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Facebook apps to need permission before using profile data - TG Daily
Source: Sci/Tech - Google News | 1 Jul 2010 | 4:09 am Microsoft pulls plug on Kin phone - BBC News
Source: Sci/Tech - Google News | 1 Jul 2010 | 4:00 am Opera 10.60 Already Out Of Beta, Promises Speedier Web Browsing From The Desktop
A mere two weeks after releasing the beta version, Opera Software has just announced that Opera 10.60 is now available in its final iteration. The desktop browser client, as mentioned in our earlier post, comes with geolocation (see an interactive map with downloads of the Opera browser in real time here), a fresh UI, WebM support for HTML5 video and speed improvements. In fact, with the final version of Opera 10.60, the browser scores more than 50 percent faster than its predecessor, the company claims. This should translate into a faster browsing experience for users on JavaScript-heavy sites like Gmail and Facebook, so it shouldn’t be too hard to do some rudimentary speed testing to see how it stacks up against the likes of Chrome, Firefox and IE. Give it a whirl and tell us what you think.
     
Source: TechCrunch | 1 Jul 2010 | 3:38 am “Whale Eating” Whale Fossil Discovered in Peru - Right Juris
Source: Sci/Tech - Google News | 1 Jul 2010 | 3:29 am Three-dimensional skull-cakeA reader writes, "For this year's Threadcakes cake contest, baker Chloe Bird rolled her own custom silicone skull mold and used it for a 3-dimensional skull cake." I got an anatomical model of a human...Source: RSS feed - channel BNBlogTech | 1 Jul 2010 | 3:17 am Three-dimensional skull-cake A reader writes, "For this year's Threadcakes cake contest, baker Chloe Bird rolled her own custom silicone skull mold and used it for a 3-dimensional skull cake." I got an anatomical model of a human skull and a whole load of food grade silicone. After putty-ing up the fiddly details and finding suitable containers for the skull and jaw I poured the silicone around them and left it for 48 hours to set. After de-molding the originals I trimmed the molds down to make them more flexible. I cast the jaw and face out of milk chocolate and used dental tools to carve some of the detail back in.Bitter Teeth by Chloe Bird  Source: Boing Boing | 1 Jul 2010 | 3:17 am Yahoo Debuts New Mail And Messenger Apps For Android, HTML5 Sites For iPhone
Arguably a little late to the party, Yahoo! today announced the release of their very first Android apps for Messenger and Mail, a Yahoo! search widget for your home screen and some HTML5-optimized sites for the iPhone.
The Messenger app does pretty much what you'd expect: it allows you to chat with your Yahoo!/MSN friends, and can run in the background (with push notifications) for that always-on availability. If you live in Canada, Indonesia, India, Kuwait, Malaysia, Philippines, Pakistan, Thailand, United States, or Vietnam, you can also use the app to send SMS to friends, which will appear in the current conversation.
Source: TechCrunch | 1 Jul 2010 | 3:11 am Fix iPhone 4 Reception Troubles for $1
With its weird reception troubles that seem to be triggered just by touching it, the iPhone 4 is like Cameron’s dad’s Ferrari in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off: “It could get wrecked, stolen, scratched, breathed on wrong… a pigeon could shit on it! Who knows?” The best solution so far seems to be Apple’s Bumper case, a $30 strip of rubber that wraps around the steel antenna band and stops your clammy hands from sucking out the signal. But it’s $30. Because of this, Oliver Nelson decided to make his own Bumper from one of those cheap rubber bracelets found pretty much everywhere, or by donating to a charity. The case is as simple as it could be. Just find yourself a bracelet (look for one measuring “about 1.125-inches long and about 0.125-inches wide”) and stretch it around the outside of the phone. Oliver also made a few cut-outs so he could reach the headphone jack, the dock connector and the mute-button. Done, and you just saved yourself around $29. In fact, Oliver saved himself the full $30: his bracelet came free, bundled, somewhat ironically, with an iPad charger. Still, even if you pay full-price, its likely that the money will be going to a good cause, and not into Apple’s pockets. DIY: Ghetto iPhone 4 case from a 99c bracelet? [The iPhone Guru] See Also:
Source: Wired: Gadget Lab | 1 Jul 2010 | 3:08 am Google To Add Pay To Cover a Tax For GaysGrApHiX42 writes "Starting on Thursday, Google is going to increase the salaries of gay and lesbian employees whose partners receive domestic partner health benefits, largely to compensate them for an extra tax they must pay that heterosexual married couples do not. Google is not the first company to make up for the extra tax. At least a few large employers already do. But benefits experts say Google's move could inspire its Silicon Valley competitors to follow suit, because they compete for the same talent."
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Source: Slashdot | 1 Jul 2010 | 3:00 am How Samasource Helps The World, And A Secret Tattoo Unveiled (Video)
The tasks are generally more complicated than Mechanical Turk stuff, and the company pays a minimum of $1/hour to workers who were previously living on less than $3/day. Some workers, who build up to more complex tasks, make as much as $10/hour. And what’s more important is that these workers develop a long term relationship with Samasource. They work via local companies that organize and hire the workers and do quality control, and that model seems to work. Today the company has 800 workers in various countries and wants to scale that up significantly. CEO Leila Janah says there is an infinite amount of labor available at a few dollars per hour, and that these jobs make a huge difference in the lives of the workers. There are 4 billion people living on less than $3/day, she says, and $1.4 billion living on less than $1/day. They are building slowly because they don’t want to lay people off if there’s no work, so part of their job is to find long term customers with a steady work flow. They recently signed a $450,000 contract with a new customer that will allow them to hire another 200 or so workers, for example. To date Samasource has made $1.2 million in gross revenue, and all but 15% or so of that was distributed to workers. Samasource is, like Kiva, a non profit organization. What this company really needs is to get a large government or other grant to try to scale their work. A large part of Janah’s time seems to be spent on chasing that money, and a few million dollars as a grant would go a long way to providing thousands of people with work. Or, Samasource could turn into a for-profit entity and raise more traditional venture capital for growth. But that would limit a lot of the goodwill the entity now receives as a full fledged non profit. We discuss all of that in our interview. And we also discover that Janah believes in her company so much that she had it tattooed onto her wrist. I actually didn’t know much about Samasource before meeting Leila last weekend at Foo Camp. But we’re already likely to become customers – we have a huge need for data massaging on Crunchbase as well as transcriptions for TechCrunchTV. The interview is below (the tattoo is at the end, if that’s all you want to see):      
Source: TechCrunch | 1 Jul 2010 | 2:53 am New, Black Kindle DX Now $380
The Kindle DX was clearly growing to be a white elephant. It was versized for most purposes, and overpriced for all at $490: for just $10 more you can buy an iPad. And the iPad clearly echoes throughout the product pages for the new DX. Take these rather defensive examples:
The new DX also gets the recent software update applied to other Kindles, bringing PDF pan and zoom, new fonts, collections and the possibly lame social features, which let you share passages and Tweet from the Kindle. Web browsing, though, remains in the “experimental” category. This new Kindle and the price drop for the smaller Kindle are making these e-readers where they should be: cheap, one-trick devices that make their money from book sales. I loved my old Kindle until the screen died, and e-readers, with their light-friendly screens, are a lot better for reading books than an iPad or cellphone. That also do a hell of a lot less, so they need to be cheap. Good work, Amazon. Say Hello to the Newest Kindle DX [Amazon] See Also:
Source: Wired: Gadget Lab | 1 Jul 2010 | 2:44 am Google says China partially blocks search service (AP)
Source: Yahoo! News: Technology News | 1 Jul 2010 | 2:23 am The Kindle DX, Now In Black — Like That Other Device We Shall Not Name
The Kindle DX is particularly interesting because of its 9.7 inch screen — the exact same size as the screen on the iPad. And now, with the new black trim around the screen, the Kindle DX looks more like an iPad. Of course, the key difference is that the iPad’s screen is both in full color, and it’s a touchscreen — the Kindle DX still has neither of those features. What it does have, is a more attractive price: it’s now $379. The price cut is also interesting. Previously, the Kindle DX was $489, which is only $10 cheaper than the cheapest version of the iPad. Undoubtedly, that was a very hard sell for Amazon to make. It’s still going to be a hard sell, but Amazon is pushing hard for the reading crowd with 50 percent better contrast and darker fonts on its e-ink screen. Not surprisingly, Amazon is also playing up the Kindle’s access to a huge digital library — one larger than the one the iPad has access to. Amazon says that over 200,000 titles have been added to the store in just the past six month (in other words, since the iPad was announced). And they now have over 620,000 books in the store to buy — on top of 1.8 million free, out-of-print books. It’s still not clear why anyone would get a Kindle DX when they can get the iPad for a little bit more — or a regular Kindle for much less. But it’s clear that Amazon it willing to try different things to see what, if anything works. The Kindle DX is available for pre-order now. It ships July 7.      
Source: TechCrunch | 1 Jul 2010 | 2:23 am NEWSMAKER-Akula shines light on India microlending in SKS IPOMUMBAI, July 1 (Reuters) - As a controversial $250-$350 million IPO draws nearer, Vikram Akula, founder of India's largest microlender, SKS Microfinance, crunches numbers.Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsTech | 1 Jul 2010 | 2:22 am Firefox Home, the browser that isn’t, is now awaiting App Store approval
So, what is Firefox Home, anyway, and why is it not quite a browser? Well, rather than just being a Safari replacement, Firefox Home acts as a bridge between your desktop version of Firefox and your iPhone. This is crucial, as apps that duplicate functionality of native iOS apps without adding anything new are a no-no in the App Store approval process. Firefox Home uses the Firefox Sync extension to sync your (desktop) Firefox bookmarks and history with your iPhone, and — more interestingly — will allow you to slide tabs open in Firefox over to your iPhone, much like Google’s Chrome-to-Phone functionality in Android 2.2. You can search for and view any of the pages in your desktop bookmarks or history, as well as view the tabs open on your desktop copy of Firefox, right on your iPhone. Once you’ve found the page you’re after, you can view it either in Safari (an Apple-friendly move), or from within Firefox Home (which may upset Apple). You can also send the links via email. Mozilla confidently say on their blog that “once Firefox Home is accepted to the App Store, [they'll] post and let you know how to install it on your iPhone or iPod Touch.” So keep your eyes on their blog (or ours) for news on the approval process. For a bit more info, a few more screenshots, and a cheesy demo video, check out Mozilla’s post here. [via Engadget]
Source: MobileCrunch | 1 Jul 2010 | 2:18 am UPDATE 2-Two Australia PE deals signal buyout comeback* First significant buyout deals for Australia since 2007 * CHAMP sells Study Group to Providence, buys ATF Services (Recasts with news of second deal, adds background)Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsTech | 1 Jul 2010 | 2:12 am 23 Flying Cars - From Next-Gen Carbon-Neutral Flying Cars to Flying Ferraris (CLUSTER)(TrendHunter.com) Even before the Jetsons, flying cars have been a dream of futurists everywhere. Even though the developments are simply concepts, one of the cars, the Terrafugia Transition, has now...Source: RSS feed - channel BNBlogTech | 1 Jul 2010 | 2:10 am Opera Integrates Web AVG Threat Data FeedThe final version of Opera 10.60, in addition to running 50% faster than the earlier version, will have AVG security features built in, according to the company's PR chief, Thomas Ford. Integrated AVG...Source: RSS feed - channel BNBlogTech | 1 Jul 2010 | 2:02 am Google search feature blocked in China (AFP)
Source: Yahoo! News: Technology News | 1 Jul 2010 | 1:59 am Top 100 Trends in June 2010 - From Blogs for Bad Tattoos to Skate Park Fashion Shoots (COUNTDOWN)(TrendHunter.com) For the month of June 2010, these are the Top 100 trends, which include Blogs for Bad Tattoos, Illegal Babe Advertising and Nationalist Nails. The rankings are based on millions of...Source: RSS feed - channel BNBlogTech | 1 Jul 2010 | 1:55 am Sony Finally Turning a Profit On PS3sWhen the PS3 launched in 2006, estimates pegged the price of producing the consoles to be as much as $250 more than the price at which they were sold. Production costs have dropped since then, but there have been several price cuts as well. Now, almost four years later, Sony Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida says they're finally turning a profit on the hardware. "This year is the first time that we are able to cover the cost of the PlayStation 3,' Yoshida said. 'We aren't making huge money from hardware, but we aren't bleeding like we used to.' In May, Sony began shipping new PlayStation 3 consoles with smaller and more cost-effective graphics chips. Now, Yoshida said, Sony is looking at replenishing retail stock that has been running on empty since January rather than cutting the price. 'When we bring the cost of hardware down, we are looking at opportunities to adjust prices if we believe that will increase demand,' he explained. 'At the moment, we are trying to catch up our production.'"
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Source: Slashdot | 1 Jul 2010 | 1:51 am Kindle DX Gets Better Screen, Price Cut - PC World
Source: Sci/Tech - Google News | 1 Jul 2010 | 1:46 am Top 50 Pop Culture Trends in June 2010 - From Blogs for Bad Tattoos to Flirty Poolside Fashion (COUNTDOWN)(TrendHunter.com) For the month of June 2010, these are the Top 50 pop culture trends, which include Blogs for Bad Tattoos, Nationalist Nails and Lethal Brassieres. The rankings are based on millions...Source: RSS feed - channel BNBlogTech | 1 Jul 2010 | 1:35 am China Unicom in talks to launch iPhone 4 (AFP)
Source: Yahoo! News: Technology News | 1 Jul 2010 | 1:29 am Yahoo! moves to Android: Mail, Messenger, and Search now available
The Messenger app does pretty much what you’d expect: it allows you to chat with your Yahoo!/MSN friends, and can run in the background (with push notifications) for that always-on availability. If you live in Canada, Indonesia, India, Kuwait, Malaysia, Philippines, Pakistan, Thailand, United States, or Vietnam, you can also use the app to send SMS to friends, which will appear in the current conversation. Oh, and it supports emoticons, because it ain’t IM without emoticons. The Mail app is also a no-brainer, and allows you to check, search, organise, and send mail from your Yahoo! email account, as well as download/upload attachments. It can use both your Yahoo! address book, as well as the one on your phone, so you should be able to find the email address you need. And, like the Messenger app, it also supports push notifications and emoticons. As you can see in the screenshot, there is a button in both of the apps that allows you to switch between Messenger and Mail. I guess there’s a need for that. And, finally, the Search Widget does pretty much everything that the Google version does, including local search, voice search, and suggestions as you type. If you like what you hear, you can download the applications from the Android Market by scanning the barcodes below. Otherwise, a quick market search for “Yahoo” will also do the trick. And don’t forget to check out the gallery below for some screenshots. In addition, Yahoo has launched new HTML5 mobile websites for the iPhone and iPod touch. The company has released a HTML5 site for Yahoo! Mail in 28 languages, in over 200 countries. It is expected to be available via other Webkit-enabled browsers in the ‘near future’. Get started by visiting m.yahoo.com/mail on your iPhone browser, and tap on ‘Preview the new Yahoo! Mail’; alternatively, you can click here from your iPhone. Yahoo! News has also been made HTML5-compliant, including an all-new layout with animated visual effects and navigation that uses touch gestures. Currently available in the U.S. on the iPhone or iPod touch browser, the product is expected to become available in additional countries and on additional devices at some point. [via Talk Android]
Source: MobileCrunch | 1 Jul 2010 | 1:18 am Viral Video: Snooki Is Back and in Miami–Is BoomTown Wrong to Be Totally Psyched? [BoomTown]
Oh, those sprites from the sands of New Jersey are back again on television, with the second season of “Jersey Shore” set to debut at the end of July. And, from the trailer below, it looks like a corker, including all the expected drunken hijinks. Well, see for yourself–and, as a bonus, I also included a video of quotes from the show presented by a stuffed monkey:
Source: All Things Digital | 1 Jul 2010 | 1:10 am UPDATE 1- Market Chatter -- Corporate finance press digestBANGALORE, July 1 (Reuters) - The following corporate finance-related stories were reported by media on Thursday:Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsTech | 1 Jul 2010 | 1:07 am Kuniavsky's Orange Cone: Designing Read-Write Web-Created ThingsA group of popular Web device designers briefly meet and draw up a sketch of their newest gadget. Once they all agree, they hit save and they're done. By the end of the day, hundreds of truckloads of their...Source: RSS feed - channel BNBlogTech | 1 Jul 2010 | 1:05 am iPads in the Board Room [Voices]By David Hornik, General Partner, August Capital I don’t know about the rest of the country, but Sand Hill Road has clearly embraced the iPad. There was a time when every VC on Sand Hill proudly carried the latest, greatest Palm Pilot. Read the rest of this post on the original site Source: All Things Digital | 1 Jul 2010 | 1:01 am The Fifth Wave Of Computing [Voices]By Trevor Butterworth, Blogger, Medialand, Fortune If fortune in business does not always favor the bold, misfortune seems a far more certain fate for those in the media who fail to respond to the fifth wave of computing–the massive ramping up of the mobile Internet and the evolution of mobile phones into “life devices” through 3G, cloud computing, GPS and second generation barcoding. Read the rest of this post on the original site Source: All Things Digital | 1 Jul 2010 | 1:00 am Some Thoughts On Foursquare [Voices]By Fred Wilson, Principal, Union Square Ventures Our portfolio company Foursquare closed a second round of this week. This was a much covered financing process and also much criticized. I think it makes an excellent case to talk about some conventional notions and why they might not be right. Read the rest of this post on the original site Source: All Things Digital | 1 Jul 2010 | 1:00 am LG Promises Android by Year's End at Revamped App Store (PC World)PC World - South Korean mobile phone maker LG Electronics opened its revamped app store on Thursday, with over 3,000 applications aimed at smartphones and feature phones.Source: Yahoo! News: Technology News | 1 Jul 2010 | 1:00 am Rockstar of the Week: Robyn Currie - Top 20 Trends Including Blogs for Bad Tattoos (COUNTDOWN)(TrendHunter.com) Robyn Currie topped our charts as the Rockstar of the Week, with 92 published trends. Robyn Currie is a Rockstar Trend Hunter who has been hunting at TrendHunter.com since May 2009...Source: RSS feed - channel BNBlogTech | 1 Jul 2010 | 1:00 am Google to Push Android Deeper into Asia [Voices]By Olga Kharif, Senior Writer, Business Week Google plans to push its Android mobile software in India and China, and is exploring ways for developers to make more money from applications, stepping up competition with Apple and Nokia. Read the rest of this post on the original site Source: All Things Digital | 1 Jul 2010 | 1:00 am REFLECT Showerhead Solves The Problem Of Fogging Mirrors, But It Will Cost YouBy Andrew Liszewski Here’s a nice low-tech solution to a problem that may have been keeping you from fulfilling your dreams of shaving in the shower. The REFLECT Showerhead is itself a mirror, and...Source: RSS feed - channel BNBlogTech | 1 Jul 2010 | 12:55 am Stuck on You: iPad and Velcro Make a Great Team (PC World)PC World - If you are like the millions of people out there who want to bring their iPad everywhere they go then iPad owner Jess Rosten has the solution for you!Source: Yahoo! News: Technology News | 1 Jul 2010 | 12:45 am Top 20 Trends of the Day (Jun 30) - From Voluptuous Lingerie Spreads to Vintage Streetcar Shoots (COUNTDOWN)(TrendHunter.com) For the day of June 30th, these are the Top 20 trends, which include Voluptuous Lingerie Spreads, Frightening Feline Photography and Mystical Menacing Illustrations. The rankings are...Source: RSS feed - channel BNBlogTech | 1 Jul 2010 | 12:44 am Blu-Ray not coming to the Mac anytime soon
In a recent email exchange with a user, Steve himself expressed the opinion that people would be more likely to use content download outlets, such as iTunes to download and view content instead of needing to use a drive built into a computer to view movies and the like. It’s not a terribly strange concept, considering the popularity of media outlets like Hulu, iTunes. In fact, I’d have to agree with Steve on this one. Rather leaving the drive out is the thing to do (it could be used for software or other storage), it might not be necessary for video or other media. If you’re curious about reading the entire interchange between Mr. Jobs and the user, the email exchange has been posted on MacRumours.
