ie8 fix

extreme

Intel to focus on Ultrabooks, Windows 8 at forum

Intel will put its large spotlight on Ultrabook laptops and Windows 8, among other technologies, at its annual developer conference next week.

In a keynote on September 14, Mooly Eden, general manager of the PC client group at Intel, will describe the "transformation of the PC" being driven by Ultrabooks at the Intel Developer Forum (IDF), according to an overview of the forum CNET received from Intel today. IDF begins next Tuesday.

Ultrabooks are very light, very thin Windows laptops that compete with the MacBook Air. The core hardware includes Intel second-generation "Sandy Bridge" processors and … Read more

Eco Pod waterproof smartphone case keeps tech dry in wet weather

"I love going to the beach, but hate getting sand on my iPhone. #FirstWorldProblems"

If that tweet sounds familiar, you'll want to add the Grace Digital Audio Eco Pod to your shopping list.

The Eco Pod is an outdoor case for your phone or MP3 player that wraps the device in an airtight valve for complete protection against the elements. It comes with a pair of Grace's Sonar Premium Waterproof Headphones so you can jam without worrying about damaging your gear.

The case features a waterproof IPX7 headset jack that can also pair with any standard … Read more

This Day in Tech: Google lawyer takes a jab at Apple, Microsoft, Oracle over Android patent wars

To busy to keep up with the tech news? Here are some of the more interesting stories from CNET for Wednesday, August 3.

• Google top lawyer calls the patient claims by Apple, Microsoft, and Oracle "bogus" and says the patent feud will increase the price of Android phones. More than 550,000 Android devices are activated daily, through a network of 39 manufacturers and 231 carriers, the lawyer pointed out, adding that the patent wars are getting in the way of innovation, instead of encouraging it.

• Also, bogus is the claim that Internet Explorer users have lower IQs. … Read more

EarthRisk crunches data to predict extreme weather

EarthRisk Technologies is mining years of weather data for profit.

The San Diego-based start-up today launched HeatRisk, a Web-based application designed to predict extreme heat events 30 to 40 days out. The target audience is meteorologists who work for energy companies or other organizations which need a long-range forecast to hedge their risk from extreme temperatures.

Over time, EarthRisk Technologies intends to design a product aimed at less technical users and investigate whether its research method can be applied to predicting extreme storms, according to President and Chief Science Officer Stephen Bennett. Its first product, released last year, is for … Read more

iPad survives 60-foot fall to pavement in soft case

It used to be that iOS devices only fell from high places by accident, but the phenomenon of tossing them has also become great marketing fodder. The latest example comes from the folks at G-Form, who previously tested their iPad Extreme sleeve by tossing it 500 feet from an ultralight aircraft (the sleeve also survived being run over by a car in this video).

This time it's a head-to-head with what appears to be a hard-cover iPad case in a drop onto asphalt from 60 feet up. Check it out in the video below.

The iPad in the hard shell smacks the pavement with a thud and gets smashed up pretty good, while the G-Form Extreme Portfolio soft sleeve gets a nice bounce off of impact, takes a licking, and keeps on playing whatever Pixar movie it is that they cued up.

After G-Form's last video with the toss from the ultralight, I speculated that some credit may be due to the tough glass Apple uses for iPads, but this latest video installment and all the shattered glass therein gives me a sudden appetite for crow. Anticipating such skepticism again, though, the G-Form folks have made the entire, uncut video available on their Web site for those suspicious of a possible switcheroo. … Read more

First Take: Fifth-generation Apple AirPort Extreme Base Station

Apple updated its AirPort Extreme Base Station today after weeks of rumors speculating about a batch of new wireless devices. With the release of today's Time Capsule update, we now know that little has changed from the previous dual-band design.

The new AirPort Extreme maintains the slim design of its predecessor with the same square shape, status lights on the front, and three Gigabit Ethernet Ports on the back. You also get a USB port to add a wireless printer, additional storage, or for use with Apple's Time Machine backup utility.

The price also stays the same at $… Read more

FCC outs new Apple AirPort Extreme

Apple may soon be launching a new AirPort Extreme Base Station.

The Federal Communications Commission today posted its test report on a new version of Apple's wireless hardware. Dubbed model A1408, the device is a 3x3 wireless access point operating on both the 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz bands, according to the FCC filing.

Rumors that Apple is planning to launch new wireless hardware have been cropping up for weeks. Leading up to Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference earlier this month, reports surfaced claiming Apple would be updating its AirPort Extreme Base Station, along with its Time Capsule--the company'… Read more

Best iOS golf games for Dad

Does your dad like golf? With Father's Day this weekend and the summer finally hitting its stride, heading out to the links is probably on a lot of dads' minds. But why let your dad's golfing be limited to the weekend or the warm months of summer when you can bring the links to him on his iOS device?

This week's collection of apps is all about playing a quick game of golf during downtime. The first app lets you play through nine-hole courses in strange, multilevel fantasy 2D worlds. The second lets you join one of the best golfers around, in a more involved golf simulation, playing on real-world courses. The last, out this week, is the sequel to an excellent pick-up-and-play golf game, perfect for when you need a quick fix.

Super Stickman Golf (99 cents) is a 2D golf game that's really easy to pick up and play, with tons of fantastical themed courses, interesting power-ups, and excellent physics-based gameplay. Though the game has a huge number of arcadelike features, the goal is always the same: try to get the ball in the hole in as few shots as possible. The challenge is that it can be much harder than it looks.

Rather than your standard 3D layout as seen in many golf games, Super Stickman Golf offers up a 2D platformer experience. The courses often have multiple levels you'll need to reach and obstacles you'll need to avoid to finally get on the green.

The interface consists of arrows on the left to adjust the arc of your shot, a button in the middle for bringing in bonus items, and a "Go!" button you'll need to hit twice for each shot: once to start the swing, and a second time to adjust shot power.… Read more

Apple software update hints at new wireless gear

Code from a software update for Apple's AirPort Utility software that went out last night has been found to contain references to unreleased Apple wireless networking hardware.

9to5Mac and MacRumors both independently dug up mentions of a fourth-generation Time Capsule as well as a fifth-generation AirPort Extreme base station in the code that went out as part of the update. Those product iterations have not yet been announced by Apple.

Ahead of last week's Worldwide Developers Conference, rumor had it that Apple was planning to update both these products alongside AirPort Express, Apple's entry-level wireless networking product. … Read more

OWC Mercury Extreme Pro 6G SSD review: Good deal for big spenders

When it comes to 2.5-inch SATA solid-state drives (SSDs), prices are so high that so far it only makes sense to buy those with lower capacities, 256GB or less. However, with OWC's new series of Mercury Extreme Pro 6G drives, it seems you only get a good deal when you buy the top capacity.

The drive's 480GB version gives you the most storage for your money, at just $1,280. If you think that's still high (and you're right!), look at the prices of some competing products; the 480GB OCZ Vertex 3, for example, costs … Read more