Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Use Your Own Number With Some Google Voice Features

Google Voice users can now use their existing phone numbers with the service, which will come as good news to people who don't want to give out a new number to all of their existing contacts. But there are some catches.

First off, this isn't quite the same as transferring a phone number from one carrier to another; your number still works with your cell phone or landline. Instead, Google Voice will intercept calls going to voicemail, thereby providing you with transcription, e-mail integration, and the other goodies that Voice users have come to rely upon. Secondly, if you want to use call screening, forwarding to any phone, or other features of the service, you'll still need to give out your new Google Voice-assigned number.

In either case, all Google Voice users can place outgoing calls, free to the US and Canada, and cheap elsewhere (but you'll still burn cell minutes if you use your handset).

You'll need an invite to get access to Google Voice, but invites have gone out to many existing subscribers, so ask your friends. If you want to use Google Voice voicemail, check Google's supported carriers to make sure that yours is included (all major providers are).

Google has published a help page with details on how this will work after you activate the feature. Sadly, iPhone users won't be able to use the handset's Visual Voicemail feature if they activate this service, but apparently, you can turn the feature on and off on the fly, in case you find you prefer your phone's integrated voice messaging.


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Thursday, October 22, 2009

China’s Economy Expands 8.9 Percent

BEIJING — As much of the world continues to claw its way out of recession, China enjoyed another stretch of robust expansion in the third quarter, growing 8.9 percent from the previous year, according to government figures released on Thursday.

The country’s faster growth was largely fueled by increased bank lending, generous government support for exports and a 4 trillion yuan, or $585 billion, stimulus package that is spurring a dizzying array of building projects.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the rate of expansion jumped from 7.9 in the second quarter, which would put the nation on target to reach the 8 percent target that Chinese economists say is required to maintain healthy employment and social stability.

The United States economy, by contrast, shrank by a revised 0.7 percent during the second quarter, although third-quarter figures, when released next week, are expected to show a 3.1 percent annual rate of expansion.

The indications of strong growth in China, the world’s fastest-growing major economy, exceeded the expectations of government ministers.

“Investment played an important and positive role in maintaining relatively fast growth and reversing the slowdown,” Li Xiaochao, a bureau spokesman, said in announcing the figures. He said domestic consumption contributed to about a third of the growth.

Separate economic reports showed that retail sales and industrial output rose markedly in September, helping to offset the slump in exports, a mainstay of the Chinese economy, that has continued unabated for 11 months.

Even as China celebrates its rosy fiscal health, government economists have expressed some concern that liberal lending by the state-controlled banking system, which has given out a record $1.27 trillion in new loans this year, could require some reining in. Some analysts have warned that too much of that money has ended up in the stocks and real estate, fueling a 73 percent rise in property values in the mainland this year.

Earlier this week, the State Council, China’s Cabinet, said it would place greater curbs on a number of industries, including steel, cement and glass production, essential ingredients for the ongoing construction boom that some experts say has become overheated.

By ANDREW JACOBS


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Thursday, October 15, 2009

Symbian and Android to Lead Mobile OS Market in 2012

Gartner released a slightly revised outlook for the 2012 mobile operating system market ahead of the upcoming Gartner ITExpo in Orlando next week. The new prediction still has Symbian as the top OS, followed by Android, but the next three spots have experience a little shake up since the initial report a week ago.

The prediction for the iPhone market share is pretty much the same, but changes to the estimate for Blackberry move it to third place while iPhone falls to fourth. A shift in confidence regarding the future of Windows Mobile dropped the operating system from fourth place to fifth- predicting a meager 9 percent share for Microsoft in 2012.

Nokia is the current leader in the smart phone market, holding 45 percent of the total market. The market for smart phone devices is a different metric than the market for mobile device operating systems, but the Symbian OS and Nokia devices are virtually synonymous.

