Jun 24
Jun 24
New York City’s Metro Transit Authority is still plugging away on its giant project to bring the 7 train into far west Manhattan, and the scope of the construction is just as awe-inspiring as ever. The MTA just put out a crop of new pictures on Flickr, and we just can’t help but see a slight comparison to a certain, classic Half-Life level of old.
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Jun 24
The hard part about driving isn’t exactly the driving part; it’s actually parking. I can drive automatics and stick shifts, but it takes me close to a quarter of an hour to park after I’ve found myself a spot. It’s not only infuriating for other passengers in the car, but it also annoys other cars who get inadvertently stuck while I do my thing.
I think it’s safe to say that a lot of people have this problem. Why else would Volvo come up with a car that can park for you?
Note that this isn’t like Google’s driverless cars. Instead, it’s more like a driverless valet. Once you arrive at your destination, you’re supposed to just pop out of the car and leave it to find a parking spot. It doesn’t use any mapping technology, but relies on sensors that have been embedded in the ground instead.
Volvo calls this “Vehicle 2 Infrastructure.” It’s a pretty neat concept, but I just don’t see establishments spending thousands of dollars to install sensors on their parking spots.
That’s unfortunate, because I think we could all use an autonomous parking feature for our cars.
Jun 24
Apple OS X Mavericks 10.9 preview
Posted in: Today's Chili
There was no OS XI at WWDC. There was no plan to reinvent the wheel. The takeaway message at the launch event was simple: Apple is committed to OS X. What that means, in the long run (naming scheme aside) is that changes to the desktop will probably continue to be gradual. New features will be added and things will evolve over time. Like other recent versions of OS X, version 10.9 Mavericks follows the lead of iOS, culling from its most successful features — though there’s nothing on the order of iOS 7’s dramatic redesign in store. But while the iPhone operating system seems to have taken the lead in terms of innovation, there doesn’t seem to be much in the way of feature crippling in Mavericks, which some feared would come with the mobilization of the OS.
In fact, there are a number of welcome upgrades here — things like folder tabs, tags and a more interactive Notification Center will likely improve the workflow of many Mac users. Built-in apps like Safari and Calendar have gotten nice facelifts, as well. We’ve spent a few days with the most recent build of OS X and are ready to give you a peek at what you’re in store for, come fall. Still, knowing Apple, the company’s likely still got a couple of tricks up its sleeve.
Gallery: Apple OS X Mavericks 10.9 preview
Jun 24
You don’t need a timepiece because your phone has a clock, but if you’re going to wear one anyway, you should have it make a statement. Here’s what this Casio Databank calculator watch says: I’m retro, I’m nerdy, and I think math is really important.
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Jun 24
This little nipper has been playing with a prototype.
(Credit: iFetch)
Dog ownership is full of delight and responsibiltiy. Dogs require a long-term commitment to love and play with them. For those days when you don’t feel like tossing a drool-slathered ball, there will soon be a machine to do it for you.
The iFetch on Kickstarter has already more than doubled its funding goal.
Automatic ball-tossing machines aren’t new. Intrepid dog-loving makers have been crafting their own devices and sharing them on YouTube for some time. For those who don’t have the inclination or skills to DIY it, the iFetch could fill a need.
The iFetch is designed for small- to medium-sized dogs. It launches a mini tennis ball to 10, 20, or 30 feet. It can either be plugged into an outlet or run on batteries for outdoor play. You don’t even have to be around to use it. A dog just has to learn to drop a ball into the device. The iFetch will automatically toss it out for your pup to fetch and bring back.
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Jun 24
Western Digital has clearly made a name for itself in the magnetic drive space, but it’s hardly the go-to brand when it comes to SSDs. WD’s betting that’ll soon change, though, thanks to a $340 million investment. That sum will be used to acquire sTec Inc., a US-based SSD manufacturer best known for its enterprise solid-state drives (and a recent insider trading scandal). The company will fall under HGST, a WD wholly owned subsidiary, and will likely continue focusing its efforts on SSDs designed for business use — serving up ones and zeroes in servers and data centers, for example. Catch a few more deets at the source link just below.
Filed under: Storage
Source: Reuters
Jun 24
Today’s restaurants love automation. Whether it’s conveyor belt sushi, iPad ordering or drones
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Jun 24
This font was created to subvert NSA surveillance.
(Credit: Sang Mun)
Leaked from today’s 404 episode:
– This font was created to subvert NSA surveillance.
– Famous actor upset about the “Last of Us’s” Ellie likeness.
– Meet the interpreter who has signed for the Wu-Tang Clan, Killer Mike, and the Beastie Boys.
– How much Beanie Babies were predicted to be worth in 1998.
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Jun 24
Last week, noted journalist Michael Hastings was killed in a tragic and dramatic car crash
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