...or not. According to this article, many teens send over 100 texts a day. I can remember a time where I would read article about how popular texting was in Europe but how it had not caught on here. So much for that!
From the article: "Although teens make or receive about five calls a day, half of them send a minimum of 50 text messages a day, the survey found."
This absolutely applies to me as well. I never liked talking on the phone. I do it when I have to but if I have to choose between texting and a phone call, I'll take texting everytime. I often find myself staring at an incoming call and then texting the person "What do you want".
I like texting for several reasons. One, it's convienent. I seem to always get calls while I am in class or at work. Texts let me respond at my leisure. Another thing I like is having a chance to craft my message. If someone calls me, yes I will be my normal funny self, but with texting, I can craft a joke/comment to be its absolute finest. And lastly, I like texting because it saves me money. I have unlimited texts. I don't have unlimited minutes. Thus, I will continue to text away.
Another interesting point from the article: "Forty-three percent of teens who take their phones to school reported sending at least one text message from class a day, despite the fact that many schools have banned cell phones in class."
I find myself doing this as well. You know you are addicted to texting when you see you have a class in the Beering basement and your first thought is, "man, I can't get service down there".
At least I'm not as bad as the girl mentioned in the reader comments: "My 14 year old daughters portion of the phone bill for March 2010 had 13,943 texts. That is 465 texts a day. I knew she was sending quite a few, and we have unlimited testing so our bill has not gone up, but I had a heart attack when I saw that!"
Now THAT is impressive!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
The Envision Center
Today in my Com 435 class, we made a visit to Purdue's Envision Center. It was so cool! I am graduating in 2 weeks and am so happy I got to see what goes on in this place before I am gone.
The Envision Center's goal is to "to serve, support, and collaborate with faculty, students, and industry to be a leader in scientific visualization,and human computer interaction, through learning, discovery, and engagement." They have several cool areas used for research. One of which was this 3D wall. We spent time inside a pharmacy lab, virtually at least. It was projected onto these 4 large screens. Even cooler is that the screens have to ability to move and completely surround you. How cool would that be? They even have a simulation of Rome. Now THAT I'd have loved to see.
I was able to take control of the device and move around in the 3D world. It was awesome. I can see this having good possibilities for communication, perhaps allowing a group to meet even though no one is actually there. It is also great to allow people to learn about an environment without being there. I could see the army using it. But what I'd like to see most, is this used for video games. Can you imagine being surrounded on 4 sides, basically inside a video game? I can. It needs to happen.
The other parts of the center we saw were also interesting. There was a cool haptics area, and they had a neat 3D mouse. All in all, it was a great way to start my morning and I wish I'd have gotten to go there earlier in my student career.
The Envision Center's goal is to "to serve, support, and collaborate with faculty, students, and industry to be a leader in scientific visualization,and human computer interaction, through learning, discovery, and engagement." They have several cool areas used for research. One of which was this 3D wall. We spent time inside a pharmacy lab, virtually at least. It was projected onto these 4 large screens. Even cooler is that the screens have to ability to move and completely surround you. How cool would that be? They even have a simulation of Rome. Now THAT I'd have loved to see.
I was able to take control of the device and move around in the 3D world. It was awesome. I can see this having good possibilities for communication, perhaps allowing a group to meet even though no one is actually there. It is also great to allow people to learn about an environment without being there. I could see the army using it. But what I'd like to see most, is this used for video games. Can you imagine being surrounded on 4 sides, basically inside a video game? I can. It needs to happen.
The other parts of the center we saw were also interesting. There was a cool haptics area, and they had a neat 3D mouse. All in all, it was a great way to start my morning and I wish I'd have gotten to go there earlier in my student career.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Well, that didn't take long
Samsung's 3D TVs are not even out yet, but that hasn't stopped them from releasing some pretty sweeping warnings about them.
Really, it just seems like this is to avoid any legal liability in case something happened and they never had commented. But still. According to Samsung, "Children and teenagers may be more at risk to health issues related to 3D viewing. Those with family history of epilepsy or strokes are warned that exposure to flashing lights may cause seizures."
Other groups which may have to avoid 3D TV are: "Pregnant women, the elderly, the sleep-deprived, those suffering from serious medical conditions and anyone under the influence of alcohol."
So no 3D TV if you've been drinking...what fun is that!?!?!?!
