Apple iMac Magic Mouse

On the heels of announcing blockbuster earnings for the past quarter, Apple unveils a slew of new products, including a pair of iMacs with razor-sharp, 16:9 displays, a redesigned plastic MacBook, and a new mouse that you can swipe with your fingertip, à la the iPhone.

First up: Meet the "Magic Mouse," a touch-enabled successor to the tepid, trackball-toting Mighty Mouse. A sleek, smooth sliver of plastic, the wireless Magic Mouse comes without dedicated buttons or wheels; instead, you perform simple multi-touch gestures (like tapping, swiping, and "zooming" on the iPhone) on the mouse's curved surface to select, rotate, or otherwise manipulate items on the screen. Lefties and righties can also configure the Magic Mouse as they see fit, according to Apple. I've yet to try the new Magic Mouse in person, but Engadget says that the new peripheral "feels much thinner than its predecessor," and that "the whole front of the unit provides a satisfying, unified click." Interesting. The price tag: $69.

Next: the new iMacs, including a 27-incher and a 21.5-inch model. Both retain the basic, all-in-one iMac design, but the upgraded models arrive with what look to be gorgeous new LED-backlit displays, complete with 16:9 aspect ratios ideal for movie fanatics. The new 21.5-inch iMac boasts a 1920 by 1080-pixel display, same as on your standard 1080p flatscreen, while the 27-inch model comes with a whopping 2560 by 1440 pixels ... or in other words, 1440p. Nice.

The two new iMacs also deliver upgraded graphics chipsets, with the choice of integrated Nvidia GeForce 9400M or dedicated ATI Radeon HD 4670 graphics in the 21.5-inch model, or discrete ATI Radeon HD 4670 or 8850 graphics in the 27-inch iMac.

As usual, the new iMacs don't come cheap, but even the priciest 27-inch model starts south of $2,000, with the 3.06GHz, 4GB 21.5-inch iMac (with a 500GB hard drive) beginning at $1,199, while the cheaper of two 27-inch configurations (with a 3.06GHz processor, 4GB of RAM, and a 1TB hard drive) starts at $1,699. Not included in the mix: Blu-ray support.

Moving right along, we've got a redesigned white plastic MacBook, which now takes on the "unibody" design of its bigger MacBook Pro brothers. The MacBook's new polycarbonate shell weighs in at about 4.7 ounces and measures 1.8 inches thick, and it also comes with a non-replacable seven-hour battery—again, same as with the updated MacBook Pro line. Other improvements include an LED-backlit display and a bigger multi-touch glass trackpad. Prices still start at $999, though (for the 2.26GHz model with 2GB of RAM and a 250GB hard drive).

Last but not least: an upgraded Mac Mini, now with a faster processor (up to 2.66GHz) and more memory (up to 4GB), with prices starting at $599. Power users can also snap up a 2.53GHz Mini with dual 500GB hard drives and Mac OS X Server Snow Leopard pre-installed, for $999.

So, what do you think: Ready for the touch-sensitive Magic Mouse? How about the new, cinema-ready iMacs? Still chafing at Apple's high prices, or do the new price points sound reasonable?

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Triton AX-720

This isn’t the first time that we have covered one of TRITTON’s gaming headsets, and if the company keeps making headphones of this quality, then it won’t be the last, either.

Although the AX 720 is designed to work with the XBox, PS3, and PC, it certainly would give the gamer the most mileage if used with the first two. The AX720 includes a 720 AMP, and it is designed as a Dolby Digital recorder to place the gamer into a whole new realm of sound.
No software CD was included with the setup, but you will need to set it up with the optical cable if you really want to experience the full effect of the sound with the included AMP.
Not only can you use the AX 720 as gaming headphones, but these comfortably-fitting headphones can be used for all sorts of applications such as an MP3 player, or even an iPhone. The best part is that these headphones have an extra long cable that can “come apart” allowing you to disconnect from your experience without taking the headphones off. The microphone can also be used for voice recordings, and just wearing these things make me feel like a pilot.
All in all, TRITTON makes its gaming headphones a sound experience. You should be able to purchase the TRITTON AX 720 headphones at retails everywhere for about $129.99.

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Aspire Revo

Acer has jumped aboard the nettop revolution Stateside with a brand new AspireRevo R3610-U9012, where this extremely compact nettop has a volume of all but one liter. At that size, it is extremely tiny despite managing to cram in enough parts that help it deliver a decent performance in terms of an entertainment center for the whole family. Measuring roughly the size of a book, the AspireRevo R3610 ought to be an easy fit in just about any home, even if it is a super small apartment that you normally find in Tokyo. Apart from being a multimedia hub that caters for casual gaming and entertainment purposes, it is also a fully functional home office computer.

