IPCC’s climate projections on target so far

Photo credit: NASA/ ars technica

http://arstechnica.com/science/2012/12/ipccs-climate-projections-on-target-so-far/ / climate Chang global warming carbon dioxide CO2 greenhouse effect gas coal oil petroleum transport energy electricity /

iPad is left behind as rival tablets get multiuser support

http://news.cnet.com/8301-33620_3-57560334-278/ipad-is-left-behind-as-rival-tablets-get-multiuser-support/ / Android Microsoft Google Amazon tablet slate data work email Microsoft Surface Windows RT iOS log on /

Beware of malware: Mobile security apps to safeguard your phone

http://allthingsd.com/20121220/beware-of-malware-mobile-security-apps-to-safeguard-your-phone/ / research group Juniper Networks hack hacking hackers targeting smartphones mobile devices malicious software malware gain access personal information threat small take precautions protect smartphone Lookout Mobile Security Avast Free Mobile Security Review /

Healthcare needs a lesson in cybersecurity 101

http://gigaom.com/2012/12/26/healthcare-needs-a-lesson-in-cybersecurity-101-report-says/ / electronic health records digital health platforms connected devices vulnerable security breaches industry recent investigation hack hacker ransom attack encrypt files attacks regaining access encrypt files ransomware Trojan worm virus /

Patent wars: LG patent lawsuit seeks Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 ban in South Korea

http://bgr.com/2012/12/28/lg-samsung-patent-lawsuit-south-korea-271891/ / Google Android tablet slate LG Samsung court /

10 tips for 2013

If you're looking for some new year resolutions, these look better than most:

http://www.smh.com.au/money/-2c0qa.html / finances super superannuation savings 10 ten percent repay debt save share shares portfolio review budget mortgage professional adviser advice tax diversify owning home investment property rent loan diversification financial safety invest risk growth assets share market retirement cash conservative investments bonds interest taxed tax /

Crippling lithium-ion battery flaw revealed

First step in finding a solution is understanding the problem. Recently, it has been discovered that at least a part of the reason why lithium ion (LiIon) batteries lose capacity over time, is because lithium metal accumulates in copper components. This makes fewer lithium ions available for holding charge & so charge capacity is lost over time.

Now that the problem is understood, hopefully a solution can be found, increasing the useful life of LiIon batteries.

http://gas2.org/2012/12/28/crippling-lithium-ion-battery-flaw-revealed/ / charge recharge EV electric vehicle charge cycles /

Fracking puts water & energy on a collision course (video) – update

Photo credit: Gasland/ treehugger

http://cleantechnica.com/2012/12/29/masdar-engage-water-and-energy-challenge/



http://www.treehugger.com/culture/burning-tap-water-and-more-gasland-exposes-the-natural-gas-industry.html

/ catch on fire flammable inflammable gas fracking drilling fossil fuel gas methane /

Patent wars: Apple to drop patent claims against new Samsung phone

Samsung isn't planning to sell the Samsung Galaxy S III Mini in the USA, so it's OK with Apple.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/28/us-apple-samsung-lawsuit-idUSBRE8BR0GI20121228 / sell market court US USA America high end display touch screen Google Android district court litigation Galaxy S III 3 mini northern California lawyers purchase Amazon.com Inc's U.S. retail site delivered United States selling offering sell importing /

Security in 2013: The rise of mobile malware & fall of hacktivism

http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/security/3417989/security-in-2013-rise-of-mobile-malware-fall-of-hacktivism/ / predictions security McAfee information security antimalware anti-malware company evolving trends grow technique volume devices iPhones iPads Android smartphones tablets slate attackers advantage developers lessons learned years of evolving exploits PCs target weaknesses mobile devices ransomware attacks regaining access encrypt files ransom Trojan worm virus /

McDonalds fried for serving spam

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/12/19/mcdonalds_australia_spam_warning/ / fast food online promotion spam emails opt-out messages laws formal warning ACMA stronger enforcement non-compliance rectified recurs Happy Meals site marketing campaigns /

Speed of gravity, disease-smelling dogs & catching asteroids

http://www.engadget.com/2012/12/29/alt-week-12-29-12-the-speed-of-gravity-disease-smelling-dogs/ / canine friends superior sense of smell find identify drugs creepy crawlies disease bacteria Clostridium difficile Dutch hospital research unique smell nurses human nose diarrhea bacteria lassoing asteroids Moon orbit NASA scientists are proposing just that stop-over stop over space station future trips Mars White House Office of Science and Technology exploration agenda project capsule Atlas V asteroid speed of light Institute of Geology and Geophysics Chinese Academy of Sciences Newtonian Earth tide formula asparagus vegetable hangover preventing qualities leaves plant amino acids minerals morning after protect liver toxins abstinence /

Maybe big data can quell gun violence, but not in the way you think

http://gigaom.com/data/maybe-big-data-can-quell-gun-violence-but-not-in-the-way-you-think/ / mass murderer strike certain countries high murder rates factors related gun control inspire willingness kill United States gun deaths murder American psyche gun control America US USA predict commit ammunition ammo homicide /

Posterise PNGs to improve compression

http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2012/12/posterise-pngs-to-improve-compression/ / Portable Network Graphic format colour complexity image size /

Morning Mug

The mug that wakes up with you.


Photo credit: Geek Alerts

http://www.geekalerts.com/morning-mug/ / heat sensitive temperature change pattern appearance /

A free world-class education for anyone anywhere • Khan Academy

"The Khan Academy is an organization on a mission. We're a not-for-profit with the goal of changing education for the better by providing a free world-class education for anyone anywhere."

Free videos cover a range of topics including history, finance, biology, chemistry, physics & K-12 mathematics. Videos are approximately 10 minutes long.

http://www.khanacademy.org/about / skills practice help pace calculus algebra hint problem stats statistics skill practice problem map knowledge classroom data global classroom student community inspirational stories /

31 healthiest foods of all time (with recipes)

http://healthland.time.com/2012/10/01/guide-the-31-healthiest-foods-of-all-time-with-recipes/ / black beans kale salmon walnuts pumpkin apples blueberries bananas broccoli spinach sweet potatoes kidney beans lentils red beets eggplant brussels sprouts tomatoes whole wheat bread quinoa oatmeal oats bulgar lean meat flaxseeds flax seeds chia seeds almonds tuna fat free milk dark chocolate red wine extra virgin olive oil legume fiber omega 3 fatty acids phytochemical anthocyanins antioxidants calories cruciferous vegetable vitamin K blood clotting cell growth leaf leaves salad D aging memory monounsaturated beta carotene rarotenoid flavonoids soluble pectin LDL Low-density lipoprotein LDL fibre cholesterol C E potassium blood pressure muscle digestive system cabbage vegetables anticancer anti-cancer inflammation immunity immune blood pressure heart attack iron calcium A eyes skin folate red blood cells birth defects iron protein sulphur sulfur legume amino acids pregnant women B lipid glucosinolates lycopene cholesterol bran germ endosperm grain type 2 II diabetes obesity blood sugar pressure complete amino acid metabolism low glycemic index millet buckwheat farro barley amaranth iron zinc magnesium ALA arthritis heart disease selenium neurotoxin methylmercury methyl mercury dairy flavonol insulin resistance resveratrol Mediteranean diet oleocanthal inflamation /

NASA's NEXT ion thruster clocks up continuous operation world record

Photo credit: NASA/ Gizmag

We've all seen photographs & video of the rocket engine belching flames with a thunderous roar. That's what is required to get into Earth orbit. Once out of the gravity well of Earth, a small thrust, available for a thousands of hours will suffice. Such a specification fits the ion engine & its efficiency is 10 to 12 times that of chemical rockets.

http://www.gizmag.com/next-ion-record/25570/ / Evolutionary Xenon Thruster NEXT ion engine world record 43,000 hours continuous operation Glenn Research Center Electric Propulsion Laboratory seven-kiloWatt thruster propel future NASA deep space probes missions chemical rockets practical option efficient solar panels nuclear power source electricity ionize molecules xenon /

How we'd really deal with an Armageddon-sized asteroid

Image credit: The Week

http://theweek.com/article/index/238170/how-wed-really-deal-with-an-armageddon-sized-asteroid / Bruce Willis crew astronauts Sun nuke nuclear explosive knock off course shadow gravity nuclear bomb destroy near Earth object NEO /

Forget JavaScript, it's time for browsers to speed up images

Around 60% of a typical Web page is graphics. So isn't it about time browsers & servers were optimized for handling images?

http://www.webmonkey.com/2012/12/forget-javascript-its-time-for-browsers-to-speed-up-images/ / format HTML .gif .jpg accepts download new /

The year's most audacious private space exploration plans

Photo credit: SpaceX/ Wired

Private asteroid mining!  Commercial trips to the Moon!  Mars settlements!  Can't wait!

