Prime-time viewership numbers compiled by Nielsen Media Research for Aug. 20-26. Listings include the week's ranking, with viewership for the week and season-to-date rankings in parentheses. An "X" in parentheses denotes a one-time-only presentation.
1. (31) "America's Got Talent," NBC, 13.94 million viewers.
2. (7) "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," CBS, 10.37 million viewers.
3. (22) "Without a Trace," CBS, 9.3 million viewers.
4. (20) "Two and a Half Men," CBS, 9.25 million viewers.
5. (X) NFL Exhibition: Philadelphia at Pittsburgh (Sunday), NBC, 9.2 million viewers.
6. (28) "60 Minutes," CBS, 9.05 million viewers.
7. (44) "Singing Bee," NBC, 8.88 million viewers.
8. (77) "Power of Ten," CBS, 8.7 million viewers.
9. (26) "Cold Case," CBS, 8.45 million viewers.
10. (24) "Criminal Minds," CBS, 8.3 million viewers.
11. (22) "CSI: NY," CBS, 7.85 million viewers.
12. (89) "Big Brother 8" (Thursday), CBS, 7.78 million viewers.
13. (81) "Just for Laughs," ABC, 7.68 million viewers.
14. (13) "CSI: Miami," CBS, 7.65 million viewers.
15. (98) "Big Brother 8" (Sunday), CBS, 7.41 million viewers.
16. (89) "Big Brother 8" (Tuesday), CBS, 7.3 million viewers.
17. (110) "Last Comic Standing 5," NBC, 7.25 million viewers.
18. (X) "TV's Funniest Moments" (Monday), Fox, 7.24 million viewers.
19. (110) "Just for Laughs" (Tuesday), ABC, 6.83 million viewers.
20. (X) "NFL Pre-Season Pre-kickoff" (Sunday), NBC, 6.77 million viewers.
NOTE : ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Co. CBS is a division of CBS Corp. Fox is a unit of News Corp. NBC is owned by General Electric Co.
The Top 20 Prime-Time Shows In The US
The Fastest Green Cars on the Planet
Labels: AUTO
Among old-school gearheads, conventional wisdom is that gasoline is where the fun is, was and always will be (until the pumps run dry). Alternative-fuel automobiles -- hybrids, diesels, electrics and the like -- are dorky, cumbersome and slow. But a growing body of evidence suggests environmental consciousness doesn't have to mean boring. To wit: 10 cars -- funky, fun and each the fastest for its power source, from an American-built ethanol-fueled roadster that runs like the wind, to a three-seat urban buggy from France that runs on the wind.
Here's proof that the farmer and the racer should be friends. Chicago-based mod shop SVS Power decided to demonstrate that when it comes to performance potential, premium-grade gasoline has nothing on corn-derived E85 (a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline, currently available at close to 1,200 U.S. gas stations).
The company took a 2005 Dodge Viper roadster, upgraded its already-fearsome 8.3-liter V-10 with twin turbochargers, and modified the fuel and engine-management systems to run on ethanol. The result: a street-legal, 1200-horsepower animal that positively smashed the standing-mile speed record (which had belonged, coincidentally, to a highly modified, gasoline-powered Viper coupe).
E85 Viper
Power: ethanol
Top Speed: 220.7 mph
Does Google Own Your Content?
Labels: DIGITAL TECH
Google has a potentially worrisome clause in its User Agreement for Google Apps. Namely, that any content put into the system and 'intended to be available to the members of the public' is free game for Google, reserving the right for Google 'to syndicate Content submitted, posted or displayed by you on or through Google services and use that Content in connection with any service offered by Google.' Google may not be evil, but giving it these (and other) rights to one's data should be ringing alarm bells in the Google Apps user base."
Britney Just Says Ne-Yo to New Single
Labels: ENTERTAINMENT
Britney Spears' long-threatened single could be released as early as next week. Whether Ne-Yo had a hand in producing the album from which it will be culled is another matter. As is whether the whole of Spears' entourage will be under subpoena by the time the tune is unleashed on the world.
"Gimme More," the reputed first single from the onetime pop princess' long-gestating fifth studio album, could debut as soon as next week and that neither of the two songs that have already leaked online under the guise of being the comeback track are the real deal.
Microsoft: Vista Service Pack Coming In '08
Labels: DIGITAL TECH
After months of silence, Microsoft finally coughed up details Tuesday about its plans for the first update to Windows Vista, saying the service pack will arrive in the first quarter of next year.
In the next few weeks, Microsoft will start private testing of a beta of Service Pack 1 for Vista as well as a third service pack for Windows XP. The company plans initially to release the beta only to 10,000 pre-selected testers, though it may expand that release later. A small group of testers are already working with a "beta preview" version.
As for what's in the Vista update, it's mostly a collection of existing fixes and tweaks aimed at improving stability and reliability of the operating system, which went on sale to consumers in January.
Reinventing The (Front) Wheel
Labels: AUTO
What happens when you breed a helicopter with a two-wheeler? You get a motorcycle with all-wheel drive.
Philadelphia-based Christini has begun to market a drivetrain that can apply power from the engine to the front wheel of motorcycles. A second chain turns the front wheel so that riders can get through sand, snow, mud or uneven terrain more easily.
