So, what did Santa bring you this year?
Yay! Measles!
Image credit: Ironically, ABC Family.
Get your mass handed to you | Bad Astronomy
If you want to lose weight, then you should avoid this Ebay auction, where someone has a Higgs boson up for bids.
The Higgs boson, for those not up on their Standard Model of Particle Physics, is the subatomic particle that is theoretically responsible for giving all the other little particles their mass, and its detection is one of the main goals of the Large Hadron Collider. Come to think of it, the folks at CERN could’ve saved a lot of cash had they simply bid here instead of building a bazillion dollar machine to look for the Higgs. But then how would Brian Cox find work?
And I love that graphic. 10∞? That’s a big number. You’d think magnifying the Higgs by that amount would make it look bigger.
Anyway, read the whole thing, because it’s pretty funny. Of course, this is a joke, and Ebay will no doubt take it down soon, so look before it’s gone and you’re doomed to travel the Universe forever with your mass kicked.
Tip o’ the spin 1/2 lepton to BABloggee Martin Kielty.
The Science of Avatar (Part I) | The Intersection
So I finally saw Avatar–the 3D IMAX version–and it exceeded my expectations; not as a result of the much-hyped new technology, but because this story resonates. Though it takes place on an imagined world called Pandora, many themes speak directly to 21st century planet Earth. I’m certainly not about to spoil the plot for those yet to see the film, but would like to emphasize I’m particularly appreciative that James Cameron and his crew got so much of the science in this film right.
Several details struck me as well-researched and extremely innovative and I will do a post in the coming week on some of the most interesting examples. First, I’m curious to learn what aspects of this sci-fi movie appealed most to our readers in the science community. (There are likely posts around the internet about this already, but as I’ve been spending much time offline, have not yet checked). So leave your impressions in comments and we’ll return to the Science of Avatar next week….
Presente, passato… Futurismo! – interactive itinerary near Udine
Presente, passato… Futurismo!
Percorso interattivo alla scoperta del “movimento”
December 18, 2009 – January 31, 2010
Curated by the Associazione culturale MACS
Villa Ermacora – Martignacco (Udine)
Dubai Skyline Sunset Time Lapse Provokes Inevitable Oooooohniiiice [Architecture]
I'm a sucker for architecture. And I'm a sucker for time lapse photography. So yes, I'm going to get this prettyful time lapse view of Dubai's skyline—from author of the 2.3-gigapixel Burj Dubai photo—and suck hard on it.
Gizmodo reader Gerald Donovan took more than nine hundred images over the course of an hour and twenty minutes to create this timelapse at sunset.
A Surprisingly Meme-Savvy Health Care Company [It’s The Weekend]
I want to believe that Medica really did try to cut health care costs with the light saber app, waving their humming iPhones over financial statements while wearing robes. Now that would be a board meeting. [Thanks DaSazonator and Sam]
Holiday Flowchart: Inappropriate Times To Use Your Smartphone (Around Family) [Humor]
By now you're probably wise enough to know when not to whip out your smartphone around your significant other, but what about when you're bored at home for the holidays? Follow this flowchart to determine when you've crossed the line:
Click the image to view a larger version.
Based in New York City, Shane Snow is a graduate student in Digital Media at Columbia University and founder of Scordit.com. He's fascinated with all things geeky, particularly social media and shiny gadgets he'll never afford.
The New, Terrifying, No-Electronics US Flight Security Rules [Terror]
That failed terrorist attack yesterday might make international flights a whole lot less enjoyable. Passengers are reporting that new restrictions are in place, and their severity varies flight-to-flight. Among the reports, a rumor: No electronics allowed.Updated:
Update 2: The TSA also released this statement, which seems to confirm that electronics usage policies will be on a case-by-case basis (emphasis added):
"Passengers flying from international locations to U.S. destinations may notice additional security measures in place. These measures are designed to be unpredictable, so passengers should not expect to see the same thing everywhere. Due to the busy holiday travel season, both domestic and international travelers should allot extra time for check-in."
Update: According to @charleneli, here's the situation:
New flight rules - Body search, no electronics apply only to int'l flights to US. Just landed in ORD from Canada, missed connection
Again, these are isolated incidents, and there's still no official word from TSA. But in certain instances, some passengers are reporting that electronics usage on inbound U.S. flights is restricted. We'll let you know if an official announcement comes.
