Contractors' use of smartphones on the jobsite jumped 35 percent from last year, with nearly 70 percent of contractors now using smartphones as part of their workday, according to a recent survey by EMA Contractors. Bosch plans to leverage this fast adoption of smartphones by planning the introduction of its “Tool Box” app for iPhone and Android devices, announced Kevin Enke, director of marketing, Robert Bosch Tool Corporation, Accessories recently at the National Hardware Show.

Chicago has named a two-mile section of West Cermak Road "the greenest street in America" for its sustainability features, writes Randy Woods of EarthTechling e-news. The permeable pavement has smog-eating cement technology, which could help reduce air pollution. th street has bioswales on the sides and are planted with drought-resistant plantings that aim to reduce stormwater runoff by up to 80%; solar panels and windmills power the street lights.

The project cost 21% less than similar projects using traditional paving, according to the city's Office of Environment and Sustainability, and should require less maintenance.

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Stanley Black and Decker recently hosted trade editors at its Towson, Maryland Training Center to unveil its new line of 4.0 amp-hour Li-ion batteries and new XR brushless cordless tools.
DeWalt tool experts introduced its new 20-volt Max DCD790D2 drill driver, DCD795 D2 hammer drill and DCF886D2 impact driver, which use DeWalt’s brushless motor technology that delivers up to 57 percent more runtime.

In combination with its new XR Li-ion 4.0 amp-hour battery with fuel gauge and three-year warranty, users can attain an additional 33 percent of runtime on a single charge when compared with DeWalt 3.0 amp-hour Li-ion batteries.. 
DeWalt continues development on a cordless framing nailer that uses this technology, and sources report its full introduction will occur sometime in 2014.
The  DCF886D2 1/4" impact driver features one-handed bit loading and can produce 1,500 in.-lbs. of torque. It can operate at 0 to 2,800 no-load rpm/0 to 3,200 ipm. At only 5 1/2” long from front to back and only 3.4 lbs., the unit can reach into tight work areas. A triple LED tip lighting system uniformly lights the work.
The DCD795D2 hammer drill has a two-speed transmission that’s geared to match speed and power to the most common jobs. It delivers 0 to 600/0 to 2,000 no-load rpm and 0 to 10,200/0-34,000 bpm. At only 7.2” long and 3.5 lbs., the unit combines compact size with power for tough jobs in tight spaces.
The DCD790D2 driver-drill is also 7.2” long and weighs just 3.5 lbs. and delivers 0 to 600/0 to 2,000 rpm. Like the new hammer dril, its LED work light has been moved to base of the tool, eliminating many of the annoying shadows that can be as much of a hindrance as too little light in the work area.
DeWalt also introduced some interesting accessories and complementary products. Its new 12/20-volt Max Worksite charger radio that can charge DeWalt 12-volt and 20-volt Max batteries when plugged into AC power or can run the radio from these batteries. The unit also has two 120-volt power outlets built into the unit to bring AC power closer to the job. Auxilliary and MP3 ports alllow users to connect other devices so users can take advantage of the Class D amplifier, woofers and tweeters, sources report.

Some predict a 2 million skilled construction worker shortfall by 2017.
What can the trades do to head off this crisis? Plenty.

Look out construction industry, you’re about to be hit with a triple-whammy. The slow but steady comeback in construction will continue to create jobs that evaporated in 2008 through 2010. Sounds like great news, but it’s extremely likely that contractors will go wanting for workers. Here’s why:

• Early-career workers earning their stripes in apprentice or other training programs cut their short-term losses and moved into other industries when construction jobs disappeared.

• High school graduates, already predisposed to running a joystick over the mastery of cutting, hammering and building, searched for jobs that took advantage of their keyboarding and e-friendly skillsets and interests. With grim near-term job prospects in construction, few parents and mentors encouraged serious consideration about a job in the trades; trade schools and community colleges also backed off on programs that trained new-to-the-workforce workers in skilled trades.

• Baby Boomers are transitioning into retirement, taking years of experience and talent with them.

Combine those three demographic shifts, and within a decade, the face of residential, commercial and industrial construction will change dramatically, industry watchers predict. Without proactive efforts, it will have grave effects on construction contractors, developers and even the economy.