Tom Samiljan
-
New CNN Site Brings Video, Oprah, and Facebook to News Junkies
Since it first launched in 1995, CNN's Web site has always delivered a broad variety of news to a broad audience. The site's design -- generally jam-packed with dozens of headlines that might be catnip to news junkies, but can be overwhelming to more casual browsers -- has generally reflected that content stream. On Monday, however, CNN.com will launch a new design (its first since 2007) that incorporates a roomier, less crowded look with a bigger emphasis on pictures, video, citizen journalism, social networking, entertainment, and pop culture. Last night, CNN general manager KC Estenson gave reporters an early look at the new site.
The biggest change is the overall look of the site. CNN.com's current home page features a main story with a big picture and then a bunch of different sections with text-based story links (some videos offer thumbnail pictures to break up all that text, but not much). The new design places a big playable video right at the top and a second big picture to the left that links to a citizen-journalist 'iReport.' Below that is a set of clickable pictures and videos leading to stories underneath. Yes, there are still plenty of headlines, but the revamped site generally offers a greater balance between images and text than the current one, making for a pleasing browsing experience.
VW Launches 2010 GTI Exclusively Via Mobile Phone Game
In an atmosphere of disappearing print magazines, increased TV viewing on the Web, and a tough market for both car buyers and dealers, one of the few successful car companies alive today needs to change the game a bit. So with the introduction of a niche-y hot hatch that isn't even that cheap, Volkswagen hits hard with quick and dirty campaign on everyone's favorite toy -- the iPhone. This morning, Volkswagen became the first auto manufacturer to launch (by launch, we mean advertise) a car solely on the Apple phone. No, it's not an app, but rather, an exclusive, playable, and independent level of iPhone racing game Firement Real Racing, which has already received 70-million downloads since launching back in June.
Available on the iTunes App Store for free, the 'Real Racing GTI' level lets you choose from six different 2010 GTIs and race them on a track laden with VW logos. Unfortunately, it doesn't integrate with the rest of the game, but it does have one killer feature: Players can compete to win one of six limited-edition black GTI MkVI cars, which have special stitching on the floor mats and head rests, carbon-fiber finishes on the doors and mirrors, red calipers on the wheels, and special logos on the front and on the steering wheel (see close-ups of the cars in the slideshow below). In addition, the 2010 GTI's sound system has been upgraded to include full iPod integration (so you can access your full music library on the car's dashboard versus a simple auxiliary connection).
Up Close With New 'Nook' E-Reader From Barnes & Noble
Suddenly, here in the second half of 2009, it seems as though e-readers -- those portable digital devices that can hold thousands of books and use easy-on-the-eyes E-ink -- are finally going mainstream. Yesterday, Barnes & Noble threw its own hat into the ring by unveiling the Nook. This 6-inch digital reader boasts: a built-in, full-color, navigational touchscreen at the bottom; 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity for wireless, straight-to-device book downloading; and innovative ability to share entire books with other cell-phone-, computer-, or e-reader-wielding friends. The Nook joins the iRex DR 800SG and the Plastic Logic Que -- two other Barnes & Noble-compatible e-readers that will launch before the end of the year. (For a list of other new e-readers that have either recently or are soon to hit the market, check out this roundup.)
So what's different about the Nook? Well, mainly, it's that little LCD touchscreen at the bottom. As you can see from the pictures below, it lets you scroll through book covers and menu commands. In addition, it transforms into a touchscreen keyboard, perfect for book and author searches. The little color screen certainly looks cool and makes for a different kind of navigation, but we're wondering just what the power-sucking LCD technology is going to do to the Nook's battery life. In its product spec sheet, Barnes & Noble says the battery will last for "up to" 10 days with the wireless off. For our part, we're guessing that's a big "up to," seeing as our up-to-14-days-with-wireless-off Amazon Kindle only lasts about half that long. Also, though it looks cool from a distance, the recessed LCD seems to be clamped onto the bottom, afterthought-style, giving it a cheesy, gratuitous look, in our opinion. The proof will be in the pudding, however. In other words, just how smoothly and quickly will this touchscreen work? Will it offer as seamless an experience as the iPhone's?
Nokia Gets Into the Computer Business With the Booklet 3G Netbook
The Booklet 3G resembles many another netbook in its use of a budget-mobile-optimized Intel Atom1.6 GHz processor and in its pint-sized dimensions and weight (less than 2.76 pounds). However, it adds a few extra features more often seen on mobile phones than on computers. These extras include 12-hour battery life (presumably offline rather than continuously online, though we couldn't get a clear answer from Nokia), built-in A-GPS (with Nokia maps software), 3G mobile broadband capability, and no fan (so it's quiet). It also has three USB ports, an HDMI port (for playing HD video on a bigger screen), and one port that serves as both a headphone and mic jack. Windows 7 (out October 22nd) is quick to start up, making it a perfect fit for this device, which is meant to be an always-on, always-connected kind of a laptop -- much like an enlarged smartphone.
James Dyson Explains How New Bladeless 'Air Multiplier' Fan Works
Well, there is a fan of sorts in the base of the unit, but it's off limits to users because it's totally enclosed.
"There's a motor in the bottom that powers a turbo-charged impeller," Dyson told Switched, when asked to explain how his latest creation works. "It's essentially a 3-D fan that gives a good combination of flow and pressure." According to Dyson, the air this powerful little fan creates is pushed up into that round thing at the top -- also known as the 'loop amplifier' -- which splits the flow in two and pushes it through the loop and out a 1.3 millimeter (about .05 inches) slit, or annulus, all along the back (don't worry, we had to look annulus up, too). This process creates a jet stream that sucks in air from the back and sides, creating a very powerful and smooth flow of air to cool kids, dogs and rooms alike, with no danger of injury.
Finger Piano Share: Play Real Pianos From Your iPhone, Remotely
What's Big in Japan? Eyeball iPhone Remotes, 3-D TVs and Smart Cams
If the Nintendo DS and a Laptop Had a Kid, It Would Look Like This...
What Comes After iPhone? Mobiles Made of Wood and Stormtroopers.
Nissan iPhone App Helps You Win the Grand Prix -- of Eco-Driving
The iPhone may not be as big in Japan as it is in the States, but that hasn't stopped Nissan from developing an app that shows the residents of Yokohama City, Japan how to drive better. The new program is part of a trial service called E1 Grand Prix. Here's how it works: The app connects to your car's On-Board Diagnostics (OBD), and extracts information in real-time to determine how efficiently ...
_thumbnail.jpg "Vintage Keyboards")