The New York Times is reporting that no one will be able to move from their seats during the last hour of flight. That means no bathroom breaks, no accessing carry-on luggage, nothing. When that plane starts descending, you're planted.
Multiple sources, among them Xeni Jardin of Boing Boing, have also been told that no electronics are allowed on international flights. None. So you can't even play video games to distract yourself from how badly you have to pee.
From what we can tell, this is largely restricted to inbound international flights. TSA hasn't made any announcements yet either, so hopefully this is either a temporary measure, or the restrictions will be less severe once the official policy becomes clearer.
So much for using those free in-flight Wi-Fi codes we told you about. If you're flying today, tell us what you hear. [Business Insider, New York Times, @xenijardin]
Image via Bekathwia
WTF: AT&T Stops Online NY iPhone Sales Due to Network Frailty? [Att]
Consumerist is investigating readers' complaints regarding the inability to purchase an iPhone through AT&T's website when using an NY zip code. So far they've discovered that, according to a CS rep: "New York is not ready for the iPhone." Updated.
The conversation Consumerist's Laura Northrup had with an AT&T customer service representative after confirming that iPhones could not be purchased online when using any New York zip code almost plays out like an SNL skit:
Daphne: Welcome to AT&T online Sales support. How may I assist you with placing your order today?
Laura: Hi, I was looking at the iPhone 3Gs and the system tells me that I cannot order one in my ZIP code. My zip code is 11231. (Brooklyn, NY) Is this true? Are iPhones no longer available in New York City?
Daphne: I am happy to be helping you today . Yes, this is correct the phone is not offered to you because New York is not ready for the iPhone.
Daphne: You don't have enough towers to handle the phone.
Laura: Thank you for your help. So the phone is not available to people anywhere in the city?
Daphne: Yes this is correct Laura.
Yikes. We know that AT&T's aware that it sucks in NY, but is the solution to a localized network strain from heavy data usage to stop online sales of a particular phone? Doesn't exactly seem like the most sensible of ideas, especially since there are plenty of iPhones in AT&T's brick-and-mortar New York stores.
Something else that's peculiar about this "sales ban" is that folks in San Francisco, another spot where data puts a huge strain on AT&T's network, are still able to purchase the iPhone online:
A possible explanation to things comes in the form of whispers regarding some kind of New York-based online sales fraud, but somehow the answer to the old ""Is it the network?" still seems to be a loud, angry "Yes!"
I'm definitely curious to hear if AT&T makes an official statement on this issue and what the, probably innocent, explanation is. Hell, I'd be happy with just another Luke Wilson pep talk. [Consumerist]
This Camera Sees Color as Well As You Can [Cameras]
Ferrari’s New Driving Simulator Generates More Horsepower Than a Small Sedan [Simulators]
While a majority of those people playing Gran Turismo will never race a Civic, let alone the supercars featured therein, you can bet 100% of the people "playing" Ferrari's new racing rig will end up on the track some day.
This is because Ferrari's 200-ton racing simulator is designed to throw as realistic a simulation as possible at the drivers, who will eventually sit behind the wheel of a real, live Formula 1 race car.
The rig is comprised of 10 computers, sporting 60GB of RAM. The hydraulics it uses to simulate motion generate force equal to 174 horsepower—a whopping 34 more than the current Civic I just mentioned in my lame lead-in joke above.
A 180-degree track view is displayed to the driver using five 3D video monitors. Real engine and track sounds are pumped into the cockpit via a 3,500 watt Dolby surround sound system. This thing is unsurprisingly not available to the public and that geeky image at the top of the page is all Ferrari is giving up for now. [Jalopnik, Gizmag via DVICE]
Pedal Brain App Might Do For Cyclists What Nike+ Did For Runners [IPhone Apps]
Cycling apps are nothing new to the Apple App Store, but this hardware/software combo called Pedal Brain is the first to provide convenient ANT+ wireless device support.
As a quick primer, ANT+ is a wireless standard used by cyclists to measure and analyze their ride performance using a variety of wireless devices. It's been around for a while, but until Pedal Brain, there was no way to sync it up to an iPhone of iPod touch. Now there is!
Once you plug the Pedal Brain Synapse hardware device into your phone or touch, you'll start to get updates in real-time via the app on screen. When you're all done pedaling for the day, you can sync up with Pedal Brain on the Internet for a more in-depth analysis. There's team support too, which could make the software a boon for coaches.
