2014 New York Auto Show: 2015 Acura TLX is a right-sized luxury sedan that combines technology and style

Acura may be the original Japanese luxury brand, but it has been flying under the radar lately (or driving under the radar, more accurately) with a glut of similar-looking sedans—all with confusing acronyms: ILX, TSX, TL, RLX. In a move that should help clarify its model range (to say nothing of consolidating its marketing budget), Acura is replacing its two middle children, the TSX and the TL, with one fetching new sedan called, you guessed it, the TLX. And it looks to be a pretty sweet ride.

If you think the TSX is a bit too small, and the TL is a bit too large, you’ll find the TLX to be just right. It shares its long wheelbase with the TL but loses several inches off the overhangs, giving it a nice, solid-looking stance without compromising interior space. Acura has evolved its controversial guillotine grille treatment over time, and TLX arguably wears it better than ever. Indeed, with the slick new LED headlamps, elegantly rising character line in the body, the tapering window-line, and tidy rear end, the 2015 TLX could be considered the most handsome new Acura to appear in a decade.

A luxury car isn’t a luxury car unless it has lots of well-made stuff inside, and here the TLX won’t disappoint. The cabin feels just as roomy in front and back as the outgoing TL, and even if its interior design doesn’t advance the state of the art terribly far, there’s a marked step-up in quality over the last model, er, models. The TLX looks, feels, and even smells a lot like the fancier RLX, with optional Milano leather, lots of soft-touch materials, real alloy and woodgrain trim.

View Gallery 2014 New York Auto Show: Must-sees from one of the world's most important auto shows

Available features include heated and ventilated front seats, Bluetooth connectivity, keyless access, navigation, real-time traffic, a seven-inch touch screen display, and as always, a whompin’ surround sound system designed by Elliot Scheiner, this time with 10 speakers and 455 watts of juice.

The new TLX will also come with Acura’s cloud-based connectivity system, Siri Eyes-Free technology for iPhone users, and available GPS-linked climate control, LED accent lighting, and more.

TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images The 2015 Acura TLX debuted on the 2014 New York International Auto Show stage at the Javits Center.

The TLX will come with a choice of two engines: a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 206 hp and 182 lb-ft of torque, mated to an innovative new eight-speed dual clutch automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. Hot-shoes may want to opt for the 290-hp 3.5-liter V-6, which produces 267 lb-ft of torque, an increase of 10 hp and 13 lb-ft of torque compared to the outgoing TL’s 3.5-liter six. It also gets a new transmission, a conventional automatic with nine speeds.

The V-6 model is also available with the next generation of Acura’s torque-vectoring Super Handling All-wheel drive (SH-AWD), which we loved in its first iteration and can’t wait to try out with its new enhancements. Combined with Acura’s P-AWS all-wheel steering system (standard on all models), the SH-AWD-equipped cars should have even sharper turning around low speed corners, and greater stability at expressway speeds.

Acura Headed and ventilated front seats, Bluetooth, navigation, and a ten-speaker surround sound system are all available on the TLX.

Speaking of stability, the TLX takes safety as seriously as anything in the class, offering many an electronic and sensor-based driver assistance feature, including lane departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation braking, blind spot monitor, cross traffic monitor.

Fuel economy for the four-cylinder model is estimated to be 24 mpg city and 35 mpg, with V-6 models coming in around 21 mpg city / 34 mpg highway for with front-wheel drive (a rise of one and five miles per gallon compared to the front-drive 2014 TL) and 21/31 mpg with all-wheel drive (up three and five mpg compared to the all-wheel-drive TL). Some of this fuel economy gain can be attributed to the taller gearing of the transmissions, but also due to a reduction in overall weight; front-drive V-6 models, for example, weigh some 145 pounds less than a comparable 2014 TL.

Pricing hasn’t been announced, but we expect the new TLX to come in somewhere close to the 2014 TL (about $37K – $46K) than the TSX. Will the TLX drive as nicely as it looks? We will let you know as soon as we find out.

