Nov 4, 2014 | General
Apple is building an engineering in Seattle. Does that sound like nothing? Keep in mind what company Seattle is the home of.
Seattle is home to Apple’s biggest rival, Microsoft. This is their first engineering office in the northwest. They’re moving there because of the area’s booming software engineering talent and online infrastructure. It seems to be a strategic move to improve cloud technology, which is built in Seattle. In fact, the meat of this Seattle Apple office is going to be a group of engineers who worked at a cloud company called Union Bay Networks. Most Union Bay employees are now calling themselves Apple employees. Did Apple outright buy Union Bay? Everyone’s keeping tight lip about that one. Apple’s not the only one settling in Seattle. Tech companies from Google to Facebook either have or are in the process of setting up engineering offices there because of the talent pool the northwest offers.
Many are welcoming this move, as technical companies bring in jobs and revenue. A high ranking official of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation says this is great. Well, competition has always been great for business. Now it’s going to be great for one US metro area. I certainly hope all this cloud improvement competition actually improves the cloud. But Seattle isn’t the only place in the US where great engineering talent is growing. What other cities can Apple, Microsoft and other major tech companies move to?
*Update: As it turns out, Christian Bale will not be playing Steve Jobs in the new movie coming out, as was blogged about last week. Sources say Bale felt he just wasn’t right for the role. But Seth Rogen’s name has been thrown around to take the role of Apple co-founder Steve Woziniak. Who will be the best actor to play Steve Jobs?
Nov 3, 2014 | Computer technology, Smartphone
Let me clear the title up: Apple is not selling keys. But Apple is teaming up with hotel chains. These chains will allow you to use your iPhone to lock and unlock your hotel room at your convenience.
Starwood Hotels (the chain that gives us luxury hotels like Sheraton, Aloft, W and Le Meridian) are starting the SPG Keyless program. You can use this program as soon as you book a Starwood hotel. You can choose to register your phone through the SPG app. The day before your stay, they’ll give you your room number and cyber key through that app. At your arrival, you skip the check-in desk and use your iPhone and go straight to your room. With the app on your iPhone, you unlock your room and there you go. As of today, only three Starwood brands: Aloft, W and Element have this service. Other Starwood brands are expected to follow soon. SPG Keyless will be available through iPhone 4, 5,and 6? systems. Hilton Hotels are looking to get into the key less trend. Starting in early 2015, they will be launching their own key less system at select hotels and resorts in the US. Eventually, you’ll be able to use these upcoming hotel key less systems on Android smartphones.
This could work. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been on vacations and I forget my card key. Now I have to go to the front desk, sometimes at crazy hours, and ask to be let in. This new system will eliminate that hassle and potential embarrassment. I like the way they’re starting up for more expensive chains and smartphones too. I hope this is so successful that withing a few years, the key less trend will trickle down to every hotel chain and will be affordable to all hotel patrons. Would you use your smartphone as a hotel key?
Nov 2, 2014 | Computer technology, Entertainment
Let’s go back to the decade of the 2000s: the era of George W., Paris Hilton, and the rise of reality TV. It was also the era of the podcast, programs broadcasted over the Internet. Get ready for the podcast comeback.
By 2009 or 2010, the podcast was slipping, thanks to You Tube and other social media venues. But now, the podcast is back with vengeance! Where do you want to start? You can watch true crime podcast like Serial, a radio style talk show like Alex Jones Infowars, or catch the podcast of celebrities from Jersey Shore’s Snooki to WWE superstar Chris Jericho. Last month, 39 million people listened to at least one podcast show, a new record.? Not only are more people listening to podcast, more people are launching one. John Lee Dumas, host of podcast ‘Entrepreneurship on Fire’, says “It’s spreading like wildfire.” Dumas should know. He’s made over 700 episodes of Entrepreneurship on Fire. There are several reasons why the podcast is making such a resurgent comeback. One reason is the shows are better than they were 10 years ago. Another is economics. It costs less to produce than other media. Traffic and technology have a lot to do with this trend. We’re spending more hours in our car than ever before. Most cars made in the 2010s, at least in the US, can play Internet radio either through USB, Bluetooth or auxiliary plug. It’s estimated next year, half of all cars sold will be Internet connected. By the mid 2020s, all of them will be.
I like to add another reason to the podcast comeback: the overall quality of today’s media has taken a downward turn. From the mainstream news to the music, it’s more of the same. People are tired of it and switching to podcast and other alternative entertainment. This trend will only continue as time marches on. What’s your favorite podcast?
Nov 1, 2014 | Computer technology
The wait for Google Stars is over, but they’re not calling it that. It’s simply being called Chrone Bookmark Manager. And it seems like not too many people are waiting.
But Google Chrome Bookmark Manager is launched. They’ve been tweaking and polishing this new addition to the Google family since May, but just released it yesterday. Here, you can save all your bookmarks with a single clique and it organizes bookmarks for you based on categories of what you’ve already saved. You can even share bookmark folders with your Chrome friends. And they’ve done a good job updating the interface.
