Science editor Alan Boyle's blog: Colorful videos prove that the astronauts aboard the International Space Station had the best seats in the house for last month's northern lights.
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Aurora extravaganza glows in space
Posted: February 7th, 2012, 7:44pm MST
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Why there are so few fish in the sea
Posted: February 7th, 2012, 6:47pm MST
Most saltwater fish may have evolved from a freshwater ancestor, according to a new study that traces the family tree of both marine and freshwater fish.
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Fireball over Texas caught by police video cam
Posted: February 7th, 2012, 6:36pm MST
A bright fireball streaked across the nighttime sky over eastern Texas and Oklahoma last week, and was caught on video by a police car camera. -
World's highest-pitched primate calls out like bat
Posted: February 7th, 2012, 5:43pm MST
A huge-eyed little primate of the Philippines can communicate in pure ultrasound — issuing calls so high-pitched that human ears can't detect them.
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Janice Voss, veteran astronaut, dies at 55
Posted: February 7th, 2012, 5:25pm MST
Astronaut Janice Voss, a veteran of five spaceflights and a former science director for a NASA exoplanet-hunting spacecraft, has died after a battle with cancer. She was 55.
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First photos of tiger taken in India corridor
Posted: February 7th, 2012, 4:58pm MST
Conservationists snapped the first known images of a Bengal tiger in an area of northern India that is important habitat for the endangered species.
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Loggerheads tracked to feeding hotspots
Posted: February 7th, 2012, 4:32pm MST
Satellite tracking of a threatened species of sea turtle has revealed two new feeding hotspots in the Gulf of Mexico that are an important habitat for at least three separate populations of the turtles.
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NASA calls for new taxis to fly to Space Station
Posted: February 7th, 2012, 3:53pm MST
NASA is looking for at least two U.S. firms to design and build space transport systems for ferrying astronauts to and from the International Space Station, program managers said Tuesday.
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Chrome comes to some Android phones, tablets
Posted: February 7th, 2012, 2:02pm MST
Google's Chrome Web browser in Beta is available for Android phone and tablets users — but for now, that is going be a small number of them who have the latest version of the Android operating system, 4.0 (also known as Ice Cream Sandwich), on their devices.
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Tiny sensors that measure amplitude are big step
Posted: February 7th, 2012, 2:00pm MST
Anyone who watched the recent X-Games coverage heard commentators obsess about "amplitude" — how high snowboarders such as Shaun White soar above the lip of the superpipe to perform aerial tricks. Tiny sensors can use amplitude to detect chemicals in the air, new research shows.
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What Antarctic seal mummies can tell you...
Posted: February 7th, 2012, 1:52pm MST
Mummified seals now reveal that communities of microbes in Antarctica can change much faster than previously thought, scientists find.
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Investor: Facebook’s Zuckerberg has too much control
Posted: February 7th, 2012, 1:52pm MST
One of America’s largest pension funds with an investment portfolio valued at around $145 billion wants to talk to the social-networking site about its corporate governance rules.
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The history of video games, via Michael Winslow
Posted: February 7th, 2012, 1:40pm MST
Winslow from "Police Academy" takes on the history of video games.
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'Wreck-It Ralph' is like 'Toy Story', but for games
Posted: February 7th, 2012, 1:38pm MST
Due later this fall from Disney Animation Studios is "Wreck-It Ralph." The basic premise is similar to "Toy Story"; it's another behind the scenes look at a world us humans are somewhat familiar with, but not really.
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'Doomsday Preppers' are ready for anything
Posted: February 7th, 2012, 1:25pm MST
"Doomsday Preppers," a weekly TV documentary premiering on the National Geographic Channel Tuesday, takes viewers on a shocking tour of modern-day apocalypse paranoia.
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Deals of the day: 'The Office,' TVs and more
Posted: February 7th, 2012, 1:01pm MST
Here's what's worth considering today: A season of "The Office" on Blu-ray for $13, discounted TVs, deals on headphones and more.
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Real 'Big Miracle' story is frozen in time
Posted: February 7th, 2012, 12:55pm MST
Almost 25 years ago, the world's attention was rapt on three gray whales stranded by encroaching sea ice off the coast of Alaska and the effort to free them.
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Security camera video flaw lets voyeurs see all
Posted: February 7th, 2012, 12:45pm MST
Video feeds from some home users' Internet security cameras — including children's rooms and bathroom scenes — are being seen by others around the world because of a coding error that is part of the cameras' software.
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Apple's mysterious iTV: What we think we know
Posted: February 7th, 2012, 12:40pm MST
We recently compiled the most significant iPad 3 rumors, but the tablet isn't the only yet-to-be-announced piece of Apple gear on everyone's collective mind. So let's chat a bit about the other elephant in the room — the mysterious Apple iTV.
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Apple weeds out game clones
Posted: February 7th, 2012, 11:44am MST
The very public war between Zynga and its critics in recent weeks has led many to wonder how and why such blatant copycats are allowed to be part of Apple's App Store, the ecosystem in which they are distributed and thrive, in the first place.
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Fortress is proof 'Hill of Jonah' was inhabited
Posted: February 7th, 2012, 11:44am MST
Remains of thick stone walls uncovered recently atop a hill in Israel — where tradition says the prophet Jonah was buried — indicate the site was occupied during the time of the prophet, almost 3,000 years ago.
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Obama calls for funding to boost science education
Posted: February 7th, 2012, 11:27am MST
President Barack Obama called on Tuesday for millions of dollars in new funding to improve math and science education, an effort he said would be crucial to the nation's long-term success.
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Personal concerts streamed to hospitalized kids
Posted: February 7th, 2012, 11:21am MST
The Melodic Caring Project, a nonprofit startup, was founded with the mission of using music and technology to help kids heal. It's good medicine.
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Motorola Droid 4 coming to Verizon on Feb. 10
Posted: February 7th, 2012, 11:03am MST
It's official: The Motorola Droid 4, that slender beast of a smartphone, is headed to Verizon's speedy 4G LTE network on Feb. 10.
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Defendant may have forgotten password
Posted: February 7th, 2012, 11:02am MST
A Colorado woman, recently ordered by a judge to turn over her password to decrypt her hard drive, may not remember what that password is. -
Time for Snow Moon — February's full moon
Posted: February 7th, 2012, 10:43am MST
The full moon of February will hit its peak Tuesday night in what Algonquin Native American tribes have traditionally called the Snow Moon since heavy snowfalls typically occur in the northern regions this month.
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Google pays tribute to Dickens with a special ‘doodle’
Posted: February 7th, 2012, 10:42am MST
Tuesday marked the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens, a titan of English literature whose vivid stories confronted the injustices of Victorian life. Google celebrated by adding a special "doodle" their homepage featuring beloved characters from the author's work.
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Hidden dwarf galaxies may swarm nearby
Posted: February 7th, 2012, 10:20am MST
Tantalizing hints of tiny, hard-to-see galaxies on the outskirts of our cosmic neighborhood may help astronomers solve a longstanding mystery.
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German police use Facebook to nab crooks
Posted: February 7th, 2012, 9:59am MST
Police in the German state of Lower-Saxony will soon use their networks of Facebook "friends" to find missing persons and hunt out suspected criminals, according to the state's interior minister. -
Concerns over Zuckerberg’s control of Facebook
Posted: February 7th, 2012, 9:51am MST
One of America’s largest pension funds with an investment portfolio valued at around $145 billion wants to talk to the social-networking site about its corporate governance rules.
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10 new Canon PowerShots: Wi-Fi, rugged and more
Posted: February 7th, 2012, 9:33am MST
Canon is refreshing its PowerShot series with 10 new point-and-shoot cameras. Yes, that means there are a lot of options — but they only exist because there's something suited for almost everyone in the line-up.
