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Submission + - Nanotech tablecloth that charges your laptop

Submitted by moscowde
moscowde writes: Research scientists at the University of Tokyo have come up with a unique sheet-like material that can transmit electrical energy over a large area to nearby devices without the need for direct contact, so it can be made into a tablecloth or wallpaper and your appliance can be anywhere on a surface to get charged. The system uses organic molecules as transistors, microelectromechanical switches, and miniature copper coils to transmit energy using electromagnetic induction. http://www.justchromatography.com/general/world-wi thout-wires
Sony

Submission + - Sony Blackballs Kotaku

Submitted by CorSci81
CorSci81 writes: The popular gaming blog Kotaku recently posted a rumor speculating on the nature of Sony's big announcement to come at the GDC. As it turns out, they attempted to verify the rumor with Sony before publication and were greeted with threats if they proceeded with the story, which was left out of the original posting. It seems Sony really meant it and has uninvited the Kotaku staff from all future meetings including media events at the GDC. The fallout from this over the next few days should be interesting.
Software

Submission + - Software tweak could boost your car's gas mileage

Submitted by
coondoggie
coondoggie writes: "Think it's possible to improve your car's gas mileage just by downloading a new piece of software? Seems to be the case according to a Dutch scientist who this week said most modern cars could reduce fuel consumption by almost 3% by downloading software he and Ford worked to develop. John Kessels' software shuts on or off the car's alternator, which charges the car battery, when it is particularly inefficient for the engine to power it, thus improving the overall efficiency of the engine. A similar technique is used for hybrid cars. The software is not proprietary to Ford and can be used in any vehicle with an engine computer, which includes the vast majority of cars sold today, Kessel says. http://www.networkworld.com/community/?q=node/1195 6"
Security

Submission + - U.S. cities don't make the intelligence cut

Submitted by
coondoggie
coondoggie writes: "For the second year running, no U.S. city has made the list of the world's top Intelligent Communities of 2007, as selected by global think tank Intelligent Community Forum. The ICF selects the Intelligent Community list based on how advanced the communities are in deploying broadband, building a knowledge-based workforce, combining government and private-sector "digital inclusion," fostering innovation and marketing economic development. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2007/012407-icf-p tc.html"
Handhelds

Submission + - Switzerland bans the use of GPS units in cars.

Submitted by
An anonymous reader writes: If you're traveling with a GPS in your car to Switzerland, be very careful! As of January 10th, the Swiss authorities (ASTRA) have forbid the use of GPS systems in cars. They also banned the selling of car GPS units throughout the country.
The reason is that the software running on these devices reveal the location of traffic radars, through which less people have been fined in the recent years and thus Swiss authorities miss a lot of money. The controversial ban has been created a large commotion inside and outside the country, forcing the authorities to put an official document online [pdf — in Germans], with answers to most frequently asked questions.
GPS devices such as TomTom, Garmin, Mio, Navman, Medion, Route 66, Packard stand Ring, Sony and ViaMichelin are all in the banned list.
Communications

Submission + - Cell Phone in Pocket Badly Burns California Man

Submitted by westlake
westlake writes: Computerworld and USA TODAY are reporting a cell phone fire that has a California man in hospital with second and third degree burns over 60% of his body. The cell phone was in his pants pocket when he fell asleep while sitting in a plastic bathroom chair, apparently leaning against a button. The phone overheated, igniting his polyester pants, nylon shirt and jacket, spreading the fire to the chair. It's likely he survived only because his apartment had sprinklers. Fire investigators are calling it a freakish accident, the man had four times the legal limit of alcohol in his blood. But still you have to wonder about a product that ignites before it shuts down. Even an ordinary household iron has that much protection these days.
XBox (Games)

Submission + - Virtua Fighter 5 also announced for Xbox 360

Submitted by
Wowzer
Wowzer writes: "Sega today announced that their arcade fighting game Virtua Fighter 5, originally announced at E3 in May as a PS3-exclusive, will make its way onto the Xbox 360. From the article: "Virtua Fighter 5 is scheduled for release on Xbox 360 in North America and in Europe during late summer 2007. The game will also be available for the PS3 on February 20th, 2007 in North America and will be available in Europe simultaneously with the system's launch in March 2007." No new footage was revealed, as the official VF5 website is still showing the game only with a PS3 movie and screenshots."
Security

Small Businesses Worry About MS Anti-Phishing 291

Posted by kdawson from the green-means-good dept.
prostoalex writes "Ever get that warm feeling of safety, when the anti-phishing toolbar on Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 turns green, telling you it's safe to shop on the site you're visiting? Well, you probably don't, but the millions of Internet users who will soon be running IE7 probably will be paying attention to the anti-phishing warnings. WSJ.com is reporting on how Microsoft is making it tough for small businesses to assure they're treated properly by the anti-phishing algorithm." From the article: "[S]ole proprietorships, general partnerships and individuals won't be eligible for the new, stricter security certificates that Microsoft requires to display the color. There are about 20.6 million sole proprietorships and general partnerships in the U.S... though it isn't clear how many are engaged in e-commerce... 'Are people going to trust the green more than white? Yes, they will,' says Avivah Litan, an analyst at Gartner Inc. and an expert on online payments and fraud. 'All the business is going to go to the greens, it's kind of obvious.'"
PlayStation (Games)

Submission + - PS3 already loosing popularity

Submitted by
Dan Miller
Dan Miller writes: "Even though it can't be bought in stores, the hype around the PS3 is fading. Ebay prices have fallen close to the actual retail value and websites raffling them away aren't selling any tickets. A game trading community that I recently joined (www.GameTraderWorld.com) is raffling a 60gb PS3 and they are reporting a 30% chance to win for $20 because no one bought any tickets. Here is the link to the story: http://www.gametraderworld.com/news.php?id=21"
Sony

Journal Journal: PS3 Slow and Broken? 2

Journal by Saige

Just saw a pointer to an interesting article, and wanted to share this one with people.
User Journal

Journal Journal: Bra ads... on Slashdot? 8

Journal by Saige

Just a quick note to say that I am utterly STUMPED why I'd be seeing Lane Bryant bra ads here on Slashdot. You want to talk about not hitting the target audience...

On a side note, I've just taken a new position here at Microsoft with a new team. I'll update about that soon, but it's definitely something I'm very excited about!

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