Google Maps users, rejoice: ‘search nearby’ is back

The incredibly useful “search nearby” tool was one of the casualties of the Google Maps redesign, but today Mountain View re-introduced the feature. For those who didn’t constantly use it to find new Indian restaurants a few blocks from their apartment ( ahem ), “search nearby” lets you pull up businesses and other points of interest based on an address, neighborhood or other location. It’s already re-added on the desktop; simply type in a place and the “search nearby” bar will turn up. To be fair, it’s not like you couldn’t search for tacos near the Empire State Building with the new Google Maps that began rolling out last month — you could get the same functionality by doing a follow-up search after typing in an address — but “search nearby” is much more user-friendly. Unlike the latter method, it also lets you control the zoom level to get results within a particular distance of your location. And, no, we’re pretty sure this isn’t an April Fools’ joke. Filed under: Internet , Google Comments Via: SlashGear Source: @GoogleMaps

Read this article:
Google Maps users, rejoice: ‘search nearby’ is back

One week before its end of life, 28 percent of Web users are still on Windows XP

Windows XP will receive its last ever security update on April 8th next week. After that, any flaws, no matter how severe, will not be patched by Microsoft, and one would be well advised to not let Windows XP machines anywhere near the public Internet as a result. In spite of this, 28 percent of Web users were still using the ancient operating system in March. This seems unlikely to end well. Net Market Share Net Market Share Chrome has come close to Firefox’s market share a number of times over the years. However, the market share tracker we use, Net Market Share, has never seen Google’s browser actually surpass Mozilla’s—until now. In March, Chrome finally overtook Firefox to claim the second spot. Internet Explorer dropped a quarter of a point, Firefox dropped 0.42 points, and Chrome reaped the reward, gaining 0.68 points. Safari was essentially unchanged, up 0.01 points; likewise Opera, dropping 0.03 points. Read 4 remaining paragraphs | Comments

More:
One week before its end of life, 28 percent of Web users are still on Windows XP

Scientists Make Bricks With Sludge Filtered From Arsenic-Laced Water

Arsenic-contaminated water is a massive problem in the developing world. But, even when you filter it out, the toxic sludge that the process produces often gets dumped right back into the water supply. It’s tough to dream up a use for arsenic soup, but one research team finally has: They’re making bricks out of it. Read more…        

View post:
Scientists Make Bricks With Sludge Filtered From Arsenic-Laced Water

Hackers Can Now Create Fake Traffic Jams

A couple of Israeli students figured out a way to create fake traffic jams using the popular, Google-owned Waze GPS app. And while it sounds silly at first, these kinds of infrastructure hacks could have serious consequences as we depend more and more on data to help us get around town. Read more…        

Read More:
Hackers Can Now Create Fake Traffic Jams

Reuters: Next iPhone will come with 4.7” or 5.5” screen

Satire – The iPhone 5S (Parody) Ad Reuters reports that Apple’s next iPhone will be available in both 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch screen versions —considerable increases over the current iPhone 5S and 5C models’ 4-inch displays. Reuters cites “supply chain sources” for the information, which could mean anything from a Foxconn vice president down to a factory janitor. According to Reuters, three separate suppliers have been tapped to produce the larger LCD panels: Japan Display, Sharp, and LG Display. The existence of the displays themselves isn’t necessarily the point of the Reuters report, though—according to Reuters, not only are the two unannounced display sizes planned, but the 5.5-inch version might already be facing production problems. The report speculates that the displays will contain the same in-cell touch sensor technology that Apple has been using since the iPhone 5’s debut . This kind of display incorporates touch sensors directly into the screen’s glass, making it considerably more complex to manufacture than displays with separate glass, panel, and sensor elements. Making in-cell displays in quantity at the larger 5.5-inch size is apparently difficult, which is why the screen manufacturers are said to be leading with 4.7-inch screens. Read 2 remaining paragraphs | Comments

Read the original:
Reuters: Next iPhone will come with 4.7” or 5.5” screen

8.2 Earthquake Off the Coast of Chile, Tsunami Triggered

An 8.2-magnitude earthquake has struck roughly 60km off the cost of Chile. Its depth was approximately 20.1km. A tsunami has been generated, and evacuations have been ordered along the coast near the strike. Tsunami warnings were also issued for Peru and Ecuador. According to the Associated Press, “Coastal residents of northern Chile evacuated calmly as waves measuring almost 2 meters (6 1/2 feet) struck ahead of a tsunami that was expected to come ashore later. … Chile’s emergency service reported some roads blocked by landslides caused by the quake, but said no injuries had been reported so far.” Read more of this story at Slashdot.

More:
8.2 Earthquake Off the Coast of Chile, Tsunami Triggered

Stream Pandora One from Your PC Instead of Your Phone for Quality

Chances are, when you’re listening to Pandora on your stereo, you just plug in your phone and start playing. However, if you have Pandora One, you get significantly higher quality music if you use your computer instead. Read more…        

Continue reading here:
Stream Pandora One from Your PC Instead of Your Phone for Quality

Use Your Favorite USB Keyboard On Your Phone With This Backup Battery

It can be hard to choose a backup battery when the market is as flooded as Bluetooth speakers and iPhone cases have become. Manufacturers are now finding ways to include added value with their emergency power supplies, like Cerevo’s new EneBrick that can turn your favorite USB keyboard into a wireless Bluetooth accessory for your tablet or smartphone. Read more…        

Excerpt from:
Use Your Favorite USB Keyboard On Your Phone With This Backup Battery

We Finally Know Why Zebras Have Stripes

Why does the zebra have stripes? It’s not a riddle — scientists say they’ve actually found an answer. And no, it’s not camouflage for hiding under a slatted roof. The stripes actually serve as an insect repellent. Read more…        

Visit link:
We Finally Know Why Zebras Have Stripes