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Facebook to release user data practices: lobby group
Posted: February 7th, 2012, 9:08am MST
U.S. social media network Facebook has promised to release more information about the data it collects from millions of users, an Austrian group lobbying for respect of privacy laws said on Tuesday.
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Hackers sought $50K for stolen anti-virus code
Posted: February 7th, 2012, 8:58am MST
A hacker released the source code for antivirus firm Symantec's pcAnywhere utility on Tuesday, raising fears that others could find security holes in the product and attempt takeovers of customer computers. The release followed failed email negotiations over a $50,000 payout to the hacker calling himself YamaTough to destroy the code. -
Pre-caffeine: Cats love Puppy Bowl!
Posted: February 7th, 2012, 8:47am MST
Photos you thought you deleted from Facebook, even years ago, may still be hanging around.
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Microscopic marvels captured on video
Posted: February 7th, 2012, 8:19am MST
Science editor Alan Boyle's blog: What could be more wonderful than pictures of microscopic marvels? Brace yourself for some award-winning movies showing those marvels in action.
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36.3-megapixel Nikon D800 coming in March
Posted: February 7th, 2012, 7:41am MST
Nikon has made its latest high-end camera official. The full-frame DSLR is — predictably — called the D800 and its specs should be appealing to photographers and videographers alike.
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Flying cars roll a little closer to take off
Posted: February 7th, 2012, 6:45am MST
Fifty years after “The Jetsons” introduced the concept to American TV viewers, where are the flying cars we were promised? The answer? Still a ways off but, just maybe, about to get a bit closer.
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Marine's lawyers call Anonymous "cowards" after hack
Posted: February 7th, 2012, 6:40am MST
Lawyers for a U.S. Marine court-martialed for his role in killing Iraqi civilians in Haditha slammed the international hacking collective Anonymous as "cowards" on Monday after they knocked out the firm's website and published internal emails on the Web. -
Looking for work? There may be an app for that
Posted: February 7th, 2012, 6:34am MST
Looking for a promising career in a lousy economy? A new study suggests you're apt to find it in apps — the services and tools built to run on smartphones, computer tablets and Facebook's online social network. -
Designing Windows 8 — or redesigning a religion
Posted: February 7th, 2012, 5:35am MST
Sam Moreau just might have the hardest gig at Microsoft — redesigning the operating system used by like a billion people all over the world.
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Mail your valentine a card using these apps
Posted: February 7th, 2012, 5:32am MST
Merge your love of technology, your love of genuine mail and your love of a loved one into a Valentine's Day card using phone apps.
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World's biggest jump targeted for this year
Posted: February 6th, 2012, 11:25pm MST
Science editor Alan Boyle's blog: After a long delay due to legal snags, a skydiver is once again gearing up for a supersonic free-fall that would break a record set 52 years ago.
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Strange life found in underwater caves
Posted: February 6th, 2012, 5:35pm MST
Clues to how life evolved, not only on this planet but also possibly on alien worlds, might be found in underwater caves in the Bahamas, researchers say.
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Facebook takes a toll on your mental health
Posted: February 6th, 2012, 4:39pm MST
By Stephanie PappasLiveScience Facebook's initial public offering of stock is likely to make a lot of developers and designers of the site very wealthy. -
Weird beetle's sperm teams up for its exploits
Posted: February 6th, 2012, 3:56pm MST
The sperm of the male diving beetle is seriously strange: Instead of swimming in the female reproductive tract on their own, individual sperm cells often stick together in pairs, in clusters and even in long chains of hundreds or thousands.
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A game that combines cats and Kandinsky
Posted: February 6th, 2012, 3:47pm MST
If you enjoy video games (perhaps a given, if you're reading this), as well abstract art, be sure to give "The Cat That Got The Milk" a look.
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1 in 3 phones shipping worldwide is a smartphone
Posted: February 6th, 2012, 3:17pm MST
Sales of computers and TVs may be hurting, but smartphones keep the tech economy chugging along: Worldwide, the smartphone market grew 54.7 percent year over year in the fourth quarter of 2011, and 1 out of every 3 mobile phones shipped worldwide was a smartphone, says IDC Research. -
Like us, chimp can get inside another's head
Posted: February 6th, 2012, 3:10pm MST
Chimps know what tools others need to get work done and can help them select the right instruments, suggesting the apes have the ability to understand the minds of others, scientists find.
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Calibrate your monitor for the best picture
Posted: February 6th, 2012, 2:21pm MST
Here's how to calibrate color on your computer monitor to get the best picture for your needs, be they amateur or professional. -
Netflix launching original video series
Posted: February 6th, 2012, 2:18pm MST
Netflix is launching its first original series to grow its streaming business and shift its focus away from DVD rentals. -
Lawmaker seeks tax on 'violent' video games
Posted: February 6th, 2012, 1:41pm MST
A bill proposed by an Oklahoma state legislator would place a 1 percent tax on games that are deemed "violent" by adding an additional 1 percent on top of the existing state sales tax.
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Scientists revive the call of a Jurassic katydid
Posted: February 6th, 2012, 1:26pm MST
Science editor Alan Boyle's blog: Researchers reproduce a katydid's call from 165 million years ago, based on an analysis of fossilized wings found in China.
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First-time smartphone buyers choose Android
Posted: February 6th, 2012, 1:24pm MST
Apple surged past Samsung and LG to have the best-selling phone brand in the United States, capturing 43 percent of the smartphone market in the last quarter of 2011. But among first-time smartphone buyers, 57 percent purchased Android phones compared to 34 percent who bought iPhones.
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Alone on Valentine's Day? There's at least 'Gal*Gun'
Posted: February 6th, 2012, 1:23pm MST
Next week is Valentine's Day, which can be a little rough for those without a special someone in their life. But if you happen to be part of that club who does, and also happen have a PS3, here's a suggestion: grab the demo "Gal*Gun" demo.
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Russians reportedly hit buried Antarctic lake
Posted: February 6th, 2012, 1:10pm MST
Several Russian news outlets are reporting that Russian scientists have successfully drilled to Antarctica's Lake Vostok, a massive liquid lake cut off from daylight for 14 million years and buried beneath 2 miles (3.7 kilometers) of ice.
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How prejudice reveals the caveman in men
Posted: February 6th, 2012, 12:37pm MST
Like their cavemen ancestors who fought outsiders for land and potential mates, the modern guy still holds such prejudices against "outgroups," new research shows. -
Watch OK Go let a car drive its latest viral hit
Posted: February 6th, 2012, 12:27pm MST
OK Go's latest calculated viral success is so neato-mosquito, you can easily forget you're being sold something, not just the band but a car.
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Deals of the day: 'Pirates,' PlayStation and more
Posted: February 6th, 2012, 12:23pm MST
Here's what's worth considering today: The "Pirates of the Caribbean" trilogy on Blu-ray for $40, discounted PlayStation gear, deals on monitors and more.
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Windows 8 may bid farewell to the 'Start' button?
Posted: February 6th, 2012, 12:18pm MST
The next version of Microsoft’s PC operating system will be a radical change for people who pick it up for the first time, with a primary screen based on tiles similar to the Windows Phone interface — relegating the old-fashioned-yet-familiar Windows desktop to a secondary status.
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Love gone wrong? Go digital to get over an ex
Posted: February 6th, 2012, 11:59am MST
You thought you found your one true love online, but now you've been dumped by text or defriended on Facebook without a peep of explanation. Hours of bad TV in your bathrobe haven't helped. Your friends are tired of your whining. -
Russian woes show need for private spacecraft
Posted: February 6th, 2012, 11:56am MST
The recent delay of the next manned launch to the International Space Station because of a damaged Russian space capsule highlights NASA's critical need for commercially built vehicles, space policy experts say.
