Final Post

This will be my final (for now) blog post.  My senior year and career at Miami are wrapping up and there is so much I have learned.  IMS201 is a great example of learning things outside of your comfort zone and really embracin them.  This blog bears witness to my exploration of a lot of things technology related.

The thing that I am most proud of academic wise this semester is the website that I coded in HTML 5 by myself.  Click here to visit it.  This talent is one that I will take with me forever and hopefully be able to utilize at another time.  It made me feel empowered because most of the things you need to use or learn can be found online. It is a lot of trial and error seeing what looks good, and what makes certain things react in other ways.

It has been a great semester, a great year, and a great 4 years at Miami. And to think in such a place, we lived such a life.

New Mac Virus

In September of 2011, a new virus was discovered that is able to infect Mac computers.  Since its initial discovery, the virus has mutated several times and can now infect your computer even if you do not enter a password.  It operates by taking the computer owner to a fake website where Java script is downloaded onto the now infected computer.  Microsoft was able to find fixes for this weakness in Java in February, but Apple has yet to release an update.  

This is scary because usually Apple products are much less likely to encounter a virus.  In my last month of school, a virus is the last thing I need to deal with.  This virus has already infected over 600,000 computers, and shows only one weakness.  It will disengage if you open Microsoft word or Skype to avoid being identified. To read more about the virus click here, and to find out if you are infected click here.

Google Glasses: Great or Terrifying?

Last week, Google released its top secret internet connected glasses that had been kept a secret for so long.  This technology, known as wearable computing, is a technology that more and more people are trying to harness.  These glasses, that would obviously connect to the internet, project images on the screen of the glasses.  These glasses are said to be controlled by voice commands, and can project directions or facts onto the users lense.  this device is said to look much sleeker then other prototypes.  Google also has an advantage by having some of the top innovators in the field working on this project.  They also have a leg up because they own Google Maps, and companies like Apple have nothing to compete with that.

I think that these glasses seem amazing, and so futuristic.  I cannot image how expensive these glasses will be, or when they will even come out, but I really believe that they will change the way people interact with technology. I think that it would be funny to watch people use these glasses, if it would be really obvious who was using the new technology.  To read more about the concept, click here.

I Blame The Coffee

I find this crazy: a new study says that people who are already overachievers are negatively affected by coffee.  I will stand by this claim, because there have been times that I drink coffee when I set out to do something and either get sidetracked or tired.  The claim, researched by the University of British Columbia, says that stimulants in coffee have adverse reactions in those who tend to work hard and be motivated.  

Maybe this means that I need to stop drinking coffee and have something instead? But Kind Cafe coffee is just too hard to resist.  To read more take a look at this article from Gizmodo.

Smart Phones Dominating US

It should be no surprise to anyone that the number of people in the United States using smart phones is ever increasing.  Over the past year, the number of people using a smart phone increased by 13.7% to reach 49.7%.  That means the smart phone group is very close to taking majority.  But anyone who is interacting with society on a regular basis will be surprised by this fact.  Nor is it surprising that iPhone and Android are the main competitors in the smart phone market.

Today, Android based smart phones account for 48% of all smart phones and Apples iOS accounts for 32%.  Combined that makes up 80% of the total market! That leaves little (and by little I mean no) room for competition.  The growth in these two groups has come at the HUGE expense of Blackberry who is struggling to stay afloat.  Microsoft’s operating system also brings in a small percentage.  As a huge fan of Apple, I can only say that the better Android gets the better iPhone products will get to compete, so I have no problem with a little competition.  Good luck Blackberry, and may your limited days be (somewhat) profitable. To read more about the smart phone war click here.

iPad 3 Retina Display

I was so excited to see the release of the new iPad 3rd generation.  I am graduating in May, and want to get an iPad in leu of a new laptop.  As I read through the new features, the improvement in the retina display was so exciting.  Just think of how good the screen will look when watching movies, viewing pictures, and surfing the web.  But experts say that web graphics may not be up to par.

This is partially a result of a needed update in bandwith and storage as well as programs to make more dynamic sites.  But since the iPad is so far above other tablets and computers, are web sites going to be willing to dish out the extra money just for tablet users? I hope so! I want to be abe to online shop with the best resolution possible.  To read more about the technical side, click here! 

F.A.A. Reviews Gadget Policy

This is a topic that is near and dear to my heart: acceptable gadgets during airtime.  I am from California and have spent the past four years making about 4 trips a year on planes.  When I was studying abroad, it was nearly a dozen times in four months.  Given all of this experience, I still have a huge fear of flying. And I definitely need distractions, so it is frustrating that I can’t use any electronic devices during take-off, because that is definitely my least favorite part.

Electronic devices have not been tested since 2006, way before most devices were even in existance.  I understand that this is a very costly venture, but would go so far in improving everyones flight experience.  I can see that the F.A.A. may be worried allowing e-readers and tablets may give people the idea to use phones, but let flight attendents enforce these rules.

It may take years before these restrictions are lifted, but I am hopeful the day will come! Check out the article here!