Your new iPhone 3GS as a Credit Card?

Well, that time is getting closer and closer. With the continuing evolution of the iPhone, Blackberry and other smart phones coupled with advancements in commerce technology the day where you leave your house with only your car keys and your phone - and no wallet - are just around the corner.

Whether it's your cell number, text messages or custom platform formats, there are a multitude of ways for consumers to start transacting through their mobile phones. At this point it's all about who gets enough VC money and pilot concept out there to validate the concept and start bringing it to scale. If large companies can band together (which is unlikely) to bring some scale a solution could be here before you can say "charge it to my iPhone".

Check out this article in the New York Times to learn more!!!
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/22/technology/22pay.html

Is Dell Skating on "Thin" Ice?

The skinny on the skinny.

It's sleek, sexy, thin...just like the MacBook Air, "with its guts wedged into a single piece of aluminum." It's called the Adamo and it's a whole pound heavier than the Air. It's also slower and more expensive.

To be frank, I'm not so sure about this. According to the article, the MacBook Air wasn't as well received as anticipated. So, what can Dell do that Apple can't? Here's some "insight":

”While a premium computing experience was assumed for Adamo, the intent was for people to see, touch and explore Adamo and be rewarded by the select materials and craftsmanship you would expect in a fine watch.”

A fine watch? Seems like a weak comparison to me that only focuses on the clean, sleek design. I guess "time will tell" whether or not this is an invention gone wrong.

Intel: Programmable Matter is in the future.

I know this blog isn't necessarily "popular mechanics", but this technology really just makes me realize what dramatic changes that we and especially our kids will see in the future. Here is a technology that is 20-40 years in the future, but the ground is being broken today by Intel and others.

It's really interesting to imagine how something like programmable matter could affect the products we buy, how we sell, how we demonstrate usage, how a single product might be customizable to fit your needs in a way few of us could imaine. There are several articles out there on this subject. it's nice to dream.

Areaware high end design

Areaware had a small booth with some amazingly designed products.  There is a large influence of green, environmentally friendly products scattered throughout the show.  We see a touch of that here with this very old fashioned, yet very contemporary bicycle. You can't help but notice it's unique lines, antique style seat, handle bars, tires pedals, yet it's got front and back solar powered lights built into it's aluminum body.

check out more at Areaware.com

Audio Bones: Lame or Worthwhile?

Apparently, some of us have "deformed" ears. In other words, we complain about the iPod ear buds' failure to properly fit into our cartilage. Well, lookey here.

So, it's sound that's actually conducted through the bones of your ears, leaving the eardrum open to hear all the background noise. Clever, but kind of pointless at the same time...

Diapers & Laptops & iPhones...Oh My!

It's no question that as technology skyrockets, so does its use among young people. How young is too young? Some parents these days are clueless as to when and how to provide their children with technology.

Take a read. It's a really interesting analysis (broken down by child age groups) on an issue with no clear-cut answer.

Domo Arigato, Rocky Roboto!

Meet Rocky, the doppelganger "robo-squirrel" residing on the lush, green campus of Hampshire College. Rocky's mission: to help observe animal (group interaction, individual behavior and patterns) behavior in a more "natural" fashion, as opposed to laboratory testing. The technology inside Rocky, who's a few years old, is constantly being updated.

Rocky's anatomy: a basic computer and speakers that mimic various squirrel calls. And yes, he can even discreetly connect to laptops!

"One recent afternoon...[they] brought Rocky out for field testing and placed him near real squirrels. Mounted on a board, he was shielded by a camouflage hood and a long cord connected him to the researchers' laptop.

After the computer's program flipped the hood open, Rocky went into a sequence of tail-flagging, barking and other motions squirrels recognize as warnings of danger.

The most successful experiments are when the real squirrels respond by 'flagging' their own tail, halting their foraging to check for danger, scamper up a tree or take other actions that show they picked up on the signals..."

Of course, optimal results can only be achieved if the actual species being tested is reasonably capable and intelligent. (Also, the smaller the easier when it comes to mimicking body language and signals.) Among other animals/reptiles/critters tested are lizards, wild parrots, sage grouses and even sea slugs!

Thoughts? Could this potentially be pulled off with some small dog breeds? And please, let's not call the robo-Chihuahua "Tinkerbelle."

Noise to the Ears: When Enough is Enough

Several posts ago, we were on the topic of ...noise. While London's use of LED decibel meters for up-to-the-minute noise monitoring may be brilliant, the Mosquito by Santel is a stretch. And now, it's causing uproar. (As a side note, it was sold under the North American company name "Kids Be Gone".)

