Google Power, Why I hate 3D, and the new virus dillema

If you haven't already heard, Google made a $12.5 billion investment to acquire Motorola Mobility, giving the Android OS a true home of its own, instead of apartments for rent.  Google intends for this purchase to increase the availability of the Android OS, increase sales, and be able to meet the demands of customers.  For further information, go here.

Studies have shown that 3D technology is both no better for the enjoyment than 2D and puts a strain on eyes and an increased chance of headaches.  People who watched a 2D movie had the same reactions and emotions from the movie as those who watched its more expensive 3D counterpart, but more importantly is the health risks of 3D technology.  Because the eyes are not adapted to watching something that is virtual 3D, the eye has to continuously readjust to continue causing the affect, putting additional strain on the muscles in the eyes.  Also, this strain can cause headaches in many individuals, especially when watching something 3D for an extended period of time.  For further information, go here.

There's a lovely little trickster of a virus going around right now, and it is commonly known as the "Windows Update Virus."  What this does is presents itself as a legitimate Windows Update, then proceeds to install itself and restart your computer.  The moment your computer restarts, the virus finishes its installation and infect the machine.  It has yet to be shown the extent of damage it can cause, but so far ranges throughout damaging the operating system.  It may also steal information off the PC or create a bot on your network.  The removal is nearly impossible and can cause serious issues within your PC registry.  These are the directions I have found to delete the virus so far.  Tips against this virus are to only install Windows Updates if you choose them yourself, through Windows Update, and do not update anything unless you know where it is coming from.

That's all for now, just a quick roundup!

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Google+: A review

Today, I am going to do a quick review of Google+, and mention where I think its strengths and weaknesses are, and where it might be going.  If you aren't familiar, Google+ is the new social media website through Google.  You may have seen the +1 buttons popping up on some of your favorite websites next to the Facebook and Twitter sharing buttons.

Google+ allows you to "follow" people by adding them to circles.  This is kind of cool in itself.  People do not know what circle you add them to, only that you added them.  You can filter the news feed from the people you are following based upon the circles that you have created.

There are basic circles that come created for you, but you could even make a circle "Raving Lunatics" if you would really like, and as such the people you add to it WOULD NOT KNOW that you classified them as raving lunatics.  I find this humorous and quite honestly very useful.


Google+ is very plain and simple, with a little bit of color, but the basic black and white of Google, keeping everything streamlined and basic.  I love this as well.

When you "+1" something, it is added to a list on your personal page.  It doesn't overwhelm your profile, and any posts you make can either be made public, hidden to just your circles, OR the best part, hidden to only specific circles.  Want to post something horribly raunchy and don't want your grandmother to see it?  Hide it from your "family" circle and post it to just your "friends" instead!  Also, people can be added to multiple circles for this purpose, so that it may be a family member, but one that would find your post funny, you can add them to a list that things will be shared with.

Google+ is also interestingly politically correct, having not two but three gender options, adding in the "other" category.  You also are not required to show your gender in your profile if you do not wish to.  This allows for Trans, Androgynous, etc. identified individuals to express themselves as they feel comfortable.

Another cool feature is the "Hangout."  You can have a webcam conference with your friends via Google+, which is just kind of a neat streamlined feature that also has you use Google+ for several different options.  Google Chat is also incorporated into Google+.

My only real issues with Google+ right now is that I don't have a use for it quite yet.  People are still mainly using Facebook and haven't made the switch yet.  It is also a by invitation only standing yet, although you are allowed to send (at least) 150 invites out to friends to get them onto Google+.

I think one other issue is that it's pretty much just Facebook of old, or even Tumblr combined with Twitter and MySpace, but with more privacy.  It's not exactly something new and innovative, other than that they haven't ruined it like Facebook did.  (For further information, Google Mark Zuckerburg's Sister--- we will talk about this at a later date)

If you get an invite to Google+, you might as well try it out for kicks and giggles.  You will probably at least enjoy it and use it periodically.

Android Malware Issues Arising Fast

Well fellow Android users, another malware has been discovered that is being distributed through apps in the Android Marketplace.  This one is interesting... it activates when you make a phone call, and records your phone conversations.  This is in an attempt to steal bank accounts and private information.

Gotta admit, it's kind of revolutionary... but also extremely invasive.  So, some tips as to how to avoid this malware:

• Only download apps from trusted sources
• Do not automatically update your apps: manually update
• Have an Anti-virus (Lookout is my choice!

It's pretty simple, quite like a computer.  By being cautious and knowing what you are doing on your phone, you can avoid this attack.

For more information, go to this link.

Vita and PS3 Will Rival Wii U

The Wii U has already found its competition from Sony.  It's looking more and more grim for Nintendo.

