Imagine being able to unlock your phone with your face. The idea of it may sound a bit wary, but Apple is working to make this possible in the future. Apple has recently filed a patent that would not only allow users to unlock their iPhones, but also iPads by facial recognition. The patent application was discovered by Apple Insider. The new technological idea would work by simply scanning a user’s forward gaze into the camera unlocking the phone and certain applications. The idea behind this creation is not the first of its kind as Androids’ Galaxy Nexus had tried facial recognition but fell short of being successful. It is said that if the application does not take hold, users can enter a security code. This application, if implemented, would drastically transform how users interact with their devices. I believe this would soon lead to greater technological advances. However, to many consumers, the idea of being able to unlock your technological device by your face introduces many reliability and privacy concerns.
With the unveiling of the newest Nook product, Barnes and Noble states they are targeting a specific demographic; those who stay up reading while their significant other sleeps. Providing a solution to the problem of disturbing a significant other was, as reported by Barnes and Noble representatives, the number one request from customers. The solution? Outfitting the Nook with a night light or, more specifically, an LED GlowLight. The light is adjustable and is meant to mimic the light of a bedside lamp, as opposed to the kind of light emitted by a computer screen.
The new Nook is slightly lighter than its previous counterpart and when the light is kept on, it's battery life still lasts for a month. A night light component appears to becoming a primary staple of the e-reader market, with Amazon announcing that their Kindle line will also incorporate such a feature later this year.
The newest adjustment is yet another obvious advancement on e-reader technology. For continued success, companies must make their devices not only mimic all of the qualities people enjoy about reading, but also remove any qualities that have proven burdensome over time. With technology the way it is today, I have no doubt that this is merely another in a long line of advancements for the e-reader market.
No doubt, technology has come a long way in helping students study for their classes at school. Intel Corporation released its latest device that has more advanced than the typical classroom computers called Intel Studybook. Specifically, the Intel Studybook has an Intel Learining Series Software that includes interactive e-reader and LabCam applications. In the past, mobile phones were not up to the standard mobile phones are today such as the Intel Studybook tablet with applications that can help students learn in a more interactive manners. Teachers would often instruct students on particular concepts and they would write in their notebooks. Now, mobile phones such as the Intel Studybook gives students that interactive option to learn fundamentals such as English from a app that can be easily downloaded on a tablet.
Not to mention, mobile media industries like Intel Corporation have made a huge stride in technological innovations. In the past, a small phone like the Verizon Wireless Samsung Galaxy II when it is dropped on the floor would break instantly due to its lack of durability. Currently, mobile technology such as the Intel Studybook is more durable than phones of the distant past. With its water proof design and stronger plastic, the Intel Study book can withstand impact onto concrete 70 centimeters from a small desk. Compared to phones that broke easily when you dropped them on the ground, tablets like the Intel Studybook are lasting longer because stronger plasticity and better resistance are made. Unlike the mobile phones or tablets from the past, this study tablet has Windows 7, microphone, rear-facing cameras, LCD touch screen, and other features that make users want to take it to the next level by using this tablet.
Of course, the Intel Studybook breaks barriers of conventional teaching in class by offering a more exhilarating way of teaching. With this new tablet, teachers can use the simple tools in the tablet to such as Teacher PC criteria to help them teach students fundamentals. Definitely, the Intel Studybook is a great achievement in reaching the next step in helping students learn by entering the future but like many great inventions there are more problems than benefits. Even though the tablet enables students to excel in school subjects such as English, students do not seemed to be adroit in language or math test scores because they are missing direct interaction with the teacher. By solely relying on the tablet to instruct students, students are not receiving enough attention from their teachers to learn the subjects.
By: Lincoln Kang
The Apple e-book antitrust lawsuit: What it means By Jerry Hirsch Original Article
On Wednesday, April 11, the Department of Justice announced that it was suing five publishers and Apple on price-fixing charges. Apple, Hachette, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, Macmillan, and Penguin Publishing Co. are accused of coming together in secret to raise prices of electronic books. Their agreement prevented other companies such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble from selling e-books for less Apple’s e-book prices.
