For months, there have been rumors in the tech sector of a new competitor to Google Maps. That competitor is none other than Apple and at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference, the new Apple mapping service made its debut. Here are some important aspects of it:
For anyone who grew up watching Knight Rider, the idea of a talking car is nothing new. In recent years, of course, talking cars have become more of a reality than a fantasy, thanks to GPS systems that deliver turn by turn directions out loud. But, for those who still pine for a Knight Rider-style talking car, the car with an artificial personality is still several years away. TomTom, though, now has the next best thing with voice upgrades for your GPS system! Read more »
Because of how fast the technology sector adapts and changes, sometimes it is hard to remember how significant some of the overnight successes for companies truly were. After all, one year the hot product is an iPad, the next year it is an Amazon Kindle Fire, the next year, the market explodes for an entirely different product. Because the attention span of consumers is so short, you might have forgotten one of the most significant product releases in the last decade. There have been sixty million of them sold since 2004. Give up? It’s the TomTom GPS navigation system. The founder and CEO of TomTom is Harold Goddijn and he is one of the coolest businessmen around.
It is a tough thing for a company when the chief product that business creates is past its peak in the marketplace. Many companies actively attempt to keep the truth about their product’s chances of survival in the market concealed from investors in order to continue the struggle for market dominance. Not so at TomTom, the satellite navigation company. Impaired by cheaper hardware flooding the market and similar, free, software offered by Google, TomTom has experienced a few rough years. Fortunately, TomTom has Marina Wyatt.
Marina Wyatt is the Chief Financial Officer of TomTom. Wyatt was hired as CFO immediately before TomTom made its initial public offering for stock in 2005 and she has remained with the company ever since. Marina Wyatt came to TomTom with an impressive resume. As a graduate of Cambridge University and a first job as a chartered accountant, one might assume Wyatt’s education was strongly rooted in finance. Actually, her degree was in geography and it was not until she joined the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales that her interests turned to economics. Her accounting jobs led her to positions at Psion, Symbian, and finally COLT Telcom Group. As CFO of COLT Telecom Group, Wyatt gained the real-world experience she needed to be a vital hire for TomTom.
With all of the recent uproar about the Stop Online Piracy Act, which many criticized as a potentially disastrous free speech violation, the major media outlets largely ignored the news out of the Supreme Court in January. However, earlier this week, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously in The United States Vs. Jones, creating one of the first explicit privacy protections in the digital age.
In U.S. Vs. Jones, the Supreme Court heard arguments involving the use of a GPS tracking device against a suspect without a warrant. The police affixed a GPS tracking device on a suspect’s vehicle without a valid warrant (law enforcement had an expired warrant executable in a location outside the jurisdiction where the GPS device was applied to the suspect’s vehicle). On January 23, the Supreme Court ruled that applying a GPS device to an automobile without a warrant was unconstitutional.
What is most interesting about the decision is that the Supreme Court divided over the reasoning behind the ruling. Many United States citizens forget that privacy is not a Constitutionally-protected right or freedom in the United States. Nowhere in the United States Constitution is there an explicit protection for freedom of privacy. While liberal Justices since the founding of the United States have argued that privacy is an implied protection under Freedom of Speech, most conservative Justices have only used property rights violations (Fourth Amendment) to take the side of pro-privacy advocates.
The majority of the Supreme Court followed that same classic argument with U.S. Vs. Jones. What is more significant is that conservative Justice Alito wrote a concurring opinion agreeing with the ruling – that search warrants are needed to apply a GPS device to a suspect’s vehicle – but disagreeing with the reasoning. Alito and three other Justices argued that the violation to the suspect’s property was insignificant compared to the violation of the suspect’s inherent privacy rights. Alito’s concurrent opinion harkens back to a Supreme Court ruling in 1967 that judged – in a wiretapping case – that the Fourth Amendment is intended to protect individuals, not their property.
This is a significant ruling – especially with the concurring opinion – because technology has been developing much faster than the law. As a result, the Supreme Court has not ruled on privacy rights for simple actions like sending and receiving e-mail, using a smartphone to take or distribute photographs or using smartphone applications to record conversations until now. While the debate in U.S. Vs. Jones may appear to have been limited to GPS devices, the unanimous ruling by the Supreme Court is thunderous in its implications. At this critical juncture, the Supreme Court is siding with an individual’s right to live free from government scrutiny using advanced technology.
