Technologies That Will Change the Manufacturing Industry

Today’s automated and software-driven industries can churn out products with the push of a few buttons. It takes mere seconds to create something that would have previously taken weeks or months of employee hours. The advancement of technology in such areas as 3-D Printing, the Internet of Things, and next generation robotics are leading major paradigm shifts in manufacturing that were unimaginable even five years ago. Not only do these technologies cut costs, they also decrease the time of production, which means more can be made for less. Let’s take a look at some of these innovative technologies that are changing the way products are made.

3-D Printing

One of the most exciting advancements in manufacturing technology has been the ability to ‘print’ 3-D objects. In December 2014, the International Space Station’s 3-D printer completed its first print job from a design file that was transmitted from NASA’s offices on Earth to the ISS in orbit. The tool produced by the printer was was a ratchet wrench.

Automotive manufacturers like Ford are now using 3-D printers to build prototypes and make product testing more efficient, while o-ring and rubber seal manufacturer Apple Rubber recently integrated the MakerBot Replicator 3-D printer into its business ops. 3-D printing has captured the imaginations of the general population and the manufacturing community alike, and it has evolved quite rapidly over the last five to ten years that it’s now possible to produce almost any object using metal, plastic, rubber, mixed materials and even human tissue.

Next Generation Robotics

Advancements in robotics technology are rapidly realizing the vision of full collaboration between humans and machines. As sensors improve and become much cheaper, robots are becoming more agile and precise when interacting with their environments. Meanwhile, improvements in GPS technology now allow robotic technology to do more than work on an assembly line, as these devices can now roam free to work in industries such as precision agriculture to control weeds and complete the harvest. While some have worried that robotics may take the jobs of human workers, it’s much more likely that next-generation robotic devices and machines will collaborate with workers instead of replacing them, and there’s still many a large portion of industries that haven’t even begun to adopt robotics. As Henrik Christensen, Executive Director of the Institute for Robotics, told MIT Technology Review, “In the past, robots have penetrated 10 percent of the industry. There’s still 90 percent of the industry, and that’s where you need collaborative robots.” Even when you take into account more advanced design and potential breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, human ingenuity and intuition will be difficult to replicate and will be necessary to lead most manufacturing endeavors.

The Internet Of Things (IoT)

A major technological breakthrough, the Internet of Things allows electronic devices to connect with each other via the existing Internet infrastructure so they can communicate without receiving commands from humans. This technology is growing at such a rapid rate, it’s estimated that approximately 26 billion objects will be linked together on the Internet by 2020. The major implication of IoT is we will start to see more small machines meant for specialized tasks, rather than large ones that can take on multiple duties. Since devices will be able to ‘talk’ with each other, they will be able to spread notifications in real time. For example, if one device finds a defect or failure, all the other computers will be notified instantly so the issue can be resolved. This refined form of communication will result in less downtime, increased quality, minimal waste, and lower costs overall.

Jeff Kinney Goes Old School With Diary Of A Wimpy Kid Book 10, Plus Official Cover

Greg Heffley's adventures are not yet over as he is back for the tenth offering of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. The title of the next book in the series is called Diary of A Wimpy Kid: Old School and the cover becomes black as it could get. The cover almost looks like an emo with its dark motif and purple highlights!

Jeff Kinney is very prolific and seems not to be taking a rest. He shows no sign of stopping and from the looks of it this could not be the last book from the series. Does he still have a lot of tricks to entertain us? We will all know during the book's release this year.

Check out the new cover of Diary of A Wimpy Kid: Old School by Jeff Kinney.

Synopsis

In the latest installment of the phenomenally bestselling Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, author-illustrator Jeff Kinney brings the series back to its roots, as Greg starts a new school year and faces a challenge he never could've imagined.

Diary of A Wimpy Kid: Old School by Jeff Kinney will be released on November 3, 2015.

Robert Galbraith Titles Third Cormoran Strike Novel 'Career of Evil' And To Be Published Autumn This Year

The title of the third Cormoran Strike novel has been unveiled, a news that I have been expecting for many months now. The revelation of the title brought out a new excitement in me that no other author could easily do... only J.K. Rowling, ehem I mean Robert Galbraith, can.

