AI, Mobile, and Eveything Around the Cloud

Here are some of the better links analyzing today's deal between Google and Motorola Mobility.  I was tempted to use the term "blockbuster" but honestly, given what we know and what we don't know, this deal could go either way.  I don't think there's going to be a middle road here  Google will successfully integrate Motorola into its mobile plan or watch Android crash and burn in a couple of years. We know one thing.  Google bought MM not from a position of strength but one of fear.  I think the great paten war has a lot to do with this but it also is looking at a way to make sure Android can survive beyond Google's search on other platforms.   I've broken down the links into three sections, general news, analysis for the deal, and analysis against the deal. On Android : Google partners "endorse buyout" Wired - Move could alienate other Android device makers Engadget - $2.5 billion break-up free, and Microsoft likely prompted Google's d...

This is one of those things that I wish Apple had developed but it doesn't matter since someone else is now working on it:  a case for the iPad that adds a Braille so that blind users can use the tablet as well. It's still in the concept stage but if I had money, I would provide funds to help with its development.   Known as the Omnifer case, gas pockets would raise braille points depending on what's displayed on the screen of the iPad.  An special app would read what pixels are being lit on the screen.  At least that the gist I'm getting.  I wonder though, if there is an easier way.  Simply (perhaps, not so), an app would "read" what's being displayed and the braille would layout the points accordingly. Regardless of how this is implemented, I do wish that Apple would put some effort into this.  I know that the next iOS should have better voice control.  Maybe even the ability to read out what is being displayed.  Personally, I would love th...

What is causing the glut of tablet inventories as  Channel Register  reported.  And these are not iPads sitting on the shelves but Android tablets and the recently lower-priced Touchpad? And it’s hard to discuss this issue without bring up the iPad but let’s try. More at Clouding Around .

Boy Genius Report is saying that Apple is now testing a version of the iPhone with LTE network support.  BGR apparently obtained a special iOS build from a carrier.   That's fantastic and all but what does this mean about release dates? Personally, I am gamed for an LTE version of the iPhone on Verizon's network.  But I'm not hopeful that we'll see it happen this year.  If Apple becomes more flexible about iPhone release schedules instead of the annual releases it's been adhered to, then we might see the LTE version early in 2012 rather than late 2012.   I know that many of you are hoping against reality:  that Apple will not have a LTE iPhone in a matter of weeks.  I like to say that I hope to be wrong but that simply will not be the case.  LTE chips are still power hungry and Apple doesn't want to release a product that is crippled by the battery life.   The Thunderbolt from HTC, the first LTE device on Verizon's 4G network, simply could n...

Sega has transitioned to the mobile devices nicely.  And it has been years since Sega has been on the console or handheld business.  And while Sega has brought a few games over to the iPhone and Android, one major studios and hardware maker has not, Nintendo. Yesterday, the blogs were excited by news that Nintendo investors were not happy with the performance of the latest 3DS sales, the surprised price from $250 down to $170, and Wii 2 still at least a year away.  Also part of the news was that some investors want to see Mario and company on the iOS.   Satoru Iwata, president of Nintendo, a legend in his own right, has pledge to make first-title games for Nintendo hardware so long as he's in charge.  Having said that, in a gaming era where games can be had for $1 to $16 on iOS while Nintendo still charges $40 a pop, it doesn't seem like Nintendo is "with it" as the gaming market has moved beyond its comprehension of what the consumers, particularly mobile warri...

We are in the 21th Century. So I can ask this without strange stares. Are there apps for babysitters? Now, I am not talking about apps to entertain children directly. I've got those. Alphabet apps and games. I also have Netflix should the need arise. What I am talking about are babysitting or parenting apps that provide useful tips or instructions. For instance, how to put a twenty-month old to sleep. What to do when there are two of them and they each want to do different things or run odd in different directions. I haven't checked the app stores yet. I thought of this because I am watching my nephews. Love the little guys but I can't help wonder if I do a better job. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Sometimes, we bloggers get expected and we talk about things in terms only we understand.  And sometimes, it can get pretty complicated.  So, when Dave the Mobile Sage sent me this post from  The Unofficial Apple Weblog  about how to set up a relatively cheap prepaid plan for the iPhone, I got really excited. But it was not all that easy to understand under the first read or the second read.  So I inquired the mobile sage about it and he put it into terms even I can understand. In simpler terms: Get a prepaid sim from att Set up an online account for the sim (you might need to a att prepaid phone to this) Buy a $100 prepaid card to fund the account Update the account to use a per-minute talk plan ($0.10 / minute, $0.20 / text) Call 611 to add a data package, the fees will be deducted from your $100 balance ($25 for 500 MB / $15 for 100 MB / $5 for 10 MB) When the balance run out, just add more money Unused data can roll over, you just need to top up with at leas...