The article related to many new “green” products that are becoming available. Most of these products are chargers for small devices. These products use solar power to charge small electronics. The company Better Energy Systems developed a stand alone charger five years ago. This charger was used out in the wild to charge electronics. It was designed for people who, for example, liked to be outdoors and wanted a way to charge an Mp3 player. They would strap the charger outside of their backpack and it would be connected to their Mp3 player. They could then listen to it later on. Newer models of chargers also have integrated wind turbine. This was designed more for cyclist. For example, someone could ride their bike to the park and their electronic would then be getting charged. Once at the park, the solar panel would take over and the device would continue to charge. This helps on trips that lasts hours and someone wants to be using their electronic device the whole time.

This relates to the chapter regarding innovation and green technologies. People are now more mobile then ever. They also use more portable devices, and need a way to charge them. Companies that are the first to come up with these ideas, such as Better Energy Systems, have a competitive advantage over the competition. Five years ago, there was not much demand for solar powered chargers. Now with the increase in mobile technology, it almost seems like a necessity. These companies know the most about these technologies and are the first to have a good, successful product. It also reduces a lot of waste, which is great for the environment. They may still need to charge their devices at home, but it would be less frequent, and would also help lower energy consumption.

Mollman, Steve (2009) “Solar Gadgets for when your on the go” Retrieved: November 18, 2009. From:cnn.com/tech Website: http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/11/12/solar.gadgets/index.html

The article relates to a new problem Firefox has. Over the years, Firefox has really tried to become the biggest web browser used. It first started as a Netscape open source project called Mozilla,was going to be named Phoenix, but is now Firefox. Firefox now accounts for a quarter of browser usage. The way it became so popular and so widely used was its open source programming. At first when it was simply known as Mozilla, it was not popular and was thought to be a failure. When it came back a few years later, it was a good alternative to Internet Explorer. Because it was open source, it allowed for many developers to make the product better. It allowed for people to come up with ways to make it better. Internet Explorer is not open source which means that any problems it has can only be fixed by their staff.

This is similar to agile and waterfall methodology. Agile methodology makes it easier to fix a problem in a process. Small intervals allow more creativity because if there is a problem it could be fixed quickly. Firefox allows anybody to try to make the program better. This allows creativity and if the process does not work, it could be easily altered. Internet Explorer seems to use more of a waterfall methodology. The new version of its browser comes out and is released to the public. Then the public uses it and then problems may come up. Internet Explorer would have to go through the whole process again to make it better and release it as a new version. Firefox seems to do this better and that is why it is becoming more popular.

Shankland, Stephen (2009). “After 5 years, Firefox faces new challenges”  Retrieved: November 11, 2009. From: CNN.com/TECH. Website: http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/11/09/firefox.challenges/index.html

Having your company have a unique product always gives a competitive advantage over the competition. Over the last two to three years, AT&T has been the only cell phone company that carries the popular iPhone. Apple has an exclusive contract with AT&T and can not offer the phone to other carriers. The original belief was that AT&T has an exclusivity contract with Apple until 2012. However, it now seems that AT&T is having problems negotiating the contract even past 2011. It has been reported that Verizon, one of AT&T’s biggest competitors, is now in talks with Apple to bring the iPhone over to its network.
If AT&T were to lose its exclusivity with the iPhone, they would take a large economic hit. Since AT&T is the only carrier of the iPhone, customers could either change their network or not have it. This gives them supplier power. This will probably end soon. Many of iPhone owners who are not satisfied blame AT&T for the problems, not Apple. Verizon has had good customer satisfaction and has been praised for its great network. If iPhone owners believe they could get better service elsewhere, they are going to get it. That is usually what happens when you have many competitors. They are constantly going to try and take away any type of advantage a company has over them. This will happen especially if the other company is making millions. That is what happens when there is rivalry among existing competitors. Though most try to beat each other in price, AT&T and Verizon are competing with better service. At the moment, it seems like Verizon is winning that competition, and if AT&T loses its contract with Apple, it may lose a lot more.

Reardon, M. Is AT&T losing its grip on the iPhone? Retrieved: September 2, 2009, from: cnn.com/TECH Web site: http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/09/01/iphone.wireless.carriers/index.html

