http://randomdigest.com Random Collection of interesting finds Sat, 13 Mar 2010 18:24:00 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Whoa, Nelly! Isn't this something? Apple has just posted details on its iPad battery replacement service, which is really not a battery replacement service at all. Check out the company's opening line: "If your iPad requires service due to the battery's diminished ability to hold an electrical charge, Apple will replace ... http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/13/dead-ipad-battery-never-mind-replacing-it-apple-just-sends-ano/ In addition to the orientation-lock button, yesterday's pre-order commencement delivered another surprise nugget: the iPad will read all EPUB books out loud. If you remember the shitstorm that surrounded Kindle's text-to-voice feature, you'll know that this is a bold move. More » http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/gmvcS2312Eo/apples-ipad-will-perhaps-controversially-read-e+books-aloud Though the last we heard, Google was nearing a compromise that would allow them to stop censoring their Google.cn results, the Financial Times is reporting that they are almost certainly going to close their Chinese search engine. Since their initial ultimatum in January, Google and China have traded vague statements ... http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/8lOf1aoVRig/google-reportedly-999-percent-sure-to-shut-down-its-chinese-search We're still no closer to finding out whether this is the next iteration of the Bold, Storm or some other BlackBerry line, but the unofficially coined BlackBerry Slider continues to pique our interest. Here in the third round of spy shots, we're seeing the elusive RIM-branded device from a few ... http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/13/blackberry-slider-undergoes-further-undercover-inspection-side/ You know, as I drive across this great country of ours, I've gotten to thinking, "is the tractor trailer driver next to me really masturbating?" And more often that not, yes, he is. Also, this picture: so not cool I don't even wanna go into it. So that's how ... http://www.geekologie.com/2010/03/that_doesnt_look_like_the_land.php Google's Apps suite for domain owners and businesses has finally received some star treatment with the launch of the Apps Marketplace. Which Google-friendly apps are free, worth the cost, and entirely useful? These 10 are definitely worth a look. More » http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/p6yry9vmmmc/top-10-google-apps-marketplace-apps The Magic Mouse, for all of its sleek lines and multitouch, uh, magic, can feel a little awkward in the hand. MMFixed has the solution: a stick-on hump that gives your fingers some leverage and your palm some lovin'. More » http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/e63b3pogi48/apples-magic-mouse-gets-decidedly-unmagical-ergonomic-fix http://consumerist.com/2010/03/keep-tax-records-for-7-years.html If you've run out of clever greeting card ideas, try a card you can plant into the ground—craft blog Make and Takes has a tutorial on how to make "seed paper" and turn it into a plantable greeting card. More » http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/61Jbbgp3r0g/make-plantable-greeting-cards-using-seed-paper As the intertubes overtake boob tubes and telephone tubes as our primary mode of communication, it becomes increasingly important to ensure that access is available and affordable for all Americans. The FCC's ambitious new plan looks to do just that. More » http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/NbXCk5R6qnI/fcc-proposing-its-plan-for-americas-net-future-to-congress-this-week