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| Google to Test Driverless Cars on Nevada Roadways | | Friday, February 24, 2012 9:28 PM | Kate Freeman |
|  The roads in Nevada are ready for driverless robot cars. Earlier this month, Nevada's Legislative Commission approved testing of autonomous vehicles on the state's roadways. The cars will be identifiable by a red license plate. In fact, any company can test its driverless system in Nevada; Google just happened to be the first to jump on the opportunity. Google's system can be installed on any make of vehicle. The company has been working on their driverless car system for a while and received a patent late last year. "Self-driving cars have the potential to significantly increase driving safety," a Google spokesperson told Mashable. "We applaud Nevada for building a thoughtful framework to enable safe, ongoing testing of the technology and to anticipate the needs and best interests of Nevada citizens who may own vehicles with self-driving capabilities one day." Even though the cars are driverless, they cannot be tested without two operators inside. Once the vehicles are shown to be safely operated with just one driver, the cars will receive green license plates. Tom Jacobs, chief public information officer at the Nevada DMV, said this driverless system is "like cruise control on steroids." Jacobs said he did a radio interview recently in which he was asked if other drivers will ever feel the need to flip-off these cars. His response: no need. "It had no bad habits," he said of the system. Jacobs said he rode in one of the driverless cars. When the road is not mapped ahead, the car may give control to the driver after a female voice says, "please drive." If the driver does not take control, the car simply pulls over. There is also a display in front of the passenger seat that shows exactly what the car is seeing outside. This feature is for testing purposes only. Jacobs said the ride was so smooth, he couldn't tell when the driver or car was operating the vehicle besides hearing the automated female voice. "There will never be any crashes," Jacobs said. SEE ALSO: Tackling Self-Driving Cars' Biggest Questions/a> In the future, it's possible automakers will offer this system already installed in vehicles. Drivers without the system built-in may be able to have their cars retrofitted. Jacobs envisioned a world where one day you can press a button on your cell phone, have a car pull up to your house, put your dog in it and send it to the veterinarian. Jacobs said Google is also testing its driverless cars "quasi-legally" in California, since there is no written rule specifically allowing or forbidding driverless cars. However, Jacobs clearly has a stake in ensuring Nevada is a hub of testing this budding technology. Regarding the California testing, Google says, "We have received several opinions from outside counsels who are experts in transportation law. All indicated that the testing in California is 100% legal as the safety driver is in control of the car at all times and is responsible for the operation of the vehicle. The testing involves having two people in the car at all times." "Nevada is the first state to embrace what is surely the future of automobiles," Department of Motor Vehicles Director Bruce Breslow said in a statement posted on the state's DMV website on Feb. 15. "These regulations establish requirements companies must meet to test their vehicles on Nevada's public roadways as well as requirements for residents to legally operate them in the future." There are several other states that have pending legislation that would allow driverless cars on public roadways. Would a driverless car make your life easier? How much would you pay for one? Tell us in the comments. ?Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Mlenny? |
| Apple to Replace the iPhone's Dock Connector? [RUMOR] | | Friday, February 24, 2012 8:31 PM | Pete Pachal |
|  Apple may be planning to replace the dock connector that's been synonymous with iPhones, iPods and iPads for almost a decade with something new. That's the latest rumor from a smartphone enthusiast site, which says Apple is on the verge of ditching the familiar 30-pin jack for a smaller "micro dock." The site, iMore, claims Apple is looking to ditch the connector in its upcoming iPhone 5. The reason: to make room for more stuff on the inside. Although the report is highly speculative -- the site doesn't say anything about its source -- it is also based on an undeniable truth. Apple is considering a lot of extra tech in future mobile devices; they will require more space within the casing, and