First it was a huge computer into a laptop now a PC in a mobile phone is avaliable.
Handheld market share in the US (2000)
'Palm OS: 78.8%
Windows CE/Pocket PC: 13.1%
Symbian/Epoc: 0.6%
Other: 7.5%
Source: IDC'
Mobile phone/PC are quite old now but the technology that is crammed into to them is gradually becoming a competition for the companies that make the phones such as internet, the gradually increasing camera megapixels etc.
Although, Microsoft has taken up until their 3rd series of PC/phone to actually get it right and ' In the past year, the Palm's stock has traded at an all-time low, and its sales between June and August slumped by 47%.'
Which suggests even though the gradually improving technology is becoming very good the mobile PC's are gradually getting less popular.
From my old blog of 'Laptops to sell out desktops' that stated that the reduction in size and increation of technology was good for computer and that the smaller the better but this blog shows that even though this is the most portable type of computer it still isn't proving to be popular at all.
Friday, 6 April 2007
Saturday, 24 March 2007
Sky+
Sky Plus info
Sky Plus is only £99 for a Digital Reciever and Recorder that stores over 40 hours of TV.
'Sky plus is in essence a Sky standard service, bundled with a personal video recorder (PVR). This mean that you can pause live TV to grab a snack or rewind to review a great goal over and over again. Sky plus also lets you record up to 40 hours of high quality digital television right on the box; so there is no need for old tapes or expensive recordable DVD’s. Another great feature is the possibility to program Sky plus from your mobile phone, so you don’t even need to be at home when it springs to mind that you want to record something to view later.'
'You don't even have to be home to record a show. If you are on the go, just use your mobile phone and use either mobile internet or send an sms to your Sky box. If you're stuck at the office, you can schedule your recording online using the very easy to use 7 day programme guide. Sky is the first TV provider in the world with these three great ways of remote recording.'
Key features
* Digital Receiver and Recorder
* Record up to 40 hours of TV
* Pause and rewind live television
Pricing
* Box £99
* Standard installation £60
* Sky Plus Subscription is Free (if you sign up to Sky Sports Mix or Sky Movies Mix, otherwise £10 a month)
Sky Plus is only £99 for a Digital Reciever and Recorder that stores over 40 hours of TV.
'Sky plus is in essence a Sky standard service, bundled with a personal video recorder (PVR). This mean that you can pause live TV to grab a snack or rewind to review a great goal over and over again. Sky plus also lets you record up to 40 hours of high quality digital television right on the box; so there is no need for old tapes or expensive recordable DVD’s. Another great feature is the possibility to program Sky plus from your mobile phone, so you don’t even need to be at home when it springs to mind that you want to record something to view later.'
'You don't even have to be home to record a show. If you are on the go, just use your mobile phone and use either mobile internet or send an sms to your Sky box. If you're stuck at the office, you can schedule your recording online using the very easy to use 7 day programme guide. Sky is the first TV provider in the world with these three great ways of remote recording.'
Key features
* Digital Receiver and Recorder
* Record up to 40 hours of TV
* Pause and rewind live television
Pricing
* Box £99
* Standard installation £60
* Sky Plus Subscription is Free (if you sign up to Sky Sports Mix or Sky Movies Mix, otherwise £10 a month)
Pro's
- Pause live TV
- Great TV guide with series link
- No hassle of tapes or dvd's
Con's
- Once you’ve recorded 40 hours of TV, you will have to free up space by deleting some shows
Laptops to sell out Desktops
Desktop PC's are vastly being scrapped for Laptops. Laptops have many of both advantages and disadvantages. In my opinion, i think desktops are better to laptops on everything apart from ability to take them where you go, although a desktop's main unit is gradually getting smaller and smallerso easier to take to places but not to use on the move.
'The report predicts the laptop market will grow by 16.1% year-on-year until 2011, compared to 3.8% for desktop PCs.'
Laptop VS Desktop
From this i see that Desktops have more pros and Laptops more cons. But a Laptop's pros are more futuristic and newer than a desktops so it really depends on whether you want new technology or more technology.
'The report predicts the laptop market will grow by 16.1% year-on-year until 2011, compared to 3.8% for desktop PCs.'
Laptop VS Desktop
Each type of system has its advantages and disadvantages, which can be summed up as follows:
| Pros | Cons | |
|---|---|---|
| Laptop | Portability, access wireless networking in public locations | Less powerful, harder to upgrade, more expensive, less resistent to theft, more prone to component failure |
| Desktop | More powerful, easy to upgrade, less expensive, more resistent to theft, less prone to component failure | Not portable, hard to store during summers |
From this i see that Desktops have more pros and Laptops more cons. But a Laptop's pros are more futuristic and newer than a desktops so it really depends on whether you want new technology or more technology.
