Networking
August 30, 2010
On Becoming Part of the Internet Network
For those of us that watched as technology "bloomed" in the last few years, we are still amazed at all the ways it can be used now. We are not talking about the tweeting of Lindsey Lohan after her early escape from rehab or the meteoric rise of Justin Bieber. We are referring to how it keeps us in touch with everyone and everything important. Suffice it to say that the election of Barack Obama was partially won because of the Interweb.
Coverage of disasters such as the earthquake in Haiti and the flood in Pakistan gave us almost instant awareness. And in case we forget, there are reporters like Brian Williams with coverage about the first five days after Katrina as he and a film crew spent that first night in the Astrodome. As another example, the ROVs continue to monitor the Gulf oil spill.
How can we not be moved by the images and video that are coming from the Chilean Mining disaster? No doubt the communication via cameras placed inside is as important to them as it is to family members on the surface. And a team from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, led by William Lange, who first spotted the Titanic on the Atlantic Ocean's floor, is now revisiting the site with 3D cameras. We see those images almost as soon as they do, even if they are only 2D.
As so many of us now have smartphones, we can capture an incident as it happens and post it online, making us all reporters on the global IN (Internet Network.) We should not take that responsibility lightly, however. One only needs to see the recent edited video of DOA worker Shirley Sherrod, who was forced to resign after footage hinted that she was a racist. You can see/read the entire speech here. Let's continue to use technology for good and honest reasons.
July 9, 2010
Chase Bank App - Deposit By iPhone
Chase is now offering an updated iPhone/touch app that allows you to deposit a check by scanning the front and the back of it. While USAA is already offering the same service, this may actually become a trend as Chase is a larger bank. The Mobile Banking update is free.
Via iTunes Store
June 8, 2010
iPhone 4 Comes Out to Play
As per usual, you couldn't escape the hoopla surrounding Steve Jobs at yesterday's WWDC as he announced the wonders of the iPhone 4. With video calling, retina display, the ability to multi-task and HD video recording, the redesigned smartphone is certainly a thing to behold, but you gotta chuckle that the festivities manages to bring out the cult of Apple as you hear the crowd reaction to everything the J-man says.
Via Apple
June 1, 2010
SYNC Adds TDI Services
Those who covet their automobile SYNC systems will be pleased to know that the service has one-upped itself by offering more services from the TDI (Traffic, Directions & Information) sector. They include getting stock market quotes, specific movie show times, travel inquiries and the one thing we cannot live without, a daily horoscope. The updates should take place immediately so run, do not walk, to see if you will be having a good day.
Via Market Watch
May 27, 2010
Vivitek Projector Throws 95 Inch Image
Projectors continue to throw larger images but we suspect that the winner here is the short-throw from Vivetek. Already available in Taiwan and soon to be sold elsewhere, it projects an incredible 95". It supports 3D, has 3,000 lumens of brightness and a contest ratio of 2,500:1. This puppy will set you back about $2,456.00.
Via DigiTimes
May 19, 2010
Chat Up a Group With Skype Beta
Skype has a new beta service that allows you to video chat with 4 of your family and/or closest buds. Mac users cannot apply but if you have Windows and a webcam, you are halfway there. Everyone participating must have Skype 5.0 and the company cautions that there may be a few bugs to work out.
Via Skype
May 18, 2010
Quick Fix for Facebook Security
With all the recent security issues on Facebook of late, we almost would rather skip using it than risking our privacy. The Huffington Post claims that there are 50 settings and 170 options to wade through to make you feel secure. The have provided this nifty video to help you do just that with only a few clicks.
Via Huffington Post
May 14, 2010
Windows Office Mobile 2010 Released
Do you have a Windows Mobile 6.5 platform on your cellie or smartphone? If so, you can now download Microsoft Office Mobile. Included are Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Addition features include word count, spell check and chart creation. Compatible with Office 2007, you might qualify for a free upgrade.
Via Microsoft
April 22, 2010
Do Your Share for Earth Day
It's Earth Day. What better way to network than to help save the planet? Okay, that's a bit of a stretch, but humor us anyway. Plant a tree, recycle those old National Geographics or used electronics, sign the Climate Declaration and then settle in with organic popcorn and a viewing of Avatar, released today.
Via Earth Day
April 19, 2010
WCI Plan for Next Gen WiMAX
The next generation of WiMAX is due and the WCI (WiMAX 2 Collaboration Initiative) has formed to support the 802.16m standard in order to keep up with the 4G to come. Backwards compatible, it will deliver speeds of more than 300Mbps, have lower latency and increased VoIP capacity. Alvarion, Beceem, GCT Semiconductor, Intel, Motorola, Samsung, Sequans, XRONet and ZTE are some of the companies that have joined to support this next step that should start showing up in products later this year.
Via Business Wire
March 24, 2010
Fisher Price Launches Moments to Share
Fisher Price has launched a Facebook application that parents can use to select who can see photos of their kids. The company will also be launching apps for the iPhone and iPod Touch designed for children aged 2 - 5. Moments to Share includes promotions and products for them based on their gender and age. So while the app is a good idea for keeping away pervs, expect some commercialism as well.
Via Moments to Share
March 15, 2010
The Demise of Google.cn ?
Google.cn may cease to exist. After the December attack, the company became alarmed upon discovering that other large companies besides themselves were attacked. There was an attempt to access Gmail accounts of Chinese human rights activists and third parties were phishing around. SVP David Drummond says that Google no longer wants to censor their results and that may mean an end to relations with China.
Via Google Blog
March 11, 2010
Skype Drops Windows Mobile and Java Services
Skype has decided to drop its usage with Windows Mobile and Java phones. The download pages were deleted after it was determined that the limited country list for Skype Lite and overage of minutes usage made it more of a hindrance than a help. The Windows Mobile OS app was fairly unstable without a single mobile operating partner. Nokia will still have access to Skype for Symbian and some of the Java phones may as well.
Via Skype
February 17, 2010
Google Makes Changes to Buzz After Complaints
Talk about having a bad hair day week month. Google is finally making some changes after Buzz not only automatically signed up users, it preselected frequent e-mail contacts as "followers" and made the list public. The Electronic Privacy Information Center filed a formal complaint with the FCC, citing one case that created a woman's list with personal information that included her mother, boyfriend and abusive ex-husband. Apparently Google is making nice-nice to make up for their errors, including dispensing with auto-opt and auto-follow.
Did anyone else find it odd that Google partially blamed users for some of the mistakes with this remark in their official blog that referred to the contact list?
"On Thursday, after hearing that people thought the checkbox for choosing not to display this information publicly was too hard to find, we made this option more prominent. But that was clearly not enough."
Via Gmail Blog
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