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Microsoft has a vision for a world in which every surface is a Windows touchscreen. That became a whole lot closer to reality this week. A startup called Ubi Interactive is now selling $150 software that can turn any wall, desk, hand or screen into a 45-inch touchscreen. Just hook up a Microsoft Kinect sensor and a screen or projector, and the display will instantly gain touch-screen capabilities. Ubi's software can even support touchscreens of up to 100 inches, at a cost of $379 The software-Kinect combo senses when a finger touches a surface, allowing the user to click, drag, drop, scroll, and perform all the expected functions of a touchscreen. The selling point of Ubi's technology is that touchscreens are useful but incredibly expensive -- particularly large ones used in meeting spaces or in-store displays. But many businesses have projectors or televisions already set up in conference rooms. Those could soon become touchscreens by combining a Kinect, which costs $250...

When you say a situation or a person is hopeless, you are slamming the door in the face of God. Charles L. Allen

“Warp drives” which could propel humanity to the stars faster than the speed of light will be discussed this week by space experts in Dallas, Texas. Spacecraft propelled by antimatter, harvested by robotic factories on Mercury will be under discussion - as will spacecraft made from hollowed-out asteroids and a laser-beam “highway” to provide energy for ships to “hop” to nearby stars. Some of these technologies may come into being within 20 years, the organisers claim - but the goal is interstellar travel by 2100, visiting planets such as those found by NASA’s Kepler space telescope.

Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. Mark 9:23

Microsoft is currently testing near-final versions of Windows 8.1, but the company won't release the final update publicly until October. According to sources familiar with Microsoft's plans, the software maker will finalize, or Release to Manufacturing (RTM), Windows 8.1, but the update will not be pushed out to existing machines until October. Partners and PC makers will receive the final bits later this month, and the gap until an October release will allow them to finalize their own testing and drivers for the roll out. Windows 8.1 includes a number of multitasking improvements, new smaller Live Tiles, and a built-in Bing-powered search engine. A near-final version of the update leaked to the internet recently, offering a closer look at the changes between Preview and RTM. Microsoft is adding in a number of tutorials and Windows Phone-like menus to ease complaints over the usability of the operating system. The Windows 8.1 update will be made available around 12 months...