where the SmartPower generation connects

Google

Sat, 04/13/2013 - 2:42pm

Looks like FWD.us will have its work cut out for it in terms of being able to communicate its full scope.  Though written in black and white, somehow the sentiment seems to be that this PAC is solely focused on immigration and is done so at the cost of American jobs.  Seems that many people are either over-looking or do not believe the additional future work on education and more.  This is important to not because perception is very key in the SmartPower era.   Due to current social situations, any organizations now not only benefit by being very transparent, but also, very skillful in creating alliances and tangible results in areas of interest in order to actual drive home the focus of the overall mission.  Given the shift in mindset demonstrating that people are moving further and further away from blindly believing the "headline" of an event, organizations such as this will have an interesting set of next steps to take.  Fasten your seatbelts!

Here's something that happened earlier this week that still has politicos and technorati buzzing. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and other Silicon Valley leaders have launched a political group called FWD.us (pronounced “forward us”) which is aimed at revamping immigration policy, boosting education and encouraging investment in scientific research.  Zuckerberg announced formation of FWD.us and said that the United States needs a new approach to citizenship for the 11 million immigrants who live in the U.S. illegally if it is to get ahead economically. He also said that he wants "comprehensive immigration reform that begins with effective border security, allows a path to citizenship and lets us attract the most talented and hardest-working people, no matter where they were born." Companies such as Microsoft and Google, along with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, have also been pushing to make it easier for highly skilled workers and entrepreneurs to work in the United States. Although Fwd.us supports increasing the number of visas available to these workers, its goals are broader including higher standards in schools and increased focus on learning about science, technology, engineering and math. Let's turn to the comment arena to get a solid read.

What Others Are Saying...

Hey Zuckerberg … College education is not affordable for many young, smart US kids. I mean, are you only concerned about people from the likes of Menlo Park. There are many sharp individuals from all regions of the US, but you and your peers seem to always focus on foreigners. Why not help the US economy by showing support for the US kids, our entrepreneurs of tomorrow. What a concept....supporting your own country.

Source:

…He's pushing for reform to bring in cheap labor, so he doesn't have to spend his low to no taxed corporate profits on training Americans, who need jobs right here in our own country, who have families to feed, and can not find work

Source:

…We already have large numbers of Computer Scientists and Engineers that can’ t find work. Many work temp jobs with no benefits or pension and many already have to compete with H1B workers who drive down wages for these workers. We need more jobs for American Citizens.

Source:

Tue, 03/26/2013 - 1:10pm

There is a LOT to be said in examining comments around this sensitive subject.  Definitely check out our previous podcast at www.ldcoleman.com/radio to get the full scoop!

It's all through the tech press. A London-based group just been created and has named itself and their movement "Stop the Cyborgs", in an effort to raise awareness  around Google's newest prototype Google Glass. Google Glass is an augmented reality device that is essentially a pair of eyeglass frames with a totally functioning computer within the lenses. The device is capable of taking pictures and video, giving directions, searching the web, and sending messages. It also has a functioning camera that films hand-free. While it may sound like a great product, "Stop the Cyborgs" group believes that if the product becomes as popular as the smart phone that our extremely technologically driven society will become increasingly more intrusive, with people able to film and capture whatever, whenever. "Stop the Cyborgs" wants to ensure that even in an increasingly technologically savvy world, that we still are able to retain our privacy as human beings. A Seattle cafe has already banned the product. What say you? Team Google Glass or Team Privacy?

What Others Are Saying...

..can already imagine how many times I will find myself saying "OMG, will you turn that stupid thing off, already". ("a lot", is the answer)

Source:

Crazy paranoid nutters!...If somebody wanted to record you (or 'invade' your privacy)...would they use something so obvious as Glass?!...Good thing the sane establishments wouldn't be going through with this foolishness.

Source:

If only we can get to the point where we don't have to use our brains at all. The glasses could translate body language and facial expressions to convey to us others emotions and then display a proper response from a database of millions of greeting card poems and witty sayings...The future will be awesome...

Source:

Fri, 03/15/2013 - 1:32pm

Google seems either very unaware or unconcerned with the SmartPower era values which definitely include transparency, but also self-determinancy. This last characteristic is one of the main reasons why privacy issues are so big:  people want to determine, for themselves, how their data is utiltized and who should have access to it.  Google seems to be millimeters away from being the former hip disruptor to that of the new form of corporate "top" in a time where the "bottom" is ready to rail back. This could be a bumpy ride, folks.  Hang on!

