Now teenage boys and even men up to there 30’s will be even more locked down to their Xbox 360 after the new download that is available. When Xbox 360 had the Internet available on it to go online and play your favorite game against your friends or some random people, males all around the world just about died. Today, Xbox 360 released a download for firmware that will allow Xboxers to connect to Facebook, Twitter and Last.fm. The download isn’t free though. You have to have an Xbox 360 Gold membership that costs $50 a year. There is also an age requirement to use Facebook and Twitter on Xbox 360, you have to be at least 18. If people are interested into being a gold membership and are curious to see what it looks like on the Xbox 360 Live dashboard, there will be a free preview weekend on November 20-23.

This falls in part with chapter 12 with the 21^st century new technology. Video game consoles have been around for a couple of decades already. But until a couple years ago they were connected to the Internet allowing them to play with other people around the world. Then now there will be other applications available to this technology. New technologies are popping up all over the place that deals with networking and being just another addition to how a computer has evolved.

Bakalar, Jeff. 2009. Facebook, Twitter, Last.fm hit Xbox 360 today. Retrieved on November 17, 2009 from http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10396623-1.html?tag=mncol.

On this past Monday, Microsoft releases a software development kit for Facebook developers to create application for Silverlight and Windows Presentation Foundation. The social applications on Facebook are very popular among the users. Samples and tools will all be included in the SDK where applications can be developed in ASP.NET, Silverlight, WPF, and WinForms. There is other software from JavaScript and others where applications can be develop, but Facebook provides support for those. Microsoft has a partnership with Facebook since 2007 when they invested $240 million to keep out Goggle and Yahoo from making any arrangements. The software kit is among the agreement to their partnership. The software development is ready for use on Facebook.

This relates to chapter 11 because it talks about software development. This software development kit will lead to creating these applications that involve coding and implementing the process into making software. The applications on Facebook are one of the main reasons why people would rather be on Facebook all day rather than be on Myspace. Having another source available into making these applications will allow people to piece together fun new applications with this new software. When developing the application with Microsoft’s software development kit they developer will have to follow a process dealing with: planning, analyzing, designing, developing, testing, implementing, and keeping maintenance on the program. All these steps were mentioned in the beginning of the chapter of what the development life cycle is.

Hoffman, Harrison. 2009. Microsoft releases SDK for Facebook. Retrieved on November 11, 2009 from http://news.cnet.com/8300-1001_3-92-1.html?tag=mncol

The video-conferencing company ViVu has raised 3 million dollars towards its service. ViVu is an interactive video-as-a-service software. By using ViVu you can create, publish and manage video-conferencing events. Something that is different is that not only can you access a conference from a computer, you can do it from a smartphone. This software doesn’t need any proprietary downloads. They think that this software will be used greatly for online meetings, sales presentations, training sessions and large online events. You are able to schedule and invite people to meeting and appointments will be matched up with Gmail and Microsoft Outlook. It also is hooked up with Twitter and there is a instant messaging portion to the software. The service is offered to companies for $49.95 a month and right now they are offering a 30-day free trial.

This reflects the text in chapter 10 with video-conferencing being a groupware system. Video-conferencing enables people to sit through a meeting at their desk speaking with people at other locations all through video and a computer. This is a big part of the improvement in information systems and business because it helps and saves so much money by being able to communicate efficiently miles away. It cuts costs of traveling, fancy luncheons and the other various costs that businesses incur with having to travel for meetings.

Reisinger, Don. (2009). ViVu Raises $3 Million For Conferencing. Retrieved on November 4, 2009 from http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10373841-2.html?tag=mncol.

Microsoft will be expanding its CRM product called Dynamics to other countries. It will be offered online in Western Europe and Asia by next year. Dynamics is popular in the U.S. and Canada, so they want to get on top of things to spread it out to other countries. There are two version of this product; online and on-site. This past year sales have gone up 40% with the online version. The on-site version is sold to other companies, while the online version is for Microsoft’s data centers. Microsoft has announced a new data center that will be opening in Dublin. Microsoft will be hosting conferences in London, Vienna, Frankfurt and Rotterdam explaining the Dynamics line.

This article falls into Chapter 9 because it talks about customer relationship management. Having a system that helps with customer relationship management is helpful because it keeps track of your customers with either their identities, concerns, data or whatever else is helpful remembering a customer. By using these systems it easier to configure what business decisions you should choose and how to improve your business. Business intelligence also plays a role in this system. Without having these intelligent systems to help businesses function, a lot of businesses would have to spend a lot of time trying to figure out situations and solutions.

Kirk, Jeremy. (2009). Dynamics CRM Online Coming to Europe Next Year. Retrieved on October 28, 2009 from http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/174438/dynamics_crm_online_coming_to_europe_next_year.html.

