Apple, Google, Microsoft Possibly Interested In Same Home Automation Startup

Source:  Appleinsider, WSJ.

While I hate to report on rumors, I kinda want to take this up because of the implications for not only mobile, as you will see, but how we live our lives going forward.  The WSJ is reporting that Apple is interested in acquiring a home automation company started up by Blake Krikorian.

You might not know who BK is but you’ll know his previous work:  the SlingBox, which I’ve got two of.

So, the story goes that Apple is interested in acquiring the company Group R2 Studios.  However, both Google and Microsoft are also interested.  So far, R2 has only an Android app.  It’ll be interest to know what is it that has three of the biggest mobile, cloud, and computing companies on Earth so interested.

What’s worth noting is that Microsoft has made some wave into the living room with Xbox while Google is dominating with Android units sold. However, it’s Apple that has third party gears, albeit only a few, that can be referred to in any home automated manner.

The Nest Thermostat comes to mind as some LED light bulbs.  But that hardly qualify Apple has having any expertise in this area.  Or anyone else for that matter.

And on the market, I’ve seen a few WiFi monitoring devices and locking mechanisms.  I reckon that anyone that comes from Apple, Google, or Microsoft will be much more comprehensive.  And if the WSJ report is true, look for the mobile war currently being waged and won by Google to move to the housing market as well.

There will come a time when homebuilders will have to consider the type of technology that they incorporate into homes.

Here’s the interest part about inviting these three companies into your home.  On one hand, you’ve got Google.  You will probably have to let it know everything that you do around the home.  Maybe ads?  And as for Microsoft, imagine trying to get into the home only to have your system crash on you – bad times to have the runs.  Or Apple’s walled garden?  Literally.

All kidding aside, I’m sure these three companies, probably Samsung, and a few others also have designs on the home automation market.  I figure green tech and conservation will also play a big part as well.

It’ll be interesting to see where this all leads.  You can bet on a few issues that will matter. Privacy is will start off this list.  So will ease of use – what’s the point of home automation if your home won’t let you in or out of the house or if you can’t figure out how to control the environment in the family room but make it different in the kitchen.

What do you think?  Which of these companies will have what it takes to create the ultimate home?

There isn't a whole lot of information specific to R2.  It's quite possible that all this is nothing but patent grabs as well.

Blackberry's iPhone, Android Killer Will Be Called Z10

Soruce:  Business Insider.

Here you go.  This is what the next Blackberry will look like.  And it'll be called the Z10.

Interesting that it's gone two tones:  black or white.

Reminds me of iSomething here.  Anyway, while I won't go near it, it won't mean that I'm not gonna pull for RIM to make a strong comeback.

Everything Wrong About The Avengers In Three Minutes

Source:  Blastr.

Here is a most excellent comedic take on the Avengers and about what's wrong with it.  Seriously never thought about it because the whole movie taken as a whole was just mind-blowingly awesome!

Still, until Avengers 2 comes out, we can still get a few laughs out of it.  And after watching this video below that nitpick what was wrong with the Avengers, look for one of your geekier friends to do the same next time you guys sit down to watch the movie.

Enjoy!

I think the best company on Earth that can upend the cable companies and the way television is being watched right now isn’t Apple.  Yeah, I think you’re surprised this.  And no.  It’s not Netflix.  And not Redbox along with Verizon.

And certainly not Amazon.

It’s Google.  I think Google is the best company in the world that can make this happen.  Think about it.  They’ve got the infrastructure and they’re laying ground world for very, very fast Internet.  Why have ultra-fast Internet connection if not for video.  Yeah, on top of that, they’ve got the will to make it happen.

Unfortunately for us, they lack someone who can make the right deals.  Not even Steve Jobs managed to do it.  But if Google can find that right guy to charm the studios and other media companies into giving Google a shot, wow.

Until then, there’s Netflix and Amazon.  Now on to Redbox.  Here is the link for you to go to Redbox Instant to sign up for a private beta.  And yes, I signed up first before I let this out to you.  I don’t want the competition.

So, Google.  What’s it gonna be?

Source:  Gizmodo.

Kindles Outsold By Playbook and Touchpads Over Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday

Amazon sold a lot of Kindles over the Thanksgiving, Black Friday and through Cyber Monday.  That’s what it told us, what it wanted us to think, and made the press like Reuters repeat it over and over again.  How many tablets did Amazon sell?  No one knows because it has not released any actual figures.  So, I’m gonna make them up.

The Kindle line, including tablets and ebook readers were collectively outsold by the RIM’s Playbook by a factor of 25 to 1.  And what’s worse and surprising, the Touchpad, you know, the HP’s WebOS tablet that isn’t even on the market no more, has outsold the Kindle Fire.

Amazon, you failed.  As did the press for simply regurgitating Amazon’s press nonsense.

Apple Will Never Buy AMD But Let's Speculate For Fun

Source:  9to5Mac.

Here is an interesting article speculating on what Apple could do with AMD if it decides to buy it.  First of all, that’s not going to happen.  It’s likely Apple has enough chip designing talent right now.  Any future buyout would be specific to a need, not a wholesale buyout like AMD.  On top of that, Apple is looking to transition away from legacy chip designs like Intel as iOS devices dominate Apple’s attention.

However, it is fun to speculate.  A lot of reasons why Apple could benefit from buying AMD has been spoken for in the article.  I’ll let you read them yourself.  However, this is one particular point in the post that I find enticing for Apple fans.

That is that the government wants to make sure Intel has a competitor in the market.  While I doubt Apple would run amok of regulators if it does find reason to buy AMD, consider that Apple has never shared its technology willingly with others, it’s unlikely to share any future AMD chips with Dell, HP, or other PC competitors.  So, the market would have to turn to Intel for all their chip needs to run Windows.

Suddenly, Intel finds itself capable of charging whatever it wants because of a lack of market competition in the PC market.  Apple could suddenly create a condition in which its competition has to raise their prices because Intel chips sudden cost more.

Obviously, computing in the 80s, 90s, and even the early 2000s is vastly different from mobile computing today where ARM chips dominate.  Thus, Intel is likely to find competition from other chip designers and architectures.  And who is to say that if Apple does buy AMD, it won’t eventually sell off parts of the company it doesn’t need and the buyers still end up competing with Intel anyway.

Again, for speculation sake that Apple does buy AMD, it will target specific needs like graphics that it might benefit from.  And it won’t be just for more powerful and efficient graphics only but using the graphic powers to do tradition tasks that CPU is relied upon to perform.  We already have apps that go to the GPU to do some tasks.  Perhaps, Apple can take this even further with AMD’s GPU expertise.

This is just one example.

In truth, it’s unlike that we’ll see this happen.  Still, it is fun to speculate.

Black Friday: What Retailers Won't Tell Us (Most We Already Know)

Source:  Marketwatch.

"So-so" article about Black Friday shopping in stores.  We know this.  You can get decent deals online in relationship to standing in line and considering the savings.  It's about economics and the value of your time.  That's what I learned the last few Black Fridays.

Another thing, we end up getting crap we don't really need and don't necessarily want.

Also, it's crazy.

More to the article.  Oh, one more thing in the article I thought is worth mentioning:  expect violence.
Stampede.  Herds of humans that had just eaten millions of pounds of turkey coming at you.

Good luck on Friday.