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Thursday, December 31, 2009

Cellphone security weaknesses exposed

Programmer reveals code to prod manufacturers and software developers into upgrading the 21-year old GSM algorithm: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/29/technology/29hack.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

BlackBerry outage blamed on new instant-messaging app

System cuts off millions of users. Security and load benefits of centralized network occasionally neutralized by large-scale breakdowns:  http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/24/technology/companies/24blackberry.html?emc=eta1

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Adobe announces rapid development for mobile Flash

Software power elects to skip beta version of Flash Professional CS5 under pressure from iPhone developers eager to go to market with Mobile 2.0 apps: http://blogs.adobe.com/flashplatform/2009/12/there_will_not_be_a_beta_for_f.html?trackingid=FBNTZ

Is Google phone a ploy or a pilot?

Release of device to employees stirs speculation. Is this a means of stimulating innovation among Android developers or a challenge to device partners? http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/13/technology/companies/13google.html?adxnnl=1&emc=eta1&adxnnlx=1261101657-3GJK+5kq8exsy60r6c9ZjA

Cable/Satellite TV moves online

Comcast, largest US operator, opens thousands of episodes for web viewing. How will pay model compete with Hulu (free online TV) and Netflix (streaming movies)? Is a licensing shakeup on the way?: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/16/business/media/16comcast.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

Saturday, December 12, 2009

AT&T to tighten controls on data mega-users

3 percent of smartphone users consume 40 percent of the network capacity. Bandwidth incentives to reduce and/or modify wireless behavior on the way: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/12/09/technology/AP-US-TEC-ATT-Data-Usage.html?emc=eta1

Monday, December 7, 2009

Google search adapts to mobile

#1 engine and ad innovator leverages voice, location, scanning, and real-time updates to meet Bing challenge: http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/07/google-charts-the-future-of-search/?emc=eta1

Murdoch scorns 'Net ethos; negotiating exclusive deal with Bing

Will attempt at applying cable TV model--exclusive pay content--change web landscape? Microsoft weighing gamble of increased traffic for pseudo-news channels versus  potential user wrath: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/24/technology/internet/24soft.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

Monday, November 16, 2009

Analysts question Palm's viability

Is there a niche for company's proprietary OS in the app phone marketplace dominated by the iPhone and up-and-comer Android? http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/16/technology/companies/16palm.html?emc=eta1

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Smartphones seeking vindication reformulate themselves for the holidays

RIM's BlackBerry Storm (an iPhone knock off), HTC's T-Mobile's G1 (the first Android device), and Motorola's Cliq (hoping to resurect Razr's glory days) have all refined their performance and features: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/29/technology/personaltech/29pogue.html?emc=eta1

Google announces free GPS app

Location-based feature--including turn-by-turn directions, live traffic updates, and the ability to recognize voice commands--begins move from paid service to ad-supported app: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/29/technology/companies/29gps.html?emc=eta1

Monday, October 26, 2009

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Microsoft counters Google open source web apps

Office Web Apps large-file uploads to SkyDrive and moderate Office Suite functionality create potential for online enterprise usage: http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Enterprise-Applications/REVIEW-Office-Web-Apps-Will-Pose-Strong-CounterAttack-Against-Google-Apps-Zoho-805548/

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Kindle leads Amazon's big 3rd quarter growth

e-Reader now "#1 bestselling item by both unit sales and dollars ... across all product categories" at web retail giant: http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6703587.html?nid=2286&rid=#CustomerId&source=link

FCC Net Neutrality initiative gets boost from key DC lawmaker

Carriers resist efforts to bar them from blocking or slowing content based on how much revenue it could generate for them: http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2009/10/21/technology/tech-us-internet-fcc-congress.html?emc=eta1

Apple outpaces expectations; posts 47% gain in 3rd quarter

A resurgence in the Mac and contined popularity of the iPhone send stock in the Cupertino dream factory soaring: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/20/technology/companies/20apple.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