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Android Market flooded with fake malware-laden apps
Posted: February 6th, 2012, 11:47am MST
A fresh new batch of fake and dangerous apps has found its way into the official Android Market, and downloading any of them could put your smartphone, and your personal information, in jeopardy. -
iPad’s split keyboard has hidden buttons
Posted: February 6th, 2012, 11:37am MST
You've no doubt seen the split keyboard that iOS 5 brought to the iPad, but it turns out it has a few hidden buttons on the edges. Here's how they work. -
Don't think pink when it comes to 'girl tech'
Posted: February 6th, 2012, 11:34am MST
Some women like pink, but many don't care for that color when it comes to their personal gadgets, says a new study.
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Virgin Galactic ramps up for spaceship flights
Posted: February 6th, 2012, 11:20am MST
This year is key for Virgin Galactic's bid to become the first commercial spaceliner service, as rocket-powered flights of its SpaceShipTwo are on the books for summer.
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3-D printed jaw lets 83-year-old breathe, chew and talk
Posted: February 6th, 2012, 11:17am MST
A customized artificial jawbone built with a 3-D printer has allowed an 83-year-old woman to continue breathing, chewing, and chatting away, a team of European scientists announced.
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Surface of Mars may be too dry for alien life
Posted: February 6th, 2012, 10:44am MST
The surface of Mars may have been parched for too long for any life-forms to exist on the planet today, a new study suggests.
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Analyst explains why older iPhones won't get Siri
Posted: February 6th, 2012, 10:23am MST
Many individuals have been holding their breath and waiting for the day when Siri becomes officially available on older iPhones. But according to one analyst, that moment may never come — thanks to a technical difference between the iPhone 4S and older generation devices.
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Defending virtual borders in age of cyber war
Posted: February 6th, 2012, 10:17am MST
If cyberspace itself is now a weapon of mass destruction, how can we protect ourselves from an electronic Armageddon? That’s one of the many disconcerting questions raised by a major new report just published in Europe. -
Wanted: 'Astronauts' with the right stuffing
Posted: February 6th, 2012, 10:09am MST
If you've ever dreamed of becoming an astronaut and have four months to spare, you might have the "right stuff" to fly to Mars … well, sort of.
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Pre-caffeine: Super hangovers, Internet crackdowns!
Posted: February 6th, 2012, 9:21am MST
Infinite "viral videos"(aka commercials) crappin’ up your Facebook walls this morning reveal Super Bowl’s true winner: Capitalism! USA! USA! Meanwhile, , Super Bowl XLVI is the most tweeted sporting event ever.
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Beware! Siri may snap if you sell your iPhone
Posted: February 6th, 2012, 9:06am MST
Plenty of people will tell you that you need to make sure that you've erased all personal data from an iPhone before selling it. But no one ever asks how the phone itself feels.
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Verizon to set up streaming service with Redbox
Posted: February 6th, 2012, 8:01am MST
Phone company Verizon Communications will challenge Netflix and start a video streaming service this year with Redbox and its DVD rental kiosks. -
Super Bowl breaks Twitter record (Sorry, Tebow!)
Posted: February 6th, 2012, 7:37am MST
Poor Tim Tebow. The starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos set a a Twitter record in the beginning of January and it's already defeated — by the Super Bowl. According to Twitter, Super Bowl XLVI is the most tweeted sporting event ever.
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Google, Facebook remove content on India's order
Posted: February 6th, 2012, 6:44am MST
Internet giants Google and Facebook removed content from some Indian domain websites on Monday following a court directive warning them of a crackdown "like China" if they did not take steps to protect religious sensibilities. -
Valentine's Day tech for your sweetie
Posted: February 6th, 2012, 5:29am MST
You don't need to be a geek to appreciate these Valentine's Day tech gifts. Whether it's a USB-powered blanket to keep your loved one warm, headphones for sharing music as a couple, or a blingy new watch, each one says "I love you" in its own special way.
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Report: Facebook to start mobile ads by March
Posted: February 5th, 2012, 9:16pm MST
Facebook, the social network giant, is set to begin showing advertisements to users on mobile devices before its $5 billion initial public offering, the Financial Times reported on Monday. -
Most radicalism linked to Internet, say UK lawmakers
Posted: February 5th, 2012, 5:26pm MST
Internet service providers should do more to prevent violent extremism from being promoted on the Web, British lawmakers said in a report that states that the Internet has surpassed universities and prisons as a place where dangerous ideas are developed and traded. -
Senate: Bigger US role in corporate cybersecurity
Posted: February 5th, 2012, 12:20pm MST
A developing Senate plan that would bolster the government's ability to regulate the computer security of companies that run critical industries is drawing strong opposition from businesses that say it goes too far and security experts who believe it should have even more teeth.
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Google Earth update erases 'Atlantis' error
Posted: February 5th, 2012, 11:18am MST
A Google Earth map that raised rumors of the lost city of Atlantis has gotten a much-needed update, ridding the seafloor of a gridlike pattern that some vigilant users suspected were sunken streets from the mythological underwater city.
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Syrian pro-government TV's texting service hacked
Posted: February 5th, 2012, 11:06am MST
Syria's state broadcaster said on Sunday that the text message news service of a separate, pro-government TV station had been hacked and was being used to disseminate "false messages." -
For Facebook, 'Hacker Way' is way of life
Posted: February 4th, 2012, 11:28am MST
Facebook's billionaire CEO Mark Zuckerberg calls himself a "hacker" in a 479-word essay he wrote describing his company's philosophy of constant development and improvement.
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Hackers apparently hit Swedish government site
Posted: February 4th, 2012, 10:42am MST
A group linked to the hacker network Anonymous on Saturday said it had attacked the Swedish government's website, bringing it down for periods of time by overloading it with traffic. -
High-tech bling for the deep-pocketed traveler
Posted: February 4th, 2012, 9:57am MST
There’s plenty of high-tech stuff that can make trips more enjoyable and relaxing. The tough part is choosing and paying for it.
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Plug in at America's techiest cities
Posted: February 4th, 2012, 9:44am MST
High-tech havens Seattle and San Francisco, the two highest ranked cities on the list, support such high-tech heavyweights as Amazon, Microsoft and Apple.
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Small moves add up in commercial space
Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 10:12pm MST
Science editor Alan Boyle's blog: Commercial ventures have been taking lots of small steps toward the next giant leap in spaceflight — and the federal government is helping them out.
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Megaupload founder refused bail in New Zealand
Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 7:30pm MST
A New Zealand court refused an appeal by the founder of online file-sharing site Megaupload.com to be freed on bail, Friday, agreeing with prosecutors there was a risk he would attempt to flee before an extradition hearing. -
Check out the Red Planet's craziest colors
Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 6:54pm MST
Science editor Alan Boyle's blog: A picture from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter paints the Red Planet in shades of blue, yellow and green — but there's a method in the madness.
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Asteroid Eros draws skywatchers in Earth flyby
Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 6:06pm MST
Amateur astronomers and students around the world are taking a close look at the asteroid Eros as part of a hands-on experiment to measure solar-system distances.
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Video: Arcade sticks for that perfect K.O.
Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 5:18pm MST
These two fight sticks from Hori may just be the edge you need in your next match. In-Game's Todd Kenreck reports. (In-Game)
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PhotoBlog: For photographers,tablet apps are alternative to publishing photo books
Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 5:13pm MST
Veteran photographer Gerd Ludwig publishes an app instead of a book to showcase his long-term documentation of Chernobyl's fallout.
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Jellyfish are taking over!!! Oh ... never mind
Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 4:41pm MST
Jellyfish have become the subject of what resembles a modern myth, some say.
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Internet piracy suit asks: Can you even copyright porn?
Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 4:38pm MST
A California woman is fighting a porn piracy case by arguing that porn can't be copyrighted in the first place. -
Post SOPA, it's time to protest ACTA (on Feb. 11)
Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 4:35pm MST
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Special Forces seek to halt copter crashes
Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 4:15pm MST
Deadly helicopter crashes have killed dozens of U.S. Special Forces operators who flew risky missions to hunt insurgents and terrorists in Afghanistan and Iraq since 2001. Now the U.S. military is looking to equip its elite warriors' helicopters with airborne laser mapping capable of seeing through fog and dust to find safe landing zones.
