Library+-+Emerging+information+technologies

= = = Emerging Information Technologies Library = 70-451 Library > Emerging Information Technologies Library

Overview:
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__Entry template:__

 * Title**: << title of the article, book, video, etc. >>
 * Author(s)**: << the author(s) who wrote the article, video, book, etc. >>
 * Link or reference information**: << the URL to the article and/or bibliography reference >>
 * Core ideas** (1, 2, or 3 bullet points that summarize the core idea presented in the article):
 * Commentary**:


 * Entry history**:
 * [Bob Monroe, initial post on Oct. 1, 2011]
 * [<>, < >

=Title: 'Driving under influence' test inside car will check driver's finger = []
 * Author(s) **: Nancy Owano
 * Link or reference information **:


 * Core ideas **
 * A company that is working on a new technology to create an in-car detection device that can tell if the driver is too drunk to drive
 * The device will check out the driver's blood alcohol level through the skin of the finger
 * The device's test is said to be as accurate as a blood test.
 * The technology could be voluntarily installed as a new-car option.

This article talks about a new technology that is under process and making in Japan. The main goal of this device is to stop the accidents caused by drunk drivers. They are doing it by making this small device that could be put in the “push to start” button that identify whether the driver is drunk or not. The author of the article says that “ close to 11,000 Americans, or one every 48 minutes, were killed in drunken-driving accidents”. Therefore, this device will hopefully help in reducing this number of accidents caused by drunk drivers
 * Commentary **<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">:


 * <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Entry history **<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">:
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">[Hussain Hejji, initial post on Oct. 19, 2011]
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">[<<next person who added commentary>>, < >

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 * Title**: OmniTouch turns any surface into a touchscreen interface


 * Author(s)**: Randolph Jonsson

http://www.gizmag.com/omnitouch-touchscreen-interface/20197/
 * Link or reference information**:


 * Core ideas** :
 * Exploring an alternative approach to mobile interaction by turning any solid surface into a touch sensitive input device.
 * Possibilities for OmniTouch are seemingly endless.

I found this article interesting because it shows us how far we’ve come and how much we’ve accomplished. To go from massive computers to mini tablets and mobile phones and now work in progress OmniTouch. If OmniTouch gets released I would definitely buy it. Turning any solid into a touch sensitive input device, is another step forward for us.
 * Commentary**:

= = = = **__<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Entry template: __** **<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Title **<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">: Sweet innovation for citrus fruits
 * Entry history**:
 * [Laura Jaber, initial post on Oct. 19, 2011]

<span style="color: black; display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: left;">**Author(s)**: (Not mentioned in article)

<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">**Link or reference information**: []

**<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Core ideas **
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Researchers in Spain have developed sophisticated machines to sort citrus fruit before they reach consumers. The prototypes can detect and separate rotten oranges, and can classify mandarin segments.
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Current method may cause health risk
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Overall quality delivered to customers is better

**<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Commentary **<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">:

<span style="color: black; display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: left;">This article describes a new technology that helps farmers to separate good fruit from the spoiled ones. The method currently used is by shining ultraviolet light on the fruit and see the results. The disadvantage is that ultraviolet light may cause health risk. Overall this technology is promising because it makes the process of picking fruits much easier and better fruits are delivered to customers.

**<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Entry history **<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">:
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">[Mohammed Al-Rawahi, initial post on Oct. 19, 2011]
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">[<<next person who added commentary>>, < >

=== **<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Title **<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">: New Google Smart Phone Recognizes Your Face ===

<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Author(s) **: <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 10pt;">DANYLL WILLS **<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Commentary: ** <span style="color: black; display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify;">The rivalry between the giants of the smart phone industry has helped the customers with better products. The evolution of new technology is helping the public to lead easier lives. Face recognition for security is a good example of making customer’s life easy as no one can unlock the phone except them. Another feature which Samsung introduced is the voice recognition which is a rival to Apple’s Sirri. The owner of the phone can ask questions which the phone will answers by checking its database. This allows a person to have an easier life. These changes are rapid if we compare them to the early 2000. Analyzing the current situation of the products coming on to the market we can expect far more than what we have been delivered.
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Link or reference information **<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">: []
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Core ideas **<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">:
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The new technology being introduced in the smart phone world.
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Nexus when introduced will be the smartest of all phones in the world.
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Competition between the giants of industry is fostering innovation and making the technology more compact and easily available.

**Entry History:**


 * [Anas Ali Chaudry, initial post on Oct. 20, 2011]
 * [<<next person who added commentary>>, < >]


 * Title ** : Blackberry’s BBM vs Apple’s iMessage
 * Author(s) ** : Nicole Lee
 * Link or reference information ** : []


 * Core ideas **
 * The premise is that users can send instantaneous messages through the phone’s Wi-Fi or 3G data connectivity rather than through the carrier’s network, which means the costs of the text message are saved.
 * One of the striking differences between the applications is that where Blackberry Messenger is a separate service from normal text messaging, iMessage is completely integrated into the existing Apple Messages app. The user does not have direct control on what format (SMS or iMessage) the message is sent in, which is a less favorable feature.
 * In general, Blackberry Messenger has a variety of features and option settings that bring more complexity to the system whereas iMessage does not have nearly as many features as BBM, which in turn provides a seamless experience to the user.

This review is essentially a comparison between two messaging services, one of which has been recently launched. Apple’s new iMessage service from iOS 5 and RIM’s well-established Blackberry Messenger are remarkably similar in a way. Blackberry Messenger is much more advanced now than when it started e.g. 1) there are multiple ways a contact can be added (email, PIN or barcode scanning), 2) the various types of multimedia files can be sent to contacts (picture, media and voice messages). Therefore, the comparison conducted between the two services may be too early at this stage since iMessage has only been recently introduced. Apple has an advantage of coming second to the party because it witnessed, during the development/launch of BBM, all the aspects that made the application appealing and the issues that made it less successful. That was definitely a tool that helped Apple make a lot of its decisions in the system development lifecycle. In conclusion, both have plus and minus points but the concept they share is extremely desirable nowadays and it really depends on the user and what functions he/she find more important than others.
 * Commentary ** :

It will be interesting to see if Apple's iMessage, along with the recent 3 day Blackberry blackout causes many users to switch from Blackberry to an iPhone. As the release of the iPhone 4s software coincided with the Blackberry blackout. Apple's iMessage is a much simpler app, which clearly has both advantages and disadvantages. For users who wish a simple way to connect with other iphone, ipad or ipod users the application is perfect. However, for users who want to be able to change their profile picture and status regularly and be able to add contacts in multiple ways Blackberry Messenger is a better application for them.
 * Commentary ** :
 * Posting history ** :
 * [Maryam Al-Subaie, initial post on Nov. 7, 2011]
 * [Maryam Al-Thani, Nov. 18, 2011]
 * [<<next person who added commentary>>, < >]


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Title: Health IT Saves a Life in Memphis **
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Author(s) **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">: <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">David Tablot
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Link or reference information **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">:

[]
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Core ideas **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> (1, 2, or 3 bullet points that summarize the core idea presented in the article):


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">IT integration with medicine has proved to be beneficial by saving lives and lowering costs.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Sharing information on a wider scale allows hospitals to become more efficient and effective.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">More information allows doctors to quickly deal with patients leading to a more healthy society.


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Commentary **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">:

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The article represents a huge step in medical field by integrating IT with medicine. Data is shared amongst 12 hospitals which mean a data warehouse is being used for this process. Data mining is an essential part of acquiring information from a large data warehouse. The doctors in the case described acquired information at the right time using this process ultimately saving the woman’s life. Although integrating IT with medicine is a new concept, it will largely help the society. The hospitals are able to save more lives and cut down on procedures they don’t need. Patients will be able to receive information like test result online which will ease the process. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Implementing a system combining both IT and medicine on a country wide basis will have benefits but there are concerns as well. Security is an important issue. Data warehouse should have high security because if the system is hacked there is a chance of infringement. Data might be altered or stolen which might lead to problem throughout the hospitals in the country. Doctors might not have accurate information to treat the patients causing lower health standards. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Overall this is a great business idea for hospitals because more patients could be treated at lower costs. The system will become efficient because of rapid transferring of information and quick enactment of treatments on the patients.