 

 

Source from: http://www.nydailynews.com

ECCO new brand partner to implement GORE-TEX® SURROUND™ product technology for 2015

23. June, 2014 Fashion & Lifestyle, Footwear, Innovation, Products, Sports & Active

ECCO new brand partner to implement GORE-TEX® SURROUND™ product technology for 2015

The Danish brand ECCO is launching its first collection of casual shoes
with the GORE-TEX® SURROUND™ product technology.
The shoes will be distributed to the global footwear market for
spring/summer 2015.

The technology combines ECCO’s competence as a global footwear brand,
especially for direct injection and Gore’s climate comfort know-how in a new
way, providing footwear with ECCO’s unique walking comfort while being
highly breathable and durably waterproof – all around the foot.
Excess moisture and heat can escape at any time through the upper
assembly, and now in addition, below the foot and then out via openings to the
side of the sole.

GORE-TEX® SURROUND™ product technology for casual shoes:
all- round climate comfort thanks to open sole construction

GORE-TEX® SURROUND™ casual shoes are completely
waterproof and breathable all around. Moisture and warmth are
not only conducted upwards via the upper of the shoe, but also
downwards to the sole and out through large openings in the
sole, or – as in the ECCO execution – through the side of the
sole.

Shoes with the GORE-TEX® SURROUND™ product technology had been
successfully launched globally a few years ago. For the upcoming season
spring/summer 2015, 19 Gore brand partners offer GORE-TEX® shoes with SURROUND™ product technology. Amongst them – the initial European
launch partners like Clarks, Ara, Legero, IGI & CO. Primigi, Högl, Superfit and
Fretzmen – Viking, Salewa and new for 2015 ECCO with its special execution
and Lowa with an urban inspired collection for men and ladies.

The benefit: dry & cool feet

Casual GORE-TEX® SURROUND™ shoes keep feet comfortably dry and cool
all day. They are perfectly designed for travelling, everyday use, at work, for
indoor as well as for outdoor, in moderate to warmer conditions.
About a third of the sweat from the feet passes through the soles of the feet.
With the new GORE-TEX® SURROUND™ Technology, the sweat is also
channeled away from the feet more quickly via the open, “patented”
construction. This innovative technology also allows the functionality to be
made more visible – and therefore easy to explain for retailers and intuitively
understood by consumers.

 

 

Source from: http://news.gorefabrics.com

Panasonic targeting release of wearable robotic technology to consumer market in 2015

---

Panasonic’s Japanese unit ActiveLink has finally decided to expand the target market of their exoskeleton suits. What once was only used for medical and military activities will soon be available for the common laborer with the launch of their cheaper and easier-to-wear exoskeleton suits.

While the robotic suits have been developed by the firm since 2003, it was only recently that the company had decided to come up with the “Powerloader” suit, which is relatively cheaper than their first releases. This suit ranges from $5,000 to $7,000, and could handle simple tasks such as lift heavy items and assist in farming. On the other hand, the Cyberdyne’s Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) is aimed at helping employees in nursing homes carry heavy loads and also to support people going trough physiotherapy for their arms and legs. For much heavier loads of up to 90 kilograms, your best bet is the Lockheed Martin’s Human Universal Load Carrier (HULC). Powered by hydraulics, this suit is often used in military.

The new design of ActiveLink’s Powerloader, called the Powerloader Light PLL-01, makes it much easier for the wearer of the suit to manage it. Weighing 40 kilograms, the PLL-01 could carry a load of up to 30 kg, a big step down from its military-use predecessor, which could lift up to 100 kg. Company president Hiromichi Fujimoto said, “For commercialization, we need to make something that’s more compact and lighter while further reducing the risk of falling over.”

Because the robots are not easy to sell, the company has decided to highlight the ease with which one can wear the exoskeleton suit and still move as one of its major selling points. The company is also looking at developing new designs, which have lesser functionality and features so that weight will not be a problem, as well as bringing down the price. Fujimoto said that the company may also develop suits that can be worn on the arms or any body parts like a device, which would make them more handy and user-friendly.

