Tagged: Max Cohen
Dat App: Amazon Drone Delivery
By Max Cohen, Staff Writer
@not_maxcohen
Just imagine one of these hovering around your house to deliver your textbooks./PHOTO VIA Wikimedia Commons
Plastered on every Twitter feed in the country this week was Amazon’s announcement for creating a sophisticated network of autonomous flying drones which would be able to deliver packages based on GPS locations. Wow.
This sci-fi technology sounds intriguing, and I’m sure it was inspired by something ridiculous from a 60’s television show (as all technology nowadays). However, you should not want Amazon to continue with this project. In fact, Amazon’s drone delivery system could have “unforeseen consequences.”
People order from Amazon every day now, and with Amazon Prime — which provides free two day delivery — people are ordering things that they could easily walk to CVS and buy.
But with the possibility of same-day deliveries on products — half hour delivery on some — why would we ever leave the couch? Imagine ordering a pizza and a flat screen television and having those both arrive at the same time.
That freedom, while cool, is horrifying for any company that isn’t Amazon. Who would frequent the mall besides our nostalgia ridden elders? Who would buy groceries at the store? And who would ever actually go to Bed Bath & Beyond? Not that anyone goes to Bed Bath & Beyond now.
But the technology isn’t there yet. Amazon can only cater to customers within a 10 mile radius of their distribution centers, which are few and far between, and mostly in the mid-west. Currently, Amazon has only 60 of these distribution centers and drones can only carry packages up to five pounds.
In 10 years, it isn’t crazy to think that we could have shipping drones buzzing overhead constantly, with huge loads and strong engines.
Inevitably, this will happen:
Five men in rural Kentucky sit in lawn chairs on a hot day. They are shirtless with rifles on their laps. Their mullets flowing in the wind under their John Deere caps. Suddenly, they jump to their feet, like trained seals, and start shooting at the flying machine passing through the yard. They hit the drone in just the right place and its package falls. They pray that box isn’t filled with new china because they just got a new kitchen set last week.
Let’s be honest, that’s the kind of world we live in.
Dat App: Whatever Happened to 3-D
By Max Cohen, Staff Writer
@not_maxcohen
If every 3-D capable television was like PhilHar Magic then we’d have something else on our hands. Except it isn’t./PHOTO VIA Flickr user Sam Howzit
3-D was, at one point, lauded as entertainment’s wave of the future. 3-D movies allowed theaters to raise ticket prices, and audiences loved the new dimension; it was a mutually beneficial situation.
It extended into the realms of television and video games quickly thereafter. 3-D TVs replaced giant LED’s on Best Buy shelves. Nintendo’s newest handheld was the aptly named 3DS. So why did it fail?
There was an unstoppable surge of momentum. Now, 3-D TVs are a novelty, and 3-D movies are fewer and further between. Many attribute this failure to bloated pricing. However I believe that the 3-D industry’s failure is due to consumers’ ennui. 3D was interesting, but was never far-reaching enough to make it worthwhile.
3-D can even be considered other-worldly. For example, at Disney World, in Orlando, there is an 3-D movie attraction, “Mickey’s PhilharMagic“, wherein Donald Duck comically journeys through iconic Disney films.
Unlike most movies, the mind-blowing 3-D is what sets it apart; things physically pop out of the screen, to the point where you can just about reach out and grab them.
The commonality among 3-D movies, TVs and game systems, however, is a second-rate third-dimension which simply adds an exaggerated depth to images. Consumers would be trampling each other to buy a 3-D TV if the added dimension was like the Disney World show, but, the images are only slightly better than traditional television, even with clunky 3-D glasses. The technology is a curiosity, and it’s a novelty, but that’s all it is.
Watching Finding Nemo in 3-D seems cool, until you realize you’ve paid $15 to watch a nearly identical Finding Nemo albeit with more defined schools of fish in the background. Now, if Nemo came out of the screen and seemed to swim around me, then that’d be a different story.
3-D is fun, but not practical. It was a novelty invention for the first five minutes until it became…boring. I wish it wasn’t so. I wish 3-D was a necessity. I wish 3-D was so crucial to the enjoyment of new media that there were bum-rushes to department stores to pick them up. But that isn’t the case. If only the entertainment world took Disney’s example. As usual, Mickey Mouse proves to be the pinnacle of human ingenuity.
