Invisible Bluetooth

On Monday, Dec. 7, our class had a research poster presentation where we had to pick one technology to present to the class. It took a while to find a technology that I thought would be fitting for this assignment, but I finally settled with an invisible bluetooth technology by Brickhouse Security.

This is a small bluetooth that fits comfortably inside of your ear and is invisible to everyone else. It's main purpose is to promote covert communication. It was originally created for law enforcement and secret agents, but is now available to the general public.

I think the bluetooth could be a fun way to communicate secretly, if there is a need to do so. But, I could also see it leading to cheating and other crimes. I find it fascinating that it is currently out of stock due to demand until Jan 2010. It currently costs around $250-300.

Here is a video for more information:


I designed my poster on the computer and had it printed on a large poster printer. I received a lot of positive feedback about not only the poster, but the technology as well. The poster presentation ended up being a lot more fun than I expected. I thought it was neat to walk around throughout one room and be able to learn about so many different technologies with little effort. Great way to end the semester!

Dual screen laptop

A new technology that I stumbled upon is Kohjinsha's dual screen laptop/netbook, which is now on sale in Japan. It is the first full dual screen laptop to the marketplace also benefits from a 160Gb SATA HDD, an integrated TV card and a multi-touch, gesture sensitive touch pad.

It features two full 10.1 inch LED backlit screens with 1024 by 600 pixel resolution on each. This cam gamers and business users by offering a single standard display, a dual ultra-wide-screen single display or two independent workspaces sitting side by side. The display can also be turned 180 degrees to allow comfortable keying via an external keyboard or for outward video display.

I am really sold on this idea. I have two monitors at my computer at work, which I find so incredibly helpful. I can have my email pulled up on one screen and be working on various projects on the other. I have been wanting to get a second monitor for my desktop at home, but I like this idea even more. Why not purchase a laptop that I can take with me wherever I go instead of being restricted to the desktop? It will make it much easier for students to take notes in class on one screen while chatting on Facebook on the other.

INGENIOUS!

The Media Chair

Just when I thought that technology couldn't get more pointless, I saw this ridiculous invention: The Media Chair.

The Media Chair by Martin Emila features an iPod dock, built-in surround sound speakers, a projector and is supposedly comfortable. The chair is formed from a hard plastic shell with soft foam inserts to provide the necessary comfort to allow users to enjoy their media. The inserts can be covered with leather or fabric in many patterns.

The idea behind this invention was to develop a comfortable seat with multimedia capabilities. But, do we really need an all-in-one solution!? Our current multimedia capabilities seem to be working just fine detached from our furniture. In fact isn't portability one of the best features of a lot of recent technology? So, why be retrained from only using them when you are sitting down in your chair. Inconvenience? Yes Laziness? Heck Yes..

I am starting to get the impression that people are so money hungry that they are inventing pointless inventions because they hope to strike it rich- the only reason why this invention is new to the market is because is unnecessary and obviously not in demand (or it would have been created earlier) Come on, if someone wants to buy a special chair- at least make it a recliner!

Intel Reader

Intel has created a book sized reader that has a built-in camera to capture printed material and translate it to digital format and then read it aloud with either a male or female voice. This is not your average reader!

I think this is a great idea because there are so many people who either cannot read because of blindness or dyslexia. This allows them the chance to read signs, books, magazines, menus, and instruction manual that most of us take for granted. In fact, there is an estimated 55 million people in the US alone who have vision impairment, dyslexia, or other learning disabilities.

This is the type of technology that I fully support- the kind that helps make the lives of the disabled a little more easy and enjoyable.

FlashHarp

I just heard about an insanely unnecessary technology called FlashHarp. It is simply a Flash drive and harmonica in one. I guess if you are an avid harmonica player who happens to carry around a USB drive everywhere, combining them together would save a little space in your pocket. But I don't imagine this new gadget will rank high in Christmas lists this year for the average person.

The FlashHarp is a fully functional 3.25 inch, 10 hole harmonica made from stainless steel cover plates, brass reeds and reed plates and a plastic comb, just like the ones used by modern professionals. At one end protrudes the USB connection of the flash drive, which is covered by a cap when not plugged into a PC, Mac or laptop.

I find it interesting that people think we need to spend time, money, and resources developing such unnecessary gadgets! I agree that it is a creative idea, but definitely not one that I would try to take to the market. Let's face it: the harmonic crowd is probably much different than those that carry around USB's!