What's hot in tech news?  Well, the fact that Google admitted to violitating people's privacy is definitely causing a stir. Reports say that during the company's Street View mapping project where it "accidently" was catching passwords, e-mails and other personal infomration from unsuspecting computer users.  In agreeing to settle a case brought by 38 states involving the project, the search company, for the first time, is required to educate its own employees on privacy issues and is also made to teach the public how to fend off privacy violations like this one. The settlement also included a $7 million fine, a very small amount for a company like Google. Let's see what people are saying about Google's actions.

What Others Are Saying...

$7 million for violating privacy....to Google, that is pocket change. Of course, these are big time donors to Team BO. So expect no repercussions for this violation of the law. But those guys who posted Michelle's credit report....THOSE are some dastardly chaps!

Source:

Google used to "not be evil." Those days are long gone... They have no concept of privacy. Eric Schmidt was quoted as saying something like, If you're not doing anything wrong, you shouldn't care.

Source:

thank god they caught me getting my mail in my superman pajamers...

Source:

Mon, 03/11/2013 - 5:21pm

Catch our podcast episode on tracking to get the full analysis on this new trend in culture-meets-tech, and see what you think!  www.ldcoleman.com/radio ep 346

Tech media has talked about it for a while.  Now, it's time for the next level.  Technology powerhouse, Google, has recently unveiled its newest project Google Glass. Developed by Google X Labs (the same labs working on technology such as the driverless car), Google Glass is a hands-free wearable computer that is capable of taking pictures and video, giving directions, searching the web, and sending messages. The computer is literally a pair of wearable glasses that will be available five stylish colors. The product uses technology similar to that of Apple Inc.’s Siri in order to provide a genuinely hands-free experience for the user with a price point just under $1,500. The glasses were first premiered during the 2012 Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York and Diane Von Furstenberg’s show. The models used the glasses to film the audience as they walked effortlessly down the runway.Google Glass will be available at the end of this year, just in time for Christmas.

What Others Are Saying...

...piece of snobby junk.

Source:

The video recording function must be disabled...this will end up as a pervert device..I could foresee lot of broken 'glasses' and bloodied eyes...I see the 'glass' as a marketing stunt by google to catch attention, ...Microsoft stole the minds with Kinect.

Source:

...last thing we need is our latest pub crawl graphically and unflatteringly documented by some unknown onlooker...then uploaded to who knows what site with the potential to go viral....we need some privacy laws updates.

Source:

Fri, 03/08/2013 - 11:31pm

Uh-oh, looks like some nay-saying when it comes to Google on this one.  Guess major layoffs don't fall under their "don't be evil" mantra.  Google may have to watch its step here as some elements seems to be adding up quietly.  Accusations about privacy invasion here, layoff announcements there. Is the original disruptor starting to become a bit of a corporate bore?  Consumers are watching on this one, and Microsoft's recent ads are helping.  This one bears watching.  In the meantime, remember when Motorola two-way pagers were so hot, they were all throughout hip hop lyrics?  Guess all good things must come to an end, as they say...

Perhaps the biggest tech news that's being reported right now, deals with Google.  The Technology powerhouse just announced that it would be cutting 1,200 positions at its Motorola Mobility Division. This announcement comes after the shocking realization that Google cut 4,000 positions last year. The layoffs come after an effort to turn around the Motorola brand seems to have gone south. Since Google acquired Motorola in May of 2012, the tech giant has lost $353 million of its investment. Not all news is bad news, as Google has increased its profits on Motorola's cable box. However, that won't help many of the  workers in the United States, China, and India who some of which, unfortunately, will have to find new work. To the comment arena on this one!

What Others Are Saying...

Well...Motorola's CEO killed this company...should have never went with Android ...could not compete with iPad. Google snapped up the opportunity to steal patents and now it's more rich by cutting off all these jobs. 

Source:

...Google is a detriment to the internet. Instead of getting the most useful or popular websites in a search, you get sponsored ones...the page is reloaded so that you wind up accidentally clicking on one of those sponsored links...should be illegal.

Source:

Motorola Mobility...always a JUNK company...no big news...company with no vision

Source:

Wed, 02/20/2013 - 10:30am

First it was the #DroidRage hashtag across Twitter in order to attack Android, now the "scroogled" campaign.  It seems that while MSFT may be making relevant points, the approach for the SmartPower age does not seem to be sitting too well.  Commenters seem to either feel it's up to them not to use gmail if it doesn't want to (self-determinant) and/or for MSFT to pull back on negativity.  The company just seems to not be reading the climate well, nor consumer sentiment nor how it is coming off to the public.  This is indicative of many old brands who are having trouble remaining relevant in the new era.  Not willing to listen and take direction from bottom, up.  Wondering if MSFT might "scroogle" itself.  Only time will tell....

