Techies Den

Apple In Battery Blunder

The Apple iPhone is generally considered to be one of the least flawed Smartphone’s on the market today and, aside from a few problems here and there, they are generally always of a high quality build. However the company that has revolutionized the way in which we see technology and use it has admitted that the battery in the new iPhone 4s has some serious flaws in its lifespan.

Since the release of the iPhone 4s last month users have been complaining that the battery life is deficient and many have revealed that they have been constantly charging up their phones – far more than is usually expected. Some users have said that by turning off notifications (emails and social networking updates that are sent directly to the phone) and also turning off the automatic time zone adjustment they have had some success with the battery problem and have managed to squeeze a few more hours out of it but still it doesn’t perform like it should do.

Consumers bombarded the Apple forums with complaints and it now seems as though the company have listened as they have released a statement acknowledging the problem and are intent on fixing it. However, any Apple users that are hoping for quick fix and return to full battery life are going to be disappointed as it is expected to be weeks before the problem is completely rectified with the company saying that the issue lies with an error in the new iOS 5 operating system.

Inside Look At The Newest iPod

Now that the iPod has been on the market for several years, the excitement has started to diminish. Add to that the fact that the iPhone and the iPad are two of the hottest products that Apple has ever created, and you don’t have to wonder why Apple has been keeping its plans for the iPod pretty hush-hush. The iPod quickly rose as the world’s most popular Mp3 player, but now that smart phones have more music capabilities, just how will Apple create a new generation that rouses the interests of consumers?

The first major change that Apple has made to the new iPod touch is 3G connectivity. Instead of having to search for a WiFi hotspot, users will be able to connect to the iTunes stores, no matter where they are. This one feature alone will help Apple to cash in on impulse music purchases. Have you ever heard a song that you loved and wanted to download at that instant? Now, you can get the music that you want without needing to sync up your device to your computer.

Basically, the look and feel of the iPod Touch will stay the same. Users will be able to store thousands of hours of music on their portable devices and they will also be able to browse through their music collections on a whim. Sometimes, its best to leave what works alone and add on the most technologically advanced features. Apple seems to have this line of thinking down packed.

Mobile Manufacturers Torture Phones So You Don’t Have To

If you have ever wondered why you can get your mobile carrier to honor the warranty on your cell phone for some types of damage but not others, you might want to plan a trip to Shenzhen, China. Before a smart phone manufacturer will release a new phone on the market, it will have conducted hundreds of ‘torture tests’ to ensure the highest possible standard of quality. So what exactly do they do to smart phones in Shenzhen? Well, that question can be summed up in one word – everything.

The effects of the elements are tested on smart phones so that you don’t have to worry about having your device break when you drop it in freezing temperatures, or have the glass on your screen crack in hot weather. If you have ever kept your mobile phone in the bathroom with you while taking a shower, your smart phone manufacturer already knows what type of damage is consistent with steam versus how your phone will react when it is dumped in a shower stall.

Mobile phone manufacturers need to know how durable their products are in order to avoid having to recall them, but they also need to make sure that they are not creating ‘throw away’ products. In addition, offering extended warranties can become expensive if you are constantly having to replace phones because of the same reasons. In Shenzen, scientists torture phones because they have to, which hopefully will help you to avoid inadvertently breaking your mobile device.

Microsoft Loses i4i Patent Lawsuit

The recent ruling concerning technology firm i4i and its legal case against Microsoft proves that science can be far more convincing than a solid defense. After a lengthy case, i4i was able to prove that Microsoft Word infringed on its copyrights. The lawsuit, which was originally filed in 2007 made its way all the way up to the Supreme Court. The popular word processing software Microsoft Word uses Extensible Markup Language, which i4i says that it has patented. Microsoft does not deny that i4i might have created the technology, but the company also believes that it had the right to develop the Word Suite while utilizing XML.

Other companies such as Facebook backed Microsoft. The idea that patents can prevent companies from innovating new technologies was Microsoft’s main area of contention. Unfortunately for Microsoft, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of i4i. As a result, Microsoft will pay i4i a staggering $290 million settlement.

Although i4i is a small firm based out of Canada, it was able to come up with a good enough offense to beat Microsoft in court. Technology experts believe that the i4i case will be beneficial to independent developers and small businesses that want to protect their copyrights. Understandably, Microsoft is not happy with the ruling. Some believe that Microsoft even tried to get members of the US government to sponsor new copyright laws in order to beat the i4i case. The owners of i4i made a public statement expressing their happiness with the outcome of the case.

