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Concept Video Demonstrates Intel's "Programmable Matter" Idea

Andy Salisbury — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 16:29:55 -0600

It wasn’t long ago that Intel first started talking about programmable matter (their concept for an amorphous blob formed from microscopic glass spheres that can take any shape). Thanks to a video from CNN, the idea makes a lot more sense by showing the concept in action.

Now, the video is all pre-rendered, the concept still remains. The short video shows a group of designers messing with the frame of a car, as well as changing its color and even cracking it open to check out the seat configuration.

The video also mentions that Intel is “on the edge of discovery” with programmable matter. So, while it’s admittedly the thing that dreams are made of today, it won’t be for quite some time that this is a readily available resource.

Image Credit: Intel/CNN

Latest Phishing Scam Preys on Surfers’ Morbid Curiosity

Pulkit Chandna — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 18:12:25 -0600

Internet shenanigans are keeping abreast with the latest developments around the world and using it to their advantage. An email doing the rounds around the internet hoodwinks the recipient into believing that it is from CNN. The clandestine email ostensibly contains a link to a “graphic” video of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. However, the fake website contains a Trojan that betrays the user’s sensitive data, according to the RSA.

The author of the phishing attack has tried to make the website as plausible as possible. Upon visiting the link, the user is greeted with a message asking him to update his Adobe Flash Player. If the user lends his countenance to the download, a Trojan is downloaded instead of the latest version of Flash

Image Credit: Cnet

No BS Podcast #86: Hologram Fail

The Maximum PC Staff — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 12:40:45 -0600

Core 2 Quad? That's so early 2008. Intel officially launched its Core i7 CPU on Monday, and this speedy new chip is the hot topic of discussion this week. The podcast gang grills Gordon about his benchmarking experience with three Core i7 CPUs, and we have a lively debate about the usefulness of CNN's hologram interview technology. The release of the Left4Dead demo excites everyone, and we also welcome a new member to the Maximum PC team. As always, we also answer a load of listener questions!

Plus, podcast producer Andy Bauman's interview with GirlTalk: http://www.vimeo.com/2150443

Do you have a tech question? A comment? A tale of technological triumph? Just need to get something off your chest? A secret to share? Email us at maximumpcpodcast@gmail.com or call our 24-hour No BS Podcast hotline at 877.404.1337 x1337--operators are standing by.

Subscribe: http://feeds.feedburner.com/maximumpc/1337

Captain Obvious: The Internet is Filled with User Rage

Paul Lilly — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 08:11:52 -0600

Tread carefully fellow surfers, for there are angry netizens all throughout the web. Apparently, the anonymity the internet provides has users flinging insults and saying things online they wouldn't otherwise say in a face to face confrontation. The epiphany comes courtesy of a CNN report, which points out that blogs and forum posts often times "descend into ad hominem attacks, insults, and plain old name-calling." Welcome to the internet, CNN.

The news site put a lot of research into its report and is worth reading if for no other reason than to see a major news outlet devote a paragraph to "lulz" and what the term means. True credit for this one goes out to The New York Times Magazine, who as CNN points out published a story about trolls back in August. As one ex-troll told the publication, "Lulz is watching someone lose their mind at their computer 2,000 miles away while you chat with friends and laugh."

And it's not just caffeinated teens who are responsible for internet-rage. CNN references the recent account of a 43-year-old Japanese woman who killed her online "husband's" avatar after he divorced her. And don't forget those "celebrity gossip sites [that] are full of snarky comments about stars."

Our response to the 1,200-world write-up? "No s*%t." Hit the jump and tell us yours.

Image Credit: Flame Warriors by Mike Reed

CNN to Use Holograms on Election Night to Interview Campaign Representatives, Princess Leia

Paul Lilly — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:30:11 -0600

While the presidential election might only come around every four years, the monotonous coverage has become all too predictable. Tuning in to your favorite news station will inevitably net pundits from both the Republican and Democratic parties giving a play-by-play analysis of how the voting has gone aided by a blue and red color coded map of the United States. Rinse and repeat in four years.

But this year the process looks to get a bit more interesting from a technological standpoint. Instead of remote interviews showing the candidates on a split screen or a floating window, CNN will look to up its geek cred with the use of holograms.

"Everyone is doing something virtual this election year," says CNN senior VP David Bohrman, the guy who pushed the technology. "Virtual elements in a real set look so much better than a real person in a virtual set."

To make it happen, CNN will use 44 cameras and 20 computers in each remote location to capture 360-degree imaging data of the person being interviewed. The images will then be processed and beamed by computers and cameras located in New York. The end result, if all goes to plan, is that those being interviewed, whether a spokesperson from the Obama or McCain camp, will appear as though he or she is in CNN's television studio.

Will holographic interviews make you more likely to tune into CNN? Hit the jump and post your thoughts.

Want Bill Gates Phone Number (From 33 Years Ago)?

Chris Moody — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 08:05:56 -0500

An old business card of “William H. Gates” showed up in a slide show presentation from showed up in a presentation on CNN.com, complete with the funky 70’s flavor Microsoft logo. Armed with this information (and when I complete my Delorian time machine), I can go back in time and warn him of his impending traffic violation with mug shot photos.

Hopefully, I can convince him to give me an executive position in his company (with stock options) in the future. Maybe I can also warn him off of the fashion faux pas of hanging tough in that preppy sweater with the leather jacket and Harley Davidson hat. Sure, it says “geek”, but not in a good way.

(Image Credit: CNN)