http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/01/28/apple.ipad.publishers.reaction/index.html
This article is a comprehensive review of Apple's new Tablet PC, the Ipad. Apple is trying to expand it's reach past the the popular Macbook and Ipod to offer customers a completely new type of computing experience. The media feels this will be such a success because it will revoltionize the way people buy things online. It will be able to provide users, for a small fee, access to thousands of books and online literature similar to Amazon's Kindle. The article also explains that some people do see the Ipad as a technological breakthrough, but not neccesarily groundbreaking. Another huge argument is the damage print media will take. With print media already facing serious downturn, the Ipad might finally sink the ship.
I'm in the group of people who feel the Ipad, although a technological wonder, has some serious issues and flaws that may be overlooked. I feel as though people in today's society race to buy anything with an Apple logo without knowing anything about how it works. As I stated, there are some serious flaws with this new Mac that people will not see as they are tearing them off the shelves. For starters, there are going to be no usb ports on the system. This means that one cannot plug anything external into the computer. I feel as though this is just a ploy to make people have to buy more Apps and online materials, but who knows for sure. Also, there is a serious problem with the amount of Ram and Hard Drive space these have. I think Apple is giving people a misguided idea that this is a full encompassing computer when truly other than the size and functionally it works no different than the Ipod Touch or Iphone.
Another article, posted here http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/01/28/ipad.irpt/index.html is also in the group of people who aren't crazy about the Ipad. The author of the article states that, "I think this is kind of a waste right now, especially for people who already have iPhones and iPod Touches, because it does the same things." He does go on in the article to explain why the Ipad might be useful. He claims could be "great for high school students and textbooks" and "e-reading capabilities". He does admit perhaps his expections were too high, however he feels Apple could have done a lot more with this tablet and failed to deliver.
Does apple really need to establish a dominant piece of machinery to sell the product like crazy? you put a lower case i in front of most anything in society today and it sells. Steve Jobs knows he doesn't necesarrily have to create a groundbreaking item for him to make a high profit. I'll admit, my views are somewhat biased because I have and always will be a PC person outside the Ipod. I've never understood why people are so in love with the Apple product when they hardly use anything on it. It honestly seems having the latest Apple product is more a trend setter than with consumer. One can only be "in" with the technology crowd if they are chatting with people on the iPhone, listening to music on the iPod touch, and now reading books on the iPad. Oh, the power a half eaten apple and a lower case i has on our society.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Article Two
http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/01/20/haiti.amateur.radio/index.html
This article talks about a man in Haiti using minimal technology, in this case a basic radio and a generator, to let others know he survived the earthquake. This man was fortunate enough to have the basic luxuries of today, including a computer with facebook, Twitter etc. and a cell phone. When the earthquake struck, these things were all taken away from him. However, by using a basic ham radio, he contacted a United States radio station and relayed information.
Another similar article posted here http://www.39online.com/news/local/kiah-amateur-radio-haiti-story,0,6166562.story discusses how amateur radio operators are leaving their lines open for those in Haiti. They explain in the article how although there is a communications blackout currently in Haiti, these very basic radios are keeping people informed. It's very encouraging to see this type of technology benefiting those in need.
This article is great for two reasons. Firstly, it shows a very good and simple way for many Haitians to reach their families. If the world could provide these radios to outlaying villages and poorer parts of Haiti, more people could contact loved ones and let them know they are safe. Secondly, it's a perfect example of how we as a society can get lost in high dollar and fancy electronics and forget about the basics. I'm sure many people in our society including myself do not have a corded phone or a radio in case of a emergency. We assume that all our nice new things will always be there, but they easily could not.
It should scare you as much as it scares me how unprepared our society is for a national disaster. Hurricane Katrina is a perfect example of this. Despite being in arguably the most advanced and technological savvy country in the world, the lack of high tech communication devices brought New Orleans down. Many people with loved ones had no way of knowing where they were and if they were alive. If more people in society had the knowledge and capability to run radios, many of those in Katrina would have been heard and even saved. The only question that really remains is if people would take the time to buy and learn how to use radios. I would hope after reading the potential life saving benefits it had the answer would be yes, but I fear people would not. Although I am not capable of running the equipment, these articles have enlightened me to learn. I hope others feel the same way I do.
This article talks about a man in Haiti using minimal technology, in this case a basic radio and a generator, to let others know he survived the earthquake. This man was fortunate enough to have the basic luxuries of today, including a computer with facebook, Twitter etc. and a cell phone. When the earthquake struck, these things were all taken away from him. However, by using a basic ham radio, he contacted a United States radio station and relayed information.
Another similar article posted here http://www.39online.com/news/local/kiah-amateur-radio-haiti-story,0,6166562.story discusses how amateur radio operators are leaving their lines open for those in Haiti. They explain in the article how although there is a communications blackout currently in Haiti, these very basic radios are keeping people informed. It's very encouraging to see this type of technology benefiting those in need.
