Talking back to tech

Who hasn't spoken to their computer on occasion? There have been some choice words exchanged with many a laptop, PC and even the occasional PDA, but most of the time all one gets in response is silence, writes NPR.

For those tired of having a one-way conversation with their screen, relief is in sight. It's been more than a decade since consumer versions of voice recognition software came on the scene, but there were many stumbling blocks - including limited vocabulary and the need to spend an excessive amount of time training.

But the technology has advanced to a new level and is changing how people interact with computers, cellphones and cars. And the integration of voice features could have a dramatic impact on making technology more accessible and ergonomically sound by changing the way consumer electronics are designed.

Someday, ceilings and walls might radiate light, illuminating indoor spaces as brightly and evenly as natural daylight, writes Daily Breeze.

Though that possibility remains years off, the Dutch electronics company Philips is letting people tinker with the technology that would enable it. The world's biggest lighting maker has begun selling do-it-yourself kits with little glowing wafers called 'Lumiblades'.

They come in red, white, blue or green, for anyone who wants to pay nearly $100 per square inch. It's one of the first chances people outside research labs have had to get their hands on lights made from organic light emitting diodes, or OLEDs.

The field of network management is taking on a new dimension with the emergence of energy monitoring features and frameworks, notably by Cisco Systems' EnergyWise initiative, states SearchDataCenter.

The long-term premise for VARs is that they can use energy management technology to extend IT networks and services into facilities management, providing insight into energy use across entire buildings. But even network resellers that want to stick to their core businesses in switching will find that energy efficiency is an important future selling point.

EnergyWise is a free software update for those using certain Cisco Catalyst switches, and it is being built into future switching products.