We knew that the Air Force Cyber Command is supposed to fight against enemy computer attacks using their skillz, computer programs, and massive PlayStation 3s networks. Now Christian Lowe at Defence Tech reveals that, if they can’t stop the attacks using a terminal, the US military hackers can actually order a cruise missile attack or drop a couple of MK84 bombs on the hacker at the other side of the line. Or like Col. Tony Buntyn, vice commander of Air Force Cyber Command, euphemistically refers to as “kinetic warfare.”
Forget DSLRs: Canon has a new gizmo for us. The “industry’s first” mouse with a calculator and numeric keypad is a 1000dpi optical USB mouse that flips open to a full keypad and 10-digit LCD screen. And yes, you read that correctly: the LS-100TKM is from Canon, not Brando. Strange… but if you’re an accounting type who needs a calculator and keypad for your notebook, this might be the ticket. Available in Japan at first for around US$32, in early July. [Impress]
Remember the 108-incher from Sharp, that Leviathan of the LCD world? It’s ready to be flogged to those of you who can afford it—in Japan. Weighing 195 kilos, and with a 176º viewing angle, the LB-1085 can be yours for just 11 million yen. That’s $108,567 to you, guv. [Impress]
You may have noticed that we’ve got a bit of a Windows Vista takeover happening at the moment on Gizmodo. Part of that is having a hub dedicated to Vista, where Microsoft’s “Professional Geek” Nick Hodge is blogging about helpful Vista features. One of the things he’s mentioned – Turning the Pages 2.0 – is actually pretty awesome.
Essentially, it’s digitised versions of 19th century (and older) diaries, books and records that you can read and flick through using Silverlight (there’s also a plain Vista version as well). It’s been done in conjunction with the British Library, and offers 15 of the library’s most precious books up for you to read.
I hope that one day, in 150 years time, whatever technology has replaced blogs will come up with some awesome method of rediscovering everything you’re reading today on Giz AU.
If you do like miniature versions of you that make funny noises and poop in their pants, then you may also like the idea of editing a website for parents.
Allure Media, publishers of such stellar websites as Gizmodo AU, Kotaku AU, LifeHacker AU and Defamer AU, will soon be bringing a new online baby into the world: Babble AU. We’re looking for a midwife Editor to guide the site through its infancy and into successful adulthood.
If you think you’ve got what it takes, check out the full job ad below and send your CV to jobs@alluremedia.com.au.
Do you love Gizmodo, read Kotaku religiously, enjoy Lifehacker’s useful tips and have a secret lust for Defamer’s no-holds-barred celebrity gossip? Then you might want to work in our Sydney office.
Our parent company, Allure Media, is on the hunt for an office staffer to work in our Sydney offices. It’s a great opportuity to get your foot in the online publishing door – you’ll be working across all aspects of our publications, including editorial. The official title is “Administrative and editorial assistant”, which sounds rather glamourous, don’t you think? About Allure Media
Allure Media is one of the country’s fastest growing digital publishers, reaching more than one million Australians a month across five niche titles. Our websites cover consumer technology, computer games, celebrity and entertainment, parenting, and personal productivity, and we have aggressive plans to launch in other categories over the next 12 months. Our partners include some of the world’s most innovative publishers, including top blog company Gawker Media. Backed by the same team that launched ninemsn and EBay Australia/NZ, our management team has backgrounds in senior journalism and commercial roles at News Limited, Yahoo! and ACP Magazines.
About the role
Based in our inner-city Sydney office, the administration and editorial assistant will gain exposure to all facets of a growing online publisher.
This is a unique role: two-thirds administrative, one-third editorial and product development. You will manage our office’s administrative and financial functions and provide support to our editors and management team. The right candidate will also have the opportunity to write for our websites, producing regular features and scouring the web for the juiciest news.
Passion for internet publishing is a must. It’s a plus if you have administrative or writing experience, or are working towards or have journalism qualifications.
Apply now
We offer a fast-moving, innovative yet casual working environment. We are a small team, meaning every staff member has the opportunity to make a real contribution to our sites and our business.
To apply, please email your resume, a covering letter and two stories in the style of one of our websites to jobs@alluremedia.com.au
I can happily attest to it being a great company to work for. So if you’re interested, send your application over to jobs@alluremedia.com.au today!
That upcoming mini laptop from Dell that we got the scoop on last month at All Things D just got a name. Engadget’s Dell source coughed up the info that the mini notebook will be called the Dell E, which is an 8.9-inch competitor to the similarly named Asus Eee. Then there’s the E Slim, which is a 12.1-inch screen, 20mm thick competitor to the MacBook Air and Lenovo X300.
Telstra are a little bit miffed at Optus at the moment. Of course, they’re always miffed at Optus, but what makes this particular development interesting is that it stems from the iPhone.
You see, when Optus announced that they’ll be releasing the iPhone on July 11 the other day, there was a little comment in the press release that wasn’t exactly, well, relevant: “iPhone 3G is the handset Australians have been waiting for,” said Paul O’Sullivan, Optus Chief Executive. “With Optus, more iPhone users can enjoy 3G services as we expand our network to 96 percent of the population by December 2008 and 98 percent by December 2009.”
The problem with this little comment is that Optus are expanding their 3G network using the 900MHz spectrum – which the iPhone does NOT support. The iPhone works on the 850Mhz (used by Telstra’s NextG), the 1900Mhz and the 2100MHz (the frequency Optus uses at the moment for its 3G network).
So what have Telstra done about it? Called in their lawyers.
eBay’s plans to bleed sellers dry make their service “more secure” by only allowing Paypal for online payments on Australian auctions has hit a small hurdle – the ACCC.
After asking for submissions in response to eBay’s proposed move, and receiving them from the Reserve Bank, Google, and countless other institutions and ebay users, the ACCC yesterday released a draft response to ebay’s request for exemption to anti-competitive laws. The response sounds like a polite version of the phrase, “F^&k off”.
From ACCC Chairman Graeme Samuel: “Given eBay’s position as Australia’s leading online marketplace, the notified conduct will substantially reduce competition to supply online payment services to users of online marketplaces more generally”.
According to Australian IT, ebay are waiting to go through the ACCC’s draft response before they comment, but hopefully it will be a meek walking away with tails tucked well and truly between their legs.
Lego enthusiast Brian Kescenovitz created a Lego mecha with a hatch mechanism that reveals a pilot in the cockpit. Called the UM-5 War Doll, it’s inspired by the VS suits from the game Lost Planet, but I can’t help but think of MechWarrior. Best Lego mecha ever, right? [Monday Noodle's Lego Pages via Brothers Brick]
