The 463: Inside Tech

Paul Allen Sues the Tech Industry

(David Mack) Here we go again. On Friday, Paul Allen’s patent gathering firm Interval Licensing fired off a broadside of patent lawsuits against a huge swath of Silicon Valley companies, including Apple, Google, Facebook and AOL.

At question are four patents that, on first glance, would appear to define the Internet, including innovations that, “aler[t] users to items of current interest.”

Todd Bishop at Seattle’s TechFlash noticed that Mr. Allen’s neighbors Microsoft and Amazon seemed to be obvious absentees from the list.  When he asked an Interval spokesperson about their absence, he would not comment on litigation strategy. However, he did go on to state that, "This is the most recent step in a long process…but it is not necessarily the end of the process."

While no one would argue that protection for IP is not important, commentators are already beginning to wonder why Mr. Allen has waited so long to take action against companies that are household Internet names.  Was he not clear until now that they had violated the patents?

One has to wonder if it could have anything to do with reports that comprehensive patent reform is inching closer to completion.  Hopefully, continued lawsuits like Mr. Allen’s, and news about patent agitator Acacia’s funding bump, will reinvigorate the drive towards a patent system that can deal with the realities of 2010.

The Alive or Dead Web Debate

The Wired cover story from earlier this week, The Web is Dead. Long Live the Internet, by Chris Anderson and Michael Wolff has received tons of attention. The thoughts for this article were born due to the changing environment of the Internet, which we all must admit is changing. One area in particular, the authors mention that is changing, is how we are connecting to the Internet. We are doing it more and more through applications rather than an the old fashion Web browser.

From my own personal experience, I see this and am living it. It’s rather easy to send a tweet through Twitbird, check the weather through one of the many weather apps, and of course the baseball scores. Rarely do I find myself at home, opening my computer and typing in these individual sites into my Web browser when I have them all at the touch of my finger tips.

I've seen many people on Twitter sharing the article and giving their reactions as well as several blog posts and articles questioning whether the Web is really dying. The Washington Post’s Faster Forward column, touched on the article by agreeing that applications are increasing in use but says many Web sites haven’t been designs to translate into a mobile form, creating a “competitive imbalance” that exists. The Atlantic also questions Wired’s conclusions this time around.

Whether you disagree with the authors on whether the Web still has a pulse, its provocative headline and story has made for an interesting debate and news topic for the week. Read more of the debate here between Wired's Editor-in-Chief Chris Anderson and Tim O'Reilly, Founder and CEO of O'Reilly Media.

Mobile Payments—Money of the Future?

(Devon Rosenberry) Imagine you are shopping at the mall.  You pass a wall with a large advertisement plastered from the ceiling to floor.  A sensor scans your eyes and allows the ad to adapt to your own wants and needs, and voila, a personal offer or coupon appears.  While this may sound like a scene from the Minority Report, developers at Apple are looking to implement a very similar technology…into your cell phone.

First our cell phones turned into cameras, then into small laptops, and now they want to make them into interactive advertising tools and forms of electronic payment?  What more can you fit into a small, wallet-sized device?

Apple is trying to give us the answer.  The company recently hired Benjamin Vigier, an expert in mobile payments and near field communication technologies.  As Apple’s product manager for mobile commerce, rumors are flying about whether Vigier was hired to apply near field communication technology into Apple devices and what exact functions the new technology could play.

According to the NFC Forum, Near Field Communication is a short-range wireless technology designed for simple interaction between electronic devices.  Some speculate that the technology may be employed as an interactive tool to accompany Apple’s new release of iAds.  Others believe the technology will be used as electronic payment, similar to the way you use your Speedpass to pay for gas at Mobil or Exxon locations.  The NFC technology would allow your cell phone or music player to convert into a contactless form of payment.  You would simply place your phone within inches of the electronic sensor and off you go with your purchase.

Credit cards may quickly become the currency of the past.  Forget Groupon, you’re no longer going to need to look at a listserv to receive instant savings.  Just swipe your phone past an ad and a coupon automatically appears on your phone.  Now that’s instant satisfaction.  After all, Americans don’t believe in delayed gratification, we want it right here, right now and near field communication technology will be able to give us what we want—now.

Gadget Wars: East Coast vs. West Coast

 

(Devon Rosenberry) The lifestyle differences between the United States’ east and west coasts have always been known to clash.  The east coast is known for its big cities, tall buildings and stress-packed environment, while the west coast paints a picture of a polar opposite atmosphere that is much more casual, laid-back and environmentally aware.  So where do the new and exciting gadgets fit in and are their uses pre-determined by the stereotypes of each coast?

According to Retrevo’s 2010 Gadget Census, there are significant differences among devices used on each coast, and it seems that many of these differences can be tied to the lifestyles and environments of each respective coast.  The Retrevo Gadget Census put the major metro areas of the country head-to-head to determine which city’s gadgets reigned supreme. 

When looking at cell phone usage, east coast city residents were more likely to sport Blackberries and smartphones, which supported their business-savvy way of life.  According to the census, 56 percent more New Yorkers use Blackberries compared to their San Francisco counterparts.  Boston residents also obtain about 44 percent more Blackberry smartphones then individuals in Los Angeles. 

