Do Apple’s Latest Ads Aim for Multitaskers, Parents and Set the Stage for iPhone 4G?
February 22, 2010 – The company that brought us the iPhone has released several new commercials, called “On Hold” and “First Steps”. In the “On Hold” advertisement, an average user is shown waiting on hold during a phone call. During the wait, the user downloads and reads email, uses a banking application to pay bills, and spends the rest of the time playing Parker Brothers’ Monopoly. Ok, what’s so special about the advertisement? That’s where Apple’s keen marketing saavy come into play.
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Does Google’s Approval as Power Marketer Signal Something Much Bigger?
A Geek Shui Living Opinion Editorial
February 22, 2010 – In a move that, at first glance, seemed…well…weird, Google has officially obtained approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to act as a power marketer. Ok, so for non-industry types like us, what is a power marketer? According to the Your Dictionary website, it is defined as:
“A wholesale power company that has registered with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in order to buy power at wholesale prices and sell the power to other marketers or public entities at market prices. Power marketing companies may be financial intermediaries, companies affiliated with utilities, natural gas marketers, or entrepreneurs. Power marketers usually do not generate the power; they just sell it.” Your Dictionary, 2010
Now that we’re industry experts, why would Google want to be able to directly buy? Aren’t they an internet company? Perhaps they have plans to take over the entire internet, but can they go much farther than that? The answers to these questions demonstrate the true genius within the seeds of possibility that Google has been planting for years.
Twitter and Social Media Give the Olympics a Boost
February 19, 2010 – Last Friday, we published an article entitled Has Social Networking Ruined the Surprise at the Olympics? In it, we examined the possibility that the proliferance of social media had potentially ruined the surprises planned for the 2010 Winter Olympic Opening Ceremony. A week later, we see things in a different light, though. After six full days of coverage (at least in the U.S.) on NBC, CNBC, and MSNBC, viewers have been privileged to see the minor miracles that make us feel more hopeful…at least on a quadrinneal basis. Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo captivated audiences by returning to the Olympics, as husband and wife, to capture gold in the Pairs Figure Skating event. Lindsey Vonn proved her skiing dominance once again by winning the women’s Downhill Skiing event, and Switzerland’s Dario Cologna pulled off a stunning upset in the Men’s 15KM Skiing event by beating the heavily favored Norwegian team. The news hasn’t been all good, though. On February 12th, Georgian Luger, Nodar Kumaritashvili, was killed during a training run gone horribly wrong. What do all of these things have in common? Their stories were spread around the globe, within minutes, by the millions of people who use social media on a daily basis. Okay, so what is the Twitter and social media connection?
Two Chinese Schools Tied to Google Attack – “Hey, Kids! Leave Google Alone!”
February 19, 2010 – It seems the attacks against Google discovered in January not only originated in China, but originated from two schools in China. According to a New York Times report published February 18, 2010, the ongoing investigation, whose team now includes members of the U.S. National Security Agency, has also discerned that the attacks may go as far back as April and that one of the Chinese schools is closely affiliated with the Chinese military.
Though it is now clear the attacks originated from two Chinese-based schools, a university and a vocational school, what has become more unclear is who is really behind the attacks. While investigation confirms the attacks originated in China, there is now be reason to believe people of other nationalities actually orchestrated the attacks, on Chinese soil. Evidence from a similar attack on a U.S. military contractor may provide a link to a professor from the Ukraine, who teaches a computer science class at one of the schools.
Shanghai Jiaotong University officials responded to the allegations by stating they would initiate their own investigation. The second institution, Lanxiang Vocational School, refused to comment. Shanghai Jiaotong University is a recognized leader in university computer science programs in China that, only weeks ago, won an international IBM contest, known as “Battle of the Brains”. The vocational school is one that was initially established with military support and is purported to maintain close ties with the Chinese military.
Though the possibility of a third, unknown party seizing control of the schools’ computer infrastructure to use it as a disguise still exists, the revelation provides further clues that may allow investigators to eventually track the breach down to its real source. The Google attack was allegedly designed to obtain proprietary company information and data, as well as eavesdrop on the email accounts of Chinese human rights activists. In the end, the most successful part of this investigation may be that it facilitates investigations into future incidents of this type, which are sure to only increase in frequency and complexity.
