The Waves of Tech - Technology impacts to life

On this week’s show, we discuss the news that Nielsen will soon be collecting data from non-traditional sources and discuss the shift Disney is making toward distributing a new TV series to an app-only platform. In our main topic, we banter about the knowledge CEOs actually have about the technology their company endorses and the technology behind their products. Nielsen Nielsen Ratings is in process of releasing a SDK (Software Developer Kits) that will finally incorporate stats associated with mobile device viewing, DVRs, and Internet-based platforms. This has been a very long time coming as the statistical-based rating firms tries to maintain pace with an industry trend of non-traditional viewing. Data compiled will be very helpful to TV executives that utilize data from Nielsen to set advertising rates. Disney In an attempt to grab the attention of the tiniest of viewers, Disney is launching their latest TV show exclusively to the tablet and app market. The first nine (9) episodes of an upcoming series will be available only through the Watch Disney Junior App. This is a stark contrast to Disney’s approach, as the popularity of The Disney Channel and Disney Junior continue to grow and produce great profits. Watch this move from Disney to spark a movement in other organizations to make the slow transition to app-only distribution. CEOs and Tech The question we ask in this week’s discussion is – How much does a CEO really know about technology? It’s a worthy question to ask given the recent struggles facing the Affordable Care Act’s website. With many questions being asked and very few answers coming from executive levels of government, it’s time to ask how much should and do they know about the technology. We know a CEO’s role in the company – drive up profits, reduce operating costs, reduce risk, improve efficiencies, and determine long-range company planning. So when things go south for the company or organization, what amount of accountability falls upon the shoulders of CEOs?

We have a big lineup for the show and we begin our podcast with a few items and brief discussion related to Apple’s Campus 2 future, Microsoft’s Windows 8.1 release, and Apple announcements speculations. For the main topic of the show, we find that most employees really want to use their personal devices at work. So, we throw some ideas around as to some of the consequences and positives associated with that venture.

Advancements in technology and communications allow for each individual or groups to prepare for unfortunate disasters. Are you prepared or require assistance? Dave and Steve discuss information sources and technology applications to help. Disaster and emergency will happen. It’s a matter of time and we have to be prepared. Many of us, unfortunately, lack in the preparation for such events. There are a host of technological resources available for us to learn from, help us prepare, and move us toward emergency response. There is a media campaign titled Text First. Talk Second. which promotes the message of communicating with family and friends during emergencies via text first rather jumping to making that phone call. There are a host of webinars and podcasts available that teachers, families, and business owners can listen to as a way of preparing. Let’s not forget the power of our mobile devices, where we can get apps that help us through emergency situations.

Welcome to Episode 196 of The Waves of Tech. This week we fill your ears with tech news and topics ranging from Amazon holiday shopping, baby health monitoring, discounted iPhone 5Cs, Chromecast updates, and a lengthy discussion on the Adobe hack on 3 million accounts. Amazon The holiday shopping season is upon us, despite Halloween and Thanksgiving not even here yet. One of the biggest online tech companies, Amazon, is gearing up by hiring nearly 70,000 seasonal workers to meet the consumer demands of online shopping. Other firms, such as Wal-Mart and EBay, are expected to hiring thousands as well. Let the online shopping extravaganza begin! Sproutling Sproutling is the latest in health-based tech gadget to focus on parents and their newborns. This three-part system allows parents to monitor their child's heart rate, temperature, and more. With the built in text or email notification system, parents can be alerted when their child awakes from a nap or when temperatures rise. This is a great tool for parents, regardless of whether this is your first, second, or third child. iPhone 5C Apple has experienced significant positive feedback from users regarding the iPhone 5C. For something that was reviewed as some as being "cheap," it has been nothing of the sort. Now, big box stores like Wal-Mart, Target, and Radio Shack are discounting the already discounted Apple products by upwards of $40! As the holiday season approaches, this is a tactic of the stores to get consumers' feet in their stores. Hulu Plus Finally!! Hulu Plus subscribers can now use their accounts on Chromecast, Google latest video streaming dongle. A major knock on Chromecast has been the lack of applications available for use. As the unit gains traction and Google comes to financial agreements with streaming companies, it is slowly gathering a foothold in the home entertainment industry. The Adobe Hack It seems like every couple of months a company releases a statement discussing how thousands or millions of accounts have been compromised. Personal information, credit card numbers, usernames, and passwords are the typically sensitive information that has been breached, stolen, and sometimes dispersed. The latest Adobe hack compromised nearly 3 million accounts. The question can be asked - who is winning the war on hacking and personal identity theft? We trust companies to protect our personal information. That is part of the financial contract between you and the company. What can we do as customers of these companies to protect ourselves when it seems like many times the company cannot protect our information for us?

