http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/computers_math/mobile_computing/ Mobile Computing Technology. Read the latest research on cell phones, pda devices and new mobile computing products. en-us Thu, 24 Jul 2008 08:05:01 EDT Thu, 24 Jul 2008 08:05:01 EDT 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/computers_math/mobile_computing/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080723134434.htm Since the idea of using DNA to create faster, smaller, and more powerful computers originated in 1994, scientists have been scrambling to develop successful ways to use genetic code for computation. Now, new research suggests that if we want to carry out artificial computations, all we have to do is literally look around. A researcher has begun to develop a technique to turn our eyes and visual system into a programmable computer. Thu, 24 Jul 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080723134434.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080715152316.htm Personalized computer interfaces that adapt to each user's vision and motor abilities significantly speeds up computer tasks, especially in disabled users. A mathematical approach to design offers the first instantly customizable computer interface. Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080715152316.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080716161557.htm A new virtual environment enables scientists and engineers to interpret raw data collected with powerful instruments called dynamic atomic force microscopes. This is part of a research trend, with tools for other applications also being developed. Fri, 18 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080716161557.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080709163756.htm A breakthrough discovery may help aid the semiconductor industry's quest to squeeze more information on chips to accelerate the performance of electronic devices. Mon, 14 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080709163756.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080710113014.htm NIST has developed two demonstration software packages that show how Personal Identity Verification cards can be used with Windows and Linux systems to perform log-on, digital signing and verification, and other services. Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080710113014.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080708094128.htm Researchers have demonstrated functional components that exploit the magnetic properties of electrons to perform logic operations. Compatible with existing microtechnology, the new approach heralds the next era of faster, smaller and more efficient electronics. Wed, 09 Jul 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080708094128.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080707142838.htm It seems everyone's driving, even walking, with tiny electronic devices tucked into their ears. Conventional wisdom says they're safer. With wireless technology such as Bluetooth becoming commonplace, you can still conduct business or order pizza while keeping both hands on the wheel. But is the mind on the road? A PhD student in experimental psychology says hands-free cellphones are not safer and indeed may even be more dangerous than hand-held. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080707142838.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080701104402.htm Many able-bodied people make the same errors -- and with similar frequencies -- when typing and 'mousing' on mobile phones, as physically impaired users of desktop computers. This means that software already developed for PC users with disabilities may be applicable to mobile phones. Software may be able to automatically correct erroneous commands and help reduce annoying occurrences such as accidentally canceling a text message or calling someone by sitting on the phone. Wed, 02 Jul 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080701104402.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080701180141.htm Researchers have developed a technology that uses "microjets" to deposit liquid into tiny channels and remove five times more heat than other experimental high-performance chip-cooling methods for computers and electronics. Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080701180141.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080627163255.htm The odd behavior of a molecule in an experimental silicon computer chip has led to a discovery that opens the door to quantum computing in semiconductors. Researchers describe how they have created a new, hybrid molecule in which its quantum state can be intentionally manipulated -- a required step in the building of quantum computers. Sat, 28 Jun 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080627163255.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080625140626.htm New software lets blind and visually impaired people surf the Internet on the go. The computer science student who created the software, called WebAnywhere, says more accessibility tools must move from desktop machines to the Web. Fri, 27 Jun 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080625140626.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080624110921.htm The results of a multinational survey to be published in the International Journal of Mobile Communications reveals some surprises about cell phone use that have implications for organizations that rely on mobile communications. The study was undertaken by Robert Nickerson and Brenda Mak of San Francisco State University working with Henri Isaac of the University Paris-Dauphine. Thu, 26 Jun 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080624110921.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080623175329.htm Physicists have made an accidental discovery in the lab that has potential to change how information in computers can be transported or stored. Dependent on the "spin" of electrons, a property electrons possess that makes them behave like tiny magnets, the discovery could help in the development of spin-based semiconductor technology such as ultrahigh-speed computers. Wed, 25 Jun 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080623175329.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080619152239.htm Researchers are developing a miniature refrigeration system small enough to fit inside laptops and personal computers, a cooling technology that would boost performance while shrinking the size of computers. Tue, 24 Jun 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080619152239.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080619133111.htm The rapid convergence of social networks, mobile phones and global positioning technology has given engineers the ability to create something they call "virtual sticky notes," site-specific messages that people can leave for others to pick up on their mobile phones. Sat, 21 Jun 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080619133111.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080619103528.htm Computers are starting to become more human-centric, anticipating your needs and smoothly acting to meet them. The technologies under development leave humans free to concentrate on their real work instead of having to think about the computer and how to operate it. Sat, 21 Jun 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080619103528.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080616204649.htm Researchers have developed a technology for a plastic ferro-electric diode which they believe will achieve a breakthrough in the development of ultra low-cost plastic memory material. Tue, 17 Jun 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080616204649.