Silver Spring makes equipment and software for utilities to upgrade their grid. Its devices on utility poles can broker information over the Internet between a home’s smart meter and a utility, to warn of an outage or to send energy usage information.

The “smart grid” is a catchall term to describe a number of products for adding automation to the electricity distribution system. For consumers, it can mean in-home energy displays or appliances that communicate back to

By law, every phone in the U.S. must be capable of reporting its location for E911 services. The ability to locate someone who calls for help is obviously a desirable and necessary feature for public safety providers, but the flip side can lead to abuse. We have far surpassed the capabilities that were dramatized in 1984. While we are lucky that we have these sophisticated capabilities, we must also be vigilant as to their use. Presently, there is little legislation dealing

Joanna Shields, who was CEO of Bebo when it was acquired, left AOL in May. Before she left, Shields was head of “People Networks,” a new AOL division devoted to social networks. Last week, AOL CEO Tim Armstrong announced that People Networks would be nixed in a restructuring.

AOL has promoted Stephane Panier to the role of president at social network Bebo, which it acquired last year for $850 million.

Bebo has been placed in a new division called AOL Ve

But if you’re looking for something a little different, these Flickr alternatives are worth checking out.

When you get to Multicolr, you’ll see several colors displayed. Once you click on the image, it immediately displays Flickr pictures matching that color. As you continue to click colors, Multicolr changes the results accordingly. Even better, all the images Multicolr Search Lab finds are offered under a Creative Commons license, so you won’t need to worry about any legal issues

Also–and this reminds me of the main difference between playing poker on my computer versus at a table–virtual surgery happens a lot faster. With a strong cup of coffee and enough RAM, a surgeon-in-training could perform multiple heart surgeries in virtually (ha ha) one sitting.

Two possible scenarios–both equally entertaining–might ensue. More gamers will suddenly have useful medical skills at their disposal, while more surgeons will (perhaps inadvertently) hone their

As Internet-connected TVs become more popular, set makers are looking for ways to stand out from each other. Vizio, which made its name by undercutting much larger names in electronics on LCD sets, is no longer just looking to attract buyers at Costco. It’s now trying to compete directly on the number of bells and whistles with the likes of Samsung, Panasonic, and Sony.

Announced in late June, Vizio’s Via HDTV has some things going for it that its competitors’ sets do not: integr

In raw editing capability, Excel on the Web beats Google. It will have features approaching the PC counterpart of the app, not to mention the same user interface (the “ribbon” Office users are accustomed to) instead of Google’s old-timey but clear pull-down menus. The commonality between the Web and PC versions of the products should make it easier for people to pop between the desktop Office apps and their Web counterparts.

The technical preview of Office

Netflix awards $1 million for outdoing Cinematch

In today’s podcast we talk about a concept laptop that has four screens, as well as new SSDs the size of business cards that should make for even smaller notebook computers. We also get CNET News reporter Greg Sandoval in the studio to talk about MySpace’s upcoming movie download service.

Sony catalog comes to Amie Street–with fine print

MySpace, Hulu working on new video service

Official

The U.S. Department of Defense has contracted for the development of bullet resistant windows that dim instantly with a touch of a button, providing “on-demand” light control, privacy, and protection from heat, glare, and ultraviolet rays.

SmartGlass is already available for architectural and automotive applications, and the developers hope the armored variety will soon be an option on your car, too (view demo).

“This new development will have its initial application in

Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Kaz Hirai performed the unveiling at a press conference Tuesday in Cologne, Germany, preceding the opening of the Gamescom Expo.

Coalition to challenge Google Books settlement The Internet Archive is reportedly forming a coalition of tech giants to be led by veteran Silicon Valley attorney Gary Reback.

•  Challenge to Google Books settlement focuses on class actions

Budget PC brands see biggest gains in consumer satisfaction Comp