AFP - Indian authorities on Sunday installed three prominent business leaders to run scandal-hit software giant Satyam Computers in an effort to salvage the country's damaged international business image.
The moon tonight just after sunset from the back deck here in San Diego. It was huge and had a lovely tint, low in the east-northeastern sky. Source: RSS feed - channel BNBlogTech | 11 Jan 2009 | 9:44 am
Microsoft seems to have gotten prepared and once again opened up the availability of the Windows 7 beta. In addition to making it available, they have also changed the download limit. Initially they were going to limit the downloads to 2.5 million, however it is now available on an unlimited basis until January 24. Given the extended time, and not having to worry about it going away because it reached the limit, you may want to wait a week or so until the initial hype dies down.
Due to an enormous surge in demand, the download experience was not ideal so we listened and took the necessary steps to ensure a good experience. We have clearly heard that many of you want to check out the Windows 7 Beta and, as a result, we have decided remove the initial 2.5 million limit on the public beta for the next two weeks (thru January 24th). During that time you will have access to the beta even if the download number exceeds the 2.5 million unit limit.
DragonFire1024 writes with this story from Wikinews that says "access to the Chinese Wikinews website has been blocked in China. Wikinews can also confirm that the English version of the website is still available in China. ... Users using the social networking site called Twitter have reported that the site was "blockade[ed] today by the mainland" of China. Others, writing on the Wikimedia Foundation's mailing list also state that the Chinese version of Wikinews is blocked in major Chinese cities such as Beijing."
Geotagging is something plenty of people do their photos. Putting the data of where and when your photos were taken can be bothersome, so ATP has a solution with its PhotoFinder series. PhotoFinder allows for geotagging without a computer.
The PhotoFinder mini is a two part machine. You carry around one part with you all day. This piece tracks your location throughout the day. When you’re done with your day, grab that PhotoFinder mini and place it in the dock. Your photos will be tagged with your location. The mini is available now.
ATP also had on display the unrealeased PhotoFinder Pro. It does the same thing as PhotoFinder mini, but it’s an all in one price. They are looking to price the PhotoFinder Pro at less than $200. Look for it around Q2.
By Evan Ackerman At CES last year, we saw a prototype of Microvision’s PicoP miniature laser-based projector. Back then, I was told that the production version would most likely use LEDs, instead... Source: RSS feed - channel BNBlogTech | 11 Jan 2009 | 7:54 am
By David Ponce Got $44k burning a hole in your pocket? Yeah, we bet you do, so that’s why you’ll be one of the first in line for the SC830 from SimCraft. It’s a racing simulator that... Source: RSS feed - channel BNBlogTech | 11 Jan 2009 | 7:52 am
While getting the walk through Powermat’s booth, a representative from Microsoft showed up and was given a tour right through mine. Go figure, huh? In all fairness, maybe the Redmond wonder bunch will actually build Powermat’s technology into their products.
Who else showed up to Powermat? Lots of major broadcast networks, other huge companies, and the military. Yep, that’s right. The U.S. military was at CES eying the Powermat technology. I could see how this could streamline military equipment since a flashlight could be charged with the same charger as a communications device.
By Evan Ackerman When we talked about WildCharge last year, I commented that the practicality of WildCharge was questionable due to the lack of consumer devices directly incorporating the technology. And... Source: RSS feed - channel BNBlogTech | 11 Jan 2009 | 7:33 am
MOSCOW, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Here are events and news stories that could move Russian markets today. Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsTech | 11 Jan 2009 | 7:29 am
By now you’ve likely heard that Palm has announced the phone that may just bring their company back to life, the Palm Pre - which we got some good hands on time with. The company finally released their next-gen operating system as well, named webOS. Palm’s developer site has just revealed the site’s app store will be called App Catelog. The idea of having an mobile marketplace took off when Apple announced their App Store for the iPhone / iPod touch, and was followed by RIM’s Blackberry and Google’s Android this past year.
Palm’s SDK - Mojo - has apparently been sent out to select partners that are quickly preparing for the launch of the Pre, and will likely be distributed to the rest of the development community just prior to the release of the phone. As the company mentioned in their press conference yesterday, the now named “Palm Mojo Application Framework” will based on HTML5, CSS, and Javascript, which makes web developers like myself jump for joy. Keep up with webOS updates on the company’s new developer blog.
(TrendHunter.com) As youd expect, security for President-elect Obamas Inauguration Day celebrations on January 20 will be tight. All vehicular traffic will be severely restricted heading into Washington,... Source: RSS feed - channel BNBlogTech | 11 Jan 2009 | 7:19 am
Similar to the Pearl Flip gallery, this hands-on was not of brand new release, it was however interesting enough that I had a hard time resisting checking it out. So, of course pictures would come along with that. I have to say, I have heard mostly bad things about the Storm, and aside from actually seeing it, I really wanted too check out the click feeling. I will admit, I really only spent a few minutes playing, so it is hard to say that I would not get used to the way you have to click, but initially it felt really awkward. The whole display actually clicks down, it felt strange, but otherwise the handset itself was really nice looking, and felt good in your hand. Check out the gallery below for a few up close shots.
MOSCOW, Jan 11 (Reuters) - The head of Russian gas company Gazprom, Alexei Miller, faces a serious obstacle to his dream of turning his firm into a $1 trillion bluechip company: he owes his loyalty to... Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsTech | 11 Jan 2009 | 7:00 am
(TrendHunter.com) General Motors new model, the Cadillac Converj, is an exciting luxury twist on highly anticipated Chevrolet Volt (pictured). The Volt, expected to begin production in 2010, is able... Source: RSS feed - channel BNBlogTech | 11 Jan 2009 | 6:39 am
If you’re not familiar with Scandyna, the company started with a group of Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) developers being assigned to create great sounding speakers at an affordable price. Scandyna has just introduced the Amp 2, a speaker amplifier with an iPod dock, RDS FM radio, alarm clock and USB PnP in one. The unit has a look that fits in with their other colorful products (namely Podspeakers), and will come in black, white, and red. The Amp 2 has a phono jack, minijacks, and USB hookups, and comes with a remote control.
The Amp 2 from Scandyna will debut in March or April this year.
(TrendHunter.com) Toss out that old square salt shaker and forget everything youve learned about seasoning. When it comes to flavoring your foods, it isnt cool unless its in the slideshow below. Popping... Source: RSS feed - channel BNBlogTech | 11 Jan 2009 | 6:19 am
By David Ponce It’s a flash drive with a numeric keypad that contains software for writing a diary. I’d like to think it’ll attract a certain demographic and I’m also under the... Source: RSS feed - channel BNBlogTech | 11 Jan 2009 | 6:09 am
Uncle Wilco sez, "Andy from the wonderful Workshop Shed has made a Victorian flea chariot in his shed!" The mounting is an old victorian era french coin about the size of a 2p, the chariot is secured... Source: RSS feed - channel BNBlogTech | 11 Jan 2009 | 6:04 am
Uncle Wilco sez, "Andy from the wonderful Workshop Shed has made a Victorian flea chariot in his shed!"
