Feature

The Tablet Takeover: Exploring tablets like iPads as a University Tool

Laptops have been the main device for students in university in recent years. Paper and pen are long outdated, but the advantages of writing remain relevant. Many university students are moving towards tablets such as iPads, which are a bridge between writing and computing.

From Paper to Protocol: The Transformative Force of Smart Contracts in Blockchain:

Some 30 years ago, a graduate student from the University of Washington made a bold claim to mark the ‘digital revolution’ that slowly but surely, was redefining the world.

Research’s New Revolution: Edge Computing

In today's rapidly advancing digital landscape, the term "edge computing" has emerged as a key player in reshaping the way data is processed and utilized. But what exactly is edge computing, and why is it gaining so much attention?

3 Essential Technology Tools for Boosting Productivity in 2024

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, staying ahead of the curve is essential. Whether you’re a student, faculty member, or staff, integrating innovative tools into your daily routine can significantly enhance your quality of life.

Hook, Line, and Sinker: Don’t Get Reeled in by Phishing Scams!

Does Amazon want to give you a $1000 gift card? Did you apply for any jobs recently? Do you really have a package coming from UPS? Or is it a phishing attack?

Books vs E-Books: the different pros and cons of each

The question of how knowledge is best communicated is a constantly changing one. In our time, however, it is a question of electronic books or paper books.

Digital Graphic Editing Apps You Should Try

When it comes to photo editing in 2022 there are so many apps to choose from. Some aid design, while others enhance photo quality. Here are some of our favourite, underrated apps you should try!

How Technology Aids Communication

When it comes to the various ways that Technology aids communication in our time, there are various avenues to consider exploring. From AI to safety measures and uses, there are endless possibilities!

Message for Incoming Students in the Fall

Welcome to the University of Waterloo! Learn about some of the platforms and services you’ll be using as a student this fall, and how we at the Arts Computing Office can support you during your time here.

Personal Finance tips for Students

Being a student can be really expensive! From tuition to books, and food to rent, learn about some of our top tips to help manage your personal finances as a student.

Professor Spotlight: Larry Smith 

Meet Larry Smith, arguably the University’s most well-known and influential teacher. Read about his extensive past, future, and his advice for you as a current student.

Safety Apps for when Walking Alone

Walking alone is something we find ourselves doing from time to time or even every night. While this may seem like a harmless and simple thing, it can put us at risk of getting harmed when other people have criminal intentions. In order to find ourselves

Tips on how to be productive as a student

Do you often find yourself struggling to meet deadlines, distracted, or procrastinating? Have a read of some proven tactics to be more productive as a student!

Professor Spotlight: Geoffrey Fong

Meet Geoffrey Fong, a Professor of Psychology and Health Sciences at the University of Waterloo. Learn about his ground breaking research into tobacco control, and the impact it’s having around the world

A Look at GPT-3

Last year, San Francisco research group OpenAI unveiled its new Natural Language Processing Artificial Intelligence, GPT-3. The program is the third in a line of language intelligences designed by the company, and is a ground -breaking achievement across the whole field of engineered intelligence. Trained on more data than any other program of its kind, the results it generates are astounding.

Climate Models

Discover how scientists use sophisticated simulations to run experiments that can help us understand not only how our climate may change in the future, but also how it has changed throughout our history.

Self Driving Tractors

As automation continues to grow in various industries, agriculture is beginning to catch on to the trend. From self-run farms to tractors that drive themselves, it seems that the need for human involvement might be shrinking in farming. But not everyone’s happy about it, and some would prefer their technology and equipment remained unchanged.

Solid State Batteries

Are electric cars the vehicles of the future? Discover how recent innovations in battery technology could overhaul the automobile industry and overshadow the internal combustion engine.

The James Webb Space Telescope

NASA recently launched the James Webb Space Telescope. Set to replace the Hubble Space Telescope already in orbit, this new observatory features cutting edge technologies alongside improvements on Hubble’s foundation. But the project is far from perfect and traversed a long road of difficulties in order to make it into space.

Waste Incineration

Many countries around the world have begun making the transition toward burning waste for fuel. Is this a breakthrough for climate justice or just another impediment to ecological reform?

