Payphones of the Future

Payphones of the Future

By Kyle Gilligan

              

     In our 21^st century technology world, it is hard to believe that public payphones still even exist. New York City agrees that these old wired phones are a thing of the past and they now have plans to replace all but 3 payphones in the city. The 3 remaining phones will remain as part of the town’s “historic” scenery.

              

     The replacement for the payphones will be a tall aluminum pillar that contains several features from the new world of technology and connectivity. The main feature that will replace the payphone will be a touchscreen that will enable users to make free domestic calls and even video chat for free. Another feature will be usb ports that will allow anyone to charge their mobile devices or tablets for free. Finally, every tower will have free wifi hotspots with a radius of 150 feet. This will make New York the largest municipal to ever offer free wifi throughout a city

     A few people are already throwing doubt on the project saying that the towers will be covered in graffiti and the touchscreens will be broken often. However the city is saying that they will be checking every terminal twice a week to ensure that it is clean and in normal operation.

Do you think this payphone replacement is a good idea?

What features do you see being the most useful with the new technology?

You can find more information in this Wall Street Journal article.

Swimming like a machine

With all the health apps out there there has to be one for swimming now.  The Xmetrics is that new device. This device can do a lot of things like be your own personal trainer which tells them info as they are swimming.  Other really cool things that you can do with Xmerics is that you can share your information on the web or your social media sites.  On there Indiegogo web site you can read more information like who are the creators, about the device itself and what it comes with, and many more details. 

There are two different types of Xmerics devices that you can chose from they are Xmetrics FIT and the Xmetrics PRO.  For the Xmetrics FIT it will provide real time audio feedback and keep track of laps to swim efficiency.  This device also comes with other options too.  For the Xmetrics PRO it also has audio feedback and you can also review your swimming data with your coach.  Besides these features their are other cool features about this device that you can read about on the different links, that I have provided for you. While they, the company, were working on making this device, they were wanting to "outshine" there competitors like Ucoach, Finis Stroke Lab, and Garmin.  

  Here are some questions that I would like for you to answer.  
     1.  What do you think of this device, having a personal coach talking to you as you are swimming...
     2.  Would you get one if you were a swimmer or tell your friends that swims a lot?
If you have any other comments or opinions that you would like to add, please comment them. 

Aluminum 2015 Ford F-150

Aluminum 2015 Ford F-150

By: Jacob Gilmore

The longstanding Ford Motor Company, whose "F-Series trucks have been the best-selling vehicles in the U.S. for 37 straight years," is taking a new leap of faith for the coming year. Ford announced that it will begin production this coming Tuesday, November 18th at its Dearborn Truck Plant near the company's headquarters. It will arrive at U.S. dealerships in late December. The question is, will the new aluminum-sided F-150 set a new industry standard--or will it be a failed idea?

Ford's pitch is that the new F-150 is more full efficient and lighter, but also even more capable. Aluminum is a familiar metal in the auto industry; it's lighter than steel and just as a strong. However, this time aluminum will surround the entire body of a large vehicle. So what are the risks?

F-Series trucks have been the top selling truck in the U.S. for 37 consecutive years. In addition, they sold almost 100,000 more full-size trucks than General Motors. According to Morgan Stanley, an estimated 90% Ford's global automotive profits come from their F-Series. Any potential aluminum quality problems, production challenges, etc. could lead to customer doubts of the newly used metal, which will eventually lead to a reduction in sales.

On a positive note, Ford CEO Mark Fields to the Associated Press that the new 2015 F-150 has been through more than 10 million miles of testing--more than any vehicle in Ford's history. He claimed that the decision  the idea "was a a very calculated and informed risk that gave us the confidence that we were going to get this done."

What do you think of Ford's strategic move in producing an aluminum F-150?
Will it be successful, average, or mediocre in comparison to other trucks? 

Source: The Seattle Times
Source: Official Site of the 2015 Ford F-150

Merging Tech with Cafe Drinks

Merging Tech with Cafe Drinks
By: Jacob Gilmore

I can image that majority of us have all been to a cafe, bar, or restaurant that serves a variety of drinks whether that be coffee, tea, or alcohol. However, I highly doubt any of us have ever been to one that offers drinks and 3-D printing. The Proto Build Bar is a small, unique business that has combined the average cafe with the world of art. 

Alex Todd, general manager of the Proto Build Bar, said it simply: "You can come in with an idea, just have something in your brain. If you know nothing about--design or you know nothing about soldering or something like that, you can come in and take some time, sit on our laptops and kind of take that idea and make something kind of just real and plastic out of it..."

A local customer said the new business feels "like it should be in New York or L.A. It's got that big city legitimacy." Another customer compared it to Silicon Valley: "I mean, even out in the Silicon Valley--I dream of being out there--but then when I heard this place was opening up...I got really excited that we're gonna have something like this right in Dayton."

According to the cafe, they are evaluating the interest in the idea of collaborating art and leisure. The Real Art Design Group, the company contracting with the bar to have their 3-D printer installed, said the team plans to take this prototype for a tech cafe to other bigger locations.

Do you believe this is a good or bad idea in the cafe/bar industry?

What service industries would be better suited for the integration/installation of a 3-D printer for consumer use?

Source: New business merges tech and drinks at bar