AOL talks with Microsoft, Yahoo heat up: source (Reuters)

July 15th, 2008

Reuters - Time Warner Inc’s discussions to merge
or sell its AOL Internet division with Microsoft Corp or Yahoo
Inc have taken on new urgency ahead of Yahoo’s Aug 1
shareholders meeting, a source familiar with the discussions
told Reuters on Tuesday.

Symbian says could expand ties with Google (Reuters)

July 15th, 2008

Reuters - UK-based smartphone software maker
Symbian said on Wednesday it could expand its collaboration
with Google Inc to the operating system level as it
moves to grant free and open access to its software platform.

What Google targeted?

Apple unveils iPod touch 1.1.5, HP Printer Driver 1.1

July 15th, 2008

Apple on Tuesday quietly unveiled the iPod touch 1.1.5 update, as well as an updated set of HP printer drivers for Mac OS X. Macworld reveals that the iPod touch update comes free for users, unlike the 2.0 update which costs $20, but doesn’t appear to actually change anything on the device. Writer Christopher Breen notes that some users have found …

NASA: Use the ISS as an Interplanetary Spaceship

July 15th, 2008

The ISS, you see, is already an interplanetary spacecraft — at least potentially. It’s missing a drive system and a steerage module, but those are technicalities. It could fairly easily be retrofitted for operations beyond low-Earth orbit. In principle, we could fly it almost anywhere within the inner solar system.

Para Venezuela

July 15th, 2008

Dayana Mendoza, Miss Venezuela, reacts after winning the Miss Universe 2008 beauty pageant in Nha Trang, Vietnam, Monday, July 14, 2008.

What Google targeted?

Borrowers Consolidate Student Loans at Rates as Low as 3.62%

July 15th, 2008

Borrowers will now be able to consolidate their variable-rate federal student loans at significantly lower fixed interest rates, thanks to the Fed’s flurry of rate cuts over the last year. Rate cuts made by the Fed largely in response to the subprime mortgage credit crisis added up to a 3-percent drop for student loan borrowers.

McLouth’s throw keeps All-Star game tied after 11

July 15th, 2008

Center fielder Nate McLouth threw out a runner at the plate in the bottom of the 11th inning, and Aaron Cook wriggled out of two jams to keep the All-Star game tied at 3 on Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium. Tampa Bay rookie Evan Longoria hit an RBI double off Billy Wagner with two outs in the eighth, pulling the American League into a 3-all tie.

Chinese restaurant called TRANSLATE SERVER ERROR

July 15th, 2008

I’m not sure what Chinese string this restaurateur fed to the translation software used to to generate the giant sign hanging over the entrance, but I’m pretty sure it wasn’t: TRANSLATE SERVER ERROR. Ah, the special problems of translations into other alphabets.

Link

(Thanks, Mark!)

Rush to guest on The Colbert Report

July 15th, 2008

That’s right. The Colbert Report has booked Rush to appear Wednesday night (11:30 PM/EST). That’s Rush the band, not Rush Limbaugh, the radio yapper. This is a real feather in the cap for The Colbert Report. Rush has not appeared on American TV in over 30 years, and they’re going to perform “Tom Sawyer,” their most-famous song.

Nintendo unveils Wii Remote upgrade, new games (AP)

July 15th, 2008

Legendary Nintendo game designer Shigeru Miyamoto demonstrates the new game 'Wii Music' by virtually playing a violin at the Nintendo E3 media briefing in Hollywood, California July 15, 2008.  REUTERS/Fred Prouser (UNITED STATES)AP - The Wii Remote is getting in touch with its sensitive side.