D/A Clock: Time for Coolness

Every once in a while, a clock comes out that is so cool, you can’t help but wonder why you haven’t see it before. This is certainly the case with the D/A clock. I’m not certain what the D/A stands for, but it has one of the most unique, yet obvious, looks for a clock.

I’m not certain whether you can see this from the photo, but this clock has special sections that physically rise up to show the digital time. This clock is made of wood as well as Dupont Corian, which is used on countertops.

The clock is the product of designer Alvin Aronson, who is a student at the Rhode Island School of Design, and he is destined to be at the top of his class. If Mr. Aronson can produce designs like these as a student, the he has a bright future ahead of him outside of college.Source

Finally Microsoft, Yahoo meet up this week......

All's not over on the Microsoft-Yahoo! front. First, the Wall Street Journal reported (quoting an unnamed person familiar with the deal) that both companies had met earlier this week on Monday to discuss Microsoft's impending takeover bid for Yahoo!. Now, Reuters has reported the same, quoting two anonymous sources familiar with the matter. The meeting is significant because it's the first to happen since Yahoo! famously spurned Microsoft's unsolicited $45 billion bid in Jan this year, calling it "inadequate". According to one of the Reuters sources, the meeting was not a negotiation and no bankers were present. Apparently, it was intended to allow Microsoft present their vision of a 'combined company' while Yahoo! executives mostly listened. As per the Wall Street Journal, financial terms of the deal weren't discussed during the meeting, neither was it clear which executives participated. Spokespersons for Microsoft and Yahoo! meanwhile haven't commented on the matter yet. Since Yahoo! rejected Microsoft's bid, neither has Microsoft fattened its offer nor have any other bids been made public leaving the two companies in an impasse. Importantly, the value of the original offer has declined from $45 billion to less than $42 billion with the value of Microsoft's shares having fallen since. Yahoo! meanwhile has been in much-publicized discussions with News Corp and Time Warner's AOL. However, News Corp Chief Executive Rupert Murdoch has clearly said he will not fight Microsoft for a Yahoo! deal. While AOL has just made a $850 million offer to takeover social networking Web site Bebo. According to some in the know, even Yahoo!'s meeting with Microsoft is part of its strategy to keep all options open.Source

"Google Sky" for your Browser

If Astronomy interests you, you ought to be aware of "Google Sky", an Internet tool for viewing the stars and galaxies. The good news is that enthusiasts will now be able to access this tool through a browser version of "Google Sky".
Prior to this, to access "Sky", users needed to download and install the "Google Earth" application -- the Web-based mapping software. "Google Sky" was introduced as an additional feature to "Google Earth" (version 4.2) in August last year. In order to make the tool accessible through a browser, developers have only changed the projection to display these images within "Google Maps" (the Mercator projection). The images that will be seen in "Google Sky" on your browser will be the same as those found in 'Sky' in "Google Earth". Though users will not be able to view the Northern and Southern celestial poles. Through "Google Sky" on browser, users will be able to gallivant around the universe, zoom-in and out of images of celestial bodies, search for planets and galaxies, and view the sky through infrared, x-ray, ultraviolet, and microwave views. An Earth and Sky podcast has also been integrated in the interface. "Google Sky" will allow users to locate the positions of the planets and constellations, and even watch the birth of distant galaxies as seen by the Hubble Space Telescope, just as in the regular version.
The tool has been created by Google through a partnership with the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, the science operations center for Hubble.Source

Gibson Sues Activision over Guitar Hero Game

After Harmonix, it's now Gibson Guitar's turn to slap a lawsuit against Activision, publisher of the very popular video game, "Guitar Hero" -- over patent rights.
Meanwhile, Activision has asked a US court to nullify the claim made by Gibson Guitar, alleging it's only for the purpose of raking in moolah by claiming damages.
Gibson Guitar, renowned guitar-maker, is partner to RedOctane -- original developer of "Guitar Hero" -- and has filed charges in a Los Angeles District Court claiming Activision's "Guitar Hero" violates one of their patents (1999) that involves technology for simulating a musical performance. Gibson has filed a copy of the patent to the court, which illustrates a method for using instruments to simulate a live performance, and provides for a 3D headset with stereo speakers.
What Gibson Guitar wants is for Activision to obtain a license under its patent, or halt all shipments of "Guitar Hero". Meanwhile, Activision claims that Gibson Guitar's not taking action against the same for three years since the game was originally launched acts as an implied license anyways.

The "Guitar Hero" franchise has earned Activision over $1 billion since its inception, after selling more than 14 million copies in North America alone. Source

PowerShot Portfolio expanded by Cannon

Canon has announced the newest additions to its PowerShot line-up, including the SD890 IS, SD790 IS, and SD770 IS -- all ten-mega pixels Digital ELPH cameras. Canon claims the triplet of cameras integrates Canon technologies including motion detection, optical image stabilization, genuine face detection, and DIGIC III imaging processor. Of the three, the PowerShot SD890 IS is equipped with an optical 5x zoom lens, and is claimed to be able to secure macro images from less than an inch away. The camera features a multi-control dial that enables users to simply switch between shooting modes, settings, and even images during playback -- with easily understandable mode icons displayed on the 2.5-inches PureColor II LCD display. The second camera, the PowerShot SD790 IS, has an optically image stabilized 3x zoom. Like the SD890 IS, this PowerShot too features a multi-control dial. The SD790 IS is smaller than a deck of cards, and features a 3-inches PureColor LCD II display with adjacent multi-control dial and new button configuration that combine to form a flat control panel. The last of the three cameras -- the SD770 IS, sports a classic box- and-circle design. It boasts the thinnest body of any optically image stabilized ELPH model ever produced. The battery pack combined with the camera's power-saving enhancements, increases the number of photos that can be taken on a single charge to approximately 300 images, claims Canon. The SD770 IS also features a 2.5-inches PureColor LCD II screen and an optical viewfinder, among others.

The PowerShot SD890 IS, SD790 IS, and SD770 IS Digital ELPH cameras are scheduled to be in stores in the US by end March or next month. They are priced at $399.99, $349.99, and $299.99 respectively.Source