IndoPost.com Breaking News and Opinion

Over hundreds new California laws enacted and will take effect in the beginning of New Year 2013 including prohibits employers from requiring employees and job seekers to show their social networks passwords

California is one of several states in America that will prohibit employers from requiring employees and job seekers to show their social media passwords, as per a press release provided by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). The social media law was passed few months ago which is also known as California AB 1844. 

The new law protects employees and job applicants from employers in terms of the use of social networks, including Facebook and Twitter.  This law also prohibits California public college and university admission offices to request potential students to disclose their social media passwords.

With more privacy protection for Californians, experts have warned employees and students that they should always take precautions if their posts are suitable for general audiences.  Employers are still entitled to use public information to check out employees’ images in public networks, tweets, inappropriate pictures, or making threats via online forum and social media.

The decline of landline telephone connections for American households as the use of wireless phones (incl. cellphones and smartphones) are increasing

According to the newest data provided by the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), there are growing uses of wireless phones in America in recent years, including cellphones and smartphones. Since 1957, NHIS has been monitoring the health of Americans. NHIS is under the management of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the latest report was published in late December 2012. The report was based on six months surveys which were collected from January to June 2012.

The report showed more than one-third or 35.8 percent of American households had only wireless phones for communication needs between January and June 2012. In term of percentage, this was an increase of 1.8 points from the previous survey which was conducted between July and December of 2011. Even though American households already have landline phone, the report also revealed that about 15.9 percent of those households would still use a wireless phone to communicate than using a landline phone.

In term of gender, the NHIS report showed 35.2 percent American men live in houses with only wireless phones for communication purposes, compared to 32.9 percent for women. In terms of education, 21 percent of Americans who live in houses with only wireless phones have a college degree. American households with a high school diploma accounted only15.5 percent of households with wireless phones.  While for American households who had not completed high school education accounted for 11.9 percent of all households with only wireless phones for communication needs.

(Image: CDC logo)

Show me the ID: China passed rules to require 550 million Internet users to show identification card when signing up services for web and phone

In order to control over web users, the world’s most populated nation has passed new rules which require users to show ID when signing up services for web and phone.  Citing a report provided by Xinhua News Agency, wsj.com reported that the new law will boost protection of personal information online and helping to maintain public interests.

There are over 550 million web users in China today.  The Great Wall nation has placed censors on Internet content since the birth of the technology.  The restriction on web users is critical to Communist Party rule, especially limiting access to sites or content showing pornography, conducting gambling activities, and propaganda against the government.

Q3 2012 smartphone ownership increased to 56 percent, while Google Android captured 52% market share and Apple iOS took 35% market share

For the first time ever in mobile phone history, the ownership of smartphone surpassed classic cellphone in America.  Q3 2012 (July to September) smartphone ownership in America increased to 56 percent compared to only 49 percent of all cellphone subscribers in Q1 2012 (January to March), as per the latest report provided by Nielsen.

Mobile operating system created by Google which is known as Android, captured 52% market share in Q3 2012.  Handsets run on Android include Samsung Galaxy, Sony Xperia, HTC One, and others.

Mobile OS developed by the world’s most valuable company Apple which is called iOS took 35% market share in Q3 2012.  Popular handsets by Apple include iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, and iPhone 5.

RIM BlackBerry remained at number three with 7% market share.  Microsoft Windows Phone was at number four with 2% market share.   The remaining of 5% share was divided by Nokia Symbian OS, Samsung Bada OS, and others.

(Image: Nielsen)

$35 billion and counting: online shopping spending during the 2012 holiday season-to-date increased 13 percent versus one year ago

So far, the 2012 holiday season retail e-commerce spending has surpassed the 2011 season.  Based on data provided by comScore, online shopping spending from November 1, 2012 to December 16, 2012 (46 days) has accumulated a total of over $35 billion; compared to the same period one year ago, the total spending totaled just a little bit over $31 billion, or an increase of 13 percent.

During the week of December 10 to December 16, online spending hit a new record high of over $7 billion in sales, compared to the same period one year ago which was at $6.3 billion, or an increase of 12%.

