It’s All Connected! (2)

Some Fears
Some critics fear that the IoT could end up being a fad that people lose interest in over time. Having Twitter feeds on refrigerator doors may sound cool at first, but the attraction could fade as quickly as the excitement over last year's smartphone! Other critics are doubtful that companies making Internet-connected appliances will provide long-term software updates. If that happens, a refrigerator or washing machine that should last 10 years or more could last two or three due to software that's outdated.

A Positive Example
Early this year, owners of the Tesla Model S electric car received a recall notice alerting them to a charger plug needing to be fixed. Amazingly, owners of the Model S sat back while the company performed an "over the air" wireless update. Customers confirmed the update by tapping on the car's touchscreen console to see that the Model S was running the latest software version. No trip to the dealer was required!

Perhaps Tesla's remote fix is a sign of things to come. Someday soon, people's lives might become a lot more efficient and convenient thanks to the IoT.


Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Suprafixed Verbs 超音綴
超音綴
英文裡頭有很多動詞是可以當名詞或形容詞用的,
但是要注意同一個字詞性不一樣時發音也會不一樣,
例如: record, permit, present, perfect

Grammar Gym
Having Twitter feeds on refrigerator doors may sound cool at first, but the attraction could fade as quickly as the excitement over last year's smartphone!
[Something] may sound [adjective] at first, but the attraction could [verb] as quickly as [situation].

- Riding in an old wagon may sound fun at first, but the attraction could go away as quickly as a leaf in the wind.

- Being sick and staying at home may sound great at first, but the attraction could wear off as quickly as a pair of paper slippers.

Language Lab
fad n.
something that people like or do for a short time, or that is fashionable for a short time:
- Johnson's interest in piano is only a passing fad.
- There was a fad of people wearing neon-colored clothes a few years ago.

feed v.
feed on something phrasal verb
if an animal feeds on a particular food, it usually eats that food:
- Squirrels feed on nuts.
- Sheep feed on grass or plants.
feed on 以某個東西為能源
if a feeling or process feeds on something, it becomes stronger because of it:
- The device feeds on computers.

wireless adj.
not using wires to send and receive electronic signals: sending and receiving electronic signals by using radio waves
- a wireless telephone
- Wireless networking makes communication easier and faster than before.
- The singer used her own wireless microphone.

console n.
a flat board that contains the controls for a machine, piece of electrical equipment, computer etc
- You can control the air conditioning, audio systems and central locks from the car's console panel.
console v.
to make someone feel better when they are feeling sad or disappointed
- I tried to console the little girl with some candy, but didn't succeed.

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