Home of the unofficial SXSW music torrent files

The (unofficial) SXSW Torrents:

This torrent includes all the tracks that could be previewed on the SXSW website for SXSW 2012 as of March 6, 2012. This year’s collection includes 1,219 files totaling 7.52GB. Torrents for 2005-2011 are also available.

Would you like a buttload of free (and legal) music, from (mostly) undiscovered bands? These torrent files are your ticket.

Steve Jobs approached CBS for Apple TV content

Hollywood Reporter:

CBS CEO Leslie Moonves said Saturday that he was approached about a year ago by Steve Jobs to provide content for Apple’s long-rumored television service but he declined to participate.Moonves told a conference audience that he met with Jobs, the late Apple CEO, and heard a pitch for what was billed as a subscription content service, but ultimately he said he wasn’t interested in providing CBS shows or films to the venture.

IfAlarm – a smarter alarm

Digital Nomad:

IfAlarm is the first ever alarm to set alarms not just by times but by real world conditions.If Alarms are set like they’re said: * “If it’s a beautiful day wake me at sunrise.” * “If I slept at least 6 hours wake me shortly after.” * “If it’s been raining wake me around 7, otherwise wake me at 8.” * “If it’s been snowing and it’s a clear day wake me at sunrise, otherwise don’t wake me at all.”IfAlarm keeps track of the details while asleep, and intelligently wakes up when asked, in plain English. Set alarms to wake early to avoid bad traffic, to go for a morning stroll, a dawn surf, to be the first on the mountain if there’s fresh powder, or sleep in till the last minute if really needed.

As someone who works at home, I don’t get up at a set time each day. It changes according to the time I went to bed and what I have planned for the following day. So I’m always changing my iPad’s alarm clock Wake Time. IfAlarm isn’t a complete solution but it adds some very interesting configurability.

Coors launches iced tea flavored beer

Time:

Do you ever have those days when you just can’t decide between an iced tea and a beer, and you think, If only I could combine them?No? Seriously, you don’t? Well, that’s not going to stop Molson Coors from launching Coors Light Iced T. The beer giant announced Tuesday it will roll out the new product in Canada next month, followed by a likely debut in the U.S. The iced-tea-flavored brew will contain 4% alcohol and no caffeine

Do. Not. Want. But I bet it still tastes better than Heinken.

The “Better Bacon” book

Cool Material:

If you were to write a list of all the potentially manly things a person could do, reading a cookbook would probably not be on it. The Better Bacon Book is a manly cookbook.Yes, it exists. It has 20 HD videos, 150 hi-res photos and 31 original recipes from top chefs that cover everything from Pancetta to Pork Belly to Bacon Crème brûlée.This could very well be the Bacon Bible.

If you’ve ever seen any of the guys who write for The Loop in person, you’d know there isn’t a vegetarian among them. We’d love this cookbook!

The iPad is unbeatable

Slate:

Imagine you run a large technology company not named Apple.How are you feeling today, a day after Apple CEO Tim Cook unveiled the new iPad? Are you discounting the device as just an incremental improvement, the same shiny tablet with a better screen and faster cellular access? Or is it possible you had trouble sleeping last night? Did you toss and turn, worrying that Apple’s new device represents a potential knockout punch, a move that will cement its place as the undisputed leader of the biggest, most disruptive new tech market since the advent of the Web browser?For your sake, my hypothetical CEO friend, I hope you’re frightened.

The first 45 years of Star Trek

TECHi:

Space may or may not be the final frontier, but the television and movie series Star Trek and its subsequent incantations have sparked the imagination of sci-fi fans across the ages. From Kirk and Spock to Picard and Data, then back to a new Kirk and Spock, Star Trek has become one of the most influential fictional concepts of the modern era.From nerds to geeks to hipsters and beyond, the dreams of millions have been guided by the ideas of particle transporters, warp engines, and photon torpedoes. It is an icon of pop culture and road map towards a better distant future.

Time to get your geek on!

RadioShack to sell Apple’s new iPad

CNET:

Besides Apple, RadioShack is now open to sales of the new iPad.Today the company said it’s taking pre-orders for the new tablet, which was announced at an event yesterday and proceeded to go up for pre-sale only on Apple’s Web site.There is a catch for those who choose to pre-order with RadioShack though, buyers need to purchase a $50 RadioShack gift card, and make the pre-order from one of RadioShack’s retail stores.

No mobile hotspot for the New iPad LTE from AT&T at launch

The Verge:

An AT&T spokesperson says “We are working with Apple to enable this feature in the future, but we currently do not offer it.” So for the moment, hotspot capability on the new iPad appears to be a Verizon exclusive in the US.

Might make the choice of US carrier easier for some people.

