AI, Mobile, and Eveything Around the Cloud

Hello, folks. I am very happy that many of my fellow mobile warriors are so interested in Google's new social network, Plus. Many of you are waiting for invitations and Google quickly closed that. For we found that that there was still a way to get through when you add someone's email to someone who has access to Plus. Once the user updates the stream, an email is sent to the people he or she added and the owners of the email addresses could then click through the "Learn more about Google Plus" and receive a profile. However, Google has even closed off that loophole. I have verified this with Dave the Mobile Sage At this time, there is no way to add anyone. I have a list of new friends that I will add once this loophole is opened back up, invitations are back, or if there happens to be an alternative mean. Again, I am heartened with the vast interest in Plus. Many I've spoken with are fed up with Facebook's blatant disregard for users. 7 Hundred million users...

It's hard for me to reconcile the weight of the iPhone 4 with it's size. It feels good in my hands but coming from the iPod touch, I can't help but feel that I would like the next iPhone to shave off an ouch or two. It is probably going to be difficult if the next iPhone uses the same chip inside the iPad 2 while maintaining the same battery life. Then again, it could be the design that is deceptive. The iPhone is angular while the touch is curved. There are suggestions on the Web that the next iPhone could have a more curved back like th touch or the iPad 2. If so, this could make some sense along with the possibility of a larger screen iPhone. The bigger screen could make the next iphone bigger but the tapered edge would give it a visual feel that it is lighter. And given how Apple is able to shave off a couple of ounces off the iPad 2 compared to the iPad, maybe Apple can do the same with the next iPhone despite a bigger screen. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

UPDATE:  It seems that Google closed this loop-hole.  It's no longer working.  Once official invitations start up again, I'll be more than happy to let people know about it.  Google has locked down additional invitation to their Plus social network due to high demand.  But Android Community posted this workaround.   I've successfully added three friends so far.  I'm on a mission to help those migrate to Plus from Facebook.  If you're interested, drop me an e-mail at paul.public.acct@gmail.com.  I don't want you putting your e-mails in the comment section where everyone can read it.  I'll try to get to you as soon as I've got time tonight. Again, it's worked for three of my friends.  I don't know how much longer this will work.  Idea is like this.  I'll send you an update via e-mail.  You'll get an e-mail from Google that I've updated my stream.  Then simply clicked on the "Learn more about Google+" pic and i...

An HP executive is out publicly saying that the Touchpad isn't out to challenge the iPad.  Honestly, who would believe that.  Here's why he's lying and what he should have said. First, when Apple was on life support, Steve Jobs said that Microsoft has won the war and for Apple to win, it does not mean that Microsoft and Windows has to lose. And yet, competition continued in 2000s.  That's the nature of the business.  The "I'm a PC, I'm a Mac" campaign was evidence of this. The Touchpad is competing with the iPad  It's competing with Android tablets and Playbooks as well.  And next year, it'll be competing for our hard earned money with Windows 8 tablets.  And competition is good for the industry because it forces these companies to innovate. That's the reason why he's not being honest.  I reckon he said what he said because of the lukewarm reception by the tech media and blogs.  What he should have said is that Touchpad and Web OS is a ...

The mobile scene is one of the most confusing and exciting to watch.  These days, mobile tech is just pretty much how we live our lives whether people want to admit it or not.  It isn't about Google versus Apple versus RIM versus Nokia.  It's also about clashes of politics and philosophies, trying to win the hearts and minds of the next generation, and, of course, hundreds of billions at stake across different industries  So, we should not be surprised to see that Apple, Microsoft, RIM, and others offer $4.5 billion for Nortel's mobile patents.   At stake for mobile warriors like us are wireless and other 4G tech.  Over 6,000 patents were in play when Google first offered $900 million.  However, just because Google lost does not mean that the winners will soon launch a plethora of lawsuits against everyone else  The winners like Apple were subject to regulatory reviews by the US and Canadian governments prior to the bidding. On a personal level, I...

