his sights on more fertile prey: other less-skilled, or even aspirational hackers. Like a digital stickup boy, he has remotely kidnapped illegally (according to Apple) jailbroken iPhones in the Netherlands, holding them hostage for five Euros.

Jailbreaking an iPhone allows users to install software from sources beyond Apple's App Store. And although the vitality of the jailbreak software ecosystem has dipped significantly now that it is not the only way to install native code on your iPhone, some estimates still place the number of jail-broken devices as high as 10 percent of all iPhones and iPod Touches.

When a user jailbreaks their phone, a password controlling remote access to the phone resets to the generic factory password coded at the factory. Many users forget to redo their password, allowing the Dutch hacker to lock up the phone until the user paid out the five-euro ransom via PayPal.

Whether or not jail breaking the iPhone constitutes a crime has yet to be resolved, but Apple considers it a copyright violation that voids the warranty of the device.

The total number of victims, and the amount of money extorted by the hacker remains unknown.


Kick Game On Proper, Nickname Me The Doctor, Like Scholls




Nike Air Jordan I Retro High In Patent Leather

Nike re-issues the classic Air Jordan I Retro High in a slick patent leather package. Available in a black-and-white or tan colorway, these Jordans come with both the classic Jumpman logo on the tongue and heel, as well as the newer Air Jordan Wings logo on the sides. A great take on the classic Air Jordan I, both colorways are available in stores now.




















Air Jordan Six Rings ‘Motorsports’

Even those who are totally against the Six Rings, it is hard to say that these are not hot. The shoes feature an all white leather upper with a black sole. The shoe’s seem like they would be boring, until you look on the sock lining and check out the crazy cement print. Unfortunately, these will never see shelve ... anywhere ... 1of1 boys and girls ..







Reebok x Mita Sneakers - EX-O-FIT HI SG STRAP MI

By far these gotta be one of the hottest pair of kicks out this year, Mita Sneakers has become one of the industry's powerhouse design group, with some of the best Japan has to offer. There's not much to be said about these green/red crushed leather on white/gray perf leather Reeboks, just look at them... they are fresh!!








Lakai x Mita Sneakers - Staple OG Japan Limited

From several years ago skateboard footwear brand Lakai have noticed and understood the market needs of Japan and have produced various Japan Limited models only produced for the Japanese market with the help of mita sneakers on many occasions. This Staple OG model is an almost reissue like sneakers that changes up the fabrics and materials but keeping the colorways the same as its first Japan Limited releases. Uppers are constructed with smooth leather and suede, making it more appealing to the wider consumer base who may not skateboard. These will be available exclusively at mita sneakers and Almost Famous in Tokyo.

-->Almost Famous

-->Lakai

-->Mita Sneakers







































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