Google Skunk Works

Bloomberg Business Week recently had a front page cover (and related article) on Google Labs:http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-05-22/inside-googles-secret-lab

In the spirit of older, more traditional "Skunk Works" (not that Skunk works were ever traditional); Google is going full out.  

As one of there executives said: “Anything which is a huge problem for humanity we’ll sign up for, if we can find a way to fix it,”

While this blog isn't necessarily going to point out all that Google does; it is to applaud the innovation and thinking behind the developments.  I love entrepreneurship - thinking / ideas / creativity!!!  Edison took thousands of attempts to make the light bulb (and so many other things).  The Wright Brothers believed in their idea to make an airplane.  These are the game changers of history.

And ... Google labs is already putting its name out there as a "Game Changer"!!!  (Bring on my Google Glasses and my driver-less car!!!  WOOO!!!!)

A reminder

Taken from: 

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/05/28/18563942-harvard-dean-who-authorized-email-searches-resigns?lite

The article starts with this background:

The embattled dean of Harvard College, Evelynn Hammonds, announced on Tuesday that she will step down this summer, following months of controversy over her decision to authorize secret searches of faculty email.
Hammonds, who will remain a professor at the prestigious university, had given conflicting accounts about her decision to scan the subject lines of email accounts belonging to 16 deans, in search of correspondence relating to a major cheating scandal among Harvard students. She apologized to the faculty last month.
The e-mail search was apparently aimed at tracking correspondence between faculty and reporters for the school newspaper, the Harvard Crimson, who were investigating allegations that dozens of students cheated on a take-home final exam in a government class last spring. 

But ... in court-case after court-case, businesses have the right to search, archive, etc. email.  Not that I have anything of a negative nature in my email, but if Quinnipiac University wants to search my email - go ahead!!!

But ...another question might be with a non-business email (I use Gmail) - again, not that I have anything to hide there - can my company look at my Gmail account - especially if I open it while on campus - on a campus provided laptop?  It might be an interesting case, but I'm guessing my employer has the right to do that as well!!!

3D printing saves a life

Taken from:

http://vitals.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/05/22/18425715-doctors-print-up-a-splint-for-babys-blocked-throat?lite

Let's be honest - I think 3D printing is an exciting new technique - and I can picture it as a great game changer in the future.  If the cost and processing come down, it might be a real inventory 'game changer' for auto shops, for replacement parts - and more.  (In a previous post I talked about how they have made 3D guns)

But in this case - 3D printing saved a child's life.  Seemingly Kaiba Gionfriddo (the child) has a rare condition where his air tube gets pressure from blood vessels and constricts so the child can't breathe.  The hospital did modeling and a the University of Michigan designed a specialized device to keep his airways open - and they printed it with a 3D printer.

And ... all is well!!!  

So ... put 3D printing on your radar - it already is a game changer for one family!!!!

Basketball sensors can be 'game changers'!!!

Taken from: 

http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/94fiftys-sensor-laden-basketball-shoots/240152926

The article explains that new micro sensors have been embedded in basketballs and can - in real time - collect, analysis and send information to smartphones!!!  This could help a basketball player who is just a little off today - correct his (her) aim / conditions.  

As a fan, I've watched some basketball players send up 'brick' after 'brick' - shooting about 10% - this might help them to see that they need more arc, more 'umphh', adjust more to the left (or right).  

The article goes on even more - to suggest that such sensors can help any activity.  Jogging, this might collect data that your right foot is slightly too open and hurting your stride; golf - your follow thru is cutting across the ball (and getting a slice).

Maybe my typing is just a little too strong on the right hand and I should do some exercises to strength my left hand typing skills!!!

Android Phones!!!

