week in review

Too busy lamenting the demise of Buckyballs this week to keep up with Crave? Don't despair; these stories should renew your hope:

- "Sandy CrisisCamp": Helpful "hurricane hackers" are on the case.

- Amputee set for epic climb with thought-controlled bionic leg.

- Samsung's solar-powered school lights up African village.

- Get your kicks on tomorrow's Route 66. … Read more

Just before Hurricane Sandy started to pummel the East Coast this week, Microsoft managed to grab the tech headlines with the official debut of Windows Phone 8.

The launch of the next-generation mobile operating system, which came on the heels of last week's splashy Windows 8 debut, got people talking with its support for multicore processors and mobile payments, and its tighter relationship with the Windows platform. And as with Windows 8, Window Phone 8 uses live tiles instead of icons. (Though Microsoft is already being sued for those tiles, over patent-infringement claims.)

So far, Windows Phone 8 has … Read more

Too busy being peeved about the fourth-generation iPad this week to keep up with Crave? These stories will catch you up -- and lower your blood pressure.

- The blood brain barrier has never looked so beautiful.

- Best home decor ever: Iron Man stained glass windows!

- Ever seen a bipedal robot walk a tightrope? Now you have.

- Robot Hall of Fame: Wall-E, BigDog, Nao, PackBot, come on down!

- A hoodie jacket with built-in goggles: Nope, that's not creepy at all.

- Full bladder? App pinpoints the best time to go mid-movie.

- "Star Wars" and My Little Pony, together at last! … Read more

Confirming one of its worst-kept secrets, Apple took the wraps off the iPad Mini during a press event on Tuesday.

The new device, a 7.9-inch version of its 10-inch iPad tablet, comes in six pricing configurations. In addition to the 16GB tablet with Wi-Fi at $329, the 32GB tablet with Wi-Fi is $429, and the 64BG version is $529. For devices with Wi-Fi and 4G cellular connections, the 16GB tablet is $459, the 32GB is $559, and the 64GB is $659. These devices are shipping two weeks after their Wi-Fi-only counterparts.

The iPad Mini could prove to dramatically expand the base of customers for Apple, … Read more

Bust out the boogie shoes! It's time to do everyone's favorite new dance: "Evolution of nanostructural architecture in 7000 series aluminum alloys during strengthening by age-hardening and severe plastic deformation." Through mixing it like metal? Read on to catch up on the Craviness you might have missed this week.

- See the big 24-mile dive -- from Fearless Felix's point of view. And, of course, in Lego form.

- Big step in wheelchair innovation: a stair-climbing model.

- Could you be holding an iPad Mini by November 2?

- This license plate frame outwits red light cameras. Must-have accessory or cheating? … Read more

Microsoft and Apple are at it again -- this time over tablets.

Four months after the company unveiled its Surface tablet, Microsoft has finally announced a price and date for the RT version of the device. After an apparent accidental self-out, Microsoft began taking preorders for the Windows RT version of Surface with an actual release date set on October 26 this year. On the same date, Microsoft's brick-and-mortar stores also will begin selling the device; however, preorders are only available online. $499 nets you the 32GB version only, while $599 gets you the 32GB version with a Touch … Read more

Too busy being grateful your last phone bill didn't tally to $15 quadrillion to keep up with Crave this week? We've got lots more reasons for you to be grateful right here.

- What do you get when you cross a Sony Aibo with a Samsonite? A Hop suitcase, that's what!

- "MacGyver robot" uses objects in its environment (and doesn't even have mullet).

- Nor does this calligraphy robot, which can perfectly mimic expert techniques.

- Sunday only at Best buy: $100 off Samsung's Galaxy S3.

- Spider/wasp showdown from 100 million years ago fossilized in amber. … Read more

While it initially appeared that Apple was caught off guard by the furor over how bad its in-house map application is, the company apparently had plenty of warning.

Developers have been complaining about Apple's Maps since shortly after they were given the first pre-release version in early June, CNET has learned. They say they filed bug requests, sent e-mails to specific Apple employees, and vented on message boards only other developers and Apple could see.

Threads on Apple's developer forums described some of the problems that appeared well ahead of the final version of the software, and they … Read more

Too busy tweeting back and forth with Big Bird this week to keep up with Crave? Snuggle up with us under a Pac-Man blanket and we'll catch you up on what you missed.

- There's 24-karat gold in them thar labs! And, apparently, in the "Gangnam Style" meme. But will Psy accept payment in "Star Wars" coins?

- This is one Trojan horse you definitely won't want to get rid of.

- Give us a big squeeze, Like-A-Hug vest!

- Not one single "oops" tweeted during surgery that unfolded live on Twitter. … Read more