Competition for the iPod touch December 3, 2007

Cowon launched a new portable media player called the Q5W.  This bad boy boasts a impressive list of features.  It offers a 5-inch touch high resolution screen to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, Flash player 7, word, excel, and powerpoint viewing and an optional GPS add-on.  It also offers 40 and 60GB capacities.  It’s more expensive than the iPod touch at $550 and $600 or $800 with all the features.  Arguably, the reason for this would be the storage capacity. So, ladies and gentlemen, it seems someone is actually giving the Apple iPod a run for it’s money.  I currently don’t even own an iPod period, hopefully that will change soon.:)  So I know I won’t be looking into this anytime soon , but I say…it’s about time Apple had some real competition! What do you think?

College requires GPS cell phone December 3, 2007

Montclair State University is requiring all of their new undergraduate students to purchase a Sprint GPS-equipped cell phone.  It has a built in timer, that when set, makes sure that the student gets back to their home safely and within certain time period.  The student has to turn the timer off once they reach home unless the alarm will automatically go off alerting campus security.  This new technological requirement was added for all new students and not just freshmen in light of the Virginia Tech tradegy.  It is a big campus in suburban NYC and the university feels that it will be an effective way to alert authorities of any emergencies.   Along with the GPS, the phone comes with 50 minutes of talk time, unlimited text messaging and the ability to read campus mail.  Personally, I think that this is a good idea.  Lee may not need something quite like this, simply because it is not a very big campus but I do think that the more safety measures that are taken, the better. 

Non-skippable ads:how dare you interrupt my movie? December 3, 2007

IBM filed a patent that would allow for ads to pop up at any time during a film and not be able to be skipped.  Now that would be a nightmare.  It’s like someone constantly asking you questions while you are trying to enjoy your movie and you keep losing track of the storyline and keep having to rewind it.  In real life, you could politely ask that person to stop, but imagine if you couldn’t.  I get annoyed enough when I can’t skip previews before the movie much less during.  If your DVD player can connect to the net then it would be possible for ads to be grabbed and played from the Internet too.  I know it would help out ad agencies.  It’s a great way to make sure someone sees what you are advertising whether they like it or not.  Honestly though, would IBM want to aggrevate consumers that much? There is a good chance that this idea would never get picked up and I hope it won’t.

HDTV: Get it while it’s hot! December 3, 2007

As I mentioned in a previous blog, HDTVs are one of the main requests for Christmas gifts this year.  Now that the early adopter stage has passed, more people are jumping on the HD bandwagon.  It’s the holiday season so prices are a little lower than usual but regardless, you should be able to get a decent set for $1000 or below.  I don’t think you have to go with the biggest name brands but I do encourage you to know that buying the set is only the first step.  There are many people who already have HDTVs and aren’t even receiving HD programming.  This isn’t because they haven’t signed up for the service but rather, they don’t realize that their tv is not properly hooked up.  Yes, you must take the time to read the manual and set up your HD tuner, if that is what your tv requires.  Not all the little techies at these electronic stores are telling you everything you need to know, so you must do your homework too. 

I want more HD!!! December 3, 2007

Let the battle begin! Cable and Satellite are going head to head for the title of best HD provider. Who has the best package, channels, rate, programming?  Well, it really depends on what you want as the consumer.  If you like to control your programming more than having more programming options then, cable may be the route you want to take.  This is because cable providers such as the leading one, Comcast, offers video-on-demand.  If you are more of a person who prefers to channel surf to your hearts content and seemingly never repeat a channel, then satellite providers like DirecTV may be the route you need to take.  VOD and an excess of channels is what cable and satellite usually offers but the difference now is that they are giving it to you in high definition.  DirecTV seems like it is winning the HD race with it’s promise of 100+ channels in HD by year’s end and 84 currently available.  Comcast is putting more HD programming on VOD but they have yet to match the number of channels that DirecTV is providing.  Really, it’s up to you, the consumer, and what you prefer. 

HD:Now can you see? December 3, 2007

High definition is taking the broadcasting world by force.  According to B&C, there are now 60 stations who are broadcasting local news and non-sports programming in HD.  This is a major increase since many stations initially seemed skeptical of making the switch to HD programming maybe due to not knowing what the viewer response would be.  It is obvious now that HD is taking cosumers by storm.  Many more people are wanting HDTVs and it is actually one of the list-toppers this Christmas.  HD programming has definitely branched out since its first release in the 90s.  It was mainly only used for sports programming , that’s where it got its start and that is where it blossomed.  Everyone (mainly men) wanted to see the dust particles land in Jeter’s eyes as he slid into home base for the winning run.  Okay, maybe not, but it would be cool.  Now just about all of your favorite networks are broadcasting in HD, from Discovery to the Food Network, tv never looked so good.

Recall: That means you too Ebay October 2, 2007

Ever bought or sold anything on ebay? I’m sure you are probably one of the millions of people who have. Well, before posting or bidding on something, you better make sure it not being recalled first. Ebay is great online shopping site where one can find just about anything they could be looking for. If you want a clump of Britney Spears’ shaven hair, you can probably buy in on ebay. Seriously, look it up, I bet it’s listed there somewhere.

