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This is the continuation of Penny’s series in new Technologies - see introduction  on previous page.

6. Twelve New Technologies (Page 2)

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5. Surface Computing and the Tap Table

Now this is my kind of thing. I know before I have said that I don’t really like touchscreen technology – but something like this really does appeal to me. Imagine looking down at your coffee table and being able to press a button – which turns the surface into a rather large computer. You’ve probably seen something like this before in films like Minority Report, but I assure you readers – this is all going to be very real and in commercial production very soon.

I’ve also heard of restaurants in Japan that use ‘Tap Tables’ to allow their customers to order food on their tables – using virtual menus. It’s all pretty cool, but I’m thinking that my dislike of things smaller, lighter and thinner is dictating my choice of technology here. I love the big touchscreen idea, and the crystal clear images that it will display. It will be better than the most beautiful television you have ever seen – and I’m going to enjoy every minute of it.

6. Smartphones

We all know what these are. They are more computer than phone and do almost everything you could think of. They have their own operating system, better wireless internet connections than actual laptops, a pretty massive storage chip, better megapixels than most cameras, a P.D.A. (personal digital assistant) for business guys and most importantly – applications that are pretty on the outside, yet useless as an essential function for a mobile phone. You can download many pretty things from the Apple App store or the Android store depending on whether you choose Apple – or anyone else. There you can buy things like a mobile torch that makes your phone shine brighter, or perhaps the game of Tetris. How positively awesome.

I suppose that having a phone to actually call someone is obsolete, but wow are they pretty.  You can pretty much get these at every mobile phone retailer at the moment and the most popular ones include the Apple iPhone 4, the Samsung Galaxy II, The Googlephone, The Blackberry and many more that all do the same things. Apple like to make you believe that their tech is better than every other manufacturer – but do not be deceived. Make a choice according to what you want (if you want one) and what you can use. Go into shops and ask for demos, because trust me – picking something purely based on its looks can be deceiving.

7. The Roll Laptop

This piece of tech is still being developed at the moment, but I love it as an idea. As I understand, this thing will do exactly what it promises on the tin. One should theoretically be able to fold a fully functional, state of the art laptop into something resembling a rolled up poster. Easier for transportation and for annoying people like me to get something out of my backpack in public -  just to surprise people. Nifty.

I know that new operating systems are going to be released soon too, like Windows 8 (nickname) from Microsoft or Chrome by Google – so everything will be better, stronger, faster and awesome. I have read that the Roll Laptop also has a solution to that annoying overheating problem that kills our current machines – as it has its own air circulating and cooling system. This could theoretically cut down the power being used to charge it and more importantly – allow machines to be quiet for once. It’s a new frontier out there, and when it comes to laptops (My name is Penny and I am a PC), I will definitely be surfing that front wave of change.

8. Solar Tech and the Bikini Charger

Finally – something awesome and useful. I’ve driven by some houses in Rochford and been very happy with what I’ve seen – namely solar panels on houses. These panels suck in energy from the sun and partially provide energy for things inside the home, like heat or electricity. Saving the earth and cutting down on bills sounds nifty doesn’t it? As soon as I can figure out how to get solar panels on my roof without falling off of a ladder, I’m going to do it.

I’ve even heard of something called ‘The Solar Bikini’ – which is exactly what you think it is. A woman (or a man - if that floats your boat) could put one of these on, go and lie out in the sun, soak up the energy whilst sunbathing and it can power your little electrical devices like an Mp3 player through a USB connection. Hopefully for me, they could invent ‘The Solar Over-Sized T-Shirt’ for when I go out into the sun to power my Mp3 player. I’m hoping the day comes when you pass houses on the main road through Rochford, and every single one has a wind turbine on the front lawn – powering everything inside. Fingers crossed.

9. 3D Everything

I know I said that I wouldn’t include 3D televisions in this article, but technically I haven’t. It’s everything else that I would like to mention. These wondrous little things include the Nintendo 3DS, 3D Panasonic cameras and numerous other things. A 3D camera sounds kind of cool, but it doesn’t make me jump up and down with excitement.

Apparently 3D technology cannot be contained as just televisions and I can see the future ladies and gentlemen. I see a future where you can have a teapot projecting a 3D version of itself, or perhaps moving 3D images in photo frames like in Harry Potter. Sarcasm aside, I am quite fed up with how primitive 3D tech is at the moment. I still believe that it isn’t ready and I know that we are not ready to receive it.

3D at the moment is viewed as a gimmick (by me certainly), and the only good example of it is when I saw Avatar at the pictures. The concept of 3D is fine, and certainly very pretty but I prefer not being hit in the face with it, and for it to be used as a gentle environment enhancement. Enough about that though -  for more info on 3D televisions and my inexplicable ranting, please refer to my previous article.

10. Next Generation Consoles

Ah, one of my favourite new technologies. I am a proud Sony Playstation 3 owner and enjoy playing games that involve massive amounts of shooting or perhaps dismembering aliens.

In stores at the moment – we have the PS3, the Microsoft Xbox 360 and the Nintendo Wii as the main three heavyweight contenders. These consoles (dubbed ‘the next generation consoles’) are pieces of tech that statistically have kids, men and myself captivated throughout the country. Each console has its specialities – but it is safe to say that if you want family games, stick to the Wii and for everything else it is a debate between the PS3 and the Xbox (depending on your allegiance). The next versions of these consoles are either in production now or are about to be unveiled – complete with more amazing graphics, more imaginative games and more Penny rage quenchers than ever before.

As you can tell, I am completely in love with consoles. Like film, they allow a wonderful sense of detachment from life and that is exactly what I need right now. They go one step further and allow you to be someone else, in someone else’s life with someone else’s problems. They also have their own virtual gameplay with the Xbox Kinect, the Playstation Move and the Wii Nunchuck controllers. Using this technology – you can use your own body as the controller and make your imagination limitless. We’re one step away from virtual environment playing – where we could live inside the Grid in Tron.

The Playstation also has its own Blu-ray player – so in my book this is a massive plus. I can’t wait for the PS4 to be released and when it is – you will see a phenomenon that only close members of my family see. The Happy Penny.

11. Hybrids

I love the idea of hybrid vehicles. Of course they won’t go as fast, make that obnoxious vroom vroom noise or be particularly cool – but they will help us get our world in order before we destroy it. Most hybrid vehicles employ a combination of petrol and electrics to power a vehicle – but I know that there are other ways. All sorts of them exist, in the public sector (police cars), in the transport industry (buses/trams), in the military (certain ships) and even some aircrafts use the tech. This genuinely puts me in a state of awe – due to what I used to think Hybrid vehicles were before my research – but now I realise that they are truly everywhere and not everyone realises it.
Again, I am definitely not one of those preachy people, but I do think that hybrid electrical devices are the way of the future (see the Solar Bikini). Eventually, we’ll be able to fill our cars with vegetable oil. This will no doubt create a smelly, yet earth saving kind of smell I know that we will all enjoy one day. I for one am looking forward to it; I’m fed up of the electric prices being so high because I’m on my laptop all the time.


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