UltraViolet, A New Standard For Movie/TV Distribution Could Get Walmart's Support; Hope Mobile Support Comes Sooner Rather Than Later

According to CNet, Walmart will be support UltraViolet.  What is UV?

Ultraviolet is a new video standard that hopes to unlock video distribution for consumers.  Sounds friendly? So far.  The idea is that if you use a certain provider and you bought movies and TV from it but decides to change to another provider, you can take those rights with you.  

It'll be a could-based service.  Each account can have six users and up to 12 devices that can view it. 

This service has a a lot of support.  However, a few holdouts like Apple are not onboard.  And that's just what this service is meant to do - break down walls like this.

There is no mention of Google but I can't see Google not be behind this.

Walmart's support is just icing on the cake and we should see this service in 2012.  I'm not optimistic of the late 2011 roll out.  Just a realist.  

I'm sure this is the first time a lot of you are just hearing this.  I know, they've not done a great job advertising it.  And so far, it seems pretty much what I would want.  iTunes is easy to get video but with UV, it could be even easier.

Here's the Wiki page for the UV system and its homepage.

Source:  CNet.

Fall Mobile Fight: Galaxy S II and iPhone To Fight It Out Early October

Galaxy S II versus the iPhone 5 (or iPhone 4S, depending on who you believe) this October.  Slugfest to be free for all to see.  AT&T announced their version of the Galaxy S II to go on sale October 2nd for $199 with a two year contract.

Just a week or so later, Apple should unleash its heavy weight, the iPhone 5.  

Never has two such flagship devices been released so closely to each other.  Okay, I have to correct myself.  The Pre launch versus the iPhone 3GS was similar and we know who won that battle.

But this time, it's Android versus iPhone.  Obviously, the Android camp is looking to bloody Apple a bit.  Despite Android owning close to 50% of the market share, it's respect in the media is sub par compared to what the iPhone has received.  

On top of that, the Galaxy S II should also be slugging it out on the Sprint network with the iPhone has well.

Only Verizon will not be carrying the Galaxy S II but it does have the Bionic.  T-Mobile will not be carry the iPhone.  

But we're not done.  Later, the Nexus Prime should enter the ring.  This is the biggest threat the iPhone has never faced in such a short time.  Maybe this tag team could be just the thing to put Apple down?

We'll just have to wait and see.

Source: Android Guys.

HP Board Ousted Apotheker

Meg Whitman is in as interim CEO as HP just ousted Apotheker!

Wow...and I thought this was going to be a boring day.

iPad with 3G Just Beginning To Sell In China

Apple has been selling the WiFi-only iPad in China for a few months now and it looks like the 3G version is joining the rest of the Apple gears.  All along, I had expected both versions were already being sold.

I don't know how popular the 3G will be or if people in China feel the need to be connected to the Internet at all times.  Still, this is a good thing for Apple.  And I do expect the affluent in China to go with the 3G - after all, if you can afford an iPad in China, you can afford to be paying for the 3G mobile plan.

Before Apple started selling the iPad in China, the black market there was thriving with US versions.  Models were going for twice the US retail prices.

China is a very important market for Apple and in the future, I think it's very likely that the window between US and Chinese launches will narrow.

Source:  The Mac Observer.

On Behalf of iPad Owners, Apple Donated Their iPads To Teachers

First generation iPad owners who upgraded their devices to the iPad 2 were able to donated them to teachers. It's possible that Apple donated up to 9,000 iPads.

If you're reading this blog, chances are that you've already got an iOS device, maybe even an iPad.  So, you  know just how powerful these tablets can be in the right hands.

I think Apple should make it its mission to get an iPad into the hands of every single teacher who wants one.

Source:  Macdailynews.

T-Mobile Will Not Get the iPhone This Year, Bloodbath A Coming

It's almost official.  T-Mobile will not be getting the iPhone 5 this year.  This is very sad news, if I were still a T-Mobile customer, which I am no as of last week.  I've switched my family over.  I have had a long history with T-Mobile and I like their people and services. And stuck it out with them year after year while I waited to see if they'll get the iPhone.

The last straw was when Verizon got the iPhone 4 and I tried to lock into the unlimited data plan.  To make matters worse, AT&T came along and is currently in the process of trying to buy T-Mobile.  

Tmo-News reported that T-Mobile's Chief Marketing Officer Cole Brodman said "we are not getting the iPhone 5 this year".  So there you have it.  I don't know about you but that seems like a lock:  No iPhone 5 for T-Mobile this year.

This is going to get ugly for T-Mobile.  I'm hoping that it'll still get the iPhone 4 somehow and that could stem the damages some what.  But does it really matter anymore?

So long, guys.  You were great.  

Google+ Gets Much Needed Improvements And Features

Google+ finally has search. And this is among a few other improvements and new features that Google unleashed on the world today.  Plus (pun intended), Google+ is now officially open for business.  No need to beg for invitations any longer.

While it's still in beta (Google is calling it "field trial"), it makes sense for Google to move as quickly on G+ as possible.  While interests remain high, it is nowhere near the level at the beginning.

Techcrunch has a few other features that you might be interested in.  I like the new Named Hangout.  More than that, we can now do mobile hangouts as well.  The Android app has been updated with this new feature and an iOS update will be pushed out soon.

G+ is beginning to take shape and it is vastly different from Facebook.  I like the better privacy control that we get with G+.  There's also screen sharing, video chats, and a sketch board as well.

How does this compare with Facebook?  Google+ should get a second wind with this batch of update but I don't think Google's done.  These are not innovative features by any means but it does show that social networks can be more than just about poking people and allowing the purveyors to sell user information to the highest bidder.

Source:  Techcrunch.