Tech Today w/ Ken May

Rumors are circulating that Apple is pondering killing off the Mac Pro. Sales of the powerhouse are flagging, and a hardware delay has put its future in jeopardy. Has the Mac Pro’s time finally come? More

Google Reader is following in the footsteps of Gmail, Docs, and Voice with a clean new interface, that’s easier to use and contains integration with the Google+ social network. More

Odd, I could have sworn Bitcoin was on the fast track towards technological irrelevance . So why is this new Mac malware harnessing infected GPUs to mine the digital dollars? More

In comic books, many superheroes have gained extraordinary powers after being transfused with the (often modified or irradiated) blood of animals. But, as so often happens, life proves stranger than fiction. At the University of Colorado, Boulder, a group of mice have grown bigger hearts after scientists injected them a chemical cocktail, inspired by the blood of pythons. More

More revelations on the official police-spread malware that Germany’s Chaos Computer Club discovered in the wild and reverse engineered: pretty much everything the German police said in their defense turns out to be a lie. Another trojan has been uncovered, and it confirms the German police’s depraved indifference and incompetence in their cyberwar efforts. The excuses vary from “trial” to “prototype”, DigiTask still insisted on October 11th 2011 to its governmental customers, that almost all problems are being solved in newer versions. The manufacturer DigiTask and the authorities view the functionality of code-reloading as a “natural need”, for which the implication of fundamental rights violation is relative in any way. It serves a purpose, and therefore the aim justifies the means. Therefore, the CCC now presents a more detailed technical documentation of a newer version of the “Staatstrojaner” from the year 2010.[3] The testimony of DigiTask [10] is the basis of a detailed report that serves as a euphemistic attempt to conceal its illegal nature. At the same time, both disassembled versions of the Trojan, commented by the CCC, were made publicly available in order to ensure the traceability of the findings and to facilitate further research by interested parties. [4] „Even during the last three years, the authorities and their providers were clearly not capable of developing a “Staatstrojaner” which would meet the minimum of requirements for juridical evidence, basic law compliance and security against manipulation”, a CCC spokesperson summed up about the new findings. “By these concrete and principal reasons, it is logical not to expected that this would succeed in the future.” Chaos Computer Club analyzes new German government spyware

YouTube user Spiritplumber demonstrates how he built a cell phone charger using four parts from Radio Shack on the store counter immediately after his purchase. The parts cost around ten bucks, and while that’s three times cheaper than buying the actual cable at Radio Shack, but how did he know he wouldn’t blow out his phone? More

Encounter at Raven’s Gate — which is alternatively titled Incident At Raven’s Gate — is a 1988 small town alien invasion family melodrama directed by Dutch-born Australian filmmaker Rolf de Heer. The film opens in media res with astrophysicist and Miami Vice villain Dr. Hemmings (Terry Camilleri) going driveabout across the Australian Outback tracking an alien spacecraft. More

For the past few years, Apple has been hammering away at building its own mapping platform to shake the yoke of Google Maps. It just took another step toward assembling its cartographic Frankenstein monster by buying up C3 Technologies , which assembles hyper-realistic 3D maps and integrates them with more traditional 2D maps and photos. More

Zombie Apocalypse is a new movie written by BB pal and SyFy digital honcho Craig Engler — it premieres tonight on SyFy: The film takes place months after a zombie plague has wiped out 90 percent of the American population and follows a small group of survivors who are fighting their way across the country to a rumored refuge on the island of Catalina. Video Clip: Watch Ving Rhames kill zombies with a sledgehammer! ( Thanks, Craig ! )

From rumors to reality: YouTube is taking a crack at original programing. Sources close to the Wall Street Journal say that the streaming outfit is partnering with a broad mix of media firms, production companies, and savvy content creators to launch 100 channels, generating over 25 hours of original content each day. Most of these channels aren’t slated to launch until next year, but when they do they are said to be backed by names like Ashton Kutcher, Tony Hawk, Jay-Z, and Madonna. YouTube is reportedly paying content partners over $100 million to jump-start this project, and hopes to create quality that can be sold to Advertisers. YouTube’s blog confirmed that the first of these premium channels is set to launch next month, with subsequent channels coming in waves over the next year. Hit the source link below so see YouTube’s official announcement and an early list of channels and content providers. We know you’ll join us in giddy anticipation of Shaquille O’Neal’s Comedy Shaq Network . Google gets ready to play traditional TV, preps original YouTube channels originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 Oct 2011 22:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink