The Future of New Technology

This article may not be as "technical" worthy to be posted in our blog, however I feel that it does bring up more chances and opportunity for more technology to become even bigger.

Scientists have discovered a new planet called GJ 1214b, that is mostly made of water, which is 40 light years away. To put this in perspective a light year is 5,865,696,000,000 miles away. Now that is only 1 light year. Now a light year helps you determine age as well. So for example, a star that is 1 million light years away, means that that start has traveled at the speed of light to reach us, and it took 1 million years for us to see it. So the star we are seeing is really how the star looked a million years ago, not how it looks today.

Now that's a crazy thought to handle. Thinking that we are seeing something in a different time then it is traveling even at the moment.

The main reason I chose this article was because there is no possible way for us to get to this planet. So if you could actually ride a space ship, it would take us 40 light years to get there. If we could only build a ship to get there, what would we find. People believe there would be life, however much different than ours. Because the planet is bigger and much warmer than earth (400 degrees in fahrenheit), people like us could not live there. But since there is water, there would be life-like beings or creatures.

It is amazing how we can find planets that are this far away from us, yet alone know that there is water and life on it. This planet was discovered when 8 MEarth project telescopes on top of Mt. Hopkins, Arizona watched it's star and saw the star dim slightly as the planet crossed in front of it. It is amazing that even today we have telescopes that let our eye see 40 light years away.

The Copenhagen Wheel

The Copenhagen Wheel turns an ordinary bike into a hybrid. The Copenhagen Wheel is a hub that you put on any rear bike wheel and within it the hub employs regenerative braking, an electric motor and even a Bluetooth connection to your iPhone for real-time data display. Every time you hit your brake the electric motor gathers energy and disperses energy through the motor when it senses that you are climbing a hill or if your pedaling slows in general. The Bluetooth connection sends data to your iphone which you then can share with other riders throughout the city and on other social networking sites like myspace and facebook. It even lets you rack up “green miles” as you travel about, a system not unlike a frequent-flyer program that rewards you for logging time on your bike rather than a car, bus or train.

The Copenhagen Wheel will change the way people commute to work, and hopefully help the obesity within our society.

Check out this Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7y3qIQu3Gc&feature=player_embedded

SPENCER WARD

New Privacy Settings on Facebook

I noticed this article about 48 hours after updating my settings in facebook. Privacy and security should always be a concern when using a systen where just about anybody can get your personal information. Be carefull out there guys! I've had a lot of fun in class, have a great holiday and see you in January!

iPhone 3GS

The iPhone has been a worldwide phenomenon. People of all ages, ethnicities, religions and sexes use it. The iPhone was introduced in January of 2007 by Apple inc. After a few improvements, in June 2009 Apple introduced the iPhone 3GS which had been improved upon even more. These improvements include its overall performance, a camera with more megapixels and video capability, and voice control and can hold up to 32GB of storage. Along with these, the iPhone 3GS comes with some awesome apps! These apps include:

Compass

With a built-in digital compass, iPhone 3GS can point the way. Use the new Compass app, or watch as it automatically reorients maps to match the direction you’re facing.

Cut, Copy & Paste

Cut, copy, and paste words and photos, even between applications. Copy and paste images and content from the web, too.

Landscape Keyboard

Want more room to type on the intelligent software keyboard? Rotate iPhone to landscape to use a larger keyboard in Mail, Messages, Notes, and Safari.

Messages

Send messages with text, video, photos, audio, locations, and contact information. You can even forward one or more messages to others.

Search

Find what you’re looking for across your iPhone, all from one convenient place. Spotlight searches all your contacts, email, calendars, and notes, as well as everything in your iPod.

Accessibility

iPhone 3GS offers accessibility features to assist users who are visually or hearing impaired. These features include the VoiceOver screen reader, a Zoom feature, White on Black display options, Mono Audio, and more.

Internet Tethering

Surf the web from practically anywhere. Now you can share the 3G connection on your iPhone with your Mac notebook or PC laptop.

