Author: Brandon

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News

iPhone OS or Android OS?

In September, ChangeWave surveys showed an increase of preference for the Google Android operating system. However, the iPhone OS still remains the number one preference. The ChangeWave surveys show that after the huge jump due to the release of the iPhone 4 in June, iPhone OS preference decreased from 50% to 38%. It also states that Google Android OS preference increased from 30% to 37%. BlackBerry Research in Motion’s operating system preference increased from 5% to 6%. Windows Mobile preference decreased from 2% to 1%.

ChangeWave surveys also report satisfaction rates of the operating systems based on the percentage of people that are very satisfied with his or her operating system. 74% of customers who use the Apple iPhone OS are very satisfied. 65% of customers who use the Google Android OS are very satisfied. The satisfaction rate of the Apple iPhone OS and the Google Android OS are high compared to the satisfaction rate of the Palm OS/Web OS, BlackBerry RIM OS, and Windows Mobile. The Palm OS/Web OS satisfaction rate is a mere 32%. The BlackBerry RIM OS satisfaction rate is only 31% and the Windows Mobile satisfaction rate is only 24%.

In conclusion, the Google Android operating system is becoming the next best operating system, while the current number one operating system, the Apple iPhone operating system, is declining. The ChangeWave surveys demonstrate the upward momentum of the Google Android operating system and the downward momentum of the Apple iPhone operating system. Certain features are probably the reason behind the decline in the Apple iPhone operating system preference. The iPhone OS now allows you to multitask and organize folders, but the Android operating system already had those features. What do you think?

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News

The U.S. Department of Justice reaches settlement with Apple, and five other companies

Six technology companies involved in no solicitation agreements were ordered to stop by the U.S. Department of Justice. The U.S. Department of Justice filed antitrust complaints towards Apple Inc., Google Inc., Intel Corp, Intuit Inc. and Pixar because of the no solicitation agreements that the companies took part in. The no solicitation agreements among the six companies prevented the companies from soliciting, or trying to hire each others employees by offering more money as an incentive. The agreements also prevented employees from the opportunity of having a better job at another company. Following the no solicitation agreements, the company executives at the six high-tech companies agreed not cold call each other employees. The no solicitation agreements were between Apple and Google, Apple and Adobe, Apple and Pixar, Google and Intel, and Google and Intuit.

The U.S. Department of Justice stated that the no solicitation agreements stopped competition and allowed the company to place a monopoly on their employees. The U.S. Department of Justice and the six companies had later reached a settlement. The settlement prevents the companies from making no solicitation agreements for the next five years. In general, that allows the companies to solicit freely.

I think the settlement was a good settlement. The no solicitation agreements prevented competition, which is very important by-product of capitalism. Business competition ensures that companies survive if it provides its customers with products and services that it needs. The U.S. Department of Justice is very strict on antitrust issues and I think it did the right thing. The six companies still don’t admit that they did something wrong and still insist that they made the agreements to maintain good relations with the other companies. That is still debatable. What do you think about this issue?

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News

All about the new iPod touch

San Francisco – September 2, 2010, Apple CEO Steve Jobs revealed the new Apple iPod touch. The new Apple iPod touch is not far from amazing. You can buy the iPod touch for $229 for 8GB, $299 for 32GB, and $399 for 64GB. With such stunning new features such as FaceTime, the Retina Display, HD video, and Game Center, what can go wrong?

FaceTime

FaceTime is an iPod touch application that provides video calling from the new iPod touch to another iPod touch or to an iPhone 4 through Wi-Fi. The iPhone 4 also includes the FaceTime feature. The iPhone 4 comes with a front and back camera which are 5-megapixel. FaceTime only requires you to enter your Apple ID and email address to work. FaceTime is rather straightforward and easy to use. It starts by tapping the FaceTime application on the iPod touch screen and sending an invitation to the person you wish to speak to. The receiver will get an invitation and once the receiver accepts the invitation, FaceTime begins. You take full advantage of the iPod touch’s new built-in cameras, one on the front and one on the back. The front camera has been modified for use especially with FaceTime. I think FaceTime is a great addition to the iPod touch line. With this feature, you can have video chats with your friends through your iPod touch. I am also very pleased that there are two built-in cameras on the new iPod touch. You can now take pictures from your iPod touch instead of carrying a traditional camera around.

The Retina Display

The new iPod touch comes with a new Retina Display, which I think is awesome. The Retina Display has a higher pixel density that makes the images on the screen more clear and crisp. The pixels are packed very tightly and there are 326 pixels per inch. Apple has developed pixels that are 78 micrometers wide. LED backlighting and an ambient light sensor are key features that contribute to better battery life and a clearer image. The 960-by-640 resolution is incredible to observe. Apple packs four times the amount of pixels found in older iPod touch models on the same screen, which is why the Retina Display is such a big improvement.