Source: CrunchGear | 1 Jul 2010 | 12:30 am NZXT Sentry Gives You Complete Control Of Your PC's Cooling SystemsBy Chris Scott Barr If you've got a pretty beefy gaming PC that's packed with hardware, chances are that you need to keep an eye on your cooling. After all, you don't want to damage anything by inadvertently...Source: RSS feed - channel BNBlogTech | 1 Jul 2010 | 12:29 am Unusual, Obscure, and Useful Linux Distrosangry tapir writes "Most people will be familiar with some of the big names when it comes to Linux — distributions like Ubuntu, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Debian, and Mandriva. Most of the well-known Linux distros are designed to be used as general-purpose desktop operating systems or installed on servers. But beyond these distros are hundreds of others either designed to appeal to very specific audiences or to fulfill the somewhat niche needs of some users. We rounded up some of the most interesting Linux distributions that you might not have heard of."
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Source: Slashdot | 1 Jul 2010 | 12:26 am UPDATE 1-URS wins Scott Wilson bid war as CH2M withdraws offer* CH2M says will no longer proceed with Scott Wilson buy * Says deal not value-enhancing at current valuation (Adds details)Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsTech | 1 Jul 2010 | 12:17 am UPDATE 1-Shuaa's PE fund to sell 22 pct stake in Rotana Hotels* Shuaa Partners Fund sells stake in Abu Dhabi hotel chainSource: RSS feed - channel BNewsTech | 1 Jul 2010 | 12:15 am Hulu Plus vs. Netflix: Which Is Best? (PC World)PC World - With Hulu Plus debuting this week, online video fans will soon have another alternative to the overpriced programming bundles offered by the cable and satellite companies. While Web-based services that stream movies and TV shows to the home can't yet match the immediacy and depth of traditional pay TV, they're edging closer.Source: Yahoo! News: Technology News | 1 Jul 2010 | 12:10 am Lost steampunk coaster of Disneyland Paris Former Disney Imagineer Thom Shillinger has posted tantalizing details of a never-built steampunk rollercoaster that he helped design for Disneyland Paris: These sketches reflected a way to clad up the coaster to look like it was made by the natives. I also had a few variation on themes. I have a Jules Verne look with button tuffed pillows, as well as a Wright Brothers space frame seat look along with ones built from wreaked ship parts. FUN project that never was produced.e-Ticket Paris 1997 Project "Meadow" WDI (via The Disney Blog) Source: Boing Boing | 30 Jun 2010 | 11:55 pm UPDATE 1-ABB says won't match Emerson offer for ChlorideZURICH, July 1 (Reuters) - ABB said on Thursday it would not match U.S. rival Emerson Electric's improved cash offer for British group Chloride , surprising some investors who expected the Swiss group...Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsTech | 30 Jun 2010 | 11:49 pm Australia's CHAMP says to buy ATF ServicesSYDNEY, July 1 (Reuters) - Australia's CHAMP Private Equity has agreed to buy temporary fencing provider ATF Services from Sydney-based Quadrant Private Equity, the company said on Thursday.Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsTech | 30 Jun 2010 | 11:49 pm Australia's CHAMP says to buy ATF ServicesSYDNEY, July 1 (Reuters) - Australia's CHAMP Private Equity has agreed to buy temporary fencing provider ATF Services from Sydney-based Quadrant Private Equity, the company said on Thursday.Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsTech | 30 Jun 2010 | 11:49 pm Sugar Information explains how sugar won't make you fat The good folks at Sugar Information want you to know the facts: Sugar is GOOD FOOD! After all, if sugar was bad for you, then all those kids who eat all that sugar would be getting obese! That'll never happen. If sugar is fattening, how come so many kids are thin? Source: Boing Boing | 30 Jun 2010 | 11:48 pm UPDATE 3-Sumitomo buys stake in Usiminas unit for $1.93 bln* Stake sale, capital plans seen as boosting asset valueSource: RSS feed - channel BNewsTech | 30 Jun 2010 | 11:46 pm Amazon launches cheaper Kindle(Reuters) - Amazon.com Inc is launching an improved Kindle electronic reader and cutting the price, in a move to address the threat from Apple Inc's iPad tablet computer.Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsTech | 30 Jun 2010 | 11:45 pm Fox News advocates shutting down public librariesWhen I give talks to library groups, I always finish by reminding librarians that they're powerful advocates for fair use and privacy, because "you look like a total jerk when you criticize librarians."Case in point: this Fox Chicago piece proposing that Illinois shut down its library system: I also always open my library talks with a joke: "You know, with library budgets on the chopping block and Wall Street thriving, there's only one answer: securitize bonds based on library fines!" Once again, Fox comes through: We know we spend a lot on them. But libraries do bring in some revenue: more than $2 million in fines is collected annually by Chicago public libraries.Are Libraries Necessary, or a Waste of Tax Money? (Thanks, Scott!) (Image: St. Thomas Public Library, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0) image from bluefootedbooby's photostream) Source: Boing Boing | 30 Jun 2010 | 11:44 pm Crocheted R2D2 Hat
Etsy seller Craftandcrochet has crocheted R2D2 beanies, made to order. I wonder if you can get a yarmulke version?
Crochet Robot Droid Hat (Thanks, JMD!) Source: Boing Boing | 30 Jun 2010 | 11:40 pm Three Ground-Breaking Miniature Biosensorskkleiner writes "Over the past few years, several research teams have developed increasingly smaller and cheaper biosensors with improved detection capabilities and faster turnaround times. Whether you are a doctor diagnosing patients in the rural areas of Africa or a Homeland Security agent working to thwart an act of bioterrorism, one of these little devices should be your sidekick."
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Source: Slashdot | 30 Jun 2010 | 11:39 pm Russian super-spies sucked at ITThose Russky superspies they busted? Turns out they were total IT noobs, and their helpdesk was staffed by a grumpy bastard who just kept repeating, "Have you turned it off and on again?" The spy ring had numerous technical problems, including file transfers that hung and wouldn't go through and difficulty replacing laptops when necessary. In one case, an agent was so frustrated by laptop issues that she unwittingly turned it over to an undercover FBI agent.Russian spy ring needed some serious IT help (via /.) Source: Boing Boing | 30 Jun 2010 | 11:35 pm Embed Anything Blends Image Sharing With Ad Networks
Embed Anything shares ad inventory revenue the image owners, giving them complete control on what they want to display in the ad space, which can be sourced by the ad network of their choice, for 50 percent of the impressions. For the other 50 percent of impressions, Embed Anything can display an ad of their choice, which is powered by Google AdSense. Eventually Embed Anything will allow for an RSS feed or Twitter feed to be displayed within the ad space as well. An example of a sample publisher site can be found here. The startup also provides an interface that gives publishers stats on where their images are being embedded, the number of impressions they’re receiving, as well as the ability to remove any unwanted image embeds. The technology is free and fairly simple, involving a single piece of code into a template or through a WordPress plug-in. The idea is to help publishers profit off of image theft, which Embed Anything says happens often. While this may be ideal for publishers, some of the people who are embedding these images may not want an image with an ad in it on their sites. The startup competes with GumGum and Image Space Media. Information provided by CrunchBase      
Source: TechCrunch | 30 Jun 2010 | 11:30 pm First Look: Samsung debuts its Galaxy S line of Android smartphones - BusinessWeek
Source: Sci/Tech - Google News | 30 Jun 2010 | 11:03 pm Apple is hiring iPhone antenna engineers. I wonder why.
Engadget reported this morning that Apple is hiring iPhone/iPad antenna engineers. Now Gizmodo has posted images from the first class action lawsuit against Apple and AT&T for general negligence and design defects, among other things. I just got the new iPhone4 last week after five years with a non-smart T-mobile handset; even though I'd heard of dropped calls and bad reception before, it's really something else to experience it first-hand. Calls really just drop! And it's ridiculous that I have to try not to hold the phone a certain way when I'm using it. Source: Boing Boing | 30 Jun 2010 | 10:52 pm Say hi-Sun to the Towel/Speaker
Here’s something for the upcoming independence day weekend, and no it’t not from Skymall. It’s a towel to take to the beach. It’s pretty nice and loaded with features. Fold it into a backpack, look cool lying on the built in pillow, listen to music on it. Wait what?! Yes, listen to music. The hi-Sun is a beach towel/blanket/pillow/backpack/boombox that will have all the people at your local beach checking you out – beach body not required. What is required is that you plug in any audio player, via a standard 3.5mm audio cable, and that you remember charge its removable lithium-ion battery. [via 7 Gadgets]
Source: CrunchGear | 30 Jun 2010 | 10:25 pm Standing up for the First Amendment with 1 for AllIn the United States, our lives would be unrecognizable without the First Amendment. Every time you search, tweet, blog, pray (or not), gripe about your government, gather with your friends online or off, upload a video, read a newspaper or send an email to your member of Congress, you’re enjoying the rights it guarantees:Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.We’re celebrating the First Amendment on the 1st of July by joining news organizations, artists, librarians, lawyers, educators and many others in supporting 1 for All, a national campaign to teach Americans about the source of these fundamental freedoms. From now through July 25, you can show your support for the First Amendment by submitting a 30-second video that demonstrates your freedom to speak, rock or assemble. The best videos will be featured on YouTube, on TV and at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. At a time when restrictions on speech are increasing around the globe, we think it’s essential to remind ourselves that we can’t take freedom of expression for granted. Get informed, get involved and stand up with us for the First on the 1st. Posted by David Drummond, SVP, Corporate Development and Chief Legal Officer    
 Source: The Official Google Blog | 30 Jun 2010 | 10:25 pm Zillow.com(R) Reports Record Visits and Activity in First Half of 2010, Amid Surge in Mobile UsageSEATTLE, July 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite a mixed housing market that continued to struggle during the first half of 2010, real estate website Zillow.com today announced it broke multiple records for site traffic and user activity over the past six months. Zillow consistently broke traffic records during the past six months with an average of 10 million unique users visiting Zillow each month during this period, up 20 percent year-over-year(i). In June, 10.7 million visitors came to Zillow, up 26 percent from year earlier. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20060503/ZILLOWLOGO) (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060503/ZILLOWLOGO) The Zillow Mobile App has been downloaded 1.75 million times, making Zillow the clear leader in mobile real estate. Zillow has apps on the iPhone®, as well as on Windows® Mobile, iPad(TM) and Android(TM), the latter three of which launched in May, April and March respectively. Zillow is the most popular real estate app in the iPhone App Store and in the Android Market. Zillow offers information and services for every stage of homeownership - for homeowners, buyers, sellers, and renters - and for all types of real estate professionals, including agents, brokers, lenders and more. Approximately 63 percent of Zillow's visitors, or 6.5 million in June were actively buying or selling a home now or in the near future(ii). Additional milestones during the first half of 2010 include: 4.4 million for-sale, rental and Make Me Move listings are posted on Zillow today, up 23 percent year-over-year. Zillow forged new partnerships with several large real estate brokerages in the first half of 2010, including Howard Hanna® Real Estate Services and John L. Scott® Real Estate. Zillow now has partnerships with virtually every major real estate brokerage in the country, many of whom are represented on Zillow's Broker Advisory Board.Zillow began offering rental listings in December and will soon be adding additional rental listing feeds, as it has already done with for sale listings feeds.Zillow Mortgage Marketplace continues to revolutionize the way borrowers connect with lenders, offering consumers an anonymous way to compare unlimited customized rates by verified and rated lenders. During the first half of 2010, borrowers submitted 356,000 loan requests through Zillow Mortgage Marketplace, up 35 percent year-over-year. During the same period, lenders responded with more than 4.7 million custom loan quotes, up 31 percent from the first half of 2009. Lenders compete with one another in the transparent marketplace, and each loan request is generating an average of 16 loan quotes to help borrowers thoroughly shop and find the best loan for them. With the industry's first lender-rating system, participating lenders have an average of four reviews each.The Zillow Directory of real estate professionals continues to grow and now includes more than 262,000 real estate agents, more than 19,000 lenders and 25,000 other professionals."As volatility in the housing market continues unabated, information is power now more than ever," said Spencer Rascoff, Zillow's chief operating officer. "In just a few short years, the Zillow brand has become well-known as the leading source for real estate information online. We're pleased that in 2010 our product has successfully expanded beyond the desktop and onto mobile devices, such that Zillow is now readily accessible wherever and whenever people want to access it." To learn more about Zillow, visit the Zillow Blog at www.zillow.com/blog. Learn more about Zillow Mobile and the Zillow iPhone App, Zillow iPad App and the Zillow Android App by visiting http://www.zillow.com/mobile/ About Zillow.com® Zillow.com is an online real estate marketplace where homeowners, buyers, sellers, renters, real estate agents and mortgage professionals find and share vital information about homes and mortgages. Launched in early 2006 with Zestimate® home values and data on millions of U.S. homes, Zillow has since added homes for sale and homes for rent, a directory of real estate and lending professionals, Zillow Mobile Apps, Zillow Advice and Zillow Mortgage Marketplace. One of the most-visited U.S. real estate websites, with nearly 11 million unique visitors per month, Zillow's goal is to help people become smarter about homes and real estate in every stage of their lives -- home buying, selling, renting, remodeling and financing. The company is headquartered in Seattle and has raised $87 million in funding. Zillow.com, Zillow and Zestimate are registered trademarks of Zillow, Inc. iPhone is a registered trademark of Apple, Inc. iPad is a trademark of Apple, Inc. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Android is a trademark of Google, Inc. Howard Hanna is a registered trademark of Hanna Holdings, Inc. John L. Scott is a registered trademark of John L. Scott, Inc. (i) Source for unique users (monthly unique visitors) and page view data: Omniture. (ii) 63% planned to buy or sell in the near future, or were thinking about doing so within the next two years: Zillow site survey. SOURCE Zillow.comSource: RedOrbit News - Technology | 30 Jun 2010 | 10:01 pm July 1, 1910: Give Us This Day Our Automated BreadA Chicago factory revolutionizes bread production 100 years ago today.
Source: Wired Top Stories | 30 Jun 2010 | 10:00 pm Smartphone Security Startup Lookout Tops One Million Users
Lookout, which just raised $11 million from Accel, Khosla and others, says the growth in smartphone adoption, mobile app downloads and increased consumer awareness of mobile security threats have helped make the offering a popular and necessary option for users. While smartphone use is growing rapidly, there are security risks associated with the increased data and application usage on these devices. Similar to a PC, users need to protect their phones from malware, viruses, data loss and more. Lookout’s web-based, cloud-connected application indentifies and block threats on a consumer’s phone. Users simply download the software to a device, and it will act as a virus protector much like security software downloaded to a computer. For now Lookout, which is on more than 400 mobile networks in 170 countries, is only available for BlackBerry, Android and Windows Mobile devices. Lookout has over 80% of its users on Android and BlackBerry with the remaining users on Windows Mobile. And 70% of users are in the US. Over the past six months, Lookout has seen the number of malware and spyware threats per hundred devices double to nine in every 100 devices being affected annually. Lookout has helped find more than 130,000 lost or stolen phones, backed-up over 87 million photos, and backed-up over 300 million contacts. Lookout’s CEO tells me that the next step for the company is to start looking at monetization angles with product development. While the application is free, Lookout sees potential in offering an enterprise version of its software.
Information provided by CrunchBase      
Source: TechCrunch | 30 Jun 2010 | 9:56 pm Qiao Xing Mobile Announces Filing 2009 Annual Report on Form 20-F with the SECBEIJING, June 30 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- Qiao Xing Mobile Communication Co., Ltd. ("Qiao Xing Mobile" or "the Company") (NYSE: QXM), a domestic manufacturer of mobile handsets in China, today announced that it has filed its annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2009 with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 30, 2010. The annual report can be accessed on the Company's investor relations website at http://www.qxmc.com . Qiao Xing Mobile will provide a hard copy of the annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2009, which contains its audited consolidated financial statements, free of charge, to its shareholders upon request. Requests should be directed in writing to Qiao Xing Mobile Communication Co., Ltd. 10th Floor CEC Building 6 Zhongguancun South Street Beijing 100086, People's Republic of China. About Qiao Xing Mobile Communication Co., Ltd. Qiao Xing Mobile Communication Co., Ltd. is a domestic manufacturer of mobile handsets in China. The Company manufactures and sells mobile handsets based primarily on GSM, TD-SCDMA and WCDMA standards. It operates its business primarily through CEC Telecom Co., Ltd., or CECT, its 96.6%-owned subsidiary in China. In 2008, Qiao Xing Mobile introduced the VEVA series of mobile phones and began to open its own retail stores to target mid-income consumers in major cities throughout China. Through its manufacturing facility in Huizhou, Guangdong Province, China, and two research and development centres in Huizhou and Beijing, the Company develops, produces and markets a wide range of mobile handsets, with increasing focus on differentiated products that generate higher profit margins. For more information, please visit http://www.qxmc.com . Safe Harbor Statement This announcement contains forward-looking statements, as defined in the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, these forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as "aim," "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "is /are likely to," "may," "plan," "potential," "will" or other similar expressions. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Qiao Xing Mobile's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward- looking statement. Information regarding these factors is included in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Qiao Xing Mobile does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. All information provided in this press release is as of June xx, 2009, and Qiao Xing Mobile undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law. For more information, please contact: Lucy Wang Qiao Xing Mobile Communication Co., Ltd. Tel: +86-10-8219-3883 Email: wangjinglu@cectelecom.com SOURCE Qiao Xing Mobile Communication Co., Ltd.Source: RedOrbit News - Technology | 30 Jun 2010 | 9:45 pm Automated Language Deciphering By Computer AIeldavojohn writes "Ugaritic has been deciphered by an unaided computer program that relied only on four basic assumptions present in many languages. The paper (PDF) may aid researchers in deciphering eight undecipherable languages (Ugaritic has already been deciphered and proved their system worked) as well as increase the number of languages automated translation sites offer. The researchers claim 'orders of magnitude' speedups in deciphering languages with their new system."
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Source: Slashdot | 30 Jun 2010 | 9:42 pm Empathy Is For the Birdsgrrlscientist writes "Common Ravens have been shown to express empathy towards a 'friend' or relative when they are distressed after an aggressive conflict — just like humans and chimpanzees do. But birds are very distant evolutionary relatives of Great Apes, so what does this similarity imply about the evolution of behavior?"
