Though over 4 million saw the season 3 premiere of Game of Thrones in the USA, millions more will be watching it across the world faster than ever. Illegal downloads (if you believe in such a thing), clogged servers across the globe. Measurements are not so well tracked but Heroes is believed to have achieved 145,000 downloads from one site with Game of Thrones hitting almost 3 times as many. On the legal side (if you believe in such a thing), Apple moved to make the most of it by putting Season 3 on iTunes, as soon as broadcasts were shown across the continental USA. Lawyers that self-promote their services to the USA TV networks, worked hard to bring down many links for illegal sites. Torrent activity also was being chased by lawyers working to entrap and shut down the sites.
Overall estimates seem to point to over 1million downloads reports Jethro Nededog at the wrap.com. Australia was a respectable 3rd only to the UK and USA in downloads so far. I say respectable as HBO seems to view the piracy as a compliment.
As Apple released season 3 to iTunes so fast, I query why this was not publicized, as many would have paid the $4 versus hunting down an illegal episode
New iPhone 5 Problems Surface As With the iPad1 in 2010
Melbourne Australia
Tomorrow 2012
On Reading the news I was amazed to find out the similarities between these and the original iPad problem I found and then fixed for many in 2010. The original 2010 story and fix is here
It has to do with the default iPhone 5 setting not being optimum then for dual band Apple routers now built into the iPhone 5 itself..
I have to admit I read with some interest a recent article (worth a read) by Roger Montgomery, founder of Montgomery Investment, in the weekend Australian. His observation on JB Hi-Fi and the concealment of a more complex reality, though I admit I agree with, I believe missed a few key points, though some were touched on.
Firstly, the US and UK market and the majority of the online market unlike the Australian brick and mortar market, is not built on haggling. This means that almost anyone walking into JB and making even the smallest of purchases can haggle their way to a lower price. This is starting to show its age. I cannot walk into an Apple store and haggle a price, though they also are seeing the light and offering to price match against the likes of JB Hi-Fi and others, adding to the market competition.
Price haggling in this way as JB and others do is a dying trend but one that falsifies Roberts own perspective on JB being higher than the US market on list price alone. The point you missed is that because the perception in some cases and reality in others and the advent of online business means a haggled price though the norm does not help with perception regardless. Consumers are more market research savvy than ever, and an item that is $400 at JB say a new tablet, might be 20% less online. For many consumers, it is not worth trying to haggle when you can buy even from the US and have an item delivered 10-15% cheaper (even though JB would might have matched it if asked). In regards, to competition Apple recently announced they would price match other retailers on their own products, making the competition even hotter, there. Finally there is the dreaded Moore’s Law impact which observes the speed the market changes due to the speed the underlying technology improves. This means with new technology coming out so fast it makes the previous items outdated faster than ever, that the level of inventory required (and a risk) and resulting impact on profits is not surprising going to take a massive hit. In the last 3 weeks alone we have seen a new Operating System for Microsoft, and Apple; a new iPhone beater for Samsung, a new office suite for Microsoft, a new tablet by Google all being released and a rumored new iPod, iPad, and iPhone (and Samsung again) in the next 3 weeks. This trend and speed to market has resulted in many of the JB Hi-Fi’s peers in the US and UK going bump and many others going online only to reduce their product overheads. Pricing is a mindset; when was the last time you walked into Coles and negotiated over a bottle of milk. This duality of looking for a better price online and not knowing for sure what the lowest price is in your own retailer is silly at best, or market suicide, and the times have changed.
I recently had a chat with an area sales rep for Canon Camera Australia, that I cornered when I found the latest camera the 7D, had an RRP of $2100 in Australia, $1700 in the US and $1200 in Hong Kong and a cost to JB for $1600 but I was able to purchase it from an importer across the street from Canon HQ in Victoria for $1300, with the full warranty supported globally by Canon (cheaper if you buy online direct) Previously some folks would not have supported the gray import warranty. Canon had a different view and does not use the ‘Gray import’ label instead opting for a ‘Parallel import’ label. Their view is simple and one that folks like JB have to be worried about. Canon’s view was that though the retailer in Australia might not like it, a market savvy consumer should not be punished for their purchase by not having their warranty supported. It was highlighted that this trend is growing and folks like JB Hi-Fi will not be the only ones impacted.
