Despite Invite-Only Status, Over 500K Users Rely on Google Voice Daily
Google has responded to FCC questions about Google Voice and restrictions in calling certain regions of the U.S. In doing so, the company also noted the number of Google Voice users: over 1 million and growing.

Wyo. lawmakers recommend minimum county wind regulations, expanding Industrial Siting Act

A Wyoming legislative task force has recommended tightening wind development standards at the county and state level to help establish a regulatory structure for companies pursuing wind farms here.

New iMac owners complain about performance problems

Owners of Apple's new iMacs, including the pricier 27-in. model, have reported major performance problems with their machines, including extremely sluggish playback of Flash-based video, according to posts on Apple's support forum.

Fast Forward
Wednesday morning, Google notified manufacturers of GPS navigation units that their services would no longer be needed. It didn't say so explicitly -- the news came in a corporate blog post about an improved Google Maps smartphone program offering turn-by-turn directions -- but the company didn't...

Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi

The sting of digital rejection
If you harbor angst over a surprise Facebook "defriending" or being deserted by your Twitter followers, you're not alone. Recent research shows that our "digital egos" can bruise as easily as we do in person. In fact, rejection online may sting even more.
Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi

The external structure of Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, set to be the world's largest indoor theme park and the first ever Ferrari theme park in the world when it opens in 2010, has been completed according to Aldar Properties , Abu Dhabi's leading property development, management and investment company.

Happy 40th birthday, Internet

On October 29, 1969, the Internet came in not with a bang, but with a "lo." Letter by letter, UCLA computer science professor Leonard Kleinrock sent a message from his school's host computer to another computer at Stanford Research Institute.

New Google Maps GPS for smartphones spooks competitors

Me 2.0: Branding yourself online
The concept of personal branding has been around for more than a decade, but the Internet and social networking have made it easier than ever to sell brand "you."
Can "pixie dust" regrow lost limbs?

After yesterday's article on how stem cells could create made to order human organs , NG explores how they could also lead to lost limbs being regrown.

New Google Maps GPS for smartphones spooks competitors
Wednesday morning, Google notified manufacturers of GPS navigation units that their services would no longer be needed. It didn't say so explicitly -- the news came in a corporate blog post about an improved Google Maps smartphone program offering turn-by-turn directions -- but the company didn't...

The growth of Mobile Technology

Over the past 10 years, information technology has grown so exponentially, that no-one is now tied to a single location in order to do their work, access their emails or check the latest news.

Web pioneer recalls 'birth of the Internet'

Web pioneer recalls 'birth of the Internet'
On October 29, 1969, UCLA professor Leonard Kleinrock sent what is believed to be the first message from one computer to another. CNN talks with Kleinrock about that moment -- and the Internet today.

Google tries to improve music searches

Google tries to improve music searches
The Internet's most popular search engine should get smarter about music, as Google updates the algorithms that power its searches this week, a company spokesman said.
Robot armies 'will explore alien worlds'

The team of wheeled and walking robots on the ground is controlled by airships, themselves instructed by a planetary orbiter Robotic airships and satellites will fly above the surface of the distant world, commanding squadrons of wheeled rovers and floating robot boats, according to Wolfgang Fink of the California Institute of Technology .

First ladies on why they love to tweet

First ladies on why they love to tweet
Once upon a time royals and elites had to don elaborate disguises to mingle with their people. Now they have Twitter.

5 gadgets from the near future

5 gadgets from the near future
A radio without any knobs. A bathroom where a clear display wirelessly streams vital statistics on your health. And a user interface that takes brain waves and translates them into commands for a computer. Check out these sweet products of the future, some of which may actually hit retail shelves soon.

How to get a good read on a tiny screen

How to get a good read on a tiny screen
There are more e-readers on the market these days, like the Kindle and the Nook. But if you own a smartphone, you may not realize that you already have a potential e-reader in your pocket.

Personal Tech: Gadget News and Reviews

Want NASA news? There's an app for that!
Space buffs can now keep up with NASA's mission launches by launching an app.
Scientists say curry compound kills cancer cells

A molecule found in a curry ingredient can kill esophageal cancer cells in the laboratory, suggesting it might be developed as an anti-cancer treatment, scientists said on Wednesday.

Personal Tech: Gadget News and Reviews
The Washington Post's Rob Pegoraro discusses recent reviews and answers your personal tech questions.

Sports Illustrated model makes solar sexy

Solar power is about to get sexy. More at home on the catwalks of Milan and Paris, a young lady has been charged with task making the solar power industry more attractive to the mainstream.

NASA test rocket ready for launch

NASA's Ares I rocket sits on the launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida awaiting its first experimental flight, scheduled for Tuesday.

The genius brothers behind Google Wave

The genius brothers behind Google Wave
The brothers who grew up to invent Google Maps have a new product: Google Wave. But will the Rasmussens live up to the hype surrounding their effort to kill e-mail? Or will they be one-hit wonders?

Computer games to aid fitness?

How good is it for you really? Long scorned and blamed for turning a generation into couch potatoes, computer games get a tough rap from Health Authorities.

Green Lantern: Charging electronic devices overnight
I always charge my phone, laptop and MP3 player overnight -- even though it takes only a few hours to get them fully charged. Should I be losing sleep over this? Would it better for me to charge my electronics during my morning commute, by plugging them into the car charger?

Missile shield scheme modified

Will the new scheme make a difference? After the fervour surrounding President Obamas's decision to abandon the missile defence system , the Czech Republic was among the countries worried about the political and financial fallout.

5 Twitter stars you've never heard of

5 Twitter stars you've never heard of
Heather Armstrong, John Dickerson and Adventure Girl are not famous, but each has more than 1.2 million Twitter followers. To thrive on Twitter, celebrity isn't always enough. You must have something to say.

Smartphone security threats likely to rise

Smartphone security threats likely to rise
Worms, spam, viruses and hackers -- they're not just for your desktop or laptop anymore. According to internet security experts they could be well on their way into your pocket or purse.
Facebook Makeover: The Good, the Bad, and the Backlash

Facebook gave its homepage a makeover ...again. Last Friday the social networking site quietly rolled out some fairly significant changes to the way information is displayed on your homepage.

