Posting #3
Topic: Technology
Author: Mike Elgan
Publication Name: ComputerWorld
Date of Publication: April 27, 2012
2 pages
Main Idea:
As a world now ruled by technology, humans have been introducing new innovations and ideas that seem almost impossible. This time, it's the use of glass for future gadgets like glasses that act as a computer, iPhones made of glass, and more. Hundreds of companies are working towards taking a part in this 'glass revolution' a couple of them being Google and Apple. There are already several major advances made towards showing glass as a new, innovative material but here I'll list three of my favorites.
- Google's project glass was introduced on the Charlie Rose Program, publicly performed for the first time. Google's Sebastian Thrun came in wearing glasses that use glass and mirrors to project a computer display onto one of the user's eye. This creates an illusion that information is 'floating' in the air or staring at a hologram. By the help of wireless connectivity and artificial intelligence you can search the web, send messages by voice, and even take pictures by simply blinking. An example of the pictures taken by the google glasses is here, where Thrun took a picture of Charlie Rose.
- Microsoft's vision is not yet tangible, but as they're trying to get up with the fast pace of Apple, Facebook, and Google they are also gathering ideas on how they can be part of the glass revolution. Microsoft envisions augmented taxicab windows, wall size displays, and computer displays on everyday items like kitchen counters; all made of glass. One of their first steps is creating transparent computer displays, a video of a prototype can be found here.
- MIT creates glass that isn't shiny and doesn't produce glare when in the light; making things easier to read on the computer or the phone that uses glass. The university accomplished this by making a surface pattern with nano-scale cone glass. It's called multifunctional glass and it's very clear without any glare reflection.
Conclusion:
I'm always amazed by the fast pace the creation of new technologies has reached, I watched old movies that depict what they thought the 2000's would be like and I would always laugh. But suddenly, the creation of spaceships, holograms, and portable mobile devices are actually happening. We're becoming a fast paced and intelligent race but what is the cost of all of this on planet Earth? Can our home compete with our pollution, population, and innovations? Although seeing our lives change in front our eyes is amazing, it also scares me.
The "Glass Revolution" is the new movement in the technology industry to make products out of glass. Although they seems very science-fiction like, they will actually be products that normal people can buy and use on an everyday basis. Not only are companies like Google, Apple and Microsoft making computer and phone like products, like Google's Project Glass and Microsoft's transparent computer displays, but institutions like MIT are making all new types of glass that are less shine and don't glare. All of these new products are contributing to the changing of how our society functions and are letting us transform into the science fiction age that the 2000s were always thought to be.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how something as simple and primitive glass, essentially molten then re-hardened sand, has become the forefront of mobile technology these days. One problem I can foresee is that everything will be much more fragile. Take the iPhone 4, for example. It's supposedly bulletproof glass casing could hardly stand a three foot drop from my bed to my floor without a case. Nevertheless, I am looking forward to seeing what Microsoft and Apple can come up with in the next couple of years.
ReplyDeleteThe beauty of glass seems to have captured the technology obsessed world by storm. From Google's hologram-esk glass, to MIT's new non-glaring (a.k.a nano-scale) glass. The new direction of the world though like Barbara said is amazing is well... also terrifying. If these advancements are only the beginning and companies like Microsoft, Apple, and Google all competing against each other the production of newer, smarter, faster, and stronger products will be produced. The Idea of glass as kitchen counter tops seems strange in terms of practicality. As iPhone glass is supposed to be very strong it even claims to be "bullet prof" (when it really isn't) I don't see how we could have counter tops that are supposed to withstand families and cooking. But as the article says its a race to get to the best type of glass. So many the next summer block buster with holograms and computers on glass walls isn't so far fetched after all.
ReplyDeleteGoogle, Microsoft, MIT, and other organizations are creating innovative uses for glass, as well as types of glass that will improve existing products. For example, the computerized glasses that Sebastian Thrun wore to Google's Charlie Rose Program use glass and mirrors to project a computer display into one of the user's eye. By wearing these glasses, users can access and save information without carrying anything extra or typing in words, with the help of wireless connectivity and artificial intelligence. Users can take pictures by simply blinking and send messages and search the web by voice. MIT creates multifunctional glass, a type of glass that is clear without any glare reflection, which can be used on computer and phone screens in order to prevent headaches. MIT designed the glare-free glass using surface patterns created by nano-scale cone glass.
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