Turkey Power Plant Combines Wind Solar And Natural Gas For Clean Electricity

General Electric announced it will be the supplier for the new power plant that will be located in Karaman,Turkey. The plant will be 508-megawatts and will utilize energy from the wind, sun and natural gas to deliver around the clock electricity to more than 600,000 homes. The project is expected to be completed by 2015. The unique factor of this project is that one facility will pull from three sources to deliver the power needed to meet the continuous energy demand for the area; this type of power is called ‘Baseload.’ GE says that this plant’s overall efficiency will be approximately 66% higher than the average natural gas plant.

GE also sees this project as a showcase for its Flex Efficiency power plant system which is based around a natural gas turbine that combines wind and solar power. The other components to generate power are GE wind turbines which produces 22 megawatts of energy and a 50-megawatt eSolar concentration solar thermal plant. ESolar plants generate heat by using thousands of sun-tracking mirrors that produce steam; the steam is driven through a turbine which creates electricity.

GE, a pioneer in the energy industry was chosen by MetCap Energy Investments due to GE’s outstanding reputation for clean sourced energy. “In addition to record-setting fuel efficiency, this power plant will have zero liquid discharge, low emissions and a rapid-response, 28-minute start capability,” said Met Cap Energy chairman Celal Metin. GE said it should see more interest in renewable energy plants in the near future. If all goes as planned, renewable energy will be even more powerful.

Verizon Wireless Suing ‘Premium’ Text Messaging Companies

Ever since cell phone companies began to allow their customers to pay for premium text messaging services simply by sending a short numerical code, thousands of oblivious consumers have been complaining about phantom charges. While some people may prefer to order ring tones, wallpaper and even physic readings through their mobile phones it seems that these companies are getting the majority of their sign-ups through dubious means. The Texas attorney general as well as Verizon Wireless have filed suit against these third party premium text messaging companies in order to get them shut down. The fact is, most of the services provided by companies like Jawa are available through cell phone carriers at a lower price. Most victims sign-up thinking that they will only be charged once but what they do not see is that they are automatically agreeing to monthly billing.

As a result, Jawa, one of the third party premium text messaging companies in question has decided to file a counter lawsuit against Verizon Wireless, claiming that the cell phone carrier has purposefully damaged its reputation. The owners of Jawa believe that the judge will rule in their favor because of their refund policy as well as their double opt-in policy. What Jawa may not want to talk about is the fact that they frequently used colorful images and text against the same color background in order to confuse users. Although these lawsuits won’t be settle for awhile consumers are becoming more aware of the negative aspect of using premium text messaging services.

Is The Rustock Botnet Really Gone Forever?

The Rustock botnet, which was terminated a few weeks ago with the help of Microsoft, may forever cease to exist but there are plenty of other spam companies waiting to take its place. The latest reports indicate that spam is down by more than 30% worldwide. By itself, this statistic is impressive, but when it is compared with spam levels from the same time last year it is apparent that the Internet is nowhere near close to getting rid of spammers for good.

The fact is, there are no international Internet laws, which makes it easy for spammers to setup servers in countries with few restrictions. Although most people end up ignoring messages from unknown users altogether, technology is getting more advanced. From spoofing to cloaking, spammers are using advanced methods to trick recipients into opening their emails and mail servers have not been able to keep up with the changes.

Microsoft has created an entire department, named the Microsoft Digital Crimes Unit, to help law enforcement agencies both locate and understand exactly how web spam works. Because spammers focus on different kinds of messages, from the ever popular erectile dysfunction medication emails to malicious threat warnings, it will be difficult to completely eliminate this type of nuisance because it functions as a hydra. While Microsoft is confident that it will be able to one day eradicate web spam, it is important to remember that it has been around almost as long as the Internet has been in existence. Since the Rustock botnet has been down for several weeks investigators believes that it will not be coming back.

