Discovery
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Discovery HD goes live in Australia
Just a few weeks later than the planned June 22nd date, Discovery HD has officially launched in Australia. This is just the officially-official announcement -- we wouldn't be surprised if the rollout actually started up on June 22 -- so we'd like to hear from Aussie readers in the comments below. Discovery certainly has some great content to offer up, but filling up a 24/7 schedule on the Foxtel HD+ service will be challenging. We're not complaining -- spreading the HD word always gets a thumbs up from us! Add in the Samsung/Foxtel HD+ promo and the Australian TiVos, and we're pretty sure there will be lots of HD grins going around in Oz.
CNRS learns to control nanoscale strain in CPUs, heads to Jedi training
We've always heard that Chewbacca and friends had the power to control nanoscale strain in processors in a galaxy far, far away, but we Earthlings are just now getting caught up. Researchers at the Centre d'élaboration de matériaux et d'études structurales (CEMES-CNRS) have reportedly patented a measurement device that will essentially "enable manufacturers to improve microprocessor production methods and optimize future computers." We'll warn you, the meat of this stuff is pretty technical, but the take home is this: the technique has a good chance at "optimizing strain modeling in transistors and enhancing their electrical efficiency," which is just what we need for more potent chips that demand less energy. And that's something even a layman can appreciate.
Discovery's When We Left Earth: The NASA Missions series debuts tonight
Discovery's look back at the birth of NASA is upon us, and USA Today has more information on what we can expect from the six part series. When We Left Earth: The NASA Missions will air over the next three Sundays at 9 p.m., complete with film restored to high definition that will surely reveal more than old SD broadcasts were able to handle. Narrated by Gary Sinise, there's also an interview with Neil Armstrong about walking on the moon and the troubled Gemini 8 mission. For a look at what we did before landing on Mars, hit the read link and then check Discovery tonight at 9 p.m.
Discovery's Sunrise Earth: Seaside Collection on Blu-ray June 11th
Can't get enough Sunrise Earth? Fantastic. Discovery has just announced that it will be bringing its Sunrise Earth: Seaside Collection to both DVD and Blu-ray on June 11th, and judging by the sound of things, it looks to be a real winner for showing off the capabilities of your setup. Focusing on sunrises above crystal clear bodies of water, you'll find scenes from Maine's Acadia National Park, Australia's Great Barrier Reef, Polynesia, Costa Rica, Turkey's coastline, California's Point Reyes National Seashore, Ninagiak Island and a couple more locales for good measure. Of course, submersing yourself in such grandeur won't run you cheap, as the BD version will ring up at $59.95, while the lowly four-disc DVD set can be had for $10 less.
Charter rolls TLC HD and Discovery HD to Northeast Wisconsin
Just a month after Charter Communications served up TLC HD and Discovery HD to its subscribers in Madison, Wisconsin, said carrier has pushed these two jewels Northeast. Including the new pair, which has arrived on slots 763 and 762, respectively, Charter has 18 high-definition channels in the area -- two more than Time Warner offers in the same region. At least you can look forward to catching the Brew-crew in HD, right?[Thanks, Mark]
Time Warner adds Discovery HD suite in Columbia, SC
It's been quite the day for Time Warner Cable, which has not only blessed North Texas with 11 new HD channels (though snubbed those in the outskirts mightily), it also found time to gift the Triad region in North Carolina with the Discovery HD suite. Lo and behold, Columbia, South Carolina has received those very same four channels, too. We're talking Animal Planet HD, Science Channel HD, Discovery Channel HD and TLC HD, but alas, all four are being delivered via SDV, so HD TiVo users are currently out of luck. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks, ebrough]
TWC adds Discovery suite to Piedmont Triad region of NC
In a move sure to make those in the neighboring Triangle exceedingly envious, Time Warner Cable has seen fit to add in the Discovery suite to its HD lineup just down I-40 in Greensboro / High Point / Winston-Salem. As of today, subscribers in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina can turn their attention to TLC HD (546), Animal Planet HD (547), Science Channel HD (548) and Discovery Channel HD (549). Here in Raleigh, we're still doing without, but hopefully TWC will string the newcomers down sooner rather than later. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Thanks, Prime and Mike]
Insider Trader: Alchemy, the final stretch
Insider Trader is your inside line on making, selling, buying and using player-made products. While alchemy is certainly not the most flashy or popular profession out there, alchemists are an integral part of the game, and any guild worth its salt has at least one, preferably several, working to supply guildmates and fill the guild bank with stacks of consumables and transmuted items. This week's leveling guide will feature the usual cheapest route, and the most useful, to 375 for solos and casuals. For those of you who will be working for your guild (and hopefully are also being financed, or supported by herbalists), we'll show you how to reach 375 by making the most useful items. They might cost more, but your guild will be requiring them anyway, so you might as well get your skill points that way, rather than making stacks of items you won't be using.
