I'm sure you've all been wondering why I'm suddenly posting again after such a long time away. Well, here's the scoop. I'm going to try to post more frequently, but that may not necessarily be the case because...
I've started my own business! That's what I've been working on for a while now. It is a website design, graphic design, social media consulting, and computer repair business. It is called Third Watch Editing Studios, and it has a fresh new website! Please visit it, and consider using our services :)
http://www.thirdwatcheditingstudios.com
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Foreign Patents Lead to Apple Lawsuits
The news in technology today...
First I apologize for my absence once again. I will try to post more frequently, but school and work have become overwhelming. Soon I will be posting a link to some of my newest projects, and things I would love if my readers followed as well. But for now, on to the news.
Proview, a Chinese company, originally held the patent for the name "iPad" and had sold it to Apple for a large sum of money. However, there was a loophole in the contract that Apple must have missed prior to signing.
They weren't allowed to use the name "iPad" in China.
For an international company like Apple, who manufactures the majority of their products in China, this is a huge blow... but not nearly as big as the lawsuit that Proview has put forth in Hong Kong. And it looks like they are going to take the money. A $1.6 Billion lawsuit is on the table, and the Chinese courts have already announced they will most likely rule in favor of Proview.
For more information: http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2012/02/07/apple-faces-16-billion-lawsuit-in-china-over-ipad-name/
We will have to see what happens after this suit. Of course, this will definitely NOT defeat Apple, as to them the amount is a mild hit, but it is still quite shocking that this text in the contract was overlooked.
First I apologize for my absence once again. I will try to post more frequently, but school and work have become overwhelming. Soon I will be posting a link to some of my newest projects, and things I would love if my readers followed as well. But for now, on to the news.
Proview, a Chinese company, originally held the patent for the name "iPad" and had sold it to Apple for a large sum of money. However, there was a loophole in the contract that Apple must have missed prior to signing.
They weren't allowed to use the name "iPad" in China.
For an international company like Apple, who manufactures the majority of their products in China, this is a huge blow... but not nearly as big as the lawsuit that Proview has put forth in Hong Kong. And it looks like they are going to take the money. A $1.6 Billion lawsuit is on the table, and the Chinese courts have already announced they will most likely rule in favor of Proview.
For more information: http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2012/02/07/apple-faces-16-billion-lawsuit-in-china-over-ipad-name/
We will have to see what happens after this suit. Of course, this will definitely NOT defeat Apple, as to them the amount is a mild hit, but it is still quite shocking that this text in the contract was overlooked.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Qwikster Abandoned!
I woke up this morning to an interesting chunk of news on Twitter. "Qwikster" was trending again, so I took a click to see... and what do I find?
Netflix abandons Qwikster; keeping services together under one name.
A lot of the reasoning behind this is because their stocks started crashing and again they had an uproar about changing their services. However, they didn't really lose anyone over it yet. So, they decided to just leave things be, and also stated that there will be no more crazy price changes ahead, because they want to start respecting their customers.
So, to all, Netflix is still Netflix, and Qwikster has disappeared.
For More Information:
http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/10/netflix-abandons-plan-to-rent-dvds-on-qwikster/
UPDATE!
Here's what the official e-mail says:
Netflix abandons Qwikster; keeping services together under one name.
A lot of the reasoning behind this is because their stocks started crashing and again they had an uproar about changing their services. However, they didn't really lose anyone over it yet. So, they decided to just leave things be, and also stated that there will be no more crazy price changes ahead, because they want to start respecting their customers.
So, to all, Netflix is still Netflix, and Qwikster has disappeared.
For More Information:
http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/10/netflix-abandons-plan-to-rent-dvds-on-qwikster/
UPDATE!
Here's what the official e-mail says:
Dear Natalie, It is clear that for many of our members two websites would make things more difficult, so we are going to keep Netflix as one place to go for streaming and DVDs. This means no change: one website, one account, one password…in other words, no Qwikster. While the July price change was necessary, we are now done with price changes. We're constantly improving our streaming selection. We've recently added hundreds of movies from Paramount, Sony, Universal, Fox, Warner Bros., Lionsgate, MGM and Miramax. Plus, in the last couple of weeks alone, we've added over 3,500 TV episodes from ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, USA, E!, Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, ABC Family, Discovery Channel, TLC, SyFy, A&E, History, and PBS. We value you as a member, and we are committed to making Netflix the best place to get your movies & TV shows. Respectfully, The Netflix Team |
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Steve Jobs, you will be missed
R.I.P. Steve Jobs: 1955-2011
Steve Jobs revolutionized Apple, along with the way we techies look at technology and innovation. The iPod, iPhone... the entire "i" line made a completely new world of sorts and a new era for computers. At age 56, there was still much innovation that could have come from this man. Hopefully, one day, we won't lose amazing people to cancer.
One of my favorite quotes from him is, "Life is short. Don't waste it living someone else's." I love that. It's so true.
Some news about his death, his obituary, etc.:::::
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/10/06/national/main20116647.shtml
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=6285&news=steve+jobs+dies+what+it+means+for+apple
http://www.apple.com/stevejobs/
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-20116336-37/apple-co-founder-chairman-steve-jobs-dies/#ixzz1ZxOvJz8n
Such a great man. You will be missed, Steve.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Changes to Netflix!
http://blog.netflix.com/2011/09/explanation-and-some-reflections.html
Oh, Netflix. How I've come to love your streaming service. I know I was a late adopter, and actually joined in after the split, but I know the history. Netflix made it big based off of their DVD rental service, where there were no late fees, DVDs were shipped to your house, and you could create a queue online for it to send you each time you returned a DVD. Then, Netflix brought in a streaming service, with a wide selection of movies to stream instantly to your computer, internet capable TV, gaming system, or even your smartphone.
