May 16, 2014 | internet, News
Net Neutrality: It’s the hot button issue of 2014, sort of like the NSA was the hot button issue of 2013. There has been protest nationwide about the issue. And it seems the powers that be are listening.
It’s been announced online companies received lots on airspace specifically for unlicensed use.? They got a couple of channels for TV airways too. To put it in layman’s terms, they’ve allowed construction for working class housing in the richest neighborhood in town. A TV airwaves auction could bring in $20 billion. While this was a huge step in the right direction, especially for Internet companies. But the controversy surrounding net neutrality is far from over.
FCC (Federal Communications Commission) Chairman Tom Wheeler seems to be between a rock and a hard place. He’s been criticized by everyone. He first said he was cool with Internet companies charging more for faster service. Then came the protest. The protest got more intense: It went from activists bombarding the FCC with angry emails, letters, and phone calls to camping outside headquarters, causing a scene. Now it seems like Wheeler is backing off, or at least backing down. Now he’s saying things like ‘we’re looking at every way to protect an open and free Internet’. I hope so. One of the problem is net neutrality is so complex to understand. And let’s not get started on issues like Comcast merging with NBC Universal. What side are you on in the net neutrality debate?
May 15, 2014 | News, Security
Minnesota is known for it’s many, many lakes, extremely cold winters and a huge mega-mall. Now it’s known to take a huge stance against cell phone theft.
As of July 1, 2015, every smartphone and cell phone in Minnesota will be required to have a preloaded anti-theft functionality. In other words, every phone sold in this state starting July 2015 must have an anti-theft tool or app. Governor Mark Dayton hopes this combats cell phone theft, especially violent incidents. Governor Dayton isn’t alone in his concern. Minnesota senators are pushing to make this a federal law. University of Minnesota police say nearly two-thirds of on crime campus is cell phone theft, many of those by armed robbery. Minnesota isn’t alone in fighting cell phone theft. Back in February, California introduced a bill combating cell phone theft.
The statistics are alarming. Did you know every minute, 113 portable phones are lost or stolen? It’s competing with ID theft as the fastest growing crime in the US today. So I actually agree with Minnesota in passing this law. Now I know what some of you might say: Should the government be getting involved at all? Shouldn’t we wait for cell phone companies to take care of this? Isn’t this big? brother? In the case of cell phone theft, and how fast it’s rising, I say give this law a try. But make sure people’s rights and securities aren’t being infringed upon. Is an anti cell phone theft mandate right for your state, or the whole nation in general?
May 14, 2014 | Computer technology
Ever watch a sci-fi movie where a car drove itself or was operated by something other than the driver? It’s amazing how art is imitating life.
For quite some time, Google has been testing their robot car through Silicon Valley. In the 700,000 miles that tested so far, the car generally followed the rules of the road, from yielding to pedestrians to stopping at red lights. While they’re two ‘test drivers’ in the car just to observe, it never had any major accidents. It did have a few fender benders. It’s advised not to have a GPS with this Google car. It’s system, which contains an on and off button, should be enough. All that’s left to do now is…well…everything, from making deals from manufacturers to dealing with privacy and security issues. If all goes well, Google Robot Car might be out by 2020.
I’m liking the reports I’m reading about this car. I’m liking it because this car has so little accidents and little incidents, or so we’re being told. Statistics say the #1 cause of deaths for children and young adults is a car accident. Google insists this robot car can improve that. I want to believe it, but the cynic in me is still asking the hard questions. What is the system shuts down in the middle of a ride? What if mechanical failure happens while a family is on the interstate at 70MPH? Worse yet, what if a hacker decides to tamper with your car? Would you buy a Google robot car?
May 13, 2014 | Computer technology
Ever find yourself doing something important on your IPad and needed to do another task through a second app? You couldn’t do it. You had to shut one down to get to the other.
