Consumer
AI computer program develops free downloadable game for Christmas
December 18, 2012 3:25 pm | News | CommentsResearchers at Imperial College London have developed an Artificially Intelligent (AI) computer program that has itself designed a video game for the Christmas season, which can be downloaded for free today. The game developed by the AI computer program is called "A Puzzling Present".
10 hot consumer trends for 2013
December 18, 2012 10:24 am | News | CommentsAs 2012 draws to a close, Ericsson ConsumerLab has identified the hottest consumer trends for 2013 and beyond. Michael Björn, Head of Research at ConsumerLab, says: "Our global research program is based on annual interviews with over 100,000 individuals in more than 40 countries and 15 megacities....
Beyond sensor fusion: Making smartphones smarter
December 17, 2012 4:09 pm | by Ian Chen, Executive Vice President, Sensor Platforms, Inc., www.sensorplatforms.com | Articles | CommentsSensor fusion is now integrated into most smartphones and tablets, enabling many mobile apps. But consumers want more: they want their mobile devices to be even smarter without having to learn any new interfaces themselves. This article provides an overview of a new class of sensor applications that go beyond sensor fusion....
Internet crackdowns around the world: From political opposition to video sharing
December 17, 2012 9:41 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- Envoys in Dubai signed a new U.N. telecommunications treaty Friday that a U.S.-led delegation says endorses greater government control of the Internet. The U.S. and more than 20 other countries refused to ratify the accord by the 193-nation International Telecommunications Union
AP-GfK Poll: Science doubters say world is warming
December 17, 2012 9:37 am | by SETH BORENSTEIN AP Science Writer | News | CommentsA growing majority of Americans think global warming is occurring, that it will become a serious problem and that the U.S. government should do something about it, a new Associated Press-GfK poll finds. Even most people who say they don't trust scientists on the environment say temperatures are rising.
Apple iPad shipments to reach 100 million in 2013?
December 14, 2012 4:29 pm | by David Hsieh, DisplaySearch | Blogs | CommentsIn 2012, Apple’s iPad continues to dominate tablet PC panel production. According to our Quarterly Large Area TFT Panel Shipment Report, panel makers including Samsung, LG Display, Sharp and Innolux will ship 70 million 9.7” iPad panels in 2012. Of those, 23 million will be iPad 2 XGA panels and 47 million will be new iPad QXGA panels....
Augmented reality helps retailers get personal
December 14, 2012 12:16 pm | by Chris Warner, Executive Editor | Articles | CommentsWe’ve all been there. You’re shopping at your favorite store, perhaps running an errand for someone else. But in order to make the purchase, you need to know if it’s right for you. The sales associate is busy helping someone else, or they may be missing in action. You just need the details about the product so you can get it right the first time without having to return it later....
Engineering Newswire 17: Life-sized, programmable humanoid robot talks, sings, acts
December 14, 2012 8:49 am | Videos | CommentsToday on Engineering Newswire, we're working with the world's smallest wrench, crossing the pacific in an autonomous wave rider, and creating a humanoid robot that can walk, talk, and ... act? Today's episode features....
Will the Blackberry 10 save RIM?
December 13, 2012 10:55 am | by Kasey Panetta, Associate Editor | Articles | CommentsThough Research in Motion (RIM) is banking on the Blackberry 10 release in early 2013 to save the company, Karl Volkman, the Chief Technology Officer of SRV Network, isn’t convinced.“I think it might be too little too late,” Volkman says of the Canadian communications company.
Got food allergies? Thanks to UCLA, you can test your meal on the spot using a cell phone
December 13, 2012 9:07 am | by Eurekalert! | News | CommentsAre you allergic to peanuts and worried there might be some in that cookie? Now you can find out using a rather unlikely source: your cell phone. A team of researchers from the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science has developed a lightweight device called the iTube, which attaches to a common cell phone to detect allergens in food samples.
Google releases map app for iPhone nearly 3 months after Apple ousted the navigation system
December 13, 2012 9:00 am | by MICHAEL LIEDTKE AP Technology Writer | News | CommentsGoogle Maps have found their way back to the iPhone. The world's most popular online mapping system returned late Wednesday with the release of the Google Maps' iPhone app. The release comes nearly three months after Apple Inc. replaced Google Maps as the device's built-in
USB 2.0 Hi-Speed host controller IC provides providing 480 Mbit/s capability
December 10, 2012 2:29 pm | Product Releases | CommentsFuture Technology Devices International Limited (FTDI) has strengthened its portfolio of USB semiconductor solutions, with the release of the FT313H host controller IC. This feature-rich device supports USB 2.0 hi-speed (480 Mbits/s), as well as full-speed (12 Mbit/s) and low-speed (1.5 M bit/s) implementations.