But then, Netflix split the services in half, and charged the same amount... but twice. You have to pay the $7 for streaming, and then another $7 for DVDs if you would opt to use both.
This had led to quite a bit of uproar. People only found out about this based off of one e-mail just saying it was happening, and oh, too bad, you will now be getting charged twice.
Netflix had to respond. They were losing customers. So they came up with this new idea---create a second business out of it, and entitle the DVD service as Qwikster. Which is all fine and dandy, but it means that the services are no longer combined, which is still making people angry.
However, there is definitely some benefits to this move. Qwikster will be offering video game rentals now, which is quite a big deal. Netflix will also be starting to offer exclusive "video channel" TV shows, the first being called "Game of Cards."
What do you think? Are you excited for Qwikster? Just sticking to Netflix Streaming? Angry all together?
Oh, Netflix. How I've come to love your streaming service. I know I was a late adopter, and actually joined in after the split, but I know the history. Netflix made it big based off of their DVD rental service, where there were no late fees, DVDs were shipped to your house, and you could create a queue online for it to send you each time you returned a DVD. Then, Netflix brought in a streaming service, with a wide selection of movies to stream instantly to your computer, internet capable TV, gaming system, or even your smartphone.
But then, Netflix split the services in half, and charged the same amount... but twice. You have to pay the $7 for streaming, and then another $7 for DVDs if you would opt to use both.
This had led to quite a bit of uproar. People only found out about this based off of one e-mail just saying it was happening, and oh, too bad, you will now be getting charged twice.
Netflix had to respond. They were losing customers. So they came up with this new idea---create a second business out of it, and entitle the DVD service as Qwikster. Which is all fine and dandy, but it means that the services are no longer combined, which is still making people angry.
However, there is definitely some benefits to this move. Qwikster will be offering video game rentals now, which is quite a big deal. Netflix will also be starting to offer exclusive "video channel" TV shows, the first being called "Game of Cards."
What do you think? Are you excited for Qwikster? Just sticking to Netflix Streaming? Angry all together?
Monday, September 12, 2011
Fake Google certificates, along with potential other major sites, sold and hacked
Read it Here
Fake Certificates for Google, as well as potentially Mozilla, Microsoft, and other large companies, were sold and compromised, allowing for tens of thousands of Gmail accounts to get hacked and personal information stolen. Due to a loophole in international law, these fake certificates were able to be issued to a group of hackers, and so far the total issued counts at 534.
This attack seems to be primarily affecting Iranians, with 60,000 and counting being compromised, but there is still a decent chance that many others have been hacked, perhaps globally. Only time will tell the true velocity of this attack.
Fake Certificates for Google, as well as potentially Mozilla, Microsoft, and other large companies, were sold and compromised, allowing for tens of thousands of Gmail accounts to get hacked and personal information stolen. Due to a loophole in international law, these fake certificates were able to be issued to a group of hackers, and so far the total issued counts at 534.
This attack seems to be primarily affecting Iranians, with 60,000 and counting being compromised, but there is still a decent chance that many others have been hacked, perhaps globally. Only time will tell the true velocity of this attack.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Computer Chip Skin?
Yeah, I'm one who fears the "Big Brother" syndrome, but this is kind of cool nonetheless.
Scientists have developed the "EES" or electronic epidermal system, which is a computer chip that attaches under the skin and tracks the movements of the body. It flexes naturally with the skin and appears almost like a barcode tattoo. It can bend, twist, expand, and contract, and none of this will affect the integrity of the chip.
Okay, so what's the use?
According to: This Website:
"Our paper demonstrates our ability to monitor ECG (as a monitor of heart disease and metabolism), EMG (as a measure of, among other things, gait during walking) and EEG (as a measure of cognitive state and awareness).
We have also shown that these same devices can stimulate muscle tissue to induce contractions. When combined with sensing/monitoring, such modes of use could be valuable in physical rehabilitation. We also have interest in sleep monitoring (for sleep apnea), and neo-natal care (monitoring premature babies, in particular)."
I encourage you to read that entire article. When used properly, this will be an extensive medical breakthrough.
Scientists have developed the "EES" or electronic epidermal system, which is a computer chip that attaches under the skin and tracks the movements of the body. It flexes naturally with the skin and appears almost like a barcode tattoo. It can bend, twist, expand, and contract, and none of this will affect the integrity of the chip.
Okay, so what's the use?
According to: This Website:
"Our paper demonstrates our ability to monitor ECG (as a monitor of heart disease and metabolism), EMG (as a measure of, among other things, gait during walking) and EEG (as a measure of cognitive state and awareness).
We have also shown that these same devices can stimulate muscle tissue to induce contractions. When combined with sensing/monitoring, such modes of use could be valuable in physical rehabilitation. We also have interest in sleep monitoring (for sleep apnea), and neo-natal care (monitoring premature babies, in particular)."
I encourage you to read that entire article. When used properly, this will be an extensive medical breakthrough.
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