T-Mobile trying to make a positve change to stay competitve

Are cell phone discounts coming to an end? Looking at the trend of today’s markets and understanding how the cell phone discounts work. It looks like our low cell phone prices will become a thing of the past. One company that has started this trend in the past year, here in the United States is T-mobile.

T-mobile’s new marketing campaign, created headed by the new CEO John Legere, are bring back the cool to the carrier. It is the fourth largest cell phone carrier in the US and looks like they are making efforts to get back in competitive position in the mobile industry by adding the iPhone 5 to their lineup.

Dan Hesse, a Sprint CEO, states that “because subsidies products continue to increase just keep going up the industry can’t afford to turnaround with a new product as often.”

Some indications of why companies might be moving over to this new approach, because Smartphone’s are becoming more durable, and innovation from one phone to the other are slowing.  As for example Apple’s iPhone 4S is out sells the newer Iphone 5 to this date a phone that was launched two years ago.

Realistically, mobile Smartphone prices are not going to skyrocket from our norm $199.99 to $500.00 and up over night.  We will most likely start seeing the prices rise year after year until the full price of phones are reached. Hopefully some carriers will keep some subsidies on new purchases. Only time will tell. For all of us waiting and holding off until our phones are completely broken before buying a new one. You may need to think about getting an upgrade, sooner than later.

 

 

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Bitcoin; currency of the future?

Bitcoin has been the poster child for “crypto-currency,” digitally created currency protected by powerful cryptography. Bitcoin is a digital currency first described in 2008, as a peer-to-peer, electronic cash system. Bitcoins can be transferred through a computer or smartphone without an intermediate financial institution. This feature alone has propelled Bitcoin as the currency of the future and really exposed additional features of crypto-currency. Crypto-currency is traceable, more portable than paper money and harder to steal.

Virtual money has two aspects to be viewed from. An evolved regime could support a crypto-currency, set basic standards and regulations towards usage and continue to allow it to be community mined and distributed. The regime will gain security benefits of decentralized production, the peer-to-peer buy-in of a barter currency; with no printing costs or insecurity of paper.

On the other hand, a devolved regime could strengthen over digital power and use these features to spy on its users, control or corrupt the flow of currency, or implement the tech insecurely and disrupt the global economy.

Both aspects show an increased usage of Bitcoin; John Stewart, brought light to the  product.  For the past couple of years  the Bitcoin stock has been fluctuating routinely, end users are unsure whether the stock is worth the current market price. For example, when Bitcoin initially hit the market, coins were being sold for $.5. The current price for coins skyrocketed to $255 per coin, most recently prices fell back to a merely $5 per coin.

NPR money guru, Adam Davidson simply stated, “if you have money and you like to invest in things for fun then Bitcoin is the software for you but it does not have any true value yet. Therefore it is not really credible or supported by any major administration such as the U.S. government.” Therefore Bitcoin has not reached a credible platform but it has already grabbed a lot of interest and potential open the gates for crypto-currency.

Adam Davidson guest on The Colbert Report 

Next attribute to question would be overall security. Bitcoin itself has never been hacked. Some of the technologies around Bitcoin, including some of the exchange sites have been hacked but never the actual currency algorithms. Digital currency has traceable transactions. Traceable code embedded during the mining process. In order to discourage or respond to theft, a regime could blacklist or poison stolen currency, rending it useless and possibly even using blacklisted code to find the criminal.

Bitcoin is being heavily implemented in multiple barter trading sites where users no longer need face to face transactions. What would it take for Bitcoin to be a common used currency, what’s the next step?

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NEW Multi-Angle Camera Views for Tech Smartphones for 2013

With smart phones, tablets becoming the norm in mobile devices, they are seen everywhere. Using hand-held devices to look at Facebook pages, people taking pictures and placing them on Instagram to share with their friends and the world.  The obsession with our mobile phones always being nearby, allows users to be able to capture events on camera more frequently than ever before. Sharing with friends a specific moment in our lives that normal text messages just can’t touch.

Being able to capture video from more than one camera angle takes home videos to the next level. Some even say a professional film crew standard can be achieved from your smart phone (subtracting the quality of the camera). Smart phone cameras, all now have the norm of 8 megapixels or higher, now all handheld cameras concentrating their efforts on video editing. A couple of mobile phone manufactures such as LG and HTC currently have a version of Muvee editing software already installed.

Thanks to companies like Nvidia Tegra or Qualcomm, their new generation processors for smart phones will pack enough power to be able to handle video for the next generation of 4k televisions. Taking the technology of today’s High Definition quality to more than three times the pixels overall.  With the next generation of cell phones increasing their processing power, cell phones will have brut power and speed to process high-definition movies. Of course the quality of the programs that will be made for these cell phone processors, will define  which would be the best product.