Gartner's confidence in Nokia's continued market dominance is probably related, at least in part, to the strategic partnership Nokia formed with Microsoft to be able to deliver Office Mobile, as well as integration with other Microsoft technologies, on Symbian-based mobile devices. The alliance adds significant value to Nokia's mobile devices and makes Nokia a much stronger competitor against Blackberry.

The dark horse in this race seems to be Android. Google's open source mobile operating system has emerged as a tour de force. T-Mobile has expanded its Android portfolio with the Motorola Cliq and Samsung Behold II, and Android has expanded its sphere of influence to Sprint and Verizon as well. In addition, the recent release of the Android 1.6 SDK (a.k.a. ‘Donut') has led many developers to embrace the mobile OS platform.

The IPhone OS is predicted to take fourth place, behind Symbian, Android, and Blackberry. Apple's mobile device and accompanying operating system are wildly popular and very successful, however the proprietary, closed platform and exclusivity arrangement with AT&T limit its market potential. Analysts have suggested that Apple could double iPhone sales if it drops the AT&T exclusivity, but for now the fate of Apple and AT&T seem intertwined.

When Gartner first reported its 2012 prediction a week ago, Windows Mobile was in third place with an estimated 12.8 percent of the market. This week Gartner has Windows Mobile in fifth place with only 9 percent. The shift in confidence is a response to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer publicly expressing disappointment in the Windows Mobile development team, and some of the initial reviews of the Windows Mobile 6.5 OS.

The report is simply an opinion. You can take the Gartner prognostications with a grain of salt except for two things: 1) Gartner does this for a living so it ought to be relatively accurate in predicting market trends, and 2) Gartner reports can become self-fulfilling prophecies in effect.

Device manufacturers and application developers may base development decisions on Gartner's predictions of which mobile OS's will have the most market share, making those platforms more widely available and providing a richer user experience. Decisions based on the Gartner predictions can have a domino effect which leads to the predictions being ultimately correct.

I am not Gartner, but I'll give you my two cents. By 2012 I believe that Android will surpass Symbian for the number one slot, and I believe that Windows Mobile will make a rebound and land in fourth, or maybe even third place. Check back with me in three years so we can compare notes.


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Acer Shares Rise After Company Replaces Dell as No. 2

Oct. 15 (Bloomberg) -- Acer Inc. climbed to a nine-year high in Taipei trading after it overtook Dell Inc. to take the second place in the global personal-computer market last quarter, according to market research firms IDC and Gartner Inc.

The company gained 1.2 percent to NT$82.70 on the Taiwan stock exchange as of 11:12 a.m., the highest level since Sept. 13, 2000, while the benchmark Taiex index added 0.6 percent.

Acer’s market share has increased to 15.4 percent, compared with Dell’s 12.8 percent, according to Gartner. Hewlett-Packard Co., which took the lead from Dell in 2006, remains the world’s biggest PC maker. Acer’s shipments surged 25.6 percent last quarter, the fastest growth among the top PC makers, buoyed by sales of low-cost netbooks.

“Acer can now aim for the No. 1 position,” said Bamboo Lin, an analyst at Sinopac Securities Corp. “Even though it’s gaining market share, it’s not compromising on its margins, so this is good for the firm.”

The Taipei-based company said on Oct. 12 that it expects net income in the three months ended Sept. 30 to reach NT$3.45 billion ($107 million), exceeding the NT$3.23 billion median of 12 analysts’ estimates compiled by Bloomberg. Acer’s operating income may reach a record NT$4.7 billion in the third quarter as consolidated sales rise to NT$167 billion, the highest ever, the computer maker said in an e-mailed statement.

Acer said it expects shipments to rise in the fourth quarter from the preceding three months, without giving estimates.

Dell has struggled to reach consumer laptop shoppers, the industry’s biggest source of growth, said Loren Loverde, an analyst for IDC. The company gets about 80 percent of its sales from business customers, she said.


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Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Wireless options heating up in Philadelphia

By Bob Fernandez

INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Wireless competition is heating up in Philadelphia.

Clearwire Corp., which is partially owned by Sprint Nextel Corp. and cable giant Comcast Corp., flipped the switch two weeks ago on its 4G WiMAX service in Center City.

