Mobile Devices: A New Era

Connected intelligence in mobile devices will be the next major force behind mobile innovation, and it appears that the mobile industry sees this vision and is preparing to drive it in this direction. The PC innovation part started in the mid-1970s and we are approaching the 42nd year of this cycle. During that time, PCs, tablets and smartphones have been created and the backbone technology has been laid to drive even greater innovation. He expects that the next big wave will come with connected intelligence devices using IP networks and new wireless technologies that will, in context, drive a whole new ranges of products and services, as we have seen with IP telephony and cloud services. That is the connected part. As for the intelligence, data will be collected and stored (if it isn't already) and then that information will be used deliver more custom experience and innovation to different people. The last 10 years, especially, have given us the underlying technology in wireless connectivity, low-voltage processors, HD touchscreens and device innovation that really sets us up for what will be the next major phase of mobile.

Technology and the Middle Class

Many people always say that technology is one of the things that is going to help the people that are suffering from poverty and disease in third world countries. It can also make life better for many other people as far as communication services and social networks go. The problem is that not too many people want to see the issues that may come with the advanced technology. Take the job situation for example. The US still has two million fewer jobs than before the downturn, the unemployment rate is stuck at levels not seen since the early 1990s and the proportion of adults who are working is four percentage points off its peak in 2000. This job drought has spurred pundits to wonder whether a profound employment sickness has overtaken us. And from there, it’s only a short leap to ask whether that illness isn’t productivity itself. Have we mechanized and computerized ourselves into obsolescence? These questions are nothing new as we have seen during the industrial revolution. The debate is still very much relevant though. What are your thoughts?

The HTC One

Is it The One? One of the best things about the HTC One is that it’s the rare Android phone that actually emphasizes smart design. It’s pretty to look at, but it’s also durable. After three months without using a case, the HTC One doesn’t have a single scratch or blemish. That’s more than I can say about an iPhone 5, whose aluminum edges began collecting scuffs almost immediately. While it’s true that Android phones used to become obsolete after just a few months, things have changed. The pace of hardware advancements have slowed down, and Google has been updating Android without updating Android, which means HTC’s software doesn’t feel out of date despite being a minor version or two behind. The application development also keeps us with it. What do you think about this phone?

Amazon Dipping into Consoles

"Suddenly it seems like every tech titan wants to be in the game console business. Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony have theirs, of course, and Google is supposedly working on one of its own. Apple has at least laid the groundwork. In addition to the big companies, we also have the small upstarts like Ouya and GameStick. Now we can add Amazon to the pile, at least according to Game Informer’s unnamed sources."

I think it might be a good thing that more companies are making consoles because it will decrease the prices of the game systems. Application development would also need to keep up with the different platforms and systems in order to compete in the market. Are you going to be one of the first people to try the systems or are you going to wait until others try it?