Cutting Edge Technology at the 2011 PhotoPlus Expo

During the 3-day PhotoPlus Expo in New York, several exhibitors displayed their latest advances in photography technology. There were a massive assortment of cameras, lenses, printers, clothing, gear, gizmos and gadgets on display. The Expo was heavily bent for the professional photographer and the casual weekend or hobbyist cameraman might have felt left out. However, many of the latest introductions in technology were suitable for both sections, even though some may be too highly priced.  Here are 3 outstanding innovations showcased at the PhotoPlus Expo.  A more detailed list of products displayed can be found here.


Sony DEV-3 and DEV-5 3D Binoculars

The Sony DEV-3 and DEV-5 3D Binoculars are like a gizmo straight out of the last blockbuster sci-fi movie! The videos and photographs shot from these binoculars products are astounding. Only the more advanced model, the DEV-5, was on display.  This multimedia camera boasts several amazing features including 3D binoculars, a 7-megapixel camera, and a 1080i video recorder. Ranging between $1400 - $2000, the DEV-3 and DEV-5 cost a pretty penny. However, if you are shopping for a superior quality, multifunctional digital camera, these binoculars may be a great choice.


Gorillapod Micro 250 and 350

Joby is a brand known best for its bendy camera tripods.  But one of the coolest gadgets at their booth was a tripod that we’re not accustomed to.  Called the Gorillapod Micro, these mini-tripods are stiff, much like small sticks, which can collapse nicely beneath you camera without adding much weight or bulk at all.  On top of that, they come in various sizes.  You’ll always be able to catch that perfect sunset self-portrait because you’ll never be without your tripod again.


Wacom Cintiq 24HD Pen Display

Here’s a 24-inch display ideal for professional photographers and designers alike. However, for the more “well-off” hobbyist who aims to create exacting edits to pictures and designs, it may be worth the price tag. The Wacom Cintiq 24HD Display retails for around $2,600.  Still, they’re in such high demand, that they’re fairly hard to come by.  The display is known for its remarkable responsiveness and exacting detail, great for anyone working in 3D design, animation, game development, industrial design and visual effects who is no longer willing to compromise when it comes to image quality.

Although the PhotoPlus Expo was intended for professionals in the photography and design industry, many amateurs and enthusiasts still prefer keeping up with state-of-the-art technology. The expo showcased countless other items, such as high-tech lighting, camera accessories, and jackets. Take a look at other articles about the Expo, and see some amazing innovations in photography.

Will Device Connectivity Make Our Lives Easier

You have probably read a lot about the world becoming more and more connected. We don’t only mean with people but within our own lives as well. Having our devices more connected makes life simpler. Device connectivity can prevent you from interrupting your work, for example, by transferring a document you are working on at home to your smartphone you can work on it during your commute using a voice transcription app. Microsoft has an interesting take on the future of connectivity, click here to see a video of their vision. This may not be very far off and it begs the question: what apps, devices, or combination of the two will help create a future such as this? Below are a few that I have found.


iControl


iControl is a home energy management and security product that Comcast introduced recently. Using this product, people can monitor their homes in real time through video, control the thermostat, and turn the lights on and off giving the “lived in” illusion when away. The iControl software plus hardware and apps along with Comcast broadband make it possible for people to have full control over their homes even when miles away.


Air Sharing

This app for the iPad enables you to use your iPad or iPhone as an external hard drive for your computer. Having the ability to easily access and transfer your documents allows for more mobility in your workday.

AirPlay


Apple’s AirPlay app allows you to wirelessly stream music, videos, and photos to Apple TV. Imagine listening to a podcast or audio book on your run then walking into the house and seamlessly transferring it to your home system so that you can finish listening to. This kind of connectivity is not only for work but also for play.

Will the future be filled with gadgets, apps, and software that synchronize all aspects of your life? In this age of connectivity, we are deeply connected to our devices. Hopefully they will one day be so interconnected that they will even be a few steps ahead of us. If this requires less effort on my part, I’m for it…how about you?

