This is our comedic take on the iPhone 6s and the Siri component of the device. Although having humorous connotations,  the video illustrates the sleek design and packing that apple deliver their products in.

Nathan was in charge of the editing and acted as well.
Brendon was an actor and helped with the given concepts.
Rattatum..
Lawrence..

Wearable technology?

Googled has developed a wearable technology called Project Jacquard. This form of wearable technology weaves fabric with metallic alloys.

what does this mean, however? Basically it's creating an object, like a piece of furniture, or clothing, that has some computing skills. This means that everyday materials can be turned in a computing interface. This is expected to be a revolution for the fashion industry where designers will be able to add electronics to their designs and create new features.

if you would like to read more about project jacquard, please click here.

Facebook finally getting a Dislike button?

No matter how much Facebook said they'd never do it, for years users of the social network site have campaigned heavily for a dislike button. More than just being able to dislike a status of someone's you don't like, many arguments for the new button was based around the want to be able to dislike a post or video that has confronting content, a situation where "liking" seems a tad inappropriate. And it looks like their wish is coming true - sort of.

Facebook has recently announced that they are in the stages of rolling out their new reaction emoticons feature. So what does this mean? Starting in some selected markets (which will be released to other parts of the world later), users will have the chance to respond to post in more ways than just 'liking' it.

The feature consists of seven emoticons, including the traditional like thumb's up, (pictured above) that range from happy to angry. This will now allow users to express their emotions to a post in multiple ways.

Microsoft Surface Book

Microsoft have released their first laptop ever and that is the Surface Book and comes with serious power; with 6th Generation Intel Core i5 upgradable to i7 and packs a battery life of 12 hours. The laptop has 3 configurations which makes it extremely versatile and suitable for every computing task imaginable. However it is reported that when used as a laptop the 13.5 inch Pixel Sense screen feels much heavier than the attached keyboard which gives an awkward weight distribution.

When on the move the keyboard can be detached and used as a tablet with the Surface Pen, also the screen can be detached flipped around and reattached to form a creative canvas. The design of the hinge that allows the flexibility of the surface book is a huge win for Microsoft and the overall design of the product is brilliant. However I am suspicious of the colour of surface book as it does look quite similar to Apple's Macbook Pros and the price starting from $2299 does limit purchases to a certain market. Anyhow, it is definitely an impressive piece of engineering and a quality product, and as Microsoft has put it... the "Ultimate laptop".

Tesla Partially Autonomous Vehicle's

Tesla motors is ready to release a software update for their Model S and Model X cars to make them almost completely autonomous. After a year of testing the "Tesla Autopilot" they are confident in its ability to consistently and safely control steering, braking and even lane changing. This effectively means the driver can leave full control to the automobile in certain conditions.

These features are possible by combining information from 12 ultrasonic sensors (to monitor the immediate space around the vehicle), and a long distance radar mounted in the front grille to navigate the road ahead. All of this data is combined with GPS streaming to the vehicle to regulate speed, turn the appropriate angle for the corner ahead and execute a lane change.

Elon Musk has been labelled our generations 'real life Tony Stark'. Quite the compliment to be associated with the Marvel Universe Iron Man's 'Genius, Billionaire, Playboy, Philanthropist' qualities. In his autobiography he stated his life's purpose is to save humanity from purposeful or accidental environmental extinction, which includes the possible colonisation of mars. Whilst partially autonomous cars are a step in the future, i can help but think whats coming next!

"Should have put a ring on it" ~ Queen B

The 'Wearable ring-type computing device' was recently awarded a leading prize for innovation at the latest CEATEC exhibition in Japan. Although looking like a regular ring in the market with smooth finishes, the ring does a-lot more than be a fashion icon.

The ring can be charged for up to 2 DAYS and has the following abilities: wirelessly control your tv, collect/alert warnings for emails, purchase items with a swipe of your wand and unlock your car/house.

Sounds maps for the blind

According to an article posted by digital trends, Microsoft has been developing a headset which will help people, suffering with blindness, to be able navigate a lot easier through their surroundings.

The Headset, made in collaboration between Art and Science, creates a mobile friendly, interactive, sound map of a city. The headset ensures that the person wearing it is always aware of their surroundings at all times. It creates a 3D audio map by connecting to a mobile device and picks up signals from Bluetooth beacons located around the city.

The headset works somewhat like a guide dog, although it is very unlikely that this new technology will replace the hardworking dog or the cane. By using sounds that alter in pitch and tone, the headset is able to lead someone to their destination. Things that will enrich the lives of the people using the headset, include being told when there is a post office, or bank coming up.