I am ambivalent about this DOJ decision. On one hand, I’ve grown up to believe that competition in the market place is a good thing. It creates and supports a thriving economy. As long as publishers get a certain percentage of the e-book sale revenues, they should allow all e-reader makers to sell their book with whatever price they want
On the other hand, cheap ($9.99) prices from Amazon might put a lot of publishers and bookstores out of business. I do not own an e-reader and I really don’t intend on getting one in the near future. I like reading books from actually books. If Amazon’s low e-book prices really does make a huge impact on publishers, books sales will decrease and so will book stores.
Posted By: Muriel Magadia
Lost or Stolen Phone? Wireless Competitors and the Government Help
What is worse than having your personal computer stolen? Probably nothing... But I think we can all agree that having your mobile phone stolen definitely takes 2nd place. If you are like me, you may have been a victim of cell phone theft- perhaps more than one time. Nowadays, our mobile phones are so much more than just a device for communication. A smartphone holds everything from our memories from vacation, the score of the game, a 2 o clock business meeting reminder, a happy hour destination suggestion, and a reminder that it’s Mom’s birthday, all the way to our bank account balance and personal conversations. Cell phone theft is certainly not the most vicious of crimes, but it is among the few that victims take very personally. If you know the heart-dropping feeling when you reach into your pocket to find your cell phone missing, you are not alone. According to an article in Mashable, the number of cell phone robberies is up 57%. Thieves have not only robbed away personal information and invaded your privacy, but often they are profiting on your assets. Commonly, cell phones will be stolen, wiped of memory and sold on websites, like craigslist, for hundred of dollars. In the past decade we have seen this type of theft trending tremendously, and it’s time to put an end to it.
The government and wireless competitors are joining forces to ultimately make a stolen phone as useless as an empty wallet. A central database of reported stolen cell phones will virtually make the stolen or lost cell phone device worthless, and moreover it’s internal data inaccessible. The idea behind this plan is to completely remove any incentive a thief might have to steal a cell phone. Much like the “find my iphone” app, technology will allow service providers and cell phone users to remotely track, lock, or delete the contents of a stolen or lost device. Although all the details are not worked out, the FCC has invited service providers around the globe to join the movement.
Bringing Up an E-Readerby Thomas J. FitzgeraldOriginal Article Our lecture this week reminded me of an interesting fact, that books are the original form of mobile media. E-readers are the most recent development in the book industry and are gaining popularity, amongst even then youngest of audiences. A recent research project conducted by the Center for Literacy at the University of Akron is attempting to analyze whether parents should embrace e-books as a tool for younger children learning to read, or if e-reader screen time should be limited as it is with television and traditional computers. It is being argued that reading from a tablet or e-reader takes away from the actual stories being told by distracting children with games and other bells and whistles. On the other hand, parents and teachers argue that any outlet that gives children an incentive to read is beneficial, regardless of how the stories are being told. The issue with e-readers and younger children learning to read is without focus on the story, crucial literary skills may fail to develop. Additionally, the interaction between parent and child, or teacher and student are becoming lost with children interacting with technology instead. These human interactions personally engaging children in stories in order to teach them how to read are vital to normal development and if parents and teachers continue withdrawing from this responsibility and allow e-readers to teach their children there may be some harsh effects.
