Amazon launches DRM-free music store

Amazon MP3It’s about time a major name in the world of online merchants started selling DRM-free music! Amazon MP3, a division of Amazon.com, just launched, and so far, the service looks very promising.

The store already offers 2 million titles, and as its name implies, the songs are in MP3 format. Amazon MP3 media files are not protected by DRM, so users can play them on any media player they wish, and copy and share them at will.

Music tracks currently sell for $0.89 and $0.99, and albums go for either $5.99 or $9.99

My guess is that with this new service, Amazon is trying to directly compete with iTunes, the number one online music store on the net. iTunes currently has around 70 percent of the online song market in the United States, but I’m sure Amazon MP3 will bring that percentage down a bit.



Listen through walls with the high-tech spy stethoscope

We’ve all seen this in movies: Spies and private detectives using special devices to listen through walls. A few weeks ago, I posted about a Laser Espionage Microphone, and today, I’ll show you how you can make a high-tech spy stethoscope for under $25. All you need is:

  • A cheap stethoscope
  • A pair of multimedia microphones




Apple looks to end iPhone hacking

Apple has declared war against “unlocked” iPhones. Why? Because according to the company, the unlocking software used to open the phones damages them permanently, rendering them useless when future software updates will be pushed to the devices.

This is the first time Apple warned those considering opening their iPhone since the unlocking software started coming out several weeks ago.

The iPhone Dev Team, a group that freely distributes an unlocking tool, have responded Monday on CNN.com, saying that their application “does not cause ‘damage’ as they (Apple) wants us to believe.”

According to the group, hundreds of thousands of iPhone owners have already downloaded the software, and “that number continues growing every day.”

Is there anyone among you that has an unlocked iPhone? If so, what is your reaction to this news?

Drooling over Assassin’s Creed

Assassin's Creed

I’ve been impatiently waiting for this game to come out for the past year, and fortunately, I won’t have to wait too long before the release date, which is set to be on November 13th. Assassin’s Creed will be released on all major gaming platforms and promises to be one of the best games ever created. I’ve added a bunch of videos after the jump, just to whet your appetite.

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Where does money really come from?

This is an informative and easy to understand documentary explaining how the financial system works.  The video lasts an hour and is well worth watching.  Take at least a few minutes of your time to watch the first part – if the subject doesn’t catch your interest, at least you’ll know how the basics work. Videos after the break.
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How to set up your computer ergonomically

How to set up your workstation ergonomicallyFirst, the science of ergonomics can be defined as, “the practice of optimizing the posture and positioning of the human body in relation with its environment.” Having a good, ergonomic workstation is especially important for office workers. Sitting down in front of a computer all day is not very good for the body, so in order to minimize the effects of our work environment, we definitely want to set up correctly.

When I stumbled on this great, online tool this morning, I immediately thought of all of you guys that are stuck in front of computer monitors for most of the day. If linking to this means a few of you escape a future visit to the Doc, I’ll have done my share of good deeds for the year.

“Follow the three steps below when planning your workstation. The values displayed will help you place your equipment for optimum ergonomic comfort.”


Make Your Workstation Fit You

Easily solve “spot the difference” pictures within seconds

Remember those ‘Spot the difference pictures’ puzzle games when you were a kid (or even as an adult?) Remember how long it took you to find them all? I had troubles – enough so that I was the last person to finish them and go out and play kickball! No longer, I say!

Introducing a sure-fire way to find all the differences in “spot the difference” picture puzzles in a matter of seconds. Only two requirements:

  • You must have that “magic eye” skill used with those goofy pictures from the 90’s (involving crossing your eyes)
  • The “spot the difference” pictures should be side by side for this technique to work. If they are below and above each other, just rotate the pictures/page so they are side by side. If they are skewed, you can tilt your head a bit…although you’d probably look a little funny.

Ok, once you have found a suitable picture…

  1. Stare at the pictures, begin to cross your eyes.
  2. You should see a third image appear between the two pictures.
  3. Focus on the middle picture, adjusting the tilt of your head so both pictures line up exactly.
  4. Once you’ve focused on the image, all the differences should look “luminescent”.

*This picture from AllStarPuzzles (click this link for the full size version)

Spot all 21 differences!

The trick is to cross your eyes so that your left eye is looking at the right image, and your right eye is looking at the left image. Once they both line up, you should be focused on a joined image (a mesh of the two). The differences will “glow” because one eye is seeing something different than the other.

The real trouble to this technique is to convince your eyes to lock on to the third image, but once you get the hang of it, it should take you no time at all.

Now go and impress your drunk friends!

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