The article dealt with Dell and how it has named their notebooks and netbooks. Though netbooks once were seen as the more portable ones, things have changed recently. Newer, smaller, slimmer, notebooks are now almost the same size as the netbooks. The capabilities are also not too different. The smaller notebooks are just slightly bigger, one inch, hold a bit more memory, and have a Windows operating system. However, netbooks are actually going to have this capability too. Windows XP, which is not used anymore on newer computers, is being offered on netbooks. This gives consumers an operating system in which they are already comfortable. Since both the netbooks and notebooks are now so similar, why do they have different names? The article suggests it is because companies like Dell want to be able to separate the two to be able to sell enough of both. The netbooks are a little cheaper and now quite trendy so they are trying to sell them. The problem is that if the netbook is selling well, the market for notebooks decreases. Dell has to be able to produce both of them, as well as make a profit out of each of them. That is why notebooks are becoming smaller. Dell wants to make them more available for more people.
This relates to the chapter referring to competitive operating management strategy. Dell is trying to determine the cost of both the netbook and notebook to figure out which one will be more profitable. Quality matters, which is why there are many different types of both netbooks and notebooks. Dell is trying to figure out if they can reduce the size of the notebook while maintaining quality. Dell is also making the notebook very flexible. They are trying to keep the quality of larger notebooks, while making it look like a smaller netbook.

Ogg, Erica (2009) “Time to drop the Netbook label” October 15, 2009 From: Cnet website:http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/ptech/08/20/cnet.drop.netbook.label/index.html

The article I read was about translating the internet. Both Google and Facebook are developing methods to translate different languages. This would allow someone who speaks only English, read a blog written in Japanese. Facebook is using people to translate the language. They have many volunteers as well as hired professionals to help translate certain words or phrases. These phrases are voted by volunteers to see which one would be best. Over time, the translations are designed to become better. The method Google is using is computerized. The program uses mathematical equations to translate the web content. Google has also made a widget that translates simply by pushing a button. When someone is looking at something written in another language, the reader pushes a button and it is then translated to be read in the language the person desires. This makes viewing any website, in any language possible. The benefit from using this Google translator over Facebook’s is the availability. It translates a lot faster, and is accessible in more websites.

This relates to the chapter because the chapter is about telecommunications. We are now able to talk to and read millions of opinions from people who do not even share the same language. The world is connecting in many new ways. Technology has made it possible to have friends in different countries who speak different languages. With cell phones becoming more and more sophisticated, I am sure they will have better technology. I am sure that in the near future, we will be able to speak a language and some sort of software will translate as we speak. I am sure this software will be available on cell phones as well.

Sutter, John D (2009) “Who’s the better translator: machines or humans?” October 8, 2009. From: cnn.com/tech Website:http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/10/07/language.facebook.google/index.html

The article dealt with iPhone applications and how often they are used in everyday life. The main applications the article was referring to were those intended to prevent crimes. The application Offender Locator locates sex offenders within a ten mile radius. This is an important application for parents because it lets them know whether there child is in potential danger. It allows parents to really think about where their children are going spend time. Another application that helps fight crime is the Date Check application. It allows people who are on a date to type in their date’s name and their record comes up. This could avoid dating a convicted rapist or sex offender. It allows a person on a date to feel safe with the person they are with. There is also an application that spots places in a city where there is a lot of crime. This could prevent people, especially travelers, from going into a bad neighborhood and being robbed.

There is also a downside to all these applications. Some of the information that is being updated on the applications could be incorrect or misleading. For instance, a sex offender might later be expunged from the crime and the application may not have up to date information. Everyone using the Offender Locator application will see that he is a sex offender when he is really not. Though these types of applications are supposed to help people against crime, similar applications do the opposite. There is an application being developed that will help drivers dodge tickets. It will show DUI checkpoints, speed traps, and red light cameras. This could be very dangerous to the well being of the citizens. There could be a person drunk, using his iPhone to prevent a DUI check.

This relates to the chapter in the importance of the value of quality information. Some of the information on the applications could be misleading and cause hardships for those who are being accused. The quality of the information is what makes the applications so useful. If this information was inaccurate, the application would be useless.

Chen, Stephanie (2009) “Iphone apps help track sex offenders, spot crime” September 30, 2009
From: cnn.com
Website:http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/09/29/iphone.app.fight.crime/index.html#cnnSTCText

In the article, Microsoft has filed five suits to malicious advertising companies. These companies put up advertising that led to the download of malicious programs in your computer. They would advertise software to protect your computer but that is not what the consumer was downloading. They were actually downloading software that can steal information or take over the computer. Microsoft wants to put an end to all these types of advertisements which is one of the reasons they are suing the companies that allow it. They are suing the companies Soft Solutions, DirectAd, qiweroqw.com, ITmeter INC. and ote2008.info.

This reminded me a lot about the part in the chapter about backup and recovery. With this type of software out all over the internet, it is possible that any person can accidently download it to their computer. If that were the case, it could very much damage any personal information that is stored on one’s computer. Since this is very common and can even be found in such popular sites, one should always back up information that could not be easily recovered. Any loss of sensitive information could be very disruptive to a company. If the software they accidently download allows hackers to steal customer’s information, they could lose a lot of business. This problem is not just loss of information. It could also decrease the availability of information with a worm or virus. A company should be able to gather its customer’s information as quickly as possible. It is even more important for companies whose downtime could really be expensive. In such cases, recovery time is most important. Every minute counts for a company who may need a customer’s information to send or receive merchandise.