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/12/audacious-space-companies-2012/ / NASA engineers veterans spaceflight community deep entrepreneurial pockets potential profits space SpaceX Elon Musk rocket Falcon Heavy US USA military commercial rocket Golden Spike Company lunar surface Planetary Resources Inc B612 Corporation Mars One Google Lunar X-Prize Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo Burt Rutan XCOR Lynx spaceplane Scaled Composites /

Nexus 7 cases to protect your new tablet

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2012/12/27/5-nexus-7-cases-to-protect-your-new-tablet/ / Rickshaw Google Android Noreve leather handcrafted France poetic slimline Waterfield Designs Saddleback scratches dings bump scratch /

25 nuclear power plants could be replaced by geothermal in Japan

http://cleantechnica.com/2012/12/22/25-nuclear-power-plants-could-be-replaced-by-geothermal-in-japan/ / atomic uranium fission reactor radiation Stefan Larus Stefansson Iceland ambassador lecture household home heating steam heat turbine hot spring /

Microsoft Surface review: A month with Microsoft’s Surface tablet

Take home message: great hardware, but not the best usability.

http://bgr.com/2012/11/19/microsoft-surface-review-month-one/ / tablet slate Windows RT operating system OS performance issues availability available apps Office software kickstand machined VaporMg magnesium case integrated full size keyboard Touch Type Cover weight performance issue software updates major firmware update Windows 8 Pro portable affordable /

Green storage: New funding for wider use of the sunshine & wind

Many sustainable energy sources are spasmodic: when the Sun shines or the wind blows. To make energy from such sources available 24/7, some form of storage is required. A team at Harvard University has a $600,000 grant from ARPA-E to develop a large scale storage solution.

http://cleantechnica.com/2012/12/25/green-storage-new-funding-for-catching-the-shine-of-the-sun-and-the-stirring-of-the-wind/ / flow battery capacity /

Some autistic brains really are wired differently

http://healthland.time.com/2010/11/03/study-some-autistic-brains-really-are-wired-differently/ / too many tight connections frontal-lobe circuits few long synapse autism language social problems repetitive behavior autism spectrum disorder study published Science Translational Medicine research links variant CNTNAP2 gene functional magnetic resonance imaging fMRI MRI genetic data brain activity motivation pleasure learning /

Top astronomy pictures of 2012

Photo credit: NASA/ GSFC/ SDO

http://www.smh.com.au/photogallery/technology/sci-tech/top-astronomy-pictures-of-2012-20121226-2bw1h.html / Curiosity Mars rover self portrait JPL CalTech Malin Space star rocket LASER aurora Carina Nebula ESO VPHAS Plus /

How to use multiple Dropbox accounts on one computer

Macintosh
http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2012/12/how-to-use-multiple-dropbox-accounts-on-one-computer/

Windows
http://www.dropboxwiki.com/Dropboxen / backup store files multiple accounts blogger Daniel Mann Dropbox Mac Macintosh computer automator script Workflow option drag Run Shell Script action main window instance save file Dropboxen.xml Notepad editor Windows 7 XP /

Over half of American homes either don’t have or don't use their landline

Renters, the young & the poor are least likely to use a landline phone.

http://gigaom.com/2012/12/26/over-half-of-american-homes-dont-have-or-use-their-landline/ / mobile cell hard wired fixed phone wireless incoming outgoing phone call poor poverty calls young rent renter home owner health insurance FCC homeless /

How 3D printing technology will change the world

Expect traditional manufacturers to react strongly when personal 3D printers start replacing them
http://www.economist.com/blogs/babbage/2012/09/3d-printing

New 3D printing techniques to embed electronics into products
http://www.economist.com/node/21559593

Print me a Stradivarius
http://www.economist.com/node/18114327 / file scan copy polypropylene metal powder copy /

On Facebook, there's no privacy setting for your friends' bad judgment

http://allthingsd.com/20121226/on-facebook-theres-no-privacy-setting-for-your-friends-bad-judgment/ / retweet privacy changes updates confusing settings discretion network Randi Zuckerberg private family photo Christmas Day Poke app released Mark photo photograph /

US Army base uses EVs as energy storage devices on microgrid

http://www.chargedevs.com/content/news-wire/post/us-army-base-uses-evs-energy-storage-devices-microgrid / smart grid electric vehicle battery batteries charge recharge PV photovoltaic solar array generator integrated environment dangers trucking fossil fuels remote locations war zones Corps of Engineers Southwest Research Institute SwRI Missouri-based Burns and McDonnell Engineering Smart Power Infrastructure Demonstration for Energy Reliability and Security SPIDERS military installations energy-efficient secure /

Eat, drink … & get on the treadmill

Our ancestors lived in a world in which sweet things & fat were hard to come by. As a result, we have an appetite for sweet & fatty foods. We even have sensors in our mouth dedicated to detection of sweet. Result? In a world where sweet & fatty foods are plentiful, we tend to eat too much.

Our ancestors lived in world which required constant physical effort. By contrast, it is all too easy for us to avoid physical effort. Result? Obesity epidemic, heart disease, type II diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, depression, anxiety, arthritis & osteoporosis.

What to do?

http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/-2bv4l.html / humankind progress civilisation civilization farming crops animals industrial revolution physical effort work steam power electricity internal combustion engine fossil fuels mechanise mechanize work goods services labour saving information revolution leisure commercialisation commercialization sport watch professionals playing American College of Sports Medicine exercise /

Microsoft Surface sales: Christmas 2012 slow compared to iPad & other tablets

http://bgr.com/2012/12/26/microsoft-surface-sales-christmas-2012-268839/ / retailers recommended slate tablet sales rep representative retailer sale Kindle Fire Microsoft Office /

Facebook camera app for iPhone vulnerable to "man in the middle atack"

http://thehackernews.com/2012/12/facebook-camera-app-vulnerable-to-man.html?m=1 / network hijack Camera users accounts email addresses passwords stolen steal attacker perform man middle attacks wireless WiFi hijack iPhone security researcher bug vulnerability unsecured untrusted public wireless network older version compromise compromised /

SpaceX Grasshopper 12 story test flight (video)

Photo credit: Forbes/ SpaceX

It lifted off, hovered, & landed again, all using rocket thrust only. Why is this important? It's a step on the way to the Holy Grail of rocketry: resuability.

http://www.kurzweilai.net/spacex-grasshopper-12-story-test-flight / closed-loop thrust vector throttle control Falcon 9 rocket engine first stage Merlin 1D engine four steel landing legs hydraulic dampers reusable savings developing operating running cost price economical economics /

ZOMM Wireless Leash review

"Wireless Leash"? What's that? Well one of it's functions is as an alarm if the phone it is paired with moves away, as when it is left behind or stolen. An electronic leash.

It is also a Bluetooth speaker phone & a "panic button" alarm. The Gadgeteer takes a look:

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2012/12/23/zomm-wireless-leash-review-2/#more-119325 / smartphone iOS Android /

Google Chrome browser developments

Chrome 25 blocks sneaky add-ons
http://m.computerworld.com/s/article/9235021/Chrome_25_blocks_sneaky_add_ons

Google sandboxes Flash in Chrome for OS X
http://m.computerworld.com/s/article/9233695/Google_sandboxes_Flash_in_Chrome_for_OS_X

Chrome ships with "Do Not Track" support
http://m.computerworld.com/s/article/9233354/Chrome_ships_with_Do_Not_Track_support

Google pays researcher $60K for Chrome hack
http://m.computerworld.com/s/article/9232257/Google_pays_researcher_60K_for_Chrome_hack / security researcher cracked Chrome search firm Pwnium hacking contest Pinkie Pie hack hacker hacked Google WebKit Scalable Vector Graphics SVG compromise exploit renderer IPC layer escape Chrome sandbox bug inter-process communication Chromium privacy DNT /

Least healthy holiday foods • Holiday foods to avoid (& what to eat Instead)

http://healthland.time.com/2012/12/20/holiday-foods-to-avoid-and-what-to-eat-instead/?iid=hl-main-lead / gain weight egg nog champagne wine fruit punch quiche spinache artichoke dip pecan pie hummus salsa guacamole bean chips sweet fruit cake dried plum halves figs dried fruit fiber phytonutrients saturated fat calories cream soup mashed potatoe corn portion control mocha skinny trim skim milk /

