Twitter through a Business Man's Glasses

 

Twitter through a Business

Man's Glasses

 

Article: The New York Times

Date Published: July 29, 2012

 

 

Summary:

 

460,000 accounts have been made per day for the past month

      Twitter is a social blogging website that was created by 10 people from San Franciso called Obvious. The website's rapid growth started off from in June 2009 in Iran. Before that, Twitter never really had a meaning to it, infact it was recorded as one of the most time-wasting devices. Its use started in June 2009 in Iran, when presidential elections were happening and Twitter was used to organize protests.

    Now what is Twitter? Twitter is a microbloging/instant messaging website that asks "What are you doing?" everytime you log into your account. Then the user gets to answer within 140 characters. You can perform this tasks with whatever device allows the Twitter app to be downloaded. This is different from texting because you do not post your thoughts for your friends to see, everyone that "follow(s)" you can this this update on their news feed. On December 2011, there has been estimated more than 200 million accounts and by summer 2011has Twitter has raised over $400 million from private investors.

      In July 2012 Apple had talked to Twitter about making some investments. Apple had offered hundreds of millions of dollars that could value Twitter up to $10 billion dollars, however the offer was declined. Twitter does not need money, earlier in 2012 Dick Costolo Twitter's chief executive tells the media that they have "truck loads" of cash. Still, there is no hundred percent gaurantee that they will become partners in the future. Lately Apple and Twitter have been working together, for example a standard Apple product right away includes the Twitter app. Also the two companies have no competition together they are two completely different type of businesses. In some cases Twitter has become a very famous marketing tool for celebrities, politicians and business, promoting and updating the public on either their new product or where a famous celebrity is traveling to. Barack Obama's presidential campaign is followed by 23.3 million people. This has massive effect on his campaign because he is spreading the new on what he will accomplish when re-elected as president. Twitter has also been used in a court order. In November 2011, the Twitter had found three peoples accounts and searched through their tweets regarding the case. The three men were found guilty after the order.

 

Opinion:

 

    Of course, in every generation in human beings there is always an upcoming device or product that everyone has. For the past 2-3 years Twitter is now the popular 'thing' and everyone has it so now everyone who doesn't should get it. I admit that does motivate me on getting some things, but not Twitter. Unless you are a politician, celebrity or own a business, realistically it is pointless. This device or website however you want to call it is wasting time. To be honest I dont even know why people even care what their friends are doing in the morning unless some conflict was involved. But still, would you want to post to the internet and to some random strangers saying 'I accidently spilled hot chocolate on my brothers pants, now it looks like he pooped himself #sucksforyou'. I certainly wouldn't, these days since so many people are using the internet there are hundreds and thousands of online predators out their that love stalking little kids. Some things that you post can be very dangerous, like tweeting about going to the mall. I dont see why you would want to let strangers know your location. Again unless you are a politican, celebrity or own a business, this app can be very significant. Since this is still a growing app and millions of people are using it is great to promote your new product to your customers. In conclusion it depends how you use Twitter, are you going to make something out of it or are you going to waste your time when you can be doing more important things in your life.

THE NEW IPHONE 5

Iphone 5 sells five million copies

in three days?!

Article: The Guardian

Date Published: September 24th, 2012

Article Written by: Dominic Rushe

Summary:

Apples selling a fantastice 5 million copies of the latest Iphone
in just three days.