3.2W Class-D audio amplifiers feature 12dB of fixed gain
December 10, 2012 1:43 pm | Product Releases | CommentsNuvoton Technology Corporation introduced the NAU82039, a family of new Class-D audio amplifiers designed to optimize portable consumer devices. The new Nuvoton NAU82039 features high-efficiency mono, analog-input 3.2W Class-D power amplifier with 12dB of fixed gain....
Continuously falling notebook PC panel prices
December 10, 2012 1:04 pm | by David Hsieh, DisplaySearch | Blogs | CommentsTrends in TFT LCD panel prices are very different for the three main applications. TV panel prices have been increasing for 3 quarters, and are becoming the main source of profit for panel makers; monitor panel prices are stagnant, as panel production has been falling due to weak demand....
The smartphone, the cloud, and the automobile
December 10, 2012 10:58 am | by Andy Gryc, QNX Software Systems | Articles | CommentsCES has become an important event for automakers to showcase their cars and, especially, the electronics in these cars. Automotive was a top line item in 2012, and 2013 will be no different. This trend is not surprising, considering that since the 1930s, when the Galvin brothers and Blaupunkt introduced the radio into the automobile....
Engineering Newswire 16: Designing an underwater hotel
December 10, 2012 9:17 am | Videos | CommentsToday on Engineering Newswire, we're taking our first taste test on Mars, building an underwater hotel, and powering the EcoBot with nothing more than poo. Today's episode features: Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Navy recently conducted the first land-based catapult launch of an unmanned system using the X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System.
Set-top box energy conservation agreement expected to save U.S. consumers $1.5 billion annually
December 7, 2012 10:10 am | News | CommentsFifteen industry-leading multichannel video providers and device manufacturers that deliver service to more than 90 million American households, are launching an unprecedented Set-Top Box Energy Conservation Agreement that will result in annual residential electricity savings of $1.5 billion or more as the commitment is fully realized....
Top 10 must-see posts for November
December 6, 2012 3:38 pm | by The ECN Editors | Articles | 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 and follow us on Twitter @ecnonline for our most up-to-date articles.
Should schools use RFID chips to track students?
December 6, 2012 2:53 pm | by Kasey Panetta, Associate Editor | Articles | CommentsA few weeks ago, I came across an article on Slate talking about a school in Texas that had put RFID tags in the student ID cards that everyone has to wear. The article—available at the link--was a discussion on whether the tags were an invasion of privacy.
Robotcolypse: When the robots take over
December 6, 2012 2:08 pm | by Kasey Panetta, Associate Editor | Articles | CommentsWell friends, it appears the end is almost upon us. I’m not even referring to the end of the world a la the Mayan Calendar but rather an entirely different kind of a not-so-hostile takeover: robots. We’ve touched on robots taking over before, but this time, it’s getting serious. This robot was designed to actually replace humans.
Saudi Arabia's new "tracking" system for women
December 6, 2012 12:33 pm | by Kasey Panetta, Associate Editor | Articles | CommentsWhen you work in the tech world, your days are usually full of creative people doing incredible things; on the darker days, you occasionally stumble on people (or governments) using technology in ways that make your skin crawl. Reports out of Saudi Arabia are saying when
10 to 30-watt switchers feature narrow 2-inch width
December 6, 2012 12:14 pm | Product Releases | CommentsTDK Corporation announces the release of TDK-Lambda’s new ZWS10-30B Series of open-frame, 2-inch wide power supplies, with output power ratings of 10, 15, and 30-watts. These high-density, high efficiency, low profile power supplies are designed for a wide variety of applications including....
Retailers employ crony capitalism in push for online sales tax
December 5, 2012 5:11 pm | by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | Articles | CommentsThe Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) has written a letter to Congress urging them to pass the Marketplace Fairness Act by the end of the year. This "e-fairness legislation" would allegedly "close the decades-old loophole enjoyed by online-only retailers" and "restore free market principles."
Engineering Newswire 15: Disney robots play catch with your kids
December 4, 2012 9:54 am | Videos | CommentsToday on Engineering Newswire, brought to you by PD&D TV, we're playing catch with Disney robots, colonizing mars with deep pocketed donors, and beaming aboard a Star Trek classroom. This episode features....
Engineering Newswire 14: Blowing up James Bond's Aston Martin
December 4, 2012 9:49 am | Videos | CommentsToday on Engineering Newswire, brought to you by PD&D TV, we're propelling bio-bots with rat blood, creating a dancing robot, "Gangnam Style", and blowing up James Bond's Aston Martin. This episode features....
