Eagle Dreams Blog

Digital Glasses

Ronan — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 21:55:42 +0000

Heads Up!!

From one major technology giant to another. Our 2nd digital news piece is based upon new glasses made by Google. Known as ‘Googles Heads Up Glasses’, they are based on augmented reality technology and are powered by the Android operating system. They will display real-time data about the wearer’s environment directly on the glasses. Read More >>

They are due to be launched by the end of the year.

So, will everyone be wearing glasses (need to or not) just to get real-time data every second? How much data can we consume or do we want to consume? Only time will tell.

iPad3

Ronan — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 21:54:27 +0000

iPad 3

For this months digital news, we thought we would focus on 2 new exciting things. First is the launch of the iPad3 on the 7th of March. Rumours about the power, features and data are flying around the internet. The iPad3 has been eagerly anticipated and the new processor called A6 is boasted to be extremely fast.

However, loads of questions still remain:

What will it look like?

Will the screen be larger?

Will there be 2 versions?

Will it only have a few minor upgrades from the iPad2?

How will the new CEO do at his first major launch?

Augmented Reality (AR)

Ronan — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:11:21 +0000

Perception is everything………

With augmented reality apps our perception of thing in real life situations can be enhanced with computer generated graphics.

Below is a definition of AR:

Augmented reality (AR) is a live, direct or indirect, view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are augmented by computer-generated sensory input such as sound, video, graphics or GPS data. It is related to a more general concept called mediated reality, in which a view of reality is modified (possibly even diminished rather than augmented) by a computer. As a result, the technology functions by enhancing one’s current perception of reality. By contrast, virtual reality replaces the real world with a simulated one. (ref: http://mashable.com/follow/topics/augmented-reality/)

Is Augmented Reality just another tech gimmick or does it actually have some real life usefulness to online users.

It can give eCommerce website customers a 3D feel of how the product they are interested in buying will look. Watch how Tesco Uk have adopted this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5QDRoxuHtk

Ford have used augmented reality to demonstrate features of the cars http://mashable.com/follow/topics/augmented-reality/ This concept looks a good idea to work for product demonstrations.

I look forward to seeing more Augmented Reality Apps

Google V Twitter – (Search Plus Your World)

Ronan — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 09:30:53 +0000

Over the past week we have seen Google make a announcement on Social Search or also know as Search Plus Your World – “Search is still limited to a universe of webpages created publicly, mostly by people you’ve never met. Today, we’re changing that by bringing your world, rich with people and information, into search.” – (The Official Google Blog – http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2012/01/search-plus-your-world.html)

Google is going to put more emphasis on your social network, your friends in your social network. Google search results have always had a focus on quality, it returns quality websites with the keywords that you used for search. It has been the fundamental basis of Google is you find what you are looking for. They are still keeping that concept but now adding displaying results basis on what your friends in your social network have recommended.

There are 3 main steps that Google have taken last week, Personal Results, Profiles in Search, People Pages

“today we’re taking another big step in this direction by introducing three new features:

Personal Results, which enable you to find information just for you, such as Google+ photos and posts—both your own and those shared specifically with you, that only you will be able to see on your results page;
Profiles in Search, both in autocomplete and results, which enable you to immediately find people you’re close to or might be interested in following; and,
People and Pages, which help you find people profiles and Google+ pages related to a specific topic or area of interest, and enable you to follow them with just a few clicks. Because behind most every query is a community.” (Google Blog – Search Plus Your World)

Search Plus Your World on YouTube

Why has this caused a war of words between Google and Twitter ?

Google is a long time trying to catch up with the social media companies of Facebook and Twitter. Released last year Google+ was their answer. It initially was a huge uptake (main by tech and internet professionals) but the numbers began to level off. Facebook still had the lead and with Facebook expected to hit the 1 Billion user mark by August 2012, there seemed to be no catching them — until now.

We all know how important search is and how often we use Google to find companies, services or products that we want or need all we seem to do is ‘Google it’. Find Us On Facebook was used by Facebook to encourage people to use the search feature in Facebook to find businesses on Facebook or people. We saw last year that Facebook scraped the 25 LIKES rule for business pages before creating a unique url eg http://www.facebook.com/eagledreamsdigitalmedia in order to gain more businesses to Facebook.

Favouring their own social network Google Plus over Twitter or Facebook, Google have used their strength in search and will display results from their social network (Google+) first.

Will this enhance Google+?

Will more people start using Google Plus now?

Will businesses who want to be on Page 1 of Google results create a Google+ Business Page?

Only time will tell. And somehow I don’t think the war of words between Google and the other Social Media Giants is over just yet..

Till next time…

2012 Number 1 Productivity Tool

Ronan — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:41:21 +0000

With the dawn of the new year it is always a good time to take a look at where you are and where you are going. The new year always has talk of goals and resolutions whether it is health, giving up smoking, I am going to get fit, it is hard to avoid them.

It is also a good time for a business review. Some of the more successful businesses are the ones that ‘get things done’ in other words they are productive. Everyone has the same amount of time each day it is just what they get achieved within the time that makes the difference.

On of the best organizational tools (cloud tool) that I have used is workflowly.com It is a very simply tool. It is a blank page where you can create lists. Each list can have infinite sub lists and (as far as I can see) endless content. It has changed how we share and communicate on different projects and tasks.

For me it is fantastic and basic – no fancy functions – it is just a giant and infinite sheet of white paper and pen where you can access it anywhere, PC, laptop, mobile phone or any internet connection. It is easy to share and collaborate with teams and share ideas.

If you make lists give workflowly.com a try.