Today was the last day for the Poster Board presentations. Overall I think they went well and that it was a really cool idea to do something like this. The set up was great and the fact that the audience would be tweeting about our boards was a great idea too.
I presented my poster on the Bionic hand as blogged about earlier, I did manage to get a few people interested and talked about it with them, explaining what the new technology was all about, however I didn't get as many tweets as I would have liked!
Today was the day I was the audience, and got to see alot of really cool ideas that people presented, I especially like skylar's, it was on the Bionic Contact Lense, a really neat idea that was somewhat closely related to mine, so it did spark my interests to say the least.
The set up was really cool too, we have rows of presenters and we would walk through and stop to ask about any board that caught our attention, behind the boards was a large wall that showed all the recent tweets about the posters and to the side were computers for those who didn't have a mobile device from which they could send their tweets.
Overall it was a great experience and I learned a lot from everyones boards and this class too, a lot of the things discussed in class could be seen through the posters and the way people presented too.
To check out the tweets, please go to twitter and search for com435.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Barnes & Noble Nook e-Book reader
Barnes & Nobles is coming out with a device called the nook. It is basically a book that can be read on a screen, more of an electronic book to say the least. It is powered but Android 1.5 and will be featuring the familiar e-Ink text display. It will benefit from a 3.5 inch color touch screen so that you can browse a library and order books too. It is wireless and has access to over a million eBooks, magazines, newspapers and so on.
Check out the video below for a little bit more info!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
GE Vscan portable ultrasound scanner unveiled
Wow! We've come along way.
Can you believe, that the guys at General Electrics have come out with a portable ultrasound scanner!?
It unveiled its pocket-sized ultrasound scanned in San Francisco at a Web 2.0 Summit.
It allows physicians to scan any part of the body without the hassel of a huge computer and system attached to it. A microphone wand attached to the main body of the device will send and recieve sound wave data when it is in contact with the body. This is then obviously translate into a picture onto the screen. It can do all the things a normal ultrasound scanner can do, but just in a small more compact size.
Not only will it empower doctors to make quicker decisions on the spot with faster diagnosis', the size of the device will also be extremely useful to medical professional in remote areas.
Can you believe, that the guys at General Electrics have come out with a portable ultrasound scanner!?
It unveiled its pocket-sized ultrasound scanned in San Francisco at a Web 2.0 Summit.
It allows physicians to scan any part of the body without the hassel of a huge computer and system attached to it. A microphone wand attached to the main body of the device will send and recieve sound wave data when it is in contact with the body. This is then obviously translate into a picture onto the screen. It can do all the things a normal ultrasound scanner can do, but just in a small more compact size.
Not only will it empower doctors to make quicker decisions on the spot with faster diagnosis', the size of the device will also be extremely useful to medical professional in remote areas.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Bionic Hand
Well basically today we had our poster board presentations on an emerging technologies. I chose to do the Bionic Hand and thought I would let you guys know, what it's all about. I basically chose this because we talked about cyborgs in class and also had to write a paper on it, it was pretty interesting. Below you can watch a video of what our paper was based on and also the inspiration for my poster board.
Basically the Bionic hand is created by Touch Bionics, the leaders in advanced upper-limb prosthetics.
The hand looks like a prosthetic, however the only difference is, it moves around, electrically. The hand has myoelectric controls that use electrical signals generated by the muscles in the remaning part of the patient's limb to move the hand around.
Basically the Bionic hand is created by Touch Bionics, the leaders in advanced upper-limb prosthetics.
The hand looks like a prosthetic, however the only difference is, it moves around, electrically. The hand has myoelectric controls that use electrical signals generated by the muscles in the remaning part of the patient's limb to move the hand around.
The signals are picked up by electrodes placed on the surface of the skin, traditionally on the forearm and at the bottom too.
It's a really cool technology, that fortunately allows people who are missing the limb to resume a normal life style. Around 400 patients worldwide current use it and I believe it really improves the well-being as whole for the individual.
