Microsoft and Barnes and Nobel agree on Nook

Taken from: http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9226816/Nook_deal_lets_Microsoft_integrate_e_bookstore_with_its_software_services
And
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303916904577375502392129654.html

Microsoft Corp. is pledging $605 million to help bolster Barnes and Noble Inc.'s Nook digital-book business, as the software giant wages another bet on an industry where it has lagged behind rivals.The deal catapults Microsoft into a high-stakes battleground whose combatants include Amazon.com; Apple, and Google, and also gives Barnes & Noble a lifeline to continue investing in its fast-growing digital-book business. As part of its investment, Microsoft is taking a 17.6% stake in a new subsidiary that will include the e-book division and Barnes & Noble's college bookstores unit, which operates 641 stores.

And

Barnes & Noble will distribute its free Nook Metro app through Microsoft's Windows Store, putting to rest talk of Microsoft embedding the program in Windows 8.But Microsoft and Barnes & Noble will work on ways to integrate digital content purchased through the Nook app with other Microsoft products and services. 

From previous blog postings, the feeling is that the world is going mobile (be it smartphones or the growing interest in tablet computing).  Microsoft has lagged behind in the mobile market 


Microsoft is working on Windows 8 - including a smartphone version of Windows 8 - out later this year.  To be able to release the operating system - and to have apps (like the Nook e-reader) available is essential.  


With iBooks on Apple, Kindle app (on iPad and others), the Nook app is almost a necessity for Microsoft to compete.  


While it might be 'too-little' and 'too-late', that is yet to be seen.  Microsoft is still a big presence in the computing field and this alliance might work!!

Why Google and Facebook might completely disappear in the next five years!!!

Taken from:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/ericjackson/2012/04/30/heres-why-google-and-facebook-might-completely-disappear-in-the-next-5-years/2/

Interesting speculations.  (most of which I don't agree with).  The article emphasizes 'mobile' - and suggests that Google and Facebook didn't jump fast enough or hard enough on the mobile platform.  The authors suggests that 'mobile' is the new 'hot item'.

The article notes:

Web 1.0 and 2.0 companies still seem unsure how to adapt to this new paradigm. Facebook is the triumphant winner of social companies. It will go public in a few weeks and probably hit $140 billion in market capitalization. Yet, it loses money in mobile and has rather simple iPhone and iPad versions of its desktop experience. It is just trying to figure out how to make money on the web – as it only had $3.7 billion in revenues in 2011 and its revenues actually decelerated in Q1 of this year relative to Q4 of last year. It has no idea how it will make money in mobile.

So ... Facebook doesn't know how to make money -and doesn't know how to do mobile apps.
Interesting concept - I think they (Facebook and Google) will figure out 'why' soon enough!!! 

Need an organ transplant - want to donate? Use Facebook

Taken from:

http://vitals.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/01/11486607-for-organ-donation-facebook-beats-the-dmv-bioethicist-says?lite

The article has this:

Right now, nearly 114,000 people in the United States are waiting for organ transplants to save their lives. Tens of thousands more are in need of tissue, bone and cornea transplants to restore their mobility or sight. Facebook has decided to do something about the constant shortage of donors.
The company has announced that members can now declare their desire to be an organ donor on their Facebook page. According to a press release signed by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and COO Sheryl Sandberg, "…by simply telling people that you're an organ donor, the power of sharing and connection can play an important role." 

 The author (an M.D.) thinks that is a great idea - DMV is not the place to get people to sign up to donate - and maybe Facebook isn't the ideal place - but it is THE PLACE for almost anything social - and signup - and getting your friends to say "yes - I'm willing to donate" can be powerful.

The article also notes:

Since most Americans say they do want to donate when they die -- a Gallup study found 95 percent support organ donation -- and since most families, when asked, do consent to donation by a loved one, why the poor donor card rates?

So ... put you want to be an organ donor on Facebook (and ... on your driver's license) 

More on Windows Phone

Taken from:

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9226626/Carriers_desperately_seeking_Windows_Phone?source=CTWNLE_nlt_dailyam_2012-04-27

In the article:

AT&T and Verizon Wireless want Windows Phone smartphones to succeed in the U.S., partly to provide leverage against Apple's demands for subsidies and other concessions required for selling the popular iPhone.

Both carriers need a strong competitor -- like Windows Phone -- to go up against the iPhone and Android phones, analysts said. The wireless carriers could then tell Apple that they can sell quality  smartphones that don't cost the carriers as much as the iPhone to subsidize. The iPhone sells well but also eats into carrier profits because of the subsidy and related costs.

"Mobile operators are sick of taking orders from Apple, [which is one] reason why carriers like AT&T and Verizon are backing Windows Phone," said Yankee Group analyst Katie Lewis. "IPhones are occupying an increasingly dangerous share of operators' smartphone sales," she wrote. 

So, the great success of the iPhone allows Apple to demand subsidies from the telecomm companies.  Kindof like Apple saying to AT&T and Verizon:  "Hey, if you want to sell our iPhone, we'll want you to set it at a higher prices (because the consumers want it); and we want you to pay us for the privilege of selling a higher priced phone!!!"

In the phone world (and most other places) competition is good for all - it keeps the prices low and pushes all to improve their products and services.  In the phone world, a 'monopoly' (not quite) by Apple may not be good.  Consumers already are pressed by long term contracts and high switching costs - but maybe other phones (like the Windows Phone) might even the playing field.

Steve Wozniak likes the MICROSOFT Phone!!!

Taken from:
http://www.technolog.msnbc.msn.com/technology/technolog/wozniak-loves-his-windows-phone-apple-co-founder-calls-mobile-740866

The article has this:

Microsoft is trying hard to win fans for Windows Phone. And while the mobile operating system is still way behind rivals such as Android and iOS, the company received an unexpected endorsement this week from none other than Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak.

[...] The outspoken geek says that he prefers Windows Phone to Android. “It’s no contest,” he said.

The article goes on to note that the Woz has TWO iPhones (one from AT&T and one from Verizon), but now will have a third phone - the Windows phone.

“I’m kind of shocked. Every screen is much more beautiful than the same apps on Android and iPhone,” he says.

(See next blog post on the Windows Phone)

CISPA Fight

Taken from:
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9226671/Privacy_advocates_vow_to_continue_CISPA_fight?source=CTWNLE_nlt_pm_2012-04-27

The article states:

The battle over the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA) is certain to heat up over the next few weeks, as the U.S. Senate begins debate on its versions of the controversial cybersecurity legislation.

The U.S. House Thursday passed its CISPA bill in the face of a White House veto threat.
Privacy advocates and civil rights groups, which bitterly opposed the bill passed by the House, promised today to intensify their protests as the debate moves on to the Senate.
The opponents of the legislation contend that, despite late changes to the bill, it would undermine fundamental privacy protections granted to Internet users under multiple statutes, including the Federal Wiretap Act and the Electronic Communications Privacy.

Meanwhile, the scores of high technology companies and trade associations that support CISPA argue that the measure is a vital part of an effort to improve cybersecurity at a time when U.S. business, government and critical infrastructure networks face unprecedented hacker attacks.

The House version passed yesterday was introduced last November by Reps. Mike J. Rogers (R-Mich.) and Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Md.), by a vote of 248 to 168.
The bill aims to make it easier for Internet Service Provides and Internet companies to collect and share cyber threat information gleaned from their networks with federal agencies like the U.S National Security Agency.

Critics charge that the bill remains vaguely worded and would allow government agencies unprecedented access to business and private Internet communications.

