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Posts tagged Ars Technica

Apple ready to unveil Mac OS X 10.7

Oct15
2010 1 Comment Written by hotrao

Apple will host an event on October 20th to disclose and talk about Mac OS.

The image depicted below has a lion inside, that maybe a hint for a Mac OS X 10.7 disclosure.

The back to Mac Ad

Despite you love Apple or not, they’re really masters in communicating and creating attention.

This post as a comment also at http://www.betanews.com/article/Apple-hosting-October-10-event-Is-the-king-of-the-beasts-the-next-version-of-OS-X/1286987438 and at http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2010/10/apple-announces-back-to-the-mac-event-for-october-20.ars?comments=1&p=20908875#comment-20908875

Posted in communication, Tech - Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Bye bye Google wave

Aug06
2010 Leave a Comment Written by hotrao

Many sources reported the end announced death of Google Wave: among them Dan Nosowitz at Fast company (http://www.fastcompany.com/1677794/google-wave-poorly-understood-and-underused-is-officially-dead), Ryan Paul at Ars Technica (http://arstechnica.com/web/news/2010/08/wave-cancellation-google-gives-up-on-next-gen-messaging.ars), Matthew Ingram at GigaOM (http://gigaom.com/2010/08/04/google-pulls-the-plug-on-google-wave).

Well, is the end of Google in social networking? I don’t think so, but is a big stop for Google on this area.

Of course the Big G is telling that can reuse part of the work done and that is part of company culture to learn from failures.

But a failure like this is difficult to understand, because ruins in part the quite perfect track record held by Google.

It is difficult to explain why those who created Google mail, Google Docs, Google earth and so on where not able to create something usable and appealing.

When I first tried Google wave I really had difficulties to understand what was the real use and potential: this is uncommon in Google applications which are often brilliant examples of “do something and do it well”.

I think the problem could have been in trying to put everything in one place, creating some confusion.

I hope that Google reenters in social networking market with something more attractive and understandable, because can be a good player against Facebook predominance.

This post as a comment at http://www.fastcompany.com/1677794/google-wave-poorly-understood-and-underused-is-officially-dead, at http://arstechnica.com/web/news/2010/08/wave-cancellation-google-gives-up-on-next-gen-messaging.ars?comments=1&p=20685642#comment-20685642 and at http://gigaom.com/2010/08/04/google-pulls-the-plug-on-google-wave/?go_commented=1

Posted in communication, Economy, Other, Tech - Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Time spent on Internet goes toward social networks

Aug03
2010 Leave a Comment Written by hotrao

Matthew Lasar at Ars Technica (http://arstechnica.com/author/matthew-lasar/) reports that “[...] Just in case you needed further confirmation that blogs, social networks, and games are overtaking everything else on the ‘Net, Nielsen has released its latest statistics. They show that Americans now spend almost a quarter of their PC/laptop days and nights on social networking sites and blogs. That’s a 43 percent jump from a year ago. Social networking now has a 22.7 percent share of the PC pie, while online games get a 10.2 percent share (up 10 percent from last year). [...]” (full article at http://arstechnica.com/web/news/2010/08/nielsen-social-networking-and-gaming-up-email-uncertain.ars).

This, of course, cannot be a surprise, since this desire we all have to communicate to everybody.

But is very important for actual and possible impacts this trend will have on economy and behaviour.

I think that what we will read again on this topic is the new definition of privacy (with everything and everyone going into social networks, which will be the border line for what is considered private?) and security (with more firms going to provide stronger and more flexible security solutions to allow reasonable access to data stored).

This post as a comment also at http://arstechnica.com/web/news/2010/08/nielsen-social-networking-and-gaming-up-email-uncertain.ars?comments=1&p=20673891#comment-20673891

Posted in behaviour, communication, Economy, Tech - Tagged , , , , , , ,

IPhone 4G antenna matters

Jun25
2010 Leave a Comment Written by hotrao

Chris Foresman at Ars technica (http://arstechnica.com/author/chris-foresman/) and Jason Chen at Gizmodo (http://gizmodo.com/people/diskopo/posts/), reports a formal communication by Apple guru Steve Jobs on problems with reception and antenna. In extreme synthesis, the position is: holding the phone in that way could lead to signal attenuation, so to avoid the problem….just don’t hold it that way! (full articles at http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2010/06/jobs-on-iphone-4-antenna-avoid-holding-it-in-this-way.ars and at http://gizmodo.com/5572279/apples-acknowledges-iphone-4-reception-issues-says-dont-hold-it-like-that. Steve Jobs letter at http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/4/2010/06/jobsmeail2.jpg).

