Broz News

Tone-deaf robots teach each other to sing, passionately butcher a Happy Birthday rendition

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:53:42 GMT

After what must've been a few painful minutes of rehearsal, a few robots built by the Interdisciplinary Centre for Computer Music Research have performed what we assume to be their first and last paid gig: a rendition of Happy Birthday to celebrate the 100th of the Science Museum in the UK. What's interesting about these bots -- outside of their horrible ear for music and laughable singing voices is the fact that they've actually been programmed to communicate and teach each other to...

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Monday 29th June 2009 07:53:43 AM

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Windows Marketplace launching with 600 apps, or one bazillion times what the App Catalog has

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:52:46 GMT

So Microsoft France's product manager for Windows Mobile, Audrey Zolghadr, is saying that the company's upcoming Windows Marketplace launch will be accompanied by around 600 apps certified and available on day one. Depending on your perspective, that's either ridiculously anemic -- the iPhone's App Store has a couple orders of magnitude more currently available, for example -- or a veritable cornucopia. Though the Ovi Store has no shortage of "items" to buy, an overwhelming...

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Acer poised to beat Dell, become number two PC maker

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:50:52 GMT

Yay, Dell loses again. Yay Interesting piece in the New York Times today about Acer -- the company is about to ride the tidal wave of netbooks and other el-cheapo computers straight to the number two spot on the PC sales chart. That's a big deal -- no non-US company has ever made it so high -- and it's interesting that the strategies Acer took to get there are the same things Dell's been trying to do lately: it's heavy on low-cost, stylish laptops and netbooks, it keeps inventory...

Intel launching cheaper SSDs with up to 320GB capacity in two weeks?

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:49:21 GMT

Intel is launching much cheaper SSDs in a few weeks. I just got a new, traditional, hard drive for my MBP. It was cheap, and holds half a gig of data. I sure hope I missed out on an SSD version at about the same price! Wait... just looked... nope. the prices are still pretty high, and they have no 500 gig versions for laptops. Still, it won't be too long till these solid state drives are standard equipment on all laptops. Rumor has it that Intel is prepped to launch its new SSDs in the next...

Android goes beyond Java, gains native C/C++ dev kit

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:44:52 GMT

You don't have to use java for Android any more. You can use C and C++. I don't see a Python kit yet, however... Google has launched a new native development toolkit for Android that will make it possible for third-party Android application developers to use C and C++. Google has also released an Android scripting environment that supports Python and Lua. Ars Technica

Weird Science, wasted wallaby edition

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:43:26 GMT

No, it's not the next Ubuntu release wasted wallabies get high and cause crop circles. Welcome to this week's Weird Science. Ars Technica

Light touch: a design firm grapples with Microsoft Surface

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:42:58 GMT

How much of Microsoft Surface is actually Microsoft's? Any? All? Well, they bought it, so they own it now. I guess all of it. Surface is clever in a way. Ditching the mouse and keyboard means a whole lot more than just doing without two common peripherals. As those who've worked with Microsoft Surface have found out, you have to jettison decades of GUI baggage and start with a whole new mindset Ars Technica

America's Fortress: Cheyenne Mountain, NORAD live on

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:39:33 GMT

Cheyenne Mountain with its NORAD inside is quite busy and quite healthy. Some said it had outlived its usefulness. Ha! Despite common public belief that operations at Cheyenne Mountain have shut down, the facility--famously associated with NORAD--is fully operational and packed with critical U.S. military and defense agencies ready to withstand the worst case scenario. Technology News - CNET News

Is Apple's Mac Mini a MacBook inside?

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:38:21 GMT

Apple's latest Mac Mini desktop uses parts designed for mobile PCs, according to a piece-by-piece breakdown by iSuppli. Technology News - CNET News

Report: Sony considers adding phone to PSP

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:37:25 GMT

Adding a phone to the PSP might be an OK idea, but it seems Sony would flub the job. The device would do nothing well except games. They need a whole new device, and not a copy of the Android phones, and not a copy of the T-Mobile Sidekick. Sony is reportedly looking into making a combination gadget that would meld its PlayStation Portable gaming system with cell phone technology from Sony Ericsson. Technology News - CNET News

For games, no big rush to speedy iPhone 3GS

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:35:42 GMT

The latest Apple phone is a hot ticket, but some game makers say it's still a niche product representing just a fraction of the market they're looking for. Technology News - CNET News

Yes Man (2008)

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:34:36 GMT

Terrence Bundley: What was that you said? Carl Allen: No. [gets hit in the head by Terrence with his mic] Carl Allen: Yes? Yes Man (2008) - Memorable quotes

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'Boom and bust' of deforestation

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 11:29:57 GMT

Using the Amazon forest for ranches and plantations creates a short economic "boom" and a long "bust", researchers find BBC NEWS | Science & Environment

Net injury 'disables' minke whale

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 11:29:40 GMT

A minke whale scarred by fishing gear is seen feeding in a way never before recorded. BBC NEWS | Science & Environment

DRM licensing group presses on with plan to plug analog hole

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 11:28:39 GMT

The AACS-LA plans to phase out analog output of Blu-ray and other AACS-protected content over the next few years. The move is ostensibly to prevent pirating, but it seems more likely to just cause headaches for legitimate consumers. Ars Technica

Yes, Virginia, the DTV transition still isn't over

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 11:27:51 GMT

Friday marks the day that full-power TV broadcasters will finally stop sending analog signals and will transmit only digital signals. Technology News - CNET News

Two new Mac attacks surface

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 11:27:25 GMT

Trojans target Mac OS users, including one hidden in a porn site. Technology News - CNET News

Look Ma, I created a botnet!