This article is great for two reasons. Firstly, it shows a very good and simple way for many Haitians to reach their families. If the world could provide these radios to outlaying villages and poorer parts of Haiti, more people could contact loved ones and let them know they are safe. Secondly, it's a perfect example of how we as a society can get lost in high dollar and fancy electronics and forget about the basics. I'm sure many people in our society including myself do not have a corded phone or a radio in case of a emergency. We assume that all our nice new things will always be there, but they easily could not.
It should scare you as much as it scares me how unprepared our society is for a national disaster. Hurricane Katrina is a perfect example of this. Despite being in arguably the most advanced and technological savvy country in the world, the lack of high tech communication devices brought New Orleans down. Many people with loved ones had no way of knowing where they were and if they were alive. If more people in society had the knowledge and capability to run radios, many of those in Katrina would have been heard and even saved. The only question that really remains is if people would take the time to buy and learn how to use radios. I would hope after reading the potential life saving benefits it had the answer would be yes, but I fear people would not. Although I am not capable of running the equipment, these articles have enlightened me to learn. I hope others feel the same way I do.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Article One
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/16/world/americas/16iht-currents.html
This article confronts the idea that in today's society perhaps the advancement of the digital world is causing harm rather than help. The author gives examples such as Mcdonalds offering Wi-fi in all restaurants and Google offering internet at certain airports. He goes on to talk how cell phone companies are battling not for who has the best cell service, but rather the best wireless coverage and smart technology. He makes the claim that human's need for instant gratification is being granted, but there is a rising cost that many people do not want to see.
I could not agree more with the writer of this article. It amazes me how people use cell phones in today's society. I'll admit that I browse the internet and check my email, but that's where it ends. People use their cell phones for so much more: facebook, Twitter, Myspace and Youtube to name a few. We are going into an age that not only wants but demands instant and constant information no matter the location. People go camping in the woods and cannot understand why they can't update their Facebook status when they get there. I feel as though people are losing key values to the digital age. It is extremely common to look around a college class and see students either texting or browsing the internet with their high speed blackberry. Meanwhile, the professor is discussing very difficult information with these students not paying any attention. These students yell and complain when they fail tests, only to tweet during the class how mad they are.
Another current article located here, http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/education/university/article_7835ca65-b347-53c1-b04b-42d90be6d5cb.html describes this upcoming problem as well. A media expert working at UW-Madison explains that, "If e-mail came in I felt a need to read it right away. Or I’d go to look up one thing on the Internet, and I’m so curious I’d get distracted and spend time reading all these interesting articles." She goes on state that all the devices and growing information made her feel "cluttered"and caused her to "never get work done". This cannot be more accurate in the world today. I find myself even now working on this assignment being side-tracked with a Youtube video and text messaging. If my generation of men and women become more and more distracted with the growing digital world, we will face an incredible challenge for the future. If someone loses their cell phone or internet connection, it is as though they are lost and confused. They have no idea what to do with themselves and become extremely frustrated. No one can understand how our parents got through life without a laptop or a smart phone. I worry and hope this trend changes, or the future might be different for all of us.
This article confronts the idea that in today's society perhaps the advancement of the digital world is causing harm rather than help. The author gives examples such as Mcdonalds offering Wi-fi in all restaurants and Google offering internet at certain airports. He goes on to talk how cell phone companies are battling not for who has the best cell service, but rather the best wireless coverage and smart technology. He makes the claim that human's need for instant gratification is being granted, but there is a rising cost that many people do not want to see.
I could not agree more with the writer of this article. It amazes me how people use cell phones in today's society. I'll admit that I browse the internet and check my email, but that's where it ends. People use their cell phones for so much more: facebook, Twitter, Myspace and Youtube to name a few. We are going into an age that not only wants but demands instant and constant information no matter the location. People go camping in the woods and cannot understand why they can't update their Facebook status when they get there. I feel as though people are losing key values to the digital age. It is extremely common to look around a college class and see students either texting or browsing the internet with their high speed blackberry. Meanwhile, the professor is discussing very difficult information with these students not paying any attention. These students yell and complain when they fail tests, only to tweet during the class how mad they are.
Another current article located here, http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/education/university/article_7835ca65-b347-53c1-b04b-42d90be6d5cb.html describes this upcoming problem as well. A media expert working at UW-Madison explains that, "If e-mail came in I felt a need to read it right away. Or I’d go to look up one thing on the Internet, and I’m so curious I’d get distracted and spend time reading all these interesting articles." She goes on state that all the devices and growing information made her feel "cluttered"and caused her to "never get work done". This cannot be more accurate in the world today. I find myself even now working on this assignment being side-tracked with a Youtube video and text messaging. If my generation of men and women become more and more distracted with the growing digital world, we will face an incredible challenge for the future. If someone loses their cell phone or internet connection, it is as though they are lost and confused. They have no idea what to do with themselves and become extremely frustrated. No one can understand how our parents got through life without a laptop or a smart phone. I worry and hope this trend changes, or the future might be different for all of us.
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