About RESCUECOM:
RESCUECOM provides computer repair and computer support, 24/7: Meeting every tech support need including data recovery, virus removal, networking, wireless services, and computer support for all brands of hardware and software. For computer support or information on products, services, or computer repair, visit https://www.rescuecom.com or call 1-800-RESCUE-PC.
For More Information, Contact:
David Milman, CEO
315-882-1100
david@rescuecom.com
The process of driving has become more difficult with the proliferation of new technologies and the distractions those technologies represent. With the rise of the cell phone, drivers suddenly had phone calls to distract them from driving safely. While the utterly ineffectual laws requiring hands free devices sought to curb that problem, legislators had no idea how fast the smartphone would take over. With the smartphone beginning to dominate the mobile phone market, drivers have even more to be distracted by. Ford Motors, however, has come up with a solution, through their SYNC system!
The Synch AppLink is a new function of the Microsoft-powered Synch platform. Synch is essentially the operating system for the computers aboard cars from Ford Motors. Just as Windows may run your PC, Synch runs the onboard computer on Ford vehicles. Synch monitors your Ford’s status and provides you – and your mechanic – with clear alerts when there is a malfunction within the car. Synch also assists you in adjusting the frills in your car, like adjusting the radio station or volume.
Now, Microsoft has enhanced the Synch system with Synch AppLink. Synch AppLink acts as a bridge between the Synch system and your smartphone. Because Windows occupies such a small market share of the smartphone OS market, it was impractical to create a system for Ford that exclusively interfaced with only Windows-driven smartphones. So, Microsoft created the Synch AppLink.
The Synch AppLink allows you to access compatible applications on your smartphone through the Synch system. After docking your smartphone with your Ford, you may give Synch voice commands. By activating the Synch AppLink, you will be able to give voice commands to activate compatible applications on your smartphone. If, for example, you subscribe to the Internet radio station Pandora through your smartphone, you would be able to command the Synch AppLink to open the Pandora app. Within seconds, you would be listening to Internet-based radio streaming from your smartphone to your Ford’s speakers all using the Synch AppLink!
The Synch AppLink is adding compatibility to new programs daily. In addition to music apps like Pandora and Stitcher, the Synch AppLink has some compatibility with Twitter. While hands free typing may not yet be available through Synch AppLink, you may now check your Twitterfeed through the Synch AppLink! Even as you drive away from home, you may remain connected to your friends!
With the Synch AppLink, hands free usage of smartphones is becoming easier and that should make everyone on the road happier!
About RESCUECOM:
RESCUECOM provides computer repair and computer support, 24/7: Meeting every tech support need including data recovery, virus removal, networking, wireless services, and computer support for all brands of hardware and software. For computer support or information on products, services, or computer repair, visit https://www.rescuecom.com or call 1-800-RESCUE-PC.
For More Information, Contact:
David Milman, CEO
315-882-1100
david@rescuecom.com
At the heart of most communication devices these days are batteries. Without realizing it, most products we use need some kind of battery to function. Smartphones, cameras, GPS devices, remote controls, laptops, music players, and computer tablets all need regular recharging. Naturally, the fact that the vast majority of our essential communication and entertainment devices can run on battery power rather than wired power source is an exciting thing. It’s also somewhat of an inconvenience, though.
With everything that needs to be regularly charged, it is easy to lose track of the varying battery lives among our electronics. How many times have you packed your camera for an event only to find the battery dead or close to dying when you need to use it? And if there’s one sound that everybody hates, it’s the annoying beep of your smartphone telling you to plug in the charger. Many people have car chargers for emergency uses or for charging on the go, but if you’re interested in a more reliable backup charging device, consider investing in a solar battery charger.
Solar power chargers are by no means a new invention. You might already be familiar with calculators that work on solar energy which use tiny solar chips to convert light energy into electrical energy. Solar battery chargers work using the same principle. Using sunlight, these chargers harvest solar power via a solar panel and charge a built-in battery. When you find yourself stranded or in need of an emergency charge, simply hook up your phone or camera to one of these solar chargers and off you go.
One particularly good model is the ultra-slim The XTG-SOL1500 Solar Portable Battery and Charger. The charger, which is just a little larger in size than an iPhone, has a solar panel that cover the majority of its upper side. The model includes a USB output that you can use to charge a variety of electronic devices like smartphones or cameras.
To charge the unit itself, simply place it in sunlight. Do so charges it up to 60%, according to its manufacturer. To get a fuller charge, connect it to a computer or power outlet. A USB cable is included for this kind of charging.