Christini recently released a version of its drivetrain for some Honda dirt bikes and will soon have a unit that works with off-road motorcycles from KLM. Over the next few years, it hopes to move from selling its system as an aftermarket device to something that is integrated into a motorcycle at a much lower cost at the factory.
The company has all-wheel mountain bikes, too. With bicycles, all-wheel drive allows riders to get up steep slopes without having to stand up and pedal, or down slippery surfaces with less fishtailing.
Although they don't get near the attention that cars do, inventors actively tinker with the technology behind bikes and motorcycles. Shimano recently came out with an automatic transmission for bikes, and Zero Motorcycles and Vectrix have come out with electric motorcycles.
The all-wheel drive concept sounds simple, but it's difficult to execute. Large, established manufacturers have tried out different ideas for putting a second chain on the front wheel, but ultimately backed away from coming out with products.
The difficulty was in how to deliver power to the front wheel without disrupting steering and handling. If you attach the chain to one side of the hub, it will pull the front wheel, and hence the rider, in that direction. One manufacturer spent years on a system that would drive the wheel through pressure hydraulics. Hydraulic systems, though, consume lots of power.
Clubs Await Champions League Draw
Labels: SPORTS
The draw for the Champions League group stages takes place on Thursday at 1700 BST with six British teams among the 32 names in the hat. Celtic edged out Spartak Moscow on penalties, while Arsenal completed a comprehensive 5-0 aggregate win over Sparta Prague to progress.
Liverpool and Rangers booked their passage on Wednesday, joining Chelsea and Manchester United in the hat. Both Sevilla and AEK Athens will be in the draw despite playing next Monday. The second-leg tie between the pair was postponed following the death of the Spanish club's 22-year-old defender Antonio Puerta.
Sevilla, who hold a 2-0 lead from the first leg, will be among the group of second seeds while AEK Athens are ranked among one of the bottom seeds. Uefa general secretary David Taylor told uefa.com: "The draw will take place on Thursday at 1700 BST, as scheduled.
Uefa splits the 32 entrants into four pots of eight teams, divided according to their current European ranking. Each group will contain one team from the top seeds, one from the second seeds, one for the third and one from the fourth.
TRIPLE H IS BACK
Labels: SPORTS
To the roar of the Continental Airlines Arena crowd, The King of Kings made his return to the ring after a eight-month absence due to a torn quadriceps. In typical Triple H fashion, he spewed water to the delight of a rabid crowd that chanted his name. With “Time to Play the Game,” pulsating in the background, The Game smiled at the crowd. It was like he’d never left.
With Latin words "Genibus Nitito Canus" in the background, Triple H stared down King Booker – the man who had, for the past month, demanded that he give up his kingly moniker. For your information, Triple H’s Latin text, "Genibus Nitito Canus," translates to “On Your Knees, Dog.” And The Game was determined to bring King Booker to his knees.
However, King Booker tested The Cerebral Assassin and his surgically repaired leg. But when the final bell rang, Triple H stood tall over the defeated monarch. And as both grapplers took the battle outside, each took advantage of the surroundings and slammed each other into the ringside barriers and ring steps. But Triple H continued to bounce back.
King Booker was able to avoid a Pedigree attempt from Triple H, and delivered a Book-End to The Game, nearly getting a three-count. But when Booker climbed to the top rope to deliver a somersault leg drop, Triple H caught the monarch and set him up for the Pedigree. King Booker escaped, but missed a spinning kick and was trapped into the Pedigree again for the pinfall.
The crowd roared as Triple H scored the pin. “The Game is back, and he’s as amazing as ever,” exclaimed Jim Ross, as The Game soaked in an extended celebration.
Will the Raw locker room kneel down to honor the returning King of Kings? Knowing the ultra-competitive Raw locker room, it’s not likely. But after a successful return to the ring, Triple H looks more than ready to defend his throne and claim his spot in the championship hunt.
Cops: Owen Wilson Call An 'Attempted Suicide'
Santa Monica police confirmed that officers responded to an attempted suicide at Owen Wilson's house, according to the police log.
The department's "Call for Service Report" posted online shows that the report came in at 12:08 p.m. Sunday from Wilson's 23rd Street address and that officers cleared the case five hours later.
The call was logged as "Attempt Suicide" – the first official confirmation of the reason for the call. No other details were provided.
Wilson, 38, was recovering at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. He issued a statement pleading for privacy to allow him to "receive care and heal in private during this difficult time."
Google Is Working On A Mobile OS,
Labels: DIGITAL TECH
Google's mobile device platform is well on its way, and will be announced in the very near future. "Gphone OS" (what the industry called it) began development after Google's very quiet 2005 acquisition of mobile software company Android, started by Danger co-founder and former-president / CEO Andy Rubin. At Google, Andy's team has developed a Linux-based mobile device OS which they're currently shopping around to handset makers and carriers on the premise of providing a flexible, customizable system - with really great Google integration, of course.
NOKIA N81 SNEAK PEAK
Labels: DIGITAL TECH
Here are the pic of Nokia N81, probably the most awaited new handphones from Nokia this year.
Man Utd Striker Solskjaer Retires
Labels: SPORTS
Manchester United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has retired from football. The 34-year-old, who scored the winner in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich in 1999, has been battling knee injuries for four years.
