New Technology: Week in Review

Here are the tastiest technology tidbits, pulled from this past week’s news headlines.

There was a lot of buzz about a knee brace that can generate electricity for personal electronic devices by the simple act of walking. The first on-line video of the device in action shows how it captures energy.

Another new device that purports to capture energy already available is a sea-going glider that runs on thermal energy captured from the ocean. The goal is a craft that can roam the seas and survey for long stretches without coming back up to refuel.

On the DNA front, two new technologies captured the press’ collective attention. The New York Times featured an article about a company ready to unveil a new machine that might someday sequence an entire genome for $1000. In the process they hope to win an X-prize. The BBC News covered a story about tattoos as a means of delivering DNA-based vaccines in the long-term.

While most people are focused on whether or not Microsoft will swallow Yahoo in one massive gulp, the software giant looks ready to take on-line advertising to a new level with tools that find that “sweet spot” in videos. Meanwhile, logging into your various email and networking sites may get easier with Microsoft, IBM, Google and Yahoo on board for the Open ID concept.

All-in-all, a week brimming with media coverage of new technology.