Electronics
Keep up to date with Gizmag's coverage of CES 2009
It's time for CES 2009 and Gizmag has a team on the ground in Las Vegas to bring you the latest coverage of the highlights from this year's premiere techno-fest. Check out our full coverage here and keep an eye out for regular updates throughout the week. Read More
Load video and MP3s while charging your Electric Car
Panasonic plans to unveil a networking system that can exchange data between an electric car and home devices via electrical wiring at January's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The electric car networking prototype allows people and devices inside the home to check on an electric vehicle while it is being recharged. It will be one of several research developments on show at the HD-PLC Alliance stand in the Las Vegas Convention Center's South Hall, Panasonic says. Other prototypes will include an HD-PLC adapter for a security camera and an electrical monitoring system. Read More
Behavioral screening could boost airport security
If terrorists aimed to frustrate millions of air travelers with time consuming pre-flight baggage searches they definitely seem to have made progress, but new technologies used to analyze human behavior could provide an alternative to the time consuming process of analyzing the content of passengers’ carry-on luggage. These systems would detect signs of emotional strain that could indicate that a passenger may intend to commit an act of terror. It might sound like science fiction, but such technology is much further advanced than most might think, and it’s not surprising that Israel, a country that faces constant security threats, has become a leader in developing such technologies. Read More
HP and Arizona State University reveal flexible, unbreakable display
HP and Arizona State University (ASU) have announced the first prototype of their affordable, flexible electronic displays. The unbreakable displays were created by ASU’s Flexible Display Center and HP using self-aligned imprint lithography (SAIL) technology developed by HP Labs, HP’s central research arm. HP claims the production feat is a milestone in the industry’s efforts to create a mass market for high-resolution flexible displays. Plus, from an environmental standpoint, the displays leapfrog conventional display processes by using up to 90 percent less materials by volume.
Sony uses 19th century zoetrope technology to showcase BRAVIA TVs
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Sony has revitalized some fascinating old technology in order to spruik the cutting-edge Motionflow 200Hz capabilities of the new line of BRAVIA TVs. Measuring 10 meters in diameter and able to spin at speeds of over 50kph, the BRAVIA-drome is based on the zeotrope – a device invented in the 19th century to create short ‘films’ from a series of static images – which is seen as a perfect way to demonstrate just how Sony’s Motionflow 200Hz technology works to create smooth motion images. Read More
Sharp's LCD Christmas Tree
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In a nod to Christmas cheer and the spirit of giving, Sharp has unveiled a 26-foot tall tree comprising 43 of its AQUOS LCD televisions. Aside from enhancing the holiday atmosphere, the “AQUOS Experience” in New York’s Grand Central Terminal represents Sharp’s donation to non-profit organization, the Hope Program. Read More
Meraki Solar powered Wi-Fi
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Meraki, a company whose aim is to ‘bring affordable Internet access to the next billion people’, is hoping their solar-powered Wi-Fi unit will do just that. The Meraki Solar is designed to provide wireless coverage over large outdoor areas with a minimum of fuss by removing the need to run power cables. Each unit is self-contained and ready to mount on roofs, poles, or anywhere the sun shines and is designed to provide 24/7 uptime in most locations worldwide by running on its own solar charged battery. Read More
Toshiba to launch 16GB microSDHC
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The ever-increasing rise in memory capacities continues with Toshiba launching an industry largest 16GB microSDHC memory card onto the market. They have also further extended their range by adding ultra fast read write 8GB and 16GB SDHC cards. Read More
The Energy Detective keeps electricity bills low
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November 24, 2008 If you’re looking at ways of reducing energy consumption be it to do your bit to save the planet or reduce the load on your wallet for the expected economic winter, here’s a very good starting point. The Energy Detective (TED) is a US$145 real-time electricity monitoring device and as it can be expected to result in the saving of 10-20% on your electricity bills, the ROI should be less than 12 months. TED can tell you how much energy your air conditioner, computer, or dishwasher are using and accurately predict your next power bill weeks in advance. There’s also optional US$45 software which enables you to analyse energy usage every-which-way on your PC. Read More
Micro generator produces power from movement
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A micron-scale generator that uses zinc oxide wires to produce alternating current could be woven into clothing to power wireless devices or implanted in the body to monitor vital signs. A team led by Zhong Lin Wang at the Georgia Institute of Technology’s Center for Nanostructure Characterization has developed the generator, which can produce an oscillating output voltage of up to 45 millivolts. Read More
Intel launches record breaking Core i7 desktop processor
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Intel has launched what it is touting as the fastest desktop processor on the planet. The Intel Core i7 processor is Intel’s most advanced desktop processor ever and is the first member of their new Nehalem family of processor designs. The Core i7 holds a new world record of 117 for the SPECint_base_rate2006 benchmark test – the first time any single processor has exceeded 100 points. It incorporates new technologies that boost performance on demand and maximize data throughput to speed video editing, resource hungry 3D games and other Internet and computer activities by up to 40 per cent without increasing power consumption. Read More
USB 3.0 moves closer
