Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Linux-powered pen that won‘t let you make errors

German inventors have developed a new pen that gently vibrates every time it senses a spelling mistake or sloppy handwriting. 

Lernstift is a regular pen with real ink but inside it, is a special motion sensor and a small battery-powered Linux computer with a Wi-Fi chip. 

These parts allow the pen to recognize specific movements, letter shapes and know a wide assortment of words. If it senses bad letter formation or messy handwriting, it will vibrate, 'ABC News' reported. 

Users can choose between two functions: Calligraphy Mode — pointing out flaws of form and legibility or Orthography Mode — recognizing words and comparing the word to a language database. If the word isn't recognized, the pen will vibrate, according to Daniel Kaesmacher, the 33-year-old co-founder of LernstiftMunich. The other co-founder , 36-year-old Falk Wolsky had the idea for the pen last year while his 10-year-old son was doing his homework. 

"His son had been struggling with his work and staying focused and Falk thought there should be a pen that gives him some sort of signal so he stays focused ," Kaesmacher said. 

After a year and a half in development, the founders have now brought Lernstift to Kickstarter to begin raising money and gauging interest.

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Tuesday, July 16, 2013

India develops Urdu font, ‘dumps’ Pakistani font

Ending dependence on Urdu fonts developed by Pakistan, India has developed its own fonts for use on personal computers and mobile phones, benefiting 15 crore Urdu speaking people in the country.


"We were thinking of this last many years and making effort to take Urdu language to people with help of technology. We have delivered it today. Urdu language is deep rooted in Indian culture. Indian history is connected with Urdu language. Inqilaab Zindabad slogan connected every one," Telecom and IT Minister Kapil Sibal said here.

Developed under Department of Electronics and IT, these fonts would be available free of cost for public use.

The font has been developed in two categories- Naskh and Nastaaliq. Naksh, though cursive, is linear in nature. Each letter joins the next movingright to left.

Nastaaliq font moves bothright to left and verticallytop to bottom with the 'nukte' or dots conforming to a strict placement order.

"We were using Urdu but being in India we were taking Pakistan's favour."

"We were using Urdu, Republic of Pakistan butwhen we will install this Urdu font it will appear as Urdu India," National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language Director Khwaja Mohammed Ikram said.

He said globally there are 30 crore Urdu speaking people while India alone has 15 crore of them.

The fonts launched today are compatible Microsoft and Android platform.

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