It may surprise some, but apps have been around in one form or another since the relative birth of the mobile phone. Way back in the early 1980's, one of the first Motorola products featured an application whereby you could look at your contacts. This is possibly the earliest example of how apps would later be used to redefine the mobile phone.
A few years later, when mobile phone technology began to allow for more practical improvements, the race for competition truly began. Games began appearing on phones for purely entertainment value. The idea that phones were only useful for communication was becoming less apparent.
The size of mobile phones began to shrink, as did their prices; all the while, their capabilities expanded. More mobile phone masts were put up across the country, meaning reception was greatly improved. The features and apps of phones were becoming more advanced by the year.
The emergence of the internet really changed everything. Before, phones may have had a calculator or notepad and a way of showing the date and time. The internet made developers see the future with added clarity. However, there was a need to 'plug' the phone into the worldwide web. Once that could be achieved, phones could have almost unlimited resources.
The problem was phones at this stage didn't adapt well to the internet. The screens simply were not advanced enough to cope with online page. Everything had to be scaled down and saturated. Not only, did the phones themselves struggle to deal with this, but it cost the user extra to access.
WAP or Wireless Application Protocol started the revolution and paved the way for finding a solution this problem. It enabled the phone to operate online pages, albeit in a limited capacity. There needed to be further breakthroughs to push the boundaries of apps ever further. In 1994, the arrival of PDA improved the previous technology and allowed phones to be greater than ever before.
As trends for wallpapers and ringtones grew with mobile technology, as well as the memory to store music and photos, the possibility for apps also grew. Year on year, mobiles became more sophisticated and featured more variety in apps, including games. The rise of the touch screen smart phone, and Apple's uniquely simple way of accessing the internet by way of apps has brought along the latest revolution. The use of app-stores has pushed the industry into the stratosphere and there is now no looking back.
- Why are these products being launched in this time?
When Apple CEO Tim Cook was asked about the delay in product launches, the skipper mentioned that, one can expect new products in late 2013. Indeed, September is the second half of this year and we are getting the right news, rumors, and leaked pictures, alright.
One more reason for Apple to release these products in the coming month is because of their sinking tablet market. According to a report published by IDC, Apple's tablet shares has slumped from 40% to 32% in this time and this calls for the release of new iPads.
Now let us take a look at the products that are going to be released in September of this year.
- iPhone 5C
The iPhone 5C is a cheaper version of the iPhone for people who are looking for cheap and affordable phones. Android powered phones have already taken a good chunk of the cheap smart phone market in countries like, U.S., India, and China. To fight back, Apple is launching its cheaper iPhone which doesn't come with a glass body, but with glossy plastic. The phone is also expected to have almost the same specification as the iPhone 4. One can already find a lot of leaked pictures of the phone on many tech blogs.
- iPad Mini Retina
The iPad mini had already broke records in sales and the new iPad Mini with ipad mini cases is also expected to do the same. The iPad mini did not have powerful hardware; however the thing was sold like hotcakes. The iPad mini Retina will be a sure winner with the stunning retina display with more pixels per square inch and a higher screen resolution.
- iOS 7
The iOS 7 is possibly the most awaited OS upgrade for the iPhone and the iPad and is also one of the most criticized update. Many Bloggers and websites, claim that, Apple has shamelessly stolen quite some features from Android and Windows Mobile OS. It is also expected to be released.
- iPad 5
A French website, nowhere else recently released the leaked images of the new iPad 5. The images are doing the rounds on Twitter and Blogosphere and many experts claim that it is the real deal. The more slimmer and stunning iPad will also be released this time.
And that is not all. You can also expect some new Apple Accessories to be released along with these products. So, keep your fingers crossed. If any of the products mentioned above were not released on September 10th, they will surely be released. The new Apple TV is also on the way. It might not be released before the end of this year, along with the rumored iPhone 5S. Stay tuned for more Apple news.
O APOSTOLO - VISUAL EFFECTS NOTES FINAL
EFFECT 1 - THE FOG
The fog is a character in the story. It is the Holy Company. It is of 3 types and we are not initially aware of its full power or sentient nature. At first it simply hovers along the ground creating atmosphere and obscuring distances. Later it acts with intent seeking out Ramon. Finally it becomes a collection of human forms - the spirits of all the people the Holy Company has captured.
1. Ambient background fog 2. Animated character fog 3. Spirit fog with human forms (Santa Company - Holy Company)
These fog styles should be designed as still images (Photoshop paintings) made using plates from the scenes where fog will be applied. These will be the art direction for all fog effects. The Holy Company figures should be modeled based on a practical figure. Photographic reference (lighting, motion, turnarounds) of this figure will be the best guide for achieving the desired geometry with CGI. The motion of the character fog may be difficult to pre- visualize but drawn animation will be useful for determining the flow and speed.
Much of the ambient and background fog can be created using paint layers with distortion effects (warp, twirl, pinch, etc.) applied to a multi-plane treatment in a compositing program. This technique should be sufficient to produce much of the bulk of the fog throughout the film.
The next layer of fog can be effectively animated and put into specific shapes and positions with a CGI simulation using a particle system. This will allow the creeping character fog to behave in very specific ways as it pursues Ramon. This CGI fog should be used only where necessary for this specific behavior because it should be quite expensive for design, manipulation, and rendering, especially where changes are concerned. The 2D fog should be much more flexible and will take less time to adjust and alter.
The next layer will be the Holy Company fog. Animation is fairly minimal for these spirit characters. They float smoothly and never interact with the solid characters. What is important is their visual signature - their apparent density, they way they connect to the mass of fog, and the wisps of fog they leave as trails. Additionally they will need some internal turbulence like a self-wind reflecting their tortured and trapped state. Fernando has described this look as similar to the windy smearing in The Lord of the Rings when Frodo sees the wraiths while wearing the ring.
