The Future of Tech – “Intuitive” Phones
Notes From The Social-Loco Conference
Recently a conference was held in San Fransisco which discussed the direction of technological development — what can we expect from our devices in the next few years? Rest assured, smart people are working hard to bring us what we need.
Image source: SF Gate (online)
It seems that the most important thing is mobility.
And social networking.
Why?
“With the convergence of social networking and mobile phones becoming more pronounced, tech companies are working toward a future when those devices are beyond smart and become intuitive.“
“Intuitive”? That sounds good, right?
“Using built-in accelerometers, GPS systems and compasses, a phone can have a “sixth sense” in determining when its owner is driving to work or sitting down to lunch, speakers at the Social-Loco Conference said. And then the phone can tap into a social network to make contextual recommendations, such as routes to get around a traffic jam or a new dish to try.”
Location awareness: Don’t be fooled by that pleasant & helpful sounding “route around a traffic jam” and focus instead on “a new dish to try”. They don’t give a rat’s *bottom* for being so helpful as getting you somewhere on time — they want to serve you ads, plain and simple. Ads based on what store you happen to be nearest to at the moment.
Why?
“The conference at the Mission Bay Conference Center focused on social networking, location-based services and mobile phones, trends that are particularly important to the biggest social network of all, Facebook.
Generating revenue from mobile users is one of the key investor concerns that dragged down Facebook’s stock price after its debut as a publicly traded company last month. The company previously warned it did not have a proven method of generating revenue from mobile.”
Today’s Geekspeak Translation: “Generate revenue” = serve up advertisements
Bah. I am getting sick-up and fed. “Loco” (Spanish for nutso/cuckoo/bonkers) is right.
Just what I want! More ads! On my phone! Yay!
Is there no escape? Hasn’t anyone woken up to the fact that we humans have become adept at tuning out/ignoring ads as “white noise”? (Solution: double their exposure! If that fails, TRIPLE it!)
In other lunacy: Somebody told me how I could be “Mayor” of my local mall on foursquare..
“foursquare, is a location-based social networking website for mobile devices, such as smartphones. Users “check in” at venues using a mobile website, text messaging or a device-specific application by selecting from a list of venues the application locates nearby. Location is based on GPS hardware in the mobile device or network location provided by the application. Each check-in awards the user points and sometimes “badges”.”
I guess this is “modern marketing”?
Is everyone 15 years-old? All of a sudden? Foursquare just may be the single dumbest concept I’ve yet encountered. (I guess when you’re 15, you want to know where everybody is, all the time…? )
* * *
You may have noticed that my VodPod videos are gone. That is because the simple and effective video sharing service was recently purchased by a company run by 15 year-olds, who immediately broke it [aka “FAIL”], and also changed its name to Lockerz (where using a “z” instead of an “s” makes you hip, slick, and trendy!)
But .. now I can have something called “decalz”.
Click the link where my widget used to be. Take a look at Lockerz (“A Social Life That Pays”). There you’ll see the future…
Earn “Pointz”!
There’s something seriously – fundamentally – wrong here.. And I don’t think it’s me.
Coming Soon
Source for today’s topic: Bloomberg: Conference looks at social, mobile possibilities
Today’s Quick Tip: Set your phone’s “location awareness” setting to “9-1-1 Only“. Trust me. It’s nobody’s concern what store you happen to be walking past right now.
Today’s quote: “People are always telling me that change is good. But all that means is that something you didn’t want to happen has happened.” ~ Meg Ryan
Copyright 2007-2012 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.
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All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.
Items Of Interest | Latest Social Networking Craze | March Is Half Over?!
Some things you might wanna know…
* Pinterest’s popularity attracts cyber scammers
“Pinterest is the latest social networking craze — and that means cyber criminals aren’t going to let you share images of your favorite summer sandals, button bracelets and vegan cupcakes in peace.
According to Symantec researchers, miscreants have begun flocking to the fast-growing virtual pinboard. Instead of posting images that lead to legitimate websites, these scammers are pinning alluring bait, such as offers claiming to give away a free $100 gift card.” Read more..
* 16 reasons NOT to buy a new iPad
“With the U.S. and nine other countries awaiting the 8am arrival of the latest iPad, David Gewirtz attempts to shut down Apple’s reality distortion field and save you some money.” Read more..
(“Reality Distortion Field”. That’s one way to phrase it..)
* Why does my computer stalk me with pictures of shoes I shouldn’t buy?
“For the past two days the shoes I thought I’d gotten out of my system have been stalking me relentlessly across the Internet.” Read more..
(On this one, the comments are readworthy, too.)
Echidnas are one of few mammals to lay eggs. |
* The Encyclopaedia Britannica is going out of print
“It was probably inevitable, but on Tuesday, it became official: the Encyclopaedia Britannica is finally going out of print.” Read more..
(Apparently.. some people care…)(In case nobody has told you yet, books [with paper] are living fossils [aka “dead man walking”].)