Rep. Visclosky and lobbying firm can be swift path to earmarks
It takes a while for most start-up companies to gain the confidence of a U.S. congressman and the promise of federal funds. But last year, a small Illinois company accomplished its goal in 16 days with the help of Rep. Peter J. Visclosky, a little-known Indiana Democrat who sits on the House comm...

Review: 'Uncharted 2: Among Thieves'

Review: 'Uncharted 2: Among Thieves'
Those on the fence about which video game console to buy might be tempted by Sony's recent introduction of the higher-capacity and slimmer new PlayStation 3, with a $100 price cut to $299.

Internet 'a teenager' at 40

LEONARD Kleinrock never imagined Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube that day 40 years ago when his team gave birth to what is now taken for granted as the internet "We are constantly surprised by the applications that come along,'' Mr Kleinrock said as he and others at the University of California, Los Angeles prepared to throw the internet a 40th ...

Microsoft's new anti-virus program offers unassuming alternative

'Apps of the Week: Batter Up!'
With Major League Baseball's playoffs heating up and the World Series on deck, it's a great time of year to be a baseball fan.
TEP parent OKs deal for wind power

KINGMAN a ' UniSource Energy Services has agreed to buy the power from Mohave County's first wind power farm near Kingman.

Microsoft's new anti-virus program offers unassuming alternative
You can't always tell if a virus has taken over a Windows computer, but many anti-virus programs leave no doubt about their presence.

Electronic medical records not a cure-all
In a health-care debate characterized by partisan bickering, most lawmakers agree on one thing: American medicine needs to go digital.

Solar panel energy plant being built in Florida will be nation's largest

The DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center in Arcadia, Fla., will be the nation's largest solar photovoltaic plant.

Obama: 'Cynical claims' attacking energy bill

Obama: 'Cynical claims' attacking energy bill

President Barack Obama said Friday that opponents of his energy bill are disputing the evidence of global warming in a cynical ploy to undermine efforts to curb pollution and steer the nation to greener energy sources.

Microsoft's new anti-virus program offers unassuming alternative
You can't always tell if a virus has taken over a Windows computer, but many anti-virus programs leave no doubt about their presence.
MacChat: App Store too much of a good thing?

THERE’S no question Apple’s groundbreaking iPhone and iPod touch platform is the one to beat for emerging portable devices.

In only 2½ years the iPhone has come from nowhere to command up to 30 per cent of the smartphone market in some countries, and competitors are scrambling to emulate its design.

A large factor in the iPhone platform’s success has been the App Store, which is ironic considering Apple’s original intention was for users to only run web applications rather than downloadable, stand-alone programs.

The App Store has enjoyed explosive growth with the number of apps nearing 100,000, and thousands approved each week.

But has the rapid rise come at a cost? Does the App Storeand by extension the iPhone and iPod Touchrisk becoming a victim of its own success? Let’s consider the evidence ...

Quantity over quality: While its Mac platform has traditionally had fewer but higher quality apps than Windows, the situation is reversed with Apple’s mobile platform. The company may trumpet the nearly 100,000 apps in its store, but many have questionable value, from fart machines to phone number shortcuts. The more apps that keep pouring into the store, the harder it is to find the good stuff, frustrating users and developers. Some apps languish in the depths of the store without a single download.

App approval process: Developers have become increasingly frustrated by the seemingly inconsistent criteria for approving apps and the time taken to process submissions. Apple originally banned apps that duplicated existing iPhone functions but then it decided to allow web browsers, music-streaming apps and others. There also have been public run-ins with heavyweights such as Google, Yahoo and Facebook over the approval process that critics claim is under-resourced and not transparent enough.

Vertical model: Apple’s insistence on building “the whole widget” of hardware and software has resulted in superior products over the decades but, in the case of its computers, saw the company relegated to the margins of the commodified PC industry. It didn’t stop the iPod from gaining majority share of the music player market, but the jury is still out on the more mature and complex mobile phone industry. While Windows Mobile is slipping, Google’s Android platform could be a strong contender, being rolled out on multiple brands of handset. But while the iPhone might not become the marketshare king, it will probably command the biggest profits.

Devalued software: The App Store has sparked something akin to a gold rush, with every man and his dog making iPhone/iPod touch apps. However only a small number have made serious money, and the sheer volume of free or under-$10 apps has made it even harderusers are unwilling to pay much, even for apps that might be worth it.

What do you think? Has the App Store grown too big too fast? Tell us below

Smart grid at forefront of German energy revolution

Since 1990, Germany has slashed its carbon emissions by 23 percent, cementing its place as a world leader in both energy efficiency and renewable energy.

How to learn a foreign language online

How to learn a foreign language online
Is it possible to learn to speak or write a foreign language through computer software or Web tools? CNN.com's Elizabeth Landau, who is learning Russian, explores what Web language-training resources are available and tries out a few.

Windows 7 born from Vista's frustrations

Windows 7 born from Vista's frustrations
If consumers like the new Windows 7 operating system, going on sale today, they'll have the much-maligned Windows Vista to thank. With consumers lukewarm to Vista, both Microsoft and the computer makers realized the standard way of business just wasn't cutting it.
MEMC Posts 3Q Loss; to Pay $200 Mln for SunEdison

Silicon wafer manufacturer MEMC Electronic Materials Inc. said Thursday it fell to a third-quarter loss, reversing a year-ago profit, as sales plummeted 43 percent.

Microsoft's new free security software forgoes competitors' bad habits
You can't always tell if a virus has taken over a Windows computer, but many anti-virus programs leave no doubt about their presence.

Out of Vista's Ashes, Windows 7 Launches

Human behavior: The key to future tech?
Professor Michael Wesch should be flattered.
Out of Vista's Ashes, Windows 7 Launches
While Windows XP seemingly keeps going, and going, and going, Windows Vista has had a tumultuous less-than three years. The fact that Microsoft has released a new OS, Windows 7, less than three years after Windows Vista shows how big a failure Vista was.
FCC moves forward on net neutrality rule-making
With a unanimous vote to move forward on a rule-making process for how the federal government will police access to the Internet, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski won a victory on his first major policy issue at the agency.