Google Docs

I have heard about Google Docs from others students and how it makes group projects much easier. I am always a little hesitant to use technologies that make things easier because I assume that they will be time consuming to set up, which makes me stick with my old ways. However, I am working with another student on a project and we decided to try it out. I couldn't believe how easy it was. By uploading our power point presentation on Google Docs, we are both able to access and edit it versus sending copies back and forth via email. The only thing I noticed is that you do not have the full range of editing capabilities that you have in the regular version of power point. For instance, the tool bar was limited and we did not have a "format painter" button. So although technology can make things more convenient, sometimes it complicates things. Once we are done editing the content through Google Docs, we are going to have to retype it all into power point to be able to play with the formatting. I guess some technology comes with a price, its just a matter of determining if its worth it. Check our google docs.... http://docs.google.com/

Hairstyle/Makeup Makeover Technology

Have you ever brought a picture of a hairstyle with you to your hairdresser only to HOPE that it will look just as good on you as it did on that person? Have you ever made the mistake of getting a new hairstyle doesn't look as good on you as it does on everyone else? Perhaps it did not fit your face shape or the color did not complement your skin tone? These are now mistakes of the past now that there are technologies such as the hair and makeup makeover tool on Instyle's website. This technology allows you to upload your photo and to literally try on various hair styles, colors (+hightlights and lowlights), makeup, and even colored contact lens. Because you can "try it on" first, you can actually prevent yourself from making decisions you might regret. This tool has helped me tremendously over the past year. At one point, I wanted to cut my hair short, but after trying on various short hairstyles, I realized that I should stick with my longer locks because of my face shape. I have also tried on various makeup colors that I would never usually buy, and found out that they looked better than I thought.

Here is an example a couple of makeovers I did on myself....

So, next time you are bored or are wanting to change your look, visit http://www.instyle.com/instyle/makeover/ Create an account, upload your photo, and start trying on hair & makeup! Have fun!

Digital Notebooks

I know that digital notebooks have been around a while, but I imagine some of you do not know exactly what they are and what they do. Like I mentioned earlier, I am a secretary, and am always looking for ways to improve efficiency in my work. My boss, who is aware of the cutting edge technology, introduced me to digital notebooks. At first, I was very skeptical, given my very limited experience with technology, however, now that I know how they work I love them! I attend many meetings where I have to take notes. Previously, I used my own notebook and I would type up my notes and send them to others. A digital notebook allows you to take notes as normal with a special pen on special paper. The pen has a camera on it that captures the text as you write it on the special paper and stores it until you download it onto the computer. When you download it onto the computer, the computer reads your handwriting and converts it into Microsoft Word. This is so convenient because it allows me to very quickly send out meeting notes, with very little typing/editing. It also allows me to give someone in my meeting the original notes, since a copy is stored digitally in the pen. Here is a picture of an example of a digital pen & notebook.
I recommend that you try this if you are ever working a position where you are required to take notes or minutes. It will save you a lot of time, plus it's fun!

Wordpress Websites

This week I learned a new and exciting technology called Wordpress. I had heard of Wordpress and thought it was only used for blogging. In addition to blogging, you can actually create complete websites in Wordpress. Wordpress has an interactive user-face that allows you to create and update your website as easily as your Facebook account. Best of all, it’s free! All you have to do is visit Wordpress.org and download the files to create your website onto a server. Mine is currently stored on the H drive, “www” folder which all purdue students have access to. You could create your own website today if you wanted to.

I knew there had to be a better way to create websites besides writing it in HTML. This is even more simple than programs like Dreamweaver. There are hundreds of design templates that you can download for free which makes your website look professional and you don’t have to spend hours coming up with a design yourself.

Cozi- Online Family Organizer

A couple of years ago, I had an idea. An idea for an invention that I thought did not exist and that I could make a lot of money on. That is, until I went online only to find out that Microsoft had partnered with another company and were already developing a similar idea!

I am very dependent on my Microsoft Outlook calendar at work to keep me on track and remind me of important meetings. This helps me stay organized and not to forget anything. But, I noticed that things were DISORGANIZED at home. I thought, if only I had an Outlook touch screen calendar on my fridge, to remind me when to pay bills, of birthdays, hair appts, vet appts, important deadlines, and help me manage grocery lists, etc. I don’t spend much time on the computer at home, nor do I have an iphone, so having it in a common place, such as the kitchen, is ideal. Although what has been developed does not go on the refrigerator, Cozi has created a solution to a problem that is surprisingly shared by many (especially stay-at-home mom’s). Cozi is an online family organizer everyone in your household can access from any computer. It that allows you to not only manage your calendar, create lists (including grocery lists!), reminders & messages, a family journal, mobile phone access, and photo collage screen saver. When your computer is idle, you have a screen saver that displays your pictures, while also showing deadlines for upcoming events. The thing that l like most about this was the list option. You can create your grocery list online and then either access it online through your mobile phone or simply call a number that will either tell you your list over the phone audibly or text it to you while you’re at the store. No more digging in your pockets and purse for that list! This is also an environmentally friendly option because you no longer have to use paper.

Although, I do not use my computer much, I think I will start using Cozi at home to help me maintain just as much organization at home as I do at work.

Best of all, Cozi is FREE! Check it out… http://www.cozi.com/