60-Second Tech
Activity Overview
Episode publication activity over the past year
Episodes
Tablet Devices Keep Austistic People Working
06 Sep 2012
Contributed by Lukas
People with autism were kept on task at work with an iPod Touch featuring various checklist and prompting apps. Larry Greenemeier reports
Protect Privacy When Recycling Smart Phones
30 Aug 2012
Contributed by Lukas
A factory reset may not be enough to wipe the data from a smart phone you're planning to recycle. Larry Greenemeier reports
Can I, Robot, Mow Your Lawn?
23 Aug 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Honda is about to launch a robot to mow your lawn much like the Roomba vacuums your floors. Larry Greenemeier reports
Google: Piracy Accusations Will Lower Search Rankings
16 Aug 2012
Contributed by Lukas
As a nod to the entertainment industry, Google is threatening to give poor search-result rankings to sites accused of violating copyright claims. Larr...
Facebook Argues "Like" Is Free Speech
09 Aug 2012
Contributed by Lukas
After people were fired for a Facebook "like," a court ruled that a "like" is not protected free speech. Facebook and the ACLU disagree. Larry Greenem...
Distracted Pedestrian ER Visits Rise
02 Aug 2012
Contributed by Lukas
The number of gadget-distracted walkers injured seriously enough to be treated at emergency rooms has quadrupled in the past seven years. Larry Greene...
YouTube Promotes Anonymity with Face-Blurring Tool
26 Jul 2012
Contributed by Lukas
YouTube recently introduced a tool that lets you automatically blur faces in footage you upload to the Web. Larry Greenemeier reports
Apple to Repeat on the EPEAT
19 Jul 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Reversing a recent decision, Apple will conform to Electronic Products Environmental Asset Tool standards, or EPEAT, after all. Larry Greenemeier repo...
Cops Collect Ever More Mobile Device Info
12 Jul 2012
Contributed by Lukas
In 2011 law enforcement agencies made more than 1.3 million requests for customer cell phone records. Larry Greenemeier reports
Plastic Electronics Cease Stretching Credulity
06 Jul 2012
Contributed by Lukas
An experimental electronic plastic's liquid-metal interior keeps electrical connections intact even after the plastic stretches to more than four time...
Facebook Quietly Created New E-Mail Addresses
28 Jun 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Facebook surreptitiously modified user profiles to replace their original e-mail addresses with @facebook.com addresses. Larry Greenemeier reports
Microsoft Joins Tablet Fray
21 Jun 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Microsoft is not calling its new Surface PC a tablet, but in most meaningful ways it is. Larry Greenemeier reports
Companies Inflate Their Twitter Follow Numbers
15 Jun 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Many of the alleged Twitter followers for some companies are bots created by marketers to make the company look more popular. Larry Greenemeier report...
Holographic Guide Coming to NYC Airports
07 Jun 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Ava the Avatar is a virtual assistant coming to the three major New York City area airports for a tryout. Larry Greenemeier reports
Facebook Signals Phone Future
31 May 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Are Facebook's moves toward producing a smart phone smart or phony? Larry Greenemeier reports
Texts May Beat Phone Calls for Survey Honest Answers
24 May 2012
Contributed by Lukas
A study of 600 iPhone users found that people are more likely to provide honest and accurate information via text messages than voice interviews. Larr...
Most Users Are App Freeloaders
17 May 2012
Contributed by Lukas
The vast majority of mobile device users get only free or cheap apps. Larry Greenemeier reports
Look, Computer, No Hands!
14 May 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Microsoft hopes its SoundWave will let you interact with your PC using hand gestures in midair rather than on a keyboard. Larry Greenemeier reports
Microsoft Bets Big on B&N's Nook
03 May 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Microsoft and Barnes & Noble are teaming up to make a run at the e-reader market leaders. Larry Greenemeier reports
Apple Has Liquid Metal in Hand
30 Apr 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Apple bought a license for a liquid metal alloy in 2010, and the speculation now is that the next iPhone may incorporate the strong, flexible product ...
