KnowThyTech

A quick update on Google's works

2009-09-23T22:22:00.002-05:00

Microsoft has officially shunned Google for its works; the company feels that power is left in the hands of too few key players. While this is a good business strategy, Microsoft fears the power that these elite individuals hold in their hands.

All hope is not lost; Microsoft, Amazon, and Yahoo are banding together to support the Open Book Alliance, what may be little more than an internet protest.

The brunt of the matter is that the legal system is even involved! Google Books and their use of out-of-print works of literature has stepped on the toes of several copyrights! The way I see it, it all boils down to Microsoft fearing new competition. Honestly, look at how many *other* acts of copyright infringement have occurred: you don't see Microsoft hounding them! I sense that a little rivalry between Internet Explorer and Chrome has worked its way into other facets of both companies.

I, for one, welcome our new Google overlords.

An attempt to revive the blog and indie gaming

2009-09-23T22:15:00.002-05:00

Alright, for those of you who are done with CaveStory, here's another timesink for ya!

Spelunky is self-described as rogue-like. With completely random levels and an adventure that I've yet to beat after ~300 attempts, you'll find yourself absolutely engrossed. The music is rivaling Pixel's work, and the atmosphere of the game is just as enticing. Whether you're a hardcore gamer or looking forward to kicking back after work or school, Spelunky's a great choice.

For those of you interested in downloading it (it's a free indie game, by the way) you can look here at the official website.

Oh, and if you manage to enter the Sun, Moon, or Stars room, you're simply awesome at all games forever.

Until then, happy tech-ing!

Google's Beastly Week

2009-02-09T22:24:00.001-06:00

Let's look at what Google's Mobile Team has introduced in the past week, from earliest to latest. Check them out. They're all game changers...

1) Gmail Tasks

Tasks lets you easily create and manage to-do lists right in Gmail. Now, you can access and manage your task lists from your phone, too.

2) Google Latitude

Latitude is a new feature of Google Maps for mobile, as well as an iGoogle gadget, that allows you to share your location with your friends and to see their approximate locations, if they choose to share them with you.

3) Google Book Search

Over 1.5 million public domain books in the US (and over half a million outside the US) are now available for perusing on iPhone and Android devices.

4) Google Sync Beta (if Gmail's any indication, this thing will be in beta until 2015).

For iPhone and Windows Mobile devices, Google Sync allows you to get your Gmail Contacts and Google Calendar events to your phone. Once you set up Sync on your phone, it will automatically begin synchronizing your address book and calendar in the background, over-the-air, so you can attend to other tasks.

Google Sync has effectively eliminated the need for MobileMe, pending the push updates to the phone. Notice how Google is using Apple's exchange integration to its advantage. Bottom line: prior to today, my contacts and calendars were stored locally and synced through iTunes. Today, everything's on Google Servers. The world's-a-changing.

Facebook: New APIs

2009-02-09T17:57:00.001-06:00

eWeek: Facebook Launches New APIs for Facebook Platform

“Your application will have access to any status, notes, or links from the active user or their friends that are currently visible to the active user,” said a Feb. 6 post on the Facebook Developers blog. “In addition, we’re opening new APIs for you to post links, create notes, or upload videos for the current user, and we’ve made setting a user’s status easier.”

They also say that this is to stop an attack from Twitter. For me, facebook's value comes in the form of the actual content on the site, rather than status updates. I've never been a fan of Twitter. It will be interesting to see whether, when it comes time to choose, people's default accounts online will be their Google Accounts or their facebook ones. Let's see Google buy up facebook and link it all into one, giant, Internet monopoly!

Google Calendar Sync for iPhone and Windows Mobile

2009-02-09T17:54:00.001-06:00

Gizmodo: Push: At Last, Google Sync Comes to iPhone and Windows Mobile

If you are a Google Apps junkie like I am, chances are that your iPhone (or WinMo) experience has been lacking. Luckily, Google has released Sync support to instantly coordinate your Google Calendar and Contacts.