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Source: Slashdot | 30 Jun 2010 | 8:30 pm Predictive Technologies Corporation Moves Into ASU SkySong Innovation CenterSCOTTSDALE, Ariz., June 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Predictive Technologies announced today that it has completed the relocation of its corporate offices to SkySong, the ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center. "Our new corporate offices will allow our company to create synergies with faculty, research and the dozens of technology companies based at SkySong," said Predictive Technologies CEO and President Jorge de los Santos "We are delighted with the vast resources afforded to us through the partnership we enjoy with SkySong and Arizona State." "We are very pleased to add yet another company to our unique environment of collaboration and innovation, " said Julia Rosen, ASU associate vice president for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. "With their work in the education technology field, they are also an important addition to our growing SkySong Education Innovation Network." "Predictive Technologies will complement the nascent technology cluster at SkySong related to education," added Sharon Harper, president and CEO of Plaza Companies and a SkySong co-developer. "We know they are a growing company and we know that SkySong will accelerate their growth." About Predictive Technologies Corporation Predictive Technologies Corporation develops web-based open collaboration platforms. These platforms facilitate data collection, analysis and visualization by utilizing proprietary software, customized algorithms and multiple data sources. The predictions and recommendations are easy to understand and facilitate the client's decision process. ABACUS is Predictive's information management platform for education. It allows for the integration of data across different software platforms and facilitates comparisons among different school districts, schools, classes, teachers and students. ABACUS can easily keep track of grades and scores for both teachers and students. It can automatically identify trends and causes for student and teacher performance, and provide personalized recommendations for improvement to superintendents, principals, teachers, parents and students. ABACUS also provides a mechanism for feedback and evaluation of curriculum, teachers and schools. About ASU SkySong SkySong, the ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center, offers comprehensive business development assistance, as well as a portal to the resources and services of Arizona State University. ASU SkySong supports new technology start-ups with office space, access to business services and continuing training geared toward local innovators and global firms seeking to start operations in the United States. RELATED LINKS http://www.predictivecorp.com http://www.skysongcenter.com SOURCE Predictive Technologies Corporation; ASU SkySong Innovation Center; Plaza CompaniesSource: RedOrbit News - Technology | 30 Jun 2010 | 8:10 pm GetGlue iPhone app is the perfect escape when things feel sticky (Appolicious)Appolicious - While the free GetGlue iPhone app would have been my very favorite discovery as a 17-year-old, I like it now as well. The first thing you do here is check in; which, in Facebook parlance, means announce what you’re currently doing.Source: Yahoo! News: Technology News | 30 Jun 2010 | 8:04 pm Rumor: Best Buy ending Motorola Droid X pre-ordersSection: Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers, Smartphones  According to Droid-Life, Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile have stopped allowing pre-orders of the highly anticipated Motorola Droid X. The amount of pre-orders for the Droid X has matched the amount of phones Best Buy expects to receive on launch day. The only credit to the rumor is the fact that Droid-Life “received word from 2 separate Best Buy Mobile stores and called a third who all confirmed” the amount of pre-orders has equaled the expected inventory. It looks like the Droid X is going to be very popular considering it only took five days of pre-sale for it to end. However, let’s just hope Motorola and Verizon can keep enough phones in stock on launch day. Via [Droid-Life] Full Story » | Written by Natesh Sood for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article » Source: Gadgetell | 30 Jun 2010 | 8:00 pm IBM buys stake in China's Bright Oceans (Reuters)Reuters - IBM's China unit has bought a 1 percent strategic stake in Bright Oceans Inter-Telecom Corp, the Chinese maker of computer parts and components said on Thursday.Source: Yahoo! News: Technology News | 30 Jun 2010 | 7:49 pm Twilight Eclipse as 8-bit interactive YouTube video gameHere's an 8-bit, Nintendo-esque homage to the Twilight Saga movie, Eclipse, which opened today to relatively lousy reviews. I think this interactive YouTube game might be more entertaining than the film. Watch the video, and choose which action the character should take by clicking on the option you want. Then, a new video loads with the next step in the interactive narrative. It's pretty neat.Video Link, for part 1 of the story.
(thanks, Mark Day!). Mozilla Submits Firefox Home iPhone App. Apple Should Approve It
Mozilla has submitted an app called Firefox Home for approval. While it’s not the native Firefox web browser, it is an app that lets you easily move your Firefox browsing history, bookmarks, and open tabs to the iPhone. You can then either open these within the app or with mobile Safari. Now, I know what you’re thinking: no way Apple accepts a Firefox app. But actually, I’m pretty sure they will. Again, this app is not a new web browser, it’s just a tool for moving your data from your desktop to the phone. The browser that is built-in to the app is a WebKit-based one built with the tools Apple includes in the SDK. On its FAQ page, Mozilla says the following about Firefox for the iPhone:
Apple did allow Opera to put its browser on the iPhone to the surprise of some. But there’s some talk that the only reason Apple did that as a way to quiet critics — because they knew the app wasn’t that great. After an initial surge in downloads, you don’t hear too much about it anymore. Mozilla, which is the world second most popular browser (well ahead of Safari), might be a different story. And Mozilla apparently knows it. This app also isn’t Firefox Sync. Sync is a two way syncing of information between Firefox browsers on different machines. Firefox Home is a one-way push to the iPhone. “We only sync changes since the last update for bookmarks and open tabs. And history is limited to about 2000 items. And there is no auto-sync. The median disk space used by Sync users is about 2-3 MB total for all of their Sync data and Home only has a subset of that.,” Mozilla says. Mozilla’s Asa Dotzler seems worried that Apple may not approve the app. But as long as it’s not using any undocumented APIs, I can’t see a reason why Apple would reject it — at least not without a lot of outrage, once again. And the app looks good, it should be very useful to users of Firefox.      
Source: TechCrunch | 30 Jun 2010 | 7:32 pm New Adidas Wings 2.0 shoes are the next best thing to actual flying kicks
More pics below. Expect these things to hit the online Adidas store (and select retail locations) on August 10th. [via HypeBeast, Albotas, and GearFuse]
Source: CrunchGear | 30 Jun 2010 | 7:30 pm InterCall Named Asia Pacific Conferencing Provider of the Year by Frost & Sullivan for the Third Year in a RowCHICAGO, June 30 /PRNewswire/ -- For the third consecutive year, InterCall, the world's largest conferencing and collaboration provider, has been named Frost & Sullivan's Conferencing and Collaboration Service Provider of the Year in Asia Pacific. InterCall was awarded this honor for 2010 based on its revenue and revenue growth, portfolio diversity, major wins and key achievements in financial year 2009. "InterCall's global conferencing infrastructure, coupled with sought after features such as Blackberry and iPhone integration, are major reasons for its continued success and have made InterCall the top choice for enterprises requiring mobility and global connectivity in Asia Pacific," said Jessie Yu, industry analyst, Frost & Sullivan. "What was remarkable about InterCall was their high double digit growth in 2009, exceeding the overall industry growth by a healthy margin." "We are delighted to receive such a prestigious award, three years in a row. We thank Frost & Sullivan for recognizing our success," said Hain Mackay-Cruise, managing director, InterCall Asia Pacific. "Our team works hard to ensure we provide the best solutions for our customers in a growing and competitive industry." "Since launching commercial service in Asia Pacific in 2001, InterCall has invested heavily in both people and infrastructure to build a world-class product and service offering throughout the Asia Pacific region," said Scott Etzler, president, InterCall. "Receiving this distinction from Frost & Sullivan helps validate our leadership in Asia Pacific and acknowledges our ability to deliver superior service and financial success year after year." This honor was conferred at the 2010 Frost & Sullivan Asia Pacific ICT Awards, held in Singapore, which recognizes companies in the information and communications industry that have risen above the competition and demonstrated outstanding performance across the Asia Pacific region. For more information on the Frost & Sullivan Asia Pacific ICT Awards, please visit www.ict-awards.com. To learn more about how InterCall can help your business, please visit www.intercallapac.com About InterCall InterCall, a subsidiary of West Corporation, is the largest service provider in the world specializing in conference communications. Founded in 1991, InterCall helps people and companies be more productive by providing advanced audio, event, Web and video conferencing solutions that are easy-to-use and save them time and money. Along with a team of over 500 Meeting Consultants, the company employs more than 1,500 operators, customer service representatives, call supervisors, accounting, marketing and IT professionals. InterCall's strong U.S. presence, which includes four call centers and 26 sales offices, is bolstered by a global reach that extends to Canada, Mexico, Latin America, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, China, India, Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan. For more information, please visit www.intercall.com. About West Corporation West Corporation is a leading provider of technology-driven, voice-oriented solutions. West offers its clients a broad range of communications and infrastructure management solutions that help them manage or support critical communications. West's customer contact solutions and conferencing services are designed to improve its clients' cost structure and provide reliable, high-quality services. West also provides mission-critical services, such as public safety and emergency communications. Founded in 1986 and headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, West serves Fortune 1000 companies and other clients in a variety of industries, including telecommunications, banking, retail, financial, technology and healthcare. West has sales and operations in the United States, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Latin America. For more information on West Corporation, please call 1-800-841-9000 or visit www.west.com. SOURCE InterCallSource: RedOrbit News - Technology | 30 Jun 2010 | 7:30 pm Foursquare Fixes, Responds To “Who’s Been Here” Privacy Hole
Today, Foursquare has addressed the report with a post on its official blog outlining the issue. As data breaches go I’m not sure this one was especially “sophisticated”, as Foursquare keeps calling it, but they apologize and explain what they’ve done to fix it. From the Foursquare blog:
This won’t be the last time we hear about privacy issues with location-based services, where security and privacy are going to be key. That said, the privacy concerns for Foursquare, where users are explicitly checking into venues, are less worrisome than if this had happened with one that constantly monitors your location, like Google Latitude. And privacy hasn’t really been Foursquare’s big selling point, either — don’t expect to see much of an uproar from its users over this.
Information provided by CrunchBase      
Source: TechCrunch | 30 Jun 2010 | 7:21 pm Steampunk Ghostbusters tribute: "Whom Shall You Telegram?"This olde-tyme silent movie steampunk homage to Ghostbusters is spectacular. It's a commercial of sorts for a Victorian-themed ghost removal service known as League of STEAM (Supernatural and Troublesome Ectoplasmic Apparition Management). You gotta love the tinkly piano tribute to the 1984 film's theme. What fun.
(thanks, Porkchop!) Carriers Go to Battle Over Faster Networks [Personal Technology]Most media attention in the cellphone arena is focused on the battle between sexy super-smartphones like Apple’s new iPhone 4 or the latest models based on Google’s (GOOG) Android software. But there is a parallel war under way among U.S. wireless carriers to roll out new, faster data networks to link such sophisticated hand-held computers to the Internet at greater speeds, and to increase the capacity to handle all the data their owners are downloading. [ See post to watch video ] This network competition is less visible and flashy, and it involves complex engineering, long time frames and techie terminology. But it is crucial to the future of these super-smartphones, of tablets like the iPad and its coming competitors, and even of laptops that run on cellular networks when their owners are traveling. The goal is to make wireless Internet access on the street as fast or faster than the access people get in homes and offices, and to overcome capacity limitations. So, here is a very simplified explanation of what is going on, plus the results of some tests I’ve been running on the least known of these new speedier networks: T-Mobile’s “HSPA+” system, now available in some U.S. metro areas. In a nutshell, most of the industry is gradually moving from networks dubbed as “3G,” or third generation, to faster networks called “4G,” or fourth generation. This will take several years and billions of dollars, and will be turned on city by city. In the meantime, two of the U.S. carriers, T-Mobile and AT&T (T), will be deploying a souped-up interim 3G system, the aforementioned HSPA+ (the faster version of a common system called HSPA, formally known as High Speed Packet Access). Today, all but one of the fancy super-smartphones that get all the attention, including the iPhone 4, are 3G phones that can’t even take full advantage of the faster HSPA+ variant of 3G. The sole 4G phone in the U.S. today is the Android-based HTC EVO 4G from Sprint (S), which is the only U.S. carrier already deploying a form of 4G. Sprint’s 4G network is based on a technology called WiMax (for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) and is now available in 36 metro areas, with more coming. The two largest U.S. wireless carriers, Verizon (VZ) and AT&T, are planning 4G networks based on a technology called LTE, or Long Term Evolution. Neither has commercially deployed LTE networks in any metro area yet, though Verizon is pledging to roll it out in up to 30 metro areas by the end of this year. AT&T plans to deploy LTE in an unspecified number of cities starting in 2011, and HSPA+ in an unspecified number of cities starting late this year. T-Mobile, the smallest U.S. carrier, hasn’t unveiled any LTE plans, and is instead doubling down on HSPA+. It has so far rolled out HSPA+ in 25 metro areas, with more coming. T-Mobile claims that although HSPA+ is a 3G technology, it can achieve download speeds akin to 4G networks.  T-Mobile’s new webConnect Rocket In addition to phones, all the companies are planning to build these faster networks into data modems for laptops. Sprint and T-Mobile already sell these faster gadgets. The speeds of all these networks, including the current 3G systems, are fuzzy. The carriers issue marketing claims that often don’t pan out in real use, partly because of variations in location, network congestion and equipment. In my tests of numerous devices over the years, most 3G phones attained download speeds of between 500 kilobits per second and 4 megabits per second. Laptop data modems generally have done better for me than phones, getting download speeds of between 1 and 5 mbps. Upload speeds on both phones and laptops always have been much slower for me than download speeds. In May, when I tested Sprint’s 4G EVO phone, running on its 4G network, I averaged download speeds of just 3.4 megabits per second, even though the company claims a “peak” speed of more than 10 mbps and typical real-life speeds of up to 6 mbps. (Peak speeds on all these networks are usually two to three times as high as real-life speeds.) This week, I tested the new T-Mobile HSPA+ network in two locations in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C., where the carrier told me it had deployed the faster network. T-Mobile has yet to offer a phone that can take full advantage of HSPA+ speeds, though it says 15 of its current phones will go somewhat faster in HSPA+ areas. Its only true HSPA+ device is a laptop data modem called the webConnect Rocket. T-Mobile claims HSPA+ offers peak download speeds of 21 mbps, and says that, in real-life use, its webConnect Rocket should get download speeds of 5 to 8 mbps, and sometimes as high as 10 to 12 mbps. For my tests, I compared a standard 3G iPhone 4 running on AT&T against T-Mobile’s latest Android phone, the MyTouch 3G Slide. I did a laptop test, comparing the Rocket against a standard 3G data modem from Verizon, called the UM175, using both with the same Lenovo ThinkPad. I disabled Wi-Fi before testing. In all the tests, the T-Mobile HSPA+ network beat the competition in download speeds, though I never saw the top claimed speeds. In each spot, I did 10 tests of the devices and averaged their speeds. At the first location, the T-Mobile Slide barely edged out the iPhone, with a download speed averaging 2.84 mbps versus the iPhone’s 2.74 mbps. At the second location, however, the Slide’s edge grew, with an average download speed of 4.26 mbps versus 3.65 mbps for the Apple (AAPL) product. The laptop tests were much more dramatic. At my first test location, the T-Mobile Rocket drove the ThinkPad to an average download speed of 4.88 megabits per second, versus just 1.36 megabits per second for the Verizon data modem. At the second location, the Rocket achieved an average download speed on the laptop of 6.15 mbps versus 1.58 mbps for Verizon’s modem. To be fair, the tests were performed in areas of strength for T-Mobile, which may have been weaker coverage areas for AT&T and Verizon. I have gotten much better speeds from the Verizon device in other locations, though never as high as what the Rocket delivered. Also, the Verizon data modem wasn’t the carrier’s newest or possibly its best. But even though they didn’t back up T-Mobile’s top speed claims, the tests suggest we are heading into a future where the carrier networks may finally catch up with the power of the new smartphones. Find all of Walter S. Mossberg’s columns and videos, free, at walt.allthingsd.com. Email him at mossberg@wsj.com. SpeedupU.S. carriers’ planned higher-speed wireless networks
*Speed is expressed in megabits per second. Actual speeds experienced by users vary, but are generally much slower. **AT&T has announced an intention to deploy both HSPA+, and LTE. Sources: Carriers’ claims Source: All Things Digital | 30 Jun 2010 | 7:07 pm First music video shot entirely on the iPhone 4There are no maps for these territories, friends. Here is the first music video shot on the iPhone 4. It’s seriously a fun piece of cinema and really points out the blinding fact that the age of the huge video or cinema production is slowly but surely evolving into something much more streamlined. More details after the jump.
Source: CrunchGear | 30 Jun 2010 | 7:01 pm CSN Stores' Co-Founder and CEO Niraj Shah Named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2010 Award Winner in New EnglandBOSTON, June 30 /PRNewswire/ -- CSN Stores, the third-largest online retailer of home goods in the U.S., today announced that Co-Founder and CEO Niraj Shah received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2010 Award in the consumer retail category in New England. According to Ernst & Young LLP, the award recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic, growing businesses. Shah was selected by an independent panel of judges, and the award was presented at a gala event at the Boston Renaissance Waterfront Hotel on June 24th. (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100630/NE29465 ) (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100630/NE29465 ) "Receiving this very prestigious award was a true honor and one that I share with my business partner, CSN Chairman and Co-Founder Steve Conine, who joined forces with me almost eight years ago to form the first CSN Store," said Shah. "We now have more than 200 online stores globally and have jumped from two to more than 600 employees, who also deserve a great deal of credit for helping us achieve this impressive distinction from Ernst & Young." CSN Stores (www.CSNStores.com), a $300 million+, privately owned company, is one of the fastest-growing Internet retailers both in New England and nationwide. Sales for Q1 and Q2, 2010 have increased by more than 60 percent over the same period in 2009. The company also has hired more than 200 employees over the past year. The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year awards celebrate their 24th anniversary this year. The program honors entrepreneurs who have demonstrated exceptionality in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. As a New England award winner, Shah is now eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur Of The Year 2010 national program. Award winners in several national categories, as well as the overall national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year award winner, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, California on November 13, 2010. The awards are the culminating event of the Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum, the nation's most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies. Sponsors Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year awards are pleased to have the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and SAP America as national sponsors. In New England, sponsors include Boston Magazine, J. Robert Scott, Marsh, Nixon Peabody LLP, Accounting Management Solutions, Bowne and Regan Communications Group. About CSN Stores Founded in 2002, CSN Stores (www.CSNStores.com) is a $300 million+, privately owned company, comprised of 200+ online stores in North America, the U.K., and Germany, providing unparalleled selection, great customer service and significant savings. CSN's sites include: Cookware.com, BedroomFurniture.com, Luggage.com, AllModern.com, and many more. Based in Boston, Mass., CSN offers 1.5 million+ products from more than 4,000 brands. CSN is the No. 3 online retailer of housewares and home furnishings in the U.S., according to Internet Retailer. About Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur Of The Year® Awards Program Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur Of The Year® is the world's most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The award makes a difference through the unique way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 135 cities in 50 countries. Ernst & Young refers to the global organization of member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young LLP is a client-serving member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited located in the U.S. SOURCE CSN StoresSource: RedOrbit News - Technology | 30 Jun 2010 | 7:00 pm Motorola Droid X ad takes shot at iPhone 4, pokes fun at reception issuesSection: Apple, Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers, Smartphones  In the New York Times today, Motorola ran a full page ad featuring the Motorola Droid X. Nothing unusual here, but it did take a jab at the iPhone 4 and the reception problems that have been plaguing it as of late. At the end of the ad, it features this statement:
It’s usually hard to capitalize on flaws of the iPhone, so I’m glad to see Motorola take advantage of this opportunity. Reception is a big issue, and if you’re going to purchase an expensive smartphone, you should be able to hold it however you want, or at least be offered a complimentary case when it’s a design flaw on Apple’s part. In addition, the latter part of the statement seems to imply Verizon has superior coverage as compared to the AT&T’s spotty service. One of the prominent complaints of iPhone users is the fact that AT&T isn’t completely reliable, and Verizon customers hardly complain of a coverage issue. Verizon and Motorola should do as much as possible in the advertising campaign to point out the differences between the Droid X and its main competition - the iPhone 4. Via [TechCrunch] Full Story » | Written by Natesh Sood for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article » Source: Gadgetell | 30 Jun 2010 | 6:52 pm Foursquare cared a lot more about $20M than your privacy Ryan Singel at Wired News has been covering the story of reported breaches of privacy for Foursquare users, and the company's horrible (and horribly slow) response to the matter. It all started on June 20, when the startup received an unsolicited message from a white-hat hacker: it was leaking user data on a massive scale, and violating its own privacy policy: The company asked the white hat, Jesper Andersen, to give it nine days to deal with the problem that it was publishing all users’ location data to the entire web despite its privacy-policy promise to users that “You can opt out of such broadcasts through your privacy settings.”Foursquare Puts Money Before Privacy (Wired News) Source: Boing Boing | 30 Jun 2010 | 6:51 pm Ride the City app helps you to not die on your bicycle
The app is called Ride the City and it’s connected to a free website with information on Austin, Louisville, New York City, San Diego, San Fransisco, Seattle, Toronto, and the Washington DC metro area. The best part about the app is that whenever the developers add a city, you get that city added to your app for free! Currently the app sells for $2.99, and updates automatically. What’s the point behind the app? Well, Ride the City helps you find the safest and most efficient way to get to your destination. The app will help you to find the best bicycle lanes, trails, paths, and greenways to get you where you want to go. Not a bad deal for $2.99 eh?
Source: CrunchGear | 30 Jun 2010 | 6:45 pm Display makers: we’re making progress towards getting you that big, cheap OLED
There have been scaling issues, but the big display companies have spent the last year or so fiddling around with the little tiny displays (and enormous ones) and as a result, have achieved some level of “know-how.” They are going to use this “know-how” to create “real products,” presumably OLED TVs and displays. But will they be 3D?! Inquiring minds want to know!
