Google Labs just released a snazzed up version of Google Reader, a web-based aggregator for reading Atom and RSS feeds. Appropriately named Google Reader Play, the web-app requires no initial set-up and still “adapts to your tastes.” Keep in mind, this new application does not replace Google Reader — it’s just a fun read.
Items are presented in a full-screen format, one at a time, with easy arrow buttons to move back and forth. There’s a “like” button and the option to choose categories to personalize your feed even more. Algorithms used in Google Reader for Recommended Items are also used in Reader Play to generate a custom feed. “It takes into account your past reading behavior and global signals,” according to the Reader Help section. Although Google Reader Play does not require a Google account for access, signing in will allow you to “star” items and provide better feed customization.
Only playing with Reader Play for a few minutes, it’s definitely more visually appealing than Reader, itself. The viewer presents items via slideshow (or not, you can turn this off) in “magic” mode or in their original layout. “Magic” mode gives the items more pop by filling the screen with the most eye-catching item (graphic or video — if it’s just text, it makes the text bigger, basically). Try it out for yourself and tell us what you think.
Reuters tells us that the FCC will be proposing a dedicated spectrum for free wireless Internet. Not much else has been said about the implementation of “free or very low cost wireless broadband service,” since the recommendation, under the National Broadband Plan does not release until next week.
If this happens, we won’t be the first to offer some sort of public Internet access. Apparently Finland has plans for 100mb broadband by 2015, as Harri Pursiainen, secretary at the transport and communications minister, believes “data connections are no longer entertainment but a necessity.” A slower 1mb broadband has been slated to start in July for the interim.
And the Finnish aren’t the only ones who believe Internet access is a right… BBC World Service recently conducted a study where “almost four in five people around the world believe that access to the Internet is a fundamental right.” The survey included the opinions of over 27,000 adults throughout 26 countries.
So, back home? Will it happen? I suppose only time will tell…
Effective June 30, 2010, Microsoft will be discontinuing their mid-market infrastructure solution, Windows Essential Business Server (EBS). The Windows EBS blog explains, “midsize businesses are rapidly turning to technologies such as management, virtualization and cloud computing as a means to cut costs, improve efficiency, and increase competitiveness. Those capabilities are already available through other offerings, including Windows Server 2008 R2, Microsoft System Center and the Microsoft Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS).”
This announcement does not affect any other Windows Server products — Windows Small Business Server (SBS) remains unaffected. Current EBS 2008 customers may take advantage of a limited time offer from Microsoft. From June 30, 2010 to December 31, 2010, “currently EBS 2008 customers can get the individual component software from the EBS 2008 suite for free (local taxes, shipping and handling charges may apply).” Visit http://www.microsoft.com/ebs for more information on this offer.
It’s not uncommon that airports have free wi-fi. It’s also not that uncommon that your flight has (possibly not free) wi-fi now. I’ve even frequented a commuter van pool that had wi-fi for us to continue working while traveling up and down the canyon — a way of encouraging more time to work or a nice gesture allowing you to escape work sooner (hmm… you be the judge). What’s next?
Well, according to the China Post, 1,000 taxis in Taipei will soon be offering Internet services. By March 9th, VMAX Telecom Co., one of six WiMAX licensed operators in Taiwan, will launch the service through taxis installed with WiMAX technology. “For the first time ever, taxis will be equipped with WiMAX technology to offer passengers wireless access to the Internet,” said a VMAX spokesperson. The service will be free for the initial trial period to assess whether the service will make any money long-term. As passengers use the Internet services provided during their ride, they will also be polled.
VMAX Telecom predicts the 1,000 equipped taxis will poll a minimum of 15,000 people a day. The capital city of Taipei is home to over 2.5 million people — that’s more than 10x the population of Salt Lake metro. It’s also home to a widely used bus system, train system (including the fairly new MRT) and subway system. I think it’s fair to say that Taipei is a metropolitan city where taxis are utilized fairly often. Actually, I think there was a day when I was in town and commuted in four separate taxis, all during lunch time! But, I wonder just how much the Internet can be utilized during a short car ride though…
As a massive company that relies on foreign contractors, “Apple is committed to ensuring the highest standards of social responsibility wherever our products are made.” Apparently, those foreign contractors are not as keen on Apple’s outlook regarding social responsibility.
In Apple’s 2009 audit for 102 of their supplier facilities, 17 “core” (another word for “serious”) violations were discovered. This includes three cases of underage labor where, “Apple discovered three facilities that had previously hired 15-year-old workers in countries where the minimum age for employment is 16.” In addition, the auditors also “found records of 11 workers who had been hired prior to reaching the legal age, although the workers were no longer underage or no longer in active employment” at the time of audit.
