Big Data Project Susses Us out
A project called the "Human Face of Big Data" asks smart-phone users worldwide what they think about beliefs, rituals and hopes. Larry Greenemeier reports
Dec 06, 2012•1 min
60-Second Tech
Scientific American Online associate tech editor Larry Greenemeier provides a weekly minute commentary on some of the most interesting developments in the world of technology
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Episodes
Smart Helmets Could Flag Players at Trauma Risk
Force sensors in headgear could signal whether a hit is strong enough to cause concern should the player receive a second serious blow. Larry Greenemeier reports
Nov 29, 2012•1 min
Iceland Crowd-Sources Its Constitution
Iceland's parliament will vote on whether to replace its 68-year-old constitution with a version that takes into account suggestions from Twitter, Facebook and Web site comments. Larry Greenemeier reports
Nov 15, 2012•1 min
Web Sites Share Gas Availability Info
Drivers in the post-Sandy New York metropolitan area have a few high-tech ways to shorten the odds on long gas lines. Larry Greenemeier reports
Nov 08, 2012•1 min
Listen to Audio via Your Cheekbones
Bone-conduction headphones send good vibrations directly to the cochlea without blocking the ears, thereby also allowing ambient sounds. Larry Greenemeier reports
Oct 19, 2012•1 min
Left and Right Use Smart Phones for Politics
A Pew Internet & American Life Project poll shows both Republican and Democrat voters are turning to their mobile phones for election information. Larry Greenemeier reports
Oct 11, 2012•1 min
Technology <i>American Idol</i> Could Hit Small Screen
American Idol judge Simon Cowell and pop star Will.i.am are rumored to be searching for the next great tech entrepreneur. Larry Greenemeier reports
Oct 04, 2012•1 min
Keeping Facebook Tabs with Ex Is a Double-Edged Sword
Checking out a new old flame on Facebook may make it easier to cope in some ways, but harder in others. Larry Greenemeier reports
Oct 01, 2012•1 min
Facebook Posts Can Attract Legal Attention
Police may create phony Facebook accounts to root out criminals, but schools and businesses may be restrained from poking into the accounts of students and employees. Larry Greenemeier reports
Sep 20, 2012•1 min
Is Wi-Fi Sniffing a Crime?
One court case found that wi-fi sniffing was okay, whereas a different case judged it to be illegal. Larry Greenemeier reports
Sep 13, 2012•1 min
Tablet Devices Keep Austistic People Working
People with autism were kept on task at work with an iPod Touch featuring various checklist and prompting apps. Larry Greenemeier reports
Sep 06, 2012•1 min
Protect Privacy When Recycling Smart Phones
A factory reset may not be enough to wipe the data from a smart phone you're planning to recycle. Larry Greenemeier reports
Aug 30, 2012•1 min
Can I, Robot, Mow Your Lawn?
Honda is about to launch a robot to mow your lawn much like the Roomba vacuums your floors. Larry Greenemeier reports
Aug 23, 2012•1 min
Google: Piracy Accusations Will Lower Search Rankings
As a nod to the entertainment industry, Google is threatening to give poor search-result rankings to sites accused of violating copyright claims. Larry Greenemeier reports
Aug 16, 2012•1 min
Facebook Argues "Like" Is Free Speech
After people were fired for a Facebook "like," a court ruled that a "like" is not protected free speech. Facebook and the ACLU disagree. Larry Greenemeier reports
Aug 09, 2012•1 min
Distracted Pedestrian ER Visits Rise
The number of gadget-distracted walkers injured seriously enough to be treated at emergency rooms has quadrupled in the past seven years. Larry Greenemeier reports
Aug 02, 2012•2 min
YouTube Promotes Anonymity with Face-Blurring Tool
YouTube recently introduced a tool that lets you automatically blur faces in footage you upload to the Web. Larry Greenemeier reports
Jul 26, 2012•1 min
Apple to Repeat on the EPEAT
Reversing a recent decision, Apple will conform to Electronic Products Environmental Asset Tool standards, or EPEAT, after all. Larry Greenemeier reports
Jul 19, 2012•1 min
Cops Collect Ever More Mobile Device Info
In 2011 law enforcement agencies made more than 1.3 million requests for customer cell phone records. Larry Greenemeier reports
Jul 12, 2012•1 min
Plastic Electronics Cease Stretching Credulity
An experimental electronic plastic's liquid-metal interior keeps electrical connections intact even after the plastic stretches to more than four times normal size. Larry Greenemeier reports
Jul 06, 2012•1 min
Facebook Quietly Created New E-Mail Addresses
Facebook surreptitiously modified user profiles to replace their original e-mail addresses with @facebook.com addresses. Larry Greenemeier reports
Jun 28, 2012•1 min
Microsoft Joins Tablet Fray
Microsoft is not calling its new Surface PC a tablet, but in most meaningful ways it is. Larry Greenemeier reports
Jun 21, 2012•1 min
Companies Inflate Their Twitter Follow Numbers
Many of the alleged Twitter followers for some companies are bots created by marketers to make the company look more popular. Larry Greenemeier reports
Jun 15, 2012•1 min
Holographic Guide Coming to NYC Airports
Ava the Avatar is a virtual assistant coming to the three major New York City area airports for a tryout. Larry Greenemeier reports
Jun 07, 2012•1 min
Facebook Signals Phone Future
Are Facebook's moves toward producing a smart phone smart or phony? Larry Greenemeier reports
May 31, 2012•1 min
Texts May Beat Phone Calls for Survey Honest Answers
A study of 600 iPhone users found that people are more likely to provide honest and accurate information via text messages than voice interviews. Larry Greenemeier reports
May 24, 2012•1 min
Most Users Are App Freeloaders
The vast majority of mobile device users get only free or cheap apps. Larry Greenemeier reports
May 17, 2012•1 min
Look, Computer, No Hands!
Microsoft hopes its SoundWave will let you interact with your PC using hand gestures in midair rather than on a keyboard. Larry Greenemeier reports
May 14, 2012•1 min
Microsoft Bets Big on B&N's Nook
Microsoft and Barnes & Noble are teaming up to make a run at the e-reader market leaders. Larry Greenemeier reports
May 03, 2012•1 min
Apple Has Liquid Metal in Hand
Apple bought a license for a liquid metal alloy in 2010, and the speculation now is that the next iPhone may incorporate the strong, flexible product in its body. Larry Greenemeier reports
Apr 30, 2012•1 min
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