Embedded Functionality: The SIM Option
February 28, 2011
We worked on a project a decade ago to slap content processing in firmware. The problem was snail like CPUs and memory bandwidth. These problems are close to getting solved well enough to open a new era in search and content processing.
The article
Embedded SIM Technology “MWC: Embedded SIMs key to Machine-to-machine communications. is a harbinger. We think this development may exert some influence certain types of search deployments.
SIM cards, or subscriber identity module cards, have become integral to mobile security. Now, the Mobile World Congress (MWC) is pushing standards for embedded SIM technology. Says the organization’s Rob Conway,
To drive the rise of connecting “things” the embedded SIM is vital, so that’s why the GSMA announced the embedded SIM initiative[ ] in November and published requirements for standards around the technology. This will help ensure that the SIMs cannot be easily removed, which helps operators provision over-the-air updates up to the point of sale and beyond. This will bring mobile broadband to all sorts of devices, like cars and smart meters.
The MWC helps ensure that the embedded SIM security will remain consistent with that of SIM cards. They also predict that mobile payments will soon eclipse other payment methods, adding another powerful reason to get mobile security right.
The standard requirements will be submitted to the European Telecommunications Standards Institute at the end of this month. This is certainly a trend worth watching. We are pondering the implications for mobile search.
Cynthia Murrell February 28, 2011
Google, Turkeys, and Eagles
February 20, 2011
We have to revisit this turkey eagle metaphor.
“Google’s vice president of engineering Vic Gundotra has attacked both Nokia and Microsoft with a bird analogy: ‘two turkeys do not make an eagle.’”
Google attacks Nokia and Microsoft with bird analogy via Twitter just days before the official announcement on February 11, 2011, that Microsoft and Nokia will join forces, adopting Windows Phone 7 as the primary platform for Nokia’s line of high-end smartphones. Nokia has infamously lagged behind other phone manufacturers in the smartphone race.
The truth is that Apple’s iPhone sets the pace with their integrated package – phone and OS. Google’s Android platform comes on a variety of smartphones and providers, allowing it to seize a sizeable share of the market. Meanwhile, Microsoft is once again late to the party, hoping the partnership with an ailing Nokia will make them a player in the market. Unless Microsoft shakes things up, this could be the Zune all over again.
What’s the next metaphor? What’s the next revolution?
Emily Aldridge, February 20, 2011
Freebie
Not Search, But Mighty Useful
February 12, 2011
The article “50 Free iPad Apps for Business Users” at Datamation provides a helpful service. The authors have combed through the apps at the iTunes Store and compiled a list of free apps they feel are worthy of your attention:
Whoever claimed that business software costs a bundle never heard of the free iPad app.
Indeed, the iPad is showing that you don’t need a speedy notebook full of programs to run your company on the go; all you need is a tablet with free iPad apps.”
The offerings are organized by category: productivity, utilities, remote access, and knowledge.
It does look like there are some decent entries here- do check it out. Unfortunately, though, there is not a robust search app in the lot. (Job-hunting tools don’t count.) Search just doesn’t command respect in the free iPad app world. Sigh.
Cynthia Murrell February 12, 2011
Freebie
Online Outfits as Political Power Houses
February 9, 2011
We noted “Google Launches Phone Tweeting Service as Last Egyptian ISP Goes Down.”
The headline that Egypt turned off the Internet has made the global rounds and scared the entire developed world. If you do your research, you’ll find that in the US it will be extremely difficult to shut down the web, especially if Google is your ally. Noor Group, the last surviving Egyptian ISP, was shut down and totally blacked out the web. Maximum PC has the story, “Google Launches Phone Tweeting Service as Last Egyptian ISP Goes Down.”
“Over the weekend, engineers from Google, Twitter and SayNow — a company the internet giant bought just last week — extended a lifeline to the restive Arab country by coming up with the “idea of a speak-to-tweet service—the ability for anyone to tweet using just a voice connection.”
Google and Twitter to the rescue folks! Who would have thought these Internet companies would provide a voice in a time of crisis. While I applaud their efforts, I’m curious where Facebook, Amazon, and Apple are. Why aren’t these online outfits involving themselves in the political affairs of countries half a world away? What happened to search and content processing as an objective activity? Maybe search and content processing are no longer objective? Quite a shift for some, not much of a change for other organizations, however.
Whitney Grace, February 9, 2011
Freebie
Is Google Ignoring an Apple Method?
February 7, 2011
Love it or hate it, the Apple iPhone set the yardstick against which smartphones are measured. Microsoft has not slipstreamed fixes to its Windows 7 Phone. Now Google seems to be following the Microsoft path, not the Apple four lane superhighway.
Secure Computing Magazine reports that “Google Fails to Fix Android Flaw” in the newest 2.3 version. Google was aware of the flaw in Android 2.2 last year and promised to fix the defect. When 2.3 was churned out, hackers went to work and easily cracked the patch. Android’s flaw is as follows:
“If a user is tricked into visiting a malicious site, the flaw could let hackers view any files stored on the SDcard, as well as view a list of apps and upload them to a remote server.”
Disabling JavaScript support and/or using a third party browser can avoid the hacking problem. Google has again promised to fix its popular mobile OS in the next version and are already working on a solution, but we’ll see how that goes.