Back to the Future Tech: Is 2011 more like 1955?

In 1985’s Back to the Future, we travel through time with Marty McFly in a nuclear-powered DeLorean. Marty can do what man has desired to do since the beginning of time: control his destiny. In the first movie, Marty goes back to the past in order to save his parent’s marriage, and consequently his existence. In the lesser first sequel, Marty travels into the future to modify the paths of his children. While these films are obviously fanciful, they do present an interesting question. In the year 2011, would we consider ourselves to be nearer to the technology found in Hill Valley in 1955, or the second film’s futuristic vision?

First, we should ask ourselves where we thought we would be by 2011. Of course we’d have flying cars and hover boards by now, wouldn’t we? Yet here we are, still driving fossil-fuel burning cars, riding scooters and bicycles, all the while wearing fairly normal clothes. Basically, if you took a step back and investigated the way we conduct our lives, much of the technology we use today existed 70 years ago. The television had been invented. Cars already had modern features like air conditioning and radios. Movies were shown in color. The Wizard of Oz, made in 1939 has special effects that rival many independent moviemakers today.

Many movies in the past, however, have prophesied some of the advances we use today.  Arnold Schwarzenegger was caught carrying a gun through a full-body x-ray machine trying to board a plane in Total Recall.  Airports are now employing very similar tech. In Minority Report, Tom Cruise deftly moves from image to image, mirroring the type of touch screen technology, 3D monitors and holograms that will exist – if they don’t already – in the very near future.  In 2001: A Space Odyssey, Pan Am flies the common man to outer space.  Virgin Atlantic is making that possible today for that same traveler, though they need to shell out $200,000 for a seat.

We might not have flying cars or hover boards, but we do have Jetson-like videophones.  We can Skype to the 4 corners of the earth and chat with relatives or friends for hours for free.  We can clone animals. We are in ethical debates over genetic engineering. We use lasers in everything from astronomy to surgery. Yet if you were to look at life all around us, does it look more like 1955 than 2055? We’re really no nearer to being able to fly to work as Dorothy was to returning to Kansas when she first arrived in Oz.

Where does that put us?  The future is truly happening everywhere. Its seen in video billboards, the Internet tracking our every website click or online purchase, and 3D TVs and binoculars.  We can still go to the movies – only now it might break your budget if you have a family of four.  Still, the old axiom is true:  the more things change, the more they stay the same.  Chevrolet is still producing gas-powered convertibles, Universal is still making bad sequels, and you can still watch Back to the Future.  Only now you can watch it on your phone.

Perfectionism: Help or Hindrance

In the business world, it’s easy to find perfectionists. Are you one? Perfectionism can help us have a critical eye, keep us driven and motivated to work harder, but if you end up changing direction time and again, questioning your choices, or stressing about small details, perfectionism will be more of a hindrance then a help. Many negative things can stem from this, the most prominent being wasted resources of both time and money. At the end of the day the outcome doesn’t generally justify the effort. Below are some suggestions to liberate yourself from the net of perfectionism when you find yourself ensnared.


Make a Decision and Stick to it
Believe in the decisions you make! One trap of perfectionism is to second-guess yourself, which can be a never-ending spiral. So when you make a decision, trust yourself and stick to it.

Trus t your Employees
When you unveil your plan to your employees they will inevitably have opinions. Listen to what they have to say! If they tell you it’s a good idea, trust them. This will stop you from falling into the questioning game. Also, their skills are your resources, so trust them to execute their part of the plan well. You hired them because you trust their stills, right? And lastly, before getting settled into your plan make sure you…

Have a Plan B
Sometimes things go wrong, so develop a backup plan. This will help you stay more flexible mentally and keep you from being held to the constraints of your first plan. The more flexible you are, the more you will be able to handle the “non-perfect” things that happen throughout your plan and your day.

