Geek Smack!

Last week I decided to take a week off – sort of. I was suppose to be at an event but a series of issues kept me at home. Therefore, I reduced my regular schedule and spent the rest of the week just relaxing (as much as I could) and starting a new book on Podcasting. Back in the zone this week – iPad365 back up and running after a small hiatus and a great episode of This Week in Google Glass with Luke last night.

Geek Smack Sponsor board!

Hotline – 608-205-4378 – geekazine (at) gmail.com

Download the audio version

Subscribe to the podcast via: iTunes – TechPodcasts – Stitcher
You can catch me on Twitter @geekazine – Facebook Group – About.Me
Other shows: Day in Tech History – Geekazine Special Media Feed – iPad365

Geek Smack! episode 266 Tech News:

WWDC
New Mac Pro and Air, iOS7, OSX Mavericks and more
Surface for Schools
Microsoft will be offering 32 GB Surface RT to schools for $199 each
Instagram Video
In seeing Vine’s success, Instagram will get video support. Do you use Instagram anymore?
Jobs e-Book
Steve Jobs ebook will enter test phase as paperback version coming out soon.
Whistleblower
Live chat with Edward Snowden from the Guardian. Learn a little more on why he did what he did.
Texas Email Snoop
Texas becomes the first state that will allow email snooping once a warrant is obtained
No Throttle YouTube
Time Warner says they do not throttle YouTube videos. Some find if they block certain IP addresses, videos work better…
Sprint LTE Expands
22 new markets get Sprint LTE
Google Initiative
Google wants to scrub all child porn from the Internet – helping by giving authorities all information when it detects child porn on a website.

Geek Smack! Geek News

Charter Expanding?
Charter is looking for new acquisitions. Could Time Warner be one of them?
Kickstarter Crash
How one Kickstarter lost his house over a successful campaign and how people should give backers some leeway.
Facebook WiFi
Would you allow to give information for free WiFi from Facebook?
AT&T Fastest
Within major cities, AT&T wins on speed. However, Verizon is still #1 nationwide
Chromebook at Walmart
You can now purchase an Acer Chromebook at Walmart for $199.
Onion Pi
A go-between adaptor for WiFi that will protect your user information.
Stash Coins
Real looking coins that can hide your SD card
Netflix Dreamworks
Dreamworks worked out a new deal with Netflix to bring more kids shows to the streaming service.
GIF Beamed to Space
This Animated GIF will be sent out in hopes that alien life will receive and see what we’re all about…

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Geek Smack: iO7 Gets Facelift, People Saying it Looks too much like Android

Last week at WWDC, Apple released the new version of iOS in iOS7. Tim Cook says its the biggest change since iPhone was released. Yet many people mocked Apple – saying iOS7 now looks more like an Android phone.

I put out an image (see below) that kinda mocked the statement. It really put everyone to blame – After all, Apple made a great point that the most used Android OS version was developed in 2010 (at 33%). I talked with Luke Wallace about this right before our TWIGG show and he mentioned that Google does all it can to support all models while the developers can still easily support the older OS.

This is not the first time a company was accused of stealing form and function. Ironically, back in the original desktop wars, Apple accused Microsoft of stealing the idea for GUI – Graphical User Interface. Apple took Microsoft to court because Windows GUI seemed to be heavily influenced by their Lisa OS. This was further complicated when Xerox sued Apple for the same claims to Xerox’s GUI.

Now we move 10 years ahead. Mobile devices are the new computer and we have the same problems. Are they problems where Google could sue Apple for a similar look and feel?

We definitely want to protect intellectual property, but in some accusations, it just feels like they are trolling and hope to win so others can’t use a “Slide lock” or “way the icons are displayed on the screen”.

It’s like if the city of Houston sued the City of Kansas because the sky and cloud coverage looked similar to each other.

Let’s hope we don’t see an issue like that. Lawsuits – while sometimes necessary – only hold back innovation and raise costs.

Apple Fail or Google Fail?

Geek Smack! is a weekly video show and podcast that comes out every Tuesday evening. Your host: Jeffrey Powers – talks tech news, IT news and geek news for the week. Geek Smack! is ©2013 under a Creative Commons no-deriv license. Never take candy from strangers. If you would like more information about what is technology, recent news, Geekazine, and Jeffrey Powers, feel free to contact him. Jeffrey Powers does interviews, just ask!

Geek Smack!

Thanks for all who downloaded Ep 1 of This Week in Google Glass. I got the repercussion of a popular show on the Internet with a large bill from Amazon. Wow! It’s not going to deter the show, though. Numbers have settled a little. Also completed the 10,000 steps challenge for May. Actually, I hit over 350,000 when it was all said and done. Now this month is about changing some eating habits. No more soda for now.

Geek Smack Sponsor board!

Hotline – 608-205-4378 – geekazine (at) gmail.com

Download the audio version

Subscribe to the podcast via: iTunes – TechPodcasts – Stitcher
You can catch me on Twitter @geekazine – Facebook Group – About.Me
Other shows: Day in Tech History – Geekazine Special Media Feed – iPad365

Geek Smack! episode 265 Tech News:

Skype Virus
It happened mostly in Latin America – within a few days, 750,000 computers were infected
Zynga Lays Off 18%
Although Farmville is still performing well, Zynga released 520 jobs to save $70 million
Intel Haswell
The newest Intel i7 processors might become the first “fan-less” processor
Graphine Camera Sensors
New camera sensor is 1,000 times more sensitive to light – could make flash obsolete.
Asus Dual Boot
Three-in-One Tablet will dual-boot Windows 8 and Android Jelly Bean
Apple Radio
Apple advances to compete with Pandora, Spotify, Google Music All Access
Charger Viruses?
Hacking into a modified charger could bring malware into your iOS device

Geek Smack! Geek News

Nuance is Siri
CEO Paul Ricci confirmed that Nuance powers Apple Siri
Android Vine
Vine is finally available on Android devices.
Vine Gets Rick-Rolled
Web developer bypassed the 6-second rule to break the service with the help of Rick Astley
HALO goes Mobile
Spartan Assault moves the popular title to mobile devices, but is only available on Windows 8
Glass Porn Banned
The first X-Rated Google Glass App came out and Google has banned it.
Twitter Glitch
Twitter was down for a short time Monday as a “Routine Change” was blamed
Windows 8.1 Start
Screenshots leak with Windows Blue (8.1) having a Start button on the bottom-left.
 

Geek Smack: Android to Overtake iOS as Top App Store. Does that Make Android Better?

Google’s Play store for Android apps will begin to take over Apple’s App Store as the most popular app platform within the next few months, according to analysts. Even though Apple recently announced their 50 billionth app downloaded, Google has been closing that gap with almost 48 billion Android apps downloaded. Google Play gets 2.5 billion a month, as oppose to Apple’s 2.0 billion.

So what does this mean? Well, for a developer, it might be more worth it for them to make an Android app over an iOS app. Its cheaper to get a developer account (A one-time $25 for a developer license as oppose to $100/ year for iOS).

On the other hand, developing for an Android device can become tricky. There are many different versions of Android out there – from version 1.0 to most current Ice Cream Sandwich. Then you have models from HTC, LG, Samsung and everything in between. Tablets from Google Nexus to Kindle Fire, Nook and many other models. Just today we talked about Asus’ dual-boot tablet. Different processors, different versions of the OS so it works on the device in question can equal a nightmare for support of a complicated app.

Apps like Vine – which we talked about earlier – will get better and faster download numbers simply because more people have Android devices. In fact, Android has a 51% market share, as opposed to iOS’ 41%.

Should this concern Apple? My answer is No and here is why: Apple has always been a “Higher quality” device. Controlling their hardware and software and not giving it out for 3rd parties to duplicate, means everyone gets the same experience. Of course you pay for quality. A $800-1,000 PC laptop would cost $1,500 or more for its Apple counterpart.

Some people say the higher prices can hurt Apple, but up until last year (before Apple started competing by offering their older phones at cheaper prices) Apple rode a pretty good wave and plateaued at almost $700 a share.

What about Windows apps? The platform neutral app system Microsoft is working on could be another way to get their marketshare in the mobile space. Right now, it’s only at 8%.

Apple should look at their niche rather than what Android or Windows does. Think of it like going to the high-end grocery store vs. the discount store. The products should be fresher and the experience should be cleaner at the high-end store. The discount store – you get a great deal.

Geek Smack! is a weekly video show and podcast that comes out every Tuesday evening. Your host: Jeffrey Powers – talks tech news, IT news and geek news for the week. Geek Smack! is ©2013 under a Creative Commons no-deriv license. Never take candy from strangers. If you would like more information about what is technology, recent news, Geekazine, and Jeffrey Powers, feel free to contact him. Jeffrey Powers does interviews, just ask!

Geek Smack!

Geek Smack! also running Live on YouTube – if you want to see the extra content, go to YouTube.com/geekazine Hope you had a great Memorial Day weekend. It was cold and rainy Sunday and Monday, so local event BratFest didn’t hit any record sales. Sad day as a friend passed away over the weekend. This Week in Google Glass Episode #3 is now out – Watch myself and Luke Wallace talk about the new technology.

Geek Smack Sponsor board!

Hotline – 608-205-4378 – geekazine (at) gmail.com

Download the audio version

Subscribe to the podcast via: iTunes – TechPodcasts – Stitcher
You can catch me on Twitter @geekazine – Facebook Group – About.Me
Other shows: Day in Tech History – Geekazine Special Media Feed – iPad365

Geek Smack! episode 264 Tech News:

US Weapons Hacked
Chinese group accessed weapons designs including the F-35 (the controversial air drone)
XBoxOne.com
Microsoft going after XBox One domain squatters
Foxcon FireFox
Foxconn is working to make accessories since Apple production is slowing down
Internet 400x Faster
Noise-canceling technology will allow data to flow uninterrupted and pass through faster
3D Ear Bone
Could those with bone issues in the ear get a 3D printed bone replacement?
CNN Buzzfeed
New video channel on YouTube by CNN
Liberty Reserve Down
Founder Arthur Budovsky Belanchuck was arrested and the Liberty Reserve website was taken down
Nokia Lytro-Type Camera
Nokia is working on a camera that would be on the smartphone to take a picture just like the Lytro camera does
 

Geek Smack! Geek News

Samsung Event: June 20th
Samsung is expected to launch some new Android and Windows phone devices in London
Legalize Malware?
US Entertainment Industry asks Congress to legalize malware, ransomware and spyware to some that can use it for good
Pi in the Sky
Dave Akerman builds a Raspberry Pi with camera and launches it off in a balloon
Florida Texting Ban
Florida signs a Texting while driving ban into law
XBox One Install Fee
Games will be installed on accounts. If you want to put the game on a second account, you might have to pay an installation fee.
Refurb iPad Cheaper
Purchasing a refurbished iPad will save you up to 17% off

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Geek Smack: Hulu for Sale (Again). Suiters are lining up. Who will buy Hulu?

Last year rumors came up about Hulu being for sale. After a lot of speculation, Hulu backed out. Now the rumors are back and some big names are viing for the online TV and movie website.

One of those in the hunt is Yahoo! Marissa Meyer wants to turn Yahoo! back into a portal. This may be well and good, but do we really want Yahoo! to own Hulu – given their track record?

Other companies interested are DirecTV, Time Warner, private equity firms KKR & Co. and Silver Lake Management.

Many are expecting bidding to get up to the $800 million mark. But the real question is if the company is worth $800 million?

Lots of factors can change when Hulu switches hands. Contracts by NBC, ABC and Fox (which supply the website with fresh content daily) could change their agreements – or even end their relationships. The value of Hulu could dramatically decrease simply if one of these networks dropped out.

If DirecTV purchases Hulu, could they move Hulu in-house? I really don’t want a DirecTV subscription.

