Microsoft's Lasso Feature Shows It Can Still Innovate If it Wants To (iPad App)

Microsoft just released a new Bing app that requires no typing for search. And it can probably expand this features for other purposes like copy and pasting or just opening up a contextual menu.

It just goes to show that Microsoft can still innovate.  So, for all us haughty Android and iPhone fans, don't get too cocky.  Maybe, just maybe Windows Phone's future is brighter than anyone expects if Redmond can truly bring more innovate energy to the market.

So, what is Lasso?  The feature is only on the Bing app for the iPad for the moment.  By using your finger to draw a circle around the word or phrase you want to be selected, you can begin a search.  Also, users can save up to nine Lasso'd items.  

No word on this working with Honeycomb tablets but this feature is a part of Microsoft's own tablet tools. 

I'm looking forward to trying this out on my iPad when I get home.

Source:  Cnet.

Verizon Wireless Ends Unlimited Data Access Plan This Thursday

For readers out of the US, I don't know what kind of data plans you get.  From what I'm reading, not many of you have unlimited data plans For the US market, AT&T first moved away from that a little more than a year ago.  This week, Verizon Wireless will officially join the growing number of carriers around the world in killing of the unlimited wireless data plan.

According to iSmathphone, a VZW spokesman made the official declaration.  I had latched on to this a while back and took the plunge last week by signing up for a Verizon plan, forgoing my 8-year relationship with T-Mobile.  I was very interested in the LTE phones but the battery lives just don't cut it for me.  

So I went for the iPhone 4 even though I know the next update is probably just around the corner.  No loss there as I'lll probably give this one to a family member.  Still, sucks that VZW is doing this.

And as far as I know, VZW does offer truly unlimited data access.  While T-Mobile doesn't say that it offers unlimited data plan, it's not true.  It's unlimited up to a point.  The only other carrier who still offer an unlimited data plan is Sprint but their phone selection does not do it for me and their network is very spotty in my area.

Starting Thursday, the $29.99 plan goes away and are replaced by the following:

• $10 gets you 75 MB per Month - seriously, what a joke
• $30 gets you 2 GB per Month - nothing new here.  Same as AT&T.
• $50 gets you 5 GB per Month - I can see a lot of people going this route but will opt for the $30 plan for the most part
• $80 gets you 10GB per Month - ouch.
• Go over your monthly allotment and you get charged $10 per GB

So, if you've been waiting a newer iPhone or better Android, your wait will soon end because you really don't have a choice now.  Personally, I'm not sure why VZW is doing this right now.  Surly, its network can handle the deluge of potential iPhone defectors from AT&T and other networks as well as its own customers looking to upgrade to LTE later in the year.  

Why Did I Switch From T-Mobile To Verizon? Were You Previously Very High On T-Mobile?  Yes.  I like my service with T-Mobile even if no one else does.  I don't really have an issue with dropped calls the way iPhone users have with AT&T.  However, I was going to leave T-Mobile anyway because of the buyout from AT&T.  

It is just inconceivable that T-Mobile's culture will be able to withstand the bad influence of AT&T's approach to sales, customer service, and fudging of features and plans on the fly.  I don't know if VZW is any better but at least they're not AT&T.  I was trying to explain my reasons for getting the iPhone to a friend over weekend and when I brought up the buyout, he said pointedly "AT&T did not get its reputation by accident".  

So, there you go.  If you're looking to lock into a wireless plan with Verizon Wireless, you've got until Wednesday.

NFC-Equiped Macs

Apple files a lot of patents that never come to the market.  But this interesting patent has Apple equipping Macs with near field communication (NFC) capabilities. Pair this with an iPhone or iPod touch, and you've got something really special.

Macs can be turned into cash registers for mobile payment and other potential mobile uses.  

Supposed if you're buying grocery.  You can pick all the things you need, go into the market, link your iPhone to the NFC-Mac and tell them what you've ordered and the people in the supermarket can put your order together for you.  This is just my simple application of how I think it could work.  I am certain smarter folks than I am are already salivating over the possibilities.

The current iPhone 4 has no NFC capability and it is possible that Apple might offer NFC features in the next iPhone update.  There are rumors about it but no one knows for sure.  There is also a chance that Apple will forgo offering NFC until 2012 since NFC adoption has not taken off.  Only Google is offering trials at this time in Portland, Oregon.

There have been other mobile payment methods.  For instance, I've been paying for my Starbucks drinks since app Card app was made available and it requires no special hardware.  On the other hand, if Apples does offer NFC capability in the next iPhone slated for release later this year, it would be just the right signal to the mobile market, carriers, device makers, and other industries that is it "okay" to adopt its use.

