Sep 4, 2013 | Computer technology, Wireless
Google Glass has been?a hot topic in the tech community for a while. They’ve even been the subject of a congressional inquiry. Now, there’s a Google Glass App Store coming for Google Glass users.
But they’ll have to wait until 2014 to get that app store. An essay in the New York Times seems to confirm that. This app store will be available when Google Glass is publically available next year. As of today, only a few thousand of qualified people have access to them. Rumors say they will run around $500, but some experts say that price will be about $1000. Google did confirm the app store rumors, but kept hush about the more intimate details. Will this app store be part of Google play or will it have it’s own store?
These are just a few of the questions I’m looking forward to. When in 2014 is Google Glass going to be released?? They’re still encouraging app developers to submit their apps. So don’t look for a January of February date. One thing that does make sense about Glass is they’re building the store around time when the device is made public. It makes no sense to release the app store when only several thousand people can ever get access to it. How well will Google Glass do? How well will this store do? There’s a part of me that’s rooting against Google Glass because I have serious privacy concerns. What questions do you have about Google Glass?
Sep 3, 2013 | News
Microsoft has always wanted go get into the smartphone game. Their sales have been chugging along. Today, I wake up to the shocking news Microsoft purchased Nokia.
For an astronomical 7.17 billion dollars, Microsoft bought Nokia’s devices, services, licenses and mapping services. So now, Microsoft has the world’s biggest cell phone maker in it’s arsenal. Add this to the Skype, which Microsoft purchased in 2011. Outgoing CEO Steve Ballmer claims it’s, “A bold step into the future.” At the heart of this acquisition is Asha, a Nokia brand. This gives Microsoft more room and resources for the Windows phone, and better access to the millions of Asha users, particularly in rising nations like China, India, Russia and Brazil. Other issues given for this deal include profit acceleration, competition with Google and Apple and to give a better experience for Windows phone users.
But is this a good idea? Nokia has been struggling for years. In 2013, Nokia expects to lose over 10,000 jobs. In July, they closed a major plant in their home in Finland. So they’re drowning and in need of a rope. Microsoft is there to pull them in. At least that’s the way it appears. Microsoft?wants to compete in the phone business, so this seems like a good fit. But many experts aren’t excited about this deal for several reasons. My problem is that with this purchase, Skype a couple of years ago, and the power Microsoft has already, I’m more worried about less competition and a monopoly being created. I should be thankful that there’s Apple and Android to stop that from happening. But what about the smaller companies that want to get their feet wet? Think about how much power the world’s largest computer company gets now that they have the world’s largest phone maker. Is this too much power for one company to have?
Sep 2, 2013 | internet
Can you believe 20 years ago there was no Yahoo or Google? Can you believe 10 years ago there was no You Tube, Facebook or Twitter? Now we can hardly picture life without them. They had to start somewhere. Now, many start-ups are striving to be the next big thing. Who are they?
Well, there’s Snapchat. This app allows people to send embarrassing messages and photos to others, then they self-destruct in a matter of seconds. I know that sounds like something from Mission Impossible. But it can be really neat to see those embarrassing party pictures go bye-bye before wondering eyes. So far, approximately 20 million messages are dealt with daily with Snapchat. There’s the Oculus VR. It’s a virtual reality game console you put around your head. They’re still working on it, and it won’t be available to the public until 2014 at the earliest. It’s getting great critiques at expos. So virtual head games isn’t your thing. Since the early 2000s, online shopping has been as big as mall or downtown shopping. Here’s where Wanelo comes in. This is geared towards online shoppers who shop out of hobby, not out of necessity, and for those who like collecting funky items. There must be a lot of you out there, because the site has over 10 million users. For gamers, there’s King. It’s a simple game, but addictive. King has 45 million players, more than Spotify or Texas Hold Em’ Poker.
Obviously,?I’m just scratching the surface.? But don’t be surprised a few years?from now, these names are as mainstream as?Instagram. ?How will they get their big break? Some have just crept on the scene, some burst in the scene. Some have been bought by bigger companies, like Yahoo bought Tumblr, or Facebook bought Instagram. Whose is going to be the next online big thing?
Sep 1, 2013 | Computer technology
For years, I’ve been hearing about this crisis on both sides. One side says there won’t be enough qualified people to fill the needed jobs for the STEM fields?(science, technology, engineering, math). Another side tells us there aren’t enough jobs for the number of qualified people.
It appears to be a little of both.?For instance, President Obama called for?at least 100,000 engineers to be trained by 2020. Earlier, I did a blog of how tech companies from Facebook to Microsoft?are asking immigration to lax policies so more qualified workers can come in and?get jobs. Nonetheless, some reports?suggest those trained to be in the STEM fields are struggling to find work. Even after the Great Recession, tech companies like IBM and Best Buy close down stores and lay off employees. Plus, you have HB-1 visa immigrants, new college graduates, existing STEM job holders, and a not so booming economy. Maybe they’re too many cooks in the kitchen.