 

 

Source from: http://japandailypress.com

Technology brands top for value in 2014

Apple remains in the top spot of the Brand Finance Global 500 league table with a brand value of more than $104bn

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Apple's success in pioneering new types of product has helped it top a global league table that assesses the value of corporate brands.

Tech firms have dominated the 2014 Brand Finance Global 500 league table of the world's most valuable brands, with Apple topping the list for the third year running.

In the annual study by brand valuation consultancy Brand Finance, eight out the global top ten brands are technology firms. Only the presence of retailers Walmart and Amazon prevent tech domination at the top of the table, though the fact that the online retailer has leap-frogged its less tech-savvy rival to take eighth spot is telling.

Apple remains the undisputed champion, with a brand value of more than $104bn - more than $25bn higher than nearest rival Samsung. According to Brand Finance chief executive David Haigh, what sets it apart is its ability to monetise its brand, generating multi-billion dollar revenues across a range of product categories.

"Some of those categories it is largely responsible for creating," he says. "Though tablets were in use before the iPad, it was the Apple brand that captured the public imagination and allowed it to take off as a commercial reality."

Apple's dominance is being challenged though, with Samsung's brand value significantly outgrowing its American rival over the past year. While the South Korean conglomerate is involved in fields as diverse as construction, chemicals and shipbuilding, its consumer electronics division is driving its brand value. An improving reputation for reliability, a faster pace of innovation and wider range of devices have seen it increase by 34 per cent to nearly $79bn this year.

After a problematic initial public offering (IPO) in 2012, Facebook has rebounded strongly adding 76 per cent to its brand value to bring the total to $9.8bn. Growing revenues from mobile advertising have boosted investor confidence, but Brand Finance senior analyst Sanjay Gunewardene thinks the world's most popular social media network needs to be wary of resting on its laurels.

"The question is if they are able to keep the pace going," he says. "I think they feel very much that they need to have some sort of plan and not rely on advertising."

Dominating sectors

Despite solid growth of 10 per cent, computing heavyweight IBM has dropped down the rankings as others post figures of 30 per cent and upwards, though it still manages to remain in the global top 10. In the IT sector Oracle is the standout success story, pushing into the global top 50 with a respectable growth of $4.5bn in the last year.

"Oracle is going from strength to strength," says Ovum analyst Steven Hartley. "It's in the background but it powers a lot of what is going on with those near the top."

As a sector IT has performed well, with every company posting an increase in brand value, but with many brands achieving multi-billion dollar increases some big players have had a year to forget. Fujitsu saw its brand-rating drop from an AA to an AA- as it posted a measly 8 per cent rise in brand value, while Adobe dropped into the bottom fifth of the global rankings.

"It's the new guard versus the old guard," says Hartley. "Those companies at the bottom are fairly old-school IT companies."

In the electronics sector it's a story that has become familiar over the last decade, with traditional Japanese heavyweights lagging behind electronics-focused South Korean conglomerates. Samsung and LG had excellent years, with LG experiencing a stunning 60 per cent increase in brand value that pushes it in to the top 100 global brands.

In contrast the five biggest losers in the sector were Japanese, with all five dropping down the rankings. But it's not all doom and gloom - Sony and Panasonic have posted increases of 29 and 16 per cent respectively and Gunewardene says Brand Finance is predicting a comeback for some of the Japanese big guns, with Sony in particular doing well in its TV and gaming divisions.

The surprise story in the electronics sector is Phillips, who posted a $3bn rise to come out as the biggest winner this year. After a decade of being undercut by Asian manufacturers, Ovum's Hartley believes the firm's attempts to re-order their business is beginning to pay dividends. "They were still trying to do everything for everyone, trying to do what the Asian manufacturers have done, but on a European cost basis," he says. "They refocused, restructured, and it's nice to see them picking themselves up again."

Conspicuous by its absence is Nokia, which has finally been forced out of the Top 500 after a rapid fall from grace in recent years. While neither Ericsson nor Hauwei make E&T's Top 50 this year, their respective fortunes show a shift of power in the networking business. The Chinese firm's brand value grew by 58 per cent while the Swedish company managed only 4 per cent.

