Googles NEW initiatives for Project Ara: Better Battery Tech

Another one bites the dust with Google… with the new release for Project Ara initiatives working towards bettering mobile computing uses for consumers. The new Project Ara initiatives consist of better and “cutting-edge” battery tech, and working towards the next generation of smartphone modules. Google has been listening to their consumers… ever since the introduction to the Project Ara consumers have been interested in a “customized smartphone with hot-swappable modules and varying functionality that can be changed on the fly depending on the users needs” (Extremetech).

Google has been focusing on the Spiral 2 device which is a new version of the hardware that offers a variety of better modules for consumers. This includes, greater flexibility, the option to swap out of battery while the device is in low power mode, and the opportunity to use multiple antennas for better signal sourcing and multiple carrier support (Extremetech). Then, Google is adding the Spiral 3 device to the latest Android release which includes packaging and decorating improvements and an updated framework for software development. “There are battery technologies that offer substantial improvements over conventional lithium polymer architectures, but either cost too much for typical inclusion into smartphones or have other, specialized requirements” (Extremetech). However, Google is looking into this to better suit their Android users.

In the longer term, Google’s goal is to create around 20-30 modules to once again better suit their consumers needs. As well, Google plans to look into “pollution sensors” and is currently stressing the goal of creating an entire ecosystem. Ultimately, the newly launched Project Ara initiatives are seeking to provide better cutting edge technology, flexibility, adaptability, and and customize – ability to their consumers.

Hruska, Joel. “Google’s Project Ara Update: New Partners, inductive data  transfer, and cutting-edge battery tech.” extremetech. 14 Jan 2015. Web. 18 March 2015.

http://www.extremetech.com/computing/197512-googles-project-ara-update-new-partners-inductive-data-transfer-and-cutting-edge-battery-tech

Is your Mobile Computing Device Considered a Fashion Accessory?

Has technology consumed our daily lifestyles so much that our mobile computing devices might play a critical role in our closet? Is the new Apple Watch going to replace our typical watch brands like Cartier or Rolex? Is the Google Hololens going to be one of the newest fashion statements? Today, more than ever we are really seeing the evolution of technology from the typical PC to the newest and latest smartphone or tablet. But as technology grows over time we are quickly seeing the release of technological gadgets being considered the newest “fashion trend.” Being able to distinguish of the new trendy technology gadget “Apple Watch” is either a technology platform or a fashion statement could be tricky.

The uses of technology on the runway has been evident for some time now. With the usage of technology based printing techniques used to project images on shirts and other fashion garments. I think it is safe to say with the fast expanding technological market our very own technology platforms provided to us by Apple, Microsoft, Google, and etc will eventually become a fashion statement. Technology has become so ingrained into our every day functioning lives that having our very own Apple technology based watch on our wrist will be a necessity and eventually a trend that everyone will want to follow. So let’s ask this question again…. is the Apple Watch going to replace the traditional Cartier or Rolex watch? Is your mobile computing devices being considered a fashion accessory?

Beker, Jeanne. ” Wearable tech is going mainstream- but does it have a place in fashion?” The Globe and Mail. 18 March 2015. Web. 18 March 2015.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/fashion-and-beauty/fashion/wearable-tech-is-going-mainstream-but-does-it-have-a-place-in-fashion/article23475889/

The Introduction to Microsoft’s Hololens will have an Impact on Mobile Computing

Microsoft one of the other big players in the technology world has released one of it’s newest innovations and add-on to the mobile computing market. Microsoft’s innovation the “HoloLens”  was a surprise highlight in Microsoft’s top 10 preview event. The HoloLen’s can be described as an “holographic augmented reality device that would allow a user to change dynamically the appearance of the world around us” (Sd Times).

The idea of the HoloLens is efficient for consumers because you will not need a PC or tablet to run the device you just need the device itself. Which is a great competitive advantage to other devices introduced into the mobile computing market. What makes the HoloLens so essential to the market is the technology features it provides. “HoloLens integrates a number of technologies together to fool our eyes into seeing things as if they were really in the room with us. It uses a more advanced form of the Xbox Kinect camera to scan the environment around you, and then places that information in a unique computer mounted on your head with three processors” (Sd Times).