The best way to allow for the right look to be achieved will be to create a number of layers, and to develop the look in composite. While testing is the only way to determine exactly what these layers ultimately will be, a preliminary list might include the following:
1. Painted 2D fog with distortion
2. CGI fog.
3. Varying degrees of density for the spirits themselves from a thicker solid core through various stages of very light turbulence reaching the a light cloud based on the solid volume of the character.
4. The mass of the character itself rendered as fog.
5. A trail element generated by the geometry of the character.
6. A flowing foggy matte pass used to elegantly connect the spirits to the masses of fog.
Sufficient variation in these elements should allow a very nice look to be achieved in composite. The internal turbulence will probably work nicely as a composite effect applied to 1 or 2 of these layers - probably the solid mass itself (#4 above) - likely the least important element as far as the foggy mass is concerned.
The final layer for all the fog scenes should be practical. Isolated wisps of fog with very dynamic and natural character should be shot by the VFX crew. The set should be entirely black, and black props and fans should be used to create reactions and dynamic movements. It is important to avoid hard edges on the props and all shots should be wide enough that nothing ever touches the edge of frame. These elements are ESSENTIAL to creating an excellent fog effect. They will be used sparingly in the final composite but their value will be immense. These elements will really sell the effect by adding natural behavior to fog composites which will often look OK but not completely finished otherwise. The added benefit will be in saved schedule time and man-hours which would otherwise need to be used to get the generated fog to an acceptable level of quality.
EFFECT 2 - THE CANDLE FLAMES
There are many candles in O Apostolo. Because of their sheer numbers, economic processes will be essential in keeping the scope of this task under control. There will be 2 main challenges to achieving good results with the candles:
The first challenge will be to get the right behavior from the flames. Candle flames respond to small amounts of turbulence in their environment. Thus when someone walks by, or when a door opens or a gust of wind comes through a window, the flame usually responds with a moment of shaking. Practical elements do this perfectly but can be somewhat of an editorial challenge when there are many candles in a shot - they all must move in synchronization but with small variations. If they all move exactly together the effect will be awkward. If there is too much variety the effect will not be convincing. Good results can be accomplished by using a library of similar elements and offsetting duplicates of the same flame by 1 or 2 frames. For the
number of candles in O Apostolo, a collection of 5 or 6 of each desired type of flame movement should be sufficient. These libraries can be generated with live-action or CGI techniques. I prefer live-action practical elements. Their behavior will likely be more believable and satisfying, containing many unexpected variations which will be elusive and time consuming to create with a CGI simulation.
The second challenge with these effects will be placement in Z space. Generally the maximum horizontal alignment in a 3D frame pair (assuming 2K resolution) is somewhere between 20 and 30 pixels. Thus any discrete location in Z will be defined by a horizontal measurement which can be quite small and very exact. In a moderately deep 3D shot of 8 pixels for instance, a 1 pixel offset will move an object more than 10% forward or backwards. For this reason, sub-pixel positioning is often necessary to accurately marry a composited element to a plate at the EXACTLY CORRECT location in Z. This is further complicated by the fact that these minute gradations of Z location not apparent unless the composite is seen projected on a large screen in full color and at full resolution. This is likely to be a large an on-going challenge because there are many sequences with many candles each in O Apostolo.
EFFECT 3 - STEAM
There are a number of shots of people eating in the film. Practical or simulated live-action steam can be vey effective in a stop-motion context. This effect is quite easy and can be achieved in composite with mono live action elements. CGI techniques can be quite easy as well provided an acceptable treatment re: speed, turbulence, density, etc, can be found. CGI can be less desirable if the look is elusive or if rendering becomes cumbersome. Live action requires development of an element library - setting up an effects stage, and shooting, but the results are perfect for the desired application. A 3rd possibility is the use of stock effects elements. An internet search of stock resources may very likely yield an acceptable collection of elements.
These elements composite easily. Shot or rendered on black, they will produce the desired look with a mix (additive, screen, maximum) and transparency adjustment. Live action elements will need a contrast adjustment (levels - crush the blacks) to composite cleanly. A very soft mask in the inverse shape of the source of the steam (e.g. a mound of food on a plate) will connect the effect with its intended source.
ALL these composites should be carefully checked and adjusted often (on a large screen in full color and at full resolution) throughout the process to ensure accurate, pleasing, and professional results.
EFFECT 4 - COINS
The challenge with the coins will be in the composites. 1. Their shiny surfaces should reflect the characters. This can be an easy composite task but correct stereoscopic placement will be very challenging. I suggest using the chroma- key elements as refection maps in CGI and generating a stereoscopically correct (relative to the coin surfaces) reflection pass. A cast shadow will probably be somewhat difficult also but the savings from having to do it in composite will be worth it. 2. To do the above, as well as to marry the elements may require the 3D to roto the plates. Shooting dimensional reference (cubes and grids) will help. CGI will also benefit from receiving all the camera data. This may be overkill because the layouts for this sequence suggest a fairly loose and forgiving treatment to the dimensionality, but the match of lens and roundness will need to be kept close enough for the composite to look right, and convincing shadows and reflections are essential.
EFFECT 5 - SMOKE
There is 1 shot of a smoldering mound which will need a rising plume of smoke. This should be a fairly straightforward effect. Probably good to differentiate this from the fog by making sure the color is noticeably different.
EFFECT 6 - CHROMA-KEY COMPOSITES
There are some additional concerns with screen replacement type composites in stereoscopic films. Garbage mattes can have added ramifications in 3D because these will sometimes need to be independent in each eye. It is wise to keep a close watch on these elements as they are being shot, because fixing something on set can save many hours of double garbage matte work later.
Additionally, the chroma key elements will be mostly stereoscopic and occasionally will be shot with different lenses, framing, or interocular settings than the backgrounds they belong to. These variations between composited element and plate can lead to disparities in roundness and stereo depth. These can both be difficult to repair. Composited elements in stereoscopic 3D also present problems with shadows and reflections. Accurate placement of shadows and reflections can be difficult.
For these reasons, all chroma-key elements should be kept as simple as possible. FG and BG elements should be shot with the same setups whenever possible, and complex composites requiring shadows or reflections should be avoided whenever possible.
