August 29, 2009
01:01 pm | 0 recommendations | 1 comment
Most Americans remember tuning into the news this morning four years ago to find a beloved American city half immersed in water after Hurricane Katrina’s Category 3-fueled storm surge broke New Orleans fragile levees. Katrina wrought more than $80 billion in destruction, but the worst damage might have been inflicted on a beleaguered President George W. Bush, who saw many supporters turn sour as the death toll climbed (eventually settling at 1,836, with more than 700 unaccounted for). But while it has taken time, New Orleans is on the rebound. Several groups have stepped in to help rebuild, including Enterprise Community Partners, driving New Orleans’ population back up to more than three-quarters of its pre-Katrina level.
August 29
Fast History: Hurricane Katrina Makes Landfall in New Orleans, 2005
New Orleans
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August 28, 2009
10:42 am | 0 recommendations | 5 comments
Months of grumbling by consumer and trade groups and whispers of a possible FCC probe have culminated in exactly that, as the Federal Communications Commission voted yesterday to launch a broad investigation into the wireless industry. Acknowledging that the world has shifted from a "voice-centric" model to one of ubiquitous mobile Web, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said the FCC aims to speed innovation by ensuring the marketplace remains competitive. While that's good news for consumer advocates, large carriers like AT&T have reason to worry.
The probe will be divided into three wide-ranging categories: competition, innovation, and consumer access to accurate information. Under these headings, the regulatory body plans to investigate matters such as spectrum availability, business practices, networks, and applications. The commission also said it's seeking suggestions on how wireless services can solve real-world problems in areas like education, energy, and health care.
Although it's not impossible, it's highly unlikely the FCC will undertake such a large investigation and find nothing new to regulate. Several senators challenged exclusivity deals--like the one tethering Apple's iPhone to AT&T--earlier this summer, and last month the FCC questioned Apple, Google, and AT&T about Apple's barring of a Google Voice app from the App Store. An advocacy group also urged the FCC to institute neutrality rules for wireless networks and has argued against Apple's rejection of certain apps, like Google Voice or Skype's VoIP app, from the App Store.
But the inquiry isn't all about punishing "evil" corporations. The FCC hopes to find ways to optimize available spectrum and perhaps open up some more to wireless carriers. It will also look at the varying degrees of wireless network quality and availability in rural v. urban environments (the FCC is already looking into why some rural areas of the country still lack access to broadband Internet services). In the end, the FCC--a regulator whose archaic codes are more suited to the days of TV broadcast towers and analog telephone than iPhones and InterWebs--is mostly getting itself an education.
But regardless of your feelings on net neutrality or competition in the wireless space, the FCC is undertaking one initiative that is sure to be a crowd pleaser: an investigation into why wireless bills in American are so high. A recent OECD study shows that Americans own some of the most expensive wireless services in the world. That, says the FCC, needs to change. We hear that.
[via MediaPost, PCWorld]
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August 28, 2009
09:34 am | 0 recommendations | 1 comment
Ah, summertime. There's no better time of year to shutter oneself indoors and watch videos on the Web--at least that's what the latest numbers released by comScore would suggest. In July, 158 million U.S. Internet users watched a record-setting 21.4 billion online videos, a full 88% more than they watched during the same month last year. We can call the spike a trend at this point, as June saw record-breaking viewership numbers as well.
Hulu scored its best month to date, notching 457 million views of its online content, which includes offerings from NBC, Fox, Disney, and others. On average, Hulu viewers watched 12 videos, totaling an hour and 13 minutes per viewer. Google remained in the top spot, however, as viewers watched 8.9 billion videos, or 42% of all videos watched, via the search giant. Viacom digital came in second with 812.3 million views, with Microsoft's properties ranking a strong third delivering 630.6 million views.
So who was watching all these hours of video? Apparently, 81% of the American Web audience was. The average viewer watched 500 minutes of total video, or 8.3 hours, in July, with each video averaging 3.7 minutes. That's an average of 135 videos per viewer.