I pay $8 a month so I can watch Hulu on my Roku. I think that is fair since I can watch last night’s TV shows on my schedule. If that was to change dramatically, I would most likely drop the service – just like I did with Netflix when I noticed I wasn’t watching anything from it.

Then again, Hulu could just flip-flop and say they are not for sale again…

Geek Smack! is a weekly video show and podcast that comes out every Tuesday evening. Your host: Jeffrey Powers – talks tech news, IT news and geek news for the week. Geek Smack! is ©2012 under a Creative Commons no-deriv license. Never take candy from strangers. If you would like more information about what is technology, recent news, Geekazine, and Jeffrey Powers, feel free to contact him. Jeffrey Powers does interviews, just ask!

Geek Smack!

Last week Google announced people will be getting livestream ability to their YouTube account. I am not a big LiveStream fan on my podcast because its just another thing to go wrong. I decided to stream and record this episode. A couple glitches but overall not a bad job.

Did record episode #2 of This Week in Google Glass with new Co-Host Luk Wallace. Check out the news of Google Glass on this new show. My 10,000 step challenge has taken some new turns as Drumming and lawn mowing really help. I ran out of gas so I have a half-mown lawn. Will Finish later today.

Geek Smack Sponsor board!

Hotline – 608-205-4378 – geekazine (at) gmail.com

Download the audio version

Subscribe to the podcast via: iTunes – TechPodcasts – Stitcher
You can catch me on Twitter @geekazine – Facebook Group – About.Me
Other shows: Day in Tech History – Geekazine Special Media Feed – iPad365

Geek Smack! episode 263 Tech News:

XBox One
New XBox announced today. Not too impressed.
Yahoo! Tumblr
Yahoo buys Tumblr for $1.1 billion. Marissa Meyer says she won’t screw it up.
Yahoo Flickr
New overhaul of Flickr adds 1 TB of free storage.
Apple’s Taxes
Tim Cook will be testifying about skirting taxes before the Senate
Powermat + PowerKiss
Powermat and PowerKiss have merged to one and adopted the PMA standard
nVidia 150 Mbps phone
nVidia shows off 150 Mbps smartphone at CTIA
Pinterest Improved
Smarter pins and hints of monitization are the buzz at Pinterest
Jolla Smartphone
Jolla is made by Ex-Nokia employees from an abandoned MeeGo project
Google+ Updates
From the flat icons to the new features of Google+. I’ll try to look at them all
How Do I Land
Kickstarter project succeeds – Skywriting of “How Do I Land” up in the air.

Geek Smack! Geek News

Google Checked Out
Google Checkout will be shut down in November. Wallet will be the focus
AT&T Relaxes
The Wireless giant will allow Facetime and Video Chat using their LTE and 4G networks
Opera Android 
Opera is out of Beta for Android and available for download. Now with text flow option
Eminem sues Facebook
Eminem publisher says that Facebook appropriated his songs without proper permissions
Samsung Apps Challenge
Samsung is offering $800,000 for developers to make apps for Samsung products
Google Voice Hangout
You will soon be able to use Google Voice. Right now only supports inbound calls
Arduino Robot
Maker Faire Arduino crew unveiled their new Robot

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Geek Smack: YouTube Streaming – Does it Change the Game?

As you can see (or maybe you can’t), I am trying YouTube streaming. This is a feature that people will get once they hit 1,000 subscribers, have a “Good Standing” approval and agree to the terms. I used to stream my podcasts all the time on service “uStream”. I’ve had this YouTube ability for a while (since I have 2,000 subscribers and opted into the partner program) but I normally don’t stream because its one more option that could cause failure.

However, I do see its enticement – Record once, monitize forever. If you need to make edits – YouTube has a process for that (which will most likely get better in the months to come). Therefore, this test of the Geek Smack! YouTube system has been re-initialized.

It makes me wonder how live streaming will change. Its not like we haven’t been able to do that already – uStream, Livestream and Justin.tv – the major players in livestreaming – have been around since 2007. Only problem for these three is they needed to have a solid pay model to cover costs. Ads were inserted without direction of the streamer – that is unless they paid a large monthly fee to get ads taken off or your own ads to be put up.

A lot has also changed since 2007. Codecs are better built and more stable, bandwidth is greater at home and on mobile devices and people are accepting the fact they can watch video on their computers, mobile devices and more.

With YouTube getting into this game, it can really make a uStream, Justin.tv or Livestream re-evaluate their models. After all, they don’t have the #1 video search engine behind their systems. They also don’t have the power of a $800 / share giant like Google powering them.

There can also be downfalls to YouTube livestreaming. Congestion is a big concern. If your video freezes, you can’t do much to fix. My biggest concern is I overtax my recording/streaming machine and the whole thing falls apart. If it does, I might have to record all over again – then find a way to split the duties with another computer.

We are going toward more video on demand models for entertainment. YouTube gets it. TBS/TNT gets it. HBO Go gets it. Its now a question if they can sustain it. Otherwise we might see YouTube Live getting closed down like Google Checkout is.

Geek Smack! is a weekly video show and podcast that comes out every Tuesday evening. Your host: Jeffrey Powers – talks tech news, IT news and geek news for the week. Geek Smack! is ©2012 under a Creative Commons no-deriv license. Never take candy from strangers. If you would like more information about what is technology, recent news, Geekazine, and Jeffrey Powers, feel free to contact him. Jeffrey Powers does interviews, just ask!

Geek Smack!

Two weeks done on the 10,000 step challenge. Today is going to hit the 80′s so I’m racing to get this episode done and enjoy the warmer weather. Thanks to all who have been watching!

Geek Smack Sponsor board!

Hotline – 608-205-4378 – geekazine (at) gmail.com

Download the audio version

Subscribe to the podcast via: iTunes – TechPodcasts – Stitcher
You can catch me on Twitter @geekazine – Facebook Group – About.Me
Other shows: Day in Tech History – Geekazine Special Media Feed – iPad365

Geek Smack! episode 262 Tech News:

Samsung Powers Up
Getting ready for 5G speeds with a new tower
HTC First Gone
Facebook phone on AT&T was nixed
Amazon Coin
Kindle Fire users getting new ways to purchase apps and more.
Google, Microsoft Drives
Both increase their free services for more storage
75% Android
3 out of 4 smartphones run Android. Doesn’t mean that is good…
Amazon Cloud App
Amazon launches cloud player app for PC
Amazon Liquivista
Amazon purchased the company that made the LCD screens for Samsung

Geek Smack! Geek News

Facebook App Blocked
Social Network Killer app was blocked by Facebook.
Bitcoin Supercomputer
So many people are exploring the bitcoin market, servers outperform the top 500 supercomputers combined
Netflix Still King
Netflix accounts for 32.25% of downloads during peak periods
Firefox 21
5 new features in Firefox 21. Will you download?
Gates on Jobs
Bill Gates opens up on his life along side Steve Jobs.
Windows 8 Dud
Is Windows8 a horrible OS? Does it drive people to Google?
Google Image Breakout
Type in ‘Atari Breakout’ into image search at Google

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Geek Smack: Texting and Driving – Lead Cause of Teen Driving Deaths

Don’t text and drive. I can say that until I’m blue in the face but people will do it. I watched a driver weave back and forth yesterday – when I passed them by I watched as this person was fumbling around their cell phone. This person wasn’t even a teen!

Now a national survey shows that about 44% of teenagers admitted to texting and driving. Those teenagers reported texting and driving at least once in the previous month. Compared to teens who aren’t texting and driving, those who are were more likely to not use a seatbelt, drink and drive and take a ride from someone who’s been drinking.

The number of teens who died or were injured as a result of texting while driving has skyrocketed. Researchers at Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New Hyde Park estimates more than 3,000 annual teen deaths nationwide from texting and 300,000 injuries.

If you are a teen, you probably heard the stories. I HAVE those stories. The ones where your parents would (as teens with drivers license) barreled down a road at 70 MPH and no seat belt. At the time, it was easy and there was no seatbelt law to be found. I also have stories where I texted and drove – it was easy at the time because I memorized the keyboard and used the raised keyboard as a guide. I didn’t even have to look at the phone.

That is not the case anymore. We are trying to be safer drivers. I have a hands-free unit that – if I cannot get my phone to do it through the unit – I don’t do anything with the phone. The hands free unit helps me make phone calls, text and even tweet out messages without touching the phone. At least, if Siri complies…

There are so many technologies now that try to stop a teen (or an adult) from doing this dangerous distraction. But the biggest way to get them to stop is to teach them not to do it. Teach them its about their lives and its about the lives of the people they put in danger. Let’s stay safe out there.

Geek Smack! is a weekly video show and podcast that comes out every Tuesday evening. Your host: Jeffrey Powers – talks tech news, IT news and geek news for the week. Geek Smack! is ©2013 under a Creative Commons no-deriv license. Never take candy from strangers. If you would like more information about what is technology, recent news, Geekazine, and Jeffrey Powers, feel free to contact him. Jeffrey Powers does interviews, just ask!

Geek Smack!

Started a new healthy campaign for the month of May. 10,000 steps a day for the month. So far, so good. Today, I’ll be doing it after the podcast so we’ll see how that goes. Its getting warm here and the switch to shorts has been made.

Get fit! Learn how standing can help your back and lower blood pressure – JustStand.org

Geek Smack Sponsor board!

Hotline – 608-205-4378 – geekazine (at) gmail.com

Download the audio version

Subscribe to the podcast via: iTunes – TechPodcasts – Stitcher
You can catch me on Twitter @geekazine – Facebook Group – About.Me
Other shows: Day in Tech History – Geekazine Special Media Feed – iPad365

Geek Smack! episode 261 Tech News:

Adobe Creative Cloud 
Will retire the Creative Services (CS) disc license system and go Cloud subscription only – for $50 a month
3D Gun Fired
Is making a gun on a 3D printer a good idea?
Samsung Buys MOVL
Mobile company is going to incorporate more Swipe to TV technologies
iPad is “Frustrating”
Bill Gates thinks people will switch to Windows 8 tablets because they are frustrated with iOS devices.
Extract Human DNA
Machine will separate DNA easier and faster.
EA Gets Star Wars
EA has exclusive rights to make Star Wars games
USCellular Gets iPhone
Virgin, T-Mobile and now USCelluar get the Apple iPhone
Apple Sued Again
National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan is suing Apple for video compression in Facetime, Quicktime
LEGO VW
This LEGO creation is a VW bus AND an Imperial Walker

Geek Smack! Geek News

The Onion Was Hacked
Satirical news source’s Facebook and Twitter were compromised. Not sure why…
Aereo Sues CBS
Online local TV website files a complaint to curb CBS lawsuits
Beam USB LTE
USB dongle costs $20 plus two year contract
Time Warner Eyes Aereo
CEO is watching Aereo’s business model in thoughts to duplicate. Game changer?
YouTube Subscriptions
Next week YouTube will allow some content creators to put a subscription model on their shows. Will you pay?
Prenda Trolls
Judge issues 11 page document to get Prenda Law fixed
3D Cube Comes to Staples
Small form 3D printing in the cube is available for purchase starting at $1299
Best Movies of All Time?
This subway map makes a stop at all the best movies. Which ones have you seen?

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Geek Smack: Senate Passes Sales Tax Bill. One Step Closer

The final number was 69 to 27 as Congress passed Online Sales Tax. This would be required for online stores to add Sales Tax from your state. It’s now on to the House of Representatives where its going to go through further debate.

Right now you are required to pay Sales tax on anything you buy, but do you do it? Did you even know that you were suppose to?

So this can mean if you run an online store that you have to put in some algorithm to figure out where the customer is from and then add the tax. You then will have to report that tax to each state you sold items in.

Will this mean Internet companies might locate outside the US? Will companies outside the US have to deal with Sales Tax?

