Futurelawyer

Samsung To Apple - Game On!

Prepare to get Samsunged with the longest Super Bowl ad | Android and Me.

Before Apple became "The Man", its Super Bowl Commercials were legendary shots across the IBM bow. Apple was the computer company of the rebel; the guy who innovated and fought against the corporate behemoth. Then, as Apple became successful, it locked down its systems, and used millions of marketing dollars to push its devices. It created a frenzy, and people waited in line for days to buy. But, somewhere along the line, Apple product buyers started to act like the automatons in the first big Apple commercial. And, Apple became "The Man".  Now, Samsung and Android are the rebels, fighting against the big, bad corporation. It will be interesting to see Samsung's take on the battle in the Fourth Quarter of the Super Bowl on Sunday. The 90 second commercial for the new huge Samsung Note (5.3 inches), should be interesting. These types of battles can only benefit the consumer. Samsung makes Apple better, and Apple makes Samsung better. May the best phone win.

AT&T Throttles Heavy Data Users - So Does Verizon

AT&T gives heavy data users a not-so-subtle hint to ditch the unlimited plan | Signal Strength - CNET News.

For a few months now, both AT&T and Verizon have been slowing down data speed for "heavy" users of data. Apparently, on AT&T, iPhone users who exceed 2 Gigabytes on monthly usage on the 3G unlimited plans that were grandfathered in when AT&T went to tiered pricing, are being notified that their data speeds are being throttled due to heavy use. It is a separate issue whether this is a material change in service which would permit termination of a contract, as the terms of service provide for changes. However, if this happened to me, I would certainly attempt to argue that. Verizon Wireless is doing the same thing; but, on its 3G network, it is called "data optimization". Verizon tells you, in plain English, that this is going on; but, the effect is the same. Verizon does not throttle unlimited 4G LTE users, which is another reason I moved to 4G phones. I pay extra for 10  Gigabytes of usage for my tablet ($80); but, I seldom go over 5 Gigabytes a month. I still have the unlimited plans with 4G for my phones, and never get throttled. Conclusion? Either get a 4G phone or start monitoring your usage more carefully. 

Of Course It Is - Where Else?

Google's New Data Center Is an Abandoned Paper Mill in Finland.

The announcement of Google's new data center, in a Finland abandoned paper mill, is dripping with irony. Newspapers and paper are sinking into the sea, as data increasingly is stored in data centers that, as this Gizmodo post posits, look like the lair of an evil genius in a Bond film. I suppose that, if my data is stored anywhere, I would want it to be in the most godforsaken location on the planet. However, since it is data, and since it is accessible over the Internet, and since there are some pretty intelligent hackers out there, I am still not feeling safe and fuzzy. But, knowing that the center will be cooled by the chilly waters of the Gulf of Finland, and will be physically protected by the coastal location, does help a little. It is just that I have nightmares about all of the paper pulp that will never be born. Remember the Fifties movie, "The Blob"? I predict that there will be a remake that has a big puddle of paper pulp rising up out of the sea to engulf Internet data centers. 

Twitter Censorship May Increase Its Use By NonFans - Will There Be A BackLash?

In China, Twitter Wins New Fans Over Censorship - China Real Time Report - WSJ.

When the Chinese Government praises a corporate decision, it should not be viewed as a good thing. Twitter's recent decision to announce that it now can censor tweets from individual countries was praised in a Chinese Government newspaper, and its editor-in-chief now has a Twitter account. Twitter as propaganda distributor - now there's a concept. But, since information will always find a distributor, it is not likely that heavy handed attempts by Governments to censor Twitter will succeed. In fact, it will likely create a backlash that could topple Governments. Arab Spring proved that Twitter can be a powerful force for Government reform. Will Twitter survive limitations of free speech? It should be interesting to watch.

There's No Accounting For Taste

Sprint Galaxy Nexus official Google sign-up page now live | Android Central.

