Thursday, February 10, 2011
Technologies After 20 Years
It’s 7.59am. The year is 2027. I inject some coffee, scratch my implant and get to thinking. Twenty years ago you asked me to write about the future. Back then, technology was complicated; there were gadgets for all kinds of things. Despite its complexity, technology was empowering “Average Joes” and it was making the bean counters jitter. It was as if an air raid siren was sounding – a dire warning to marketers and advertisers – “consumers will have the upper hand”. It wasn’t until somewhere around the year 2012 that consumers really did find an upper hand in their interaction with the goods and services advertisers were peddling. Off the back of web 2.0 markets crumbled and merged. Some markets were seeing the light of day for the very first time; niche enclaves of consumers, connecting at a global level and demanding personal attention. Of course, I knew it was all heading in this direction but I’ll save that secret for the end of our story. Suffice to say, all those years ago I was imagining a world were technology would finally take a back seat and enable us to live and enjoy the connections of a seamless life. So grab some milk and cookies, get comfortable and lend me your ears…
FLASHBACK
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, without further adieu, I give you the gift of a simple, technologically enabled “Seamless Life”. Imagine living ‘in’ the web or, to put it more succinctly, overlaying the huge breadth of web-based information onto everyday life. Add to that an expanse of networked “everything” where the words “logging in” will lose their meaning because we are, quite simply, always connected. How will this be possible? What impact will it have on consumers and will it spell the end of advertising as we know it?
Technology evangelist, blogger and all ’round good guy Tom van Aardt is already joining the dots in a way that could answer the “how” question. In a recent blog post Tom outlined three examples of technology (Semacodes, MyVu Glasses and D’Fusion), that combined, would create a seamless experience, or as he put it, a “sema-life”.
Put simply, Semacodes are machine-readable codes that contain URLs. Think “cooler barcode” and you’re on the right track. Almost all advertising will carry Semacodes, enabling consumers to photograph them to connect to information instantly via a mobile device.
The second piece of technology Tom highlights in his blog is MyVu; “funky Robocop-style sunnies” that are already available at apple.com. MyVu glasses plug into your video iPod to create a virtual big-screen within the “real space” in front of you.
The third piece of Tom’s technology pie is something called d’fusion (no, it’s not a fancy French hair product). D’fusion is a software that will allow you to create “augmented reality”. Put simply, a merging of real time, 3D objects/characters with live video.
Each of these technologies are very cool in their own right, but they don’t connect. They could, and if they did, this is what you might experience as a consumer:
You may see a poster for a concert that has a Semacode embedded in it. By taking a picture of the poster with your camera phone, you are automatically connected to the website in your mobile browser where you can buy a ticket.
You will be able to compare ticket prices across a couple of websites, bid for tickets in an auction and check whose sitting next to you. You might choose to communicate with that person before the concert, in the real or virtual world. You can also watch a couple of the band’s video clips, listen to some reviews from fans who’ve been to the concert and download a T-shirt for your avatar.
And what of advertisers and marketers? What will a semalife mean for them? The media channels they rely on today will dry up, that is a given. Consumers will no longer passively consume media. Consumers will crave interaction and engagement. They will want to connect, create and destroy. Consumers will own brands. The challenge for marketers will be in easing their grip and sharing. The challenge for marketers will be in finding creative ways to use technology to reach their markets, however large or small. Imagine the kind of treasure hunt that could be staged using Semacodes for instance. Each code could act as a clue to the next product, the next experience, the next location. If you took that concept and evolved it, imagine the direct marketing opportunities if everyone was chipped. Consumers would carry “inside themselves” what would essentially be a portable MySpace profile; a record of everything they like, what they’re reading, what music they’re listening to, who their friends are, their latest blog entries, etc.
This kind of technology would create realtime profiling and an instant, personalised and direct dialogue.
