4G Networks

A 4G network is an upgrade from the current 3G network which is designed to assist wireless devices in more proficient usefulness of wireless networks. 4G network services will have faster and clearer service for such things as voice calls, internet usage through a cell phone, along with video calls. It may seem hard to believe that we need faster and clearer reception in our wireless devices but society keeps pushing these advancements to help assist us in our everyday new natural form of communication through cell phones. Therefore, all the major cell phone service providers are looking into getting these 4G networks in the near future, one of which is Verizon Wireless which plans on having the 4G network available on their phones as early as 2010.

Communication in the Classroom

As students we are very used to the concept of a teacher standing in front of the classroom and lecturing. We sit, absorb information through taking notes and then prove ourselves through testing. However, as life becomes more chaotic and college becomes more expensive, many students are looking to online courses. Online courses are relatively new, and most are still working out the kinks. How do you give a test online without the student using his notes? There is no way to make sure. But more importantly, you lose the human to human contact and interaction. You do not develop that relationship with the teacher. It is much more difficult and time consuming to ask a question and get a response. There must be a way around it. New technology is paving the way. At some major Universities, professors are beginning to post videos of themselves lecturing. The online classrooms are becoming more interactive. Who is to say that in the future students will step foot into an actual school? Their work may all be completed over the internet.

An iPhone for Verizon?

Since the Iphone’s release it has only been available to those on the AT&T network. It has lost many potential buyers because it was only available through one retailer. There have been many complaints by Verizon users who wish to purchase the Iphone but cannot due to contract restrictions. Recently Verizon began speaking and negotiating with Apple in attempt to create a phone for their service. This is a fantastic opportunity for Apple to broaden its user base. AT&T is known for having dropped calls and poor service. There are countless amounts of people who would not consider using the iPhone because it is only available through AT&T. There are rumors flying that the new phone would be available to Verizon customers within a year. Pretty exciting!

A Super TV?

Many cable and phone companies are creating packages for their subscribers. Cable TV, Landlines, and Caller ID are just some of the options included in the package. By doing so they are able to intertwine the features. For example, if someone were to call the house phone while you were watching TV the phone number and name of the caller appears across the bottom of the screen. It is possible that in the future we will have “Super TV’s” if you will. They will take the current capabilities one step further. You would be able to talk directly though the television screen. If the technology progresses there could even be a visual image of the person talking. As landlines seem to become a thing of the past, this could be the technology that will replace them.

An easier way to text...

Recently texting has become a very popular form of communication. With the popularity has come many downfalls such as texting and driving. It is senseless and completely unnecessary. States across the country are creating laws that prohibit cell phone use while driving. What if there was a program or tool that would spell out what you spoke into a text? Technology is not too far off. Most cell phones now have a read aloud feature which will open and read an incoming text. A program that typed would be the next step… imagine the convenience it would bring. It would prevent countless accidents yearly.

Holographic Messages

Holographic Messages

"Last month Prince Charles delivered a speech at the
World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. He didn't have
any slides, and he didn't shake hands or answer questions afterwards. That's
because he was present as a hologram. The speech was recorded in
Gloucestershire, England last year, and was broadcast to the WFES using the
technology of a British company called Musion. Part of the incentive for Charles
to deliver the speech via hologram was to save the 15 tons of CO2 that would
have been expended if he had made the trip in a physical jet. The speech
involved praising the creation of a new carbon neutral city in Abu Dhabi called
Masdar which is currently in development. The city of Masdar will rely entirely
on solar energy, and the first phase of construction is estimated to be
habitable by 2009."

http://www.realitysandwich.com/holographic_messages



Environmentally helpful and techno-AWESOME! Holographic messages are becoming a tool of the today! Already used in Universal Studios attractions in florida, these realistic holograms are evolving at a rapid pace. Cell phones can now give you the virtual holographic experience as well.
Watch the video below:

VIDEO

Virtual Presence

VIRTUAL PRESENCE VIDEO
(CLICK ME TO WATCH^)

"A growing number of products are attempting to create a sense of presence where users feel that remote objects are actually nearby, or synthetically created objects actually exist. Creating a sense of presence is often a goal for training simulators and thrill rides as well as virtual reality (VR) systems, home theatres, IMAX films, HDTV, and video arcade games. Remote communications, such as those enabled by videoconferencing systems, also attempt to create a sense that distant users are physically present, or at least can be treated that way during conversations. Creating a sense of presence is felt to be important because it makes products appear more natural, immediate, direct, and real."
http://www.andrewpatrick.ca/virtual-presence/presence-ideas.html

Virtual presence is becoming extremely popular in today's society. So far there are a handful of sources of technology that create this "virtual presence," but it can be assumed that the future will bring much more realistic and innovative ways to view "virtual" beings.