Source: Gizmodo | 2 Dec 2009 | 7:00 pm

SEC Files Lawsuit Against Canopy Financial And Co-Founder For Fraud

Just before Thanksgiving we broke the news that Canopy Financial was cooking its books. Everyone involved tried to point the finger to someone else.

Well, now the SEC has weighed in with lawsuit alleging fraud on the part of Canopy and one of its co-founders Jeremy Blackburn, who was the COO. He misled investors about Canopy’s financial condition when raising a $75 million round. When the fund-raising was complete, he paid off existing investors to the tune of $40 million, and took about $1.7 million for himself, according to the complaint (embedded below).

According to the SEC:

The SEC’s complaint alleges that Canopy and Blackburn solicited investors from at least October 2008 through August 2009, providing them with documents devised to show that Canopy had a much healthier cash balance and larger client base than it actually did. Blackburn also falsified at least one bank statement to show an account balance of approximately $8.9 million, when in fact it was a custodial account of a Canopy client that held approximately $86,952. The SEC further alleges that Canopy raised approximately $75 million from investors and paid approximately $40 million in redemptions to existing investors, including Blackburn who redeemed 250,000 shares in exchange for approximately $1.625 million.

The complaint was filed on November 30, six days after our initial story ran.

Canopy 113009

Crunch Network: CrunchBoard because it’s time for you to find a new Job2.0

Source: TechCrunch | 2 Dec 2009 | 6:55 pm

Filtering Junk Mail and Buying Laptops [Mossberg's Mailbox]

How can I filter junk mail on my iPhone?

A: The iPhone’s email program doesn’t include a junk-mail filter. It relies on your email service’s junk-mail filtering system, such as the ones built into Gmail, Yahoo Mail or your company’s email system, to clear out the spam before it gets to the phone. Obviously, these server-based filtering systems aren’t perfect, so you’ll still get some spam. But you might experiment to select the email service you feel does the best job. Once you decide, you can make that the main, or the only, service you use on your iPhone, and forward all the email from accounts that receive a lot of spam into an account on that relatively spam-free service.

What model of laptop do you recommend for a student of middle-school age, at the $500 price range?

A: At that price range, you have several broad choices, so it depends on how the student will be using the machine. If it will be mainly staying on a desk or just used around the house, you should be able to find a standard-sized laptop with a 14″ or 15″ or even larger screen, and adequate speed, memory and hard disk capacity, for around $500, or even less, depending on sale prices. If the student wants more mobility, then a high-end netbook, or a low-end “thin and light” or “ultrathin” machine would work, though their screens and hard disks might be smaller and their processors slower.

However, if the student is a hard-core gamer, or does sophisticated video production, the graphics on any $500 laptop might prove inadequate, and you may have to spend more.

I have no particular model to recommend, since the best way to do this is to have the intended user try various models, to be sure she is comfortable with the screen and keyboard, and that the machine has whatever specific features she wants for the price.

I understand that the new Motorola Droid phone has a GPS function. I was considering a Garmin unit but wonder if I would be just as well off with the Droid and Google maps. What do you think?

A: The Droid not only has GPS and maps, which are common on many other phones, but it has a free voice-prompted, turn-by-turn navigation system powered by Google, which isn’t common. This is very similar to what you’d get in a stand-alone unit sold by companies like Garmin and Magellan, or in a paid, add-on app for the iPhone.

However, in my tests of this new feature on the Droid, I ran into two occasions when the Google voice-promoted navigation system gave me completely erroneous directions. On Garmin products, I have often encountered directions I considered too roundabout or time-consuming, but I have personally never received absolutely wrong directions. So you might bear that in mind when deciding if the Google capability in the Droid is a good enough substitute, at least in this stage of its development.

You can find Mossberg’s Mailbox, and my other columns, online free at the All Things Digital web site,http://walt.allthingsd.com.

Source: All Things Digital | 2 Dec 2009 | 6:32 pm

Samsung 52-Inch HDTV + Samsung Blu-ray Player for $1326

Source: Gizmodo | 2 Dec 2009 | 6:20 pm

Refurbished Macs for Up to $520 Off (PC World)

PC World - If you were a bit disillusioned with Apple's Black Friday Sale ($101 off on a MacBook Pro? I saved $150 with my student discount!), you may want to go check out the company's refurb section, where right now Mac computers are on sale for up to $520 off, or discounts of up to 28 percent. A refurbished 13.3-inch MacBook Pro with a 160GB hard drive, a 2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, and 2GB of RAM is going for just $999 ($200 off), and a refurbished iMac (with a 24-inch screen, 2.93GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, a 640GB hard drive, and 4GB of memory) is going for $1279 ($520 off).
Source: Yahoo! News: Technology News | 2 Dec 2009 | 6:15 pm

Comcast, NBC deal will face tough antitrust review (AP)

AP - Comcast Corp. will likely have to accept substantial conditions if the cable TV provider wants to win regulatory approval for control of NBC Universal's broadcast network, cable channels and movie studios.

Source: Yahoo! News: Technology News | 2 Dec 2009 | 6:13 pm

Review: Assassin’s Creed 2

Ubisoft needed to publish something amazing given their anemic financials thus far this year, and Assassin’s Creed 2 delivered. Assassin’s Creed 2 was simply put, amazing. The sequel vastly improves upon Assassin’s Creed which given all the hype, was disappointing to say the least. The game plays on the strengths of Assassin’s Creed, most notably the free-running, and is no longer monotonous and repetitive, like its predecessor. If you want to complete all of the quests in this game, I would suggest setting aside around 35-40 hours. It took me a little over 25 hours to complete the main quest, as well as completing about 80% of the side quests (feathers notwithstanding, there was no way I was going to look for 100 of those).

If you never played Assassin’s Creed, I suggest taking the time to look online for synopses of the game so that you get a feel for what happened as Assassin’s Creed 2 does a poor job of rehashing the tale. I played the first game almost a year ago so i was hazy on the plot and was a bit disappointed that I had to look up the Wikipedia page to figure out what was going on. Ubisoft could have done a better job here by having some flashbacks, or even some dialogue at the beginning of the game to help those who are new, or haven’t played in a while.

This installment of Assassin’s Creed has you playing as Ezio Auditore, a suave ladies-man hell-bent on exacting revenge upon those who took part in the killing of his father and two brothers. His blood lust carries him throughout Italy, assassinating all who he deems guilty. As you progress through the game, you learn new techniques, as well as acquire new weapons–through the help of Leonardo DaVinci. Each weapon has different assassination traits, and I highly suggest trying them all out–they are extremely satisfying and awe-inspiring and keep the game from becoming stale. My favorite however, is the dual-hidden blades, because let’s be honest, there aren’t many things cooler in video games than jumping from three stories in the air and assassinating two unsuspecting guards below. Don’t believe me? Just try it.

The first thing you notice when playing this game is the awe-inspiring graphics. The engineers in this game went through a lot to make sure the game looked absolutely amazing. Whether it’s the movements of Ezio himself, or the structures he ascends, every detail it painstakingly detailed.

The combat in Assassin’s Creed 2 is good, but nothing exceptional. It actually reminds me a lot of the combat system used in Fable 2. Controls are simple–one can get through this game by simply mashing the attack button over and over again–but using combos and making sure your weapons match up well against your opponents (for example, using your knife is better than your sword against a spear) make the game more strategic. Like many games, throwing an enemy is obscenely overpowering (think Super Smash Brothers). You can grab a guard and throw him off a roof and watch him plunge to his death, or simply throw him to the ground and assassinate him quite easily. Unlike in the first Assassin’s Creed, you can swim, while your enemies cannot. Thus, grabbing an enemy and throwing them in the water is a sure-fire way to kill a pesky guard. As I said before, you get most of your combat pleasure through the use of various assassinations. As such, I used the counter-assassination move quite often simply because of the animations which followed.

Assassin’s Creed 2 adds the concept of an economy this time around. You can use money you collect to upgrade the villa you’ve been put in charge of, as well as to buy supplies such as weapons, medicine, or art. Everything you collect in the game, whether it be new weapons, armor, or paintings, adds to the value of your villa which is proportionate to how much money you get per 20 minutes of play time from the villa chest. This, while a good idea in concept, makes it very easy for people to game the system. By upgrading your villa early on, you make enough money to buy anything you need later on in the game. By the time I had progressed far enough to purchase a certain set of armor for instance, I had triple what was needed to buy everything in the store.

Like any good RPG, Assassin’s Creed 2 has a multitude of side quests. For the most part, these are quite enjoyable and add to the scope of the game. There are over 20 assassination contracts you can fulfill, all with a varying degree of difficulty. Races and beat-up events were introduced as well. The beat up events are pretty pointless in my opinion, but the races are quite fun, as they take full advantage of the free-run capabilities of the game. The races start with a timer and you must run through checkpoints before time runs out. One fall or a mistake and you’ll have to start over. Luckily, these races are only about two minutes, so messing up a few times isn’t going to want to make you quit playing for a while.

This brings me to my point: free-running. I spent a great deal of time just jumping from rooftop to rooftop and it was extremely enjoyable. The grace and precision in Ezio’s movements is simply astounding. When scaling buildings, you’ll always find Ezio grabbing onto a ledge or a crack in the wall while placing his feet in supports as well. You will hardly ever find Ezio grabbing onto an invisible ledge or putting his feet somewhere where he shouldn’t be able to. It was small details like these which makes you actually believe some of the things Ezio is doing are possible, and they did not go unnoticed.

The controls in this game are pretty basic and intuitive, which is a major plus. Since there are so many things going on at once in this game, the game does slip up every once a while. It was frustrating to be scaling up a wall and then suddenly diving into a bale of hay twenty stories down when in fact you wanted to simply jump to another building. There were also times when I wanted to assassinate a certain individual and ended up killing nearby civilians instead. While these occurrences were rare and far-between, it was annoying nonetheless, but did not however detract significantly from the game. For the most part, Ezio did precisely what you wanted him to do, with grace and swagger to spare.

