Why I Switched from iPhone to Android
Jason Cross, PC World
May 24, 2010 2:11 pm
Last week, I joined what must be millions of other technology nerds (if my Twitter and Facebook friends are any indication) in getting rid of my iPhone 3G* in favor of an Android-based phone. Why on earth would I do such a thing? Aren't iPhones basically the best smartphones on the market? Increasingly, I'm not sure that's the case. Besides, it's not simply about overall phone quality.
The reasons I switched closely mirror those than Daniel Lyons outlined in his piece at Newsweek. Here's the breakdown of the reasons I jumped ship, and why I think many formerly loyal iPhone users might be jumping ship, too.
First, there's AT&T. I live and work in San Francisco, which is basically ground zero for crappy AT&T service. I was tired of the dropped calls, but I don't talk on the phone all that much. The bigger problem was having "four bars" of 3G service, trying to go to a website, and being told there was no network connection. I can't count the times I've reloaded a web page or TweetDeck trying to get my seemingly well-connected phone online. My contract with AT&T was over, so this was a good opportunity to jump ship to Verizon. I don't really care if Verizon's 3G isn't quite as fast as AT&T 3G. Slightly slower but reliable beats faster and spotty every time. (This, by the way, is why carriers and phone vendors should cut it out with the exclusivity deals. When AT&T loses a customer, so does Apple. When Apple loses a customer, chances are high that AT&T does, too.)
Then we have Apple's app store policies. Apple is changing the terms in their OS 4 update to the iPhone (coming this summer) to basically disallow any intermediate software layers in the creation of iPhone apps. This means devs can't use Adobe's popular Flash-to-iPhone compiler, nor products like MonoTouch. The Unity 3D engine may or may not be affected. Is it Apple's right to do this? Maybe, but I don't really care. Apple's official reason is that intermediate software layers produce sub-standard products. The sorry state of iTunes on Windows, which uses CoreFoundation and CoreGraphics, might prove their point. But shouldn't developers and consumers be the ones to decide if software is crappy or not? And if Apple is so concerned about software quality, how come so many Apps make it to the App Store in an almost unusably buggy state? How come there are so many completely worthless junk apps? Apple's quality concerns are demonstrably B.S.
Apple also refuses to support Flash in its browser. Fair enough. Maybe the future of web video and interactive entertainment is HTML5, but the now of web video and interactive entertainment is Flash. Video sites that rely on protecting content can't use HTML5 video yet, and HTML5 is a long way from having the tools or penetration necessary to make the equivalent of Flash's incredibly popular web games. Google went ahead and demonstrated how well Flash can run on a phone - Apple claims they give you the "whole web" on iPhone and iPad, but Google is actually delivering it.
Which brings me to Froyo (Google's cute name for Android 2.2). I'm mighty impressed by what Google is doing here. It's very fast, has some great new developer features, integrated honest-to-goodness Flash 10.1 without compromises, tethering, and more. Of course, iPhone OS 4 brings with it a host of big changes, and it looks like video chat will probably be part of that. But I'd have to buy a new iPhone, and that may mean sticking with AT&T. The only problem is, I don't have any confidence that Apple will implement video chat in some sort of standards-compliant way. I feel like video chat is likely to be iPhone-to-iPhone only, or maybe to Macs with iChat.
Ultimately, my reason for switching can be summed up thusly: I used to feel that, to get the best smartphone software and hardware experience, I had to live in Apple's walled garden. Now, the walls are getting higher, and life outside the garden looks better and better. I can get a really great smartphone without some company telling me I can't switch out the keyboard, or the dialer, or the voice mail program, or the browser. I can get a world-class smartphone without putting up with AT&T's spotty network. I don't have to put up with supporting a company that enforces its restrictive App Store policies in a seemingly arbitrary and draconian manner. I'm not sure I agree with those who say Google has "leapfrogged" Apple in phone development, but I certainly think they're doing a comparably good job.
So, last week, I walked into Best Buy and bought an HTC Droid Incredible, and so far I've been more than happy with it. Now if only more game developers would flock to Android as customers seem to have done. Oh well, I still have my iPad for that (I'd buy someone's else's tablet if anyone was making a tablet nearly as good as the iPad).
Follow Jason Cross on Twitter .
* I didn't actually get rid of it. I still have it, it's just not my phone. I'll hang on to it as a portable game machine, for now.
See more like this:apple,iphone,apple ipad,android,HTC
iPads Strike Out at Yankee Stadium
iPads Strike Out at Yankee Stadium
Ian Paul, PC World
May 25, 2010 10:39 am
New York Yankees fans will want to leave their iPads at home when they head to Yankee Stadium. It turns out Apple's 'magical device' falls under Yankees Stadium's strict security policy that prohibits laptops from entering the brand new $1.5 billion ballpark. But the New York Mets, the Yanks' cross-town rivals, have no problem with their fans bringing iPads inside the Mets' equally new Citi Field, according to The New York Times.
The Yankees policy seems a little unfair to technophiles since the stadium has no problem with fans bringing iPhones into the stadium--and we all know the iPad is just an iPhone, only bigger. But I have to wonder why in the world you'd want to bring an iPad to an outdoor stadium in the first place, especially on sunny days. Remember all those iPad reviews complaining about how it was difficult to view the iPad's screen in direct sunlight? There were also reports in early April that the iPad would shut down when exposed to the sun, because it would quickly overheat.
So take comfort, Yankees fans, even if you could have an iPad by your side at Yankee Stadium you'd probably have a hard time checking out MLB At Bat or ESPN iScore anyway. But if your baseball experience just wouldn't be the same without your beloved Apple device, I have some advice for you. Instead of fighting your way into the new Yankee Stadium along with the rest of the sweaty masses, why not head a little further down the street to where the old Yankee Stadium used to be. You can enjoy the game at one of the local bars or restaurants where you'll be able to see your iPad screen without a problem, you'll still hear the roar of the crowds and the beer is definitely cheaper. Besides, I hear local businesses around the old Yankee Stadium site could use the support having fallen on tough times since the Yanks moved down the block.
Connect with Ian on Twitter (@ianpaul).
See more like this:apple ipad
Ian Paul, PC World
May 25, 2010 10:39 am
New York Yankees fans will want to leave their iPads at home when they head to Yankee Stadium. It turns out Apple's 'magical device' falls under Yankees Stadium's strict security policy that prohibits laptops from entering the brand new $1.5 billion ballpark. But the New York Mets, the Yanks' cross-town rivals, have no problem with their fans bringing iPads inside the Mets' equally new Citi Field, according to The New York Times.
The Yankees policy seems a little unfair to technophiles since the stadium has no problem with fans bringing iPhones into the stadium--and we all know the iPad is just an iPhone, only bigger. But I have to wonder why in the world you'd want to bring an iPad to an outdoor stadium in the first place, especially on sunny days. Remember all those iPad reviews complaining about how it was difficult to view the iPad's screen in direct sunlight? There were also reports in early April that the iPad would shut down when exposed to the sun, because it would quickly overheat.
So take comfort, Yankees fans, even if you could have an iPad by your side at Yankee Stadium you'd probably have a hard time checking out MLB At Bat or ESPN iScore anyway. But if your baseball experience just wouldn't be the same without your beloved Apple device, I have some advice for you. Instead of fighting your way into the new Yankee Stadium along with the rest of the sweaty masses, why not head a little further down the street to where the old Yankee Stadium used to be. You can enjoy the game at one of the local bars or restaurants where you'll be able to see your iPad screen without a problem, you'll still hear the roar of the crowds and the beer is definitely cheaper. Besides, I hear local businesses around the old Yankee Stadium site could use the support having fallen on tough times since the Yanks moved down the block.
Connect with Ian on Twitter (@ianpaul).
See more like this:apple ipad
Psst: Dell's Streak Isn't an Android Tablet
Psst: Dell's Streak Isn't an Android Tablet
JR Raphael, PC World
May 25, 2010 8:03 pm
Dell is almost ready to release its first Android tablet, the 5-inch Dell Streak. There's just one problem, though: The Streak isn't really an Android tablet. It's an Android phone.
Not to take anything away from the Dell Streak; from the looks of it, the Streak is a pretty slick device. But its positioning as a tablet is a bit misleading. The Dell Streak is far more comparable to a device like the HTC EVO 4G than it is to Apple's iPad.
Here's why.
Dell Streak: The Non-Tablet Android Tablet
First, let's take a look at what the Dell Streak is. The Streak, unveiled in January but not detailed until today, is an Android-powered device that features cellular phone capabilities along with 3G connectivity, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth support. It runs all the standard Android applications and widgets. According to reports, it'll be sold in the U.S. along with a monthly plan from AT&T.
The Dell Streak has a 5-inch screen, a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, and 2 GB of internal storage (with support for up to 32 GB of additional SD storage). It has an earpiece on the top of its front side and a microphone on the bottom.
The Streak is shipping with Android 1.6 but will receive an over-the-air upgrade to Android 2.2 later this year.
Now go read the specs for the EVO 4G and tell me we aren't looking at the same class of device. The only foundational difference is screen size, and it's far from a huge leap: The EVO 4G has a 4.3-inch, 800-by-480 display; the Streak has a 5-inch, 800-by-480 display.
So why is the Streak a tablet while the EVO 4G is a phone? Unless there's some arbitrary law that states that phones turn into tablets at the 4.4-inch screen mark, it isn't.