Apple needs to make room however it can. The current dock connector isn't unusually large, but it's definitely bigger than the micro USB jack common on competing phones. While having a proprietary connector has been a key part of Apple's product strategy -- allowing it a large measure of control over any accessories made for iOS devices -- a smaller proprietary connector would let it keep that control while getting back some space within those devices. In other words, Apple users would simply have to pony up for a new dongle -- and not for the first time. (Mini DisplayPort, anyone?) As the report notes, technologies like 4G LTE, near-field communication (NFC) and better camera components are competing for limited space within phones and tablets -- space that's getting even more limited due to shrinking form factors. All these technologies eat up battery life, so you're going to need more room for bigger and better batteries, too. Most phones have adopted the micro USB standard over the past year or so. Apple's dock connector -- which first arrived in 2003 with the third-generation iPod -- is looking downright archaic. SEE ALSO: Will the iPhone 5 Have NFC? MasterCard Exec Hints at an Answer/a> Could that mean the upcoming iPad 3 will be the first iProduct to sport the pretty new connector? It's possible, but the iPad -- as the largest iOS devices -- has the least to gain from a smaller connector. More likely, Apple could be planning the so-called micro dock for the iPhone 5 later this year. Since the most recent iPhone, the iPhone 4S, kept the same hardware as the previous iPhone 4, Apple is probably saving a more radical hardware revamp for this year's new iPhone -- a perfect chance to swap out the dock connector. That goes double if the iPhone 5 has some of those space-demanding techs like LTE or NFC. Do you think Apple will ditch the dock connector? And is that a good thing or bad thing? Have your say in the comments. BONUS: Gorgeous iPhone 5 Concept Image courtesy of iFixit |
| 10 Things to Plan for When Developing a Mobile App | | Friday, February 24, 2012 6:13 PM | David Tucker |
|  David Tucker is a principal architect at Universal Mind. As the resident Apple and Adobe expert, he works closely with Universal Mind's clients to develop rich user experiences that leverage many of today's exciting new development platforms. Follow David on Twitter @mindmillmedia. Many companies have mobile apps at the top of their to-do lists, but while churning out a quick app is fairly straightforward, developing a strategic application or digital "solution" is considerably more complex. Smart planning is essential. Here are 10 things to consider before developing your app. 1. Agree on goals for the program. When developing a digital solution strategy, first examine your organization's goals for the program. Are you looking to be seen as innovator, or fend off competition by showing progress in the space? Simply showing initial momentum and previewing the future roadmap can often place you ahead of the competition. Should your digital solutions help build customer loyalty and enable greater customer self-service, or is your highest priority to create new revenue streams? Once you've agreed on the goals, prioritize them so you'll know where to start. 2. Understand your target users. The next step is to understand who your target users are, their goals and requirements, and the technologies they use. This process includes researching the platforms your users are most likely utilizing, then gaining an understanding of each user experience. Every device is different, and every user has multiple needs. For example, a person might typically use an online banking application to pay a bill, but he might use the bank's mobile application to find the closest ATM. 3. Build a user testing focus group. Spending time with your target users is the only way to ensure you really understand what they are looking for in a mobile application. As you move through the process of discovery, you can discuss ideas with this group on a daily basis. Focus groups can provide value from the far beyond the initial discovery phase. 