Hibiki Kono scales a wall at his school, King's College School in Cambridge, England. Not to worry; there's a nice thick mat below in case the gadget comes unplugged or otherwise fails him.(Credit: Geoff Robinson Photography)
Monday, July 5, 2010
The Vapor: One slick iPhone 4 case
Element Case's Vapor starts at $79.99 and ships July 12.(Credit: Element Case)
Welcome to the Naval Academy: 'You're too slow!'
Thursday was Induction Day at the U.S. Naval Academy, and 1,247 new plebe candidates showed up for the first step toward being a Naval officer. CNET Road Trip 2010 was on hand. Here, the plebes are taught to 'plebe their covers,' otherwise known as hold their hats.(Credit: Daniel Terdiman/CNET)
Google Voice newbies, start here
Groups push feds for video game age restrictions
Video game aficionados might have to enter a credit card or find another way to verify their age before playing a networked game, thanks to a new push from advocacy groups who say they want to protect minors from in-game advertising messages. In-game marketing has become so advanced that it "allows advertisers to track game users" and detect if people who are exposed to certain ads eventually use or buy the advertised product, a coalition including the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, the Center for Digital Democracy, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and U.S. PIRG told federal regulators this week. They say (PDF) that because "mobile devices, instant messaging, social networks, virtual reality, avatars, interactive games, and online video" have become so pervasive, the Federal Trade Commission must enact new regulations to protect minors from electronic advertisements and other marketing messages. Not only young children are at risk, but the FTC "should seek ways to provide protections to teens," the coalition recommends. Some of these groups have spent the better part of a decade training their crosshairs on video games. Allen Kanner, founder of the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, has claimed that "Grand Theft Auto 3 portrays the brutal murder of women, minorities, the elderly, and police officers."
Regulators bound to stack up over Google-ITA
When will the U.S. government eventually decide to confront Google?That's really the only question that needs to be debated in the wake of Google's announcement that it plans to acquire ITA Software, the leading provider of flight information from airlines to travel Web sites, for $700 million in cash. As it stands, the deal would marry the world's leading Internet search company with a crucial link in the online flight reservation process, making life for executives at online travel sites such as Orbitz, Kayak, and Expedia a whole lot more complicated.
ITA Software's products power the reservations systems at travel sites and airlines such as Alaska Airlines. (Click for larger image.)(Credit: ITA Software)
Hands-on: SlingPlayer Mobile for Android
(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET) 'Spider-Boy' spins his own wall-climbing device
Hibiki Kono scales a wall at his school, King's College School in Cambridge, England. Not to worry; there's a nice thick mat below in case the gadget comes unplugged or otherwise fails him.(Credit: Geoff Robinson Photography)
The Vapor: One slick iPhone 4 case
Element Case's Vapor starts at $79.99 and ships July 12.(Credit: Element Case)
T-Mobile to halt Sidekick sales
Well, it looks like the Kin's kin is also getting the ax. T-Mobile confirmed to CNET on Thursday that it plans to stop selling the two existing Sidekick models. "As T-Mobile looks to further innovate and raise the bar for the next generation of the T-Mobile Sidekick, as of July 2, the Sidekick LX and Sidekick 2008 will no longer be available through T-Mobile, including retail stores, care, telesales and online," the company said in a statement. 
Model S keyboards will drive your neighbors click clack crazy
Without looking, which number has the $ symbol? If you can't answer this question, then the Das Keyboard Model S Ultimate isn't for you. (Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)
T-Mobile to halt Sidekick sales
Well, it looks like the Kin's kin is also getting the ax. T-Mobile confirmed to CNET on Thursday that it plans to stop selling the two existing Sidekick models. "As T-Mobile looks to further innovate and raise the bar for the next generation of the T-Mobile Sidekick, as of July 2, the Sidekick LX and Sidekick 2008 will no longer be available through T-Mobile, including retail stores, care, telesales and online," the company said in a statement.