This is a mobile blog but at times I also like to chime in on green tech as well.  And rarely do I get to talk about both in the same post.  And this is one of them.  Check out this solar charger bag, the Spark, that can charge up your iPad, other iOS devices, Androids, or other mobile gadgets. The Treehugger post I got this from mentioned that it's for the iPad but I surmise it's their way of drumming up clicks (like I don't do this at all…tongue in cheek).  It provides power for so much mower than Apple's gears.  They mentioned other tablets and smartphones as well.  That's because it has a USB attachment that allows you to use it for various devices that can be powered/charged through this ubiquitous connection. It's small enough with a 2 watt solar panel.  On an iPad, and probably an other comparable sized tablet, an hour in the sun also gives an hour of video playback.   My initial thought about this was that it would be perfect for camping t...

HP is talks with interested parties in licensing Web OS for their own use.  I wonder why HP would risk this move and who stands most to lose should this turn into a success. First, when Palm introduced the Pre running the very first version of Web OS, a lot of people including myself though that Palm is back.  Then it ran up against the iPhone 3GS and a surging Android platform and that was pretty much all she wrote.  Now under new management, Web OS is getting another go with HP's deep pocket and a lot of programming and engineering power.  I thought it was a brilliant buy.  HP would effectively create an alternative to Apple's iOS and iTunes ecosystem with a very impressive looking mobile OS.  As an Apple and mobile fan, you have to like what was coming from HP.  Printers, smartphones, tablets, and even PC would be running Web OS.   So, even if HP manages to make Web OS a minor success, who stands to lose?  Android quickly comes to mind bec...

Reviews of the new HP Touchpad based on Web OS, which it owned after the Palm buyout, are coming out.  So far, most of the reviews I've read have been pretty brutal.   Here's one from Gizmodo about it.  Now, Gizmodo have very personal reasons to be biased against Apple's iPad being how they're been embargoed from Cupertino over the whole iPhone 4 theft issue.  So, Touchpad should come out of the review smelling like a rose and then some, right?  Not so…the recurring themes in all the reviews seems to indicate that this is a beta device at best.  Heavy, slow, and no apps.   More at Gizmodo .  I  think Engadget's review has a pretty good review.   Macworld's review isn't bad either.  Macworld is Pro-Apple but they also know a good thing (or bad one) when they see it. Keep in mind that the Xoom review was better compared to the Playbook and, now, Touchpad.  In reality, hitting it out of the park as far as tech gadgets go like Ap...

Facebook is the biggest privacy violator out in the open.  Short of hacking into people's lives, Facebook has been notorious in getting users to share information that they thought would be only available to their "friends" and upselling it to advertisers.  With Google Plus, I hope Facebook finally get the nice hard kick in its "you know what".  However, for Plus to be a viable alternative to Facebook, it would have to be very discrete with user information and truly "do no evil" with regards to privacy. Right now, it's off to a bad start.  See with Circles in Plus, users are able to control what information they share with their friends.  However, this morning, Gizmodo reports that the "resharing" feature is on by default allowing your friends to share your information.  I can see in some instances why Google would want to do this but not everything we put out there is for "resharing". I've come to the realization that what...

Today, a report came out that Apple will be offering the iPhone 3GS for free with a 2-year commitment once the next iPhone is out and the iPhone 4 goes down to $99.  Right now, the iPhone 3GS can be had with AT&T for $49 with 8GB storage. I reckon that a free iPhone 3GS could have internal storage even go as far down as 4 GB since iCloud will play a big part in helping stem the need for users to carry as much data with them as they do now.   And going with the iconic 3GS is an easier route than trying to develop the mythical iPhone nano that just about every analyst and bloggers who spread these rumors have advocated.  After all, just as we are unable to sharpen down our fingers in the way Steve Jobs said regarding 7" tablets, a screen less than 3.5" isn't idea for touch use either. Having said all this, we might be looking at Apple entering the pre-paid market as well.  A iPhone 3GS with 4GB can go on the market for $300-$350.  For those who do not want to ...

