Hasta La Gadget!

PA Walmart stores getting CCTV-enabled, breathalyzin’ wine vending machines originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Dec 2010 16:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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With only a few weeks left before the holidays, we’re getting picky about the guest hosts while Wilson is out of town, so show veteran Russ Frushtick makes another appearance on the show and rounds up the year in video games with his top three picks for the holiday season. He also runs down his spoiler-free review of TRON: Legacy and chews some beef with Time Warner!

Forget about WikiLeaks, the FBI is apparently downplaying an internally leaked memo that warns field agents of Barbie Video Girl that features a video camera built into her necklace.

You’re supposed to use it to record video from the doll’s perspective and upload it to your computer, but the FBI is worried that deviants will use the technology to exploit young children. And although there haven’t been any reported incidents relating to the new doll, the FBI still has no problem spreading the idea themselves.

We’ve all received gift cards for the holidays that we have no interest in using, but now online gift stores like Plastic Jungle, Cardpool, and Gift Card Rescue are letting consumers sell back their unused cards and buy new ones at a discount.

The amount of money you receive for a card depends on the popularity of the store, with in-demand retailers like Wal-Mart and Target going for up to 92 percent of the value. Less popular cards only get 80-85 percent, but it’s still better than looking for $100 worth of merchandise to spend at Blockbuster.

Google has a new operating system called Chrome OS that will compete with Apple Mac OS and Microsoft Windows for a spot on your computer, but one of the interesting features is Cloud Print that you can use to access your home printer from any Chrome-powered smartphone or computer .

Cloud Print is a Web service, so it’s easy to share printers with family and friends from anywhere in the world, and even set up private lists to block Spam. Google hopes that all devices will eventually support Cloud-based printing, and you can take it for a test-drive today by downloading Chrome at Google.com/chrome.

Much thanks to Russ Frushtick for waking up before noon to help us out on the show, and keep an ear out for another appearance on the Back to the Future Yuletide episode that will debut while we’re away for the holiday!

Episode 724

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Originally posted at The 404 Podcast

You’ve already seen it on the Jolibook, but now anyone with a netbook or suitable computer can get their hands on the Jolicloud 1.1 operating system, which promises a number of improvements over version 1.0. Chief among those is the brand new HTML5 desktop, along with a simplified login process using Facebook Connect, a generally spiffed up UI, and a slew of other tweaks that promise better performance and battery life compared to the previous version. Hit up the link below to try it out for yourself, or revisit our Jolibook review for an in-depth look at the upstart OS.

Jolicloud 1.1 now available to download originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Dec 2010 15:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Dragon spacecraft is now the first private spaceship to reach orbit and return safely to Earth. It just splashed down in the Pacific Ocean, after a perfect mission. This is a huge milestone in the history of space exploration. More »

Google is aiming to put the “net” in netbook with Chrome OS, a lightweight operating system that focuses on web apps and online storage.

Due for release in mid-2011, the first batch of Chrome OS netbooks will come with Intel processors and Verizon data plans. They’ll download apps through a Google app store hosted on the web. Google detailed plans of Chrome OS in a press event Tuesday.

“We finally have a viable third choice for an operating system on the desktop,” said Eric Schmidt, Google’s CEO.

Chrome OS is Google’s vision of the future of computers: always-connected devices that ditch the traditional hard drive and instead rely on web-coded applications and “cloud” storage. It’s yet another area where Google goes head-to-head with its biggest rival, Apple, who recently introduced a flash-based MacBook Air and a Mac App Store for downloading apps.

Here’s a quick summary of what you need to know about Chrome OS.

Hardware players

Google has partnered with Samsung and Acer, whose Chrome OS laptops will go on sale in mid-2011. More manufacturers will follow.

Netbook specifications

Though exact specifications for future devices are unknown, Google is handing out an unbranded pilot device running Chrome OS called the Cr-48.

The Cr-48 features a 12.1-inch screen, an Intel Atom processor, a flash memory drive, Wi-Fi, a “world-mode” 3G chip that works with international cellular networks and a built-in “jailbreaking” mode so you can hack it.

Pricing

Official price tags for Chrome OS netbooks have not been revealed, but Google’s Schmidt has claimed they will be priced between $300 to $400.

Data plans

The 3G plan for Chrome OS netbooks is nothing like a cellphone’s. When you buy a Chrome OS netbook, Verizon will give you 100 MB of free 3G data per month for two years. There are no overage fees.

If you regularly need more than 100 MB, there are a few long-term plans starting at $10 a month for additional data.

And if you need more data only occasionally, you can buy a day pass to get unlimited 3G access for one day. The price for the day pass has not yet been disclosed.

Keep in mind that if you’re mostly using a Chrome OS netbook at home, you can just connect to your Wi-Fi network for free.