Check out the Streak in action in this official Dell demo, and I think you'll see what I mean.
I know, I know -- potayto, potahto, right? Sure: In the end, it's more about what the technology does than what we call it. In this case, though, an average consumer is going to hear the words "phone" and "tablet" and have very different thoughts. And for most people, the last thing the world of mobile tech needs is even more confusion.
The Dell Streak Tablet Thinking
All of that said, it's easy to imagine why Dell would want to position the Streak as a tablet: Android phones are hitting the market rapid-fire-style these days, and it's tough for any one device to remain the "hot new item" for long. Just ask the Motorola Droid: Despite its continued dominance in Android sales, the device is now eclipsed in coverage by newer, more powerful models such as the Droid Incredible and the aforementioned EVO 4G.
The tablet world, in contrast, is still ripe for the taking. Sure, you've got Apple's iPad, but that's about the only high-profile contender so far. And compared to the iPad's highly restrictive setup -- no unapproved apps, no Flash, no removable battery, and so forth -- it won't be hard for the Streak to set itself apart and attract ample attention. (Personally, I think the "Yes, Steve...I Want Porn" Android badge would make a great marketing tool, but I'm not sure Dell will go for it.)
The problem, though, is that the iPad is simply a different beast. Its screen is 9.7 inches, nearly twice that of Dell's Streak. I'm not saying the iPad is a better device -- anyone who reads my stories with any regularity knows how I feel about Android's choice-oriented approach vs. Apple's we-make-the-decisions-for-you mentality -- but in this instance, it just isn't a realistic comparison.
Once true large-screen Android tablets start hitting the market (and yes, they are on the way), the iPad will have some serious competition to contend with. The Dell Streak looks to be one hell of a device, but a tablet, I'm afraid, it is not.
JR Raphael frequently covers mobile technology for both PCWorld and eSarcasm, his geek-humor getaway. He's on Facebook: facebook.com/The.JR.Raphael
See more like this:dell,tablet pc,android,google,wireless technology,handhelds
JR Raphael, PC World
May 25, 2010 8:03 pm
Dell is almost ready to release its first Android tablet, the 5-inch Dell Streak. There's just one problem, though: The Streak isn't really an Android tablet. It's an Android phone.
Not to take anything away from the Dell Streak; from the looks of it, the Streak is a pretty slick device. But its positioning as a tablet is a bit misleading. The Dell Streak is far more comparable to a device like the HTC EVO 4G than it is to Apple's iPad.
Here's why.
Dell Streak: The Non-Tablet Android Tablet
First, let's take a look at what the Dell Streak is. The Streak, unveiled in January but not detailed until today, is an Android-powered device that features cellular phone capabilities along with 3G connectivity, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth support. It runs all the standard Android applications and widgets. According to reports, it'll be sold in the U.S. along with a monthly plan from AT&T.
The Dell Streak has a 5-inch screen, a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, and 2 GB of internal storage (with support for up to 32 GB of additional SD storage). It has an earpiece on the top of its front side and a microphone on the bottom.
The Streak is shipping with Android 1.6 but will receive an over-the-air upgrade to Android 2.2 later this year.
Now go read the specs for the EVO 4G and tell me we aren't looking at the same class of device. The only foundational difference is screen size, and it's far from a huge leap: The EVO 4G has a 4.3-inch, 800-by-480 display; the Streak has a 5-inch, 800-by-480 display.
So why is the Streak a tablet while the EVO 4G is a phone? Unless there's some arbitrary law that states that phones turn into tablets at the 4.4-inch screen mark, it isn't.
Check out the Streak in action in this official Dell demo, and I think you'll see what I mean.
I know, I know -- potayto, potahto, right? Sure: In the end, it's more about what the technology does than what we call it. In this case, though, an average consumer is going to hear the words "phone" and "tablet" and have very different thoughts. And for most people, the last thing the world of mobile tech needs is even more confusion.
The Dell Streak Tablet Thinking
All of that said, it's easy to imagine why Dell would want to position the Streak as a tablet: Android phones are hitting the market rapid-fire-style these days, and it's tough for any one device to remain the "hot new item" for long. Just ask the Motorola Droid: Despite its continued dominance in Android sales, the device is now eclipsed in coverage by newer, more powerful models such as the Droid Incredible and the aforementioned EVO 4G.
The tablet world, in contrast, is still ripe for the taking. Sure, you've got Apple's iPad, but that's about the only high-profile contender so far. And compared to the iPad's highly restrictive setup -- no unapproved apps, no Flash, no removable battery, and so forth -- it won't be hard for the Streak to set itself apart and attract ample attention. (Personally, I think the "Yes, Steve...I Want Porn" Android badge would make a great marketing tool, but I'm not sure Dell will go for it.)
The problem, though, is that the iPad is simply a different beast. Its screen is 9.7 inches, nearly twice that of Dell's Streak. I'm not saying the iPad is a better device -- anyone who reads my stories with any regularity knows how I feel about Android's choice-oriented approach vs. Apple's we-make-the-decisions-for-you mentality -- but in this instance, it just isn't a realistic comparison.
Once true large-screen Android tablets start hitting the market (and yes, they are on the way), the iPad will have some serious competition to contend with. The Dell Streak looks to be one hell of a device, but a tablet, I'm afraid, it is not.
JR Raphael frequently covers mobile technology for both PCWorld and eSarcasm, his geek-humor getaway. He's on Facebook: facebook.com/The.JR.Raphael
See more like this:dell,tablet pc,android,google,wireless technology,handhelds
Survey Says: iPad Is Killing Netbooks
Survey Says: iPad Is Killing Netbooks
Daniel Ionescu, PC World
May 26, 2010 8:02 am
Complete PCWorld Coverage
Apple iPad with Wi-Fi 32GB
Overview »
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Check Prices »A new survey shows consumers are "overwhelmingly leaning" toward the iPad instead of netbooks, and cheap laptops are also taking a toll on netbook sales. The study, which surveyed more than 1,000 U.S. consumers, was commissioned by consumer electronics site Retrevo.
Apple's iPad has proven popular with shoppers, as more than one million devices have already been sold. That popularity is hurting netbook sales, says the survey, as the iPad offers many of the same advantages that netbooks offer over a traditional laptop, such as higher portability and longer battery life.
The Retrevo survey asked consumers whether they are planning on buying an iPad or a netbook: 78 percent said they would be choosing an iPad, while only 22 percent would choose a netbook.
Respondents were asked whether they held off on buying a netbook after Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveiled the iPad in January. 30 percent answered that they did, and consequently bought an iPad, while 40 percent did hold back but eventually bought a netbook instead. 30 percent of respondents said they did not hold back and just bought a netbook.
Regular laptops are still popular with U.S. consumers, the survey shows, especially the cheap lower-end models. 65 percent said they would go for a laptop instead of a netbook when faced with the choice this year.
Those who preferred netbooks over laptops or iPads said that the main feature that attracted them to a netbook was the smaller footprint of the machines (55 percent), while 20 percent considered price, and 19 percent considered battery life as the main trait.
Analysts say however, that the iPad won't cripple sales of netbooks, at least not this year, mainly because the $200 or so gap in pricing between the two types of devices. Jeff Orr, an analyst with ABI Research, reportedly said earlier this month that just one percent of potential netbook buyers would be impacted by tablets, like the iPad.
What are you going to buy this year: an iPad (or any other tablet) or a netbook? Sound off in the comments.
Daniel Ionescu, PC World
May 26, 2010 8:02 am
Complete PCWorld Coverage
Apple iPad with Wi-Fi 32GB
Overview »
Similar Products »
Check Prices »A new survey shows consumers are "overwhelmingly leaning" toward the iPad instead of netbooks, and cheap laptops are also taking a toll on netbook sales. The study, which surveyed more than 1,000 U.S. consumers, was commissioned by consumer electronics site Retrevo.
Apple's iPad has proven popular with shoppers, as more than one million devices have already been sold. That popularity is hurting netbook sales, says the survey, as the iPad offers many of the same advantages that netbooks offer over a traditional laptop, such as higher portability and longer battery life.
The Retrevo survey asked consumers whether they are planning on buying an iPad or a netbook: 78 percent said they would be choosing an iPad, while only 22 percent would choose a netbook.
Respondents were asked whether they held off on buying a netbook after Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveiled the iPad in January. 30 percent answered that they did, and consequently bought an iPad, while 40 percent did hold back but eventually bought a netbook instead. 30 percent of respondents said they did not hold back and just bought a netbook.
Regular laptops are still popular with U.S. consumers, the survey shows, especially the cheap lower-end models. 65 percent said they would go for a laptop instead of a netbook when faced with the choice this year.
Those who preferred netbooks over laptops or iPads said that the main feature that attracted them to a netbook was the smaller footprint of the machines (55 percent), while 20 percent considered price, and 19 percent considered battery life as the main trait.
Analysts say however, that the iPad won't cripple sales of netbooks, at least not this year, mainly because the $200 or so gap in pricing between the two types of devices. Jeff Orr, an analyst with ABI Research, reportedly said earlier this month that just one percent of potential netbook buyers would be impacted by tablets, like the iPad.
What are you going to buy this year: an iPad (or any other tablet) or a netbook? Sound off in the comments.
Do Facebook's new privacy settings let it off the hook?
Do Facebook's new privacy settings let it off the hook?
by Caroline McCarthy Font sizePrintE-mailShare15 comments Yahoo! Buzz
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Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg takes the stage Wednesday morning at a high-profile press conference he called to talk about privacy controls.