4. Identify a minimally viable solution set. Don't try to tackle the whole problem at once. Instead, companies should identify a minimally viable solution and start there. In other words, release a basic but functional app as a foundation, then take advantage of the efficient upgrade paths most devices offer to provide regular updates. This enables you to enter the market more quickly and refine as needed. Plus, periodically giving your users access to new developments ensures your organization stays top-of-mind. 5. Plan for multiple releases. With mobile applications, releasing the initial version is only the beginning. Statistics show that many users will re-engage with your application when new features are added. Spread key functionality across the first handful of releases to keep your users engaged. Be careful not to release too often, lest users feel bombarded. In many cases, a 2-3 month window between major releases will keep your users engaged over a longer period of time. 6. Balance your users and your business. Balancing business drivers with real user needs can be difficult. In many cases, the two are at odds with one another. Therefore, arm yourself with the right information to make smart tradeoffs. Collect research such as user studies, expert opinions, and business viability and technical feasibility studies. This body of data can then be weighed to achieve the best balance between user-centric solutions and business-value gains. 7. Know what is out there. Spend time exploring apps in each of the platforms you plan to support. Each platform offers different interface paradigms and a different collection of applications. Experimenting with the most popular applications will help you understand not only what is possible on the platform, but also the user's expectations. If possible, use a different mobile platform device during the exploration process. 8. Bring your IT team into the discussions early. The far greater technical challenge is tying your backend business processes to a digital solution that encompasses smartphones and kiosks, for example. The technology infrastructure for a multichannel solution goes well beyond the platform you choose for front-end development. In order to be successful, companies must consider how to architect data delivery and API management as well as security, scalability, content aggregation, device optimization, API translation, etc. Bring your IT team into the discussion before you get too far down the planning path. 9. Decide on a technology you can live (and grow) with. As the mobile space matures, there will be many more application develop choices. In many cases, your goals will help determine what you choose here. For example, if your goal is to reach as many users as possible across all platforms, you may choose an HTML framework with little hardware integration. If your goal is to provide deep hardware integration for augmented reality technology, then you'll probably develop a native application. Decisions around technology can directly affect your app's functionality. 10. Plan to analyze. The final step in the process is determining how to measure success. With a morass of potential features, devices, platforms and technologies, success can be challenging to define, but it will affect your ultimate strategy. Consider the following questions. Will this increase our transaction volume and, therefore, revenue? Will this increase customer adoption and retention? Will this increase our brand recognition and loyalty? Will this decrease our costs? How many people do we want using our app? How do we want to integrate the solution with our social media program? How will we integrate with our existing analytics tools? Images courtesy of iStockphoto, TommyL, Nikada |
| The World's Largest Museum to 3D Print Copies of Priceless Artifacts [VIDEO] | | Friday, February 24, 2012 5:21 PM | Joann Pan |
|  A pair of model makers -- Vincent Rossi and Adam Metallo -- are taking on the task of digitizing the Smithsonian Institute's 137 million-piece collection with high-tech scanners and 3D printing. Once the process has been perfected, 3D printing will create close copies of artwork and specimens. The mammoth task of replicating and web archiving the almost two-century-old collection will allow the institute to display one-of-a-kind art at multiple locations and interactively on the web, according to a CNET report. There's only so much room for the art in Smithsonian locations and affiliate museums. An official statistic says, only 2% of the collection is on display at one time. Digitizing the art, making items viewable on the web, will help broaden the museum's reach. A printed replica of Thomas Jefferson at the National Museum of African American History in Washington D.C. was the first to be replicated. The sculpture was the largest 3D printed museum quality historical replica on Earth, according to the institute. The Thomas Jefferson model was pretty spot on ( see for yourself in the video above). But, Rossi and Metallo say there won't be 100% accurate replicas until software is available to re-create geometrics of certain shapes. The process of 3D printing is essentially printing layers of material on top of layers. SEE ALSO: 5 Ways Museums Are Reaching Digital Audiences How did these two fine art model makers make the big-time in 3D printing -- creating the largest collection of 3D scanned and replicated items ever? This isn't the first big task to document artifacts, according to Spar Point Group. In 2010, the duo found themselves documenting finds at a prehistoric whale graveyard in Chile. The 123D Catch and a Z Corp printer were used to print objects from scans. 