Archive for April, 2011

MIT makes solar-cell technology go viral. Literally.

Apr 30 by Rocco Penn | 2 comments

Researchers at MIT have genetically modified a virus that helps carbon nanotubes self-assemble along solar cells to improve efficiency of electron collection. The virus, called M13, helps to separate the two types of nanotubes – those that enhance solar cell performance and those that inhibit more »

Household gadgets take a toll on power grid, pocket books

Apr 30 by JD Rucker | 3 comments

Every computer, hair dryer, and electric car that needs juice to operate takes a toll on the infrastructure of the various power grids around the world. It’s not a new revelation, but it’s something that should be remembered as the effects of climate change become more apparent with every passing more »

Users furrow their class-action brows at Google over privacy... again

Apr 29 by Ty Dunitz | 1 comment

Good luck, guys. Two Michigan residents are filing a class-action suit against Google over the sudden location-tracking brouhaha that’s been going down in the past week with first iOS, and now Android. According to them, Google’s location tracking of its HTC Inspire 4G’s is to a level that would normally more »

Hackers take credit for Playstation network attack, claim possession of credit card data

Apr 28 by Connor Livingston | 7 comments

If you’re an active Sony Playstation network user, you’re aware that it was “game over” last week as hackers made their way into the network and made off with a ton of your personal data. Sony has said that they are not certain whether sensitive credit card data was taken. According to discussions more »

The Apple ad machine through the years

Apr 28 by JD Rucker | add comment

If there’s one thing that Apple has done exceptionally well over the past decade, it’s advertising. They have built a subculture around their products that is sparked by the way they position them in the marketplace and embed them in our lives. We discussed the “We Believe” video that Apple used to promote their more »

Why I regret the day I purchased anything but an iPhone

Apr 28 by James Mowery | 47 comments

I’ve been a huge supporter of Android over the past year. Ever since I purchased my Droid X, things have been okay. I’m checking my email, staying on top of social networks, and flinging Angry Birds around. But asking any more of my Android device is far too much, and that’s a big problem. What am I doing more »

BMW says electric vehicles are great...for some people

Apr 28 by David Lux | add comment

In addition to developing its own all-electric powertrains, BMW has recently formed the new “i” brand to sell next-generation EVs and hybrids. The German automaker’s investment in such technology is staggering, but some execs still don’t believe electricity lives up to the hype. At the New York International Auto Show last week, BMW more »

How Sony Can Recover From Their PSN Nightmare

Apr 27 by Navneet Alang | 10 comments

If you were in the management team at Sony – especially Sony Computer Entertainment – life is probably a little stressful right now. Knowing that you may have lost the personal data of 77 million of your customers, maybe even including their credit card info is cataclysmic. All companies have their more »

Jaiku's founder discusses Google's 'kiss of death'

Apr 27 by David Lux | add comment

Jaiku was a service that the entered microblogging scene at the right time in 2007, arguably offering a superior service to Twitter. The company’s explosive growth and keen grasp of mobile led to its sale to Google in October 2007.. While at the time co-founder Jyri Engeström believed the purchase would ultimately help to broaden the service’s more »

You can get your LEGO on in the tub, too!

Apr 26 by James Mowery | 2 comments

Okay, so the LEGO thing has been played out over the Internet for far too much, and I might have contributed, but there is just something about LEGOs that I can’t get over. It just takes you back to a time when everything was so much simpler. Unfortunately, the idea of turning LEGOs into soap bars might be taking it a bit too far. more »

Infographics, in real life

Apr 26 by James Mowery | add comment

Here is a beautiful collection of real-life infographics by Jose Duarte. They integrate real-life photography with data visualization techniques to create an interesting take on infographic design. Enjoy. Internet users by country State of the internet 2010 The most popular Twitter accounts Number of mail sent every day more »

Will someone please give SETI $5 million so we can continue the pointless search

Apr 26 by JD Rucker | 2 comments

Between a budget shortfall in California and cuts in federal funding, the ongoing “Search for ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence” is going into hibernation mode this month. Mountain View’s SETI Institute has pulled the plug on the Allen Telescope Array, a field of radio dishes that scan space for more »

The beautiful art of making an hourglass

Apr 26 by James Mowery | add comment

There is something beautiful about this video, directed by Philip Andelman. It is difficult to explain. Perhaps it is a nod to the quality and passion that one must put in to perform an art so old and — what some might consider — obsolete. We have digital watches, but yet these people measure time much differently more »

Android becomes America's smartphone of choice in the first quarter of 2011

Apr 26 by JD Rucker | 1 comment

2010 was the year of the iPhone (again) as more Americans who planned on purchasing a smartphone intended to buy an iPhone – about 1/3rd. The 1st quarter of 2011 shows a clear shift in smartphone envy as Android is now the OS that 31% of Americans intend to buy next versus 30% planning on going iOS according more »