Finally! If I now update my Google Calendar either online or in iCal (with iCal syncing to Google Calendars), that change is pushed to iPhone's Calendar.

The Calendar portion seems to work well, though the settings to choose which calendar seem to have to be made online through Safari on iPhone, which is slightly annoying. I'm having some trouble with Contacts sync (it's not as fast). However, this is incredible. And makes me continue to question the value of MobileMe. Google's done so very well what Apple charges $100/year for. Normally Apple gets style points, but Google's online tutorials are pretty straight forward.

Getting Rural America Broadband

2009-02-06T16:21:00.001-06:00

Reuters: Internet tax credit boost proposed by US Senator

Current Internet speeds are defined as 5 megabits per second, while the "next-generation" speeds eligible for the larger tax credits are defined as 100 megabits per second, in the proposal.

Some have complained the 100 megabits per second bar is too high. Verizon Communications (VZ.N) is the most obvious recipient of that credit, since its fiber-based FIOS system can handle that speed.

I really hope they keep that 100 megabits per second rule. That's how you encourage innovation and growth in this economy. The world will not wait for us to get our Internet up to speed (pardon the pun).

The DTV Transition...

2009-02-06T16:10:00.001-06:00

DailyTech: Some Broadcasters to End Analog Signal Transmission Early

Although Congress has ultimately decided to delay the analog to digital transition from this month until June, some broadcasters are going to move forward as planned

And the DTV mess gets messier.

Google Allows for iPhone, Android Book Search

2009-02-06T16:09:00.001-06:00

TechNewsWorld: Google Opens New Chapter With iPhone, Android Book Search

Google has made available its electronic library of classic books to users of Apple's iPhone and T-Mobile's G1 with a mobile site optimized for the browser type both phones use.

Just like people want to have their music stored online and accessed over the cell phone's data network, so may they want their books. The technology is there to make eBooks happen; the question is whether anyone wants to read a book on the same screen used to make calls. Will people want a dedicated book device? I really don't think so. May the best app win.

Apple: Facebook no More!

2009-02-06T16:02:00.001-06:00

Infinite Loop: Apple blocks access to time-suck Facebook from retail stores - Ars Technica

pple started blocking access to MySpace from its retail stores a couple years ago, when customers accessing the site started taking away time from the other 2,248 customers per day (on average) that walk through the door. Now, the new popular social networking site Facebook has earned the dubious honor of becoming such a time-suck that Apple now blocks it from its display machines.

For some people, there's one reason fewer to stop by an Apple Store. I wonder if this is for employees too during break. Now, why don't we limit the amount of time people can spend taking pictures of themselves in Photo Booth while I'm waiting to try out a new MacBook!

Merry Christmas from Steve

2009-02-03T12:27:00.000-06:00

AppleInsider: Heated Christmas call from Jobs secured iTunes changes

"According to a person briefed on the telephone call, Mr. Schmidt-Holtz and Mr. Jobs had a heated exchange by phone on Christmas Eve," the Times reported. "Eventually, Sony gave in and agreed to a longer waiting period."

And to think we believed that Steve rested this season

For the first time in a decade, I’m getting to spend the holiday season with my family, rather than intensely preparing for a Macworld keynote.

He's still Steve, keynote or not!

Super Bowl Tech Ads

2009-02-03T11:24:00.000-06:00

CNET: Did online companies market their brands well at the Super Bowl?

Before the commercial aired, Hulu was known to a relatively small number of people in the Super Bowl viewing audience. But after the ad aired, everyone knew what Hulu is, how it works, and most importantly, that it's free.

I've actually heard quite the opposite. I'm not sure how effective that ad campaign was.

New Market Shares Out

2009-02-03T10:22:00.000-06:00

CNET: IE slips further as Firefox, Safari, Chrome gain

Microsoft's browser has steadily lost ground to its competitors in the past year. Its share dropped sharply in both October and November 2008, when it lost over one percentage point in each month.
Apple's Safari browser now stands at 8.29 percent, up from 7.13 percent in November, when IE dipped. Safari has gained share more quickly than Firefox in that period: Mozilla's browser accounted for 20.78 percent of browser use three months ago, and now has 21.53 percent.

