Data in the Cloud: AT&T Offers Synaptic Storage

When we discussed cloud computing in class, one major concern discussed was security. Can you really keep your data secure if it’s not on machines in your building, under your immediate control? Can cloud storage satisfying the security audits some firms must pass under Sarbanes-Oxley and other regulations?

Enough businesses are voting affirmative on those questions to motivate AT&T to offer Synaptic Storage, an expansion of its cloud computing efforts. Lance Whitney at CNet News says business users will be able to save and access data from laptops, smartphones, and other Web-enabled devices. Instead of setting up and maintaining your own in-house server, you just pay a monthly fee, and AT&T handles all the hard tech stuff.

Now think about that cost-benefit analysis. You don’t have to shop around for servers. You don’t have to think about running more power and data lines. You don’t have to plan ahead for upgrading the equipment. You might not even have to hire extra IT personnel to manage the system.

Hmm… will cloud computing bring cloud IT departments — i.e., IT people working for AT&T, Google, et al. just like utilities, and small companies not having separate IT departments of their own?

Gabe Pooler: Elkton and Netbooks!

Gabe Pooler, DSU grad and Elkton School District technology director, comes to class today to talk about his pioneering one-to-one classroom netbooks program at Elkton!

Netbooks: “minimalistic” approach to technology in the classroom!

Wireless Mobile Computing Initiative

DSU is in the review process for WMCI.  Students are invited to an open forum on Tuesday at 1:00 in the TCB to discuss the next step for DSU.  This is system’s planning happening right at our doorstep!  Please see D2L or your webmail for details on this process and for Tuesday class information.  Attach comments to this blog spot.

Note for online students: We won’t have video Tuesday, but I’ll capture as much of the discussion as possible by live-blogging here. Note also the participatory nature of this systems planning: inviting all of the stakeholders in to get ideas. We’ll see how well it works! —CAH

Google cuts “JUST” 200 positions

http://money.cnn.com/2009/03/26/technology/google_layoffs/index.htm?postversion=2009032617

Well I guess we as american can say “ah”, the hammer does hit the one of the best, if not the best computer, technology company, GOOGLE. In this wondering article it talks about how GOOGLE, this multi-billion dollar company, has to cut job in the sales and marketing organizations around the globe, said someone on the company official blog. The company explains it is just under 200 positions. Wow. That a lot of jobs. I suppose this company only 200 jobs is not that many. Who would have thought the internet giant of our time would have to cut jobs, even with the ecomony the way it is. It is pretty bad but come on GOOGLE cutting jobs. So you think the ecomony is worse than americans think? What your opinion on this subject? Please give your opinion.

iPhone for personal use, business use and now it’s my new gaming handheld?

“Don’t let the haters tell you it sucks compared to the DS or the PSP,” Young said of the iPhone as a gaming platform. “It doesn’t. It’s good. It’s clear that the quality of iPhone games is eclipsing its console counterparts, and that’s even more acute when you compare it against the prior generation.”

I absolutely embrace connectivity and sometimes I wish my DS could simply do more. The iPhone has proved itself as a useful tool for personal and business use and it is starting to show that gaming on the platform is a success. So will the DS be crushed by the iPhone? I don’t see that happening anytime soon but the iPhone it’s certainly proving itself as a revolutionary tool.

Full story here.

Solid-State Drives Make Super Fast PCs

…and YouTube makes super-cheap marketing!

Open 53 programs in 18 seconds? I clearly need this!

MIT Develops Sixth Sense: Every Thing a Hyperlink

We’ve talked in class about using RFID chips to enhance consumer items, computer parts, even mining machinery with easily accessible data. At TED2009, Pattie Maes and Pranav Mistry of MIT Media Lab’s Fluid Interface Group presented a prototype device that could provide interactive information about every object you can touch. It will also turn your wrist into a watch and your hand into a keyboard. See the video.

Google Letting Cash ‘Pile Up’ Says CEO

http://www.informationweek.com/news/internet/google/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=215800854

This article is a very interesting story. GOOGLE Company is saying they are plan on ‘pile up’ cash. The thing is the company is “PLANNING” on saving money. What your take on it, you think they start saving before it gets worse? How bad you think it going to get? Also WOW! 8.6 billion Cash cushion, I do not think the recession really hit this company yet. What your take on this, you think it happen already? If not is it going too? And how bad is it going to get?

Better start making your tech toys reliable

Last time I talked about my Blackberry phone. I get exicted that in a couple of months my two year contract is up and I can start shopping for a new, better phone (and caluclator, web broswer, MP3 player, GPS, alarm clock, etc.). But as I look at new phones, I ask myself, why spend the money on this new phone that doesn’t offer me much more that my current one doesn’t. There are some (Web TV, touch screen) but not anywhere near the jump I made when I trading in my regular cell phone for a smart phone. And then I thought, why not just keep this Blackberry for another year or two until it wears out.

It seems I’m not the only one who thinks like that.  CNN highlights that users are keeping their MP3 players and phones and are more willing to have them serviced and repaired than to throw them away and buy a new one. The article links the growing desire with the recession. While most likely true, other facts may be coming into play such as technology growth. Just as I see my two-year old phone comparable to new ones on the market, perhaps a new iPod isn’t that much different than one a year or two old. Combine that with the economy and we have people spending less on the technology toys that were hot not so long ago.

Whatever the cause, the point remains, technology is just like any other consumer market item. It has a growth spurt right out of the box, but sales will slow down. Build your business (and marketing!) plan with that knowledge.

Air-breathing planes: the spaceships of the future?

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16682-airbreathing-planes-the-spaceships-of-the-future.html?full=true

This article is very interesting story about a spaceship, well maybe the new plane. This craft is a plane or spaceship, the different is that it uses oxygen to go.