So now that Microsoft Displays 3D without Glasses and uses the Kinect technology to do it.
And, that the Kinect can track 4 people at once. And that each of the 4 can view a different screen view.
Can I have A PC that 4 can use at once with their own desktop. Better yet lets have the interface touchless.
Minority report Here we are .
It responds to my gestures, I see it in 3D - the tech is here, now I wonder how long it will be when best buy has it on their shelves.
2020?
Microsoft's new display relies on a wedge shaped lens that doubles as the screen. It uses motion tracking capability to track up to 4 viewers and display a 3D image to each of them. The motion tracking is vital to displaying 3D without glasses as this form of 3D is impossible without knowing the viewer's head position. As we stated before, this can be done without head tracking but it only works for one viewer and that person must keep their head in a very specific position or the 3D effect will be lost. With the motion tracking ability the display can focus the 3D effect in real time on the viewer by detecting and constantly updating their position. Nintendo is using this technology combined with a paralax filter in their new handheld gaming device they announced at E3.
The real breakthrough with this Microsoft display is the ability to track and display 3D to 4 viewers at once. Currently the technology is limited to a 20 degree viewing angle though the researchers feel they will be able to get it up to at least 40 degrees. In the case of LCD and LED screens you'll experience picture degradation at angles wider than this anyway so it's not such a big deal.
With the recent issues with McAffe I realize that Microsoft Security Essentials is a real blessing.The testing I have done comparing it to Norton and McAffe is great. I now use it instead of Norton or McAffe on all of my PC’s.So the protection is 1st rate. BUT, the best part is that it does not slow down my machine like Norton and McAffe. Hands down the best anti-virus software I have found.
Paint.net, and Gimp are the Image editing software that really holds up. Does everything that I need and far more. Photoshop does have more plugins and such. But, Gimp is very close to photoshop that I can not think of anything that Photoshop can do that Gimp can not.Paint.net is one good image editor and creator. good for most uses. A must have.
Windows Live Essentials is a must for me.
Programs you can download include:
Additional programs:
these programs I use everyday. Toolbar… I can live without, and do.
Adobe acrobat reader is a must these days but all those updates… could use another PDF reader and there may be one better but I have not looked yet.
ImgBurn is my fave burning software for creating ISOs and Burning ISOs. Small and does the job.
Microsoft Virtual CD is my choice to mount ISOs. I have heard that it does not work in Windows 7, but I just set compatibility and it works fine for me. Lucky I guess. I have done DVD’s too. If VCD does not work then I like Virtual Clone Drive. This utility will let you mount .ISO, .CCD, .DVD, .IMG, .UDF and .BIN files.
Some web resources I like are:
http://www.osalt.com/ is a site that lists open source software to commercial software. A good place to find free for programs you want but can not afford.
Mint.com free financial software, kinda like Quicken.
MY top ten Windows 8 wish list.
1) 128Bit - There has been a lot of talk about Windows 8 being 128bit. I, for one, hope so.
2) XP Mode – I wish that XP Mode will tag along. This will give us the ability to have 16 and 32bit capability.
3) Input alternatives: Voice, Touch and No-Touch – I wish that the voice recognition will continue and be improved along with the native touch input. I also wish that the technology of the Natal Project will be included; Face and 3D body movement recognition. Aspects of MS Surface would be nice to see.
4) Customizable Copenhagen shell: I wish that the alternative shells that have been developed will be available to use. I also wish that tools can be made available to fully customize the shell like the functionality of LiteStep. I think that only one shell should be supported so the ability to easily switch to the supported “default” is crucial.
5) Expanded Parental Controls – I would like to see parental controls that are more full featured. I would like to see the ability to set the amount of time a user can spend on the PC per Day and per Week; where the per week can be less than the sum of time per days. With an adjustable timer warning so you can specify the minutes a warning will appear when the allotted time is running out; so it will allow the user to close and log off nicely. Features could include number of minutes before the time runs out, a “snooze” type capability possibly . Maybe even a way to make the warnings more and more annoying as time draws near.
I also wish that one “log on” is needed for many users. Face recognition is used to keep track of who did what and for how long. Certain profile specific features can change, such as IE Favorites, My Documents, email, Etc. Background wallpaper, themes would not change.
6) Better availability of support tools - such as the “Problem Steps Recorder” and “Remote Assistance”. Why there are not links to those tools on the first page of Help and support is beyond me. The necessity of having to type “Problem” in search is an oversight.
