Amazon has recently unveiled a new piece of technology that they have produced called the Echo. The main purpose of the Echo is to stream music and search the internet using voice recognition. It is uses voice recognition to surf the web and take song requests and has not screen, just speakers.
Link to an article with more information on Amazon's new product: https://www.yahoo.com/tech/amazons-new-gadget-is-like-a-siri-voice-assistant-for-101942916809.html
Although the speaker seems like it is a good idea I think that it is probably just a waste of money. The product seems to be a solution to a problem that could just be solved using an application that would be on your phone. I do think that the ideas behind the product are cool. The fact that the product lets you browse and playback music and surf the web is pretty awesome. The starting price of the device is said to be at 199 dollars, which is pretty steep for a device that has so little capabilities. I think that it would be nice if the device had some type of display that the user could use to make the experience of using it a little more straight forward. I don't think that many people will end up shelling out the money required to buy the product. I think that Amazon should focus on making their voice recognition software available in an app that they release on mobile devices such as the iPhone or Android mobile phones before they make too many of the devices. I think that the voice recognition software that they developed has more of a place in someone phone than in a pair of speakers.
Overall I think that the recent efforts of Amazon to expand their market to more than just selling stuff over the internet is pretty cool. They have developed a lot of cool ideas that could be implemented into other devices, the Echo is one such example. I think that they just need to focus on developing software for other devices instead of making their own products (with the exception of their Kindle tablets). I hope that they keep on developing new ideas that help us do everyday activities more efficiently.
Word Count: 365
Sunday, November 9, 2014
Microsoft Makes a Move to Make Word Free on Mobile Devices
Microsoft has recently made the move to make Microsoft Word free on mobile devices that run on Apple's operating system or Android. They also made it so that the standard app was free and that people could later buy add-ons for the application to make it better.
Link to the article with more information on the topic: https://www.yahoo.com/tech/microsoft-just-made-its-office-mobile-apps-free-to-use-101926950844.html
I think that it is great that Microsoft is making the move to get Office applications on mobile devices. This is great because as you get older you tend to get more busy, thus, you find yourself sitting behind a computer less and less and instead are going about doing more important things. Now, instead of writing a paper or creating a power point on your computer at your house you can do it on your phone during lunch time. This ultimately makes you a lot more productive, and it makes it so that you can use your free time to do what you want to do (because you won't have to wait until you get home to start a power point that you need to do for school). I also think that it awesome that Microsoft is making its office applications free for everybody that has compatible devices. Microsoft's office applications on the PC tend to be very expensive, so it is often times hard for individuals to get a legitimate copy of the software (the price of Office leads to a lot of software pirating issues). By making the software free Microsoft is not only expanding their consumer base, but is also allowing more people to be productive (which is obviously a great thing). I also think that it is cool that Microsoft is making the application available to multiple platforms. This is awesome because it helps make all the technology that people have in their households be in sync. Being able to transfer your Word documents from your phone to your computer and then back again only to edit them more will be cool.
Overall I am very excited for the release of the new applications that Microsoft is releasing. The applications will help myself and others get the large amount of work that they have done in a reasonable amount of time. I am also excited for the new era of technology that the applications mark; an era where all of the tech gadgets that you own are synced up and networked with each other.
Word Count: 407
New Vector Mouth Guard is Helping the LSU Football Team Keep Their Players Safe
In recent years there has been growing concern in sports over the safety of the participants. One sport that seems to have a lot of concern focused around it is football, a sport that is very explosive and requires a lot of player to player contact. In order to deal with the growing concerns football leagues such as the NFL of NCAA are looking for ways to improve their gear and the game itself. In order to do that efficiently they needed a way to gather data on the movements that the players go through and the amount of force that they take on during a game. Recently LSU has been using a special type of mouth guard on some of their players to help them reassess their practices to help keep the player safe.
Link to article with more information on the subject: https://www.yahoo.com/tech/the-solution-to-football-concussions-may-come-from-this-102009462144.html
I think that it is awesome that there is now an accurate way to measure the forces that players are put under in high contact sports. If we are able to accurately interpret the forces done on areas such as the head then we will be better able to make equipment that reduces these forces. I think that the technology also shows how sensors can be used in everyday life to help us make things better and more efficient. Just imagine having a sensor on your body that kept track of your stress levels. You could use the data that the sensor gathers over the course of a few days or weeks to help you determine a schedule that makes you the least stressful. I also think that it is great that people are taking steps to make equipment for athletes that makes it so that they are less likely to suffer from injuries (specifically brain injuries). It is cool that the mouth guard is offered to anyone and that it is going to be used in other sports such as basketball and wrestling. I also think that it is great that the mouth guard is already being used on the LSU football team. I think that the fact that a well-known football team is using it shows that it is a piece of technology that is worth looking into. The coaching staff also said that they have made some changes to their preseason workout routines after using the mouth guards for a relatively short amount of time.
