Aaron's (Mostly) Business Blog

Nintendo expects first annual loss in at least three decades

2012-01-28T13:48:00.001-08:00

Spurned by consumers who now favor tablets, smartphones and higher-definition consoles, Nintendo Co. said it will probably post a loss in its current fiscal year � its first in at least three decades.

Source:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/ct-biz-nintendo-012712,0,341659.story

Jim Hensons Robot 1963 Short Film For The Bell System Released VIDEO

2012-01-28T12:48:00.001-08:00

Before he helped pave Sesame Street or invented the Muppets, Jim Henson was a young, experimental filmmaker.

One of his earliest works, a 1963 short called "Robot," has been unearthed and put on YouTube by AT&T.

Source:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/27/jim-hensons-robot-1963-short-film_n_1236974.html

HP Begins Releasing webOS Source Code

2012-01-28T10:36:00.001-08:00

True to its word, HP has officially started releasing the webOS source code. The company said late last year that it would open source the mostly-failed platform so the community could continue to work on it. HP itself has pledged to continue contributing to the project as well. Today's release included the Enyo application framework, and the rest of the platform will be released over the coming months, with a few surprises along the way.

The version of Enyo released is actually the new 2.0 build. This version is browser independent, allowing developers more freedom in application design. Enyo 1.0 was tied to WebKit. The PC maker plans to apply th Apache 2.0 license to the source code later this month. Next month HP hopes to get The JavaScript core of webOS out, and a standard Linux kernel for webOS in March. Switching to a standard Linux kernel like Android uses will expand device compatibility down the line. The core apps and system manager will be out sometime this summer, culminating with the final Open...

Source:
http://afanley.livejournal.com/1555600.html

KeepRecipes creates an iTunes for cookbooks

2012-01-28T04:12:00.001-08:00

KeepRecipes is launching an iTunes for recipes� on Friday, in hopes of building an online marketplace for buying and selling culinary ideas.

It's starting small but KeepRecipes hopes to show cookbook publishers they can money online and show consumers that some recipes are worth paying for.

Source:
http://gigaom.com/2012/01/27/keeprecipes-creates-an-itunes-for-cookbooks/

Verizon Wireless Invested Around 730 million in California

2012-01-28T04:10:00.001-08:00

California benefitted from a great investment by Verizon Wireless. More than $729 million was spent on all the materials and equipment just in California.

Source:
http://www.broadbandexpert.com/blog/mobile-broadband/verizon-wireless/verizon-wireless-invested-around-730-million-in-california/

Apple Posts Record Earnings Sells 37 Million iPhones in Last Quarter

2012-01-28T04:08:00.001-08:00

We always expect Apple to post big quarterly numbers, but the sheer volume of cash Apple made last quarter almost defies description. The Cupertino-based maker of iDevices has announced that it pulled in $46.3 billion in revenue for Fiscal Q1 2012, the period that ended December 31. That is nearly double the 2011 value.

When all the costs were figured in, Apple made a record $13.06 billion in profit, which works out to $13.87 per-share. Much of this windfall came from the launch of the iPhone 4S early in the quarter; in all 37.04 million of the devices were sold. The company's other products didn't fare poorly either. The iPad moved over 15 million units, and the Mac sold 5.2 million. iPods are still charting over 15 million units as well.

Via: http://www.maximumpc.com

Even at 299 Droid Razr Maxx may be a Verizon hit

2012-01-27T16:12:00.001-08:00

Verizon customers craving a thin LTE smartphone with all-day battery life get their wish later this week.

The carrier is launching Motorolas Droid Razr Maxx on Jan. 26 for $299 with contract.

Source:
http://gigaom.com/mobile/even-at-299-droid-razr-maxx-may-be-a-verizon-hit/

The Worlds Worst Privacy Policy

2012-01-27T15:28:00.001-08:00

With the Internet up in arms about the most recent tweaks to Google's fine print on privacy, it's helpful to remember: It could be much, much worse.

Another search engine called Skipity, created last June and registered to one Andrew Corley, offers a refreshingly honest example of the privacy policy most [...]

Source:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/andygreenberg/2012/01/25/the-worlds-worst-privacy-policy/

Nintendo confirms Wii U to launch by year end

2012-01-27T11:38:00.001-08:00

Nintendo will launch its Wii U video game console -- the successor to the wildly successful but aging Nintendo Wii -- in the U.S. and other key markets in time for the holiday shopping season later...

Source:
http://venturebeat.com/2012/01/26/nintendo-confirms-wii-u-to-launch-by-year-end/

A computer program painted this artwork from its own imagination

2012-01-27T06:40:00.001-08:00

This landscape may not look like that much - it's a solid B+ in middle school art, I'd say - but this might just be proof that its creator, a computer program named the Painting Fool, is a creative being.

The program is the brainchild of Dr.

Source:
http://io9.com/5879423/a-computer-program-painted-this-artwork-from-its-own-imagination

Vodafone Australia first carrier to get Galaxy Tab postban

2012-01-27T05:46:00.001-08:00

Vodafone became the first Australian carrier to begin offering the Galaxy Tab 10.1 following the reversed preliminary ban. The Android tablet's 3G version comes subsidized with the device price factored into the monthly rate. It can cost as little as $39 AUD a month on a two-year contract with a 1.5GB monthly cap or as much as $109 AUD on a one-year contract with a large 16GB cap.......

