future

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--With the Nokia Research Center leading the way, the Finnish handset manufacturer could be headed down one twisted road--and we mean that in a good way.

Since its founding in 1986, the NRC has been charged with developing mobile technology through the exploration of science. The center recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, and to commemorate the milestone, Nokia hosted various events around the world. CNET got to take part in the U.S. celebrations at Nokia's Sunnyvale, Calif., headquarters yesterday, where we got to check out some of the latest innovations from the NRC. … Read more

The future may not be bright, but it will require shades if you want to be able to view your computer monitor and avoid a fight with Rowdy Roddy Piper. Little Printer puts the Internet back onto paper, while invoked computing concepts put the Internet inside a pizza box. Eric and Donald meet up with the Keepon Pro, and Neil deGrasse Tyson predicts the end of the West Coast.

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2011 would be a good year for Doctor Emmett Brown's DeLorean to break down. He can just call up his local O'Reilly and see if it has part numbers "121G" and "121GMF" in stock.

O'Reilly Auto Parts lists a Flux Capacitor and Mr. Fusion Upgrade from EB Enterprises in its online catalog. The parts are compatible with 1981-1983 DeLoreans.

The flux capacitor product listing includes a warning as to the dangers of time travel. Unfortunately, O'Reilly doesn't carry plutonium. You will have to contact your local supplier. … Read more

Tablets are done. The future is tables. Unfortunately, it's the same future where giant teddy bears punch you in your sleep and adorable pugs are transformed into bloodthirsty monsters. This week, Bonnie Cha joins Donald and Eric to talk all about this topsy-turvy dystopia and provides the invaluable function of translating Eric's obscure '80s film references for the rest of us. In Geek News, Eric channels the dark heart of Bane.

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Occasionally we see some learned organization counting the number of bytes of data that humans have produced to date. And I've been known to scoff at these projections.

Seriously folks, even if you think that the number is 789.332 yottabyes on some given day--let's say today--the number is bigger tomorrow. And it gets bigger the next day. Even the rate of growth of the world's collective data is meaningless. Who would ever try to collect it all in one place and do something with it?

Oops. Someone actually is trying to collect all the data in … Read more

Donald and Eric discuss the latest innovations in head-mounted technology, including animatronic cat heads.

Also, the future has your organic-honey needs taken care of, and Eric runs through Geek News highlights, including the 3D technology behind "The Hobbit" and a Victoria's Secret nod to comic book geeks.

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If Nokia has its way, bendable cell phones will just be the beginning.

Today, on the 25th anniversary of the Nokia Research Center's founding, the Finnish handset manufacturer introduced a new concept phone whose entire body is a touch screen.

Dubbed the Nokia Gem because "precious stones have several sides," the front, back, and sides of the phone are an interactive display that changes depending on what function you're using at a given time.

For example, if you're using a navigation app on the Gem, you can have an overview map on one side of the phone and then flip it over to see a more detailed map view of your current location. Another instance shown in the video below is taking a photo and then using the touch-screen interface to wrap the entire image around the handset as a custom wallpaper. … Read more

Donald takes a break from his at-desk Occupy Wall Street protest to rant about the cellular monopoly and the disruptive potential of Republic Wireless.

And while we are fine with robot slugs that can rescue us from toxic rubble, we have to draw the line at robotic seeing-eye dogs. I mean, c'mon, there's no replacing man's best friend. Also, hipster 35mm film fetishists get a new way to spend $99, and Eric goes all Geek News on the latest Zelda game.

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Donald and Eric comment on RIM's dull vision of the future and are only slightly more enthusiastic about Microsoft's competing take on things. A Nokia researcher shows off a genuinely interesting vision of what flexible touch-screen devices might be able to accomplish. In Geek News, Eric confesses his love for Uncharted 3 and Harrison Ford's face.

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