Bionic Contacts

For my Com 435 poster presentation about an emerging technology, I chose the topic of bionic contacts. It is a very interesting topic and I learned a lot of information that I was able to share with the observers at the poster fair.

Bionic contacts were invented by an assistant professor, Babak Parviz, in electrical engineering at the University of Washington. He has created a prototype that has been tested on rabbits for up to 20 minutes, in which they showed no negative affects. The contact lens creates a display over the wearer's visual field, so images, maps, and date appear to float in mid-air. The lens includes light emitting diodes, basic wiring for electric circuits, and even a tiny antenna. According to Parviz, his group is currently working on the issue of how to run displays or bio sensors without the need for awkward batteries. They want to be able to transmit signals wirelessly, and so far, the prototype's lens-mounted antenna has shown promise in collecting radio signals.

Some of the possible applications of the bionic contact include:
•Being able to zoom in on distant objects (such as scenery)
•Getting useful facts to pop up in your visual field
•Surfing the web on-the-go (such as while traveling via plane)
•Immersive video games
•Monitoring one's health
•Holographic driving control panels (Used for pilots and drivers)
•Visual aids for the vision-impaired

There are so many beneficial applications from bionic contacts; it really is an amazing invention that will hopefully be ready to use for humans in the near future.

During the poster fair, our classmates tweeted about posters they found interesting and eye capturing. It was cool to read tweets about my poster and I also had fun tweeting about other individual’s posters. Having the class tweet about the posters was a great way to incorporate the use of technology into the classroom.

Powermat wireless charging system

In today's world most individuals own multiple electronic and digital devices- mobile phones, ipods, digital cameras, and GPS systems just to name a few. Most people bring all of their electronic and digital devices with them whenever they travel, and along with packing each device, a charger must be packed as well. The powerless wireless charging system virtually gets rid of all of those annoying chargers that go along with each electronic device.

The powerless wireless charging system consists of a plug in charging mat and a receiver embedded in a cover for your portable devices, which allows you to charge your electronics simultaneously without having to to mess with cords. There are two types of mats offered- one for home and office, and a folding portable version for travel. Each mat costs $99.00 and they both lie flat on a desk or table and can hold three to four electronic devices simultaneously. They also both come with a well-designed Powermat Power Adapter that has built-in cord control. Another great feature is that it includes a Powermat Powercube Universal Receiver, eight assorted tips and a bin for storing them. With these tips you can charge hundreds of different devices.

To use the Powermat, you simply take a device that is “wearing” a receiver and place it on the Powermat. Sound and light indicate that a connection has been made and that the device is charging. A second sound indicates when the device is removed from the mat. Once on the mat the device will charge as fast or faster than the stock power adapter. Also, by using the Powermat,you are saving energy because you charge multiple devices from a single outlet.

Check out the link below to learn more about the Powermat wireless charging system:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feoIvrXKaPQ

WiMAX: Staying connected anywhere

A few weeks ago, I went on a tour at WLFI, the local television station in West Lafayette. Kurt Winkleman, the Senior News Media Sales Director, was speaking about how in order to reach multiple audiences, the television station has taken advantage of the 3 screens: television, computer, and mobile phones. He kept talking about how taking advantage of using the internet to reach various audiences has been huge in the fast couple of years. He then got on the subject of WiMAX, and explained that WiMAX is similar to Wi-Fi, but instead of only having access to the internet within a 100-300 ft "bubble" such as when you go into Starbucks or Panera, internet access would be available everywhere. He said to be on the look out for it because it is coming. This made me curious to read more about WiMAX.

What is WiMAX? WiMAX stands for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access. It is a wireless digital communication system that is essentially broadband on the go. WiMAX can provide broadband wireless access up to 30 miles for fixed stations, and 3 - 10 miles for mobile stations. WiMAX will transform your internet lifestyle by enabling you to connect at all times through a wide area network.

How does WiMAX work? WiMAX towers transmit and recieve signals, allowing a service provider to enable access across many miles. Individuals will no longer have to search for "hot spots" to get connection to the internet. With WiMAX, individuals will be able to have fast, reliable internet access anywhere within coverage areas from a single wireless provider.

Having acces at all times wherever you go would be very beneficial for those who travel often and need to be connected to the internet for business reasons.

Check out the link below to watch an educational clip about WiMAX:
http://www.wimax.com/education

Flo TV Personal Television PTV 350

Qualcomm's Flo TV Personal Television PTV 350, is a personal television that weighs 5 ounces and has a 3.5 inch touchscreen and a tuner that receives content via the FLO mobile TV network . The personal TV has built-in stereo speakers, an adjustable stand and a battery life of 5 hours of continuous mobile broadcast viewing. FLO TV service is available 24 hours a day and includes popular programming from CBS Mobile, CNBC, Comedy Central, NBC 2Go FOX News Channel, MSNBC, MTV, and Nickelodeon just to name a few.

