For many of us who have been involved with technology for a long time (all our lives!), it seemed that in recent times technology development had become kind of dull. There were advances, but they were the "big company", incremental improvements such as faster, better, cheaper smart phones. There wasn't much that seemed very creative...

But in the last few years we have seen a resurgence in creative technology. Much of this is fueled by the opportunities created by the above-mentioned technology. For example, ubiquitous smart phones and tablets can provide inexpensive interfaces for all sorts of instruments and devices. Wireless communications (WiFi, Bluetooth) allow for easy interconnection of devices and systems. New standards for home and building automation allow for reliable, powerful control to increase convenience, improve security, and save energy.