Texts R Us

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So, you think you send a lot of text messages? Sorry yet your friend's kids do more then you by a mile. According to the study, it seems a teen sends nearly 4,000 messages a month!!! That's crazy (and they wonder why their thumbs hurt... sheesh lol)

Here's my take away from the study:

-teens will outpace all you adults out there in technology

- do a marketing ads/campaign towards teens and mobile phones = money

- kick apps to this group of people and you'll get $$$

- phone providers NEED to update their network infrastructure

Why? The teens will overload your systems with sms, mms, or data on their phones. (AT&T found this out with releasing the iPhone which is still plaguing their network and it isn't even teens who are killing it)

Thoughts? Leave em below.

:)

AT&T Turns Red

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So, it appears AT&T is now going to be running a few Droid phones. One might think it is a bad sign although having a diverse line up of phones is not. My thoughts below:

1. This move is a good thing

It will help bolsters AT&T and shy it away from iPhone land.

2. The network will benefit

If a user is in a spot that only has AT&T coverage yet, is able to get a Droid on the network = a win win for both parties.

3. It will help AT&T down the road

The rumor regarding them loosing the iPhone contract will hurt them yet, having the Droid help fill the financial gap down the road couldn't hurt.

My gripes:

1. Network speed

I still remember using my BlackBerry on the "Big Blue" network. It worked, minus the data speed on EDGE (I'm not in a 3G area) was slooooowwwwww.

2. Droid fast vs Big Blue spotty/dead coverage

If the phone itself is fast (and it is) yet, the network goes crapola = no good.

AT&T is in no position to have an influx of Droid users kill the network even further. I wonder if they considered this fact when they signed up for Droid life etc.

3. Tiered Data plans

I don't like the idea of having an uber phone then an tiered pricing structure. If I'm going to have a phone, I'd rather have unlimited data and not worry about it.

Thoughts/comments?

Let me know :)

BlackBerry Tablet?

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So RIM has just kicked off a BlackBerry tablet.... is anyone really surprised?

I cannot say I am. RIM is always linked with the BlackBerry and e-mail and business and corproate world or professional people. Now they've kicked into high gear to help catch up or make another dent in the consumer market.

See here for why users jumped from BlackBerry to Android devices

It is basically a bigger screen BlackBerry still with limitations and whatnot. Will the average user pick it up? Possibly only due to the low price vs Apple.

The device being able to use HTML 5 and Flash 10.1 is a step up (even over a new/latest BlackBerry).

Other then that I don't see any major reason as to why you must get/have one.

Thoughts comments? Let me know. :)

BlackBerry Outed? & IE 9 Beta

BlackBerry Article

IE 9 Article

Some have wondered if the BlackBerry is going to be eclipsed by the iPhone or even the new Android devices that are now taking a rather large chunk of the market. Competition is good sure yet, should companies ditch the BlackBerry?

I must say I am glad to see JPMorgan looking at alternatives to the usual platform. It would be nice to just have an iPhone or Android device and have it connected to the workplace. It would save the company money & allow the employee just to carry one device vs the multitude now i.e. phone for work, phone for home, notebook PC for work etc etc.

The key is always security especially in the financial sector and BlackBerry has been a major staple of that aspect. I myself have a BlackBerry and have had a few over the past few years. It does what it needs to: e-mail, calendar, and phone. The downside is being able to view certain webpages, store lots of media on the device (apps cannot be put onto the SD card unless you purchase one; the problem is apps aren't designed to be run on the SD card which sucks if you a lot of apps=storage on device gets low). I also have been finding it to be somewhat glitchy (over a year old) yet, it still is plugging along. My next device will be an Android. Why? More storage space, smoother and faster, more OS updates, and a better multi-function device.

Here's where the issue might happen such as with JP Morgan: user happens to loose his or her iPhone. Said iPhone has company documents on it. Does company wipe device and said user then also looses said family vacation pics as well? See that is where it will get mucky just using one device.

Solution: only put company documents or whatnot onto dedicated SD card. If device is lost, wipe said SD card. Gee that sounds like BlackBerry (which you can do). Problem? You need all the BlackBerry stuff in order for it to happen whereas on the iPhone or Android device (which someone may develop) ya just download an application to make that happen.

Internet Explorer 9 Beta

I myself have not tested out this new version though some of you might want to or will get hit with the final product down the road. My gripe with IE is just slow and not what I like to use. I mainly use Google Chrome, FireFox, and IE (in that order.) Why? Chrome is simple, fast, and good for what I use.

The only glitch is webpages that say you must use Internet Explorer and then I flip to that browser.

Microsoft is only working on a new browser to keep/catch up with Chrome and FireFox. They still only get the most browser market due to IE is stuck on any computer you purchase no matter what.

They still have a high market share only due to the reason I stated above. That's it.

Here's a link to a current view of the browsers and their rankings.

In conclusion I'm sticking with Chrome unless I really need to flip to something else. Bash me all ya want yet, Chrome still is uber speed wise.

Thoughts/comments?

Share em or kick me a message jbblogs at gmail dot com

The Apple Breaks a Window

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So, Apple is now ahead of Microsoft. Is too surprising? No considering Apple has spread into the Operating System market, devices, and other various avenues. Microsoft is still just mainly the operating system, Office suites, and a search engine.

The question remains: will Apple be king and keep that top spot?

My prediction: yes due to their innovation and multiple products that consumers like, enjoy, and keep coming back for. Would you rather get a new iPhone or a new Office suite? I, like many of you, would choose the first option. Apple also listens to the consumer, keeps things simple, and makes things work whereas Microsoft just pushes stuff out there at the consumer.

