cubes

New Firefox themes for a new year

Tonight you're probably going to make some hefty New Year's resolutions, which statistically you're never going to keep. Why not at least make a change you know will make a difference immediately? A Firefox theme can change the feel of your browser and all it takes is a simple download. You can't just waltz into a new year without making a few changes, right?

We've put together a nice slide show of downloadable Firefox themes so you can improve your browsing experience in the New Year.

Photos: 2009 Nissan Cube

Nissan unveiled the Cube for the US market at the 2008 LA Auto Show. Though it's been available in Japan for some time now, we'll know soon enough whether American buyers are ready for the Cube when it hits showrooms as a 2009 model.

Not to be overshadowed by the 370Z, the Cube is the most unconventional designs to come out of Nissan in some time. The Cube features a squared-circle theme punctuated by a radical wrap-around asymmetrical rear window. Inside, the Cube is surprisingly spacious with a relaxing aesthetic with a concentric circle theme that's repeated … Read more

Mirrored Rubik's Cube ready for challengers

Hey, you there, seated to my left and across the cubicle. This one's for you guys. Lest you readers think I've found new pleasure talking to myself, I am actually dedicating this post to two of my Rubik's Cube-fixated colleagues. It is hilarious watching them trying to outdo each other on a rather frequent basis (mind you, they use timer clocks as well) before slamming down their cubes on the desk to signal the completion of the puzzle.

Enter the new Rubik's Mirror Blocks puzzle, which should up the ante a bit. No two blocks are … Read more

The 'Rochester Cube': CPUs move into the third dimension

Scientists at the University of Rochester have created what they say is the first true 3D processor--and it's running at 1.4GHz.

Unlike past attempts at 3D processors, which were simply a number of processors stacked on top of one another, the "Rochester Cube," as it is being called, was designed from the ground up to optimize all key-processing functions vertically, in the same way ordinary chips optimize functions horizontally.

So while there are other 3D chips, this design is supposedly the first to integrate each layer in a seamless and efficient way.

Eby Friedman, a professor … Read more

Reusable ice cubes from Mother Nature

I don't like watered down drinks, so I've been known to use reusable ice cubes rather than plain frozen water. When I was looking for a new set, Mocha's Nordic Rocks caught my eye. These reusable ice cubes are durable, nontoxic--and made out of rock! They come in sets of 10. Each rock is 22 millimeters cubed. To use the Nordic Rock cubes, you just place them in the freezer for about an hour. You'll probably need two or three for a glass, but Nordic Rocks give off the cold slowly.

Nordic Rock is mined from &… Read more

A computer that fits in your space suit pocket

Should a computer ever be described as "cute?" The Space Cube shows that's surely open to debate.

After drooling over the tiny available-only-in-Japan Space Cube, PC Pro finally got one, and has done a rather lengthy review of the adorably twee computer. The Space Cube measures 2 square inches on each side of the cube, and is made by the Shimafuji Corporation. The price? Reportedly 1,500 pounds, or $2,750. (Editor's note: Wow.)

The guys over there are clearly smitten. Since the Space Cube has arrived, it's been "inspiring awe and provoking disbelieving … Read more

EFF YO CUBE

Mark is an associate producer on Loaded. He took a three week vacation during the busiest time of the year for our team. We had to redesign the set, film off site, move all office furniture for re-carpeting, and cover the 3G iPhone launch all without him. We haven't slept in weeks. This is a little friendly retribution!

Nintendo faces ban on some Wii, GameCube controllers

Unless Nintendo complies with a federal judge's order by Thursday, the company will be faced with a ban on several of its controllers, Bloomberg reports.

A judge for the U.S. Court in the Eastern District of Texas failed to overturn a verdict entered against the Japanese video game maker on July 18. The company had been previously ordered to pay $21 million to Anascape, a Texas company that holds a patent on motion-sensitive controllers.

After declining to order a new trial as Nintendo had requested, Judge Ron Clark instead is scheduled to issue a ban on the sale … Read more

Gear4 shrinks 'BlackBox' speaker to travel size

The cubist period for speakers seems to be alive and well, whether we like it or not. As a reflection of its widening influence, the latest example comes from the U.K. with Gear4's "BlackBox Micro."

As the second half of its name implies, it's the little brother of Gear4's larger wireless BlackBox system. As the first half implies, it's a black box.

The smaller sibling isn't wireless, unfortunately, which is one reason the traveling speaker goes for about $40, as quoted by Electronista. Gear4 claims that the USB device has unusual quality … Read more