sydney

Zynga's Mark Pincus deemed year's 4th worst CEO

Given the annus horribilis which was Zynga's 2012, it's understandable if Zynga's Mark Pincus can't wait until 2013 rolls around. Meanwhile, the hits just keep on coming -- the latest indignity being an annual list of the business world's lousiest CEOs where Pincus was rated the fourth worst corporate leader. No. 1 was Brian Dunn, who resigned in April from Best Buy, followed by Chesapeake Energy's Aubrey McClendon, and Avon's former boss Andrea Jung, who left her post in April.

The list, which began three years ago, was put out by Sydney Finkelstein, … Read more

iPhone 5 launch-day mania

Friday's CNET Update visits the iPhone fanboys and fangirls:

Six years after the first iPhone, people are still excited and lining up at stores around the globe. The iPhone 5 launched in nine countries Friday morning, and Australia was the first to sell it. Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak was seventh in line at a store in Australia just to say he was one of the first in the world to get one. (That put him 17 hours ahead of customers in California.)

For today's show I interviewed the loyal Apple fans waiting at the iconic 5th Ave. Apple … Read more

Rasmussen: Why I left Google for Facebook

One of the lead engineers behind Google Maps and Google Wave has left the Web powerhouse to get into the thick of the "compelling" action at Facebook.

Last Friday, Lars Rasmussen said goodbye to his six-year career at Google; he'll start his new job at Facebook in December following a vacation. The noted Sydney, Australia-based software developer explained why he jumped ship in an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald.

"It feels to me that Facebook may be a sort of once-in-a-decade type of company," Rasmussen told the Herald. "Obviously they've already changed … Read more

Lexus CT 200h gets the F Sport treatment

Lexus' new CT 200h hybrid hatchback has only been on the road for for about a month, but Lexus is already heating it up with an F Sport package, which it debuted recently at the Australian International Motor Show (AIMS) in Sydney.

For those unaware, F Sport is the Lexus analogue to Toyota's TRD division, producing performance accessories for Lexus vehicles. We've driven a few F Sport-kitted IS 350s and enjoyed the mild performance boost gained with the uprated parts, and we know that Lexus is trying to give the CT 200h a Honda CR-Z-esque performance bent, … Read more

This plug-in Prius gives back good energy

A common argument against electric vehicles is that they'll increase demand for carbon-producing electricity and cause brownouts during peak times. But what if plug-ins could actually prevent these outages by sending electricity from their batteries back to the grid?

It's an interesting concept dreamed up by engineers at the University of Technology Sydney. Combining their research on plug-in hybrids and electrical grids, they've developed "Switch," a plug-in Toyota Prius that acts as a sort of an energy reservoir that can give back to the grid whenever needed.

The Switch uses a 4.1 kWh lithium ion battery stored in the trunk to store extra electricity that is theoretically purchased during cheaper off-peak times. The extra battery also helps power the Prius' existing NiMH battery pack and raises fuel economy to 118 mpg. … Read more

A troubling slur on male nerd sexuality

I don't know who conducts sexuality experiments at the University of Sydney. And I refuse to wonder about their sex lives.

But the latest results of one of the University's experiments may leave many male readers' blood above safe temperature levels.

The researchers delved into the sexual biographies of 185 students and emitted some breathtaking conclusions.

Female arts students are the most likely to have sex. And the least likely? Oh, yes. Another dart at the genitals of male science students.

The research report, published in the journal Sexual Health, declared: "Males in the study were less … Read more

Sydney Water skipping Vista

Sydney Water CIO Tim Catley today said the organization, Australia's largest water utility, would likely skip Vista and instead plan ahead to install Windows 7 on its 4,000 desktops, which are currently running Windows XP.

Catley, who since 2005 has worked to turn around Sydney Water's IT operations, said he would likely skip Vista because the threat of Microsoft putting the screws on hardware vendors to end support for XP had dissipated.

"I think we might skip Vista and wait for 7 to come along," Catley told ZDNet.com.au after delivering a speech at … Read more

Scientists develop incredible thinking cap

If you've always thought you were a wonderful singer, but somehow failed to produce your best in karaoke bars, scientists may have found a solution.

At last, some of the world's finest brains have gotten together to release the finest parts of everyone's brain.

Yes, soon you may be able to buy your own thinking cap, put it on, and be the person you always thought you could be.

The cap looks a little like a hairnet, but please don't let that put you off. The theory behind the incredible thinking cap is that it will … Read more

The 404 174: Where we reject labels

Fridays at The 404 are awesome, especially before a holiday weekend and especially when Justin gets his panties in a bundle over the term "hipster." With news like Brett Ratner's dream to make a Guitar Hero movie, the world's greatest hacker releasing an autobiography, and even more heartwarming "Calls from the public," how could you not love Fridays?

So it's official: David Duchovny has officially admitted his powerlessness over his addiction to lovemaking and has checked into rehab. Sounds like his next project with Gillian Anderson could be the SeX-Files. Isn't every … Read more

The 404 107: Where Wilson couldn't make it

Randall Bennett subs in for the Tang and we chat about the late Sydney Pollack, the weekend box office, landing on Mars, and the ridiculous Rock Band accessories you can blow your hard-earned cash on. EPISODE 107 Download today's podcast