Model S keyboards will drive your neighbors click clack crazy
Without looking, which number has the $ symbol? If you can't answer this question, then the Das Keyboard Model S Ultimate isn't for you. (Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)
T-Mobile to halt Sidekick sales
Well, it looks like the Kin's kin is also getting the ax. T-Mobile confirmed to CNET on Thursday that it plans to stop selling the two existing Sidekick models. "As T-Mobile looks to further innovate and raise the bar for the next generation of the T-Mobile Sidekick, as of July 2, the Sidekick LX and Sidekick 2008 will no longer be available through T-Mobile, including retail stores, care, telesales and online," the company said in a statement.
Model S keyboards will drive your neighbors click clack crazy
Without looking, which number has the $ symbol? If you can't answer this question, then the Das Keyboard Model S Ultimate isn't for you. (Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)
Regulators bound to stack up over Google-ITA
When will the U.S. government eventually decide to confront Google?That's really the only question that needs to be debated in the wake of Google's announcement that it plans to acquire ITA Software, the leading provider of flight information from airlines to travel Web sites, for $700 million in cash. As it stands, the deal would marry the world's leading Internet search company with a crucial link in the online flight reservation process, making life for executives at online travel sites such as Orbitz, Kayak, and Expedia a whole lot more complicated.
ITA Software's products power the reservations systems at travel sites and airlines such as Alaska Airlines. (Click for larger image.)(Credit: ITA Software)
Hands-on: SlingPlayer Mobile for Android
(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET) 'Spider-Boy' spins his own wall-climbing device
Hibiki Kono scales a wall at his school, King's College School in Cambridge, England. Not to worry; there's a nice thick mat below in case the gadget comes unplugged or otherwise fails him.(Credit: Geoff Robinson Photography)
The Vapor: One slick iPhone 4 case
Element Case's Vapor starts at $79.99 and ships July 12.(Credit: Element Case)
T-Mobile to halt Sidekick sales
Well, it looks like the Kin's kin is also getting the ax. T-Mobile confirmed to CNET on Thursday that it plans to stop selling the two existing Sidekick models. "As T-Mobile looks to further innovate and raise the bar for the next generation of the T-Mobile Sidekick, as of July 2, the Sidekick LX and Sidekick 2008 will no longer be available through T-Mobile, including retail stores, care, telesales and online," the company said in a statement.
Model S keyboards will drive your neighbors click clack crazy
Without looking, which number has the $ symbol? If you can't answer this question, then the Das Keyboard Model S Ultimate isn't for you. (Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)
Crave giveaway: Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex TV HD
Enter for a chance to win this Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex TV HD media player!(Credit: Seagate)
Consumers getting more attention in smart grid
The role of consumers--the end point in the complex chain of the power grid--is coming into sharper focus, as the country tries to modernize its electrical infrastructure. As part of the government stimulus program, millions of smart meters will be installed over the next three years, providing a two-way connection between utilities and their customers. But despite the focus on hardware in the multibillion-dollar smart-grid program, both utilities and advocacy groups are starting to sing the virtues of consumer involvement. 
Cisco's home energy controller--one of the many consumer home energy management tools being tested by utilities.(Credit: Cisco Systems)
Consumers getting more attention in smart grid
The role of consumers--the end point in the complex chain of the power grid--is coming into sharper focus, as the country tries to modernize its electrical infrastructure. As part of the government stimulus program, millions of smart meters will be installed over the next three years, providing a two-way connection between utilities and their customers. But despite the focus on hardware in the multibillion-dollar smart-grid program, both utilities and advocacy groups are starting to sing the virtues of consumer involvement.
Cisco's home energy controller--one of the many consumer home energy management tools being tested by utilities.(Credit: Cisco Systems)
Welcome to the Naval Academy: 'You're too slow!'