Instead of price deflation what Australia needs is honest price reality, so the lowest price is always offered. Expect to see many other stores impacted in the same way.
Loren is founder of tech-news.tv and a self-proclaimed ‘technologist evangelist’, introducing new products and services for the likes of British Telecom UK (BT) and NEC Australia Japan, including business broadband for BT in 1994, and Data Centre Service for NEC. He is a beta tester for Google, Microsoft, and Apple. His twitter followers (over 65,000) follow his views and blogs from all over the world He is contactable on twitter @mr_internet and on email at loren@loren.net.au
Loren Wiener aka mrinternet
Melbourne Australia
10 August 2012 (tomorrow for many of you)
Convenience vs. Security You Do not Have to Choose
We are all grateful for Mat Honan from Wired full story here raising to our attention the ease that we sometimes offer hackers. I was in charge of Business Internet Products and Security in a previous life for a large Telco and I wasn’t even aware of how easy some of this was, for the hacker. The daisy chain effect where accounts are linked etc. was part of the issue, and not a relatively new event (5 years or less old) the not so tight processes at Amazon and Apple (now changed thanks to Mat ) was another part also not new. But the part where it pretty much all started is the part many take for granted, and the oldest issue, that many is that of the domain name. Mad had linked (daisy chained) various accounts) in the process of identification a home address was needed, and this was freely offered by looking up Mat Honan’s address from his domain name. Public addresses, for all domain is public by default as technical, billing, and domain owner name is required. There are options for all domain names to hide this information, and you can usually just not put in address in this. If we learn nothing else here (besides doing back-ups) is hide, use a PO box, or do not offer your address on your public domain name info.
Note: I hope Mat gets back his data, and I for one would contribute to any costs in helping him do that. We need more Mats’
One reason I bought my first Android Phone the Atrix 4G was also due to my bad timing.
I had the iPhone 3G but was bored with it, was too late for an iPhone 4 (with the 5 or 4s looming), and I had an iPad2 so had my iOS fix.
I purchased the Samsung Omnia 7 WP7 phone (pre-mango) but got quickly frustrated with the lack of eco-system, and pre-mango issues.
I am a strong believer as well that if you are a truly connected soul, then the mobile operating system you have should be mirrored by the desktop or tablet OS.
Based on that, WP7 was homeless to be as it best goes with windows 8 (was not out in beta yet), but still has some syncing issues for me.
This meant choosing the Apple OS model, once the 4S was released giving me the iPhone 4S, a Mac, and iPad2, so I have followed my own model mentioned above.
I just sold my Atrix 4G (as the Atrix 2 has just been announced), but kept my Samsung 10.1 Google i/o Tablet running Android Honeycomb, and to be honest I still find Android OS Gingerbread on the phone a bit ugly, to the point of despair, and mind boggling at the lack of Apple-esque ‘updatablity’ to a new OS on Androiddevices, painful, never knowing when or if with ease a phone / tablet will get updated having to deal with the 3 way pain of carrier, google/android and hardware manufactuer.
Here in Australia we have been let down in the past by the likes of Samsung with their 1st 10.1 Tablet (the 10.1V P7110) not getting the same updates as the first USA released 10.1 the P7500 series.
The other reason I bought my 1st Android app, and what pushed me over the edge, like a moth drawn to light was the SPB Software 3D Shell. A Russian company I have been fascinated with their beautiful products for years, when they were offering apps for windows mobile phones.
Their Android offering of the SPB 3D shell, though not without its own issues (like being a bit CPU hungry), did beautify an otherwise ugly Android phone.