This bill is in debate partly because of the Commerce Clause. It says in Section 8: The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States; but all duties, imposts and excises shall be uniform throughout the United States.

This tax will supersede whatever the state thinks. That is one of the problems with this law. With some states that don’t charge sales tax, they are opposed to this bill.

The real question is if this will change how people shop. If Amazon still has 2 day shipping and great deals – even with Sales Tax – then I still might just purchase from there.

Geek Smack! is a weekly video show and podcast that comes out every Tuesday evening. Your host: Jeffrey Powers – talks tech news, IT news and geek news for the week. Geek Smack! is ©2012 under a Creative Commons no-deriv license. Never take candy from strangers. If you would like more information about what is technology, recent news, Geekazine, and Jeffrey Powers, feel free to contact him. Jeffrey Powers does interviews, just ask!

Geek Smack!

I am sad and a little glad my trip to NYC fell through. Last few weeks was a tough one. Trip back from Vegas wasn’t perfect but I’m home. Video for CAWorld can be found on YouTube or coming to Geekazine. I also got to play with Google Glass for a ever slight moment – Robert Scoble is getting the most use out of his pair. Slight tweaks to the website as I fix some lingering problems.

Geek Smack Sponsor board!

Hotline – 608-205-4378 – geekazine (at) gmail.com

Download the audio version

Subscribe to the podcast via: iTunes – TechPodcasts – Stitcher
You can catch me on Twitter @geekazine – Facebook Group – About.Me
Other shows: Day in Tech History – Geekazine Special Media Feed – iPad365

Geek Smack! episode 260 Tech News:

Google Now on iOS
A Google app that rounds up your other Google apps? Now available on iOS? Ok…
MLB YouTube Expansion
MLB expands YouTube Partnership which allows streaming outside US
iOS7 “Very Flat”
The newest version of iOS7 (to debut at WWDC in June) is different, but flat – as some would say.
Also Read – OS 10.9 to be announced in June
LG 55 Inch Curved TV
This new TV from LG is the only curved OLED TV
Facebook Loses 6 Million
Facebook sees a 1.4% decline in membership as 6 million jump ship.
iPhone 1st Gen Now Obsolete
The iPhone will finally be put on the obsolete list with a slew of other products on June 13, 2013
Smart Guns Coming
These guns will only fire if your fingerprints match – Just like with James Bond
Germany Throws Good PCs Away (Translated article)
German Ministry of Education decided to buy new PCs to remove virus from system
Nintendo Jewelry
Get rings, necklaces with the old Nintendo cartridge look to them
 

Geek Smack! Geek News

Internet Taxes
It was bound to happen – you might soon have to pay Internet tax for purchases online
Don’t Smoke Near Apple
Apple seems to be rejecting repairs of Apple computers that have a smoke flavor to them.
Amazon Set Top Box
Amazon is rumored to be working on their own box to stream Amazon TV and movies
Lady Liberty’s Face Recognition
Statue of Liberty has “state of the art” face recognition to spot potential threats. Could other landmarks start seeing this software implemented?
PayPal in Stores
PayPal has been signing up merchants to accept payment from the online service. Yet WalMart is holding out for some reason.
GPS Robbery
Man puts GPS device on woman’s car to find when she leaves so he could break into her home
Apple I Up for Auction
German auction house is putting up very rare computer items including a fully working Apple I, the first Intel 4004 chip and an Altair 8800

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Geek Smack: Are Instagram Photos Public Domain Photos?

Now when you take a picture to Instagram, you are saying it can be used by anyone. At least in the UK. The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act passed through Parliament which did what Instagram wanted to do a year ago – make pictures available to use freely.

Why not? They supplied the software to Kelvinize your photos. They wrote the program to collect the pictures and post to Twitter and/or Facebook. Why shouldn’t they get all the rights to them?

This also means Facebook could follow – public photos could become public domain. So that means 3rd party companies could take that picture and use it in their ads for Facebook or Instagram. They can also wholesale it – which means someone profits off your work.

Now this act is just in the UK. It hasn’t hit the US just yet – but it could. For Instagram pictures, I just don’t care if someone takes it and uses it. I don’t use Instagram that much anyway. However, I am hoping there will be an opt-out if spread to Facebook. I don’t care if you use some of my photos, but there are certain ones I want to keep to my use.

Some people say it’s corporate capitalism. The reach of this could enter into Flickr, Picassa and many 3rd party social media sites with pictures. I do want to believe that would only stretch to those who have FREE accounts – paid accounts might mean a better level of security.

Geek Smack! is a weekly video show and podcast that comes out every Tuesday evening. Your host: Jeffrey Powers – talks tech news, IT news and geek news for the week. Geek Smack! is ©2012 under a Creative Commons no-deriv license. Never take candy from strangers. If you would like more information about what is technology, recent news, Geekazine, and Jeffrey Powers, feel free to contact him. Jeffrey Powers does interviews, just ask!

Geek Smack!

I’m on the road for the last day of CAWorld. I talk about coming to Vegas twice in one month and the tolls it takes on you. Lots of great tech news and geek news too.

Since I’m on the road, I decided to try out this Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB/XLR Microphone. It did a pretty decent job in capture – although I had to go in and do some post production for volume. What do you think about it?

Geek Smack Sponsor board!

Hotline – 608-205-4378 – geekazine (at) gmail.com

Download the audio version

Subscribe to the podcast via: iTunes – TechPodcasts – Stitcher
You can catch me on Twitter @geekazine – Facebook Group – About.Me
Other shows: Day in Tech History – Geekazine Special Media Feed – iPad365

Geek Smack! episode 259 Tech News:

5mm Thick SSD
Western Digital UltraSlim shipping at $89
Focus Twist App
Does this app turn the iPhone into a Lytro?
First YouTube Video
Me at the Zoo was the first YouTube video uploaded April 23, 2005.
Don’t Siri and Drive
Survey says even if you use phone voice commands you still are distracted from driving
XBox 360 Pizza
New app allows you to order your favorite Pizza Hut pizza on your XBox
Netflix Grows – Kinda
3 million people subscribed to watch House of Cards. We’ll see if they stick around after.

Geek Smack! Geek News:

Google Glass Next Year
Eric Schmidt assesses the newest geek device in Google Glass wont be out in time for Christmas
Firefox Dev Phone
The first developer phones are available with the Firefox mobile OS
AP Twitter Hacked
The rumors of the White House getting attacked are false. AP has fixed the problem.
Storage Tricks
Think outside the box and get organized at the same time.
$15 for AntenneaGate
If you were part of the Apple Antennagate lawsuit, you will be getting a check for $15.
Old Computers in Use
OS/2 and punchcard computers are still around and in use on a daily basis

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Geek Smack:

The stock is falling – from almost $700 a share to $400. The hand-picked Jobs protege in Tim Cook might be to blame. Still, stockholders (which are also Apple employees) are dropping parts of their stock before its too late. So is Tim Cook in a spot where he will get fired from Apple?

I have to give Cook props – Him replacing Steve Jobs is like me singing after Aretha Franklin.

I thought it was a good move – go from the pirate in Jobs to the suit in Cook. Strengthen the company until the next Steve Jobs shows up.

If they are lucky.

Its not all of Cooks fault. They are suppose to have a team that is unsurpassed and visionary. Yet this team made a smaller iPhone that even Steve Wozniak criticized. They believe that putting out sub-standard product in cheaper iPhones and the iPad mini would help. All it did was make people think if Apple didn’t have any new ideas.

Meanwhile, Samsung is starting to sting into the smartphone business – big name tech influencers like Robert Scoble made the switch and are vocal about it.

Google Play has also jumped in to start taking music and TV away from iTunes. Spotify even jumped in there – so the competition has gotten a little more fierce.

Some financial analysts are suggesting that letting Cook go might bring someone in with insight and innovation. But who would that be? Can one of these high paid executives at Apple take over the job?

Further, what can you do with the iOS system that will set it apart again? Will an iWatch be the answer or start a similar buzz to a Apple Glass?

I still have an iPhone and iPad. I tried a Windows phone and Android – which were nice but were no iPhone. Maybe I just don’t see the rats jumping ship yet…

Geek Smack! is a weekly video show and podcast that comes out every Tuesday evening. Your host: Jeffrey Powers – talks tech news, IT news and geek news for the week. Geek Smack! is ©2012 under a Creative Commons no-deriv license. Never take candy from strangers. If you would like more information about what is technology, recent news, Geekazine, and Jeffrey Powers, feel free to contact him. Jeffrey Powers does interviews, just ask!

Geek Smack!

Thoughts and prayers go out to those affected in the Boston Marathon attack. Back from NAB – Lots of announcements dealing with streams and a new show (Kind of). Watch for the Special Media videos on NAB. Of course I am going back to Vegas next week for CAWorld.

Geek Smack Sponsor board!

Hotline – 608-205-4378 – geekazine (at) gmail.com

Download the audio version

Subscribe to the podcast via: iTunes – TechPodcasts – Stitcher
You can catch me on Twitter @geekazine – Facebook Group – About.Me
Other shows: Day in Tech History – Geekazine Special Media Feed – iPad365

Geek Smack! episode 258 Tech News:

Dish Tries Merger with Sprint
The $25.5 billion dollar deal would merge mobile, TV and broadband and compete with AT&T
First Google Glass
The first Glass devices have come off the production lines. I will have Google Glass soon!
Windows 8.1 Boot to Desktop
Next version of Windows will have a Metro bypass option
YouTube Multi-Account
Now you can allow others to work on YouTube videos without having to give passwords out
Blink Trademark?
Microsoft applies for blink trademark after Google Blink announced
Sony Bests Google
Sony sets up 2 Gbps service in Japan. Pwns Google Fiber
5 Million Rokus
5 million sold in the US, 8 billion videos streamed from Roku
Netflix Dumps Silverlight?
Netflix is looking to change their interface format to HTML5 over the Microsoft program
Fake iPhones Swapped
Chinese trolls are using Apple’s return policy to send fake Apple parts in for real replacements
Ultrasonic Beer Head
If you like the foam on the top of your beer, then check out this device that will froth your beer
 

Geek Smack! Geek News

Apple TV Recall
Certain Apple TV devices have Wifi issues. Apple is replacing the faulty units
Major WordPress Attack
Tens of thousands of computers were hacked with a dictionary bomb. I’ll show you what to do to prevent your website from getting hacked.
Twitter TV?
Twitter looking to deal with Viacom or NBC for Feature TV
Apple Stock Fraud
Former securities trader killed a financial service with an unauthorized $1 billion in Apple stock
Bufferbox
First Google package pickup lockers set up in San Francisco
Top Paid CEOs
4 Apple execs make more than Tim Cook
ASUS Qube
New Google TV set top box may be out soon
EA Closes Sim City
Many Facebook EA games are getting shut down to split from Facebook
Google Glass API 
Documentation for the Project Glass API is now available
YouTube VHS Mode
To celebrate the 57th anniversary of the VCR, YouTube mocks the former video format
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Geek Smack: Basic Cable to become encrypted

A couple months ago, the FCC allowed cable companies to encrypt their basic channels. That means if you have a TV directly connected to your cable, you might have to get a cable box to continue to watch TV.

Comcast announced they will be encrypting channels over the upcoming months. It helps them with piracy – someone who actually climbs up on the pole to steal cable. However, for those who actually pay for cable, that means an extra $2-$5 per TV. Since the average household has 4 TVs, that means $6-15 a month to keep a TV in the bedroom, family room and basement.

Cable has also taken over the DVR to bring you added charges if you want to record your favorite shows. You don’t have to use the cable companies choices – companies like Hauppauge and Boxee have cable boxes that can connect to your TV or computer. You still need to get a card that will decrypt your cable signal (Charter rents them for $2).

Is this the catalyst to cut your cable, or will you suck it in to keep shows like Mad Men, Mythbusters, ESPN Sportscenter and more?

