The Quantaray Super Z is here! No, it's not the crystal formulation from Antares 7 that Captain Kirk has to insert into the fusion chamber or the ship will blow. It is the brandname of rechargeable nickel-zinc battery that Ritz Camera has begun to carry. The battery is made by PowerGenix. The batteries fit into standard AA battery slots. However, the batteries pack more charge than most existing rechargeable AA batteries so consumers should get brighter flashes and more shots per charge. The company is also trying to get other retailers or battery makers to release PowerGenix batteries under different brand names. Thomas Edison tried to perfect rechargeable zinc batteries...

There has been a wealth of wisdom imparted from every corner of the blogosphere as to why the domestic auto industry has failed and why it does or does not deserve a bailout from taxpayers. One thing I have learned from my crash course in the auto industry these last two years at Tesla: because (nearly) everybody owns a car, they feel they are qualified experts on all matters automotive. The truth is, the auto industry is very complex, and some of the criticisms that have become the conventional wisdom are misplaced and sometimes naïve, especially what has been written about the auto industry by some tech and social media bloggers. Waving your hands around and talking about...

Oops. Think, the Norwegian company that wants to bring a two-seater, all-electric economy car to the urban masses, halted production on Monday according to Reuters and is seeking a bailout. The Norwegian government, however, has already told the company to suck a herring. The company needs around 100 million to 200 million crowns -- that's $14.5 million to $29 million-- in short term guarantees to stay afloat. "We are in a very serious situation," said Richard Canny, the relatively new CEO, said in a news conference, Reuters reported. "We would not have taken these actions if it was not serious. We need to intensify efforts to bring in new capital." Bankruptcy, something...

It's plastic for paper at Dell. The Round Rock, Texas-based computer company said today that it will eliminate about 10 percent of the packaging materials that come with its PCs and laptops and will increase the amount that can be recycled. Over the next four years, this could eliminate 20 million pounds of corrugated cardboard and other annoying crud. In the place of cardboard, Dell will employ air bags made from high-density polyethelene, and a good portion of that plastic will come from recycled milk jugs and laundry bottles. Dell, of course, is a massive consumer of packaging materials. I once knew a stock analyst who used to have a source at the company that sold...