On the face, everybody should be interested in having more protection on intelligence sharing - but without seeing the details and listing to what this might mean it is hard to determine what is the controversy and opposition.

July 9th could be "doomsday"!!!

Taken from:  http://www.technolog.msnbc.msn.com/technology/technolog/july-9-could-be-internet-doomsday-some-so-check-your-736963

The article notes:

July 9 might be "Internet doomsday" for PC and Mac users who haven't taken steps to make sure their systems are not infected with what's being called DNSChanger malware.  [...]

So the next step, definitely if you're "red," but even a good idea if you're "green," is to go to this site  http://dcwg_org, run by the DNS Changer Working Group. The DNS Changer Working Group will detect whether your computer has been "violated," and if so, will point you to the right fix for your computer.

 Hackers are still active - do not 'assume' your system is safe!!!  Do check it out!!!

Decimating a Computer Science Program?

Taken from:

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9226477/Florida_university_plan_to_decimate_computer_science_draws_protest?source=CTWNLE_nlt_dailyam_2012-04-24

The article notes:

Computerworld - The University of Florida in Gainesville is on the verge of dismantling its computer science department through budget cuts and restructuring, a move that has shocked students in the program
The university runs a large computer science program, with about 600 undergraduates and 400 students pursuing master's degrees. It is also a research university that is now training about 130 Ph.D. students.
The proposed computer science department cutbacks follow a $300 million statewide budget reduction that Florida is imposing across its university system. That reduction goes into effect July 1, when the state's new fiscal year begins.

While I am in a parallel department, I can't image cutting a computer science program that has significant enrollment.

Guess what University of Florida in Gainesville - Computing is here to stay!!!  Now, if the students were going into a parallel program such as software engineering; or even (gasp) Computer Information Systems - maybe it will work out!!!

Apple posts a very strong quarter!!!

Taken from: http://marketday.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/24/11376978-strong-iphone-sales-send-apple-profits-soaring

The article notes: 

Apple’s market muscle held firm Tuesday as the company — bolstered by thriving sales in Asia — surpassed analysts’ estimates and set second-quarter records in its sales of iPhones, iPads and Macs.
The tech titan posted quarterly revenue of $39.2 billion — second only to its all-time, quarterly revenue record of $46.33 billion, which it reported last December. 

International sales accounted for 64 percent of the quarter’s revenue. 

 WOW!!!  Two record quarters in a row!!!  Apple is doing quite well - the iPhone is hot, and the iPad is the defacto leader in tablets.  Can they keep it up?  I think "yes"!!!

Did Microsoft Run out of time on Windows RT?

Taken from:

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9226426/Did_Microsoft_run_out_of_time_with_Windows_RT_?source=CTWNLE_nlt_pm_2012-04-20

This Computerworld article suggests that in an attempt to release a operating system that works on the "system on a chip" devices (ARM SoCs are the de facto powerhouses that run most smartphones and tablets, including Apple's iPad.)

The article suggests that it was a tough road for Microsoft - making an operating system for the 'system on a chip' - that seemed similar to regular Windows products, but is compact enough - and doesn't use too much electricity (important for a phone / tablet device) - in the time-to-market period.  So, compromises were made (or ... as we say in Systems Analysis - they did 'time boxing') to get what they could - that would work for this release.  As always with operating systems (and software in general) - after release 1.0 there is always the possibility for release 1.1 (or for major release 2.0)!!

So ... where do you get your health answers?

Taken from:

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9226244/U.S._consumers_turn_to_Facebook_Twitter_for_healthcare_answers?source=CTWNLE_nlt_dailyam_2012-04-17

The article notes:

Computerworld - A third of U.S. consumers now use social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter to seek medical information and track and share symptoms. They're also using the sites to vent about doctors, drugs, treatments, medical devices and health plans.

Not unexpectedly, young adults rely on social networks for healthcare information far more than older Americans. The survey found that more than 80% of those between the ages of 18 and 24 said they're likely to share health information through social media channels -- and nearly 90% said they would trust information found there. 

We frequently trust our friends more than other sources.  So, if I'm fighting the flu (and post that on Facebook and/or Twitter), and my friends suggest solutions that have helped them, doesn't that make sense?  (It 'kind of' does make sense for me!!)

I do also look at other sources, like WebMD, RealLife and others for health information (as well as searches).  Having recently been diagnosed with some Sleep Apnea, my first look was on the web - what is sleep apnea, what might cause it and how can I help it without medical devices (first suggest - lose some weight).

Microsoft Windows 8 Enterprise - Windows to Go

Taken from:

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9226399/Microsoft_touts_corporate_tools_in_Windows_8_Enterprise?source=CTWNLE_nlt_dailyam_2012-04-20

One of the new features is "Windows to Go"

In a Wednesday blog post, Erwin Visser, a senior director for Windows, outlined the features that will be limited to Windows 8 Enterprise, including the new "Windows to Go," which lets IT administrators burn an image of an in-house PC to a USB thumb drive.

Microsoft again touted the feature as a secure way for out-of-office workers to access corporate resources from personal or shared devices, and as a solution to the "bring your own PC" problem of people using their own machines, which may be less secure and more likely to be malware infected, to connect with the company's network. 

The idea is to allow more of the BYOD (bring your own device) into a corporate - and even with mobile devices and more.  This could be a way to let users on the go to still access the corporate data and resources.

With an every increasing mobile / tablet environment, users want and need the flexibility to get to resources on their phones and other devices - but that can lead to fraud and security issues.  Whether "Windows to Go" can stop that is a guess at this point, but it does illustrate that Microsoft is headed in that direction.

Urban Legends live on on Facebook

Taken from:

http://digitallife.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/21/11311604-the-ugly-dark-side-of-facebook-memes?lite

Facebook is a great social medium.  I can see what others are doing, share pictures and experiences - and I can also spread old Urban Legends.

The article notes:

John Doe (name changed) "does not have a strong social media following. He’s basically anonymous; type his name into Google, and you’re not going to find anything about him. But in January, Doe ran across an image of what appeared to be two teenagers cruelly hanging a puppy by a string and posted it to his Facebook wall. Text on the image implores users to “share this picture” and contact authorities if they recognize the perpetrators. 

The photo has since been shared over 70,000 times from this profile, making it among the most widely viewed content on the site. Yet what Denham didn’t realize at first is this image has been circulating on the Internet for years, and the culprits were identified long ago.

So, what is sometimes posted as 'true', might be a old image reposted on Facebook.

The article mentions other false images - like a "Stop Racism" post about a white woman not wanting to sit next to a black man. - which is a hoax according to the article.  Or, political rhetoric (in this election year) of "who raises the national debt more" - which according to the article has been discredited by fact-finding blogs over the years.

So ... take some of the reposting and sharing of information as potentially false - and keep looking for your niece's pictures of her son learning to ride his bike!!!

Looking into Google and privacy

Taken from:
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9226273/Privacy_watchdog_lawmaker_push_for_Google_probe?source=CTWNLE_nlt_pm_2012-04-17

The article notes:

Computerworld - Privacy groups and lawmakers are calling for a new and broader investigation into Google and its privacy practices after the U.S. Federal Communications Commission announced that it found no evidence that the company broke eavesdropping laws.
Late last week, the FCC reported that there was no legal precedent to find fault with Google collecting unprotected home Wi-Fi data, such as personal email, passwords and search histories, with its roaming Street View cars between 2007 and 2010.
"It was a mistake for us to include code in our software that collected payload data, but we believe we did nothing illegal. We have worked with the relevant authorities to answer their questions and concerns."

