Financial Times Post On Blackberry's Fall

Here is a very good FT post on Blackberry and how/why the once mobile king who owned the mobile market fell from grace to a deathly 3% of the market (or less by come accounts).

The reason I recommend it as a must read is because of all the various signs that were missed by Blackberry executives over the years on the threat of the iPhone back in 2007 and the emergence of Android.

Along the way, the post also brought in bits about the reign mobile device makers, Apple and Samsung while it named the other players that at one time or another also controlled their own destiny.  Nokia, Motorola, and, of course, Microsoft who recently took a charge of nearly one billion dollars to clear away its unwanted Surface tablets.

What's interesting is that the post mentioned Google twice, it is important to point that it was only mentioned as the owner of Android and Motorola.  Like Samsung's last keynote on the Galaxy S 4 which hardly mentioned Google and nothing about Android, the post seems to suggest that Samsung is synonymous with the Android market.

Also, the post tried to tell us what options are left for the iconic Canadian company, it left me without a doubt that the future is bleak and that, in fact, Blackberry, without buyers and bandoned by loyalists, really will only be remembered in the history books.

It's also fitting that the post finished with the question "Remember the Palm Pilot?"

Note:  You'll need to register for a free account in order to read it but it's worth the effort.

Mobile Gaming: Notifications Are A Part Of The Experience

Interesting post here from Touch Arcade about gaming notifications.  In general, the average mobile warrior doesn't play enough games to warrant any kind of annoyance due to the gaming constantly asking you to play or update or help banish a group of bandits or whatever.

In iOS, I do get game challenges from users which is as annoying as I find it and I don't find it all that annoying at all.  In fact, I like that the mobile gaming experience is engaging.  Mobile gaming provides a new dimension to the experience that did not exist on the console or handhelds like the Gamboys or even today's systems.

I play lots of chess and other turn-based games with friends and even strangers.  Chess with Friends?  You  know that game.  And if you don't, you absolutely know Words with Friends.  And before that, Draw Something was very popular until it quickly fizzled out.

All these games brought an online and social experience that was not really there before.  And that experience comes with the system telling you when it's your turn.  And you make your move whenever you want and wherever you want.  I've played online games in the past and it forces you to just sit there.  Not so today.

The post from TA honed in specifically on unwanted types of alerts.  There are those on iOS games and I haven't played enough Android games to experience that.  Developers should be keen on the types of notifications that will help players stay engaged but not to the point that it leaves them when a bad taste and ruin the experience.

Even then, that's also a fine line to that as well.  I think we should let the market decide.   If anything, I like more social engagements than less if it makes games more enjoyable.  And I'm not talking about simple alerts or connecting merely through social networks.

iPhone 5S/6 with Gold Color and 128 GB Option? Makes More Sense Separately

Source:  Macrumors.

There is chatter that there could be a gold color option in addition to the white and back already on the market for the next iPhone (I'm still out on whether to call it the iPhone 5S or 6).  My reaction?

Meh. Not all that excited about it.

However, the 128 GB option would make sense and be inline with what we believe to the natural progression of the storage upgrade from Apple for the iconic mobile device.  There is already a 128 GB iPad option (that'll be my next iPad storage size when the new one is released this fall).

What I'm worried about is whether Apple will only make it available to the gold option.  There is sketchy details about that.  Frankly, I'm not sure the gold part is even true.  Talk about catering to the one-percenters, you know?

But a 128 GB white iPhone.  Where do I sign?!

Small Crack: ESPN3 Available For Free Streaming Via College/Military WiFi On the iPad Only

Source:  GIGAOM.

Ever watch ESPN3?  You should as I do.  Sport, baby!  Lots and lots of it.  And it's not even better if you happen to be a student, in the military, or happen to be on a college or military base because Disney has made available free streaming of ESPN3 to students and the military.

What's significant about this is ESPN is a very hot property for Disney and ABC.  For them to open up access in this manner shows the growing confidence the studio/network has in the future of live video streaming beyond just the television in your living room or bars.

Here is the caveat.  You need to have an iPad.  I know.  No Touchpad, obviously.  Surface? Forget about it.  But more importantly, troops and students armed with Android tablets are also a no go.

It is a point worth mentioning because the growing number of Android tablet users.  Perhaps, the closer relationship between Apple and Disney a la Steve Jobs' legacy has something to do with this being iPad only.