The mounting is an old victorian era french coin about the size of a 2p, the chariot is secured with a small magnet and a tiny piece of steel glued below the axle (brass is not magnetic). I picked up the glass display case on Ebay for a bargain. A new groove was turned in the base so that the dome can be removed and replaced. The carry case in the background is some fake books made from wood which I got from a junk shop many years ago...
Flea Circuses evolved out of the skills of watch makers and jewellers and were made famous in the 1830s by L.Bertolotto who turned the bias from the construction skills to the performance. They remained popular until the 1960s and many peoples grandparents have seen one. I've been researching this topic for about 4 years now and regularly make new discoveries which I publish along with other flea news on the flea circus research library blog.
If the Powermat wireless charging system lives up to its claims, Powermat is going to be huge. The idea is simple, just place a device like a phone on a Powermat and your phone is charged. There is no need for lots of wires or numerous power adapters; you just need a mat and a device.
The walk through of the product was fantastic. Powermat had actual working versions of their product. The first thing to see was the iPhone in a sleek case atop a white mat.
Charging is done by magnetic induction. There is audio and visual feedback when you place an object on the mat with a chirp and glowing light. If you don’t place the device in the right spot, there is an audio and flashing light alert. The mat interacts with RFID in the receivers to determine how much to charge. Once a device is charged, the Powermat stops charging the device.
Powermat had several different models of cases for phones including the BlackBerry, iPhone, and Moto Razr. For devices that charge over USB, Powermat has a Power Disc that has a USB interface with an adapter kit. Also of note was a “Power puck” (that may not be the official name) that connected to your preexisting laptop. The puck has a power cable for your computer that is attached to a puck shaped receiver. You place that receiver on the powermat and you are good to go. You can also see that in the image gallery.
They even had a floating power outlet, you can see it in use in the photo gallery. Look for the picture with the mixer.
Each mat is about $100 and each receiver is $29.99. It doesn’t matter what the style is, the prices stay the same. That’s a great idea to get people to pick up the product. The product will be launched worldwide with the U.S. being the first country to get Powermat products.
(TrendHunter.com) Controversial designer James Piatt has given us some of the most intriguing handbag creations ever. The Peace Keeper bag was his first--the chic purse with the brass knuckles for a... Source: RSS feed - channel BNBlogTech | 11 Jan 2009 | 5:59 am
AFP - Shortcovers expects to be turning iPhones into electronic books by month's end with the release of a mini-application that lets people read books, short stories or other written works on Apple-made smart phones in a direct challenge to electronic book devices sold by Amazon and Sony.
kandela writes "CBC News is reporting that Nebula and Hugo award winning author Robert J. Sawyer is to become the first-ever writer in residence at the Canadian Light Source synchrotron facility (see also their media release). Sayer will spend two months at the facility, where he is hoping to be inspired by the everyday grind of scientists, 'I spent a lot of time visiting science labs over the years, but it's always the VIP tour,' he said in an interview Wednesday. 'You are in and you are out in a couple of hours, and everyone has shown you all the things they want you to see but none of the day-to-day grind of the work as well. I want to get the flavour of that.' As a scientist who has worked at synchrotron facilities (and occasional sci-fi writer myself (page 4)), I'm excited to see what a professional can do with that environment for inspiration."
Want to save the earth and carry data with you? Well, since almost every company out there is on this green kick, here are eco-friendly USB drives and SD cards by ATP. ATP also showed off their System-in-Package technology for you rugged SD card carrying folks.
Biodegradable USB drives and SD cards
ATP had a bunch of biodegradable USB drives called the “EarthDrive.“ The plastic is made of corn. Portions of the sales proceeds go to American Forests (they plant trees all over the world). I’ve always wondered about this—shouldn’t the corn go to hungry people first?
Earthcard is the name of ATP’s SD cards. The plastic is made of corn as well. ATP expects the prices to be higher than traditional SD cards. The EarthDrive is available now, but the Earthcard will be available in Q2.
SIP
If you beat up your SD cards, you might like this. ATP uses a process called SIP to encase the actual memory part of the SD card in a solid piece. If you open up an SD card you’ll see a board with memory on it and everything is exposed. You don’t see any of that in ATP’s SIP version. It resembles a piece of solid black plastic.
This process is also supposed to make the card waterproof, dustproof, and more resilient. When the ATP rep told me to try to bend the SIP card, it took a bit of a beating until I accidentally broke it. Sorry, Charlie.
Just in case you still feel like you needed to see some more about the newly announced Palm pre, you can now watch the entire announcement. Palm has posted the video up on their site, and if you are at all interested in the pre, this should be worth your while. Not only will you get to hear about it directly from Palm, but they also show some nice images of the phone and the OS. Plus for a press conference, this was actually very nicely done, of course, having such a popular phone did not hurt either.
Another item that Netgear announced at CES was the 3G Mobile Broadband Wireless Router, and this once again has a familiar Netgear design. This is a little more interesting to see though, the wireless router is able to turn your 3G connection into a wireless hotspot. This seems to be a nice idea for a few reasons. To begin with, you could set this up in a hotel room and then be able to work where you are comfortable instead of sitting in an awkward and uncomfortable spot just because that is where you have good signal strength. Additionally, this router, coupled with the optional car power adapter could transform your car into a hotspot location regardless of where you are. Check out the gallery below to see some hands on shots with the 3G Wireless Router.
There's beer in my chocolate! There's chocolate in my beer! Somehow this combo doesn't feel nearly as right as Reese's famous mixing of peanut butter and chocolate. I drink many different types of beer, but I don't think this chocolate beer is going to work for me. Anybody tried this?
Although CES is generously provided with outlets for our charging needs, I decided that the power that comes out of them, like everything else in Vegas, is dirty. So Doug and I headed over to the SkyCharger, a big solar- and wind-powered charging facility housed in a tent outside the central hall. There are dozens of tiny lockers in which charging cables of different types are hidden. You take a key out like a normal storage locker, plug your phone in, lock it back up and go get lunch.
They’ve got a set of solar panels up there providing up to 880 watts, and a wind thing that does up to 1000. Not a lot of wind between the casinos here in Vegas, but there’s plenty of sun. Doug and I saw both our phones go up about 30% in less than half an hour, so it’s not just a trickle of power. It stores power in a big set of batteries as well, so your phone won’t die if a cloud passes overhead.
The setup was branded as LG, but they magnanimously provided chargers for most kinds of phones. Probably because they didn’t build it; it’s made by GotWind, a UK company whose founder we spoke to. He’s hoping to expand the service to, for example, city parks or other areas where a quick charge would be appreciated, as long as security can be assured. It also would be a nice addition to a third world village, where power is hard to come by.