On the other hand, iPhones were much more prominent on the west coast, maintaining the hip and technologically advanced reputation of the area.  Based near Silicon Valley, the largest breeding ground for technology companies in the country, San Francisco residents reported using 23 percent more iPhones than those in New York, and Los Angeles reported about 11 percent more iPhones than Boston inhabitants. 

With all the TV studios near Hollywood, it is no surprise to find more TVs and game consoles on the west coast, but back here on the east coast you may notice many more people using their gadgets to read.  Don’t be surprised if you see someone kicked back with an eReader on one of the east coast’s major subway systems as eReaders are seen 30 percent more in New York compared to San Francisco, 43 percent more in Boston versus Los Angeles and 50 percent more in Washington, DC, then in Chicago. 

The most dramatic discrepancy in gadget use between the two coasts is the number of Mac OS Systems.  San Francisco possesses about 94 percent more Mac OS Systems than those in New York, and Los Angeles retains about 54 percent more than Boston.

Is it true that the stereotypes of the ongoing east vs. west coast lifestyle battle determine gadget use?  In many ways, yes it does.  There was no surprise when the 2010 Retrevo Gadget Census awarded San Francisco the Green Gadgets award, and New Yorkers were recognized as most likely to own emerging technology products.  The real question is will we begin to see an even larger discrepancy between the gadgets targeted at these separate areas and how will that effect the nation’s economy as a whole?

foursquare

(Lauren Sacks) When I first learned about foursquare, I was very apprehensive. Why would I want to broadcast my location? Do my friends need to know where I am? Do I need to know where my friends are? Despite my initial hesitation, I quickly became a foursquare convert and I am currently an avid user.

In case you are a little out of the loop, I am not referring to the game that you used to play in elementary school, but rather the location based social network.  Users share their location with friends by “checking in” via a smartphone app and points are awarded for checking in at various venues. By checking in a certain number of times, or in different locations, users can collect virtual badges. Furthermore, the user who checks in the most at a certain venue is crowned the “mayor.”

So why am I an enthusiastic foursquare user? First, various restaurants offer “Specials” when users check in at their venue. Last week, when I checked in at California Tortilla, I got free chips and queso with my meal! Second, it is a great way to learn more about your city. I enjoy getting updated on which bars and restaurants my friends are checking into, and it is an easy way to learn about new venues. Finally, it brings out some friendly competition. foursquare tracks the number of points you are awarded and resets the “Leaderboard” every Sunday night. My friends and I get a little competitive about who has the most points and mayorships.

My favorite badge, which I recently unlocked, is called “Overshare: 10+ checkins in 12 hours! Next up: tweeting that you unlocked this Overshare badge?” When I unlocked this badge at 1:22am, I laughed at myself but also felt somewhat accomplished. I had a busy day and I remembered to check in everywhere!

In the midst of the ongoing privacy debate, it seems ironic that I use a social network which intentionally broadcasts my whereabouts. I believe it is a fun way to stay connected with friends and explore the city or even find recommendations while traveling in other cities.  However, users should remember it is important to practice caution while using such location-sharing services and know who you are sharing your information with. 

Is Shark Week the new Valentine’s Day?

 

(Devon Rosenberry) Following in the footsteps of Hallmark, the Discovery Channel has unleashed the newest commercially constructed holiday—Shark Week.  In the celebration of their 23^rd annual affair, the Discovery Channel dubbed the 2010, week-long event “Happy Shark Week.”  The network’s tagline solicits consumers to answer the simple question, “How are you celebrating shark week this year?”

The historic Shark Week continues to grow in popularity every year.  According to Time Magazine, the week-long series of documentaries has pulled in over 20 million viewers every year since 1995, and reached its peak audience of 29 million in 2008. 

So how does Discovery build the buzz?  They use the age-old tactic that you want what you can’t have.  The network has managed to create some of the most addictive programming, and most importantly, they only release it once a year.   They dial into each individual’s fear of the unknown, and in effect have built a holiday-like event to celebrate the fins and fury we dread to see while taking a dip in the ocean. 

It also doesn’t hurt to have the support of many major celebrities.  The week-long series has gathered many well-known fans including Will Ferrell, Lauren Conrad, Mark McGrath and this year’s Shark Week Host Craig Ferguson.  Even Tracy Morgan’s character on the NBC comedy “30 Rock” referenced Shark Week in an early episode.  "So here's some advice I wish I would have got when I was your age,” Tracy said to his new assistant.  “Live every week like its Shark Week." 

Many of us wish we could live every week like its Shark Week but since we can’t the Discovery Channel has provided us with all the shark bitten goodies we could want.  Whether you are watching how to survive a shark attack on TV, or taking a virtual shark dive online, there are more than enough ways to feed your craving. 

Fans everywhere continue to celebrate the holiday of Shark Week.  One fan, @craigeryowens tweeted “#sharkweek is one of the only yearly occurrences that I consistently celebrate as if it were a holiday.”  So tilt your glass, and toast one of Discovery Channel’s Shark Week Cocktails to the new holiday we all know and love.