TNG Week of July 9, 2012Our weekly roundup of news from around the world in pictures from IDG News and Arianespace. This week: Broadband from space, a MacBook Pro review, inside the Google Nexus 7 tablet and more.
Xplornet’s second 4G satellite in orbitAn Ariane5 rocket similar to this one launched a U.S. satellite into orbit which will be used by Xplornet Communications to broaden its wireless broadband service to rural Canada. When it comes online in the fall Xplornet will offer download speeds of up to 5 Mbps, and eventually 25 Mbps.
MacBook Pro reviewedA reviewer said the new MacBook Pro is more than its astonishing Retina display. However, be warned: Once you buy it, it can’t be upgraded. Apple used non-standard screws and glue to ensure it can’t be opened up.
Inside the Nexus 7Google unwrapped its Nexus 7 tablet, so iFixit took it apart. And this is what it looks like. What did it learn? The display glass and the LCD are fused together, so if either one breaks both will have to be replaced.
Multiple iPhone charger comingIf you’re getting hot about iPhone charging cords that go missing in your office or home, USBfever will release a solution on July 21: The US$100 Super Charger Dock, which can charge up to four iPhones and an iPad.
California dreamin’A California assembly committee gave the green light to a bill that could establish rules and regulations covering the safe operation of driverless cars in the state, similar to this one assembled by Google. The law could also include language to limit the liability of automakers in case of an accident.
CERN almost certain Higgs bosun foundBy now who hasn’t heard of the Higgs boson? Everyone after the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) announced teams have found evidence to support its existence. Joe Incandela, above, a spokesman for one of the teams said “the 5 sigma signal at around 125
GeV we’re seeing is dramatic.” So there.
