Assignment 5-1

This week, I am covering the happenings between Google, and Apple. Previously in my posts for weekly written analysis, I talked about Apple not allowing some programs to be accessed on the iPhone and other programs not being allowed.
Now, this case regarding Apple rejecting Google's VoIP is being presented to the FCC. According to Jeff Bertolucci, writer for PC World,"The FCC is investigating the matter, and it's a safe bet the Feds aren't keen on Apple's handling of Google Voice. In fact, the FCC may very well interpret Apple's actions as a violation of Net neutrality principles -- essentially, that ISPs shouldn't block or impair the ability of consumers to use Internet services."
As the article states, this type of PR is making Apple look like a bully, dictating what sort of programs may and may not be accessed by iPhone users. To avoid this type of negative PR, Apple certainly has its work cut out for it.

References:

Bertolucci, Jeff. PC World, 2009. Apple Will Lose Fight to Ban Google Voice in the End. Retrieved on September 19, 2009, from http://tech.yahoo.com/news/pcworld/20090918/tc_pcworld/applewilllosefighttobangooglevoiceintheend

Assignment 4-1

For this week, the current pop culture topic I chose is the New iPod Touch. According to Chris Brandrick, writer of this article,"A recent tear down of the new third generation iPod Touch reveals that the device is sporting an 802.11n Broadcom chip." This chip is an incredibly fast wireless network chip. But, how much faster is the wireless network than the one that is accessible now? I will direct your attention to another article written by Jared Newman, writer for PC World. According to Newman,"Theoretically, 802.11n can reach speeds of 600 Mbps, and even that assumes you're using wireless n's maximum four spatial streams. For now, the Wi-Fi alliance will be testing products with three streams, putting the maximum at 450 Mbps. By comparison, the old 802.11b/g standard reached 64 Mbps, and the wireless "a" maxed out at 11 Mbps, so wireless n is considerably faster."
With this new, faster chip available to the market by the holidays, wireless networks will be more reliable, and faster to gain access to the internet even faster.

References:

Brandrick, Chris. New iPod Touch Holds Secret 802.11n Wi-Fi And Camera Slot. Accessed on September 12, 2009, at http://tech.yahoo.com/news/pcworld/20090912/tc_pcworld/newipodtouchholdssecret80211nwifiandcameraslot.

Newman, Jared. Superfast Wi-Fi Standard 'n' Official: Consumer FAQ. Accessed on September 12, 2009, at http://www.pcworld.com/article/171859/superfast_wifi_standard_n_official_consumer_faq.htmlhttp://www.pcworld.com/article/171859/superfast_wifi_standard_n_official_consumer_faq.htmlhttp://www.pcworld.com/article/171859/superfast_wifi_standard_n_official_consumer_faq.html

Assignment 3-1

For this week, I chose to analyze a remote control prototype that doubles as a mini-television, designed by Samsung. "For TV addicts it could be the ultimate remote control: a 7-inch portable touchscreen that can not only control gadgets in the living room but also check out and what's playing on channels other than the one currently showing on the big screen."
This gadget can access the internet, controls the television, and acts as a 2nd small television all in one. "The advantage is that if you have a family, your wife [can be] watching one channel, and you can browse on your small device some other channel or zap there without annoying anybody else," said Michael Zöller, a marketing director at Samsung Electronics Europe."
This concept is not yet available, and no word on when it will become available, but as Zöller says,"We think this might be a very interesting application for the future."

References:
Williams, Martyn. Samsung's Prototype Remote Control Doubles as a Mini TV . Accessed on September 6, 2009, on http://tech.yahoo.com/news/pcworld/20090906/tc_pcworld/samsungsprototyperemotecontroldoublesasaminitv

Assignment 1-3

I chose to analyze "Taking Hell's Measurements" by Scott C. Zeman. This article is written on the topic of the atomic bomb, and the pros and cons based on it. Two technology periodicals wrote extensively on the topic of the atomic bomb and were crucial in giving information to the general public. These two periodicals were Popular Science and Popular Mechanics. The periodicals opened a nationwide dialogue about the atomic bomb.