EFFECT 7 - RIG AND WIRE REMOVAL
Rig and wire removal can be a simple and straightforward process in stereoscopic 3D. There will be some challenges. Rigs with Z-axis presence can require separate roto for each eye. Paint and shadow re-creation can be difficult to match in each eye - stereo paint disparities look bad and must be avoided. These often will only be apparent in a large screen projection. With stop-motion, clean plates will often not match making the composites which follow rig-roto more difficult. Here also stereo disparities will be very noticeable and need to be avoided by careful checking in projection.
OTHER - SET SHIFT
Set shifts often occur in stop-motion. Smaller shifts can often be fixed with full frame transformations from scale & reposition, to corner-pin distortions and mesh warps. These fixes can usually be applied to each eye exactly the same with perfect results. Larger shifts can require Frankenstein cut & paste techniques using pieces from an earlier or later portion of the shot, and clean plates. These types can often require individual attention to each eye of the stereo pair. Fixing set shift can be very tedious and frustrating, and can take many hours/days per shot. I would suggest tracking set shift carefully in an attempt to know at any given time, how much there is to fix, how much time the fixes are taking, and what percentage of shots contain shifts needing repair. This will give VFX a good idea (all throughout the schedule) of how many man-hours are going to be needed for set shift repair to complete the film.
OTHER - LIGHTING POPS
Lighting pops often occur in stop-motion. They are usually no more of a problem in stereoscopic 3D than they are in 2D unless one is unlucky enough to have them occur in only one eye of the stereo pair. The technique for fixing these anomalies is the same in either case. Fine contrast controls of the expand/compress/gamma type (e.g. Photoshop levels) can bring the errant frames close enough to the rest of the sequence that the pop becomes invisible even if it is not entirely eliminated. Key-framing the correction and flipping between the previous and following frames will allow this to be fixed by eye quite quickly.
Lighting pops which affect each eye differently should be top priority and should be handled much more carefully. The reason is that this R-eye L-eye disparity (known as retinal rivalry) is very unpleasant to the viewer. The experience is subliminal and results in discomfort and general dissatisfaction with the experience i.e. people begin to dislike the film without knowing exactly why. Judging from the amount of flickering lighting I have seen so far I would suggest that there may be quite a few of these anomalies. Pay special attention to this because a film with many full frame rivalries throughout will repel many viewers.
OTHER - COLOR RIVALLRY
Color rivalry occurs when unexpected lighting shifts cause the 2 eyes to have areas where the color values do not match. This is most likely in shots with large action or camera movements. This happens when a light bounces off a reflective surface directly into the lens. It will happen only in one eye if the I/O slider moves the camera enough to bring the lens out of the direct path of the reflection in question. The result will be that the reflecting surface will be much hotter and higher contrast in the corresponding eye. This is virtually impossible to prevent. Shots with extreme movement, particularly where the characters move very near to the lens should be examined carefully during blocking. If such an error occurs there are several techniques for repair. Reshooting should not be ruled out because some of these problems can take many days to fix.
Fixes:
1. In shots which are less round and deep the images in each eye will be substantially similar. By rotoing the corresponding areas in the good eye, these areas can be composited directly on top of the bad areas in the second eye, often with little distortion necessary. This will probably need to be done piecemeal because (for example) an entire face will have the features in slightly different positions and the perspective of each will be slightly different. The geometry of the bad eye can be used as an exact guide for getting this correct.
2. Color correction within articulate roto applied to the good eye. Since the problem is brightness & contrast based the good eye is the one which must be adjusted. This can be undesirable for aesthetic reasons, but doing the opposite is close to impossible in all but the most subtle cases.
3. In the most extreme cases, the corresponding features in the good eye will need to be warped, piece by piece, to fit the corresponding features in the bad eye. This requires a large amount of very intricate articulate roto. This is an extremely painstaking process which requires a high level of skill and patience. Perfect results can be achieved, but often taking much more time than it would take to reshoot the offending shot.
Color rivalries are difficult to detect to the untrained eye, and will often be apparent only on a large screen projection. They are very important to find and eliminate for the same subliminal psychological reasons mentioned under lighting pops.
If you are interested in computers and love learning about the hardware, upgrading your own computer and doing just about anything you can with a computer, than a potential career with computers might just be the perfect job for you. Before you go out and just label yourself a computer expert though there are a few different tips you need to follow. These are going to make you easier to employ and even help you earn more money. This way, when you find a position that comes up and you're interested in, all of your experienced and training should pay off and help you land the job.
1) Learn both Operating Systems
It is very important for you to know how to use the operating systems. While you might have a personal preference as to which is best, knowing how to work both is very important, because by only learning one, you are going to greatly limit your job potential.
2) Certification
While you might already know how to do something and have extensive experience in it, obtaining a certification in the position tells anyone else who is reading your resume that you know how to do it and are not just listing it as a career skill on your resume. IT training certifications are always going to look better to an employer than no certification at all. This is very important to remember, and although you might have to pay some money up front for the class or certification test it is well worth the money.
3) Take Computer Courses
There are always computer courses available for you to take, and some of these classes are going to help you greatly expand your knowledge base. Yes, not all of the classes are going to be very exciting, as you probably already know how to use word processors, spread sheets or other programs. However, learning how the inner workings of these different software titles work and how you can troubleshoot the system is going to come in handy.
4) Read
If you go to the computer section of your local book store you are going to find all sorts of different computer books on different kinds of software, hardware and just about anything else you could possibly think of. These different books are great tools to not only learn from, but to have on hand when you do land a job.
5) New Hardware
Stay up to date with the newest software and hardware from computer manufacturers and never let your IT training expire. If you know how to work the latest programs and features, as well as the difference between previous models and releases, you can work on just about any computer system, regardless of how old or new it might be.
1) Learn both Operating Systems
It is very important for you to know how to use the operating systems. While you might have a personal preference as to which is best, knowing how to work both is very important, because by only learning one, you are going to greatly limit your job potential.
