Technology

In electronics and computing, firmware is a term often used to denote fixed programs and data structures that internally control various electronic devices. Typical examples of devices containing firmware range from end-user products such as PCs, ... laptops, netbooks, remote controls and calculators, and even include scientific instrumentation and industrial robotics. More complex consumer devices, such as mobile phones and digital cameras, contain firmware to define the device's basic operation as well as implementing higher-level functions in the future. Firmware Versus Software Technically, ... (view more)

With the recession dominating headlines across the U.S. and around the world for the past year and a half, some of the media buzz about global warming has, sadly, been disregarded by the wider public. However, a new report from NASA may change that. ... The research is courtesy of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies, or GISS. According to the U.S. government space agency, 2009 was the second warmest year on record -- second only to 2005. However, 2009 does share a statistical tie with the years 1998, 2002, 2003, 2006 and 2007. Some may take this to mean 2009 wasn't all that hot after all, ... (view more)

A new iPhone app is causing quite a stir because of its ability to perform a background check on nearly anyone within a matter of seconds. While the app would be a tremendous resource for checking out a romantic prospect or a new co-worker, the ... opinions of most people change when the tables are turned and the background checks are being done on them. Still, BeenVerified is a friend to almost any employer. The only stipulation is that individuals may only conduct up to three free background checks per week for the app to still be considered free. For an additional $8 per month, you can ... (view more)

As was demonstrated at a recent entertainment expo this past week in Las Vegas, the future attraction of "companionship" dolls is set to be a little less carnal and a lot more intellectual. A New Jersey-based company is claiming to have developed ... the world's first companion robot. However, it's not your average robot: instead, the life-sized figure is capable of engaging its owner in conversation rather than just an attractive frame. Touch Sensors with Response Dark-haired mechanical "Roxxxy" is programmed to say a plethora of different responses based on touch and pre-defined ... (view more)

Ever wonder why the glow of your computer monitor makes that late-day headache even worse? Or how the piercing sunset on the drive home makes you want to drill into the side of your skull in some vain attempt to relieve the pressure? Then take note ... of a recent study by Boston-based researchers who say they can now verify that light affects migraine headaches. In a report published Sunday through Nature Neuroscience, Boston researchers have found that certain cells in the brain, referred to as the thalamus, can sometimes act as a sort-of battleground for information based on the brain's visual ... (view more)

As is part of the annual tradition, millions of people around the world rang in the New Year with more than a few adult beverages. But unlike any other year to date, after the partying had ceased thousands reached for their mobile phones to ... determine whether or not they were capable of driving home. Apple App Released by Colorado DOT R-U-Buzzed, a free application released by the Colorado Department of Transportation (DOT), helps users determine their blood alcohol level in a matter of seconds. All an individual has to do is spin the virtual wheel to match weight, alcoholic beverages consumed ... (view more)

Waterloo-based Research In Motion's (RIM's) is receiving plenty of flak from its users after a second outage in less than a week. The outage left users of the popular handheld without service from Tuesday evening until the following morning. "One ... outage is bad enough, but when potential customers hear of two in one week, they get very nervous," said one poster on the Crackberry blog, a forum that keeps users of the handheld in touch with one another and updated on recent events related to the device. (Source: informationweek.com ) Most concerning of all the negative sentiments were threats by ... (view more)

The BlackBerry is one of the most popular handheld devices in the world today because it offers instant and reliable access to email, instant messaging and of course voice communication. Unfortunately, none of these lovely features were available ... during a recent outage -- the second of its kind in the past week. Let's face it -- there isn't much advantage to having instant access to your friends, family, and colleagues when the handheld network you use is out of service. That was the case on Tuesday night, when for the second time in less than a week the BlackBerry service went out of service ... (view more)

Think you can multitask while driving? Think again. According to a recent report, drivers who use their cell phones to text while behind the wheel are six times more likely to crash their rides. "When people talk on the phone while driving they are ... four times more likely to get into an accident," says University of Utah psychologist Frank Drews. And thanks to Drews' last study, we now know texting behind the wheel means you're actually six times more likely to crash. (Source: com.au ) Studies Push Legislators to Act Talking on your cell phone while operating a vehicle has become illegal in ... (view more)

Hewlett Packard has acknowledged a complaint that its webcam technology discriminates against darker-skinned users. But it doesn't address the racism issue directly -- instead, HP points to a technical limitation. Technology Locks onto Faces The ... allegations involve a feature in the webcam which recognizes faces and then "locks on" to them, automatically moving to keep the picture in the shot as a head moves around. The assertion comes shortly after a YouTube user uploaded a clip which appears to show that the feature fails to lock-on his face. (Source: youtube.com ) In a company blog post on ... (view more)