As you can see, all my gripes with this game are small and nit-picky. Assassin’s Creed 2 excelled in every way imaginable, from the story line to the gameplay. I have not had this much fun playing a single-player video game since Mass Effect.

It is a shame that we have to wait for the next installment of Assassin’s Creed to come out. Hopefully Ubisoft can correct the few flaws in this version, and make a perfect ending to this epic trilogy. When thinking about game of the year for 2009, Assassin’s Creed will definitely be in the running. The gameplay is smooth, the story is compelling, and it was a hell of a lot of fun to play. If you have $60 to spare, I would suggest going to the store and buying this game right away, you will surely not regret it.

If you’ve already beaten the game, don’t be hasty and trade it in. Ubisoft will be releasing two DLC packs, one in January and the other in February, for your enjoyment.

CrunchGear score: 9.45

Source: CrunchGear | 2 Dec 2009 | 6:05 pm

Classic 1950s Science Textbooks Get 21st-Century Update

A series of textbooks dating from the 1950s taught a generation of students that science could also be art. But research progresses and artistic methods evolve, so Wired has brought these mid-century classics up to date.

Source: Wired Top Stories | 2 Dec 2009 | 6:00 pm

Placating Publishers by Limiting Links: A Google 5-Click FAQ

Google's going to let publishers limit you to five times a day at the free buffet. Here's what you need to know about the new Five-Click program to make publishing sites feel better.

Source: Wired Top Stories | 2 Dec 2009 | 6:00 pm

Video: Wish List for Camera Geeks

Wired has a few suggestions for the shutterbug on your shopping list. The Nikon Coolpix S1000pj sports a built-in projector, while the ContourHD 1080p Helmet Cam lets you strap a hi-def video camera to your head -- or handlebars.

Source: Wired Top Stories | 2 Dec 2009 | 6:00 pm

Cams, Camcorders and Scopes to See the World

What would a freewheeling photographer like this holiday season? Definitely something from Wired's list of the best camera and camcorder technology.

Source: Wired Top Stories | 2 Dec 2009 | 6:00 pm

Video: Wish List for Camera Geeks

Wired has a few suggestions for the shutterbug on your shopping list. The Nikon Coolpix S1000pj sports a built-in projector, while the ContourHD 1080p Helmet Cam lets you strap a hi-def video camera to your head -- or handlebars.

Source: Wired: Gadgets | 2 Dec 2009 | 6:00 pm

Cams, Camcorders and Scopes to See the World

What would a freewheeling photographer like this holiday season? Definitely something from Wired's list of the best camera and camcorder technology.

Source: Wired: Gadgets | 2 Dec 2009 | 6:00 pm

As Google Backs Away From A Plug-in, Microsoft Rushes Towards One - Washington Post

Washington Post

As Google Backs Away From A Plug-in, Microsoft Rushes Towards One Washington Post Today at their Bing Fall Release event, Microsoft showed off some nice updates to their search engine, including further information about how the much anticipated Twitter and Facebook data integration will work. But by far the most interesting thing ... Microsoft promises 'open' Bing strategyRegister Microsoft Launches Bing Map BetaChannelWeb Bing's Cool New Search Tools: A Visual TourPC World PC Magazine -Wall Street Journal -The Associated Press all 1,576 news articles »

Source: Sci/Tech - Google News | 2 Dec 2009 | 5:59 pm

Google Turns To Twitter To Help Friend Connect Fly - Washington Post

ABC News

Google Turns To Twitter To Help Friend Connect Fly Washington Post Somedays, it seems like Facebook Connect is slowly taking over the web. It's becoming so ubiquitous that it's more surprising now to find a site that doesn't allow you to log-in with your Facebook credentials. Seeing this, Google has been taking steps ... Yahoo: Now Accepting Facebook IDBusinessWeek Yahoo to Expand Facebook IntegrationPC World Yahoo expands integration with FacebookReuters The Money Times -New York Post -VentureBeat all 342 news articles »

Source: Sci/Tech - Google News | 2 Dec 2009 | 5:59 pm

Bing Maps goes live

Section: Web, Web 2.0 / Social Networking, Web Apps, Websites

Google Map’s newest competitor, Bing Maps, went live in its beta stage early this afternoon. Just like the rest of Bing.com, it features a very aesthetically pleasing interface. But looks aren’t everything so can it compete with Google Maps? Well after playing around with it for a while, I think it just might.

For starters, it has every basic feature you expect to see with an online map resource; directions, traffic, satellite and road view. Something that I found to be innovative is what they call “Bird’s Eye” view. Basically, it’s a more detailed version of the aerial view and it’s at a slight angle. It gives things a little bit of a different perspective.

Just light Google Maps, Bing Maps has its own version of StreetView called StreetSide. The biggest difference is that Bing doesn’t yet have a very large amount of streets you can use it on; mostly in big cities. But this can be expected because it is only a beta that was released not 12 hours ago. Something else is that it is very slow and laggy but we can hope for improvement as the days go by.

Bing also features a “What’s Nearby” function. It does exactly what it sounds like it would do; tells you what’s around. Not just restaurants, but everything that’s around like automotive shops, art galleries, bars, gas stations, etc…

Another cool, stalker-like function Bing Maps has is Twitter Maps. Whenever someone updates their twitter status, if Bing knows where you updated it, someone else can see that plus what your status is. You can even retweet tweets from Bing and see previous tweets from the same user. It may be a bit stalker-prone but it is still cool nonetheless.

Microsoft’s new technology, Photosynth, is also present in Bing Maps. Photosynth allows you to look at pictures of 3D objects from every angle. But these objects have to be determined before hand, you can’t just look at every street pole from any angle. They usually seem to be landmarks or sometimes even random items like this Acura.

Bing Maps has quite a few other features, too much to go through in this article but here is a picture of all of them. Some of them like the Travel Webcam sound pretty neat.

 

Source: Gizmodo | 2 Dec 2009 | 5:40 pm

Microsoft Slides of Bing Demo: Mapping and Mash-Ins [BoomTown]

This morning, Microsoft (MSFT) showed off some new features of Bing and reviewed how the search service has been doing since its launch.

Here are the slides that the company’s top search execs used in the presentation, which included not much new stuff, except for a cool update to its mapping and getting third-party developers to do “mash-ins.”

Unfortunately, the demos were live, but enjoy the PowerPoint, which shows Bing’s roadmap so far (click on the link to launch):

12 02 09 Nadella Fall Launch Final –

Source: All Things Digital | 2 Dec 2009 | 5:33 pm

New off-road military vehicle for Afghanistan looks solid as hell

After watching Generation Kill, my anxiety for our troops went up quite a bit. War is an ugly business to begin with, but when you’re driving around a battlefield in an unarmored Humvee with electrical problems, it tends to look even uglier. Afghanistan is still an extremely hairy theater, and the vehicles they’ve had over there over the years (years, people) just weren’t cutting it. So the Pentagon had some new ones drawn up which are just now starting to deploy. And buddy, they are some serious-looking pieces of machinery.

Danger Room has a detailed write-up which I won’t duplicate here, but I have to say I’m glad these are headed over there. I don’t think it’s political to say that no matter the popularity of the war, our soldiers deserve the very best support we can give them, and these should have been standard years ago.

Source: CrunchGear | 2 Dec 2009 | 5:30 pm

Layar 3.0 Is Ready To Add New Layers To Your (Mobile) Reality

The whole idea of using your mobile phone’s camera view as a screen on top of which to add geo-specific information (also known as augmented reality) is one of the more exciting areas in the world of mobile apps. Amsterdam-based Layar, one of the companies at pushing the boundaries of this growing movement, just released Layar 3.0, which offers a whole slew of new ways to layer data onto the real world as seen through your phone.

The company opened up its augmented reality browser to developers last summer and more recently added 3D capabilities. In a blog post, the company details how developers are using its augmented reality platform.

One developer created a 3D architectural model of a building in Rotterdam so that visitors to the construction site can see how a superimposed version of it will look on their phones (see video below).

Another one added cut-outs of the Beatles on Abbey Road and other places they sing about. You could do the same with historical tours, adding historical figures and information about events as augmented reality notes which pop up or let you play an audio narration when you are actually there.

Or you could just add Blimps and UFOs over buildings as sort of an augmented reality graffiti.

And of course there is also a Twitter app which shows nearby Tweets, along with the avatars of the people who Tweeted them (at least I think that’s what it shows).

Anyway, it just shows how many different directions developers can take augmented reality apps. Layar wants to attract as many developers as possible as it seeks funding beyond the $1 million it’s raised so far. Here’s the video:

Crunch Network: MobileCrunch Mobile Gadgets and Applications, Delivered Daily.

