The estimated reading time for this post is 4 minutes
I’m a big fan of tech. You probably knew that, but sometimes tech can go wrong and then I’m not a fan. While we may be in awe of the latest gadget, invention, or device, every so often tech leaves us scratching our heads.
Here are three cases of tech gone wrong.
Tech Tattoos
Cutting edge tech news: Nokia has just applied for a patent for a tech tattoo. No, it’s not a patent for a tattoo of an iPhone or iPad (I’ve never gotten a tattoo of an iPad, but I imagine it would be quite painful), this is Nokia, not Apple. The patent is for a tattoo that has electromagnets embedded in it allowing your tattoo to connect to your smartphone and vibrate when you receive a notification. You can set up notifications for events such as your cell phone ringing, a new email, or a notice from Twitter and/or Facebook.
Think about it. You would never have to miss another call. Or an update about your friend’s cat. Or an email notifying you that you have won the Nigerian lottery. You would literally have your finger on the pulse of tech. Or your arm. Or whatever other part of your body you choose. Be careful not to select too many options for tattoo notifications to avoid being mistaken for having a seizure.
So, is Nokia’s patent the best idea since the wheel or a new level of creepiness? Vote in the poll and let us know what you think!
Although I should probably save this revelation for a post where I’m forced to reveal something about myself, I confess here that I have no tattoos. I have plenty of friends with plenty of tattoos, a/k/a body art, but I have no tattoos at all.
It’s not because I’m wimpy (I’m not) or uncool (I definitely am), but because I try to avoid decisions that affect me for the rest of my life. I’m way too fickle for that. My marriage and kids have been great decisions, but that’s about as far as I go with life-altering choices.
GoJo
In another story, unrelated to tattoos (this is a tech blog, not a tattoo blog in case you’ve forgotten by now), ZDNet has declared the GoJo Hands Free Handset the Worst Gadget in the World. For the curious, here is a video showing what exactly the GoJo Handset can do:
So what does the GoJo handset do that makes it the World’s Worst Gadget? It uses a suction cup to hold your phone next to your ear for hands-free calling. That’s right, you put the phone next to your ear and the handset will hold it.
But that’s not all!
GoJo will hold up to a 5 lb (2.27 kg) laptop up to your ear. So if you’re looking for a gadget that will adhere your laptop, iPad or landline phone to your head, you’re in luck! Just don’t tell them that The Wonder of Tech sent you.
Google Ads
Google has applied for a patent on technology that would listen to the background noise of your cell phone and scan images from the photos on your cell phone to target ads for you. So if you take a picture of the Liberty Bell with your Android phone, a Google ad might pop up directing you to Pat’s Cheesesteaks.
You may be thrilled with this new tech if you take a picture of yourself and an ad for a modeling agency or beauty contest appears. But if an ad for a plastic surgeon or the local gym pops up, then this probably won’t be your favorite tech.
This patent hasn’t been awarded yet and this tech may never be implemented. But creepiness definitely has been raised to a new level.
Bottom Line
Sometimes I wonder about tech.
What do you think of tech tattoos? Would the opportunity to get a buzz every time you got a phone call or an update be a truly great advancement in technology? Are you looking for a device to hold your laptop up to your ear? Would you like getting ads targeted to the pictures you take on your phone or the noise in the background of a cell phone call? Are you curious or apprehensive about what tech is in your future? Let us know in the Comments section below!
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I am taking a break from the Internet and going on vacation beginning today. I will still be posting articles while I’m away, so check in often! I will return on April 9 to respond to comments and see the results of today’s poll.
* Liberty Bell image by Chris Brown
* Pat’s Steaks image by Kim’n’Cris Knight
Interesting poll Carolyn!
Honestly speaking, all these 3 tech things are news to my ears! May be because I really am not much into gadgets and things of the kind 🙂
Speaking of myself, I would never want any kind of buzz every time I get a phone call or an update – that would get too much for me! Nor would I ever want a device that would hold my laptop up to my ear!! I wonder how would I ever write on that- I guess I am happier this way 🙂
I guess I would prefer being the simple me, as I am really not much interested in all that the future holds regarding these tech gadgets 🙂
Thanks for the wonderful information about them though!
Enjoy your trip, though I marvel as to how you manage to write all the posts well in advance and keep posting them even when you are not around! 🙂
Hi Harleena, you know I really appreciate you stopping by each post and commenting, even though you aren’t into gadgets. I try to make tech fun and interesting for non-techies!
I usually write about great tech, but I have to wonder sometimes when tech doesn’t seem like an improvement!
Have a great weekend, Harleena. 🙂
I forgot to mention, Harleena, that I wanted to give Wonder of Tech readers lots of goodies while I’m away. I have some great articles schedule for the next week, starting tomorrow!
