The next wave of ePaper may be losing some of that old fashioned appeal. Current ePaper readers such as the Kindle need light in order to be read, just like when you’re looking over an actual newspaper.  With an increasing amount of eReaders (tablets) boasting backlight displays, most of us like to keep eInk a bit more traditional; like having to read with the aid of other light.  Reading without backlighting is also easier on the eyes.

Flex Lighting has a technology that could change ePaper as we know it. They make a very thin layer that distributes light evenly from hidden LEDs over the devices’s surface. Light is aimed toward the screen, and battery draw is low as only one or two LEDs are used. This extremely thin, flexible technology allows this to be practical for almost any display.  Based on existing technology, this method is said to be better than current lighting based on the same technology.

There is no word on how this technology will actually turn out when implemented with next generation eReaders.While it sounds great in theory, it seems that no one outside of Flex Lighting has gotten their hands on any prototypes yet.

The post The Next Wave Of ePaper appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

Google thinks that there aren’t enough mobile-friendly websites, and many with smartphones may tend to agree, albeit for different reasons. More mobile sites potentially means more money for Google through mobile ad campaigns, and more mobile sites mean better accessibility to the web for smartphone users.

Those are the reasons why the folks at Google have launched their project HowToGoMo.com. GoMo is essentially a tech-related awareness campaign with profit potential, aiming to promote the building of mobile sites.

Visitors to the sleek, user-friendly GoMo site are informed about why Google thinks they need a mobile version of their website using quick blurbs and cute, quirky illustrations and informative graphs. Additionally, Google provides visitors with best practices information for their mobile site, current mobile trends, mobile projections and case studies of how mobile sites worked for others to show why a mobile site should be seen as a necessity. If a visitor isn’t convinced yet, they can use the “GoMoMeter” to see how their existing site looks on a smartphone and to learn how to make it better.

Once a visitor has been won over by GoMo’s message, visitors can use a search tool to find a web developer, agency or service that specializes in building mobile websites. Information is provided for services in a wide variety of price ranges and time frames for full service and do-it-yourself solutions.

As Google’s stats state, mobile searches have grown 4X since the last year and by 2013, more people will surf the web from phones than PCs. Now may really be the time for even more sites to Go Mo.

The post Google’s GoMo Initiative Aims To Mobilize The Web appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

Samsung’s goal is to have a ban on sales of the iPhone 4S in Australia. After temporary bans on sales of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, Samsung has been accusing Apple of infringing on multiple patents in courts in Europe and now in Australia. Samsung’s legal counsel in Australia is claiming that Samsung needs access to the Apple source code and other information in order to properly make a case for a ban on the iPhone 4S in the country.

Interestingly, Apple claims that it had properly licensed the intellectual property. Apple suggests Samsung did agree to license the patents to them, but experts believe that Samsung is planning to argue that the patent agreement under the FRAND standard doesn’t extend to Australia.

The case, scheduled to resume on November 4th, is being presided over by the same judge that had handed down the ban on the Galaxy Tab 10.1. Many, including Apple’s legal counsel, believe the court date may be too late for Samsung to be granted any injunctive action, as the iPhone 4S has already been on sale in Australia for over two weeks.

The post We Want The Source Code appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

There’s some big green energy news from down under: the Eco Whisper Turbine is up and running. Renewable Energy Solutions Australia, or RESA, out of Brisbane recently unveiled the Eco Whisper, which is said to be the world’s quietest wind turbine. This energy solution is smaller than the traditional three-blade model; it is about half the size both in height and in blade diameter.

This smart turbine also adjusts automatically to position itself for optimal wind capture. Additionally, the near-silent design may produce over 30% more energy than other turbines. These quiet, eco-friendly turbines are expected to fulfill medium to high power needs in rural and urban areas alike. RESA envisions these turbines in a variety of locals including farms, airports, business parks and universities.

The Eco Whisper Turbine has a cowl / ring design. This design is not only visibly different than the large blades one normally associates with turbines, it is what makes it quieter and more economical. Instead of air rushing off the large blades of other turbines, more air filters through the 30 aluminum blades of the Eco Whisper. Other notable features of the Eco Whisper Turbine include the hinged steel pole, which allows the turbine to be lowered during severe weather or for maintenance. The Eco Whisper also has high visibility, which is an excellent innovation for the local avian population.

The post The Nearly Silent Eco Whisper Wind Turbine appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

Dell and Good Technologies have been working with the US Department of Defense for over a year to create a secure Android platform. The Streak that has been approved and they’ve included additional features to make the device even more secure. The additional security features of the DISA-approved Streak 5 include the ability to have data wiped from it remotely if one is ever lost or stolen and enhanced password protection. Every Streak 5 being issued also comes with additional “mobile security” with which we are not privy to.

This seems to be only the beginning for the DOD and similar mobile devices. As new Android devices come available, they should be able to be easily integrated for military and other Defense Department use now that the Streak 5 and its special OS has paved the way.

If you want to play spy and get your hands on your own Dell Streak 5, you better get over to eBay. Dell removed this pocket tablet from its US product line back in August of this year, and it is “unavailable” on Dell’s Canadian site too.

The post Dell Streak Gets Pentagon Approval appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

If you are into fitness and technology, you might be into the PowerBIKE. This new stationary bicycle by Power Plate is a re-envisioning of what an indoor stationary bike can be. The makers are cycling enthusiasts who wanted to infuse a standard, and maybe even boring piece of indoor fitness equipment with a bit of excitement and technological flair.

The tech that makes this bike different is a unique pedal and crank system that produces mechanical vibrations. The vibrations serve to create more muscle stimulation for the legs and glutes with every pedal stroke. While it is designed to help you burn more calories and build more muscle, a special stabilization system reduces joint pressure. The makers also say that their bike can improve circulation.

In an attempt to make indoor cycling more exciting, Power Plate claims the PowerBIKE moves like an outdoor road bike, doing things that normal stationary bikes and trainers just can’t do. This bike is designed to simulate, through adjustments in resistance and its vibration technology, all sorts of terrain conditions from mountain paths to cobblestone streets.

There is little additional information out on the PowerBIKE. It isn’t available for the general public yet, but at least one professional cycling team is known to be using the PowerBIKE for practice. Pricing is not available yet for this new stationary cycle, but if the cost of Power Plate’s other fitness products are any indication, expect to spend a few thousand dollars to take home your own PowerBIKE when it hits the market.

The post The PowerBIKE appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

Location services have always been a significant power consumer for every smartphone, including the iPhone. These services are also very tightly integrated with the functioning of the iPhone 4S, but according to many, these features should not be using up this much power so quickly.

While no official comment has been reported from Apple as of yet, The Guardian and other sources believe that the power problem is being caused by the “Setting Time Zone” feature. This element is responsible for automatically changing the time zone on the iPhone when the owner travels. While this particular feature is needed only occasionally, it appears to be on all the time only with the iPhone 4S.

This bug seems to have a very easy fix, however. Users have reported that simply turning this element off has dramatically improved battery life. By turning this feature off, the iPhone will no longer automatically update time zones during travel, but for day to day use, many users will find this to be a fair trade off for longer battery life.

To locate the “Setting Time Zone” feature: Settings -> Location Services -> System Services -> Setting Time Zone

Photo Credit: The Guardian

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