Inside, you will find the new NVIDIA ION chipset that supports NVIDIA CUDA technology and Microsoft DirectX, providing one with the ability to watch HD movies in 1080p resolution, enjoy DirectX 10 games as well as benefit from the 3D capabilities of Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (when October 22nd rolls around, that is). Underneath the hood, you will find a low power, dual-core Intel Atom 330 processor that was specially made for both nettops and netbooks, being the right fit for social networking, VoIP, email, browsing and other online activities. Since it consumes very little power, you can be sure that there is no need for an extra large fan oto go with this, resulting in a comfortable, quiet environment while you work (and relax).
You can pick up the Acer AspireRevo R3610-U9012 Nettop for $329.99, where it will also come with the following :-
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
Intel Atom 330 Processor (1.6GHz)
Integrated NVIDIA ION Graphics Solution
2GB DDR2 SDRAM Memory
160GB SATA Hard Drive
Six USB 2.0 Ports (Two Front, Four Back)
HDMI Port
eSATA Port
VGA Port
Multi-in-1 Digital Media Card Reader
802.11b/g/Draft-N Wireless
Gigabit Ethernet
Wireless Keyboard and Mouse
USB Stereo Speakers
High-Definition Headphone and Microphone Jacks

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Shakira Undercover for her college in UCLA

How did Shakira manage to take a summer history class at UCLA in 2007 and not make headlines until after the course was over?

The Colombian-bred international pop star revealed her successful game plan in a recent interview with the UK's The Guardian.

"I used to wear a cap and a big backpack," Shakira explained. "I looked like a boy. I didn't get recognized."

When onlookers got suspicious and inquired whether or not she was the "Hips Don't Lie" singer, she told them that her name was Isabel, which is actually one of her middle names.

Her simple plan worked. Professor Robert Cleve, who taught the Introduction to Western Civilization: Ancient Civilizations from Prehistory to Circa A.D. 843 class, had no idea "Isabel" was actually a pop star.

"She told me she was visiting from Colombia and that she was just doing this for her own enlightenment and enjoyment," Cleve told the Associated Press in 2007. "She looked like just an ordinary student. She wasn't flamboyant...she didn't act like a big celebrity or anything."

The singer, whose song "She Wolf" is No. 31 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, sat near the front of the class and regularly stayed afterwards to ask questions, Cleve added. "I was really impressed with how intelligent she was," he said.

Shakira decided to take the class after wrapping the tour for her album, "Oral Fixation."

When most celebs need a break from the business, they typically take a real vacation. They travel to a remote destination, relax, and clear their minds.

But Shakira said challenging her mind instead was the ideal getaway after the tour.

"It was such a long tour, I needed a break from me," Shakira told The Guardian. "The universe is so broad, I cannot be at the center of it. So I decided to go to the university and study history for a summer course, just to kind of switch gears, taste the student life."

Shakira has been known to spend her spare time studying, and learning about the countries she visits, her manager Fifi Kurzman told The Associated Press.

While Shakira did not attend the last few classes, she told The Guardian that she enjoyed the experience. "I would go to the university over and over again if I could," Shakira said.

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Five Technologies That Could Change Everything

It's a tall order: Over the next few decades, the world will need to wean itself from dependence on fossil fuels and drastically reduce greenhouse gases. Current technology will take us only so far; major breakthroughs are required.

What might those breakthroughs be? Here's a look at five technologies that, if successful, could radically change the world energy picture.

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They present enormous opportunities. The ability to tap power from space, for instance, could jump-start whole new industries. Technology that can trap and store carbon dioxide from coal-fired plants would rejuvenate older ones.

Success isn't assured, of course. The technologies present difficult engineering challenges, and some require big scientific leaps in lab-created materials or genetically modified plants. And innovations have to be delivered at a cost that doesn't make energy much more expensive. If all of that can be done, any one of these technologies could be a game-changer.

1. Space-Based Solar Power

For more than three decades, visionaries have imagined tapping solar power where the sun always shines in space. If we could place giant solar panels in orbit around the Earth, and beam even a fraction of the available energy back to Earth, they could deliver nonstop electricity to any place on the planet.