2) Certification
While you might already know how to do something and have extensive experience in it, obtaining a certification in the position tells anyone else who is reading your resume that you know how to do it and are not just listing it as a career skill on your resume. IT training certifications are always going to look better to an employer than no certification at all. This is very important to remember, and although you might have to pay some money up front for the class or certification test it is well worth the money.
3) Take Computer Courses
There are always computer courses available for you to take, and some of these classes are going to help you greatly expand your knowledge base. Yes, not all of the classes are going to be very exciting, as you probably already know how to use word processors, spread sheets or other programs. However, learning how the inner workings of these different software titles work and how you can troubleshoot the system is going to come in handy.
4) Read
If you go to the computer section of your local book store you are going to find all sorts of different computer books on different kinds of software, hardware and just about anything else you could possibly think of. These different books are great tools to not only learn from, but to have on hand when you do land a job.
5) New Hardware
Stay up to date with the newest software and hardware from computer manufacturers and never let your IT training expire. If you know how to work the latest programs and features, as well as the difference between previous models and releases, you can work on just about any computer system, regardless of how old or new it might be.
Nothing could be more exquisitely painful than losing critical data you have just finished putting in after a terrible accident (as in accidental formatting) or some horribly arcane mechanical glitch (as in broken drive parts) - although the end results would still be the same whether the data in your storage system had been in place for a long while now or relatively just written. This is to say that it would be catastrophic in both situations. Luckily, technology has evolved so much that previously considered lost data may still be recovered.
RAID, Mac, or laptop, hard disk recovery of data is entirely possible provided you take the proper steps to ensure it. The first thing you need to do, right after not exploding into a fit of panic, is to make sure that the problem really is the hard drive. Tech magazines recommend that you take out your hard drive from the troubled desktop or laptop and connect it to another computer to run hard drive diagnostics. For a Mac computer, you only need to use a FireWire cable to connect your troubled, non-functioning Mac by pressing down "T" at startup. If the files from the failed hard drive show up on the working Mac, the problem might not be the hard drive. If not, then it is time to seek professional help - the kind that uses forensic quality tools that recover digital data.
Companies that specialise in desktops, RAID, and Apple Mac hard disk data recovery would be recommended as this indicates a high level of expertise. Depending on the extent of the damage and data to be recovered, this specific and very technical service will cost a great deal of money. So you want to make sure that the service provider's data recovery process will not tie you to a pricey fee. Ideally, and perhaps for less complex data recovery jobs, you may get an online quotation and send your media through shipment. The data recovery company should be able to make a diagnosis and assess cost for the job.
For more complex jobs, you may want to personally bring your hard drive to the data recovery company. This will allow you to better understand the process and, more significantly, check out the company's facilities, such as its laboratory, for security. You want to guarantee that whatever sensitive data is contained in your storage source that it will remain secure with the recovery company.
From MacBook to RAID data recovery, a proper recovery firm can retrieve or salvage your lost files. Take the necessary step today. And find a reputable recovery company - before you need one. Check this out to know more about this.
Click here for more information about data recovery for Mac.
RAID, Mac, or laptop, hard disk recovery of data is entirely possible provided you take the proper steps to ensure it. The first thing you need to do, right after not exploding into a fit of panic, is to make sure that the problem really is the hard drive. Tech magazines recommend that you take out your hard drive from the troubled desktop or laptop and connect it to another computer to run hard drive diagnostics. For a Mac computer, you only need to use a FireWire cable to connect your troubled, non-functioning Mac by pressing down "T" at startup. If the files from the failed hard drive show up on the working Mac, the problem might not be the hard drive. If not, then it is time to seek professional help - the kind that uses forensic quality tools that recover digital data.
Companies that specialise in desktops, RAID, and Apple Mac hard disk data recovery would be recommended as this indicates a high level of expertise. Depending on the extent of the damage and data to be recovered, this specific and very technical service will cost a great deal of money. So you want to make sure that the service provider's data recovery process will not tie you to a pricey fee. Ideally, and perhaps for less complex data recovery jobs, you may get an online quotation and send your media through shipment. The data recovery company should be able to make a diagnosis and assess cost for the job.
For more complex jobs, you may want to personally bring your hard drive to the data recovery company. This will allow you to better understand the process and, more significantly, check out the company's facilities, such as its laboratory, for security. You want to guarantee that whatever sensitive data is contained in your storage source that it will remain secure with the recovery company.
From MacBook to RAID data recovery, a proper recovery firm can retrieve or salvage your lost files. Take the necessary step today. And find a reputable recovery company - before you need one. Check this out to know more about this.
Click here for more information about data recovery for Mac.
I think we can all agree that computers and the internet have had a huge impact on pretty much every industry, and are the cornerstones of our modern civilization. It's amazing to think that people once thought of computers as a huge waste of space, and that they would never become popular. The past decade has taken these innovations and brought them into the mainstream with technologies like social networking, GPS, smartphones, and a whole lot more. It truly is mind-blowing to see how far we've come in the past decade alone.
We live in a unique and interesting time in human history, where the sharing of ideas and information is done at lightening speed, and innovative research is at an all-time high. The next 10 years are going to be one hell of a ride, with so many problems still left to solve - from overpopulation to finding alternative energy sources, from ending illness to exploring space - and we're only just starting to understand this basic fact: for all we know, we know almost nothing.
With all the innovation taking place in the world, from tiny steps in existing technologies to new, industry-changing ideas, it's getting pretty hard to keep up to date on the latest discoveries. If you're interested in a small glipse of what's in store for humanity in the near future (we limited our list to technologies we believe could be out in the next ten years), then this list is for you.
The Chemputer
This idea is still in the concept stage, but we foresee a bright, intoxicating future. Just as the 3D printer is able to take a 3D digital model, basically a file on your computer, and translate that into physical objects such as machine or gun parts, the Chemputer would take this concept to the molecular level and enable printing of pharmaceuticals. Instead of ink, this printer would use a mixture of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, the basic building blocks of most drugs, as well as certain agents such as vegetable oil and parafin.
