Briefly: Retro Game Art, Why You Should Stick With Apple, Abbott Shuns Science

Brief news items of note for Lifehacker readers including: No Science Minister in new Abbott government, amazing 16-bit video game photo art, one huge reason to not switch to Android or Windows.

  • Today the nation learned who will sit in the new Abbott Ministry, but one of the most notable exceptions is the position of Science Minister: it seems that no such position will exist in the Cabinet. Needless to say, the science community has been quick to condemn the government’s science-free zone. “The nation’s scientists are confused and disappointed by today’s announcement of the new Federal Government Ministry,” Science and Technology Australia’s CEO Catriona Jackson said in a statement. “Science and technology are central to virtually everything Government does, from industry to universities to agriculture to health to creating the kind of jobs that will ensure a prosperous future.” The full list can be found here (PDF)
  • Robots are cool. Dragons are cool. But what about 30-foot tall robot dragons? Meet Tradinno; the current Guinness World Record holder for World’s Largest Walking Robot. Tradinno weighs 11-tons, squirts out 21 gallons of stage blood and breathes fire from its nostrils and mouth. You know you have to see this video.
  • AVG CrowdControl is a new privacy app from AVG designed specifically for Facebook. It allows users to customise who can view a status, videos and photos posted on a personal timeline. The app is integrated into users’ Facebook accounts and is free of charge.
  • If you’re a gamer from the ’80s and early ’90s, this gallery of 16-Bit sprites superimposed over photographs will get your nostalgia glands working overtime. We especially like the TMNT and Ghosts ‘n’ Goblins ones.
  • In other gaming news, Grand Theft Auto V will be launching nationally at midnight tonight. To get yourself suitably geed up, check out this video of a French kid losing his marbles after receiving an early pre-order of the game. (We’re pretty sure you should be over 11 to play this game, but oh well.)
  • Has the latest iPhone launch has left you decidedly nonplussed? If you’re an iOS user who’s thinking about switching to Android or Windows, Gizmodo has put forward a compelling argument as to why you should stick with Apple. Click here to see if you agree.

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