Source: TechCrunch | 2 Dec 2009 | 5:26 pm

Wireless operators stop whining about ads - CNET News

TFTS (blog)

Wireless operators stop whining about ads CNET News Verizon Wireless and AT&T have ended their public legal spat over advertising, and have thus agreed to stop complaining about each other's advertising campaigns. On Wednesday AT&T announced it dropped its suit against Verizon ... AT&T, Verizon Bury Legal Hatchet -- For NowChannelWeb AT&T Quietly Ditches Verizon Ad LawsuitPC World With 3G ad lawsuits pulled, so too are punches to AT&T's eyeComputerworld The Associated Press -Atlantic Online -eWeek all 585 news articles »

Source: Sci/Tech - Google News | 2 Dec 2009 | 5:20 pm

Genetic 'Flower' Cited As Missing Link In Neuronal Information Transfer

Calcium influxThe release of the vesicles or bubbles by exocytosis begins with calcium influx into the synapse (the axon-to-dendrite junction between two neurons) through tiny pores or channels in the membrane. In this case the pores or channels are commonly known as calcium channels. Since neurons can fire impulses as frequently as 500 times a second, the calcium that flows into the synapses must be removed very rapidly to keep the process going.After exocytosis, the vesicle membranes must be retrieved, and this process is also stimulated by an increase in calcium in the synapses. The channel that mediates this influx was unknown until Bellen and his colleagues identified it in an elegant series of experiments.Interestingly, this channel is present in the vesicles. Hence, the vesicles carry the means to activate their own re-uptake.A gene called flowerA genetic screen identified a novel gene called flower as coding for this channel. Dr. Chi-Kuang Yao, a postdoctoral fellow in Bellen's laboratory, mapped the gene and showed that the corresponding protein is present in the membrane of synaptic vesicles. He then showed that fruit flies lacking this gene were less able to endocytose vesicles.Direct experiments involved purifying the Flower protein, putting it into liposomes or artificial vesicles and showing that several copies of the protein can aggregate together and form a channel in membranes. When calcium was introduced into this system, it could enter the vesicle, showing that the protein allows calcium entry.Vesicle carries its own destruction
Source: RedOrbit News - Science | 2 Dec 2009 | 5:20 pm

Mitochondrial enzyme improves cognition in Alzheimer's mice

Reduced reactive oxygenSuperoxide dismutase (SOD-2), an enzyme made in the cell's mitochondria, also reduced the levels of superoxide (reactive oxygen) that is implicated in Alzheimer's disease, said Pautler, who did the research in collaboration with Dr. Eric Klann, now of New York University. The two began their collaboration on the neurodegenerative disorder when Klann was at BCM, where he is still an adjunct professor.Too much amyloid precursorThe Alzheimer's model mice make too much of a protein that is a precursor to amyloid, the protein complexes that form plaques in the brains of people and animals with the disease and are associated with its disabling effects on the ability to think or remember.In the offspring of the two kinds of mice, the researchers found that high levels of the enzyme superoxide dismutase decreased the amount of superoxide. Even more exciting, in special laboratory tests, the animals did not show the learning and memory deficits found in the Alzheimer's mice.First report of a beneficial effectThe findings directly link mitochondrial superoxide to the disabling effects of Alzheimer's, the authors said. It also shows that a mitochondrial anti-oxidant enzyme has a beneficial effect, providing new direction for treatment of the neurodegenerative disorder."While other anti-oxidant treatments for Alzheimer's disease have not proven effective, we think something more potent might have benefit," said Pautler, who hopes to continue working in that direction.The decrease in the amount of amyloid plaque found in the brain also was encouraging, she said.How are they linked?
Source: RedOrbit News - Science | 2 Dec 2009 | 5:14 pm

Epson releases PictureMate Show snapshot printer (Macworld.com)

Macworld.com - Can’t figure out whether to get the photo enthusiast on your shopping list a digital picture frame or a snapshot printer? With Epson’s new PictureMate Show PM 300, you can get both. Thanks to the device’s gigantic LCD, Epson’s newest snapshot printer is being touted as a “versatile hybrid,” serving as both a printer and a picture frame.
Source: Yahoo! News: Technology News | 2 Dec 2009 | 5:06 pm

Google Turns To Twitter To Help Friend Connect Fly

Somedays, it seems like Facebook Connect is slowly taking over the web. It’s becoming so ubiquitous that it’s more surprising now to find a site that doesn’t allow you to log-in with your Facebook credentials. Seeing this, Google has been taking steps to make its own similar platform, Friend Connect, more social. And today they’ve quietly launched a pretty big feature: Twitter integration.

Starting immediately, if a site has Friend Connect installed, a user can log-in using either their Google account or their Twitter account. And if they’ve logged in with their Twitter credentials, their username and profile picture are passed through OAuth back to Friend Connect. More importantly, it means that you can easily tweet with the click of a button (to invite friends to check out the site). And any comment they leave on that site can be automatically tweeted out.

The timing of this move is fairly interesting seeing as Yahoo just announced massive Facebook Connect integration. It’s also worth noting the Google rival Microsoft owns a small portion of Facebook through an investment made in 2007.

So will Twitter integration help Friend Connect spread the way Facebook Connect is? Probably not since Twitter has nowhere near the 350 million users that Facebook does, but this is a nice addition that certainly can’t hurt. We’ve been saying for months that Twitter should have its own “Connect” platform, which is sort of does in some ways, but this takes it a lot closer.

Crunch Network: CrunchBase the free database of technology companies, people, and investors

Source: TechCrunch | 2 Dec 2009 | 5:05 pm

EFF Wants To Know If the Feds Are Cyberstalking

rossendryv writes "The Electronic Frontier Foundation and UC Berkeley's Samuelson Center filed suit in California's Northern District, asking the court to force a number of government agencies to hand over any documents they have concerning the use of social networking sites as part of investigative procedures."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Source: Slashdot | 2 Dec 2009 | 5:03 pm

Strong Regional Climatic Fluctuations In The Tropics

Distinct long-term variations of wet and dry phases in the tropics of East AfricaClimatic fluctuations close to the equator show a different pattern to climate change in the Arctic and Antarctic.
Source: RedOrbit News - Science | 2 Dec 2009 | 5:01 pm

MySpace Music Finally Lands In The UK

MOG may well be hitting a sweet spot with its All Access service, but it's only available in the United States for now. Its most obvious competitor, MySpace Music, was too (apart from Australia and New Zealand) until a minute ago when the company made its official debut in the United Kingdom just over a year and two months after it was launched stateside. Looks like the Telegraph's sources were only a couple of months off, ultimately. Anyway, MySpace users in the UK can now enjoy the same free, ad-supported service our American, Australian and Kiwi friends have had for a while: fully licensed audio and video content from major and indie artists that can be streamed on the social network for free, personalized music players and user & artist playlisting features, in addition to monetization opportunities and access to analytics and charts tools for all artists.
Source: TechCrunch | 2 Dec 2009 | 5:00 pm

Meebo Gives Publishers More Control Over Meebo Bar With New API

We’ve been tracking the progress of Meebo’s Community IM bar for a long time now: it was announced back in July 2008, started rolling out in October 2008, and is now exposed to nearly 100 million people worldwide on dozens of partner sites. Clearly it’s making good progress, but since launch the options available to publishers for customizing the bar have been quite limited — you basically had to use Meebo’s default layout and buttons, and couldn’t include any custom links. Today Meebo is a launching a new Programming API that changes this, allowing publishers to make significant changes to the community bar.

Up until now, the Meebo bar has always consisted of a Chat area in the far right (similar to Facebook Chat), a share button in the far left, and occasionally an ad on the left as well. Now, publishers will be able to introduce their own menus and buttons. For example, I could include a button that listed the top five most popular posts on TechCrunch. Publishers have full control over what they show in their menus or widgets, so there’s plenty of room for creativity.

To help publishers get started, Meebo has built 10 premade buttons that they can quickly integrate. These include buttons to share to StumbleUpon or Digg, view your Facebook stream, and listen to music from Lala. There’s even one that takes the reader to a random article on your site.

The new feature will likely appeal to many of Meebo’s partners, but it will be especially helpful to sites with a lot of content who frequently get vistiors through search engine traffic. Oftentimes when you land on a site through a search result, you’ll be looking at an article that is relatively old. Typically if the publisher wants to highlight some of their newer content they have to do it in the nav bar or a side bar on the page, which are easy to scroll past and miss. Using the Meebo bar, publishers can present you with a list of their top recent posts that’s always visible, regardless of where you navigate on the site.

One thing that could turn some publishers off is the fact that Meebo is mandating that you keep the integrated chat feature on the right side of the bar. Meebo is built around instant messaging so this isn’t surprising, but I suspect that there are plenty of publishers who would like to include these custom navigation elements but don’t neccesarily want the chat. But it sounds like Meebo isn’t totally opposed to the idea: the company says it will be “thinking a lot about” what it do with this functionality over the next year.

If you’d like to see a customized Meebo bar in action check out CafeMom, which rolled it out this afternoon. More partners will be launching their own custom bars in the near future.

Crunch Network: MobileCrunch Mobile Gadgets and Applications, Delivered Daily.

Source: TechCrunch | 2 Dec 2009 | 5:00 pm

Why We Outlive Our Ape Ancestors

Human genes have adapted to inflammation, but we are more susceptible to diseases of agingIn spite of their genetic similarity to humans, chimpanzees and great apes have maximum lifespans that rarely exceed 50 years.
Source: RedOrbit News - Science | 2 Dec 2009 | 4:57 pm

Defining Feeding Milestones In Neonates Helps Improve Quality Of Life

A recent study conducted by researchers and physicians at Nationwide Children's Hospital sheds new light on feeding challenges often faced by premature infants. Although the prevalence of this disorder is well recognized, the feeding milestones for infants have not been well described.
Source: RedOrbit News - Science | 2 Dec 2009 | 4:55 pm

Newly Explored Bacteria Reveal Some Huge RNA Surprises

Yale University researchers have found very large RNA structures within previously unstudied bacteria that appear crucial to basic biological functions such as helping viruses infect cells or allowing genes to "jump" to different parts of the chromosome.These exceptionally large RNA molecules have been discovered using DNA sequence data available within the past few years.
Source: RedOrbit News - Science | 2 Dec 2009 | 4:53 pm

JQI Researchers Create 'Synthetic Magnetic Fields' For Neutral Atoms

Achieving an important new capability in ultracold atomic gases, researchers at the Joint Quantum Institute, a collaboration of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the University of Maryland, have created "synthetic" magnetic fields for ultracold gas atoms, in effect "tricking" neutral atoms into acting as if they are electrically charged particles subjected to a real magnetic field.
Source: RedOrbit News - Science | 2 Dec 2009 | 4:51 pm

Toy Recall Of 2007 Hurt Innocent Companies

The well-publicized toy recalls of 2007 took potentially harmful toys off the shelves and affected the companies that made them.But a new study also shows that even companies not targeted by the recalls got hurt in the resulting consumer backlash, sometimes worse than the offenders.
Source: RedOrbit News - Science | 2 Dec 2009 | 4:42 pm

Stick And Slide: Computer Simulation Advances Understanding Of Molecular Motors

A new study reveals how molecular motors that power important subcellular movements can generate cyclical motion.
Source: RedOrbit News - Science | 2 Dec 2009 | 4:39 pm

AT&T gives in, drops suit against Verizon

Section: Communications, Cellular Providers, Mobile

AT&T, presumably with tail tucked between legs, has asked the court to dismiss its lawsuit against Verizon. In return, Verizon has agreed to drop its countersuit against AT&T. The original lawsuit was filed in response to Verizon’s “There’s a Map For That” ad campaign which featured a comparison of its 3G coverage to AT&T’s. AT&T argued that the ads were misleading to consumers and gave the impression that AT&T provided no coverage at all outside 3G areas. Verizon replied by saying the ads clearly stated it was only 3G coverage being compared, and AT&T lost their quest for an injunction stopping the ads from airing.