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The technology may sound like science fiction, but it's simple: Solar panels in orbit about 22,000 miles up beam energy in the form of microwaves to earth, where it's turned into electricity and plugged into the grid. (The low-powered beams are considered safe.) A ground receiving station a mile in diameter could deliver about 1,000 megawatts -- enough to power on average about one million U.S. homes.

The cost of sending solar collectors into space is the biggest obstacle, so it's necessary to design a system lightweight enough to require only a few launches. A handful of countries and companies aim to deliver space-based power as early as a decade from now.

2. Advanced Car Batteries

Electrifying vehicles could slash petroleum use and help clean the air (if electric power shifts to low-carbon fuels like wind or nuclear). But it's going to take better batteries.

Lithium-ion batteries, common in laptops, are favored for next-generation plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles. They're more powerful than other auto batteries, but they're expensive and still don't go far on a charge; the Chevy Volt, a plug-in hybrid coming next year, can run about 40 miles on batteries alone. Ideally, electric cars will get closer to 400 miles on a charge. While improvements are possible, lithium-ion's potential is limited.

One alternative, lithium-air, promises 10 times the performance of lithium-ion batteries and could deliver about the same amount of energy, pound for pound, as gasoline. A lithium-air battery pulls oxygen from the air for its charge, so the device can be smaller and more lightweight. A handful of labs are working on the technology, but scientists think that without a breakthrough they could be a decade away from commercialization.

3. Utility Storage

Everybody's rooting for wind and solar power. How could you not? But wind and solar are use-it-or-lose-it resources. To make any kind of difference, they need better storage.

Scientists are attacking the problem from a host of angles -- all of which are still problematic. One, for instance, uses power produced when the wind is blowing to compress air in underground chambers; the air is fed into gas-fired turbines to make them run more efficiently. One of the obstacles: finding big, usable, underground caverns.

Similarly, giant batteries can absorb wind energy for later use, but some existing technologies are expensive, and others aren't very efficient. While researchers are looking at new materials to improve performance, giant technical leaps aren't likely.

Lithium-ion technology may hold the greatest promise for grid storage, where it doesn't have as many limitations as for autos. As performance improves and prices come down, utilities could distribute small, powerful lithium-ion batteries around the edge of the grid, closer to customers. There, they could store excess power from renewables and help smooth small fluctuations in power, making the grid more efficient and reducing the need for backup fossil-fuel plants. And utilities can piggy-back on research efforts for vehicle batteries.

4. Carbon Capture and Storage

Keeping coal as an abundant source of power means slashing the amount of carbon dioxide it produces. That could mean new, more efficient power plants. But trapping C02 from existing plants -- about two billion tons a year -- would be the real game-changer.

Techniques for modest-scale CO2 capture exist, but applying them to big power plants would reduce the plants' output by a third and double the cost of producing power. So scientists are looking into experimental technologies that could cut emissions by 90 percent while limiting cost increases.

Nearly all are in the early stages, and it's too early to tell which method will win out. One promising technique burns coal and purified oxygen in the form of a metal oxide, rather than air; this produces an easier-to-capture concentrated stream of CO2 with little loss of plant efficiency. The technology has been demonstrated in small-scale pilots, and will be tried in a one-megawatt test plant next year. But it might not be ready for commercial use until 2020.

5. Next-Generation Biofuels

One way to wean ourselves from oil is to come up with renewable sources of transportation fuel. That means a new generation of biofuels made from nonfood crops.

Researchers are devising ways to turn lumber and crop wastes, garbage and inedible perennials like switchgrass into competitively priced fuels. But the most promising next-generation biofuel comes from algae.

Algae grow fast, consume carbon dioxide and can generate more than 5,000 gallons a year per acre of biofuel, compared with 350 gallons a year for corn-based ethanol. Algae-based fuel can be added directly into existing refining and distribution systems; in theory, the U.S. could produce enough of it to meet all of the nation's transportation needs.

But it's early. Dozens of companies have begun pilot projects and small-scale production. But producing algae biofuels in quantity means finding reliable sources of inexpensive nutrients and water, managing pathogens that could reduce yield, and developing and cultivating the most productive algae strains.

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Samsung New chip

Samsung isn’t just about fancy and large TVs in addition to cool solar-powered cellphones, as the company does have quite the repertoire of gizmos and devices to satisfy just about and gadget lust.

