Robotics engineer Ronald Arkin of Georgia Tech just finished a three-year contract with the U.S. Army designing software to create ethical robots. His thesis is that robots can be configured with a built-in "guilt system" that eventually could make them better at avoiding civilian casualties than human soldiers. CNET intern Dara Kerr talks to Arkin about his work.
Also in today's podcast: Jammie Thomas-Rasset's lawyers say she plans to appeal her RIAA case; MySpace--and presumably other community-based Web services--cannot be held liable in assault charges stemming from people meeting on its Web site; and watch out for Waledac over the 4th of July weekend.
Listen now: Download today's podcast
Today's stories:
Jammie Thomas will appeal, lawyer says
Court: MySpace not liable for offline assaults
Waledac worm targeting July 4 spam offensive
The news today is all about Google's new Web browser, dubbed Chrome. We've got screenshots, an early review, and analysis of what the move means all compiled here.
Also in this podcast: Political bloggers and commentators in Malaysia are bracing for a government crackdown after one controversial portal was blocked by all 19 of the country's Internet service providers; Apple has officially set a date for its next big music-related news event, where new iPods are expected to be announced; and how the Republican National Convention got wired.
Listen now: Download today's podcast
Today's stories:
Google 'starting from scratch' with own browser, Chrome
Complete coverage: Meet Chrome, Google's shiny new browser
Revamped Picasa site knows your face
With site block, Malaysia seems to break promise
Apple makes September 9 iPod event official
Another tour of duty for iRobot
$34.5 million of real money spent annually on Facebook virtual goods
Republicans wire up convention center
On launch day, the Get Firefox site experienced an outage for at least an hour--just before Mozilla was expected to make the new version of its Web browser available for download. Reporter Stephen Shankland joined me in the podcast studio today to talk about what happened, and whether it'll affect Mozilla's goal to set a new software record.
About a dozen DNA companies have been issued cease-and-desist letters to stop selling their consumer genetic test kits. NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander finds a mysterious white substance in the Martian soil (Is anybody else channeling Jack Skellington after hearing that news?). We bring you those stories and more on today's news podcast.
Listen now: Download today's podcast
Today's stories:
Problems delay Firefox 3 launch
iRobot to develop 'ChemBot' for military
Cease-and-desist notices sent to DNA testing labs
Last.fm adds Universal's music videos
Content aggregator Loud3r launches network of sites
Electronic Arts extends Take-Two Interactive tender offer deadline
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Rafe Needleman is editor of CNET's Webware. He's been covering technology since 1988, and has interviewed thousands of tech execs. He blogs at 
Leslie Katz is senior editor of CNET News' Crave blog, which focuses on gadgets, games, and all other digital distractions.
Erica Ogg keeps up on the latest consumer electronics and PC goings-on as chief correspondent for CNET News' Crave blog.
Jennifer Guevin is assistant managing editor for CNET News and focuses on science and green tech.
Josh Lowensohn writes for Webware.com, CNET's blog about Web applications and
services. 
