The World Wide Web
Why did Facebook buy Instagram for $1 billion if they can make their own?
Have you ever wondered why Facebook bought Instagram for $1 billion if they can easily make a similar app on their own, integrate it on Facebook, and compete with Instagram? If you’re curious enough to know why, that makes two of us. If you have a friend that is curious as well, then that makes 3 of us. I really wonder why they bought Instagram for that amount. I know that $1 billion US dollars is nothing for Facebook, but they can save it and build their own similar service from scratch. They didn’t buy Foursquare right? They made their own service that is similar – and I think – better than Foursquare. Now Facebook…
Social Networks Will Come and Go But Your Profile Data Will Live On
It is clear that most of the social media action will belong to Facebook and Google+ for at least the next several years. But while attention is focused on these two industry giants, have you ever considered that last generation’s social networks can continue to shape the landscape now and for quite some time onwards. And it’s all because of you. Friendster is not too far in the past to forget. After its time, many have deleted their accounts in favor or MySpace. Still, many simply abandoned theirs. Since there is plenty of evidence that deleting anything on the Net does not really delete them but are simply hidden from your view, what else can…
Keep Your Friends Close; Your Enemies, Closer
What do you think Facebook is doing while Google+ growing? A lot of things, of course. And I can tell you what they are NOT doing. They are not keeping distance. They have to be close enough to observe. How close? This close… Here’s just a partial list of Facebook employees who have profiles in Google+. It includes Mark Zuckerberg, no less! Mark Zuckerberg, founder and chief executive officer Christopher Cox, vice president of product Lori Goler, vice president of human resources and recruiting Dan Rose vice president of partnerships and platform marketing Sheryl Sandberg, chief operating officer Elliot Schrage, vice president of global communications, marketing and public policy Mike Schroepfer, vice president of engineering Bret Taylor, chief technology…
Gadgets & Geekery
Wireless Charging Now Made Possible At Some Distance
This is yet another noble prize aspiring invention wherein one can now charge their gadgets without even plugging them to some source of electricity. Just imagine leaving your cellphone inside your bag and it charges all by itself wirelessly. This awesome technological invention was brought to you by The WiTricity Corporation in Watertown, Massachusetts. WiTricity is in fact short for Wireless Electricity. “WiTricity has signed a technology transfer and licensing agreement with MediaTek, a semiconductor company in Taiwan, to collaborate on systems for wireless charging of mobile handsets, tablet computers, game controllers and other devices,” says Eric Giler, the company’s CEO. They would first be introducing the product to equipment manufacturers who would later on…
China’s $99 MIPS Tab Runs In Android 4.0
While everyone’s still reading about how awesome this latest Android 4.0 is, and still wondering which gadget manufacturer could place it first, China is already selling that much anticipated gadget like breads. This Novo 7 runs in Android 4.0 a.k.a Ice Cream Sandwich and powered by 1GHz single core MIPS-based XBurst CPU with Vivante GC860 GPU core at $99. “Low cost, high performance tablets are a big win for mobile consumers and a strong illustration of how Android’s openness drives innovation and competition for the benefit of consumers around the world,” says Andy Rubin, senior vice president of mobile at Google. It comes in 7-inch capacitive multitouch screen and connectivity options include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and…
Androidland Now Opens In Melbourne
This is claimed to be first and the biggest Android dedicated store in the world by the Australian telecommunications and media company, Telstra. It occupies the 154sqm space of the company’s Bourke Street Melbourne outlet fully designed according to the Android’s apple-green-theme ambiance. It is basically the ‘Disneyland’ of Android gadgets with on-site ‘experts’ who were trained by Google to attend to all of the customers’ questions and queries about the software and the hardware. It is a huge place wherein you would be able to experience Google-related apps like Google Earth or perhaps playing your Angry Birds in a humongous screen. It will not only display the latest Android phones or tablets but would…
The Vinci, a Tablet for Babies
Just when I thought that tablets have become ubiquitous, something comes along to prove I am wrong. It seems there is a segment in our society that is considered an untapped market for this gadget — babies. That’s right, folks, they’re making tablets for babies now. While there is no shortage of electronic devices that are made for babies, I wonder what area a tablet would satisfy. It turns out, nothing new. Generally, it’s still all about stimulating babies’ minds and senses. That’s not to say that something is wrong with that; the intention is good. You get a tablet that’s limited to that focus and nothing else. The Vinci Touchpad is one such device….
How Green Is The HP TouchPad?
Just recently, I noticed this tablet that HP is promoting as a green option to ultra portable computing. It is called the HP TouchPad. Now, be reminded that the rise of netbooks and tablets started on the premise that most activities users do on a computer do not require the processing power of regular laptops and desktops. By doing away with these “excess” resources we are able to build lower-cost devices without sacrificing user requirements. That is an improved approach and I agree that it is rather green. The ultra-portable market is generally marketed as green but HP’s TouchPad is the first specific device to bill itself with the label. What did HP do to…
4th Quarter Will See The Coming Of iPad 3 and iPhone 5
There is a reason companies are very secretive about new product launch dates. It is a common strategy to prevent from undercutting themselves. Imagine, if people knew that a new model would be coming out soon many of them will hold off purchasing the current release and simply wait. That would significantly impact sales of the current line. Besides, you want to capture as much of the market as you can. Not that Apple is struggling with sales. On the contrary, it is now the most popular consumer brand. Even so, it is all about maximizing profits. Apple is mum about when it would release the next line of its popular tablet and smartphone but…
MultiAccout: 2 Accounts in One Card
How many plastics do you have? I mean, in your wallet. You know, debit and credit cards and stuff? If you have more than a few, do you like it that way or would you prefer a more compact option? I used to carry seven (I know others with twice as many) and it was surely annoying. It made my card holder uncomfortably thick. I eventually had to evaluate their benefits and how much of it I can consolidate with fewer providers. Overtime, I streamlined my plastic-related routines that I’m now I’m down to just three cards. Still, I wondered if I can get away with just one card. But there was this one time…
Quicker Note-Taking? Use a Bamboo
Has this ever happened to you: You’re somewhere and suddenly you need to take note of something important or interesting – and idea, someone’s words or a visual gone too soon. You take out your tablet and you tap away on the onscreen QWERTY keyboard (at times with just one hand). The slow pace distracts you from the idea; you couldn’t ask that someone to repeat what he just said; can’t take a picture as it’s already gone. In all, you failed to adequately capture whatever it was you wanted. Sounds familiar? It happens more than enough to me that’s why I gotta have a Bamboo – Wacom’s Bamboo stylus, that is. Conventional pen and…









