What's Happened to Research in Motion

While other companies tried to copy the BlackBerry, one has to always recognize that its original appeal was email access.

Wireless Carriers Grapple with 'Spectrum Crunch'

Almost every wireless gadget on the planet, from the lock button on your car keys to the iPhone in your pocket to the Wi-Fi in your favorite coffee shop, runs over the electromagnetic spectrum.

White iPhone 4 Bigger than Black iPhone?

After a long wait, the white version of Apple's iPhone 4 finally went on sale today.

Android App Market To Be Bigger Than iOS App Store

Come back-to-school time Android users will have more apps to choose from than their Apple counterparts.

Verizon's 4G Network is Back

After suffering a network outage that affected its customers for most of yesterday, Verizon Wireless announced via Twitter that its 4G LTE network is back up and running.

Verizon LTE Network Crashed Nationwide

Verizon’s 4G LTE Network is down nationwide, forcing those with an HTC Thunderbolt or a 4G hotspot to suffer along with near dial-up speeds.

Sprint Announces Nexus S 4G

Sprint today announced that the Samsung Nexus S will arrive May 8 with a $199 price tag.

Apple Announces New iPhone

Apple® today announced that the white iPhone® 4 will be available beginning tomorrow.

Nook Color gets Froyo

As the company promised, Barnes & Noble has delivered a software update to its 7-inch NOOK Color devices that push them still more in the direction of a general-purpose Android tablet, and away from being a standalone e-book reader.

American Forces choose an OS for their Joint Battle Command Platform

American forces choose the operating system for their Joint Battle Command Platform Handheld.

Playstation Network Woes

Things just got a lot worse for users of the Sony PlayStation Network.

Android Passes iPhone as most desirable phone

Android has been outselling the iPhone recently but Apple’s iPhone was still the most desired smartphone in the U.S., according to the Nielsen Co.

Sony Announces New Tablets

We saw the potential of a dual-screen Android smartphone in the Kyocera Echo. Now, Sony is hoping to harness that potential and differentiate itself in the tablet market.

http://www.howstuffworks.com/mobile.htm

How Facebook Works Part 4

To create applications in Facebook, you first must add the Facebook developer application to your profile.

Sony Yet to Determine Full Scope on Playstation Network

Sony has yet to determine the full scope of an attack on its PlayStation Network and Qriocity services that has left more than 75 million people without access for more than four days.

Nintendo Confirms Successor to the Wii

Video game players will see a new console from Nintendo in 2012.

Apple iPhone 5

Before I start, Apple has not officially announced the iPhone 5 so everything about it is still rumors.

How Facebook Works Part 3

Facebook's applications set it apart from other social networking sites.

How Facebook Works Part 2

Your Facebook profile is the Web page other members will see if they look you up.

How Facebook Works Part 1

This series is going to be similar to the How the Internet Works series.  I will have a single part come out each day and then I will have a post covering all the single posts.  When this happens, probably on 27 April 2011, I will delete the single, small posts and replace them with one big full edition post.

Amazon is selling the HTC Thunderbolt from Verizon Wireless for $129.99, or nearly half the current $249.99 asking price for its first 4G LTE Android smartphone.

Why the iPhone 5 won't have 4G

The iPhone 5, expected later this year, likely won't have 4G capability--or what is more precisely described as LTE. Here's why.

Microsoft's New Internal Debate

Microsoft is debating whether the next Xbox has to be profitable on a per-unit basis from the day it's released, or

LightSquared: The Answer to U.S. wireless competition?

LightSquared, a company that most cell phone subscribers have never heard of, is building a nationwide wireless broadband network that it hopes will rival the nation's largest providers AT&T and Verizon Wireless.

Hard Drives vs. Solid-State Drives

With the rise of solid-state drives in computers, iPods, and cell phones, the costs are starting to come down.  But have you every wondered how the worked?  First you need to know how the predecessors, the conventional hard drives that make a lot of noise and heat, work.

10 Reasons Why Apple's iPad, iPhone is Popular

If there is one thing that can't be debated in the technology industry, it's that Apple's iPad and the company's iPhone are wildly successful.

Amazon Kindle to Open up to Library Lending

Amazon.com announced a new effort on Wednesday

Apple iDevices Security Glitch

A hidden file on the Apple iPhone 4 and iPad 3G has been found to store location information.