I’m no job expert , but I might have a dilemma that will help both ends. First of all, we need to get kids interested on science, technology, engineering and math at an early age. I know people have been?preaching that since Sputnik in the late 1950s, but it’s far more true today. You can’t wait until high school and college to cram STEM in these kids’ heads. Get them interested in?STEM fields while they’re in pre-school, even when they’re babies! After all, child psychologists say that 80% of a child’s personality is formed by their 6th birthday. This goes into my next solution. Maybe?these?kids will create?STEM jobs, so that anybody whose qualified enough to get one will have one. Yes, we need to train workers, but we also need to train leaders, innovators?creators and employers. Whose going to be the next Bill Gates or Steve Jobs??Whose going to be the next Mark Zuckerburg? Whose going to be the next Marissa?Meyer? Whose going to be the next savior of?STEM?
Aug 31, 2013 | Entertainment
In the spirit of competition with Netflix, Hulu, iTunes, even Wal-Mart (I never thought I’d live to see the day), Target is getting in the act. Target is launching Target Ticket.
Target Ticket will allow consumers to rent and purchase movies and TV shows digitally. They can be streamed on any device from smartphones to TVs to gaming consoles. There will be around 15,000 movies and shows available. Movies through Target Ticket will cost $15 to purchase and around $4 to rent. Television episodes run you $3 an episode and $35 a season. Networks like NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, Showtime and USA have given permission for Target Ticket to use their shows. Apple products may have problems downloading this service. After renting a movie, you have 30 days to watch it, but after you start watching it, you only have 48 hours to finish it. They do offer a pin system for security and parental control services so you can decide what is appropriate for your children.
I don’t know about you, but I’m not interested. Apple’s having problems with Target is a serious red flag. Think of how many millions of people use Apple. Let’s not forget the fact that 48 hour rule. Okay, we have 30 days to watch the movie, but only 48 hours to finish it. Did it ever occur to Target we might be busy and may need more time to finish the movie? And why are they giving us so much time to watch a flick and so little time to finish it? I’m not happy about these prices either. How are they going to charge these exuberant fees when competitors like Netflix are offering whole monthly packages for less? Thank you but no thank you. Does Target Ticket even stand a chance?
Aug 30, 2013 | Entertainment, Uncategorized, Wireless
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Well, for parents of school aged children, as well as the kids going to college. Here are some great apps for kids of all ages.
10. Encyclopedia Britannica: Yes, they have encyclopedias on all devices available for apps. Yes, people still do use encyclopedias to do papers.
9. Mint.com: This is a good tool to teach your jr. high or high school kid about the importance of budgeting. This is a great tool for working high school and college students who are putting budgeting into action.
8. Slate Math for Kids: Perfect for elementary school kids. Math is something that is needed by all and if you get behind in your elementary school years, may God help by the time?they get to Algebra and Geometry. Slate Math for Kids keeps them ahead.
7. Kid Science: This one is also geared toward elementary school kids. It makes science fun and easy to learn. You know this is going to be good when the founder of the app studies bacteria.
6. Dragon Dictation: This is heaven sent for writing papers. If you ask me, this app also helps with listening and speaking skills.
5. KNO: Apparently, the days of hand held textbooks are numbered. They serve schools and publishers as well as students. They even serve publishers. But what’s really cool about KNO is they donate $1 of every purchase to classes in need.
4. Graphing Calculator: When in college, I had to pay hundreds for these graphic calculators and still came out confused. Now they got free apps for that and free guides too. Sometimes kids today have it too easy.
3. Court Smart E-Textbooks: Not only do they offer textbooks at 60% lower than the paper books, but you got to love their tools, like cut and paste and search topics.
2. Evernote: This free app offers it all. You can take notes with the app. You can remind yourself of homework assignments and projects. You can even remember all those connections you’re making on campus.
1. Dictionary.com: This should be self-explanatory. It’s always good to carry a dictionary with you. But now, you can carry one on your device.
Which ones did I miss?
Aug 29, 2013 | internet, Security
Cyber security is one of the biggest concerns in the technical world today. Anyone, from individuals to entire governments can be a victim at anytime. I read an article where the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is warning of a serious cyber attack. Can anything be done?
A team of British scientist are working on it. According to these physicists’, that’s where quantum cryptography?comes in.? You see, quantum cryptography is controlled by physics, not by math. Physics can’t be broken. If two people parties are in communication and a third party wants to break in, he’d have to solve a math problem to do so. But with quantum cryptography, there would be no problem to solve, so the third party couldn’t go hacking. It once took lots of serious hardware to accomplish this, but now, it looks like that is changing.