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Posting history **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">:
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">[Anas Ali Chaudry, initial post on Nov. 19, 2011]
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">[<<next person who added commentary>>, < >]

**<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Title **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">: Amazing future technology for data transfer : Using Led lights

**<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Author(s) **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">: Harald Haas

**<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Link or reference information **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJMRxQB9j6s&feature=related

**<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Core ideas **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">:
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Currently to transfer data, we use radio waves that have four problems: Capacity, efficiency, availability and security.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Ability to use LED light to transmit data very fast in hospitals, aircrafts, cars, street…etc all what we need to do is to fit a small microchip to every illumination device so it will illuminate and transfer data.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Visible light spectrum is 10,000 times longer than radio waves (solves capacity), data transmition is for free and highly efficient, light is available everywhere and in terms of security walls block light making it very secure.

**<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Commentary **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">: <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: left;">Harald Haas presents a very creative way to transmit data through light. It appears to solve the four problems he pointed out of capacity, efficiency, availability and security. The project seems to offer new better ways to transfer data, but I think although initially it will face challenges, it will improve in the future.

**<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Posting history **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">:
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">[Mohammed Al-Rawahi, initial post on Nov. 18, 2011]
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">[<<next person who added commentary>>, < >]


 * Title**: The Thrilling Potential of Sixth Sense Technology
 * Author(s)**: TEDIndia
 * Link or reference information:** []
 * Core ideas** (1, 2, or 3 bullet points that summarize the core idea presented in the article):
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Problem of how to interact with the digital world in real life
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Solution: small and tiny holographic device that maps gestures to real life
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">TED talk displays ways to enhance people experience for example watching videos on actual newspapers, or using fingers to take photos.

A few years back, the scientific community was stunned by Pranav Mistry's demonstration. At the MIT Media labs, he developed a revolutionary new way to interact with objects in the digital world, surely to bring about a new era in Human-Computer Interactions, and in a way that was also commercially viable. The examples shown in the TED talk, from interacting with books and newspapers, to taking pictures, to interacting with airline tickets. The biggest revelation at the talk was plans to open source the software behind this technology, allowing any developer to hack into the potential of Sixth Sense. Right now, HCI is a very big emerging field in information technology, and as the abilities of computers to recognize human gestures becomes better and better, there can be better and better ways to deliver high quality services and new ways of interacting with customers.
 * Commentary**:


 * Entry history**:
 * [M Hammad Abbasi, initial post on Nov. 20, 2011]
 * [<<next person who added commentary>>, < >


 * Title **: << Product Review: Google Goggles >>


 * Author(s) **: << Robert Boyd >>


 * Link or reference information **: << [] >>


 * Core ideas **
 * Google Goggles is a mobile search engine that uses pictures instead of words to make searches.
 * It cannot search for anything and everything yet but it already has a large database it can search
 * Google Goggle is a mobile application for Android phones and Iphone(only of os4)

What i like about this application is how its taking us one step forward towards the world technology. This is something many of us thought of, for at least a fraction of a second, and it's amazing that it is now being implemented. We don't even need to use words anymore to get answers because thanks to Google Goggles, all we need are visuals. This is an emerging information technology because it is still being improved and worked on to become capable of addressing any and all of our searching needs. Just as it has a great feature that allows to take a picture of contact information and it turns it into a contact on your phone.
 * Commentary **:


 * Posting history **:
 * [Laura Jaber, initial post on Nov. 19, 2011]

Title: Cloud computing Author: Wikipedia Link or reference information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_computing

Core ideas:
 * A new and alternative way of storing and sharing information.
 * Shares information within five layers: Client, application, platform, infrastructure and servers.
 * there are four deployment models: Public cloud, community cloud, hybrid cloud and private cloud.

Commentary: What I like about this article is the fact that it is an encyclopedic and informational look at what cloud computing is, what it does and which parties would be involved and benefit from this new, up and coming method of sharing information online. Cloud computing describes a new supplement, consumption, and delivery model for [|IT] services based on Internet protocols, and it typically involves provisioning of dynamically scalable and often virtualized resources.

Posting history:
 * [Mohammed Al Ahmadani, initial post Nov. 20, 2011]

For this topic, I decided to not post an example of an emerging technology, but to look more theoretically at the situation. This paper looks at how CIO of companies should consider emerging information technologies and why. Through their research they found that only 31% of the sample of companies looked at did an overview of emerging information technologies while developing their strategies and many CIO's have stated that should they have considered emerging information technologies, they would have been better off. For this matter, companies should always be on the look out for new emerging technologies and should consider both formal and informal channels of communication. The problem is that it is rather difficult to align the emerging information technologies into the company easily, hence the need for early investigations. CIO's repeatedly complained about the difficulties in business alignment and technical alignment of these new technologies. I believe that it would be best for the company to regularly examine the new technologies and consider its effect on the business.
 * Title**: Emerging Information Technologies: Developing a Timely IT Strategy
 * Author(s)**: Casey G. Cegielski, Brian J. Reithel, Carl M. Rebman
 * Link or reference information**: http://pro.unibz.it/staff/ascime/documents/Developing%20a%20Timely%20IT%20Strategy.pdf
 * Core ideas**
 * It is very important for CIO's and company executives to always be updated and informed about emerging information technologies.
 * One of the most important issues of integrating emerging information technologies into the business is business and technical alignment.
 * Deciding upon integrating EIT: CIO's should visualize their competitive position and how an EIT would help, determine whether the technology is appropriate, and decided whether it will fit in the current and future operational plans of the company.
 * Commentary**:


 * Entry history**:
 * [Meshail Al-Misnad, initial post on Nov. 20, 2011]
 * [<<next person who added commentary>>, <


 * Title**: Cloud Computing World
 * Author(s)**: CloudComputingWorld.org
 * Link or reference information**: http://www.cloudcomputingworld.org/


 * Core ideas**
 * This resource could be extremly valuable for anyone who is looking to implement could computing into a business.
 * Moreover this resource provides solid, well researched answers about cloud computing. This website focuses on the uses of cloud computing and its importance to businesses and organizations to understand its customer base, target markets efficiently, eliminate the need for costly hardware and software, and communicate more effectively with customers.
 * Discusses in depth areas of:
 * [|Cloud Computing]
 * [|Cloud Computing for Businesses]
 * [|Cloud Computing Platforms]
 * [|Customer Relationship Management]
 * [|On Premises Software vs. Cloud Computing]

I have chosen this source to post because it is very organized and laid out in a very simple, easy way (for business people) and explains cloud computing and the ways cloud computing can positively change/influence a business. It provides analyses and articles about how cloud computing works and benefits of cloud computing and provides examples such as the social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) and how they have successfully used cloud computing to do business. I think that many companies can benefit and minimize costs through implementing a cloud computing system and its increasing in awareness among businesses and organizations today. This is a valuable source to learn more about cloud computing, without having to go look for articles and information on other sites.
 * C****ommentary**:


 * Entry history**:
 * [Nasser Al-Khori, initial post on Nov. 30, 2011]
 * [<<next person who added commentary>>, < >

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Title: Gasoline Fuel Cell Would Boost Electric Car Range

 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Author(s) **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">: KEVIN BULLIS
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Link or reference information **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">: []
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Core ideas **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> (1, 2, or 3 bullet points that summarize the core idea presented in the article):


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">This highly developed fuel cell can get rid of range anxiety and make electric cars more practical, while keeping the emissions of carbon-dioxide low.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Researchers have made a fuel cell that could provide a way more efficient alternative to a gasoline generator.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">It really generates electricity through a chemical reaction instead of burning fuel, and can be twice as efficient at generating electricity as a generator that uses combustion.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">These fuel cells have been used commonly for generating power in buildings, unfortunately they are considered impractical for use in cars because they are very big in size and because they function at very high temperature
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">However, researchers have made some developments to the fuel cells and made much more smaller than how it used to be that also produces 10 times much power


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Commentary **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">:

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">This is what I call an alternative new and innovative technology to replace fuel. Not only they are environmentally friendly but also could be cheaper in production and consumption. The researchers are now trying hard to lower it’s temperature much more so that it can be used in cars. This is one of the emerging technologies that I would like to witness in the near future. This technology can change people’s life and countries’ economies beside being a powerful technology.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> **Entry history**:


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">[Hussain Hejji, initial post on Dec 6, 2011]
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">[<<next person who added commentary>>, < >

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">---
 * Title**: Software That Listens for Lies
 * Author(s)**: Anne Eisenberg
 * Link or reference information**: []


 * Core ideas**:
 * This new technology has achieved what the medicine and science could not achieve in past years by analyzing human emotions through their speech.
 * This new technology enables computers to detect lies, deception, anger, friendliness and even flirtation through analyzing a person’s speech.
 * This new technology is currently under research and development, however is not used in courts or by other authorities to detect lies.