Imagine the uses: diabetics could print their own insulin at home, personal Chemputers could be used in third world countries to print out the exact needed drug at the right time to save lives. Obviously this would have a huge impact on the medical and pharmaceutical industry as well as drug research. With the chemputer, you would go online, download your medication and then print it out, all from the comfort of your home.
Next-generation biofuels
The world is coming to terms with the need to ween itself of fossil fuels, which are quickly getting depleted and becoming more expensive to extract from the earth. Biofuels can be used in the place of fossil fuels in certain cases as they're derived from biological matter like vegetable oils, animal fats and so on. Unfortunately current technology has created biofuels that rely mainly on food, causing an increase in global food prices.
Today scientists are focusing their research into next-generation biofuels which would be generated from non-edible sources such as corn stover, switchgrass, woodchips, and miscanthus. In 2010 biofuels provided around 2.7% of the world's fuels for road transport, mainly through ethanol and biodiesel. It is believed that biofuels could help meet up to a quarter of the world's fuel needs by 2050.
Graphene
Graphene is basically a substance which is 300 times stronger than steel and made of only a thin layer of pure carbon, making it literally as light as a feather. Each sheet of graphene is only one atom thick, and one square meter weighs just 0.77 milligrams. In 2010 the Nobel Prize for Physics went to scientists researching this super film, and in 2013 a 1 billion dollar grant was awarded by the EU to researchers in the field.
The uses of this technology could be revolutionary: Space exploration and the aviation industry would benefit from the extremely light and strong material that could be used in aircraft construction. Graphene could revolutionize electronic devices by enabling lightweight, thin, flexible, yet durable display screens, cellphones, and much more. Graphene would also revolutionize transistor componentry and solar pane construction.
Photovoltaic Glass
This highly durable, efficient optical grade glass will be used in the future to allow any flat surface, from the mirror in your bathroom, to a picture hanging from the wall in your bedroom, to be used as an integrated computer screen. Together with a household computer system you will be able to access the internet, control your "smart" house, and get instant information about your fridge temperature or anything else, at the touch of a surface/screen.
Imagine brushing your teeth in the morning and simultaneously getting your news from the bathroom mirror. Your refrigerator would have touch capabilities, enabling you to continue with the news, display favorite family photos or even video chat with grandma from your fridge door. Then move it all to the kitchen table with just a touch. Photovoltaic glass can also house solar cells laminated between glass layers, meaning that soon every window will become an energy generating solar panel.
DNA Data Storage
The discovery of DNA has led to humanity's deeper understanding of living organisms and viruses, as it's basically a set of instructions and information encoded into molecules. Just as mother nature uses DNA to store biological information, so too have scientists discovered a way to store and encode digital information into DNA, enabling storage of massive amounts of data in a very small space. In fact, one gram of DNA can store at least 2.2 million gigabits of information, which is over 450,000 DVDs worth of storage space.
Using this new method of storing data, it will now be possible to store all the data that has been accumulating during the digital age, and much more. Written, audio and visual information have all already been uploaded into DNA then retrieved by DNA sequencing. The future of bio-computing is here.
Driverless Cars
When you just start out, it's exciting and fresh. As the years go by, it becomes habit and loses its lustre. Driving is a part of life for millions around the world, enabling fast and east transportation of people and goods, but also leading to many yearly fatalities from wreckless driving. Imagine getting into your car, talking to the voice-activated computer and telling it where you'd like to go, then nodding off to sleep, secure in the idea that your car will be able to drive you to your destination without your help.
Well, not only is this going to be a reality in the coming years, Google is already deep into the advanced stages of research, and driverless cars have already logged thousands of miles, having traversed the windy hills of San Francisco, cruised over the Golden Gate Bridge and even run laps around Lake Tahoe. The cars navigate using advanced GPS technology as well as special laser sensors mounted on the roof to help "map out" the area around the vehicle. They know to stop when there's a pedestrian on the road, and to drive when the traffic light turns green. Say goodbye to your designated driver!
Visual prosthesis (Bionic Eye)
Just as technology has advanced to the point where the cochlear implant is helping deaf people to hear, the idea behind the bionic eye is to help the blind, or those with very poor eyesight, to see. Researchers are making fast advances in developing artificial eyes that would give sight to the blind, and prototypes are already available that provide grainy images. However, the eye is much more complex than a regular camera and complex software, such as missile tracking technology, must be employed in perfecting the technology.
We believe there will come a time when everyone will be able to see with perfect eyesight. That future is closer then you imagine.
We live in a unique and interesting time in human history, where the sharing of ideas and information is done at lightening speed, and innovative research is at an all-time high. The next 10 years are going to be one hell of a ride, with so many problems still left to solve - from overpopulation to finding alternative energy sources, from ending illness to exploring space - and we're only just starting to understand this basic fact: for all we know, we know almost nothing.
With all the innovation taking place in the world, from tiny steps in existing technologies to new, industry-changing ideas, it's getting pretty hard to keep up to date on the latest discoveries. If you're interested in a small glipse of what's in store for humanity in the near future (we limited our list to technologies we believe could be out in the next ten years), then this list is for you.
The Chemputer
This idea is still in the concept stage, but we foresee a bright, intoxicating future. Just as the 3D printer is able to take a 3D digital model, basically a file on your computer, and translate that into physical objects such as machine or gun parts, the Chemputer would take this concept to the molecular level and enable printing of pharmaceuticals. Instead of ink, this printer would use a mixture of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, the basic building blocks of most drugs, as well as certain agents such as vegetable oil and parafin.
Imagine the uses: diabetics could print their own insulin at home, personal Chemputers could be used in third world countries to print out the exact needed drug at the right time to save lives. Obviously this would have a huge impact on the medical and pharmaceutical industry as well as drug research. With the chemputer, you would go online, download your medication and then print it out, all from the comfort of your home.
