|
|
| |
|
Home
> Computer Corner
> Trends in technology |
| |
|
Trends in Technology |
The landscape of technology is
rapidly changing, with new gadgets and ideas hitting
the marketplace every day. Here's a peek at a few
hot technologies worth watching.
 |
RADIO FREQUENCY
IDENTIFICATION (RFID)
|
| |
|
Radio frequency identification is
being used in everything from inventory control to
paying for items with credit cards. Some items, like
this concept "Ladybag" developed by a group of
university students in Canada, are using RFID in
innovative ways. The Ladybag lights up to show if
RFID-tagged items, such as keys, a phone or a
wallet, are missing.
 |
AUTO INDUSTRY
|
| |
|
Skyrocketing gas prices make fuel
efficiency a key concern of consumers and
manufacturers. Already we’ve seen gas-electric
hybrid cars with a plug-in option, Dodge’s
"multi-displacement" engines that shut off cylinders
when their power is not needed, and a flood of
fuel-efficient sub-compacts such as the Toyota Yaris,
Honda Fit and Nissan Versa, as well as the possible
launch of DaimlerChrysler’s Smart car in the United
States. Expect further developments in the race to
stretch our gas dollar.
 |
HIGH DEFINITION TELEVISION
(HDTV)
|
| |
|
High-definition television is here --
sort of. While the wide-screen sets with super-sharp
pictures have been available since 1998, there’s
still debate over which format will win consumers’
hearts: 1080i, with more lines and pixels; 720p,
with progressive scan; or 1081p, which combines the
best of both – but lacks for content. Still, there
are the questions of how many high-definition
multimedia interface ports your set has, how your
gaming system will interface with your HDTV, and how
long the system you buy today will last.
 |
DVDs
|
| |
|
HD-DVD or Blu-ray: Which one will win
the battle for the next-generation DVD? Sony, which
is leading the Blu-ray group, has been down this
road before with Betamax vs. VHS – and, to some
extent, its MiniDisc. Will Sony’s new DVD standard
beat out the HD-DVD team led by Toshiba? In the end,
consumers may not even have to choose, as some
manufacturers are looking to release drives that
will play both.
 |
DVR
|
| |
|
The VCR is dead, replaced by the DVR.
Nearly every major cable company has one of its own
or has partnered with someone to provide digital
video recorder functionality to its customers.
Replay TV recently revamped its business model,
getting out of selling hardware to focus on
software. TiVo has announced the Series 3 with many
new features, including multiple tuners, HD
capabilities and the ability to add external storage
for all that HD content. And don't forget the
plethora of computer-based systems that people can
customize to their hearts’ content.
 |
CELL PHONE
|
| |
|
A decade ago cell phones were
popular, but not everyone had one. Today if you
don't have one your more tech-savvy friends might
call you a Luddite behind your back. Today's phones
can take pictures and video and send text messages
and e-mail. New features like streaming video and
live TV are showing up on some models and networks.
If you're curious about what features might be on
the way, look to Japan, where trend-setting cell
culture thrives. Japanese can use their mobiles to
enter subway turnstiles or scan special barcodes and
get information on everything from fresh produce in
the market to the latest fashion trends in
magazines.
 |
E-INK
|
| |
|
Reading newspapers is extremely
low-tech, right? Not anymore. E-ink is the latest
way to get your newspaper, take it with you on the
train, and not have to worry about recycling. The
technology uses tiny capsules that when energized
create text and images that reflect light rather
than generate it, allowing for frequent updates that
are said to be easier on the eyes than previous
attempts at e-books. The New York Times says it is
testing the new technology, as are several
newspapers in Europe.
 |
WIRELESS NETWORKING
|
| |
|
Going wireless with your laptop is
all the technological rage. But when most people
speak about WiFi, especially in public hotspots,
they're talking about 802.11b, the oldest and most
widely compatible standard. It's also the slowest
and the one with the least range. 802.11g boosted
speed and range, and now 802.11n will take that up
another notch. "Pre-n" gear already is out there.
But beware, there is no guarantee it will work with
other pre-n gear or the final standard.
Source:
www.cnn.com
|
| |
|
Click Here for more
interesting computer & technology facts |
|
|
| |
|
 |
| |
|
 |
|
|
|
It's easy to stay up to date on the things that interest you. Just