(Credit: James Martin/CNET) There was a distinct tension in Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg's rhetoric as he unveiled major changes to the massive social network's much-maligned member privacy controls in a press conference on Wednesday.
On one hand, he said that the demand was there from concerned members and lawmakers to do something about confusing privacy settings and changes to how members' data is used in the wake of its F8 developer conference. On the other, he repeatedly insisted that the social network's nearly 500 million users do, in fact, want to share information rather than keep things as private as possible.
Facebook's new privacy controls, which will be rolling out "over the next few days or weeks" according to Zuckerberg, may very well quell some of the fears that members have had about how the company handles the vast amount of personal data stored on its servers. A post on the Facebook blog details them in full: As expected, the centerpiece of the changes is a single page for setting Facebook information visible to just friends, friends of friends, or the Web at large.
Crucial to this is Facebook's acknowledgment that on a member's profile, not all information is equal with regard to sensitivity. "When we went through our December privacy transitions, we asked everyone to make all their information open to everyone," Zuckerberg said, referring to the last round of changes to its privacy policies late last year.
"There are really big buckets of information that should be available to each field (on the new privacy settings page)." For example, he said that personal contact information is something that members will probably want to restrict to their friends. Photographs would presumably be shared with friends of friends. Twitter-like status updates about eating cheeseburgers, meanwhile, could go out to the Web at large.
A screenshot of Facebook's new privacy controls page.
(Credit: Facebook) By the numbers, a lot has been done. Previously, there were 50 settings that members would have to tweak in order to make all information private; now, it's more like 15. The number of Facebook "privacy center" pages has dropped from 13 to eight. There's even a way to opt out of all Facebook Platform third-party activities entirely (though, it should be said, not advertisers). It's unlikely that many members will do this, considering the fact that it would block so many of the services that have kept Facebook members addicted to the site (like the popular game Farmville) as well as Facebook-powered log-ins on third-party Web services. But it's a sign that the pressure really was mounting, and Facebook knew it had to do something.
But the announcement was nevertheless tinged with a hint of, "Are you sure?" Zuckerberg dropped all sorts of factoids that pointed to members' desire to share more information rather than be closed off; he claimed that members are more likely to be fearful of the persistent false rumor that Facebook will start charging for subscriptions than of privacy issues, and that a drop in its algorithm-calculated word-of-mouth reputation following F8 was actually due to a change in the News Feed that displayed fewer updates from Facebook's wildly popular games.
"We are really going to try to not have another backlash."
--Facebook CEO Mark ZuckerbergWhether members do, in fact, want to be more public than private, there are a few issues that still may plague Facebook once the privacy changes have gone live. The first is that much of the hullabaloo surrounding Facebook's recent changes wasn't necessarily the changes themselves, but how easily and willfully the company could make a major turnaround in user experience. Some members still may not trust the company out of a concern that this could happen again all too easily. True, Zuckerberg assured in the press conference that "we are really going to try to not have another backlash" and that "this is the end of the overhaul that we're doing." But this may not thoroughly convince concerned users.
Second, though some privacy groups have already released statements to express their approval ("Facebook is finally friending privacy again," the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California cheerfully asserted in a press release, and the Progress and Freedom Foundation called the new tools "powerful" and said "Facebook has employed a potent weapon to deal with marketplace apprehensions: self-regulation"), there has not yet been word on whether D.C. lawmakers, like a coalition of concerned senators or the Federal Trade Commission, will agree with them. Some critics have said that rather than being opt-out, sharing data with third parties on Facebook should be opt-in in the first place. Considering how much this would undermine the power of Facebook's developer platform, it's unsurprising that Facebook doesn't want to do this.
Third, Facebook has officially been thrown onto a big international stage with regard to privacy and security, and anything it does in the future that puts its integrity or safety in question will become a major story whether its privacy controls are a success or not. It was far more of a story than it would have been a year ago when Facebook investor Jim Breyer's account was compromised by a hacker, or when user data was sent to advertisers in what Facebook says was an accidental leak. What would have been a niche security-news story, particularly if Facebook patched the problem quickly, is now of global interest.
"I started Facebook when I was 19 and it's amazing to look back at how it has evolved," Zuckerberg, who recently turned 26, wrote on the company blog. "There have been a lot of changes over the years as we've continued to innovate, and I appreciate that you have all stuck with us. Each time we make a change we try to learn from past lessons, and each time we make new mistakes too. We are far from perfect, but we always try our hardest to build the best service for you and for the world."
At the very least, he seems to be well aware of the fact that he sure isn't in college anymore.
by Caroline McCarthy Font sizePrintE-mailShare15 comments Yahoo! Buzz
.Share113 0diggsdigg
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg takes the stage Wednesday morning at a high-profile press conference he called to talk about privacy controls.
(Credit: James Martin/CNET) There was a distinct tension in Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg's rhetoric as he unveiled major changes to the massive social network's much-maligned member privacy controls in a press conference on Wednesday.
On one hand, he said that the demand was there from concerned members and lawmakers to do something about confusing privacy settings and changes to how members' data is used in the wake of its F8 developer conference. On the other, he repeatedly insisted that the social network's nearly 500 million users do, in fact, want to share information rather than keep things as private as possible.
Facebook's new privacy controls, which will be rolling out "over the next few days or weeks" according to Zuckerberg, may very well quell some of the fears that members have had about how the company handles the vast amount of personal data stored on its servers. A post on the Facebook blog details them in full: As expected, the centerpiece of the changes is a single page for setting Facebook information visible to just friends, friends of friends, or the Web at large.
Crucial to this is Facebook's acknowledgment that on a member's profile, not all information is equal with regard to sensitivity. "When we went through our December privacy transitions, we asked everyone to make all their information open to everyone," Zuckerberg said, referring to the last round of changes to its privacy policies late last year.
"There are really big buckets of information that should be available to each field (on the new privacy settings page)." For example, he said that personal contact information is something that members will probably want to restrict to their friends. Photographs would presumably be shared with friends of friends. Twitter-like status updates about eating cheeseburgers, meanwhile, could go out to the Web at large.
A screenshot of Facebook's new privacy controls page.
(Credit: Facebook) By the numbers, a lot has been done. Previously, there were 50 settings that members would have to tweak in order to make all information private; now, it's more like 15. The number of Facebook "privacy center" pages has dropped from 13 to eight. There's even a way to opt out of all Facebook Platform third-party activities entirely (though, it should be said, not advertisers). It's unlikely that many members will do this, considering the fact that it would block so many of the services that have kept Facebook members addicted to the site (like the popular game Farmville) as well as Facebook-powered log-ins on third-party Web services. But it's a sign that the pressure really was mounting, and Facebook knew it had to do something.
But the announcement was nevertheless tinged with a hint of, "Are you sure?" Zuckerberg dropped all sorts of factoids that pointed to members' desire to share more information rather than be closed off; he claimed that members are more likely to be fearful of the persistent false rumor that Facebook will start charging for subscriptions than of privacy issues, and that a drop in its algorithm-calculated word-of-mouth reputation following F8 was actually due to a change in the News Feed that displayed fewer updates from Facebook's wildly popular games.
"We are really going to try to not have another backlash."
--Facebook CEO Mark ZuckerbergWhether members do, in fact, want to be more public than private, there are a few issues that still may plague Facebook once the privacy changes have gone live. The first is that much of the hullabaloo surrounding Facebook's recent changes wasn't necessarily the changes themselves, but how easily and willfully the company could make a major turnaround in user experience. Some members still may not trust the company out of a concern that this could happen again all too easily. True, Zuckerberg assured in the press conference that "we are really going to try to not have another backlash" and that "this is the end of the overhaul that we're doing." But this may not thoroughly convince concerned users.
Second, though some privacy groups have already released statements to express their approval ("Facebook is finally friending privacy again," the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California cheerfully asserted in a press release, and the Progress and Freedom Foundation called the new tools "powerful" and said "Facebook has employed a potent weapon to deal with marketplace apprehensions: self-regulation"), there has not yet been word on whether D.C. lawmakers, like a coalition of concerned senators or the Federal Trade Commission, will agree with them. Some critics have said that rather than being opt-out, sharing data with third parties on Facebook should be opt-in in the first place. Considering how much this would undermine the power of Facebook's developer platform, it's unsurprising that Facebook doesn't want to do this.
Third, Facebook has officially been thrown onto a big international stage with regard to privacy and security, and anything it does in the future that puts its integrity or safety in question will become a major story whether its privacy controls are a success or not. It was far more of a story than it would have been a year ago when Facebook investor Jim Breyer's account was compromised by a hacker, or when user data was sent to advertisers in what Facebook says was an accidental leak. What would have been a niche security-news story, particularly if Facebook patched the problem quickly, is now of global interest.
"I started Facebook when I was 19 and it's amazing to look back at how it has evolved," Zuckerberg, who recently turned 26, wrote on the company blog. "There have been a lot of changes over the years as we've continued to innovate, and I appreciate that you have all stuck with us. Each time we make a change we try to learn from past lessons, and each time we make new mistakes too. We are far from perfect, but we always try our hardest to build the best service for you and for the world."
At the very least, he seems to be well aware of the fact that he sure isn't in college anymore.
Do Facebook's new privacy settings let it off the hook?