The dismissals of the lawsuits will free up Verizon to focus on the lawsuit it has filed against Sprint over its ad slogan “The Nation’s Most Dependable 3G Network”. The company says the claim is false because a Nielsen.com survey showed that it, not Sprint, had the least dropped calls. Sprint is not backing down, however, and a recent PCWorld report seems to be on its side. A survey the magazine did in June found Sprint tops in reliability.

So who’s king of reliability? I guess it really depends who you talk to, a Sprint customer, or a Verizon customer!

Read [PCWorld]

Full Story » | Written by Sue Walsh for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

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Source: Gadgetell | 2 Dec 2009 | 4:36 pm

Bees Release Deadly Odor That Shortens Sibling Lifespans

Honeybee larvae release pheromones that effectively trim the lifespans of their older sibling caretakers.

Source: Wired Top Stories | 2 Dec 2009 | 4:35 pm

Rural America More Prosperous Than Expected

For many people "rural" is synonymous with low incomes, limited economic opportunity, and poor schools.
Source: RedOrbit News - Science | 2 Dec 2009 | 4:31 pm

Court Refuses to Shutter Tracker Linked to Pirate Bay

A Stockholm court will not force a local ISP to shutter a website Hollywood claims is now hosting The Pirate Bay's tracker.

Source: Wired Top Stories | 2 Dec 2009 | 4:30 pm

It Ain't Pretty, But Grandma Might Like Flip's TV Accessory

From the company that brought you the cheap-and-easy camcorder comes a cheap-and-easy way to get all those videos you've shot onto your TV.

Source: Wired: Gadgets | 2 Dec 2009 | 4:30 pm

It Ain't Pretty, But Grandma Might Like Flip's TV Accessory

From the company that brought you the cheap-and-easy camcorder comes a cheap-and-easy way to get all those videos you've shot onto your TV.

Source: Wired Top Stories | 2 Dec 2009 | 4:30 pm

As Google Backs Away From A Plug-in, Microsoft Rushes Towards One

Today at their Bing Fall Release event, Microsoft showed off some nice updates to their search engine, including further information about how the much anticipated Twitter and Facebook data integration will work. But by far the most interesting thing they showed was the new beta version of Bing Maps. While it looked very nice, the real reason why it was so interesting is what it requires: Silverlight.

This news comes just days after Google’s revelation (thanks, in part, to our story on the upcoming Chrome for Mac beta) that they were backing away from supporting Gears in the future, in favor of HTML5. Gears is the software that Google created to allow users to use their applications while not connected to the web. But it’s also a plug-in (for all browsers except Google’s own Chrome for the PC). This is a big barrier to entry for many users. And it’s something that creates problems developing apps around it if say, a user doesn’t have Gears installed.

So it’s good to see Google step away from a plug-in even if it’s no longer proprietary (originally called “Google Gears,” they have since open-sourced it). And it makes what Microsoft is doing even more frustrating.

With Silverlight, Microsoft continues to make it clear that they intend to use this web application framework, which they developed, to power much of what they are doing on the web going forward. Again, the problem here is that not only does Microsoft control this, but it requires a plug-in to use. Sure, they’ve made the plug-in available to most browsers, including the ones by rivals Google and Apple, but it’s still a plug-in. It’s something that’s going to stop everyone from seeing the same web no matter which browser they use.

This has of course long been an issue with Microsoft. Despite a clear shift within the rest of the industry toward web standards, Microsoft long played difficult with its Internet Explorer browser. They could afford to, and maybe you could even argue that it was in their interest to, because they were so dominant. It was only when a standards-based browser, Mozilla’s Firefox, started biting off significant chunks of IE’s market share that Microsoft shifted their position to play more nicely with standards.

But even today, they still don’t play that nicely. As you can see in this video about IE9, they are still nowhere near passing the Acid3 browser test. Safari, Opera, and Chrome have all now achieved 100/100 scores on the test. Firefox has gotten a 96/100. IE? Well IE8 (the current version) gets a 20/100. And IE9, which isn’t out yet, only gets a 32/100. You can try to argue (which Microsoft does) that much of the test is meaningless to everyday browsing, but the fact remains that all its major competitors are able to pass it or are on the verge of passing it.

A humorous aside about the video linked to above is that while it’s a talk about Microsoft’s commitments to standards and interoperability with IE9, you need Silverlight to play it.

When asked about Microsoft’s shift towards requiring Silverlight for applications such as the new Bing Maps, officials from the company basically stated that they’re doing it because they had to. AJAX, the technology that powers many of the other web apps in existance today, simply isn’t powerful enough to do what they want, they reason — continuing on that it’s not about using a proprietary technology, but using the best technology out there.

The problem with this once again goes back to the idea of a unified web. If some web apps require plug-ins, the web is not going to be as seamless as it should be. And that’s why HTML5 is potentially so interesting. Because advanced components such as web video, which is now mainly powered by Adobe’s Flash plug-in, could be handled natively within the browser. (Here’s an example of a YouTube video rendered only with HTML5.)

Can Silverlight allow for more powerful web applications than standard web technology? Probably. Does the new Bing Maps look cool with seamless transitions between a map view and on-the-street city view? Yes. But another issue is: Do we really need that?

How often are you doing to need (or want) to zoom around a city with 3D buildings when you really just want to look up an address? It’s a neat feature, just as it is within Google Street View or Google Earth, but it’s not really all that practical. The majority of location searches I do are on my phone where I simply want to get an address as fast as possible. I actually just had to double check if the iPhone has Street View built-in (it does) because I never, ever use that feature.

Nor do I ever really use it on the desktop. It’s useful for some select cases, like maybe if you’re buying a house and want to get a look at the neighborhood. But otherwise, it’s just a nifty feature to demo — which Microsoft did extensively today.

Again, I’m not saying it’s not cool. It is. But I’m not sure it’s worth trading the possibility of a unified web for. In fact, I know it’s not. Sadly, with Microsoft, the problem is only going to get worse, and not better. They’ve made that very clear.

[photo: Paramount Pictures]

Crunch Network: CrunchBase the free database of technology companies, people, and investors

Source: TechCrunch | 2 Dec 2009 | 4:16 pm

WebGL Might Eventually Bring 3D Prowess To Mobile Web Apps

As mobile platform makers grant more and more system functionality to their browsers, the once distinct lines between native applications and web applications are beginning to blur. Over the past few months, HTML5 and other advances in web technology have allowed developers on various smartphone platforms to access to GPS coordinates, accelerometer data, and more. Plenty of limitations still exist (it's still mostly impossible to access the microphone/camera on most smartphones from the browser, for example), but one big hurdle might be on the way out: hardware-based acceleration, otherwise known as the goods required for graphic-heavy gaming.
Source: TechCrunch | 2 Dec 2009 | 4:15 pm

K-Box Sound Amplifier Is Neat Concept Gone Bad

The idea behind the Kerchoonz K-Box -- to convert any flat surface into a speaker -- is worth some praise. Unfortunately, neither that idea nor a refined appearance nor a long battery life can make up for some serious fidelity issues.

Source: Wired: Gadgets | 2 Dec 2009 | 4:00 pm

K-Box Sound Amplifier Is Neat Concept Gone Bad

The idea behind the Kerchoonz K-Box -- to convert any flat surface into a speaker -- is worth some praise. Unfortunately, neither that idea nor a refined appearance nor a long battery life can make up for some serious fidelity issues.

Source: Wired Top Stories | 2 Dec 2009 | 4:00 pm

Video: WebGL might eventually bring awesome 3D to web apps

As mobile platform makers grant more and more system functionality to their browsers, the once distinct lines between native applications and web applications are beginning to blur. Over the past few months, HTML5 and other advances in web technology have allowed developers on various platforms to access to GPS coordinates, accelerometer data, and more.

Plenty of limitations still exist (it’s still mostly impossible to access the microphone/camera on most smartphones from the browser, for example), but one big hurdle might be on the way out: hardware-based acceleration, otherwise known as the goods required for graphic-heavy gaming.

The key here is “WebGL”, a Mozilla project which is aiming to bring the popular OpenGL 3d library to the browser via Javascript. The advantage of this approach is compatibility; as long as your hardware supports OpenGL ES 2.0 and your browser supports Javascript, it should work with minimal tweakage.

Not all smartphones are packin’ the required OpenGL support – in fact, very few are. The iPhone 3GS, Sony Ericsson Satio, and the N900 are the only ones I can name off the top of my head, the last of which the guys behind WebGL have already managed to get a demo up and running on. They’ve slipped WebGL support into the N900’s Firefox browser, with plans to add it to the publicly available nightly builds sometime soon.

Check out the demo video, as posted by Vladimir Vukićević :

As you can see, things seem to already be working pretty well. While these demos may not seem all that complex, this could be a pretty huge first step toward something bigger. If Apple chose to fully support webGL (they already sort of do – Safari’s rarely used CSS animation engine works by way of webGL), iPhone web apps could eventually offer up graphics in line with their native brethren. If Palm were to start packing OpenGL ES 2.0 into their handsets and webGL into the webOS platform, it might just do away with the game-hindering qualms that have turned so many potential developers away.

This approach isn’t without it’s faults, of course; whether the functionality is there or not, only time will tell if the mobile development community will ever drop their grudge against web apps.

