‘Technology’ Category
» posted on Tuesday, March 16th, 2010 at 11:45 am by LadyLumineux
Charging for content will be a huge failure for the media
More and more news sites are thinking about charging for content. The newspaper industry is looking at dwindling circulation and assuming that their growing online readership will provide the path to profitability. They might be right, but they are heading in the wrong direction.
Online news sites benefit from type-in traffic and links from sites like Yahoo, Google, and the Drudge Report. Once sites require subscriptions, those links will disappear, along with the resulting traffic. What they’ll be left with is a small group of loyal readers willing to pay a reasonable fee for news that they could readily read at one of several free web sites. Let’s also remember that those links provided by news aggregators brought in visitors who clicked ads. When the traffic goes down, the ad revenue will probably follow. After all, do you want to advertise on a site that isn’t viewed much in comparison to its peers? » read more
post a comment | filed under Media · Technology · Uncategorized | tags: Free, Media, Newspapers, Subscriptions
» posted on Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 at 12:34 pm by LadyLumineux
Apple introduces the iPad
It’s official: Apple has introduced the iPad. The Apple iPad is a tablet PC with a 10 inch screen, which basically functions like the apple iPod, only bigger. The iPad will have either 16gb, 32gb, or 64gb of storage. Most impressive is the battery life, which is rated at 10 hours, with 30 days of stand-by time.
During the announcement, Steve Jobs spoke about how the iPad fills a void between the iPod/iPhone, and a typical notebook computer. He also criticized netbooks as cheap laptops. There’s no doubt the iPad will be a huge success, especially for people who want it for media or entertainment purposes. The larger screen is superior to netbooks for movies, viewing pictures, and games. Of course, there are always going to be people who want to push actual buttons especially when typing a paper or writing an e-mail. » read more
post a comment | filed under Business · Technology | tags: App Store, Apple, iPad, iPod, Laptop, Netbook, Steve Jobs
» posted on Tuesday, January 5th, 2010 at 2:06 pm by Damien Baldino
Airport security measure violates child porn laws?
I have an important message for you, and it’s very important that you read it slowly and understand it completely. Here it goes: There are people out there called terrorists, and they like to kill people, often by blowing them up. We need to do everything we can to stop the terrorists and protect innocent people.
You might think that message is simplistic and goes without saying. If you feel this way, you probably have an IQ over 50. Unfortunately, there are too many people in the world who are terribly out of touch and don’t understand the reality of the world. This type of (or lack of) thinking is displayed perfectly on the topic of using body scanners at airports. As you may know, a terrorist linked to Al-Qaeda attempted to blow up a plane with 300 people on Christmas. You would think that this act would be enough to convince people of the dangers we face, but obviously, it’s not enough. » read more
post a comment | filed under Crime · Technology · Terrorism | tags: Airport Security, Body Scanners, Great Britain, Terrorism
» posted on Tuesday, January 5th, 2010 at 1:03 pm by Damien Baldino
It’s official: Google’s Nexus One is on the wa
It’s official: Google is now in the cell phone business. The company announced the release of the Nexus One, which was completely designed by its own engineers, and will help it gain traction in online advertising.
I’m not sure how the Nexus One stacks up to the iPhone, but there’s no doubt it is a game-changer for the wireless industry. Those who purchase the phone can buy an unlocked version that can be used with any carrier. Of course, that will be pricey, since the initial price will be $529. For those who are a bit more frugal, there is also an option of signing up for a 2 year agreement with T-Mobile and paying just $179. » read more
post a comment | filed under Business · Technology | tags: Apple, Google, iPhone, Nexus One, T-Mobile, Wireless
» posted on Saturday, January 2nd, 2010 at 2:03 pm by Damien Baldino
GM and Chrysler could learn from Ford
Ford recently announced that its Sync system will soon allow customers to plug in a modem, so that passengers will be able to access broadband internet. Basically, many of Ford’s cars will become rolling hot spots. This is in addition to Sync, which allows you to control many of the car’s features with your voice.