French firm Alcatel-Lucent though seems to be doing a better job of countering competition from Asia, boosting its brand value by $4.3bn. Gunewardene says: "Their share price has tripled since a new CEO came in and started a new restructuring process."

Global successes

In the telecoms sector American juggernauts Verizon and AT&T lead the way thanks to a near 75 per cent market share of fixed and mobile connections, but Japanese provider Softbank had the highest proportional brand value increase in the sector with an impressive 82 per cent. That rise explains the industry's worst performer - fellow Japanese firm NTT. "Softbank has been incredibly disruptive in Japan, it's really shaken up the cosy relationship. NTT has been the main victim of that," says Hartley.

At the heavier end of the technology spectrum, Airbus has profited from last year's decision to adopt the name of its flagship brand, dropping the clunky EADS and seeing the value of the Airbus marque rocket by 158 per cent. The rise is almost double that of any other proportional increase by a technology firm this year.

The outlook is not so rosy for fellow defence giant BAE Systems, which dropped nearly 150 places in the rankings. Defence cuts in the US, which accounts for 44 per cent of the firm's market, saw shares plummet last month, while several high-profile failures to seal deals for its Typhoon aircraft in the Middle East also hurt earnings.

Caterpillar similarly saw its brand value fall by more than $1.5bn last year as a long-term slowing of demand in the construction sector saw it cut its workforce and implement austerity measures in 2013. But positive last quarter results coupled with a recovery in the sectors it serves indicate it should be on the road to recovery in 2014.

If Japan appears to be the sick old man of the electronics sector, it has been saving its vitality for the automotive industry. President Shinzo Abe's 'Abenomics' programme seems to be paying off as global demand for Japanese goods improves with Toyota, Mitsubishi and Honda, Japan's three most valuable brands, all increasing their values by more than 30 per cent. "The Japanese brands are starting to make a comeback after getting battered by the Koreans," says Gunewardene.

However, Fiat chief executive Sergio Marchionne so far seems to have failed in his attempts to shore up Fiat's decline, with the brand topping the sector's losers list. A deal in early 2014 to take full control of Chrysler could help by allowing the firm to share technology, cash and dealer networks, but it remains to be seen whether the merger will be enough to cut Fiat's losses in Europe.

While some big oil and gas firms have seen their brand value cut significantly, energy suppliers EDF and British Gas have posted 20 per cent and 37 per cent rises respectively.

The big shock in the energy sector is Tepco, infamous for operating the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant that suffered a meltdown in 2011, which has boosted its brand value by more than 40 per cent. While it is still lagging behind its 2011 brand value of $7.4bn, Gunewardene says: "Despite the disaster, Tepco's revenues have continued to grow and analysts are expecting forecast revenues to increase further."

 

Source from: http://eandt.theiet.org

2014 predictions: new camera technology we can expect in the new year

New camera technology is evolving quickly making it an exciting time for photographers. Our head of testing Angela Nicholson makes her bold 2014 predictions for photographers.



We’ve been talking about the rise of the compact system camera for a while now, but 2013 has been a pivotal year for the genre with more CSCs being announced than DSLRs.

And we’ve not just seen cameras to entice new photographers towards interchangeable lens models. There are also now more options for serious enthusiasts and professional photographers who want to use a smaller, lighter camera, or make use of some of the new features.

The prevalence of camera phones has also been a hot topic of conversation over recent years and it is really biting into the compact camera market, especially the lower end. This fierce competition is forcing manufacturers to rethink what they do.

Some have responded by concentrating on new cameras that offer something that the cameras on phones generally don’t – extensive zoom ranges, waterproof construction, traditional controls, larger sensors and high-end features.

Others have introduced new cameras that are designed to compliment a phone by offering Wi-Fi connectivity for quick and easy image upload to the handset and subsequent sharing on Facebook and Twitter etc.

It’s an interesting time for photographers of all levels and our thoughts are naturally turning to what 2014 might hold. Here is a list of what we believe will happen in terms of photo trends and new camera technology.

