7 cutting-edge technologies coming soon
02:58AM Thu 30 Jan, 2014
Like every year, even in 2014, phones will get smarter, computers will get faster, cameras will capture more pixels, and screens will display those clearer. We will see newer versions of operating systems. There will be better iterations of devices, and you'll probably ditch your old faithful for a new shiny one.
But this feature is not about mere upgrades. Not at all. It is about cutting-edge tech that's only been seen in research labs till now... and some of these are still prototypes. Regardless, all of it is... hot stuff.
As small as a memory card
The Edison is Intel's latest experiment in miniaturization. This Linux-based 'computer' - the size of an SD card - comprises a 400MHz dual- core processor, integrated Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 4.0. The chipmaker even has an app store designed for the platform, making Edison a highly customizable miniature computer that can be put to myriad uses, including in wearable gadgets.
As a proof of concept, Intel outfitted baby clothing with Edison as well as sensors that could track temperature, breathing, and motion. It also kitted an LED coffee mug with Edison, and wirelessly connected both the micro computers. When the baby was happy, the sensors in its clothing conveyed the data via Edison to the coffee mug (in the parent's hand) to display a happy green smiling face, but when something went wrong, that face turned red... Expect to hear and see more of Edison this year.
Intel plans on getting it out into the market within the next few months. In fact, it has already announced a $1.3 million 'Make It Wearable' competition, including $500,000 that will be awarded to the most innovative developer.
Lots of 'Steam'
A few years ago, Valve -- developers of best-selling titles such as Half Life, Counter Strike, and Team Fortress -- envisioned a future where games could be delivered via the internet straight to computers. That was the beginning of Steam - an online distribution service that brought gamers and content together.
As part of the next step, Valve envisioned consoles - built by different vendors - that would replace PCs. These boxes would be equipped to handle all of Valve's offerings. And the concept of a Steam Box was born. These machines would not be a 'one size fits all'. Each hardware manufacturer could design its own configuration, and at different prices, so long as all those machines are optimized for Steam.
Well, recently, 13 vendors - including Alienware, Gigabyte, Zotac, Falcon Northwest and Digital Storm - unveiled their own versions of this console. And since Steam boasts of a catalogue of over 2,000 games, it is in a unique position to digitally distribute titles at a discount of up to 75% - and this can only mean good things for gamers.
So while Sony and Microsoft slug it out for console supremacy, they just might find Valve creeping up on them. As for us, we're glad Steam Box is no longer plain vapourware.
Dual-boot tablets
If you're out shopping for a tablet, you're forced to choose an operating system, whether Android, iOS or Windows Phone. But guess what? A new set of slates - ready to hit the market as early as February - will support Android (Jelly Bean) as well as Windows 8. This means, you can (at boot-up) choose which OS you want to run.
The first of these devices, interestingly, is Micromax LapTab - a 10-inch slate that's powered by a dual-core 1.4GHz Intel Celeron processor, 2GB RAM and with 32GB storage.
Similarly, Asus has also announced the Transformer Book Duet TD300 - a hybrid laptop-tablet combo that boasts of some killer hardware under its hood, including a 13.3-inch Full HD IPS display, an Intel Core i7 processor, 4GB RAM, and a choice between a 128GB solid state drive (SSD) or a 1TB hard drive.
Now the only thing left to see is whether the strange bedfellows, Google and Microsoft, are okay with the arrangement...
All about the curves
A few years ago, manufacturers glibly convinced us that we really needed flat screen TVs. And we, gullibly, believed them. But now, once we've upgraded, the same chaps are telling us that curves are the new thing.
Last year, Samsung unveiled a simple curved screen prototype. This year, they went a step further. The South Korean giant has built an 85-inch ultra high-definition (UHD) TV that looks like any other flat-panel television. But press a button, and both its vertical edges start moving forward to reveal a bendable screen. The resulting concave display is - supposedly - engineered to recreate a theatrical effect; bringing the edges closer to make the viewing experience more immersive.