[via Multichannel News]
[Hourglass Cartoon Courtesy HikingArtist.com; Blue Sky Background Courtesy Digital Cat / CC BY 2.0]
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August 28, 2009
12:05 am | 0 recommendations | 8 comments
It’s been a tough first year for the bringer of hope and change. Though only in office for seven months, Obama’s been shouldering the hopes of a nation from the moment he entered the presidential race. But after passing a controversial stimulus package, the economy is still a shambles; unemployment is up, markets are cautious, and the deficit is not looking any better than before. Worse, his critics have been relentless, accusing him of race baiting, generational theft, socialism and even throwing like a girl. But you have to cut the guy some slack. He has brought hope to people the world over, even if they’re still waiting on the change. And besides, though his pitching motion may be a bit rusty, the man can drain a three pointer with the best of ‘em.
August 28
Barack Obama Accepts the Democratic Nomination for President, 2008
Denver
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August 27, 2009
11:03 am | 0 recommendations | 1 comment
So much for free trade. China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology is weighing a total ban on exports of rare earth metals, naturally occurring materials that are necessary for the production of next-gen batteries, hybrid cars, smartphones, and precision weapons technologies. Unfortunately for the rest of us, China mines 95% of the world's rare earth metals, mostly in Inner Mongolia, making the specter of an outright ban downright frightening.
The proposed ban would completely restrict any export of terbium, dysprosium, yttrium, thulium, and lutetium, while restricting other metals like neodymium, europium, cerium, and lanthanum to a combined export quota of 38,580 tons. That's not a lot for a planet full of starved economies trying to jumpstart their manufacturing sectors.
For China, of course, the move isn't about driving up prices or holding the world hostage, but about limited resources and soaring demand. China is pushing toward an energy efficient future on many fronts, and the government feels Chinese industry will need these minerals to make its next great technological and cultural leap forward.
Terbium is a key ingredient in the low-energy light bulbs China hopes to install in every light fixture nationwide in coming years. Cerium and lanthanum are critical to diesel engines and catalytic converters, and every Toyota Prius requires 25 pounds of rare earth metals. Neodymium enhances the power of industrial grade magnets and is a crucial ingredient in hard-disk drives, while europium is used in lasers. Everyday objects ranging from Blackberries to plasma TVs to cellular telephones contain small amounts of rare earth metals.
It's not all bad news though; China put several global competitors in the rare earth metals industry out of business in the early 1990s when it flooded the market with its ample reserves, driving prices into the ground. One such mine, at Mountain Pass in California, is being reopened by Molycorp Minerals. Other nations will likely follow suit, finding their own way to resources they previously purchased abroad and stimulating domestic mining exploration. But rare earth minerals are difficult to find, and even more difficult to extract. So while the proposed ban doesn't mean rare earth metals will dry up outside of China, it does signal a new turn in the global resource narrative; we may be approaching an era where even the wealthiest nations can't get their hands on certain materials at any price.
[Telegraph via Wired]
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August 27, 2009
08:58 am | 0 recommendations | 1 comment
Apps, apps everywhere, but just how big is Apple's app economy anyhow? Chances are, it's bigger than you think. According to mobile ad startup AdMob, $200 million in apps are downloaded each month, making the App Store worth about $2.4 billion per year. To place that in context, that's slightly less than the nominal gross domestic product of Somolia, and quite a bit more than the GDP of Central African Republic.
By comparison, Android is raking in about $5 million per month for a grand total of $60 million annually. One reason for the disparity between Apple's app proliferation and Android's lagging numbers stems from the fact that the iPhone represents 60% of U.S. smartphone usage.
But all the "iPhone v. Android" brouhaha has overshadowed one of the main catalysts behind the App Store's success: the iPod Touch. Android and iPhone users download an average of 10 new apps per month, whereas iPod touch owners average 18 downloads. IPod Touch owners also download twice as many free apps as Android and iPhone users, and research has shown that users of free "lite" versions of apps are more likely to pay up for the complete versions.
But the bottom line is, App Store customers are far more likely to buy at more than one app per month, creating a consistent stream of revenue rolling through the store--50% of iPhone users and 40% of iPod Touch users buy at least one app per month. A paltry 19% of Android users make that monthly commitment. That generates, on average, $5 per month from iPhone/iPod Touch users; Android users simply aren't that reliable.
[via GigaOm]
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August 27, 2009
08:58 am | 0 recommendations | Be the first to comment
Apps, apps everywhere, but just how big is Apple’s app economy anyhow? Chances are, it’s bigger than you think. According to mobile ad startup AdMob, $200 million in apps are downloaded each month, making the App Store worth about $2.4 billion per year. To place that in context, that’s slightly less than the nominal gross domestic product of Somolia, and quite a bit more than the GDP of Central African Republic.