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Math tells NFL teams to go for it on 4th down
Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 3:47pm MST
Are fourth-down attempts really a bad decision? Mathematics pounds this sort of conventional wisdom into the turf. Statistical analyses have shown that to give their team the best chance of winning, coaches should go for it more on fourth down. A lot.
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Some used Xoom tablets sold with owners' data
Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 3:11pm MST
About 100 refurbished Motorola Xoom tablets wound up being resold to new owners with the old owners' personal information still on them.
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First fossil of 'vampire' bat fly discovered
Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 2:30pm MST
A one-of-a-kind fossil shows that so-called bat flies — tiny vampire insects that survive on the blood of bats — have been parasitizing the winged mammals and spreading bat malaria for at least 20 million years, scientists report in a pair of studies Friday.
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Space voyages shouldn't be politically incorrect
Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 2:19pm MST
Why should politicians support trips beyond Earth orbit? It's good for jobs in the short term, and good for our survival in the long term. Commentary by NBC News' Jay Barbree.
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NASA flooded with astronaut applications
Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 1:59pm MST
NASA may not have space shuttles to launch people into the final frontier anymore, but that hasn't stopped Americans from lining up in droves for the chance to join the agency's iconic astronaut corps during the latest recruitment drive.
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Apple hires yet another high profile game executive
Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 1:38pm MST
Robin Burrowes is yet another brand new Apple employee.
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Video: Be mesmerized by the future of glass
Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 1:34pm MST
Corning, the company known for its innovation in glass, has just put out another mesmerizing video exploring how its interactive display technology could mate with the computers and gadgets of the tomorrow.
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Yet another study confirms your tech addiction
Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 1:32pm MST
Scientists, online dating sites, your constantly irritated significant other and Wilhelm Hofmann at University of Chicago's Booth Business School could all save a lot of time over whether we are "addicted" to social media and/or our cellular devices.
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Anonymous goes after Marine in Haditha case
Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 1:31pm MST
Anonymous posted 3 gigabytes' worth of email correspondence by attorneys involved in the case of U.S. Marine Frank Wuterich, who recently pleaded guilty to killing two dozen unarmed Iraqi women and children in 2005.
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Xbox 360 tops in yearly global sales for first time
Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 1:20pm MST
Microsoft’s Xbox 360 has been dominating monthly sales charts for the U.S. video-game console market for years, but now it's the top-selling home console worldwide, as well.
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Future drones may fly like butterflies
Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 1:17pm MST
High-speed video cameras are allowing university researchers to document how butterflies gracefully flutter through the air. The U.S. military funded findings may lead to more agile insect-sized drones sent to spy on enemies.
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Experiments look at how to fight fire in space
Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 1:01pm MST
New experiments on the International Space Station may reveal tips on fighting fires in space, and back here on Earth, too.
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Is social media spreading twitching hysteria?
Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 12:31pm MST
In the case of nearly 20 teenagers with a twitching disorder in upstate New York, doctors say the symptoms may be spreading faster through the girls' own use of Facebook and other forms of social media. -
Deals of the day: Toshiba, TVs and more
Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 12:22pm MST
Here's what's worth considering today: Discounted Toshiba gear, a lot of deals on HDTVs, a copy of "Groundhog Day" on Blu-ray for $10 and more.
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Hackers take over law enforcement websites
Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 12:20pm MST
Saboteurs stole passwords and sensitive information on tipsters while hacking into the websites of several law enforcement agencies worldwide in attacks attributed to the collective known as Anonymous. -
Latest robots eat — and poop — to power up
Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 12:20pm MST
Today's robots that fly, jump or roll around must refuel or recharge as does any gadget that runs out of energy. Tomorrow's new generation of self-sustaining robots might keep going nearly forever by grazing on dead insects, rotting plant matter or even human waste.
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Google Wallet now for AT&T Nexus phones
Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 11:41am MST
Google Wallet, the app that lets you pay for goods with a swipe of your phone, now works with Nexus S and Galaxy Nexus owners who are on AT&T's network. Until now, it only was available on the Nexus S on Sprint's network.
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Internet helps turn 'Tiger Bread' into 'Giraffe Bread'
Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 11:40am MST
UK-based supermarket chain Sainsbury's sold something called "Tiger Bread" until Jan. 31. But on that day the bakery product was renamed to "Giraffe Bread," thanks to a 3 1/2-year-old girl's astute observation, a couple of letters and some help from the Internet.
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Chasm widens in East-West 'Cyber Cold War'
Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 11:18am MST
Chasm widens in East-West 'Cyber Cold War' -
Sphero, the robotic ball, to blast (virtual) meteors
Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 11:01am MST
Fans of Sphero, the robotic ball that you control with your smartphone, will soon be able to use the ball to navigate fields of flying space rocks as they blast them apart with an anti-matter cannon, the makers of the gadget entice on their website.
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Corpse sits in gamer cafe for 9 hours
Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 10:45am MST
In what is beginning to be a disturbingly common phenomenon, a young man in Asia has died, apparently due to prolonged gaming. According to Sky News and the AFP, the latest incident took place in New Taipei, Taiwan. -
Guinea pigs: Easy-to-pack pets for explorers
Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 10:14am MST
It may seem a prestigious post for a rodent, but the guinea pigs that are fixtures in elementary school classrooms today were once ambassadors from a new land.
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Mac OS X update brings major security fixes, some issues
Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 10:03am MST
Apple released a major security update for Mac OS X on Tuesday. The good news is that this update patches 51 vulnerabilities in the operating system. The bad news is that it appears to be causing pesky issues for some users.
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Survey: Kindle Fire owners like cost, but have gripes
Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 9:42am MST
A new survey shows that Kindle Fire owners are happiest with the low cost of their devices, but among their gripes are a lack of volume buttons and a camera as well as a short battery life.
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Hubble captures Milky Way galaxy's twin
Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 9:38am MST
An uncanny twin of our own Milky Way galaxy takes center stage in a new cosmic portrait by the Hubble Space Telescope unveiled Friday.
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Apple stops selling some devices online in Germany
Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 9:23am MST
Apple stopped offering older models of its iPhone and 3G-based iPads at its German online store on Friday in a response to an injunction won by Motorola Mobility in December. -
Pre-caffeine tech: Facebook power users, killer kittens!
Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 8:33am MST
Our pre-caffeine roundup is a collection of the hottest, strangest, and most amusing stories of the morning. Here's everything that you need to know before taking that first sip of coffee today.
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Hackers attack Greek Justice Ministry website
Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 7:57am MST
Hackers have attacked the Greek Justice Ministry website to protest the government's signing of a global copyright treaty and its handling of the financial crisis. -
Hackers: We intercepted FBI, Scotland Yard call
Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 7:32am MST
A sensitive conference call between the FBI and Scotland Yard was recorded by the very people they were trying to catch, the hacking group known as Anonymous claimed Friday.
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EU probes new Google privacy policy
Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 7:11am MST
The European Union's data protection authorities have asked Google to delay the rollout of its new privacy policy until they have verified that it doesn't break the bloc's data protection laws. -
Your Facebook friends have more friends than you: survey
Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 7:00am MST
The average Facebook user gets more from their friends on Facebook than they give to their friends. Why? Because of a segment of "power users," who specialize in different Facebook activities and contribute much more than the typical user does, a Pew survey finds.
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Winter survival app helps ditched drivers
Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 6:58am MST
Making the wrong decision in a winter driving emergency can have deadly consequences. Here's how to make sure you're prepared.
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Iran reports launch of small satellite into orbit
Posted: February 3rd, 2012, 5:49am MST
Iran successfully launched a new small satellite into orbit early Friday, state media reported, the latest in the country's ambitious space program that has raised concerns because of its possible military applications.
