Improved Emoticon Keyboard on Windows Phone 8 Demo’d Read more at http://www.dailymobile.net/2012/11/04/improved-emoticon-keyboard-on-windows-phone-8-demod/#eYz4mOWLWKQFefmt.99

Windows Phone already had one of the best keyboards in mobile phone space. So I was very surprised when I found out that they were changing it in any fashion. They have taken the Emoticon on the keyboard and made the list bigger and even tiled them in the "Metro" theme.

This set up reminds me a lot of the emoticons on the very popular IM service "WhatsApp". There is a ton more choices for every occasion. While this isn't a game changer it is a very nice addition to an already great keyboard.

Street Lights In Central London To Be Controlled by iPad

It was reported by WestLondonTodaythat Westminster City Council has approved a plan to replace all its 14,000 street lights with smart iPad controllable lights during next four years. This has been a great initiative that will surely require big investment but in long term will result in cost saving in terms of energy conservation. This is first time in the UK that a light infrastructure will be monitored and controlled electronically.

For the first time in the UK a system is electronically monitoring lights and infrastructure if a bulb needs changing or a wire is broken the system will be able to detect it so an engineer can be dispatched. The system even has the ability to predict when a lamp is likely to fail.

It also carries a function for brightness levels to be lowered or raised at the touch of a button, even from an engineer standing under the lamp column with an iPad and a corresponding application.

The initial estimated cost is 3.25 million pounds that should be covered through energy conservation and reduced maintenance in first seven years of operation via efficient monitoring and control of the system. After the year 2015/2016 an estimated saving of £420,000 per year is expected.