Electronic Product Design

Peek inside the two primary printed-circuit boards (PCBs) inside the premier Google mobile handset offering! Reverse engineers ripped out the cell phone's physical keyboard in order to uncover interesting facts about the PCBs including a thorough identification of the manufacturers involved and the technologies adopted. What does Google's Gphone have in common with Apple's iPhone? How does Android compare to the iPhone architecture? Will the open source approach pay off?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Electronic Product Design, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Electronic Product Design today.

Alarming increases in uncontrolled disposal of electronics are creating new awareness for the need to set world standards for electronics recycling and reuse. Academics are pushing for standardized processes and policies governing the reuse and recycling of electronic products to curb and reverse the illegal and harmful e-waste processing practices in developing countries. When recycling, do smaller electronics companies follow in the footsteps of the larger more responsible corporations? Can world recycling standards conflict with domestic/local standards? How effective would global recycling standards be?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Electronic Product Design, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Electronic Product Design today.

Can you go a full day without having to recharge your cell phone? A variety of available applications are creating a growing need for additional power in multifunctional mobile phones. One California-based company has now developed strips of organic thin film solar plastic that are capable of boosting cellular battery life. The solar strips can be attached to the backs of cell phones. Although the panels suffer from short lifetime, their affordability will likely render them appealing to consumers. What battery technology do you think will be able to efficiently support 4G and 5G cellular wireless broadband?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Electronic Product Design, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Electronic Product Design today.

The semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) market got off to a bad start during the first and second quarters of 2009, but there is still hope for the last two quarters, according to preliminary reports. Ten analysts in the field offer their optimistic or pessimistic views about the IC outlook.

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Electronic Product Design, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Electronic Product Design today.

What fate awaits analog integrated circuit (IC) technology? The electronic and semiconductor community's position on the future of analog chips is sharply divided. Some believe everything is going digital which will eliminate the need for analog. Others believe the future for analog ICs is bright thanks to its potential for profitability, margins, and returns. Will the domination of digital ICs squash the need for analog ICs? Has the analog IC market matured? What does the future hold for analog ICs? What will enable analog to survive in light of the digital supremacy?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Electronic Product Design, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Electronic Product Design today.