7) Remote Usage – Mesh.com is a nice idea. I would like to see that expanded and included. I would like to see “Stealth Viewing” available so authorized users can see what is being done on the PC. Privacy and Security issues abound, I know. This can be set up in Parental Controls so the user knows it is possible, most websites do not show the password being typed so that helps some.
8) XBOX Integration – Expanded Xbox integration so that you can easily play your Xbox games using the PC rather than the Xbox controllers Weird I know. I just am not a good controller guy.
9) DVD Menu Authoring – Movie maker from windows live is ok. But the lack of DVD Menu authoring so that multiple home moves can be burned on to a disk is disappointing. I have to actually purchase 3rd party software to do that…. lol.
10) PC Personalities with Natural Speech – Can we have good sounding text to speech and speech output. Take a look at HAL2000. Full home automation is not what I am purposing. But the ability to read your email. Check the weather. Start programs with an optional personality would be nice. Sure now we have voice recognition and the PC does what I tell it to. But, I want more interaction from the PC. Not only doing it but telling me it did so. And having options on how, when, and with what actions to do so is what I am hoping for.
Well, that is it for now….
1. Augmented Reality and Reality Browsers. You may not be familiar with this phrase, but you’ve already seen this in action on TV and the movies. When you see actors interacting with a virtual computer screen that’s actually an overlay on the space around them; moving files with the swipe of their hand, opening documents in mid air – that’s augmented reality. Augmented reality applications can already be found on mobile phones. The new Android has an application called Layar. Layar is a “reality browser. Users will simply use their phone’s camera feature to point at scenes or objects and the technology will overlay additional information or data on the screen about those objects. For example, say you’re in a new city or town and are looking for a Chinese restaurant, you would point your phone at the street or neighborhood where you are and Layar will tell you what businesses are around you. Think of this application as on-demand Yellow Pages. How to take advantage: You’ll want to make sure that your business appears accurately on Google Maps. Bryce Sady, a Boston-based healthcare marketer recommended the following: “Enter in the address (not the business name) on maps.google.com and see if it shows up. You can advertise your business for free on Google Maps .When adding the category of business you are in, think about search terms that someone would enter in on their phone or GPS to find a business like yours. Also, be sure and upload an updated photo of the storefront. Prices, hours, credit cards taken are all helpful information for users. If you are listed, you will want to verify the listing, so that it shows up as "owner-verified" in results.” 2. Location-Based Applications: With the widespread incorporation of GPS devices and applications, it’s easier than ever to get real-time information on where your friends are and what’s around you. This trend is related to augmented reality applications because it’s “location-based” technology that is one of the first consumer-accessible ways that we use it. Twitter was a pre-curser to this trend when people were using it to tell their friends where they were and connect in real time. BrightKite was another location-based application that was a little before its time in giving you updates as to where your friends are. The latest in the mix is Foursquare: A location-based service based on your Twitter network with an added layer of social gameplay. Currently Foursquare is gaining traction in big cities. How to take advantage: You have to be visible, listed and tagged in all the right places, Google Maps and Yelp. Another important way to take advantage of these applications and trends is to build an active community that sincerely promotes your product and talks about it online. If you’re a small business, you must start a customer community program this year. Make it a point to build an accurate customer list that includes e-mails. Create a Facebook Fan page, Twitter, Foursquare, BrightKite and any other location-based application account and offer specials and promotions through those channels to your customers. Also check out: Google Latitude to Loopt and FireEagle, 3. Interactivity and Crowd Sourcing –Wikipedia is a great example of crowd sourcing. But as the trend has become more commonplace, people have come up with increasingly more creative ways to use it. Take Dahlia Lithwick, for example. By day, unassuming Supreme Court reporter, but for her special project, she decided to write her novel (Saving Face) using input from her Facebook Fans. From the other end of the spectrum, budding inventors can use the power of crowds to think up, develop, manufacture and market new products on Quirky. Say that you have a great idea, but don’t have the engineering skill to design it. Submit it to Quirky and engineers will help. The community serves as the market test site and the proceeds from products that actually sell are divided among the community according to their level of input. How to take advantage: Make it a point to add “interactivity” to your products and services. If you’re thinking about writing a book, involve your audience in the process. If you’re planning on a new product, create a space where customers and users can put their two cents in. Put a crowd sourcing button on your web site from IdeaScale and let your customers tell you what new features to add. Create a Facebook Fan Page or a blog-style web site dedicated to your next new venture and engage your readers in the conversation. Use social media tools like Search.Twitter.com to search on your company name or industry terms to see what people are saying about it in real time in their own words. 