What may be important is that Google has not gotten its chickens in the coop. Another indication of the similarity in management approaches and customer focus between Microsoft and Google? And search? Maybe taking a back seat? Just a thought.
Whitney Grace, February 7, 2011
Freebie
Expert System and Esri Tie Up
February 7, 2011
On their site’s news page, Expert System Announces Its Partnership with Esri Italia. The partnership combines semantic technology with geospatial analysis to effectively support richer, improved decision making.
Expert System, a leader in semantic software, and Esri, at the forefront of worldwide geospatial intelligence, should make for a good team:
“The integration of Esri geo-analysis technology and Expert System’s knowledge management and text mining solutions renders geographic search and analysis activities more efficient. As a result, search results discovered through semantic analysis can be visualized in geographic maps derived from the geo-analysis, providing analysts with a deeper level of detail.”
Read more about Expert System here. If you can read Italian, learn about Esri Italia here.
Cynthia Murrell February 7, 2011
Data Deluge Extends to Wireless. No Kidding?
February 6, 2011
CNET News brought to our attention that, “Cisco Sees 26-fold Wireless Data Increase in 5 Years.” Not much of a surprise, but we enjoy prognostications from companies that sell gear to manage high volumes of digital traffic. Wireless carriers are already gaining more capacity with radio and back-haul networks. The big increase is due to mobile data traffic, especially iPhones and Android phones. Users and commercial enterprises are working like beavers to shift from tethered access to the 21st century’s equivalent of a digital Woodstock. The write up suggested:
“This is why the Federal Communications Commission is working to get an additional 500MHz of wireless on the market in the next decade with a plan for 300MHz spectrum to be freed up in the next five years. But adding more spectrum takes time and it will not be enough to solve the capacity crunch that wireless operators will likely face in the next few years.”
Networks will need to learn how to operate more efficiently. Business models, such as unlimited data plans, will probably disappear. Another problem will be tablet PCs, because they need more capacity than a phone. Cisco is now prognosticating with the best of the mid tier consulting firms. One hopes the methodology is better than “let’s guess.”
Whitney Grace, February 6, 2011
Freebie
Metadata for the iPad and Its Rich Media
February 5, 2011
If you’re a photographer and an iPad owner, you have no doubt realized that the pre-loaded Photos app leaves much to be desired. See “Expo Notes: Sort Shots iPad App Adds Metadata Features” at Macworld for the solution.
There’s no reason not to use metadata these days to tag and organize your images. Sort Shots, at $5, is an affordable way to do so on your iPad. The article gives details:
“The app now has the ability to use existing metadata and EXIF tags—a feature iPad-owning photographers have long been clamoring for. This update makes it possible to find, order, and show photos and videos according to various metadata such as keywords, date taken, and rating. The sorting tools make it easy to assemble custom slideshows. New ratings, keywords, or file names that are added within the app are kept intact upon export. “
You can use Sort Shots to save custom sorts. You can also sort images by dragging and dropping thumbnails. The app is compatible with Lightroom, Bridge, Capture NX, Aperture, and iPhoto. Can better search be coming? We hope so.
Cynthia Murrell February 5, 2011
Mudoch Daily for the iPad
February 4, 2011
Up front: Haven’t seen it. Don’t care. Write up called “The Daily: Five Things You Need to Know” had a quote to note. Here she be:
It cost $30 million and 100 journalists to produce it, and another $500,000 a week to keep it going. Given the parlous state of the world’s finances, we sincerely hope this is money well spent.
At $2 million a month, that is going to require more subscribers than the entire population of Harrod’s Creek.
Stephen E Arnold, February 4, 2011
Question the Cloud, Question the Experts
January 31, 2011
InfoWorld’s Bill Snyder’s “Beware the Fool’s Gold in the Heated Mobile and Cloud Predictions.” is an in depth analysis of Gartner’s rosy predictions. Finally, a real news publications questions azure chip consultants’ estimates. Let’s hope the critical thinking continues. If you are not familiar with the lingo of Beyond Search, “azure chip” is shorthand for low- or mid-tier consultants, consulting firms that hire retired “experts”, and unemployed journalists, English majors, and Web masters. Each of these groups position themselves as experts, and the knowledge-challenged farm yard animals gobble up the corn and kitchen scraps. Beyond Search has lots of English major and other no-good varmints as well, but, hey, we have to have some fun, don’t we?
Cloud computing and mobile apps are hot topics right now, as Gartner’s research has found. In fact, as portable tools, they go well together.
Though respectful of Gartner, Snyder warns against sinking too much time and money into transitioning to the cloud just yet, especially since analysts have observed inhibited server virtualization.
With regard to mobile applications, there is no doubt that downloads are up and will continue to rise. However, since most are free and the rest are about a dollar, revenue will only be so juicy.
Snyder summarizes the issues:
“I don’t question the trend, but I do question the rate of change. As I’ve said before, the PC era isn’t over — yet — and neither is the day of the enterprise app. We’re certainly moving away from the old paradigms and business models. You’d be blind not to see that. But it’s all too easy to see theoretical money pouring from the skies. . . . Stay skeptical — and beware fool’s gold.”
This article is full of stats to back up Snyder’s opinion. Be sure to check it out.
Cynthia Murrell January 31, 2011
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