Personally, I think that it is great that people are taking a scientific approach to getting rid of sports related injuries and illnesses. I also think that the mouth guard is a great example of how sensors can be used to improve our lives.
Word Count: 447
Link to article with more information on the subject: https://www.yahoo.com/tech/the-solution-to-football-concussions-may-come-from-this-102009462144.html
I think that it is awesome that there is now an accurate way to measure the forces that players are put under in high contact sports. If we are able to accurately interpret the forces done on areas such as the head then we will be better able to make equipment that reduces these forces. I think that the technology also shows how sensors can be used in everyday life to help us make things better and more efficient. Just imagine having a sensor on your body that kept track of your stress levels. You could use the data that the sensor gathers over the course of a few days or weeks to help you determine a schedule that makes you the least stressful. I also think that it is great that people are taking steps to make equipment for athletes that makes it so that they are less likely to suffer from injuries (specifically brain injuries). It is cool that the mouth guard is offered to anyone and that it is going to be used in other sports such as basketball and wrestling. I also think that it is great that the mouth guard is already being used on the LSU football team. I think that the fact that a well-known football team is using it shows that it is a piece of technology that is worth looking into. The coaching staff also said that they have made some changes to their preseason workout routines after using the mouth guards for a relatively short amount of time.
Personally, I think that it is great that people are taking a scientific approach to getting rid of sports related injuries and illnesses. I also think that the mouth guard is a great example of how sensors can be used to improve our lives.
Word Count: 447
Sunday, November 2, 2014
Recently, LG has been showing off their new smart phone screens with super thin bezels. The new panel for the screen uses an adhesive layer that doesn't require a plastic frame around its edge to keep its shape. The new screen's bezel is only .7 mm thin (that is as thin as something like a piece of uncooked spaghetti. The new screen is speculated to be on LGs upcoming smart phone, the G3. LG claims that its display is the world's thinnest.
Link to article with more information about the screen and LG's plans:
https://www.yahoo.com/tech/lg-shows-off-5-3-inch-display-with-almost-no-bezel-101364980839.html
I think that the new screen technology that LG has developed is pretty cool. While it seems subtle, it actually makes the phone seem a lot more engulfing. The screen seems to be much bigger than it really is, and the surface area of the touch screen also nearly goes out to the end of the phone (yes, that means no more problems with your fingers going off the screen when playing games or browsing the operating system). I think that LG's technology is also going to implemented in more phones. Today's phone companies are trying to find ways to maximize the surface area of screens while keeping the phone as small as possible. This technology allows the phone companies to cut down on the space on the outer edge of the screen, which actually makes up a lot of the volume of the phone. Even though LG isn't the first to create the ultra thin bezel technology itself, the Sharp Aquos Crystal beat it to that, its screen is larger and has a higher resolution than the Sharp Aquos Crystal.
I think that it is awesome that LG is making the move to develop thin bezel technology. Their move fits in completely with the movement of today's smart phone technology; it will help companies develop phones that are thinner and lighter. Hopefully more companies make the move to develop thin bezel technology.
Word Count: 328
During last Wednesday night's World Series game Microsoft decided to reveal details on its rumored smart watch, Microsoft Band, that it has been developing. the smart watch brings a new twist to the already existent smart watch market, and Microsoft is planning to compete with Apple and Android for the leading spot in the smart watch market. The watch is designed to work with Windows phones (no surprise), has a variety of sensors to track body movements and behaviors such as a gyroscope and a galvanic skin response sensor , and is similar in appearance to fitness watches of today. The watch should be released at a similar date to when the iWatch is going to be released.
Link to article with more information on Microsoft's new smart watch:
https://www.yahoo.com/tech/microsofts-new-band-is-a-smartwatch-in-a-fitness-101348236069.html
I think that it is great that Micorosoft is developing a smart watch to compete with Apple and Android. In my opinion (I praise this a lot in these blogs) competition in the technology industry helps to drive the innovation that happens. One of the features I like the most about the Micorsoft Band is that it is able to connect with your smart phone. This is cool because instead of taking your phone out of your pocket to take calls you can just press a button on your smart watch and talk to your friend. The watch will be able to notify you when you are receiving calls, text messages, emails, and much more. I think that the ability of the smart watch to be able to connect to your phone will be a common feature for most smart watches. I also like the smart watch's operating system is designed to look similar to the newer Windows operating systems. This makes your whole mobile experience have a clean and uniform look. I am also looking forward to this smart watch because of the amount of unique sensors that it has on it. It may not seem like a big thing, but the more data that the smart watch is able to take in about its surroundings the more it is capable of doing with the apps that it has on it. A lot can be done with an accelerometer, a compass, and an internet connection. I am also looking forward to this smart watch because it is made by Micorosoft. This means that more people will have access to the software that is required to make applications for the device. The applications for the watch also use common programming languages such as visual basic. This is not like apple products, which use a coding language that is only usable on apple products.