Dat App: Oculus Rift
By Max Cohen, Staff Writer
@not_maxcohen
The supposed Oculus Rift./PHOTO VIA Paste Magazine
The evolution of the entertainment industry has been due to a singular vision: a completely immersive experience. That is why hyper-realistic graphics, enormous screens and 3-D technology have flourished recently. They make the experience real.
But a new technology, the Oculus Rift, could finally bridge the gap between genuine and virtual realities. The product of a $16 million Kickstarter fund by developer Oculus VR, the Rift has already left industry veterans and curious consumers intrigued and impressed.
Outwardly, the Rift looks ridiculous. It is essentially a huge pair of goggles which, like night-vision goggles, aren’t even that noticeable on your face (that’s a reference to the movie “Stepbrothers”). The goggles contain two internal screens—one for each eye—which allow for actual binocular depth cues within games.
But the Oculus Rift works surprisingly well despite its clunky appearance. It hooks up to any PC display and transfers the PC graphics to the two screens. The Rift’s cameras move the screen as the user turns their head, essentially allowing for a virtual first person POV.
Unsurprisingly, a few developers have already used the intriguing technology in innovative ways. There is currently a spacewalk simulator, in addition to a first person horror game that puts you alone in a haunted house. It is wholly different to watch something terrifying or mystifying on a TV then to actually experience it.
If the Rift is perfected by its release, it may spell the end for entertainment as we know it. Home video could become obsolete; console markets would disappear; social gaming would be a completely new experience.
And you can get your hands on the Oculus Rift on Saturday. The Microsoft NERD center in Cambridge will be hosting a conference for the Oculus Rift which is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
The event runs from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will allow consumer demos of the Oculus Rift. The event sign-up page is https://oculusnerds.eventbrite.com/. Who knows? Maybe in 20 years, you’ll be able to rip the goggles off your kid’s faces for a few minutes to tell them how you were one of the first to ever use and Oculus Rift. Maybe they’ll even think you’re cool.
Dat App: Sci-Fi Technology
By Max Cohen, Staff Writer
@not_maxcohen
Making phone calls from one of these isn’t such a far-fetched idea./PHOTO VIA Digital Trends
Stoking the nostalgia of the middle-aged masses everywhere, Samsung has impressed with its recent Galaxy Gear advertisements. The commercial focuses on the product’s inherent nostalgia, cycling through the smart-watch’s uses in variety of classic TV shows and movies. The seemingly unattainable device of tomorrow’s world is finally here.
In honor of these ads, here are some “exciting” technologies that sound like they are straight from a sci-fi movie.
Galaxy Gear: The Galaxy Gear is the most publicized smart watch yet. While it isn’t completely ground-breaking, it does tell time (it’s a watch), show notifications and pick up calls. The tiny screen limits the app content, but it does contain a collection of shortcuts which makes it unnecessary to retrieve your phone or tablet to do things that in the distant past would require you to retrieve them.
However, it requires a Bluetooth connected phone/tablet and it costs almost as much at a pricey $300. It currently only works with Samsung products (the S4, Note 3, etc.), so that’s good news for the 38 Samsung zealots out there. The advertisements are worth watching though: “Evolution” and “A Long Time Coming.”
Oculus Rift: This head-enveloping device (exactly what you picture) has been garnering rave reviews from developers and critics who proclaim it as the first true virtual reality experience. Originally a Kickstarter project, developers Oculus VR exceeded their $2 million goal by more than $14 million.
The Oculus Rift streams PC video content into two internal screens that mesh together binocularly. The video moves with your head, thereby allowing real movement in the virtual world. The Rift is still in development though, and has just started being demo-ed to the public. But in 10 years we could have fully-immersive virtual reality, though you may have to take the blue pill for full effect.
TALOS: This is my favorite. The Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit is a full body armor, developed by the U.S. government, that deflects bullets, has an on-board computer and carries advanced weaponry. Yeah.
The suit is made of a liquid material that turns solid when an electrical/magnetic current is applied, thereby allowing a soldier to flip a switch and become immune to gunfire. As a bonus, it comes equipped with life support and body monitoring systems. Kids, the government has actually invented an Iron Man suit. I think, maybe, it’s time for me to enlist.