Pike Research makes 10 predictions for the EV industry in 2013

http://www.chargedevs.com/content/news-wire/post/pike-research-makes-10-predictions-ev-industry-2013 / capital investment electric vehicle battery components nanotechnology nano particles system integration electric bike 48 Volt batteries charge stop-start fuel cell battery swapping  financing Germany Europe PEV plug in electric vehicle growth coasting technology internal combustion engine ICE hybrid slow fast level 1 2 charger natural gas truck /

Green storage: New funding for wider use of sunshine & wind

http://cleantechnica.com/2012/12/25/green-storage-new-funding-for-catching-the-shine-of-the-sun-and-the-stirring-of-the-wind/ / flow battery renewable energy electricity power intermittent supply ARPA-E advanced research projects agency cost price economics economical fuel cell /

"Free The Photos" moves your photographs from Instagram to Flickr

With the recent change to the Instagram terms of service, many users have looked for an alternative.  If you are switching to Flickr, here's the easy way to move your photographs:

http://m.cultofmac.com/cultofmac/#!/entry/free-the-photos-copies-your-instagram-pictures-to-flickr,50d867d7d7fc7b5670be9952/1

Happy Xmas

A happy Xmas & a great new year to all our readers!

Canadian camouflage company claims to have perfected complete invisibility

A product which renders 3D objects invisible by bending light around them has been created by a Canadian company called Hyperstealth. So far, all of the sample images Hyperstealth have provided are mockups for, "security reasons". Not a good sign ...

http://m.extremetech.com/extremetech/#!/entry/canadian-camouflage-company-claims-to-have-created-perfect-invisibility-cloak,50cb2b8794f4be7169303b6d

Can quantum measurements beat classical computers?

A complete quantum computer has not been built to this date. We have seen many of the parts of a quantum computer, which have been built & tested in isolation from one another. Unfortunately, in this guise they have been outperformed by standard computers.

Now, boson sampling technology may be able to tell us if quantum computers will be capable of the hoped for improvement in performance.

http://arstechnica.com/science/2012/12/can-quantum-computer-measurements-beat-classical-computers/ / quantum computer classical electrons flow series switches carefully prepared quantum system allowed evolve measured answer map different answers possible states system quantum systems evolve very quickly answer much faster /

U.S. & Russia forge an "action plan" on piracy

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-57560621-38/u.s-russia-forge-action-plan-on-piracy/ / USA US intellectual property including online piracy copyrighted materials takedowns infringing content IPR Intellectual Property Rights crimes pirate legislation /

Where OS X security stands after a volatile 2012

http://arstechnica.com/apple/2012/12/where-os-x-security-stands-after-a-volatile-2012/ / flashback malware Apple security through obscurity popularity attacks security iOS Mac Macintosh malicious Java hole Oracle default install dedicated clean up tool security researcher engineer exploit Mountain Lion Gatekeeper developer ecosystem sign apps registered certificate App Store Cloud iCloud hack hacker hacking black hat blackhat white hat whitehat /

Does alcohol make hayfever worse?

http://www.drvino.com/2010/04/26/wine-sulfites-allergies-histamines-red-alcohol/ / histamine allergy sneezing sneeze /

ATOMS Express Toys Kickstarter project (video)

A Kickstarter project to make the things you build (including Leggo, Meccano & Erector sets) do stuff.

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2012/12/21/atoms-express-toys-kickstarter-project/

Top 6 gadgets to help you go green in 2013

Would you like to be greener in 2013? Inhabitat has some ideas:

http://m.inhabitat.com/inhabitat/#!/entry/top-6-gadgets-for-the-home-to-help-you-go,50c9f986d7fc7b5670a35436/1 / recycling composting Maestro occupancy vacancy sensing switch alert solar charger kit Voltaic local grid incandescent bulb globe LED Honeywell WiFi programmable thermostat Serena remote controlled honeycomb shades wireless Efergy shower timer alarm /

10 iTunes 11 tips, tricks & new features

iTunes 11 has been a major update.  Macworld has some tips on how to use the new features plus how to get some of the old ones, back:

http://www.macworld.com.au/help/10-itunes-11-tips-tricks-and-new-features-81447/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Latest%20iPhone%206%20rumours%20new%20iMacs%20speed-tested%20iTunes%2011%20review%20%20tips%20and%20much%20more&utm_content=Latest%20iPhone%206%20rumours%20new%20iMacs%20speed-tested%20iTunes%2011%20review%20%20tips%20and%20much%20more+CID_1940239e438bf12ab0707e5f1656e34c&utm_source=Email%20marketing%20software&utm_term=10%20iTunes%2011%20tips%20tricks%20and%20features / sidebar iTunes U ringtones album art missing library info status bar downloads redeem code Facetime camera iTunes card keep Mini Player movies navigate iTunes LCD display drag tracks sidebar moving movies /

Sun Country Highway execs drive coast to coast to demonstrate new charging network

http://www.chargedevs.com/content/news-wire/post/sun-country-highway-execs-drive-coast-coast-demonstrate-new-charging-network / battery batteries charge recharge level 2 charger LiIon lithium ion Tesla Roadster /

10 big energy statistics from 2012

http://cleantechnica.com/2012/12/23/10-big-energy-statistics-from-2012/ / PV photovoltaic natural gas smartphone energy hogging devices hourly energy demand electricity power peak load demand air conditioner efficiency gas fuel petrol mileage consumption nuclear fusion reactor Fukushima consumption Opower utility /

Windows 8 • Disappointing usability for both novice & power users

http://www.nngroup.com/articles/windows-8-disappointing-usability/ / touch screen mouse desktop cognitive overhead dual environments reduced power single-window UI user interface low information density Surface tablets Microsoft GUI features /

Google working on Phone X and Tablet X, now in development at Motorola

http://www.androidauthority.com/google-motorola-phone-x-142045/

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/22/us-google-xphone-idUSBRE8BL01B20121222 / Nexus smartphone Android /

Office Suite Pro only $.99 for a limited time

http://www.androidauthority.com/office-suite-pro-sale-142017/

Instagram alternatives

With the recent change to the Instagram terms of service, now might be a good time to look for an alternative:

http://www.slashgear.com/eyeem-the-best-instagram-alternative-youve-never-heard-of-21261995/

http://www.slashgear.com/five-instagram-alternatives-youre-going-to-love-18261509/

http://www.slashgear.com/how-to-ditch-instagram-18261432/

New Ford battery test simulates 10 years of use in 10 months

http://www.chargedevs.com/content/news-wire/post/new-ford-battery-test-simulates-10-years-use-10-months / batteries LiIon lithium ion charge discharge recharge EV electric vehicle /

Instagram reverses service terms: Is it good for users?

"... now, the photo-sharing network has a liberal license to treat your content as it sees fit in relation to ads."

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2022924/instagram-reverses-service-terms-is-it-good-for-users.html / paid advertising /

Google Maps for iPhone • review

http://www.macworld.com.au/app-guide/google-maps-for-iphone-83304/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Google+Maps+reviewed+What+to+do+when+your+Mac+wont+start+iOS+6+complaints+and+more&utm_content=Google+Maps+reviewed+What+to+do+when+your+Mac+wont+start+iOS+6+complaints+and+more+CID_c3df0818a506a9c4b170db75fc87d40a&utm_source=Email%20marketing%20software&utm_term=Google%20Maps%20for%20iPhone / iOS Apple navigation layers Traffic Public transit Satellite hybrid Earth app if it's installed App Store 3D satellite Flyovers pan up and down two-finger swipe the traditional map mode translucent 3D models buildings /

Still here! The world didn't end! Surprised?

As indicated in these pages yesterday there is nothing in the Mayan calendar to suggest that the world was about to end. In fact, if it says anything about how long the world will exist, it implies that it will endure for at least one Alautun, a Mayan time unit, the first of which, has over 63 million years still to run.

