One Big Sign the Apple Self-driving Car is Closer Than We Thought

Posted by & filed under Apple, Artificial intelligence, business models, industry analysis, Tim Cook.

Description: Apple may just now be ready to go public with its self-driving car plans. Source: Tech Insider Date: Sept 18, 2015   Apple may finally be ready to talk about its self-driving car project. The tech giant met with officials from California’s Department of Motor Vehicles last month to discuss the state’s regulations for autonomous vehicles, the… Read more »

700 mph in a Tube: The Hyperloop Experience

Posted by & filed under business models, Competitive advantage, disruptive technology, industry analysis, market intelligence, national culture, social impacts, System development.

Description: This alternative travel concept could change our lives in a major way. Source: CNN Money Date: Sept 11, 2015 It’s Elon Musk’s idea, but Hyperloop Transportation Technologies is trying to make this “pipe dream” a reality. Questions for discussion: 1.  Do you feel that a technology like this is something that can be woven into mainstream society? 2…. Read more »

Why Apple Would Want to Take on Netflix

Posted by & filed under Apple, branding, business models, Competitive advantage, industry analysis, Netflix, revenue model, social tv, streaming video.

Description:Producing original movies or TV series fits with the company’s business model, analyst says. Source: CBC News Date: Sept 7th, 2015 A never-ending media industry rumour has resurfaced: According to a report in Hollywood trade publication Variety, later confirmed by other news outlets, Apple is exploring options to produce original online programming, the goal being to… Read more »

Facebook’s WhatsApp Hits 900 Million Active Monthly Users

Posted by & filed under app, business models, industry analysis, media, national culture, smartphones, social impacts, telecomunications.

Description: Google is setting itself up to own the entire mobile experience, with the launch of its new wireless carrier Project Fi. Source: CNET Date: Sept 3, 2015 Messaging app WhatsApp keeps growing more popular with users each month. The Facebook-owned app, which is used by people around the world to send texts without paying carrier fees,… Read more »

Don’t Expect Google’s New Wireless Service to Come to Canada

Posted by & filed under bandwidth, Business Intelligence, business models, Google, Internet, ISPs, WI-Fi, wireless networks.

Description: Google is setting itself up to own the entire mobile experience, with the launch of its new wireless carrier Project Fi. Source: TechVibes Date: April 23, 2015 Google says it’s launching a new cellular service in the United States. The increasingly diversified internet giant has been making moves into the wireless space for some time. Those… Read more »

YouTube Launches Kids’ App in America

Posted by & filed under app, branding, Business Intelligence, business models, Digital Policy, Ecommerce, ethics, national culture, online advertising, streaming video, YouTube.

Description: It’s one of the most popular websites in the world, now YouTube has launched an app in America that’s aimed directly at kids. Source: BBC Date: February 23, 2015 The company say it’s safer than their main website, with more controls that parents can use. YouTube makes money from adverts that pop up on the videos you watch. But… Read more »

Budget PC Targets Developing World With Own OS

Posted by & filed under Business Intelligence, business models, Competitive advantage, digital divide, Hardware, industry analysis, national culture, online education, operating system.

Description: Although Silicon Valley’s focus may be mobile-driven. Start-up “Endless” is taking a different approach with hopes to appeal to the underdeveloped countries of the world. Source: BBC News Date: April 16, 2015 San Francisco start-up Endless is on course to reach its $100,000 crowdfunding target for its budget desktop PC. The $169 “Endless PC” uses mains power, plugs into… Read more »

With Quickie, Make A Quick 5-Second Video Call With Your Friends

Posted by & filed under app, Apple, business models, media, smartphones, telecomunications, video.

Description: Quickie, A new iOS video chatting app, is hoping to rival FaceTime. Source: Tech Crunch Date: April 17, 2015 Meet Quickie, a nifty little iOS app to make 1-on-1 video calls that automatically end after a few seconds. You might use Quickie to tell a joke to a friend or say good morning to your partner for example…. Read more »

Wearable Tech for Babies: Smart Onesie

Posted by & filed under app, Biometrics, business models, Functional Information Systems, Hardware, health, smartphones.

Description: Mimo is a onesie with a built-in monitor that collects real time data about baby’s breathing, temperature, sleep, body position and sends it to a smartphone. Source: CNN Money Date: April 17, 2015   Questions for discussion: 1. Do you feel that Mimo is an extravagant accessory or a useful tool? 2. Do you feel like technology… Read more »

Google Announces Budget-Priced Chromebits and Chromebooks

Posted by & filed under Business Intelligence, business models, Cloud Computing, education, Functional Information Systems, Google, Hardware, System development, technology-centric classroom.

Description: Google has announced new Chrome-powered computers, which are set to target budget-conscious consumers and schools. Source: BBC News Date: April 1, 2015 The range includes a new type of device called the Chromebit, which looks like an oversized memory stick, and turns monitors and TVs into computers when plugged into their HDMI ports. The tech firm also… Read more »