Apple’s new AppleCare+ for iPad

Apple:

In conjunction with today’s announcement of the third-generation iPad, Apple has introduced its new AppleCare+ protection plan for iPad.The new AppleCare+ for iPad extends both warranty coverage and phone support for the device to two years—normally limited to one year and 90 days, respectively. In addition, the plan adds up to two incidents of accidental damage coverage for the same $49 service fee as seen on the iPhone.AppleCare+ for the iPad sells for $99 and must be purchased within 30 days of the purchase of the iPad.

Poor Sprint gets nothing as Verizon, AT&T nab 4G iPads

CNET:

Apparently, Sprint Nextel’s seat at the cool kids’ table got revoked by Apple. As AT&T and Verizon Wireless got their hands on a shiny new 4G-enabled iPad, Sprint got stuck with zilch.“Sprint is not carrying the iPad at this time,” said a Sprint spokesman. He declined to comment on whether the company would eventually get to sell the device.The lack of an iPad could have to do with timing. Sprint is in the middle of rolling out its 4G LTE network, and expects to be in 10 cities by the end of June. That’s nice for Sprint, but Apple was likely looking at that paltry deploying and opting to take a pass.

Five hundred new fairytales discovered in Germany

The Guardian:

A whole new world of magic animals, brave young princes and evil witches has come to light with the discovery of 500 new fairytales, which were locked away in an archive in Regensburg, Germany for over 150 years.While sifting through the local historian Franz Xaver von Schönwerth work, cultural curator Erika Eichenseer found 500 fairytales, many of which do not appear in other European fairytale collections. For example, there is the tale of a maiden who escapes a witch by transforming herself into a pond. The witch then lies on her stomach and drinks all the water, swallowing the young girl, who uses a knife to cut her way out of the witch.

I’ve always been a fan of reading the fairy tales we think we know in their “original form”. I hope these will be published soon.

Skype 5.6 for Mac now available

Skype Garage:

Today, we are pleased to announce the release of Skype 5.6 for Mac. Please download the latest Skype for Mac to ensure you’re receiving the best quality from Skype on your Mac.New features and improvements in Skype 5.6 for Mac include:Automatic Updates Improved UI for group video calling New full screen mode in OS X Lion Ability to delete conversations Ability to disable Audio Gain Control

Amazon offers high bounties for used iPads on eve of Apple event

Wired Gadget Lab:

Amazon is offering surprisingly high bounties for used iPads, proving that even the bottom feeders of Apple’s tablet line-up still generate significant public interest.As at press time, Amazon’s partner merchants were offering as much as $500 for a like-new iPad 2 with 3G or $320 for a first-gen iPad, depending on features and conditions. The used devices are typically either refurbished or sold as-is, often through Amazon. Sellers don’t receive cash, but rather store credit — a nice way for Amazon to ensure it retains you as a customer, and benefits more than once from the buy-back transaction.

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4 now available

Adobe:

Adobe announced the availability of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4 software for Mac OS and Windows. First released as a public beta in January 2012, the final version of Lightroom 4 is now available for US$149 for the full version and US$79 for the upgradeAccording to Adobe, “Lightroom 4 introduces refined technology for superior shadow and highlight processing, ability to create photo books, additional local adjustment controls, and enhanced video support.”

How a gigantic, 5.3″ smartphone is proving critics wrong

Wired’s Gadget Lab:

Too big to be a wieldy smartphone, too small to be a generously sized tablet, the Samsung Galaxy Note hasn’t received a warm critical reception. Wired’s review ended with a 4 out of 10 verdict, Gizmodo gave it 2.5 out of 5 stars. Analysts have also been Galaxy Note skeptics.So critics and analysts have not been kind to the Galaxy Note — making recent news of strong Samsung sales figures all the more curious. Samsung is on pace to sell 10 million more before the year’s end.So why is a handset that’s being critically panned selling so well?

As an iPhone user, most of us couldn’t imagine using a slab like the Samsung Galaxy Note but it looks like it has found its niche.

The Story of “Keep Calm and Carry On”

Barter Books:

A short film that tells the story behind the ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ poster. Its origins at the beginning of WWII and its rediscovery in a bookshop in England in 2000, becoming one of the iconic images of the 21st century.

We’ve been seeing this graphic for years in any number of versions so it was very interesting to watch this video and learn a bit about its origins.

Apple’s App Store hits 25 billion downloads

Apple’s App Store has been open for almost four years and Apple announced late on Friday that the 25 billionth app had been downloaded.

No contest winner has been announced but they will receive a $10,000 gift certificate in iTunes or Mac App Store.

ThisIsWhyImBroke – weird, wild, whacky things you can buy on the internet

ThisIsWhyImBroke:

A site run by a few geeky ladies and gentlemen who partake in way too much internet window shopping. As such, our staff has a wide array of cool, fun, useful, and unique products that we showcase on our website.

This web site has way too many things that make you go, “Oh! I’d love to have one of those!” Check out the transparent Pool Table! Thanks to @Chiron1 for the heads up.

Is antivirus software a waste of money?