Thursday was Induction Day at the U.S. Naval Academy, and 1,247 new plebe candidates showed up for the first step toward being a Naval officer. CNET Road Trip 2010 was on hand. Here, the plebes are taught to 'plebe their covers,' otherwise known as hold their hats.(Credit: Daniel Terdiman/CNET)
Google Voice newbies, start here
Google Voice newbies, start here
Groups push feds for video game age restrictions
Video game aficionados might have to enter a credit card or find another way to verify their age before playing a networked game, thanks to a new push from advocacy groups who say they want to protect minors from in-game advertising messages. In-game marketing has become so advanced that it "allows advertisers to track game users" and detect if people who are exposed to certain ads eventually use or buy the advertised product, a coalition including the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, the Center for Digital Democracy, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and U.S. PIRG told federal regulators this week. They say (PDF) that because "mobile devices, instant messaging, social networks, virtual reality, avatars, interactive games, and online video" have become so pervasive, the Federal Trade Commission must enact new regulations to protect minors from electronic advertisements and other marketing messages. Not only young children are at risk, but the FTC "should seek ways to provide protections to teens," the coalition recommends. Some of these groups have spent the better part of a decade training their crosshairs on video games. Allen Kanner, founder of the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, has claimed that "Grand Theft Auto 3 portrays the brutal murder of women, minorities, the elderly, and police officers."
Regulators bound to stack up over Google-ITA
When will the U.S. government eventually decide to confront Google?That's really the only question that needs to be debated in the wake of Google's announcement that it plans to acquire ITA Software, the leading provider of flight information from airlines to travel Web sites, for $700 million in cash. As it stands, the deal would marry the world's leading Internet search company with a crucial link in the online flight reservation process, making life for executives at online travel sites such as Orbitz, Kayak, and Expedia a whole lot more complicated.
ITA Software's products power the reservations systems at travel sites and airlines such as Alaska Airlines. (Click for larger image.)(Credit: ITA Software)
Hands-on: SlingPlayer Mobile for Android
(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET) 'Spider-Boy' spins his own wall-climbing device
Hibiki Kono scales a wall at his school, King's College School in Cambridge, England. Not to worry; there's a nice thick mat below in case the gadget comes unplugged or otherwise fails him.(Credit: Geoff Robinson Photography)
The Vapor: One slick iPhone 4 case
Element Case's Vapor starts at $79.99 and ships July 12.(Credit: Element Case)
T-Mobile to halt Sidekick sales
Well, it looks like the Kin's kin is also getting the ax. T-Mobile confirmed to CNET on Thursday that it plans to stop selling the two existing Sidekick models. "As T-Mobile looks to further innovate and raise the bar for the next generation of the T-Mobile Sidekick, as of July 2, the Sidekick LX and Sidekick 2008 will no longer be available through T-Mobile, including retail stores, care, telesales and online," the company said in a statement.
Model S keyboards will drive your neighbors click clack crazy
Without looking, which number has the $ symbol? If you can't answer this question, then the Das Keyboard Model S Ultimate isn't for you. (Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Russians trace Progress docking abort to interference
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla.--Russian engineers believe radio interference caused an approaching unmanned Progress supply ship to abort its approach to the International Space Station Friday, officials said Saturday. Subsequent tests showed the cargo craft is in good health and that its automated rendezvous system is working normally, clearing the way for a second docking attempt around 12:10 p.m. EDT Sunday.The aborted approach Friday occurred about 20 minutes before the Progress 38 craft was scheduled to dock at the Zvezda command module's aft port. Instead of proceeding, the craft aborted and flew safely past the station, rotating slowly to keep its solar arrays face on to the sun.
An unmanned Progress supply ship during approach to the space station May 1. The spacecraft was docked using a manual system after its KURS automated navigation system malfunctioned.(Credit: NASA)
Test determines whether you'll age like fine wine
If you're one of those people who says you don't want to live a long life because you don't want to go through the aches and pains of aging, allow me to let you in on a little secret: it appears the people who live the longest tend to avoid the aches and pains of aging--at least right until their final days.The reason, according to a new computer model that predicts whether you are likely to reach 100, is actually pretty simple: those who live past 100 (centenarians) and especially past 110 (supercentenarians) almost all carry genetic signatures that make them far less prone to developing age-related issues such as hypertension, dementia, and cardiovascular disease.
