BlackBerry PlayBook will support Android apps, RIM rep proclaims

Interesting time for a Blackberry to include android applications on one of its tablets. While I never have owned a blackberry, my friends complain about the lack of applications you can have. If they were to include some of these apps how would this compare to Apple products? I know I'm always comparing these products to Apple, but isn't that the standard these days? Anyway, this combination would create a great tablet that would compete considering the good things Blackberry does with their good communicating applications.

While I admit my first choice would still be an iPad, with Apple unveiling a new iPad later this week, competition continues to show up everywhere with many different rivals. The Xoom will also be unleashed soon and the tablet market is becoming very competitive. All I know is the good competition should drive prices lower, so from a consumers standpoint, let the competition for the best tablet continue!

source:

http://www.bgr.com/2011/02/27/blackberry-playbook-will-support-android-apps-rim-rep-proclaims-video/

From Traditional Chargers to Charging Pads

Charging pads allow you to charge your phone without the mess of the wires. You would never again have add more stress to your life by untangling wires, because a pad eliminates that. All one must do to use a charging device is to lay your device down on the pad to charge it. The pad is covered with panels that conduct energy and charge the device. So why are people still using regular chargers? One of the reasons is because these devices come with the charging cords, so many people find it useless to buy what they don't need. Another reason is because sometimes phones need certain cases that correspond with the pad for it to work. For these reasons, manufacturers are starting to incorporate the technology of charging pads at the design level of their products. A company called Wireless Power Consortium created an international standard for wireless charging called the Qi. This intends to make the charging pad easier to use, by building technology in so that phones don't require a certain sleeve.

I would definitely consider charging my phone with a charging pad. I personally get very frustrated wrapping up my cords each morning, putting them away, and then taking them out again when my phone dies. I think that charging pads are definitely a technology of the future, but they need some improvements first. Once changes are made to improve the charging pad, I think that companies should begin merging with big phone companies. This would allow the change to be made from regular chargers to the new charging pad. I believe that the charging pad definitely has major potential, but first changes need to be made.

Competition in the CE industry

The consumer electronics industry has been moving at a high pace these last two decades. With technological advancements and cheaper production costs, major companies are now competing to create innovative products that both meet and satisfy their consumers’ wants. Apple, Motorola, Samsung and other big name companies are now facing the pressure of not only meeting their consumers’ wants but also coming up with great ideas for their existing product lines thus creating a competitive advantage against the many competitors in their market. I’m sure that everybody is aware of Apple’s production of the new iPad. Of course, it will include new improvements’ and features that the current iPad lacks. According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, it says that Apple has been facing threats in the tablet market, especially with other major companies releasing new products like Dell and Motorola. For that reason, Apple is moving quickly to release the new iPad and attract as many consumers as possible in order to raise its revenues and crush its competitors.

link:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704364004576132643125168876.html?mod=WSJ_Tech_RightMostPopular

The Atrix 4G- A Phone and a Laptop Combined

While many people use the Internet on their phones, several people would agree that computers are still necessary tools to our lives. However, this may not be the case much longer. Recently, the Motorola Mobility released the Atrix 4G-a phone that serves as both a computer and a laptop. The phone comes with a laptop dock, with an 11.6 inch-screen, full keyboard, touch pad, and stereo speakers. Until the Atrix is plugged into this dock, the dock does not work. Once the phone is connected to the dock the laptop replicates the phone's screen on the laptop and allows users to use the apps. In addition, the dock charges the phone while it is plugged in. This phone can be purchased through AT&T's network.

I feel that this idea is brilliant. Phone screens are much too small to replace computers. This will allow people to have their computer and phone in once with a bigger screen and a larger keyboard. I think that this new phone will ultimately be fair competition for the iPhone. I can see this new technology as getting really big. It is amazing to see how far we have come in the world of technology.

iHome Teams With New Balance For Headphones

Headphones designed to monitor your heart rate and caloric burn seem to be a new technology recently made. Think about this for a second.. headphones that can determine your heart rate. The technology is so advances today, it makes me wonder how advanced it can become. This past decade, we have had as many technology breakthroughs as we have ever had possibly. These headphones use an in-line heart-rate monitor and a pedometer to track your heart rate and caloric burn. Other features include a BMI calculator, real-time voice-over feedback, chronograph, rechargeable battery and stats tracker. So much technology built in to one headphone by the amazing Apple once again. Apple is on top of the consumer electronic world right now, and the production of these unique types of new technology will continue to grow as time goes on.

http://www.twice.com/article/464155-iHome_Teams_With_New_Balance_For_Headphones.php

Come competition can't compete with iPad

As companies try to compete with Apple's iPad, the lower prices may not be worth the discount you get. Dell recently released the Streak 7, a tablet for $200. While this sounds great, it may not be everything it lives up to. According to the article, you get what you pay for. So while you are paying less, you are getting less? Maybe it's still a good investment maybe not. There are many features like a flash player, lighter weight, and camera on the back that the iPad doesn't have. This could be a good investment for people to buy. Still, I want to see something go straight against the iPad. If there was no price difference, what would we choose? Seems like the iPad still. This topic almost seems like other android phones competing with the iPhone. Android systems were starting to compete, but since the iPhone came to Verizon, that's all anyone seems to be talking about. Will anyone ever compete with Apple?

