Applied Micro CEO and president Paramesh Gopi recently confirmed that PayPal has “deployed and validated” the ARM-powered X-Gene server-on-a-chip. According to Gopi, Paypal represents one of the many hyperscale data center customers the company is currently engaged with to drive X-Gene adoption.
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The IoT is all about sensors
Steve Taylor, a senior consultant at The Technology Partnership (TTP), has recommended that semiconductor companies turn their attention to the Internet of Sensors (IoS). According to Taylor, it’s actually the Internet of Sensors and resulting data that matters most. “The Internet of Things (IoT) is, to a large extent, a solution looking for a problem, rather than the other way round,” he explained. “There’s simply no point in objects talking to each other just for the sake of it and the IoT only provides the communications backbone.”
$9 single-board computer hits over $1 million on Kickstarter
Designed by the Next Thing Co. crew, the $9 Chip single-board computer (SBC) has raised over a million dollars on Kickstarter. Key hardware specs include a 1GHz ARM-based processor and Mali GPU, 512MB of RAM, 4GB of storage, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, as well as support for VGA or HDMI displays. Meanwhile, an optional PocketChip shield makes the board portable with a 4.3” touchscreen, QWERTY keyboard and 5-hour battery.
Smartwatch teardowns reveal 512MB of memory
Recent teardowns of two popular smartwatches – the Apple Watch Sport and LG Urbane – have confirmed that each device packs 512MB of memory. More specifically, the Apple Watch Sport is equipped with 512MB of Micron’s SDRAM, while the Urbane features 512 MB of Hynix mobile DDR2.
The evolution of biometric security
Writing for Semiconductor Engineering, Ernest Worthman notes that Hollywood films have long portrayed a wide range of futuristic biometric security procedures. In addition, a number of mobile devices now offer optional fingerprint scans instead of a traditional password login. However, current biometric technology will have to further evolve if it is to meet the security challenges associated with a rapidly expanding Internet of Things/Internet of Everything.
Cooper WaveStream LED lighting illuminates university library
Eaton’s Cooper Lighting recently replaced old ceiling-suspended fluorescent fixtures with new Neo-Ray Index pendant luminaires in Duquesne University’s Gumberg Library. In addition, the company installed Metalux Encounter LED Series fixtures and Portfolio LED recessed downlights in library offices and hallways.
