IT for Manufacturing Executives
Foxconn Holds Rallies To Raise Worker Morale
August 18, 2010 4:28 am | by Gillian Wong, Associated Press Writer | News | CommentsSHENZHEN, China (AP) — Following a string of suicides at its Chinese factories, Foxconn Technology Group raised workers' wages and installed safety nets on buildings to catch would-be jumpers. Now the often secretive manufacturer of the iPhone and other electronics is holding rallies for its workers to raise morale at the heavily regimented factories.
"Jailbreaking" Is Now Fair Use
August 17, 2010 9:19 am | by Nancy Maas of Wireless Design and Development | Articles | CommentsThe Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), a non-profit organization that champions on behalf of consumers regarding any issues affecting digital rights, recently won three critical exemptions to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) anti-circumvention provisions. The exemptions were granted as part of a statutorily prescribed rulemaking process, conducted every couple of years to mitigate the danger the DMCA poses to legitimate, non-infringing uses of copyrighted materials.
China's Gain Could Be America's Loss
August 17, 2010 7:16 am | Videos | CommentsChina recently passed Japan as the world's No. 2 economic superpower, which could spell trouble for the top-ranked world economic superpower: the United States. It is well within the realm of possibility that one day China will overtake the U.S. for the title of "world's top economic superpower," meaning more U.
BlackBerry's Growing Popularity Led To Privacy Debate
August 17, 2010 4:39 am | by LuAnn LaSalle | News | CommentsMONTREAL — The growing popularity of BlackBerry smartphones in emerging markets like India is raising Research in Motion's international profile and bringing it new, well-publicized challenges to the way it protects customers' data. U.S.-based analyst Tavis McCourt said RIM has quietly compromised in the past with governments in countries like Saudi Arabia, Russia, China and India, or found ways to keep its system secure for business users.
Microsoft Spends A Whopping $1.85M On 2Q Lobbying
August 17, 2010 4:37 am | News | CommentsSEATTLE (AP) — Microsoft Corp. spent $1.85 million in the second quarter to lobby the federal government on software piracy, technology in health care and other issues, according to a disclosure report. That's slightly less than the $1.89 million the software maker spent in the second quarter of last year.
China's Slowdown Worries Trade Partners
August 17, 2010 4:36 am | by Joe McDonald, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsBeijing (AP) -- China's abrupt growth slowdown is sending a chill through Asian economies and as far away as Australia and Africa as its voracious demand for imports fades. Beijing is cooling its economy with lending and investment curbs after explosive 11.9 percent first-quarter growth fed fears of overheating.
Intel Acquires Texas Instruments Unit
August 17, 2010 4:35 am | News | CommentsSANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Intel says it's buying a Texas Instruments unit that makes cable modem chips, which it intends to combine with its own processors for smarter modems and cable set-top boxes. The companies did not reveal the terms of the deal in the Monday announcement. Dallas-based Texas Instruments Inc.
Microsoft To Try To Compete With Apple's iPhone
August 17, 2010 4:33 am | by Jessica Mintz, AP Technology Writer | News | CommentsSEATTLE (AP) — Microsoft Corp. is bringing its video-game expertise to the forthcoming Windows Phone 7 line, an attempt to capitalize on the success of the Xbox 360 as the software maker tries to compete with Apple Inc.'s iPhone. Microsoft says a dedicated group inside of Microsoft Game Studios will develop video games for Windows phones, help outside game publishers and scout out small, independent game makers.
HP Beefs Up Cyber Security Offerings With Acquisition
August 17, 2010 4:26 am | News | CommentsPALO ALTO, Calif. (AP) — Hewlett-Packard Co. says it is buying Fortify Software to beef up its cyber security offerings. The company did not disclose financial terms of the buyout Tuesday. Fortify is a privately held company based in San Mateo, Calif. It helps businesses identify and fix security weaknesses in their computer systems.
A Tasty Take On Automation
August 16, 2010 12:23 pm | Articles | CommentsAnthony Rowcliffe, a 42 year-old company that has its roots in Peckham, London, has grown over the years and is now operating out of two purpose-built BRC accredited sites at Paddock Wood in Kent, supplying over 1,000 different lines, including its own branded Clemency Hall product.
Turn Right. Turn Left. Recalculating.
August 16, 2010 11:46 am | by Meaghan Ziemba, Associate Editor, PD&D | Articles | CommentsMy recent misguided adventure to a small town has left me wondering again, if we rely too much on technology to guide us through our lives. I have no sense of direction. I won’t try to pretend I do. When asking for directions, I need street names, landmarks, scenery, weather conditions; the whole shebang, or I’ll end up in no-man’s-land, panicky and confused.
Digital Deluge Means More Malware
August 16, 2010 11:22 am | Videos | CommentsA dramatic rise in digital information available over the Internet has, and will, have some major implications for web users. One of the most troubling symptoms of this digital deluge is the uptick in the amount of malware on the Internet. According to antivirus software maker McAfee, the number of free-flowing malware items on the internet increased from about 4 million to 6 million during the second quarter.
Get Connected
August 16, 2010 7:33 am | Product Releases | CommentsAdvantech (Cincinnati, OH) now offers the USB-4620 industrial grade USB hub with five USB 2.0 ports. According to the company, the USB-4620 has isolation protection up to 3,000 Vdc for each downstream port. It also features a lockable casing accessory for type-A USB connectors to help with automation control and online production applications.
Apple Manager Indicted On Kickback Charges
August 16, 2010 4:54 am | News | CommentsCUPERTINO, California (AP) — A manager at Apple Inc. has been indicted by a federal grand jury in an alleged kickback scheme involving suppliers of iPhone and iPod accessories. Authorities say Paul Shin Devine of Sunnyvale was arrested on Friday on charges of wire fraud, money laundering and kickbacks.
No Easy Fix Ahead For Struggling Economy
August 16, 2010 4:21 am | by Jeannine Aversa, AP Economics Writer | News | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve has little power left to lift the economy out of its rut. Congress, with an election looming, has no appetite for more stimulus. Shoppers are reluctant to spend, and businesses are slow to hire. Let's face it: There is no easy or imminent fix for the flagging recovery.
