Posts Tagged ‘social-networking’

Windows Phone 7’s Newest Features

July 16th, 2010

Microsoft’s new mobile platform is loaded with plenty of features and capabilities. From being able to run apps and games across different platforms to integrated social networking, there is a lot to look forward to this coming September when the device finally launches.

For those who missed on key discussions during the Microsoft Worldwide Partner conference, here is a one impressive feature that was highlighted: the new Windows Phone Live service. This free service will be accessible for any WP7 user and will allow users to be able to secure their handsets.

To do this, users will need to register the device to a specific online account that will have special remote access privileges to the smart phone. This remote access can enable GPS, make the phone ring, lock it down, or in worst case scenarios, wipe out the memory.

This latest addition (reminiscent of the BlackBerry Protect; which is currently in closed beta testing) is meant to help out users who may have either misplaced their device (in order to retrieve it) or might have their device stolen (in which case, this service can be used to secure the data from being copied or accessed).

The service will also allow users to make routine backups over the air, allowing up to 25GB to be stored online. This creates an instant copy of any smart phone’s data for easy transfer to a new device should circumstances call for it.

According to reports, several new handsets will be ready for the Windows Phone 7 OS when it comes out this coming September or October. First up on the list is the LG Panther which comes with a WVGA capacitive touch screen display, a 1GHz CPU and a slide out QWERTY keyboard. The HTC Mondrian (HTC Gold) and Mozart are also expected to come out this Q4 2010.

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Your Social Mobile: The HTC Desire

July 2nd, 2010

Nowadays, more and more manufacturers seem to be bombarding their mobiles with all sorts of unique features just to be able to get a competitive advantage. Some of these said features are truly technological marvels that definitely make life a bit easier, but some are just downright excessive.

Despite all these, what still remains at the heart of an exceptional mobile (or at least what ought to remain) is still its ability to connect its users to the world. The HTC Desire definitely does more than just that as it keeps its users in touch with the rest of the world in more ways than one.

Basic Connectivity

The HTC Desire is a quad band 2G device that is compatible in the GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 networks and also functions as a dual band device (HSDPA 900 / 2100) over the 3G network. All these numbers simply mean that it is likely that the Desire will work regardless of where in the world you may be.

Top of the line GPRS, EDGE, and HSDPA data connectivity features guarantee high speed mobile internet speeds which is complemented by the Desire’s Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g WLAN capability.

Applications

The HTC Desire is also loaded with awesome applications that’ll make sure that you stay connected. One such application is the new People widget which allows you to group your contacts as you wish, giving you one-touch access to your most important contacts. There’s also the Friend Stream app which is a social networking program that provides users real-time updates from the most popular social networks such as Twitter and Facebook.

More than a Mobile

However, don’t let all these connectivity features throw you off and make you think that the HTC Desire is nothing more than a “socially-inclined” type of mobile. In fact, it has one of the most impressive spec sheets in the business and the likes of its 1 GHz processor, 3.7-inch high-res display, 5-Megapixel camera, and Android operating system, are just some of the many features and functions of this truly remarkable Smartphone.

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Zynga Releases Farmville iPhone Port

June 28th, 2010

Flash may not be available for the Apple iPhone, but the handset will still get to enjoy the addicted virtual farming game, Farmville.

This Zynga developed browser game is a famous Facebook application that has had millions of users. However, since the app uses Flash content, it cannot be played on Apple’s iPhone, an issue that over 8 million players considered to be a bad thing (after all, they wanted to tend to their farms on their mobile phones). A recent announcement from Zynga gave many users hope: a new iPhone app version of Farmville will be made and it will hook up to an existing user’s Facebook account in order to carry over the game progress.

To make the whole deal a lot sweeter, Apple and Zynga are also bringing in a few items that are exclusive available to players accessing Farmville through their iPhone devices. For the most part, the new iPhone app stays true to the original Flash based game in terms of dynamics and game mechanics. According to Zynga, they have streamlined the crop harvesting feature in order to make it easier on the touch screen interface and have changed some in game settings as well.

Virtual farming games have been around for quite some time. Japanese game developer Natsume is considered to be a pioneer in the genre with their Harvest Moon series. In fact, fans of Harvest Moon consider Farmville as a watered down version of the console title with less focus on farming and more about trading crops with online friends.

However, it is to be said that Farmville’s true charm is not with the actual game content itself, but the fact that users are able to link up to a network of friends, compare progress and feel the need and pressure to play.

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Countdown to the Holidays: More on WP7

June 22nd, 2010

Microsoft is pushing the advertisements and announcements regarding their new operating system further into the limelight. With the OS initially announced as early as February, keeping that raging fire of interest burning for almost a full year was bound to be tough, and in the credit of Microsoft’s press team, they seem to be doing well.

While it is still several months away from the holiday season (or October, as rumored to be the time when the first WP7 devices will be available), much time has passed since the Mobile World Congress and Steve Ballmer’s presentation. But until now, many people are still excited about the Windows Phone 7 mobile platform and what it will bring to the many smart phone users all over the world.

The new operating system is geared more towards casual users than enterprise clients –which are what the older Windows Mobile systems were all about. This new OS brings plenty of focus to live updates, social networking and connectivity. The device has customizable widget-like boxes called tiles which can be fitted with specific contacts or web pages and other content that allows a user to determine what is important and should be available in the front page.

Social networking is made easy as the handset allows users to update multiple social networking sites (like Facebook and Windows Live) at the same time with a single tap of the touch screen. Media such as photos and music can be uploaded to the internet by way of an instant commend menu which is available in the media library screen.

