IndoPost.com Breaking News, Opinion, Indonesia and USA

Let’s say hello to Outlook: Microsoft launched a cloud-based email service called Outlook (.com) and will replace the old-style Hotmail (.com) and Live (.com) addresses

While users from around the world can keep using their @hotmail and @live addresses for many years to come, as the new generation email system called outlook.com has been launched this morning, the world’s largest software company is now offering any users to grab a brand new email address.  Users can now use the @outlook.com extension to get email, send email, and keep email.  Nobody is special as for getting an email address @outlook, it will be first-come, first-served service.

To get an outlook address, users must first exit all accounts related to Microsoft services such as Hotmail, Xbox, Live, Bing Rewards, SkyDrive, and others.  A new user must go to www.outlook.com website and sign up online.  During the signup, users must have a phone number, other email address, zip code, and date of birth.  All of those steps are processed quickly and will take only a few minutes.  After login into the new @outlook email address, users are allowed to connect the new outlook.com address with the old Hotmail or Live addresses by using account settings. 

(Logo: Microsoft Outlook)

Microsoft plans to release Surface tablet computer version 1.0 on Friday, October 26, 2012, in conjunction with the launch of Windows 8 operating system

The world’s largest software maker has submitted its annual Form 10-K to government on July 26, 2012.  On the paperwork, Microsoft stated that the company will release Surface tablet computer version 1.0 on Friday, October 26, 2012.  This is in conjunction with the launch of Windows 8 operating system that was announced by Windows division President Steven Sinofsky on July 18 (Wednesday).  Sinofsky made the announcement at Microsoft annual sales meeting.

During the past few days, several tech watchers have been speculated that Microsoft and its partners who manufacture the Surfaces have been facing difficulties to obtain some raw materials to produce components for the new tablet computer.  While Microsoft's competitors including Apple and Google are working hard to release several new models of tablet computer in the past one month.  Apple is planning to release a new mini iPad tablet computer in October this year.

When Microsoft introduced the Surface at a special event in Los Angeles on June 18, the company’s executives have mentioned that the first release of the Surface will be the low end models using ARM processor and running on Windows RT operating system.  High-end models running on Windows 8 Pro operating system and using Intel microprocessor will be available in early 2013 (about three months after the Surface’s initial release on October 26, 2012). 

(Image: Surface tablet computer)

Global demand for smartphones continues to skyrocket as market grew 42.1% year-over-year while Samsung and Apple controlled about 50% of the world's market

Global smartphone market grew 42.1% year-over-year in the second quarter of 2012 (2Q12).  Based on data provided by the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, handset manufacturers delivered about 153.9 million smartphones in 2Q12.  One year ago, handset manufacturers shipped only 108.3 million units in 2Q11.

South Korean-based company Samsung and Silicon Valley-based Company Apple controlled about 50% of the world's smartphones today.  Samsung uses multiple-products strategy to target several segments of the smartphone market including Samsung Galaxy S II and S III.  Few months before the end of 2011, the company also introduced a larger screen smartphone called Samsung Galaxy Note.  Samsung continues to release new models ahead of its competitors.  With the help of popular Google Android mobile operating system, Samsung delivered 50.2 million units of smartphones in 2Q12, compared to only 18.4 million units in 2Q11.  This was an increase of 172.8% year-over-year.  Samsung captured 32.6% of the world's smartphones market in 2Q12, compared to 17.0% share one year ago.

On the other hand, Apple produces a limited number of models and the release schedule was somewhat slow.  Apple introduced an upgrade of its iPhone 4 and called it 4S in October 2011.  Many prospect buyers were disappointed as they expected a fancier model.  Apple's next-generation iPhone which could be called “the New iPhone” is expected for release in October 2012.  Apple shipped 26.0 million units of smartphones in 2Q12, compared to only 20.4 million units in 2Q11.  This was an increase of 27.5% year-over-year.  However, Apple experienced a decline in term of market share in 2Q12 compared to one year ago.  Apple captured 16.9% of the global smartphones market in 2Q12, compared to 18.8% share one year ago.

(Table: IDC)

Apple: here comes Larry the Blue Bird, the world’s most valuable company is approaching Twitter’s owners and investors to buy some shares of the social media company

Twitter’s "Larry" the blue bird had a haircut on June 6, 2012 as the social media changed the company’s logo forever.  At the same time the fate of Twitter is changing and getting much better. While the social media has plenty of cash on hand by placing ads on sponsored tweets which is estimated to surpass $300 million in 2012, the company will not hesitate to welcome additional funding from Apple.  The world’s most valuable company is currently has a very excessive cash on hand (about $117 billion) and its executives do not know what to do with those money.  One of the best choices for throwing out those cash is by approaching Twitter. 

