Category: Technology

Nest, a unit of Google recently bought Dropcam, a Wi-Fi based continues streaming video camera maker. GoPro, one of larger wearable camera maker went public on June 25, 2014 with an Initial Public Offering (IPO). GoPro makes entry level camera called Hero and others. A camera worn on the head of a prospective father who streamed live of his wife rushing to hospital for a delivery and the moment of truth itself made the Internet jitter recently. Wearable watches from many mainstream technology behemoths are already becoming increasingly popular. New generation of wearable are getting more sophisticated and increasingly transforming people’s lives.

Wearable devices are increasingly becoming a part of our daily lives. From calculator watch introduced in 1980s to the Bluetooth headset to Google Glass is getting increasingly more efficient and tackles complex tasks easily. They are replacing point-and-shoot cameras a thing in the past. Many wearable that helps a person’s fitness routine are helping to improve health and stay healthy. What smartphone technology experienced recently will be the same fate of wearable technology in coming years. There is no doubt that the technology will replace many of the mundane tasks we carryout daily making us more efficient and saving money while doing it.

A new possible technological advance was on display at the recently concluded E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) expo in Los Angeles. For years, Nintendo and Sega have been trying to come-up with virtual reality for video games. But Nintendo’s Virtual Boy and Saga VR failed for decades to come-up with a technology to stop motion sickness and delays between the time a player make movement and the counterpart to react to it. Now it appears that Facebook and Sony are separately teaming up with new technology companies to bring virtual reality headset device to gamers.

At the E3 Expo, Oculus Rift and Sony’s Project Morpheus introduced virtual reality headsets for participants to try. Even though the manufacturers didn’t disclose any dates for release, many expect the technology to hit the market soon. Small number of games including EVE Valkyrie was available at the Expo for participant to enjoy. There were horror games including short demo of Alien: Isolation that dragged thrill seeking participants into the game. Lucky’s Tale, developed by a team at Playful is also counting on virtual reality headsets becoming a reality soon. This game looked more polished than others at the Expo.

Released in July 2013 in the United States, Google Chromecast is a digital media player that some called a strange beast. The $35 device from Google is a micro USB that comes with a Marvell chip inside that displays audio and video content in 1080p (HDMI). It streams content through Wi-Fi from the Internet or a local network. Someone that has Google Chrome Web browser that runs mobile and web apps can mirror most content.

In addition to streaming videos it can also deliver music to your TV using a smartphone, tablet, or a laptop. It supports Netflix, YouTube, HBO GO, Hulu Plus, Pandora, and Google Play Movies. Chromecast can work with Android, iOS, Chrome for Mac, and Chrome for Windows. It can easily be connected to a high definition TV through your home Wi-Fi network. Some say that it can be a formidable contender for Apple TV and Roku 3. Only drawback is it doesn’t play local media. But if you have a separate TV for that, Google Chromecast is the device that gives a formidable option to watch content on a second TV at home or watch movies when spending a night in a hotel room.

Mobile phone service providers are battling out to acquire more low-frequency spectrum to handle demand from voice and data customers. Isaac Newton introduced the spectrum into the world in the 17th century and it refers to a range of colors it displays when white light travel through. Power as a function of frequency or wavelengths also belongs to the spectrum. Today the word also covers sound waves and any signal that can be measured. For mobile service providers, spectrum is expensive and availability is limited. The government retained the ownership of the spectrum and makes it available to providers through auctions and it is expected to take place within next few years.

In the U.S., the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) holds auctions since 1994 for licenses of spectrum to transmit signals over specific bands. Due to the scarcity, the government is asking television providers to sell back their excess capacity so the government can accommodate requests from new services for spectrum. To date more than 87 auctions have been conducted by the FCC generating over $60 billion. Auctions are conducted over the Internet and anyone can apply for a license provided that they participate in the auction following set procedures.