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.