Still, in the grand scheme of things, this is big.  You see apps on tablets already and even on set-top boxes and consoles like the Apple TV and Xbox. And I see ESPN3's liberation, however small a step, from any kind of bundling is a big step on the march towards wrestling the control of the archaic cable/SATTV system that exists now.

Also, you might point out that this is ESPN3, not THE ESPN channel itself.  But it's still ESPN, folks.

I wager we'll see even more changes in the content and media market on the months to come.  Currently, Apple is trying to gain a foothold in the living room with its "hobby" the Apple TV and Google just released the Chromecast.  Efforts by these giants will continue to weaken the hold that cable companies have and give it back into the hands of the viewers and mobile warriors.

iPhone 6 (or 5S): If It Does Have a Finger Print Scanner, It Could Give Apple Greater In-Road Into Enterprises

The gadget market can be divided up into certain segments - consumer, education, and enterprise.  And while a fingerprint sensor in the next iPhone could help usher in some sort of mobile payment scheme from Apple, I believe it is Enterprise who will benefit the most from this and solidify Apple's place in businesses the way not seen since Blackberry's Messenger did.

Here's the thing, typing in a pass code is easy.  Setting one up on the iPhone is also easy but the problem is it requires that the user use a number they can remember.  Someone's birthday, probably theirs or members of their immediate family.  Pin numbers.  You get it. You know what I'm talking about even if you don't subscribe to such practice.  Chances are, you know someone who does.

I can tell you know, I don't.  I've got an incredible memory for things like this.  I can look at a few sets of numbers for a few seconds and remember them all.  But if someone knocks me over the head and I suffer amnesia, all bets are off.  

But with fingerprint authentication, this is very different.  Now, I don't know just what Apple has planned for this or what API access they'll give companies and developers but I have to figure that Apple has thought of as much contingencies as they can at this point for fingerprint use.  

Assuming all that, protecting company documents and secrets become more natural and fluid.  And if the user only has to place a finger print on the scanner to gain access, it becomes easier than typing in a code (maybe it requires both depending on the app or how the company set things up).

The only thing is that I hate to see people lose their fingers to thieves who wanted access to the user's iPhone.  However, that may or may not be a major issue.  Supposed someone were to steal a corporate iPhone.  The might somehow gleamed the pass code but without the finger print, they still will not have access to the data. 

And added layer of security and easy one at that to implement in using the iPhone 5S or iPhone 6 is going to go a long way in making corporate security breath a bit easier.  And even for individuals, this is going to help make sure that thieves understand they cannot make off with a stolen iPhone and immediately gain access or use of it without the right finger prints. 

Next iPhone 5/6: Do Yourself A Favorite And Go 32 GB - 64 GB Would Be Better (128 GB Would Be The Best)

iPhone 5S or iPhone 6.  No matter what Apple is going to call it, do yourself a favor, pay that extra $100 for the 32 GB version or $200 more for the 64 GB version.  And in the longer term, you'll be glad for it.  There are a few reasons why.

• iOS is getting bigger and need more space.
• Apps are more sophisticated and better.  That also means taking up more storage.
• With the original iPhone, it came on two versions: 4 GB and 8 GB.  Most people opted for the 8 GB version and the next iPhone with 16 GB will fee like the 2007 4 GB iPhone.
• Camera and video quality are getting better.  More pixels also means bigger picture sizes.  Same goes for videos too.
• The iPhone ain't a toy no more.  It's a part of us.  Evolution but not in the biological sense.  You'll put more apps, including games, to augment and make your life better and more connected.
• We watch more videos and consume more information.  Books and magazines. All that takes space.  More than ever before.  A lot of Apple mobile warriors are using their iPhones and iPads to serve as their entertainment center.  And it's not only in the living room.
• Music - Ain't gonna be an iPhone today without the iPod.  Seven out of ten of us sported one.  Apple had always controlled 70% of the MP3 player.  Music on the go will always be with us and will become more so.  Again, the iPhone is the next step in evolution in some ways.
• This is the biggest reason why you should go with a 32 GB iPhone 5S or iPhone 6 but I'm gonna make you scroll all the way down to find out.

iOS 7

iOS 7 is a big jump from iOS 6.  No iPhone OS has had such an impact how much the mobile market since iOS gained an app store.  Before that, there was no need for too much storage because people couldn't store apps.  More than that, iOS 7 is packed with a beautiful redesign and tons of new features.  There could be a couple of more features we're not aware of yet.  Better OS probably means bigger OS too.

