Not something to ‘LOL’ about…..

It’s amazing the technology we have today that enables researchers and investigators to search through our personal information, such as text messages.

USA Today’s recent article on the Boston bombing sheds light on one of the essential clues which lead to the capturing of suspect Tsarnaev. The text message helped investigators identify the bomber after the suspect sent the, “LOL” reply to a Dartmouth friend who said one of the bombers looked just him. It is amazing that the FBI and other investigative teams have a capability to go into our personal messages. In some sense this is a positive, especially in this case specifically. Although, I also feel that it maybe a little bit intrusive to our private and personal lives. Not that I would ever have anything to hide but I do not like the idea of other people who I do not know reading through my personal information. I think this type of technology should be only used in these cases specifically and needs to be regulated in order to make sure there is no miss use going on.

iTunes Impact

Ever since apple launch this product on April 28th 2003, we have seen a dramatic change to the music industry. At first this product was a total hit, and seemed as though it would monopolize completely. CNN’s article, “How iTunes changed music and the world”, notes many of these changes in further detail. By 2010 iTunes was the largest music retail on the planet….. A reason for this success could be due to our societies instant-gratification culture; and obviously iTunes was something that fit this new trend. It not only changed the industry but also the way people listen to music. Here are some of the effects as a result of the release: 

• It celebrated the song, not the album
• It rewarded impatience
• Killed the mixtape
• changed sound quality
• destroyed the appreciation of album art
• Made apps main stream

As a result we don’t listen to music the same way that we once did. With the emerging websites like Pandora and Spotify we can see that iTunes is starting to diminish before our eyes since these product are evolving fast and have more appealing features for viewers. 

Hungry Hungry Gamers

Xbox 360 has finally expanded it apps to fill the need for one of extreme gamers issues that comes along with an intense and addictive gaming session…..Hunger! Gaming just got even lazier…. The release of the Pizza Huts newest app for the Xbox 360 dashboard, players now have the ability to order pizza without moving from his or her’s gaming position. This application allows players to stay in position that way one doesn’t have to get up yet alone reach for a computer, cellphone, tablet, landline, or desktop. I believe this is an incredibly smart business move for Pizza Hut, because any serious gamer won’t want to have to go to much effort to order a meal during his or her session. I also think this is a smart move for Xbox because it allows gamers to stay online longer and experience minimal distractions when a player is trying to get a meal during an intense session. With the release of this new application, I think we will also begin to see the growing presence of many more applications for food delivery in the gaming world; whether that be for Xbox, PS3, or even WII.

Touchup’s to Touchscreen

One of my good friends has a generic disease which causes her thumbs to be miss shaped. These two fingers look as if they might have been smashed in and so she tends to struggle typing on her apple smartphone. USA Today’s article, Try these alternative keyboard options for your smart phone, by Rob Pegoraro highlights the new keyboards you can get that may help some people who struggle with the touch screen feature. These clever keyboards allow for clever tricks to help users improve typing errors. One the apps offers a ‘Gesture typing’ feature which lets you trace a path over the letters you would like to type. The transition to touch screen calls for the average cell phone and smartphone user to evolve to these advancements. Although so people like my friend are at a disadvantage and therefore have a more challenging time meeting these changes. We need these types of tools and technology in order to appeal to all and promote to all smartphone users. 

Twitters Trend ‘One Boston’

After the recent act of violence at the Boston Marathon, entertainers and many ordinary citizens have all decided to make serious donations and promotions to help Boston residents and victims. But twitter has also been apart of this cause. The social media site has promoted the trend #OneBoston, and brands are said to pay around $200,000 per day for a promoted trend. According to Mashable’s article, “Twitter Donates Promoted Trend to ‘One Boston‘”, author Sam Laird says, Twitter’s hope is that the promoted trend will increase the amount of eyeballs — and dollars — that go toward the newly established fund. It should also get more users around the world thinking of other ways to help the city and its residents.”

This is another perfect example of all the ways in which social media can be used in a positive way. I think that it is a huge deal for twitter to make this decision and I find it very important to our global community. It is our job to take care of one another and show the world that we are one unified country.

Calling all iPhone Owners, Latest and Greatest Cases

It seems that when most of us break, aka drop our phones, its the glass that shatters before we notice anything. This in fact is the most vulnerable part of the device according to New York Times Gadgetwise blog. Tech 21 has recently come out with the Impact Shield. 

The protector claims it has three unique layers of polymers, one of which is adapted from bulletproof glass, and claims to not only protect your glass but also provide optimal clarity. The product sells for $30 and is said to be easy to apply, remove and reapply. This is the first screen protect that is said to provide substantial protection compared to other products in the market. I find it very important the college kids come to terms with investing in one of these protectors. The amount drops and scratches our phones experience makes us extremely susceptible to these damages. So next time you do some online shopping, think about how you could save your self from having to buy a new smartphone. 

Healthcare and social media?

Is it really possible that our health care system can be improved by using our current social media devices and applications? CNN Money offers an interesting take on the topic, focusing on more on the information patients can receive from an online hub that allows for Q&A. It also highlights a cloud based medical electronic records system that will allow them, to also make a revenue by selling adds. This will also allow doctors to change some of their own systems which might help bundle the information.

Facebook Teams up with Apple

Zuckerburg aims to team up with apple after announcing his new application. The Washington Post Article, claims the application features a new design layout called ‘Chat Heads’ which changes the whole Facebook message look. Now the persons face will pop up in the corner of the screen rather even if you are using another application.

The more important aspect of this announcement is the fact that this new design layout will be exclusive to Apple products. Other cell phone users will not be able to experience the same design layout. How will this effect both the stocks of Facebook and Apple? Can we assume that Zuckerburg is making a strive of favoritism towards Apple? It could in fact be that Apples products and technology is more conducive to the coming advancements and new features. Does this mean that Apple is going become the monopoly of the tech and cell phone world?

Who knows if Zuckerburg realizes all the power he has and how much of an impact he makes on other industries.

Social media and restrictions….Excuse Me?

On Tuesday the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) outlined new disclosure rules that clarify how companies can use their own social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. Honestly, it’s about time someone starts to pull in the reins on what people can and can’t post on the internet. The New York Times Deal Book article highlights many more details about the new rules for companies. The rules for disclosures using social media allow chief executives to post, blog or tweet just as long as they accurately inform investors about the social media strategy they have first. Although I am a firm believer in freedom of speech or in this case posting on the internet, I think some companies abuse this; posting miss leading details about products and false sale deals, makes serious illusions and inaccuracies for the client. This is the first of many steps the S.E.C needs to make in successfully monitoring the way society uses social media products to insure the public doesn’t suffer from companies miss use. 

Cup Cup Cupcakes

The french bakery, Cup Cup, has an incredible web design perspective creating an even stronger urge for the viewer to purchase their baked goods. The shop specializes in cupcakes, a common trend among specialty shops and bakeries around the globe. Cup Cup’s home page makes it seem as though you are looking in their store front window at a few of their cupcakes on a moving conniver belt. The cupcakes almost pop out of the screen and look as if they are sitting on top of a shelf, awaiting for the viewer to simply grab whichever looks pleasing. The color scheme and simplicity of the website also places an emphasis on the detail of each baked good. The interactive home page also allows the viewer to click on each item for more specific details on the recipes and ingredients of each flavor. Overall, I think this website does a very effective job at formatting there website because of the simplicity and interactive design. For a specialty market with so much competition it is vital to take the next step and extenuate these other feature of the business, in order to stay on top.