Cool Tools - March 8, 2011
Published: Mar 9, 2011 17:30 Updated: Mar 9, 2011 17:41
• Catch all the action
• Overcome the 2TB barrier
• A deal each day
• These displays recline
• Algebra? No problem
Catch all the action
The Action Tripod for the Flip UltraHD and MinoHD pocket camcorders is designed with the adventure enthusiast in mind. Unfold its legs to use it on a surface, like a traditional tripod, or add adjustable Velcro straps to attach the Action Tripod to a bike, helmet or other sporting equipment. The neck of the tripod allows the user to position the camcorder at any angle. If you have another brand of camcorder, the Flip Video Action Tripod could still be of interest. It has a standard tripod mount which fits most video cameras.
Overcome the 2TB barrier
Seagate’s 3TB Barracuda XT hard drive eliminates the need to purchase extra hardware or software to overcome the two terabyte (TB) barrier. Legacy PC BIOS designs and device drivers and older operating systems such as Windows XP are incapable of using hard drive capacities beyond 2.1TB. The Barracuda XT hard drive with free Seagate DiscWizard software makes it simple to configure the computer operating system and device drivers to access the full 3TB of capacity, even on older machines. The 3.5-inch, 7200RPM drive’s 3TB of storage capacity gives desktop PC users the most space ever available for videos, games, photos and files.
A deal each day
n Groupon is a deal-of-the-day website which leverages the power of local collective buying. It features a daily deal on the best stuff to do, eat, see and buy. Groupon began in Chicago and has now launched in the UAE. Operating under the website www.groupon.ae, Groupon UAE is already serving Dubai and Abu Dhabi with live deals, and plans to expand into additional cities in future months.
These displays recline
The new HP TouchSmart 610 Consumer PC and HP TouchSmart 9300 Elite Business PC recline from upright to almost flat, providing consumers and business users increased comfort for longer-term use and making it easier for businesses to engage customers. Both these PCs feature a 23-inch diagonal high-definition (HD) display that reclines up to 60 degrees and tilts forward up to five degrees. The wide-angle, LED backlit LCD screen provides optimal viewing angles, even when reclined, while advanced multi-touch technology allows for an accurate response. The TouchSmart PCs’ simple one-cord setup and slim, all-in-one design save space and allow them to fit into any room or business environment. For a clean and uncluttered appearance, control features are conveniently located to the right and left sides of the display. The PCs come preloaded with many touch-optimized applications and users can add new applications via the TouchSmart Apps Center.
Algebra? No problem
Hip-hop duo DobleFlo, fashion designer Chloe Dao, and Julia Detar, developer of popular video games played on Facebook, inspire teens to solve real-world problems using algebra in “Get the Math.” At http://getthemath.org, streaming video and interactive challenges engage and motivate students by making algebra concrete. At the website, the young celebrities show how they regularly use algebra in their work and then pose challenges connected to their jobs to two teams of teens. Online viewers have the opportunity to tackle the challenges using interactive tools and hints. They can compare their strategies to solutions used by the student teams. Viewers can then deepen their understanding of the algebra concepts explored through additional interactive challenges. The Get the Math website also features streaming video of segments from the half-hour broadcast program shown in the USA, plus resources for teachers, including a training video showing how to use the Get the Math materials in the classroom, and a teacher’s guide with lesson plans. A bonus at the site is an animated music video starring DobleFlo and downloadable MP3s of their music, including a math-themed rap.