Ricardo is a writer for VentureBeat focusing on mobile, 3D printing, and various other topics. He stands by VentureBeat’s ethics statement, and would encourage you not to send him free things — he won’t keep them.

Also, he lives in New York City and enjoys Photoshop.

stories by ricardo@venturebeat.com

Real talk from Steve Ballmer: Surface won’t dominate PC sales

Steve Ballmer is confirming which has been pretty obvious to everyone else: The Suface won't rule the world.

3D-printing gun site DEFCAD now attracting 3K visitors an hour, 250K downloads since launch

3D-printed gun host DEFCAD is pulling in some major traffic. The age of 3D printed guns is clearly here.

The $75 3Doodler is a simple, handheld 3D-printing pen

An enterprising pair of toy designers have managed to cram a 3D printer into a pen. And it's pretty amazing.

You’re only 19 clicks away from any page on the Internet, says researcher

The Kevin Bacons of the Internet are keeping the web tiny, according to Hungarian physicist Albert-László Barabási.

The Pirate Bay wants to sue someone for copyright infringement (yes, you read that right)

The Pirate Bay wants to sue a Finnish antipiracy site for copyright infringement. Ironic? Maybe a little.

Opera buys Skyfire for $155M to trim carriers’ mobile video burden

Opera is spending $155 million to help bring Skyfire's video-optimization software to network operators around the world.

Data is Tesla’s secret weapon against negative Model S reviews

Refuting a negative New York Times review of the Model S, Tesla is showing why data is the car company's best friend.

Hacker bypasses iOS 6.1 lockscreen with a scary, simple trick (video)

As this video shows, the iOS 6.1 lockscreen can be bypassed via a frighteningly simple trick.

Zillow’s Marketplace revenue nearly doubles with a strong Q4

Zillow reported its fourth quater 2012 earnings today, crushing analyst estimates and perhaps silencing the critics who say its business model is baloney.

Want to work at Facebook? Here’s what its recruiters look for

Facebook's recruiters took to Reddit to respond to questions on what they look for in employees. A hint: Your crummy GPA isn't a deal-breaker.

On Deck raises $42M to finance cash-strapped small businesses

On Deck's mission lend cash to small businesses has helped it raise a fresh $42 million.

BlueStacks uses Android to fix the crummy Surface Pro app lineup

BlueStacks is launching its Android app player for Windows 8, giving Surface owners access to hundreds of thousands of Android apps.

Vertu creates $10K luxury Android phone for the wealthy and depressed

For roughly $10,000, wealthy and self-aggrandizing egotists will get a luxury phone along with the latest version of Android. Happiness, however, is sold separately.

Google’s new Nexus 4 wireless charging orb is pretty but flawed

Google's Nexus 4 charing orb is a magical hint at the future of gadget charging -- but it also shows why wireless charging isn't ready for prime time.