Much media coverage is being dedicated to the announcement of Microsoft's newest campaign, "Don't get scroogled by Gmail."  It seems that  instead of focus on Microsoft, the company has decided to focus more on anti-Google elements.  The Outlook television spots emphasize the fact that  Google reads every email a user sends and receives in order to match users to relevant advertisements. Throughout the campaign, Microsoft asks users to switch to its own free email service Outlook.com, which it claims "doesn't go through the content of users' emails to show ads."  Microsoft points out that Google hasn't given users the choice of privacy from showing Google their emails. In fact, the Internet search giant currently faces six class-action lawsuits because of its practice of sifting through subscribers' emails. Microsoft said, "We honour the privacy of our Outlook.com users... This campaign is as much about protecting Outlook.com users from Gmail as it is about making sure Gmail users know what Google's doing." Let's see what the digi-world thinks.

What Others Are Saying...

If you can't beat them, or really match them, then do a lame ad campaign attempting to insult them. Microsoft is getting desperate....

Source:

...I have an account with both, they both serve different purposes.

Source:

That google "reads" our mail is at least known, but if Microsoft does that, we would not know. Microsoft is misguiding public by using the word "reading". By same token, all electronic equipment involved in handling of your mails "read" your mail. If you do not like google using your mail content to direct targeted ads, then do not sign up for the free mail service...

Source:

Sun, 01/27/2013 - 10:56pm

So, will all the YouTube videos demonstrating how to unlock one's phone new be ordered for take-down?  This is just the latest in yet more tug-of-war between legacy thinkers and digital thinkers.  Captive versus free.  Boundaries versus no boundaries. The cat is out the of bag, and the government will simply have to catch up to realize where and how new rules apply.  The comments are loud and claer on this one - just like SOPA and just like much of what else will come down the pike.  Where is the government Council to better navigate the new mindset as it converges with technology?  Or are we all just going to wait until this reaches fever pitch????

It is now illegal to unlock your phone in order to use it with another carrier according to a new law that was introduced by the Librarian of Congress. This official is in charge of interpreting the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and one of those violations he ruled was cell phone unlocking. Right now handset carriers must unlock their phones in order for them to be used with a different carrier, most carriers provide unlock codes after a few months of service. You can purchase some phones that come unlocked like Verizon's iPhone 5 and Google's Nexus 4 but these are much more expensive than 'locked' phones. There is already a petition on the White House's We The People website with 3,000 signatures on it. The White House will respond once it gets to 100,000....Do the people think it will it pass the threshold?

What Others Are Saying...

there is always a way to get free stuff. It's in human nature and it will always be that way . Because all Men are born FREE !!!

Source:

I own it. I PAID for it. If I drop my carrier contract, I PAY the fees to do so. If I choose to use the same phone on another carrier, it is MY phone. ANOTHER example of congress listening to Corporations rather than the people...

Source:

This is total bullshit, wouldn't the device be considered personal property after the sale?...Sounds like the direction they are taking is that it will end up being property of the issuer, you're just given the privilege to use it like your debit card.

Source:

Thu, 01/10/2013 - 1:59pm

Well, look at this. Not only does our SmartPower theory apply to general people, looks like even those in exec positions want to push back toward that teeny-tiny part of the triangle's top that even they feel is oppressive.  Flux may be the new norm, but so is the re-definition of hierarchy and the bottom-up continues to surprise.  However, what Google is either forgetting  - of not concerned with - is that the rest of the "bottom" underneath it is pushing back as well.  Thus, Google is and seems to continue to be on the hot seat for seemingly over-stepping its bounds in the name of control.  Transparency also noted as a growing concern as well.  This is only the beginning, Folks.  Watch for more on this!

Google's executive chairman, Eric Schmidt, raised a lot of questions by traveling this week to North Korea. He's visiting what is said to be the world's most oppressive government, without the blessing of the U.S. State Department. Google did not give much information about why the trip occurred, but Schmidt said he's interest in the country's economics and social media. Schmidt is said to be setting the precedent that big companies don't need the government's permission to make international advances. Whoa.  To the comment-sphere.

What Others Are Saying...

The rabid dogs of capitalism and American imperialism cannot resist to get their teeth into a fresh opportunity to ... manipulate and assimilate a previously inaccessible population... Google knows that controlling the information served to a population is equivalent to controlling it and so does Obama ... Especially when this will really piss off china.

Source:

The multitudes are growing increasingly skeptical of Google, along with its metamorphosis into the ... Big Brother it has become. Google's behavior is simply unacceptable ... it's clear that the government won't stop Google, because as the recent slap-on-the-wrist Google received for its anti-competitive behavior illustrates, Google has purchased the government's permission to do whatever it wants. It's truly astounding what money can buy, isn't it?

Source:

There is a back story that isn't being said. With gov Richardson, Schmidt had to be cleared and briefed by state dept. i imagine that there is some sort of back room stuff going on ... this is how the diplomatic stuff starts when you dont have offical relations with a country...