There were also eight cases of workers paying “recruitment” fees over the limits of local law and workers at 24 factories that were earning less than local minimum wage — recruitment fees were collected for the benefit and privilege of being able to work.
Oh, and what else? Well, there were 48 factories cheated their workers of overtime and 57 factories that cheated workers out of rightful sick leave and other benefits.
Beginning March 1st, Google’s tipping over the dominoes and starting the phase-out of Internet Explorer 6. March 1st begins Google’s drop for IE 6 support in regards to Google Docs and Google Sites. “As a result, you may find that from March 1 key functionality within these products — as well as new Docs and Sites features — won’t work properly in older browsers,” says Google.
March 13th begins (Google-owned) YouTube’s drop of IE6. “The latest YouTube interstitial (messaging) is part of a campaign to encourage users to update their browsers in order to enhance their overall site experience,” notes the YouTube blog. And, as forewarned, Google will also be dropping IE6 support for Gmail and other Google Apps sometime in 2010.
So, what’s a web surfer to do? I channel Beyonce when I say I’m going to “introduce you to some new things and upgrade you, I can up, can I up, let me upgrade you.” Upgrade to a more modern browser! Google Chrome, Internet Explorer 8 and Firefox are all great choices. There’s also Opera and Safari.
Yay? Nay? According to Ars Technica, IE6 held 1/5th of the browser market early this year — not too surprising since Windows XP came packaged with the product. This may be largely due to the fact that many IT departments haven’t made that upgrade decision yet. But lots of people, including a numerous web developers and designers, despise the outdated browser and some have even come together via the “Hey IT” group.
Aten Design Group, a Denver-based design company with a sense of humor, will be bidding farewell to IE6 on March 4th. The funeral services will be held at their offices.
Come mix and mingle with Denver’s top IE6 mourners. We’ll have a special time of remembrance, a round of IE6 darts, and plenty of food & drinks.
What can I say? It’s a Friday… the week has finally dragged on and there isn’t much longer until the weekend officially starts. Rather than writing on one topic, I thought I’d share the best of what was going on today, in the world of tech and software at least…
Chinese Schools Spurred Online Hacking Remember the series of cyber attacks not too long after Google first threatened to pull out of China? Although it was never proven at the time, China was highly suspected of launching those attacks. It’s recently been discovered that two schools in China may have been responsibly. According to the New York Times, “a series of online attacks on Google and dozens of other American corporations have been traced to computers at two educational institutions in China, including one with close ties to the Chinese military.”
The Bipartisan Policy Center, a nonprofit organization focused on various issues including national and homeland security, will be unleashing Cyber ShockWave on Tuesday, February 16th. Cyber ShockWave, a cyber-attack simulation, will allow the government to assess response times and improvement areas shall they ever encounter the real deal.
A group of high-ranking former White House, Cabinet and national security officials will band together to fend off this simulated cyber-attack. As the event unfolds, the participants will be advising the President and planning a strategical response. None of the participants have any advanced information regarding the simulated attacks. The event even goes as far as hiring professional scriptwriters to coach the security experts and a production company to recreate the White House situation room in the Mandarin hotel.
There is no doubt that Google’s (and other tech companies’) struggle with recent (most-likely) Chinese attacks have caused greater concern regarding our nation’s cyber-security. How do you think our nation will fair in this exercise?
Spammed Remember how the Australian Government green lighted an Internet filter not too long ago? In retaliation to the proposed filter, a group of hackers, who call themselves Anonymous, took down two government sites: the main website and the Parliament site. Ars Technica tells us “the plan was DDoS government servers first, and then followup with ‘a s***storm’ of porn-related emails, faxes, and prank cell phone calls to government officials.”
Have you been having issues with your battery and Windows 7 loaded laptop? Is your new, fully charged battery telling you to “Consider replacing your battery”? Well, you aren’t the only one. Engadget already has proof that something is wrong. And The Register posted an article just last week about the frustrations of Windows 7 users. After several months of this issue floating about, Microsoft is finally playing the same tune of their Windows 7 ads: listening to customer feedback.
“We are investigating this issue in conjunction with our hardware partners, which appears to be related to system firmware,” said a Microsoft rep. Fairly useless at this point for solving the issue, but Microsoft reassures its users that information will be provided as it becomes available.
As a massive company that relies on foreign contractors, “Apple is committed to ensuring the highest standards of social responsibility wherever our products are made.” Apparently, those foreign contractors are not as keen on Apple’s outlook regarding social responsibility.
Remember the series of cyber attacks not too long after 
Have you been having issues with your battery and Windows 7 loaded laptop? Is your new, fully charged battery telling you to “Consider replacing your battery”? Well, you aren’t the only one. Engadget already has 
