Google is serious about scanning books. Throughout the objections raised over the years by authors and publishers and the more recent delays in its settlement with the Authors Guild, Google has been scanning millions of books all along trying to digitize as many as it possibly can. It is so serious about capturing and indexing the knowledge stored in books that it has a patent, which was issued on March 24, 2009, on how to scan books faster than was previously possible.

The basic technique it uses involves two infrared cameras which determine how flat or curved each page to be scanned is and then adjusting the optical character recognition software it uses to read the text accordingly. In other words, the infrared cameras help figure out a book’s three-dimensional shape and then back out any resulting distortions. This results in much faster book scanning since each page doesn’t need to be flattened by glass plates and spines don’t need to be broken.

There are other book scanning projects besides the Google Book Project. The Internet Archive, for instance, runs 18 scanning centers around the world, which all together digitize only 1,000 books a day. I am not sure what kind fo technology the Internet Archive uses, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Google’s scanning operation is much faster. Those are billions of pages of high-quality information just waiting to be indexed and searched. For Google, the faster it can get those books scanned, the faster it can start to serve ads against those searches. Now, I wonder how it flips the pages.

(Hat tip to Buzznewsroom).

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It Turns Out That Google Even Has A Competitive Advantage In Scanning Books

Sometimes it’s a bit refreshing to find a handheld mouse that doesn’t track your motion, just in case you feel like waving your arms wildly and not having it screw up your apps. The Weramouse V2 handheld trackball mouse works wirelessly from up to about 26 feet away, using what we gather is a USB dongle to sync. Its Li-ion battery is claimed to be good for up to 28 hours and charges via USB. Cost is $99 NZD, which translates to $56 in US dollars. At one point the site listed a V3 model with a trackpad — same specs otherwise, with a $199 NZD / $113 US price tag — and while it’s since been removed, the product page is still available via the great halls of the internet archives.

[Via Technabob]

Read – V2 with trackball
Read – V3 with trackpad (cached)

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Weramouse V2 and V3 are a trackball / trackpad to have and to hold

When it comes to motorcycles, you don’t see much variation in exterior design, but if companies thought outside the box, this is what may arise. Continue reading to see more.

nUCLEUS

Unlike other motorcycles, the nUCLEUS concept has a mechanism that allows the motorcycle to automatically lowers the frame when not in motion, and elevates it again once you’re in motion. It’s powered by an electric motor and has LED headlights/taillights. One caveat: the seat doesn’t look very comfortable.

Deus Ex Machina

We have seen the future of motorcycles, and it’s the Deus Ex Machina — created by Loniak Design for Yamaha Racing. Powered by nano-phoshpate batteries/ultra-capacitors, this wearable motorcycle features 36 pneumatic muscles, mated to 2 linear actuators set on an artificial spine with seven vertebrae. The designer claims that the vehicle will have a top speed of 75mph, go from 0-60mph in 3-seconds, and recharge in just 15-minutes.

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Innovative Motorcycle Designs That Think Outside the Box

Army of Two fans won’t be disappointed with this new trailer, as all of it is in-game footage. This game will boast enhanced upgrading system, new weapons, and revamped partner AI. Available this winter on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 platforms. Trailer after the jump.

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Army of Two: The 40th Day Trailer

Ryan recently purchased a MacBook Pro from Best Buy, opened the box, and found a 5-pound paving stone in place of the $2164.89 laptop. When he tried returning the item, this is what a manager told him: “Apple seals the boxes, not us. Take it up with Apple.”

I have sent an email to Best Buy corporate and have contacted my credit card company. Unfortunately, they can’t do anything until the charge posts.

[via Consumerist - Geekologie]

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Guy Spends $2164.89 Buying MacBook Pro from Best Buy, Gets Paving Stone

Listed at $39,999 on eBay, this Russian space suit, model EVA ORLAN-M, is apparently still functional, according to the seller. Though no other details were provided, everything does look to be in great shape. You’ll have to shell out $2,000 for shipping though, should you win it. Auction page. Click here for first picture in gallery.

[via eBay]

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eBay Watch: $39,999 Russian Space Suit is Functional

What sets the Samsung OmniaHD i8910 apart from other handsets is its vibrant 3.7-inch AMOLED touchscreen, “HD video recording and playback, a surprisingly good battery life, and a form factor that’s not too hard on the pocket.” Video after the break.

Not everything’s sunshine and rainbows, though, as trying to use it in direct sunlight’s a lost cause and the phone is a magnet for fingerprints.

