How to Hide and Collapse Google AdSense Ad Unit Instead of Showing Public Service Ad (PSA)

Google AdSense is probably the advertising network that has the highest fill rate for each and every ad space inventories available, be in for US, North America or Europe based visitors or international traffic. However, it’s still possible that Google AdSense crawler scans the page, and does not find any relevant ads to display. When no ad is targeted in an ad unit, Google AdSense Public Service Ad, commonly known as PSA is shown instead, unless an alternate ads URL is specified.

For webmasters, bloggers or publishers who don’t have any alternative ads to show, do not want to fill in the ad space with a solid color (with google_alternate_color JavaScript variable), and do not want website visitors to see any public service ads (which is non-paid anyway), Google AdSense offers another choice, that is collapsing ad unit.

According to AdSense Help, collapsing ad units are an optional advanced feature of alternate ads - the collapsing ad unit code will ‘collapse’ your ad unit so that it takes up no page space if there are no targeted ads available. This allows you to minimize any blank, unused, or not monetizing space that would otherwise occur through the use of alternate colors.

Note that the collapsing ad unit only work on website that hosted on its own domain name or subdomains on its own server that allows remote or console access (also possible via FTP or SFTP, Telnet or SSH). The reason is because a script file has to be uploaded and hosted on the a location of each domain and sub-domain, which will be referenced and called by alternate ad URL to implement the collapsing ad unit. So users of Blogger or blogspot.com (unless hosted on an external server or previously upgraded to Blog*Spot Plus), WordPress.com, Blogsome.com and etc. probably out of luck.

To implement the collapsing ad units feature, follow the instructions below:

1. Download the collapsing ad units file by right-clicking the link below and selecting ‘Save Target as…’: google_adsense_script.html.
2. Copy or upload google_adsense_script.html to any location on a domain to implement the collapsing ad unit. The location is not important as long as it’s on the same domain with the webpages with the ad unit to hide when no ads. For multiple domains or subdomains, the HTML file is required for each of them in order for collapsing ad unit to work.
3. Login to Google AdSense account.
4. For existing ad unit, click on AdSense Setup, and then Manage Ads. Edit Ad Settings of the ad unit to implement the collapsing on no ad feature. Under “More options” section, select the Show non-Google ads from another URL radio button, and enter the fully defined path to the collapsing ad units HTML file on your domain. No change of code necessary.

For new ad code, click on AdSense Setup, and then Get Ads. Click on AdSense for Content, and then select the Show non-Google ads from another URL radio button under the “More options” section, and enter the fully defined path to the collapsing ad units HTML file on your domain. Copy and paste the ad code into the web page to implement Google AdSense.

For publisher using classic legacy Google AdSense ad code, add a new JavaScript variable named google_alternate_ad_url to the Google AdSense ad unit ad code which wants to make a hiding ad unit when no targeted ads.

After adding the alternate URL which points to the collapsing script on the AdSense ad code, ad units will disappear when targeted ads are not available. When visitor is using Internet Explorer version 5.0 or lower - any unused ad units will appear as empty, transparent boxes.

Sort-of Awesome: LG’s GD910 Watch Phone

Watch phones are just one of those cool, futuristic ideas that usually end up being completely unpractical in the real world. So of course I drooled all over LG’s latest creation, the GD910.

LG has done away with the old-school “calculator watch” button style in favor of just one small (1.43 inch) touch-screen with three buttons on the side. That’s good and bad. On one hand, the entire watch is fairly svelte (13.99 mm thin), so it doesn’t feel like you’re strapping a brick to your wrist. But now you have to deal with a tiny touch-screen, which could be a serious problem.
The GD910’s full set of features is pretty limited (as is getting any hard specs on it), but it’s definitely got the necessities: voice dialing, speech recognition, text-to-speech, Bluetooth, camera, and music player. And 7.2mbps HSDPA, apparently.

More details to come at CES 2009.

LG-GD910 wristwatch phone to debut at CES 2009 - UnwiredView

How-To: Speed Up Your Nokia N95 or S60 Phone

Let’s face it: Symbian ain’t exactly the fastest OS in existence. In fact, it can get pretty damn slow. So, direct from the Nokia Phone Blog, are some handy tips to fine-tune your Nokia N95 (or any other S60 phone) for speed without going completely insane.

Learn some fascinating new methods to speed up your Nokia S60 phone.

1. Set your log duration to 1 day. Works wonders! Normally, the call log list defaults to 30 days, but that’s completely unnecessary, at least from our speed point of view.

The method: Open up the Log application, hit options (left softkey), and select the Settings option. Change the Log duration to (optimally) 1 day, or you can try 10 days. Either way, it should give you a noticeable speed increase.



2. Use the Edit key to select multiple entries. Here’s a little known tip that I found out quite accidentally: when browsing a list of markable items, hold down the Edit key and use the directional keys to mark (check) multiple items quick and easily. Really handy when you want to delete a lot of text messages, for example, or when you want to add pictures to an album. Unfortunately, due to the way it was programmed, the Edit key doesn’t individually mark an item when pressed once - you need to keep it held down and just use the arrow keys to select items.

