Tizen 2.0 SDK and source code emerge from alpha, bring slew of new features
Sure, an early version of Tizen 2.0 Magnolia may have first emerged last September, but now the SDK and source code have dropped the “alpha” designation for a proper release. After a few months of incubation, the open source OS has been laden with enhanced support for HTML5 and a beefed up Web UI framework that enables full-screen and multi-window features. Developers can now leverage new hardware APIs for Bluetooth and NFC support, and access a device’s call history, calendar and messaging “subsystems.” Support for background applications, text-to-speech and IP Push have also made it into the operating system along with reference applications including the likes of a calendar, gallery and phone app. In addition, a native IDE and a spruced up web development environment have been released with the latest code. Hit the source link for the full skinny and appropriate downloads.
[Image credit: Tizen Project, Flickr]
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Software, Mobile
Source: Tizen
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Mozilla pulls Firefox Home from the iOS App Store, posts source code to GitHub
iOS users keen on Mozilla’s Firefox Home will have to find another browser syncing solution: the application has been retired. The app worked in conjunction with Firefox Sync, and was designed to give users access to their desktop history, open tabs and bookmarks on the go. Mozilla says the project “provided valuable insight and experience with the platform,” but ultimately decided its resources were better focused elsewhere. All isn’t lost, however — the company is making the source available on GitHub, encouraging users to tinker with the iOS Sync client Firefox Home was built on. Feel free to swim in the code yourself at the source link below.
Mozilla pulls Firefox Home from the iOS App Store, posts source code to GitHub originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 01 Sep 2012 15:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Nouveau open source NVIDIA driver goes stable, gets benchmarked
Nouveau, the open source graphics driver for NVIDIA GPUs is finally taking off the stabilizers, wandering out from the staging area, and being accepted as part of the standard stable kernel set-up. The project began nearly six years ago, so it’s been a long road, but one that has earned it favor in certain corners of the Linux world. Things started gaining traction in the last three years as more and more distros started adopting, and Mr Linux himself, Linus Torvalds, suggested it be part of the kernel. Want to see how it performs? Head on down to the source link where the gents at Phoronix have kindly given it some comprehensive benchmarks.
Nouveau open source NVIDIA driver goes stable, gets benchmarked originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 Apr 2012 00:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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La Source – Massage Therapy Pavilion by Blouin Tardif Architecture
Blouin Tardif Architecture have designed La Source – Massage Therapy Pavilion in the town of Rawdon in Quebec, Canada.
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La Source – Massage Therapy Pavilion by Blouin Tardif Architecture
The construction of this building with an area of 800 square metres on three levels improves the range of services offered to the establishment’s clientele. The facilities now include thirteen massage spaces and two new lounges. In addition, the new pavilion integrates a reception area for customers and administration offices. This combination of functions, requiring both a contemplative ambience and a workplace, represented one of the challenges for the project. The spatial arrangement of functions and high-quality soundproofing made it possible to respond adequately to these programming imperatives. Above all, the new pavilion had to offer contact with nature, with a healthy, relaxing ambience.
A process integrated with the environment
Respect for the topography and the existing facilities was a prerequisite for successful integration. Throughout the design and construction process, a primary concern was conservation of the trees near the site. The shape and final positioning of the project resulted from the characteristics of the site as much as from the program. To achieve better integration with the profile of the terrain, each floor area was divided into two levels.
The use of simple forms and noble materials allow a continuously changing show – nature itself – to play a starring role. The elevation takes the form of a wide plane of wood that protects the interior spaces from the view of the access road and the site. The openings on this façade are treated as large, metallic frames protruding from the solid wood cladding and a gigantic shutter with slats. The top of this L-shaped extrusion is extended to become the roof, orienting the pavilion toward the mountain and the forest. The roof overhang thus created protects the building envelopes, the fenestration, outdoor walkways, and the patio. To minimize the visual impact of the project from the existing facilities, a green roof has been integrated.
The project is designed as a procession featuring the surrounding natural environment. Visitors arrive at the pavilion via a long wooden walkway overlooking the forest. This outdoor passageway leads to the entrance while establishing a dialogue with the adjacent escarpment. Situated in the centre of the building and framed by rough-concrete walls, the main stairway provides access to all levels.