Evan Selleck has completely stopped typing on his Galaxy Note II

He's using handwriting with the S-pen.

http://www.phonedog.com/2012/12/01/i-ve-completely-stopped-typing-on-my-galaxy-note-ii/?utm_source=scribol.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=scribol.com / notes QWERTY keyboard recognition text input phablet smartphone Android Samsung

Grocery smarts slideshow: Fat Foods/ Fit Foods

Photo credit: WebMD

http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-healthy-food-10/slideshow-fat-foods-fit-foods / low fat popcorn potato chips crisps whole grain bran cereal sherbet sorbet light ice cream calorie kilo joules thin crust pizza Margarita sausage fat grilled chicken veggies vegetables pepperoni side salad fruit juice drink pulp hummus cheese dip lean protein whole grain fried frozen baked whole wheat pasta spaghetti shrimp prawns fish sticks health diet /

NASA's Z-1 spacesuit prototype looks like Buzz Lightyear

Photo credit: The Verge/ NASA

http://www.theverge.com/2012/12/20/3790586/nasas-z1-spacesuit-prototype-looks-like-buzz-lightyear / lime green ball bearings joints NASA /

Apple MacBooks lead in laptop features & reliability

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2020725/apple-macbooks-lead-in-laptop-features-and-reliability.html / highest scores satisfaction measurements 2012 reader survey significant problem top marks design number of ports performance price award scores Windows PC makers /

FixMeStick PRO : Best remote malware remediation product

FixMeStick is a Unix based product. It runs before Windows boots so that it can remove malware without the malware being able to block it. Lots of good features, but not cheap at $299.99 per year. On the plus side, it is licensed for use on an unlimited number of computers. More at:

http://thehackernews.com/2012/12/fixmestick-pro-best-remote-malware.html?m=1 / virus Trojan worm hack hacker hack anti engine /

Patent wars: Samsung sues Apple in South Korea over iOS Notification Center

http://www.androidauthority.com/samsung-apple-lawsuit-notification-center-142042/

http://appleinsider.com/articles/12/12/22/samsung-sues-apple-in-korea-over-ios-notification-center / Google Android iOS smartphone court judge centre /

Why there is no pink light

http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/nstv/2011/10/one-minute-physics-why-there-is-no-pink-light.html / rainbow spectrum red orange yellow green blue indigo violet /

The one conversational tool that will make you better at absolutely everything

Use the 5Ws ("who", "what", "where", "when", "why") & a few other simple devices to improve absolutely everything.

http://www.fastcompany.com/3003945/one-conversational-tool-will-make-you-better-absolutely-everything / mentor meeting interview relationship executive business journalist ask question multiple choice /

Little spider makes big-spider-puppet clone of itself out of dirt

Apparently, this little spider (only 5mm long) makes the clone to distract predators & even animates its creation by moving its web.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/12/20/spider_marionette_in_amazon/ / conservation biologist Phil Torres Amazon leaf debris dead insects genus Cyclosa Tambopata Research Center /

iOS 6.0.2 suspected of draining batteries

http://arstechnica.com/apple/2012/12/ios-6-0-2-suspected-of-draining-batteries/ / battery life WiFi connection cell cellular mobile data iPhone iPad Apple /

Bitcasa cloud storage • 10 gigabytes free • Infinite storage $10 per month

Everything is encrypted, multiple backups with a rollback facility.

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2012/12/19/bitcasa-infinite-cloud-storage/#comments

http://www.bitcasa.com/ / backup encrypted encrypt /

21 December 2012: the end of the world? Not according to the Mayan calendar!

Like all calendars, one of the functions of the Mayan calendar is to break time up into convenient intervals.  We use periods including years, months days.

In the Mayan calendar there are a number of very long time units, including B'ak'tun (394 years, some say 395), Piktun (7,885 years) & others.  Longest is the Alautun at 63,081,429 years.

Since the Mayan calendar begins in 3114 BCE, not even a single Alautun (63,081,429 years) has elapsed. There is a very long journey ahead for the world according to the Mayan calendar.

On 21 December 2012, a B'ak'tun (394 years) is coming to an end.  What happens then?  What happens at the end of the year in our calendar: a new one starts!

Check back tomorrow :)

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/travel/Mayan+calendar+cause+celebration+doom+researcher+says/7728912/story.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_calendar   / end of the world end-of-the-world long count /

Sitting more than three hours a day can take two years off your life

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/story/2012-07-09/sitting-less-could-extend-life/56117870/1

http://neurosynthesisarchives.wordpress.com/2011/01/20/the-extreme-dangers-of-sitting/ / sedentary exercise heart muscles walk disease capillaries lined fat burning enzyme lipoprotein lipase /

Pushing computers toward petahertz with femtosecond lasers & weird electronics

http://m.extremetech.com/extremetech/#!/entry/pushing-computers-towards-petahertz-with-femtosecond-lasers-and-weird-dielectrics,50d0776394f4be7169310338/1 / dielectric insulator conductor semiconductor light electrons internal logic metamaterial meta-material switching Max Plank Institute Ludwig Maximilian University Germany /

New study sheds light on dinosaur size

http://phys.org/news/2012-12-dinosaur-size.html / largest land animals Queen Mary University of London compared size femur bone fossil record larger smaller vertebrate species young dinosaurs occupied different ecological niche /

Malaria progress falters; critics say WHO’s goal of eliminating deaths by 2015 is unrealistic

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/malaria-progress-falters-critics-say-whos-goal-of-eliminating-deaths-by-2015-is-unrealistic/2012/12/17/3bbde41c-483e-11e2-8af9-9b50cb4605a7_story.html / epidemic health officials deaths parasitic illness symptoms fever chills vomiting mosquito nets /

Raytheon’s second-generation exoskeleton (video)

Photo credit: Raytheon

Raytheon’s second-generation exoskeleton (XOS 2) allows one man to do the work of three. And as you can see above, hold two bowling balls at arm's length!

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=-UpxsrlLbpU&desktop_uri=/watch?v=-UpxsrlLbpU   / battery hydraulic load bearing power cable tethered /

When it comes to longevity, it’s not years but microlives that may count

http://healthland.time.com/2012/12/17/when-it-comes-to-longevity-its-not-years-but-microlives-that-may-count/?iid=hl-main-lead

http://understandinguncertainty.org/microlives / alcohol alcoholic beverage red meat fruit vegetables exercise working out male female Sweden Russia high calorie food half hour occasional indulgence consistent over-eating longevity smoking cigarette burger overweight coffee taking statins cholesterol lowering drugs chronic risks micromort microlifes microlife micro life micro lifes micro lives life /

Fusion at home, or how small science will defeat big science

http://m.extremetech.com/extremetech/#!/entry/fusion-power-at-home-or-how-small-science-will-defeat,50ca5b6194f4be71693016f2/1 / Princeton tokamak fuse nuclei Livermore laser Farnsworth fusor open source open-source software hardware crowd sourced funding DARPA Polywell reactor /

Brazilian company plans to release new Android smartphone range under "IPHONE" branding

Apple will be in court again over this!

http://www.redmondpie.com/brazilian-company-plans-to-release-new-android-smartphone-range-under-iphone-branding/ / Google /

Fine hands, fists of fury: Our hands evolved for punching, not just dexterity

Human hands have shorter palms & fingers than other primates plus longer, stronger thumbs. This makes our hands more dexterous, but also more suitable for making a fist.

http://phys.org/news/2012-12-fine-fists-fury-evolved-dexterity.html / violence aggression mammal monkey ape /

New Web app recommends books based on your tweets

http://mashable.com/2012/12/19/bookrx/ / twitter handle social media Northwestern University Knight Laboratory /

Readers talk back on mapping apps for iOS

http://arstechnica.com/apple/2012/12/ars-readers-talk-back-on-mapping-apps-for-ios/ Waze MotionX GPS Drive MotionX GPS HD turn by turn turn-by-turn navigation iOS 5 /

Voyager spacecraft are still making discoveries 35 years after their launch

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/voyager-spacecraft-are-still-making-discoveries-35-years-after-their-launch/2012/12/14/2a9480a0-447f-11e2-8e70-e1993528222d_story.html / NASA 1977 tour outer solar system first color photographs Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune discovered dozens moons worlds heliosphere supernovae galactic cosmic rays magnetic field highway flyby power supply radioactive decay 88-year half-life transmitter redundancy /

WynCASE: Turn your iPhone into a true mobile gaming console (video)

http://www.funkyspacemonkey.com/wyncase-turn-your-iphone-into-a-true-mobile-gaming-console-video#more-32743 / iOS Apple game button reversible case /

Five technological advances that will change our lives

Touch screens that give a sense of touch, smart "hearing" that gives more information than your own hearing, digital taste buds & smart sense of smell. Sound exciting? More at:

http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2012/12/17/ibm_s_2012_5_in_5_predictions_computers_with_super_senses.html / touch screen feel object depicted enhanced computer vision doctors diagnose undetectable disease smart hearing analyse analyze subtle differences digital taste buds smart computer nose breath samples diagnose the influenza flu diabetes TB tuberculosis 5 in 5 /

Eating healthfully, because you're worth it?

http://www.slate.com/blogs/cleanplate/2011/02/14/conclusion_eating_healthfully_because_you_re_worth_it.html / diet weight nutrition white flour sugar coffee skin tired tension headaches overweight blood pressure cholesterol blood sugar USDA food pyramid nutrients salad /

DARPA looks to create wireless Skynet with fiber-like, 100Gb bandwidth

http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2012/12/darpa-looks-to-create-wireless-skynet-with-fiber-like-100gb-bandwidth/ / Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency copper wire megabits per second synthetic aperture antenna technology extreme high frequency EHF radio /

T-Mobile end smartphone subsidies: Paying more for your phone is good for you.

http://www.slate.com/articles/business/moneybox/2012/12/t_mobile_end_smartphone_subsidies_paying_more_for_your_phone_is_good_for.html

This app for Android is the ultimate battery saving tool for your device when in sleep mode

http://www.redmondpie.com/this-app-for-android-is-the-ultimate-battery-saving-tool-for-your-device-when-in-sleep-mode/

Will sliding images make Captcha less annoying?