Despite the site’s amazingness with the plethora of items you can find, like any good technology, it has it’s downfalls. You may have heard about the millions of toys that have been recalled by Mattel Inc. because of lead paint and tiny magnets. Well, some people are still trying to sell them on ebay. They have been warned that they could be kicked off of the site and may have to forfiet their fees. Ebay is not playing but there really isn’t much they can do to prevent sellers from listing recalled items. They have yet to figure out a way to police what is being listed. Till then, all they can do is try to educate their buyers on what is being recalled. One way they are doing this is by setting up hyperlinks to a recall database on their product category page. I think that if more people payed attention to the news they wouldn’t buy these toys because they would know there was a recall on them. I don’t get to watch much TV, especially news, and I even heard a buzz about the recalls. So come on people, read, listen, watch your news, pay attention and know what you are buying!

What’s with this Verichip? September 18, 2007

I’m just now learning about the implantable microchip called the Verichip. ( I know, yet again I am behind) This device is only currently used for medical purposes. It is my understanding that the chip was tested first on laboratory mice and rats before being approved for human implantation. There has been an Associated Press article released that says that research points to the chip causing tumors in the test animals; information that may have been covered up in order to not cause worry and insure approval of the device.

The Verichip Corporation and the manufacturer of its implantable microchip reviewed the article and its allegations and issued some comments. They are quick to remind the public that the chip is safe and has been cleared by the FDA. They say that millions of cats and dogs have had similar chips implanted in them for the past 15 years and no such tumor link has been made. Also, it is stated that laboratory mice and rats have a high probability of tumors at injection sites regardless of the type of injection. So it would not necessarily be due to the chip itself.

I know that this device is supposed to be used for medical identification and is also supposedly safe but there are many concerns that come along with it. There have been research articles spanning the last several years that explore possible health risks with the device. There is also the concern of privacy. Even though the chip only contains numerical data that is linked to medical records there is still a risk of outsiders being able to access the database.

How long will it stay this way though? It may only be medical records now but how soon till it contains financial or social security information? Will this become something everyone has to get?

As many Christians speculate, this chip bears an eerie resemblance to the mark of the beast identification prophecy found in the book of Revelation. The mark is to be received in the right hand and the chip is implanted into the right arm. Coincidence or prophecy? For now, it’s just another innovative technology. Anything more than that…well…we’ll see.

Diffusion of Innovation September 18, 2007

Wikipedia defines diffusion of innovation as the study of how, why, and at what rate new ideas and technology spread through cultures. There are five categories of adopters that make up the diffusion of innovation. Each category describes a different level of innovation adoptation. The categories are broken down into innovators, early adopters, early majority, late majority, and laggards.

More people fall into the early majority and late majority categories than any other of the categories. There are many different reasons for people falling into different categories but the two major factors determining what category one is in is their economy and social network. Many people, like me, really just don’t have the finances to go out and buy every new gadget that hits the market. We may thinks it cool, if we even hear about it (sometimes I honestly don’t even hear about some things until the next new thing comes out) but we think it’s just not that crucial. Take me for example, this may sound absolutely absurd but I didn’t even know what an ipod was for about the first year it was out. Even now, I still don’t own one and really don’t plan to any time soon. I do see what the hype is but it’s really something I probably would not use very often because right now, I am very content without it. I didn’t even start to burn my own cds till about a year ago. I know, it’s sad isn’t it. Some people just never use certain technologies depending on their social network. If they don’t use it for their job or find it necessary for their entertainment then…why bother? That’s more money saved. I can see if it is something like a basic computer, now you may not need to own one but you should be familiar with how to use it. Nowadays, computer use is a requirement in schools and places of employment alike. Now, an iphone is not a necessity much less a requirement for anyone.

Personally, I think that I fall into the late majority category of adopters. Really it just depends on what the technology is and if it is something I absolutely need (like if it was a requirement for a class or something.) For the most part, I usually catch the tail end of the bandwagon if I catch the bandwagon at all. I think I have made that obvious by now. All you techies out there are probably shaking your head in dissappointment at me, but that’s quite alright.

Why I’m doing this September 6, 2007

I would love to say that I decided to take part in this vast world of blogging because I have so many thoughts, feelings, and opinions trapped within me that are begging to be expressed to the world via the web, but, sadly that’s not true. Honestly, I am an extremely inexperienced blogger and I have never had the desire or need to blog before now. Now I am doing this primarily for my class assignment. (Just being honest) But, I mean, there are plenty of other reasons why one would begin to blog.

Obviously, blogging is just another form of expression. So, why choose it? I’m sure you have heard the expression …”be seen and not heard.” Well, I think some people blog to accomplish the opposite. That is, to be heard and not necessarily seen. Through, blogging, one is able to express themself, whether it be by, venting, informing, encouraging, etc. with a sense of freedom they may not otherwise feel they have. Maybe this has nothing to do with it and some people just like to do it. It can be used to educate and communicate. Whether it be blogging about what you did yesterday or offering some sort of deep philosophical insight to an historical pressing matter, bloggers are able to recieve massive amounts of feedback that would otherwise never be attained.

Now to answer the question of what I hope to accomplish through this blogging assignment, is an understanding. An understanding of what it is to blog, how to blog and if/how it will be beneficial to me. Having come into this assignment with barely the knowledge of the word “blog” itself, I think I am off to a good start.