Turning Down The Volume On MP3 Players

The European Commission is proposing a volume limit on all MP3 players sold in the European Union (EU). Studies have shown that some players reach maximum volumes of 120 decibels and the commission is suggesting that a limit of 85 decibels be enforced with a user override allowing up to 100 decibels.

According to this BBC News article, Dr Robin Yeoh, an audiology consultant at the Epsom and St Helier NHS Trust, said: "More and more young people are referred to me by their GPs with tinnitus or hearing loss as a direct result to exposure to loud music.

"It's the sort of damage that in the old days would have come from industrial noise.

"The damage is permanent and will often play havoc with their employment opportunities and their personal lives."

I Just Couldn't Resist Posting This,

I want to post it again, and again... I've got stacks and stacks of these videos piled up all over my PC ;)

Developer Banned From iTunes App Store

Apple has expelled Chinese software developer Molinker and it's approximately 1000 applications from the iTunes App Store. Molinker, who's applications where described as mostly knock-offs of other developers apps, is accused of gaming the rating system to entice downloads.

According to Wired "iPhoneography wrote a long letter to Apple's marketing boss, Phil Schiller, and posited that Molinker was giving out promotional codes -- essentially free copies of the applications -- in return for these 5-star reviews."

By all accounts the majority of reviews on Molinker products were 5 star with the remainder in the 1 star range, which probably more accurately reflected the true value of the software.

More commentary in the Wired article here.

Coin Toss Not Completely Random

Researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC) have conducted a study to determine whether or not the toss of a coin results in a completely random outcome, 50% heads or tails. The study involved 13 students who where observed tossing a coin 300 times each and recording of the results of each toss. Prior to starting each participant was given some instruction on coin toss technique and time to practice. The results showed that on average heads came up 57% of the time with one participant achieving a whopping 68%.

I know a few curlers who'd love to get there hands on those instructions! In fact I've heard that former Canadian Champion Colleen Jones was known to have practiced the toss of a coin hundreds of times trying to gain an edge, if ever so slightly. Perhaps she was onto something?

Btw, there was no mention of the denomination of the coins or whether or not the same coin, or same series (year) of coin was used.

Source: CBC News

Astrology Explained By Bill Nye The Science Guy

When I was younger Bill Nye helped to explain all sorts of geeky sciencey stuff, now through the magic that is YouTube, I can enjoy Bill in all of his geeky glory. Here's the secret to the sign that you were born under, otherwise known as astrology. For the record, I'm a Scorpio but according to Bill I might really be a Libra... huh!

Trending Topics For 2010

Pete Cashmore the founder and CEO of Mashable has prepared a list of the top ten web/technology trends to look out for in 2010. Real-time, location based, and cloud computing all make the list as well as all things social. It's brief overview but definitely worth a read if you want to stay with the geek talk around the water cooler (or bunch bowl).

Solar Plane Takes Flight

It may have only been a 350 meter flight down the runway at an altitude of just one meter and lasting 28 seconds, but test pilot Markus Scherdel has flown into the history books piloting Solar Impulse. Solar Impulse founder and president Bertrand Piccard says “For over ten years now, I have dreamt of a solar aircraft capable of flying day and night without fuel” he said in a press release. “Today, our plane took off and was airborne for the very first time.”

Spokeswoman Rachel Bros de Puechredon told Wired.com “There will first be longer flights and to higher altitudes. The next step will be the first day-night-day flight, a 36 hour flight next summer.”

It's just too bad they couldn't have accomplished this in 2003 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Wright brothers flight!

Robotic Hand Successfully Connected To Amputee

European scientists said Wednesday that a six month experiment, where an amputee was fitted with a thought controlled prosthetic hand, has been a success. According to a CBC report, "the scientists say it was the first time a patient has been able to make complex movements using his mind to control a biomechanical hand connected to his nervous system."

Twenty six year old Pierpaolo Petruzziello, who lost his hand and forearm in an automobile accident says "It's a matter of mind, of concentration... When you think of it as your hand and forearm, it all becomes easier."

The scientists believe it is an important next step, however, "The important piece that remains is how long beyond a month we can keep the electrodes in." said Dustin Tyler, a professor at Case Western Reserve University and biomedical engineer at the VA Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio.

#red Google / Twitter Going Red For World Aids Day

#red Google and other high profile sites such as Twitter are going red for World AIDS day. The Official Google Blog is advocating the following as a means of supporting the fight of AIDS in Africa:

Taking action has never been easier. Our World AIDS Day page offers plenty of options:

• Learn more about the global effort to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS at UNAIDS, International AIDS Society, or LIVING PROOF.
• Find volunteer opportunities in your area at All for Good.
• Advocate for action with the ONE Campaign.
• Give (RED) for friends and family this holiday season.
• Unite with others at the Global Network of People Living with HIV.

Sending The Wrong Message?

This is a timely followup to my last post regarding your brand and social media. WPMI TV in Mobile Alabama thought that an electronic billboard with a live Twitter feed would help to promote their news team. However good the idea may have been, the implementation has put the Station Manager and News Director in hot water after an unfortunate and embarrassing combination of a live post and News Team promotion.

Source: cnn.com