Do Facebook's new privacy settings let it off the hook?
by Caroline McCarthy Font sizePrintE-mailShare15 comments Yahoo! Buzz
.Share113 0diggsdigg
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg takes the stage Wednesday morning at a high-profile press conference he called to talk about privacy controls.
(Credit: James Martin/CNET) There was a distinct tension in Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg's rhetoric as he unveiled major changes to the massive social network's much-maligned member privacy controls in a press conference on Wednesday.
On one hand, he said that the demand was there from concerned members and lawmakers to do something about confusing privacy settings and changes to how members' data is used in the wake of its F8 developer conference. On the other, he repeatedly insisted that the social network's nearly 500 million users do, in fact, want to share information rather than keep things as private as possible.
Facebook's new privacy controls, which will be rolling out "over the next few days or weeks" according to Zuckerberg, may very well quell some of the fears that members have had about how the company handles the vast amount of personal data stored on its servers. A post on the Facebook blog details them in full: As expected, the centerpiece of the changes is a single page for setting Facebook information visible to just friends, friends of friends, or the Web at large.
Crucial to this is Facebook's acknowledgment that on a member's profile, not all information is equal with regard to sensitivity. "When we went through our December privacy transitions, we asked everyone to make all their information open to everyone," Zuckerberg said, referring to the last round of changes to its privacy policies late last year.
"There are really big buckets of information that should be available to each field (on the new privacy settings page)." For example, he said that personal contact information is something that members will probably want to restrict to their friends. Photographs would presumably be shared with friends of friends. Twitter-like status updates about eating cheeseburgers, meanwhile, could go out to the Web at large.
A screenshot of Facebook's new privacy controls page.
(Credit: Facebook) By the numbers, a lot has been done. Previously, there were 50 settings that members would have to tweak in order to make all information private; now, it's more like 15. The number of Facebook "privacy center" pages has dropped from 13 to eight. There's even a way to opt out of all Facebook Platform third-party activities entirely (though, it should be said, not advertisers). It's unlikely that many members will do this, considering the fact that it would block so many of the services that have kept Facebook members addicted to the site (like the popular game Farmville) as well as Facebook-powered log-ins on third-party Web services. But it's a sign that the pressure really was mounting, and Facebook knew it had to do something.
But the announcement was nevertheless tinged with a hint of, "Are you sure?" Zuckerberg dropped all sorts of factoids that pointed to members' desire to share more information rather than be closed off; he claimed that members are more likely to be fearful of the persistent false rumor that Facebook will start charging for subscriptions than of privacy issues, and that a drop in its algorithm-calculated word-of-mouth reputation following F8 was actually due to a change in the News Feed that displayed fewer updates from Facebook's wildly popular games.
"We are really going to try to not have another backlash."
--Facebook CEO Mark ZuckerbergWhether members do, in fact, want to be more public than private, there are a few issues that still may plague Facebook once the privacy changes have gone live. The first is that much of the hullabaloo surrounding Facebook's recent changes wasn't necessarily the changes themselves, but how easily and willfully the company could make a major turnaround in user experience. Some members still may not trust the company out of a concern that this could happen again all too easily. True, Zuckerberg assured in the press conference that "we are really going to try to not have another backlash" and that "this is the end of the overhaul that we're doing." But this may not thoroughly convince concerned users.
Second, though some privacy groups have already released statements to express their approval ("Facebook is finally friending privacy again," the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California cheerfully asserted in a press release, and the Progress and Freedom Foundation called the new tools "powerful" and said "Facebook has employed a potent weapon to deal with marketplace apprehensions: self-regulation"), there has not yet been word on whether D.C. lawmakers, like a coalition of concerned senators or the Federal Trade Commission, will agree with them. Some critics have said that rather than being opt-out, sharing data with third parties on Facebook should be opt-in in the first place. Considering how much this would undermine the power of Facebook's developer platform, it's unsurprising that Facebook doesn't want to do this.
Third, Facebook has officially been thrown onto a big international stage with regard to privacy and security, and anything it does in the future that puts its integrity or safety in question will become a major story whether its privacy controls are a success or not. It was far more of a story than it would have been a year ago when Facebook investor Jim Breyer's account was compromised by a hacker, or when user data was sent to advertisers in what Facebook says was an accidental leak. What would have been a niche security-news story, particularly if Facebook patched the problem quickly, is now of global interest.
"I started Facebook when I was 19 and it's amazing to look back at how it has evolved," Zuckerberg, who recently turned 26, wrote on the company blog. "There have been a lot of changes over the years as we've continued to innovate, and I appreciate that you have all stuck with us. Each time we make a change we try to learn from past lessons, and each time we make new mistakes too. We are far from perfect, but we always try our hardest to build the best service for you and for the world."
At the very least, he seems to be well aware of the fact that he sure isn't in college anymore.
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Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg takes the stage Wednesday morning at a high-profile press conference he called to talk about privacy controls.
(Credit: James Martin/CNET) There was a distinct tension in Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg's rhetoric as he unveiled major changes to the massive social network's much-maligned member privacy controls in a press conference on Wednesday.
On one hand, he said that the demand was there from concerned members and lawmakers to do something about confusing privacy settings and changes to how members' data is used in the wake of its F8 developer conference. On the other, he repeatedly insisted that the social network's nearly 500 million users do, in fact, want to share information rather than keep things as private as possible.
Facebook's new privacy controls, which will be rolling out "over the next few days or weeks" according to Zuckerberg, may very well quell some of the fears that members have had about how the company handles the vast amount of personal data stored on its servers. A post on the Facebook blog details them in full: As expected, the centerpiece of the changes is a single page for setting Facebook information visible to just friends, friends of friends, or the Web at large.
Crucial to this is Facebook's acknowledgment that on a member's profile, not all information is equal with regard to sensitivity. "When we went through our December privacy transitions, we asked everyone to make all their information open to everyone," Zuckerberg said, referring to the last round of changes to its privacy policies late last year.
"There are really big buckets of information that should be available to each field (on the new privacy settings page)." For example, he said that personal contact information is something that members will probably want to restrict to their friends. Photographs would presumably be shared with friends of friends. Twitter-like status updates about eating cheeseburgers, meanwhile, could go out to the Web at large.
A screenshot of Facebook's new privacy controls page.
(Credit: Facebook) By the numbers, a lot has been done. Previously, there were 50 settings that members would have to tweak in order to make all information private; now, it's more like 15. The number of Facebook "privacy center" pages has dropped from 13 to eight. There's even a way to opt out of all Facebook Platform third-party activities entirely (though, it should be said, not advertisers). It's unlikely that many members will do this, considering the fact that it would block so many of the services that have kept Facebook members addicted to the site (like the popular game Farmville) as well as Facebook-powered log-ins on third-party Web services. But it's a sign that the pressure really was mounting, and Facebook knew it had to do something.
But the announcement was nevertheless tinged with a hint of, "Are you sure?" Zuckerberg dropped all sorts of factoids that pointed to members' desire to share more information rather than be closed off; he claimed that members are more likely to be fearful of the persistent false rumor that Facebook will start charging for subscriptions than of privacy issues, and that a drop in its algorithm-calculated word-of-mouth reputation following F8 was actually due to a change in the News Feed that displayed fewer updates from Facebook's wildly popular games.
"We are really going to try to not have another backlash."
--Facebook CEO Mark ZuckerbergWhether members do, in fact, want to be more public than private, there are a few issues that still may plague Facebook once the privacy changes have gone live. The first is that much of the hullabaloo surrounding Facebook's recent changes wasn't necessarily the changes themselves, but how easily and willfully the company could make a major turnaround in user experience. Some members still may not trust the company out of a concern that this could happen again all too easily. True, Zuckerberg assured in the press conference that "we are really going to try to not have another backlash" and that "this is the end of the overhaul that we're doing." But this may not thoroughly convince concerned users.
Second, though some privacy groups have already released statements to express their approval ("Facebook is finally friending privacy again," the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California cheerfully asserted in a press release, and the Progress and Freedom Foundation called the new tools "powerful" and said "Facebook has employed a potent weapon to deal with marketplace apprehensions: self-regulation"), there has not yet been word on whether D.C. lawmakers, like a coalition of concerned senators or the Federal Trade Commission, will agree with them. Some critics have said that rather than being opt-out, sharing data with third parties on Facebook should be opt-in in the first place. Considering how much this would undermine the power of Facebook's developer platform, it's unsurprising that Facebook doesn't want to do this.
Third, Facebook has officially been thrown onto a big international stage with regard to privacy and security, and anything it does in the future that puts its integrity or safety in question will become a major story whether its privacy controls are a success or not. It was far more of a story than it would have been a year ago when Facebook investor Jim Breyer's account was compromised by a hacker, or when user data was sent to advertisers in what Facebook says was an accidental leak. What would have been a niche security-news story, particularly if Facebook patched the problem quickly, is now of global interest.
"I started Facebook when I was 19 and it's amazing to look back at how it has evolved," Zuckerberg, who recently turned 26, wrote on the company blog. "There have been a lot of changes over the years as we've continued to innovate, and I appreciate that you have all stuck with us. Each time we make a change we try to learn from past lessons, and each time we make new mistakes too. We are far from perfect, but we always try our hardest to build the best service for you and for the world."
At the very least, he seems to be well aware of the fact that he sure isn't in college anymore.