Monday, October 19, 2009

Verizon disses iPhone; opts for Android

Chances for the iPhone on Verizon network in 2010 became more remote with a barrage of adds touting Motorolas upcoming smartphone that runs on Google's Android open-source platform: http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/19/after-new-ads-idoubts-grow-about-an-verizon-iphone/?emc=eta1

Nokia's struggles in US market continue

The world's number one manufacturer of mobile phones has seen its US market share fall from 35 percent to 7 percent since 2002: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/19/technology/companies/19nokia.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

YouTube turns pirated clips into ad revenues

Media owners drop copyright issues in return for viewers, visibility, and income. Guerrilla broadcasting model takes shape: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/07/technology/internet/07youtube.html?emc=eta1

Google mobile ad format for smartphones a work in progress

Web-ad giant leverages device protocols for coveted demographics, sends high-tech ads to high-end users: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/05/business/media/05adco.html?emc=eta1

Game console makers quake as iPhone versatility beckons

Gaming apps latest niche market to flourish on the quintessential multi-faceted device--and for only a fraction of the cost; business model comes into focus: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/26/technology/26games.html?emc=eta1

Cell users turn to Wi-Fi in search of bandwidth

New apps locate nearby access points for data transfer breathing room as carriers scramble to build out capacity: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/24/technology/personaltech/24smart.html?emc=eta1

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Palm turnaround still a work in progress

Company reports loss and declining revenues, though not as bad as anticipated. Palm web OS products, including the Palm Pre, remain the hope: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/18/technology/companies/18device.html?emc=eta1

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Accenture dives into mobile learning

International consulting firm had been looking for a good fit for smartphone training. They found it in internal compliance, which is very effective at getting senior-level executives to take what’s pushed to them in a timely manner.

To get started, they suggest:

§ Build a strong business case
§ Keep the learning concise (for the small screen)
§ Be mindful of the types of interactions that work
§ Pilot and troubleshooting early on
§ Start with Blackberry and spread to Windows Mobile and the iPhone
§ Enable bookmarking in modules so learners can stop and go as needed
§ Emphasize downloading so connectivity is never an issue

Read about it at: http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/training0909/#/32

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Nokia's netbooks arrive, along with new phones

The cellphone leader announced the details of their newest line and a pair of phones designed for social networking and location services: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/03/technology/03nokia.html?emc=eta1

iPhones tax AT&T network capacity

AT&T is getting flack from customers who complain of dropped calls, slow load times, and delayed messages due to iPhone data crunch: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/03/technology/companies/03att.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Friday, August 28, 2009

Facebook turnover forces re-evaluation

High turnover rates and short-term loyalty raise questions concerning Facebook business model and how best to deploy its networking capabilities: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/30/magazine/30FOB-medium-t.html?emc=eta1

iPhone enters China to build on gray market penetration

Apple announces a deal with China Unicom, Ltd., one of three major state-owned carriers, to bring the iPhone the world's largest market: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/08/28/technology/AP-AS-China-iPhone.html?emc=eta1

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Apple breaks ranks, downsizes OS

In an effort to speed up application boots and with an eye to smaller, sleeker devices, the iconoclasts from Cupertino send a wake-up call with Snow Leopard: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/27/technology/personaltech/27pogue.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Wikipedia's success prompts editorial filter

The prototypical wiki, now one of the top ten visited sites on the Internet, has found it necessary to create a review function before allowing changes to certain articles: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/25/technology/internet/25wikipedia.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

Monday, August 24, 2009

Nokia leverages brand to enter netbook fray

Reversing the Apple business model, which grew from computing to mobile, cellphone giant Nokia announces a netbook running the Microsoft OS: http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2009/08/24/business/business-us-nokia-pc.html?emc=eta1

PC touted as best TV

Despite a host of conversion devices, there's a compelling case for watching Internet TV on your computer monitor: http://gadgetwise.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/17/why-your-pc-may-be-your-best-tv/?emc=eta1

Microsoft-Nokia alliance ups the ante

By unbundling its Office Suite from its wireless platform, Microsoft opens smartphone competition on a new front: http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/12/microsoft-nokia-alliance-an-assault-on-blackberry/?emc=eta1