 * Commentary**:

This is a really interesting technology that is being developed. This technology I believe is similar to a person’s ability to detect emotions through the speech of someone he/she knows well. However, this technology doesn’t require that the person who is talking is known well by the computer. Also, there is no device that could detect if someone is telling a lie only from his or her speech. However, what I found really devastating is that this research would not be used in courts. Although, I strongly believe that this technology will help judges and police officers to find the truth and find the guilt people. As this new technology will benefit the society overall, by reducing crimes and bad people who are up for no good.

[<<next person who added commentary>>, < >]
 * Entry history**:
 * [Fatima Al-Khayat, initial post on Dec. 6, 2011]

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">---
 * Title**: Market Smarter With Cloud Computing
 * Author(s)**: none give, organization: Cloud Computing World
 * Link or reference information**: http://www.cloudcomputingworld.org/customer-relationship-management/market-smarter-with-cloud-computing.html
 * Core ideas:**
 * Cloud computing and marketing go hand in hand
 * In the field of marketing, cloud computing assists by attracting and following leads, exploring new markets, and more.
 * Marketing is about attracting new customers and cloud computing can help with this; by utilizing a cloud-based CRM.
 * As in sales, marketing needs to have customer relationships almost as much.
 * benefits and power of cloud based CRM for marketing
 * help put your business ahead of competition
 * Also through cloud based CRM, a marketing department can measure success and return on investment for future projects/works.

Exploring the effects of cloud computing in relation to marketing is very interesting and can benefit a business. Im sure many businesses have started this technique and have been able to gain a stronghold advancement from their competitors. This can put a businesses ahead by allowing the marketing department to know more about customers, easily track them down, and communicate and share with them any updates and new released that the business will be distributing in the market.
 * Commentary**:

[<<next person who added commentary>>, < >]
 * Entry history**:
 * [Nasser Al-Khori, initial post on Dec. 6, 2011]


 * Title**: iCloud: Syncing
 * Author(s):** [|Alexandra Chang]
 * Link or reference information**: [|http://www.macworld.com/article/162953/2011/10/icloud_syncing.html#lsrc.mod_rel]


 * Core ideas**:
 * This new features provides a syncing capabilities of Docs, photos, contact and more.
 * iCloud will automatically sync all of the data users, unlike the iTunes syncing mechanism.
 * iCloud allows the users to access, create, edit, delete emails, Docs and such things using one of the devices, and any change will u=immediately be updated in the other devices.
 * iCould.com is website users can use and create an account, so that they are able to access the data on the other devices form the computer.


 * Commentary**:

This article is so simple and easy to understand. I choose for two reasons. First, because I like the feature iCloud and I believe it’s an intelligent technology. Second, this is a good source for Apple users who are not familiar with this feature. This article will give them an insight of the feature, what its function and so on. Because I know they are a lot of people who wishes that some photos on their iPhone exist on their iPad and so on. So this feature makes this possible as it make the availability of the data more easily in all the devices without the need of the users’ effort to transfer the data to the other devices.

[<<next person who added commentary>>, < >]
 * Entry history**:
 * [Fatima Al-Khayat, initial post on Dec. 8, 2011]


 * Title ** : ITWorx Furthers Qatar’s Education Reform with the Upgrade “Knowledge Net” e-Learning Portal Using MLG 2007 Framework
 * Author(s) ** : ICT Qatar
 * Link ** : []


 * Core ideas ** :
 * The article talks about the challenges that ictQatar faced, which is to implant its e-education strategy in as many schools as possible in Qatar. Their objective was to adopt e-learning techniques in the independent schools in Qatar.
 * The article explains how introducing K-Net created a solution. By implementing this educational portal in almost 37 independent schools in Qatar, communication between students, teachers and parents have become more convenient through instant messages, emails and discussion boards.
 * The article mentions three benefits of K-Net educational portal, which are: rich skill sets for K-12 students, advanced instrumentation for teacher and parents and better data management with school MIS integration

K-Net educational portal was one of the things that I have experienced when I was in high school. I still remember in 2005, two people came from ictQatar and explained the concept of e-learning to us. They told us that the main reason of implementing this technique was to increase the level of interaction between students, teachers and parents and this program is still in the first phase. They gave each student 2 usernames and passwords for them and their parents. At the beginning, I did not expect this idea to work well because many students didn’t like the idea. However, based on the following article, [], ictQatar received a 2009 ACN Arab Technology Award for the K-Net program, which means this program was a successful move. I think 5 years from now, all the schools in Qatar will be implementing the e-learning techniques because ictQatar and the Supreme Educational Council have a vision of transforming Qatar into a true knowledge based and progressive society.
 * Commentary ** :


 * Posting history: **

[<<next person who added commentary>>, < >]
 * [Ahmad Al-Sarraf, initial post on Dec. 10, 2011]


 * Title**: Starbucks Mobile Transactions Exceed 26 Million within First Year

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20111206005582/en/Starbucks-Mobile-Transactions-Exceed-26-Million-Year
 * Author(s)**: No author given. Organization: BusinessWire
 * Link or reference information**:


 * Core ideas:**
 * Starbucks is a name that everyone is familiar with. With over 10,000 stores around the world, Starbucks's customers keeps growing substantially.
 * At a Starbucks store, the number of customers waiting in line to order and pay is sometimes extremely long, frustrating customers.
 * Starbucks also offers its customers other items to purchase, gift cards, mugs, etc. This prompted the company to develop a mobile app that would allow customers to create their own Starbucks profile where they would be able to "manage their accounts,"
 * In this application, customers have the ability to pay online for any of the Starbucks purchases
 * This application went viral during the holiday seasons, where the application became extremely useful for customers who wished to give "egifts" to their friends
 * Because of the application, Starbucks's profits increased dramatically in just ONE year. This application proved to be extremely successful for the company, whose sales substantially increased due to the widespread of the application.

Mobile applications have without doubt increased over the past few years. With more people today using mobile devices like the iPhone, Android, and Blackberry, companies are beginning to realize that attracting this large number of customers can be a positive forward step for the company. Starbucks has recognized this, making this application available to customers who own these devices. Companies today are always looking for new ways to satisfy customers, and the easier purchasing becomes, the more satisfied a customer is. This has been a great move for Starbucks as it not only increased its customer base, but also increased its profits. Companies who wish to expand internationally are looking to do one thing: dominate in the field they operate in. By making their products and services made available through mobile devices, they are definitely one step closer to achieving this goal.
 * Commentary**:


 * Entry history**:
 * [Abdullrahman Al-Muftah, initial post on Dec. 10, 2011]

I remember I took a course in my sophomore year and in one of the lectures he talked about this application, I was really impressed. This technology is a successful one, because people are always in a hurry and it would be really useful just to order your coffee using your Smartphone or iPhone on your way to your work or university and pay them through app. I believe that this technology will give Starbucks a competitive advantage.
 * Commentary**:


 * Entry history**:
 * [Fatima Al-Khayat, initial post on Dec. 13, 2011]

[<<next person who added commentary>>, < >]

[]
 * Title**: What is healthcare informatics
 * Author(s)**: Stephan P Kudyba
 * Link or reference information:**

This you-tube video talks about health care and how technology should be involved in the health care sector, especially since information technologies has been taking over a big part of our lives. professor Stephan discusses multiple of ways where information technologies could be incorporated. He also argues that one of the reasons this sector has been been using IT is because most of the health care centers operate on charts, which cause them to end up with stalk of charts unable to analyse all the data they collect. Some have already started implementing this, so instead of writing information down they are inputting data in a computer entry system, where they can create electronic health record and this is how information technology is increasing the productivity of this sector.
 * Core ideas** (1, 2, or 3 bullet points that summarize the core idea presented in the article):
 * Informatics is the integrating of information technologies and information management to increase process efficiency
 * Few years from now hopefully information technologies are well developed in health care centers and the data collected could be available analytic
 * Information technology will help health care centers not only increase their productivity but reduce cost as well.
 * Commentary**:
 * Commentary**:


 * Entry history**:
 * [Amal Osman, initial post on Dec. 12, 2011]
 * [<<next person who added commentary>>, < >

**Author(s)**: popmechshow **Link or reference information**: __ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3_i2dr_4V8 __
 * Title ** : Microsoft Surface: Hands-on first Look


 * Core ideas ** :


 * Introduces a new paradigm in computing known as surface computing
 * The technology utilizes a multi touch, multi user interface.
 * The surface has the ability to recognize objects and interact with them.