This will get even more interesting if Chrome starts being pre-installed on computers.

Downloading Games on Phones

2009-02-02T10:11:00.000-06:00

AppleInsider:iPhone users ten times as likely to play games vs other mobiles

ComScore's report, cited by InformationWeek, said that just 3.8% of mobile subscribers have downloaded a game to their mobile phone, compared to 32.4% of iPhone users.

We've said it before and we'll say it again. It's not about features, per se; it's all about usability and design. Apple wins out. It's no longer about comparing two products and seeing which one has better specs. That era is over.

The Super Bowl

2009-02-02T08:30:00.000-06:00

New York Times: Steelers 27, Cardinals 23

Nice

Announcing The Vitrue 100 (Not a typo)

2009-01-30T23:53:00.001-06:00

MSNBC: Announcing The Vitrue 100 -- First Annual Ranking of the Top Social Brand

iPhone reigns as the #1 most social brand, outscoring its innovator and parent, Apple, which ranks #3. Overall, Apple dominates by also securing iPod at #7 and the Mac legacy brand at #16.

Nice. Interesting to note that "Apple" is about "iPod." Glad people are finally starting to understand that Mac and iPod are not companies but rather product lines. This also shows the change in consumer mentality. iPhone is now the superior Apple product. The iPod is just an "everyday" toy.

AT&T CEO: No 2008 Bonuses

2009-01-30T23:50:00.001-06:00

Dallas Business Journal: AT&T CEO to give up 2008 bonus

Telecommunications giant AT&T told employees Friday that CEO Randall Stephenson is giving up his 2008 bonus and the company will freeze salaries for its 120,000 managers, AT&T spokesman Walt Sharp confirmed Friday.

Nice to see that from a company that made $2 billion last quarter rather than losing $2 billion. I'm sure those 120,000 managers are just thrilled, though it's better to have a frozen salary than no salary. I'd love to see how their salaries stack up to the executive bonuses.

It's Only A Matter of Time

2009-01-30T23:47:00.001-06:00

Gizmodo: Media: Print Is Doomed, By the Numbers

"It would cost the Times about half as much money to send every single one of its subscribers a brand new Amazon Kindle instead of a physical newspaper each day." Over three months!

Once again, its only a matter of time. The technology is there. Now it's finding the right platform. Kindle, iPhone, Netbook, Bendable Paper...

That's Not Good: Apple Store Door Explodes

2009-01-30T23:45:00.001-06:00

Gizmodo: Apple Store Glass Door Explodes on Couple

Glass doors, on a windy Midwestern winter day anyway, are apparently not the most practical design. After Andrew's parents were coated with glass, store employees rushed over to make sure they were okay and apologized profusely. They left, but discovered on the way home they had actually sustained some cuts from their glass shower.

That's actually kind of scary, especially since that's only Kansas! There are several states to the north that make Kansas look warm by comparison. Hope this was a one-time design flaw! I think they should at least walk away with a free iPod...

New iPhone Coming?

2009-01-29T22:35:00.001-06:00

InformationWeek: New Firmware Points To New iPhone?

Mobile analytics firm Pinch Media said it has seen reference to a device called "iPhone 2,1" in its ad logs. This isn't just the firmware, as the original iPhone was known as "iPhone 1,1" and the 3G model was "iPhone 1,2."

No way! A new iPhone is coming out!?! You mean Apple won't just stay with iPhone 3G forever? Stop that! You're kidding!

Real information would tell us when, or more in the what category. We know it exists. I didn't think Apple would be twiddling its thumbs for 10 months!

iTunes Plus Upgrades on Track-by-Track Basis

2009-01-29T22:29:00.001-06:00

Mac Rumors: iTunes Plus Upgrades Now Available on a Per-Track Basis - Mac Rumors

Macworld notes that Apple has instituted a new feature that allows iTunes Store users to upgrade their music libraries to iTunes Plus tracks on either a per-track or per-album basis.