If you want to know more, check out: http://www.touchbionics.com/i-LIMB
It's a really cool technology, that fortunately allows people who are missing the limb to resume a normal life style. Around 400 patients worldwide current use it and I believe it really improves the well-being as whole for the individual.
If you want to know more, check out: http://www.touchbionics.com/i-LIMB
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Apple is introducing the world’s first wireless multi-touch “Magic Mouse”. This mouse is a sleek and great new invention. It has a minimalist design and has no buttons, scroll wheels etc. It is aluminium-based and has a hard acrylic multi-touch surface that allows users to navigate using finger gestures and so on.
It is exactly the same as using an old mouse, yet it is wireless and free of all the buttons or nooks and crannies. One would use it like they would an old mouse, touching the same areas to get the same result.
The mouse’s Bluetooth wireless connection has a range of up to ten meters (33-feet), whilst its power management system automatically switches the mouse to a low power modes when it is not being used. The mouse is however charged by 2 AA batteries and usually has up to a 4 month battery life.
The mouse is currently available for $69.
Personally, I think it's worth a go!
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB829LL/A?fnode=MTY1NDA1Mg&mco=MTMzNzY2NTE
It is exactly the same as using an old mouse, yet it is wireless and free of all the buttons or nooks and crannies. One would use it like they would an old mouse, touching the same areas to get the same result.
The mouse’s Bluetooth wireless connection has a range of up to ten meters (33-feet), whilst its power management system automatically switches the mouse to a low power modes when it is not being used. The mouse is however charged by 2 AA batteries and usually has up to a 4 month battery life.
The mouse is currently available for $69.
Personally, I think it's worth a go!
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB829LL/A?fnode=MTY1NDA1Mg&mco=MTMzNzY2NTE
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
The iPOD Is Taking Over Everything!
It doesn't seem to be enough that Apple created an iPod that now also has a built in camera to record and capture pictures, watch videos, view files, listen to music and much more, NOW they are moving into households in different ways.
I read on a friend's blog http://kristin-merrill.blogspot.com/ that Apple came out with new green powered sliding speaker accessories that you can attach to your iPod so that you can listen to music whereva you are without the hassel of earphones. Also iPod has travel speakers too, youc an take them wherever you go, in the bathroom, on a plane, to class, you name it, you can take them there to blast your tunes for everyone to hear.
Getting to the point Apple has now decided to go ahead with built-in docking stations of kitchen accesories such as measuring scales!
It is a cool idea, allowing you to listen to your music while cooking a meal in the kitchen, but isn't that what the iPod travel speakers are for? What is the need for there to be a docking station on kitchen equipment too?
iPod OVERKILL is my reaction!
What do you think?
I read on a friend's blog http://kristin-merrill.blogspot.com/ that Apple came out with new green powered sliding speaker accessories that you can attach to your iPod so that you can listen to music whereva you are without the hassel of earphones. Also iPod has travel speakers too, youc an take them wherever you go, in the bathroom, on a plane, to class, you name it, you can take them there to blast your tunes for everyone to hear.
Getting to the point Apple has now decided to go ahead with built-in docking stations of kitchen accesories such as measuring scales!
It is a cool idea, allowing you to listen to your music while cooking a meal in the kitchen, but isn't that what the iPod travel speakers are for? What is the need for there to be a docking station on kitchen equipment too?
iPod OVERKILL is my reaction!
What do you think?
Monday, November 16, 2009
Apple TV
Apple has gone ahead and created a new "must have" device. It is the APPLE TV! Another easy-to-use sleek device that allows you to do numerous things. It looks like a small DVD player that you connect to your entertainment system, however the content will come from the internet, computer, ipod and so on.
You can wirelessly play all your iTunes songs, movies and pictures from your home computer onto your widescreen TV. This makes it an easy and convenient option for most, allowing you to browse through your entire collection of digital media from across the room.
The device has a 40GB hard drive and sells for about $300 a piece.
Thoughts?
