[Freddy]

...Meet Laura the talking head.

Quote :

"I'm not sure how to write this story, so I'll just give you the details. Microsoft is working on a virtual talking head (with only a face and neck) which appears on your PC screen and serves as your personal lady-slave. Named Laura, she handles appointments, books airline flights, and is capable of some sophisticated decision-making abilities such as assessing your personal mood based on clothing choice and interactive nuances, at least according to Ashlee Vance of the New York Times. Let's hope Laura is not another Bob, and is not the beginning of a 1984-like Big Sister."

Full story : http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/41600/113/

They never heard of Ultra Hal ?

[Maviarab]

Whats a Ultra Hal? heh 

Hope she not as annoying as that damn paperclip 

[Carl2]

  Eight cores to run it,  thay moved from a full body to a talking head and it takes a eight core processor to run it. 
Carl2

[Freddy]

Yeah couldn't agree more.  They're not really streamlining it are they...

[GT40]

Not planning to change my Pentium IV with XP. Not at all.

But if Laura IS Emily... 

[Dante]

Am I the only one who notices MS likes to *expletive* make things completely useless?

8 cores? I'm sorry, but why can I run a perfectly good full-body avatar that looks realistic on a duel-core system and only have a 1/6th of ONE CORE busy with it?

Christ almighty.


WHY the HELL would I waste that much processing power on a graphical frontend?! Sure, 30 years or so I'll be happy to do so. All this is going to do is make the tech even more unpopular!

[Freddy]

They're probably thinking that in five years time when we eventually get this out, people are going to be on 8 cores or more, so let's not bother making efficient code, lets just rough it up and flog it.  That would save them development costs.  I agree it sounds far too bloated for my liking too.

[Art]

In the very near future, MS is going to market a small device that plugs into your house and communicates
with your modem, TV, computer (though you really won't need it), and a plethora of devices and appliances.

It will basically transform your house or apartment into a "smart home" and will allow for communication with
your financial institutions, creditors, service and supply industries, credit bureau, bill paying, scheduling and
practically every facet of your home and lifestyle.

Then,,,suddenly...as if awakening from an overwhelming dream...I woke up!!

[Maviarab]

hmmm....but will she then get up, clean the car and feed the cat for me so I can stay in bed? hehe....

[Dante]

Art: Sounds more like a nightmare..I can picture the scene now...

You are rudely awakened...

"Good morning sir! We've made you some toast and redecorated your house!"

"Why, thank you!"

*look at toast*

...uuuhh...why has this toast got the Windows logo on it?


No reason at all sir!

...o...k...

*goes to living room*

What's happened to my comfey chairs?!

"They weren't Microsoft certified, Sir. We removed them otherwise we'd have to either leave, messing the place up before we did. Or burn down the house"


*looks around at the wallpaper*


And according to this new wallpaper, I have a crush on Steve Ballmer?

"Of course sir! We thought we'd spare you the time and sent all your money to him!


*throws chair at robot*

"Sir! Do not do that! That's Steve Ballmer's trademark!




....ok, rant-come-story over.


Maybe in like 30 years or so time when that computing power is more or less titchy.

[Art]

OK...all jokes aside, such technologically advanced homes actually do exist! Although it is probably best to incorporate everything into the initial plans and construction of your house, one can add individual components as one wishes or can afford until the house is as you like.

Thankfully the products are not from Microsoft nor do they require Windows to run in all cases (most but not all).

X-10, Insteon, Z-Wave and others help light the way!

[Dante]

I'm happy to report there are MANY Linux home-automation systems out there