According to New York Times, Apple has been approaching Twitter owners and investors and the world’s largest mobile devices maker want to buy some shares of Twitter.  Apple is expected to invest over hundreds of millions.  Tech analysts had previously valued Twitter at $8.4 billion.  With Apple’s interest, many analysts believe Twitter could reach as high as $10 billion; this is an increase of nearly 20% within the past twelve-month.

(Logo: Twitter)

Air travel and spreading of a pandemic: International airports in America, including New York, Los Angeles and Honolulu, have a significant impact for spreading disease

A team of researchers at one of the top universities in America, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), found several International airports in America have a significant impact for spreading disease.  The research work was conducted at MIT’s Civil and Environmental Engineering department and crunched data from 40 largest airports in America.  

MIT’s researchers have created a very complex network system to study the contagion patterns such as using the geographic locations of airports.   By applying several mathematical models, researchers were able to look into the first few days of an epidemic and later show the worldwide spread of disease.  The study will help health experts to determine a way to distribute vaccines in the first few days of contagion and will help to treat people better and faster.

New York City JFK International Airport is ranked first among several major airports that could spread a disease very fast in the event of an outbreak.  Los Angeles grabbed the number two spot.  At third spot was Hawaii’s Honolulu airport.  Other airports that were on the list include San Francisco, Newark, Chicago (O'Hare), Washington (Dulles), Atlanta and Boston's Logan.

(Image: New York JFK International Airport)

80 million users and counting: with the help of Google Android users and the acquisition by Facebook in early April 2012, Instagram users grow rapidly

Since Instagram was introduced in October 2010, the mobile application for taking photo only served users of Apple iOS, including iPhone, iPad, and iPod.  Just about one week before the acquisition by Facebook in early April 2012, Instagram reported to register about 30 million users and all of those were iOS users. At the same time, Instagram started to serve two platforms by adding an app that catered for Google Android operating system, for example Samsung Galaxy S II and S III.   The strategy to launch a second platform for Android is working very well.  Within the past three months, the user count has doubled.  Instagram announced that the 2 years old company has surpassed 80 million registered users who share 4 billion photos that were uploaded from around the world.

Instagram was acquired by Facebook with a price tag of $1 billion in cash and stock. Due to the Q2-2012 (Apr-Jun) quarterly financial report for April to June 2012, the value of the company dropped significantly while it also impacted on the value of Instagram.  The acquisition is now valued at less than $1 billion.

(Image: Instagram icon and logo)

Trends of owning smartphones in America: about 47.5% of feature phone subscribers swapped to a smartphone in April 2012, devices powered by Google Android operating system grabbed 61.5% share, while Apple iOS captured 25.2% share

The latest data from comScore found that about 47.5% feature phone owners decided to change their phone to a smartphone in April 2012.  Compared to one year ago, only 38.0% feature phone subscribers switched to a smartphone, or this was an increase of 9.5%.  There were about 110 million phone users in America have used a smartphone device to make a call, send texting, access web, watch mobile video, in April 2012.

According to comScore, 61.5% of new buyers of smartphone decided to sign a new contract with a phone operator and requested a device that was powered by Google Android operating system such as Samsung Galaxy S III and Samsung Galaxy Note.  Then, it followed by Apple iOS, as 25.2% of new phone subscribers decided to pick an iPhone.  Not too bad for Microsoft, about 7.1% of new buyers picked a device that was run on the world’s largest software company operating system which is known as Windows Phone.  Devices powered by Windows Phone include Nokia Lumia 900.

(Table: comScore)

iFailed: Apple had a disappointed quarter and blamed on the future iPhone 5 as sales and profit missed Wall Street analysts’ early estimates

Smartphone subscribers are not buying the iPhone 4 that Apple is selling now at their stores and thru mobile phone operators.  Apple fans are so sure the next iPhone 5 to be called the “New iPhone” will be one of the best products in the planet.  Many tech watchers speculated the “New iPhone” will arrive in stores in the first week of October 2012.

