Food might be the most essential in our life, and it directly makes an influence on the environment and also on society. To prevent unexpected fluctuations in the supply of resources, various type of technologies are used in companies in the food industry. It not only benefits the producers but the consumers, we, can also profit from these technologies.

Ferrero, producer Nutella, are using the Food Computer developed by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) which tells the plant’s needs and controls the environment in a lab for it to grow as healthy plants for the products. Through this technology, producers can grow the ingredients without excessive efforts and also be able to find adequate regions to grow the most nutrient ingredients. Even though it does not directly affect the procedures of making a complete product, it surely shortens the time and reduces the cost in fundamental aspects, and these saved resources can be used to in progress of making better products.

For consumer aspect, a company Apeel Sciences created Edipeel which is an edible coating on fruits and vegetables that made of leftover grape pulp from the winemaking process. This coating can make the fruits to be fresh 3 times longer, which allows consumers to have fresh fruits as long as they put it on the table. This technology can also allow producers to ship by ship which was unavailable due to limited preservability, making it cheaper to consumers.

article source: https://www.retaildetail.eu/en/news/food/how-technology-changing-food-industry

MiSafes’ watches are a relatively new concept developed that contain a GPS and 2G connection that children wear in order for their parents to see their location at all times via a smartphone app. This watch is worn by hundreds of thousands of young children from the ages of 3 to 12 years old. You can call your child on the watch and create a “Safe Zone” which notifies the parent when their child leaves a certain location. On the surface, this sounds like a great idea but when you look at it’s coding and analytics, it’s not as safe as people think.

A security researcher decided to test and observe this product and found that the device did not encrypt it’s data and did not secure the children’s MiSafes accounts. It’s manipulative software could allow them to access other accounts and see personal information. With this, the hacker can obtain: a picture of the child, their name, the parent and the child’s phone number, obtain the location of the child, and alter the Safe Zone location. In addition to all of these dangerous activities capable of any hacker, the hacker can use the parents cell phone number in order to pretend to be them.

The Norwegian Consumer Council flagged it’s problematic tendencies to the community. Due to the increase of publicity from its dangerous flaws, big named companies have taken this product off their market. Companies like Amazon has taken this product of their website; EBay had three users all put the product up for sale but forced them to take it down since they did not support the highly flagged product. Unfortunately, this is not the first piece of software created and branded by the MiSafes company and they have refused to comment on any of the issues their products have produced. Overall, this product helps describe the discussion we had in class about what type of privacy and spy software is considered too far? Clearly this is something just about anyone would feel uncomfortable about. Would you allow your child to wear a watch like this?

CITATION SOURCES:

Kelion, Leo. “MiSafes’ Child-Tracking Smartwatches Are ‘Easy to Hack’.” BBC News, BBC, 15 Nov. 2018, www.bbc.com/news/technology-46195189.

The newest Nintendo Switch Pokémon Let’s Go for switch just release on November 16th, 2018. On the same release day, there is extremely cool device also came into every players’ sight – Pokéball Plus! Have you ever dream to become a professional Pokémon trainer and to walk around with your own Pikachu and explore the world? This is the time!

The Pokéball Plus is a watch-like Bluetooth sensor which work as a supplementary experience to Pokémon Go. It has LED lights, a physical vibration function, and one speaker. Inside the that tiny fancy ball, there is also a gyroscope for controlling affecting the device’s functionality via motion controls. As a regular a controller for the games, it works pretty well with newest Pokemon Let’s go game, which means instead of press button on 3DS, this time player can throw the ball-shape game consoler to catch Pokémon which definitely make the experience more like real. 

However, the coolest part I think is that it also works with the the new version of the Pokémon Go Plus. After seeting up, you can play Go Plus without light up you phone.
When pokémon and pokéstops were nearby, the controller will vibrate and it’s LED will also be lighted up.When catching a Pokémon in those games, players will be able to feel it moving within the ball-shape controller which makes player feel like they’ve caught a pokémon. Also, you can hold of a Pokemon with each controller. By touching top of Pokeball, it will vibrate and speak when a Pokemon is inside, making it look and feel as though the Pokemon is really, truly coming along with the trainer.