As someone who hates carrying around his wallet around and considers his iPhone more dear than his driver license, I can't wait for the future to start.

Source: Electronista.

Rubinstein

Jon Rubinstein, formerly of Palm but now with HP, compared the dismal reviews for Touchpad to the first version of Mac OS X (Wikipedia) when it debuted back in 2001.  This came from an e-mail to his troops in the midst of the Touchpad launch.

Obviously, it is a clear association on its face value.  Rubinstein was a former Steve Jobs understudy with deep involvement in the iPod development and Apple's resurgence in the last decade.  So, you have to kind of listen to him when he talks.

However, there is one different I would like to point out:  Apple had legions of loyal Mac supporters numbering in the tens of millions across a wide spectrum - home users to educators to professionals in law, medical, media, and art. And that was during Apple's darkest days when it was just weeks from declaring bankruptcy.  

Web OS, however, lack this number as far as the number of loyal followers who are willing to flock to the platform at this time.  What Jon Rubinstein and his troops do have is the deep pocket of HP who at this point in time seems determined to make Web OS a viable challenger to iOS and Android.

But comparing Web OS to OS X is a mistake.  HP isn't Apple and never will be.  Apple's iOS will never be like Web OS.  Touchpad was rushed to the market and could have benefited from more refinement.  That is what Rubinstein and his team should focus on.  

I look forward to its update before I personally make any kind of declaration on it.  

Source: Macrumors.

Note: And yes, Apple should have bought Palm  Though the Web-based implementations in Web OS isn't something that is out of Apple's expertise.  It's its patents that I think Apple should have retained.

Another Mobile Search; Does Cellphones Cause Cancer Or Not

Here is yet another research that finds no link between cancer in the head and radiation emitted from cell phones.  It's worth a read if you've got the time.

Coming from a science background in the labs, I realized that experiments and researches can be skewed one way or another.  It's not that hard if you're determined.  So with another study out on whether cell phones causes cancer or not, we have to take it in with all the other researches that are available on public.

There are those are determined to make sure there is zero link between the radiation coming from our mobile devices and possible ailments while there are others who are determined to make that link.

I'm sure this debate is far from over.  There is going to be a lot of back and forth but the main point to keep in mind is this:  does increase use of cell phones actually cause brain tumors.  Studies that link cell phone use and possible risks with offering links are entirely another matter.

Personally, I would like to see more effort into this question.  But I would like it free of agendas.  After all, I happen to keep my mobile devices in the pocket of my jeans.  I sure would like to know what it's doing to me down there.

Source:  Electronista, Macdailynews.

Native Google Plus Already On Android, iOS App In Approval (or Disapproval) Process

It's official.  According to The iPhone Blog, the official and native Google Plus app has been released to Apple a few days ago for approval to be released for the general public. This was from a tweet of a known Googler.

What is not surprising that is that those Android users, like my lucky self,  with early access to Plus already have Plus on our devices.  And yeah, it's that awesome.  And I'm sure it'll only get better.

In the heated war between Apple and Google, Mountainview is increasingly giving Android app releases a priority whereas in the early days of the iPhone and Android tussle, Google had on a few occasions released the iOS version before the Android version.  Even now, the Google took a dig at Apple in her tweet.  You'll have to click through to TiPB to get the full scoop.

I can't wait to see just how similar the two apps are.  That Google can release both apps so close to each other is remarkable.  I am still of the opinion that my fellow mobile warriors are going to jump from the Facebook ship and onto the Plus one given the number of requests I've received regarding getting early access to Plus.

As I've said in private e-mails to you, as soon as Google opens the floodgate even just a bit, I'll try to get you in.

How Much For A DVD Copy Of Just Released Movie?

We took my 4-year old nephew to watch Cars 2.  After all, it was a movie made for these little guys on our lives.  And he's seen Cars many times over at home.  And he was especially impressed with what Mator could do in the movie.  LigHTING McQeen is pretty cool but a flying Mator is even better.

But during the movie in the theater, he had to go to the bathroom many times because of the Icee and soda we bought him.  He missed like a third of the movie.  And he would ask what he missed.  

Suppose the studios were to release the movie for movie goers simultaneously.  You go to watch the picture and you can buy a copy of the movie as well on DVD or Blu-Ray.  Obviously, you would jack up the price a bit for the potential lost proceeds that the studios and theaters are may lose.  

The question is how much and how the proceeds would be split.  I reckon I would pay for about $30-$50 for a Blu-Ray copy of the movie we just watched if it's good enough and I happen to love my dear nephew so much.  

How much would you pay?  $50?  With tickets so expensive now, I wouldn't be surprised if we see it for $75 to $100.  And what about home rental for just released movies?  $30 per view on iTunes, anyone?