Virtual Worlds
As i stated in my Social Problems blog virtual worlds such as Second Life are very popular but there are many problems especially socially. Although, recent news has stated that ' Virtual worlds are 'worth $1bn' '.
http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6470433.stm
'More than 10 million people will subscribe to MMOGs by 2011, and many millions more will play online games driven by other payment schemes, such as advertising and virtual purchases, the report predicted.'
This shows that virtual worlds are extremely popular and also will maybe prove to be extremely popular in the near and far future.
Also :
Virtual world building games, such as Second Life
Virtual pet rearing games, such as Neo pets
More casual MMO puzzle games
Sports games in which you have to buy items and build up your character
http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6470433.stm
'More than 10 million people will subscribe to MMOGs by 2011, and many millions more will play online games driven by other payment schemes, such as advertising and virtual purchases, the report predicted.'
This shows that virtual worlds are extremely popular and also will maybe prove to be extremely popular in the near and far future.
Also :
Mr Harding-Rolls said a number of new MMOG genres were emerging, including:
"The inherent social and community-building aspects of MMOGs are widening the sector's influence on other social networking sectors and online games markets," he said.
The site also stated that:
TOP FIVE MMOGs* 
World of Warcraft (above) RuneScape Final Fantasy Online Everquest City of Heroes/Villains
'Virtual worlds' do not appeal to me really, they re slightly bland and i dont see what all the fuss is about.
I know someone who plays World Of Warcraft and is ALWAYS on it when online or on the computer and i played on it and i just got a bit bored and it gave me a headache. I just don't see what other see in virtual worlds.
Wednesday, 21 March 2007
Playstation 3
As with most game consoles (apart from Sega Megadrive and now Nintendo Wii =P) i am not interested in this product much at all. I have a playstation 2 and would much prefer to have a nintendo wii and im sure if a Wii 2 came out i would much prefer an old Wii =P
I have not myself played on one, and if i do i will probably like it. but at this moment i would much prefer to play on my Playstation 2.
I do not think that the PS3 will be as good seller as the Nintendo Wii or the PS2 for this matter, mainly due to it very large price. Yes it may be good in the future due to it's ability to play HD DVD's but for now i o not think it will be as popular as the PS2 was.
Playstation 3 characteristics
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6132212.stm
Price Comparison:
Some of it's characteristics basically resemble a mini-computer or laptops features. It has a harddrive of 20GB or 60GB with Wi-Fi availiable only on 60GB. USB ports and Media Readers are also on this console.
BUT
Not all PS2 games will work on a PS3 which will be very annoying for gamers but PS have provided a list of games that WILL work.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6471649.stm
'In order to play the older games, PlayStation 3 owners will have to update the console's system software, called firmware, either online or via a disk.'
It can play the newest form of DVD, High Definition(HD).
I have not myself played on one, and if i do i will probably like it. but at this moment i would much prefer to play on my Playstation 2.
I do not think that the PS3 will be as good seller as the Nintendo Wii or the PS2 for this matter, mainly due to it very large price. Yes it may be good in the future due to it's ability to play HD DVD's but for now i o not think it will be as popular as the PS2 was.
Playstation 3 characteristics
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6132212.stm
Price Comparison:
PlayStation 3:599 euros (£425) for the 60GB version
Xbox 360: 415 euros (£279.99) for the 20GB version, £199.99 for the Xbox core system (no hard drive)
Nintendo Wii: 249 euros (£179)
Some of it's characteristics basically resemble a mini-computer or laptops features. It has a harddrive of 20GB or 60GB with Wi-Fi availiable only on 60GB. USB ports and Media Readers are also on this console.
BUT
Not all PS2 games will work on a PS3 which will be very annoying for gamers but PS have provided a list of games that WILL work.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6471649.stm
'In order to play the older games, PlayStation 3 owners will have to update the console's system software, called firmware, either online or via a disk.'
It can play the newest form of DVD, High Definition(HD).
Wednesday, 14 March 2007
YouTube
There are many problems with YouTube such as:
There are also many advantages with YouTube such as:
Problems with YouTube are usually based on problems for companies and advantages are usually good things for the audience and individual creators. But, there are also good points for companies because they can put across their adverts and trailers for shows or movies to a much wider audience and if more people start to view YouTube TV ratings will fall because soon many things will be able to be viewed onYouTube.
YouTube has many copyright problems too. Users can put on whatever they like on Youtube to an extent and this means TV programmes that they have illegally recorded for example like piracy from a cinema. This means people can watch TV shows that have been illegally 'recorded' and this is bad for companies once again.