Most analysts say that HoloLens is a leading innovation in mobile computing and will be the next generation of the many uses of mobile computing. With the integrated features of voice commands, eye tracking, and portability the HoloLen’s will become the next generation of mobile computing.

Enderele, Rob. Analyst Watch: Microsoft Hololens: Anticipating the next age of mobile computing. Sdtimes. 26 Feb 2015. Web. 13 March 2015.

http://sdtimes.com/analyst-watch-microsoft-hololens-anticipating-next-age-mobile-computing/

Android is Getting into the Mobile Computing Battle

Google Incorporated is trying to get a taste of the expanding mobile computing market by launching Android into the never ending competitive battles of the market. Apple Inc. being the hottest trend out there in mobile computing; now customers have to decide between the Iphone or Android Smartphone. As we know, most customers prefer the uses of the Apple Iphone but many smartphone users will choose the Android as well.

Google Inc. is releasing a set of tools designed for businesses and employees who want to get work done on Android powered smartphones (The Globe and Mail). Google has been focusing on the corporate market for years, with these new Android launches mobile computing will turn Android phones into the hub of people’s professional and corporate lives. Google Inc. and Apple Inc. have become so dominant that 96 percent of the smartphones sold last year run on the companies software (Research Firm, IDC).

Android is attempting to make their smartphones more enticing for customers by offering features that enable consumers to integrate their corporate lives into the many uses of the phone. “Our vision is that every employee out there should have a work-enabled device in their hands” (Rajen Sheth, Director of Product Management). Some of the many features that will help consumers integrate their corporate lives into their mobile computing would be the introduction of the “Android for Work Program.” The program allows users to create professional profiles while keeping separate files from “snooty employers” (The Globe and Mail).

Liedtke, Michael. Google Pushes Android into the office, launching mobile computing battle. The Globe and Mail. 25 Feb 2015. Web. 13 March 2015.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/technology/tech-news/google-pushes-android-into-the-office-launching-mobile-computing-battle/article23205429/

Is Mobile Computing Safe?

The increasing uses of mobile computing can actually be scarier to our lives than we think. Increasingly, social media companies such as Facebook have been infamous for secretly changing users privacy settings and engaging in “Big Brother” type activities with the launch of their new “I Messenger App.” Facebook is not the only social media company who is engaging in this though, Google Inc. also utilizes users information to gain a profit for marketing initiatives based on what users search. On the other hand, Facebook targets advertising campaigns on Facebook accounts to the specific user based on their top Google searches. Creepy isn’t it?

So what exactly is this I Messenger App all about ? Have we become so consumed with mobile computing and the uses of social media that we are unconsciously agreeing to Facebook listening to our conversations, monitoring our conversations, and physically tracking our phone and social media activity. Yes, we have. As most Facebook users are now aware of, you will not be able to access your Facebook private messages on a smartphone Facebook app without downloading a separate app specifically utilized for messaging called “I Messenger” App. Yes, users have no way around this. Facebook is forcing smartphone mobile computing users to download the app or else they could not view their private messages on a smartphone. Facebook has pulled a major Big Brother move! Facebook can now view your call lists and camera… now that is insane.

Why exactly would Facebook make such an app “mandatory” for mobile computing users to download or else they could not view their own personal messages. Mobile computing users are so addicted to the streams of social media that we tend to ignore the fine print of terms and conditions when downloading the app. Facebook, did indeed “cross the line” with this messenger app but most users still agree to these terms. Is social media more important than giving up our rights to privacy?

Fogarty, Susan. “Mobile Device Security Surpass Reality, Survey Says.” Tech Target. 13 June, 2011. Web. 13 March 2015.

http://searchmobilecomputing.techtarget.com/news/2240036827/Mobile-device-security-demands-surpass-reality-survey-says

Mobile Computing is Improving Workplace Productivity In Sales Jobs and Part Time Work

Technology has gone a long way over the past decades as we know from the evolution of the desktop, laptop, and now smartphones. The idea of mobile computing as been oh so new to the work environment over the past couple years as it is always improving due to the continuous innovations provided by the leading technology based companies Apple Inc, Google and etc. Mobile computing has been utilized through various sales jobs and temp agencies across North America. Sales agencies allow employees specifically those in sales positions to utilize their mobile devices for proven efficiency and productivity in the workplace. Allowing such employees to use their mobile devices on the job allows sales representatives to be available on a 24 hour basis and also allows business to business relationships to strengthen.