Our 2014 Predictions for Photographers

1.    Small cameras will be big in 2014
2.    Self-levelling images
3.    Widespread in-camera frame, light-leak and flare effects
4.    CSC AF will match SLR
5.    More pros will switch to using a CSC
6.    Nikon to put a touchscreen in a DSLR
7.    Canon to introduce a high-end CSC
8.    Wi-Fi connectivity the norm
9.    Better remote control apps
10.    Small CSCs increasingly used instead of compact cameras

Over the next few pages we’ll explain what we mean by each of these.

DON’T MISS: Best cameras of 2013: the top DSLRs and CSCs of the past year

2014 predictions for photographers: new cameras will get smaller

We saw a lot of downsizing towards the end of 2013 and I think this trend is set to continue during 2014.

The Panasonic GM1, for example, is a tiny Micro Four Thirds model which the company is pitching into the market amongst compact models and not making a big deal of the fact that it can accept interchangeable lenses.

Conversely, Panasonic made its GF6, G6 and GH3 larger than their previous incarnations and I wonder if they might reverse this during 2014 and bring out smaller replacements?

While the GM1 is very small, the most impressive feat of downsizing was seen with the introduction of the Sony Alpha 7 and 7R (See our Sony A7R / Sony A7 Review).

These new cameras have full-frame sensors, but are about the same size as the Olympus OM-D E-M1 (£1,299 body only) – an excellent camera but as a Micro Four Thirds mode it has a sensor that’s smaller than the APS-C sized devices in most DSLRs and some compact cameras.

SEE MORE: Full frame DSLRs – do you really need one?

What’s more this shrinkage doesn’t come at a hugely inflated cost as their price tags (A7 £1,299 and A7R £1,699 both body only) sit comfortably amongst those for the Canon EOS 6D (£1,399 body only) and Nikon D610 (£1,499 body only).

As well as providing a smaller, lighter alternative to a DSLR for full-frame photography, the 24/36Mp A7/R raise expectations about what should be possible for cameras with APS-C and Four Thirds format sensors.

PAGE 1 – 2014 predictions for photographers: new cameras getting smaller
PAGE 2 – 2014 predictions for photographers: new features to look out for
PAGE 3 – 2014 predictions for photographers: light-leaks and frames
PAGE 4 – 2014 predictions for photographers: lovely lenses
PAGE 5 – 2014 predictions for photographers: death of the SLR
PAGE 6 – 2014 Predictions: a manufacturer’s view
PAGE 7 – 2014 Predictions: a dealer’s view

READ MORE

Sony A7R vs Nikon D800: which full-frame camera should you buy?
Nikon Df vs Sony A7R: which full-frame camera should you buy?
Nikon D5300 vs D5100 vs D5200: 13 key differences you need to know about
44 essential digital camera tips and tricks
10 ways to drive a photography snob mad

 

Source from: http://www.digitalcameraworld.com

What's hot in technology for 2014?

Businesses will need to invest in new technology.

• Budget 2014: Businesses want more infrastructure investment


• CBI calls for infrastructure investment in Autumn Statement


• Britain’s infrastructure boom and EU reform – five things we learned from the CBI conference


• Skills shortage puts UK infrastructure ambitions in jeopardy, says LCCI/ KPMG report


• Political uncertainty holding back progress on infrastructure – CBI

Improved data analytics, better infrastructure intelligence, cloud service growth and the importance of securing networks amid an increase in unauthorised employee Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) use are all priorities for enterprises this year, according to IT service provider Advanced.

A report commissioned by the company identified the five transformative technology trends and recommends steps businesses need to take to utilise these to remain ahead of the curve.

Neil Cross, managing director, Advanced, said: "The breadth and depth of technology advancements has never had the impact on our lives that it does now. Developments are impacting all touch points of the value and supply chains, with consumer empowerment, mobile, social, data and cloud capabilities all redrawing the business environment in profound ways.

"Data analytics, for instance, is increasingly important as organisations in every industry seek to make sense of massive volumes of data and deploy platforms that translate this information into meaningful business intelligence."