This technology utilizes a number of other technologies, such as inferred cameras, wi-fi, and computing power to introduce a new way of computing called surface computing. This technology eliminates the need to use keyboards, screens, mice, etc. … The user could connect and transfer data from one device to another without the need to physically connect the devices. Such technology could be utilized by restaurants, hotels, and food chains to display menus, and bill customers.
 * Commentary ** :

[Firas Bata, initial post on December. 12, 2011]

>>
 * Title**: <<Why Watson Can’t Talk to Siri.>>
 * Author(s)**: <<<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;">Stacey Higginbotham . >>
 * Link or reference information**: << http://www.businessweek.com/technology/why-watson-cant-talk-to-siri-11172011.html
 * Core ideas**:
 * IBM's Watson (Jeopardy machine player) and Apple's Siri (machine personal assistant) cannot communicate with each other because they are task oriented, and their tasks don't match.
 * We are far from achieving artificial intelligence and the test is that our "robots" cannot talk to each other like a human can interact with both human and machine.
 * We are this much closer to achieving artificial intelligence because we now know what is needed to achieve it.

Although technically, it isn't an emerging technology yet, since the article says that Siri and Watson can't be tagged as artificial intelligence, i believe this article should be placed in this page. This is because artificial intelligence has been an emerging information technology since we started with the computer, and with every new development, we are one step closer to achieving this fantasy. Also, what was most interesting in the article is the "test", its interesting because we now have a definition for what artificial intelligence is. A.I. is when we can get two machines to communicate and understand each other fully, and be able to give correct responses. Now that we have the setting of artificial intelligence it is only a matter of time before it is achieved.
 * Commentary**:
 * Entry history**:
 * [Laura Jaber, initial post on Dec. 13, 2011]
 * [<<next person who added commentary>>, < >


 * Title ** : Twine : Listen to your world, talk to the Internet
 * Author(s) ** : No one author but it is A Technology project in Cambridge, MA by Supermechanical
 * Link or reference information ** : []

- Twine is a small durable device that uses wireless technology integrated with cloud-based service - The device when attached to other devices such as a washing machine it can notify you that your laundry is done - Other functions that the device can sensor is for example if your basement floods, it senses the water and immediately text you informing you of the action - Twine uses a simple human friendly app to connect your data with the device and setup your instructions
 * Core ideas ** :

With devices such as the Twine, it further proves our dependency on technology and IT, and proves that whenever people come up with new invention, IT has to be integrated in it to actually name it an invention. Such technologies could cut down costs dramatically to who ever are using it, an example given is the flooding situation. The device can inform you ahead of time that your basement or whatever is flooding, and lets say that you are not in your home, so all you have to do after you get the message is inform authorities or whoever that can help to reduce the possible damages. But at the same time, you can’t rely heavily on it at this stage since the technology is still in its testing phase and it hasn’t been launched to the public yet. And another issue with it is the fact that it needs WiFi to work, such a dependency raises the issue of whether your WiFi breaks down and you are stuck with a useless Twine and a broken WiFi, so I guess you would need another device that can detect whether your WiFi is working or broken if you are not in your house and you can’t know.
 * Commentary ** :


 * Entry history ** :
 * [Sara Al-Mannai, initial post on Dec. 13, 2011]
 * [<<next person who added commentary>>, < >


 * Title ** : Sensor Box Tracks Real-World Shoppers Like Web Traffic
 * Author(s) ** : Sean Kane
 * Link or reference information ** : []

- A new tool for tracking shoppers physical traffic is called Euclid Analytics - Using a sensor box placed in a store, it can help list the movement of customers in the store who carry a smart phone. - The technology does not only detect the phones and list them, it also detects whether the owner passed by the store, entered or looked at the display
 * Core ideas ** :

Such a technology if diploid well could change the way stores and organizations setup their stores and change the decision making process for them, on what they should have and what not to have in the store that will also cut down on cost, save money and attract more customers. But at the same time, as the author mentions these data are not representative of all of the customers that are in the store, since the technology only detect and lists smart phones. Tracking people’s behaviors when shopping I think is a great way to increase customer satisfaction and increase customer loyalty. It could work really great in collecting data about the customers and actually making changes according to their physical traffic that can help stores develop better customer service and over all shopper experience. But at the same time, the privacy and security issues come to play, as it is the usual case in any tracking technology that can track smart phones, which can also slow down the adoption of such a technology.
 * Commentary ** :


 * Entry history ** :
 * [Sara Al-Mannai, initial post on Dec. 13, 2011]
 * [<<next person who added commentary>>, < >

** Title ** : Starbucks runs mobile coupon loyalty program ** Author(s) ** : Dan Butcher ** Link or reference information ** : []

** Core ideas ** :
 * Starbucks running a loyalty program by introducing a new technology, which is 2D bar-code coupons deployed via SMS.
 * How these technology provider offering loyalty programs for companies through mobile services.
 * The aim of this campaign for Starbucks is to reward their customers, and attract potential customers that could be interested in their business.
 * This campaign also aiming to help people to know more about the brand and the product, and rewarding their loyal customers with discounts.
 * How Starbucks is promoting this new technology to attract more and new customers to their business.
 * The details of how this technology or this software works.
 * Starbucks is not using this technology to only become closer to customers and reward them, but instead they are using this technology as a marketing strategy as well.

** Commentary ** : The article tackles how Starbucks is adopting a new technology, which is a 2-D bar code coupon to reward their loyal customers as a part of customer loyalty program. Moreover, we can see that how technology providers use mobile services as a part of this program. The aim of this technology is not only to reward the existing customers, but also to grab or affect the potential customers to the business. In addition, using or adopting this technology will not only reward the customers, but instead it will be used as one of the marketing strategies as well in the company. I believe that using mobile services is a good idea for business as it’s accessible for the customers everywhere.

** Posting history ** :
 * [Fatima Abdulla, initial post on Dec. 13, 2011]
 * [<<next person who added commentary>>, < >]

= = = Emerging Information Technologies Library = 70-451 Library > Emerging Information Technologies Library

Overview:
< >

__Entry template:__

 * Title**: << title of the article, book, video, etc. >>
 * Author(s)**: << the author(s) who wrote the article, video, book, etc. >>
 * Link or reference information**: << the URL to the article and/or bibliography reference >>
 * Core ideas** (1, 2, or 3 bullet points that summarize the core idea presented in the article):
 * Commentary**:


 * Entry history**:
 * [Bob Monroe, initial post on Oct. 1, 2011]
 * [<<next person who added commentary>>, < >

=<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Title: 'Driving under influence' test inside car will check driver's finger = <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">[]
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Author(s) **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">: Nancy Owano
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Link or reference information **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">:


 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Core ideas **
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">A company that is working on a new technology to create an in-car detection device that can tell if the driver is too drunk to drive
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">The device will check out the driver's blood <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">alcohol level through the skin of the finger
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">The device's test is said to be as accurate as a blood test.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">The technology could be voluntarily installed as a new-car option.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">This article talks about a new technology that is under process and making in Japan. The main goal of this device is to stop the accidents caused by drunk drivers. They are doing it by making this small device that could be put in the “push to start” button that identify whether the driver is drunk or not. The author of the article says that “ <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">close to 11,000 Americans, or one every 48 minutes, were killed in drunken-driving accidents”. Therefore, this device will hopefully help in reducing this number of accidents caused by drunk drivers
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Commentary **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">:


 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Entry history **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">:
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">[Hussain Hejji, initial post on Oct. 19, 2011]
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">[<<next person who added commentary>>, < >

=

=


 * Title**: OmniTouch turns any surface into a touchscreen interface


 * Author(s)**: Randolph Jonsson

[]
 * Link or reference information**:


 * Core ideas** :
 * Exploring an alternative approach to mobile interaction by turning any solid surface into a touch sensitive input device.
 * Possibilities for OmniTouch are seemingly endless.