PC World - There's something futuristic about wireless power that has grabbed people's attention at the Consumer Electronics Show this week, and 2009 could be a big year for the technology judging from what's on show here. Source: Yahoo! News: Technology News | 11 Jan 2009 | 2:40 am
twistah writes "It seems that a recent 'reply-all storm' at the State Department caused the entire e-mail infrastructure to crash. A notice sent to all State Department employees warned of disciplinary actions which will be taken if users "reply-all" to lists with a large amount of users. Apparently, the problem was compounded by not only angry replies asking to be taken off the errant list, but by the e-mail recall function, which generated further e-mail traffic. One has to wonder if capacity planning was performed correctly — should an e-mail system be able to handle this type of traffic, or is it an unreasonable task for even the best system?"
A little less than two years after TiVo debuted its swivel video search engine, it is now killing it in favor of a better integrated search whose biggest improvement is visual.
Announced this week at CES 2009, the new TV search works similarly to the search bar in the Firefox address browser. You type in the first few letters of a show in the 'discovery bar' and relevant recommendations of shows on TV satellite and broadband networks come up. At the same time, you get a nice looking new column arrangement of information about a show, including episode description, rating, and relevant art.
The new appearance, according to TiVo reps, was created to fit to the longer length of HDTV's. The old swivel search had no visuals and didn't provide immediate information that could help a user choose efficiently. Still, this is a feature that is most helpful during passive browsing – if you're the type that already knows what you want, the new search will look much nicer but it won’t make a huge difference.
Already, some are saying that the search function is not fast at all but TiVo reps promise they're working on boosting that speed. That’s an important development that is critical if the company really wants to make this feature the "Google of TV search."
There are three other updates with search that are interesting.
Results now come up through the most popular of the day automatically,
and you can also browse shows by the season. This is especially helpful
for serial shows like The West Wing, where I’m constantly confused
about where it falls in line.
But the one I like the most is the Wish List feature, which takes a
show that is not currently available anywhere and holds a search on
your behalf so that when it’s finally offered, it will record it. It
will be even better if you end up forgetting about it and will show up
one day like a present you didn’t expect. I will be adding the “Rebels
of Oakland” HBO documentary from a few years ago because I can never
find it anywhere. C'mon HBO, you can have three docs about the Red Sox
in two years, but can't manage to release the Rebels? Get on it,
please.
Last night, The Richter Scales brought down the house at The Crunchies for the second year in a row with a brand new song. The song depicts a hilariously overoptimistic startup and pokes fun at just about everything in the tech industry, from overhyped launches to ridiculous product ideas (I especially love GramZone, the nursing home in the cloud). Check it out below (make sure you have your volume turned up).
JadedApprentice writes "Caught a mention of this startup yesterday on CNBC while they were reviewing the latest gadgets at CES. In the off chance that there was anything remotely feasible or safe about the wireless power prototypes PowerBeam had on display, I took a quick google and found this nice little write-up on the technology (along with some priceless comments for those that scroll down, and I'm not talking about those on the page below). Bottom line: while it's possibly safe, it may not be efficient and it sure as hell won't power your 1200W gaming rig, the guys at PowerBeam are hoping the convenience of wireless power delivered through directed IR lasers will not only give you the coolest living room in town, but make them very rich in the process" This may be the only one using lasers, but there's a fair gaggle of wireless power schemes on the floor at CES. Besides several chargers limited to charging the controllers of specific game consoles, I walked through a working high-concept demo put on by PowerMat (also mentioned in that PC Magazine article), which relies on dedicated per-device sleeves and dongles to power cameras, phones, and other necessary pocket-fillers; the sleeve-equipped devices then sit to charge on one of the PowerMat induction mats. That means that if your gizmo isn't one for which a sleeve or dongle is available, you're out of luck, unless it uses AA or AAA batteries (there's a charger made to fit on the mat) or can be powered by USB (for which the company has hockey-puck sized USB-power sources, which, Yes, sit on the induction mat). Impressive, but at $30 a pop, that would mean a fair outlay to convert many gadgets to use such a system.
theodp writes "After baring his DNA for the world to see, Steven Pinker follows up in the NYT Magazine with his take on the coming era of consumer genetics. Pinker comes away less wide-eyed than Time Magazine about the current predictive ability of $399 genetic tests, but is convinced enough to opt out of learning whether he has a gene that increases the risk of Alzheimer's and believes that genetic-testing-for-the-masses may hasten the arrival of national health insurance ('piecemeal insurance is not viable in a world in which insurers can cherry-pick the most risk-free customers'). Pinker believes that personal genomics is just too much fun to ban, but for now suggests: 'if you want to know whether you are at risk for high cholesterol, have your cholesterol measured; if you want to know whether you are good at math, take a math test.'"
Last night at the Crunchies, the Herbst theater in San Francisco was packed to capacity. In attendance to collect awards were Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, Microsoft chief software architect Ray Ozzie, Amazon CTO Werner Vogels, Google product chief Marissa Mayer, Twitter founders Evan Williams, Biz Stone, and Jack Dorsey, imeem founder Dalton Caldwell, and many more. (Read who won here). FriendFeed founder Paul Buchheit was so excited about winning Best Startup of 2008 that he videotaped the award from his seat (embedded below, go to the 2:20 mark to see what it was like to win from his vantage point).
In adition to the winners, Y Combinator’s Paul Graham, Seesmic CEO Loic Le Meur, and Mahalo CEO Jason Calacanis also made appearances on stage. The slideshow above gives a feel for the event and the party afterward, which was in the stunning Rotunda of City Hall (thank you, MySpace). Or you can check out people’s reactions on Twitter.
Facebook once again won the overall prize for the second year in a row, and Mark Zuckerberg also picked up the best CEO prize. During his acceptance speech, Zuckerberg’s message to all the other entrepreneurs in the audience was that even during an economic downturn they can build something great and become a beacon of light for the rest of the industry. Microsoft’s Ray Ozzie, who was on hand to accept the prize for Best Technology Achievement, struck a similar chord:
When we are in an environment with technological and environmental change, you have to focus on these new huge constraints, but also new opportunities for destruction or rebirth.
The easy VC money might have stopped flowing to startups, but that doesn’t mean the world has stopped. I was acutely reminded of that fact simply by watching the hardened optimism of everyone in the theater. Some people compare the Crunchies to the Oscars of Tech, but we like to think of it more as a large family gathering. For all the blogs involved—Gigaom, VentureBeat, Silicon Alley Insider, TechCrunch—it’s our way of saying, “Thank You” to all the startups and tech companies out there. If they didn’t keep striving to become that beacon of light, we’d have nothing to write about.
Crunch Network: CrunchGeardrool over the sexiest new gadgets and hardware.
Who would have thought that one of the coolest things we’ve seen at CES would be hidden in a 10×10 booth at the very back of the South Hall? Like a diamond in the rough, there sat the PQ Labs iTablet.
They’ve essentially taken the idea behind the Microsoft Surface and have done it better in every way. It’s cheaper, it’s gorgeous, and perhaps most notably, it’s not a hulking monster. Check behind the link for our video of it in action.
