Tech Discussion 5/2/14: Prototype Microsoft Keyboard That Recognizes Hand Gestures

A team at Microsoft Research created a prototype mechanical keyboard that understands hand gestures given above the keyboard or even on the keyboard. Each keyboard has proximity sensors embedded in a printed circuit board. The sensors are in between the rows of keys in order to track the movement of the user's hands as they touch the keyboard or hover over it. The keyboard operates at above 300 hertz, which is enough for it to pick up very fast movement. The user can swipe up, down, left, and right, change applications and windows by hovering the hand in place, and zoom by pinching. There is even a way to play games by using this keyboard. For example, there is a steering wheel gesture that allows users to control an onscreen car in a racing game. To read more click here.

Tech Discussion 4/25/14: SuperShoes

Dhairya Dand has created something called SuperShoe insoles to take everyone's eyes off of their phones and focus on the world surrounding them. These insoles use tickling patterns to communicate smartphone applications to the feet of whoever is wearing them. The silicone insoles are flexible and can be put in any pair of shoes. Each sole has an onboard microcontroller, a Bluetooth low-energy chip, a pad under the big toe, and three motors underneath the smaller toes. By using these insoles with a smartphone, SuperShoes can act as a tour guide, tickling both feet when a new suggestion that deals with the wearer's interests is found. The SuperShoe insoles can also act as a navigation tool. If you put a destination into your GPS on your phone, the insoles will tickle either your right or left foot, directing you where to turn. In addition, they can also be used to remind you of events you put in your calendar. It is not known when the SuperShoe insoles will hit the market because the creator says he has no immediate plans to bring them to the market. To learn more click here.

4/21/14: My Favorite Restaurant

     My favorite restaurant is Tina Louise in Carlstadt, New Jersey. Tina Louise is not a chain, but the owning company, The Village Restaurant Group, also has other restaurants similar to this one. A very renown one is Taos is East Rutherford. Tina Louise is known for its Chinese food. This restaurant has been around for years and is loved for its very good quality and fairly inexpensive food. Tina Louise is a very small and quaint restaurant located on 403 Hackensack Street in Carlstadt. The directions can be found here.


     I found out about this restaurant through my parents because they took me for the first time a few weeks ago. This restaurant has been around for years and my parents always used to go there when they first got married. They are very familiar with the owners and the service. Tina Louise is not a chain, but as said before, the owners do have other restaurants that are a bit different located nearby. Customers are often satisfied with the service and food at Tina Louise. To read reviews of Tina Louise click here. My parents and I love this restaurant because the food is very good and the owners are very nice and family-oriented.
   
     Tina Louise offers many great dishes; my personal favorites are the dumplings and the sesame seed chicken. The dumplings are typically served as an appetizer and the sesame seed chicken as an entree. The sesame seed chicken comes with white rice, but you can ask for a different side if you prefer. This restaurant has the best Chinese food I have ever had and I do not know what I would do if it closed down. I suppose I would just have to order Chinese food, or learn how to make this food. Maybe watching some videos on recipes for sesame seed chicken and dumplings would be helpful. Here are two videos I found that I would put to use.

Tech Discussion 4/11/14: Bentley Making a Hybrid

 

Bentley has been talking about constructing a hybrid for years and it is now showing previews. The Bentley Hybrid Concept will debut later in April and will be the first official look at Bentley's plug-in hybrid future. The 2014 Hybrid Concept is built on a Mulsanne base. According to the automaker, the hybrid technology will enhance the luxury and performance of the car. Bentley says that the hybrid option will cut CO2 emissions by 70 percent and boost the vehicle's power to 25 percent and there will be an all electric range of 31 miles. The chairman and chief executive said that by the end of the decade at least 90 percent of their vehicles will have the hybrid plug-in option. There will be a lot of copper detailing on the car to hide the electric architecture underneath. Much more information about the Bentley Hybrid Concept will be revealed at the Beijing Auto Show on April 20th when it is debuted. To read more click here.

Tech Discussion 4/4/14: Car Rear View Cameras Becoming Mandatory

Many cars are beginning to have rear view cameras to make parking easier and blind spots more visible. It has been said that in a few years, it will be mandatory for all cars to have rear view cameras. The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has proposed a rule requiring rear view cameras to be installed in all new automobiles weighing under 10,000 pounds in the United States starting in May of 2018. According to this administration, every year there are about 210 deaths and 15,000 injuries from a vehicle backing up and hitting someone. The NHTSA expects making rear view cameras mandatory will help save 58 to 69 lives a year. To read more on the specifications of the soon-to-be required rear view camera Click Here.



Wiki Research 4/1/14

1. How can a wiki be used in your current classes? (tip: Use the Internet, here is a good source). Be specific to your classes! 

Wikis can be helpful for all classes. Wikis would be great to use as study guides for all classes. Every student in the class could post something to it to help the rest of the class. In English class using Wikis for peer reviewing would be very useful. We always peer edit other student's work and it would be convenient to do it on a Wiki.

 

2. What are the benefits of using a wiki?

Wikis are very helpful especially when it comes to school. Wikis are a great way for teachers and students to learn background information on a specific topic. Even searching a question on Google could be answered through a Wiki . 

3. How can we create one in this class and utilize it?

A Wiki could be made in this class for everyone to collaborate and possibly post their opinion on something we did in class in the "Talk" tab. We could have class discussions using Wikis and all post information on a topic we are currently doing in class.

4. What experience do you have using or creating wikis?

I always use Wikis to help me with my homework and to learn about a new topic. Wikis are fast and easy to use. Even if I have a simple question, Wikis can typically answer it. I have never created or edited a Wiki, but I reference Wikis often.