Windows 7 born from Vista's frustrations

Windows 7 born from Vista's frustrations
If consumers like the new Windows 7 operating system, going on sale today, they'll have the much-maligned Windows Vista to thank. With consumers lukewarm to Vista, both Microsoft and the computer makers realized the standard way of business just wasn't cutting it.

Human behavior: The key to future tech?

Human behavior: The key to future tech?
Professor Michael Wesch should be flattered.
Is an HIV vaccine on the horizon?

US military-backed medical trials in Thailand have revealed the first evidence of a possible vaccine against HIV , where tests have allegedly cut infection rates by a third.

Telecom firms face net-neutrality defeat

Apple redesigns laptops, reveals new mouse
Apple has revamped its desktop and laptop lines, dramatically redesigning the iMac and the MacBook laptop. The company also introduced updates to its Mac Mini computers -- and debuted a new multi-touch mouse.
British dogs trained to sniff out diabetes

Dogs are being trained in Britain as potential life-savers to warn diabetic owners when their blood sugar levels fall to dangerously low levels.

Telecom firms face net-neutrality defeat
Facing a major regulatory issue that could be worth a fortune in future business, AT&T has unleashed the kind of lobbying blitz that makes it one of the grand corporate players of the great Washington game.

App Wednesday: Batter up!

App Wednesday: Batter up!
With Major League Baseball's playoffs heating up and the World Series on deck, it's a great time of year to be a baseball fan.
Windows 7 Pre-Orders Outdo "The Boy Wizard": Amazon
Harry Potter, move over. Amazon.com's UK arm says that pre-orders for Microsoft's new OS, Windows 7, easily beat out pre-orders for the last installment of the boy wizard's series, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows."

Barnes & Noble unveils 'Nook' e-reader

Barnes & Noble unveils 'Nook' e-reader
Barnes & Noble has unveiled the Nook, an impressive-looking $260 device that will go head-to-head with Amazon.com's Kindle, currently the most successful product in a small but growing market for e-book readers.

Scientists find ways to 'grow your own body parts'

Tech lets people intern from the sofa
Technologies that let employees work remotely have given rise to a growing phenomenon -- virtual internships.
Scientists find ways to 'grow your own body parts'

Scientists find ways to 'grow your own body parts' Elder man British scientists have been working on a system that would allow patients to grow their own body parts, buy body parts "off the shelf," and enable them to regenerate their own damaged joints and hearts.

Apple redesigns laptops, reveals new mouse

Apple redesigns laptops, reveals new mouse
Apple revamped its desktop and laptop lines Tuesday, dramatically redesigning the iMac all-in-one and MacBook laptop and adding a few updates to its Mac Mini line of small-scale desktops. It also introduced a multitouch mouse.
Energy firms fight over carbon bill billions

The energy companies of America, once united against Washington's proposed climate change bill that looks to heavily regulate their carbon emitting activities, are now battling against each other over Senate policy decisions that will be worth hundreds of billions of dollars over the next few decades.

Espionage suspect to remain jailed
A federal judge ordered that a Chevy Chase scientist remain jailed on a charge that he tried to pass national secrets to the Israeli government in exchange for $11,000.
MacChat: Magic Mouse gives Windows 7 a touch-up

BEGUN, the multi-touch wars have.

Multi-touch appears to be the new battleground for computers, if two important releases this week are anything to go by.

On the eve of the launch of Windows 7Microsoft’s latest version of its dominant desktop operating system that introduces multi-touch supportApple brought Multi-Touch capabilities to its desktop Macs for the first time, via a new product it calls the Magic Mouse.

Released alongside a new range of desktop iMacs and Mac minis, the Magic Mouse is basically a mouse-shaped trackpad that accepts Multi-Touch input, so users can now use combinations of multi-finger swipes and taps to navigate their Mac and perform basic functions.

The Magic Mouse runs on Mac OS X Leopard or Snow Leopard, but not Windows or earlier versions of Mac OS X.

While the iPhone and iPod touch have touchscreen technology, and the fabled “iPad” tablet also will if it becomes a reality, Apple has resisted touchscreen Macs for ergonomic reasons, limiting Multi-Touch to the trackpad (the new MacBook completes the transition of Apple’s portables to Multi-Touch), and now the mouse. In contrast, Microsoft is allowing touchscreen functionality in Windows 7, despite it having been tried already in the ‘80s and given away due to the uncomfortable phenomenon known as “gorilla arm”.

Still, there’s no reason the screen can’t be used for brief periods from time to timeor in the case of tablet PCs, much of the timeand Windows users now have a choice between multi-touch trackpad.

While Apple was the first to bring the mouse to the masses, via the original Macintosh 25 years ago, its mouses have gotten a reputation for limited functionality over the years, due to Apple’s insistence on only having one mouse button to “keep it simple”. Contextual menus were available in the Mac OS via a control-click, but many users preferred the ability to right-click, so either used a third-party mouse or avoided Macs altogether.

Then the original iMac was launched with its round “hockey puck” mouse that users also loved to hate. It was later axed in favour of the Pro Mouse, then the no-button Mighty Mouse which drew criticism for its awkward clickability and a scroll ball that was impossible to clean.

The replacement of the Mighty Mouse with the Magic Mouse follows Apple’s loss in a trademark infringement lawsuit, which found the Mighty Mouse name belonged to hardware maker Man & Machine. Apple had earlier received permission from CBS to use the trademark, which is also the name of a cartoon character.

The Magic Mouse is included with the new 27” and 21” iMacs, or available separately for $A99. A wireless mouse, it requires a Bluetooth-enabled Mac.

Microsoft plans deals for Windows 7 launch

Microsoft plans deals for Windows 7 launch
With Thursday's launch of its new Windows 7 operating system, Microsoft is going back to basics. Rather than go for flash, the company is focused on making sure that all of its partners are ready to sell lots of PCs and copies of Windows 7.

Chinese Authors Mull Action Over Google Book Settlement

6 simple ways to save energy at home
Make a few easy changes around the house for substantial savings.
Chinese Authors Mull Action Over Google Book Settlement

A Chinese authors' group is considering legal action against Google over its book scanning project, adding to the list of countries where it has faced opposition.

