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An up and rising company by the name of DoorJamz has created something that is perhaps the pinnacle of human ingenuity and progression. The guys at DoorJamz have a door bell that can be altered using a smart phone. This means that no longer will you have to hear the annoying ding dong sound, now your guest recognition device can be any sound clip your heart desires. The app side of things has many additional features. It lets you lower the volume of your door bell in case you trying to raise a colony of ants to do your evil bidding. Also available is to have the ability to pre-schedule specific sound clips for certain times and days. Having an annoying relative over that has an irrational fear of Celine Dion? Have the Titanic sound track play while she's over whenever a guest arrives. Can't control your bowels unless you hear the opening song to Jurassic Park? You can have that play as well. The possibilities are truly endless. I'm surprised you're still reading this, by now I would've expected you to violently type in the URL to DoorJamz's website and order 20 of these bad boys. Trust me, you're kid defiantly wants a DoorJamz door bell for Christmas.

Apple is starting to test their "budget" phone. Whether it will reach stores or not, the "budget" phone will make it a lot easier for many froogle customers to be able to afford an Apple iPhone without trying to take out a loan. This phone is believed to have a 0.4-0.6 mm thick plastic shell, with a 5MP camera, and 3.5- inch retina display. The phone will also contain an A5 chip and have the colour options varying from black, white, blue, yellow, and blue variety.

This article is about a music streaming service that Google might release for their Andriod Operating system. A few months ago, Apple was supposedly working on a music streaming service for their iOS and now Google is joining in, increasing the rivalry between them. Because of the on going rivalry between Andriod and Apple, both companies are trying to take all the necessary steps towards buying over their fans. The music streaming service would enable the customer to play music without actually having to download it. You would stream the music from the application with your internet connection, and since Google and Apple are developing these services, all the audio files that will be streamed will be playable on the device in use. This is a good way to get people to listen to music without actually having to download the song illegally and listen to the song they want to buy before purchasing it. This service could boost hardware sales, but they would not make a lot of money from the actual service itself, since its hard to make money with an ad-supported music streaming service.

This article is based on recycling of the iPhone 5. Apple sold over 5 million iPhone 5's the first week it was introduced. Most of these buyers weren't first time owners. They were buyers of an iPhone 3, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, or an iPhone 4S. Some customers did successfully recycle them, but most iPhone's aren't efficiently thrown out. These resources are collected from our earth. Knowing that many iPhone's have been sold in the past years, there are many resources used from our earth that are getting wasted and overused. If there are going to be many more iPhone's invented, then this will be a problem to our environment and its going to affect our ways of living. In conclusion, if the iPhone if successful and continues to invent more, then we will be living in a different environment which will not be good.

On October 29 Google unveiled its new tablet the Nexus 10. This is Google's first 10 inch Nexus device and it runs on an Android 4.2 Jelly Bean Google's newest mobile system, also it comes with some new cutting edge hardware you ever seen in an Android tablet. Google has priced its new tablet at $399 to compete with the other new tablets such as Microsoft Surface, iPad 4th generation, and Kindle Fire HD. The Nexus 10 has a 2560 x 1600 pixel Super PLS display at 300ppi and has a denser display screen than other competitors. The Nexus 10 runs on an ARM Cortex-A15 processor and quad-core Mali T604 graphics processing unit. It has a 5 megapixel rear camera and a 1.9 megapixel front camera. The Nexus's new software has a new user account option that lets multiple users customize the tablet to their own needs without disrupting other users that may have access to it. The only bad thing it lacks the proper apps for a tablet that are available to Android. It is eLifestyle because a lot of people have been waiting for this new tablet and it's different than the latest tablets. It's portable computing because it runs on the new Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and Google's latest mobile system. Has a bigger screen and it will compete very well with the other companies.

This post is about the windows phone market increasing in number of apps. In june 2012, the Windows Phone market was home to only 100 000 apps, and is now at 120 000 apps. This shows that although it is a small amount compared to Apple's 650 000 apps in June 2012, it is very rapidly growing and becoming a more recognized competitor. When people are asked what they do not like about windows phones in general, most say that the are too few apps on the market. This is quickly becoming less and less of an issue. This relates to portable computing because these days people use apps for everything. A larger selection of apps can be the deal breaker on choosing between an iPhone and a Windows Phone. By having a large amount of apps available to customers, you can make their lives easier by meeting more of their daily needs through phone applications. 

This article talks about how they are thinking of making ATM machines that can read your palm. It can access your account just by scanning your hand. Then you can easily take out money without scrambling for your credit card. Now you don't need to worry about losing your credit card or even forgetting your pin number. I believe this is a good idea because it can make it easier for everyone to just scan their hands and get the proper amount of money out. I personally like this method better than using credit cards. This relates to the course because it takes a lot of programming to get these ATM machines to work, and also the actual ATM machine is a hardware.