FLASH FORWARD
It’s 10.34pm. The year is 2027. I inject another coffee, continue to scratch my implant and conclude my recounting of how I imagined the future would be all those years ago. When we began, you asked me how I knew all of this would happen. My secret. It’s simple – I read Snow Crash. Every geek should. But there are some things I haven’t told you that I didn’t predict that are far more interesting. Those things I won’t divulge. “Why” I hear you ask. Why I don’t want to spoil the surprise of course!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
New Gadgets
Sony NGP – The Next Evolution in Mobile Entertainment and Gaming
by twinks on Jan 30, 2011
They pull a knife; you pull a Dark Matter Gun. They pull a Nintendo 3DS, you pull a Sony NGP. That’s how you win – by getting the latest hardware. Sony’s next generation portable entertainment system promises to deliver only the best by offering unparalleled interactive entertainment and gaming experience that can be only seen on the PlayStation. This new portable console features a never been seen before combination of full gaming and social connectivity within a real world context based on Sony’s experience from both PSP and PlayStation 3 systems. It has both Wi-FI and 3G connectivity and other different applications that allow gamers to encounter, connect, discover, share and play with friends anytime and anywhere.
The new Sony NGP will be using a 5-inch multi-touch OLED screen, a powerful ARM Cortex-A9 quad core CPU and a high performance Imagination Technologies PowerVR SGX543MP4+ quad-core GPU to deliver a visually stunning graphics that would be a first on portable systems. This new generation PSP will also be featuring six-axis motion sensing system and a one of a kind multi-touch pad at the back in conjunction with the front touch display, this new control methods will allow gamers to interact with games in almost 3 dimensional like manner. That’s not all, following the tradition of Playstation systems; the NGP will come in a familiar and comfort fit Super Oval Design with two analog sticks as well. The Sony NGP users will be provided with LiveArea that will serve as a digital portal and Near location-based services apps.
While waiting, you can view the latest portable gaming systems from Sony here.
iStation Rotate Speaker – The Superbly Designed iPod/iPhone Dock
by phoebz on Jan 29, 2011
Your iPod and iPhone are cool gadgets that allow you to enjoy great music and movies wherever, whenever. Whether you are at the beachfront having a grand getaway with your family or at the park simply spending a bonding moment with your kids, these gadgets sure come in handy, letting you experience more fun than ever. And so to add more convenience in using these nifty gadgets of yours, here’s the iStation Rotate Speaker – the superbly designed iPod/iPhone dock.
Featuring a cradle that can be rotated, this iPod/iPhone dock enables you to twist your iPhone, providing a perfect view of the movie you are watching. So who says you can’t enjoy watching movies in such small gadget? With the iStation Rotate Speaker, you get to maximize the functionality of your iPhone even if you are on the go.
Now, if you are also after excellent sound, then this iStation Speaker is the ultimate solution. It features 10w audio output – two 5w stereo speakers and class D amplifier and 3.5mm headphones jack so you can connect your other audio devices for more listening pleasure. And no worries about horrid beeping when someone calls your iPhone. Why? Because this features TDMA noise suppression technology.
So why don’t you partner your gadget with this iPod/iPhone dock? It even includes 7 different cradles, so whether you have an iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPod Touch/Touch 2G, iPod Classic, or iPod Nano 3G/4G, you are sure covered. Incredible sound quality, maximum functionality, and sleek looks will sure be yours if you got this iStation Rotate Speaker.
Expand your Photographic Horizon with Ricoh CX5
by lyn_l on Jan 29, 2011
If you’re a geek who loves to capture every moment of your life, to discover the beauty of shapes and color, and to have a playful spirit, then the Ricoh CX5 is for you. This digital camera takes pride in being outfitted with the company’s CX5 Technology which allows user to enjoy pure image quality. This means, the camera is capable of capturing exactly what the naked eye perceives. Such technology employs low-distortion lens featuring true-to-life imaging properties, an image sensor that delivers high-sensitivity performance, and an imaging engine that duplicates images along with its tiniest detail.With the CX5, capturing people, from wide-angle to telephoto, has never been this great. It carries Ricoh’s original retracting lens system that allows you to fit high-magnification 10.7x optical wide-angle zoom lens in a thin 29.4 mm body that’s only easy to use but also very portable. This camera also comes with a high-resolution 600 mm zoom that enables telephoto shooting. When it comes to taking your precious moment, you’ll never miss any action since this device comes with a unique, high-speed, hybrid autofocus (AF) system that blends AF sensor and Contrast AF.