Computer Effects Virtually Resurrect Tupac
22 Apr 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Avatar director James Cameron's effects company created a virtual Shakur using physical characteristics and movements captured from previously recorde...
Microsoft Reaches into Purse for Apps
12 Apr 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Microsoft's Windows Phone needs more apps, for which Microsoft--unlike Apple or Google--is paying developers. Larry Greenemeier reports
Flying Car Debuts at New York City Auto Show
05 Apr 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Terrafugia's Transition two-seat "roadable aircraft" comes to the New York International Auto Show after a maiden flight. Larry Greenemeier reports
Compressed-Air Car Winds Way to Market
29 Mar 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Tata Motors hopes to release its compressed-air car in India by August. Larry Greenemeier reports
Use of Portable Electronics in Flight Still up in the Air
22 Mar 2012
Contributed by Lukas
The aviation industry lacks conclusive proof that gadgets do (or don't) interfere with instruments. Larry Greenemeier reports
Embedded Mini Projectors Coming to Smart Phones
16 Mar 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Researchers are developing small, energy-efficient and luminous three-color laser light sources into smart phones that will enable the projection of s...
Apple Plans a Cleaner Cloud
08 Mar 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Data centers powered by biogas and solar energy could make Apple's Cloud cleaner. Larry Greenemeier reports
Skype Video Chat Arrives for Windows Smart Phones
01 Mar 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Microsoft's test version of its new Skype for Windows Phone app lets you call Skype contacts over 3G, 4G and wi-fi networks. Larry Greenemeier reports
Heads Up for Smart Phone Glasses
23 Feb 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Google is developing a smart phone and heads-up display worn over the ears like a pair of specs. Larry Greenemeier reports
Mimicking Ear Makes Mobile Calls Clear
16 Feb 2012
Contributed by Lukas
The earSmart source separation system makes many mobile phone calls easier to understand in noisy situations. Larry Greenemeier reports
<i>Facebook</i> Users Gird for Mobile Ads
09 Feb 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Ads could hit Facebook mobile apps as soon as March. Will users mind on the small screen? Larry Greenemeier reports
Quantum Cryptography Comes to Smart Phones
02 Feb 2012
Contributed by Lukas
A quantum encryption technique out of Los Alamos National Laboratory could provide smart phone security. Larry Greenemeier reports
Hydrogen and Kinetic Energy Will Keep Phones Ringing
26 Jan 2012
Contributed by Lukas
A hydrogen fuel mini cell and a kinetic energy harvester are two new smart phone chargers debuting in 2012. Larry Greenemeier reports
Digital Health Care Puts Control in Consumer Hands
19 Jan 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Digital health care apps, especially via smart phones, are offering users unprecedented control over their health behaviors. Larry Greenemeier reports
Service Teaches Computer Code Online Free
12 Jan 2012
Contributed by Lukas
A start-up called Codecademy is teaching JavaScript online for free, with 300,000 takers so far. Michael Moyer reports
PC-Makers Bet On Ultrabooks
05 Jan 2012
Contributed by Lukas
With tablets all the rage, non-Apple computer manufacturers are banking on the latest small-laptop style: ultrabooks. Larry Greenemeier reports
Passwords Go Bye-Bye by 2017?
29 Dec 2011
Contributed by Lukas
IBM predicts biometrics will replace most password use in the next five years. Larry Greenemeier reports
NFL Puts Super Bowl Online
22 Dec 2011
Contributed by Lukas
For the first time, the Super Bowl will stream live on February 5--on the Web sites of both the NFL and NBC. Larry Greenemeier reports
Feds Seek Cell Ban Behind the Wheel
15 Dec 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Citing accident and injury stats, the National Transportation Safety Board has recommended a nationwide ban on the use of communications devices while...
Digital Rights Cloud Cloud-Based Streaming
09 Dec 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Cloud-based systems allow a single purchase to stream on a variety of devices. But it looks like Apple and the Keystone system will duke it out with e...
