Rocking The World
Saturday night, I sat here fixated on my web browser. I was visiting SpaceX to watch the launch of one of their rockets. If it involves space, I love it. Whether it’s NASA, space travel, astronomy, or just simple stargazing, it doesn’t matter. I love everything space.
As the countdown hit zero, nothing happened. Then there was a poof of smoke. I heard them saying that the launch had aborted…Umm. yeah, I saw that. We all saw that. What surprised me the most though, was the fact that they were ready to try again within the hour. How awesome was that?
The countdown hit zero, and the rocket launched. It was amazing, really. Simply amazing. I am always in awe when I watch rockets launch. When we lived outside of Las Vegas when I was a kid, I had broken my left femur and was in a cast from my hips down. My dad carried me out onto the front lawn so we could watch a rocket take off from Southern California. I felt the same wonder Saturday night watching that rocket launch (except now I am not in a body cast).
Almost 2 minutes into the launch the camera went blank. They announced there had been an anomoly. I had no idea what happened, and was wondering all night…
A privately funded rocket suffered a launch failure Saturday night, the third launch failure in as many attempts for an Internet entrepreneur who is hoping to develop private space delivery and transportation.
The failure occurred about two minutes after the launch of the two-stage Falcon 1 rocket, which was manufactured by Space Exploration Technologies, also known as SpaceX. A failure prevented the two stages from separating after the launch from a central Pacific atoll, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said in a company blog. Musk said an investigation into the cause of the failure is under way, but he called the launch itself as “picture perfect.”
I have no doubt they will get it right. No doubt at all. Once they work out the kinks, and start offering flight deals, SpaceX is going to rock the world.
Grocery Shopping In A Digital Age
At first glance, this new shopping cart idea looks pretty good. You can enter your list at home, head to the store, and bring up your list on the shopping cart itself. Then, as you add items to the cart you scan them and it keeps a running total so you know exactly how much you have spent. Pretty convenient huh?
Microsoft Corp. is bringing digital advertising to the grocery cart.
The software maker spent four years working with Plano, Texas-based MediaCart Holdings Inc. on a grocery cart-mounted console that helps shoppers find products in the store, then scan and pay for their items without waiting in the checkout line. Microsoft’s acquisition of aQuantive, an online advertising company, last year for $6 billion shored up the company’s capacity to serve video ads onto these grocery cart screens.
Starting in the second half of 2008, the companies plan to test MediaCart in Wakefern Food Corp.’s ShopRite supermarkets on the East Coast. Customers with a ShopRite loyalty card will be able to log into a Web site at home and type in their grocery lists; when they get to the store and swipe their card on the MediaCart console, the list will appear. As shoppers scan their items and place them in their cart, the console gives a running price tally and checks items off the shopping list.
Well, that convenience comes with a price. That’s right, there is always price.
The system also uses radio-frequency identification to sense where the shopper’s cart is in the store. The RFID data can help ShopRite and food makers understand shopping patterns, and the technology can also be used to send certain advertisements to people at certain points — an ad for 50 cents off Oreos, for example, when a shopper enters the cookie aisle. Microsoft said it is still working on how it will present commercials and coupons.
Microsoft is also working with MediaCart and ShopRite to help advertisers reach potential consumers based on past grocery purchases, which are logged when they swipe their loyalty cards.
I wonder how long it will be before some Vegas hotel decides to tap into the shopping carts and allow you to play slot machines while you shop too? You know it’s coming.
In exchange for this great new feature, you will have to use one of their shopper loyalty cards and allow them to track exactly what you do and do not purchase while you are at the store. In addition to tracking your purchases, they will also be able to send data directly to the cart when you enter specific aisles. If I already have my list, I don’t need a commercial telling me about products in the store. Why do they need to know what brands of cereal I buy anyway?
Oh, and I’m not so sure I need to see a commercial for feminine hygeine products when I enter the aisle to pick up deodorant.
Carrying A Bag With Wheels Is Not Fun
The last time I traveled to the main office for work, my rolling laptop bag broke at the handle. What a pain that was, as I tried carrying that thing through the airport on my way home. The whole reason it was on wheels was because it was too heavy to carry, duh.
Anyway, for Christmas one of my presents was a new rolling laptop bag, and it’s pretty cool. I had looked at some travelpro cases, but I have no idea where the wife found this one. It’s pretty awesome though. Not that I want to travel any time soon.
Sphere: Related ContentAll The Right Schtuff
When I got my T-Mobile Wing I am so happy that I bought a micro sd to go with it. It sure makes a world of difference that’s for sure.
I have a ton of pictures, music, and other schtuff right where I need it, wherever I go. I can’t imagine using a device like the Wing without an additional card in it. What fun would that be?
– Powered By Stuffr! –
Sphere: Related ContentDo You Know The Way To San Jose?
Finally, a new solution from Google that I can actually see everyone using, and I mean everyone. Well, everyone except the guy who won’t stop and ask for directions in the first place.
Lost drivers soon will be able to Google for help at the pump. As part of a partnership to be announced Wednesday, the online search leader will dispense driving directions at thousands of gasoline pumps across the United States beginning early next month.
The pumps, made by Gilbarco Veeder-Root, include an Internet connection and will display Google’s mapping service in color on a small screen. Motorists will be able to scroll through several categories to find local landmarks, hotels, restaurants and hospitals selected by the gas station’s owner.
After the driver selects a destination, the pump will print out directions. Eventually, Gilbarco Veeder-Root hopes to enable motorists to type in a specific address and get directions.
I’ll take the maps anyday, rather than those annoying news clips they play at some stations.
Introducing, The jPod
Sphere: Related ContentI’m A Kinda Dorky Nerd
Seen on Insignificant Thoughts.
Sphere: Related Content