Ford’s recent innovations seem to be far ahead of both Chrysler and GM. Is it merely a coincidence that the most innovative American car company is also the only one that is profitable and wasn’t bailed out by the federal government? Perhaps GM and Chrysler should take notes.
post a comment | filed under Business · Economy · Technology | tags: CHrysler, Ford, GM, Sync, Wifi
» posted on Sunday, December 13th, 2009 at 5:37 pm by Damien Baldino
Is the Google Phone on the way?
There are rumors circulating that a Google Phone (possibly named Nexus One) could be on the way by January 2010. The phone will run Android 2.1 and be manufactured by HTC, but will carry the Google name.
The phone could be a game-changer in many ways. For one thing, the phone will be unlocked, so it can be used on both AT&T’s and T-Mobile’s network. It will also be sold in retail locations, and with the iPhone’s exclusivity agreement with AT&T about to expire, it could open up a potentially interesting competition. As for features, it will have a touch screen, two microphones, and voice-to-text, for those who don’t like typing on a touch screen. » read more
post a comment | filed under Business · Technology | tags: Android, AT&T, Cell Phones, Google, Google Phone, HTC, iPhone, Nexus One, Retail, T-Mobile
» posted on Monday, December 7th, 2009 at 6:30 pm by Damien Baldino
A ticket to ride into space for just $200,000
Commercial space travel is on the way. Billionaire Richard Branson, owner of Atlantic Airways, announced that his new venture, Virgin Galactic, will be ready to shuttle individuals into space in a few years. The $450 million project includes the construction of six spaceships/shuttles/aircraft, which would take passengers 65 miles above the Earth.
Each ticket would enable a passenger to receive three days of training, a voyage that is about 2 hours or so each way, and 5 minutes of weightlessness. Not bad for a mere $200,000. Just in case you’re wondering if anyone would be willing to spend that much for a five hour trip that will result in just five minutes in space, Branson claims to have received 300 deposits. We are in a recession, right?
post a comment | filed under Business · Technology
» posted on Saturday, November 28th, 2009 at 5:39 pm by Damien Baldino
Black Friday shopping is better online
I have never been shopping on Black Friday. I always say I want to, but the idea of having to take time out of work, wake up ridiculously early, sit in traffic, fight for the items I’m looking for, then risk them not being there, usually convinces me it’s better to just stay home. Of course, staying home doesn’t mean I don’t shop, it just means I’m a little smarter about how I shop.
For the most part, online shopping beats brick and mortar stores hands-down. It’s convenient, you can read about the product, check out online reviews, and you can often save money. Plus, you can easily check out several stores in just a few minutes to get the best price, and often get free shipping and no sales tax. There’s just one problem: Retailers don’t properly utilize online shopping. » read more
post a comment | filed under Business · Technology | tags: Black Friday, Online, Sales, Shopping
» posted on Thursday, November 26th, 2009 at 2:36 pm by Damien Baldino
Take your pick: Buy an XBox 360 or flush your money down the toilet
If you’re in the market for an XBox 360, Playstation 3, or a Nintendo Wii, you might want to check out this video first. A recent survey found that almost 60% of XBox 360 owners have reported problems with their consoles, compared to just 16% for Playstation 3 and 6% for Nintendo Wii. Microsoft’s problems are so well-know, that the “red ring of death” and other technical problems, are the subject of their own Wikipedia article.
The XBox might be a great system to play, and I know it has its fans, but who wants to spend hundreds on a console that is likely to break in less than a year? Consumer electronics tend to have a failure rate of 15% over their first 3 to 4 years of use. This is understandable, since regular use can take its toll on any item. However, when a company’s product tends to fail more often than not over a relatively short period of time, it should probably be avoided.
post a comment | filed under Entertainment · Technology | tags: Failure Rates, Nintendo Wii, Red Ring of Death, Sony Playstation, XBox 360