If somebody had walked into our house through an unlocked back door and had gone to our home office and gotten information about our personal email, passwords and more, I would be upset - so ... why do we allow Google to do it?

iPad Mini????

Taken from:
http://www.technolog.msnbc.msn.com/technology/technolog/rumors-ipad-mini-swirl-china-718488

The article notes:
"NetEase claimed that the device will be released around the third quarter of this year to "counter attack" the upcoming Windows tablets. The report further claims that the devices will cost anywhere from $249 to $299 (U.S. dollars) and that there will be an initial 6 million units ready for launch."

That should be very interesting - as a competitor to the smaller tablets (even the Kindle and Nook e-readers).  While I like the larger size of the iPad, it might be interesting to have a smaller version!!!

Mac Viruses growing

Taken from:

http://pheedo.msnbc.msn.com/click.phdo?i=ff4d9eaa4262d5d5f3e120a73a31b950

It used to be that Mac's were generally unaffected by viruses.  That era seems to be ending.  With many more Macs in use, that market (for viruses) is growing.

The article notes some of the recent malware / virus problems:

"A new Trojan known as "Sabpab" could hurt Mac users who run Java and Microsoft Word. Security researchers are warning users to make sure their computers have the latest software updates from both Apple and Microsoft, and to use anti-virus software. In some cases, manual removal of Sabpab may be needed.
Word about Sabpab comes on the heels of another nasty piece of malware, Flashback, that infected up to as many as 600,000 Macs, security experts said, by exploiting a vulnerability in Java."

So, Mac users - welcome to the world that us PC users have known for years - anti-virus software is needed!!!

More on the ebook price fixing

Taken from:

http://www.technolog.msnbc.msn.com/technology/technolog/price-fixing-settlement-could-mean-cheaper-e-books-718867

The article notes:

"Three of the biggest publishers -- Hachette, Simon & Schuster, and HarperCollins - have decided to settle w without admitting wrongdoing, while Macmillan and Penguin are fighting it. The settlement proposed has to sit for 60 days before it can be accepted, but as soon as it takes effect, readers could see dramatic changes almost immediately.

For one thing, popular works will probably be offered for lower prices across the board. The previous de-facto floor price for new and popular books like "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" was $9.99, but the new agreement would allow booksellers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble to lower the price, bundle them with other books, or even give them away. There would still be restrictions; for instance, on the ways big companies like Amazon could sell the books at a loss. But booksellers would generally be much more empowered to make their own pricing decisions.

[there might be] interesting pricing strategies like subscription models. Imagine paying $10 per month and getting all the books you can read, or subscribing to a specific author or genre without "buying" a single book.
Not every bookseller will be changing its pricing and strategies immediately, but chances are that if big movers like Amazon and these three initial publishers start the ball rolling, others will join in soon enough. Some have complained that the new model makes for even slimmer margins, giving big stores like Amazon even more advantage.

This looks increasingly like the start of a publishing revolution akin to what the music industry went through 10 years ago when iTunes took off. While that laid waste to many mainstays of the music biz, it did have a positive impact: consumers can now get more music for cheaper than ever. The same may soon be said for books."

I think the comment on "what the music industry went through" - technology can be 'disruptive' - and paying a cheaper amount to electronically send thousands of binary digits that make up a book from account A to user B - without paper, shipping, retail stores, salespeople, etc. - makes good sense, just like sending thousands of binary digits that make up music!!!  Bring it on!!!

Apple iBook Price Fixing

Taken from:
http://www.knowyourmobile.com/features/1320985/a_complete_guide_to_the_apple_ibooks_price_fixing_scandal.html

The article notes: "Apple’s on-going legal dispute with the US government concerning the price of ebooks reached a head this week, following the news that the US Department of Justice plans to sue Apple.

The DOJ claims that Apple, along with several major book publishers, came together in secret to raise the prices of ebooks – a practice generally known as 'price-fixing'.

But it is not just Apple that’s in hot water with the US government. The antitrust compliant accuses several major publishers, including household brands like Penguin, Harper Collins and Macmillan, of openly colluding to raise the price of ebooks."

Seemingly the article suggests that the major publishers were more the instigators and Apple went along with the plan.  

The article goes on to say: "The main problem facing The Publishers was that Amazon was just too big. No one, including Apple, could complete with the scale of Amazon’s ebook business model. It had the Kindle, the market share, and, most importantly, the hearts and minds of consumers.

Apple, nonetheless, ‘believed it would be able to trounce Amazon by opening up [its] own ebook store’ in the form of iBooks. Obviously this didn’t happen, but it wasn’t for want of trying, and by 2009 the intense competition in the ebook market had driven the price of ‘popular ebooks’ down to $9.99, reducing retailer margins to a level that ‘Apple found unattractive.’  "

The ebook market has substantially grown in the past five years.  Amazon has said that it sold more ebooks in December than traditional books.  With the Kindle and Nook and iPad devices - the demand for ebooks is growing.

Will this get settled?  Yes.  Does it tarnish Apple's reputation?  Probably not.  Will it make ebooks cheaper in the long run?  Probably.

Blackberry giving up on consumer business

Taken from:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46897956/ns/business-us_business/

The article noted: "Struggling BlackBerry maker Research in Motion Ltd. said Thursday that it plans to return its focus to its corporate customers after failing to compete with flashier, consumer-oriented phones such as Apple's iPhone and models that run Google's Android software.

"We can't do everything ourselves, but we can do what we're good at," RIM CEO Thorsten Heins said.

"We believe that BlackBerry cannot succeed if we tried to be everybody's darling and all things to all people," Heins said. "Therefore, we plan to build on our strength."  

To be honest, BlackBerry has not competed well against the Apple phones (and others).  

In my opinion, it might be "too little, too late" to stop the bleeding.  Can a phone manufacturer focus on just one market segment and still succeed?  Let's check back in six months.

Will 'iPad" become the name for 'tablet'?

Taken from:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46987905/ns/business-us_business/

Some products have become household names and the brand name has become the generic name.

Like Kleenex is the term for tissues; Xerox for photocopying; Band-aid for bandages - and now the term 'iPad' may be the new standard generic term for a tablet computer.

The article notes: "Companies trip over themselves to make their brands household names. But only a few brands become so engrained in the lexicon that they're synonymous with the products themselves. This so-called "genericization" can be both good and bad for companies like Apple, which must balance their desire for brand recognition with their disdain for brand deterioration.

"There's tension between legal departments concerned about 'genericide' and marketing departments concerned about sales," says Michael Atkins, a Seattle trademark attorney. "Marketing people want the brand name as widespread as possible and trademark lawyers worry ... the brand will lose all trademark significance."

So ... will the name iPad become the generic for tablet?

I can picture the following dialog.

A:  "I just got a new iPad"
B:  "What kind is it?"
A:  "Its a Android iPad" (or "Its a Kindle iPad" or "Its an Apple iPad")

In the world of technology, time changes so quickly, I don't think this will happen - but ... hey ... I've been wrong in the past!!!

Three tech stocks pushing the $1,000 a share boundary

Taken from:
http://marketday.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/06/11040090-3-tech-stocks-racing-to-pass-1000-a-share?lite

The article notes:
"As the market has rallied it has carried many technology names along with it, including Priceline, Apple and Google, each which are trading well north of $600 a share. Reaching the fabled $1,000 level would not necessarily indicate a company’s stock should be bought or sold, but it would certainly confer bragging rights.

