Technology Information

Pervasive Retail: Theme of the April-June edition of Pervasive Computing (IEEE)

Pervasive Retail: Theme of the April-June edition of Pervasive Computing (IEEE)


Pervasive Retail: Theme of the April-June edition of Pervasive Computing (IEEE)

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 06:36 PM PDT



This is just a teaser.  I'll have time to read it next week when I'm on break!


FYI: This is one of my favorite tech journals. This issue's theme focuses on the use of pervasive technology in retail settings.   Other topics in this issue include wearables, pervasive health, smartphone computing in the classroom, innovative Ubicomp products, and more.


IEEE Pervasive Computing

Virtual Choir 2.0 "Sleep": 2052 People, 58 Countries, Global Collaboration

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 04:02 PM PDT

This is an interesting way of collaborating on the Web!


For more information:   The Virtual Choir








Eric Whitacre's TED Talk:  A virtual choir 2,000 voices strong


Raymond.CC Blog: “Drive Speedometer Monitors Hard Drive Read and Write Speed” plus 1 more

Raymond.CC Blog: “Drive Speedometer Monitors Hard Drive Read and Write Speed” plus 1 more


Drive Speedometer Monitors Hard Drive Read and Write Speed

Posted: 12 Apr 2011 12:00 AM PDT


The overall computer’s performance doesn’t depend on just the CPU or RAM alone. You can have the a lot of RAM with the fastest CPU but if you have a hard drive that is not capable of keeping up with the speed, the whole performance gets degraded. Many years ago, whenever I help someone to [...]

How to Downgrade BIOS using Phoenix WinPhlash

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 12:00 AM PDT


The only reason you need to update your BIOS is when your computer is having compatibility issues with other hardware or experiencing problems that are caused by a buggy version of BIOS. The saying “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” applies to updating BIOS and drivers. Downgrading BIOS is hardly what normally people do [...]

Immersive Cocoon Interaction: "It's people who are now the interface" (Updated, with videos, photos, links.)

Immersive Cocoon Interaction: "It's people who are now the interface" (Updated, with videos, photos, links.)


Immersive Cocoon Interaction: "It's people who are now the interface" (Updated, with videos, photos, links.)

Posted: 10 Apr 2011 06:44 AM PDT

"It's people who are now the interface." -Ole Bowman, cultural and architectural historian


I found the above quote from the Immersive Cocoon website and smiled.


When I first learned about the Immersive Cocoon in 2008, I thought it was just another technological fancy that probably would not come to market anytime soon.  Although it still is in the concept stage, I think it has a chance of making it, given the rapid advances in interactive technology over the past few years.

It wouldn't surprise me to see i-Cocoons finding a place in libraries, educational settings, museums, and other public spaces within the next 5-8 years, given an economic turnaround.


What is the Immersive Cocoon?
"The Immersive Cocoon is a future concept study by Tino Schaedler with design collective NAU; an idea to push the envelope and provoke a new conception of interface technology...Directed and 3D CG by Oliver Zeller. More info, behind the scenes and full credits at i-cocoon.com." -adNAU"


What is inside the cocoon?



Photo: arch.nau.coop

Photo: arch.nau.coop
Teaser Video:


"Please play fullscreen and LOUD! ...This spec teaser reveals an evolution in computing interaction, within a setting inspired by the penultimate scene from Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey...Starring that film's lead actor, Keir Dullea; "2011" was developed over a two year period. Live action was filmed multi-camera, against green screen atop a backlit plexi floor on a shoestring budget. Mr. Dullea was then integrated into an entirely digitally created CG set rendered at 1080HD."


Here are some previous videos about the iCocoon concept:




RELATED
Immersive Cocoon Concept Website
Designers developing virtual-reality 'Cocoon'
Mark Tutton, 9/12/08, Telepresence Options /Human Productivity Lab
Immersive Cocoon-Facebook
"NAU is an international, multidisciplinary design firm, spanning the spectrum from architecture and interior design to exhibitions and interactive interfaces. As futurists creating both visual design and constructed projects, NAU melds the precision of experienced builders with the imagination and attention to detail required to create innovative exhibits, public events and architecture."
FYI:
Concerning interactive technology, things have changed a bit in my corner of the world - as I write this post, there is a Kinect beckoning me to dance in my bonus room. The Kinect was something that came to market much sooner than I expected.  I'll have an iPad2 sometime in the near future- another example of how rapidly things are evolving.   I skim the news by touch/swiping my now-outdated HTC Incredible.  My 88-year-old aunt, has used Skype more than once to "chat" with her baby great-nephew across the miles.