I do not disagree that reading should be a fun activity, especially for children who are learning a new skill; however, I feel that e-readers and tablets do provide too many distractions and game like aspects that deter from their real goal. Children have short attention spans, would they rather sit and try to read something or play a fun game? I think the answer to that question is obvious, especially for children who do not excel with reading immediately. Interactions with advanced media technologies should be reserved to people who are at least somewhat educated on media effects. While these second grade children may be under supervision from a teacher or parent, these figures are not actively involved in their learning, but just passive bystanders. I believe when it comes to future generations, especially in young children, there needs to be active involvement from teachers and parents not just a reliance on technology. Posted by: Veronica Elliott
Unlock Your iPhone, With Your Face
By: Melissa DanielsArticle
Imagine being able to unlock your phone with your face. The idea of it may sound a bit wary, but Apple is working to make this possible in the future. Apple has recently filed a patent that would not only allow users to unlock their iPhones, but also iPads by facial recognition. The patent application was discovered by Apple Insider. The new technological idea would work by simply scanning a user’s forward gaze into the camera unlocking the phone and certain applications. The idea behind this creation is not the first of its kind as Androids’ Galaxy Nexus had tried facial recognition but fell short of being successful. It is said that if the application does not take hold, users can enter a security code. This application, if implemented, would drastically transform how users interact with their devices. I believe this would soon lead to greater technological advances. However, to many consumers, the idea of being able to unlock your technological device by your face introduces many reliability and privacy concerns.
Posted By: Kristin Grant
Barnes and Noble Unveils Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight
By Laura Hazard Owen
With the unveiling of the newest Nook product, Barnes and Noble states they are targeting a specific demographic; those who stay up reading while their significant other sleeps. Providing a solution to the problem of disturbing a significant other was, as reported by Barnes and Noble representatives, the number one request from customers. The solution? Outfitting the Nook with a night light or, more specifically, an LED GlowLight. The light is adjustable and is meant to mimic the light of a bedside lamp, as opposed to the kind of light emitted by a computer screen.
The new Nook is slightly lighter than its previous counterpart and when the light is kept on, it's battery life still lasts for a month. A night light component appears to becoming a primary staple of the e-reader market, with Amazon announcing that their Kindle line will also incorporate such a feature later this year.
The newest adjustment is yet another obvious advancement on e-reader technology. For continued success, companies must make their devices not only mimic all of the qualities people enjoy about reading, but also remove any qualities that have proven burdensome over time. With technology the way it is today, I have no doubt that this is merely another in a long line of advancements for the e-reader market.
Posted by Brittany McShea
Intel Releases Rugged Education Tablet for the Developing World
No doubt, technology has come a long way in helping students study for their classes at school. Intel Corporation released its latest device that has more advanced than the typical classroom computers called Intel Studybook. Specifically, the Intel Studybook has an Intel Learining Series Software that includes interactive e-reader and LabCam applications. In the past, mobile phones were not up to the standard mobile phones are today such as the Intel Studybook tablet with applications that can help students learn in a more interactive manners. Teachers would often instruct students on particular concepts and they would write in their notebooks. Now, mobile phones such as the Intel Studybook gives students that interactive option to learn fundamentals such as English from a app that can be easily downloaded on a tablet.
Not to mention, mobile media industries like Intel Corporation have made a huge stride in technological innovations. In the past, a small phone like the Verizon Wireless Samsung Galaxy II when it is dropped on the floor would break instantly due to its lack of durability. Currently, mobile technology such as the Intel Studybook is more durable than phones of the distant past. With its water proof design and stronger plastic, the Intel Study book can withstand impact onto concrete 70 centimeters from a small desk. Compared to phones that broke easily when you dropped them on the ground, tablets like the Intel Studybook are lasting longer because stronger plasticity and better resistance are made. Unlike the mobile phones or tablets from the past, this study tablet has Windows 7, microphone, rear-facing cameras, LCD touch screen, and other features that make users want to take it to the next level by using this tablet.
Of course, the Intel Studybook breaks barriers of conventional teaching in class by offering a more exhilarating way of teaching. With this new tablet, teachers can use the simple tools in the tablet to such as Teacher PC criteria to help them teach students fundamentals. Definitely, the Intel Studybook is a great achievement in reaching the next step in helping students learn by entering the future but like many great inventions there are more problems than benefits. Even though the tablet enables students to excel in school subjects such as English, students do not seemed to be adroit in language or math test scores because they are missing direct interaction with the teacher. By solely relying on the tablet to instruct students, students are not receiving enough attention from their teachers to learn the subjects.