Enter Ice Cream Sandwich a unifying OS from Android, that will offer the same OS on the tablet as it does on the mobile phone.
This also means (as confirmed in an exclusive conversations with the SPB Software devleoper), that Android tablets running IceCream Sandwich, will also benefit enjoy running, SPB 3D Shell. SPB is currently working on their ICS version, and scaling issues to the larger size.
Loren | aka @mr_internet | Melbourne Australia
30 November 2011
I originally posted this months ago, when the Samsung 10.1 tab and Motorola Xoom had gone on sale in the USA but had not in Australia.
The Samsung Tab 10.1 has still not gone on sale yet in Australia, accept via the grey market (some ok some more risky).
With the buying season upon us, and more pertinent now than ever, so hope you enjoy.
Is An Android 10.1” Tablet on Your List ...
I had a friend ask me recently, a simple question in theory.
What type of Tablet PC to get?
I use the word ‘PC’ loosely as these currently aren’t quite replacements for the
Personal Computer for most people at least not yet. I have to admit I
have multiple Android devices as well as Apple and a Windows Home
Server / PC, so offer no bias to a brand.
Well having an iPad2 already, my thoughts were there initially with Apple, but
having just bought my first Android phone (the Atrix 4G by Motorola) to try it
out before the launch in Australia, my thought then turned to considering
that perhaps the OS of the phone might make the OS transition (if
there was one) initially easier. In my friends’ case, husband has an
Android and wife and iPhone. I quickly ruled out a Windows Tablet (don’t get me
started there).
With Apple having a single design of iPad2 (barring colour and capacity of course),
it was hard not to make a case for the iPad2 (e.g. I have one and there are
some things it does very well). Unfortunately for me
the realization that the iPad2 is really running a 5 year old
Operating System
But knowing what is out within the last 4 weeks or will be soon, in the Android
Tablet space I would be remiss had I not mentioned the Android Tablets. I go on
about this as the Android Tablet Space of 10.1″ tablets, is perhaps more
fast pace than Sebastian Vettel is around an F1 Grand Prix race track, with so
many models coming out a review is a bit confusing.
Instead of taking away from the great detail other have offered, I am looking more at a
top level view comparing more the aesthetic pros and cons of various models
compared to each other PHEW
Here are the 4 Android Tablets
Acer
A500 32GB with MicroSD Card, WiFi Only 5x2MP Camera
(10.1″)
Samsung
Galaxy Tab 10.1G (or GT or GTp7510) 32GB with No MicroSD Card , WiFi Only ,
3x2MP Camera-
Samsung
Galaxy Tab 10.1V 3G/4G / WiFi Only 16GB no MicroSD Card 8x2MP Camera
Motorola
Xoom WiFi Only with WiFi Card , 5x2MP Camera 10.1″
Apple
iPad For Size Comparison – & it is getting jealous and
nervous Part One – Does Size Matter?
When iTunes Match launched, the world celebrated. Apple offering cloud services we could all use.
Uniquely, iTunes Match, lets you use your own music library and Apple, looks at the music and if it already exists in Apples extensive cloud library, it moves none of your music but associates your music in the cloud so you can listen to it on any of you iOS devices like the iPad, Mac, iPhone, and AppleTV.
This is a better way for those that have broadband (with sometimes slow upload speeds) and especially if you have a large existing music library. Amazon and Google offer similar choices, but require you to upload all your own music. Amazon charges for storage above 5GB.
Unfortunately iTunes Match does not work outside the USA.
Actually that is not correct, it does not work unless you have a US address, & US credit card. The assumption is you must therefore live in the USA. Apple has not said why. However there are companies offering these minor details, allowing iTunes Match access for all across the globe.
It is believed Apple did not want to launch the service globally as it does not have the cloud infrastructure in place to handle the traffic this would cause if used in mass.
