Daily Tech Bits

The Listening Camera

CCTV cameras are everywhere, and now they will be able to listen to the criminals they later catch. The BBC reports that a new generation of CCTV cameras will use artificial intelligence software that will help them to focus on specific sounds such as breaking glass. This would make it easier to capture those committing a crime and to stop crime faster.

Current software uses visual recognition to identify some types of behavior, but using sounds will make it even easier to tune into crime. The new software will result from a three year study being carried out at the University of Portsmouth.

Minding Your Gadget Manners

The Times Of India has published an interesting article on gadget etiquette, citing the seven deadly sins of gadget use.

‘there are times when its users seem to forget themselves (and indeed, all those around them) and end up indulging in behaviour that can only be called regrettable’

If you’ve every looked askance at those who are shouting on their cell phones or disturb the peace with loud ringtones and other lapses of manners, then check out the full article.

Still Got VHS? Convert, Convert!

If you’ve still got a collection of VHS tapes hanging around (if you’re asking what VHS is you probably don’t), then there’s a cost effective way to convert them. For just $250 you can get hold of Ion’s VCR2PC player, which has a USB connection. You can use it for your old home videos, too. As the Gadget Blog points out, it will cost you less than buying all your old videos as DVDs.

Gadget In A Cup

I can’t decide if this gadget is useful or just a gimmick. It’s a mug that lets you know whether your drink is hot or cold. If you’ve ever made a cup of coffee, been called away to a meeting, then come back to a cupful of cold sludge, then it might be useful. It works by sensing the heat level and changing color.

When your drink is hot, the mug is white with the word ‘on’ appearing. When it’s cold, the mug goes black and you see the word ‘off’. Of course, you could just test the drink as usual, but where would be the fun in that? [Source: Gadgetspy]

USB Keystroke Snoop

Ok, i think this is a bit creepy, but I guess it could be useful. It’s a USB keystroke monitor called KeyShark USB.  Plug it in and it monitors everything you do on your PC. If you want to keep track of what your kids are doing on the computer, then this is ideal, but it also seems likely that people could use it for password theft, as StuffTV points out.

Gadgets Without Guilt

If you’re plugged into the always-on society, then you may have felt guilty about draining the planet’s resources. The trouble is, you’ve got to have your laptop, Ipod and all those other devices. Now you can keep charging up your favorite gizmos without guilt, thanks to  British company Powertraveller. It’s developed a solar powered  charger that will let you charge your devices wherever you are. It’s called the PowerMonkey Plus.

The unit is self powered, once you have access to sunlight, though you won’t get much juice from a charge. It takes six hours in the sun to get the charger up to one third of capacity, which means you can charge your cell phone but probably not your Play Station Portable.  Still, it’s a good start - and you can use it in the US, UK, Europe and Australia. Find out more from Australia’s Herald Sun.