Solskjaer, who will remain at the club as a coach, joined United from Molde for £1.5m in 1996 and the former Norway international has made 366 appearances for United, scoring 126 goals. He also collected six league championship and two FA Cup medals with United.
Solskjaer scored 11 goals as the Red Devils reclaimed their Premier League crown last season. His last game for Sir Alex Ferguson's side was the FA Cup final defeat to Chelsea on 19 May when he came on as an extra-time substitute at Wembley.
He has already spent time at United coaching young players and was appointed a club ambassador last year. The retirement of Solskjaer leaves Ferguson with only three strikers - Wayne Rooney, Louis Saha and Carlos Tevez - the latter being the only one presently fully fit.
Ferguson has been linked with a move for Bolton's Nicolas Anelka and Spurs striker Dimitar Berbatov, although the latter has insisted his immediate future lies at White Hart Lane.
United have sold fellow strikers Alan Smith to Newcastle and Giuseppe Rossi to Villarreal. Tevez has also been included in Argentina's squad for the friendly against Australia in Melbourne next month, which could further stretch Ferguson's resources.
Saha, whose own United career has been dogged by injury, had hoped to make his return against Spurs at the weekend but his comeback was aborted. He is expected to be fit to face Sunderland at the weekend, but his persistent knee problems have proved a major cause of concern.
Solskjaer returned to fitness last term, and was hopeful of playing a meaningful role this season, despite undergoing minor knee surgery in June. But he has had problems during his rehabilitation and recently admitted he fully expected this to be his last season.
Now the announcement that one of Old Trafford's most popular figures is quitting the game has been brought forward.
Yahoo Mail Gets New Features
Labels: DIGITAL TECH
Yahoo! has announced a new version of Yahoo! Mail which now enables users to send free text messages from Yahoo! Mail to mobile phone numbers in the US, Canada, India, and the Philippines, and the ability to send instant messages from Yahoo! Mail to users of Yahoo! Messenger and Windows Live Messenger. Users can also convert e-mail messages into IM chats or switch to a text message dialogue with the click of a button. The new Yahoo Mail beta version is said to offer a faster, more responsive, and dynamic Web 2.0 experience than previous beta versions, and also adds the ability to refine an e-mail search result using advanced search options, plus new shortcuts that allow users to right click on underlined dates, names and keywords within messages and take additional action. Six customizable color themes are now available to personalize the look of your Yahoo! e-mail as well.
Man Utd 1-0 Tottenham
Nani drilled in his first goal for Manchester United to hand the champions a precious first win of the season and frustrate a brave Tottenham display. After Robbie Keane hit the bar for Spurs in the first minute United dominated, with Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes going close to an opener.
The visitors held firm, though, and had appeals for a penalty turned down after Wes Brown's apparent handball. And Nani compounded their misery when he fired in the winner from 25 yards.
It was harsh on Tottenham, who had mixed a solid defensive display with the odd good chance, but United were good value for something from a game they dominated for spells.
Sir Alex Ferguson had boldly stated "we will win the game on Sunday" before the match, and the fact that Spurs had failed to beat United at Old Trafford in nearly 18 years suggested the Scot's pre-match confidence was well placed.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
Labels: GAMES
Release Date: Spring 2008
Publisher: LucasArts Entertainment
Developer: LucasArts Entertainment
Genre: Action
The Star Wars video game saga continues with Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, which casts players as Darth Vader's secret apprentice and unveils an expansive story about the era between Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and Episode IV: A New Hope. Players will help Darth Vader in his quest to eliminate the Jedi from the universe and possibly change the course of history.
The Force Unleashed takes full advantage of newly developed technologies that create gameplay perfect for the next-generation consoles, like characters moving, acting, and thinking like actual human beings, adapting their behavior to the given setting.
The game is available on:
* Xbox 360
* PlayStation 3
* PlayStation 2
* PSP
* Nintendo DS
Hulk Hogan's Son Seriously Injured in Car Crash
Labels: ENTERTAINMENT
Hulk Hogan's son Nick Bollea was seriously injured Sunday night after his car careened off the road and struck a palm tree.
Bollea, who was featured with the rest of his family on the pro wrestler's VH1 reality show Hogan Knows Best, was driving his yellow Toyota Supra down a four-lane highway in downtown Clearwater, Fla., when the car's rear tires hit the raised median, police said. After fishtailing for several seconds, the car slammed into a 25-foot tall palm tree.
Bollea, 17, and his male passenger had to be extracted from the vehicle using the "jaws of life." They were placed on a Medivac helicopter where they were flown seven minutes to nearby Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg. Bollea is in serious condition, while his passenger has been listed in critical condition.
Police alerted Hulk Hogan to the accident. According to a hospital source, the wrestler and his family are in a private waiting room as Bollea is being treated for "very serious, life-threatening" injuries. Hogan declined to address the media through a hospital spokesperson on Sunday evening, but plans to make a statement later.
Turkish Grand Prix 2007
Labels: SPORTS
Lewis Hamilton's championship lead was cut to five points by McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso after the Englishman suffered a late puncture in Turkey.
Hamilton was on course for third place behind the Ferraris of Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen when his right-front tyre fell apart with 15 laps to go. The drama enabled Alonso to slip by into third place and left Hamilton in fifth behind BMW's Nick Heidfeld. His car damaged by the puncture, Hamilton was not able to fight back.