3. Use keypad shortcuts when browsing the Menu. Whether your Menu is in grid or list mode, you can use the numerical keypad to quickly jump to an item. It’s easy to see with the grid option enabled - each key corresponds to the item that’s on the menu (12 items, 12 keys). So if you wanted to open the application in the bottom right corner, just hit the # (pound) key. Note that accessing menu items with this method actually executes the application or folder, instead of just selecting the item.

On a similar note, some phones have Icon Animation on by default - this adds a 3D “twisting” effect to your Theme icons. It doesn’t work with custom application icons, and is generally pretty useless. Turn it off by hitting the menu key -> Options -> Icon Animation.

4. Go through text messages faster with Nokia Conversation. Conversation is an interface extension cooked up in Nokia’s Beta labs that lets you read text messages by sender, instead of some huge jumbo list of texts. Another benefit: you can also delete by sender, which is great for cutting people out of your life!

Once you’ve installed the Nokia Contacts Support Services Package and Nokia Conversation, you can access the extension by going to Contacts and hitting the
right arrow key.

Download Nokia Conversation

5. Keypad shortcuts work on the Clock application too. This will probably save you a grand total of one, maybe two keystrokes. In the pre-installed Clock application, typing in a number key at the default screen creates a new Alarm with the hour already filled in.

That’s all.

6. The multimedia menu: disable everything. There’s a wealth of useless options when it comes to the Multimedia Menu. Custom background images, imgae effects, “menu sounds”, and start-up animation. Shut everything off for maximum speed. The background image option should be set to Graphics -> Themes, which should just display the current theme’s default background instead of loading another one.

Honestly though, the multimedia menu always seems to be one of the slowest things ever.

7. Finally, keep your phone’s firmware updated! All right, that was a cheap one. But seriously, sometimes Nokia actually improves the user interface a bit - take the latest N95 firmware, for example, which speeds up the Gallery by removing the mean bug that caused the gallery menu to appear for a second or two before (slowly) sliding off the screen.

Got some good tips on saving time with your Nokia N95, S60, or Symbian phone? Share them in the comments section!

OfficePod is Great as Private Outdoor Office

Can't focus on work in the house? Look no further than the OfficePod. Simply put, "the idea is to separate your office from the house with a easily constructed pod that provides both style and functionality."

USB-Powered Fan Made From CDs

To build your very own USB-powered fan, you'll need: a motor, USB port (max. 2.5W), two compact discs, a USB cable, paper or a plastic tube. Next, just cut up the disc, prep the USB cable, and then piece everything together. -Project page

SideWinder X3 Gaming Mouse

Microsoft is out with its latest SideWinder mouse ‘X3′, which is specially geared toward the entry-level gaming crowd. This new device features a 2,000 DPI laser sensor that can be changed to 800 DPI or 400 DPI for subtler movements, a textured scroll wheel and an additional eight buttons crammed into the ambidextrous layout. This USB-powered mouse also comes with Intellimouse software for Windows PCs to program buttons and create macros. The SideWinder X3 will be available this May for $40. -Source

iPhone Next-Generation

Here’s another eye catching image of what the iPhone next-generation might look like. Slimmer and flatter compared to the previous version, but other than that it looks pretty much exactly as its predecessor. Let’s just hope Apple does actually release a new iPhone sometime this summer, can’t wait!

LG Viewty II AKA LG GC900 In June For Orange UK Network

Omio.com today reported that LG will release the new LG Viewty II or also known as the LG GC900 sometime in June with the Orange UK network. As a reminder, the LG Viewty II has a 3 inch WCGA touch screen, 3D S-Class user interface, 8MP camera with Xenon flash and manual/auto-focus and image stabilisation, A-GPS, ISO support, accelerometer, geo-tagging, slow motion video, DivX and Xvid. In addition, this smartphone also supports 7.2Mbps HSDPA data, WiFi and 32GB of expandable storage.

GE E1250TW Digital Camera

The E1250TW is the latest digital camera from GE’s General Imaging. This 12-megapixel camera boasts a 3-inch touchscreen display, 5x optical zoom, 28mm wide angle and ISO up to 1600. Other interesting features include Face Detection, Smile Detection, Auto Scene Detection, electronic image stabilization, red-eye removal, Pan-capture Panorama and HDTV output. It comes with a variety of colors including black, grey, red and purple. Pricing and release dates are still unknown.
-Source

Sony HXC-100 Studio Camera

Sony has launched its new line of high-definition studio cameras in the form of the Sony HXC-100 Studio Camera. It is specially designed to allow the broadcasters enjoy a high quality in HD production. This camcorder produces high-quality SD and HD images without any compromise and features a 2/3 inch Power HAD FX CCD with 2.2 millions pixels. This new camera is also switchable between 1080i and 720P 50/60Hz and is compatible with many Sony viewfinders including HDVF-200, HDVF-C35W, HDVF-550, HDVF-20A and HDVF-C950W. Each purchase comes with a fully operational remote control and master set-up units. Sony HXC-100 Studio Camera will be available in May 2009 for $45,900 a pop.
-Sony

New Walkman Music Phone From Sony Ericsson

Sony Ericsson introduces a new member from its Walkman music phone series. Dubbed as the Sony Ericsson W205, the handset features a poor 1.3 megapixel camera with an integrated FM radio, TrackID for easy song identification, Bluetooth connectivity, and multiple phone books. The Sony Ericsson W205 will be released in major markets this Q3 2009. No word on pricing so far.

