Tech Talk: How to make your tablet control everything

Tablets are an amazing invention that will soon control how everything works in our home. They already connect to the internet, have amazing visual displays , and are very intuitive to understanding our gestures. With the progression of computer linguistic understanding, we have seen many programs like Apple’s Siri making tablets and smartphone alike more powerful.

Some of the first devices, both Apple and Android alike, can control are the smart technologies that are already in our homes are our entertainment or infotainment zones. A tablet becomes the smartest universal remote you can find. Not only can they access the web individually to provide you with showtimes, they are more intuitive. Most of the major tech companies are making these “eco-systems” where all your devices can talk to each other providing content in two directions instead of just one.

Google and Apple, both offer options to begin your domination of your household tech. I personally can’t wait for these companies to get into automotive technology as well. I mean can you imagine you are listening to Pandora on your home stereo that continues to play through your smartphone as your walk to the car, then syncs over to play through your automotive features.

Its inevitable that we will start wearing RFids and talking digitally  to our home and the world around us, like we talk to our family. Enter the realm of real privacy loss and really cool gagets.

As always I look forward to reading your thoughts and getting your opinions.

Tech Talk: iPhone 4S or Not?

Hello my fellow technophiles, its that time of the week again where I give you some news you can use to ensure your making the most out of your tech. With Apple’s latest release of the iPhone 4S many of my friends are scrambling to get theirs, but should you?

As with all technology when a new item comes to the market all price points change for currently exsisting tech. The iPhone 4S is being offered at the big three of ATT, Verizon, and Sprint for $199 with 16 GB. Now if your still using a 3G now is the time to get a iPhone 4 but not a 4S. The iPhone 4 has reduced it price to only $99 with a 2 year contract. Now here is the reason why I say you should get a regular iPhone 4. With the iPhone 4S release we get exactly what for $199? You get the same size screen at 3.5″, it looks the same as a iPhone 4, it will not have 4G capability, and has a slightly better camera and beta program called Siri. At best the iPhone 4S is like a patch for your operating system. I say wait for the iPhone 5 or stay with Android. If you don’t believe that the S is iPhone 4S stands for anything but Siri, Compare iPhones at the apple site and see for you self.

As for me, I am in the Android camp and this just further proves why I don’t need an Apple in my life now. Siri is at best a response to the voice recognition software that Android already has.

Don’t forget to send me your comments and thoughts.

Tech Talk: Essential Apps for UTD Life

In this day and age of smart phones and tablets essential apps to get you through the week are imperative. Here are some of the best apps for my fellow Comets.

YELP : “Real Reviews from Real People” is their slogan. If you haven’t heard, yelp is a free app that allows you to read unfiltered reviews from people who have actually been there. I find this exceptionally useful as I am a recent transfer from the City of Houston and dont’ know my way around Dallas yet, as I am sure many of you feel the same way.

EVERNOTE: Can you “Remember Everything”? Evernote is a free app that you can use on your home computer, tablet and smartphone. It allows you seemless access to notes you take anywhere at any time. It can capture weblinks, photos, scribbles and class notes. You never have to worry about losing yoru notes.

PANDORA: Really if you didn’t know this one, you missed a lot already. Streaming Music via wifi or Data connection. No better way to kill the 15 min walk to you next class.

MYTRACKS: Ever lost which lot and space you parked your car? Ever curious how far you walked on campus? Ever come out of the wrong door in a different building and are not sure where your at? Ever want to see just how far your run went? This app is a gps enabled tracking app that overlays google maps over your GPS position. It can show you all of these. I mostly track how far I have walked on a given day but this can be very helpful.

STUDYBLUE: This one may not be a must have for you but I think it has lots of potential. After you create your account you inform them of the class you are taking and with which professor. They provide you with already created flash cards. The account is free so check it out and may be it will help you get that grade.

If you have any tech news that you would like me to investigate or news send me an email at hashcampuslife@gmail.com.