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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 more about the technology that people really want.
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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.
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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
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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!”
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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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1. I used to type my term papers on a typewriter. 2. I didn’t use to wear scarves.
3. What kind of computer do you use? 4. I used my brother’s cell phone.
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1. She used the phone in her office. 2. He used to paint his own house. 3. Do you use a computer? 4. I didn’t use to eat meat.
Speaking & Communication
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Lea: I hate writing term papers! It takes forever! Steve: You’re lucky, Lea. When I was young … Lea: Oh, I’ve heard this story before …
Steve: Well, when I was young, we didn’t have computers. We used to write our papers on typewriters.
Lea: Oh, really? That sounds difficult!
Steve: It was, especially because I made a lot of mistakes. Lea: Did it take a long time?
Steve: Yes. Computers are so much faster and easier to use.
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Conversation 1
A: I think television has improved our lives because we get to see news from around the world as it happens. B: Really?
A: Yes! In the past people used to wait for days or weeks to read about overseas events, but now we can watch live news reports on television.
B: But don’t you think people spend too much time watching television?
A: Perhaps. However, I still maintain that some television programs, such as news and documentaries, can be educational and of benefit to people. Conversation 2
A: I think cars have improved our lives because we can get from one place to another so much more quickly.
B: No way! Cars are a major cause of pollution. A: Dear me! I hadn’t considered that.
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The most fun product has to be the cell phone. I use my cell phone all the time. Actually it almost never leaves my hand. It’s a good thing that it’s thin, light and portable. I love that I can do all sorts of things with it. It’s so much more than just a cell phone. I take photos with it; I use it to listen to music, and sometimes I watch movies. It’s really handy for passing the time while I’m commuting. The only negative is that the battery doesn’t last long. It hardly lasts a day before it needs to be recharged. I should add that my phone is very practical, too. I use it to communicate with my friends and family. I can’t make long distance calls to my parents as it’s too expensive, but with my cell phone I can send text messages quite cheaply.
Video Course
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Reda: I really don’t know a lot about electronics but I think that new phones … new cell phones … with ah … cameras … which have digital cameras are very cool and they’re so easy to use. And you don’t have to think all the time that you forgot the camera … you know? Because you always have it with you and that’s so smart.
Kevin: I like the laptop because it’s very, very thin. It’s maybe less than one inch and it’s about four pounds and I can carry it anywhere I want.
Alejandra: My favorite feature of my computer is the Instant Messenger. The reason for this is that it’s very affordable, fun, and convenient and allows me to chat with my friends from all over the world.
Denise: I stay in touch with my family in Brazil with like … Instant Messenger. Jackie: I use the computer for chatting online, searching the web, and downloading music.
Catherine: I have a lot of friends in New York and Philadelphia and California, so instead of talking on the phone with them, I e-mail them constantly …
Dave: My laptop computer is fun because I can do all sorts of things on it. I can write a paper while I’m on the train on the way home.
Julianna: I use my computer to surf on the Internet, to do my homework, and to work. My computer was expensive, but it is reliable.
Jonathan: I don’t really like my computer because it’s old and not reliable.
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Reda: I really don’t know a lot about electronics but I think that new phones … new cell phones … with ah … cameras … which have digital cameras are very cool and they’re so easy to use. And you don’t have to think all the time that you forgot the camera … you know? Because you always have it with you and that’s so smart.
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Prof. Morgan: Good. So change the first part and make those corrections and your paper will be great.
Tara: OK. Thanks for all your help, Professor Morgan. I’ll e-mail my paper to you later today.
Prof. Morgan: You know, technology is amazing. In high school I used to write my term papers on a typewriter.
Tara: It must have taken a long time to write a paper on a typewriter.
Prof. Morgan: Well, I was pretty fast, but I made some mistakes. Actually, the typewriters weren’t that bad. Now, as for the first computers … oh my gosh!
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Tara: What do you mean?
Prof. Morgan: The first computers were so unreliable. They used to crash all the time. And they were not as affordable or as fast as they are now.
Tara: Mine’s pretty fast, but not as fast as some of the newer, more expensive ones.
Prof. Morgan: I know! And nowadays, almost everyone has a computer. In those days, nobody had their own computer. We used to use the ones at the university. Tara: In the computer lab?
Prof. Morgan: Yeah, that’s all we had. I’ll never forget, one spring, during final exams. Everybody was working on their term papers, and the electricity went out! Tara: So? No big deal … laptops have batteries …
Prof. Morgan: Yes, but remember, in those days we didn’t have laptops. If your computer crashed, you lost everything. Tara: Everything?
Prof. Morgan: Everything. We used to lose information all the time, but that time it was terrible. Everybody lost their papers that afternoon … including me. Tara: What did you do?
Prof. Morgan: I went back to the good, old-fashioned way. Tara: You mean typewriters?
Prof. Morgan: Nope. I used something more affordable, portable, reliable, disposable, something that always worked. Tara: What was that?
Prof. Morgan: (holds up pencil and paper) The first word processor.
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Prof. Morgan: Good. So change the first part and make those corrections and your paper will be great.
Tara: OK. Thanks for all your help, Professor Morgan. I’ll e-mail my paper to you later today. Prof. Morgan: You know, technology is amazing. In high school I used to write my term papers on a typewriter.
Tara: It must have taken a long time to write a paper on a typewriter.
Prof. Morgan: Well, I was pretty fast, but I made some mistakes. Actually, the typewriters weren’t that bad. Now, as for the first computers … oh my gosh! Tara: What do you mean?
Prof. Morgan: The first computers were so unreliable. They used to crash all the time. And they were not as affordable or as fast as they are now.
Tara: Mine’s pretty fast, but not as fast as some of the newer, more expensive ones.
Prof. Morgan: I know! And nowadays, almost everyone has a computer. In those days, nobody had their own computer. We used to use the ones at the university.
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新世纪大学英语系列教材(第二版)视听说教程4学生用书 听力答案.pdf