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080616144859.htm Physicists have developed a model to explain the mechanism behind computing's elusive Holy Grail, the single molecular switch. If born out experimentally, his work could help explode Moore’s Law and could revolutionize computing technology. Tue, 17 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080616144859.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080610185625.htm Teenage drivers' cellphone use edged higher in North Carolina after the state enacted a cellphone ban for young drivers, a new study finds. This is the case even though young drivers and their parents said they strongly support the restrictions. Parents and teens alike believe the ban on hand-held and hands-free phone use isn't being enforced. Mon, 16 Jun 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080610185625.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080613174720.htm A low-power microchip uses 30,000 times less power in sleep mode and 10 times less in active mode than comparable chips now on the market. Mon, 16 Jun 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080613174720.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080611135030.htm Computer engineers have created a way to design integrated circuits that contain many individual selves. The chips can assume different identities, depending on the user's needs. The new method enables programmers to strategically reconfigure application-specific integrated circuits while preserving their advantages, such as speed and low power. The chips could be used for enhanced device security, content provisioning, application metering, device optimization and many other design tasks. Thu, 12 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080611135030.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080610092715.htm Researchers are harnessing the powers of digital communications technology to help young cancer patients at home manage the side-effects caused by chemotherapy. Teenagers and young adults use specially adapted mobile phones on which the patients can record and send details of all their symptoms to the medical professionals managing their care. Tue, 10 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080610092715.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080609071402.htm Teenagers who excessively use their cell phone are more prone to disrupted sleep, restlessness, stress and fatigue. When compared to subjects with restricted use of cell phones, young people with excessive use of cell phones (both talking and text messaging) have increased restlessness with more careless lifestyles, more consumption of stimulating beverages, difficulty in falling asleep and disrupted sleep, and more susceptibility to stress and fatigue. They behave more like larks than owls, suggesting a delayed biological clock. Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080609071402.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080606134607.htm The same Global Positioning System (GPS) technology used to track vehicles is now being used to track cows. But animal scientists have taken tracking several steps further with a Walkman-like headset that enables him to "whisper" wireless commands to cows to control their movements across a landscape --- and even remotely gather them into a corral. Sat, 07 Jun 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080606134607.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080606152512.htm In IBM's labs, miniscule rivers of water are cooling computer chips that have circuits and components stacked on top of each other, a design that promises to extend Moore's Law into the next decade and significantly reduce the energy consumed by data centers. Sat, 07 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080606152512.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080603184624.htm Movies portray robots that can move through the world as easily as humans, and use their hands to operate everything from dishwashers to computers with ease. But in reality, the creation of robots with these skills remains a major challenge. Researchers are solving this problem by giving a mobile robotic arm the ability to "see" its environment through a digital camera. Wed, 04 Jun 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080603184624.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080529162717.htm Is microwave radiation the nondestructive imaging technology of the future? Microwaves with frequencies from a few hundred gigahertz up to slightly over 1 terahertz, penetrate just a short distance into surfaces without the ionizing damage caused by X-rays. The technology could be used to detect skin cancer or image dental flaws beneath the enamel. Wed, 04 Jun 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080529162717.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080602114700.htm Computers of the future will change shape, respond to touch and physics, and fold into your pocket. The shape of things to come in the computer world will be anything but flat, predicts one computing professor, who is now developing prototypes of these new "non-planar" devices in his Human Media Laboratory. Tue, 03 Jun 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080602114700.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080531084958.htm The notion that talking on a cell phone while driving a car isn't safe seems obvious, yet what happens in the brain while it juggles the two tasks is not. A new study provides a better understanding of why language -- talking and listening, including on a cell phone -- interferes with visual tasks, such as driving. Sun, 01 Jun 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080531084958.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080528095936.htm Stanford chemists have developed a new way to make transistors out of carbon nanoribbons. The devices could someday be integrated into high-performance computer chips to increase their speed and generate less heat, which can damage today's silicon-based chips when transistors are packed together tightly. Thu, 29 May 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080528095936.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080520161340.htm Instant messaging. Blogs. Wikis. Social networking sites. Cell phones. All of these allow us to communicate with each other--wherever, whenever. Many people speculate that online and mobile technologies have widely impacted written language, especially that of teenagers and young adults. But a linguistics expert says that surprisingly, this probably isn't so. Sat, 24 May 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080520161340.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080521105255.htm Real-time access to manufacturing data is essential to modern factories. Researchers are developing software that takes advantage of the real-time data generated by smart devices to support real-time decision-making. Thu, 22 May 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080521105255.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080520214357.htm A major drawback of the latest generation video products and applications has been the complex requirements for coding and decoding signals. An alternative put forward by European researchers turns the traditional video coding paradigm on its head. Thu, 22 May 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080520214357.