Geek Smack! is the official weekly video show and official podcast that distributes every Tuesday. Your host: Jeffrey Powers – talks tech news, IT news and geek news for the week. Geek Smack! is ©2013 under a Creative Commons no-deriv license. Never take candy from strangers. If you would like more information about what is technology, recent news, Geekazine, and Jeffrey Powers, feel free to contact Jeffrey. Jeffrey Powers officially interviews people, just ask!

Geek Smack!

The website has finally calmed down as Geekazine and other websites have been moved to a new server. As of 3 AM the errors stopped. Thanks to all who sent messages letting me know of the downtime. Next week I head to NAB and MMS – Two conferences in the same week! Crazy!

Geek Smack Sponsor board!

Subscribe to the podcast via: iTunes – TechPodcasts – Stitcher
You can catch me on Twitter @geekazine – Facebook Group – About.Me

Other shows: Day in Tech History – Geekazine Special Media Feed – iPad365

Geek Smack! episode 257 Tech News:

Were You Fooled?
Some of April Fools Jokes around the web.
Amazon Cloud Drive Upgrades
Amazon competes with Dropbox with their new File Sync update
Facebook Android
HTC launching a Facebook phone, but Samsung also may have one.
HD Voice is Coming
AT&T announced an HD voice option using LTE network
Psy Breaks Another Record
100,000 Horse Dance in Seul City Hall
Aereo Wins
Alternate Internet TV station does not infringe on broadcasters copyrights
iHeartRadio Lollapalooza Channel
The Lollapalooza channel features the Cure, Mumford and Sons, the Lumineers and more
MP3 Cannot Be Resold
Courts rules that digital music cannot be resold and website ReDigi is in violation  

Geek Smack! Geek News

Amazon Saving Post Office
Where your snail mail is shrinking, the package industry is growing. 2 day Prime helps, too.
Game of Thrones Wins
Game of Thrones Season 3 ep 1. tops Season 2 ep 1 as the most Torrented show.
Linux Powered Rifle?
$17,000 rifle with ARM CPU, Lasers and WiFi to connect your Tablet or Smartphone
AT&T Gets Fire
Kindle Fire with 2 year contract coming April 5th
Apple Missed it
No Product releases in March. Is that bad business for Apple?
3D Printer Face Prosthetic
How a man got his life back by a simple printed cover for his face -

Geek Smack: MP3′s Cannot Be Resold

I see a MP3 as a copy of an original – similar to a photocopy or a reproduction. I also see it like the “Not for Resale” item you might get at the store. You know the label that tells you if you bought this then you should call and report the establishment that sold it to you.

You can buy a reprint of a Van Gough or other artwork legally, you are still buying a tangible and possibly licensed item. MP3′s are not that.

ReDigi is a company that started reselling digital copies of music for .49 cents a song. They structured their business on the “First Sale Doctrine”. This basically said once you buy an item you can resell it without the creator’s permission or any royalties to the creator.

So the question is: Even if a MP3 contains a DRM tag to it, is the MP3 resellable?

We have seen this in computer software. Courts ruled toward the resell of software and their adjoining license – which was the caveat around the First Sale Doctrine (that is you could sell the software but couldn’t sell the license).

With MP3′s we can still crack and remove any DRM attached to it. Can we add it, too? Well, just like with any software, there can be holes that allow people to do that.

While not to many people are putting DRM on their MP3′s, if they knew they could sell 100 copies of that same song and make $4.90 for it, they will try.

If you sold your iPod for the price of the iPod loaded with MP3 files on eBay, your listing will get taken down. If you sell your iPod (only promoting the iPod) and it happens to come with your music library – that is considered a Quality control issue. Besides, once the new user pairs it with their iTunes the iPod gets wiped. So it only goes to say the user doesn’t pair it and they might have just bought a music player with hundreds of songs they didn’t buy.

How can we get to a level where we can sell digital music? First, the artist or “Label” would have a legal statement saying you are allowed to resell without consequence. Second, a music selling site that has in its policy that resale of music is possible. Finally, any music that has no licensing or copyright to it – because even royalty free music has a copyright with a “no resale” caveat.

Even the MP3 files of Geekazine come with a Creative Commons license where you cannot resell my podcasts.

Bottom line – Buy your music legally. Give the artist their fair due if you like their music.

Geek Smack! is a weekly video show and podcast that comes out every Tuesday evening. Your host: Jeffrey Powers – talks tech news, IT news and geek news for the week. Geek Smack! is ©2012 under a Creative Commons no-deriv license. Never take candy from strangers. If you would like more information about what is technology, recent news, Geekazine, and Jeffrey Powers, feel free to contact him. Jeffrey Powers does interviews, just ask!

Geek Smack!

This week I address the PyCon issue and my friend Adria’s stance. Also an update on the GoDaddy issues I had in the last 4 weeks. All SXSW video will be out by end of week.

Geek Smack Sponsor board!

Hotline – 608-205-4378 – geekazine (at) gmail.com

Download the audio version

Subscribe to the podcast via: iTunes – TechPodcasts – Stitcher
You can catch me on Twitter @geekazine – Facebook Group – About.Me
Other shows: Day in Tech History – Geekazine Special Media Feed – iPad365

Geek Smack! episode 256 Tech News:

Amazon-CIA
CIA works deal with Amazon to build Cloud Infrastructure – Tax free.
Saudi Skye Ban
Saudi Arabia contemplating a ban on Skype, Viber and WhatsApp because these programs offer encrypted access
Don’t Laser Planes
Man given 30 months for pointing a laser at pilots in-air
NASA Commercial Crowdfund
Group raising money to add NASA commercial right before “Star Trek – Into Darkness”
UnGoogleable is Not a Word
Google had Sweeden take off the word Ungoogleable and also looking to remove ogooglebar, too
ICANN Clearinghouse
If you have a Trademark you get first dibs on new top level domains
Facebook Conversation Thread
Facebook adds individual threads for comments made on profiles with 10,000 fans or more.
 

Geek Smack! Geek News

Yelp Revenue Estimator
Yelp adds help for businesses to understand the Impact of Yelp.
Duo 3D Sensor
Kickstarter: A 3D Sensor that you build and create apps for
Get That Song Out
Scientist Find a way to get that song out of your head
Facebook Games = $2.8 Billion
Games totalled $2.8 billion on Facebook which is why Zynga needed exclusivity
NBC Universal DMCA
You might get an email from NBC Universal, but will it count toward your six-strike rule?
T-Mobile Removes Contracts
You can get a good mobile plan without a 2-year contract from T-Mobile
Yahoo! Buys Summly
Teen app developer Summly is snapped up by Yahoo! This makes Nick D’Aloisio a wealthy teen.

-

Geek Smack: Spotify Planning Streaming Service – HBO Go Might Become Available to non-cable subscribers – Are We Seeing Internet TV Start to Form?

Spotify is planning to increase their media presence by adding streaming video to their service. Their plan is to not only have movies but also original content – similar to what Netflix and Amazon are working on.

In the meantime, HBO is working on an Ala-Carte plan to let you subscribe to their channel without needing to order over cable. If this comes to fruition, HBO will be able to compete with Netflix, Hulu and Amazon on an Internet level.

This is the real start of Internet TV.

I always said this – the first company to take a TV channel off cable and place it on the internet without extra cost will win. Commercial for commercial, show for show. No on demand, just the TV as we know it on the internet.

The problem with that is the process of streaming. With conventional cable, it’s always being pushed. Anyone who watches a show will basically share the stream with millions. Watching on the internet is different.

Lets say an episode of “Game of Thrones” is 1.5 GB to stream. If 10 people decide to watch the same episode at the same time, the service cannot put the downloads together (like with cable). That 1.5 GB video will consume 15 GB of bandwidth for those 10 people to watch.

Streaming has made some changes. Local hubs, for example. If you watch Hulu of an NBC, ABC or Fox show, you will most likely see the watermark of your local TV station. The files get replicated so they have shorter distances to travel and less bottlenecks to endure.

This becomes the “10 million dollar question” for companies like Netflix, Amazon and soon Spotify. How do you keep cost low in sending a video over the internet? For some – giving them a low-resolution version is acceptable. There are others that won’t accept it. A good example: I just watched a TV show on a 120 Hz LCD TV. The picture was so crisp I now want a 120 Hz TV.

Getting into the video streaming game comes with costs. Video take a lot more bandwidth than audio – 3 MB files become 1.3GB or greater. But people love to watch those videos online. And we haven’t even touched mobile video formats.

If Spotify follows the current pattern and offers streaming at $8-10 a month, they will have to get about 2 million customers to see ROI and get contracts with big TV and movie companies to keep current titles. Hulu has about 3 million (as of Dec 2012) and Netflix is around 25 million.

As for HBO-Go, their competition would be more with cable than anything. There are contracts in place that could cause problems if they went to a non-cable method. However, I know it can be done because Starz did it for years first through RealPlayer, then Netflix.

Geek Smack! is a weekly video show and podcast that comes out every Tuesday evening. Your host: Jeffrey Powers – talks tech news, IT news and geek news for the week. Geek Smack! is ©2012 under a Creative Commons no-deriv license. Never take candy from strangers. If you would like more information about what is technology, recent news, Geekazine, and Jeffrey Powers, feel free to contact him. Jeffrey Powers does interviews, just ask!

Geek Smack!

Back from SXSW and I have a lot of video to put together. Getting ready for the next trip to Vegas and NAB in a couple weeks.I talk about the problems at GoDaddy and my website for the last couple weeks. Felt like forever with Geek Smack. Geekazine also got a redesign before the trip – what do you think of it?

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Hotline – 608-205-4378 – geekazine (at) gmail.com

Download the audio version

Subscribe to the podcast via: iTunes – TechPodcasts – Stitcher
You can catch me on Twitter @geekazine – Facebook Group – About.Me
Other shows: Day in Tech History – Geekazine Special Media Feed – iPad365

Geek Smack! episode 255 Tech News:

Google Pays Pinkie Pie
-Hacker participated in Google contest and submitted a flaw that netted them $40,000
Samsung Wristwatch?
Samsung is on a roll as its competing hard with Apple – this time to get a watch out to market faster
Robert Scoble’s Last Post on iPhone
How the Android movement might be ready to overtake the iPhone
Calvin and Hobbes Video
Better watch it before the short gets taken down for copyright
Rapidshare Deletes
Company goes from Unlimited model to 5 GB cap. States they will delete over 5 GB to users that don’t upgrade
Patent on New Commercials
Interactive commercials to let you buy food, speed up commercials
Reddit’s Video
Explain it like you are five joins the AT&T commercials and “Kids React to…” series to use children in video.
LEGO Band
Itallian music producer makes fully functional LEGO band
Google Babble
Google is planning to merge all chat services under one umbrella

Geek Smack! Geek News

41 months in Prison for iPad Email
The man who hacked into a database and stole AT&T’s iPad customer list will be going to jail
ARM CEO Retires
After 12 years, Warren East will step down as CEO of ARM
FCC vs. Robocallers
Getting a robocall is illegal (unless its a political call). The FCC is cracking down on robocallers
Biofuels by a 17 Year Old
17 year old Sara Volz wins $100,000 for her research in Biofuel via Alge
Twitter Instant Replay
Twitter is launching the replay option during NCAA tournament.
Nano 3D Printer
Imagine a 3D printer that can print on the Nano scale.
Funny or Die Jobs Movie
A parody of the upcoming Steve Jobs movie starring Justin Long – you know – Hi, I’m a Mac.

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Geek Smack: GoDaddy is letting me down.

It was about 3 1/2 weeks ago that I first noticed the problem. I was writing a post and hit “Save draft” when the page came up “Error 101 (Page Reset)”. The problem happened for about 10 minutes then went back to normal. I thought it was a small downtime issue so I didn’t think about it.

