Jun 30, 2013 | Computer technology, News
Who ever thought Silicon Valley and immigration reform should ever be in the same sentence? The two are more intertwined than you may think.
Because of the great talent pool of foreign workers, the tech industry is on the front line for an immigration reform bill that has already passed the senate. The industry want more green cards and a higher visa cap so more foreign workers can be hired. In fact, Intel executive?Peter Muller says, ?I think from our perspective, failure is not really an option…” In the weeks to come, tech lobbyists will meet with House Republicans about the upcoming bill. One topic of discussion is the Skills Visa Act. This act would give companies more freedoms to discuss wages with immigrant employees. This isn’t the first time Silicon Valley attempted to flex it’s political muscles. In 2007, immigration reform did not land in their favor, and they haven’t forgotten. In the past couple of years, they’ve also been vocal about piracy issues, but that’s another subject for another time.
But I gather two issues behind this, and not too many people are going to acknowledge this. One, the tech industry is more powerful than we often give it credit for. This day and age, it controls much of what we do. So it’d be interesting if Muller and other lobbyists can persuade the house to pass this bill. Secondly, and I don’t mean to sound xenophobic, but what about American workers? Is our education system in this country so lacking that tech companies have to fight this hard to get talented foreign employees? I read somewhere that many tech jobs are going to go empty because graduates lack the skill to do them well. So maybe we need to look at our own system. Just a thought. What are some other hidden issues behind this lobbying?
Jun 29, 2013 | internet
July 1, 2013 will be the end of an era. Google Reader will shut down. For years, it’s been used for blog and?Web?sharing. It even updated your favorite sites for you. But in two days, thanks to declining use, it will be gone.
Google Reader went up in 2005. One designer called it a ‘river’ of news and other content. It eventually added features like marking and folder navigation. It went on to include You Tube videos. My favorite was the sharing feature, where readers could publish out their favorite blogs and sites to others, and vice versa. In 2008, they added a ‘Friends navigator’ to their menu. But eventually, it was too later.
I believe social media like Facebook and Twitter helped kill Google Reader. Think about it: how much news and articles do you get from your Facebook friends and Twitter followers? How much is shared on those pages? Many alternatives are offered and suggested. To many RSS is important. I don’t know what my new one is going to be, but I’ve read and heard many compliments about Feedly. It’s free, on desktops and laptops, and you can get it on smartphones and devices. While attractive, is it going to be the same? What was your favorite thing about Google Reader?
Jun 28, 2013 | Entertainment, News
It’s hard to believe the year is half over. Things have not been boring in the technology world. Here are 10 reasons why:
10.You Tube April Fools: Okay, how freaked out were you when you were told You Tube was going to shut down altogether?
9. Yahoo’s Comeback: In summer 2012, Yahoo was in free for all. Then CEO Marissa Meyer took over and turned the company around. She changed the work environment and?bought companies like Tumblr for over a billion dollars. Someone’s future looks good.
8. Apple Tax Turmoil: According to some lawmakers, this tech giant went all out to avoid paying their fair share in taxes, even depending on tax havens like Ireland. It even landed?Apple executives?in Congress’ hot seat.
7. Google Glass Controversy: Some say it’s innovative, but others say it’s Orwellean. You can take pictures with the blink of an eye. You have to jump through hoops to even get this device. But it can also do some really great things. The debate continues.
6. US vs. China Hacking: This year, the US has accused China of stealing military and other sensitive information. Now, China is accusing the US of being a hacker empire.
5. Apple Stock Tumbles: In September 2012, Apple stocks were at $702. I think that’s an all-time record. Today, they’ll be lucky to see $400 a share. Many have reasons, like stiff competition from Blackberry and others. But if you bought Apple stock in the first half of 2013, my humblest apologies.
4. Twitter Grows Up: This year, so far, twitter has launched a music app. They’ve partnered with ESPN, sharing videos for ad revenue. What will they come up with?next?
3. Xbox One Revealed: We learned this could be the mother of all gaming systems. They have realistic games, voice control, and smart glass. It also has cameras that can see you 24/7. It’s expected to come out in November and cost around $500. Whose going to be in that long Black Friday line?
2. Record Cyber Attack: Several persons were arrested for stealing $45 million dollars from banks around the world. This scheme hit major banks and credit cards in 26 countries. It was believed to be one of the greatest, if not the greatest cyber robbery of all-time.
1. NSA Surveillance?Gate: It was revealed the National Security Agency was gathering our cell phone calls, emails, and social media posts without our knowledge, approval or documentation for years. Some say it’s in the name of security, others say it’s an outright violation. What side are you on?
And what will the second half of 2013 bring?
Jun 27, 2013 | Computer technology, internet
Microsoft seems to want to win people back, or should I say, get on people’s good graces again. Many experts say Windows 8 was one of the biggest flops in computer history.
