A new survey states that one in three teens text over one hundred times per day. Personally I find this rather funny/sad. Do people actually talk face to face anymore? Do people even talk over the phone that they are texting on? I remember when the text-revolution started and everyone first got their unlimited texting plans. It was all the rad to text during class and pass secret e-notes back and forth without the possibility of getting them intercepted by the teacher.
But really, 100 texts per day? Even when I had annoying girl friends who would get worried when I didn't respond within the first five minutes of a text I don't remember sending that many texts. That could be why she complained but that's besides the point. I still didn't receive that many texts.
The CNN writeup on this epidemic can be found here. Apparently as I read deeper into the article teens also make 5 phone calls a day. I would say this is average. But still, 100 texts per day is outrageous and I only imagine doing so with three to four girlfriends, or possibly if I became a bookie. Either way it's rather a stretch.
Showing posts with label cell phones. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cell phones. Show all posts
Apr 21, 2010
Mar 30, 2010
Electric Hack
Just what we don't need is to have any idiot with a laptop being able to hack in to the power grid. That is exactly what the security consultants InGuardians found was possible with all five varieties of smart meters.
The Smart Meters are used to create a network connection between the customer and the utility company. They have a couple different security holes that could allow a hacker in to the system. The type of communtication used by the meters appears to be the weakness. There is a whole host of the scenarios that are possible by taking advantage of these vulnerabilities.
As quoted from the article "The communications standard used by smart meters, in particular, was an area that was a cause for concern, said Joshua Wright, a senior security analyst with InGuardians. If criminals are able to tap into the network, they could potentially doctor another person's bills or even stage bigger attacks on the grid, according to the report."
InGuardians has published a number of reports based on their findings. In one report it was stated that a single criminal could have control of multiple meters at the same time. The reports also point out that these types of vulnerabilities are more common due to our upgrading the grid's infrastructure.
I have worked for a retail Choice provider in the past. The cellphones that power the smart meters are very simple, and the meter boxes were not very secure. We had major problems with people using the phone line for long distance calls all the time or just stealing the phones. So the nightmare scenario of having a terrorist attack on the power grid is very real.
The Smart Meters are used to create a network connection between the customer and the utility company. They have a couple different security holes that could allow a hacker in to the system. The type of communtication used by the meters appears to be the weakness. There is a whole host of the scenarios that are possible by taking advantage of these vulnerabilities.
As quoted from the article "The communications standard used by smart meters, in particular, was an area that was a cause for concern, said Joshua Wright, a senior security analyst with InGuardians. If criminals are able to tap into the network, they could potentially doctor another person's bills or even stage bigger attacks on the grid, according to the report."
InGuardians has published a number of reports based on their findings. In one report it was stated that a single criminal could have control of multiple meters at the same time. The reports also point out that these types of vulnerabilities are more common due to our upgrading the grid's infrastructure.
I have worked for a retail Choice provider in the past. The cellphones that power the smart meters are very simple, and the meter boxes were not very secure. We had major problems with people using the phone line for long distance calls all the time or just stealing the phones. So the nightmare scenario of having a terrorist attack on the power grid is very real.
Jan 12, 2010
Pico Projector
Wow I've beening thinking for nearly a week now on what to write about in my first class blog. I found an interesting article online about cell phones. I read in an article today that Texas Instrument, TI-DPL , is dueling over two models of a cell phone projector called pico projectors. TI sees the pico projector as there biggest DPL revenue maker. Samsung leased one of the first cell phone projectors last year . The only big draw back to Samsung's projector is the large size of the cellphone. Samsung is now on the second generations which is much thinner, cost starting at $399.
Projector phones are predicted to replace the need for laptops and equipment heavy projectors in the work place areas like, conference rooms and meeting areas. Though the equipment is not main stream yet experts believe it could become almost a standard on cellphones like digital cameras are now in the next five years. Currently, the Sydiant projectors can display up to 1024 X 600 pixels and the projector screens are as small as a penny. So there is a lot of competition in the pico projector market.
