Purdue University engineers are developing a system which would use a U.S. network of cellphones to detect dirty bombs and nuclear weapons. They say that ’such a system could blanket the nation with millions of cellphones equipped with radiation sensors able to detect even light residues of radioactive material.’ They add that the extra circuitry wouldn’t change much the thickness or the price of cellphones. They also say that these radiation-tracking cellphones could be customized to ignore some radioactive sources, like in hospitals. But you can imagine that such a network would probably trigger many false alarms. I’m also skeptical about the possibility of the integration of radiation sensors by manufacturers into their phones. But read more…
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Source: Roland Piquepaille
In recent years, we’ve started to use our cellphones not only for placing calls or exchanging messages. Now, we take pictures, read our e-mails, listen to music or watch TV. But, according to New Scientist, UK researchers are going further with a prototype software that turns your cellphone into a 3-D mouse. The phone is connected to your computer via Bluetooth. And you control the image on the screen by rotating or moving your phone. As says one of the researchers, “it feels like a much more natural way to interact and exchange data.” The technology might first be used in shopping malls to buy movie tickets or to interact with advertising displays. But read more…
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Source: Roland Piquepaille
According to Wikipedia, ‘ambient intelligence (AmI) refers to electronic environments that are sensitive and responsive to the presence of people.’ In ‘Ambient intelligence: snowboarding to the new frontier,’ ICT Results reports that ambient intelligence is a key component for future beyond 3G mobile and wireless communication systems. This is why two EU-funded projects are actively trying to integrate sensor networks into wireless communication systems and to ‘capture’ the user’s environment. According to the researchers, potential applications could improve ‘the response of emergency services to car crashes and other accidents, as well as leisure and sporting applications.’ But read more…
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Source: Roland Piquepaille
