Duke Zone

Back at the DEMO conference, and I found a really cool product using Java technology. What do you do if you're getting ready to go to work in the morning and have a choice of a couple commute routes? Take 101 south and hope that the airport traffic isn't too bad; take the scenic 280, then cut over via side-streets to get to work; or use either of these highways cutting between them to avoid any traffic problems? If you get Dash Express (starting later this year), you can turn on this GPS (Global Positioning System receiver) in your car, and it will show you the different routes and how long each should take. This is all calculated real-time using peer-to-peer communications with other Dash users traveling on those highways. It has all the typical mapping, searching, and navigation features of other GPS systems, but this traffic analyzer is REALLY cool.

If you have a home alarm system, you also might really appreciate uControl's upcoming product. They put a box right next to your alarm system that uses WiFi or cell phone connection to bring you information about you home - right to your web browser. Forgot to turn on the alarm when you left for work? No problem, just log in and change the status. Do you want to get an alert if your security is compromised? No problem. Same with finding out when your teenager is up and around detected by the motion sensors.