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NASA says key SpaceX launch may slip to April
Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 7:09pm MST
The launch of the first privately built spaceship to the International Space Station is targeted for late March, but will most likely lift off in early April, a top NASA space station official said today (Feb. 2).
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Google tightens security in Android app store
Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 6:16pm MST
Google Inc has been quietly policing its online store for months now in an acknowledgement of malware's growing threat to its increasingly popular Android mobile software. -
How to make solar cells from grass clippings
Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 5:20pm MST
Within a few years, a special powder sold in little plastic baggies could turn your grass clippings into an electricity-generating solar cell, scientists reported Thursday.
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Video: Jimmy Urine joins 'Lollipop Chainsaw'
Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 4:55pm MST
Jimmy Euringer (a.k.a Little Jimmy Urine) the frontman for experimental music group Mindless Self Indulgence and a member of The Left Rights will star in and compose music for the zombie action game "Lollipop Chainsaw." In-Game's Todd Kenreck reports. (In-Game)
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NASA releases flip side of 'Blue Marble' photo
Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 4:43pm MST
Science editor Alan Boyle's blog: NASA reports that its updated "Blue Marble" picture of the Western Hemisphere has gone mega-viral — and now it's releasing the Eastern Hemisphere sequel.
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'Social glasses' may reveal person's true colors
Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 4:38pm MST
A rosy blush or the sickly green color of a person's skin can tell very different stories about mood and health to human eyes ― a deceptively powerful insight about eyesight. Now a startup has begun creating "social glasses" capable of enhancing the lives of lonely-heart singles or gamblers who play high-stakes games for love and money.
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Damaged Russian craft forces space station delay
Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 4:35pm MST
A botched pressure test of a Russian space capsule slated to launch the next crew to the International Space Station has forced NASA and its partners to delay the planned liftoff for more than a month.
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365 new species discovered in Peruvian park
Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 4:14pm MST
Hundreds of species never before seen in a Peruvian national park have been found during an inventory of the Amazonian forests there, according to a conservation group.
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Before the Super Bowl, there's the Madden Bowl
Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 3:54pm MST
The Madden Bowl pits teams comprised of current NFL pros, all time NFL legends, and those hoping to be either of the two camps in the game "Madden NFL 12.”
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Humpbacks share ocean, but not their songs
Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 3:52pm MST
Humpback whales living on different sides of the southern Indian Ocean bellow very different songs, suggesting the behemoths don't mingle much, or at least they aren't freely sharing their musical material, a new study finds.
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Very rare 'supergiant' crustaceans netted
Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 3:28pm MST
Scientists on an expedition to sample a deep-sea trench got a surprise when their traps brought back seven giant crustaceans glimpsed only a handful of times in human history.
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Video: Taking a bite out of Apple
Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 3:20pm MST
Fortune Magazine’s Adam Lashinsky discusses his new book, “Inside Apple: How America’s Most Admired – and Secretive Company – Really Works,” and shares his thoughts on one of the biggest tech companies in the world. (Dylan Ratigan Show)
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Are 'The Sims' reality TV's most realistic stars?
Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 3:09pm MST
"The SuperMes" might be the most honest stab at reality television so far.
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Released lizards show evolution at work
Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 2:55pm MST
Like something out of reality TV, scientists released pairs of small lizards onto tiny uninhabited islands in the Bahamas and watched what happened. The reptiles played for survival, allowing the voyeuristic researchers to witness the interaction between evolutionary processes rarely observed in nature.
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Kiss a robot, send a smooch
Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 2:37pm MST
Long-distance relationships are rough — partly because of the lack of physical contact during times apart. But what if you could one day share a kiss with your partner through the Internet? All it may take is locking lips with a strange ball-shaped robot.
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There's more than one way to bet on Facebook IPO
Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 2:06pm MST
While investors decide whether to place their bets on Facebook’s initial public offering of stock, there are plenty of other ways to gamble on one of the biggest IPOs on record. -
Dizzying pulsars slow down by flying apart
Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 2:00pm MST
The spectacularly fast-whirling dead stars known as millisecond pulsars put the brakes on their spinning in large part by blasting pieces of themselves into space, a new model suggests.
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Facebook IPO explained ... in cartoon form!
Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 1:48pm MST
Is the social network worth $100 billion? You could read the endless stories on every angle of this infamous IPO and figure it out for yourself — or you can watch the latest in Facebook's animated antics in this new offering from Taiwan's New Media Animation.
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Window allows a look into live brain
Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 1:35pm MST
What if we had a glass window into the brain that lets us look inside? For the first time ever, a team of physicists, chemists and biologists has done just that. Led by a microscopy pioneer, they peered into a living mouse's brain using powerful technology.
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Report: 'iMessage bug not a bug, says Apple'
Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 1:34pm MST
On Wednesday, popular gadget blog Gizmodo proclaimed that the site's writers were able to "spy on a total stranger's iPhone" thanks to an iMessage-related bug. But today there are reports that Apple deems the incident "an extremely rare situation" — not a bug.
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Facebook's IPO guarantees a peek at its privacy
Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 1:14pm MST
While you probably won't receive so much as a virtual sack of FarmVille pumpkin seeds from Facebook's long-awaited IPO — set to grant Facebook's shareholders millions and billions — there is one thing you'll get out of the deal: a chance to ogle the social network's private business, sort of like it's been doing to you for years.
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Alien stars' habitable zones tied to chemistry
Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 12:58pm MST
Trace elements in stars may influence the evolution of habitable zones around them where life as we know it might dwell, scientists now find.
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Verisign, at Web's core, hacked: What does it mean to you?
Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 12:57pm MST
It should be clear by now that nothing online is sacred, and no security company is safe from hackers. -
Russian Roulette, the video game
Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 12:57pm MST
We've had video game adaptations of "Reservoir Dogs," "Scarface," and even "The Godfather." So perhaps one based upon "Deer Hunter" is not completely out of the realm of possibility.
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Report: Sprint customers 'at high risk of leaving' get discounts
Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 12:50pm MST
According to information uncovered by a blog, Sprint intends to offer $25 to $100 discounts on new devices to customers it believes are "at a high risk of leaving Sprint. -
'Dance Dance Revolution coming just for the classroom
Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 12:20pm MST
A new edition of the now seminal dance-driven video game will make its world debut later this month just for schools.
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Asia still presents big challenge for Facebook
Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 12:18pm MST
Facebook aims to connect all two billion Internet users. So far it has captured 845 million of them. Of the rest, nearly 60 percent live in Asia and hooking them is going to be a daunting challenge.
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Scientific visions that take the prize
Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 12:09pm MST
Science editor Alan Boyle's blog: Visualizing science has come a long way since the days of overhead projectors — to see how far we've come, check out the winners of a competition that highlights the artistic side of science and engineering.
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Grossed out by hotel TV remotes? There's an app for that
Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 12:07pm MST
Watching TV or a movie in your hotel room just got a little less icky. LodgeNet Interactive Corporation now has a free mobile app that allows guests to use their own smartphones or tablets to control the TV.
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South Korea man charged for re-tweeting North, says group
Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 12:07pm MST
Amnesty International has called for the release of a South Korean activist accused of breaking security laws by re-tweeting messages from the North Korean government. -
Users experience brief Facebook outage
Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 12:04pm MST
Many Facebook users appear to have experienced a brief outage or have encountered particularly slow-loading pages, both of which are extremely rare for the social network. -
Astronaut well-grounded for 'Big Bang' debut
Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 12:02pm MST
NASA astronaut Mike Massimino, who gained Internet fame as the first spaceflyer to send Twitter updates from space, is about to get another taste of stardom, this time on the CBS sitcom "The Big Bang Theory."
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World's rarest gorilla has room to roam
Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 11:35am MST
The world's rarest gorilla has significantly more suitable habitat than thought, a new study using satellite data has revealed.
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Sex and parenting genes found in mice
Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 11:20am MST
Men are from Mars and women are from Venus, but how did they get there? Our gender differences might be a function of how our brains react to hormones, a new study on mice suggests.
