The glitzy sheen of that Retina Display MacBook Pro or MacBook Air probably tarnished a little when you realized you’d need to sacrifice a USB or Thunderbolt if you wanted Ethernet connectivity. Just in time for Macworld, Kanex is shuttling out DualRole, a three-port USB 3.0 hub and Ethernet adapter that’ll swell your connectivity options while on the road. Bus-powered, you can also add a 5v power adapter to juice your gadgets at the same time. It’ll set you back $69 and is available from right about now.
An exhausted astronaut searching for oxygen. A soldier bleeding to death crawling to complete his mission. A sailor sinking into the deep sea trying to reach the surface. That’s the perfect description of one of the most important, head spinning moments of every human being’s life. Watch this outstanding short film directed by Martin Rosete and you will understand why and what that moment is. More »
Spoiler Alert: Do not read on if you haven’t seen “Supernatural” Season 8, Episode 12, titled “As Time Goes By.”
The latest episode of “Supernatural” set up some intriguing possibilities in terms of storylines, and earlier this week, executive producer Robert Singer spoke to a group of journalists about what Henry Winchester’s Men of Letters group could add to the show’s mythology from this point on.
Read on for highlights from Singer’s Q&A with reporters to learn more about the fates of Castiel (Misha Collins), Benny (Ty Olsson) and Amelia (Liane Balaban), as well as a potential return for Jeffrey Dean Morgan and whether the creative team feel confident about a Season 9 renewal.
You’ve hear about Watson, IBM’s own child and artificial intelligence system that has been touted for its super-computing powers. Well, Watson might know a lot of stuff, defeated “Jeopardy!” champions, and memorized the Urban dictionary, but it still needs to go to school. IBM has announced that it will be sending Watson to New York State’s Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Although that sounds weird, but yes, Watson is the first computer to be sent to university. Watson will be learning courses in math and English. (more…)
If, for some reason, you’re stuck on using an old Windows OS, then you might want to take action before January ends. That’s because, as reported two weeks ago, the nifty $40 upgrade promotional offering will be ending tomorrow, January 31st. Beyond that date, the upgrade price will climb higher to $200. But students, however, are getting a special treatment from Microsoft beginning February 1st. Microsoft has announced today that the Windows 8 Pro upgrade edition will be available for students online via the Microsoft Store for $69.99. (more…)
Updating one’s smartphone to a newer software version is always fun, and so some Nokia Lumia users have a reason to be happy today. Nokia is in the process of rolling out a WP 7.8 update for Lumia users who are running Windows Phone 7.5. For those with the Lumia models slated for the update, you’ll be seeing a notification soon if you haven’t already received it.
The update is being pushed out to Lumia 510, 610, 710, 800, and 900 handsets running operator-approved software or that are unlocked. The roll out is said to be taking place over the next few weeks, so if you aren’t seeing the update yet, you might have to be patient for awhile. The update is said to have gone through extensive testing before being released.
Improvements from 7.5 to 7.8 include the ability to share via Internet and Bluetooth, additional apps, including Nokia City Lens, and Camera Extras, which is meant to greatly increase the functionality of your handset’s camera. With Camera Extras, users will be able to take Smart Group Shots and action shots, as well as utilize a self-timer and create panorama images via stitching.
In addition, the start screen has been revamped in 7.8, offering re-sizable tiles (they can be made smaller or larger, depending on preference), as well as new lock screen options. Bing’s daily wallpaper feature, which has been available to desktop users for awhile now, is also provided in 7.8, changing the background image automatically every day to one of Bing’s image backgrounds.
Other extra features are less obvious, such as additional language support. When you’ll receive your update depends on the carrier you’re under. To ensure you don’t miss the update, enable notifications under “Settings” > “Phone Update” so that you’re pinged when the software update rolls your way. Nokia says to contact your carrier if you don’t get the update within three weeks.
