The Inquirer, an online tech news publication in the UK, bought a "new" PC from a reputable local computer store, but noticed that the "new" hard drive in it was packed with someone else's personal data. They're currently trying to trace the route of the drive through the parts and retail channel.
Concept Portable Printer Runs Circles Around Existing Models
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Samsung Electronics and Seoul National University have invented a portable printer that prints partially rolled up paper in a circular motion. By freeing the printer from the requirement to print on flat paper, the printer's form factor is reduced by one third. It's currently just a concept, but a very cool one. (props to The Gadgeteer)
Only In Japan: Giant Flipper For Cars Expresses 'Gratitude'
Japan's Wako Corp. (no, not "Wacko Corp.") has created a fin-shaped device designed to be installed on the roof of cars and controlled by the driver. Its purpose is to communicate "gratitude" and "please proceed" and "Hi, I have a giant flipper on my car!" and other things via fin gestures. It should go on sale by October. New York drivers have expressed interest in such a device, but only if it is modified with the addition of a middle finger.
Canada to Lose 75,000 Jobs to Outsourcing, Gain 165,000 From U.S. Outsourcing
A PriceWaterhouseCoopers report says Canada could lose up to 75,000 IT jobs by 2010 to offshore outsourcing, but could also gain about 165,000 jobs through U.S. outsourcing to Canada.
Culture Wars Rage: Mac Users Write Better Than PC Enthusiasts?
Columnist Paul Murphy employs objective, computerized systems for measuring writing quality and concludes that Mac users are better writers -- and possibly smarter -- than their PC using counterparts.
I told you June 3 that Toshiba planned to announce a laptop/TV combo this summer. AP is reporting that the new system will be announced next week. Called the Qosmio, the system allows you to watch TV on the laptop's screen without booting the computer or the OS. It comes with a remote control. If you do boot Windows, you can take advantage of TiVo-like software and an 80-gigabyte hard disk for pausing or recording TV.
Found Video: Coolest Airship Ever is 'Artificial Moon'
The AeroSphere SA-60 has got to be the coolest airship ever. Amost perfectly round, the design of the 62-foot-diameter airship enables the crew not only stays inside the balloon itself, rather than in a hanging cabin suspended below the balloon, but even walk around on the ship's skin. Velcro-attached "plug-and-play" modules enable crews to change the ship's purpose in minutes. It goes four miles high and can takeoff from or land on water. Naturally, the U.S. military is interested in buying a few hundred. Here comes the video.
Meaningless Milestone o' the Month: Microsoft Moves to More than a Million Members For Xbox Live
Microsoft announced today that more than a million people have joined Xbox Live, the company's online gaming service. A press release calls it "Microsoft's Million-Member March," although, being gamers, they probably won't "march" anywhere, but stay in their darkened rooms staring at their screens...
The Australian company SeaChange is testing electronic shark repellent devices built into surfboards and expects to have the technology on the market by the end of the year. The closer a shark gets to the surfboard, the more an electrical field is increased -- which really irritates sharks.
A new PDA called the "Jackito" features no keyboard or stylus. The input device is the users' thumbs pressing onscreen controls. The $600 device, which sports a monochrome screen that runs for weeks on a single AA battery or a color screen that runs 10 hours, features replaceable faceplates, SD support and a range of add-ons (MP3 player, Bluetooth headset, etc.).
Samsung launched this 3-megapixel camera phone, called the SPH-2300, Sunday. Unlike other camera phones, this one looks as much like a camera as does like a phone. (Girl with acne not included.) Casio shipped its 3-megapixel camera phone last month.
British and American cops are planning to test a new system that shoots a blast of radio waves at suspects' cars during police chases. Zapping cars with the device is expected to overwhelm engine electronics, shutting cars down.
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Japan's Wako Corp. (no, not "Wacko Corp.") has created a fin-shaped device designed to be installed on the roof of cars and controlled by the driver. Its purpose is to communicate "gratitude" and "please proceed" and "Hi, I have a giant flipper on my car!" and other things via 
I told you June 3 that Toshiba planned to announce a 
The Australian company SeaChange is testing 
