While most of the world knew Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple Computers, was ill, we were all shocked when the news came through that he died.
Normally this sort of story is part of my beat at the ABC, but with the Technology Editor away on leave, I ended up doing my far share of commentary.
Here I am chatting to Mark Holden on ABC 774 Melbourne.
A friend of mine at work recently asked a few of us for their favourite iPhone apps.
Admittedly, I have an iPod Touch, but I do use my partner’s iPhone occasionally. So here’s a list of the apps that flooded back her way – not surprisingly most of them are free. Continue reading
After a year or two of dominance in the geocaching field, Garmin is finding some ‘old’ players are re-entering the handheld GPS receiver market. I was fortunate enough to test out Lowrance’s latest offering, the Endura Sierra.
When you take the Endura Sierra out of the box it is a good fit in the hand. The size is about right and there is adequate rubber grip on the sides and back. With batteries (2 x AA) the unit is a little heavier than other units of similar ilk, but it is well balanced. The space for the batteries is tight and it a few attempts to get the correct angle for closing the back panel.
SMARTER mobile phones, smaller memory sticks, flashing T-shirts and barcodes on every corner: a look into the world of technology in 2008.
Leaner chips for smaller PCs, smarter phones
When Apple released the iPhone, they proved you can develop a mobile phone with an easy to use interface in a sleek, sexy package.
But one of the most exciting features of the iPhone is that it functions like a computer – a true smartphone.
This has been made possible by the development of smarter, smaller, less power hungry computer chips, and the field is set for even better models.
Intel’s Silverthorne 45nm processor, scheduled for release in the first half of 2008, delivers computer performance comparable to a desktop or laptop computer, on a 74mm x 143mm sized motherboard.
The Silverthorne processor uses 10 times less power than today’s low power processors and can work alongside WiFi, 3G and WiMAX.
Expect many more smart phones, including the Australian version of the iPhone, and an avalanche of paperback-sized laptops to hit the market in 2008.
An Australian music expert believes voice recognition systems need to tune into our emotions.
“There are several problems with voice recognition technology,” says University of NSW Australian research fellow Dr Emery Schubert.
“The best ones are around the 80-90 per cent mark, but that’s with a nice stable voice with a clear accent.”
Accuracy becomes much worse when it has to deal with emotionally charged voices or strong accents.
Schubert, who is chairing the inaugural International Conference on Music Communication Science being held in Sydney, believes the secret to developing a better voice recognition system may lie in music.