The FLO TV Personal Television PTV 350 is the perfect size to take with you wherever you go, and allows you to tune in anywhere at anytime. It is a the perfect size to take with you on a plane, in the car with your kids, or even to the gym. No matter where you are, with the FLO Tv Personal Television PVT 350 you can stay connected and watch your favorite shows while on the go.

The Flo TV Personal costs around $250.00 and subscription to the FLO TV service costs a monthly fee between $9-$15.

Check out the link below to watch a clip about the FLO TV Personal Television PTV 350:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_yVZDLmyKE

Kodak Zi8, perfect for traveling

For those of you who enjoy making videos during your travels, the new Kodak Zi8 is the perfect gadget for you. The Kodak Zi8 is a pocket size digital video camera that captures 1080p full HD video at 30 frames per second. Digital video can also be captured in 720p at 60 frames per second or in 720p at 30 frames per second. The Kodak Zi8 can also take 5 megapixel still frame photos which are displayed on the 2.5 inch colored LCD screen.

Some cool features the Kodak Zi8 offers include a built in stabilization which reduces shakiness that often occurs while making videos, an external microphone jack that allows you to easily pick up on the sound you want, it has SD card slot that supports up to 32 GB, holds up to 10 hours of HD video, has an HDMI connector and comes with HDMI cord, and has a flip out USB device that allows you to upload pictures to your computer. The Kodak Zi8 comes in three colors which include black, aqua, and raspberry.

The Kodak Zi8 can be purchased for $180 and can make make your travels memorable by capturing your favorite moments on video or in still frame. It has a slim profile and is light, compact, and the perfect size to stow away in your pocket or a small bag during a day of sight seeing, road tripping, or lounging at the beach.

Check out the link below to see more of the Kodak Zi8:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQ2NV463deQ

Microsoft Surface

Microsoft Surface is a revolutionary multi-touch computer that responds to natural hand gestures and real-world objects such as cameras and mobile phones. This new and emerging technology helps people interact with digital content in a simple way with a large, horizontal user interface. Microsoft Surface offers a unique gathering place where multiple users can interact with data and each other at the same time, which is great for business and educational settings, and has even been used by hotels and travel agencies to book trips for vacation and holidays.

Microsoft Surface lets you grab digital content with your hands and move information with simple gestures and touches. Microsoft Surface sees and interacts with objects placed on the screen, allowing you to move information between devices like mobile phones or cameras.

Microsoft Surface uses cameras and image recognition in the infrared spectrum to recognize different types of objects such as fingers and shapes. This input is then processed by the computer and the resulting interaction is displayed using rear projection. The user can interact with the computer using natural touch and hand gestures, instead of a typical mouse and keyboard.

Microsoft Surface has four key capabilities that make it such a unique experience and technology. These four capabilities include, which I have briefly described above includes:

1) Direct interaction- through touch and gesture on the screen.

2) Multi-user experience- the large 30 inch screen allows multiple people to gather around and interact with one another.

3) Multi-touch- the screen by responding to many different points of contact at once from various different people.

4) Object recognition- users can place physical objects on the screen to trigger digital responses.

Check out the short clip from you tube to get a better understanding about Microsoft Surface:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rP5y7yp06n0

Google Maps with Navigation

Recently, it was announced that Google Maps Navigation will be released for GPS-equipped phones that are available with Android 2.0. The Google Maps Navigation application will provide turn-by-turn directions powered by Google Maps, and feature a 3D view. Google Maps Navigation offers many features, and best of all, the application will be free. These features include:

1) Search in plain english: Enter your destination as a address, place, a name of a business, or a kind of business. Enter all of the information onto your phone in one string just as you would in a Google search. Google Maps will figure your destination out for you. If there are multiple results for your destination, you can choose which one you want.

2) Voice recognition: You can speak where you want to go, to save time instead of typing in your destination. Because Google maps is connected to the cloud, it has access to all of the updated information on the internet, which can find exactly the destination you want to go to by describing which destination you want

3) Live traffic data: A traffic light glows red, yellow, or green in the corner of the screen based on the currentt of traffic in your upcoming route. An aerial view of your upcoming route is shown and is updated every few minutes.

4) Search along route: Allows you to find places you may want to stop at during your trip. The layers menu allows you to find access to popular places along your way.

5) Satellite view: Helps you visualize your route.

6) Street view: Shows you exactly what each turn will look like on the street, tells you the address of your destination and shows you the actual street view of your destination such as a store front or a home.

7) Car dock mode: Allows your phone to go into car mode which gives you easy access to navigation and voice mode.

Check out the link below for a video that demonstrates Google Maps Navigation:

http://www.google.com/mobile/navigation/index.html#p=default