Smart Meter Protest Blockades Road, Forces PG&E Trucks To Retreat (Video)
December 30, 2010 No Comment
Screen grab via YouTube video California residents are ramping up their efforts to stop, or at least slow down, the installation of smart meters. The state has already seen consumers incensed over smart meters, from central valley to the bay area, and there’s even a bill introduced in the state that will allow consumers to opt out of wireless smart meter installations until health studies are completed. However, the latest action by Marin residents really takes the cake — they created a road blockade that effectively turned around PG&E trucks re… Read the full story on TreeHugger
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Northern Ireland’s water crisis could last into next week, officials warned Thursday. Tens of thousands of residents have been without running water for days because of burst pipes and low reservoirs. (Dec. 30)
Continue reading …Gas prices are “soaring” again, crossing the $3-a-gallon threshold on Dec. 23 for the first time since Oct. 17, 2008. Back then the benchmark was a relief as prices plunged from the highest price ever of $4.11. Pump prices have been climbing all month, yet network reports downplayed the pain and suffering of consumers. Jim Axelrod of CBS called it “bad news” after reporting some positive economic news on Dec. 28, but concluded “The economy's not great, says economist Dan Greenhaus, but not terrible either.” Compare that to past media exaggeration of gas prices. NBC's Anne Thompson said that “no matter what kind of gas is sold, today it's now unbelievably expensive” on Aug. 31, 2005. That day the national average for gasoline was $2.62 – but the gas price signs shown in Thompson's report were much higher at $3.49. read more
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Denmark’s intelligence service says it has arrested five people suspected of planning a terror attack against a newspaper that printed the controversial Prophet Muhammad cartoons. (Dec. 30)
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Duran Duran have gone back to their 80′s roots with their new song ‘All You Need Is Now.’ It is taken off the album with the same name which is produced by DJ Mark Ronson. (Dec. 30)
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For 16 years, sisters Jamie and Gladys Scott have shared a life behind bars for their part in an $11 armed robbery. To share freedom, they must also share a kidney. (Dec. 30)
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Five new subway lines opened in the Chinese capital Thursday. Authorities hope they’ll help ease Beijing’s infamous traffic congestion, combined with limits on new car registrations. (Dec. 30)
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All signs have been pointing to this release for a few days now , but we’ll admit: we expected Skype to wait until CES next week to pull the covers off what could become its crown jewel service over the coming months. Skype’s official iOS client has finally sprouted the ability to make video calls, allowing iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, and fourth-generation iPod touch users to share real-time video amongst each other and users of Skype’s Windows, Mac, and Linux clients along with the ASUS Videophone (obviously, 3GS users won’t have the convenience of a front-facing camera, but they’ll still be able to broadcast video from the rear-facing one). Additionally, you’ll be able to receive video from others if you’re using an iPad or a third-generation iPod touch. The service is free and works over both WiFi and 3G — and considering Skype’s existing PC footprint, we’d argue this stands a very real chance of putting the hurt on FaceTime usage. No word on when Skype will be making video-capable clients available for Android or other mobile platforms, but Skype says that there’ll be “plenty more” announcements in Vegas next week, so we wouldn’t be surprised. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in] Skype video calling for iPhone is official, available now originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 00:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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In a huge push to boost car sales by the end of the year, dealerships are offering major incentives to get potential customers in the door. (Dec. 29)
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The world’s first store for 3D printed goods just opened in Brussels, and while we imagine they’ve already got a fair selection of prototyped merchandise to choose, might we suggest they invest in a few production runs of this fabulous new flute? Amit Zoran of the MIT Media Lab — yes, the same soul who helped dream up a 3D food printer early this year — has now printed a fully-functional concert flute with a minimum of human intervention. Directing an Objet Connex500 3D printer (which can handle multiple materials at the same time) to spit out his CAD design, dollop by tiny dollop, in a single 15-hour run, he merely had to wash off support material, add springs, and assemble four printed pieces to finish the instrument up. The proof of the pudding is in the eating, of course, so how does it sound? Find out for yourself in the video below. Continue reading 3D printed concert flute rapidly prototypes sound (video) 3D printed concert flute rapidly prototypes sound (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Dec 2010 21:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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