3D replicas of 5-million-year-old whale fossils. The replicas were scaled down to a fraction of the actual size. For the Smithsonian project, the two 3D digitization coordinators will work with RedEye on Demand -- a third-party company that specializes in generating 3D prototypes and digital manufacturing. What do you think about seeing replicas of original artwork and historic specimens in museums soon? Tell us in the comments below. |
| Mobile World Congress: A Preview of My Barcelona Adventure | | Friday, February 24, 2012 5:03 PM | Lance Ulanoff |
|  Barcelona is Spain's second largest city and, arguably, its most cosmopolitan. The busy port city is home to the Picasso Museum and a thrilling collection of Day-Glo colored Antoni Gaudi buildings that curve and weave toward the sky. At least this is what I've read and seen on sites like Pinterest. Looking at my Mobile World Congress schedule, though, I wonder if I'll get to see any of it. The event kicks off this weekend, in Fira Montjuïc, near the heart of the bustling city, and as I'm running from press conferences to meetings and back, with brief layovers to write posts based on what I see and hear, I may glimpse some of the spectacular architecture -- and, at least, smell some of the local food. Still, what I'm really there to do is understand how the world's leading technology companies are redefining mobile. Perhaps the best redefinition would be the acknowledgement that now everything is mobile. Maybe next year they'll rename the conference "Everything World Congress" or "Tech World Congress." I may suggest that. In the meantime, here's a brief overview of some of the companies I'll meet and innovations and products I'll see. I arrive in Barcelona at 7 a.m. local time, which means I should be well-rested and ready for a fresh blast of mobile product goodness. My early meetings are private previews (so I can't share much). My only hope is that they have big carafes of coffee on hand. Throughout the week I'll be attending press conferences for Intel, HTC, LG, Sony, Samsung , Texas Instruments, Nvidia and more. Most of these companies should be either unveiling new Android phones and tablets or discussing the technology inside of them. LG has already tipped its hand, promising to introduce a new line of Optimus handsets. The 4X HD is running Nvidia's new Tegra 3, a quad-core ARM-based mobile CPU that Nvidia likes to call a "super-processor". Not surprising since NVidia also coined the term "super phone." SEE ALSO: Nvidia: Here's What Ice Cream Sandwich Looks Like on a Tablet Intel should show off some handsets running its new Ivy bridge mobile CPU, which will also offer a quad-core option. Speaking of speed and power, 2012 is the year of 4G -- speeds, that is. I'm sure all MWC debutante handsets will be sporting it and cellular service providers should be promising more coverage than ever. Microsoft will obviously tease some new Windows Phone handsets, likely from Nokia, its closest phone partner and has promised to unveil Windows 8 Consumer Preview. That may seem like an odd choice, since this is a mobile event, but Windows 8 is ARM-ready and should be running on some sexy new tablets at the show. Google will be on hand and may give us a glimpse of Android 5.0 (also known as "Jelly Bean"). Still, with Google pushing its next I/O developers conference out to late June, it's unlikely we'll get anything more than a glimpse. There will be tons and tons of mobile apps, games and services, offering everything from sleep aids (SleepRate), battery-life solutions and expense tracking, to contact management (TouchPal) and alternate mobile OSes (yes, even Mozilla is now trying to develop a new mobile platform). In fact, I expect there will be a lot of developers offering mobile innovations and app-building tools. We'll also see a host of mobile content sharing, information-gleaning and, of course, cloud-based services. Mobile World Congress has an impressive lineup of keynote speakers, though some may simply reiterate what we learn in the press and pre-briefings. Among the headliners are Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt, Ford's Executive Chairman William Clay Ford Jr. and Facebook CTO Bret Taylor. There'll also be a trade show floor with 1,400 vendors. Who knows what goodies we'll find there. Whatever I do find, I promise to share on Mashable and via my Twitter stream. Be sure to start following along on Sunday. |
