Gadgets and Gizmos a Plenty
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Updated: 10:18 PM Aug 30, 2010
Gadgets and Gizmos a Plenty
Using a map to get you where you're going isn't the only thing falling by the wayside.
Posted: 6:42 PM Aug 30, 2010
Reporter: Alex Villarreal
Email Address: avillarreal@kbtx.com
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"Yea, I don't think I've used a land line in probably five years," Ashley White.

We're hearing, and seeing less of them because more people are moving to a completely mobile existence.

Jonathan Moreno's parents have a house phone, but he says he doesn't know why. "They don't even answer the phone, they just use their cell phones. No one even calls the house anymore."

Treys Watson said, "When I was in college nobody had a cell phone, now, we can't live without them."

How about a map? Do you know how to use one of them? Using a map to get you where you're going isn't the only thing falling by the wayside. Some stores are showing declining sales of GPS systems. Blinn's Dean of Academic Technology says it all comes down to convenience.

"You can bring that all together nowadays with the global positioning and the web internet access and so they're able to mash all that together and bring it online to your finger tips," said Dean Michael Welch.

A recent report shows cable, satellite and phone companies lost more than 200,000 customers in the second quarter of 2010.

"It's a lot cheaper to get internet than it is to pay an extra $100 a month for cable," said Moreno.

White added, "You have more control when you use the internet of what you want to watch, when you want to watch it."

"We go through sites like HULU and sites like that and just get the free TV," said Moreno.

The internet is also taking over movies and music. Less and less people are buying CD's or renting movies.

Watson said, "People at our office...use the Netflix and all that. I've seen that."

Blockbuster is about $1 billion dollars in debt and plans to file for bankruptcy in mid-September. Dean Welch says The YouTube generation is only a few years old, and has already completely changed how we use the internet.

"In the next five years, technology's really going to change and develop the way we interact with computers and how we interact with instructional material," said Welch.

Now college students are learning via video conferencing and electronic text books.

"{You} no longer you have to meet at the library, in this room, at a certain time. You can get online and all meet together," added Welch.

So what can we look forward to in the future? Keep your eyes peeled for 3-D video games, and interactive games, where its not just a controller, but your entire body interacting with the games. And yes, they will all be available to download straight from the internet.


Latest Comments

Posted by: John on Aug 30, 2010 at 09:09 PM

Thank you Captain Obvious !! Here is a little secret on something else they are working on...it is called the electric car !! They also have these panels that are able to take the light from the sun and covert it into electricity but keep that on the down low kay ?
Posted by: College Station Mom on Aug 30, 2010 at 07:46 PM

Last week I bought a new cell phone, a Dell Streak. I've had iphones and a blackberry. With this phone you dont need a computer or a TV. It does it all!
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