Matt Hartley at Lockergnome adds that one solution, sponsored also by Steve Jobs BTW, is to have a case in order not to touch antenna (this article at http://www.lockergnome.com/it/2010/06/25/first-iphone-requiring-a-case/).

On one side I can understand that some problems may arise in any technological object, IPhone included.

On the other side I ask a couple of questions:

  • When you buy every object (either phisical or “logical”) you want a functioning one. At most reason if you spend so much money (and time) on a gadget
  • Do words like “testing” and “non regeression” make sense at Cupertino :-) ? Come on! Despite the appearance is a phone. The antenna and software related is worth a little bit intensive testing (which have been done for sure), also holding it in the left hand…

This post as a comment also at http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2010/06/jobs-on-iphone-4-antenna-avoid-holding-it-in-this-way.ars?comments=1&p=20551714#comment-20551714 , at http://gizmodo.com/5572279/apples-acknowledges-iphone-4-reception-issues-says-dont-hold-it-like-that and at http://www.lockergnome.com/it/2010/06/25/first-iphone-requiring-a-case/comment-page-1/#comment-212751

Posted in communication, Tech - Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Parrot AR Drone announced

Jun15
2010 1 Comment Written by hotrao

Ben Kuchera at Ars Technica (http://arstechnica.com/author/ben-kuchera/) reports that “[...] The Parrot AR.Drone made waves when it was shown off CES earlier this year. The WiFi quadricopter that uses an iPhone as its remote control will launch in the US this September, for $299.99. You can control the device using an iPhone, iPod touch, or an iPad, and the drone has both a downward- and frontward-facing camera. [...] ” on top of this, a software will be provided, that “[...] is open, and testers have enjoyed prerelease access to both the SDK and hardware to get their games and demos up to speed, making this a fun project for those who like to play as well as those who like to tinker. At launch, there will be two $2.99 games available from the App Store to try. [...]” (full article at http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2010/06/parrot-ardrone-to-attack-this-september-for-300.ars)

Either if you judge $300 a reasonable price or not, this is the first step into the future for us loving flying (real or virtual).

I think the fact of having a flying high quality and feature rich platform to be customized with a SDK is one of the keys to succeed in this kind of developments.

The only real problems are space, (because everyone loves seeing what your drone does, but, definitely is not something you can play in your house) and batteries (because this will impact the overall use of the gadget).

This post as a comment also at http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2010/06/parrot-ardrone-to-attack-this-september-for-300.ars?comments=1&p=20512296#comment-20512296

Posted in Other, Tech - Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

Facebook and the ability to close the gates after cows have gone out

May15
2010 Leave a Comment Written by hotrao

Jacqui Cheng at Ars Technica reports that Facebook has discovered and is pursuing russian hacker named Krillos that claimed to have stolen 1.5 million Facebook accounts (full story at http://arstechnica.com/security/news/2010/05/facebook-ups-login-security-outs-hacker-with-15m-accounts.ars; a good explanation of Facebook privacy issues also at Ars techinca by Peter Bright at http://arstechnica.com/web/news/2010/05/understanding-the-latest-facebook-privacy-train-wreck.ars).

It’s a good news, because limits the problem. But the point is how our datas are protected.

As I said other times, a security breach can happen. But I think that Facebook, by trying to give all possible options  to users, leaves space to big holes in their security perimeter.

This post as a comment also at http://arstechnica.com/security/news/2010/05/facebook-ups-login-security-outs-hacker-with-15m-accounts.ars?comments=1&p=20411977#comment-20411977 and at http://arstechnica.com/web/news/2010/05/understanding-the-latest-facebook-privacy-train-wreck.ars?comments=1&p=20436815#comment-20436815

Posted in Economy, Tech - Tagged , , , , , ,

Apple and Nintendo and other false (or true) competitors

Nov14
2009 Leave a Comment Written by hotrao

Jeff Smykil at Art Technica (http://arstechnica.com/authors/jeff-smykil/), wites an article on the fact that “Nintendo’s president thinks Apple isn’t a competitor and people should stop saying so. Is this a bluff, denial, or just the beginning of another decline of a once-powerful video game company” (full article at http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2009/11/despite-nintendos-claims-apple-is-a-competitor.ars?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss).