However, it continued to happen. I called GoDaddy Support where a really nice “Megan” told me there was a bad node on the shared server I was on. She said it would get fixed and moved on.

2 days later, I called back. The problem was getting worse. This time I didn’t have someone like Megan to talk to. I actually had a support agent who told me this is because I am on a shared hosting service and this happens with those.

So someone’s website going down for 10 minutes at a time – multiple times a day – is GoDaddy’s version of shared hosting?

It really wasn’t until I was at SXSW that I had to make a big deal of it. Usually while I’m at an event my traffic will spike up 20-30%. Didn’t happen this last week. Partly because the site was continually going down and the other half was because Google noticed it. No doubt they throttled my search information simply because they couldn’t index the site.

At this point in time the problem is still happening. I was told it was a server issue and I finally got a support ticket (from a supervisor that I had to plead to get).

I don’t mind downtime but when I get blown off by customer service, I have a big problem with that. Especially since I give them hundreds of dollars each year for service. For this instance I give GoDaddy 2 stars in support.

I might be a glutton for punishment but I am giving them one more chance. We’ll see what they do with it. I hope I don’t have to spend a couple hundred dollars migrating everything to another service…

Geek Smack! is a weekly video show and podcast that comes out every Tuesday evening. Your host: Jeffrey Powers – talks tech news, IT news and geek news for the week. Geek Smack! is ©2012 under a Creative Commons no-deriv license. Never take candy from strangers. If you would like more information about what is technology, recent news, Geekazine, and Jeffrey Powers, feel free to contact him. Jeffrey Powers does interviews, just ask!

Geek Smack!

This last weekend was full of birthdays and car work. Catching up this week and having a hard time doing so. Next week is SXSW so I have to get the final plans put together. Also got another GoinSXSW and HP TechCast episodes up.

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Hotline – 608-205-4378 – geekazine (at) gmail.com

Download the audio version

Subscribe to the podcast via: iTunes – TechPodcasts – Stitcher
You can catch me on Twitter @geekazine – Facebook Group – About.Me
Other shows: Day in Tech History – Geekazine Special Media Feed – iPad365

Geek Smack! Part I:

Goodbye Cookies
How Firefox wants to reject 3rd party cookies
Windows 7 Gets IE10
Microsoft lets Windows 7 users get the latest version of Internet Explorer
Real Tingline Spidey Suit
Outfit that uses ultrasonic reflections to make a suit ‘tingle’
$132 Twitter Client
Falcon Pro Android app price was raised to keep people from downloading.
A Good Password Tip
If you are asked Security questions, simply lie
CableVision Sues Viacom
Viacom forced CableVision to purchase an additional 14 channels and they don’t like it.
Dreamworks Layoffs
After a poor Rise of the Guardians, Katzenberg talks about how Dreamworks will have to lay off people for the first time.
Yahoo’s Ultimatum
Marissa Mayer tells employees to work at Yahoo or quit.

Geek Smack! Part II: 

Angry Birds Animated
Animated Series of Angry Birds to debut on March 16
Invention Scares Lions
How this boy talked on TED about his invention that includes lights
Firefox Flash Patch
If you use Firefox then you want to update your Flash player
LEGO Challenge
Building a better mousetrap with LEGO in the MacGyver challenge
Apple Rejects Cookie Tracking
Certain iOS apps will get rejected if they have cookie tracking to it.
Tagtool
Urbanize the side
Google Social Log-In
Certain websites get a Google social option like Facebook and Twitter does. Why is it so exclusive?
LG WebOS
LG TVs with the WebOS software will come out in 2014-

Geek Smack: The Evolution of computers – From PCs to Tablets and Google Glass

I remember looking at my first personal computer – a 386 with EGA CRT monitor. Since then I had a corner in my house for the latest computer. Eventually it evolved into a art studio, recording studio and podcast station. The desktop has been a part of my life – even though I also have 2 laptops, iPhone and iPad.

Now we’re in an age where the PC can finally be replaced with tablets and other devices. My desktop might be the last one I own. Heck, even these laptops might be the last ones I own too.

HP’s Meg Whitman is adapting the 7 inch tablet over a PC – this being a year and a half after the WebOS debacle. HP will be focusing on tablets over computers. Why? Because we don’t need that big bulky box anymore.

In the meantime, Google Glass gains momentum. Turning your eyes into an information kiosk takes the smartphone out of your hand and puts it next to your eye.

So it might be that we don’t need the PC anymore. Actually, I do. I also need a tablet and laptop and maybe a Google Glass when it comes out.

Geek Smack! is a weekly video show and podcast that comes out every Tuesday evening. Your host: Jeffrey Powers – talks tech news, IT news and geek news for the week. Geek Smack! is ©2012 under a Creative Commons no-deriv license. Never take candy from strangers. If you would like more information about what is technology, recent news, Geekazine, and Jeffrey Powers, feel free to contact him. Jeffrey Powers does interviews, just ask!

Geek Smack!

This week I’ll be tearing down the studio so a friend can stay over. Also thinking about re-arranging the studio a bit. The websites are getting some changes too as Multisite is running. Dorkazine switched over the weekend. Lots of learning curve involved.

Geek Smack Sponsor board!

Hotline – 608-205-4378 – geekazine (at) gmail.com

Download the audio version

Subscribe to the podcast via: iTunes – TechPodcasts – Stitcher
You can catch me on Twitter @geekazine – Facebook Group – About.Me
Other shows: Day in Tech History – Geekazine Special Media Feed – iPad365

Geek Smack! episode 253 Tech News:

4K TVs to Ship
Half million 4K TVs are expected to be purchased this year
Windows Blue Coming
A yearly update for your OS. Would you do it?
LEGO X-Wing Fighter
1,500 pieces to build this Star Wars model
Gates Lashes Self
Did Microsoft drop the ball when it came to Windows phones early on?
Posterous to Tumblr
As Posterous announces they are closing, Tumblr announces they will take the content
Cyber Sex Extortion
Video sex chats can be recorded for blackmail purposes.
Burger King Twitter Hacked
Burger King spent an hour online as the hackers said they were bought by McDonalds
China Tops Smart Device Market
China will have 246 million smart devices over US 230 million
Best Buy to Price Match
To keep people from “Showrooming” Best Buy will match prices if presented
Mariah Carey Oz Track
Almost Here is a song Mariah Carey sang for the upcoming movie “Oz – the Great and Powerful”

Geek Smack! Geek News

Google to Cut Illegal Sites
Google works with Visa, Mastercard to stop illegal download sites from getting paid.
Harrison Ford Returns
Han Solo will make at least a cameo in Star Wars Episode VII according to news sources
Office for Mac Price Raised
Microsoft raises the software by 17 percent.
Bans on Bags
Is San Franciscos Bag Ban Getting People Sick?
Red Sues Sony
Sony is accused of 3 not properly licensed patents
Sprint LTE Additions
Sprint fires up LTE in San Francisco, New York and DC
Bionic Hand can Feel
The hand will be attached to nerves so the subject can feel what they touch
Senior Center Harlem Shuffle
How one senior center in Colorado got into the meme craze and did the Harlem Shuffle

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Geek Smack: How One Person Profits on Revenge Porn

We’ve seen the paparazzi photos that celebrities don’t want you to see. We know about Brett Favre, Anthony Weiner, Scarlett Johansson, Miley Cyrus, Kanye West and even Prince Harry with compromising photos and video out there. Now a website owner is taking this camera nudity into a new genre – Revenge Porn.

His name is Craig Brittain. He has a website that I will not repeat to you. The concept – you send pictures and he will post them along with the person’s Facebook profile and phone number. If you want those pictures taken down, simply pay the “Takedown Hammer” $250 and those pictures will be removed.

But there is question in his methods. An Ars Technica article of a CBS-4 interview said they caught him in a lie. According to the victim, he contacted her through Craigslist where she sent him pictures. He not only posted those pictures but also her phone number and other contact info.

There are allegations that Brittain acquired pictures through questionable methods. Brittain says he is protected through Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. If he lied to get photos – his site should be taken down.

The site should be taken down anyway. There is no reason why we need to see the girl next door in front of a mirror with no clothes on. It’s also a great reason for you women not to post these pictures on any phone or website – Someone will find them.

Geek Smack! is a weekly video show and podcast that comes out every Tuesday evening. Your host: Jeffrey Powers – talks tech news, IT news and geek news for the week. Geek Smack! is ©2012 under a Creative Commons no-deriv license. Never take candy from strangers. If you would like more information about what is technology, recent news, Geekazine, and Jeffrey Powers, feel free to contact him. Jeffrey Powers does interviews, just ask!

Geek Smack!

OK – so I thought Monday was Presidents Day and I took part of the day off. Guess that is next week. CES videos are just kickin my butt. Also got some contract work so this last week has been pretty busy. I am bringing back the Summer of Podcasts contest -

Geek Smack Sponsor board!

Hotline – 608-205-4378 – geekazine (at) gmail.com

Download the audio version

Subscribe to the podcast via: iTunes – TechPodcasts – Stitcher
You can catch me on Twitter @geekazine – Facebook Group – About.Me
Other shows: Day in Tech History – Geekazine Special Media Feed – iPad365

Geek Smack! episode 252 Tech News:

Google to Pay 1 billion to Apple
To be the primary search on iPhone, Google will have to pay for the spot.
Facebook Sued on Like
Being sued by some dead person over the Like button. Really?
Tim Cook at State of Union
Cook will sit with Michelle Obama as Barack gives the State of the Union Address
Turn Webcam in 3D Cam
This program will turn your video into a wireframe mesh
Netflix Gets Turbo
Upcoming Dreamworks movie will get a series on Netflix
Cancer Virus?
Scientists trying out a new virus that could help kill cancerous tumors
Mountain Dew Kickstart
PepsiCo’s newest drink is breakfast for Mountain Dew Fans
Bitcoins for Pizza
Dominos will now accept Bitcoins for pizza through PizzaforCoins.com
Bill Gates Biggest Regret
Gates wished WinFS would have come to market
Automee S Cleans Tablet
It’s like the Roomba for your iPad or Kindle! If you get one, then you are officially lazy. BTW – I’m getting one.

Geek Smack! Geek News

Google with NCAA Support
Just in time for the March Madness and Final Four action
Help Name Pluto’s Moons
Two discovered moons, names P4 and P5 needs to be named. Let’s make it Styx.
Yahoo NZ Hacked
Hackers used a WordPress hole to get in and sent email to you from dead relatives.
Apple Proxy Fight Lawsuit
Silly Sideshow is what Tim Cook calls a lawsuit to allow holders to vote how they get money back.
Zuckerberg the Philanthropist
Mark Zuckerberg is the #2 most charitable behind Warren Buffett.
Bieber Crashes
Justin Bieber’s Livestream crashed before he could go on with the Grammys.
Google Adds Emoticons
1,000 emotion icons added to Gmail Compose
Characters for Wreck-it Ralph 
10 video characters people want to see as cameos for the next Wreck-it-Ralph movie.
Zombies are Coming!
Colorado TV station was hacked and announced Zombies were on the uprise

Geek Smack! is a weekly video show and podcast that comes out every Tuesday evening. Your host: Jeffrey Powers – talks tech news, IT news and geek news for the week. Geek Smack! is ©2012 under a Creative Commons no-deriv license. Never take candy from strangers. If you would like more information about what is technology, recent news, Geekazine, and Jeffrey Powers, feel free to contact him. Jeffrey Powers does interviews, just ask!

Geek Smack!

I was on the Podcasters Roundtable the other night. We were talking about “What do you owe your audience?” So I bring the question to you – Are you getting everything from Geek Smack!? This week I will be recording an HP Tech Cast with Calvin Zito on Thursday. Also the flood of CES videos are coming in. Please check out the Special Media Feed for all the CES action.