"Apple is the world's most valuable company, with a market capitalization of nearly $600 billion. Priceline, which trades at about $757 a share, has far fewer shares outstanding and is valued at $37 billion. Google is somewhere in the middle with a market cap of $164 billion, although its shares trade at about $632 each, virtually the same as Apple's."

While 1,000 a share doesn't automatically receive an Oscar or a Nobel Prize, but it is an informal milestone for stocks.

It will be interesting to watch the race.

If I had to bet, Apple would get to $1,000 a share first!!!

Tim Cook of Apple is highest paid CEO

Taken from:
http://marketday.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/08/11084598-apples-cook-is-highest-paid-ceo-according-to-nyt?lite

The article notes:
"Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook was awarded $378 million in compensation last year, making him by far the top-paid CEO among big public companies in a study published in the New York Times on Sunday April 9th.
Cook’s pay package included a salary of $900,000, a bonus of $900,000 and a one-time award of Apple stock that initially was valued at $376.2 million but has soared along with Apple’s stock price to $634 million, according to the Times."

While Steve Jobs is gone from Apple; Apple stocks continues to soar.  Apple is declaring a dividend (rare for the company); and the future is very rosy.  So, in my opinion, Tim Cook may well be entitled to his highest CEO earnings (the majority are stock).

But, Mr. Cook is in an interesting situation.  Whatever he does in the near future will be compared to Steve Jobs - but if he can survive the tough first year (or two), and keep Apple rolling, he will be able to shape Apple's future.

Thoughts on Disruptive technologies in religion

As we have the weekend of Easter (Christians) and Passover (Jews), I wanted to reflect on some of the new technologies that are used in religion.

First - websites.  There are thousands of religious oriented websites - from local churches / synagogues / other - that provide information such as time of services, staffing, other ministries, etc; then more definitive websites for groups.

Second - with more bandwidth and faster processors, you can access all kinds of podcasts - from churches, sermons, lessons, etc.  You can also watch services - live or taped

Third - social networking - you can have pages and you can 'like' particular viewpoints.

Fourth - electronic communication / email / texting / discussion forums / interaction and more.

So, although some has reluctantly moved to electronic communications for religious viewpoints, others have embraced it as a significant technology.

Have you been part of a electronic / technological based religious activity?  You might be in the majority!!!

Young developers

Taken from:
http://blogs.computerworld.com/19991/age_of_android_boid?source=CTWNLE_nlt_pm_2012-04-05

This article covers a human interest story - of a 16 year old Android developer - still in high school in Minnesota - and his team of four - whose's combined age is still young!!

So ... age is not a factor in developing apps - but knowledge is!!!

Taken from:
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9225880/Complaints_about_iPad_Wi_Fi_problems_continue_to_climb?source=CTWNLE_nlt_pm_2012-04-05

The article notes: "According to users, some new iPads have extreme difficulty connecting to a wireless network, staying connected, and most tellingly, locking onto a strong signal. Other devices, including first- and second-generation iPads, as well as Apple-made notebooks, do not, even though they are accessing the same network and placed beside the new iPad."

This seems to be a problem to me.  Now, the article noted that there were some 770 posts on the subject on an Apple forum, but ... that isn't necessarily a 'global' problem - considering the number of new iPad's already sold. It is interesting to me that the first and second generation iPad's do not seem to have this problem.

I'm sure this is not a closed issue!!

Patches ...

taken from:
Microsoft slates critical Windows, Office, IE patches next week, including 'head-scratcher'

Now ... this is not necessarily a WOO moment!! But, it does let me talk about the less exciting side of computing - maintenance.  It is estimated that over 50% of the cost of an application (package / program) is in the maintenance phase.

So, Microsoft is sending out patches - and diligent IT staff will be 'pushing' them out - changing images, updating and modifying their software inventory.

It is also said that software is 100% bug free.  (Or ... no software is 100% safe in terms of security).  As Microsoft and others find potential vulnerabilities, they develop 'patches' to fix the situation (until the hackers / others find other places to attack!!).

iPhone passcode cracking is easier than you think

Taken from:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57405580-93/iphone-passcode-cracking-is-easier-than-you-think/?tag=cnetRiver

The article suggests that in under two minutes an expert (with the right software package) can break the four digit code on your iPhone.

While I'm not necessarily in favor of a longer passcode (like 10 characters and must have special characters, and upper and lower case letters, and must be changed frequently), a passcode does keep casual intruders off (like when you put your phone down on a table at lunch - your 'friends' can't get in too easily).

The best method would be not to lose your phone - keep it with you!!!

It can happen to anybody (even Paul Allen of Microsoft)

Taken from:
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9225605/Microsoft_co_founder_Paul_Allen_victim_of_ID_theft?source=CTWNLE_nlt_dailyam_2012-03-28

The article describes how an AWOL did an identity theft of Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, even convincing Citibank employees that he was legitimate and using a debit card to pay for debts.

It can happen to anybody - watch out!!!

H1 Visas and American Workers

Taken from:
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9225603/India_s_IT_firms_hire_U.S._workers_as_they_fight_for_visas?source=CTWNLE_nlt_dailyam_2012-03-28

The political economy is talking about 'creating more American jobs'.  Outsourcing in some respects does take American jobs and sends them overseas.

The article notes: "Computerworld - India's IT services providers have been lobbying for better access to U.S. work visas by telling U.S. officials, in part, that they are hiring more American workers.

India's effort to gain unfettered access to work visas faces increasing obstacles. Congress recently raised the H-1B filing fees by $2,000. Moreover, U.S. immigration authorities routinely delay visas with paperwork requests, and they're denying more L-1 and H-1B visa applications than they have in the past.

Part of the effort to turn around U.S. perspectives on this issue involves promoting India as an American job creator. "

While it can be important to a company to find good talented help as a cheaper rate, but ... it can also be a problem politically for a company to say to local politicians - we cut our employment by hiring internationally. 

The article indicates that India is trying to work within the system to have Indian firms that specialize in outsourcing to have offices in the US and to hire US citizens (or H1B holders) to work in the US.

LTE option can run up data costs on iPad

Taken from:
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9225448/LTE_option_poses_data_dilemma_for_iPad_smartphone_users?source=CTWNLE_nlt_dailyam_2012-03-23

The article started with this:
"Computerworld - The new iPad's LTE option, which allows access to fast 4G networks, has also shocked some customers who found they can eat up an entire month's worth of data watching just a couple hours of streaming video."

With LTE (see previous blog post on LTE), the download speed is so good, and with the iPad's improved screen quality, people will want to watch movies, sports, etc. - and they are going through their data plans quickly.  

So, what is this LTE on the iPad?

Taken from: http://www.extremetech.com/mobile/110711-what-is-lte

So, like many of us, I've been seeing "LTE" on the iPad and Smartphones - what is it?

Borrowing directly from the article, we get:

"LTE stands for Long Term Evolution. Its full name is 3GPP Long Term Evolution for the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System, or 3GPP UMTS LTE for short. Most refer to the standard as UMTS LTE or just plain LTE. While UMTS LTE is the more correct name, it will be called LTE for the remainder of this article for brevity.

But that doesn't tell us what LTE actually is. LTE is what the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (the group responsible for standardizing and improving the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System, or UMTS) designates as their next step. UMTS is the group of standards that define 3G for GSM networks across the world, including AT&T and T-Mobile’s 3G networks. For those who use CDMA2000 (subscribers of Verizon, Sprint, etc.), then LTE is pretty much the replacement for your mediocre 3G network."

So, we are talking about standardizing the mobile telecommunication system - and looking at its evolution and improvement.  

