Tech News Stop - Sharing by Wasim Akhtar

Google Ideas: joining the fight against drug cartels and other illicit networks

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Become an Antarctic explorer with panoramic imagery

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Should Microsoft save Palm?

For the record, I dont think Microsoft needs to buy anyone to be successful in the smartphone market space. I dont buy into the notion that Windows Mobile is dead or that Windows Mobile 7 will arrive too late to matter. Sure, it's taken Microsoft far too long to field a competitive product in the post-iPhone landscape--even if Windows Mobile's "uncompetitiveness" is more perception than reality. By all measures, Windows Mobile 7 will arrive later than it should have, but I respect Microsoft for taking the time to do it right versus just rushing something out to market. It's a Nintendo-esque approach, but if Microsoft nails it, it will be setting the foundation for a mobile strategy that can endure for the long haul. Fortunately for Microsoft, I'm not sure there really is such a thing as coming to market "too late" in the cell phone space. It's easy to forget how things were in the pre-iPhone picture, but in terms of time, it wasnt that long ago that the Motorola Razr was the hottest "dumb phone" around while Blackberries, and smartphones in general, were still somewhat of a niche market. And you see where Motorola is today. The turnover rate for cell phones is a lot faster than for PCs since new phones always are around the corner and consumers are stuck with their phones only for the contract period, which typically is two years. It might be different if consumers paid full price their phones, but the carrier subsidies keep the price point low enough to make upgrading your phone every couple of years a viable proposition. So, while I think Microsoft can hold its own without buying anyone, I do think we might see some consolidation in the mobile market space. There are too many proprietary players in the market: Apple's iPhone, RIM's Blackberry and Palm's Pre/Pixi. Each of these devices tie the operating system to the hardware, making them closed platforms. There definitely are merits to having a single company developing both the hardware and software, but personally, I think separating the software from the hardware is the way to go. It allows both pieces to evolve independently without the software developers worrying about how OS changes affect the hardware guys and vice-versa. Furthermore, this separation helps create a partner ecosystem, which drives standardization and portability: I don't have to buy all new applications just because I changed devices. To me, the hardware-software tie-in is the blessing and the curse of the iPhone. If you have a significant monetary investment in the App Store, you'll be hard-pressed to switch to a different smartphone platform and abandon that App Store investment. That type of lock-in is great for Apple from a competitive standpoint, but going back to the cell phone turnover rate, I'm not sure it's sustainable or realistic given how fast the technology changes. However, I think that model is fine for media devices like the iPod Touch because I don't need, or necessarily want, to buy a new one of those every two years. But then again, given the number of free and sub-$5 applications, do most iPhone users have a "significant" investment in the App Store? Regardless, when you look at the PC landscape, you see the market has generally settled on 3 platforms: Windows, Mac and Linux. And 2/3 of those arguably are niche platforms themselves. So, I just don't think the smartphone market can sustain 6 major platforms (iPhone, Blackberry, Windows Mobile, Android, WebOS, and Symbian/Maemo), 3 of which are proprietary. Obviously, the iPhone isn't going away, and I think Blackberry is too entrenched and popular to disappear anytime soon. So, of the proprietary players, that leaves Palm as the odd man out. Palm has an innovative platform with the WebOS, but in a somewhat uncharacteristic move for the company, it dropped the ball on the hardware. Think what you will of the Pre, but there are too many complaints about the hardware for it to be a definitive success. I thought the QWERTY-bar design of the Pixi was tempting, but it had worse hardware specs than the Pre and its price and positioning didn't make sense. Hardware maladies aside, Palm was very forward thinking with the WebOS. As a platform built around HTML, JavaScript and CSS, developers can create Web-based applications that potentially can run on multiple devices with little modification, reducing the need to write native apps for every smartphone platform. The need for a JavaScript runtime engine inadvertently introduced some performance issues with the Pre; however, I think better hardware would have mitigated JavaScript overhead. And given the momentum of cloud computing and the evolution of Web technologies, a Web-centric platform seems like a pretty smart bet. If Microsoft bought Palm, it immediately would improve its perception in the market by inheriting a modern platform that supports touch-friendly usage and capacitive screens. Furthermore, MS could embrace and extend WebOS development with technologies like Silverlight and .Net. And it's the Web-centric aspect of the WebOS that would make it relatively palatable to Microsoft from an acquisition standpoint. Yes, WebOS is based on Linux, but Palm is less in-your-face about the Linux underpinnings than Google is with Android or Nokia is with Symbian and Maemo. And perhaps Microsoft could port the UI stack, app runtime engine and development tools to Windows Mobile. But if MS is confident that Windows Mobile 7 will blow WebOS out of the water, than the acquisition would be predominately around talent. Perhaps WebOS developers would drive the next phase of Windows Mobile and Zune app development—kind of like an in-house SPB Software for Microsoft. Of course, an acquisition of Palm by Microsoft is unlikely to happen. Microsoft has given no indication that intends to acquire anyone and given its recent job posts, the company seems 100% behind Windows Mobile 7. But if Microsoft doesn't buy Palm, then hopefully someone else does (maybe Nokia?). Otherwise, I'm not sure Palm can continue to exist in its current form. Without a financial suitor or some sort of blockbuster device, I see Palm going the way of Sega and transforming into a ghost of its former, once glorious self: a pure software developer of premium mobile applications for Android and the iPhone. <img alt="" height="0" width="0" border="0" style="display:none" src="http://segment-pixel.invitemedia.com/pixel?code=TechBiz&partnerID=167&key=segment" /> <img alt="" height="0" width="0" border="0" style="display:none" src="http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-8bUhLiluj0fAw.gif?labels=pub.29715.rss.TechBiz.9425,cat.TechBiz.rss" /> iPhone - Windows Mobile - Apple - AppStore - Smartphone
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Is Palm still an attractive acquisition target?