This next-generation service offers speeds similar to those of a cable modem for streaming Internet or video to cell phones and laptops on trains, buses, and cars, and in coffee shops.

Clearwire, in a "soft-launch mode," will likely blitz the region with advertising, marketing, and store openings in about a month, sources say. Other cities with the Clearwire WiMAX service include Baltimore, Las Vegas, Atlanta, and Portland, Ore. Besides Philadelphia, Clearwire expects to add Dallas, Chicago, and Seattle this year.

The Kirkland, Wash., company sells the service as Clear. A person in Philadelphia can order it now through Clearwire's Web site, company spokeswoman Susan Johnston said last week. Clearwire sells the service by the month or day. The day rate is $10 and monthly rates are $25 and $35, the company says.

Sprint will sell the same service as Sprint 4G, and Comcast has branded it as High-Speed 2go. Comcast did not say when it would begin selling 2go in the Philadelphia area, but previously the company said it would happen before the end of 2009. Comcast has invested $1 billion into Clearwire and considers the 2go product a core part of its evolving wireless strategy.

Verizon Wireless, one of the nation's largest wireless carriers, with 88 million subscribers, offers 3G and could have 4G service available in parts of the Philadelphia region in 2010, the company's executives say.

Verizon Wireless says it does not believe it is at a competitive disadvantage trailing the WiMAX product. "I know they have a cluster in Center City for WiMAX and the speeds are high, but it is a limited footprint" for the service, said Harry Martin, director of advanced technologies for Verizon Wireless in the Philadelphia area.

Verizon Wireless has announced that it will test its version of 4G in Boston and Seattle and then will begin offering the service in 25 to 30 markets in 2010. Verizon Wireless has not disclosed what those markets are. Executives note that Philadelphia ranks among Verizon Wireless' top wireless markets.

Verizon Wireless uses a competing 4G technology, called LTE, and the faster speeds would be overlaid on its current wireless network. Verizon Wireless says it has invested about $1.5 billion into the Philadelphia wireless network over many years.

Mario Turco, the local regional president for Verizon Wireless, said: "Our track record and our reputation with customers speak volumes."

This year, Verizon Wireless in Philadelphia is celebrating its 25th year. The division is based in Trevose, Bucks County, and employs 2,000. The division launched with basic phone service and in recent years has seen explosive growth in texting. Verizon Wireless says that Philadelphia-area residents send about 23 million text messages a day over its network. The messages are sent in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties in Pennsylvania, and Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, and Salem Counties in South Jersey.

Verizon Wireless is focusing on the customer experience and is not interested in exclusive deals, like the one that AT&T Inc. has with Apple Inc. for the iPhone. "We don't want to be labeled as a one-trick pony," Turco said. "The cell phone has become the consumer's third screen after the personal computer and the home television."
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Monday, October 12, 2009

Windows 7 boots fast enough for normal people

Opinion: Shock news reaches us from iolo Technologies claiming that Windows 7 takes ages to load. Our response: who gives a rat’s ass, especially as it doesn't...

A Los Angeles maker of software aimed at making PCs boot faster is in the news for warning that we must all fork out fifty bucks for its product because Windows 7 doesn’t boot fast enough. iolo Technologies reckons the new OS – due out in a couple of weeks – is 'even worse than Vista'.

'Even worse than Vista' has become the lazy writer’s marketingspeak for something less desirable than syphilis or about as good looking as a 55 Chevy after it’s been through a car crusher. With a dead antelope in the trunk.

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury. I put it to you that there are no occasions when the boot time of a PC is important in any way whatsoever. While geek hardware sites write endless articles in green crayon slating Windows’ slow boot and shutdown times when compared with other operating systems so exotic that no one uses them, in the real world, it simply doesn’t matter.

At all.

Are people using PCs onboard the Starship Enterprise to raise shields in the event of a Romulan Bird of Prey dropping out of warp off the starboard bow? No. And even if they did, wouldn’t their old Compaq Presario tactical computer already be up and running?