We dive into discussions about the Kindle Fire HD, iPad security in schools, the percentage of Americans not online, and giving up a cell phone while at a restaurant.  Kindle Fire HD Amazon has introduced their 3rd generation of Kindles into the marketplace.  With a host of new features, better picture quality, faster processing ability, and a clear slant towards entertainment, the Kindle Fire HD looks to make another big splash in the tablet market.  Since the costs are reasonable, look for many 1st generation users to upgrade to the Fire HD and look for some new consumers to swoop in on the new product. LA Students Breach iPad Security It took less one week for students to manipulate the security settings on school-issued iPads.  The introduction of iPads was designed to enhance learning, integrate classroom with at-home work, and create a robust learning environment.  Well, kids have found a way to tweet, stream live music via Pandora, provide status updates, and micro-blog all while on the school's dime and time.  Now it's back to the drawing board for school and network administrators. 15% of Americans Don't Go Online In a recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, nearly 1 in 7 Americans do not use the Internet at all.  Many reasons were given for their decision: waste of time, concerned about privacy, didn't see it as useful, service is too expensive, or disability prevents usage.  There are a range of variables such as age, income, education, location, and race.  A surprising stat shows that nearly 3% of users are still using a dial-up connection. Giving Up the Cell Phone for a 5% Discount It's inevitable...you pull out the cell phone during dinner to check Facebook, tweet about your meal, check-in via FourSquare, return a text message, check and respond to an email, or post a picture of your food.  Maybe it's the human desire to being constantly connected in a social group or social atmosphere that drives us to continually check our phones.  We do this all while being seated, placing a drink order, deciding on the entree, ordering dessert, and between conversation gaps with your dinner partner.  This is all too common today.  Well, some restaurants are now offering 5% discounts to individuals willing to part with their phones for the entire meal.  It's a way of creating a better dinner experience, for the manager, the waiter/waitress, and the clientele.  Would you be willing to turn in your phone for a discount on your dinner check or are you strong enough to keep that phone locked away for an hour or so?  

This week we talk about the privatization of Blackberry, the cost of paying for fake/solicited online reviews, and Microsoft's latest Surface product. In our primary topic, it's all about the record setting iPhone 5S and 5C sales, the latest from iOS 7, and the environmental impact of the revolving door of new and old mobile devices. Blackberry to go Private I think we all saw the writing on the wall over the past few years - either Blackberry would fall into bankruptcy and collapse or Blackberry would privative. It was only a few years ago that Blackberry was valued at $20B and now is being purchased by a Canadian financial company for a mere $4.7B. Blackberry recently laid off nearly 4,500 employees and continue to lose market share in the cell industry. Fake Online Reviews Nearly 19 companies have been fined over $350,000 for posting fake and solicited reviews of products and services on their websites. In essence, companies are paying thousands of dollars to "marketing firms" to write fake reviews regarding specific products they are selling in an attempt to push sales and drive up profits. The City of New York regulators consider this sort of action unacceptable and brought it to the front of everyone's attention. Surface 2 Announced Microsoft is set to launch their latest round of Surface Products - Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2. The Surface 2 in leaner, cleaner, and is accompanied by a host of additional accessories. The Surface 2 is priced at $449 and comes with Office 2013 RT and more battery life than the previous version. The Surface Pro 2 is priced at $889 and features Microsoft Office, an Intel i5 processor, 512GB of flash storage, SnapApps, and the Pro Pen. Be sure to try this hands-on in a brick-and-mortar near you. iPhone Breaking Records It is without question that Apple has had a very successful and profitable week. The release of the iPhone 5S and 5C accompanied by the newest iOS 7 has proven to be huge. In a single week, Apple sold 9 million new phones and experienced a healthy adoption and software update rates to iOS 7 from existing devices in the market. Apple finally provided a variety of options to consumers, something that had been missing for many years in Apple's lineup of cell phone products. The success of 5S and 5C continues to demonstrate the desire for consumers to want the latest and greatest. This begs the question, what are the environmental impacts with all the expired phones and outdated tech gadgets out there?

Man, oh, man!! Cars, trucks, and SUVs are packed full of technological gadgets, features, buttons, and sensors these days that it’s sometimes hard to think that we can keep our mind and eyes focused on driving. This week we are talking about whether or not your high tech car drives you crazy.

We open talking about in-store and online donations to charitable organizations. Second, we tell you about how captcha is quickly becoming a revenue generator for websites. And finally and at length, discuss Huffington Post’s decision to ban anonymous comments on their site.

We lead off with a discussion of California’s first statewide Amber Alert system that was activated last week – what does this means, how effective was it, did it help. We finish the show with an interesting discussion about big box retailers keeping tabs on the return habits of the consumer – is this a privacy concern, how much is being tracked, how to get information.

Discussion about Jeff Bezos’ purchase of The Washington Post and what they may mean for the company, traditional print media, and the digital presence of the paper. Dave retells a personal account of experiencing breaking news and how that event developed through social media and real eyewitnesses.

In the never ending search to find tech topics that relate to your everyday life, we found a couple more for tonight. We found some fun and intriguing apps that will keep you motivated in your workout routines. Also, we discuss the importance of Google Chromecast in the industry and what that means for you and your tech world.

We talk in-depth regarding the news of Netflix garnishing 14 Emmy nominations. This feat is monumental considering Netflix is the first non-televised program to be nominated for the prestigious award. We finish by discussing the TSA joining Instagram and posting a stream of confiscated weapons from travelers.

How often do we see tech-related, game-changing legislation in the news? Not very often and that is why we discuss the TV Consumer Freedom Act of 2013 on this week’s The Waves of Tech podcast. The battle will soon be set between cable companies and TV networks. Find out the details and join the conversation as we breakdown the proposed legislation by Senator McCain.

We can’t quite remember the last time we had a panel of hosts to discuss a topic! In this episode, John provides a solid review of the goods and bads of the Samsung Galaxy S4. That review dovetails into a smartphone showdown where the hosts speak their minds about the superiority of Apple, Android, Windows Phone, or Blackberry.

The Waves of Tech comes to you this week with a host of new tech talk. Dave provides discussion on assistive technologies and how they are playing a major role in the workplace for workers with physical disabilities. With the latest news of personal data collection and analysis, Steve throws out a discussion on the importance, or lack thereof, we place on personal data today.