| Happy Birthday, Steve Jobs: A Look Back at the Man Who Changed Tech | | Friday, February 24, 2012 4:05 PM | Matt Petronzio |
|  Today would have been the 57th birthday of Apple co-founder and visionary Steve Jobs, who died on Oct. 5, 2011, after a long battle with a rare form of pancreatic cancer. Social media users have been extremely active in wishing the late media mogul a happy birthday, and "Happy Birthday Steve Jobs" is currently trending worldwide on Twitter. A tweet from the official General Electric account this morning read, "Happy Birthday Steve Jobs. Innovation wouldn't be the same without you." Another popular tweet from numerous users read, "3 Apples changed the world: Adam and Eve's forbidden apple, Newton's apple and finally Steve Jobs's Apple. Happy Birthday Steve Jobs." We at Mashable would like to wish Steve Jobs a happy birthday by highlighting some of our favorite coverage of him throughout the years. Happy birthday to the man who changed the face of technology. The Life and Times of Steve Jobs/a> An infographic lays out Steve Jobs's life and considerable accomplishments. Oct. 11, 2011. 4 Ways Steve Jobs and Apple Changed the Music Industry Over the past decade-plus, Apple has succeeded in redefining and reinventing certain aspects of the music industry. In particular, Steve Jobs helped create music products and services that impacted four particular areas. Oct. 11, 2011. Steve Jobs, Human Being: 10 Quirky Details From the Bestselling Biography The days following the publication of Steve Jobs' biography felt like belonging a worldwide book club. Here are a few discussion points we wanted to bring up at the meeting. Oct. 27, 2011. Steve Jobs Predicts the Future in 1990/a> In this fascinating raw footage from 1990, Steve Jobs talks at great length to a WGBH-Boston interviewer about his ideas around the direction he saw technology heading in 1990. Nov. 3, 2011. Lost Steve Jobs Interview Reveals Man on the Cusp of Change Mashable talks to interviewer Robert X. Cringely about how Steve Jobs changed after his infamous "lost interview." Nov. 10, 2011. 5 Things Business Owners Can Learn From Steve Jobs Check out some tips on how to lead from the enigmatic personality and leadership style of the late Apple CEO. Nov. 17, 2011. Steve Jobs: 20 Life Lessons Having finished the Steve Jobs biography, Mashable Editor-in-Chief Lance Ulanoff realizes that there are larger lessons we can all glean from Steve Jobs' remarkable life. Dec. 18, 2011. Apple's Steve Jobs Declared 'CEO of the Decade' Fortune Magazine named Steve Jobs CEO of the Decade. Nov. 5, 2009. Steve Jobs, Best CEO in the World? Following suit, the Harvard Business Review released its list of the best-performing CEOs in the world and unsurprisingly, Jobs tops the list. Dec. 22, 2009. 'Financial Times' Names Steve Jobs Person of the Year Following TIME magazine's selection of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg as person of the year, 2010, the Financial Times awarded Apple CEO Steve Jobs the same honor. Dec. 24, 2010. Barbara Walters Names Steve Jobs Most Fascinating Person of 2011 Barbara Walters named Steve Jobs the most fascinating person of 2011. Dec. 14, 2011. Image courtesy of iStockphoto, EdStock. |
| 8 Free Apps for Planning Your Perfect Night Out | | Friday, February 24, 2012 3:29 PM | Jeremy Cabalona |
|  The weekend is finally here, and you're ready for a great time with your friends. We've assembled a list of free mobile apps to help you plan your perfect night out on the town. SEE ALSO: 10 Free iPhone Apps You'll Use Every Day From assembling your crew to catching a taxi ride home, these iPhone and Android apps will help make your night as fun and efficient as possible. Whether you're in the mood for live music or late night dancing, these freebies should be on your smartphone. Image courtesy of iStockphoto, shironosov. |
| Apple Close to 25 Billionth App Download, Offers $10,000 Gift Card | | Friday, February 24, 2012 3:11 PM | Zoe Fox |