Scientists concoct material that superconducts at room temperature
While the temperature at which superconduction has occurred has been steadily rising throughout history, a potential breakthrough could open up a whole new world of possibilities in the computing realm. Reportedly, a pair of mad scientists from Canada and Germany have developed a silicon-hydrogen compound that can superconduct at room temperature. The secret, they say, is that the silane-based matter is "super-compressed," and they were able to achieve such compression by "adding hydrogen to a compound with silicon that reduced the amount of compression needed to achieve superconductivity." Granted, the work done so far was classified as "theoretical," but hopefully it won't be long (read: during our lifetime would be nice) before such technology finds its way into gaming rigs (among other things) the world over.Update: According to a report from ReducedMass, the original EETimes article misinterpreted data about this project. Superconductivity at room temperatures is not possible yet, though the research done here could be harnessed to achieve those results in the future.[Via Slashdot]
Discovery Channel offers rock bottom prices on HD DVDs
Not like this comes as any surprise whatsoever, but the latest to jump on the HD DVD fire sale wagon is Discovery Channel. As of now, the firm is offering up its famed Planet Earth, Sunrise Earth and Discovery Atlas titles with massive discounts attached (some flicks are as low as $9.99), but alas, all sales are inevitably final. Still, $29.99 for the Planet Earth HD DVD set could be reason enough to keep that unsupported player around.[Via John B.]
Huh? Video of the Day: Deadliest Catch Moonboots
Some things are just too odd to not pass along as today we were sent a new commercial for everyone's favorite crab fishing game Deadliest Catch: Alaskan Storm. And ... well, we aren't sure what to make of it. The video shows two of the show's younger "stars" talking about the game and how cool they are, but something is off. It's almost as if the commercial is supposed to appeal to gamers in a "oh, they're our age and are hip like us, cool!" kind of way, but it's just too darn awkward. Maybe awkward isn't a valid description. Corny? Yeah, corny works. Give the video a watch, prepare for awkward confusion and walk run to your local video game store to slap down a Deadliest Catch pre-order. Also, we feel obligated to tell our younger readers to stay away from tobacco and to refrain from ever using the word "moonboots" to dis someone's mother.
