The next generation of smartphones

Yesterday Apple announced it was slashing the price of the current iPhone in half just as it launches a new version, which is the third new model since 2007. This comes days after Palm launches it's so-called "iPhone killer," the Palm Pre. On "The Takeaway, "New York Times" personal technology editor Sam Grobart helps us navigate the buying frenzy.

Grobart explains the growing use for these smart devices: "I think that what we are seeing is a real growth in location-based services. The idea that you have this tiny computer in your pocket that knows where you are, can get on the Internet and pull the relevant information you need for wherever you are or need to be -- so whether that's restaurant information, or movie reviews for the movies that are playing at the theater nearby, or where your friends are ...

"Knowing where you are and then giving you the opportunity to pull down any piece of data that you need is a very powerful combination."

The new iPhone 3G S has built in video capabilities, as well as the Pre: " ... and it allows you to edit video segments and post them immediately. So that is an area that we're all looking at seeing some significant growth with user created video on the spot, wherever they may be."

Grobart on what's becoming the real business with these devices: "The growth of apps has really been the interesting thing -- I mean, it's no longer just about the specifications of the hardware; it's becoming much more of a software based business, where individual developers are creating new functions for the phone. But you don't have to add anything physically to the device -- it's just something you can download ..."

As for the all important speed of the networks: "As more 3G networks, and then 4G networks roll out ... that's already happening in some cities, you'll see better video quality and faster download speeds."

And the so-called "iPhone killer," the Pre: "The Pre right now is a real competitor. Is it a blockbuster, is it an iPhone killer as many people have been speculating and suggesting? Not at this point, and who knows going forward if it will be. But ... there's room for more than one device, maybe three or four, and the Pre right now is definitely in it -- they have shaken things up a little bit, you can see Apple reacting."
"The Takeaway" is a national morning news program, delivering the news and analysis you need to catch up, start your day, and prepare for what’s ahead. The show is a co-production of WNYC and PRI, in editorial collaboration with the BBC, The New York Times Radio, and WGBH.

http://www.pri.org

GPRS AND WAP

GPRS and WAP let you enjoy a continuous wireless connection to data networks (Internet) and access favorite web sites, entertainment services and other web applications. With WAP, GPRS, you can go online on your cell phone. All you need is a GPRS/WAP enabled phone and activation from the service provider. Call up the Customer Care number and ask them to activate the service, afterwhich you need to download the GPRS settings as instructed and GPRS is activated.

Airtel charges Rs. 600 per month for GPRS and airtime. MMS, however is free. Reliance India charges Rs. 200 + usage charges Rs, 40 paise per minute, whereas Hutch charges Rs. 99 for GPRS + airtime.

Using your cell phone as a modem:

Alternatively, you can connect to the Internet using your cell phone as a modem. For this your cell phone should support HSCSD. If your phone supports HSCSD, you can connect to a laptop, desktop or a PDA, using infrared, data cable or Bluetooth and then dial your ISP connection. This method is useful if you want to check some urgent mails or access a site when on the go. The connectivity is slow and also is expensive as compared to a normal Internet connection using a modem. You pay the ISP for the Internet hours and the cell phone service provider for the airtime charges. With Internet connectivity, you can download a variety of groovy ringtones, logos, and graphics to jazz up your phone. If you are tired of the monophonic tones, polyphonic ringtones is the latest craze. All phones do not support poplyphonic ringtones, especially the old models. If your phone does, you can download a range of polyphonic ringtones from the Internet. What's more, you can even acquire information about current news, movies, stock markets, weather, forecasts, jokes etc. All this is just a click away from your phone and all for a nominal fee. Checking email, acquiring information about current news, movies, stock markets, weather etc. is just a click away from your mobile phone.

Source: http://www.lovelysms.com

Robot App Store

The Robot App Store is a digital application distribution platform for applications for robots opened to the public on late 2011.^[1][2][3] The service allows users to browse and download applications that were developed for robots, and published through the RobotAppStore.com website. Depending on the developer, applications are available either for free or at a cost. The applications can be downloaded directly to a robot, (like NAO) or downloaded onto a personal computer (PC) or a smartphone. 70% of the sale price goes to the developer of the app.

