problems
Hardware
Apple’s Nvidia Graphics Update Doesn’t Fix Mini DisplayPort Dual-Link DVI Distortion Issues
8:00AM Jason Chen | That Nvidia graphics fix Apple released yesterday that fixed “cursor movement” with Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI adapters on MacBooks? Totally didn’t fix the distortion issues. More »
Peripherals
Apple’s Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adaptor Has Periodic Distortion Issues
6:00AM Jason Chen | We’ve been waiting a few months for the Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI adaptor in order to hook up our 30-inch Dell 3007WFP monitor, but when it got here, it was periodically unusable. More »
Games
New Xbox Experience Causing HDMI Sound Loss Issues
4:57AM Jesus Diaz | According to a long thread at the AVForums, several Xbox 360 users are losing all sound after upgrading to the New Xbox Experience. Apparently, the problem only appears in HDMI-connected systems. but there has been one report of someone having the same problem using a SCART connector. Fortunately, there seems to be a fix. More »
Networks
AT&T 3G Network Down In Some Areas, Reports Say
2:31PM Elaine Chow | We here at Gizmodo have been getting interesting missives from several readers about how AT&T’s 3G network has just plumb broke in several areas, like Boston and Hawaii. Any calls made to an iPhone 3G goes straight to voicemail, but with no notification to the iPhone owner. Switching back to the Edge/2G network will get the phone to start acting normally again. More »
Science
NASA’s Ares 1 Rocket in Trouble Again: Could Crash Into Launch Tower
3:45AM Kit Eaton | NASA’s Ares 1 rocket may be facing another large technological hurdle before it can take part in the future lunar missions: it’s apparently in danger of banging into its own launch tower if the wind is up. Actually, the wind needs only be a gentle-sounding 20kph from the south-east to cause problems, and it’s all to do with how the rocket’s solid fuel motor causes it to “hop” on ignition, before it powers upwards. More »
Science
LHC Offline Until Spring of 2009
5:00AM Sean Fallon | It looks as thought the magnet situation that shut down the LHC last week is going to take even more time to correct than previously feared. In order to fully investigate the problem, researchers have decided to hold off a restart until sometime in the spring of 2009. Robert Aymar, director-general of CERN called the situation “a psychological blow,” but getting this beast is in good working order must be the top priority. Apparently, the fire department rushed to the scene after a little over a ton of liquid helium leaked into LHCs super-long tunnel, causing around 100 of the magnets to overheat. Take your time guys—we don’t need any more drama with a device that could bring down the world. [BBC]
Phones
Swedish Scientists Test iPhone 3G’s Antenna: It’s Fine
10:22PM Kit Eaton | A couple of Swedish scientists at a company that sells test chamber facilities for wireless devices decided to put the iPhone 3G’s antenna to the test, in the light of the phone’s supposed connectivity issues. Their verdict: “the values are completely normal.” In other words, it compares very well with the antenna strength in both transmit and receive modes with a Nokia N73 and Sony Ericsson P1 that the guys tested out under the same conditions. They even checked out whether using the iPhone’s other wireless functions conflicted with the phone antenna (which can sometimes happen) and found it to be fine under these conditions too. Good news. If there is an issue with the 3G performance, it doesn’t seem to be coming from the antenna. [Goteborgs-Posten Thanks, Kalle!] More »
Question Of The Day
Question of the Day: Do You Get Stuck Fixing Everyone’s Gadget Problems?
7:20AM Sean Fallon | The main problem with being tech savvy is that everyone looks to you to solve their gadget-related issues. I mean, I’m happy to help but sometimes I just want to say “go and Google it dammit!” This is especially true with anything computer related. You know what I’m talking about–that frantic call from a friend who says their computer isn’t working, so you go over there and find it unplugged. Seriously, I don’t know how IT people can stand it. So, my question is: are you one of those people that gets stuck fixing everyone’s gadget problems? More »
Gadgets
China’s E-Waste Problem Poisons Children, Destroys Cities
6:00AM Jason Chen | Since the 1980s, cities like Guiyu, China, have been taking in electronic waste from other countries for dismantlement and processing. It’s great for other countries, but takes a huge toll on the people managing the effort because of the “metal extraction of circuit boards” and “open dumping of waste and ash residue into open water”. It’s made the well water and ground water of Guiyu undrinkable, and has to be trucked in from other villages. The lead poisoning level in children is 69%. [China-Pix via Crunchgear] More »
Phones
