Microsoft Surface Pro goes on sale first at Best Buy

Microsoft has been discussing the price and release date of its newest edition to its "Surface" series, the Surface Pro, since late November, and now that date is now quickly approaching: February 9th. The location? Best Buy at Union Square in New York City.

The price for a 64GB Windows 8 Surface Pro will be $899, and the 128GB will be priced at $999 -- but, unfortunately, neither will come with the mechanical keyword attachment. The Surface Pro will weigh half a pound more than the regular Surface, and 2GB more of RAM.

If you're interested in getting one, you may have to wait even longer than February 9th, since the Best Buy at Union Square in NYC is the only store announced to release the Pro on that date. We may need to wait a bit longer to get them elsewhere, unless you can pick one up on the web. We'll see!

Microbes from Below the Antarctic Ice

For the first time, life has been discovered in a subglacial lake, deep under the ice in Antarctica. A research team from the United States made a clean drill to the subglacial lake by the name of Lake Whillans, around 800 meters below the ice surface, and there they found cells containing DNA.

Antarctica's known subglacial lake system

It appears that the microbes discovered have been hiding under the ice for over 100,000 years. The U.S. team retrieved three 10-liter samples of water from the lakes -- containing microbes in a density of 10,000 per milliliter -- and tested the samples in a lab. The tests performed showed that the microbes actively used oxygen.

This discovery has ended the hunt for life in the lakes below Antarctica, started in 1996. The U.S. team’s drilling endeavor marks “the first clean access to a subglacial lake system.”[1] The fact that the drilling was a "clean access" severely limits the chances that the microbes might have arrived by contamination.

Another subglacial lake, Lake Vostok, was the subject of a Russian team's research last year, but the water has yielded no signs of life thusfar.

Congrats to Baltimore Ravens, Super Bowl XLVII winners

Great stuff, Ray Lewis

After a hard-fought victory against the San Francisco 49ers in the 47th Super Bowl game at New Orlean's Super Dome, the Ravens will take the trophy back to Baltimore. In a spectacular movie-moment, Ray Lewis will receive a championship ring in his final NFL game -- and well deserved, too!

And even though I was rootin' for the 49ers, I still must say: congratulations to the Baltimore Ravens, and good luck next year!

Apple's AppStore.com debuts "vanity links" during Super Bowl commercial

The Super Bowl XLVII commercials have featured a wide range of ads, from old Bowl favorites like Doritos and E-Trade to upcoming cinema hits. One movie's advert in particular caught the eyes of tech geeks nation-wide -- Star Trek: Into Darkness -- which was interesting not for the movie itself, but rather for Apple's AppStore.com revelation.

At the bottom of the commercial's ending scene was the link AppStore.com/StarTrekApp, which is a customized "vanity" link. This hints at a possible grab for link names, though Apple claims that methods are in place to keep congestion to a minimum. Some widely-sought names will automatically redirect to a search page for the term instead to encourage unique choices.

AppStore.com was actually a personal gift from the Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff to Steve Jobs in 2008 -- though Apple is seeing much resistance in court from companies like Amazon and others on usage of the name.
Let's see if it actually works!

Google stocks soar to record high amidst talks of antitrust settlements

Google's (GOOG) stock rose 2.6% to close at $775.60, topping the all-time high of $774.38 it reached in October 2012. The stock went as high as $776.60.

When the market closed on Friday, Google stock had come to rest at $775.60, which broke the $774.38 record Google hit in October of last year. GOOG even managed to peak at $776.60 that day, which is $2.22 higher than the record close.

GOOG stock this past six months

The cause of the sudden confidence in Google stock may be a result of an antitrust settlement proposal that the company sent to the European Commission, where it was facing an EU probe into its search business that has lasted three years. Experts claimed that Google might find itself in a very hard position, unlike how they fared in an investigation by the U.S earlier.

The Commission has not confirmed anything yet, but they did say that they would be taking the proposal into review. This news has been enough incentive to encourage investment in Google stock apparently -- enough to keep rising stocks Facebook (FB) and Microsoft (MSFT) eating their dust.

But will it last? That's the real question. An unfavorable decision by Europe may bring dire consequences upon Google's prices, and who really knows what the future holds?

Twitter hacked -- change your password now!

Today the people at Twitter officially announced that over 250,000 accounts were hacked, following a short but odd outage on the site yesterday (coincidentally alongside another outage at Amazon). They say this was their first "real" hack, as opposed to previous attacks that were somewhat simpler. Of the recent hack, the staff remarked it was actually a considerably "sophisticated" attack.

