Day: August 17, 2011

Nano-structured glass creates new type of computer memory

We’ve sure come a long way since frying ants with a magnifying glass. Researchers at the University of Southampton used nano-structures to create millimeter-sized “monolithic glass space-variant polarization converters,” which ultimately changes the way light travels through and is stored in glass. These “whirlpools” of light data can be read like information stored in optical fibers — allowing for “more precise laser material processing, optical manipulation of atom-sized objects, ultra-high resolution imaging and potentially, table-top particle accelerators.” (Does that mean we all get one of these on our desks?) This new five dimensional approach is reusable, twenty times cheaper and more compact compared to old methods of microscopy using a spatial light modulator, making it a win-win. Check out the full PR after the fold.

[Thanks, Adam]

Continue reading Nano-structured glass creates new type of computer memory

Nano-structured glass creates new type of computer memory originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Aug 2011 00:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T streamlining individual messaging plans August 21st, leaving unlimited as the sole survivor

Do not adjust your computer screen, because the screenshot you're seeing above is real. Confirmed by multiple sources, we've exclusively learned that AT&T — the protagonist of choice — is trimming its individual messaging packages from two to one on August 21st. The remaining survivor? The Messaging Unlimited plan for $20, which means the $10 bundle that offers 1000 messages is riding into the sunset. If you aren’t keen to do much communicating within 160 characters, you’ll be left with no other choice besides the pay-per-message option at twenty cents each (thirty cents for MMS). Fortunately, the Family Unlimited Messaging is left unscathed, continuing to offer all-you-can-eat texts for $30. Tend to do only an average bit of texting and looking to move to Ma Bell? Our friend, you’d best be making that transition before the end of this week.

[Thanks, Anonymous]

AT&T streamlining individual messaging plans August 21st, leaving unlimited as the sole survivor originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Aug 2011 23:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung’s 6Gbps SSD gets a consumer label, October release date


Many SSDs could easily blow away that legacy spinning drive in your notebook, but there’s always room for a performance boost when it comes to tech. Announced last week, Samsung’s 830-series SSD packs up to 512GB of storage, and full support for SATA’s 6Gbps max throughput — a 100 percent boost over Samsung’s previous gen drive. There’s only one problem with last week’s version: it’s only available to OEMs, leaving a DIY upgrade out of the question. Well, today Samsung announced consumer availability for the same drive, letting any Joe Bag O’ PC Upgrades pick one up at retail come October. Drives will be available in 64, 128, 256, and 512GB capacities, with pricing details coming at the official launch this fall. Jump past the break for the full PR, should you care to read all about the drive’s “precision engineered” brushed metal enclosure, with “deep black” highlights and a “stylish and chic exterior” — exactly the features you should be looking for in an SSD.

Continue reading Samsung’s 6Gbps SSD gets a consumer label, October release date

Samsung’s 6Gbps SSD gets a consumer label, October release date originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Aug 2011 07:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Third generation Smart Fortwo ditches Tesla powertrain, gains two wheeled cousin

Time and tide wait for no man, folks. Nearly nine months after delivering the first electric Fortwos to snuggie-toting yanks, Daimler’s gone and announced its faster and longer-lasting successor. It’s not an entirely new car mind you, rather an extensive under the hood nip and tuck that replaces the Tesla powertrain with a more potent unit sourced from EM-motive. Up 34 horses from the previous model, the 74 horsepower EV now scoots from 0-60 in a “lively” 13 seconds — a vast improvement over the 23.4 second (!) time of its predecessor. It’s got a larger 17.6kWh battery pack too, which increases range a smidge to 87 miles. And this isn’t another EV trial: it’ll be produced in volume and sold (not leased) in 30 countries at an undisclosed price.

Joining the revised city dweller is the matching Smart Ebike. The electrically assisted bicycle gives meat bags a choice of four levels of laziness as it propels them 60 miles between charges. At €2,900 (or around $4,000) it's no bargain, but you didn't think transportational color coordination came cheap, did you? Expect more on both come September when they are officially unveiled at IAA Frankfurt, but our friends at Autoblog Green have plenty of pics for your perusal at the source below.