Crunch Network: CrunchBase the free database of technology companies, people, and investors

Source: MobileCrunch | 2 Dec 2009 | 3:56 pm

Google Takes Minimalism To The Extreme With New Fade-In Homepage

Back in October, we reported on a new design Google was testing out for its homepage. In short, the design takes Google’s minimalist approach to an extreme, removing everything from the homepage except for the Google logo, the search box, and the two buttons beneath it. Upon moving your mouse the rest of the site’s UI elements fade back into view. At the time I thought it was just one of Google’s many experiments that never get launched to the public, but it seems like they’re taking this one seriously: Google has just announced that they’re rolling out the fade-in design to everyone.

Google’s blog post details some of logic behind the decision to swap the design:

“For the vast majority of people who come to the Google homepage, they are coming in order to search, and this clean, minimalist approach gives them just what they are looking for first and foremost.”

More interesting is some of the data Google collected as it studied what impact this would have on users. Google writes that it tested out 10 different variations on the design, hiding different elements in each to see which performed best. Some of these included odd messages like “This space intentionally left blank”, which sort of killed the effect. Ultimately Google found that the optimal design actually slows users down at first. But as it turns out, they only get slower the first few times they see it — after getting used to it, users perform better than they used to.

At first, this worried us a bit: Google is all about getting you where you are going faster — how could we launch something that potentially slowed users down? Then, we realized: we want users to notice this change… and it does take time to notice something (though in this case, only milliseconds!). Our goal then became to understand whether or not over time the users began to use the homepage even more efficiently than the control group and, sure enough, that was the trend we observed.

Of course, the company hasn’t studied how much time will be lost as tech-savvy people have to field calls from their friends about how they accidentally “broke Google”.

Crunch Network: CrunchBoard because it’s time for you to find a new Job2.0

Source: TechCrunch | 2 Dec 2009 | 3:55 pm

Brain of Patient H.M. Being Sliced, Streamed Live

buswolley writes "The slicing of the brain of the famous amnesic patient H.M. into giant histological sections is now in full swing, and is being streamed live. The brain specimen is frozen and sectioned whole during one continuous session that is expected to last approximately 30 hours."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Source: Slashdot | 2 Dec 2009 | 3:53 pm

ReTel Technologies Raises $1 Million For Surveillance Video Analytics

TechStars startup ReTel Technologies just raised $1 million in seed funding from SoftTech VC, Hyde Park Angels, FF Angel, Maples Investments, eonBusiness and Zelkova Ventures. The funds will be used for product development and to expand ReTel’s engineering and sales teams.

ReTel’s flagship product, ConstantAudit, provides video surveillance analysis for stores and restaurants. The startup uses security camera feeds to deliver interesting metrics and data such as table cleanliness, service times, and employee activities. ReTel delivers human tested analytics using paid micro-tasks on services like Mechanical Turk to break down data from the videos. This enables the company to deliver sophisticated reports that include data points such as male vs. female ratios, instances of theft by employees, and other actions that only humans can get right.

Launched from TechStar’s 2009 class, ReTel has already signed on Shell Petroleum and Dunkin’ Donuts as customers. ReTel was also recently chosen as one of seven finalists out of hundreds of applicants for Amazon.com’s 2009 AWS Start-Up Challenge.

Crunch Network: CrunchGear drool over the sexiest new gadgets and hardware.

Source: TechCrunch | 2 Dec 2009 | 3:49 pm

Now you see it, now you don't

You may have noticed that our homepage is sporting a new look. Today we're excited to be releasing a new version of our classic homepage. The main feature of the new homepage is that it "fades in" — when the page first loads, it shows only our logo, the search box and the buttons. For the vast majority of people who come to the Google homepage, they are coming in order to search, and this clean, minimalist approach gives them just what they are looking for first and foremost. For those users who are interested in using a different application like Gmail, Google Image Search or our advertising programs, the additional links on the homepage only reveal themselves when the user moves the mouse. Since most users who are interested in clicking over to a different application generally do move the mouse when they arrive, the "fade in" is an elegant solution that provides options to those who want them, but removes distractions for the user intent on searching.


Source: The Official Google Blog | 2 Dec 2009 | 3:39 pm

Take the Mystery Out of Choosing an ISP

Internet access can be expensive, but it's essential. If you want the best service for the least cash, you'll have to shop around. Here are some tips for weeding through your various internet service provider options.

Source: Wired: Gadgets | 2 Dec 2009 | 3:30 pm

Reportlinker Adds Network Security - Trends & Opportunities Worldwide

NEW YORK, Dec.
Source: RedOrbit News - Technology | 2 Dec 2009 | 3:16 pm

Video: Sports Illustrated Makes a Play for a Tablet App

Wired’s parent company Conde Nast isn’t the only publisher taking touchscreen tablets seriously. Time Warner wants to get in on the game, too. The video above shows off its concept tablet treatment of Sports Illustrated, packed with interactive videos and graphics to create an addictive media experience. We’re impressed.

Meanwhile, while we’re still in iTablet fantasy land, Digg.com’s latest episode of Diggnation makes some allusions to Apple’s rumored touchscreen tablet. Co-host Alex Abrecht claims he has inside knowledge on the pricing: “I was shocked at how cheap the price point is going to be.” But he offers nothing more beyond that. See that video below.

See Also:

• Everything We Know About Apple's Touchscreen Tablet
• Video Demonstrates Wired's Concept iTablet App
• In-App Sales and iTablet: The Killer Combo to Save Publishing …
• How an Apple Tablet Could Pit iTunes Against Amazon.com
• Essay: Steve Jobs' Legacy Is Missing Clue to Apple Tablet …

Source: Wired: Gadget Lab | 2 Dec 2009 | 3:10 pm

Best PC DVR Software, For Any Platform?

jshamacher writes "I've used MythTV for several years (first on Slackware, now via Mythbuntu) and it's good. But not great — I have a list of annoyances as long as my arm. For example, even 0.22 still has problems playing many DVDs and I frequently have to fall back on Xine. Since upgrading to new hardware, I've had issues with sound dropping out; these problems only occur for Myth, not for anything else. So now I'm trying out alternatives. Freevo seemed promising when I tried it a few months ago but it had its own issues. I'm also increasingly getting pressure from my family to get things like NetFlix streaming working on this machine. This seems to imply migrating to a Windows-based solution. I threw XP on it and tried MediaPortal but could never get that to control my Motorola cable box via the IR blaster. So my questions to you: What DVR software do you use? Are you happy with it? What don't you like? Are there any packages out there that 'just work' as media hubs and for time-shifting cable TV?"

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Source: Slashdot | 2 Dec 2009 | 3:08 pm

IGT Names New Chief Legal Officer and Chief of Staff

RENO, Nev., Dec. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- International Game Technology (NYSE: IGT) has named Robert Melendres chief legal officer and corporate secretary, and Craig Billings chief of staff and head of corporate development.
Source: RedOrbit News - Technology | 2 Dec 2009 | 3:00 pm

Reportlinker Adds Picture Archiving & Communication Systems (PACS) - A Global Update of Market Trends & Opportunities

NEW YORK, Dec.
Source: RedOrbit News - Technology | 2 Dec 2009 | 2:48 pm

Reportlinker Adds Green Mobile Networks & Base Stations: Strategies, Scenarios & Forecasts 2009-2014

NEW YORK, Dec.
Source: RedOrbit News - Technology | 2 Dec 2009 | 2:44 pm

Intel Shows 48-Core x86 Processor

Vigile writes "Intel unveiled a completely new processor design today the company is dubbing the 'Single-chip Cloud Computer' (but was previously codenamed Bangalore). Justin Rattner, the company's CTO, discussed the new product at a press event in Santa Clara and revealed some interesting information about the goals and design of the new CPU. While terascale processing has been discussed for some time, this new CPU is the first to integrate full IA x86 cores rather than simple floating point units. The 48 cores are set 2 to a 'tile' and each tile communicates with others via a 2D mesh network capable of 256 GB/s rather than a large cache structure. "

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Source: Slashdot | 2 Dec 2009 | 2:26 pm

First Look: Accessory-Powered App Turns iPhone Into Universal Remote

Since March, Wired.com has had high hopes for what we call “dongleware” — iPhone apps that take advantage of special accessories (via Bluetooth or the USB dock connector). We even compiled a wish list for dongleware we’d like to see. One of those items was an accessory that would turn your iPhone into a universal remote to control your living room entertainment center. Imagine our delight when ThinkFlood told us that its iPhone app “RedEye” would do exactly that.

The free app communicates with a $190 base station that acts as an infrared blaster to control other infrared hardware. You plug in the base station, download and launch the iPhone app, sync the base station with your Wi-Fi network, and then you can start adding your living room devices. RedEye contains a database of different types of devices you can control, broken down by brand name. After you select the brand name and type of device, you can test remote codes until you get a working signal to choose and store.

The product is brand new, and understandably it’s a little rough around the edges. The RedEye database didn’t have remote codes for some of my living room gadgets: no code for my Panasonic HDTV and nada for my A/V receiver (an obscure Japanese brand, so I wasn’t surprised). But it did work with my Comcast cable box. Unfortunately even then, the interface was hardly convenient: It looked nothing like my physical Comcast remote; the cable box’s remote menu was a long list of numbers and buttons, so I would have to swipe all the way up just to tap “1,” for example, then swipe all the way down to tap “Enter.” It also lacked a Guide button to load the program directory.

But those are just my early impressions of RedEye, and consumers should keep this product on their radar. A project like this — creating a piece of hardware in addition to coding an innovative app — is an enormously challenging task. ThinkFlood’s founder Matthew Eagar said the RedEye database was light on receiver codes due to time constraints, but the company is working on putting together more. Keep in mind that because the hardware is already doing what it promises, all we have to wait for is the software to mature. Give RedEye some time to tweak its UI and add some more remote codes, and there’s potential for a hit product here. I would love to toss that ugly Comcast remote out the window, wouldn’t you?

See a video of RedEye in action above.

