Power by Touch
by Valerie Hisam
With a new evolution of technology, things have been brought directly to the fingertips. The latest trend is not about who has the skinniest phone or who has the best ringtones. Technology has gone above and beyond what our generation is used to and today, the power of touch technology has taken over. From cell phones to navigation to computers and video games, the newest technology advances lie, literally, at the tip of our fingers.
The technology behind what is known as “multi-touch” interface was started around the same time as the Internet, but it didn’t become a public phenomenon until the release of the iPhone just last year. According to billbuxton.com, a site about touch technology compiled by Microsoft Research, touch devices were created more for scholarly uses until a smaller interface could be created, but this is where “fingers obscure the small screens.” Then, only within the last year or two, the more affordable creations came out for the public and are becoming less expensive as well as creatively unique, with hundreds of different screen options and easier interactions.
I’m on the phone…
Considered one of the best “breakthrough” technology devices, according to Apple.com, the iPhone has revolutionized not only the cell phone, but the idea behind touch technology. As one of the first fully “touch” capable devices, the iPhone relies on the fingers of the world to utilize all of the high-tech features it offers.
There are thousands of different screen views, rotations and internal buttons; the touch accessories are endless for this phone, from a full functioning keyboard to the Internet and beyond. Although finger prints and smudges may make for a blurry screen, there is nothing like this phone.
And only recently have other calling providers, such as Verizon Wireless, created their version of the touch-screen phone. Although not as advanced as the iPhone, phones such as Verizon’s Voyager and Venus cost a lot less and can work with multiple service providers.
Where to get it: Best Buy, Circuit City, Apple.com or by phone at 1-800-MY-APPLE
Price: $399 for the phone, but then calling plans range from $60 to $150 per month with AT&T as the only service provider. (Whereas Verizon’s Voyager costs $350 and the Venus costs $250, and plans range from $40 to $200.)
Unique features: The iPhone is able to function on some of the iPod add-ons, such as the computer and car adaptors. Also, there is a one-of-a-kind television adapter for the iPhone that allows for the iPhone to work through a TV or to watch videos from the phone on the larger screen.
Watch out for: If the iPhone is synchronized with a computer, every time it is connected, it will sync automatically, so loss of data could occur. Also, for full protection against damages, which can occur easily if the phone is dropped or gets wet, a warranty is available, but at an additional cost of $70 for 2 years.
Rockin’ to the beat…
Although the iPhone was first, the recently launched iPod Touch might be as big a hit. With many of the same features, the new iPod’s “multi-touch interface lets you control everything using only your fingers,” according to the Apple Web site. It allows the owner to “glide … flick … pinch … and zoom” through the different views.
Like the other iPods, the Touch is still all about music, but there are no buttons, scroll keys or anything of the sort; it is all within the screen. Instead of sorting through titled playlists, owners can now search through album covers and artist pictures. It’s as easy as one, two, three, TAP.
Where to get it: Best Buy, Circuit City, Apple.com or by phone at 1-800-MY-APPLE
Price: 8 GB: $299 or 16 GB: $399
Unique features: The iPod Touch has Internet capabilities to surf and download new music and videos straight from the device so there is no longer a need to constantly keep the MP3 synchronized with a computer.
Watch out for: Look out for constant finger prints and smudges. Also, the iPod Touch requires PC Windows’ editions Vista or XP, and iTunes editions 7.4 or higher. Even with the same amount of storage, the iPod Touch doesn’t hold as many songs and the average 22 hours of battery life is not as long as the iPod Nano or iPod Classic, which range from 30 to 40 hours.
Getting lost in a book…
Books are no longer a paper indulgence, but have followed in the footsteps of other technological advances, leading to what are known as eBooks. The newest addition to this largely growing technology is the “first usable, mass-marketed ‘electronic book,’” according to whatisit.com. With a touch screen and storage of more than 4,000 pages, or 10 novels, the eBook may one day start to replace paperbacks.
With touch technology that allows readers to do just as they would with a paper novel – from “bookmarking pages, making notes, highlighting passages and saving selected text” – the touch screen allows for anything, states whatisit.com. But along with these known familiarities, readers can also touch the screen to scan a built-in dictionary, and change font sizes and styles.
With some confusion about eBooks, the product hasn’t taken off like other touch products. eBook readers, which are the portable devices that store books as a file, are the first expense; subsequently, once a reader starts downloading books or chapters, a lot of money can be spent on this product. Even if readers wish to view books on their computer, they still have to pay for the book or chapter.
Where to get it: eBook readers can be found online at Amazon.com, shopzilla.com and DNLreader.com. eBooks are easily downloaded from ebook.com or BarnesandNoble.com.
Price: Approximately $200 or more for the reader, and a variety of prices for books from under $1 for a single page to about $17 for a full novel.
Unique features: Some come with a WiFi connection that allows for easy downloading and dictionary usage while reading a novel.
Watch out for: The new generations of books have short battery life, from eight hours down to only a couple of hours, and not all novels are downloadable on different brands of eBook readers, such as Sony, Palm (which created the Palm Pilot), Franklin Electronics and Mach Speed.
Playing the game…
Old versions of computer and console video games are becoming a thing of the past. The new technology lies within handheld, portable gaming systems where gamers no longer need a controller—only their hands and fingers. The new Nintendo DS Handheld is one of the first touch-controlled devices. Now, the original button controls are still there, but the action can be controlled directly by the player’s fingers or a stylus pen. With the dual screen view, the player can have twice as many views and twice as much control over the game, according to the Nintendo Web site.
Where to get it: Best Buy, Circuit City or online at Amazon.com, as well as any place that sells gaming systems, such as WalMart.
Price: The handheld system runs $129.99 while different games cost $19 to $49. The variety of games offered are the same as any other gaming console, from action, to classic hero games and more.
Unique features: Dual color screen that allows for high contrast and high resolution play.
Watch out for: Requires a long battery recharge time, and if the system is not closed or put away properly, dust and debris can cause damage.
In the passenger seat…
Driving in the car is dangerous already – from talking on the cell phone to reading a map, there are endless distractions. New navigation units make finding directions quicker and safer with new “one-touch” systems. Many navigation systems have incorporated homing beacons to remember cities and locations so in just one touch, a driver can find his or her way effortlessly and with less distraction time; the fingertips control it all. Check out NexTag.com to see different comparisons and reviews.
Where to get it: There are multiple brands available at places like Car Toys, Best Buy, Circuit City and WalMart.
Price: Ranges from $100 to $500
Unique features: Some come with programmable satellite radio, CD and photo storage and route memory for constantly traveled, and sometimes forgotten, routes.
Watch out for: Unknown routes and round-about ways to get to a new destination. Also, some systems are hard to read due to smaller text and smaller screens.