I found this article interesting because it shows us how far we’ve come and how much we’ve accomplished. To go from massive computers to mini tablets and mobile phones and now work in progress OmniTouch. If OmniTouch gets released I would definitely buy it. Turning any solid into a touch sensitive input device, is another step forward for us.
 * Commentary**:

= = = = **__<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Entry template: __** **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Title ** <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: left;">: Sweet innovation for citrus fruits
 * Entry history**:
 * [Laura Jaber, initial post on Oct. 19, 2011]

<span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: left;">**Author(s)**: (Not mentioned in article)

<span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: left;">**Link or reference information**: []

**<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Core ideas **
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Researchers in Spain have developed sophisticated machines to sort citrus fruit before they reach consumers. The prototypes can detect and separate rotten oranges, and can classify mandarin segments.
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Current method may cause health risk
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Overall quality delivered to customers is better

**<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Commentary ** <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: left;">:

<span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: left;">This article describes a new technology that helps farmers to separate good fruit from the spoiled ones. The method currently used is by shining ultraviolet light on the fruit and see the results. The disadvantage is that ultraviolet light may cause health risk. Overall this technology is promising because it makes the process of picking fruits much easier and better fruits are delivered to customers.

**<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Entry history ** <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: left;">:
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">[Mohammed Al-Rawahi, initial post on Oct. 19, 2011]
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">[<<next person who added commentary>>, < >

=== **<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Title ** <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; vertical-align: baseline;">: New Google Smart Phone Recognizes Your Face ===

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Author(s) **: <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">DANYLL WILLS **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Commentary: ** <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: justify;">The rivalry between the giants of the smart phone industry has helped the customers with better products. The evolution of new technology is helping the public to lead easier lives. Face recognition for security is a good example of making customer’s life easy as no one can unlock the phone except them. Another feature which Samsung introduced is the voice recognition which is a rival to Apple’s Sirri. The owner of the phone can ask questions which the phone will answers by checking its database. This allows a person to have an easier life. These changes are rapid if we compare them to the early 2000. Analyzing the current situation of the products coming on to the market we can expect far more than what we have been delivered.
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Link or reference information **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">: []
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Core ideas **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">:
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">The new technology being introduced in the smart phone world.
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Nexus when introduced will be the smartest of all phones in the world.
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Competition between the giants of industry is fostering innovation and making the technology more compact and easily available.

**Entry History:**


 * [Anas Ali Chaudry, initial post on Oct. 20, 2011]
 * [<<next person who added commentary>>, < >]


 * Title ** : Blackberry’s BBM vs Apple’s iMessage
 * Author(s) ** : Nicole Lee
 * Link or reference information ** : []


 * Core ideas **
 * The premise is that users can send instantaneous messages through the phone’s Wi-Fi or 3G data connectivity rather than through the carrier’s network, which means the costs of the text message are saved.
 * One of the striking differences between the applications is that where Blackberry Messenger is a separate service from normal text messaging, iMessage is completely integrated into the existing Apple Messages app. The user does not have direct control on what format (SMS or iMessage) the message is sent in, which is a less favorable feature.
 * In general, Blackberry Messenger has a variety of features and option settings that bring more complexity to the system whereas iMessage does not have nearly as many features as BBM, which in turn provides a seamless experience to the user.

This review is essentially a comparison between two messaging services, one of which has been recently launched. Apple’s new iMessage service from iOS 5 and RIM’s well-established Blackberry Messenger are remarkably similar in a way. Blackberry Messenger is much more advanced now than when it started e.g. 1) there are multiple ways a contact can be added (email, PIN or barcode scanning), 2) the various types of multimedia files can be sent to contacts (picture, media and voice messages). Therefore, the comparison conducted between the two services may be too early at this stage since iMessage has only been recently introduced. Apple has an advantage of coming second to the party because it witnessed, during the development/launch of BBM, all the aspects that made the application appealing and the issues that made it less successful. That was definitely a tool that helped Apple make a lot of its decisions in the system development lifecycle. In conclusion, both have plus and minus points but the concept they share is extremely desirable nowadays and it really depends on the user and what functions he/she find more important than others.
 * Commentary ** :

It will be interesting to see if Apple's iMessage, along with the recent 3 day Blackberry blackout causes many users to switch from Blackberry to an iPhone. As the release of the iPhone 4s software coincided with the Blackberry blackout. Apple's iMessage is a much simpler app, which clearly has both advantages and disadvantages. For users who wish a simple way to connect with other iphone, ipad or ipod users the application is perfect. However, for users who want to be able to change their profile picture and status regularly and be able to add contacts in multiple ways Blackberry Messenger is a better application for them.
 * Commentary ** :
 * Posting history ** :
 * [Maryam Al-Subaie, initial post on Nov. 7, 2011]
 * [Maryam Al-Thani, Nov. 18, 2011]
 * [<<next person who added commentary>>, < >]


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Title: Health IT Saves a Life in Memphis **
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Author(s) **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">: <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">David Tablot
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Link or reference information **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">:

[]
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Core ideas **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> (1, 2, or 3 bullet points that summarize the core idea presented in the article):


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">IT integration with medicine has proved to be beneficial by saving lives and lowering costs.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Sharing information on a wider scale allows hospitals to become more efficient and effective.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">More information allows doctors to quickly deal with patients leading to a more healthy society.


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Commentary **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">:

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">The article represents a huge step in medical field by integrating IT with medicine. Data is shared amongst 12 hospitals which mean a data warehouse is being used for this process. Data mining is an essential part of acquiring information from a large data warehouse. The doctors in the case described acquired information at the right time using this process ultimately saving the woman’s life. Although integrating IT with medicine is a new concept, it will largely help the society. The hospitals are able to save more lives and cut down on procedures they don’t need. Patients will be able to receive information like test result online which will ease the process. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Implementing a system combining both IT and medicine on a country wide basis will have benefits but there are concerns as well. Security is an important issue. Data warehouse should have high security because if the system is hacked there is a chance of infringement. Data might be altered or stolen which might lead to problem throughout the hospitals in the country. Doctors might not have accurate information to treat the patients causing lower health standards. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Overall this is a great business idea for hospitals because more patients could be treated at lower costs. The system will become efficient because of rapid transferring of information and quick enactment of treatments on the patients.


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Posting history **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">:
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">[Anas Ali Chaudry, initial post on Nov. 19, 2011]
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">[<<next person who added commentary>>, < >]

**<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Title ** <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: left;">: Amazing future technology for data transfer : Using Led lights

**<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Author(s) ** <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: left;">: Harald Haas

**<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Link or reference information ** <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: left;">: []

**<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Core ideas ** <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: left;">:
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Currently to transfer data, we use radio waves that have four problems: Capacity, efficiency, availability and security.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Ability to use LED light to transmit data very fast in hospitals, aircrafts, cars, street…etc all what we need to do is to fit a small microchip to every illumination device so it will illuminate and transfer data.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Visible light spectrum is 10,000 times longer than radio waves (solves capacity), data transmition is for free and highly efficient, light is available everywhere and in terms of security walls block light making it very secure.

**<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Commentary ** <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: left;">: <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: left;">Harald Haas presents a very creative way to transmit data through light. It appears to solve the four problems he pointed out of capacity, efficiency, availability and security. The project seems to offer new better ways to transfer data, but I think although initially it will face challenges, it will improve in the future.

**<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Posting history ** <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: left;">:
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">[Mohammed Al-Rawahi, initial post on Nov. 18, 2011]
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">[<<next person who added commentary>>, < >]


 * Title**: The Thrilling Potential of Sixth Sense Technology
 * Author(s)**: TEDIndia
 * Link or reference information:** []
 * Core ideas** (1, 2, or 3 bullet points that summarize the core idea presented in the article):
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Problem of how to interact with the digital world in real life
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Solution: small and tiny holographic device that maps gestures to real life
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">TED talk displays ways to enhance people experience for example watching videos on actual newspapers, or using fingers to take photos.

