Daily Marauder

TECHNOLOGY

In a major shift from industry norms, Apple has begun creating an in-house chip-design team, hiring engineers and other experts from the semiconductor industry. The company hopes that by taking control of its own silicon designs, it will be better able to introduce new features and keep details of its technologies secret from outside chip suppliers. The Wall Street Journal (4/30)

Home-automation systems, a 237,000-unit market in 2007, will grow to 2.8 million by 2011 and on to 4 million by 2013, according to ABI Research. In fact, ABI said that the only segment of the home-automation market that will be significantly affected by the recession is the relatively mature luxury portion, in which systems can go for $50,000 or more. CEPro.com (4/29)

LG is introducing 19- and 22-inch versions of the new M7WD digital-TV monitors. The displays, available only in the U.K., feature 1920 x 1080 resolution, 20,000:1 contrast ratio, a 170-degree viewing angle and the company’s signature red detailing. Pocket-lint.co.uk (4/29)