Chicago (IL) – Even a ubiquitous presence of the term ‘mobility computing’ hasn’t changed the fact that mobility remains a compromise. Notebooks are still clunky and PDAs or smartphones lack screen size and processing power. A startup believes it can provide true mobility by with a cellphone-sized device that integrates your complete desktop PC and can be used wherever you go. Almost. Let’s face it: Mobile computing is not as convenient as marketing campaigns of PC, PDA and phone makers suggest. If you need a computing device on the road, your decision always circles...

The last 12 months have brought some interesting changes to the iPAQ line. On the whole, I’d say that HP’s iPAQ strategy has been a bit misguided as of late. It seems that each iPAQ in their new line can do one thing well, but nothing more. For instance, one of their devices has a VGA screen, while another has a larger memory storage, and yet another device having a smaller size. In an effort to tie in more than just one strength, HP has released the iPAQ hx2755 Pocket PC. Is it enough to breathe life back into the once proud iPAQ line? Read on… pocketnow I used pocketnow to...

SUMMARY: The index that facilitates the sharing of files on a large scale is also the Achilles heel of peer-to-peer file-sharing, because it is vulnerable to litigation and closure. So what happens if the index is itself distributed? I try to get my head around the latest in peer-to-peer file sharing, and explain a bit about what I’ve learned, including the fact that BitTorrent’s power rests in its ‘swarm’ distribution model, but not necessarily in your end-user download speed. What has this got to do with podcasting? (Answer: invisible P2P plumbing helps the podcasting...

“In an effort to cater to small business search needs, Google has announced a new search appliance dubbed the ‘Mini’. Priced at $5,000, well below the starting price of $32,000 for its other appliances, the ‘Mini’ should help smaller businesses leverage Google’s search expertise at an affordable price.” Slashdot [article]

Samsung has introduced an interesting concept to mobile phone – 3D continuous movement recognition technology. To date, movement sensors in mobile phones have been limited to slope calculations and applied to some games and bio-related features. The potential is there to do away with the need for complex keypads on mobile phones, MP3 players, digital cameras and other handheld products. This will particularly effect the way games are played on a mobile phone. Many functions will be controlled by movement instead of buttons. What do you think? Could you use a movement sensor on your digital...

A Dutch company has developed a PC to ease old people’s fear of computers. In May 2005 Secure Internet Machines (SIM) will introduce three versions of its simPC, which comes preloaded with software and services, such as online banking. The basic model costs €299. One model is just a flat screen with all electronics built-in. There is also a wireless model. However, users have to pay €10 a month for services such as spam filters, virus scanners and online storage. They also need a DSL line. The PC will be idiot-proof, simPC promises. It runs on a proprietary OS;...

By Alister Doyle, Environment Correspondent REYKJAVIK, Iceland (Reuters) – Hydrogen, tested in buses from Amsterdam to Vancouver and used in the rockets of the U.S. space shuttle, is a clean power that promises to break dependence on oil and gas — at least in Iceland. “Sometimes I have to explain to passengers that it’s just water vapor,” the driver said of white clouds trailing after his bus along the streets of the capital, Reykjavik. “When it’s very cold there’s a lot of white steam.” With almost unlimited geothermal energy sizzling beneath...

Sixty people crowded last week into a small room at the Bayonne police firing range to witness smart gun technology. Donald H. Sebastian, senior vice president of research and development at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), stood near an oversized screen displaying a real-time video of an NJIT policeman shooting an experimental handgun in an adjacent indoor range. Although there was no applause as shots rang out, the action demonstrated that smart gun knew friend from foe. Sixteen electronic computerized sensors embedded in the gun’s grip distinguished known from unknown users....