The Robot App Store opened on Aug. 28, 2011.^[5] for developers. On early 2012, the website was opened for consumers.
The Robot App Store is available for developers and robot-owners from around the world.^[6]
During Aug. 2012 RobotAppStore launched the Robopedia^[7] - a centralized knowledgebase for robotics. The topics cover the present and future of robots, including their components and concepts. It enables beginners and seasoned developers to learn about robotics' acronyms and terminology, as well as read step-by-step application-development for numerous robots — vacuum cleaners and humanoids alike.

The Robot App Store supports all commercially-available robots, and all operating systems available for robots. A typical application will run autonomously on the robot’s processor and internal resources. However, applications can be executed on platforms such as a laptops, desktops and smartphones

Source. wikipedia.com

Technological Development

Japan hopes to have full-scale commercialization of service robots by 2025. Much technological research in Japan is led by Japanese government agencies, particularly the Trade Ministry.^[139]
As robots become more advanced, eventually there may be a standard computer operating system designed mainly for robots. Robot Operating System is an open-source set of programs being developed at Stanford University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Technical University of Munich, Germany, among others. ROS provides ways to program a robot's navigation and limbs regardless of the specific hardware involved. It also provides high-level commands for items like image recognition and even opening doors. When ROS boots up on a robot's computer, it would obtain data on attributes such as the length and movement of robots' limbs. It would relay this data to higher-level algorithms. Microsoft is also developing a "Windows for robots" system with its Robotics Developer Studio, which has been available since 2007.^[140]

New functions and abilities

The Caterpillar Company is making a dump truck which can drive itself without any human operator.^[141]
Many future applications of robotics seem obvious to people, even though they are well beyond the capabilities of robots available at the time of the prediction.^[142][143] As early as 1982 people were confident that someday robots would:^[144] 1. clean parts by removing molding flash 2. spray paint automobiles with absolutely no human presence 3. pack things in boxes—for example, orient and nest chocolate candies in candy boxes 4. make electrical cable harness 5. load trucks with boxes—a packing problem 6. handle soft goods, such as garments and shoes 7. shear sheep 8. prosthesis 9. cook fast food and work in other service industries 10. household robot.
Generally such predictions are overly optimistic in timescale.

US Military robots

Military robots include the SWORDS robot which is currently used in ground-based combat. It can use a variety of weapons and there is some discussion of giving it some degree of autonomy in battleground situations.^{[100][101][102]}

Unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAVs), which are an upgraded form of UAVs, can do a wide variety of missions, including combat. UCAVs are being designed such as the Mantis UCAV which would have the ability to fly themselves, to pick their own course and target, and to make most decisions on their own.^[103] The BAE Taranis is a UCAV built by Great Britain which can fly across continents without a pilot and has new means to avoid detection.^[104] Flight trials are expected to begin in 2011.^[105][106]
The AAAI has studied this topib in depth^[58] and its president has commissioned a study to look at this issue.^[107]
Some have suggested a need to build "Friendly AI", meaning that the advances which are already occurring with AI should also include an effort to make AI intrinsically friendly and humane.^[108] Several such measures reportedly already exist, with robot-heavy countries such as Japan and South Korea^[53] having begun to pass regulations requiring robots to be equipped with safety systems, and possibly sets of 'laws' akin to Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics.^[109][110] An official report was issued in 2009 by the Japanese government's Robot Industry Policy Committee.^[111] Chinese officials and researchers have issued a report suggesting a set of ethical rules, and a set of new legal guidelines referred to as "Robot Legal Studies."^[112] Some concern has been expressed over a possible occurrence of robots telling apparent falsehoods