Robert Galbraith, J.K. Rowling's pseudonym, revealed on his website that the third Cormoran Strike book will be called "Career of Evil" and it is as mysterious as ever. He also added the following:

"The third Robert Galbraith crime novel, featuring private detective Cormoran Strike, will be published in autumn 2015 by Sphere. Robert Galbraith’s previous two novels, The Cuckoo’s Calling and The Silkworm, have both been international number 1 bestsellers. More details to come soon, including publication date."

To confirm this news, this is what Little Brown UK has to say on their twitter page.

We are proud to be publishing the third @RGalbraith crime novel, CAREER OF EVIL, this autumn. More details to come soon, including pub date.
— Little, Brown UK (@LittleBrownUK) April 24, 2015

And here is the official word for Robert Galbraith himself.

Just finished 3rd Cormoran Strike novel.
— Robert Galbraith (@RGalbraith) April 24, 2015

The best part about this news the the estimated release date, which is slated for late 2015. Yay! The cover has yet to be revealed and I hope it is soon.

Official Cover Of 'The Fate Of Ten' By Pittacus Lore Revealed, Plus Official Synopsis #LorienLegacies

I have previously posted some fan-made covers for The Fate of Ten, because obviously I can't wait anymore for the real cover. But that time has finally come as the official cover of the said book has been revealed! Thanks to MTV.com we also have an interview piece from the author, Pittacus Lore, And it is nothing short of breath taking. But take note this is only for the US edition.

The cover is of blue-greenish hue and is one of the most realistic cover in the series so far. It features an unkempt cement wall with torn and pulled off posters, forming the symbol that is not literally describing Number 10, at least that is what I assume.

Check out the official cover of The Fate of Ten by Pittacus Lore.

Synopsis

For years the Garde have fought the Mogadorians in secret. Now all of that has changed. The invasion has begun.

John is on the front lines of the fight in New York City. And just as the odds seem stacked against him, his best friend, a human, inexplicably develops a Legacy—and Sam may not be the only one. While the pair try to track down Five and Nine amidst the chaos, they encounter another teen who can wield abilities that were once only meant for the Garde. Whether she is a friend or a foe, however, is yet to be seen.

Meanwhile, Six, Marina, and Adam are trapped in Mexico. They fought their way into the Sanctuary and were able to awaken the power hidden within, but their preceding battle has left them without any way to reach the others. The Mogs are returning in full-force and it will take a miracle to escape. The Garde are stretched thin, fighting this war on many fronts. The only chance they have is to take out the Mogadorian leader once and for all—but his fate is now irrevocably tied with Ella’s. They can’t destroy one without the other. But if the Garde can’t find another way to stop the Mogs, humanity will suffer the same fate as the Loric: annihilation.

The Fate of Ten by Pittacus Lore will hit book stores on September 1, 2015.

Cover Reveal For "World's End" (Book 3 Of Pendulum Trilogy) By Will Elliott; Dragons, Baby!

In less than a year we will finally enjoy the epic finale to the Pendulum Trilogy, World's End. And as early as now we could already glean on what may happen in the next instalment of the series through the not so spoiler cover, which has been unveiled just recently.

It's still a long wait, but it gives us a chance to reread the just released second book in the trilogy, Shadow, which was released a few weeks ago. And possible still it gives as a chance to reread the earlier or first two books to solidify theories and add to your list the loose ends that you are excited to be addressed in the final book.

Check out the cover of World's End by Will Elliott.

Just look how good it would look with the previous two cover in the series:

Synopsis

The newest book in Will Elliot’s evocative fantasy triptych.

When Eric Albright, a luckless London slacker, and his pal Stuart Casey went through a battered red door under a railway bridge, the last thing they expected to find was another world. There lay the strange, dark realm of Levaal, whose tyrant lord Vous has ascended to godhood. The great wall which has divided the land has been brought down, setting loose a horde of demonic Tormentors.

In their sky prisons, the dragons are stirring, set to defy their slumbering creator and steal humanity’s world.

Shilen, a dragon who hides in human form, has convinced Eric and Aziel, Vous’ daughter, to help free the dragons from their sky-prison, or Earth will be destroyed. She promises great power, and safety for all Eric’s ‘favored’ people—but Shilen has an ulterior motive, for the dragons wish to control humankind completely.