Two of the most notable features of the Surface are its multitouch capabilities and the availability of a development SDK, both of which PQ Labs has matched (or, in the case of the SDK, plan to match soon). The number of fingers detected by the multitouch sensor is limited only by the individual software designer’s desire - the hardware itself supports as many simultaneous prods as you can throw at it.
Contrary to its iCliche name, the iTable runs Windows XP rather than on OS X or some proprietary system. The last bit is good news for developers - if you’ve already got an app ready to go, you don’t need to rewrite it from scratch for compatibility. Just call in the proper APIs for mapping input, and you’re good to go. They’re pitching this pretty hard as a “big iPhone” (hence the name) - it’s probably not the best way to market it (as it’s not, you know, a cellphone), but it really does feel similar to the iPhone; the feel of the glass, the way multitouch behaves, it’s all very similar.
The iTable product comes in a variety of flavors, depending how complete of a system you’re looking for. The cheapest way to get in on the fun is the Multi-Touch G², a 32″ LCD overlay that goes for $2,399. Beyond that is where the “Table” part of the “iTable” name comes in - a few grand more (the $5000-$7000 was thrown around in conversation) nets you a table with the sensors incorporated into the display, and roughly $10,000 gets you the aforementioned table with a beast of a computer pre-configured ready to go. It may seem pricey, but with the 30″ surface going for $12,500, it’s relatively cheap.
The company is a recent startup, so they don’t quite have the resources to throw around that Microsoft does. As such, they operating without a warehouse, so hese things are being built per order, and they’re currently only selling units to businesses. You know, PQ Labs, CrunchGear is a business - hook it up!
Crunch Network: CrunchBasethe free database of technology companies, people, and investors
In an effort to control costs and consolidate products, MySpace parent company Fox Interactive Media is shuttering the SpringWidgets (which launched in 2006) and Flektor (acquired in 2007) widget platforms. Twenty five employees are affected.
Ten employees at Flektor’s Culver City offices will have the opportunity to interview for positions at MySpace. It’s not clear if SpringWidget’s fifteen employees, located in Atlanta, Georgia, have been laid off or will be able to find new jobs within MySpace. Both sites are set to be shut down, says a FIM representative.
SpringWidgets has evolved into a platform that MySpace uses to create widgets for advertisers. Flektor is a Slide and RockYou like widget platform that lets users create slideshows with photos and other small applications.
It’s important to note that Fox Interactive Media has 1,700 or so employees, so the layoffs aren’t material. This looks more like a house cleaning of products that don’t deserve to be branded and maintained separately from MySpace.
Flektor and SpringWidgets are added to the deadpool.
Crunch Network: MobileCrunchMobile Gadgets and Applications, Delivered Daily.
Who would have thought that one of the coolest things we’ve seen at CES would be hidden in a 10×10 booth at the very back of the South Hall? Like a diamond in the rough, there sat the PQ Labs iTablet.
They’ve essentially taken the idea behind the Microsoft Surface and have done it better in every way. It’s cheaper, it’s gorgeous, and perhaps most notably, it’s not a hulking monster.
Two of the most notable features of the Surface are its multitouch capabilities and the availability of a development SDK, both of which PQ Labs has matched (or, in the case of the SDK, plan to match soon). The number of fingers detected by the multitouch sensor is limited only by the individual software designer’s desire - the hardware itself supports as many simultaneous prods as you can throw at it.
Contrary to its iCliche name, the iTable runs Windows XP rather than on OS X or some proprietary system. The last bit is good news for developers - if you’ve already got an app ready to go, you don’t need to rewrite it from scratch for compatibility. Just call in the proper APIs for mapping input, and you’re good to go. They’re pitching this pretty hard as a “big iPhone” (hence the name) - it’s probably not the best way to market it (as it’s not, you know, a cellphone), but it really does feel similar to the iPhone; the feel of the glass, the way multitouch behaves, it’s all very similar.
The iTable product comes in a variety of flavors, depending how complete of a system you’re looking for. The cheapest way to get in on the fun is the Multi-Touch G², a 32″ LCD overlay that goes for $2,399. Beyond that is where the “Table” part of the “iTable” name comes in - a few grand more (the $5000-$7000 was thrown around in conversation) nets you a table with the sensors incorporated into the display, and roughly $10,000 gets you the aforementioned table with a beast of a computer pre-configured ready to go. It may seem pricey, but with the 30″ surface going for $12,500, it’s relatively cheap.
The company is a recent startup, so they don’t quite have the resources to throw around that Microsoft does. As such, they operating without a warehouse, so these things are being built per order and they’re currently only selling units to businesses. You know, PQ Labs, CrunchGear is a business - hook it up!
Fashion fanatics have a new tool to play with, thanks to freshly launched micro-blogging application TryMyFashion, which is basically Twitter for fashionistas who want to put the world (or their circle of friends, whichever fits) on notice what they’re wearing today.
Visitors can sign up and check out the service, although there are still some kinks that need to be ironed out before the estimated launch date of March 1. If you’re familiar with Twitter, you’ll know what to in an instant, but just in case you don’t: TryMyFashion lets registered users post short messages (140 characters) about their daily fashion and interact with other members of the community by sharing and discussing links to relevant photos, websites, videos etc.
Founder Patrick Phelan told me he’s still finishing development on the search engine, the instant messaging features and OpenID integration, but that he also has both a Facebook and an iPhone application in the works. The service was built using the open-source microblogging tool Laconica, and hence features its own API (well sorta, it uses the Laconica API but it works all the same).
There’s a business model, too. Phelan, who has a background in Retail Data Marketing with Acxiom and Digital Marketing Consulting with ad agencies, retailers and entertainment organizations like MTV, aims to leverage his relationships to build a revenue model based on contextual advertising, custom advertising sponsorships and database marketing services. Evidently, the primary focus for the advertising business will be retailers, but Phelan sees opportunities in the entertainment industry as well.
Something tells me we’re going to be seeing a lot more of this niche-focused microblogging applications this year.
Crunch Network: CrunchGeardrool over the sexiest new gadgets and hardware.
thefickler writes "Seagate and Symwave are jointly demonstrating the first consumer applications of USB 3.0 at CES, showing a Seagate FreeAgent drive running through a Symwave USB 3.0-compatible storage controller device. According to Symwave, this will result in 'speeds previously unattainable with legacy USB technology.' Which means, if you understand PR-write, it will be much faster."
SteelSeries, the professsional gamer-oriented hardware makers, have been biding their time lately, but head honcho Kim Ron took an hour out of his day to talk to CG about what they're planning, their philosophy, and all that good stuff. One thing we discussed was how in the recession economy, support for things like gaming tournaments and professional gamer teams is dropping: their natural habitat, the LAN party, is shrinking as the great funding springs dry up.
