All Tech Considered http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97097438&ft=1&f=97097438 Every Monday, <em>All Things Considered</em> airs the "All Tech Considered" feature. Each week, we explore the sometimes daunting -- always changing -- world of technology. Are you baffled by your cell phone? Wondering what your kids mean when they say they're tweeting on Twitter? Whatever it may be, "All Tech Considered" is here to explore it with you. en Copyright 2013 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.94 Mon, 27 Feb 2012 16:11:00 -0500 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif All Tech Considered http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97097438&ft=1&f=97097438 To Get Out The Vote, Evangelicals Try Data Mining The company United In Purpose is going through personal data — from magazine subscriptions to NASCAR ticket purchases — to identify unregistered Christian conservatives and sign them up. UIP hopes to sway the 2012 elections by signing up 5 million new voters. Mon, 27 Feb 2012 16:11:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/2012/02/27/147504999/to-get-out-the-vote-evangelicals-try-data-mining?ft=1&f=97097438 http://www.npr.org/2012/02/27/147504999/to-get-out-the-vote-evangelicals-try-data-mining?ft=1&f=97097438 The company United In Purpose is going through personal data — from magazine subscriptions to NASCAR ticket purchases — to identify unregistered Christian conservatives and sign them up. UIP hopes to sway the 2012 elections by signing up 5 million new voters.

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]]> Where Eye Care Is A Luxury, Technology Offers Access Entrepreneurs and researchers are looking for ways to bring the cost of eye care down in the developing world. One group is working on technology that turns a smartphone into an eye exam machine, while another has developed glasses with liquid lenses that change prescriptions with the help of a pump. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:19:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/2012/02/06/145909903/where-eye-care-is-a-luxury-technology-offers-access?ft=1&f=97097438 http://www.npr.org/2012/02/06/145909903/where-eye-care-is-a-luxury-technology-offers-access?ft=1&f=97097438 Entrepreneurs and researchers are looking for ways to bring the cost of eye care down in the developing world. One group is working on technology that turns a smartphone into an eye exam machine, while another has developed glasses with liquid lenses that change prescriptions with the help of a pump.

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]]> Tutors Teach Seniors New High-Tech Tricks Seniors who aren't tech savvy can find themselves increasingly isolated, even from their families, as more and more communication moves to the digital realm. Across the country, a number of programs are enlisting high school or college students to train seniors on Facebook, Skype and smartphones. Tue, 27 Dec 2011 13:45:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/2012/01/02/144322505/tutors-teach-seniors-new-high-tech-tricks?ft=1&f=97097438 http://www.npr.org/2012/01/02/144322505/tutors-teach-seniors-new-high-tech-tricks?ft=1&f=97097438 Seniors who aren't tech savvy can find themselves increasingly isolated, even from their families, as more and more communication moves to the digital realm. Across the country, a number of programs are enlisting high school or college students to train seniors on Facebook, Skype and smartphones.

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]]> Warmth In Winter: Smart Windows To Let Heat In Windows treated with an insulating film are twice as efficient as regular double-pane windows, since they block heat from entering a building. That's useful on warm days, but inefficient when it's cold. One lab is researching a new coating that could be turned on and off with an electrical current. Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:16:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/2011/11/28/142848063/tenergy-saving-possibilities-of-smart-windows?ft=1&f=97097438 http://www.npr.org/2011/11/28/142848063/tenergy-saving-possibilities-of-smart-windows?ft=1&f=97097438 Windows treated with an insulating film are twice as efficient as regular double-pane windows, since they block heat from entering a building. That's useful on warm days, but inefficient when it's cold. One lab is researching a new coating that could be turned on and off with an electrical current.

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]]> With The Flick Of A Switch, It's Crystal Clear To Hear For people with hearing loss, trying to hear in noisy places like airports and theaters, can be tough. But advocates are spreading word of not-so-new technology that allows sound from loudspeakers to be transmitted directly to hearing aids, cutting through the background noise. Wed, 26 Oct 2011 11:39:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2011/11/25/141721718/with-the-flick-of-a-switch-its-crystal-clear-to-hear?ft=1&f=97097438 http://www.npr.org/2011/11/25/141721718/with-the-flick-of-a-switch-its-crystal-clear-to-hear?ft=1&f=97097438 For people with hearing loss, trying to hear in noisy places like airports and theaters, can be tough. But advocates are spreading word of not-so-new technology that allows sound from loudspeakers to be transmitted directly to hearing aids, cutting through the background noise.

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]]> Wis. Business Hopes To Help Break The CD Habit Murfie will burn your old discs to a digital file, recycle the cases and even resell the album online. It's part eBay, part iTunes, the company says. Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:28:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2011/10/10/141209843/wis-business-hopes-to-help-break-the-cd-habit?ft=1&f=97097438 http://www.npr.org/2011/10/10/141209843/wis-business-hopes-to-help-break-the-cd-habit?ft=1&f=97097438 Murfie will burn your old discs to a digital file, recycle the cases and even resell the album online. It's part eBay, part iTunes, the company says.

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]]> Few Consumers Are Cracking The QR Code The pixelated images meant to be scanned on a smartphone to take the user to a website may be too involved for too little reward, branding consultants say. Though the codes are more prevalent, only 6 percent of mobile subscribers in the U.S. scan them, and a newer technology may soon overtake it. Mon, 26 Sep 2011 11:20:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2011/09/26/140805493/few-consumers-are-cracking-the-qr-code?ft=1&f=97097438 http://www.npr.org/2011/09/26/140805493/few-consumers-are-cracking-the-qr-code?ft=1&f=97097438 The pixelated images meant to be scanned on a smartphone to take the user to a website may be too involved for too little reward, branding consultants say. Though the codes are more prevalent, only 6 percent of mobile subscribers in the U.S. scan them, and a newer technology may soon overtake it.