Ogaki Kyoritsu Bank in Japan has revealed that it will introduce the nation's first ATM that lets you withdraw money just by scanning your palm. You wouldn't even need your credit card to verify that you can withdraw money from your account. I think this is a great idea. In Canada, we already have the device where it scans your chip, but it doesn't always work. For example, my dad had to send back his credit card 3 times before he finally got the chip to work. This is also very safe because every person has a different hand shape and "design" on their palms, no one would be able to imitate it. I hope that they come out with this machine in Canada soon, i'm sure it would be less stressful for many people.

This article talks about how in Japan they will soon have ATMs that let you withdraw money just by scanning your palm. This will come in handy when you have lost your card. Customers would first have to show identification for verification then they would scan your palm and can easily withdraw money from the bank. This new type of technology can be convenient because there would be less people stealing credit cards from other, and can withdraw anytime even when you forget your card.

The new iPad wasn't the most surprising outcome. I personally thought it would look way different. But, here are ways that could of made the iPad much surprising. Everyone want's long battery, so it could last for a while, nobody would want smudging on the screen, and of course nobody would want cracks on their screens.  Those are some examples that would impress the Apple customers.

This article explains how Dell, one of the largest and most successful PC makers in the world, has given up on a possible creation of their own smartphone. Dell expressed that they tried multiple times to produce a product that would be successful in the US smartphone market, but with a number of devices facing some serious bugs as well as a problem with slow speed, the company did not see positive results and they decided to trash the idea and process once and for all to focus on other opportunities. Dell is not getting out of the mobile device business altogether thanks to sales and success with devices sold in Asia and Japan, and the company will continue making low-cost phones and tablets for sale in emerging markets. With smartphones becoming a very successful and poplar device that many customers are increasingly taking an interest to, this setback has to worry or concern Dell because they are not able to compete will other huge named brands and companies in the mobile device bushiness. Dell has had it's highs and has had success over the years with products and devices, but maybe this is a wake up call that they don't have the money, resources, and high praise that more well-known companies do and this could be a huge factor to why the amount of success, more specifically in the phone industry, hasn't been enough to be a top contender in the mobile business altogether.

This Article is about Android Ice Cream Sandwich being the first version of the Android operating system that melds together's Google's smartphone edition and tablet edition (previously limited to Android 3.x Honeycomb) of the mobile OS together, we're seeing the lines between phone and tablet being blurred

"Mobile World Congress on Monday, Zuckerberg delineated some of his plans for moving forward with Internet.org, the initiative led by Facebook to bring Internet connectivity to poor countries around the world.  While Zuckerberg touted the altruistic vision of his company's goal to connect the next one billion people, it's important to note that the project isn't just for the sake of bringing basic services to those that don't have it, but rather bringing millions of additional eyeballs to Facebook and its advertisers.  See Also: Hey Facebook! Connecting The World To The Web Isn't Enough "[We are] making it so that we can increase the amount of up-sells to subscriptions when they're using these basic services," Zuckerberg said in his keynote. "They will come to a link that isn't included in the basic services package; a popup that says, ok if you want to consume this, you have to buy this data plan." Facebook is making a long-term promise to both data carriers and advertisers-Zuckerberg said the next one billion people to attain Internet access will not be as affluent as those already on Facebook, thus making it harder to monetize the company's services. Zuckerberg said the social network will subsidize Facebook, Messenger, and other services like weather or basic news and information, and then provide up-sells in applications to deliver the whole package-like a gateway drug. Those up-sells are where carriers and Facebook make money. "The reason why they're not on [the Internet] is they don't know why they would want to get access to it," Zuckerberg said. "[We will show] people why it's rational and good for them to spend the limited money that they have on the Internet." How WhatsApp Fits Into Internet.org Facebook recently spent $19 billion to acquire the mobile messaging application WhatsApp, an application Zuckerberg claims will be one of the few services to amass a billion users in the future. He claimed that, by it

Gigabyte has recently released yet another amazing graphics card. This time it is the ever so popular GTX 780 Ti. The 780 Ti is currently the highest end video card, featuring the absolute best performance, and a budged of which is going to require another wallet. However, this non-reference card (not stock design) features the best a 780 Ti can offer. With it's new super popular windforce cooler, custom PCB (Motherboard) and highest stock clock (speed) of any 780 Ti, this Gigabyte windforce card will surely many the eyes of any enthusiast shine. Capable of an insane stable overclock of 1203GHz this card smashes its competition. It is truly the best of the best, and with a price tag of $810, if your wallet can afford it, you will surely not come across anything better.