Product Page [ThinkFlood]

Source: Wired: Gadget Lab | 2 Dec 2009 | 2:24 pm

Rumor: PSPgo could be getting a UMD drive peripheral from Logitech

FROM GAMERTELL - A rumor floating around suggests that Logitech may be working on a UMD drive peripheral for the UMD-less PSPgo.
MORE »

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Source: Gadgetell | 2 Dec 2009 | 2:21 pm

Intel Shows 48-Core Processor for Research

Intel’s six- and eight-core processors are the fastest chips that consumers can get their hands on. But if you are among the research elite, the company has a new experimental chip that can offer nearly 20 times the computing power.

Intel showed an 48-core processor nicknamed the “single-chip cloud computer” that consumes about the same power as desktop processors available currently. The fully programmable 48 processing cores are the most Intel has ever had on a single silicon chip, says the company.

“This is a high core count processor that focuses on efficient energy consumption,” says Justin Rattner, chief technology officer of Intel. “It also maintains the compatibility and familiarity that people have with Intel architecture.”

The chip can operate on as little as 25 watts- or at 125 watts when running at maximum performance - same as the energy consumption of two household light bulbs, says Intel.

The 48-core processor, created using 45-nanometer technology, won’t be available in desktops for at least a few years. Instead, about 100 or more of the experimental chips will be provided for hands-on research in developing new software applications and programming models to select partners.

As chipmakers try to build more powerful processors, they have been packing more cores into a single chip. Last year, Intel showed a prototype of a 80-core processor. Earlier this year, Tilera, a startup spun out of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, promised a 100-core processor. The processor would be fabricated using 40-nanometer technology and available early next year, said Tilera.

Intel’s 48-core processor has some advantages over its rivals. It can run standard programs designed for Intel’s x86 architecture and developers can use the same kind of programming tools that they use for processors with fewer cores available currently. Compare to high-performance GPU computing arrays that require programmers to learn new techniques and development environments.

“This is an array of general purpose cores, which is quite a bit different from how the GPU guys do it,” says Rattner. “Our 48-core processor will run standard software.”

See Also:

• New Processor Will Feature 100 Cores
• 64 Core Chips Already Here: $435
• Why You’re Not Getting Your Money’s Worth Out of That New CPU
• Intel Defends Practicality of 80-Core Chip

Photo: Intel’s 48-core processor/Intel

Source: Wired: Gadget Lab | 2 Dec 2009 | 2:13 pm

Intel Shows 48-Core Processor for Research

Nicknamed the "single-chip cloud computer," the processor consumes about the same power as two standard household bulbs.

Source: Wired: Gadgets | 2 Dec 2009 | 2:13 pm

Aehr Test Systems Announces FOX(TM)-1 System Upgrade Orders

FREMONT, Calif., Dec.
Source: RedOrbit News - Technology | 2 Dec 2009 | 2:05 pm

New Nimbuzz app runs natively on BlackBerry phones

Mobile communication startup Nimbuzz has just made the first native application for BlackBerry smartphones that allows for multi-network chat sessions available in Research In Motion's App World store (get it here). The native functionality allows the free app to run in the background without interruption, have alert notifications ‘pushed’ to the BlackBerry device's home screen and match notifications with the phone's sound profiles. The program is first-generation, and Nimbuzz promises more features are forthcoming.

Source: MobileCrunch | 2 Dec 2009 | 2:03 pm

Beach vs. Beachfront Property: A Showdown in Florida

An interesting case came before the U.S. Supreme Court today: Stop the Beach Renourishment v. Florida. It may sound more like a trendy diet than a case for the nation's highest court, but the issue at stake is a serious ...
Source: Discovery News - Top Stories | 2 Dec 2009 | 1:49 pm

Man Looks for Aliens, Loses Job

A basic human desire is to look for life beyond Planet Earth. We look at the stars wondering if a tentacled creature is gazing back at us and we ponder if life on Earth was spawned by alien bacteria hitching ...
Source: Discovery News - Top Stories | 2 Dec 2009 | 1:46 pm

Scintera Appoints Rajeev Krishnamoorthy as Chief Technology Officer

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Dec.
Source: RedOrbit News - Technology | 2 Dec 2009 | 1:45 pm

SETI@Home Install Leads To School Tech Supervisor's Resignation

An anonymous reader writes "Apparently the most prolific of users in the SETI@Home community has resigned his job as a school technology supervisor after it was revealed he had the software installed on some 5000 school machines. The school claims to have lost $1 million in upkeep on the affected machines."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Source: Slashdot | 2 Dec 2009 | 1:40 pm

Slamdot Opens First-Ever Website Retail Store: The Slamdot Store

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Dec.
Source: RedOrbit News - Technology | 2 Dec 2009 | 1:33 pm

Synopsys Posts Financial Results for Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2009

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Dec. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Synopsys, Inc.
Source: RedOrbit News - Technology | 2 Dec 2009 | 1:15 pm

New Stem Cell Lines Open Up Research

Having a variety of stem cell lines available could help researchers treat a variety of diseases and conditions.
Source: Discovery News - Top Stories | 2 Dec 2009 | 1:15 pm

Apple’s Battle With Psystar Far From Over

In a partial settlement, Florida startup Psystar has agreed to stop selling Mac clones and pay about $2.7 million to Apple. But the fight is far from over, and Apple won’t see a dime for some time to come.

Apple won’t be able to collect until the appeals run is complete, and sometimes this process can take years. Psystar has said it will appeal to Judge William Alsup’s ruling, which found Psystar guilty of violating Apple’s copyrights.

“We think that Judge Alsup got it wrong,” said Psystar’s chief attorney K.A.D. Camera, in an interview with ComputerWorld late Tuesday. “The effect [of the settlement] is to allow the case to be heard by the Ninth Circuit,” he continued, characterizing the settlement as “extremely favorable” to Psystar.

In addition, Psystar argued to exclude Rebel EFI, a $50 piece of software that the company started selling in October, from any potential injunction. Rebel EFI is downloadable software that enables owners of some Intel PCs to install Mac OS X onto their systems. If Alsup were to allow Psystar to continue selling Rebel EFI, Psystar could simply sell generic PCs and bundle them with Rebel EFI — thus, keep selling Mac clones.

These types of workarounds, however, don’t often work.

“I seriously doubt the court will see any difference between what Psystar has just agreed it did and what it proposes to do in the future with Rebel EFI,” wrote legal blog Groklaw. “Note that this is a contract issue, not a copyright infringement issue. I don’t understand Psystar arguing that there is no DMCA violation if there is an equally untenable contract breach still on the table.”

Also, even though providing a DIY solution would be shifting responsibility onto consumers, it could still be considered contributory infringement, intellectual property lawyer Carole Handler told Wired.com.

“Making the user instead of the company the perpetrator of any violation will not avoid the issue of a new company’s contributory infringement and/or vicarious liability for what it facilitates and enables the user to undertake,” Handler said in an earlier e-mail interview. “This kind of workaround is not a bar to Apple bringing contributory infringement or vicarious liability claims.”

Though Apple and Psystar have agreed to a settlement, it’s still too early to tell what sort of legal precedent this case will set since we await the outcome of the appeals process.

See Also:

• Apple, Mac Cloner Agree to Settle Lawsuit; Psystar Still Kicking …
• Mac Cloner Psystar Guilty of Violating Apple’s Copyright
• Mac Cloner Psystar Sold Fewer Than 1000 Hackintoshes
• Mac Copycat Psystar Gets Ammo to Countersue Apple

Photo: Psystar

Source: Wired: Gadget Lab | 2 Dec 2009 | 1:09 pm

Appletell reviews the Saddleback Leather Laptop Case

FROM APPLETELL - You’re paying for leather. Let’s get that clear straight away. Mind you, it’s quality leather. 100% waterproof full grain boot leather, but is that worth $265?
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Source: Gadgetell | 2 Dec 2009 | 1:06 pm

Don't Phone E.T., Just Send a Text Message

Though astronomers have been listening for radio transmissions from extraterrestrial civilizations for 50 years, there have been just a few attempts at transmitting a message to any inquiring alien minds that might dwell among the stars. The most widely popularized ...
Source: Discovery News - Top Stories | 2 Dec 2009 | 12:39 pm

Sharks Can Be Identified By Their Bite Marks on Victims

Humans have the upper hand over sharks now, with millions of sharks killed each year, often just to become a pricey soup ingredient. You can read about the latest findings concerning shark finning at Discovery News. But it's also fair ...
Source: Discovery News - Top Stories | 2 Dec 2009 | 12:16 pm

Spread some holiday cheer, one card at a time

(Cross-posted from the Gmail Blog)

Every year around this time I start thinking about the annual holiday email I send to friends and family members. I usually email my mom, dad, sister, friends and co-workers. But the one person who appreciates my season's greetings the most — my grandma — is stuck in the pre-digital age of snail-mail. Of course, I could go to a store, aimlessly wander through the aisles, choose a card, wait in line to pay for it, go to the post office, pick up some stamps, etc., etc. — but wouldn't it be so much easier just to fill out a form and have Gmail handle the rest?

This holiday season, as a token of our appreciation to our most enthusiastic fans, we'll snail-mail a free holiday postcard on your behalf. Yes, through the mail and everything.


To send a card, visit gmail.com/holidaycard. We'll only be able to send cards to U.S. addresses and to a limited number of people (due to limited Gmail elf availability), so be sure to request one soon.

And if you're headed home for the holidays, consider spending some "computer time" with loved ones who aren't as up-to-date with technology. With some luck, maybe this time next year you'll be able to email them a holiday card instead!

Wishing a happy holiday to you and yours!

Posted by Jason Toff, Associate Product Marketing Manager

Source: The Official Google Blog | 2 Dec 2009 | 12:13 pm

Vodka Pill Good for What Ails You

Like many health-conscious Americans, I take a multi-vitamin every day to supplement my diet. Now, it appears that a new pill could help to supplement my drinking. The Times of India reports: Russian professor Evgeny Moskalev of Saint Petersburg Technological ...
Source: Discovery News - Top Stories | 2 Dec 2009 | 12:09 pm

Smart Alarm wakes you up early when the weather turns bad

I don’t often find myself writing about new Alarm apps here on MobileCrunch, primarily because there are roughly 9 billion of them. This one is too clever to not mention, though.

