Redefining the redefined

After today's lecture on the amazing technological vision set for 2020, I couldn't help but check out more on other ways new gadgets and technology will redefine our future lives.

Heres 2 of them.

1. Laptop meets smartphone, the ipad was launched in the US last weekend. Despite it being YET another got-to-have polished apple product, it has significant impacts in the mobile computing industry, setting the benchmark for another season of rapid technological advancement.

Obviously, it has completely redefined the idea of computing with a keyboard and mouse. Your mouse is your fingertips, and your virtual keyboard pops up conveniently on the screen only when you actually need it. But thats old news you already know. What the ipad has revolutionized though, is a series of simple old neccessities made new. Take for example, book and newspaper reading. The ipad is the perfect platform for convenient browsing, given its large screen and thin and light exterior. Its additional features such as the ability to browse the web and watch TV or stream videos on it have also made e-book readers completely obsolete in the future. It is exciting to see how developers would further revolutionise the familiar gadgets we have today to make it the new buzz of tomorrow.


2. Dawn of new-age gaming. As 3D gaming and movie viewing is slowly getting mainstream, the buzz is that we might be able to do away with those clunky geeky uncomfortable 3D glasses in future. Check out - http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/intel-shows-off-glasses-free-3d-demo-now-this-is-more-like-it/

However an interesting example in the near future would be the new nintendo 3ds. This is what it could look like. Wow!



Lastly, xbox is also trying to revolutionise the scene by introducing Project Natal. Project Natal is basically a "controller-free gaming and entertainment experience". Whats amazing about this technology is you can truly game without any periperals as the machine is able to detect your body movements and translate that into gaming gestures and instructions.



Also, it is reported that Natal would be able to be fully voice activated and controlled. To me, what's truly amazing is its creepy ability to also be able to read and understand human emotions. Just imagine the possiblities with this technology!

Virtually Reality

I'm sure more and more objects and services in the near future would harnass the power of the internet. What does this power refer to? The power of information, the power of connectivity and interactivity. Plenty of gadgets and everyday life could benefit from this said power.

Take for example social networking. It has totally changed the way we interact, stay in touch, and make new friends. The internet has brought about a new level of connectivity and convenience which was more like a dream a few decades ago.



Google TV that is coming up next is another fine example. "Google and Intel have teamed with Sony to develop a platform called Google TV to bring the Web into the living room through a new generation of televisions and set-top boxes. (...) The partners envision technology that will make it as easy for TV users to navigate Web applications, like the Twitter social network and the Picasa photo site, as it is to change the channel. Google intends to open the Google TV platform, which is based on its Android operating system for cellphones, to software developers in the hopes of spurring the same creativity that the consumers have seen in phone apps." Would that revolutionise the way we watch TV too? With streaming on the big screen, we no longer have to depend on broadcasting stations or cable TV for our viewing needs.


Lastly, net speeds and technology are also on the rise. The fourth generation of wireless mobiles standards will soon be available in the markets of Singapore, called 4g. This innovative tool will perhaps enable people to play online games on their mobile phones with no lag, and even stream high-definition movies on their mobile phone. The 4G is said to offer faster surfing speeds with 100Mbps, about five times faster than what the current 3G offers. With this new technology, information will be even more readily and conveniently accessible. This could revolutionise the economy in terms or productivity, or even education in the way teaching is carried out.