Apple’s newest iPad is rumored to have a split screen/multitask feature. This feature will let iPad consumers use two apps at once, so long as the apps are purchased at the Apple Store. But Apple didn’t start this trend. Microsoft’s Surface tablets has the ‘snap’ feature. This feature allows multiple apps on a Surface screen for usage, and it’s very popular. It’ so popular Microsoft did a scathing ad comparing their Surface to iPad Air. Apple didn’t take long to respond with their demonstration of the iOS 8 multitasking app.
There’s supposed to be other great features with this thing, like a Healthbook app and public transit routing features. Don’t go rushing to the Apple store for this. This feature won’t be out until late 2014 or early 2015 (should I be making my Christmas list already?). But I’ve always said competition is good for business. It looks like I’m going to be proven right. I hope Apple can pull this split screen app off. It would sure make people’s lives a lot easier to do two things at once. And with two mega tech companies offering it, it would keep prices in check. Could the multitasking app be the next big thing in the tablet game?
May 12, 2014 | Computer technology, internet
Three years ago, Square Launch was launched. It was supposed to make payments between merchants and consumers easier. It didn’t take off, but Square is at it again.
This is where Square Order comes in. This app allows consumers to place orders, and they can pay at coffee shops, cafes, or at other eateries. The goal is people will order from this app, and the app will tell them how long the wait is. They can go to the coffee shop, cafe, diner, etc., pick up the order, and skip the line. Don’t go looking to use the Square Order app just in Anywhere, USA. There are only a few dozen eateries that use this app, and all of them are either in New York City and San Francisco.
Square Launch was supposed to be the next big thing in apps. But it didn’t happen that way, did it? I doubt it’s going to with Square Order. Look at the competition. Grub Hub and Groupon do virtually the same thing, except they deliver the food to you. With them, forget waiting in line, you don’t even have to go to the shop to pick up your food. Square Order insists there will be more merchants and more cities, but we don’t know where or when. From what I read, it’s easy to use and it is convenient. Would you use Square Order, assuming it makes it to your area?
May 11, 2014 | internet
There are archives for TV shows, newspapers, radio shows, and other media. Did you know there was one for the Internet?
The Internet archive is called Wayback Machine. It was launched in 2001. You can find Web pages from early as autumn 1996 and a recent as literally yesterday. Recently, Wayback Machine just celebrated it’s 400 billionth archived webpage. But it’s done more than just give us great memories. Back in October 2013, during the government shutdown, it provided access to government sites that were shut down. Someone could just go to a gov’t site archive from literally the day before and get the info they needed.
Other than that, Wayback Machine is just fun to look at. When you look at Web pages from the late 1990s and early 2000s, even Yahoo and Google, you can’t help but marvel at how far the Web has come. I’ve seen sites from the dot com era. I’ve seen sites that I forgot even existed. I’ve read through some of the biggest news stories of the last 18 years. I’ve relived some of the greatest sports moments and celebrity scandals of that time. I’m so thankful for Wayback Machine because it’s important to keep this history alive not only for us, but all the geeks coming after us. What memories are waiting for you?
Happy Mothers Day to all Moms out there!!
May 10, 2014 | Entertainment
It’s been the buzz of the Internet for the last 24-48 hours. Beats Electronic headphones, founded by music mogul Jimmy Lovine and hip-hop legend Dr. Dre, might be acquired by Apple.
If this acquisition happens, Apple will cough up 3.2 billion dollars, making Dr. Dre the first billionaire in hip-hop history. Now why would any company, even Apple, pay 3.2 billion for headphones? Word is Apple is more interested in Beats’ streaming service. Music downloads decreased 5% in the last year. Some annalists say the download era is ending. If that’s the case, then this would be the perfect merge to keep Apple in the music business. Dre, whose real name is Andre Young, and Jimmy Lovine founded Beats Electronics in 2006.