The 22-year-old had been forced to trail back to the pits for the last third of the lap at Istanbul Park, and the flailing tyre damaged some of the aerodynamic parts at the front of his car.
That meant he was much slower than before the problem, and Heidfeld was able to pull away, leaving the McLaren driver to concentrate on staying ahead of Renault's Heikki Kovalainen. Until the late puncture, Hamilton had had an uneventful race, with the Ferraris just too fast for him to challenge at the front.
Turkish Grand Prix result after 58 laps at 3.34-mile Istanbul Park track:
1 Felipe Massa (Brz) Ferrari 1hr 26mins 42.161secs
2 Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Ferrari 1:26:44.436
3 Fernando Alonso (Spa) McLaren-Mercedes 1:27:08.342
4 Nick Heidfeld (Ger) BMW Sauber 1:27:21.835
5 Lewis Hamilton (GB) McLaren-Mercedes 1:27:27.216
6 Heikki Kovalainen (Fin) Renault 1:27:28.330
7 Nico Rosberg (Ger) Williams-Toyota 1:27:37.939
8 Robert Kubica (Pol) BMW Sauber 1:27:38.868
9 Giancarlo Fisichella (Ita) Renault 1:27:41.652
10 David Coulthard (GB) Red Bull-Renault 1:27:53.569
11 Alexander Wurz (Aut) Williams-Toyota 1:28:01.761
12 Ralf Schumacher (Ger) Toyota at one lap
13 Jenson Button (GB) Honda at one lap
14 Anthony Davidson (GB) Super Aguri-Honda at one lap
15 Vitantonio Liuzzi (Ita) Toro Rosso-Ferrari at one lap
16 Jarno Trulli (Ita) Toyota at one lap
17 Rubens Barrichello (Brz) Honda at one lap
18 Takuma Sato (Jpn) Super Aguri-Honda at one lap
19 Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Toro Rosso-Ferrari at one lap
20 Sakon Yamamoto (Jpn) Spyker-Ferrari at two laps
R Adrian Sutil (Ger) Spyker-Ferrari 53 laps completed
R Mark Webber (Aus) Red Bull-Renault nine laps completed
Key: R = retired
Celcom Extends BlackBerry To Consumers
Telco Celcom Bhd has extended its BlackBerry packages to suit consumers who need be to connected to the Web at all times. Its BlackBerry Internet Service package allows users to enjoy push-based wireless access to their web-based e-mail accounts such as Yahoo! Mail, Gmail and MSN Hotmail.
They can also chat with friends through instant messaging services such as Yahoo! Messenger, Google Talk and BlackBerry Messenger. Consumers can choose from two packages under the Blackberry Internet Service.
The Basic package (RM38) gives users 1MB of data storage space while the Advanced Package (RM98) gives users unlimited data storage. BlackBerry devices are not bundled with the packages but they are available for users at Celcom's Bluecube centres and its authorised dealers. Pricing for the devices, which includes the BlackBerry 8707v and the BlackBerry Pearl starts at RM1,799.
Man Utd Fury At Reds Over Heinze
Labels: SPORTS
Sir Alex Ferguson says Manchester United are investigating Liverpool over their attempts to sign Gabriel Heinze. Heinze left Old Trafford for Real Madrid, but only after a protracted attempt to join Liverpool which went to a Premier League arbitration panel. Reds boss Rafael Benitez was unhappy with the three-man panel's verdict.
Heinze argued that a letter signed by Red Devils chief executive David Gill - citing a fee at which a deal could be done - constituted an agreement to sell. But the Premier League ruled in United's favour, ending any hope of them selling to rivals Liverpool. Heinze was instead sold to Spanish side Real.
Benitez said he was 100% confident that Heinze would be allowed to move to Anfield and hit out at the Premier League and United after the ruling.
Kelly Rowland Talks Snoop-Enhanced 'Ghetto'
Labels: ENTERTAINMENT
Kelly Rowland may have classed it up alongside Eve in the clip for "Like This," the lead single from her sophomore album, Ms. Kelly, but in her next video, for the Snoop Dogg-assisted "Ghetto," let's just say that Rowland is taking a decidedly less-proper approach.
Rowland just shot the video for "Ghetto" last Thursday in Los Angeles, but according to her, the song was actually written quite some time ago by crooner Tank and upstart Lonny Bereal. The former Destiny's Child singer cut the track a year ago. She said when it was time for Snoop to lay down his rhymes, the rapper came into the studio without skipping a beat.
Massa Edges Hamilton To Take Pole
Labels: SPORTS
Ferrari's Felipe Massa will start on pole in Sunday's Turkish Grand Prix ahead of McLaren's Lewis Hamilton.
The Brazilian edged a tight qualifying session ahead of Briton Hamilton, with team-mate Kimi Raikkonen in third and McLaren's Fernando Alonso in fourth. Massa had appeared out of the running but set a lap of one minute, 27.329 seconds in the dying moments for the eighth pole position of his career. The time denied Hamilton, who had just set a lap of 1:27.373.
The Turkish Grand Prix is the first race since Hungary, which saw Hamilton and Alonso publicly fall out after a controversial qualifying session.
The two drivers claim to have patched up their differences during the three-week break and they had their own pits boxes and crews in Istanbul to avoid any conflict.
