Art Lebedev's traffic light chic
Juniper Foo | Dec 02, 2008
(Credit: Art Lebedev Studios)
The Art Lebedev creation breaks the rules, if not traffic ones, on how a law-enforcing device can look--by going with edgey lines, which we heartily approve. If we're going to be staring at these red-amber-green alerts everyday of our lives, give us something good-looking to rest our eyes on. For now, the Luxofor is more stop than go as this concept awaits an enthusiastic authority to give it the green light.
Via Design Launch
Machine applauds you when no one else will
Michelle Thatcher | Dec 02, 2008
Designed by UK artist Martin Smith, the Applause Machine is a kinetic sculpture that measures about 18 inches high. When you press a button on the wood base, the motor kicks into gear and the machine "enthusiastically claps its hands for you"--well, as much as a machine can express enthusiasm. As this video shows, the clapping seems to be easily drowned out by the sound of the motor.
Made of powder-coated steel, brass, plastic, and walnut, the Applause Machine runs on two AAA batteries (included). You can choose from among five colors--red, green, orange, black, and white; the collective will manufacture 250 machines in each color.
Of course, US buyers will have to be either independently wealthy or especially desperate for an ego boost. Thanks to the still-unfavorable exchange rate, the Applause Machine prices out to US$301.83.
Via CNET Blogs | Source: Dezeen
Europe to get cybercrime alert system
Nick Heath | Dec 02, 2008
Europe is getting a cybercrime alert system as part of a European Union drive
to fight online criminals.
According to plans, European law enforcement body Europol will receive 300,000 euros (US$386,430) to build an alert system that pools reports of cybercrime, such as online identification and financial theft, from across the 27 member states.
Police will launch more remote searches of suspects' hard drives over the Internet, as well as cyberpatrols to spot and track illegal activity, under the strategy adopted by the European Union's council of ministers Thursday.
The strategy, a blueprint for fighting cybercrime in the EU over the next five years, also introduces measures to encourage businesses and police to share information on investigations and cybercrime trends.
Read more »
Apple suggests Mac users install antivirus software
Elinor Mills | Dec 02, 2008
Apple urges Mac customers to use anti-virus software, signaling a shift away from the long-time message that Mac users are immune to security issues. (Credit: Apple)
In what appears to be a first, Apple is recommending that Mac users install antivirus software.
But don't read this as an admission that the Mac operating system is suddenly insecure. It's more a recognition that Mac users are vulnerable to Web application exploits, which have replaced operating system vulnerabilities as the bigger threat to computer users.
Apple quietly signaled its shift with an item titled Mac OS: Antivirus utilities posted on its Support Web site November 21: "Apple encourages the widespread use of multiple antivirus utilities so that virus programmers have more than one application to circumvent, thus making the whole virus writing process more difficult."
The item offers three software suggestions: Intego VirusBarrier X5 and Symantec Norton Anti-Virus 11 for Macintosh, both available from the Apple Online Store, and McAfee VirusScan for Mac.
Read more »
SanDisk goes halvesies on memory cards
Joshua Goldman | Dec 02, 2008
Normally I wouldn't recommend buying directly from a manufacturer's Web site unless that was the only way to buy a product. However, it looks like "Cyber Monday" may be an exception to that rule--at least in the case of SanDisk, which is offering some significant discounts on its flash memory.
SanDisk's memory cards are going for a steal on its Web site. (Credit: SanDisk)
If you take more pictures with your phone than your camera, you might want to grab an 8GB microSDHC card for US$29.99 (down from US$69.99). Other card types and sizes are on sale, too.
SanDisk also has some price drops for its USB flash drives and Sansa Clip, Fuze, and View MP3 players.
The discounts end today, though, at 11:59 p.m. PT and are in limited quantities.
Via CNET Crave
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