Sony just revealed its new models for spring for VAIO’s 5 series with a total of 18 models. All are due to be released in Japan on February 9th. Laptop and desktop computers include 3 touch panel compatible models. All of these new models have Windows 8 “Office Home and Business 2013″ pre-installed. I previously wrote about the convertible laptop/tablet “VAIO Duo11″ with Windows 8 64 bit on Intel Core i5, 11.6 inch display, 4GB RAM and SSD 128GB hard drive, but …
* Former astronaut Mark Kelly testifies at Senate hearing * Gives a blow-by-blow account of shooting in Tucson By Thomas Ferraro WASHINGTON, Jan 30 (Reuters) – Former U.S. astronaut Mark Kelly pushed for gun-control measures on Wednesday by recalling in chilling detail the massacre that nearly killed his wife, former Democratic congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee just after Giffords called on lawmakers to “be courageous” and do more to reduce gun-related violence, Kelly gave a moment-by-moment account of the mass shooting in a supermarket parking lot near Tucson, Arizona, on Jan. 8, 2011, that left six people dead and 13 wounded. During a discussion of whether limiting gun buyers to ammunition clips with 10 rounds or less would violate their right to bear arms, Kelly told lawmakers why he believed limiting ammunition clips would save lives. “On January 8th of 2011, a young man walked up to Gabby at her constituent event in Tucson, leveled his gun and shot her through the head,” Kelly said, referring to gunman Jared Loughner. “He then turned down the line and continued firing. In 15 seconds, he emptied his magazine. It contained 33 bullets and there were 33 wounds,” Kelly said. Kelly said that Christina Taylor Green, 9, was killed with the 13th shot. “Others followed,” Kelly said. “As the shooter attempted to reload, he fumbled” a second magazine. “A woman grabbed the next magazine, and others tackled and restrained him.” Kelly said he believed that if the magazine had no more than 10 rounds – a limit proposed by Democratic President Barack Obama after the killing of 20 children and six adults at a Connecticut school last month – Christina Green likely would not have been killed. Kelly also countered National Rifle Association leader Wayne LaPierre’s claim that the best defense to gun violence in schools and other public places is “a good guy with a gun” – more armed security. Kelly recalled how “a good guy with a gun” came charging out of a store that day in Arizona and nearly shot the wrong guy – a good Samaritan who was tackling the killer. “He admits that he came within about a half a second of shooting the man … and nearly killing him,” Kelly said. Kelly gave lawmakers much to think about as they consider ways to curb gun violence, including a ban on semi-automatic weapons and the proposed limit on ammunition clips. Gun-rights groups oppose both measures, and have indicated there is little or no room for compromise. LaPierre, who also appeared at the hearing, voiced support for better mental health treatment and more enforcement of measures designed to prevent the mentally ill from obtaining guns. Kelly and Giffords, who continues to recover from her wounds, support those ideas. Kelly made a point of describing himself and his wife as gun owners who support gun rights. He said they are political moderates and that Giffords was a Republican before becoming a Democrat. “We are simply two reasonable Americans who realize we have a problem with gun violence,” Kelly said, “and we need Congress to act.” (Editing by David Lindsey and Doina Chiacu)
I’ve found your new favorite website: Funswitcher.com. It has pretty much every sound known to mankind. From TV show theme songs like Community and Buffy, to video games sounds like Super Mario Star. Hell it even has sounds for having an orgasm and your favorite memes. You will lose hours to this website and you will not regret it. [Fun Switcher via The Awesomer] More »
Logitech is about to release their newest Bluetooth Easy-Switch Keyboard, the K811. Powered by a built-in lithium-ion battery, this ultra-thin illuminated keyboard features a 2.4GHz radio frequency (works up to 10 meters), 81 keys, a one-touch switching button to switch between your Apple Bluetooth devices (Mac, iPad, iPhone) and is backed by a 3-year warranty. The K811 will start shipping from February 8th for 10,800 Yen (about $119). [Product Page]
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You’ve hear about 
If, for some reason, you’re stuck on using an old Windows OS, then you might want to take action before January ends. That’s because, 