SteelSeries can't stand to see this majestic species of gamer die out (especially considering they're their target demographic) so they're doing their part: buy one of their (sweet) mousepads branded with major team graphics, and a portion of your purchase will go to restoring and preserving the once-mighty herds of pro gamers. They're not quite available yet, but we'll keep an eye out and update when they are.
Head over to CrunchGear for the rest of the story.
SteelSeries, the professsional gamer-oriented hardware makers, have been biding their time lately, but head honcho Kim Ron took an hour out of his day to talk to CG about what they’re planning, their philosophy, and all that good stuff. One thing we discussed was how in the recession economy, support for things like gaming tournaments and professional gamer teams is dropping: their natural habitat, the LAN party, is shrinking as the great funding springs dry up.
SteelSeries can’t stand to see this majestic species of gamer die out (especially considering they’re their target demographic) so they’re doing their part: buy one of their (sweet) mousepads branded with major team graphics, and a portion of your purchase will go to restoring and preserving the once-mighty herds of pro gamers. They’re not quite available yet, but we’ll keep an eye out and update when they are.
The mousepads (or gaming mats, as I believe they’re called properly) are a bit big for me… well, I won’t lie, they’re enormous. But some people like that, and they’re so beautifully printed that you could mount them on the wall. The Meet Your Makers one (above) in particular is striking colorwise and very detailed. Maybe I’ll get one and scissor it down to size. I’ll have a few to give away soon so you’ll see for yourself.
Kim, an avid gamer himself (and old school like me, we agree that the first Tribes is one of the greatest games of all time), has really shown his dedication to the pro gamer world with all the sponsorships and events dedicated to that purpose. Many in the US still scoff at pro gaming, or are only exposed to fatuous peacocks like Fatal1ty and other proto-celebrities, but elsewhere in the world — Europe and East Asia primarily — pro gaming is not only serious sport, but serious business. The enormous success and widespread coverage of pro Starcraft in South Korea is one important data point for seeing just how big this stuff can be. With gaming increasing in stature next to other media (and somewhat recession-resistant), it’s practically inevitable that this stuff will blow up, and serious money going into advertising in online games or game services and sites like BringIt and UGame.
I’m sure the guys in the teams SteelSeries are sponsoring will be glad for the boost, but we’re nearing a watershed point in US gaming history where games will become truly mainstream pop culture; as it is, they’re sort of a major but parallel culture, still talked around in polite conversation as if it didn’t exist except in ads — like impotence (not that us virile bloggers know anything about it, of course). Hopefully soon that taboo will be lifted, and pro gamers will flourish again.
SteelSeries also mentioned a few interesting little hardware tidbits that are coming our way soon, but it’s all very secret and I don’t want to spoil their fun. Rest assured CG will have that stuff as soon as it hits the street — or maybe a tiny bit before.
Postponing the turnoff of analog TV broadcasts beyond the scheduled date, Feb. 17, could confuse consumers, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission warned Saturday. ... Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsTech | 10 Jan 2009 | 9:09 pm
CES was alive that day, my friends. The show-goers were itching for something new, something more, something raw. Enough gadgets, enough booths, enough walking. What we all needed was some good, old-fashioned rock and/or roll.
The cards were stacked against us from the start — that’s how we like it, though. Lead guitarist Peter Ha was kept from competition by “a yucky tummy,” leaving Greg on drums and Doug on vocals. SanDisk had made various outrageous feather boas, leather vests, wigs, and cowboy hats available to the eight competing bands, but team CrunchGear opted for a stripped down, two-person set. We didn’t need costumes. We’d say it all with our steely-blue eyes, our gyrating hips, and one or more of Greg’s flailing arms.
“Up next, you know ‘em, you love ‘em, CrunchGeeeeeearrrr,” said the announcer. “Whoa, there are only two of you! What are you guys gonna play?” I grabbed the mic and held it up to my mouth for a split-second, surveying the crowd. What could these two rag-tag, plainclothes bloggers be able to bring to such a fierce competition? Whatever it was, it’d have to be big…
The song started. A few in the crowd began to bob their heads in anticipation while wondering how one individual would be able to sustain lightning-quick lyrics that’d always been shared amongst three of the most influential hip-hop pioneers in the music world.
I took a big breath. Greg had his sticks at the ready, his gangly arms and legs about to unleash a hypnotic “stomp… pop… a… stomp, stomp, pop… stomp… pop… a… stomp, stomp, pop…” At the same time, the mannerisms I’d been portraying as those of a quiet, unassuming, Rock Band novice suddenly sprang to life.
“A just plug me in just like I was Eddie Harris! You’re eatin’ crazy cheese like you would think I’m from Paris! You know I get fly (what?!), you think I get high (what?!), you know that I’m gone and I’m a tell you all whyyyy!!!”
The mic may have very well been inside my mouth. By the third verse, I was beginning to feel faint. There’s a reason there are three Beastie Boys – that’s no happy accident. But fainting wasn’t an option. I looked over at Greg. It seemed like his arms and legs had doubled in length, whipping the drums as though his extremities were made entirely of Fruit by the Foot.
“I’m the illest gadget blogger from here to Gar-deee-knyaaah!” We were almost done. Half the crowd had bolted, no doubt scared by the spectacle of a giant Shrek-like Scandinavian and a quadruple-jointed drummer tearing the stage apart with beat-stomping and word-tumbling.
We’d made it to the second round. It was clear that the crowd wasn’t quite sold on our legitimacy as semi-professional musicians. We needed something with some vocals, something to show off our range. They’d expect another hip hop explosion, but we had other plans.
Back on the stage again, I’d turned my back to the crowd. “Is he not ready?” they all wondered. “What’s he doing?” The song started. This time Greg took the lead with a heart pounding four-four beat laid over a pulsating bass line emanating from a series of zeros and ones trapped inside a gaming console.
My back still to the crowd, I’d begun thrusting my fist in the air alongside Greg’s kick and snare.
Pow… pow… pow… pow… pow… pow… pow… pow…
I whipped around and grabbed the mic.
“Hey little sister, what have you done?”
Pow… pow… pow… pow…
“Hey little sister, who’s the only one?”
Pow… pow… pow… pow…
“Hey little sister, who’s your superman? Hey little sister, who’s the one you want? Hey little sister, SHOTGUN!”
I’d thrown my fist back into the air, making eye contact with a middle-aged Asian woman in the third row. Her previously-sensible red sweater was now causing her to sweat profusely… or was it me? “It’s a… nice day for a… whoouuuiiite weddaaaaahng!” I outstretched my hand towards her, watching her explode into a pool of exhausted rock fanaticism as I curled my lip and raised my right eyebrow. “It’s a… nice day to… staaaaaaaaaart aaagaaaaaaaiiiiiin!”
When the smoke had cleared, Peter, Devin, and Matt where too awestruck to cheer. Peter’s mouth gaped open as if he’d actually thrown up, which he’d been threatening to do all day. Devin had tears in his eyes. Matt had taken off his hat and was holding it solemnly over his heart.
