Future Tech v1.0

Here is a short list of some emerging and future technology:

1) 3D printing opens up a whole host of possibilities. From printing food to life forms. (Covered in detail in a previous blog post)

2) Drones will replace fighter pilots.... Sorry Maverick & Goose! Drones will be limited by technology, tolerate higher g-forces & if solar powered - won't need to land.... Amazon are already trialing parcel delivery by drone (previous post)

3) Virtual Reality - I think this tech will change the world. Facebook purchased Oculus and Sony is developing Morpheus, it is only a matter of time.....neo ;p (gadget show post)

4) Robots - hopefully more Johnny 5 than Terminator.... Amazon already sell Robot hoovers and lawn mowers! But what happens when robots can do your job...

5) Holograms and tablets that can be folded into your pocket like a piece of paper

6) Wireless charging - replacing the need to constantly charge your phone/tablet

7) Driverless cars - hopefully affordable & improving road safety - expected in the U.K as early as 2015 

8) Human upgrades - implants and robotics are already being developed to restore the senses such as hearing & sight. Robotics and 3D printing are also helping rebuild humans. Quite amazing & the best type of technology in my opinion, technology that helps people. But what if you could upgrade your memory, vision, intelligence etc ... 

9) The Internet of Things - on its way & fast. This is essentially every day items, but networked. A fridge that re-orders an item the moment it is finished, or an app that let's you control and monitor your central heating and home security systems. 

10) AI - Artificial Intelligence. You may have seen the film Her? A man falls in love with his operating system, lol! Or the Big Bang Theory, when Raj falls in love with Siri....

Joking aside, it's going to happen the world over. Computers, smart phones and possibly Androids with a personality, sense of humour and memory. 

I have a lot more to say on these topics, but will gauge interest first. What do you think? What are you looking forward to, or perhaps not looking forward to? 

-theitguy

Special Ops Technology Headphones

"Powered by patent pending military special ops bone conduction technology"

You sir, have my attention.

I first heard about "bone conduction" headphones online and had never heard or seen them before. I was quite intrigued and very grateful to receive some at Christmas (thanks Dad!)

So what are they?

To keep it simple, they are headphones that do not plug in to your ears. They sit between your temple and earlobe. The use of bone conduction technology enables you to hear music with nothing in, on or covering your ears!

Features:

- Unblock hearing for safer outdoor sports

- Sweat proof and splash resistant

- For iphone, ipod, ipad, smarts phone and mp3 players

Aftershokz Bone Conduction Headphones

Cost: £35 - £75 depending on model

Brand: Aftershokz

ITG Rating: 4/5

Are they any good?

From a runners perspective, I think they are great and will cover running related points below. For general use, the sound quality is not revolutionary, but is perfectly acceptable. I must admit I have a big head, and they fit fine. They cannot be adjusted, so they may not suit everybody. They are a comfortable fit and you may be glad to know that they don't look like a prop from a sci-fi film or Call of Duty mission. It's a strange experience at first to be able to listen to music, but also hear your surroundings and even hold conversations mid One Direction - I joke! Or do I??

I've passed them around and other people have been fairly impressed. It is difficult to tell what volume level you should use on the mp3 device, so that you can listen to music clearly - whilst not disturbing anyone around you. There are different models of the Aftershokz. The model I use includes mobile phone compatibility, with an in line mic.   

The main benefit is safety, especially if you are travelling or exercising whilst listening to music, podcasts or chatting via the hands free. They enable you to listen out for dangers or hazards around you, which can only be a good thing.

The headphones are recharged via USB. I've not tested the battery life to the limit yet, but it has lasted a few hours so far.

The only downside is protecting them whilst not in use. They come with a cloth bag, which helps keep them clean. However, I'd prefer a hard case so that I can throw them in a bag and not have to worry about them being damaged.

For runners:

As a runner - having the wrong headphones that fall out your ears every 5 minutes can be extremely irritating. Due to the Aftershokz headband design, which hooks over your ears - you can now focus on your run. I've recently covered 13km with them on and found them comfortable and no hassle at all. I'm still getting used to the volume setting that I should use on my mp3 player, but I'm glad I can now hear my favourite songs and also the traffic around me. If you do like to listen to music whilst exercising, this is a safer option, but probably more hygienic as well. No more re-use of waxy or sweaty ear phones! 

I am genuinly impressed. Hopefully I will be able to find, craft or 3D print a hardcase. I will also keep an eye out for the latest models to see how this technology develops. If you are interested, see the link below for further details and the latest price. If enough people click through the link and buy a pair, I may just be able to buy myself a coffee!

Drones from the Amazon

What do you think to this use of technology?

This is Amazon.com's Prime Air, something they are working on in their Research and Development lab. The aim of this technology is to deliver packages to Customers in 30 minutes or less! The footage below is from a recent test flight. Don't expect to see these UAV's (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) or Drones in your neighbourhood for a few years though. This is because of laws and standards that will need to be met to ensure that these things are safe flying above our heads! It is still quite an impressive and innovative use of tech. I think Amazon started as someone selling books from their garage, now this!

Add your thoughts below. Personally, if neighbours don't shoot my package down (almost a lucky dip!) and if this can stop missed delivery notes - Amazon have my vote.

See the Amazon website below for further details.