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A high-frying idea: Cooking oil to fuel jets
Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 11:10am MST
It didn't smell like fried chicken when an Alaska Airlines jet took off from Seattle last November for a cross-country flight to Washington, D.C. Yet some of the fuel flowing through the Boeing 737’s engines had previously been used in restaurant fryers. -
A high-frying idea: Cooking oil to fuel jets
Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 11:10am MST
It didn't smell like fried chicken when an Alaska Airlines jet took off from Seattle last November for a cross-country flight to Washington, D.C. Yet some of the fuel flowing through the Boeing 737’s engines had previously been used in restaurant fryers. -
Rage-filled video demonstrates Siri's big weakness
Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 10:51am MST
Siri, the virtual assistant built into the iPhone 4S, can be pretty darn helpful (and hilarious) thanks to its voice-recognition capabilities. But unfortunately, it has a big weakness: Scottish accents.
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Groundhog Day myth stretches back centuries
Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 10:36am MST
On Thursday, a roly-poly rodent named Punxsutawney Phil was hoisted from his burrow in front of TV cameras and cheering crowds and called upon to predict the weather. Phil saw his shadow, which, according to legend, means that winter is here to stay for six more weeks. Weird tradition, huh?
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Groundhog Day myth stretches back centuries
Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 10:36am MST
On Thursday, a roly-poly rodent named Punxsutawney Phil was hoisted from his burrow in front of TV cameras and cheering crowds and called upon to predict the weather. Phil saw his shadow, which, according to legend, means that winter is here to stay for six more weeks. Weird tradition, huh?
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Key Internet operator VeriSign hit by hackers
Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 10:07am MST
VeriSign Inc, the company in charge of delivering people safely to more than half the world's websites, has been hacked repeatedly by outsiders who stole undisclosed information from the leading Internet infrastructure company. -
How spider's silk strands keep a web intact
Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 10:00am MST
A spider web gets its strength from silk strands working together and their ability to stretch when stressed, new research suggests.
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HTC security flaw lets malicious apps steal Wi-Fi passwords
Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 9:38am MST
HTC has acknowledged that a security flaw affecting several of the company's popular wireless devices allows malicious apps to steal users' Wi-Fi passwords. A fix for the issue has been developed and even deployed via software update to many of the affected devices.
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iPad 3 rumors: What, when and how?
Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 9:27am MST
It's that time of the year again — that agonizing month before the next iPad launch when there seems to be a fresh rumor every hour about the upcoming model. In an effort to seek out those kernels of legitimacy, we've compiled the most significant iPad 3 rumors for you here.
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Pre-caffeine tech: Facebook billions, Puppy Bowl!
Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 8:45am MST
Some might argue that Newt Gingrich's emphasis on scientific pursuits hurt his political chances — but what's really needed is more science, not less, says our own Alan Boyle.
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Newfound super-Earth just might support life
Posted: February 2nd, 2012, 8:35am MST
A potentially habitable alien planet — one that scientists say is the best candidate yet to harbor water, and possibly even life, on its surface — has been found around a nearby star.
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Probe takes first video of moon's far side
Posted: February 1st, 2012, 5:12pm MST
A gravity-mapping spacecraft orbiting the moon has beamed home its first video of the lunar far side — a view people on Earth never see. -
Video: Batman fanboys get ready to fight
Posted: February 1st, 2012, 4:53pm MST
The “Gotham City Imposters” beta is wrapping up and these are our impressions of the Batman and Joker fanboy first-person shooter. (In-Game)
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Seagrass clones among our oldest life forms
Posted: February 1st, 2012, 4:53pm MST
Seagrass meadows can be composed of ancient giant clones, organisms stretching up to nearly 10 miles wide that may be up to tens of thousands of years old, scientists find.
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Glimpse the 'future' of celestial delights
Posted: February 1st, 2012, 4:27pm MST
Many busy people nowadays use DVRs to allow them to "time shift": recording TV programs today to view at another, more convenient, time. But did you know that you can do the same with the stars?
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A stunning photo growing Antarctic ice rift
Posted: February 1st, 2012, 4:06pm MST
A massive crack in a huge sheet of Antarctic ice discovered in mid-October last year is steadily growing, as seen in recently released satellite images.
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Live-action 'Ace Attorney' to be out worldwide
Posted: February 1st, 2012, 3:58pm MST
Good news for fans of "Phoenix Wright" and video game cinema in general; the director of the big screen, live-action adaptation of "Ace Attorney," says it is being made available for release in the United States and other parts of the world.
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New BlackBerry will look like ... other phones
Posted: February 1st, 2012, 3:49pm MST
RIM’s newest BlackBerry will now look like all the other phones out there: A slim, flat black slab. Happy now?
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2nd 'sunken UFO' claim doesn't hold water
Posted: February 1st, 2012, 3:36pm MST
Back in July an ocean exploration team led by Swedish researchers found what some suggested may be a flying saucer on the sea floor. There were even skid marks behind the large object that suggested it may have moved across, or crashed on, the sea floor.
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Is science political poison ... or the cure?
Posted: February 1st, 2012, 2:58pm MST
Science editor Alan Boyle's blog: Some might argue that Newt Gingrich's emphasis on scientific pursuits hurt his political chances — but what's really needed is more science, not less.
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Facebook files for IPO; plans to raise $5B
Posted: February 1st, 2012, 2:53pm MST
Facebook just filed documents paving the way for an initial public offering of stock. Click here to read the filing at the SEC. More shortly ... -
'Pokemon: Type Wild' is incredible ... and unauthorized
Posted: February 1st, 2012, 2:47pm MST
A new video reveals gameplay of "Pokémon: Type Wild," which re-imagines Nintendo's immensely popular role-playing game as a gorgeous 2-D fighter. It may look amazing, but Nintendo itself has nothing to do with it.
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How sun gets its spots: New theory offered
Posted: February 1st, 2012, 2:32pm MST
Scientists may be one step closer to unraveling the mystery of sunspots — the dark and magnetic blemishes on the surface of our nearest star.
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'Open science' study slams arsenic-life claims
Posted: February 1st, 2012, 1:40pm MST
Science editor Alan Boyle's blog: Researchers report that they ran a more rigorous version of the experiment that sparked a debate over arsenic-based bacteria — but found no trace of arsenic in the DNA.
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Declutter entertainment center for Super Bowl
Posted: February 1st, 2012, 1:35pm MST
If your entertainment center looks like a fire hazard, get that cord clutter under control and hidden away — just in time for the Super Bowl.
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Deals of the day: 'Limitless,' LG and more
Posted: February 1st, 2012, 1:22pm MST
Here's what's worth considering today: "Limitless" on Blu-ray for $15, discounted LG gear, deals on Dell laptops and more.
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LeVar Burton resurrects Reading Rainbow's Twitter account
Posted: February 1st, 2012, 1:16pm MST
Before he donned those funky futuristic shades as Starfleet engineer Geordi LaForge, LeVar Burton was synonymous with "Reading Rainbow," and now he's taking charge in its latest iteration: He's started a multimedia company and wrested control of the dormant @ReadingRainbow Twitter account.
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1M Facebook posts on comment is world record
Posted: February 1st, 2012, 1:06pm MST
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100-year-old feels 80, thanks to Nintendo DS
Posted: February 1st, 2012, 1:00pm MST
Meet Kathleen "Kit" Connell, who just turned 100, but claims to not feel a day over 80. And the secret of her youthful vitality? A Nintendo DS.
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Public can journey through Discovery's history
Posted: February 1st, 2012, 12:58pm MST
While the Smithsonian gets ready to receive the retired space shuttle Discovery for display this spring, NASA, together with archivists spread across four states, is preparing to preserve the historic orbiter and its sister ships digitally and on paper.