In 2009, Oregon's oldest person, 111-year-old Delma Kollar, is kissed by her 58-year-old granddaughter Syd, also a grandmother.(Credit: Elizabeth Armstrong Moore/CNET)
Road Trip Pic of the Day, 7/3: What is this?
If you know what this is and where it is located, you could win a prize in the CNET Road Trip Picture of the Day Challenge.(Credit: Daniel Terdiman/CNET)
Black Gold, Brooklyn's newest record store
Jeff Ogiba and Sommer Foster-Santoro, in front of their new record store, Black Gold.(Credit: Steve Guttenberg)
If you're in Brooklyn, come in and flip through some of Black Gold's bins(Credit: Steve Guttenberg)
Rear-window grime makes for gorgeous art
Vermeer's "Girl With a Pearl Earring," as reinterpreted by dirt-loving artist Scott Wade.(Credit: Scott Wade)
How 3 billion Crayola crayons are made
A pile of freshly made Crayola crayons. CNET reporter Daniel Terdiman got to see how 3 billion of the iconic coloring implements are made a year as part of his Road Trip 2010 project.(Credit: Daniel Terdiman/CNET)
This week in Crave: The independent edition
Some of us at Crave are waiting in line for the new "Twilight" movie, so it falls to those of us who hate sparkling vampires (read: me) to bring you our weekly roundup. It'll be someone else's turn when "Tron 2" comes out this winter. • iPhone 4 problems? Use a rubber wristband. • The world of "Futurama" like you've never seen it. 
More suits filed in iPhone 4 antenna fracas
Apple may have offered a solution to faulty antenna allegations, but that hasn't stopped customers from getting the courts involved. On Friday yet another lawsuit was filed against Apple for "misrepresenting and concealing material information in the marketing, advertising, sale, and servicing of its iPhone 4--particularly as it relates to the quality of the mobile phone antenna and reception and related software." The suit was filed on behalf of Steve Tietze and others in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California and is seeking class action status. Tietze accuses Apple of unfair competition, false and misleading advertising, breach of warranty, and violation of the Consumer Legal Remedies Act. On Wednesday a suit was filed on behalf of two iPhone 4 owners in Maryland, and is also seeking class action status. iPhone 4 owners in New Jersey and Massachusetts have also filed similar suits.
Consumer Reports: iPhone 4 signal issues aren't unique
Consumer Reports on Friday may have gone a long way toward alleviating consumer concern over the iPhone 4's reception issues, saying the problems are not "unique, and may not be serious." 
(Credit: Apple) The consumer watchdog group posted a story on its Web site acknowledging that if the iPhone 4 is held in a certain way, signal loss may result. However, it also said the loss is nothing different than you get from any other phone on the market today. "Indeed, all cell phones, from the mightiest smartphones to the most basic flip models, must consistently overcome a major communication obstacle: you," wrote Consumer Reports.
(Credit: Apple) iPhone-Evo spoof gets employee suspended
A 25-year-old Best Buy employee who posted a snarky cartoon spoof of iPhone zealots online has been suspended and may soon be out of a job. Brian Maupin, who worked at a Best Buy branch in Independence, Mo., since 2007, was suspended from his job Thursday, according to the Associated Press, and now expects to be fired by Monday for posting the two YouTube videos that slam fans of the iPhone 4 and HTC Evo 4G. Those videos don't mention Best Buy, which sells both phones. The AP quoted an e-mail from Best Buy spokesman Justin Barber, who said Friday that the consumer electronics chain was still deciding how to proceed with Maupin, whom he called an "aspiring filmmaker."
How many Palm employees did HP just lay off?
Starbucks' winning combo: Caffeine and Web
NEW YORK--Grabbing a little pick-me-up for those late-night code-writing sessions or World of Warcraft marathons might be about to get a little easier. 