Satellite Radio On Smart Phones Could Lead To Increased Sales For Sirus XM

Sirus SM Radio has developed partnerships with several major car manufacturers in order to increase their subscriptions. Even still, the company is looking to convert older model vehicle owners into paying customers by developing apps for the Android, the Blackberry and other smart phones. The idea is that smart phone owners who use their vehicles for work and travel will be more likely to invest in XM power cords and other peripherals that will allow them to tap into satellite radio while they are on the road. It is not known how long it will take for these apps to become available for download, but Sirius XM executives are cautiously optimistic.

The costs associated with having a Sirus XM satellite radio installed in a vehicle are not unreasonable, but when they are combined with years subscription fees many consumers just aren’t able to afford them. This new effort will help Sirius XM Radio to attract with more customers with restrictive budgets as they will get a better value with their subscriptions.

In the early part of the new millennium Sirus and XM were two separate companies vying for the same customers. After both companies courted major DJs and invested millions of dollars into their marketing efforts they eventually decided to merge. Now Sirius XM Radio has to face low new car sales as well as problems with customer retention. Although new car owners are able to purchase packages that includes a pre-installed XM antenna there is little incentive to renew their subscriptions.

Some consumers have asked for more radio station options although the company already offers more than 100 channels in total. Sirius XM Radio offers discounts for loyal customers as well as for consumers that pay for their years subscriptions in advance. Now that most smart phone owners look to see if there are apps that they can use in conjunction with the products and services that they use, Sirius XM Radio may be able to convince consumers that their subscriptions are a better value. Retail stores and online merchants offers most of the accessories needed to listen to satellite radio at a low price, however, they are not all compatible for all model vehicles. Sirus XM Radio has also branched out into radios made for home use. Their app development will give customers a convenient way to enjoy their favorite radio programming in their cars, homes and even the office.

AT&T Releases New Packages Aimed At Keeping iPhone 4 Owners Satisfied

Although iPhone 4 fans patiently awaited the day that the smart phone was made available with Verizon Wireless there was no mass exodus of AT&T customers. Instead, tens of thousands of new Verizon Wireless customers signed up and purchased their very first iPhone4. Both companies engaged in smart pricing just prior to the day that the iPhone 4 became available at Verizon Wireless. Customers soon noticed that Verizon Wireless not only gave consumers more packaging choices but also gave them better prices. This may be why AT&T has just announced their $45 hotspot service plan – a feature that has been available at Verizon Wireless for some time now. AT&T has also released a host of packages aimed at the owner of other Apple products such as the iPad and the iPod.

Simply put, AT&T is trying to position itself as the best cell phone carrier so that when the iPhone 5 is released consumers will naturally by the smart phone from them. Because both cell phone carriers require customers to sign two year contracts they are hoping that the costly cancellation fee will keep customers from switching to another provider. The fact is, many previous iPhone owners’ contracts are almost up. If AT&T continues to offer packages that simply put them on the same level as Verizon Wireless then they aren’t giving consumers enough incentives. Verizon Wireless has better phone coverage, which keep their customers’ calls from being unexpectedly dropped, and their fees are usually written out in plain language.

It may be well over a year before it become obvious which company has been able to retain the largest percentage of iPhone users, but AT&T depends on the iPhone a lot more than Verizon Wireless does. Hopefully AT&T can start making some more smart moves that will help them to be the preferred carrier of the world’s most popular smart phones. Visit Phones4u for more information on the iPhone 4.

Amazon Slow To Respond To Ebook Piracy

Although the Kindle has helped thousands of authors to gain exposure and even make a few books, all is not well in the world of Amazon. When most people think about piracy on the Internet they immediately think of music and movies. Now, these pirates are targeting Amazon best sellers. The worst part is that they are offering these stolen e-books in a package deal. Zipped files and bit torrents are popping up all over the web jam packed with thousands of newly released e-books every hour on the hour. The publishing industry has steadily been moving towards the e-book market because it is more economically feasible. Major publishers can still keep the lions share of the profits while authors are making mere pennies on the dollar. Amazon knows that the problem is starting to get out of hand, but they have yet to come up with a viable solution.

Independent authors are beginning to band together, but as long as they use Amazon to sell their titles they will not be able to add on security measures that would help to thwart pirates. The only thing that benefits authors is the fact that their fans wouldn’t even think of stealing their material. A single zipped file that contains hundreds of e-books that will probably not be read doesn’t present a large challenge to obscure authors at all, but well known writers may begin to suffer. Most believe that Amazon will only respond when the company notices that its profits are going down.