Article Blog #5

Article: http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/09/24/snooping.software.efootrprint/index.html

Resource: http://www.antamediabandwidth.com/control-or-spy-on-employee-internet-use/

This article is about a program created by a U.S. firm called Cataphora, which states on their website that their program “encompasses a large number of techniques for analyzing emotive tone in electronic communications” (cnn.com). The program is basically a way for companies to spy on employees to see their effectiveness while at work. It’s goal is to separate productive workers from slackers. The only problem is that some employees feel as if a big brother is watching over their every move. There are mixed opinions from employees who know that their employers use this tactic. CNN states that, “What Cataphora does is look at the patterns an individual creates and how they fit in the general patterns of communication in the office in order to discern who are the effective workers and managers.” The idea of employers spying on employees has caused a sense of distrust in the work field, and has also lead to a bit of paranoia within companies. Another argument against this program is that; how much can we really trust these computers, and that people tend to believe what their computer tells them more than they should.

I think that people’s outlook on this topic will depend on which side they are on. I can see the benefits of having it if I were the head of a company because I would want to know who is being productive and who is falling short of expectation. The computers that people use at work do not belong to them, and if I am a business owner and want to know how my supplies are being used, then by golly I will. “If you own the equipment you have a right to know what people are doing with it. If you’re responsible for employee behavior you are also entitled to know just what that behavior is” (antamediabandwidth.com). However, how can employees learn to trust employers show signals of distrust, "It is a powerful signal that you do not fully trust the people you are paying or perhaps don't invest the time and care to properly manage them” (cnn.com). Employee’s could become afraid of the extra surveillance that is being focused in the work place, and possibly lose their creativity due not being able to explore the web for idea’s. Who is a computer to judge whether or not a person is being productive. There are a number of ways a company can deal with this situation, but the best way in my opinion is to block certain websites that may have no use in helping your company. “The next stage is to block named websites…This completely avoids and privacy concerns while achieving the basic aim, which is reducing time and bandwidth on such visits or “web-surfing” (antamediabandwidth.com). This topic is a double-edged sword, and both sides have valid arguments.

Article Blog #4

Article: http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/09/18/3D.home.television/index.html

Support: http://www.ce.org/Press/CurrentNews/press_release_detail.asp?id=11686

TV makers are in the process of creating a three-dimension television that you can watch anytime you want in your own home. The article talks about how Panasonic and Sony are creating new televisions that can show two-dimension or three-dimension picture. You will of course have to wear special glasses in order for the 3-D to take effect, but the experience is very realistic. Switching to this new technology is not easy as one may think. It requires a new television, broadcasting content and 3-D glasses specifically for the television. The price for this bad boy has not released, but is expected to be just a little bit higher than some high-definition televisions on the market now. The idea behind this wonder can be complicated, “Two images, one for the right eye and one for the left eye, alternate quickly on the TV. Shutters on the 3-D glasses swap the viewer's vision from right eye to left eye at the same rate: 120 hertz, or 240 hertz for the images together” (cnn.com). It is unclear how society will feel about this transition, or whether or not it will be a hit. CNN reports that 3-D broadcast would require twice the data of regular HDTVs, and gobble up an unworkable amount of television bandwidth. You will see 3DTV in stores by 2010

I think the idea of 3DTV is interesting, and I myself would love to purchase one after they derail all the kinks. I could not even imagine having one of these TVs in my house and experiencing the realistic images coming out of the screen. I can see why people may be opposed to it because who really wants to wear 3-D glasses every time they want to watch 3-D TV. In addition, what would people watch other than sports? It would not make sense to try to watch your eleven o’clock news in 3-D (although it would be cool). This can be hard for some to soak in, but it is bound to happen, “Perry (executive VP at Panasonic) compared the 3-D transition to the switch from black-and-white to color television and the shift from standard- to high-definition images” (cnn.com). I do not think that this is going to be as successful as HDTV is/was, but I do think that people will be open to it once they get used to seeing it. “The more experience people have with 3-D technology, the more interested they are in having more 3-D options, according to a new joint study from the Consumer Electronics Association” (ce.org). Technology is changing so rapidly that it is impossible for us to predict where television will be in 10-20 years, and we should welcome this change and embrace it. This is only the beginning of a new television era.

Article Blog #3

Article: http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/09/01/iphone.wireless.carriers/index.html#cnnSTCText

This article depicts AT&T’s future with its exclusive rights over Apple’s trendy iPhone, and the rumors of Apple possibly releasing the iPhone for other wireless providers. The iPhone has brought AT&T a lot of revenue, and many new customers. According to this article, “About 40 percent of AT&T's 10 million iPhone customers switched to AT&T from another carrier, the company said.” The rates for customers lost since the iPhone’s release has gone down, and left other companies trying to figure out how to gain their former customers back. Apple ended their exclusive deal with Orange, a wireless provider in France, and opened their device up to multiple carriers. By doing so, Apple saw its marketshare go upward about 40 percent. Apple has done the same thing in China, and expected to sell 3 million iPhones in China next year. The iPhone was suppose to have exclusive rights with Apple until 2012, but has recently been having a hard time keeping Apple’s interest only on them. Verizon is the front-runner in talks with Apple, and if things go as plan, Verizon could be the first to carry the iPhone on a 4g network.

The rumor of Apple possibly expanding its popular iPhone onto other wireless companies is probably one of their brightest ideas. By getting rid of their exclusive rights with AT&T, Apple will generate plenty of revenue and millions of people will definitely invest in the phone that has taken the smart phone to a completely new level. Many iPhone users have had complaints about the AT&T network, but remain to stay loyal to their handheld device. The article states that, “iPhone users regardless of whether they are satisfied with AT&T or not have been forced to stay on the network as long as they want to continue using their iPhone.” Ending its exclusive rights with AT&T will also help other wireless providers gain some revenue, and will level the playing field between the top wireless companies. There are many people using the iPhone on networks other than AT&T, though it is not supported by Apple or other wireless providers. Hackers have found ways to get around the barriers AT&T and Apple have set, and have hacks that allow anyone who wants to use an iPhone the ability to use it. Therefore, Apple should most definitely do this not only for the money, but also for its loyal customers. The iPhone faithful have made the phone what it is, so they should give back to their loyal customers.