As technology occurs, there are generally new generations of products - software, hardware, telecommunications, and then tweaking occurs to make the new generation better / faster / more efficient.  As an analogy, television first came only in Black and White, but eventually color came along, and eventually hi definition color and more pixels, better images, etc.  Likewise with the telecommunications standard - improves are to be expected.  Rarely is a product the 'ultimate' - 'be-all and end-all'  (and ... at some point in time in the future, LTE will be replaced by another acronym basically meaning 'even better than LTE'!!!

Seven problems with smartphones;

Taken from:
http://www.gadgetbox.msnbc.msn.com/technology/technolog/7-worst-smartphone-injustices-how-fight-them-523772

With the growth in smartphones, this article points out some of the problems:

1. Sealed batteries - weak battery life - what an insult - you can't put standard batteries in your phone - so you are stuck with the manufacturer's batteries - with weak battery life
2. Long contracts / updates - some expect two year contracts - and guess what - your phone is out-of-date in a few months, and you still have several months before you can move up (or ... a hefty charge)
3. Extra charge for 'tethering' - if you want to share your data with your laptop or tablet - you get charged extra 
4. Lose your phone - big OUCH!!!  If you misplaced your phone (left in the taxi, left on the seat next to you at the airport) - the replacement cost is significant - and with the contract problem, you are pretty much stuck
5. Operating systems updates?  Don't count on it!!  Your software needs updating - and there is a new OS out there - but ... you might not be eligible to get it!!
6. Texting rates over the limit - you can get a 20 cent cost for messages over a low 3M limit - and this can be a significant cost (especially if you are a big texting person!!)
7. Don't travel!!!  If you want to use your phone internationally, the costs can be more than the flight!!!  

So ... it can be a financial problem to have a smartphone with standard fees, but with the hidden problems from this article!!!

Apps are taking over!!!

Taken from
http://www.technolog.msnbc.msn.com/technology/technolog/apps-could-be-overtaking-web-says-report-528483

The article was an eye-opener - but after reflecting, not all that radical to me.  (See the illustration)

Americans are spending more time on apps than they are in web browsing!!!  Whether that is more time on the Facebook app or the Wall Street Journal app - or any other app - than just browsing.  Probably everyday, I spend my time on about six places:  Facebook, New York Times, USA Today, Blackboard and Gmail (or ... campus Microsoft Outlook).

Cell-to-Wi-Fi roaming is on the way, but may come with a price

Taken from:
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9225329/Cell_to_Wi_Fi_roaming_is_on_the_way_but_may_come_with_a_price?source=CTWNLE_nlt_dailyam_2012-03-20

Imagine using your phone on a free WiFi network when you are in range - and then on your regular cell towers when you are not in range. The concepts are there and being worked on - but the details are not perfect yet.

And ... as the title suggests, it comes with a price - and frequently with some red tape - if the WiFi network is not the same as your carrier.

BUT ... it is coming - and is promising!!!

Apple's iPad - the "epitome" of what a tablet should be

Taken from:
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9225294/New_iPad_is_the_epitome_of_what_a_tablet_should_be?source=CTWNLE_nlt_dailyam_2012-03-19

The author talks of how the new iPad (no name / designation - so not quite the iPad3 - and no the iPad2 - and definitely not the original iPad) is just what he expected.  He got the full version, with more RAM, and WiFi and 4G - which really should make it a powerful computer in its own right!!

In this blog for the past two years, I have talked of tablets (a lot?) and miss a real keyboard, but ... as time goes by, I guess I get used to the iPad's virtual keyboard; it is lighter and smaller than my PC, fast (generally), bigger than my iPhone (okay, my eyes aren't what they used to be - and a pretty interesting device!!!

LightSquared and LTE networks - in a legal battle

Taken from:
http://www.cio.com/article/702358/Defiant_LightSquared_Says_FCC_Action_Would_Violate_Its_Rights

This blog has talked about the technical aspects of limited 'bandwidth' in the past.  There is a certain spectrum that can carry the LTE (Long term evolution) or 4G wireless.  The amount of spectrum available has been limited - and last fall LightSquared and others made a deal to purchase some spectrum from cable operators.  Now it seems that the FCCis trying to stop the use of that spectrum.

The article notes: "IDG News Service (San Francisco Bureau) — The FCC's proposal to kill LightSquared's planned LTE network would violate the fledgling carrier's property rights by taking away its spectrum and destroying its multibillion-dollar investment in mobile broadband, LightSquared will argue on Friday in a formal comment to the agency."


Recently it was noted that AT&T were charging more and limited data transmissions because of the increased usage of the spectrum (largely due to iPhones and other smartphone usage).  Users with unlimited data plans are facing limits as the resource is being squeezed.


It will be interesting to see what LightSquared and the FCC do - the pressure to increase access to the spectrum is continuing to grow!!

iPad 3 - "The Devils in the Details"

Taken from:
http://www.gadgetbox.msnbc.msn.com/technology/gadgetbox/ipad-review-its-renovation-not-revolution-463973

Screen: Over 3 million pixels which are crammed into the 9.7-inch device and the iPad 2 only just over 700,000.

Speed:  15 to 20% faster (depending on application)

Wireless:  Some reviewers have up to 14.5 Mbps upload and 22 Mbps download

Battery life:  "Maybe" slightly less ... (new battery, but more drain with the screen and speed)

So, not a 'revolution' - maybe some nice 'innovations' - users will have to determine their needs

Social Networks take time and thought for corporations

Taken from:http://blogs.cio.com/collaboration/16901/enterprise-social-networks-deserve-time-careful-consideration

The article suggests that large businesses don't really know what to do with Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and others on a corporate basis.  It also notes that two years ago, most businesses blocked social networks in their company - and now are (generically) not quite knowing what to do with corporate policies, etc.

The article noted:
"Often, it's because businesses don't do their homework—or don't know what homework they need to do—before a rollout. They don't assess the social readiness of their business and they don't test it first with small groups of users. They don't know what, exactly, they're hoping to improve when they deploy an enterprise social network, and the tool's interface usually isn't as intuitive as it should be to promote adoption.
Those reasons, and a handful of others, are why 70 percent of internal social initiatives eventually fail, according to Gartner. That's a hard number to ignore when you're trying to gain buy-in.
But businesses that do invest time in researching workflows and take other measured steps are seeing success."

Intel to take on tablet chips

Taken from:
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9225282/Intel_ready_to_take_on_tablet_chips

While Intel has a 'lock' on regular computer chips, it does significantly lag behind other makers when it comes to smartphone and tablet chips.

The article suggests that Intel is behind the times and while it is working towards fabrication of the smartphone chips, it comes quite late to that market.  Apple's iPad is the hot tablet, but Intel is hoping to have appropriate chips for a Microsoft Windows 8 tablet coming in the fall.

Five things to take away from SXSW

Taken from BusinessWeek at:
http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-03-13/five-things-to-take-away-from-this-year-s-sxsw

On the social media side, I'm reading posts from daughter and son-in-law on Facebook and Twitter.  (They may also have other accounts such as Foursquare and others).

The Business Week article is talking more about the computing nature of SXSW than the music scene.
These are their five things from SXSW:

1. There’s always something newer than the last new thing.  (the article mentioned Highlight and Glancee stepping in over Foursquare and Gowalla - and Twitter)
2. Popularity at SXSW doesn't necessarily mean success (the article mentioned two apps from last year that have pretty much died over the last year)
3. Big brands are desperate for social media glory - (American Express is sponsoring Jay-Z - and other big companies are doing similar events
4. Some tech gimmicks can seem heartless (a company took homeless people and made them into 4G hotspots - a little tasteless!!)
5. Old media wants to play, too (the article mentions the New York Times and CNN wanting to remain relevant in today's society)

So, in a tech rich environment, you can still learn something !!!  

