What you’re looking at is the Computex computer fair in Taipei. This massive collection of the biggest names in IT runs from June 1-5 and is where companies introduce their newest toys. While I haven’t gone personally, I’ve seen pictures of some of the new gadgets coming out in the near future. I was surprised by how e-readers coming out, as well as more tablet computers and computers that are trying to include everything from 3-D to touch screen functionality. I even saw a company reveal a computer capable of working underwater. If your passport is in order and you have some money burning a whole in your pocket, I would definitely recommend going. It looks like it would be a very interesting, eye opening experience.
I can see the need for YouTube videos on a smartphone. Lord knows, I’ve taken advantage of my wife’s iPhone during long trips in the car or endless waiting in a doctor’s office. But sunglasses with video capability? I can’t see where that would be an advantage. First, the screen is going to be right by your eye. I remember Mom telling me not to sit too close to the TV since it would wreak havoc on my vision. Video sunglasses would be the equivalent of pasting your face to the TV screen. Plus, how distracting would it be to try and walk down the street with these things on? You’d be lucky to make it 10 feet without tripping or bumping into something.
I’m finding more tablet computers that are on par with the iPad from a spec sheet point of view, and in some key ways, are actually better. Like this one. This Eken M001 has an SD memory card in addition to USB ports. It can also hold 32 GB of info. I think it might even be lighter than the iPad. I can’t remember what the iPad weighs, but this thing clocks in at 0.77 pounds, so it should be easy to carry. Here’s the best part; you can own this piece of technology for only $140. The deal breaker is that you can only buy it if you live in China. Hopefully we’ll see this or something similar to it in the near future.
No, I’m not referring to a supposed swindle in the price of this new technology that can create 3D images. Sharp introduced a new screen capable of 3D imagery. What’s so great about that? There’s no need for the combersome 3D glasses and the picture is crystal clear. The drawback? The screen is only 3 inches and you have to hold it a foot from your face. The reason the tech is so difficult is the need for each eye to view a slightly different version of each image. Small screens are easier to to do that than the larger screens. I’m sure, though, it’s just a matter of time before we see large screen TVs capable of creating clear 3D imagery similar to what we see in the movie theater.