Archive for category Technology
An Extreme Makeover for Windows Phones
Posted by Derek Walter in Mobile phones, Technology, iPhone on February 17, 2010
Say goodbye to Windows Mobile (many will say good riddance). Microsoft tossed the whole thing in the Atlantic with this week’s introduction of Windows Phone Series 7.
Despite its unfortunate name this new mobile operating system may actually hold some promise for resurrecting Microsoft in the mobile space. For a company often criticized for it’s failure to innovate, Microsoft looks like it really got it this time.
However, Redmond may have to fight the too-little-too-late feeling from many consumers. Apple, Google and Palm all have mature operating systems with a couple of years’ worth head start. Android releases a new device hourly and has won the hearts of most major phone manufacturers an many users with a deepening collection of apps. Palm has developed a core group of followers. And we don’t even need to go into Apple’s success. Read the rest of this entry »
Google, Google, Buzz Buzz Buzz
Posted by Derek Walter in News, Technology on February 12, 2010
Congratulations all 150 million Gmail users – you’ve just joined a social network. This is purely anecdotal, but most people I have come across this week are not all that thrilled with Buzz. The feeling is pretty much, “Great, another social network to follow.”
I too am a bit skeptical, though I understand what Google is trying to do. Its bread and butter is indexing the Internet and getting everyone online through using Google services. The social networking explosion has, for better or worse, left a bunch of the web out of Google’s clutches.
Personally Google’s index-the-universe aspirations make me a bit queasy, but I am a heavy user of their services and generally happy with the experience. And Google does tend to listen to user feedback pretty closely – Buzz was already tweaked recently to account for some privacy concerns. But by making Buzz a permanent part of Gmail, Google is showing it has pretty heavy aspirations for this service and hooking in new users.
I’ll follow the Buzz for now, but I am hopeful there is a way to turn it off in the future if the buzzing gets too loud.
Apple iPad: Cupertino is in control
Posted by Derek Walter in News, Popular culture, Technology, iPhone on February 1, 2010
The device you didn’t know you need: a ginormous iPod touch.
Apple’s unveiling of its unfortunately-named iPad this week was a major letdown for mostly one reason: openness. By opting for the iPhone operating system on the iPad, Apple maintains an iron-like grip on the device. Applications must go through the App Store. Want to get work done? You are stuck with iWork. Steve Jobs’ hatred of flash means lots of Lego icons when surfing the web.
Probably the most crippling limitation is that in its current form the iPad can only handle one app at a time. While this is moderately annoying on the iPhone, it is ridiculous on a computer with a 1 Ghz processor.
In fact, the iPad unveiling probably leaves more questions than answers. Will developers start making more in-depth applications specifically for the iPad? (For example, imagine a full-blown version of Office or more detailed magazine and newspaper apps) How well will applications sync between your iPhone and iPad? Will AT&T’s network be able to handle even more connected devices?
It would be unwise to call the iPad a flop. Even with some quirky restrictions, you can never count out a device that comes from One Infinite Loop. The Apple fanboys and geeks will line up to get one of these. The question is if the masses will follow.
One eReader to rule them all?
Posted by Derek Walter in Media, News, Popular culture, Technology, iPhone on January 19, 2010
Apple tablet rumors will finally cease and desist Wednesday when the The Turtle Necked One saunters on stage with Apple’s “latest creation.”
When these rumors began (somewhere in the middle of the Bush administration) I thought I would never have use for such a device. I’m already happy with my laptop (a Toshiba tablet running Windows 7), iPhone 3GS, and a brilliant 23-inch Samsung monitor attached to my desktop. Seems like another gadget is the last thing I need.
But it looks like this Apple tablet thing is less a replacement for these other devices than what may turn out to be an excellent companion device. We didn’t know we “needed” an MP3 player until Apple made the iPod franchise a hit. My suspicion is that this device will be an eReader/music/video/Internet device on steroids that could over time change how we engage with multiple types of content. Read the rest of this entry »
Ten Wishes for 2010
Posted by Derek Walter in Media, News, Politics, Popular culture, Technology, iPhone on December 29, 2009
The year 2010 is almost here and instead of the trite exercise of New Year resolutions, I am instead blogging about a few ways the new year could be better than 2009. In no particular order:
10. People will stop calling the iPod touch an iTouch.
9. I will never again hear a voicemail from Tiger Woods.
8. Sarah Palin will stop speaking. Not lose her ability to speak, but just realize most of what she has to say is not that bright.
7. The Episcopal Church will brush up on 1 Corinthians and stop suing churches that have left this apostate mess. For an organization that is always shouting about inclusiveness and accepting others, it sure is quick to bring out the lawyers and make threats and intimidation against those who do not follow their beliefs. Here is hoping to a successful 2010 for the Anglican Province in North America. Read the rest of this entry »
Oh Google, You Own My Soul
Posted by Derek Walter in Current events, News, Popular culture, Technology on December 20, 2009
An industry has grown up around fearing intrusion into our lives. The unease is that Big Brother and his all-seeing eye shall invade our movements and personal information.
So should we fear the same from Google? For example, depending on how extensively you use Google services, our overlords from Mountain View may have all of your e-mail, documents, photos, credit card information, voice mail transcripts, and a street view of your house stored on their servers. I am a pretty heavy user myself. I am typing this post from Google Chrome, with tabs open to my Google Docs, Wave account, and Gmail.
I suppose this should frighten me. It certainly does for some. And when you consider the totality of data the company may have on each of us, not to mention stored search information, it could unhinge anybody. Read the rest of this entry »
Need Tech Tutoring? Check Out Tutorial Blog
Posted by Derek Walter in Technology, iPhone on August 18, 2009
I am now writing for Tutorial Blog, a great how-to site for anyone that wants reviews and advice on software, web design, and social media. My first post is about the never-ending quest for the ultimate smart phone. You can check it out here.
One Inbox to Rule Them All
Posted by Derek Walter in Technology, iPhone on August 7, 2009
Gmail just rolled out a fix recently for one of my few, yet longstanding gripes. If you use Gmail to send a message from a different account the sender might see an annoying message like “From username@gmail.com On Behalf Of customaddress@mydomain.com.” A minor issue to some, but it didn’t look professional and worse yet, I found that for some Microsoft Outlook users the email would end up in the spam folder.
Now by following a few simple steps the problem is fixed. Google lets you route the email through the other account’s server so now the email looks as it should (this fix also applies for Google apps users). If you are a Gmail fan like I am, this is truly great news and means that I can consolidate all my e-mail addresses through my Gmail account. All hail our Google overlords.
Time to Ditch the Landline?
Posted by Derek Walter in Popular culture, Technology, iPhone on July 22, 2009
I already have – and it means one less service from the beloved AT&T. But before you call up your service provider to cancel, there are a few things to consider. My post at the Mobile Maven explores this further. Read it here.
iPhone, Verizon, to finally join forces?
Posted by Derek Walter in Technology, iPhone on April 28, 2009
For some it would be the ultimate marriage: Verizon and the iPhone. The gossip raged today about the supposed talks between Apple and Verizon. It is an intriguing scenario – the best mobile device with what is arguably the best wireless network.
It is an intriguing scenario. While I love my iPhone, AT&T’s network is mediocre at best; downright unacceptable at worst. I was along the Embarcadero in San Francisco recently trying to have a conversation and spent 15 minutes wandering the streets to get a signal. At one point I simply shut the 3G radio off because my iPhone kept bouncing between 3G and EDGE, which furthered my connection woes. Read the rest of this entry »
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