Consumer
LED Thermal Management
August 19, 2010 7:44 am | Videos | CommentsThis training module from Digi-Key and TT Electronics/Optek Technology provides guidance on managing junction temperature of high-power visible LEDs, including ways to remove heat.
HDMI 1.4: Bringing 3D Video Home
August 19, 2010 7:27 am | by Thomas Dippon, Agilent Technologies | Articles | CommentsWhen HDMI version 1.4 was publicly released in October 2009, it included a number of new features. Most of the new features are barely moving the needle on the consumer electronics industry's Richter scale. But one new HDMI 1.4 feature -- the implementation of 3D video mode -- is about to buckle the pavement of the status quo.
New government mandate: FM chips in all mobile phones
August 18, 2010 7:04 am | by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | Articles | CommentsFor years, radio broadcasters and artists have duked it out over performance rights. Enter the highly-contentious Performance Rights Act, which would expand copyright law to include all public performances of copyrighted sound recordings. And it’s gotten even wilder: an amendment would mandate that all mobile phones contain FM radio chips.
Boost Device Drives up to 120 White LEDs
August 17, 2010 8:07 am | Product Releases | CommentsSemtech Corp. announced the SC442, a 10-channel white LED driver with an integrated 3A boost power switch. The device is capable of driving up to 120 LEDs at up to 30 mA per channel and is packaged in a low-profile 4 mm x 4 mm x0.6 mm, 28-pin MLPQ package. The SC442 operates
Class G and Class H Stereo Headphone Amplifiers Boast Low Power Consumption
August 16, 2010 9:39 am | Product Releases | Commentsaustriamicrosystems has announced the 30-mW AS3560 and AS3561 Stereo Headphone Amplifiers, that continuously adjust the supply rails in response to the input signal, thus drastically minimizing power consumption.
Creating the “Smart” Consumer
August 9, 2010 7:23 am | by Lauren DeStefano, Assistant Editor | Articles | CommentsIndesit’s Smart Washer uses Freescale’s ZigBee node to reduce energy by considering green power availability and energy cost in its operation.
Module Brings Optimized 64-bit Performance to COM Express
August 9, 2010 6:11 am | Product Releases | CommentsVIA Technologies, Inc, announced the addition of the VIA COME8X80 module to its COM Express portfolio; the first COM Express type product utilize the 64-bit VIA Nano E-Series processor. The VIA COME8X80 is
Linear LED Drivers Conserve Space in Portables
August 6, 2010 11:11 am | Fairchild Semiconductor | Product Releases | CommentsFairchild Semiconductor’s FAN5622/24/26 linear LED drivers tout a design that reduces overall component count by eliminating additional passive components used in charge pumps and series boost LED drivers. They feature an
12-Bit 500MSPS A-D Converter Delivers Low Power Consumption in a Miniature Package
August 3, 2010 12:37 pm | Product Releases | CommentsIntersil introduced a family of 8-, 10- and 12-bit 500MSPS analog to digital (ADC) converters. The lead product, the 12-bit, ISLA112P50IRZ 500MSPS converter, features power consumption of 468 milliWatts – said to be
Wolfson’s myZone technology delivers first digital ANC ASIC
August 3, 2010 9:06 am | Product Releases | CommentsWolfson Microelectronics plc has today announced the introduction of the innovative WM2002 stereo headphone driver, the world’s first commercially available digital ambient noise canceling (ANC) application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).
Lighting Management Unit for Mobile Applications Offers Flexibility
August 3, 2010 6:28 am | Product Releases | Commentsaustriamicrosystems has announced the AS3676, an Integrated Lighting Management Unit (LMU) with ambient light sensing (ALS) and dynamic luminance scaling (DLS). The chip integrates 13 current sinks, a high-efficiency step-up DC/DC converter and high-power charge-pump, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a
Low-Power, Small Form Factor Op Amps From Microchip
August 3, 2010 6:16 am | Microchip Technology Inc. | Product Releases | CommentsMicrochip Technology Inc., a leading provider of microcontroller, analog and Flash-IP solutions, today announced the MCP6401/2/4 Operational Amplifiers (Op Amps), which add to Microchip’s general-purpose op amp portfolio by providing lower power consumption in small packages.