Source:
http://feeds.electronista.com/click.phdo?i=79cc39f0a197a870697a1b3ad6314a7d

Supreme Court Rules that GPS Tracking is a Search

2012-01-27T05:08:00.001-08:00

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled today that the Fourth Amendment does indeed preclude law enforcement from attaching GPS tracking devices to vehicles without a warrant. While this is the theme of the rare unanimous decision, the actual language is more nuanced. The government's position was that a GPS tracker was not a search�, but the court disagreed.

In the case at issue, the government claimed to have probable cause, but had not obtained a warrant. Due to this oversight, the Supreme Court opted to withhold a decision on whether or not a warrant is always required for this type of search. From the language of the decision, it appears that the month-long surveillance in this case should have required a warrant in the court's opinion, but shorter periods of surveillance might not. Five of the justices did affirm that physically attaching a GPS tracker to a vehicle was a search, though.

Source:
http://afanley.livejournal.com/1553720.html

Poles Take antiACTA Protests to the Streets

2012-01-27T04:14:00.001-08:00

Thousands of people have joined anti-ACTA protests all across Poland this week.

Source:
http://torrentfreak.com/poles-take-anti-acta-protests-to-the-streets-120126/

Curationsoft Reviewrespectedadminscom

2012-01-27T03:00:00.001-08:00

Our reviewer Trader Aaron understands his the internet. Today he'll be taking a look at CurationSoft. But is it a 5 star winner or a better off avoided entirely?...

For bloggers and social media sharers, CurationSoft enables content curation on a whole new level.

The New Police Siren You Can Actually Feel

2012-01-26T09:50:00.001-08:00

A new kind of police siren that emits low-frequency vibrations, is making waves -- quite literally -- in the town of Bartow, Fla.

Although pedestrians may find it unpleasant, officers think it's a safer and more effective means of announcing their presence.

Source:
http://autos.aol.com/article/howler-police-siren/

This Is Mind Blowing Process This Negative With Your Brain

2012-01-26T07:30:00.001-08:00

Here's something that'll blow your mind (sorry that it's an ad): stare at the colored dots on this girl's nose for 30 seconds, then quickly look at a white wall or ceiling (or anything pure white) and...

Source:
http://www.petapixel.com/2012/01/24/process-this-negative-with-your-brain/

Kinect demo shows holographic 3D game engine

2012-01-26T06:00:00.001-08:00

Developers have demonstrated an unofficial feature for Microsoft's Kinect system that mimics holographic effects. The Programming4fun team used the Kinect beta SDK and Windows Phone to create the illusion of a holographic scene, using the Kinect sensors to track a user's position and change the perspective of the scene projected on a flat surface.......

Source:
http://afanley.livejournal.com/1551964.html

The Pentagon Newest Stealth Spy Aircraft Is a Flying Sperm

2012-01-26T05:52:00.001-08:00

This is Argus One, the Pentagon's newest unmanned aerial spy.

It can carry 30 pounds of high-tech sensors and it just happens to be shaped like a sperm because this shape is better at handling turbulences at high altitudes.

Source:
http://gizmodo.com/5878964/the-pentagon-newest-spy-stealth-aircraft-is-a-flying-sperm

EMI Boss Opposes SOPA Says Piracy is a Service Issue

2012-01-26T05:20:00.001-08:00

The RIAA has been one of the most dedicated supporters of the PIPA and SOPA bills, but not all of the people they represent share their enthusiasm.

EMI's VP of Urban Promotions Craig Davis made some very reasonable remarks on the controversial anti-piracy plans, stating that

Source:
https://torrentfreak.com/emi-boss-opposes-sopa-says-piracy-is-a-service-issue-120125/

2012s 25 Geekiest 25th Anniversaries

2012-01-26T05:06:00.001-08:00

Network Worlds 6th annual collection of the years geekiest anniversaries� this time includes the births of pioneering companies such as UUNet and NEXTEL; technologies like OS/2 and SPARC; television classics topped by Star Trek: The Next Generation� and the first Simpsons� shorts; disposable contact lenses; the first naked-eye supernova in four centuries; and, who could possibly forget The Woodstock of Physics.

Source:
http://www.networkworld.com/slideshow/27499

Ubisoft Loosens Anno DRM Restrictions To Allow GPU Upgrades

2012-01-26T05:04:00.001-08:00

We've almost completely given up discussing Ubisoft DRM here at Maximum PC, and with good reason. Just about every PC release seems to ship with some draconian and insanely punishing copy protection mechanism designed to drive paying customers insane. Anno 2070 was no different, releasing with an activation system that limited you to a total of 3 lifetime activations, ohh and upgrading your video card, as discovered by Guru3D, counts against this total.

After briefly toying with the idea of completely excluding all future Ubisoft titles from graphics card benchmarks, Guru3D did the right thing, and decided only by reporting on the issues would any action ever be taken to improve the situation. Thanks in no small part of their efforts, Ubisoft has lightened up a bit on its restrictions, now allowing users to upgrade graphics cards without triggering an additional activation.�...

Via: http://www.maximumpc.com

The Pirate Bay Wants You to Download Physical Objects Now

2012-01-25T14:16:00.001-08:00

File sharing site The Pirate Bay has introduced a new content category for sharing 3D data files.

Source:
http://mashable.com/2012/01/24/pirate-bay-download-physical-object-physibles/

Apples thermonuclear war against Android is an expensive dud

2012-01-25T11:28:00.001-08:00

This morning Reuters reported that Apple had lost an appeal to ban Android tablets in the Netherlands.

