Ernie Smith
Amazon Shut Down DPReview. The Community Is Saving It
In response to Amazon’s shuttering of the bedrock digital photography community, developers are taking steps to protect the crowdsourced data and revive the community on brand new websites like DPRevied.
Are Google and Bing’s Chat AI Going to Change Search Forever?
You’ve assuredly heard a lot about the disruptive potential of ChatGPT-like conversational AI on Google and Bing. Perhaps the real question is, why does now feel like the moment where search gets disrupted? Has search changed like this in the past?
Programmer Uses NSA Tool to Liberate Legendary Super Nintendo Emulator From EA
The long-rumored SNESticle was hiding in a GameCube game for more than a decade. Now a programmer has come up with a way to run SNESticle on its own.
10 Image File Formats That Time Forgot
From PCX to TGA to VRML, considering a number of image formats that the world forgot. Not every image standard is going to last, no matter how pretty it is.
Why the iPad Mini Could Be Your Next iPhone
The latest iteration of the smallest iPad has a lot going for it as a smartphone … if you’re willing to live with a few quirks.
Virgin Cola: How Richard Branson Tried and Failed To Win the Soda Wars
The story of Virgin Cola, Richard Branson’s bold attempt to take on Coca-Cola and Pepsi at their own game. Of course it failed, but it did so stylishly.
The Massive Army of Volunteers That Built AOL in the 90s
Considering the fact that many early online networks relied on volunteers to help build up their base—until one such network, AOL, got too big.
What’s the Deal With That Security Slot on Your Laptop, Anyway?
What the heck is a Kensington security slot, and why does your computer probably have one? And how well does it really work, anyway? I asked a guy who designed locks for it.
The Many App Stores Before the App Store
Assessing the landscape of the app store concept in the years before it became an idea “originated” by Apple. The prior art is strong with this one.
The $149 Smartphone That Could Bring The Linux Mobile Ecosystem to Life
The low-cost PinePhone isn’t a perfect device, but the nuanced ecosystem it’s going to build for Linux-based smartphones is going to be amazing.
How Pizza Took Over Our Freezers
The evolution of the frozen pizza, the ideal form of sustenance for people who have an oven, a microwave, or an aversion to delivery. (Possibly all three.)
How the Whiteboard Took Over the Office
The whiteboard, despite being designed specifically for schools at first, became a huge hit with the business world before schools really embraced it.