He added: “There are many business technologies that are developing rapidly, however, our top five trends recognise those where we are seeing the most interest from our clients across the private, public and not for profit sectors."

The five technology trends are:

1. Network security and the growth of BYOD

With 81% of workers admitting to using their own devices to access their employer's network - without their employer's knowledge or permission - businesses need to focus on improving security. Safeguarding networks is a must and requires the implementation of BYOD usage guidelines alongside technical controls that physically allow or prevent access.

2. Infrastructure intelligence

By 2020 it is estimated there will be 4 billion people online using 50 trillion gigabytes of data. The increase in data volume is being driven by the rise in use of business critical apps, mobile devices and the cloud. With storage growing at 20-40% each year, businesses need to improve their intelligence and implement an infrastructure to store such vast quantities of data.

3. Data analytics

If businesses are to harness big data and use this to drive their commercial strategies, they need to invest in state-of-the-art data analytics and business intelligence systems. Continued growth in the volumes of enterprise data available to businesses is only valuable if they obtain cross-functional buy-in in order to break down the many data and organisational silos that still exist within organisations.

4. The rise of the cloud

Ninety per cent of UK businesses expect to move some of their applications to the cloud by 2017. Many IT managers anticipate that the rise of cloud-based applications will have a major impact on the way in which they manage their data centre and enterprise infrastructures. Businesses need to manage these changes and their impact on IT personnel. Business processes must evolve in tandem with cloud adoption if organisations are to achieve the full potential of their cloud investments.

5. 24/7 business connectivity

The social and business implications of 24/7 connectivity are only just beginning to emerge. In order to service the demand for round-the-clock access to goods and services, business will need to invest in new technology and rework their working processes accordingly.

Other technologies that are rapidly evolving and gaining mainstream acceptance in the near future, suggests Advanced, include 3D printing – an industry predicted to be worth $5.2bn by 2020.

Augmented reality, which provides users with a real-time view of the environment enhanced by digital data such as text, sound, graphics and navigation, is already available via smartphones.

The use of wearable technologies such as bionic lenses and Google Glass type products look likely to become increasingly widespread.

The 'gamification' of commercial websites, where businesses add game-like features to their commercial applications and websites that reward customers is also increasing in popularity. The industry is predicted to be worth £1.75bn by 2016.

Cross concluded: "The technologies identified are the future and will be key to helping organisations maintain their competitive edge. Businesses which fail to embrace the latest technologies run the risk of being left behind."

The Advanced report is available here.

 

Source from: http://www.link2portal.com

New Year’s Tech: What to Expect in 2014

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Shoppers will see a slew of “two-in-one” convertibles that act as both traditional laptops and more portable tablets.

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You’ll be wearing the hottest thing in technology in 2014, but it won’t be Google glasses or a smart watch. The New Year will be all about getting fit and staying healthy.

“What will be hot are wearable health devices such as NikeFuel Bands, Fitbit, and Jawbone UP,” seasoned tech analyst Tim Bajarin told FoxNews.com.

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“These types of wearables -- along with wireless blood pressure kits like iHealth -- will see serious consumer interest and exciting products next year.”

Other wellness technology on the rise includes remote health care, the Consumer Electronics Association forecasts. With thistelepresence medicine, you can visit a virtual doctor anywhere, anytime, just as telecommuting lets you work from anywhere in the world. In fact, pharmacies such as CVS and Walgreens are already testing the technology, though it’s still unclear how soon patients might expect to see kiosks.

As for 2013’s wearables -- smart watches and Google glasses? Forget about ’em.

“All attempts at creating a smart watch for the masses have failed,” Bajarin said. “The ones on the market today only appeal to ultrageeks and early adopters … smart watches won’t go mainstream anytime soon.”

The same goes for connected eyewear such as Google Glass. Bajarin predicts smart glasses will remain in experimental mode next year, with first-movers selling fewer than a million units combined. Ditto for autonomous cars.

