Information Technology

The 10 greatest (accidental) inventions of all time

Sometimes genius arrives not by choice — but by chance

Gmail Gains Voice Calling Feature

Gmail is constantly gaining new features, but the latest one is completely unprecedented. Google released a voice calling feature that brings instant VoIP calls to the Gmail interface.

Development of a Hybrid Transmission Technology Capable of Transmitting Data and Power via a Single Cable by SONY

Sony has made an announcement today on development of a “single wire interface technology” facilitating transmission of both internal data as well as power supply with a single cable that will result in improved design flexibility and reliability with mobile devices with movable mechanisms, through streamlining internal wiring of a mobile devices via single cable (copper wire).

Zero-day Windows bug problem worse than first thought, says expert

'Most every Windows application' at risk, says Slovenian security firm that's working with Microsoft on fix

15 Things Every PC User Should Know

Whether you're a grizzled tech veteran or an uninitiated newbie, here are 15 essential facts and tricks that you ought to know.

Mobile Phone Sign Language Program Undergoes Field-Testing

In an effort to enable the deaf and hard of hearing to participate in the in mobile technology revolution, Washington University and Cornell University developed MobileASL, a program that preferentially compresses video data so clips of sign language can travel across slow wireless networks without becoming unintelligibly low resolution. After four years of development, the program has finally entered the field testing phase.

Africa's cell phone boom can't trump dire need for schools, roads, power, water

The fast-growing use of cell phones in Africa — where many people lack the basic human necessities — has made headlines worldwide the past few years.

Samsung Patents Tablet with Front and Rear Touchscreens

Samsung has filed for a patent of a new tablet concept with not one touchscreen, but two. Instead of side-by-side screens, one is located on the back of the device.

'Viruses Are Winning': Malware Threat Outpaces Antivirus Software

For the last 20 years, hackers and antivirus software programmers have played a cat-and-mouse game over computer security. Whenever one side would innovate, the other would catch up. And for most of that time, the conflict remained a benign contest between tech savvy vandals looking for street cred and the professional programmers trained to counter them.

'Frankencamera' Camera App Software Released for Nokia Users

A Stanford photography research group that is distributing fully programmable open-source cameras to nationwide computational photography researchers has released a free version of the software for Nokia smartphones.

2 New Android Tablets Get Release Dates

Even though Android tablets are expected to give the Apple iPad some stiff competition, there haven't been very many that have progressed far enough to get a release date. That makes it all the more surprising that release dates have been announced for two new Android tablets we haven't even heard of.

Facebook membership hits 500 million mark

The number of people using Facebook hit the 500 million mark on Wednesday, meaning one in every 14 people on the planet has now signed up to the online social-networking service.

Microsoft Office 2010: What to Expect from the New Software

In June, new computers with Microsoft Office 2010 shipped to retailers across the country, so chances are that if you buy a new computer, it will have the new version of Office. If you currently use Microsoft Office, you may have received an email asking you to upgrade. This is the first new version of Office since 2007, but the changes are minimal with the exception of new integration to free online services.

Microsoft and NASA Team Up On 3-D Space Images

WorldWide Telescope, Microsoft’s galactic version of Google Earth, has been steadily increasing its fidelity ever since it launched in 2008. Now, thanks to a new collaboration with NASA, WorldWide Telescope has produced the most detailed spherical image of the heavens to date, along with a new 3-D, true color map of the surface of Mars.

More Women Using iPads, Yahoo Analysis Shows

While the Apple iPad may have been a boy's toy at launch, new data from Yahoo shows that women are increasingly using the Apple tablet.