Ford has announced a recall on 4.5 million vehicles having a fire hazard from a faulty switch. This is the biggest recall in Ford’s history. The faulty switch deals with the cruise control deactivation switch. Texas Instruments manufactured the switch. The switch can leak hydraulic fluid, overheat, smoke and then burn which can cause a fire. The fire can happen even if the vehicle is turned off and unattended, so this is very serious. Most of the vehicles that are being recalled are just to be checked and prevent from anything going wrong in the future. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that if you are driving a Ford, you should be sure to check the cruise control system, brake lights, antilock braking and warning lights on the dashboard. Also, if it’s difficult getting the vehicle out of park mode is a warning. Most models were made from 1993-2003.

I think this falls in chapter 8 because of the supply chain. There obviously was a mistake in manufacturing the switch on the Texas Instruments side. Ford should have been more carful with testing this device. In the supply chain, Ford used Texas Instruments as a supplier. With having a big automobile manufacturing plant like Ford they should learn to be careful with what they are buying to put in their vehicles because it can cost them a lot of money in recalling millions of vehicles.

Yousuf, Hibah. (2009). “Ford recakk hits 4.5 million vehicles”. Retrieved on October 14, 2009 from http://money.cnn.com/2009/10/13/news/companies/Ford_recall/index.htm?postversion=2009101317

Windows has come out with an operating system for mobile phones. This system is called Windows Mobile 6.5. Cell phones coming out with this operating system are said to be out by the holidays. AT&T already has two phones coming out with the system. Microsoft is expecting around 30 cell phones will be using this operating system by next year. What is included in the operating system is Adobe Flash support, efficient browser, Windows Marketplace and My Phone. Windows Marketplace is an app store just like the iPhone app store. Also, My Phone is a service that you pay $5 for to use incase if you lose your phone and need to locate it. Both the services mimic iPhone’s services because they need to compete with them. Also another similarity to the iPhone is that cell phones with this operating service will be touch screen for easy navigation.

I think that this operating system will do well with consumers because a lot of people are familiar with the Windows computer operating system and this will make people feel more comfortable using a cell phone. There is a lot of competition with the other smartphones like Blackberry, Palm and the biggest is the iPhone, so there are a lot of people unsure of how the phones will do.

Fried, Ina. (2009). Microsoft’s Windows phones hit the market. CNN Tech. Retrived on October 7, 2009 from http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/10/06/cnet.microsoft.windows.phone/index.html

Having medical records put on databases is not only cheaper and more efficient than putting it all down on paper and having hundreds of files in the office, but it is also gives other health facilities the ability to look up records just with a click of a mouse. There is one problem though, not all health databases are run on the same program, which makes information unavailable to locations that are either in different states or just runs a different system. It usually takes a little bit of time to obtain records that aren’t available to hospitals or other health institutions, but soon there will be regulations on having a e-health network since there are still a lot of places that use paper files still. People have been working on health record network systems for years, but now the government is going to start regulating and soon penalize health facilities if they don’t have electronic medical records by 2014. The industry says that it might take longer for medical facilities to get these databases. Talks was on developing a national system that everyone uses, but people want a network system where each system would mimic and allow information to be transferred anywhere. Dr. David Blumenthal is the health information technology direction in the Obama administration and he says that by next year there will be a $300 million stimulus to help local and regional health facilities get medical record information exchange programs.

I think this will help the medical industry in an extraordinary amount. Doctors need information fast if they have a patient that is from another location who needs to be treated quickly. This goes along with Chapter 6 because of information being exchanged in databases and allowing information to be analyzed.

Twiddy, David. (2009). Work beings on national e-health record network. Associated Press. Retrieved on September 30, 2009 fromhttp://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gjKXjJzjq8OmM4MdBABkUNE1bgWwD9B1MKJ80

Are you always searching for something on the web that you don’t have all the details to, but you know what it looks like? Bing has introduced a new way using the search engine. If you are looking for a camera that you just saw that someone had, but don’t know the brand and so you type in a description and hundreds of web pages come up, that isn’t going to help much. With Bing’s new “visual search” function it will bring up image catalogues to show what might fit your description. I think this is a nice addition to the web. A lot of people scroll through web pages hoping they see a picture of what might be what they want to see, but there are so many pages out there that pop up that don’t have anything to do with what you want. There is another function that Google is experimenting with. Google has come up with “Fast Flip” which is an application that allows people to search through 39 different online publishers for news articles. This feature allows someone to flip through the pages as if it was someone doing it with a magazine.

This falls in with application architecture and web services. Computer systems are working hard to get information to people quick. I think both of these new features on web search engines are a good way to keep the web growing and having people understand it more than they used to.

Sutter, John. Griggs, Brandon. (2009). Microsoft, Google expand search engine tools. CNN. Retrieved on September 23, 2009 fromhttp://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/09/16/visual.web.bing.google/index.html.