There’s nothing quite like waking up in the morning 20 minutes before you’ve gotta be at work, only to walk outside and find your car buried in a 2 feet of snow. Actually, I have no idea what that’s like – I’ve lived in California all my life, where the worst thing I have to worry about is whether or not my steering wheel is going to be hot when I get in the car. But I presume finding your car stuck in the snow is pretty terrible.

Smart Alarm adjusts your wake up schedule for this, along with other unfortunate bouts of weather. You set the time that you’d like to wake up at, and it starts polling the local weather services. If it finds that you’re about to get shafted by a barometric shift, it’ll wake you up early to try to compensate.

The app is $1.99 in the App Store, which is a whole lot cheaper than getting fired for being late 5 times in one week.

Crunch Network: CrunchBoard because it’s time for you to find a new Job2.0

Source: MobileCrunch | 2 Dec 2009 | 12:08 pm

Migratory Fish in Peril

Discovery News reporter Michael Reilly recently blogged about the sad state of the bluefin tuna. And now there's a new study that indicates it's not just large, predatory fish like bluefin and shark that are suffering. A Dec. 1 article ...
Source: Discovery News - Top Stories | 2 Dec 2009 | 11:56 am

Take Better Cameraphone Pictures

Your cameraphone doesn't take a half-bad photo if you know what you're doing. No wonder it has replaced the point-and-shoot in terms of popularity. What it hasn't replaced is a real camera's quality. Here's our guide to getting the most out of your phone's camera.

Source: Wired: Gadgets | 2 Dec 2009 | 11:55 am

LG and AT&T unveil the LG eXpo, sporting a 1GHz Qualcomm processor

Section: Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers, Smartphones, Mobile

LG along with AT&T have both quietly and recently unveiled the LG GW820 eXpo. Feature wise, the GW820 is a slider style handset offering a full QWERTY keyboard along side a 3.2-inch display that is touting an 800 x 480 screen resolution. Additionally, the GW820 is running Windows Mobile 6.5 and is powered by a 1GHz Qualcomm processor. Other features include a built-in fingerprint sensor, 5-megapixel camera, Wi-Fi, HSDPA 7.2, GPS, Bluetooth, an accelerometer, proximity sensor, FM radio and a 1500 mAh battery.

As far as when and where the GW820 will be available, we can expect it to land with AT&T sometime in the “coming weeks” at which time it will be $179.99 on contract. Of course, according to the rumor mill, the release date is December 7, 2009. Finally, just in case there was going to be anyone that decides to hold tight on a purchase and wait for this release—it looks like it will be first available only in the business channel. In other words, regular consumers are going to have to wait just a little bit longer.

Read [LG] Via [PC Mag] and [BGR]

Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

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Source: Gadgetell | 2 Dec 2009 | 11:52 am

Video: Wii Remote controls MAME on iPhone, our collective heart skips a beat

A few weeks back, the Internet saw its first proof-of-concept video of an iPhone interacting with a Wii remote over Bluetooth. This was part of the “BTStack” project, which is aiming to add a bunch of Bluetooth protocols to the iPhone that it doesn’t otherwise support. Once in place, however, its the homebrew developer’s job to make use of the new functionality – and make use of it they have. They very much have.

ZodTTD, known for his work amongst the jailbreaking community, has modified his “mame4iPhone” application to play friendly with BTStack, which in turn enabled support for the Wii remote. ZodTTD bought the Wii remote the same day he had it hacked and playing with MAME, so poking fun at him for holding it in a less-than-comfortable way isn’t allowed.

Here’s to hoping ZodTTD releases this version of mame4iPhone (and, hopefully, a similarly hacked version of snes4iPhone) sooner than later.

Crunch Network: TechCrunch obsessively profiling and reviewing new Internet products and companies

Source: MobileCrunch | 2 Dec 2009 | 11:40 am

Poison Planned to Repel Asian Carp Invasion

Gluttonous Asian carp in the Great Lakes could starve out other species.
Source: Discovery News - Top Stories | 2 Dec 2009 | 11:25 am

Tiger Woods: Will Golf for Wildlife Conservation

Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that golfer Tiger Woods is in the proverbial doghouse now for admitted "transgressions." Earlier this year, The Tiger Woods Foundation released the below family portrait. The photo shows, from left to ...
Source: Discovery News - Top Stories | 2 Dec 2009 | 11:19 am

Palm Pixi gets an upgrade to WebOS 1.3.2, fixes “Security Issues”

Just a few weeks after launch, it looks like the Pixi is already hoggin’ all the update-love. Early today, Palm pushed WebOS 1.3.2 out to Pixi owners, leaving Pre owners wondering when they’d get theirs.

Palm’s not making a big fuss about this update, but we managed to dig up the patch notes and find out what was goin’ on.

No new features, and no mentions of any specific bugs outside of a minor one with wired headsets – but there is one big blanket statement: “this release addresses several security issues with Palm WebOS Software”.

Security issues? Sounds like something Pre owners will probably want patched, stat. Palm gives credit for the security find to someone named “Chris Clark”, who, interestingly enough, has popped up a couple other times in Palm patch notes. Time to give the guy a job, Palm.

[Via PreCentral]

Version information

* Version: webOS 1.3.2
* Release date: 01 December 2009

New applications

NONE
Feature changes to existing applications
Phone

* Answering or hanging up calls using a wired headset button now works more reliably.

Security

This release addresses several security issues with Palm webOS software.

We would like to thank Chris Clark for his help in identifying some of the issues addressed in this release.

Individuals interested in contacting Palm to report suspected security issues can find more information at palm.com/security .

Crunch Network: CrunchBase the free database of technology companies, people, and investors

Source: MobileCrunch | 2 Dec 2009 | 11:14 am

Verizon iPhone ‘Unlikely’ in 2010, Says Analyst

Despite increasing speculation that Apple will share its iPhone with Verizon in 2010, an analyst believes the partnership would be too complicated to become a reality so soon.

In a note to investors Wednesday, Kaufman Bros. analyst Shaw Wu said Apple and Verizon have similarities that would raise conflicts. Both companies built their success around “customer control,” Wu said.

“Apple runs its own App Store and VZ has aspirations to do so,” Wu said. “Apple controls the media experience with iTunes and VZ with its V CAST service.”

Wu added that Apple gets “very favorable economics” by working with AT&T: He estimates the average selling price for the iPhone through AT&T is roughly $700. By way of comparison, Research In Motion, Verizon’s largest handset supplier, has an average selling price of $340, he said.

Given all these reasons, Wu said a deal between Verizon and Apple would likely take longer than many currently expect. He said it would be more realistic for Apple to make deals with T-Mobile or Sprint before Verizon.

A more realistic ETA for a Verizon iPhone? No sooner than 2012, when networks roll out the next-generation 4G network, Wu said.

“While we believe VZ is likely inevitable at some point when 4G technology rolls out in 2012 or so, we believe Sprint and/or T-Mobile are more willing partners for Apple in helping maintain margins and customer controls,” he said. “From a technology perspective, we believe T-Mobile may have an advantage with a similar 3G UMTS/WCDMA network as AT&T.”

Conflicting reports in recent months have cited analysts claiming a Verizon iPhone is due for launch next year and is already being tested, while others, like Wu, say it’s unlikely.

Given the scarce amount of evidence that a Verizon iPhone is in the works, we’re leaning toward agreeing with Wu. Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg told The Wall Street Journal earlier this year that Apple would be more likely to share the iPhone with Verizon once 4G networks were implemented. Verizon will begin deploying its 4G network in 2010. The cellular standard is also called Long Term Evolution (LTE), which many domestic and international carriers plan to use for their next-generation networks as well. For Apple, that should mean more potential iPhone customers and fewer troubles in terms of hardware production.

Though Verizon has said it would begin deploying its 4G in 2010, it would be naive to expect the network to be up and running immediately. Cellular networks take several years to install and optimize; even 3G networks in the United States are far from mature. Therefore, Wu’s estimate of 2012 is reasonable albeit conservative.

Update: Interpret analyst Michael Gartenberg points out to me via Twitter that Wu’s argument is slightly flawed: Verizon doesn’t run the Android Market app store on the Droid, so why would Verizon have a problem with Apple’s App Store? However, Wu is correct that Verizon enjoys an element of customer control, and the company would likely wish to control some aspects of the iPhone OS — which Apple would not allow. Still, Gartenberg and I agree that a Verizon iPhone in 2010 is unlikely for various reasons. The point about 4G not being ready by 2010 is valid.

Via AppleInsider

See Also:

• Verizon iPhone? Don’t Hold Your Breath
• Verizon iPhone Could Arrive Next Year After All
• Verizon iPhone Could be Here Next Year
• Verizon Attacks the iPhone, Hints at Upcoming Droid

Photo: Mac Users Guide/Flickr

Source: Wired: Gadget Lab | 2 Dec 2009 | 11:06 am

AT&T won’t sell iPhone online to New Yorkers

Section: Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers, Smartphones, Mobile

Here’s an interesting quirk, try to look up AT&T’s iPhone on their website and enter a New York City zip code.  What you’ll find, or rather won’t find, are no iPhones.  No 3GS, no 3G, no refurb’d versions.  Nada.  Plug in a zip code from San Fransico, Chicago, Houston and you’ll find plenty of iPhone choices, but none for NYC.  The reason might surprise you.

The city is full of thieves, or so AT&T would have you believe.  According to AT&T,

” Due to increased fraudulent activity, the Apple iPhone may not be available to purchase online in certain ZIP codes.”

New York City should be ashamed of itself. 

Maybe it’s got something to do with the poor service in the city?  Regardless of the service, potential iPhone customers in New York will have to slog to an AT&T store or an Apple store to bag their prize.

I was unable to find another zip code that prevented iPhone purchases online.  Anyone have better luck than I?

