New MRI 'fingerprinting' could spot diseases in seconds

New MRI 'fingerprinting' could spot diseases in seconds: Researchers say the tech, which could help spot heart disease, multiple sclerosis, specific cancers, and more, may make MRI scans a standard procedure during annual exams. [Read more]

Pew Pew! Scientists Build Lasers Out of Sound, Call Them Phasers

Pew Pew! Scientists Build Lasers Out of Sound, Call Them Phasers: Using a nanoscale drum, scientists have built a laser that uses sound waves instead of light like a conventional laser. Because laser is an acronym for ?light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation,? these new contraptions ? which exploit particles of sound called phonons ? should properly be called phasers. Such devices could one day be used in ultrasound medical imaging, computer parts, high-precision measurement, and many other places.

My first computer. There was nothing Electronic about it.

It was completely mechanical.

What made it a computer was that it could count to 7 in binary. It was programmed with rubber bands and plastic straw bits.

It was Educational. It was not Fun At Parties.

Thank god my $4.99 (+ .63¢ shipping) investment was protected by a 30-day Free Trial. ("If you don't agree with us that this is the most exciting new development in modern research, then simply return it for a full refund.")

Of course, I kept it. And there was even a 2.0 upgrade. I was notified by the computer that I could upgrade (for $1.99) from Version 1.0's copper wire springs to 2.0's more sophisticated rubber bands.

I see in the copy that you can "check out Dad's bank balance" - but you couldn't really 'cause it only counted to seven.

"Designed in plastic, this mechanical analog of a binary computer... can be assembled in less than one hour."

Douglas County winery named Oregon's best

Douglas County winery named Oregon's best:

For the first time, a Douglas County winery has been named Oregon's Winery of the Year. This year, that honor goes to Abacela Winery in Winston.

Plex Media Server 0.9.7.17 - Seamlessly connect your Plex clients with your local media. (Free)

Plex Media Server 0.9.7.17 - Seamlessly connect your Plex clients with your local media. (Free): Plex Media Server seamlessly connects your Plex clients with all of your local and online media. The combination of centralized library management, streaming of online content, and powerful transcoding functionality provides an unrivaled level of flexibility and ease of use.
Plex Media Server runs on your Mac, PC, or compatible NAS device and serves your media to all of your Plex clients including Plex-enabled mobile devices and 2011 LG Smart TVs.

Google Reader is dying, but we have five worthy alternatives

Google Reader is dying, but we have five worthy alternatives: With Google Reader on its way out, many users will be in need of a replacement for their RSS subscriptions. Here's a roundup of what we think are the best alternatives available. [Read more]

Google closes the book on Reader, announces July 1 sunset

Google closes the book on Reader, announces July 1 sunset: The beloved service, which has suffered increasing neglect as the popularity of RSS declined, is going away. [Read more]

List an OS X folder hierarchy with TextWrangler

List an OS X folder hierarchy with TextWrangler: If you need to get a structured list of the directories in a folder, TextWrangler can do that. [Read more]

A New Breed of Supercar: The 261-MPG Volkswagen XL1

A New Breed of Supercar: The 261-MPG Volkswagen XL1: Across the Geneva Motor Show hall from Ferrari's new 950-hp flagship and Lamborghini's $3.9 million Veneno, Volkswagen unveiled an entirely new breed of supercar. It's called the XL1 and its headline figure isn't a sub-three-second 0-60 time or face-melting thrust, but a fuel economy rating of 261 mpg.

Path's Latest Update Goes Badly Off Course

Path's Latest Update Goes Badly Off Course: Path's newest update solves all the wrong problems.

The mobile-only social network that limits you to 150 friends rolled out version three of its app yesterday. It adds several new features, like stickers you can use in conversation, private location sharing, and private messaging. Some of them are quite good, others are boring, and at least ...

Why iOS needs support for multiple accounts

Why iOS needs support for multiple accounts: Most people get around this problem by not using a shared iPad for email and other personal data—but why should they have to limit their use of the device? Apple could easily fix the situation by adding multiple user accounts to iOS.

Roku 3 Raises the Bar for Set-Top Streamers

Roku 3 Raises the Bar for Set-Top Streamers: Roku introduced the new Roku 3 set-top box that delivers more than a hobby. It's probably the best streamer on the market.

Your move Apple.

Four ways to get things done with Siri

Four ways to get things done with Siri: You can have a lot of fun with Siri, the artificially intelligent, voice recognition-based assistant built into newer iPhones and iPads. But fun though Siri may be, it turns out the little voice inside your iOS device can also help you become increasingly productive. From reminding you to perform a task, to sending meeting invitations, to keeping track of book recommendations—Siri proves to be surprisingly helpful for taking care of everyday things. Here’s an assortment of tasks to get done with Siri.

How to clean printers in OS X

How to clean printers in OS X: A hidden option in the OS X print system may allow you to toggle the option to clean your printer's heads. [Read more]

E-book porn flourishes on Amazon's Kindle

E-book porn flourishes on Amazon's Kindle: Platforms for e-book self-publishing like Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing let amateur porn producers slap together adult picture books and sell them online with ease. [Read more]

YouTube to launch its own music streaming service, says report

YouTube to launch its own music streaming service, says report: The online video site will compete with the likes of Pandora and Spotify by kicking off its own online music service later this year, says Fortune. [Read more]

Google now redirects Picasa Web Albums to Google+ Photos

Google now redirects Picasa Web Albums to Google+ Photos: It's another nail in the coffin for Picasa Web Albums as its URL now brings users to their photo albums on Google+. [Read more]

Staples: Snag $400 by swapping old gadget for Windows 8 device

Staples: Snag $400 by swapping old gadget for Windows 8 device: Buy a new Windows 8 touch-screen device through Staples, send in your old device, and you could get up to $400 in return. [Read more]

Get a Roku 2 XS for $64.99 shipped

Get a Roku 2 XS for $64.99 shipped: This is the top-end Roku model, which normally sells for $100. As long as you don't mind refurbished gear (and you shouldn't), it's a steal. [Read more]

U.S. mobile consumers spent $95B on data in 2012, topping what they spent on voice

U.S. mobile consumers spent $95B on data in 2012, topping what they spent on voice: A new report found that, in 2012, consumers for the first time spent more money on mobile data than on voice. [Read more]

The Google Glass feature no one is talking about — Creative Good

The Google Glass feature no one is talking about — Creative Good: Let’s return to the bus ride. It’s not a stretch to imagine that you could immediately be identified by that Google Glass user who gets on the bus and turns the camera toward you. Anything you say within earshot could be recorded, associated with the text, and tagged to your online identity. And stored in Google’s search index. Permanently.

XBox 360 Controller Driver 0.12 - Drive for XBox 360 controller. (Free)

XBox 360 Controller Driver 0.12 - Drive for XBox 360 controller. (Free): XBox 360 Controller Driver allows you to use wired XBox 360 Controllers via USB, and wireless XBox 360 Controllers via the Microsoft Wireless Gaming Receiver for Windows, on your OS X machine, including support for the Apple Force Feedback library. The driver is licenced under the GPL.

Tips for increasing the longevity of your Mac

Tips for increasing the longevity of your Mac: If you have a new or used Mac then you likely would like to ensure it stays working for as long as possible. [Read more]