If You Want To Join Google Plus

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 it should work after that.

I know everyone's excited about this and I'm happy to help.  If after you get Plus access and you don't want to be my friend after that, I'd understand.  E-mail me again and I'll remove you.  Privacy is very important to me.  

Good luck!

HP: Touchpad Not Designed To Challenge iPad - Not What They Said The Last Time

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 different type of mobile platform with a very unique UI. And that it'll only get better over time.  That's what he should be saying.  

Sure, it's heavier, sluggish, and can't do much now but that'll change over time as well.  The next major Web OS update will prove me right.

And as mobile warriors, we want them to compete hard.  

Apple really hit it out of the park with the first iPad.  Since then, first gen Honeycomb tablets and Playbook all show potentials and will need more work to challenge the iPad.  The way I see it, the Touchpad is in the same boat.  And they will all get better.

And just like the handset market, the tablet market is in its infancy.  There is plenty of room for multiple players to grow and flourish.  Heck, if HP's play to use Web OS in PC works, I'm all for it.

Source: Pocketgamer.

Apple, Microsoft, RIM, Others Team Up To Beat Back Google For Valuable" Mobile Patents

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 wonder how close Google's own bid was and whether they formed their own consortium with fellow Android allies.

Source: Infoworld.

Green: Spark, Mobile Solar Charger For Your Mobile Needs - One Step Closer To Self-Sustainability

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 trip.  Then again, it would be perfect for just about any outdoor type of work or excursion.  At the same time, as a guy who likes to prepare for eventualities, this device could be critical in the event of a disaster and power is cut off.  As nice as the tablets are in providing 10-12 hours of battery life, once that power is used up, it's gone.  If the electrical grid is knocked out for some reason, well, this little guy could come in handy.  

However…there always is a however.  It costs $299.  It's not cheap.  On the other hand, given what it's capable of, the Spark could make a whole lot of difference.  

Having said all that, this is only a tiny step towards what I like as far as green power and mobile goes.  Self-sufficiency.  That's the kind of person I am.  I've bought a bunch of solar lamps and garden lightings from Ikea that I use indoor instead of out.  It's pretty awesome.  I was very happy with the small investment.

I think the Spark would be a right step in towards fulfilling this mobile/green vision in some settings.  It's good enough but I'm still looking at that solar setup that can powerful my whole house without breaking the bank.

If you're looking for something like this, the Spark is one of the best solar charger for mobile devices I've seen.  Honestly, I had expected this to cost in the neighborhood of $500.  And again, it charges all devices that can be charged through a USB port.

Source:  Treehugger.

Mobile Users Benefit If HP Licenses Web OS; Android And Windows Phone Could Take Big Hit

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 because of its large market share and the growing discontent with fragmentation among developers and concerns about malware.  HP will likely try to park itself just in the middle to claim some sense of openness while maintaining a certain level of control over Web OS and hardware developments at any third party companies.

HP's Web OS offerings are likely a plus for those Android users who like a higher degree of quality but are not willing to accept Apple's terms and control practices.  Web OS's stronger social integration will probably be very enticing for those who likes to stay connected to their friends as much as possible.

Microsoft's Windows Phone platform will likely suffer as a result.  It only commands 1% of the market and, yes, you can go down even further.  

As for Apple, it is likely to feel minimal impact in the immediate term.  If anything, increased competition from HP is something iPhone users welcome.   

Of course, we don't know the terms of HP's Web OS licensing terms yet.  That alone will determine just how strong of a competitor HP's mobile platform will be.  Do it right and we can see Android and WP take a big hit sooner rather than later.

HP Touchpad: Consensus Reviews In, Full of Potentials Just Like Xoom And Playbook

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 Apple did with the iPad last year is pretty rare.  Because of this, Apple has pretty much own the lion's share of the tablet market.  

And these tablets operate in very different capacities as well as philosophies.  

Apple's iTunes ecosystem is something you have to accept if you want to use an iPad or any other iOS devices.  And yes, it's closed with Apple retainning 100% control. Then there is Google' Android on the other end.  Though not as open as advertised, Honeycomb tablets offer a choice vastly different from Apple closed system.  RIM, with its Playbook, sits somewhere in the middle and may not be around if RIM doesn't turn it business around.

And HP's Web OS and Playbook?  Until recent reports that HP is in talks with various interested companies like Samsung about licensing Web OS, it remains to be seen just how HP wants to shape the future of Touchpad.  And this uncertainty is just as important a factor as are the reviews out there.  HP has the deep pockets and patience to make Web OS into something that can challenge Android and iOS.  And I think given time, Web OS has the best chance to offer both an ecosystem with some openness and still manage to keep out the weeds (malware).

Google Plus Success Depends On Privacy

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 we put out there on the Internet, to one degree or another, is quite public.  Some more than others.  However, what Facebook does is blatant "f-you" to its users and Google needs to pull back from that.  After all, it's copying virtually all of Facebook's features as well as its looks.  Given users assurance regarding their privacy is the only differentiator it has. 

Otherwise, why would anyone switch from Facebook?

As for mobile users, Android users have first tries at the native app for Google Plus.  I reckon the integration will be much tighter than Plus will be on other services.  As of now, Plus is sitting in Apple's app store approval purgatory.  It'll probably be approved.  And I know lots of us will be "checking in".  The "resharing" issue and other potential privacy land mines we don't know about yet could really make a diff between Plus being a Facebook killer or just another "Wave" or "Buzz" screw-up.