Israel Active

(Thanks to Israel21c) An estimated 4 billion people own a simple mobile phone – mostly in countries where a smartphone would not work. Israeli start-up VascoDe provides a 2G system to provide email, Facebook, Twitter, Wikipedia etc. via national mobile providers.

Elbit’s Clear Vision system was put on show yesterday at the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget. The system’s advanced multi-spectral camera displays real-time pictures on transparent glass in front of the pilot, enabling passenger aircraft to land even in storms and fog. The video is of an earlier version.

An El Al 737 plane has completed trials with the new C-MUSIC DIRCM system to protect against terrorist shoulder-fired missiles. Every El Al, Arkia and Israir civilian plane will be equipped with the new system.

Tel Aviv University and Israel’s Technion have partnered with free-course provider Coursera to offer especially developed classes in four study areas – including engineering, archeology, biology and cultural studies.

Israel marked National Science Day with lectures in unlikely places. In people’s homes, the Israel Museum, and (because it was also Einstein’s birthday) the Einstein Pub.

57 percent of Israelis have a smartphone - up from 35 percent last year – and the highest global annual increase. Only the UK (62 percent) is higher in smartphone ownership. But Israelis beat the world when it comes to smartphone usage (Internet, apps, maps etc).

(Thanks to Ophir) The Israeli Ministry of Agriculture has approved the use of "Tamar Tech" pesticide based on non-toxic and edible oils. When sprayed on the plants in the field or in the greenhouse it protects leaves, stems and fruits from attacks by insects, spider-mites and fungi.

(Thanks to Atid-EDI) Israel’s Evogene is working with Beijing Dabeinong Technology Group (DBN) to increase fertilizer uptake and drought tolerance in rice. Evogene has discovered several candidate genes and these will be introduced into DBN’s pipeline for the development of improved rice.

(Thanks to Atid-EDI) Israel’s Cellocator has launched Cello-IQ, a driver safety and eco driving solution, designed to improve fleet safety and reduce fleet operation costs. Over one million vehicles have a Cellocator device. (Now we just need these installed in every Israeli car!)

Israel’s RAD Data Communications won the 2013 NetEvents Technology Innovation Award for “infrastructure equipment and innovative solutions to Service Providers’ current challenges”. RAD’s MiNID device configures nearly any telecom equipment just by plugging it in.