The Lenin Museum in Gorki Leninskiye, near Moscow, continues to operate using Apple II computers from the 1980s, showcasing an elaborate audiovisual presentation about Vladimir Lenin's life. The museum, designed by constructivist architect Leonid Pavlov, was equipped with technology from the British company Electrosonic, circumventing Soviet trade restrictions through a specialized economic body. Despite the fall of the USSR, the museum remains largely unchanged, preserving its original technological setup. Efforts to maintain and repair the vintage equipment are ongoing, with former staff coming out of retirement to assist. The museum's focus remains on Lenin's achievements, omitting the more violent aspects of his regime.

IBM's attempt to market its OS/2 operating system through a $4.5 million sponsorship of the Fiesta Bowl in the early 1990s is examined. Despite the company's financial struggles and layoffs, IBM defended the sponsorship as a strategy to gain market mindshare. The sponsorship, however, was met with skepticism and ridicule, and ultimately did not help IBM regain its market position. The Fiesta Bowl, after IBM's exit, found a more successful sponsor in Frito-Lay, which significantly increased the event's payouts. IBM, under new leadership, shifted its focus away from consumer markets, eventually selling its PC division to Lenovo.

The Lenin Museum in Gorki Leninskiye, near Moscow, continues to operate using vintage Apple II computers and Electrosonic's ES4000 system, installed in the 1980s. The museum, designed to impress visitors with audiovisual presentations about Vladimir Lenin's life, has remained largely unchanged since its opening. Despite Soviet restrictions on foreign technology, the museum managed to acquire Apple II computers through a complex arrangement involving Technointorg and Beech Compix. The museum's technological setup is maintained by former staff, preserving its original state. The article also touches on Apple's attempts to enter the Soviet market, including a failed deal involving Steve Jobs.

Nintendo of Europe has decided to wind down its operations in Russia, citing the economic outlook and previous suspensions of product shipments and eShop services. The company will maintain a minimal presence to complete the wind-down process and fulfill legal and contractual obligations. Discussions are ongoing with potential suppliers, including LLC Achivka, to provide repair and warranty services for existing products in the Russian market. Nintendo has clarified that it is not involved in parallel import activities in Russia.

Nintendo of Europe has decided to wind down its operations in Russia, citing the economic outlook and previous suspensions of product shipments and eShop services. The company will maintain a minimal presence to complete the wind-down process and fulfill legal and contractual obligations. Discussions are ongoing with potential suppliers, including LLC Achivka, to provide repair and warranty services for existing products in the Russian market. Nintendo has clarified that it is not involved in parallel import activities in Russia.

The article explores the history and impact of marketing stickers on modern computers, focusing on the Intel Inside campaign, which began in 1991 to boost Intel's brand visibility. It highlights how Intel's strategy influenced other companies like Microsoft and AMD to adopt similar marketing tactics. The piece discusses the mixed reception of these stickers among consumers and their role in PC culture, noting that while some users dislike them, others see them as a mark of authenticity or brand loyalty. The article also touches on the legal scrutiny Intel faced over its rebate programs and the evolution of Microsoft's sticker campaigns.

Nintendo's Russian branch has filed a lawsuit against KupiVip, the former operator of its online store in Russia, for approximately $16,800. Following the Ukraine invasion, Nintendo scaled back its Russian operations, including halting shipments and closing the Nintendo eShop. KupiVip, a clothing retailer, ceased operations after Yandex withdrew from a purchase deal. The Nintendo online store's significance declined with the success of the Nintendo Switch. Currently, a simple website replaces the store for preorders, with Triangle Strategy being the last product offered.

On the 56th day of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, fighting intensifies in the Donbas region with Ukrainian forces defending against Russian assaults. Russia has agreed to a humanitarian corridor for evacuating civilians from Mariupol, but its reliability is uncertain. Ukrainian and international responses include military resistance, pledges of arms from the US, UK, and Canada, and refusal to cooperate with Russian forces in occupied areas. Over 5 million Ukrainians are displaced, with some forced to relocate to Russia. Hungary rejects EU sanctions on Russian energy, while Italy's Prime Minister proposes a gas price cap. Russian oligarch Oleg Tinkov publicly denounces the war.

The article chronicles the history of Microsoft's Windows CE, an operating system designed for embedded hardware and mobile devices. Despite Microsoft's efforts to market Windows CE as a versatile and ubiquitous platform, it struggled to gain significant market traction compared to competitors like Palm. The article details the various iterations and applications of Windows CE, including its use in handheld PCs, automotive systems, and gaming consoles like Sega's Dreamcast. It also discusses the internal challenges and strategic shifts within Microsoft that ultimately led to the sidelining of the Windows CE brand in favor of more unified and streamlined operating systems like Windows Mobile and Windows 10.

