Distro Issue 58: Is the iPhone 5 innovative or incremental?

Distro Issue 58 Is the iPhone 5 innovative or incremental

It may be the most anticipated phone of the year, and now it’s here. In this week’s issue of Distro, we’ll bring you our full impressions of Apple’s iPhone 5. While it may be the center of attention at the moment, however, it’s certainly not the only device that crossed our desks this week. We also have reviews of Motorola’s budget-friendly Droid RAZR M and HP’s new Ultrabook, the Envy Spectre XT. In addition, we grill IBM Research’s Dr. Michael Karasick for Q&A, head to Germany for Photokina in Hands-On, and get an eye-full of Pi for Visualized. Whether you think the iPhone 5 was worth the wait or not, we’re sure this issue of Distro is. So get to downloading.

Distro Issue 58 PDF
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Distro Issue 58: Is the iPhone 5 innovative or incremental? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Sep 2012 09:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Indoor Flameless Marshmallow Roaster

There is nothing quite like regaling tales from your youth around a campfire during a chilly night while toasting marshmallows with a mug of hot chocolate in hand, but with the number of crazy folks running out there at this moment, it isn’t to say that it is safe outdoors anymore these days. Why not spin your yarn to a googly eyed younger generation right smack in the comfort of your living room, while removing any thoughts of your home catching fire while you roast marshmallows using this $69.95 Indoor Flameless Marshmallow Roaster?

This indoor roaster will be able to to produce campfire-worthy toasted marshmallows without the need for an open flame. All of your marshmallows will be toasted over a stainless steel electric heater, which means it is safe and easy to use even with children around. There is also a divided tray which will hold a ready supply of chocolate, graham crackers, or candies to go along with your marshmallow recipes. A quartet of stainless steel forks have been thrown into the mix to hold your marshmallows securely over the roaster.

[ Indoor Flameless Marshmallow Roaster copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]


GM plans six all-new GMC and Buick automobiles in the next 12 months

General Motors has been around for a long time and operates a variety of different automotive brands under the GM umbrella. The biggest brand for General Motors is Chevrolet with a variety of trucks, SUVs, and cars sold under that brand. General Motors also operates GMC, which sells branded versions of some Chevrolet vehicles.

General Motors also operates Buick, which has cars and a couple SUV models. General Motors has outlined its product scheduled for both GMC and Buick over the next 12 months. The two brands have six new brand models that are being teased at the same time that will be debuting sometime in the next 12 months.

The six new models include a new Buick Regal, a new Buick LaCrosse, a new GMC Yukon, a new GMC Sierra HD truck, a new GMC Sierra truck, and a new GMC Yukon XL. Those GMC truck models are copies of Chevrolets as I mentioned before.

GMC is also planning to bring the Canyon mid-size truck back as a new model, but it’s not listed among the new versions debuting in the next 12 months. The new GMC vehicles will mean that the oldest GMC and Buick models will only date back to 2010 making both brands full of new designs. I wish Buick would bring back an exciting car like the Grand National from the 80s.

[via Motoward]


GM plans six all-new GMC and Buick automobiles in the next 12 months is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


Homer Simpson Discovers the Dangers Of Electronic Voting [Video]

It’s hard to believe The Simpsons have been on the air for almost a quarter of a century, but season 24 is just around the corner and Fox has just released this teaser for the season premiere airing September 30. More »

Scientists Can Now Inkjet-Print Lasers [Science]

Scientists have developed a technique that uses an inkjet printer to make lasers—which could lead to a future filled with cheap laser-driven displays and smart surfaces. More »

SpaceX to start International Space Station cargo runs on October 7th, kick off routine private spaceflight

SpaceX to start International Space Station cargo runs on October 7th, kicks off routine private space travel

SpaceX just put a date on when private space travel becomes a seemingly everyday affair: October 7th. That’s when the company and NASA expect to launch a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station delivering the first of a dozen cargo loads to the International Space Station through the unmanned Dragon spacecraft. While we’re not expecting any trouble — SpaceX has done this before — there’s a chance for a rescheduled launch on October 8th if there are any minor setbacks. The flights won’t achieve the cachet of government-funded runs with human beings onboard, but we’re sure the company doesn’t mind when it’s taking steps towards democratizing spaceflight… and pocketing $1.6 billion in the process.

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SpaceX to start International Space Station cargo runs on October 7th, kick off routine private spaceflight originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Sep 2012 08:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Swiss Federal Railways accuses Apple of copying its clock design

Apple is famous for accusing Samsung of “slavishly copying” the design of its iPhone. The copying claims led to a long-running legal battle that ultimately resulted in Samsung owing Apple about $1 billion. It seems Apple has been doing a bit of copying designs of its own.

The Swiss are famous for clocks and watches. Switzerland has long been the source of some the most iconic watch designs and beautifully intricate timepieces in the world. The Swiss Federal Railway service has accused Apple of copying its iconic railway clock.

Clearly looking at the two clocks side-by-side, they are identical save for the Swiss clock’s logo. You can see in the image above the shocking similarities between the two. The Apple digital clock pictured is used in the iPad Clock app.

The Swiss clock was originally designed by Hans Hilfiker and is described as an icon for the Swiss railway and Switzerland. The clock is trademarked and copyrighted by the Swiss Federal Railways service. The railway service has been licensing the use of the clock design, and Apple isn’t one of these licensees. I sense another court case brewing.

[via MacRumors]


Swiss Federal Railways accuses Apple of copying its clock design is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


Doctor Who TARDIS Night Light

Assuming you have shared all there is to know about the Doctor Who series to your little one, hoping that your interest in the sci-fi series will rub off on him/her, how about being a wee bit more persuasive through the purchase of this $14.99 Doctor Who TARDIS Night Light? Yes sir, let the good Doctor provide some light in the dead dark of the night, ensuring that the pathway to the bathroom or hallway is always lit, making sure that monsters hiding underneath the bed will remain where they are supposed to be.

I suppose on a more psychological level with an overactive imagination in tow, the Doctor Who TARDIS Night Light would also be effective in discouraging nocturnal Dalek attacks, but that is another adventure to share with another time. The Doctor Who TARDIS Night Light will be able to plug into any standard outlet, where it will shine from both the windows and top in order to deliver an adequate amount of illumination for late night bathroom trips. You can always replace the 7 watt bulb inside when it blows.

[ Doctor Who TARDIS Night Light copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]


London Underground Is Happy to Lend iOS 6 Users a Map [Humor]

If you’ve upgraded to iOS 6, you’re probably—quite literally—lost. But the staff at Hackney Wick underground station in London have found a solution: iOS 6 users might be best off reverting to a good ol’ fashioned paper map. [Ben Mathis via Pocket-lint] More »

HBO boss Bill Nelson announces retirement, Richard Plepler will assume the throne

HBO's CEO Bill Nelson announces retirement, Richard Plepler will assume the throne

After five years as king of the HBO castle, CEO Bill Nelson has announced he’s leaving the company to retire at the end of the year. During Nelson’s near 30-year career, he bounced through a string of corporate roles before becoming top dog in 2007, subsequently overseeing the launch of the digital service HBO Go. While it might be impossible to replace such a commanding moustache, we’re sure current co-President Richard Plepler will do a fine job when he takes the helm. He’s responsible (in part) for bringing shows like Boardwalk Empire and Game of Thrones to our screens, after all. Enjoy your retirement Bill, and be glad you left on your own terms — some aren’t so fortunate.

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HBO boss Bill Nelson announces retirement, Richard Plepler will assume the throne originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Sep 2012 07:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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