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Hotline – 608-205-4378 – geekazine (at) gmail.com

Download the audio version

Subscribe to the podcast via: iTunes – TechPodcasts – Stitcher
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Other shows: Day in Tech History – Geekazine Special Media Feed – iPad365

Geek Smack! episode 251 Part 1:

Dell wants Privacy
Michael Dell Takes back 50% of the company in a $24.4 billion dollar deal. Can they privatize the company? 
Goodbye Stickam
Stickam closed it’s doors. Did you use it?
Amiigo band
Applebeesgate
Social Media Turns bad tip into PR nightmare.
First look at S.H.I.E.L.D
Joss Whedon’s pilot show behind the scenes look.
Disgruntled Worker Cleans Computers 
This IT person destroyed computers over 3 years with cleaning supplies
iPod Touch Themed Bedding
If you sleep with your iPod – now you can really sleep with your iPod
Ziff Davis buys IGN
Rupert Murdoch sells the News Corp website.
Verge Hires Sandoval
Greg Sandoval quit CNet over CES issue now working for Verge
 

Geek Smack! Part 2

Goodbye Muzak
Elevator music merging with Mood, eliminating the Muzak name
The Life of Yoda
First Star Wars Spin-off could be around Yoda, it will.
Public WiFi Story was WRONG 
Telecom analyst Jeffery Eisenach calls out the Washington Post for this story of the FCC wanting free WiFi
Wooden NES Controller Table
If you have $7,200 then this table can be yours.
Kristin Wiig Joins Anchorman 2
Going to be playing Brick Tamlad’s wife
Android Wine
They say it’s not an emulator but it will run Windows programs
How to Crash Your Mac
These 8 characters will crash any mac

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Geek Smack: CBS Causes CNet to Lose Credibility over a Hopper

So CBS is in litigation with Dish Networks over their DVR called “Sling” (part of the product: “The Hopper”) which is a technology that skips commercials. However, the Hopper was best of show at CES. CNet – who governs the CES awards – announced the Hopper had won. CBS didn’t want that so they told CNet to retract the award.

This is where it all began. Since then, Greg Sandoval quit CNet over the CES controversy. CES has basically fired CBS and CNet from overlooking the awards and re-established the Hopper as a winner.

CEA had an obligation to fix this, which they did. They lost a big partner in CBS but felt the integrity of the award was more important.

This might just change the dynamic of CES for 2014. CNet took up a good chunk at the front of CES. While they only lost the ability to grant the award, there may be a shift in how CBS covers CES. That might mean big bucks if CBS threw a lot at the event.

With the recent loss of Microsoft last year, many were wondering if CES could continue as the top trade show. CES came back by breaking the record attendance. So can they do it again with this controversy?

Of course there are other companies that can step in. They might not have the cash that CBS has, but they do have the audience. That may be the better choice.

Geek Smack! is a weekly video show and podcast that comes out every Tuesday evening. Your host: Jeffrey Powers – talks tech news, IT news and geek news for the week. Geek Smack! is ©2012 under a Creative Commons no-deriv license. Never take candy from strangers. If you would like more information about what is technology, recent news, Geekazine, and Jeffrey Powers, feel free to contact him. Jeffrey Powers does interviews, just ask!

Geek Smack!

Quiet week as I am putting together CES video and planning for the next trip. Last night’s thunderstorms were simply awesome but in the next 24 hours we go from record highs to seasonal lows and SNOW. That is why I am thinking SXSW which is right around the corner – which is why I started a new podcast called “GoinSXSW“. Planning some big guests coming on soon

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Subscribe to the podcast via: iTunes – TechPodcasts – Stitcher
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Other shows: Day in Tech History – Geekazine Special Media Feed – iPad365

Geek Smack! episode 250 Tech News:

Google+ Bests Twitter
The social network hits #2 over Twitter and YouTube
Apple Goes 128
Apple announces 128 GB iPad. I need a 512 GB iPad.
Anonymous Games
US Government sites gets hacked with Astroids game
1.8 Gigapixel Camera
DARPA’s new camera can be attached to drones at 20,000 feet…
New Pirate Site approved
Did the World Trade Organization approve a new site that is full of pirated material?
Hack Chrome and Win
Google is offering $3.12159 (Pi) million in prizes for hacking Chrome OS.
Twitter Vine Porn
Twitter’s new 6 second video already has a bad mark as highlight video was a porn.
iOS 6.1
Siri/Fandango ticket purchases, iTunes Match among new items.
AppleTV Bluetooth
Update to AppleTV allows Bluetooth keyboards to connect. iTunes in iCloud next?
HP Pavilion Chromebook
HP Chromebook leaked to public
Rdio Adds 14 Countries
Brazil and Germany among those getting Rdio

Geek Smack! Geek News

Hologram – Carbon Nanotube pixels
Glee – Did they Rip off Jonathon Coulton
Headphones – Samurai ear buds
LEGO – Mac LEGO
Food & diet – HAPIfork
3D Printing – Create Your Own Robot
Star Wars – Billy Dee Williams Petition

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Geek Smack: How NewEgg Killed the Patent Troll

A patent troll is a person that patents something that you wouldn’t expect to get a patent then goes out and sues you. A way to slide to unlock – pulling a cord to open a Venetian blind – allowing cords to run through your vest material. These are all patents that you could possibly get sued if you incorporated into your item.

A patent troll might not have thought of the idea either. They just noticed that no one patented it. Therefore they take the time and money to get the patent so they can go for some big names.

One company in particular is Soverain Software. They took ideas from open market and got patents for them. The company turned around and started suing people for “Shopping Cart” – the service that holds your items in cart until it’s time to check out.

While other companies settled, NewEgg decided to fight. They lost in East Texas court. However, NewEgg pursued the case and not only got the case overturned but got all three patents in question invalidated.

What does this mean? You can put a shopping cart on your website without fear of someone coming to collect.

While you might not like a patent troll – they are out there ready to pounce on an idea to say they thought of it first. You have two choices – pay the fees or fight in court with risk of losing. I am glad that NewEgg took the risk in this case.

Geek Smack! is a weekly video show and podcast that comes out every Tuesday evening. Your host: Jeffrey Powers – talks tech news, IT news and geek news for the week. Geek Smack! is ©2012 under a Creative Commons no-deriv license. Never take candy from strangers. If you would like more information about what is technology, recent news, Geekazine, and Jeffrey Powers, feel free to contact him. Jeffrey Powers does interviews, just ask!

Geek Smack!

Welcome back after the Winter Hiatus! CES was fun and the North American International Auto Show was short but I still got a lot of great video. The bug decided to wait until I got back which hasn’t put me out but has slowed things down. Nonetheless there is a show to do and four weeks of news to catch up on. So let’s go for it!

Thanks for everyone that joined the Podcasters Community. 900 podcasters and growing stronger daily!

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Hotline – 608-205-4378 – geekazine (at) gmail.com

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Subscribe to the podcast via: iTunes – TechPodcasts – Stitcher
You can catch me on Twitter @geekazine – Facebook Group – About.Me
Other shows: Day in Tech History – Geekazine Special Media Feed – iPad365

Geek Smack! episode 248 Tech News:

AT&T Switches to AllTel
-AT&T purchases $780 million in Alltel wireless holdings
Blockbusted!
-Blockbuster closing stores, cutting jobs. All but 500 stores will be left.
Yahoo! Wants you Back
- Yahoo sends welcome back packages to former employees.
Apple Back at MacWorld?
-Ashton Kutcher will be there as Fake Steve Jobs.
Firefox Smartphone in Japan
- Firefox OS is getting ready for a release overseas
Student Expelled
- MOntreal college student finds a hole that exposes 250,000 students personal data and is ousted because of it.
Google App Removed
- Make me Asian app on the Google store has been removed.
3D Printer House
- Dutch architect will be making house using a 3D printer
Amazon In-App Service
- You can purchase goods right from the PC or Mac games. More reason to start making games.
Sergey Brin Rides NYC
- Another Google Glass spotting. Does this mean anything?

Geek Smack! Geek News

Gaming: Elder Scrolls Online Beta
Nintendo: Impressive Nintendo Collection
LEGO: RC LEGO A-Team Van
Baby: Sushi Diapers
GIF: Keep your Eye on the Cross
Kids Room: Creative Bunk Beds

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Geek Smack: Atari Files Bankruptcy

Wait, Atari is still around?

Actually, Atari filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy to separate from it’s parent company Infogames. Nonetheless, Atari has been continually making modest advances in gaming and retro-gaming by making these games for new computing devices.

Titles like “Atari’s Greatest Hits” is a mobile title that keeps the company afloat. One game for .99 or the whole lot for $9.99 seems to be a strategy that works for Atari. That – and their line of retro Atari game units.

So why find a new buyer? Most likely to grow the company in a different direction than what Infogames ideas are. Get out of the oppressive thumb to re-build the company.

Something that has happened many times before but didn’t go anywhere. However it’s a new gaming landscape out there. With Zynga falling hard is the web gaming industry stable enough to welcome back Atari?

I suppose if they inject into Facebook anything is possible…

Geek Smack! is a weekly video show and podcast that comes out every Tuesday evening. Your host: Jeffrey Powers – talks tech news, IT news and geek news for the week. Geek Smack! is ©2012 under a Creative Commons no-deriv license. Never take candy from strangers. If you would like more information about what is technology, recent news, Geekazine, and Jeffrey Powers, feel free to contact him. Jeffrey Powers does interviews, just ask!

Geek Smack!

For all the podcasters out there – I started the Podcasters Community on Google+. Also found out I will be heading from Vegas to Detroit and the North American Auto Show – January 13-15th. It’s a new show for me and I hope to get some great video out of it. Only 3 weeks away from the CES action! Head to TPN.TV for the live stream!

Please Fill out the Geek Smack! Survey

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Hotline – 608-205-4378 – geekazine (at) gmail.com

Download the audio version

Subscribe to the podcast via: iTunes – TechPodcasts – Stitcher
You can catch me on Twitter @geekazine – Facebook Group – About.Me
Other shows: Day in Tech History – Geekazine Special Media Feed – iPad365

Geek Smack! episode 248 Tech News:

No Samsung Ban
Apple loses an injunction to ban Samsung devices in the US
HTML5.1 First Draft
The HTML5 standard moves to interoperability and testing phase. 
Fastbook is HTML5
Group of developers make a Facebook app using only HTML5. Looks pretty nice, too!
Sponge Bob App Pulled
Apparently it was collecting children’s emails.
Morgan Stanley Fined
Financial company in trouble for releasing confidential information about the Facebook IPO
Sprint Buys Clearwire
Sprint will purchase the remaining 50% of Clearwire in a $2.2 billion dollar deal.
SIRI Trick
Make Siri think its using Google maps
Apple Foursquare on Maps
Apple is pairing with Foursquare to make Apple maps more viable.
Cisco to Sell Linksys
Cisco planning to get out of consumer market altogether.
No HTC Windows8 Phone
Microsoft guidelines prompted HTC to not make a Win8 smartphone

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Geek Smack! Geek News

Arachnology – USB Mouse with Real Spider
Cat – Turn your Cat into RC Car
Laser – Add Laser Pointer to iPhone, Android
Shoe – Ice Cream Pumps
Robots – Brain Implants Move Arm
YouTube – Rewind YouTube Style
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Geek Smack: Instagram Copyrights – Who Owns them?

When Instagram hit the app store there was a swell of users who wanted to turn a picture of a bland, dried out grilled cheese sandwich into an old photo – then share it on Facebook and Twitter. Since then the company was sold to Facebook where it’s progressively gotten worse.

Nevermind the fact Instagram had a bug in it that could delete photos and they didn’t fix it for six weeks. Nevermind the fact that Instagram pulled Twitter inline photos off the system.