A few years back, the scientific community was stunned by Pranav Mistry's demonstration. At the MIT Media labs, he developed a revolutionary new way to interact with objects in the digital world, surely to bring about a new era in Human-Computer Interactions, and in a way that was also commercially viable. The examples shown in the TED talk, from interacting with books and newspapers, to taking pictures, to interacting with airline tickets. The biggest revelation at the talk was plans to open source the software behind this technology, allowing any developer to hack into the potential of Sixth Sense. Right now, HCI is a very big emerging field in information technology, and as the abilities of computers to recognize human gestures becomes better and better, there can be better and better ways to deliver high quality services and new ways of interacting with customers.
 * Commentary**:


 * Entry history**:
 * [M Hammad Abbasi, initial post on Nov. 20, 2011]
 * [<<next person who added commentary>>, < >


 * Title **: << Product Review: Google Goggles >>


 * Author(s) **: << Robert Boyd >>


 * Link or reference information **: << [] >>


 * Core ideas **
 * Google Goggles is a mobile search engine that uses pictures instead of words to make searches.
 * It cannot search for anything and everything yet but it already has a large database it can search
 * Google Goggle is a mobile application for Android phones and Iphone(only of os4)

What i like about this application is how its taking us one step forward towards the world technology. This is something many of us thought of, for at least a fraction of a second, and it's amazing that it is now being implemented. We don't even need to use words anymore to get answers because thanks to Google Goggles, all we need are visuals. This is an emerging information technology because it is still being improved and worked on to become capable of addressing any and all of our searching needs. Just as it has a great feature that allows to take a picture of contact information and it turns it into a contact on your phone.
 * Commentary **:


 * Posting history **:
 * [Laura Jaber, initial post on Nov. 19, 2011]

Title: Cloud computing Author: Wikipedia Link or reference information: []

Core ideas:
 * A new and alternative way of storing and sharing information.
 * Shares information within five layers: Client, application, platform, infrastructure and servers.
 * there are four deployment models: Public cloud, community cloud, hybrid cloud and private cloud.

Commentary: What I like about this article is the fact that it is an encyclopedic and informational look at what cloud computing is, what it does and which parties would be involved and benefit from this new, up and coming method of sharing information online. Cloud computing describes a new supplement, consumption, and delivery model for [|IT] services based on Internet protocols, and it typically involves provisioning of dynamically scalable and often virtualized resources.

Posting history:
 * [Mohammed Al Ahmadani, initial post Nov. 20, 2011]

For this topic, I decided to not post an example of an emerging technology, but to look more theoretically at the situation. This paper looks at how CIO of companies should consider emerging information technologies and why. Through their research they found that only 31% of the sample of companies looked at did an overview of emerging information technologies while developing their strategies and many CIO's have stated that should they have considered emerging information technologies, they would have been better off. For this matter, companies should always be on the look out for new emerging technologies and should consider both formal and informal channels of communication. The problem is that it is rather difficult to align the emerging information technologies into the company easily, hence the need for early investigations. CIO's repeatedly complained about the difficulties in business alignment and technical alignment of these new technologies. I believe that it would be best for the company to regularly examine the new technologies and consider its effect on the business.
 * Title**: Emerging Information Technologies: Developing a Timely IT Strategy
 * Author(s)**: Casey G. Cegielski, Brian J. Reithel, Carl M. Rebman
 * Link or reference information**: []
 * Core ideas**
 * It is very important for CIO's and company executives to always be updated and informed about emerging information technologies.
 * One of the most important issues of integrating emerging information technologies into the business is business and technical alignment.
 * Deciding upon integrating EIT: CIO's should visualize their competitive position and how an EIT would help, determine whether the technology is appropriate, and decided whether it will fit in the current and future operational plans of the company.
 * Commentary**:


 * Entry history**:
 * [Meshail Al-Misnad, initial post on Nov. 20, 2011]
 * [<<next person who added commentary>>, <


 * Title**: Cloud Computing World
 * Author(s)**: CloudComputingWorld.org
 * Link or reference information**: []


 * Core ideas**
 * This resource could be extremly valuable for anyone who is looking to implement could computing into a business.
 * Moreover this resource provides solid, well researched answers about cloud computing. This website focuses on the uses of cloud computing and its importance to businesses and organizations to understand its customer base, target markets efficiently, eliminate the need for costly hardware and software, and communicate more effectively with customers.
 * Discusses in depth areas of:
 * [|Cloud Computing]
 * [|Cloud Computing for Businesses]
 * [|Cloud Computing Platforms]
 * [|Customer Relationship Management]
 * [|On Premises Software vs. Cloud Computing]

I have chosen this source to post because it is very organized and laid out in a very simple, easy way (for business people) and explains cloud computing and the ways cloud computing can positively change/influence a business. It provides analyses and articles about how cloud computing works and benefits of cloud computing and provides examples such as the social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) and how they have successfully used cloud computing to do business. I think that many companies can benefit and minimize costs through implementing a cloud computing system and its increasing in awareness among businesses and organizations today. This is a valuable source to learn more about cloud computing, without having to go look for articles and information on other sites.
 * C****ommentary**:


 * Entry history**:
 * [Nasser Al-Khori, initial post on Nov. 30, 2011]
 * [<<next person who added commentary>>, < >

===<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; vertical-align: baseline;">Title: Gasoline Fuel Cell Would Boost Electric Car Range ===
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Author(s) **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">: KEVIN BULLIS
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Link or reference information **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">: []
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Core ideas **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> (1, 2, or 3 bullet points that summarize the core idea presented in the article):


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">This highly developed fuel cell can get rid of range anxiety and make electric cars more practical, while keeping the emissions of carbon-dioxide low.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Researchers have made a fuel cell that could provide a way more efficient alternative to a gasoline generator.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">It really generates electricity through a chemical reaction instead of burning fuel, and can be twice as efficient at generating electricity as a generator that uses combustion.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">These fuel cells have been used commonly for generating power in buildings, unfortunately they are considered impractical for use in cars because they are very big in size and because they function at very high temperature
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">However, researchers have made some developments to the fuel cells and made much more smaller than how it used to be that also produces 10 times much power


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Commentary **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">:

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">This is what I call an alternative new and innovative technology to replace fuel. Not only they are environmentally friendly but also could be cheaper in production and consumption. The researchers are now trying hard to lower it’s temperature much more so that it can be used in cars. This is one of the emerging technologies that I would like to witness in the near future. This technology can change people’s life and countries’ economies beside being a powerful technology.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> **Entry history**:


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">[Hussain Hejji, initial post on Dec 6, 2011]
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">[<<next person who added commentary>>, < >

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">---
 * Title**: Software That Listens for Lies
 * Author(s)**: Anne Eisenberg
 * Link or reference information**: []


 * Core ideas**:
 * This new technology has achieved what the medicine and science could not achieve in past years by analyzing human emotions through their speech.
 * This new technology enables computers to detect lies, deception, anger, friendliness and even flirtation through analyzing a person’s speech.
 * This new technology is currently under research and development, however is not used in courts or by other authorities to detect lies.


 * Commentary**:

This is a really interesting technology that is being developed. This technology I believe is similar to a person’s ability to detect emotions through the speech of someone he/she knows well. However, this technology doesn’t require that the person who is talking is known well by the computer. Also, there is no device that could detect if someone is telling a lie only from his or her speech. However, what I found really devastating is that this research would not be used in courts. Although, I strongly believe that this technology will help judges and police officers to find the truth and find the guilt people. As this new technology will benefit the society overall, by reducing crimes and bad people who are up for no good.

[<<next person who added commentary>>, < >]
 * Entry history**:
 * [Fatima Al-Khayat, initial post on Dec. 6, 2011]

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">---
 * Title**: Market Smarter With Cloud Computing
 * Author(s)**: none give, organization: Cloud Computing World
 * Link or reference information**: []
 * Core ideas:**
 * Cloud computing and marketing go hand in hand
 * In the field of marketing, cloud computing assists by attracting and following leads, exploring new markets, and more.
 * Marketing is about attracting new customers and cloud computing can help with this; by utilizing a cloud-based CRM.
 * As in sales, marketing needs to have customer relationships almost as much.
 * benefits and power of cloud based CRM for marketing
 * help put your business ahead of competition
 * Also through cloud based CRM, a marketing department can measure success and return on investment for future projects/works.

