From Electricity to WiTricity June 09, 2007

Read more Gadgets , Laptops , Mobile phones , Science , Technology

I have more chargers and cables, old and new, than I care to count. Certainly enough to get me beaten to death by some eco-radicals. Now, a huddle of US boffins at MIT have successfully tested a wireless method of charging electrical items.

Called WiTricity, the experiment saw a 60W light bulb come to life thanks to some wireless power. A couple of copper coils were hooked up to a transmitter on the bulb and the power source, respectively, and when activated, power traveled 2m to the bulb and it glowed. It even managed to glow when obstacles like wood were placed in the path.

The downside is that the power efficiency needs to be higher for real-life uses but, according to the scientists, the test is very positive and we could all potentially be charging items like laptops and phones without those unsightly brick-plugs and cables.

Expect to be a few years older though before this is actually a reality.-Martin Lynch

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Zune May Hit Europe In 2007 After All. Or Not. June 09, 2007

Read more Digital Audio , Gadgets , MP3 , Music , Zune , iPod

Microsoft may have flogged a million Zunes earlier than expected but none of them over here. As usual, Europe’s on the technology backburner but stories last week which reported Microsoft boss, Steve Ballmer, telling the Germans that Zune would not arrive until 2008 are not true.

Great, so that means it’s coming this year then, right? Ah, no. The truth is far less interesting and more obscure. Due to dodgy translations, the original reports were incorrect. The truth is that Ballmer did not say Zune would be delayed until 2008 but, nor did he say it was coming this year. Confused? What he actually said was:

“Our primary goal was to get into market, offer some innovation and do some learning. The US is always an easy place to practice, because it is our home market. Over time, we will have various versions of Zune. And, it is obvious that we need to have new services, not just an Internet music store. So far, we have lost money in this business because of our investments. That is why we decided not to enter new markets so far. It will only pay off after we have reached some of the goals outlined. When this will be the case, I cannot tell you today.”

Now you have the Zune truth and it’s far less interesting than the Zune lie. I bet the lie got more attention too. -Martin Lynch

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