Microsoft Office Suite to deploy on Nokia

According to unnamed sources, the smartphone took a giant step toward its eventual evolution into the handheld computer with the anticipated introduction of Microsoft's Office Suite on Nokia phones: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/12/technology/companies/12soft.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

Monday, August 10, 2009

iPhone revenue model elusive for corporate media

Broadcast, cable, and satellite television entities search for profitable model in the increasingly popular realm of iPhone apps: http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/07/microsofts-sharepoint-thrives-in-the-recession/?emc=eta1

Sharepoint stakes claim in web-based computing

As a free add-on to its licensed enterprise solutions, Microsoft's Sharepoint is proving to be a compelling product and handy tool: http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/07/microsofts-sharepoint-thrives-in-the-recession/?emc=eta1

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Microsoft and Yahoo to challenge Google search dominance

Negotiations after a failed merger have resulted in a powerful alliance of technology and advertising to take on Google: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/30/technology/companies/30soft.html?emc=eta1

Google chief resigns from Apple board

Citing conflicts of interest in the escalating competition between the two Silicon Valley titans, Eric E. Schmidt has resigned as a trustee of Apple: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/04/technology/companies/04apple.html?emc=eta1

Twitter gives Pentagon jitters

As we saw in Iran, Twitter can fuel popular revolts; it can also create security risks. The Marine Corps has just banned it: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_PENTAGON_INTERNET?SITE=COBOU&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2009-08-04-11-44-22

Friday, July 24, 2009

Microsoft and Amazon report lower earnings

The economic contraction has cut deeply into profits at the world's largest software company: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/24/technology/companies/24soft.html?emc=eta1 and at the one of the world's premiere online retailers: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/24/technology/companies/24amazon.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Monday, July 20, 2009

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Corporate use of Twitter growing

Tens of thousands of businesses are now using Twitter-like functionality for networking: https://www.yammer.com/users/new

Microsoft's Bing a worthy challenge to Google

Microsoft and Google have no fear of challenging each other's strengths. Bing offers compelling evidence that it is ready for the search engine challenge: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/09/technology/personaltech/09pogue.html?emc=eta1

iPhone stakes claim to gaming

As if its competitors don't have enough to do to catch up to the iPhone's robust multimedia offerings, Apple has upped the stakes with a serious bid for the mobile gaming market: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/29/technology/29iphone.html?emc=eta1

Nokia and Intel join the smartphone fray

The writing is on the wall: the convergent device will have all the properties of a computer and a phone and a lot more. Cellphone giant Nokia and computer chip behemoth Intel join forces to address the future: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/24/technology/business-computing/24chip.html?emc=eta1

Lessons learned from Twitter at the barricades

To paraphrase McLuhan, Twitter is a neutral medium; you can use it mindlessly, or start a revolution: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/21/weekinreview/21cohenweb.html?emc=eta1

New iPhone and software a hit

Critics agree that the new iPhone (3GS) and its new software (which can be loaded to the previous version) answer many objections. My favorite--the landscape keyboard: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/18/technology/personaltech/18pogue.html?emc=eta1

Relational search engine reformulates web organization

Wolfram/Alpha query port adds artificial intelligence quotient to the Internet universe: http://www.alternet.org/media/140637

U.S. Gov't encourages Twitter during Iranian protests

During the recent demonstrations in Iran over questionable election results, the U.S. government's recognition of social networking came of age: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/17/world/middleeast/17media.html?emc=eta1

Model for universal connectivity: Wireless welfare

Between the dropping price of notebooks and the increasing capabilities of wireless devices, Bill Gates' dream of universal connectivity is now on the table. But how will the world's poor be enabled to participate? A U.S. government program provides a clue: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/15/technology/15cell.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

Friday, June 12, 2009

S&S joins Google with e-book alternative to Amazon Kindle

Simon & Schuster, one of the nation's largest publishers, announced it will sell e-book versions of its releases on Scribd.com, joining Google in offering an alternative to Amazon's Kindle, which is undercutting publishers' price points: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/12/technology/internet/12books.html?emc=eta1