So why is Instagram even around still? They’re no longer an independent app like Facebook said they would be. Remember Mark Zuckerberg? You said that Instagram is not going away. You said you plan to keep both separate and evolve the network. It will continue to share with other networks.

So what is happening? Facebook announced Instagram will be “more secure” by being a part of the Facebook infrastructure. You can then put all your photos with Instagram photos.

I don’t mind that but I do mind the one more caveat. You give Instagram permission to share with Facebook affiliates. Facebook defines it as “businesses that are legally part of the same group of companies that Instagram is part of, or that become part of that group”.

What does that even mean? That means if you take a picture of a bag of Doritos and Doritos is an “Affiliate”, they could use your photo without repercussion. They could make more cash on your photo.

The bigger question is if Instagram has the right. After all it is a joint effort. You take the picture – they turn it into photo art. So they have as much right to share that with others as you do – correct?

As the Internet gets to be more social you have to wonder when privacy becomes obsolete. I personally stopped using Instagram. Not because of the security breech, not because of Twitter injunction or because of this new privacy policy. I stopped simply because it was another social network to open up and send my pictures to. I simply ran out of time and patience.

These changes won’t go into effect until January 16th, so you have some time to make a decision. Remember – there are other photo sharing apps out there that don’t have these policies. If you use Instagram, you now know.

Geek Smack! is a weekly video show and podcast that comes out every Tuesday evening. Your host: Jeffrey Powers – talks tech news, IT news and geek news for the week. Geek Smack! is ©2012 under a Creative Commons no-deriv license. Never take candy from strangers. If you would like more information about what is technology, recent news, Geekazine, and Jeffrey Powers, feel free to contact him. Jeffrey Powers does interviews, just ask!

Geek Smack!

Happy 12/12/12 day!

Did some work in the studio this last week to spruce up the look. Also doing lots of recordings getting ready for the holiday season. Started the new Google+ Community for Podcasters – Thanks to everyone that has joined in! Tonight I’ll be chatting on Twitter with Mignon Fogarty – Be a part of future Podchats! Only 3 weeks away from the CES action! Head to TPN.TV for the live stream!

Please Fill out the Geek Smack! Survey

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Download the audio version

Subscribe to the podcast via: iTunes – TechPodcasts – Stitcher
You can catch me on Twitter @geekazine – Facebook Group – About.Me
Other shows: Day in Tech History – Geekazine Special Media Feed – iPad365

Geek Smack! episode 247 Tech News:

Apple Update on the Way
Apple TV will add Bluetooth Support and possibly Siri.
Gmail Crashed for Some
Google had some major problems the other day. All is back up.
Teachers Can Get $99 Chromebook 
Teachers can get up to 30 Chromebooks for $99
How Much for Google Fiber
A nation-wide Google Fiber could cost $140 billion to build. But is it really that cheap?
Windows Password Cracking Computer
This computer can crack all company Windows passwords in 6 hours.
Yahoo! NBC Sports Deal
Yahoo! Sports and NBC Sports work out a deal for broadcasting exclusive content.
European Bank Malware
Smartphone Trojan swiped $47 million
Photoshop with Retina
New CS6 is made for Macs with Retina Display
Rejecting Abstract Patents
Google and Facebook are among others asking to look closer at some of these Troll patents.
160 Mac Mini Tower
Datacenter for Mac Mini Servers
Google to Sell Motorola Set Top Box
Google TV is not moving the direction they wanted so it’s time to make a decision -

Geek Smack! Geek News

Space – Apollo 17 touched down
Transformer – $24,000 Bot
Apple Maps – Life Threatening Bug Fixed
Brandy – the Brandy Pipe
Fashion or LEGO – The Hermes Birkin LEGO Bag
Art – 2 1/2 Years of Computer Use
SNES – All 271 Games for Sale-

Geek Smack: Using 3D Printers to Make Guns

A couple weeks ago I watched an episode of CSI where the crew deduces a gun that killed 2 people was fabricated with a 3D printer. This idea is not impossible; the other day someone made a fun and fired a few rounds out of it. Now Rep Steve Isreal has called for a ban on making firearms using a 3D printer. Will that be enough?

3D printers have been growing in popularity in the last few years. They can make prototypes of products or parts for your inventions almost instantly. Newer ones have been more accurate and come out with less mistakes.They have made everything from chess pieces to replacement parts for broken items. They also been used to make 3D versions of child memes.

There are two sides to this coin – one is the 3D printer you can now buy at Staples and use it for making parts. Then there are those who can buy the parts and build their own 3D printers. There are websites that have open source designs you can input into your printer and make. That could include a design to make a gun. Just download the file on a USB drive and insert into your printer.

What Isreal is looking to do is have a DCMA takedown of any design that comes up on the Internet. Only problem is – once the design is made people will find ways to get it. There is also a proposition that the 3D printer could recognize a gun design and stop printing.

Unfortunately that could be over-ridden by a tech-savvy programmer. It’s a concerning proposition – if a gun can be made from a 3D printer with no metal parts, it could possibly go through scanning systems without detection. Therefore, you could go through security systems with your 3D gun model (taken apart) then put it all back together when ready to use it.

Can you stop something like that? Is there even a way? All you need is a couple thousand dollars and you can make a very crude but useful arsenal.

The only saving grace is the bullets still have to be made of metal.

Geek Smack! is a weekly video show and podcast that comes out every Tuesday evening. Your host: Jeffrey Powers – talks tech news, IT news and geek news for the week. Geek Smack! is ©2012 under a Creative Commons no-deriv license. Never take candy from strangers. If you would like more information about what is technology, recent news, Geekazine, and Jeffrey Powers, feel free to contact him. Jeffrey Powers does interviews, just ask!

Geek Smack!

Taking some time to look at the studio set and video shots. Needs a little upgrading so I will be moving things around. Don’t forget we’re only 4 weeks away from the CES action! Head to TPN.TV for the live stream!

Please Fill out the Geek Smack! Survey

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Download the audio version
Subscribe to the podcast via: iTunes – TechPodcasts – Stitcher

You can catch me on Twitter @geekazine – Facebook Group – About.Me

Other shows: Day in Tech History – Geekazine Special Media Feed – iPad365

Geek Smack! episode 245 Tech News:

WiFi 802.11ac at 1.3Gbps
This new chip with 4×4 antenna system will allow transfer of 1.3 Gbps
Steam Out of Beta
PC Gamers can use Steam on the HDTV
Movie Studios Opt Out
Lionsgate, 20th Century Fox, BBC Films, Sony Entertainment and Walt Disney Pictures ask to take down their own Facebook and Wikipedia pages
Facebook Pays for Sponsored Stories
If you have been featured on Sponsored Stories, you could get $10 from Facebook.
Keep Internet Free
Google Blog talks about the importance of an Open Source Internet
Real Life Transformer?
Group wants to make “Re-programmable Matter” which will re-shape into items you need (like a coffee cup).
Zynga Loses on New Facebook Deal
Zynga is now part of a “Standard License Agreement” with Facebook.
Google New Maps API
Applications will be able to use the API to get location data from the player
Yahoo Axes Chat
One of the oldest chat room systems closing due to underage sex chatting.
Instagram iPhone Vulnerability
Non-encrypted cookie is being sent which can clue the attacker on how to get in to delete photos.
-

Geek Smack! Geek News

Comics: the Hawkeye Initiative
Crowdfunding: Stick and Find NFC Location Discs
LEGO: Tall LEGO Tower Crushes
Star Wars: R2D2 Vespa
Cars: Back to the Future Delorean Taxi

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Geek Smack: Saying Goodbye to “The Daily”. What Happened?

“The Daily was a bold experiment in digital publishing,” said News Corp. Chief Executive Rupert Murdoch. “Unfortunately, our experience was that we could not find a large enough audience quickly enough to convince us the business model was sustainable in the long term.”

The Daily was a mobile news app. Launched in February, News Corp invested 80 million into the venture. But with the .99 cent / week subscription, the Daily didn’t see too many memberships. Even the 100 thousand members that was reported back in July couldn’t even begin to pay back the overly-infused company.

Was the Daily set up for failure? To pay back a 80 million dollar price tag in 5 years the publication would have needed around 333 thousand subscribers – or about 1% of the US population. The app only received 1/3 that and we don’t know if that number grew since July.

Does this mean a closed paywall app does not work? Not necessarily. When most companies put 80 million into an app and don’t see the returns, the first thing to do is re-organize. Not close the company.

Was it because theDaily was more of a Magazine than an app? I have only a couple publications on my iPad. Some of those online magazines take up too much space. Mad Magazine takes up to 300 MB in some issues while other publications can take up to 500 MB. When you have a 16 GB iPad you have to make some sacrifices.

If I was a subscriber I would be pissed at News Corp simply because I put my money toward something that didn’t even get a chance. I would be asking for a full refund of my subscription. After all, they don’t care about me…

Geek Smack! is a weekly video show and podcast that comes out every Tuesday evening. Your host: Jeffrey Powers – talks tech news, IT news and geek news for the week. Geek Smack! is ©2012 under a Creative Commons no-deriv license. Never take candy from strangers. If you would like more information about what is technology, recent news, Geekazine, and Jeffrey Powers, feel free to contact him. Jeffrey Powers does interviews, just ask!

Geek Smack!

Hope you had a great Turkey Day. It’s been a wild week here at Geekazine. Catching up on lots of video and playing with a new phone. I show you the LG Optimus G – an Android phone on the Sprint Network. I also went to see Life of Pi in 3D. First 3D movie I’ve seen since Superman. I give my opinion of the movie.

Please Fill out the Geek Smack! Survey

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Download the audio version
Subscribe to the podcast via: iTunes – TechPodcasts – Stitcher

You can catch me on Twitter @geekazine – Facebook Group – About.Me

Other shows: Day in Tech History – Geekazine Special Media Feed – iPad365

Geek Smack! episode 245 Tech News:

CyberMonday Crackdown
132 Domains were seized for selling fake items
Windows 8 in BIOS
No more product keys on software, it would just be imprinted on the BIOS
No More Intel Socket
Intel Socket might be going away. End of the desktop building going?
Hotel KeyCard Hack
High tech digital hacker used in stealing a laptop in TX
Netflix Open Source?
Netflix is opening up their API so cloud devices can add Netflix easily to their lineup.
Sprint LTE Rollout
Sprint will rollout to 11 smaller markets
Ford Fiesta Gets MyFord Touch
Ford is starting to standardize Microsoft SYNC in every car. Hopefully an after-market version will be next. 
Crapware Still on Windows8
OEM Windows8 will still contain that free trial of Office and other software
Kansas Google Fiber
Would you move to Kansas just to partake in the faster internet speeds? Will Big ISPs start to speed-match Google?
Harley Davidson Lightning
Apparently Harley Davidson had the rights to Lightning. They’re letting Apple have some.
Black Friday Shopping
1 billion dollars were spent from Black Friday.

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Geek Smack! Geek News:

Space: Go to Mars
Medical: Letherman Raptor
Weather: Personal Weather Station
Balloon Animals: Super Hero
LEGO: Hobbit Sets Available
Dr. Who: Tardis Mini Fridge

-

Geek Smack: Google, Facebook Get Fake News. Is CyberMonday a day to “Prank” Someone?

Yesterday we found out that Google was acquiring a Wifi hotspot provider ICOA. Except this was not true. In the meantime, a release came out mentioning that Facebook has re-vamped their policies to make all images, sounds and more copyright free if posted.

Two totally unrelated instances climbed the news market like a SWAT team scales a wall. Once they were found to be false, we saw a barrage of “dumbass” messages throughout Facebook and Twitter – including an old Batman comic cell slapping Robin with different text in the speech bubble.

