Apple passes 2 billion app downloads

NEW YORK - Apple Inc said on Monday that downloads from its iTunes applications store had passed 2 billion and that it now has more than 85,000 apps available for the iPhone and iPod Touch.

It did not say how many of the applications delivered were sold and how many were free. The store has inspired rival stores and helped boost iPhone sales since the summer of 2008.

Apple said it has sold more than 50 million iPhones and iPod Touch devices in 77 countries. AT&T Inc is the exclusive U.S. provider for iPhone.

Google Inc also runs an app store for its Android mobile platform but has fewer apps than Apple.

EU orders MP3 makers to turn down the volume

A woman holds the headphones to her MP3 player in her hands. The European Union has ordered MP3 and mobile phone makers to turn down the volume on their must-have gagdets -- or risk millions of teenagers going deaf.

During my Adamson days, I was using a circuit simulator program called "Electronics Workbench". Now if I will ask an ECE student maybe they haven't heard about "Electronics Workbench". It is now the famous National Instruments Multism formerly known as "MultiSIM" and "Electronics Workbench". It was only on 2005 when National Instruments acquired the companies and was re-branded "National Instruments Electronics Workbench Group".

Right now I am using the latest version of NI Multisim Pro version and I can tell you that this is a lot more useful and effective compared to their old versions, that's the way it should go, always improve your product. As a student it is better for you to start using this software, maybe spend 1 hour a day in handling this software until you master it. Designing a PCB is also done better here with the help of Ultiboard, after simulating your circuit and do the final changes, you can now start designing your PCB.

The chronometer has four 7-segment displays which can show a time lapse of 000.0 s to 999.9 s with a resolution of 0.1 s or a count from 0000 up to 9999.

The chronometer is based on the Type 74C925 counter IC with integrated display driver from National Semiconductor. The device draws a current of about 40 mA from a +5 V supply

On power-up, the counter is set to 0000 by network R14-C4 or by S1. The IC can derive a clock from two different sources: the internal oscillator or an external one via the count input.

The oscillator is formed by IC2c, IC2d and is enabled via the CHRON input. The enabling is effected manually by S3 or by inputting a given level, high or low, depending on the position of S3, into CHRON. Only when pin 8 is high is it possible to measure an 8-12 Hz signal at the output of the oscillator. This frequency can be set to exactly 10 Hz with the aid of a frequency counter, but, if this is not to hand, also with the aid of a good watch.

Inputs CHRON and COUNT are identical but separated electrically from one another and from the signal source by optoisolators. This allows input potentials of up to 25 Vpp to be applied to either of them.

As with the CHRON input, the level at the COUNT input may be either high or low and is selected by S4.

The position of S2b determines whether the time or count function is active. Switch section S2a inserts the decimal point between the third and fourth display digit when CHRON is selected.

Whereas a simple level is needed to start the oscillator, the signal at the COUNT input needs more if the module is to work error-free. The signal must have steep edges; it must be free of interference; at low level, it must be well below 1 V; and at high level, it must well above 2 V. Moreover, if a switch is used at the COUNT input, this must be debounced adequately.