Intel, Apple and Others Rethink How We Watch TV – WSJ.com
Major vendors are looking to reshape the way we watch TV.
According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, “Intel’s plans include a server farm to record every piece of programming aired—local, national and international—and store it for at least three days in the “cloud.” With an Intel-designed set-top box, people won’t have to own DVRs or even plan to record programs.”
Read the entire article
Intel, Apple and Others Rethink How We Watch TV – WSJ.com.
There is no timetable, however once in place, you will probably see a substantial reduction in your cable bill. Good News!!
Starbucks Ups the Stakes in Battle Over Wireless Charging
Now you can give your phone a caffeine fix along with your latte. Not ready for prime-time yet, but definitely a great idea.
Starbucks Ups the Stakes in Battle Over Wireless Charging – Ina Fried – Mobile – AllThingsD.
Biggest problem facing mobile phone users – – – – your battery running out of juice.
What do you do to increase your battery life?
Google Makes Another TV Push With $35 Chromecast Device
Are you ready to start watching Internet based content on your TV?
Do you really need cable TV?
All you need is a wireless network and a TV with an HDMI outlet.
The Wall Street Journal reports that the Chromecast, is compatible with mobile devices powered by Google’s Android software as well as Apple iPhones and iPads. Read the full article below.
Google Makes Another TV Push With $35 Chromecast Device – WSJ.com.
Want To Upgrade Your Smartphone? – Read The Small Print
We all know that it is costly to upgrade your smartphone before the end of your contract (usually 2 years). According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, fewer people are upgrading their smartphones.
With this in mind, a couple of wireless provider, AT&T and T-Mobile, have decided to allow their customers to upgrade at any time. However before you leap at the offer, READ THE FINE PRINT.
Taking advantage of these offers require you to pay full retail for the phone. When you purchase or upgrade with a contract, you get it at a subsidized price. A subsidized phone could cost about $199, while the full retail price could be over $600. READ THE FINE PRINT CAREFULLY.
Before making a decision, be sure to evaluate whether or not the upgrade is worth it.
Mobile Device War Heats Up
Microsoft has started to reduce the price of its Surface RT tablet. Read about it in the Wall Street Journal
BlackBerry Z10 prices drop to $49. A disappointing decision just 4 months after its launch according to the Wall Street Journal
Sales of mobile devices continue to soar, with sales of tablets now exceeding those of personal computers.
The stakes are high as more hardware suppliers are rushing to catch up with the demand.
Are these failures indicative of poor planning or the high price points?
What do you think?
What’s New At Apple?
Do you have either an iPhone or iPad? Once the dominant resource for smartphones and tablets, Apple is now facing stiff competition from Microsoft, Samsung, Google, and other resources which has impacted Apple’s market share in both the smartphone and tablet markets.
This week, Apple unveiled a revamped version of its mobile operating system iOS 7. scheduled for a Fall release.
Other features of the the new operating system include a “lot smarter” and voice makeover for Siri, new photo sharing options, and automatic updates of your apps.
Also previewed was iTunes Radio, which is built right into the Music app in iOS 7 for the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad, as well as iTunes on the Mac and PC and Apple TV.
Will these enhancements impact your decision to stay with your Apple products?
Why you might want to keep your old computer
In the past, many people elected to buy a new computer every time a new operating system was introduced. New operating systems used to mean many enhanced features and bells and whistles. Recent surveys indicate that Microsoft’s newest launch, Windows 8, has not been received with the same enthusiasm and success as in the past.
Why? Check out the article below from today’s CIO section of the Wall Street Journal.
Windows 8 is failing to beat older Windows platforms. NetMarketshare reports that Windows 8 is the fourth-most popular operating system, behind Windows 7, Windows XP and Windows Vista. Given Windows 8′s “dismal performance,” ReadWrite’s Brian Proffitt wonders if blame rests on the software itself, or just the lack of demand. Gmail and social networks such as Facebook have played a role in disrupting the software cycle, he opines. And feature saturation, especially in office suites, may give users pause for an OS update. “Given such a situation,” he writes, “Windows 8 may have really never stood a chance for massive blockbuster release numbers. The market is too crowded with, ironically, other Windows installs that are doing the jobs they need to do well enough.”
People are holding on to their computers longer than in the past. Computer running slow? Perhaps all you need is a maintenance check. Changes are that you have a regular checkup and schedule periodic maintenance for your car. Computers need a checkup as well. If you want to find out how to increase the life of your computer, give us a call at 917 921-4518 or e-mail me at jblue@bluetutor.com
Are you part of the Digital Revolution?
The latest KPCB study of Internet Trends reveals how digital content (photos, videos, messaging, social media, etc.) have become part of our everyday lives.
According to this study, there are over 5 billion mobile phone users, 1.5 billion smartphone users, globally. The number of tablets in the market has doubled in the past year. More people are accessing the Internet through mobile devices that through Desktop computers.
The KPCB study below reveals how the Internet world has shifted in just the past year. Interesting reading.
Still undecided whether or not to get a tablet?
Tablets have taken over the market. Check out Mary Meeker’s Annual Internet Trends Report.
As for the decrease in PC and laptop sales, Mary Meeker, speaking at the D11 conference this week, called this a “stunning slide,” as it depicts the steep growth of tablets versus previous slow builds.
5 G-Mail Features of Interest
Whether you’re sorting through hundreds of work emails a day or using the service to keep in touch with friends and family, keeping up to date on its latest features can help you get the most out of it.
If you are not g-mail user, you might want to consider switching or setting up a second e-mail account to separate your personal and business correspondence.
To read this article in full or to leave a comment, click below
via Yahoo and PCWorld