Continental tests 'self-boarding' tech

Continental Airlines is testing out self-boarding technology, which has been common at several airports for several years, states News Factor.

Self-boarding is the latest in a series of new technology steps airlines are taking to automate getting on a flight.

Other technologies include: check-in kiosks that print out boarding passes and boarding pass bar codes e-mailed to smartphones.

Xhead = Barnes & Noble targets college students

As college students prepare for fall semester, Barnes & Noble, the bookseller and online retailer, is now offering higher education students four textbook options - new, used, rental and digital formats, according to Market Watch.

The company also made available Nookstudy by Barnes & Noble, its new free study platform and software solution that allows college students to access e-textbooks, other digital content and organisational tools to learn more efficiently and across content sources and formats, using their PC or Mac.

This comes as Barnes & Noble introduced a textbook rental service through BN.com.

Harrow Council is proposing replacing up to 40 librarians with self-service check-out machines in an effort to cut costs, says Londonist.

Along with other councils placed in difficult circumstances by massive government budget cuts, Harrow needs to save money, around 30% to be specific.

One of the immediate impacts is the plan to automate library returns and late fees, which could save £1 million a year. Harrow are 'consulting' with library staff and unions, and the council hopes to unveil the barcode scanners next summer.