Japanese officials have deployed military helicopters to dump water over the earthquake-damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant to try to cool down overheated reactors inside.
The officials are trying to avert a catastrophic radiation leak from spent fuel rods inside the plant's reactors. Japanese television Thursday morning showed helicopters dumping water over the plant from huge buckets.
Read more: http://www.voanews.com/english/news/Helicopters-Douse-Quake-Damaged-Nuclear-Plant-with-Water--118135934.html
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Rebels fight to stall Gaddafi's army in east
NEAR AJDABIYAH, Libya, March 17 (Reuters) - Libyan rebels have fought back against Muammar Gaddafi's troops around the eastern town of Ajdabiyah, hampering their push towards the insurgent capital Benghazi.
Government forces captured Ajdabiyah, 150 km (90 miles) south of Benghazi on the Gulf of Sirte, on Tuesday after most of its rebel defenders retreated from a heavy artillery barrage.
One rebel officer said on Wednesday the town had been lost and the fighters who remained had handed over their weapons. But some apparently refused to surrender or flee.
By Wednesday evening, residents said the rebels held the centre of town while forces loyal to Gaddafi were mostly on its eastern outskirts.
Jibril al-Huweidi, a doctor at Benghazi's al-Jalaa Hospital, said he heard from ambulance drivers coming in from Ajdabiyah that they could shuttle back and forth without much problem.
"Only the eastern part of Ajdabiyahis controlled by Gaddafi's men," he said.
"There are a couple of tanks there that sporadically fire at the city. But Ajdabiyah's city centre and other access points are peaceful and not one man from Gaddafi's force wanders around."
Another Benghazi resident, Faiza Ali, said she spoke to relatives in Ajdabiyah on Wednesday evening. "They said they are fine."
Rebels had ambushed Gaddafi forces outside the city and were still battling them, she said.
Earlier on Wednesday, weary government soldiers returning from the frontlines told journalists that they were meeting renewed resistance from rebel positions near the city.
Government forces captured Ajdabiyah, 150 km (90 miles) south of Benghazi on the Gulf of Sirte, on Tuesday after most of its rebel defenders retreated from a heavy artillery barrage.
One rebel officer said on Wednesday the town had been lost and the fighters who remained had handed over their weapons. But some apparently refused to surrender or flee.
By Wednesday evening, residents said the rebels held the centre of town while forces loyal to Gaddafi were mostly on its eastern outskirts.
Jibril al-Huweidi, a doctor at Benghazi's al-Jalaa Hospital, said he heard from ambulance drivers coming in from Ajdabiyah that they could shuttle back and forth without much problem.
"Only the eastern part of Ajdabiyahis controlled by Gaddafi's men," he said.
"There are a couple of tanks there that sporadically fire at the city. But Ajdabiyah's city centre and other access points are peaceful and not one man from Gaddafi's force wanders around."
Another Benghazi resident, Faiza Ali, said she spoke to relatives in Ajdabiyah on Wednesday evening. "They said they are fine."
Rebels had ambushed Gaddafi forces outside the city and were still battling them, she said.
Earlier on Wednesday, weary government soldiers returning from the frontlines told journalists that they were meeting renewed resistance from rebel positions near the city.
Nuclear Agency Tells a Concerned Congress That U.S. Industry Remains Safe
WASHINGTON — Facing questions about the implications of Japan’s nuclear catastrophe for power plants in the United States, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s top official said Wednesday at two Congressional hearings that his agency would take a methodical look at Japan and incorporate lessons from the disaster.
The pledge from the official, Gregory Jaczko, the commission’s chairman, drew praise and criticism that was often consonant with a lawmaker’s political position on nuclear power and other forms of energy.
“U.S. nuclear facilities remain safe,” Mr. Jaczko told two House Energy and Commerce subcommittees, which had originally planned to consider his agency’s budget for the coming fiscal year at the hearing. “We will continue to work to maintain that level of protection.”
Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/17/science/earth/17nrc.html
The pledge from the official, Gregory Jaczko, the commission’s chairman, drew praise and criticism that was often consonant with a lawmaker’s political position on nuclear power and other forms of energy.
“U.S. nuclear facilities remain safe,” Mr. Jaczko told two House Energy and Commerce subcommittees, which had originally planned to consider his agency’s budget for the coming fiscal year at the hearing. “We will continue to work to maintain that level of protection.”
Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/17/science/earth/17nrc.html
Skyfire for Android update in the works
Skyfire recently announced a large-scale update coming to its Skyfire for Android mobile browser application, to be available in the Android Market. The Skyfire for Android update is touted to include a new look, with more personalization and customization, a new pricing model, and additional features. Since its launch in April 2010, Skyfire for Android has seen more than 2.5 million downloads. The most recent Skyfire update in November implemented social media and Facebook capabilities. Skyfire plans to announce Skyfire for Android 4.0 in the next few weeks.
Android and the future of feature phones
When the LG Optimus T and Optimus S phones were announced last year, I genuinely felt for the first time that feature phones were a dying breed. Both of these Optimus handsets were branded as entry-level smartphones, but had very impressive features--they shipped with Android 2.2 Froyo (the latest OS update at the time), had portable Wi-Fi hot spots, and of course the usual Android features like robust e-mail and Google app support.
Sure they weren't as advanced as their higher-end cousins--no Flash support, no HD video, and so on--but for $30 or less, these phones were an absolute steal. Considering that some feature phones are selling for more than twice that price for far fewer features, it seemed that smartphones were finally affordable enough that everyone could get one. Furthermore, the Android interface is not that difficult to navigate, making the usability factor almost a non-issue.
Read more: http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19736_7-20040826-251.html#ixzz1GoqPsXb1
Sure they weren't as advanced as their higher-end cousins--no Flash support, no HD video, and so on--but for $30 or less, these phones were an absolute steal. Considering that some feature phones are selling for more than twice that price for far fewer features, it seemed that smartphones were finally affordable enough that everyone could get one. Furthermore, the Android interface is not that difficult to navigate, making the usability factor almost a non-issue.
Read more: http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19736_7-20040826-251.html#ixzz1GoqPsXb1
Nook Color Android hacks are being sold on eBay
Hacking or rooting the Barnes & Noble Nook Color has become a commercial venture for some, and that has plenty of Android enthusiasts calling foul.
In recent days, folks on eBay have started selling hacks for the Nook Color preinstalled on microSD cards, which start around $60 for 4GB cards and work their way upward. Installing one of the cards in the Nook Color's microSD slot allows users to override Barnes & Noble's "closed" Android-based Nook firmware with an open Android system that supports running a multitude of Android apps. "Modders" have been "porting" various "rooted" versions of the Android OS to the Nook Color, including a preview version of Honeycomb (Android 3.0), which is designed for tablets. This has made the affordable though slightly underpowered Nook Color ($250) a popular item with Android enthusiasts who don't want to shell out bigger money for true Android tablets like the $799 Motorola Xoom.
Over at the Android Police, Will Shanklin was dismayed at the turn of events. He urged readers not to pay money for a Nook Color SD card that runs Honeycomb.
Read more: http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20039617-1.html#ixzz1GopXOG00
In recent days, folks on eBay have started selling hacks for the Nook Color preinstalled on microSD cards, which start around $60 for 4GB cards and work their way upward. Installing one of the cards in the Nook Color's microSD slot allows users to override Barnes & Noble's "closed" Android-based Nook firmware with an open Android system that supports running a multitude of Android apps. "Modders" have been "porting" various "rooted" versions of the Android OS to the Nook Color, including a preview version of Honeycomb (Android 3.0), which is designed for tablets. This has made the affordable though slightly underpowered Nook Color ($250) a popular item with Android enthusiasts who don't want to shell out bigger money for true Android tablets like the $799 Motorola Xoom.