So, maybe they were waiting for the quarterly report and earnings call before prognosticating, but members of the tech journalism establishment now are--formally at least--predicting what many have been saying for months: its game over for Palm. The Pre launch on AT&T--when, or if, that happens--wont matter. A European launch certainly wouldnt be a bad thing, but is irrelevant at this point. Even following Engadgets survival guide to a tee wouldnt be enough to keep Palm alive. Although the Monday-morning quarterbacking in the Engadget article was pretty spot-on, I enjoyed the authors regrettable resignation in the Ars article. Both are good reads even if the subject is a tad tired by now. We can debate how Palm ended up where it is now, but it seems that everyone at least agrees on where Palm is. While its acquisition sticker price probably is lower now than it was 6 months ago, the question is, who would buy Palm? There is a certain phenomenon or "law of the universe" where the more desperate you are, the more unattractive you are. Palms attractiveness definitely was higher 6 months ago: the WebOS was still seen as innovative, it still had a group of believers, and Palm had a second device (albeit a flawed one). Furthermore, it was thought that an existing, or perspective, smartphone player could almost instantly become relevant by acquiring Palm and the WebOS. But that was before Microsoft unveiled its Windows Phone 7 Series plans. That was before the Nexus One. Regardless of opinions on WP7 strategy, I dont think anyone still believes Microsoft needs to make an acquisition to be competitive. And while the WebOS may still be innovative, it lacks buzz, it lacks developer support and is now losing even its diehard fans. Fewer companies stand to benefit as much from a Palm acquisition now. And lets not forget that the buyer would have to deal with Palms debt, low employee morale, hardware support issues, etc. That said, who would be your pick? InformationWeek mentioned HP as a possibility given that HPs smartphone sales have declined and the company doesnt seem to have any real strategy around its smartphone business. If it really sees the market as strategic, an acquisition could put HP at the forefront. The same goes for Dell, who has a renewed interest in the cell phone market with its Android-based device. Owning a complete smartphone product would give it more control and perhaps more distinction vs. being one of several Android OEMs. And then theres Nokia, but it still seems committed to Symbian and Maemo. My dark horse pick would be Cisco. Smartphones could be considered as an extension to its telephony products and part of a strategy to move up the communications stack. Furthermore, a platform like WebOS could complement Ciscos collaboration product strategy through integration with WebEx, Telepresence and the recently-acquired Tandberg solutions. Many IT shops are loyal to the Cisco brand and would like the idea of a single, trusted vendor providing an end-to-end product portfolio for corporate voice and video communication and collaboration. So while others battle Apple in the consumer space, Cisco would be challenging RIMs corporate dominance and disrupting Apples encroachment into the enterprise. Trying to win over business users might seem like an odd strategy given the focus on the consumer. But, both RIM and Nextel started in the commercial space and then trickled down into the consumer space. The opposite is happening now because most average users are not power users. As long as they can check their email and access their calendar, the average user is more than willing to sacrifice power-user functionality in order to have the benefits of the iPhone or Android. But, the pendulum will swing the other way when a vendor releases a product that is an exponentially better business tool that professional users cant live without--much like the Blackberry was for so many years. And with its suite of enterprise productions, Cisco potentially could be that vendor. What do you think? Make your Palm predictions in the comments! <img alt="" height="0" width="0" border="0" style="display:none" src="http://segment-pixel.invitemedia.com/pixel?code=TechBiz&partnerID=167&key=segment" /> <img alt="" height="0" width="0" border="0" style="display:none" src="http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-8bUhLiluj0fAw.gif?labels=pub.29715.rss.TechBiz.9425,cat.TechBiz.rss" /> Microsoft - Apple - Nokia - Dell - Palm
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Microsoft Tag Out of Beta