Online spending on the 24-hour of Green Monday (December 10) reached $1.275 billion, compared to the same day one year ago which was at $1.133 billion, or an increase of 13%.

(Table: comScore)

$500 million and counting: Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla, give 18 million shares to Silicon Valley Community Foundation to improve education and health care in the areas

Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of the world’s largest social networking company and his wife, Priscilla, find giving spirit during this year holiday season.  Today, the couples are donating about $500 million in stock to a charitable foundation (or, equal to 18 million Facebook shares).

According to a post written by Zuckerberg at the social network wall, the couples had previously signed The Giving Pledge and promised to give away over 50% of the money they will earn during their lifetime to charity.

The lucky foundation is the Silicon Valley Community Foundation.  The fund will be used to enhance education and health in Silicon Valley areas.  Similarly, Zuckerberg has previously donated some of his fortunes to several schools in Newark, New Jersey.

(Image: Mark Zuckerberg’s Facebook wall posting)

Facebook adds a new navigation menu called 'Nearby' to enhance local search and helping brick-and-mortar businesses, as the new feature will compete with Yelp and Foursquare

On Monday, December 17, 2012, the world’s largest social network Facebook has added 'Nearby' (a new tab) onto the navigation menu.  The new tab is only available for users who login into their account via mobile devices.  For now, only devices run on Apple iOS and Google Android will be able to use 'Nearby.'  'Nearby' will let users to find nearby places such as malls, restaurants, and bars, etc. Users can search thru category.

Overall, 'Nearby' is almost similar to local search.  The lists of nearby places were based on suggestions and recommendations from friends or family members.  Most 'Nearby' places are usually attached as geo-tag into posts or photos by friends.  Those places had been visited by friends; therefore, they usually give a thumb-up or a thumb-down.  Friends and other users can assign a rating value (i.e., 5-star).

For local small business owners and brick-and-mortar places such as café shop, beauty salon or barbershop, 'Nearby' feature could increase exposure to potential buyers to find their locations easily.  Small businesses can rely on 'Nearby' to promote sales of products or services.  However, to take advantage of this new feature, every local business must have a Facebook page.  The “about us” page should include store address, store hours, phone number, and type of business.

As Facebook has launched the new app for mobile users, the biggest losers are local search service provider such as Yelp and Foursquare.  Most 'Nearby' recommendations are based on friends in the social network.  On the other hand, Yelp’s data were from the general public.

(Image: Facebook Nearby app for Apple iOS, iPhone)

Let’s say hello to @pontifex: the official Twitter page of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, a new era of social media will go live from Vatican on December 12, 2012

On Wednesday, December 12, 2012 (12/12/12), Pope Benedict XVI will start sending out tweets from Vatican.  This is the beginning of social media era from the current sitting Pope.  Pope Benedict XVI will use a Twitter handle known as @pontifex.  Just one day before the first tweet coming out from Vatican, the @pontifex account has accumulated about 631,000 followers.

As one of the most recognize religious figure in the world, Pope Benedict XVI will send out tweets to answers questions regarding faith and other religion issues.  Pope Benedict XVI is a well-known scholar, theologian, and also as a writer of several best-seller religious books about faith and morals.

Pope’s office in Vatican has utilized social media to reach out people from around the world.  The Vatican has established a YouTube channel since early 2009 and also continues to update its Facebook page.  Just before the Easter celebration of 2012, the Vatican sent several tweets regarding Lent.

(Image: Twitter @pontifex)

Photo images from Instagram photo sharing service to Twitter has been disconnected on Sunday, December 9, 2012

After several days of on-and-off, Instagram has finally disconnected its photo sharing feature with Twitter on Sunday, December 9, 2012.  The confirmation of the end of sharing capability was posted online via a Twitter's status update.

Instagram was acquired by Facebook the world’s largest social networking in early April 2012 for close to $1 billion.  In the beginning Instagram was only available for iOS devices (iPhone, iPad, iPod) and later the app was released for Android users.  The app has been downloaded by about 100 million users from around the world.  Instagram has generated high traffic from mobile phone users. 