A Review of AT&T’s First Android: The Motorola BACKFLIP with MOTOBLUR
February 18, 2010 – Beginning on March 7, 2010, AT&T will begin offering the newly released Motorola BACKFLIP with MOTOBLUR. In addition to its first Android offering, the device can be considered an alternative smartphone for users who want the functionality but don’t necessarily want an Apple iPhone or BlackBerry. Initial pricing is set at $199.00 and requires subscription to an AT&T data plan. Customers willing to enter into a two-year contract will qualify to receive a $100.00 rebate. The contract-free purchase price has been reported as being around $325.00.
The Way Lowdown Review on the Microsoft Windows Phone 7 Series
February 18, 2010 – During the festivities of this week’s Mobile World Congress, Microsoft took the opportunity to unveil it’s latest offering, the Windows Phone 7 Series. Technophiles may remember how underwhelming Windows Mobile 6.5 was when it was released way back in 2009. After viewing the demo and all available materials, though, its obvious that Microsoft went back and started from scratch this time around.
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Will the Verizon/Skype Deal Usher in New Era of VoIP Love?
February 17, 2010 – Last week, Verizon Wireless, the largest U.S. wireless carrier, and Skype, the undisputed pioneer in free internet telephony, cemented a deal that some liken to the holy grail of cellular telephone service. Under the agreement, Skype will become a standard offering for Verizon customers. Though Skype has been available for iPhone users, via Apple App Store download, since the beginning of 2009, it’s continued availability may be interpreted as a show of tolerance, on the part of AT&T, the iPhone’s exclusively approved carrier. Despite offering basic Skype functionality, the iPhone version is generally considered to be lacking key features, based on App Store reviews by customers. Even after the latest Skype for iPhone update on January 16, 2010, users still cite the lack of bluetooth/WiFi support, Push Notifications, and Conferencing capabilities as reasons why it still isn’t “good enough”.
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National Broadband Plan: A Dream for Consumers, A Nightmare for Providers
February 17, 2010 – Yesterday, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) made public its plan to mandate standardized connection speeds for residential internet connections. As part of its larger National Broadband Plan, the initiative would ensure at least 100 million households had connectivity at 100 Mbps, by the year 2020.
Google CEO says Mobile Computing is Magical
February 16, 2010 – In a speech today at the World Mobile Congress (WMC), in Barcelona, Spain, Google’s Chief Executive Officer, Eric Schmidt, declared that mobile content has truly arrived. He also stated his belief that the rapid growth of the mobile phone industry has caused developers to shift their primary focus from developing for traditional desktop computers to developing for mobile platforms. According to a Reuters report, Schmidt told attendees from the telecommunications industry, “It’s the principle of mobile first.”
Adding that he is proud to be a part of it all, Schmidt also characterized the entire evolution from traditional to mobile computing as being “like magic.” To this end, he pointed out that users are now able to do things that, before, had not even occured to them. His remarks come on the heels of yesterday’s WMC presentation from Adobe, who announced that both a mobile version (AIR 2.0) and full version (Flash Player 10.1) have been made available to developers for integration into applications for Google’s smartphone platform, Android. Google also recently announced plans to remain free of carrier limitations by building their own high speed broadband network.
Further World Mobile Congress Reading: Adobe Declares Flash will not go Quietly into Mobile Anonymity
(Source: Reuters International)
Adobe Declares Flash will not go Quietly into Mobile Anonymity
February 16, 2010 – In a move straight out 1996’s Independence Day, Adobe announced its refusal to go quietly into mobile anonymity and its intention to fight for its survival in the universe of mobile computing. At stake is the continued dominance of Adobe Flash as the internet’s most commonly used format for streaming video content. During presentations at the ongoing World Mobile Congress, Adobe announced future versions of the Flash video player will not only provide support on mobile computing platforms but also improve it.
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