The Orlando Sentinel caught the story immediately - Obama aims to ax moon mission. It summarizes the budget to be released as - plans to return astronauts to the moon are dead. Likewise the new rockets and crew vehicles. The vacuum will be filled slightly with a new heavy-lift capability to be developed over perhaps a decade.
Ironically, Obama's Renewed Focus on Jobs Could Come at Expense of Moon Mission explains that the budget cuts to NASA will be used to fund additional jobs stimulus for the U.S. economy. Confused? Me too. Often though, these 'leaks' are used by an administration to 'float' ideas prior to officially announcing them. Let's hope that the public favors aerospace jobs as an intellectual investment instead of other economic stimulus.
Like many, I kept up with the Apple iTablet announcement today. It is hard to tell, but I agree with the Sydney Times - Apple's iPad no Kindle killer - yet. People who read rather than watch videos wil prefer the e-ink and lower prices of the Kindle. But it does constitute competition for the Kindle, and Amazon will have to keep innovating or lose. I think that is healthy for consumers.
Similarly Kindle needs to provide similar capability as Sony Reader Devices Can Now Borrow E-Books From Libraries. Basically the books can be 'loaned' to others, and they have to be returned before the owner can access them. Just like a physical book. Neat idea, isn't it?
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