Captcha refers to those distorted text tests that are used by websites to make sure that you are a human being & not a computer. Do you find them frustrating? So do a lot of people.

The search is in for something that's easier for human beings without making it easier for computers.

http://mashable.com/2012/12/17/minteye/

/ spam Minteye slider Carnegie Mellon University researchers website /

Inspiration from a porcupine’s quills

Studies of how porcupine quills penetrate the skin & why they are so difficult to withdraw may lead to better adhesives, needles & other medical devices.

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2012/inspiration-from-a-porcupines-quills-1210.html

/ glue surface /

Physically fit students do better in school than others, study finds

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/physically-fit-students-do-better-in-school-than-others-study-finds/2012/12/14/6e181614-6a25-11e1-acc6-32fefc7ccd67_story.html

/ fitness body fat exercise cardiorespiratory endurance flexibility muscular strength endurance school year grades core academic areas English math science world studies nationally standardized test /

Why many are unlikely to switch to Windows Phone or BlackBerry 10

http://gigaom.com/mobile/why-many-are-unlikely-to-switch-to-windows-phone-or-blackberry-10/

/ Apple iOS Google Android smartphone cell mobile phone Microsoft RIM Research In Motion /

Whited00r updated to replicate iOS 6 on iPhone 2G/3G & iPod Touch 1G/2G (video)

http://www.funkyspacemonkey.com/whited00r-updated-to-replicate-ios-6-on-iphone-2g3g-and-ipod-touch-1g2g-video

/ Apple jailbreak /

Patent wars: In a major setback, Apple won’t get an injunction against Samsung

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2012/12/in-major-setback-apple-wont-get-injunction-against-samsung/

/ smartphone trade dress iPhone Galaxy iOS Android /

Raspberry Pi gets its own app store

Rasberry Pi is a tiny computer on a board (only a few cm square), running Unix. Its app store opened on December 17th with 23 free apps.

http://bgr.com/2012/12/17/raspberry-pi-app-store-256005/

How long would it take Darth Vader to mop the Death Star?

http://www.Centives.net/S/2012/how-long-would-it-take-darth-vader-to-mop-the-death-star/

/ Star Wars petition /

Five products that get the user experience right

http://gigaom.com/2012/12/16/five-products-that-get-the-user-experience-right/

/ Oral B Professional Care SmartSeries 4000 electric toothbrush Quirky PowerCurl power cable TwelveSouth Bookbook case for iPad Bonobos online men's clothing shop /

Going the extra mile now that Google Maps has returned to iOS

http://allthingsd.com/20121216/going-the-extra-mile-now-that-google-maps-have-returned-to-ios/

/ Apple iPhone navigation app /

Security exploit opens Samsung Galaxy S III, Note II to attack, could let apps from Google Play write to Kernel

http://www.engadget.com/2012/12/16/security-exploit-opens-samsung-exynos-devices-to-attack/

/ root kit XDA forum /

Portabee • 3D printing gets cheaper & more portable

Some assembly required.

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2012/12/15/portabee-3d-printing-gets-cheaper-and-more-portable/

/ print printer kit assemble /

Girl posts cash pile image on Facebook, house gets robbed within hours

Take home message: don't post anything on social media you wouldn't want your worst enemy to read. That applies to ostensibly private material too.

http://www.geeky-gadgets.com/girl-posts-cash-pile-image-on-facebook-house-gets-robbed-within-hours-28-05-2012/

Herbs for your battery: Don't make it tasty, do make it greener

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1081075_herbs-for-your-battery-dont-make-it-tasty-do-make-it-greener

/ Madder plant Rubia natural cathode batteries battery purpurin organic dye LiIon lithium ion cobalt cheap cheaper lower cost /

NASA’s "Johnson Style" is a "Gangnam Style" parody (video)

http://www.ubergizmo.com/2012/12/nasas-johnson-style-is-a-gangnam-style-parody/

/ Psy space educational education /

Nissan DeltaWing • a new beginning for sports car racing? (video)

Credit: Nissan/ Gas 2

Enough racing success in 2012 to suggest that the efficiencies from such measures as aerodynamics & a smaller, lighter 1.6 litre turbocharged engine can produce a sports racer competive with more conventional cars with twice the power output.

http://gas2.org/2012/12/12/video-year-of-the-nissan- / small efficient Le Mans /

So about that "glowing" cigarette ...

"Not only did cigarette makers know about polonium-210 contamination of their product for decades – they knew how to fix it and chose not to."

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/12/so-about-that-glowing-cigarette/

/ polonium 210 lead phosphorus super phosphate fertilizer acid wash addiction nicotine /

Injected foam could prevent soldiers from bleeding to death

http://www.ubergizmo.com/2012/12/injected-foam-could-prevent-soldiers-from-bleeding-to-death/

/ bleed out abdomen pig experiment trial experimental /

YotaPhone • Two screens this phone has

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2012/12/15/yotaphone-two-screens-this-phone-is-having/

A similar idea, in the form of an add on case with an E-Ink display on the back, for the iPhone was previously mentioned in these pages:

http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/popslate-second-screen-smart-case-for.html

/ indiegogo project touch monochrome black white /

Tesla Model S 60-kWh is more efficient than 85-kWh car • why?

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1081120_tesla-model-s-60-kwh-is-more-efficient-than-85-kwh-car-why

/ battery LiIon Panasonic battery laptop EV electric vehicle lithium ion range mpgE /

Victoria police say Apple has "half-fixed" Maps Mildura blunder

But it will still get you lost if you try to use it when coming from Melbourne:

http://www.macworld.com.au/news/victoria-police-say-apple-has-'half-fixed'-maps-mildura-blunder-82126/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Hands-on+with+Google+Maps+for+iPhone+215in+iMacs+reviewed+iTunes+11+troubleshooting+and+much+much+more&utm_content=Hands-on+with+Google+Maps+for+iPhone+215in+iMacs+reviewed+iTunes+11+troubleshooting+and+much+much+more+CID_cfb779fd0c7687465f7d644489a1ef84&utm_source=Email%20marketing%20software&utm_term=Apple%20fixes%20Maps%20issue%20after%20Victoria%20Police%20warning

Best bet: Google maps is available from the app store:

http://www.hhg2tech.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/hands-on-with-google-maps-for-iphone.html

/ Apple iOS 6 Google /

Jaguar C-X75 hybrid supercar cancelled

It has 800 horsepower (600 kW) with 60 miles (97 km) of electric range. A serial hybrid, or as GM would have it, an extended range electric vehicle. Just 5 prototypes will be completed, with three to be sold to the public.

http://gas2.org/2012/12/12/jaguar-c-x75-hybrid-supercar-cancelled/

/ EREV EV LiIon turbine battery /

Developers say yes to iOS, but ambivalent about Apple

http://m.computerworld.com/s/article/9234690/Developers_say_yes_to_iOS_but_ambivalent_about_Apple

/ iPhone iPad iOS Google Android Nexus tablet Microsoft Windows RT Research in Motion RIM BlackBerry 10 Surface hardware /

Researchers get cardiac muscle cells to grow & repair heart attack damage

http://arstechnica.com/science/2012/12/researchers-get-cardiac-muscle-cells-to-grow-repair-heart-attack-damage/

/ stem cells are recapitulating embryo developing scar tissue micro-RNAs /

Do we live in a computer simulation? How to test the idea.