If you’re planning a camping or hiking trip, then this kind of device is a must-have. Forget about being lost in the woods or stuck in the desert; with this charger, all you need to keep your devices working is sunlight (assuming, of course, that your wireless network service provider covers the region you’re in).
Another cool feature of this solar charger is that it has its very own powerful LED light that’s great for reading on camping trips or in other situations where you find yourself needing some more light. Of course, the XTG-SOL1500 charger needn’t be limited to camping settings. Keep it in your bag as a sort of universal extra battery for all your other devices.
Whoever said solar power was too expensive was wrong. The charger sells for an affordable price online, and it’s definitely worth it.
About RESCUECOM:
RESCUECOM provides computer repair and computer support, 24/7: Meeting every tech support need including data recovery, virus removal, networking, wireless services, and computer support for all brands of hardware and software. For computer support or information on products, services, or computer repair, visit https://www.rescuecom.com or call 1-800-RESCUE-PC.
For More Information, Contact:
David Milman, CEO
315-882-1100
david@rescuecom.com
When one spends thousands of dollars on a dog, they need something that protects that investment and the Garmin Astro Dog Tracking System does exactly that. A family pet can be one of the most expensive investments, from the initial purchase to the ongoing investment in the dog’s health and training, and it is the investment most likely to literally run away. The Garmin Astro Dog Tracking System may not be able to prevent escape artist dogs, but it does allow one to find a dog on the loose.
The Garmin Astro Dog Tracking System is a GPS system for medium to large dogs that comes with both the Astro 320 handheld device and the DC 40 collar unit for on the dog. The Astro 320 handheld GPS device is self-contained and, as such, does not require any additional computer support to operate or update the unit. The DC 40 collar is a specialized GPS transmitter that interfaces with the owner’s Astro 320.
The Garmin Astro Dog Tracking System is like a standard automobile GPS system. The DC 40 is a collar that one simply puts on their dog and activates. With a seventeen to forty-eight hour charge, the DC 40 ensures that a lost dog will not stay that way for very long.
The Astro 320 component of the Garmin Astro Dog Tracking System is a handheld GPS device that includes a bright, full color screen with preloaded topographical maps. The position of the dog is indicated with a high-contrast color dot or, when tracking a moving dog, a line. The Astro 320 also features a compass module to help the user more effectively follow the escaped or hunting canine. With the tracker function on, the Astro Dog Tracking System easily keeps the user informed to prevent users from following a dog’s trail after the dog has doubled back or changed direction.
One of the most appealing features of the Garmin Astro Dog Tracking System is that the system may be used the moment it is removed from the box. The user does not need to subscribe to an expensive monthly mobile phone plan to access the data from the transmitter. Unlike many pet GPS products, the Garmin Astro Dog Tracking System does not rely upon any other product or service. At the same time, the Astro 320 features a port through which the user may upgrade to premium services, but most users will find the out-of-the-box benefits of the Garmin Astro Dog Tracking System to be more than enough to safeguard their dog’s wellbeing.
Hunters, tourists, dog owners on vacation with their beloved canine and owners whose dogs who have a large property to roam will find that the Garmin Astro Dog Tracking System is all they need to recover their dog when the dog escapes.
About RESCUECOM:
RESCUECOM provides computer repair and computer support, 24/7: Meeting every tech support need including data recovery, virus removal, networking, wireless services, and computer support for all brands of hardware and software. For computer support or information on products, services, or computer repair, visit https://www.rescuecom.com or call 1-800-RESCUE-PC.
For More Information, Contact:
David Milman, CEO
315-882-1100
david@rescuecom.com
Apple’s iPhone 4S has found its voice with Siri, the new digital assistant that comes integrated into the phone’s OS. The feature allows users to interact with their iPhones as if they were talking to a personal assistant, albeit one who has limited functionality. Siri lets users control functions using their voice; users can send messages, check and make changes to their calendars and even search for nearby restaurants.
Siri is different from other voice-operated systems or features because, according to Apple, it not only understands what people say, but also what they mean. It understands the contexts of requests and can keep track of the conversation. For example, when a user says “reply,” Siri automatically understands which message the user is referring to based on context. Apple calls Siri proactive, meaning that it will keep asking its user questions until it actually understands what he or she wants to know.