Apple smashes forecasts, stock hits record
SAN FRANCISCO Apple Inc's profits and sales streaked past Wall Street forecasts as iPhone and Mac sales hit quarterly records, sending its shares rocketing to all-time highs on Monday.

European Union launches digital library

European Union launches digital library
The European Union has launched a digital library that offers documents dating to nearly 60 years ago, in 23 languages.

UK government reconsiders hacker's pending extradition

The U.K. Home Secretary will reconsider the extradition of Gary McKinnon, a hacker who was charged in the U.S. in 2002 for breaking into military and government computers.

Is this the end for Ratchet & Clank?

Is this the end for Ratchet & Clank?
The Ratchet and Clank video game franchise, about two intergalactic heroes fighting evil, has sold more than 16 million copies. Despite that, there are hints that the upcoming "Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time" may be the last in the series, an unusual occurrence for an industry in which sequels to popular games are often announced far in advance.

European Union launches digital library

European Union launches digital library
The European Union has launched a digital library that offers documents dating to nearly 60 years ago, in 23 languages.
Inner-city, multi-storey farming: Genius or dubious?

The food industry is one of the great silent polluters on the planet. Whilst oil, chemical and transport industries get blamed for destroying the planet, our ever-growing need for more food is destroying our planet at a far great rate than people think.

US-TECH Summary
Google goes global with Apps SAN FRANCISCO Google Inc said more than 2 million businesses now use its online office software, and the Web search leader is going global on Monday with an advertising campaign to lure customers away from Microsoft Corp and IBM ...

Windows 7 to salvage Vista 'train wreck'

Windows 7 to salvage Vista 'train wreck'

Microsoft releases Windows 7 to the world on Thursday as the US software giant tries to regain its stride after an embarrassing stumble with the previous generation operating system Vista.

Wall St Week Ahead: Earnings blitz to test market's mettle
NEW YORK U.S. stocks could slip this week if the spate of earnings from bellwethers including Apple Inc and Caterpillar Inc do not live up to heightened expectations.

Cargo craft docks with space station

Cargo craft docks with space station

EURussia-Space Station,0119 Cargo craft docks with space station Eds: NewsNow.

NASA photos show moon strike created plume
LOS ANGELES -- NASA's much-hyped mission to hurl a spacecraft into the moon turned out some worthwhile data after all, scientists said.
MacChat: Has Windows caught up to the Mac?

IS it true? After 24 years, can Windows now be considered a match for the Mac OS? One of America’s most respected tech journalists thinks so.

The Wall Street Journal’s Walt Mossberg, who has traditionally recommended Macs over PCs for most users, now says the choice is less clear. While he gives an edge to the Mac for its security and superior bundled software, he says it’s now more of a “toss-up” between the recently released Mac OS X Snow Leopard and the forthcoming Windows 7.

Indeed, back in July, MacChat awarded our smackdown crown to Windows 7 for being most improved, even though we preferred Snow Leopard overall.

The Mac vs Windows war is almost as old as the computer industry itself. While it’s been generally accepted that the Mac OS has the more elegant and intuitive interface, Windows has dominated the market by being licensed to most PC makers.

After the disaster of Windows Vista, when the Mac made dramatic market share gains also aided by the iPod and iPhone halo effect, Windows 7 marks the first time Windows users have been excited about a new version in some time.

With Snow Leopard being a maintenance release featuring mainly under-the-hood refinements, Windows has taken the opportunity to narrow the gap with more visible user features.

On the surface, Windows now looks more Mac-like than ever, with its oversized taskbar resembling the Dock and windowing features not unlike Expose (Apple borrowed Windows’ taskbar window previews for Snow Leopard). Windows 7 even supports multi-touch, both on the screen and trackpad (Snow Leopard only uses the trackpad).

“Windows 7 beats the Mac OS in some areas, such as better previews and navigation right from the taskbar, easier organisation of open windows on the desktop and touchscreen capabilities,” Mossberg says.

“So Apple will have to scramble now that the gift of a flawed Vista has been replaced with a reliable, elegant version of Windows.”

But there are still several important reasons why the Mac OS is superior to Windows. The first is the fundamental reason the Mac OS has always had the edge: its clean and simple interface. While it might now look shinier, Windows 7 still has more cluttered and clunky file navigation than the Mac, and less aesthetic use of fonts and space.

Also, Snow Leopard sees Mac OS X get faster and more efficient, using as little as 6GB of hard disk space and taking full advantage of multicore processors and tapping the latent processing power of graphics cards.

Meanwhile, Windows 7 is stuck with its DOS-based legacy code and the dreaded Registry, and can take more than two minutes to start up, judging by the latest tests.

There’s also the iLife factor. Apple’s suite of digital lifestyle applicationsiPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, GarageBand and iWebremain unrivalled on the Windows platform for power, ease of use and integration.

Still, competition is good, and if the popular perception is that Windows has improved, Apple will be spurred to get even more innovative with the next version of Mac OS X.

Recliner sales a bright spot in furniture industry

Ah, the recliner. The American invention that linked lazing in the living room to television and frozen dinners is one of the few bright spots in a well-worn U.S. household furniture industry.

Listen up, NYC cabbies! Phone use might be out

World watched 'Balloon Boy' in real time
The story of a saucer-like balloon, set loose by a 6-year-old boy above eastern Colorado, was a bonanza for social networking sites: Facebook, in a little more than an hour, had three fan pages and three groups dedicated to "Balloon Boy," while Twitter was abuzz as well.
Listen up, NYC cabbies! Phone use might be out

New York City's Taxi and Limousine Commission has presented proposals that would prohibit cabbies from using an array of new communications technologies.

Help File: A New Verizon E-Mail Policy; An Old Wireless Router
Q Verizon sent me an e-mail saying I need to change my mail settings. So instead of asking customers first, they make them do extra work.

Acer Overtakes Dell, Moves to #2 in Global PC Shipments
Acer President Gianfranco Lanci is either prescient, or he knew what IDC was going to report. On Wednesday, Lanci said Acer would pass Dell in PC sales rankings "very soon." Later the same day, IDC confirmed that.

'Mrs. Brady' helps seniors tackle tech

'Mrs. Brady' helps seniors tackle tech
She's been called "America's mom." Strangers stop her for hugs in the airport. And she still dishes up kindly parental wisdom daily in reruns of "The Brady Bunch."

