What is 'Watson'? IBM computer wins 'Jeopardy!' practice round. Diana Costello, The (Westchester, N.Y.) Journal News YORKTOWN HEIGHTS — IBM Corp.'s "Watson" computer defeated the top two Jeopardy! Champions of all time during a practice round Thursday, showcasing the future of artificial intelligence. IBM Corp.'s "Watson" computer defeated the top two "Jeopardy! " champions of all time during a practice round Thursday, showcasing the future of artificial intelligence and setting the stage for filming Friday of two official matches of man vs. machine on the game show.
Undeterred by the lights, cameras and dozens of spectators Watson coolly beat Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter to the buzzer right out of the gate, answering the first four questions correctly. Adding insult to injury, the category was "Chicks Dig Me. " Still, Watson's victory offered reason for IBM researchers, who have dedicated themselves to the project for the past four years, to breathe an initial sigh of relief. At least for now. The man vs. machine "Jeopardy! " Disrupt Winner Qwiki Hits No. 1 On Google Trends ‘Hot Searches’ In The U.S. Buoyed by news that early Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin led an $8 million investment in the startup, TechCrunch Disrupt winner and visual search startup Qwiki has hit no.1 on Google Trends ‘Hot Searches’ in the U.S.
That’s a pretty impressive feat for a startup that was virtually unknown six months ago. And the company is still in private alpha. What makes Qwiki so compelling is its ability to generate media on the fly that combines text, audio, and animated photos. It presents information in a highly visual way, assembling photos and spoken text from Wikipedia and other sources to create visual guides to millions of topics. The startup’s technology is no doubt disruptive and could become a completely new way in which we consume information. Qwiki is planning to launch an iPad app, which is in the works. Below is a video of Qwiki’s first demo at Disrupt. Om svt. What Scares Twitter CEO Dick Costolo? Foreigners. (Well, Scaling For Them.)
Congratulations Crunchies Winners! Twitter Takes Best Startup Of 2010. This year’s fourth annual Crunchies Awards have just concluded, and we’re happy to say that it was an overwhelming success. For those who weren’t at the event or watching our livestream, we’ve included the list of nominees and winners below. Our most sincere congratulations to the winners and to all of the nominees as well.
It was an incredibly tight race for many of the categories, and it’s safe to say that everyone on this list is at the top of their field. We’d like to take a moment to point out Twitter’s win for “Best Overall Startup Or Product”, the first time the company has won a Crunchie in this category. Best Internet ApplicationChartbeatGreplinPandora (winner)Rdio (runnerup)Ujam Best Social AppCityvilleDailybooth (winner)FoursquareGroupMeTwitter (runnerup) Best Social Commerce AppBlippyGroupon (winner)JetsetterLivingSocialOne Kings LaneShopKick (runnerup) Best Mobile AppBumpChompGoogle Mobile Maps for Android (winner)HashableInstagram (runnerup)
Sony’s Cloud-Based Qriocity Music Service Debuts In France, Germany, Italy And Spain. Sony has just announced that Qriocity, the strangely named cloud-based digital music service it aims to rival Apple’s iTunes with, is now immediately available in France, Germany, Italy and Spain. The service, which is apparently called “Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity” in full, made its debut in the UK and Ireland in December 2010, and provides users with access to a catalogue of millions of songs from labels like – surprise – Sony Music, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group and EMI Music as well as several independent labels and publishers. Users can play music any time on Sony devices like its Internet-enabled BRAVIA TV, Blu-ray Disc player, Blu-ray Disc Home Theater system, PlayStation 3 as well as VAIO and other PCs.
All existing PlayStation 3 computer entertainment systems in France, Germany, Italy and Spain will have access to Qriocity. The difference explained: Sony says the video streaming service will also become available in Japan on January 26. Iraq Inquiry. Chilcot Iraq Inquiry- Tony Blair Says No Regrets Of Removing Saddam Hussein. Iraq: 'evidence for criminal case against Blair' says expert. Mental_floss magazine - Where Knowledge Junkies Get Their Fix. Website Challenges You to Do the Impossible: Absolutely Nothing for Two Minutes. Alex Tew created a website that encourages you to calm down and slow down. Just sit in front of your computer and do nothing for two minutes but listen to the sound of waves splashing. No, don't touch your mouse or keyboard or you'll have to start over. Tew writes: I had been thinking how we spend every waking minute of the day with access to an unlimited supply of information, to the point of information overload. i also read somewhere that there is evidence that our brains are being re-wired by the internet, because we get a little dopamine kick every time we check our e-mail or Twitter or Facebook and there’s a new update.
It took me three tries. Link via Geekosystem. Do Nothing for 2 Minutes. Långpannebullar. Keith olbermann. Keith Olbermann Resigns from "Countdown" on MSNBC 1/21/11. Keith Olbermann signs off from MSNBC. NEW: Olbermann was suspended in November for making political donationsMSNBC has announced in a statement the end of Keith Olbermann's contract Friday was the last broadcast of "Countdown"Olbermann discussed the situation at the end of his show Friday night (CNN) -- After eight years together, MSNBC and Keith Olbermann are parting ways.
A statement from NBC Universal revealed the move late Friday. "MSNBC and Keith Olbermann have ended their contract," it read, "The last broadcast of 'Countdown with Keith Olbermann' will be this evening. MSNBC thanks Keith for his integral role in MSNBC's success and we wish him well in his future endeavors. " At the end of his show Friday night, Olbermann announced his departure in typical deadpan style, evoking scenes from the film "Network" and thanking viewers for keeping him on the air for eight years. "So I'm grateful I have a little more time to sign off here. Regardless this is the last edition of 'Countdown. First All-Automated Hotel Opens in Norway.
Eight months after we wrote about a keyless test, the Nordic Choice Hotel chain has become the first to implement a 100% automated check in and departure system at a major hotel. The Comfort Xpress Hotel in Oslo now allows guests to reserve, check in and check out without ever having to deal with a pesky human. Using a system developed by Ariane Systems, guests check in prior to arrival using the "Allegro web/mobile check-in platform. " They click a link received via email or text and establish check-in time, manage room preferences, update their profile and pay. On arrival, guests get another electronic communication containing their room number and access option. The two access options are by using their phone as a key, via the OpenWays Mobile Key system, or by obtaining an RFID keycard through an automatic kiosk. Thomas Westergaard, senior VP of Comfort Hotels for Nordic Choice Hotels said this was, in part, a matter of playing catch-up.
Antivirus utilities and recommendations for OS X | MacFixIt. Readers periodically ask about antivirus recommendations for OS X, especially given some of the past rhetoric about Macs not having any viruses. Though it is true that OS X has been relatively free of viruses and other malware, in large part this has been because the small Mac market share has made the platform an insignificant target for malware developers; however, the landscape is steadily changing. Recent reports have shown Apple's market share in the U.S. to be one of the fastest growing, leaving the company just shy of 10 percent market share by some estimates. As the Mac OS becomes more popular, hackers and malware developers will undoubtedly begin to target the platform more and more.
Main types of malware There are three main types of malware: viruses, worms, and Trojan horses. As a result of this difficulty, malware developers tend to take the easier route and try to trick users using Trojan horse malware or phishing schemes. What about Windows?