The Computer Screens and Culture (Homework)

Ever since the personal computer was made easily available, accessible and obtainable (prices and the like), media and "mediated culture" had already run its change-of-course. With the computer screens, increasing amounts of information was not only becoming more easily accessible, but it was also becoming easier to store.
In terms of information from old to new media, when the internet was just starting out, bulk information was shared via the cds, floppy discs, portable, compact storage of data like cd encyclopedias, for example. Forr kids especially, the "programs" were more interactive, more interesting, they had moving pictures and voices and more colorful, more awe-inducing "gateways to information". For the generation of kids who were exposed to said advancement in technology, this became a stepping stone for what was to be instant, computerized information.


Main points:
as soon as computers became public and easily accessible and obtainable, media in general began to change. Not just the accessibility but the on-time, immediate, ASAP media, as well as its ease and capability for storing. To add, the limitations for media also dropped- you were no longer limited to one or two providers (news/music/videos/advertisements) per area- you became exposed to multiple possibilities and combinations and origins of media: youtube, grooveshark (music), vimeo, CNN, bbc, local and international news, blogs, twitter, and the like where you could not only update faster than old media could be published but you could also store, and interact with a new interactive ready community: internet community.
- ease of access
- exposure to the many possibilities and combinations of publishers online: e.g. no restriction like one or two writers per paper or no restrictions per paper: you have local and international stayrical, official, pop, heresay etc. etc.
- makes it easier to recall or catch up. instant. no/less payment, more colors.
- similar to the internet culture (and technology culture), the challenge becomes: how to make the most out of the almost-infinite offer of information: information overload: figuring out:
1. which information is a "must-know"
2. whether you wnat to or have to track information: you get lost in it, there's just so much information, time is often wasted (facebook also)
3. reliability: old media used to require all sorts of academics or all sorts of sources who were liable to all sorts of people and therefore were and are pressured to come up with as reliable the information as possible. With the internet, while you are surrounded by reliable sources, mixed in also are the not-so-reliable sources and media which can easily be edited/falsified/plagiarized. (e.g. the guidon incident. facebook posts. twitter posts: cancellation of classes.)

For Class: Google Glass?

What is Google Glass? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1uyQZNg2vE)

Google Glass is essentially a device created by Google that allows you do various smart phone/tablet/android-related tasks hands-free and, thanks to the strategically created and placed mini-screen, you can view them all on the upper right side of your line of sight, clear and simple but enough space so it isn't too distracting or obtrusive. No need to look down and into your phone, no need to dig through pockets or flip screens, this device lets you take pictures and videos, check your texts, e-mail, web search, Google maps, notes, review videos and such through voice command and/or motion gestures. (or clicks, for the camera.).

According to one of the developers of Google Glass, Sergey Brin, the gadget was supposed to solve the problem of people getting distracted or disconnected from social interaction: due to having to busy oneself with the aforementioned digging through pockets or having to keep ones hands busy texting or searching or restricting one's line of sight to his or her gadget

Socially, as mentioned early, it's supposed to help the user keep in touch with his or her technology without having to take the time distract themselves with having to break eye-contact and the like. All that with the usual smart-device ability to stay connected to your friends and loved ones via social media (video calls and internet calls) and stay connected with the world via internet media. The device, according to the review by Engadget, (refer to the link below if you want to check out their review) is a little more of a luxury add-on than an actual smart device. There are still a lot of applications and tasks that the gadget cannot do like youtube, full/ heavy websearch, limited apps (for now) as well as the low battery etc. etc. and connectivity problems between your phone/other devices and the product. Also, the perks of the device, excluding the camera (from what I understand currently) only comes with the help of a. wifi, b. apps created for certain areas. For example, the google maps app, vehicular transportation- similar to siri problems all over the world, certain apps or “perks” are limited to the area. Not all areas are immediately wifi-ready or come with affordable 24/7 portable wifi/3g (e.g. 3^rd-world countries like my own: the Philippines).  That said, as of now, I don’t think google glass is going to become a “common gadget” anytime soon. The price is a little too high and unless you really want the few perks that it currently offers (even if it develops here and there a few years later). There are only so many people who would be willing to spend $1500 on it. Buyers are more likely to either wait for the cheaper, upgraded versions or the cheaper counterparts. However, other variations of the gadget are going to pop up for sure. Different companies are already struggling to come up and patent their own version (Intel has already announced their investment, check link below. Sony, Microsoft, Apple and rumors of Samsung joining in as well). Prices, features, outsourcing- it’s only a matter of time till cheaper versions come out- but will it be worth it? Apple and Samsung recently came out with their “smart watches”, and while it’s a great tool to supplement their smart devices (similar to google glass), it hasn’t exactly boomed the way big technological “future norms” are supposed to. Personally, while it’ll be cool to have around, I don’t think it’s going to become a big “must-have” any time soon.

With the development of new technology there are a few things that will pop up. New development teams both for the original product and the different variations. Other than that, I can’t see more jobs and the like popping up just because of the gadget.

If, by some reason this gadget becomes a norm or a common “must-have gadget”, there would be a few things to consider. In the ted talk by one of the developers Sergey Brin (ted talk link below), the main concern of the “gadget’s distraction” was brought up. Though the gadget was made to keep people from detaching from the real world, it still does the same thing (distracting notifications etc). However, I also think that the gadget will further develop the “document my life”-type generation since the act/process of documentation becomes even easier, and more “interesting” given the gadget’s ability to produce documented media in an even more realistic first person point of view.

Currently, google has released a few of the products for testing, different developers and volunteers and they (google) plan to let people "test it" subject to the product availability. (if you're from the US, you can sign up here http://www.google.com/glass/start/how-to-get-one/ ). Still no word on where all of that hardware and genius technology is coming from but rumor has it, google is still currently planning on manufacturing somewhere in Santa Clara. 

Review: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8lScHO2mM0

(Ted Talk: Google Glass dev) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rie-hPVJ7Sw

Ten Things to know about Google Glass: http://www.techradar.com/news/video/google-glass-what-you-need-to-know-1078114

(manufacturing company) http://www.theverge.com/2013/7/22/4544882/google-glass-production-himax-investment

(intel invests on their own version) http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/tech-news/hardware/Intel-invests-in-Google-Glass-rival/articleshow/23214854.cms

Smartwatch (http://gadgets.ndtv.com/others/news/samsung-apple-sony-or-google-who-has-vision-to-crack-the-smart-watch-413920)

Samsung google glass? (http://ibnlive.in.com/news/gear-glass-samsungs-answer-to-google-glass-reportedly-in-the-works/427145-11.html)

A first post.

Primarily, this blog is a requirement for this class I am taking this semester. But I might, and probably will, post some of the most random thoughts and spontaneous rambles. You, be you my professor who said he wouldn't read anything else, one of my classmates probably bored or curious, intrigued or both, or some bored or possibly (since the case will probably change from time to time) lucky person to chance upon this unorganized, random, release of inconsistent levels of stress of a blog, should consider yourself... any of the above.

Now, as random was mentioned earlier, I would like to demonstrate by starting this blog- and consequently ending this post, with a quote. And a side comment.

"We were together. I forget the rest" - Walt Whitman.
Yes. I'm that kind of person.