In recent weeks, Instagram has launched its own website catered as photo sharing site.  Each user will be assigned their own sub-domain which contains all their photos.  On the site, users can view their photos and share with other users.  At the same time Twitter is preparing to launch its own photo app to take on Instagram. Tech watchers believe Twitter for photo app will be available during the Christmas holiday season this year.

(Image: Instagram logo)

Made in U.S.A.: Foxconn is planning to manufacture the next generation gadgets and computers for its biggest client Apple in America

Apple has been using a tag line read “Designed by Apple in California. Assembled in China.”   However, in recent years, there are more buyers of Apple products in North America prefer their gadgets and computers to be Made in U.S.A.  In order to fulfill those requests, Foxconn Technology Group, the major supplier to Apple Inc., has started to look for expanding its operation in America. 

Foxconn has already assembled some computer servers using its factories in California and Texas.  The company will expand its operations in America to build Mac computers.  Some of the computer and phone parts including Samsung microprocessors and Gorilla glass for displays are currently manufactured in America.  By moving some of its manufacturing to America, Foxconn could shorten delivery times and reduce costs of transportation.

The Taipei, Taiwan-based Company has over 1.6 million workers around the world with about 1.5 million worker reside in Mainland China.  According to bloomberg.com, Foxconn plans to boost its workforces in America and will upgrade its facilities with funding over $100 million in 2013. 

The benefit of being a parent on longevity: women and men with a biological child can live longer than childless couples

A new study conducted in Denmark by Esben Agerbo, Ph.D., an associate professor at Aarhus University in Aarhus, found that being a parent may help women and men live longer. Agerbo and colleague believe that having children are the secret to a longer life in human. 

Danish researchers had hypotheses if childless couples were more likely to die early than men and women with kids.  The study titled “Childlessness, parental mortality and psychiatric illness: a natural experiment based on in vitro fertility treatment and adoption” is being published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.

Agerbo and the team of researchers used a large sample of 21,276 childless couples in vitro fertility treatment (IVF) between 1994 and 2005.   Researchers continued to follow those couples until the end of 2008 and recorded their death, their relocation, or conducting diagnosis of any type of illness.  Within the period of 1994 to 2005, over 15,000 babies were born and about 1,564 babies were adopted by those couples. Researchers found that being a parent actually decreased the risk of early death.

There were some conclusions from the study on longevity. First, women who become mothers with a biological child were four times less likely to die early than childless women.  Second, men who become fathers with a biological child were two times less likely to die early than childless men.  Other findings include that men who adopted a child were 50% less likely to die early than childless men.  Women who adopted a child have no significant differences with childless women. 

(Image: logo of the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health)

20 years and counting: text message technology (SMS) celebrate its 20-year anniversary on December 3

A conventional cellphone text messaging read "Merry Christmas" was sent by Neil Papworth, a software engineer, to Richard Jarvis, a director at Vodafone, on December 3, 1992.  This date was considered as the birth of Short Messaging Services (SMS) technology. The first-ever text message was sent thru an Orbitel 901 cellphone. 

The cellphone businesses then grow rapidly with the introduction of full QWERTY keyboard devices from hardware makers such as RIM BlackBerry, touchscreen smartphones from Samsung and Apple.  The latest technology for SMS including voice-dictation services using Apple’s Siri technology.  Using voice command, Siri helps users to write messages into text format.

Many cellphone users love the SMS technology for its simplicity to communicate with others. However, some have blamed the technology due to sore thumbs and the decline of friendly phone conversation between one-to-one chat.

The SMS era has also created many text lingoes and has turned those into mainstream language among users.  For example, LOL (laugh out loud), OMG (Oh My God), etc.

As SMS celebrating its 20-year anniversary this week, text messaging usages continue to decline in recent years.  This was due to many free alternatives instant messaging applications provided by hard ware makers (i.e., BlackBerry Messenger/BBM) and smartphone application (i.e., WhatsApp, Apple's iMessage), etc.

One of the world’s best airline company Singapore Airlines plans to sell its 49 percent stake in Virgin Atlantic which is majority owned by billionaire Richard Branson

According to Associated Press, one of the largest airline companies in America is interested to purchase the Virgin Atlantic stake from Asia’s largest airline company Singapore Airlines.  America’s Delta Air Lines is based in Atlanta, Georgia, and is considered as one of the top airlines in North America. 