And then there is Panasonic that can't quite decide whether screens should be concave or convex. It has built a prototype that curves in as well as out.
Well, we're not sure if bendable UHD screens are immersive or not. But yes, in the next couple of years, expect almost every TV maker to throw curved displays at you. And you can expect them to cost much more than the sedan in your parking lot!
Modular PCs
Putting together a computer is not everyone's cup of tea. You have to choose the right motherboard, microchip, graphic card and power unit. And that's only the beginning. Then, you have to work your way through all the cables; connecting the fans, hard drives, DVD writer and what not...
Well, Razer - a company known for its gaming hardware - has been working on Project Christine that will make assembling a personal computer as easy as playing with Lego blocks.
Need a new machine? Simply pick up the modules you want: processor, graphic card, storage, system monitors with digital readout, collection of ports, and simply plug it into a grid. Project Christine uses PCI-Express architecture that automatically syncs the components.
Each of Christine's modules is self-contained , liquid cooled and uses noise cancellation to make for a silent, but flexible computing system. As of now, Razer hasn't fixed a price or disclosed a release date for this modular set-up, but we'd definitely like to see this one hit stores in the near future.
Super bowl
l
All of us have that place where we drop our keys and keep our mobile phones, Bluetooth headset, and MP3 players as soon we reach home. Well, Intel is working on a 'bowl' for this purpose that will not only be a repository for your electronics, but also charge the devices. Of course, your gadgets will also need to be compliant.
As of now, Intel Smart Bowl prototype - measuring 10-inches in diameter and which uses magnetic resonance technology - only charges Intel's smart headset. But the Alliance for Wireless Power (A4WP) - with members from industries such as consumer electronics, mobile services, automotive, furniture, software - recently announced a global certification programme called Rezence for wireless charging, so this tech might make its way to your home sooner than you think.
Master chef
They've been making waves for quite a while now, but this year, 3D printers are vying for a spot in your kitchen! Yes, you read that right. US-based 3D Systems has invented the ChefJet that's capable of printing candies, cake icings and other edibles. The printers, due out later this year, will be available in two variants. The basic model will deliver single colour prints, while the ChefJet Pro will deliver full colour confectionery.
The Edison is Intel's latest experiment in miniaturization. This Linux-based 'computer' - the size of an SD card - comprises a 400MHz dual- core processor, integrated Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 4.0. The chipmaker even has an app store designed for the platform, making Edison a highly customizable miniature computer that can be put to myriad uses, including in wearable gadgets.
As a proof of concept, Intel outfitted baby clothing with Edison as well as sensors that could track temperature, breathing, and motion. It also kitted an LED coffee mug with Edison, and wirelessly connected both the micro computers. When the baby was happy, the sensors in its clothing conveyed the data via Edison to the coffee mug (in the parent's hand) to display a happy green smiling face, but when something went wrong, that face turned red... Expect to hear and see more of Edison this year.
Intel plans on getting it out into the market within the next few months. In fact, it has already announced a $1.3 million 'Make It Wearable' competition, including $500,000 that will be awarded to the most innovative developer.
Lots of 'Steam'
A few years ago, Valve -- developers of best-selling titles such as Half Life, Counter Strike, and Team Fortress -- envisioned a future where games could be delivered via the internet straight to computers. That was the beginning of Steam - an online distribution service that brought gamers and content together.
As part of the next step, Valve envisioned consoles - built by different vendors - that would replace PCs. These boxes would be equipped to handle all of Valve's offerings. And the concept of a Steam Box was born. These machines would not be a 'one size fits all'. Each hardware manufacturer could design its own configuration, and at different prices, so long as all those machines are optimized for Steam.
Well, recently, 13 vendors - including Alienware, Gigabyte, Zotac, Falcon Northwest and Digital Storm - unveiled their own versions of this console. And since Steam boasts of a catalogue of over 2,000 games, it is in a unique position to digitally distribute titles at a discount of up to 75% - and this can only mean good things for gamers.
