Cloud Based Tool Presentation

Google Hangout is a video conferencing tool that allows users to communicate via web cam. Hangout unlike other video conferencing service uses a cloud based platform which decreases the latency of videos and improves the quality. There are several other features that are included when you use Google Hangout such as Google Drive, Slide Share, YouTube  etc. The presentation that is linked at the bottom will show you steps about how to set up a Google+ Account and how to use Google Hangout.

https://docs.google.com/a/myedge.cc/file/d/0B4cWJT4ZeCOIdzdUZk5KeHdPblk/edit

Useful Cloud Based Tools

The first cloud based tool is called LastPass which is a password manager that you can use for your most popular browsers such as Internet Explorer, Firefox and Chrome. The passwords are stored on a cloud server and are ready to use whenever you need them. This tool is not only available as a add-on to your web browser, but also a app that you can use for your android, apple phone, computer. The product has both a free version and a premium version with more features.

https://lastpass.com/

Remember The Milk is one of the cloud based tools I choose to share it has a very weird name which basically references if someone goes to the store what is the one thing they always forget "Milk". It can be downloaded as a app on your android or apple devices. The purpose of Remember The Milk is to schedule and remind you of important events it does this by you first telling it what you want it to remember. Then it uses a cloud server allowing it to remind you anywhere on the go. It also uses google map to show you the place you need to be all in real-time. You can set it to send you reminders via Gmail or even Twitter. The app is totally free and there is no payed version of the tool. This tool can be very valuable in the business environment as companies can use it to remind workers of meetings and other important updates all in real-time. 

http://www.rememberthemilk.com/

Tripit organizes travel plans it is similar to Remember The Milk, but focuses on letting you know about flights and reminding you of upcoming flights. It is a cloud based tool which allows for the user to create custom itineraries so that you can add maps and directions, travel notes, photos, recommendations. You can share these with friends and family on your mobile device or through social media sites. There are three main version of Tripit which are Tripit Free, Tripit Pro and Tripit for Teams.

https://www.tripit.com/

Google Apps for Business is one of the more well known cloud based tools it features many apps such as Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs, etc. Businesses use this tool for obvious reasons company emails, sharing presentation and important documents over a cloud server. The newer Google Hangout allows multiple users to carry on conversation and see each other via webcam which is perfect for meetings. All of these tools are available thought mobile apps and through web browsers.

http://www.google.com/intl/en/enterprise/apps/business/

Office2 HD for Ipad is a interesting tool that allows you to create Microsoft Office compatible documents such as excel, word, and powerpoint. Seeing as most of the assignments at my school that involve writing most teachers want the assignment submitted as a Microsoft Office Compatible document. The Office 2 also integrates the cloud by giving you access to your data wherever you are.

http://www.bytesquared.com/product/office-hd

Server's are widely used in the IT field used for running websites, separate operating systems, housing data and more. Improvement to this technology is always welcomed such as faster processing speeds, more memory and storage space, energy efficient, and cheaper. There are many brands of servers to fit whatever business/personal need that you require. The server that I found on the Gizmag Website is called the uSVR fan less server which was created by Israel's CompuLab. Some of the features and specs of this product are as followed:

• Core i7 processor runs at 2.5GHz or 1.7GHz
• 32 GB of dual channel ECC DDR3 RAM (1600 MHz)
• 2.5-inch 500 GB or 1 TB HDDs supporting RAID 0, 1, 5, 10
• Up to 480 GB of mSATA SSD boot storage, and an eSATA port 
• Between 8 W and 35 W Power draw
• Supports HDMI up to 2560 x 1600 resolution at 60 Hz
• Uses both USB 3.0 and 2.0
• Features both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi wireless technology 

The uSVR is currently set at $556 with optional features at an additional cost. This product is exactly what an IT specialist would be looking for in a server; processing power, reasonable storage space, and energy efficient. (Ridden, 2013)

Ridden, P. (2013, April 19). CompuLab launches high performance uSVR fanless server. Retrieved April 21, 2013, from Gizmag Web site: http://www.gizmag.com/compulab-usvr-fanless-server/27168/

In the IT field storage is always a big deal important data such as customer information, programs, etc are stored in internal and external hard drives. The only minor concern that large firms have is actually not the storage space, but the speed at which you can access the data. The remedy for this is the faster albeit more expensive SSD which do not back the same amount of storage space as your typical external hard drives. It makes up for this by having blazing fast speed allowing you to transfer data to work computers in less time. While I still do believe transfer speed is a minor problem reason being is that most companies are not willing to spend more and they prefer having more storage space. This could change in the future when SSD becomes cheaper in price, has increased storage space and companies demand for higher transfer speeds.