How it works: Once you log into to your iTunes account and register your US credit card and details, you can pay the $25 per annum to apple. iTunes uses any outstanding vouchers or credits you have before it uses your credit card. There are only 3 steps after that
As it says you can use iTunes whilst iTunes Match is doing its thing. I have just under 10,000 songs, and this takes up 53GB of space. Apple is limiting space to 25,000 songs, so I find this very generous.
That aside there are downsides, though they are few but the first one is a biggie.
1)Your Own Corrupt Music Data – It is believed many people will have corrupt data (or meta tags) associated with their music tracks. This means in the traditional garbage in and garbage out world of IT, that Apple might miss associate some of your music library with the wrong songs. This can be dangerous if you over write your master library with that from your new found cloud friends Apple. Note there are some good programs that fix the meta tags either automatically or manually (like Tag and Rename and Tune Up Companion, with the later attaching itself to iTunes so you can drag and drop your music into it to cleanse and correct meta tag issues) . So it is worth backing up your music library so it cannot be over written. If you can wait it is worth cleaning you music tracks to make sure all your meta tags are in order.
2)Music Quality- Audiophiles that enjoy the new remastered tracks of everything from the Beatles to the Who, may have ripped their music in raw or high quality that is better than the 255k that Apple is offering (that is overall better than most have with 64k and 128k tracks), but an issue none the same (it might be possible to keep the higher-definition tracks in the cloud I am still testing that now). I estimate 5% of my music is above 255k, or around 25 albums or 500 songs).
Time: This is not a quick process but I hope well worth it. I am currently over 2 hours in and will update this after it is complete. Step 1, The diagnosis phase took 1 hour, Step 2, the matching phase took an hour also matching about 3 songs a second Competition: The Google Music Service as mentioned is similar but it took 21 days to upload half my music, a daunting task indeed, but the service works very well, also globally, and on any browser (phones, tablets, pcs, or macs)
SPB 3D has landed on honeycomb (video at 3pm EST 23 Dec 2012)
Requiring a bit more power than the early Android phones, this UI is a sight to behold on a 10” tablet
This might be very special on ICS as well
One reason I bought my first Android Phone the Atrix 4G was also due to my bad timing.
I had the iPhone 3G but was bored with it, was too late for an iPhone 4 (with the 5 or 4s looming), and I had an iPad2 so had my iOS fix.
I purchased the Samsung Omnia 7 WP7 phone (pre-mango) but got quickly frustrated with the lack of eco-system, and pre-mango issues.
I am a strong believer as well that if you are a truly connected soul, then the mobile operating system you have should be mirrored by the desktop or tablet OS.
Based on that, WP7 was homeless to be as it best goes with windows 8 (was not out in beta yet), but still has some syncing issues for me.
This meant choosing the Apple OS model, once the 4S was released giving me the iPhone 4S, a Mac, and iPad2, so I have followed my own model mentioned above.
I just sold my Atrix 4G (as the Atrix 2 has just been announced), but kept my Samsung 10.1 Google i/o Tablet running Android Honeycomb, and to be honest I still find Android OS Gingerbread on the phone a bit ugly, to the point of despair, and mind boggling at the lack of Apple-esque ‘updatablity’ to a new OS on Androiddevices, painful, never knowing when or if with ease a phone / tablet will get updated having to deal with the 3 way pain of carrier, google/android and hardware manufactuer.
Here in Australia we have been let down in the past by the likes of Samsung with their 1st 10.1 Tablet (the 10.1V P7110) not getting the same updates as the first USA released 10.1 the P7500 series.
The other reason I bought my 1st Android app, and what pushed me over the edge, like a moth drawn to light was the SPB Software 3D Shell. A Russian company I have been fascinated with their beautiful products for years, when they were offering apps for windows mobile phones.
Their Android offering of the SPB 3D shell, though not without its own issues (like being a bit CPU hungry), did beautify an otherwise ugly Android phone.
Enter Ice Cream Sandwich a unifying OS from Android, that will offer the same OS on the tablet as it does on the mobile phone.
