We have entered the age of on the go computing. But Google wants to take it a step further. You have probably heard about their Project Glass initiative, which many people call Google glasses. These look like futuristic sci-fi glasses, and take being constantly connected to the next level.

A Computer Above Your Eyes

These augmented reality glasses let people talk to friends, share images, take notes and more all without having to use their hands. The actions you would like to take, whether to chat with friends or get directions, all display before your eyes.

A Stream of Useful Information

Google glasses are activated using voice commands. You can just request a bus schedule and it’ll be displayed for you. Or you can request directions to a theatre, and a map will be displayed just like how it would be on a smartphone.

According to a video produced by Google, the company’s augmented reality glasses would also allow you to check your day’s schedule and update your plans if things change. To illustrate, in the video a Google glasses-wearing consumer is going to the subway. As he hits the entrance his glasses tell him that subway service is suspended. The glasses then calculate a walking path to his destination.

An Unobtrusive Technology?

Supposedly Project Glass isn’t made to bombard users with an unending stream of technology. It’s actually meant to make it simpler for them to access the technology they want when they want it. For instance, a user may want to take a picture of his girlfriend standing on a bridge over the Chicago River. Instead of fumbling around for his camera or smartphone, he just presses a button on his Google glasses to click the shot.

There have been people who believe that these glasses will be used for advertisements. A few spoof videos have been made and posted on YouTube that demonstrate this idea. While it is not clear what will be projected into your field of vision with Project Glass, what is clear is that Google’s latest effort holds countless potential.

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a technology that enables people to make phone calls over the Internet. It can be very useful for businesses of any size as it is very cost-effective. Businesses that use VoIP can frequently save between 30 and 50 percent on their phone bills.

Many businesses, large and small, are still struggling and are looking to save money anyway they can. So, the question is; are businesses embracing VoIP as an obvious way to save money or are they unwilling to get rid of their trusty old landline?

A Move Toward VoIP?

A recent study says that businesses have not turned to VoIP technology as much as you’d think. However, the same study also says that this appears to be changing. Based on research from Heavy Reading, about 31 percent of installed business lines in North America were VoIP-based in 2011. The good news, though, is that Heavy Reading anticipates that this figure will increase to 66.6 percent by 2015. Heavy Reading also anticipates that by 2015 just 33.5 percent of business lines will consist of traditional circuit-switch versions.

Businesses are Switching to VoIP

That means that the amount of businesses that utilize VoIP to make calls will double in the next 3 years. But will there actually be such a dramatic change? And will the shift happen this quickly? More and more companies are becoming educated about the advantages of VoIP and whilst they have previously been slow to transition, the move to VoIP is snowballing so speedily that we are likely to see the percentage grow significantly.

A Bright Future for VoIP and Business

VoIP technology provides voice communication that is as clear and dependable as traditional landlines. Let’s also not forget that it can be considerably cheaper. Upper management may be slow to make the move but the big plus with VoIP, is that employees will not have to get used to anything new. Phones work just like they do with a landline. So you if think VoIP is a passing fad, think again.

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When was the last time we saw a Windows product which captured the essence of “cool”? Before recently it had been a while, but when Microsoft made the Kinect for Windows that all changed. The Kinect is a gesture and voice-sensing device that was originally developed for the Xbox gaming console.

Microsoft in February unveiled Kinect for Windows. This version of the device works with, not surprisingly, Windows-operated pcs. Now a number of users are putting the device to work in unexpected ways.

Innovative Uses for the Kinect

Earlier this year the Chief Marketing Manager for Nissan North America created a virtual tour of the Pathfinder’s interior at the Chicago Auto Show. The only thing that was actually on display was the outer shell of the Pathfinder, but individuals could see the upgraded interior on a large screen by using the Kinect.

Microsoft is also encouraging companies to utilize the Kinect creatively by working with them to create custom Kinect applications. Nearly 350 companies today are working with Microsoft in this way. For example, Boeing uses the device to create virtual tours of its 737 jets. Medical providers at a hospital in Canada are also using the device’s gesture-recognition to swipe through CT scans, removing the risk of touching germs on a keyboard or mouse.

Kinect: A Solid Hit

When Microsoft came up with the Kinect for Windows they hit a home run. Last year the Xbox 360 was the best selling video game console. In fact, since November 2010, more then 18 million Kinect devices have been sold. This is definitely transforming the way that the consumer views Microsoft products.

It may seem hard to believe, but Windows and its creator might have actually found something that is not only useful, but cool, which can do nothing but good for their reputation.

Nobody likes traveling for business. Airports are a headache, with all that business of removing your shoes, paying extra to stow bags, as well as the frequent delays and cancellations. We often overeat on bad fast food or at hotel buffets, also, when we’re traveling for business. Then there’s the lack of sleep. It’s no surprise that so many business people are longing for developments in videoconferencing technology. After all, if this technology improves sufficiently – the reasoning goes – maybe off-site business meetings, and the business travel that accompanies this, will be a thing of the past.

The End of Business Travel?

But is this a thing that we should strive for in business? Is it the best thing if videoconferencing replaces face-to-face meetings altogether? Possibly not, think about the differences between meetings that are face-to-face versus videoconferencing.

When people around the world sign on to a videoconference, they generally introduce themselves quickly, if necessary, and then dive into the goal at hand. Brainstorming does not often play a large role in videoconferencing; this is partially due to the worry that the connection may fail. As well, there are lots of distractions within the individual’s office that can make fluid conversation difficult.

The Benefits of Face-to-Face Time

Face-to-face interactions are more personal and allow conversation to develop easily. Meetings may last longer if this happens, but the benefits of it can be great. New ideas come from the creative evolution of conversation. While it’s true that every meeting may not become a positive brainstorming session, it can be a great opportunity to develop interpersonal relationships in the workplace.

Business Travel is Here to Stay

Yes, business travel is a hassle and videoconferencing is convenient. However, there are occassions when meeting face-to-face is the best option for generating the most innovative business solutions. Because of this, don’t expect savvy business executives to ever totally replace business travel with videoconferencing.

Adobe Photoshop is an amazing tool. It lets business owners edit the images they need to produce professional-looking brochures, pamphlets, and marketing materials. However, Photoshop is far from inexpensive. A simple online scan will show that newer versions of this image-editing program can run higher then $600. For small business owners with limited funds, this program isn’t feasible. This doesn’t mean, though, that these small business owners don’t have photo-editing options. In fact, businesses can pick from a host of alternatives that are not only cheaper but are actually free.

These programs might not contain all the elements that Photoshop boasts, but they have more than enough photo-editing features for most small business owners. Here are three of the highest quality free photo-editing programs available today:

GIMP

GIMP is very easy to use and contains most of the features from Photoshop that a business owner would need to create marketing material. The beauty of GIMP is that it’s absolutely free!

Paint.NET

Did you ever use MSPiant? It came with your Windows operating system and was very basic. Paint.NET is its successor and is a lot more powerful then its predecessor. One fantastic aspect for designers is an unlimited undo button. Paint.NET is a free program; the only negative regarding it is that it only works on Windows machines.

Picnik

Picnik is fast, free, and easy to use. It works on the Mac, Windows, and Linux operating systems and you don’t have to download files to use it. It has some interesting special effects as well, making it a very popular photo-editing program.

In the end, if you are looking for a program that allows you to create professional marketing material, you don’t have to spend a lot. These programs will let you accomplish this task at no cost.