Archive for the ‘Future Innovations’ Category.

Back-End Infrastructure

xboxliveflunks.jpgMany companies have under estimated the volume of network traffic even with the most high-tech firms succumbing to the problem. Microsoft�s Xbox Live service bogged down leaving some clients to file lawsuits for services that were not provided as promised. In attempts to initiate damage control, the company has announced that subscribers are to get a free game which is also being fast-tracked to cool down hot-headed clients but the damage has been done and many are pissed at how they handled the situation.

This is a common problem with web-based applications for unlike local services and products, the resources that are being used are not dedicated leaving a whole lot of the information necessary for the system to work to web servers and other providers who might not be on the same bandwagon. The web-based games network failed miserably as too many users logged in and joined online games taking up too much bandwidth resulting in r\frequent dropping from the network play system and other issues associated with network resources. This is one of the unknowns of the internet for as we all know, technology has to stop somewhere for too much ends up in wasted resources and too little, well see for yourself the many complaints Microsoft has gotten from their Xbox Live problems which continues to this day. The holidays has the highest demand levels in terms of network resources as these multi-million dollar companies vie for more and more of the on-line gaming market they forget to take a step back and look at their support and other hardware infrastructures to anticipate and prepare for unseens.

Apple iPhone 2.0

iphone2.jpgApple Inc., has announced last March 06, 2008 that a beta edition of their upcoming iPhone software is under beta testing and will be available for download soon to all subscribers of the sleek iPhone. The iPhone and Touch, already has thousands of native applications that used to be limited to Windows CE users. The new touch and iPhones have the ability to interface with previously inaccessible systems like Microsoft’s Active Sync. Third party developers are injecting tons of applications that has the iPhone and Touch turn into totally different machines with tons of applications and widgets that can be used on them. The upcoming upgrade to the iPhones software also includes the SDK which would allow users to create custom API’s and upload them to their iPhones. The Apple Touch and iPhone have revolutionized the way we use technology and has indeed made life a little easier for many in the business arena.

Nano-Copper Wires

nano.jpgWhat they are can be summed up in a few words, teeny tiny copper wires only atoms thick that may be used for Field-Emission Display’s which would not only revolutionize the digital display arena but will allow a more efficient form of display in terms of ultra thin Field Effect Displays. The material can be grown almost anywhere, silicon, glass, plastic and metal which means they are ideal for use on thinner displays. The material has been proposed as a way to fire electrons at phosphors such as the function of the electron gun in today’s CRT tube displays and TV’s. If they get to perfect the material, then it may signal the next step of display technology that use less electricity while giving vivid and unparalled display capabilities.

Web 2.0 Fad – Web 3.0 Crazy (Part 2)

web3din.jpgThe only problem is that businesses may not like the idea of a smart web for it would further erode the defined lines between a business network and a social web combining all the aspects of business into one big collection of knowledge that is accessible to all. The internet has truly changed the way we live and go about our business but I think this upgrade to the internet would take a lot of time, the costs are staggering for it would surely run in the billions of dollars for all the major links of the internet would have to be replaced with faster technology that allows current applications to run better and faster of course. Time will tell if the new and improved version of the Internet would become reality, with the global economy slowing, people have that at the back of their minds focusing more on where they would be getting their next meal.

Web 2.0 Fad – Web 3.0 Crazy (Part 1)

web3.jpgThe idea of upgrading the internet may seem farfetched but the advent of the social web has become partially successful once all the current security problems have been addressed. The idea of having a WEB 3.0 might seem far off, but remember the fact that there are already studies being done to upgrade the internet. We’re not talking about the programs but the system itself, all the hardware and antiquated stuff that have accumulated into the thing we all call the internet. Maybe that would bring the new and improved WEB 3.0 into more of a fact for re-designing hardware and the software that is designed to work on it may be the key to solving the security nightmare we’re currently in.

Intel’s Atom – For Internet Enabled Gadgets and Gizmo’s

pda.jpgThese gadgets already have cousins in the market but the introduction of a smaller more powerful processor loaded with better power management and consumption would allow longer battery charges. Internet enabled devices are now entering the market as the online world expands into every aspect of daily life. These devices are void of hard disk storage and sometimes even the CD-DVD combo drives which are the main power guzzlers that consume the battery’s charge fast. Eliminating them and minimizing the use of motors within the device decreases immensely the need for big batteries and support systems such as power supply and management systems. Storage comes in the form of internal flash disks which allows the computer to function and expansion slots for memory upgrades are available. Additional storage requirements can be augmented with external flash disks.

Intel Re-Invents the Microprocessor

atom.jpgIntel, the largest manufacturer has just announced the release of it’s new line of small-footprint, low-power microprocessors designed for the growing mobile computing market. Designated Atom, the said microprocessor has received pledges from most of the world’s manufacturer of mobile computers such as Mobile Internet Devices(MID’s), Internet-Focused notebooks and Desktops, they utilize the world’s smallest transistors showcasing the companies advanced technology in chip design and development. There are actually two products that will carry the Atom logo namely; The pure Intel Atom which would be for mobile internet devices and the Intel Centrino which is aimed at the internet focused notebook market which we are beginning to see coming into the market.

Heightened SEO Attacks

seo.jpgSearch engines like Google, Yahoo and the many other search engines out there have to implement measures to attacks aimed at their results during searches. Search Engine Optimization makes searches more precise but with attacks aimed at them they have to deal with overloading of their sites. Fake and dummy sites that look as if they are from legitimate sources and even have all the makings of one are given as results to a search for particular key words. Any unsuspecting person who selects one will get an unpleasant surprise in the form of code that can be anything from a spam generator to a phishing bot which sends information to a central location or address.

Online Retail

ecommerce.JPGMany stores have yet to go online and get the convenience of Pay Pal. Retailers are trying to find a new way of getting customers who have the said service to still do purchases even without a paypal account through other alternatives. Retail stores have longed to get the convenience and ease on implementing more and more payment options for their customers such as Google’s check-out now and bill me later facility. To promote these alternatives, retailers have offered discounts for those who use them and are starting to get results. The lower the cost of credit card transactions the higher the profit margin. The Lower the overhead cost for purchases the lower the price and more power to the buyer making everybody happier all at the same time.

New Age Media

Media giants that did have web pages have had to adapt a new approach towards news and information that they have in their web pages. They used to be digitized copies of boring print but they have now realized the benefits of distributed web designs that allow better exposure and advertising revenue has grown immensely as they shift to the newer approach. They have had to re-think the way they delivered the news forming alliances with some of the nest search engines who in point to them searches that have increased dramatically over the years. Their purchase of online media has allowed them to adopt more aggressive online promotion and advertising resulting in better profit margins.