1. Google Glass
Augmented
Reality has already gotten into our life in the forms of simulated
experiment and education app, but Google is taking it several steps higher
with Google Glass. Theoretically, with Google Glass, you are able to
view social media feeds, text, Google Maps, as well as navigate with GPS
and take photos. You will also get the latest updates while you are on the
ground.It’s
truly what we called vision, and it’s absolutely possible given the fact that
the Google’s co-founder, Sergey Brin has demo’ed the glass with
skydivers and creatives. Currently the device is only available to some
developers with the price tag of $1500 but expect other tech companies trying
it out and building an affordable consumer version.
2. Form 1
Just
as the term suggests, 3D printing is the technology that could forge
your digital design into a solid real-life product. It’s nothing new for the
advanced mechanical industry, but a personal 3D printer is definitely a
revolutionary idea.Everybody
can create their own physical product based on their custom design, and no
approval needed from any giant manufacturer! Even the James Bond’s Aston Martin
which was crashed in the movie was a 3D printed product!Form
1 is one such personal 3D printer which can be yours at just $2799. It may
sound like a high price but to have the luxury of getting to produce your own
prototypes, that’s a reaonable price.Imagine
a future where every individual professional has the capability to mass produce
their own creative physical products without limitation. This is the future
where personal productivity and creativity are maximized.
3. Oculus Rift
Virtual
Reality gaming is here in the form of Oculus Rift. This history-defining
3D headset lets you mentally feel that you are actually inside a video
game. In the Rift’s virtual world, you could turn your head around with
ultra-low latency to view the world in high resolution display. There are
premium products in the market that can do the same, but Rift wants you to
enjoy the experience at only $300, and the package even comes as a development
kit. This is the beginning of the revolution for next-generation gaming. The
timing is perfect as the world is currently bombarded with the virtual reality
topic that could also be attributed to Sword Art Online,
the anime series featuring the characters playing games in an
entirely virtual world. While we’re getting there, it could take a few more
years to reach that level of realism. Oculus Rift is our first step.
4. Leap
Motion
Multi-touch
desktop is a (miserably) failed product due to the fact that hands could get
very tired with prolonged use, but Leap Motion wants to challenge
this dark area again with a more advanced idea. It lets you control the desktop
with fingers, but without touching the screen.It’s
not your typical motion sensor, as Leap Motion allows you to scroll the web
page, zoom in the map and photos, sign documents and even play a first-person
shooter game with only hand and finger movements. The smooth reaction is the
most crucial key point here. More importantly, you can own this future with
just $70, a price of a premium PS3 game title!If
this device could completely work with Oculus Rift to simulate a real-time
gaming experience, gaming is going to get a major make-over.
5. Eye Tribe
Eye
tracking has been actively discussed by technology enthusiasts throughout these
years, but it’s really challenging to implement. But Eye
Tribe actually did this. They successfully created the technology to allow
you to control your tablet, play flight simulator, and even slice fruits in
Fruit Ninja only with your eye movements.It’s
basically taking the common eye-tracking technology and combining it with a
front-facing camera plus some serious computer-vision algorithm, and voila,
fruit slicing done with the eyes! A live demo was done in LeWeb this year and
we may actually be able to see it in in action in mobile devices in 2013.Currently
the company is still seeking partnership to bring this sci-fi tech into the
consumer market, but you and I know that this product is simply too awesome to
fail.
6. SmartThings
The
current problem that most devices have is that they function as a standalone
being, and it require effort for tech competitors to actually partner with each
other and build products that can truly connect with each
other. SmartThings is here to make your every device, digital or
non-digital, connect together and benefit you.
With
SmartThings you can get your smoke alarms, humidity, pressure and vibration
sensors to detect changes in your house and alert you through your smartphone!
Imagine the possibilities with this.
You
could track who’s been inside your house, turn on the lights while you’re
entering a room, shut windows and doors when you leave the house, all with the
help of something that only costs $500! Feel like a tech lord in your castle
with this marvel.
7. Firefox OS
iOS and Android are great, but they each have their own rules and policies that certainly inhibit the creative efforts of developers. Mozilla has since decided to build a new mobile operating system from scratch, one that will focus on true openness, freedom and user choice. It’s Firefox OS.
iOS and Android are great, but they each have their own rules and policies that certainly inhibit the creative efforts of developers. Mozilla has since decided to build a new mobile operating system from scratch, one that will focus on true openness, freedom and user choice. It’s Firefox OS.
Firefox
OS is built on Gonk, Gecko and Gaia software layers – for the rest of us, it
means it is built on open source, and it carries web technologies such
as HTML5and CSS3.
Developers
can create and debut web apps without the blockade of requirements set by app
stores, and users could even customize the OS based on their needs. Currently
the OS has made its debut on Android-compatible phones, and the impression
so far, is great.
You
can use the OS to do essential tasks you do on iOS or Android: calling friends,
browsing web, taking photos, playing games, they are all possible on Firefox
OS, set to rock the smartphone market.
8.
Project Fiona
Meet
the first generation of the gaming tablet. Razer’s Project Fiona is a
serious gaming tablet built for hardcore gaming. Once it’s out, it will be the
frontier for the future tablets, as tech companies might want to build their
own tablets, dedicated towards gaming, but for now Fiona is the only possible
one that will debut in 2013.
This
beast features next generation Intel® Core i7 processor geared to render all
your favourite PC games, all at the palm of your hands. Crowned as the
best gaming accessories manufacturer, Razer clearly knows how to
build user experience straight into the tablet, and that means 3-axis gyro,
magnetometer, accelerometer and full-screen user interface supporting
multi-touch. My body and soul are ready.
9. Parallella
Parallella is
going to change the way that computers are made, and Adaptevaoffers you
chance to join in on this revolution. Simply put, it’s a supercomputer for
everyone. Basically, an energy-efficient computer built for processing complex
software simultaneously and effectively. Real-time object tracking, holographic
heads-up display, speech recognition will become even stronger and
smarter with Parallella.
The
project has been successfully funded so far, with an estimated delivery date of
February 2013. For a mini supercomputer, the price seems really promising since
it’s magically $99! It’s not recommended for the non-programmer and non-Linux
user, but the kit is loaded with development software to create your personal
projects.
I
never thought the future of computing could be kick-started with just
$99, which is made possible using crowdfunding platforms.
10.
Google Driverless Car
I
could still remember the day I watch the iRobot as a teen and being sceptical
about my brother’s statement that one day, the driverless car will become
reality. And it’s now a reality, made possible by… a search engine
company, Google.
While
the data source is still a secret recipe, the Google driverless
car is powered by artificial intelligence that utilizes the input from the
video cameras inside the car, a sensor on the vehicle’s top, and some radar and
position sensors attached to different positions of the car. Sounds like a lot
of effort to mimic the human intelligence in a car, but so far, the system has
successfully driven 1609 kilometres without human commands “You can count on
one hand the number of years it will take before ordinary people can experience
this.” Google co-founder, Sergey Brin said. However, innovation is an
achievement, consumerization is the headache, as Google currently face the
challenge to forge the system into an affordable gem that every worker with an
average salary could benefit from.
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