Office 365

Last week Microsoft announced Office 365, their competitor to Google Docs.

Mac versus PC

Want to start a fight between computer geeks? Bring up one simple question: PC or Mac? 

10 Critical Android Issues Google Needs to Address

Although it got off to a bit of a slow start, Google's Android mobile operating system has caught its stride.

Google Suspends Samsung Galaxy S owners from Android Gingerbread

One day after its release, the update for Samsung Galaxy S owners to Android 2.3 Gingerbread has been pulled by Google.

A Brief History of Android Phones

A Brief History of Android Phones

Celebrate National Cell Phone Recycling Week

Looking for a way to give back to the planet and celebrate National Cell Phone Recycling Week?

The European Commission Adopts Technical Rules on 4G

The European Commission has adopted technical rules on how certain radio frequency bands should be opened up to advanced fourth generation, or 4G, communication devices such as smartphones and laptops, EU Commissioner for the digital agenda Neelie Kroes said Monday.

3G versus 4G

With all the hype around the advent of 4G, I thought it might be a good idea to look at the real differences between 3G and 4G devices, how they interface with 3G and 4G Wireless Networks, and offer some insights that might help you sort out what you actually need right now. Speed vs. Service … let’s consider the following:

New Google Doodle

New Google Doodle.

Update: Rumored iPhone 5

While looking through the news the past week, I have seen a lot of articles about the iPhone 5.

Dissecting the Wii 2 Rumors

The Internet was set ablaze this week when the first wave of reports regarding Nintendo's next-generation console, the Wii 2, hit the web.

Microsoft to Release Kinect for Windows 7

Amid the growing community of Kinect hackers that have turned Microsoft's controller-free gaming device to everything from the obvious Minority Report-style user interfaces to a set of eyes for the visually impaired, Microsoft has announced it will release an official Kinect SDK for Windows 7.

Google on Hiring Spree

Google is helping the economy and hurting its stock. The company is hiring so many employees for proj­ects outside its thriving search advertising business that its expenses are growing much faster than its revenue.

Microsoft Reveals Details of Windows Phone 'MANGO'

Joe Belfiore, head of Windows Phone Program Management, said at the MIX11 developer conference on Wednesday that Microsoft is working to create a platform that will help them sell more applications to more engaged users, with new features to enable better applications.

 Microsoft's new browser, Internet Explorer 10 (IE10), will not run on Windows Vista, either now in its developer preview form or when the software ships, the company confirmed today.

Kindle vs. Nook vs. iPad

There's been a lot of news lately about the Amazon Kindle and the Barns & Noble Nook and the Apple iPad, but how do they stack up?  It depends on several factors and what you need.

Expansion of Randomness

I am currently working on an Android app for my blogs.

Amazon Announces New, Low-priced Kindle

Amazon has announced a refreshed version of its popular e-book reader, the Kindle. Named Kindle with Special Offers, the hardware is the same as the previous Kindle, with the 6-inch e-ink display and 8.5 ounce weight. However, Amazon is now subsidizing the cost a bit with advertising on the Kindle itself.

How To Tell if Your Android Phone is Getting the Gingerbread OS Update

There's a lot to love about Android, but the slow, fragmented software updates can be annoying. Your friend might be rocking Gingerbread (Android 2.3), but you've been stuck with Éclair (Android 2.1) for months. On the upside, you can do a bit of detective work to see whether your phone is getting the upgrade or not. But a warning: Not all Android phones are getting the upgrade, so you might find out some heartbreaking news.

Mozilla Shoots for June 21 release of Firefox 5

Computerworld - Mozilla has set an aggressive schedule for the next version of Firefox, slating the release of Firefox 5 for June 21.

Future iOS Devices May Feature E-Ink

I would like to hasten to put the point out that this is all conjecture and Apple has not yet announced anything since the current iOS and an update that will be out in the next few weeks, the iPad 2, and the Verizon iPhone 4.

What Would Happen if the Internet Collapsed?

The Internet is robust. It's not dependent upon a single machine or cable. It's a network made up of other computer networks. It spans the globe. Connections cross over continents, under oceans and through space via satellites. And as the Internet has grown, so has our dependence upon it.

