Toxin Sensing Mobile Phones

Researchers at the University of California San Diego have just finished the first phase of an initiative to develop a mobile sensor capable of detecting toxic chemicals in our environment. With a small startup called Rhevision Inc., the chief researcher on the project, Michael Sailor, has devised the sensor, a porous flake of silicon which [...]

A-Pix Image Sensors for Mobile Phones

In exciting news, the company Aptina has launched new A-pix image sensors for mobile phones that promise to allow mobile phone users to identify and catalogue images using the sensors. Watch the vide above to learn how Aptina sensors deploy new technologies that promise to change the user experience.

Apple Heart Monitor

Quake Catcher Network

In the wake of the unlucky string of earthquakes around the world, I thought it would be appropriate to write about the Quake-Catcher Network (QCN). QCN is a collaborative initiative for developing the world’s largest, low-cost strong-motion seismic network by utilizing sensors in and attached to internet-connected computers.

Common Sense Air Sensors

Berkeley, California–Researchers at Intel Research and UC Berkeley have been experimenting with mobile air sensors in California in an effort to map air quality in the bay area. We’ve written about similar efforts before, namely the effort to map air quality with Sensaris sensors in Copenhagen (check out the live feed on the Copenahagen Layer [...]

Mobile Phones as Sensors for Enhancing Lifestyles

I thought this video (despite being long) provided a fairly thoughtful look at potential use for the data our mobile phones are collecting. If you stick with it, it’s worth it.

Better Understand the Soundscape around you

Is the world around you literally very noisy? Trains keeping you up at night? Or, is early morning traffic impeding on your sleep? Then, you might be compelled to check out the WideNoise application for the iPhone, an application which allows you to measure the level of noise pollution that engulfs you on a day [...]

Showcase Award coverage by German National TV 3sat

3sat neues, a programme covering new technologies on German national television attended the Living Labs Global Showcase Award Ceremony, covering the event and airing interviews with Lluis Recoder, Mayor of Sant Cugat, Sascha Haselmayer, General Director Living Labs Global, and Josep Miquel Pique, CEO of 22@ Barcelona. The coverage celebrated the efforts by Living Labs [...]

Copenhagen Layer

Are you curious about the air quality around you? Would you like to know if you’re walking through a pollution hotspot during your commute or on a leisurely urban stroll? Now, in Copenhagen, you can almost do just that.

Considering the Size of Sensors

Smaller than a penny, this sensor from OmniVision is capable of capturing 14.6-megapixel images and 60-frames-per-second HD video. As the size of sensors continue to shrink, we can expect mobile phones to increasingly become a one stop shop for all our gadget needs.

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