Final qualifying result:
1. Felipe Massa (Brz) Ferrari 1 min 27.329 secs
2. Lewis Hamilton (GB) McLaren 1:27.373
3. Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Ferrari 1:27.546
4. Fernando Alonso (Sp) McLaren 1:27.574
5. Robert Kubica (Pol) BMW Sauber 1:27.722
6. Nick Heidfeld (Ger) BMW Sauber 1:28.037
7. Heikki Kovalainen (Fin) Renault 1:28.491
8. Nico Rosberg (Ger) Williams - Toyota 1:28.501
9. Jarno Trulli (It) Toyota 1:28.740
10. Giancarlo Fisichella (It) Renault 1:29.322
11. Anthony Davidson (GB) Super Aguri - Honda 1:28.002
12. Mark Webber (Aus) Red Bull - Renault 1:28.013
13. David Coulthard (GB) Red Bull - Renault 1:28.100
14. Rubens Barrichello (Brz) Honda 1:28.188
15. Jenson Button (GB) Honda 1:28.220
16. Alexander Wurz (Aut) Williams - Toyota 1:28.390
17. Vitantonio Liuzzi (It) Toro Rosso - Ferrari 1:28.798
18. Ralf Schumacher (Ger) Toyota 1:28.809
19. Takuma Sato (Jpn) Super Aguri - Honda 1:28.953
20. Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Toro Rosso - Ferrari 1:29.408
21. Adrian Sutil (Ger) Spyker - Ferrari 1:29.861
22. Sakon Yamamoto (Jpn) Spyker - Ferrari 1:31.479
Teenage Hacker Unlocks The iPhone
Labels: DIGITAL TECH
A New Jersey teenager has unlocked the iPhone, opening the way to Apple's iconic mobile telephone being used by non-US networks. The Associated Press news agency confirmed George Hotz, 17, had unlocked the iPhone and used it on T-Mobile, a rival to its sole US operator, AT&T.
The hacker says the unlocking takes about two hours and involves some soldering and skill with software. AT&T and Apple have not yet commented on the news. Hackers and security researchers have been poring over Apple's much-coveted phone since its launch in the US in June in an effort to discover vulnerabilities in the handset.
Top of their list has been cracking the code that ties the phone to AT&T, the iPhone's exclusive network. Before George Hotz's announcement on his blog, the iPhone was made to work on overseas networks using another method, which involves copying information from the Sim (Subscriber Identity Module) card.
However, special equipment was needed and the actual phone was not unlocked, with each Sim card having to be reprogrammed for use on a particular iPhone. Analysts believe Apple may still have time to modify the iPhone production line to make new phones invulnerable to the hacks before the iPhone's expected European launch later this year.
15 Die Eating Puffer Fish in Thailand
Unscrupulous vendors in Thailand have been selling meat of the deadly puffer fish disguised as salmon, causing the deaths of more than 15 people over the past three years, a doctor said Thursday.
Although banned since 2002, puffer fish continues to be sold in large quantities at local markets and restaurants, said Narin Hiransuthikul of Bangkok's Chulalonkorn University Hospital. Some sellers dye the meat of puffer fish and make it look like salmon which is very dangerous," Narin said.
Narin said over the past three years more than 15 people have died and about 115 were hospitalized from eating the fish.
The ovaries, liver and intestines of the puffer fish contain tetrodotoxin, a poison so potent that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says it can "produce rapid and violent death."
The fish is called fugu in Japan, where it is consumed by thrill-seeking Japanese gourmets for whom the risk of poisoning adds piquancy.
Every year, there are reports of people dying or falling sick in Asia from eating puffer fish. Eating the fish can cause paralysis, vomiting, heart failure and death.
T. Rex Quicker Than Fastest Humans, Study Says
Labels: SCIENCE
Today's top athletes would be no contest for meat-eating dinosaurs that ran on two feet, according to new computer simulations of how the extinct predators moved.
Even a six-ton Tyrannosaurus rex, long considered a lumbering beast, could reach a top speed of 18 miles an hour (29 kilometers an hour), according to the simulations. Fit athletes run just a fraction slower.
The simulations were created on a supercomputer model that crunches information on skeletal and muscular structure. The program requires about a week to simulate the animals' method of movement, or gait. The computer model takes the best gait cycle from each batch of about a thousand attempts as the starting point for each new batch, eventually finding the most likely simulation.
Gwen Stefani Gets Modest for Concert in Malaysia
Labels: ENTERTAINMENT
Gwen Stefani played Malaysia as a cover girl. Actually, make that a covered girl.
The singer, 37, revealed next to no skin while performing Tuesday before some 7,000 cheering fans at an indoor stadium.
The new dress code followed some fears expressed by Islamic critics that Stefani's revealing concert costumes might corrupt the country's youth.
Bursting onto the stage in a short-sleeved shirt and black-and-white striped hot pants suit over a black leotard (with black gloves up to her elbows), Stefani announced, "I am very inspired tonight."
Stefani's vow of modestly came as a result of a charge by the 10,000-member National Union of Malaysian Muslim Students that her revealing outfits and cheeky performances clashed with traditional Islamic values.
The opposition Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party also blamed her for promoting promiscuity and corrupting the nation's youth.
Under Malaysian government rules, a female artist must be covered from her shoulders to her knees. Also prohibited: jumping, shouting or throwing of objects onstage or at the audience. Talent may also not hug or kiss, and their clothes must not carry obscene or drug-related images or messages.