Source: CrunchGear | 30 Jun 2010 | 6:45 pm Apple puts out feelers for antenna wizards - Los Angeles Times
Source: Sci/Tech - Google News | 30 Jun 2010 | 6:37 pm Microsoft Kills the Kinadeelarshad82 writes "The Microsoft Kin is dead, or at least it doesn't have a future as a standalone product. Microsoft released a statement suggesting that it's cutting bait on the Windows Phone 7 spinoff and folding the project's staff and technologies into the main body of Windows Phone 7. For now, it seems like Verizon Wireless will continue to sell Kin phones. But with the Kin team essentially disbanded, it's hard to see future updates and support for the line being a priority within Microsoft."
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Source: Slashdot | 30 Jun 2010 | 6:27 pm Rayovac Powers Your SummerMADISON, Wis., June 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Moms, kids and families just want to have fun this summer and Rayovac has the power to make it happen! From June 21st through July 20th, the popular battery brand is empowering families to have fun through the Rayovac Powers Your Summer promotion. The promotion kicked off on June 21st - the first day of summer - and will continue daily for the next 30 days. Rayovac, together with expert moms from 5MinutesForMom.com, is offering up great summertime family tips and a chance to win great prizes each day. Rayovac is offering a daily tip and question on Facebook.com/Rayovac and at Rayovac.com/PowersYourSummer. By simply responding to daily questions at Rayovac.com/PowersYourSummer, entrants will automatically be entered for a chance to win prizes ranging from Cameras and Bikes to Camping Supplies and a Summer Supply of Rayovac Batteries. "Rayovac is dedicated to helping moms and families power up their summer while also helping them save money," said Kent Klagos, Division Vice President Rayovac Marketing. "Rayovac batteries and products offer More Power For Your Money which puts the power back in moms' hands." How Will Moms Power Their Summer? According to the recent survey of moms conducted by Rayovac, many consider themselves "fun" moms (84 percent). While moms consider themselves fun, six out of ten believe having more energy would empower their families to have even more fun this summer. The survey also uncovered other "fun facts" about moms, families and the power of summer fun: Road Trip! - Seventy-seven percent of moms stated their families are headed on a road trip this summer.Name That Tune - To keep kids occupied in the car while taking a summer road trip, 60 percent of moms sing songs with their families. To give the vocal chords a rest, five out of 10 moms have their children watch movies on a portable DVD player.Summer Research Queen - While 29 percent of moms stated they add the power of fun to their family's summer by planning stay-at-home activities such as backyard picnics and campouts, 61 percent would rather research and participate in fun activities and events taking place in their communities.Losing Power - An overwhelming 75 percent of moms claim they lose power when it comes to ideas for the family over the summer.It Clicks - Moms take a lot of photos to capture summer memories. Fifty-two percent claim to take more than 300 photos over the summer months.Drip, Drop - When it rains, it still pours fun. Moms reveal they still keep the power of fun alive by participating in rainy day activities ranging from playing video games (79 percent) and watching movies or TV (99 percent) to making arts and crafts (92 percent) and taking a trip to the library (83 percent).Flashlight Tag You're It! - With so many toys and gadgets to choose from, 83 percent of moms use flashlights to power up summer family fun.Day at the Beach - Moms, kids and families will have their day at the beach this summer with 67 percent planning to visit the sand and surf.What a Wild Summer! - Seven out of 10 moms plan to take their families to the zoo over summer break.About Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc. Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc. is a global consumer products company and a leading supplier of batteries, shaving and grooming products, personal care products, small household appliances, specialty pet supplies, lawn & garden and home pest control products, personal insect repellents and portable lighting. Helping to meet the needs of consumers worldwide, included in its portfolio of widely trusted brands are Rayovac(R), Remington(R), Varta(R), George Foreman(R), Black&Decker Home(R), Toastmaster(R), Tetra(R), Marineland(R), Nature's Miracle(R), Dingo(R), 8-in-1(R), Littermaid(R), Spectracide(R), Cutter(R), Repel(R), and HotShot(R).Spectrum Brands' products are sold by the world's top 25 retailers and are available in more than one million stores in more than 120 countries around the world. Spectrum Brands Holdings' businesses generate annual revenue from continuing operations in excess of $3 billion. Editor's note: The Rayovac Powers Your Fun survey was conducted between June 14, 2010 and June 21, 2010. 300 influential moms with young children were surveyed. For more information, contact Mary Di Brita at 708/974-0828. SOURCE RayovacSource: RedOrbit News - Technology | 30 Jun 2010 | 6:06 pm Steak-based computing from Intel, coming to a kitchen near you (seriously)
Sure, it’s Jetsons stuff and we probably won’t see anything like it for some time, but remember this day, friends, remember this day when in 2025 you’re virtually mixing ingredients in the iBlender App for iKitchen. Intel and this lady did it first. [via HardOCP]
Source: CrunchGear | 30 Jun 2010 | 6:00 pm Decode: Crack the Movie MashupScratch your brain to come up with the answer to these movie-poster puzzlers.
Source: Wired Top Stories | 30 Jun 2010 | 6:00 pm ModCloth.com Raises $19.8 Million in Series B Led by AccelSAN FRANCISCO, June 30 /PRNewswire/ -- ModCloth, an innovative online retailer specializing in fashion and decor from independent designers, has secured $19.8 million in a round of Series B financing. The funding will be used to capitalize on the explosive growth of the indie fashion e-retailer, which became profitable in 2009 after four back-to-back years of roughly 600% annual growth. This round is led by Accel Partners, which also includes Facebook, Etsy and Groupon in their portfolio. ModCloth's previous investors, First Round Capital and Floodgate, are also participating. Theresia Gouw Ranzetta joins Josh Kopelman of First Round Capital and Mike Maples of Floodgate, alongside husband-and-wife co-founders Eric Koger and Susan Gregg Koger, on ModCloth's board. ModCloth will use the capital to further develop its own social commerce platform built in Ruby on Rails. A full scale build-out of the product management and digital experience teams is already underway in San Francisco, where a new headquarters was opened in May. There are also plans to launch a new supply chain operation in Los Angeles within the next several months. The original Pittsburgh office will continue to serve as the hub for customer support and distribution, along with other core functions. "We want to fundamentally change the fashion industry," says co-founder Susan Gregg Koger. "For so long, creating fashion has been this top-down process where the few 'insiders' at the top get to say what's cool. We've already started to change that through programs like Be the Buyer(TM), which empowers customers to vote samples from indie designers into production. But that's just the beginning; our list of to-dos is a mile long." ModCloth was started by Eric and Susan, when they were just teenagers, during the summer before entering Carnegie Mellon University in 2002. Eric applied his tech experience and business acumen to help transform Susan's creativity and love of "thrifting" into an online business. After graduating from college in 2006, Susan and Eric decided to expand, offering vintage-inspired clothing from talented indie designers from all over the world. The company has gained attention for its unique dedication to customer engagement on the site, as well as for being a vanguard in the social media sphere. Site features such as Be the Buyer(TM) have inspired a fun and unique social shopping community that empowers both independent designers and customers. "ModCloth is helping to change the way people shop in the same way that Facebook changed the way we communicate. In a very short period of time and with little outside capital, the company has leveraged the social web to empower a wildly loyal and engaged customer base," said Theresia Gouw Ranzetta of Accel. "Under the leadership of Susan and Eric, we expect ModCloth to continue its customer-focused innovation and phenomenal growth," added Ryan Sweeney, who is also part of the Accel team backing ModCloth. Long-term, the funding will enable ModCloth, now with a team of over 150, to continue to blur the lines between consumers, designers, producers, and e-retailer. About Accel: Founded in 1983, Accel Partners has a long history of excellence and innovation in the global venture and growth equity business. Accel today invests globally using dedicated teams and market-specific strategies for local geographies, with offices in Palo Alto, California; London, UK; and Bangalore, India; as well as in China via the IDG-Accel Partnership. With over $6 billion under management, Accel has helped entrepreneurs build over 300 successful category-defining companies, including Actuate, Admob, Alfresco, AMCC, Arrowpoint, Baidu, BBN, Brightcove, ComScore, Etsy, Facebook, Gameforge, Glam Media, Groupon, Imperva, Infinera, Interwoven, JBoss, Kayak, Macromedia, metroPCS, Playfish, Polycom/PictureTel, Portal Software, QlikTech, Rapt, Real Networks, Riverbed, Sohu.com, UUNet, Veritas, Walmart.com, Webroot, XenSource, and Zimbra. For more information, visit the Accel Partners at http://www.facebook.com/Accel. About ModCloth.com: ModCloth.com is an e-retailer that sells affordable independent designer women's fashion. They've attracted a large, devoted following through their unique selection of indie clothing and engaging promotions on the ModLife Blog and social networks. The company is founded by husband and wife team Eric Koger and Susan Gregg Koger. Contact Information: Alicia Barnes, Public Relations Manager ModCloth.com press@modcloth.com 412-897-1965 Keirsten Lampkin Accel Partners klampkin@accel.com 650-614-4800 SOURCE ModClothSource: RedOrbit News - Technology | 30 Jun 2010 | 6:00 pm Too Scary to Fly, Not Scary Enough to ArrestThe government is denying 10 U.S. citizens and residents, three of whom are veterans, the ability to fly to or from the United States. Nearly all have Middle Eastern names, and many are stranded overseas, according to a federal lawsuit.
Source: Wired Top Stories | 30 Jun 2010 | 6:00 pm Microsoft: 10,000 PCs Hit With New XP 0day Attack (PC World)PC World - Nearly a month after a Google engineer released details of a new Windows XP flaw, criminals have dramatically ramped up online attacks that leverage the bug.Source: Yahoo! News: Technology News | 30 Jun 2010 | 5:50 pm 4 Reasons Why Microsoft's Kin Phones FailedMicrosoft has decided to stop introducing new Kin-branded phones and will scrap the device’s European launch.
Source: Wired Top Stories | 30 Jun 2010 | 5:50 pm 4 Reasons Why Microsoft's Kin Phones FailedMicrosoft has decided to stop introducing new Kin-branded phones and will scrap the device’s European launch.
Source: Wired: Gadgets | 30 Jun 2010 | 5:50 pm iPhone 4 takes shots at the HTC EVO 4G [NSFW]Section: Video, Web, Online Music/Video Yesterday, we showed you a YouTube video by tinywatchproductions about a sales rep trying to convince a person who wants the iPhone 4 to buy the HTC EVO 4G instead. This time, we have a different video made by the same people which showcases an Apple store employee explaining to a HTC EVO 4G user why his phone isn’t working properly. The video can be viewed above. Again, there is a bit of swearing so you might want to keep the volume low. My favorite parts are when the EVO 4G user says it has more “M-P’s” and is “more open.” Enjoy!
Full Story » | Written by Natesh Sood for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article » Source: Gadgetell | 30 Jun 2010 | 5:49 pm Review: T-Mobile GarminFone
Full review over at MobileCrunch.
Source: CrunchGear | 30 Jun 2010 | 5:40 pm We were family: Microsoft halts Kin phone rollout (AP)AP - For Microsoft, there will be no next of Kin.Source: Yahoo! News: Technology News | 30 Jun 2010 | 5:35 pm Motorola advert revels in anti-iPhone schadenfreude - Register
Source: Sci/Tech - Google News | 30 Jun 2010 | 5:32 pm Smart Textiles Blend LEDs, Circuits and Sensors<< previous image | next image >>
The fabric of the future won’t be just plain chiffon, silk or cotton. Instead electroluminescent material, microprocessors and LEDs may be woven together with clothing fibers to create smart textiles. “Clothing can be considered a second skin and by implementing technology in it, you are bringing it into your intimate space,” says Nicky Assmann, an e-textile designer whose work was part of a recent exhibition in the Netherlands. “You are not just carrying technology like a laptop or an iPhone, but wearing it constantly.” The exhibition, Pretty Smart Textiles, which closed last week, gave a glimpse into what happens when technology meets fashion. Among the exhibits were a dress made entirely of circuit boards that could also be used to generate music, a garment that when worn takes the sound of a heartbeat and other sounds from the body and remixes it into music, and a trenchcoat that reads fabric punch cards and tells stories. Electronic textiles are outgrowing their geeky reputation, says Melissa Coleman, who with Dorith Sjardijn curated the exhibtion. “The open source hardware movement has allowed for quicker and easier development of electronics and made it accessible to artists and designers,” says Coleman. “The result is that smart textile applications have become more interesting conceptually and aesthetically.” The exhibition, which ended last week, featured 16 works and seven interactive samples. Most of the artists who showed their work were women. “Electronic textiles appeal more to women than men,” says Sjardijn. “Women who are already in technology find it a nice way to combine the stuff that they find appealing with the more clinical world of technology and programming.” A Musical Circuit DressA dress with 35 old circuit boards stitched together is not for everyone. But Nicky Assmann, who built the dress over a four month period, says she chose circuit boards as the fabric for her dress because she liked their look. “There’s a certain aesthetic about them — they have many details and are very systematic, like a grid or a city map,” she says. The circuit dress is not just clothing but also a musical instrument. The dress is based on the idea of circuit bending, which involves deliberately short-circuiting electronic musical devices to get unexpected noise. Twelve coils are incorporated into the dress, each of which is played by connecting it to one another through copper finger plates. The musical composition results as the fingers explore the dress. There are two speakers on the front of the dress, and the entire dress runs on batteries. The straps on the dress are made from electric cables that are are used for rewiring the circuit-bended board from the back to the coils to the front. “It’s very functional,” says Assmann, since it solved the problem of where to leave the wires. Overall, the dress weighs about 20 pounds. Assmann says if she’s practicing for a performance, she can’t wear the dress for more than hour because the straps hurt her shoulder. Ultimately, the idea of the musical circuit dress is to display what many people consider ugly when it comes to technology: the innards of a device with its circuit boards, the wires and the chips. Assmann, an artist who’s studying for her graduate degree in Music at the Royal Conservatory and Academy in Hague, says the circuit dress put an aesthetic that’s normally hidden out in the front. “The unwearability of the dress defines its performance,” says Assmann.
Source: Wired: Gadget Lab | 30 Jun 2010 | 5:30 pm New Smell Drives Evolution of New Moth SpeciesA new scent is enough to spark the evolution of a new moth species -- and it can start with just a single genetic mutation.
Source: Wired Top Stories | 30 Jun 2010 | 5:30 pm Gallery: Smart Textiles Blend LEDs, Circuits and SensorsA recent exhibition of "smart textiles" shows how fabric can be combined with electronics to make interactive, musical and thought-provoking wearables.
Source: Wired Top Stories | 30 Jun 2010 | 5:30 pm Gallery: Smart Textiles Blend LEDs, Circuits and SensorsA recent exhibition of "smart textiles" shows how fabric can be combined with electronics to make interactive, musical and thought-provoking wearables.
Source: Wired: Gadgets | 30 Jun 2010 | 5:30 pm Russian Spy Ring Needed Some Serious IT Helpcoondoggie writes "The Russian ring charged this week with spying on the United States faced some of the common security problems that plague many companies — misconfigured wireless networks, users writing passwords on slips of paper, and laptop help desk issues that take months to resolve."
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Source: Slashdot | 30 Jun 2010 | 5:10 pm Review: T-Mobile GarminFone
Pros:
Cons:
Full review: Many Android phones these days focus on adding a dedicated social layer, with widgets crammed in every cranny for this or that notification service or social network. Location data and maps, however, are rarely treated as anything more than standard functions of the phone, relegated to the standard Google Maps. The GarminFone pretty much takes the complete opposite tack here, sacrificing even core Android functionality to the all-important feature: navigation. If that gets your heart racing, this may just be your phone. If you’re skeptical right off the bat, however, I don’t think there’s much value in it for you.
The key feature of the GarminFone is its dedicated navigation app. It essentially functions as a complete Garmin GPS device, almost completely independent of signal and data connection. You can use Google Maps if you want, but the pre-loaded database of roads and destinations in the Garmin app is often far more convenient, and you can search via Google from within it, so the only reason to use Google Maps is if you prefer the look (I do, personally), or for using other Google meta-mapping services. In any case, the Garmin navigation is simple, powerful, and fairly attractive. Garmin compares the phone’s abilities to one of its higher-end devices, which can use data services to get traffic and other data. I found its database to be reasonably comprehensive for established locations, and its directions were accurate. It didn’t have a few newer places, but it’s easy enough to get them via Google Local Search. The multiple views possible make it suitable for driving or walking, and the voice cues were well-timed and easy to follow. Multi-touch was in full effect, allowing for quick zooms. The map was responsive, but not nearly as fluid to move around as I’d like. The GarminFone has a separate display for satellite signal, which is handy but occasionally futile to consult — it’s not like you can wave it around and get a better connection with the satellite. It’s reassuring when you’re driving, however, to look over and see that yes, you have full bars on satellite, and it’s not going to suddenly think you’re a quarter mile behind of where you actually are. Hardware
The phone’s form factor (a collaboration with Asus) is, depending on your perspective, either pleasantly plump or overstuffed. The main body feels solid and it’s a pretty good-looking piece of kit. The buttons stick out a bit far, however, especially the on-off button: it protrudes from the rounded top and was constantly being hit when I put in a pocket or bag. It also has the annoying Android 1.6 habit of occasionally not turning off when you tell it to, then when you hit the button again, turning off and on real fast. Why can’t people seem to design a screen on-off button that works properly? I could have done without the touch-sensitive buttons. They’re responsive enough and give a little buzz when you hit them, but they’re pretty easy to hit on accident. The square D-pad takes a little getting used to, but works as expected. Unforgivably, there is no 3.5mm headphone jack. Come on, people. The GarminFone does come with a competent car kit too, which I did not have time to mount. It includes a dash mount and charger; it grips the phone via the contact points on the side. The rest of the phone If you are a person who relies on GPS to get you where you’re going, this could be a killer feature for you. GPS unit and phone in one — a life-saver for a few of you out there. But what about its performance as a smartphone? Not so good, unfortunately. The first thing you likely noticed was the custom interface. It puts all the focus on navigation, and unlike other custom interfaces (Motoblur, Sense), it’s almost completely non-customizable. What you see is what you get.
The oversized buttons on the main screen are there forever, so get used to them. The App drawer opens from the side, which isn’t really any better or worse if you ask me, but I’ve always felt a little weird opening it up horizontally and then scrolling vertically. You can, of course, download all the apps you want, which appear in chronological (and arrangeable) order in the app drawer. Rearranging is a slow process, however, and the way moved apps push the others down makes it a sort of puzzle to get them the way you want. The always-accessible left-hand column of the app drawer is handy, but honestly not nearly as handy as having multiple home screens.
