pre

Pre-boot operating systems solve problems we shouldn't have

PC BIOS maker Phoenix on Tuesday is announcing its own operating system, of a sort: Hyperspace, a "pre-boot" environment that allows you to get your PC up and on the Web in seconds, instead of the minutes it will take you to power up and launch a browser with a standard full-featured operating system like Windows or the OS X. Hyperspace is also said to take much less power than a standard OS, and to allow resuming from standby nearly instantly.

This product is a natural for Phoenix. CEO Woody Hobbs told me he sees it as the … Read more

Verizon Wireless expands prepaid plans

Verizon Wireless has offered prepaid plans for a long time, but last week the carrier announced that it was expanding its services. Maybe it's the economy, or maybe Verizon is just getting in the holiday spirit.

Customers can choose from three plans, each with a different daily access fee and calling rates. In the "Core" plan the daily access fee is $0.99 (for each day you use it) and you get unlimited in-network calling. All other calls are $0.10 per minute. In the "Plus" plan the daily access fee is $1.99 with … Read more

Celtx preproduction app gets scripts together

When it comes to most endeavors, preparation is everything. Without the proper ingredients lined up, your major project will be dogged by inefficiencies. Segue to Celtx for Windows and Mac. The free preproduction application helps intermediate-to-advanced amateurs and professional creative teams plan out scripts, props, camera angles, and storyboards, and share them with teammates before any film is loaded, actor takes the stage, or cartoon is sketched.

Celtx 1.0, the first software release, delivers a few substantial improvements over the beta version. For one, it runs on a more finely tuned scheduling database in which the data you enter--props, … Read more

Volvo working on 'the uncrashable car'

When we first spotted ScienceDaily's report on a research project to invent the uncrashable car, our imagination went wild: Reactive armor? A high-density chassis more durable than an aircraft's black box? Laser beams to disable oncoming vehicles?

The reality, unfortunately, isn't nearly as exciting. Instead of making cool gadgets to save lives, the PReVENT project is more software than hardware. It uses existing technology that, in event of a possible collusion, allows the car's intelligent system to take over and execute evasive maneuvers.

Despite using currently available equipment, it will be some time before we see … Read more

Target tests electronics 'recycling' program

Way down at the bottom of the electronics section on Target.com is something you'd miss if you weren't looking for it: a tab called "Pre-owned Electronics."

The retailer has been testing out selling some gadgets on its Web site only that have been returned to stores for the past month, but the company finally called attention to the experiment during its quarterly earnings call Tuesday, as Reuters reported.

So far Target is reselling used Nintendo GameCube systems, a variety of Toshiba high-definition TVs, a JVC video camera, and original iPods, as well as iPod Nanos, … Read more

Web update roundup: Box.net, MySpace, PreFound, Netvibes

Box.net gets new design. Box.net has gotten a face-lift that shows more files and menu choices in the same amount of space. They've also completely gotten rid of the sidebar (which once housed navigation options), and added some neat previews for any photos that have been stored. There's also the option to send any file that's on there to one of your Box.net widgets without having to leave the page. Previous Box.net coverage here.

MySpace partners with Bodog. Online sports gambling, TV, and music service Bodog has partnered with MySpace to tweak the … Read more

Target sells pre-owned iPods

Borrowing a page from computer resellers, Target is selling previously owned iPods, including some of those in the latest colors. It's unclear where exactly these players came from, but Target says they've all been "quality tested." In any case, as Chip Chick points out, it's a chance to try one out at a good price if you've been holding out for them to get cheaper.

5 bux

If you are recovering from the holiday overspending and want a little something cheap but fun for yourself, Gamefly is offering preplayed games as low as $5 through tomorrow. Here are some of the games worth browsing through, all at $4.99. Xbox games - NBA Live 06 (Xbox) - X-Men: The Official Game (Xbox) - Peter Jackson's King Kong (Xbox) PS2 games - Da Vinci Code (PS 2) - MVP 06 NCAA Baseball (PS 2) - EA Sports Arena Football (PS 2)