In just three days, customers storm into stores desperate to buy the Iphone 5. In these three days, Apple sucessfully sells five million copies of the latest Iphone. More than two million customers pre-ordered the Iphone 5, however Apples shares have dropped $10 in early trading. As good as this sounds the expectation did not meet the predictions of Wall Street analysts, infact some predicted twice as more as the numbers show now. Analysts said that Apple was expected to sell 25 million Iphones in the September quarter. Tim Cook, cheif executive for Apple quotes "Demand for Iphone 5 has been incredible, and we are working hard to get an iPhone 5 into the hands of every customer who wants one as quickly as possible". Just last year Apple sold four million Iphone 4s in its opening weekend. Apple has destructive rollout plans for the Iphone 5; so far selling in nine countries, they predict to be selling at 100 countries at the end of the year. Colin Gillis, a technology analyst at BBIG in NY explains; even though Apple has sold one million more products then last year, because the brand name Apple has such high reputation from their products the company should have done better. They did not meet the records that were expected to set. Mr. Gillis also says that the smartphone business is slowing down since there are so many models out their it is not as unique as it was 5 years ago. As of mid morning of that day Apple shares have fallen $10 to $690.09 and ended the day with $9.30 at $690.79

Opinion:

Personally, I was ready for the Iphone 5 to excite the whole world again as they did with the previous models. I have been waiting for this ever since March, and sadly I was not too happy with the Iphone 5. The appearance is exactly the same, of course they made everything more fast and enabled retina display to the phone etc. but what really broke me down that the only appearance changed they made (other than making the screen longer) was making the phone thinnier by 2.3 mm. Who ever brainstormed this idea is foolish, I mean were they expected for everyone to faint from this mind blowing news? Who looks at a phone and says "Yes, from looking at the Iphone 5 from afar I can definetly see the width difference of the phone", nobody does that. As much as I love Apple, ever since Steve Jobbs past away the company has been using the same model and making microscopic differences. The only reason I want this phone is because I have been waiting with my 3gs for the past 7 months and from the looks of it I am debating if I should get the Samsung Galaxy S3. Also the fact that people are buying this phone and Apple sold more than double the amount of copies is very suprsising. It shows that there are people in the world who need to realize what they are spending their money on because they are throwing away their money every year on the same model but with tiny differences. One thing that Apple did well though, was selling the product for a fair price. I am with Fido and they are selling the Iphone 5 for $179, which is also motivating me to buy the product.

New PV Technology Redefines Solar Energy

 

New Solar Energy Technology!

 

Article: Greener Ideal

Published: July 24, 2012

Article Written by: Jerico Espinas

 

Summary:

 

The new solar cell technology can be used on houses, could
this lead to to our houses on being our own power generators?

       Recently in 2012, reasearchers from the California NanoSystems Institute of UCLA have invented the future technology for solar energy. They have developed a transparent photovoltaic cell, which will be going to allow windows and other glass materials to produce its own energy. Image this cell as a thin film, you can put this on your smartphone or tablet and it will actually charge itself. This is extremely effective when going on hikes or being outdoors with friends and family. You do not need to worry about charging your phone. Also this "thin film" is able to block 30% of visible sunlight! From the photovoltaic cell, this will be most beneficial to offices and condos. All of those offices that are made up of glass windows will now be able to generate its own power of the whole building. In addition, think of all those massive cities that are filled with sky scrapers that are made out of glass, this thin film will be layered onto to the windows generatings its own power.

 

Opinion:

 

      This new solar energy technology will greatly impact our lives. First off, if they play this game smart, this photovoltaic cell could be a billionare business. If they sell it at the right price I wont be surprised if in a couple of years my whole neighbourhood will be using this technology. Also, be expecting lots more buildings to be made out of glass (mainly offices). This will also affect architecture for buildings and homes because now more and more people will want a new style for houses covered with a lot of glass and at the same time look aesthetically pleasing.

Rim Going out of Business

Rim Running into the "Death Spiral"?

 

Article: Huff Post Business

Published: 07/03/2012

Article Writtin by: David Friend

 

 

Summary:

 

Reaseacher Thorton Heins declares that "there is nothing with wit the
company as it exists right now"

 

        Reaseach Thorton Heins explains Rim on short term prospects, we can slide through. Just a week ago RIM stunned the market with its vital new software the BlackBerry 10 operating system. This new software will be RIM's chance to save the company. At the moment the company is trying to buy some time, sadly it turned out that 5,000 employes to lose their jobs because of RIM's downfall.