http://www.kurzweilai.net/do-we-live-in-a-computer-simulation-how-to-test-the-idea

/ singularity compute computing Universe communicate platform human /

Should I buy the Galaxy S3 or the iPhone 5? (video)

http://www.gottabemobile.com/2012/12/12/galaxy-s3-or-iphone-5/

/ Apple Google iOS Android smartphone OS operating system touch screen /

Frailty is a medical condition, not an inevitable result of aging

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/frailty-is-a-medical-condition-not-an-inevitable-result-of-aging/2012/12/10/b1cca8a2-f6a7-11e1-8253-3f495ae70650_story.html

/ thin weak energy tired easily walking speed slow muscle mass loss inflammation condition elderly /

Patent wars: Apple's iPhone found to infringe Sony & Nokia patents

http://m.computerworld.com/s/article/9234686/Update_Apple_s_iPhone_found_to_infringe_Sony_Nokia_patents

/ iOS Android /

25-GPU cluster cracks every standard Windows password in < 6 hours

http://arstechnica.com/security/2012/12/25-gpu-cluster-cracks-every-standard-windows-password-in-6-hours/

/ AMD Radeon graphics cards 350 billion-guess-per-second speed cracking password hashes NTLM cryptographic algorithm Microsoft enterprise every possible eight-character password containing upper-and lower-case letters digits symbols password policies policy Linux /

Tardis PC case

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2012/12/12/the-tardis-pc-case/

/ computer processor /

The quiet riot of a Tesla Model S burnout (video)

http://gas2.org/2012/12/13/video-the-quiet-riot-of-a-tesla-model-s-burnout/

/ EV electric vehicle battery LiIon lithium ion /

Hands on with Google Maps for iPhone (video)

http://www.gottabemobile.com/2012/12/13/google-maps-for-iphone-first-look/

http://www.macworld.com.au/features/hands-on-with-google-maps-for-iphone-82541/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Hands-on+with+Google+Maps+for+iPhone+215in+iMacs+reviewed+iTunes+11+troubleshooting+and+much+much+more&utm_content=Hands-on+with+Google+Maps+for+iPhone+215in+iMacs+reviewed+iTunes+11+troubleshooting+and+much+much+more+CID_cfb779fd0c7687465f7d644489a1ef84&utm_source=Email%20marketing%20software&utm_term=Continue%20reading

Get it at:
https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/google-maps/id585027354?mt=8&ls=1

/ Apple Google turn by turn turn-by-turn navigation app Google account favorite places past searches /

E-reader decline prompts user debate over e-reader vs. tablet

http://m.computerworld.com/s/article/9234688/E_reader_decline_prompts_user_debate_over_e_reader_vs._tablet

/ Kindle Fire Amazon Barnes & Noble Apple iOS iPad smartphone Google Android content book /

Google Set to Release iOS Maps App • Updated

http://allthingsd.com/20121212/google-set-to-release-ios-maps-app-tonight/

Update: it's available now at:
https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/google-maps/id585027354?mt=8&ls=1

/ Apple Google turn by turn turn-by-turn navigation /

RFID • now thieves can pick your pocket without removing your wallet

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=mhcPUwaMGoY&desktop_uri=/watch?v=mhcPUwaMGoY&feature=player_embedded

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=49o91DvqQ7k

/ radio frequency identification /

This man makes data look beautiful (video)

http://mashable.com/2012/12/11/data-visualization-jer-thorp/

/ visualization artist in residence university professor science mathematics art big /

This is out of hand now: Apple attempts to trademark the LEAF

Not content with patents on the rectangle & rounded corners, Apple is going after the leaf now.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/12/10/apple_applies_to_trademark_the_leaf/

/ copyright patent /

Android’s built-in malware scanner gets a failing grade

http://arstechnica.com/security/2012/12/androids-built-in-malware-scanner-gets-a-failing-grade/

/ computer scientist weaknesses application verification service Google users detect malicious apps Android smartphones tablets security&nbsp;detection rate virus detection performance&nbsp;Avast Symantec Kaspersky Lab&nbsp;cryptographic hash signatures /

A breath test for detecting cancer?

http://healthland.time.com/2012/12/07/a-breath-test-for-detecting-cancer/

/ British Journal of Surgery volatile organic compounds VOCs chemical signature colorectal cancer tumor /

Design concept: Paper pill

Can't remember when, or how many pills to take?

Solution: absorb the medicine into starch paper & print the instructions right on the pill itself:

http://www.red-dot.sg/dconcept/portfolio/view.php?rid=154

/ calendar instructions printed effective ingredients dissolved dissolve tabs tablet elderly patients chronic disease heavy medication schedule different drugs dosages forget low-cost sheet form effective ingredients dissolved dosage essential /

Indiegogo project: Gravity-powered light could provide light in developing countries (video)

http://www.psfk.com/2012/12/gravity-powered-light.html

/ gravitational potential energy kinetic radio battery charger electricity generator /

Samsung smart TV vulnerability allow attacker to read storage remotely

If you connect anything to the Net, you're compromising it's security.

http://thehackernews.com/2012/12/samsung-smart-tv-vulnerability-allow.html

How can I safely travel with my photography gear?

http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2012/12/ask-lh-how-can-i-safely-travel-with-my-photography-gear/

/ lens camera body packing sleeve cell pack wrap protect fragile insure insurance loss theft damage /

Shuttleworth: Ubuntu’s goal is one OS from phones to supercomputers

http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2012/12/shuttleworth-ubuntus-goal-is-one-os-from-phones-to-supercomputers/

/ Linux Unix OS operating system computer smart Cloud server desktop Android kernel touch screen Unity PC /

Sheryl Sandberg offloads $41.5m in Facebook shares in just 6 weeks

Chief Operating Officer taking the money, but Zuckerberg still vows not to sell out.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/12/11/sandberg_selling_facebook_shares/

/ lock up period /

Researcher finds hint of dark energy discussion in letters between Einstein & Schrodinger

http://phys.org/news/2012-12-hint-dark-energy-discussion-letters.html

/ Cosmological Constat Big Bang steady state theory static Universe variable /

Caffeinated coffee may reduce the risk of oral cancers

http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-12-caffeinated-coffee-oral-cancers.html

/ pharyngeal cancer mortality fatal decaffeinated tea prevention study prospective USA cohort protective effect /

Winbot • A Roomba cleaning robot for your windows

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2012/12/10/winbot-a-roomba-cleaning-robot-for-your-windows/

/ vacuum cleaner robotic dust /

Australian Police advise motorists against using Apple Maps

http://www.gottabemobile.com/2012/12/10/australian-police-advises-motorists-against-using-apple-maps/

IBM’s nanophotonic tech integrates optic data right into chips

http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2012/12/ibms-nanophotonic-tech-integrates-optic-data-right-into-chips/

/ optical communications electronics silicon optical interconnects integrated integrated circuits chip microprocessor processor memory storage supercomputers data centers interconnect CMOS transceiver converting data electric virtually latency /

Nissan slashes $9,000 off Leaf EV in Australia

http://smh.drive.com.au/motor-news/nissan-slashes-almost-10000-off-leaf-ev-20121210-2b4cb.html

/ electric vehicle car battery LiIon lithium charge range /

Meet Google's Mr Maps

http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/-2b3a9.html

/ Brian McClendon organise organize all the world's information Apple /

Disease & sleep: Recent studies find new links

Sleep deprivation is widespread in first world societies. Studies have found links with a number of conditions including premature aging, Alzheimer's, obesitiy & diabetes. The Washington post takes a look at the latest findings:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/disease-and-sleep-recent-studies-find-new-links/2012/12/03/003ef1ba-3d9e-11e2-bca3-aadc9b7e29c5_graphic.html

/ theta alpha beta waves sleep spindle falling light deep REM narcolepsy memory learning Parkinson's accidents post traumatic stress disorder PTSD disease malady /

Android fans take on Microsoft #DroidRage campaign with some #WindowsRage of their own

Microsoft attempted to provoke an anti-Android rage campaign from dissatisfied owners with the promise of possible gifts, but it kind of backfired ...

http://www.androidauthority.com/android-fans-take-microsoft-droidrage-campaign-some-windowsrage-their-own-137737/

Best 5 tablets

Need a tablet, but not sure which one? CNET has a comprehensive article on some prime contenders:

http://reviews.cnet.com/best-tablets/

/ Apple iPad iOS Google Android Asus Transformer Pad Infinity TF700 Google Nexus 7 Amazon Kindle Fire 8.9 /