Unfortunately, this means that many of Twitter's userbase are now in the hands of the hackers, who may use or sell the information to their own ends. So what can you do? Well, the answer is simple, and Twitter staff was quick to suggest it: change your password, whether or not you received the e-mail notification sent out to potential targets. It's just good practice.

Here's a copy of the e-mail sent out from Twitter about the hacking:

Newegg brings on the smackdown with the "Shopping Cart" lawsuit

If you have ever shopped online, then you have almost certainly come across the shopping cart widget. Items can be added to the virtual cart to save for purchase at a later time, perhaps to give you more time to shop. Once you have your entire purchase ready, a quick click to the "check out" button will complete the order.

While the shopping cart is pretty much ubiquitous on the Internet, one "company" claims that it owns the rights to the virtual cart's use. Soverain Software is a sham business existing to suck money out of other, more successful businesses through patent lawsuits. Soverain had produced the two patents 5,715,314 and 5,909,492 (and, on occasion, a third: 7,272,639) to prove their case against such defendants as Amazon and The Gap, and more recently: Newegg.

Emailed about a Facebook "Legal Notice"? It's Legit!

If you are a regular Facebook user, there's a good chance that a message was sent out by legalnotice@facebookmail.com to the e-mail address you used to sign up on Facebook. At first glance, it just seems like cheap spam, getting past the filter, but doing a little research yields some interesting results.

What next? I really am the heir to a Nigerian fortune?

More than 99.99% percent of the time, you should not open an e-mail titled, "Re: LEGAL NOTICE OF SETTLEMENT OF CLASS ACTION." that you do not recognize -- but many news sources on the web (spanning all the way up from dozens of rink-a-dink little blogs like mine to The Telegraph) are actually saying that you may want to take a look.

If you want, you could claim your stake of anywhere from pennies to $10 (the amount is still to be determined), but chances are so many people will try to take a slice of the $20 million pie that it gets divvied up between a few privacy organizations as per the section on the notice that ruled, "If the number of claims made renders it economically infeasible to pay money to persons who make a timely and valid claim, payment will be made to the not-for-profit organizations identified on the Settlement website at www.fraleyfacebooksettlement.com"

Why, though, are we all being compensated by Facebook?

Google Glass may be equipped with laser-projected keys

Yeah, you read the title right: laser-projected keys. An entire keyboard on your arm, or the dial-pad on your palm -- how future tech is that, right? Though, taking into consideration that Sergey Brin and his "X Lab" team (who recently developed automated, self-driving cars) have been on the Google Glass project, it's not too surprising that there would be some really cool innovations.

What's next? Side-mounted jetpacks? (Please?)

According to the patent filed by Google, this new laser-project keypad "can be projected onto a surface and components of the keyboard detect finger movements and translate the movements into keystrokes on a device." Basically, the Glass is getting reeeeal Minority Report up in here.

"A projection keyboard unit generally includes a laser to project a visible virtual keyboard onto a surface (e.g., a red diode laser as a light source to project a full size QWERTY layout keyboard, with a size of 295 mm x 95 mm projected at a distance of 60 mm from the projection keyboard unit), and a sensor or camera to sense finger movements. A location or detected co-ordinates of the finger can be used to determine actions or characters to be generated," continues the patent.

While it certainly sounds awesome, concerns are already being voiced. "Eh, that's still cool and everything but I've heard gripes from serious typists that a disadvantage of laser keyboards is there isn't that familiar click you get from the springs of keys in mechanical keyboards that have buttons when you are using laser or virtual ones," comments phys.org user Mycobacter.

Regardless of the kinks that may still need to be worked out (including the possibility that they may go an entirely different route in the final stages of development), this laser-keyboard has the obvious potential to really change the way we use our mobile electronics in much the same way texting on a cell phone did.

What do you think about Google Glass? Will it ever be truly feasible, and if so, will it actually be as big as many people anticipate?

Eh, that's still cool and everything but I've heard gripes from serious typists that a disadvantage of laser keyboards is there isn't that familiar click you get from the springs of keys in mechanical keyboards that have buttons when you are using laser or virtual ones.

Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2013-01-google-glass-laser-projected-keyboard.html#jCp

The patent says that the virtual keyboard "can be projected onto a surface and components of the keyboard detect finger movements and translate the movements into keystrokes on a device. A projection keyboard unit generally includes a laser to project a visible virtual keyboard onto a surface (e.g., a red diode laser as a light source to project a full size QWERTY layout keyboard, with a size of 295 mm.times.95 mm projected at a distance of 60 mm from the projection keyboard unit), and a sensor or camera to sense finger movements. A location or detected co-ordinates of the finger can be used to determine actions or characters to be generated. "

Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2013-01-google-glass-laser-projected-keyboard.html#jCp

The patent says that the virtual keyboard "can be projected onto a surface and components of the keyboard detect finger movements and translate the movements into keystrokes on a device. A projection keyboard unit generally includes a laser to project a visible virtual keyboard onto a surface (e.g., a red diode laser as a light source to project a full size QWERTY layout keyboard, with a size of 295 mm.times.95 mm projected at a distance of 60 mm from the projection keyboard unit), and a sensor or camera to sense finger movements. A location or detected co-ordinates of the finger can be used to determine actions or characters to be generated. "

Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2013-01-google-glass-laser-projected-keyboard.html#jCp

The patent says that the virtual keyboard "can be projected onto a surface and components of the keyboard detect finger movements and translate the movements into keystrokes on a device. A projection keyboard unit generally includes a laser to project a visible virtual keyboard onto a surface (e.g., a red diode laser as a light source to project a full size QWERTY layout keyboard, with a size of 295 mm.times.95 mm projected at a distance of 60 mm from the projection keyboard unit), and a sensor or camera to sense finger movements. A location or detected co-ordinates of the finger can be used to determine actions or characters to be generated. "

Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2013-01-google-glass-laser-projected-keyboard.html#jCp

The patent says that the virtual keyboard "can be projected onto a surface and components of the keyboard detect finger movements and translate the movements into keystrokes on a device. A projection keyboard unit generally includes a laser to project a visible virtual keyboard onto a surface (e.g., a red diode laser as a light source to project a full size QWERTY layout keyboard, with a size of 295 mm.times.95 mm projected at a distance of 60 mm from the projection keyboard unit), and a sensor or camera to sense finger movements. A location or detected co-ordinates of the finger can be used to determine actions or characters to be generated. "

Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2013-01-google-glass-laser-projected-keyboard.html#jCp

JJ Abrams to direct new Star Wars Episode VII

Disney boots up the Star Wars franchise with a new trilogy, headed by J.J. Abrams

With Disney's acquisition of LucasFilms (and thus, the entire Star Wars franchise), there was an announcement that there would indeed be another movie added on to the current six. Episode VII, which has yet to be given an official name, is still shrouded in much mystery, though one integral piece of news was confirmed: J.J. Abrams will be directing Star Wars: Episode VII.

Abrams was noticeably excited by the opportunity (and really, who wouldn't be?). He is quoted on the Star Wars site as saying of the appointment to director, "To be a part of the next chapter of the Star Wars saga, to collaborate with Kathy Kennedy and this remarkable group of people, is an absolute honor. I may be even more grateful to George Lucas now than I was as a kid."

What does this mean for George Lucas, the godfather of Star Wars? Well, he's been notched down to a more advisory position, reminiscent of his time on other much-loved episodes of the series. Nothing has been said about who made the decision, but at least it's good to see Lucas is still molding his brainchild.

What will the new Star Wars: Episode VII be like?

Apple makes short work of Waze rumors

GPS-gathering start-up Waze acknowledges and Apple buy-out -- but is it just a big rumor?

Out of the blue, an Israeli news source reported that Apple was in talks to acquire Waze, a GPS company with a userbase of well over 20 million. The news blew up all over the Internet, even sparking TechCrunch and other big sites to relay the rumors. The idea that Apple would consider acquisition of a hot start-up is as tantalizing as it is rare.

Squashing the news, however, was Apple itself, claiming that the rumors were just that -- rumors. TechCrunch and other sites quickly printed stories calling off the big acquisition fervor, but that doesn't mean that "talks" are really over.

Companies like Waze and Apple likely have regular discussions, especially so considering that Waze supplies data to Apple. Perhaps something came up about a possible deal, and those in-the-know at Waze blew it up before it ever amounted to anything. We'll likely never know the real story behind the rumors, so we'll just have to be satisfied with Apple's denial for now.

Who knows? Maybe Apple will consider a purchase after all; that is, if Microsoft's investment doesn't get in the way!

What's next for Google Fiber?

Google instantly dominated all other ISPs in speed after releasing their consistently fast service with a relatively small price tag... but what does the future hold for Google Fiber?

The United States is sinking into a quagmire of perpetually slow internet service, so much more visible when compared against the connection speeds of European and Asian ISPs. Thanks to a stagnant pool of national U.S. Internet providers, those that do exist have become complacent, as there are few other providers for customers to leave to (and certainly none that would be much better).

