This one of the posts inspired by pure anger at my RIM Blackberry for a couple of reasons. I’ve written about the Blackberry Buzz, which causes a nearby PC or electronics to buzz when the Blackberry is recieving a call or data. I have thrown my Blackberry countless times across the room to put it out of range on my PC speakers which pick up the buzz. It annoys the hell out of me and is more than a little irritating (actually, it’s a GSM problem, I’m told). Every time it goes off, I swear I’m getting rid of it. I checked with RIM about a year ago and as I recall, a spokeperson said it would be a few years before the problem is fixed.
The other flaw is the Blackberry’s propensity to make calls without me actually knowing it. That one has the potential to be a real relationship ender. I carry my Blackberry in my pocket, hence the unwitting calls are made. They’re known as "pocket calls." With the Backberry bouncing around in my pocket, it must push the navigation wheel and make the call. Usually, it’s the last person [intentionally] dialed. Or it will make up it’s own number and call. I’ve spent time wondering if a confidential conversation was overheard. Sure, you can lock the keyboard, but that’s too much trouble, IMO. They’re embarrassing, too. I don’t like hearing from someone saying "hey, John, you just called me five times." Whoops, sorreeee.
Safety networks have become more complex, and have actually become simpler and easier to deploy for plant operators. This slideshow highlights developments in plant safety with an emphasis on integrated safety networks.
As the MEMS industry spans a myriad of industries and markets, the future of MEMS in consumer electronics will enable a myriad of functionality, applications, and personalization.
The Nest is a sleek-looking digital thermostat which can actually "learn" its owners' schedule and then continue to regulate temperature to suit the user's preferences and patterns.
Thanks to embedded electronics, medical devices are getting smaller and smarter than ever. Pacemakers and implantable defibrillators are now able to call physicians. MRIs, CT scanners, and ultrasound machines are gaining mobility. And the venerable Band-Aid may soon be able to detect illnesses ranging from fevers to heart arrhythmias. On February 21, join Design News senior editor Charles Murray for a wide-ranging discussion, "Embedded Angles for Medical Products," which will explore the latest developments in medical electronics. The discussion will examine advances in medical device technology and offer an inside look at the embedded electronics behind it.
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