Over at the Android Police, Will Shanklin was dismayed at the turn of events. He urged readers not to pay money for a Nook Color SD card that runs Honeycomb.
Read more: http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20039617-1.html#ixzz1GopXOG00
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
HP to Put webOS on Every Single PC it Builds in 2012
Many were critical of the decision to appoint Léo Apotheker, a 57 year-old German native with little consumer retail experience and a poor business track record, to the position of chief executive officer at Hewlett-Packard Company. Likewise, the decisions Mr. Apotheker has made during the first few months of his tenure have done little to silence that criticism.
Mr. Apotheker, in a recent interview with Business Week, attacked his company's performance under former CEO Mark Hurd. He states, "HP has lost its soul. The first thing I wanted to do when I joined HP was listen to the people. The rank and file usually know about all the shortcomings."
Read more: http://www.dailytech.com/HP+to+Put+webOS+on+Every+Single+PC+it+Builds+in+2012/article21089.htm
Mr. Apotheker, in a recent interview with Business Week, attacked his company's performance under former CEO Mark Hurd. He states, "HP has lost its soul. The first thing I wanted to do when I joined HP was listen to the people. The rank and file usually know about all the shortcomings."
Read more: http://www.dailytech.com/HP+to+Put+webOS+on+Every+Single+PC+it+Builds+in+2012/article21089.htm
HTC Flyer Tablet Runs Android 2.4 Instead of Android 3.0
HTC's Flyer tablet will run Android 2.4 rather than Android 3.0 in the second quarter. Analysts say HTC Sense is likely the reason Honeycomb got the pass for the Motorola Xoom rival.
Few people following tablets were surprised when HTC unveiled the HTC Flyer, a 7-inch tablet to compete with Apple's iPad, Samsung's Galaxy Tab lineup, and the Motorola Xoom at Mobile World Congress Feb. 15.
Read more: http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Desktops-and-Notebooks/HTC-Flyer-Tablet-Runs-Android-24-First-Android-30-Second-664409/
Few people following tablets were surprised when HTC unveiled the HTC Flyer, a 7-inch tablet to compete with Apple's iPad, Samsung's Galaxy Tab lineup, and the Motorola Xoom at Mobile World Congress Feb. 15.
Read more: http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Desktops-and-Notebooks/HTC-Flyer-Tablet-Runs-Android-24-First-Android-30-Second-664409/
Monday, March 7, 2011
Battle of the Browsers: Android Browser vs. Firefox 4.0b5
Before you jump in, we'll run through some history and background, including a section on why web-standards are important, then through several tests and benchmarking utilities, and we'll finish up with perceived speeds and how much space each app takes up. Because it's an in depth video, here's a table-of-contents for you, so you can jump right to the segment that you're most interested in:
Read more: http://pocketnow.com/android/battle-of-the-browsers-android-browser-vs-firefox-40b5
Read more: http://pocketnow.com/android/battle-of-the-browsers-android-browser-vs-firefox-40b5
Samsung’s Galaxy Tab II Android 3.0 tablet hits the FCC, coming to AT&T?
Late last week Samsung’s latest tablet, the Galaxy Tab II, made an appearance on the FCC. The device, which made its debut at Mobile World Congress this year, won FCC approval for its 802.11 a/b/g/n and Bluetooth capabilities, as well as GSM bands 850 and 1900, and WCDMA 3G bands II and V. Those 3G bands correspond to AT&T’s service in the United States, a good indication that the Galaxy Tab II will launch on AT&T when it does make its way to the States.
Read more: http://www.wirelessgoodness.com/2011/03/07/samsungs-galaxy-tab-ii-android-3-0-tablet-hits-the-fcc-coming-to-att/
Read more: http://www.wirelessgoodness.com/2011/03/07/samsungs-galaxy-tab-ii-android-3-0-tablet-hits-the-fcc-coming-to-att/
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