Apple’s recalling certain MacBook Air models over flash drive failure.

Apple’s recalling certain MacBook Air models over flash drive failure. If you purchased one between June 2012 and June 2013, a firmware update will see if your 64GB or 128GB drive needs replacing. [ Apple via GigaOM ] Read more…        

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Apple’s recalling certain MacBook Air models over flash drive failure.

This Nearly Indestructible Data Storage Disc Will Last a Billion Years

Long term data storage is tricky. Hard discs and magnetic tapes lose their charge, CDs and DVDs are easy to scratch, and forget about punch cards . Now a student at the University of Twente has developed an optical storage system he says will survive for up to a billion years — even if you barbecue it. Read more…        

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This Nearly Indestructible Data Storage Disc Will Last a Billion Years

A Power Outage Made South Park Miss an Episode for the First Time

South Park was unable to meet its deadline for the first time in its 240+ episode history because of a power outage. That’s 17 straight seasons of somehow making things work on a short deadline until now. What a bummer! Read more…        

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A Power Outage Made South Park Miss an Episode for the First Time

These Next Generation Drones Carry Gear and Machine Guns into Battle

When most people hear the word “drone, ” they probably picture a cockpit-free plane zipping over the Iraqi desert. But there’s more to it than that. The Army is in the process of adopting a whole new generation of unmanned vehicles that will assist soldiers on the battlefield—and they’re by far the scariest remote-controlled cars you’ll ever see. Read more…        

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These Next Generation Drones Carry Gear and Machine Guns into Battle

Scientists Found the Remains of a Water-Covered Earth-Like Planet

A team of astrophysicists have made an exciting however complex discovery a mere 170 light years away. In their own words , it’s “the first evidence of a water-rich rocky planetary body” outside of our own solar system to have evidence of water. It’s the “rocky” bit that makes it Earth-like. Read more…        

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Scientists Found the Remains of a Water-Covered Earth-Like Planet

China Accidentally Built a Housing Complex in the Middle of a Highway

There’s no denying that China doesn’t have the best record when it comes to urban planning and development, particularly in regards to real estate —and their most recent blunder is a doozy. Thanks to some poor planning and (presumably poor) communication, China accidentally built a brand new set of modern apartments right in the middle of an eight-lane highway. Your very own permanent, honking sound soother. Read more…        

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China Accidentally Built a Housing Complex in the Middle of a Highway

How The NSA Deploys Malware

We’ve long suspected that the NSA, the world’s premiere spy agency, was pretty good at breaking into computers. But now, thanks to an article by security expert Bruce Schneier—who is working with the Guardian to go through the Snowden documents—we have a much more detailed view of how the NSA uses exploits in order to infect the computers of targeted users. The template for attacking people with malware used by the NSA is in widespread use by criminals and fraudsters, as well as foreign intelligence agencies, so it’s important to understand and defend against this threat to avoid being a victim to the plethora of attackers out there. Read more…        

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How The NSA Deploys Malware

Disney’s Paper Generators Could Power Interactive Books of the Future

Disney has developed a new technology that allows you to generate energy by simply rubbing or touching a piece of paper. This is something the world needs because, you know, everything will require a level of interactivity in the future—even old-fashioned paper books. Read more…        

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Disney’s Paper Generators Could Power Interactive Books of the Future

This Is How NASA Made Composite Images Before Photoshop Existed

You might think that this image looks a little bodged together, and you’d be right to. After all, it’s literally a collage of photographs obtained by Voyager I—all the way back in 1979. Read more…        

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This Is How NASA Made Composite Images Before Photoshop Existed

The FDA Isn’t Inspecting Food During The Government Shutdown

E-coli outbreaks crop up every now and then. Some are more widespread then others, but if they’re related to food and especially if that food may have crossed state lines, the FDA starts tracing to find the source. If foodborne bacteria cause an outbreak in the U.S. today, though, the FDA won’t do anything. Because the FDA is closed. Read more…        

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The FDA Isn’t Inspecting Food During The Government Shutdown