Dat App: Curved Glass
By Max Cohen, Staff Writer
@not_maxcohen
This may be close to what your smart phone will look like one day./PHOTO VIA CharterWorld.com
Even going as far back as the Blackberry, smartphone design has remained relatively constant. The last great smartphone change was the touchscreen, or rather, the perfection of the touch screen, thanks to Apple.
Lately, there has been overall stagnation in smartphone development. Sure, 4G changed smartphone use and better cameras/processors/operating-systems allow more preferential customization, but aside from internal differences, smart-phones are, more or less, interchangeable.
However (there’s always a however) the market could be rapidly altered with LG’s synthesis of a bendable, unbreakable plastic screen, which is the first step to actual curved screen technology. Still squealing like a school girl? Me too.
Curved screens have already been put to use in the HDTV market by LG and Samsung; however, these top-of-the-line models run a cool $9,000-$10,000 making them far too expensive for the average consumer.
According to a USA Today article, Sony has recently introduced a $4,000 curved TV, though the technology is still too high-tech to allow heavy application in the TV world. While the applications of curved televisions are limited to immersion and size, the applications of curved smartphones are endless.
In the few short months since LG’s invention, Samsung, in a Christian Science Monitor article, announced the South Korean exclusive Galaxy Round which has a curved, ergonomically-friendly shape.
Additionally, LG is supposedly unveiling a curved smartphone that curves top to bottom for only God knows why. While these “innovations” may seem trivial, we must consider future applications for true flexible screens.
Imagine a bracelet that can unbend and act as a phone. Like a snap bracelet with a pulse. This could be the next leap forward after smart-watches don’t sell at all. And after that? Google Glass (the wearable glasses-computer hybrid) could be boiled down into a computing contact lens. Sunglasses-computers could exist on a commercial scale.
But the market shouldn’t change anytime soon. Curved phones are interesting, but they’ll only sell because they’re a novelty. But then developers will actually begin making real-world applications for the curved screens. And then Apple will curve something, and everyone ages 12 to 27 will have a stroke and the market will change permanently.
That is when we’ll see the really futuristic uses. Because, we’ve just about hit the technological apex for flat screen innovation. You heard it here first, curved glass is the future.
Dat App: PlayStation 4 versus Xbox One
By Max Cohen, Staff Writer
@not_maxcohen
Observing the Xbox One./PHOTO VIA Wikimedia Commons
Plenty of guides exist for the pros and cons of the Xbox One and PlayStation 4, but most people don’t care about the graphic cards and processors that these guides examine. We want to know what affects us. Here’s an overview of everything college kids should consider when purchasing a next-gen console.
Xbox One: It costs a not cool $499. Like, zoinks, Scoob. But, the Xbox One ships with an improved Kinect — Microsoft’s flagship motion sensor — and one controller. This “new” Kinect is far more precise than the inaccurate Xbox 360 model. It can detect facial features, heart rate and individual voices. While nothing life-changing has been announced yet, these features could lead innovative developers to actually care about the Kinect: Imagine a horror game that matches the music to your heart rate!
Additionally, the Xbox has exclusive games like Titanfall (which you should research), Dead Rising 3, and Forza 5. Xbox Live stays mostly the same but it adds the new Xbox’s most unique feature: Teputation points. This system gives points depending on how you act online. This means that intolerable twelve year olds will only get matched with…other intolerable twelve year olds!
However, the most important addition is that the Xbox One will, supposedly, replace all other home entertainment systems with Snap, which allows two programs to simultaneously run on-screen. That means Netflix/Halo or Football/Madden simultaneously. The implications could be enormous for the home-entertainment industry.
PS4: The biggest plus of the PS4 is that it costs $399 — that’s $100 less than the Xbox One. Though the PS4 doesn’t include any Kinect-like hardware, it does come with one controller and a headset! Sony also has worthwhile exclusives at launch like Killzone: Shadow Fall and Infamous: Second Son.
Further, the PS4 allows streaming to the PS Vita handheld, because everyone has a Vita (see: Vita: The Worst Entertainment Launch in History). But seriously, having handheld PS4 games is a game-changing possibility and could reasonably cause a Vita sale explosion.
But the console’s biggest draw (to outdo Snap) is the Gaikai cloud service. What this means, simply, is the ability to play PS1, PS2, and PS3 games, with online capabilities, on the PS4. That means Ape Escape, God of War 2, and Half Life online. On the PS4. Pinch me; this thing could be a total nostalgia machine.