Move over Foursquare

More social networking tools:
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9225171/SXSW_Location_location_location_fuels_mobile_apps?source=CTWNLE_nlt_dailyam_2012-03-14

The SXSW music fest (South by Southwest) in Austin Texas is a hotbed for technology. Everybody carried a smartphone (or at least our daughter and son-in-law do).

The article noted: "Soon FourSquare won't be the only cool kid on the location-based apps block: A new wave of startups, including Highlight, Zaarly, TaskRabbit and Localmind, are generating buzz at South by Southwest by drawing on smartphone location data to deliver a range of social, commercial and informational experiences.
Highlight is a "social discovery" app that notifies users when they are near someone they don't know with whom they might share interests. It runs in the background, only requiring the user's attention when it has found a potential social contact."

So, if you are in the crowd, have an appropriate Highlight account, and get a chirp indicated that somebody with similar interests is in the crowd, you might want to go meet him or her!!!  (Of course, if you are single and looking for the "right person", it might not be good if he or she is there with a date!!!)

COBOL Brain Drain???

Taken from: http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9225079/Brain_drain_Where_Cobol_systems_go_from_here_?source=CTWNLE_nlt_dailyam_2012-03-14

The article noted: "David Brown is worried. As managing director of the IT transformation group at Bank of New York Mellon, he is responsible for the health and welfare of 112,500 Cobol programs -- 343 million lines of code -- that run core banking and other operations. But many of the people who built that code base, some of which goes back to the early days of Cobol in the 1960s, will be retiring over the next several years.

"We have people we will be losing who have a lot of business knowledge. That scares me," Brown says. He's concerned about finding new Cobol programmers, who are expected to be in short supply in the next five to ten years. But what really keeps him up at night is the thought that he may not be able to transfer the deep understanding of the business logic embedded within the bank's programs before it walks out the door with the employees who are retiring."

Cobol might not be 'sexy' - but it does exist - and this article suggests for one company 343 MILLION lines of code!!!  That is a lot of brain power that went into creating that code for business processing.  And ... now more and more of those experts are retiring.

There is obviously a question for academics - teach Cobol - forget Cobol; and for companies - start having Cobol classes?

Grass Root support for Apple in the Enterprise

Taken from: http://www.information-management.com/blogs/Apple_mobile_infrastructure_BI_iPad_enterprise-10022129-1.html?ET=informationmgmt:e3041:2262124a:&st=email&utm_source=editorial&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=IM_Daily_030912


Apple has tried to NOT be the enterprise computing company.  In fact (from the article), Steve Jobs stated: " Steve Jobs himself regularly stated that he did not want Apple to be, or become, an enterprise IT provider, preferring to focus on more creative and new types of devices, content, and services that enabled consumer/end users."


BUT ... Apple is creeping into the business world.  With the BYOD (bring your own device) philosophy, the iPad is showing up in salesmen's hands - with iCloud (or DropBox) cloud storage, CRM (with links to Salesforce or Soho) and other tools.  


The demand comes from the bottom up - from users who want the flexibility of tablet devices - not from the top down of CEO to CIO to users.  That brings standardization, bottom up generally brings innovation

How IBM has wooed Wall Street (as a solid investment)

Taken from:  http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-03-06/how-ibm-wooed-wall-street

IBM, known at one point for the IBM PC (which it sold off some time back); and big hardware (mainframe computing); has really reinvented itself as a technology services company.  

The article notes: "The answer to that is less sexy than IBM might have you believe. The company, with annual revenue of $107 billion, still makes tens of billions of dollars per year selling traditional data-center hardware and software. In fact, Toni Sacconaghi, an analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., estimates that about 20 percent of IBM’s revenue and 40 percent of its profits can be traced to hardware, software, services, and financing on mainframes, the grizzled veterans of corporate computing. Such machines are not analytics dynamos but rather workhorses crunching away at the most mundane tasks. The bulk of the rest of IBM’s business revolves around high-profit software and services, in which the company deploys tens of thousands of people to customers’ sites for what can be very lengthy technology installation and consulting engagements."

Services - especially long term contractual services at client sites is lucrative - and IBM has done well with that - and has a period of steady revenue growth (that keeps investors / Wall Street happy).

Plus IBM has remade its image - to a 'smarter / greener' company - truly 'good guys' - and it didn't hurt to have a winner with Watson on Jeopardy!!!

And ... the announcement (iPad 3)

The long awaited announcement for the iPad 3 is out.

The quick highlights:  (all quotes from a press release):

"Apple CEO Tim Cook took to the stage in San Francisco Wednesday to announce a new iPad. In fact, he just called it simply "the new iPad." It will have a quad-core chip, "retina" high-resolution display, a 5-megapixel camera and 4G LTE networking for fast connection on Verizon Wireless and AT&T.

The display has 2048 x 1536 pixels. That's over 3.1 million pixels, "the most ever on a mobile devices," says Phil Schiller, worldwide marketing boss.

The new iPad will have an A5X chip, which is a quad-core processor. It delivers four times the performance of the iPad 2.

The camera on the new iPad has a 5-megapixel center, optics with an IR filter, and some nice controls to maximize picture taking. As you may expect from the camera and the screen, you can shoot 1080p video with this baby.

There's voice-to-text for emails and other text-input windows, but it doesn't look like there's full-blown Siri here, which seems odd. The voice is some guy's voice, not the sultry Siri we've come to know (in the U.S.)."

Of course, this begs the question - "When do I move up to the new technology?"  A quad-core processor - that's good (and fast); a better camera (nice - (okay, the old camera on the iPad2 is lacking, but okay - my stand-alone camera is good - but that means I have to carry both a tablet and a camera); high resolution display (nice - but ... actually I have no problems with the display on my iPad2 (after all, if it is too small, I can enlarge it ...); LTE / 4G connections - that's good (but ... I'm not on a data plan currently - but looking at one);  voice to text?  (dragon speech is already available); no Siri (doesn't sound right).

So ... will I upgrade?  Not yet!!!

New iPad's might be slow to market

Taken from: http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9224931/Expect_shortages_of_new_iPad_say_analysts?source=CTWNLE_nlt_pm_2012-03-06

The new iPad is to be unveiled today (March 7th) in San Francisco!!! 

This article suggests that "But as with the iPad 2 and the iPhone 4S last year, experts expect that supply will be out of sync with demand for at least several months after the tablet hits stores.

"They'll face a shortage for a while," said Ezra Gottheil of Technology Business Research today."

This is not an unusual situation.  With a new product, companies can guess at how strong the demand might be - but accurate predictions might be hard to come by.  

Top 25 iPhone / iPad apps for business

Taken from:

http://www.cio.com/slideshow/detail/33317/Top-25-iPhone---iPad-Apps-for-Business?source=CIONLE_nlt_insider_2012-03-01

Some of the hot applications include:

• BatteryBoost Magic App - keeps track of your battery and when you will need to charge it
• CardMunch - keeps business cards for you
• CloudOn - a free version of Microsoft Word, Excel, etc. (and with Dropbox, a place to put those documents!!)
• Dragon Dictation - translates spoken word to text 
• HootSuite  - post to Twitter, Facebook, Linked in at the same time

I'll be trying some of these soon!!!

