On September 9th 2014, as part of its major iPhone announcement, Apple had another surprise. It announced that 500 million users across 119 countries would received the the new U2 Album, "Songs of Innocence." If you are an iTunes or iPhone user you only need to sign into your iTunes account. If you're not, sign up by October 13th 2014 and get your free album.
The album give away was intended to help celebrate the release of the new iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, and the Apple Watch. Needles to say, some Apple users were not happy about this at all. Younger Apple users claimed that they didn't know who U2 was. Others decried the further devaluing of music by giving away the new release of of an iconic band. The idea however, was to promote U2"s new album by exposing it to the largest audience possible.
U2's album was paid for by Apple to the tune of $100 million. So, the band got paid. Those who like U2 and use Apple products gained an opportunity to hear their favorite artist's new music before its official release, or the tour that will surely follow. While it is tough to imagine a give away of this magnitude, especially when it is hard for independents and/or label new comers to carve out a niche, you still have to be amazed at how effective this promotion has been. It got people's attention, which is what it was designed to do.
The key to all of this is the word, "promotion." Both Apple and U2 believe that artists should be compensated for their work. The two brands have said that they are teaming up to create a new music format that will revive the album. Realizing that not everyone who makes music, tours, U2 says that the new format will be interactive and audiovisual in nature. They also said that the new format can't be pirated and will bring back the lost art, of album art. The new format's release, however is still 18 months away.
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Hidden Landscape At Stone Henge
On September 10th 2014, researchers from the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute and the University of Birmingham in the UK published digital maps that reveal 17 new structures beneath the ground at Stone Henge. The megalithic monument was apparently part of a larger complex of shrines.
The Hidden Stone Henge Landscape Project was conducted using magnetometers, ground penetrating radar, and 3D laser scanners. Much is being made of the discovery at the Durrington Walls, which is only a stone's throw from Stone Henge. The "super henge," structure is a massive 1.5 kilometers in circumference, and is believed to be the largest structure of its kind, in the world. The maps have revealed that the structure was surrounded by rows of posts or stones,with 60 totems that were up to 3 meters high.
Researchers have discovered prehistoric pits, some with astronomical alignments, homes from the Bronze and Iron Ages, and dozens of burial mounds. One of the structures is a long barrow which incorporated a huge timber building. It is believed that this was probably part of a process that exposed the dead to the elements before de-fleshing them for burial.
The maps, when put together, reveal an area that spans the size of 1,250 soccer fields and offers archeologists a chance to gain a deeper understanding of the Stone Henge monument. The new finds have shown that Stone Henge was not the quiet, solemn shrine on a wind swept Salisbury plain, as once believed, but at one time, it was a bee hive of activity. However, with these new finds, the mystery continues.
The Hidden Stone Henge Landscape Project was conducted using magnetometers, ground penetrating radar, and 3D laser scanners. Much is being made of the discovery at the Durrington Walls, which is only a stone's throw from Stone Henge. The "super henge," structure is a massive 1.5 kilometers in circumference, and is believed to be the largest structure of its kind, in the world. The maps have revealed that the structure was surrounded by rows of posts or stones,with 60 totems that were up to 3 meters high.
Researchers have discovered prehistoric pits, some with astronomical alignments, homes from the Bronze and Iron Ages, and dozens of burial mounds. One of the structures is a long barrow which incorporated a huge timber building. It is believed that this was probably part of a process that exposed the dead to the elements before de-fleshing them for burial.
The maps, when put together, reveal an area that spans the size of 1,250 soccer fields and offers archeologists a chance to gain a deeper understanding of the Stone Henge monument. The new finds have shown that Stone Henge was not the quiet, solemn shrine on a wind swept Salisbury plain, as once believed, but at one time, it was a bee hive of activity. However, with these new finds, the mystery continues.
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Experiment Brings Telepathy One Step Closer
On September 3rd 2014, a research team announced that they had successfully transmitted the thoughts of one human being to another across a distance of 5000 miles. The team composed of researchers from Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Starlab Barcelona in Spain, and Axilum Robotics in Strasbourg, France made the break through by using technology to send a message from India to France.
The experiment involved one person wearing a wireless electroencephalogram that was linked to the to the internet. This person thought of the words "hola," or "ciao." The persons thoughts were then translated into binary code or 1's and 0's, by a computer. The code was then transmitted via email to the receiving location where it was received by three other participant who wore TMS headsets that stimulated their visual cortex. The three recipients did not hear sounds, but reported seeing flashes of light that corresponded to the message.
The researchers feel that this first successful attempt may pave the way for bypassing or complimenting more traditional means of communication. However, more tests will be necessary to improve the experiment's overall performance, as the bit rate for data transfer were as low as two bits per minute. They expect bit rates to improve with advances in computer to brain technology. The researchers believe that brain to brain communication technology may serve to change how humans communicate with each other in the future.
The experiment involved one person wearing a wireless electroencephalogram that was linked to the to the internet. This person thought of the words "hola," or "ciao." The persons thoughts were then translated into binary code or 1's and 0's, by a computer. The code was then transmitted via email to the receiving location where it was received by three other participant who wore TMS headsets that stimulated their visual cortex. The three recipients did not hear sounds, but reported seeing flashes of light that corresponded to the message.
The researchers feel that this first successful attempt may pave the way for bypassing or complimenting more traditional means of communication. However, more tests will be necessary to improve the experiment's overall performance, as the bit rate for data transfer were as low as two bits per minute. They expect bit rates to improve with advances in computer to brain technology. The researchers believe that brain to brain communication technology may serve to change how humans communicate with each other in the future.
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
The Coming Of 1 Gbps Internet Service
On March 17th 2010, the FCC established the National Broadband Plan, in an effort to bring the power of broadband to all of America. Gig.U, or The University Community Next Generation Innovation Project was created in 2007 to help facilitate this process. These research facilities are working in conjunction with the private sector to help bring this initiative to fruition.
According to Akamai, the US now ranks 10th in overall internet speed, behind Ireland, Latvia, and Sweden, with South Korea holding strong at number one. Google and other internet service providers such as ATT, CentruyLink, Cox and Time Warner have all taken on the challenge of improving high speed access for millions, some of whom may not yet be connected.
Google now offers it's 1 Gbps internet service in twelve cities across the country that include, Atlanta, Nashville, Salt Lake City, and Phoenix. ATT plans to roll out its Gigsbit network with 1 Gbps speed to 100 candidate cities that include, Miami, Nashville, Houston, San Antonio, and Charlotte in the coming year.
As word of the successful deployment of 1 Gbps networks across the country spreads, more and more communities are beginning to reach out to willing providers, and more forward thinking companies like Google and ATT are taking the lead. The ball is rolling, and may reach your city some time in the near future.
According to Akamai, the US now ranks 10th in overall internet speed, behind Ireland, Latvia, and Sweden, with South Korea holding strong at number one. Google and other internet service providers such as ATT, CentruyLink, Cox and Time Warner have all taken on the challenge of improving high speed access for millions, some of whom may not yet be connected.
Google now offers it's 1 Gbps internet service in twelve cities across the country that include, Atlanta, Nashville, Salt Lake City, and Phoenix. ATT plans to roll out its Gigsbit network with 1 Gbps speed to 100 candidate cities that include, Miami, Nashville, Houston, San Antonio, and Charlotte in the coming year.
As word of the successful deployment of 1 Gbps networks across the country spreads, more and more communities are beginning to reach out to willing providers, and more forward thinking companies like Google and ATT are taking the lead. The ball is rolling, and may reach your city some time in the near future.
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