Voice Memos

Capture and share a thought, a memo, a meeting, or any audio recording on the go with the new Voice Memos application.

Nike + iPod

iPhone includesbuilt-in Nike + iPod support. Just slip the Nike + iPod Sensor (available separately) into your Nike+ shoe and start your workout.

Stocks

Stocks on iPhone shows you charts, financial details, and headline news for any stock you choose. Rotate iPhone to see even more detailed information.

YouTube

Watch YouTube videos wherever you are. Log in to your YouTube account to save and sync bookmarks and rate your favorites.

Find My iPhone
and Remote Wipe

If you misplace your iPhone, Apple’s MobileMe service can help you find it. Log on to me.com to view a map that shows the approximate location of your iPhone. If it’s nearby, have it play an alert sound to help you find it. If it’s not, you can display a custom message, remotely lock it with a passcode, or initiate a remote wipe and restore it to factory settings.

All iPhone application information found at: http://www.apple.com/iphone/iphone-3gs/

The iPhone is a great way to keep in touch with friends and surf the web. If you are in need of a new phone or a new toy check out the iPhone 3GS. Most say you won't be sorry!

Posted by: KYRSTEN GEDDES

Tweeting Toddlers Alert

Toys have become even more high tech now that even young toddlers that can barely speak have the opportunity to "Tweet" what they are doing. This new toy, the Twoddler, that has been modified by Fisher Price has sensors hooked to an Arduino circuit and sends information via wireless ZigBee protocol to a nearby computer.

So for example when little Tommy is annoyingly banging on the bell of the toy, over and over, the computer might translate this as him saying "Tommy is showing off his music skills with a new tune." This is funny because there is no way Tommy might be agree or actually want something by banging on the toy, Right?

What could be even more weird and silly is that when little Tommy decides to tweet in the way described above, then other people 3 time his ages will be reading it thinking it could be an adult or something.

This is just wrong and stupid. What will be next...? The funny thing is, is that the baby doesn't even know or understand that it is broadcasting to the world with brainless thoughts and repetitive actions.

Nielson Company to Add Online Views to Its Ratings System

The Nielson Company announced on Tuesday, December 1st that they will be installing Internet measuring meters in 7,500 of their television panel homes. Nielson uses these homes to measure television ratings, which the TV industry then uses to sell $70 billion in advertising each year. Eventually, this data will be used to calculate combined ratings for TV and Internet viewing.

Because of more viewers watching TV episodes online, Nielson has be under pressure to find a way to track viewership more effectively. Media companies have been demanding for a way to track Internet viewing ratings so they can sell more Internet advertising. The Consortium for Innovative Media Measurement, a group of media companies, stated, “media measurement is not keeping pace with urgent business needs.” Even though this is a step in the right direction, the Nielson Company still has a long road ahead of them to keeping this system accurate. Colleen Fahey Rush said that Nielson’s plan is "encouraging" and that the change would be difficult. She also stated, “Nielson has a lot of heavy lifting ahead of them.”

The Nielson Company is the world’s leading marketing and media information company. The company collects and analyzes how people gather information, interact and consume media. They also analyze how consumers buy goods and services. The Nielson company is active in more than 100 countries and their corporate headquarters are located in New York City.

The New Nano

The new ipod nano has made some pretty cool changes. Since the ipod came out it went from just holding music to holding music, pictures, videos and movies. Nike also teamed up with Apple to make a chip that monitors the calories burned and the pace and time of runners. This option continues to stay with the ipods. The new ipod has thrown out all of the stops and has added a video camera, voice recorder, and FM radio with live pause. All of these options have never been in any of the previous ipods. Apple continues to impress us with their new innovations and options. This new ipod comes in the 8gb size or 16gb, which comes in handy when you want to store movies on it for a long drive or flight. With Apple it's not if it's when it will happen. They are making our dreams realities.


Spencer Ward