Microsoft Surface

This week I began looking for new technology to blog about since nothing really sparked my interest in class. I started my search by going to Youtube and typing in "new technology". The first thing that came up was Microsoft's new "Surface". Surface is a new technological table that works as a giant touchscreen computer. The sheer sight of this thing is amazing to me but when you see it's capabilites it is mindblowing. With Surface, users and shop for products online and with a simple selection of the product and laying down your credit card on the table, the product is purchased. Surface actually takes a picture of your credit card with cameras that are placed underneath. Also, data and other files can be transfered wirelessly by sitting your device on the table. This technology is aboslutely amazing and we should be seeing Surface poping up in bars, nightclubs, malls, and casinos very soon. Home use will soon follow. Since Blogger won't let me post Youtube video's, check this link out if you get the time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtKQNwqNLLk

Technology in the Airport

For fall break I went on a vacation out to California to visit some friends. It has been since 2007 since I was last at the airport and I began noticing a few changes in terms of technology at the airport. First of all the Indianapolis airport, where I generally fly out of, was a completely new structure that amazed me right off the bat. Once past security, I began to notice signs that read "Wi-Fi Hot Spots" and I eventually pulled out my iTouch to see how effective this Wi-Fi was. Once connected, I found out that you had to pay for these hot spots which is very frustrating. Luckily I have a cell phone service with internet so it wasn't hard to get around. As if this isn't enough. Once we boarded the plane, they now offered Wi-Fi on the plane! Of course it was at an unreasonable price but this new technology amazed me. It is truly astonishing to me how far our society has come within the last few years and also excites me of what's to come.

This week in class we were introduced to a gentleman who was a graduate student who worked with the library. He was our guest lecture and did a nice job explaning to us the ideas behind geocaching. I found it very interesting that people actually participate in this activity. I also though that it would be pretty fun to interact in this activity myself. Luckily we will be doing a little bit of geocaching ourselves this week in our lab. I feel like this will be alot of fun and I am really looking forward to it.