Its another failure for an expensive legal strategy that has done nothing to stem the growth of Androids marketshare in the smartphone and tablet space.

Source:
http://venturebeat.com/2012/01/24/apple-thermonuclear-war-android-dutch-tablet-lawsuit/

Google announces privacy settings change across products users cant opt out

2012-01-25T10:22:00.001-08:00

Google said Tuesday it will require users to allow the company to follow their activities across e-mail, search, YouTube and other services, a radical shift in strategy that is expected to invite greater scrutiny of its privacy and competitive practices.

Source:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/google-tracks-consumers-across-products-users-cant-opt-out/2012/01/24/gIQArgJHOQ_story.html

VoiceUtils for jailbroken iPhone 4S can open apps unlock

2012-01-25T08:52:00.001-08:00

Hacker developer Nick Frey is now offering a utility forjailbroken iPhone 4S models that extends Siri slightly, allowing users to speak commands beginning with "open" or "launch" to allow Siri to launch programs or execute system commands such as "unlock" and "reboot." The program can open both first- and third-party programs and relies on the recently-released Absinthe program for jailbreaking.......

Source:
http://feeds.electronista.com/click.phdo?i=60aa867f15c5e3b2508c5403ddea5a14

A Brief History of the BlackBerry

2012-01-25T04:52:00.001-08:00

Back in the early 1990s, we didn't have BlackBerries or any kind of wireless data devices.

Phones weren't very Smart, and dial up still ruled the land.

Source:
http://www.readwriteweb.com/enterprise/2012/01/a-brief-history-of-the-blackbe.php

Cloud provider Joyent gets 85 million for global expansion

2012-01-24T14:30:00.001-08:00

Joyent will use the cash to fund expansion of its cloud services and take on Amazon, the behemoth in that space.

The company hosts its own public cloud services and sells infrastructure that customers use to field their own public or private cloud services.

Source:
http://gigaom.com/cloud/joyent-nets-85-million-for-cloud-expansion/

Latest Cool Gadget for iPhone

2012-01-24T10:10:00.001-08:00

Latest Cool Gadget for iPhone

Source:
http://www.voiceable.org/latest-cool-gadget-iphone.html

MIT Genius Stuffs 100 Processors Into Single Chip

2012-01-24T08:26:00.001-08:00

Call Anant Agarwal's work crazy, and you've made him a happy man.

Source:
http://www.wired.com/wiredenterprise/2012/01/mit-genius-stu/

5 Reasons Why You Should Make Your Own Server

2012-01-24T07:34:00.001-08:00

Youve probably heard at some point that servers arent only for those that have a lot of money.

In fact, anyone who has a spare box sitting around somewhere in their house can have their very own server, slaving away at whatever whims you may have.

Source:
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/5-reasons-server/

AMD Gives First Person Shooters A Boost With New Radeon HD 7900 Driver

2012-01-24T05:08:00.001-08:00

Are you one of those cutting-edge gamers who snatched up a Radeon HD 7970 graphics card the day they hit the street? If so, AMD's sending a little "Thank You" gift your way in the form of the new 8.921.2 RC11 AMD Radeon HD 7900 driver, an update that adds DX10 and DX11 Super Sample Anti-Aliasing and Adaptive Anti-Aliasing to the Catalyst Control Center, ups performance for quite a few titles, and fixes bugs in yet a few more.

Here's a list of improvements and fixes taken directly from the driver's page :...

Source:
http://techtime.posterous.com/amd-gives-first-person-shooters-a-boost-with

Want to go Inside Apple

2012-01-24T03:08:00.001-08:00

For the second time in three months a book is set to appear that endeavors to explain the "magic" and mystery of why Apple can do with it does.

On Wednesday, "Inside Apple" by Fortune reporter Adam Lashinksy will be released. Here's our review.

Source:
http://gigaom.com/apple/want-to-go-inside-apple-read-this-book/

Road rage at driverless cars Its possible

2012-01-23T16:14:00.001-08:00

The road to a future where we jump in our cars, enter a destination, and let them do the driving could be filled with rage, according to an expert on driverless car technology.
For starters, driverless cars will likely be programmed to obey all traffic laws.

Source:
http://futureoftech.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/20/10201865-road-rage-at-driverless-cars-its-possible

SOPA Shelving Proves Power of the Internet and of We the People

2012-01-23T12:32:00.001-08:00

COMMENTARY | Right now, I'm as grateful to be an American as I've ever been.

The old guard entertainment industry had it good for a long time. And all of their support was meant to be paid back with the passage of the so-called anti-piracy bill commonly referred to as SOPA. But the people would not have it, according to an Associated Press report.

Source:
http://news.yahoo.com/sopa-shelving-proves-power-internet-people-235400949.html

FileSonic has disabled file sharing in wake of Megaupload takedown

2012-01-23T09:18:00.001-08:00

Only days after popular file locker Megaupload was shut down by the FBI, competitor FileSonic has disabled its sharing functionality.

FileSonic will now only allow users to download files that they have uploaded themselves.

Source:
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2012/01/filesonic-has-disabled-file-sharing-in-wake-of-megaupload-takedown.ars

Watch a Music Video of LMFAOs Party Rock Anthem Ridiculously Made with MS Paint

2012-01-23T08:12:00.001-08:00

Like the hilarious Chris Brown Look at Me Now video before it, this music video of LMFAO's played too much Party Rock song is made completely with MS Paint.