Speaking to the local entertainment publication Galaxie, Stefani said she had adapted her act to Malaysia, which she termed a "major sacrifice."
"I've been in the music industry for 20 years and this is the first time that I'm facing opposition from people who have misunderstood me," she was quoted as saying – adding, "I'm not a bad girl."
Nokia's 6555 - 3G With Style
Labels: DIGITAL TECH
This 3G (WCDMA of unspecified band) clamshell goes quadband GSM with microSD expansion (30MB on-boad) and 240 x 320 QVGA display touting 16 million colors. If thin is your thing and 3G Nokia your game then this is about as good as it gets.
McLaren Drivers Hold Peace Talks
Labels: SPORTS
McLaren team-mates Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso have met in a bid to settle their feud ahead of this weekend's Turkish Grand Prix.
The two drivers, who fell out in Hungary, held clear-the-air talks following a team meeting in Turkey. In a statement, McLaren said: "We discussed the events of Hungary with both drivers independently.
"Fernando and Lewis then met in the team hotel and have found a constructive way forward."
Hamilton, 22, leads double world champion Alonso by seven points in the drivers' championship with six races remaining.
Their relationship deteriorated when Alonso was stripped of pole and demoted five places on the grid last time out in Hungary for impeding Hamilton in qualifying in reaction to Hamilton ignoring team orders to let Alonso by earlier in the session.
The British driver went on to win the race.
The McLaren stars ended the weekend not speaking to one another, prompting boss Ron Dennis to call a summit meeting in Istanbul. The team statment added: "The drivers clearly understand the team's approach of providing them, to the best of our ability, with equality and the same opportunity of winning."
What's New In Halo 3?
More weapons And meaner ones, too.
Favorite: the Spartan Laser. Modeled on a powerful real-life laser, it can destroy an enemy in one shot.
More vehicles
The number of vehicles has been doubled, from eight to 16. These include the Brute Chopper, a monowheel-meets-hovercraft that can turn on a dime and mow right over Warthog ATVs.
Instant replay
In Saved Films mode, a virtual-camera application lets you record any fight, view it from any angle, and then send it to friends on Xbox Live to show off your moments of triumph.
Enhanced audio
The new sound engine can deliver up to 100 separate tracks at a time. You'll hear bullets whiz past your ears, enemies creep up on you, and AI characters scream and curse during firefights — all in full 5.1 surround sound.
Vast levels
You'll battle through lush jungles and enormous hangars and maneuver atop alien ships. Bonus: a multiplayer level inspired by medieval cathedrals.
DIY game design
Using the new Forge tool, players can customize multiplayer maps by dropping weapons, vehicles, and flags anywhere they choose. Always wanted to play a free-for-all round using only grenades? Now you can.
Playstation 2 New Releases (Aug 2OO7)
Labels: GAMESNote: Dates listed are ship dates
Marvel Ultimate Alliance Enhanced Greatest Hits - 14/08/07
Fatal Fury Battle Archives - 14/08/07
Madden NFL 08 - 14/08/07
Shin Megami Tensei - 14/08/07
Metropolismania 2 - 14/08/07
Call of Duty 3 Enhanced - 15/08/07
Hurricane Dean Strengthens, Heads For Mexico
Labels: NATURE
Hurricane Dean's winds could reach more than 160 miles (257 kilometers) an hour late tonight as it draws nearer to Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, forecasters say.
That would make Dean a Category 5 hurricane, the most destructive storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Category 5 storms can create surges of at least 18 feet (5.4 meters) and cause catastrophic damage on land.
At 5 p.m. eastern standard time today, Dean was about 270 miles (434 kilometers) southeast of Cancún and moving westward across the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea.
Hurricanes draw their strength from water that has been heated to at least 80 degrees Fahrenheit (26 degrees Celsius).
Forecasters thought Dean would reach Category 5 status earlier in its march across the Caribbean, but a phenomenon that occurs only in extremely strong storms kept the hurricane from gathering steam. That phenomenon, known as an eye-wall replacement cycle, happens when a very intense hurricane starts forming a second wall of winds around the existing eye.
Cyber-shot DSC-T200 With Wide Touch Screen
Sony gives a sneak-peak at the new Cyber-shot DSC-T200 digital camera, a slim pocketable camera with a large 3.5 inch touch screen. The DSC-T200 enables users to just touch the screen to access advanced features, and even take a picture.
"If you want to focus on a person, just touch that face to capture a clear portrait; if your subject is not a person, simply touch the desired object to activate the AF frame."
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T200 features a 5x optical zoom Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens (35-175mm), 8.1 megapixel Super HAD CCD, Bionz imaging processor, optical image stabilization, Face Detection, and ISO range of 80 to 3200. The wide images you shoot can also be displayed in full HD quality on a high-definition TV. DSC-T200 pricing and release date has not yet been confirmed.
Britney Goes Topless For Allure
Labels: ENTERTAINMENT
Allure magazine didn't get its scheduled interview with Britney Spears, but it did complete its photo shoot, which features the star topless. Allure's September cover shoot, at Pier 59 Studios West, was Spears's first since filing for divorce from Kevin Federline in November 2006.