As electric car experiments fumble, Tesla is last man standing

http://gigaom.com/cleantech/as-electric-car-experiments-fumble-tesla-is-last-man-standing/

/ Better Place battery swap Fiska Karma A123 battery technology /

ISS time-lapse mashup is like a love letter from outer space (video)

http://dvice.com/archives/2012/12/iss-time-lapse.php

/ International Space Station photographs images picture /

Patent wars: Judge pleads for "global peace" in Apple-Samsung fight

http://m.computerworld.com/s/article/9234456/Judge_pleads_for_global_peace_in_Apple_Samsung_fight

/ iPhone Galaxy Note iOS Android trial attorney lawyer court appeal /

Best worst office gift

Everybody has a USB flash drive or several, & there are USB desk lamps, coffee warmers, even a tiny USB refrigerator, but now get ready for the USB Writhing Tentacle!



http://www.ohgizmo.com/2012/12/07/wiggling-usb-tentacle-keeps-people-away-with-its-evil-squirms-and-wiggles/

Golden Spike: NASA veterans form startup to send you to the Moon

And only $700 million to be on the first flight!

http://dvice.com/archives/2012/12/nasa-veterans-f.php

/ lunar NASA veterans Alan Stern Gerry Griffin Company private space industry commercial infrastructure development costs launch vehicle lunar transit landers space suit safety equipment hardware surface orbital experiment package /

5 great map apps for iOS 6

http://www.computerworld.com/slideshow/detail/74734/5-great-map-apps-for-iOS-6#slide1

/ Google Apple Waze Mapquest Scout TeleNav Find My Car Roadside America navigation turn by turn voice instruction

How "transparent" is graphene?

Graphene is a single atom thick layer of carbon with amazing electrical, optical and strength properties. MIT researchers have identified new properties:

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2012/how-transparent-is-graphene-1204.html

/ research researched studied coating electrical conductivity underlying material hydrophilic hydrophobic wettability transparency /

Pain processing genes mapped

Promise of new analgesics.

http://www.skynews.com.au/health/article.aspx?id=824529

/ analgesia control /

Apple promises to fix glitches in Map software by rearranging Earth's geography (video)

http://www.funkyspacemonkey.com/apple-promises-to-fix-glitches-in-map-software-by-rearranging-earths-geography-video#more-32627

LuminAR Bulb transforms any surface into a touch screen

http://www.gizmag.com/luminar-bulb-surface-touch-screen/25356/

Why your computer is getting cheaper but your broadband bill isn’t

http://gigaom.com/2012/12/07/why-your-computer-is-getting-cheaper-but-your-broadband-bill-isnt/

/ Internet /

Store your files online with Cubby

Yet another service offering 5 GB of cloud storage for free with option of more storage if you pay.

One GB for referring a friend, plus desktop, iOS & Android apps.

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2012/12/07/store-your-files-in-your-cubby-house/

/ cloud storage online /

This highway tracks random Bluetooth signals to estimate travel times

http://gizmodo.com/5966301/this-highway-tracks-random-bluetooth-signals-to-estimate-travel-times

/ Canada anaonymise Calgary Alberta highway Deerfoot Trail movement progress vehicles sensors device MAC addresses accurate real-time estimate drive times /

Tesla reaches break-even point as it struggles to catch up with orders

http://www.chargedevs.com/content/news-wire/post/tesla-reaches-break-even-point-it-struggles-catch-orders

/ Model S LiIon lithium ion EV electric vehicle battery charge sales Elon Musk /

Top 10 ways to save when shopping online

http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2012/12/top-10-ways-to-save-when-shopping-online/

/ Internet world wide web store /

Welcome to pseudo-democracy, Facebook-style

So what wer you expecting? This is Facebook we're talking about!

http://www.smh.com.au/technology/-2axgd.html

/ fake pseudo democracy privacy security /

Portable charging station by Aviiq

http://www.blessthisstuff.com/stuff/technology/portable-media/portable-charging-station-by-aviiq/

/ battery LiIon lithium ion USB connector padded folder power outlet point /

Magic liquid lets you use your phone while wearing gloves

http://dvice.com/archives/2012/12/magic-liquid-ma.php

/ capacitative touch screen /

Apple to invest $100M next year in U.S. Mac production

http://m.computerworld.com/s/article/9234425/Apple_to_invest_100M_next_year_in_U.S._Mac_production

/ production assembly Macintosh public relations ploy criticism labor practices Chinese manufacturers bring some jobs back offshore public perception components shipped assemble assembly /

Gerber Steady Multi-Tool also serves as a tripod

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2012/12/06/gerber-steady-multi-tool-also-serves-as-a-tripod/

/ screw driver cross Phillips flat straight knife blade serrated fine needle nose pliers wire cutter bottle opener /

Did they really have a space station during the English Civil War?

Where the mix up occurred, I'm not sure, so names have been omitted to protect the innocent ...

Below is a screen shot from a TV programme app running on iOS.



At the top of the screen shot is an image which is obviously promoting the 1979 movie, "Moonraker", staring Roger Moore as James Bond.  Shows the bit at the end which is set in Earth orbit.

OK, so an old spy movie on TV soon.  So what?

Well, not exactly ...

Beneath the image, the text is clearly describing the 1958 movie, "The Moonraker", set at the end of the English Civil War (1642–1651).

Anyone giving odds on which movie they'll show?

popSLATE • Second screen smart case for your iPhone 5 • indiegogo project

popSLATE is a case for the iPhone 5 with an E-Ink display on the back. Communication with the iPhone processor & power are provided via the lightning connector. Because of the inherent low power requirements of E-Ink, battery life is unaffected.

More details at:

http://www.indiegogo.com/popslate

/ iOS API app Apple /

1 Second Everyday app by Cesar Kuriyama — Kickstarter project

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cesarkuriyama/1-second-everyday-app?ref=NewsDec0612&utm_campaign=Dec06&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter

/ iOS iPhone 5 the rest of your life /

How to manage address groups in iOS

http://www.maclife.com/article/howtos/how_manage_address_groups_ios

/ ABC contacts Mac OSX OS X iPhone iPad book app contact group /

Smack! Was that a mosquito you killed, or a drone?

http://cleantechnica.com/2012/02/07/johns-hopkins-researchers-develop-mav-the-size-of-a-bug/

/ micro aerial vehicle MAV robot artificial An MAV would be used for military reconnaissance operations urban areas densely packed buildings and unpredictable winds create unique challenges small flying device Hopkins research funded U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research /

How Optus plans to solve network congestion in Australia

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2012/12/how-optus-plans-to-solve-network-congestion/

/ virtual virtualization server bandwidth cloud hardware traffic major event short notice /

Apple ought to supersize the iPhone. Here's why

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57557306-37/apple-ought-to-supersize-the-iphone-heres-why/

/ phablet size bigger small 3.5 4 inch screen Samsung Galaxy siii Note iPad mini /

Mujjo Introduces leather touchscreen gloves

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2012/12/03/mujjo-introduces-leather-touchscreen-gloves/

/ capacitative touch nanotechnology nanoparticle nano /

Google releases Gmail 2.0 for iPhone & iPad

http://allthingsd.com/20121204/gmail-2-0-for-ios-brings-new-look-support-for-multiple-accounts/

/ Google app store multiple accounts /

Talking brains & immortality with Ray Kurzweil & Juan Enriquez

http://allthingsd.com/20121204/talking-brains-and-immortality-with-ray-kurzweil-and-juan-enriquez-video/

/ human evolution evolve intelligence machine computer computing enhance singularity exponential increase /

How script kiddies can hijack your browser to steal your password

http://arstechnica.com/security/2012/12/how-script-kiddies-can-hijack-your-browser-to-steal-your-password/

/ Google Chrome search command control ctrl browser event hijacking hack priority issue /

Water balloons filmed in slow motion: What could possibly go wrong? (video)

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2012/12/water-ballons-filmed-in-slow-motion-what-could-possibly-go-wrong/

/ super burst on impact strong strength /

All aboard: the growth of global rail & our future cities

http://theconversation.edu.au/all-aboard-the-growth-of-global-rail-and-our-future-cities-10377

/ train engine car use decline revival world light metro heavy rail high speed transport planning major Australian cities plan expansion road capacity /

BMW to present Concept Active Tourer PHEV at Paris Motor Show

http://www.chargedevs.com/content/news-wire/post/bmw-present-concept-active-tourer-phev-paris-motor-show

/ plug in hybrid vehicle through the road TtR ICE internal combustion engine rear wheel drive front FWD /

Forget fluorescents, plastic lighting strips coming out next year

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/12/03/fluorescent_bulb_plastics/

/ field-induced polymer electroluminescents FIPEL white-light white light emitting polymers nanomaterials glow when electrically stimulated /

myLED adds blinking notification LED to iPhones & iPads

Kickstarter project adds a flashing LED to your iOS device for various notification purposes.