Japan's robot

The Japanese craftsman Hisashige Tanaka (1799–1881), known as "Japan's Edison" or "Karakuri Giemon", created an array of extremely complex mechanical toys, some of which served tea, fired arrows drawn from a quiver, and even painted a Japanese kanji character.^[29]
A remotely operated vehicles were demonstrated in the late 19th in the form of several types of remotely controlled torpedos. The early 1870s saw remotely controlled torpedos by John Ericsson (pneumatic), John Louis Lay (electric wire guided), and Victor von Scheliha (electric wire guided).^[15] In 1898 Nikola Tesla publicly demonstrated a "wireless" radio-controlled torpedo that he hoped sell to the US Navy.^[30][31]
In 1926, Westinghouse Electric Corporation created Televox, the first robot put to useful work. They followed Televox with a number of other simple robots, including one called Rastus, made in the crude image of a black man. In the 1930s, they created a humanoid robot known as Elektro for exhibition purposes, including the 1939 and 1940 World's Fairs.^[32][33] In 1928, Japan's first robot, Gakutensoku, was designed and constructed by biologist Makoto Nishimura. The first electronic autonomous robots with complex behaviour were created by William Grey Walter of the Burden Neurological Institute at Bristol, England in 1948 and 1949. They were named Elmer and Elsie. These robots could sense light and contact with external objects, and use these stimuli to navigate.^[34]
The first truly modern robot, digitally operated and programmable, was invented by George Devol in 1954 and was ultimately called the Unimate. Devol sold the first Unimate to General Motors in 1960, and it was installed in 1961 in a plant in Trenton, New Jersey to lift hot pieces of metal from a die casting machine and stack them.^[35] Devol’s patent for the first digitally operated programmable robotic arm represents the foundation of the modern robotics industry.^[36]
Commercial and industrial robots are now in widespread use performing jobs more cheaply or with greater accuracy and reliability than humans. They are also employed for jobs which are too dirty, dangerous or dull to be suitable for humans. Robots are widely used in manufacturing, assembly and packing, transport, earth and space exploration, surgery, weaponry, laboratory research, and mass production of consumer and industrial goods

Robots have replaced humans work

A robot is a mechanical device that can perform tasks automatically. It may – but need not – be humanoid in appearance. Some robots require some degree of guidance, which may be done using a remote control, or with a computer interface. A robot is usually an electro-mechanical machine that is guided by a program or circuitry. Robots can be autonomous, semi-autonomous or remotely controlled and range from humanoids such as ASIMO and TOPIO to Nano robots, 'swarm' robots, and industrial robots. By mimicking a lifelike appearance or automating movements, a robot may convey a sense of intelligence or thought of its own. The branch of technology that deals with robots is called robotics.
Machinery was initially used for repetitive functions, such as lifting water and grinding grain. With technological advances more complex machines were developed, such as those invented by Hero of Alexandria in the 1st century AD, and the automata of Al-Jazari in the 12th century AD. They were not widely adopted as human labour, particularly slave labour, was still inexpensive compared to the capital-intensive machines.
As mechanical techniques developed through the Industrial age, more practical applications were proposed by Nikola Tesla, who in 1898 designed a radio-controlled boat. Electronics evolved into the driving force of development with the advent of the first electronic autonomous robots created by William Grey Walter in Bristol, England in 1948. The first digital and programmable robot was invented by George Devol in 1954 and was named the Unimate. It was sold to General Motors in 1961 where it was used to lift pieces of hot metal from die casting machines at the Inland Fisher Guide Plant in the West Trenton section of Ewing Township, New Jersey.^[1]
Robots have replaced humans^{[citation needed]} in the asristance of performing those repetitive and dangerous tasks which humans prefer not to do, or are unable to do due to size limitations, or even those such as in outer space or at the bottom of the sea where humans could not survive the extreme environments.
Some people have developed an awareness of potential problems associated with autonomous robots and how they may affect society. Fear of robot behaviour, such as the Frankenstein complex, drive current practice in establishing what autonomy a robot should and should not have.

The word robot can refer to both physical robots and virtual software agents, but the latter are usually referred to as bots.^[2] There is no consensus on which machines qualify as robots but there is general agreement among experts, and the public, that robots tend to do some or all of the following: move around, operate a mechanical limb, sense and manipulate their environment, and exhibit intelligent behavior — especially behavior which mimics humans or other animals.
There is no one definition of robot which satisfies everyone and many people have their own.^[3] For example Joseph Engelberger, a pioneer in industrial robotics, once remarked: "I can't define a robot, but I know one when I see one."^[4] According to the Encyclopaedia Britannica a robot is "any automatically operated machine that replaces human effort, though it may not resemble human beings in appearance or perform functions in a humanlike manner." Merriam-Webster describes a robot as a "machine that looks like a human being and performs various complex acts (as walking or talking) of a human being", or a "device that automatically performs complicated often repetitive tasks", or a "mechanism guided by automatic controls

