THE TECH-LICIOUS

Lindsay Lohan Sues Rockstar for Using her Image in Grand Theft Auto V

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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="Lacey Jonas" height="359" src="http://www.technobuffalo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Lacey-Jonas-630x354.jpg" width="640" /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Lindsay Lohan threatened to sue Rockstar for using her likeness in <em>Grand Theft Auto V</em>, and now that it has made over a bajillion dollars, she has followed through on that threat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Lohan’s lawyers filed a lawsuit in Manhattan this week against Take-Two Interactive and Rockstar Games, alleging that the video game firms used “her image, likeness, clothing, outfits, clothing line products, ensemble in the form of hats, hair style, sunglasses” when creating the character Lacey Jonas, seen above, without her permission.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="Lindsay Lohan" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-563356" height="472" src="http://www.technobuffalo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Lindsay-Lohan-630x472.jpg" style="border: none; display: block; height: auto !important; line-height: 0; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; width: 636.65625px;" width="630" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I’m not seeing the likeness part of it at all, but as with Hollywood stars, everything has to be about them, so naturally, Lohan does. Maybe not just in the looks department alone, but also in the context of the character. In <em>Grand Theft Auto V</em>, players stumble across Jonas while escorting her away from high speed chases with paparazzi. The character also suffers from an eating disorder and even resides at an in-game hotel inspired by the actual hotel Lohan once lived at.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Does Jonas’ last name also imply a little bit of a Disney origin there as well?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Lest we forget though, <em>Grand Theft Auto V</em> is a source of satire and commentary on our society, in which yes, young starlet actresses behave just as Lacey Jonas does. Regardless if Lohan, or any other the other interchangeable actresses of her age, were used for the inspiration of this character, the satire remains protected under First Amendment laws and most likely won’t reach a court floor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We’ll have to wait and see though if a judge buys that or not.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">source-<a href="http://www.technobuffalo.com/2014/07/03/lindsay-lohan-sues-rockstar-for-using-her-image-in-grand-theft-auto-v/" target="_blank">techno buffalo</a></span></div>
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Lindsay Lohan Sues Rockstar for Using her Image in Grand Theft Auto V

Lindsay Lohan threatened to sue Rockstar for using her likeness in Grand Theft Auto V , and now that it has made over a bajillion dolla...

Gesture-Based Systems Coming To Vehicles In 2015

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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="gesture-control-cars-being-pushed" height="426" src="http://www.technobuffalo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/gesture-control-cars-being-pushed-630x420.jpg" width="640" /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We think of gestures in the context of smartphones, tablets and even smartwatches. But in the race to create a more intuitive in-dash experience, automakers are now considering gestures for drivers. Companies such as Audi, Ford, Mercedes-Benz and BMW all are planning some form of gesture controls for future vehicles, and the company supplying the 3D spacial recognition tech believes you could be gesturing on your commute as early as next year. That will make for some awkward driving.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Rather than fiddling with buttons or knobs, automakers are trying to find ways to ensure your hands are on the wheel at all times, free from distractions. Some of today’s biggest mobile companies are already committed to the future of in-dash infotainment, though these car companies seemingly want to look even beyond that near-hands-free experience. Now you’ll turn off the radio with the same movement you use to swat a fly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A report from <em>Automotive News</em> says these gesture-based systems will be in cars next year, though it’s unclear which automaker will be first to market. Both Audi and Mercedes have shown off prototypes before, so the two may be at the most advanced stages. Hyundai has also shown off its own interpretation of how this might work, and people were generally impressed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">These systems are all being designed to combat distracted driving, because when we’re not texting and driving, we’re compelled to push buttons and turn knobs. It’s an innate mortal affliction that cannot be cured. <em>Jalopnik</em> speculates that Audi and BMW could be among the first to introduce these systems, which have been in development for years now. Will that even be something consumers use, though? Why actually turn a button when you can simulate the action? Seems much less distracting, right? Maybe not so much.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">source-<a href="http://www.technobuffalo.com/2014/07/02/gesture-based-systems-coming-to-vehicles-in-2015/" target="_blank">techno buffalo</a></span></div>
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Gesture-Based Systems Coming To Vehicles In 2015

We think of gestures in the context of smartphones, tablets and even smartwatches. But in the race to create a more intuitive in-dash ex...