Source:
http://gizmodo.com/5878203/watch-a-music-video-of-lmfaos-party-rock-anthem-ridiculously-made-with-ms-paint

Samsung Galaxy Note hitting Canada midFebruary with LTE

2012-01-23T06:16:00.001-08:00

Samsung has quietly confirmed that its Galaxy Note handset will arrive in Canada sometime in the middle of February. The company's Canadian website includes a sign-up page for launch notifications, with a reference to mid-February availability, however exact plans for specific carriers remain unclear.......

Source:
http://afanley.livejournal.com/1547596.html

Pirates of the world unite and pirate everything Ive ever written Paulo Coelho

2012-01-23T05:06:00.001-08:00

IN THE former Soviet Union, in the late 1950s and 60s, many books that questioned the political system began to be circulated privately in mimeographed form.

Their authors never earned a penny in royalties.

Source:
http://paulocoelhoblog.com/2012/01/20/welcome-to-pirate-my-books/

Samsungs transparent display could help retailers draw crowds to windows

2012-01-22T16:00:00.001-08:00

Samsung showed off a cool transparent liquid-crystal display at the Consumer Electronics Show a week ago.

Source:
http://venturebeat.com/2012/01/21/samsungs-transparent-display-could-help-retailers-draw-crowds-to-windows/

Megaupload Founder Discovered in New Zealand Safe Room With Gun

2012-01-22T12:32:00.001-08:00

In a dramatic, digital-age stand-off that played like a scene from a Hollywood thriller, dozens of New Zealand police backed by helicopters swarmed the barricaded mansion of Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom

Source:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/21/idUS175418489220120121

iPad 2S cases pop up matching some iPad 3 rumors

2012-01-22T12:06:00.001-08:00

Case maker Chinee has taken a gamble and built designs based on descriptions matching the rumored iPad 3. Its "iPad 2S" cases are 1mm thicker than for the iPad 2 but otherwise cosmetically identical to the existing version. The company insists that its designs are based on details from Apple's own supply chain.......

Source:
http://techtime.posterous.com/ipad-2s-cases-pop-up-matching-some-ipad-3-rum

Finally A Kinectcontrolled skateboard

2012-01-22T07:08:00.001-08:00

Speed up and slow down a longboard using only your hand gestures.

Source:
http://www.thecreatorsproject.com/blog/the-board-of-awesomeness-is-a-kinect-controlled-skateboard

Analysts Predict Windows Phone Will Be More Popular Than iOS By 2015

2012-01-22T06:42:00.001-08:00

It seems that there are a lot of people who aren't taking Microsoft very seriously when it comes to competing in the smartphone marketplace.

However, various well-known analyst firms, including IDC, Gartner, and iSuppli, believe Windows Phone could actually overtake iOS and become the second most popular smartphone platform by 2015. The head...

Source:
http://hothardware.com/News/Windows-Phone-Will-Be-More-Popular-Than-iOS-By-2015/

Enough We Get It Retweets Arent Endorsements

2012-01-22T05:36:00.001-08:00

Here and now, let's all agree that we agree.

Then let's stop saying this to each other.

Source:
http://www.good.is/post/enough-we-get-it-retweets-aren-t-endorsements/

ZTE plans to double smartphone shipments push hard in US

2012-01-21T13:50:00.001-08:00

ZTE plans to double its smartphone numbers this year as it expands out of China, cellphone strategy head Lv Qianhao said in an interview Tuesday. Its motherland and the US would be the "key engines" for growth in 2012 as it focused on higher-end devices, he explained to Reuters. Best known for its budget Android phones, it was leaning towards the high end and just recently unveiled the Tania, its first Windows Phone.......

Source:
http://techtime.posterous.com/zte-plans-to-double-smartphone-shipments-push

TiVo Premieres get big speed update DVRtoDVR streaming

2012-01-21T12:00:00.001-08:00

TiVo posted a much-requested update for its Premiere-series DVRs mid-week that answered a number of complaints while adding upsides of its own. The 20.2 upgrade speeds up the interface to touch on a common lag problem and brings the Grid and Live Guides into HD for the first time. Those who have more than one TiVo now have the luxury of streaming a show recorded on one TiVo to another on the same network instead of having to transfer it completely.......

Source:
http://techtime.posterous.com/tivo-premieres-get-big-speed-update-dvr-to-dv

Do New 7Inch Tablets Measure Up

2012-01-21T09:58:00.001-08:00

This years Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas generated a lot of Tablet News, especially in the New 7-inch Tablets arena.

Samsung, Asus, Acer, Toshiba, ViewSonic and a host of others appear to be committing to the 7-inch form factor.

Source:
http://www.newtabletsnews.com/ces-2012-recap-do-new-7-inch-tablets-measure-up

Why the iPad wont transform education just yet

2012-01-21T06:52:00.001-08:00

Apple has a long way to go -- and logistical hurdles to clear in tens of thousands of schools -- before it dominates K-12 classrooms.

Source:
http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/20/tech/innovation/ipad-wont-transform-education/index.html

MPAA Fights Back Against Anonymous Attacks

2012-01-21T05:08:00.001-08:00

The Motion Pictures Assocation of America is pushing back against Anonymous.

In reaction to U.S. authorities shutting down Megaupload, the hacktivist group Anonymous has been launching attacks on various government agencies and big media companies.

Source:
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/mpaa-anonymous-hacker-attacks-megaupload-283426

How Will Teachers Pay For Apples New iBooks Sites Like DonorsChooseOrg

2012-01-21T04:08:00.001-08:00

The single biggest question surrounding Apples Thursday announcement of its new iBooks textbooks is how teachers and schools will be able to buy enough iPads to make the initiative a success.

