From the Inside Out

Tweet-aholics are most likely applauding today’s announcement from Ford Motor Company at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Vegas. Ford plans to help people drive under the influence — the influence of Twitter, that is. Ford plans to put new technology in its cars to enable people to hear their Twitter feeds read aloud while they are driving. It’s expected that drivers also will be able to post tweets verbally in the next 12 to 18 months even though that capability wasn’t formally announced today.

MyFord, a new computer in the dashboard of new Ford vehicles, will make it all possible. The system features a voice-controlled interface with an 8-inch touchscreen display, USB ports, Wi-Fi capabilities, and support for smartphone applications like Pandora, Twitter, and Stitcher. In addition, drivers can use voice commands to control everything from their stereo to A/C to phone. When parked, you can use the touchscreen display to surf the web, but once you start driving, it is disabled for safety. Ford will roll out the new system in its new Edge and Focus models first, but the company expects the technology to be installed in 80% of its vehicles within five years.

Some safety groups are criticizing the new technology saying it’s too big of a distraction for drivers, but I disagree. How is listening to a Twitter feed any different than listening to a radio broadcast? Furthermore, it’s much safer than someone fumbling with a mobile device and taking their eyes off the road to read the screen while driving. With the rise in deadly accidents caused from texting while driving, I think the verbal prompts are a much safer alternative. Personally, I’m a big fan. Anything that doesn’t force a driver to take his eyes off the road is a positive in my book.

The only downside: becoming even more addicted to Twitter.

I saw this on Twitter and just had to share it because it’s brilliant. Louis Gray depicts the Christmas Story, as told through Twitter. Those of you who are tweeters will love it! To see the original, visit louisgray.com.

JosephOfGalilee: AFK for a bit w/@MaryofNazareth. Headed to Bethlehem. #caesartax

JosephOfGalilee: @MaryofNazareth says no baby tonight. But can’t be long now.

MaryofNazareth: Off to Bethlehem! Hope we find a good inn. @JosephOfGalilee waited until last minute. #caesartax

MaryofNazareth: Bethlehem is a zoo. @JosephOfGalilee says @InnKeeper1 claimed “no room”. Uh-oh.

JosephOfGalilee: No room at the inn. @InnKeeper1 and @InnKeeper2 both. Kill me now. @MaryofNazareth not looking happy.

MaryofNazareth: RT: @JosephOfGalilee No room at the inn. @InnKeeper1 and @InnKeeper2 both. Kill me now. **Anyone???** #caesartax

JosephOfGalilee: @InnKeeper3 says ‘no room’, but to go to a stable. Like animals. @MaryofNazareth beside herself.

MaryofNazareth: Now at a stable. Surrounded by animals. Baby is coming. If not for baby, I wouldn’t even talk to @JosephOfGalilee right now.

JosephOfGalilee: Baby on its way!

JosephOfGalilee: Baby has arrived! @MaryofNazareth says its name is Jesus!

JosephOfGalilee: Jesus now wrapped in cloth, placed in manger. @MaryofNazareth very tired.

Sheepmaster: WHOA. Just got visit by an angel. Said baby was born in Bethlehem. Going to check this out with @ShepherdDude and @Flockof240.

Flockof240: RT: @Sheepmaster: WHOA. Just got visit by an angel. Said baby was born in Bethlehem. Going to check this out.

ShepherdDude: @Sheepmaster @Flock240 that was wild. And sheep slept right through it!!! LOL

WiseOne: Big star looks to have arrived. @WiseTwo and @WiseThree, the night we were waiting for is here! A new king! #bigstar

WiseThree: RT: @WiseOne: Big star looks to have arrived. The night we were waiting for! #bigstar

WiseTwo: On my way to meet up with @WiseOne and @WiseThree. Bringing myrrh. #bigstar

MaryofNazareth: Jesus has arrived! Tired.

MaryofNazareth: Shepherds coming to the stable? What now? @JosephOfGalilee going to see.

ShepherdDude: With @Flockof240 @Sheepmaster. On way to stable in Bethlehem after visit from an angel. Crazy!

Sheepmaster: Stable is in sight. Nervous.

JosephOfGalilee: Shepherds say they saw an angel and came to see baby Jesus. @Flockof240 seems nice.

WiseThree: Looking to meet new king. First will see @KingHerod with @WiseTwo and @WiseOne to see if star prophecy was right. #bigstar

WiseTwo: @WiseThree and @WiseOne are here. @WiseOne brought gold and @WiseThree has frankincense. Hope my myrrh is ok. #bigstar

WiseOne: Meeting with @KingHerod went okay. Doesn’t know of new king but asked us to report back. Back on the trail with @WiseTwo and @WiseThree. #bigstar

WiseTwo: Star in the East is bigger than I have ever seen. @WiseOne @WiseThree #bigstar

JosephOfGalilee: More visitors on their way. Three this time. @Flockof240 @ShepherdDude and @Sheepmaster with @MaryofNazareth and Jesus.

JosephOfGalilee: This night is nuts. #caesartax

WiseThree: Met @JosephOfGalilee and @MaryofNazareth. Gave gifts to the baby king at stable. Leaving now.

Flockof240: Just saw three magi and the child who would be king. Long night. Headed back to pasture.

JosephOfGalilee: The visitors said they were magi. Brought incredible gifts. @MaryofNazareth and I finally calling it a day. What a day.

MaryofNazareth: @JosephOfGalilee says we have to go. Can’t tell you more now. @FatherOfJoseph @MotherofMary

How cool is this? University of Wisconsin doctoral student Adam Wilson recently sent a Twitter message by using his mind instead of his hands. Using a cap equipped with electrodes that monitor brain activity, he simply concentrated on the letters he wanted “typed” and then focused on the word “twit” at the bottom to post the tweet. “Spelling with my brain,” was one of the first messages sent.

The way it works is interesting. All the letters are displayed on the computer screen, and they flash individually. When the letter on which you are focusing flashes, your brain registers that change. This momentary change in brain activity is read by the electrodes in the cap, and the corresponding letter is typed on the computer screen.

Wilson wants to use this technology with patients suffering from “locked-in syndrome”, a neurological condition that paralyzes people but leaves their mind intact. It provides an efficient way for them to communicate in a normal fashion, and at a distance. Twitter also provides the opportunity for these individuals to interface online with people who wouldn’t necessarily know that they are disabled, which could be empowering.

While they don’t know when this might be commercially available or how much it would cost, it does have the potential to change the way we interface with computer systems in the future. Wouldn’t it be great if I could just type this blog using only my thoughts instead of my hands? Maybe one day, I will.