Associated Press (2009). “Microsoft sues over ‘malicious’ online ads” September 23, 2009. From: msnbc.com Website:http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32916067/ns/technology_and_science-security/

Almost anyone with internet access has downloaded a song or video from the internet. This may have been done legally or illegally. Though it does not seem like a big deal to us, it is to the entertainment industry. Because of all the illegal downloads, France has now passed a bill that targets internet piracy.

Users whom download copyrighted material from the internet could be cut off from access for up to a year. It could also lead to a fine for up to 300,000 Euros, equivalent to $435,000. They will be emailed a warning for the offense, also a formal letter. If ignored, the person could be without the internet for quite awhile. This law is not just for adults, it’s also warns children. If children are caught downloading illegally, and the emails and letters are ignored, their parents could be in trouble. The family internet could be cut off for a month, and the parents could be fined 3,750 Euros, $5,480, for not monitoring their children’s online activities.

The bill still needs to pass a small committee of lawmakers to become law, yet there is already much criticism. Critics are skeptical about privacy rights of individuals, how it is going to be enforced, and how it’s going to be enforced. Right now it seems that internet subscribers would be asked by their internet service provider to install special software in order to identify who is downloading illegally.

This tied in with chapter 4 because this is a big ethical issue. I do not believe many people believe that downloading music is ethically or morally wrong. There is obviously a difference standard in law and ethics but regarding this subject it has not really been compared. I do not know anybody who has downloaded music who has actually had any kind of reprehension. This is also a privacy matter. It seems as if people are going to have to download software so the government can see what they are doing. There aren’t any specifics on what the software is going to contain. It almost seems that we are going to give access to the government to monitor what we are doing. I think there is going to be a lot of complaints about invasion of privacy.

Corbet, Sylvie. (2009) France Approves Internet Piracy Bill. Retrieved: September 16, 2009. From:msnbc.msn.com Website: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32859224/ns/technology_and_science-security/

Technology has really come a long way. What used to seem like just an idea, is really becoming a reality. Scientists are working with a robot, trying to teach it to think. The name of the robot is iCub. Though it can’t do everything a human does, it is learning how to think. What scientists want is to develop the robot so it understands what we want them to do, to be able to work with us in doing something. So far, it has learned to play a game. iCub sees two people playing a game, understands the rules and patterns of the individuals playing, then can join in on the fun. Though the games seem simple, the task itself is revolutionary.
Though the possibilities are huge, the iCub is actually quite small. He is 3.2 ft tall and his legs and arms are made up of circuits. The main role iCub will probably have is that of helping people around the house. His ability to understand the role he has, it would be very likely that he would do household chores. He can learn what the needs of the household are, and react accordingly.
This could really have an impact on how certain businesses function. Artificial intelligence is really starting to advance. In the near future, a business could use iCub for more than just clean. If it has the capability to learn, it could understand how a certain business operates and be just like another employee. Of course it would not have large responsibilities, but maybe could do great in a fast food restaurant. It could also interact with customers and maybe help satisfy their needs without needing anyone there. There are many places where iCub could function and it could very well revolutionize a business.

Libert, Lucien. (2009) iCub The Robot Being Trained. Retrieved: September 10, 2009. From: msnbc.com/technology_and_innovation. Website: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32722554/ns/technology_and_ science-innovation/

Everyone has their own vision of how the future is going to be. Flying cars, mile high buildings, and every kind of technology readily available. What about the near future? Think about charging your cell phone getting charged with out having to plug it in. It would make things a lot more convenient and it would eliminate the amount of times one forgets to plug in their phone to charge. This technology could be common within the next five years. Researchers from WiTricity are trying to send amounts of power over large distances. At the moment, they are only able to send small amounts of power over large distances, and large amounts of power over small distances.
If this technology were perfected, we would do away with many power chords. This would also eliminate the waste of disposable batteries. These batteries are very wasteful and the earth could do a lot better with out them. This technology could really affect the way a business works. This could make the electric car a lot more desirable if its manufacturers decided to invest in this type of technology. One of the reasons why electric cars are not as popular is because one has to plug it in. If there was a power mat underneath it when it was parked in the garage, it would eliminate that problem and may make the car more appealing. Companies that manufacture disposable batteries would also have to change the way it operates because this technology could wipe the company out. If they invested in it now, they could be the ones that first make it available to the public. The company would have to reengineer the way it functions, but it would put itself at the forefront of this up and coming technology.

Sutter, J. (2009). A cordless future for electricity? Retrieved September 2, 2009, from CNN.com/Technology Web site: http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/09/02/wireless.electricity/index.html