But the few people that tried it if haven’t given it rave reviews. Complaints about the new extension have been plentiful. Some say it may require an updated version of Google Chrome altogether. If that’s the case, then I don’t think it’s worth it. Others agree. I’ve read reviews saying they already have so many tools for bookmarking, saving and sharing they don’t need anymore. Too much can become confusing. At best, some say it’s easier to work with, but not that appealing or easy on the eyes. Keep in mind this is a new venture for Google, so maybe Bookmark Manager will improve as time goes along and as more people respond. Are you going to jump on the Google Chrome Bookmark Manager anytime soon?
Oct 31, 2014 | Computer technology
The mobile revolution has no end in sight, and investors are getting in on the trend. In the past twelve months, mobile Internet companies made over 19 billion dollars in investments alone, setting a new record.
While no aspect of mobile business really ran away it, mobile commerce got the biggest piece of the pie, with 4.2 billion dollars. That was followed by mobile travel and transportation with $3.3 billion, utilities with $1.8 billion. It should come as no surprise that games came in fourth with 1.1 billion dollars in investments. And as a sign of the times, wearable technology took a slice of the pie, though it was a small one. In the last 12 months, $300 million was invested in this new tech phenomenon. Others mobile business categories who raked in around a billion dollars include social media, food and beverage, and advertising. However, the picture of return on investment is fairly different. Transportation far leads the pack in that arena, with 78% return. Social networking places a distant second, with a 45% return on investments, gaming, around 40%. And just because investors are generous with your interest doesn’t mean you’re going to do well. Utilities, ranked third in the money received from investors, their return was negative 67%.
What does all this mean? Well, if you’re trying to launch a mobile e-commerce business or travel app, you should be in luck. There are venture capitalist out there ready to take a chance on your rising business. If you’re trying to launch the next gaming phenomena, you’ll probably find a good investor and he’ll probably make a killing, so you’ll both win. If you are an investor, I wouldn’t be so eager to look for a mobile advertising marketing company. Your chances of getting anything are almost as low as it is with utilities.If you had the money, power and resources, what kind of mobile business would you invest in?
Happy Halloween and be safe out there!
Oct 30, 2014 | Computer technology, Entertainment
You should never yell fire in a crowded movie theater. You should never wear wearable technology in a movie theater either.
The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA)? and National Association of Theater Owners are commanding wearable devices such as the smartwatch and Google Glass to be shut off while the movie is playing. Those who fail to comply will be asked to leave the theater. That’s not all. If it’s discovered the film was being recorded on the device, police will be called in. It’s part of their anti-piracy zero-tolerance crusade. This new ruling comes in the wake of last year’s MPAA ruling, urging theaters to check bags and jackets for cameras and other things, as to look for ‘suspicious activity’ among customers.? The MPAA is using 21st century technology of their own to enforce their zero tolerance anti-piracy crusade, such as night-vision goggles and low-light binoculars. Google Glass has been specifically targeted. The United Kingdom and theaters in five US states have banned Google Glass altogether, whether you’re using it or not. If you’re thinking about recording in a movie there, don’t do it. Penalties can be severe. Under the federal law, film piracy recordings can carry a maximum three year prison sentence. That doesn’t include state and local sentences.
I’ve never been a fan of Google Glass. I think the device can be easily used to invade peoples’ privacy and civil liberties. Maybe the smartwatch will be manipulated to do the same. So I can see the concern there. But I’m equally as concerned with how the MPAA and National Association of Theater Owners are acting. Three years in prison for piracy? I’ve read about violent criminals who serve less time. And I’m kind of weary of checks at theaters. I’ve never experienced this myself, but don’t we get enough of that at airports? I understand piracy takes food out of mouths and they want to put a stop to it. But are these policies good for stopping piracy or are they going too far?
Oct 29, 2014 | Security
Not even 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Washington, DC is immune. Even the White House got breached. According to news sources, this breach has been going on for weeks.
These hackers are reported and suspected to be from the Russian government. Officials say the worst of it was just disruptions to certain services, and no damages were done. Cybersecurity squads worked to correct the cyber invasion attempt. Nobody is saying if any data was stolen. These kind of Russian hackers are also suspected of targeting NATO, Ukraine, and American defense contractors. The hacking was found earlier this month. Some employees were urged to change their passwords, but there were some minor email delays. The White House has long been prepared for this kind of breach. There was a major breach to the US military classified networks back in 2008, also suspected to be caused by Russian intelligence hackers. In the wake of this, the the US Cyber Command was founded. This organization has been committed to fighting foreign cyberattacks on behalf of private as well as government sectors.
