Panasonic’s KX-TGM420 Series is a home phone solution designed for improved communications for anyone affected by hearing loss. It has a voice volume up to 40 decibels (dB) to make caller voices easier to hear, while the base unit can be set to ring loudly at up to 112 dB. The ‘Slow Talk’ feature slows … Continue reading Cordless phone for hearing impaired →

360fly has announced software and firmware updates to its camera and app across both iOS and Android platforms. The updates serve to further enhance recordings, shareability and filming and editing functionality on-the-fly, allowing users to manipulate and share videos instantaneously with family and friends, says the company. One such update gives the device the ability … Continue reading Firmware/software updates for 360-degree camera →

Seven in ten Australians want a self-driving car to take over when they feel tired or bored and just under half already recognise autonomous vehicles will be safer than a human driver. The inaugural study coordinated by the Australian Driverless Vehicle Initiative (ADVI) and its academic partners surveyed more than 5,000 Australians aged 18 and … Continue reading Majority of Aussies want self-driving cars →

US-based Viridian International Management has announced that it is offering energy products to consumers in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia through a strategic partnership with Click Energy. Viridian began launching its Australian market earlier this year and announced its strategic business relationship with Click Energy in June. Since its inception, Viridian has … Continue reading US player enters energy market via proxy →

Aquion Energy, manufacturer of Aspen saltwater batteries and energy storage systems, and Fusion Power Systems, an Australian power and energy systems integrator, have announced Titan SmartStorage, an integrated solar energy storage solution for residential applications in Australia. Titan SmartStorage is a fully integrated, easy-to-install residential solar energy storage system. It combines clean and cost-effective Aquion … Continue reading Solar storage solution for residential applications →

With the new Apple Watch making its debut last month, Apple also decided to rebrand the original version as the ‘Series 1”. Along with the rebrand comes a few cosmetic changes including having the newer version’s dual-core processor, as well as the recently released watchOS 3 update. Features it won’t have that come standard with … Continue reading Apple watch rebranded →

  On the back of our recent story about Samsung patenting a bendable OLED display for smartphones, Panasonic is rumoured to be developing flexible lithium-ion batteries designed for the smartphone market. One of the roadblocks to creating a flexible battery has been the ability for it to retain its charge as it’s bent out of … Continue reading Flexible battery for smartphones from Panasonic →

Swedish-based M2M/IoT market research firm Berg Insight claims that autonomous cars will debut in 2020 and by 2030 more than 24 million will be sold. The active installed base of autonomous cars is forecasted to have reached about 71 million at the end of 2030. These figures include SAE Level 3 and 4 cars. It … Continue reading Berg claims autonomous car sales to reach 24 million by 2030 →

Cynora, a company that specialises in TADF (thermally activated delayed fluorescence) materials, has developed new material classes that it claims to combine both high efficiency and long lifetime for blue emissions.  This means the commercialisation of Cynora’s TADF materials is planned for the end of 2017. Earlier this year, Cynora had established two blue emitter … Continue reading Cynora develops new material classes →

Perth-based technology company Airstream has launched a wireless, smart lighting product, iLight, which allows users to experience more than 16 million colour shades in their homes or offices. iLight can connect with other automated home devices via a smartphone app. Airstream co-founder Mike Temple says what differentiates iLight from existing wireless lighting is its ability to … Continue reading Home automation lighting via smartphone app →

South Korea’s Yonahp News Agency is reporting that Samsung has filed a patent for a foldable OLED display, which has been designed for smartphones. Note, this is not a flexible screen as being touted by LG back in 2013. This is a display capable of being folded in half. And this matters why? Because if … Continue reading Foldable OLED display for smartphones coming soon →

Pelican Products, manufacturer of high-performance protective cases and containers and portable lighting tools is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Sensitive equipment requires protection, and since 1976 Pelican cases have been designed for travel in the harshest of environments. Against the extreme cold of the Arctic or the heat of battle, Pelican cases have survived. … Continue reading Pelican celebrates 40 years →

STMicroelectronics has introduced AEC-Q100 Grade-0 op amps and comparators in a MiniSO8 package, giving automotive designers twice the freedom to miniaturise ECUs deployed in the most extreme temperature environments and safety-critical systems, claims the manufacturer. The LM2904WHYST dual op amp and LM2903WHYST dual comparator in 4.9mm x 3.0mm MiniSO8 are qualified for operation from -40°C … Continue reading STMicroelectronics Extends Automotive ECU Miniaturisation →

Gerard Lighting has announced a new range of Diginet LEDSmart+ dimmers, timers and electronic light switches. It features MultiMate Technology, which allows electricians to provide a solution for both single-point and multi-way dimming solutions. “Dimming from one location was always the accepted industry standard,” said Jason Gerard, Group General Manager, Research and Development, Gerard Lighting. … Continue reading New dimming solution for LED lighting →

For decades the spring-loaded probe is said to have delivered excellent mechanical and electrical performance in a highly compliant contact. However, this often came at a high cost given that each pin is constructed of 3-4 discreet parts, manufactured and assembled in a laborious, less-than-fully-automated process. A single test socket for reliability and burn-in testing … Continue reading Reinventing the spring-loaded probe pin →

STMicroelectronics has revealed its contributions to an intelligent toothbrush system from Oral-B. ST’s motion-sensing and control chip inside the toothbrush help develop healthier brushing habits. Brushing incorrectly can negatively affect oral health. To help people brush like their dental professional recommends and avoid these common oral-health issues, the Oral-B GENIUS intelligent toothbrush system combines position … Continue reading Semiconductor technology assists oral hygiene →

After the worldwide recall of its Galaxy Note 7 due to exploding battery issues, Samsung has announced the global relaunch of the device. Another, minor issue, was the S-Pen styluses becoming stuck, and retailers are hoping that this issue will also be fixed. The device was relaunched in South Korea on October 1, with Samsung’s … Continue reading Samsung relaunch Galaxy Note 7 →

Australian battery company Redflow has announced that its new ZCell battery is compatible with the SP PRO battery inverter from Melbourne-based electronics manufacturer Selectronic Australia. Selectronic is a 52-year-old Australian company that designs and manufactures battery inverters, which are sold in Australia, Asia, Africa, Europe and South America. The SP PRO is a smart multi-mode … Continue reading ZCell gives green light for Selectronic battery inverter →

Reports from Japanese tech blogger Mac Otakara suggest that the next iPad Pro to be released from Apple will be a 7.9-inch version, which is bordering on smartphone specifications. Along with the 7.9-inch version, two other types will also be available, a 9.7-inch version, as well as the more standard 12.9-inch model. Features of the … Continue reading Apple rumour has smaller iPad being released →

Farmers have been told that Telsa’s battery storage technology could be thrown into the mix when it comes to food, fibre and energy production. Telsa believes that battery storage offers more options than traditional energy sources such as diesel, according to a report on abc.net. “The history of innovation in Australia is really impressive,” says … Continue reading Tesla battery offers farmers alternative energy source →