RIP Martian Lander

Source: Popular Science

One of the most successful unmanned missions to the Martian surface comes to a close with the end of the the Phoenix lander.

The lander, which essentially went into hibernation for the long Martian winter back in 2008 did not survive intact. As pictures from the Mars Odyssey orbiter proved last week that the solar panels had been damaged by ice buildup.

There was hope for continuing the Phoenix's mission if all had gone smoothly and while it is disappointing to see this conduit of information cease to function it has been invaluable in it's research. One of the most astonishing discoveries of the mission was that of the Martian soil, which is similar to what is found here on Earth and should have the ability to sustain life.

That is cool and all but many (me) deemed completely unsuccessful as it failed to find even one, not even one, little green man.

While scientists continue to study the findings of the Phoenix mission they have already planned for the future. NASA doesn't like to waste time as late next year yet another lander, called Curiosity, will arrive to Mars to set up a small unmanned laboratory on the surface.

The Martian lander is dead, long live the Martian lander.

It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown!

Source: HighDef Disc News

"I got a rock ..."

Warner Bros is finally getting around to getting some Peanuts on Blu-ray. Announced for a September 7th (The day that will live in infamy, my parents were married ...) release of the Peanuts classic It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown.

The release will be a combination of both a Blu-ray and DVD copy and feature a bonus Peanuts TV special. While no other specs have been really released stay updated, because it is movie with Snoopy and he is awesome.

I don't profess to have any great moves on the dance floor, but I do a mean Peanuts shuffle!

It was only a matter of time ... 3D Porn

Source: Gizmodo

You know the theory about the porn industry and new technology? They say whatever format porno backs usually comes out on top.

It happened in the battle between Betamax and VHS and even played a role in HD DVD versus Blu-ray and now they have entered the third dimension. Which would seem to mean that, for better or worse, 3D isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

The skin-flick, entitled Kama-Sutra, was the first shot using 3D cameras and was not just converted from 2D. Now all you early adapters that have or are planning on having one of them new fangled stereoscopic 3D sets now have something to watch that wasn't made for kids.

All I really have to say is wow. But I guess it was only a matter of time ...

Google TV

Source: TechCrunch

Love them or love to hate them Google knows how to get things done, and the long awaited unveiling of their newest innovation that they are touting as "TV meets web. Web meets TV."

Google TV promises that with their service you will spend less time searching for videos and more time enjoying them while adding new elements of personalization. This should make watching TV a much more involved experience.

The TV can be hooked up to your existing setup, such as cable and satellite boxes, and the set comes packaged with a keyboard and mouse. Keyboard and mouse not your style? That's cool, especially if you have an Android phone, because Google has made the phone essentially into a remote control. Best news is if you lose the remote somebody can call it, no more missing remotes! This is the kind of innovation Google strives for people!

But wait, there's more!

Want to surf the web? They have Google Chrome pre-installed and ready for you to surf, both web and channel. As well as included software there are a few announced optional Google TV hardware additions as well as partnering up with the likes of Sony and Dish Network for an enhanced viewing experience.

No word yet on if getting a sweet slice of that advertisement pie ($70 billion in the US alone!) played a role in Google hitting the TV market next Fall. And before you start hating on Google, just remember their motto, "Don't be evil."

Burn Notice Season 3 on DVD

Source: MovieWeb

What happens when you are a disavowed agent stuck in Miami? You have a hell of a lot of fun if Burn Notice is to be believed!

The series stars Jeffrey Donavan as Michael Westen; a down on his luck spy who is lucky to have friends, such as the always welcomed Bruce Campbell, in low places along with a femme fatale or two.

The third season is coming to DVD on June 1st in a four disc set that will include all 16 episodes plus a couple of cool extras:

• Smash, Crash, Boom: Inside the Burn Notice Stunt Unit
• The Burn Notice 2009 Comic-Con Panel

No word yet if there is a Blu-ray in the works, but the first two seasons did get a Blu-ray release so stay tuned.

Skynet's Coming ...

Source: Technology Review

Don't start looking for John Conner quite yet but technology just got one step closer to becoming self-aware with the creation of a software program that learns by watching. Thanks MIT nerds, you have given the machines the tools necessary for the destruction of humanity.

Could it get worse? Yes it can.

This new software, called KarDo, has been created to help IT support staff in the usual computer related problems. By watching a human solve the problem the program will then be able to replicate the process on across multiple computers and retains the knowledge of the problem for future problems and can use it in order to adept to new challenges.

Does it get any better? Maybe ...

The ultimate goal for Kardo is to "intervene completely automatically" and although the software is still in the infant stage and has not gone through enough testing time will only make it wiser, and more powerful.

I guess now is as good of time as any to move to the Alaskan wilderness and live off the grid. Prepare for the inevitable people, prepare ...