Gaming Tech Might Soon Read Facial Expressions
01 Dec 2011
Contributed by Lukas
As gaming tech closes in on the ability to tell players' expressions, can lip-reading artificial intelligence be far behind? Larry Greenemeier reports
Mobile Apps Help Celebrate Thanksgiving
23 Nov 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Apps now can tell you when Snoopy will float by at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade or the best way to deep-fry your turkey. Larry Greenemeier repor...
Belt Warns Visually Impaired about Obstacles
17 Nov 2011
Contributed by Lukas
The Kinecthesia belt has sensors and a series of motors that send vibrations to the wearer to indicate the position of obstacles. Larry Greenemeier re...
iPhone 4S Assistant Siri Does Her Beta Best
11 Nov 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Siri, the new iPhone 4S personal assistant, is a step closer to a keyboard-free future. Larry Greenemeier reports
New Insulator Could Help Grid Weather Storms
03 Nov 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Better insulation for high-voltage cables could keep them dry during deluges and cut transmission loss. Larry Greenemeier reports
Subjects Move Virtual Chopper with Thoughts
27 Oct 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Subjects using a new software package were able to control the movement of a virtual helicopter through an obstacle course using their thoughts alone....
Smarter Silicon Slicing Could Make Solar Competitive
20 Oct 2011
Contributed by Lukas
M.I.T. professor Ely Sachs gave up his faculty position to go all-in on a company that he believes can make solar energy competitive with coal via sma...
Cybersecurity Threats to Pick Up Steam in 2012
15 Oct 2011
Contributed by Lukas
A new Georgia Tech Information Security Center report cites search engines, mobile phones and personal information as prime targets for hackers. Larry...
Indoor GPS Makes Strides
06 Oct 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Efforts to develop an indoor version of GPS use smart phones and existing wi-fi. Larry Greenemeier reports
Adhesive Lets 3-D Microchips Go Deep
29 Sep 2011
Contributed by Lukas
IBM and 3M have come up with an adhesive that will allow them to stack up to 100 semiconductors onto a single microchip. Larry Greenemeier reports
Slower Wi-Fi Frequencies Stretch Smart Phone Batteries
22 Sep 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Researchers have developed a way to put smart phones almost to sleep to stretch battery life but keep the phones alert for incoming info. Rose Eveleth...
Smart Phone Antennas Could Double Network Capacity
08 Sep 2011
Contributed by Lukas
A clever way to send and receive both sides of a smart phone conversation on a single frequency could double wireless network capacity. Larry Greeneme...
Graphene Electronics Could Make Internet Way Zippier
01 Sep 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Nobel laureates added metallic nanostructures to graphene to vastly boost its photodetector qualities. Larry Greenemeier reports
Navy Uses Waves to Power Sensors
25 Aug 2011
Contributed by Lukas
An array of buoys that track vessel movement off the coast of New Jersey is being powered by ocean waves. Larry Greenemeier reports
Robot Rescuers Help Peace of Mine
18 Aug 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Sandia National Labs demonstrates its improved mine rescue robot. Larry Greenemeier reports
Digital Entrepreneur Wants to Save Books
11 Aug 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Brewster Kahle, who has pioneered efforts to digitize written information, wants to save a hard copy of every book. Larry Greenemeier reports
Bridge Sensors Could Save Travelers
04 Aug 2011
Contributed by Lukas
On the fourth anniversary of the Minneapolis I-35W bridge collapse, scientists and engineers are working to make bridges smarter
Swimmer Plans on Electronics to Shake Sharks
28 Jul 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Diana Nyad, veteran open-water distance swimmer, plans to swim from Cuba to the Florida Keys while being protected by an electronic device called Shar...
ATMs Branch Out
21 Jul 2011
Contributed by Lukas
The newest electronic tellers come with built-in lie detectors, rely on biometric security and let you trade cash for gold. Larry Greenemeier reports
Kids Say Where Tech Should Go
14 Jul 2011
Contributed by Lukas
A survey of children around the world found out what the kids would most like their technology to be able to do next. Larry Greenemeier reports
Parents Rummage through <i>Facebook</i> for Inside Dope
07 Jul 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Parents use social networks to gain intel on their kids' friends and on those kids' parents. Larry Greenemeier reports