Social: Another Point for Competition as Facebook Revamps Some Sharing Settings; Still Out To Destroy Privacy However

Facebook gave iPhone users a major update to the app with better sharing settings.  And this would not have happened had it not been for Google+.  G+, while usage growth was not what it was in the first month, continues to grow and I predict it could have some effects on Facebook's iPO plans in 2012.

Right now, Facebook is facing some growing pains as it recently did away with its location-based function and deal services.  

What the iPhone app is doing is catching up to G+ and allowing users to have access to what we've always wanted.  

However, there is still their practice of using our information to augment their revenue.  I'm hoping that Google+ will continue to grow and really hit Facebook where it hurts.  In the end, it isn't about killing Facebook but killing off its privacy violating practices.

Source:  Macworld.

Mobile: Nvidia Expects To Rule the Mobile Chip Market

Meet Jen-Hsun Huang, CEO of graphics company Nvidia, and he has some strong believes and a whole lot of confidence regarding its future in the mobile realm.

First he believes Android tablets will own about 50% of the market while its chip revenue will grow to $20 billion, a ten times jump from today.

On top of that, Huang also jabbed rival Intel a bit in this CNet post. He doesn't seem to think Intel is a threat at all with the power hungry Atom chip.

Huang does have a lot to be proud of given how Nvidia has transformed from a graphics card provider to a supplier of mobile chips used in many high-end Android devices and most of the Android tablets. Only Apple has more chips because of the volume of iPads sold to date.

However, his past boastful predictions have not always panned out. Personally, I am not sure I want to be poking a stick at Intel the way he's doing it now.

Remember how AMD had the lead in the multiple-core lead? Well, we know where things are now.

Still, I like his spirit. Having someone with the will to mix things up a bit is good. Competition is good for all of us.




- Posted Via Mobile

Mobile: T-mobile All Hands Day Set for September 24th

It looks like something is up at T-Mobile.  According to sources, T-Mobile has called an all-day day for Saturday, September 24th.  Little details on this at this time but speculations will be rampant. 

It could be about new Android devices or new plans that T-Mobile wants to ready for the Holidays.  Or, I repeat, or, it could be about the iPhone?

Let's suppose that is the case here.  What it means is that if T-Mobile wants to chat about the iPhone with its employees, that would mean Apple will be making the announcement that week of, starting September 19th.  Apple typically make announcements on a Tuesday or Wednesday morning around 10 am PST.  

Obviously, my speculations are just as valid/invalid as anyone else's at this time.  Things are tough there at T-Mobile and I hope this is the kind of good news that can right the ship over there.  iPhone announcement or not.

Source:  TmoNews.

Apple Going With Thinner Battery in Future iPads But How about Battery Life?

We're huge fans of long battery life.  All of us mobile folks.  That's one thing that we can never get enough of.  It just feels like every other of my posts are about battery life.  Well, it looks like Apple is going to go with thinner and lighter battery for the next iPads.  However, I have to ask this:  what about the battery life?

Acorrding to Boy Genius Report via Macrumors, the new batteries will be thinner and lighter but also cost more.  However, the trade-off, these batteries are supposed to be more durable and reliable (Appleinsider).

Currently, Macbook batteries can last about 1,000 charges before going down to 80% capacity.  While I think that's pretty good, I had always assumed the iOS batteries are equally as good.  And perhaps this new battery is more capable of handling the wear and tear of daily mobile uses.  

I had hoped that we would hear from Apple that the systems will become more efficient and allow an additional 10-20% battery operation when the iPad 2 came out.  Perhaps, this is why we need there to be stronger tablet competition in the market.  While Apple has been known to compete against itself, anything its competitors can do to come close to the iPad 2 performance is a good thing.

Mobile: Sprint Sues to Stop Merger Between AT&T and T-Mobile

It's official.  Last week, Sprint released a report debunking any and all of AT&T"s argument for its merger with T-Mobile. And now, Sprint has launched a suit against the deal.

Obviously, Sprint is doing this to make sure it doesn't have deal with what is already a worse situation in mobile as far as it subscribers are concerned.  And don't believe for a second that Sprint wants to do the consumer a favor in the name of competition.

This suit was inevitable.  Last week, the Department of Justice also filed a lawsuit against the merger.

While most experts still believe that the deal will go through because AT&T will sell off assets to please regulators, it probably was going to have to do that anyway.  For AT&T, eliminating T-Mobile does remove a competitor that has been more innovative than the two top wireless providers, in terms of pricing and features.

Gamestop Decision To Carry iOS Devices Means Doom For Dedicated Handheld Machines, Maybe Android and Other Platforms Too?

Are you gaming on in your iOS devices?  I reckon that you are.  And it probably takes up a lot of the time you spend on your iPhone or iPad.  And millions have forsaken the traditional handheld gaming device and have gone with Apple's mobile gaming solution.

And this is evident by Gamestop's move to stock up on Apple's iOS devices for this year's Holidays shoppings season.  It makes a lot of sense after all.  PSP are doing okay but not well and it's starting to show its page.  Sony's NGP is in flux – specs, costs.  No one really knows at this point.

Furthermore, Nintendo's DSi has not caught on.  While I've appreciated the old games that I can buy and download on my 3DS, I've used it more often as a Netflix player when my iPad is charging.  I've yet to buy a $40 game.

Why would I do that when I can get 40 99 cent games or 20 1.99 cent games.  Or…well, you get the picture.

Don't be surprised if Gamestop gets into app downloads with its own store in the future or if GS begins to carry Android devices as well.  Both platforms, Android and iOS, are cleaning up the mobile market and its disruptions has extended far beyond anything anyone has imagined.

And unlike dedicated gaming machines whose specs are set for years, mobile devices are updated at the very least on an annual basis with more efficient and faster CPU, more powerful GPU, and with quicker innovation than what Nintendo and Sony can match with their current mobile gaming models.

Source:  touchArcade.

Got Cracked iPod Touch Screen Replaced

Apple rocks.  Maybe but I know for sure the dude who helped me with the problem was nice for doing what he did.  I told him the whole story and he came through for me.

And the story was that I was showing an Elmo video on youtube for my nephew when he got bored and knocked it out of my hand.

He said "Uh-oh" and mimicked the look on my face.  The sound of the iPod touch falling on their stone floor did not sound good.

And it wasn't.  Start at the upper left corner and a spider web of cracks was over the top half of the screen.  The iPod touch was still usable but it was just annoying.  I had figured that if it did not work as a mini-tablet then it would dedicate the rest of its life as an iPod.

Unluckily for me, I got a very understanding Apple Genius.