Monthly Archives: May 2010

Apple vs. Flash (and Nokia and Opera)

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Nokia and Opera, a cell phone producer and internet browser company, respectively, have publicly stated support for Adobe’s Flash software. Adobe and Flash have gotten into a heated spat through the media concerning Adobe’s Flash software. Apple CEO Steve Jobs has called the program a buggy battery hog while Adobe has lashed out at Apple over its refusal to support Flash on the iPhone and iPad. The reason this is such an issue is that a lot of casual gaming on the internet uses Flash for its gameplay.  Second, since people like to have these mobile devices for casual gaming in addition to other functions, they can’t play on the internet because of Apple’s lack of support. This to me seems real simple. If Jobs is correct that the software is buggy and sucks a lot of energy from the battery, prove it. Put your results where your mouth is. Find a way to test the battery drain from using the Flash software. To say something without proof to back it up is unethical and is sometimes a diversion from a larger problem. On the other hand, Adobe can stamp its foot in the ground and pout all it wants to, but Apple has the right to support or not support various software for their devices.

Holy Price Drop, Batman

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Wal-Mart has cut the cost of the 16GB 3GS iPhone almost in half, going $97 with a two year contract with AT&T. Many people take this as a sign that Apple plans to launch a new model later this summer. Apple is starting to treat the iPhone like a video game series. There’s been a new model each year since the original came out in 2007. Each subsequent model has only included a few tweaks that don’t mess with the overall layout and function of the phone. But, I would caution Apple if I could, when you get into a routine of releasing another version of the same product yearly and all you do is make a tweak here and there, you will soon give the market burnout on your item. I brought up video games earlier, and aside from sports games, the Tomb Raider series is an appropriate analogy. After its debut, the company responsible started releasing a new game each year. The result was that players got tired of playing essentially the same game with different locations and graphics, so they stopped buying. Hopefully, Apple doesn’t get into that rut so they can continue to innovate and really wow us with spectacular new features.

This is a great idea

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Since I have what many people call a “dumb” phone (one that only calls and texts), texting is a time-consuming process since I don’t have a microscopic keyboard on my phone. And my pudgy thumbs are grateful for that. That’s why when I read this article, I immediately realized how useful this could be. Someone has developed a novel way for texting using picture symbols instead of words. WE already have created phonetic shortcuts for texting (LOL, ROFLMAO, BFF, BRB, etc.), why not just start using symbols. They liken it to ancient hieroglyphics similar to Egyptians. That way, you can send a message and push fewer buttons. The only issue I can see with this is that this is basically learning a new language. Older generations, and I’m not trying to sound snobby, have harder times learning new languages that younger generations. So, if you though getting your grandparents to try having a cell phone was hard, not to mention the concept of texting, just forget this right now. Hopefully, it won’t be a “smart” phone exclusive so we can all participate in this new method of communication.

The iLoo

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Before I start, I just want to say that I love the technological age we have going right now. All the great devices and services for connecting to people and information is wonderful. That being said, I do have think that people need to remember that it’s ok to be away from the internet for a while. The reason I mention is because of an abandoned idea from Microsoft’s UK branch. They called it the iLoo. It’s a public restroom with internet capabilities. Why was this considered a bad idea? Let’s look at it from a sanitation standpoint. Public restrooms get notoriously abused. People do more than just the business for which these are designed. Second, there is a chance for microscopic bacteria to get onto the installed computer. Microsoft claimed to have a vacuum suction technology to prevent this, but is thing something you really want to take a chance on? I don’t know about you, but if my computer is going to get bacteria on it, its going to be from me only.

The big issue for me is that we need to remember there is a reality that we need to interact with just as much as the virtual one. As a global culture, we spend more time on the internet than doing almost anything else. Like I said earlier, I love all the information I have access to, but I don’t need it every waking minute of the day. When I’m in the restroom, I should really be able to survive without the internet for the time it takes me to do my business.

