SMS Data Link Keeps Tabs on the Lions
A project in Africa illustrates that text messages can provide the benefits of wireless data in places that lack reliable cellular Internet access.
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Tom Simonite
Follow @twitterapiIT Editor, Software & Hardware
I’m MIT Technology Review’s IT editor for hardware and software and enjoy a diverse diet of algorithms, Internet, and human-computer interaction with chips on the side. Working in our San Francisco office, I cover new ideas about what computers can do for us, whether they spring from tech giants, new startups, or academic labs.
My journey to the West Coast started in a small English town called Wantage and took in the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, and five years writing and editing technology news coverage at New Scientist magazine.
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Verizon Plans a Fast Lane for Some Apps
Video calling or movie apps could receive extra bandwidth—for a price, of course.
Yahoo Gives the iPad the Power to Understand TV
An app that knows what you're watching can serve up related Web articles or other information—as well as targeted ads.
One Smart Phone, Two Personalities
Several companies are working on technology that would separate your personal stuff from your work data.
Apple's New iPhone Would Like to Talk
An AI personal assistant called Siri is the biggest new feature of the iPhone 4S.
Augmented Reality Meets Gesture Recognition
A new app superimposes imagery over your smart-phone view, and lets you interact with it via hand gestures.
Social Networking Meets Problem Solving
The website Jig wants to solve your needs—with a little help from your friends.
Building Crowds of Humans into Software
By using crowdsourcing for difficult tasks such as understanding speech or images, the software could enable smarter apps.
Interference Unlocks Faster Mobile Data
Intentionally combining radio signals from different transmitters could allow mobile devices to download at much higher speeds.
Ultrafine Location Fixes
Small ground-based transmitters that mimic GPS satellites help receivers find their position with high accuracy.
