ChromeOS Getting Ready for Tablets?

Chrome released a new home page for all beta and dev users a few days ago and it seems like an oddly familiar interface. Maybe you would agree, take a look at the pic below.

Yeah, the old scroll interface is finally gone. It seems to be less computer savvy (although much more sleek) and also much more versatile. And although this is speculation, it could mean that ChromeOS is getting closer to a release on a tablet. Like Android(also Google owned) chrome OS is planned to be ported over to tablets at some point in the future. Although it seems to be far away, at least this update is a step into the right direction, and a step to a cleaner looking homepage! (Anyone else have so many apps that it just looked kind of messy when you scrolled down...If you want to add to that mess you should click HERE to get daily RoboTechEd updates!)

Let me know what you’re thinking on Twitter or the comment box below!

Roboweek is Here! Are You Ready?

Today’s pretty exciting, for a few reasons. First of all, the second annual #Roboweek starts TOMORROW. And no, I’m not messing with you. National Robotics Week is a real event (nationalroboticsweek.org), and is a week long of celebrating...well you know...robots! I don’t know about you, but I plan on celebrating all week by the only way I know how - blogging! Everyday throughout #roboweek I will be posting solely about robots, so make sure to check back here daily! To find out about local #roboweek events, follow @roboweek and tweet all of your traditions and news to them using the #roboweek hashtag. Robots everywhere are begging you! They need a week of appreciation (you would too if you worked over 100 hours a week)!

The second big announcement is that I have developed a Chrome app for RoboTechEd! That’s right, you can now get easy access to your favorite indie blog! Click HERE to download it, and don’t forget to rate it! Feel free to give any help and suggestions by tweeting @Roboteched or emailing me HERE. It only takes 5 seconds, and will guarantee you never miss a #Roboweek post!

Are you ready for #Roboweek? What do you have planned?less than a minute ago via web Favorite Retweet ReplyTaylor Niver
RoboTechEd

Google+1 - Combining Friends With Your Searches

Google released their newest social-network feature recently, calling it ‘Google +1’. And although 50% of my posts have to do with Google (yeah I am somewhat obsessive), I think this is one of their neatest ideas yet. G+1 is built into Googles new profile pages, and is a simple way to say “This is a website worth checking out, but not worth tweeting”. It is a little button next to a Google search result, that says +1 (duh). When you click the button it adds an update to the +1 page on your Google profile; so that all of your Google pals can see what you've been searching (Click HERE to see my recent +1s).

But what really is making this +1 feature look promising is its ability to weed out the useless search results. You know, searching ‘RoboTechEd’ and getting your favorite blog instead of some random TV show. Then, when you +1 it, Google will start to catch on that RoboTechEd is an amazing blog, and bump it higher on the search results list. Getting you the results that you are actually looking for!

To sign up for G+1 go HERE, it is still in development stages, but won’t affect your performance (so there’s no reason not to). Also, check the this video for more info, and make sure to +1 RoboTechEd on Google! And Tweet this post so your friends can, and their friends can too! (a guy can dream cant he?)

What do you think of Google +1? Are you testing it? #ilovegoogleless than a minute ago via web   Favorite | Retweet | ReplyTaylor Niver
RoboTechEd

Dorm Room Automation 01 w/ Arduino

So my year is almost over, and I have some overly ambitious goals for next year. My future room mates and I want to automate our dorm room (Yeah, that IS my college life). And with my new Arduino and Ethernet shield, I definitely have the materials. And after a few late nights, I now have a working code.

In the video below you see me display a message, and change a RGB LED. I used an LED instead of a motor because I only have one motor, and my Arduino doesn't give out enough power to run it. But the code is the same, you just hook up the LED output to a transistor or even directly to a motor (if you need to change the code, feel free to ask for help). The hookup is pretty simple, and is typed out in the code itself - but could change depending on what LCD screen you have, so yet again feel free to ask for help (tweet me @roboteched or post below).

This part of the code in my final room automation will take place every 30 seconds, so that other code can be executed in-between (like temperature, light switch controls, etc). To do this I use the Time library on Arduinos website. My next goal is to control the LCD using a ShiftOut IC. If you have any ideas, or know how to do this, let me know and I’ll reference you! Check back sometime within the next week for an update on my next project.

CODE DOWNLOAD