Check out the link below to find out more.
http://www.apple.com/appletv/what-is.html
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Sanyo Eneloop Kairo Hand-Warmers
The Sanyo eneloop is launching new hand-warmers that are designed to keep you warm, well your body parts at least. They to maintain a warm, comfortable temperature for both indoor or outdoor activities.
The hand-warming device is small and compact and can easily fit into the palm of your hand. There are two versions, one-sided and two-sided. It features an internal lithium-ion rechargeable battery, that can be recharged around 500 times! The device will deliver temperatures from 102 degrees Fahrenheit to 109 degrees Fahrenheit. It will give you approximately 3 to 4 hours of heat in one use!
What do I think? Well to me, this is basically a dream come true. Considering i'm from Dubai and it's about 100 degrees all year round, the weather here in Indiana is pretty much torture for me! This device would be a God sent!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Blackberry Bold 9700
This product is truely close to my heart. I have a blackberry curve and have to say I AM ADDICTED to it and don't think I could live without it! I call it my CRACKberry, just because it is so addcitve. The blackberry allows you to access various email accounts, surf the internet, instant message friends and family, recieve and send pictures and a wide variety of other things. It really helps you communicate in various aspects and helps you keep in touch!
The new Blackberry Bold 9700, offers all that and MORE! It is the upgraded version of the bold and has a Hi-resolution display, trackpad navigation, enhanced multimedia playback and many more features that allow for a more enjoyable and useful experience in all.
This prodcut is definately worth the purchase, in today's day and age communication is key and the speed at which we communicate too is increasingly important. The Blackberry in general can help you in achieving all that and much more.
The new Blackberry Bold 9700, offers all that and MORE! It is the upgraded version of the bold and has a Hi-resolution display, trackpad navigation, enhanced multimedia playback and many more features that allow for a more enjoyable and useful experience in all.
This prodcut is definately worth the purchase, in today's day and age communication is key and the speed at which we communicate too is increasingly important. The Blackberry in general can help you in achieving all that and much more.
Mobiu USB
The Mobiu USB looks and feels like any odinary USB stick, however it offers more to it than it's looks. Inserted in this unique USB is a SIM card that allows for greater security.
When you first plug it into a computer it, you'll be asked to register an account and enter a four digit PIN number, which will allow you to access the "Mobiu Desktop" from which you can transfer and manage files.
The space capacity is 1 GB and allows you to upload important and secure information. For example credit card information, bank information and so on. The device cannot be used by anybody other than the holder of the PIN code.
To me, this device seems ideal to store all of your secure information and even important business documents. It would be great to have and easy to share with other trusted members by allowing them to use the PIN. The only concern to me would have to be what happens if and when the holder loses the PIN or doesnt remember it?
Overall though, a good product I believe!
When you first plug it into a computer it, you'll be asked to register an account and enter a four digit PIN number, which will allow you to access the "Mobiu Desktop" from which you can transfer and manage files.
The space capacity is 1 GB and allows you to upload important and secure information. For example credit card information, bank information and so on. The device cannot be used by anybody other than the holder of the PIN code.
To me, this device seems ideal to store all of your secure information and even important business documents. It would be great to have and easy to share with other trusted members by allowing them to use the PIN. The only concern to me would have to be what happens if and when the holder loses the PIN or doesnt remember it?
Overall though, a good product I believe!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Facebook Lite?
So i've been hearing talk of 'Facebook Lite' and had to do some research to find out for myself what it was all about.
To me, Facebook Lite seems like the older version of Facebook itself. It looks exactly like the facebook I used when I first joined the social networking site about four years ago. It is a simplified version of the facebook that already exists. Speculation seems to be that, the makers of Facebook are trying to make a FASTER version of the social networking site for slower connections. Everything looks to be the same but with no notifications of unwanted applications such as farmville and quizzes etc. It allows you to do the basics, update your status, look at friends' statuses, upload and tag pics, view friends' picturesn and so on.
Overall whether it is really an upgrade is up for debate, but I do however think that it does make it much easier, less complicated and genuinely better for the older generation to use, allowing them too, to connect and socialize with family members, colleagues, friends and so on. It will allow for more technology challenged users to access and enjoy the site!
