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Portable Gadgets And Wireless Technology Are A Powerful CombinationBy Julia Hall |
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Wireless technology is making it so that different types of gadgets can be seamlessly integrated into a network in homes and offices, but one use for wireless networking that doesn't get quite as much attention is the ability to built networks of devices on the human body. This isn't cybernetics like the Borg on Star Trek or the bionic man of the old TV show, though the effect is similar. These are devices that are worn on the body rather than implanted in it. The effect of these devices is similar to the science fiction idea of cybernetic implants in the sense that they're designed to give their users greater connectivity and or entertainment while providing hands free (or nearly hands free) operation.
Of course, the devices that do this don't have to be wireless in nature, as with the example of MP3 players and other sources of music that can be carried on the body and listened to through headphones. MP3 players- and of course their tape and CD based precursors, along with their multimedia descendants- are capable of providing an audio sound track to go along with whatever their users are doing wherever they go. The digital music players are especially good at this because even the smaller models can store and play hundreds of songs and have playback times that can last anywhere from twelve to twenty four hours on a fully charged battery. The result is a sound track that can be listened to over the course of hours- or even days- without recharging or hearing the same song twice!
Of course some of the more advanced portable media devices also come with the capability of playing video on their color LCD screens. When this capability is combined with a pair of video goggles that are becoming increasingly common on the market, active people can watch TV and movies while walking, running, or even possibly cycling if they're brave (or foolish) enough.
While the capabilities of individual devices can be impressive, things get really interesting when multitasking capabilities and wireless technology are thrown into the mix. One of the major types of wireless technology that you'll find in a lot of devices is Blue Tooth wireless technology. Blue Tooth wireless technology allows for devices that can communicate with each other without the use of cords running between them. A good example of this is the ability to use a mobile phone clipped to your belt by talking and listening through an ear piece that isn't physically connected to the phone. These earpieces are often built into other accessories like sunglasses. The compact electronics of the device are attached to the temple of the glasses and the audio is fed into the ear by a small ear bud. Some of these devices are voice activated and others allow you to do things like answer a phone call just by touching a button on the ear piece rather than the phone itself. Mobile phones with built in digital audio players are especially good for this kind of technology because they allow their users to listen to music and then pause the music while taking phone calls over the same headphones.
Gadgets like these make mobile entertainment and communication very feasible and enjoyable. |
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About the Author |
| A pioneer in technology reporting, Julia Hall has published articles about the latest digital devices and gadgets for over ten years. After graduating from MIT with a degree in electrical engineering, Julia turned down huge salaries from some of the most recognized fortune 500 companies in the world to pursue her dream of becoming a leading consumer advocate. Julia uses her expertise to cut through the too good to be true deals offered by high tech companies to reveal the real steals and the real duds that we're bombarded with daily. If you enjoy staying on the cutting edge of technology about newest gadgets whether for business or pleasure, but find yourself occasionally confused by the overwhelming and convoluted information out there let Julia show you the way. |
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