Sunday, May 18, 2008
Press
Conde Nast Buys Ars Technica
1:38PM Brian Lam | Conde Nast and Wired bought Ars Technica for a rumoured US$25 million. More details are coming on Monday but I’m happy to see friends at both Wired and Ars get together in this deal. [Techcrunch, Thanks Arn] More »
Hardware
FCC Filing Teases WiMAX Option for Future Apple MacBooks
10:00AM Gizmodo US Edition | A new FCC filing for an Intel 5350 WiFi/WiMAX combo card that fits into Mini PCI Express slots is probably the best evidence yet for future WiMAX functionality in Apple MacBooks, but it’s still far from a confirmation. The bottom line is that with the new card, the WiMAX option officially exists for MacBooks, but as of yet there are no drivers written that would allow it to work with Apple’s line of laptops. You could actually hack your laptop and plug the card in just fine as it is now, but without the drivers (which do exist for Windows), it’s pretty useless. That said, the drivers—especially with Intel Macs—are a mere Leopard update or MacBook redesign away. [FCC Filing via ComputerWorld] More »
Music
Zvue Spirit MP3 Player Brings New Meaning To Patriotism
9:15AM Mark Wilson | Sure, the iPod has marketshare…and what may prove to be a timeless style. But you know what kicks the crap out of that stuff? Patriotism. And nothing says “America” like red, white and blue along with a star-shaped control panel. And that’s what the Zvue Spirit is ready to offer. More »
Science
A River Runs Through It: Bladder Microphone Hears Your Prostate
8:30AM Gizmodo US Edition | Catheters suck, but they’re a necessary evil for men who want to know if they have benign prostatic hyperplasia (quickie Giz diagnosis: you’re cancer-free, but pee six times an hour). And in addition to excruciating tube-down-your-johnson pain, the catheter also carries with it the potential for infection. The process could be changing soon, however, thanks to researcher Tim Idzenga. Basically, the Dutchman will diagnose BPH by listening to your business with a microphone. More »
Computers
Confirmed: Alienware Assimilating Dell Gaming, XPS Becoming High-End Consumer Line
7:45AM Matt Buchanan | One of Dell’s official blogs provides a bit of clarity as to the discombobulation of the XPS gaming line in favour of Alienware. Basically, the XPS and Alienware development teams are being fused together, and XPS is going to go in a more high-end consumer direction (”XPS isn’t going away, though it may go in new directions as hinted by the XPS One and the slimline XPS m1330″) while Alienware totally subsumes Dell’s gaming side, becoming “a fantastic global brand that sets benchmarks for gaming.” In other words… More »
Home
Which Couldn’t You Live Without, HD or DVR?
7:00AM Mark Wilson | Our memories have grown fuzzy. We can’t remember exactly what watching TV was like 10 years ago, but we’re pretty sure that it involved a 16mm projector, slide rule and a horse that walked in circles around the room (oddly enough, the horse wasn’t actually connected to anything). Now we have a slew of new viewing technologies options, like streaming media, DVRs and high definition broadcast. And today, we’re forcing you to make the Sophie’s Choice of the entertainment centre: More »
Hardware
Apple Goes To War (This Time Not With Microsoft)
6:30AM Mark Wilson | When Apple purchased chip manufacturer P.A. Semi, the Department of Defence was worried. Why? P.A. Semi manufactures chips for ten different military systems, and has US$100 million in deals with the DoD over the next four years. And the DoD never expected Apple to keep supporting the sweet, deadly chips.
Online
Rifflet, Like Twitter For Music
6:00AM Mark Wilson | I like to believe that all of us have rock star alter egos. For most of us, these inner rock beasts sleep latently, awaiting the proper heartbreak or drug cocktail to wake from slumber and cut a hit record. Rifflet.com is a place that shares my theory—a social networking site in which users can share 1-minute clips of music they’ve had bouncing around in their heads, just to get it out there. Others can then download these tracks, respond to them or even incorporate them into songs of their own. More »
Science
Noveon Zaps Toe Fungus With Light, But Annoying Lamisil Commercials Remain
5:30AM Gizmodo US Edition | Using a first-of-its-kind direct optical energy device called Noveon, one Waltham company is hoping to stamp out toenail fungus once and for all using nothing but light. The device “utilises two discrete near-infrared wavelengths at low power” and produces no heat, according to a rep from the manufacturer, Nomir Medical Technologies. The approach could eliminate the need for expensive meds like Lamisil or Fulvicin, which work, but can cause upset stomach and liver damage. Clinical trials are set to begin soon, and the Noveon could be zapping foot fungus—and periodontal disease (think morning breath, but forever!)—very soon. More »
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