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This week's SuperSpeed USB Developers Conference in San Jose, California marks a significant milestone in the march towards the next generation of USB devices. The first public release of the Revision 1.0 Specification USB 3.0 is coinciding with a demonstration by Symwave of the first device to meet this new standard, which at 10 times faster than current USB transfer rates, will save a lot of people a lot of time. Read More
30 petabyte storage facility for climate and weather records
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Analysis of the Earth’s climate relies on and generates a huge amount of data. No one knows this better than the folks at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), who have announced the arrival of AMSTAR, a new digital storage library that will preserve and protect 30 petabytes of valuable scientific data for the next 15 to 20 years. The new system, designed by Sun Microsystems, Inc. and based on the Sun StorageTek SL8500 Modular Library, will give NCAR five times its current storage capacity, enabling it to generate increasingly sophisticated computer studies of Earth’s climate. Read More
NVIDIA Quadro FX 5800 - the first graphics card with 4GB memory
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Launched under the by-line of "the most powerful professional graphics card in graphics history", NVIDIA 's new flagship Quadro FX 5800 graphics card features up to 240 CUDA programmable parallel cores and world first 4GB GDDR3 GPU Memory offering bandwidth up to 102GB/sec. Read More
Sun Unified Storage Systems offer simplified, cost-effective data management
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Sun Microsystems has introduced the first products in its Unified Storage System line-up with the promise of breakthrough diagnostics and troubleshooting capabilities, optimized performance, one-fourth the energy consumption, simple installation and configuration in under five minutes and up to 75% cost savings compared to competing storage systems. Read More
Gemalto introduces credit card-sized reader for online banking
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Digital security provider Gemalto has unveiled the Ezio Thin Reader, a credit card-sized authentication device for online banking, e-commerce, phone banking and other e-banking transactions that prevents the user from having to type their PIN on the vulnerable environment of a workstation keyboard. Read More
Samsung demontrates color carbon nanotube-based electrophoretic display
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October 20, 2008 Electronic paper is one of those technologies that offers obvious benefits. It provides highly visible displays in direct sunlight due to its reliance on reflected light to view text and images, and it is much more energy efficient as it can retain images without constant refreshing. With a number of different technologies vying for the e-paper crown and the financial reward such a title would bring, Samsung has demonstrated the world’s first carbon nanotube-based color active matrix electrophoretic display (EPD) e-paper. Read More
GE develops battery-free RFID tags
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GE Global Research has announced a new type of radio-frequency identification (RFID) sensor that by-passes the need for on-board batteries by drawing power wirelessly from a hand-held reading device. The significance of the design is that it facilitates the manufacture of much smaller sensors at low cost, opening up a new range of potential applications from measuring the freshness of packaged food goods to more effective detection of biological threats. Read More
Wireless HDMI solution from Gefen
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Cords and wires are the bane of any technophile’s existence. They are a pain to set up and inevitably form an unruly tangle that's just plain messy. The introduction of HDMI went a long way to reducing the unsightly clutter running from behind the lounge room AV set up by combining high definition sound and video in one convenient cable. But now connectivity solutions company Gefen has gone one step further with their Wireless for HDMI Extender, which comprises a local sender unit which is paired to a receiver unit at a remote location. Read More
Garmin GPSMAP 600 series: one for the road... and the sea
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Garmin has combined elements of marine GPS navigation with a touchscreen user interface derived from the nüvi line of automotive units for its latest multi-functional offering - the GPSMAP 600 series. The GPSMAP 640 and GPSMAP 620 (which is designed for markets outside the US) both feature a ruggedized, waterproof 5.2” WVGA touchscreen display and come preloaded with both street maps and marine charts. Read More
Zoombak upgrades interactive mapping capabilities
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Zoombak has added Microsoft Virtual Earth online mapping to its Assisted-GPS Locator range, enabling street-level and aerial views in addition to standard map navigation. The new functionality of is available to existing customers without any upgrade to hardware or service agreements. Read More
eBook reader with mulitple formats from BeBook
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Dutch-based BeBook has launched its portable eReader in the UK, offering compatibility with over 20 eBook formats and a large choice of online stores from which to buy eBooks. The eReader incorporates Vizplex technology and precise one-handed navigation to help users enjoy their library of best sellers, cult classics or the latest magazines. Read More
USB-enabled smart transit card to trial in France
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Smart cards that combine RFID contactless transaction capability with USB connectivity will be trialed by French public transportation company SNCF according to a report from RFID Journal. As well as working with existing RFID transaction infrastructure, Neowave's Weneo smart cards enable users to purchase tickets from a PC at home using the USB connection... and it's also a handy 4GB portable data storage device. Read More
Sony's high-speed Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX
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Sony is releasing the Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX this October, in 4GB and 8GB capacity. The memory card has a reading speed of 20MB/s and a writing speed of 15MB/s - and when used with the supplied USB adaptor, it transfers data one third faster than the Memory Stick PRO Duo (Mark 2). Read More