This also means (as confirmed in an exclusive conversations with the SPB Software devleoper), that Android tablets running IceCream Sandwich, will also benefit enjoy running, SPB 3D Shell. SPB is currently working on their ICS version, and scaling issues to the larger size.
Tech-News.TV (coming soon)
Melbourne Australia
by Loren Wiener (@mr_internet)
Samsung to Be Eventual Winner
Whilst Apple fights Samsung across the globe, on tablet patents, many tablet manufacturers like Motorola (Googorola) Toshiba, Acer, Asus, HP, RIM are all hoping to gain some benefit here in Australia. Samsung will likely win and Motorola lose for a few reasons.
1) Apple patent wins will at best, just delay the Samsung selling of their tablets. Remember Motorola also has injunctions against them. It is not likely a totoal coincidence that the patent wars are going on leading up to the announcemnet in the next few days of the iPhone5.
2) Samsung marketing machine, though not great is better than any of the others on the market
3) Previous versions of Samsung tablets have been sold in Australia for some time, they already have a large presence not just in tablets, but mobiles, televisions and home appliances. The product awareness offers a big association for other products like tablets as they are sold at the same retailers as well as carriers.
4) Samsung products have been offered for some time unlocked, offering more choices for consumers to choose their own carrier, this carries over to the tablets.
Motorola To Be Biggest Loser
1) Samsung network for selling tablets is much larger than others, more retailers and carriers than Motorola.
2) Other tablet suppliers have strong market associations in the marketplace / market share, Blackberry (RIM)- Mobiles, Toshiba/Asus/Acer/HP (Computers). Though the recent HP position confuses things.
3) Motorola New Relationship with Google with take time to gain momentum. Remember Google is a company that sells advertising. Google is NOT experienced in selling hardware product.
30 September is an important date currently in the patent wars, when it is believe Samsung will be allowed to sell their new tablet in Australia.
Is An Android 10.1” Tablet on Your List Before or After Tax Time
I had a friend ask me recently, a simple question in theory. What type of Tablet
PC to get?
I use the word ‘PC’ loosely as these currently aren’t quite replacements for the
Personal Computer for most people at least not yet. I have to admit I
have multiple Android devices as well as Apple and a Windows Home
Server / PC, so offer no bias to a brand.
Well having an iPad2 already, my thoughts were there initially with Apple, but
having just bought my first Android phone (the Atrix 4G by Motorola) to try it
out before the launch in Australia, my thought then turned to considering
that perhaps the OS of the phone might make the OS transition (if
there was one) initially easier. In my friends’ case, husband has an
Android and wife and iPhone. I quickly ruled out a Windows Tablet (don’t get me
started there).
With Apple having a single design of iPad2 (barring colour and capacity of course),
it was hard not to make a case for the iPad2 (e.g. I have one and there are
some things it does very well). Unfortunately for me
the realization that the iPad2 is really running a 5 year old
Operating System
But knowing what is out within the last 4 weeks or will be soon, in the Android
Tablet space I would be remiss had I not mentioned the Android Tablets. I go on
about this as the Android Tablet Space of 10.1″ tablets, is perhaps more
fast pace than Sebastian Vettel is around an F1 Grand Prix race track, with so
many models coming out a review is a bit confusing.
Instead of taking away from the great detail other have offered, I am looking more at a
top level view comparing more the aesthetic pros and cons of various models
compared to each other PHEW
Here are the 4 Android Tablets
Acer
A500 32GB with MicroSD Card, WiFi Only 5x2MP Camera
(10.1″)
Samsung
Galaxy Tab 10.1G (or GT or GTp7510) 32GB with No MicroSD Card , WiFi Only ,
3x2MP Camera-
Samsung
Galaxy Tab 10.1V 3G/4G / WiFi Only 16GB no MicroSD Card 8x2MP Camera
Motorola
Xoom WiFi Only with WiFi Card , 5x2MP Camera 10.1″
Apple
iPad For Size Comparison – & it is getting jealous and
nervous