Overall, I think that is great that Microsoft chose to compete with Apple and Android for its stake in the smart watch market. I hope that the competition between the powerhouses of the mobile technology industry will drive the smart watch to bigger and better places.
Word Count: 489
Link to article with more information on Microsoft's new smart watch:
https://www.yahoo.com/tech/microsofts-new-band-is-a-smartwatch-in-a-fitness-101348236069.html
I think that it is great that Micorosoft is developing a smart watch to compete with Apple and Android. In my opinion (I praise this a lot in these blogs) competition in the technology industry helps to drive the innovation that happens. One of the features I like the most about the Micorsoft Band is that it is able to connect with your smart phone. This is cool because instead of taking your phone out of your pocket to take calls you can just press a button on your smart watch and talk to your friend. The watch will be able to notify you when you are receiving calls, text messages, emails, and much more. I think that the ability of the smart watch to be able to connect to your phone will be a common feature for most smart watches. I also like the smart watch's operating system is designed to look similar to the newer Windows operating systems. This makes your whole mobile experience have a clean and uniform look. I am also looking forward to this smart watch because of the amount of unique sensors that it has on it. It may not seem like a big thing, but the more data that the smart watch is able to take in about its surroundings the more it is capable of doing with the apps that it has on it. A lot can be done with an accelerometer, a compass, and an internet connection. I am also looking forward to this smart watch because it is made by Micorosoft. This means that more people will have access to the software that is required to make applications for the device. The applications for the watch also use common programming languages such as visual basic. This is not like apple products, which use a coding language that is only usable on apple products.
Overall, I think that is great that Microsoft chose to compete with Apple and Android for its stake in the smart watch market. I hope that the competition between the powerhouses of the mobile technology industry will drive the smart watch to bigger and better places.
Word Count: 489
Google's New Line of Tablets and Phone's
Earlier in October Google revealed its new line of tablets and phones that it plans to release later this year (sometime in November or December). This new line includes their newest smart phone, the Nexus 6, and their newest tablet, the Nexus 9. Each of the products boast new features over their predecessors and are lighter and thinner. Both of the products also run off of the Android operating system (the Nexus phones run off of the newest versions of Android and can often show new features that are coming to different Android phones).
Link to the original article with more information on the specifications of the products: https://www.yahoo.com/tech/nexus-6-and-nexus-9-first-look-googles-new-phone-and-101272826584.html
I think that the new products that Google is releasing set up great competition for the smart phone and tablet markets. The new tablet, the Nexus 9, has exactly the same screen resolution but has a screen that is one inch smaller. The Nexus 9 is also slightly lighter than the iPad Air, weighing in at less than one pound! I think that this is awesome because it is a pain to hold tablets that weigh a lot. I like to use mobile devices that are lightweight but that still pack a punch. The Nexus 6 is also pushing the limits of smart phone technology. I like that it runs the most up to date versions of android. The phone is also designed upon the android operating system. It is the example phone for the implementation of android on a smart phone. The only problem about these mobile devices is their size (at least compared to other products such as the iPhone or iPad). Both the phone and the tablet are relatively large compared to their counterparts from other companies. For me, size is a very important factor in the smart phone and tablet industries. I like to have phones and tablets that have large screens but are also thick. This tends to be the trend in mobile technology in recent years; the screens are getting larger but the products themselves are getting thinner.
Overall, I think that Google's new tablet and phone will make tough competition for other phones and tablets such as the iPad Air and iPhone 6. Competition in the mobile technology market will only help the technology improve at a faster rate, which is something that I am sure most of us would appreciate.
Word Count: 397
Link to the original article with more information on the specifications of the products: https://www.yahoo.com/tech/nexus-6-and-nexus-9-first-look-googles-new-phone-and-101272826584.html
I think that the new products that Google is releasing set up great competition for the smart phone and tablet markets. The new tablet, the Nexus 9, has exactly the same screen resolution but has a screen that is one inch smaller. The Nexus 9 is also slightly lighter than the iPad Air, weighing in at less than one pound! I think that this is awesome because it is a pain to hold tablets that weigh a lot. I like to use mobile devices that are lightweight but that still pack a punch. The Nexus 6 is also pushing the limits of smart phone technology. I like that it runs the most up to date versions of android. The phone is also designed upon the android operating system. It is the example phone for the implementation of android on a smart phone. The only problem about these mobile devices is their size (at least compared to other products such as the iPhone or iPad). Both the phone and the tablet are relatively large compared to their counterparts from other companies. For me, size is a very important factor in the smart phone and tablet industries. I like to have phones and tablets that have large screens but are also thick. This tends to be the trend in mobile technology in recent years; the screens are getting larger but the products themselves are getting thinner.
Overall, I think that Google's new tablet and phone will make tough competition for other phones and tablets such as the iPad Air and iPhone 6. Competition in the mobile technology market will only help the technology improve at a faster rate, which is something that I am sure most of us would appreciate.
Word Count: 397
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