Proposed device would instantly display the number of calories in any food

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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="A mock-up of the universal calorie counting device " height="358" src="http://images.gizmag.com/hero/universalcaloriecounter-2.jpg" width="640" /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Although there are already devices that can tell you approximately how many calories are in your food, they typically require you to manually input data regarding the type and amount of food that you're eating ... and as we all know, people generally don't like having to "do" things. A senior scientist at GE, however, is developing a gadget that could instantly display the caloric content of any food placed within it, at the touch of a button.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Matt Webster was inspired to create the device after his wife told him that she wasn't interested in receiving an activity monitor as a gift, if it didn't automatically track her caloric intake.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Working with colleagues at the GE labs in upstate New York, he devised a formula that estimates the calorie density of foods based on their weight, fat content and water content. The formula just assumes values for other factors such as sugar, carbohydrate and protein content – and apparently it's still pretty accurate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"You actually don’t need to know the details," he said. "We just have  to account for it. That’s the secret sauce."</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.gizmag.com/ge-universal-calorie-counter/32792/pictures#2" style="background-color: transparent; color: #1e8dd7; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="Lead scientist Matt Webster with the mock-up " src="http://images.gizmag.com/inline/universalcaloriecounter-1.JPG" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="530" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Webster and his team are now working on sensing systems that could ascertain a food item's fat and water content by subjecting it to microwaves, then analyzing the signature of the waves that pass through. Although they're currently working with simple mixtures of oil, water and sugar, the researchers hope to ultimately produce a household device that could provide instant readings of plated meals and snacks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">More information is available in the video below.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">source-<a href="http://www.gizmag.com/ge-universal-calorie-counter/32792/" target="_blank">gizmag</a></span></div>
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Proposed device would instantly display the number of calories in any food

Although there are already devices that can tell you approximately how many calories are in your food, they typically require you to man...

NASA Testing Saucer Shaped Spacecraft

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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">NASA’s has a project that looks like it had its beginnings in the 1950’s.  The <a href="http://www.nasa.gov/" style="color: #0092dd;" target="_blank" title="NASA">NASA</a> team plans to fly a rocket-powered, saucer-shaped landing technology test vehicle into near-space from a U.S. Navy Facility (PMRF) on Kauai, Hawaii.  The project is called Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator (LDSD).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">NASA’s test of the craft will be groundwork for future Mars missions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The original test flight date was on 3rd June but bad weather hampered the launch.  “Due to weather conditions, there will be no launch of the LDSD test vehicle Thursday, June 5. Other potential launch dates include June 7, 9, 11 and 14. The decision to move forward with another launch attempt of the LDSD test is made the day before each launch opportunity date.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Michael Gazarik, associate administrator for Space Technology at NASA Headquarters in Washington said, “The agency is moving forward and getting ready for Mars as part of NASA’s Evolvable Mars campaign.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As growth of the space program continues, NASA is planning ambitious robotic missions to Mars, thereby laying the foundation for human science expeditions in the future.  The objective of the LDSD project is to ascertain if the rocket-powered test vehicle operates as it was designed to.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Mark Adler, project manager for the Low Density Supersonic Decelerator at NASA’s <a href="https://oco.jpl.nasa.gov/" style="color: #0092dd;" target="_blank" title="JPL">Jet Propulsion Laboratory</a> said, “We use a helium balloon that, when fully inflated, would fit snugly into Pasadena’s Rose Bowl, to lift our vehicle to 120,000 feet…From there we drop it for about one and a half seconds. After that, it’s all about going higher and faster and then it’s about putting on the brakes…After years of imagination, engineering and hard work, we soon will get to see our Keiki o ka honua, our ‘boy from Earth,’ show us its stuff…If our flying saucer hits its speed and altitude targets, it will be a great day,” says Adler.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A fraction of a second after dropping from the helium balloon, four small rockets will fire to spin up and gyroscopically stabilize the saucer shaped craft. Half second later, a Star 48B long-nozzle, solid-fuelled rocket engine will ignite with 17,500 pounds of thrust.  This thrust will then send the test vehicle to the edge of the stratosphere.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Ian Clark, principal investigator of the LDSD projects at JPL said, “Our goal is to get to an altitude and velocity which simulates the kind of environment one of our vehicles would encounter when it would fly in the Martian atmosphere…We top out at about 180,000 feet and Mach 4. Then, as we slow down to Mach 3.8, we deploy the first of two new atmospheric braking systems.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">NASA has identified five potential launch dates for the high-altitude balloon carrying the LDSD project: June 28, 29, 30, July 1, 3. The launch window for Saturday, June 28 extends from 8:15 to 9:30 a.m. Hawaii Standard Time (11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. PDT / 2:15 to 3:30 p.m. EDT).  The test will be carried live via Ustream and simulcast on <a href="http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/" style="color: #0092dd;" target="_blank" title="NASA TV">NASA Television</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">source-<a href="http://news.filehippo.com/2014/06/nasa-testing-saucer-shaped-spacecraft/" target="_blank">tech beat</a></span></div>
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NASA Testing Saucer Shaped Spacecraft