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080519083023.htm Engineers and applied physicists from Harvard University have demonstrated the first room-temperature electrically-pumped semiconductor source of coherent Terahertz radiation, also known as T-rays. The breakthrough in laser technology, based upon commercially available nanotechnology, has the potential to become a standard Terahertz source to support applications ranging from security screening to chemical sensing. Tue, 20 May 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080519083023.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080516094400.htm Scientists are investigating the characteristics of various types of materials for their use in the generation and measurement of precise movements. When the arms of a robot move to pick up an egg or an electric lamp, the greatest precision possible is essential. To this end, advances in the science and technology of materials have provided the design and control of systems equipped with sensors and actuators built with new materials. Sat, 17 May 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080516094400.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080516100946.htm A new study has discovered a particular window of time when mobile signals and radio waves are 'super strength' -- allowing them to be clearer and travel greater distances, potentially interfering with other systems. The research, examining the signal strength of radio waves travelling over the sea, identified late afternoons and early evenings in spring and summer as a time when enhanced signals occur. Fri, 16 May 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080516100946.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080512115938.htm Space scientist says texting in the United Kingdom is at least four times more expensive than receiving scientific data from space. Tue, 13 May 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080512115938.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080506120216.htm European researchers are making progress on piecing together a new generation of machines that are more aware of their environment and better able to interact with humans. While building robots with anything akin to human intelligence remains a far off vision, making them more responsive would allow them to be used in a greater variety of sophisticated tasks in the manufacturing and service sectors. Such robots could be used as home helpers and caregivers, for example. Fri, 09 May 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080506120216.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080506124443.htm Three researchers have proposed an innovative way to improve global climate change predictions by using a supercomputer with low-power embedded microprocessors, an approach that would overcome limitations posed by today's conventional supercomputers. Wed, 07 May 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080506124443.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080505120705.htm After launching a communications revolution, cell phones are talking up a potentially life-saving new role in telemedicine -- the use of telecommunications technology to provide medical diagnosis and patient care when doctors and patients are hundreds or thousands of miles apart. Researchers in the United States and Brazil describe development of a simple, inexpensive system that uses cell phone cameras to collect medical data from patients in developing countries for medical analysis by specialists located off-site. Tue, 06 May 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080505120705.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080430103109.htm Researchers have produced tiny liquid crystal devices with electrodes made from graphene -- an exciting development that could lead to computer and TV displays based on this technology. They report on the use of graphene as a transparent conductive coating for electro-optical devices -- and show that its high transparency and low resistivity make it ideal for electrodes in liquid crystal devices. Fri, 02 May 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080430103109.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080501155234.htm Researchers from HP Labs have proven the existence of what had previously been only theorized as the fourth fundamental circuit element in electrical engineering. This scientific advancement could make it possible to develop computer systems that have memories that do not forget, do not need to be booted up, consume far less power and associate information in a manner similar to that of the human brain. Thu, 01 May 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080501155234.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080501125446.htm Elderly patients suffering from chronic illnesses who receive 'virtual' care from a team of medical experts linked together via phone, fax and e-mail, make fewer emergency visits than patients who do not receive this kind of coordinated team care approach according to a new study by Rush University Medical Center. The study will be presented at the American Geriatrics Society's Annual Scientific Meeting on Friday, May 2. Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080501125446.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080428083418.htm Sometimes the diagnosis of episodes of illness in schizophrenia, rotatory vertigo, or reading and writing deficits needs electro-oculography (EOG), performed using a special medical apparatus. Researchers have developed spectacles that could in future make this technique portable. Mon, 28 Apr 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080428083418.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080424103646.htm The goal of replacing electronics with optics for processing data in computers is coming closer through cutting-edge European research into the mysterious properties of "fast and slow" light. The long-term aim is to boost processing speeds and data storage densities by several orders of magnitude and take the information technology industry into a new era, combining greatly improved performance with dramatically lower energy consumption. Sun, 27 Apr 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080424103646.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080423101810.htm Researchers have developed a method to calculate how a device can provide maximum functionality with a minimum quantity of processor and memory capacity. TVs, DVD players and mobile phones can malfunction when the inbuilt chips and software cease to cope with the increasingly large flow of data. Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080423101810.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080421133025.htm Although the digital age is well under way, one crucial detail remains to be worked out -- how to store vast amounts of digital information in a way that allows future generations to recover it. Wed, 23 Apr 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080421133025.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080418141246.htm A new computer simulation reveals a self-healing behavior that repairs radiation-induced damage in yttria-stabilized zirconia, indicating that the engineered ceramic may be suitable for use in development of radiation-resistant materials for nuclear power plants and nuclear waste storage. Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080418141246.htm