Internet Czar

Ubisoft’s new anti-piracy scheme for PC games requires users to authenticate themselves via their ubi.com login credentials.  You may think this sounds great and 21st century right? Well lets examine what this would exactly entail. Some pros include not having to use the game disc to run your games and having the ability to install your games onto as many computers are you own. The downside to this model? You have to authenticate everytime you wish to play the game, which means you have to have an internet connection whereever you wish to play your game. So if you visit relatives in BFE, or if you are traveling and want to pass the time, good luck trying to play without an internet connection. I understand the need for anti-piracy measures, but it will be interesting to see how well this will be received by the public.  If this takes hold it will be hard to use a computer without an internet connection.

January 27th is a date that is buzzing among the tech and Apple world.

Speculation is current going around and maybe a hint of wishful thinking that Apple will reveal a new product line whether it is a tablet, slate, or monstrous iPod touch. Experts claim it will be something significant for Apple to put on a special event in itself. Stay tuned as this event unfolds.

What do you think Apple will be unveiling? Would you use an Apple Tablet?

That’s right, Windows 7 has a god mode. This is not a hoax, I personally tested it and verified it. You too can have the power of deity with your Windows 7 setup in a few steps:

1. Create a new folder
2. Rename folder to “GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}”
3. Open Folder
4. Enjoy your list of shortcut commands

GodMode on Windows 7

According to the Nexus One teardown conducted by iSuppli, the hardware and components for the Nexus One costs $174.15 – a total that does not include expenses like manufacturing, software, box contents, accessories, or royalties. Google announced Tuesday that it plans to sell the Nexus One for $179 with a two-year contract from T-Mobile or unsubsidized for $529. Want to know what is under the hood of the Nexus One and how much each component cost? Well you’re in the right place then.

Overall, there are 17 components within the Nexus One:

• The Qualcomm baseband processor is the most expensive at $30.50, or 20.4 percent of the cost.
• The Samsung OLED display costs $23.50.
• The 4Gbit memory from Samsung Semiconductor runs $20.40 per phone.
• $8.50 MicroSD card
• All of the other pieces are under $20, including the Synaptics touchscreen at $17.50, the camera for $12.50, and a $5.25 battery

None of these prices take into account all the millions invested into R&D, but it would be nice if I could just build Google Nexus for $175. What is your opinion on the Google Nexus One? Let us know!

None of you have to go. We can all just sit here on Earth, wait for this big rock to crash into it, kill everything and everybody we know. United States government just asked us to save the world. Anybody wanna say no?

It's what we call a global killer

Just in case you’ve been in a cave for the past few days, the Russians may deploy a defensive spacecraft against the Apophis asteroid.  ”I don’t remember exactly, but it seems to me it could hit the Earth by 2032,” said Anatoly Perminov, quoted by AP.  Perminov is technically correct. Apophis is set to pass close by the Earth in 2029 . This pass-by is so close that it will be nearer than television satellites in geosynchronous orbit. Collision at that stage has been ruled out, but according the latest NASA analysis there is a remote chance – 1 in 250,000 – that the 27-million-tonne rock might pass through a so-called “keyhole” during the 2029 pass which would alter its course so as to hit us on the next pass, in 2036.

One popular strategy for deflecting rogue asteroids is the use of nuclear weapons. Other schemes involve a shove delivered by a spacecraft, probably having only a minuscule effect on a big object like Apophis but enough that it would miss tiny Earth in the vastness of space. Yet other plans would see solar reflctors used to boil matter off from icy/carbonaceous asteroids. Perminov refused to be drawn on the details of his Apophis scheme, though he did specify that there would be no nuclear explosions. This is probably just as well, as weapons of mass destruction are forbidden in space by international treaty.

What is your opinion on this? What would be your plan of action? Do you actually think the asteroid will be a threat?

Google Internet Giant

The Tech community has been alive with talk of the Nexus One since Google sent out invitations, this past Tuesday, to the January 5th Android press gathering at their Mountain View, California campus.  Although Google doesn’t state much in the invitation, most people are thinking that the Google Phone aka Nexus One will be officially unveiled. The final piece of the Nexus One puzzle  fell into place when Gizmodo and Engadget posted leaked documents purporting to show the Nexus One’s price: $529.99 unlocked or $179.99 with a two-year T-Mobile contract and a very specific, limited service plan. I am interested to see if they will infact have an “unlocked” version. The only true way that it would be unlocked is if it could work on all bands. If its built for T-Mobile then I can see it possibly working on the AT&T network, but could prove problematic on the Verizon network. What do you all think? Have any of you all heard about possible support on the Verizon network?