Next-generation biofuels
The world is coming to terms with the need to ween itself of fossil fuels, which are quickly getting depleted and becoming more expensive to extract from the earth. Biofuels can be used in the place of fossil fuels in certain cases as they're derived from biological matter like vegetable oils, animal fats and so on. Unfortunately current technology has created biofuels that rely mainly on food, causing an increase in global food prices.
Today scientists are focusing their research into next-generation biofuels which would be generated from non-edible sources such as corn stover, switchgrass, woodchips, and miscanthus. In 2010 biofuels provided around 2.7% of the world's fuels for road transport, mainly through ethanol and biodiesel. It is believed that biofuels could help meet up to a quarter of the world's fuel needs by 2050.
Graphene
Graphene is basically a substance which is 300 times stronger than steel and made of only a thin layer of pure carbon, making it literally as light as a feather. Each sheet of graphene is only one atom thick, and one square meter weighs just 0.77 milligrams. In 2010 the Nobel Prize for Physics went to scientists researching this super film, and in 2013 a 1 billion dollar grant was awarded by the EU to researchers in the field.
The uses of this technology could be revolutionary: Space exploration and the aviation industry would benefit from the extremely light and strong material that could be used in aircraft construction. Graphene could revolutionize electronic devices by enabling lightweight, thin, flexible, yet durable display screens, cellphones, and much more. Graphene would also revolutionize transistor componentry and solar pane construction.
Photovoltaic Glass
This highly durable, efficient optical grade glass will be used in the future to allow any flat surface, from the mirror in your bathroom, to a picture hanging from the wall in your bedroom, to be used as an integrated computer screen. Together with a household computer system you will be able to access the internet, control your "smart" house, and get instant information about your fridge temperature or anything else, at the touch of a surface/screen.
Imagine brushing your teeth in the morning and simultaneously getting your news from the bathroom mirror. Your refrigerator would have touch capabilities, enabling you to continue with the news, display favorite family photos or even video chat with grandma from your fridge door. Then move it all to the kitchen table with just a touch. Photovoltaic glass can also house solar cells laminated between glass layers, meaning that soon every window will become an energy generating solar panel.
DNA Data Storage
The discovery of DNA has led to humanity's deeper understanding of living organisms and viruses, as it's basically a set of instructions and information encoded into molecules. Just as mother nature uses DNA to store biological information, so too have scientists discovered a way to store and encode digital information into DNA, enabling storage of massive amounts of data in a very small space. In fact, one gram of DNA can store at least 2.2 million gigabits of information, which is over 450,000 DVDs worth of storage space.
Using this new method of storing data, it will now be possible to store all the data that has been accumulating during the digital age, and much more. Written, audio and visual information have all already been uploaded into DNA then retrieved by DNA sequencing. The future of bio-computing is here.
Driverless Cars
When you just start out, it's exciting and fresh. As the years go by, it becomes habit and loses its lustre. Driving is a part of life for millions around the world, enabling fast and east transportation of people and goods, but also leading to many yearly fatalities from wreckless driving. Imagine getting into your car, talking to the voice-activated computer and telling it where you'd like to go, then nodding off to sleep, secure in the idea that your car will be able to drive you to your destination without your help.
Well, not only is this going to be a reality in the coming years, Google is already deep into the advanced stages of research, and driverless cars have already logged thousands of miles, having traversed the windy hills of San Francisco, cruised over the Golden Gate Bridge and even run laps around Lake Tahoe. The cars navigate using advanced GPS technology as well as special laser sensors mounted on the roof to help "map out" the area around the vehicle. They know to stop when there's a pedestrian on the road, and to drive when the traffic light turns green. Say goodbye to your designated driver!
Visual prosthesis (Bionic Eye)
Just as technology has advanced to the point where the cochlear implant is helping deaf people to hear, the idea behind the bionic eye is to help the blind, or those with very poor eyesight, to see. Researchers are making fast advances in developing artificial eyes that would give sight to the blind, and prototypes are already available that provide grainy images. However, the eye is much more complex than a regular camera and complex software, such as missile tracking technology, must be employed in perfecting the technology.
We believe there will come a time when everyone will be able to see with perfect eyesight. That future is closer then you imagine.
With all of the possibilities that the market has to offer, you are probably wondering whether buying a laptop is still a good idea. A laptop computer used to be differentiated from the desktop computer by its mobility. Today, however, there are several other mobile devices that can be used for work, watching movies, playing games and browsing the web.
So, the big question remains - should you still buy a laptop computer?
Laptops vs. Tablets: The Biggest Pros
According to many experts, 2013 is the year of the tablet due to the popularity that the device has gained. The worldwide tablet market experienced growth of 142.4 percent in the first quarter of 2013 in comparison to the same period last year. According to the International Data Corporation, the worldwide shipment of tablets reached 49.2 million.
Tablets still miss a number of important characteristics, however. The main advantages of the laptop include:
What does a tablet have to offer?
If you are looking for a portable computer that you can use to work and to process documents, the laptop is still a better option. You can perform all of the tasks that you can perform on a desktop computer, plus you get mobility. Tablets are still considered a poor option by people who have to make presentations and by hardcore gamers.
What is the Laptop Missing?
The casual user will do just fine with a tablet. If general entertainment is the purpose of the purchase, the tablet is a better pick.
It is much lighter than the laptop. Just put it in your handbag and go anywhere. It lets you carry around books, games, favorite movies and documents. Internet browsing is also easy and fun.
The main disadvantages of the laptop are:
Is a Hybrid Laptop the Answer?
Looking for a portable computer option? Cannot decide between a laptop computer and a tablet? The hybrid may the answer to your questions.
The hybrid is an innovative laptop that transforms into a tablet. The keyboard can be detached and the screen has a touch function that turns it into a tablet. Hybrid laptops, however, tend to be more expensive and the tablet is heavier than other tablets being offered for sale.
Laptops and tablets have pros and cons. Both of them are mobile, a characteristic that the desktop computer lacks. Having both or buying a hybrid is still the best possibility.
