Xbox One: More Than a Game Console?

By: Dylan T.

When Microsoft released its last video game console in 2005, the Xbox 360 was primarily just that: a console to play video games on your TV. Sure, there were some basic online messaging and chat functions, but its main focus was clear.

The same cannot be said for the Xbox One. Microsoft is positioning its newest system as the center of a Netflix-filled, Kinect-powered, do-everything-on-your-TV world controlled through a single source. Yes, playing games is still a big part of the Xbox One, but this is a system designed to be on whenever your TV is on. Microsoft claims that the Xbox One is the only box you'll need to control all of your visual entertainment.

The Xbox One does a lot of things right in this light, bringing usable voice controls and so-so multitasking to the TV in interesting ways. But there are still a few kinks to be worked out before the Xbox One truly becomes the center of everything you do on your TV.

By: Anonymous On 9:01 AM

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Above is a photo of Michael J. Fox holding a hoverboard from the movie, Back to the Future II.

HUVr Tech Real or Fake?

Recently, a group, a website, and a video came out proposing the Hoverboards were real but are they really?

The answer is sadly no, after doing so much advertising and creating a video demonstrating the board in action with popular stars like Tony Hawk and Terrell Owens it turns out to be a hoax.

It all started with the want for reality from the famous movie “ Back to the Future II” where supposedly they had hoverboards. Even “Doc” Christopher Lloyd said they were real and was the supposed “Spokesman”. Unfortunately this hoax went farther than they thought it would.

People started believing them and going crazy because they wanted one so finally they had to put an end to this elaborate ruse so Tony Hawk and Christopher Lloyd made separate videos explaining the hoax and apologizing for it. Their reasoning for all this was they were “Too immersed into it” and “Wanted it to be real” to the point where they even started believing their own lies.

So bottom line is there are no hoverboards and may not be for a while, but with how fast technology is advancing you never know we could have one by this time next year.

            

The photo above is a Prototype of the HUVr board as endorsed by Tony Hawk.

By: Anonymous On 7:48 AM

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The Virgin Galactic

By: Aaliyah B

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Above is a picture of the SpaceShip2.

As many have heard of space travel, most have not yet experienced it. But in the near future we will be able to, with the right cost, that is.

This all started with a dream. Sir Richard Branson, head of the Virgin Co., has been in love with the idea of space travel when he first watched the televised production of our moon landing. From there he began making plans, and big plans at that, to make it possible for pedestrians, such as myself, to make it to space without being an astronaut.

The Virgin Company has already built spaceships, the WhiteKnight and SpaceShip2, capable of space travel for civilians. They have tested these spacecrafts in New Mexico and have been able to work tiny details out.

Although tight and compact, it is able to withstand traveling at supersonic speeds. It is small in size but, who really needs a lot of room when the idea of travelling to space is more tangible than it was ten years ago, or five for that matter.

The first thing you need to know is that Virgin Galactic is not for just any customer, unless you're willing to pay the $250,000 to earn a seat on the flight. Second is that it is still yet to let passengers, other than researchers, board. And the third is, they are very precise and concerned with your well-being.

To be able to board the Virgin Galactic you’d have to be able to meet all their requirements, like being in good health, and being mentally prepared for the best journey of your life, traveling through space.

What was mankind's first attempts at space exploration soon became one of sci-fi’s greatest phenomenons. Although unlike sci-fi we are not able to just lift off and go exploring. The spaceships use larger airplanes to carry them up into the Earths atmosphere then releases it as it flies away. Which sounds dangerous, if an error were to occur, but it makes sense to start space exploration, by starting at the closest layer to space. To watch a demo of this, click here.

With advancing technology we are one step closer to reaching that unrealistic goal.

For more information click, here. And be sure to keep a look out for the Virgin Galactics space launch predicted leave earth, this year.

By: Anonymous On 7:43 AM

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Jason Barnes: The Robotic Drummer

                                                                               by Mariam O. 

When Jason Barnes lost his lower right arm to electrocution two years ago, his future as a musician didn't look good at all. Professor Gil Weinberg, founding director of the Georgia Tech Center for Music Technology, recently invented a robotic arm that could shine some light on Jason's drumming career.

The new mechanical arm gives him the ability to use three different drumsticks while playing. He holds the first in his left hand, and the other two are held by the robotic arm attached to his right bicep. One of those sticks is controlled by the motion of Barnes' arm, and by electrical impulses from his body measured by electromyography muscle sensors.

The other stick analyzes the rhythm being played and uses a built-in motor to improvise on its own while adding a dimension to drumming that's heretofore not seen on any stage we know of.

Barnes finds it more than interesting. "I'll bet a lot of metal drummers might be jealous of what I can do now," he said. "Speed is good. Faster is always better," he said, also referring to the fact that the robotic arm moves just as quickly as a human arm. 

The third stick uses similar technology to listen to what's being played and even add its own track. If the drummer doesn't want to hear the extra stick, he can simply rotate his arm so it doesn't strike the drum.