|  Apple has launched a countdown to its 25 billionth app downloaded from the App Store, but more is at stake than the glory of a historic download. The company is giving away a $10,000 gift card to spend in the App Store. Think of all the Zynga games -- without the frequent pop-up ads of the free editions -- you could by with that kind of money! What's strange about the giveaway is that you don't need to download anything to enter the contest. You can fill out an online form to be entered to win. The winner must agree to publicity, such as sharing your name, photo and some of your App Store picks with the Apple community. Yes, that means others will know that you're spending your hefty gift card on several versions of Angry Birds. What would you do with $10,000 from the App Store? Let us know in the comments what you would download. BONUS: App Store Rewind -- Apple's Top Apps of 2011 |
| Apple's iPad Trademark Dispute Comes to U.S. | | Friday, February 24, 2012 2:43 PM | Alex Fitzpatrick |
|  Apple's iPad trademark dispute, previously limited to China, has crossed the ocean and landed in Santa Clara, Calif. Proview International Holdings, which has been suing Apple in Chinese courts over the name of its tablet, filed a lawsuit Friday in a California court seeking to halt shipments of Apple's iPad to China. A Taiwan-based Proview branch sold Apple the rights to the "IPAD" name in December 2009. In the U.S. lawsuit, Proview claims that deal should be invalidated because an Apple affiliate made "false" claims during the negotiation process. According to Proview's filing to the California Superior Court, Proview says that an employee of that affiliate used another person's name while moving to purchase the "IPAD" trademark for approximately $55,000. "This statement was false and untrue," said the filing, according to Bloomberg. Proview is seeking an unknown amount of damages from Apple. Separately, Proview has asked China's Customs Bureau to stop imports and exports of Apple's iPad. Proview once manufactured an "IPAD," or Internet Personal Access Device. According to Apple, the company purchased the rights to use that name in 10 countries, including China. Proview holds that mainland China was never part of the deal, and has sued Apple in multiple Chinese courts to force Apple to stop selling its iPad in that country. Apple has criticized Proview for failing to hold up its side of the arrangement. Apple also claims that Proview, which is struggling economically, is currently unable to produce and market its "IPAD," voiding its claim to the copyright. A Hong Kong court decided in Apple's favor, but rulings in that city don't apply to the rest of China. A separate court in Shenzhen sided with Proview, and Apple is appealing that decision. Yet another court in Shanghai is playing wait-and-see with the Shenzhen appeals court before proceeding further. In China, Apple could face government fines of up to $38 million, while Proview is seeking as much as $1.6 billion in damages. On Proview's request, local authorities have removed Apple iPads from store shelves in some Chinese cities. However, iPads are still selling as quickly as ever in cities where they remain available. China is an extremely lucrative marketplace for Apple, and its iPad makes up more than 70 percent of tablet sales in the country. Image courtesy of iStockphoto, TommL |
| Researchers Create Fabric That Converts Body Heat Into Electricity [VIDEO] | | Friday, February 24, 2012 9:35 AM | Mashable Video |
|  We've all heard of solar power and wind power, but researchers at Wake Forest are developing another alternative form of power: thermoelectrics. They've created a fabric -- comprised of tiny carbon nanotubes -- that can convert body heat into an electric charge. The device, called Power Felt, uses temperature differences to create electricity. "We waste a lot of energy in the form of heat. For example, recapturing a car's energy waste could help improve fuel mileage and power the radio, air conditioning or navigation system," graduate student Corey Hewitt Hewitt says. "Generally thermoelectrics are an underdeveloped technology for harvesting energy, yet there is so much opportunity." How might we see Power Felt used in practical applications? The researchers say it could line car seats for a battery boost or line clothing garments to power devices that monitor performance or your iPod -- among other uses. "Imagine it in an emergency kit, wrapped around a flashlight, powering a weather radio, charging a prepaid cellphone," says David Carroll, director of the Center for Nanotechnology and Molecular Materials and head of the team leading this research. "Literally, just by sitting on your phone, Power Felt could provide relief during power outages or accidents." The researchers are still looking for ways to improve the device, but the university is also in talks with investors to bring Power Felt to the market. Check out the video above to learn more. Thumbnail image courtesy of Wake Forest |
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