Chris

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704858404576134201890693840.html?mod=WSJ_PersonalTechnology_LEFTTop

Motorola’s Atrix 4G

One might think that the new Atrix 4G -revealed at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas- is just another Android phone with one or two extra features that differentiates it from the Iphone 4G. Well, think again! This new phone is not only a phone but also a tool processor once connected to a dock. The phone possesses many distinct features including a high definition camera on the back as well as a fingerprint scanner. It runs at 3G and 4G networks at a high speed and also minimizes battery drain.  As soon as you connect the phone to the dock, it starts acting like the brain of the laptop (since the laptop does not have a processor nor a memory) and the screen on the phone appears directly on the laptop screen in a matter of seconds. From that point, you can do whatever you want: log into the Internet, download movies and music and even receive phone calls! The phone is priced at 200 dollars with a two-year contract with AT&T but this price increases to 500 dollars if purchased with the laptop.

Personally, I was not very excited about this new phone once I first read about it. However, after watching the commercials and different reportages, I understood more how it worked and was also fascinated about the innovativeness that it has brought. I would definitely consider purchasing one!

Work cited:

http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/02/17/motorolas-atrix-4g-just-fastest-android-phone/

3D the new electronic buzz

The early 2000's brought about the plasma tv, which at the time amazed people of the picture you can watch on such a flat TV. Now, we enter a new evolution of TV watching by; enter 3D. MasterImage 3D enables users to see glasses-free 3D TV on a 7 inch tablet computer screen. What has the technology come to today that we can see 3D without any glasses. It's amazing to think of the advancements that this country, and world, has made over the past generations. Many different companies, such as Panasonic and Sony (my last blog) have been trying to figure out new ways to accumulate 3D TV into a regular day life of watching TV. However, this 3D idea is spreading quickly and it makes me wonder how in years to come the technology will continue to grow and create new innovative technology.

http://venturebeat.com/2011/02/14/masterimage-3d-shows-glasses-free-3d-on-a-7-inch-tablet-display/

Wireless Wallets? What can't we turn into electronic media..

Soon we'll be able to leave our house without our wallets. It'll be just one less thing we need to remember to bring when we go out. How about IDs? Will our plastic ID's always be plastic cards to carry around. I think it would be awesome to have one thing to worry about, but what are our consumer electronics limited to? Ten years from now, what will be the next big thing? So many questions to think about as our society becomes more technologically savvy everyday. Electronic wallets do lead to an interesting questions. Are they reliable? With all of the tech gurus out there can these cards be copied? Stealing a persons identity could be easier than ever. I think once these things become personalized they become very dangerous. While something like an electronic wallet can be creative and easier, the risks are still there. Beware users.

Chris

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703652104576121952411914010.html?mod=WSJ_Tech_LEFTTopNews

The iPhone or the BlackBerry? That is the Question.

While the BlackBerry was once considered the most popular smartphone, today it appears that the iPhone is taking over that role-especially in the business world. Last month, two Deutsch Bank analysists traded in their BlackBerrys for iPhones, in order to do a two-month trial. One of the analysists concluded that "after testing corporate email on iPhone for the past few months, there is no going back" (Whitmore). Now, UBS confirmed that over 1,000 staff members are participating in a pilot program with the iPhone or the iPad. Several workers have expressed that it is much easier and faster to access data on the iPhone than on the BlackBerry. Last year, Standard Chartered became the first bank to switch to Apple, as it gave iPhones to 15,000 of its employees. I believe that several other companies will begin using iPhones as well. iPhones have a very well-respected reputation. With pilot programs in place like the one with UBS, I believe that several workers will favor the iPhone. While I have never owned a BlackBerry or an iPhone, several of my friends own iPhones and are extremely happy with them. Today, it seems that more people favor iPhones over BlackBerry's. If I had a choice, I would pick the iPhone because I am a big fan of Apple products, and trust their company. I have also heard many wonderful things about the iPhone, whereas I have heard that the Blackberry has slow Internet.

Works Cited:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704835504576059783074010902.html?mod=WSJ_PersonalTechnology_LEFTTop

The Super Bowl

The biggest sporting event in this country brings about the best in peoples wallets. Families hosting parties often want the top notch technology to entertain their guests. Compared to the 80's when technology was at a minimum, today, people can rely on a top notch sony or panasonic 3d tv, or a bigger projector screen. Optoma and Sony, the elite projector companies, allow for audiences to watch tv in high quality, as well as a huge picture. The original and classic plasma tv will continue to entertain guests with its crisp picture. The options are endless in a technologically advanced society that is the United States.

http://www.digitaltrends.com/gadgets/2011-super-bowl-xlv-tech-guide/

AT&T vs. Verizon

Everybody has been talking about the new Apple carrier Verizon that has become the major competitor and potential threat to AT&T. Although since its launch in 2007, AT&T was the only Iphone network provider, this year however, a new provider has emerged introducing potential opportunities as well as threats to future consumers. Upon reading different articles including the article on Wall Street Journal “Verizon beats AT&T in voice calls in Iphones,” I have learned the different features of each of the two providers. For instance, Verizon is said (according to article) to offer better data plans including monthly plans as cheap as 30 dollars for unlimited data as well as wireless hot-spot plans whereas AT&T are now offering 15 to 25$ plans with limited data only. Another feature that has distinguished Verizon is its voice calls. On the other hand, AT&T is said to have high speed downloading data, which could attract more consumers especially those interested in downloading their emails and other documents on their iphones. Also, AT&T could operate overseas whereas Verizon can’t.

After reading this article, I think I would still stick with AT&T mainly because I go back home to Jordan very often and I would like for my Iphone to work there even if it means higher roaming rates.  Also, being able to check my emails and download large files fast enough is something very important to me and AT&T has given me the chance to do so.

Link to article:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703960804576120174165554798.html?mod=WSJ_PersonalTechnology_LEADTop