Taken from:

http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/google-reports-15-million-android-activa/240153016

The article notes:

"According to Schmidt,there are now 1.5 million new Android devices (smartphones, tablets, etc.) activated every single day. At that pace, Google is seeing more than 10 million new devices per week."

and

"We'll cross 1 billion Android devices in six to nine months," said Schmidt. (There are about 750 million Android devices out there at the moment.) "In a year or two, we'll hit two billion. And the way that's going to happen is with the debut of low-end devices from manufacturers, primarily in Asia. If low-end smartphones are inexpensive now, imagine just how inexpensive they'll be a few years from now. And that's how we're going to hit the next billion devices." 

WOW!!!  I find that mind boggling !!  

So, the world is going to Android - and that would imply Android tablets, PC's and more.  Move over Apple / Dell / Microsoft - Android is coming!!!

Apple passed 50 BILLION downloads!!!

Taken from:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2013/05/16/apple-app-store-itunes/2165737/
The article notes:

The App Store opened in July 2008 with 500 apps, and now offers over 850,000 apps for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.

"The App Store completely transformed how people use their mobile devices and created a thriving app ecosystem that has paid out over nine billion dollars to developers," Cue said.

Customers download over 800 apps per second from the App Store at a rate of two billion apps per month.

WOW - that is a huge amount!!!  Two billion a month.  I have about 40 apps on my iPhone / iPad - I think I need some more!!!

Google Driverless car

Taken from:http://www.forbes.com/sites/chunkamui/2013/04/02/googles-driverless-car-is-just-one-of-many-looming-disruptions/

The article notes: 

The “driverless car” will likewise change dynamics in the economy and in our personal lives in ways that are hard to predict at this remove. (The device will also get a real name, focused on what it is or does, not on what it lacks.)

In reality over the years, there have been many 'game changers' - including (if you will) the car.  The 'horseless carriage' absolutely changed how we did things.  Will the driverless car change things?  Absolutely!!  I (at times) want to think as a 'futurist' - so ... in say (20 years) - all cars are driveless - what will that mean?  Transportation will change - just say "go to <place>" and it goes - talk on your phone (if we still have phones), watch TV or videos - and let the car do its thing!!!

Life and technology can change!!! 

Nordstroms tracking customer's cell phone usage!!!

Taken from: 

http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2013/05/09/nordstrom-tracking-customer-smartphones-wifi-sniffing/

The lead paragraphs set the tone:

"You've spent quite some time in the lingerie department, but you haven't even peeked at our display of Bose® 'OE2' Audio Headphones, which were $149.95 but are now ONLY $134.96! Can we talk?"

OK, so that's not exactly what Nordstrom says it's planning to do with the information it gleans from tracking customers' movements throughout their stores.

But it certainly could market that aggressively, now that the department store - purveyor of apparel, shoes, jewelry, and the like - has implemented technology to track how much time you spend in specific departments within 17 stores in the US."

So, Nordstroms can track your phone (not your personal information as you walk through their store.  They can see how much time you spend in particular departments.  This might help them to better show the merchandise - departments that didn't have much time spend in them might not have attractive posters and displays.

But ... in a bigger sense, this is another "big brother is watching you" syndrome!!!  

Tablets, Tablets - everywhere!!!

Taken from:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2013/05/08/apple-google-samsung-windows-microsoft/2144457/

The article states:

By now, it's a fait accompli that tablet sales will surpass those of the PC. The only question that remains is: When?

That day is not too far away, if a head analyst at technology incubator BitChemy Ventures is to be believed. According to Singh's projections, global tablet shipments will increase to nearly 80 million in the fourth quarter, while PC shipments will slide to around 70 million to 75 million.

 The article discusses that Google based tablets are expected to take a larger market share - and Apple's market share is going to decline.  But, the author also suggests that while Apple is pushing cheaper and smaller versions, in the long run, the tablet market is controlled by Apple.

As I reflect on Apple - others made MP3 players, but the iPod is the champion; others make phones, but the iPhone is still a popular item (maybe not quite the champion worldwide); and in tablets, the iPad is still the unit to beat!!!

Kids not on Facebook as much!!!