AIST Develops 3D Image Projector
Labels: SCIENCE
Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) has developed a device that uses lasers to project real three-dimensional images in mid-air. The institute unveiled the device on February 7 in a demonstration that showed off the device’s ability to project three-dimensional shapes of white light.
AIST developed the projector with the cooperation of Keio University and Burton Inc. (Kawasaki, Japan). Until now, projected three-dimensional imagery has been “artificial” — optical illusions that appear 3D due to the parallax difference between the eyes of the observer. Prolonged viewing of this conventional sort of 3D imagery can cause physical discomfort.
The newly developed device, however, creates “real” 3D images by using laser light, which is focused through a lens at points in space above the device, to create plasma emissions from the nitrogen and oxygen in the air at the point of focus. Because plasma emission continues for a short period of time, the device is able to create 3D images by moving the point of focus.
At the demonstration, bursts of laser light were emitted 100 times per second to form shapes in the air up to 50 cm above the device. Heat from the laser caused the air to expand, producing a crackling sound that resembled a series of tiny explosions.
At the moment, the distance at which the device can project images is limited to between 2 and 3 meters. Improved laser technology will enable images to be projected at greater distances and with more color, so we may soon see 3D images floating above our city skylines.
High School Musical 2 Is a Massive Hit
Labels: ENTERTAINMENT
The dreamboat, along with costar (and possible squeeze) Vanessa Hudgens and the rest of the gang, pulled off a masterstroke this weekend with Disney's High School Musical 2, attracting 17.24 million viewers on Friday.
This makes their original movie's premiere the single most-watched basic cable telecast in history, Reuters reports.
The sequel to 2006's surprise runaway hit High School Musical outscored the previous ratings record holder, ESPN's Monday Night Football game on Sept. 23, 2006, which averaged 16 million viewers.
The numbers for HSM2 also make it the most-watched program on TV since the season finale of FOX's hit drama House on May 29 drew 17.26 million viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research.
What is also being taken into consideration is that, unlike the House finale, a lot of people (kids, especially, along with their parents) watched Friday's broadcast at viewing parties – which means the actual number of viewers was likely even higher than what's being reflected in the tallies.
In terms of demographics, Musical 2 ranked as the most-watched TV telecast ever among children aged 6 to 11 (6.1 million), and was the most-watched entertainment telecast ever (and the second-highest-rated overall, behind only the 2004 Super Bowl) among tweens aged 9-14 (5.9 million), according to the Hollywood Reporter.
But wait, there's more to come: High School Musical 3 is in the works – as is a movie feature that will play in theaters. And Musical 4 is in the planning stages.
These are in addition to the already-existing DVDs, CDs, games, live performances and lines of clothing and merchandise that the original High School Musical spawned. Also on tap for the Disney Channel: the upcoming debut of High School Musical: The Music In You, described by the Hollywood Reporter as a musical-documentary from Oscar-winning filmmaker Barbara Kopple that chronicles how some Texas teens produced their own stage version of Musical.
Meanwhile, as far as the franchise's stars are concerned, at the HSM2 premiere at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., last week, Efron, 19, and Hudgens, 18, were united on the blue carpet and cuddling safe enough for the throngs of under-12 fans – which in large number wanted Efron's autograph.
Ferguson Fears For Title Defence
Labels: SPORTS
Sir Alex Ferguson admits Manchester United already face an uphill battle to retain their Premier League title after their derby defeat by Manchester City.
United are five points adrift of main rivals Chelsea after claiming just two points from their first three games.
United have made their worst start since 1992, when they drew one and lost two of their first three games, before recovering to go on and win the inaugural Premier League crown.
The champions have dominated large parts of all three of their opening games, but failed to convert a catalogue of chances, registering just one goal to date.
Cristiano Ronaldo's suspension for his red card against Portsmouth has compounded the absence of strikers Wayne Rooney, Louis Saha and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer through injury.
But Ferguson insisted there will be no panic despite his team's frustrating start.
Airbus Superjumbo Jet's First Flight Set
Labels: TRAVEL
The first passenger flight of the long-delayed superjumbo A-380 will take place Oct. 25, Singapore Airlines and Airbus announced today.
Production problems, particularly with the wiring, have delayed the double-decker's debut for two years. The plane's troubles burdened the Airbus balance sheet as the company was forced to pay compensation to customers for the late delivery. That contributed to a massive management shakeup and restructuring at Airbus and parent European Air Defense Systems.
Singapore, the A-380 launch customer, said the plane's maiden passenger voyage will be from Singapore to Sydney. The plane's Oct. 15 delivery will "mark the beginning of a new chapter for the aviation industry," Singapore CEO Choon Chew Seng said.
With a fuselage and wingspan each almost as long as a football field and a tail nearly eight stories tall, the $300 million jet has 50 percent more floor space than Boeing's 747-400. The A-380 can carry a maximum 853 passengers, but has a suggested passenger load of 555 in a three-class configuration.
Singapore plans to put just 471 seats on board divided among first, business and economy class.
Business and economy class will use upgraded, wider seats with more legroom, shown last year. In first class, Singapore today promised a first-class "suite," but declined to offer details except to say, "It will redefine luxury in the air."
It's the latest round in international airlines dueling "maximum first class," which includes private rooms, long wide beds, huge flat-screen video monitors for enhanced entertainment systems and even bidets in lavatories.