          On top of that it's stock decreased 10 cents, now floating at $7.44 at the Toronto Stock exchange. It turns out Heins supports the company by saying, that they are still doing very well in most countries and that RIM will not fall into the Death Spiral. Anylists estimate that it will be a bumpy road for the company and that it is most likely that they will not survive. Thorton explains that they will launch the BlackBerry10 in 2013, as for the meantime the only chances they will have are from the consumers of other countries where Blackberry is just being introduced to them.

 

Opinion:

 

      In my point of view, I think that this is a stuck in the mud for RIM. In the past Blackberry's software deeply dissapointed me. Honestly I love the model of the phones, I thought it looked magnificient, it was a fairly cheap phone along with some contracts. In fact I was about to get the new Bold 9900, but what I care about the most is the interior part of phones. Of course the phone must be aesthetically pleasing, but would you rather have a brand new ferrari with the lights not working, or the clutch broken? Of course not, the interior and the exterior of phones must be balanced out and that is why I think Iphones are more popular then Blackberries. Blackberries used to be amazing untill their were some very defective issues in the software. BBM on Blackberries was a huge hit, but once the software started going down the drain that is when RIM lost it and the consumers started switching phones.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Test Driving the New Google Glasses

Test Driving the New Google Glasses

Article: The Wall Street Journal

Published: September 11, 2012

Article Written by: Spencer E. Ante

Summary:

Actress Sarah Jessica tries on Google Glasses by fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg

Spencer E. Ante had a chance to tries Google Glasses with co-founder Sergey Brin at the companies office in New York City. This device only weighing a few pounds has a small camera, a batter pocket on the side of the glasses includes "Heads up display" which projects data onto a small screen loacated on the users right eye. These glasses can perform almost anything as a smart phone can. You are able to take pictures, record videos, use google maps, send text messages and make phone calls all by voice commands! When only seeing that the glasses have only one lense, Spencer realized Googles long term goals. Even though the device fit well, snapping pictures was very smooth, there was still lots of improvement that had to be made. With only one lense attached to the glasses, wearing the them felt a little disorienting because Spencer always had to close one eye. Mr. Brins favorite feature was the timelapse capability which lets him take photos every ten seconds. Mr. Brins explains that he never had the need to take out his smartphone, it was very distruptive to his time. He also says that one of their objective is rid of the world always looking down at their smartphone, instead carrying on with their lives/work and yet still be able to connect with their digital device.Although the Google glasses have alot to offer, the software was still unfinished, because of this alot of the stunning features of the glasses weren't working. For example, responding to text messages were still not entirely functioning. Google announces that they will begin to sell this product to the public early next year for $1,500. They are very keen on perfecting the glasses, they have also hired reasearchers that worked for Steve Mann to develop the glass technology. Spencer recommends that Google will make this project open like Android so that sofware developers will play around with the device and add in their own input which the reasearchers have never dreamed of.

Opinion:

I think that this is an oustanding device that will have enormous impact in our lives. The idea is suprisingly marvelous but are people willing to buy this product for $1,500? I cannot determine what will happen in the future, but as amazing as this sounds personally I do not think its worth the money or using this product. I think that it is always nice to not be connected to the digital world. I imagine this device as your smartphone always being sticked to your ear, I personally definetly would not enjoy that espicially not for $1,500. Some people at work cannot wait to go home to spend time with their family and to be away from their work. If I would purchase this product I would pay around $200 - $350. That would be a reasonable price but is it realy worth it? The new Iphone 5 is available for $199.99 with a three year plan. As Spencer indicated that it was also uncomfortable with only having one lense, and I wouldnt want to be talking to my mom and seeing emails from work or text messages on the top right corner while talking to someone. In conclusion this technology is astonishing, but if they want people to desperately get their hands on the product than they will have to cut down the price and change the look of the glasses.