I always do love to read about them and learn things I really don’t know much about, and your blog does just that for me 🙂
I will be right here- looking forward to all the wonderful goodies coming up next week 🙂
Have a nice trip 🙂
Hi Carolyn,
The first one is really stupid, but people who have tattoos are. Except maybe for small discrete ones. The second one is useless. The third one is mildly amusing. I take a photo of a circus and see adverts for elephants for a week… I hate to think what would happen if I took a photo in the local red light district!
The weather has changed but I hope we will have better light tomorrow. I won’t go far until my car has been in the garage. I have to see whether the stupid people are still queuing for petrol too. I might top up we could still see a tanker drivers strike after Easter. Worst still, the government could give motorists more ‘advice’.
I don’t think that people who have tattoos are stupid! (And yes…I have one small, discreet tattoo…). But I agree that the tech tattoo is ridiculous! And the Gojo even more so – that looks like a joke. The 3rd idea is not horrible, but probably not something I would ever use. Interesting post though Carolyn!
Hi Ruth, I agree, people with tattoos are not stupid, but I disagree that google basing ads on the pictures you take with your Android phone is a good idea. That just sounds very creepy to me.
I’m glad you enjoyed the post, Ruth!
Hi Mike, I have to respectfully disagree with you about people who have tattoos being stupid. I know some truly brilliant people with tattoos. :-bd
I hate gas lines. You spend so much time in gas lines using up the petrol you have. I hope the tanker drivers settle their dispute without striking.
Wow those are some great devices there! I am not going to get a tattoo that vibrates although I think that sounds pretty fun. I can actually see people using the phone holder and if I talked on the phone enough I would probably use it because my arm gets tired after about 15 minutes of talking. The last one I would probably mess with but never use effectively.
Hi Elena Ann, I use a cordless phone for my landline so when I have to talk for a long time on it, I use the earbuds from my iPhone.
I supposed the tech tattoo could be fun but I don’t know if it would just be for use with Nokia phones or all phones. The was technology changes, I could see the tattoo being obsolete before the ink dries!
Happy Vacation, Carolyn. Tech for the sake of tech does not make tech better!
Hi Janet, You’re absolutely correct, tech for the sake of tech isn’t a good idea.
You must stop by tomorrow’s blog post, Janet. You inspired it! *-:)
Hey Carolyn,
Very interesting examples. It’s the first time I’ve heard of any of them. I wouldn’t get a tattoo, tech or not, but I believe that we need failures in order to become successful 🙂
I hope you’ll have an awesome vacation. I’m in Denmark, but I’m still online, although not as much as I usually am 🙂
Invention and future tech can be an exciting narrative. Myself, I used to be a fan of sharper image. Until I laid about 5k on sharper image product to spiff up my overseas office to give it a ambiance of the future – most of that product failed within one year or less.
As I mentioned before, I changed my mobile phone on the average of 3 to 6 months for three or four years. Until I ended up with the most simple and stylish of mobile phones, the Bang and Olufson Serene – a favorite which would not be replaced until the iPhone.
I’ll be completely honest, I’m going to stay away from tattoos and implantable technologies for religious and superstitious reasons. The Revelation of John (in the New Testament) is quite clear about the mark of the beast on the hand or head- it is forbidden. And since it is ambiguous as metaphor or description, I just have to avoid all of it.
That’s not to say I’m going to judge a person who does it just because they did it. But I may judge their artistic choices. [grin] Some people lack good taste and there’s nothing that we can do about that.
Myself, I find Yakuza-style whole body tattoos can be amazingly beautiful.
No tattoos for me. I won’t do it for a variety of reasons not the least of which is because as you said it is a life time decision. I have no reason to ever consider paying a doc to remove it.
Hi Carolyn
I saw the GoJo Hands Free Handset video a couple of weeks ago. How stupid is that 🙂 Sometimes tech just goes too far in order to come up with new ideas, but it is kind of funny.
Hey Carolyn,
I find tattoo tech too intrusive and the another one very funny . Only thing Tattoo I like is the latest Van Halen Song :).
As with any tool, tech can also be misused or taken to ludicrous extent. Prime example is attaching phone to the head. But it could be useful for share traders. A better thing could be to integrate the stock market directly into their brain ;). That way they would be able to trade much faster. :).
Oh thank goodness… Carolyn does NOT like all tech. What a relief…
Although I don’t have any tattoos, it’s mainly because there’s no way in hell someone is burning anything into my skin. I just say to each his own because like you said, they all have to live with it. And Ruth, I bet yours is really cute! 😉
I think the sad thing is that everyone wants to get in on the next biggest thing so they come up with all these ideas and hope they’ll fly. Now I’m sure there are some people out there that honestly think all of these are way cool. Maybe they will be the only ones actually purchasing them.
Me, not so much.
Thanks for the report and we better not see any comment replies from you this week Carolyn. It’s time to actually spend time on that vacation doing fun things. We’ll see you when you get back. And can’t wait to hear all about your vacation.
~Adrienne
That was a really fun post Caroline. Especially loved the GoJo piece. Enjoy your holidays (I’m guessing you’re not getting an Easter tattoo) and looking forward to next week’s stories. Cheers!