Tackling Technology

Kids and Mobile Apps — Think Before You Gift

As parents throughout the region wrap up iPod Touches, smartphones and tablets for their children, let's look at the issues in general and the FTC's latest report on privacy in apps designed for children.

There are going to be a lot of Internet-enabled devices under Christmas trees and wrapped up for Hanukkah. According to Nielsen Research, the iPad is the number one item on the most-desired electronics list for kids this year. Following behind is the iPod touch, iPhone, tablet and other computers. Add in any smartphone and a lot of kids want devices that can play apps available from Apple's App store and the Google play store. While the question of whether most-wanted will be the most received is a separate discussion, we all know that many kids will soon be dowloading their favorite games as Apps on their new devices. Questions of content, payment and ground rules for both screen time and appropriate use all need to be considered. …

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Jean Westcott

3:49 pm on Thursday, December 13, 2012

And thank you Beth!   more ›

Google Gains Patents and More with Motorola Mobility Purchase

Flip Phone to RAZR to Google

Growing up, I knew Motorola for its television sets. From those dark ages, Motorola pursued mobile phones as well as cable modems and video boxes. It developed two iconic mobile phones. First the flip phone in the mid-1990s; then the RAZR. It also treated the public to several memorable commercials on both products. Who could resist the sleek, thin RAZR? Google cleared the final hurdle in its pursuit of a merger with Motorola Mobility. Trading commissions nationally and internationally were required to approve the merger, which began almost a year ago. The last country, the People’s Republic of China, approved it on May 19. By May 22, the $12.5 billion merger’s worldwide regulatory review was complete. The stated plan is for Motorola to …

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Tech Trends

Play On: Musical Chairs of Internet Radio and Apps

Technology for your music favorites

How many times have you purchased a favorite song? I can hardly count the number of purchases I’ve made of “My Generation” by the Who. The first was the vinyl album Who’s Next in the 1970s. Then there was the CD version in the 1980s, the iTunes music download in the 00s and most recently we’ve become reacquainted via Pandora, Spotify and NPR Music. Pandora “At Pandora, we have a single mission: To play only music you'll love,” reports their website. Personalized, mobile and free are their watchwords. Listen to your favorites and enlist the Music Genome Project to discover new music. Pandora scans its database and offers you songs with similarities to those you’ve liked. How does Pandora personalize its recommendations? It “learns” what you…

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Tech Trends

Technology For Monitoring Heart Health

Wireless innovations to monitor heart health are advancing rapidly.

February 14 is not the only day to think of hearts and flowers and the one you love. American Heart Month lasts all 28 days or in this Leap Year all 29 days. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in America.  Every year, nearly 800,000 have a first heart attack and almost 500,000 experience a second or additional heart attack. While telling the ones you love how much they mean to you, consider how much you mean to them.  Here are some lifestyle areas to consider to help your heart. Number 1 is check with your doctor! Exercise regularly. Walking, rowing, dancing and many more options exist. Mix them up to keep your exercise routine interesting and you …

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Sally Spangler

11:12 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012

OK - that is nice. BUT - what percentage of the population across the US follows these plans so that we do not have heart problems? At what age is it too late to embrace these plans? The biggest question - why bother? To live longer? To really take part in today's world - who is willing to hire someone,particularly a woman over 60 in work she has been doing for 30 years? Get real!   more ›

Google Changes Its Privacy Policies

Take the time to understand what Google knows about you and how they will use that information

As of March 1, you will need to agree with Google's new privacy policies in order to use their services (Gmail, Calendar, YouTube, Google+ and much more) with the exception of Google Books, Google Wallet and Google Chrome. They say it's to unify more than 70 privacy policies across their product lines and to streamline the user experience. No Opting Out In many ways, this change allows you to learn more about what Google knows about you. Consider this: Google can see the content of your emails if you use Gmail, where you like to visit if you use Google Maps, if you have enabled GPS information on your Android phone, or your precise location throughout the day. The price for such excellent services is to allow our information to be analyzed…

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Tech Trends

Are You Ready for Smart Television?

Consumer Electronics Show predicts yes

I admit it.  Despite my fondness for Renaissance sculpture, Johann Sebastian Bach’s music, and Gothic architecture, there’s an entirely different set of interests lurking. Televised football games, contests for ballroom dancing, and of course some reality shows too weird to mention snag my time and attention. I suspect I’m not alone. While the content of television shows arguably isn’t improving, the devices we use to watch them are changing.  Last week’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas highlighted new television technologies, which have become viable options for use in our homes.  Television manufacturers are on the lookout for ways to increase sales. New features could boost the number of units sold and prices. 3D technology…

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Tech Trends

Is Google+ for You?

New Year, New Social Network

Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and now Google+. Let’s be honest. Initially it is fun to find people you’ve lost contact with during the crush of daily life. One of you sends a request. The other accepts. You share “since we last spoke” and they reciprocate. Good memories. Good times. Then what? There is something powerful about social networks and the connectedness they provide. Google+ launched June 28, 2011 and six months later had an estimated user base of 62 million, according to Google+ Users Estimated at 62 Million. Google has assembled the pieces needed to be the major force in content marketing in 2012. It is poised to be a significant competitor to Facebook. Real life happens wherever you are. Google+ is available as a website and …

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Susan Larson

8:25 pm on Wednesday, January 11, 2012

I believe I know this Bob, and you've made me laugh again! Thanks for commenting.   more ›