Archive for the ‘Technology Trends’ Category

HP + HTC = In Home VR

The world of gaming is about to be forever changed. This isn’t because of a new invention per se. It’s about accessibility. Thanks to a collaboration between Hewlett Packard and HTC, the world of virtual reality (VR) is practically at your fingertips.

HP and HTC recently announced that they will deliver a certified VR-ready desktop PC created specifically for gamers. The HP ENVY Phoenix will provide the most immersive room-scale VR solution available, utilizing room-scale tracking that works with photosensors on both headsets and controllers. It’s able to track the user’s movement within a 15×15-foot 3D space.


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Meet Halo, Your Wearable Emoticon

A Ph.D. student at M.I.T. has created a wearable device that changes colors and patterns according to the weather and the mood and movements of the wearer. The device, called Halo, consists of one hundred and eighty independently programmed light-emitting diodes, or LEDs.

Nan Zhao, the creator of Halo, originally designed it for the purpose of attaching lighting to individuals rather than to buildings. There would be no need to switch on a light during your midnight trip to the toilet, for example, if you were taking light with you.

Now, however, Zhao envisions a variety of applications. Waiters could use Halo to be more visible to customers and look more approachable. Travelers battling jet lag could use Halo to help adjust their internal body clock. Halo could even be used as an alternative to make-up.


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How Long Will You Have Your Smartphone?

Chances are pretty good that you’re reading this article on a smartphone. If you aren’t, you’ve probably used a smartphone for something else today—for anything from ordering a meal to hailing a ride. Long story short, we are more connected than ever, and more and more dependent on our phones.


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Free Stats from Dell

“It is the mark of a truly intelligent person to be moved by statistics.” ~ George Bernard Shaw.

Meta-analysis. Correlations. Binomial distribution. Marginal probability of error. For those of you who love numbers, you’re in familiar territory. Those terms may even make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. If they don’t, though, you’re not alone.

A statistic is a fact or piece of data obtained from a large quantity of numerical data. They’re everywhere. You’ll hear statistics in the news—in weather predictions, for example. You’ll be persuaded by them in advertising: “75% of people sleep better when they take this new drug.” You might even look to them when making decisions. Ever look up vehicle safety ratings before buying a new car?

So why do so many people get glassy-eyed when the subject of statistics is brought up? It may be because they just don’t understand them. Dell is setting out to change this.


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Hold the Phone and Get One of These Trendy Cases

You hear stories all the time. Uncle Charlie was in the bathroom and dropped his phone in the toilet. Aunt Wilma was washing dishes and her phone slipped into the sink. Amusing though it may be, a water-logged phone or a cracked screen is really no laughing matter.

Recently, a cell-phone expert discussed what to do and what not to do should your device take a dive into the nearest pool of water. Given the likelihood of the scenario, it’s important information to have. We are becoming more and more attached to our phones, and accidents are bound to happen.

People go to great lengths to keep their communication devices safe and dry. Indeed, phone cases are touted as the new fashion accessory on the streets. Given the amount of time we spend with our phones at home and at work, it makes sense that phone manufactures have been working to jazz those phone cases up. There are a wide variety of case options at your disposal.

For Conversation Starters

Some people like to show off their true colors, and a phone case can do just that. You can find cases that will get people laughing, frowning, or asking questions. Many people, for example, have never seen or touched a cassette tape. Why not strike up conversation with the younger generation by using a blast from the past to protect your phone?


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Let There Be Light – Improve the Lights In Your Life

Get out of the dark ages! We’re not talking about ancient history. We’re referring to illumination. Brilliance.  Radiance. When designing your office space, don’t neglect what is arguably one of the most important aspects: good lighting.  If people can’t see what they’re doing, your business is sure to take a hit. This blog will provide simple tips to light up your life at work.

Natural Light

There are many ways to address the issue of good lighting, and if you’re lucky enough to have natural options available to you, why not take advantage? In fact, studies have shown that employees who are exposed to natural light in the office sleep better at night, have more physical activity, and report better quality of life. If you want DIY options on window treatments, this site has a lot to offer.


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Technology: From Old to New

What time is it? Check the iWatch. Lost? Check in with your GPS. Need help remembering a grocery list? Call or text your family for a quick response. It seems that it is getting harder and harder to stay up-to-date on all the latest advances in technology. The times are a-changing and they are doing this at rapid speeds!

Some technology advances are fun, such as those geared toward video games. Some are helpful, like those that make it easy to keep in touch with loved ones around the world. And some are even beneficial to the overall health and welfare of humans in a much grander scale, as in those designed to help folks live longer.


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Famous Technology Garage Start-Ups

What exactly goes on in that garage of yours? Odds are that your garage is used to bring the car in out of the rain or snow, as storage for lawn implements, and maybe for the occasional oil change or other maintenance task. In garages around the world, some pretty amazing things might be happening at this very moment. After all, the garage is where it all began for a handful of major companies.

Hewlett Packard

For example, did you know that HP was started in a garage? William Hewlett and David Packard became friends in 1934 during a two-week camping trip following graduation from Stanford University. They rented a garage in Palo Alto and got to work with a mere $538 and a used drill press. Their first product was an audio oscillator used to test sound equipment, with paint baked on the panels in the oven in the kitchen. The HP Model 200A put them on the map, and the rest is history.


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3D Printing Your Holiday Presents

Does shopping over the winter holidays leave you feeling cold? Are you the type of person that would rather have your teeth pulled than stand in line at the mall for another present your child simply has to have? Do you wait until the last minute to shop every year, then wonder why all the good stuff is gone?

This holiday, maybe it’s time to think about 3D printing! You might be surprised at what other people can make with just a few clicks.

Satisfy the Fashionista

Maybe your partner prefers sensible gifts over knickknacks. Or perhaps others are asking for specific types of clothing. For your favorite fashion lover, designers are dreaming up hats, dresses and even bikinis to wear!


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The Unfashionably Late Dell Venue 8 7000

The world’s thinnest tablet might be taking many folks back to their childhood, though not necessarily in such a good way. Remember when you were a kid and you wanted something so badly you could almost taste it? Maybe you counted down the days to a holiday or your birthday, thinking the big day might never come? Grownups told you to stop asking, already, it’ll be here before you know it.

The new Dell Venue 8 7000 Series is having a similar effect. Introduced on September 9th by none other than Michael Dell himself at IDF 2014, it seems it might never make it to anybody’s hot little hands. Originally set to ship in November, the month has come and gone and it seems this little tablet might also remain a mere wish through the rest of the winter holidays.


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