Sunday, October 16, 2011

Is This How You'll Live - The Future of Life with Mobiles


Sure, mobiles have changed lives on our planet faster than any other technology can claim. And, with smartphones the new rage, it's competition time between Apple's iPhone, Google's Android, Blcakberry, et al. And, other mobile devices like the Apple iPad or Samsung Tablet are adding to the excitement of living, working, doing everything possible (ever?) on the go!

Well, with the explosion of all these devices,and not to mention the "apps" available by the thousands for these, one would wonder, what exactly does this mean, or where is this leading to. Well, here's a compilation of stuff that one may do - i.e. life in 24 hours - with your smartphone (ok, may be the next generation of this, called, possibly, the MEGAPhone).

Well, I don't know about you, but if I can help it, at least I wouldn't want this to be my life. The older way, of feeling, touching and thinking about things, rather than being prompted by a "smart" device for everything would really mean that the future is here to be lived by robots. I'd rather, it take a couple of decades more. But then, it could just be me...

Sunday, September 11, 2011

9.11 - Ten Years On

9.11 - a number that's etched on the minds of the world ever since that fateful and horrific attack on the World Trade Center in New York. For those who were there to witness it, nothing can heal the pain; for those who saw it only through the news and media, it wasn't any easier.

Ten years, a decade has gone by - not a short time - but the memories are just as fresh in every one's mind. Today marks the tenth anniversary, of what began as America's War on Terror. The war may not be over, but there have been significant steps forward, and maybe,the world is a slightly more safer place today.

On this occasion, the news and media is flooded with articles and stories of that fateful day and it's heartening to today see ground zero resurrected. Here's a tribute to this occasion:

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Bike-robatics

This video - featuring bicyclist Danny Macaskill - showcases his talent, riding the bike in unusual locations. The music score is also something that gets you humming, and makes for a nice background.


Saturday, July 2, 2011

World's Longest Bridge

China is powering ahead in its ambitions, and has a number of mega engineering projects to its credit. The most recent is the unveiling of the World's Longest Bridge.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Circa 2050: Science Fiction To Reality: Airbus unveils aircraft of the future

Airbus just unveiled its vision of the aircraft of the future - one that hopes to provide a stunning experience inside the transparent cabin and helped by the latest and greatest technology.

Slated for a potential realization by 2050, just 40 years away, this is like science fiction turning into reality (yet again?). The aircraft will have these translucent walls, that may offer a truly stunning experience to passengers. Technology will be used to offer a superior degree of intelligence for various purposes: smarter use of space (unused seats folding out to make more space for other), possible end to a class-based configuration, interaction zones to suit ones preferences, and much more.

Whether this turns into reality - well, at least I may not be around at the time - but it is indeed a grand vision, and the preview is no doubt exciting. Check out this Airbus video to know more, and get a look at what the future may hold.

Will this make airtravel better, we'll have to wait and see. While the artists' impressions of some of these futuristic perspectives appear great, and the view of a star-studded sky at night looks and sounds uber-cool, what happens during a sunny day? Just a thought; and am pretty sure the designers and engineers at Airbus will think about that one!