From smart wristwatches that record heart rates, to intelligent armbands that track physical activities, wearable electronics and fitness monitoring devices are attracting increased attention from health-conscious consumers, causing shipments of microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensors used in these products to more than quadruple in just five years. Starting with a stable base in the $20.0 million […]
Artificial intelligence
Who’s the Fool? – Profound Discoveries or Elaborate Pranks
We all know the old adage that surrounds the first day of April. We’ve all taken part in or fallen victim to an April Fools prank at some point. In the contemporary realm, April Fools has taken on an entirely different persona. April 1 used to be a day where the bully in school could […]
US: Hacking Undermines China’s Interests
BEIJING (AP) — Hacking that originates inside China is undermining its relationship with the United States and harms Beijing’s long-term interests, a top U.S. diplomat said Tuesday, in the latest high-level public expression of concern over a problem that has prompted threats of commercial retaliation from Washington. The U.S. believes cyber intrusions originating from China […]
Next Stop for Google Fiber: Austin, Texas
Google Inc. is expected to name tech-savvy Austin as the second city where the search giant will offer its ultra-fast home Internet service. Google and Texas Gov. Rick Perry scheduled a Tuesday morning announcement in Austin. Industry groups and observers are widely expecting Austin to receive Google’s fiber-optic network that’s capable of reaching speeds far greater […]
Google’s Android Target of Microsoft-Led Antitrust Complaint
BRUSSELS (AP) — A group of companies led by Microsoft have called on European authorities to launch an antitrust investigation into Google’s dominance of mobile Internet usage on smartphones. The “FairSearch” initiative of 17 companies — which includes Microsoft, Nokia, and Oracle — claims Google is acting unfairly by giving away its Android operating system […]
HotSpot Episode 7: The Future of Apple’s iPhone
This week on WDD’s HotSpot, brought to you by Memory Protection Devices https://memoryprotectiondevices.com: A recent Kickstarter campaign, MiiPC, allows parents to monitor and control what their kids are doing online via a parental control mobile app. The MiiPC provides real-time information about what is being done online, and by whom. Facebook’s recently announced Home, an […]
Google Names KC Company to Test Google Glasses
Google has selected a Kansas City company to test Google Glass, the search giant’s wearable computer device. The Kansas City Star reports (https://bit.ly/Z6Zn4O ) that Engage Mobile will join other Google Glass testers. The goal is to prepare Google Glass for launch next year. Engage Mobile is a mobile strategy, development and marketing firm. Founder […]
Kickstarter of the Week: NUIA eyeCharm
Pushing the worlds of makers and consumers together, 4tiitoo has developed a new eye tracking system to operate your home computer, but their Kickstarter campaign offers a few unique options. At the lower contribution levels, backers can get access to the NUIA Apps and their App development platform. At the highest levels, contributors get access […]
Material Turns ‘Schizophrenic’ on Way to Superconductivity
Rice University physicists on the hunt for the origins of high-temperature superconductivity have published new findings this week about a material that becomes “schizophrenic” — simultaneously exhibiting the characteristics of both a metallic conductor and an insulator. In a theoretical analysis this week in Physical Review Letters (PRL), Rice physicists Qimiao Si and Rong Yu […]
At the Core: Mobility Continues to Drive Supply Chain Growth
Mobility continues to be the hottest trend for the semiconductor and electronics industry. As though there were any need for supporting data, the major electronics shows from the first quarter of 2013 displayed and demoed the latest array of mobile devices. However, perhaps the most noteworthy disruption to these events was their overt focus on […]