To me, Facebook Lite seems like the older version of Facebook itself. It looks exactly like the facebook I used when I first joined the social networking site about four years ago. It is a simplified version of the facebook that already exists. Speculation seems to be that, the makers of Facebook are trying to make a FASTER version of the social networking site for slower connections. Everything looks to be the same but with no notifications of unwanted applications such as farmville and quizzes etc. It allows you to do the basics, update your status, look at friends' statuses, upload and tag pics, view friends' picturesn and so on.
Overall whether it is really an upgrade is up for debate, but I do however think that it does make it much easier, less complicated and genuinely better for the older generation to use, allowing them too, to connect and socialize with family members, colleagues, friends and so on. It will allow for more technology challenged users to access and enjoy the site!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Geocaching and Technology
So I've definately been behind on my blogging lately! Do excuse my tardyness :P
In the past few weeks, alot has been going on! We had a really interesting class where we had to use geocaching! The class went out into the field using their devices that led them to different ares around campus that then had clues placed in those certain areas. They then reported back to the headquarters where we had to decipher the information in the clues to come to one overall pattern or answer.
I have to say to begin with, it was increasingly confusing, when we had several field teams calling into the headquarters to report their clues, they were anxiously waiting for a call back to see if we had solved it, but there was just so much going on that we couldn't keep a track of what was going on for the most part.
However we did manage to piece together most of the information and the overal answer to all the clues was "going green". Simple isn't it! Yup we thought so too after we solved it!
Overall it was a great excercise working with this new technology and also relying so heavily on the ones we use in our daily lives such as our mobile phones and laptops. Trying to imagine not being able to use these technologies and it seems impossible. We've become so reliant on them, it's kind of like a drug addict and his heroine or cocaine, for us it's our technologies. I know I am addicted to my blackberry or CRACKBERRY as I call it. I can't go without checking it every hour or so. It lets me access my emails, messages, facebook and instant chat all on ONE device.
It's amazing what technology can do for us!
In the past few weeks, alot has been going on! We had a really interesting class where we had to use geocaching! The class went out into the field using their devices that led them to different ares around campus that then had clues placed in those certain areas. They then reported back to the headquarters where we had to decipher the information in the clues to come to one overall pattern or answer.
I have to say to begin with, it was increasingly confusing, when we had several field teams calling into the headquarters to report their clues, they were anxiously waiting for a call back to see if we had solved it, but there was just so much going on that we couldn't keep a track of what was going on for the most part.
However we did manage to piece together most of the information and the overal answer to all the clues was "going green". Simple isn't it! Yup we thought so too after we solved it!
Overall it was a great excercise working with this new technology and also relying so heavily on the ones we use in our daily lives such as our mobile phones and laptops. Trying to imagine not being able to use these technologies and it seems impossible. We've become so reliant on them, it's kind of like a drug addict and his heroine or cocaine, for us it's our technologies. I know I am addicted to my blackberry or CRACKBERRY as I call it. I can't go without checking it every hour or so. It lets me access my emails, messages, facebook and instant chat all on ONE device.
It's amazing what technology can do for us!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
The Powermat
Goodmorning All!
It’s a rainy Thursday morning here in West-Lafayette! October break is around the corner, so just hang in there!
I was reading up on emerging technologies, when I stumbled upon what I believe to be a really creative and useful product, The Powermat!
So you know when you’re at a friend’s house and your phone dies and you do not have the same charger cord, or you’re at home and you can’t seem to find your charger for your phone? Well now there is a WIRELESS, charging mat!
How does it work!? Well the system consists of a plug in charging mat and a reciever! The reciever is embedded with a cover which allows you to put your phone onto it without having to deal with cords. Also, it charges multiple different devices at the same time! Furthermore, the system ensures that exact amount of power will be delivered while charging and ithe device also has an auto-shut off function, preventing wastage. Amazing? I think so!
You can buy a portable version of the mat for travelling purposes or you can buy the regular version for home and everyday use. Both of the mats retail for around $100.