[新聞分享]未來電腦不用滑鼠鍵盤操控
[新聞分享]未來電腦不用滑鼠鍵盤操控
未來電腦不用滑鼠鍵盤操控
(星島)2010年1月6日 星期三 15:26
電腦科技突飛猛進，已經成為許多人生活的一部分。不過，現時使用電腦時不可缺少的滑鼠和鍵盤，可能很快便會被淘汰。將來，用家只需揚一揚手，電腦便會開機；動一動手指，便可以挑選儲存在iPod內的歌曲；又或者眨一眨眼，便可以收發和閱讀電子郵件。
微軟集團現正加緊研究這種新科技，讓用家使用電腦時，不再依賴滑鼠或鍵盤輸入資料或發出指令。
據倫敦《泰晤士報》報道，微軟集團已於上月底就有關的技術在美國申請專利權。該報記者看過有關的文件和計畫書，顯示未來用家只需做一些簡單的動作，便可操控電腦。
微軟構思，將來，電腦用家只需在手臂、手腕、眼鏡或衣服上戴上感應器，當他們的肢體做出動作時，便會發出訊號，指示電腦工作。這種名叫「EMG」的科技，也可利用肌肉傳送電殛，轉化成電子訊號，指示電腦工作。
其實，除了微軟外，其他科技公司也致力發展毋須依靠滑鼠和鍵盤的電腦產品。外界預料，美國蘋果公司會於短期內公開介紹其研發的輕觸式平板電腦，到時勢必引起哄動。
未來電腦不用滑鼠鍵盤操控
(星島)2010年1月6日 星期三 15:26
電腦科技突飛猛進，已經成為許多人生活的一部分。不過，現時使用電腦時不可缺少的滑鼠和鍵盤，可能很快便會被淘汰。將來，用家只需揚一揚手，電腦便會開機；動一動手指，便可以挑選儲存在iPod內的歌曲；又或者眨一眨眼，便可以收發和閱讀電子郵件。
微軟集團現正加緊研究這種新科技，讓用家使用電腦時，不再依賴滑鼠或鍵盤輸入資料或發出指令。
據倫敦《泰晤士報》報道，微軟集團已於上月底就有關的技術在美國申請專利權。該報記者看過有關的文件和計畫書，顯示未來用家只需做一些簡單的動作，便可操控電腦。
微軟構思，將來，電腦用家只需在手臂、手腕、眼鏡或衣服上戴上感應器，當他們的肢體做出動作時，便會發出訊號，指示電腦工作。這種名叫「EMG」的科技，也可利用肌肉傳送電殛，轉化成電子訊號，指示電腦工作。
其實，除了微軟外，其他科技公司也致力發展毋須依靠滑鼠和鍵盤的電腦產品。外界預料，美國蘋果公司會於短期內公開介紹其研發的輕觸式平板電腦，到時勢必引起哄動。
GeForce GTX 480/470將於3月26日發布
GeForce GTX 480/470將於3月26日發布
NVIDIA透過其Twitter賬戶，正式預告其次世代繪圖卡GeForce GTX 480/470將於3月26日，在美國波士頓所舉行的Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) East 2010中正式發布。
雖然距離正式公布還有個多月時間，但已經有網店開始提供GeForce GTX 480/470的預訂了。在SabrePC.com網站上，XFX、PNY的GTX 480和XFX的GTX 470均已經開始預訂。兩款GTX 480的標價都高達679.99美元(約HK$5,300)，而GTX 470則為499.99美元(約HK$3,900)，現在預訂可節省20美元。兩款產品均備有完整的512個CUDA Core，時脈、記憶體容量等資料則未有公布。
NVIDIA透過其Twitter賬戶，正式預告其次世代繪圖卡GeForce GTX 480/470將於3月26日，在美國波士頓所舉行的Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) East 2010中正式發布。
雖然距離正式公布還有個多月時間，但已經有網店開始提供GeForce GTX 480/470的預訂了。在SabrePC.com網站上，XFX、PNY的GTX 480和XFX的GTX 470均已經開始預訂。兩款GTX 480的標價都高達679.99美元(約HK$5,300)，而GTX 470則為499.99美元(約HK$3,900)，現在預訂可節省20美元。兩款產品均備有完整的512個CUDA Core，時脈、記憶體容量等資料則未有公布。
IBM推出新POWER7系統
IBM推出新POWER7系統
[按此打開] [隱藏]
IBM今天宣佈推出新的POWER7系統，以協助企業管理最精密複雜的新興應用，包括智慧電網以至金融機構的實時分析系統。POWER7系統內置多項業內獨有的技術，能配合新興應用系統和服務的獨特需求，使這些系統和服務能同步處理大量並行交易事務和數據，並即時分析資料。
IBM從硬件和軟件著手，大幅提升POWER7系統的並行處理能力，使POWER7系統具備所需效能，管理數以百萬計同步進行的交易事務。當中包括：
- 每顆POWER7處理器內置8核心設計，而每個核芯裝有4個線程，即單顆處理器支援達32線程，相等於 POWER6最高核芯量的4倍，以及POWER6每晶片線程的8倍。
- TurboCore模式猶如Intel Core i5/i7上的Turbo Boost，將其中4個核心閒置，而將另外4個核心提速，使按核心收費的應用軟件開支得到減低。
- 「智慧線程」，可根據工作量需求，動態地增減線程數量。
- Active Memory Expansion技術能根據個別工作負載對記憶體容量的需求，動態地調節壓縮記憶體的容量，並能快速將存入記憶體內的數據壓縮，無形中擴大POWER7系統的記憶體容量達一倍。
- 獨有的「智慧能源」技術方便客戶為系統的不同部分開啟和關閉電源，或因應室溫狀態和系統使用率，動態地加快或減慢個別伺服器和全組伺服器的鐘速。
- POWER7能在單一系統上可支援1,000個虛擬伺服器或分區，數量為POWER6系統的四倍有多，將系統使用率提升至90%。
[按此打開] [隱藏]
IBM今天宣佈推出新的POWER7系統，以協助企業管理最精密複雜的新興應用，包括智慧電網以至金融機構的實時分析系統。POWER7系統內置多項業內獨有的技術，能配合新興應用系統和服務的獨特需求，使這些系統和服務能同步處理大量並行交易事務和數據，並即時分析資料。
IBM從硬件和軟件著手，大幅提升POWER7系統的並行處理能力，使POWER7系統具備所需效能，管理數以百萬計同步進行的交易事務。當中包括：
- 每顆POWER7處理器內置8核心設計，而每個核芯裝有4個線程，即單顆處理器支援達32線程，相等於 POWER6最高核芯量的4倍，以及POWER6每晶片線程的8倍。
- TurboCore模式猶如Intel Core i5/i7上的Turbo Boost，將其中4個核心閒置，而將另外4個核心提速，使按核心收費的應用軟件開支得到減低。
- 「智慧線程」，可根據工作量需求，動態地增減線程數量。
- Active Memory Expansion技術能根據個別工作負載對記憶體容量的需求，動態地調節壓縮記憶體的容量，並能快速將存入記憶體內的數據壓縮，無形中擴大POWER7系統的記憶體容量達一倍。
- 獨有的「智慧能源」技術方便客戶為系統的不同部分開啟和關閉電源，或因應室溫狀態和系統使用率，動態地加快或減慢個別伺服器和全組伺服器的鐘速。
- POWER7能在單一系統上可支援1,000個虛擬伺服器或分區，數量為POWER6系統的四倍有多，將系統使用率提升至90%。
Plastic Logic 發表可彎曲的塑膠 eBook
Plastic Logic 發表可彎曲的塑膠 eBook
Plastic Logic首次發佈了新款電子報紙閱讀器（正式的名字還沒有確定）。採用了白底黑字的 E-Ink 技術，並可以透過無線網路下載最新的新聞，容量可以儲存好幾百張報紙、書或者文件。
顯示螢幕有Kindle的兩倍大，而外觀也更漂亮了。更特別的是，它採用了可彎折、非常輕薄的塑膠。只有Kindle的三分之一厚度，重量則和Kindle一樣。這個閱讀器本身（左圖）比起Plastic Logic過去展示的彈性顯示螢幕還更硬梆梆。預計在2009年上半年上市，更多的細節也會在那時公佈，包括哪些新聞機構會提供內容。
更新：顯示螢幕的規格是8.5 x 11 吋，以手勢為基礎的（gesture-based）使用介面，支援微軟WORD和PDF文件。看起來對喜歡真實閱讀感的讀者來說是個不錯的產品。
Plastic Logic首次發佈了新款電子報紙閱讀器（正式的名字還沒有確定）。採用了白底黑字的 E-Ink 技術，並可以透過無線網路下載最新的新聞，容量可以儲存好幾百張報紙、書或者文件。
顯示螢幕有Kindle的兩倍大，而外觀也更漂亮了。更特別的是，它採用了可彎折、非常輕薄的塑膠。只有Kindle的三分之一厚度，重量則和Kindle一樣。這個閱讀器本身（左圖）比起Plastic Logic過去展示的彈性顯示螢幕還更硬梆梆。預計在2009年上半年上市，更多的細節也會在那時公佈，包括哪些新聞機構會提供內容。
更新：顯示螢幕的規格是8.5 x 11 吋，以手勢為基礎的（gesture-based）使用介面，支援微軟WORD和PDF文件。看起來對喜歡真實閱讀感的讀者來說是個不錯的產品。
Google 2010 未來項目 發展!