Virgin Atlantic was founded in 1984 by billionaire Richard Branson.  Sir Branson owns majority stake (51%) of the airline.  Since 1999, Singapore Airlines has captured 49% stake of Virgin Atlantic.  In recent years, the Asian’s largest airline company has been taking more businesses from many Asian countries and its region, and also continues to expand its flights into the world. 

Singapore Airlines has warned business investors that few negotiations have been going on for a while with several suitors.  However, all of those discussions may or may not result in a deal.

(Images: right, Singapore Airlines logo; left, Virgin Atlantic logo)

America’s smartphone operating system market share in October 2012: Google Android remained number one with 53.6% share, followed by Apple iOS at 34.3% share, while RIM BlackBerry and Microsoft Windows Phone continued to drop their market shares

comScore has released mobile phone activities in America for the month of October 2012.  Google Android captured the number one spot and captured 53.6% share of smartphone operating system, compared to the previous three months in July 2012 which was at 52.2% share, or an increase of 1.4% share.

Apple iOS captured the second position with 34.3% share in October 2012, compared to July ‘12 which was at 33.4% share, or an increase of 0.8% share.

RIM BlackBerry retained the number three spot with 7.8% share.  However, compared to July ’12, the Canadian-based company market share was 9.5% share.  This was a drop of 1.7% share.

Microsoft Windows Phone remained at number four and captured only 3.2% share in October 2012, compared to 3.6% share in July 2012, or a drop of 0.4% share within the past three months.

(Image: comScore)

Microsoft Surface for Windows 8 Pro: tablet with 64GB hard-drive will sell for $899 and 128GB version will sell for $999, available in January 2013

As promised in mid-June 2012 when the first tablet computer known as Surface was introduced to a group of audience in Los Angeles, Microsoft announced the pricing for Surface for Windows 8 Pro. The real Microsoft Surface for Windows 8 RT product was sold to general public in conjunction with the release of Windows 8 operating system on October 26, 2012.   Surface for Windows 8 Pro will be available in January 2013.

There will be two models of Surface for Windows 8 Pro.  The first model 64GB hard-drive version of Surface Pro will sell for $899.  A larger hard-drive 128GB version will sell for $999.  Buyers must pay additional $100 to $130 for the special Surface keyboard cover.

Windows 8 Pro tablet runs on the new operating system known as Windows 8. It will be equipped with Intel microprocessor. The new tablet will support legacy applications. Market target will be toward business users.

(Image: Microsoft Surface)

25 million active users and counting: Microsoft’s Outlook (.com) cloud-based email system continues to gain users base from around the world and trying to catch Google’s Gmail dominant

Since Microsoft Outlook.com launched in the end of July 2012, the new email system has accumulated over 25 million active users already from around the world.  The new email system also received several awards for being great website and great software, including from Time Magazine and PC Magazine.

As per the software giant company’s blog post, more Google’s Gmail users have switched to the new system.  A large number of users switched due to its clean design, Microsoft’s technology to block spam, and easier to organize files and documents. 

Initially, Outlook was only available for Windows Phone and iPhone users.  In order to get more Gmail users to switch, the Outlook team also launched an application catered to users who used devices run on Android mobile operating system.  Only Android version 2.x devices and higher version are currently supported.

(Logo: Outlook)

Over 400,000 units of Wii U and counting: Nintendo’s new video game console has great sales in its first week in America

Japanese-based Nintendo launched its new video game console called Wii U on Sunday, November 18, 2012.  After one week in the market in America, the latest sales figure showed that Nintendo has sold over 400,000 units of Wii U. 

While Wii U is more expensive than its previous version with asking price of $299, the new console is equipped with more innovative features, including a touch screen controller like a small tablet and high-definition graphics similar to Xbox 360 or PS3 consoles.

Gamers around the world have bought over 97 million units of Nintendo’s first version of Wii console that was launched about six years ago.  Although it has been in the market since 2006, the old Wii remains one of the top seller gaming consoles.  In conjunction of the Wii U launch and full week of sales, the original Wii sold over 300,000 units in one week during the Thanksgiving holiday shopping.

