A recent concert featuring a hologram of long deceased Tupac Shakur has been flying around the internet. This article (http://rapfix.mtv.com/2012/04/17/tupac-coachella-hologram-encourage-dead-performers/) explains why this trend may be a very slippery slope. I originally thought about how cool it would be to see other hologram concerts of artists from the past, but this article made me rethink my position. The author brings up good points about it being a bit “unsettling.” However, the idea of introducing past legends to new generations of kids is a cool idea, and it isn’t all that different from radio.
Holo-Pac
April 19, 2012
The game Draw Something has been a huge hit for months now, and two weeks ago they crossed the 50 million download mark. In this article (http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gamehunters/post/2012/04/draw-something-update-adds-social-features/1#.T5AZtZpSTL4) it explains how Draw Something is continuing to try to add new features to keep the game relevant. However, I believe it will only be a matter of time until a new, similar game comes along and takes its place. Just as Words with Friends disappeared from the map after being wildly popular, I see Draw Something taking a similar path.
Google Plus
April 11, 2012
Although Google continues to gain users (http://content.usatoday.com/communities/technologylive/post/2012/04/google-gets-massive-overhaul/1#.T4YKTZpSTL4), I’m not sure if they are actually gaining use on the site. The majority of people I’ve talked to seem to have made an account, then never gotten back on since. Even if Google plus does become a better option than other social media sites, it is an extremely difficult task to get people to switch away from what they’re comfortable with. Maybe it’s just the college demographic, but I really don’t see Google Plus catching on anytime in the near future
In this article (http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/10/on-instagram-backlash-about-facebook-acquistion/?ref=technology), fans of Instagram share their disapproval of Facebook’s purchasing of the site they love. What surprises me most about this story is the amount of money that Instagram was purchased for ($1 billion). For a site that simply shares photos and adds filters, I’m amazed at the price Facebook was willing to pay. However, as you can tell from this article, people are beginning to somewhat turn on Facebook. This move may have been made in attempt to change the tides, but it seems to be having the opposite effect.
Arizona bill
April 4, 2012
A bill in Arizona has caused an uprising about the threat of punishing internet trolls. One website mentioned that trolling could get you up to 25 years in prison. Proponents of the bill defend it by saying that the new rules will not apply to comment sections or public forums such as Facebook walls. However, overly broad language in the bill has caused controversy, as they are making it illegal to “annoy or offend.” I understand the need for bills regulating internet use, especially with the rise of cyber-bullying, but it is a very slippery slope. When you start regulating what someone can say on the internet, it borders on 1st amendment infringement. There is a middle ground somewhere, but the difficult job is to find it.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/04/tech/web/internet-trolls-arizona-law/index.html
Google recently released a video showcasing their new augmented-reality glasses (http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-57409331-76/google-yep-were-testing-augmented-reality-glasses/?tag=mncol;topStories). From what the video shows, the glasses allow you to do a number of cool things without the use of your hands, such as make phone calls, texts, get weather updates, and much more. As cool as these are and as much as I’d love to have a pair, it’s a bit scary to imagine this becoming a popular item. People already struggle to focus on walking or driving a car with the distraction of a cell phone, so I can’t imagine the risk involved with these glasses. Still, I think it is a very cool idea.
Tweeting sub
March 29, 2012
This article (http://content.usatoday.com/communities/sciencefair/post/2012/03/meet-tavros-the-tweeting-submarines/1#.T3Ot1WJSTL4) talks about a Tweeting robot submarine that will Tweet about its location and water samples. I think this is extremely cool, and Twitter should definitely run with it. The biggest gripe I hear from non-Twitter users is that it is pointless and a waste of time. This is a perfect example of how Twitter can be used for discovery, innovation, science, and education. If I were an employee of Twitter, I would push hard to get this story out to the non-Twitter public. It would definitely disprove the notion that Twitter is simply a place for celebrity gossip.
The expression “As American as apple pie” may soon be shortened to just “As American as Apple.” This article (http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/story/2012-03-28/cnbc-survey-apple-products-us-homes/53827254/1) explains that over half of American households own at least one Apple product, and homes that do own at least one apple product own an average of three. This serves as a reminder to how truly innovative Steve Jobs really was. It’s incredible to think that any one company could hold such a claim in that many homes across the country.
The expression “As American as apple pie” may soon be shortened to just “As American as Apple.” This article (http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/story/2012-03-28/cnbc-survey-apple-products-us-homes/53827254/1) explains that over half of American households own at least one Apple product, and homes that do own at least one apple product own an average of three. This serves as a reminder to how truly innovative Steve Jobs really was. It’s incredible to think that any one company could hold such a claim in that many homes across the country.
Unethical production
March 20, 2012
Earlier in the semester, I blogged about the unethical production and assembly of iPads and other pieces of technology in periphery countries. This article (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/20/business/use-of-conflict-minerals-gets-more-scrutiny.html?_r=1&ref=technology) shows that not only are they assembling them unethically, but they are getting the materials in an unethical way as well. What surprises me is that no businesses have stepped up and decided to produce their technology in a completely ethical way. I think this could be a big business opportunity. Much like the way people are willing to pay more for a hybrid car or for locally and naturally grown foods, I think people would be willing to pay more for technology produced ethically. I don’t see why smaller companies wouldn’t try to use this as a way to gain an edge on big time tech companies.
