TechnoBabble - Thur Dec 28, 2006

Google + NASA: Space on the Internet
Despite our technological advances, there are still many, many mysteries of the cosmos and the universe still to be solved. Towards that end, Google and NASA have teamed up. Google is building a research center at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California. The result is that much of the data generated by the project will be published online, including 3D maps of the moon, satellite images, and virtual flights. Seed Magazine has more details.

Optical Computers Coming Soon?
IBM researchers have come up with a way to buffer and control light signals. Prior to this development, there was no way to create optically-based computers. This success could usher in an era of ultrafast computers. Bravo, IBM. Although one of the researchers, Yurii Vlasov, says that a commercial product using photons is at least 10 years off.

300Gb Laptop Drive
TechWorld reported recently that Fujitsu has come up with a 2.5 inch 300Gb hard drive for laptops. The units will be available on the market as early as Feb 2007.