Google's calculator muffs some math problems

Google's calculator has some trouble handling math with some large numbers, an issue that's not unheard of in computing circles but that might not sit well at a supremely nerdy company that's named after a humongous number.

The errors appear, though not consistently, with some very large numbers. For example, 2,999,999,999,999,999 minus 2,999,999,999,999,998 should be 1, but Google calculator shows it as 0.

It's not a simple case of a cutoff where things fall apart, though. 1,999,999,999,999,999 minus 1,999,999,999,999,995 incorrectly equals 0, but 1,999,999,999,999,999 minus 1,999,999,999,999,993 correctly equals 6. And 400,000,000,000,002 minus 400,000,000,000,001 incorrectly equals 0, but 400,000,000,000,002 minus 400,000,000,000,000 correctly equals 2.

Perhaps most amusing for the schadenfreude crowd, Google botches some math involving a googol, which is 1 followed by 100 zeros. The quantity of a googol plus one, minus a googol, equals 0 rather than the correct result, 1.
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IE 8 to include private browsing feature

As CNET News first reported last week, Internet Explorer 8 will include a way to surf somewhat anonymously, allowing the user to suspend browsing history, cookies, and other identifying information. Mozilla had considered such a feature for its Firefox 3 release, but dropped it for technical reasons. Apple Safari also includes a similar feature.

Known as InPrivate, Microsoft is touting the feature as one of several security enhancements within its next major browser release. The scenarios for using InPrivate include when you're using someone else's computer, when you need to buy a gift for a loved one without ruining the surprise, or when you're at an Internet kiosk and don't want the next person to know which Web site you visited. While you can currently clear the browser cache with a mouse click, it's an all-or-nothing action. InPrivate temporarily suspends the automatic caching functions, allowing you to keep the rest of your browsing history intact.

ZDNet columnist Mary Jo Foley calls InPrivate IE's "porn mode".

The IE development team at Microsoft has more details about InPrivate here. They've even produced a video.

InPrivate will be available in IE8 Beta 2, which is expected to be released sometime before the end of the month. Final release for the browser remains scheduled for November.

Via CNET News

Microsoft expands Sidewinder family

Turns out the previously rumored Sidewinder X6 gaming keyboard with detachable numeric pad is real and coming. But what caught us off-guard is that, at the same time, a new mouse, the Sidewinder X5, will be joining Microsoft's gaming hardware lineup.



But first, let's take a close look at the upcoming keyboard. Backlit keyboard are so BTDT (been there, done that), but the Sidewinder X6 uses different LED colors to differentiate the modes. When used as a standard input device, the keys emit a red glow but press the Bank Switch button for gaming and the keyboard now glows amber. The latter mode disables both Windows and context menu keys so that you won't accidentally exit to the desktop while in the midst of battle. There is even a dimmer switch to customize the brightness of the backlights.
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Get better cell signal with Cell Rangers, hopefully

I've never met a cell phone user who was completely happy with the quality of the service. It doesn't matter which carrier you have, once in a while, you'll won't be able to make calls, and will have lost connections or dropped calls. The new iPhone 3G has also been suffering from poor 3G signal reception that the latest firmware, 2.0.2, failed to fix.

However, maybe there's a solution for this after all. At least this is what Cell Ranger, a company that focuses on enhancing your wireless experience, would like you to believe with its latest inventions. On Thursday, the company released its two cell signal booster products called Cell Ranger Stix and Cell Ranger Port for automobiles and computer users. Both products are compatible with any wireless carriers in the US and Canada, except for iDEN networks, such as Nextel.
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Belkin Universal Media Reader handles 1, 2, 3, 4...56 different cards!

It's true, despite only having six slots, this upcoming Universal Media Reader from Belkin is capable of reading 56 different memory cards. No adapters are necessary either, so no hunting for that full-size SD adapter for a miniSD or microSD card.

The Reader will be available in black or white models and each includes 1-foot and 5-foot USB cables making travel a little easier. Graphics on the faceplate mean even illiterate, nontechie types will be able to use it simply by matching the card in their hand to the picture on front. And when it's not in use you can stand it on its face to protect the slots from dust and debris.
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