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Unit 2 Technology Today

Listening

Activity 1 Computer problems

(Audio Track 4-2-1/Audio Track 4-2-2) Situation 1 Man: Oh no!

Woman: What happened?

Man: I can’t believe it! I was sending a message and I accidentally clicked on “Reply to All.” Woman: So?

Man: It was a personal message for my friend, Jerry. I wanted to send it to his e-mail address only. Woman: Oops.

Man: Exactly. … Instead I sent it to everyone on the list. How embarrassing! Situation 2

Man: I see you have a new keyboard. That’s nice. Woman: Yes, the company bought me a new one. Man: That’s good.

Woman: Well, actually … I spilled coffee on my old keyboard, and it stopped working. Man: Oh, I see.

Woman: Don’t tell anyone. Drinking coffee near the computers is not allowed! Situation 3

Woman: Have you finished working on my computer?

Man: Yes, I have. I’m afraid I don’t have good news for you. Woman: Really?

Man: Really. The problem is with your hardware. Woman: Oh. What do you suggest?

Man: I think you should probably buy a new computer. This one can’t be fixed. Woman: Well, I have had it for five years. It’s time to replace it, I guess.

Activity 2 Hi-tech toys

(Audio Track 4-2-3/Audio Track 4-2-4) Conversation 1

Pam: Well, Lynn, I must be going. It was great to see you — Lynn: Bye, Pam. Pam: What’s that?

Lynn: Oh … that’s Ollie.

Pam: Ollie? I didn’t know you had a dog! Lynn: Well, we don’t … really. Pam: What do you mean?

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Lynn: Come here.

Pam: Oh my goodness. It’s a robot!

Lynn: That’s right. It’s a dog robot. They call it a “dogbot.”

Pam: How interesting! … But it’s a little strange, don’t you think?

Lynn: Well, I wanted to get an interactive toy for the kids. They love it. So I’m happy. Pam: How much did it cost?

Lynn: Don’t ask. It wasn’t very affordable. It’s cheaper than having a real dog, though. We don’t ever have to buy dog food! And the batteries are rechargeable. Conversation 2

Juliana: Hey, Henrik. Look. Henrik: What is it, Juliana?

Juliana: What’s that guy doing over there? Henrik: Which guy?

Juliana: The one over there. Wearing a suit. He’s punching so many buttons on his cell phone. Henrik: Oh, him. He’s probably playing a game. Juliana: Really?

Henrik: A lot of people have games on their cell phones. It’s really popular here in Finland. They play them everywhere.

Juliana: Do you play them, too? Henrik: Yes, I do.

Activity 3 Technology reports

(Audio Track 4-2-5/Audio Track 4-2-6)

In today’s report, we look at a new technology called pervasive computing.

Pervasive computing means putting tiny computers into everyday electronic appliances, such as toasters and microwaves. With pervasive computing, appliances can communicate with their users — and with other appliances! Some companies now sell pervasive computing products like a “smart” toaster. It remembers your favorite kind of toast: light or dark. Companies are designing a “smart” coffee maker and a “smart” clock. The coffee maker can measure the water and coffee. It can even put milk in your breakfast coffee and make black coffee in the afternoon. The clock will check the time on other clocks in your house, and give information about other appliances. For example, it can tell you, “Your coffee maker needs more water.”

And that’s only the beginning. One company is now advertising “Save time — phone your washing machine!” Engineers are making a “smart” house. In this house, the lights, heater, and air conditioner change automatically when family members come home. This makes the home comfortable, and it saves a lot of energy. Pervasive computing could change many parts of our daily lives.

But do people really want pervasive computing? Do they really need technology everywhere? One company asked people about their opinions on “smart” appliances. There were surprises. A “smart” refrigerator can buy more food on the Internet, but people didn’t want it, because it might make mistakes.

“Pervasive computing is as important as a telephone,” says Rebecca Blair, president of InnoTech Corporation. But some of these products are not useful, or even practical. Companies should learn

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more about the technology that people really want.

(Audio Track 4-2-7/Audio Track 4-2-8)

The appetite for newer, smarter mobile technology is growing. Hungry consumers are no longer satisfied with making calls and sending text messages, and phone developers are taking notice. Your modern day smartphone is not just a communication device; it also offers a banquet of features such as a music player, gaming apps, Internet browser, electronic dictionary, camera, and video recorder.

It’s hard to argue with the merits of having access to so much entertainment on the go. And it’s harder to argue with the convenience of having multiple entertainment and communication functions served up in a single device. However, some would argue that these phones are eating up too much of people’s time. It’s certainly food for thought. As phones become smarter they might indeed devour what’s left of our social and interpersonal skills. We’ll have to wait and see.

Activity 4 Rescue robots

(Audio Track 4-2-9/Audio Track 4-2-10) Local girl rescued

She may have a broken leg, but she can’t be happier. Morgan Bailey, 11, is happy to be alive.

Tuesday was like any other day for Morgan. She was at school. It was fourth period, and she was the first student to arrive in the gymnasium for her physical education class. Suddenly there was a loud noise.

“There was a sharp cracking noise and then a loud boom. After that, I don’t remember anything,” said Morgan.

The roof of the gymnasium had collapsed under the heavy snow. Morgan was trapped underneath. She couldn’t escape.

“I woke up and there was a big piece of wood on my leg. I couldn’t move it. I was starting to get cold.”

Fortunately, help was nearby. A new program using “rescue robots” was tried for the first time. ”We were nervous about using the robot,” said Derrick Sneed, the man in charge of the program. “But in the end, the robot gave us reliable information. It went extremely well.” The rescue robot was able to go into the gym and locate Morgan’s exact position.

“We send in robots first because it may not be safe for humans,” said Mr. Sneed. “Human beings are not as useful as robots in some situations. A gas leak, for example, could kill you or me but wouldn’t hurt a robot.”

Although it didn’t happen in Morgan’s case, some rescue robots can bring fresh air or water to people who are trapped.

Rescue robots go into rough, dangerous places. They work in life or death situations. They have to be durable.

Doctors say that Morgan is doing well. She should be going home in two or three days. What is the first thing she wants to do after she gets out of the hospital?”

“I want to meet my hero,” laughs Morgan. “That little robot that saved my life!”

Activity 5 Cloud computing

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(Audio Track 4-2-11/Audio Track 4-2-12)

An increasing number of companies and individuals are now opting to purchase virtual storage for their computer files and programs.

Accessibility is generally cited as the single most persuasive factor when making the switch. Being virtual, Clouds can be accessed from any computer with an Internet connection, and at any time. For those with slower Internet connections, sophisticated software accelerates upload and download times.

Cost is always a mitigating factor when it comes to choosing which technology solution to adopt. And Clouds offer maximum flexibility when purchasing storage space. No longer do companies have to make long-term investments in expensive server equipment. They can purchase only the space they require now, with the knowledge that they can easily upgrade and expand at any point in the future.

Apprehensions, about the security of data, have now been put at ease as globally recognized software firms are building in the necessary security solutions.

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