Moreover, Ricoh CX5 comes with creative shooting modes that help broaden your photographic horizons. It also lets you enjoy a wide range of creative effects. Among the six different types of shooting modes are Toy Camera, Soft Focus, Cross Process, and Miniaturize. Your choice of shooting mode must depend on your subject and the type of scene. Click here to purchase Ricoh CX5 BLACK Digital Camera
now.Start the Year with Party using Hercules DJ 4Set
by twinks on Jan 26, 2011
Consumer electronics bigwigs brought their latest and best of gadgets last CES 2011 held in Las Vegas, Nevada and one of them decided to bring not just hot new devices but a whole party. Guillemot Corporation, a designer and manufacturer of interactive entertainment hardware and paraphernalia gave the world another good reason to party by showcasing their latest addition to their Hercules DJ Console line – the DJ 4Set.The Hercules DJ 4Set mixes both the functionality and feel of a professional controller with ease of use so that almost anybody can hold exciting parties and all-nighter raves at their fingertips. It should be on the top of must-have gadgets for aspiring DJ who wants to ignite the dance floor with their killer remixes without having to go through a user boot camp and endless instruction sheets. The DJ 4Set only measures 13.7 x 9.8 inches but don’t let the dimension fool you. Its size is just right for comfortable mixing without fumbling over knobs and controls.
The Hercules DJ 4Set is outfitted with two 12 cm.-diameter large touch-sensitive jog wheels that are about the same size as scratching jog wheels on DJ CD players. The wheels are illuminated and feature touch sensors on their surface which feels for the weight of the users hand to activate the “Touch Wheel” mode – the go sign to stop/restart playback or go wild with mixes and scratches. DJs have access to 4 channels including those for mixes, stereo output and mic. DJs also have 4 virtual decks with deck indicators, 60 controls in 2-deck mode and 112 controls in 4-deck mode, and a bundled VirtualDJ LE DJC Edition at their disposal.
More audio/video gadgets here
.Groegg Color Changing Thermometer – Lets Your Baby Sleep in Safety
by lyn_l on Jan 26, 2011
Geeklings, especially newborns, need a lot of sleep. They need it to develop their limbs and muscles, as well as their skeletal structure. Sleeping is also their body’s way to regenerate cells and energize their brain. Yes, it is of great help for the development of your geekling’s health, mind, and body. Because of this, you are responsible for providing your baby with a safe sleeping environment. Unlike grownups, our babies can’t just roll over and change their positions whenever they feel uncomfortable. They also can’t grab a blanket nor wear their socks when it’s cold. So what should a GeekMom and a GeekDad like you do to make your baby sleep in comfort? The best thing you can do is to keep the temperature in your baby’s room ideal for his or her comfort and safety. And good news, you can achieve that without going out of style! All you need is a Groegg color changing digital room thermometer. This component will sure help you make a safe sleeping environment for your baby in an instant. It glows yellow if the room is within the recommended temperature range. As soon as the temperature goes down or rises, the color of this device will change to alert you so you can immediately do what’s necessary. What’s good, the Groegg color changing digital room thermometer also doubles as a cute nightlight in your baby’s room!
Among the key features of this device are:
• Simple to use room thermometer that changes color
• Keep baby’s room between 61-67F to lower risk of SIDS
• Digital room thermometer with permanent back-lit LCD readout
• Provides a soft nightlight glow
• Power adapter, instructions, and safe sleep guide included
• Dimensions: 4″ x 2.5″ x 2.5″
So if you have a baby, make his or her sleeping experience always pleasant. Don’t think twice, purchase a
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