NASA’s has a project that looks like it had its beginnings in the 1950’s. The NASA team plans to fly a rocket-powered, saucer-shaped la...

TrackingPoint rifle lets you hit what you can’t see

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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="TrackingPoint rifle lets you hit targets you can't see" src="http://www.extremetech.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/TrackingPoint-rifle-lets-you-hit-targets-you-cant-see-640x353.jpg" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">When we first covered TrackingPoint’s computer-assisted weapons at CES, it was the rifles’ object-tagging that got everyone’s attention. Its Precision-Guided Firearm (PGF) system allows a shooter to tag the target prior to pulling the trigger. Once tagged, the shooter can squeeze the trigger, but the rifle will not fire until the target is correctly sighted. The gun’s ballistic computer takes into account the target distance, ammunition, barrel condition, and the shooter manually inputs wind conditions. In a new development, TrackingPoint has pushed its Xact System technology even further, allowing the shooter to look at a video screen not connected to the rifle while aiming — thus making possible that spy movie dream of shooting around corners.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.extremetech.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Inside-a-TrackingPoint-scope-is-actually-a-camera-electronics-and-display.png" style="color: #b1700a; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="Inside a TrackingPoint 'scope' is actually a camera, electronics, and display" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-185538" height="213" src="http://www.extremetech.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Inside-a-TrackingPoint-scope-is-actually-a-camera-electronics-and-display-640x213.png" style="border-style: none;" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Making un-sighted shooting work for hitting stationary targets is actually easier than it sounds for TrackingPoint, because what looks like an optical scope on the rifle actually isn’t a scope. It is a video camera and small display, with a lot of electronics in between. Think of it like the Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) on a mirrorless camera, except the rifle shoots bullets instead of pictures. Having an EVF meant it was a small step for TrackingPoint to stream the same video to another device over WiFi – where it can be seen in the company’s Shotview mobile app. Initially, this capability was marketed for recording shooting sessions, but it didn’t take long for <a href="http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/145332-real-world-aimbot-the-17000-rifle-with-a-linux-powered-scope" style="color: #b1700a; text-decoration: none;">TrackingPoint</a> to realize the same technique could actually be used while shooting. Shooting around corners makes for a great demo, but the company hasn’t explained whether the link is secure enough to keep it from getting hacked, or fast enough to allow shooting at a moving target.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Pd2jZIwYwC4" width="640"></iframe></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">TrackingPoint has said that the US Army has purchased six of its rifles, possibly for integration into its M2010 Enhanced Sniper Rifle, so someone is paying attention. Outside of military and SWAT team use, though, it is a little hard to see the value of turning a $10,000 to $20,000 rifle into more than a party trick.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The largest use of TrackingPoint rifles is for hunting. Whatever you think about hunting, ethical hunters believe that the best kill is a quick, clean one. If the tagging feature of a TrackingPoint is used to help with that, great. Unfortunately, it is also being marketed and used with more of a “cowboy” mentality to set distance hunting records, so it isn’t hard to imagine the weirdness that will happen now that hunters don’t even need to be looking at what they kill.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">source-<a href="http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/185535-trackingpoint-rifle-lets-you-hit-what-you-cant-see" target="_blank">extream tech</a></span></div>
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TrackingPoint rifle lets you hit what you can’t see

When we first covered TrackingPoint’s computer-assisted weapons at CES, it was the rifles’ object-tagging that got everyone’s attention....

Amazon is One Step Closer to Drone Delivery

Amazon is One Step Closer to Drone Delivery

After the FAA released some new rules regarding the use of drones this week, many people who were looking forward to Amazon’s delivery dr...