I use a Wii at work at least once a week to support social interaction skills with some students who have moderate-to-severe autism. Every classroom in the main school I serve has a huge, immersive, interactive whiteboard that relies on touch and kinesthetic interaction-my colleagues can't imagine going back to teaching without them.  



Interview with Don "Design of Everyday Things" Norman on Design Education: STEM+D+Social Sciences, Too! (MIT Technology Review)

Interview with Don "Design of Everyday Things" Norman on Design Education: STEM+D+Social Sciences, Too! (MIT Technology Review)


Interview with Don "Design of Everyday Things" Norman on Design Education: STEM+D+Social Sciences, Too! (MIT Technology Review)

Posted: 09 Apr 2011 09:05 PM PDT


David Talbot, MIT Technology Review, 4/6/11

"I think that the current emphasis on STEM—science, technology, engineering, and math—needs a "D," for design. Designers need to learn STEM (where S includes both the hard and the soft, social sciences). But similarly, engineers need to learn D: after all, the point of engineering is to develop things for people and society."-Don Norman


"...the creators of good products and services also must have a working knowledge of everything from the technical underpinnings of microprocessors and programming to the policy aspects of information security."  -Don Norman


RELATED
Some of my previous posts mentioning Don Norman and his work:
Words of Wisdom from Harry Brignull: UX Roots in Psychology, Design, Information Architecture, and so much more!
Essential Interaction Design Essays and Articles: Dan Saffer's Lists, Don Norman, and Interactions Magazine
Don Norman's Keynote at the 21st Century Transmedia Symposium "Design Challenge:  Co-creation" (New technologies allow creativity to blossom)
The Transdisciplinary Design Approach to Building an Interfaced World: A smattering ofideas, food for further thought.
Dr. Jan Borchers' (Annotated) Top Ten List of Books on Human-Computer Interaction -Of interest to HCI students and HCI students-at-heart.

SOMEWHAT RELATED
The following post generated a good deal of unexpected discussion ; )
For a Smile:  Gain Detergent Container Looks Like Don Norman's User-Unfriendly Teapot

Below is my final response to the conversation:
The UX of Laundry Washing:  Response to Comments and Videos of Gain Detergent Fans!

Keeping up with Facebook complexity

Posted: 09 Apr 2011 10:22 AM PDT

Need I say more?

"Playful Interface Cultures" exhibit video showreel, just released (Ars Electronica Festival 2010)

Posted: 09 Apr 2011 04:57 AM PDT


Playful Interface Cultures from Interface Culture on Vimeo.


"This video showreel provides a walkthrough through the "Playful Interface Cultures" exhibition at the Ars Electronica Festival 2010. The works shown were created within the Master and Ph.D. program at the Interface Culture Lab, University of Art and Industrial Design in Linz, Austria." http://www.interface.ufg.ac.at/​

"The exhibition design has been based on traditional Austrian tobacco brands in reference to the historic venue of the former tobacco factory built by the German designer and architect Peter Behrens." -Interface Culture Lab



Instructors:
Georg Russegger
Martin Kaltenbrunner
Michaela Ortner
Varvara Guljajeva
Design
Vesela Milhaylova
Henning Schulze
Production
Reinhard Gupfinger
Technical Support
Mar Canet
Anika Hirt

University of Art and Industrial Design, Linz


SOMEWHAT RELATED
TuioKinect, by Martin Kaltenbrunner: "A simple Tuio hand gesture tracker for Kinect"
Reactable 

Raymond.CC Blog - April 2011 Best Detection Antivirus Based on VB100

Raymond.CC Blog - April 2011 Best Detection Antivirus Based on VB100


April 2011 Best Detection Antivirus Based on VB100

Posted: 09 Apr 2011 12:00 AM PDT


There are a few independent comparative testing of anti-virus products such as AV-comparatives, Anti-Malware Test Lab, AVTEST, Virus.GR but the most popular one is the VB100 by Virus Bulletin. Virus Bulletin has been carrying out independent comparative testing of anti-virus products known as VB100 for many years already and the VB100 certification is widely known [...]

Enter your mail address:
Template by - ADMIN | HiTechvnn Template