Apple Time Machine- Works With AirPort Disk

Apple issued a firmware update for the Airport Extreme today that allows any USB hard drive connected to the router to function with Time Machine.

It's nice for those with MacBooks and external HDDs who find it troublesome to have to plug and unplug their drive everytime they take their lappy on the go.

Via- [http://gizmodo.com/369973/apple-time-machine-now-works-with-airport-disk]

Credit card data stolen from supermarket chain

A computer hacker stole thousands of credit card numbers after breaching security at two U.S. grocery store chains owned by Belgium-based Delhaize Group SA, the companies said on Monday.

Nearly 2,000 cases of fraud have been linked to the breach, but no personal information such as names or addresses was accessed when the hacker broke into the Hannaford Bros. stores in Massachusetts, New England and New York, and Sweetbay customers in Florida, Hannaford said in a statement.

Boston's WBZ radio said 4.2 million credit and debit card numbers were stolen. Company officials were not immediately available to confirm the number of stolen card numbers.

Hannaford, headquartered in Scarborough, Maine, said it became aware of unusual credit card activity on February 27 and began an investigation. It said the data was illegally accessed during the credit card authorization process.

Hannaford Chief Executive Ron Hodge offered an apology for the intrusion. There are 165 Hannaford stores in the U.S. Northeast and 106 Sweetbay supermarkets in Florida.

"We sincerely regret any concern or inconvenience this has caused," Hodge said in a statement. "We have taken aggressive steps to augment our network security capabilities."

The breach is the latest at a big U.S. retailer and comes after U.S. retail group TJX Cos Inc disclosed last year that data from 45.7 million credit and debit cards were stolen by hackers over a period of 18 months, as well as personal information for 451,000 people.

A group of banks later asserted in court documents that the number of consumer accounts were affected was closer to 94 million, a charge Massachusetts-based TJX denied.

Via- [http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080317/us_nm/usa_retailer_breach_dc;_ylt=AjqwXWlrO_vE5omWQ2a5bDIjtBAF]

Google goes Non-Profit.....

Google has recently introduced a new site Google For Non-Profits, described as a one-stop shop for tools. This new section from the search engine giant is aimed at advancing companies and organizations’ mission by presenting Google tools like Gmail, Docs, Checkout, Calendar, Analytics, YouTube, Blogger and Maps & Earth among others.

Such Google Tools help people to be more efficient in their work, and sometimes even play. But really, not all Internet users are tech-savvy and know how to use these tools so tutorials and recommendations by Google itself is good.

Google presents some examples with links to tutorials:

• When you’re writing a grant application, don’t get stuck emailing drafts back and forth. Try Google Docs to collaborate on documents with your colleagues.
• Cut costs and save time with Google-hosted email at your own domain. Access your e-mail from any computer with an Internet connection.
• Accept online donations without hassle and with no transaction fees until 2009 with Google Checkout.
• Apply for free online advertising through our Google Grants program to raise awareness and drive traffic to your website.
• Start a blog to keep your supporters informed and engaged.

Aside from teaching people how to use the free Google tools, Google For Non-Profits will also teach users how to promote their work, raise money, and operate more efficiently.

Via- [http://www.gadgetell.com/tech/comment/google-goes-non-profit/]

Wii Shortages Continue?

Still looking for a Wii? Well keep looking, because video game retail giant GameStop revealed this week that it expects shortages of the console to persist until at least September.

You read that right. While GameStop executives said in a conference call this week that the company was seeing an end to the post-holiday shortages that affected the Xbox 360 and DS in January, the Wii was having no such luck.

GameStop COO Dan DeMatteo confirmed, saying that with the Wii, the company anticipated the console's supply "won't meet demand for the next 2 quarters," at the very least. The estimate would put the duration of the Wii shortage at almost the two-year mark since its launch in November 2006.

Additionally, the GameStop call did not address what could happen to the Nintendo supply chain in the wake of the Mario Kart Wii and Wii Fit US launches on April 27 and May 19, respectively. If they are successful, and early indications from Japan and US media circles say that they will be, the two quarter estimate could very well become much longer.

On a final note, GameStop CFO David Carlson said the company was still anticipating shortages with the PSP; was "not seeing any problems with PS3"; and expects "good [PS3] stock when GTA IV launches."