Perfectionism could have a favorable effect as it may make you endeavor to be your best, but that pressure can lead to stress and wasted time. Try to stay flexible and strive for your personal best. If you find yourself caught up in perfectionism, the steps I’ve outlined above should help. You can also read this article to learn how to avoid perfectionism pitfalls all together.

Some Surprises at the T3 Gadget Awards

Everyday, it seems, a new technological advancement pops up in news-feeds and broadcasts everywhere. In homage to these inventions and innovations, the Technological community all comes together to vote on the most ground breaking of these advances, and the winners are announced at the T3 Gadget Awards Ceremony. Over 960,000 votes were cast this year, and the winners ultimately chosen with the help of a 6 person expert panel.  Here are a number of interesting—and sometimes ironic—choices for winners.  Please check out the full list of categories and winners here. 


Ironic Winners

One of the most interesting aspects of the Awards are the categories themselves. They run the gamut of technology, and aren’t completely focused on gadgetry. For instance, there’s the Best Retailer award and even the Gadget Personality of the Year award.  It is in this category that one can find an ironic choice: Mark Zuckerberg.  Although his influence on modern communication can’t be ignored, few would argue that he’s got Clooney-like charisma. And then there’s the category of Best Commuting Device in which anything that helps you get from here to there can be included. So, the electric bicycle nominee may appear like an obvious choice. The winner, in fact, was the Amazon Kindle -- which makes “getting there” easier, as long as you’re not riding the electric bicycle while reading it!

Influential Winners

Another interesting revelation can be found in the voters’ decision that Twitter is the “Digital Media Service of the Year.”  Sure, Zuckerberg’s got the Personality, but Twitter won the bigger battle. To be sure, the principals of large corporations like Apple, Google and Facebook are probably not crying themselves to sleep because they didn’t win a Gadget gong. It is notable, however, that more votes were generated for Twitter than any other medium by the tech community themselves. Those in-the-know with plenty of influence ought to be taken very seriously by the tech giants. Simply put, Facebook can’t rest on its laurels (just look at MySpace for reference).

Surprising Winners

If you were to question the average passerby which phone would win Phone of the Year, most would probably say the iPhone 4.  Again, though, because a very tech-savvy crowd cast the votes, the votes went to Samsung’s Galaxy S II.  Google won the Tech Brand of the Year, beating out rivals Apple and Facebook.  Although it’s just the “T3 Gadget Awards,” Google is in a much better position amongst the tech community in terms of brand recognition and perhaps overall importance.

In the final analysis, the 2011 T3 Gadget Awards provided some fascinating insight into where technology is headed.  Some of the winners were surprising, with Samsung taking a number of Awards, showing that it’s not just the Giants in the industry making all the waves.  Please take some time to check out the complete list of Awards, categories and nominees.  You can even go back to 2008; the first year votes were cast, and see how much technology has changed, who the winners were in the past and whether or not they’re still relevant today.

Intel and Toshiba Announce Energy Monitoring Plans at CEATEC

Becoming “greener” has been a hot topic lately, not only amongst the general public but also in high-tech companies. Many companies are looking into green tech as an approach to save energy , save the environment, or to simply save money. One of the primary things you must know when looking into conserving energy is what uses the most energy?

Japan recently hosted the annual CEATEC conference earlier this month just outside Tokyo. During the conference, Toshiba and Intel announced their recent developments in energy monitoring. It’s no real shock to see these businesses coming forward with big developments that allow individuals and companies to manage and monitor their energy consumption. The following are a couple of the changes they will implement in 2012 that may change the way companies and individuals regulate their energy consumption.

Intel

PC users will be able to monitor the energy consumption of their PC with the application Intel has developed. With an easy to read dashboard where the data is organized and displayed in graphs, charts, and statistics, you will be able to much more easily see how your computer is using energy.

