New York Times Front Page – Technology

A state of the art glider called Perlan 2 meant to travel to 90,000 feet is a project and is going to get a first hand look at the damage done to the ozone layer. Using only updrafts from the Andes mountains this glider aircraft will propel it self upwards without an engine. The height which the glider will attempt to reach will be a new record but also pose new problems for the pilot. the air is too thin for a person to even exhale and a pressure suit is too bulky to fit in such a small aircraft. The result is a makeshift pressurized cabin. The skin is also created using a reflective white color so the rays of the sun don’t weaken the epoxy. The project has not been completed as of yet and will cost 7.5 million dollars. When completed though, we will be able to see what humans have done to this planet.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/22/science/quiet-trip-to-the-ozone-hole.html?ref=science?src=dayp&_r=0

Baruch has one of the more modern technological systems in the New York State. This can be seen throughout campus, by looking at the computers, escalators, and other technology that’s available. If we visit the library or computer room, we can see that the computers are fairly modern. Baruch has computers with Ivy Bridge i7 processors which can run at super fast speeds. We also have options to borrow laptops and iPads which can help a student gain access to technology that would not be available otherwise.

Baruch also has a free software available online, and it also has a very organized blackboard system where teachers can inform students of upcoming assignments and notifications. The technology available can help students get work done more efficiently, and help upcoming students succeed in their futures.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/21/technology/tablet-makers-gear-up-for-latest-skirmish.html?_r=0&adxnnl=1&ref=technology&adxnnlx=1382400350-j+2qVybV/bQ3O6hAjUrjDQ

The race for the tablet market will be highlighted on Tuesday as Apple, Nokia and Microsoft each introduce new models. Demand for tablets has multiplied nearly 7 times since Apple’s iPad first generated interest in 2010 according to market research company ‘Gartner.’ Apple has maintained a substantial lead but the market has become more fractured as manufacturers increase offerings. Apple is expected to announce improved versions of its iPad and iPad mini while Microsoft will release new versions of its Surface Tables and Nokia will showcase a new tablet in Abu Dhabi. With competition growing, each manufacturer has developed a different approach to tablets in hopes of securing their own segment of the market.
However many tablets such as BlackBerry’s Playbook and Hewlett-Packard’s TouchPad have failed perhaps because people don’t find them very useful. Despite these difficulties companies are working hard to break into the market knowing that future profits could be largely dependent upon tablet sales. This is especially true for companies closely related to the PC market since PC sales have gone down in recent years owing to consumers’ need for increased mobility when handling everyday computing tasks. This trend will probably accelerate and tablets are expected to out-ship PCs in two years. While this remains an ever evolving and dynamic market, consumers will certainly hear more about tablets this fall, particularly this week.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/02/business/international/google-europe-antitrust-settlement-deal.html?ref=technology

Google is one of the world’s largest search engines but in the recent years they have gone way past that. Google already finished a settlement in the United States over competition, it was small and didn’t change much. However, a similar problem has popped up in the EU and Joaquín Almunia, the E.U. competition commissioner, has to take care of it. Google was about to receive a 5 billion dollar fine for violation of anti-trust laws. A settlement was made but industry groups realized it would only work to make Google’s hold in the EU stronger. As a result the previous settlement was declined and a new one drawn up. Google had to change the way search results come through. It was believed that Google searches favored their own products. The competitors of Google cannot compete fairly this way as 90% of all searches in EU. The changes were made and Google isn’t happy about it, but the must learn to compromise if they intend to keep expanding