NASA announces plans to launch the largest solar sail ever created

http://inhabitat.com/nasa-announces-plans-to-launch-the-largest-solar-sail-ever-created/

41% of mobile users in North America plan to buy iPhone 5, study suggests

I'll believe this when it translates into sales.  Notice too that the 41% depends on a major update to the iPhone.  For a minor update, the numbers fall appreciably.

http://m.bgr.com/2011/09/28/41-of-mobile-users-in-north-america-plan-to-buy-iphone-5-study-suggests/

Google On Microsoft’s Android patent tactics: It’s extortion

http://m.techcrunch.com/2011/09/28/microsoft-samsung-extortion-google/

Solid state electric car batteries still 10 years away

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1066547_solid-state-electric-car-batteries-still-10-years-away

Richard Stallman: “Android phones do not respect your freedom”

http://digitizor.com/2011/09/20/richard-stallman-android-free-software/

Scientists restore lost brain function in rat with synthetic device

http://science.slashdot.org/story/11/09/27/2215208/scientists-restore-lost-brain-function-in-rat-with-synthetic-device

Google wants to put solar panels on your roof (if you live in USA)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/27/google-home-solar-systems_n_983748.html?ir=Technology

Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales describes the site's hold-out on social media

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/26/wikipedia-jimmy-wales_n_982243.html

Firefox 7 now officially available, promises "significantly" reduced memory usage

http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/27/firefox-7-now-officially-available-promises-significantly-red/

Google Drive could finally be ready for launch — may just be rebranded Docs

http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/26/google-drive-could-finally-be-ready-for-launch-may-just-be-rebr/

The EV battery Holy Grail — 5 minute recharging

http://www.carswithcords.com/the-ev-battery-holy-grail-5-minute-recharging-68785/

A brief history of the brain — New Scientist

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21128311.800-a-brief-history-of-the-brain.html?full=true

Top 15 countries with the fastest Internet

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/24/fastest-internet-speed-pando-august-2011_n_975491.html#s368162&title=1_South_Korea

Global lithium availability — a constraint for electric vehicles?

http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/handle/2027.42/69226

The peak oil crisis: the German army report

http://www.fcnp.com/commentary/national/10158-the-peak-oil-crisis-the-german-army-report.html

Samsung asks to ban iPads, iPhones in The Netherlands

http://techcrunch.com/2011/09/23/samsung-asks-to-ban-ipads-iphones-in-the-netherlands/

Android MegaPad - 23" Android tablet for $600

http://martin.drashkov.com/2011/09/android-megapad-23-android-tablet-for.html

The invisible man: Liu Bolin

No trick photography, it's all done with paint.

More at:

http://www.moillusions.com/2009/08/the-invisible-man-liu-bolin.html

Better lithium-ion batteries are on the way from Berkeley Lab

http://newscenter.lbl.gov/news-releases/2011/09/23/better-li-ion-batteries/

SMS To Text for Android backs up your messages as a text file

http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2011/09/sms-to-text-for-android-backs-up-your-messages-as-a-text-file/#more-400816

It isn't 3D! (video)

http://www.tested.com/news/augmented-reality-isnt-enough-the-next-step-for-digital-3d-video/2906/

Track NASA’s satellite as it falls back to Earth

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2011/09/track-nasas-satellite-as-it-falls-back-to-earth/#more-479471

A new way to study pain

http://www.thedoctorwillseeyounow.com/content/pain/art3436.html

How did Scarlett Johansson’s phone get hacked?

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2011/09/how-did-scarlett-johanssons-phone-get-hacked/#more-478995

Android grows, but Apple still dominates airport Wi-Fi networks

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2011/09/android-grows-but-apple-still-dominates-airport-wi-fi-networks/#more-479173

CyanogenMod 7 already running on the HP TouchPad (video)

http://www.tested.com/news/cyanogenmod-7-already-running-on-the-hp-touchpad-video/2883/

Why Koomey's Law may be more important than Moore's Law

http://www.tested.com/news/why-koomeys-law-may-be-more-important-than-moores-law/2885/

US military moving closer to automated killing

http://tech.slashdot.org/story/11/09/21/0013255/US-Military-Moving-Closer-To-Automated-Killing

