Problem Solving Tip of the Day
Interesting issue came up today at my internship. Without too much details, some environments were not playing nice and causing a whole mess of errors. After a whole lot of troubleshooting, the team got to a standstill until someone said to check the Java version. Turns out we were running an incompatible version of Java with our current setup, and that was the issue all along. Sometimes the hardest problems have the simplest answer. Going to remember that one. =)
Google I/O Tomorrow!
Well Apple had their conference announcing iOS 6, Microsoft had their little event and announced Microsoft Surface, all that leaves is Google! Wait no more, tomorrow marks the beginning of Google IO developer conference! Tickets this year sold out in under 30 minutes; typically because Google offers a lot of goodies at the IO for developers and attendees. Last year they gave everyone a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 with a limited back plate to the device. This year there is a lot that could be announced yet so little time! Lets run through some of the possibilities.
Jelly Bean a.k.a. Android 4.1
Jelly Bean has already been confirmed as 4.1, so this means that this update will be a build upon ICS instead of an entirely new skin. There are “leaked” screen shots showing an improved search bar, and Chrome as a native browser. Other than that, features are quite mysterious at this point. Could we see an answer to Siri, maybe Project Majel? A better Google Wallet app; or even more carriers embracing it? (I mean come on! I want to use my phone as a credit card!) I am sure Google has cooked up a number of updates for this OS, especially since it’s a revision number change.
Nexus Tablet
Also rumored to be launched is a Google branded Nexus tablet. There has been a lot of rumored specs and information about this tablet being tossed around, but the most interesting aspect is the pricing point. Rumored prices are in the $150-250 USD range which is flat-out ridiculous for a Google device. “Leaked” details of the device through a training document and are as follows:
- 7″ IPS display with 178 degree viewing angles (1280×800 resolution)
- 8GB and 16GB storage options, priced at $199 and $249
- 1.3GHz NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor
- 1GB RAM
- Jelly Bean (Android 4.1)
- NFC with Google Wallet loaded
- 1.2MP front camera
- 9 hours of battery life
Can anyone say goodbye Kindle Fire? If this all holds true, Google is going to rock the entire tablet industry.
Google Maps for iOS
Google Maps got the ax by Apple this year at their Developer conference, so I am sure Google is going to release a Google Maps app on the App Store for iOS. It is an integral app for many users, and we still don’t know the accuracy of Apple’s own map service. My idea, if it ain’t broken don’t fix it! This is probably a safe bet at the IO this year.
A Reboot for Google TV
While Google TV did take off as hoped, it is still around and selling a decent number. There have been new companies working with Google TV, so maybe this is the year we see the emergence of Google TV? It is very underrated and a very powerful OS. Let’s see if they somehow unify this with tablets and phones like Air Play for Apple TV.
Google Glasses
Sergey Brin has been rocking these for some time now, and a video shot with the frames has also been released. I doubt for any huge announcements on this but maybe people will get to see the prototype, try them on, and see what it’s all about. Baby steps people, this could be a huge development!
Who knows what we will see, but I am excited. We will keep you all posted as announcements are made tomorrow. Google I/O runs from June 27th – June 29th, so we have 3 days of Google Goodness. Check back soon!
Remembering Alan Turing: The Digital 100 Year Old
Wonder what the Google image of the day is? Well I’m going to take a wild guess that you are using some form of a computing device (Cheesy joke I know, I know). Well anyways Alan Turing is this cool guy who kind of started Computer Science. No big deal. He played a key role in decoding encrypted messages in WWII, and even before a digital computer was even imagine he came up with the Turing Machine. The Turing Machine was never “built” but it was instead described in a paper he published. His paper described a theoretical operation that used an infinite long piece of tape containing a series of symbols. A machine head could read the symbols on the tape as well as place its own symbols. The machine could move about to different parts of the tape, moving one symbol at a time. Easy enough! Lets just get some infinite paper; Oops, Houston we have a problem! However, his idea was not crazy and in fact this idea is used today in all forms of computing. Does the title of the website ring a bell at all? Well what about 01010100011010000110100101110011! Yup, you guessed it binary; Alan Turing came up with the idea of Binary architecture to be used in a computing device! Symbols that are read on at a time, using various techniques we can “jump” around. Amazing how a simple idea can turn into such a big thing used in everyday lives! Makes you inspired, especially when working in the ever changing Tech industry. Makes you wonder if you’ll be the next Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Larry Page, or in this case Alan Turing. Rest in Peace Alan Turing, thank you for all your contributions to modern computing. It was your idea that sparked the influence in modern technology.
