Some Cool I.T. Finds

Fun time with Reflow

Reflow is a fun solo or group game that you can play using any iOS device with a camera – that is, iPad 2, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS or 4th generation iPod Touch. It uses the real-time camera images (front or back) of you and your friends, which then turns them into a black and white spectrum.

The main goal of the game is to let the virtual fluids flow on everything that is seen by your camera’s eye. You can use humans, objects, animals or whatever you may have in order to solve the given challenges in the most unique way.

Reflow can be downloaded from iTunes at $1.99 a pop.

UV-C Keeps the Doctor Away

Strolling in a store one day, I found two devices that promise to kill germs and bacteria with the use of ultraviolet (UV) lights. One of the devices is a small cylindrical-shaped bin that can be used to sanitize gadgets such as iPods and mobile phones, while the other one is a rectangular case that holds and cleans a toothbrush.

After some thinking, it came to a realization that a certain range of ultraviolet light is actually beneficial in preventing the spread of diseases. It’s amazing how manufacturers thought of using the UV light technology to aid us in having more sanitized things.

It’s called the Germicidal Ultraviolet or UV-C light that helps deactivate the DNA of bacteria, viruses, germs and other harmful micro-organisms. It basically helps to form certain bonds that eventually disable the DNA to replicate or reproduce.

Although UV light disinfecting methodology is a simple process and has low maintenance, one can expect to shell out Php1,500 or more in order to purchase devices with germicidal ultraviolet capabilities.

Other applications that UV-C can be used for (aside from the gadgets and toothbrush) are in drinking water, pharmaceutical production and medical areas, food processing, as well as in industries like cosmetics and electronic production.

Twitter bird officially named

The white Twitter bird has been all around the Internet these days. Most of us probably think that it does not need a name anymore, because it’s just the identity of a social media tool.

The Twitter gods beg to disagree. Finally, after so much rumors (as if the bird is a celebrity), the Twitter bird has finally been named. Apparently, the bird is not classified as “it,” rather a “he.”

His name is Larry. Yes, Larry the bird or simply Larry Bird. Sounds familiar? Definitely. Larry Bird is the living legend in Boston sports. The name sounds perfect, because Twitter co-founder Biz Stone was born and raised in Boston anyway. That must be the reason why.

This article is my twenty-ninth contribution to Manila Bulletin -- one of the Philippines' leading broadsheets -- published on August 22, 2011 (Monday) in the TechNews Section. You can view the PDF version here.