This time round, the consumer electronics, telecommunications and information technology giant has recently announced that it has managed to roll out the world’s first single chip compatible with the newly approved North American mobile digital TV broadcasting standard successfully. In layman’s terms, this means the new chip will probably see a slew of new portable media players released in the US to feature the ability to handle all your portable TV cravings regardless of where you are. This is made possible by merging the radio frequency (RF) and digital chip components into one single 65 nanometer (nm)-scale chip. When compared against standard multiple-chip sets, the solitary chip offers makers of various mobile devices including cellphones, car-mounted televisions and portable media players an optimal solution that is more compact, uses less power, and is more affordable.
The Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) did start work on moving towards standardizing mobile digital TV broadcasting by utilizing the current digital TV broadcasting spectrum alongside its facilities since May a couple of years ago. A recently concluded membership vote has seen the ATSC Mobile DTV being adopted as an ATSC standard officially. According to Mr. Byung Duck Cho, executive vice president of the Digital Media and Communications R&D Center of Samsung Electronicsm “Prior to Samsung’s technical demonstration at the 2006 NAB Show, industry experts believed that the compatibility of mobile TV broadcasting technology with the existing ATSC broadcasting system was not possible. In early 2005, Samsung Electronics decided to apply significant resources to ATSC standardization. “Samsung succeeded in ATSC Mobile DTV standardization through its dedication and support in cooperation with the ATSC, broadcasters, and other electronics manufacturers. Through this collaborative accomplishment, Samsung Electronics aims to advance its leadership in the North American mobile market with mobile TV.”
You sure won’t come up short in terms of entertainment as more than 70 broadcast stations have already announced their support of this initiative and will broadcast on a trial basis across North America before the year is over.

Press Release

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Sanyo Projector

Sanyo is an old name when it comes to projectors, and this has seen the company roll out two more models for the masses – the PLC-XM150/150L and PLC-XM100/100L projectors, where they will be the company’s representative of the type with out-of-the-box functions and high-brightness/high-image-quality technologies which have seen Sanyo’s line of projectors make it all the way to the top of the industry.

The PLC-XM150/150L has been touted to be the highest brightness projector in its “lesser” sibling, the PLC-XM100/100L (we use the term lesser here on a liberal basis), it will come with a brightness rating of 5000 lumens. Users of these new projectors will find an inorganic liquid crystal panel that has been incorporated into the newly developed optical engine while working in tandem with a superior cooling technology that enables both projectors to boast such high brightness levels.
Compared to other conventional models from Sanyo thenmselves, these will come with a light efficiency that is approximately 20% higher, making it possible for use in large venues and well-lit areas with a large screen need, turning it into a form of digital signage for the masses as well. You will find that both models will come with Sanyo’s very own Active Maintenance Filter (AMF) system for a higher degree of reliability and trouble-free maintenance. A single cartridge will come with 10 filter rolls that ought to last you for up to 10,000 hours thereabouts. Whenever the system detects air blocks or clogs, the filter reel will scroll to the next clean filter.
Users will find that there are five lens options available for the PLC-XM150/150L and PLC-XM100/100L, giving you the opportunity to select the best lens possible for the installation site at all times. This ensures that the projectors can be used in a wide variety of venue settings, ranging from medium to large conference rooms, classrooms, school auditoriums and lecture halls. Installation is painless and easy, while other functions available include advanced Power Vertical/Horizontal Lens Shifting and Power Zoom/Focus, Vertical 360-degree Tilt Angle, compatibility with Sanyo’s optional PJ-NET Organizer and Direct Power-off among others. Expect the PLC-XM150/150L to arrive this November for $4,795 sans lens, while the PLC-XM100/100L will come a month later, retailing for $3,895 without lens.

Press Release

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Beware: Fake Security

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -
Tens of millions of U.S. computers are loaded with scam security software that their owners may have paid for but which only makes the machines more vulnerable, according to a new Symantec report on cybercrime.

Cyberthieves are increasingly planting fake security alerts that pop up when computer users access a legitimate website. The "alert" warns them of a virus and offers security software, sometimes for free and sometimes for a fee.

"Lots of times, in fact they're a conduit for attackers to take over your machine," said Vincent Weafer, Symantec's vice president for security response.

"They'll take your credit card information, any personal information you've entered there and they've got your machine," he said, referring to some rogue software's ability to rope a users' machine into a botnet, a network of machines taken over to send spam or worse.

Symantec found 250 varieties of scam security software with legitimate sounding names like Antivirus 2010 and SpywareGuard 2008, and about 43 million attempted downloads in one year but did not know how many of the attempted downloads succeeded, said Weafer.

"In terms of the number of people who potentially have this in their machines, it's tens of millions," Weafer said.

