I really want microcredit (lending very small amounts of money to poor people in developing nations) to be an effective antipoverty measure. But Thomas Dichter’s thoughtful critique of the practice definitely makes the case for much lower expectations.

Samsung has filed a patent application for a system that links a smart stylus with a projected display to enable big-screen applications on mobile phones.

I’ve been to Mexico City, and while they say it’s the most polluted city in the world, I don’t believe even that level of pollution warrants a product like the new OGO. Essentially, it’s a can of air. That you breathe. And pay for. It even comes in flavors!

Wired has an entertaining review of the new Jaguar XK. Worthy of a technology magazine’s attention is a highly automatic control system that’s designed to let you feel dangerous without being dangerous, and carefully crafted engine noise deliberately mixed to “European” perfection and piped at appopriate volumes to the cabin.

At least two companies are working hard on technology to reduce CO2 and nitrous oxide emissions from power plants by routing the exhast through algae farms. The algae scrubs the emissions and can then be processed to make biodiesel and ethanol for sale at a profit.