So, the big question remains - should you still buy a laptop computer?
Laptops vs. Tablets: The Biggest Pros
According to many experts, 2013 is the year of the tablet due to the popularity that the device has gained. The worldwide tablet market experienced growth of 142.4 percent in the first quarter of 2013 in comparison to the same period last year. According to the International Data Corporation, the worldwide shipment of tablets reached 49.2 million.
Tablets still miss a number of important characteristics, however. The main advantages of the laptop include:
- Better performance
- Multitasking
- Larger display
What does a tablet have to offer?
- Very lightweight
- A longer battery life
If you are looking for a portable computer that you can use to work and to process documents, the laptop is still a better option. You can perform all of the tasks that you can perform on a desktop computer, plus you get mobility. Tablets are still considered a poor option by people who have to make presentations and by hardcore gamers.
What is the Laptop Missing?
The casual user will do just fine with a tablet. If general entertainment is the purpose of the purchase, the tablet is a better pick.
It is much lighter than the laptop. Just put it in your handbag and go anywhere. It lets you carry around books, games, favorite movies and documents. Internet browsing is also easy and fun.
The main disadvantages of the laptop are:
- In comparison to a desktop computer, the laptop is more difficult to upgrade
- Mobility can be limited by size, if you pick a larger laptop
- Tablets can perform simple computing tasks, so there is no need to carry a laptop around
- The touch input of the tablet could be better for gaming, processing photos and working with multimedia
Is a Hybrid Laptop the Answer?
Looking for a portable computer option? Cannot decide between a laptop computer and a tablet? The hybrid may the answer to your questions.
The hybrid is an innovative laptop that transforms into a tablet. The keyboard can be detached and the screen has a touch function that turns it into a tablet. Hybrid laptops, however, tend to be more expensive and the tablet is heavier than other tablets being offered for sale.
Laptops and tablets have pros and cons. Both of them are mobile, a characteristic that the desktop computer lacks. Having both or buying a hybrid is still the best possibility.
Telecommute is fast becoming a buzzword nowadays. The routine 8-5 office jobs are fast becoming a thing of the past as the work environment, job descriptions, and methods of doing work are evolving. People who work these days are no longer confined to physical offices because technological innovations have enabled the phenomenon that we now call telecommuting -- which means, in the simplest terms, working remotely.
Of course, there are certain things we have now that make telecommuting possible, and if it weren't for these innovations, we would all still be stuck in the caveman days of work. Here are some of the technological innovations of recent history that makes collaboration possible.
- The Internet: Of course the Internet. This particular invention was recently named the top innovation in the last 30 years, and for good reason. The Internet has made possible so many things that we now find ourselves in a position of being almost debilitated when we find ourselves disconnected. Being connected via the Internet has given us access to a vast storehouse of knowledge, and it has enabled us to share our own knowledge, too. It has certainly made a giant leap forward for the proponents of globalization, because through it, the world certainly became a much smaller place now that everyone, everywhere is connected.
- Laptops, tablets, and mobile devices: More and more people are choosing to take their work with them, and not just be stuck with a heavy desktop computer. While there are those who still prefer working on a good old trusty desktop, mobility is now becoming an important issue for many as they want to be free to pursue their own activities in their own time without having to compromise their work in the process. And because laptops are now getting lighter, carrying your work with you wherever you go is not as hard as it used to be. Along with the release of the tablet and other similar mobile devices, more and more working people are choosing to go mobile as it gives them more flexibility.
- Email: Where would we all be without email? Just by clicking the Send button, you get your message delivered right away to anyone anywhere (well, as long as they have Internet access, that is). Before email came into the picture, we had to rely on snail mail (those born and raised in the digital age are probably scratching their heads now and asking, "What?"), express mail, LBC/ FedEx/ and other similar courier services to have our messages delivered. Then we had to wait for days (sometimes weeks) for the much-awaited response. Can you really imagine doing business like that now?
- Webinars/ Video Conferencing: Attending seminars, workshops, and other similar activities in the past used to cost a fortune, so companies would most likely select a few delegates only and then spend for transportation, seminar fees, etc. Now, however, thanks to webinars, anyone interested can join, at much less cost. Employers no longer have to send their workers out because they can attend webinars right at work, or even in their own homes, and the cost is much less than going to actual location seminars. The learning and take-home experience is still pretty much the same, but it is not as much of hassle as it used to be.
The same concept applies with video conferencing. It used to be difficult to gather team members or stakeholders (especially in multi-nationals where some members are in other countries) located in various provinces/countries, and it was even harder to coordinate communication. But now, thanks to video conferencing, virtual meetings can be set up without having to worry about the logistics of having to get everyone to the office.
- Cloud Computing Technology: File cabinets? Boxes and boxes of documents? Directories full of business contacts? Sounds like any other typical office. The trouble with files like this, however, is that they run the risk of getting ruined -- whether by natural disasters, accidents, or some other mishap, physical documents are at risk of getting lost, stolen, or destroyed. Now imagine if you can put all that pertinent data in one place where you know it can't be harmed in any way. That is what cloud computing does for you -- it allows you to store everything you need all up there in the cloud, and as long as you have access to the Internet, then you can access your files, too. Any changes made to files found in the cloud will be automatically synced, saving you the trouble of having to go through so many files and doing a manual update. So if anyone from the team makes some edits on that presentation, you don't have to worry anymore about updating your copy, because it's already there.
These are just some of the innovations that have revolutionized the way we view work. These technologies have certainly brought people together and made collaboration not just possible, but now a normal way of life. Because of these technological innovations, working together has become so much easier, and work has certainly taken on a brand new perspective.
Of course, there are certain things we have now that make telecommuting possible, and if it weren't for these innovations, we would all still be stuck in the caveman days of work. Here are some of the technological innovations of recent history that makes collaboration possible.