Source:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/elizabethwoyke/2012/01/19/how-will-teachers-pay-for-apples-new-ibooks-sites-like-donorschoose-org/

Inside Anonymous Largest Attack Ever

2012-01-21T04:06:00.001-08:00

How and why the shadowy hactivist group took down the website of the FBI

Source:
http://motherjones.com/mojo/2012/01/inside-anonymous-largest-attack-ever-FBI-megaupload-mega-upload

Digg Social Reader Now with Diggs Submits and Comments

2012-01-20T12:24:00.001-08:00

Now with Diggs, Submits and Comments
Starting today, we will begin rolling out a series of new actions for Digg Social Reader that you can add on your Facebook Timeline and your friends Ticker.

Source:
http://about.digg.com/blog/digg-social-reader-now-diggs-submits-and-comments

What Happens to MegaUploads Grammy Winning CEO Swizz Beatz

2012-01-20T11:00:00.001-08:00

In yet another surprise move, file-sharing site MegaUpload has quietly appointed rapper / producer Swizz Beatz as its new CEO.

Swizz Beatz, who's married to Alicia Keys, is claimed to have played a key role in recruiting some of the A-list stars who endorsed the site in the controversial Mega Song campaign. The appointment of the prominent rapper is not going to be applauded by the major music labels, who describe Megaupload as a piracy haven.

Source:
http://torrentfreak.com/megaupload-swizz-beatz-120120/

Everything You Need to Know About Apples New Education Tools

2012-01-20T08:24:00.001-08:00

In an attempt to promote interactive learning and take over the textbook industry, Apple made its education announcement in New York this morning.

Just in case you were at the chiropractor all day trying to undo years of damage caused by a heavy backpack, here's what went down:

Source:
http://gizmodo.com/5877634/everything-you-need-to-know-about-apples-new-education-tools

What are the REAL motivations behind support for SOPA

2012-01-20T08:00:00.001-08:00

I thought ignorance was to blame.

Maybe I was wrong.

Source:
http://matadornetwork.com/change/what-are-the-real-motivations-behind-support-for-sopa/

How mobile data plans should be set up

2012-01-20T05:12:00.001-08:00

Why current data plans suck, and how Id fixed them.

Source:
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/hardware/how-mobile-data-plans-should-be-set-up/17814

Snapstream releases Mac client for webbased video searching

2012-01-20T05:06:00.001-08:00

Snapstream, a company that offers a hardware-based TV broadcast monitoring server and integrated software, has released a Mac version of its web player, letting Mac users search, view and save clips on various subjects. The Mac version, a first for the company, is limited compared to its Windows counterpart but is expected to gain support for additional browsers, video formats and playback options over time. Mac compatibility greatly helps those who rely on Mac workflows for video editing....

...

Via: http://www.electronista.com

LG returns to tablets with 15GHz Optimus Pad LTE

2012-01-20T04:08:00.001-08:00

LG took its second shot at tablets in an unusual post-CES launch with the Optimus Pad LTE. A direct sequel to the original we reviewed, it keeps the 8.9-inch, 1280x768 IPS screen and jumps to its namesake 4G for Internet access. Added speed comes through a platform switch, with LG moving from the dual-core 1GHz Tegra 2 to a similarly dual-core 1.5GHz Snapdragon....

...

Via: http://www.electronista.com

It has begun Google protests SOPA and PIPA using censored logo

2012-01-19T15:00:00.001-08:00

Please help get out information about the harms that SOPA and PIPA can do.

Let's band together to stop it!

Source:
http://imgur.com/SYGFo

Google says 45 million people signed antiSOPA petition today

2012-01-19T13:30:00.001-08:00

SOPA blackout: Google says 4.5 million people signed its anti-SOPA, anti-PIPA petition during on Wednesday.

Source:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2012/01/google-anti-sopa-petition.html

Pirate Party goes dark for SOPA

2012-01-19T09:48:00.001-08:00

The Australian Pirate Party has blacked out its website in protest against the US Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect-IP Act (PIPA) today, warning that censorship could come to Australia.

Source:
http://www.zdnet.com.au/pirate-party-goes-dark-for-sopa-339329922.htm

Supreme Court rejects Internet speech cases

2012-01-19T08:30:00.001-08:00

The US Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to take two cases involving three separate incidents involving free speech protection for public school students on the Internet.

In all three cases students were punished for posting obscene and derogatory information on students or school officials by using their home computers.

Source:
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/01/17/supreme-court-rejects-internet-speech-cases/

Mozilla Firefox Join AntiSOPA Strike

2012-01-19T08:28:00.001-08:00

Protect the Internet.

Help us stop Internet censorship legislation

Source:
http://www.mozilla.org/sopa/

Leaked internal Stratfor emails call Anonymous hard to kill web hippies arseholes

2012-01-18T16:00:00.001-08:00

Anonymous hacktivists published internal Stratfor emails in two different "teaser" edition sets.

IF these are truly emails stolen from Stratfor, the first set is bizarre and the second set refers to Anonymous and AntiSec hackers as hard to kill web hippies and arseholes. Meanwhile some 'web hippies' may be feeling the heat since the U.S. government has issued a #hashtagsubpoena and WikiLeaks has called to move Twitter off U.S. soil.

