Gadget

The Only Way Google can be Successful in Consumer Electronics

February 10, 2012

Yesterday I detailed how Google IS the tech news of the day and folks, this search leader is ambitious – more so than Microsoft ever was. In addition to a Dropbox killer and massive Google+ growth I outlined in this recent post, the company is also getting into the home entertainment business through its Motorola Mobility acquisition. Specifically Google will release a self-branded line of consumer electronics allowing you to stream music throughout your home.

Google already has a cloud-based music service so obviously there is synergy there but the only way I see this strategy working is by Google doing things differently.

My loyal readers know I am a fan of Sonos – they sell an in-home audio streaming service which integrates with Slacker, Pandora, Sirius/XM, Spotify and even integrates with iOS devices and iTunes libraries stored on computers. In-short, you have access to all your music and favorite radio from any room.

Posted in 4G, Amazon, Android, Apple, Blackberry, Broadband, Consumer Electronics, FCC, Facebook, Gadget, Google, HD Voice, Microsoft, Social Networking, Speech Technologies, Technology, Twitter, Wireless

Google+ Growth, Dropbox Killer: Google IS the Tech News

February 9, 2012

Google has entrenched itself is so many areas of tech they have become the technology news of the day. First off, Google+ growth has been nothing short of fantastic, in part because the company has altered search results to put more emphasis on this social network. Every SEO/SEM professional has had no choice in the past few months to get up to speed on the latest social network from the search giant. And this in part is the reason why it has half the unique visitors of Twitter according to web traffic tracking site Compete.

In other unrelated news in the mobile market – hey wait, it isn’t unrelated at all – once again it features Google whose Motorola Mobility acquisition is about to get OKed – perhaps as early as next week.

The bad news now for those companies selling products with technology covered by Motorola/Google patents – you’re on the hook for 2.25% of every sale.

Posted in 4G, Android, Apple, Broadband, Cloud Computing, E-Commerce, Facebook, Financial, Gadget, Google, Microsoft, Open Source, Patent, Search, Security, Social Networking, Technology, Wireless

A Dream for Alan Harper - iPads Do Increase Chiropractor Visits

January 26, 2012

When the iPad was released I penned a piece titled iPad Neck – Ouch! Because I had such a neck ache, I had to see a chiropractor. Just over a year and a half later I came across a report on TMCnet which explains that yes, indeed, I am not alone. Researchers have found that prolonged use of tablets as opposed to desktop computers has led to not only pain in people’s necks but their shoulders as well.

The reason has to do with how the screen is positioned. With a desktop or laptop your head is generally up, facing forward as opposed to when you use a tablet and your head is tilted down.

Posted in AT&T, Amazon, Apple, Blackberry, Broadband, Cisco, Consumer Electronics, Gadget, Microsoft, Technology, Ultrabook, Verizon, Wireless, iPad

Apple's Great Products Allow Legal Gouging

January 20, 2012

Cupertino, you seem to be becoming more driven by lawyers than product designers

A dizzying number of lawsuits related to patents is a fact of life at Apple. Steve Jobs himself mentioned that Google’s Android represents betrayal and the company has made no secret of the fact that they want to take this free OS out at the knees.

But what doesn’t get as much press is the legal requirements you must deal with if you want to be part of the Apple ecosystem. Case in point is the company’s recent foray into educational books. Apple allows anyone to use an app to become part of the Apple iBooks 2 book store. And as part of the contract that comes with the app are statements which say that if you submit a book to Apple you can’t submit it elsewhere.

Posted in Amazon, Apple, Consumer Electronics, Gadget, Google, Technology, Wireless

Can Incumbent Companies be Disruptors?

January 14, 2012

Business disruption through technologies they never saw coming is fascinating to me. I have been fortunate enough to be in the technology and communications spaces at a time when the pace of change has been breathtaking.

Consider for example in the 1980s when Rockwell one of the leading ACD manufacturers collaborated with IBM to enable computer-telephony integration or CTI. As a point of reference an ACD is an automatic call distributor and is the machine that asks you to press one if you are calling about domestic travel and so on. Now the reason CTI was important had to do with the ability to pull customer data from a contact management database so the call center worker knew who was calling in advance of the call.