Exploring the effects of cloud computing in relation to marketing is very interesting and can benefit a business. Im sure many businesses have started this technique and have been able to gain a stronghold advancement from their competitors. This can put a businesses ahead by allowing the marketing department to know more about customers, easily track them down, and communicate and share with them any updates and new released that the business will be distributing in the market.
 * Commentary**:

[<<next person who added commentary>>, < >]
 * Entry history**:
 * [Nasser Al-Khori, initial post on Dec. 6, 2011]


 * Title**: iCloud: Syncing
 * Author(s):** [|Alexandra Chang]
 * Link or reference information**: [|http://www.macworld.com/article/162953/2011/10/icloud_syncing.html#lsrc.mod_rel]


 * Core ideas**:
 * This new features provides a syncing capabilities of Docs, photos, contact and more.
 * iCloud will automatically sync all of the data users, unlike the iTunes syncing mechanism.
 * iCloud allows the users to access, create, edit, delete emails, Docs and such things using one of the devices, and any change will u=immediately be updated in the other devices.
 * iCould.com is website users can use and create an account, so that they are able to access the data on the other devices form the computer.


 * Commentary**:

This article is so simple and easy to understand. I choose for two reasons. First, because I like the feature iCloud and I believe it’s an intelligent technology. Second, this is a good source for Apple users who are not familiar with this feature. This article will give them an insight of the feature, what its function and so on. Because I know they are a lot of people who wishes that some photos on their iPhone exist on their iPad and so on. So this feature makes this possible as it make the availability of the data more easily in all the devices without the need of the users’ effort to transfer the data to the other devices.

[<<next person who added commentary>>, < >]
 * Entry history**:
 * [Fatima Al-Khayat, initial post on Dec. 8, 2011]


 * Title ** : ITWorx Furthers Qatar’s Education Reform with the Upgrade “Knowledge Net” e-Learning Portal Using MLG 2007 Framework
 * Author(s) ** : ICT Qatar
 * Link ** : []


 * Core ideas ** :
 * The article talks about the challenges that ictQatar faced, which is to implant its e-education strategy in as many schools as possible in Qatar. Their objective was to adopt e-learning techniques in the independent schools in Qatar.
 * The article explains how introducing K-Net created a solution. By implementing this educational portal in almost 37 independent schools in Qatar, communication between students, teachers and parents have become more convenient through instant messages, emails and discussion boards.
 * The article mentions three benefits of K-Net educational portal, which are: rich skill sets for K-12 students, advanced instrumentation for teacher and parents and better data management with school MIS integration

K-Net educational portal was one of the things that I have experienced when I was in high school. I still remember in 2005, two people came from ictQatar and explained the concept of e-learning to us. They told us that the main reason of implementing this technique was to increase the level of interaction between students, teachers and parents and this program is still in the first phase. They gave each student 2 usernames and passwords for them and their parents. At the beginning, I did not expect this idea to work well because many students didn’t like the idea. However, based on the following article, [], ictQatar received a 2009 ACN Arab Technology Award for the K-Net program, which means this program was a successful move. I think 5 years from now, all the schools in Qatar will be implementing the e-learning techniques because ictQatar and the Supreme Educational Council have a vision of transforming Qatar into a true knowledge based and progressive society.
 * Commentary ** :


 * Posting history: **

[<<next person who added commentary>>, < >]
 * [Ahmad Al-Sarraf, initial post on Dec. 10, 2011]


 * Title**: Starbucks Mobile Transactions Exceed 26 Million within First Year

[]
 * Author(s)**: No author given. Organization: BusinessWire
 * Link or reference information**:


 * Core ideas:**
 * Starbucks is a name that everyone is familiar with. With over 10,000 stores around the world, Starbucks's customers keeps growing substantially.
 * At a Starbucks store, the number of customers waiting in line to order and pay is sometimes extremely long, frustrating customers.
 * Starbucks also offers its customers other items to purchase, gift cards, mugs, etc. This prompted the company to develop a mobile app that would allow customers to create their own Starbucks profile where they would be able to "manage their accounts,"
 * In this application, customers have the ability to pay online for any of the Starbucks purchases
 * This application went viral during the holiday seasons, where the application became extremely useful for customers who wished to give "egifts" to their friends
 * Because of the application, Starbucks's profits increased dramatically in just ONE year. This application proved to be extremely successful for the company, whose sales substantially increased due to the widespread of the application.

Mobile applications have without doubt increased over the past few years. With more people today using mobile devices like the iPhone, Android, and Blackberry, companies are beginning to realize that attracting this large number of customers can be a positive forward step for the company. Starbucks has recognized this, making this application available to customers who own these devices. Companies today are always looking for new ways to satisfy customers, and the easier purchasing becomes, the more satisfied a customer is. This has been a great move for Starbucks as it not only increased its customer base, but also increased its profits. Companies who wish to expand internationally are looking to do one thing: dominate in the field they operate in. By making their products and services made available through mobile devices, they are definitely one step closer to achieving this goal.
 * Commentary**:


 * Entry history**:
 * [Abdullrahman Al-Muftah, initial post on Dec. 10, 2011]

I remember I took a course in my sophomore year and in one of the lectures he talked about this application, I was really impressed. This technology is a successful one, because people are always in a hurry and it would be really useful just to order your coffee using your Smartphone or iPhone on your way to your work or university and pay them through app. I believe that this technology will give Starbucks a competitive advantage.
 * Commentary**:


 * Entry history**:
 * [Fatima Al-Khayat, initial post on Dec. 13, 2011]

[<<next person who added commentary>>, < >]

[]
 * Title**: What is healthcare informatics
 * Author(s)**: Stephan P Kudyba
 * Link or reference information:**

This you-tube video talks about health care and how technology should be involved in the health care sector, especially since information technologies has been taking over a big part of our lives. professor Stephan discusses multiple of ways where information technologies could be incorporated. He also argues that one of the reasons this sector has been been using IT is because most of the health care centers operate on charts, which cause them to end up with stalk of charts unable to analyse all the data they collect. Some have already started implementing this, so instead of writing information down they are inputting data in a computer entry system, where they can create electronic health record and this is how information technology is increasing the productivity of this sector.
 * Core ideas** (1, 2, or 3 bullet points that summarize the core idea presented in the article):
 * Informatics is the integrating of information technologies and information management to increase process efficiency
 * Few years from now hopefully information technologies are well developed in health care centers and the data collected could be available analytic
 * Information technology will help health care centers not only increase their productivity but reduce cost as well.
 * Commentary**:
 * Commentary**:


 * Entry history**:
 * [Amal Osman, initial post on Dec. 12, 2011]
 * [<<next person who added commentary>>, < >

**Author(s)**: popmechshow **Link or reference information**: __ [] __
 * Title ** : Microsoft Surface: Hands-on first Look


 * Core ideas ** :


 * Introduces a new paradigm in computing known as surface computing
 * The technology utilizes a multi touch, multi user interface.
 * The surface has the ability to recognize objects and interact with them.

This technology utilizes a number of other technologies, such as inferred cameras, wi-fi, and computing power to introduce a new way of computing called surface computing. This technology eliminates the need to use keyboards, screens, mice, etc. … The user could connect and transfer data from one device to another without the need to physically connect the devices. Such technology could be utilized by restaurants, hotels, and food chains to display menus, and bill customers.
 * Commentary ** :

[Firas Bata, initial post on December. 12, 2011]

>>
 * Title**: <<Why Watson Can’t Talk to Siri.>>
 * Author(s)**: <<<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;">Stacey Higginbotham . >>
 * Link or reference information**: << []
 * Core ideas**:
 * IBM's Watson (Jeopardy machine player) and Apple's Siri (machine personal assistant) cannot communicate with each other because they are task oriented, and their tasks don't match.
 * We are far from achieving artificial intelligence and the test is that our "robots" cannot talk to each other like a human can interact with both human and machine.
 * We are this much closer to achieving artificial intelligence because we now know what is needed to achieve it.