World watched 'Balloon Boy' in real time
The story of a saucer-like balloon, set loose by a 6-year-old boy above eastern Colorado, was a bonanza for social networking sites: Facebook, in a little more than an hour, had three fan pages and three groups dedicated to "Balloon Boy," while Twitter was abuzz as well.
Windows 7: A Step Forward, Not a Leap
Windows 7 is no Windows Vista. But it remains a Windows operating system.

Will e-bikes be the new 'commuter cool'?

Will e-bikes be the new 'commuter cool'?
Keith Felch is admittedly a big guy, but more than a few super-fit cyclists in Southern California have been left wondering how that dude just went flying by.

Oracle is feuding with IBM

THE exciting world of storage and databases has just gotten more interesting as Oracle supremo Larry Ellison has escalated a handbags at dawn fight with IBM.

Windows 7 Improves on Vista but is No Mac OSX
Windows 7 is no Windows Vista. But it remains a Windows operating system.

Personal Tech: Gadget News and Reviews

Deaf users sound off on Sidekick outage
When the T-Mobile Sidekick started having data problems two weeks ago, it was a big pain for nearly all of the company's roughly 800,000 subscribers.
Arctic will be icefree in a decade.

The Arctic will be largely ice-free during the summer within a decade, according to new evidence collected by Pen Hadow and his team.

Personal Tech: Gadget News and Reviews
The Washington Post's Rob Pegoraro discusses recent reviews and answers your personal tech questions.

Rumors point to new Macs in stores soon

Rumors point to new Macs in stores soon
Product rumors have been fairly quiet on the Apple front recently, but the tech community has begun exchanging whispers about new Macs due in stores soon.
Berners-Lee: web address slashes were "a mistake"

Tim Berners-Lee has offered a tongue-in-cheek apology for the // which appear at the beginning of web addresses, describing them as pointless and unnecessary.

The hot new musical instrument: Your smartphone

The hot new musical instrument: Your smartphone
iPhone applications such as ZOOZbeat help anyone -- regardless of musical talent -- create songs by selecting instruments from a list and then waving their phone around. They're creating a pocket-sized revolution in the music world by letting all kinds of people create and remix tunes on the go.

Apps of the Week: Spice up your photos

Apps of the Week: Spice up your photos
Smartphone cameras are pretty basic. Often they won't zoom. They don't have aperture settings. Usually there's no flash.
Apple developing radio app for iPhone

Apple is allegedly building a new app for its iPhone and iPod Touch that will bring FM radio to the devices.

Computer Data on 103,000 Va. Adult Ed Students Misplaced
A flash drive containing the personal information of more than 103,000 former adult education students in Virginia was misplaced last month, state education officials reported Wednesday.

Dell boss claims Windows 7 is our saviour

Dell boss claims Windows 7 is our saviour

Michael Dell has given netbooks a big thumbs down, but he thinks Windows 7 can restore our faith in PCs.

The Web Hostess: The Not Safe For Work Edition
Our Web Hostess, Monica Hesse, sifts the Internet so you don't have to, searching for meaning, manners, and the next great meme.

Is there a class divide in social networking?

Is there a class divide in social networking?
Is there a class divide online? Research suggests yes. A recent study found that people in more affluent demographics are 25 percent more likely to be found friending on Facebook, while the less affluent are 37 percent more likely to connect on MySpace. The wealthiest users, however, are on LinkedIn.

Apps of the Week: Spice up your photos

Apps of the Week: Spice up your photos
Smartphone cameras are pretty basic. Often they won't zoom. They don't have aperture settings. Usually there's no flash.

Robotic Prostate Surgery May Be Risky

'Mad scientist' tries to build greener future
Pliny Fisk III has been called a "mad scientist," a "dreamer" and a "visionary." His favorite word to describe the architectural work he does is "crazy."
Robotic Prostate Surgery May Be Risky

A new study suggests less-invasive keyhole surgery for prostate cancer may mean a higher risk for lasting incontinence and impotence when compared with traditional surgery.

The Web Hostess: Get The Most of the Time You Waste Online
Our Web Hostess, Monica Hesse, sifts the Internet so you don't have to, searching for meaning, manners, and the next great meme.

Viper's SmartStart: Remote Start, Unlock Using Your iPhone
Want to start your car remotely and don't have a setup already? There's an app for that. Viper has announced the SmartStart, a free app that, with the addition of a SmartStart module in your car (not free!), will allow you to remotely start your car, and more.

Questions loom large in Sidekick data fiasco

Questions loom large in Sidekick data fiasco
So, just what the heck happened?

Can social class guide your social network?

Can social class guide your social network?
Is there a class divide online? Research suggests yes. A recent study found that people in more affluent demographics are 25 percent more likely to be found friending on Facebook, while the less affluent are 37 percent more likely to connect on MySpace. The wealthiest users, however, are on LinkedIn.

Cumberland May Soon Have A Windmill Ordinance

'Mad scientist' tries to build greener future
Pliny Fisk III has been called a "mad scientist," a "dreamer" and a "visionary." His favorite word to describe the architectural work he does is "crazy."
Cumberland May Soon Have A Windmill Ordinance

Town councilors in Cumberland heard a presentation on wind energy. They could vote on a windmill ordinance as by November.

Firing Back
The White House is now fighting a three-front war: Iraq, Afghanistan and Fox News.

How much longer will the space station fly?

How much longer will the space station fly?
It's the most complex construction project in history. Flying 250 miles overhead, the international space station can be seen with the naked eye, orbiting the Earth every 90 minutes. But as the Obama administration weighs the future of the U.S. space program, the station's future is very much in doubt.

Oracle to 'out Sun' Sun on hardware and software

OpenWorld 09 Oracle will out invest Sun Microsystems on Sparc and Solaris and provide more open source contributions, Larry Ellison and Scott McNealy told OpenWorld Sunday night.

Greenpeace protesters spend night on parliament roof

Cirque du Soleil founder returns from space
Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte, sporting a foam clown nose, landed back on Earth after a $35 million working vacation at the international space station.
Greenpeace protesters spend night on parliament roof

Greenpeace protesters plan to remain on roof of Westminster Hall for first day of parliament after chilly night under stars A campaigner descends a ladder from the roof of the Palace of Westminster.