-Source

iPod Stereo Speaker Docking Station with Alarm Clock

Here is the latest iPod docking station from Chinavasion. Priced at $32.01 each, the gadget allows you to listen to your iPod without the need for earphones, recharge your iPod without the need for a computer, and wake up to your favorite tunes straight from your iPod every morning. You can program the alarm easily via the onboard buttons or remote controller. It can also connect to non-iPod MP3 players via its stereo aux-in cable. This alarm clock also offers a stereo FM tuner and a 109-cm long FM antenna. Its large display face has five levels of brightness and can display time in 12- or 24-hour format.
-Source

Short-throw Network Projector By Sharp

Sanyo has recently announced the PLC-WXE45 LCD projector that is perfect for use in the classroom. The projector offers a short throw range and networking capabilities. It can create an 80-inch image from a distance of 34 inches away at a native 1280×800 resolution and in a 16:10 aspect ratio. The contrast ratio is rated at 500:1, while brightness is set at 2,000 lumens. Connections include a VGA port, S-video connection and composite cable. The PLC-WXE45 is now available now for $1,795. -Source

The Thinnest Door Lock with an Integrated Touch Sensor in The World

That’s right! The Samsung Ezon SHS-1210 digital door lock is claimed as the thinnest door lock with an integrated touch sensor in the world. Measuring at only 21.5mm thin, it is constructed from aluminum alloy for enhanced strength and features a touch sensitive display integrated into special black tempered glass. The numbers are only visible after the user has pressed a control button which activates a backlight. If a thief tries to open it, the lock is made up of aluminum alloy and can withstand electric shocks of up to 30,000 volts. That’s amazing! In addition, the Ezon SHS-1210 door lock can also be configured to open via a T-money card, a key tag, or credit cards. This electronic door lock comes equipped with a remote control, so the user can open the door from the inside. -Source

Mitsubishi’s Unisen Line of HDTVs

Mitsubishi is trying to dominate the HDTV market by releasing the Unisen range of HDTVs, that consists of the 151 Series (40 inch, 46 inch and 52 inch), the 153 Series (40 inch, 46 inch and 52 inch) and the high-end Diamond 259 Series (46 inch and 52 inch). All of these new HDTVs feature Plush1080p 5G 18-bit digital video processing, USB 2.0 media port, Wired IR input, four HDMI 1.3a inputs, 120Hz Film Motion technology, integrated 5.1-channel 16-speaker audio bar, and UltraThin Frame design. The new Mitsubishi Unisen line of HDTVs will be released in the US next month. The price starts from $1,799 to $3,299, depending on the model.
-Source

Sony Bravia XBR9 LCD HDTV Available for Pre-order

Here is good news for you. You can now pre-order the highly anticipated Bravia XBR9 Series of HDTV at SonyStyle.com for $3,599.99. As a reminder, the LCD HDTV boasts Full HD 1080p resolution, Motionflow 240Hz refresh rate for maximum motion detail and clarity, BRAVIA Engine 3, 10-bit panel and processing, 100,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, BRAVIA internet video/widgets, 7 HD inputs (4 HDMI, 2 component and 1 PC), and ENERGY STAR 3.0 certified.(Sony)

New Acer Aspire Timeline Laptop Series

Acer has proudly introduced three new members from its Acer Aspire Timeline super-thin laptop series. Known as the 3810T, 4810T and 5810T, these laptops feature Core 2 Duo SU9400 CPU running at 1.4GHz or a Core 2 Solo SU3500 CPU, 4GB of DDR3 which is upgradable to 8GB, 500GB of HDD or 80GB of SSD, DVD Super Multi Drive, and a choice of a 13.3 inch, 14 inch or 15.6 inch LCD screens with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixel. No word on pricing at this time.
(Acer)

Samsung’s Latest 8 Inch Super Slim Digital Frame

If you want to buy a new digital photo frame, then you can choose the latest super slim digital frame from Samsung. Measuring only 23mm thick, the SPF-87H offers a 8.7 inch LCD display with a 800×480 resolution and 1GB of internal memory.

The digital frame can also act as a PC monitor by connecting to a PC via USB cable. The SPF-87H is currently available in Korea for 145,000 Won ($145).
-Samsung Hub