Monthly Archive for November, 2004

Motorola Razr V3

Published on November 30, 2004 in Geek. View Comments

Gizmodo has a short review on the Motorola Razr V3. I also found another review at The Gadgeteer.

After seeing the pictures of the phone, and realising just how thin it is, I want one! Stand-out features:

  • Quad-band GSM
  • It's thin!
  • Bluetooth
  • Syncs with iSync
  • Comes with a USB charger – very handy

However, at a price in excess of A$1100, it's a *little* out of my price range. Realistically, who is going to shell out $1100 on a phone?

Damn.

SMH: Stem cells help paralysed woman walk

Published on November 30, 2004 in News. View Comments

The SMH has an article on how stem cells used to repair a Korean woman's spine and allow her to walk (albeit with a frame) again.

Slashdot also has a discussion on it.

Note that this was done using stem cells from cord blood and not embryos, avoiding the whole ethical kerfuffle surrounding the use of embryos. However, as I understand it, stem cells from cord blood cannot be used in as many ways as stem cells from embryos. I'm not quite sure where I stand on this whole issue. I have seen opinions from both "sides", and there are flaws in each. However, the benefit that could come from the use of stem cells is tremendous, so I don't know if it is that easy to just reject the use of stem cells from embryos.

Ars Technica: IBM’s Cell Processor

Published on November 30, 2004 in Asides and Geek. View Comments

Ars Technica has an article on the "Cell" processor developed by IBM, Sony and Toshiba, which will be used in the PS3. It looks very, VERY interesting.