You don’t have to wait for these next generation of cell phones and processors to be released to the general public. There are some movie editors that allow you to edit movies from multiple angles directly on your mobile device. A product called switch cam allows multiple users the ability to capture video of the same event and share them on a unique server. Which then allows other users to take another video of the same event made by someone else and compile the video together. Though the choices for Android are slim, an app called Vyclone made to work with the iOS and android platform seems to catch the public eye the most.  This app allows other people you know to record a video and stream it together and pick a variety choice of angles for your movie.

What do you think of the trend of smart phones for video editing?

 

Here is a link to go check out how this program works, http://ak.c.ooyala.com/QzazNmNTo95JS-9nrd4mUclEJ3oiZsrj/DOcJ-FxaFrRg4gtGEwOnI5OjA4MTtA06 .

 

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Next Generation Firewall

In the technological trend the globe has transitioned into,  tablets, smartphones and  multi-media devices are constantly in use. Modern handheld devices have various use in society online banking, sending private e-mails, sharing and storing sensitive information. Within a work environment, this all begins with network security.

There is nothing new about it, unwanted network intrusion has been going on since the late 90’s. Prior to the late 90′s, these intrusion where few and far between but in the recent decade, the intrusions are rapidly increasing.  In result, companies are paying more attention and heavily investing into network security. Front line of defence to secure a network  is a fire wall between the businesses private networks and World Wide Web (www).

Understanding how a firewall operates is vital to fully understand how a private network is being protected against unwanted access. Firewalls operates on the principle of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model, intercepting traffic, inspect the properties of every packet to determine if they correspond to a specific set of rules. Such as, where the information comes from, where packets are designated to go, which route (ports) number data packets of information are suppose to be in use. With that information these packets would then either be allowed to continue or be blocked.

Since the first concept, firewalls have been undergoing major changes with the programming and what the dept of which a firewall analyzes information that it receives. For example, when an administrator sets a block on websites and/or e-mails, usually they are blocked all together. Some tech companies are moving over to a different approach for their security needs, dubbed “the next-Generation firewall”(NGFW).

What is NGFW? NGFW is essentially your common firewall, with an abundance of accessories. It promises to provide better, faster and more intelligent solutions than previous generations of firewalls. It performs deeper packet analysis, built-in intrusion detection, application-aware capabilities and integrated anti-virus technologies are just some of the features that these next-generation firewalls. Keep in mind, the deep-inspection or rules the NGFW firewall is expected to process and enforce, will need more resources.  In other words, choose your requirements wisely to reduce the risk of traffic slowdowns.

Without a doubt, firewall technology has advanced in the past couple of decades from basic filters on routers to purpose-built application-aware devices. They are faster and able to process more complex rule sets than their last generation counterparts. To avoid buying the wrong product or paying for more functionality than you can use or need, determine which features your organization requires. Don’t forget the firewall rule sets can be complex and adding in application-specific rules only makes it more daunting.

Do you have the resources, either in-house or from an outsource, to manage and maintain these rules? Let’s hear your thoughts.

 

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New January 2013 Digital Millennium Copyright Act: Unlocking Mobile Phones

Most of Americans have heard, as of Jan 26, 2013,  Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), stated that unlocking cell phones would no longer be allowed. Unlocking a cell phone without the phone carrier’s permission, could result in nothing less than $200 and nothing more than $2,500 per violation. If a company unlocks the phone, the fines are quite hefty which can also include jail time of up to 10 years. For some people, this recent law pass will not be affect them due to the fact that they do not require a unlocked cell phone. Though for many others, having an unlocked cell phone offers room for flexibility.

People ask and wonder what is the reason for having a unlocked phone? Well the meaning of unlocking a phone frees up the restriction placed on the device from working on another mobile carrier’s network. An unlocked phone indicated it will be able to be used on any network. Extremely useful and common for travels and usage in other countries; where phones need to work on other carrier’s networks. While many others just enjoys the availability and features of switching from one provider to the next, without having to buy a new phone for each provider.

Subsequent, the ban was put in place in January of this year, over 100,000 people signed an online petition to the white house to change this ban. As to date, the FCC is also encouraging a legislative solution stating the ban increases, “serious competition and innovation concerns.”

Though, many mobile providers are saying that customers can get an unlocked phones. They would need to pay the full retail price for the phone, instead of buying a phone with two year contract. Main reason why the phones are available at a lower cost with a contract; phone prices are included into the overall price of the contract. Though failing to admit, if a customer cancels their contract, the cancellation fee implemented in order for the provider to make up the difference for the prices of the discounted phone.