There are some problems for parents, as children can view explicit content on YouTube by lying about age etc. which is extremely easy to do.
I like to use YouTube but sometimes having to go through all the trash that people put on there to try and find one thing that you want to watch is just hassle. People make a video of them and their friends messing around and then name it something like 'Take That' or something that people are highly likely to search and if many people do that it can be a right hassle trying to find one thing from 100's of results because some stupid child is trying to do this.
There are some well known users and contributors on YouTube who put their videos very regularily, usually diary type entries and usually talk about nothing that is interesting AT ALL, are of no interest to me at all either and i don't see how they interest other people, it's just completely stupid! It is an example of Wiki because people put on their own work and it is user generated. Without the users, there would be no videos and nothing to watch.
There are only a few reasons why i use YouTube and they are:
- Copyright
- Misuse of videos
- Lack of TV viewers of actual television
There are also many advantages with YouTube such as:
- Being able to see things before they are on TV, for example TV series from the USA a few weeks/months before they are released in the U.K
- Ability to show videos that you have made to a extremely large audience.
Problems with YouTube are usually based on problems for companies and advantages are usually good things for the audience and individual creators. But, there are also good points for companies because they can put across their adverts and trailers for shows or movies to a much wider audience and if more people start to view YouTube TV ratings will fall because soon many things will be able to be viewed onYouTube.
YouTube has many copyright problems too. Users can put on whatever they like on Youtube to an extent and this means TV programmes that they have illegally recorded for example like piracy from a cinema. This means people can watch TV shows that have been illegally 'recorded' and this is bad for companies once again.
There are some problems for parents, as children can view explicit content on YouTube by lying about age etc. which is extremely easy to do.
I like to use YouTube but sometimes having to go through all the trash that people put on there to try and find one thing that you want to watch is just hassle. People make a video of them and their friends messing around and then name it something like 'Take That' or something that people are highly likely to search and if many people do that it can be a right hassle trying to find one thing from 100's of results because some stupid child is trying to do this.
There are some well known users and contributors on YouTube who put their videos very regularily, usually diary type entries and usually talk about nothing that is interesting AT ALL, are of no interest to me at all either and i don't see how they interest other people, it's just completely stupid! It is an example of Wiki because people put on their own work and it is user generated. Without the users, there would be no videos and nothing to watch.
There are only a few reasons why i use YouTube and they are:
- Put my own videos on so i can put them on websites
- To watch things again that i have watched on TV
- To watch things before their on TV or before i see them on TV(e.g Music Videos)
Saturday, 24 February 2007
iPod/Apple Phone/ MP3 phones(Sony Ericsson Walkman)
The Apple/iPod phone has been released in America, and much like iPods, iPhones have been hyped up so much due to release.
The iPhone is unlike any other product and the release of such a product is not typical of an Apple product. The iPhone will require Apple work with a wireless carrier and the carrier typically handles customer service....Another option for Apple would be to become a mobile virtual network operator, leasing service from one of the existing providers. This would allow Apple to sell service and iPhones at local Apple Stores and online. While it would be a risk of sorts due to the infrastruction and investment, it could transform Apple's existing business. What's more, it could result in convergence of the iPod and mobile phone resulting in the world's first iPod Phone or iPhone. iPod- Not a typical Apple release
The site suggests the device will pack a whoa Cupertino, 3-megapixel camera and 2.2in screen. But it also suggests that Apple will use off-the-peg parts. They’ll be using Intel chips and USB next. - http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=34428
From this i can see that it will basically have many characteristics of a computer. I think a problem with it will be the battery. On normal iPods the battery will only last for about a year and due to the iPod phone having much more 'stuff' on it to use other than music and video, it has a camera, maybe bluetooth and much more which will make the battery loose charge much more quickly. Therefore, it will need to be charged more and people are reliant on their mobile phones than their MP3 player and this may decrease sales.
To be honest, i would much prefer to have an iPod and my normal SonyErricssonWalkman phone because if the battery broke down on an iPod it wouldn't really bother me because i could just get another iPod or MP£ player quite cheap whereas if my mp3 player and phone(all in one iPhone) broke could go out an buy a new MP3 player but i wouldn't really be able to get a new phone so cheap and i would loose all my contacts and important information on my phone.
Although, talking about the battery, 'The screen adjusts the brightness depending on the ambient light and turns itself off when you're making a phone call to save power.' this may happen on many options of the phone which will save battery power alot.
