Corning

Secrets to Apple success: Displays

While it's common knowledge that Apple is a product trendsetter via the iPod, iPhone, iPad, and MacBook Air, its status as a standard setter is not as widely known.

Ever heard of Thunderbolt? If you have (many CNET readers undoubtedly have) it's almost entirely owing to Apple, which has been the exclusive adopter of that interface technology, developed by Intel, on its Macs. While it's unclear whether Thunderbolt will catch on in a big way, the fact that Apple has first-adopter status is one reason other device makers are taking a serious look at the technology. And … Read more

Stronger Gorilla Glass 2 means thinner touch screens

Gorilla Glass, which I wish covered my cracked Samsung Galaxy Nexus screen, is heading to market in a stronger 2.0 version.

Corning introduced the new material at CES yesterday, saying that newfound strength lets screens be made 20 percent thinner. That, in turn, can improve brightness, touch response, and of course device thickness.

I also hope the thinner glass will effectively bring text and graphics closer to the surface of smartphones, something I find makes them much easier to use since my eye isn't as distracted by multiple layers of visual information.

"Product qualification and design implementation … Read more

Crop circles for space

There are corn mazes, and then there are NASA-themed corn mazes.

Over at Universe Today, there's a great piece on SpaceFarm 7: To celebrate 50 years of manned spaceflight, the U.S. space agency has teamed up with the creators of corn mazes in seven regions across the country on SpaceFarm 7, a set of special crop circles that represent each area's efforts on behalf NASA.

"Seven 'Space Farms' around the country have chosen to honor NASA and the 50th anniversary of human spaceflight with their 2011 corn maze designs," NASA wrote on its Web site. &… Read more

The 404 813: Where our pets' heads are falling off (podcast)

The listeners in the chat room this morning want us wish you a happy Star Wars Day, but we're pretty sure we'll get beaten up for saying something like that. Instead, we're taking taking our anger out on Wilson's floating head in the studio, dodging blueberries and corn from our neighbors in New Jersey, and, of course, bringing you silly tech stories of the day.

The 404 Digest for Episode 813

Man robs Subway sandwich shop with PlayStation Move Controller.

Original space-traveling Game Boy fetches $2,000 at Sothebys auction.

Nintendo drops the price of the Wii to $149.

Episode 813 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

Buzz Out Loud 1283: Lying liars and the phones they sell us (podcast)

On today's show, Verizon tries to claim the Motorola Droid doesn't have the hardware to support hotspot tethering with Froyo. And here's the thing: that's a lie. In other news, the BlackBerry Torch hits, Rdio lands, and the FBI is cracking down on coloring books. Or something. I'm a tiny bit incoherent today.

Are HDTVs with unbreakable glass necessary?

My dream TV should come with Wi-Fi, a Blu-ray player, and a powerful sound bar, and I doubt an armored glass panel will ever end up in my list of wants. Nevertheless, Corning is pitching its ultradurable "Gorilla Glass" for use as HDTV cover glass. This material was originally invented in 1962 and has been used in smartphones and handheld devices to protect against drop damage and scratches. Putting aside some of the rare cases of flying Nintendo Wiimotes smashing TV screens, I'm having a hard time recalling any other similar panel fatalities.

The company is expecting … Read more

Nothing corny about this slicer

Here in Houston where summer lasts until approximately January, we frequently barbecue. And no grilling session is complete without corn on the cob. But my kids aren't all so good at eating it directly off the cob, and they usually request that we cut the corn for them.

If you've ever attacked a cob with a knife, you know it's a messy game. At least a few kernels invariably go flying, and more often than not, the floor gets more than the plate. Or the kids.

The Oxo Good Grips corn stripper, despite sounding like something slightly … Read more

Helping hands to hold your corn cobs

The only time I crave corn on the cob is during the summer. Don't get me wrong, I still love a nice warm corn chowder in the winter: I just wait for the warmer weather to eat cobs of corn. As far as I'm concerned, cooking corn cobs right on the grill is the only way to do it.

Apparently, I'm not the only one who draws this connection between the warmer months and our favorite husked vegetable, as evidenced by these cute little Barbecue Folk cob holders. Each one is shaped like a different character dressed … Read more

From the Great Ideas Dept.: Biodegradable USB keys

OK, seriously, why hasn't someone thought of this before?

A Hong Kong company says it's come up with a biodegradable USB drive. It's made out of fermented corn material, something called polylactide, which will actually break down in a way that doesn't harm whatever landfill it ends up in.

Hoshino, the drive's creator, is being really literal about it, as you can see, actually making the drive look like an ear of corn. Cute.

I don't really care what it looks like, something like this is very welcome. As evidence I offer a picture … Read more

Daily Debrief: Getting to the real story behind 'Googlegate'

It all started with a letter from the American Corn Growers Association to Congress, complaining about a proposed Yahoo-Google advertising deal. But why in the world would a farm lobbying group get involved in something so seemingly tangential to its business? But when it comes to money and politics, appearances are often deceiving. So it was that sleuthing by my colleague Declan McCullagh uncovered a lot more to this story.