The announcer was back on stage, goading the crowd into cheering for their favorite band. It was us against a five-person mish-mash of PC Magazine and various other publications. Our tiny-but-growing fan base was no match for their army of strong-voiced, loudly-clapping supporters.
Alas, CrunchGear had been knocked out of the competition. Our would-be third and final song was the ultimate secret weapon, and it’s probably best for all involved that we didn’t perform it. Perhaps we’ll perform it next year or perhaps it’ll never grace the ears of wheelie briefcase-toting conventioneers. Whatever the case, this year’s competition is over. We may have lost on stage, but we won a few fans, shared a few laughs, and started a few pants-fires.
LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - Yahoo Inc wants viewers to "fall in love" with its effort to bring the Web to the TV, but questions remain about how the service will operate and how successful it... Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsTech | 10 Jan 2009 | 9:01 pm
Reuters - Yahoo Inc wants viewers to "fall in love" with its effort to bring the Web to the TV, but questions remain about how the service will operate and how successful it will be in reaching consumers.
Remember RealDVD, Real Networks’ attempt to legitimize DVD copying, only the movie studios freaked out because they didn’t understand what the software was all about? Well, Real still thinks it has a good chance of winning the lawsuit it faces. Lawsuit out of the way, it’ll go on selling RealDVD like nothing ever happened.
Should Real win the lawsuit—it’s prepared to alter the software in order to placate the judge and/or MPAA—it will resume sales, which have been frozen since October.
You will recall that Real thinks it should be allowed to sell RealDVD because it doesn’t destroy a DVD’s CSS encryption. The studios don’t give a hoot; all they see is, “Oh man, J6P will be able to copy DVDs now.” Hence lawsuit, freaking, etc. It’s very tiring, really.
No, this story has nothing to do with Homer; it just makes me laugh.
PC World - Microsoft made the Windows 7 beta available for download Saturday after its servers were overwhelmed with users trying to download the operating system. Source: Yahoo! News: Technology News | 10 Jan 2009 | 8:50 pm
A series of seismic activity events in Yellowstone National Park has sparked public concerns that the quakes could lead to a catastrophic eruption from one of the world’s largest volcanoes. Source: RedOrbit News - Science | 10 Jan 2009 | 8:50 pm
Just can’t get enough Pre? Want to experience the magic of being at the presentation from the comforts of your arm chair? You’re in luck. Palm captured the presentation in its entirety, and it’s now available online.
With the Apple MacWorld keynote being relatively lackluster (and, perhaps most importantly, Jobs-less), Palm’s timing and execution of this press event really couldn’t have been better.
The head of ExxonMobil, the world's largest oil company, has called for a carbon tax to help cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Exxon chief Rex Tillerson's comments represent a radical turn from the days when the oil giant denied the existence of man-made global warming, The Independent reported Saturday.
A carbon tax is also the most efficient means of reflecting the cost of carbon in all economic decisions -- from investments made by companies to fuel their requirements, to the product choices made by consumers, Tillerson said in a speech to the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars in Washington.
Image 2: Panasonic product specialist Timm Thorn displays their newest Blu-Ray player home entertainment theater during the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas on January 8, 2009. The Panasonic package consists of DMPBD80 Blu-Ray player, an Su-2T1 amplifier for wireless speakers and a wireless transmitting TC-54Z1TV receiver for wireless TV monitors. The 2009 CES opened to the public on Thursday and continues through the weekend. (UPI Photo/Tom Theobald) Source: RedOrbit News - Technology | 10 Jan 2009 | 8:40 pm
Just can’t get enough Pre? Want to experience the magic of being at the presentation from the comforts of your arm chair? You’re in luck. Palm captured the presentation in its entirety, and it’s now available online.
With the Apple MacWorld keynote being relatively lackluster (and, perhaps most importantly, Jobs-less), Palm’s timing and execution of this press event really couldn’t have been better.
Crunch Network: CrunchBasethe free database of technology companies, people, and investors
CNET Editors Honor the Palm Pre with the 'Best in Show' and 'People's Voice' Awards Special Webcast on January 16 to Feature 'Best of CES' Award Winners on CBS Television and... Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsTech | 10 Jan 2009 | 8:37 pm
Just can’t get enough Pre? Want to experience the magic of being at the presentation from the comforts of your arm chair? You’re in luck. Palm captured the presentation in its entirety, and it’s now available online.
With the Apple MacWorld keynote being relatively lackluster (and, perhaps most importantly, Jobs-less), Palm’s timing and execution of this press event really couldn’t have been better. Palm has swooped in and nailed it out in a very Apple-esque fashion, and it’s paying off. They kept it just secret enough to build the hype, launched a good product, had it presented by someone who is genuinely passionate about it, and then put the whole thing online for the intensely interested.
Z80xxc! writes "The Windows 7 Beta release is now available for download by the general public, in 32-bit and 64-bit flavors. Microsoft had previously announced availability around 3 PM PST on Friday, but after unexpected numbers of people proved to be interested in the download, had to postpone it to add more servers."
Casio's new Exilim FC100 is all about the speed. The sleek brushed metal digicam can capture video at up to 1000 frames per second, full-sized, 9 megapixel stills at a ridiculous 30fps and it can even slow down time itself -- the camera has a mode which shows a slo-mo version of the real world on the LCD screen so you can pick the precise moment to fire the shutter. All this for $400. Available March.
I’ve been thinking of you, dear reader, and that’s why I custom-designed a pair of CrunchGear-colored headphones from iFrogz. I stopped by the booth to pick them up (for you) and found a few new things. They now have fluffy earpieces, which is kind of awesome (and warm), and they are also making a cool little attachment for your iPod so kids can use it without breaking the thing. Having been a preschool teacher for a couple years, I can say that I think it might actually work. Parents, take note.
The silicone case has handles like a sippy cup and a protector for the screen (and maybe for the wheel, I can’t remember). The kid just holds it with both hands and it’s really thick silicone so it just bounces or rolls when you drop it. Apparently one iPod survived being thrown from a moving car in the thing. No iPod Touch version yet or anything like that, but if you’re a digitally minded parent with an old-style iPod, this thing might be worth your while.
Now! The contest! I have a pair of Nerve Pipes which I’ve customized to have CrunchGear colors (silver/grey and orange, if you must know). I know you want to show your CG stripes in public, so here’s how you win ‘em: just leave a comment telling us what your favorite CES gadget is so far. That’s all! We’ll pick a winner semi-randomly at the end of the weekend. And that’s a lot of “end”s in one sentence.
Row44. That’s the name of the company that plans to bring satellite-delivered Internet access to your laptop while you’re flying from finished New York to phony Los Angeles; everywhere in between, too.
In-flight Internet access isn’t entirely new. Aircell lets you cruise Web sites on Virgin America and American Airlines, but that uses cellular towers so who cares. Only two airlines, Southwest and Alaska, will offer the service initially on select flights, but it’ll be for free. Think of it like as a beta.