Source:
http://blogs.computerworld.com/19597/anonymous_called_hard_to_kill_web_hippies_in_leaked_internal_stratfor_emails

The best phones computers and mobile tech at CES 2012

2012-01-18T15:24:00.001-08:00

This years Consumer Electronics Show revealed some exciting technologies and devices whose release is just around the corner.

Source:
http://gadgetbox.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/12/10143970-the-best-phones-computers-and-mobile-tech-at-ces-2012

Google posts Android Design guide to solve polish woes

2012-01-18T05:06:00.001-08:00

Google late this week took the step of posting a guide to help improve the quality of Android apps. Android Design gives developers advice on consistent interface elements but also subjective points such as choices of color and the overall layout. The guide is a living document and should get continual updates as new OS versions and devices come into play....

...

Via: http://www.electronista.com

Battlefield 3 Review

2012-01-18T04:24:00.001-08:00

Behold the Chimera!

Thankfully, Battlefield 3 roars where it matters most: Multiplayer is nothing short of sublime. Classes are extremely well balanced, weapons are varied, and the leveling and unlock trees entice you to keep playing without overwhelming new players. The game features five competitive modes: squad deathmatch, team deathmatch, rush, squad rush, and conquest. In typical Battlefield fashion, vehicles play a big role, especially in the larger maps. The spectacle of 32 or 64 players firing devastating tank rounds, crashing helicopters, and shooting down jets leads to jaw-dropping wow� moments of emergent, chaotic goodness.

Source:
http://afanley.livejournal.com/1539900.html

Oh Great Google Got A BuiltIn LOLcat Generator

2012-01-18T04:14:00.001-08:00

Google+ now has a meme text generator for images, allowing the Internet to parody itself until it's no longer funny.

The Google+ stream, already jammed with animated GIFs, full-width images and videos, Google Music players (theoretically) and 1,000-word rants, is now a full-fledged competitor to I Can Has Cheezburger. Google engineer Colin McMillen announced the feature this morning. The Google+ Creative Kit for editing images already had a text

Source:
http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/oh_great_google_got_a_built-in_lolcat_generator.php

MPAA blasts dangerous antiSOPA blackouts as stunts

2012-01-18T04:11:00.001-08:00

In a statement issued today, Chris Dodd, the chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America--and a former U.S.

Senator--railed against the blackouts planned for tomorrow of sites like Wikipedia, Reddit, Boing Boing, and others. SOPA is a favorite of Hollywood. Read this blog post by Daniel Terdiman on Geek Gestalt.

Source:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13772_3-57360499-52/mpaa-blasts-dangerous-anti-sopa-blackouts-as-stunts/

SOPA Is Baaaack

2012-01-18T04:04:00.001-08:00

That didnt take long.

A few days ago the news broke that the pending Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) was put on hold until consensus was reached. Although the announcement was rather vague, some news sites and blogs declared SOPA dead, or shelved,� or erased from history. Wishful thinking, because today SOPA is back in [...]

Source:
http://torrentfreak.com/sopa-is-baaack-120117/

Google Doodle Honors Martin Luther King Jr Day

2012-01-17T10:22:00.001-08:00

Google today, on the 26th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.

Day in the United States, is honoring the holiday and legacy of the preacher of nonviolent activism with a special Google Doodle.

Source:
http://i.imgur.com/gcsNz.jpg

Rupert Murdoch doesnt understand how the internet works

2012-01-17T09:04:00.001-08:00

Jeff Jarvis for BuzzMachine: In attacking piracy and blaming Google for everything it links to, Murdoch has failed to see past old models of owning content

Source:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/jan/16/rupert-murdoch-internet-google

New Plextor External CDDVD Drive Connects To TVs Too

2012-01-17T05:06:00.001-08:00

Modern HDTVs can read all kinds of technology; DLNA streamed files, external hard drives, flash drives and heck, even SD cards. One thing they can't read is data from USB optical drives. Or rather, make optical drives one thing HDTVs couldn't read: Plextor's new PX-612U External Slim DVD/CD Writer connects via USB and can play information stored on discs, thanks to some technical trickery that convinces TVs that the device is actually an external hard drive.

"It seems counter-intuitive that a USB-supported DVD Drive wouldn't work with a TV, but it has to do with the code that the devices use to communicate," Product Marketing Manager Kathy Huynh says in the press release. "PlexTV uses a code translator to make the PX-612U appear as a hard drive to the television, making the two devices compatible."...

Via: http://www.maximumpc.com

Hackers attack websites of Israels stock exchange El Al airline and three banks

2012-01-17T04:18:00.001-08:00

The First International Bank of Israel said their marketing sites had been hacked but those providing online services to clients were unaffected.

Neither the stock exchange nor El Al's web pages held sensitive data.

Source:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2087386/Saudi-hackers-attack-websites-Israels-stock-exchange-El-Al-airline.html

With LED Keyboards Every Key Is A Screen Discovery News

2012-01-17T04:14:00.001-08:00

With the Optimus line of keyboards, each key is its own separate, customizable LED screen.

Source:
http://news.discovery.com/tech/optimus-led-keyboard-120115.html

The Newest Apple Store Will Be Almost Invisible

2012-01-17T03:12:00.001-08:00

It turns out Apple's questionable rebuild of its 5th Avenue store wasn't in vain�the company now has the ability to make some pretty daring glass structures.

Case in point: this French shop will be almost totally transparent.

Source:
http://gizmodo.com/5876417/the-newest-apple-store-will-be-almost-invisible

7 Essential CSS3 Tutorials For Web Developers

2012-01-16T16:02:00.001-08:00

Today showcase consists of fresh development concepts that being developed in 2012.