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2012/12/01/myled-adds-blinking-notification-led-to-iphones-and-ipads/

/ earphone socket Apple /

The secret, subtle power of graphic design (video)

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2012/12/the-secret-subtle-power-of-graphic-design/

Siri TV analysis: Apple TV, with Siri, could revolutionize television

http://bgr.com/2012/11/27/siri-tv-analysis-apple-tv/

/ desperately seeking television /

Study links food allergies to pesticides in tap water

http://healthland.time.com/2012/12/03/study-links-food-allergies-to-pesticides-in-tap-water/?iid=hl-main-lead

/ dichlorophenols purify water US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005 showed dichlorophenols urine /

Curiosity finds organics on Mars, but possibly not of Mars

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/12/03/curiosity_no_mars_organics/

/ rover NASA Sample Analysis at Mars SAM tool origin soil sampling deuterium /

Toyota has solved a problem that could see magnesium-ion batteries replace lithium-ion

http://www.technologyreview.com/news/507561/toyota-plugs-away-at-the-next-gen-electric-car-battery/

/ charge LiIon battery double charge size EV electric vehicle smart phone range endurance /

Wilderness survival uses for a condom

http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2012/12/wilderness-survival-uses-for-a-condom/

/ tinder fire drill slingshot water carrier container /

Keep data roaming charges under control with Globalgig

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2012/11/29/keep-data-roaming-charges-under-control-with-globalgig/

/ USA America UK GB United Kingdom Great Britain England Australia /

Consumer Reports: Chevrolet Volt most loved car. Again

http://insideevs.com/consumer-reports-chevrolet-volt-most-loved-car-again/

/ EV electric vehicle battery LiIon lithium ion battery /

The US Department Of Energy wants to make five times better batteries in 5 years by recreating the Manhattan Project

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2012/12/the-us-department-of-energy-wants-to-make-better-batteries-by-recreating-the-manhattan-project/

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9234200/DOE_wants_5X_battery_power_boost_in_5_years

/ DoE battery more powerful cheaper Power store storage energy capacity Energy Secretary Stephen Chu Argonne National Laboratory scientists engineers disciplines industrial competitiveness research manufacturing /

Microsoft analysis: Google, Apple crushed in smartphones, tablets

http://bgr.com/2012/11/29/microsoft-analysis-google-apple/

/ Sizemore Capital Charles NASDAQ durable long term advantages music Android /

iPhone 5 review: two months with the new iPhone

http://www.gottabemobile.com/2012/11/29/iphone-5-review/

/ reboot spontaneous A6 processor camera application lag snap photo video performance hardware lightening connector battery life iMessages iOS 6.0.1 case /

Self assembling 3D nanowires could be the future of semiconductor production

http://m.extremetech.com/extremetech/#!/entry/selfassembling-3d-nanowires-could-be-the-future-of-semiconductor-production,50b9256c94f4be71692df22e

/ semi conductor /

Mobile devices will drive IT spending in 2013, IDC says

http://m.computerworld.com/s/article/9234190/Mobile_devices_will_drive_IT_spending_in_2013_IDC_says

/ smartphone tablet iPad /

Qantas ditches A380 in-flight Internet trials

http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2012/12/qantas-ditches-a380-in-flight-internet-trials/

/ WiFi iPad entertainment first 1st second 2nd business economy class overnight international /

Trotify – You’re using coconuts! (video)

Credit: Geekologie

This flat pack wooden device mounts on your bicycle & uses coconut technology to make a sound like you're riding a horse!

:)



http://the-gadgeteer.com/2012/11/29/trotify-youre-using-coconuts/ / Monty Python King Arthur Pendragon trot trotting sound effect clopping clop clop clip clop bicycle bike /

iMac Intel 21.5" EMC 2544 teardown

http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iMac+Intel+21.5-Inch+EMC+2544+Teardown/11936/1

/ slim glue heat gun suction cups Phillips screwdriver Torx spudger iFixit guitar pick hard drive RAM memory inch /

Seagate Backup Plus review

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2406513,00.asp

/ USB 3.0 FireWire Thunderbolt Hub concept interface external portable hard drive NTFS format formatted Mac Windows performance /

Watch five hours of commercial jet flyovers timelapsed down into thirty crowded seconds (video)

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2012/12/watch-five-hours-of-commercial-jet-flyovers-timelapsed-down-into-thirty-crowded-seconds/

/ time lapse timelapse slow motion slowmotion fast crowded compressed 30 thirty seconds hours /

Apple-China Mobile deal happening in 2013: Apple’s "next big thing"

http://bgr.com/2012/11/26/apple-china-mobile-deal-2013/

/ China Mobile biggest mobile carrier deal /

Is no-calorie substitute for sugar too sweet to be true?

http://www.theage.com.au/national/health/is-nocalorie-substitute-for-sugar-too-sweet-to-be-true-20120505-1y63g.html

/ low no calorie sweetener blood pressure hypertension cancer mutagen sugar diabetes /

Anonymous: Syria cyber war declared after Internet shutdown

http://bgr.com/2012/11/30/anonymous-syria-cyber-war/

New way to create electricity out of sunlight discovered: a solar energy funnel

http://cleantechnica.com/2012/11/28/new-way-to-create-electricity-out-of-sunlight-discovered-a-solar-energy-funnel/

/ wavelength charge electron hole semiconductor semi-conductor broader spectrum MIT strain /

Apple analysis: iPhone, iPad lead crumbles as Android takes charge

http://bgr.com/2012/11/28/apple-analysis-iphone-ipad-decline/

/ iOS smartphone cloud bring your device BYOD enterprise /

Google Nexus 10 review! (video)

http://www.androidauthority.com/google-nexus-10-review-135307/

/ Android OS operating system tablet /

Facebook censors photo after mistaking elbow for breast (video)

http://mashable.com/2012/11/28/facebook-elbow-photo/

/ naked nude bath bathtub /

Wind farms lower power bills

http://beyondzeroemissions.org/media/newswire/wind-farms-lower-power-bills-authorities-121105

/ supply price lower reduce turbines zero no fuel costs /

Microsoft’s new browser “sucks less,” says Microsoft (video)

http://allthingsd.com/20121129/microsofts-new-browser-sucks-less-says-microsoft/

/ IE Internet Explorer /

A brief history of the electric car (video)

And if you are in or near Canberra, don't forget the

Canberra International Electric Vehicle Festival

Ainslie Place, Civic

Saturday 1 December 2012

10am - 4pm

Entry: free!

Presented by: http://www.canberraev.org// battery lithium ion LiIon recharge charge range EV vehicle EV1 iMieve Mitsubishi Nissan Leaf Chevrolet Holden Volt Opel Vauxhall Ampera /

Did you know? Disney now offering 16 Android apps

http://www.androidguys.com/2012/11/29/did-you-know-disney-now-offering-16-android-apps/

/ application where's my perry water puffle launch temple run brave gnome village pirates Caribbean mobile magic radio wreck-it Ralph experience wdw memories filmpulse Winnie the Pooh live wallpaper /

Sea levels rising 60% faster than predicted

http://m.inhabitat.com/inhabitat/#!/entry/study-finds-sea-levels-rising-60-faster-than-expected-us,50b6376ad7fc7b56707c58a4

/ global warming climate change CO2 carbon dioxide greenhouse gas /

Coal seam gas leaks carbon liability could end the industry

http://beyondzeroemissions.org/media/releases/csg-leaks-carbon-liability-could-end-industry-121119

/ CSG fugitive emissions tax /

Human rights org launches pre-emptive strike against killer robots (video)

Wake up call.

http://dvice.com/archives/2012/11/human-rights-or.php

/ drone Human Rights Watch and Harvard Law's International Human Rights Clinic Losing Humanity The Case Against Killer Robots military /

Patent wars: Apple wants Samsung's Galaxy Note II banned

http://www.smh.com.au/technology/-2a27h.html

/ Android iOS smartphone /

Here Maps by Nokia for Apple iOS pictures & hands-on

http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/48410/here-maps-nokia-for-apple-ios-app-pictures-and-hands-on