The best commercial you’ll see this week

http://www.ohgizmo.com/2011/09/15/the-best-commercial-youll-see-this-week/

Climate Change News — understanding methane's seabed escape

http://www.enn.com/climate/article/43273

Checking app permissions is your best protection on Android

http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2011/09/checking-app-permissions-is-your-best-protection-on-android/

OS X Lion Ultimatum available in Cydia: an iOS version of OS X Lion (video)

http://www.funkyspacemonkey.com/os-lion-ultimatum-cydia-ios-version-os-lion-video

The unsung sense: how smell rules your life

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21128301.800-the-unsung-sense-how-smell-rules-your-life.html?DCMP=NLC-nletter&nsref=mg21128301.800

The Facebook iPhone

http://techcrunch.com/2011/09/18/the-facebook-iphone/

B.C. man could get jail for selling home-grown veggies — Canada

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/canada/bc-man-could-get-jail-for-selling-home-grown-veggies-61760.html

Siemens to quit nuclear industry

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14963575

What's best for old electric vehicle batteries — reuse or recycling?

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1065963_whats-best-for-old-electric-car-batteries-reuse-or-recycling

MuscleNerd: will push a major Redsn0w feature upgrade before my trip to Korea

http://www.funkyspacemonkey.com/musclenerd-push-major-redsn0w-feature-upgrade-trip-korea

iPad 2 on iOS 5 vs Windows 8 Slate (video)

http://www.funkyspacemonkey.com/ipad-2-ios-5-windows-8-slate-video#more-22738

Google antitrust probe to shed light on search, experts say

http://m.computerworld.com/s/article/9220104/Google_antitrust_probe_to_shed_light_on_search_experts_say

Nissan Leaf test drive (video)

http://300mpg.org/2011/08/video-nissan-leaf-test-drive/

Nissan Leaf — interview with product specialist (video)

http://300mpg.org/2011/08/nissan-leaf-interview-with-product-specialist/

20 stunning energy-efficient homes in the 2011 Solar Decathlon!

http://inhabitat.com/sneak-peek-20-stunning-energy-efficient-homes-in-the-2011-solar-decathlon/

In 2013, will MacBook Air grab power from the Sun?

http://blogs.computerworld.com/18953/in_2013_will_macbook_air_grab_power_from_the_sun

Anonymous kills websites, cartels kill bloggers

http://yro.slashdot.org/story/11/09/16/1211253/Anonymous-Kills-Websites-Cartels-Kill-Bloggers

New 'subconscious mode' could improve smartphone battery life, supress your WiFi id

http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/16/new-subconscious-mode-could-improve-smartphone-battery-life-s/

New polymer gel battery aims to surpass lithium-ion

http://www.tested.com/news/new-polymer-gel-battery-aims-to-surpass-lithium-ion/2860/

Why you can’t get decent earphones for less than $US100

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2009/10/why-you-cant-get-decent-earphones-for-less-than-us100/

/ $100 good /

Valeo Park4U turns your phone into a valet parking service (video)

http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/16/valeo-park4u-turns-your-phone-into-a-valet-parking-service-vide/

ABC’s plea to A**le to revoke "racist" label

In Australia, the national broadcaster, the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) has a TV programme called Spicks and Specks. It is a trivia programme about popular music, hence the name (spicks and specks = unimportant, insignificant, trivial; also a reference to the Bee Gees song of the same name).

In the United States, "spic" (note the different spelling) is a racial slur against people of Latin American descent.

In the iOS App Store, the name of an app based on the TV programme has been changed to "S***ks and Specks".

In a nod to consistency, if not rationality, the name of the Bee Gees song has suffered the same fate in the iTunes Store.

However, one racial slur A**le has overlooked is that amongst indigenous Americans, the term a**le (red on the outside, white on the inside) is used to mean someone who has lost touch with their cultural identity or has otherwise betrayed themselves or others of their culture.