- The Internet: Of course the Internet. This particular invention was recently named the top innovation in the last 30 years, and for good reason. The Internet has made possible so many things that we now find ourselves in a position of being almost debilitated when we find ourselves disconnected. Being connected via the Internet has given us access to a vast storehouse of knowledge, and it has enabled us to share our own knowledge, too. It has certainly made a giant leap forward for the proponents of globalization, because through it, the world certainly became a much smaller place now that everyone, everywhere is connected.
- Laptops, tablets, and mobile devices: More and more people are choosing to take their work with them, and not just be stuck with a heavy desktop computer. While there are those who still prefer working on a good old trusty desktop, mobility is now becoming an important issue for many as they want to be free to pursue their own activities in their own time without having to compromise their work in the process. And because laptops are now getting lighter, carrying your work with you wherever you go is not as hard as it used to be. Along with the release of the tablet and other similar mobile devices, more and more working people are choosing to go mobile as it gives them more flexibility.
- Email: Where would we all be without email? Just by clicking the Send button, you get your message delivered right away to anyone anywhere (well, as long as they have Internet access, that is). Before email came into the picture, we had to rely on snail mail (those born and raised in the digital age are probably scratching their heads now and asking, "What?"), express mail, LBC/ FedEx/ and other similar courier services to have our messages delivered. Then we had to wait for days (sometimes weeks) for the much-awaited response. Can you really imagine doing business like that now?
- Webinars/ Video Conferencing: Attending seminars, workshops, and other similar activities in the past used to cost a fortune, so companies would most likely select a few delegates only and then spend for transportation, seminar fees, etc. Now, however, thanks to webinars, anyone interested can join, at much less cost. Employers no longer have to send their workers out because they can attend webinars right at work, or even in their own homes, and the cost is much less than going to actual location seminars. The learning and take-home experience is still pretty much the same, but it is not as much of hassle as it used to be.
The same concept applies with video conferencing. It used to be difficult to gather team members or stakeholders (especially in multi-nationals where some members are in other countries) located in various provinces/countries, and it was even harder to coordinate communication. But now, thanks to video conferencing, virtual meetings can be set up without having to worry about the logistics of having to get everyone to the office.
These are just some of the innovations that have revolutionized the way we view work. These technologies have certainly brought people together and made collaboration not just possible, but now a normal way of life. Because of these technological innovations, working together has become so much easier, and work has certainly taken on a brand new perspective.
Global Positioning System unit is taking a high toll in the latest addition of gadgets and electronic devices. GPS - Global Positioning System is a satellite based electronic device that provides information on time, positioning and weather conditions. Sometimes the satellite navigation system may not be re-installed but you can connect it separately to your device. GPS devices can be loaded in cars, mobiles, home computers, laptops, digital cameras or smart phones.
How the GPS device works?
Each device has an inbuilt GPS receiver connected to the GPS satellite that coordinates the location and shows the position. The security forces and security system of countries have become largely dependent on GPS navigation system. The military defense, civil, navy and aviation forces are using GPS systems to track, coordinate and regulate the locational activities. The excessive use of GPS to track positions has made it more vulnerable to hacking. Attack on Global Positioning System for hacking and hijacking is on the rise. Installed GPS devices have enabled easy hacking of smart phones, iPhones, laptops and cars and last but not the least is aircraft hijacking. Through GPS, jamming a hacker can get a complete remote access of the electronic device.
How Can A GPS Device Be Jammed?
The purpose of GPS jamming is to block the signaling and prevent it from working. To disable a GPS tracking device a variety of methods is used. Hackers using mobile phones and other radio signal related electronics devices can disable the GPS too and not only that they can replace the real GPS signal with a fake one. This will show fake locational position. These GPS spoofing gadgets actually send fake radio signals replacing the real signal transmitted. Many people tend to relate GPS signals with navigation. The use of GPS as a time signal has potentially made it more susceptible to GPS spoofing which poised as a bigger threat today rather than simple GPS blocking.
How do you protect your GPS device is a big question?
Ethical Hacking Institutes are building technically sound experts who can actually prevent you from hackers. These ethical hacking training centers run certified ethical hacking courses. You can hire certified ethical hacking individuals who can technically and exclusively device programs for you to protect your GPS system.
Interloping, manipulating or nullifying of a GPS device is a punishable offense. So be on your guard and stay well informed and aware if you are technically and professionally dependent on the Global Positioning System. Remember whatever GPS device you have it is always prone to hacking.
How the GPS device works?
Each device has an inbuilt GPS receiver connected to the GPS satellite that coordinates the location and shows the position. The security forces and security system of countries have become largely dependent on GPS navigation system. The military defense, civil, navy and aviation forces are using GPS systems to track, coordinate and regulate the locational activities. The excessive use of GPS to track positions has made it more vulnerable to hacking. Attack on Global Positioning System for hacking and hijacking is on the rise. Installed GPS devices have enabled easy hacking of smart phones, iPhones, laptops and cars and last but not the least is aircraft hijacking. Through GPS, jamming a hacker can get a complete remote access of the electronic device.
How Can A GPS Device Be Jammed?
The purpose of GPS jamming is to block the signaling and prevent it from working. To disable a GPS tracking device a variety of methods is used. Hackers using mobile phones and other radio signal related electronics devices can disable the GPS too and not only that they can replace the real GPS signal with a fake one. This will show fake locational position. These GPS spoofing gadgets actually send fake radio signals replacing the real signal transmitted. Many people tend to relate GPS signals with navigation. The use of GPS as a time signal has potentially made it more susceptible to GPS spoofing which poised as a bigger threat today rather than simple GPS blocking.
Ethical Hacking Institutes are building technically sound experts who can actually prevent you from hackers. These ethical hacking training centers run certified ethical hacking courses. You can hire certified ethical hacking individuals who can technically and exclusively device programs for you to protect your GPS system.
Interloping, manipulating or nullifying of a GPS device is a punishable offense. So be on your guard and stay well informed and aware if you are technically and professionally dependent on the Global Positioning System. Remember whatever GPS device you have it is always prone to hacking.
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