May 26, 2010

5nm crystals could lead to vastly larger optical discs, mighty fine time machines

Blu-ray was already looking mighty fine at 25GB of storage per layer -- and if Sony manages to make the indigo foil sheets hold 33.4GB each, we certainly won't complain -- but Japanese researchers have discovered a compound that could leapfrog Blu-ray entirely. Scientists at the University of Tokyo discovered that by hitting 5-nanometer titanium pentoxide crystals with a laser, they could get the metal to change color and conduct less electricity, leading to what they believe is an effective new medium for optical data storage. At 5nm, the small black crystals could reportedly hold 1,000 times the data of Blu-ray at the same density, and cost less to boot -- the scholars reportedly synthesized the formula simply by adding hydrogen to the common, comparatively cheap titanium dioxide, while heating the compound over a fire. Ahh, nanotechnology -- making our lives easier, one microscopic crystal or tube at a time.

5nm crystals could lead to vastly larger optical discs, mighty fine time machines originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 26 May 2010 03:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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May 25, 2010

Is the iPad Killing Netbooks? [STATS]

According to new data from consumer electronics company Retrevo, iPads might be putting a significant dent in netbook sales.

Tablets in general are newer, sexier and sleeker than netbooks, their hardworking if relatively old-school counterparts. When iPads were announced, many consumers put off their netbook purchase plans in order to try out and consider buying an iPad instead.

And for folks currently considering a smaller, portable computer, an overwhelming majority are leaning more toward iPads.

That being said, laptops are also holding a steady lead in the portable computer market. In the past year and the current year, 65% of consumers who had to choose between a netbook and a laptop went for the latter in the end.

If you had to choose between a laptop, a netbook and an iPad, which way would you lean, and why? Do you think netbook sales will suffer further when non-Apple tablets are released?



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Tags: apple, ipad, netbook, sales


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Turning beauties into beasts.

How God Makes Cheetos [Food]

"Gobs of cornmeal are fed into an extruder , which rubs the meal between two metal plates. The friction melts the starch in the corn and causes the moisture to heat up... More »



Business - Food and Related Products - Additives - Corn - Starches

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Sometimes I want to be a real superhero

Sony PSN+ rumors thicken for E3: new features for paid users, free users can still play online

Our BFFs over at Joystiq have what seems to be a pretty solid line on PSN+, with multiple sources verifying features mostly in line with what was gleaned from that survey last year. Lucky for us, most of the features seem to have to do with giving new features to paying users, instead of taking away functionality from the existing free service. Notables include exclusive DLC, PSP Minis, and PSone Classics, "first hour" demo access, Sony Protection Plan service, and cross-game voice chat. The sources seem to be less clear on pricing for all these goodies, but someone tossed out a speculative $9.99. What everyone does seem to agree on is that we should be seeing this announced in full at Sony's E3 media briefing a few weeks from now, so start stashing those Hamiltons!

Sony PSN+ rumors thicken for E3: new features for paid users, free users can still play online originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 May 2010 10:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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May 24, 2010

Walmart cuts iPhone 3GS down to $97

iPhone_3GS

Effective as of Tuesday, Walmart has announced that it will be cutting the 2-year contract price of the Apple iPhone 3GS to $97. Walmart would have you believe that the drop in price is nothing more than it making good on its “commitment to always lead on price”, but it’s not as if we don’t know exactly what’s going on. To us the question still remains: Will the iPhone 3GS pick up where the soon-to-be-discontinued iPhone 3G is going to leave off, or does Steve Jobs have “one more thing” up the sleeve of his St. Croix mock turtleneck?

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Teen wolf packs in San Antonio WTF?!


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ZOMG!

May 23, 2010

iPhone 4G to Come in White? [PICS]

Bigger, Better, Cheesier: The Hundred-Layer Lasagne

Bigger, Better, Cheesier: The Hundred-Layer Lasagne

2010_05_17-Lasagna.jpg

Here's something to try at home: Chef Mark Ladner's hundred-layer lasagne, served on a special menu at his New York restaurant Del Posto. Can you even imagine a hundred-layer lasagna? It's not exactly simple...

Ladner says in this interview with New York Magazine that his over-the-top, not-your-nonna's lasagne includes "50 practically transparent sheets of handmade pasta, alternating with 50 layers of sauce (Bolognese, besciamella, and marinara)." Skewers hold it together while it cools and sets and you need a "special spatula" to serve it.

This is a little beyond our own simple 10-layer lasagna. Maybe something to attempt for a special occasion? We don't know if we have the stamina, but it does make us curious about 20-layer or even 30-layer lasagne. What do you think?

Read more: Behind the Menu: Deconstructing the Hundred-Layer Lasagne

Related: How To Make Lasagna

I'm one for lasagna but 100 layers of it?! ILL DIE HAPPY

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Improv Everywhere reenacts Ghostbusters at the New York Public Library

Blog On Blog: Cool Dogs


“They’re cool and they know it.” Alexander Martinez

http://www.cooldogs.tumblr.com

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