Via- [http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,143597-c,gameconsoles/article.html]

Adobe says Flash is coming to the iPhone

Adobe has apparently gone against old Jobsy's wishes, and it's planning a Flash player made all special for the iPhone (ala Windows Mobile) despite Apple's concerns that the technology -- in its current incarnation, anyway -- isn't cut out for mobile duty.

During a conference call today, Chief Executive Shantanu Narayen said, "We believe Flash is synonymous with the Internet experience, and we are committed to bringing Flash to the iPhone," adding, "We have evaluated (the software developer tools) and we think we can develop an iPhone Flash player ourselves." We wouldn't be surprised if Adobe were to be given a pass on all those pesky SDK rules that would likely prevent a proper browser-based Flash component to be coded for the device, though those Apple dudes can be real sticklers for rules.

Via- [http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/19/adobe-says-flash-is-coming-to-the-iphone/]

Intel Finds a Way to Transmit Wi-Fi Over a Distance of 60 Miles

Intel has developed a means of transmitting Wi-Fi over a distance of 60 miles, making it possible to bring the internet to people living in the sticks. The technology, dubbed the "Rural Connectivity Platform" (RCP) consists of a processor, radios, specialized software, and an antenna that can crank out data rates of about 6.5 megabits per second.

Even though the Wi-Fi has been tested at 60 miles, it will be necessary to spread out access points every 30 miles from the main antenna to ensure a quality signal. Still, each RCP device costs only $500, which means you could put together an entire end-to-end system for around $1000. Plus, the radios consume very little power, making it possible to run them on solar energy. It sounds great, but one has to wonder if there would be interference problems (and whether or not this newfangled software solution can overcome them). My guess is that it is probably not something that could be utilized outside of a rural setting.

Via- [http://gizmodo.com/369436/intel-finds-a-way-to-transmit-wi+fi-over-a-distance-of-60-miles]

PSP Firmware Update Brings Internet Radio Stations

PSP's firmware update has hit, and now enables the use of over 20 internet radio stations ranging from 80s to J-Pop to Classical. The update also expands support for Playstation Network titles.

Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) today released 20 additional players for its recently launched Internet Radio feature on PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system. The new Internet Radio players offer something for every music lover, with more specific genres such as '80s, Classical, British, and J-Pop. In other news today, SCEA also released the newest system software update, v. 3.93, which expands support for PLAYSTATION®Network titles.

More than 50 percent of PSP users listen to music on their system, and to address this user interest, SCEA launched Internet Radio for PSP in December 2007, with more than 22,000 stations via AOL's SHOUTcast Radio and icecast.org's icecast. The new players are organized into more specific styles of music so that PSP users can easily find what they are looking for and listen to their favorite genres. The additional stations expand PSP's broad set of music capabilities and demonstrate how SCEA continues to add services and features that benefit PSP owners.

The PSP system's Internet Radio can be accessed at any Wi-Fi* hotspot, giving users a vast library of music to choose from that goes well beyond the music files stored on their Memory Stick Duo.*

How to use Internet Radio on PSP

• PSP system software must be 3.80 or later to use Internet Radio.
• Ensure you are in a Wi-Fi environment before attempting use.
• Insert Memory Stick Duo™ media into the PSP, select the Internet Radio icon under the Network icon, and then select "About Internet Radio."
• Follow the on-screen instructions for adding an Internet Radio player.
• When you have added the desired Internet Radio player, the player icon will appear under the "About Internet Radio" icon.
• Select the Internet Radio player icon.

The Internet Radio feature is compatible with both the original PSP (PSP-1000 series) and the recently released PSP (PSP-2000 series).

Via- [http://gizmodo.com/369463/psp-firmware-update-brings-internet-radio-stations]

US Technical Committee starts testing Microsoft Windows 7

Microsoft Vista’s non-success will not stop the software giant to come out with Windows 7, the next Windows operating system that still remains (for the most part) to be a mystery. However, a test version has already been forwarded to the technical committed (TC) of US law enforcement perhaps to have the upcoming OS’ compliance checked, according to a court document filing.

The court document filing claims that the next operating system from Bill Gates’ Microsoft has full description but currently only the regulators have access to it, as well as, the test version. Regulators and Microsoft itself claimed in the filing:

“Microsoft recently supplied the TC with a build of Windows 7, and is discussing TC testing going forward. The TC will conduct middleware-related tests on future builds of Windows 7.”

