Android 'most popular' with smartphone buyers

BBC News : Smartphones running Google's Android are the most popular among those buying new handsets, suggest figures.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-15076474

Y12 Project Ideas

Ideas for potential projects can be downloaded from here to help you devise an idea for a unique project.

http://www.ikes.freeserve.co.uk/ELECWK/index.htm

Babbage Analytical Engine designs to be digitised

BBC News : A project to construct one of the earliest mechanical computers based on sketches by its designer, Charles Babbage, has received a major boost.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-15001514

Google Launches Google Wallet on Sprint and works with Visa, American Express and Discover

In May Google announced Google Wallet - an app that makes your phone your wallet - with Citi, MasterCard, Sprint and First Data. With Google Wallet, you can tap, pay and save using your phone and near field communication (NFC).

They’ve been testing it extensively, and today have released the first version of the app to Sprint. That means they’re beginning to roll out Google Wallet to all Sprint Nexus S 4G phones through an update - just look for the “Wallet” app.

Laser beam 'kicks' molecules to detect roadside bombs

BBC News : A laser beam that makes molecules vibrate could help detect improvised explosive devises, say scientists.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-14973447

Blackberry maker RIM profits fall sharply

BBC News : Blackberry manufacturer Research in Motion (RIM) has seen its second-quarter profits more than halve, hurt by low demand for its older models.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14941243

Incredible Collaboration of Swam Robotics

In the very near future, these researchers believe robots will combine together to do all the tasks assigned to them. The Swarmanoid Project is a glorious example of a glimpse into the future which demonstrates 60 robots working together in a collaborative environment.  The goal of the swarm robotic project (4 years in the making) is to use the different capabilities of each class of robot and combine them into a system to accomplish tasks.

http://hacknmod.com/hack/incredible-collaboration-of-swam-robotics

How to: DIY Segway for $400

The Segway may not have set city trails ablaze, they have sparked plenty of DIY versions.  A Segway is a costly transportation method since they cost as much as an entry level car. So, if you are tempted to build one of your own, follow this DIY Segway project and build one for a little over $400.

http://hacknmod.com/hack/how-to-diy-segway-for-400/

Could a robot be conscious?

BBC News : "If a robot is produced that behaves just like one of us in all respects, including thought, is it conscious or just a clever machine, asks Prof Barry C Smith, director of the Institute of Philosophy."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-14886421

Jelly batteries: Safer, cheaper, smaller, more powerful

BBC News : "A new polymer jelly could be the next big step forward for lithium batteries."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14852073 

An Alarm Clock That Shreds Cash If You Don’t Wake Up

Need a little motivation to get up in the morning?  I bet an alarm clock which shreds your money would motivate you to get out of bed. Insert money the night before and, if you wish to sleep in, face the consequences: it WILL shred your money!  Instead of shredding real money (which is illegal), perhaps it would be better to place a fake bill in the clock and donate the real one to charity.  It’s only a concept at the moment, but perhaps not for long.

http://hacknmod.com/hack/alarm-clock-shreds-cash-if-you-dont-wake-up/

DIY Bluetooth Camera Shutter Release

If you’re into photography, you may wish for a way to activate your camera shutter from a distance.  By making use of a bluetooth transceiver and an Android smartphone, guy created a fairly simple way to send signals to his Nikon D90 through the shutter release plug in and snap pictures using his cellphone.



http://hacknmod.com/hack/diy-bluetooth-camera-shutter-release/

Electronic Component Art

 

British couple Lenny and Meriel Lenfesteys use parts from computers and electronics kits to create tiny figures called Sparebots.Sparebots are more commonly referred to as Life of Sparebots .

http://www.insanetwist.com/2011/03/life-of-electronic-components.html

Electric motor made from a single molecule

BBC News : "Researchers have created the smallest electric motor ever devised."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14763223

GCSE Revision

As Y12s, you are a very varied bunch! Some will have done Electronic Products GCSE, some will have done the Engineering Diploma and some will have never studied Electronics before.

To get everyone to the same level, we will beging by doing a whirlwind revision of GCSE Electronics. I will begin by introducing Electronic Systems, and then describe Logic Gates. Click on the links to view the relevant handout.

Mobile phones help to target disaster aid, says study

BBC News : "Mobile phones of people fleeing natural disasters can be used to target emergency aid according to a new study."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-14761144

Boolean Equation Solver

Y12s : Over the next few weeks we will be looking at Boolean Algebra. This is a form of algebra that will help us express the requirements of our digital circuits which we will soon build.  Simple Solver is a Windows program that will give you the answer to your boolean equation!! Please be aware that I will expect any work from you to show all steps to the solution, and not just the solution itself.

Free Text Books!

This weekend BBC Click talked about a great web site - bookboon.com. It is a web site that offers free text books that you can download. The text books are funded by some advertising, but hey they're free!