Monthly Archives: March 2013

Is Facebook Calling? Waiting for 4TH of 4TH

I am amazed to read that Facebook’s sending invitations (that goes as “Come see our new home on Android”) to the press for an event to be held on April 4, 2013. I think the rumors about the Facebook Phone would be a reality now.

Well not exactly (or I shall say entirely, to be precise) a “Facebook Phone”, but I’m guessing it would definately be something about mobile, because of Android being in the picture. Though Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has already denied the existence of plans of “Facebook Phone” earlier he also added at that point of time that even if they build the phone, they will not come up with their own hardware system.

And there comes HTC in picture that is also rumored to be in this venture fulfilling the hardware (handset) requirement for “Facebook Phone” that would run a modified version of Android with deep Facebook integration.

I’m wondering, will FB phone turn as popular as the social networking site? Let’s wait and see on Thursday, April 4, 2013, if Facebook is really calling?

Being Apple

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I know that Apple stands outs and dominates the markets from many years. And I believe that the business will sustain its position and profitability in the coming years too.

But I always wondered how a company can be as popular as Apple? What sets them different from others?

Gratefully, I got my answer while browsing web, part of my daily routine of reading and acquainting myself with latest technology news & updates. I got to read about an alike company InfusionSoft, a maker of CRM and marketing automation software that is though not as big as Apple, but certainly has something in common with it.

And there are 3 following resemblances:

1) Teaching Sells:
Both Apple and InfusionSoft are always happy, in fact enthusiastic about teaching their customers on how to use their products & services. This could be a great USP for many companies who want to become the next Apple.

Think about this, if your customers are unsure about the usage of your products and services; and you don’t have programs in place to solve this; then you are probably losing on the potential prospects and eventually some business.

While on the other hand, if you educate people on the best use of your products and services; you not just stop the money drain but apparently create an environment to sell more. They may even look for your future products or services.

So that’s how Teaching sells.

Read about the other 2 strategies to become to the next Apple, here.

The latest invention: Video shooting device made from iPad

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“Truly said by someone, Necessity is the mother of invention”.

I am surprised to know about the new invention made by Dave Basulto, an arts teacher in South Pasadena, Calif. The high school media arts teacher created a Kickstarter project to offer a low cost gadget to his students to be able to shoot and edit the videos. He converted Ipad Mini into a “video production platform”.

The $319 tablet serves the purpose of shooting and streaming the video too. Isn’t that a cheap option?

Basulto’s creating some video tutorials to teach the kids about how to use iOgrapher. I am sure that he is working in the right direction to offer the cheap and easy way to shoot pictures and videos.

Though iPad mini has the video stabilization capability, the videos shot were quite shaky. The first iOgrapher mount was designed by Basulto. I wonder if they can meet the deadline of the Kickstarter funding campaign. The kickstarter project has raised $ 2,665 and they aim at $ 15,000 funding.

I’ve also heard that he is creating prototypes for iPad 2, the iPhone 5 and the iPhone 4S.

Basulto is planning to sell the device for $ 49. As it is expected that the device would be released in June this year, I’m planning to buy one. Good option for summer sports video capturing and parties! It’s not too heavy on the pockets. Let’s wait to see how many sales does the device makes.

The secret for success unleashed

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I have found the secret to make my company become the next Apple. After Atari was formed in 1972, Nolan Bushnell (the founder at Atari) hired Steve Jobs and other creative minds in the period of five decades. Bushnell, the author of the book Finding the Next Steve Jobs, explains how to search, hire and nurture people who have the capability to turn your company in the next Apple or the next Atari.

The book teaches us to hire limited number of people in the organization. I am curious to know how can the failures be celebrated.

The world is ever-changing and so is every company with every new challenge. Hope this book would help companies prosper! A few exclusive extract from Atari Founder’s book are available here.

Is NASSCOM Planning on New Silicon Valley?

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It didn’t get me goosebumps though the news from NASSCOM was certainly exciting for SME entrepreneurs like me. The National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) has revealed its new initiative, “10,000 start ups” and I think we can expect the growth of India’s economy. Som Mittal, president NASSCOM announced that the program 10K start ups is one of the biggest initiatives which aims at catalyzing the tech start ups.

Does this mean that NASSCOM’s about to create a New Silicon Valley in India?

