headermask image

Amazon unveils new Kindle, starting at $139

Amazon's third-generation Kindle is the sleekest and cheapest yet, with a Wi-Fi only version that starts at $139. The $189 version (3G+Wi-Fi) comes in either white or graphite.Just weeks after lowering the price of the Kindle e-book reader from $259 to $189, Amazon Wednesday unveiled a fully revamped Kindle. It's sleeker, better looking, easier on the eyes — and starts at $139.


Twitter empire strikes back with ‘WookieLeaks’

"Wookie" or "Wookiee"? Even George Lucas doesn't know for sure. (Seriously, there are nerds are fighting over this on Twitter right now!)While the government, military and news outlets attempt to assess the fallout from the formerly top secret documents, the tweeting public is turning its attention to a topic that —admit it — is never very far from any true American's heart or mind: "Star Wars."


Bunker-busting ATM attacks show security holes

A hacker has discovered a way to force ATMs to disgorge their cash by hijacking the computers inside them.

Android users gobble more data than iPhone users

Verizon's new Android owners are using far more data than AT&T's iPhone users, says a new study. But both populations look like megabyte junkies compared to BlackBerry owners.

Cosmic Log: Bright stars burn out fast

  "Live fast, die young" may sound like a life lesson, but it’s actually an astronomical observation, borne out by a spectacular image of a hot young star.Science editor Alan Boyle's Weblog:  "Live fast, die young" may sound like a life lesson, but it’s actually an astronomical observation, borne out by a spectacular image of a hot young star.


Planetary triangle forming in evening sky

On the evening of Aug. 5, Venus, Mars and Saturn will gather in the western sky bracketed by the stars Zaniah and Zavijava in Virgo. All three planets will fit in a 10-by-50 binocular field, as shown by the circle.A trio of planets converging in the night sky this week and for several nights will give casual skywatchers the perfect chance to easily see and identify worlds they might not normally notice.


Mississippi River blamed for giant 1811 quakes

A map of seismic activity on the North American plate, with the yellow circles showing 200 years of seismicity.Massive earthquakes that struck the town of New Madrid, Mo., in 1811 can be traced to the actions of the mighty Mississippi River thousands of years earlier, a new study in the journal Nature suggests.


Alien planets locked in close embrace

An artist's conception shows multiple gas giants in orbit around an alien star. A recently detected planetary system has two gas giants in "the tightest system that's ever been discovered."Two distant alien planets around a dying star have been discovered locked in the closest orbital embrace ever seen, a new study has found.


‘Limbo’ is heaven to play

While everyone is busy talking about how 3-D is going to revolutionize gaming, a little 2-D game is lighting the summer on fire.While everyone is busy talking about how 3-D is going to revolutionize gaming, a little 2-D game is lighting the summer on fire.


Report: Decade warmest on record, indicators gloomy

Not only was the past decade the warmest on record, but climate indicators being tracked globally are worsening, scientists reported Wednesday in their annual "State of the Climate."