Apple’s latest fiscal quarter, April-June, ended on June 30, 2012.  The Silicon Valley-based Company generated quarterly revenue of $35.0 billion (versus Wall Street’s guesstimate of $37.4 billion).  One year ago, the Company generated a total of $28.6 billion for the same quarter. This was an increase of $6.4 billion.   It had quarterly net profit of $8.8 billion, compared to one year ago which was at $7.3 billion, or an increase of $1.5 billion.   Sales from China and other countries continue to helping Apple’s revenue.  International sales contributed to about 62 percent of the latest quarter’s revenue.

Apple delivered 26.0 million iPhones during the quarter.  In term of number of units, this was an increase of 28 percent over the same quarter one year ago.  The Company also delivered 17.0 million iPads during the quarter.  In term of unit count, this was an increase of 84 percent over the same quarter one ago.

(Images: iPhone & iPad)

Transparent solar panels or polymer solar cells (PSC) can absorb sunlight and generate electricity which can be used to power buildings, plus the new materials allow office occupants and home residents to see thru windows

One of the outstanding of the latest innovations from a joint work of a team of researchers from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and the University of California Santa Barbra (UCSB) is transparent solar panels.  Those panels still allow office occupants and home residents to see thru windows.  The newly invented solar cell has a 70% transparent when viewed by human eye.  The transparent solar cells are called Polymer Solar Cell (PSC) which can absorb sunlight and generate electricity which can be used for everyday purposes.  The study from the two UC school systems is being published by the journal ACS Nano.

Polymer solar cells (PSC) generate electricity by absorbing energy from sun, especially the infrared light which is invisible to human eye.  PSC does not absorb the visible light.  This breakthrough research was led by Yang Yang and several doctoral students from the engineering department.  Professor Yang is director of research institutions "Nano Renewable Energy Center" located at the California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI).  The team of researchers was able convert the infrared light into electricity by using a new type of absorbing device which is made of plastic photoactive materials.  

There are many advantages of the new invention of transparent solar panels.  First, PSC materials can be produced in large volumes with low production costs.  Second, the transparent solar cell can be used to replace monitor screen and cover of portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablet, and laptop, and also for other products, including automobiles.  Third, office buildings and houses can produced their own electricity to power their daily uses. 

(Image: ACS Nano)

10 million and counting: Samsung Galaxy S III smartphones have surpassed 10 million sales mark earlier than the South Korean-based company has expected

According to the South Korean-based company’s senior executive, worldwide sales (incl. Asia, America, and Europe) of Samsung Galaxy S III smartphones have surpassed 10 million units. The latest sales figure was faster than the company has expected. 

The world's largest mobile handsets maker introduced Samsung Galaxy S III in late May 2012 in conjunction with Olympic 2012 activities in London.

Citing Shin Jong-kyun, Samsung’s president of information technology and mobile communication division, South Korean-based Yonhap News Agency reported that Galaxy S III smartphones have surpassed the 10 million on Sunday, July 22, 2012.  Samsung did not reveal exact numbers of sales.

It took about 5 months for the previous model called the Galaxy S II to hit 10 million sales mark.  So, the latest model Galaxy S III is one of the all-time best sellers for the South Korean-based company.

Samsung Galaxy S III is powered by 4 quad core processor and has a 4.8-inch screen.  The handset runs on the latest Google Android mobile operating system which is also known as “Ice Cream Sandwich."

(Image: Samsung Galaxy S III smartphone)

America’s Food and Drug Administration approved Afinitor, a new generation drug to treat women with advanced breast cancer marketed by Novartis

On Friday July 20, 2012, America’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new type of drug to treat women with advanced breast cancer marketed by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.  The new drug is known as Afinitor.  Previously, some of the ingredients of the drug had received approval to treat various tumors including pancreas, kidney and brain.  According to FDA, the drug combination of Afinitor is being used to treat postmenopausal patients.

Before getting a stamp of approval from FDA, the East Hanover, New Jersey-based company conducted a study of 724 patients. Samples were divided into two groups.  The first group received drug combination of Afinitor and the breast cancer drug Aromasin.  The second group received a combo of a placebo pill and Aromasin.  The results showed that women who received combo of two-drug, Afinitor and Aromasin, increased their life span for about 4.6 months and the breast cancer disease has stopped to progress.

(Image: Afinitor 5mg tablet)

Employers in California continue to add jobs as the largest state unemployment rate dropped to 10.7% in June 2012

The largest state in America continues to add more jobs in June 2012.  California added about 38,300 nonfarm jobs one month ago.  There were several hot sectors in June, including trade, transportation, leisure and hospitality (hotels), and construction.