Supertex Introduces Off-Line, Scalable Output, Inductorless Switching Regulator
August 2, 2010 11:44 am | Product Releases | CommentsSupertex, Inc. (Nasdaq GS: SUPX), a recognized leader in high voltage analog and mixed signal integrated circuits (ICs), today introduced the SR10, a capacitor-coupled, switched shunt regulator for direct AC line operation.
Phihong's 36W, Desktop Adapter Provides Cost- and Energy-Efficiency
August 2, 2010 9:57 am | Phihong | Product Releases | CommentsPhihong, one of the most trusted names in power electronics, has developed an energy-efficient, 36W, Class 2 universal desktop adapter.
Ballmer: Tablet coming 'as soon as we can'
July 30, 2010 6:22 am | News | CommentsMicrosoft will compete with Apple's iPad, but it isn't saying when. Microsoft Corp. CEO Steve Ballmer says the company is working with Intel Corp. and computer makers to perfect tablet touch-screen computers.
A Tutorial on Microswitch-Based Joysticks
July 30, 2010 4:43 am | Videos | CommentsThis tutorial provided by Digi-Key and APEM Components explains joystick basics, as well as the physical variants and applications for Apem microswitch joysticks.
Sixth Sense Technology TED
July 29, 2010 11:26 am | by Phrozn | Videos | CommentsOriginal (Nov 18th) video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrtANPtnhyg&fmt=6 At TEDIndia, Pranav Mistry demos several tools that help the physical world interact with the world of data -- including a deep look at his SixthSense device and a new, paradigm-shifting paper "laptop." In an...
Hands-On With The LG Expo Projector Phone
July 29, 2010 6:25 am | by PCMagazineReviews | Videos | CommentsThe LG Expo is a Windows Mobile smartphone for AT&T with a built-in pico projector.
PicoP® Display Engine at Heart of Game Demo
July 28, 2010 11:25 pm | by mvisvideo | Videos | CommentsPlayers of first-person shooter computer games traditionally play while seated with a keyboard, mouse, and fixed monitor. However, these hardcore gamers soon may be unleashed from their stationary position to enjoy a realistic virtual combat experience with life-sized video images,...
The Astounding World of the Future
July 28, 2010 8:23 pm | by xml8000 | Videos | CommentsA funny mid-20th century newsreel featuring amazingly accurate predictions of the year 2000. BEST SHORT FILM - New York Comedy Film Festival OFFICIAL SELECTION Montrael Just For Laughs Comedy Festival Chicago Short Film Festival Written and Directed by Scott Dikkers Starring Tim Harrod,...
Wikipedia Reader Uses 8-Bit Computing Power
July 28, 2010 7:42 am | News | CommentsA digital book reader could bring information to students in developing countries using a technology that is long past its prime: 8-bit computing.
iPhone “jailbreaking” exempt from DMCA
July 28, 2010 6:26 am | by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | Articles | CommentsThe feds have just dropped a bomb: The Library of Congress has added exemptions to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) that make “jailbreaking” legal. Apart from fundamentally altering Apple’s business model, the ruling has re-opened the schism between supporters and opponents of digital rights management.
Wireless Receivers Intended for Automotive and Consumer Applications
July 26, 2010 5:54 am | Product Releases | CommentsInfineon Technologies AG introduced an enhanced family of three wireless control receivers offering highest available sensitivity and low power consumption. The TDA5240, TDA5235 and TDA5225 devices provide multi-band support (315MHz, 434MHz, 868MHz and 915MHz) for worldwide coverage...
August Roundtable - Why Adopt 'Green' Technology?
July 22, 2010 6:16 am | by Alix Paultre, Editor-in-Chief | Articles | CommentsThe Roundtable question for August is “How much do you feel the current push for “green” tech comes from image and the desire to appear ecologically responsible, and how much does it come from a true pursuit of performance improvement in power systems?”
Porsche novelty mouse makes great gift
July 21, 2010 5:22 am | by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | Blogs | CommentsIf, like most of us, you can’t afford a Porsche, a mouse shaped like a Porsche is the next best thing. As novelty computer mice go, this is one of the coolest I’ve seen. Avant Garde Gifts was kind enough to send me a sample of the “Motormouse,” and I’ve been evaluating it this week.