Nobel Prize for Physics Went to Scientists Behind Colonoscopies, Digital Cameras
Forgive the question, but have you had a colonoscopy yet?

Soros aims to invest $1 bln in green tech

Billionaire George Soros said on Saturday that he would invest $1 billion in clean energy technology as part of an effort to combat climate change.

Green movement underway in China

Green movement underway in China

Visions of China with its smog-filled skylines may soon change. Some green experts are betting that China will leap ahead in renewable energy in the form of technologies such as wind turbines.

A Level Closer To the Mainstream
Nintendo of America's president and chief operating officer, Reggie Fils-Aime, says that when he talks to groups, he tries to make a habit of asking one question: How many of you have played a video game?

Fast Forward: Yea for Android, Nay for Windows Mobile
Will a new gadget stick around? You can't tell from its first act, but you might know by its second or third release. Or maybe its seventh. Consider two new follow-on performances in the wireless-phone industry: One broadens the appeal of Google's Android software , while the other cements the...

Circus Billionaire Hosts Space Show

Canadian space tourist and circus billionaire Guy Laliberte mixed star power, science lectures, music and poetry with water, hosting a TV/Internet show from the International Space Station.

Obama's Nobel Peace Prize polarizes the Web

Obama's Nobel Peace Prize polarizes the Web
News that U.S. President Barack Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize has been as polarizing as his embattled healthcare reform plans.
Donated wind turbine to improve energy efficiency at Governor's Mansion

Officials plan to install a wind turbine at the Governor's Mansion and make Oklahoma the first state to partially power its governor's residence with wind power.

A Level Closer To the Mainstream
Nintendo of America's president and chief operating officer, Reggie Fils-Aime, says that when he talks to groups, he tries to make a habit of asking one question: How many of you have played a video game?

New Releases Reveal Android's Style, Windows Mobile's Faults
Will a new gadget stick around? You can't tell from its first act, but you might know by its second or third release. Or maybe its seventh. Consider two new follow-on performances in the wireless-phone industry: One broadens the appeal of Google's Android software, while the other cements the irr...

NASA crashes on the moon -- twice

NASA crashes on the moon -- twice
Two U.S. spacecraft crashed on the moon Friday -- on purpose. The goal of the mission was to scan the resulting plume of moon dust for the presence of water. NASA officials said it appeared to be a "successful impact."
In Search of Water, NASA Blasts Moon with Spacecraft
NASA's latest lunar mission has just given the man in the moon a wake-up call this morning. Two spacecraft in the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite or LCROSS mission impacted the surface of the moon in hopes of finding water.

Obama's Nobel Peace Prize polarizes the Web

Obama's Nobel Peace Prize polarizes the Web
News that U.S. President Barack Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize has been as polarizing as his embattled healthcare reform plans.
, News Corp bosses say it is time for search engines, bloggers to pay for content

The leaders of two of the world's major news organizations said Friday that it is time for search engines and others who use news content for free to pay up.

'Follow Friday': NASA, space and lunar crashes

'Follow Friday': NASA, space and lunar crashes
1. NASA's Ames Research Center -- This Silicon Valley-based complex is ground zero for the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite mission, which climaxes with Friday's lunar crashes. Officials invited the public to spend the night outdoors at the center to watch the crashes occur shortly after 4:30 a.m. California time. Ames staffers' enthusiasm for the LCROSS mission is evident in their breathless tweets, which are full of exclamation points!
What do Microsoft and Google want with Twitter?

Microsoft and Google are reportedly in discussions with Twitter. The microblogging system could help both search giants integrate real-time search results.

Videogeist: October 09 2009

WHAT would the apocalypse look like without all the fire and brimstone?

‘The vurst is over’

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock for the last few months, you would have seen all the previews for the biggest, stupidest, most special-effectsy film ever made, 2012.

The latest blockbuster from apocalypse-porn director Roland Emmerich (Independence Day, Godzilla, The Day After Tomorrow) features John Cusack and co. running away from the end of the world.

But what would it look like without all those spectacular effects? Like bad slapstick, that’s what:

Play ‘em off, keyboard cat.

Invisible dog rally

Speaking of which, a little known sign of the apocalypse — people getting together to walk invisible dogs in Brooklyn:

And what is it with that song? It’s worse than the original.

Obligatory cute cat video

Wham! Bam! Pow!

I like the sensible one up the top, watching and looked confused.

And finally...

I present a Russian sailor singing Let It Be:

Brilliant.

Have a good weekend.

NASA set to crash on the moon -- twice

NASA set to crash on the moon -- twice
Two U.S. spacecraft are set to crash on the moon Friday. On purpose. And we're all invited to watch.

Obesity, politics, STDs flow in social networks

Obesity, politics, STDs flow in social networks
A new book finds that people have profound influences on each other's behavior within three degrees of separation in social networks -- both online and off. That means that even your friends' friends' friends may affect your eating habits, voting preferences, happiness, and more.

Tech Test: Wireless Charging Cuts the Cords

It's a pain to keep track of the chargers that go with cell phones and other small electronics.

Security Fix Live
Security Fix blogger Brian Krebs answers your technology questions and offers ways to protect yourself from online security threats.

33 People Arrested as FBI Busts International ‘Phishing' Ring

From cars to TVs, apps are spreading
When Apple launched its App Store last summer, few imagined it would reach today's numbers so quickly, if ever.
NASA to bomb the moon on live TV

NASA is preparing to bomb the moon and you can watch if you get up early. The space agency said it will slam two spacecraft into the moon at 7:30 a.m. EDT Friday in an effort to find water on the moon.

33 People Arrested as FBI Busts International ‘Phishing' Ring
Law enforcement authorities in California, Nevada and North Carolina arrested 33 people Wednesday as part of an international crackdown on "phishing," e-mail scams that trick people into giving personal and financial data to counterfeit Web sites.

EU seeks feedback on Microsoft's offer of several browsers

European Union regulators said Wednesday they were preparing to settle a long and costly antitrust battle with Microsoft Corp.

Targeting the Talkers
There are no fatter targets for the left than the talk-show titans of the right.

Who translates best: Machines or humans?