Verizon Wireless to Scrap Data Plan

If you're like me and you want constant phone upgrades, and your a Verizon Wireless customer, this is really going to bite.

To Build for Andoid or iOS, or Both. That is the Question

Don't limit yourself when a mobile browser-based application can meet your company's needs, today and tomorrow

Google Sundae?

There are a lot of rumors going around the blogosphere in the past week about a product from Google called Sundae or IceCream or something like that.

iPad 2 for Sale in: Toys 'R' Us????

Apple is exploring a different market segment as its ubiquitous iPad 2 tablets now find their way to toy stores.

Android Fragmentation: FUD and Facts

Google's Android OS is more fragmented than Apple's iOS—and that is just fine.

AT&T/T-Mobile: What Does it Mean for You?

Last month, AT&T announced that it wanted to buy out T-Mobile USA.

Rumor: Apple iOS 4.3.2 Coming in 2 Weeks.

Apple will fix bugs and address security issues on the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch with the release of iOS 4.3.2 in about two weeks, according to Boy Genius Report.

What is Jailbreaking?

Apple lost its full control over the iPhone when legendary teenage hacker George Hotz used a soldering iron to cut open Apple's defences and unravel the secrets of the iPhone. The exploit famously inspired hordes of geeks who tried to get the better of Apple by offering iOs jailbreaks and finally setting up underground app stores that made decent business.

Future iOS Connector to Support DisplayPort, USB 3.0 and more?

Why Google's Tighter Control Over Android Is a Good Thing

Limiting availability of Android 3.0 code and apparent tightening of Android smartphone standards means that Google finally gets it about the platform.

Verizon iPhone Customers Have Fewer Dropped Calls Than AT&T Customers

Apple iPhone 4 owners love their smartphones—but those with Verizon service are having a better experience than their AT&T peers, reveals a new survey.

T-Mobile 3G phones will need to be replaced

AT&T announced on March 21, that it would buy out T-Mobile, USA.

WiMax versus LTE

There is a lot of news about 4G technologies lately.  The 2 main technologies in the US and the world at large are WiMax and LTE (long term evolution), but what does this mean for the consumer?

Amazon Cloud Drive Review

With Amazon.com's announcement of the Amazon Cloud Drive last week, I have been very anxious to try it out.

My Top 5 Smartphones on the Market

Here are my top 5 favorite phones.  Please comment on this with your favorite phones that are on the market.

How the Internet Works Full Edition

Even though the Internet is still a young technology, it's hard to imagine life without it now.

Macintosh to iPad: How Apple Inc. Thinks Differently

It was one of the last companies to launch smartphones, yet the iPhone already accounts for half the profits of the mobile handset industry and 20% of its revenues.

Expansion of Randomness

If you haven't noticed, the URL and name have changed.

Rumors About iPhone 5, iOS 5, iPad 3?

This article is being published approximately 1720 hours on April 2, 2011.  As of right now, there is nothing concrete about the iPhone 5, iOS 5, or the iPad 3.

Android Wins is Smartphone Surge

Smartphone shipments were up 71 percent in 2010 from the previous year, says a new tally, which estimates 302 million smartphones shipped last year.

Could Internet Explorer Win the 'Browser Wars'?

The latest Internet Explorer news is both good and bad for Microsoft.

FCC Official says AT&T/T-Mobile Merger Faces 'Steep Climb'

From the moment AT&T announced a $39 billion acquisition of T-Mobile almost two weeks ago, many industry watchers agreed that the deal would face close scrutiny from federal regulators.

Google's AndroidOS, Trying to Right a Wrong While Stying Ahead

For years Google has been pitching Android as the yin to Apple’s iOS yang, in that Android is “open” software free from the types of “closed” restrictions that Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) places on iOS development.

What Your Body Language Says About You

Written by Victoria.

http://victoriasthoughtsoftheday.blogspot.com/2011/04/what-does-your-body-language-say-about.html

Will the Internet Run out of Addresses? By Discovery News

The well of Internet Protocol (IP) addresses has run dry -- for the most part.

Microsoft vs. Google in...Belgium???? Part 2

Indeed, Microsoft ran afoul of this very regulation when it prevented open-source software developers access to interoperability information for its Windows server software.

