Microsoft is making another attempt to capture more of the smart phone market with a new software release. While they won’t be selling the actual hardware, they will be offering software for phones that resemble Windows 7. Read the whole article here.
Suzanne Choney at MSNBC is hypothesizing that we have reached a point of technological overload. With the release of the iPad, another portable computing device, Google Buzz, another social networking site, and 3-D TV starting to emerge, people seem to be getting tired of technology changing every other day. In the 1990s, it seemed that a piece of technology would come out and provide a unique service for a number of years before another piece of technology provided the same service with additional features or at a cheaper price or in some revolutionary new presentation. Now, it seems that new technology doesn’t even last a year before the supposed next big thing comes out. So what do you think? Have we finally reached the pinnacle of technological saturation or are people’s personal checkbooks making us more cautios buyers?
Well, I really shouldn’t be surprised, but in a way I am a little. Google is looking to get into the Social Networking niche with Google Buzz. This is incorporated to Google’s email service and will allow users to post status updates very similar to Facebook. As first glance, that appears to be all it can do, but knowing how popular Facebook is and all the bells and whistles that it has, don’t be surprised if you start to see social gaming apps. Facebook recently overhauled its layout to mixed results. Some people don’t mind it while others hate it. If enough people hate it, they may be tempted to go over to Google Buzz. This may be perfect timing for Google.
Randy Sarafan is releasing a book titled “62 Projects to Make With a Dead Computer (and Other Discarded Electronics).” In it, he details how to turn old technology into something completely different and useful. While my favorite is not the most practical use of old tech, I love the idea of the 8-bit Nintendo controller as a belt buckle. I grew up in the heyday of the original NES, so that’s why it’s my favorite, but some of the other ideas are more ingenious. Check some of them out at MSNBC.com.
This may not fit the mold of a regular IT story, but there’s a Canadian company which built a prototype interactive board game. It’s a board game that you play like a traditional Monopoly or Risk, but there are tiles that, when connected, will trigger interactive events. I’m a bit of a board game geek as well as an IT geek, so this concept has me very intrigued.
OK, this is just me being silly, but as technology gets more sophisticated, it also seems to be getting smaller. Apple’s recent iPad reveal aside, cell phones started off as 20 lb. bags and now are a few ounces that clip to your belt or rest in your purse. How much smaller can they get? Will be able to walk into some orange county jewelry store and buy a necklace, bracelet or ring with an AT&T nationwide calling plan? I gues it would give new meaning to the term “ring tone.”
While NASA’s budget might have taken an overall hit, there is an increase to help the Space Agency study Earth’s climate with help from satellites. $2 billion is allotted for the agency’s climate study activities, including the Orbiting Carbon Observatory. Read the full story at MSNBC here.
If you’re curious about the iPad and associated questions, Harry McCracken has an article where he lists 25 questions that will remain unanswered until the iPad is released to the public. Read his article here.
In a story from MSNBC.com, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata dismissed the recently unveiled iPad as nothing but a bigger iPod touch. Now, while I’m not inclined to disagree with that, what makes me wonder if Iwata is really hip to current trends in technology is his similar attitude toward 3D technology and high definition for video games. As a video game enthusiast, I can attest to the enhanced experience from playing games with high definition. It’s AWESOME! And concerning 3D, while movies still require the glasses, at least they look like regular sunglasses. And more and more movies are coming out in 3D, so there is an audience. So, if Iwata has this attitude toward 3D and gaming, it makes me wonder if his appraisal of the iPad is off too.
Rather than trouble you with recapping the iPad presentation, I figured I’d let you take a look at Steve Jobs’ initial announcement from Wednesday. A couple of things: I love the idea of searching the web on computer that responds to touch without having to hunch over to see the screen, and I like the ability to flip the iPad sideways to engage a different view, but what has me concerned is their decision to remain with AT&T. AT&T, despite the commercials you see, does not have the best 3G coverage. Oh they cover a lot of the country, but the 3G network is extremely spotty. Why would Apple continue to do business exclusively with AT&T? Oh well.