With a new partnership with Microsoft Corporation, The Weather Channel hopes to bring in more visitors to its site by adding extremely localized weather forecasts that show conditions in local neighborhoods and even on roads and streets. While the site receives traffic from over 35 million users a month, the Atlanta based company believes adding this unique feature will increase the amount of visitors or at least encourage them to stay longer.

The actual tool that allows people to check the weather is still in beta form, but does have potential. It already offers users the ability to check major intersections and most local areas such as parks, schools, airports, and golf courses, but The Weather Channel hopes to expand the area to include nearly every street in major cities.

[Via Yahoo]

My fellow geniuses at the University of Washington are reporting that they have developed a new autonomous submersible. One that is capable of reaching depths of nearly 9,000 feet and powered solely with the blood of a thousand under appreciated grad students.

“Deepglider opens up new research possibilities for oceanographers studying global climate change. The glider’s first trip revealed unexpected warming of water near the ocean floor, and scientists are interested in studying whether the temperatures are related to global warming.”

Two points for Al Gore and his man crush on climatology. Adios.

[Via Slashdot]

Everybody seems to be copying Nintendo these days. First came accusations that Sony was copying the Wii remote’s motion sensing abilities with SIXAXIS. Now, here comes XM, trying to steal the thunder of the revolutionary and universally-loved Weather Channel with its XM Satellite Network. XM Weather is soon going to be available, but it’s not as simple as turning on the TV, turning on the Wii, going through the warning screen, selecting the channel and connecting to the internet. No, you have to actually work for it by holding it in your hand and looking at it.

The ONIX 400 from XM and Bushnell (seen above) features a 3.5-inch color screen and 64MB embedded memory for data services. You’ll be able to view your current music list and weather on split-screen. Great for truckers and pilots, not great for people who want to turn on the TV, turn on the Wii… (I’m dead serious.)

[via Crave]