Wired:

When it comes to computer security, Jeremiah Grossman, Chief Technology Officer at security consultancy White Hat Security, is paranoid — and for good reason. He’s seen what the bad guys can do. But when he met with Wired at the RSA Conference in San Francisco this week, he said something surprising: He doesn’t use antivirus software.As it turns out, many of his security-minded peers don’t use it either. The reason: If someone is going to try and attack them, they’re likely to use a new technique, one that most antivirus products will miss. “If you asked the average security expert whether they use antivirus or not,” Grossman says “a significant proportion of them do not.”

Politics may be on Apple’s side in trademark dispute in China

PC World:

Politics could tip the scales in Apple’s favor for a high-stakes legal battle that will decide ownership of the iPad trademark in mainland China. But some legal experts remain divided on whether it will be enough to help the U.S. tech giant avoid a ban of its iconic tablet in the country.Stan Abrams, an intellectual property lawyer and professor at Beijing’s Central University of Finance and Economics says, “The political argument in itself does favor Apple.” But Zhao Zhanling, a legal expert on China’s information technology law said Apple’s arguments were unconvincing. “I think there is little hope Apple will win,” he said.

Apple is the most admired company in the world

Fortune:

To say it was another big year for Apple would be a gross understatement. With the passing of Steve Jobs, questions swirled around the company’s future. But under new CEO Tim Cook’s guidance, Apple continues to prosper.The company’s annual revenues climbed to $108 billion, led by an 81% increase in iPhone sales — a jump that doesn’t factor in the runaway success of the iPhone 4S — and a 334% spike in iPad sales, due in no small part to the revamped iPad 2. Increased sales across the board explain why shares soared 75% during the company’s fiscal year to $495.

Lytro camera review

The Verge:

The self-titled Lytro camera, a digital camera that neither looks nor operates like any camera you’ve ever seen: it measures megarays instead of megapixels, captures light fields instead of light, and lets you focus your pictures after you’ve taken them.We’ve been following the Lytro since its inception, and there’s absolutely no doubt that the camera represents a huge technological achievement, but will you be ditching your DSLR for a Lytro, or even your point-and-shoot? Read the full review to find out.

Deal of the Day – Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 for $90

If you find Apple’s iPhoto not powerful enough for your photo editing needs, take a look at both Apple’s Aperture and Adobe’s Lightroom apps. Both apps have free 30 day trials you can download and play with.

Aperture is available on the Mac App Store for the ridiculously low price of $80.00 and Amazon has Photoshop Lightroom available for a limited time for only $90.00.

Neither application has won the war of “Which is Better”. Both have their plusses and minuses. I’ve used both and like Lightroom better but for no other reason than a preferred interface, not functionality.

For those who want to play on the bleeding edge, Adobe’s Photoshop Lightroom 4 is now in public beta.

Andrew Stanton dedicated ‘John Carter’ to Steve Jobs

iFilm:

When Steve Jobs died in October of last year, it was a blow to us all. The loss was felt especially hard at Pixar, the successful film company he helped not only create, but isolate from the Hollywood machine. John Carter, directed by one of Pixar’s most prolific directors, Andrew Stanton, comes out next week and though it’s not Pixar, the film is dedicated to the memory of the legendary businessman and inventor. During the credits, a card says:Dedicated to the Memory of Steve Jobs, an Inspiration to Us AllAt a recent press junket, Stanton was asked why he decided to dedicated Carter to Jobs and his answer was both logisically sound and beautifully poignant.

Santorum woos voters with Apple inspired 1984 ad

The Atlantic:

I do have to wonder what Steve Jobs would have thought if he had lived long enough to see this video – which is Rick Santorum’s application of the 1984 motif in his campaign.

It also has echoes of Apple’s much disliked “Lemmings” ad.

The Department of Homeland Security searches Facebook and Twitter for these words

Animal:

The Department of Homeland Security monitors updates on social networks, including Facebook and Twitter, to uncover “Items Of Interest” (IOI), according to an internal DHS document released by the EPIC. That document happens to include a list of the baseline terms for which the DHS–or more specifically, a DHS subcontractor hired to monitor social networks–use to generate real-time IOI reports.

So – don’t use those words.

Apple loophole gives access to photos

New York Times:

Developers of applications for Apple’s mobile devices, and Apple itself, came under scrutiny this month after reports that some apps were taking people’s address book information without their knowledge.As it turns out, address books are not the only things up for grabs. Photos are also vulnerable. After a user allows an application on an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch to have access to location information, the app can copy the user’s entire photo library, without any further notification or warning, according to app developers.

Twitter ads head to your phone

AllThingsD:

Twitter is expanding its ad program to iPhone and Android handsets, as the company gets more aggressive about ramping up revenue. Twitter has already been showing some limited advertising on its mobile apps.Just like the Promoted Tweets that Twitter shows on its primary Twitter.com site, these ads will show up in users’ “timelines.” At first Twitter will only allow advertisers to place the ads in front of users who already following their accounts. But within months it will expand the program to allow marketers to reach people who don’t follow them — just as it does on the Web.