Google, the self-purported white knight of the technology world, swooped in recently to announce that they would be adding "Internet service provider" to their ever-increasing resume. The new service, going by the name of Google Fiber, would premiere in Kansas City only, so as to test the waters of a possible market.

Fiber offers three plans: the $120/mo. Gigabit + TV; $70/mo. Gigabit Internet; and the Free Internet for a one-time $300 activation fee (or $25/mo. for 12 months).

The price is excellent for buyers. Being very competitive, the prices are already something for the other ISPs to look out for. It only gets worse for the likes of Verizon and AT&T, though, as Netflix reported that on average, users of Fiber have considerably faster speeds than any other ISP listed, surpassing even the heavyweight champion of US providers: Verizon FiOs. Now there's blood in the water.

Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt said on stage at The New York Times' Dealbook conference about a week ago that Google Fiber "isn't just an experiment, it's a real business and we're trying to decide where to expand next." This spells bad news for the fat-cat ISPs who have become too comfortable in their Internet thrones.

Anonymous vs. Westboro Baptist Church

Hacktivists become America's digital Robin Hood as they take up arms against WBC

"Identify. Resist. Progress. Evolve." 
   ~Purgingomen, on Anonymous

From behind the guise of Guy Fawkes, the hackers strike. Incur the wrath of Anonymous, and you can guarantee some sort of retribution. When Anon makes his move, he makes it swiftly, and he makes it big.

And now they've got the Westboro Baptist Church in their cross-hairs.


Who? The despicable Westboro Baptist Church, a religious hate group with a penchant for picketing the funerals of war veterans who were killed in battle. The Westboro Baptist Church is the First Amendment gone totally awry.

"God Hates Fags" reads many of the WBC signs, which conveys their belief that because of our "acceptance" of homosexuality in the U.S., we are being punished by God. The dead soldiers, they say, are evidence.

Why? For calling on members to picket at Sandy Hook Elementary School, in light of the recent slaying of 20 children (and several educators) by a deranged gunman. The Twitter post, by @DearShirley, read "Westboro will picket Sandy Hook Elementary School to sing praise to God for the glory of his work in executing his judgment." Talk about an all-around bad idea.

What? Anonymous, a loose collective of hackers with an anti-censorship agenda, had enough of the WBC and hacked the personal files of the "church's" key members. It has already dumped the info on pastebin, which included phone numbers, addresses, and more for the public to see.

Why I Signed the Death Star Petition

The government has been trying to narrow the gaping chasm between the People and the White House for some time now. One of their more recent endeavors is a (perhaps well-meaning) petition site by the name of We the People, where citizens can sign in to sign requests created by other regular people.

The Death Star[1]

Sound nice?

Well, then came some petitions that might be considered a bit... silly. From requesting the disclosure of contact with extraterrestrials (if they hadn't before, why would they do so now?) to the removal of Jerry Jones as the owner of the Dallas Cowboys (which was later removed), the new system was already pushing its limits.

Currently, there is even a petition out there demanding the funding and construction of a real life Death Star by the U.S. government. Many critics of the petition are claiming that this is exactly why we can't have nice things -- namely, online petition services like We the People. After all, the construction of a Death Star would take hundreds of quadrillions of dollars (you read that right) and more raw material than we could obtain in many lifetimes.

Naturally, I am eager to sign it.

Instagram breaks it off with Twitter

The Facebook-owned photo giant entirely removes photo integration on Twitter

Twitter vs. Instagram?

Ouch! It looks like Instagram cut its final ties in photo integration with Twitter on Sunday, effectively breaking off the relationship between the two big services. Many tweeps found out the hard way, noticing that the photos they were so fervently sharing via Instagram became suddenly inaccessible on Twitter.

"Annoyed at Instagram for getting rid of the twitter integration. I hate actually clicking the Instagram link to view a photo," tweets @AlfredoFlores, and he's not alone in the sentiment. He was retweeted almost 5,000 times in under 9 hours.

End of the line, Tape Recorder

Sony to cease shipments of the cassette tape recorder in early 2013

Gear up, fans of the tape recorder, because Sony has decided the time has come to let this particular gadget go the way of the Walkman. Shipments of the tape-recorder models TCM-400, TCM-410, and TCM-450 will be discontinued in "early 2013," but fear not, cassette lovers: Sony will continue production of portable boomboxes with CD / tape-deck combos for you to play those high-school mixtapes on!

For some readers, this may come as a shock -- not because the tape-recorders are being discontinued, but because they were still being shipped! The cassette is officially old-school tech, and in the time of Androids and iPads, even a few months of age doesn't hold up well. Kudos to the cassette for stickin' in there for so long.