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

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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.