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 11:26:59 GMT

It sure is easy to create a botnet. McAfee is teaching people how, so they can sell more ant-botnet software. Wonder if they have a class on making viruses. McAfee lets journalists create botnets and Trojans in hands-on workshop to show how easy it is. Technology News - CNET News

Microsoft, Mississippi settle Windows suit

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 11:25:56 GMT

Microsoft will pay $40 million to the state and up to $60 million in vouchers to settle a class-action suit over the pricing of Windows and Office. Technology News - CNET News

Personalizing your Facebook URL

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 11:25:32 GMT

What's exactly going to happen when Facebook starts letting all 200-plus million of its members create custom URLs for their profiles? Here are our best guesses. Technology News - CNET News

Cracking open the Palm Pre

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 11:25:13 GMT

I think it's kinda cool when someone tears apart a new tech toy. The Palm Pre is taken apart here. Sorta cool. Lots of stuff crammed inside. photos TechRepublic pries open the Pre to see how the insides of the buzz-worthy new smartphone stack up against the iPhone. Technology News - CNET News

Changeling (2008)

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 11:23:40 GMT

[last lines] Christine Collins: Three boys tried to escape that night, and if one boy got away then maybe one or both of the other two escaped too. Maybe he's out there somewhere, afraid to tell the truth, afraid of what will happen to him or to me. But one thing I know is that boy gave me something I didn't have before. Detective Lester Ybarra: What's that? Christine Collins: Hope. Changeling (2008) - Memorable quotes

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'Tiny chance' of planet collision

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:38:27 GMT

Astronomers calculate there is a tiny chance that Mars or Venus might collide with Earth - though not for at least a billion years. BBC NEWS | Science & Environment

'Googling' a forest

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:38:12 GMT

Scientists seek new species in the pristine forest areas found around Mount Mabu BBC NEWS | Science & Environment

Stern letters from ISPs not enough to stop P2P use after all

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:35:16 GMT

A new UK survey finds that only one-third of P2P file-sharers would change their behavior after receiving a warning letter alone. If ISP disconnection remains on the table, that number jumps to 80 percent. Ars Technica

Ars Reviews the Palm Pre, part 1: the BlackBerry killer

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:34:08 GMT

Palm Pre is a BlackBerry killer. Maybe just a BlackBerry annoyer. Most of the gadget press is obsessing over whether the Palm Pre is an iPhone killer, but they're asking the wrong question. We've been testing one for the past few days, and it's clear to us that the real target of Palm's new phone is the BlackBerry. Here's how Palm will use the webOS to tackle the enterprise market. Ars Technica

Where does the iPhone 3G S get its speed?

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:31:08 GMT

Rumors are rampant that Apple is using a new chip to crank up the performance of the new smartphone. Technology News - CNET News

Microsoft to discontinue MS Money

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:30:41 GMT

No more Microsoft Money, but I do wish Quicken had some decent competition. Maybe Apple could release something... The software maker has notified financial institutions that it plans to stop selling its long-running personal finance program, CNET News has learned. Technology News - CNET News

How Intuit managed to hold off Microsoft

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:29:30 GMT

Yes, you can go head to head with Microsoft, and win. It takes guts and a lot of money. Taking them on is not as scary as it used to be, however. Scott Cook was one of the first executives to go head-to-head on Redmond's home turf and live to tell about it. Technology News - CNET News

DTV transition is nearly here--are you ready?

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:27:51 GMT

You had six years to get ready for digital TV. If you're not ready now, I have no sympathy. Friday marks the day that full-power TV broadcasters will finally stop broadcasting analog signals and will broadcast only digital signals. Technology News - CNET News

Saint Ralph (2004)

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:26:22 GMT

Ralph Walker: Claire has clearly decided to put up the Great Wall of China Defense on me. But I'm positive this whole nun thing is basically a way of denying her true feelings... understandably. Saint Ralph (2004) - Memorable quotes

Battling Termites? Just Add Sugar

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 11:31:24 GMT

Consider it sweet revenge: A substance derived from glucose has been shown to weaken termites' immune systems, possibly opening the door to safer pest controls, a new study says. Daily Nature and Science News and Headlines | National Geographic News

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Most Massive Black Holes Heavier Than Thought

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 11:30:50 GMT

Black holes at the hearts of giant galaxies could be at least two times heavier than previous estimates, according to a new computer model that takes dark matter into account. Daily Nature and Science News and Headlines | National Geographic News

Comcast breaks $100 barrier with 50Mbps broadband price cut

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 11:29:54 GMT

Comcast has dropped the price on its "Extreme 50" broadband tier for those also subscribing to Comcast Digital Voice or cable TV, from $139.95 to $99.95. Actually getting those 50Mbps download speeds on a regular basis remains difficult. Ars Technica

Open source, digital textbooks coming to California schools

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 11:28:57 GMT

The cash-strapped Golden State has decided that, starting next school year, schools will be able to use open source, digital textbooks for a number of math and science subjects. Ars talked with Brian Bridges, the Director of the California Learning Resources Network, which will be reviewing the texts, to find out more about what the program entails. Ars Technica

Lawyers plan class-action to reclaim "$100M+" RIAA "stole"

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 11:28:30 GMT

Lawyers in this year's two highest-profile file-sharing cases have joined forces, and they plan to file a class-action lawsuit against the recording industry later this summer to claw back the "$100+ million" that the RIAA "stole." Ars Technica