1、Chrome在線應用商店
Chrome Web Store（Chrome網絡商店）專門為Chrome 瀏覽器和Chrome OS用戶提供一站式網絡應用程序服務。用戶可以通過瀏覽器或Chrome OS系統登錄應用程序商店，挑選自己喜歡的的免費/付費應用程序。
2、谷歌開源項目WebM網絡視頻格式
WebM是由谷歌推出的，並號稱能夠在相同碼率下提供比當今流行的H.264更好的畫質，且相同畫質下更節省帶寬。業界普遍預期，Google將利用YouTube在網絡視頻領域的霸主地位逐步推廣WebM，並與蘋果支持的H.264一較高下。
3、谷歌Wave
谷歌Wave是上一屆I/O大會的明星，經過一年多時間的醞釀後，終於開放給公眾測試使用。官方將其定義為大型實時交互平台，用戶可在平台上分享視頻、協作辦公、即時聊天等。
4、谷歌云存儲服務Google Storage
這款重新命名的雲存儲服務專門為第三方軟件開發人員設計，方便他們使用基於Google的服務器資源，以便開發出更適應谷歌的應用程序，與零售巨頭亞馬遜旗下的雲存儲服務S3(SimpleStorage Service )展開競爭。
5、Google Buzz API
谷歌Buzz可視為“谷歌式的共享方式”，即用戶可在谷歌Gmail郵件服務中同他人分享各類信息(圖片、網絡鏈接及其他內容)，Buzz可自動加載好友的活動信息，並為用戶自動建立相應郵件發送列表。
此番發布Buzz服務API後，將使外部開發者能夠在各自應用程序中整合Buzz各項功能，其中包括留言、增加富媒體、添加“喜歡”按鈕等等。
6、Google Fonts API
網頁開發人員很實用的開發工具，可以不受標準限制的在網頁中嵌入各種字體。
7、谷歌App Engine和VMware合作
適合於商業用戶的Google App Engine 讓您可以在Google 的基礎架構上運行您Google AppEngine[1]的網絡應用程序。 Google App Engine應用程序易於構建和維護，並可根據您的訪問量和數據存儲需要的增長輕鬆擴展。此外，谷歌還與VMware繼續開展更加深入的合作關係。
8、Android OS 2.2發布
新一代手機操作系統Android 2.2最重要的改進集中在全新的用戶界面、支持Flash10.1、USB傳送、支持播放高清Youtube視頻、擴展存儲應用程序、改進攝像頭效果、無縫整合谷歌Docs、Gmail 、Calendar日曆、語音設置等熱門應用。
9、Android應用市場推在線音樂服務
談到未來Android市場的發展，谷歌提出了一些設想，為了配合AndroidOS和Android手機的推廣，谷歌計劃在Market市場中提供包括在線音樂的服務。
10、谷歌TV
本次大會的重頭戲無疑是谷歌TV。作為最新的互聯網電視服務，谷歌TV工程將與DISH、Sony、Intel、Logitech等多家公司相助。其中，索尼負責提供HDTV顯示屏和藍牙遙控器，Logitech將提供硬件適配器，DISH提供網絡供應、Intel提供處理器芯片。而所有上述產品將被整合在運行AndroidOS的機頂盒中，勢必對傳統TV造成巨大的衝擊。
11、YouTube自定義頻道Leanback
視頻網站Youtube為了配合谷歌TV以及互聯網電視的發展，推出了一項全新的個性化服務Leanback。
YouTube Leanback旨在向用戶提供可自定義的、簡潔的視頻觀看體驗，用戶可通過其出色的界面觀看全高清視頻。此外， YouTube將提供一個Feed源，向用戶推薦他們可能感興趣的內容。該服務將在數週內發布測試版。
Chrome Web Store（Chrome網絡商店）專門為Chrome 瀏覽器和Chrome OS用戶提供一站式網絡應用程序服務。用戶可以通過瀏覽器或Chrome OS系統登錄應用程序商店，挑選自己喜歡的的免費/付費應用程序。
2、谷歌開源項目WebM網絡視頻格式
WebM是由谷歌推出的，並號稱能夠在相同碼率下提供比當今流行的H.264更好的畫質，且相同畫質下更節省帶寬。業界普遍預期，Google將利用YouTube在網絡視頻領域的霸主地位逐步推廣WebM，並與蘋果支持的H.264一較高下。
3、谷歌Wave
谷歌Wave是上一屆I/O大會的明星，經過一年多時間的醞釀後，終於開放給公眾測試使用。官方將其定義為大型實時交互平台，用戶可在平台上分享視頻、協作辦公、即時聊天等。
4、谷歌云存儲服務Google Storage
這款重新命名的雲存儲服務專門為第三方軟件開發人員設計，方便他們使用基於Google的服務器資源，以便開發出更適應谷歌的應用程序，與零售巨頭亞馬遜旗下的雲存儲服務S3(SimpleStorage Service )展開競爭。
5、Google Buzz API
谷歌Buzz可視為“谷歌式的共享方式”，即用戶可在谷歌Gmail郵件服務中同他人分享各類信息(圖片、網絡鏈接及其他內容)，Buzz可自動加載好友的活動信息，並為用戶自動建立相應郵件發送列表。
此番發布Buzz服務API後，將使外部開發者能夠在各自應用程序中整合Buzz各項功能，其中包括留言、增加富媒體、添加“喜歡”按鈕等等。
6、Google Fonts API
網頁開發人員很實用的開發工具，可以不受標準限制的在網頁中嵌入各種字體。
7、谷歌App Engine和VMware合作
適合於商業用戶的Google App Engine 讓您可以在Google 的基礎架構上運行您Google AppEngine[1]的網絡應用程序。 Google App Engine應用程序易於構建和維護，並可根據您的訪問量和數據存儲需要的增長輕鬆擴展。此外，谷歌還與VMware繼續開展更加深入的合作關係。
8、Android OS 2.2發布
新一代手機操作系統Android 2.2最重要的改進集中在全新的用戶界面、支持Flash10.1、USB傳送、支持播放高清Youtube視頻、擴展存儲應用程序、改進攝像頭效果、無縫整合谷歌Docs、Gmail 、Calendar日曆、語音設置等熱門應用。
9、Android應用市場推在線音樂服務
談到未來Android市場的發展，谷歌提出了一些設想，為了配合AndroidOS和Android手機的推廣，谷歌計劃在Market市場中提供包括在線音樂的服務。
10、谷歌TV
本次大會的重頭戲無疑是谷歌TV。作為最新的互聯網電視服務，谷歌TV工程將與DISH、Sony、Intel、Logitech等多家公司相助。其中，索尼負責提供HDTV顯示屏和藍牙遙控器，Logitech將提供硬件適配器，DISH提供網絡供應、Intel提供處理器芯片。而所有上述產品將被整合在運行AndroidOS的機頂盒中，勢必對傳統TV造成巨大的衝擊。
11、YouTube自定義頻道Leanback
視頻網站Youtube為了配合谷歌TV以及互聯網電視的發展，推出了一項全新的個性化服務Leanback。
YouTube Leanback旨在向用戶提供可自定義的、簡潔的視頻觀看體驗，用戶可通過其出色的界面觀看全高清視頻。此外， YouTube將提供一個Feed源，向用戶推薦他們可能感興趣的內容。該服務將在數週內發布測試版。
減低四核心開核成六核機會
減低四核心開核成六核機會
隨著 AMD 六核心處理器已推出市場，繼 Phenom II X6 1000T 系列處理器後，不少用家也期待由六核心屏蔽而成的 Phenom II X4 960T 四核心處理器，不過昨天有消息指 AMD 將不會把 Phenom II X4 960T 處理器推出至零售市場發售
開發代號為 Zosma ，型號為 Phenom II X4 960T 的四核心處理器內建 4×512KB L2 Cache 和 6MB L3 Cache ，雖然原定於第 2 季度推出市場，但據處理器業者表示， AMD 昨天透露 Phenom II X4 960T 四核心處理器將不會推至零售市場，並預計或將會推出於 OEM 市場中，因此或會令不少用家失望。
據業者表示，由於 AMD 為了免避六核心市場因 Phenom II X4 960T 的推出而影響銷情與價格，雖然新一代 SB 800 系列南橋晶片已取消 ACC 功能，但不少主機板廠商已自行覓得解決方案，為了不希望用家開核使用， Phenom II X4 960T 預期將會改為推出於 OEM 市場中，大大減低了開核機會。
業者續表示，由於 OEM 機種往往只提供平實的功能，因此預期大部份亦不會提供開核，假如 Phenom II X4 960T 只會在 OEM 市場推出，將大大限制了處理器的潛能，甚為可惜。
隨著 AMD 六核心處理器已推出市場，繼 Phenom II X6 1000T 系列處理器後，不少用家也期待由六核心屏蔽而成的 Phenom II X4 960T 四核心處理器，不過昨天有消息指 AMD 將不會把 Phenom II X4 960T 處理器推出至零售市場發售
開發代號為 Zosma ，型號為 Phenom II X4 960T 的四核心處理器內建 4×512KB L2 Cache 和 6MB L3 Cache ，雖然原定於第 2 季度推出市場，但據處理器業者表示， AMD 昨天透露 Phenom II X4 960T 四核心處理器將不會推至零售市場，並預計或將會推出於 OEM 市場中，因此或會令不少用家失望。
據業者表示，由於 AMD 為了免避六核心市場因 Phenom II X4 960T 的推出而影響銷情與價格，雖然新一代 SB 800 系列南橋晶片已取消 ACC 功能，但不少主機板廠商已自行覓得解決方案，為了不希望用家開核使用， Phenom II X4 960T 預期將會改為推出於 OEM 市場中，大大減低了開核機會。
