Apple’s iPhone has shaken up the cellphone business. Its next targets are Nintendo and Sony. The iPhone and the iPod touch, which feature big screens and powerful graphics, are emerging as serious competitors to Nintendo’s DS handheld and Sony’s PlayStation Portable. Game publishers such as Sega Corp. and Id Software Inc. are devoting more resources [...]
A wearable GPS device that accepts voice commands, takes pictures, and logs evidence could speed up crime scene investigation and reduce errors. The prototype consists of a small, thin computer about the size of a small book, which is equipped with GPS, a digital camera and an RFID tag reader. The computer is worn by [...]
A new breed of mechanics has begun hacking into car computers, and grease monkeys have morphed into automotive geeks. To tune up the first generation of computer-controlled cars, drivers bought chips with new engine maps from a handful of tuning companies. But because the chips were hard-wired, car owners were limited as to the changes [...]
Organic light-emitting diodes will revolutionize the way we use lighting, researchers say. Read (Christian Science Monitor)
They can steal your smartcard, lift your passport, jack your car, even clone the chip in your arm. And you won’t feel a thing. 5 tales from the RFID-hacking underground. Read (Wired)
Trying categories in OPML Editor after updating wordpress to ver 2 Categories worked now!! Now, can I successfully edit a post? Editing worked. Now, can I change the post category?? I can add a category, but it doesn’t appear that I can remove a category.
An electronic magnetic pulse, EMP, is generated by a nuclear explosion, or by a smaller-scale “e-bomb.” If a terrorist or rogue nation detonated a nuclear bomb a few hundred miles above the United States, the resulting shock wave could damage or disrupt electronic components throughout the country. The consequences could be catastrophic. Our life-sustaining critical [...]
“The Chevy HHR will help launch a new family of radios that will bring iPod connectivity to a broad range of GM vehicles,” said Paul Nadeau, director, infotainment displays and controls, for GM Engineering. “We think the ability to easily connect an iPod or other audio source directly into the vehicle audio system will be [...]
With all the antennas in some new cars – high-tech luxury sedans may carry 18 or more – it takes a major engineering effort to design vehicles that do not bristle with metal quills.
GPS, once a fabulously expensive tool for the military, has dropped in price enough to become part of everyday life. Businesses are moving in to offer satellite tracking of everything from school buses to errant spouses, selling security but also raising privacy concerns.
-The Washington Post
XM MyFi first impressions: I’ve tried using it as a portable several times. If you’re stationary, it works fine. If you’re moving, it is essentially useless unless you use the ultra-geeky mobile antenna. Without using the antenna, the signal keeps cutting out when you move. I tried clipping the antenna to the back of my [...]
While there’s been some concern in the past about various wireless devices interfering with pacemakers, it appears that WiFi is pacemaker safe. The Mayo Clinic ran a study testing pacemakers in the presence of a variety of WiFi enabled PDAs, and couldn’t detect any issues with them. Of course, the description of the test the Clinic ran doesn’t make them sound all that thorough. Basically, they testing a pacemaker around a few WiFi-enabled PDAs and nothing happened and, thus, they decided everything must be safe. While it’s probably fine, it would seem that a more convincing test could be run.
<p><a href="http://techdirt.com/articles/20041227/0029206_F.shtml">Via Techdirt</a></p>
Technology could mean fewer blackouts and more efficient electric motors.
Ten to Avoid, The Worst Products of the Year (pcmag.com) Devices to avoid at any cost this holiday season.
With its somewhat bulky contours and shiny silver case, Delphi’s MyFi portable satellite radio evokes an old transistor radio.
-The Washington Post
I ordered a MyFi yesterday, and when I told my wife, she said, “So, I can listen to Howard Stern now, right?” Sorry honey, buy that’s Sirius. Even my wife had heard that Howard Stern was moving to satellite radio. Sirius, you need a MyFi (portable) equivalent.
It’s a chore that can quickly chill the warmth of the holiday season: Trudging outside each winter night to unplug the lights, deflate the blowup snowman and shut off the rest of the outdoor extravaganza.
I’ve used X10 modules and remotes to control the Christmas lights for years. The kids love using the remotes to turn the Christmas lights on and off.
Big Brother In Your Car (charlotte.creativeloafing.com) The National Intelligent Transportation Systems Program Plan: A Ten-Year Vision Document was created in 2002 by the US Division of Transportation. It’s a chilling tale of big business and big government tracking your every move in your vehicle by 2012. Officials say that the system will be used to [...]
Read The Article (nytimes.com) Congress has cut the budget for the National Science Foundation, an engine for research in science and technology, just two years after endorsing a plan to double the amount given to the agency. Originally from memeorandum
Truckstop.net has halted operations, filed suit against Sprint Communications: A press release arrived out of the blue from highway-side Wi-Fi operator Truckstop.net that they had suspended operations due to equipment problems that the company alleges are the responsibility of Sprint Communications. Further, Truckstop.net has filed a suit against Sprint seeking $75,000,000. Full press release follows:…