Microsoft’s search engine Bing will be accessible from anywhere in the device, allowing users to make use of the various search functions to get relevant information such as maps for address and similar data. Zune and Xbox Live will also be part of the services offered in the new OS.

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How Mobile Technology is Affecting Children

June 15th, 2010

According to some experts, children should not be exposed to computers until the age of 9 or older. It is a pretty tough suggestion, considering how nearly impossible the task would be, but this is one of the answers that was given with regards to helping curb the growing number of children with psychological and social problems brought by their dependence on computers and technology.

And while the computer is easy to keep from a child, the smart phone is a different issue. Many parents now find it difficult to not let their child have a mobile phone, and more often than not, it is a smart phone. Children tend to prefer devices that would allow them to access the same resources and networks that their peers at school have –which means that handing a child a basic GSM device will not be sufficient.

It is a double edged sword; giving a child a mobile phone could potentially make the child addicted or reliant on social networking as opposed to making real friends. Refuse to give a child a smart phone and the child will be alienated and ostracized by their friends who are all playing with their mobile handsets.

What many experts fail to realize is that despite the conundrum, there is already a working solution system, and all it takes is for people to realize that it is accessible: good parenting. Parents have long failed to incorporate new technology such as social networking and the internet as part of a person’s growth. Whether we like it or not, it is, and it should be introduced to a child properly.

Keeping children away from technology is never the answer. There is nothing bad about the internet, computers, smart phones, social networking, games and other such resources, it is up to parents to properly teach and prepare their children for the technology of today.

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Facebook Privacy: Why it Matters

June 2nd, 2010

Following on from last week’s report on the privacy changes made by facebook, we’re going to look at the key issue: why does all this matter?

One might be surprised at the amount of news all over the internet regarding Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook and the whole privacy issue. After all, there are still plenty of people out there who do not even own an account at the social networking website, and there is really no way that Facebook’s admin would be interested in those silly pictures posted on people’s private albums.

Still, the fact that there is so much coverage of the news is a testament to how much the public actually regards the presence of the social networking site. One can even say that thanks to the presence of Facebook, there has been a steady rise in the number of smart phones being used (well, Facebook and Twitter). Even mobile phone manufacturers agree that the interest of people towards social networking has pushed the demand for handheld devices that allows them access to these web features without the need to sit down in front of a computer.

Facebook alone has inspired plenty of apps and integrated features on dozens of the most expensive high-end smart phones. Even Microsoft has developed two handset dedicated to Facebook as well –the MS Kin series.

Currently, Facebook’s network is estimated to be at an astonishing 450 million users –and that number is still growing. It will not be long before it passes the 500 million mark and beyond. Facebook also supports its own app economy; game developers in Facebook stand to gain millions annually.

Human society has already seen the massive effects that the social networking site can have in our civilization. The site has been used as a tool for propaganda, promotions and more; with many global events being broadcasted, documented and even affected by the users within the social network.

Considering how much Facebook plays in the part of our world, it is only natural that there is concern for how the company handles the privacy of its millions of users.

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Facebook Changes Address Privacy Concerns

May 28th, 2010

Facebook has not exactly been known to be an advocate of privacy. Unlike Google, they are not easy to coax into providing quality care for their users. Remember that time when Mark Zuckerberg said that privacy norms are not really needed and are “just something that has evolved over time”? Well it seems that the social networking company has decided that they are worth looking into after all. More privacy conscious options are going to be implemented in the popular site and that is sure to please mobile users around the globe.

The Facebook Privacy Model is a simplified settings menu that lets the user fiddle with options for specific areas of the site that may be a cause for privacy concerns. This page will pool all the information and settings into a grid layout which is a simplified version of the current dashboard.

Mark Zuckerberg, the man behind Facebook, has cited the coverage of their revamped model:

“We’ve focused on three things: a single control for your content, more powerful controls for your basic information and an easy control to turn off all applications.”

Those who prefer the existing privacy controls can retain it for a more in depth coverage. The new model is mostly targeted at those who want a simpler and user friendly approach to privacy.

According to the official Facebook blog, the changes will be able to cover:

First and foremost, posts are now easier to show only to people whom you want to be privy to them. There are options for you to make it viewable to everyone, connections of your friends or strictly people on your friends list.

Also, there is now less information that has to be posted for the public to see. Friends as well as pages associated to your profile are now optional fields.

Lastly, you can now opt to keep your information off limits to all applications and websites.

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Facebook: You Cannot Please Everyone

May 4th, 2010

For those of you who have been out of the news loop, here is the current state of things; many people are starting to blame Facebook for the paedophiles and stalkers that use the social networking site in order to assault and harass their victims. The problem has been escalated with a recent murder of a 17 year old girl who was lured by her killer through the online networking site.

For anyone who knows better, Facebook is obviously not to blame. The real responsibility rests on the shoulders of parents who need to be able to properly educate, discipline and inform their children of the dangers and realities of the world and what can be done when encountering their problems.

But since people would rather a social networking company take the blame and responsibility of keeping children safe online (children, who are not allowed to sign up for an account unless they are under the guidance of their parents or guardians), then it has left Facebook with very little choice but to further find ways to improve their already existing help and support network.

The big call from the police and many people is that Facebook should be installing a “panic button” which would serve as a deterrent. First off, deterrents can only do so much. Buying a visible burglar alarm in your house will not prepare children for confrontation, education does.

And second, promoters of the panic button are trying to say that they understand internet and website design better than Facebook and that there is a need for the panic button. Have these people forgotten that Facebook is the most successful social networking site in the world? If Facebook says that a panic button will not work, it won’t, period.

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