This should be a lesson for us all. Well, first of all, thank goodness nothing was taken and no data was compromised. We should all be grateful for that. But it makes me wonder, if the White House, the most prestigious house in America, isn’t immune to breaches, how much hope can other houses in this nation have of cyber security? Now we all know relations between the US and Russia has been icy at best. In the last year or two alone, the two nations have jostled about every issue from Ukraine to the Edward Snowden revelations. And apparently, this jostle has gone on for several years. So we should be thankful for the US Cyber Command. The cold relationship between these two nations probably isn’t warming up anytime soon, more hacking attempts can be expected, and what can be done for protection?
Oct 28, 2014 | Entertainment, internet, networking
Good news: One day you can have a You Tube with no commercials or any other advertising. Bad news: You’ll be the one paying for it.
You Tube CEO Susan Wojcicki is working around the clock to make this social medium a better place. One option includes ad-free service. It would be up to the customer to decide whether deal with advertisers or pay a monthly fee for no ads at all. In May 2013, You Tube allowed channels to sell either videos or subscriptions. For example, if a TV show wants to put reruns for the previous season, they can charge .99 cents per episode or $9.99 for the season. She also talked about the relationship between You Tube and it’s parent company, Google, and other ways You Tube can make profits. Another thing Ms. Wojociki noticed it You Tube is being uploaded from smartphones and mobile devices at least half the time. As of today, You Tube attracts over a billion visitors a month, and has made over 5.6 billion dollars in ad revenue alone in the last year alone.
I bring this up because it’s obvious ad revenue is paramount to You Tube’s success and has been for throughout the company’s nine year history. So for those of us (I’m talking to myself) fearing we’re all going to have to pay for You Tube, I wouldn’t worry. They’re smart enough to know not to let this good thing go. I understand how some are tired of the ads and would rather pay out of pocket. And I appreciate paying for subscriptions for certain shows. But You Tube needs to keep that advertising option open. Keep in mind these are just options being thrown around, except for channel and video subscriptions. Nothing is set in stone. These are just You Tube’s options. What do you think of these options and how would you make You Tube, already good, even better?
Oct 27, 2014 | Computer technology
Fitbit currently leads the technology world in the fitness tracking/heart rate monitor race. Yet, despite ever increasing competition coming from everywhere, we haven’t heard from them in a while. We’re going to hear them loud and clear in 2015.
Next year, Fitbit will introduce their new products, Charge HR and Surge. The Charge HR not only measures your heart all day, but does so during your sleep. It has five days of battery life without a charger (I wish my iPod touch could do that!) and has snap-on prongs for a snuggle fit. The 24 hour heart rate tracker on this is called Pure Plus. It also counts calorie burns for activities ranging from running to biking to yoga. The price of Charge HR should run $150.
The more elaborate Fitbit product is called Fitbit Surge, also dubbed as ‘fitness smartwatch’. It does everything the Charge HR can do. But Surge has LCD technology, GPS, caller ID, and text messaging. With your connected phone, you can do all this, and the battery life also last five days, though it goes a lot shorter while using a GPS. Surge also works as a compass.? It promises fitness touching and is water resistant, perfect for swimmers. The Fitbit Surge will run you $250.
As stated before, the competition in the fitness tracking is increasing. Plus, in many eyes, Fitbit doesn’t have the best of reputation. So I’m wondering why is Fitbit waiting to release their new products until after the new year? Wouldn’t it make sense to put Surge and Charge out in November, just in time for the holiday season? To their credit, Fitbit is releasing Fitbit Charge in November, which is a basic heart rate monitor on your wrist for $130. Why not release all three? Are they just not ready? This holiday season, the competition is going to run away with profits that could and should have been Fitbit’s. What’s behind the mystery of Fitbit?
Oct 26, 2014 | Computer technology
It seems like the new phenomenon Apple Pay isn’t being welcomed by everyone. Pharmacy chains Rite Aid and CVS are taking measures to resist that system.
Over the past week, Rite Aid and CVS shut down support for Apple Pay. It’s important to know that Rite Aid wasn’t an official Apple Pay partner to begin with. But both store chains are shutting down their NFC. That’s the acronym for near field communication, a blatant attempt to thwart Apple Pay. Google Wallet will also take a hit. Even CVS management emailed their stores, telling them NFC support has been cut off, and Apple Pay will not be accepted. Why are Rite Aid and CVS resisting Apple Pay? Thank their participation in Merchant Customer Exchange (MCX), a lesser known mobile payment system better known as Current C. But not all pharmacy chains are joining this resistance. Walgreens stores embrace Apple Pay.
Should we be surprised at this prescription drug chain resist movement? I’m not. Did Apple Pay really think the whole world will just accept this system? Don’t get me wrong. I hope Apple Pay succeeds, as I think this is a great step in the technological world. And many like this system. They do have an ally in Walgreens. But to think every major chain is going to go along with it is grossly naive. And these stores aren’t the only one. As prescription drug chains resist, what will Apple Pay do?
