I think you're forgetting about the work Google has been doing for years now with Google Voice transcription, voice search, and the text to speech and back again translation products they have.

If anyone can take on Apple in natural language processing, I think it's Google.

How is this different than the plight of software engineers, hardware engineers, or designers that work outside of the IT industry? How is it different than the legions of R&D folks that are listed as exempt employees?

I'm not saying it should happen. Far from it. But the real battle is that technical professions all over have been moved to exempt status and their employees continue to be forced to work exceedingly long days for 8 hours of pay. It's not the IT guidelines that need reform, it's the ones for all technical professions.

Really, it's not. I do stuff like this every day. It looks pretty normal for a 4-6 layer board with a BGA or two on it. TFA needs to learn about what modern design standards are. It's only complicated if you still lay boards out with ruby tape or a sharpie.

The patent for the device is covered in US patent 7735773. It does indeed appear to be a variant of a Voith Schneider Propeller. The claim for autorotation is interesting, and possibly quite valid, as is the claim about flying close to buildings or vertical surfaces, based on the proposed flow mechanics of the 'turbines' (quotes on purpose). My biggest issue is with the "additional power units" to support high speed cruise, which are not shown, and not well described.

Basically, I'll believe it when I see it fly. Until then, it's a Voith Schneider quadcopter demonstration mule. I'm waiting for a person to be transported.

Really. I used to carry around a caribenier full of keys. Literally, 2 dozen. Then I:
got out of college (-12 keys, I ran a bunch of student orgs)
got my own car (-2 keys for my parents' cars)
bought a house (-3 apartment keys, -2 for my parents' house)
got married (-2 girlfriend's keys)

I still carry a few on my one keyring:
My car
Wife's car
House
Bike lock
Office

They all stack nicely into my left front pocket with my change. The right front holds the phone. Left rear is my wallet. The pockets are always the same, as is their contents. It's a system that's worked well. As soon as I stand up, I can instantly tell if something is missing, and it's saved my bacon once or twice. Also, by keeping all my keys on one ring, I can't leave the house or the office or my bike or my car without having the ring with me. It's insurance.

If you were a pilot, you'd know one simple three word phrase:

Aviate, Navigate, Communicate.

A pilot's duty is to act in that order. Fly the plane, know where you are, and tell people. That hierarchy saves lives. Drivers could learn a think or two from Pilots in that regard.

Same kind of deal, but I was rewriting embedded code for a data collection system. In Iowa. In February. In the middle of a field. At night, so I didn't disturb the daytime readings. It took 3 days to catch the error in-situ and correct it (off by 1 in some obscure data mangling function as I recall), and I quit the next week when they told me I was going to go out and do it again.

Agreed. ANYONE but Mrs. Warrior. She sucks!

Analog Integrated Circuit Applications

Prof. Jacob is wonderfully knowledgeable on the subject, and his teaching style is easy to follow. Additionally, his book covers a lot more than just the ICs in the title.