Technology Talk and Industry News
- Twins learn of teen brother's death on Facebook
Twins logging on to Facebook to read birthday wishes instead discover that people have left RIP posts about their 17-year-old brother. Police hadn't notified the family.
- Silicon: It's good for you, especially in beer
Researchers at UC Davis say that silicon, the most common metalloid and a known booster of bone-mineral density, is highly "bioavailable" when consumed in beer.
- University worker accused of extorting student file sharers
Security analyst at University of Georgia tasked with catching copyright violators allegedly uses his position to shakedown students.
- TweetDeck gets a few tweaks
The latest version of TweetDeck is out, and although it's a minor update it also introduces some useful changes worth noting.
- Boeing's next-gen 747 takes first flight
The 747-8 Freighter, whose passenger version is slated to come a year later, is getting tested alongside the 787 Dreamliner in Washington state.
- Former Intel exec pleads guilty in Galleon case
A former Intel executive pleads guilty to conspiracy and securities fraud by providing confidential information in the Galleon Group insider-trading case.
- Next-generation 747 takes first air (photos)
On Monday, Boeing's 747-8 Freighter took off from Paine Field in Everett, Wash., its first flight, and the first for the new 747 program.
- Stay home, let Texas Robot attend that meeting
A start-up employee in Indiana telecommutes to work in California by using a robot body stationed at his office. Meet the Texas Robot from Willow Garage.
- Microsoft denies Windows 7 battery problem
The software maker says that an error message warning users that their batteries may need replacing appears to be working as intended, despite some complaints.
- CNET News Daily Podcast: Blackberry hacked, 4chan blocked, iPad unwanted
On the podcast: Blackberry vulnerabilities, Verizon blocks 4chan sites, the space station gets a new bay window, and more.
- Google to make Gmail a little more social
Sources familiar with the company's plans tell CNET that Google is ready to integrate status updates into Gmail in Twitter-like style, with a stream of text and multimedia updates.
- EA's game arsenal coming to Facebook?
An exec at the gaming company hinted that its 'Madden NFL' franchise will launch a Facebook version, the first application we've seen of EA's Playfish acquisition to its existing game titles.
- Survey: More people looking for help on recycling
Report from Earth911.com shows more people with questions on how and where to recycle in 2009, with PCs, batteries, and TVs topping the list of search queries.
- Netflix says ISPs could threaten Web video
Some bandwidth providers sell access to film and TV shows. Will that prompt them to relegate competitors to the Web's "slow lane?" Netflix recently outlined its concerns to the FCC.
- Verizon temporarily blocks some 4chan sites
Verizon spokesman says carrier blocked sites associated with online forum to thwart network attacks. It's not clear which sites were affected and exactly what the trouble was.
- Google vs. Microsoft marketing
The two company have very different approaches to computing, which seems to be reflected in their respective advertising campaigns.
- Areva buys solar-thermal start-up Ausra
Strong in nuclear power, Areva purchases concentrating solar-power company Ausra to expand its renewable energy portfolio.
- Security software maker Vitamin D exits beta
The software, created by three former Palm executives, lets people use an ordinary Webcam as a security system.
- Is our children learning? Geeks make sure they is
Smartphones were essential for scavenger-hunters hitting San Francisco's streets as part of a "Tech Search Party" to benefit a local school's technology program.
- China breaks up Black Hawk hacking ring
The Xinhua news agency says police arrested three people suspected of running a group that disseminated hacking tools and Trojans to its members.