Apple prices new OS with a nod to apps marketing

Leveraging the success of its app store approach (arithmetic reduction in download prices exponentially increase sales), current users of Mac OS X "Leopard" will pay only $29 to upgrade to Mac OS X 10.6 “Snow Leopard": http://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/11/snow-leopard-takes-a-page-from-the-app-store-playbook/?emc=eta1

Palm names ex-iPod Exec CEO

Following this week's introduction of the Palm Pre, the former executive in charge of the iPod at Apple, who became chairman of Palm in 2007, will now take over as CEO: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/11/technology/companies/11palm.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Google ebooks to challenge Amazon market dominance

Google announces its intentions to sell e-books directly by the end of 2009, building on the 1.5 million public domain books that may be downloaded currently from its site: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/01/technology/internet/01google.html?emc=eta1

Wi-Fi bolsters GPS accuracy, social networking features

Skyhook partners with Apple and others to provide location-stamp for users, friends, photos, and other apps: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/01/technology/start-ups/01locate.html?emc=eta1

The Apple of Fortune's Eye - A Nod from the App Store

Apple takes no promotion fees from developers, so when they like your app, it means a lot of things, including big bucks: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/31/business/31digi.html?emc=eta1

Monday, May 18, 2009

Next iteration of smart phones on deck

Palm seeks to regain a foothold in the mobile device market by competing head-to-head this summer with Apple and Google: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/18/technology/18phone.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

Thursday, May 14, 2009

iPhone jailbreaking reveals untapped functionality

Amidst a debate over copyright issues, iPhone hackers offer new features including recording video, adding profile pictures to the iPhone’s address book, call blocking, organizing apps, and (biggest of all) running applications in the background (rather than one-at-a-time): http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/13/technology/13jailbreak.html?emc=eta1

Apple apps leveraged for war

Multiplicity of programs, adaptability, and friendly interface drive use of Apple apps in Iraq that range from providing language translations to the transmitting of sensitive information and working out trajectories for snipers: http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/05/11-3

Does data-driven design mute innovation?

A recent defection at Google raises questions about the quality of user feedback and its role in corporate decision making: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/10/business/10ping.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

Blackberry Curve outsells iPhone in 1st quarter

Availability through all four major U.S. wireless carriers, promotions, and two hot models push RIM's share of market to almost 50 percent: http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_12298665?source=email

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Sun Microsystems mobile learning app sets the pace

2008 Brandon Hall Research Excellence in Learning Award Winner for Best Use of Mobile Learning: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bakgX_wLt4w

Monday, May 4, 2009

URL shortening provides tracking information

A host of start-ups that convert unwieldy URLs into byte-size chunks are seeing their value soar by providing marketing data to their corporate customers: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/04/technology/start-ups/04short.html?emc=eta1

Blackberry touts next-generation Storm

Research In Motion's answer to the iPhone is driving impressive numbers of non-corporate users to the touch-screen Blackberry device: http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2009/05/04/business/business-us-rim.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

Facebook joins Twitter with platform giveaway

Competition has forced the two leading social networking companies to give away their platform to encourage linkage and drive up visits. Profits will have to wait: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/business/03stream.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

Teenagers flock to wireless educational site ... about sex

Teenagers have lots of questions about sex that they prefer to have answered by an anonymous expert via wireless: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/fashion/03sexed.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

Friday, April 17, 2009

Amazon adds shopping app for Blackberries

The ubiquitious online store is offering an app is similar to the iPhone app Amazon launched in December, allowing users to shop, access their Amazon account, and view various editorial features from their phones: http://www.amazon.com/gp/anywhere/sms/bbapp

Quickoffice to offer office suite for iPhone

Office suites have been available for Blackberries. Now the iPhone is about to get a view and editing package:

First Full Office Suite for iPhone Announced – Quickoffice
Edit MS Word and Excel documents, cut and paste, transfer files, etc.

