Technology

Robots aren’t just for mad scientists and Jedi knights anymore.

Ashley Conroe, an Indian River High School senior, formed the Retro Robots team to compete in Delaware’s own robotics tournament.

The controversial SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) and PIPA (PROTECT IP Act – “Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property Act of 2011”) are set to be debated during upcoming committee hearings on Capitol Hill, and this week marked the peak of public debate about the bills, as Wikipedia, Google and other tech companies engaged in “blackouts” of t

There was more than one fitness gadget on my holiday wishlist this year – perfect timing as we hit New Year’s and the season of resolutions. Near the top of that list was the Up, from Bluetooth headset manufacturer Jawbone, which incorporates the functions of a high-end pedometer, meal-tracking software and sleep tracker into a bracelet and associated app.

Last month, the world lost a man who may someday be considered one of the most influential people of our generation, at least in terms of how we, as individuals, interact with the world. Steve Jobs’ death was not unexpected, though it came surprisingly suddenly for those who were not in his inner circle – just more than a month after he stepped down as the CEO of Apple Inc. But his lasting legacy is likely to be the drive for consumer-friendly interfaces with technology that he used to cram so much innovation into his 56 short years.

Apple co-founder Steve Jobs passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 5, after several years fighting off pancreatic cancer and having received a liver transplant back in 2009. Jobs died just one day after the first major product announcement from Apple since he stepped down as CEO in August of this year. It seems almost fitting to his legendary personality. He just had to wait to make sure it would be a success.

A Frankford couple this week reported an online scam that they said took more than $200 from their bank account.

It seems a new hacking or security-breach story is erupting into the national and international headlines every week, lately. With people increasingly doing business and managing their personal lives online, it’s an issue that affects nearly everyone, whether they realize it or not. But should you really be worried about whether your information is safe?

Did you pick up some thumb socks for Dad for Father’s Day? If not, you may want to put it on the list for an early Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa or Yule present later this year, because Delaware lawmakers on June 22 passed a bill that bans texting or use of a hand-held cell phone while driving in the state. And with an expected signature from Gov. Jack Markell, the ban could become law at the end of the year.

The Internet has undoubtedly changed the way we live our lives. It’s changed the way we learn, communicate and spend our time, especially for today’s youth. But there are risks out there, hiding behind the anonymity and ambiguity of the Internet. This past week, Delaware Attorney General Joseph R.

Late last year, the Selbyville Police Department became one of the few local law enforcement agencies to utilize a computer service, called Nixle, to directly contact members of the community in the event of an emergency or other urgent concerns.

We’ve all had it happen: A co-worker or family member heads out for a few hours. You call them on their cell phone to relay a message or ask them to pick up a gallon of milk, only to hear the distinctive sound of their phone’s ringtone coming from down the hall.

We’ve had a great response in the last two weeks to our new Coastal Point Facebook page, with dozens of new “fans” and an ever-expanding network of “friends” for our staff. It looks like some of our friends and fans are relatively new to Facebook, and we hope you’ve been enjoying the experience, while the old hands at Facebook get to interact with us even more than usual.

Judging by the attention it’s been getting in the mainstream media lately, social networking seems to have come into its own. No longer are Facebook and MySpace the isolated bastion of college students. No longer is Twitter just the sound a bird makes for those who don’t consider themselves hard-core geeks.

I received a recorded message from my satellite television provider a few weeks ago, letting me know that if I’d like to upgrade my equipment, I could receive the new digital television broadcasts right through my satellite box, with no additional converter box needed, all for a modest price.

After two years of short supplies that have sent many a parent heading to eBay or home in discouragement, supplies of the popular Wii video game console are finally showing signs of freeing up, just in time for the 2008 holidays.

The future is here.

This voyage into some tips for the modern consumer started innocently, with a newsroom discussion of Nabisco Crown Pilot crackers that originated in topics unknown and probably better left that way.

Periodically, we get requests from Coastal Point readers to expand our technology columns to offer tips to those who are just learning to use computers and other gadgets, or those who know the basics but want to expand their horizons, with some Tech 101-type pieces. For all of you who made that request, this is for you.

Well, it’s the end of Week 2 of the Coastal Point Health-Tech Challenge, and I’ve been pleased with my ability to keep up my new exercise regimen using Wii Fit. On the down side, I’ve gained 4 pounds since starting the program two weeks ago. On the up side, even without verification with a body-fat calculation and with my diet unchanged, I’m positive that all of that extra weight (and probably more) is muscle.

The average computer user replaces their computer every two to three years. New television technology is tolling the bell on millions of TV sets across the country, as viewers upgrade to sets capable of displaying high-definition signals. And millions of VCRs are being replaced these days will recordable DVD machines and digital video recorders. So, where do all these devices end up?

In our recent series of health stories on technologically-savvy ways to get (and stay) in shape, I noted the expected release of the Wii Fit game and balance board peripheral this month. Well, May 22 arrived late last week, and with it my very own copy of the game and my very own balance board.

Many U.S. taxpayers will start receiving their 2008 stimulus payments in increments of $300 this week through direct deposit, with $300 or more for many single taxpayers, $600 or more for many couples and $300 additional for each eligible child.

While the back-to-basics, low-electricity push of the green movement may seem incompatible on some level with computers and computer monitors, there’s no question that the Internet has been a major mover in the efforts to protect the planet and human health, and plan for a greener future. These are just a few of the thousands of Web sites that are doing their part in the name of green.

While we’ve been talking mostly about “active” fitness technology in our series of stories on health tech, I don’t think many would argue about the value of good sleep in overall health, so this month, I’d like to look a little at some high-tech options that could help you get a little more quality in your Z’s.

Chances are when most of the remaining analog cellular phone systems were turned off Feb. 18, you didn’t lose the use of your more modern wireless phone, even if some people were surprised to find their alarm systems and older cellular-based car systems were affected. But what will happen on Feb. 17, 2009, when analog TV too goes the way of the dinosaurs?

Welcome to CoastalPoint.com 2.0! If you’ve visited our Web site in the last few weeks, you’ll already have noticed the appearance of the first phase of months of behind-the-scenes work by our staff on The Point’s Web presence.

In this second part of our story on health technology, we’ll be looking at some alternative exercise devices and online dieting options.

Now that the holidays have come and gone, it’s certain that quite a few of us woke up Christmas morning with a new cell phone under the tree or unwrapped something shiny, silver and technological to go with the traditional blue and silver of Hanukkah, or perhaps a nice, flat black (just like the go-everywhere little black dress or black dress shoes) to go with whichever of the other winter holid

Ah, the holidays… when all good geek brains turn to thoughts of e-goodies and tech toys. Yes, it’s time for the annual round-up of my top tech gift ideas for you and yours, with items for all budgets and every tech lover on your gift list.

While picking technology gifts for teenagers and adults is more a process of narrowing down a wide range of options, it’s only been in recent years that technology for the smallest of humans has really started to come into its own.