Who translates best: Machines or humans?
For the World Wide Web to be truly global, shouldn't Chinese speakers, say, be able to chat online with people who only speak Spanish? Facebook and Google are two Web companies trying particularly hard to make this happen -- each in their own way.
Zeus Trojan Infiltrates Bank Security Firm
On Sept. 1, security industry start-up Silver Tail Systems held an in-depth online seminar for its bank and e-commerce clients that examined the stealth and sophistication of Zeus , a data-stealing Trojan horse program that organized thieves have used in a string of lucrative cyber heists this year....

Forum Focuses On Maine Wind Power

Scientists spot massive ring around Saturn
Scientists at NASA have discovered a nearly invisible ring around Saturn -- one so large that it would take 1 billion Earths to fill it.
Forum Focuses On Maine Wind Power

Hundreds showed up for Maine's first-ever wind energy conference Tuesday in Augusta, but not everyone was on board.

3 Americans Share Nobel Physics Prize
NEW YORK -- The next time you snap a digital photo and post it to Facebook, you can probably thank the three men who won the Nobel Prize in physics Tuesday.

Apple Resigns from Chamber of Commerce Over Climate Change Policy

Apple Resigns from Chamber of Commerce Over Climate Change Policy
Apple has become the latest company, and probably the highest profile, to leave the U.S. Chamber of Commerce over that organization's stance against limiting greenhouse gases to slow the effects of global climate change. Three other companies, Pacific Gas and Electric, PNM Resources and Exelon, also recently pulled out of the Chamber over its climate policy. Additionally, Nike resigned its position on the Chamber's board, though it has maintained its membership.
3 Americans share 2009 Nobel physics prize
STOCKHOLM -- Three Americans whose 1960s research laid the foundation for today's world of computerized images and lightning-fast communication shared the 2009 Nobel Prize in physics Tuesday for their work developing fiber-optic cable and the sensor at the heart of digital cameras.

Microsoft's Windows phones hit the market

Microsoft's Windows phones hit the market
After months of talking about Windows Mobile 6.5, Microsoft announces Tuesday that the first crop of phones to carry the Windows Phone brand are hitting the market. A host of new phones running the new operating system are expected to debut between now and the holidays.

'Master of light' win Nobel Prize

Three scientists who corralled light to transform our communications systems share this year's physics Nobel Prize.

3 Americans Share 2009 Nobel Physics Prize
STOCKHOLM -- Three Americans whose research in the 1960s laid the foundation for digital images and lightning-fast communication shared the 2009 Nobel Prize in physics Tuesday for their work developing fiber-optic cable and the sensor at the heart of digital cameras.

Recycling facts that may surprise you

Recycling facts that may surprise you
This primer reminds you of what you can and can't recycle -- and why.
Interview from space: Nicole Stott

Clearwater native Nicole Stott has been in orbit now for 38 days, and she's doing everything from building treadmills, to re-routing cables and hoses, to donning a bright red clown nose! Stott is now about halfway through her flight aboard the international space station.

Apple Leaves U.S. Chamber Over Its Climate Position
Apple is pulling out of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce because of the organization's strident criticism of plans to reduce U.S. greenhouse-gas emissions, the computer giant said Monday.
What people really read about on Wikipedia

IT seems the hottest question on Wikipedia is: “What the hell does ‘wiki’ mean?”

According to a website that monitors traffic to the encyclopedia, the entry for wiki is the most-requested page.

Just so we get it out of the way, to paraphrase, a wiki is a website that uses special software to let people edit it collaboratively from their web browser — like Wikipedia.

The entry is the most popular page on the English version of the website this year, as well as last year, according to THEwikiStics. Here are the others:

Top 10 in 2009

1 Wiki
2 The Beatles
3 Michael Jackson
4 Favicon.ico (it’s something web designers need to know about)
5 YouTube
6 Wikipedia
7 Barack Obama
8 Deaths in 2009
9 United States
10 Facebook

If you were feeling curious and slightly immature, you might wonder where all the naughty entries came in the list. That’s the first thing everyone looks up in encyclopedias and dictionaries, right?

“Sex” was 25th, “vagina” was 39th and then, in the middle of the 50s, there’s a little cluster of “penis”, “masturbation” and “list of sex positions” — right next to “list of the presidents of the United States”.

Here are a few other lists I’ve put together based on data from THEwikiStics. The number on the left is where each entry ranked overall. As you can see, it’s a bit American-centric:

Geography

9 United States
21 India
27 United Kingdom
36 Australia
37 Canada
41 Japan
60 Germany
62 Israel
66 New York City
78 China

History

15 World War II
20 Adolf Hitler
28 Abraham Lincoln
38 World War I
42 Martin Luther King, Jr
55 List of the Presidents of the United States
58 William Shakespeare
69 Henry VIII of England
89 Vietnam War
104 John F. Kennedy

News and current affairs

7 Barack Obama
8 Deaths in 2009
11 Swine influenza
16 Twitter
33 2009 swine flu outbreak
47 Windows 7
59 Farrah Fawcett
61 Swine flu
64 George W Bush
65 Global warming

Cinema

14 Watchmen
17 Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen
18 Slumdog Millionaire
22 Transformers 2
30 Watchmen (film)
32 Star Trek (film)
34 Megan Fox
44 Robert Pattison
46 Twilight (2008 film)
49 Terminator Salvation

TV shows

13 Lost
24 Scrubs
29 Heroes
40 List of House episodes
48 House
79 American Idol
84 List of Family Guy Episodes
91 Lost (season 5)
94 Family Guy
98 America’s Next Top Model

Music

2 The Beatles
3 Michael Jackson
12 Eminem
19 Lil Wayne
26 Rihanna
31 Lady GaGa
43 Miley Cyrus
67 Tupac Shakur
68 Taylor Swift
72 The Notorious BIG

Sexuality
25 Sex
39 Vagina
54 Penis
56 List of sex positions
57 Masturbation
71 Sexual intercourse
73 Human penis size
75 Anal sex
102 Pornography
112 Love

The lists for 2008 and 2009 are fairly similar, with a few differences based on current events. For example, the entries for Sarah Palin, John McCain, Large Hadron Collider and Heath Ledger all dropped out of the top 100 this year.

