On December 17th 2013, Apple Computer was awarded the patent for what they are calling, the desk free computer. There would be no case, monitor, or wired cables. The computer would consist of one device that would project an image of varying sizes that could be projected onto any clean surface.
What is unique about Apple's proposed design is that the CPU would process the images rather than leaving it to the display technology. It would connect to peripherals, like the keyboard, mouse, and printer, using Bluetooth technology. The device would be able to change its images settings by using data from sensors that would collect such information as, ambient light, depth, and display surface color and texture.
The desk free computer would get it's power from batteries or inductive charging making the device completely portable. All of this sounds exciting, but the patent was first filed in 2008. If Apple isn't already working on its desk free computer, there's no telling how long it will be before an actual working model will come to fruition. In my opinion, however, given what's been presented, there's more than enough to look forward to.
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Mars Rising
On December 9th 2013, researchers at Jet Propulsion Laboratory announced that its Curiosity Rover had discovered evidence of once habitable conditions for life at a dry lake bed on the surface of Mars. While it's not the revelation of finding ancient structures, or even evidence of microbial life, it does suggest that the latter may yet be found.
The area in question is called Yellowknife Bay, and it is believed that water not only once filled the lake, but flowed over the soil there even after the lake had dried up. Some questions were raised as to the presence of hydrocarbons, which are the energy source for micro organisms that live in extreme environments. It is believed that detected high levels of hydrocarbons were influenced by solvents that had leaked from a storage chamber on the rover.
Scientists at JPL still believe that the detection of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen that was found in a rock that was drilled at Yellowknife Bay make a strong case for the evidence of a once habitable environment.
The report also included the first measurement of any radiation hazard that future human missions to Mars might face. Curiosity found that most of the radiation comes from cosmic rays, which come from outside of our solar system. The ten month measurement revealed that the radiation exposure risk of a manned mission to Mars would be 5%. The risk to astronauts working in low Earth orbit is currently 3%. It would certainly be something that volunteers for a manned Mars mission to seriously consider.
Curiosity successfully landed on Mars on August 6th 2012. Since that time the images, data, and experimental findings have proven the rover to be worth it's value. Clearly, there will no doubt be more discoveries in the months ahead.
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Touch
There is some speculation that as Tablet sales increase, the demand for PCs will continue to decrease. Some analysts have suggested that the PC may be on it's way out.
In October 2012, Microsoft released Windows 8. Windows 8 is designed to take advantage of today's touch screen technology found on both Tablets and Smartphones. Early in 2013 it was reported that PC shipments had fallen by 11%. It was also reported that the public reaction to Windows 8 was negative. Some Windows users were unhappy with the redesign and much was made about the absence of the very familiar and much beloved, "start," button.
As we move into the end of 2013, more Tablets will sell than PCs, but for the year overall, more PCs will sell than Tablets. As a consumer, these numbers may not mean much at all. And, it may just be a case of the touch technology being so new, and not yet fully adopted.
However, there has been some grumbling among consumers with regard to the increase in the price of touch enabled PCs and Laptops. The price of a Tablet can start around $150 up $500, more or less. A Laptop or PC however, can start at around $400 and cost up to $2000 or more. Clearly one can see that those looking to have their first computer experience may choose to go with the less expensive device. This is not to mention the notion that some consumers feel that they shouldn't have to pay extra for the same touch technology that comes free on their Smartphones.
My personal opinion is that this is merely a "shake out," period. That while Tablets become more pervasive due to their continued decrease in price, PCs and touch enabled Laptops will not only become more prevalent, but less expensive as well. At some point personal taste will serve to keep the PC and Laptop viable.
One of the advantages that I think that Tablet users may come to miss is the availability of a free standing keyboard, which allows PC and Laptop users to view their content on a much larger screen.
Of course there's also the growing use of voice actuation, which will change the game entirely.