Rubber parts in vintage electronics, such as those in old Macintosh computers and HP iPAQ handhelds, degrade over time, posing challenges for both amateur collectors and professional conservators. Museums and experts recommend keeping items in dry, temperature-stable environments and using modern replacements for internal rubber components when possible. Cleaning or reworking degraded rubber is discouraged to avoid further damage. Institutions like the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Centre for Computing History provide guidelines and advice for preserving these materials, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the current state of the items to prevent further decay.

The article examines the early days of PDA camera accessories, focusing on Sony's Memory Stick Camera Module and HP's PhotoSmart Mobile Camera. It discusses the technological limitations and novelty of these devices, comparing them to standalone digital cameras of the time. The article also touches on the integration of cameras with third-party applications and the eventual shift towards built-in cameras in mobile devices. It reflects on the broader trends in mobile technology, including modular phones and 360-degree photography, and the consumer preference for simplicity in devices.

Electromagnetic expulsion, a magnetohydrodynamic analogue of the buoyancy force, is proposed as a mechanism for driving plasma counter-streaming flows in solar filaments. Theoretical models and exact analytical solutions are reviewed, highlighting the role of the expulsion force in filament dynamics. The study suggests that nonuniform electric conductivity in filaments leads to nonuniform Lorentz forces, driving vortical plasma flows that may explain observed counter-streaming. The research emphasizes the need for further modeling to understand the impact of the expulsion force in different parts of solar filaments.

In 2009, Apple introduced the third-generation iPod Shuffle, a minimalist music player reliant on headphone controls and voice feedback. Criticized for its complex control scheme and dependency on specific headphones, it was eventually succeeded by a model reintroducing physical buttons. This design decision reflects Apple's broader trend of simplifying devices, sometimes controversially. The article highlights Apple's iterative design process, where ideas are refined and repositioned rather than discarded outright.

Compact discs, initially not intended for computer programs, became a significant medium for software and digital publications in the late 1980s and 1990s. Major brands like IBM, Microsoft, and Apple adopted the format, leading to a boom in multimedia CD-ROMs. However, the rise of the Internet rendered CD-ROMs obsolete by the early 2010s. Efforts are now being made to preserve and make these digital artifacts accessible again, with institutions like Yale University Library and the Internet Archive playing key roles. Despite challenges in emulation and compatibility, these efforts highlight the historical and research value of CD-ROM publications.

30pin, a self-published online magazine founded by Yuri Litvinenko, seeks financial support to maintain its operations and pay third-party editors and guest authors. The publication encourages monthly pledges via Patreon, one-time tips through Ko-fi, and micropayments using Coil. Additionally, 30pin promotes affiliate links for services like Fathom Analytics, iubenda, and Zoho, which contribute a portion of payments to the magazine. The article underscores the importance of supporting 30pin to ensure the sustainability of its unique content and high-quality historical photos.

Nintendo's Wii, released in 2006, was a groundbreaking video game console that integrated elements of TV culture into its design and user experience. The Wii Remote, resembling a TV remote, and the concept of 'channels' for content, drew heavily from television. This approach helped the Wii surpass its competitors, Sony and Microsoft, in popularity. The article highlights the influence of Japanese TV culture on the Wii's design, including the use of specific fonts and visual elements. The Wii U, its successor, attempted to build on this legacy but faced challenges in maintaining the same level of integration with TV culture.

Logitech has announced the discontinuation of its Harmony universal remotes, ending a 20-year history that began with the Canadian startup Eazy Zapper in 2001. Despite continued support for software and services, the decision marks the end of an era for home theater enthusiasts. The Harmony remotes, known for their ease of use and unique features like Smart State Technology, faced increasing competition from integrated remote solutions by companies like Samsung and Sony. Logitech's CEO Bracken Darrell noted the declining need for universal remotes in a modern connected home, which now offers various control options through voice assistants and smart home infrastructures.

The article chronicles the history of Microsoft's Windows CE, an operating system designed for embedded hardware. Despite Microsoft's efforts to market it as a ubiquitous system, Windows CE struggled to gain significant public recognition. The article details the development and various iterations of Windows CE, including its use in handheld PCs, car infotainment systems, and gaming consoles. It also discusses the internal challenges and strategic decisions within Microsoft, highlighting the competition with Palm's successful Pilot devices. The narrative concludes with the eventual decline of Windows CE as Microsoft shifted focus to other mobile and embedded systems.