Essentially, it's a device to ward off teens and those in their early 20's from places they shouldn't be loitering. How? By giving off high-pitched (that's an understatement), ear-damaging (another understatement) frequency waves similar to, "fingernails dragged across a chalkboard or a pesky mosquito buzzing in your ear." Come on, now. No one can argue that ear drums should not be tampered with to this extent. Not only that, but it's just a poor way of dealing with annoying teens.

While some areas admit that the Mosquito does its job in irritating teens to the point of shoo-ing them away, other cities have banned it or are in the process. As predicted, it's becoming a huge invasion of private property, echoing its way into sidewalks and apartment complexes.

And I couldn't agree more....

"There is a significant problem with giving people a tool like this and empowering the public to take over the tasks of law enforcement...It can certainly be used in a way that's inappropriate, and without a doubt, it will be."

South Korea's iPhone "Contender"...or is It?

Presenting my technological finding from last week's trip to Seoul, SK!

The 3-inch touchscreen LG LH2300 launched late March, and became readily available in the Korean market early this month. If it makes its way stateside, will it outperform the capabilities of our beloved iPhone?

As the article states, some of its primary features are:

-800×480 pixel widescreen resolution

-direct access to main internet portals

-3MP camera (auto-focus, face recognition, anti-shake)

-digital T.V.

-bluetooth 2.0 connectivity

It's still a bit early on to determine whether this breakthrough will triumph over Apple's brainchild, but let's be on the lookout for user reviews in the months to come and keep it on the brain.

Pilot launched today: Meet Deepak Ananthapadmanabha from MOJO HD.

Mojo HD launched a new pilot online today called The Circuit. In short, I laughed out loud a few times which in todays online competitive front, is definitely a good thing.

So, it's tech news (which i find interesting) in a humorous wrapper. It's sort of like the Daily Show meets Talk Soup which isn't a problem at all for me, I mean there is plenty of room in my life for people who make me laugh!

Here is a place where I can be exposed to tech news in a creative form, while getting a laungh. I'll all over it. Meet Deepak Ananthapadmanabha

Emergency Alert Texts: FCC Approved

Mobile owners will soon receive emergency alert text messages under the following circumstances:

1. A disaster that could jeopardize the health and safety of Americans, such as a terrorist attack; these would trigger a national alert from the president of the United States
2. Imminent or ongoing threats such as hurricanes, tornadoes or earthquakes
3. Child abductions or Amber alerts.

If you have T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint Nextel, or AT&T you'll be able to participate. This feature is particularly useful for frequent travelers who don't always have a laptop or television handy, or a radio turned on. What's even more beneficial: this feature will cater to those with disabilities; carriers will be required to use vibration or other distinct sounds to ensure everyone receives alerts.

Thoughts?

American Airlines to offer in flight broadband this year

Online broadband is coming sooner than you think, so now you can play multi-payer games while in flight to your hearts content. 

With the news out today that you can't hide from your email any more, are you happy? sad? discuss.

The Wall Goes Interactive

Until now, loved ones of Vietnam War victims had to travel all the way to D.C. to pay their respects. Last week, a digitized version of the Wall was launched.

The article sums up its features:

"The Web site, unveiled last week, links names to casualty reports, historical documents and digital photographs, and allows users to leave online tributes to those who died."

I think it could come in handy for web-savvy kids and teens conducting their next research project. It also establishes community and "in loving memory" on a whole new level. But, I can see folks (those who are more personally touched by the events) arguing as to whether it's really necessary. So, is it helping to further preserve history? Thoughts?

Apple: so hot right now

What's the best brand to accompany to a dinner party? With whom to get into an argument? Not sure? Looks like you might have to dig deep and appreciate the emotional value of brands in everyday life.

Interbrand's Brandjunkie survey advocated just that earlier this year. They delved into the emotional impact brands have had on consumers with up-close-and-personal questions. The end result? Apple, for the win! (One participant made an interesting point about Microsoft; for a company so fast and multi-faceted, there has been "very little innovation".) Concur?

Read the full article.

The next generation of web technology is likely to be far more powerful than the current crop

Here's a great article on what we can expect online in the future, a whole new way that data is used : check it out here

QR Codes Go Global

Here is a great article over at CScout on QR codes. It's pretty much everything you need to know (for now). QR codes are a really exciting marketing opportunity for interactive, retail and marketers in general. We're probably just ahead of the curve as far as implementing a true QR campaign, but hey -- it's good to dream and prepare, the day will be here very soon. QR Codes go global.

Gaming and real life.

Check out how super cool technologies end up in video games. Also, find out where else the technologies are being used. In the end, a lot of the technologies we see in video games have lives outside the gamers realm.

See the images and read the article here