Mobile culture and mobile technology wallet.

It is ironic to see how we became so dependent on mobile technology, and specifically cell phones. Personally, I reached a point were I cannot leave my home without a cell phone, and if I did, I feel something missing. Honestly, if I have to choose between going out without a wallet or without a cell phone, then I will definitely choose to go out without a wallet.

Cell phones are not anymore just a communication device, most of them have audio, video and data storage, camera, Internet and search capability, games, converters, maps, etc. From a business and professional aspect, you use your cell phone to attend meetings, conferences, and schedule and manage your appointments, update your calendar, and monitor your business and market, etc. Moreover, others have even more advanced, convenient and helpful capabilities, such as virtual-wallet technology were you can use you cell phone to pay for goods in some stores and some vending machines in many countries around the word.
For instance, I used my cell phone at Starbucks to pay for my Latte, and hope to soon use my cell phone to pay when buying from vending machine, which already exist in many Asian countries, like Japan.

As of now, here in the US, many vending machines support wireless technology where you can use your credit card to pay for your vends (www.Healthy2Go.net), and hopefully soon we will be able use our cell phones to buy from vending machines, which I believe is very cool and convenient.

Drawing with technology.

Although I have been using Adobe applications for more than ten years, and reached a level where I believe that I am good at using almost all of them, I do not consider myself an artist, not even close. Knowing how to use an application, Creating masks and applying filters, is one thing, however, being an artist and having special talents, like drawing, is a completely different thing.

During the past fifteen years I tried to improve my drawing skills by taking a couple of drawing classes, spending time practicing drawing, yet I am still at the beginning. Improving such skills is not easy, and could be impossible.

In January of 2007, I attended the Mac World Conferences in San Francisco, and that’s where I first saw and tested the Cintiq 21UX tablets. What an amazing tool.
I thought that this tool would help me speed up my work, especially when selecting objects in Photoshop. Again, I wished I had some drawing and artistic skills.

If there is anything I could advise those who have drawing skills, it is to try Cintiq 21UX tablets, and convert their work to digital files, and then the sky is the limit.
In this economy, and with this digital generation, combining artistic natural skills with technology will give you the upper hand over others.


(Yahya Alhaddad, a drawing artist. _ alhaddya@gmail.com)

Design: Back to Basics!

In the past couple of years I have been noticing clients requesting basic, clean, simple, and straightforward designs that are still effective. I am not talking here only about web design, but all printing products (posters, brochures, etc). No more flash and flashy elements, and more text-based calm elements.



Generally speaking, when it comes to the Internet, users want simple user-friendly interfaces where they can access what they want easily, and without any extra time to find the navigation or a page. Users hate to see unnecessary pop-up windows, alerts, warnings, jumping boxes and scrolling text. Remember, the site is up to sell a product or a service. Internet users want to access a page where they can read, buy, sell, bid, share, communicate, and then go back to their business. The same things hold true about designing a poster or any other printing product. In most cases, it is about the message. An easy to see, understandable, readable message is always they key element. Sometimes, one good photo can do the trick. Remember, you might have a couple of seconds to capture the eye of the viewer. So you need to think twice before you add any new element to your design.

References:
Google images:
http://www.innovationsinnewspapers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/3723639044_e6547ee48c.jpg

http://paidcontent.org/images/old_images/uploads/rediff_redesign.gif

Higher resolution graphics do not always mean higher quality graphics!

A higher number of mega pixels on your camera does not guarantee, nor does it mean, a higher or a better quality image. Higher resolution graphics do not always reflect, nor always define, higher quality graphics! In other words, more pixels per inch does not mean better photo quality, but it will definitely mean you will end up with a larger file size. Therefore, high-resolution cameras (Higher megapixels) might produce worse photo quality than lower resolution cameras.




There are other factors that will play a bigger role in producing a better and a higher quality image, such as the optical zoom, Sensor Size, light gathering capability of the lens, actual exposure, as well as the contrast and saturation of colors (A balanced contrast will produce a better and sharper image).
In other words, resolution (Number of pixels per inch) has little to do with sharpness, and has nothing to do with picture quality. Color, contrast, tone, and photographic skill are far more important when it comes to image quality.
Illegible

Why tablets, why now & what’s next.

iPad 1, iPad 2, Galaxy Tab, Xoom, playbook, and many other tablets either entered the market or will very soon. Companies like Apple, Samsung, RIM, and Motorola are furiously competing to expand their presence and shares in the competitive tablets market. Each of these companies is trying to differentiate their tablets from others by in most cases, increasing software and media player compatibilities, higher resolution, thinner and lighter, better camera features, superior storage, etc.

The tablets entered the market at a time where social media is playing a huge role in many aspects of our lives, not only here in the United States, but all around the world. Newer generations are using their computers to do just that; chat, tweet, text, share audio and video, and networking. What is better than using the tablets to do so? We always did, and always will, look for what is better, easier, more convenient, and coolest. As of now, the tablets have this all.



I believe that in the coming few years we will see a wide spread of tablets use in many businesses and professions, as well as for personal uses. No more files and folders, papers, no more physical keyboard and mouse, and no more erasable slate and clapperboards. We will see tablets everywhere, and soon, laptops will become old fashioned.

How would technology look at us, if it had a mind?

Technology would look at us as hungry dependent creatures demanding unlimited help and enhancements in an evolving and developing environment. But what would technology expect from us, if it does? I would expect that it would want from us to do more, and learn more.

We know that we always expect more from technology, and always complain that it is not quick enough, not large enough, not small enough, not clear enough, etc. Are we ever going to be happy with technology? We should ask ourselves if we are using the current technology to its fullest. We must do our job, which is to increase the level of our understanding of the technology we use, how it works, what is the logic behind it, how to build on it, and more. Globalization, the Internet, and businesses competition raised the bar on our expectations.



Personally, the more time I spend reading and learning about new technology, the more I feel I am behind. No matter how much I use technology and computer applications in my work, and no matter how much time I spend reading, testing and researching, the rapid development in technology and computer applications makes me feel as if I am left behind. Maybe it is just me, but being passionate about web, graphic, and animation design, I am always eager to learn as much as possible about this field. Keeping up with new technologies, upgrades, and updates is intricate and time consuming, but it is not an option anymore, it is a must. This is the only way to keep yourself up-to-date with the latest in your field, and to be able to succeed in this competitive market.

Holography Technology

If you are looking for something kind of new, cool, and futuristic, then you should read about Holography Technology. With Holography you can view things in 3D and in 360 degrees. Holography had captured our imagination since the movie Star Wars. It is a technique that allows the light spread out from any object to be recorded and then restored to create a 3D image. Since then many companies and educational institutes around the world have developed and used this technology in a variety of ways (University of Arizona, Musion - UK, Cisco –USA, Zebra – USA, etc). These organizations realized the importance, advantages and benefits of implementing such technology to fulfill the demand of this technological generation. Therefore, they invested, and are still investing, tremendous time, effort, and money to keep creating communication tools for the future. Cisco’s TelePesence, is one of the tools, in which a 3D image is recorded in one location and shown in another location, in real-time, and in any place around the world.

Cisco On-Stage Holographic TelePresence Experience from Musion Systems on Vimeo.

Similarly, Musion Eyeliner, a high definition 3D holographic video projection system allows a 3D moving life-size hologram to appear within a live stage using Peppers Ghost technology (Tricky illusionary technique used in theater and in some magic tricks).

Black Eyed Peas Hologram - Live at the NRJ Music Awards 2011 from Musion Systems on Vimeo.