Where would you be without your computer or smartphone today?
Links:
Save that Phone: Turn an old Android phone into a web server!
Got an old Android device? Save it, here is one neat trick I found when reading Life Hacker. Thanks to Adam from XDA for all his hard work! Not exactly sure when or how this will be useful, yet it is safe to say I found something to do this weekend! Below are links to everything Adam says, I will hopefully post back with a compressed ZIP of a ROM you guys can push out and save yourselves the effort, though it is a neat process. I will report back on this soon!
Thoughts: Microsoft Surface unveiled!
Yesterday night, Microsoft introduced its new tablet called Surface. On first glance this is a really cool looking tablet. I thought I would highlight the key differences of each tablet they announced. There are two different versions being released (ARM vs Intel). Below you will find the key differences that are available to use.
Looks like Microsoft is looking to make a impact on the tablet market, but personally I want to see what Google and Apple’s response to this is. I feel that Windows 8 is going to be the next “Vista” for Microsoft, and the next version they will fully develop a workable model; i.e. Win7. As awesome as this looks, I am a bit hesitant with Microsoft when it comes to their own hardware. I am sure that Microsoft would like to take back their Zune saga, but that is in the past and now they have learned from it. When it comes to new technology, I feel Microsoft has one of the more rocky starts.
In no way am I bashing Microsoft. I love Windows 7, and for me Windows Vista was decent. Windows Phone is an intriguing OS for phones and it looks like Microsoft is trying to migrate their business strategy to their Tiles model. It started on Windows Phone, next the Xbox, and now finally Windows itself. I am hoping for the best with this tablet but I am ready for the worst. I have always dreamed of the day I wouldn’t have to lug around a 10lb laptop. As mentioned, Apple and Google are sure to have their own response to this and quite frankly I am excited. With Google I/O next week, let us see what all the competitors have to offer before we label a tablet as the champion.
Surface for Windows RT tablet
- Processor: NVIDIA Tegra-based ARM chip
- Weight: 676 grams
- Thickness: 9.3 millimeters
- Display: 10.6-inch ClearType HD capacitive touchpanel
- Battery: 31.5Wh
- I/O: microSD, USB 2.0, Micro HD Video, 2×2 MIMO antennae
- Software: Windows RT + Office Home & Student 2013 RT
- Accessories: Touch Cover, Type Cover, VaporMg Case & Stand
- Capacity: 32GB / 64GB
- Availability: “Around” the Windows 8 launch (fall 2012)
- Pricing: To be determined
Surface for Windows 8 Pro tablet
- Processor: Intel Core i5 (Ivy Bridge)
- Weight: 903 grams
- Thickness: 13.5 millimeters
- Display: 10.6-inch ClearType Full HD (1080p) capacitive touchpanel
- Battery: 42Wh
- I/O: microSDXC, USB 3.0, Mini DisplayPort, 2×2 MIMO antennae
- Software: Windows 8 Pro
- Accessories: Touch Cover, Type Cover, VaporMg Case & Stand, Pen with Palm Block
- Capacity: 64GB / 128GB
- Availability: “Three months after” the Windows 8 launch this fall
- Pricing: To be determined
Welcome to Tech Mogul!
Greetings everyone,
Thank you for stopping by. I am still setting up everything on the back end but I would like to thank you all! I will be posting topics, news, and updates on what is new in my life, the tech world, and some fun posts for all of you! Today I’ll leave you with a simple puzzle to keep yourselves busy!
Add any standard arithmetic signs to make this equation true:
3 1 3 6 = 8
Enjoy!
Tech Mogul 