IBM moves closer to new "racetrack" memory

Scientists at IBM have announced that they are closer to producing a new class of memory chip. "Racetrack" memory could potentially provide hundreds of times the amount of storage that a standard memory chip of the same size could produce. The new memory uses billions of "nanowires" that are placed around the edge of the chip, providing greater operating speed, less power consumption, and much more durability.

Mobile banking gaining ground among young

According to an IBM retail banking study, 89 percent of consumers do not use their cell phones for banking, even though most major banks offer mobile banking services. However, the study also found that 21 percent of consumers age 18-34 use their cell phones for making mobile banking transactions, compared with about 10 percent of the general population. The overall number of mobile banking users is expected to grow from 1.7 million at end of 2007 to 8 million by the end of this year, according to the research firm Alite Group. By 2010, 35 million Americans are expected to use mobile banking.

Samsung develops water-powered fuel cell for cell phones

Samsung has reportedly developed a micro-fuel cell and hydrogen generator that runs on water and can be used with cell phones. The fuel cell works by producing hydrogen gas through the reaction of metal and water. The gas is then sent to the fuel cell where it reacts with oxygen in the air to produce power. This process can generate up to three watts of electricity, which could potentially power a handset for ten hours, doubling the capacity of standard rechargeable batteries. According to Samsung, the initial water-powered devices would need to have their hydrogen cartridges replaced every five days or so, but later handsets would only need to be filled with water. Fuel cell-powered devices are expected to be on the market by 2010.

AT&T to cut price of new iPhone

When Apple's new 3G iPhone is released this summer, AT&T will make as much as a $200 price cut. The money will be subsidized by AT&T, the only U.S. carrier of the iPhone, which should bring the price down to $199 for customers who sign up for a two-year service contract. The 3G iPhone is expected to come in 8 GB and 16 GB versions.

Test of "Mobile Fragrance" service

NTT Communications Corp. has announced that they will proceed with testing of the pilot trial of its Mobile Fragrance Communications service. The service enables users to experience scents that are emitted from an aroma generator built into handheld devices that works together with music and video downloads. The scents are combined according to a fragrance playlist that is linked to media content. The mobile version of the aroma generator will store 16 fragrances capable of creating 700 different aromas.