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Blog: 'Apple bug let us spy on stranger's iPhone'
Posted: February 1st, 2012, 12:46pm MST
On Wednesday, popular gadget blog Gizmodo proclaimed that the site's writers were able to "spy on a total stranger's iPhone" thanks to an iMessage-related bug. "Apple, you might want to fix this," suggests the post. -
Magma may signal super-volcano eruptions
Posted: February 1st, 2012, 12:26pm MST
Crystals from a giant eruption linked to the legend of Atlantis may reveal ways to predict future super-volcano eruption, researchers say.
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Railgun tech takes a step towards warship reality
Posted: February 1st, 2012, 12:02pm MST
A war-ready electromagnetic railgun took a step closer to reality this week when the U.S. Navy awarded a defense contractor $10 million to develop a piece of the power system needed to hurl projectiles at speeds up to 5,000 miles per hour.
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Google to censor Blogger blogs by country
Posted: February 1st, 2012, 11:48am MST
Google says some blogs on Blogger, its blogging platform, will be blocked on a "per country basis," in order to comply with "removal request" laws of nations where freedom of speech is not cherished or allowed.
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NASA's 16 biggest space tech needs listed
Posted: February 1st, 2012, 11:45am MST
Protecting future astronauts from radiation, generating power from the sun's light and heat, and creating better optical sensors are some of the top issues the National Research Council suggests NASA focus on in the next five years. The council published a NASA-commissioned "technology roadmap" report Feb. 1, after a year of analysis.
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Siri performs lead vocal on new Flaming Lips track
Posted: February 1st, 2012, 11:02am MST
The iPhone 4S's signature digital assistant not only already reads texts and gives weather reports, but it has also been known to answer the meaning of life.
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'No imminent data loss' for Megaupload users
Posted: February 1st, 2012, 10:24am MST
In an effort to save data belonging to Megaupload's 50 million customers, the Electronic Frontier Foundation and Carpathia Hosting are teaming up. While there are no promises that customer data will be retrieved, there is some hope.
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A new 'face' in the crowd of hot, young stars
Posted: February 1st, 2012, 10:18am MST
The wispy clouds of a distant nebula bursting with newborn stars take on an eerie face-like shape sculpted by stellar winds in a new photo snapped by a telescope in Chile.
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Anonymous attacks American Nazis
Posted: February 1st, 2012, 10:00am MST
In its latest effort to silence and expose those responsible for spreading anti-Semitic and racist hate speech around the Web, hackers associated with Anonymous have taken down and defaced the American Nazi Party website. -
How plants reshaped rivers of early Earth
Posted: February 1st, 2012, 9:53am MST
The evolution of plants dramatically reshaped the face of the Earth, from the flow of its rivers to the depths of its glacier-carved valleys, new research suggests.
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Suspect arrested for NASA, DoD cyberattacks
Posted: February 1st, 2012, 9:46am MST
Romanian police have arrested a man believed to be TinKode, the notorious hacker responsible for several daring, high-profile cyberattacks, including last year's breach of NASA's servers. -
Google defends change to privacy policies
Posted: February 1st, 2012, 9:31am MST
Planned changes to Google Inc's privacy policies that have caught the attention of U.S. lawmakers would not take away the control its customers have over how data is collected and used, the company said in a blog post on Tuesday -
Petition is pushing for Pluto postage stamp
Posted: February 1st, 2012, 9:25am MST
Science editor Alan Boyle's blog: Scientists are seeking the public's help to get the U.S. Postal Service's stamp of approval for the New Horizons mission to Pluto in 2015.
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Nikon's Coolpix: longest zoom, cheapest rugged
Posted: February 1st, 2012, 9:24am MST
New entries to the Nikon Coolpix line include the P510 with a crazy-powerful 42X zoom lens and the low-priced shockproof and dustproof S30 geared towards active families.
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Android users more likely to have sex on first date
Posted: February 1st, 2012, 8:56am MST
If you're hoping to get some naughty action as soon as possible, you should start pursuing Android users. Because according to a recent (but not scientific) survey, they're more likely to have sex on the first date than those who use iPhone or BlackBerry devices.
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How to properly celebrate Change Your Password Day
Posted: February 1st, 2012, 5:12am MST
Feb. 1 marks the first occurrence of Change Your Password Day, a holiday proposed by a popular tech blog. We're here to walk you through this strange new celebration and the clever traditions it brings.
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'Drive-by' email infects readers immediately
Posted: January 31st, 2012, 6:56pm MST
For the past few years, drive-by downloads have been the bane of computer-security professionals. These malicious Trojans lurk inside seemingly innocuous Web pages and try to infect any browser that visits them. If a user doesn't have strong anti-virus software installed on his PC, he'll be immediately infected just by looking at the Web page. -
Spider's detachable penis finishes without him
Posted: January 31st, 2012, 6:24pm MST
Sex can be dangerous, even deadly if your partner has plans to eat you. When the male orb-web spider has its first, and sometimes last, sexual encounter it has a trick up its sleeve: detachable genitalia which keep pumping even after their owner's moved on.
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Occupy protester's Twitter posts subpoenaed
Posted: January 31st, 2012, 6:08pm MST
Prosecutors have subpoenaed the Twitter records of an Occupy Wall Street protester who was arrested in October during a mass protest on the Brooklyn Bridge. The subpoena from the Manhattan District Attorney's Office seeks "user information, including email address," along with three months' worth of tweets from one man. -
Isolated Peru tribe makes uncomfortable contact
Posted: January 31st, 2012, 6:05pm MST
Peruvian authorities say they are struggling to keep outsiders away from a clan of previously isolated Amazon Indians who began appearing on the banks of a jungle river popular with environmental tourists last year.
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Netflix asks Congress to amend video legislation
Posted: January 31st, 2012, 6:00pm MST
Netflix on Tuesday urged a panel of U.S. senators to support legislation that it said would allow the company's U.S. users to share information on Facebook about the TV shows and movies they are watching through Netflix's service. -
Review: Super Bowl online decent, won't replace TV
Posted: January 31st, 2012, 5:36pm MST
The television set won't be the only place to watch video of the New York Giants and the New England Patriots this Sunday. For the first time, U.S. football fans will be able to watch the Super Bowl live on a computer or on a phone.
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What's so super about super-Earths?
Posted: January 31st, 2012, 5:07pm MST
Science editor Alan Boyle's blog: Astronomer Dimitar Sasselov used to shock the world with his claim that there were millions of Earths out there. Now it turns out he was guessing too low.
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Protesters turn on Occupy Wall Street videographer
Posted: January 31st, 2012, 5:05pm MST
The videographer who has brought Occupy Wall Street to many who've never made it to New York City says he’s under increasing attack from other protesters, and was assaulted recently during a march. Msnbc.com's Bob Sullivan reports.
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It costs over $17,000 a year to be a gamer apparently
Posted: January 31st, 2012, 5:03pm MST
Bloomberg recently ran a piece called "The Real Cost of Being a Video Gamer" and the price tag seems a bit high.
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Video: Droid Razr Maxx and LG Spectrum battle it out
Posted: January 31st, 2012, 4:54pm MST
We used the best mobile games to test the hardware of Verizon's latest smart-phones. In-Game's Todd Kenreck reports. (In-Game)
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'Smart clothing' could become wearable gadgets
Posted: January 31st, 2012, 4:47pm MST
Today's ordinary clothing has the untapped power to become tomorrow's wearable electronics. A Canadian lab has tested special fibers that can help make soft, flexible touch screens and batteries woven directly into the fabrics of modern life.