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]]> Comcast Offers A Digital Lifeline To The Disconnected The cable giant now offers Internet access to low-income families for $9.95 per month. Stipulated by its merger with NBCUniversal, the effort is meant to help children access resources they need for school. But families need more than cheap Internet access to bridge the digital divide, experts say. Mon, 12 Sep 2011 13:44:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2011/09/12/140336719/comcast-offers-a-digital-lifeline-to-the-disconnected?ft=1&f=97097438 http://www.npr.org/2011/09/12/140336719/comcast-offers-a-digital-lifeline-to-the-disconnected?ft=1&f=97097438 The cable giant now offers Internet access to low-income families for $9.95 per month. Stipulated by its merger with NBCUniversal, the effort is meant to help children access resources they need for school. But families need more than cheap Internet access to bridge the digital divide, experts say.

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]]> For Software Developers, A Bounty Of Opportunity Unlike most other industries, the tech sector is experiencing a shortage of qualified workers. Growing demand for software is fueling a bidding war for developers and programmers, in particular, which means high salaries and other perks. Mon, 05 Sep 2011 14:01:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2011/09/05/140194803/for-software-developers-a-bounty-of-opportunity?ft=1&f=97097438 http://www.npr.org/2011/09/05/140194803/for-software-developers-a-bounty-of-opportunity?ft=1&f=97097438 Unlike most other industries, the tech sector is experiencing a shortage of qualified workers. Growing demand for software is fueling a bidding war for developers and programmers, in particular, which means high salaries and other perks.

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]]> Need A Parking Space? Look In Your Hand San Francisco is testing a smartphone app that shows drivers the locations of available parking spaces and how much the space will cost. Under this new system, parking meter prices are adjusted higher in areas with high demand. Mon, 29 Aug 2011 09:54:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2011/08/29/140032852/need-a-parking-space-look-in-your-hand?ft=1&f=97097438 http://www.npr.org/2011/08/29/140032852/need-a-parking-space-look-in-your-hand?ft=1&f=97097438 San Francisco is testing a smartphone app that shows drivers the locations of available parking spaces and how much the space will cost. Under this new system, parking meter prices are adjusted higher in areas with high demand.

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]]> Air Force Eyes Micromachine Bugs That Can Spy Researchers at the Air Force Institute of Technology are working on micro air vehicles — tiny flying machines designed to look like birds and insects that are remotely piloted. The Air Force aims to use these micromachines to gather intelligence or even deliver weaponry. Tue, 16 Aug 2011 16:12:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2011/08/16/139651358/air-force-eyes-artificial-birds-bugs-that-can-spy?ft=1&f=97097438 http://www.npr.org/2011/08/16/139651358/air-force-eyes-artificial-birds-bugs-that-can-spy?ft=1&f=97097438 Researchers at the Air Force Institute of Technology are working on micro air vehicles — tiny flying machines designed to look like birds and insects that are remotely piloted. The Air Force aims to use these micromachines to gather intelligence or even deliver weaponry.

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]]> Hunting For A Password That Only You Will Know A random combination of letters and numbers may no longer be enough to protect your identity. But while experts are researching alternatives, passwords with multiple layers of security will have to do. Mon, 25 Jul 2011 11:19:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2011/07/25/138672758/hunting-for-a-password-that-only-you-will-know?ft=1&f=97097438 http://www.npr.org/2011/07/25/138672758/hunting-for-a-password-that-only-you-will-know?ft=1&f=97097438 A random combination of letters and numbers may no longer be enough to protect your identity. But while experts are researching alternatives, passwords with multiple layers of security will have to do.

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]]> e-Geaux: Social Networking Without The Social Or The Networking Make your Facebook friends think you care without the time commitment of leaving a meaningful birthday message or bothering to read their ranting comments. Mon, 18 Jul 2011 12:14:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2011/07/18/138473623/e-geaux-social-networking-without-the-social-or-the-networking?ft=1&f=97097438 http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2011/07/18/138473623/e-geaux-social-networking-without-the-social-or-the-networking?ft=1&f=97097438 Make your Facebook friends think you care without the time commitment of leaving a meaningful birthday message or bothering to read their ranting comments.

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]]> Smartphones Making It Harder To Call It Quits For some, smartphones have become digital leashes to the office. They can log on and check in at work from just about anywhere. And while this is good for employers, it's making it harder for employees to disconnect and relax — even when they're on vacation. Mon, 04 Jul 2011 16:22:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2011/07/04/137549800/smartphones-making-it-harder-to-call-it-quits?ft=1&f=97097438 http://www.npr.org/2011/07/04/137549800/smartphones-making-it-harder-to-call-it-quits?ft=1&f=97097438 For some, smartphones have become digital leashes to the office. They can log on and check in at work from just about anywhere. And while this is good for employers, it's making it harder for employees to disconnect and relax — even when they're on vacation.

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]]> Geocaching: 21st-Century Treasure Hunting The sport that took off in 2000, after the government lifted restrictions on access to satellite signals used by the U.S. military, now has millions of participants worldwide. One avid geocacher in Maine says he doesn't think he's obsessed, but says his wife might disagree. Mon, 04 Jul 2011 14:50:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2011/07/04/137031052/geocaching-21st-century-treasure-hunting?ft=1&f=97097438 http://www.npr.org/2011/07/04/137031052/geocaching-21st-century-treasure-hunting?ft=1&f=97097438 The sport that took off in 2000, after the government lifted restrictions on access to satellite signals used by the U.S. military, now has millions of participants worldwide. One avid geocacher in Maine says he doesn't think he's obsessed, but says his wife might disagree.

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