By: Lincoln Kang
The Apple e-book antitrust lawsuit: What it means
By Jerry Hirsch
Original Article
I am ambivalent about this DOJ decision. On one hand, I’ve grown up to believe that competition in the market place is a good thing. It creates and supports a thriving economy. As long as publishers get a certain percentage of the e-book sale revenues, they should allow all e-reader makers to sell their book with whatever price they want
On the other hand, cheap ($9.99) prices from Amazon might put a lot of publishers and bookstores out of business. I do not own an e-reader and I really don’t intend on getting one in the near future. I like reading books from actually books. If Amazon’s low e-book prices really does make a huge impact on publishers, books sales will decrease and so will book stores.
Posted By: Muriel Magadia
Lost or Stolen Phone? Wireless Competitors and the Government Help
Original Article
What is worse than having your personal computer stolen? Probably nothing... But I think we can all agree that having your mobile phone stolen definitely takes 2nd place. If you are like me, you may have been a victim of cell phone theft- perhaps more than one time. Nowadays, our mobile phones are so much more than just a device for communication. A smartphone holds everything from our memories from vacation, the score of the game, a 2 o clock business meeting reminder, a happy hour destination suggestion, and a reminder that it’s Mom’s birthday, all the way to our bank account balance and personal conversations. Cell phone theft is certainly not the most vicious of crimes, but it is among the few that victims take very personally. If you know the heart-dropping feeling when you reach into your pocket to find your cell phone missing, you are not alone. According to an article in Mashable, the number of cell phone robberies is up 57%. Thieves have not only robbed away personal information and invaded your privacy, but often they are profiting on your assets. Commonly, cell phones will be stolen, wiped of memory and sold on websites, like craigslist, for hundred of dollars. In the past decade we have seen this type of theft trending tremendously, and it’s time to put an end to it.
The government and wireless competitors are joining forces to ultimately make a stolen phone as useless as an empty wallet. A central database of reported stolen cell phones will virtually make the stolen or lost cell phone device worthless, and moreover it’s internal data inaccessible. The idea behind this plan is to completely remove any incentive a thief might have to steal a cell phone. Much like the “find my iphone” app, technology will allow service providers and cell phone users to remotely track, lock, or delete the contents of a stolen or lost device. Although all the details are not worked out, the FCC has invited service providers around the globe to join the movement.
For more information from the FCC on how to protect the data on your phone visit http://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-consumer-facts-stolen-and-lost-wireless-devices
By: Julie Bell
Bringing Up an E-Readerby Thomas J. FitzgeraldOriginal Article
Our lecture this week reminded me of an interesting fact, that books are the original form of mobile media. E-readers are the most recent development in the book industry and are gaining popularity, amongst even then youngest of audiences. A recent research project conducted by the Center for Literacy at the University of Akron is attempting to analyze whether parents should embrace e-books as a tool for younger children learning to read, or if e-reader screen time should be limited as it is with television and traditional computers. It is being argued that reading from a tablet or e-reader takes away from the actual stories being told by distracting children with games and other bells and whistles. On the other hand, parents and teachers argue that any outlet that gives children an incentive to read is beneficial, regardless of how the stories are being told. The issue with e-readers and younger children learning to read is without focus on the story, crucial literary skills may fail to develop. Additionally, the interaction between parent and child, or teacher and student are becoming lost with children interacting with technology instead. These human interactions personally engaging children in stories in order to teach them how to read are vital to normal development and if parents and teachers continue withdrawing from this responsibility and allow e-readers to teach their children there may be some harsh effects.
I do not disagree that reading should be a fun activity, especially for children who are learning a new skill; however, I feel that e-readers and tablets do provide too many distractions and game like aspects that deter from their real goal. Children have short attention spans, would they rather sit and try to read something or play a fun game? I think the answer to that question is obvious, especially for children who do not excel with reading immediately. Interactions with advanced media technologies should be reserved to people who are at least somewhat educated on media effects. While these second grade children may be under supervision from a teacher or parent, these figures are not actively involved in their learning, but just passive bystanders. I believe when it comes to future generations, especially in young children, there needs to be active involvement from teachers and parents not just a reliance on technology.
Posted by: Veronica Elliott