Okay. It goes without saying that I hate Sprint. My bad service and billing error problems with them had me this close to filing a lawsuit. After a lot of correspondence, they finally corrected the errors; but, I was poisoned against them, and moved to Verizon Wireless, where I have been a happy camper for several years. I missed not getting in on the best new phones, which Sprint used to come out with earlier than Verizon. Verizon was notorious in the past for exhaustive testing before it would allow a new phone on its network. Now, however, I have the best smartphone on the planet, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, and Verizon had it first. But, Sprint users, I feel your pain, and Sprint has finally announced that it will have the Galaxy Nexus soon.You can sign up now, and I promise you, you won't be disappointed. Welcome to the Revolution.

It's Saturday. It Must Be Time For Monty Python

News that at least four of the original cast members of Monty Python are reuniting this summer for a new movie caused me to think, this Saturday morning, about some of my favorite sketches. I have previously shown the Dead Parrot sketch, which is my favorite, and which was co-written by Graham Chapman, who died in 1988. John Cleese mimicked the sketch in his eulogy at the memorial service, which shocked many in the audience. Today, for your viewing enjoyment, we have the "Department of Silly Walks" sketch, which defines every bureaucrat you ever met. 

Speaktoit - Your Personal Assistant

Speaktoit - Your Personal Assistant.

If you are an Android user who absolutely has to have a Siri like voice interface for your device, Speaktoit is the app to get. It is free, and works very well. I admit that it is fun to talk to an image of a pretty girl on my tablet, and have her talk back in an understandable fashion. You can speak and ask questions in natural language, and she will talk back, load appropriate web sites, and bring up maps and much more. It is more of a novelty, however, to talk to your tablet, and have it talk back. Fun, but I much prefer silent typing. Nobody can hear what I type. But, if you have to have it, this is the one to get. It is a trip to have a personal assistant who doesn't sit at a desk doing nothing, doesn't want or need a salary, and never goes home. 

Boycott Twitter? Censorship Scandal Looms

Twitter boycott looms with censorship accusations | Digital Media - CNET News.

Recalling the Google search fiasco which lit up the planet some time ago, Twitter announced yesterday that it would remove tweets on a country by country basis if asked by the host Government. Since Twitter has emerged as the only way to get news out during some recent Government protests in many countries, this has free speech advocates up in arms. Twitter has offered the lame excuse that, even though tweets may be removed in one country, they will be available in other countries. Please. Government control of the Internet is the Holy Grail of despots and tyrants. If free expression can be suppressed in one country, where will the citizens of that country go to express themselves? That said, will a boycott of Twitter have any real effect? Perhaps the best weapon against such action is disclosure, and competition. Any kids working in a garage on the successor to Twitter? In the beginning, I was wrong about the utility of Twitter to working lawyers. I discounted the benefits of a place to go to get the news and information from a lot of people I wanted to hear from. Of course, information on the Internet is a little like life itself. It wants to be free. And, it will find a way.

Google Privacy Changes -Much Ado About Very Little?

Confessions of a Google junkie (or, Privacy? What privacy?) | ZDNet. 

This is a very good article about the new centralization of Google information. According to the author, Google already has this data; the new policy will just make it easier to target ads at users. This isn't about Big Brother. Google has no interest in destroying its business by allowing evil use of the data. How long do you think the company would survive if the data actually were used for evil purposes against someone? In fact, I agree with the author that I trust Google with my data more than I trust the Government. It is a fair trade. As long as Google keeps my data away from She Who Must Be Obeyed, I will live to use their products another day. But, if they tell her what I am spending on computers and gadgets, all bets are off. 

Life Isn't Fair - Galaxy Nexus At Amazon For $100

Amazon selling Galaxy Nexus for a cool $100AndroidGuys.

It's not fair. I risk life and limb to buy every new gadget the day it becomes available, and pay top dollar for the privilege. A couple of months later, you get the benefit of my experience and advice, and you can buy it for $200 less than I spent. I fully expect all of you who take advantage of the Amazon $100 price on the Galaxy Nexus to send me some money for my pain.