Patrick Nelson
star Thought Leader
IDG Contributor Network
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Opinions expressed by ICN authors are their own.
Patrick Nelson was editor and publisher of the music industry trade publication Producer Report and has written for a number of technology blogs. Nelson wrote the cult-classic novel Sprawlism.
The opinions expressed in this blog are those of Patrick Nelson and do not necessarily represent those of IDG Communications, Inc., its parent, subsidiary or affiliated companies.
Microsoft launches undersea, free-cooling data center
Underwater data centers like Microsoft's Project Natick offer the benefit of free water cooling, plus they bring the ultimate in edge computing.
Data freshness, not speed, most important for IoT
IoT is creating wireless network innovation. But it isn’t just about low latency and reliability promises. Data freshness and better security are getting attention, too.
For IoT, alternative location services are better than GPS
Sensor-to-sensor and other alternative location-awareness services will consume less power and will be faster and cheaper than traditional GPS services.
Blockchain, service-centric networking key to IoT success
IoT needs monetization, security, and a strong edge network. Researchers say they have the solution — Blockcloud — blockchain along with a service name addressing system.
Magnetic smart fabrics will store data in clothes
University of Washington researchers have found a new use for conductive thread that could allow you to store data in clothing.
Solar power costs half what coal costs
One megawatt-hour of solar-produced electricity in North America currently costs $50, compared to $102 for coal-originating power, according to new analysis.
Mobile data usage overtakes Wi-Fi, and CBRS threatens
Wi-Fi could be in for a rough ride. It’s getting hit by cellular data, plus a new chunk of data-friendly spectrum: the Citizen Broadband Radio Service (CBRS).
To improve network throughput, scrap the ones-and-zeros system
A Dutch researcher has proposed radical new methods for transporting data along existing fiber that will increase throughput at low cost.
New solar panel creates power from rain, as well as sunlight
Data centers located in poor weather climates may be able to harness the power of sun and rain using a hybrid panel developed by scientists at Soochow University.
DNA data storage closer to becoming reality
DNA could replace hard drives, tape and other storage mediums one day. It’s not as far-fetched as it sounds, and significant progress is being made, including new, zero-error individual-file data retrieval.
Lasers could power computers wirelessly
A thin beam of invisible laser light has been used to safely charge a smartphone across a room. The experiment by researchers at the Univeristy of Washington lends credence to the futuristic idea that one day all computers could...
To understand big data, convert it to sound
The sonification of big data will help people better understand and analyze big data, as well as detect anomalies in the data, say researchers at Virginia Tech.
Li-Fi gets office-install at Philips lighting
Philips says it’s now supplying integrated Li-Fi modems in its regular office lights.
Future wireless networks will have no capacity limits
Calculations that suggest there will be caps on the amount of data that wireless networks can transmit are wrong, according to researchers at Linköping University.
New tech harvests electricity out of thin air
Internet of Things sensors and communications gear could be powered by air temperature fluctuations, inventors from MIT say.
Companies ready to spend on IT hardware again
The recent IT spending slowdown, caused by enterprises assessing cloud computing services, is about to end, Morgan Stanley says. Investors could see double-digit earnings growth from the IT hardware sector in 2018.
IoT: Sensor-as-a-service, run by blockchain, is coming
Nokia is launching a blockchain-driven Internet of Things (IoT) sensor network for its telco equipment users to sell on.
Small wake-up receivers could extend IoT sensor life
Ultrasonic signaling that triggers sensors to switch on or off could add to efficiency efforts being made in IoT design, researchers at Stanford University say.