Samsung's full warning can be found here
Really, it just seems like this is to avoid any legal liability in case something happened and they never had commented. But still. According to Samsung, "Children and teenagers may be more at risk to health issues related to 3D viewing. Those with family history of epilepsy or strokes are warned that exposure to flashing lights may cause seizures."
Other groups which may have to avoid 3D TV are: "Pregnant women, the elderly, the sleep-deprived, those suffering from serious medical conditions and anyone under the influence of alcohol."
So no 3D TV if you've been drinking...what fun is that!?!?!?!
Samsung's full warning can be found here
It has begun
Well, as you know, I have been focusing a lot recently on 3D TV. I thought it was going to really start coming out in the summer, but it's already here now! Over the weekend I saw several commercials for 3D TVs and they looked awesome.
This is a commercial for Samsung's 3D TV. I think I must have seen this 20 times just this past weekend.
I have seen commercials from other companies too, I know one was from Sharp. The 3D revolution is upon us. I don't know how successful it will be but it sure looks cool!
This is a commercial for Samsung's 3D TV. I think I must have seen this 20 times just this past weekend.
I have seen commercials from other companies too, I know one was from Sharp. The 3D revolution is upon us. I don't know how successful it will be but it sure looks cool!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Research Poster Review
Well yesterday was my day to present my research poster. It was actually fun! I enjoyed explaining my topic (3D TV) to people. I really am excited about that technology and although I won't be getting a 3D TV for several years down the road, I know that I will someday.
Overall I thought this was a very creative and fun experience, while at the same time it was a great way to learn not only about my choice of a new technology but other people's choices as well. From Google Wave to Google Buzz to the IPad, I picked up a lot of interesting facts and tidbits during this whole thing.
Incorporating Twitter into the project was also a cool thing. I have been using Twitter for well over a year. I have almost 2400 tweets! So I was very happy when I heard we would be using it. I believe Twitter is fantastic. I know some people don't "get it" but I totally do.
I love the microblogging that Twitter allows you to do. A few tweets here and there throughout the day and it becomes a great little journal. And that's just the start. I love the ability to follow stars of both movies and sports, politics and music. And I can get all their news at one time, even talk to them. I've gotten tweets from over a dozen celebrities and stars of my favorite sports teams and it is a great feeling. I also love how you can get up to the second news from the trending topics. Twitter is fantastic and I was glad it was a part of this project.
Overall I thought this was a very creative and fun experience, while at the same time it was a great way to learn not only about my choice of a new technology but other people's choices as well. From Google Wave to Google Buzz to the IPad, I picked up a lot of interesting facts and tidbits during this whole thing.
Incorporating Twitter into the project was also a cool thing. I have been using Twitter for well over a year. I have almost 2400 tweets! So I was very happy when I heard we would be using it. I believe Twitter is fantastic. I know some people don't "get it" but I totally do.
I love the microblogging that Twitter allows you to do. A few tweets here and there throughout the day and it becomes a great little journal. And that's just the start. I love the ability to follow stars of both movies and sports, politics and music. And I can get all their news at one time, even talk to them. I've gotten tweets from over a dozen celebrities and stars of my favorite sports teams and it is a great feeling. I also love how you can get up to the second news from the trending topics. Twitter is fantastic and I was glad it was a part of this project.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Final Touches
I'm currently in the process of finishing up my research poster for tomorrow. My topic is 3-D TV. I realize it's not that unique of a topic but it honestly is one new technology that I actually care about. I am big on HD TV and can't wait to see what 3D is like. I also saw Avatar and LOVED it! So I have really high hopes for the potential of 3D tv.
I know I will not be able to afford one for quite some time but I can still enjoy it at a sports bar or what have you. Anyways, I will update tomorrow on how the session went and what I learned from the whole experience!
I know I will not be able to afford one for quite some time but I can still enjoy it at a sports bar or what have you. Anyways, I will update tomorrow on how the session went and what I learned from the whole experience!
Monday, March 1, 2010
Well, I jinxed it...
So remember how less than 24 hours ago I was extolling the virtues of the PS3 and how it's practically flawless? Apparently there is a flaw, in it's internal calendar changing from 2/28/10 to 3/1/10. And it's a BIG flaw.
http://scitech.blogs.cnn.com/2010/03/01/playstation-network-down/?hpt=T2
It's even made CNN!
You can't play any games at all because a variety of error messages pop up. I saw yesterday on twitter that there was a problem but was swamped with work so I didn't notice how severe things were until today. I thought it was just a problem with the network, so I figured I just couldn't play anything online. Lo and behold I come from class, expecting to get in a nice game of FIFA or 2 and I can't!