Toshiba


You may have read that Toshiba recently acquired Landish Gyr, a company that specializes in smart-meter tech, Toshiba is using this as part of a “smart home” offering. This will allow individuals to more easily monitor the energy consumption in their homes. They are also developing cloud technology for a variety of verticals, including city infrastructure and health companies.


Japanese technology companies are presently highly focused on monitoring energy consumption. That being said, it is interesting that many companies in the US are pulling away from this. Microsoft and Google are just two examples. Microsoft announced in June that they're discontinuing their energy-monitoring service called Hohm. While Google announced it is taking a break from the green game by shutting down Google Powermeter.

We can see that though companies in the US are moving away from energy monitoring, companies in Japan are focused on it. What will the future be for the green technology world? It’s hard to say, but if you have any ideas or speculations about this, we would love to hear them!


IPhone 4S: Should You Upgrade

Apple is known for its forward thinking, cutting-edge and revolutionary inventions.  From the Apple IIe to the iPad, Apple has always been at the forefront of computing and communicating.  However, it has set the bar so high that even Apple finds itself hard to beat.  A good example is the recent release of the iPhone 4S – a truly amazing product using the latest and greatest technology available.  But to its loyal fans, people who are always expecting a revolution instead of an evolution, some might have found the launch of an upgraded/evolved iPhone 4 instead of a revamped and brand new iPhone 5, to be less than remarkable.  However, the 4S does present 3 very impressive upgrades, which should inspire die-hard Apple users to seriously consider getting the iPhone 4S.


Software

One of the most noticeable areas of improvement can be found in the amount of speed and power that the 4S commands.  Apple announced that the iPhone 4S has seven times the graphical prowess of its predecessor and is twice as powerful. It features the iPad 2’s dual-core A5 chip that makes opening apps, loading the web browser, scrolling through home screens and countless other operations smoother and faster.


Siri

Probably the most compelling reason to upgrade to the 4S is the addition of Siri – a “personal assistant” who can parse the information you tell it through a mere conversation. For instance, if you were to tell Siri, “Please tell Jodi that I’m running late”, it would know who Jodi is and which meeting you’re talking about, and contact her to reschedule. It’s a pretty cool feature when it works.  However, when Siri doesn’t work, it makes you realize that it’s still a work in progress. Although Siri shows its personality in its humourous answers to questions it can’t yet answer, you just want it work.  For more on the topic, visit http://www.forbes.com/sites/benzingainsights/2011/10/17/is-siri-seriously-awesome-or-seriously-flawed/


iCloud

Similar to MobileMe, iCloud allows you to access all of your most critical data, pictures, apps, music and photos from any device, whether you access it from the device the content was created on, or if you want to use your iPad to show your friends a picture you took using your iPhone. One downfall, however, is that for users used to MobileMe’s specific syncing procedures, the user id it created doesn’t “play well” with iCloud. At the same time, iCloud doesn’t recognize email accounts like Yahoo or Gmail as they don’t contain a me.com email address.  Although it’s fantastic technology, the fact that it still has what appear to be fairly obvious faults makes it that much more frustrating to Apple enthusiasts.

In the final analysis, the iPhone 4S will of course be a huge commercial success. But, are the upgrades worth the wait?  In the end, it depends on who you ask. If you’re a Mac-addict, always in need of the most up-to-date and coolest toy, then of course, it’s worth the wait.  With its improvements in power, efficiency, speed, software and upgrades, the 4S is an impressive machine.  However, if you’re able to get everything you need from your old 3G(S), there’s really nothing completely revolutionary about the iPhone 4S.  As an evolutionary device, it’s still pretty cool.


Head in the Cloud: Creativity Today

Many industries have changed because of the cloud. Massive quantities of information can be stored and shared easily in the cloud. And with the popularity of tablets people can access it quickly. This has improved the way creative people do business, below are a few examples if this.

Portfolios
The size of someone’s portfolio was previously confined to what they could physically carry.   Because of this size limitation, there were limitations to the content as well. Now, thanks to the cloud, they can create separate files tailored to each client’s needs, which they can quickly access from a tablet. This mobility can lead to more business more quickly.

