Cell Phones, iPhone, Web, Social Networking
Let's Get It On(Line): How Sex and Tech Fuse
Aside from war, sex is almost always the driving force behind technological advancements. The adoption of VHS, the popularization of webcams, the ability to stream video, and the proliferation of the Internet, in general, have all been propelled by people's need to get their rocks off. So Rachel Kramer Bussel, of the Daily Beast, decided to fully examine how the latest trends in technology (GPS, augmented reality, social networking, etc.) are being leveraged by those with a penchant for smut. As it turns out, the sex industry has plenty of interesting, and slightly unsettling, tricks up its sleeve. One app, called 'Passion,' somehow managed to skate by the approval process at Apple. 'Passion' uses the iPhone's microphone and accelerometer to rate your salacious skills. It measures motion, decibel levels, and duration, and spits out a score that you can then post online and compare with others. For those who are looking to meet a lucky someone, Grindr uses your GPS location to see if anyone nearby is on the prowl, swaps pics, and facilitates a hookup. If you're less concerned with quality and more with quantity, head to the 'I Just Made Love' site, which allows you to keep tabs on how often, with whom, and where you do the deed. To make it even more creepy, people can share their exploits by way of Google Maps. Plots on the map include tags for positions, location (outdoors, on a boat, etc.), condom use, and virginity status. And of course, users can attach photos.
If you're looking for something a little more tangible, there is 'Real Touch.' This device syncs with an online library of adult films and simulates the on-screen sexual acts, thanks to its multiple motors, heating element, and lubrication reservoir (Edit. Note: May be the first time the phrase 'lubrication reservoir' has ever been used on Switched... ).
While the rest of us are still marveling at the ability to locate a Starbucks via GPS, or playing silly augmented reality games, it's the sex industry that is really pushing technology in new, interesting, and mildly disturbing directions. [From: Daily Beast]
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