The included apps are a mixed bag. The “vanilla” e-mail app is attractive and functional, though it shares many quirks with its sibling, the default 1.6 email client. Messaging is pretty standard, but has a few incomprehensible design choices: why does it default to the message text box when you start a new text, instead of the “to” box? And why isn’t there a “send” button when I’m typing my message in landscape mode? Little UI lapses like this are scattered about the phone, and although they’re only slightly frustrating and at most result in a few lost seconds, it sucks to know that they’re never likely to be fixed. It also comes with a few other location- and navigation-centric apps like Ciao and Garmin Voice Studio. As for the location-based extras, that’s something that is better handled by Google and/or social apps like Foursquare, so I didn’t get much use out of them and I doubt many users will, either. Typing on the keyboard was a pleasant experience, I found; the auto-complete feature and vibrating keys were problematic, though, and led to lots of mistakes. Otherwise the screen was responsive and accurate enough that I was typing almost as fast as I can on my G1’s hard keyboard. Frustratingly, some applications have their notification or display settings buried in the universal Settings>Applications menu, instead of their own context menus. Why this is, I have no idea, but it’s a pain. Speaking of notifications, there’s no LED notification indicator. What the hell? I rely on that thing! I also found that a custom notification sound I use faded in instead of simply playing, leading to a rather weird phased effect. That might be an isolated problem, though. Battery life was quite good, which was surprising considering the amount of satellite callouts it was doing. The hours quoted in its specs are probably within reason — after a full day of checking email, doing some browsing, and checking maps fairly often, I still probably had four or five more hours left. Conclusion: To be honest, despite my various issues with the UI, I found it easy and intuitive in general. The real argument against it, however, is not that it isn’t usable, but that it will never be improved. It’s running Android 1.6, and is almost certainly never going to get the 2.1 or 2.2 treatment. The many features and optimizations (to say nothing of useful apps) present in those and upcoming versions will never be yours if you get the GarminFone. Again, for those among you who just want a good smartphone and a good GPS unit in the same device, this is likely not an issue, but for people who put the phone first, it is a potential deal-breaker. The GarminFone is a handy and unique device, especially for people who are used to dedicated GPS units, but whether it’s worth the trade-off in smartphone features is a choice you’ll have to make. It succeeds well at what it tries to do, but it remains to be seen whether that’s enough. Product page: T-Mobile GarminFone
Source: MobileCrunch | 30 Jun 2010 | 5:00 pm Online Finance Startup Wesabe Heads To The Deadpool
In the letter, Wesabe CEO Marc Hedlund writes that the site has been operating on a shoestring budget lately, which has led to both some poor customer experiences and the potential for security issues, which is why they’re pulling the plug:
Wesabe was showing some growth in April 2009 when it launched its iPhone app, but traffic has dropped steadily since then. The site has largely been overshadowed by competitor Mint, which launched at (and won) TechCrunch50 and later went to on be acquired for $170 million by Intuit. We’ve been covering the site since 2006. In Feburary 2007 it raised $700,000 from O’Reilly AlphaTech Ventures, and later that year raised $4 million in a round led by Union Square Ventures. Wesabe has been added to the Deadpool. Information provided by CrunchBase      
Source: TechCrunch | 30 Jun 2010 | 4:44 pm Austria's BAWAG PSK Bank to Enhance Its Competitiveness with Teradata Relationship Manager SolutionSAN DIEGO, June 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Teradata Corporation (NYSE: TDC) today announced that Austria's BAWAG PSK Bank plans to deploy the Teradata Relationship Manager solution to increase competitiveness by enhancing its marketing agility and customer service. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090909/TERADATALOGO ) (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090909/TERADATALOGO ) "In addition to using the traditional marketing channels of direct mail and branch communications, we decided that Teradata had the best solution to help us automate our event-based marketing campaigns. We will be able to integrate data about all customer contacts from e-mail, branch banking, contact centers, mail and the bank's website," said Kaspar Trachsel, head of Customer Relationship Management, BAWAG PSK Bank. "The deployment of multi-channel capability and the resulting enterprise analytics is an essential step to allow us to better serve our valued customers and enhance our competitive differentiation." Since 2007, BAWAG PSK Bank has relied on Teradata enterprise analytics and data warehousing technology to drive its effective marketing programs. The decision to grow the relationship was based on the power and proven results of Teradata's leading technology and the strength of its professional services consulting. "We are pleased that BAWAG PSK Bank is expanding its relationship by selecting the Teradata solution, with its ten-year leadership in multi-channel marketing" said Hermann Wimmer, president, EMEA Region, Teradata Corporation. "Teradata Relationship Manager was recently positioned in Gartner's Leaders Quadrant as a proven portfolio used by global customers to drive business results." About BAWAG PSK Group BAWAG P.S.K. ranks among the five largest banks in Austria and is the leading retail bank for the middle-income market. It is a modern, service oriented, one-stop financial institution with excellent market know-how. It offers a wide range of innovative products, both for retail and commercial customers with 1.6 million retail and 60,000 corporate customers. The bank reported 41.2 billion euros in assets and administers customer deposits of 22.7 billion euros. BAWAG P.S.K. has the biggest centrally managed distribution network in Austria with 150 branches, 1,100 postal offices and 600 postal partners. About Teradata Teradata Corporation (NYSE: TDC) is the world's largest company solely focused on raising intelligence and achieving enterprise agility through its database software, enterprise data warehousing, data warehouse appliances, consulting, and enterprise analytics. Visit Teradata on the web at www.teradata.com. Teradata is a trademark or registered trademark of Teradata Corporation in the United States and other countries. SOURCE Teradata CorporationSource: RedOrbit News - Technology | 30 Jun 2010 | 4:41 pm 4 Reasons Why Microsoft’s Kin Phones Failed
Microsoft’s attempt to be hip and cool in mobile is a bust. The company has decided to stop introducing new Kin-branded phones and will scrap the device’s European launch. Instead it plans to integrate Kin into its existing Windows 7 Phone team. It will continue Kin sales in the United States, Microsoft said in a statement. The move comes just two months after Microsoft introduced two phones under a new brand called Kin. The devices, called Kin One and Kin Two, were built with social networking services such as Facebook and Twitter at their core. Manufactured by Sharp for Microsoft, and available exclusively on Verizon Wireless, the phones were targeted at teens and social networking addicts. But, from the start, Kin devices seemed doomed. The phones got tepid reviews and were plagued by reports of extremely poor sales. Here are four reasons why we think the Kin failed: Fuzzy Kin OS Creates ConfusionMicrosoft has been pouring resources into beefing up Windows Mobile and seems poised to introduce Windows Phone 7 in time for holiday season this year. But in a surprise move, Kin made its debut in April running a flavor of the new operating system. Kin’s OS isn’t exactly Windows 7 Phone but it’s not entirely a new operating system either, Microsoft executives attempted to explain. Call it a fork in the road of Windows Phone 7, they said at launch. Kin had features such as easy sharing and automated backup that didn’t seem part of the announced Windows Phone 7 OS. But that only confused mobile phone enthusiasts. Now Microsoft seems to realize splitting its OS brand could be a problem. Microsoft executive Roz Ho who headed the Kin project, will “oversee” her team’s move into the Windows Phone 7 fold, and then move to another role in the company, says Engadget. Expensive for an Incomplete SmartphoneThe Kin isn’t a smartphone, but it sure had a monthly cellphone plan priced like one. At launch, the palm-sized Kin One — which had a 2.7-inch screen — cost $50 with a two-year Verizon contract, while the Kin Two with its 3.5-inch display cost $100. A few weeks later, Verizon dropped the price on the two phones to $80 and $30 respectively. Sounds cheap right? Not really. The fine print is in the monthly cellphone plan for the device. All Kin phones require a data plan. That means a $70 a month minimum on the bill. For someone flipping burgers at McDonald’s for their summer job, that’s a lot of money to be handing over to a cellphone company. If only Microsoft had offered all those social networking features on the Kin without requiring a data plan, Kin might have had a better shot at survival.  Microsoft executive Robbie Bach was confident enough to wear a pink shirt to the unveiling of the Kin, but it didn't save the phone -- or his job. No Apps, No GamesThough Kin forced a data plan on its users, they’re not really smartphones. Kin phones have a browser and can access social networking sites through widgets. But Microsoft crippled the overall functionality of the device by not allowing apps or games on the phone. That means users ended up paying for a smartphone but got an amped-up feature phone instead. Consumers, even teens, are smarter than that. Many just gave the Kin a pass. Lack of Cool FactorKin made a bold move into an extremely competitive cellphone market. But the devices lacked the cool factor and never really made it clear why a user would want a Kin over a Motorola Cliq or a HTC Hero. Microsoft’s marketing of the Kin seemed to make it worse. The company focused on projecting a faux hipster vibe for the product. Kin would be a device that would make it easy to share photos, videos and access social networking feeds, promised Microsoft’s ads. However, almost every smartphone today can do that, and at times better than the Kin. At launch, Kin’s Twitter client, for instance, was half-baked. Users couldn’t view @ replies, search, or post photos. Similarly, Facebook features were limited to showing or posting status updates, though you could post photos. What Microsoft failed to drive home were the truly innovative features of the phone — mainly the automated cloud backup. The Kin backs up the entire device, including photos, videos, message history and call log into a free online storage area that can be accessed from any browser — all without the user doing anything to trigger it. It’s a feature that can come in handy when the phone is dead or missing. But you wouldn’t have known that from Microsoft’s Kin ads. See Also:
Top photo: Kin One and Kin Two Photos: Jim Merithew/Wired.com 
Source: Wired: Gadget Lab | 30 Jun 2010 | 4:40 pm Verizon offers $25 gift card as reparation for Incredible delaysSection: Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers, Smartphones
As we noted yesterday, the phone is now delayed to ship until July 28, which is pretty ridiculous. Personally, I would prefer $25 in cash or even my phone delivered on time, but it is still a nice gesture by Verizon to offer some sort of compensation. Via [AndroidCentral] Full Story » | Written by Natesh Sood for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article » Source: Gadgetell | 30 Jun 2010 | 4:39 pm The Social Currency CrunchUp And 5th Annual TechCrunch Summer Party
It’s also time for our summer CrunchUp, a one day conference held before the party. We started putting these together when we realized that people were traveling in from around the country just to attend a party. We decided we wanted to spend the whole day with entrepreneurs. First it was the Mobile Web Wars, then the Real Time Stream. This year, we’re really excited to announce that Stanford’s Arrillaga Alumni Center will host our conversation. This summer, we’re hosting the Social Currency CrunchUp. As early adopters of technology, we’ve all grown accustomed that our opinions and product uses are not indicative of the average consumer. So what happens when we hit an inflection point and the masses matter? Do we really know what local merchants / SMBs need to support their businesses? What do we need to know about consumer psychology so our digitally delivered discounts resonate with consumers? What retail rules of the road do we need to honor to close a sale? How do we blend the best of virtual and real currencies to entertain consumers? That’s what we’re going to explore at the Social Currency CrunchUp. We’re going to mix up real-world consumers and traditional retailers and marketers alongside the hottest new startups to shake things up and debate the future.
The CrunchUp event during the day will max out at around 500 people. The party is for a larger crowd but sells out extremely quickly. CrunchUp attendees also get a pass to the party.
About the Social Currency CrunchUp: Please contact Jeanne Logozzo or Heather Harde for sponsorship opportunities to help support one of the most popular tech fests of the summer. Contact Laura Boychenko to request a press pass. We’ll release the first batch of August Capital summer party tickets on Friday at 9 am pst. The August Capital summer outing is 5:30 – 10:00 pm on Friday, July 30. Tickets will be released weekly in batches. Stay tuned, they sell out quickly. Photo credit: SiliconValleyBlog.      
Source: TechCrunch | 30 Jun 2010 | 4:29 pm First real details about Android 3.0 “Gingerbread” emerge
New hardware requirements are being instituted: a 1GHz CPU, 512MB of RAM, and at least a 3.5″ display. Not so bad; a lot of phones already sport that. But if you miss one, you can’t get Gingerbread at all. At all. The high-end and tablet devices will be 3.0, and many phones will just stop at 2.2. The operating resolutions have been increased as well: 1280×760 (notably just a touch larger than 720p) will be natively supported for 4″ devices and above. I’ve been holding out for Chrome OS, but I’m beginning to wonder whether that’s wise. It’s expected to be released sometime around the holidays, probably mid-October. Same time as Windows Phone 7… oh dear. To the death, then.
Source: MobileCrunch | 30 Jun 2010 | 4:13 pm Bob Dudley, Chief Executive for BP Response, answers your questions about the oil spill(Cross-posted from the YouTube Blog) Now we’re teaming up with PBS NewsHour to take you to BP headquarters in Houston for an exclusive interview with Bob Dudley, President and CEO of BP’s Gulf Coast Restoration Organization. In a live session moderated by the PBS NewsHour’s Ray Suarez, Mr. Dudley will respond directly to your questions. Now is your chance to ask BP questions on accountability, the clean-up plan, recovery efforts in the Gulf Region, environmental impact, the status of the relief well drilling, the role of the U.S. government, the future of offshore drilling and of BP as a company. Using Google Moderator on youtube.com/citizentube, submit your questions and vote the best ones to the top. Then join us for the live interview tomorrow, Thursday, July 1, at 3:30 pm ET/12:30 pm PT on CitizenTube. Portions of the interview will also be aired Thursday evening on the PBS NewsHour and available on YouTube. Early on, we partnered with NewsHour to bring you a live stream of the oil gushing into the waters of the Gulf. On June 15, we streamed President Obama’s Oval Office address on the oil spill crisis on CitizenTube. After the President’s speech, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs answered questions submitted by YouTube users, who cast nearly 200,000 votes to select the top questions from 7,000+ submitted. We hope that these various opportunities to engage and participate in a current event help you and fellow citizens stay more informed and have your voice heard. Posted by Olivia Ma, YouTube News Manager and Ginny Hunt, Google Public Sector Manager   
 Source: The Official Google Blog | 30 Jun 2010 | 4:11 pm As Its Stock Languishes, Yahoo Tries $3 Billion Buyback to Juice Shares [BoomTown]
As BoomTown wrote last week, Yahoo’s stock has performed poorly over the last year. Let’s go to the numbers: Yahoo (YHOO) is down 9.8 percent for the month and 17.5 percent YTD. And while most digital stocks are off in 2010–except for the soaring Apple (AAPL)–Yahoo’s shares performed the worst year over year, down 11.6 percent, compared to a decline of 3.2 percent for Microsoft (MSFT) and an increase of 5.5 percent for Google (GOOG). The message from investors to CEO Carol Bartz’s efforts to turn around the fortunes of the Internet giant: Meh. So, today, the company is trying to do something about that via a board authorization to repurchase $3 billion in shares over the next three years. In its regulatory filing, Yahoo said the transactions could “take place in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions.” Naturally, the move caused an initial jump in Yahoo stock in after-hours trading, up just under one percent to $13.93. Source: All Things Digital | 30 Jun 2010 | 4:10 pm Fun Plane Comes Equipped With iPadIt was perhaps inevitable that Apple's tablet and a few apps would be used for aircraft avionics.
Source: Wired Top Stories | 30 Jun 2010 | 4:08 pm Deal of the Day: Motorola Xbox 360, PC gaming headset for $7.99FROM GAMERTELL - The headset features a “coaches headset” design with one puffy earpiece, one smaller earpiece and a “rotating, flexible boom noise canceling microphone” on an arm… Full Story » | Written by NEWS for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article » Source: Gadgetell | 30 Jun 2010 | 4:06 pm Microsoft pulls plug on Kin launch in EuropeSection: Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers
It goes without saying the Kin launch in the United States did not meet the expectations of Microsoft or Verizon. The product had a very specific target base, but the phone was priced like a smartphone so it did not really appeal to the teenage target base. Even with a price cut on the Kin ONE and Kin TWO, the data plan still remained obscenely high for a product that doesn’t need such a high data plan. Andy Lees will combine the Windows Phone 7 development team with the Kin development team to focus exclusively on Windows Phone 7. Therefore, the Kin will not be launching in Europe this fall. Here is the official statement from Microsoft on the matter:
For those who actually own one of the Kin devices, Microsoft will not be leaving you in the dark and hopefully will still provide software updates as needed, but no that is not confirmed. It’s sad to see Microsoft kill the Kin so soon after its launch, especially when it seemed the Kin had a bright future. But the meager sales of the Kin in America speak for themselves and justify killing the Kin before it launches in Europe. Via [CNET] Full Story » | Written by Natesh Sood for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article » Source: Gadgetell | 30 Jun 2010 | 3:51 pm 2-Billion-Year-Old Fossils May Be Earliest Known Multicellular LifeA newly discovered group of 2.1-billion-year-old fossil organisms may be the earliest known example of complex life on Earth. It could help scientists understand not just when higher organisms began to evolve, but why.
Source: Wired Top Stories | 30 Jun 2010 | 3:40 pm HMG Strategy Wins International Audience at CIO Executive Leadership Roundtable in TorontoWESTPORT, Conn., June 30 /PRNewswire/ -- HMG Strategy, the Connecticut-based producer of world-class CIO leadership events, brought its message of transformational change and innovation to the international stage earlier this month in Toronto. "Transformational leadership is essential for success in today's ultra-competitive, rapidly evolving markets," said Hunter Muller, President and CEO, HMG Strategy. "The newest technology drives innovation and innovation drives business value. For CIOs and technology executives, this is a critical moment. Can they provide leadership? Will they provide leadership?" Toronto-area CIOs and IT executives attended the CIO Executive Leadership Roundtable held June 17 at the Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto. The invitation-only event, produced by HMG Strategy, provided a high-level, private venue for sharing crucial knowledge, exploring new strategies, and envisioning new revenue streams through innovative use of information technology. Yuri Aguiar, Senior Partner and CIO, Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide, delivered the session's keynote, "Today's Transformational Leader and the Changing Role of Technology Leadership." Aguiar's address focused on how three different types of business leaders might view technology in three different ways: one as a revenue driver, another as a basic service, while a third as a necessary evil. Harry Pickett, Senior VP & CTO, Manulife Financial, presented an executive briefing on the ways in which Manulife's IT transformation was critical to the company's success. Panel speakers and discussion leaders included Susan Doniz, Director, Shared Services, The Proctor & Gamble Company, Canada; Jan Mark Holzer, Office of the CTO, Red Hat, Inc.; Jeff Hutchinson, CIO, Maple Leaf Foods; and Dave Revell, Senior VP, ITS Enterprise Operations, Strategy and Architecture, Rogers Communications Inc.; and John Mealia, Senior Client Partner, Korn/Ferry International. HMG Strategy events are sponsored by leading global organizations including IBM, Salesforce.com, McAfee, Polycom, Red Hat, CA Technologies, Compuware, Dell. HMG's strategic partners include Egon Zehnder International, Heidrick & Struggles, Korn/Ferry International, Russell Reynolds Associates, and Spencer Stuart. Upcoming 2010 CIO Executive Roundtables include Atlanta, Dallas, Memphis, Greenwich, Los Angeles and Chicago. Please visit www.hmgstrategy.com for a complete list of events. HMG Strategy of Westport, CT, produces a series of compelling CIO leadership events aimed at bringing together world-class IT leaders with C-level executives to discuss business transformation and the evolution of the CIO from technology chief to transformational business leader. Our thought leadership network helps CIO/Senior IT executives achieve their critical strategic, operational and career objectives by interconnecting them with leading business and technology professionals. For more information about the CIO Executive Leadership Series and HMG Strategy go to www.hmgstrategy.com. General Inquiries: Please contact Melissa Marr at 203-460-1924 or via e-mail at melissam@hmgstrategy.com. Sponsorship Opportunities: Please contact Hunter Muller at 203-221-2702 or via e-mail at hunterm@hmgstrategy.com. SOURCE HMG StrategySource: RedOrbit News - Technology | 30 Jun 2010 | 3:38 pm Microsoft Gives Kin the Kith of Death [Digital Daily]
As first reported by CNet, Microsoft (MSFT) has canceled the social media phone’s European launch and shifted the developer resources it had dedicated to it to Windows Phone 7. Once the current supply of Kins runs out, Microsoft will not produce any more. “We have made the decision to focus exclusively on Windows Phone 7 and we will not ship KIN in Europe this fall as planned,” the company said in a statement given to News.com. “Additionally, we are integrating our KIN team with the Windows Phone 7 team, incorporating valuable ideas and technologies from KIN into future Windows Phone releases. We will continue to work with Verizon in the U.S. to sell current KIN phones.” News of the Kin’s end-of-life comes just three months after the device was unveiled and a month after it first went on sale–which has got to be some sort of record. Given Kin’s abbreviated lifespan after what was a pretty splashy launch, you’ve got wonder just how poorly it sold. Certainly those laughable rumors that Kin sales barely broke 500 seem a bit less so now. That said, this a boldly decisive move for Microsoft, which arguably should never have wasted on Kin resources that it could have directed to its far, far more important Windows Phone 7 platform. Next of kin have been informed. Source: All Things Digital | 30 Jun 2010 | 3:36 pm Microsoft puts down the Kin
These words from Microsoft serve as the epitaph for the Kin series of socially-oriented handsets and their ecosystem. It’s been less than two months since the handsets and service were announced, and rumors of incredibly low sales had us questioning the lifespan of these little guys not long after. Add to that the weird interface and inexplicable pricing, and it’s clear in retrospect that the Kins never had much of a chance. In fact, we heard the project was canceled before it was even officially announced.
