The 404 851: Where some things even Justin Timberlake can’t bring back (podcast)


We’re taking a three-day weekend to celebrate Independence Day, which means that tomorrow we’ll make our annual walk-of-shame to McDonald’s for breakfast. So it’s only appropriate that today we talk about a Consumer Reports survey that confirms McDonald’s as the worst beef-on-a-bun you can buy.

Wilson insists on waiting until tomorrow for the return of Tang That Tune, so today’s stories include Justin Timberlake investing in the return of MySpace, a TIL about the etymology of popular software company names, and the long-awaited review of the HP TouchPad tablet.

The 404 Digest for Episode 851

Ep. 851: Where some things even Justin Timberlake can’t bring back



Episode 851

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Originally posted at The 404 Podcast

AMD Llano desktop APU gets reviewed: the best integrated graphics in town

AMD is due to release a batch of new Llano APUs next month that are specifically tailored to desktops rather than laptops. The most powerful among them will be the 2.9GHz A8-3850, which has already caused a stir on the review circuit for one simple reason: it pulls off a brutal “one shot one kill” on Intel’s HD 3000 integrated graphics. AnandTech raised an impressed eyebrow at the fact that all its benchmarking games were playable on the $135 AMD chip, which roughly doubled frame rates in titles like Modern Warfare 2, Bioshock 2 and World of Warcraft compared to the more expensive Sandy Bridge i5 2500K. TechSpot declared the APU its “new budget king,” with graphical performance “on another level” compared even to an i7.

However, the superlatives quickly evaporated once reviewers shifted their focus to the CPU. TechReport spotted that pure CPU performance per dollar was actually lower than what you’d get from a lowly i3. Moreover, it reckoned you’d only have to spend an extra $70 to buy a much more powerful CPU and a separate graphics card — an option that comes “awfully close to making the A8-3850 seem irrelevant.” Ouch. Nevertheless, if an affordable processor with integrated graphics is what you’re after, then it’s fair to say this one sets the standard. Click the source links below for full reviews.

AMD Llano desktop APU gets reviewed: the best integrated graphics in town originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Jun 2011 14:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceTechReport, AnandTech, TechSpot  | Email this | Comments

Hanako 2 robot acts like a human dental patient, makes us say ‘aah’ (video)

No, she’s not in a state of shock, nor is she hunting for plankton — she’s simply waiting for the dentist to polish her pearly whites, just like any other conscientious robot. Known as the Showa Hanako 2, this humanoid was originally developed last year as a tool for dentists looking to practice new procedures. Now, engineers at Japan’s Showa University have updated their dental denizen, adding a motorized head and replacing her PVC skin with a more realistic silicon coating. She also boasts speech recognition capabilities and can execute freakishly natural movements, including blinking, sneezing, coughing and, under more unsavory circumstances, even choking. See her in action for yourself, after the break.

Continue reading Hanako 2 robot acts like a human dental patient, makes us say ‘aah’ (video)

Hanako 2 robot acts like a human dental patient, makes us say ‘aah’ (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Jun 2011 13:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink CrunchGear  |  sourceDigInfoTV (YouTube)  | Email this | Comments

Prius performance package an exercise in irony?

Toyota announces the Plus Performance package for the Prius, adding ground effects, custom wheels, and lowering springs to the iconic hybrid.

Originally posted at The Car Tech blog

Apple’s iPad surpasses 100,000 app mark

The iPad has pushed past 100,000 apps in about a year and a half of developers having access to its SDK, and even less time with the actual hardware.

Originally posted at Apple Talk

The Many Faces of MySpace, the Internet’s Greatest Tragedy

MySpace was just sold like a GameCube on Craigslist, snatched up by a no-name advertising firm (and Justin Timberlake?) for less than a tenth of what NewsCorp bought it for in ’05. But it wasn’t always a disaster. Let’s reminisce. More »

Fuel-electric hybrid air car wants to take flight, needs funding to do it

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a… fuel-electric hybrid air car? Well, yes actually, but right now it’s more ready-to-go concept than airborne reality. This brainchild of Trek Aerospace designer Michael Moshier and test-pilot Robert Bulaga employs the same ducted-fan tech the duo used in their DARPA-funded, NASA design-assisted, Popular Science ‘Invention of the Year’ winning SoloTrek. Like its predecessor, this hybrid air car is ideal for those close-quartered take-off and landing situations thanks to its enclosed propulsion system — good news for birds, trees and even human heads everywhere. Though still in the design phase, the pair hopes a generous round of funding will propel this 1960s Jetsons promise into a world-class fleet. While we can’t see the DMV rushing to approve licenses of this sort for the common joe, the copter-car should prove beneficial in roadless third-world nations, and maybe even lend a covered-propeller hand to first-world emergency service units. Pay attention billionaires of the world, this flying car’s got your bank account written all over it. PR for the deep-pocketed after the break.

[Image credit via Michael Moshier/Robert Bulaga]

Continue reading Fuel-electric hybrid air car wants to take flight, needs funding to do it

Fuel-electric hybrid air car wants to take flight, needs funding to do it originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Jun 2011 13:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceEarth Techling  | Email this | Comments

Canon PowerShot Elph 500 HS review: Good, but not S95 good

The touch-screen controls keep the Canon PowerShot Elph 500 HS from being a lower-cost PowerShot S95 alternative for enthusiasts, but it’s otherwise a very good ultracompact.

What’s your top must-have feature update to Apple’s MacBook Air?

We’ve put together a list of the most likely MacBook Air upgrades. Vote on your favorite in our poll.

Google confirms Chromebooks are for the beautiful people

Google is letting passengers aboard Virgin America and guests staying at the Ace Hotel in New York try out its browser-only laptops for free.

Originally posted at Circuit Breaker