Driverless car
Governor Jerry Brown of California will most likely sign off soon on the proposed bullet train between Los Angeles and San Francisco. It has been characterized by the Obama administration and its other supporters as an effective way to reduce highway congestion. These costs amount to more than $100 billion annually in wasted time and higher fuel expenses.
Continue reading… “Are we ready for driverless cars?”
Sony Walkman
Technology is all about standing on the shoulders of giants, with companies taking and refining each others’ ideas. But which technologies were truly transformative, blazing trails that the rest of the tech industry would soon follow?
Continue reading… “Top 10 most influential gadgets ever”
What amazing new devices will utilize this invention?
University of Utah physicists invented a new “spintronic” organic light-emitting diode or OLED that promises to be brighter, cheaper and more environmentally friendly than the kinds of LEDs now used in television and computer displays, lighting, traffic lights and numerous electronic devices…
Continue reading… “Physicists invent ‘Spintronic’ LED”
Robots made by Kiva Systems move product shelves on a warehouse floor.
Author and entrepreneur Christopher Steiner tells the story of stockbroker Thomas Peterffy, the creator of the first automated Wall Street trading system in the new book due next month, Automate This. Using a computer to execute trades, without humans entering them manually on a keyboard, was controversial in 1987—so controversial that Nasdaq pressured him to unplug from its network. Then, with a wink, Peterffy built an automated machine that could tap out the trades on a traditional keyboard—technically obeying Nasdaq rules. Peterffy made $25 million in 1987 and is now a billionaire.
Continue reading… “Automate or perish – has it come to this?”
Apple
When an Apple programmer’s project got canceled, he wasn’t worried. Ron Avitzur just kept sneaking into the office until the program was finished.
Continue reading… “How an unemployed programmer kept sneaking into Apple to complete the job”
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_d6KuiuteIA&hd=1[/youtube]
A new rival is bringing some serious competition to Microsoft when it comes to bringing motion controls to desktop and laptop computers. Leap Motion has just launched a gesture-control device that may not be as powerful as Kinect for Windows, but is definitely cheaper.
Programming is about building a better mousetrap.
There are at least a dozen up-and-coming computer programming languages vying to become the next C++ or Java today.
Continue reading… “New computer programming languages to watch”
Samsung’s latest sets feature built-in HD cameras, microphone sets and face and speech recognition software.
Top-of-the-line plasmas and LED HDTVs by Samsung offer new features never before available within a television including a built-in, internally wired HD camera, twin microphones, face tracking and speech recognition. These new features give you unprecedented control over your HDTV, but the devices themselves are more similar than ever to a personal computer and may allow hackers or even Samsung to see and hear you and your family, and collect extremely personal data.
Continue reading… “Your new tv could be watching you”
Lego
We’ve seen some pretty awesome Lego creations in the past, including a Volkswagen van, Angry Birds, and even the heart of the Large Hadron Collider. But what about Lego inventions that actually work? Here are some of our favorite, fully functional Lego creations. (pics and videos)
Continue reading… “5 cool Lego inventions that really work”
3D technology hasn’t saved TV.
People are watching less broadcast and cable TV, according to a survey from Accenture. Less than a third intend to buy a new TV in 2012. Smartphones, tablets and computers are eroding traditional TV viewing — bad news for TV manufacturers and traditional content providers.
Continue reading… “Less than one third of Americans will buy a new TV in 2012”
Toyota Fun-Vii
A futuristic concept car resembling a giant smartphone was unveiled by Toyota’s president to demonstrate how Japan’s top automaker is trying to take the lead in technology at the upcoming Tokyo auto show.
Continue reading… “Fun-Vii: Toyota’s futuristic concept car a giant ‘smartphone on four wheels’”
A virtual school delivers lessons online to a child who progresses at her own pace.
K12 Inc.. a Virginia company leading a national movement to replace classrooms with computers — in which children as young as 5 can learn at home at taxpayer expense — is facing a backlash from critics who are questioning its funding, quality and oversight.
Continue reading… “Virtual schools growing, critics question effectiveness to educate children”
By delving into the futuring techniques of Futurist Thomas Frey, you’ll embark on an enlightening journey.
Learn More about this exciting program.