Chip companies entering their metal period | Tech News on ZDNet

Chip companies entering their metal period | Tech News on ZDNet: "For almost 40 years, chipmakers have been building transistor gates--the basic switch in a transistor--out of silicon. But Intel, IBM and Advanced Micro Devices now plan to introduce new materials for transistor gates that significantly cut power leakage while dramatically improving performance, company executives said this week in separate announcements."

Military to beam in nonlethal ray guns - Los Angeles Times

Military to beam in nonlethal ray guns - Los Angeles Times: "MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, GA. — The military calls its new weapon an 'active denial system,' but that's an understatement. It's a ray gun that shoots a beam that makes people feel as if they are about to catch fire.

The technology is supposed to be harmless — a nonlethal way to get enemies to drop their weapons. Military officials say it could save the lives of civilians and service members in places such as Iraq and Afghanistan. "

BBC NEWS | Americas | US military unveils heat-ray gun

BBC NEWS | Americas | US military unveils heat-ray gun: "The US military has given the first public display of what it says is a revolutionary heat-ray weapon to repel enemies or disperse hostile crowds.

Called the Active Denial System, it projects an invisible high energy beam that produces a sudden burning feeling, but is said to be harmless."

FBI taps cell phone mic as eavesdropping tool | CNET News.com

FBI taps cell phone mic as eavesdropping tool | CNET News.com: "The FBI appears to have begun using a novel form of electronic surveillance in criminal investigations: remotely activating a mobile phone's microphone and using it to eavesdrop on nearby conversations.

The technique is called a 'roving bug,' and was approved by top U.S. Department of Justice officials for use against members of a New York organized crime family who were wary of conventional surveillance techniques such as tailing a suspect or wiretapping him."