The device/app will be available this spring, possibly in March, for $130 to $190. Unfortunately, the steep price does not include the additional charge for a subscription. A limited free version will be available at launch, but will crap out on you after a few weeks. [Pedal Brain via TechCrunch]
Audi Traveling Shaver Concept Doesn’t Come With an R8, But It Should [Audi]
So I happen to love Audis. I drive one, and I like her fine, but nevertheless if I received this razor in my stocking, she would have developed an inferiority complex at the sight of my incessant shaving.
You see, it's that mirror sheen. And those four red rings signifying the four marques of Auto Union...it's enough to get a guy to park it in front of a mirror for hours on end.
Good thing this is just an artist's concept, as you can see above. That said, if artist Poling Huang ever gets it done, I'd love to give it a quick review. Send it over in an R8 or something. [Coroflot via Born Rich]
Roku Player Will Soon Stream Porn [Roku]
I guess this was hinted at back in November, but now it's an all but certain reality: the Roku player will soon stream porn to your television set.
The streaming, no pun intended, comes from EroticVision.TV. The company will deliver a number of channels to your Roku player, but for now all we know of is "Wasteland.com." For the unfamiliar, that's a BDSM website.
Parental controls will bar yougins from seeing any BDSM tomfoolery, and to access the content you'll have to register your box with EroticVision.TV. Uh, enjoy? Update: NSFW porn is obviously redundant. "Changed." [CrunchGear]
Kissing 2009 Goodbye | The Intersection
en masse…
Book Review: Beauty and the Soul
A profound and multidimensional tribute to beauty and its many incarnations, manifestations, and benefits.
Book Excerpt: Beauty and the Soul
Piero Ferrucci on how to make the experience of beauty more likely and more meaningful.
Today In Android Rumors: Version 2.1 to T-Mobile, Espresso Sense UI Spotted in Video [Rumors]
How about a nice Android rumor and a nifty video to kick start your afternoon? Well we have both: Exhibit A is a rumor regarding T-Mobile, while B is a video of Espresso in action:
To be quirky, here's B first:
It's a down and dirty little walk-through, featuring a slightly more polished menu and a new launcher bar in the corner.
The second bit is a rumor regarding Android 2.0. It might be headed to T-Mobile, you see, on the T-Mobile G1. Further unconfirmed reports state it might actually be version 2.1 (Google Nexus One type stuff!). CES is coming soon. We expect more then, but possibly sooner. This is the Internet after all. Total sieve. [Mobile Tech World via Engadget and AndroidSPIN]
Universe Ring’s Tiny Imperfection Is a Model of Everything We Know [Rings]
There can be only one Universe Ring. Unless you believe in the Multiverse. Then you can have as many as you want!
The Universe portion of this concept ring lies in the tiny dot. Within the dust particle-sized imperfection lies a tiny model. A model of what theorists like Stephen Hawking say our Universe looks like. You'll need some magnification to see it clearly, but it's there, inspired by scientists like Stephen Hawking and the anthropic theory.
Artist/creator To22 says the ring "puts our daily pursuits into perspective and reminds us that we are always a part of something bigger."
That's well and good and all, but I can seriously see this being used instead as a geek's dream wedding band. "I gave you the Universe, baby." Or something. Let me know if she/he says yes. [The Universe Ring via MAKE]
"Synthehol" Substance Could Turn Drunkenness On and Off at Will [Synthehol]
Another year, another Star Trek "Synthehol" story. This time, however, there's some promise. Could hangover-free late night binges be the feel good story of 2010?
For now, the answer is maybe, as is often the case with wild new scientific discoveries—especially those that pertain to the mythical substance first consumed by the crews seen in the Star Trek universe.
This latest substance is being developed in a way that mimics Valium by a man named, I shit you not, Professor Nutt. He's totally sane though, and claims this substance delivers all the inebriating effects of alcohol, but without the mood-altering and addiction side effects. Better still, he claims that drinkers will be able to flush their system almost immediately with an antidote. Need to drive home after a rager of a holiday party? No problem! Pop a pill and you'll soon be good to go.
That said, it's time for the cold water dose of reality that accompanies seemingly every science-related story seen in a mainstream news publication these days. You see, Prof. Nutt is without funding or a test country that's willing to change regulations and allow such a substance onto the open market. The liquor industry has also shown little interest, which I find unfortunate. Wouldn't they sell more drinks this way? [The Telegraph via Slashdot]