Some have pointed out that Row44’s service could be used for pure evil. That is, some guy could use it to talk on Skype the whole flight. May I suggest to the people who find that scenario so disagreeable—Heaven forbid you talk to your loved ones, or to business partners while in the sky—that you get a cheap pair of earbuds? Problem solved.
Twitter, runner-up for best overall startup and winner of the best startup founder(s) at the Crunchies 2008 awards ceremony last night, was without a doubt one of the most talked about web companies last year, and we don’t see that changing much in 2009.
Whether it’s about their downtime, their valuation, their actual usage numbers, the interest they get from investors, their management shakeups or their security woes, Twitter’s got tongues rolling and we’re happily known to partake in reporting on the good, the bad and the ugly about the startup on occasion (ok, a lot).
The most interesting thing about Twitter, of course, is the number and quality of both web-based and desktop applications that make use of Twitter’s API and growing user base to create a better user experience or make it even more useful by adding features. So it’s a shame to see Twitter itself feature only 12 out of hundreds of tools.
So here are five good ways to keep abreast of the newest and best Twitter applications:
The Twitter Fan Wiki is where you’ll find most Twitter applications, and lets registered users add or edit entries. The wiki site has the most extensive list for sure, but only provides a one-line description without any visuals so it’s not the most fun to browse. Also, no RSS feed!
Twitdom is a new contender that bills itself as the Twitter Application Database. It’s still in beta but offers a smooth way of discovering new Twitter applications, sliced up in 5 categories and with a visual preview of what to expect. (RSS feed)
Twapps is similar to Twitdom but doesn’t have categories so it’s a little harder to find what you’re looking for. It currently lists only 57 applications but has admittedly only launched recently. (RSS feed)
TwitTown offers news about all things Twitter but also publishes Twitter Forge, a collection of Twitter apps nicely fit into 24 categories. Could use an update though. (RSS feed)
The Squidoo lense on TwitterApps lists about 275 tools with a short description but you can’t filter so it takes some time to find the one you’re looking for. (RSS feed)
Know any other good resources? Let us know in the comments!
Jamie Price writes with a nice tutorial on putting technology to use in the service of mankind, with one of his latest projects — BaR2D2. "BaR2D2 is a radio-controlled, mobile bar that features a motorized beer elevator, motorized ice/mixer drawer, six-bottle shot dispenser, and sound activated neon lighting. The robot is driveable so you can take the party on the road! It was created in my garage using standard hand/power tools and readily available parts and materials. Here is a video of it in action. To see the full how-to with tons of pictures, check out the build.
Jake von Slatt sez, "This is a fractal Teddy Bear named Mandelbrot, he was brought into this world a few weeks ago by my friend Captain Mouse as a gift for her brother."
NEW YORK, Jan 10 (Reuters) - Overseas reporting was one of the first areas curtailed by U.S. newspapers stung by deep budget cuts in recent years. GlobalPost, an online news outlet that launches on Monday,... Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsTech | 10 Jan 2009 | 7:09 pm
The number coho salmon returning to Marin County, Calif., creeks to spawn is so low it has reached crisis proportions, marine biologists say.
Only a few coho were spotted and only 20 egg nests, called redds, were counted in the Lagunitas Creek watershed's two main tributaries during the annual winter survey of fish, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Saturday.
The decline is being blamed on the lack of winter rains.
It's just frightening, actually, Paola Bouley, conservation program director for the Salmon Protection and Watershed Network, or SPAWN, told the newspaper. Source: RedOrbit News - Science | 10 Jan 2009 | 7:05 pm
Psyko Audio Labs displayed it's 5.1 channel gaming headphones at CES 2009, hoping to significantly enhance PC gamers' audio experience. The headset features 3 front drivers and 2 rear drivers, as well as subwoofers inside its cushioned ear cups.
At CES 2009, Casio showed off one of its latest digital cameras, the Exilim EX-F100. This compact camera features a 30-shot burst mode and is capable of shooting video at 1000 frames per second.
At CES 2009, Casio showed off one of its latest digital cameras, the Exilim EX-F100. This compact camera features a 30-shot burst mode and is capable of shooting video at 1000 frames per second.
Psyko Audio Labs displayed it's 5.1 channel gaming headphones at CES 2009, hoping to significantly enhance PC gamers' audio experience. The headset features 3 front drivers and 2 rear drivers, as well as subwoofers inside its cushioned ear cups.
A wildlife campaigner has told the BBC that Zimbabwean soldiers are being given elephant meat for their rations.Several soldiers have complained that elephant meat was the only meat they were given, according to Johnny Rodriguez of the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force.There are more Source: RedOrbit News - Science | 10 Jan 2009 | 6:50 pm
Genetic tests that can detect a person's increased risk of breast, ovarian and prostate cancer are being offered in England, officials said.
The Times of London reported Saturday that the genetic screenings are being offered for the first time to individuals without family histories of the diseases.
The program, run by the University College London, paves the way for a new approach to preventative medicine and embryo screening by parents.
News of the program came as Paul Serhal, medical director at University College Hospital's Assisted Conception Unit, announced the birth of one of the world's first babies selected to be free of a genetic risk of breast cancer. Source: RedOrbit News - Science | 10 Jan 2009 | 6:46 pm
LAS VEGAS -- Despite the recession, more than a hundred thousand people flooded the Las Vegas Convention Center and surrounding hotels this week to get a glimpse of the electronics industry's latest gadgets and gear. They were not disappointed.
The Consumer Electronics Show remains the biggest, the most exciting and the most frustrating tradeshow in America. It is also home to some of the most interesting product debuts: for instance, the VCR, the CD and the DVD all made their first appearances on the world stage here.
This year's highlights:
The ambitious Palm Pre, a touchscreen phone with a QWERTY keyboard and a brand-new OS. It was the talk of the show, though Palm let few people actually touch the thing. We did manage to get a close look, though: check out Wired.com's video of the Palm Pre.
A remarkably innovative lineup of new hardware mashups from Asus, including a PC concealed inside a keyboard, a laptop with an embedded secondary screen in the touchpad, and a pair of tablet netbooks.
caffeinemessiah writes "In the wake of the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India, the local police are going to be sniffing out unsecured wi-fi access points and ordering the owners to secure them. The article notes that 'terror mails were sent through unsecured Wi-Fi connections' before bomb blasts in other Indian cities. No word on if they'll be walking around using Kismet, or if people who use pathetically weak WEP encryption will be ordered to switch to more advanced protocols. Unfortunately, a gesture like this does not take into account the insidious scenario of walking into a cafe, buying a coffee and then (legally) using the cafe's wi-fi. Or the fact that terrorists might actually be able to pay to use a cybercafe, and know what VPNs are." On the other hand, the Mumbai police may still be keeping track of the mandatory keyloggers that went into the area's cybercafes in 2007.
The Xbox1 came out in November of 2001. Four years later, November of 2005, Microsoft released the Xbox 360. So, should we expect a new Xbox eight months hence? In a word, no.