On February the 23rd, Microsoft made a few announcements on their Windows Phone. The new update 8.1 will have more flexible support for hardware and the phone will be able to use dual-SIM, apps on microSD and virtual softkeys instead of the original capacitive keys. The Windows phones will also not be required to have a hardware camera shutter key which people are excited for. The new update is refreshing and the updated hardware opens up more ability for the market to grow. I personally think this is a great move for Windows because it adds the options that their customers have been asking for. It has also been said on a similar article that the new update will allow Windows hardware to work on other phone companies such as Android. This might not be a good idea because people might not find the need to use the hardware if they already have one on their phone. Personally, if I wanted to use the Windows hardware, I would just buy a Windows Phone instead of downloading it on my existing one.

Sony is developing a new virtual reality headset for the PlayStation 4. This headset will have1080p quality with a 90 degree field of view. The headset is very stylish and refined compared the other giant in virtual reality technology, the oculus rift. Morpheus (codename for the vr headset) will be the only competition for Oclulus Rift concerning customers seeking virtual reality gameplay. Although we don't know yet if Morpheus out performs the rift I believe that there will be a virtual reality was between the two. Being a gamer myself, I really like the possibility of virtual reality gameplay. Unfortunately at the moment the Morpheus is not for me because prefer playing games on the pc and will probably never buy a next gen console.

I am sharing this article as my wildcard for week 4. I found this article to be interesting because it helps show what is possible with 3d printing. A man named Jim Smith 3D printed himself a kayak over 1000 hours of printing time. Although this technology is not the fastest it shows me what is possible with 3d printing. We now live in an age where we can 3d print whatever it is we want for a exceptionally low cost as compared to purchasing it. If I could afford it I would 3d print more items and I find it to be a very interesting piece of technology.

Microsoft has created a website for people to safely dispose of old electronics. The website also gives information on buying certified eco-friendly pc's and their use. Microsoft is trying to save energy and keep the world green.

On March 13 Target experienced a massive breach that compromised 40 million credit and debit cards as well as personal information about approximately 70 million customers. There has arrose allegations of the Target security team dismissing the warnings as nothing and allowing it to happen. Although Target has come back saying that like any large company there are many technical events that come to the attention of the team. The team noticed the criminal had entered their system but the situation was evaluated and acted upon although at Target they are investigating whether if different judgements had been made there would have been a different outcome and the entire situation would have been avoided.

In England, Two computer engineers were able to make a rubiks cube solving machine, out of legos. The machine does not just simply solve the rubiks cube, it is also able to solve it in under 3.253 seconds, making it the faster robot ever to solve a rubiks cube. The amazing thing is, is that this machine was built on these engineers free time. I believe what these two english engineers did was simply amazing. If someone has the free time to make a machine like this, these two powerful minds have the capability to make robots that could solve equations that are difficult, or things that make our every day life easier. Lego is truly a toy not just for kids, the motors and actuators are used from multiple Lego Windstorm sets and is being controlled by a Samsung galaxy s4 with a custom app.

Computers are starting to recognize our faces. what does this mean? Let's find out. New and upcoming facial recognition technology like google glass will heavily integrate the face. it will be able to link someone's face out in the public, to an image of them on the web. In the future we would need to reformat exisiting legislation on privacy. Right now, by law, this potential action is not prohibited. This topic is already being discussed by people in positions of power who see the negative consequences to come. While people focus on the negatives, the positives don't get any real limelight! most of these include much quicker operating procedures for business, who can recognize potential customers. Security also becomes more efficient, which is a good thing when talking about the protection of people and business. It also seriously inflicts on an individuals right to privacy, though... for security in protecting people I believe this should be a mandatory, though. This might be something people will have to endure, whether they like it or not. But, it is better to embrace the future rather than reject it, so here's to computer tracking devices! One thing to point out is the younger generation will not be influenced by this at all. If we don't start to connect with newer technologies early, we'll end up like our grandparents!

The company behind Animal Planet has bought a two-year-old network called DogTV. The channel broadcasts 24/7 content for dogs with three categories: relaxation, stimulation, and exposure. The target market for this channel is for owners that feel guilty about leaving their pets home alone. The idea is not new either, a channel called Puppy Channel was launched in 1997 and still has a website today. In August, DogTV closed its distribution deal with DirecTV and DirecTV estimated that half of its 20 million customers are dog owners who would be interested in the channel. DogTV has gone with the HBO style charging their monthly subscription $5 on the channel and $10 for online streaming. If the owners of the dogs are interested in watching the channel as well, the channel may add advertising to it. Dan Fox, Discovery's senior vice president of corporate development, says that DogTV is a very natural fit and is lacking big-name stars. This is good because unlike other very popular shows, the channel will not have to pay a lot for salaries. I think this is a great ideas for dogs who have to stay home because their owners are not allowed to take them out. It will keep the dogs busy as well as keep them entertained and stimulated while the owner is out doing whatever they need to do without having to worry about if their dog is ok.