All Blog Posts from Tech Talk

I've been so busy lately (how busy?) that I've taken to updating my Twitter page (@siebergd) more often than my blog. That must say something about the pace of life and where 140 characters fits in. In any case, lots going on and expect more updates here soon. Meanwhile, I'm off to check out the Apple store crowd today and the response to the iPhone 3GS. Anyone having problems? It might even be time to upgrade my own original iPhone. And in other news, Google has released a new addition to its translate page: Farsi (Persian). Could this affect the flow of information coming out of Iran? Stay tuned.

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A Seattle-area tech company called Veratect is being given a lot of credit when it comes to early warnings about the spread of swine flu or H1N1. Using a combination of real and virtual intelligence-gathering, Veratect reportedly sent the first alerts to the Emergency Operations Center and Global Disease Detection Center at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It's a theory that's echoed in an article from the Associated Press and a timeline of the outbreak in the Washington Post. In the latter example, the system designed to detect for such outbreaks is criticized for not reacting fast enough. It begs the question -- is there a bigger role for technology to play in these types of medical emergencies and how can the reliability be improved?

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Google Earth is getting a facelift. If you're a regular user, then you've noticed that about 70 percent of the Earth's surface has been, well, missing from the exploratory features. But with the latest update, Google Earth 5.0, people will now be able to dive into the deep blue from their desktop.

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Scientists across the country have heralded the Obama administration's approach to research and development. Already it’s a stark contrast to the Bush years. But what exactly will be done for areas like stem cells, global warming, and space exploration?

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It's the new space race: private industry. And there are a slew of startups and some major players all vying to tap into everything from interstellar mining to space tourism. Think of it as capitalism's final frontier. It's a story that's constantly evolving with new discoveries and launches from companies like Virgin Galactic, SpaceX, XCOR, Armadillo Aerospace and many others. But when will it be ready for prime time? Are trips to the moon just around the corner? And how long will it be solely the domain of the wealthy? This weekend on CBS Sunday Morning we'll provide a slice of this ongoing high-tech competition and see how it might inspire the next generation of space travelers.

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If you've never fallen into the tar pit of drunk dialing or drunk e-mailing -- let's not forget drunk eBay'ing or drunk blogging -- then you may be in a minority (not that I'd know). Often the results of such actions are simply embarrassing but there can be rather unfortunate consequences. Well, for a moment forget getting to the moon or clean-energy alternatives or the G1. Google has a new challenge it is seeking to solve with Mail Goggles. And if you think I'm kidding, just open your Gmail account, click "settings" and then "labs" and there it is.

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A healthy contingent from CBS and (our corporate colleague) CNET attended today's T-Mobile press conference where the G1 was unveiled for the first time. Corporate executives from handset maker HTC, Google, and T-Mobile were onhand, as well as a "surprise" visit from Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin. So what's the deal? Read on!

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Quick posting today -- wanted to mention that CBS (and our corporate colleague CNET) will be on hand at tomorrow morning's T-Mobile press conference when it unveils the new HTC smartphone that runs Google's open source operating system called Android. Who cares about a phone operating system? Well, Google is trying to re-shape the cell phone market by letting you install applications on your device that you choose much like your computer. Think of it as a buffet versus a six-course meal. It's an idea that Apple is pursuing with its iTunes "Apps" store, but Google claims to offer more flexibility. However, Google will have to compete with the likes of Windows Mobile and Nokia's Symbian. So will Android be an iPhone or smartphone "killer"?

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How much thought do you put into your browser? For many, the answer is probably “not much.” For years, I lived with Internet Explorer (IE)—thinking it was the sole survivor after Netscape faded into oblivion. Some of you have probably had your internet service upped to get better speeds. Maybe you switched from DSL to cable or vice-versa. Maybe Fios was your answer. While those are important factors, it just might be your browser slowing you down. Let me say this—if you’re still using Internet Explorer, you’re wasting your time.

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Another week comes to close and it's certainly not without some quirky sci-tech stories to end on a bang. First, you've got to give the Germans credit for trying whatever might work when it comes to staving off the effects of global warming. Scientists are reportedly using a giant screen to trap cold air over a large glacier in the Swiss Alps. If nothing else, they hope the process will be slowed. Technically, it's supposed to make a difference. But obviously on a practical level it's hard to see it used on a much larger scale. Whether you believe it will work or not, that story's got nothing on the believability of the latest Bigfoot tale.

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