Is Norad hoping that the bad guys will have the courtesy to phone up before launching their nukes in order that the PCs deep in the hardened shelters of Cheyenne Mountain can be woken from their slumbers?

Nope.

Here’s what happens in the real world. You arrive at the office at 0930 and switch on your machine. Then you go to grab a coffee. Then you chew the fat with your colleagues for a bit. Then it’s time for another coffee. When you return to your desk at 1030, your machine is ready and waiting, even if it’s running OS/2.

Do you care – or even know – how long your machine takes to boot?



According to iolo, Windows 7 starts up to the point where the machine is usable 42 percent slower than Vista - one minute, 34 seconds compared with one minute, six seconds - on a new install. Although Windows 7 does appear to start faster than Vista, says the company – which sells stuff to make your PC boot faster, in case you’ve forgotten - it’s referring to the time it takes to get to the point where the computer is fully usable, with a low load on the processor.

Sadly, I no longer have a machine running both Vista and Win7 to replicate the detailed and no doubt peer-reviewed scientific research done by iolo, but I can put a stopwatch on this 2.66GHz Core 2 Duo machine with 4GB of RAM running the 64 bit version of Windows 7 build 7600 (the RTM one).

Cold start to desktop takes 50 seconds and it’s another massive five seconds before CPU utilization drops to idle (< three percent). Just for the hell of it, I also measured the shutdown time – from clicking the power down icon on the desktop to the fans stopping took a shocking 16 seconds. Now I don’t know if I’m unique in this, but my procedure for shutting a machine down involves clicking shut down, turning out the light, walking out of the room and shutting the door. I suppose there are saddoes out there who sit and wait to make sure the machine really does switch itself off rather than staying up all night partying with its peripherals in a degenerate manner, but I’ve never met one. Presumably these people also lose sleep over whether the light in the refrigerator actually goes off when they close the door. iolo promises yet more shock revelations about Windows 7’s startup and shutdown times later today. Did we mention that iolo is a company that want you to buy products to make your machine boot faster? Here’s a handy tip – if you want your machine to boot faster, spend $49.95 on some extra RAM rather than on a box of boot-enhancing snake oil that can, apparently, 'boost Windows boot time by 800 percent'.

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Friday, October 2, 2009

New technologies may grab carbon right out of air

* New approach seen to combat climate-warming carbon

* Strategy would reduce atmospheric carbon concentration

* Companies investigating "air capture" method

WASHINGTON, Oct 1 (Reuters) - As the world wrestles with how to cut greenhouse gas emissions, new technologies are gearing up to grab climate-warming carbon right out of the air.

This is different from trapping carbon dioxide as it comes out of pollution sources like factories and power plants. This so-called air capture technology could be set up anywhere and suck carbon directly from the atmosphere.

The devices to do this are varied in appearance. Some look a bit like telescopes, others involve vast, thin wall-like structures to capture the carbon. But all aim for a net reduction in atmospheric carbon, instead of just slowing down the increase of greenhouse emissions.

Because air capture need not be near carbon-belching factories, it could help the world's poorest countries, which at this point cannot benefit from the global carbon market, in which companies in developed countries get credits for investing in carbon-limiting projects in poor countries.

Chemicals giant BASF (BASF.DE) and glass and ceramics firm Corning (GLW.N) are working with a team at Columbia University in New York on a company called Global Thermostat that is investigating this technology. Global Research Technologies in Tucson, Arizona, and David Keith at the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada are also looking into it.

To Peter Eisenberger of Columbia University, a physicist and earth scientist who formerly worked for Exxon Mobil, air capture is a logical way to manage the amount of carbon in the atmosphere.

"You put crap into the atmosphere, you take it out," Eisenberger said in a telephone interview. So far, he said, humans have done little to "clean up our mess ... which of course is why (carbon) concentration in the atmosphere is increasing."