According to the latest labor data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics which was later cited by latimes.com, the unemployment rate in California was at 10.7% in June 2012.  This rate was the third highest in America.  The state of Nevada remained the highest at 11.6% and followed by the second spot Rhode Island at 10.9%.

A big paycheck for Yahoo! new CEO: Marissa Mayer expects to receive about $60 million to $100 million in wage, stock, bonus and retention rewards over the next five years

As one of the world’s largest web portals, Yahoo! will pay the new CEO Marissa Mayer about $60 million to $100 million in wage, stock, bonus and retention rewards over the next five years.  There were two conflicting estimates on how much Yahoo! will pay the new CEO.  businessweek.com reported that  Ms. Mayer will  receive as much as $59 million in total paychecks over the coming years.  While Wall Street Journal estimated that she will receive about $100 million in wage, stock, bonus and retention programs over the next five years.

The last two Yahoo! CEOs also received a big paycheck.  businessweek.com found Scott Thompson was making close to $30 million before he resigned his position in May 2012 due to his resume credential issue.  Carol Bartz received a paycheck close to $10 million before she was fired in early September 2011. 

Ms. Mayer was a former Google’s top executive who handled the search engine product and features including maps and local advertising.  Many experts believe that Yahoo have to pay a sizable wage to Ms. Mayer due to her experiences and skills sets.

(Logo: Yahoo!)

See you on Friday, October 26, 2012: the newest operating system from Microsoft, Windows 8, will be released to general public as customers will be able to purchase a new PC and download the OS to upgrade their PCs

Ten days ago at Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference, one of the top executive of Windows division gave a hint that the new operating system will be available in late October this year.  At the same conference, Microsoft people also announced that the company will release a version called Release to Manufacturing (RTM) in the first week of August.  This version of Windows usually goes to computer manufacturers such as Lenovo, HP, Dell, Acer and others.

At Microsoft annual sales meeting on July 18 (Wednesday), Windows division boss, Steven Sinofsky announced that the final version of Windows 8 will be release on Friday, October 26, 2012.  Customers will be able to purchase a new PC which will be pre-installed with the newest OS at computer hardware and electronics stores, such as BestBuy, Fry’s, or even at Microsoft’s own Store.  Microsoft Stores are located at several super mall in America, including Century City Mall in Los Angeles and South Coast Plaza in Orange County.  At the same day, Windows users can also download the new OS to upgrade their PCs which run on Windows 7 or Windows XP.

(Image: Microsoft Windows 8 start page)

Human health and place: men and women who live near the sea and the coast may be healthier than people who live in other geographic locations

A team of researchers led by Benedict W. Wheeler of Peninsula College of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Exeter, England, found that men and women who live near the sea and the coast (such as Santa Monica Beach or Malibu Beach) may be healthier than other geographic locations (such as Los Angeles Downtown). 

The study with a title “Does living by the coast improve health and wellbeing?” analyzed data from over 48 million people in England.  The results showed that the closest people lived to the sea and the coast, the higher chances of those people testified good health within the span of the past one year.  The study is being published in the journal Health & Place.

The British researchers believe that people have better health due to reduce stress in the seaside location.  People had visited the coast could have better relaxing and feelings of calmness than people who had visited cityscapes.

The side effects of too much TV on kids: affecting his or her athletic development and setting them on a path toward obesity

A team of researchers led by Caroline Fitzpatrick from New York University and partnered with researchers at the University of Montreal, found kids who watch too much TV might affect his or her athletic development in later life.  Parents who are thinking of raising the next Kobe Bryant could be facing potential problem.  Aside too much TV may be harmful to a child's school grades; too much screen time will also be affecting a child’s leg strength.  The study is being published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (volume, 2012, 9:87).

Researchers applied data collected from a sample of 1,314 children from the Québec Longitudinal Study of Child Development.  Researchers compiled data from parents and matched number of hours of television viewing.  Later researchers reexamined kids’ physical data and compared those data for kids who had watched TV between 29 months to 53 months.  

To standardize all tests, researchers measured kids’ muscular fitness by asking them to perform a test called standing long jump (SLJ) and measured their waist lines.  Researchers found too much TV linked with weaker kids.  The study found that kids who watch too much TV at younger age will likely to have wider waist measurements.  This also indicated that lack of activity could have side effects for long run and setting kids on a path toward obesity. 

