The most cute and hilarious thing I’ve seen this week:
Thanks for the good laugh David!
[Via TwitPic]
Child’s letter to Institute of Physics regarding the “Large Hardon Collider”
Holy Crap this is Awesome: Iron Baby [Video]
A rich and brilliant baby… just created the ultimate weapon!
My Desk is an 8-Bit Video Game Console
San Francisco-based artist Alex Varanese got up one day and wondered what his desk would look like if it would be an 8-Bit video game system. He then created this fantastic stop-motion animation to give life to his idea. Enjoy!
Apple now world’s biggest tech firm
Apple is now officially bigger than Microsoft. But only on paper.
This week marked the first time the market capitalization of Apple ($221 billion at the close of trading last night) exceeded that of Microsoft ($219 billion). Market capitalization is the paper value of the company: the number of shares multiplied by the current market price.
In terms of the business they do, Microsoft remains much stronger: $20.4 billion pre-tax profits from $58.4 billion revenue, compared with Apple’s $11.7 billion profits from $42.9 billion revenue.
But momentum is certainly with Apple. As Information Week notes, when Ballmer took over Microsoft in 2000, its market capitalization of $556 billion absolutely dwarfed Apple’s $15.6 billion.
While it’s difficult if not impossible to read what investors as a whole are thinking when they carry out the buying and selling which determines stock prices, there seems to be a clear overall message: they acknowledge Microsoft still dominates the market for full-blown computing software, while Apple does a much better job than Microsoft when it comes to the markets for other devices. Just compare the success of the iPod, iPhone, or iPad to the poorly-received Zune, a ludicrously delayed Windows Phone 7 series, and a combination of a non-existent Courier and a collection of independent manufacturers who appear to be getting cold feet about relying on Windows for their tablets.
Why Twilight is So Popular [Video]
If you’ve ever wondered why movies and books such as Twilight are so popular, the following clip should enlighten you:
…and here’s how each new Twilight movie is tested before being released to the public:
How Lost Should Have Ended [Animated GIF]
[Via TDW]
New Google Phone Service Whispers Ads Directly Into Users’ Ears
Apparently, the new feature will reduce Google phone users’ cell phone costs while providing them with unobtrusive, personalized “whispered” ads. Hit the play button for the full video report form our friends at the Onion News Network.
Please note that ANYTHING coming from the ONN should NEVER be taken seriously! ;)
America prepared for online warfare
Keith Alexander is officially number one at online warfare’s Cyber Command. But he’s no sofa-slumper and it’s no game.
Alexander is in fact four-star General Keith Alexander, and Cyber Command is a newly created subdivision of the US Army’s Strategic Command, which is effectively the military’s tech unit and already deals with missile defense and military space operations.
Cyber Command, also known as USCYBERCOM, will be based in Fort Meade, Maryland with around 1,000 staff. It’s formal remit is to “pulling together existing cyberspace resources, creating synergy that does not currently exist and synchronizing war-fighting effects to defend the information security environment.”
The logic of the new organization is that just as land, air and sea are all treated as military spheres, so should cyberspace. The appointment of Alexander is designed to make sure the cyber unit is able to deal with other command units on an equal footing.
The primary aim is to defend the military’s computer and communication networks, though it may also play a role in protecting government infrastructure. One idea is that the Department of Homeland Security will be able to use Cyber Command as its primary resource on cybersecurity issues.
Officials have already acknowledged there will need to be further consultation and exploration to clarify exactly how international law and rules of conflict apply to online activity.
Dyson’s Rube Goldberg-esque Balloon Course
Apart from manufacturing really cool-looking vacuum cleaners, Dyson is also the company behind those awesome bladeless fans. The only problem with these is their price: At $300 a pop, they’ve probably got quite a stock in inventory. I mean, I don’t know too many people who would pay that price for a fan when you can get a good one for about a tenth of the price. But the question is, what would YOU do with all those unused fans? Here’s what Dyson’s engineers came up with:
Dyson engineers were asked to show how inducement and entrainment of air works on the Air Multiplier™ fan. If you watch closely, the balloon is sucked from behind and to the side of the fan this is inducement and entrainment at work.
Lots of experimentation with different sized balloons and other objects produced this video. And although edited to include our successful attempts, the video is made from completely genuine footage (and no, the balloon isnt attached to anything).
[Via Gizmodo]
BeBionic: A New Generation of Advanced Myo-Electric Hands
Complete with a range of naturally compliant grip patterns that provide repeatable accuracy, our powerful new hands combine innovative technology with life-like appearance.
Functions of the hand such as speed, grip force and grip patterns may be custom programmed to suit individual user requirements through smart software and wireless technology. Lighter than existing products it will be available to the market at an affordable price.
For those of you who want more information about BiBionic’s robotic hand, all the info you need is available on the company’s website.
[Via Dvice]