Issue 3.14
Each year when January rolls around, I decide whether I want to spend the time and money to attend the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The event runs 4 days and has thousands of exhibitors and dozens of talks and presentations. The exhibitors usually have a booth in the Convention Centers or a room at one of the upscale hotels where they show you why you should buy or sell their product. When I go, I usually walk non-stop for the seven or eight hours I am there, seeing all I can and trying to assimilate what might be important to me or my customers. Smarter people (or those with more time and money) usually stay for three or four days and take a more leisurely approach. For me, I am looking for the highlights. Here are some of the technologies that were interesting to me that you might enjoy knowing about.
In the television arena, most major brands are showing a version of the new “4K” TVs. Also called UHD for Ultra High Definition, these TVs are stunning in their clarity, detail and the reality of their color. Some of the units boast a new type of glasses-free 3D and many offer curved models in very large sizes that make it seem even more realistic and movie-theatre-ish (if that is a word). Most of my friends (including me) will not be able to afford them soon however as the few who have announced prices are talking in the thousands of dollars. Content such as movies, TV series and documentaries are still fairly scarce, but with Netflix offering some movies and even original content in the new format, and new camcorders that will record in 4K, these units will come to market and eventually likely become more affordable.
Another area I was fascinated by was home automation and security. It is now possible to broadcast camera feeds with sound if wanted from your home to your smart phone so you can see and hear what is going on while you are away. The same system can monitor temperature, humidity, movement, carbon monoxide, light levels and many other things while you are at work, at the store or on vacation 2000 miles away. Most of this has been possible in the past few years, but the cost was extreme. A monitoring unit for this new system is under $300 so it just became affordable for many.
“Wearable technology” is a new buzzword in the electronics world. Medical and biomechanical tech that you can wear has exploded over the last couple of years. Whether you want to monitor your oxygen levels, heart rate, respiration, PH levels, blood pressure or any number of other things while you are exercising, working or meditating, there are bands for your wrist, head, chest or waist. These can be contained in a shirt, watch, belt or even a sports bra. Additional wearable tech can give you a computer or television in a see through visor with sound ear pieces, music through your cheek bones or any number of other gadgets. I think we may soon start looking like the Borg. I will mention a few more things in next week’s article. Until then, always remember to back up anything on your computer that is important to you.
Shaun McCausland has worked in the computer industry for over 32 years, 23 years of it locally with Bits ‘N’ Bytes and Musicomp and currently does in-home and on-site computer consultation, service, training and repair. If you have questions you can reach him at 435-668-7118 or his website www.bitsnbytescomputers.com.