USB Provides Bank Security

IBM has developed a USB type device that protects people doing online banking. The USB creates a secure channel to the bank's online transaction server. The USB can even bypass the user's PC and avoid any virus or other malware on the computer!

The user logs on and validates transactions using the display on the device. Extra security can be added by inserting a smart chip in the device that will prevent "man-in-the-middle interceptions."

The USB is called a Zone Trusted Information Channel and is ready to start banking trials. Another great thing is these devices need no new software and they run on all major client operating systems. 

Because this device looks like it can be integrated into use so easily, I think this USB will be a big help in making sure online banking is secure and will allow more people to feel comfortable using online banking. I would use it!

Elbot comes close to passing the Turing Test

On the lovely Friday before the Georgia-LSU game, Dr. Shamp discussed Artificial Intelligence and the Turing Test in class. The Turing Test was designed by Alan Turing, a famous Britain code-breaker, in the 1950s. In order to pass the test, the machine being tested must convince 30% of the human interrogators he is human.

Over the weekend, at the 18th Loebner Prize for artificial intelligence, a new computer named Elbot convinced three of 12 human interrogators he was human. That is one human short of passing the 30% mark! Elbot is the first machine to come close to passing the test. 

It's scary to think that some machines have enough A.I. to make humans think they're also humans and not computers. However, I had a conversation with Elbot (have your own by going to www.elbot.com!), and I wasn't sure how he managed to convince three people he wasn't human. 

For the most part, I found him to be sarcastic and cocky, and I thought he discussed how he cleaned off his rust spots way too much. He did have a few nice things to say and after I complimented him on his niceness, he told me, "for a human being, you're somewhat nice yourself. If only you had wires..."

Hmm, nice with an edge. Ultimately, I think we have a long way to go before humans need to be concerned about A.I. becoming as just like humans because though Elbot is smart and does seem to have a bit of personality, Elbot can never take the place of real human compassion.

Interactive Art in Milwaukee

An exhibit called "Art/React: Interactive Installation Art" is making its world premiere at the Milwaukee Art Museum through January 11, 2009. This exhibit features pieces that allow viewers to move through a space and create art.

For example, the museum's signature piece will probably be a piece called "Healing Pool" by Brian Knep. As visitors walk across the piece, the orange, red, and yellow shapes transform behind them. Knep said, "[This piece] is about the scarring that happens through the healing of a wound, as well as aging and growing through change. At any point, the floor will reflect everyone who has walked across it." 

Other pieces include "Echo Evolution" which uses ultrasonic scanners to find people moving and then creates the sounds of things spinning such as quarters or wine glasses with the help of changing neon lights. "Peg Mirror" is 650 circular wooden pieces that mimics the movements of viewers.

This exhibit marks the first time that viewers at the Museum create art just by walking through it instead of by using keyboards and mouses.

The guest curator Geoge Fifield said, "Previously, art has always had to be passive. You look at a painting, you listen to music, you read a book and you experience it but ... you're merely receiving it, and with interactive art you are actually doing it. You are changing the path you are traveling through and in many ways, as you can see here, you are changing the artwork itself."

I think this new interactive art will be great for the art world. Not only is it a new, exciting type of art, but interactive art also adds an emotional element to technology.

As Knep, the artist behind "Healing Pool" said, "it's exciting to try to make technology less soulless and isolating."

YouTube Tests Full Length Shows

Google is all about earning money with YouTube and has found a new way - by combining full TV episodes and advertising.

Recently posted on YouTube are 15 50 minute TV episodes from Star Wars, Beverly Hills 90210, and MacGyver. Included in the videos though are prominent ads that play at the beginning, middle, and end for 15 seconds each. These ads include ads from Motion in Research's Blackberry and Intel's Centrino chip technology.

The article about these new videos on CNET.com said, "It's an experiment in video display and advertising."

Some cool things YouTube has done to the display of the video is the new "theater view." The theater view has bright ads against a darker screen and wraps the video in red theater curtains. The "lights-out" mode keeps the traditional YouTube interface but adds the darker screen and bright ad.

If I were a big fan of Star Wars, 90210, or MacGyver I would think this new experiment with posting TV episodes to be the next best thing since sliced bread. However, since I do not watch these shows, I will more likely be spending my time watching Ugly Betty episodes on abc's website than perusing YouTube for full length TV episodes.

Slacker G2

The Slacker G2 is a portable radio player that has no subscription and no need to transfer digital files for new music. The Slacker G2 plays music you choose from radio stations on Slacker.com - and the music is all FREE!

Create a personal radio station on Slacker.com by adding bands that you like. The site will automatically find music you might like that you can also add. The cheaper Slacker G2 ($200) holds 25 radio stations. The device holds 2,500 songs so when you hook the Slacker G2 to your PC or Mac, the songs from your personal radio station transfer to the device.

Another cool thing about the Slacker G2 is that you can refresh all of the songs on the device with new songs just by hooking it up to your computer or by using WiFi.

There were some problems such as the device shutting down without explanation and the fact that the device takes a really long time to refresh songs (it's recommended to refresh your playlist overnight).

Despite these problems I think the Slacker G2 has lots of potential. Being able to download free songs from a variety of different radio stations and ALSO being able to put these songs on a portable music player to take with you anywhere is awesome!

However, the Slacker G2 is no iPod so I would probably shell out $200 toward a new iTouch (or even better, an iPhone!) instead of a Slacker G2 - even though the music is free. It's just the price I have to pay for wanting to be one of the cool kids.