Creative Collaboration
Collaborating used to be limited to people near you. This meant that professional people across the globe did not have much possibility to collaborate on a project. If they were a part of the collaboration process, it meant sending large files back and forth, which produced duplicate copies and a slower working pace. When files are store in the cloud, you can work on them simultaneously and update only one copy. Tablets allow you to pull the project up anywhere and work on it, so creative inspiration isn't stifled.


Brainstorming
Mind mapping is a great way to brainstorm and when done in conjunction with the cloud, the quantity of people that can give their impute is not limited. You can access these files on tablets, work with local collogues, and update the shared file for everyone. These elements break down the distance barrier that has limited idea brainstorming in the past.

With the expansiveness of the cloud and the mobility of the tablet, there are almost no limitations to where creativity can happen.

3 ways to make sure your computer is safe

We all love computers. Don’t deny it, you’re on one right now. The main reason computers are so popular, obviously, is because of the value they offer. This value isn’t only found in what a computer offers, but additionally in what a computer costs. Even simplified netbooks costs a few hundred dollars. This makes these valuable machines regular targets for thieves. Make sure to keep your computer safeguarded from these attempts; here are some tips to do so.

Physical Security

All computers are portable, even if they are desktop models. A thief is more than happy to do a quick grab and run, leaving you with nothing but a few cords and a monitor. To further secure your computer, try adding a security cable. These cables are generally locked with a key, and cost only $40. They are both easy to install and easy to operate, and add a level of physical safety to your computer that is priceless.


Data Security

Computer’s are worth more than the sum of their physical parts. When a computer is stolen, the thief may have access to your personal information and data. Even if your computer is password protected or your data is encrypted, the information stored within could, in theory, be accessed. Because of this, it’s a good practice to store your bank account, credit and social security information in a different location. Having your identity stolen on top of losing your computer would only add insult to injury.

Keeping Track

Wish there was a way to track down your pc when it goes missing? Yeah, there’s an app for that. Downloading tracking software onto your computer will allow you to locate it once it’s gone, so long as the hard drive remains intact. While a computer may its hard drive wiped clean once stolen, there has been numerous occasions in which computer tracking apps have been successful in returning the stolen item to its owner.

While all of these tips are useful in keeping your computer safe, there is no replacement for common sense and reasonable vigilance. Make sure to take good care of your computer; chances are it takes good care of you.

The Benefits of Workplace Education

Workplace education programs (WEP) can bring about positive rise in company morale. Companies can employ this in small ways with informative handouts, education breaks as a group, or by offering full or half day classes to employees. Either way, learning interesting things keeps people inspired and exercises their minds. Employees will feel like you care about them as it supports their personal goals of furthering their careers. Knowing their company is investing in them makes them feel secure in their position.

That being said, workplace education programs can be dull and if the classes aren’t difficult enough to maintain employee interest, it can negate all of the positive effects that can come from these programs.

Here are some ideas to make your education programs interesting and fun.

Divide employees into groups – Groups create healthy competition and encourages collaboration. Additionally they help employees get acquainted with each other better, which can lead to an even more supportive team environment.

Give Incentives – Whether given to groups or individuals, incentives can be a fantastic way to motivate people to pay attention and work hard.

Be Playful – Turning education into a game will help with retention of the materials being taught. Additionally, games also help to develop team-building skills.

Implementing education programs in the workplace not only supports your business by creating a more educated work environment but also promotes self improvement. These programs can be exciting and a fun strategy to break up the week. If offering classes is not something that your company is capable of doing in the future, try employing something on a smaller scale, for instance giving your employees a topic to study after which holding a quiz. Divide the group into teams and create a game out it.  The team with the most right answers wins donuts and coffee the next day. Workplace education programs can be scaled to fit your company; the most important thing is that, when done right, workplace education programs can have a strong positive effect on your company overall.