Electronics News

Christmas day sales to hit $690k a minute online

A new study has shown that rather than taking part in the festivities or helping with the cooking this Christmas, many will be taking to their phones to participate in an online shopping frenzy as the sales open throughout the big day.

Apple suppliers accused of poor treatment of workers

London - Workers in Chinese factories making Apple products are poorly treated, with exhausted employees falling asleep on their 12-hour shifts, British broadcaster the BBC found in an investigation broadcast.

Back from the edge — Radio Shack gets new financing offer

New York City - Ubiquitous US electronics retailer RadioShack Corp. reportedly has received an offer of nearly $600 million in financing that could enable it to avoid bankruptcy.

Phosphorus could make an ideal semiconductor

Houston - Phosphorus is an ideal candidate for nano-electronic applications that require stable properties, according to a new study.

Graphene sandwich bites for next-gen electronics

Manchester - Researchers have discovered that sandwiching layers of grey graphene with white graphene together could produce materials capable of creating high-frequency electronic devices.

Australia follows EU, U.S. in allowing mobile devices in-flight

Sydney - Passengers on Qantas and Virgin Australia from Tuesday will be allowed to use mobile electronic devices in-flight with limited restrictions after a relaxation of the rules by the country's aviation authority.

Ferroelectric materials show promise

Electronic devices with unprecedented efficiency and data storage may someday run on ferroelectrics - remarkable materials that use built-in electric polarizations to read and write digital information.

Panasonic revolutionizes agri-tech in growing vegetables

Electronics giant Panasonic is well-known for televisions and home theater systems. But Singaporeans got a surprise last week when a unit of the corporation started selling fresh radishes and lettuce to a chain of Japanese restaurants in Singapore.

World's cheapest computer, Raspberry Pi, undergoes redesign

Cardiff - A new version of the Raspberry Pi, a basic computer system, has been released. Named the B+, the updated version uses less power than its predecessors and will cost about $35.

Woman dies in Australia using cheap USB-style charger

Sydney - Australian authorities issued a warning about cheap, non-compliant USB-style chargers Friday after a young woman died from apparent electrocution while using a laptop and possibly a smart phone.

Samsung plans to launch Tizen smartphone in Russia and India

The much talked about Tizen brewed by Samsung Electronics is becoming a reality. Samsung is preparing the launch of an Tizen based smartphone to two countries.

Scientists makes graphene breakthrough

Researchers have made a key development in relation to the commercialization of grapheme. Graphene is a unique material ideally suited for electronic devices.

Scientists develop self-destructing electronics

"This message will destruct in 10 seconds" is your typical Mission Impossible movie phrase. Only now, this is a reality.

Japan chipmaker Renesas soars on Apple talks report

Tokyo - Shares in Japan's Renesas Electronics surged in Tokyo Wednesday following a report it is in talks with Apple to sell the US giant its stake in a unit that designs microchips for liquid crystal displays.

Japan Display shares plunge on Tokyo debut

Tokyo - Shares in Japan Display -- the world's biggest maker of screens for smartphones and tablets and a key Apple supplier -- plunged on their Tokyo debut Wednesday, following a $3.2 billion initial public offering.The stock, which at one stage lost more tha...

Japan Display shares plunge from IPO price

Tokyo - Shares in Japan Display -- the world's biggest maker of screens for smartphones and tablets and a key Apple supplier -- lost almost a quarter of its value on its debut Wednesday, following a $3.2 billion initial public offering.The firm slumped to 706 ...

Noise from electronic gadgets can cause some serious headaches

When you hear the word “noise,” you probably think of screeching, banging, humming, screaming or maybe Def Leopard. But to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), “noise” has a whole different meaning.

Japan LCD screen giant raises $3.2 bn in share sale

Tokyo - Japan Display, the world's biggest maker of screens for smartphones and tablets and a key supplier to Apple, said Monday it had raised $3.2 billion in an initial public offering ahead of a listing later this month.An official filing said its offering w...

Loss-saddled Sony to sell its Tokyo 'birthplace'

Tokyo - Sony said Friday it would sell properties at a prestigious Tokyo site where it had its headquarters for six decades, as the once-world beating firm struggles to repair its bottom line.The company's 16.1 billion yen ($157 million) deal to sell the real ...

In a driverless future, drivers will do anything else

Geneva - Brew an espresso, watch a movie on a large screen, surf the Internet or simply sit and chat with friends?As automakers and technology firms steer towards a future of driverless cars, a Swiss think tank is at the Geneva Motor Show this week showing off ...

Japan LCD screen giant plans $4.0 bn share sale

Tokyo - Japan Display, the world's biggest maker of screens for smartphones and tablet computers, on Monday announced details of a share offering that could raise up to $4.0 billion.The firm, which counts Apple and Sony as customers, said it would list its sha...

Japan researchers testing tiny ear computer

Tokyo - A tiny personal computer that is worn on the ear and can be controlled with the blink of an eye or the click of a tongue is being tested in Japan.The 17-gram (0.59-ounce) wireless device has bluetooth capability and is equipped with a GPS, compass, gyr...

Sony to close 20 US retail stores

Washington - Sony is closing 20 US retail stores as part of the streamlining of the Japanese electronics and entertainment giant.The company said in a statement Wednesday the move would leave 11 retail stores in the United States.The moves are part of an effort by ...

Samsung opens 3rd Canadian retail store, plans for more

Samsung is really emphasizing a greater presence in the Canadian retail electronics market. Already looking for its third independent expansion, it also plans to team up with Best Buy and Future Shop for more.

Samsung opens 3rd Canadian retail store, plans for more

Lufthansa expands in-flight smartphone usage

Frankfurt - Lufthansa, Germany's biggest airline, said Thursday it will allow passengers to use a range of mobile electronic devices in flight on all Airbus aircraft starting from next month.The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) agreed in November to allow th...

TVs, cars, computers linked to obesity in poor nations

Washington - In low-income countries, people with cars, televisions and computers at home are far more likely to be obese than people with no such conveniences, researchers said Monday.Eating more, sitting still and missing out on exercise by driving are all likely...