Windows 8 Touchscreen PC

Article 1
"Windows 8 Touchscreen Laptops See Slow Start"
Nov. 27, 2012
http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2012/11/27/windows-8-touchscreen-laptops-see-slow-start/


Article 2
"Touch-screen notebooks: My 2 year old makes the case for Microsoft's Windows 8"
Dec. 4, 2012
http://www.geekwire.com/2012/windows-8s-foot-door-finger-screen/

Article 3
"Windows 8 touch PC demand strong"
Dec. 4, 2012
http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-57557191-75/windows-8-touch-pc-demand-strong/

• Articles about Microsoft's Windows 8 touchscreen PC's
• Windows 8 debuted in late October of this year
• Article 1 reports that sales of the new Windows touchscreen PC were not looking good as the initial demand was slow
• Article 2 is written in favor of the touchscreen PC and describes its ease of use
• Article 3 was published a week after Article 1 and contradicts the previous observations of slow sales and a low demand for the new product
• Article 2 provides a video of the author's daughter (a digital native who's 2 years old) attempting to use capacitive sensing on a MacBook Pro
• Article 1 mentioned that the low percentage of shelf space for the Windows 8 touchscreen PC is due to their current high price
• Ironically, Article 3 points out that the other, non-touchscreen, Windows 8 PC's are not doing so well in sales
• Article 2's author predicts that the touchscreen Windows 8 PC is "destined to become pervasive"

Facebook and Zynga Revise Their Contract

Source Comparison #4

Article 1
"Facebook can make own games after amending Zynga deal"
Nov. 29, 2012
http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/technolog/facebook-can-make-own-games-after-amending-zynga-deal-1C7342306

Article 2
"Facebook and Zynga tear up their contract"
Nov. 29, 2012
http://money.cnn.com/2012/11/29/technology/social/facebook-zynga/index.html

Article 3
"Zynga shares down 6% after Facebook deal amendment"
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57556441-93/zynga-shares-down-6-percent-after-facebook-deal-amendment/

• Articles about the modifications made to the contract between Zynga and Facebook initial 5 year deal
• Article 1 describes Facebook as wanting to "level the playing field" and wants to attract other game developers as opposed to the previously favorable treatment given to Zynga 
• Articles 2 and 3 both quote Zynga's Chief Revenue Officer, Barry Cottle, as saying "our amended agreement with Facebook continues our long and successful partnership while also allowing us the flexibility to ensure the universal availability of our products and services"
• Article 3 mentions how badly the changes have affected Zynga's investors and stock
• Some of the modifications made to the agreement include Facebook no longer being prohibited to develop its own games (although it has no plans to) and Zynga launching their own gaming site independent of FB
• Article 1 notes that Zynga caused more than 15% of Facebook's total revenues
• However, article 3 points out that Facebook has contributed 80% to Zynga's revenue
• Although FB claims it is not in the business of gaming, article 2 says that it wants in on Zynga's plan to launch "real money" gambling games
• According to article 1, both companies have wanted to reduce their inter-dependence
• Article 2 states that with the amended contract, Zynga won't be obliged to use FB "as its primary non-Zynga platform"

Mind Controlled Toy Will Soon Launch

Article Review #5

Article Title
"Brain controlled helicopter takes mental concentration to new heights"

Article Author
George Webster

Article Publication Date
Nov. 27, 2012

URL
http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/23/tech/orbit-brain-controlled-helicopter/index.html?iid=article_sidebar

Article Summary
An extraordinary mind controlled toy could be available to the public before the end of this year! The company Puzzlebox plans to launch a helicopter packaged with an EEG headset, which will read the electrical brain activity along the scalp of the owner to manipulate up and down movement of the toy.

Relevance to Class
The holiday season is among us which means that everyone will want the latest new toy or gadget! The new mind controlled toy helicopter set to launch before year's end adds an interesting twist to "brain teasers" as it enables users to hone their concentration skills.

Key Quote
"... by providing powerful visual reinforcement in the shape of [his] telekinesis-powered floating sphere, users will become better able to channel their attentions in other tasks." 

You don't own your smartphone! (Article Review #4)

Article Title
"Why Your Carrier Owns Your Smartphone, Not You"

Article Author
Steven Kovach

Article Publication Date
Nov. 14, 2012

URL
http://www.businessinsider.com/carriers-are-the-customer-2012-11

Article Summary
Smartphone makers are under the thumb of wireless phone carriers, seeing the carrier that sells your data plans as the customer rather than the actual consumer buying the phones. Since carriers decide what phones to sell, phone distributors have to appeal to carriers or risk not being able to launch.

Relevance to Class
Who doesn't "own" a smartphone in this class? Seriously, they are the minority. This article presents some food for thought for smartphone users.