How about it A**le?

http://www.macworld.com.au/news/abcs-plea-to-apple-to-revoke-racist-label-36864/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Racist+ABC+app+censored+best+GPS+apps+how+to+tweak+Lion+and+much+more&utm_content=Racist+ABC+app+censored+best+GPS+apps+how+to+tweak+Lion+and+much+more+CID_39c80e902b3e929d8c5aa0c961546812&utm_source=Email+marketing+software&utm_term=Apple+deems+ABC+app+too+racist

Tiny clean & green

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/executive-lifestyle/cars-of-the-future-tiny-clean-and-green/story-e6frg9zx-1226135156389

Intel's 2013 Haswell platform aims to reduce idle power usage by 20 times

http://www.tested.com/news/intels-2013-haswell-platform-aims-to-reduce-idle-power-usage-by-20-times/2867/

Fusion Garage drops price of Grid10 tablet by $200

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2011/09/12/fusion-garage-drops-price-of-grid10-by-200/

US Air Force jumpstarts electric vehicle program

http://www.enn.com/energy/article/43233

How far away is tomorrow? (video)

http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/nstv/2011/09/one-minute-physics-how-far-away-is-tomorrow.html

Sprint launches Drive First Android app to curb texting and driving, keep chatty teens at bay

http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/12/sprint-launches-drive-first-android-app-to-curb-texting-and-driv/

GM riles Californian electric car world (again) over AB475 "charger sharing" ban

California has had public charging stations since 1996.  Relevant state legislation makes no provision for plug in hybrids, which didn't exist at the time.

Should a plug in Prius or Chevrolet Volt be allowed to use such a charging station & it's associated parking spot?  Should the owner ensure that the EV is moved after it is finished charging?  Or is it OK to continue to use the parking spot after the battery is charged?

The item below discusses some issues which will be of importance in other jurisdictions in years to come.

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1065314_gm-riles-ca-electric-car-world-again-over-ab475-charger-sharing-ban

Solar to achieve grid parity in Italy by 2013 — rest of Europe by 2020

http://www.rechargenews.com/energy/solar/article276475.ece

LineA Laptop Support — interesting idea — shame about the price

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2011/09/12/linea-laptop-support-review/#more-74822

Mazda's Skyactiv-G 1.3 gets 70mpg (US), No hybrid tech needed

update 15Aug2011

All of these fuel economy figures are better than a Prius hybrid!

Use of a 14:1 compression ratio & a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is suggestive of an Atkinson cycle internal combustion engine which is one of the major efficiency provisions in hybrids (Prius, Civic, Insight & Volt).  In those vehicles, an electric motor (combined with a CVT) is used to provide the low speed torque which Atkinson cycle lacks.

/end update

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1065941_mazdas-skyactiv-g-1-3-gets-70mpg-no-hybrid-tech-needed

Fuel consumption figures used in the above article are a little confusing.   Miles per gallon numbers are based on the US gallon, which is of course, hardly unusual.  However, use of kilometers per litre, is in HHG2Tech's experience, unique.  Just for the record:

30 kilometers per liter = 70.57mpg (US) = 84.76mpg (UK) = 3.33 l/100km

56mpg (US) = 67.26mpg (UK) = 4.20 l/100km

All figures rounded to 2 decimal places.

And 56mpg (US) = 23.80 km/l if anybody cares.

This is what spacecraft look like before lift-off

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2011/09/this-is-what-spacecraft-look-like-before-lift-off/

Ancient Earth got a galactic golden shower

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2011/09/ancient-earth-got-a-galactic-golden-shower/

Apple is VERY serious about iPad security

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2011/09/apple-is-damn-serious-about-ipad-security/

Electric car range anxiety evaporates after 3 months

A problem some users experience with electric vehicles is called "range anxiety".  i.e. anxiety that the vehicle will not have sufficient range for the task at hand.  Recent research indicates that range anxiety ceases to be a problem after 3 months of use.  M0re at:

http://venturebeat.com/2011/09/09/range-anxiety-drop-off/

Samsung quietly continues to conquer the world

http://techcrunch.com/2011/09/10/samsung-quietly-continues-to-conquer-the-world/

GetJar.com for Android – free apps every day

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2011/09/10/getjar-com-for-android-free-apps-every-day/

The end of books — Ikea is changing shelves to reflect changing demand

http://techcrunch.com/2011/09/09/death-of-books/

Another promising lithium ion battery advance

http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?8973

Can solar electricity get smart?

Rooftop solar electricity generation has been been accused of many things, most of which are either untrue or changing.

Cost has been high but is coming down due to growing volumes, thanks in part to government incentives.

