iPad 3: The Tech Fire Perspective
Both the first and second generations iPads proved to the tech world that Apple still knows what we want, even before we knew we wanted it. At first it was subject to extreme criticism, initially the biggest being the name itself. However, there’s no question that in the two years this amazing product has been out for, it’s absolutely changed the way we interact with, consume, and even create all types of media.
Despite it having almost identical features to the iPhone and iPod touch, the iPad proved that simply having the same user experience and touch interface on a bigger screen truly did make all the difference in the world. More room to touch, more room to interact, more room to play, type, etc..the list is endless. Bigger is certainly better here.
Playstation Vita Sales Not Strong in Japan
I’ve been a fan of portable gaming ever since my first gameboy color, we had some good times together. I have owned several handheld multimedia devices, from Nokia’s first attempt at such a device, the NGAGE, which most people had more fun pretending to be an electronic taco than a cell phone/gaming device, to Sony’s first PSP, which I received as a Bar Mitzvah gift. I don’t think it’s terribly difficult to determine the victor of the two devices.
The original PSP was (and frankly remains to be) a fantastic device. It might not have had the highest specs, the most internal RAM or fastest CPU speed (although these could be tweaked via firmware hacks), but it was excellent at a few things: delivering almost every type of content and content format in a way that was easily experienced by the user, and in the palm of their hand with fantastic battery life. For its time, it played games better than any other handheld devices you could buy, and for a price that was just right for many people; your wallet might yell at you, but it would thank you later.
Google Reportedly Working On Android-Based Wearable Technology
Have you ever looked at a product, be it online or at the store, and wanted to know if it was available for less, or perhaps wanted to know about similar products? All of this may be a reality in the future, as tech and web giant Google is working on a pair of Android-based thick-rimmed glasses, similar to those worn by many celebrities.
The concept of these new optics entails not glass, but LED or AMOLED displays integrated into the frames, and would be able to communicate directly with the cloud via IP. They are also not directly tied to Android, which means that if you are an iPhone, Windows Phone 7, or Blackberry user, you’d still be able to take advantage of this radically game-changing technology.
Users would interact with the glasses via buttons on the arms of the frame. If the glasses are wirelessly paired with a smartphone, they will connect to the Internet via the phone’s data service/Wi-fi. And since they’re a Google product at their core, you’d be accessing their search engine, the most powerful in the world.
Oh, My! What Nice Features You Have…
Almost everybody has a smart phone by now. Whether it be 3G, 4G, iPhone, Android, AutoBot; they are all amazing machines. And the reasons why people have them are abundant: Internet surfing capabilities, pristine picture and video resolution, and style points for being an up-to-date technology consumer.
With Christmas coming up, many smart phones will likely be found laying in unopened boxes wrapped in colorful paper.
However, there are still people who are afraid. The cost, and the required purchase of a data plan along with a smart phone just scares them. They still have a regular phone, able to call and text, but with none of the prestige. But they still have hope.
There is an alternative option for people who want a smart phone, but don’t want to mess with the extra monthly data charges. Look no further than the new iPod Touch.
Microsoft Updates Xbox 360 With New “Metro” Interface
Change has come to the the Xbox 360! That is…in the form of a UI update. The interface that most gamers had been using was known as the NXE or New Xbox Experience. Well, out with the old, and in with the even-newer!
For the uninitiated, this new experience is known as Metro, and has been built around the Kinect, Microsoft’s revolutionary motion-controller, capable of extremely high-accuracy motion detection from the user. The new menu system has undoubtedly been re-designed to fit the likes of the non-gamer, further proving that Microsoft aims to bring its console, as well as ease-of-use, to more than just gamers. The new design takes on a modern, indeed very “Metro” look; simplicity+power at its core.
Navigation is now literally as simple as waving your hand naturally in front of your screen, in order to take you wherever you want to go. The same goes for voice-activated search; say “Bing” or “Xbox”, followed by what you’re looking for…and whoosh, you’re there! Xbox information and other media news is displayed first thing as you boot up your system, as well as music, social applications, and even Bing search, from Microsoft.
Surf’s Up
No more carrying around a book bag laden with notebooks for every class, the new Boogie Board is here. The Boogie Board Rip is an LCD Writing Tablet with a paper like writing surface that allows the user to write down notes, images, reminders, etc., via a Stylus writing pen. According to their website, the Improv Electronics eWriter has the ability to save written work as files and then later transfer them to a computer. Weighing in at 11.5 ounces – almost half the weight of the iPad – with a 9.5-inch LCD screen, the tablet has a numerous amount of accessories for customization and a smaller 8.5-inch version that clips easily into a binder.
