Category Archives: Technology

Technology

Innovation Gone Missing?

With the International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) coming to an end, many technologists feel like there is a lack of innovation and useful electronics that we “need”.  Or is this lack just a shifting of times where manufacturers would rather host their own events to reveal their latest products.

That certainly is the case with Google, Samsung and Apple.  None of which were present at this years CES show in Las Vegas, Nevada.  It is a rant that many products that are shown at CES never have the opportunity to come to market, which certainly is disappointing if you are going to see the latest and greatest in new technology.  One big space for this year has been flexible display panels, which may go the way of the 3D TV.

View some highlights below from YouTuber MKBHD:

4K Cameras:

Samsung Galaxy Note Pro & Tab Pro:

Technology

Battery Technology

Smartphones have become almost a necessity in this fast-paced, technology driven world that we are in.  Coming in a variety of screen sizes, storage capacities and shapes it is almost a smartphone for everyone.  Then you have your choice between Android and iOS devices, that is another argument altogether.

Let’s start off with the thing that you look at, the screen.  The display on a smartphone is the main component that drains battery life and it seems that every manufacturer places a “retina” display or Full HD display in their device.  Meanwhile, this is retaining the same battery technology from yesteryear.  In fact, there are rumors that Samsung is working to produce a 4K resolution handset.

That’s right 4K.

There is not even a significant amount of people who actually own 4K televisions, so where would you enjoy the content that you caputure from the 4K camera that will also be smashed into the device?  Only on your device.

Next, let’s break down processors that get faster and faster every year.  My first Android device, which was a Motorola Droid X, has a 1 GHz single-core processor — my current device, Nexus 4, is running a quad-core processor.  Although, mobile processors have advanced significantly over the years with battery saving technology built in — it still misses the point.  A bigger and better battery is still needed to push our devices with these larger screens containing more pixels all day.

Image

There is no one person that I know, who is a smartphone owner, that does not either have a car charger or have the need to charge their phone at some point throughout the day.  Owning the Nexus 4 has been great because I can go all day without charges; however, many suffer throughout their days with their phones almost always needing to be tied to a power outlet.

Bottom line:  Given the above information is factual, it appears that the technology placed in batteries needs to advance more along with the components that they are powering.  With a majority of high-end Android devices having 1080p screens, better batteries are a must to keep their owners content and the device being used to it’s full potential in many situations (eg. Until the device owner goes to bed).

Operating Systems, Technology

Dell Venue 8 Pro, the Windows tablet we’ve been waiting for?

Could this be the start of game-changing, fully functional Windows 8 tablets?  This product by Dell certainly turns heads.  Let’s start with the price, this tablet starts out at $229 (Amazon; seen here) for the 32GB version — absolute steal.  Next, take a look at the specs, although they are not amazing, remember this is a fully functional Windows 8.1 Pro machine — meaning you can get real work done.  This tablet can run MS Office, Photoshop, video editing suites and more.  Reviewers are simply raving about this device and to be honest the rave reviews are well-deserved.

Dell has nailed price, performance and gave consumers a full versions of Windows on an 8″ slab — way to go.

Please see a detailed review from [Windows RT Review] below:

Bottom line:  If you are looking for an affordable Windows 8 tablet or an affordable tablet in general — this is an excellent choice and the fact that it runs the full verison of Windows 8.1 is a great selling point.

Multimedia, Social Networking, Technology, Video, YouTube

YouTube Comments have changed, now get over it!

There have been countless users of YouTube complaining since last week about the new integration of Google+ within the site.  I suppose that many users do not understand that this only making the site better and certainly adding more of a community aspect.  Yes, people should be held accountable for the things that they post online — just as you are held accountable for the things that you say and do in reality.  The new comment system is not bad it is just an incremental change that happens in tech.  People learn to accept change and move on.  I was one who didn’t like the Microsoft XBox at first, until I gave it a chance.

That is the thing that is missing here, users see the change and instead of giving it an honest try — immediately write it off.  See a video below:

However, for those that understand how YouTube works; they see it’s usefulness (in addition, notifications went out that YouTube was changing how they did comments.)  See an excerpt from TWiT’s This Week in YouTube Ep. 30:


Is it a bad change?  No.  Yet, some have difficult times dealing with change — when in reality it is more streamlined and efficient.

This is something that we all saw coming as +Google is working towards integrating all of their services, which is an excellent thing.  Which is odd because people complain and say they aren’t integrated enough!

Bottom line:  Get over it!  If you hate the new integrated Google+ comments in YouTube — leave the site, that is always an option.  As a creator (TopNotch Male Style Tips) I welcome the change and I hope that my community does as well.

Mobile Operating Systems, Technology

Fingerprint Scanners

iPhone 5S, HTC One Max and surely many more to come are just a few devices that are implementing this “new” fingerprint scanning technology.  The iPhone, for example, uses the technology to unlock the devices and for purchases among a few reasons.  However, how practical and how broad can this technology be stretched?  Will it get to the point where people are getting snatched to use their thumbs?

I believe that this technology is a good step-forward — as with any advance.  However, I still believe that nothing will surpass the traditional pin or password unlock in terms of security and practicality.

fingerprint

Another thing to note is that with the resent uproar of NSA “spying”, some technologists fear this may be yet another way for the government to collect information on it’s citizens.

[Video courtesy of CNET]

Bottom line: Congratulations, we have new technology within our smartphones; however, I do not believe that this is groundbreaking in terms of security, the password still reigns supreme.