Tag: Technology Trends

The Beauty of Raleigh PR: Day 24 – Smart TV

Jasmin SessomsBlog, Entry-Level PR Job, Public Relations, , ,

Meet the Coopers. An average American family. Meet dad, a widower and a father. The Coopers win a “house of the future” with a cyber housemaid named PAT (“Personal Applied Technology”). But the house goes haywire, and it’s up to the family to defeat the system. In 1999, Smart House was released by Disney. In 2015, our world is getting closer and closer to this technologically advanced experience that Walt Disney portrayed some 16 years ago. Computers are taking a leading role in our lives.

From the Jetsons‘ flying cars and moving walkways, today’s technology has evolved to reflect some of these early animations. These developments, however, have fostered an overarching concern in the minds of many Americans: Big Brother is watching you. First, be careful what you say on your land line. Then, don’t write anything incriminating via email or text. All of these things could possibly be taken be a third party and used against you. Next thing you know, you’re a “person of interest” on a governmental watch list–or so the story goes.

While watching the news this morning, I got a slightly more frightening Big Brother update. Samsung TVs, just like the one I was watching in the privacy of my bedroom, could possibly be collecting my conversations and sending them to a third party. Samsung is warning its customers about discussing personal information in front of the television set. The policy states that the TV will be listening to your every word, waiting for a command.

With media pitching as one of our areas of expertise at Clairemont, I wonder if we will soon live in a world where people begin to abandon the TV in fear. Will technology bring more bad than good in our society, causing us to adopt older methods of communication? Or will I soon be flying into work? Those are just a few tidbits to think about before sitting down in front of the television and airing your dirty laundry.

Editor’s Note: Clairemont enthusiastically welcomes Jasmin Sessoms to our team! Follow this former beauty queen’s journey as she documents her first 30 days in a Raleigh PR agency.

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Trending: Wearable Technology

Margot HorganBlog, Clairemont Client News, , , , , , , ,

From Google Glass to the Samsung Smartwatch to everything in between, the wearable technology trend is definitely on the rise. And, with $8 billion in projected revenue for 2013 and an estimated $20 billion by 2017, the industry – and the mind-altering gadgets it’s creating – is something to watch. Below, we’ve rounded a few of our favorite wearable tech gadgets, including a revolutionary personal safety device created by Clairemont Communications client, 10 for Humanity.

Tiger Eye Security Sensor (TESS)

Developed by Clairemont client, 10 for Humanity, TESS is a hands free personal safety device designed to be worn as a piece of jewelry. With the ability to protect people of all ages from criminals and bullies, the device will sense high stress in the voice when activated by certain words such as “help,” “stop,” or “no” and instantly dispatch the police, based on GPS location. At the same time, TESS will video record the incident to aid in the identification and prosecution of criminals.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_741rnkWis

TESS is currently being developed in collaboration with top technology and safety industry leaders including: RTI International – one of the world’s leading think tanks; NC State University; and a host of other emerging technology experts and law enforcement agencies. TESS is the first product available by the North Carolina-based 10 for Humanity, which is committed to developing 10 innovative technology-based products and mobile applications that will reduce acts of violence globally by 10 percent in the next decade.

To learn more about this device, please see the TESS Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign, which is raising funds through Dec. 31 to help bring TESS to market in the spring of 2014.

Nymi

A sleek band worn around your wrist, Nymi uses your cardiac rhythm to authenticate your identity and wirelessly control things like your computer, cell phone, car, security systems and more. With a turn or flick of the wrist, you can interact with your devices seamlessly and securely. According to its creators, Nymi can replace any number of identification prompted activities, including the PIN on your credit card.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUO7Qnmc8vE

As individual as a fingerprint, your heartbeat is completely unique and can offer the highest level of security. Nymi works off a three-factor security system, meaning to take control of your identity, you must have your Nymi, your heartbeat and a smartphone or device with the Nymi app. Additionally, Nymi will feature customizable notifications for text, email and social media meaning you will never be out of touch.

Run-n-Read

With this simple, clip-on gadget, you can now run on a treadmill and comfortably read a book at the same time. Run-n-read’s technology tracks your head movements and automatically shifts the text on your tablet to move perfectly in sync with your head and eyes.

Further simplifying reading while running, you can turn the page of your book by just tapping the Run-n-Read. Additionally, the gadget operates as a simple fitness tracker, monitoring the number of steps taken and calories burned and displaying the information on your mobile device.

What do you think about these gadgets? Which wearable technology products would you add to the list?

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Next World Media Symposium

Margot HorganBlog, Entry-Level PR Job, In Our Community, , , ,

Undoubtedly you’ve heard the oft-repeated claim that technology is changing how we do things. And while some lament and others celebrate this fact, it’s becoming an inescapable truth within the communication industry.

UNC-CH School of Journalism and Mass Communication professors John Sweeney, Gary Kayye and JoAnn Sciarrino are amongst those celebrating. On Friday, Oct. 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the three are hosting the Next World Media Symposium in UNC’s Carroll Hall room 33.

The event – inspired by TED Talks – will showcase prominent industry and academic leaders with provocative views of media and branding. Keynote speaker Daryl Evans, vice president of advertising and marcom at AT&T (did you know that at $1.59 billion, AT&T has one of the largest media-spending budgets of any brand?) and others will highlight new trends, new tools and new ways to compete in changing industries of advertising, public relations, marketing and branding.

Within hours of registration opening on Oct. 4, all spots to attend the free event were filled. However, you can still stay in the loop by following the hashtag #NextWorldUNC in addition to joining the waitlist. Plus, make sure to stay tuned for a blog posts by Clairemont interns, Sam Halle and Kate Fedder, who will be attending the event and keeping us all posted on the latest and greatest tech trends!

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