Google Event

[begreen]

I've been watching the current Google Event online. In spite of seeing lots of these events put on by Apple, Microsoft, Adobe, etc., I was stunned by this one. The implications of the technology they are introducing will be a game changer. And they did it with an astounding presentation that made Jobs look like a neophyte.

On the software and server side they've added some great social and sharing features. Google+ has gotten a serious upgrade that allows one to share via the server images, videos and comments in real time. They call this party mode.

On the hardware side they are introducing a Tegra 3 (4 core) tablet that is a serious device, both graphically and computationally. It's price is starting at $199, which is phenomenal for the level this tablet is capable of. Its integrations with the Googleverse and sensors makes it look like a very interesting tablet indeed. Ideal for travel with some amazing GPS features. They also are introducing a audio/video device that allows complete control and streaming from one's phone or tablet or the cloud. So for example, one's friends at a party with Android phones can share music that will get queued up on the device. Lots of other features too, including movies, tv shows, etc..

Then they demoed GoogleGlass, which was over the top. It is a small light, device that allows one to be connected (with motion and location detection) to the cloud for instant sharing of video or stills. The demonstration was of a parachute dive (real time) onto Moscone center. They then rappelled down the side of the building to the balcony and into the auditorium. All live. The implications for live news coverage is going to be very interesting.

There were lots of other bits that completed the overall user experience. Google Maps for example has been nicely beefed up. What impressed me most was the integration and complete ecosystem of tools to create some very new social and perhaps societal experiences. It will be interesting to watch how this evolves.

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2012...google-glasses-broadcast-jump-live-to-google/

 

[rottiman]

Glad I am from the boomer generation. While all this gobbily gook is wonderful for those who need to feed off of it, us old timers still think that a simpler life without the smoke and mirrors was alot better in many ways. Don't get me wrong, I certainly would not deny anyones right to play in this fantasy land if that is what they like, but alot of my generation find this very overwhelming. gone are the days when folks simply were able to get together and converse with each other face to face. Why is it that this new technology has brought about a society where even entire familys do their communicating over techy devices while scattered throughout their own homes and then sit at the dinner table "social networking" via fingers without saying a word. Sorry for the rant, but it just gets to be alittle too much @ times.............................. but enjoy it if you must!

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Hey Rotti, how are you doing from the surgery?

I'm pre-boomer and still find the technology very fascinating. For sure all do not need nor want this sort of thing but for many it is great. I think of the RAAM experience I just completed and many, many times I was amazed and very happy with some of the new things or things that I do now have. For me to own some of the devices would be silly because at our home we rarely can even use our cell phones. No wireless Internet here either. But on the trip, I sorely wished I had some of the devices.

 

[MasterMech]

Glad I am from the boomer generation. While all this gobbily gook is wonderful for those who need to feed off of it, us old timers still think that a simpler life without the smoke and mirrors was alot better in many ways. Don't get me wrong, I certainly would not deny anyones right to play in this fantasy land if that is what they like, but alot of my generation find this very overwhelming. gone are the days when folks simply were able to get together and converse with each other face to face. Why is it that this new technology has brought about a society where even entire familys do their communicating over techy devices while scattered throughout their own homes and then sit at the dinner table "social networking" via fingers without saying a word. Sorry for the rant, but it just gets to be alittle too much @ times.............................. but enjoy it if you must!

Many are too busy working two jobs eight days a week (not just one breadwinner anymore either) to pay for what your parents provided on one 40-hour a week job. Doesn't leave a lot of time for weekend BBQ's with friends, visiting family, or teaching your children some manners for that matter. Traditional social networking has gone out the window because many of us just don't have that kind of time.

I know I know,"The Good Old Days, wern't" but what I wouldn't give for a time machine to go back and experience what life was like in a post-WWII USA. And buy a few cars.

 

[begreen]

I've been around 3 score and some years on this planet and actually enjoy the space from technology at times. But I do recognize a game changer occasionally and this set of tools appears to be one. I'm not saying I will buy into it, but I recognize it as significant with some societal implications.

 

[Jags]

Ahhh....the beginning of the end for desktop Operating Systems. Watch Microsoft stand up an pay attention. The days of instant bootup and everything in the cloud is coming.

 

[begreen]

Just read that with the new Nexus Q, Google did something else quite innovative these days. They chose to make it in America, with American components. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/28/t...e-manufacturing-in-the-us-a-try.html?_r=1&hpw

 

[Delta-T]

Ahhh....the beginning of the end for desktop Operating Systems. Watch Microsoft stand up an pay attention. The days of instant bootup and everything in the cloud is coming.

I think thats the scariest type of scenario. I have difficulty wrestling with the "impermanance" of information now. Look at all the information that got "lost in translation" from the ancient peoples, just because of the slow disintegration of common languages...nevermind the nearly daily format changes that happen in the modern informational world. How much information is forever trapped on 5.25" floppies, 3.5" floppies and the like? I have little faith in the "cloud" concept....which is why I have kept all my CDs even though I have it all stored in....I guess its just stored in magic, not much room for much else in my laptop and ipod.