Xenobots

New research breaks down the barriers between technology and biology. Discover how artificial intelligence can design tiny robots made of nothing but living cells.

Professor Spotlight: Lai-Tze Fan

Meet Lai-Tze Fan, a sociology professor at the University of Waterloo! Learn about Professor Fan's advice to students and her time in the fields of English, media, and film theory!

Apple's M1 Chip

Apple is replacing the processor in their new devices. Their partnership with Intel has ended. Learn about the CPU based on arm architecture and x86 architecture and learn about the differences in the ACO: Winter 2022 Newsletter.

Biometric: The Future of Security 

Check out our Newsletter about Biometrics. Learn about the advantages and disadvantages of Biometric security.

Brain Computer Interfaces

Learn about brain-computer interfaces (BCI) and how they analyze brain signals and convert them into computer commands.

Domestic Robots

Meet Roomba! A domestic robot used to clean homes. Learn about the ways domestic robots are useful.

How to Use Canva

Have you ever used Canva? Canva is a free digital design website where you can easily create invitations, presentations, posters, and even social media stories. Need inspiration? View various designs and original templates made by other users!

Social Media and Mental Health

Learn about the harms of overconsumption of social media on mental health and ways to utilize social media and beat addictive phone habits.

The Global Semiconductor Shortage: Everything you need to know

Read about how the Covid-19 global pandemic caused a massive semiconductor shortage. Learn about it’s impact on the technological industry.

Windows 11

Windows 11 will be replacing Windows 10 soon! Read about the differences between Windows 10 and Windows 11.

3D Printing in Healthcare

The advancing 3D printing technology makes for a promising future in the healthcare industry. Utilizing this printing technology to create prosthetic limbs, dental implants, and organs can decrease wait time for those on organ transplant lists and further improve the quality of life for those in need of prosthetics.

Human Augmentation

Human Augmentation has greatly benefited us in our daily lives. The three types of Human Augmentation; the replication of human ability, supplementing the human ability, and exceeding the human ability continue to boost our productivity and restore our capabilities.

Message for Incoming Students in the Fall

The Safety Office would like students coming back to campus in the fall to be aware of safety precautions taken by the University of Waterloo against Covid-19. Accessibility Services has made suggestions to those who require such services.

Paramount Plus: a New Streaming Service

Tired of using the same old streaming service, whether its Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Disney Plus? Or maybe you want to keep those and add on one more monthly payment? Try paramount Plus! This new streaming service features programs from Nickelodeon and MTV, for those who might be feeling nostalgic, CBS, Comedy Central and more.

Professor Spotlight: Professor Frankie Condon

Meet Frankie Condon, an English and literature professor at the University of Waterloo and member of Aptly Outspoken! Learn about Professor Condon’s ventures before becoming a professor and her commitment as an activist to anti-racist pedagogy.

The Internet of Things

Many objects we use today, otherwise known as “things”, are embedded with sensors and other software that are used for the purpose of connecting and exchanging data with other “things” over the internet. Think about it, we can essentially control everything in our home from the lights in our house to the thermostat all from our smartphone.

What is a NFT?

Non-fungible tokens (NFT) are becoming an increasingly popular form of art work for a very high price. These original digital artwork pieces are seen as collectable items that could potentially be worth much more in the future like signed sports jerseys, or limited-edition collectables.

Wi-Fi 6

Wi-Fi 6 is the newest generation of Wi-Fi that is three times faster then the current Wi-Fi 5. Wi-Fi 6 will allow routers to communicate with more devices at once and send data to multiple devices in the same broadcast. The increased rate of data will allow users to experience faster internet.

XaaS: Anything as a Service

Cloud computing is in demand as it allows people to store and access data and programs over the internet rather than the computer’s hard drive. Anything as a service (XaaS) is a feature of cloud computing that offer a variety of services such as software, data, platform, and infrastructure which greatly benefit business.

Professor Spotlight: Elizabeth Demers

Professor, Financial Accounting, Approved Doctoral Dissertation Supervisor

Meet Elizabeth Demers, an AFM professor at the University of Waterloo. Her studies have been published in the Journal of Accounting Research, the Journal of Financial Economics, Management Science, Review of Accounting Studies, the Harvard Business Review, and other top outlets. Demers is keen on exploring intersections of new areas in order to not only challenge herself, but also others around her to think differently.