Levaal is facing the final battle in this ages-old war between worlds and forces more ancient than any human, god or dragon.

World's End by Will Elliott will hit book stores on March 22, 2016.

I Think You Need To Watch The Second Teaser Trailer Of 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens'

The word "teaser" is such an understatement for the latest trailer of the Episode VII of the Star Wars Saga, The Force Awakens. In the trailer there were no enough new clips, as far a I am concerned, and the logos of the production companies and of the title itself even got longer screen time. But who am I to complain.... it's a good thing we only have to wait until Christmas of this year to watch the entirety of the movie. Or is Christmas still a long way ahead. My mind is totally blank right now, to be certain.

This J.J. Abrams-directed movies stars John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Lupita Nyong’o, Gwendoline Christie, Crystal Clarke, Pip Andersen, Domhnall Gleeson, and Max von Sydow. The original cast of the saga, including Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker, are back to bring in more fun to this space-defying series.

Watch the new trailer of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Episode VII in the Star Wars Saga.

No official synopsis has been release so far, so go on and speculate. Star Wars: The Force Awakens will hit cinemas on December 18, 2015.

Zack Snyder's 'Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice' Soars With New Trailer And Posters

The much awaited superhero movie from DC Comics is almost upon us -- it's less than a year now! The popularity of Batman and Superman join forces and converge to create one of the biggest Superhero movie of this age. Watch the newly release trailers and ogle over this posters until the movie's official release.

This Zack Snyder-directed movie stars Henry Cavill, Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Jesse Eisenberg, Jeremy Irons, Holly Hunter, Callan Mulvey, Tao Okamoto, Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne and Diane Lane.

Watch the new trailer of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

The official plot is still in the wrap, so we are only going to assume what's going to happen in the movie based on the trailer we just watch. But then again, as was always true the trailer are almost always misleading.

Zack Snyder's Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice will soar to theaters on March 25, 2016.

Official Cover And Synopsis Revealed For 'The Bands of Mourning' By Brandon Sanderson

At the revelation of the new cover for Brandon Sanderson's Shadows of Self, I said that it almost feels like the covers of Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden books. It's not bad at all, but a complete because I love the covers of the latter books. Now I can almost say it actually is. With the recent unveiling of the next book in the series, The Bands of Mourning, my suspicion has been somehow confirmed.

This is the third in the second generation Mistborn novels, which is labeled as Wax and Wayne series, and the sixth novel in the entirety of the series. The cover features the usual numbers of characters, which artist Chris McGrath have greatly rendered. Shiver with cold in the cover's blueness.

Check out the new cover of The Bands of Mourning (Mistborn #6) by Brandon Sanderson.

Don't they just look lovely together? Expect another book from this second generation Mistborn novel series.

Synopsis

With The Alloy of Law and Shadows of Self, Brandon Sanderson surprised readers with a New York Times bestselling spinoff of his Mistborn books, set after the action of the trilogy, in a period corresponding to late 19th-century America.

Now, with The Bands of Mourning, Sanderson continues the story. The Bands of Mourning are the mythical metalminds owned by the Lord Ruler, said to grant anyone who wears them the powers that the Lord Ruler had at his command. Hardly anyone thinks they really exist. But now a kandra researcher has returned to Elendel with images that seem to depict the Bands, as well as writings in a language that no one can read. Waxillium Ladrian is recruited to travel south to the city of New Seran to investigate, and along the way he discovers hints that point to the true goals of his uncle Edwarn and the shadowy organization known as The Set.

Mistborn: The Bands of Mourning by Brandon Sanderson hits shelves on on January 26, 2016.

'The Fate Of Ten' By Pittacus Lore Gets Official Synopsis, Plus Fan-Made Covers By Yours Truly

Pittacus Lore has been secretive, and he has been even more secretive about his latest book, The Fate of Ten. It was only a few months ago that the official title has been revealed and now the official synopsis has been revealed as well. It's as if they are dropping these things one at a time to maintain the anticipation and the thrill... and where's the cover?

It's only a few months until the book's release, but the official cover has not surfaced yet. And because of my impatience, I have created a few fan-made covers to satisfy my clawing urgent needs to see a cover of the book. In fact I have not only created one cover, but all eight of them.

Check out these fan-made covers that I created for The Fate of Ten by Pittacus Lore.