業者續表示，由於 OEM 機種往往只提供平實的功能，因此預期大部份亦不會提供開核，假如 Phenom II X4 960T 只會在 OEM 市場推出，將大大限制了處理器的潛能，甚為可惜。
Radeon HD 5970正式開賣
Radeon HD 5970正式開
新一代單卡雙核心繪圖卡 Radeon HD 5970 正式開賣，其內建兩顆 40nm 制程生產的 RV870 繪圖核心，是目前最高規格的繪圖卡之一，基於兩片 Radeon HD 5870 而成，可支援 DirectX 11 遊戲規格，目前包括 HIS 、 GIGBAYTE 、 XFX 等多款品牌的 Radeon HD 5970 均已於香港通路市場有售。
Radeon HD 5970 繪圖卡在一片 PCB 上搭載兩顆 RV870 繪圖核心，合共內建 3200 個 stream processors 及 64 個 ROP 等，其支援 DirectX 11 、 Shader Model 5.0 、 OpenGL 3.1 等規格，核心時脈為 725MHz ，並搭載 2GB 容量 GDDR 5 記憶體，其介面為 256bit ，記憶體時脈則為 GDDR5 1000MHz 。
目前多款品牌的 Radeon HD 5970 均已於香港通路市場有售，其中於零售商 Centralfield 內， HIS 推出的 Radeon HD 5970 售價為港幣 $4950 ， GIGABYTE 及 XFX 推出的 Radeon HD 5970 則同樣為港幣 $4980 。
店鋪地址﹕
香港深水埗褔華街黃金電腦商場地庫 62 號 (Centralfield)
香港深水埗褔華街高登電腦商場一樓 10-14 號 (Centralfield)
查詢﹕ +852 3586 0179 、 +852 2387 0272
新一代單卡雙核心繪圖卡 Radeon HD 5970 正式開賣，其內建兩顆 40nm 制程生產的 RV870 繪圖核心，是目前最高規格的繪圖卡之一，基於兩片 Radeon HD 5870 而成，可支援 DirectX 11 遊戲規格，目前包括 HIS 、 GIGBAYTE 、 XFX 等多款品牌的 Radeon HD 5970 均已於香港通路市場有售。
Radeon HD 5970 繪圖卡在一片 PCB 上搭載兩顆 RV870 繪圖核心，合共內建 3200 個 stream processors 及 64 個 ROP 等，其支援 DirectX 11 、 Shader Model 5.0 、 OpenGL 3.1 等規格，核心時脈為 725MHz ，並搭載 2GB 容量 GDDR 5 記憶體，其介面為 256bit ，記憶體時脈則為 GDDR5 1000MHz 。
目前多款品牌的 Radeon HD 5970 均已於香港通路市場有售，其中於零售商 Centralfield 內， HIS 推出的 Radeon HD 5970 售價為港幣 $4950 ， GIGABYTE 及 XFX 推出的 Radeon HD 5970 則同樣為港幣 $4980 。
店鋪地址﹕
香港深水埗褔華街黃金電腦商場地庫 62 號 (Centralfield)
香港深水埗褔華街高登電腦商場一樓 10-14 號 (Centralfield)
查詢﹕ +852 3586 0179 、 +852 2387 0272
採用IceQ 5繪圖卡散熱器
採用IceQ 5繪圖卡散熱器
HIS H577Q1GD繪圖卡腦場有售
針對主流級繪圖卡市場， HIS 早前推出了採用 IceQ 5 散熱器的 Radeon HD 5770 繪圖卡，型號為 H577Q1GD 散熱承後繼上代 IceQ4 散熱器設計並加以改良，藉此提升繪圖卡散熱能力，產品上週末已於腦場發售，其於零售商 Centralfield 定價為港幣 $1290 。
繪圖卡採用 JuniperXT (RV 850) 繪圖核心，內建 800 個 Shader Processing Unit 、 40 個 Texture Units 和 16 個 ROP Units ，支援 DirectX 11 、 Shader Model 5.0 、 DirectCompute ，而且內建 Unified Video Decoder 2 ，核心時脈為 850MHz ，搭載 1GB 容量 GDDR5 1200MHz 記憶體，並提 HDMI 、 Display Port 、 DVI 等輸出。
IceQ 5 散熱器承後繼上代 IceQ4 散熱器設計並加以改良，其內建三條 8mm Heatpipe 導熱管設計，外殼方面則搭配藍色 UV 燈，加上其靜音設計，在提供散熱效能的同時，也提供靜音和視覺效果。
目前 HIS H577Q1GD 繪圖卡已於香港通路市場發售，其中於零售商 Centralfield 定價為港幣 $1290 ，有意升級繪圖卡的用家不妨考慮。
店鋪地址﹕
香港深水埗褔華街黃金電腦商場地庫 62 號 (Centralfield)
香港深水埗褔華街高登電腦商場一樓 10-14 號 (Centralfield)
查詢﹕ +852 3586 0179 、 +852 2387 0272
HIS H577Q1GD繪圖卡腦場有售
針對主流級繪圖卡市場， HIS 早前推出了採用 IceQ 5 散熱器的 Radeon HD 5770 繪圖卡，型號為 H577Q1GD 散熱承後繼上代 IceQ4 散熱器設計並加以改良，藉此提升繪圖卡散熱能力，產品上週末已於腦場發售，其於零售商 Centralfield 定價為港幣 $1290 。
繪圖卡採用 JuniperXT (RV 850) 繪圖核心，內建 800 個 Shader Processing Unit 、 40 個 Texture Units 和 16 個 ROP Units ，支援 DirectX 11 、 Shader Model 5.0 、 DirectCompute ，而且內建 Unified Video Decoder 2 ，核心時脈為 850MHz ，搭載 1GB 容量 GDDR5 1200MHz 記憶體，並提 HDMI 、 Display Port 、 DVI 等輸出。
IceQ 5 散熱器承後繼上代 IceQ4 散熱器設計並加以改良，其內建三條 8mm Heatpipe 導熱管設計，外殼方面則搭配藍色 UV 燈，加上其靜音設計，在提供散熱效能的同時，也提供靜音和視覺效果。
目前 HIS H577Q1GD 繪圖卡已於香港通路市場發售，其中於零售商 Centralfield 定價為港幣 $1290 ，有意升級繪圖卡的用家不妨考慮。
店鋪地址﹕
香港深水埗褔華街黃金電腦商場地庫 62 號 (Centralfield)
香港深水埗褔華街高登電腦商場一樓 10-14 號 (Centralfield)
查詢﹕ +852 3586 0179 、 +852 2387 0272
RS880P配搭SB800
RS880P配搭SB800
AMD 880G晶片組平台登場
文: Gary Ng / 評測中心
憑藉 RS780 、 RS880 晶片組在 IGP 平台市場取得良好成績後， AMD 再為 IGP 市場推出採用 RS880P 晶片組 880G 平台，晶片組內建 ATI Radeon HD 4250 繪圖核心，加上搭載提供原生 SATA 3.0 介面的全新 SB800 系列南橋，比較上代 785G 平台繪圖效能會否更進一步 !? 編輯部找來 AsRock 推出的 880G Extreme3 主機板與上代產品作出對比測試。
繪圖核心時脈提升、南橋支援 6 組原生 SATA 3.0
由於其繪圖效能表現良好， AMD 憑藉 780G 晶片組取得佳績，並 2009 年中把原定名命為 880G 的 RS880 IGP 晶片組，以 785G 平台姿態推出市場延續 IGP 平台強勁走勢。 據 AMD 規劃指出，為針對主流級市場，宣佈將 RS880P 晶片組以 880G 晶片組名命，並原定配搭 SB810 南橋上場，平台代號為「 Dorado 」，但據了解廠商亦可採用 SB850 南橋，雖然 RS880P 晶片組繪圖核心建基於 Radeon HD 4200 ，但核心規格升級，而且搭載 SB800 系列南橋及支援原生 SATA 3.0 介面，藉此取代上代 785G 平台。
AMD 880G 平台採用 RS880P 晶片組，繪圖核心建基於 RV620 ，型號為 Radeon HD 4250 ，內建 40 個 Stream Processors ， 8 個 Texture Address Unit 、 4 個 Texture Filiting Unit 、 4 個 ROP ，與上代 785G 所採用 Radeon HD 4200 的分別其實只在於繪圖核心時脈部份， Radeon HD 4250 的繪圖核心時脈為 560MHz ，比較 Radeon HD 4200 的 500MHz 略高。
除核心時脈有分別外， UVD 2.0 影像處理引擎、支援 DirectX 10.1 、 Dual-Stream 技術、 Picture in Picture ( 畫中畫 ) 功能及同時播放兩組 VC-1 、 H.264 及 MPEG-2 Bitstream 影像解碼等功能則維持不變。同時，為提升繪圖效能， RS880P 晶片組支援 128MB DDR3-1333 速度 Side-Port Memory ，而且晶片組亦支援 24 個 PCI-e Lanes ，提供 PCI-e x16 繪圖卡介面支援 Hybrid CrossFire 技術。