In October 2012, Microsoft released Windows 8. Windows 8 is designed to take advantage of today's touch screen technology found on both Tablets and Smartphones. Early in 2013 it was reported that PC shipments had fallen by 11%. It was also reported that the public reaction to Windows 8 was negative. Some Windows users were unhappy with the redesign and much was made about the absence of the very familiar and much beloved, "start," button.
As we move into the end of 2013, more Tablets will sell than PCs, but for the year overall, more PCs will sell than Tablets. As a consumer, these numbers may not mean much at all. And, it may just be a case of the touch technology being so new, and not yet fully adopted.
However, there has been some grumbling among consumers with regard to the increase in the price of touch enabled PCs and Laptops. The price of a Tablet can start around $150 up $500, more or less. A Laptop or PC however, can start at around $400 and cost up to $2000 or more. Clearly one can see that those looking to have their first computer experience may choose to go with the less expensive device. This is not to mention the notion that some consumers feel that they shouldn't have to pay extra for the same touch technology that comes free on their Smartphones.
My personal opinion is that this is merely a "shake out," period. That while Tablets become more pervasive due to their continued decrease in price, PCs and touch enabled Laptops will not only become more prevalent, but less expensive as well. At some point personal taste will serve to keep the PC and Laptop viable.
One of the advantages that I think that Tablet users may come to miss is the availability of a free standing keyboard, which allows PC and Laptop users to view their content on a much larger screen.
Of course there's also the growing use of voice actuation, which will change the game entirely.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
WISPs Are Coming
One sure way of getting broadband access to more people is to reach into areas that have previously been inaccessible, such as some suburbs and rural areas. Now, with the growth of technology, WISPs, or Wireless Internet Service Providers are now rising to meet the challenge.
Cell Phone service providers do a good job of giving internet access to their customers, but that doesn't qualify them as WISPs. Current data rates for LTE or Long Term Evolution Technology are much slower than today's broadband providers and can carry caps on how much data can be transferred. A WISP, however would be someone on the order of say, a Satellite TV provider such as Dish Network.
But, unlike a Satellite TV provider, a true WISP would actually be a mixture of satellite and cellular services. A WISP would use a combination of antennas and towers to carry the wireless transmission. In some cases they may make use of a dish placed on a subscriber's home.
Most WISPs offer faster upload speeds than Cable or DSL, which is around 5 to 10 mbps. Upper tier download speeds can reach up to 15 mbps, Some WISPs may put a limit on just how much data can be used, but some operate with no limit cap at all.
WISPs are regional services and generally require a two year contract plus a connection and/or activation fee to get started. The price for residential service may range from $30 to $80 a month.
A WISP may not be what you're looking for in an ISP, but with increasing availability and improved service and functionality, it may just be something that is at least worth looking into. You can find out if there is a WISP in your area by visiting the WISPA website.
Cell Phone service providers do a good job of giving internet access to their customers, but that doesn't qualify them as WISPs. Current data rates for LTE or Long Term Evolution Technology are much slower than today's broadband providers and can carry caps on how much data can be transferred. A WISP, however would be someone on the order of say, a Satellite TV provider such as Dish Network.
But, unlike a Satellite TV provider, a true WISP would actually be a mixture of satellite and cellular services. A WISP would use a combination of antennas and towers to carry the wireless transmission. In some cases they may make use of a dish placed on a subscriber's home.
Most WISPs offer faster upload speeds than Cable or DSL, which is around 5 to 10 mbps. Upper tier download speeds can reach up to 15 mbps, Some WISPs may put a limit on just how much data can be used, but some operate with no limit cap at all.
WISPs are regional services and generally require a two year contract plus a connection and/or activation fee to get started. The price for residential service may range from $30 to $80 a month.
A WISP may not be what you're looking for in an ISP, but with increasing availability and improved service and functionality, it may just be something that is at least worth looking into. You can find out if there is a WISP in your area by visiting the WISPA website.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)