NASA rocket to paint the sky red, tune in tonight starting at 4:30PM ET video

Decades ago, NASA would frequently light up the night sky with chemical trails as part of its measurements of upper atmosphere behavior. While those moments are increasingly rare, well get a rare chance to enjoy one of them this evening. The agencys Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia is launching a suborbital rocket that will generate and test a pair of trails of red-tinted lithium as it flies above Eastern US coastline — trails bright enough that large parts of the seaboard may get a first-hand look as the rocket gains altitude. If you fall outside of that range, dont fret. NASA will stream the whole affair starting from 4:30PM Eastern, with a hoped-for takeoff over an hour later. Catch the feed below when the launch is live, and hit the source links for more about the mission itself.

via NASA rocket to paint the sky red, tune in tonight starting at 4:30PM ET video.

Posted in Breaking News, Interesting, Science | Leave a comment

Office 365 Home Premium: This Is as Good as Word Gets

Youre never going to love Office, because its Office—its the thing you use to make money and do things you actually enjoy. But that doesnt mean it cant be relatively painless, affordable, and smart. Starting today, it is.Office 365 Home Premium is a fancy word for Microsofts new subscription-based, cloud-hosted way of getting Word, PowerPoint, and Excel plus corporate stuff, if you want it. Discs are obsolete—this is a very modern Office, and frankly, its as lovely as word processing and spreadsheets blech! can be.

via Office 365 Home Premium: This Is as Good as Word Gets.

Posted in Deals, Interesting, MSFT, Tech | Leave a comment

iOS 6.1 now available for download

The latest software update for iOS, known as 6.1, has finally become available as a free download. According to the release notes, the update adds LTE support for additional carriers 36 for iPhone, 23 for iPad, the ability to purchase movie tickets through Siri US-only and the opportunity for iTunes Match fans to download individual songs from iCloud. Check your device to see if its available — its hitting ours as we speak, and the press release is available below.

via iOS 6.1 now available for download.

Posted in Apple, Breaking News, HowTo, Interesting, iOS, Tech, tips | Leave a comment

9to5Mac: Apple preparing another 4th gen iPad SKU, signs point to 128GB model

Still waiting for a 128GB iPad? One could come sooner than you think. According to 9to5Mac, Cupertino is preparing to add a new SKU to its fourth-generation tablet line up, slotting next to the existing 16GB, 32GB and 64GB configurations as a premium model. A source at a well known US retailer shared the devices SKU information with the outlet, marked up with internal Apple terminology that described both WiFi-only and cellular-capable slates in black and white facades. The devices description column features a lone adjective, too: ultimate.9to5Mac couldnt confirm that the description meant a 128GB model was inbound, but the assumption seems reasonable enough — developers are finding references to 128GB iOS devices in iOS 6.1 beta code, and icons for the size were found in iTunes 11. Moreover, “good,” “better” and “best” have all been used to describe different iPad configurations in the past — ultimate seems like the next logical step. Strong evidence, to be sure, but well hedge our bets until we see something official. Read on to see the leaked SKU information for yourself.

via 9to5Mac: Apple preparing another 4th gen iPad SKU, signs point to 128GB model.

Posted in Apple, Breaking News, Interesting, iOS, Rumor, Tech | Leave a comment

Unlocking Your Phone Without Permission Becomes Illegal Tomorrow: Here’s Why You Should Care

After this upcoming weekend, you have to ask your phone company if you want to use the phone you (kind of) bought from them on any other carrier’s network. You used to be able to ask for, or purchase, or hack your way to an “unlocked” phone, but that will be illegal after Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013.

The Librarian of Congress believes cellphone companies are doing a good enough job of fostering competition in their market, so the era of third-party unlocking is coming to a close.

Back in October 2012, the Librarian of Congress was asked by the Register of Copyrights to examine the exemptions made for certain classes of work under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, or DMCA. I know what you may be thinking. “This Librarian, and this Register—do they live in giant vine-strewn towers? Do have any special powers if they leave Washington?” That is a good question, but first we must address other things.

via Unlocking Your Phone Without Permission Becomes Illegal Tomorrow: Here’s Why You Should Care.

