Microsoft unveils self-sketching whiteboard model

Microsoft is functioning on an interactive whiteboard which aims to interpret users' sketches to complete the diagrams they were drawing. The firm will unveil the model as part of Techfest - an annual occasion where its researchers reveal some of the projects they are working on. The project is one of several large-screen technologies under progress by Microsoft which it believes will become more common both at work and home in the future. 

The digital picture is designed to help workers make sense of big data - the growing amount of information available from sensors and other sources. Microsoft suggests the facility would be preferable to near presentation software, including its own PowerPoint program, in which such graphics must be prepared in advance of a production.

Smartphone Sensors: Security Secrets

According to security researchers, Data captured by smart phone sensors could help criminals deduction codes used to lock the gadgets. The data was useable because sensors can gather information with more freedom than apps loaded on the machine. By analyzing data gathered by accelerometers they were able to get a fine idea of the Pin used to protect a phone.

In forbidden tests, data from accelerometers was captured, exported and analysed to see if it matched a bigger dictionary of taps and swipes that had been previously gathered. After five guesses it could spot Pins about 43% of the time and patterns about 73% of the instance. However, these results were produced when Pins and patterns were picked from a 50-strong set of figures and shapes. One group yet analysed smears on touch screens to get clues about Pins and patterns.

Miserable childhood leads to heart risk in shortly life

According to research suggests Emotional behavior in childhood may be connected with heart disease in middle age, particularly in women. The researchers also looked at optimistic emotional factors such as having a good attention span and found this was linked with better cardiovascular health, though to a lesser degree. Conversely children who were better at paying attention and staying listening carefully had reduced heart risk when older.

 A study found being prone to distress at the age of seven was connected with a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular disease in later life. Equally children who were better at paying attention and staying focused had reduced heart risk when older. Study leader Dr. Allison Appleton, supposed more study would now be wanted to work out the organic mechanism that may underpin the finding.

Huawei launches Windows Smart phone in Africa

Chinese telecoms giant Huawei has unveiled a bespoke Windows-run smart phone entirely available in Africa. This includes plans to develop cheap wireless broadband in the Rift Valley in Kenya and help local people in South Africa and Egypt expand Windows apps. Gustavo Fuchs, the director of Microsoft Windows Phone division in the Middle East & Africa, supposed that,”Our aim is to be the most affordable Windows phone in Africa”.

Affordability is important but without the right local content we believe a lot of users will not see the benefit in the change from a basic feature phone to a smart phone. The phone will be linked to a customized app store including applications designed and built by Africans. The handset is a modified version of the Huawei Ascend W1 which was displayed at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas last month.

Founder Michael Dell: Dell computers to be bought back

Michael Dell has supposed he will buy back the world's number three PC-maker that he founded and that carries his name. The move will take Dell off the NASDAQ stock exchange after 25 years. Dell's success over the last 29 years has through its founder one of the richest men in America. The chief executive and chairman already own about 14% of the firm. He and fellow senior executives will retain their existing stakes.

Microsoft provides the Windows operating systems for Dell's computers, as well as for opponent PC makers such as Hewlett Packard. Mr. Dell hopes to turn the tide for a firm that has struggled to compete with cheap Asian rivals and the boom in smart phones and tablet computers. The buy-out of the remaining shares will be conceded out by a consortium made up of Mr. Dell himself, his own investment fund, and Silver Lake.

Kids and Malicious computer code

Experts says,  children as young as 11 years old are writing malicious computer code to hack accounts on gaming sites and social networks. A report from antivirus group AVG detailed evidence of programs written to steal virtual money. The company supposed that children must be educated on coding rights and wrongs. The researchers found that many instances of malware targeting games popular with kids shared the same characteristics.

Many schools around the world are changing education programmers in schools to teach children to code, rather than merely to use, computers. In the UK, numerous after-school clubs have been set up and initiatives to get kids into programming have been backed by the likes of Google and Microsoft. Linda Sandvik is the co-founder of Code Club, an idea that teaches children aged nine and up how to code. The benefits from teaching children to code far outweighed any of the risks that were outlined in the AVG report.

US trade deficit links to growth

A narrowing in the US trade shortage during December raises hopes that the economy was stronger in the final quarter of 2012 than first estimated. According to the Commerce Department, the US trade gap with the rest of the world fell to $38.5bn in December a near three-year low. The data suggests that the US economy was stronger in the fourth quarter than initially expected.

The information could result in a revision of the a 0.1% annualized contraction in gross domestic product  during the quarter, which was firstly calculated before these figures were available and were based on projections of a widening trade gap. Still, during 2012 the US trade gap with China increased to $315bn - the largest on record with any country. That fact rankles with American manufacturers who think the Chinese benefit from an unfairly weak currency.