(Credit: Greg Sandoval/CNET) The ubiquitous coffee house chain Starbucks started offering free Wi-Fi on Thursday, so I went to go check out the new service. A few people here, at the Starbucks located at the intersection of East 96th Street and Madison Avenue, were trying to log on to the Web with mixed results. When Web access was actually up and running, pages sometimes took minutes to download. And it's not as if the network appeared overwhelmed. This is a tiny Starbucks; I count exactly one person besides me trying to access the Web. How many neighbors are finding the new free connection a boon?
(Credit: Greg Sandoval/CNET) Study: Facebook's tarnished brand has bounced back
YouGov's BrandIndex rankings for June(Credit: YouGov)
Blockbuster stock to be delisted from NYSE
5-bar phone signal: What's it get you? (FAQ)
Apple's recent explanation that iPhone 4 reception issues are linked to Apple's miscalculationof how it measures signal strength on iPhones, has left many people wondering what that five-bar icon displayed on the phone really means.Earlier on Friday, Apple issued a statement blaming iPhone reception issues on a software miscalculation rather than on hardware design. Since the iPhone 4 launched last week, thousands of consumers have complained that when gripping the phone around the lower left-hand corner of the device, the signal degrades or calls are dropped.Apple acknowledged the problem, and explained that customers were simply covering up the antenna with their hand. Now the company says its engineers have made a "stunning" discovery.People may be finding that their reception is poor and that calls are being dropped not only because they're holding the phone wrong, but also because they think they have a better signal than they actually do. In the statement, Apple says that it had made a mistake in the formula that calculates the number of bars that display the signal strength on all of its iPhones.
Russian cargo ship aborts space station docking
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla.--The automated approach of an unmanned Russian Progress supply ship to the International Space Station was aborted Friday when telemetry between the spacecraft and the Russian command module was lost during final approach.The Progress 38 cargo ship flew safely past the lab complex and the station's six-member crew was not in any apparent danger. But Russian flight controllers were unable to immediately resolve the problem.
A wide-angle view from the Progress 38 spacecraft showing the International Space Station as a point of light receding in the distance after an aborted docking attempt. (Credit: NASA TV, William Harwood/CNET)
Understanding next-gen streaming game services
Just like floppy disks gave way to CDs, then CDs to DVDs, followed by USB flash drives and SD cards, the time of game discs has an end in sight. Mind you, there's still a great need for them right now in the console and portable games world, but services like Valve's Steam on the PC (and now Mac) side have shown--in just a few years time--that the packaged game can make a graceful transition to the digital storefront. What's more interesting, however, is the wave of new technologies that compete with Steam, and other download services like it--not only for PC games, but for console titles too. These streaming technologies, which include names like OnLive, Gaikai, Otoy , and InstantAction, promise to free us completely from the need to download software in the more traditional sense, and instead stream titles from a server cluster hundreds or even thousands of miles away from where you play them.In a few months time (when this technology is more common) it will give you, the consumer, an alternative to buying new gaming hardware, while at the same time letting you pick up and play a new game on just about any Internet-connected device. Such a model may turn the gaming hardware industry on its head, but it opens up new avenues of utility for tablets, mobile phones, and even that 5- or 6-year-old computer that would have otherwise been hopelessly unable to run most modern-day titles.When will it be like that? Soon, but not just yet. Many of the below services we're about to delve into are not live, or are live but aren't open to the public. Several are working on partnerships, back-end technology, and pricing. This story is to help serve as a primer for what each one promises to bring to cloud gaming, as well as some high-level detail on how it works. Read on to find out what could be taking the place of your next game console, or high-end graphics card purchase.
Trent Reznor composing score for 'The Social Network'
Mobile viewer digitizes your stack of biz cards
(Credit: King Jim) Ask Maggie: On iPhone or Android; the Verizon iPhone; and buying refurbs
A lot has happened since Apple introduced the iconic iPhone in 2007.Smartphones have become all the rage. No longer are these mobile computers relegated to the corporate road warrior looking to keep up with work e-mail. Now it seems that everyone from high school kids to soccer moms has a smartphone. And if they don't already have one, they're likely lusting for one.
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