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HotSpot Episode 14: Wearable Technology: When Will it Arrive?
May 28, 2013 11:20 am | by Eric Sorensen, Coordinator of Multimedia Development | Videos | CommentsIn this week's HotSpot, researchers convert a Microsoft Kinect into a child-in-the-hot-car detector; the U.S Navy's X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstrator conducted its first touch-and-go landings; Leap Motion's ne teaser video; and the wearable tech revolution gets delayes.
Pasternack Adds All New Line of RF Coaxial Test Cables
May 28, 2013 11:08 am | by WDD Staff | Product Releases | CommentsPasternack Enterprises, Inc. has added a new line of SMA and N-Type Test Cables, ideal for testing applications requiring low insertion loss and operating frequencies up to 26.5 GHz. Features include availability in both in-series and between-series configurations.
Beckhoff’s New CX9020 Embedded PC Boosts Small Controller Performance
May 28, 2013 11:07 am | by WDD Staff | Product Releases | CommentsIn order to increase controller scalability while enhancing user functionality and flexibility, Beckhoff Automation has introduced the new CX9020 Embedded PC. The DIN rail mounted CX9020 is remarkably compact, robust, and equipped with a powerful 1 GHz ARM Cortex A8 processor.
Microchip’s New 36V Digital Potentiometers Support Wide Signal Swings
May 28, 2013 11:06 am | by WDD Staff | Product Releases | CommentsMicrochip Technology Inc. has announced two new volatile, SPI digital potentiometers (digipots) — the MCP41HV31 and MCP41HV51 (MCP41HVXX) — its first to operate at 10, 12, 18, 24, and particularly 36 volts, for systems requiring wide signal swing or high power-supply voltages.
Siemens Enhances Sinamics G120 Drive Platform with Industrial Ethernet Connectivity
May 28, 2013 11:06 am | by WDD Staff | Product Releases | CommentsSiemens has announced that its versatile Sinamics G120 drive system has been enhanced to include EtherNet/IP connectivity, thus providing maximum flexibility for industrial Ethernet communication while offering innovative concepts for those wanting a single network for the entire plant.
Yokogawa Announces Field Wireless Systems Partnership with Petrobras
May 28, 2013 10:18 am | by Yokogawa Electric Corporation | News | CommentsYokogawa Electric Corporation announces that its subsidiary, Yokogawa America do Sul Ltda., has signed a partnership agreement with Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. (Petrobras) on the evaluation of field wireless technology based on the ISA100.11a*1 industrial automation wireless communications standard.
Driving and Hands-Free Talking Lead to Spike in Errors
May 28, 2013 9:51 am | by Bryan Alary, University of Alberta | News | CommentsTalking on a hands-free device while behind the wheel can lead to a sharp increase in errors that could imperil other drivers on the road, according to new research from the University of Alberta. A pilot study by Yagesh Bhambhani, a professor in the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, and his graduate student Mayank Rehani, showed that drivers who talk using a hands-free cellular device made significantly more driving errors...
“Cloud” Signals Dark Days for Software Buyers
May 28, 2013 9:49 am | by Christopher Warner, Editor, ECN | Blogs | CommentsThe software industry is now making its predictable push toward fully cloud-based business models and leaving customer preference in the dustbin. Earlier this month, Adobe decided it will discontinue its Creative Suite product line and replace it with its Adobe Creative Cloud, which is a full subscription service.
Communications Satellite Launched into Space
May 28, 2013 9:42 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsA new military communications satellite has been launched into space. An unmanned Delta IV rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Friday evening. The satellite was the fifth Wideband Global satcom spacecraft to be launched. The satellite, which is being sent into an orbit that follows the earth's rotation 22,000 miles above the equator...
U.S. Intelligence Embraces Debate in Security Issues
May 28, 2013 9:29 am | by LARA JAKES, AP National Security Writer | News | CommentsIn the months leading up to the killing of Osama bin Laden, veteran intelligence analyst Robert Cardillo was given the nickname "Debbie Downer." With each new tidbit of information that tracked bin Laden to a high-walled compound in northern Pakistan — phone records, satellite imaging, clues from other suspects — Cardillo cast doubt that the terror network leader and mastermind was actually there.
Vintage Apple Computer Auctioned Off for $668,000
May 28, 2013 9:29 am | by Associated Press | News | CommentsAn auctioneer says one of Apple's first computers — a functioning 1976 model — has been sold for a record 516,000 euros ($668,000). German auction house Breker said Saturday an Asian client, who asked not to be named, bought the so-called Apple 1, which the tech company's founders Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak built in a family garage.
Report: Plans for Australia Spy HQ hacked by China
May 28, 2013 9:29 am | by ROD McGUIRK, Associated Press | News | CommentsAustralian officials on Tuesday refused to confirm or deny whether Chinese hackers had stolen the blueprints of a new spy agency headquarters as a news report claims. A tiny party essential to the ruling coalition's government demanded an inquiry into how much damage may have been done.
Iran's Approaching Vote Brings Receding Web Access
May 28, 2013 9:29 am | by BRIAN MURPHY, Associated Press NASSER KARIMI, Associated Press | News | CommentsFrom a computer keyboard in London, an Iranian emigre plays the role of counselor, social media guru and all-around adviser for Internet users back home seeking ways around the cyber-blocks set up by authorities in Tehran. These have been busy days.His Twitter account — which goes under the handle of Nariman Gharib — registers a steady stream of calls for help from Iran and responses about new proxy servers, dial-up modems and other...
Ivory Coast Techies Elect New 'Web Mayor'
May 28, 2013 9:28 am | by ROBBIE COREY-BOULET, Associated Press | News | CommentsA 22-year-old who lives with his parents is the new mayor of Ivory Coast's largest city, at least according to the West African nation's active community of self-described Internet geeks. Abidjan's budding network of bloggers, strategists, designers and Web entrepreneurs organized a separate vote for "Web Mayor," in late April days after Ivorians went to the polls for local elections.
With High-Tech Guns, Users Could Disable Remotely
May 24, 2013 10:42 am | by MARTHA MENDOZA, AP National Writer | News | CommentsA high-tech startup is wading into the gun control debate with a wireless controller that would allow gun owners to know when their weapon is being moved — and disable it remotely. The technology, but not an actual gun, was demonstrated Tuesday at a wireless technology conference in Las Vegas and was shown to The Associated Press in advance. It comes at a time when lawmakers around the U.S. are considering contentious smart gun laws...

