Mobile Gadgets

More than 60,000 mobile gadgets left in London cabs over the last six months

Paul Mah — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 09:22:31 -0400

If you're still not convinced of the necessity of encrypting the data for your mobile gadgets, or at least the necessity for password protection, the results from a survey by Credant Technologies should serve as a wake-up call. In the last six months alone, forgetful Londoners left a staggering 55,843 mobile phones and 6,193 other mobile devices in the back of cabs. Still, it appears that these Londoners have at least an 80 percent chance of getting their misplaced items back when it happens. This is much higher than their New York counterparts, which saw the chances of retrieving lost devices from cabs at just 66 percent.

For more about this report:
- check out the article at The Inquirer

NVIDIA unveils new processor that packs a punch

Paul Mah — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 02:44:02 -0400

NVIDIA has unveiled a new family of processors designed from the ground up for mobile gadgets. The Tegra is a computer-on-a-chip that is smaller than a dime with a power efficiency that NVIDIA claims to be 10 times better than existing products that run "compelling visual computing applications."

Other than an 800 MHz ARM CPU, the Tegra has an architecture featuring multiple specialized processors for specific tasks such as a HD video processor, an audio processor, and even an ultra-low power GeForce GPU. It also packs a display support for an impressive range of devices such as 1080p HDMI, WSXGA+ for both LCD and CRT as well as NTSC/PAL TV-output. The NVIDIA Tegra is expected to reach consumers by the end of the year.

For more on the patent:
- check out this NVIDIA press release

Apple could be looking at solar power for mobile devices

Paul Mah — Wed, 28 May 2008 06:02:14 -0400

Apple hopes to tap into the use of solar power on mobile gadgets. A patent application detailing a method of integrating solar cells behind the LCD of mobile devices has turned up--and while Apple itself was not listed as an assignee, the parent was filed by Apple employees.

Because the solar panels would reside behind the LCD screen, no additional space is taken up by the solar panels. This will allow many of Apple's products such as the iPhone, iPod and even laptops to implement the technology without any outward changes. In addition, both the amount of battery power remaining as well as available solar power will be displayed, according to the patent application.

For more on the patent:
- check out this DailyTech article