No results and changes were made public but we’re sure that a long line of discussion and close encounter between the two groups can be expected.

Via- [http://www.gadgetell.com/tech/comment/us-technical-committee-starts-testing-microsoft-windows-7/]

One third of All YouTube Videos Viewed Online

Market research form comScore said that Google's YouTube accounted for over three billion of the over nine billion videos viewed in January 2008. The service accounts for one out of every three videos viewed online.

While nine billion videos is certainly a lot of viewing, that number is actually down from December. In a record-breaking month December 2007 saw over 10.1 billion videos viewed online.

However, Google sites gained 1.7% market share to 34.3% or 3.4 billion videos viewed -- YouTube account for 96% of Google's videos. Fox Interactive Media ranked second with 584 million (6%), followed by Yahoo! Sites with 315 million (3.2%) and Microsoft Sites with 199 million (2%).

According to comScore, more than 139 million U.S. Internet users spent an average of 206 minutes per person viewing online video in January. Google Sites also attracted the most viewers (80 million), where they spent an average of 110 minutes watching video. Fox Interactive attracted the second most viewers (53.9 million), followed by Yahoo! Sites (36.3 million) and AOL LLC (21.9 million).

The research also showed that more than three-quarters of the total U.S. Internet audience (75.7%) viewed online video.

Via- [http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,143517-c,video/article.html]

LEGO Meets Team Fortress 2- Games news

Here's one way to bring the Team Fortress 2 experience home (aside from buying it): recreate a scene in LEGO, like this skillful brick artist.


Via- [http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/pictures-lego-meets-team-fortress-2]

Snelflight Jump Jet, a Fast R/C Micro-Aircraft

The new Jump Jet from Snelflight. It's a kind of mashup toy, with four rotors to keep it aloft in the hover, or tilted to propel it forward, vectored-thrust style. From the demo video of a prototype in flight, it looks much easier to control than the multiple-crashing Chinook:

The aircraft charges from a power brick (not the controller, like Picoo Zs,) and a full battery will apparently give you around five to six minutes of flight. Its got proper three-axis control too, so you have forward and backward flight and yaw and roll. The IR remote has a range of 30 feet, and the model is designed to be as robust as you can get in such a small size, so it should survive the impacts it'll incur as you learn to fly it. This extra sophistication means it will cost around $160, and it's due for release imminently in the UK and later in the spring over in the US. And I want one!

Via- [http://gizmodo.com/368427/snelflight-jump-jet-a-fast-rc-micro+aircraft-that-hovers-too]

China blocks YouTube over Tibet videos

Internet users in China were blocked from seeing YouTube.com on Sunday after dozens of videos about protests in Tibet appeared on the popular U.S. video Web site.

The blocking added to the communist government's efforts to control what the public saw and heard about protests that erupted Friday in the Tibetan capital, Lhasa, against Chinese rule.

Access to YouTube.com, usually readily available in China, was blocked after videos appeared on the site Saturday showing foreign news reports about the Lhasa demonstrations, montages of photos and scenes from Tibet-related protests abroad.

There were no protest scenes posted on China-based video Web sites such as 56.com, youku.com and tudou.com.

The Chinese government has not commented on its move to prevent access to YouTube. Internet users trying to call up the Web site were presented with a blank screen.

Chinese leaders encourage Internet use for education and business but use online filters to block access to material considered subversive or pornographic.

Foreign Web sites run by news organizations and human rights groups are regularly blocked if they carry sensitive information. Operators of China-based online bulletin boards are required to monitor their content and enforce censorship.

China has at least 210 million Internet users, according to the government, and is expected to overtake the United States soon to have the biggest population of Web surfers.

Beijing tightened controls on online video with rules that took effect Jan. 30 and limited video-sharing to state-owned companies.

Regulators backtracked a week later, apparently worried they might disrupt a growing industry, and said private companies that were already operating legally could continue. They said any new competitors will be bound by the more stringent restrictions.

Via- [http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080317/ap_on_hi_te/china_youtube_blocked;_ylt=Aknhl0SI5JPZ7De49tyrzoIjtBAF]