fx

Talking up Silverlight on the Real Deal podcast

This week in the Rafe & Tom Real Deal podcast: Silverlight. Real Deal fans sent some interesting and technical questions about the platform ahead of time, which Tom had good answers for. Check out the podcast here:

>>> Listen now <<<

Next Tuesday, we'll be discussing live streaming, and of course, we'll live-stream the recording session, at 3 p.m. Pacific Time next Tuesday. More details to come.

If you want to join the discussion ahead of time, head on over to the Real Deal forums or post a question here.

Real Deal subscription … Read more

Fancy Java in action: Iris photo editing

SAN FRANCISCO--Sun Microsystems is trying to make the case at this year's JavaOne conference that its Java software is good for snazzy and elaborate desktop software. To give a taste for this concept, Sun showed off a Flickr-based photo editing site it calls Iris.

Iris--though either pokey or unable to handle the collective attention of the thousands of JavaOne attendees--lets Flickr members view their photos and perform a variety of editing tasks such as cropping, rotating, sharpening and blurring. Each image is shown with a histogram that represents the distribution of light and dark tones in the photo.

The … Read more

Co-creator of Java talks up JavaFX

At JavaOne, Sun's James Gosling talked with CNET News.com's Stephen Shankland about the new application platform, JavaFX. Gosling talks a bit about how JavaFX will compare to Adobe's Flash and Microsoft's Silverlight.

See News.com for more on JavaFX

If you're a Web user wondering what to do about this three-way race, here's my advice: don't worry about it, but do prepare to be impressed. The competition among these three powerhouses is going to make for fantastic new apps, as the platform vendors struggle to one-up each other by building their most … Read more

Schwartz: JavaFX can take on Flash

SAN FRANCISCO--When Sun announced its new JavaFX scripting language Tuesday at the JavaOne trade show here, it looked to some like the company was trying to re-create what's already being done more widely with Adobe Systems' Flash and that Microsoft hopes to accomplish with its Silverlight software.

But JavaFX, which is geared to make it easier to build flashy Web sites and Java desktop applications but which isn't yet released as a final product, stands out from those competitors, Sun Chief Executive Jonathan Schwartz argued at a news conference.

Java is already used on the servers that power … Read more

The case of the copycat fire serpent

When we hear knock-off, names like Rolex or Gucci usually come to mind. Now assault rifles can be added to that list.

Case in point: Mexico's new FX-05 Xiuhcoatl assault rifle is closely based on the German-based Heckler and Koch's G-36V, Mexidata columnist Allan Hall writes. So close that both the German government and HK accused Mexico of copying the G36V design.

Those aggrieved demanded that Mexico destroy the new FX-05s and pay damages or face legal action. Mexico temporarily stopped production on the Xiuhcoatl--which, by the way, means fire serpent in Nahuatl.

Apparently the whole production of … Read more

The case of the copycat fire serpent

2007 Infiniti FX45 first look

There are loads of interior tech features on the Infiniti FX45 that just got delivered to the CNET Car Tech garage. The space-age crossover SUV comes with the same navigation system that we saw in the 2007 Infinti M35 Sport (although without the latter's amazing voice-command interface). It also has Bluetooth hands-free calling and a rear-seat entertainment system complete with wireless headphones and a dedicated remote control.

However, the two most impressive tech features for me have to do with good old freeway driving. As part of its $4,200 Technology Package, the FX45 comes with Intelligent Cruise Control … Read more

Movies on the go!

Getting ready to go on a long road trip or a flight to far-flung dominions? I can't recommend picking up the Sony DVP-FX810 portable DVD player strongly enough. With this little guy by your side, you can put on your headphones, fire up your favorite movie, and pretend that the baby three rows down isn't out to get you with its incessant wailing.