[via Engadget]

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Samsung OmniaHD i8910 AMOLED Touchscreen Hands-On

Amazon has the Microsoft LifeCam VX-6000 for just $38.87 shipped, originally priced at $79.95. This webcam features “high definition video capabilities, a wide angle lens, a 3x digital zoom, and a high-speed USB connection.” Product page.

The VX-6000’s automatic face tracking software, which takes advantage of the camera’s pan, tilt, and zoom controls, follows you so you don’t disappear off-screen.

[via Amazon]

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Deal of the Day: $79.95 Microsoft LifeCam VX-6000 for $38.87 Shipped

Back in 1994, there was no album I wanted more than Nine Inch Nails’ The Downward Spiral. The problem was that I was 12 at the time, and the album carried the dreaded “Parental Advisory” sticker, which meant I couldn’t buy it at the store without my parents — and that wasn’t an option. You see, they (like most other parents) weren’t too fond of songs like “Closer,” on the album. You know the one. “I want to f**k you like an animal.” Yeah, that “Closer.” Well, now it’s 2009, I’m 27, and should be free to buy whatever the hell I want. Except I can’t once again. This time thanks to Apple.

You see, Apple has apparently rejected an update to Nine Inch Nails’ iPhone app because it found the contents of The Downward Spiral to be “objectionable,” according to Nine Inch Nails’ frontman Trent Reznor. History repeats itself.

But what’s odd here — and what continues to be odd about the App Store approval process — is that the first version of the Nine Inch Nails app was already accepted into the store a few weeks ago. In fact, I have it. Guess what’s on it? Content from The Downward Spiral. I’m listening to “Closer” right now. Let me assure everyone, this is not the radio edit version of the song or the album. So what gives, Apple?

Well, it appears to be yet another ridiculous case of Apple’s uneven app approval process. I know I’ve written about this a half dozen times already. But you know what? I’m going to keep writing about it until Apple gets its act together with this. I have no problem if Apple wants to pick and choose which apps it accepts in their store — it is their store after all, and they can do what they want with it. But it’s entirely unfair to developers, many of whom are now trying to make a living off of the platform, that the process is a complete and utter crapshoot as to whether an app will get approved or not.

We’ve seen dozens of apps that are approved the first time, but later rejected for a seemingly small update. And we’ve seen others that are rejected, make almost no change, yet get in the next time they’re submitted. It would seem the the life or death of an app is entirely in the hands of the App Store inspector who checks it out. Sometimes they catch things that they don’t want in the App Store, sometimes they do (baby shaking app anyone?). But I’m really not convinced that it’s not just a personal decision on those people’s behalf which apps get through and which don’t. I’ve seen way too much evidence telling me that is exactly what happens.

So we can debate whether it’s silly for Apple to block the Nine Inch Nails app for content that it already carries in iTunes (I think it is, obviously), but that’s really a secondary issue. The big issue is the whole approval process. And Apple really needs to improve it soon. It still stands high above all other mobile platforms in terms of apps right now, but with the Palm Pre about to launch, and Android getting more phones on the market (and a few other mobile app stores just opened or about to open), Apple won’t be able to coast along with this wonky approval method forever. Eventually, some developers will get pissed off enough and just go to another platform.

Reznor himself seems dumbstruck by the rejection, “Not even sure where to start with that one,” he tweeted.

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Like My Parents In 1994, Apple Finds NIN’s The Downward Spiral Objectionable

Apple took top prize in JD Power and Associates customer satisfaction survey in the smartphone category, while LG ranked first among dumbphones. But one nagging complaint kept the iPhone’s scores closer to the competition.

Those surveyed gave the iPhone top marks in all the categories save one: Battery life, where it scored a below-average two out of five. The survey measures ease of operation (30% of final score), physical design (30%), features (20%), and battery life (20%). Apple’s total score was a 791, above the industry average of 751, with RIM and HTC at 739 and 744, respectively.

As far as dumbphones, LG scored a high 772, with Samsung nipping at its heels with 759. Motorola tanked, which we all should have expected, with a far below average 659.

We should note, of course, that this survey does not include satisfaction with the wireless service provider at all, which we suspect would have brought the iPhone’s scores down to Earth. But at the moment, the iPhone seems to be top dog. [JD Power via CNET]

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JD Power and Associates Ranks iPhone First Among Smartphones in Customer Satisfaction [Surveys]