atlas

A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket carrying a classified National Reconnaissance Office satellite blasted off today, creating a dramatic sky show as it boosted its secret payload into orbit.

Running two days late because of work to fix an environmental control system duct, the 188-foot-tall Atlas 5 roared to life at 8:28 a.m. EDT and climbed away from launch complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, trailing a brilliant plume of flame from its Russian-designed RD-180 first-stage engine.

Without any strap-on solid-fuel boosters, the initial climb out appeared relatively sedate compared with more powerful variants … Read more

There's so much to talk about with our guest today, Ella Morton. She's a former editor from CNET Australia, so we'll talk to her about her appearances on Planet CNET, a book she co-wrote with the founders of RecordSetter.com, and her visit to Sesame Street with RocketBoom.

Ella is currently working on a guide book to the world's hidden wonders with the team from Atlas Obscura, so she'll also tell us a few of her favorite stories from her research. We'll finish out the show with a chat about Ella's other love: burlesque!

With so much to talk about, we'll definitely have Ella back on the show, but in the meantime be sure to follow her on Twitter and check out her own podcast, Ellipsis.… Read more

Mobile USB modems are not new, and all of them generally require some software to start the cellular connection. But not the one Clear announced today.

The wireless carrier, known mostly for its unlimited 4G data plans, introduced the Stick Atlas, the first USB cellular modem on the market that doesn't require software at all.

The company says that the moment the device is plugged into a USB port, the computer will gain access to the Internet, much like when the computer is plugged into a network port.… Read more

Social learning startup Grockit has raised an additional $7 million in venture funding to expand its online test-preparation services.

Although not related to the funding, Grockit also recently launched a new service called Grockit Answers that can turn any YouTube video into a Q&A session. (Here's a company-supplied example on the credit crisis.)

Grockit's tools draw on social networking and online gaming to personalize learning outside of the classroom--ideally, to help students conquer their academic weaknesses and ace test preparation. The company's tag line is "Test Prep Made Fun." Grockit claims one million … Read more

We're here to announce our all new CNET Live lineup beginning September 26th! Everyday we'll be bringing you the best Live CNET content from 9 a.m. to noon Pacific Time at cnet.com/live. CNET Live will always be your place to get the best analysis, live coverage of events, and perspective covering the hottest tech happenings. Plus, we'll throw in a few laughs for you too. In addition to the new revamped schedule there's plenty of new shows and content we're working on so watch it all at CNET Live. Check out the schedule below and we'll see you on the internet!

CNET TV Live Schedule

Day                                9am                         10am                          11am                            12n

Monday                     The 404                     Dialed In                 CNET Labscast

Tuesday                    The 404                   Rumor Has It               Crave                          PreGame

Wednesday              The 404                   Android Atlas

Thursday                   The 404                  Buzz Out Loud          Car Tech Live / Roadside Assistance

Friday                         The 404                  Reporters' Roundtable… Read more

Chromebooks and cloud music and tablets, oh my! It was very busy this week at Google's I/O developer conference.

With all the news (and killer freebies) that got tossed around at the event, you're forgiven if you failed to notice that we launched a new and improved Android Atlas. So let me introduce it to you and share some internal CNET numbers that demonstrate Android's growing stature in the smartphone and tablet markets and why we're doubling down on the OS.

Android Atlas has a new design for showcasing product and app news; phone and … Read more

It's an Android-stravaganza in Orlando for CTIA 2011. CNET's Justin Eckhouse reports on the newest tablets while his second in command, JT Tabencki fills in as co-host. Amazon's app store is finally here and it's sort of hard to get into. Plus, Antuan Goodwin shows off his newest phone the HTC Thunderbolt on this week's edition of Android Atlas Weekly for March 24th 2011.

Sprint announces partnership w/ Google Voice http://www.cnet.com/8301-17918_1-20044748-85.html… Read more

Contemporary high-speed rail seems to have gotten the nod as a plan worthy of pursuit from the makers of the long-awaited film version of "Atlas Shrugged," Ayn Rand's controversial Objectivist novel in which the railroad industry plays a key role.

Production company The Strike released its first trailer for "Atlas Shrugged, Part I" last week. Due out April 15th, the film was directed by Paul Johansson, actor/director of "One Tree Hill" fame.

Dialogue in the trailer signals that the book's ideas promoting the value of capitalism, rational self-interest, the intellectually elite, … Read more

Android fragmentation kills birds, dual cores everywhere, and use your phone as a time machine, all that and more on this week's edition of Android Atlas Weekly. Join Justin Eckhouse along side guest host, Senior Editor Kent German!

News Stories Sharp's 3D Android phones are coming to America in 2011 http://androidandme.com/2010/11/phones/sharps-3d-android-phones-are-coming-to-america-in-2011/

First Verizon 4G handset in February, delivering faster data speeds at premium prices http://androidandme.com/2010/11/carriers/first-verizon-4g-handset-in-february-delivering-faster-data-speeds-at-premium-prices/… Read more