More companies are designing solar electric panels with microinverters, which makes it easier to install just a few panels at a time. That means instead of spending $25,000 to $40,000 for a full rooftop of solar panels, people could spend much less for a handful of panels.

Andalay solar panels.

In a little over six years, Facebook has gained more than 500 million users and an estimated value of around $10bn (£6.6bn). But the social networking site has also tied itself in knots over privacy, so much so that German data officials are now taking the company to court.

Researchers are developing novel computers by mimicking the way that neurons are built and how they talk to each other.

Basing computers around neurons could lead to improvements in visual and audio processing on computers.

Diagram of sensory areas in human brain, SPL

The first 4G handset, Sprint’s HTC Evo, hits U.S. retail stores Friday, making this a good time to answer your questions about the fast wireless technology behind the Evo.

4G is just getting started, and even Sprint’s network is only available in a handful of cities. But in just about two years, 4G could be almost everywhere.  All major U.S. wireless carriers are working on upgrading their systems to 4G — though we would prefer if some, like AT&T, got their 3G networks working properly in the meantime.

Read More http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/06/wired-explains-4g/#ixzz0q5ONkgi8

Space Exploration Technologies launched its Falcon 9 rocket into earth orbit on its inaugural flight today, a key milestone in the startup’s plan to take cargo into space once the last of the space shuttles retires.

The two stage, 180-foot rocket left the pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida at about 2:45 p.m. Eastern. It achieved earth orbit nine minutes later. The lauch this afternoon followed several delays earlier in the day including a sailboat that had wandered into an off limits area near the launch site and an attempt that was aborted just seconds before ignition due to an engine related issue.

SpaceX founder (and Tesla CEO) Elon Musk hopes to use the Falcon 9 to compete against United Launch Alliance — a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed-Martin. SpaceX hopes to use the rocket to power Dragon, a craft that could carry cargo — and perhaps people — to the International Space Station. The Obama Administration wants to rely more heavily on private firms to supply the station.

SpaceX was awarded $3.5 billion in contracts by NASA to deliver cargo to the ISS through 2016.  SpaceX’s first rocket launch, the Falcon 1, occurred in 2008 after several failed first attempts. The Falcon 1 delivered a Malaysian satellite into orbit last year.