

app
 charger
 digital camera
 digital device
 gadget
 hackathon
 laptop
 programmer
 smartphone
 storage
 tablet
 trend

small, useful or unusual devices that often use new technologies

gadget

current style, or fashion

trend

software program for smartphones and tablets (short for "application")

app

event where people create computer programs in a very short amount of time

hackathon

camera that records pictures and video as a computer file

digital camera

Future Tenses
There are many ways to express future meaning in English. We use different words and
phrases to talk about different kinds of future meaning.
In this unit, we are going to look at how we use be going to to talk about future plans. We
are also going to talk about how we use the Future Simple and Future Progressive to talk
about predictions.
Going to Future
We use be + going to followed by the base form of the verb to talk about plans we have
made and actions that are about to happen very soon.
 Look at the smoke coming out of that computer! It is going to explode!
 I am not going to attend the computer hackathon next week.
 Are the laptops going to be on sale tomorrow?
Future Simple
We use the Future Simple to talk about events that we are sure will happen or predict will
happen in the future.
We use will followed by the base form of the verb.
To form the negative, we use will + not + be + the base form of the verb.
To form a question, we use will + the base form of the verb.
 These 3-D goggles will change the way people watch movies.
 The International Gadget Show will not move to Tokyo next year.
 Will smartphones be larger or smaller in the future?
Future Progressive
We use the Future Progressive to talk about a continuous or ongoing action which will be
happening by a specific time in the future.
We use will + be + the present participle (–ing form) of the verb.
To form the negative, we use will + not + be + the present participle of the verb.
To form a question, we use will + be + the present participle of the verb.
 By next month, thousands of people will be using our smartwatches.
 I will not be using my laptop to take notes in class tomorrow.
 Will you be charging your digital camera during the lecture?
Markers of Time
Markers of time can help us understand that an action is happening in the future. Examples
of markers that indicate the future include: later, tomorrow, in two days, next month, a year
from now.
Identifying Linking Words
Linking words join two parts of a sentence, and they let us know the connection between
the two parts. They can also join one sentence to the next. These words help us
understand a text or speech. They give us clues about what we are reading or hearing. In
this unit, we will look at linking words that show addition, contrast, and sequence.
 Addition: words such as and, also and too, give you more information.
o The phone case protects your phone and charges it.
o The phone case protects your phone. It also charges your phone.
 Contrast: words such as although, but, and yet show how two things are different.
o My camera is old, but it takes great pictures.
 Sequence: words such as first, after, and before show the order in which something
happens.
o I'm meeting with an inventor after the gadget show.
Here is a table with more linking words and their jobs:
Job Words or phrases

also, and, besides, furthermore, in

Addition
addition, moreover, too

although, but, however, instead,

Contrast nevertheless, on the other hand,
otherwise, yet

after, afterwards, before, earlier,

Sequence eventually, finally, first, meanwhile, next,
then

Digital World
Readers' Favorite Apps
 Apps are programs that give you specific information or allow you to do
different tasks on your smartphone.
Apps make smartphones more user-friendly. Viewing Web sites on a phone is
possible, but can be tedious.Web sites are hard to read on a small screen, and it's
difficult to type a Web address in the small window.Web pages
often load slowly on a phone and don't always work well.
That's why many businesses have app versions of their Web sites. Apps are
specially programmed for handheld devices, so they load quickly and fit the
screen. And to open them you just click the icon; no need to type in an address.
We asked our readers to recommend their most useful apps and here's the list
we came up with:
1. U Wing It
Want to take a vacation? First, type in where you want to go. Then, U Wing It will
tell you the cheapest times to fly to that destination.
2. Customize
Tired of your smartphone wallpaper or ringtone? Customize offers the largest
choice of wallpapers, alarms, and ringtones of any app we've ever seen. Users
can also share their own wallpaper designs on the app.
3. Culture Questing
Looking for cultural activities? This app will show you which cultural events are
taking place near you. You can search by topic, such as art, music, or theater.
4. Buy My Pic
With this app you can submit photos to a photo marketplace. Who knows? Maybe
your photo will be purchased for use in products, marketing, or advertising.
Interviewer: I'm here today at the Digi-tech 24-hour Student Hackathon. And
with me is the winning team of programmers from Stanleyville
College.Congratulations you guys! Luisa, can you tell us a little bit
about your app?
Luisa: Sure! 'Clothes Matcher' is an app for people with color blindness.
Interviewer: How does that work?
Luisa: People who are color-blind have a hard time telling the difference
between certain colors. They often can't tell if one item of clothing
matches another.
Kenny: So, we decided to create a mobile app to help them know which
pieces of clothing go together. All you need to do is take a selfie
with your phone, and the app will let you know if you're good to
go!
Interviewer: And what was it like taking part in this 24-hour hackathon?
Maria: It was incredibly hard work, but I really loved the challenge of
tackling a project that usually takes weeks or months to complete,
and doing it in just 24 hours.
Interviewer: And what about the rest of the team?
Kenny: I knew we had a great idea, but I was worried we wouldn't be
able to finish on time.
Luisa: Yeah, at the last minute we had some tricky bugs and problems
with the code. But in the end, it all worked out.
Interviewer: So, what are your plans for the future? Do you think this could be
the making of a start-up?
Maria: Well, our first plan is to go home and get some sleep!
Kenny: Yeah, absolutely! But after that we might start thinking of turning
this into a commercial product.
Interviewer: Well, good luck in whatever you decide to do. And once again,
congratulations! Back to you!
Salesclerk: Good afternoon. Is there anything I can help you with today?
Customer: I can't make up my mind whether to buy a tablet or a laptop.
Salesclerk: There are pros and cons to each. What do you need it for?
Customer: I want to go online, check my e-mail, and watch some movies.
Salesclerk: Then I think a tablet is the best option. They're cheaper, too!
Customer: Is there any difference in battery life?
Salesclerk: Yes, that's another advantage; tablets have a much longer battery
life.
Talk about the pros and cons of tablets versus laptops. What is your opinion?
Use the following phrases to help you:
I prefer using a tablet/laptop because...,
One reason I prefer using a laptop/tablet is because...
Some of the advantages of having a laptop/tablet are...
Some of the disadvantages of having a laptop/tablet are...
Use linking words to help explain your ideas.

