Mac News: Apple patent depicts NFC iPhone-controlled connected home   
A super detailed patent application by Apple was discovered this week, depicting a connected home controllable by an assortment of Apple devices, ranging from the Apple TVs and iMacs to iPods and third-party devices like a cable box and other devices equipped with a near-field communications (NFC) chip.    
Read full story => iDownloadBlog

Technology News: Internet Titans Team Up to Form Lobbying Group   
Several major Internet companies, including Google, eBay, Amazon and Facebook, are joining forces to create a lobbying group that educates lawmakers about how the Internet affects their districts. According to Reuters, the group will be called the Internet Association, and it will officially launch in September 2012.    
Read full story => PCworld

Programming News: Just When You Thought You Were Out…   
The 2012 Rails Rumble pulled you back in!    
We’re extremely pleased to announce that the 2012 Rails Rumble is finally, officially, official. Don’t believe us? Well, that’s your loss, because everyone else will be marking their calendars for October 12th through the 14th! Rails Rumble, the original 48-hour challenge that gives developers a chance to show off what they can accomplish in, well, 48 hours, is going to be better than ever this year.    
Read full story => Rails Rumble

Standards News: Conformity assessment for standards writers   
ISO has just published a new brochure, Conformity assessment for standards writers – do’s and don’ts. Conformity assessment covers the activities carried out to ensure that products, processes, services, persons, systems and bodies meet specified requirements such as those contained in a standard developed by ISO or its partner, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).    
Read full story => ISO