“By entering the mobile phone market, Apple hopes to thwart increasing competitive pressure from 'converged' handsets such as the Nokia N-Series and the Sony Ericsson Walkman phones. Improvements in storage capacity are allowing handset vendors to compete with MP3 players for capacity. MP3 handsets, like the Sony Ericsson W950i, can store up to 4,000 songs – as much as standard iPod minis. http://www.mobileeurope.co.uk/news/news_story.ehtml?o=2764
Sony Ericsson Walkman vs. iPhone Site one Site two
SEW : 1. Less of a 'fanbase', although gaining many more users.
2. Can buy quite large memory cards and use many in one phone but only one at one time, but not sure if you can get 4-8GB. W950i has on-board 4GB memory.
3. Smaller screen but not as big as iPhone.
4. Much cheaper than iPhone.
5. Around 106mm tall x 54mm wide x 15mm deep. Smaller than iPhone apart from depth.
6. Not much compared to iPhone on software, although it has photo, music, video editing software. Also, has e-mail via WAP/GPRS and radio.
iPhone : 1. Larger 'fanbase'/popularity, SEW starting to challenge it.
2. Choice of capacity but only 4GB and 8MB.
3. Large easy to view screen.
4. Much deerer than SEW.
5. Around 115mm tall x 61mm wide x 11.6mm deep. Larger than SEW.
6. It runs a version of Apple's Mac operating system, OS X, and includes Widgets, Google Maps, the Safari browser and iTunes with CoverFlow. Apple has partnered with Google and Yahoo to bring maps and email to the device.
Both:
The iPhone is unlike any other product and the release of such a product is not typical of an Apple product. The iPhone will require Apple work with a wireless carrier and the carrier typically handles customer service....Another option for Apple would be to become a mobile virtual network operator, leasing service from one of the existing providers. This would allow Apple to sell service and iPhones at local Apple Stores and online. While it would be a risk of sorts due to the infrastruction and investment, it could transform Apple's existing business. What's more, it could result in convergence of the iPod and mobile phone resulting in the world's first iPod Phone or iPhone. iPod- Not a typical Apple release
The site suggests the device will pack a whoa Cupertino, 3-megapixel camera and 2.2in screen. But it also suggests that Apple will use off-the-peg parts. They’ll be using Intel chips and USB next. - http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=34428
From this i can see that it will basically have many characteristics of a computer. I think a problem with it will be the battery. On normal iPods the battery will only last for about a year and due to the iPod phone having much more 'stuff' on it to use other than music and video, it has a camera, maybe bluetooth and much more which will make the battery loose charge much more quickly. Therefore, it will need to be charged more and people are reliant on their mobile phones than their MP3 player and this may decrease sales.
To be honest, i would much prefer to have an iPod and my normal SonyErricssonWalkman phone because if the battery broke down on an iPod it wouldn't really bother me because i could just get another iPod or MP£ player quite cheap whereas if my mp3 player and phone(all in one iPhone) broke could go out an buy a new MP3 player but i wouldn't really be able to get a new phone so cheap and i would loose all my contacts and important information on my phone.
Although, talking about the battery, 'The screen adjusts the brightness depending on the ambient light and turns itself off when you're making a phone call to save power.' this may happen on many options of the phone which will save battery power alot.
“By entering the mobile phone market, Apple hopes to thwart increasing competitive pressure from 'converged' handsets such as the Nokia N-Series and the Sony Ericsson Walkman phones. Improvements in storage capacity are allowing handset vendors to compete with MP3 players for capacity. MP3 handsets, like the Sony Ericsson W950i, can store up to 4,000 songs – as much as standard iPod minis. http://www.mobileeurope.co.uk/news/news_story.ehtml?o=2764
Sony Ericsson Walkman vs. iPhone Site one Site two
SEW : 1. Less of a 'fanbase', although gaining many more users.
2. Can buy quite large memory cards and use many in one phone but only one at one time, but not sure if you can get 4-8GB. W950i has on-board 4GB memory.
3. Smaller screen but not as big as iPhone.
4. Much cheaper than iPhone.
5. Around 106mm tall x 54mm wide x 15mm deep. Smaller than iPhone apart from depth.
6. Not much compared to iPhone on software, although it has photo, music, video editing software. Also, has e-mail via WAP/GPRS and radio.
iPhone : 1. Larger 'fanbase'/popularity, SEW starting to challenge it.
2. Choice of capacity but only 4GB and 8MB.
3. Large easy to view screen.
4. Much deerer than SEW.
5. Around 115mm tall x 61mm wide x 11.6mm deep. Larger than SEW.
6. It runs a version of Apple's Mac operating system, OS X, and includes Widgets, Google Maps, the Safari browser and iTunes with CoverFlow. Apple has partnered with Google and Yahoo to bring maps and email to the device.
Both:
- Have camera
- Have video
- 2-3+ megapixel cameras
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