Plugged In
Stay plugged in to technology news. Cox staffers across the country and around the globe bring you breaking tech news and other high-tech tidbits and explain what it all means to you and your community -- 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Only with "Plugged In."RSS feed
What's on this page →
All the entries posted on December 19, 2007.
Commenting is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. M-F
Recent entries
Home > Plugged In > Archives > 2007 > December > 19
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
IBM peeks over the tech horizon
IBM has released its “Next Five in Five” — a list of innovations it says have the potential to change the way people work, live and play over the next five years.
- A range of “smart energy” technologies will make it easier for you to manage your personal “carbon footprint”. Dishwashers, air conditioners, house lights, and more will be connected directly to a “smart” electric grid, making it possible to turn them on and off using your cell phone or any Web browser.
- A coming wave of connectivity between cars and the road is going to change the way you drive, help keep you safe, and even keep you out of traffic jams.
- Technology systems will enable you to know the exact source and make-up of the products you buy and consume, including foodstuffs.
- Your cell phone will be your wallet, your ticket broker, your concierge, your bank, your shopping buddy, and more.
- Doctors will gain “superpowers” as technologies allow them to gain X-ray-like vision to view medical images, get supersensitive hearing to find tiniest audio clue in your heartbeat, and view a 3-D “avatar” of your body to visualize your medical records and retrieve relevant information.
UF engineers designing a wireless-charging pad
Some semi-local news: Some engineers at the University of Florida have successfully tested a pad that can charge cell phones, PDAs, laptops and other devices wirelessly.
Users can begin charging by placing the devices on top of the flat, thin pad. A company formed around the technology will compete with others around the country to get the first wireless charging device to market.
It would get a lot of use in my house. When my kid’s home from college, he, my wife and I all have cell phone plugged into outlets. Not to mention my wife’s iPod, my second cell phone and my kid’s laptop.
Talk about reducing the hassle factor.
Permalink | |