In the world of gadgets, shoppers will see a slew of “two-in-one” convertibles that act as both traditional laptops and more portable tablets, at least for Windows and Intel-based devices. “I believe two-in-ones are the future of laptops,” Bajarin anticipates. “We will see a huge campaign around these in 2014, including devices with dual operating systems, i.e. Android Apps running on Windows machines.”

Another New Year’s expectation: Bigger screens. That means already hard-to-fit-in-your-pocket smartphones will grow. And so will tablets, to facilitate screen sharing.

While they get bigger, your phones and tablets will also become more aware. For instance, beacon technology will soon be introduced in Major League Baseball parks and the new San Francisco 49ers stadium.

“Using something called Bluetooth low energy, these beacons can be attached to display end caps [at the end of store aisles], and when your phone or tablet comes within proximity, the beacon will alert you to sales and promotions or send things like player’s info and stats,” Bajarin explains.

As further proof that the death of the PC has been greatly exaggerated, Google Chromebooks are expected to gain more ground in the upcoming year, analysts say. In 2013, Google added two HP Chromebooks to its lineup, which already included multipleSamsung and Acer options. In 2014, Dell joins the party, along with a new iMac-like “Chromebase” by LG.

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Although adoption of Chromebooks has been slow, it’s been steadily increasing.

“In our research, I understand that Google and their partners will become even more aggressive in pricing and marketing Chrome OS devices in 2014,” Bajarin said.

In addition to selling more hardware, Google and other tech giants hope to advance natural search this year. Whether you’re dictating a command to Google Now, Apple Siri, or Xbox, or typing in a search query as if you were asking another person, natural search aims to make information more accessible to everybody, without knowing advanced search techniques. In other words, your search for information should soon become more fruitful.

As for the most revolutionary consumer tech in 2014 . . . Although they’ve tried for years, the 3D printing industry may finally come to fruition, thanks to palatable prices and a growing interest in do-it-yourself manufacturing. “Thanks to the expiration of key patents, 3D printing will explode in 2014,” predicts Christopher Mims for Quartz.

 

Source from:  http://news.discovery.com

Google’s Smart Contact Lens Brings Medical Technology to a Whole New Level

It looks creepy, like something that gives you Terminator vision, but this new Google-made product is not that cool. It something that would never expect from this world’s biggest tech giant. Apparently, Google is venturing into medical area with its new Smart Contact Lens project. A new device that makes the most of wearable technology to help people diabetes measure their glucose levels.

Sure, it wasn’t the amazing piece of technology everyone would want to wear in their eye. But this actually brings wearable technology to a whole new level. And yes, you can forget about Google Glass because this is way beyond making calls or taking a photo with a voice command. According to Google’s official announcement, this lens is capable of testing glucose levels in tears using its’ tiny wireless chip and miniaturized glucose sensor that has been carefully placed between two layers of soft contact lens material. The prototype version of this lens is said to be capable of generating a reading once per second.

(Photo Credit: VR-Zone)

Read Also: Tech Pundit Robert Scoble Thinks Google Glass is “Doomed”

“It’s still early days for this technology, but we’ve completed multiple clinical research studies which are helping to refine our prototype. We hope this could someday lead to a new way for people with diabetes to manage their disease,”project co-founders, Brian Otis and Babak Parviz stated on the blog post.

Google is currently negotiating with FDA to get the approval to launch this product into markets. If Google succeeds in this venture, it will definitely ring a new trend in technology, something that will truly benefit all humans.

 

 

Source from:  http://freshinfos.com

Saving Lives on the Battlefield: New Israeli Medical Technology

A simple, basic medical device aimed at saving lives on the battlefield was developed and manufactured by a medical start-up company based in Ra’anana, Israel.

The project is based on the ideas of Morris Topaz, a plastic surgeon and the director of the Hillel Jaffe Medical Center Plastic Surgery Unit.

TopClosure is a device aimed at temporary, quick closure of traumatic injuries, on the battlefield or during mass casualty events, by medical personnel such as paramedics or even the injured themselves, before the arrival of available senior medical personnel and the evacuation of the injured soldier to the nearest hospital.