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Cyber threats: New weapons and revised old ones
Posted: January 31st, 2012, 4:35pm MST
In its 2012 Threat Predictions report, the security firm McAfee says cybercriminals are developing new weapons, and refining some old ones. Unfortunately, no matter how well the security world readies itself, it will always be one step behind the bad guys. -
Don't get sidelined by a Super Bowl cyberscam
Posted: January 31st, 2012, 4:08pm MST
In the days leading up to Super Bowl Sunday, the Web most likely will be filled with "one-of-a-kind" and "exclusive" football-themed offers, from tickets to the sold-out game to phishing sites playing off Tom Brady's or Eli Manning's popularity. The Web pages may look legitimate and the offers may look real but, as with any major event that draws the attention of millions of people, clever cybercrooks are looking to cash in.
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NASA probe finds 'alien' matter outside solar system
Posted: January 31st, 2012, 2:51pm MST
For the very first time, a NASA spacecraft has detected matter from outside our solar system — material that came from elsewhere in the galaxy, researchers announced Tuesday.
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Students busted for high-tech grade-changing scam
Posted: January 31st, 2012, 2:14pm MST
Three Southern California high schoolers are facing a punishment much more severe than detention for allegedly hacking into their schools' network, changing their grades and selling test answers to classmates. -
Online petition asks Apple for 'ethical' iPhone
Posted: January 31st, 2012, 2:09pm MST
An online petition asking Apple to "address dangerous conditions in factories" making the next iPhone has gotten 35,000 signatures in the first 24 hours of the effort.
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Game's origins under increasing scrutiny
Posted: January 31st, 2012, 1:47pm MST
It used to be that social game makers could lift ideas from one another, sometimes brazenly, and go about their business without much incident. Not anymore. -
Tech moves still life painting
Posted: January 31st, 2012, 12:58pm MST
Life isn't still. Paintings don't have to be either. And now, thanks to Seattle-based artist Scott Garner, still life art is catching up with the times. It comes to life when tilted.
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Microsoft Office 15 goes out for testing
Posted: January 31st, 2012, 12:31pm MST
The next version of Microsoft Office is being previewed and tested by some customers selected by the company.
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Online game theft earns real-world conviction
Posted: January 31st, 2012, 12:30pm MST
The amulet and mask were a 13-year-old boy's virtual possessions in an online fantasy game. In the real world, he was beaten and threatened with a knife to give them up. -
Carrier IQ spawns cellphone privacy bill
Posted: January 31st, 2012, 12:02pm MST
In the wake of tracking software Carrier IQ being discovered on many cellphones, one Congressional representative has proposed a bill that would make providers reveal such Big Brother installations to subscribers. -
Strangely moving Antarctic lakes surprise researchers
Posted: January 31st, 2012, 11:38am MST
Researchers recently uncovered a startling phenomenon — a set of teardrop-shaped lakes in Antarctica that mysteriously move, jogging along at a pace as fast as 5 feet (1.5 meters) per day.
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'Smart bullet' hits targets a mile away
Posted: January 31st, 2012, 11:27am MST
Smart weapons have been growing smaller since the first guided cruise missiles took off with a roar. Today's soldiers may soon shoot farther and more accurately with a new "smart bullet" that uses tiny fins to steer itself toward anything targeted by a laser beam.
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Deals of the day: 'Valentine's Day,' video games and more
Posted: January 31st, 2012, 11:23am MST
Here's what's worth considering today: "Valentine's Day" on DVD for $5, discounted video games, free apps and more.
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Facebook IPO will be big, but it doesn't matter
Posted: January 31st, 2012, 11:08am MST
Facebook could sell shares to the public in an IPO — valuing the social network from $75 billion to $100 billion — sometime between April and June. But there are four good reasons why this will be a non-event. -
EU probes Samsung, Germany blocks its tablets
Posted: January 31st, 2012, 10:54am MST
Samsung took a hit in its battle against arch-rival Apple on Tuesday, when the European Union announced it will investigate whether it is illegally trying to hinder competitors and Germany blocked sales of some of its tablets.
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Firefox 10 now available for download
Posted: January 31st, 2012, 10:49am MST
Firefox 10, the latest version of Mozilla's popular Internet browser, is now available for download.
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Facebook spam attack pushes diet 'miracle'
Posted: January 31st, 2012, 10:48am MST
It's still early enough in the year to keep those New Year's resolutions and to be flooded by diet commercials in magazines, on TV — and on Facebook.
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Android users most likely to use phones on toilet
Posted: January 31st, 2012, 9:53am MST
The next time an Android user mocks your shiny new iPhone or BlackBerry, just smile, nod ... and avoid touching his phone. Because odds are quite high that the device has been used while its owner sat on the toilet at some point — and who knows if he even washed his hands.
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Top rugged camera gets update ... and $180 baby brother
Posted: January 31st, 2012, 9:45am MST
Panasonic's Lumix DMC-TS3 was already the one camera you'd probably want to take on "The Amazing Race," but now there's an update called the Lumix DMC-TS4, and an entry-level rugged, the TS20.
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Pre-caffeine tech: Twitter murder, Ron Paul memes!
Posted: January 31st, 2012, 9:26am MST
Besides some slight technical difficulties at the beginning, the livestream Monday was nearly flawless on YouTube, and the first Google+ Hangout broadcast publicly with President Barack Obama lasted just over 49 minutes.
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Gigantic radio telescope to search for first stars and galaxies
Posted: January 31st, 2012, 9:22am MST
More than 20,000 radio antennas will soon connect over the Internet to scan largely unexplored radio frequencies, hunting for the first stars and galaxies and potentially signals of extraterrestrial intelligence.
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Report: Megaupload data safe for two more weeks
Posted: January 31st, 2012, 9:12am MST
On Monday, federal prosecutors said that data from Megaupload's 50 million users could be deleted as soon as Thursday. A new report, however, offers fresh hope to those desperate to save their data — which includes personal photos and documents. -
Did Leonardo da Vinci copy 'Vitruvian Man'?
Posted: January 31st, 2012, 9:07am MST
New research suggests that Leonardo da Vinci's famous drawing of a male figure perfectly inscribed in a circle and square, known as the "Vitruvian Man," may be a copy of an earlier drawing by Leonardo's friend.
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NASA to solicit private space taxi proposals
Posted: January 31st, 2012, 8:26am MST
NASA plans to solicit proposals Feb. 7 for the third round of its commercial crew program and award at least two funded Space Act Agreements this summer that will run through 2014 and prepare competing astronaut transportation concepts for production.
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Twitter CEO says new policy is for transparency: report
Posted: January 31st, 2012, 6:18am MST
Twitter CEO Dick Costolo clarified that the company's new online content policy does not mean that Twitter is actively monitoring tweets. -
Russia blames radiation for space probe failure
Posted: January 31st, 2012, 6:11am MST
The head of Russia's space agency said Tuesday that cosmic radiation was the most likely cause of the failure of a Mars moon probe that crashed to Earth this month, and suggested that a low-quality imported component may have been vulnerable to the radiation.
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DNA tracks how humans tamed horses
Posted: January 30th, 2012, 7:44pm MST
Scientists have used equestrian DNA analysis to trace all modern horses to an ancestor that lived about 140,000 years ago.
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From mouse to elephant in 24 million generations
Posted: January 30th, 2012, 7:15pm MST
Within as little as 24 million generations, mammals can evolve from the size of a mouse to the size of an elephant, a new study estimates.
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If E.T. exists, he's avoiding us, scientists say
Posted: January 30th, 2012, 6:40pm MST
Mathematically speaking, E.T. would have found us by now — if he exists — so we’re being consciously avoided for some reason, a new study concludes.
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Obama hears job concerns on Google+ Hangout
Posted: January 30th, 2012, 6:39pm MST
Besides some slight technical difficulties at the beginning, the Google+ "Hangout" with President Barack Obama was nearly flawless, as Americans asked him about their No. 1 concern: Jobs.
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Volcanoes may have sparked Little Ice Age
Posted: January 30th, 2012, 4:54pm MST
A mysterious, centuries-long cool spell, dubbed the Little Ice Age, appears to have been caused by a series of volcanic eruptions and sustained by sea ice, a new study indicates.