The article discusses the evolution of touch phones and their competition with the iPhone. It highlights the early adoption of touch screens by companies like LG with its Prada phone, which was released before the iPhone. Samsung and Nokia also entered the market with their own touch phones, each focusing on different features. The article mentions the shift towards more affordable touch phones and the eventual dominance of smartphones as they became cheaper. It also covers the Light Phone II, a modern no-distraction touch phone, and the role of KaiOS in providing smartphone-like features on feature phones. The piece reflects on the potential future of feature phones in an increasingly smartphone-dominated market.

Microsoft's Kin phones, discontinued in 2010 shortly after their launch, failed due to a combination of factors including a weak feature set, strong competition, and steep Verizon plans. The phones, aimed at a younger audience, were designed with a focus on social sharing but suffered from internal conflicts and technical limitations. Despite ambitious design goals, many features were cut due to hardware constraints. The Kin project, initially intended to evolve over time, was ultimately abandoned, leaving users with a stripped-down version of the original vision.

The European Parliament is close to passing legislation to standardize mobile chargers, a move that has been in discussion for over a decade. The article discusses the history of mobile connectors and the industry's resistance to standardization, highlighting Apple's non-compliance with USB standards and the various proprietary connectors used by different manufacturers. It also touches on the potential positive impact of the EU's regulation, particularly on Apple's hardware decisions. The piece includes historical examples of connector standards and the challenges faced in achieving a universal standard.

The article explores the history and cultural significance of white plastic in technology, from its early use in mimicking natural materials to its modernist aesthetic in Braun designs and its commoditization in Apple products. It discusses the practicality and consumer perception of plastic gadgets, contrasting them with natural materials like aluminum and glass, and touches on regional design differences, particularly in Asian markets. The piece concludes with a personal reflection on the practicality of white plastic in cold weather and the subjective nature of what consumers consider practical.

The Omsk Metro project, initially an ambitious transportation initiative, has become a cultural symbol of unfulfilled promises in the Siberian city. Despite being well-connected via the Trans-Siberian Railway, Omsk struggles with local transportation, exacerbated by economic challenges following the Soviet Union's collapse. The project, hindered by financial constraints and the relocation of major taxpayer Sibneft, remains incomplete, with only one non-functional station. Creative locals have embraced the subway's symbolic status, using it for art events and cultural identity. The city's infrastructure issues persist, with limited prospects for a functional subway system.

Nintendo's strict eShop refund policy faced a challenge in Russia, leading to a settlement where the company refunded a consumer, Vladimir Vechnyi, for a game that lacked clear information about required accessories. This case, highlighting potential gaps in digital purchase information, might prompt Nintendo to improve eShop details. Vechnyi received compensation for moral damages, emphasizing the importance of consumer rights in digital goods.

The article discusses the evolution of landline phones and their transition towards smart capabilities. It begins with the early visions of AT&T's Data-Phones and touches on the UK Post Office's Prestel service, which offered interactive services on home video terminals. The article also covers the teletext technology in Europe and the introduction of Touch-Tone phones in the U.S. It then moves to the 1980s and 1990s, highlighting devices like the STC Executel and InfoGear's original iPhone, which offered integrated features such as email and web browsing. The piece also mentions Apple's MacPhone concept and the rise of Internet appliances. The story of Amstrad's E-m@iler is detailed, including its business model and the controversy involving Alan Sugar and a journalist. The article concludes by reflecting on the potential evolution of landline phones if not for monopolies in the telecommunications industry and briefly mentions Siemens' NotePhone as an example of integrating phone and computer technology.

The article explores the history and evolution of landline phones that attempted to integrate smart features before the widespread adoption of mobile smartphones. It highlights various attempts by companies like AT&T, UK Post Office, and France Télécom to innovate with devices such as the STC Executel, InfoGear iPhone, and Amstrad E-m@iler. The narrative discusses the technological advancements, business models, and market reception of these devices, while also reflecting on the broader implications of how the telecommunications industry might have evolved differently. Key figures like Alan Sugar and Robert Ackerman are mentioned, providing insights into their roles and perspectives on these technological endeavors.

The iPAQ brand, originally developed by Compaq and later acquired by Hewlett-Packard, was a significant player in the personal digital assistant market during the 2000s. Despite its initial success, the brand experienced various challenges and released several unconventional devices that did not achieve widespread popularity. The iPAQ's development was heavily influenced by Digital Equipment Corporation's hardware legacy, particularly the StrongARM processor. The article also highlights the broader context of the tech industry's evolution, including the impact of Apple's iMac and the rise of USB technology. Ultimately, the iPAQ brand was discontinued, with HP ceasing to use all consumer product names inherited from Compaq by 2013.

The Russian team Ye Olde Guard will miss the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate European Smash Ball Team Cup finals in Amsterdam due to visa issues caused by bureaucratic delays. Nintendo RU, responsible for processing the visas, failed to submit the necessary documents in time, leading to the team's inability to attend. Despite the setback, Nintendo RU has compensated the team with Nintendo Switch consoles, and relations remain amicable. The incident highlights the impact of administrative oversights on international esports events.

