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BodyCom is a new technology from Arizona-based Microchip that uses the human body as a secure communication channel. As the number of devices at our disposal continues to increase, authentication and security become more important than ever. The system communicates bi-directionally between a centralized controller and one or more wireless mobile fobs, using the human body as the transmission medium. So, a gun could only be used by the person with the right key fob, for example, or a pet door could be secured so only the right pet can open it. Neither RF antenna nor wireless transceiver are required by the system, which also offers low power consumption. Other potential applications include security systems, patient monitoring, and gaming profile management.

"Tabbedout, a mobile payment system for restaurants and bars, is now upgrading its system with customer relationship management tools that helps merchants understand who's walking in the door and helps them treat customers better. Now, when a customer opens a tab through the Tabbedout mobile app, restaurant owners can see if he is a new customer or a regular, how much he normally spends and what he prefers to order. Merchants can also receive direct feedback from customers through the Tabbedout app. That allows them to respond directly to a customer or offer a special coupon to thank him or soothe him after a bad visit. And with the new CRM tools, Tabbedout merchants can also segment and target their users. Merchants can send an offer as a reward for a loyal customer or entice a new customer to come back and get back data on how many offers are actually redeemed."

"Walmart began recruiting top Silicon Valley talent and acquiring start-ups last year. For instance, Walmart acquired Kosmix, a company that specializes in making web design more seamless, for $300 million. That team has been working for over a year to fix Walmart's systems and improve its website.  Walmart is investing in the "social gifting" market. A year ago, Walmart launched "Shopycat," which makes gift recommendations based on friends' Facebook profiles. The site is now called "Walmart Gifts" and allows customers to log in and get personalized recommendations based on Facebook and Twitter profiles.  The retailer got a better search engine. A dozen top engineers took 10 months to build it, and while the company won't discuss sales figures, they said the new system is more user-friendly. "If you search for cotton socks now, you'll actually find them," Manjoo writes.  Walmart is trying to lead the charge in same-day shipping. Its at an advantage considering that 96 percent of Americans live within 20 miles of a Walmart.  Walmart is investing like crazy in its mobile app. "Walmart imagines that as you go through an average day, you'll remember things you need--milk, bread, a new tennis racquet, a toy truck for your nephew's birthday--and tell the voice-enabled Walmart app. The app will list each item's location inside your local Walmart and include product info; eventually, it will also learn your preferences and offer recommendations. And once you're actually in the store, you'll be able to summon an associate to help you," Manjoo says. "

"in-car infotainment system" that aggregates services like Pandora and Open Table. 

While big-gun technology and payments companies worked on grandiose near-field communication (NFC) solutions, Starbucks shipped a basic, 2-D barcode-scanning system, built into its iPhone and Android apps. Essentially, it lets you carry your Starbucks card in your phone. The payment system debuted in January 2011 and customers seem to love it. As of April, Starbucks had processed more than 45 million mobile payments.

TransitScreen has created SmartWalk, a projected display system that lets cities display the latest transport information on any surface. The company - which already offers screens that collect together real-time information about buses, trains and traffic in office and university buildings - is aiming to make that data more available in public spaces. Along with up-to-date public transport information, the SmartWalk system will be able to direct passersby in the direction of the nearest station, or to local amenities and places of interest, along with the amount of time it should take to get there.

Eight cars will be employed in a test at a McDonald's store in Ibaraki Prefecture on March 5-16. When vehicles enter a region covered by an ITS -- which offers real-time traffic data and other information -- a McDonald's menu will be transmitted to car navigation systems, allowing users to order items via the touch screen. Users can pay with their credit cards through ITS-compatible devices in their cars.

daily 10.28

Gift converter system allows someone to set parameters around items they want, and the system alerts them if someone buys a gift that doesn't fall into that.

Weekly 11.11

A new system for managing augmented reality interfaces that mimics app switching and reduces distractions.

The team behind Signul bills the device as "the World's First Personal Beacon System," and offers an empowering stance on device management and oversight: "Streamline your life and automate things with a simple tool that leverages the power of beacon technology to do your bidding."

"Of the 30 brands that have signed on thus far, only five will be running campaigns in the U.S. Twentieth Century Fox, one of two global launch advertisers, will promote its upcoming film Life of Pi with ads in the Xbox Video app, Xbox companion mobile and tablet app SmartGlass app and the Casual Games app, which spans Xbox and Microsoft's desktop and mobile operating systems. And next month the other global launch advertiser, Nissan, will run ads in the Bing and Xbox Music apps. Though it seems the in-app ads are initially only slated to run within Microsoft's own apps, the company said several publishers-such as The Associated Press, Bonnier Corporation, Photobucket, Slacker Radio and The Tribune Company-have agreed to run the units. In announcing the roster of initial advertisers, Microsoft also put out some stats regarding consumer perception of the ad units. The most encouraging stat found that the ads scored a 92 percent in ad recall, but the other numbers suggest brands may prefer consumers forget their ads. Only 39 percent of respondents said they're happy to see advertising within Windows 8, and only 33 percent agreed that advertising on Windows 8 improved their opinion of a brand."

"the brand staged a surprise debut of a new collision avoidance system specially developed to safeguard cyclists, the first of its kind in the world."

Microsoft Research Cambridge team built an augmented reality system to help brain surgeons visualize 3D brain scans.

researchers have devised a way to "print" devices directly onto the skin so people can wear them for an extended period while performing normal daily activities. Such systems could be used to track health and monitor healing near the skin's surface, as in the case of surgical wounds.

Mercedes will begin to place QR codes onto all of their cars, which will provide all necessary information to rescue injured occupants from any model. This new QR code system will give firefighters, paramedics, and police the details they need to know to help passengers, including the location of airbags, gas tanks, and electric cables. These QR codes will be placed on the gas tank flap and another will be placed on the opposite side of the car.

"But advertisers have loads of their own offline data from existing customers that they have not been able to use to target search ads. Conversions API allows those advertisers to upload phone numbers and in-store purchase data and use that information to target search ads through DoubleClick, Google's search ad system. Google's announcement was thin on details. It says advertisers can now "upload new conversions to account for in-store transactions, call-tracking, or other offline activities, or edit existing conversions to account for discounts, returns, credit, or fraud.""