Key Quote
"Two different representatives from two different smartphone companies happened to tell me the exact same thing this week: 'The carrier is our customer.' "

Text Messaging Endangered (Source Comparison #3)

Article 1
"Text messaging falls for first time in U.S."
Nov. 13, 2012
http://money.cnn.com/2012/11/13/technology/mobile/text-messaging-decline/index.html

Article 2
"Apple's iMessage causes decline in U.S. text messaging, report says"
Nov. 12, 2012
http://appleinsider.com/articles/12/11/12/apples-imessage-causes-decline-in-us-text-messaging-report-says

Article 3
"Text messaging is on decline in U.S., says report"
Nov. 13, 2012
http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/technolog/text-messaging-decline-us-says-report-1C7040450#__utma=238145375.861242524.1352925605.1352925605.1352925605.1&__utmb=238145375.1.10.1352925605&__utmc=238145375&__utmx=-&__utmz=238145375.1352925605.1.1.utmcsr=google|utmccn=%28organic%29|utmcmd=organic|utmctr=%28not%20provided%29&__utmv=238145375.|8=Earned%20By=msnbc|technology%20%26%20science|wireless=1^12=Landing%20Content=Mixed=1^13=Landing%20Hostname=www.msnbc.msn.com=1^30=Visit%20Type%20to%20Content=Earned%20to%20Mixed=1&__utmk=156798328


Notes:

• Articles about the decline of text messaging according to a report released by telecommunications analyst, Chetan Sharma
• Article 2 mentions that data-based messaging has been replacing texts as the number of smartphone users increase
• Article 3 highlights Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as the new "go-to sites for messaging"
• All articles note the decline from statistics gathered from recent quarterly report
• Article 1 points out that texting is actually an expensive way to communicate as it can average to $1,250 per megabyte
• Article 2 blames Apple iMessaging, among other data-based services, as causing the decline in conventional text messaging
• Smartphones offer a variety of free text messaging services through their apps
• Article 3 says that "the data suggests that the messaging revenues in the US market might have peaked"
• Article 2 is the most succinct and comprehensive 
• Article 1 links a similar story that was written over a year ago about "The death of the text message"

Wireless Carriers Collab for Sandy Victims

Article Review #3

Article Title
"AT&T, T-Mobile share networks for those in Sandy's path"

Author
Suzanne Choney

Publication Date
October 31, 2012

URL
http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/technolog/att-t-mobile-share-networks-those-sandys-path-1C6780932#__utma=238145375.1503277159.1351828914.1351828914.1351828914.1&__utmb=238145375.1.10.1351828914&__utmc=238145375&__utmx=-&__utmz=238145375.1351828914.1.1.utmcsr=google|utmccn=(organic)|utmcmd=organic|utmctr=(not%20provided)&__utmv=238145375.|8=Earned%20By=msnbc%7Ctechnology%20%26%20science%7Cwireless=1^12=Landing%20Content=Mixed=1^13=Landing%20Hostname=www.msnbc.msn.com=1^30=Visit%20Type%20to%20Content=Earned%20to%20Mixed=1&__utmk=63663724

Article Summary
AT&T & T-Mobile have made an agreement to "enable roaming on their networks to customers of both companies in the heavily impacted areas[of Hurricane Sandy]." This arrangement will not affect customers current rate plans and will allow them to roam on the other carrier's network with a compatible device.

Relevance to Class
All of us, who so heavily depend on our cell phones during times of "normalcy," were deeply affected by mobile phone users not being much accessible during Hurricane Sandy. With the agreement reached by AT&T and T-Mobile to share their network, a lot of people can now communicate with their loved ones.

Key Quote 
"In other words, if you are an AT&T customer, and you suddenly see "T-Mobile" at the top of your phone, don't fret about extra charges-just be glad you can make calls."

Reading Assignment 1

1. What do Goto and Cotler think are some important things to identify when assessing audience capabilities? Are there examples you would add given changes in the industry since the book was published in 2005? Some important things to consider are if you will be requiring high or low bandwidth for your site.  This will make a big difference in which audience can view your site according to their browser 
2. What is scope creep? Scope creep refers to continuous changes in the project as a result of not planning or establishing clear project boundaries.
3. What software application do the authors recommend using for project management? Why do they recommend using a different application to deliver project management information to a client? The authors advise using Microsoft Project for project management but warn that it would be to complex (encrypted) for viewers who haven't created the plan.  Thus, the creator of the plan should make a modified version of the plan using platforms such as Word or Excel.
4. There's a proofreading error in the sidebar titled "Project Management Applications"—what is it? (Google may help you here.)
5. According to the authors, can usability testing be conducted using an online survey? Why or why not? Usability testing is a one on one interaction simulation by a small group of participants which offers invaluable insight for the overall development process.  Online surveys are best to determine website usability.