Which one is your favorite?

Synopsis

The sixth book in the thrilling, action-packed, New York Times bestselling I Am Number Four series! For years the Garde have fought the Mogadorians in secret. Now all of that has changed. The invasion has begun. If the Garde can't find a way to stop the Mogs, humanity will suffer the same fate as the Lorien: annihilation.

There is still hope. When the Elders sent the Garde to Earth, they had a plan—one which the Garde are finally starting to understand. In the climax of The Revenge of Seven, a group of the Garde traveled to an ancient pyramid in Mexico known to their people as the Sanctuary. There they awoke a power that had been hidden within our planet for generations. Now this power can save the world . . . or destroy it. It will all depend on who wields it.

The Fate of Ten by Pittacus Lore will be released on September 1, 2015.

Lifehouse Is Back With A 'Wish' And Upcoming Album ('Out of the Wasteland') Out This May

Three years of long waiting, I think, is ripe for the band Lifehouse to release a new album -- their seventh studio album, so far. Called Out of the Wasteland, the said album will be featuring a dozen of auditory goodness for its standard edition... A dozen pieces of pure joy featuring the cosmic voice of the vocalist of the band, Jason Wade. But of course don't miss out the performances of drummer Rick Woolstenhulme, Jr. and basist/vocalist Bryce Soderberg.

So far two singles have already been released from the said album. The first one was called Flight, which was released in November of last year. The most recent one is Hurricane (alluding to Storm?) that debuted in January of this year. But then it does not stop there as the band offers a new taster in the form of a song called Wish.

Listen to the new song, Wish, by Lifehouse.

For the other singles you can listen to them below.

Flight

Hurricane

If these are the indications of what we are to expect from the upcoming album, then I am totally sold. Give me some more... As for the complete list of song of the album, please check below:

Standard Track Listing
1.  Hurricane
2.  One for the Pain
3.  Flight
4.  Runaways
5.  Firing Squad
6.  Wish
7.  Stardust
8.  Alien
9.  Central Park
10. Hurt This Way
11. Yesterday's Son
12. Hourglass

iTunes Deluxe
13. Hindsight
14. You Are Not Alone

Out of the Wasteland by Lifehouse will be released on May 26, 2015.

Mitch Albom To Release 'The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto' In November

It's been more than a year since I first saw Mitch Albom here in the Philippines. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that gathered together some of his fans for a chance to meet and greet him. Literally rubbing elbows with the author was a surreal experience, because for one it is the first time that I have seen in person a favorite author of mine.

During said event the author discussed his latest and previous books. He also gave some hints on his next book, which you will see has been officially titled and the official release date has been set as well. Read on to know more details about Mitch Albom's latest novel, The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto.

Check out the cover of The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto by Mitch Albom.

Synopsis

Mitch Albom creates a magical world through his love of music in this remarkable new novel about the power of talent to change our lives

This is the epic story of Frankie Presto—the greatest guitar player who ever lived—and the six lives he changed with his six magical blue strings

Frankie, born in a burning church, abandoned as an infant, and raised by a music teacher in a small Spanish town, until war rips his life apart. At nine years old, he is sent to America in the bottom of a boat. His only possession is an old guitar and six precious strings. His amazing journey weaves him through the musical landscape of the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s, with his stunning playing and singing talent affecting numerous stars (Duke Ellington, Hank Williams, Elvis Presley) until, as if predestined, he becomes a pop star himself.

He makes records. He is adored. But Frankie Presto’s gift is also his burden, as he realizes the power of the strings his teacher gave him, and how, through his music, he can actually affect people’s lives. At the height of his popularity, tortured by his biggest mistake, he vanishes. His legend grows. Only decades later, having finally healed his heart, does Frankie reappear just before his spectacular death—to change one last life. With the Spirit of Music as our guide, we glimpse into the lives that were changed by one man whose strings could touch the music—and the magic—in each of us.

A lifelong musician, Mitch Albom’s passion shines through on every page. Written with an ear for rhythm and cadence, The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto is a classic in the making. Heartrending and inventive, Albom’s latest is infused with the message that “everyone joins a band in this life”—and that music, like love, has the power to affect us all.

The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto by Mitch Albom will be released on November 10, 2015.