Windows 8.1 is trying to make ground, and is pulling all the big guns to do so. The preview is tempting enough. With 8.1, you can run a slideshow on your lock or home screen. Imagine pictures of your big vacation, wedding, or major life moments on that. Are you a bad speller? Windows 8.1 has a keyboard that gives you spelling options. It gives you a choice of words, and you can highlight with your spacebar the words you want. It has a ‘Reading List’ formula. If you’re done with a web page, just swipe out Share charm and click Reading List. As far as music goes, I like the suggestions based on your playlist. If you like Nicky Minaj (why would you?!), and have?her on your playlist (are you crazy?!), it will suggest other artists and albums similar to Minaj’s (what a nightmare that would be!) But you get the idea.
They’re more promises. The photo app has everything from color enhance to red-eye removal. You can virtually be your own doctor with the health and fitness app, even down to the diet and exercise plan. You can learn to cook. They’ve even redone their alarms. I’m thinking of getting their chorus alarm myself.
While I’m still skeptical after their last melee, but I must say, they did a good job wetting my appetite. They’re coming up with great ways to get the public back. Do you think Windows 8.1 will be a hit or another flop?
Jun 26, 2013 | Wireless
Some weeks ago, I did a top 10 list on the most tech savvy nations on Earth today. I don’t remember if India made that list. If I didn’t put them there, my mistake; they deserve to be. They’re one of the biggest smartphone markets in the world today.
India has surpassed Japan as the 3rd biggest smartphone market today. They’re behind only the United States and China. Their favorite brands are Apple, Samsung and a local Indian phone maker called Micromax. India’s smartphone use has increased 163%, compared to the global average of 39%. One can also thanks improved distribution and marketing in the countries. Keep in mind India’s population?was 1.24 billion in 2011. Not only?is their general population growing,?so is their middle class. The number?of middle class families was 5% in 2005. By 2015, it’s expected to be 25%.?Although it’s a small part of the population, these numbers are expected to continue rising.
Also keep in mind companies like Apple are losing share in revenue in Europe, while gaining share in India. With Italy, Spain, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus and Ireland near economic meltdown, and the UK and France in economic uncertainty, that’s to be expected. Even in the US, the smartphone market growth is only 19 percent. Compare that with India’s growth and 86 % in China. Does the mean more of Apple and Samsung’s being is going to go to India? Does this mean technology is shifting West to East? What, if anything, does this potential shift mean to you?
Jun 25, 2013 | Entertainment, Wireless
One of my favorite pastimes is going to Barnes and Noble. Sometimes I go there to buy books and sometimes I go there just to browse. But if numbers like this keep up, pretty soon I may not be going there at all, and neither may you.
The Barnes and Noble financial report is out, as it struggles to compete in the digital reading industry. In this quarter alone, they’ve lost nearly $119 million dollars. If that wasn’t enough, so far in fiscal 2013, (which started in October 2012) they’ve lost 1.3 billion dollars in revenue. From what I’ve been reading, books and e-books like Hunger Games and Fifty?Shades of Grey have kept the company’s head above water. Nook Media, B&N’s answer to Kindle and other e-book devices, are hardly doing better. It reported $108 million dollars in revenue this quarter. That may sound like a lot, but is a third less than this time last year, and nothing compared to other read devices. Some experts say Nooks lack the app support of other devices. They did slash prices and collaborate with Android and Google to improve apps and prices, but was it too much too late?
Well, never say never. At least solutions are being thought of and executed. Programs like Simple Touch are being offered. And B&N are offering other apps and programs that should be?out before the holidays. I really hope these things work. Though I don’t own a Nook, I want them to do well. I read somewhere where all the physical Barnes & Noble locations may be bought out. Goodness, I hope not! Now what am I going to do to replace my Saturday ritual of reading a book and having my cappuccino? But even if it that catastrophe happens, Nook will be the only thing they have to rely on. Can Barnes and Noble survive? Will they?
Jun 24, 2013 | internet, networking, News
For a while now, Facebook has been working on a service called Reader. It’s somewhat of a newspaper app for the social media world. It will publish stories and other things from users and put it in a paper style format.
If you’re familiar with Flipboard, Reader is expected to be a little like that. Flipboard, which collects news from online publishers, is getting more popular. It’s definitely more popular than the traditional newspaper. I can say that for all mobile news readers. In fact, Linkldin recently purchased news reader app Pulse for $90 million. As Linkldin and Twitter promote their news services, Flipboard has 50 million users and show no signs of slowing down. Reader’s progress has been watched closely, even by Mark Zuckerberg himself. There’s no telling when, or even if, Reader will be released. Nobody on Facebook is talking.
Remember when I reported about a Facebook phone few people are getting excited about? Well, I have a feeling Reader might be a different response. If they come up with Reader, make sure the articles that are published are true! I’m tired of reading phony Facebook post like Bill Cosby’s 83 and Tired false rant. I’m tired of reading post where celebrities die and miraculously, they’re walking down Rodeo Drive the next day. So Facebook Reader, make sure your stories are true and your sources are credible. If they can remember that, I predict Reader will be a great success for Facebook. I see why Pulse is being sought after. I see why news reader apps are doing so well. I read a statistic from September 2012 saying 60% of the public distrust the mainstream media. I myself get my news from alternative media (RT, NPR, You Tube bloggers). Facebook Reader could have quite the market. Which would you rather read/watch: a news reader or a mainstream media news hour?