Why you should not buy your child an iPad

Taken from:
http://www.cio.com/article/701182/Why_You_Should_Not_Buy_Your_Child_an_iPad?source=CIONLE_nlt_insider_2012-03-01

The author makes a point that children should be spending time outdoors, playing basketball or soccer (etc.) and socializing rather than indoors playing on an iPad.  He relates an experience from his youth of wasting a summer playing a computer game with friends - he writes: "During that summer, three of us kids spent entire days playing a game on the computer instead of shooting hoops with friends. (I can't even remember the name of the game.)"

Another point: "Let's face it, iPad isolation can lead to poor social skills at a time when kids are just learning how to interact with each other. The iPad is supposed to be a creative device but instead blunts the imagination with rigid apps that define reality and choices, as opposed to a child's boundless thinking."

I think the author is right.  There needs to a good mix of activities.  On rainy / snowy days, maybe some time with an iPad (or computer) might be okay for kids.  The author notes that there are some great ebooks available for children (but ... the children he observed were not reading, but playing games).

Google to dig deeper into our lives!!

Taken from:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46580123/ns/technology_and_science-security/ 

As we well know, Google has a great search engine - and many other products - and all (I think) are free.

So ... how do they make money and how do they pay their employees?  By knowing a lot about people (like me) and selling that information (or selling specific ad areas).  This article indicates that they are 'simplifying' their privacy notes - which means that they really will have more information about me.  When I search (with Google) they know about all my old searches; they know that I have a blog (this one); they know my age, address and more; they can select ads based on my age, income, family status and more to show on the search results page.

I do not get ads for dog food (or cat food - or for pets) - and I have never done a search for such information.  I wonder if for two day, I search for the best dog and cat food, how to train and teach dogs to do tricks and how to groom cats might cause Google to start putting related ads on my searches.

It is not quite a two-way street though.  I have added Ad Sense to this blog - and when I checked last, I had made 25 cents!!!  (Now ... how do I require all my students to click on the ads for me? )

New iPad release on March 7th

Taken from:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/news/hardware/Apple-to-launch-iPad-3-on-March-7/articleshow/12079728.cms

The article states: ""We have something you really have to see. And touch," Apple said today in an invitation, which features a picture of an iPad screen. The new device will sport a high-definition display, run a faster processor and work with speedier wireless networks, people familiar with the product said last month. 

After pioneering the tablet market two years ago, Apple is counting on the new model to beat back competition from newer devices running Google Inc's Android software. The company has sold more than 55 million iPads, generating at least $34.5 billion in revenue. Amazon.com Inc's Kindle Fire, which uses Android, emerged as the iPad's biggest rival over the holiday shopping season last year. "

In some respects the "Tablet Wars" haven't really taken off.  It is the Apple iPad versus the other tablets.  At this stage (third iPad), the market is all Apple.  The Kindle Fire and the Barnes and Noble Nook are mostly e-readers and the newer versions are approaching the multitasking nature of the iPad, but are not there yet.  There is the Samsung Galaxy tablet - which approaches the website of the iPad, but really doesn't complete.  

Still tuned - tablets will continue to be hot news for a long time!!!

Is investing in Facebook wise?

Taken from:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/on-small-business/why-facebook-may-not-be-a-wise-investment/2012/02/03/gIQA6P7UnQ_story.html

The article notes that Facebook makes about 85% of its revenue from advertising.  It further suggests that that is a lot of dependence on one source of revenue and that while in the short run emotional trading may happen as people want to "own a piece" of Facebook, in the long run, that heavy dependence on advertising could weaken.

For a bystander - I've seen the rise of Facebook (and other social networking sites) and at the time think not much is going to slow it down; but also as a realist, think that in (say) 10 years, Facebook maybe passe and the 'next big thing' will be getting the advertising dollars (look at MySpace for a similar example)

Barnes and Noble Nook - attempts to get back in the Tablet market

The Kindle Fire is a nice e-reader that is attempting to be in the low-end tablet market (but ... in this authors estimation not quite a tablet like the iPad).  It is priced at $199.  Barnes and Noble recently reduced the price on it's color Nook e-reader to $169.  (The illustration below is a bit older showing similarities).

Can the Nook compete?  Only time will tell - but Amazon has more resources, and the Apple iPad has more apps (from the iPhone) ready to go!!

Doing Windows apps on a iPad???

Taken from:
http://informationweek.com/news/software/enterprise_apps/232601317

Absolutely you can do Windows Applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) on an iPad.  The concept is to have a 'Virtual Desktop' in the cloud (for those reading this blog - and also in my graduate class, this was last week's assignment!!).  Some issues are the speed and the cost.  Tackling the cost first - the article says $5.99 a month.  The speed will depend on your connection - WiFi - or 3G / 4G connection.

So, you are a Windows user who wants to have the smaller, more portable (and ... many 'sexy') iPad - you don't have to change much - just get the Virtual Desktop and run with it!!!

iPad Mini at $299?????

Taken from:
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9224377/iPad_Mini_priced_at_299_would_crush_tablet_rivals_says_analyst?source=CTWNLE_nlt_pm_2012-02-17

One analyst said: "Her reasoning was based on tablet numbers from the fourth quarter of 2011.

During those three months, Apple's share of all tablet unit sales dropped to 57% from the prior quarter's 64% as lower-priced rivals, particularly the Kindle Fire and Barnes and Noble's Nook tablets, sold in volume."

An iPad mini with a much smaller screen (almost 8 inches as compared to the 9.7 inch full version) (and probably smaller internal memory), but with full color, full internet would be more attractive than the Kindle Fire (priced about $199).  For those that like to read ebooks (my wife is among those) - getting too small of a screen is a problem, but a 7.9 inch screen should be reasonable and competitive with the Kindle and other similar smaller tablets.  

Tracking (How Google Tracked Safari Users)

Taken from the Wall Street Journal:
http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2012/02/16/how-google-tracked-safari-users/

First - how does Google make money?  They collect and use your information to have sponsored ads on places (like even this blog).  If you do a Google search, they put relevant information on the top of the search and collect because the company paid to be among the top results - and collect more if you click on the ad / link.

Safari was intended to not allow tracking software - so if you went to HomeDepot.Com and looks for a new kitchen countertop; and then used Google to search for countertops, Safari would not know that you had already been to HomeDepot.com.

BUT ... Google found a way around this with what acted like an 'invisible form' - but opened Safari to be tracked.

When the Wall Street Journal found this and asked, Google (supposedly) stopped this.

(For us PC users, I think everything I do is tracked - and I need to occasionally 'clean-out' my tracking cookies!)

More Apple news

In a Wall Street Journal article, there was this note:  "Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook unveiled a new version of the company's Macintosh operating system that incorporates numerous features from the software that powers the iPhone and iPad.

The new features include Apple's messaging service, notifications app, gaming center, sharing features and integration with the company's online service iCloud."

For you Apple lovers out there, this can make a complete vertical line-up of products with common features:  the hand-held iPhone; the iPad table; the Mac notebooks, laptops and desktop units.

It will make it easy to go back and forth from one to another device!!!

iPad Trademark controversy

Taken from:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46380126/ns/business-us_business/

It seems like a Chinese company claims it has the rights to the name "iPad":

"A Chinese tech firm that says it owns the iPad trademark, plans to seek a ban on exports of Apple Inc's computer tablets from China, a lawyer for the company said."

The article indicates that Apple says they purchased the rights ("Apple said it had bought the worldwide rights to the trademark long ago."); but the article also states: "Apple lost a case to Proview Technology (Shenzhen) in a Shenzhen court in southern China late last year when the court agreed that Proview owned the iPad trademark."

The Proview Technology company is asking the Chinese import / export agents to stop Apple from shipping iPads out (or in) to China.