If this deal goes down, it’s not like Apple is taking all creativity from Lovine and Dre. It’s rumored that they will take senior positions at Apple headquarters in Cupertino, CA. Plus, this should be a real milestone for hip-hop. In the 1970s, it was born out of New York City ghettos. Today, it could see the crowning of it’s first billionaire. Plus, Young and Lovine will still have some control over their product. So these are good signs. But there’s another part of me that fills with worry when I hear about this merger, and other mergers. I worry about prices going up, quality and service going down, and the top not giving a care because they know there’s no competition you can go to. Is that what’s going to happen if Beats get sold?
May 9, 2014 | internet, Security
Snapchat is one of the most popular message apps around. What makes it so popular is that you can send videos, messages, and other posts and it disappears seconds later. At least, that’s what we thought.
According to various reports, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is accusing Snapchat of collecting users’ information without their knowledge or approval. They say Snapchat failed to tell users their messages could be saved without users’ knowledge. The FTC adds video snaps aren’t encrypted when it gets to the recipient. Back in January, Snapchat was hacked and over 4.6 million usernames and phone numbers were compromised. Snapchat is agreeing to settle. Snapchat hadn’t admitted to these charges…but they haven’t denied them either.
I’m going to see where this goes, but I’m not liking it. I find it ironic a government agency is calling out a private corporation. Remember, around this time last year, it was discovered the NSA was checking out our computers and digging in our smartphones. But I can’t let Snapchat off the hook either. If they had been up front with their consumers this situation would’ve been a lot more tolerable. Why did it take a FTC investigation to bring this to light? I’ve already heard people say they’re never going to use Snapchat again. That goes to show you it only takes one breach of trust to destroy the whole relationship. Will you continue to use Snapchat?
May 8, 2014 | Computer technology
Samsung, the world’s most popular handset corporation, hit a snag with the hyped up Samsung Galaxy S5. It received mixed reaction from technological critics and customers alike. But bad press isn’t the only casualty.
Chang Dong-Hoon, head of Samsung’s mobile design team, resigned last week due to the controversy. People criticized Galaxy S5 because of lack of hardware innovations and a cheap look. But Dong-Hoon will continue to lead the company’s design strategy. Dong-Hoon’s replacement as head of the design team is Lee Min-Hyouk, already VP of Mobile Design. Back in 2010, at 42, Min-Hyouk became Samsung’s youngest senior executive. Under his leadership, Sumsung’s Galaxy series surpassed Apple’s iPhone series as the world’s most popular smartphone.
That is, until Galaxy S5 came along. But it won’t or hasn’t damper Samsung’s major success. They’re still outselling Apple almost 2-to-1 in the smartphone game. Under the circumstance, this was the best move Samsung could have made. So Galaxy S5 wasn’t as earth-shattering as originally thought. At least they’re not throwing Dong-Hoon under the bus. It’s more of a demotion, and his service is still being valued. It was a smart move choosing a vice president to take his place, and the very man who virtually started the Samsung gravy train. Plus, there’s a legal storm coming. Apple’s claiming Sumsung’s been copying their mobile phone looks, particular in the US. And we here at Geek Choice, tend to agree with them. So is this the team needed to withstand Samsung’s next challenges?
May 7, 2014 | internet
Yahoo is one of the oldest and most valued websites in the world. It’s worth tens of billions. Or so it seems.
At a Tech Crunch conference in New York City today, CEO Marissa Meyer was in the hot seat. It was pointed out to her that, yes, Yahoo was worth in the tens of billions. But when you add it’s shares in Yahoo Japan and Chinese wholesale website Alibaba, the mega-conglomerate’s value is near zero. Meyer replied the Yahoo is just undervalued. She stuck up for her company to the core. She praised her talented staff and insists the company is running a lot better since she became CEO. Yahoo did take a beating in the stock market, but then again, most tech companies did. But that’s another story.
But let’s look at the big picture. Before Meyer took over as CEO, Yahoo was in deep trouble. But she cleaned it up, changed office policies, and turned it into an efficient machine! From the reports I’ve read, morale is definitely higher. Yahoo stocks are much higher than they were last year. As far as these international deals, sometime these ventures take time. Okay, sometimes they fall flat, but I say give it a chance. Are things really looking that bad for Yahoo?