The biggest unanswered question is what, besides seats, Singapore Airlines will do with all that extra space. That is the airline's top secret, but it could include a pub or small dining room, stand-up bars and other such amenities.
Neither Singapore nor any other of the plane's customers' plans to use the space for grandiose schemes like gyms or casinos Airbus once boasted the plane could accommodate. Most of the space will be used for seats, to produce revenue.
Fourteen customers have ordered the A-380, but none of the U.S. carriers. Latest figures from Airbus show the total number of orders stuck at 160, another problem caused by the delay. While analysts disagree whether the A-380 will ever be a success, most believed that by now it would have sold more than 200 planes, near break even for Airbus' $12 billion in development costs.
But none of that can diminish the historic nature of the first flight. Singapore will auction seats on eBay to raise money for three charities: Doctors Without Borders, Singapore's Community Chest and two children's hospitals in Sydney. Demand is expected to be great.
The date of the first A-380 passenger flight to the United States hasn't been announced.
Proton Persona
CONFIRMED PRICES
Price w/o insurance + insurance premium = OTR price)
Persona 1.6 Auto H-Line: RM54,186.50 + RM1,613.50 = RM55,800.00
Persona 1.6 Manual M-Line: RM48,342.50 + RM1,457.50 = RM49,800.00
Persona 1.6 Auto M-Line: RM51,264.50 + RM1,535.50 = RM52,800.00
Persona 1.6 Manual Base-Line: RM43,671.50 + RM1,327.50 = RM44,999.00*
Persona 1.6 Auto Base Line: RM46,593.50 + RM1,405.50 = RM47,999.00*
Persona 1.6 Manual Base-Line: RM44,095.50 + RM1,353.50 = RM45,449.00
Persona 1.6 Auto Base-Line: RM47,017.50 + RM1,431.50 = RM48,449.00
Note: Prices are for Peninsula Malaysia, private registration and metallic finish except the two Base-Line versions marked with *. Extended warranty and security etching on glass included. Interest rate for 7-year loan from Proton financing partners is 3.88% per annum.
Yahoo edges Google in user satisfaction survey
Yahoo Inc
Data from the University of Michigan American Consumer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) showed Yahoo had seen its customer satisfaction score rise 3.9 percent from a year ago to 79 out of 100 points, while Google's rating fell about 3.7 percent to 78 points.
While Google remains the dominant Web search engine, Yahoo's Internet presence is gaining user approval for its network of Web sites, e-mail, social networks and other features, according to the survey.
Britney Spears's Former Assistant Subpoenaed in Custody Fight
Labels: ENTERTAINMENT
Britney Spears's former assistant became the latest person served with a deposition subpoena in the singer's increasingly high-profile custody case with ex-husband, Kevin Federline.
Shannon Funk was served late Tuesday night at the airport in Long Beach, Calif.
The first to be served was Spears's childhood friend, Alli Sims, 26, who received her subpoena at 2:30 a.m. on Sunday as she was leaving a private party in the Hollywood Hills, which was also attended by Spears.
Next on the list was the singer's bodyguard and "manny," Daimon Shippen, who was served late Monday night as he was getting out of his car in Santa Monica, Calif.
Federline's lawyer, Mark Vincent Kaplan, is behind the subpoenas, which will be used to compel those close to Spears to discuss her parenting style.
Last week Federline filed for primary physical custody of the couple's two sons, Sean Preston, 23 months, and Jayden James, 11 months.
Currently, Federline, 29, and Spears, 25, share joint legal and physical custody of the children.
WWE's Crush Found Dead
Labels: SPORTS
Professional wrestling has been dealt another unexpected blow.
Former World Wrestling Entertainment star Brian "Crush" Adams was found dead Monday in his Florida home, according to the Tampa Police Department.
Adams' wife called 911 after discovering her husband in bed unconscious and not breathing, but paramedics were unable to revive the 43-year-old World Tag Team champ, who retired from competitive wrestling in 2003 after suffering a spinal injury.
An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday to determine the cause of death and authorities and an investigation is underway. The police's incident report states that there were no visible injuries on Adams' body.
"I’m still in a state of shock right now," Ron Simmons, a retired pro and current WWE Raw personality, said in a posting on WWE.com. "He and I go way back and have worked together for years. He was a very good friend of mine. I still don’t want to believe it. I’m just saddened by it and I just want to wish his family well."
Adams, who rose to fame in the early 1990s as a member of the famed Demolition trio, left the WWE in 2001 to try his fists at boxing, but returned to wrestling after a shoulder injury forced him out of the ring before his first professional fight.
The WrestleMania vet's death comes barely a month and a half after WWE superstar Chris Benoit murdered his wife and child in their Georgia home and then hanged himself.
A subsequent autopsy showed an elevated level of testosterone in Benoit's body, which indicated he had been injecting steroids before his death, but there was no sign that he had been abusing them to the extent that would have caused so-called 'roid rage.
Meanwhile, Benoit's personal doctor has asked a judge to throw out evidence taken from his office after the wrestler died, saying that investigators overstepped their boundaries by seizing a handful of patients' medical records, three years of bank records and two computers.
Dr. Phil Astin, who said that he prescribed testosterone for Benoit in the past, has pleaded not guilty to federal charges of improperly prescribing painkillers and other drugs to two patients other than Benoit, and his attorney said that he expects more charges to be filed soon.
