iPad

I've had a few discussions with friends about Apple's new "iPad". Jezebel makes period jokes about it, which are inevitable. I think it's kind of dumb because it's basically a Kindle except it does less and doesn't even work as a phone, making it less useful than the iPhone. It also reminded me of Bill Gates' toy from a couple years ago that was straight out of Minority Report.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

The credit card thing is really cool, as is the pictures/mailing thing, but I feel like a lot of this hands-on technology is harder to use nowadays because we're so accustomed to typing. Also take note of the hilarious music whoever produced this sequence chose.

Side note: apparently Mac isn't into the use of a stylus to click and prefers fingers, which seems dumb to me. What are your thoughts on all of this hyperreal technology?

Here's the Times article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/28/technology/companies/28apple.html?ref=technology

FishPhone

Speaking of phones, check out FishPhone.

In their words:

"FishPhone is Blue Ocean’s sustainable seafood text messaging service that instantly puts sustainable seafood information at your fingertips.

To find out about your seafood choice, text 30644 with the message FISH and the name of the fish in question. We’ll text you back with our assessment and better alternatives to fish with significant environmental concerns.

Since its debut on October 2, 2007, FishPhone has been featured nationwide in newspapers, on television (including MSNBC), and on blogs.

“Having this information in the palm of our hands while we shop or visit our local restaurants is the start of something big! We consumers have many questions, especially as the USDA and FDA seem so overworked, under-funded and ineffectual when it comes to food safety issues; using our handheld devices to connect to the most up to date info in real time makes us the 'commanders' of our food shopping experience.”  – Phil Lempert, TODAY Food Editor on MSNBC.com"

I used to intern here and I helped minimally in the creation/implementation of FishPhone. My most significant contribution was that I thought of the name, haha.

Burj Dubai

The new tallest building in the world opened today, with over 160 floors and some pretty cool eco-tech features. But I wonder when it gets to that point (er, and height), is it eco-sensitive overall to have such a tall building, or is it inefficient and 'wastes' energy? I wonder what the optimum height is for a building, or if there is one.

Article linked here for more info on the Burj Dubai.

Twitter

I don't have an account and I'm not planning on getting one (I'm on the brink of deleting my facebook account), but what do you all think of Twitter? Do you have one? Why? Who do you follow?

I don't have a Blackberry, so that might be part of the reason why I'm not tuned into this kind of communication, the BBM'ing and so on. I like to leave voicemails and to email (I rarely have substantial conversations via text) and appreciate the separation I still maintain between a computer and a cell phone. Am I old-fashioned?

I wonder if my technological preferences will change in the next decade. Actually, I need not wonder--I know they will.

Anyway, check out this Times article about Twitter.

AVATAR 2.0

I'm writing this without re-reading what Fay wrote in her post, but I just saw Avatar and you must go see it. It's mindblowing. And heart-achingly good. When I say heart-aching, I'm trying to evoke that simultaneously effervescent and desperate feeling you get in your chest and brain when you can't get enough of someone -- in this case, something. Sort of an increased awareness in all synapses within a selective state of oblivion. At times I caught myself holding my breath and had to remember to breathe. 

Imagine if that world existed. At one point in the movie, I thought (likely out loud, if you've ever watched a movie with me), "well that's unrealistic," before I realized that the entire thing was unrealistic, of course.

Now that's good cinema. And excellent technology. And art. And a truly beautiful imagination I very much respect. Alright, enough gushing from me -- don't take my word for it, see it for yourself.

TV in the 00's

I forgot we were at the end of a decade. Anyway, read this piece in NYMag about TV and how it has dramatically changed over the past 10 years (reality TV boom, HBO, Showtime)

Second Life Avatar

I'm taking a gaming class now and my first homework assignment was to make an Avatar on "Second Life."

So.
Scary.

Not only do people make money in their digital lives on this website, but they court, have sex, get pregnant and get married. Some people are virtual prostitutes while others are fashion designers--you pay for clothing, food, amenities and travel the cyber universe.

I adventured on the site, looking for free clothing (I didn't like my default outfit) and encountered some characters from all over the world by just approaching them and typing into the program.

I loved the Sims, but this is too much: real money, real people, digital environment. When does reality end (not to be cliche)?

OMGGGG part II

Toyota Unveils Wheelchair Propelled by Thoughts Alone

The technology could also revolutionize prosthetics at an important time for that field, as more and more soldiers return from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in need of prosthesis. Segway inventor Dean Kamen's DEKA Labs has developed a highly advanced prosthetic arm that responds to muscle commands in the remaining tissue of an amputated limb. BMI technology could bridge the link between brain and prosthesis, eliminating the lengthy rehabilitation process and restoring real time use of the limb.

OMG and one of my close friends is interning at DEKA right now! How cool!

Skype

Reading the Times magazine today, I found this article about Skype infiltrating the privacy of the home and almost discouraging real interaction.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/28/magazine/28fob-wwln-t.html?_r=1&ref=magazine

I loved Skype when I was abroad in France, and when Georgina was in China it was great for keeping in touch! I think it's one thing if you rely on it to keep in touch and another to form actual bonds. I'm not sure what to think!

"The very technology with which we choose to communicate in a relationship has become a barometer of our willingness to reveal ourselves within it. Racy photos, amorous texts and nonstop Skyping may be just the thing for lovers who are separated during the giddy days of new romance. At the same time, all that virtual togetherness may overaccelerate a courtship. There is something to be said for the slow burn, for anticipation over immediacy. I’m relieved not to be single in a time when you can flirt, fall in love, sext and break up with a guy without ever so much as meeting for coffee. And, really, what is more erotic, more personal, more potentially vulnerable than handwriting on a page? My husband won my heart by sending a witty postcard from a film shoot in Hawaii. No return address, no way for me to respond at all, let alone instantly in three platforms. These days, it seems, the only time we put pen to paper is when someone has died."

HOLY SHEET

OMG HOW HAVE I NOT HEARD OF THIS UNTIL NOW??
WHY HAVEN'T MY GEEKIER FRIENDS TOLD ME YET??

Reader response to Fay's post/comment:
_________________________________________

From: Friend
Date: 19 Jun 2009 15:35:30 -0400
Subject: Re: styles section online
To: Georgina

also http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oACt9R9z37U

someone on my team is working on this

speaking of wall-e...

_________________________________________