Technically Easy

Category: Hardware

Any posts that pertain to specific hardware, but aren’t being reviewed, can be found under this category.

  • 8 New and Emerging Car Gadgets That Will Knock Your Socks Off

    8 New and Emerging Car Gadgets That Will Knock Your Socks Off

    These are exciting times in auto gadgetry. Where once we looked for a car’s durability, gas mileage, and roominess, now our heads are turned by high-tech performance, and not just in the engine. Check out some of the latest innovations and speculations in emerging car gadgets, both in and out of the cabin.

    1. Look Mom, No Hands! Hands-Free Trunk and Hatch Opening

    No more balancing your huge bundle of groceries on the car bumper while you fumble through your pockets or purse for your keys so you can open the trunk. With this emerging innovation, you just make a kicking motion, and the car’s hatch opens. (How do you keep other people from opening the hatch? You have to have the car’s key fob in your pocket or purse. Think Wii meets Henry Ford.) Check out the Ford Escape, and the Mercedes-Benz 2013 SL-Class roadster for examples of this technology.

    2. Take Big Brother For a Ride

    If U.S. Senate Bill 1813 is passed by the House of Representatives, every new car in the United States, beginning in 2015, will be required to be fitted with a data-recording device. These devices will allow a reconstruction of events leading to an accident or a car’s malfunction. The devices are required by Section 31406 of the Bill. This development will naturally raise questions of privacy, but some believe the black box technology, so long as it doesn’t also employ audio recording, can only be helpful.

    3. Electric Car Technology Improvements: Weaning Baby Off of Petroleum

    As our society grows more and more environmentally savvy, car companies are improving on their eco-friendly technologies. Tessla’s Model S features a flat battery pack that not only provides convenient changing and charging, but also adds stability to the car’s body. This, combined with Tessla’s vision of building Superchargers charging stations within a battery’s driving range, up and down the roadways demonstrates to where car manufacturers are beginning to turn their attention.

    4. Tires That Keep On Working When They’re Flat

    Until recently, run-flat tires were only available to the very elite, such as special agents and the Pope. Now they are becoming much more affordable, and soon will fill the ‘must-have’ safety niche once occupied by steel-belt tires. Run-flat tires have an added interior rubber sidewall that supports the tire for up to an additional 50 miles after the air is expelled from the tire.

    5. Headlights That Peer Around Corners

    These ‘smart’ headlights calculate your speed and the angles of the road and automatically turn their beams toward the curves ahead of you in the road. This technology is currently available in luxury models such as Mercedes-Benz.

    6. Back-Up Collision Intervention Systems

    The back-up camera is not a new idea, but Infiniti has improved on the concept, with its 360-degree Around-View Monitor with Moving Object Detection which warns the driver, both visually and audibly, of obstacles in its way. Additionally, Infiniti has added an automatic brake activation that is triggered when the car is in reverse and an object or person threatens to collide with the vehicle.

    7. When Can a Compact Car Be the Life of the Party? When it doubles as a Drive-In Theater!

    Okay, so this one is just part of a concept car at present time, but isn’t it awesome? A SmartCar with an LCD projector built into the hood, and speakers on the doors that allow the people around you to hear. Pull your little car up to a wall, and presto! Instant drive-in theater. Pass the popcorn, please. This little gem is featured in the 2012 Paris Motor Show. You can often find special compact car insurance at sites such as carinsurance.org.uk.

    8. Tablet-Enabled Cars

    Nissan also has a fascinating concept car: the Nissan Terra SUV. This beautifully conceived vehicle is equipped with a docking station for your electronic tablet, which, when docked, enables the car to run, acting as the car key. When engaged, it acts as your speedometer and fuel gauge. After you park, remove the tablet, take it with you, and use it as a conventional device. (It’s interesting to note that Nissan’s Terra vision also includes hydrogen-generated electricity.)

    So if you’re on an austere budget, perhaps you’d better not window-shop for cars this autumn. Any of these exciting features are certain to make you reach for your wallet.

    Carrie Johnson is an avid education blogger. You can follow her on Twitter @johnson121_.

  • Things to Do Before Buying a Gadget

    Things to Do Before Buying a Gadget

    Almost everyone loves gadgets and with so many kinds of them coming to market regularly, the gadget lovers buy them almost every day. Many people are very passionate about gadgets and they buy one of them every time it attracts them with great features and looks.