Good afternoon. Thanks for contacting O&T Electronics. How can help you today?
14:33

Javier

I'm interested in buying a laptop or tablet, but I can't make up my mind.

14:34

Sales Clerk
There are pros and cons to each. What do you need it for?
14:36

Javier

Well, I'll be using it for college, for writing papers. But I'll also be carrying it
everywhere.
14:37

Sales Clerk

A laptop has more processing power than a tablet, but it is heavier to carry.
14:39

Javier

Do you stock any hybrid laptops?

14:40

Sales Clerk

Yes, a laptop and tablet in one might be the perfect solution for you.
14:41

Javier

I think you're right. That sounds like a great idea!

14:42

Sales Clerk

I'm glad I could help! Thank you for contacting O&T Electronics.
Tech-Trend Gadget Expo
The biggest gadget show in the country!
Learn about the latest trends in technology.
You'll see the latest and greatest in:
 Smartwatches and other wearable technology
 Cameras
 Computers
 Computer gaming
 Apps
 E-books
 Smartphones
 3-D printers...and more!
Attend one of our many lectures, including:
 'The Future of Fashion: 3-D Printed Clothing' Learn about the technology that lets
you print out clothing you can wear.
 'The Internet of Things: When Everything We Own Will Be Smart' We have
smartphones and smartwatches. Soon our homes will be filled with smart objects.
 'The Future of Gadgets and Gizmos' Find out what gadgets we'll all be using in the
next 5-10 years

Visit the Interactive Zone,

where you can try out new tech devices. Drop byThursday's flash sale
(12:00 P.M. — 4:00 P.M.), and buy gadgets at discountedprices!
The show will include demos, speakers, entertainment, food, and lots more!
Thursday, October 20th – Sunday, October 23rd
at the Piedmont Convention Center
Seattle, Washington
8:00 A.M. – 5:30 P.M.

TechNews Blog
Tech-Trend Gadget Expo
Posted 4 hours ago by TechNews contributor: Enzo Rossi
I just got back from the annual Tech-Trend Gadget Expo. And it was as fun and exciting as
usual. There were gadgets galore! This year there was even a section for people to try out
the latest gadgets and tech devices.I got to fly a picture-taking drone!
But what was the main focus of this year's show? Smart objects. But I don't mean just new
and improved smartphones or smartwatches. I mean smart everything - smart TVs, smart
cars, and smart kitchen appliances. Almost any object I could think of was there, connected
to the Internet or smartphone, gathering and giving information.
There were many wearables that monitor health. Some were bands you wear around
your wrist that measure heart rate and blood pressure. Some wearables send health
information straight to your doctor. There was even a smart bed that uses 500 sensors to
let you know how well you sleep. It sends the results to your smartphone, tablet, or
computer.
This trend, to connect objects to a computer device to make it smart, is called the Internet
of Things. I attended a lecture on the topic, and learned that soon, we'll find the Internet of
Things in all areas of our lives. We'll have smart homes, smart offices, and smart
cities. Then, the Internet of Things will no longer be a trend. It'll just be a way of life.
Narrator: Listen to part of a podcast on new trends in technology.
Hannah: The Internet of Things. This is podcast #21 of More to Know. I'm
Hannah Keaton. All you techies out there may have heard of 'The
Internet of Things.'What is the Internet of Things? Technology
forecaster, Jules Wright, is here with us today to answer that
question. Welcome, Jules.
Jules: Thanks, Hannah. Pleasure to be here.
Hannah: Jules, tell us about the Internet of Things.
Jules: Well, you know how there are smartphones and smartwatches? The
Internet of Things (also known as IoT) refers to the idea of making
all devices 'smart' by connecting them to the Internet. Everything
from your clothes to your coffeemaker will be able to get and send
information. For instance, a bed that will help you get a more restful
sleep by tracking your sleep patterns. A device in a flowerpot will
remind you to water your plant. Your alarm clock will wake you up
earlier if there's heavy traffic on the way to work. A refrigerator will
keep track of how much of an item you have, and order more of it
online before it runs out.
Hannah: That's very cool. And what will make these objects smart?
Jules: They'll have special electronics and software inside, plus a continuous
connection to the Internet. And they'll send and receive information
using sensors and other technology. But the ultimate idea behind IoT
is that objects will communicate with each other. They'll do this by
collecting and exchanging information. When you're driving home in
the winter, for example, your car will tell the heating system in your
home to raise the temperature. So by the time you get home, it'll
already be nice and warm.The Internet of Things is expected to affect
almost every part of our lives.Our world will be one big information
system.
Hannah: That sounds very exciting. However, it sounds almost too good to be
true.There must also be some drawbacks to IoT. We're going to take
a short break for a message from our sponsors. When we return,
Jules will share with us some of the possible disadvantages of the
Internet of Things.