The new product is to be added to first aid kits used by emergency medical forces, such as ambulances, paramedics and military medics. It’s aimed at solving the closure problem of large, traumatic wounds (such as lost limbs), helping to prevent bleeding or infections that can make them difficult to treat.

The TopClosure kit is very simple to operate, containing two small, 6 by 2.5 centimeter plastic bottles with an adhesive surface on their bottom side. That surface adheres to the skin on both sides of the wound. The surfaces contain a serrated slit through which a plastic ribbon – similar to plastic restraints – is then passed. The skin on both sides of the wound is stretched closed until it covers the entire wound.

In cases where the size of the injury is relatively large (such as lost limbs) several kits may be used along the same injury, achieving better closure while applying uniform pressure on the skin surrounding the injury.

The treatment process can be complimented by other accessories, such as procoagulants or personal bandages, for better treatment of casualties in long range or delayed evacuation scenarios, where evacuation – by ground vehicle, plane or helicopter – requires preparation.

iHLS – Israel Homeland Security

The plastic bases can be stapled to the body next to the injury using medical skin staples. In this manner the device can act as an emergency suture, which is sometimes unavailable during combat or mass casualty events.

The TopClosure kit, manufactured by Israeli company IVT Medical, saw its first field use during Operation Protective Edge. The device, according to various iHLS sources, saved lives, reduced the need for surgery and reduced recovery times. Outside Israel the device was used by the product development team, led by Dr. Morris Topaz, in regions where access to medical facilities or hospitals is difficult, and the TopClosure kit proved very helpful.

The product was approved by the U.S. FDA and the European CE, in addition to Israeli authorities. It’s relatively low cost – around $60 – depending on the package configuration and the target market.

“During mass casualty events, when skilled and well equipped medical personnel are scarce, there’s a very urgent need for quick emergency treatment. I learned this as a young doctor attached to a paratrooper unit during the Lebanon War, and while treating many terror victims who suffered complex injuries at the Hillel Jaffe medical center.”

“In a battlefield, or during a mass casualty event, and especially after explosions, there’s a spike in the number of casualties – and not enough people capable of giving medical treatment, especially surgeons. I’ve no doubt that the TopClosure kit, carried by every soldier, doctor and paramedic, will save lives.” This according to Dr. Morris Topaz in an exclusive interview given to iHLS.

Source from:  http://i-hls.com

Automotive technology will be on display at auto shows in 2014

New technology will again be on display throughout the Auto Show circuit in 2014. While attendees come to learn more about current and future car models, they are also interested in the expanding technology inside the dashboard.

"The automotive industry is changing dramatically to meet changing market challenges and needs, and more changes are on the horizon," Warren Brown, syndicated automotive columnist, said in a press release. "We want to showcase vehicles exhibiting advanced technologies and provide attendees with show-and-tell photos of how these technologies work."

Brown wrote a piece for the Washington Auto Show called "All Things Connected," a companion guide to new technology at the show. The guide covers numerous forms of automotive technology, including advances in autonomous driving systems, hands-free communication, global navigation systems, collision avoidance, fuel efficiency and hybrid engines.

Automotive technology is providing new opportunities for business owners
Safety can also be improved with new technology that allows parents and fleet managers to track distracted driving habits such as cellphone use. Similar technology, such as hands-free devices, can give drivers the option to voluntarily be safer behind the wheel. In many states, it is now against the law to speak on the phone while driving, making hands-free technology even more sought after by car owners. In-dash navigation systems and back-up cameras can also provide drivers with safer alternatives when operating their cars.

While exciting new software and systems are improving the driving experience for car owners, they also offer new outlets for automotive styling and repair shops. Much of the newest technology can be installed aftermarket, allowing customers to choose how they wish to upgrade their cars.

If you are interested in starting your own business, automotive technology is a new avenue to provide a sought-after product. Franchise opportunities are also available to assist new owners in navigating the increasingly advancing market of technology add-ons for cars.

 

 

Source from:  http://moranfamilyofbrands.com