Apps

iOS users love their apps. I know I love mine.  I've got hundreds.  But forget the ones that I don't use and forget that I'm a packrat for apps, the ones that I will use are getting better and better.  Like the argument above about iOS 7 being better but that it probably also means it'll take a larger footprint on your iPhone's storage, iOS 7 apps will probably do the same as well.  And who knows what other innovative features developers have access to or will create themselves.  It's always after to have more room than not.

Camera, Pictures, Videos

Each successive generation of iPhones will have better and better cameras.  Cameras that can take picture with more pixels.  We may one day be able to shoot 4K videos as well.  That means pictures and videos will get bigger because of more megapixels.  You'll need more room than ever to store all that (until you can offload them when you get home or back to the office).  

iPhone with 16 GB Is like 2007 iPhone with 4GB

Most of you probably are new to the iPhone scene only in the last few years and maybe not be aware of the fact that Apple released a 4 GB version of the original iPhone.  Well, folks, today's 16 GB iPhone or the ones that Apple will introduce on September 10th, is like that.  Low end in terms of storage which means you cannot hold as much data.  Forge that low-end version.  A few gig of apps, pics, and videos, an your system will warn you soon enough that you don't have anymore space.

More video, books, music etc.

iTunes is a big seller for Apple.  More and more, Apple is saying how iTunes is a big part of Apple's mobile and iOS ecosystem because of how much growth and money it's bringing in. We're buy more videos, books, and music.  

And yes, Apple will have iTunes Radio but if you're like me, you like to own your more favorite music, TV shows, and movies.  And if you wanna carry them around, you'll need the room for them.

Right now, I've got 6 gig of music, 3 gig of video, about a gig of pics, and, depends on the week, 3-4 gig of podcasts.  

Oh, right.  Podcasts is playing a bigger and bigger part of our media consumption.  And they're also better in terms of production and video quality.  It used to be that we only listen to podcasts.  Now, we also watch more of them.  Why?  Because they're like on demand radio and shows.  And best of all, they're still free.

Human Evolution

Huh?  You're wonder what the iPhone has to do with evolution.  Well, considering that you've got your iPhone or another smartphone with you all the time, it's like an extension of our physical selves.  If we could grown an iPhone attached to our body, given enough time (millions of years), it could happen or we'll be attaching such devices to our bodies.  

Well, carrying around our mobile devices like sort of like that.  And that's because we have become more and more reliant upon it.  Good or bad, that's true.

And since we're going to be using it to better our lives, work, and maybe even social standing, you want to maximize the mobile experience.

Storage, storage, storage.  We're blogging, updating social networks, taking pics and videos, checking in, etc.  

Last...

I'm saving my best argument for last.  When you put all what arguments I've made able on why you should avoid the 16 GB version of the iPhone 5S or 6, the best reason you should get at least a 32 GB version if not the 64 GB is because you'd be future proofing against the mobile revolution that is currently taking place.

You don't want to miss out.  

Furthermore, assuming that Apple keeps the next iPhone prices the same as it is today, because you are spending $100 or $200 more, you may also be less inclined to upgrade yearly or feel like you're being left out with each annual release.  I know I probably would especially if I'm paying $849 for the 64 GB. 

I would tend to want to make that last longer before I reach into my very shallow pocket to get one 12 months after Apple releases the 2013 iPhone.  

The psychology and math goes together.  Pay $649 for a 16 GB iPhone this year and be tempted to spend another $649 next year because of a few new features.  Or pay $849 now, and go "wow, I've already spent a lot on this iPhone.  Maybe I can wait another cycle before I upgrade it.  And plus, it has 64 GB. I think I can wait for the 2015 version".

Google: You have No Reason To Expect No Privacy

Source:  Gizmodo.

"Expect no privacy" is what Google is telling the court and users.  This was found in a brief filed by Google attorneys trying to dismiss a class action lawsuit brought on by Gmail users.

Don't we kinda already know that?  I suppose.

But to hear Google actually say it, somehow, it's different, you know? The exact words are "Indeed, 'a person has no legitimate expectation of privacy in information he voluntarily turns over to third parties".