除繪圖核心外，全新 880G 平台與 785G 不同之處，在於廠商可為 880G 平台選擇搭載 SB810 或 SB850 南橋晶片，而 785G 則搭載上代 SB700 系列南橋。兩款全新的 SB800 系列南橋均原生支援 6 組 SATA 3.0 介面，提供 6Gbps 寬頻傳輸，主機板毋需再依靠第三方晶片組，可讓主機板在成本較低的情況下提供更多組 SATA 3.0 介面，晶片內建 Clock Gen 及 Giabit Ethernet MAC ，將進一步減低主機板成本，其中， SB850 支援 FIS-based switching 功能，透過單一 SATA 接口將可連接多於一組 Device ，而且 SB 800 系列的提供 14 組 USB 2.0 介面，比較 SB700 的 12 組多出 2 組。
此外，由於上代 SB700 系列南橋晶片提供 ACC 功能，不少用家可透過此功能為一些經屏蔽核心的處理器進行「開核」，因此市場上頓時掀起一股開核熱潮，不過為許免用家開核而影響高階處理器銷情，今代 SB800 系列南橋已取消 ACC 功能，但據了解，部份廠商仍會自行加入破解方法，讓處理器核心數目可以繼續被開啟。
SB850 與 SB810 兩者之間的最大分別，在於 RAID 功能部份，其中規格較高的 SB850 南橋晶片可支援 RAID 0 、 1 、 5 及 10 模式， SB810 則僅支援 RAID 0 、 1 及 10 模式，而且刪去 FIS-based Switching 模式，成為兩者主要市場區間。
AMD 880G晶片組平台登場
文: Gary Ng / 評測中心
憑藉 RS780 、 RS880 晶片組在 IGP 平台市場取得良好成績後， AMD 再為 IGP 市場推出採用 RS880P 晶片組 880G 平台，晶片組內建 ATI Radeon HD 4250 繪圖核心，加上搭載提供原生 SATA 3.0 介面的全新 SB800 系列南橋，比較上代 785G 平台繪圖效能會否更進一步 !? 編輯部找來 AsRock 推出的 880G Extreme3 主機板與上代產品作出對比測試。
繪圖核心時脈提升、南橋支援 6 組原生 SATA 3.0
由於其繪圖效能表現良好， AMD 憑藉 780G 晶片組取得佳績，並 2009 年中把原定名命為 880G 的 RS880 IGP 晶片組，以 785G 平台姿態推出市場延續 IGP 平台強勁走勢。 據 AMD 規劃指出，為針對主流級市場，宣佈將 RS880P 晶片組以 880G 晶片組名命，並原定配搭 SB810 南橋上場，平台代號為「 Dorado 」，但據了解廠商亦可採用 SB850 南橋，雖然 RS880P 晶片組繪圖核心建基於 Radeon HD 4200 ，但核心規格升級，而且搭載 SB800 系列南橋及支援原生 SATA 3.0 介面，藉此取代上代 785G 平台。
AMD 880G 平台採用 RS880P 晶片組，繪圖核心建基於 RV620 ，型號為 Radeon HD 4250 ，內建 40 個 Stream Processors ， 8 個 Texture Address Unit 、 4 個 Texture Filiting Unit 、 4 個 ROP ，與上代 785G 所採用 Radeon HD 4200 的分別其實只在於繪圖核心時脈部份， Radeon HD 4250 的繪圖核心時脈為 560MHz ，比較 Radeon HD 4200 的 500MHz 略高。
除核心時脈有分別外， UVD 2.0 影像處理引擎、支援 DirectX 10.1 、 Dual-Stream 技術、 Picture in Picture ( 畫中畫 ) 功能及同時播放兩組 VC-1 、 H.264 及 MPEG-2 Bitstream 影像解碼等功能則維持不變。同時，為提升繪圖效能， RS880P 晶片組支援 128MB DDR3-1333 速度 Side-Port Memory ，而且晶片組亦支援 24 個 PCI-e Lanes ，提供 PCI-e x16 繪圖卡介面支援 Hybrid CrossFire 技術。
除繪圖核心外，全新 880G 平台與 785G 不同之處，在於廠商可為 880G 平台選擇搭載 SB810 或 SB850 南橋晶片，而 785G 則搭載上代 SB700 系列南橋。兩款全新的 SB800 系列南橋均原生支援 6 組 SATA 3.0 介面，提供 6Gbps 寬頻傳輸，主機板毋需再依靠第三方晶片組，可讓主機板在成本較低的情況下提供更多組 SATA 3.0 介面，晶片內建 Clock Gen 及 Giabit Ethernet MAC ，將進一步減低主機板成本，其中， SB850 支援 FIS-based switching 功能，透過單一 SATA 接口將可連接多於一組 Device ，而且 SB 800 系列的提供 14 組 USB 2.0 介面，比較 SB700 的 12 組多出 2 組。
此外，由於上代 SB700 系列南橋晶片提供 ACC 功能，不少用家可透過此功能為一些經屏蔽核心的處理器進行「開核」，因此市場上頓時掀起一股開核熱潮，不過為許免用家開核而影響高階處理器銷情，今代 SB800 系列南橋已取消 ACC 功能，但據了解，部份廠商仍會自行加入破解方法，讓處理器核心數目可以繼續被開啟。
SB850 與 SB810 兩者之間的最大分別，在於 RAID 功能部份，其中規格較高的 SB850 南橋晶片可支援 RAID 0 、 1 、 5 及 10 模式， SB810 則僅支援 RAID 0 、 1 及 10 模式，而且刪去 FIS-based Switching 模式，成為兩者主要市場區間。
Core i5+P55組合優惠
Core i5+P55組合優惠
同時購買可節省更多
文: Jack Choi / 賣場報價
文章索引：主機板 處理器 GIGABYTE INTEL 腦場特攻
為推廣 Intel Core i5 處理器和 P55 平台至更為普及，零售商 Centralfield 特別推出 Gigabyte P55A-UD3 主機板配 Intel Core i5-750 處理器組合優惠，讓用家能夠以更低價錢升級或組裝新平台。
Gigabyte P55A-UD3 主機板為 P55A 系列中較入門的型號，採用 333 硬體加速設計，支援 USB 3.0 、 SATA 3,0 和 USB 3 倍力功能。雖說是 GIGABYTE P55 系列中較入門的型號，但亦備有多項功能，包括支援 DDR3 2200 記憶體速度、 ATI CrossFireX 、第三代超耐久技術、 Smart6 軟硬體技術、 Dynamic Energy Saver2 動態節能技術、 eXtreme HardDrive 技術、 AutoGreen 技術等。
Intel Core i5-750 為 Lynnfield 處理器，針對主流級市場，採用 Socket LGA 1156 ，四核心處理器核心時脈為 2.66GHz ，內建 8MB L3 Cache 、 Dual Channel DDR3 記憶體控制器，支援 Intel Turbo Boost Technology 、 Intel VT-x 、 TXT 、 EIST 及 Intel 64 ，但不支援 Hyper-Threading 技術和 ntel VT-d 。
據 Centralfield 表示，於優惠期間用家同時購買上述兩款產品，可獲得現金折扣優惠，並組合價為港幣 $2699 ，比較分開選購需要港幣 $2758 略為便宜，優惠期數量有限，售完即止。
店鋪地址﹕
香港深水埗褔華街黃金電腦商場地庫 62 號 (Centralfield)
香港深水埗褔華街高登電腦商場一樓 10-14 號 (Centralfield)
查詢﹕ +852 3586 0179 、 +852 2387 0272
同時購買可節省更多
文: Jack Choi / 賣場報價
文章索引：主機板 處理器 GIGABYTE INTEL 腦場特攻
為推廣 Intel Core i5 處理器和 P55 平台至更為普及，零售商 Centralfield 特別推出 Gigabyte P55A-UD3 主機板配 Intel Core i5-750 處理器組合優惠，讓用家能夠以更低價錢升級或組裝新平台。
Gigabyte P55A-UD3 主機板為 P55A 系列中較入門的型號，採用 333 硬體加速設計，支援 USB 3.0 、 SATA 3,0 和 USB 3 倍力功能。雖說是 GIGABYTE P55 系列中較入門的型號，但亦備有多項功能，包括支援 DDR3 2200 記憶體速度、 ATI CrossFireX 、第三代超耐久技術、 Smart6 軟硬體技術、 Dynamic Energy Saver2 動態節能技術、 eXtreme HardDrive 技術、 AutoGreen 技術等。
Intel Core i5-750 為 Lynnfield 處理器，針對主流級市場，採用 Socket LGA 1156 ，四核心處理器核心時脈為 2.66GHz ，內建 8MB L3 Cache 、 Dual Channel DDR3 記憶體控制器，支援 Intel Turbo Boost Technology 、 Intel VT-x 、 TXT 、 EIST 及 Intel 64 ，但不支援 Hyper-Threading 技術和 ntel VT-d 。
據 Centralfield 表示，於優惠期間用家同時購買上述兩款產品，可獲得現金折扣優惠，並組合價為港幣 $2699 ，比較分開選購需要港幣 $2758 略為便宜，優惠期數量有限，售完即止。
店鋪地址﹕
香港深水埗褔華街黃金電腦商場地庫 62 號 (Centralfield)
香港深水埗褔華街高登電腦商場一樓 10-14 號 (Centralfield)
查詢﹕ +852 3586 0179 、 +852 2387 0272
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