The paycheck, which follows on after years of legal battles, plus out of court settlements, is just the start of the money train too, with Wi-Fi such an essential part of computing and gaming these days.

So, three cheers for the CSIRO, for being awesome and rich.

[SMH]

Don’t worry! He’s still the richest man on the planet, but he’s less richer than everybody else than last year. Other losers on this year’s Forbes 400 include Paul Allen, who lost $US4.5 billion, Michael Dell, who lost $US2.8 billion, and Steve Ballmer, who lost $US1.7 billion.

Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, unlike all the other tech mavens on the list who lost money, actually made $US100 million this year, bringing his value up to $US8.8 billion. Good for him! I’m sure that made a f–king difference. [Forbes via Fortune]

Sony’s suffered through management shakeups and a lack of vision lately, and while this specific news is a little industry-insider, it will definitely have an effect on the juggernaut’s product lineup. Sony may well leave certain sections of the industry behind, most probably their Sony Ericsson imprint, but Sony’s pretty much getting kicked around on all fronts. They’re a legendary company and they’re not going anywhere, but we really hope they change their ways and start busting out some exciting, groundbreaking new products like back in the glory days. [New York Times]

We’ve been hearing more about card skimmers on ATMs throughout America. Reports now say that it has gotten to the point that $US2M has already been stolen via card-skimming in New York alone.

Recently, four Romanians living in Florida have been charged for stealing $US1.8 million from banks all around New York, including New York City, Cicero and Rochester. Most of the millions had been wired to Eastern Europe already when then culprits were arrested, yet if convicted, they can face up to 15 years each in federal prison. What’s more unnerving is that although these four had been caught, there are still more card-skimming fiends in New York that have yet to be identified.

Using magnetic card-skimmers and pin-hole cameras attached to Sovereign Bank ATMs, a band of identity thieves managed to create enough fake-ATM cards to steal more than half a million dollars from over 250 victims all over Staten Island.

“This crew is sophisticated,” Deputy Inspector Gregory Antonsen said, “And they’re coming up with new ways to steal your identity every day.”

Bottom line: Watch your back to further protect your money and your safety. [Syracuse via Consumerist via Fox News via Daily News via Switched]

If you think Microsoft should use $US11 million in stimulus money—your tax money—to build a bridge connecting its West campus to its East campus, raise your hand. Banned.

$US11 million of the $US36 million bridge is going to be paid for by federal stimulus, whereas the other 17.5 will be paid by Microsoft. In Microsoft’s defence, they say that the bridge will be open to the public. On the other hand, who in the public is going to use a bridge that takes you from Microsoft’s technical buildings to its retail buildings?

As some dude from the Taxpayers for Common Sense says:

“Let’s face it. Microsoft is one of the most lucrative companies in the country,” Ellis says. “They could have easily funded this out of pocket change. This is really about getting while the getting is good. Uncle Sam has a big wallet that’s there for the taking, and Redmond wanted to take it — and Microsoft was happy to let them pick up that part of the tab.”

[CNN]

This particular rendering was made through Google SketchUp, Google’s 3D modelling software. Measurements were taken of a $US10,000 stack of $US100 bills (just half an inch thick!) and pretty much multiplied from there using simple geometry. In that trillion dollar shot, each pallet holds $US100 million…and the pallets are double stacked.

As for that red blob on the left? It’s a human. [PageTutor via BoingBoing]

Dubbed the Inbi-Out, this concept coin can be flipped to add some spontaneity to coming adventures. Where should I go next? Flip. Oh, the Kitten-mart. Fantastic. (And a good thing too, as all those happenstance outings to Bear Mart have left a nasty layer of scratches on my hall tree that I’ll have to sand out, plus my security deposit is pretty much a wash.) [Yanko Design]

Also worth noting is that gaming hardware accessories grew 68% and games consoles lifted 43%. They’re huge growth figures, no matter which way you look at it.

Of course, the games industry has a much bigger challenge this year – the economy was going pretty strong for the first half of 2008. Hopefully you’ll all do your part for the economy and pick up the latest version of Guitar Hero when it comes out this year…

[IEAA (PDF link) and Kotaku AU]