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NASA launches high-tech next-generation TDRS-K communications satellite

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NASA successfully launched the next generation communications satellite called the Tracking and Data Relay Satellites, known as TDRS-K. The satellite headed into orbit atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. The rocket lifted off at 8:48 PM EST on Wednesday from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
via Slash Gear

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Google adds 100,000 new tours and a million new photos to Google Earth’s ‘tour guide’

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With the new Google Earth, you may never have to step out of your door ever again.

Google announced today that it has updated Google Earth for desktop with 100,000 new tours and a million photos from Panoramio, a geolocation-oriented photo share site that Google acquired in 2007.
via Venture Beat

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Apple’s ‘Eyes Free’ Siri tech coming to 2013 Honda Accords & Acuras

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Honda is the latest in a string of automobile manufacturer that will bring Apple’s Siri voice control technology to its line of cars, the automaker announced today.

Integrating Siri technology into cars means there will probably be fewer “assholes on their cellphones” during your daily commute to work, and more regular “assholes.” Also, the technology does other useful stuff, like letting you control your iPhone … Read More → "Apple’s ‘Eyes Free’ Siri tech coming to 2013 Honda Accords & Acuras"

Finally! A robot to clean your windows

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We’ve all heard of Roomba, the frisbee-sized vacuum robot. Until recently we thought this slightly egregious piece of technology was the end-all-be-all of home cleaning innovation. Then we met Winbot. Made by Ecovacs Robotics—a company boasting 300-500 engineers on staff at any given time—the similarly-sized window cleaning robot uses multiple motors and an array of sensors to navigate any window, inside or out, without any human assistance. Launched … Read More → "Finally! A robot to clean your windows"

Surprised scientists find lifeforms six miles above Earth’s surface

or the first time, scientists have found lifeforms where nobody thought it was possible: floating in the troposphere, the slice of the atmosphere approximately four to six miles (eight to 15 kilometers) above Earth’s surface. And not just a tiny few, but lot: 20% of every particle in that atmospheric layer are living organisms.
via Gizmodo

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Hollywood lobbies FAA to allow use of drones to shoot movies

Hollywood blockbusters have benefited from the rise of high-end digital cameras and improvements in CGI effects technology, reducing costs while delivering scenes that have never before been possible. A new initiative reportedly being spearheaded by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) hopes to give filmmakers yet another tech tool: aerial drones.

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If you’ve never watched a scene shot with a drone before, you can check out an example of exactly what it’s capable of in the video below.
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Graphene and human brain research to get around one billion euro in funding – each

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The European Commission has announced two Future and Emerging Technologies (FET) Flagships that could each receive funding of a staggering one billion euro (US$1.3 billion) over a period of ten years. The “Graphene Flagship” and the “Human Brain Project” are large-scale, science-driven research initiatives designed to “fuel revolutionary discoveries” and provide major benefits for European society – hopefully creating new jobs and providing economic growth along the way.

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This group of 40-something men have been playing a game of Tag for over 20 years

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Earlier this month, Brian Dennehy started a new job as chief marketing officer of Nordstrom Inc. In his first week, he pulled aside a colleague to ask a question: How hard it is for a nonemployee to enter the building?

Mr. Dennehy doesn’t have a particular interest in corporate security. He just doesn’t want to be “It.”

Mr. Dennehy and nine of his friends … Read More → "This group of 40-something men have been playing a game of Tag for over 20 years"

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