Could Microsoft pull ahead? Possibly, though they have a long way to go to catch up in the phone, iPod, and other user devices areas.

Only time will tell and at the moment the Apple has broken the Window. :)

Google's Wave A Comin

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For those of you who didn't know, Google Wave is now open to the public. What does that mean to the average guy or gal on the street? You now have a new way to collaborate, share information, work on a blog, put together a meeting, and more.

Will people be quick to adopt it? Maybe though only the tech people or those who aren't afraid of new stuff.

It has a lot of features (and I'm still new to Wave) yet, here is one that applies to everyone.

Let's say you walked into a room and missed an awesome conversation. Bummer right? What if you could play back that awesome conversation, see who said what, examine the kick butt lookin photos, and jump right on in as if you had been there the whole time. Neat eh?

Google Wave can do that! There's a button that plays back the entire wave. So, you can invite a buddy into the wave, they push playback, and are caught up to speed as to what has been going on with the wave.

That to me is freaking awesome.

So hey, carry on gang and be sure to get your wave on. :)

PS I'm on Google Wave; kick me an e-mail if you want me Wave address. Hit me up at jbblogs at gmail dot com and I'll give you my wave address.

Face to Face Time

Article Link: Click here to read it

So, technology looses another battle vs actual face-to-face communication. It took a study to find that out? I could have told you that without even thinking about it. I enjoy hanging with my buddies or having them over for a gaming session on my XBOX 360. That is fun.

What I don't understand is people who throw all their time into the online realm and expect to be happy. Let me tell you from a guy who has been in the online realm awhile plus in the communications venue: face to face beats any e-mail, text message, Facebook comment, or latest Twitter update. Seriously.

You can't find happiness online, many have attempted and failed. Granted it is nice having an online guild/clan while in an MMO or online multiplayer game sure. Yet, that can't take the place of sitting down, having a cup of coffee, and talking with your best friend.

I myself have a wonderful friend who I hope to sit down with sometime and enjoy a cup of coffee/hang out/ go shopping etc. There are numerous issues in the way (and both of us are aware of that) yet, we are looking forward to the day when we are able to hang out and talk face-to-face. That'll be awesome for sure.

Flipside:

Now, I know there are those of you out there saying, "Hey JB! There's no way (insert online friend's name here or loved one) we can sit down and chat. (Insert name here) is on vacation, out of the country, across the world, doesn't live near by me etc. So what do you expect us to do JB?"

I'm aware of those kinds of situations myself due to I'm in that boat regarding some of my friends out there. You could try doing a webcam chat, which in my opinion would be the halfway point, and having a conversation that way. Another idea would be to vacation near your friend or halfway then have him/her/them (clan/guild) meet up and hang out. That could work too. So, don't think I'm bashing you if you are in that situation. It is part of life and technology can help bridge that gap to an extent.

Conclusion:

Online avenues only supplments/adds to communication between people. Nothing beats talking face-to-face whatsoever.

Technology vs. Human Touch

One has to wonder with all of our current technology if it will ever take the place of actual physical human touch. With all of our Facebook and Apps on the iPhone or BlackBerry for this and that, sending virtual hugs or smiles if we will just send a little message saying “You’ve just received a virtual hug!” while sitting or standing near an individual.

My theory is that it will not come to that particular end. Why? It is a cycle where the technology will keep moving us forward yet we (built into our own human condition) want even DESIRE touch. Touch ranging from a hug, a kiss, a pat on the back, holding his or her hand, a sexy S trace down your lover’s back etc.

It is somewhat depressing to see two individuals sitting across from each other at a table at your local restaurant, staring down at his or her phone texting or Twittering away while not even uttering one word to the other minus the “Let’s go” phrase.

Will we find ourselves with robotic hands similar to Luke Skywalker’s in Star Wars or devices such as the tricorder from Star Trek? Possibly and only time will tell how far we advance technologically as a society and what we will create or invent along the way.

The inevitable human touch will continue as a deep, inner longing until the end of time. Why? Nothing, not even virtually reality can ever replace feeling the touch or sensation of another physical, living, breathing human being no matter the technology.

Technology Works

Article Link: Click Here to Read

You say technology is bad and people don't need cell phones? Think again after reading this article. Cell phones save lives and these aren't even iPhones or Blackberries. So, the moral of the story? Get some type of cell phone even if it is a prepaid one. It could save your life.

WOOT for technology! :D

Catholic Church moves to Cyberspace

Here's the article: Click Here to Read

So, the Pope wants priests to start blogging. I think that it will be a good thing and is a tad overdue. You are probably thinking that a priest at your local parish blogging is insane and crazy. In all honesty it isn't. Today it is not about doing the traditional way of doing things rather connecting with people on various levels where they are at and giving them access to their spiritual advisors more then just face-to-face meetings. If they took it a step further (the priests) and had virtual office hours so let's say a parishioner is at work, has a question, pings his priests via chat, and then gets on with his day. Simple, easy, and very effective. That would be even better and add more icing on the cake as it were.

I am looking forward to the priests blogging and getting into this new digital age.

My view is that people who go to church want access to his or her priest, pastor, spiritual advisor easier and quicker more then ever. Think about it: when was the last time you say an individual without his or her phone at a coffee shop, in the line while at the store, or at the movie theater? People are accessing the web via their mobile phones now more and more. It is only logical that the church (Catholic and the rest of the gang) get into step with people out there.

The more avenues of communication the better and as the Pope said: "...start blogging!"