Category Archives: Tech & Innovation

Google’s Strategic Move: Buys Motorola Mobility

Posted by HayzelCriollo on

Today Google buys Motorola Mobility for $12.5 billion  ($40.00 per share in cash).

Google co-founder and CEO Larry Page writes that Google has acquired Motorola not only because of its strength in Android smartphones and devices, but also for being a “market leader in the home devices and video solutions business.” He also states that .” Together, we will create amazing user experiences that supercharge the entire Android ecosystem for the benefit of consumers, partners and developers.”

Google  a search and online advertising company  has entered into the hardware market and also increased its patent portfolio by acquiring Motorola Mobility.  Increasing its patent portfolio will “enable us to better protect Android from anti-competitive threats from Microsoft, Apple and other companies”. Google now has a competitive advantage in the mobile computing market.

“Our Mobile Devices business segment will have approximately 14,600 granted patents and 6,700 pending patent applications, worldwide. Our patent portfolio includes numerous patents related to various industry standards, including 2G, 3G, 4G, H.264, MPEG-4, 802.11, open mobile alliance (OMA) and near field communications (NFC).” (http://www.motorola.com/C​onsumers/US-EN/About_Motor​ola/Technology/Approach).

Google TV has been a failure and this acquisition could be what Google needs to get back on track. Google CEO Larry Page said Motorola is a “market leader in home devices and video solutions….We’re really excited to work together with them and the industry to really accelerate innovation.” This is not a clear answer to when asked if Motorola Mobility will be used to successfully push TV. One things for sure is that Motorola Mobility will give Google TV a potential distribution strategy.

Want to know more about Google TV? “Your TV is Smarter Than You Are, Ask Google”

Keeping a close eye on the moves of Google-Motorola throughout the next 12 months. Should be interesting! :)

Purchase Decision: Mac or PC?

Posted by HayzelCriollo on

RIP Acer Netbook

Thank you for being by my side through the long restless nights that made up my MBA program for the last 2 years. Although you got a virus, were not hesitant to show me the blue screen and at times didn’t want to turn on, I am grateful for you. Your portability allowed me to carry you to the various states and countries I traveled, your slick all black appearance is classic, great price and aside from your few glitches your performance was great.

But I’m replacing you.

Should i replace my PC for a new and improved PC or invest in a MAC? For this purchase I’m considering cost, product selection, operating systems, customer service and security. So this is what i gathered:

PC

MAC
COST Wide variety of PC’s under $1,000 Priced above $1000
PRODUCT SELECTION Wide range of product selection and customization Nine basic variants
OPERATING SYSTEM Windows 7 OS X
CUSTOMER SERVICE Varies by manufacturer Apple  has a more consistent reliability and service record than any of its Windows-centric rivals
SECURITY Antivirus: $50 per year Requires no antivirus

 

Although the Mac is priced much higher than the variety of PC’s available I am persuaded by the higher quality of the Mac. It uses higher end processors, made mostly of aluminum cases instead of plastic, thinner and lighter than PC’s and long battery life.

Some might find the lack of product selection and customization a problem but I like the Mac slick, cool look. Fortunately if you get bored with the look which is always a possibility there are cases, sticker decals etc that add a whole new look to your Mac. FYI the nine options for Mac are: the basic MacBook laptop, the MacBook Pro laptop in 13″, 15″, and 17″ models, the MacBook Air ultraportable, the Mac Mini microdesktop, the iMac all-in-one desktop in 21.5″ and 27″ models, and the Mac Pro power desktop.

Customer service is a BIG deal for me. I have heard and experienced myself some frustrating customer service stories. (We’ll keep it at that-we’ve all been there) Family and friends that are  loyal mac consumers have never had a problem that could not be solved with Apple customer service. This is great!

Having been a victim of many viruses I would like to avoid them as much as possible. Viruses in the end are expensive because  if it involves a third-party you have to call Geek Squad (for example) which charge  you ($129)  just to diagnose on top of the cost of actual repair. Apple has the Genius Bar at Apple retail stores which diagnoses your laptop for free. That’s convenient. According to Harry McCracken “a Mac owner who runs no security software is vastly less likely to be the victim of a successful attack than a Windows user who’s protected up to his eyeballs.”

At this point I am leaning more towards a Mac and I will probably go with the Mac when i go to buy my new laptop in a few days.

In the end the decision of Mac or PC  depends on your budget, taste and needs. Hope this post helps you in making your purchasing decision. :)

A Day Made of Glass

Posted by HayzelCriollo on

This video was brought to my attention by one of my peers which I appreciate because it sparked my interest.

So according to its website Corning Incorporated is  the world leader in specialty glass and ceramics that creates and makes keystone components that enable high-technology systems for consumer electronics, mobile emissions control, telecommunications and life sciences.

Although the idea of having my entire house made of integrated glass panels may sound appealing to some, I prefer to keep a balance of the old and the new. :)