Posts By: Lisa Pazzano

If Your Smartwatch is Distracting You Behind the Wheel You Could be Charged: Police

Posted by & filed under Apple, Hardware, industry analysis, national culture, smartphones, social impacts, telecomunications, texting, user habits.

Description: Smartwatches may not fall under Ontario’s distracted driving laws, but the wearable devices can still get you in trouble on the road, according to police. Source: Global News Date: June 8, 2015 More and more people are investing in smartwatches, thanks to high profile releases like the Apple Watch; but consumer adoption of the devices is raising questions… Read more »

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 »

Study Shows Alarming Rise in Smartphone-related Injuries

Posted by & filed under addiction, health, industry analysis, national culture, smartphones, telecomunications, texting.

Description:With smartphone use on the rise, medical professionals say they are seeing more injuries related to the devices. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: Sept 8th, 2015 Questions for discussion: 1. Have you noticed any pain or issues with your health that may be related to smartphone use? 2. Other than the issues brought up in this news… Read more »

Mark Zuckerberg: Facebook Working on a ‘Dislike’ Button

Posted by & filed under FaceBook, industry analysis, media, Sentiment Analysis, social impacts, Social Media.

Description: Facebook is finally going to do it — it’s finally going to make a “Dislike” button. Source: CNN Money Date: Sept 15th, 2015 The format of the button is still unclear, but the company has been working on the concept for a while and expects to roll it out soon. Read More Questions for discussion: 1.  What is… Read more »

HandUp, A Startup Combatting Homelessness, Is Setting An Example For The Tech Industry

Posted by & filed under education, Entrepreneurship, ethics, healthcare, Human Resources, industry analysis, national culture, Sentiment Analysis.

Description: HandUp is raising awareness to homelessness; donating gift cards and hosting outreach programs. Source: Tech Crunch Date: Sept 13, 2015 On the heels of launching donation gift cards for the homeless, HandUp hosted a community outreach day this past Friday in San Francisco to continue to bring awareness to homelessness, as well as give people… Read more »

McDonald’s, Shazam Collab to Launch ‘Bean Scenes’ at Toronto International Film Festival

Posted by & filed under Advertisement, app, branding, marketing, media, Shazam, smartphones, social tv, streaming video.

Description:McDonald’s is partnering with Shazam to launch a unique initiative at the the Toronto International Film Festival. Source: Tech Vibes Date: Sept 11th, 2015 It’s TIFF’s 40th year and McDonald’s fourth year as the “official coffee” of the event. The quick-service behemoth is using Shazam, the music-identifying app, as part of its promotion. Read More Questions for… 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 »

Apple Pencil is a Stylus for Your iPad

Posted by & filed under Apple, Biometrics, Hardware, iPad.

Description: Introducing the new Apple Pencil. Source: CNET Date: Sept 9, 2015 This new pressure-sensitive stylus is battery-powered and can create different strokes. Questions for discussion: 1. Would you purchase this Apple pencil for $99? 2. In which type of industries might this tool be useful?

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 »