References:
Zeman, Scott C. ‘‘Taking Hell’s Measurements’’: Popular Science and Popular Mechanics Magazines and the Atomic Bomb from Hiroshima to Bikini. Accessed on September 6, 2009, on Journal of Popular Culture.

Internet Growth Threatened

For this week, I chose to research an issue concerning the growth of the internet. The internet has become the information highway now for 40 years, and some barriers have been coming into existence to hinder its growth.
The first barrier that is threatening the growth of the internet is firewalls, and other security measures to keep information from reaching other computer users. This problem is due to people maliciously using the internet to infect other computers with viruses. When this activity started, networks and computer users had no choice but to set up firewall protection to avoid the infections.
The major barrier that is happening today that I had no idea about is the fact that several companies are attempting to restrict certain information from the internet.
Like some other mobile devices that connect to the Internet, the iPhone restricts the software that can run on it. Only applications Apple has vetted are allowed. According to Anick Jesdanun, an AP Technology writer,"Apple recently blocked the Google Voice communications application, saying it overrides the iPhone's built-in interface. Skeptics, however, suggest the move thwarts Google's potentially competing phone services.
On desktop computers, some Internet access providers have erected barriers to curb bandwidth-gobbling file-sharing services used by their subscribers. Comcast Corp. got rebuked by Federal Communications Commission last year for blocking or delaying some forms of file-sharing; Comcast ultimately agreed to stop that (Jesdanun, 2009)."
Basically, some corporations are attempting to force the use of their software, to hinder the neutral use of all alternative sources on the internet.
In conclusion, we must be open minded to all sources of software, and be sure not to be hindered by the corporate idea that we should only use apple software, or only one form of file-sharing. The internet is a great resource that is used by millions of people, and needs to remain the information superhighway.

Resources:

Jesdanun, Anick. As Internet turns 40, barriers threaten its growth. Accessed August 30, 2009 at http://tech.yahoo.com/news/ap/20090830/ap_on_hi_te/us_tec_internet_at40.

My three contemporary icons of popular culture include Elvis Presley, The Simpsons, and the Ford Mustang. These icons define major influences by our culture, which form popular ways to live life among several generations.

Elvis Presley is said to be the King of Rock and Roll in his day. He lived a prosperous life, ate a ton of food, consumed many drugs, and ultimately became incredibly famous. Presley had a great career and influenced many people with his music in his day. To illustrate how popular Elvis was, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame gavea quote I find very appropriate. Statistically, he (Elvis) holds records for the most Top Forty hits (107), the most Top Ten hits (38), the most consecutive #1 hits (10), and the most weeks at #1 (80). Regarding his stature as a cultural icon, which continues to grow even after death, write Lester Bangs said it best,"I can guarantee you one thing- we will never again agree on anything as we agreed on Elvis." (Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)

My next icon of popular culture is the Simpson's. The Simpson's has been Foxs' most successful and long running show on Primetime television. The Simpson's family has been on endorsements for candy bars, featured on the front of the Popular Culture textbook, made the Simpson's movie and even has an attraction at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. As a icon, the Simpsons are, and will continue to be a figurehead in the cartoon industry.

My final icon is the Ford Mustang. The Ford Mustang is known to be America's popular muscle car. The Mustang has been in existence since the 1960's and is still being manufactured today. Its body styling has changed throughout the years, but is currently being brought back to a more 1960's vintage look. The Ford Mustang is a figurehead for american muscle cars, and has helped to shape the idea of what a muscle car should be, and consist of.

In conclusion, these three icons have shaped the way Americans think, laugh, and live their lives, which is why I believe they are exceptional icons of Popular Culture.

References:

Simsons image. Accessed on August 29, 2009.

http://z.about.com/d/tvcomedies/1/0/p/0/-/-/simpsons_family.jpg

Ford Mustang image. Accessed on August 29, 2009.

http://www.autoclub.com.au/uploaded_images/ford-mustang-bullitt-2008-741703.jpg

Elvis Presley image. Accessed on August 29, 2009.

http://www.solarnavigator.net/music/musicimages/elvis_presley_on_stage.jpg

Popular culture are defined as ideas that are of the people, or "the best which has been thought or said". In a business environment, an understanding of what is popular is important so new product lines or companies can be formed in the public's image. The artifact I chose is a guitar, because it is a good icon for music.