Three New Technologies
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to review three new technologies that have been invented in the last two years. The paper describes what each technology is and how it is currently used; the paper also describes how I could use each of the technologies in my work or personal life.
LG’s plastic e-paper
Electronic paper or e-paper are flexible display which are designed in such a way that they resemble the way ink appears on ordinary paper and it uses electronic ink micro-capsules (Leo, 2012). The Korean company LG is the one that developed the flexible panel display e-paper which so far is the largest e-paper in the world.
The e-paper is A3 sized, 0.3mm thick, weighs 130 grams and measures 19 inches. The flexible display has such flexibility such that it can bend to a maximum 40 degrees. The resolution of the display is as much as 1024 x 768. Just like the normal conventional newspaper, the e-paper technology is designed in such a way that it uses reflected light thereby enabling it to use little backlight in holding texts and images (NY Times, 2011). Its use is similar to the traditional newspaper that is, reporting news. They can be e-paper can be reused, written on or refreshed electronically through a computer or a cell phone. It’s applications also include use in e-newspapers, portable signs, e-books and in other displays that are foldable and can be rolled.
I could use the e-papers by updating everyday to get the most recent news same as those in reported by traditional newspapers so as to alleviate the waste that results from the production of the traditional newspapers. I could combine the e-paper with a touch screen overlay to make an analog of a paper pad and stencil.
Amazon Kindle Fire
Kindle is an inexpensive tablet computer developed by Amazon and unveiled on September 28, 2011. The Kindle Fire has various features with its basic features being a 7” color display, weighs 14.6 ounces, and has a 600 x 1024 pixel resolution and its IPS Gingerbread operating system is based on that of Google’s Android Operating System. More features include Amazon Silk mobile browser, Kindle e-reader and a touch-screen display.
With its 190 by 120 by 11mm dimensions, its tablet structure is a bit larger than a smart phone though smaller than a wide range of tablets. This makes it simple to operate while at the same time enabling a relatively big screen display (Nick, 2012). The Kindle Fire is used for various purposes among them streaming events, movies, TV programs and getting access to Kindle e-books (Shane, 2012). The Kindle Fire offers tight integration with Amazon music account; it’s also used by Amazon as a medium to gauge the multimedia consumption. One way of how I can use the Kindle Fire is streaming live TV shows while outdoors and have a better view than a smart phone would give. I could use it to stream MP3. Due to its portability and streaming media integration, I can carry it in my purse when traveling so that I can read e-books at my convenience.
Windows 8
Windows 8 is a technological development based on Windows 7 in the category of Microsoft Windows. It has a multi-touch screen (BBC, 2012). The Windows 8 will support ARM microprocessors and addition to the list of those it supported namely the Intel’s, VIA’s and AMD’s x86 microprocessors. Windows 8 supports Multiple Monitors much more better; has got new USB 3.0 ports which are ten times faster; has a two touch-centric keypads; enables one to navigate the Web faster using Internet Explorer 10; has snap multi-tasking feature which allows the user to simultaneously run two apps and control them such as by resizing; and allows one to use a single dialogue box rather than different dialogue boxes per app. The network management of Windows 8 automatically switches itself from 3G to 4G to Wi-Fi if it has access to an available wireless network. Its SkyDrive stores data, has cloud connectivity. Its SkyDrive integrates with Windows 8. It offers better power efficiency, thus, multiple apps can be run.
I can use the Windows 8 to switch to the touch-centric keyboard so as to improve my experience compared to the traditional mouse and keyboard.
In conclusion, two years in the technological arena is a long time. There are many gadgets being developed and which are yet to be unveiled which the general public has scant details of. Until the new gadgets are launched, the public curiosity will be satisfied by rumors and malarkey. Fortunately, when unveiled and the public can access them, they will make day-to-day activities easier in one way or the other. Since the apps work together, I can conserve a lot of time in when searching, sharing or sending content between one app and another.

References
BBC News. (2012). Consumer Electronics Show 2012: The Brits are coming. Retrieved on April 2, 2012 from http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-16415136
Kelion, L. (2012). BBC News. CES 2012: New technologies unleashed at show. Retrieved on April 2, 2012 from http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-16469003
New York Times. (2011). Kindle. Retrieved on April 2, 2012 from http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/k/kindle/index.html
Richmond, S. (2012). The Telegraph. LG to launch flexible e-paper display. Retrieved on April 2, 2012 from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/9177112/LG-to-launch-flexible-epaper-display.html
Wingfield, N. (2012). The New York Times. Windows 8, the Missing Piece: Hardware. Retrieved on April 2, 2012 from http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/01/windows-8-the-missing-piece-hardware/