As global greenhouse gas emissions increase, carbon gets more concentrated in the atmosphere, the planet gets warmer overall and the most dangerous effects of climate change -- floods, droughts, rising seas -- get more likely.

Right now, there are about 390 carbon dioxide molecules in the atmosphere for every million molecules of air. Many environmental activists and experts, including former U.S. Vice President Al Gore and the head of the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, figure that to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, the number should not exceed 350 parts per million.

'WE PROCRASTINATED TOO LONG'

That kind of reduction could happen if air capture technology becomes widespread, said Columbia University economist Graciela Chichilnisky, who is working with Eisenberger, financier Edgar Bronfman, BASF and Corning.

Chichilnisky defines negative carbon as any technological process that decreases the net carbon concentration in the atmosphere. She said negative carbon technology, such as air capture, is essential "because we procrastinated too long -- carbon by physical properties remains in the atmosphere once emitted for ... at least 100 years."

Excess carbon has been entering the atmosphere due to the burning of fossil fuels and other causes. Even if new power plants and factories are carbon neutral -- not adding any carbon to the air -- existing plants continue to spew gigatons of the greenhouse gas into the atmosphere, she said.

An advantage of air capture of carbon is that it would let less-developed countries in Africa and Latin America get into the carbon market as set up under the Kyoto Protocol, Chichilnisky said.

The primary carbon market lets industrialized countries invest in U.N.-approved emissions-cutting projects in developing countries instead of more expensive emissions reductions at home.

Fast-developing countries like China and India have the advantage in this system. The more emissions they have to clean up, the more investment they can attract. But countries with low emissions, like many in Africa and Latin America, have little to sell on this market.

However, Chichilnisky said, if these less-developed countries got air capture technology, powered by renewable energy such as solar or wind, they could help bring about a net decrease in the concentration of atmospheric carbon.

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Thursday, October 1, 2009

Get Ready for Google's New Wave Act

Tomorrow could be a very big day for the internet. Years from now we might look back on it as a milestone for the web, social networking, marketing and communication in general. Heck, it could even define the beginning of Web 3.0 (Ugh, did I say Web 3.0? Never mind, we're gonna come up with a better name in an upcoming post.)

You see, Sept. 30 is the date Google starts sending out Wave invites to the general public. 100,000 to be exact.

If you aren't familiar with it, Google Wave is, in Google's words, "a product that helps users communicate and collaborate on the web. A Wave is equal parts conversation and document, where users can almost instantly communicate and work together with richly formatted text, photos, videos, maps and more. Google Wave is also a platform with a rich set of open APIs that allow developers to embed waves in other web services and to build extensions that work inside waves."



Will Google Wave redefine the web and how we interact digitally? So ... what's that mean?

In a nutshell, Google is attempting to integrate e-mail, instant messaging, media sharing, social networking, document creation, project management, entertainment and much more into shareable Waves. These Waves can be accessed in a variety of ways, via a reader, embedded in a website, from a mobile device, etc. And, of course, the Wave Platform is open source, fully extendable and customizable.

Goggle Wave is the definition of a disruptive technology. And, if it takes off, it has the potential to redefine the web and how we interact digitally. Does this spell the death of Twitter? What about blogging? Flickr? How about Facebook? Hard to say yet. But Google Wave could become the main way we interact with those services (and many others) going forward -- if it catches on.

Wave opens up myriad opportunities for brands as well.

Say, for example, a marketer wanted to create a Wave to solicit user generated content -- photos/videos of a certain product in action, testimonials, ratings, etc. The architecture of a Wave makes it very easy for the user to drag and drop media and converse in the Wave. The brand can easily repurpose the content automatically, in real time, in blogs, destination websites, mobile/location based applications, etc. The history of the Wave is always available so the user can go back in time to see how the content and conversations develop. Heady stuff indeed.

Google's Gmail has more than 146 million uses worldwide. They could easily become Wave users overnight once Google opens the floodgates. (Sorry, bad pun.) Sound exciting? Scary? How will it affect your social media strategy?


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