It was also impossible to tell how much cyberthieves made off with but "affiliates" acting as middlemen to convince people to download the software were believed to earn between 1 cent per download and 55 cents.

TrafficConverter.biz, which has been shut down, had boasted that its top affiliates earned as much as $332,000 a month for selling scam security software, according to Weafer.

"What surprised us was how much these guys had tied into the whole affiliated model," Weafer said. "It was more refined than we anticipated."

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World War II Unclaimed Bonds

HELENA, Mont. – The federal government is facing a lawsuit over billions in unclaimed bonds that date back to the patriotic fundraising efforts of World War II, leading to a showdown between states who say they should be given the money and a Treasury Department that claims ownership.

World War II sparked an unprecedented bond buying campaign, spurred on by one of the largest advertising campaigns ever seen — a drive wrapped in dutiful pleas from celebrities, politicians and cartoon characters alike.
Most American families bought at least one bond at the time and many never cashed them in — thanks in part to a 40-year maturity in the bonds. And those same "Series E" war bonds continued to be sold by the federal government until 1980.
More than $16 billion worth of the bonds are unclaimed, either lost or forgotten about with the death of the original purchasers.
The state attorneys general suing the Treasury Department charge that the federal government made no effort to find those people. They want the money given to the states, who have a legal system in place for finding the owners of unclaimed funds.
"It's better for the millions of American who are the rightful owners to have it returned to the states, because the states will make a real effort to find them," said David Bishop, a partner at Kirby McInerney who is representing the states in the suit. "And if after searching for them they can't find them, the money can go to work in the communities where the bonds were purchased."
The Treasury Department counters that it indeed tries to find owners of the unclaimed bonds, and says it has a Web site where people cam simply type in their Social Security number to see if they have one. And it points out that the money is not just laying around somewhere.
"One of the misunderstandings out there is that there is a lot of cash sitting somewhere in a drawer. Money from savings bonds was used to run the daily operating expenses of the government," said Joyce Harris, with the Bureau of the Public Debt. "These are obligations of the federal government, not the states. There is no pot of gold out there just waiting for someone to grab it."
The Treasury also points out that most of the unclaimed bonds are far more recent than the original World War II era bonds. And overall, 99 percent of people claim their bonds.
And those who don't cash them often choose to do so for tax reasons, or perhaps out of a sense of patriotism, Harris said.
"Quite frankly, people are aware of the bonds," she said. "A majority, when you contact them, are aware of the bonds."
It's not like the states will get the money free of obligation, about $55 million in the case of Montana. The states would be obligated to pay bondholders no matter if it takes them decades — or longer — to show up. In the meantime, though, states usually earmark the interest earned on such unclaimed money for schools or other purposes.
Steve Bullock, the attorney general for Montana, said states — not the federal government — have legally been granted the right to deal with unclaimed money.
"First and foremost I think it is the right thing to do. I think it is money that should be with Montanans," Bullock said. "It's an important action to bring just to protect the state's interest.
The complaint was first filed in Federal court in New Jersey in 2004 with New Jersey and North Carolina as the plaintiffs. Montana, Kentucky, Oklahoma and Missouri later joined the case. All states would benefit if the lawsuit is successful.
The case will come down to constitutional arguments. Attorneys for the federal government are arguing the states don't have standing on what they see as a contract issue between the original purchasers and the Treasury Department.
The states expect arguments in the case to be made later this year on a motion from the federal government to dismiss the case.

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Deaths in Detroit Marathon

According to sources, three men had died in the Detroit Marathon. Detroit Marathon celebrated its thirty-two years and according to sources the number of people that took part in the marathon was more than nineteen thousand

More than nineteen thousand runners participated in the marathon and three out of them had died in the Detroit Marathon. According to sources, the deaths had taken place in a gap of 16 minutes. The time of the deaths was between 9:02 a.m and 9:18 a.m. The sources said that to provide medical assistance to runners, six medical stations were placed but they failed to prevent the deaths.
According to Rich Harshbarger, consumer marketing’s Vice President said that the people who had died were 36-year-old Daniel Langdon, 95-year-old Rick Brown and 26-year-old Jon Fenlon. They belonged to Laingsburg, Ohio and Waterford respectively. The cause behind their deaths has not been released yet. According to the running coach Keith Hanson, he didn’t consider weather conditions as the reason behind the runners’ death. In a interview, Hanson said.
“In my mind, the conditions were perfect.”
Back in 1994, the last death had taken place in Detroit Marathon and the man who had died in that race was Samuel Grafton.

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