The voice control functionality works extremely well with text messages. Users can ask Siri to read incoming texts and to respond by typing what they dictate. Likewise, Siri is programmed to work smoothly with the iPhone’s calendar application. Siri can check for appointments, make new ones, and remind its users when tasks or meetings are scheduled. This feature, coupled with Siri’s understanding of colloquialisms, makes it easy to say things like, “Make sure I remember to pay my credit card bill after work.”
Siri also keeps track of its user’s geographic location, so to get directions, users don’t need to load a map and enter the final destination; instead a user only needs to say, “Where’s the nearest gas station?” If Siri isn’t quite sure what’s being asked, it may ask its user more questions for clarification.
The voice recognition technology works fairly well when it comes to recognizing mumbles and whispers, according to Mark Milian who reviews the feature for CNN.
Siri currently works with several of the iPhone’s integrated apps like music player, calendar, text messaging, and Yelp; but it has some limitations. Siri can’t work with outside apps and will not be able to do so until third party apps can be tied to it. The feature can’t access the iPhone’s camera, nor can it take email or memo diction.
Siri talks to users in a female voice (except in France and the U.K. where it has a male voice) and doesn’t have a heavy computer-software accent, so it seems rather friendly. Thanks to the ongoing advances in anthropomorphic voice technology, Siri adapts its tone to suit its sentence’s intended meaning, and doesn’t sound completely like a robot reading strung together words.
Overall, Siri isn’t perfect yet; it has quite a few limitations and will require strong tech support to improve. Besides, many people may not feel comfortable talking to their phones in public. Still, Siri’s future is promising; it can only get better as it gets tied to third-party apps and as its voice recognition and tonality become more advanced.
About RESCUECOM:
RESCUECOM provides computer repair and computer support, 24/7: Meeting every tech support need including data recovery, virus removal, networking, wireless services, and computer support for all brands of hardware and software. For computer support or information on products, services, or computer repair, visit https://www.rescuecom.com or call 1-800-RESCUE-PC.
For More Information, Contact:
David Milman, CEO
315-882-1100
david@rescuecom.com
PREY is a free open-source program that’s a great way to track lost or stolen laptops and smartphones. PREY is quite brilliant. PREY anti-theft software lets owners play private investigator for free. The software helps users keep track of their phones or laptops and can help users find their devices if they are ever stolen.
The software, described as silent but deadly by its creators, works by remaining dormant on its host device until it is activated by a signal. Disgruntled victims of thefts can activate PREY on a lost laptop by logging into the connected PREY account online. Those who want to track their lost smartphones can do so by sending a text message to the phone to activate its resident PREY. The standard activation message is “GO PREY,” though this can be customized.
According to PREY’s website, once the software is activated, it allows users to gather information about their lost or stolen devices’ location, hardware and network status. Users can also trigger specific actions on the device. Outlook or Thunderbird data on a missing laptop can be remotely hidden. Users who use PREY to track a stolen laptop, for example, can remotely activate the missing device’s webcam and use it to take pictures of the culprit. A user can also see how his or her stolen device is being used, and look at the screen. Ideally, a PREY user would get a glance of the thief logging into a facebook page or email account to get his or her information.
PREY is designed to automatically connect to the Internet to allow its host device to be tracked. When no Internet network service is available, the software tries to connect to the nearest Wi-Fi hotspot. PREY takes advantage of its smartphone’s GPS to send information about the device’s location. In laptops, the software uses the nearest Wi-Fi hotspot to triangulate and narrow in on its location according to preyproject.com.
As a free, open-source software, PREY is quite remarkable. For one thing, it works everywhere! There are no geographical limitations on where it can work. Right now though, PREY is only compatible with Android phones and does not work with iPads or iPhones. However, its developers say they’re working on these compatibility issues.
PREY is not a foolproof method of catching thieves and restoring stolen devices, though. The developers recommend contacting the police as the final step in the recovery process.
Finally, users who are concerned about privacy can rest assured because PREY is not a malware, and it does not behave like one. PREY’s website explains that unless the software is activated, it remains dormant with no activity. The developer states that PREY does not collect any private information about its users, nor does it store the information that passes through its servers, so the software doesn’t pose a threat to its users’ Internet security. Now, if only the facebook people would learn to be this nice.
About RESCUECOM:
RESCUECOM provides computer repair and computer support, 24/7: Meeting every tech support need including data recovery, virus removal, networking, wireless services, and computer support for all brands of hardware and software. For computer support or information on products, services, or computer repair, visit https://www.rescuecom.com or call 1-800-RESCUE-PC.
For More Information, Contact:
David Milman, CEO
315-882-1100
david@rescuecom.com