Hasta La Gadget!

Google. NASA. Quantum computers. Seriously, everything about the new Quantum Artificial Intelligence Lab at the Ames Research Center is exciting. The joint effort between Mountain View and America’s space agency will put a 512 qubit machine from D-Wave at the disposal of researchers from around the globe, with the USRA (Universities Space Research Association) inviting teams of scientists and engineers to share time on the unique super computer. The goal is to study how quantum computing might be leveraged to advance machine learning, a branch of AI that has proven crucial to Google’s success. The internet giant has already done some work with quantum computing before, now the goal is to see if its experimentation can translate into real world results. The idea, for Google at least, is to combine the extreme (but highly-specialized) power of the quantum bit with its oceans of traditional data centers to build more accurate models for everything from speech recognition to web search. And maybe, just maybe, with the help of quantum computers your phone will finally realize you didn’t mean to say “duck.”

Filed under: Misc, Alt, Google

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Via: New York Times

Source: Google Research Blog

Yes, there’s a fleet of camera-equipped, remote-controlled blimps live-streaming a bird’s-eye view of Google I/O on YouTube, right now. It’s called Google AirShow and it’s taken over the airspace within Moscone Center. We briefly chatted with Chris Miller, a software engineer with AKQA (the company that put the dirigibles together for Google), about the technology used in each aircraft. It all begins with an off-the-shelf model airship that’s flown manually via standard a 2.4GHz radio. Each blimp is outfitted with a servo-controlled USB camera and 5GHz USB WiFi dongle which are both connected to a Raspberry Pi board running Debian, VLC and Python. A custom-designed Li-polymer battery system powers the on-board electronics. The webcam encodes video as motion-JPEG (720p, 30fps) and VLC generates a YouTube-compatible RTSP stream that’s broadcast over WiFi. Python’s used to pan the servo-controlled camera via the Raspberry Pi’s PWM output. The result is pretty awesome. But don’t just take our word for it — check out the gallery and source link below, then watch our hands-on video after the break.

Filed under: Cameras, Misc, Transportation, Internet, Alt, Google

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Source: I/O AirShow 2013

There are two types of technology users — those that like to have the latest and greatest devices and those that use their devices until they are obsolete. There really isn’t one best user, but some people are criticized for buying devices as soon as they are released to the public because of the higher cost. So, here are three reasons that being quick on the draw to adopt new technology is actually a good thing.

You Gain a Higher Perceived Social Status

Image via Flickr by Rubberdragon

There is a thrill about having something before others. You’ve probably heard the phrase, “keeping up with the neighbors.” Well, technology has a similar effect. When you are the first to adopt new technology, people think you are better — sometimes because you can afford the luxury and sometimes because you are just hip. So, if having a higher social status is important to you, being quick to adopt technology is a good way to get there.

You Can Become an Authority on a New Device

Image via Flickr by socialnuggets

Some people need to know devices inside and out to do their jobs well. For instance, a tech blogger needs to adopt new technology early to bring news about devices to his or her readers. Additionally, salespeople that adopt new technology early in the game are better able to help customers with questions because they have become an authority on the new devices. There are countless other jobs that benefit from having the latest and greatest technology and tech devices. So, it’s a good idea to be the first to own a new tech device if it affects the performance of your job.

New Technology Can Solve an Active Need

Image via Flickr by THEMACGIRL*

Sometimes your life is just better when you adopt new technology because it solves an active need. For instance, cloud computing makes it easier to share files from one computer to another and smartphones give users access to thousands of apps that make life better. So, if you don’t already have access to a smartphone or laptop, your life isn’t as good as it could be. Staying on the front edge of technology means that you will always have the best and be able to meet your needs better than other people. Remember, as you are reading this, there is a developer out there who is trying their best to push you to the forefront of technology.

As you can see, adopting new technology isn’t always a bad thing. However, there will always be people who refuse to make changes until they absolutely have to. There are several reasons people refuse to buy new tech devices, such as they think the devices will cost too much, they think the device they are currently using is perfectly fine and meets all of their needs, and they are unaware of the advantages to owning new tech devices. So, don’t let these people drag you down. If you want to be the first to own a new tech device, go for it.

Do you like to be the first in your group of friends to adopt technology or do you hold out as long as possible? Tell us why in the comments below.

Resources:

http://www.uie.com/brainsparks/2011/12/21/why-people-adopt-or-wait-for-new-technology/

http://www.pandemiclabs.com/blog/social-media/premature-adoption-can-companies-adopt-new-technologies-too-quickly/

http://www.bridges-to-technology.com/page23.html

Via AkihabaraNews Guest Contributor:

Shaun Chatman is a well published author on many authority sites. He lives in Dunedin, FL, and spends his free time playing with his kids or advising friends on tech, gadgets, finance and travel.

During Google I/O this week, visitors to the Moscone Center will have their every movement tracked, but it’s not as creepy as it sounds. Google’s Cloud Platform Developer Relations team is spearheading a project called the Data Sensing Lab, which utilizes a network of Arduino sensors to collect ambient data and translate it into easily understood visualizations. Fluctuations in temperature, air quality and humidity will be recorded along with noise levels and foot traffic to provide a real-time breakdown of activity within the Moscone Center. The information from the Data Sensing Lab will then be displayed on a number of screens scattered around the conference floor.

The Data Sensing Lab is the next step in Google’s quest to master environmental data collection after absorbing the team behind Behavio last month. Developer Programs Engineer Michael Manoochehri admits that the plan is “kind of futuristic, and maybe a little crazy,” but emphasizes the practical uses for real-time environmental analytics. For example, information about air quality fluctuations can be monitored to adjust a room’s temperature and footstep counters can provide valuable insight into which areas are most popular. In the spirit of open innovation, Google promises to make the Cloud Platform code, the Arduino sensor designs and the collected data available online after the conference. Big Brother might be watching, but at least we’ll be able to watch right along with him.

Filed under: Misc, Google

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Via: TechCrunch

Source: Google

For every Engadget editor who’s gotten to test an HTC One (that’d be five of us so far), there are two more waiting to take it for a spin. Well, you can cross Mr. Fingas off the list, at least: he’s been playing with the One on Canada’s Rogers network, snapping photos in the lowest-lit places Ottawa has to offer. James Trew, meanwhile, is excited to finally use Goal Zero’s Sherpa 50 solar charger, mostly because it means England is finally getting some decent weather.

Filed under: Misc, HTC

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