Brain Technology

Ever thought that we aren't using our brown to it's full potential? Well now, due to new developments within the neurological field, we could be able to unlock more parts of our brain.

Inventions such as a brain computer interface, will massively help disabled people. The interface helps send messages from the brain to the movement of objects, allowing for people with disabilities to feel more in control of their lives.

New technology is also being developed that looks at the storing of our memories, and if it is possible to store them in our minds, like we store files on a computer.

Others have argued, however, that these new developments could come at a cost to our humanity as we are interfering with the natural developments and capabilities of our brains. Despite all these new technology the brain is still a massive mystery.

3D printing

Technology has come a long way. Today, the manufacturing industry is being revolutionised by the 3D printer. The printer works by printing layer upon layer of a certain material (usually plastic), and makes a 3D model from a digital drawing.

While there has been recent technological developments, the idea of 3D printing is not new, and has been around since the 1980's but today is being used to help in a range of areas. 3D printing has allowed for massive developments in the surgical field, architecture, prosthetics, the environment and manufacturing. For example, scientists have started experimenting with printing 3D coral replicas which could hopefully help save the coral echo systems.

Digital Assistants

According to some technology predictors, by the year 2020 we will have our very digital personal assistants! Think something like Siri for the iPhone, only smarter at managing you.

Even today we are beginning to see this new form of technology emerging. Aside from Apple's Siri, Google has also developed Google Now - a system that helps organise your calendar and "brings you the information you want, when you need it". Microsoft has launched Cortana, a "personal assistant for Windows 10" and even Facebook created their response to Siri and Cortana - 'M' - a virtual assistant that helps book you restaurants, holidays and even offers suggestions on what presents to buy.

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I can't help but feel a little bit apprehensive of all these new personal assistance. I mean, how much are they going to know about us, and what are they doing with that information? What ever happened to organising our lives through a tangible calendar? I guess we have to get with the times.

Rationed gigabytes? Can I still Netflix?

Last week we saw the launch of the latest NBN broadband satellite 'Sky Muster' which aims to improve internet access for remote and rural Australians. However, due to many months of testing it is a long wait until it will be commercially available which will be around the middle of 2016.

Until then, the digital divide is present in our backyard and 200 000 families are doing it tough with extremely slow speeds and monthly data allowance reductions from 100 to 50 and eventually 45GB. This was done in an attempt to reduce congestion on the existing satellite but has done little to improve speed. Distance education students and children who study by 'school of the air' are unable to access educational websites as they have ran short of data towards the end of the month. Many businesses are suffering as well affecting their banking and daily tasks. To top it off, the cost of data for these families are significantly higher than those living in metropolitan areas. 

Whereas, city dwellers are increasingly on affordable unlimited data plans with retailers and are enjoying plenty of Netflix while many are unable to complete daily computing tasks. So before complaining about slow wifi, be reminded of those living in rural and remote Australia!!!

Using Sonar to protect us from the Sharks?

In recent months there has been a significant amount of shark attacks on our beaches, and as a response New South Wales premier Mike Baird has promised to try and make our beaches safer by employing a new kind of "shark net". A buoy that acts as a shark detection device. 

The "Clever Buoy sonar detection system" as it's known, has already shown us how it works, as it's had a number of test runs in Western Australia. The buoy, a bright yellow colour, detects a shark and sends the lifeguards who are patrolling the beach a text message via satellite!

I believe that these buoys will be a great alternative to the Shark nets that are employed at the moment. The Shark nets that protect our beaches now are dangerous traps for a number of marine life, not just sharks that get tangled up in the net's and die. In 2013 a baby Whale was killed off Sydney's Northern Beaches when it became entangled in the net and drowned. 

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The new sonar detection system will allow for more accurate detections of Sharks, without the harm of the net!

UMood - the machine that dresses you!

How many times have you felt too tired to choose your own clothes? Well now you no longer have to worry with a new machine from Japan.

One of Japan's leading retail chain, Uniqlo, has created a machine called UMood that picks a shirt for  you according to your mood. It does this by measuring a person's brainwaves as they sit wearing a head piece, facing a large screen showing t shirt options.

The screen then shows what t shirts, from their collection, best suit their customer. The convenience of technology! Now the overwhelming task of having to shift through racks and racks of clothing will no longer be a reality!  

Apple's new invention: a Pencil

Apple has announced it's new product. A pencil! Well technically it's a Stylus, but for $99 it better be able to do what the magical pencil on that episode of Spongebob did. 

In all fairness i remember when i first got my Nintendo DS and using a stylus for the pointing was so much more easier than using my finger. Which is apple's main point with making this. According to techcrunch, the new stylus will make it much easier for users to edit photos, create graphic design as well as precisely help create many other projects. 

