The technologies of our generation are at their peak. Our hi-tech advances have ranged so broadly in the past few years, it’s insane to compare what we have available to us today to what was accessible in middle school. Keep in mind that you weren’t cool in middle school if you didn’t own the RAZR. Since this phase, Apple has blown the RAZR out of the water with products like the iPhone, MacBook, iPod Touch and iPad. These products have revolutionized and changed what our opinion of up-to-date technology really is. Topping off the Wii game system, the release of the Xbox Kinect has made our era No. 1 in advancements, leaving consumers on cloud nine.
Through motion sensors, Kinect makes it possible for a player to be physically and virtually part of the game by using an avatar in place of a controller. If you scratch your head, your avatar is virtually scratching its head. If you’re playing soccer on the screen, you are literally in your living room kicking your legs in the air, aiming for ‘the ball.’ The avatar on the screen recognizes your voice and body, making it capable for you to talk to the game, rather than using a remote control. Not only is it a gaming system, it also has access to ESPN games and HD movies through Zune, which has come in handy to many gamers.
“The Kinect can keep you gaming for days straight,” said John Watson, junior. “I’d rather have a Kinect than have a girlfriend.”
Another feature free of charge is the streaming music, leaving gamers in high spirits.
“I’m grounded, so video games are fun,” said Pualani Deckers, junior. “It doesn’t matter how you look in a video game. I can just be myself.”
However, in a generation where technology is dominant, some voices are yet to be heard.
“Teenagers have missed out on the social graces in life due to the overwhelming amount of technology they’ve been given,” said Hailey Swanson, junior. “They overall lack communication skills because they are able to hide behind their phones. It’s much easier to write something over text messaging than say it in real life.”
Others opinions differ.
“The Kinect is our generation’s must-have,” Watson said. “It’s what all the middle schoolers, high schoolers, even grandparents are playing. Our technology is so outstanding and it is increasing every day. Xbox has really outdone themselves with the Kinect. It’s a piece of technology that all ages can enjoy and simply have a great time.”
The rate at which technology is advancing is astounding, bringing the possibilities for the future to an endless list, and leaving customers pleased. Kinect has drawn the attention of those who are looking for a fun time.
“I don’t have a Kinect, but I’ve seen the commercials and have heard people talk about it. It sounds like it would be a lot of fun,” said Bryan Flavin, sophomore at Greenwood Lab school.
Our generation has evolved from being the first to text, to the first with wireless Internet capabilities in a phone. We have become the first generation to hold the capabilities of a computer in a palm-sized phone. Our phones have calculators, cameras, music players, instant messaging and Internet. Texts books have even hit the cyber world.