Continue reading Third generation Smart Fortwo ditches Tesla powertrain, gains two wheeled cousin

Third generation Smart Fortwo ditches Tesla powertrain, gains two wheeled cousin originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Aug 2011 08:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Homeopathy multinational sues blogger over statements that its mythological curative had “no active ingredient”

Samuele Riva, an Italian blogger, is being sued by Boiron, a France-based homeopathic “remedy” multinational. Riva dared to mock the company’s claim that its Ooscillococcinum has no “active ingredient.” The company claims that the product has been made by diluting “oscillococcinum” (a mythological substance said to be present in duck liver, though no evidence supports this claim) at 1:100 dilution 200 times, which “is the equivalent of diluting 1ml of original ingredient into a volume of water that is the size of the known universe.”

Writing at ScienceBasedMedicine.org, Steven Novella calls this “a pseudoscience trifecta”: Boiron claims that its imaginary element is present in its solution which has been diluted at farcical levels, and that the imaginary ingredient in question is effective at treating flu symptoms. “Essentially Boiron takes fairy dust and then dilutes it out of (non)existence.”


I hope Boiron does draw a line in the sand over their oscillococcinum product, and that it becomes the center piece of a broader public discussion about homeopathy. Most of the public does not understand what homeopathy actually is. They think it means “natural” or “herbal” medicine. They have no idea that homeopathy is about taking fanciful ingredients with a dubious connection to the symptoms in the first place, and then diluting them into oblivion, then placing a drop of the pure water that remains and placing it on a sugar pill. The resultant pill is then supposed to contain the magic vibrations of the original substance.

This rank pseudoscience, which has no place in 21st century medicine, is the business of Boiron. Let’s see them try to defend themselves and their products. Let’s see them harass bloggers and those who are just trying to expose the public to the truth. Let’s see them argue in public how air bubbles in duck liver fantastically diluted can treat the flu.

Boiron vs Blogzero (BlogZero.it)

Homeopathic Thuggery (Science Based Medicine)

(Thanks, Russell!)


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Homeopathy multinational sues blogger over statements that its mythological curative had “no active ingredient”

GM Announces The Next Volt, The Cadillac ELR

cadillac-elr-converj

GM makes money from platforms, not just cars. With that thought, Cadillac just announced the ELR Coupe, a sleek sportster built on the Voltec platform that also powers the Volt. The dual-powertrain Caddy has been rumored ever since a concept (pictured here) was shown off at the 2009 North American International Auto Show. Well, friends, it’s on.

The ELR will use the same version of the Voltec that powers the Volt including the same four-cylinder 1.4L turbo generator. This makes the ELR sound nothing more than a reskinned Volt instead of the tuned electric roadster worth of that sexy sheet metal. Nothing says American sports coupe like a 0-to-60 time in eight and half seconds.

Cadillac has yet to announce any real details about the upcoming coupe. “Development of the ELR is just underway, so details on performance, price and timing will be announced later,” says the press release.

The extended coupe design actually makes a lot of sense for the Volt’s 2+2 configuration. The rear seats are not all that usable anyway. This modified design likely allows it to slip through the air with even less resistance. The photos shown here are of the 2009 Converj concept. The brand is pretty loyal to its sharp lines and massive grill design so the production version will probably follow the same styling cues if not be exactly the same thing.

The Chevy Volt hasn’t exactly been a huge hit for GM. The auto maker reportedly sold just 125 last month and less than 3,000 so far this year. The model will soon be available nationwide, which might help move a few more off dealer lots. This Cadillac model will be the second production car, outside of the Volt’s European and Australian cousins, to utilize the series and hybrid powertrain. Since it wears the crest and wreath logo, it might even have a well-appointed cabin rather than the plastic toy that is the Chevy Volt.






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GM Announces The Next Volt, The Cadillac ELR