Although technically, it isn't an emerging technology yet, since the article says that Siri and Watson can't be tagged as artificial intelligence, i believe this article should be placed in this page. This is because artificial intelligence has been an emerging information technology since we started with the computer, and with every new development, we are one step closer to achieving this fantasy. Also, what was most interesting in the article is the "test", its interesting because we now have a definition for what artificial intelligence is. A.I. is when we can get two machines to communicate and understand each other fully, and be able to give correct responses. Now that we have the setting of artificial intelligence it is only a matter of time before it is achieved.
 * Commentary**:
 * Entry history**:
 * [Laura Jaber, initial post on Dec. 13, 2011]
 * [<<next person who added commentary>>, < >


 * Title ** : Twine : Listen to your world, talk to the Internet
 * Author(s) ** : No one author but it is A Technology project in Cambridge, MA by Supermechanical
 * Link or reference information ** : []

- Twine is a small durable device that uses wireless technology integrated with cloud-based service - The device when attached to other devices such as a washing machine it can notify you that your laundry is done - Other functions that the device can sensor is for example if your basement floods, it senses the water and immediately text you informing you of the action - Twine uses a simple human friendly app to connect your data with the device and setup your instructions
 * Core ideas ** :

With devices such as the Twine, it further proves our dependency on technology and IT, and proves that whenever people come up with new invention, IT has to be integrated in it to actually name it an invention. Such technologies could cut down costs dramatically to who ever are using it, an example given is the flooding situation. The device can inform you ahead of time that your basement or whatever is flooding, and lets say that you are not in your home, so all you have to do after you get the message is inform authorities or whoever that can help to reduce the possible damages. But at the same time, you can’t rely heavily on it at this stage since the technology is still in its testing phase and it hasn’t been launched to the public yet. And another issue with it is the fact that it needs WiFi to work, such a dependency raises the issue of whether your WiFi breaks down and you are stuck with a useless Twine and a broken WiFi, so I guess you would need another device that can detect whether your WiFi is working or broken if you are not in your house and you can’t know.
 * Commentary ** :


 * Entry history ** :
 * [Sara Al-Mannai, initial post on Dec. 13, 2011]
 * [<<next person who added commentary>>, < >


 * Title ** : Sensor Box Tracks Real-World Shoppers Like Web Traffic
 * Author(s) ** : Sean Kane
 * Link or reference information ** : []

- A new tool for tracking shoppers physical traffic is called Euclid Analytics - Using a sensor box placed in a store, it can help list the movement of customers in the store who carry a smart phone. - The technology does not only detect the phones and list them, it also detects whether the owner passed by the store, entered or looked at the display
 * Core ideas ** :

Such a technology if diploid well could change the way stores and organizations setup their stores and change the decision making process for them, on what they should have and what not to have in the store that will also cut down on cost, save money and attract more customers. But at the same time, as the author mentions these data are not representative of all of the customers that are in the store, since the technology only detect and lists smart phones. Tracking people’s behaviors when shopping I think is a great way to increase customer satisfaction and increase customer loyalty. It could work really great in collecting data about the customers and actually making changes according to their physical traffic that can help stores develop better customer service and over all shopper experience. But at the same time, the privacy and security issues come to play, as it is the usual case in any tracking technology that can track smart phones, which can also slow down the adoption of such a technology.
 * Commentary ** :


 * Entry history ** :
 * [Sara Al-Mannai, initial post on Dec. 13, 2011]
 * [<<next person who added commentary>>, < >

** Title ** : Exploring Digital Cash ** Author(s) ** : UC Berkeley ** Link or reference information ** : http://courses.ischool.berkeley.edu/i204/f97/GroupE/index.html

** Core ideas ** :
 * Digital cash is an electronic payment system which uses internet tokens to represent money
 * The properties of this emerging technology are: anonymity, privacy, security, cost, ease of use
 * Consumers have a lot to benefit from this, which includes the ability to do micropurchases
 * Businesses have new opportunities through adapting this technology

** Commentary ** : I believe that this reference is very valuable in the sense that informs us greatly about digital cash. This technology is not only interesting but also important to know about as it is the next advancement in the monetary payment system. The source provides us with stakeholder evaluations and examples of digital cash all of which are very informative.

** Posting history ** :
 * [Fatima Fikree, initial post on Dec. 13, 2011]
 * [<<next person who added commentary>>, < >]

** Title ** : Market Oriented Cloud Computing: Vision, Hype, and Reality for Delivering IT services as Computing Utilities

** Author(s) ** : Rajkumar Buyya, Chee Shin Yeo, Srikumar Venugopal

** Link or reference information ** : http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167739X08001957

** Core ideas ** :
 * Information technologies are advancing very quickly. They are also becoming increasing more important and relied on more, therefore, as the paper suggests, in the future we will see the importance of computer utilities.
 * Cloud computing, as the paper defines it, is: "A cloud is a type of parallel and distributed system consisting of a collection of interconnected and virtualized computers that are dynamically provisioned and presented as one or more unified computing resources based on service-level agreements established through negotiation between the service provider and consumers."
 * Industry analysts have suggested that cloud computing will become prominent and have billions of dollars of opportunities in the market.

** Commentary ** : An insightful article which not only explains the basics of cloud computing, but also in the form of market-oriented cloud computing. This paper also helps us understand how big this emerging technology is, or is expected to be. Overall we achieve the sense that information technologies are emerging and they are becoming ever more important to us.

** Posting history ** :
 * [Meshail Al Misnad, initial post on Dec. 13, 2011]
 * [<<next person who added commentary>>, < >]

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Title: OmniTouch Author(s): Chris Harrison, Hrvoje Benko, Andrew D. Wilson Link or reference information: <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline;">[]

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Core ideas
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">OmniTouch projects and creates touch screen interfaces on hairy and uneven surfaces.
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">OmniTouch provides capabilities similar to a mouse or touchscreen allowing countless applications.
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Creates a 2D surface and uses depth-sensing and motion control to understand human gestures.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Commentary:

By researchers at Carnegie Mellon, OmniTouch is a disruptive technology that will come in a wave of new technologies that will focus on touchscreens and projections. The era of just having tablets is coming to an end, and future products may look exactly like the OmniTouch. The technology provides countless and novel applications, and can be deployed anywhere, even in areas that do not have amenities like projectors for example, allowing teaching to take place.

Posting history:
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[M Hammad Abbasi, initial post on Dec. 13, 2011]
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[<<next person who added commentary>>, < >]

**<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Title **<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">**:** Microsoft E3 Kinect Video
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Author(s) **<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">**:** Gamespot
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Link or reference information: **

[]


 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Core ideas **
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Kinect detects sounds and movements of your body, it recognises you.
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">There is not barriers and learning curves
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">You can watch movie without remote and play games with controller
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Making any entertainment more intuitive and makes you connect with computer in more ‘natural’ way.


 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Commentary: **

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Kienct is evolving technology. Currently, it is implemented to games and now we can just play games not only by pressing some sets of buttons but just moving your body and sending signals to computer. Using sophisticated mathematical algorithms, computer reads your gestures and sends it to game. Moving from traditional mouse and keyboards, we can feel that we are part of the game and can feel the game or entertainment in more intuitive way by enjoying it more. I really think that Kinect will be used in business and science in order to make desicions. Kinect will bring flexibility and intuition which were burdened by traditional control sustem now. Posting history:
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[Nijat Ibrahimov, initial post on Dec. 13, 2011]
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[<<next person who added commentary>>, < >]

Title: Location Awareness Authors: wikipedia Link or reference information:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Location_awareness

Core ideas:
 * refers to technologies that can either actively or passively determine the location of something.
 * they are applied in many things ranging from business to policing to leisure.
 * They are supported by navigation systems, positioning systems and/or locating services.

Commentary: Location awareness technologies refers to technologies that can locate an intended location or object by way of coordinates. There are many uses to this kind of technology. It can be used for leisure (trying to find a cafe, ATM or your friends), business and policing (search and rescue missions...etc.). It has to be supported by local, regional and global systems for computing locations, which would include things like 3G, RTLS, WLAN, DECT, GPS... etc.

posting history: [Mohammed Al Ahmadani, initial post on Dec. 15, 2011]