The CSS3 Tutorials and techniques can be proficiently functioned using markup, HTML, and some improved properties of CSS3. You can start learning new concepts of CSS3 using these amazing Concepts.

Source:
http://smashinghub.com/7-essential-css3-tutorials-for-web-developers.htm

The Huffington Post Twitter Account Hacked Homophobic And Racist Tweets Sent

2012-01-16T10:10:00.001-08:00

A series of homophobic and racist tweets were sent out by the Huffington Post's Twitter account on Sunday.

The tweets jabbed ...

Source:
http://www.mediaite.com/online/the-huffington-post-twitter-account-gets-hacked/

The 50 Craziest Lies in Wikipedia History

2012-01-16T09:14:00.001-08:00

From death hoaxes to straight slander, this is the other side of The Free Encyclopedia.

Source:
http://www.complex.com/tech/2012/01/the-50-craziest-lies-in-wikipedia-history#1

The Simpsons Are Already Making Fun of Steve Jobs

2012-01-16T08:42:00.001-08:00

You probably missed this among the CES clusterfuck: the Simpsons made fun of Steve Jobs on this week's episode, titled Politically Inept, with Homer Simpson.

As Homer is being interviewed on TV, "Steve Jobs unveils iGhost" crawls across the news ticker. In the episode, Homer becomes a Glenn Beck...

Source:
http://gizmodo.com/5876053/the-simpsons-are-already-making-fun-of-steve-jobs

The big picture What truly stood out at CES 2012

2012-01-16T05:24:00.001-08:00

As we pack up our edit trailer and tear down our booth, we look back at the most memorable technologies, and those products that will actually affect our lives.

And most of it isn't what was pushed hardest by manufacturers. Read this post by Jennifer Guevin on CES 2012.

Source:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-33363_3-57358930/the-big-picture-what-truly-stood-out-at-ces-2012/

Ultrabooks to Fuel Explosive Growth in Cache SSD Shipments

2012-01-16T05:06:00.001-08:00

There was no dearth of ultrabook announcements at this week's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. But it still remains to be seen whether or not all these ultrabooks can go onto capture a large chunk of the notebook market as Intel wants them to. Market research firm IHS iSuppli is among those who expect ultrabook shipments to soar rapidly over the next few years. Having previously predicted ``major repercussions for the global electronics supply chain� owing to a boom in ultrabook shipments, the firm has now specifically identified cache solid state drives as a likely beneficiary� of such

In a price-sensitive segment like the ultrabook market, it makes sense for vendors to combine a cache SSD with a hard drive instead of going for pure solid-state storage. It's not only affordable, but also a good way of ensuring faster boot-up times. This is one of the main reasons why IHS iSuppli expects cache SSD shipments to rise dramatically to reach 25.7 million units in 2012, up from just 881,000 units in 2011. But it's not that ultrabooks alone are expected to account for all the growth in cache SSD shipments, with the research firm predicting the shipment of...

Via: http://www.maximumpc.com

Marketing Graphics Toolkit

2012-01-15T20:22:00.001-08:00

Grab the ultimate collection of over 30 different graphics tools for one crazy low price This is an outstanding product with lots of happy customers.......

Grab the ultimate collection of over 30 different graphics tools for one crazy low price

Source:http://marketing-graphics-toolkit-review.respectedadmins.com

New Chinese malware attacks Department of Defense

2012-01-15T14:12:00.001-08:00

Access cards are often used in governmental departments for both physical access as well as access to protected information.

A new strain of malware called Sykipot is infecting US government access cards, and AlienVault has traced the virus back to China. Access cards are often used in governmental departments for bot.

Source:
http://venturebeat.com/2012/01/13/sykipot-department-of-defense/

Mojang and others join reddit for Jan 18 blackout Wikipedia indecisive

2012-01-15T13:08:00.001-08:00

The climax is building as the January 24 senate debate for SOPA nears.

The reddit community earlier this week organized a protest blackout happening next Wednesday, and now more website are jumping on the Anti-SOPA blackout bandwagon. So far, the wagon has picked up Mojang, as well as Destructoid, Anonymous the Cheezburger Network and a couple others, with Wikipedia still debating whether to join.

Source:
http://news.yahoo.com/mojang-others-join-reddit-jan-18-blackout-wikipedia-045403139.html

Infographic The Tablet Takeover

2012-01-15T09:56:00.001-08:00

Tablets are entering every aspect of our lives faster than many may believe.

Source:
http://www.businessinsider.com/infographic-the-tablet-takeover-2012-1

How Intels Medfield will dismantle ARM

2012-01-15T04:20:00.001-08:00

As I watched Intel CEO Paul Otellini at CES 2012 announce that both Motorola and Lenovo would be shipping x86 Android smartphones, just one question echoed around my skull: So what? Reading through the details of Medfield, the SoC that that provides the foundation for Intels smartphone push, the same question began to reverberate.

Source:
http://www.extremetech.com/computing/113123-how-intels-medfield-will-dismantle-arm

Federal agency recommends killing LightSquared LTE plans

2012-01-15T03:02:00.001-08:00

PNT ExComm, the federal agency overseeing the national GPS satellite network, has concluded that any LTE network LightSquared would build, no matter how much it scales back its transmission power, would interfere with GPS devices nationwide.

LightSquared's hopes of building its network are quickly dwindling.

