Philips’ New Clear LED Bulbs Look Just Like Incandescents

Despite being more energy-efficient and longer lasting, consumers keep finding excuses for wanting to stick with ancient incandescent lightbulbs. But with clear glass and a special LED lens that looks like a traditional filament, Philips’ latest LED bulbs might finally convince those afraid of change. Read more…        

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Philips’ New Clear LED Bulbs Look Just Like Incandescents

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…        

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Scientists Make Bricks With Sludge Filtered From Arsenic-Laced Water

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…        

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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…        

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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…        

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We Finally Know Why Zebras Have Stripes

NSA Confirms It Has Been Searching US Citizens’ Data Without a Warrant

Charliemopps writes: “According to Director of National Intelligence, James Clapper, ‘There have been queries, using U.S. person identifiers, of communications lawfully acquired to obtain foreign intelligence targeting non-U.S. persons reasonably believed to be located outside the United States. These queries were performed pursuant to minimization procedures approved by the Fisa court and consistent with the statute and the fourth amendment.’ Basically, if you communicated with someone that is ‘reasonably believed’ to be a terrorist, you’ve lost constitutional protection against searches without a warrant, according to the NSA.” Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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NSA Confirms It Has Been Searching US Citizens’ Data Without a Warrant

FCC Boosts Spectrum Available To Wi-Fi

bbsguru (586178) writes “Wi-Fi networks will soon be improving thanks to a vote by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today. The FCC voted unanimously to open 100 MHz of wireless spectrum in an unlicensed 5GHz block . The move will increase the number of frequencies available to unlicensed wireless networks (such as those set up through Wi-Fi routers) by nearly 15 percent, and in turn, allow them to handle a greater level of traffic at higher speeds. ‘Today’s action represents the largest amount of spectrum suitable for mobile broadband that the Commission has made available for auction since the 700MHz band was auctioned in 2008, ‘ the FCC wrote in a statement. ‘Access to these bands will help wireless companies meet growing consumer demand for mobile data by enabling faster wireless speeds and more capacity.’ The increased spectrum should mean that Wi-Fi networks will be less congested, and next-gen routers will be able to take better advantage of gigabit broadband speeds that are cropping up all over the country.” Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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FCC Boosts Spectrum Available To Wi-Fi

A Man Got into a Firefight with a Robot in Pennsylvania

A man in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania armed himself with weapons, threatened police, and barricaded himself inside his apartment. Luckily, a police robot was there to stand on the firing line. Read more…        

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A Man Got into a Firefight with a Robot in Pennsylvania

New York Public Library Releases Over 20,000 Hi-Res Maps

Daniel_Stuckey (2647775) writes “Finally, you don’t have to raise your voice over a group of whisperers in the New York Public Library to get a better view of its map collection. Actually, you don’t even need to visit the place at all. Over 20, 000 maps and cartographic works from the NYPL’s Lionel Pincus & Princess Firyal Map Division have been uploaded and made downloadable for the public. ‘We believe these maps have no known U.S. copyright restrictions, ‘ explains a blog post announcing the wholesale release of the library’s map collection. ‘It means you can have the maps, all of them if you want, for free, in high resolution. We’ve scanned them to enable their use in the broadest possible ways by the largest number of people.’ The NYPL is distributing the maps under Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication, which means you can do whatever you want with the maps.” Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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New York Public Library Releases Over 20,000 Hi-Res Maps