I think is only the last case of a company (or a person) telling the market that everybody didn’t understandwhat was happening.

Is the same reaction I had when Yahoo CEO said that Yahoo wasn’t a search company. And I add, only beacuse was still loosing market shares against Google.

Unfortunately for Nintendo’s CEO Mr.  Satoru Iwata, Apple is a player in gaming industry, and, in my opinion, wil be one of the three player that will remain in less that 5 years: Google (through Android), Microsoft (through Windows) and Apple (through Iphone).

This post as a comment also at http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/forums?a=tpc&s=50009562&f=174096756&m=133002122041&r=222007422041#222007422041

Posted in Economy, Tech - Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Anonymous blogging

Oct26
2009 Leave a Comment Written by hotrao

Jacqui Cheng at Ars Technica publishes an article talking on the fact that “Lawsuits against anonymous bloggers are common, but the courts generally protect the right to speak unnamed. Now, one Tennessee blogger is about to be unmasked, reminding us that even Internet anonymity has its limits—and that making accusations of arson, drug abuse, and tax evasion can carry consequences.” (full article at http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/10/anonymous-real-estate-critic-on-the-verge-of-being-unmasked.ars?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss).

As I said some other times, I don’t think internet anonymity is a right. Better: is not a right everywhere, because most of us, luckily, don’t live in a regime and so talking behind a nickname is not a protection, is just a difefrent way of communicating.

For those belonging to the minority living under a regime, anonimity should be a right to be defendend to the very last extent. For the other (the majority), internet is a media not to be abused.

And so if anyone offends or those something against laws, should be prosecuted like any other.

This post as a comment also at http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/forums?a=tpc&s=50009562&f=174096756&m=346000991041&r=765003991041#765003991041

Posted in communication, Politics, Tech, Thoughts - Tagged , , , , , ,

Apple store as a disabler

Oct24
2009 Leave a Comment Written by hotrao

Chris Foresman at Ars Techinca writes an article telling us that  ” Though games are the biggest category on the App Store, the average price for a game is about $3. If the iPod touch begins supplanting the DS or PSP platforms, one analysts believes publishers may be adversely affected by the low pricing. ” (full article at http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2009/10/app-store-pricing-dangerous-for-game-publishers.ars?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss).

I think that Apple store is an enabler in some cases and a disable in some others.

In case of gaming, is a differentiator, because adds a channel to “normal” selling channels. I don’t think that asking the question “why do I have to spend 60$ while I can pay 10$ for a game” is a right question, because people will spend, more likely, by impromptu rather than making deep thoughts.

This post as a comment also at http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2009/10/app-store-pricing-dangerous-for-game-publishers.ars?comments=2&comment_id=635003691041

Posted in Economy, Tech - Tagged , , , ,

High tech adoption and growth attempt

Sep18
2009 Leave a Comment Written by hotrao

John Timmer at Ars Technica writes an article reporting a study by some economists assigning to high tech adoption a primary role in GDP growth (full article at http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/09/high-tech-adoption-happening-faster-driving-economic-growth.ars, original study at http://www.hbs.edu/research/pdf/08-093.pdf).

I think is real that high tech adoption has a stimulus role within growth in a nation. Seems to me quite simple to understand this because I see technology and high tech as something “infrastructural” in the sense of something that is a facilitator in accellerating growth.

I ask my self another point that is which is the level where this “facilitator” effects stops or slows down: I can understand the effect if we are talking of no (or less) technologized countries where the accelleration effect of technology is disruptive; but in my opinion in a modern and fully alligned (on a tech point of view) country, tech is a facilitator only if is a real breakthrough (such as introdiuction of iphone or Wimax).

This post as a comment also at http://digg.com/business_finance/High_tech_adoption_happening_faster_driving_economic_growth

Posted in Economy, Politics, Tech - Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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