The inaugural Engineers Australia Future Tech Forum, part of the ACI Connect conference being held in Sydney in August, will feature a strong line-up of expert speakers, covering a range of topics in energy, networks, process and instrumentation industries. [ + ]

For all the good that smartphones have delivered - convenience, connectivity and mobility - there's still the eternal problem of battery charge, or lack thereof. You'd think by now that we'd have a solution to this endlessly irritating problem, but most smartphone users still need to recharge on a daily basis. At least. [ + ]

Recently released data highlighting a big drop in technical and trade apprentice and traineeships is a cause for concern and action, said the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA). [ + ]

The Prysmian Group has won the Frost & Sullivan 2015 European New Product Innovation Award for its BendBrightXS optical fibre. [ + ]

Suspicious minds could be forgiven for thinking there are greater forces at play, with the release of yet more product recall notices affecting Australian truck fleets. [ + ]

A new app that developers claim will rival Skype is moving into beta testing and the call is out for 30,000 individuals to take part. [ + ]

The Australian Accident Repair Network (AARN) is reporting that new airbag technology being tested by Mercedes could potentially change the face of in-car safety systems. [ + ]

The Australian Smart Lighting Summit, to be held on 8-9 September at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, will draw more than 150 lighting industry experts who will discuss strategies and new technologies for public lighting retrofits aimed at reducing energy consumption and costs. [ + ]

The first delegate for NECA's 2016 Industry Conference in South Africa has been registered following the announcement of prize winners from the 2015 Market Monitor draw in Canberra. [ + ]

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced $1.4 million support for the University of Adelaide to develop an online Australian energy storage knowledge bank and build a mobile energy storage test facility. [ + ]

Panasonic has announced pilot projects with ActewAGL, Snowy Hydro's Red Energy and Ergon Energy to install Panasonic battery technology in solar-installed homes. [ + ]

Electricians and other tradespeople, including communication workers, are warned against working in known asbestos-contaminated properties with the release of a new asbestos safety guide. [ + ]

Solar manufacturer Q CELLS has been recognised by the Australian Clean Energy Council (CEC) as the first company to have its entire range of solar panels certified with the VDE Quality Tested seal of approval.

The latest quarterly Sensis Business Index (SBI) survey shows business confidence among small to medium enterprises (SMEs) in Australia is steady, yet perceptions of the economy are increasingly negative. [ + ]

The doors have opened to SPARC, Australia's premier lighting event for the international lighting community. [ + ]