With this being said the prices have decreased for solid states drives the one I would like to present to you today is called the Plextor M5 Pro Xtreme. Some of the Specs Include:

• Comes in 3 models 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
• 7mm-thick, 2.5-inch standard internal drive
• SATA 3 (6Gbps), SATA 2, SATA
• OS: Windows, Mac, Linux
• Read speeds: up to 540 MB/s and Write speeds up to 470

As I stated before the Plextor M5 Pro Xtreme is reasonably priced as low as $130 for the 128GB model, $250 for the 256GB and about $430 for the 512GB model.(Ngo, 2013)

Ngo, D. (2013, January 9). Plextor M5 Pro Xtreme review. Retrieved April 13, 2013, from CNET Web site: http://reviews.cnet.com/hard-drives/plextor-m5-pro-xtreme/4505-3186_7-35567539.html

The idea of computing on the go has been implemented for quite some time with net books  tablets, and smart phones. The thought of performing these same tasks through eye ware is something you would see out of a James Bond movie. Our society is trying to make technology smaller and always readily available to the public. As an IT student I find it quite interesting that such a product is being released which will allow me to browse the web, watch movies and take pictures all while being comfortable and stylish glasses. The product   that I am referring to is known as the Google Glass which was showed at CES in January of 2013. Some of the features are:

• Uses GPS
• You use Voice Control to control the device

The product is not expected to be released until 2014, but users are already creating really neat apps for google glass such as being able to spot someone in a crowd.

Specs

• Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth
• Uses Bone Induction to transmit sound to your inner ear
• Possible will use a Android OS
• Uses a tiny prism display
• embedded camera and microphone

(Rivington, 2013)


Rivington, J. (2013, March 13). Google Glass: What you need to know. Retrieved March 24, 2013, from tech radar web site: http://www.techradar.com/us/news/video/google-glass:-what-you-need-to-know-1078114

Companies each and everyday are trying to save more money on computer hardware and decrease the cost to power them without losing performance. Technology has evolved becoming smaller, cheaper and faster also while allowing users great versatility and portability. The amount of tablets purchased has increased while the amount of desktop computers has decreased. Tablets are not as fast and do not have the same amount of storage, but are portable and cost less. On the other hand, desktops have surperior performance and storage space, but cost more and are not very portable. What if you could have a all-in-one-device that is not only a desktop computer, but also doubles as a tablet device.

The device that I found is called the ASUS Transformer AiO P1801 all of the system components are contained within the 18.4in monitor no need for a tower also it is fully touch screen. The monitor doubles as a detachable tablet which uses Android 4.1. Some of the features of the ASUS Transformer AiO P1801 are as followed:

Switch seamlessly between Windows 8 and Android 4.1

Powerful desktop PC Station with a 3rd generation Intel® Core™ processor

Standalone 18.4-inch tablet powered with an NVIDIA® Tegra® 3 quad-core processor

Detachable Full HD display with IPS technology for wide viewing angles

ASUS SonicMaster audio technology gives incredible high-fidelity sound

Take instant fingertip control of Windows 8 and Android 4.1 with 10-point multi-touch

 Tablet uses a 32GB hard drive while the main computer uses a 1TB hard drive

 Uses USB 3.0

(ASUS, 2013)

ASUS. (2013). ASUS Transformer AiO P1801. Retrieved March 18, 2013, from ASUSTek Corporation Web site: http://www.asus.com/AllinOne_PCs/ASUS_Transformer_AiO_P1801/

Being able to control your PC and other Devices through cloud or any other wireless service has become quite a commodity. Many IT professionals use such services to work from home and manage multiple devices all without having to be actually near them. Being able to control your PC with hand gestures was always considered to be something you would only see in a futuristic Sci-fi Movie. The Xbox 360 Kinect accomplished some of these goals although to a lesser extent as its motion tracking is very lackluster and cannot keep up with swift movement. This has been accomplished sooner than expected with the MYO Armband by Thlamic Labs. This gadget which as arm band  allows you to control any Bluetooth enabled device through mere hand gestures. It does not use visual recognition like the Kinect, but a gesture controlled system. This can assist IT professionals by allowing them to perform multiple tasks on the job and assist professionals who work in the robotics field.

Some of the features and specs are:

1. Uses Bluetooth v4.0
2. Does not use visual recognition which can be unresponsive
3. Compatible with the newest OS

The MYO Armband tracks the movement down to each finger allowing precise navigation and eliminating the need of a mouse. This product is slated for a late 2013 release and listed to be priced at $150.

(Iqbal, 2013)

Iqbal, A. R. (2013). MYO Armband Review. Retrieved March 10, 2013, from Gameryard Web site: http://www.gameryard.org/2013/02/myo-armband-review-control-your.html