Source: CrunchGear | 30 Jun 2010 | 3:33 pm Fark Creator Slams 'the Wisdom of Crowds'GovTechGuy writes with some harsh words from Fark.com founder Drew Curtis, speaking at a conference Tuesday in Washington, DC: "'The "wisdom of the crowds" is the most ridiculous statement I've heard in my life. Crowds are dumb,' Curtis said. 'It takes people to move crowds in the right direction, crowds by themselves just stand around and mutter.' Curtis pointed to his own experience moderating comments on Fark, which allows users to give their often humorous take on the news of the day. He said only one percent of Web comments have any value and called the rest 'garbage.' Another example Curtis pointed to is the America Speaking Out website recently launched by House Republicans to allow the public to weigh in on the issues and vote for policy positions they support. Curtis called the site an 'absolute train wreck.' 'It's an absolute disaster. It's impossible to tell who was kidding and who wasn't,' Curtis said."
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Source: Slashdot | 30 Jun 2010 | 3:32 pm Microsoft puts down the Kin
These words from Microsoft serve as the epitaph for the Kin series of socially-oriented handsets and their ecosystem. It’s been less than two months since the handsets and service were announced, and rumors of incredibly low sales had us questioning the lifespan of these little guys not long after. Add to that the weird interface and inexplicable pricing, and it’s clear in retrospect that the Kins never had much of a chance. In fact, we heard the project was canceled before it was even officially announced. I’m actually glad to see those guys merged with WP7; I think the new OS has promise — not to say a chance in hell of surviving come October. The addition of some Kin stuff (the browser timeline was actually really cool) could sweeten the deal, though. RIP, Kin. You were… well, you were.
Source: MobileCrunch | 30 Jun 2010 | 3:31 pm Not a Pretty Picture for Move Networks [Voices]By John Murrell After raising almost $70 million in funding, online video technology outfit Move Networks is now reportedly in dire health and looking for a buyer to put it out of its misery. Blog reports say that most of the company’s employees have been laid off and that CEO Roxanne Austin, former DirecTV president, has bailed. Tough market–ask Veoh and Qlipso. Source: All Things Digital | 30 Jun 2010 | 3:29 pm Sprint pushes out new HTC EVO 4G update, hopefully won’t brick your phoneSection: Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers, Smartphones
Via [Engadget] Full Story » | Written by Natesh Sood for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article » Source: Gadgetell | 30 Jun 2010 | 3:26 pm Super Famicon Tee for the Super Comboy Super Fan.
Here’s a cool looking shirt from The King of Games, commemorating the 20-year anniversary of the Super Famicon’s release in Japan. Comes in either gray or white and you can pre-order for about $62. Wait..really? That’s super souped. [via Tinycartridge]
Source: CrunchGear | 30 Jun 2010 | 3:19 pm NetCharts Pro v7.0 Sets New Standard for Delivering 'Embedded BI'Application Developers Can Now Support HTML 5/SVG with Seamless Translation to Adobe Flash ROCKVILLE, Md., June 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Visual Mining, a leader in business intelligence (BI) dashboard and data visualization solutions, today announced the immediate availability of NetCharts Pro v7.0. NetCharts Pro continues to be the solution for Java application developers who want to deliver dynamic, interactive charts, graphs and business intelligence within applications, web-browsers, or internet enabled devices. "For companies looking to integrate dashboards and other visual BI functionality into a web-based application, NetCharts Pro v7.0 provides a technologically robust platform for developers while delivering intuitive visual appeal to end-users," said Michael Locke, Sr. Research Analyst, Business Intelligence, Aberdeen Group. With NetChart Pro v7.0, Java application developers can integrate charts, graphs, and business intelligence functionality into their applications today-- and tomorrow. The following new features assure Pro v7.0 customers they will stand out from the competition, increase application adoption, and save development time and money: Support for HTML 5 and the SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) specificationReal time translation of SVG into Flash for web browsers that are not yet HTML 5 compliantEmulate all commercial visualization styles and effects, or create new, unique charts and graphsCompelling new styles including glossy effects, spotlights, shadows, multiple gradients, and corner stylesEnhanced interactivity with build animations, image-based rollover effects, and legend manipulation"With the release of NetCharts Pro v7.0, we not only reaffirm our technical leadership but that of our customers, by providing industry leading interactive visualization and business intelligence functionality," said Tristan Ziegler, President and CEO, Visual Mining. "Supporting HTML 5 and SVG, as well as automatically back-porting to Adobe Flash also means NetCharts Pro v7.0 is browser agnostic, thereby enabling developers to focus on functionality within their own solutions rather than worry about the direction or pace of change in web standards." "NetCharts Pro is great technology. It is easy to use, reliable, and helps us provide incredible value to our customers," said Crispin Panyard, Vice President of Operations for Eyelit. "In fact, we've been so impressed with NetChart Pro, we're looking to add other products from the NetCharts Product Suite, such as NetCharts Performance Dashboards, to help provide even greater customer value." Also with the release of NetCharts Pro v7.0, Visual Mining is merging its NetCharts Applets product into NetCharts Pro. In accordance with support and maintenance terms, Visual Mining will continue to support older versions of NetCharts Applets. Upon migration to Pro v7.0, NetCharts Applets customers can continue to output Java applets for client-side applications, and will now be able to provide charts, graphs and dashboards as JPG, PNG, SVG and Flash in server-side applications. Visual Mining is also announcing new service offerings to help customers quickly migrate and take advantage of NetCharts Pro v7.0. To learn more, download a free evaluation copy NetCharts Pro, or become a member of the Visual Mining Partner Program, please visit www.visualmining.com. About Visual Mining For more than a decade, Visual Mining continues to be a profitable, trusted and valued provider of business intelligence dashboard and data visualization solutions that instantly transform data into actionable business information. Visual Mining's award-winning NetCharts software delivers comprehensive, intuitive, and effective solutions for both developers and business end-users. Visual Mining's support and professional services teams complement their products by providing the expertise to ensure success. Follow us on Twitter! www.twitter.com/visualmining. Visual Mining: Visualize. Analyze. Capitalize. www.visualmining.com Visual Mining, NetCharts, and NetCharts Performance Dashboards are trademarks of Visual Mining, Inc. Other names used herein may be trademarks of their respective owners. SOURCE Visual Mining, Inc.Source: RedOrbit News - Technology | 30 Jun 2010 | 3:18 pm Openness Would Decide Whether 'Google Me' Is Genius or GarbageGoogle is reportedly preparing a Facebook-killer, but in Wired.com's estimation, the search giant's only chance lies in making a service that outdoes Facebook by being open and playing nicely with others.
Source: Wired Top Stories | 30 Jun 2010 | 3:10 pm Extra! Extra! Google News redesigned to be more customizable and shareableThere’s an old saying that all news is local. But all news is personal too—we connect with it in different ways depending on our interests, where we live, what we do and a lot of other factors. Today we’re revamping the Google News homepage with several changes designed to make the news that you see more relevant to you. We’re also trying to better highlight interesting stories you didn’t know existed and to make it easier for you to share stories through social networks.Before:  After:  The new heart of the homepage is something we call “News for you”: a stream of headlines automatically tailored to your interests. You can help us get it right by using the “Edit personalization” box to specify how much you’re interested in Business, Health, Entertainment, Sports or any subject you want to add (whether it’s the Supreme Court, the World Cup or synthetic biology). You can choose to view the stories by Section view or List view, and reveal more headlines by hovering over the headline with your mouse. We’ll remember your preferences each time you log in. If you don’t want customized Google News, hit “Reset personalization" to clear all personalization preferences. If you haven't previously customized and would prefer not to, simply close the “Edit personalization” box. You can always go back and change it later. To give you more control over the news that you see, we’re now allowing you to choose which news sources you’d like to see more or less often. You can do so in News Settings. These sources will rank higher or lower for you (but not for anyone else) in Google News search results and story clusters. We’ve also added keyboard shortcuts for easier navigation, like in Gmail or Google Reader. When you’re in Google News, hit the question mark key to pop up a full list of shortcuts. There are the subjects that interest you and then there’s the major news of the day. To make it easy for you to find the big stories like Hurricane Alex, we’re adding links to topics that many outlets are covering. You’ll find these topics in the Top Stories section on the left side of the homepage as well as in linked keywords above headlines. Clicking on a topic link takes you to a list of related coverage that you can add to your news stream. You can change your preferences any time in “Edit personalization.”  We’re also more prominently displaying the Spotlight section, which features stories of more lasting interest than breaking news and has been one of our most popular sections since we introduced it last fall. And then there’s local news; we’re now highlighting weather and headlines about your city or neighborhood in their own section, which you can edit with whichever location you want to follow. Finally, you can now easily share story clusters with other people via Buzz, Reader, Facebook or Twitter. Just select the drop-down menu marked by an arrow on the top-right of each story cluster. In the drop-down, you can also choose to see more or less of the first news source.  The redesigned Google News homepage is rolling out today in the English-language edition in the U.S., and we plan to expand it to all editions in the coming months. We’re making the ability to choose which sources you’ll see more or less often available in all English-language editions worldwide and plan to expand it soon. For more information about these changes, check out the video below or visit our Help Center. Posted by Kevin Stolt, Software Engineer   
 Source: The Official Google Blog | 30 Jun 2010 | 3:05 pm Hulu Chief Sees Online Media Mostly Supported By Ads - Wall Street Journal
Source: Sci/Tech - Google News | 30 Jun 2010 | 3:01 pm Want to Make Google News Smarter–Or Dumber? Give It a Shot. [MediaMemo]Traditional publishers gripe that they don’t get enough love and respect from Google, and they want the search engine to favor their stuff above upstarts and aggregators. A new overhaul from Google News won’t give them that, but it does allow users to favor the MSM–or anyone else they want to: Google is giving users the ability to promote sources they’d like to see in the results and demote unworthy ones. Google (GOOG) won’t let users completely excise sources from their feed, though. Ben Ling, director of product management for search properties, says you’ll still get news from a particular source if they’re the ones breaking news. So if you think the New York Times is a liberal fish-wrapper, or the Wall Street Journal is a propaganda tool for our corporate overlords, you’re still going to have live with them, sometimes. Don’t worry! It’s not that bad. On the other hand, anyone savvy and/or motivated enough to spend time customizing the Google News page may not use Google News that much at all. Hardcore newshounds are probably glued to RSS feeds, and/or Twitter, Facebook, etc. Still, worth playing with. The video below explains how to customize your page. and notes other new Google News features, including the obligatory social media links. Google calls it the biggest overhaul of the site since its launch in 2002. Search Engine Land gave its readers a preview of the overhaul last month. Source: All Things Digital | 30 Jun 2010 | 3:01 pm IEEE Supports Software Patents In Wake of BilskiMark Atwood points out this critical commentary on the IEEE's response to the outcome of In Re. Bilski, which points out the contrast between work done by IEEE luminaries like Donald Knuth and lobbying for software patents.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Source: Slashdot | 30 Jun 2010 | 2:47 pm FourSquare Unlocks '$20 Million in Funding' BadgeInvestors including longtime techie Marc Andreessen have injected $20 million in new funding into Foursquare, which hopes to build a business out of turning location into a game.
Source: Wired Top Stories | 30 Jun 2010 | 2:45 pm Sony: 535,000 VAIO F and CW Series notebooks face potential overheating issueSection: Computers, Hardware, Laptops  Sony has a potentially big issue on their hands considering nearly 535,000 laptops in the F and CW Series might have an overheating problem. Basically the heat-monitoring chips of the laptops don’t accurately monitor the heat produced by the laptop, and this problem is caused by a flawed BIOS. The machines can overheat enough to cause burns and warp the casing. An easy fix, which Sony is pushing users to do, is to flash the BIOS, which would solve the problem. However, flashing the BIOS is not always an easy process and can be dangerous if performed incorrectly. Therefore, Sony is allowing users to bring the laptop into a store and the technical representative on hand will flash the BIOS for you for free. Via [Sony Japan]
Full Story » | Written by Natesh Sood for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article » Source: Gadgetell | 30 Jun 2010 | 2:17 pm Robots Vie for Soccer GloryForget South Africa. The future of the World Cup is happening in Singapore.Source: Discovery News - Top Stories | 30 Jun 2010 | 2:15 pm Satellite Sees Heavy Rainfall In Hurricane AlexHurricane Alex is generating some very heavy rainfall, and the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite known as TRMM has been calculating it from its orbit in space.As predicted by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami, Florida, Alex intensified after entering the warm waters of the southwest Gulf of Mexico.At NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., scientists created an analysis of Alex's rainfall using data captured by the TRMM satellite on June 29, 2010 at 1350 UTC (9:50 a.m. EDT). At that time the sustained winds around Alex were estimated to be 60 knots (~69 mph). Alex continued to strengthen and was classified as a hurricane early on 30 June 2010. This made Alex the first hurricane in the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season.The rainfall analysis used TRMM Precipitation Radar (PR) data and TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI) data. The TMI data showed that a heavy band of precipitation (some areas showed rain falling at more than 2 inches per hour) was spiraling into the center of Alex's intensifying circulation. The precipitation analysis was overlaid on visible and infrared data from TRMM's Visible Infrared Scanner (VIRS). In the image created, Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES East) visible image data was used to fill in locations not viewed by the TRMM satellite to form a complete picture of the storm.Alex is expected to continue to be a large rainmaker when it makes landfall. Rainfall accumulations are expected of between 6 and 12 inches, with isolated amounts of 20 inches.Tropical Storm-force winds are expected to reach coastal areas in the warning areas this afternoon, while hurricane-force winds will reach the coast tonight. In addition, the National Hurricane Center noted "a dangerous storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 3 to 5 feet above ground level along the immediate coast to the north of where the center makes landfall."By 11 a.m. EDT, Alex was still a category one hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 80 mph. Alex was located about 145 miles (235 km) east of La Pesca, Mexico and 190 miles (310 km) southeast of Brownsville, Texas. That makes Alex's center near 23.8 North and 95.5 West. Alex is moving northwest at 7 mph (11 km/hr), and has a minimum central pressure near 961 millibars.Satellite data show that Alex is a large hurricane and the hurricane force winds extend outward up to 60 miles (95 km) from the center. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 200 miles (325 km) primarily to the northeast of the center.The National Hurricane Center noted today that "Given such a low minimum pressure...the current satellite presentation and a favorable environment for intensification...the winds should increase today and Alex could reach category two before landfall."---Image Caption: The TRMM satellite's data on June 29, 2010, at 9:50 a.m. EDT showed some heavy rain (red) falling at up to 2 inches per hour, spiraling toward Hurricane Alex's center. The yellow and green areas indicate moderate rainfall between .78 to 1.57 inches per hour. Credit: NASA, Hal Pierce---On the Net:NASA/Goddard Space Flight CenterSource: RedOrbit News - Science | 30 Jun 2010 | 2:01 pm Microsoft emphasizes Xbox Live Arcade compatibility in Windows Phone 7
Fast forward a few months, and we have confirmation that Microsoft is almost as excited about this possibility as we are. Microsoft’s head of consumer marketing, Oded Ran, had this to say:
Presumably that means that developers are already working within the confines and engine limitations of XNA and the upcoming hardware models, and that porting will be, if not trivial, then at least not arduous. Add the Live functionality in there, and you might have yourself quite a robust gaming community. If they’re smart, they’ll push this. The gamer’s phone — that will be a point of contention soon. [via TechRadar]
Source: MobileCrunch | 30 Jun 2010 | 2:00 pm Dinosaurs Nestled Up to Geysers, Hot Springs to Incubate EggsDinosaurs that were attracted to the heat and moisture from hydrothermal vents for nesting may have been among the largest ever.Source: Discovery News - Top Stories | 30 Jun 2010 | 1:54 pm Technique Improves Efficiency Of Biofuel ProductionResearchers at North Carolina State University have developed a more efficient technique for producing biofuels from woody plants that significantly reduces the waste that results from conventional biofuel production techniques. The technique is a significant step toward creating a commercially viable new source of biofuels.“This technique makes the process more efficient and less expensive,” says Dr. Ratna Sharma-Shivappa, associate professor of biological and agricultural engineering at NC State and co-author of the research. “The technique could open the door to making lignin-rich plant matter a commercially viable feedstock for biofuels, curtailing biofuel’s reliance on staple food crops.”Traditionally, to make ethanol, butanol or other biofuels, producers have used corn, beets or other plant matter that is high in starches or simple sugars. However, since those crops are also significant staple foods, biofuels are competing with people for those crops.However, other forms of biomass – such as switchgrass or inedible corn stalks – can also be used to make biofuels. But these other crops pose their own problem: their energy potential is locked away inside the plant’s lignin – the woody, protective material that provides each plant’s structural support. Breaking down that lignin to reach the plant’s component carbohydrates is an essential first step toward making biofuels.At present, researchers exploring how to create biofuels from this so-called “woody” material treat the plant matter with harsh chemicals that break it down into a carbohydrate-rich substance and a liquid waste stream. These carbohydrates are then exposed to enzymes that turn the carbohydrates into sugars that can be fermented to make ethanol or butanol.This technique often results in a significant portion of the plant’s carbohydrates being siphoned off with the liquid waste stream. Researchers must either incorporate additional processes to retrieve those carbohydrates, or lose them altogether.But now researchers from NC State have developed a new way to free the carbohydrates from the lignin. By exposing the plant matter to gaseous ozone, with very little moisture, they are able to produce a carbohydrate-rich solid with no solid or liquid waste.“This is more efficient because it degrades the lignin very effectively and there is little or no loss of the plant’s carbohydrates,” Sharma-Shivappa says. “The solid can then go directly to the enzymes to produce the sugars necessary for biofuel production.”Sharma notes that the process itself is more expensive than using a bath of harsh chemicals to free the carbohydrates, but is ultimately more cost-effective because it makes more efficient use of the plant matter.The researchers have recently received a grant from the Center for Bioenergy Research and Development to fine-tune the process for use with switchgrass and miscanthus grass. “Our eventual goal is to use this technique for any type of feedstock, to produce any biofuel or biochemical that can use these sugars,” Sharma-Shivappa says.The research, “Effect of ozonolysis on bioconversion of miscanthus to bioethanol,” was co-authored by Sharma-Shivappa, NC State Ph.D. student Anushadevi Panneerselvam, Dr. Praveen Kolar, an assistant professor of biological and agricultural engineering at NC State, Dr. Thomas Ranney, a professor of horticultural science at NC State, and Dr. Steve Peretti, an associate professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering at NC State. The research is partially funded by the Biofuels Center of North Carolina and was presented June 23 at the 2010 Annual International Meeting of the American Society for Agricultural and Biological Engineers in Pittsburgh, PA.NC State’s Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering is a joint department of the university’s College of Engineering and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.Reference: “Effect of ozonolysis on bioconversion of miscanthus to bioethanol”. Authors: Anushadevi Panneerselvam, Ratna Sharma-Shivappa, Praveen Kolar, Thomas Ranney, North Carolina State University. Presented: June 23, 2010, 2010 Annual International Meeting of the American Society for Agricultural and Biological Engineers in Pittsburgh, Penn.---Image Caption: “Our eventual goal is to use this technique for any type of feedstock, to produce any biofuel or biochemical that can use these sugars,” says Dr. Ratna Sharma-Shivappa.---On the Net:North Carolina State UniversityAmerican Society for Agricultural and Biological EngineersSource: RedOrbit News - Science | 30 Jun 2010 | 1:23 pm Update Firefox if you want to play FarmvilleFROM GAMERTELL - Since Firefox 3.6.4 was keeping people from playing Farmville, Mozilla specifically created Firefox 3.6.6 to resolve the issue. Full Story » | Written by NEWS for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article » Source: Gadgetell | 30 Jun 2010 | 1:22 pm Genetic Code 2.0Novel artificial proteins for industry and scienceThe creation of synthetic proteins plays an important role for economy and science. By the integration of artificial amino acids in proteins (genetic code engineering), their already existing qualities can be systematically improved, allowing new biological features to arise. Now, scientists at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry (MPIB) in Martinsried near Munich, Germany, have succeeded in taking another important step in this research area: For the first time, they were able to integrate three different synthetic amino acids into one protein in a single experiment. (Angewandte Chemie, June 24, 2010).Proteins are the main actors in our body: They transport substances, convey messages or carry out vital processes in their role as molecular machines. The "helmsmen of the cell" are composed of amino acids, whose sequence is already defined by the heritable information in every living being. The translation of this information during the production of proteins (protein synthesis) is determined by the genetic code. 20 amino acids form the standard set of which proteins are built. In natural conditions, however, several hundred amino acids can be found and, of course, new amino acids can also be produced in the laboratory. With regard to their properties, they differ from the 20 standard amino acids, because of which, by their integration in proteins, specific structural and biological characteristics of proteins can be systematically changed. So far, only one type of synthetic amino acid could be inserted into a protein during a single experiment in a residue-specific manner; thus, only one property of a protein could be modified at once.Nediljko Budisa, head of the research group Molecular Biotechnology at the MPIB, has now made important methodical progress in the area of genetic code engineering. The scientists were able to substitute three different natural amino acids by synthetic ones at the same time in a single experiment. The biochemist is pleased: "The research area of genetic code engineering and code extension has with this result reached a new development phase."Budisa’s method could be of great importance, particularly for the industry and economy, because the production of artificial proteins by genetic code engineering in his view demonstrates a solid basis for the development of new technologies. "During integration, synthetic amino acids confer their characteristics to proteins. Thus, the development will allow the synthesis of totally new classes of products, whose chemical synthesis has not been possible so far by conventional protein engineering using only the 20 standard amino acids", explains Budisa regarding to future prospects. "Thanks to our method, in the future it will be possible to tailor industrial relevant proteins with novel properties: for example proteins containing medical components."Reference: S. Lepthien, L. Merkel, N. Budisa. In vivo double and triple labeling of proteins using synthetic amino acids. Angewandte Chemie, June 24, 2010 DOI 10.1002/anie.201000439---Image Caption: For the first time, three amino acids of one protein could be changed at the same time in a single experiment. Image: Nediljko Budisa / MPI of Biochemistry---On the Net:Max Planck Institute of BiochemistryAngewandte ChemieSource: RedOrbit News - Science | 30 Jun 2010 | 1:19 pm Tools you can use: send highlighted web pages to your crew - Awesome HighlighterSection: Web, Web 2.0 / Social Networking, Web Apps, Websites
We all forward web pages around like frisbees, but now we can fling a highlighted version of the page thanks to Awesome Highlighter. The site is very simple to use but very effective. Sending someone a very clearly marked up page is far better than just a “here look at this page and guess what I found interesting.” The site presents users with a simple input box where users enter in the web page they want to mark up. Awesome Highlighter then takes you to the site and your mouse arrow is replaced with a nifty highlighter. Simple highlight the text or image you want to highlight and your’re done. Awesome Highlighter also allows notes, but when I tried it would only accept text if the right mouse button was held down (it could be due to heavier than normal web traffic). After highlighting, Awesome Highlighter provides you with a shortened url for sharing you highlight creation. Easy, free and works well - what’s not to love? Product page: [Awesome Highlighter] Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article » Source: Gadgetell | 30 Jun 2010 | 1:06 pm Motorola indefinitely delays the Android 2.1 update for T-Mobile Cliq and Cliq XT
There’s a good reason why handset makers try to stay quiet about specific launch dates for software updates — and it’s not because they want each update to be a special little surprise. The reasoning, as we hear it from just about everyone in the industry: if they fail to meet their self-imposed deadlines, they look like jerks, and customers start raging. Such is the case for Motorola right now. They’re just about the only manufacturer willing to put up a public timeline for their upcoming Android updates — and that just came back to bite them on the arse.
