Emerging Technologies

A future technology that I found interesting was the new Lytro Light-Field Photography Camera. Most cameras create images using a flat plate—whether chemical film or a digital sensor—to record the position, color, and intensity of the light that comes through a lens. Lytro's camera does all of that and it records the angle at which rays of light arrive. The resulting files aren't images but mini-databases capturing the three-dimensional pattern of light, called a light field, at a particular moment. Software can be used on that database to produce many different possible photos and visual effects from just one picture taken. I think that this could become very popular. The camera sounds fun, easy to use, and it allows you to use your creativity to the fullest. I think the thing that surprised me the most is that way after you have taken to one photo, you are able to refocus it, change the lighting, and create an image that is almost completely new! I also like the fact that, after you post it on the internet, others are allowed to experiment with the image too. A possibility for the future in this area is for all cameras to be light-field based and being able to create 3-D images at home. A technology that was considered an emerging technology back in 2009 that is used now is the Intelligent Software Assistant, or Siri. Siri is in pretty much every smart phone out there and is used by thousands of people. The software is able to voice recognize you talking to it, hear your question, and supply an intelligent and helpful answer. Tell Siri you want to go to a restaurant and she will supply you with all restaurants nearby and directions from where you are to each one. Where Siri lacks in information, she makes up for it with sarcasm, humor, or just conversation. No matter what you ask, Siri has an answer.