Additionally, the Nintendo has put a great effort on the development of technology on its device, especially on Switch Joy-Con. Even it is finger-device, they add a really sensitive and capable infrared sensor. The sensor can be harnessed to transmit simple video feeds to the Switch screen or even detect heat sources. In Tokyo Switch showcase event at January 2017, Nintendo system’s producer, Yoshiaki Koizumi, pointed out that the right Joy-Con’s “motion IR camera” could be used to detect the shape and distance of something held in front of it. He showed that the sensor could distinguish the shapes of a hand making gestures in the game Rock, Paper, Scissors. When it point at the player’s face, the system could track the opening and closing of a player’s mouth, which was used for an eating contest challenge in 1,2, Switch.

There weren’t that many games can reflect the value of infrared sensor until Labo, which is a project combines the various parts of the Switch console with folded cardboard, released. The secret that “motion IR camera” can indeed function as a camera was hided until player see a cardboard car inside Labo. After setting up, the sensor takes transmits a live, infrared feed of what it is pointed at to the Switch’s screen. In car mode, the IR sensor allows it to display which sources of heat it can see. And when player set the car into auto-drive, that heat-sensing mode, combined with vibrations of the Joy-Con controllers, can be harnessed to make the car move toward any heat source, like your hand, or your pets.

Reference link: 

https://www.theverge.com/2018/5/29/17380486/pokemon-go-plus-controller-wearable-joycon-switch

https://kotaku.com/the-switch-joy-con-s-infrared-sensor-is-cooler-than-we-1822669059

Researchers, engineers, and designers from three universities (MIT, Stanford, Royal College of Art) came together to make Kino, a robotic piece of jewelry. The pieces operate using magnets and a motor; magnets both under and on top of the clothing attach Kino to the clothing, while a motor powers its motion. Cloth covering the robot can be used to camouflage Kino into the clothing or allow it to stand out in style.

Right now, the little robots can move on top of designated paths on the clothing, change the pattern of the clothing, etch designs, act as a microphone, and drag a hood off of someone’s head when it stops raining (it’s equipped with sensors for environmental conditions to accomplish this). Several other features are possible, such as the ability to connect it to a smartphone in order to play music and make calls.

The makers of Kino see many possibilities in its future. They envision that eventually, the bulkier design will be swapped for something smaller and easier to integrate into clothing. A prototype of their product was featured at the Being Material symposium by MIT’s Centre for Arts Science and Technology (CAST) in April of 2017.

It is also worthwhile to mention that this is not the first instance of programmable clothing. FIT graduate Birce Ozkan has created several pieces of the kind, including my favorite example, the feathered Augmentation Jacket. Technology allows the feathers to ruffle up when the wearer faces north.

(click for gif)

Kino Source: https://www.dezeen.com/2017/08/08/kino-living-jewellery-roams-across-body-miniature-personal-assistant-mit-media-lab-movie/

Augmentation Jacket Source: https://www.dezeen.com/2016/02/03/birce-ozkan-feathered-augmented-jacket-bird-navigational-skills-fashion-design-wearable-technology/

No matter when you are surfing the internet or exploring on Facebook, you can always find that the ads playing on the side is targeting your interests or based on your recent browsing history. That is because the companies like Google or Facebook are storing your personal data. If you are unwilling for such things to happen, you may have an alternative choice to control your own personal data next year.

Recently, the web creator Tim Berners-Lee introduced us a startup called Inrupt which is from his project called Solid. The goal of this project is to balance the power of web by decentralized the ownership of the data. In this project, users can have control over their personal data by storing the data in your own “pod” instead of controlling by other entities. Companies can only access to these data when users gives their permission. In this way, users can protect their privacy and store information in a safer zone. This project is expected to be available for public starting next year.

This view is supported by users who want their own privacy but there are still some skeptics exist. How can we know that users are still have control over their data when companies are using these datas in their own system? Where is the boundary between personal data and company data? Berners-Lee admitted that there is a grey area for the data boundary since some data needed to be sync between companies and individuals. In order to solve this problem, he mentioned that he is putting effort on designing a web contract that can make web a more reliable place. Since almost all the web problems comes from the inappropriate use of data, it is crucial to set a web contract on using data which can gives consumers the privacy they want and gives companies more restrains and rights on their work. Will you try this coming technology from Inrupt? Do you think web contract can bring web back to Utopia state?