    From mobile phones to laptops or tablet PCs, there is no limit to type pf gadgets that you can actually buy. However, its always important to make sure that you buy the ones that are worthy and look for the best price deals available. There are few very simple things that you can do make sure that you are buying the right gadget for you.

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  • Goodbye Keyboard, Goodbye Mouse

    Goodbye Keyboard, Goodbye Mouse

    It’s gonna happen eventually…but when? When are we going to stop using these rudimentary tools – the computer keyboard and mouse. Just look at them. They look like they are straight out of the early 1900’s and well…they are.

    At least, the keyboard is. The Keyboard has its roots in typewriter technology which was first in use in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Video terminals for computing along with keyboards were used in the 1970s. The mouse was first used for personal computers around 1984.

    So here we are almost 30 years later and technology hasn’t changed a whole lot for computer input. Sure – I’ll admit that keyboard and mouse technology has changed a bit with optical mice, wireless keyboards and other minor advancements in technology. But I’m still punching keys to write this article and I’ll roll my mouse around my desk and click the buttons to post the article to this website.

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  • Getting A Taste of Google’s Unveiling of New Devices

    Getting A Taste of Google’s Unveiling of New Devices

    Google proved this week that although one Hurricane Sandy might put a halt on a big planned press event, it wasn’t enough to stop them from revealing the much-anticipated new Nexus gadgets. All of the new products were quite a bit to take in, and one might have found it necessary to stop and keep track of just who was carrying what, but all of the new pieces are looking quite promising.

    The basic rundown of the next line of Nexus products include the LG Nexus 4 smartphone, the Asus Nexus 7 tablets, as well as the Nexus 10 Samsung tablet. Based on the companies involved with the production of these gadgets, Google was looking to team with as many as possible to create a bigger portfolio. But aside from the business tactics, it’s important to look at what each of these devices are bringing to the market for Nexus-hungry users.

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  • After the Dust Settles: iPhone 5 Launch Review

    After the Dust Settles: iPhone 5 Launch Review

    Like Judgement Day, the apocalypse and every other world-ending ‘oh my god, this is a life changing moment’ we seem to have every other year, the introduction of a new iPhone seemingly takes over people’s lives. Apple drops a new iPhone once a year and, in 2012, it was the turn of the iPhone 5, but what’s new; what have they failed at and just how popular has it become?

    Well, it’s fair to say there was a hell of a lot of people disappointed with the initial launch of the iPhone 5. Sure, Apple fan-boys are always going to back the company up no matter what but, the fact of the matter is, the 5 is not the massive overhaul of the 4S we were all expecting. There are plenty of new features, improvements on design and performance, but the fact it remained basically the same as the 4S left many Android-loving, anti-Apple supporters the chance to seriously go in hard on the internet.

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  • Why Should You Buy an Ultrabook Instead of a Laptop?

    Why Should You Buy an Ultrabook Instead of a Laptop?

    Are you about to buy a laptop? Think again for you may end up regretting your decision. Ultrabooks are the new in thing. These are stylish, sleek and powerful. Ultrabooks come with each and every feature that you expect your laptop to have and are really more portable when compared to laptops. Here are five reasons why you should consider buying an Ultrabook instead of a laptop. From looks to portability, Ultrabooks have an upper hand on Laptops in a number of fields.

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  • Tips for Your New Kindle Fire Tablet

    Tips for Your New Kindle Fire Tablet

    The Kindle Fire tablet has quite a few things going for it, including a nice entry price that is much less than the cost of some of the other tablets out there. However, the Fire does have some differences, so if you’ve used other tablets in the past, then you might find that the Fire is a bit different. The following tips should help you get up to speed with the tablet quickly though.

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  • The Buzz around the New Mini iPad

    The Buzz around the New Mini iPad

    Apple changed the way computers were perceived with the introduction of the iPad and the tablet PC. If you have had a blast playing games on your device or browsing page after page of a new book, then you are in for a real surprise, as Apple has now announced a new version of this tablet PC, known as the Mini iPad. However, unlike the other versions of this device, the new version has a slight twist to it.

    It is likely that you want to learn almost everything about this iPad, from technical specs, to the look and its features. In addition, you’ll want to be up to speed on the compatible accessories like iPad covers, ear phones, dock and speakers. While there are no definite information about the exact look and contents of this device, it is estimated by industry experts that it may have the following additions and enhancements. Let’s take a look at these features.

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