While Apple has had great successes lately (highest stock price ever, huge sales and profits); it also has problems (disputed use of child labor, and labor practices in China in general).

It will be interesting to see how this plays out.  Who knows, you might be using an "iTablet" (instead of an iPad) in the future!!!

Tablet wars - continued

In the slide show from eweek:

http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Enterprise-Networking/Tablet-King-for-2012-10-Factors-That-Will-Determine-the-Leader-167869/?kc=EWKNLBOE02102012STR1TOC

The slide show notes that the Apple iPad is the overwhelming leader in the tablet market (very true) - but suggests (like my last post) that Apple needs to be proactive if they want to keep that lead.  The iPad 2 is a minimal upgrade to the iPad 1 - and the on-the-horizon iPad 3 is still unknown, but probably not 'earth shaking'.

Some of the suggestions include:

• Price!!  (The Kindle Fire is $199, the iPad is $499 and up)
• Improvements / innovations - if Apple can push the envelope, the iPad 3 could really push the other tablets into oblivion
• Size - the Kindle Fire is smaller - but that can be attractive (especially with the price)
• Quality - if Android tablets can continue to grow in quality, features (and a better price), watch out Apple!!
• ENTERPRISE, ENTERPRISE, ENTERPRISE - tablets are nice, but they currently are nicer for reading books, getting the news, email, facebook (and facetime) on a screen that is larger than a phone - but to really catch on, they need to be in corporate America - with Enterprise apps (can anyone say SAP on the iPad?)
• Integrated services - Apple and Amazon have great integration - with the iTunes store, apps store, etc - or with the Amazon services - cloud, books, store and more.  Tablets need to have features!!

iPhone 5 over iPhone 4.5 rumors

Taken from:
http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Mobile-and-Wireless/iPhone-5-10-Ways-Apple-Can-Improve-on-the-iPhone-4S-371188/?kc=EWKNLBOE02102012FEA1

So, while not announced, it is a solid guess that Apple will release the iPhone 5 this year (the article suggests late summer).  While Apple is very tight lipped about what will be on the iPhone 5 as compared to the iPhone 4.5s, the authors have some suggestions:

• The iPhone 4.5s is boring - do something to 'jazz' it up a little; have some design innovations, etc.
• Consumers are vary of 'nominal' upgrades - the iPhone 4.5 was NOT all that earthshaking as compared to the iPhone 4.  Ho hum - another new iPhone - big deal (not).  Put some real new features and excitement into the phone
• Competitors are gaining (if not ahead) of Apple - [the article suggested the LG Spectrum] - if Aapple wants to be viewed as progressive - or reactionary - might depend on what they do to the iPhone 5
• Use a quad core processor (not just a dual core) 
• Apple needs to improve its corporate / enterprise approach - (and take over the Blackberry market)
• It must have 4G - bring it on!!!

The article (really slide show) suggests that Apple is losing its competitive edge with 'just another new iPhone' mentality - and needs to make a serious effort to make the iPhone 5 a leader in many ways!!!

There's an App for that

Taken from:
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9224069/Election_fever_6_mobile_apps_that_can_keep_you_informed?source=CTWNLE_nlt_dailyam_2012-02-10

The staff at Computerworld looked at some political apps for your phone (or tablet) and liked these:

• CNN Mobile (although for CNN, you can get to the political discussions)
• Election Caster - aggregation of other news feeds
• New York Times Election 2012 app - 
• PolitiFact Mobile
• USA Election 2012
• VoterMap

We'll be looking more at these in the next nine months!!!!

Google doing home entertainment?

Taken from:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203824904577213430617644196.html?mod=djemalertTECH

The online Wall Street Journal indicates that Google will come out with a

"Google Inc. is developing a home-entertainment system that streams music wirelessly throughout the home and would be marketed under the company's own brand, according to people briefed on the company's plans."

Google, to this point, has worked with others on products, such as developing the Android operating system that is used on several phone systems.  To have their own brand is a change for them.  Google and Apple have been competitors in some markets and this (home entertainment) is an area rumored for Apple products as well.

Apple iPad3 to come in March??

Taken from:
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9224120/March_debut_of_iPad_3_a_sure_bet_says_analyst?source=CTWNLE_nlt_pm_2012-02-09

The article (from a Dow-Jones source) indicated an early March announcement for the 3rd version of the iPad.
Among features anticipated is SIRI - the voice activated help function that came out with the iPhone 4.5S; and better screen resolution.

In the discussions are a smaller iPad tablet - probably later this spring.  In tablets, the iPad is definitely the leader in the marketplace.

Social Media at the Superbowl

The prediction is that Superbowl watchers (like my wife and myself) will be on Social Media during the game (like I am currently).  I have been on Facebook (and seen a lot of posts and comments (including, of course, the review of Madonna for the halftime show).  Almost all of the commercials give both a web address - and even a Twitter feed.

I have already been watching the commercials for a week - and talking about it in class!!!

How many of you were on line (and commenting, posting, tweeting, etc.) while watching the game?

More on Facebook IPO

Taken from:

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9223929/Facebook_IPO_filing_reveals_some_eye_poppers?source=CTWNLE_nlt_pm_2012-02-02

There have been many comments about Facebook going 'public' - and the IPO (initial public offering).  There were some interesting factors in this article:

• Facebook spent about $700,000 on a personal plane for Mark Zuckerberg (CEO) and Sheryl Sandberg (COO) - mostly for security reasons (would you recognize Zuckerberg if he was on a flight you were taking?  Would you want to talk to him if he was in the seat next to you on a plane?)
• Zuckerberg also has a home security system (probably more than my little one) and security personnel 
• The company is growing (about 50% growth last year)
• Facebook is available in 70 languages (I'll have to try the Russian and German versions!!!)
• It spent about 10.5% of revenue on research and development (compared to about 14% for Google)
• Most popular (over 80% of people) in Turkey, Chile, and Venezuela - and least in China (prohibited)

The revenue comes from ads, from a percentage of purchases made on Facebook.

Not bad for a relatively new idea!!! 

Apple in the Enterprise??

Taken from:
http://www.cio.com/article/699115/Will_This_Be_the_Year_of_Apple_in_the_Enterprise_?source=CIONLE_nlt_insider_2012-02-02

Traditionally, PC's have been the computers in the business enterprise.  BUT ... with the huge increase in Smartphones (especially the iPhone); and tablets (especially with the iPad) - and the flexibility of the various Mac laptops and notebooks is causing businesses to look at Apple products as part of their computing platform.

The article noted: "All of the major trends in IT -- cloud computing, mobile solutions and the ongoing consumerization of IT -- look good for Apple. It's more accommodating to the enterprise than it used to be, and its popularity in the mainstream consumer culture should offer advantages in the months ahead."

It could be a very good year for Apple in the business enterprise!!!

IT Security can't keep up

Taken from:

http://www.baselinemag.com/c/a/Mobile-and-Wireless/Mobile-Revolution-Threatens-IT-Security-385243/?kc=BLBLBEMNL02012012STR5

The huge growth in the mobile market for employees does threaten security.

Some of the points in this article:

- employees think of their device as a simple 'phone', not as the way into the corporate data bases (and probably has the passwords saved on the device!!!!)

- the number has doubled in the past two years - with many of those having access to sensitive data

- insecurity WiFi - can allow others to access devices

Companies need to have strong security policies on corporate usages on smartphones (and tablets devices / iPad). Employees need to log out of applications fully. The data needs to be secure and require full authorization to get.

This will be a topic for years to come!!!