Future computers – mind reading instead of touchscreens

While Intel is still concentrating on making chips that'll continue to push the performance limits of our desktops and laptops, there are researchers at the chip company looking at the next step ahead – reading our minds. New technology could allow people to dictate letters and search the internet simply by thinking, according to researchers at Intel who are behind the project. Technology for toughts “identification” currently exists as Functional MRI or functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)[youtube], but Intel wants to make this ability more sophisticated and also practical for personal use by developing the portable mind-reading gadgets.

 

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Sequoia – the 20 petaflop supercomputer

A supercomputer is a computer that represents the frontline of current processing capacity, particularly speed of calculation. They are used for highly calculation - intensive tasks such as problems involving quantum physics, weather forecasting, climate research, molecular modeling and physical simulations such as simulation of airplanes in wind tunnels, simulation of the detonation of nuclear weapons, and research into nuclear fusion. The fastest supercomputer today is Cray’s Jaguar (1.7 petaflops), but in 2011 will be delivered 15 times faster IBM’s Sequoia (20 petaflops), which will provide more processing power than the entire list of Top500 supercomputers running today or the 2 million commercial laptops.