Tech Shout!

Much has happened in the tech world in past one week. Compared to last week’s hugely fun announcements, this week seems to be a mix of more somber as well as revolutionary news. For one, Toshiba must be feeling like burying its head underground, while Sony on the other hand must feel like a victorious knight! If you are wondering what we are talking about, then read on because you seem to have missed out on this week’s hugest story.

The war is over. No! We are not talking about the violence and blood shed that has become common place all over the world. We really wish it was but this time it’s the much-reported War of the Formats which may no longer be in the news again for the war is indeed over. Sony has emerged a winner and how! Poor Toshiba has realized its stance in this not-so-small tiff and has stepped aside to give way to Sony’s Blu-ray DVD format.

NTT DoCoMo unveiled the Sound Leaf Plus mobile phone with a difference at the MWC in Barcelona. Equipped with a mobile receiver cum microphone, this handset enables people with hearing disabilities to correctly hear and even be heard. The amazing part is that it works using Bone conduction which sends out sound vibrations to one’s ears. And, it would also be perfect for having a conversation in peace on a noisy street.

Sony seems to be in a giving mood as the PlayStation maker has donated some consoles to a children’s hospital in New Orleans. It’s pretty amazing what a video game can do for those who are feeling down. In fact the therapist for the hospital himself confirmed this saying that the sad and depressed children start to socialize and enjoy the environment once in the teen room which houses a video game console.

On February 21, we got to witness a brilliant Lunar Eclipse of the moon. However, the very next day, Internet users were bombarded with spam mails containing fake links to the video of this very eclipse. It is quite alarming to know that malicious code writers will take up any and every opportunity to exploit unknowing Internet users.

Soon your T-shirt will be able to generate power using nanotechnology. US scientists claim that this much-needed invention has to do with fibers placed in smart clothes, allowing them to generate power when worn. It’s indeed heartwarming to know that there are people somewhere working so hard to make the world a better place to live in.

And, soon, your computer may be as smart as you, if not smarter. Futurist Ray Kurzweil has ‘predicted’ that with the rate at which computer chips are doubling in power these days, artificial intelligence would be on par with human intellect in 2030. Okay, that’s not very near, but the pace at which years are coming and going, soon you may actually need to those brain training games that have become all the rage today.

One of the most hyped products and that too a keyboard is finally being shipped worldwide. Finally, people will get their hands on the super cool Optimus Maximus keyboard complete with active OLED buttons which can be customized. Most importantly, finally the delays and glitches have been overcome and Art Lebedev is ready to actually make it available. ‘Finally’ seems to be the keyword of the day.