Jun 23, 2013 | internet, News
Over the past year, CEO?Marissa Meyer has added a lot to Yahoo since last year. But she also subtracted quite a bit: like jobs. During her tenure, about 1,000 of them have been cut.
She’s done it so cool and quietly. And?did it the way it should be: through job performance management and through more frequent reviews. Employees used to get reviewed every year; now, it’s every quarter. In July 2012, when Meyer became CEO, Yahoo had 15,000 employees. That’s not including the thousands of temps coming and going. Instead of gathering thousands and telling them, “You’re fired!” like Donald Trump, or Vince McMahon (how cool would that be?), she cut the jobs few at a?time, kind of like an potter slowly cutting off the excess clay.
This could have had very negative results. This could have put people on such edge morale could have plummeted. This could have led to poorer work, with people saying, “Well, she’s going to fire me anyway, so why bother?” This could have even led to a revolt or strike. But instead, it had a very positive effect. Morale has shot up. Now why is that? Maybe the people that were let go were bringing everyone else down, professionally and personally. Maybe letting these people put others on notice, making them as the Nat King Cole song said, ‘Straighten Up and Fly Right’. Maybe this made everyone better. What lessons could we learn from a story like this?
Jun 22, 2013 | News, Security
The NSA surveillance crisis hit a predictable turn over the last 24 hours. Eric Snowden is the man who leaked documents of government officials collecting data from our cell phones and computers. Now, US authorities have a warrant for his arrest and are asking Hong Kong to detain him.
Snowden is being charged with theft and espionage. The complaint was filed in an Eastern Virginia District Court, home of Snowden’s former employer. Also predictable, the Justice Department says, “No comment.” They want to prosecute Snowden under the 1917 Espionage Act. So far, the Obama Administration has indicted more people under this act than any other presidency. In fact, of the nine people arrested in violation of the Espionage Act, six have been since 2009. Will Hong Kong give him up? That has to be seen. If they do,?it’s likely he won’t be sent to an American jail, but?Hong Kong’s maximum security prison throughout his?potential trial.?Another option for Snowden is asylum under the United Nations.
So what now? The Snowden case is far from over. It would be interesting to see where Hong Kong will stand. It will be interesting to see if the UN will try to give him asylum. I tell you what, if this case goes to trial, it will make the OJ Simpson trial of the mid 1990s look like small claims court! Now, it’s been revealed Britain has been spying on it’s citizens. So everyone will have a stake in this case. If the US vs. Snowden case did make trial, which side would?you be on?
Jun 21, 2013 | Entertainment
Last week, I listed the top tech based and sci-fi TV shows of the modern era (from 2000-present). But let’s talk about the last century. I’ve put series and spin-offs together.
10. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Okay, I know this is a controversial one, but those kids wouldn’t be able to fight evil without Zordon and Alpha 5. That robot brought them through more adventures than you’ll ever count. Aye-aye-aye!
9. Knight Rider: The talking car was the star of the show. The talking computerized KITT was the one who did the cool stunts, and remember the red lighting and fatherly advice he often gave David ‘Michael Knight’ Hasselhoff?
8. Buck Rodgers in the 25th Century: It only lasted two seasons, but it was a great TV compliment to the Star Wars craze. Buck Rodgers wakes up in the 25th century to save the Earth from aliens. Erin Gray was nice to look at, too.
7. The Outer Limits: Okay, this mid-60s show borrowed heavily from Twilight Zone. But they went where Twilight Zone wouldn’t even go: the characters were more grotesque, the plots were scarier, the opening was more chilling.
6. Transformers: You know I had to put a cartoon in here. Aliens, good and evil, transform into anything. My favorite transformer was Megatron. I know he was a villain, but he was a good one.
5. Dr. Who: This British show is iconic. The doctor and his colleagues are aliens who travel through time. Through 50 years and 11 doctors, this show has stood the test of time.
4. The Six Million Dollar Man/Bionic Woman: We?can rebuild him. We can make him better. And they did: These injured persons are rebuilt with cyber parts to give them superhuman strength and speed. They become operatives, for the good guys.
3. Twilight Zone: The father of all sci-fi TV. Not only did Serling?introduce us to space, aliens,?time travel, and make monsters of little boys, he made us think. Do you remember To Serve Man? ‘It’s A Cookbook!’
2. Quantam Leap: Dr. Sam Beckett traveled from the 1950s-1980s leaping through other people’s bodies. Dr. Beckett took part in major 20th century events. like the JFK Assassination, Civil Rights Movement, and Vietnam War. So not only was this good sci-fi TV, but a great history lesson.
1. Star Trek: Since 1966, this show, and the franchise that followed (Next Generation, Deep Space Nine) boldly went where no man has gone before! We follow the USS Enterprise through the Milky Way Galaxy, and have been following the USS Enterprise ever since. Have you seen how nuts people get at these conventions?
That’s my list, folks. What shows do you think I missed?