Posted in Amazon, Android, Broadband, Communications Developer, Consumer Electronics, E-Commerce, Gadget, Google, Merger/Acquisition, Microsoft, Networking, Skype, Technology, VoIP, Wireless

CES 2012 Overview

January 13, 2012

TMC's Peter Bernstein has an excellent piece on CES and the macro trends which have emanated from this massive tech show here in Las Vegas. One point worth reiterating is the show is far more than just about gadgets... There are ecosystem considerations and competitive pressures at virtually every important point in the market from TV to cameras to music. As Peter points out - at this rate the show will be an important industry gathering place for many years to come - and it really is more than just a show about consumer electronics - there are broad implications emanating from this event that will affect every aspect of tech - all the way up into the corporate world.

Posted in Consumer Electronics, Gadget, Technology, Wireless

LodgeNet iPhone App a Germaphobe Dream

January 8, 2012

For those people horrified by the concept of using the hotel room remote due to germs – you know who you are, I have great news. LodgeNet has a new App I discovered recently on a New Year’s trip to Boston which can reduce anxiety related to uncleanliness and moreover make your TV viewing experience better.

It works simply. You download the app onto your iPhone or iPod Touch, etc. and then using the remote in the room just once you navigate to the menu and scroll up to the mobile selection and press select.

Posted in Apple, Consumer Electronics, Gadget, Technology, Wireless

CES, Ultrabooks and Lowered Expectations

January 8, 2012

It has been a few years since I have been to CES and I have to be honest, I have never seen the kind of lowered expectations for an event. There have been numerous stories from mainstream publications this past week telling us not to judge the future of the industry based on what the hot product at the show happens to be. For more see the end of this article.

While on the one hand this is good advice backed up by lots of flops like the Microsoft and HP tablet of a few years back that was supposed to be an iPad killer but was never released.

I’m wondering if it is just me who is skeptical about new technology in general. In other words CES or not you never really know if something is going to be the next big thing.

Posted in Amazon, Android, Apple, Blackberry, Consumer Electronics, Gadget, Microsoft, Open Source, Skype, Smart Ecosystem, Technology, Ultrabook, VoIP, Wireless

Is That a Personal Assistant in Your Ear?

January 4, 2012

I really like loud music and while I believe my hearing is good now, I imagine at some point in the future the collective damage of music played on various gadgets coupled with concerts by the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, Def Leppard, Rush, The Police, Joan Jett and others have done some damage which I will have to overcome with – I can’t bring myself to write it… A hearing aid. Ouch… Does that hurt. Did I mention I refuse to acknowledge the aging process is taking place?

So I have this hope that if the time comes when – ehhh, what did you say??? – I may need one of these devices, they will be considered normal… Everyone will be wearing them.

Well it seems like we may be headed in that direction as Panasonic has its new R1-W digital hearing instrument which the company says is designed to fit discreetly behind the ear. But what caught my attention was the device’s ability to record up to five 2-minute and 40-second recorded files for voice memos, phone numbers, etc.

Moreover it comes with a Hearing Hub, a device which allows you to manage the hearing aid so as to connect it to your TV audio or your cellphone via bluetooth.

Posted in Consumer Electronics, Gadget, Speech Technologies, Technology, Wireless

Imagining a World with Electronic Passports

January 4, 2012

There is something – Oh I don’t know – let’s say backwards when it comes to traveling on an airplane. In an age of state-of-the-art electronics – smartphones with dual-core processors and amazing screens, why do we need paper passports and other forms of paper identification when we travel? We all know eventually the systems will become automated and recent news at the border of US and Canada may point to a trend which will make travel a bit less stressful.

Canadian Martin Reisch recently used a scanned photo of his passport as his identification when crossing from Canada into the US. Reisch did have a real driver’s license however so this wasn’t a pure paperless ID border cross.

I remember the good old days when coming over the border from Canada or Mexico was pretty painless – there wasn’t much questioning or even looking at IDs. After 9/11 that all changed and now travel has become a process most of us frequent travelers do not look forward to.

Getting rid of paper identification would definitely be a step in the right direction – of course if it can be done safely and securely.

But in the meantime if we can find a way to allow passengers to get through security without the whole shoe and laptop removal rules it would be much appreciated.

Posted in Consumer Electronics, Gadget, Security, Technology

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