It’s a rainy Thursday morning here in West-Lafayette! October break is around the corner, so just hang in there!
I was reading up on emerging technologies, when I stumbled upon what I believe to be a really creative and useful product, The Powermat!
So you know when you’re at a friend’s house and your phone dies and you do not have the same charger cord, or you’re at home and you can’t seem to find your charger for your phone? Well now there is a WIRELESS, charging mat!
How does it work!? Well the system consists of a plug in charging mat and a reciever! The reciever is embedded with a cover which allows you to put your phone onto it without having to deal with cords. Also, it charges multiple different devices at the same time! Furthermore, the system ensures that exact amount of power will be delivered while charging and ithe device also has an auto-shut off function, preventing wastage. Amazing? I think so!
You can buy a portable version of the mat for travelling purposes or you can buy the regular version for home and everyday use. Both of the mats retail for around $100.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Time to relax..
Morning!
Yet another Wednesday morning, realizing it is still only the middle of the week! Definately feeling the stress this week and probably will continue to feel it for the rest of the semester as the work builds up.
I was reading gizmag.com and came across something interesting, something I think I would definately make great use of, the StressWatch. It's the new technology surrounding stress busting concepts, gizmos and gadgets!
The way this watch works is that it monitors important things like the person's heart rate and body temperature in real time. The results are displayed in the watch's face in colors bars and recognizable patterns that will help the person identify their immediate stress level. What's even better is that the watch displays guidelines for relaxation depending upon the person's stress level, allowing them to know right then and there what they should do in an attempt to relax.
Due to the watch being a little large in size and obvious to any eye, it also helps a person see when another is stressed without having to ask, allowing them to know that maybe they could use a little help!
Personally I think that even though it technically doesn't relieve your stress FOR YOU, it lets you know where you're at stress wise, making you aware of the issue at hand and the ways in which you can relax, helping your overall being! :)
Would you buy it? I think I would!
Have a great day! :)
Yet another Wednesday morning, realizing it is still only the middle of the week! Definately feeling the stress this week and probably will continue to feel it for the rest of the semester as the work builds up.
I was reading gizmag.com and came across something interesting, something I think I would definately make great use of, the StressWatch. It's the new technology surrounding stress busting concepts, gizmos and gadgets!
The way this watch works is that it monitors important things like the person's heart rate and body temperature in real time. The results are displayed in the watch's face in colors bars and recognizable patterns that will help the person identify their immediate stress level. What's even better is that the watch displays guidelines for relaxation depending upon the person's stress level, allowing them to know right then and there what they should do in an attempt to relax.
Due to the watch being a little large in size and obvious to any eye, it also helps a person see when another is stressed without having to ask, allowing them to know that maybe they could use a little help!
Personally I think that even though it technically doesn't relieve your stress FOR YOU, it lets you know where you're at stress wise, making you aware of the issue at hand and the ways in which you can relax, helping your overall being! :)
Would you buy it? I think I would!
Have a great day! :)
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Goodmorning!
It's terribly early in the morning, for me atleast :P It's a Wednesday, I don't know what about Wednesdays annoys me, maybe it's the fact that it's still the middle of the week and it means there are STILL two more days till the weekend!
I didn't exactly have the best weekend either, felt really ill and went into PUSH and found out I had BRONCHITUS and the flu! What the heck!? Plus, I had a ton of homework and papers to write, while all my friends were out at the bars! I guess it's all part of college!
Have a great day!
It's terribly early in the morning, for me atleast :P It's a Wednesday, I don't know what about Wednesdays annoys me, maybe it's the fact that it's still the middle of the week and it means there are STILL two more days till the weekend!
I didn't exactly have the best weekend either, felt really ill and went into PUSH and found out I had BRONCHITUS and the flu! What the heck!? Plus, I had a ton of homework and papers to write, while all my friends were out at the bars! I guess it's all part of college!
Have a great day!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Getting Started
In lab right now setting up our NEW blogs, looks quite interesting, let's see what happens! :)
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