SanDisk SDHC cards reach record-setting 30MB/s transfer speed
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New cards in the SanDisk Extreme III SDHC line have set a transfer speed record of 30 megabytes per second – 50% faster than the company's 20MB/s cards. The SanDisk Extreme III 30MB/s Edition SDHCcards will hit shelves in September, for a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of US$64.99 for the 4GB model, $109.99 for the 8GB model, and $179.99 for the 16GB model. Read More
Gearing up for the 2008 IFA
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One of the world's biggest consumer electronics fests gets underway in Berlin this Friday and IFA organizers promise an even bigger event this year - 122,000 square meters of display space and 1,245 exhibitors including 807 from 63 countries abroad (almost twice the number of countries represented last year) and more gear on display including for the first time, domestic home appliances. Gizmag will again be there to bring you the best of the show - stay tuned in coming days. Read More
Intel researchers working to commercialize wireless power sources
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Drawing on significant 2007 work by MIT, Intel researchers are hoping to "cut the final cord" and do away with power cords using wireless electricity transmission pioneered by Nikolas Tesla more than 100 years ago. Read More
TouchKit: the open source, multi-touch screen developer's kit
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The Apple iPhone has given us a tiny glimpse of the huge potential of multi-touch screens as a next-gen super-interactive computer interface. And while we wait for Microsoft Surface to get its act together as a consumer product, a cheap and simple kit has just been launched that allows open source developers to experiment and build applications in C++ using a full multi-touch screen interface. Read More
Electrical rubber could be used as synthetic skin for robots
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Scientists at the University of Tokyo have created a material with the texture and flexibility of rubber, but possessing more than 570 times the electrical conductivity. Made by grinding carbon nanotubes with an ionic liquid and adding it to rubber, the material could be used to make intelligent steering wheels and mattresses, stretchable television displays, or sensitive e-skin for robots. Read More
Yet another flat panel display technology from Sony
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July 14, 2008 Sony’s XEL-1 OLED television hasn’t yet had its first birthday and the company is already planning a successor. Digital World Tokyo is reporting Sony affiliate Field Emission Technologies (FET), which Sony currently owns just under 40 percent of after spinning the company off at the end of 2006, is planning to begin mass production of Field Emission Display (FED) panels by the end of 2009. Read More
Sony’s DVDirect DVD Recorder
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The Sony VRDMC3 DVDirect DVD Recorder does just what its name suggests – it records to DVDs directly from other sources, and it does so without the need for a PC. The VRDMC3 can record from just about any source such as camcorders, DVDs or VCRs, thanks to the provided USB, Firewire, S-Video and composite inputs. In addition to video, still images can be copied directly from memory card to DVD as a slideshow or for photo storage by using the built-in 5-in-1 card reader. PictBridge compatibility allows the unit to interface directly with a printer and images can be previewed using the 2.5-inch colour LCD that sits on top of the unit. Once selections have been made they can be copied to disc using the large "record" located just below the screen. Read More
Firebox VHS to digital video converter
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When a new technology usurps a previous one there are often casualties. With the downfall of VHS the casualties were the stacks and stacks of VHS cassettes people had collected over the 30 year period when VHS ruled the Earth. Of course there’s no need to say goodbye to those precious magnetic memories with a range of digital converting options available - but possibly none as easy as that provided by the imaginatively titled USB VHS Converter. Just connect the machine to a PC, pop a tape in the machine, select your desired output format and press play. Read More
Nyko PS3 Media Hub with USB ports
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July 7, 2008 When Sony cut the price of their PS3 console in late 2007 they also cut a few features including backwards compatibility with many PS2 titles, memory card reader, and a couple of USB ports. Gaming peripherals manufacturer, Nyko Technologies, has addressed two of these three losses with their Media Hub for the PlayStation 3. The Media Hub attaches to any available USB port and provides three additional USB connections as well as a media card reader that supports SD cards and Memory Sticks. The unit is designed to match the color and shape of the PS3, is compatible with all versions of the PS3 and snaps into position so it can be used with the PS3 in either the horizontal or vertical position. Now if only they could come up with a $20 USB device to give the PS3 back its backwards compatibility they’d be sure to make many a console owner happy. Read More
TrueTouch touchscreen solution
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Cypress Semiconductor Corp. has launched the TrueTouch touchscreen, a single-chip model that can interpret up to 10 inputs from all areas of the screen simultaneously. The “multi-touch all point” feature could be used for inputting multiple locations into a GPS, gaming, keyboard implementations, or the efficient adjustment of sound and video settings. Read More
Roadrunner: supercomputer breaks petaflop barrier
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June 17, 2008 A collaboration between IBM and the Los Alamos National Laboratory has resulted in the world's fastest supercomputer. Roadrunner can run at speeds above the "petaflop barrier" of 1,000 trillion operations per second, making it twice as fast as IBM's Blue Gene/L™ and opening up an era of science at a previously unseen scale. Read More
