by Joshua Topolsky, posted Aug 17th 2008 at 11:57AM
According to Appleinsider, the newest beta of iphone firmware (2.1, beta 4) has been seeded to developers, but takes one crucial element off the table — push notification. If you’ll recall, the new feature will allow third-party developers to take advantage of Apple’s servers for real-time push of data to and from applications. Apparently, the feature has been cut from the most recent beta for “further development” with no indication of when it will be reinstated. (Read the full post about ‘Apple trims push notification out of newest iPhone firmware beta’…)

by Darren Murph, posted Aug 17th 2008 at 9:20AMJust over a year ago, we passed off a far-out proposal that would turn highways into wind farms. Now, however, the state of Oregon is proving that such feats are actually within reach as it breaks ground on the first so-called “solar highway” demonstration project. The project will be installed at the Interstate 5 and Interstate 205 interchange in Tualatin, where it will cover around 8,000 square feet and produce 112,000 kilowatt hours per year. (Read the full post about ‘Oregon begins building first “solar highway” project’…)

by Darren Murph, posted Aug 17th 2008 at 9:20AMJust over a year ago, we passed off a far-out proposal that would turn highways into wind farms. Now, however, the state of Oregon is proving that such feats are actually within reach as it breaks ground on the first so-called “solar highway” demonstration project. The project will be installed at the Interstate 5 and Interstate 205 interchange in Tualatin, where it will cover around 8,000 square feet and produce 112,000 kilowatt hours per year. (Read the full post about ‘Oregon begins building first “solar highway” project’…)

by Darren Murph, posted Aug 17th 2008 at 5:46AMAMD’s going through some rough times, no doubt about it, but for fanboys of the CPU maker (wait, do CPU fanboys still exist?) here’s your feel-good story of the year. The always-thorough Tom’s Hardware has pit Intel’s 1.6GHz Atom 230 processor against AMD’s Athlon 64 2000+, and the results just might surprise you. The 1GHz Athlon (with a core voltage of 0.90 volts and a power draw of just 8 watts) managed to best the aforementioned Atom in both energy consumption and processing power tests. The gurus at Tom’s credited the more modern 790G platform and the highly efficient K8 architecture as big players in the Athlon’s strong showing, finally deeming said chip “more economical, faster and quieter” than the Atom. (Read the full post about ‘Athlon 64 2000+ at 8-watts outperforms, draws less energy than Atom’…)

by Darren Murph, posted Aug 17th 2008 at 1:39AMIndilinx just recently caught eyes with its Barefoot solid state drive controller, which has reportedly shown a read speed of 230MB/sec. Merely days later, it’s already talking about the next best thing. Said firm, along with Mosaid, is preparing for a third-generation of the controller for the SATA 3 interface, which will provide a mind-boggling 600MB/sec. (Read the full post about ‘Indilinx and Mosaid aim to squeeze 600MB/s out of SSDs’…)

by Paul Miller, posted Aug 16th 2008 at 8:24PM We’ve seen some decent video alteration in our day, but this new research project by some folks at the University of Washington has the potential to turn the entire concept on its head. Using some rather advanced algorithms to analyze video and photographs of a the same scene, the software can meld the two into something slightly better or even dramatically different. In effect, it’s Photoshop for video, since it brings your Photoshop chops to bear on video effects: edit up a still shot or two of the scene, and then meld that with the video, and your edits can be seamlessly integrated into the scene, without all that nasty manual labor required by Shake or After Effects. (Read the full post about ‘Video tech uses photos to enhance, alter shots: it’s the Photoshop of video, and no one is safe’…)

We may not cover Apple 24×7… but we know someone who does!  Here’s a few of this week’s hottest from Appletell to get you started… iPhone 3G has a bad 3G chipset?Jobs clears up some App Store mysteries, confirms kill…lever?The Mojave Experiment: manipulation at its finestSome thoughts on Apple’s relationship with MicrosoftThe numbers are in, suggest the iphone 3G is kinda sorta popular Keep up with the latest gadget goodness! - Subscribe to our feed → Tags: pvr, Hi-fi, home cinema, wi-fi (Read the full post about ‘BOOM! Top Apple news for the week of 8-10-2008′…)

We have recently seen a firmware update come for the Instinct that offered some notable improvements for items such as increasing the audio volume when using Bluetooth, as well as improvements to the signal and battery indicators and the web browser. With that update having been rolled out, it seems Sprint decided it was time to begin rolling out some individual updates for applications. These new updates will not be coming all as one big package but instead on a case by case basis, so expect to be prompted to download and install an update when launching apps in the short term future. The updates are going to include Picture Mail, the web browser, Sprint TV and Radio, Sprint Navigation, Sprint Email, Sprint Music Store, Visual Voicemail and Mobile Sync. (Read the full post about ‘Sprint beginning to roll out application updates for the Instinct’…)

It looks like AT&T will soon be adding will soon be adding the HTC Touch Pro to its already hot lineup, of course the latest HTC goodness is expected to see a name change and be marketed as the HTC Fuze. Details are light at the moment, and keep in mind this is still based on speculation and rumor, however sources are claiming the HTC Fuze will be available “sooner rather than later.” As you would expect we have not yet found any information regarding price, but fear not we will keep you up to date as more information comes available. Via [WM Experts] Keep up with the latest gadget goodness! - Subscribe to our feed → Tags: gadgets, gps, computers, cellphone (Read the full post about ‘Is the HTC Touch Pro landing with AT&T as the HTC Fuze?’…)

No idea on why this Indiana Jones Pocket Watch was released since it has never featured in any of Indy’s movies, but I guess when it comes to marketing muscle and merchandise, anything goes to snag that last dollar from you. Embossed with the Indiana Jones logo on the front, these metal pocket watches really work. Push the button on the top and they pop open to display the time in analog format with a moving second hand. Attach them to your pocket with the included metal chain and clip. You get a random choice of one of three different styles. This officially licensed Lucasfilm product will retail for $29.99 each. Just like Indy, it ought to make you have the perfect timing, always. (Read the full post about ‘Indiana Jones Pocket Watch’…)