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Japan's Epsilon rocket with onboard AI successfully launches
Affordable is a relative term, but in the world of rocket science Japan's recently launched Epsilon qualifies as such. Costing just $37-million (albeit not directly comparable, NASA claims a typical launch costs around $450-million) to send off, Jaxa -- Japan's space agency -- rightly considers it a steal. Epsilon launched from the south-west of the country at 2pm local time. Its mission? To deploy a telescope that Jaxa advises will observe our neighboring planets from its position in Earth's orbit. The cost efficiency is being put down to the rocket's artificial intelligence, something that slashes the man-power needed from 150 to 8. Let's just hope the thriftiness wasn't just to fund that other recent launch.
Epsilon breach exposes TiVo, Best Buy email addresses, spambots stir into action
If you're subscribed to any of TiVo's email-based communiqués, now would be a good time to make sure your spam filters are up to scratch. Epsilon, TiVo's email service provider, has reported the discovery of a security breach that has compromised the privacy of some customers' names and / or email addresses. A rigorous investigation has concluded that no other personal data was exposed, however it's not just TiVo that's affected -- other big names, such as JPMorgan Chase, Citi, US Bank, Kroger, and Walgreens have also seen their users' deets dished out to the unidentified intruder. As we say, no credit card numbers or any other truly sensitive data has escaped, so the only thing you really have to fear is fear itself... and an onslaught of spam. Update: Best Buy and the US College Board have also joined the extremely broad list of affected organizations now, judging by the warning emails they've been sending off to our readers. Valued Best Buy customers should expect an email similar to the scawl posted after the break. Update 2: You can also count Chase Bank customers among those also affected -- not their bank accounts, mind, but their e-mail addresses. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Japan's space agency considers using rockets with artificial intelligence
The keyword here is obviously "considers," but it looks like Japan's space agency, JAXA, is indeed seriously thinking about using artificial intelligence to improve their rocket launches. As JAXA scientist Yasuhiro Morita explains, as opposed to simply being "automatic" as rockets are today, an "artificially intelligent" rocket would be able to keep watch on its condition, determine the cause of any malfunction, and potentially even fix it itself. According to JAXA, that would not only make rocket launches more efficient, but more cost-effective as well given the reduced manpower needs. That's not the only new measure being explored to cut costs, though -- as Space.com reports, JAXA's new Epsilon launch vehicle is also being built using fewer, but more advanced components, which promises to let it be moved to the launch pad nearly fully assembled. It's currently set to launch sometime in 2013, although it's not yet clear how much it will actually be relying on AI if such a system is put in place.
Halo 3 'early adopter' banned for many lifetimes
An Xbox 360 user by the gamertag Scar allegedly obtained a copy of Halo 3 Epsilon, the near-final build of the game, and went online with the title. Busted. According to this picture at Homicidal Insomniac, the name Scar won't be able to post his Geometry Wars high scores until a time where the universe is actually threatened by power-hungry polygons. You can read a response allegedly from Scar here. We've contacted Major Nelson to find out if there is a planned server maintenance scheduled for January 1, 10000 AD. (Which, not to concern anyone, is January 1 7990 AR, or After the Robot Revolution.) [Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]
Video: Halo 3 cut scene, hammer and a Hornet
Ahem, SPOILER ALERT! If you're sensitive to having your Halo 3 surprises spoiled before September 25th then stay far, far away from The Final Fight's latest "exclusive" leaked Halo 3 Epsilon video. To be honest, we couldn't bring ourselves to watch the video, because it includes (according to the description) not only a first look at the UNSC Hornet and the gravity hammer in multiplayer, but it also shows campaign footage as well as a cut scene from the game. And that friends is where we draw the line and not wanting our Halo 3 spoiled. Make the jump and watch the video if you're curious or simply ignore this post and walk away as if nothing happened ... make your decision soldier.[Thanks, to everyone who sent this in]
Seen on Xbox Live: Halo 3 Epsilon
If you've been on Xbox Live lately, there's a slim chance you noticed players romping through Halo 3 Epsilon. According to Bungie forum members and GamingTalkHQ, the gamertags belong to Bungie and Microsoft employees. X3F, the Little Sister to our Big Daddy, has been scouring the internet for information on Epsilon, even sifting through their Big Book of Greek Letters. (Epsilon is the fifth letter in the alphabet -- following alpha, beta, gamma and delta -- implying this would be a near-final build of the game.) An anonymous source tells Xbox-Scene that the Epsilon features six maps, four-player co-op for one campaign mission, saved film testing and some customization options with the games and maps. While we can't confirm the details of Halo 3 Epsilon, would it really surprise anyone that the developer and publisher of a first-party title are playing a few deathmatches weeks before its September 25 launch date? [Via X3F]
Just playing some Halo 3 Epsilon online
Finally, proof that our beloved Halo 3 is nearly complete and ready to be lovingly pressed to DVD for everyone to enjoy. A few stalkers observant gamers over at the Bungie Forums and GamingTalkHQ noticed that both Bungie and Microsoft employees have been playing a little game called Halo 3 Epsilon online. Why the Epsilon name you ask? Well, after consulting good old Wikipedia we learned that Epsilon is the name for the letter "e" in Greek. So, following traditional dev name cycles, one would think that Halo 3 development has breezed through alpha, opened up the beta, whizzed by Gamma, ignored Delta and is currently at a near final build entitled Epsilon. Keep a close eye out for those tricky Bungie gamers online and you just might see them playing some Forge, doing a little online Halo 3 co-op or playing some Last Resort. And yes, it is normal to feel jealous.[Thanks, DjDATZ]
