Student Software Helps with Homework, Social Life, Drunkeness
Students Andrew Grieve, a student at the University of Aberdeen; Ali Gardezi, of the University of Sheffield; and Matt Steeples, who goes to the University of Hull have invented all-purpose PDA software to help them with university life. Called the University Leisure and Lifestyle Manager (ULL), the software works on Pocket PC PDAs and Microsoft-based smart phones. The software, currently a prototype, helps students choose books, make decisions about their essays, and finding out where friends are. Assuming that university students are alcoholics-in-training, the software automates the process of calling a cab when students get wasted.
PC Magazine will publish a short piece in its May 4 issue on the $149 Pyramat PM300, a fold-up lounge cushion with a built-in stereo system. Instead of a subwoofer, the bass is distributed as vibration in one of the cushions.
New Plastic Turns Entire Mobile Phone Into Antenna
An inexpensive but "highly conductive resin" called Electriplast -- also called Plastenna -- enables mobile phone makers to get rid of the antenna and use the entire phone to send and receive signals. It could also improve call quality and improve battery life, according to the inventor, Thomas Aisenbrey, who is chief technology officer at Integral Technologies Inc. The handset makers are drooling at the prospect, as it will make handsets both better and cheaper. Integral is already working with DuPont to productize the invention.
World Record: A Chinese Bidder Offers $1.1 Million For 'Rich' Phone Number
The Shanghai Daily newspaper reported that a Chinese bidder has offered to pay $1.1 million on an auction service called EachNet for the following phone number: 135 8585 8585. Why so much? Apparently pronouncing that number in Chinese sounds just like "let me be rich be rich be rich be rich."
The Japanese company Omron introduced recently bathroom scales that support an optional USB gadget which "docks" to the scale to retrieve data on how much you weighed and when (the gadget also serves as a pedometer) -- and how much of that weight is excess lard. When you connect it to your PC, the fat and weight data from the scale -- as well as info on how much you've been walking, from the pedometer -- is uploaded into a fitness application. (Arigato, dottocomu!)
More Jobs Replaced By Bot: Tour Guide, Building Inspector, Security Guard
A new $30,000 robot called PatrolBot from ActivMedia Robotics debuted today at BuilConn Networked Buildings Forum in Dallas, Texas, today. The robot is designed to roll around buildings, checking Wi-Fi signal strength ("can you hear me now?"), air temperature, and other conditions. The bot navigates by itself through corporate hallways, and can find its way via another route if the main one is blocked. It can even receive visitors and give them tours of the building.
I told you in October about an LG Electronics mobile phone for Muslims with a built-in compass that points to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. (Muslims who pray do so facing Mecca, so the phone helps them figure out which way to pray.) Recently, the Dubai-based Ilkone announced a Muslim phone of their own, called the Ilkone i800, which not only points toward Mecca, but also contains a complete electronic copy of the Koran (along with a translation into English and a search engine). The phone will initially be released in Lebanon, Malaysia, Turkey and Indonesia. You can even use the phone to make calls. The phone is manufactured in Korea.
Computers Taught to Speak Xhosa, Afrikaans and Even English
South African engineers are working on enabling computers to converse in and translate the many languages spoken in the country, including Xhosa, Afrikaans and English. They're hoping to enable people to do banking and other translations in their native tongue and provide access to information even for people who are illiterate.
Students Andrew Grieve, a student at the University of Aberdeen; Ali Gardezi, of the University of Sheffield; and Matt Steeples, who goes to the University of Hull have invented all-purpose PDA software to help them with university life. Called the 
The Japanese company Omron introduced recently bathroom scales that support an optional USB gadget which "docks" to the scale to 
A new $30,000 robot called 
I told you in October about an 