Sources: https://www.cnet.com/news/web-creator-berners-lee-hopes-youll-take-control-of-your-data-in-2019/

A new product has been made that allows you to safely whiten your teeth with your phone.  The Mobile White Teeth Whitening Lite Tray is a 16-piece LED system that is waterproof and BPA free!  Each kit includes syringe applicators that are filled with the whitening gel.

This product is compatible with all mobile devices and USB ports, has a 20 minute whitening cycle with and light and sound reminder, and doesn’t require a battery for on the go use.  Because of its unique proprietary and FDA whitening gel and cool blue LED light tray, it provides a zero sensitivity experience.

Maximum results will be acquired after six 20 minute long sessions.  All you have to do is connect the tray to your mobile device with the provided adapters, put the tray in your mouth for 20 minutes, and then easily store it in the provided carrying case when you’re finished!

The kit includes one Mobile White 16 LED Lite Tray with a USB chord and timer button, four 3ml syringe applicators with the whitening gel, mobile adapters for IOS lightening, micro-USB, Type-C, and USB 3.0, and a storage case with a mirror that is perfect for travel.  One kit costs $79.99, but they have many deals that include buying two kits and receiving one kit free, and buying one kit and receiving the second for half off.

Have you ever gone to use your phone in your basement or any other area of your house and had your wifi not work? This super boost wifi router is the solution to this problem.  It is a strong wifi device that you plug into your wall.  It is developed from a military technology called “signal repeater transmission”.

This devices easy qualities eliminates stress and bad wifi! There is no set up required, all you have to do is plug it in and you’re done.  It locks on to weak wifi signals throughout your home and rebroadcasts it where it is most needed.

This device isn’t affiliated with your wifi provider, so there will be no extra monthly charge added to your bill.  You can use multiple in your home, as you just need to plug it into the wall.

Super Boost Wifi has a satisfaction guarantee, so if you end up not being happy with the results, you can return it for a 100% money back guarantee.  This product starts at a price of $49.99 and works with providers like Comcast, Verizon, AT&T, and Spectrum.

The trend of entertainment is under grand shifting stage due to Augmented Reality which let us be more interactive with things we usually access to. We are already familiar with AR/VR games, and it is already quite widely spread than other forms of entertainment.

In the aspect of the film industry, VR movies are, and several film festivals are holding the awarding sectors for VR films and support the development of it. However, the AR film and TV program can make the connection between digital form and people more interactive since it provides new information on top of what people see. Even though it is not produced as a complete, but the idea that the AR film and TV program hold can bring a significant change, for example, in children show, they can directly interact with the program which provides education and experience through entertaining children. They may draw, write, or doing some exercise that has been done only in reality.

Not only in the visual field, but AR can also be applied to audio technology system. Once, Doppler Labs, company that produce AR earbuds released the earbuds that control the natural sounds around you while making the music sounds fit the users. Users can control the sounds like canceling the airplane sounds while allowing chatting sounds to be hearable, or in another situation such as concert, users can amplify the bass in the live show or concert through the earbuds. Through AR technology in the audio system, people can easily customize and adjust their music sound to their environment. Also, it can provide service that shows score sheets or lyrics which make the deeper interactive connection with sounds and people.

source:

The Face of Entertainment is Changing Because of Augmented Reality

Traditionally, when people think of augmented reality they think of the Google Glass and Snapchat filters. People don’t necessarily think of something as retro and un-isolated as a flashlight, and maybe that’s why it’s perfect.

Lumen, specifically, is an example of flashlight AR. Operating as an ordinary flashlight with a handle, it’s easy to point the beam at any object; it’s what happens after that that’s impressive. A depth-sensing camera and object-recognition algorithm work in tandem to identify the what the light is illuminating. Then, a projector element to the flashlight projects information onto the illuminated object, using specific pixels to operate in 3D space. With the Lumen, it would be possible to point at an engine and be given step-by-step, real-time directions on how to fix it — real-life diagrams.

The design of the user interface makes it very easy to use as well, given that nearly everybody is able to operate a flashlight — from elderly to children. It’s very intuitive.

Lumen also isn’t the only AR project following this form. Similar examples are found in the Faith & Liberty Discovery Center in Philadelphia, and the Lytro camera.

Soon, the complaint of people with their faces in their phones may not even apply. This new idea for AR interface could mean that people will be more connected with both their environment and technology than ever before.

Source: https://www.fastcompany.com/90156683/the-flashlight-is-a-surprisingly-perfect-interface-for-ar