4. Real time collaboration –Google Wave is an innovative new way for people to communicate and collaborate. Wave is already being used for projects and collaboration among many small groups and organizations around the world, in large part because of its strength in combining familiar communication platforms. But it’s really no fun or no good if everyone you work with isn’t on the system. Maybe that’s why it’s been so slow to build steam. Because I run so many virtual teams, I think that Google Wave is an amazing way to stay connected, work collaboratively and efficiently with people from all over the world as if they were right next to you. How to take advantage: Get yourself on Google Wave and get everyone you work with to sign up too. Connect with associates and customers and collaborate on projects in real time. 5. Digital Branding/Real Time Branding: The internet revolution has made it hip to be small. Small businesses can increase their brand equity by becoming ubiquitous participants on social media sites. But there are more opportunities for small businesses who want to build their brand in a more subtle, more cost effective way. Ex-Yahoo Real Estate executive, Arjun Dev Arora used his expertise in real estate to create ReTargeter, a brilliant way to get past visitors BACK to your site. The technology places a little “burr” of code onto your web site – much like the little burrs you might collect on your pants while your hiking. Then once visitors that have been to your site, they collect these digital “burrs” as they wander off to bigger sites like CNN.com, for example. As they wander the web they see a subtle ad for your site on the sites they are visiting (such as CNN.com, that have ad spaces) thereby increasing the perception of your brand and enticing them to return to you. How to take advantage: Look at digital advertising opportunities. Do your customers have a favorite site in your industry? Offer to sponsor a page or become a regular contributor.
1. Augmented Reality and Reality Browsers. You may not be familiar with this phrase, but you’ve already seen this in action on TV and the movies. When you see actors interacting with a virtual computer screen that’s actually an overlay on the space around them; moving files with the swipe of their hand, opening documents in mid air – that’s augmented reality. Augmented reality applications can already be found on mobile phones. The new Android has an application called Layar. Layar is a “reality browser. Users will simply use their phone’s camera feature to point at scenes or objects and the technology will overlay additional information or data on the screen about those objects. For example, say you’re in a new city or town and are looking for a Chinese restaurant, you would point your phone at the street or neighborhood where you are and Layar will tell you what businesses are around you. Think of this application as on-demand Yellow Pages.
2. Location-Based Applications: With the widespread incorporation of GPS devices and applications, it’s easier than ever to get real-time information on where your friends are and what’s around you. This trend is related to augmented reality applications because it’s “location-based” technology that is one of the first consumer-accessible ways that we use it. Twitter was a pre-curser to this trend when people were using it to tell their friends where they were and connect in real time. BrightKite was another location-based application that was a little before its time in giving you updates as to where your friends are. The latest in the mix is Foursquare: A location-based service based on your Twitter network with an added layer of social gameplay. Currently Foursquare is gaining traction in big cities.
3. Interactivity and Crowd Sourcing –Wikipedia is a great example of crowd sourcing. But as the trend has become more commonplace, people have come up with increasingly more creative ways to use it. Take Dahlia Lithwick, for example. By day, unassuming Supreme Court reporter, but for her special project, she decided to write her novel (Saving Face) using input from her Facebook Fans. From the other end of the spectrum, budding inventors can use the power of crowds to think up, develop, manufacture and market new products on Quirky. Say that you have a great idea, but don’t have the engineering skill to design it. Submit it to Quirky and engineers will help. The community serves as the market test site and the proceeds from products that actually sell are divided among the community according to their level of input.
4. Real time collaboration –Google Wave is an innovative new way for people to communicate and collaborate. Wave is already being used for projects and collaboration among many small groups and organizations around the world, in large part because of its strength in combining familiar communication platforms. But it’s really no fun or no good if everyone you work with isn’t on the system. Maybe that’s why it’s been so slow to build steam. Because I run so many virtual teams, I think that Google Wave is an amazing way to stay connected, work collaboratively and efficiently with people from all over the world as if they were right next to you.
5. Digital Branding/Real Time Branding: The internet revolution has made it hip to be small. Small businesses can increase their brand equity by becoming ubiquitous participants on social media sites. But there are more opportunities for small businesses who want to build their brand in a more subtle, more cost effective way. Ex-Yahoo Real Estate executive, Arjun Dev Arora used his expertise in real estate to create ReTargeter, a brilliant way to get past visitors BACK to your site. The technology places a little “burr” of code onto your web site – much like the little burrs you might collect on your pants while your hiking. Then once visitors that have been to your site, they collect these digital “burrs” as they wander off to bigger sites like CNN.com, for example. As they wander the web they see a subtle ad for your site on the sites they are visiting (such as CNN.com, that have ad spaces) thereby increasing the perception of your brand and enticing them to return to you.
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