According to the CEO of Gigwalk he believes “mobile technology will be the catalyst and that over the next 10 years, smartphones will have the same impact on the productivity of part time and temporary workers that desktop laptop computers have had on productivity of office workers over the past 20-30 years.’ As mentioned above, the idea of utilizing mobile computing in the workplace is still a very new idea to employers and employees. Mobile computing is also being used for production, scheduling, and completing their work. With the various features and apps that smartphones offer being able to schedule and completing work in the workplace in an easier manner. For example, sales representatives can use the Siri feature provided to Apple Iphone smartphone users to find addresses to clients more efficiently. Other apps and smartphone features such as smart calendars and to do lists in order to effectively organize and schedule work.

Think about it, how often do you see a sales related job post that does not specify that you need access to your own “smartphone” or that you will be accompanied with a company mobile device ? Mobile computing is becoming an efficiency tool utilized in the workplace and will become more common over the next few years in the workplace.

Works Cited:

Taylor, Brian. Mobile Computing will Transform temp workforces over the next 10 years, says Gigwalk’s CEO. Tech Republic. 20 Feb 2015. Web. 24 Feb 2015.

http://www.techrepublic.com/article/mobile-computing-will-transform-temp-workforces-over-the-next-10-years-says-gigwalks-ceo/

Yahoo Scours the Digital Landscape for Growth Opportunities

As mentioned in my previous post the market for mobile computing is clearly dominated and identified by Apple Inc. with the many features Apple Inc. has expanded into the technological mobile market. From the introduction to Siri, IOS operating system, and the many slim and durable sizes of I phones and other mobile devices; Apple Inc. offers a lot to the mobile computing market. Yahoo is just another rival trying to compete in the mobile computing market with once again the dominating tech company Apple Inc. Yahoo’s newest CEO Marissa Mayer publicly introduced the idea to potential consumers that Yahoo is releasing a new mobile tool kit. Mrs. Mayer was scouring the digital landscape for more growth opportunities. As to which Yahoo most certainty needs a growth opportunity; as just recently Intel announced that they will be producing tailor made processors for mobile devices and Apple Inc. is already working on their next big feature to mobile computing.

So what is so great about Yahoo’s new announced tool kit ? The idea introduced is an expansion through a set of free tools in mobile applications. Yahoo is offering the makers of mobile applications the ability to distribute ads in other mobile apps besides its own. Which Yahoo is currently planning to plant its search engine inside other apps so it can display ads alongside the results (Therecord, 2015). Now, if you are asking yourself where is the money in this for Yahoo? The answer is that Yahoo plans to take a cut from the ad sales on other apps which would build on the $768 million in mobile revenue that the company generated from the previous year. As i said, Yahoo is in desperate need of a new growth opportunity and needs to grasp a competitive advantage. Yahoo’s revenues are far behind the mobile leaders Facebook and Google which already deliver promotions to other digital services besides their own. So is Yahoo’s newly introduced idea about expanding a Yahoo mobile tool kit… really a new idea?

Works Cited:

Liedtke, Michael. yahoo Releases new mobile tool kit. Therecord, 19 Feb 2015. Web. 20 Feb 2015.

http://www.therecord.com//news-story/5347301-yahoo

Intel Is Trying to Catch Up With Rivalry Apple Inc. by Stepping Into Mobile Computing

Apple Incorporated has been credited for grasping the competitive advantage amongst rivals for years and has a credited reputation for emerging and expanding the mobile computing network. Apple Inc. has introduced Siri; a built in “intelligent assistant” that enables users of Apple Iphone 4S and later versions, Ipad and Ipod Touch devices to speak natural language voice commands in order to operate the mobile device and apps. As well, Apple Inc. has also been credited for its app creations and the IOS operating system used for it’s mobile  computing devices. However, Intel is gearing up to bring high end processors into the mobile phone market to catch up with rival company, Apple Inc. Intel is known for its core PC’s and for the first time will create processors which will focus upon enhancing the processors of smartphones.

