Posts

The Final Investigative Report on Kickstarter and the Failed (Fraudulent) Zano Drone Project

Here is the detailed report (Medium) commissioned by Kickstarter over the failed Zano drone that I was also a backer and, ultimately, victim to.  With millions of backers' money, Zano, the drone that would change everything, was a sure thing, right?  The video was awesome and its features were nothing like what is available on the market. Delay after delay.  This was expected.  I like to give people the benefit of the doubt.  But then, boom!  Torquing Group went into liquidation, taking all our money with it.  No drone.  The shocked look on my face was likely plastered on thousands of others as well.  While you can read the post (recommended) to find out what exactly happened, the result as far as I'm concerned, and likely feared by Kickstarter, is that I have been a lot more cautious about funding anything.  This is in light of other complaints from backers on other projects as well.  Kickstarter, like Indigogo, was fast becoming ...

Cars, Security, and Safety

Here is an interesting article from MacObserver discussing the importance of Apple's open source programming language, Swift, that is used write apps for iOS, Watch OS and OS X. And presumably, Car OS when Apple releases its Apple Car. Not only is ease of use going to bean issue as far as operating the car is concerned, but hacking and cyberattacks are going to be something future vehicles are going to need to be protected against as best as Apple can. And when Apple designed Swift, security was paramount. In doing that and with annual improvements, it kept an eye on Car OS as well. Only Apple knows and perhaps, under the Apple's glasnost that is Tim Cook's reign, we may learn of it when Tim or Jony Ives tells us about the iCar development process on 60 Minutes . - Posted using Mobile.

Apple Needs an iCloud Plug-In For Windows 10 Browsers Or Re-release Safari for Windows

If you're on a Windows 10 machine, Apple offers an iCloud app and associated extensions for use with Windows more popular browsers, Explorer, Firefox, and Chrome. It was more than I thought were supported by Apple for its cloud service but there should be more support for Windows users for iCloud. After all, Apple has an equivalent webapp for its OS X app like iWork apps, mail, and other major iCloud services. Barring that, Apple should reintroduce Safari that has built-in support for iCloud services. Right now, you can use any of the above three mentioned browsers use access iCloud.com but you are met with a warning that the browser does not fully support iCloud features. You can download iCloud for Windows that offers a direct integration with iCloud data and Windows. For most people, what Apple does offer now is sufficient. But as a writer and blogger, I would like to be able to sharing links and information from one app to another more seamlessly than what is curr...

In About 5 Years, Your Mobile Devices May Lasts More Than 50% Longer Or More

By using sulfer, Sony has managed to increase the energy density of a new battery and, according to The Independent , give mobile warriors 40% increase in battery life.  And since this will not hit the market until 2020, there is ample time for Sony to improve up on that. And with more efficient chips, software updates, and other energy saving components like more efficient screens, smartphones and other mobile devices may well see greater than the 40% increase in battery life.  I hesitate to say double but who knows right?  Personally, I'd settle for a 50% increase that would allow me to go through a proper day of heavy use - gaming, watching videos, chatting on apps, and using the GPS for running or getting around town without worrying.  Can't wait.  The limiting factor for true mobile experience has been the battery life. This will unleash us from having to worry about the battery drain and truly let us be mobile.  While the article made no mention of la...

Yahoo's Video Guide Offers Nothing Novel - So Why?

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Yahoo launched another app today, Yahoo Video Guide App ( tumblr ), that is supposed to help users find content to watch on the mobile apps for Android and the iOS platform.  However, it does nothing that is novel that other apps do not already offer.  Hence, it's the reason why I've stayed away from it.  So, why? And why now? Once you open up the app and find the show you want to watch, you are still forced to download that app if you already haven't or switch away from Yahoo's guide and enter the video streaming app.  Say you want to watch any of the Stargate TV series, which is only available for streaming on Amazon or for download on iTunes.  So, you'll still have to switch away. Granted, it makes discovery a heck of a lot better which is probably the reason why Yahoo came up with this.  It's a nicer app than most other discovery ones that I've downloaded, used for a few minutes, and deleted for all of enternity. As a long-time Yahoo fan and feel nostal...

Time For Apple To Take The Gloves Off On Video Subscriptions

According to Bloomberg , Apple will not going to go through with their live TV/video subscription as planned.  At best, the whole concept is on hold.  It remains to be seen if Apple should just forget about their whole approach in trying to secure deals with content providers like CBS.  After all, Bloomberg's source for their post is CBS.  So, what should Apple do?  Take the gloves off and pour billions into the only demand and or live market.  Start signing deals and stripping others of content.  For instance, start with sports.  Take the all the main sports in the US and put them all under the Apple Sports banner.  Apple can dish out games to those who are willing to play "ball".  For instance, Apple can allow Disney's ESPN to show some games because Apple and Disney likely have a better relationship and can come to amicable terms than say Apple and CBS can.  Deny those who are playing hardball with their cotnents.  From ther...

Getting Rid of the 3.5 mm Jack Is Nothing: Eventually, All Apple Products Will Have No Ports

People seems to be stressing themselves over the fact that Apple is looking into replacing the 3.5mm input for headsets and your only option will be to use the Lightning connectors or wirelessly through Bluetooth connectivity. Well, here is another shocker:  eventually, Apple will do away with that as well.  No ports.  Everything will have to be connected wirelessly - headsets, speakers, charging stations.  And not only for iOS devices but you can pretty much forget USB ports on most consumer oriented Macs as well.  Those who are complaining that Apple provided only one USB-C port?  Yeah, nada ports in the future. Why?  That's the future, homies.  And it goes to the design philosophy that Apple has.  It might not happen in the next couple of years but 5 years from now, that may well be the case.  As iPhone and iPad user, I'm still having to charge via the Lightning port, a wire.  But pretty much everything else is done wirelessly - ...