Imagine that. Imagine exchanging emails or text messages or making a purchase with a device. And an ID thief is on the other side trying to break in and get your financial information. With quantum cryptography, they can’t get in. I can’t guarantee this will stop all cyber security woes. But?while the cyber world is a blessing, it’s getting?increasingly dangerous. I’ve done stories myself?about nations hacking nations, and about the disturbing trend of sextortion. But if this quantum cryptography can at least decrease this threat, isn’t it worth taking a looking into?
Aug 29, 2013 | Dental IT
The last few weeks we have been highlighting some cloud dental software that can help business that don?t have tons of money to spend on IT but want a strong solution to their dental practice management needs. The first onsite product I would like to show you today is Easy Dental. Easy Dental is a practice management software can help you schedule appointments faster, record treatment plans easier, manage insurance tasks and simplify billing like never before. This software is designed with the whole team in mind, from the receptionist, office manager, all they to the dentist Easy Dental is just simply put easy to use. Some of the new additions to make this software so easy to use is Perio Charting, Clinical Charting, advanced scheduling and easier patient billing. Want to know more? Please click here to view demos on these features. Now unfortunately the pricing on this software may vary depending on the practice and so I can?t give you an information on pricing but here is a link to the information needed to get you a quote on this software. With Easy Dental this will streamline your dental processes and make your entire staff more productive.
Aug 28, 2013 | News, Security
Yesterday, the New York Times’ website was attacked. ?A group named Syrian Electronic Army, sympathizers of Syrian president Bashar Al-Assad, claimed responsibility.
The New York Times site went down around 3pm yesterday, and went down again around 6pm Eastern time. This isn’t the first time the Syrian Electronic Army struck. On Aug 15, they struck The Washington Post. Even today, the NYT started less than 100%. Some subscribers can access the site; other cannot. As of 8am, the Times tweeted people can go to news.nytco.com to get their news. I haven’t used this site, so I can’t verify that. But by 10am, the Syrian Electronic Army tweeted they were going to deliver an anti-war statement,?but?that their website was down.?They claimed it was worth it in the name of world peace.
Obviously, this comes at a time when Syria is under great turmoil, and much of the world is wondering what to do about it. If those who support Assad are cyber attacking, I fear?it will only be a matter of time before the other side strikes back. And I’m not just talking about individuals or?groups, but entire nations. China and Russia, two very powerful countries, have warned the US and others if they attack Syria. ?And I’ve reported before of how good China is at hacking into major, major companies and governments. My concern is that if this ramps up any further, we may see more cyber attacks. It’s amazing of how many lives can be disrupted with the push of?a button. What can we do to keep and remain safe?
Aug 27, 2013 | General, networking
Detroit, once an American jewel of cars and music, has declared bankruptcy and is now a shell of it’s former self. In Nov. 2011, so did Jefferson County/Birmingham, Alabama. According to some articles and experts, Chicago, San Diego, and Silicon Valley’s own San Jose, CA are on the chopping block. One tech pioneer is trying to do something about it.
Here comes Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Twitter and CEO of Square, a service that helps merchants take debit and credit card?payments over smartphones. Starting Aug 29, he’ll be hosting a forum with merchants and small business owners in St. Louim s. St. Louis is Dorsey’s home town and a city that’s struggling on many sides. In the near future, Dorsey plans to host forums in Bronx NY, New Orleans, and Detroit, among other cities.?Focusing on cities that are facing?hard times, he wants to build dialogue and community.?He’s focusing on the small business for two reasons.?One, people actually want to buy locally and keep their dollars in their communities. Two, he recognizes small businesses are the social backbone of?a town, even?major cities. Merchants?can even?use these forums to share their works, sort of like a show and tell for?small business owners. ?Dorsey admit this may not solve all problems, but at least dialogue and plans and a re-building progress can be started.
And I have to agree with him. Think about it: for the longest time, meeting places have always been the local tavern, pizza parlor, salon/barber shop, pool hall, bowling alley, skating ring, coffee shop, etc. Sure, with today’s social media, we can keep virtual contact with anyone anywhere, and that’s a great way to build community. But there comes a time when we all want human contact, and these small businesses allow us that. Plus, I’ve notice a movement going on. I think people are tired of globalization being shoved down their throats. And since so many jobs have been shipped overseas, there’s a hunger for local businesses and an insistence on keeping dollars in the community. Thus, jobs are created, because people need to run and manage these businesses and services. So I say hats off to Jack Dorsey. If these forums come to your town, would you attend?
