Consumer
Top 10 must-read posts from May
June 4, 2013 12:04 pm | by Kasey Panetta, Managing Editor | Blogs | CommentsHere’s a rundown of the most read, most popular, most awesome articles on the web. Take a look at what you missed the first time around or check up on an old favorite to see the conversation in the comments. Keep checking out the Lead at www.ecnmag.com....
3-D printing goes from sci-fi fantasy to reality
June 4, 2013 9:04 am | by MARTHA MENDOZA AP National Writer | News | CommentsInvisalign, a San Jose company, uses 3-D printing to make each mouthful of customized, transparent braces. Mackenzies Chocolates, a confectioner in Santa Cruz, uses a 3-D printer to pump out chocolate molds. And earlier this year, Cornell University researchers used a 3-D printer, along with injections of a special collagen gel, to create a human-shaped ear.
Researchers design sensitive new microphone modeled on fly ear
June 3, 2013 10:29 am | by EurekAlert! | News | CommentsUsing the sensitive ears of a parasitic fly for inspiration, a group of researchers has created a new type of microphone that achieves better acoustical performance than what is currently available in hearing aids. The scientists will present their results at the 21st International Congress on Acoustics, held June 2-7 in Montreal.
3-D printing goes from sci-fi fantasy to reality
June 3, 2013 10:14 am | by MARTHA MENDOZA, AP National Writer | News | CommentsInvisalign, a San Jose company, uses 3-D printing to make each mouthful of customized, transparent braces. Mackenzies Chocolates, a confectioner in Santa Cruz, uses a 3-D printer to pump out chocolate molds. And earlier this year, Cornell University researchers used a 3-D printer, along with injections of a special collagen gel, to create a human-shaped ear.
Taiwan makers showcase computers at Computex
June 3, 2013 2:33 am | by ANNIE HUANG - Associated Press - Associated Press | News | CommentsTaiwan's struggling PC makers are unveiling a new generation of ultra-thin laptops at the world's second-biggest computer show this week, even as they tap into the ever-expanding tablet market to help compensate for declining computer sales. It won't be an easy transition for them, but the makers...
Apple antitrust suit over e-books set for NY trial
June 2, 2013 1:28 pm | by LARRY NEUMEISTER - Associated Press - Associated Press | News | CommentsIn a civil case where the words of Steve Jobs play prominently, the government and Apple Inc. are set to square off over allegations that Apple Inc. conspired with the country's largest book publishers to make consumers pay more for electronic books. U.S. District Judge Denise Cote is scheduled...
PFC IC designed for compact consumer products and PCs
May 31, 2013 2:16 pm | Power Integrations | Product Releases | CommentsPower Integrations introduced HiperPFS-2, a new family of high-efficiency, active-PFC ICs for offline applications from 100 W to 380 W. HiperPFS-2ICs combine a boost PFC controller, driver, PFC power MOSFET, PFC diode and protection circuits in one package, enabling exceptionally compact designs ideal for small-form-factor power supplies....
Hong Kong’s three screens market expands
May 31, 2013 10:57 am | by GFK | News | CommentsIn today’s highly-connected and increasingly mobile society, it has become almost a necessity for modern consumers in developed markets to have round-the-clock access to at least one of the three screens— laptop, media tablet and smartphone.
Customer Use Board System provides for evaluation and validation of ArcticLink III VX and BX devices
May 30, 2013 3:14 pm | Quicklogic Corporation | Product Releases | CommentsQuickLogic Corporation announced the development of the Customer Use Board (CUB) System, which provides for easy evaluation and validation of ArcticLink III VX and BX devices in customer platforms. CUB is an ideal solution for smartphone and tablet system architects who require easy prototyping and testing platforms to accelerate their design efforts.
Engineering catalogue details markets and applications
May 30, 2013 2:35 pm | Nordson Efd Llc | Product Releases | CommentsNordson EFD has recently released its Engineered Fluid Dispensing Product Catalog Fifth Edition. The 112-page catalog details information about markets and applications that use and benefit from Nordson EFD precision dispensing systems, the fluids dispensed and dispensing applications for each industry, and customer comments.
Tantalum chip capacitor series offers a small footprint and low profile
May 30, 2013 1:40 pm | Kemet Electronics Corporation | Product Releases | CommentsKEMET Corporation announced the release of three new series of tantalum chip capacitors: T488 Small Case Substrate Terminal MnO2, T527 Facedown Polymer, and T529 Small Case Substrate Terminal Polymer. These miniaturized solutions offer the highest capacitance values (22uF to 220uF) available today in both a standard 2012 (2.0mm x 1.2mm) and 3216 (3.2mm x 1.6mm) EIA case size....
Company seeking money to build space telescope
May 30, 2013 12:05 pm | by DONNA GORDON BLANKINSHIP, Associated Press | News | CommentsA Washington company that wants to send robots into space to mine precious metals from asteroids has found another way to use the expensive technology it's developing for its space venture. Planetary Resources Inc. announced Wednesday it plans to launch an extra space telescope in early 2015 to be used by the general public...