Which is a compelling argument from, AT&T Inc, Sprint and Verizon wireless, though if that was the case, why even have the ban since consumers are ultimately still paying for the full price of their devices?

As of last week, Congress stated that they will be looking more into the issue about the ban of “unlocking a mobile phone.” Don’t hold your breath though, this may take a while to be overruled or have some sort of change to satisfy both phone carrier and their customers.

Why are the reasons you would want to have an unlocked phone? Do you believe the ban is something that restricts the consumers to be less flexible when it comes to phone carriers? What could this mean for future phones and mobile contracts?

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Does working from home effect overall performance?

Can you picture it? Imagine, waking up, getting a cup of coffee and strolling over to your computer at home. Logging onto it and start working, while the whole time you’re sitting in your pajamas.  Ahh.. the beauty of working from a home office. Not a dream for some, more of a reality.

In the United States alone, about 10% of people who work, have or had worked from home at least once a week. While those who’s mainly work from home has increased over the past decades from 2.3% in 1980’s to 4.3% by the end of 2010. Though positions that allowed workers to work from home in the 80’s were usually jobs that were low-skilled, now range from sales assistants, to managers with a wide range of salaries.

Throughout this trend of companies allowing workers to work from home, some are pulling away from this idea. Despite, the large number of innovative software and computer programs which allow working from home easier and better than ever before. Yahoo, a multinational internet corporation, informed their workers last week that working from home will no longer be an option.

There are plenty benefits of telecommuting, in addition to some draw backs. Academic research shows that working from home tends to work best in limited doses. Ben Waber, a scientist at the MIT’s Media Lab, President and CEO of Sociometric Solutions stated “If you are telecommuting once a week, it’s basically the same as working face to face all the time.” Though Waber did also point out that working more time away from the office can lead to a performance drop. Not all positions in a company would be able to benefit from this type of practice, such as employees who have to collaborate with others  in order to perform better with more face to face time.

For example, MIT did a Human behavior study at a Bank Of America call center in Rhode island. They monitored test subjects on who and how long they interacted with co-workers for a month and six weeks. Their results where interesting, the individuals who talked to more co-workers were getting through calls faster, felt less stressed and had the same approval ratings as their peers. Casually talking about issues and coming up with solutions, yielded better results than following the employee handbook. At the same Call center they tried another experiment. Instead of having staggered coffee breaks for employees, they set their breaks together to allow more interaction with each other. Which in turn created more production out of their employees.

“Even with tasks that seem very independent, face-to-face communications does have a positive influence,” stated Waber.

You can go both ways when it comes to having a company allowing employees to work from home or work out of the office; there is a fine line. Ultimately, the employee work ethic and their own personal social level, in addition and their capability to manage their time effectively whether at home or within the office. Another study done by Stanford University last year 2012, had similar results as the one MIT held in 2012. Except, the study dealt with employees primarily working from home.

Collaboration technology has improved from previous years and not showing any signs of stopping. More and more employers are finding ways to save money on office space by allowing workers to work from home. With the advances of video conferencing, instant messaging, and social networks, working from home/remotely is getting easier day by day.

There’s no question that working from home would be great, though would the benefits be worth wild? Would you work from home if you had the chance to do so? Let us know what you think about this.

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Smartphone and Tablets a change towards the FUTURE in the I.T. WORLD?

In 2012, companies spent around $2 trillion dollars on IT related services/products, while Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) spending rose to about $3.6 trillion. With all the additional spending,  physical server and computer sales decrease for a variety of companies, smart phones outsold the competition for its first time.

Due to the financial crisis, IT spending is not growing at the same pace as it once used to. Business now are opting for other plans, services to help reduce their overall IT spending, by switching over to virtualization, automation and SaaS networks.

With the Worlds economic uncertainty, more and more companies are allowing their employees to bring their own devices (BYOD) to work, instead of the company supplying them. IT organizations are now more in tune with security and how to configure portable devices to work on company’s network, without sacrificing security.

There is another side to this trend, as well. Large businesses are choosing to spend less on PC infrastructure, and spending more on cloud-connected devices to take advantage of new capabilities and features.

If the U.S. economy stabilizes, IT spending will grow by 5.5 percent. “The U.S. should perform better, as long as politicians continue to reach 11th-hour deals to avert an economic crisis, and the PC market in the U.S. will at least stabilize after two successive years of major declines”, Minton predicts; IDC  vice president.