Up until this morning, that timeline has been promising that Android 2.1 would hit T-Mobile’s CLIQ and CLIQ XT by the time the second quarter was out. Take a glance at your calendar real quick. Yep, second quarter ends today. At the final hour, Motorola has pulled all mentions of Q2, instead just saying that “testing [is] in process”. For anyone hoping for a last-minute surprise update from Motorola, remember: don’t shoot the messenger. Straight from Motorola’s mouth:
So, they need a bit more time to make sure things go smooth. And really, given the recent EVO 4G bricked handset fiasco, we can’t blame them one bit. [Thanks Jesus!]
Source: MobileCrunch | 30 Jun 2010 | 12:20 pm A Search Story for the dog days of summerThis is part of our summer series of new Search Stories. Look for the label Search Stories and subscribe to the series. -Ed.When I first brought my dog Yoshka with me to work, I didn’t expect he would go on to become a part of our company history and help inspire our dog-friendly culture. At Google, any employee can bring their dog to work, and it’s rare that I reach my desk in the morning without seeing a pup or two on the way. All these dogs—my own and those I meet around campus—seem to possess that uncanny canine ability to bring a smile to my face. I hope this week’s Search Story, Dog, will do the same for you. Visit www.youtube.com/searchstories to check out the whole collection, or to create your own story.  Yoshka Posted by Urs Hoelzle, Senior Vice President, Operations & Google Fellow   
 Source: The Official Google Blog | 30 Jun 2010 | 12:16 pm Alex Now A Hurricane, May Continue To StrengthenTropical Storm Alex intensified by 11 p.m. EDT on June 29 and became the first hurricane of the 2010 Atlantic Ocean Hurricane Season. NASA satellites continue to provide visible, infrared and microwave satellite data to forecasters to help the National Hurricane Center forecast Alex's intensity and track, and NASA's Aqua satellite flew over Alex hours before it became a hurricane yesterday.The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument that flies aboard NASA's Aqua satellite is one of those NASA instruments that provide forecasters data. MODIS captured a visible image of Alex on June 29 at 3:35 p.m. EDT as it churned over the Gulf of Mexico, and provided a high resolution image of this large storm's extent in the Gulf of Mexico.Now that Alex has become a hurricane, the storm has the title of being the first June hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean since 1995.A hurricane warning is in effect for the coast of Texas south of Baffin Bay to the mouth of the Rio Grande and the coast of Mexico from the mouth of the Rio Grande to La Cruz. A tropical storm warning is in effect for the coast of Texas from Baffin Bay to Port Oconnor, and the coast of Mexico south of La Cruz To Cabo Rojo.At 8 a.m. EDT, Hurricane Alex's center was closing in on the Mexican and south Texas coasts. Alex's center was located about 155 miles (250 km) east of La Pesca, Mexico and 220 miles (355 km) southeast of Brownsville, Texas. That puts Alex's center near latitude 23.4 north and longitude 95.3 west. Alex is moving toward the west-northwest near 7 mph. The National Hurricane Center calls for a "A slow west to west-northwestward motion over the next 24 to 48 hours."The Hurricane Center forecast says that on the forecast track the center of Alex will approach the coast of northeastern Mexico or southern Texas by late this afternoon or early evening, and Alex will make landfall in the hurricane warning area late tonight or early Thursday morning.Maximum sustained winds remain near 80 mph so Alex is a category one hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane wind scale. Additional strengthening is forecast and Alex could become a category two hurricane prior to landfall.The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's buoy 42055 located southeast of Alex recently reported sustained winds of 54 mph with a gust of 63 mph.Smaller hurricanes have higher pressures, and larger hurricanes tend to have lower pressures. Alex is a very large hurricane and has a minimum central pressure near 959 millibars. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 25 miles from the center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 200 miles. Flood watches stretch from New Orleans to southern Texas because of the size of Hurricane Alex.Text Credit: Rob Gutro, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center---Image Caption: This visible image of Alex was captured by the Aqua satellite on June 29 at 3:35 p.m. EDT as it churned over the Gulf of Mexico. Credit: NASA MODIS Rapid Response Team ---On the Net:Goddard Space Flight CenterSource: RedOrbit News - Science | 30 Jun 2010 | 12:15 pm Tunnel for Ancient Egyptian Ruler FoundThe 570-foot-long tunnel for Seti I was left unfinished and may have been designed to house a secret tomb.Source: Discovery News - Top Stories | 30 Jun 2010 | 12:14 pm Netflix wants to build an Android app, but needs some help
Netflix Instant Queue streaming? For Android? Yes please. While Netflix seems to be dumping about 100% of their mobile efforts into their iPad and upcoming iPhone apps right now, that can’t last forever. With every major manufacturer putting Android on just about every other device, it’s finding its user base simply by being on everything. Netflix wants in on that.
According to this job posting spotted by BGR, Netflix is on the prowl for an Android Video engineer to make your dreams of watching National Lampoon’s European Vacation and a bunch of cheesy B movies whilst on the bus a reality. We should note, however, that our cursory glance around the Internets indicates that this post has been up and down since April of this year. This can be taken two different ways: from the pessimistic view, one could take this to mean that Netflix hasn’t found any capable Android developer for the project, so work on the streaming client hasn’t even started yet. I prefer the optimist’s view: perhaps Netflix has found their Android engineer, but wants to bring another one or two (or five) onto the team to speed up development? Either way, it’s certainly not a matter of if Android will get Netflix streaming — just when.
Source: MobileCrunch | 30 Jun 2010 | 11:46 am Mitochondrial Genome Analysis Revises View Of The Initial Peopling Of North AmericaThe initial peopling of North America from Asia occurred approximately 15,000-18,000 years ago, however estimations of the genetic diversity of the first settlers have remained inaccurate. In a report published June 29 in Genome Research, researchers have found that the diversity of the first Americans has been significantly underestimated, underscoring the importance of comprehensive sampling for accurate analysis of human migrations.Substantial evidence suggests that humans first crossed into North America from Asia over a land bridge called Beringia, connecting eastern Siberia and Alaska. Genetic studies have shed light on the initial lineages that entered North America, distinguishing the earliest Native American groups from those that arrived later. However, a clear picture of the number of initial migratory events and routes has been elusive due to incomplete analysis.In this work, an international group of researchers coordinated by Antonio Torroni of the University of Pavia in Italy performed a detailed mitochondrial genome analysis of a poorly characterized lineage known as C1d. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is passed down through the maternal lineage, and mtDNA sequence markers are extremely useful tools for mapping ancestry. Similar to other haplogroups that were among the first to arrive in North America, C1d is distributed throughout the continent, suggesting that it may have been also present in the initial founding populations. However, C1d has not been well represented in previous genetic analyses, and the estimated age of approximately 7,000 years, much younger than the other founding haplogroups, was likely inaccurate.To resolve these inconsistent lines of evidence, the group sequenced and analyzed 63 C1d mtDNA genomes from throughout the Americas. This high-resolution study not only confirmed that C1d was one of the founding lineages in North America 15,000 to 18,000 years ago, but revealed another critical insight. "These first female American founders carried not one but two different C1d genomes," said Ugo Perego of the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation and primary author of the study, "thus further increasing the number of recognized maternal lineages from Beringia."These findings raise the number of founding maternal lineages in North America to fifteen. Furthermore, this work emphasizes the critical need for comprehensive analysis of relevant populations to gather a complete picture of migratory events.Alessandro Achilli of the University of Perugia, a coauthor of the report, suggests that the number of distinct mitochondrial genomes that passed from Asian into North America is probably much higher. "These yet undiscovered maternal lineages will be identified within the next three to four years," Achilli noted, "when the methodological approach that we used in our study will be systematically applied."Scientists from the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation (Salt Lake City, UT), the University of Pavia (Pavia, Italy), the University of Perugia (Perugia, Italy), the University of Santiago de Compostela, (Santiago de Compostela, Spain), Innsbruck Medical University (Innsbruck, Austria), and the University of Beunos Aries (Buenos Aires, Argentina).This work was supported by the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Fundación de Investigación Médica Mutua Madrileña, the FWF Austrian Science Fund, Progetti Ricerca Interesse Nazionale (Italian Ministry of the University), and Fondazione Alma Mater Ticinensis.The manuscript was published online ahead of print on June 29, 2010. Its full citation is as follows: Perego UA, Angerhofer N, Pala M, Olivieri A, Lancioni H, Hooshiar Kashani B, Carossa V, Ekins JE, Gómez-Carballa A, Huber G, Zimmermann B, Corach D, Babudri N, Panara F, Myres NM, Parson W, Semino O, Salas A, Woodward SR, Achilli A, Torroni A. The initial peopling of the Americas: A growing number of founding mitochondrial genomes from Beringia. Genome Res doi:10.1101/gr.109231.110.---On the Net:Cold Spring Harbor LaboratoryGenome ResearchSource: RedOrbit News - Science | 30 Jun 2010 | 11:30 am U.S. Opens Space Doors to ChinaThe next time the United States decides to venture into space, it won't be going alone.Source: Discovery News - Top Stories | 30 Jun 2010 | 11:30 am Sony Vaio laptop in mass 'recall' - BBC News
Source: Sci/Tech - Google News | 30 Jun 2010 | 11:20 am Giant Whale-Eating Whale FoundThe skull of the 12–13 million-year-old sperm whale fossil found off the coast of Peru measures an astounding 10 feet long.Source: Discovery News - Top Stories | 30 Jun 2010 | 11:00 am North Pacific Right Whales Face ExtinctionAccording to a study released on Tuesday, the world's smallest known whale population has dwindled to about 30 individuals, only eight of them females. The Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska once swarmed with tens of thousands of North Pacific right whales. However, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), hunting in the 19th century wiped out most of them, with up to 30,000 slaughtered in the 1840s alone. The Soviet Union's poaching during the 1960s claimed several hundred more, making Eubalaena japonica the most endangered species of whale on Earth. "Its precarious status today ... is a direct consequence of uncontrolled and illegal whaling, and highlights the past failure of international management to prevent such abuse," said the study, published in the British Royal Society's Biology Letters.The eastern North Pacific right whale falls below the IUCN's threshold of likely viability as a species. The study, which was led by Paul Wade of the Alaska Fisheries Science Center, said that the limited number of females is a big threat. A genetically distinct population of right whales in the western Northern Pacific is in slightly better shape with several hundred individuals. However, it is also listed as "critically endangered" on the IUCN's Red List, which is the most scientifically respected index of threat level. "The probability of ship-strike mortalities may increase with the likely future opening of an ice-free Northwest Passage," the researchers note.Wade and colleagues used two standard methods for measuring whale populations in order to carry out their census. One was based on photos taken during visual sightings from airplanes between the years 1998 and 2001 and again in 2008. Photos were taken from ships during sightings between the years 2005 and 2007. The other involved collecting biopsy tissue samples to gather genetic material, with a total of 43 taken over 10 years. The two independent methods provided nearly the same results, with 31 individuals seen through photography and 28 through genotyping.---On the Net:International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)Biology LettersAlaska Fisheries Science CenterSource: RedOrbit News - Science | 30 Jun 2010 | 10:39 am Cure for Diabetes Approaches RealityResearchers say they've managed to eliminate the disease in rats using transplanted pig cells.Source: Discovery News - Top Stories | 30 Jun 2010 | 10:32 am Apples Grow Larger When Cells Don't DivideFast-food restaurants can supersize French fries and drinks, but Mother Nature has found a way to supersize a type of apple.Peter Hirst, a Purdue University associate professor of horticulture, found that an anomaly in some Gala apple trees causes some apples to grow much larger than others because cells aren't splitting. The findings, reported in the current issue of the Journal of Experimental Botany, showed that the new variety, called Grand Gala, is about 38 percent heavier and has a diameter 15 percent larger than regular Galas."It's never been found in apples before," Hirst said. "This is an oddball phenomenon in the apple world."Hirst is trying to understand what causes the difference in the size of apples - for instance, why Gala apples are so much larger than crabapples."There is real incentive for fruit growers to increase the size of their apples," Hirst said. "At 125 apples per bushel, a grower gets 8 cents per apple. But if they have larger apples - 88 per bushel - the price more than doubles."Since different apple varieties don't always have the same genes controlling the same functions, comparing Galas to crabapples isn't an easy way to understand the mechanisms that control their destined sizes. But the Grand Gala seemed like it might provide an opportunity to unravel the mystery."The way the Grand Gala was found was that someone in an orchard full of Gala trees noticed that one branch had different-sized apples than the rest of the tree. They grafted new trees from this branch to start a new tree," Hirst said. "These are just chance events."Larger apples tend to have more cells than their smaller counterparts, so Hirst theorized that there was a gene or genes that kept cell division turned on in Grand Gala. Instead, he found that Grand Gala had about the same number of cells as a regular Gala, but those cells were larger.Normally, cells make a copy of their DNA, grow and then split. Each of those cells continues the process. Through a phenomenon called endoreduplication, the cells in Grand Gala make copies of their DNA, but don't divide. Instead, the cells grow, add more copies of the DNA and continue that growth.The Grand Gala fruit has the same core size, so the added size and weight is in the meat, or cortex, of the fruit. Hirst said they're also crunchier and tend to taste better.Hirst's study found that one or more of a handful of genes is likely responsible for the endoreduplication. And while it may be possible to isolate those genes and find ways to increase the size of other apples, Hirst said it's unlikely."You won't see Grand Galas in the grocery store," Hirst said. "Consumers like shiny, perfect-looking apples. Grand Galas are slightly lopsided. They're good eating apples, but the end product isn't something that consumers are used to seeing at the store."He said the apples are likely to gain more of a following at apple orchards where they're grown.Hirst will continue studying what causes different apples to be different sizes, but he won't pursue endoreduplication as an answer, he said. Purdue University funded his research.Writer: Brian Wallheimer, Purdue University---Image Caption: Grand Gala apples, at right, undergo endoreduplication, which causes cells to grow larger than in the regular Gala apples, at left. (Purdue University photo/Peter Hirst)---On the Net:Purdue UniversityJournal of Experimental BotanySource: RedOrbit News - Science | 30 Jun 2010 | 10:22 am How Does Fire Affect Birds?European mountains have experienced a decline in forestry, agricultural and livestock operations over the past 50 years, due to the exodus of rural populations and socioeconomic changes. These areas have become covered by scrubland. Burning has become a common tool used to regain the landscape of olden times and maintain grazing areas at altitudes of between 1,400 and 2,100 meters above sea level in the Pyrenees."Hundreds of hectares of scrubland of broom (Cytisus oromediterraneus) are burned each year, and these are an important habitat for conservation purposes in Europe, and one of the most heavily affected by this practice", Pere Pons, lead author of the study and a researcher at the University of Girona (UdG), tells SINC.The results of the study, published in the latest edition of the journal Animal Conservation, show that various species react differently to fire.According to the Catalan scientist, the Dartford warbler (Sylvia undata) recovers more slowly at higher altitudes than lower ones. The skylark (Alauda arvensis), the woodlark (Lullula arborea), and the red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio), which are all threatened birds in Europe, return to maximum abundance between 10 and 19 years after fire.However, by 20 years after burning, "the scrub starts to become closed, and the bird community becomes poorer in species and of less conservation interest", says Miguel Clavero, co-author of the study and also a scientist at the UdG and at the Forest Technology Centre of Catalonia (CTFC). The team also observed that the intensity of the fire is only "significant" in the first year after it has taken place.Clavero said: "We need long-term biodiversity evaluations that will help to improve planning of the intervals between burning and the various methods used for clearing scrubland at different altitudes". For this reason, the researchers propose "scheduling low-intensity fires, because these have less immediate impacts on vegetation and fauna".Abandonment of rural areas, a threat to biodiversityChanges in land use and the abandonment of rural areas are leading factors in the global environmental change threatening the biodiversity upon which human beings depend. Mountains with a heterogeneous landscape containing large areas of cropland and grazing have in many European regions become a much more uniform landscape dominated by scrubland and woodland. The method used over the past two or three decades to recover these former landscapes has been officially-prescribed burning.References: Pons, P.; Clavero, M. "Bird responses to fire severity and time since fire in managed mountain rangelands" Animal Conservation 13(3): 294-305, junio de 2010. doi:10.1111/j.1469-1795.2009.00337.x---Image Caption: Researcher Pere Pons studied the effect of fire on birds in Spain. Credit: HaPe Gera (Creative Commons).