USC Annenberg Associate Professor Andrew Lih was interviewed by KCET-TV’s “SoCal Connected” about making guns using 3-D printing technology.
Though 3-D printing technology has been around for a while, it has now entered the “consumer space” and people have begun producing gun parts in their own homes.
“So far, there has been no judgment on whether making gun parts is a good or a bad thing, but we’re still in this experimental stage,” said Lih. “There has been no outcry saying this should be banned.”
The growth of 3-D technology doesn’t stop there. According to Lih, gun printing is “just one tiny portion of what’s going on.” Some companies have begun selling household and other manufactured items online that are available to print for those with 3-D capabilities.
Though the number of people using 3-D printing is still relatively small, the technology is accelerating and desktop 3-D printers could be “just around the corner.”
Lih was also quoted in a Marketplace story about the new Samsung Galaxy phone that could pose a threat to the Apple Iphone.
“It kind of comes down to old eyes. The more I use my iPhone, I realize I’m squinting," said Lih.
Lih said that he has considered switching to the Galaxy because of the larger screen.
According to Lih, Apple's design for a small, handheld smartphone "ignores the way people are using smart phones these days."
Smartphones are "a way to check Twitter, take pics, post to Facebook," and Apple will start losing customers to the Galaxy if they can't adapt.
Lih is also the Director of New Media at USC Annenberg, as well as a technology author and consultant.