The Playstation Vita, Sony's "PSP 2" per say, will be compatible with new PS3 games as an additional controller, Sony has announced.  While it seems like Sony has stolen this idea from Nintendo, they have also made their merchandise sound more enticing than that of Nintendo's once again.  The Playstation Vita is going to be a high-powered handheld gaming system, and with many people already having a PS3, it won't be that difficult to promote.

Also, unlike the Wii U, the "controller" will be a separate gaming system and have additional purpose, unlike the Wii U and it's touch screen and compatibility, but inability to be used anywhere besides with the console.

For me, I will be more likely to buy the Vita (not a PS3 though) purely because the quality is amazing, the gameplay is awesome, and it is once again innovative, but not to an extreme (hear that Nintendo? Stop trying so hard!)  I feel bad for not backing Nintendo... again... but I'm starting to worry about them.  Is this Nintendo's last stand?

Tech News Roundup

More Nintendo News, Cyber Crime News, and Also... News on the Fiscal Failure of America.


In the Nintendo Spectrum...

The well known Satoru Iwata, president of Nintendo, has taken a whopping 50% pay cut over the failure of the 3DS, because Nintendo is hitting it hard.


What exactly does this mean for Nintendo?  Well for one, he's not the only one taking a pay cut.  Representative directors are taking 30% pay cuts, and other execs are taking 20% cuts.


I'm convinced Nintendo can turn themselves around, but it's definitely going to be some time.  This famous game business is falling fast, unfortunately, and have lost the ability to keep up with new technologies.




For more about this information, check out this link to hear more about what Iwata has said, as well as how much money Nintendo has been losing from the 3DS fail.


On to Cyber Crime News...


It's actually fairly old news, having surfaced over a month ago, but the investigations are still underway, and it shows the type of world that exists underneath the surface on the internet.  Since I am studying cyber crime, it's cases like this that encourage me to pursue this field in order to take down the criminals like these.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-13711320


The Lincolnshire pedophile ring.  Four "average" guys building and hosting a web server that held over 5 million images of porn. It spanned 45 countries and some of the images were so awful that the investigators had to seek regular counseling and therapy for the things that they were seeing.


Quoted from this article,


""When we searched Ian Frost's home in 2006, we found a huge server sat in the lounge and soon realised it wasn't a routine investigation and contacted Ceops (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre)," he said.

"We started to look at what was on the server and realised we were dealing with the commercial distribution of indecent images of children around the globe.

"Officers looked at five million images and read through one-and-a-half million emails.

"We found out they had been running a news service for seven years and had been using it to distribute indecent images to 45 countries, earning themselves about £2m," said Det Supt Gibson."

This is not the average case by any means, but it happens, and criminals like this need to be stopped.  Hopefully everyone involved will have to face the justice they deserve.

Finally, the fiscal failure of America...

My god. My country is a failure. APPLE has more cash than the USA itself.  Check it out HERE.  I'm embarassed.  It's not a huge gap (okay, when counting in billions of dollars of course) but perhaps, just maybe, Obama needs to start paying attention to the capital giants he "hates" so much, stop taxing the crap out of them, and instead start running a country where money doesn't grow on trees.

I don't like Steve Jobs very much, but at the rate America is going, he might as well buy the country.

Poor Nintendo...

Oh Nintendo, I've stood by you for so long, and I may just choose to very soon.

You're 3DS is doing exactly what everyone predicted: failing.  Not good enough technology, horrible game titles and game play, and competing in a market where this just isn't what people are looking for.

I'm personally still a fan of this system, using it on a regular basis...

First, let's start with This Article. Nintendo is predicting profits that are 82% lower than last year.  Considering their new release of technology, this is pretty depressing.  Not to mention they just announced the Wii U at E3, which seems to have hurt them worse than helped them.  While this is sad news for Nintendo... it may be good news for potential customers that have been holding out.

It has been announced that starting in August (so in only a few days) the 3DS will be reduced in price to $170, a whopping $80 slashed off the price.  That price even makes me consider it.  Consider, but not actually get.

I'm a huge fan of the DS, and surprisingly, this system is still kicking.  The sales are still existent and games are still being produced for the system.  Maybe, Nintendo, you should just work with what you already have for a little while.  The Vita is going to kick your tokas out the door anyway.

This is the part that really gets me, though, right here. The iOS is beating the poop out of Nintendo in general, and this could be a very sad day for us Nintendo fans.  I can't stand Apple, as many of you already realize, but come on. Should this even be a legitimate comparison? An operating system against a game system?  You tell me.  I think it's just shameful.

Oh. One more thing.  Invest in Nintendo while they are down.  I'm considering it.  I have faith that the company will come back once again!