60-Second Tech
161 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 9 years ago - ★★★★ - 83 ratingsScientific 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
Tablet Devices Keep Austistic People Working
September 06, 2012 20:50 - 1 minutePeople with autism were kept on task at work with an iPod Touch featuring various checklist and prompting apps. Larry Greenemeier reports
Protect Privacy When Recycling Smart Phones
August 30, 2012 12:06 - 1 minuteA factory reset may not be enough to wipe the data from a smart phone you're planning to recycle. Larry Greenemeier reports
Can I, Robot, Mow Your Lawn?
August 23, 2012 08:00 - 1 minuteHonda is about to launch a robot to mow your lawn much like the Roomba vacuums your floors. Larry Greenemeier reports
Google: Piracy Accusations Will Lower Search Rankings
August 16, 2012 12:53 - 1 minuteAs 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
Facebook Argues "Like" Is Free Speech
August 09, 2012 18:50 - 1 minuteAfter 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
Distracted Pedestrian ER Visits Rise
August 02, 2012 12:01 - 1 minuteThe number of gadget-distracted walkers injured seriously enough to be treated at emergency rooms has quadrupled in the past seven years. Larry Greenemeier reports
YouTube Promotes Anonymity with Face-Blurring Tool
July 26, 2012 13:55 - 1 minuteYouTube recently introduced a tool that lets you automatically blur faces in footage you upload to the Web. Larry Greenemeier reports
Apple to Repeat on the EPEAT
July 19, 2012 19:39 - 1 minuteReversing a recent decision, Apple will conform to Electronic Products Environmental Asset Tool standards, or EPEAT, after all. Larry Greenemeier reports
Cops Collect Ever More Mobile Device Info
July 12, 2012 11:23 - 1 minuteIn 2011 law enforcement agencies made more than 1.3 million requests for customer cell phone records. Larry Greenemeier reports
Plastic Electronics Cease Stretching Credulity
July 06, 2012 17:35 - 1 minuteAn 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
Facebook Quietly Created New E-Mail Addresses
June 28, 2012 13:44 - 1 minuteFacebook surreptitiously modified user profiles to replace their original e-mail addresses with @facebook.com addresses. Larry Greenemeier reports
Microsoft Joins Tablet Fray
June 21, 2012 11:50 - 1 minuteMicrosoft is not calling its new Surface PC a tablet, but in most meaningful ways it is. Larry Greenemeier reports
Companies Inflate Their Twitter Follow Numbers
June 15, 2012 14:22 - 1 minuteMany of the alleged Twitter followers for some companies are bots created by marketers to make the company look more popular. Larry Greenemeier reports
Holographic Guide Coming to NYC Airports
June 07, 2012 12:50 - 1 minuteAva the Avatar is a virtual assistant coming to the three major New York City area airports for a tryout. Larry Greenemeier reports
Facebook Signals Phone Future
May 31, 2012 21:20 - 1 minuteAre Facebook's moves toward producing a smart phone smart or phony? Larry Greenemeier reports
Texts May Beat Phone Calls for Survey Honest Answers
May 24, 2012 12:27 - 1 minuteA 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
Most Users Are App Freeloaders
May 17, 2012 13:52 - 1 minuteThe vast majority of mobile device users get only free or cheap apps. Larry Greenemeier reports
Look, Computer, No Hands!
May 14, 2012 12:56 - 1 minuteMicrosoft hopes its SoundWave will let you interact with your PC using hand gestures in midair rather than on a keyboard. Larry Greenemeier reports
Microsoft Bets Big on B&N's Nook
May 03, 2012 22:17 - 1 minuteMicrosoft and Barnes & Noble are teaming up to make a run at the e-reader market leaders. Larry Greenemeier reports
Apple Has Liquid Metal in Hand
April 30, 2012 20:12 - 1 minuteApple 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
Computer Effects Virtually Resurrect Tupac
April 22, 2012 21:15 - 1 minuteAvatar director James Cameron's effects company created a virtual Shakur using physical characteristics and movements captured from previously recorded performances. Larry Greenemeier reports
Microsoft Reaches into Purse for Apps
April 12, 2012 20:21 - 1 minuteMicrosoft's Windows Phone needs more apps, for which Microsoft--unlike Apple or Google--is paying developers. Larry Greenemeier reports
Flying Car Debuts at New York City Auto Show
April 05, 2012 11:29 - 1 minuteTerrafugia's Transition two-seat "roadable aircraft" comes to the New York International Auto Show after a maiden flight. Larry Greenemeier reports
Compressed-Air Car Winds Way to Market
March 29, 2012 20:07 - 1 minuteTata Motors hopes to release its compressed-air car in India by August. Larry Greenemeier reports
Use of Portable Electronics in Flight Still up in the Air
March 22, 2012 18:31 - 1 minuteThe aviation industry lacks conclusive proof that gadgets do (or don't) interfere with instruments. Larry Greenemeier reports
Embedded Mini Projectors Coming to Smart Phones
March 16, 2012 12:06 - 1 minuteResearchers are developing small, energy-efficient and luminous three-color laser light sources into smart phones that will enable the projection of screen images onto flat surfaces. Larry Greenemeier reports
Apple Plans a Cleaner Cloud