(Image: Wii U)

2012 Black Friday online sales hit an all-time high of over $1 billion, led by ecommerce king Amazon and followed by Walmart, Best Buy, Target and Apple

More Americans buyers were flocked into online retail stores as the 2012 holiday shopping season has started on the Thanksgiving Day (November 22).  According to comScore, the biggest sales day occurred on Black Friday (Nov 23) as e-commerce shoppers spent $1.043 billion within the 24-hours period.  Compared to the same Friday one year ago, total spent was $816 million within the one day period (or, an increase of 32%).

While Americans were busy cooking their best dinner with a turkey as their main menu, they also spent time to buys electronics devices, cloths, toys, and others stuffs online on the Thanksgiving Day.  Americans buyers spent $633 million on the 2012 Thanksgiving Day.  Compared to the same day one year ago, total spent was $479 million within the one day period (or, an increase of 26%).

The 2012 holiday shopping season winners include Amazon.com, followed by Walmart, Best Buy, Target and Apple.’

As per comScore, from November 1 to November 23, 2012, Americans buyers have spent a total of $13.7 billion, compared to the same period one year ago, the total spent was $11.8 billion, or an increase of 16%.

(Table: comScore)

11.22 million units and counting: Activision Blizzard’s “Call of Duty: Black Ops II” video game has been sold for over 11 million units in its opening week

A new video game developed by Activision Blizzard which is known as “Call of Duty: Black Ops II” has been sold for 11.22 million units during its record-breaking opening week, as per data provided by VGChartz.  The game was release on Tuesday midnight November 13, 2012.  Within its first 24 hours sales, the new video game from Call of Duty franchise has accumulated over $500 million in retail sales globally

During its initial release, the game was made available on Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3 and PC laptop and desktop.  A special version of the video game designed for the new Nintendo Wii U gaming console was released on November 18.

According to VGChartz, among all game consoles, version for Xbox 360 was the best-selling and has been sold for 6.21 million units in the opening week, representing about 55 percent share of all sales. Version for Sony PlayStation 3 has been sold for 4.61 million units, representing about 41 percent of all sales. Version for PC has been sold for only a little bit over 400K units during its first week sales.

(Image: “Call of Duty: Black Ops II” game for Xbox 360)

Top 20 technopoles in the world include Silicon Valley, Tel Aviv, Los Angeles, Seattle, New York City, Boston, London, Toronto, Vancouver, Chicago, Paris , Sydney, Sao Paulo, Moscow, Berlin, Waterloo (Canada), Singapore, Melbourne, Bangalore, and Santiago

Using several factors to determine the world’s largest technopoles, Startup Genome has crunched dataset and considered factors such as number startups per city, funding, business environment, founders’ profiles, network and business ecosystem support, and job opening for skilled workers. Startup Genome published their findings early this week.

Six of the top-10 technopoles are located in America.  At the top spot is a region called Silicon Valley which consists of several small and large cities such as San Jose, San Francisco, and others.  The region has been known as the center of the world’s largest startup hub since the 1950s.  Majority famous technology companies today have decided to call Silicon Valley as their headquarters.  San Francisco is now the main office for Twitter. Palo Alto is the founding city for HP computers. Menlo Park is chosen as the headquarters for Facebook social networking web site.  Cupertino is the main office of the world’s most valuable company Apple.  Mountain View is still the base for the world’s largest search engine known as Googleplex.

Aside of Silicon Valley, other cities in the top-10 are Los Angeles (#3), Seattle (#4), New York City (#5), Boston (#6), and Chicago (#10).  Los Angeles ranks as the third largest technolpole in the world.  This is due to Hollywood influences in the entertainment and fashion industries.

At #4 is Seattle is located in the Northwest of America. Seattle is the headquarters of Microsoft, the maker of Windows operating system, Office productivity software, Xbox gaming console, and Skype Internet telephone system. Seattle is also the home-base for Amazon online store.  In recent year there are several Seattle's companies had gone public including Netflix the world’s largest streaming video provider.

(Image: Startup Genome logo)