HD Video

The new iPod touch comes with a built-in HD video camera on the back and built-in video editing. iMovie, Apple’s video editing app that costs just $4.99, provides additional opportunities when it comes to video editing. It allows you to combine, edit, add music, and publish your video to the public. You can also use the VGA-quality camera on the front to simply record yourself. The camera in the front provides an easy alternative than trying to record yourself using the back camera and not knowing how the video looks as you are recording it.

Game Center

I will be honest; I am very excited about Game Center. Game Center is a new feature that comes with iOS 4.1. Game Center allows you to play games, which are downloaded from the Game Center, with or against friends and people from all around. Plus, the A4 processor provides a better gaming experience. You are required to have iOS 4.1 and to sign in with your Apple ID. You are allowed a nickname that will make it easier for friends to find you. You can invite someone to play with you by sending a friend request using their nickname or email address. Your friends are listed on a Friends list. You can look at leaderboards and achievements to see how you compare in rank to others. Auto-match will automatically match you with a friend if they are also looking for a match to play, if not, you will matched with another person from around the world. How convenient is that? I am thrilled and excited to use Game Center. Aren’t you?

Environmental Status Report

The new iPod touch is designed to reduce the impact on the environment. The iPod touch is made based on these guidelines:

  • Arsenic-free display glass
  • Brominated flame retardant-free
  • Mercury-free LCD display
  • PVC-free
  • Recyclable stainless steel enclosure
  • Smaller, more compact packaging

There features are definitely important because it affects everyone. The environment is important to all of us and we are responsible to take care of it. Apple is doing their part to save the environment. Now you can look at your iPod touch and know that it was made with a design that lessens its impact on the environment.

What do I think?

Basically, I am excited to use the new iPod touch. Out of all the new features, I think they are all great. I am more enthusiastic about Game Center, FaceTime, and the Retina Display. The video editing feature is not really a big thing for me because the iPod touch is typically used for listening to music, watching videos, and playing games. The video editing feature may turn out to be very useful.

Purchasing Recommendation

I would also recommend the 32 GB because it is only $70 more and it provides 4x the space. The 32 GB is a perfect amount for containing a huge number of songs, movies, and apps. 64 GB is usually not necessary, but if you believe you will need a lot of space, the 64 GB is the way to go. If you don’t think you will use a lot of space, I would still recommend the 32 GB over the 8 GB because you will end up using a lot of space in the long run.

Let us know what you think about the new iPod touch.

[Image Source: http://storeimages.apple.com/1739/store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/touch/img/ipodtouch-hero.jpg]

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Average Joe's Tips

Google Voice: Making AT&T More Bearable (and cheaper)

I’m going to speak for everyone and say that the worst feature of the iPhone is its exclusivity with AT&T’s overwhelmed, under-loved network. Unless you have the guts to jailbreak (and don’t mind cruising on the vintage Edge network) you’re stuck cursing AT&T, waiting for the day the Verizon/iPhone rumors come true.

Stop reading those rumor blogs (which have been on repeat since 2007) and start setting up your Google Voice number, which will allow you to shave some precious dollars off of your AT&T bill and introduce your iPhone to some next generation features.

Google Voice is free, and lets you create a new number (of your choice) and link it to your current mobile number. Calls, texting, and voicemail are all possible, linked to both numbers. This is all done Google style; call screening, in browser texting (on your PC), voicemail transcription, and contact-assignable custom voicemail greetings make you wonder why no wireless carriers have implemented these great online features.

Now to the money saving- you can actually cancel your texting plan (saving you ~$20/month), and effectively rely on Google Voice and your data/wifi connection; just make sure to give everyone your new number. Another plus – over wifi you can easily text, even without service. By default, Google forwards texts to  your old mobile number (you’d get charged for these) – but this is easily turned off, and you can access your inbox through the Google web App. While an official App Store app would be nice (Google doesn’t play those games), there are no real functionality limitations and it is amazingly fast for a webapp -probably the same speed as the native iPhone SMS app before the 4.0 update. There are no push notifications, but with the ability to email texts to a separate email address, this is not a problem. There is currently no MMS support, but there are many other (more efficient) options for sharing media.

Aside from eliminating your texting plan, Voice greatly enhances your texting and voicemail. Send and receive texts with your browser (using your keyboard!) – and your phone doesn’t have to leave your pocket. With the browser extension, texting becomes possible right on top of any web page. This makes it much more efficient, and much less distracting. While Apple’s visual voicemail is great, Voice takes it a step further, by transcribing and emailing voicemail right to your inbox. The transcriptions aren’t perfect, but they are easily decipherable, and are much more convenient than checking your voicemail traditionally. The audio is even embedded right into the email .

Google Voice is a pretty easy sell, saving you money on top of doing a lot more. When you create your number, make sure you think of a good word or two for your number to spell (you can search for a number by word) – that way you can tell everyone your number is 617-The-Dude (or something along those lines).