March 08, 2012 05:00 - 1 minuteData centers powered by biogas and solar energy could make Apple's Cloud cleaner. Larry Greenemeier reports
Skype Video Chat Arrives for Windows Smart Phones
March 01, 2012 12:33 - 1 minuteMicrosoft's test version of its new Skype for Windows Phone app lets you call Skype contacts over 3G, 4G and wi-fi networks. Larry Greenemeier reports
Heads Up for Smart Phone Glasses
February 23, 2012 08:06 - 1 minuteGoogle is developing a smart phone and heads-up display worn over the ears like a pair of specs. Larry Greenemeier reports
Mimicking Ear Makes Mobile Calls Clear
February 16, 2012 20:29 - 1 minuteThe earSmart source separation system makes many mobile phone calls easier to understand in noisy situations. Larry Greenemeier reports
<i>Facebook</i> Users Gird for Mobile Ads
February 09, 2012 20:19 - 1 minuteAds could hit Facebook mobile apps as soon as March. Will users mind on the small screen? Larry Greenemeier reports
Quantum Cryptography Comes to Smart Phones
February 02, 2012 16:01 - 1 minuteA quantum encryption technique out of Los Alamos National Laboratory could provide smart phone security. Larry Greenemeier reports
Hydrogen and Kinetic Energy Will Keep Phones Ringing
January 26, 2012 19:53 - 1 minuteA hydrogen fuel mini cell and a kinetic energy harvester are two new smart phone chargers debuting in 2012. Larry Greenemeier reports
Digital Health Care Puts Control in Consumer Hands
January 19, 2012 22:51 - 1 minuteDigital health care apps, especially via smart phones, are offering users unprecedented control over their health behaviors. Larry Greenemeier reports
Service Teaches Computer Code Online Free
January 12, 2012 17:34 - 1 minuteA start-up called Codecademy is teaching JavaScript online for free, with 300,000 takers so far. Michael Moyer reports
PC-Makers Bet On Ultrabooks
January 05, 2012 12:08 - 1 minuteWith tablets all the rage, non-Apple computer manufacturers are banking on the latest small-laptop style: ultrabooks. Larry Greenemeier reports
Passwords Go Bye-Bye by 2017?
December 29, 2011 19:12 - 1 minuteIBM predicts biometrics will replace most password use in the next five years. Larry Greenemeier reports
NFL Puts Super Bowl Online
December 22, 2011 18:26 - 1 minuteFor the first time, the Super Bowl will stream live on February 5--on the Web sites of both the NFL and NBC. Larry Greenemeier reports
Feds Seek Cell Ban Behind the Wheel
December 15, 2011 19:32 - 1 minuteCiting accident and injury stats, the National Transportation Safety Board has recommended a nationwide ban on the use of communications devices while driving. Larry Greenemeier reports
Digital Rights Cloud Cloud-Based Streaming
December 09, 2011 20:06 - 1 minuteCloud-based systems allow a single purchase to stream on a variety of devices. But it looks like Apple and the Keystone system will duke it out with everyone else and Ultraviolet. Larry Greenemeier reports
Gaming Tech Might Soon Read Facial Expressions
December 01, 2011 20:14 - 1 minuteAs gaming tech closes in on the ability to tell players' expressions, can lip-reading artificial intelligence be far behind? Larry Greenemeier reports
Mobile Apps Help Celebrate Thanksgiving
November 23, 2011 07:45 - 1 minuteApps now can tell you when Snoopy will float by at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade or the best way to deep-fry your turkey. Larry Greenemeier reports
Belt Warns Visually Impaired about Obstacles
November 17, 2011 11:53 - 1 minuteThe Kinecthesia belt has sensors and a series of motors that send vibrations to the wearer to indicate the position of obstacles. Larry Greenemeier reports
iPhone 4S Assistant Siri Does Her Beta Best
November 11, 2011 19:47 - 1 minuteSiri, the new iPhone 4S personal assistant, is a step closer to a keyboard-free future. Larry Greenemeier reports
New Insulator Could Help Grid Weather Storms
November 03, 2011 14:04 - 1 minuteBetter insulation for high-voltage cables could keep them dry during deluges and cut transmission loss. Larry Greenemeier reports
Subjects Move Virtual Chopper with Thoughts
October 27, 2011 19:35 - 1 minuteSubjects using a new software package were able to control the movement of a virtual helicopter through an obstacle course using their thoughts alone. Larry Greenemeier reports
Smarter Silicon Slicing Could Make Solar Competitive
October 20, 2011 13:11 - 1 minuteM.I.T. professor Ely Sachs gave up his faculty position to go all-in on a company that he believes can make solar energy competitive with coal via smart photovoltaic manufacturing. Larry Greenemeier reports
Cybersecurity Threats to Pick Up Steam in 2012
October 15, 2011 00:00 - 1 minuteA new Georgia Tech Information Security Center report cites search engines, mobile phones and personal information as prime targets for hackers. Larry Greenemeier reports
Indoor GPS Makes Strides
October 06, 2011 12:52 - 1 minuteEfforts to develop an indoor version of GPS use smart phones and existing wi-fi. Larry Greenemeier reports
Adhesive Lets 3-D Microchips Go Deep
September 29, 2011 20:57 - 1 minuteIBM and 3M have come up with an adhesive that will allow them to stack up to 100 semiconductors onto a single microchip. Larry Greenemeier reports