Personal computers, once envisioned as central home entertainment hubs, have largely been overshadowed by smart TVs, consoles, and streaming services. Despite significant investment and innovation, including HP's ad campaign, Apple's Macintosh TV, Gateway 2000's Destination, and Microsoft's Windows Media Center, PCs failed to dominate the media center space. The article traces the evolution of media PCs, from early multimedia attempts to the rise and fall of Windows Media Center and Apple's Front Row, highlighting the industry's shift away from computers for home entertainment.

The article investigates allegations of workplace abuse and misconduct at Nintendo's Russian office, Nintendo RU, under General Manager Yasha Haddaji. It details Haddaji's abusive behavior, including public outbursts, physical violence, and sexual harassment. Former employees and contractors describe a toxic work environment where passion for Nintendo or higher salaries kept them in their jobs despite the abuse. The article also covers the response from Nintendo of Europe, which is conducting an investigation following the viral video of Haddaji's outburst. The piece includes accounts from several sources, some anonymous and one named former employee, Miroslava Basnak. It also mentions attempts by Russian media to contact Nintendo RU and the lack of action from Nintendo of Europe in the past.

Former employees and contractors of Nintendo's Russian office have come forward with allegations of abuse and harassment by General Manager Yasha Haddaji. Incidents include public outbursts, physical violence, and sexual harassment. The abusive culture under Haddaji's leadership has been a topic of private discussion among staff for years. The allegations surfaced after a video of Haddaji's outburst went viral. Nintendo of Europe is aware of the video and further allegations, and is conducting a thorough investigation. The situation has brought international attention to the workplace environment within Nintendo's Russian office.

In Russia, Nintendo fans face artificial shortages of Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee!, with retailers favoring the Pikachu version. Some stores allow pre-purchases of the Eevee bundle without guaranteeing availability, while others import it in limited quantities. Despite higher digital pre-purchase popularity for Eevee, Nintendo's Russian branch struggles with marketing, leading to criticism from local fans.

The article discusses the potential release of the Minecraft: New Nintendo 2DS Creeper Edition in Europe, following its announcement in Japan. Evidence of its European release comes from images with EU age ratings found in a PDF from Nintendo Russia during Gamescom 2018. Despite the lack of official announcements, the presence of this packaging suggests a European launch is likely, possibly alongside the release of Minecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition in the region.

At the Hinode Power Japan event in Moscow, Russian Nintendo fans experienced a demo of Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes, which included a personalized message in Russian, sparking excitement and speculation about a full localized release. The Nintendo Switch has been notable for Russian localizations, with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild being the first in the series to be translated into the language.

Nintendo's Russian division produced its first local TV commercial for Super Mario Odyssey, created by the production studio KOSMOSS. The ad showcases a Nintendo fan's journey through decades of Super Mario games, reflecting Russian cultural and historical legacy. Nintendo RU's CEO, Yasha Haddaji, expressed pride in the local marketing efforts. KOSMOSS, co-founded by Valeriy Boluchevskiy, previously gained attention for the viral 'Banana Switch' video. The making-of video for the ad provides insights into the creative process, and the initiative is seen as a positive step towards culturally aware promotion in Russia.

Nintendo has significantly increased its focus on the Russian market, introducing exclusive bundles and localized advertisements to attract a new audience. The company's efforts include the first full Russian translation of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and other Nintendo Switch exclusives. Despite past challenges, including low sales and economic issues, Nintendo RU is now committed to expanding its presence in Russia, aiming to build a strong fan base and increase brand awareness.

Nintendo Labo, an interactive cardboard building kit for the Nintendo Switch, is poised to make a significant impact in the education sector. With its unique and appealing image, Labo stands out in the crowded market of educational toys, offering accessibility to elementary school children. It combines technology with arts and crafts, broadening its appeal. The software accompanying Labo meets high standards for interactive schoolbooks, and Nintendo may continue to develop new Toy-Con models. Potential business models could include providing Labo to schools as a service. The product's educational potential has generated excitement among parents and educators.

The article reviews the Motorola ES400, a rugged enterprise PDA with Windows Mobile 6.5.3, later updated to Windows Embedded Handheld. The author, Yuri Litvinenko, highlights the device's unique features, such as its barcode scanning capabilities, fingerprint scanner, and robust design. The review provides historical context on Motorola's acquisition of Symbol Technologies and the subsequent sale to Zebra Technologies. While praising the device's functionality and design, the author also discusses the challenges of obtaining software updates from Zebra Technologies. Overall, the review balances subjective opinions with factual information about the device's capabilities and limitations.