The fourth version of the iPod Touch is faster, multitasks, and most importantly, is not easily confused with an iPhone.

A federal appeals says that, under licensing agreements, software makers could forbid the transfer or resale of their wares, an apparent gutting of the so-called first-sale doctrine of copyright law.

New research finds that the rudimentary brains of cockroaches and locusts teem with antimicrobial compounds that slay harmful E. coli and MRSA, the antibiotic-resistant staph bacterium. The work could lead to new compounds for fighting infectious diseases in humans.

We know that the iPad is (mostly) great for video playback, if you buy your movies and TV shows from iTunes or go through the trouble of converting non-Apple-supported formats. But what if there were a pain-free way to play almost every type of video format? Thanks to VLC for the iPad, there is.

Like the solid feel of a hardwood pencil but hate writing with a tiny stub? This modular continuous pencil is for you.

After a few developmental hiccups, the Sonex single-seat home-built jet is back on track.

Stephen Jay Gould, who will become a famous evolutionary theorist and popular science writer, is born in New York City.

A Northwestern University professor is promising a foolproof way to read an evildoer's brain. It's either his gadget or "the waterboard," the prof. swears. The U.S. government isn't listening — and with good reason.

Plug your used mobile into an ecoATM, which will assess its resale value, collect the device and reward you for your good deed.

Jim Davis' fantasy motorcycle turned out even better in reality. A variable steering angle and a burly damper help make MotoMorphic's fat-tired JaFM a serious performer.

Take a look at some of the most stunning fractals found on Earth.

The two competitors take their not-so-friendly rivalry to the next level with the ultimate high-tech smackdown. Coming soon to a city near you: fiery war between the iMech and Android Mobile Combat Unit Zero.

Put flying fish in a wind tunnel, and you'll find their gliding performance is just about as good as a hawk.

A Pentagon-funded scientist has come up with a comprehensive program to turn today’s robots into tomorrow’s A.I. overlords. Step one: Imbue them with toddler-level intelligence.

A new TSA terror warning targets photographers in hoodies as a national security threat.

Twenty years after Luc Besson unleashed La Femme Nikita on an unsuspecting world, the female street-punk-turned-assassin is still kicking. A look at new TV show Nikita and its predecessors.

Mozilla has shipped a new pre-release build of Firefox 4 with its latest JavaScript technology, JaegerMonkey, baked in.

In today's tweet of the day, an iPhone developer makes an astute observation about the contradictory nature of Apple's new App Store guidelines.

Sony's 1080p powerhouse, the KDL-40EX500, has all the motion-smoothing tech of its pricey brethren, but delivers it in a basic, financial-aid friendly package.

The Beat writer's ill-fated '70s collaboration with artist Malcolm McNeill returns at a time more suited for its innovative approach, thanks to Fantagraphics.