Star Wars vs Star Trek Tech

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With Star Trek Into Darkness coming out on the heels of the announcement that there will be more Star Wars films, the comparison between the two sci fi properties is inevitable. Whose tech is better?

http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/14/tech/star-trek-versus-star-wars/index.html?hpt=te_r1

In terms of tech, Star Trek is probably more science fiction, whereas Star Wars is more mythology that happens to involve sophisticated machinery and technology. Case in point, despite the power of the force and advanced medicine, why did Luke Skywalker and Anakin Skywalker have to have artificial, robotic hands. Where is the 3D printing, cloning or growing a new hand? The reason is probably because it adds to the legend and renown of the two characters. Being made hole would not add to the theater and drama of the story.

Also, in terms of propulsion, Star Trek uses worm holes and warping. Star Wars breaks the speed of light (impossible).

Google Future Vision Of Search

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http://www.techhive.com/article/2038817/googles-vision-for-search-highlights-knowledge-graph-speech.html

As we have seen with SIRI and other voice assistants, voice recognition is certainly taking hold. It gives the user the ability to be hands free and has the potential to include people with visual deficits as users. Between touch and motion, gesture recognition, innovation to improve the mechanics of search is accelerating.

Windows Blue: AKA Windows 8.1

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We don’t know if the start button or boot to desktop will be features, but at least it is free!

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2038718/microsoft-confirms-the-windows-8-1-update-a-k-a-blue-will-be-free.html

Windows 8.1 is an opportunity for Microsoft to address the inadequacies perceived in Windows 8 and eliminate these barriers from the buying equation. Are users really skipping Windows 8 because of issues such as the Start Button missing in action and the lack of a boot to desktop option? (This is more to do with the post traditional pc dynamics taking place. For example, instead of desktops and laptops, the form factors that are experiencing growth are tablets and smartphones.)

Truthfully, these features are not needed to use the operating system. However, many users are too accustomed to these legacy features and were not ready for the shock of these go to mainstays not being there. Supporting boot to desktop does not help Microsoft’s initiatives surrounding apps, but this along with the start button will at least serve as good PR.

Android User Base: The Force Is Strong With These 900 Million

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http://www.pcworld.com/article/2038798/google-more-than-900-million-android-activations-served.html

This is a really impressive number on its face. The question is how many activations are still being used? Android has been available since 2008, so there are probably a lot of users on the third or even fourth handset since Android’s debut. So this number needs to be kept in perspective.

Regardless, the Android ecosystem is a massive place, and the user base is significant.

Google Maps Gets A Refresh

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http://www.pcworld.com/article/2038823/google-maps-gets-stunning-makeover-for-web-enhancements-to-mobile.html

Considering the challenges out of the gate for Apple Maps, the fact that Google Maps is getting a refresher will further underline the need to improve.

This competition can only help users as surely Bing will examine these changes and make improvements to its own map capabilities. Sitting still is not really option for anyone.