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Cyberbully update, Apple iPhone 3GS, Google Chrome OS, WebMD, Technology and Public Safety
News, tips and information impacting your life through technology.
Show Notes Episode 5
News Flash
– Google has announed their upcoming operating system “Chrome OS”
– Apple to Build $1B Server Farm in North Carolina
– Microsoft set to launch a music streaming service this month
– Microsoft kicks off the Office 2010 Technical Preview
Topics
1. Cyberbully update – Update from Episode 2
A Missouri woman who was convicted of three misdemeanors for her role in an online harassment of a teenager who committed suicide has been provisionally acquitted. Federal District Judge George Wu provisionally threw out the convictions because Drew’s conviction on illegal access hinged on the fact that she violated MySpace’s Terms of Service by creating a false account. Creating a false account is not a criminal offense, and Judge Wu did not want to create a precedent that could be used to convict millions of other Internet users. Lori Drew was not directly charged with causing Megan’s death, but was instead indicted under the Federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.
2. Apple iPhone 3GS: Current issues and what users can do to protect their investment and check out “Tech Talk” for an official blog posting and user tips.
3. Google Chrome OS –
http://www.dailytech.com/Google+Unveils+Linuxbased+Chrome+OS/article15632.htm
4. WebMD: Its purpose, its design, the side effects, the consequences. Check out the official blog post under “Lifesytles” on www.
Questions from Winforums
Question: newtech – I recently downloaded Google Chrome. It does not have a “Home” button on the toolbar. How do I add a “Home” button and designate a home page?
Answer: Google Chrome Home Button
Discussion of the Cast
Technology and Public Safety
1. Reverse 911 System: Information sent via email/text to cell phones to alert citizens of breaking crime activity within a given jurisdiction.
2. CNN: The trains that crashed on the Washington Metro depended on a 33-year-old automated control system widely used in cities across the United States, according to the American Public Transportation Association.
– The Washington Metro has used an automated train control system since 1976
– Philadelphia, San Francisco, Boston and Atlanta also use a similar system
– American Public Transportation Association: “What happened in Washington is rare”
– Investigators found a problem in one of the track circuits that relay data to trains and are looking into why the computerized emergency system failed to prevent the accident. Officials say crash like D.C. Metro not likely in other cities.
The reason for the concern is that A330 series jets have recently experienced a number of potentially disastrous computer anomalies. In one case, erratic computer commands caused an A330 to suddenly pitch nose-down until the captain could regain control, according to a report by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau .
Tip or Site of Interest
Mikee – Online Image Editor
Dave – 25 Free Apps for the Mac
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The Four Horsemen of Tech
We kick off the show discussing a new book – The Four: The Hidden DNA of Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google. Find out what makes these companies click and why they have become so profitable and ubiquitous. Microsoft announced that Windows 10 Mobile will no longer be a focus of the company, providing only bug fixes and security updates. Continuing with the farewell tone, we are saying goodbye to AOL Instant Messenger, the once famed and popular chat function in the late 1990s and early 2000s. And finally, YouTube has banned gun modification videos from their listings in response to the Las Vegas mass shooting and human tragedy.
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Time Warner Cable and Charter Communications Merger
The news surrounding the merger of Time Warner Cable and Charter Communications was predicted by many after the FCC shot down the Comcast/Time Warner Cable merger. In addition to that, Charter will be buying the smaller Bright House Networks.
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All Things Google
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This week on the Waves of Tech, John Hanlon joins the crew as a special guest. John has been a huge supporter of the Network and is big into social media, tech, and politics. You might call John a Google Fanatic. He loves Google products, the Android OS, and many of the services Google offers. Tune in to this week’s episode as we talk about all things Google….and more Google…and more Google.
Show Notes
Google Background: Larry Page and Sergey Brin meet at Stanford while pursuing their computer science PHD’s. Larry Page developed the PR algorithm, thus called Page Rank. In 1999, Sequoia Capital and Kleiner Perkins invested $25 million into the then struggling company. Both investment firms insisted on bringing in a business executive branch to the company. Thus, the beginning.
1. Dave, Steve, and John breakdown which Google products and service used:
Google voice, Gmail, Google Docs, Google Listen, Android OS, Search, Webmaster tools, Analytics, Feedburner, Google places, AdWords, Google Reader, YouTube, Google Buzz, and Google Wave
2. Larry Page taking over as CEO of Google. Eric Schmidt stepping aside.
A change in leadership has occurred at Google before and it is occurring again. We breakdown what the move means internally and externally for the company and lend our thoughts to the cultural climate Google has implemented.
3. Android Mark online OTA app downloads. In-app purchases.
Android 3.0, also known as Honeycomb, is set to be used on a variety a tablets including the Motorola Xoom and LG G-Slate. This move is in direct competition to what Apple and the iPad has offered in the tablet market.
4. Competition for iTunes? Google Music, Spotify Making Launch Strides
Steve and Dave have often criticized Google for overstepping their boundaries in respect to their core functions and duties as a tech company. Well, Google is trying to tap into the music industry by creating Spotify. Again, Google seems to be doing everything they can to compete with Apple. We discuss.
5. Google Speak2Tweet Voicemail For Egypt While Internet Shut Down
Google, Twitter, and SayNow teamed up in an unprecedented manner in giving a voice to the Egyptian people when their own government has taken it away. Google impresses the three of us because they prove themselves as a humanistic company and not simply a box-and-deploy tech company.
6. It might be fun to go through a few of these if there’s time
John breaks down what Google calls their “Easter Eggs.” These are small hoaxes and gags that Google pulls off every year. We have some fun with these.