Well, I think the cell projector is a good idea. Consumers might buy into the need for a projector. The projector can be used to show friends pictures or share a video. I think it might me easier to use the cell phone projector than the standard ones because of the less equipment that is needed. I don't think it will ever completely do away with the standard projector.
Nexus One vs iPhone
I'm sure that nearly everyone has heard of the new phone released by Google called Nexus One, as lately it seems to be taking up quite a bit of space in the news. Phone technology seems to be developing at the pace that computers were in the mid 1990's. Every time you buy something, within about 6 months to a year, something faster with more capacity and more capabilities is hitting the shelves. With this fast developing technology it is hard to decide whether you should buy the new technology as it comes out or wait for the next generation to emerge. I for one have learned my lesson about getting the new technology as soon as it hits the shelves. I found this out when I purchased the iPhone.
When the iPhone was released back in June of 2007 (Wikipedia) I was quick to purchase it in July of that year, and to be honest, my life has never been the same. However, with that being said, the most important lesson that I learned from that purchase is that had I waited about 2 more months, I could have saved $200 after Apple's price reduction. That is a tough lesson to learn for a Student. While Apple was kind enough to provide early adopters with a $100 store credit, I personally would have been ok with waiting the 2 extra months and saving the full $200. With all that being said, I'm curious to see what the next couple months have in store for the Nexus One.
The Nexus One is carrying a hefty price tag with it. It currently cost $529 to buy the phone unlocked and $179 to purchase it with a T Mobile 2 year contract. (Google/NexusOne) While this is very similar to Apples original price of $499 for the iPhone, Apple actually required a 2 year contract with AT&T (a terrible service provider in my opinion) in order to get that price. Time will tell if the original price of the phone will come down, but I know from experience that I will wait at least 6 months or so before I begin to evaluate whether or not I will make the switch.
With that being said I'm also curious to get some feedback on what people think about the features of the Nexus One versus the iPhone. While both phones have similar features such as GPS, camera, etc, The iPhone has a many more applications (100,000 vs 20,000). While I'm sure that more will come to the Android OS soon but for the time being that is a large difference. So in short, please let me know your thought on both jumping on new technology vs. waiting, as well as the biggest differences between the capabilities/availability of each phone.
The MajicJack
I had no clue what to write about so I figured to find out about the latest technology I'd turn to my local newspaper. I found an interesting article about the new MajicJack. MajicJack is a little device that plugs into your computer and through your Internet, this devices lets you make international phone calls for free. The makers of this device have come out with an even better MajicJack.
The new MajicJack also plugs into your PC as well and detects a compatible cell phone when it is within 8 feet. When the user wants to dial out the MajicJack reroutes the call to go through the Internet without crediting the cell phone for airtime. This includes international calls. This device can only be used with AT&T and T-Mobile right now but the makers of MajicJack are trying to use this device with all cell phone carriers.
The MajicJack sells for $40, which is fairly low considering what you get with this product. This might not affect us American students but I could see this being a big success for international students and the men and women that are serving the US over seas. This is a great way for people to keep in touch with their loved ones without breaking the bank. MajicJack has been a success so far but with more and more students coming to the US for education and more and more of our armed forces being sent over seas, the MajicJack will be a booming invention. I predict that this company will come out with nice profits!
The new MajicJack also plugs into your PC as well and detects a compatible cell phone when it is within 8 feet. When the user wants to dial out the MajicJack reroutes the call to go through the Internet without crediting the cell phone for airtime. This includes international calls. This device can only be used with AT&T and T-Mobile right now but the makers of MajicJack are trying to use this device with all cell phone carriers.
The MajicJack sells for $40, which is fairly low considering what you get with this product. This might not affect us American students but I could see this being a big success for international students and the men and women that are serving the US over seas. This is a great way for people to keep in touch with their loved ones without breaking the bank. MajicJack has been a success so far but with more and more students coming to the US for education and more and more of our armed forces being sent over seas, the MajicJack will be a booming invention. I predict that this company will come out with nice profits!
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