One continuing problem has been difficulties it creates for load balancing.  But a solution seems to be at hand: "smart inverters".  More at:

http://www.climatespectator.com.au/commentary/can-solar-pv-get-smart

Hammock bed rules!

http://nynerd.com/hammock-bed-rules/

Is Nike planning to release "Back To The Future’s" auto-lacing Air Mags?

http://techcrunch.com/2011/09/07/is-nike-planning-to-release-back-to-the-futures-air-mags/

You get what you pay for – a case study

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2011/09/06/you-get-what-you-pay-for-%e2%80%93-buying-cheap-accessories-on-ebay/#more-74369

/ smart cover /

Tesla Model S (video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cx6YLrjJ7YA&feature=related

Samsung Galaxy Note tops benchmarks, price sheets (video)

http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/06/samsung-galaxy-note-tops-benchmarks-price-sheets-video/

Anti sleep pilot isn’t for pilots, it's for iPod

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2011/09/anti-sleep-pilot-isnt-for-pilots-is-for-ipod/#more-475582

First fully electric manned helicopter flight

http://tech.slashdot.org/story/11/09/05/1812256/First-Fully-Electric-Manned-Helicopter-Flight

Tanks test infrared camouflage cloak

http://science.slashdot.org/story/11/09/05/2343245/Tanks-Test-Infrared-Camouflage-Cloak

iPad wars: HP TouchPad sale burns Apple's foes

http://blogs.computerworld.com/18886/the_ipad_wars_hp_touchpad_sale_burns_apples_foes

Hot, flat, & widescreen: rise of the Minitabs

http://techcrunch.com/2011/09/04/hot-flat-and-widescreen-the-rise-of-the-minitabs/

Haier's mind control TV prototype hits IFA, we go foreheads-on (video)

http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/03/haiers-mind-control-tv-prototype-hits-ifa-we-go-foreheads-on/

Parallels 7 gets Lion-friendly features, Android support

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2011/09/parallels-desktop-7-gets-lion-friendly-features-android-support/

How the CIA became "one hell of a killing machine"

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2011/09/how-the-cia-became-one-hell-of-a-killing-machine/

Google’s product bloodbath: the full rundown

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2011/09/googles-product-bloodbath-the-full-rundown/

The Sandcrawler: LucasFilm's Singapore headquarters is a high performance building straight out of Tatooine

http://inhabitat.com/lucasfilms-singapore-headquarters-is-a-high-performance-sandcrawler-straight-out-of-tatooine/

Alaskan woman punches bear in snout to save dog

http://www.smh.com.au/environment/animals/alaska-woman-punches-bear-in-snout-to-save-dog-20110902-1jos2.html

Plane biofuel to be made from eucalypt

http://www.smh.com.au/environment/energy-smart/plane-biofuel-to-be-made-from-eucalypt-20110901-1jnv4.html

New versions of Chrome & Firefox disable DigiNotar root

https://threatpost.com/en_us/blogs/new-versions-chrome-and-firefox-disable-diginotar-root-083111

WikiLeaks slip-up spills names of government informants

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/united-states/wikileaks-slip-up-spills-names-of-government-informants-60963.html

Gmail, Google Docs/Calendar getting limited offline access

http://www.tested.com/news/gmail-google-docscalendar-getting-limited-offline-access/2812/

What is the price of a gallon of gasoline?

http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=/&gl=AU#/watch?v=6RhYY_4Wzls

Apple loses iPhone 5 prototype in a bar, again?

http://www.technobolt.com/2011/08/31/apple-loses-iphone-5-prototype-in-a-bar-again/

Communities weigh up climate change

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/australia/communities-weigh-up-climate-change-60702.html

HP Touchpad overclocks to 1.9 GHz on both cores (video guide & tutorial)

http://www.technobolt.com/2011/08/31/hp-touchpad-overclocks-1-9-ghz-on-both-cores-video-guide-tutorial/

Create & edit PDF on iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad using Adobe CreatePDF app

http://www.technobolt.com/2011/08/29/create-and-edit-pdf-on-iphone-ipod-touch-and-ipad-using-adobe-createpdf-app/

New attack finds AES keys several times faster than brute force

http://threatpost.com/en_us/blogs/new-attack-finds-aes-keys-several-times-faster-brute-force-081911

Blindsight — sensing emotions without vision

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/science/blindsight-sensing-emotions-without-vision-60980.html