“Underlying IT demand remained strong, despite the volatile capital spending patterns that mainly affected PCs, and total IT spending in China still increased by 16 percent last year, which was only slightly down compared to 17 percent growth in 2011″, he continues. “We expect more of the same in 2013, even in spite of the inevitable slowdown in some emerging technology adoption rates as those markets gradually mature”.

“Cannibalization is happening across the industry” Stephen Minton, IDC vice president, says. “Smartphones have taken over from feature phones, tablet adoption is impacting PC spending, and the cloud is affecting the traditional software, services and infrastructure markets”. Which could explain why Google would make a Chromebook Pixel a high-end cloud computer. It’s the future.

 

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President Obama takes action involving cyber security, while Congress continue to hesitate on the subject

In his State of the Union address, on Tuesday early December, President Obama signed an Executive Order to confront our nation’s cyber security needs. This EO will allow Government department agencies along with private agencies to be able to share critical information about possible cyber attacks easier than before.

Improving our cyber infrastructure will present a variety of complex issues for our government, and agencies that are participating with information/file sharing. For one thing who will protect companies, when they are sharing information with the government that could include customer’s private information? That company is vulnerable to lawsuits with the release of private information.

However, after a brief announcement on Wednesday, a day after the EO was signed. Obama stated, the order will direct agencies to incorporate protection for privacy and civil liberties into their activities based on the fair information Practice Principles, and other polices covering privacy and civil liberties.

This order, will allow theses agencies to get close to real-time sharing of cyber threats with critical companies, local governments, and agencies. It will also have the government share these critical information with companies that may be the target of a cyber crime.

Though many critics are wondering if this Executive Order is even worth it’s weight in gold. Who’s to tell if the information that will be shared, is not just going to be the same type of information that is being shared now with government agencies, and private sectors already.

Obama administration officials indicated on Wednesday morning that they intend to move forward quickly with implementing the executive order, “even with the reintroduction of CISPA and the anticipated reintroduction of cyber security legislation in the Senate,” Larry Akey, spokesperson for The Constitution Project.

What does this mean for small – large sized business? It means that finally the government after a full year of cyber security being on the back-burner, has started to take more action to help protect the American people’s way of life. For years the government and private parties had placed physical protection to protect the American people’s way of life, such as airports, seaports, etc. it’s just about time that a more rigorous plan of action is back on track.

Cyber crimes is not something new, for many years companies have publicly noted that their computer networks have been compromised. In 2012, these attacks on American company’s small and large has drastically raised and not showing much digress.

For more information, here’s a recent video where the FBI confirm cyber attacks are on the rise; click here

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Bill Gates supports/defends Bing and Windows 8

At no surprise, the Microsoft chairman says Bing and Windows 8 are great products. Mid-day Monday, Microsoft Chairmen Bill Gates told Reddit users, Bing is a “better product” than Goggle and that Windows 8 is a “huge advance.”

Gates referenced Bing’s recent campaign to prove that it produces results faster than Google search; “Seriously, Bing is the better product at this point. Try the challenge.”

Gates also remained loyal when asked if Windows 8 has failed. His response was, “Windows 8 is a huge advance for Windows which people will see even more as the great applications and hardware come out”

Gates never stated if he ever owned a Mac, but he did say he has tried all of Apple’s products “from time to time,” and commented on his relationship with late Apple CEO Steve Jobs.

“He and I respected each other. Our biggest joint project was the Mac where Microsoft had more people on the project than Apple did as we wrote a lot of applications. I saw Steve regularly over the years including spending an afternoon with him a few months before he tragically passed away”

On the topic of the next big thing in tech, Gates began speaking about technology that helps interaction with computers:

Robots, pervasive screens, speech interaction will all change the way we look at “computers.” Once seeing, hearing, and reading (including handwriting) work very well, you will interact in new ways…

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For more details, click here

Blackberry RIM making a CHANGE

Research In Motion has recently renamed its Web store Blackberry World, prior to the launch of the BlackBerry 10 OS. The web store was originally names BlackBerry App World, which was limited to only RIM downloaded apps.

With the new Web store put into action, RIM is planning on supplying videos and music available for download to their users. In addition, the change is a stepping stone for a new beginning with the release of BlackBerry 10.

Jan. 30th, RIM will launch their first two Smartphone’s based on the new BlackBerry 10 OS, hoping to increase their current presence in that market.

According, to RIM’s managing director for UK and Ireland, Rob Orr, “Everyone is buzzing and the company is looking forward to showing the world how good BlackBerry 10 is going to be.”

At two developer events organized by the company earlier this month, over 1,000 people submitted over 15,000 apps for Blackberry 10 in less than 48 hours.

 

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