Not LOL: Service allows bully reporting by text
May 30, 2013 12:01 pm | by PHILIP ELLIOTT, Associated Press | News | CommentsA leading education technology company on Wednesday announced it would give schools a free and confidential way for students to tell school officials via text that they are being bullied or are witnessing bullying. Blackboard's TipTxt program could change the school climate — or reveal just how pervasive student-on-student harassment has become.
Motorola: 1st US-assembled smartphones coming
May 30, 2013 11:57 am | by WILL WEISSERT, Associated Press | News | CommentsCellphone pioneer Motorola says it's opening a manufacturing facility that will produce the first smartphone ever assembled in the U.S. — its new flagship device, Moto X. The Texas site was once used by fellow phone manufacturer Nokia, meaning it was designed to produce mobile devices...
Sensor chip family provides high integration touchless gesture control for computers and consumer devices
May 30, 2013 11:53 am | Infineon | Product Releases | CommentsInfineon Technologies introduced a family of 3D Image Sensor chips for implementation of touchless gesture recognition. Developed in cooperation with pmdtechnologies GmbH, the new chips are the first to combine a 3D image sensing pixel array with the digital conversion and control functionality needed to design very compact and accurate monocular systems....
System-on-module enables faster, lower-risk, and smarter embedded systems development
May 30, 2013 10:47 am | Product Releases | CommentsEnSilica has launched the eSi-ZM1, a small form factor System-on-Module designed to facilitate faster, lower risk development of smarter embedded systems that demand real-time hardware performance, all without sacrificing differentiation, integration or flexibility.
Asia stocks post muted gains on improving US data
May 29, 2013 10:59 am | by PAMELA SAMPSON, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsRising U.S. consumer confidence and home prices painted a picture of a rebounding economy, helping Asian stock markets to post muted gains Wednesday. Wall Street resumed its record-breaking rally on Tuesday after the Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller survey found that U.S. home prices rose 10.9 percent in March, the most since April 2006.
Tightest job market ever for China's college grads
May 29, 2013 10:47 am | by DIDI TANG, Associated Press | News | CommentsWhile the job market in China is still much better than in many other parts of the world, 2013 is being billed locally as the worst for young graduates. A record number of them — about 7 million — are leaving universities and graduate schools to seek their first employment at a time when companies are hiring fewer people.
IC helps reduce thermal stress on processors in phones and tablets
May 29, 2013 9:39 am | Product Releases | Commentsams introduced the AS3721, a power management IC (PMIC) with an innovative remote-feedback circuit that helps reduce the thermal stress of applications processors in smartphones and tablets. When paired with new AS3729 point-of-load regulators from ams, the highly-integrated AS3721 provides a complete power management system....
Has Apple lost its cool? Its chief executive says no
May 28, 2013 10:35 pm | by By JENNA WORTHAM, Associated Press | News | CommentsIt has been a rough year for Apple. The company has battled fierce competitors like Samsung, come under scrutiny for tax avoidance and watched in dismay as its stock price took more dips and turns than a roller coaster. In a keynote interview Tuesday evening Apple’s chief executive, Timothy D. Cook, paused in thought...
Pushbutton switch available with RGB LED color options
May 28, 2013 1:58 pm | E-Switch | Product Releases | CommentsE-Switch announces an RGB color option for the ULP series LED illuminated pushbutton switch. You can order this switch with either SPDT or DPDT circuit options and either momentary or latching options. It offers multiple cap options including square sculptured, square flat, rectangular flat, panel mount, or large sculptured, all with LED color options that now include RGB.
Miniature PCIe clock generators tout very small footprint, low power
May 28, 2013 11:30 am | Silicon Laboratories Inc. | Product Releases | CommentsSilicon Labs has expanded its PCI Express (PCIe) timing solution portfolio with new one- and two-output PCIe clock generators that are said to offer the smallest footprint and lowest power in the market. Designed to meet the stringent specifications of the PCIe Generation 1/2/3 standards, the Si52111 and
Driving and hands-free talking lead to spike in errors: UAlberta study
May 28, 2013 11:18 am | by EurekAlert! | News | CommentsTalking on a hands-free device while behind the wheel can lead to a sharp increase in errors that could imperil other drivers on the road, according to new research from the University of Alberta. A pilot study showed that drivers who talk using a hands-free cellular device made significantly more driving errors...
China premier warns EU over solar, telecom probes
May 28, 2013 10:36 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsPremier Li Keqiang, China's top economic official, has criticized the European Union for pursuing anti-dumping cases against Chinese solar power and telecommunications equipment that he warned will hurt both sides. In a speech in Swizerland, Li said the action will hurt European consumers and might encourage trade protectionism...
Online sign language service makes life easier for the deaf
May 28, 2013 10:28 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsAn Internet-based sign language service launched by a university student a few years ago is finding its way into hotels, restaurants and other public places. The service involves a notebook or tablet computer through which a hearing-impaired person at, say, a shoe store, speaks in sign language to an interpreter...