The lastest from Fred Langa:
* Step by step: How to safely test-drive Win8
“Using safe, free virtual PC software, you can set up and run the Windows 8 Consumer Preview inside your current PC without affecting your other programs or your installed version of Windows.
This method lets you test-drive Windows 8 without having to make potentially risky changes to your current setup. There’s no need for dual-booting, special partitions, and so on.” Read more..
* You do know the IRS is not going to send you an email, right? (Tis the season of tax/refund scam emails. [Just delete any emails you see claiming to be from them.])
* * *
Today’s quote: “The promises of this world are, for the most part, vain phantoms; and to confide in one’s self, and become something of worth and value is the best and safest course.” ~ Michelangelo
Copyright 2007-2012 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.
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LinkedIn. Privacy. Tuesday Tidbits. Free Software.
• Last week I posted an article about the Zuckerbergs, and why Facebook users should pay special attention to their privacy settings (see, One More Reason I Don’t Facebook) and included a How To. The very day I posted that I saw a question on a forum that led me to conclude that Facebook slurps up all the phone numbers stored in your phone (when you sign in on a Blackberry/smartphone) and makes them visible.. and subject to spamming.
Which led someone to post: Facebook security help!!
“Here’s the question: If I log into my Facebook page on someone else’s Blackberry, will their contacts automatically be synced to my Facebook contact list? My ex boyfriend’s contact list appears in my Facebook contact list. I used his phone one time to check my Facebook and I made sure I was logged out when done. I have never synced my own cell phone to Facebook and he’s never had access to my computer or passwords. Any ideas how his stuff is in there and is my Facebook secure??? HELP!!” Read more..
• Today I noticed that Michael Kassner had posted a similar “privacy concern” about LinkedIn. And I am glad I read his article, as they changed the game without telling me, and opted me in. Boo! Hiss! LinkedIn: Surprise changes to defaults affect your privacy
“Do you know what Social Advertising is? If you use LinkedIn, you may already be part of it. Michael Kassner sorts out LinkedIn’s privacy policy and suggests settings you may want to change.” Read more..
(Since I do have a profile on LinkedIn, I did make those changes. Thank you Mr. Kassner!)
• Guess I ain’t the only one getting concerned: today I saw How To Remove Yourself from People Search Websites
“People search services provide the general public with a dangerous amount of personal information about you. Here’s how to opt-out of most – for now.” Read more..
(I strongly urge folks to read this one, even if you think it may not apply to you. In fact, I am finding this true enough about Violet Blue’s writings, that I have added her to my blogroll.)
• Speaking of smartphones.. Tips for a Malware-Free Android Smartphone
“Since more and more malware is emerging for the Android platform every day, you must pay strict attention to what is happening on your phone or tablet. Smartphones are essentially computers–and all computers are vulnerable to viruses, phishing, and other attacks from malicious software. Here are five quick tips to help you keep your Android phone or tablet free of malware.” Read more..
• Tails: One more distro for the privacy-conscious
“Tails stands for The Amnesiac Incognito Live System — a new Linux distribution for users who want to leave no trail on the Internet.” Read more..
• Today’s quote: “Consider the postage stamp: its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing till it gets there.” ~ Josh Billings
• Today’s “Don’t miss out“: on the chance to enter my latest software license giveaway drawing!
*** Win A Valuable Prize! ***
The folks at Softland have generously donated ten licenses for Backup4all Professional to me, to award to my readers.
“Backup4all is an award-winning data backup software for Windows. This backup utility was designed to protect your valuable data from partial or total loss by automating backup tasks, password protecting and compressing it to save storage space. This backup application is feature rich and offers an intuitive interface making all features easily accessible for both beginners and professionals.“
To enter the drawing, please see: Backup4all License Giveaway Drawing
Copyright 2007-2011 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.
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Added Security For Social Networking
A new version of WOT
Folks, I received a ‘heads up’ yesterday that I want to pass along to you.
“It has been a while since I updated you on what’s going on at Web of Trust. Our free website reputation rating add-on has grown to 18 million users worldwide who have rated over 31 million unique domains for trustworthiness, vendor reliability, privacy protection and child safety.
There is a new version of WOT that will benefit our users of social networking sites Facebook and Twitter. The new version of WOT offers the same protection as usual with the addition of reputation rating icons in Facebook, Twitter and with shortened URLs by most popular services, such as bit.ly and t.co.
This will greatly reduce the incidence of risky URLs being passed along and opened.A beta version of WOT for Social Media is available at http://www.mywot.com/beta. (The beta is available for Firefox users only.)”
Folks, I have not had a chance to test this beta, but I am a fan of Web Of Trust (aka “WOT”) and have recommended it here many times before (see, You have received an eCard.. WOT?). If you use Firefox, and you Facebook and Tweet, you may want to give this add-on a test drive, and be safer on the web.
Copyright 2007-2011 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.
