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Today’s topics include Microsoft’s claim that more than 200 million active devices are running Windows 10, Samsung shows off three new technology concepts at the Consumer Electronics Show, Intel buys out of drone software maker Ascending Technologies, and the WiFi Alliance’s new low-power WiFi standard HaLow.
Although it’s barely six months since Microsoft released Windows 10, the company is already declaring its latest-generation PC operating system is a big success.
Yusuf Mehdi, corporate vice president of Microsoft’s Windows and Devices group, revealed that the software giant is well on its way toward its goal of getting Windows 10 running on a billion devices by mid-2018. In a Jan. 4 announcement, Mehdi said there are more than 200 million active devices around the world running Windows 10.
Samsung is displaying several innovative design concepts at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week, including a smart belt that tracks a wearer’s waist size and activity and a hand-motion controller for virtual reality headsets.
It’s also demonstrating technology that allows smartphone users to hear sounds from their devices by touching their fingertip to an ear, rather than listening through earphones.
The three technologies, which are being developed as personal projects by employees in Samsung’s Creative Lab innovation center, are being shown publicly for the first time at CES 2016.
Intel is moving deeper into the growing drone industry with its acquisition of German startup Ascending Technologies and its auto-pilot software. Intel officials announced the deal Jan. 4 but released few details about it.
Intel CEO Brian Krzanich is expected to talk more about it when he takes the stage at CES 2016 in Las Vegas. The chip maker’s acquisition follows its $60 million investment in August 2015 in China-based drone manufacturer Yuneec.
WiFi Alliance announced its WiFi HaLow standard, which it contends provides longer range and lower power connectivity for WiFi Certified products.
It’s designed to enable a variety of new power-efficient wireless devices for smart homes, connected cars and digital health care as well as industrial, retail, agriculture and smart city applications.
Kevin Robinson, vice president of marketing at the WiFi Alliance, said HaLow is the answer to the industry demand for low-power, longer-range connectivity that retains security protections that users have come to expect from WiFi.