The building’s cladding is made of torrefacted poplar; torrefaction is a procedure that makes the material (a local wood species) very strong and durable. This type of cladding was used for the previous phase of the project, and its use here allows for integration with the grouping.
Inside, the concrete toppings have been polished and left visible to minimize finishes and maximize the thermal mass effect. The radiant-floor heating system is deployed in all spaces, providing comfortable, efficient warmth to users.
This project is intended first and foremost to be a space of relaxation and contemplation in the midst of nature. It integrates the values proposed during the design process: the comfort of the occupants through the use of warm, natural materials, contact with the surrounding landscape, and a structure in harmony with nature.
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Visit the Blouin Tardif Architecture website – here.
Photography by Steve Montpetit
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Leave a commentUM students make cheap and portable solar charger / light source for developing nations
Solar power is the most egalitarian of all energy sources, yet residents in many parts of the world still lack access to electricity. Three University of Michigan engineering students have created an affordable solution to this problem — to the delight of camping geeks everywhere — with the Emerald, a portable solar panel that does double duty as both a cellphone charger and personal light source. We’ve seen the personal solar panel idea before, but the price of entry made it an untenable solution for developing nations. Solar-powered light bulbs have been around for a while too, but the Emerald’s light lasts for eight hours on a charge (as opposed to the bulbs’ two to six hours), and it’s able to fully charge a phone in the same time it takes an outlet to do the job. They aim to sell the device for the low, low, price of under twenty bucks for customers in the developing world, which is 90 percent cheaper than other solutions and 100 percent more awesome.
UM students make cheap and portable solar charger / light source for developing nations originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 18:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Tebfin Office Interior by Source Interior Brand Architects
Source Interior Brand Architects have designed an office interior in Johannesburg, South Africa.
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Tebfin Office Interior by Source Interior Brand Architects
Positioned on top of a new hotel with breath-taking views of Sandton, the location of a Johannesburg financial services company’s new corporate offices influenced an unusual design brief for Source Interior Brand Architects.
Tebfin’s new 1 300m² offices are in keeping with the international trend for creating expressive work-environments. Their vision was outlined to Source Interior Brand Architects as “luxury, warmth and confidence”.
“The client summarised these elements as ‘the hotel lobby look’ and it thus made sense to work with a design studio which is equally comfortable in the corporate and hospitality design sectors,” says Source IBA project creative director Jeremy Stewart.
“While Source has a well-established corporate design team, we assembled a project-team from our hospitality division in order to really achieve a uniquely polished look consistent with the client brief,” Stewart explains.
With a focus on luxurious finishes, rich colours and textural contrast, the design team established a visual language that is warm, professional and manicured. Set against a three dimensional envelope of tonal greys, sharp expressions of pure white, black or even a cheeky yellow keeps the scheme fresh.
A baseline of stark rectilinear shapes is established by room modules, ceiling details and main joinery. This is complemented with faceted shapes echoed in diagonal details like table legs and the impressive screen to the reception area. Layered with softer elements, like Iris Maschek wallpaper to the boardrooms and textured wall-finishes, the result is a clean and assertive space with depth and conviction.
Different zones are distinguished through the proportions in which the palette of black, tonal greys and white accented with strong yellow or warm walnut are applied. The reception, boardroom and lounge areas have darker colours with the palette lightening through the executive office area into the call centre. Here, the long charcoal internal wall is offset with floor to ceiling yellow pin boards and banks of pure white desks and joinery to create a work environment that is energetic, fresh and relevant. With another magnificent Johannesburg vista, the staff pause area, complete with barista-grade coffee machine, returns to the darker tones to signal a slower mood.
“Bold, self-assured and welcoming, this luxurious space would be equally comfortable in one of the many hospitality centres that surround it,” Stewart said.
Visit the website of Source Interior Brand Architects – here.
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Found an amazing Web Source today: House of Buttons. If you are…
Found an amazing Web Source today: House of Buttons. If you are like me, I love buttons. They are the details that make any website stunning.
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