C-3PO is my navigator
Yes, I am enjoying the hype over Star Wars. And no, I haven't lost my mind.
Not yet, anyhow.
Modern technology, the smart phone. You hold in your hand a very small device more powerful than the computers aboard the Apollo 11 mission to the moon. It's a communicator, a camera, a navigational device, an entertainment unit, a database of all the knowledge of the universe...Makes me think of all those great devices you'd see on Star Trek ... when I program my GPS, I hear a voice in my head, Mr. Sulu confirming, "Course plotted and laid in, Captain."
My favorite GPS program is Waze. I have it on my phone and on my iPad. It's very interactive, not only does it give you directions and show you traffic patterns, Waze members warn each other of traffic hazards such as traffic jams, accidents, police cars, red light cameras...A very useful tool.
Well, like many other apps, Waze allows you to select the voice that will be your guide. You can pick American English (Jane, Amy, Nathan), you can select British English (Kate, Thomas, Simon), you can choose a number of foreign languages (Spanish, Dutch, Hebrew). Whatever suits your needs.
And now you can choose a voice called "Star Wars", which includes C-3PO, R2-D2 and BB-8.
So now I have C-3PO telling me to "kindly turn right, Master" and warning me "Red light camera ahead. May the Force be with you!"
Yes, I am a geek.
And proud of it.
Not yet, anyhow.
Modern technology, the smart phone. You hold in your hand a very small device more powerful than the computers aboard the Apollo 11 mission to the moon. It's a communicator, a camera, a navigational device, an entertainment unit, a database of all the knowledge of the universe...Makes me think of all those great devices you'd see on Star Trek ... when I program my GPS, I hear a voice in my head, Mr. Sulu confirming, "Course plotted and laid in, Captain."
My favorite GPS program is Waze. I have it on my phone and on my iPad. It's very interactive, not only does it give you directions and show you traffic patterns, Waze members warn each other of traffic hazards such as traffic jams, accidents, police cars, red light cameras...A very useful tool.
Well, like many other apps, Waze allows you to select the voice that will be your guide. You can pick American English (Jane, Amy, Nathan), you can select British English (Kate, Thomas, Simon), you can choose a number of foreign languages (Spanish, Dutch, Hebrew). Whatever suits your needs.
And now you can choose a voice called "Star Wars", which includes C-3PO, R2-D2 and BB-8.
So now I have C-3PO telling me to "kindly turn right, Master" and warning me "Red light camera ahead. May the Force be with you!"
Yes, I am a geek.
And proud of it.
I have Waze on my phone, but haven't figured out how to use it while I'm commuting to work. I can't really look at it to see the reported traffic hazards, and I don't need directions to a place I drive every day.
ReplyDeleteMy friend Allen has a navigation program, and the voice was chosen because it is somewhat close to Majel Barrett's. His vehicle came prenamed, so the name he gave the GPS voice matches. She's Betty. Though he says she gets very insistent when it appears you're not following her directions, so now she's Bossy Betty.