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Feed Techdirt: Putting A Movie On TV Before It's In Theaters (techdirt.com)

From feed by techdirtfeed
While some movie studio execs are still claiming that it's not "technically possible" to release movies in the theaters and elsewhere at the same time, Mark Cuban forges ahead doing just that. A couple years ago he made news for doing a simultaneous theater and DVD release of a Steven Soderbergh film, recognizing that people want to watch a movie wherever it's most convenient to them. Unfortunately, short-sighted theater owners boycotted the movie and the press quickly condemned this "day and date" technique as a failure. Of course, it didn't help that the movie just wasn't that good.

However, that experience hasn't stopped Cuban from continuing to experiment and push the movie industry into this century. His latest, as pointed out by Carlo, is that the new Demi Moore and Michael Caine movie Flawless is actually debuting on Cuban's HDNet TV channel two days before the theatrical release. Slowly, but surely, perhaps theater owners will recognize that they can't rely on artificial scarcity to get people into the seats. They'll have to start innovating and offering a better experience. Perhaps it's worth noting that Cuban is also a theater owner... and appears to actually be working hard on making the theater experience better and experimenting with unique business models. If he, as a theater owner, isn't scared of "competing" against home theaters, why are other theater owners so afraid?

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Feed Engadget: XCOR's Lynx aims to enter space tourism business in 2010 (engadget.com)

From feed by engfeed

Filed under: Transportation

Crazy though it may be, XCOR's looming Lynx isn't the first rocket ship built to take Earthlings to outer space, but it's definitely taking a different approach than that of the SpaceShipTwo. Unveiled as the "sports car of commercial spaceflight," the smallish craft is only designed to carry two individuals (or a driver and cargo), meaning that you and your SO will have to take turns shooting up to some 61-kilometers above the ground. Reportedly, Lynx would be fueled by a kerosene / liquid oxygen mixture and could take off and land from traditional airstrips, and while it could manage several flights per day, each one is only slated to last 25 minutes. Sadly, the $64,000 (likely more, actually) question of how much this joyride will cost has yet to be answered, but optimistic minds are hoping to see test flights commence in 2010.

[Via NewScientist]

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Power

Submission + - SPAM: Light-up rug saves toes everywhere

Submitted by
coondoggie
coondoggie writes: "How many times have you smashed your foot into something as you traipse to the bathroom in the middle of the night? Well no more thanks to a new rug system that uses sensors and electroluminescence to light up as you step on it. Footlume was created by two college students who were inspired by the number of times they used their mobile phones to light their way in the dark. By using the same light source, electroluminescent panel and transferring it into a pressure activated rug we have created an energy efficient alternative to turning on a light switch. The electroluminescent rug uses rechargeable batteries uses on an electric field to generate light. [spam URL stripped]"
Link to Original Source
Space

Submission + - Alan Stern unexpectedly resigns from NASA

Submitted by call-me-kenneth
call-me-kenneth writes: The current head of space science at NASA, Alan Stern, has unexpectedly resigned. Stern has been doing sterling work since joining last year, coaxing life back into projects that had been mothballed for budgetary reasons (cost overruns on Mars Science Laboratory, due for launching next year, in particular.) This coincides with the idea floated the other day of mothballing the Spirit MER rover to save a paltry $4m — which was hastily withdrawn 24 hours later.
Government

Submission + - Computers may thwart 2010 census

Submitted by smooth wombat
smooth wombat writes: With the Constitutionally mandated census of 2010 just around the corner, it appears the Commerce Department's attempt to use handheld computers to gather census information may not come to fruition. Originally, the contract was awarded at a cost of $596 million to Harris Corporation. However, the GAO has now estimated the revised contract, now costing $647 million, could grow to $2 billion and the equipment may still not work properly. There is consideration that the paper and pencil method might have to be employed to complete the census.

Harris Corp. spokesman Marc Raimondi has acknowledged the difficulties of the system but indicated, "After you spend about 30 minutes to an hour familiarizing yourself with it, it's as easy to use as a modern cell phone."
Wireless Networking

Submission + - Comcast, Time Warner to fund Sprint WiMax

Submitted by andy1307
andy1307 writes: According to this AP article quoting a Wall Street Journal report, Comcast Corp. and Time Warner Cable Inc. are discussing a plan to fund a new wireless Internet venture that would be run by Sprint Nextel Corp. and Clearwire Corp.The partnership would create a nationwide network using WiMax technology. Under the plan, Philadelphia-based Comcast would put up as much as $1 billion, while No. 2 Time Warner Cable would add $500 million, the Journal reported, citing unnamed people familiar with the matter. Another cable operator, Bright House Networks, would contribute $100 million to $200 million, the Journal said. The failure of a WiMax rollout in Australia was previously discussed on slashdot.
Cellphones

Submission + - Motorola to split in two (zdnet.co.uk) 1

Submitted by
superglaze
superglaze writes: "It's been a long time coming but it's still a shock announcement — Motorola is splitting off its dreadfully-performing mobile handset division. The manufacturer — probably the most visible and enthusiastic early adopter of mobile Linux — hasn't had a hit phone for years (since the Razr), and this is the result. If everything goes through, the break-up will happen next year."

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