Because just like Silicon Valley, that has engulfed many large technology corporations and small start ups under its umbrella becoming a leading hub for IT field; NASSCOM is planning to bring incubate, fund and support 10,000 technology start-ups in India over the next ten years.

So will it be competing with Silicon Valley in the coming years? Well who knows!

NASSCOM has partnered with Indian Angel Network and some other biggies like Google, Microsoft and Verisign for the program to ensure and turn its initiative to a big success.

Further, I’m sure it would have a great national and economical impact on the technology ecosystem. Although it is assumed that there would be 10 times more start ups in the next ten years, a few things still coil in my mind. Will the competition in the market increase due to new companies landing to the markets? Would the “survival of the fittest” work for such companies? Guess, we’ll have to wait and watch!

2013, A Year to Watch or Ear to Watch?

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Lately I’ve been thinking, “Whats with these mobile manufacturers all of sudden?” After Apple reported that they’re working on the iwatch, it seems that many other mobile companies are getting tempted to manufacture watches which can be a good substitute for the phones. I’ve read Samsung’s developing a new wristwatch. Does this mean that the Apple – Samsung war has begun?

After the rumors of Apple releasing the iwatch, Samsung follows Apple. Lee Young Hee, executive vice president of Samsung’s mobile business said, “We’ve been preparing the watch product for so long. We are preparing products for the future, and the watch is definitely one of them.” Lee made no comments on the features of the watch. I am curious to know what would be the difference between Apple and Samsung watches.

Samsung has been a tough competition for the Apple after releasing a series of Galaxy smart phones particularly S3 & now S4. Apple should start searching for some new ways to stay ahead of the competition. Anyway, I’m sure that it would be fascinating for the consumers to buy a watch that offers everything that a Smart phone does.

Apple may soon launch the iWatch in this year, while we would have to still wait for about an year to see Samsung’s watch. I was otherwise tempted to own an Apple iwatch. But with Samsung’s disclosure that they are also planning to launch a watch too, I will sure be looking on the features of both and compare them; and then obviously go for the best. But I guess I’d have to wait for the release if I’ve to choose the better one.

Anyways mobile companies are switching to watch production or may be mobiles are getting redesigned to watches, ultimately signaling the beginning of a new race or may be the cold old war.

What an Irony! Apple’s iOS 6 “The World’s Most Advanced Mobile OS” Discovered with FLAW

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For years I’ve been a fan of Apple’s Classic Products but never thought (or I should say even imagined) that the iOS 6 which is boasted as “The World’s Most Advanced Mobile OS” on Apple’s Website, will be discovered with such a flaw.

Even after the released updates that should have supposedly fixed all the bugs in iOS 6.1.3, iPhone 4 users like me will still have to fear a potential intruding and accessing of both our contacts and photos from our iPhone 4 unless we disable the “Voice Dial” option on our phones to be safe.

I’m also wondering how long will I’ve to wait this time so that Apple can fix this issue, since it took them more than a month to resolve the previous passcode vulnerability, which was discovered in mid-February and for which we got the update on Tuesday March 19, 2013.

I’m not criticizing but its quite ironical with Apple on one hand differentiating its flagship product, iPhone by adding “Why iPhone” page on Apple.com and then on the other hand skipping on such issues.

Jawbone’s Up Wrist Band : A Good Personal Fitness Trainer!

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I would no longer have an excuse for my health. As Jawbone has recently released its Up Wristband, the device would track the daily activities. Different sizes and colors would be available for the health gadget.

Though the Up Wristband was released in 2011, it was a disaster then. We can expect the band to work this time. The previous version of the Up wrist band was available for iOS devices, but the new bands would be compatible with the Android devices too although a few. Hopefully with mine too.

I am happy that I would be able to log the activities like eating, resting or sleeping and other large amount of data if it works with my android device. Being priced at $130, the Up band is after all a good option when compared to a “personal fitness trainer”, at least for me. It can even wake me up at the perfect and preferred time.

The battery of the band is rechargeable. What delights me is its battery life which lasts for ten days on a single recharge. Isn’t that amazing? Along with tracking the motion and its speed activity, the band also keeps a track of how many hours I would have slept.

I would buy a band which goes in combination with my Lycra shorts. So, which color band are you planning to buy?