Problem Solved

Premium Game Section of App Store

2009-01-29T22:24:00.001-06:00

Gizmodo: Rumor: $19.99 Premium Games Section Coming to iTunes Store

The section would be restricted to large publishers only—think Sega and EA. They've got no details on a launch date or which publishers are involved, only the educated guess that WWDC in June is the natural time and place to kick it off.

AKA: The stuff you might actually buy in a store. What's out there now that would be considered "Premium"? Crash? Monopoly? What? Some of these third-party games from startups are actually pretty good.

I'm Batty for Beta

2009-01-28T16:41:00.000-06:00

Now, as you may or may not know, the popular tabletop game Warhammer 40,000 has created a purely prodigious amount of video-game adaptations of the game. If you know that, then you probably also know that they were mostly sub-par and a largely unpleasant Warhammer experience. Fortunately, the two most recent adaptations, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 2 and Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning, are by far the best. This is why, with great enthusiasm, I am eager to announce the release of the Multiplayer beta of Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 2. Sorry, Macfriends, this one's for PCs only.

I can't guarantee it will run, or that it won't do anything malicious to your computer, but these things seldom happen, and upon download, you agree to accept the consequences. If you're interested, you can find the site for download (from Steam) here.

Considering the amount of pure effort they put in to WAR, I would most definitely try it: again, I must stress that this is still a beta release and may or may not harm your computer.

Also, it's an RTS. Just in case you like that kind of stuff.

Engadget takes a look at Apple vs. Palm

2009-01-28T16:37:00.001-06:00

Engadget:Apple vs. Palm: the in-depth analysis

So let's take a step back here and think about the bigger picture. You've got two large companies, each loaded up with tons of patents and pending patents, only some of which we've touched on here, and plenty of reasons to fight this one out: not only is Apple historically protective of its IP, it's got the massively popular iPhone to defend, while Palm's more or less staking its survival on the success of the Pre. It's going to be a bloodbath, right? Well, maybe, maybe not -- while we're not going to say that the attorneys on each side aren't mentally picking out colors for their new BMWs, it's important to realize that both sides stand to lose an awful lot in a potential lawsuit as well. Plus, to these lawyers' ears, Tim Cook's statements the other day sounded more like an attorney-coached nonanswer than some angry shot across Palm's bow -- it felt like Cook knew the question was coming and delivered his prepared response a tick early, not like he suddenly remembered Apple's multimillion-dollar patent portfolio and got fired up.

Engadget does a nice job here. It will be interesting to see how this all turns out. Engadget thinks it will not end quietly, but I really don't see Apple suing Palm (or needing to), especially with those patents that seem to be more obvious than not. Let's be honest here: Apple has had the iPhone UI out for over two years, with very few modifications. In that time, one company (Palm) has come close. I think Apple will be okay, assuming Apple's R+D engines are still running at full blast, which they should be. Apple also has more to lose.

And You Thought Windows was Bad

2009-01-28T11:00:00.000-06:00

Gizmodo: Insane UI: High Res Space Shuttle Cockpit Control Photo

Next time you're about to complain about a gadget UI, think about trying to handle an in flight situation at the controls of the space shuttle

Kindle 2??

2009-01-28T09:00:00.000-06:00

VentureBeat:Kindle 2: Should you stop buying all those iPhone eBooks?

Invites have started going out for a special event being held in New York City, to be hosted by Amazon chief executive Jeff Bezos. Little, if no detail is being given out by Amazon as to what exactly will be talked about at the “Jeffnote” (you know, like a Stevenote minus one Steve Jobs), but it’s not hard to put one and one together. The Bits blog did, and came up with the Kindle 2.

You know, with all these netbooks, smartphones, iPod touches, etc. in people's pockets, I don't see this being a widely adopted addition. Something's gotta give here. I think this is a device that can easily be eaten up by another with little loss of functionality (although the screen is quite nice, I hear).