Posted in Apple, Hacking, HowTo, Interesting, iOS, Tech, tips | Leave a comment

Judge Dredd-style non-lethal DNA bullets track criminals in the name of justice | Gearburn

The future is now. Well, every second that ticks by is another step into the future. But I digress. Ubergizmo dug up this gem of a story. SelectDNA, a UK-based company has created a non-lethal method of tracking criminal for later apprehension. Simply put, a DNA bullet is fired from a plastic gun that leaves an identifiable and unique mark.

Currently, police use rubber, electronic  and paint bullets as non-lethal methods of criminal apprehension. This is all well and good, but DNA is the ultimate tracing tool, unique as a fingerprint and practically impossible to remove once tagged.

The main function of the SelectDNA gun, which may become a rifle at a later date, is to tag suspected criminals for “accurate identification at a later date”. The DNA bullets are also “less confrontational”. DNA bullet accuracy is 30 to 40-meters, with each bullet weighing under 1g. Fourteen bullets fit into each cartridge, with each bullet sharing the same DNA tracking signal. This may pose a problem if fourteen suspects have been shot with the same bullet, but at the very least, the suspects presence  at the crime scene can be tracked and established. I’m a great supported of non-lethal weapons, technology and DNA wizardry, so the SelectDNA gun gets my early vote for gadget of the year.

via Judge Dredd-style non-lethal DNA bullets track criminals in the name of justice | Gearburn.

Posted in Interesting, Tech | Leave a comment

Helpful Keyboard Shortcuts for Facebook Final Frame | Apartment Therapy

The full shortcut infographic for both Windows and OS X users below for all you Facebook junkies out there [looking in the mirror]…

via Helpful Keyboard Shortcuts for Facebook Final Frame | Apartment Therapy.

Posted in HowTo, Interesting, Tech, tips | Leave a comment

Some People Are Paying $125 to Downgrade From Windows 8 to Windows 7

We think theres a lot to love about Windows 8, but not everybody feels that way. Some people hate it. Luckily, this computer store is offering a service to help the clueless users who want nothing more than to go back to Windows 7.We cant help but crack up at this special offer spotted by Michael Jurewitz from a Microsoft Certified service center. For just $125, you can go back to the ugliness of Windows 7. Doesnt speak too highly of Microsofts new OS that people are willing to regress just to get away from it. But, hey, if you make a product for millions of people, not everyone is going to be happy. [Cult of Mac via Twitter]

via Some People Are Paying $125 to Downgrade From Windows 8 to Windows 7.

Posted in Hacking, HowTo, Humor, Interesting, MSFT, WIN8 | Tagged | Leave a comment

iPhone Math rumor: 4.8-inch iPhone Math to debut in June | BGR

Among the less believable Apple AAPL rumors that have emerged from the Far East in recent weeks is a report suggesting Apple is preparing to launch a “phablet” this summer to compete with large-screened Android smartphones. China Times issued the claims on Monday, suggesting that a third new iPhone handset will launch in 2013 aside from the “iPhone 5S” and Apple’s new cheaper iPhone. The publication called this upcoming device the “iPhone Math,” and said it may launch in June with a 4.8-inch display. China Times added that the iPhone 5S will debut ahead of the holidays with a 12-megapixel camera, while the new less-expensive iPhone model and the new iPhone phablet will launch this summer.

via iPhone Math rumor: 4.8-inch iPhone Math to debut in June | BGR.

Posted in Apple, Interesting, iOS, Rumor, Tech | Leave a comment

PSA: Windows 8 and Pro upgrades will jump to $120 and $200 on February 1st

This should come as no surprise — we reported the increase back in October — but Windows 8 upgrades will become a bit more pricey come February 1st. That means you have the better part of two weeks to take advantage of introductory online upgrade pricing of $40 (for the Pro version), before the sticker jumps to 200 bucks. Fortunately, you’ll be able to utilize current pricing for the rest of January, including a DVD Pro upgrade available at retailers for $70. After the switchover, you’ll pay $200 for a Pro upgrade, a standard edition of Windows 8 will run you $120, the Pro Pack will be available for $100 (upgrading from standard to Pro) and a Media Center Pack will cost $10. You could, of course, stick it out with Windows 7 or Vista or even XP for the indefinite future, but if a fresh OS is in the cards, now’d be as good a time as any to make the jump.

via PSA: Windows 8 and Pro upgrades will jump to $120 and $200 on February 1st.

Posted in HowTo, MSFT, Tech, tips | Leave a comment