Ok, this isn't really news, but I found it a pretty fascinating read. Engadget has posted an article presenting a hypothetical BBS from 1985. It goes through then-current technology in cell phones, gaming, computing, and so on. Obviously the stuff comes off as pretty primitive, but one thing I found pretty striking is that for the most part the technology hasn't fundamentally changed. It's all smaller and faster (and a bit smarter) these days, but I wasn't really blown away by how much "different" the things we use now are. Agree/disagree?

Japanese upstart Nintendo's finally announced they're importing their Nintendo Family Computer (Famicom, as they call it over in Japan) to the US. They even gave their box a slick redesign! The new Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) isn't top-loading anymore, but features a totally crazy spring-loaded insertion mechanism (you'll have to try it to believe it) and even non hardwired controllers. Unfortunately they made it so you can't play those bootleg games on the NES anymore, but this hot 8-bit piece of machinery might just compete against the Amiga and Commodore... if it's lucky.