By Filip Truta, Apple News Editor
1st of April 2009, 13:30

A provider of mobile office productivity software has confirmed that it would be the first to release a complete Office suite for iPhone, with native support for editing Microsoft Word and Excel files. Quickoffice will be officially introduced and showcased at CTIA, April 1-3, 2009, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

According to Quickoffice Inc., the suite is the first of its kind to include robust document and spreadsheet editors, along with file access and content management functionalities for iPhone users. The application with the same name is said to offer a comprehensive range of functionality including font formatting, content selection, bullets and cut, copy and paste within Word documents. Editable documents can also be modified in landscape view, to leverage a wider keyboard. Additionally, users will be able to easily revise inputs and recalculate, insert and resize rows and columns within the application, thanks to Quickoffice's extensive mathematical and statistical functions, including advanced Excel formulas for spreadsheet processing.

“Quickoffice is excited to be the first to bring Word editing functionality to the iPhone,” said Gregg Fiddes, vice president of sales and strategic partnerships at Quickoffice. “We are dedicated to bringing the most robust, full-featured application to this platform and will continue to add capabilities and services to meet the needs of our users. Quickoffice for iPhone leverages the intuitive iPhone user interface to allow for easy editing, viewing and sharing of Office documents.”

As iPhone users wait for the suite to launch in the App Store, pricing has already been set at $19.99. To address specific user needs, Quickoffice will be releasing Quicksheet Excel spreadsheet editor for $12.99 (formerly named MobileFiles Pro), and Quickword Word document editor for $12.99. Lastly, the former MobileFiles 2.0 will change its name to Quickoffice Files, allowing users to access PC- or Mac-based files via Wi-Fi and MobileMe iDisk accounts. The latter will be priced at $3.99.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Vlingo leapfrogs voice recognition competition for iPhone

Vlingo, which offers voice recognition software that allows users finger-free use their Blackberrys and iPhones, takes the lead with their iPhone app: http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10111763-2.html

The ubiquitous netbook is here

The ultraportable and cheap mobile netbook stakes a claim between laptops and mobile devices: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/02/technology/02netbooks.html?emc=eta1

Playing catchup, Google offers free music downloads in China

Altering its global strategy in one of the few markets it doesn't dominate, Google offers free music downloads to compete with piracy: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/31/technology/companies/31music.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

Monday, March 30, 2009

Copyright enforcement comes to YouTube

YouTube is now removing videos and/or audio portions of video that contain copyrighted material: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/23/business/media/23warner.html?emc=eta1

Monday, February 16, 2009

The influence of wireless on human behavior

We know that cell phones have altered our lives, but to what degree? How are our perceptions of reality changing and what effect will this have? http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/17/science/17map.html?emc=eta1

Wireless industry takes on school systems

Industry studies touting cell phones as learning devices are being leveraged to argue for mobile learning in public schools: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/16/technology/16phone.html?emc=eta1

Convergence: Your mobile device is now a library

With Amazon now offering its Kindle formatted e-books as downloads for a variety of smart phones and Google offering its Book Search on iPhones, the planetary library is at your fingertips: http://www.denverpost.com/technology/ci_11645155?source=email

Friday, January 30, 2009

TV talent moves to YouTube

Hello, made for YouTube on-demand series; good-bye boob tube strip programming. How will Nielson track this? http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/29/business/media/29youtube.html?emc=eta1

Add credit cards to the do-all cellphone

Soon, you won't have to remove your cellphone from your ear or stop texting to pass the cash register. They're using their cellphones as credit cards in Japan: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/25/business/25proto.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

Friday, January 23, 2009

The Prez keeps his Blackberry

Obama fought hard to keep his Blackberry. Apparently security arrangments have been worked out. He'll be the first emailing President. This bodes well for net neutrality: http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/22/obama-gets-a-thumbs-up-for-his-blackberry/?emc=eta1

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Blockbuster joins Netflix with movies via Internet

The confluence of streaming media and wireless technology continues apace. Will DVD's go the way of CD's, with electronic files and memory becoming the platform of choice? Article: http://www.denverpost.com/technology/ci_11447810?source=email

TV signals for wireless devices cue up in 22 cities

Who needs a digital TV? You'll be able to watch your favorite shows live on cell phones, MP3 players, GPS units and in-car entertainment systems: http://license.icopyright.net/user/viewFreeUse.act?fuid=MjM3MjYwNA==