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:
As streaming videos from the Internet becomes an increasingly legitimate entertainment channel, major companies in the entertainment industry are working to find their niche there. Some of the most powerful production companies are rapidly expanding their Online division in order to use the Internet as an effective medium. FremantleMedia is one such company that is devoting considerable resources to producing material for the Internet, including programming tailored to the mobile computing market. All of their efforts, however, would be for naught if it were not for Mary Jones. Read more »
In the tech sector, there does not appear to be any belief in the adage, “Can’t we all just get along.” Competition is fierce and the biggest players in the tech sector are fighting one another over every niche. Two of the biggest companies, Apple Computers and Google, have had a recent series of spats that illustrates just how high the stakes are and how hard both companies are working to dominate the tech sector. Google remains the world’s most-used search engine and smartphones powered by Google’s Android operating system still have the largest market share in the United States. Apple is anything but complacent now that it is the world’s most profitable company. In order to keep its place at the top, Apple is working to weaken Google. Read more »
In most companies, within the tech sector and without, there is usually a pretty distinctive difference between the marketing and public relations divisions. Marketing, historically, is all about selling your potential customers on your product. Public relations is the division that promotes a positive view of your company by dealing with customer service issues, as well as corporate outreach. So, it is fascinating to find a manager at a major company who is in Marketing, yet functions as a public relations specialist. Tony Ou, of Silverstone Technology, is one such fascinating individual. Read more »
With the rise of Zynga, a video game developer that has effectively utilized Facebook as a platform for social gaming, traditional video game companies seem to have a lot to worry about. After all, as Zynga’s market share grows, that company diminishes the market share of other video game companies. But Electronic Arts CEO John Riccitiello is not sweating the completion; he has an ace in the hole. That ace is Gabrielle Toledano. Read more »
No one wants to have to call a computer support service or take their private personal computer to a computer repair shop. At some point, though, we all have to get a computer repair because computers are designed to break down and eventually fail. Rather than railing against the planned obsolescence of the computer industry, it helps to know what is most likely to fail so you know what to expect from a computer repair. A trained computer support technician may diagnose most of these conditions simply by hearing the symptoms of your computer problem. Some computer components that frequently fail or break are: Read more »
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 »
In the complex legal framework that defines both major corporations and the Internet, it helps to have a good lawyer on your side. In fact, virtually every major company in the tech sector has an executive Vice President for General Counsel. Now, specialized law departments write up and enforce contracts and deal with all legal issues that confront the company. For the professional social network LinkedIn, the General Counsel is Erika Rottenberg! Read more »
Every city has something unique to offer its residents or visitors, but nothing truly defines a location as its small businesses – especially restaurants – do. So, to get the real flavor of a city’s unique benefits, it helps to have a site where small businesses may promote their deals and customers may be exposed to all that locale has to offer. That is the concept behind the LivingSocial website. Read more »
There are many executives for whom their technology business is the end of their personal or professional growth. This can make a lot of sense, as it is a herculean task to establish a successful business within the tech sector. So, it is always interesting to find an executive who remains close to their roots and uses their businesses success to fund the causes dearest to them. Lorne Trottier is one such executive. Read more »