So while Sony and Microsoft slug it out for console supremacy, they just might find Valve creeping up on them. As for us, we're glad Steam Box is no longer plain vapourware.
Dual-boot tablets
If you're out shopping for a tablet, you're forced to choose an operating system, whether Android, iOS or Windows Phone. But guess what? A new set of slates - ready to hit the market as early as February - will support Android (Jelly Bean) as well as Windows 8. This means, you can (at boot-up) choose which OS you want to run.
The first of these devices, interestingly, is Micromax LapTab - a 10-inch slate that's powered by a dual-core 1.4GHz Intel Celeron processor, 2GB RAM and with 32GB storage.
Similarly, Asus has also announced the Transformer Book Duet TD300 - a hybrid laptop-tablet combo that boasts of some killer hardware under its hood, including a 13.3-inch Full HD IPS display, an Intel Core i7 processor, 4GB RAM, and a choice between a 128GB solid state drive (SSD) or a 1TB hard drive.
Now the only thing left to see is whether the strange bedfellows, Google and Microsoft, are okay with the arrangement...
All about the curves
A few years ago, manufacturers glibly convinced us that we really needed flat screen TVs. And we, gullibly, believed them. But now, once we've upgraded, the same chaps are telling us that curves are the new thing.
Last year, Samsung unveiled a simple curved screen prototype. This year, they went a step further. The South Korean giant has built an 85-inch ultra high-definition (UHD) TV that looks like any other flat-panel television. But press a button, and both its vertical edges start moving forward to reveal a bendable screen. The resulting concave display is - supposedly - engineered to recreate a theatrical effect; bringing the edges closer to make the viewing experience more immersive.
And then there is Panasonic that can't quite decide whether screens should be concave or convex. It has built a prototype that curves in as well as out.
Well, we're not sure if bendable UHD screens are immersive or not. But yes, in the next couple of years, expect almost every TV maker to throw curved displays at you. And you can expect them to cost much more than the sedan in your parking lot!
Modular PCs
Putting together a computer is not everyone's cup of tea. You have to choose the right motherboard, microchip, graphic card and power unit. And that's only the beginning. Then, you have to work your way through all the cables; connecting the fans, hard drives, DVD writer and what not...
Well, Razer - a company known for its gaming hardware - has been working on Project Christine that will make assembling a personal computer as easy as playing with Lego blocks.
Need a new machine? Simply pick up the modules you want: processor, graphic card, storage, system monitors with digital readout, collection of ports, and simply plug it into a grid. Project Christine uses PCI-Express architecture that automatically syncs the components.
Each of Christine's modules is self-contained , liquid cooled and uses noise cancellation to make for a silent, but flexible computing system. As of now, Razer hasn't fixed a price or disclosed a release date for this modular set-up, but we'd definitely like to see this one hit stores in the near future.
Super bowl
l
All of us have that place where we drop our keys and keep our mobile phones, Bluetooth headset, and MP3 players as soon we reach home. Well, Intel is working on a 'bowl' for this purpose that will not only be a repository for your electronics, but also charge the devices. Of course, your gadgets will also need to be compliant.
As of now, Intel Smart Bowl prototype - measuring 10-inches in diameter and which uses magnetic resonance technology - only charges Intel's smart headset. But the Alliance for Wireless Power (A4WP) - with members from industries such as consumer electronics, mobile services, automotive, furniture, software - recently announced a global certification programme called Rezence for wireless charging, so this tech might make its way to your home sooner than you think.
Master chef
They've been making waves for quite a while now, but this year, 3D printers are vying for a spot in your kitchen! Yes, you read that right. US-based 3D Systems has invented the ChefJet that's capable of printing candies, cake icings and other edibles. The printers, due out later this year, will be available in two variants. The basic model will deliver single colour prints, while the ChefJet Pro will deliver full colour confectionery.
Photos