Source:

Sun, 01/06/2013 - 7:59pm

Here it seems we have a combination of elements going on in the comment-sphere.  First, there push-back regarding corporate giants having what is perceived as too much control and heavy-handedness.  As we see such actions as Twitter users throwing back MSFT's recent #DroidRage hashtag experiment back in the company's face and more, we see yet more evidence of individuals becoming more and more vocal against the "machine."  Though we're in the very, very early days; watch this behavior as it signals awareness of greater feelings of empowerment that could easily be used to shift market share in a heart-beat in the future.  Most companies are and will simply not be ready for this!  In addition, we also see that the comment-sphere exhibits a bit of that "leaderful" attitude, as in Comment #2.  "I can direct. I know what the company should do."  As these two elements converge, watch for an interesting 2013.

After nearly 19 months of investigating, the Federal Trade Commission decided not to sue Google. However, the search giant had agreed to change some of its practices. Among them is "scraping" restaurant reviews and using the reviews as their own.  Customers will not notice much change. Reports say that the only binding action that resulted from the investigation was a consent order barring Google from abusing the "standard essential" mobile-phone patents it acquired from Motorola. Google dominates the U.S. search market with 70 percent of all queries. Microsoft, which has been accusing Google of being monopolist, release a lengthy statement criticizing the FTC decision. And the technorati says...

What Others Are Saying...

Google ... has become a parasite ... and is stealing stuff from everybody else. It's a shame that FTC failed to act.

Source:

Microsoft will serve itself better if it butts out of being the sorry loser accusing Google of being too large, when Microsoft itself is too large in desktop OS and Office. ... It is very possible that Microsoft itself could be target of antitrust proceedings on almost the same accusations ... Microsoft needs to focus on technology and competing against Google on merits by making Bing work well.

Source:

In the meantime, Apple can continue to bully other manufacturers over their unique ... "rectangle with rounded corners" patents. ... Thanks for clearing that up, FTC!

Source:

Fri, 12/14/2012 - 11:47am

Throughout the comment arena, the beliefs around competition keep coming up in user posts.  This speaks to a larger issue in society now regarding fairness, consumer rights.  Interestingly enough, sociologist and author Joel Polodny talks about how it is actually status that influences who a product producer does and does not accept as a partner and how the producer's inventions are perceived.  And here's the good part:  "to achieve desired status, firms must offer more than strong past performance and product quality--they must also send out and manage social and cultural signals."  See any relation to this situation???

Google Maps has a special Christmas present for their fans using iPhones: their mapping system app is back. Nearly three months ago, Apple replaced Google Maps with its own app, which was a disaster, according to users. Apple's maps made huge errors including the fact that they misplaced landmarks and overlooked towns. Daniel Graf, mobile director of Google Maps, said that they started the app from scratch. A new feature, according to reports, is the turn-by-turn directions and street-level photography of local neighborhoods. There still isn't a Google Maps app for the iPad, however. Tech savvy lost people think what?

What Others Are Saying...

... Google would not have done a tenth of what they did with the new Maps app if they had gotten a free ride from Apple ... Competition is good.

Source:

It looks very good. I tried the voice guided turn-by-turn and it works nicely ... The interface is way better then it was on previous versions ...

Source:

It's funny how, in removing Google's entrenched place in iOS, Apple has forced Google to compete and improve. ... Now, Google has no reason to hold off features they offer to Android. ...

Source:

Pages

Subscribe to RSS - Google

Anyone can collect comments; but only here will you also get irreverent, fun analysis of public opinion!

Lots to say on the Tumblr purchase by Yahoo for reportedly $1.1 billion dollars. (yes, you read right).  Yahoo CEO is playing for keeps on this one, and there is much scrutiny... more

Well, the fact that Yahoo has said that they promise not to screw up the deal says a lot about what they already know the general public perception to be of this... more

What's the biggest chatter today in celeb, why, Kanye West, of course.  Not only he still currently a trending topic on Twitter with the release of the album coupled with... more

Issues here of not liking the messenger, liking the message, not liking the message nor the messenger, and so on.  This figure has become quite controversial. ... more

Alright, so while the media pants over the IRS and Benghazi scandals - both of which are rating low interest-o-meter, btw - we're going to turn to something politics related... more

No half-stepping here.  Either the view is adamantly for or definitely against.  Here is the thing:  when you have a first lady who has said in the past that she... more

It's all about scandal, and we don't mean the series on ABC television.  Much going on in the comment arena regarding breaking stories this week. As if the Benghazi probe weren... more

Naturally, this is a big topic.  The comment arena has more than its fair share of sentiment against the president and even the "system" overall, while of course... more