If you’re still interested, go over to THEwikiStics and have a look. It’s based on page requests drawn from Wikipedia’s logs — not 100% exact, but pretty good.

PS: A shout-out to tech blog TechXav for alerting me to THEwikiStics.

Vonage iPhone App Beats Google Voice To Market

Vonage, a pioneer in Internet-based phone service, is launching applications for the iPhone and BlackBerry that undercut the international calling rates of major wireless carriers.

Computer makers seek to banish boot-up blues

Computer makers seek to banish boot-up blues
In the time it takes your computer to boot up, you can probably make some toast or a cup of tea before the thing is ready to use. In the near future, you might only have enough time to take a sip of that tea or check your watch.

Devices locate kids, parents find peace of mind

With a computer or cell phone and an electronic tracking device, you can locate a missing pet, follow the path of a stolen car, find a skier buried in an avalanche and rescue a hiker lost in the woods.

Experts Say 'Distracted Drivers' React to Penalties
If Americans fell in love with their cars in the 20th century, their love affair in the 21st is with the cellphone.

Stem cell pioneers among Nobel Prize candidates

Two Canadian scientists whose discovery of stem cells has paved the way for controversial research could be candidates for the 2009 Nobel Prize in medicine, the winners of which will be announced Monday.

Baltimore County Weighs Home Wind Turbines

Baltimore County's has not attracted wind farms, but its residents could soon start installing their own home turbines.

Cholesterol crucial to brain development

Washington, October 3 : Swedish researchers have shown that a derivative of cholesterol is necessary for the formation of brain cells by conducting experiments on mice.

Review: Sony's PSPgo may disappoint gamers

Review: Sony's PSPgo may disappoint gamers
With its upcoming PSPgo, Sony is betting that you like "new and shiny" more than you like "money and savings."
Photo

Fresh from "infinity and beyond," Buzz Lightyear received a rocket hero's welcome home Friday, sharing the spotlight with none other than the astronaut for whom the character is named.

Is the iPhone hurting AT&T's brand?

Is the iPhone hurting AT&T's brand?
The iPhone has boosted AT&T's subscriber base, but network problems and complaints from customers may be hurting the company's reputation. For the first time, AT&T scored lowest among the four major U.S. wireless operators in terms of overall customer satisfaction for smartphones.
White House Bans Texting While Driving for Federal Employees
This week, the Department of Transportation held a two-day distracted driving conference. While studies continue to show that text messaging (or emailing) while driving is dangerous, some say as much as DUI, most states continue to allow drivers to text. Federal employees , however, can now say goodbye to that cellphone feature.

Climate talks stall on targets, finance: U.N.

Efforts to convince rich nations to toughen emissions cuts have failed to make much headway at climate talks in the Thai capital, the U.N. said on Friday.

Homeland Security calls for cyberexperts

Homeland Security calls for cyberexperts
The Department of Homeland Security will hire up to 1,000 cybersecurity experts over the next three years to help protect U.S. computer networks, an Obama administration official said.

Human's Oldest Relative Found

Skeleton offers new clues on evolution
The oldest-known hominid skeleton was a 4-foot-tall female who walked upright more than 4 million years ago and offers new clues to how humans may have evolved, scientists say.
Human's Oldest Relative Found

The story of humankind is reaching back another million years with the discovery of 'Ardi,' a hominid who lived 4.4 million years ago in what is now Ethiopia.

Digital Cable TV, Still Stuck Inside the Box
Television as millions of Americans have known it for decades is undergoing a radical change as it shifts to a new digital system.
Videogeist: October 02 2009

THIS could all be happening right now, somewhere on this planet…

“Bacon is good for me!”

From the department of WTF comes the latest snippet from a US TV show to go viral. In the tradition of God Warrior, I bring you Bacon Boy:

You’ll… never see… this face… again!

The crying game

While we’re on the topic of US TV, Boing Boing found this weird ad for a phone service that makes you cry.

According to the person who uploaded it to YouTube, it was captured in the early 1990s during the screening of a KISS movie:

“What makes people all over America break down and cry like this?” the ad asks. Whatever it is can’t be too bad, as it says under-18s are fine to call as long as they have permission.

Toy town

Do you remember the video of Bondi Beach made with tilt-shift photography that made everything look miniature?

Well, Disney have used the same technique to capture a day at one of the theme parks at Disney World. It’s surreal:

Pity about the awful music though.

“It will blow your mind!”

Some readers have noticed I occasionally post trailers for movies and games, and come up with conspiracy theories about it.

Well, they’ve caught me out. It’s time to come clean. This week’s sponsored video is a trailer for Laserblast, a masterpiece of cinema that I highly recommend*:

Now all I have to do is travel back to 1978 to pick up my cheque.

* Clearly, this is not true. None of the videos on this blog are sponsored in any way.

Social media an inviting target for hackers

Social media an inviting target for hackers
It's your birthday. And thanks to your Facebook profile, everybody knows that. Your wall fills up with well wishes from hundreds of "friends." Sure, it's nice to be noticed. But security experts say sharing such information with a broad audience may not be a bright idea.

How-to video for Windows 7 launch party hosts goes viral, and not in a good way for Microsoft

How-to video for Windows 7 launch party hosts goes viral, and not in a good way for Microsoft

You almost have to feel bad for Microsoft. The software maker isn't known for hip marketing tactics, and now that a Windows 7 video has hit it big online, people are laughing at the company, not with it.

Personal Tech: Gadget News and Reviews
The Washington Post's Rob Pegoraro discusses recent reviews and answers your personal tech questions.

Clowning space tourist lifts off

iPhone app helps track climate change
Despite the fact that some of the effects of climate change are still imperceptible to all but the most highly trained eyes, there can be no doubting the alarming picture painted by glacier melt.
Clowning space tourist lifts off

Sep 30A Russian Soyuz spaceship blasts off to International Space Station with Canadian circus billionaire Guy Laliberte on board.

Stress Testing Microsoft's Free Anti-virus Offering
Microsoft 's free new anti-virus product is earning decent marks in preliminary tests, putting it roughly on par with many other stand-alone anti-virus products available today. A number of readers seem keen to try out Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE), but are eager to hear how the program...