ICOA CEO George Strouthopoulos told TechCrunch – the ones who broke the fake story – that it was not true. BuzzFeed mentioned the poster of this fallacy was from Aruba. Whats worse is that ICOA is a publicly traded company. Therefore their stock had to be frozen while this issue blows over.

Back to Facebook – How many people posted the following on their pages:

In response to the new Facebook guidelines I hereby declare that my copyright is attached to all of my personal details, illustrations, comics, paintings, professional photos and videos, etc. (as a result of the Berner Convention). For commercial use of the above my written consent is needed at all times!

First of all, the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works is an international agreement governing copyright, which was first accepted in Berne, Switzerland, in 1886 (Hence the name). The US is part of that agreement.

Unfortunately, a small blurb on a social network is not going to stop someone from copying or re-sharing your images. If someone does re-share; is it worth the lawyer cost to go after them?

The two events really made it feel like someone was trying to PWN us. It started to feel like CyberMonday was another April Fools day. Do we really need that on a day where people are watching the internet closely for their favorite deals for Christmas?

Oh wait… Nevermind.

Geek Smack! is a weekly video show and podcast that comes out every Tuesday evening. Your host: Jeffrey Powers – talks tech news, IT news and geek news for the week. Geek Smack! is ©2012 under a Creative Commons no-deriv license. Never take candy from strangers. If you would like more information about what is technology, recent news, Geekazine, and Jeffrey Powers, feel free to contact him. Jeffrey Powers does interviews, just ask!

Geek Smack!

I tried to do this show from the road but the internet would not let me. Seriously. I did not have a good internet signal from computer or phone. It was really frustrating. I did find out about some great printers and the services of HP Enterprise printing.

Please Fill out the Geek Smack! Survey

Geek Smack Sponsor board!

Download the audio version
Subscribe to the podcast via: iTunes – TechPodcasts – Stitcher

You can catch me on Twitter @geekazine – Facebook Group – About.Me

Other shows: Day in Tech History – Geekazine Special Media Feed – iPad365

Geek Smack! episode 244 Tech News:

John McAfee Wanted
Anti-virus creator is wanted on question of murder.
Yahoo! New Homepage
Yahoo! also wants to launch a Gmail-like Email system
Sinofsky Leaves Microsoft
Windows 8 head left due to tension between Sinofsky and top execs.
Cuban Ditches Facebook
Mark Cuban doesn’t like the huge fees the Mavericks have to pay to send their fans messages.
No Windows8 Facebook
Right now Facebook says they won’t be making a Windows 8 app. I bet they will have to eventually.
Apple Perks
Tim Cook is giving Apple employees perks that Steve Jobs didn’t want.
Chrome Sandboxes Flash
Chrome 23 will put flash items in sandbox mode to further protect from malware.
Amazon Owes France
France says that Amazon owes $252 million in back taxes
AMD 1 Terraflop Graphics
The Firepro S10000 will set you back $3600 but will reduce the amount of servers you need.
Congrats to Dropbox
100 million users and rising

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Geek Smack! Geek News:

Music – Fender iOS Guitar
AI – Cleverbot not really that clever…
Politics – Real Map Breakdown
Science – Astroid Impact Simulator
Kanye  - Be Cooler than Kanye
LEGO – Nathan Sawaya Interview
Star Wars – R2D2 Engagement Ring I hope she said Beep Boop Boop…
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Geek Smack: Is AMD for Sale?

Reports arose today that JP Morgan was brought in to do some assessing. It doesn’t really mean any more than giving AMD a strategy to where they are going. However some are starting the death march for the company.

I remember the days of AMD Intel battles – AMD brought out a faster Athlon processor and Intel trumped it the next day. Your Pentium chip would become obsolete within minutes…

AMD has told the Wall St. Journal it’s not looking to sell. But it definitely is looking to trim some fat. JPMorgan is just Bob and Bob interviewing the staff at Inotech.

There is no reason for AMD to jump ship right now. It’s not like people are not buying AMD computers.

It’s assessments like mobile devices that AMD needs to figure out. If they are building for the wrong platform then AMD has to make a major change.

But for kicks and giggles let’s just say that AMD IS selling. Who would be a good buyer? Maybe a PC company like Lenovo? What if Apple was to scoop them up? A whole new game could be played…

Geek Smack! is a weekly video show and podcast that comes out every Tuesday evening. Your host: Jeffrey Powers – talks tech news, IT news and geek news for the week. Geek Smack! is ©2012 under a Creative Commons no-deriv license. Never take candy from strangers. If you would like more information about what is technology, recent news, Geekazine, and Jeffrey Powers, feel free to contact him. Jeffrey Powers does interviews, just ask!

Geek Smack!

Since today is the show, I voted early. That way I don’t get distracted with politics. Took a day off to check out the rally that happened here in Madison, thought I got a great soundbite but forgot to hit the record button. ACK! Also, CES action is happening hot and heavy. New booth location means a new setup for the group.

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Download the audio version 
Subscribe to the podcast via: iTunes - TechPodcasts - Stitcher

You can catch me on Twitter @geekazine -  Facebook Group - About.Me

Other shows: Day in Tech History - Geekazine Special Media Feed - iPad365

Geek Smack! episode 243 Tech News:

Apple to Move from Intel?
Icahn Netflix Takeover
Netflix adopts a “Poison Pill” attack if Carl Icahn tries to buy controlling stock
Lumina 920, 820 Release Dates
Nokia Lumina will release on November 9th for $99, $49
Microsoft Live Messanger Retiring
Microsoft will switch to Skype, especially since they own the program.
Mozilla Pays $1.5 million to IRS
After 4 years, Mozilla and the IRS settled
Google+ Security Upgrades
New controls for Hangouts, new reporting and mute tools.
Surface 32 GB = 16 GB
Surface RT Takes 16 GB of space. So it’s a 16 GB Surface…
Amazon Adding $7.99/Month Prime
Amazon looking to compete hand-in-hand with Netflix with their streaming system. I still like the yearly pay option anyway.
iPhone Loyalty Declines
Dropping loyalty for the iPhone might be because of smaller screens and less customer input.
Surface as Balloting Device
Virginia is testing a ballot system using the Microsoft Surface tablet.

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Geek Smack! Geek News:

Robocop – Vintage Peter Weller Video
Space – Black Hole in Orion’s Sword
LEGO or Ford – LEGO Ford Field
Writing – Is Cursive Dead
Star Wars – Tribble Slippers
Bacon or 3D Printer – 3D Printer Bacon
- When can we start 3D printing actual bacon?
Dog – Spiked Dog Bowl
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Geek Smack: Will Apple Ditch Intel Processors?

I remember the day that Steve Jobs announced they were moving away from the PowerPC processor for the Intel processor line. It brought a new host of programs and possibilities for the Mac computer systems. Now Apple has the confidence and talent to start talking about moving away from Intel to their own Processor.

Of course Apple has been talking about this for a while. By creating an A-X chip for Macbook Pro can also bridge with the iPad, iPhone and other iOS devices properly.

Apple Insider dissected the A6x chip in the 4th generation iPad – which is based off the ARMv7 processor. They found a dual-core processor, 4 graphic processors and twice the SDRAM from the A6 chip. This is even more power than most $500 laptops on the market today.

What does this topographic change mean? People who have written Mac and PC versions of applications will most likely take one side or end up having to support two versions of software. iPad and iPhone developers might be able to port their programs to Mac pretty easily. Most important – a unified connection between computer, tablet, smartphone and set top box.

Does that hurt Intel? In the PC market it’s tough to say. People talk about an exodus away from PCs to mobile devices. Intel still will be creating processors for PC architecture along with other devices. I saw a set top box last year at CES that was Intel powered.

The biggest problem with Apple proprietary processors is they most likely won’t let anyone else use the chips. 3rd party developers will not be allowed to build on their infrastructures which means they will most likely look to Intel for a CPU. You can use the ARMv7 processor technology to get close to Apple’s designs – that is if Apple continues with ARM processor technology or creates their own processor.

Geek Smack! is a weekly video show and podcast that comes out every Tuesday evening. Your host: Jeffrey Powers – talks tech news, IT news and geek news for the week. Geek Smack! is ©2012 under a Creative Commons no-deriv license. Never take candy from strangers. If you would like more information about what is technology, recent news, Geekazine, and Jeffrey Powers, feel free to contact him. Jeffrey Powers does interviews, just ask!

Geek Smack!

Thinking about all my friends in the NY area. The rain is over and snow is not too far behind. It’s almost like the Day after Tomorrow is happening to the East coast. Also, not only did Day in Tech History get nominated for Podcast Awards, Geekazine got nominated for best produced! Voting starts November 1st.

Please Fill out the Geek Smack! Survey

Geek Smack Sponsor board!

Download the audio version 
Subscribe to the podcast via: iTunes - TechPodcasts - Stitcher

You can catch me on Twitter @geekazine -  Facebook Group - About.Me

Other shows: Day in Tech History - Geekazine Special Media Feed - iPad365

Geek Smack! episode 242 Tech News:

Hurricane Sandy (wikipedia)

Sandy Takes out Websites
New York based websites Huffpo and Gawker were among many that went silent during Hurricane Sandy
Amazon Attacks Apple
How the Kindle is a better and cheaper tablet to the mini
Scott Forstall Out at Apple
Why the Senior VP of iOS is out
Google Nexus 10
2,560 x 1,600 screen. $399 price tag
64-bit ARM Coming
AMD announces they will be working on it in 2014
Roku Search 
Great addition to the Roku system. It is still my choice for OTT set top box.
NFC Sharing Android, Windows
Tap to connect between the two devices.
Yahoo! Rejects Privacy
Yahoo! will not comply to IE 10′s “do not track” option.
Paypal Cuts Jobs
325 jobs at Paypal are at risk.
Kill the Computer to Save it?
Peter Neumann says we need to rebuild from the ground up to make a safer, better computer.
Link Pirate Sentenced
Yonjo Quiora sentenced for pirating major sports like NBA, NFL, NHL and Pro wrestling TNA and WWE events.
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Geek Smack! Geek News:

Real or Fake?

Sandy – Real or Fake
Science – Real life Tractor Beam
Space – Pictures in a Dead Satellite
Meme – Horsehead Streaker
McDonalds or BBQ sauce – McJordan BBQ Sells for $10,000
LEGO – Strip Club
LEGO – Diamond Ring
Art – Renault Twizzy with Picasso in Mind
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Geek Smack: South Carolina Gets Breeched. What Happens now that Government Messed Up.

South Carolina

If you live in South Carolina you might have woken to some startling news. Over 3.6 million social security numbers and 387,000 credit cards were exposed to a foreign hacker.

An investigation is underway on how the hacker got into the South Carolina Department of Revenue. The hacker got into a database using “Sophisticated Equipment.”

Officials urge that if you filed a tax return in South Carolina to contact them. Although over the weekend the flood of calls gave many people busy signals.

Now any IT expert can say that high encryption is not impossible to breech but it’s also not an easy task. However it seems that encrypting data was on the top of the Department of Revenue’s mind as there were 16,000 credit cards that were not under some type of encryption.

This compromised database had only SSN in it – which is pretty odd because a Tax return database would have names, addresses and more. So what was this database all about?

Hackers attack government agencies all the time. It’s like a cyber version of “Oceans 11″ – where hitting a casino and getting away with it is a major accomplishment. South Carolina shows us our guard cannot be down for even one minute.

South Carolina residents are encouraged to keep an eye on your credit report. Contact the FTC for a free report at 877-322-8228.

Geek Smack! is a weekly video show and podcast that comes out every Tuesday evening. Your host: Jeffrey Powers – talks tech news, IT news and geek news for the week. Geek Smack! is ©2012 under a Creative Commons no-deriv license. Never take candy from strangers. If you would like more information about what is technology, recent news, Geekazine, and Jeffrey Powers, feel free to contact him. Jeffrey Powers does interviews, just ask!