Assignment 3 Video

Well, we did our video. It's not the funniest video out there but it's reasonable. Thanks to the team for getting it up and running.

A day made of glass

I don't want to be a sceptic but is this really the future that we’re facing. Glass technology? Computer hardware, software and the internet appear to be moving faster than we can imagine. Did you think glass was in the mix?

This video really questions what our generation see now as a digital divide. Are current university students already behind our youth in their learning and potential, are we missing something? I’ve certainly not developed for, nor seen the capability of glass used in application development besides my big screen TV, my mobiles and tablets and the odd touch screen computer, however this video is mind blowing.

Most smartphones these days use glass as the primary interaction tool. I’ve also seen it on PCs and tablets but this video somewhat scares me although excites me phenomenally!

If glass coupled with the internet, hardware and software can develop in ways this video shows. I think we’ve got a very promising future ahead. I want to see more of it and I want to see it now.

I found this video on youtube but the corning website is http://www.corning.com/index.aspx if you're intrigued as I am.

Android apps on the playbook?

Have blackberry given into Android or is these simple reverse engineered samples of simple applications provided on the Android market?

I found an article on ‘engadget’ that showcases the blackberry playbook and its ability to play android applications. The applications displayed seem very simple? Are they reverse engineered copies of android applications available from the android market, or simply a blackberry badged version of an android java based application. It appears you go to the blackberry market and not android to download. The mind questions!

There would certainly be legal aspects to this agreement if it is for real. The use of the android name on the applications certainly seems to suggest some type of partnership. Are two big forces in mobile thinking of joining hands? It may just be so.

It’s a shame the video doesn’t show angry birds or fruit ninja in true format. Mobile gaming is at its peak. This to raises many questions about the validity of this video and what blackberry are claiming.

Certainly something to look out for.

See the full article at:
http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/03/androids-apps-on-playbook-eyes-on-video/

Cleano Presto

Sick of having to clean up someone else's mess? Want a fully automated cleaning machine? Then you better look somewhere else, though the Navibot SR8855 robot vacuum cleaner will be able to clean up most small messes. Released by Samsung mid last year the little robot machine (resembling the look alike of a walkman CD player) comes armed with a little embedded camera that scans the entire house and determines the layout through checking what the dimensions of your ceiling are.

The device has three main modes. Firstly a manual process where the user can simply guide the robot where to go through an included remote, Max mode where the robot concentrates all its efforts on a specific spot and Edge which helps to get into those tight spots.

The machine is fairly effective at dogging most objects it encounters as it scurries across the house through its built-in senses. The two main problems with this device is that it can only handle simple room layouts and that it cannot clean up concentrated piles of mess, only simple spills, dust, dirt etc.

The dirt that is collected is hidden well away in a small little side compartment on the side of the device, the price may be the final straw in your decision to buy this product at RRP $1000.

Kissing by Computer?

The internet and smart phones certainly have decreased physical contact (and voice communication) but who’d have thought, you can do it by computer now? Japan has come up with what engadget call an “of-the-wall-innovation” which allows a user to kiss via computer. This device certainly seems a bit of a strange one, but with the internet, working from home, and smartphones, why not send your wife or girlfriend a great whopping tongue kiss whilst you’re away.

The device records and transmits tongue movement from one device to another and users are able to respond from device to device.  It’s in it’s early stages of development and researchers are also looking into “the sense of taste, manner of breathing, and moistness of the tongue”. 

Keep an eye out for one of these crazy devices coming to a computer store near you.

For the full article, see:

http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/02/tactile-kiss-transmission-device-finally-makes-it-okay-to-smooch/

Stolen info from PlayStation hack up for sale?

Last week, many PlayStation users were wondering why they couldn't access Sony's PlayStation Network. In light of these events Sony announced that it had had a service outage and then an "external intrusion" duly missing out on the implications of this.


A couple of days ago Sony announced the potential ramifications of the breach noting

information exposed includes customer names; addresses; e-mail addresses; birthdays; PlayStation Network and Qriocity passwords and usernames; as well as online user handles.

Although there was no evidence that credit card information was stolen it is rumored that the hackers were looking to sell their database of information including a list of millions of credit card numbers.

We all rely on the security of these big organisations to keep our personal information safe. Only recently Vodafone has had several technical breaches from internal staff. Could these events severely affect the reputation of Sony?