Microsoft brought Tag out of beta today. I've been playing around with it for several months, and I really like it. The fact that you can use custom images makes it leaps and bounds ahead of QR-style codes. Here's the details: Due to significantly increased adoption of Microsoft Tag, we are pleased to announce the official V1 release of Microsoft Tag on May 27th, 2010. Several new features and updates have been made to the product, including improvements to the Tag Reader, a new Heat Map report, and availability of the Tag Reader in Italian, French, Spanish, Turkish and Simplified Chinese. Also, Tags basic services will now be offered free of charge. Tags ending of the "Beta" program requires an update to the Microsoft Tag Terms of Use that you initially accepted when establishing your web service account and/or completing the Microsoft Tag API application. Microsoft Tag Web Service customers will be prompted to review the new Microsoft Tag Terms Of Use when next signing into the Tag Manager to create or manage their Tags. By clicking accept at login, you agree that any new Tags created after the "Beta" program ended on May 27th, 2010, will be governed by the new Microsoft Tag Terms Of Use. At your option, Tags created during the Microsoft Tag "Beta" program can continue to be governed under the Microsoft Tag Beta Terms of Use or these new Microsoft Tag Terms of Use. You will still have access to Tags and their related reports that were created during the "Beta" program, even if you decide not to create new Tags using the new Microsoft Tag Terms of Use. Users of the Microsoft Tag API will not need to reapply for a new API key due to these updates. By your creation of Tags using the Microsoft Tag API after May 27th, 2010, you agree that your use will be governed under the new Microsoft Tag Terms of Use. Any Tags created prior to this date can continue to be governed under the Microsoft Tag API Beta Terms of Use or the new Microsoft Tag Terms of Use at your discretion. Text of the Microsoft Tag Terms of Use and Microsoft Tag Beta Terms of Use can be found here: Microsoft Tag Beta Terms of Use: http://tag.microsoft.com/tag-terms-of-use-beta.aspx Microsoft Tag API Beta Terms of Use: http://tag.microsoft.com/tag-api-beta-terms-of-use.aspx Microsoft Tag Terms of Use: http://tag.microsoft.com/tag-terms-of-use.aspx <img alt="" height="0" width="0" border="0" style="display:none" src="http://segment-pixel.invitemedia.com/pixel?code=TechBiz&partnerID=167&key=segment" /> <img alt="" height="0" width="0" border="0" style="display:none" src="http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-8bUhLiluj0fAw.gif?labels=pub.29715.rss.TechBiz.9425,cat.TechBiz.rss" /> Microsoft - Microsoft Tag - Microsoft Tag Terms Of Use - Tag Reader - Monopolies and Oligopolies
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Poor Google… Gmail can’t compete in corporate America, so we should all change our expectations?