Source:
http://gigaom.com/broadband/federal-agency-recommends-killing-lightsquared-lte-plans/

I Wish I Had Long Exposure Vision To See Reality Like This

2012-01-14T14:42:00.001-08:00

Is this PROOF THE US NAVY HAS UFOS or just the launch of an F/A-18 Hornet from the aircraft supercarrier USS Carl Vinson en route through the Arabian Sea?

Source:
http://gizmodo.com/5875950/i-wish-i-had-long-exposure-vision-to-see-reality-like-this

How Can I Find Out Why My Email Account Just Spammed My Friends and Family

2012-01-14T11:22:00.001-08:00

Track and Block the Location of the Spammer

Source:
http://lifehacker.com/5875848/how-can-i-find-out-why-my-email-account-just-spammed-my-friends-and-family

How the Internet of things could make the world safer and greener

2012-01-14T09:48:00.001-08:00

The coming era of the "Internet of Things" has many implications for the tech industry.

But the shift toward total connectivity could also have lasting impacts on the broader world, making it harder to commit crimes such as theft, and raising awareness about consumer waste.

Source:
http://gigaom.com/2012/01/13/how-the-internet-of-things-could-make-the-world-safer-greener/

DNS provision pulled from SOPA victory for opponents

2012-01-14T09:18:00.001-08:00

Lamar Smith, chairman of the House Judiciary committee, said he will remove the provision in SOPA that requires ISPs to block access to foreign Web sites accused of piracy.

Read this blog post by Declan McCullagh on Media Maverick.

Source:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-31001_3-57358947-261/dns-provision-pulled-from-sopa-victory-for-opponents/

The Coolest Audio Gear At CES 2012

2012-01-14T04:00:00.001-08:00

From headphones and speakers to wireless tech, a hands-on look at some of the most promising audio gear and technology coming your way in 2012.

Source:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2398801,00.asp

Critics raise the alarm over US police drone plans

2012-01-13T14:10:00.001-08:00

Jan. 11 - U.S. civil rights groups are raising the alarm about plans by the Houston and Miami police forces to add unmanned aerial drones to their crime-fighting arsenals.

Law enforcement officials say the drones will help in the hunt for criminals and missing persons but critics claim they could also be used to spy on ordinary citizens.

Source:
http://www.reuters.com/video/2012/01/11/critics-raise-the-alarm-over-us-police-d?videoId=228416406

5 tech founders you should know who are changing our world

2012-01-13T13:40:00.001-08:00

Whether it was changing how we shared our lives, how we communicated or how we sought to make a living, these are founders you should know.

Source:
http://thenextweb.com/entrepreneur/2012/01/12/5-tech-founders-you-should-know-who-are-changing-our-world/

The Future of TV Is Beautiful and Simple and Good

2012-01-13T12:40:00.001-08:00

The televisions that are going to be invading our living rooms in 2012, the ones that Samsung and LG and the rest have been trotting out this week at CES?

Source:
http://gizmodo.com/5875234/the-future-of-tv-is-beautiful-and-simple-and-good

Windows 8 looming for October 2012 launch

2012-01-13T10:10:00.001-08:00

Windows 8 will be shipping around October this year if a hint dropped to Pocket-lint from Windows Business Group director of PR Janelle Poole eventuates.

The radically redesigned OS, which Steve Ballmer has referred to as Microsofts biggest gamble in recent times, had been rumored to ship early.

Source:
http://www.electronista.com/articles/12/01/12/windows.8.to.launch.tablet.os.answer.to.apple.oct/

Reddit Blackout Coming January 18th to Protest SOPA

2012-01-13T06:02:00.001-08:00

The public outcry over the Stop Online Piracy Act and the Protect IP Act is not about to die down. Popular discussion board and social news site Reddit has just announced that it will be blacking out on January 18th from 8AM-8PM EST in protest of the likely passage of the legislation. In place of the user-generated madness that is Reddit, the site will host a simple message about how SOPA and PIPA would negatively affect sites like Reddit.

Reddit is estimated to get over 20 million unique visitors each month. If even a fraction of those users call up their members of Congress, it might actually make an impact. Do you support the blackout?�...

Via: http://www.maximumpc.com

Netgear Announces 2TB Media Storage Router

2012-01-13T05:12:00.001-08:00

Wireless routers are not really the most sexy products these days, but Netgear is trying to change that with the just announced WNDR4700. This Media Storage Router has all sorts of goodies that go beyond the routing of network connections. The WNDR4700 comes with a 2TB hard drive and a ton of firmware features to pump up any home network.

The drive in the router is user-replaceable if you should need more storage down the road. Also included are two USB 3.0 ports that support mass storage and printers. There is support for PCs and Macs, with the latter having the option to use Time Machine for backups. Functionality can be extended with the addition of apps from the Netgear App Store, as well.�...

Source:
http://techtime.posterous.com/netgear-announces-2tb-media-storage-router

US PC Shipments Down 6 in Q4 2011 Apple Up 21

2012-01-13T05:06:00.001-08:00

It appears that PCs are just not the hot gift idea they once were. According to Gartner, U.S. PC shipments were down almost 6% in the fourth quarter of 2011. Apple, however, continues to grow its market share with sales up nearly 21% in the same time. This pushes Apple to the number 3 spot in the U.S. computer market.�

Still far in the lead are HP and Dell, which have 23% and 22% of the market respectively. Apple's overall market share is 11%. Lenovo's sales actually grew by 40%, but it sells so few units in America that it did not figure in the top tier of makers. Apple is the only manufacturer in the top five that grew at all.

Via: http://www.maximumpc.com