Apple's Thunderbolt: Could one port rule them all?

Odds are that Apple's Thunderbolt I/O -- fruit of Intel's erstwhile Light Peak technology -- will eventually enjoy at least the same ubiquity as FireWire once had within the Apple ecosystem. However, as suggested by CNET's Harry McCracken, what's less clear is whether the technology will take hold in the larger, largely Windows-centric PC industry outside of Apple's sphere of influence. McCracken observes that there's no need for PCs to have Thunderbolt ports unless there's peripheral devices to plug into them -- and that Thunderbolt peripheral devices will be useless to vast numbers of consumers unless there are PCs that can accommodate them. And, while Apple can pretty much mint any technology as its own standard by plugging it into all Macs, standards only happen in the rest of the industry if companies from the wide world of PC manufacturers such Acer, Asus, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Lenovo, Sony, and many others, all think they're a good idea. Then, even when consensus comes, change can take a lot of time -- unless, of course, it doesn't.

See Also: Tearing down Apple's Thunderbolt cable

Link: Waiting for Thunderbolt--one port to rule them all (news.cnet.com)

Lithium polymer 'jelly batteries' could enable more efficient laptops, electric vehicles

A new type of polymer jelly being studied and developed by researchers at the UK's University of Leeds would replace the volatile and hazardous liquid electrolyte currently used in most lithium batteries. Reporting from the BBC News - Science/Environment section says that the newly developed jelly batteries are designed to prevent "thermal runaway" -- the "worst-case" phenomenon whereby conventional lithium batteries using electrolytes based on organic liquids can escalate hundreds of degrees in temperature and catch fire. The Leeds researchers say that their discovery's success lies in blending a rubber-like polymer with a conductive, liquid electrolyte into a thin, flexible film of gel that sits between the battery electrodes. "The polymer gel looks like a solid film, but it actually contains about 70% liquid electrolyte," explained the study's lead author, Professor Ian Ward.

The Leeds scientists claim that that their proposed jelly batteries are as safe as polymer batteries, perform like liquid-filled batteries, but at 10 - 20% the price of either. Should they reach the market, the lithium jelly batteries could allow for lighter laptop computers, and more efficient electric cars.

Electric car industry lines up to display clean energy vehicles

The big automakers of electric car industry gathered last month in Las Vegas to exhibit multiple production vehicles at this year's National Clean Energy Summit 4.0. Exhibitions included the Nissan Leaf, Chevy Volt, Mitsubishi i-MiEV, a Ford Transit Connect compact van conversion from Azure Dynamics, a CODA electric sedan, and two utility vehicles from Xtreme Green Products Inc. Additionally, and not least, quite a heavy roster from federal officialdom participated in the annual summit event, including senators, governors of U.S. Western states, along with the U.S. Navy Secretary and another DoD official, as described in a detailed report by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

More from ICW: Toyota designers nix EV quick charger on add'l weight concern

On the coattails of the summit, this year continues to shape up as a great one for the EV industry, what with the follow-along recent announcement of federal funding for EV infrastructure planning and workforce training, and -- the real bonanza -- the U.S. DoE's award of $16.9 million to advance funding for electric vehicle adoption and research.

TV tuner streams live content via iPad's 30-pin dock connector

As seen at CNET, Elgato, a maker of Mac accessories, has released its EyeTV Mobile iPad 2 TV Tuner, a proprietary dongle for the iPad 2 for streaming live television via mobile sources. The dongle connects to the iPad's ubiquitous 30-pin dock connector; its retractable aerial antenna picks up local broadcast television signals. The device includes a free app that allows users to Tivo-esquely record live programs to the iPad 2 to watch later. The tuner supports broadcasts in DVB (Digital Video Broadcast) transmissions -- a global standard in most first- and second-world countries. So, the gadget is only available in Europe, so far. No word yet on the existence of any analogous North American ATSC M/H (I am assuming) device...yet.

Apple to include magnetic connector in future iPads

Patently Apple is reporting that Apple has been granted a U.S. patent for the assembly of a unit supporting the MagSafe connector into an iOS device like an iPad. The patent reportedly states that "in one particular embodiment, the connector may be a power connector such as the MagSafe." The MagSafe power connector adheres to the unit by a magnet as opposed to being held in place purely by port insertion into the port; newer model MacBooks are equipped with the connector design for their power adapters. Parents of small children and the accident-prone value the MagSafe connectors, as a tug on the cord releases the connection, alleviating the dreaded "laptop hitting the floor" syndrome in the event of a tug on the power cord.

Precious metal thieves scale all cell tower heights

The Enterprise of Brockton, MA has reported that police were called to a Verizon cell tower near Route 140 in Lakeville, MA to find a male individual engaged in a literal high wire attempt to steal the copper grounding plates used to protect the towers in the event of lightning strikes. “He was over 100 feet above ground,” relayed Lakeville Police Chief Frank Alvilhiera. “This has been the trend with copper prices high. Thefts are on the rise everywhere.” The reporting continues to note that, in nearby New Hampshire, three cell towers were targeted in the towns of Salem and Londonderry during the last weekend in June; and that, in April, two men were arrested in Salem, NH and charged with stealing copper wire from National Grid.

This sort of theft has indeed been rampant everywhere. Some experts have speculated that rising copper prices and theft may drive up demand for fiber deployments in the telecom space. Other players in the industry have suggested that copper alternative solutions may help to reduce cabling theft. What do you think?

Foxconn calls on robot workforce to quell labor, suicide woes

Taiwan-based contract manufacturing colossus and noted Apple partner Foxconn says it plans to enlist a one-million strong robot workforce over the next 3 years. As reported by Reuters, the plan "highlights an increasing trend toward automation among Chinese companies as labor issues such as high-profile strikes and workers' suicides plague firms in sectors from autos to technology." Foxconn Chairman Terry Gou reportedly told China Business News that the company expects to put 1 million robots on its production lines within three years, up from about 10,000 in use now and an expected 300,000 by next year. Gou also said the company plans to move its more than 1 million human employees "up the value chain beyond basic manufacturing work."

Link: Foxconn to rely more on robots; could use 1 million in 3 years (reuters.com)