Apparently Microsoft knows that not too many people are keen on upgrading their Xbox 360. A rough economy means fewer people have tons of disposable income lying around. Plus, the Xbox 360 is so much more than a mere game console: it streams Netflix, it downloads movies quick-like and, um, other stuff. (I still mainly use it as a video game console, for the record.)
So, Microsoft will instead focus on adding features and other things to the 360 rather than coming out with a whole new console. It saves you the trouble of having to buy a new console in a few months, and it gives Microsoft and its “content partners” some time to figure out how to maximize the console’s potential.
ALGIERS, Jan 10 (Reuters) - Algeria and the Netherlands discussed on Saturday a partnership involving Nigeria and Royal Dutch Shell in a project to pipe Nigerian gas to Europe across the Sahara, Algerian... Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsTech | 10 Jan 2009 | 5:22 pm
Wandering Wombat tips a BBC story about researchers from Imperial College London who were able to stimulate stem cell production by a factor of 100 in the bone marrow of mice. Such stem cells are released by the marrow to help with the regeneration of damaged bone and tissue. "Techniques already exist to increase the numbers of blood cell producing stem cells from the bone marrow, but the study focuses on two other types — endothelial, which produce the cells which make up our blood vessels, and mesenchymal, which can become bone or cartilage cells." The scientists hope that the increased production rate could be used to greatly speed tissue repair and to allow recovery from wounds that would otherwise be too severe. "There are also hopes that the technique could help damp down autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, where the body's immune system attacks its own tissues. Mesenchymal stem cells are known to have the ability to damp down the immune system." The full research paper is available at Cell Stem Cell.
Scientists in Massachusetts say milk from a herd of genetically engineered goats is proving valuable in preventing dangerous blood clots. Source: RedOrbit News - Science | 10 Jan 2009 | 3:59 pm
Indian authorities have dissolved the board of embattled outsourcing giant Satyam Computer in the wake of a massive fraud scandal and were working Saturday to name 10 new directors to lead... Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsTech | 10 Jan 2009 | 3:47 pm
Run for your lives ... Yellowstone's going to explode! Hundreds of small earthquakes at Yellowstone National Park in recent weeks have been an unsettling reminder for some people that... Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsTech | 10 Jan 2009 | 3:39 pm
Mechanistic details revealed through unique light source techniqueUsing two simultaneous light-based probing techniques at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory, a team of researchers has illuminated important details about a class of enzymes involved in everything from photosynthesis to the regulation of biological clocks.The interdisciplinary team has a broad interest in flavoproteins, which were first discovered in the 1930s and derive from riboflavin, or vitamin B2. These proteins are now known to catalyze a wide range of biochemical reactions, including those that use molecular oxygen (O2) to help convert food into energy in animals, plants, fungi, and in some types of bacteria – a process known as oxygen activation.Although scientists have determined more than 1,200 crystal structures of flavoproteins, they’ve been blind to exactly what oxygen activation looks like within these enzymes. Specifically, researchers have been unable to determine the structure of the flavoprotein’s reactive oxygen intermediate, a molecular complex that often forms halfway through important biochemical reactions. These intermediates possess high chemical potential energy, which is necessary to complete many critical but difficult-to-catalyze reactions in biology. Such intermediates typically have a lifetime of only a few milliseconds and are therefore very hard to observe using traditional synchrotron methods.“Flavoproteins represent one of only a handful of ways that nature activates molecular oxygen, a process that’s important for all life on the planet,” said Brookhaven biophysicist Allen Orville. “We’ve determined structures of some oxygen intermediates involved in several important enzymes that assist in this process. But no one has ever seen an oxygen intermediate attached to the flavin. Until now.” As reported in the January 9, 2009, online edition of Biochemistry, Orville and colleagues from Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, and the University of Miami have used a new facility at Brookhaven’s National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS) to identify two possible oxygen intermediates in the flavoprotein, choline oxidase.The researchers accomplished their work by combining two popular synchrotron techniques – x-ray diffraction and optical absorption spectroscopy – into one setup. By shining beams of powerful x-rays and visible light on the same region of the crystallized flavoprotein, two different but complementary sets of information are received. This allows the scientists to correlate the electronic structure of the enzyme – which gives details about chemical activities – with its three-dimensional atomic structure.“The ability to collect multiple types of data from the same sample at the same time is a unique opportunity,” Orville said. “It takes less time and it means you never have to move the sample and risk altering it in any way. It also removes many potential ambiguities that either technique alone cannot resolve.”To stabilize the flavoprotein intermediate, the researchers kept it at an extremely low temperature – about -280 degrees Fahrenheit. When exposed to the x-rays, the cold flavoprotein rapidly accepts electrons liberated in the sample by the x-ray beam. This starts the enzyme reaction, which progresses a bit further and then becomes trapped in its reactive intermediate state. Using the combined data, the group identified two possible intermediate structures. Further experiments will help determine which is the true intermediate.Orville is installing additional complementary techniques at the NSLS. Planning also is underway for several beamlines with multiple complementary techniques at the National Synchrotron Light Source II, a new, proposed Brookhaven facility that will produce x-rays up to 10,000 times brighter than those at the NSLS. The hope is to provide a means for researchers to simultaneously obtain three or four different types of data from one sample.This work was supported by DOE’s Office of Biological and Environmental Research, the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the American Chemical Society, the American Heart Association, Georgia State University, and the U.S. Department of Education. The operation of the NSLS is supported by the Office of Basic Energy Sciences within the DOE’s Office of Science. ---Image 1: From left, researchers Allen Orville, Mary Carlucci-Dayton, John Lara, and Matt Cowan.Image 2: Two complementary types of data collected from the same crystal provide compelling evidence for the trapped reactive oxygen intermediate in choline oxidase. On the left are the spectroscopic changes observed in a single crystal of choline oxidase upon x-ray exposure at low temperature. It shows that the sample rapidly changes upon irradiation to x-rays. On the right are the unbiased 1.8 angstrom resolution electron density maps and the resulting interpretation of the atomic structures for the two possible reactive oxygen species. The electronic and atomic structures correlate almost perfectly within the crystal. In the absence of either part of the complementary experimental data, the interpretation of the results would have remained much more speculative. Source: RedOrbit News - Science | 10 Jan 2009 | 12:04 pm
3D films may no longer be the privilege of wealthy movie studios. During this week’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, two companies unveiled new ways for home users to produce 3D films of their own. One technology involves the use of a webcam with two lenses that mimic human sight, converting images into 3D footage. Another firm makes software aimed to allow home users to show 3D movies on a variety of screen types.Manchester-based PDT’s Minoru webcam has two lenses set about the same distance apart as human eyes. The lenses come with software that turns the two images into something known as an anaglyph. Source: RedOrbit News - Technology | 10 Jan 2009 | 11:45 am
In an effort to control costs and consolidate products, MySpace parent company Fox Interactive Media is shuttering the 
Fashion fanatics have a new tool to play with, thanks to freshly launched micro-blogging application 