Now all I have to do is read Invisible Man for ENG 250, study for my COM 324 exam Thursday, read "The Madness of King George" for HIST 395, and work on my research poster for COM 435...ack those aren't fun! I need my video games back!!!
http://scitech.blogs.cnn.com/2010/03/01/playstation-network-down/?hpt=T2
It's even made CNN!
You can't play any games at all because a variety of error messages pop up. I saw yesterday on twitter that there was a problem but was swamped with work so I didn't notice how severe things were until today. I thought it was just a problem with the network, so I figured I just couldn't play anything online. Lo and behold I come from class, expecting to get in a nice game of FIFA or 2 and I can't!
Now all I have to do is read Invisible Man for ENG 250, study for my COM 324 exam Thursday, read "The Madness of King George" for HIST 395, and work on my research poster for COM 435...ack those aren't fun! I need my video games back!!!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
The PS3
Now I know that I said I am not an early adopter of things like the IPad, and that is definitely true. But there has been one recent technology that I followed from the development stage and slept in line outside Best Buy to get...
Oh how I love my Playstation 3. It has become my virtual hub. I use it more than my computer. It has everything I need. It plays games, it plays blu-rays, it stores music, movies, pictures. There is 80 gigabytes of storage space.
Not to mention the built in wi-fi capabilities. I go on the internet through my PS3 more than my computer. And it continues to get better. They release new updates over the internet including new features and firmware.
I have always loved video games and for most of my life have been a Nintendo guy. Never liked XBox. Sony's PS3 is an incredible machine. I love it with all my heart.
Having a great tv to showcase it on makes it that much better. Maybe that will be my next topic. I am all over HDTV too...Adios for now!
Oh how I love my Playstation 3. It has become my virtual hub. I use it more than my computer. It has everything I need. It plays games, it plays blu-rays, it stores music, movies, pictures. There is 80 gigabytes of storage space.
Not to mention the built in wi-fi capabilities. I go on the internet through my PS3 more than my computer. And it continues to get better. They release new updates over the internet including new features and firmware.
I have always loved video games and for most of my life have been a Nintendo guy. Never liked XBox. Sony's PS3 is an incredible machine. I love it with all my heart.
Having a great tv to showcase it on makes it that much better. Maybe that will be my next topic. I am all over HDTV too...Adios for now!
Sunday, February 21, 2010
The IPad
Probably the hottest new technology to come out recently would be the IPad. It was rumored for quite some time and now that it's finally here...hmmm. Now I am a big believer in the saying "don't knock it til you try it" but I just don't know what exactly the IPad is providing that isn't already on the market. I already have a laptop and while I do want a new one, I don't think the IPad would cut it. I like that it is light, yet I'm not sold on the touchscreen keyboard.
Apple is one of my favorite companies but I'll take a pass on this one, at least for now. A year from now, who knows. I am not usually an early adopter of new technologies in the first place, I like to wait for price drops. But I will definitely be watching with interest what happens with the IPad over the next year.
Apple is one of my favorite companies but I'll take a pass on this one, at least for now. A year from now, who knows. I am not usually an early adopter of new technologies in the first place, I like to wait for price drops. But I will definitely be watching with interest what happens with the IPad over the next year.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
All About This Blog
This blog is being written for my Com 435: Communication and Emerging Technologies class. Therefore, I will mainly talk about just that. Whether it be a cool new website, a new device (IPad!), or whatever is the hot new topic, I'll be talking about it. Perhaps there will be a little deviation into some of my favorite topics in the sports and video game technologies. I mean, think about how the new 3-D tv's that are being developed are going to revolutionize the way people watch sports with each other. The 2010 World Cup is going to be the debut of this tech for ESPN. I will not be lucky enough to afford this technology so early but I can't wait to hear what people's early impressions are. Some people scoffed at Avatar's 3D and now it's the number 1 grossing film of all time with over 2 billion dollars. There is a market for 3D. Same goes for 3D video games. PS3 could already support full 3D games with just a firmware update. That, I do have access to :)
Well, more to come with this blog later. Maybe add some pictures or whatnot. But for now, class is about over, and I have a long essay about Richard III to write. This is going to be great...
Well, more to come with this blog later. Maybe add some pictures or whatnot. But for now, class is about over, and I have a long essay about Richard III to write. This is going to be great...
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