Here is a video of Jason playing the drums with his innovative robotic arm. He truly changes the views of today's musicians, and shows that no obstacle can stop you from chasing your dreams. 

By: Anonymous On 7:45 AM

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Eugenics

Rachel G.

A child born with three parents? How’s that even possible? Well scientist have found a way to take out the bad or defective dna from a mothers mitochondria and replace it with another womans.

U.S. health officials are trying to agree on approving trials of a new treatment in vitro fertilization technique, using DNA from three people in an attempt to prevent illnesses being passed through cells. The proposed treatment would allow a woman to have a baby without passing on diseases of the mitochondria.

This new technique is helping prevent babies being born with disease or health problems. But of course, there’s the concern that scientist might wanna change a few more things in there. Like hair color, height, eye color. Susan Solomon, the director of the New York Stem Cell Foundation, said there are no changes to existing genes involved.

A Food and Drug Administration panel concluded two days of hearings, on the matters of what controls should be in place for the trails, how the embryos develop and who supervises them but no actual decisions were made at the end of the session.

Mitochondrial diseases are transferred from the mother. So what the process does is take out genetic material out of the nucleus and then material from a donor is transferred back into what’s been removed. So the embryo has DNA from the intended mother and father but also healthy mitochondrial DNA from the donor.

There was also a reference to “Brave New World”, written by Aldous Huxley, a story about a dystopian society made up of, well basically, clones. Under rule of a twisted religion based government, that frowns upon things that we find normal, like a normal childbirth. But would these trials lead to such a world? Unlikely.

But medical ethicist, Art Caplan says that the same technology could be used to make an embryo into a “super baby”, a practice he compared to eugenics.

"The big issue over the next 5 to 10 years is going to become how far do we go in pursuit of the perfect baby," said Caplan. "Do I think we're going down that road? Yes. Does it creep me out? Yes. Are you going to be able to draw a clear line? I don't think so."

By: Anonymous On 7:49 AM

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Self Driving Cars

Jordan G.

If you think vehicles that operate themselves is a concept of the distant future or Sci-fi, think again! Researchers and car manufacturers are spending time and money developing such vehicles. Perhaps soon we can say goodbye to stressors and accidents caused by human error while driving.

Taking a look back, cars have already come a long way from where they started. Decades ago cars were made with only the thought of driving in mind. Now, cars are integrated with a significant amount of technology. Vehicles these days can come with rear-facing cameras, collision sensors and park assist features. None of these now-fancy features can compare to vehicle that can be voice controlled and completely driven by itself.

The picture above represents the cars ability to drive sans human. 

Many big names in the car industry are already working on this car of the future. Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Volvo are ambitiously working towards creating the self driving car. Even Google researchers are trying to develope the same thing. These self driving cars will include advanced operating systems that will ‘guide’ your driving. Also included, will be upgraded park assist options. Automatic brake technology that is capable of detecting obstacles even in the dark, will also be introduced. This evolution of the auto industry won’t be instant, but it’s also not that far off either. In fact, Nissan is planning on selling an affordable self-driving vehicle by the year 2020.

In order for self driving cars to become mainstream, several laws would have to change. In accordance with laws in Europe, Mercedes-Benz systems only allow their car to keep control at speeds of 10 kmph (6mph) or less. In the U.S., Nevada, Florida, and California all allow cars to self controlled on public roads, but they can only be prototypes for testing purposes. To see how it works click, here.

With introduction of intelligent, self driving cars, many researchers say that the road will become a safer place. As the vast majority of car accidents are a result of driver error or distraction, perhaps a self-driving car is the way to go. Future automobiles will hopefully eliminate the stressors of tight parking spots and long, unpleasant drives.

Jochen Hermann, Director driver assistance systems at Mercedes stated that, “Autonomous drive won’t come as a revolution overnight, the driver needs to get used to the technology.“ He is certainly right, in that it will definitely take some getting used to for people. But wherever the auto industry goes in the future, I’m certain we’ll enjoy the technology at our convenience.

By: Anonymous On 7:43 AM

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13 Year Old Scientist

                                                                                 by Mariam O.

"Amateur Nuclear Scientist" is what 13 year old Jamie Edwards calls himself. Most kids his age are off playing video games, Edwards stays late after school to work on a control panel for a nuclear fusion reactor. He just reached his goal of becoming the youngest "fusioneer" in history, beating the previous record-holder, who pulled it off at 14.

In 2013, Edwards made a presentation requesting funding to build a nuclear fusion reactor, and his school, Penwortham Priory Academy, granted him a $3,350 budget to make the project happen. This is very impressive considering not many schools out there give out money to support students in nuclear science.

It takes several parts to build the reactor. Jamie had to order a vacuum chamber, vacuum pump, tungsten wire, an aluminum rod, and valves,and other supplies. He also had to attend a radiation safety course before putting the reactor into operation on hand to film his success.

To his surprise, the 13 year old's exact words were "It is quite an achievement. It's magnificent really. I can't quite believe it"

Edwards' science project should be an inspiration to schools and kids everywhere, raising the bar for what young teens can pull off.

By: Anonymous On 7:28 AM

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