Five Helpful Sites for Students

Make Your University Experience Easier

Due to current events online learning, education-aiding apps and sites are more important than ever. The ever-increasing availability of extra-help resources makes learning easier for everyone. This article identifies 5 sites that can make your university career more enjoyable, and hopefully alleviates a little bit of stress.

Apple’s Electric Vehicle 

Production Rumored to Start in 2024

The newest Apple device is the exciting Apple electric car. The vehicle, intended for a 2024 or later release, might include entirely self-driving technology and aims to be on par with Tesla. The car is expected to feature deep integration with Apple’s existing iOS technology. As Apple continues to emerge as one of the most valuable companies in the world, their first venture into the automotive industry has the potential to take over the electronic vehicle market.

Artificial Intelligence in the Music Industry

Computing Intelligence to Musical Excellence

Artificial intelligence is all around us whether we realize it or not. From creating new experimental tunes to reimagining the classics, AI has a large impact on the music that is produced today. With the demand for music to be made in multiple genres and countless elements that can be combined, it's no wonder why the industry is looking to AI to help create new music. AI in music could revolutionize the music we listen to and unlock potentially new combinations that we have never thought of.

Data-Sharing within Social Media: A Call to Action

Are You Aware of the Tabs Companies are Keeping on You?

Social media platforms have consistently been scrutinized, especially when the topic of data sharing is mentioned. In fact, last year the United States threatened to ban TikTok from US application stores due to privacy and data sharing concerns. Facebook also came under fire in previous years due to data sharing. Therefore, it comes as little surprise that another messaging platform owned by Facebook, WhatsApp, was also publicly criticized.

How will 5G Technology Change Our Daily Life?

Connecting Your Future

5G is the 5th generation mobile network that is designed to increase speed, reduce latency, and improve the flexibility of wireless services. Compared to 4G, 5G networking is expected to enable data-driven industries, smart cities and so forth. Generally, 5G is a technical revolution that allows much more data transferring across blocks of spectrum and enables a larger capacity and better efficiency. With the implementation of 5G within our smartphones, it opens the possibility of 5G being used in our everyday lives.

Pros and Cons of the Self-Checkout Technology

Save Time, Serve Yourself

With the continuous innovation in technology and the evolving needs of customers, the retail industry is transforming towards automation. While self-checkouts certainly reduce time spent in stores, it also takes away the personal touch of interacting with other people. As per usual, disruptive innovation can cause disturbances that have negative implications, however, the positives of self-checkouts cannot be ignored.

Robinhood: A Rising FinTech Star in North America

Bringing Stock Trading to the People

Robinhood is a popular trading application where people can invest in stocks, ETFs, and options without any fees. It was reported that this platform sells access to real-time information about which stocks Robinhood’s users are buying and selling which leads to a conflict of interest. This article explores two controversies Robinhood was involved in. Can this be the end of the well-known trading app?

Talent Search of the Future

Using Cognitive Science and Games to Help Select Future Employees

There are many ways games are being used for hiring purposes today. Some are used to identify cognitive and emotional abilities of their candidates while others demonstrate critical thinking and teamwork skills. The result of some of these games shows the user what their top soft skills are, and also allows the employer you are applying to view the results as well. Gamification is an interesting way to go about the hiring process especially in the market as competitive and oversaturated as they are today.

Professor Spotlight: Jay Dolmage

English Professor & Founding Editor of the Canadian Journal of Disability Studies

Say hello to Jay Dolmage an English Professor at the University of Waterloo, founding editor of the Canadian Journal of Disability Studies and recipient of the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists, Royal Society of Canada award. Learn more about professor Dolmage’s background and how he became interested in disability and rhetoric.

Convenient or creepy?

How companies are keeping tabs on you

Online shopping has become extremely popular in the last few months. It’s ease and convenience has made shopping easier than ever. However, companies are also benefitting from customers by partaking in customer profiling. While we are shopping for our products, companies are collecting data in order to offer target advertisements to specific demographics. This article provides some more information on this topic as well as tips to reduce profiling.