Catch crabs in upcoming Deadliest Catch game
We really were a bit un-enthusiastic about bringing you news that Discovery Channel's fishing documentary Deadliest Catch was spawning a video game. But then we thought of a witty "catching crabs" blog title and that gave us enough of a boost to finish our blogging duties. Anyway, Deadliest Catch Alaskan Storm will feature crab fishing on the deadly Alaskan waters where you'll command some rickety old crab boat to make a year's worth of income in a few weeks. Now that's the life we hope to live. And if that description doesn't get you enthused, we advise watching the video above where Captain Sig Hansen introduces the game and tells us what inspired him to search for someone to code such a piece of work. Or you could always come up with your disgusting crab jokes. It worked for us.%Gallery-17050%[Via Joystiq]
Synthetic rubber mends itself after being sliced
Self-healing materials are far from revolutionary, but a team of gurus at France's National Center for Scientific Research has teamed up with Arkema to create a newfangled material that can literally reattach itself if simply pressed together after a break. Reportedly, the self-mending takes place due to weak hydrogen bonds that mesh networks of ditopic and tritopic molecules back together, essentially acting as a kind of "atomic glue." The matter is able to reconnect with any long lost pieces at room temperature (at least 68°F), and apparently, creators are already looking to commercialize their discovery and get products on the shelves within two years. So much for breakaway cables, eh?[Via Physorg]
Cablevision adds over 100 Discovery titles to VOD lineup -- HD versions not included
Just a week after Cablevision announced that it would be offering up fresh new DVD releases through its VOD service, we're now hearing that fans of Discovery Channel will have even more reasons to stop by. Reportedly, the cable operator is adding some 100 titles from Discovery Communications to its free video-on-demand lineup, which will include the likes of Man Vs. Wild and Mythbusters along with TLC favorites Trading Spaces and LA Ink. Additionally, you can expect to receive instant gratification from Animal Planet programs such as Orangutan Island and Planet's Funniest Animals, and if that still wasn't enough, an unspecified amount of material from Discovery Kids, The Military Channel and The Travel Channel will also be made available via Discovery on Demand. So, Cablevision -- when exactly can we expect such lavish gifts in high-definition?[Via MultichannelNews]
Survey confirms that Canada loves its Discovery HD
Yeah, we Americans were already quite envious of the Discovery HD lineup in Canada, but the Canucks are affirming said awesomeness in a newfangled survey polling viewers on which channels offered up the "best high-definition programming." Coming in only behind the nation's favorite TSN (a sports network, if you couldn't guess), Discovery HD was ranked as the best non-sports station for HD quality in the country. Furthermore, respondents aged 18 to 34 actually ranked Discovery HD above all other channels. We're envious, sure -- but we still love ya.
How Web Clips Work
If you're using version 1.1.3 of the iPhone or iPod touch-with-January-Upgrade , you'll probably encountered Web Clips. Web Clips add home screen icons that lead to your favorite sites. It's easy enough to make Web Clips, just tap the "+" button at the bottom of any MobileSafari webpage and choose Add to Home Screen from the pop-up menu (and yes, we're working on one for TUAW).
Oprah Winfrey gets her own channel, will simulcast in HD
If you thought Oprah Winfrey was big time currently, get a load of this. Starting sometime in 2009, the talk show superstar will launch her own network, which will unsurprisingly be dubbed The Oprah Winfrey Network. Apparently, Discovery will be handing over its Discovery Health channel "to be rebranded as OWN" and simulcast in high-definition, and seeing that the joint venture will be evenly split between Discovery and Harpo, no cash will be involved. Wondering what kind of content to expect? Look for programming aimed at inspiring, entertaining and empowering viewers -- whatever that means.[Via USAToday]
Comcast beefs up HD lineup in DC Metro area
We could certainly get used to hearing all these HD expansion stories, but the ones most excited about Comcast's latest additions are housed all around our nation's capital. According to tipster Casey, customers in and around Baltimore, Maryland and Northern Virginia are just now receiving six new high-definition channels: Discovery Channel HD, CNN HD, TLC HD, USA HD, Animal Planet HD, and yes, Sci-Fi HD, too. Interestingly, it's said that subscribers in Washington, D.C. have yet to see the newcomers, but feel free to toss a comment in below if that status changes.[Thanks, Casey B.]
Charter adds four new HD channels in Yakima, Washington
Given that Seattle just received a few new HD options of its own, it's good to see Yakima getting some high-definition love, too. According to tipster Nicholas, Charter Communications has added HD flavors of The Weather Channel, TLC, FSN and Discovery Channel in the Yakima, WA region, which should give those parked in the area plenty to do if things get a bit too chilly in the coming days.[Thanks, Nicholas M.]
Cox adds four new HD channels in Kansas
The deal was done some time ago, but apparently, Cox is still getting around to doling out a few new HD additions to various markets. According to tipster Kevin, the cable provider has just now activated CNN HD, TBS HD, Discovery HD and TLC HD in Kansas, but Science Channel HD and Animal Planet HD were sadly missing from the bunch. Anyone else in the surrounding area also notice the newcomers?[Thanks, Kevin]