Portal Technology

Technology is the making, modification or improvement, applied activity or behavior, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems, methods of organization, or environmental modifications or arrangement in order to solve a problem, improve a preexisting solution to a problem, achieve a goal or perform a specific function. It can also refer to the collection of such tools, machinery, modifications, environmental arrangement and procedures. Technologies significantly affect human as well as other animal species' ability to control and adapt to their natural environments. The word technology comes from Greek τεχνολογία (technología); from τέχνη (téchnē), meaning "art, skill, craft", and -λογία (-logía), meaning "study of-". The term can either be applied generally or to specific areas: examples include construction technology, medical technology, and information technology.
Technologies significantly affect human as well as other animal species' ability to control and adapt to their natural environments. The human species' use of technology began with the conversion of natural resources into simple tools. The prehistorical discovery of the ability to control fire increased the available sources of food and the invention of the wheel helped humans in travelling in and controlling their environment. Recent technological developments, including the printing press, the telephone, and the Internet, have lessened physical barriers to communication and allowed humans to interact freely on a global scale. However, not all technology has been used for peaceful purposes; the development of weapons of ever-increasing destructive power has progressed throughout history, from clubs to nuclear weapons.
Technology has affected society and its surroundings in a number of ways. In many societies, technology has helped develop more advanced economies (including today's global economy) and has allowed the rise of a leisure class. Many technological processes produce unwanted by-products, known as pollution, and deplete natural resources, to the detriment of the Earth and its environment. Various implementations of technology influence the values of a society and new technology often raises new ethical questions. Examples include the rise of the notion of efficiency in terms of human productivity, a term originally applied only to machines, and the challenge of traditional norms.
Philosophical debates have arisen over the present and future use of technology in society, with disagreements over whether technology improves the human condition or worsens it. Neo-Luddism, anarcho-primitivism, and similar movements criticise the pervasiveness of technology in the modern world, opining that it harms the environment and alienates people; proponents of ideologies such as transhumanism and techno-progressivism view continued technological progress as beneficial to society and the human condition. Indeed, until recently, it was believed that the development of technology was restricted only to human beings, but recent scientific studies indicate that other primates and certain dolphin communities have developed simple tools and learned to pass their knowledge to other generations.

Competitive advantage

In 1983 a classified program was initiated in the US intelligence community to reverse the US declining economic and military competitiveness. The program, Project Socrates, used all source intelligence to review competitiveness worldwide for all forms of competition to determine the source of the US decline. What Project Socrates determined was that technology exploitation is the foundation of all competitive advantage and that the source of the US declining competitiveness was the fact that decision-making through the US both in the private and public sectors had switched from decision making that was based on technology exploitation (i.e., technology-based planning) to decision making that was based on money exploitation (i.e., economic-based planning) at the end of World War II.
Technology is properly defined as any application of science to accomplish a function. The science can be leading edge or well established and the function can have high visibility or be significantly more mundane but it is all technology, and its exploitation is the foundation of all competitive advantage.
Technology-based planning is what was used to build the US industrial giants before WWII (e.g., Dow, DuPont, GM) and it what was used to transform the US into a superpower. It was not economic-based planning.
Project Socrates determined that to rebuild US competitiveness, decision making throughout the US had to readopt technology-based planning. Project Socrates also determined that countries like China and India had continued executing technology-based (while the US took its detour into economic-based) planning, and as a result had considerable advanced the process and were using it to build themselves into superpowers. To rebuild US competitiveness the US decision-makers needed adopt a form of technology-based planning that was far more advanced than that used by China and India.
Project Socrates determined that technology-based planning makes an evolutionary leap forward every few hundred years and the next evolutionary leap, the Automated Innovation Revolution, was poised to occur. In the Automated Innovation Revolution the process for determining how to acquire and utilize technology for a competitive advantage (which includes R&D) is automated so that it can be executed with unprecedented speed, efficiency and agility.
Project Socrates developed the means for automated innovation so that the US could lead the Automated Innovation Revolution in order to rebuild and maintain the country's economic competitiveness for many generations.<sup>[51][52][53]

Source : Wikipedia.com</sup>