By comparison, Android is raking in about $5 million per month for a grand total of $60 million annually. One reason for the disparity between Apple’s app proliferation and Android’s lagging numbers stems from the fact that the iPhone represents 60 percent of U.S. smartphone usage.
But all the “iPhone v. Android” brouhaha has overshadowed one of the main catalysts behind the App Store’s success: the iPod Touch. Android and iPhone users download an average of 10 new apps per month, whereas iPod touch owners average 18 downloads. IPod Touch owners also download twice as many free apps as Android and iPhone users, and research has shown that users of free “lite” versions of apps are more likely to pay up for the complete versions.
But the bottom line is, App Store customers are far more likely to buy at more than one app per month, creating a consistent stream of revenue rolling through the store. Fifty percent of iPhone users and 40% of iPod Touch users buy at least one app per month. A paltry 19% of Android users make that monthly commitment. That generates, on average, $5 per month from iPhone/iPod Touch users; Android users simply aren’t that reliable.
[via GigaOm]
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August 27, 2009
12:00 am | 0 recommendations | 1 comment
Many academic conferences are little more than venues to present research. But is anybody conducting any research on the research? The Living Knowledge Conference aims to do just that. Held at Queen’s University Belfast, Living Knowledge brings together academic researchers, civil society organizations, and policy makers so that all parties can ensure they’re on the same page, allowing for collaboration between researchers and the cobbling together of a policy agenda. This year’s conference will focus on getting students involved in community research, planning for demographic shifts, sustainable development, and climate change. Because it never hurts to have a plan.
August 27
Living Knowledge Conference
Belfast
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August 26, 2009
09:50 am | 0 recommendations | 1 comment
Many people spend more waking hours with their computers in a given day than they do with their families or friends. Ever wonder exactly how that relationship works? For the folks at INTERACT, that’s the driving question. Understanding how humans and computers interact is key to driving progress in IT departments and design labs around the globe, and this year’s theme of “research and practice” aims to ensure we’re not just talking about making better machines, but that we’re actually doing it.
August 26
INTERACT 2009: 12th IFIP Conference on Human-Computer Interaction
Uppsala, Sweden
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August 26, 2009
08:39 am | 0 recommendations | 6 comments
Nokia has already said it plans to become the world's largest entertainment network through its vast share of the mobile handset market (read our September cover story for more detail). Now it looks like the Finnish mobile device maker aims to become the world's largest mobile bank as well.
"Nokia Money" is a just-announced mobile financial service that will allow consumers to transfer money to another person or entity via their mobile phone number. That means customers will be able to use their mobile devices to pay merchants, settle utility bills, split the dinner check, settle a bet, or top-off their pre-paid SIM cards without ever stepping foot inside a bank, or even opening their wallets.
The service will be built on the back of the mobile financial service company Obopay, which already has extensive experience in moving money via mobile devices, having been in that business since 2005. Nokia also intends to integrate Nokia Money to with other payment services and banking platforms as well.
While Nokia Money offers convenience to those in the first world, Nokia sees the service bypassing traditional banking in the third world. There are 4 billion mobile phone users globally, but only 1.6 billion bank accounts. Many of the remaining 2.4 billion mobile customers don't have access to even the most rudimentary banking services. Nokia Money intends to step into that void, allowing customers to perform all the functions of a basic checking or savings account right from their mobile phones.
Whether Nokia Money harkens the true beginning of a paperless economy remains to be seen; credit card companies like Visa have tinkered with bringing debit and credit card functionality to mobile devices, only to be stymied by technological hurdles and, more importantly, privacy and security concerns. Other companies are also trying to crack the mobile transaction market. Facebook is developing a mobile payment system for its virtual currency, and individual banks are trying to make it easier for their account holders to conduct financial transactions via mobile devices. But for those without access to ATMs and bank branches on every corner, much less the infrastructure to support a credit card economy, Nokia Money has the potential to thrive. And by thrive, we mean thrive to the tune of 2.4 billion users, a market that's a bit too large to be called a niche.
Nokia plans to show off Nokia Money for the first time next Wednesday and Thursday at Nokia World in Stuttgart, and will gradually roll out in selected markets beginning in 2010.
[via Intomobile]
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