Company site: [AT&T]

Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

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Source: Gadgetell | 2 Dec 2009 | 10:39 am

Google adds better Google Voice support in latest Gizmo5 update

Section: Communications, VoIP, Mobile, Web, Google

It appears as if Google has been working on merging, or at least integrating their recent purchase of Gizmo5 with Google Voice. A new update is available for those that have the Gizmo5 app installed on their computer that will bring the version up to Gizmo5 4.0 v 269. According to the details, the update offers various bug fixes, improved stability and improved support for Google Voice. Of course that last one being the most interesting, but personally I had expected to see support or features added to Google Voice before any updates to Gizmo5. But it looks like we are going to have to wait a little longer for that to happen. Either way though, its nice to see that Gizmo5 has not fallen to the side since the purchase.

Via [Gizmodo]

Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

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Source: Gadgetell | 2 Dec 2009 | 10:05 am

Carbon Fiber iWallet Is a Biometric Pocket Safe

When Steve Cabouli had his wallet stolen in an airport a few years back, he didn’t just get mad. He fired up Google and searched the internet high and low for a “hi-tech wallet”. After failing to find one, he decided to make one. So was born the iWallet.

The iWallet is a kevlar and carbon fiber box with a fingerprint-reading lock, so, like Judge Dredd’s Lawgiver gun, it can only be used by its owner (unlike the Lawgiver, the iWallet doesn’t blow off the hands of a would-be-thief). It also has Bluetooth inside, and if the “wallet” wanders too far from your compatible cellphone (BlackBerry) then an alarm will sound.

But what if the battery runs out? Sadly, there is no mention. What if a thief manages to make off with your valuables, perhaps because you have the wrong kind of cellphone? You are, of course, out of luck: The iWallet might be “tamper resistant”, but once the thief has your iWallet in his home or thieve’s den, a screwdriver should make swift work of prizing it open.

Better is the final feature, a feature that means that you won’t need to wait for a pickpocket in order to lose your money. That “feature” is the price, a wallet-emptying $600 (or a mere $300 for the fiberglass version).

We shall leave you with the promo video, so fantastically cheesy and full of hammy acting that it could easily pass as a croque monsieur. Available December 11th.

iWallet Product page [iWallet]

Source: Wired: Gadget Lab | 2 Dec 2009 | 8:50 am

Comcast gives users tool to watch internet usage

Section: Communications, Broadband Cards, Web, Downloads

While most of us freaked when Comcast put limits on just how much data users can download, the company is stepping up to the plate offering a tool that monitors data usage for all your home gadgets.  The 250GB cap, imposed last year, can be almost impossible to guesstimate, leaving users in the dark fearing a bill with overages.  The new meter will be rolled out to one test market before launching nationally.  Do you know how much data you use?

The lucky folks in Portland, Oregon will be first to access the meter as part of comcast.com.  The meter will analyze three months of data usage and refreshes every three hours.  The meter will measure all data used by any gadget in your home, from TiVo to iPod touch to Chumby to well, you get the idea.  These gadgets have to be getting you close to the cap right?

According to Comcast, “the median usage for Comcast’s customers is about 2 to 4 GB per month,” leaving a lot of headroom under the 250GB cap.  For the 1% that fear the cap, this meter should help.

Read [Comcast]

 

Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

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Source: Gadgetell | 2 Dec 2009 | 8:50 am

Why Privacy Concerns are Ruining Facebook - PC World

guardian.co.uk

Why Privacy Concerns are Ruining Facebook PC World Facebook was built as a powerful social connector, allowing users to befriend others with similar interests, locations, schools, and more. But as privacy concerns mount and users demand more protection, the social networking site's philosophy has ... Facebook Promises More Privacy Controls, But Users Want MoreChannelWeb Mark Zuckerberg's grand missive: The translationCNET News Facebook Hones Privacy Settings, Scraps Regional NetworksTechNewsWorld ABC News -New York Times -The Faster Times all 275 news articles »

Source: Sci/Tech - Google News | 2 Dec 2009 | 8:32 am

Facebook flies past 350 million users

Section: Web, Web 2.0 / Social Networking

Last night Facebook hit the 350 million users milestone. That is the equivalent of every single person in the United States owning a Facebook account and then roughly 40 million people elsewhere. To celebrate, Zuckerburg did two things:

1. He posted an open letter on every user’s homepage stating how thankful he is for the support of Facebook over the years.
2. He updated the privacy policy.

This update will remove the regional networks feature of Facebook. You know, the cities, states, or countries that you would join so that everyone in them could see your data. This update has been a long time coming as the main issue surrounding Facebook is the privacy of its users.

The new privacy plan of Facebook will also dumb things down (for the better) for the users. After implemented, users will select whether they want friends, friends of friends, or everyone to see their profile.

The new update is supposed to hit within the next couple of weeks and will require that all users of Facebook to update their privacy status to fit the new model.

Full Story » | Written by Hunter Clarke for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

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Source: Gadgetell | 2 Dec 2009 | 7:49 am

Phone-O-Matic Puts DSLR Lens on iPhone

Bhautik Joshi is the curious type, and likes to learn by doing. So when he started to wonder if he could hook up an SLR lens to an iPhone, the obvious thing to do was to try it. The resulting behemoth is the Phone-O-Scope, a monstrous mingling of an iPhone, a Canon lens and a sprinkling of plumbing supplies.

Joshi started off with the “optical coupler”, the device to get the light from one place to another. In this case the coupler was a trio of lenses from an old CD player, stuck together with putty and wrapped in paper to make cylinder. This unit works as a nice macro lens, but for the Phone-O-Matic it is there to bend the light from the back of the SLR lens into a shape more acceptable to the tiny iPhone camera.

After some measuring (using cardboard tubes and rubber bands), Joshi made a proper tube from PVC pipe couplings (threaded, to allow for focus adjustment), a rear lens-cap and a cheap iPhone case. The lens unit was secured to the case in the old fashioned way: a handful of duct-tape.

The Phone-O-Matic isn’t going to turn your iPhone into a DSLR, but the results are great — more Holga than Canon 5D MkII, although as Joshi points out, this is most likely the result of using CD player lenses. It’s also rather impractical — if you have space for this getup in your bag, you have space for a real camera. Still, that’s not the point. The point was to see if it could be done, and it can.

captin nod: The Phone-O-Scope: Attaching SLR lenses to an iPhone

“>The Phone-O-Scope: Attaching SLR lenses to an iPhone [Cow Mooh. Thanks, Bhautik!]

Source: Wired: Gadget Lab | 2 Dec 2009 | 7:37 am

Domino Dropping Truck Gets Ready to Tumble

Domino runs are fun and all, but they’re a real pain to set up. Hours or days are spent lining up the little plastic bricks, painstaking work which is all over in a few seconds, an orgasmic explosion of tumbling tiles. It is spectacular, but somehow leaves you with an empty feeling inside.

What if there were a way to make setting it up as much fun as knocking it down? Unless you are on a very slow connection, you will have seen the picture above and now be way ahead of me. The Auto Domino Building Truck is a toy truck which drops dominos out of its rear end, lining them up in neat rows, ready to tumble.

200 dominoes sit in a rather long and top-heavy hopper. As the AA batteries power the lorry forward, it lays the bricks one by one, tick-tack, onto the floor behind it. You can choose a straight line (boring) or a curve by locking in the truck’s steering. I like to imagine toppling the first domino when the little truck is only half-way through its job and then watching as it panics, trying to outrun the cascade as it inevitably rushes forward, one tiny falling tombstone at a time.

As it says on the vehicle’s side: Action domino wonderful! $25.

Product page [Brando via BBG]

Source: Wired: Gadget Lab | 2 Dec 2009 | 6:09 am

Cormac McCarthy’s Typewriter Dies After 50 Years and 5 Million Words

Cormac McCarthy, author of cheery favorites such as The Road and Blood Meridian, is about to trade in the typewriter he used to write them. The Olivetti Lettera 32 has been in his care for 46 years, since 1963, and it wasn’t even new then — McCarthy picked it up for $50 from a pawn shop in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Lately, though, the machine has started to falter, and McCarthy is looking to upgrade. It’s no surprise. The author reckons he has put around 5 million words on its clock, and maintenance consisted of “blowing out the dust with a service station hose.” The typewriter will be auctioned this Friday, and the auction house Christie’s estimates it will fetch between $15,000 and $20,000.

McCarthy already has his new writing machine. Can you guess what it might be? A new MacBook Pro, perhaps, or maybe a nice, easy-to-carry netbook (the Olivetti is a portable model)? As you probably figured, McCarthy isn’t one for such modern frivolities. The Olivetti’s replacement is another Olivetti, bought by McCarthy’s friend John Miller for $11.

No Country for Old Typewriters: A Well-Used One Heads to Auction
[NYT]

Source: Wired: Gadget Lab | 2 Dec 2009 | 5:51 am

Vanilla Trike, The Best Kids’ Toy Ever

The Vanilla Trike, from Vanilla Bicycles in (where else?) Portland, Oregon, manages to be both hugely impractical and utterly enticing, all at the same time.

The tricycle was custom built by bike maker Sacha White for his daughter, and is not for sale (estimates say that, if it was liquidated, it would go for around $10,000). Despite the fact that you’d get about 20 feet on this thing before giving up in frustration, it doesn’t skimp on the components. The Brooks leather saddle sits on a cro-moly frame and the front end and forks are fashioned from stainless steel. The headset comes from the legendary Campagnolo and the front hub and rear wheels are from Phil Wood, who arguably makes the best hubs and bottom brackets you can buy.

The back tires are, amusingly, meant for a wheelbarrow, and the whole thing is absolutely gorgeous. If I had kids (and if I slept on a mattress stuffed with cash), I’d commission one of these. I wouldn’t let them ride it of course, but they could maybe touch it once in a while. This build isn’t new — it was first shown way back in 2006 at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show, but something this hot never gets old.

Vanilla Trike [Siam Fixed via Corpus Fixie]

Vanilla gallery [Vanilla Bikes]

Bike Journal [Vanilla blog]

Source: Wired: Gadget Lab | 2 Dec 2009 | 5:15 am

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