Tech news, analysis, culture, business, security, and more
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!]
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. https://gizmodo.com/dell-joins-the-sorta-thin-sorta-cheap-laptop-party-wit-5271819 Though laptops without optical drives have become more and more common, a 14-inch laptop…
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. In the past 20 years, more than 200,000 post boxes have been removed due to…
Everybody’s got one—a drawer where gadgets and other miscellanea get tossed in a unorganized, random heap. I just replaced my desk, so the image above shows you my random gadget drawer in what I consider a fairly manageable state. Believe me, at one time it was far more out of control than what you see…
As part of a BBC science show called Bang Goes the Theory, inventor Jem Stansfield climbed up the side of the 140-foot BBC building using “vacuum gloves” made from an ordinary vacuum cleaner. Click to viewWe don’t know much about the actual gloves, seemingly built from plywood and a couple of dustbusters, so we’ve got…
Boing Boing Gadgets’ fantastic ease-of-netbook-Hackintoshing chart just got updated with three new models (all pretty promising) and a smattering of changes throughout. If you’re thinking about a Hackintoshed netbook, check it, and our guide, out. [Boing Boing Gadgets] https://gizmodo.com/how-to-hackintosh-a-dell-mini-9-into-the-ultimate-os-x-5156903
The trailer for Tron 2—now called Tron Legacy—released at Comic Con 2008 has been officially released. At last! Enjoy the crystal clear Tron eye candy. [Thanks Albert!] https://gizmodo.com/tron-2-trailer-video-makes-pants-wet-worldwide-5029479
Watch how a modified Roomba is picky enough to find, scoop up, and lift objects as small as a quarter. Potential uses of this mod could benefit the elderly and the lazy. [Vimeo via Robots.net]
Microsoft’s newest attempt to appease the EU is to create a system in which end users can choose their browsers. (Imagine that! Choice!) This is a change from Microsoft’s previous offer to remove Internet Explorer completely from Windows 7. https://gizmodo.com/microsoft-volunteers-ie-removal-from-windows-7-to-appea-5290032 It was decided that Microsoft’s “Hey! We’ll just leave all browsers out completely!” would result…
All bridges move, but isn’t the Manhattan Bridge—captured in this time lapse video—bouncing way too much? I’m not an engineer, but I’m glad I take the L line under the East River to get into Manhattan. [Gawker—Thanks OMGPonies] http://gawker.com/5322306/the-manhattan-bridge-is-falling-down
Yeah, wrap your mind around this little nugget for a while. Belly button machines, teenage girls and “Big” Bird bent over a guy wearing Underoos. I am so uncomfortable right now. [Imageshack via Digg]
Next week: Smartphones with cellular antennae. [CNET]
Techcrunch’s source says that Verizon is “racing” to put up its 4G LTE service in a “bunch of markets” in time for Q1 2010, which is about when both the Verizon iPhone and Apple Tablet are both rumored to hit. The latest anyone’s heard, Verizon’s rolling out 20-30 markets by 2H 2010, but TC’s saying…
Panasonic’s latest attempt to hype their record-holding alkaline EVOLTA battery pits this little tricycle robot against the Le Mans racing circuit in France. Over a period of 24 hours starting this Wednesday, "Mr. Evolta" will pedal around the 2.5 mile track powered by only 2 AA batteries in an attempt to break the distance record…
Add Mignon Clyburn and Meredith Attwell Baker to the FCC lineup of supervillains. The Senate has approved their nominations to the two remaining commissioner seats, meaning that all five could be ready to annoy by next week. [BC]
With all the hubbub surrounding renewed syncing with iTunes, it’s easy to forget the other goodies Palm packed into the WebOS Update. https://gizmodo.com/palm-pre-fixes-itunes-sync-5321580 Update 1.1 offers new audio notifications that have a richer tone, though users still cannot change sounds themselves. Animated drop down and context menus have also been added to WebOS and result…
All the amazing augmented reality iPhone apps we’ve been seeing, waiting for Apple’s approval to hit the App Store? The LA Times says it’s coming in September with iPhone 3.1. I’m kind of frightened for that day. [LA Times] https://gizmodo.com/twittaround-twitter-reality-augmentation-looks-amazing-5309274
The death of the guardian of Foxconn’s iPhone prototype is a tragedy. But deep down, gadgethounds are wondering where the phone is now. So far, none of us know where, so we’re left to our imaginations. Maybe some competing company or manufacturer hired someone to lift it. Maybe some kid picked it up off the…
It looks like swimmers will have to go back to good old fashioned performance-enhancing drugs after FINA’s announcement that record-setting bodysuits will be banned from competition starting in 2010. https://gizmodo.com/speedo-lzr-racer-swimsuit-spawns-copycats-and-controver-379189 A U.S. proposal to limit the amount of swimsuit coverage – between the waist and knees for males, not beyond the shoulders or below the…
OK, this police taser business has gone way too fraking far. Now, Boise officers put a taser inside a suspect’s anus—who was already handcuffed—and fired it. Here’s a tape. (Warning: Strong audio violence). https://gizmodo.com/judge-rules-its-legal-to-taser-someone-for-dna-sample-5278920 Cop: Do you feel this? Suspect: Yes, sir. Cop: Do you feel that? That’s my … Suspect: Okay Cop: … Taser…
