Technology Slice Blog

Auto Parts Chevrolet Auction - As we pointed out last week, the Chevrolet Volt is now on sale. One of the first retail-ready Volts to roll of the line at GM's Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly plant is up for auction online, and all proceeds will head to the Detroit Public Schools for science and math programs. So far, so good for the cash-strapped school district: The auction is currently at $185,000 and counting -- with eight days to go. The leading bidder, volter, initially offered $100,000 on Tuesday and bumped that up on Friday to regain a spot in the proverbial driver's seat. The auction hints at demand the Volt may generate as the extended-range plug-in hits showrooms later this month. And this one's sure to be profitable. Your move, Limbaugh. Auto Parts Chevrolet Auction

X-37B Space Plane Lands - The U.S. Air Force is evaluating the performance and condition of the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV-1), the reusable space plane that lifted off in April and remains the subject of much international speculation. The unmanned spacecraft landed at 1:16 a.m. Pacific Time on 3 December at Vandenberg AFB, in California after 224 days and nine hours in space. Though the service is not discussing specifics about OTV-1's classified payload, air force insists the focus of the maiden flight was the aircraft, not the payload or even potential payloads. "Our ability to launch it and our ability to operate it were two of the key steps in the programme," says Richard McKinney, deputy undersecretary of the air force for space programmes. "But then the ability to successfully autonomously recover and land the vehicle was really the culmination of this first test phase of the programme." Speculation on USAF's intended uses for the reusabl...

Droid X Update Out Soon - Verizon will be pushing out a new update to Droid X owners in the very near future, version 2.3.340. Included in this update, according to the documents, is EA Mobile's Madden 2011 game which was supposed to be available by now to Android gamers. Considering this, it looks like the reason it hasn't bee released is due to Verizon nabbing an exclusive on it. While it isn't 100% known if this will be a full version exclusive or just a trial like we have seen with Gameloft games coming on Verizon devices, the fact that it is becoming available is a good sign that, hopefully, all Android users will be getting this highly anticipated 3D sports game to play. I don't think EA would limit themselves to a one carrier exclusive completely, it may be that Droid X owners will have first dibs on the game before the rest of the Android population. Droid X Update Out Soon

Tron Legacy - Those unnerved by the advent of computer-composed classical works should breathe easier: The robots of Daft Punk have written a film score, recorded with the help of an 85-piece orchestra. If the machines are taking over, then the future of composing is in capable LED-lit hands. Over their long career, Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter have stood apart from their dance-floor peers for their meticulousness in sculpting long-form tracks that deploy brainy means (virtuoso filter work, interplay between sonic compression and wide track dynamics) to joyful, primal ends. In a genre all about timbre, there’s no production duo that sounds as good. This system works just as well out of the club and in the concert hall with the “Tron: Legacy” score. From the crackling main synth theme on “The Grid” to the distant timpanis on “Disc Wars,” the duo seamlessly grafts its phosphorescent ambience onto the orchestra’s dystopia-dripping arrangements. The band is unafrai...

Auto Finance In NY - The economy may be on a rocky course, but auto loan rates in Albany, NY, are still dropping to record lows. Rates have plummeted again this week, making it an ideal time to finance a new car. New York has a wide selection of lenders offering great auto loan rates. The average 48-month new car loan is currently 6.24 percent. Buying a new car can be time consuming, but be patient and shop around before settling on auto loan rates in Albany, NY. Many lenders are posting rates well below the national average. For more information on rates, check out research at Bankrate.com. Auto Finance In NY

Play QWOP - For anybody that has played the Flash game QWOP where you’re supposed to control a runner’s leg and thigh muscles to make him run, you know that it is the hardest game ever made. If you haven’t played it before. QWOP is a game where you play an athlete on a running track, and you control the legs with each of the titular buttons controller a different calf or upper leg. The goal is to get as far as possible despite these awkward controls. In the new online game QWOP, you play what is clearly a man inspired by Trevor’s example and who also has had all his bones replaced with Jello. Play QWOP

Federal Unemployment Extension Likely - After a weekend of political posturing, both Democrats and Republicans are indicating a deal to temporarily extend the Bush-era tax cuts and federal unemployment benefits is imminent. According to a story in the New York Times, a deal could be announced as soon as midweek. It's thought that the deal will temporarily extend Bush-era tax cuts for two years and federal unemployment benefits for one year. Republicans have been opposed to extending federal unemployment benefits without offsetting the cost, but the WSJ is reporting that a GOP aide said "there may be some 'buckle' on that point in the interest of getting the deal done." Democrats are also pushing for the deal to include extensions of stimulus provisions that provided tax cuts to working-class Americans. Without the extension of those provisions, 95 percent of Americans would pay higher taxes next year, a White House official said. The White House has been...