It is known that Apple Inc. is already dominating the mobile computing region but Intel who specializes in quality over quantity processors could be credited for offering a more efficient power to smartphones and other devices used in mobile computing. Intel claims to have carried out this step because the world of computing is evolving; the transition is being made from PCs to mobile phones and tablets. For that very reason, Intel plans to emphasize a tailor made processor for mobile systems and to hopefully be credited for it even though Apple Inc. is currently dominating that spectrum of mobile computing. The idea that Intel is offering to produce a tailor made processor for mobile systems may be appreciated by the public and could help gain company reputation and investments from outsiders.

Intel will face some difficulties because the motherboards and other various integral systems required for a PC will have to be redesigned specially for a mobile system (Wall Street, 2015). The processor Intel plans on using and modifying to tailor to mobile devices is known as Broxton and will be based upon the 14 nanometer technology and laced with the Goldmont processor along with Gen.9 Graphics. The Broxton may also be beneficial to lower end PCs that the company manufactures and this could provide more future opportunities to Intel.

Works cited:

Sheppard, Jason. Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) To Step into Mobile Computing With New Processor. Wall Street, 12 Feb 2015. Web. 20 Feb 2015.

https://www.wallstreet.org/2015/02/intel-nasdaq-intc-to-step-into-mobile-computing-with-new-processor/149148.html

How Mobile Computing is Affecting University Communications and Learning in the Classroom

Mobile computing is expanding much more than just the next generation of cell phones or tablet computers. Mobile computing is about merging communication mediums with the vast capabilities of the Internet and combining communication mediums with the vast capabilities of the Internet and combining them into a portable, powerful, intuitive device that can play a valuable role in assisting, and even improving many of our daily lives (Planning for Higher Education, 2013).

The many uses of mobile computing is just as important as the uses of the PC or Desktop when the idea was initiated and expanded among corporate and business office spaces. More than ever, the uses of mobile computing has become a norm to the learning experiences and communication models used by Universities in North America and globally. The idea, that students can easily access their professor’s email accounts to get an immediate response is something new to the student – professor relationship. This could take some getting used to for those baby boomers out there who did not have the luxury of merging into the technological society since birth. The idea of being able to access your student database and professor’s quick response is not the only aspect of mobile computing that is rapidly changing university communications.

Distance education is one of the fastest growing educational modality because of advances information technology has made over the past two decades (Research Gate, 2011). Adult learners have become the fastest growing population in distance education and have become more digitally literate because of the technical tools being utilized on the job in today’s technological centered society. Mobile computing has become an extension to distance education where students can now easily access their homework assignments, lectures, and other study materials on the go at any time and any place. This allows adult learners to learn, communicate, and access educational materials outside the traditional classroom.

However, is the fast and easy access to online education and the other features of mobile computing actually allowing adult learners to be productive or is it a distraction? Nevertheless, if you walk into a traditional classroom setting all you will see is hundreds of students with open laptops, smartphones, and tablets and sometimes more than one mobile computing device at the same time. With so many features to social media such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Whats App is it possible that students can’t resist the temptation? Are students truthfully engaging in classroom discussions and effective note taking. Even with the newly integrated idea of distance education there is a never ending portal to distractions with mobile computing as students can access both educational portals and other features of mobile computing at the same time such as social media.

Based on a study, eighty four participants all over the age of 25 read a passage using one of two distance education modules; desktop or mobile device. While reading the passage, one of three task load levels was imposed on participants; none, low, or high. Each participant completed an achievement test and the NASA-TLX assessment. The results from this study provided evidence that mobile learning technologies increased levels of task load which introduced physical ergonomic discomfort and affected perceptions of mental workload. This study also determined that mobile computing affected the performance of reading and learning (Research Gate, 2011). So, is mobile computing really helping university communications and effective learning to students or is is just a distraction ?

Works Cited:

1. Jones, Rochelle. Physical ergonomic and mental workload factors of mobile learning affecting performance of adult distance learners. Research Gate, March 2011. Web. 20 Feb 2015.

http://www.researchgate.net/publication/47715366

2. Currie, Colin. Impact of Mobile Computing: Anticipating the Effects on the Campus. Planning for Higher Education, March 2013. Web. 20 Feb 2015.

https://www.questia.com/library/journal/1G1-342177551/impact-of-mobile-computing-anticipating-the-effects