The next big thing in TV

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Is probably going to be the next big thing in internet use. Google unveiled Google TV, software that will integrated into certain TVs as well as some satellite TV companies. They’re calling it “smart TV.” This will help people surf the internet, especially if they can’t get really fast internet access. This should be an interesting development to watch when the TVs become available in the fall. Google appears to have Apple in its cross hairs. The best part is that the consumers, us, are going to benefit the most from this. Any time companies innovate with the intent of offering better value to customers, we win.

Kindle on Android

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Amazon plans to line the pockets of chiropractors and opthamologists by releasing a version of it popular Kindle e-reader for the Android operating system. That’s right, you can now hunch over your Android smart phone and squint as you try to read a few chapters in your current book. Then, when you get home, you can continue where you left off on you regular sized Kindle reader. This is not really a smart idea. I have enough trouble looking at my wife’s iPhone when I want to watch a YouTube clip in the car. I cannot even begin to imagine what trying to read on that size screen would be like. My eyes and posture is bad enough without Amazon helping.

Baby’s first iPad

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Some genius over at MSNBC decided to publicly list the best iPad apps for babies and toddlers. Are you NUTS? You’re going to spend $500 on an iPad and then give the thing to your flipping kid? Let me be brutally honest here. Kids do not take of their toys. They just don’t have the maturity or experience to understand what happens if you neglect your toys. When I was a kid, my He-Man action figure had a run in with the ground, 50 feet away from where I launched him into orbit. One of the plastic legs snapped off at the shin. Mom and I taped his foot back on and we went on our way. When I started in band, I got a cheap instrument when there are instruments worth $5,000. Why didn’t I get the best horn possible? Because I was a kid who was going to bang this thing around! It’s what kids do. My niece decided to determine the buoyancy of my wife’s iPhone by dropping it on the concrete patio. The result has been a battery that only holds a charge for one day before needing to be plugged into recharge. I don’t care how many iPads you can buy, don’t give your kids one of these gadgets.

Cell phones + tumors = inconclusive

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Depending on your outlook of the world and the current state of technology, you may look at this story as either the glass being haf full or half empty. A decade long study on the connection between cell phone use and brain tumors has proven to be inconclusive. Part of the problem lies in the method for collecting data. Participants were asked to try and remember how much time they had spent using their cell phone. I’ll be quite honest, if someone were to ask me the same question, I would be unable to give an accurate number. The other problem lies in the study subjects. Some of these people probably already thought they had a problem and may have exaggerated their answers. One thing I’ve learned is that the thoughts we have follow a general trend. If we think we are sick all the time, then invariably we end up being sick. If we think we are healthy, generally we are healthier. That doesn’t mean that you can do all the things that are bad for you and expect to live to be 95 just by thinkinh you’re healthy. Mindset, however, does affect your body and its longevity.

The cell phone trend

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I have watched the evolution of cell phone technology with fascination. The smart phones, the iPhone, Blackberries, everything that cell phones can do is amazing. However, I don’t think they can do everything. A new study reveals that only 1 out of every 4 households still has a home phone line due to various members of that household owning a cell phone. The younger generations are leading a trend toward all mobility all the time. For me, while I like technology of cell phones, I think there are still some advantages to having a home phone. For instance, if you need to call emergency services for a fire in someone’s home and you don’t have their cell phone, how will the firemen know where to go? If you don’t know the exact location of where you are (maybe you’re on vacation at someone else’s house), you may not be able to give accurate directions. With the dawn of digital technology, I believe that instead of traditional landlines, get a VOIP service. That phone number can have 911 services and will keep you safer than if you just have a cell phone. Plus, you can save money by investing in a lower priced cell phone package as most VOIP companies offer unlimited local and long distance calling.

Dog Gone it!

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Forget any plans you had of owning a Verizon iPhone anytime soon. The terms of the original contract between Apple and AT&T has been uncovered. According to the contract, AT&T has exclusive rights to the iPhone until 2012. This absolutely stinks considering AT&T’s customer satisfaction rating is the lowest. There are some people who speculate that the iPad launch may have given Apple an opportunity to revisit this exclusive contract. This is all guessing at this point, so there are no details as to whether the contract has been amended and/or whether it will be shorter or longer. I have not had good experience with AT&T’s service myself, so I am definitely pulling for shorter.