Taken from: 

http://www.today.com/tech/yes-youve-chased-your-kids-facebook-heres-where-they-went-1C9840070

This article states:

Has your Facebook feed become quieter lately? Once the hub of communication, it seems that the majority of people posting are Martha Stewart, your sister-in-law who wants you to play Bubble Witch Saga and your old high school friends that you haven't seen in years. Where are the kids, the ones who are supposed to set the trends for all of us in technology and style?
They're still there, but aren't talking. As a parent, you have no one to blame but yourself.

Consider this exchange on Reddit, following news that Facebook was concerned it was losing younger users to alternate networks.

"It's never been the same since my mother and college professors friended me," poster ihcun wrote. And to that, fizzbar said, "That's why it's called Mombook now...." 

"Mombook"????  Really???

Okay, I've friended a lot of students (okay - college students might be different than middle school / high school students).  But, yes, I can see how it could be 'mombook' - my sister is on Facebook maybe 8 hours a day.  She plays Words with Friends; she comments on any of my posts or posts of any of my family.  My son-in-law and I had a bet that she would like or comment on a post he made within five minutes (and I thought not) - he won!!!

The article goes on to say that teens are turning to:

• Tumblr
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Snapchat
• Reddit
• and others

But ... who knows ... in the long run that might be better for the financial success of Facebook (i.e. 'moms' and adults - who spend money) rather than just the teen group.  I guess we'll see.  Excuse me, I have to go to "Mombook" and take my turn in Words with Friends!!!

3D gun printing

3D printing is definitely a game changing technology.  

Taken from: http://www.forbes.com/sites/paulhsieh/2013/05/07/why-3d-printed-untraceable-guns-could-be-good-for-america/

In the past week, a man used a 3D printing machine to 'print' a homemade gun.  He also fired it successfully. The author (Paul Hsieh) points out:

"Wilson’s innovation could thus spark a much-needed re-examination of American gun laws, including the current paradigm of imposing ever-increasing restrictions on millions of honest gun owners in an attempt to stop relatively fewer bad guys from committing gun crimes. By making it harder (if not nearly impossible) for the government to regulate gun possession and transfers, his development could move the government to instead (properly) focus its efforts on punishing gun misuse."

It does open a dialog.  This could be the time to move towards gun misuse.  Although 3D printing machines are on the expensive side, it is NOT too expensive - see this article: http://compare.ebay.com/like/160906631997?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar - which shows a 3D printer for about $1400.  

If you haven't kept up on 3D printers, basically they can print a part, or any particular item - probably as a plastic device.  That might be a good thing for the mechanic working on a 1936 Chevy coupe and can't find the right part (but can get a 3D print version of the part) - or similar situations.

It will be an interesting dialog!!!  Bring it on!!!

8 Best Tech Products from Mobile World Congress

Taken from: http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/gadgetbox/8-best-tech-products-mobile-world-congress-1C8645570

Tablet Computers are taking off.  For this blog post, I chose to look at the Sony Xperia Tablet Z.

The article states:

At just 0.3 inches thick, Sony’s Xperia Tablet Z may be the “world’s thinnest tablet,” but that isn’t the only reason it takes home the prize for Best Large Tablet of Mobile World Congress 2013. This 10-incher packs a gorgeous 1920 x 1080-pixel display with a 20 percent greater color gamut than Apple’s iPad, thanks to Sony’s Bravia Engine technology. And with a powerful quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor, the Xperia Z has enough muscle to take on the toughest tasks.
Oh, and did we mention the whole thing goes underwater? That’s right, the Xperia Z can take a dip in up to 6 inches of water for 30 minutes. Rounding out this tablet’s top-tier features are an integrated IR blaster and Sony’s SideView app, which allows you to see what’s on TV and change the channel.

We know that Apple does control the Tablet market with the iPad and iPad mini.  Here is a a tablet that is slightly bigger than the iPad 9 inch unit.

My bias is that it will be hard to overtake Apple, but ... this seems to be a reasonable start!!!