Dat App: Steam OS
By Max Cohen, Staff Writer
@not_maxcohen
Many eagerly anticipate the arrival of a Valve console./PHOTO VIA Wikimedia Commons
The last time there was a major entry into the console market was in 2001 with Microsoft’s Xbox. The industry has since been ruled by the warring Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo. Championing a changing market this year, independent consoles like Ouya and the Nvidia Shield failed to be anything more than novelty, showing the difficulty of usurping any market share. However, one of gaming most innovative companies, Valve, wants to alter the gaming universe.
Valve created Portal, Left for Dead and Half-Life, which all made millions and garnered sparkling reviews. They also revolutionized PC gaming with their program Steam, which allowed PC gamers to have an ever-expanding game marketplace on their computer. So they’re legit. Thus far, Valve has been successful, integral even, in the gaming landscape. Now they’re aiming for the home-console market with last week’s reveal of the Steam OS and Steam Machines (noticing a theme?)
The first reveal was for a non-proprietary operating system running on Linux: Steam OS. This autonomous OS allows Valve creative control over their marketplace rather than bowing to the regime-like tendencies of Microsoft and Sony.
In addition, the OS will allow gamers access to Valve’s independent Steam library of 3000+ games.
The second reveal was Steam OS’s platform: Steam Machines. Although specs haven’t been disclosed, it is expected to release in 2014 with an unspecified number of different models.
“I don’t believe there’s a one-size-fits-all strategy,” said Valve mastermind Gabe Newell regarding consoles. His Steam Machines will natively run Steam OS, with all Steam marketplaces, deals and exclusives therein. With their independent marketplace, Valve may use the Machines as a sanctuary for the surging indie-gaming studios that would revel in no longer paying Microsoft/Sony’s exorbitant publishing costs.
Additionally, there is evidence that Valve plans on releasing the feverishly anticipated Half-Life 3, exclusively for Steam Machines. With a possible price tag of 100 dollars and indie-games and Half-Life exclusivity, Valve could have a real winning combination to break onto the market.
But there is an ongoing debate about the Steam Machine’s purported success. To succeed, Valve would have to time and market their releases precisely. But it shouldn’t be that difficult. They have a cheap, non-proprietary product geared towards both the casual and hardcore gamer. I’m sold.
Dat App: For Lack of Pioneering
By Max Cohen, Staff Writer
@not_maxcohen
So, essentially the same thing?/PHOTO VIA Max Cohen
Apple Computers is the second most profitable company in the world. They have continued to revolutionize technology for 20 plus years. Why then, do I believe that Apple is going to plummet within 10 years?
Apple stopped pioneering. The worst thing a technology company can do is become complacent. Look at Linux. In this day and age, it’d be easier to find someone with polio than someone using Linux.
But Apple hasn’t always been this way. The iPhone was the most important invention of its decade; the iPad basically created its own market. But recently, Apple has slowed. The IPad mini is a shameless money-maker and the IPhone 5S (don’t make me start on the 5C) really only updated the camera and the graphics. However, Apple’s cardinal sin, the point of no return, is iOS7.
iOS7 radically redesigns the iPhone’s interface. Rather than Apple’s trademark, the sleek sophistication, iOS7 introduces a cartoonish (almost Windows-y) style. But that isn’t the real problem with iOS7. The problem is that for this gargantuan undertaking, one would think that Apple engineers wouldn’t simply copy the features of its competitor: Androids. Many of the new features can be traced disturbingly to an direct Android influence. The new lock-screen (with a movable picture and no unlock bar) is an Android clone. The “new” Control Center is a shameless re-hash of Android’s notification bar (it swipes up instead of down). Other changes, like redesigned text messages and calendars, while not petty theft, are just slightly re-vamped versions of old Apple software.
The point is, that though it appears Apple wanted to reinvent the IPhone with iOS7, they merely played catch-up to the more inventive Android marketplace. For Apple to thrive indefinitely, they need to resume innovating, like when Steve Jobs was in charge. I’d hate to say that Apple’s pioneering spirit died with Jobs, but I fear that may be the case. If Apple relies on making “Mini” versions of their products and simply heightening graphics with new product iterations, they are going to be surpassed by the creativity of Google and Samsung. That said, they shouldn’t totally reinvent the wheel. Then they may end up with something like *shudders* Windows 8.
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