Conclusion

Over the past couple months we’ve provided you with several new technology products on the market. We hope you have had just as much fun reading our blog has we have had writing it.  Having a technology based major, sometimes you forget to keep up on the most recent technology products and news. It was a blast trying to find new and innovative products to bring to you that you wouldn’t normally find. As well as giving our research and opinions on the most talked about products on the market. It made us realize the importance of knowing what current products are out on the market and doing our research to make sure we get the best products available.

Logging off,
Matt, Sydney, and Ben

The Raspberry Pi

Looking into learning programming or teaching younger generations how to program?  The Raspberry Pi is here to help! The Raspberry Pi is a low cost, credit – card sized computer that plugs into a computer monitor or TV, and uses a standard keyboard and mouse.  It was developed in the UK by the Raspberry Pi Foundation with the intention of stimulating the teaching of basic computer science in schools. The Raspberry Pi teaches programming languages like Scratch and Python.  When first looking at a Raspberry Pi, one might think that it isn’t capable of doing much but in reality it can do everything your desktop computer can do from browsing the internet, playing high- definition video, creating spreadsheets, and playing games. This device also serves as an excellent hacking tool.

According to the Raspberry Pi website, “The idea behind a tiny and affordable computer for kids came in 206, when Eben Upton, Rob Mullins, Jack Lang and Alan Mycroft, based at the University of Cambridge’s Computer Laboratory, became concerned about the year-on-year decline in the numbers and skill levels of the A Level students applying to read Computer Science.” (About us)  From the time of the invention of computers to present, people have been interacting with computers.  Instead of programming, students learn more how to interact with Microsoft software like Excel and Word and not many progress to learn the fundamentals of programming.  The first Raspberry Pi has sold over three million Raspberry Pi’s since their first release in February 2012.    

The newest models available are the Raspberry Pi Model A+ and the Raspberry Model B+.  The Raspberry Pi A+ model is significantly smaller (55mm by 65mm) than the lesser models.  It also inherits the many improvements that were made to the Model B+. The A+ model consumes significantly less power than model B which is a good choice for battery powered ventures, like robots.  Both the A+ and B+ models contain 512MB of RAM memory and use a Linux based operating system.   The A+ and B+ model also share another useful feature:  they both have 4USB ports compared to only 2 on the A model.  Raspbian is the recommended operating system which is similar to Risc OS, Android and Pidora.

You don’t have to be an expert programmer to use the Raspberry Pi.  There are several instructional videos online on how to use the credit card size computer.  The Raspberry Pi website also hosts Raspberry Jams to help share and expand knowledge.  The website also contains a help tab with helpful links to starting using your Raspberry Pi.  So if you or someone you know is looking to learn more about programming then this is an inexpensive way to learn.

Signing out,

Sydney

Sources:

"About Us." Raspberry Pi N.p., n.d. Web. 16, Nov, 2014

Images taken from Google Images

Obama in Favor of Net Nuetrality

Obama has decided to step up and put in his opinion regarding net neutrality. Overall the President has stated that he would like the FCC to decide in favor of keeping net neutrality. This way the Internet will remain equally free and open to all consumers throughout the country. Having the President on the side of keeping net neutrality isn’t a guarantee though since the FCC is an independent agency and they will ultimately make the decision.

Obama has asked the FCC to classify the Internet as a public utility, like water and electricity. This means putting Internet under Title 2 of the Telecommunications Act, which would give the Internet a multitude of regulatory protections. The President has four points that he would like to be guaranteed. The four points include; no blocking, no throttling, increased transparency, no paid prioritization. These four points are what will be guaranteed if the Internet is put under Title 2 of the Telecommunications Act. The Act was put in place in 1934, which seams old for the Internet to be applied to, however the Act is there so that consumer don’t end up having to pay ridiculous prices for the use of services essential to their daily lives. This is another point the President specifies, the Internet for most all Americans has become an essential part of their everyday lives. There is still some controversy in Obama’s statement that concern some, controversy’s involving the wording that may suggest the Internet may not be under full protection the Act, however it will still be under a large portion of it.

There has been a lot of talk about net neutrality lately and the idea of having to pay for “faster” Internet is unbearable to some, but the fact that the President is on the side of having the Internet remain a free and open utility where ISP’s don’t have the power to decide your speed or what sites a person visits is awesome. 4 million have spoken out and voiced their opinion to the FCC in the FCC’s largest public involvement in its regulations ever, and it’s a powerful thing that the President of the United has heard those 4 million and is willing to help out as well. As mentioned earlier just because Obama is on board doesn’t mean the day is saved, but it is a very big step for the movement of net neutrality.

Logging Off,
Ben

Sources
http://gizmodo.com/obamas-plan-to-save-the-internet-1656774403

Microsoft Fitness Band Review

Improving one’s health and fitness with the help from technology has opened the market new devices to emerge.  Microsoft is one of the companies who came out with a band that can help you improve your health and more.  On October 30 of this year, Microsoft released its Microsoft Band that is truly a fitness band with smart features.

 Microsoft’s smart band contains several everyday features which can help keep track of your everyday activity level.  These include tracking your heart rate 24/7, tracks your steps and determining the quality of sleep you have.  Once the wristband locks in, it’s easy to instantly see your heart activity.  The new band also helps you find out which exercises burned the most calories during your workout.  It can also tell you how much time your body needs to recover before your next training session.

The Windows Band has a built in GPS for those avid runners/walkers or those looking a GPS watch with more features.  You can go jogging without a phone and it’ll track your data, map your run and tell you how intensely you ran when you sync with your phone. Microsoft claims that the band has a 5 hour GPS batter life, or 48 hours of other activities.

A unique feature that one wouldn't see on any other competing smart bands is that the Microsoft Band contains a UV sensor.  This sensor tells you how much sun you’re getting so you can make sure that you are not getting too much sunlight! 

The band currently goes for $199 and works on Android, iPhones and of course Windows Phones.  If you’re using a Windows phone, then you also have access to Cortana.  This will allow you to set reminders, take notes and give you traffic notifications. These notifications will also show up on your phone along with your band. Cortana will also give you updates on sports, stocks, weather and more.  All data gathered from these activities mentioned are stored in Microsoft’s cloud.  Microsoft Band allows you to view emails, calendar alerts, text messages, and incoming calls at a glance.  Unfortunately you will not be able to send text messages or place calls.

The Microsoft Band will have competition with the release of the Apple Watch coming early 2015. The Apple Watch will only be compatible with the Apple iPhone 5 and above.  Apple’s heart rate monitor does not calculate your heart rate 24/7 like the Window’s Band instead the heart rate feature will have to be accessed manually.  Unlike the Windows Band, it allows you to send messages and phone calls.  The Apple Watch will use the Apple Pay so that you no longer have to use your cards.  Siri will be used for the personal assistant on the Apple Watch.  This is a general overview of the features that will be available on the Apple watch.  For more on the Apple Watch feel free to go to their website AppleWatch.

Is it worth the wait for the Apple Watch? It depends on the user and what you are looking for in a sports band.  Both the Microsoft Band and Apple Watch have several great features that can fit well with any lifestyle.

Signing out,

Sydney 

Images taken from Google Images