Links from Monday's episode of Loaded:
Phillips scales back its TV business.
The District of Columbia is aiming to legalize and tax online poker.
Google is about to shut down Google Video once and for all.
Google also is funding research to teach computers how to feel regret.
The sequel to Uncharted will have direct integration with Facebook and YouTube.
Samsung may be selling off its hard-drive business.
Maybe it's to offset the high price of chicken, but NASA and the U.S. Air Force could soon be fueling their aircraft on jet fuel derived from recycled chicken fat.
Seventeen organizations are participating in Alternative Aviation Fuel Experiment II, or AAFEX II, to see if hydrotreated renewable jet fuel is a viable, eco-friendly fuel for jets.
"It's made out of chicken fat, actually," said Langley's Bruce Anderson, AAFEX II project scientist. "The Air Force bought many thousands of gallons of this to burn in some of their jets and provided about 8,… Read more
If you've ever bought a Dyson product--or even looked at one--you know that they tend to run pretty expensive.
In the case of the Dyson DC35 Digital Slim, you're looking at $299 for a cordless vacuum. That's a lot of dough, but the Slim, which is shaped more like a cleaning weapon than an appliance, has a dash of Dyson's usual innovative, fancy-sounding technology. It sustains suction level (even when the bin is filled up) with something called Root Cyclone technology, and it comes with a "fade-free" lithium ion battery that you just won'… Read more
I wrote a blog post a couple of weeks ago about a new charging technology by JFE Engineering that can charge a battery to 50 percent in 3 minutes, and up to 70 percent in 5 minutes. While the technology is impressive, some readers wondered if that fast-charging battery technology would have a negative effect on the life span on EV car batteries.
Well, readers have little to worry about since that technology probably isn't making it to the U.S. or in stateside electric vehicles any time soon.
There are few public level 3 charging stations in the … Read more
One of the under-the-radar killer apps of Apple's iPad is the collection of comic book storefronts (which also double as comic readers). They're all free, and connect you to virtual comic shops that sell digital issues of comics for about $2 each--with transactions handily conducted through Apple's app store back end.
There are official Marvel and DC Comics apps, along with indie apps such as Comics + app from iVerse, IDW Comics, and the Comics app from ComiXology, which sell titles from a variety of large and small publishers. All of these apps have a very similar layout, … Read more
DC Comics--home to pop culture icons Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman (and lesser-known characters like Jonah Hex and The Losers)--announced Wednesday that it would be distributing its comics digitally in a deal that resembles those of its competitors, but with some unique twists.
The publisher has partnered with ComiXology and the PlayStation Network to digitally distribute its comic books on Apple iOS devices and on all PlayStation Portable devices. ComiXology has now locked down distribution deals with more than 30 comics publishers, including the "big two" of Marvel Comics and DC, as well as Boom Studios, Image Comics, and Slave Labor Graphics.
DC Comics also announced that the company would be digitally publishing the 26-issue comic book limited series Justice League: Generation Lost simultaneously through the ComiXology app and in stores, known in the industry as a "day and date" release. Although Marvel announced plans for a day-and-date release of The Invincible Iron Man Annual No. 1, it won't be published until Wednesday, June 30.
The ComiXology app offers the same smooth reading experience as detailed for the Marvel app. The page movement is smooth; auto-zooming on panels makes reading them easier while preventing yourself from reading ahead; and the store puts relevant details like the names of the comics' creators and a story synopsis easily at hand. … Read more
All of my friends back east are jumping for joy, as it appears to be finally warming up a little and melting the pounds of snow they've been hit with for the past month. And since it seems that the snow will soon be drained into our great country's sewer systems, I thought we'd send the snow off with this video blog post about the most badass snowcar I've ever seen. Check it out.
Rally team driver and Chief Brand Officer of DC Shoes, Ken Block, apparently took a Subaru Impreza WRX STI and transformed it … Read more
This week's Apple iPad announcement gives us the perfect opportunity to discuss the future of publishing with Cliff Chiang and Jerry Ma, two graphic illustrators in the comic book industry. They join us in the studio today to talk about their collaborative project, "Secret Identities," a graphic novel anthology of Asian American superhero stories.
Growing up as an Asian Americans in the world of comics isn't easy, especially when the only culturally identifiable characters you see are either stereostyped villains or hyper-sexualized women. As comic books quickly gain popularity here (although they are still not nearly as prevalent as in Japan), we're starting to see a shift in the cultural perception of comic books, away from the chiseled, American superhero archetype. The artists behind "Secret Identities" navigate this sea change with stories equally rooted in Asian American history and individual experience.
Throughout today's episode of The 404, Jerry and Cliff offer a unique perspective on the current state of the publishing industry and the move toward digital comic creation. As it turns out, neither of the guys are fans of the new iPad, but Jerry raises an interesting point about the practical application of the iPad in the hands of a parent. And although we didn't have a chance to talk to them about it on the show, both are still considering the Modbook, an aftermarket Apple MacBook modified to work as a tablet computer.
We also love when guests bring us gifts, so look out for another contest for a chance to win a copy of "Secret Identities" (also available for purchase on BlackLava) that features custom sketches from Jerry and Cliff!
EPISODE 508 Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more
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