I recently bit down and went with Verizon Wireless, sooner than I would have liked because of the issue regarding the carrier ending their unlimited data plans by 7/7.  Before that, I debated if I can survive on 2GB a month.   I thought long and hard about it.  There could be some compromises, not major ones, but I think I would be able to do it.  However, there are two things that I have to consider as mobile technology improves to the point where living without unlimited data just would not work any longer.  But that's for another post.   Here, I am wonder just how anyone could live on a montly allotment of 200MB or anything less than a 1GB from carriers like AT&T.  For me, that's just not possible.   Then after questions a few people who used a variety of devices from the iPhone to Androids, it occurred to me that they are not necessarily using the way I envisioned mobile warriors should be using their mobile devices.  I watch videos, ...

I finally broke down and went with the white Verizon iPhone.  I know what you're thinking.  The next iPhone is probably a couple of months away.  What are you think?  You call yourself a mobile warrior?  Well, there are two reasons why I pulled the trigger on this one and they're both kinda related.  First, we've know for about a week now that Verizon is about to get rid of their unlimited wireless data plan.  For $30, it's all you can eat.  Some time after 7/7, that plan is going away and never to be seen again.   It's kinda of what AT&T did just before the iPhone 4 came out.  The good thing is that as a new Verizon Wireless customer, I can grandfathered in for the 3G service and very likely also for the LTE service when I upgrade to an LTE iPhone or another one, like Android later on. Secondly, I've decided to a good son and take on my dad and his wife's mobile plan.  I current have T-Mobile and where they live, there is like ...

I'm going to say it again: Apple will not be releasing a new 9.7" iPad this year. There will not be any iPad 2.5 or iPad 3. Why? Just take a look at the backlog that still exist at Apple's online store in the US. Then take another look at the iPad waiting period for Apple's online store in other countries. 1 To 2 week wait everywhere. And if that's not enough, go to Walmart, Target, and Best Buy, three authorized resellers outside of Apple, and see if you can pick up the model you want. Chances are, you can't. On top of that, the iPad controls nearly 90% of the global tablet traffic and 97% of the US Web traffic for the tablet market. Still not enough evidence that there will not be a new 9.7" iPad coming out? RIM has cut back on orders. As have Acer. And tablet makers are said to be turning to Windows 8 to combat the iPad because Android 3, Honeycomb, has failed to catch fire with consumers. Keep in mind that I said no 9.7" iPads....

I watched Cars 2 yesterday. It was pretty awesome but you can tell it was catered to children under 10 or so. I'm just a bit beyond their target market but I still enjoyed it immensely. Heck, I spent $150 at the Disney store on Cars merchandise right after (for my nephews). Still, it was no Toy Story 3. However, this new trailer for Pixar's upcoming blockbuster movie, Brave, that was previously shown on Cars 2 3D viewings, will put Pixar back on the path of breaking new grounds again. It'll not only be Pixar's first fairy tale movie (recently Disney ventures into this realm has been dismal and Pixar is going to show them just how to get it right again), Pixar will go back to tell a new original story. So, I'm going to call it. Pixar's "Brave" will bring in $2 Billion at the box office worldwide next year.

Here is a nice pic of the new N950 from Nokia .  It's is a slide-out keyboard style with an ample keyboard and higher resolution screen that you typically see on a screen of this size, 4".   Unfortunately, it runs Meego, an untested mobile OS from Intel.  However, imagine if it runs iOS 5 - yeah, it would blow the market wide open should Apple ever decide to release an iOS device with a physical keyboard.   I've tried the portrait keyboard on the iPhone and Blackberry. Then there's the Android G1 that I used for more than a year.  Trust me when I tell you that the landscape with the slide-out keyboard is much better for those who still cannot get accustomed to virtual keyboard.   Anyway, I'm sure Apple has considered released an iPhone with a physical keyboard but has so far decided against it.  Still one can dream. Oh, did I mentioned that the N950 has a 12MP camera?  The iPhone 4 has a 5MP camera.  There is expectation Apple will upgrade th...

I think for people trying to out-wait Apple, September is looking more like the date when the next iPhone will come out. No one know what exactly is going to be on this new iPhone as far as specs and screen size but it looks like there will not be any LTE iOS devices until 2012.  I reckon it'll probably be spring of 2012 when Apple upgrades the iPad once again.  I am in the camp that there will not be any new iPad coming out this year.   More at 9to5mac .