Rogue Android app texts humiliating messages Part 2 of 2

This is a continuation on a post published yesterday.
Tanmazov, Walk and Text's developer, has denied any connection to the Trojan, and has threatened to sue AVAST Software, a Czech Republic-based security company that first blogged about the rogue version of his app more than a week ago.
In a message posted on the Web, Tanmazov accused AVAST of publicizing the Trojanized version of his app to promote their mobile security software.
"We wonder why only anti-piracy companies have interest in writing blogs about pirated apps they find on illegal sources and are trying to spread fear among the normal 'Android Market' customers," said Tanmazov.
In an e-mail reply to a request for comment, Tanmazov again denied any link to Android.Walkinwat and elaborated on his frustration that criminals had hijacked his reputation. "This is not the way we fight against piracy," Tanmazov said.
"[And] we have absolutely no control over anything other than what is on the Android Market. This file is all over the place now, Torrents, forums, and there is nothing we can do about it," said Tanmazov.
The real Walk and Text app on the Android Market does not contain the malicious code and features of the Trojanized Android.Walkinwat, Google confirmed today.
This isn't the first time that malware-filled Android apps have cropped up. Earlier this month, Google was forced to yank more than 50 infected applications from the Android Market.

Zeichick’s Take: If you can’t innovate, litigate By Alan Zeichick

Zeichick’s Take: If you can’t innovate, litigate

 

By Alan Zeichick

  March 31, 2011 —  The lawsuits flying around Silicon Valley are getting ridiculous.

• Microsoft is suing Barnes & Noble because Microsoft says that Android infringes Microsoft patents, and B&N’s Nook e-reader is based on Android. Thus, B&N must be forced to license Microsoft patents.

• Oracle is suing Google because Oracle says that Android’s Dalvik Java Virtual Machine infringes some of Sun’s JVM patents.

• Apple is suing Amazon.com because Apple says that “App Store" is an Apple trademark, and thus Amazon must not use “Amazon Appstore” for its Android, well, app store.

• Microsoft is suing Apple because Microsoft says that Apple's “App Store” trademark uses generic English words, and thus shouldn’t be trademarked. Of course, Microsoft has rigorously defended its trademarks of Windows, Word and Office.

• And, yesterday, Microsoft filed a European antitrust complaint against—guess who—Google.

The latest Microsoft complaint is fascinating, as it reveals that as worried as the company's been about search, it’s also concerned about Windows Phone. According to this post by Brad Smith, Microsoft’s General Counsel, there are six allegations:

1. Google’s search engine has an unfair advantage over Microsoft’s Bing and other search engines when it comes to crawling YouTube content.

2. Google refuses to allow Windows Phone to access YouTube metadata, but allows Android and iPhone devices to do so.

3. Google is attempting to block access to content owned by book publishers by seeking exclusive rights to scan and distribute so-called orphaned books: those still under copyright, but for which the copyright owner can’t be found.

4. Google unfairly restricts its advertisers’ ability to use data and analytics in an interoperable way with competing search platforms, specifically Microsoft’s adCenter.

5. Google contractually requires European websites that use a Google search box from also using a competing search box. Microsoft says this not only freezes out Bing directly, but also blocks Web publishers from using Windows Live Services, which embeds a Bing search box.

6. Google discriminates against its own competitors (like Microsoft) by making it very expensive for them to buy good ad positions using Google’s ad tools.

Is there any truth to these allegations? That’s for the European Commission to decide. But what it all comes down to is: Microsoft can’t compete, so it’s going to the courts. The company has the right to sue, of course. But I hope that if Microsoft succeeds in overturning Apple’s “App Store” trademark, the decision is broad enough to overturn Windows, Word and Office as well. Fair is fair.


Written by:  Alan Zeichick; SD Times

April Fool's Day Gags

Google Motion-  You don't need a google account to see this gag

http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Cloud-Computing/Google-April-Fools-Day-Gags-from-2000-to-2010-a-History-734820/

Thinkgeek.com-  As always, thinkgeek.com has announced some new 'products'.

Several March 30+2 Day Jokes can be found at:  http://www.zippycart.com/infographics/april-fools-2011-pranks-online.html

Youtube has a 1911 mode for most videos.

This post will be updated throughout the day.  If you find some that I haven't, please feel free to post it in the comments for this post.