 

[begreen]

Think about this. It is very possible now that many children are going to have their entire photographic and video life history in the cloud. I suppose that is better than the total odd assortment of shoebox photos, albums, video tapes (VHS, VHS-C, Digital tape, Compact Flash, CDs, DVDs, SD cards, etc.. That is of course, unless it's lost or hacked. It certainly would allow a fast review of one's life.

 

[Jags]

...I guess its just stored in magic, not much room for much else in my laptop and ipod.

The proper terminology is PFM (pure effin magic). Delta, there will be nothing stopping you from personally storing your data either. External drives and USB drives will still be compatible with these portals. In a cloud there is probably LESS chance of loosing data because of the redundancy and failover practices in place. Its not like there is just ONE giant Google hard drive.

As technology changes, the "Cloud" data will be brought over with it. That 5-1/4 floppy just got copied onto a Petabyte drive array with raid 5 protection.

 

[firebroad]

I have NO IDEA what the heck you are all talking about, but it sure sounds purty...

 

[Jags]

I have NO IDEA what the heck you are all talking about, but it sure sounds purty...

Trust us...Just trust us....MWAAhahaha.

 

[BrotherBart]

Fourth time we have renamed data center and/or server consolidation. Pays good all over again every time.

My problem with Google's jazzy stuff is they abandon one for every new one they bring on-stream.

 

[Jags]

Pays good all over again every time.

Windowz 8, anybody?

 

[BrotherBart]

The next hot thing in hardware will be NAS devices to back up your Cloud data. In your house.

 

[Jags]

With external terabyte drives being as cheap as a dinner for 4 at Applebee's, I don't know. Ooohh...maybe a fiber optics drive for the 8000 porn movies that ya might want to store.

 

[fossil]

With external terabyte drives being as cheap as a dinner for 4 at Applebee's, I don't know. Ooohh...maybe a fiber optics drive for the 8000 porn movies that ya might want to store.

Oh jeez...I'm gonna need a coupla those.

 

[Delta-T]

As technology changes, the "Cloud" data will be brought over with it. That 5-1/4 floppy just got copied onto a Petabyte drive array with raid 5 protection.

I suppose that is the "sell" on cloud tech...."forever updated, forever accessible"....I'm just sceptical. The info may well be there, you just have to make sure you're up on the apps, and compatabilities....maybe its not the "cloud" I dislke as much as the never ending list of formats (proprietary of course). I still buy books, made of paper, just because they are real, I can touch them, turn pages and whatnot, put it on a shelf and go get it again 10 yrs later without having to worry about the words changing, or the user interface getting complex. I have a great collection of vinyl albums (60's-70's) but no turntable= information lost.....good thing I bought them for the liner notes and cover art. I know, I can still get a turntable.....I'm sure you catch my drift.

PFM....thats funny....commit to memory banks.

 

[BrotherBart]

Got me thinking here. Gotta get to work on that USB turntable.

 

[Jags]

Might as well whip up an 8 track while your at it.

Actually, that might not be as goofy as it sounds....

 

[amateur cutter]

Really? my son at the table in a restaurant a few years texting instead of talking. He was 20 @ the time, I made a remark about paying attention to the live people around him, & looking them in the eye when he spoke. That's the way he was raised. He apologized, then 10 min later replied to another text. I took his very expensive "smart" phone & installed it in the water pitcher. No problems since, we can have a face to face chat w/o interruption. I'm not against technology, but at what cost? Wireless service or electric fails, & people aren't even gonna know how talk to someone any more. I'm with rottiman on this one. A C

 

[Delta-T]

you guys do know that there are a whole host of USB-->RCA pieces of hardware yes? that said....I'm feelin boh of those things....maybe a combo piece, must have full 1/4" headphone jack too....none of this 1/8" mini junk. I have classic Sansui 8-Track player we can work with. Must find 8 track collection now...I have Iron Butterfly and West Side Story Soundtrack!

 

[BrotherBart]

No problem. The Pioneer eight track recorder is sitting on the shelf. Bought it in 1972 and used it twice.

 

[Delta-T]

No problem. The Pioneer eight track recorder is sitting on the shelf. Bought it in 1972 and used it twice.

you also have West Side Story Soundtrack?? (only correct answer is yes, all the cool people have it, some have 2 copies).

when you're a Jet, you're a Jet all the way.....

 

[rottiman]

Really? my son at the table in a restaurant a few years texting instead of talking. He was 20 @ the time, I made a remark about paying attention to the live people around him, & looking them in the eye when he spoke. That's the way he was raised. He apologized, then 10 min later replied to another text. I took his very expensive "smart" phone & installed it in the water pitcher. No problems since, we can have a face to face chat w/o interruption. I'm not against technology, but at what cost? Wireless service or electric fails, & people aren't even gonna know how talk to someone any more. I'm with rottiman on this one. A C

My point exactly. Technology is wonderful in its rightful place. Ashame it has to be rammed down the throats of the basic family unit during the precious little time we have to spend with each other these days.................................