Final Post

In starting this blog I thought that I would cover the progression of technologies over time.  I thought that it would be interesting to see the changes that occur over time.  I looked at the progression of writing to texting to voice activated typing.  Then I looked at changes in housing developments.  As I began to examine these trends over time I realized that the changes were always to make things more efficient and easier for the consumer. 

My blog then began to examine things like Facebook's acquisition of Instagram.  In looking at this I began to think about technology giants such as Facebook and Google who simply purchase smaller independent firms that pose any threat.  In examining that I thought about how we really have limited choices in terms of what social websites we use if we want to be connected with all of our friends.  I began to think that everything is just becoming more the same and that that is something that we are ok with. 

Then I began to think about the modern consumer, who we are and what we want.  I think that in general we are very willing to give up privacy and choice in order for convenience and ease.  I think that in general we are all looking for less responsibility and less work.  We don't want to take our lives in our own hands anymore but want technology to do the job for us.  I think that we also idolize the invention of things like flying cars that only benefit 1% of the population over something like advances in medicine which could help all of us.

In listening to others' presentations and discussing topics in class, I think that we use technology as an out of undesirable tasks.  Children don't want to learn in a traditional way, well neither did we.  School and work aren't like games and they aren't always fun.  I would argue that using video games to draw people into the army is wrong.  I would say that we shouldn't make everything to meet our shorter and shorter attention spans, but try to fight them.

So in conclusion what I learned from creating this blog is that I am more interested in the way people interact with new technologies rather than the technologies themselves.  I think that it is important to think of the repercussions in creating new technologies and not let them govern aspects of our lives.      

In Related News

I'm sure everyone knows that Facebook bought Instagram for $1 billion.  This merger/acquisition upset many users who saw Instagram as an alternative to Facebook.  Some even Tweeted about deleting their accounts.  Because Facebook and Google are such powerhouses, any start up that gains momentum is sure to be bought out.  This makes it harder and harder for anyone who wanted to quit or boycott Facebook to leave without being completely cut off.

The question that then I have to ask is if so many people dislike Facebook why is it still so popular?  When Facebook goes public, its profitability is completely reliant on the whims of the users.  When the announcement was first made I found this article which weighs in on the issue.

http://articles.marketwatch.com/2012-02-01/commentary/31029215_1_facebook-news-feed-facebook-ipo-special-facebook  

Do you actually enjoy Facebook or has it just become so routine it seems to weird to leave?

Mac's Thought They were Safe

A Flashback Trojan hit 550,000 Macs 56% of which were located in the U.S.  This is one of the first widespread viruses that has become targeted toward Macs.  As Apple's popularity has grown, so has the risk of using a Mac without virus protection software.   The article below explains the virus.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2402641,00.asp

This next article shows you how to check and see if your computer is infected although Apple has not fixed the bug with an update.  But just in case you were curious:

http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/06/tech/web/mac-flashback-trojan-check/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

I tried to encourage some of my friends to check their computers but because my email read like spam, they suspected that it in fact was a virus and called me before opening it. 

My message subject read: Check if your mac has a virus

The body read: You can see if you have a virus.  It's super easy.  You probably don't.  I didn't but just in case!

Yes, I completely understand why they were concerned.  We are so vulnerable in the world we live in that we have to think before we click.  Always.  Then you have to wonder how we will continue to protect our privacy as the trend continues toward mobile applications and use.

   

Live in Ikea

Remember when houses were built on strong foundation and including architectural elements of the time period in which they were constructed.  As the demand for homes grow cookie cutter neighborhoods sprung up all over the U.S.  Now you don't even need to buy a home from a real estate agent.  You can purchase it from Ikea and build it yourself (appliances included). 

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-57389515-1/ikea-designs-$86500-prefab-house-instructions-included/?tag=mncol;editorPicks

Continued

Intel has been working on something similar to this also. 

Then the question becomes, "Would gesture technology really improve your life or do we just always need something bigger and better to be wowed by?"

The Future will be like Harry Potter and Minority Report Combined

The rate at which new technologies are being created and revolutionized is astonishing.  We used to have to give computers commands through code and MS DOS was cutting edge.  Personal computers took over and we have been able to do and create more than anyone could think was possible.  But there is always more to be created and it is getting pretty crazy.

Microsoft had a keynote address in Barcelona which unveiled a lot of new projects that they are working on.  The one that this post is centered around can be seen below.

How do you communicate?

Remember pay phones and landlines?  Weird.  Waiting until you thought someone was home before trying to call or timing it intentionally so you got the machine.  Now when you don't really want to talk to someone right now you text or write on their wall.  There really isn't any need for landlines since cell phones have become so commonplace.  There are inexpensive alternatives so that they are affordable for almost everyone.  The question is do you know how dependent you are on your phone.  Thank god for alternatives such as the ability to make calls through Google for free for when your phone is dead and you lost your charger.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/167424/google_voice_5_reasons_to_use_it_5_reasons_to_think_twice.html

Today there are so many smart phones battles.  The only real one is iPhone vs. Android but Blackberry likes to think they are still in the game.  They recently released a video with djs to promote their phone.  Looks like they conceded the business community.