The Apple pencil will also feature a built in lightning plug that allowed it to be plugged into your iPad and charged. Convenience! However, unfortunately this means that the pencil is pretty big (about 12.9 inches), and will be able to be used on the ipad pro, essentially being able to use it like a sheet of paper. 

So what do you think? Do you think that this is just another profit making scheme on Apple's behalf or do you believe that will be productive and helpful?

Google's driverless car

Google recently unveiled their prototype for their first driverless car. Back in May of this year the company revealed their mock up rendering for their new car (pictured below), which doesn't look to different from the final product (pictured above).

However unlike the prototype, this version is fully functional. The car's features (or non-features) include no accelerator pedal, no brakes as well as no steering wheel, glove box and only a few dashboard buttons. The car can reach a maximum speed of 40km/h. So what exactly does the car have? According to Google, the car wasn't designed with a focus on comfort, and features two seats, small storage, a navigation screen and two buttons: start and stop. While a lot of work has clearly gone into the manufacturing and testing of these cars i can't help but feel a bit uneasy about the idea of self driving cars. 

If you would like to read more on Google's new car click here.

Mac OS X El Capitan

Finally after 12 hours of downloading over the long weekend the new Mac operating system El Capitan is up and running. Apple has built on the strong foundations of Yosemite and has delivered an OS with increases in performance such as app launch time and increased efficiency in graphics. 

Personally this OS is basically a polished version of the previous OS Yosemite with many new features we have been waiting for and one of the most noticeable one is the split view originally inspired by Windows.

For Windows users this may be the feeling of when you upgraded from the poorly designed Windows 8 to Windows 10 and got your start menu back and you personal computer looked and functioned like a real computer again and not a tablet. 

If you would like to find out more check out these videos:

Cloud Computing

Cloud computing has become common in our daily computer use and has become widely integrated across many organisations. It has allowed an alternate method of sharing and storing data which can be accessed from anywhere and on any device connected to internet. Many have found this to be very convenient way to store documents and photos and also for backing up files on a personal computer. Similarly, word processing such a Google Docs which automatically saves and also very easy to share to other users has benefited the collaboration between students. 

 

Cloud computing such as iCloud, One Drive and Google Drive has enabled us to store and share many media file types. However due to the many available services offered by many providers has made it difficult to establish a common ground for cloud sharing, as many people have different preferences and devices. Using more than one drive can be challenging to manage and so it is best to stick to just one.

The age of Streaming

Over the past few years, streaming has taken over the technology landscape, all over the world. Programmes and services like Netflix and Spotify offer people quick, easy and on-demand access to their favourite TV shows, Movies and Music. According to the IPFI the music industry in 2014 made 32% of it's digital revenue from streaming, as opposed to the 27% in 2013.
I think that we will be seeing Streaming as a massive force in terms of technology in the coming years, if it isn't already. The convenience of having literally thousands of material to watch and listen to at the press of a button, at a relatively cheap price, is only going to entice more and more people to jump on the trend. People today want things in their live that are able to fit around their schedule, not the other way around.

Our mobile phone obsession

According to a study undertaken by TIME magazine 1 in 4 check their phones every half an hour, and a further 1 in 5 every 10 minutes. This is an alarming figure which greatly shows how consumed our culture has become with mobile phones. Due to the technological developments of mobile phones, it has become much more easier and convenient for them to consume our lives. The growing trend of mobile phone addiction has had great effects on our social skills and excessive use even has a negative impact on our sleep.

The new iphone 6s and 6s+

After just 3 days of being on sale, Apple's new iphone 6 has reportedly sold over 13 million units world wide! According to "know your mobile", the new iphone 6s and 6s+ has changed a lot in relation to it's predecessor. The smart phone features a new 3D touch system that allows for greater interaction and connectivity with users as well as greater improvements with the megapixel cameras and fast processing.

Externally, the phone looks virtually the same, however it is a bit thicker (0.2 mm) than the previous phone, although it goes unnoticeable. The phone also comes in grey or silver, as well as the new rose gold. The only thing that doesn't seem to have been improved is the battery life.

the iphone 6s plus compared to it's predecessor. 

For further reading please click here.

Welcome to the Technology blog.

This our groups' blog for this assignment, and it will be on technology. We decided on the topic as a group and have made a rough design for the layout of our blog, and what we hope for it to look like. The aim of our blog is to be informative, however to also remain easy to use and navigate. Each new blog entry will feature a clear title, and under it have information under it covering the chosen topic, as well as featuring some visual aspects.