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Ashes of Star Trek's James Doohan Destroyed in Rocket Launch

by Joshua Topolsky on August 4, 2008 at 03:20 PM

Finely riding that razored edge between tragedy and comedy, the New York Times reports that not only did the SpaceX Falcon 1 rocket lose its three satellites and fail to reach orbit during a recent launch, but it also destroyed the remains of actor James Doohan, best known as the original 'Star Trek's' Chief Engineer "Scotty." The actor's ashes -- as well as those of over 200 others -- were ... Read more »
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FCC Approves Sirius and XM Satellite Radio Merger

by Joshua Topolsky on July 28, 2008 at 10:31 AM

In a somewhat unsurprising move, the FCC has approved the merger of Sirius and XM after protracted -- and incredibly boring -- multi-year negotiations. The Federal Communication Commission decided tonight to allow a deal that will bring the two satellite radio providers together, creating a combined subscriber base of roughly 18 million users. The deal isn't without catches, however, with the ... Read more »
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Nintendo Announces the Wii MotionPlus at E3

by Joshua Topolsky on July 15, 2008 at 01:16 PM

We knew this one was coming, but we didn't know the details. Nintendo busted out the new MotionPlus Wiimote add-on at its E3 keynote today. The device, which attaches to the rear of the controller, will be used to tighten up and refine motion sensing on the Wii, and its tweaks will be levied in a new game that will be shipping with it called Wii Sports Resort. The console-maker says the ... Read more »
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BMW Museum's Kinetic Sculpture Soothes The Mind

by Joshua Topolsky on July 13, 2008 at 11:04 AM

var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/odd_stuff/The_BMW_Museum_s_Takes_Your_Brain_to_Another_Dimension'; Ready to have your gray matter softly stroked? Perhaps you should take a trip to s recently opened museum in Munich, where a kinetic sculpture comprising 714 metallic balls suspended in air will soothe your weary mind. It's one of those things that's better seen than described, but if you can ... Read more »
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First iPhone Reviews Are In, and They're Mixed

by Joshua Topolsky on July 9, 2008 at 09:26 AM

Well this was bound to happen. Ahead of schedule, Walt Mossberg has turned his official review of the new iPhone 3G, and we've got the recap. On the whole, Walt stays mostly positive about the device; he likes the form factor (which he wants to stress really hasn't changed much), says the 3G speeds are a big improvement over EDGE (no kidding?), and informs us that the audio quality and phone ... Read more »
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Scientists Create Sea-Power Generating 'Anaconda'

by Joshua Topolsky on July 6, 2008 at 01:15 PM

Scientists may have discovered a new way to combat the global energy crisis -- and they're calling it the "Anaconda" (we'll give you a moment to purge your mind of any J. Lo films). The system works by utilizing the power of the ocean and long, black rubber tubes (hence the name). The rubber "snakes" are laid just below the sea's surface where they're pounded by the ocean's waves. That ... Read more »
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"Future Store" Lets Shoppers Buy Groceries With Camera Phones

by Joshua Topolsky on July 5, 2008 at 07:10 AM

It's been a long, long time since we've heard from Germany's "Future Store" -- the ultra-futuristic German grocery store that might have sprung directly from the Sprawl trilogy -- but they've got a new feature we thought you might be interested in. Shoppers in the store can now use camera-equipped cellphones (i.e., cellphones) to snap pictures of item barcodes, and then download the information ... Read more »
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Scientists Create Mutant Bugs that Produce Crude Oil

by Joshua Topolsky on June 16, 2008 at 02:16 PM

Like the beginning of every great science fiction movie, experts claim that they've discovered a cure for our fuel-dependency woes that only requires an army of genetically modified bacteria... that eats wheat straw and excretes crude oil. You read that right: Scientists have created bugs that are able to snack on woodchips or sugar cane and produce waste in the form of easily malleable oil. Not ... Read more »
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Honda's Hydrogen-Powered FCX Clarity Coming to the US, and It's a Celeb-Magnet

by Joshua Topolsky on June 16, 2008 at 12:34 PM

If you're in the market for a fuel efficient car, but you've been holding out for something a little more advanced than the Prius, then your dreams may have just been answered. Honda announced today that it would begin producing limited quantities of its FCX Clarity hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles for sale in the US and Japan over the next few years. According to the automaker, it plans to offer ... Read more »
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Jury Awards $6M to Taser Victim's Family

by Joshua Topolsky on June 11, 2008 at 10:43 AM

Oh Taser, your house of cards is about to come crumbling down, blown apart by the winds of US litigation and the righteous fury of your mostly innocent victims. Last Friday, a federal jury in San Jose, California found the stun-gun-maker responsible for the death of Robert Heston Jr., a 40-year-old man, and has awarded his family more than $6 million in damages. Sure, Heston had an enlarged ... Read more »
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Leonardo DiCaprio to Star in Atari Founder Biopic

by Joshua Topolsky on June 9, 2008 at 01:39 PM

Like something out of Bizzaro World, word on the street is that hunky dreamboat Leonardo DiCaprio will play Atari uber-nerd Nolan Bushnell in an upcoming biopic. According to reports, the film will detail Bushnell's life from his early work at amusement parks, through founding Atari and eventually building the Chuck E. Cheese's empire in a 'Mr. Smith Goes to Washington' meets 'Tucker' fashion. ... Read more »
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Jackie Chan Selling Segways?!

by Joshua Topolsky on June 5, 2008 at 09:13 AM

Yes, it's hard to believe, but we assure you there were no special effects used to create this image. Here's beloved action movie star Jackie Chan once again doing his own stunts -- the most embarrassing one he's ever done. Believe it or not, he says these are hard to sell in China. Josh T: "Police Story 5: Loser Cop" Paul: "In his next film, Jackie Chan will pose exactly zero threat to anyone ... Read more »
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Guitar Hero: On Tour Promo Video Makes Grown Men Cry

by Joshua Topolsky on May 31, 2008 at 03:02 PM

If you've been wondering just how you're going to play Guitar Hero on the DS, the answer is upon you. For the extreme in cringe-worthy videos, we present the Guitar Hero: On Tour promo, replete with some of the worst faux-rock music and singing your ears and eyes have ever been subjected to. If this doesn't make you want to impale yourself on the nearest sharp object, nothing will. We're not ... Read more »
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Video: Sony Ericsson's Paris Phone Demo

by Joshua Topolsky on May 30, 2008 at 09:12 AM

If you just can't get enough news about Sony Ericsson's forthcoming Symbian UIQ touchscreen phone -- currently known as Paris -- perhaps this promo video of the thing in action can help. Sure, these appears to be pre-renders, but it does whet the appetite for things to come with the device, and who can complain about that pop-up weather app and confirmation that this will have a flash for its ... Read more »
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German Users Claim MacBook Air Can Cut Through Bread, Flesh

by Joshua Topolsky on May 27, 2008 at 06:18 PM

Now, we know that the MacBook Air is one thin laptop, but some Apple forum members in Germany are claiming that the edge of the laptop is not only sharp -- but downright dangerous. According to "Apple Talk" reader Bajuware, his MBA went kill-crazy all over his elbow while he was cold-chillin' on his couch. The details are a little hard to suss out due to the language barrier (and machine ... Read more »
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