---On the Net:FECYT - Spanish Foundation for Science and TechnologyAnimal ConservationSource: RedOrbit News - Science | 30 Jun 2010 | 10:17 am Warmer Ecosystems Could Absorb Less Atmospheric Carbon DioxideResearch by scientists at Queen Mary, University of London has found that a predicted rise in global temperature of 4°C by 2100 could lead to a 13% reduction in ecosystems' ability to absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere.Writing in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, the scientists describe a new model to predict how the carbon storage capacity of ecosystems would respond to future global warming. They tested their predictions against data collected from experimental ponds which were warmed to simulate global warming, revealing a 13% reduction in the amount of CO2 absorbed by the warmed ecosystems.Lead author of the Philosophical Transactions paper, Gabriel Yvon-Durocher from Queen Mary's School of Biological and Chemical Sciences said: "The beauty of this model is in its simplicity. We made our prediction based on just two parameters – the 'activation energies' for photosynthesis and respiration, and the increase in temperature which exactly predicted the changes observed in our experiment.”He explains: "Photosynthesis by plants absorbs CO2 while respiration by animals returns CO2 to the atmosphere. Respiration has a higher 'activation energy' than photosynthesis meaning that it increases more rapidly with increasing temperature. So if climate change raises environmental temperatures, the balance between respiration and photosynthesis in the ecosystem will change, favoring more respiration and less CO2 absorption."The work is complemented by another paper published this month by Dr Guy Woodward and other Queen Mary colleagues in the journal Global Change Biology. This research compared animals living in 15 similar Icelandic streams, a rare long-term 'natural experiment' in which geothermal activity heats some streams up to 45°C. The unique situation meant researchers could study how temperature affects Arctic ecosystems, where climate change is predicted to cause a rise of around 7.5°C within the next century.Dr Woodward says: "We found dramatic changes in the type and number of species in cold streams compared with the warmer ones. It was notable that fish and other larger predatory animals were absent from the coldest streams. We saw longer food-chains, with predators becoming bigger and more abundant as temperatures increased from 5°C to 25°C. We also have more recent (as yet unpublished) data collected from the Icelandic streams by colleagues at the Macaulay Institute that show similar patterns to those seen in the experimental ponds: namely the warmer streams emitted far more CO2 than the cooler streams and acted as sources of carbon, rather than sinks."References: Gabriel Yvon-Durocher, J Iwan Jones, Mark Trimmer, Guy Woodward and Jose M Montoya, "Warming alters the metabolic balance of ecosystems" is published in the journal Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B DOI:10.1098/rstb.2010.0055Guy Woodward, John B. Dybkjær, Jón S Ólafsson, Gísli M Gíslason, Elísabet R Hannesdóttir, Nikolai Friberg, "Sentinel systems on the razor's edge: effects of warming on Arctic geothermal stream ecosystems" is published in the journal Global Change Biology DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2486.2009.02052.x---On the Net:Queen Mary, University of LondonPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society BGlobal Change BiologySource: RedOrbit News - Science | 30 Jun 2010 | 10:14 am Hurricane Alex Threatens BP Cleanup Efforts And Texas CoastHurricane Alex disrupted BP's clean-up efforts in the Gulf of Mexico Wednesday as the storm gathered strength. U.S. President Barack Obama declared a state of emergency in Texas as the hurricane gathered enough strength to become the first Atlantic hurricane of the season. Alex was far from the epicenter of the clean-up operation off the Louisiana coast, but it churned up waves and strong winds that forced the workers skimming up oil and booming operations off the coasts to stop. Two vessels continued to siphon up oil gushing from the underwater well 50 miles off Louisiana's coast. A Coast Guard spokesman told AFP that waves at the site were up to seven feet high. Crews found it hard to deploy the Helix Producer, a third vessel, as winds slammed into the boats at nearly 22 knots. This vessel was set to nearly double the capacity of BP's containment system. Currently, BP is capturing 25,000 barrels of oil a day, but still leaving between 30,000 and 60,000 barrels of oil spewing out into the Gulf. The waves and wind have helped shift parts of the slick closer to sensitive areas in Florida and Louisiana, and could also push the oil deeper into fragile coastal wetlands. The Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) said that Alex was set to make landfall late Wednesday south of the U.S. border with Mexico, possibly as a Category Two hurricane. The NHC said that Alex's hurricane winds extended outward up to 25 miles, and tropical storm force winds extended outward up to 200 miles. A White House statement said that Obama's emergency declaration for Texas was a green light for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate all disaster relief efforts. Vice President Joe Biden got an earful of complaints concerning slow federal response from Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal during his visit to the disaster area on TuesdayAbout 413 miles of once-pristine shorelines have been covered in oil, as well as birds and other wildlife since the April 22 explosion left over 100 million gallons of oil spilling into the ocean. The State Department announced that the U.S. will accept offers from 12 foreign countries to help clean up and contain the spill. A spokeswoman told AFP that offers of booms have been accepted from Canada, Japan, Mexico and Norway. She also said that France, Japan, Mexico and Norway have offered skimmers, and the Netherlands offered a sweeping arm system. Biden was greeted by protesters during his trip that were holding signs that read "oil kills." He traveled to the Florida panhandle, where the slick forced authorities to close down some of the area's fabled white sand beaches. Jindal, a Republican critical of the federal response, asked Biden's help to cut through red tape and deploy more resources in order to keep the oil from coating fragile coastal wetlands and fishing grounds. "The federal government needs to increase their sense of urgency," Jindal said in a statement after meeting with Biden."They need to treat this spill like a war and get in it to win it. We're here to defend our way of life."Jindal said that he will ask BP for $400 million to help fund a 20 year program to rehabilitate fisheries and test Louisiana seafood for oil contamination. "Our message to BP is that the cost of this program is just a fraction of the damages that could be caused if we don't do this," Jindal said.About 1.6 million to 3.6 million barrels of crude have already spewed into the Gulf from the rupture wellhead 5,000 feet below the surface. BP hopes a new mooring system will make the containment cap deep down on the sea floor easier to disconnect and reconnect in the case of bad weather.---Image Caption: Water creeps into low-lying areas of Branch Terrebonne Parish, La., during high tide on Tuesday, June 29, 2010. Equipment vulnerable to being washed away was temporarily relocated because of a tide that was a foot higher than normal. Secured nearby, it is available for quick re-deployment once water levels return to normal this week. U.S. Coast Guard Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class John D. Miller. ---On the Net:BPDeepwater Horizon ResponseUS Coast GuardWhite HouseLive video links from the ROVs monitoring the damaged riserNational Hurricane CenterFederal Emergency Management AgencySource: RedOrbit News - Science | 30 Jun 2010 | 9:45 am Race to the finish line in a flashWe recently released a new version of our Google Chrome browser with Adobe Flash Player built in, automatically bringing you the latest and greatest updates. To celebrate, we teamed up with a few creative folks to make Chrome FastBall, a Flash-based game built for YouTube. Want to race? Complete various games to get the shiny chrome ball to the finish line in the shortest possible time. (So far, the fastest time on the Chrome team is 1 minute, 20 seconds.) Try your luck with Chrome FastBall, and if you haven’t taken Chrome for a test drive yet, download the newest stable release of the browser at google.com/chrome. Update 7:20PM: All technical issues have been resolved now, so you can enjoy the game. Thanks for your patience! Update 9:22AM: Due to the overwhelming response to the game, some things aren't quite working as we hoped due to server-side overloading. Please forgive the maintenance work as we get the game back up again. Thanks! Posted by Jeff Chang, Product Manager   
 Source: The Official Google Blog | 30 Jun 2010 | 9:23 am Andrea Doria Bell Rings Out AgainThe Italian ocean liner famously sank in the Atlantic in 1956.Source: Discovery News - Top Stories | 30 Jun 2010 | 9:13 am Hurricane Alex Delays Oil Spill Cleanup EffortsChurned up waves and strong winds forced the suspension of oil skimming and booming operations.Source: Discovery News - Top Stories | 30 Jun 2010 | 8:50 am Sony Recalls Half a Million Notebooks for Getting Hot Enough Burn Skin
Sony is recalling 535,000 Vaio notebooks because they may get so hot that the cases will bend and warp. The F-series and C-Series Vaios have been sold into various markets around the world: Japan, Asia, Europe and the US, although so far Sony has only received 39 reports of overheating problems, says the Wall Street Journal. Pretty much any modern notebook gets too hot to be called a laptop, but the “temperature-control defect” in affected machines is letting them get hot enough to “cause skin burns.” Oddly, despite the recall, this appears to be a software issue which can be fixed with a download. According to Hiroyuki Kachi of the WSJ, a simple software fix will take care of everything, but for those not willing to do it themselves, Sony will arrange pickup for affected units. This isn’t the first time Soiny has recalled computers for overheating issues. Just Google Sony Recall Overheat and you’ll get results all the way back to 2006. To see if you’re affected, head over to Sony’s diagnostic page and check your serial number (found on the barcoded sticker on the bottom or rear of your machine). If you are, grab the BIOS firmware update and you should be running cool again in no time. Important Notification for the Sony VAIO F11 and CW2 Series [Sony] Photo: By tjriley82/Flickr 
Source: Wired: Gadget Lab | 30 Jun 2010 | 8:33 am Sony releases Xperia X10 software update: no Eclair just yet
Sony have declared this a performance update, so it’s probably worth installing. Specific improvements, as per Sony Ericsson’s blog include:
However, given how tricky this thing was to gain root on, I’d hold out on this upgrade if you’ve rooted your phone, at least until it is declared “safe to apply” by your favourite modder. If you don’t want to wait for it to be delivered over-the-air, you can always head on over to www.sonyericsson.com/update and seeing if there is a manual install available to you. The Android 2.1 update is still scheduled for a Q3 2010 release. [via Android Community]
Source: MobileCrunch | 30 Jun 2010 | 8:17 am Reiner Says Verizon May Sell 12 Million IPhones in 2011: Video - Bloomberg
Source: Sci/Tech - Google News | 30 Jun 2010 | 8:06 am Stampy Camera Magically Turns Photos into Rubber-Stamps
The Stampy Digital Camera reminds me of those old “How To Draw Comic-Books” guides. You’d get a step one (stick men), step two (circles and rectangles) and a step three (the amazing, finished artwork). Somewhere there was a missing step 2.5, which was where the actual magic happened. The Stampy also has this missing step. The camera takes a picture (step 1). You then pull it apart to reveal a rubber-stamp and ink-pad within (step 2) and then you simply slap it down onto a piece of paper to get a monochrome rendition of the photo you took (step 3). The missing step: How on earth does your picture get turned from photons of light into nodules of rubber? It’s a real shame, as this instant-printing concept is clearly in the spirit of the original Polaroid. I suspect it will never be made until the designer, Jinhee Kim, actually invents a mechanism for then inside instead of relying on an a sprinkling of pixie-dust to make it happen. In the meantime, I’d like to offer my own invention. It’s a teleportation device which will surely terrify the travel industry with its promise of free, instantaneous transportation. So far I have an almost working prototype made from two phone-booths, one in New York and one in London. Step one: You just walk in and dial the right number. Step 2: Poof! You’re gone. Step 3: a quick bagel for lunch. It’s almost done. I just need to work out step 2.5. Digital Picture Now Comes Stamped [Yanko] 
Source: Wired: Gadget Lab | 30 Jun 2010 | 7:50 am Gresso injects some elitism into the iPhone 4, offers a 200-year old finish
Are you of that type? Are you craving something that exudes class, status, and elitism? Do you want something more than a normal iPhone 4 can give? Gresso have you covered. Or, more correctly, your iPhone 4 covered. In 200-year-old African Blackwood. Now, I don’t know much about wood, but I’m hoping that’s a really good one, because $3000 is a lot to pay for a coaster’s worth of carbon. Oh, ok: the Apple logo is admittedly made from 18 karat gold, so I guess there’s some justification there. There will be two versions available: “iPhone for Man”, and “iPhone for Lady”, with the difference being the addition of Swarovski crystals (and an extra $500) to the “Lady” version. There is no pre-order option, so make sure you mark your calendar for the December 2010 release. [via Phone Arena]
Source: MobileCrunch | 30 Jun 2010 | 7:39 am Cisco Announces the Cius, the BlackBerry of TabletsCisco announces that it will be launching an Android-based tablet next year named the Cius, aimed squarely at the business market.
Source: Wired: Gadgets | 30 Jun 2010 | 7:11 am Should UK Police Use GPS-Equipped ‘Bait-Bikes’ to Catch Thieves?
British police are using poorly-locked or even unlocked “bait-bikes” to catch thieves. The bikes are loaded with hidden GPS tracking devices so the cops can simply wait for the stolen ride to end up at its final destination, letting them bust Mr. Big instead of just constantly pruning the teen-gangs and junkies that do the actual stealing. According to test schemes, it works. After Cambridge police used bait-bikes, theft at a local railway station fell by 45%, reports the Guardian. The same article tells us that even in London, theft fell by 30%. Bike theft is driven by the market. Recently I spoke to a bike polo player from Amsterdam, and he told me that people will buy two bikes for around €10 each if they lose their own bike, just so they have a spare. He knew that this was fueling the problem, but the alternative is to buy a brand new bike and have that stolen instead. To me, the bait-bikes sound like a great idea. Not only do they allow the cops to catch the organized gangs behind the crimes, they sow paranoia amongst the foot-soldiers, making all bikes a less attractive target. Inevitably, though, there is opposition. Some cite “entrapment” (not illegal in the UK, it seems), and others complain of false positives, as in the case of a drunken student who rode an unlocked bike home and then got a visit from the police (he was let off). These are technical issues, which will vary from country to country. I’m more interested in what you think. I know we have a lot of cyclists reading Gadget Lab, so let us know your opinions in the comments. Is it morally wrong to use bait-bikes? Or is anything acceptable if it stops people from stealing our rides? Sure, we’ll never reach a lock-free utopia where we can just leave our bikes out in the street overnight, propped naked against a wall (unless we move to Canada), but it would be nice not to have to wrap the bike in twice its weight in chains and hardened-steel shackles just to stop off for a six-pack. Bait bikes: the way to beat theft gangs or entrapment? [Guardian] Photo: gen gibson/Flickr 
Source: Wired: Gadget Lab | 30 Jun 2010 | 6:50 am Ocean Plastic That Will SuckSwedish home appliance manufacturer Electrolux plans to recycle plastic from the ocean and turn it into vacuum cleaners.Source: Discovery News - Top Stories | 30 Jun 2010 | 6:12 am Video Shows iPhone 4 FaceTime Call Over 3G
There appears to be a very good reason why the iPhone 4’s new FaceTime video-calling app only work on Wi-Fi: On a cellular network, it sucks. Mike Prospero of Laptop Magazine used the HTC EVO to turn a 3G (not 4G) connection into a Wi-Fi hotspot, tricking the iPhone into making a FaceTime call over the cellular network. The second iPhone was on regular Wi-Fi. The result, as you’ll see if you check the non-embeddable video that accompanies the post, is painful. If you have ever had a bad, stuttering Skype call you’ll know what to expect: audio breaks up, and calling the choppy images “video” is charitable to say the least. “Audio came through only in patches, and video was like a slideshow at best,” says Prospero. Poor video performance over 3G isn’t limited to FaceTime, either. Tests of Qik and Fring show similar problems. Clearly, cellular networks aren’t up to the task just yet. So what of FaceTime’s future? I have a feeling that the iPod Touch will be getting an iPhone 4-style makeover at the usual September iPod event this year, and will incorporate FaceTime. Thanks to the Wi-Fi limitations, this feature will be at parity with the iPhone. And then, surely, it will come to the iPad, too. You know how everyone is on Skype and FaceBook because everybody else is on Skype and FaceBook? The same thing will happen for iOS devices as soon as people get a little bit of FaceTime. When the cellular networks finally catch up, they’ll realize that they have become nothing but dumb pipes for shifting data. We Use iPhone 4’s FaceTime over 3G (Sorta) [Laptop Mag] See Also:
Screen capture from Laptop Mag’s Video 
Source: Wired: Gadget Lab | 30 Jun 2010 | 5:53 am Android's Openness Will Doom iPhone 4Google's Android operating system will be on many more phones than is possible with the iPhone 4.Source: Discovery News - Top Stories | 30 Jun 2010 | 5:46 am Inevitable iPhone 4 Flashlight Apps Flicker Into View
With the iPhone 4, flashlight apps just got a whole lot more useful. Apps like “Dazzling Flashlight 4g” from Cramzy will fire up the new iPhone flash to light your way. Previously, these apps would do little more than light up the screen in solid white. Some added “features” such as color, strobing and other jazzy effects. The thing is, when most of use an iPhone to light the way to the bathroom in the early hours, we just keep hitting the home button and navigate by whatever photons the unlock screen can provide. Now the inevitable iPhone 4 versions are seeping into the App Store, and they light up the flash on the back of the handset. This is brighter than the screen (in some cases you can still choose to illuminate the screen, too), but you’ll still have to sleepily find the app before you stumble through your dark apartment. More interesting is that these apps show us that Apple has provided developers with tools to control the external lamp. As on-axis flash is all but useless for straight photography, I’m hoping that somebody makes a strobing photo and video app that allows for some cool, stuttering image effects. Dazzling Flashlight 4g [Cramzy via TUAW] See Also:
Source: Wired: Gadget Lab | 30 Jun 2010 | 4:51 am Military ‘Bat-Hook’ Sucks Free Power from Overhead Lines
If you or I are out and about and our cellphone battery dies, it is an inconvenience at most. If you are a soldier in the field, a lack of power can be a little more of a problem. But what if you could hook your gear up to overhead power-lines? RAPS (Remote Auxiliary Power System) does just that. Developed for the Air Force, supposedly after soldiers asked for something like Batman might use, RAPS is an incredibly simple way to steal juice. You throw the small hammer-head over a power-line like you would a grappling hook, and a cut-out slips over the cable, contacting the bare metal. At the same time, a small blade pierces insulation of the other cable to complete the circuit, and power pours down the connected line to the soldier on the ground. Once there, the AC supply is converted via transformer to DC, whereupon it can be used to recharge equipment. Watch the patronizing video to learn more: In it you will learn some handy facts you may not have known: “Power-lines are a handy source of electricity. But they are also dangerous.” Really? Needless to say, making your own RAPS would likely be your ticket straight to the Darwin Awards, but this official device is safe enough to be used in pouring rain. I still have one question. How do you get it back down again? The Bat Hook: Harvesting Energy from Power Lines [Armed with Science via PopSci] 
Source: Wired: Gadget Lab | 30 Jun 2010 | 4:23 am
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San Francisco based 
Amazon continues its revamping of the Kindle line. Fresh off of 
Banking on the previous success of 
Been wondering exactly when you’d see a blu-ray drive in your new Macbook or iMac? Well, if the emails that have been leaking out from Mr. Jobs have been any indication, you’re not going to see them at all. 
But keeping libraries running costs big money. In Chicago, the city pumps $120 million a year into them. In fact, a full 2.5 percent of our yearly property taxes go to fund them.
Earlier this afternoon, Mozilla submitted what would be its first iPhone application to the App Store. No, it’s not Firefox — well, not exactly.
Yesterday, Wired published a 
Let’s be honest; riding a bicycle is a great way to save money and the environment, but it can be dangerous at times. In some cities, it can be downright deadly. So what can you do to protect yourself? You could become a militant bicycle rider that hunts down bad drivers, or you could learn the safest route. The good news is there’s an app for learning the safe way to go.
Just a quick note in case you’ve been gnawing your keyboard in anxiety: yes, people are still working on making 
Verizon’s finally doing something good in this whole 
It’s summer and that time of year that 
I think Sprint and HTC are gaining more publicity over a simple software update than they initially imagined. First, we reported the 
While it isn’t the update you’ve all been waiting for (ie Android 2.1), Sony have just released (over the air) the first upgrade to their premium Xperia X10 device.
