New Technology : You Will Never Own a Real Lightsaber, Because Science

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,
science-lightsaber

Lightsabers are the single most iconic item from the Star Wars movies, although Darth Vader’s helmet comes in a close second. Ever since filmgoers first saw this striking blade of light in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, there has been demand for a real one. Unfortunately, science suggests lightsabers are never going to be real. So, if you have long held a desire to own a real lightsaber, here are the reasons why that’s never going to happen… and believe us, we’re as disappointed as anyone. The problem is we cannot argue against science! Fantasy from Reality To...

Read the full article: You Will Never Own a Real Lightsaber, Because Science



from MakeUseOf http://ift.tt/1UVyD3U
Read More

New Technology : How You Can Get Help in Windows 10

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,
windows-10-help

Whether you’re a new Windows user or you’ve been working with PCs for decades, there are times when all of us need a little bit of help. Early computers would have simply prompted you to refer to the manual, but modern systems have access to far more sophisticated methods of providing assistance. However, they’ll do you no good if you aren’t aware of how to access the help that’s offered up by Windows 10. With these tips, you can be sure that you’re never too far away from the guidance and information that you need. Press F1 Traditionally, F1 has...

Read the full article: How You Can Get Help in Windows 10



from MakeUseOf http://ift.tt/1OfF7vx
Read More

New Technology : Smartphone vs Sat Nav: Should You Buy a Dedicated GPS Device?

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,
sat-nav-smartphone

The smartphone has replaced a growing number of standalone devices: the iPod, the alarm clock, the compact camera. And, the satellite navigation device. With GPS and maps built into literally every smartphone, there’s no obvious need to buy a dedicated GPS device anymore. Or is there? Is there still a good reason to buy a dedicated in-car sat nav, or a handheld GPS for outdoor use? Let’s take a look. The In-Car Sat Nav Every modern smartphone has GPS capability that works just as well as that of a dedicated device. In fact, in some cases they may actually get a faster...

Read the full article: Smartphone vs Sat Nav: Should You Buy a Dedicated GPS Device?



from MakeUseOf http://ift.tt/1YcHxyb
Read More

New Technology : The Hottest Live-Streaming Social Apps You Need To Try

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,
live-streaming-apps

Recent years have seen an explosion in social media video sharing services, along with plenty of interesting novelty apps like Dubsmash to make your posts more fun. There has also been a rise in popularity in podcasts, suggesting that these more personal forms of communication are preferred by audiences and broadcasters alike. Instead of merely blogging, people are now sharing their expertise on YouTube, doing Q&As on Periscope and getting creative on Vine. And the audiences love it, because they can tune in while they get on with their work or mess about on Facebook. But the scope of each video...

Read the full article: The Hottest Live-Streaming Social Apps You Need To Try



from MakeUseOf http://ift.tt/1Mc4fjv
Read More

New Technology : ABB Now Offers Voice-Activated Home Automation With Free@Home

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,
abb-smart-home

For those who aren’t aware, ABB is one of the largest engineering companies in the world, and are considered global leaders in the fields of power and automation. At the recent IFA consumer electronics show in Berlin they unveiled a voice-activated home automation system to accompany their year-old “Free@Home” smart home offering. The company claims it’s one of the most advanced voice-activated systems in the world. We take a look at what it is and what it can do for you. What is Free@Home? Free@Home was launched last year and was the company’s attempt to bring their automation expertise to the...

Read the full article: ABB Now Offers Voice-Activated Home Automation With Free@Home



from MakeUseOf http://ift.tt/1Ycr8Km
Read More

New Technology : The Best Mac-Only Open Source Software

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,
mac-only-open-soft

When most people think open source, they think Linux. That’s fair: Linux is the operating system built from the ground-up with open source software. But Mac OS X, as a UNIX-like brother to Linux, has its share of quality open source programs as well – and a bunch of them aren’t available for Linux or Windows. Let’s look at the best open source Mac exclusives, so you know which programs to install and show off in front of your Linux friends. They’ll be jealous, I promise (though they’ll have a few great apps to show you right back, so don’t get...

Read the full article: The Best Mac-Only Open Source Software



from MakeUseOf http://ift.tt/1W3hIPf
Read More

New Technology : Learning Maya 2016: Where To Get Started

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,
maya-2016-learn

Maya is a popular 3D animation tool, published by Autodesk. But it’s got a brutally steep learning curve, and can be intimidating for beginners. This week, a reader writes in to see if we could recommend some learning material. Ask The Experts contributor Bruce Epper has him covered. A Reader Asks: I really want to get into 3D animation with Maya, but I have no idea where to start. Can you recommend any courses or books? Bruce’s Reply: Whether you want to get into 3D art, modeling, and/or animation for your own amusement or as a step toward getting your...

Read the full article: Learning Maya 2016: Where To Get Started



from MakeUseOf http://ift.tt/1NxcCHY
Read More

New Technology : Learn How to Dress Better with the Fashion You Love

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,
dress-better

Do you often find yourself stuck in front of your closet completely unsure of what to wear? Do you need new clothes, but are not sure what to buy? Are you completely mystified by the difference between “business casual” and “smart casual”?  Thankfully, the Internet has resources for those of us who are fashion challenged. A number of professional fields, schools of thought, and public opinions would have us consider investing time and effort in fashion to be a waste of time or frivolous. However, this assumption is actually quite far from the truth — and no one explains this better...

Read the full article: Learn How to Dress Better with the Fashion You Love



from MakeUseOf http://ift.tt/1FMW9cb
Read More

New Technology : Intellinote: Put Your Tasks, Files, Messages & Online Meetings In One Place

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,
intellinote-featured

The right software behind your project, group or organization can make all the difference. Intellinote makes it easier to manage, collaborate and better communicate with your team, colleagues and clients. Intellinote blends real-time text, audio and video messaging, easy file and screen sharing and project management features with a unique workspace approach that makes managing large teams of people a simple affair. Better still, it’s completely free for personal use and comes with a feature-filled 30-day free trial so you can try it with your team before you buy. Everything Under One Roof Intellinote is available as both a browser-based web application or as standalone...

Read the full article: Intellinote: Put Your Tasks, Files, Messages & Online Meetings In One Place



from MakeUseOf http://ift.tt/1nyNmVK
Read More

New Technology : 5 Things I Hate About Chrome

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,
chrome-monster

Chrome, the operating system, is apparently pretty great – but Chrome, the operating system, is the worst thing that ever happened to Chrome, the browser. Since the beginning of ChromeOS, Chrome on other platforms has increasingly been bogged down by additions that only make sense for ChromeOS users. Things like app launchers, notification systems, and user profiles simply don’t add much if you’re running a web browser on Windows, Mac or Linux – all of those operating systems have their own, better-integrated tools for doing the same thing. Yet Chrome bundles all this and more. Chrome, the operating system, is...

Read the full article: 5 Things I Hate About Chrome



from MakeUseOf http://ift.tt/1QhyW7K
Read More