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How To Remove Your Name From Search Engines and Social Networking Sites
Your Private Information Made Public
Folks, sometimes it is best to not reinvent the wheel; so today I am going to refer you to three excellent resources for the methods you need to know about if you are concerned about your personal information, and how websites (and the Gov’t) are collecting – and posting – it on the Internet.
If you are serious about protecting your identity and personal security, you should take actions now to block your personal information from public viewing.
Remove Your information from People Search Databases, Social Networks, and Search Engine Results— JessicaM
“Do you know what kind of personal information about you can be found from Internet? Do you know how to remove your name, address, phone number, pictures, bad comments and negative reviews from Google and other search engine results? Do you know how to delete your personal information from online people search database records?“
I am putting this one first as it is comprehensive and well researched. It is four pages long, and packed with good info.
How To Permanently Delete Your Account on Popular Websites — Cameron Chapman
“What we often don’t realize when signing up for all these accounts, though, is how difficult it can be to permanently delete our accounts when we’ve had enough. Some require complicated, multi-step processes that can stretch over the course of days (or weeks). Others take less time, but still require multiple steps by the user.“
This article outlines the steps for removing your account/profile on:
Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, LinkedIn, Google, Ebay, Wikipedia, Flickr/Yahoo!, Windows Live, StumbleUpon, WordPress, Amazon, YouTube, and PayPal.
If you want to stay inconspicuous while online, here are some products, services, and best practices to put to use.
How to Stay Anonymous Online — Erik Griffith
“Some might say that the Internet was built on anonymity. Without it, the Internet might not have become what it is today—a place where free speech reigns supreme (maybe to a fault). However, as social networks prevail—and über-companies like Google do all they can to market to you more effectively—your privacy on the Web comes into question. The good news is that you can take back control of what others see and know of you online. Here’s how.“
Subtopics: Safe Surfing, Anonymous E-mail, Social (Network) Security
The article contains links to programs and tools you may be interested in.. if your privacy is a concern to you.
Update: Here is another resource, brought to my attention by Rick Robinette:
“I came across a really cool site that, if anything, is a real education about online accounts and profiling. The site is called AccountKiller.
AccountKiller – Do you care about your personal data? We provide instructions to remove your account or public profile on most popular websites, including Skype, Facebook, Windows Live, Hotmail / Live, Twitter, MSN / Messenger, Google and many more. Want to create an account somewhere? Check our Blacklist first to see if it’s even possible to remove your profile!
What AccountKiller specializes in is collecting direct links and deleting instructions to make account termination an easier process.” Read more..
* * *
Bonus: additional recommended reading: Does a Blogger’s Opinion Really Matter?
Copyright 2007-2010 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved. 
post to jaanix.
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Buzz Bombs
“Google is not accustomed to being mistrusted by users and flogged by the tech press, but that’s exactly what’s happened to the search engine giant in recent weeks since the release of its new Google Buzz social media product.”
Please see, Why Google Buzz confirmed our two worst fears about Google
Related: Gmail Users Sue Google for Google Buzz Launch | Google Gmail
How to turn off Buzz: In Gmail, click on “Settings” in the upper right. Then click on the “Buzz” tab, and change the radio buttons. Save Changes.
Gmail Settings page
* For those of you who came here looking for my i7 CPU article.. I apologize, but it has been delayed. I won’t get it up today, but tomorrow fersher!
Copyright 2007-2010 © Tech Paul. All Rights Reserved. post to jaanix.
>> Folks, don’t miss an article! To get Tech – for Everyone articles delivered to your e-mail Inbox click here, or to subscribe in your RSS reader, click here. <<
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Life in the 21st Century
NEW YORK (Reuters) – A Maryland groom has created an viral story storm after he interrupted his wedding last month to up
date his Facebook and Twitter accounts from the altar.
Dana Hanna, who works for a pet website, also posted a short video of the ceremony on the Internet. It showed him reaching into his pocket for his phone as the minister was about to pronounce the couple husband and wife… (click here for rest of article)
“Smart” cell phones. Texting. Twitter. Homo Sapiens in the 21st Century.
Source: http://www.inquisitr.com
“To all the criticizers of my video out there questioning my sanity: You don’t get it. I was having fun at MY wedding! Loosen up, have fun! ”
All I can say (here, anyway) is.. wow.
And.. a stanza from Flagpole Sitta is running through my mind…
In related news, the White House partycrashers…
Copyright 2007-9 © Tech Paul. All rights reserved. post to jaanix
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• About Tech Paul
I am a Retired computer & network technician. I used to think the machines were pretty cool. Now I don’t.
They’re anything but.
I regularly posted how-to’s and tricks & tips and general computing advice here starting in 2007. (Use the Search tool to find answers. But be aware, many are rather dated.) Sometimes I answered (your) specific questions in an article if I believed the answer was generally helpful to “everyone”. All the writing you see was my own, typos and all. There always is/was an implied “IMHO” in what you see here.
Note: You are responsible for using this blog and its content. I am in no way liable for any losses caused by user error, viruses and/or other malware, hardware or software failure, or any other conceivable reason.
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