Sunday, July 26, 2009

Turn The World Into A Clickable Interface, Robots Obey Commands

11:00AM July 26, 2009 | Rosa Golijan

Over at Healthcare Robotics, they’re still working on Project Clickable World, but what they’ve got so far is amazing. A green laser pointer serves as a “mouse” to select real world objects and command a robot to interact with them. More »

Software

Android Donut Out: Full Multitouch, Universal Search, Automated Backups AND Better Performance

8:20AM July 26, 2009 | Matt Buchanan

Google’s dropped new code for Android Donut and it sounds too good to be true. People at XDA Developers are reporting it has system-wide multitouch, universal search, text-to-speech, automated backups, a new camera app, and somehow, supposedly better performance. More »

Software

Top Three IPhone Apps: Weed, Booze, And Partial Nudity

8:00AM July 26, 2009 | Dan Nosowitz

Apple’s Puritanical app approval policy doesn’t let in any really inappropriate apps, but it’s clear that the people want to indulge their vices with their iPhones: The current top three most popular apps are focused on sex, drugs, and alcohol. More »

Software

Hey Look, Another Blue Screen Of Death

7:00AM July 26, 2009 | Dan Nosowitz

Eagle-eyed reader Shawn spotted this nice little discrepancy that’s sure to start one of those awesome Mac vs. PC arguments in the comments: A Blue Screen of Death right next to an Apple store. Okay commenters, go nuts. [Thanks, Shawn!] More »

Computing

Dell 14z Laptop Reviewed: Pretty Slim, Pretty Light, Pretty Cheap

6:00AM July 26, 2009 | Dan Nosowitz

Laptop Mag took a look at Dell’s new optical drive-less, 14-inch thin-and-light 14z laptop and, for the most part, liked what they saw. It’s a very solid performer for its class, the price is right and it’s nice and slim. More »

Online

USPS Suffers As More People Use New-Fangled Electronic Mail

5:00AM July 26, 2009 | Dan Nosowitz

The USPS is having a rough time lately, sending billions fewer pieces of mail each year and shutting down hundreds of thousands of mailboxes. They’re in such dire financial straits they may need a bailout. And it’s all our fault. More »

Gadgets

Phonevision: The Death Of Physical Media Started In 1951

4:00AM July 26, 2009 | Dan Nosowitz

A recently dug-up Time Magazine article from 1951 applauds Zenith’s “Phonevision,” a way-ahead-of-its-time invention that allowed movies ordered over the phone to be watched on a set-top box, no physical media required. More »

Is Your Gadget Drawer The Messiest? Prove It

3:00AM July 26, 2009 | Sean Fallon

Everybody’s got one—a drawer where gadgets and other miscellanea get tossed in a unorganized, random heap. More »

Science

British Man Climbs Up Side Of Building Using DIY Vacuum Gloves

2:00AM July 26, 2009 | Dan Nosowitz

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Science

Sharpest Photo Of Jupiter’s Earth-Sized Scar Taken By Hubble

1:00AM July 26, 2009 | Dan Nosowitz

Remember how Jupiter just got totally rocked by a huge object, leaving a giant scar? The Hubble team interrupted their testing of the telescope to aim its sights on this very rare sight, and captured the clearest photo yet. More »