GlobalXplorer: How You Can Be a Space Archeologist

A “hybrid of Indiana Jones and Google Earth,” archaeologist Sarah Parcak uses satellite imagery to scour the earth for remains and lost cities and now she’s inviting us regular schmoes to do the same. Parcak has just launched GlobalXplorer°, an online tool that means we can help search for these important sites so that archaeologists get there before looters do. She says, “Most people don’t …

Farewell to the “Father of Pac-Man”

Masaya Nakamura, the founder of Namco—the Japanese company that was responsible for arcade classics like Pac-Man, Ms Pac-Man, Galaga and others—has died at 91 years old. Initially called Nakamura Manufacturing, the company was founded way back in 1955 and eventually merged with Bandai in 2005 (creating its current iteration as Bandai Namco). Nakamura’s passing and funeral were kept private, yet his legacy was (and will …

Iconic Sampler, Akai MPC, Gets 2017 Makeover

Hip-hop music wouldn’t be what it is today without Akai’s iconic MPC machines (aka Music Production Controllers) and now the sampler is getting a 2017 reboot. The Japanese company has two new MPCs coming out this year: the MPC Live and the MPC X. Upgrades include much more storage space for various sounds as well as a touchscreen, a built-in battery (making the Live genuinely …