http://www.liveside.net/main/archive/2010/08/13/microsoft-ready-to-land-big-ca-email-contract-google-cries-foul.aspx Apparently the state of California's email contract is up and Google didn't even submit a bid. Why? Because their product doesn't come close to meeting the requirements listed by the state. Google's response? Change the requirements. "In a series of written requests to the state, Google asked that 142 of the states contract requirements be changed or removed. Many of those conditions involved functions that Googles e-mail program isnt designed to perform." Wow… The arrogance is astounding. I have never once heard of a company demanding a client change their requirements so that their product will be applicable. Then, when the client doesn't do it, they do a huge PR campaign against them? This is a new low, even for Google. I've been watching them flounder as they claim high adoption in corporate America (when in reality their adoption, especially with GMail has been going down as corporations have gone back to Exchange and Notes.) I especially love that they haven't even been able to come through yet on their LAPD account and are now throwing this hissy fit. Google, I realize you are in bed with the current Federal Administration and think everyone should just bow to your whim but thankfully even California isn't going to play your game. It's called a free market Google. How about you try COMPETING instead of expecting everyone to change for you, just as Microsoft has done with Bing. Even if you hate Microsoft you have to give them props for continuing to try try again at Search until they got it right, rather than running to the government and saying "make them lower themselves to our standard." The free market is a beautiful thing, at least what's left of it. <img alt="" height="0" width="0" border="0" style="display:none" src="http://segment-pixel.invitemedia.com/pixel?code=TechBiz&partnerID=167&key=segment" /> <img alt="" height="0" width="0" border="0" style="display:none" src="http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-8bUhLiluj0fAw.gif?labels=pub.29715.rss.TechBiz.9425,cat.TechBiz.rss" /> Google - Microsoft - California - Bing - Search
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Internet Explorer 9 Beta Launch Event Tomorrow (Sep 15, 2010)

Along with a few other bloggers from around the intertubes I will be attending the IE9 launch event tomorrow in San Francisco. I wasn't chosen for my witty insight or deep technical knowledge into the inner working of IE. Nope, mine was more my general proximity to the event, since I live in the bay area. I don't mind though. To be honest it has been far too long since I have written anything here and this should be a good way for me to get back into the practice of sharing my ramblings. Not that anyones listening…. (is this thing even on? Is blogging dead? Should I only use twitter to convey things 140 characters at a time? ) Like the rest of you, the ones actually reading a tech blog, I am excited to see what Microsoft has on tap for us with IE9. I am glad to see them pushing to greater standards adoption with IE 9. The performance gains have been excellent with what little I have played with the preview. Which frankly is kind of a pain in the butt with no address bar. I am hoping they push the envelop even father in isolating internet based malware threats. Tune in tomorrow for as many incriminating photos of fellow bloggers and Microsoft personnel that I can get. Oh yeah and that IE9 Beta thing. <img alt="" height="0" width="0" border="0" style="display:none" src="http://segment-pixel.invitemedia.com/pixel?code=TechBiz&partnerID=167&key=segment" /> <img alt="" height="0" width="0" border="0" style="display:none" src="http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-8bUhLiluj0fAw.gif?labels=pub.29715.rss.TechBiz.9425,cat.TechBiz.rss" /> Microsoft - Internet Explorer - San Francisco - Address bar - Malware
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