There is a new method that is being used more commonly among hackers to get into your system. When you are browsing on the internet you usually get pop up advertisements that are saying that you have a virus and need to get antivirus software. Well, now that people know not to click on those, a new method in pop ups has surfaced. Hackers have found a way to have a box pop up as if it’s a message from your system saying you have a virus and it directs you to a site to get antivirus software that scans your computer. This is commonly known as “scareware”, where it tricks people to think they have a virus and they freak out and follow the link and get scammed into buying some software. This recently happened on the New York Times website. These ads are called rogue ads, which is a worm that sends out these fake alerts. This typically happens because a vendor who wants to run an ad on a website makes it look legitimate and then changes everything when it is about to be delivered. A lot of website are going to stop running third-party ads who they aren’t familiar with because it is a huge security risk for those who fall for the scam. People need to be careful on the internet these days. Scams and viruses are all over the internet and many fall from getting caught up in these situations.

Mills, Elinor. (2009). Ads–the new malware delivery format. Cnet. Retrieved on September 16, 2009 from http://news.cnet.com/8301-27080_3-10353402-245.html?tag=mncol;title.

Vitaminwater and Facebook are teaming up together. Vitaminwater is looking for a new flavor and ideas from consumers, and what way better than to market their product on Facebook? There are millions of people on Facebook and many are on daily playing with the applications that it offers. Recently the application “Flavorcreator” was launched on Facebook to get ideas of what the new flavor should be. Vitaminwater wants to pick the new flavor in December and have it in shelves by March. On the application, you vote for the mixture of flavors you think would be good. Also, you are able to play games and design labels for the bottles. You can win $5,000 if your label is a winner.

I think this is a great way to advertise their product. They are getting feedback from a big audience and age crowd that the drink is marketed towards and they are bringing awareness to their product. If you are on Facebook and playing one of the Vitaminwater games, don’t you think you will be craving one? Yes, I would be and that’s why this is a good marketing tool. This falls under the organizational strategies for Ebusiness section in chapter 3 with marketing on the internet. They are targeting their biggest group of consumers that is on one of the most popular social networks today. By having consumers have a part in picking the next flavor of this popular drink, they should be getting a lot of business since people will be awaiting the arrival of the new flavor.

Rosenberg, Dave. (2009). Vitaminwater via Facebook: What’s your Flavor?.Retrieved September 9, 2009 from CNET. http://news.cnet.com/8301-13846_3-10348599-62.html?tag=mncol;txt.

Wireless technology is soon to be here. Power cords are going to be old school and receiving our technology through air from a power socket will be the new technology of our time. WiTricity is converting power into a magnetic field and then it sends it to the source. Wireless electricity has been a topic for many years and there are some types that are available now. All examples now don’t have to full ability to completely send power in large amounts. A power pad will charge a device, but if there is more than once device, each of them needs to have their own pad. Ultimately the plan is to send large amounts of power to further away objects. The environmental factors to this would be that it would get rid of all the disposing of batteries in the future. There also might be heath concerns since the technology will be as magnetic as the earth’s magnetic field.

There are a few reasons why this technology isn’t out and a big one is that a lot of people don’t believe in it. I think this would be amazing to have and it would cut down on a lot of costs and help our future be more advanced. I think it will take time though for people to get a hand on this new concept because everyone is used to batteries and power cords, and also a lot of people don’t like change. Hopefully we can all see this happen in the next 10 years.

Shuttle, J. (2009). A cordless future for electricity?. Retrieved September 2, 2009 fromhttp://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/09/02/wireless.electricity/index.html.

Solar cell phones are taking launch in Kenya. Safaricom Ltd. Of Kenya, has come out with the nation’s first solar powered mobile phone. Electricity is scarce in Africa and other developing countries, so a new power method for cell phones was needed. A person has to pay to charge their cell phone at a business or other charging stations and that can add up to a lot of money. The solar cell phone will be charged by the suns rays and also be charged electrically for when there is no sunlight. The phones are to be priced at $35.00. There is estimated to be 17 million people in Kenya who use cell phones. They say that cell phones are more reliable than landlines and other forms of communication.

There have been other solar cell phones that have been showcased in different countries like India, but none have launched yet. Solar cell phones are much needed in countries that don’t have a heavy supply of electricity and I think it is about time they start being launched. I think with all the technology that we have in our country that there should be ways to help out the other developing countries a lot faster.

This falls into chapter one because of this is a new technology in communication that can help with business all over the world. By having better technology in developing countries it can make business stronger all over the world. If there are solar powered cell phones now, then there might be solar powered computers in the future

Basu, Moni. Karimi, Faith. (2009). Solar cell phones take off in developing nations. Retrieved on September 1, 2009 from CNN Technology. http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/08/21/solar.cellphone/index.html