Category Archives: Technology

Step into an anechoic chamber where sounds go to die

Microsoft’s new film series “On the Whiteboard” explores topics at the intersection of technology and culture, and introduces people, places and things behind the products.

REDMOND, WASH. – June 24, 2013 – In the second episode of Microsoft’s new film series “On the Whiteboard,” Editor Pamela Woon exposes an anechoic chamber of secrets. It’s an isolated space where you can actually hear blood pumping through your veins – because in here, there’s no echo. In this heavily padded room built on top of springs, sounds don’t bounce back, they’re absorbed. (But your body might, since you’re walking on springs.)

Researchers study the sounds of silence here, including testing and analyzing Surface to make sure that click you hear when you snap the kickstand shut is pleasing and robust to the average ear. (more…)

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Microsoft updates enterprise social road map, highlights momentum on Yammer acquisition anniversary

Microsoft delivers on its enterprise social vision with accelerating user, customer and engagement growth.

REDMOND, Wash. — June 25, 2013 — Today marks one year since Microsoft Corp. announced its acquisition of Yammer, the leading provider of enterprise social networks. Since the acquisition, Microsoft’s enterprise social momentum has accelerated in all areas, including new users, paid customers, user engagement, innovation, and the ecosystem of partners selling and connecting to the Yammer platform.

Twelve-month growth highlights include the following:

  • Registered users have grown by more than 55 percent to nearly 8 million.
  • Paid networks increased more than 200 percent year over year.
  • Yammer user activity (i.e., messages, groups and files) has approximately doubled year over year. (more…)

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Using IBM’s Crowdsourced Supercomputer, Harvard Rates Solar Energy Potential of 2.3 Million New Compounds

White House Applauds Citizen Science, Big Data Initiative

CAMBRIDGE, MA – 24 Jun 2013: The search for more versatile and less expensive materials for solar energy received a boost today as Harvard launched a free database that catalogues the suitability of 2.3 million organic, carbon compounds for converting sunlight into electricity.

Harvard’s Clean Energy project — which screened the molecules using World Community Grid, an IBM-managed virtual supercomputer that harnesses the surplus computer power donated by volunteers — is believed to be the most extensive investigation of quantum chemicals ever performed. (more…)

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Understanding the How-To of Effective Communication in Small Groups

UA researcher Joseph Bonito is investigating the communication habits of decision-making groups, including North American Quitline staff members and youth involved in Lego robotics teams, to advance what is known about small group communication.

It is likely a daily occurrence: People hold well-intentioned meetings that ultimately turn out to be ineffective.

Why? The list of variables can be astonishingly long, said Joseph Bonito, a University of Arizona communication professor who specializes in small group communication.  (more…)

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QONQR triumphs in fierce mobile games market

Microsoft BizSpark startup combines an inspired gaming premise, rigorous execution and progressive business choices to rise above competition

REDMOND, Wash. — June 20, 2013 — Mobile users can choose from a vast array of games, so how can game makers stand out in the saturated competitive market? (more…)

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Maintaining a Satellite Link: GTRI Agile Aperture Antenna Technology is Tested on an Autonomous Ocean Vehicle

Antenna technology originally developed to quickly send and receive information through a software-defined military radio may soon be used to transmit ocean data from a wave-powered autonomous surface vehicle. The technology, the lowest-power method for maintaining a satellite uplink, automatically compensates for the movement of the antenna as the boat bobs around on the ocean surface.

The Agile Aperture Antenna technology developed by the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) is expected to provide a more reliable and faster method of transmitting video, audio and environmental data – such as salinity, temperature, fluorescence and dissolved oxygen – from an ocean vehicle to land via satellite. (more…)

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What marketing action makes you business tycoon

To be successful in any business venture, one needs to be creative and utilize all the marketing promotion tools effectively, so as to come up as a successful business developer. One needs to perform certain actions to create a name for oneself in the niche area of specialization.

Below are listed certain tips and rules that one need to follow, so as to become a successful business entrepreneur.

1.) Getting creative

You need to be creative in promoting your business venture. the competition is extremely tough and one needs to be a step ahead of the competitors. Suppose, you are in the business of designing t shirts for young generation. Take help from social media websites as Facebook as the same offers huge potential to promote your product and service. (more…)

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Oscar winner Randy Thom discusses sound design in first film of new series

Microsoft’s new film series “On the Whiteboard” explores topics at the intersection of technology and culture, and introduces people, places and things behind the products.

REDMOND, WASH. – June 17, 2013 – In the first episode of Microsoft’s new film series “On the Whiteboard,” Editor Pamela Woon chats with two-time Oscar winner Randy Thom about the (often underestimated) importance of sound in human-technology interactions.

Thom, the lead sound designer at Skywalker Ranch who worked on films such as The Incredibles, Castaway and Forrest Gump, says that people rarely consider the significance of those signature sounds that come from their trusty devices, whether it be a cell phone, a computer or a tablet. (more…)

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