100 million .com web addresses and counting: the registration of Top-Level Domain (TLD) has passed 233 million domain names in Q1-12 ended March 31, 2012

Website address which ends with .com remains the world’s most popular Top-Level Domain (TLD).  As of the end of March 2012, over 100 million .com domain names have been registered and are being in active use in the world, as per data provided by VeriSign.  The two popular domain extensions, .com and .net, has reached a total of 116.7 million domain names in the first quarter of 2012.  When comparing the total active web addresses between Q1-2012 versus Q4-2011, the total active has increased about 2.5 percent.  When comparing Q1-2012 versus Q1-2011, the growth rate was at 8.1 percent.

According to VeriSign, the web service company recorded over 233 million domain names in Q1-2012 among all Top-Level Domain (TLD).  Compared to Q4-2011, this was an increase of 7.5 million domain names, or an increase of 3.3 percent. When compared to Q1-2011, the number of domain name registration has increased by 23 million names, or an increase of 11 percent within the past one year span.

(Image: ICANN, the new gTLD)

Smartphones booming in America: as of June 2012 about 55% of mobile subscribers in America use smartphones to make calls, texting, watch videos, and access web

Every two out of three mobile phone buyers have selected smartphones over conventional cell phones in the latest quarter ended in June 2012.  According to data provided by nielsen.com, as of June 2012, 54.9% of mobile subscribers in America use smartphones to make calls, texting, watch videos, and access web.

In term of mobile operating system, Google Android captured the largest market share.  Android controlled 51.8% of all mobile subscribers in America in June 2012.  It follows by Apple iOS operating system.  The popular iPhone captured about 34.3% share of mobile subscribers in America.  At the third spot was RIM BlackBerry operating system as the smartphone pioneer has about 8.1% market share as of June 2012.  Microsoft newest operating system, Windows Phone, captured about 1.3% share of mobile phone market in America in June 2012, while the older version Windows Mobile has about 3.0% share.

(Chart: nielsen.com)

Made In USA: Starbucks to invest and build a new factory in the state of Georgia to make soluble products in America for ready-to brew and drink beverages

The world’s largest café shop chains, Starbucks Corp., have decided to invest and build a new factory in The Augusta which is located in the state of Georgia (South East of the US).  The Augusta plant will produce soluble packages of ready-to brew and drink beverages such as Starbucks's VIA Ready Brew and other type of coffee base for quick serving drinks.  The soluble products are packets of powder that can be mixed with hot water or ice water and instant to drink.

In the present time, the pre-packages soluble products are mostly made in Colombia and Switzerland. The Augusta plant will be the first place to produce soluble products to be labeled as “Made In USA.”

According to Starbucks, the building of Augusta plant will help to speed up productions and serve domestic market and at the same will cut inventory costs.  In term of benefit to supply chain, by having a plant in America will also help the company to ensure a more projected supply of products to serve Americans and foreign consumers.

Starbucks is expected to spend about $172 million to build the facility.  The plant is scheduled to start for operation in January 2014.  To help the local economy, Starbucks plans to hire 140 people.

(Image: Starbuck)

Americans' confidence in religion dropped significantly since the 1970s era as it hit the lowest level at 44% in 2012 due to abuse scandal and economy crisis

People in America continue to see less importance of religion in their lives.   Scandals among leaders, televangelist preachers, and pastors have eroded the degree of confidence. Since early 2000s, Catholics pastors and children sex abuse have affected tremendously in Americans lives.  While in the late 1980s and early 1990s scandals which involved televangelist preachers also played a big role in recent drop of confidence level in religion. 

According to Gallup, since economy crisis hampered America starting in 2007, the confidence level increased slightly to 52% in 2009, but it dropped to 44% in 2012.  Previously the confidence level dropped significantly to 45% in 2002, one year after the terrorists attacked America land.  Then, it increased few points after the 9/11 disaster, but it dropped again to 46% in 2007 as Americans facing the world economy crisis and layoffs.  Overall, the latest trend shows that Americans are now facing a long-term drop in confidence in religion since the 1970s era.

(Chart: Gallup)

Worldwide personal computer shipment growth remained at a steady level during the second quarter of 2012 (April-June) while two Asian brands Lenovo and ASUS kick their competitor’s ass

The second quarter of 2012 Worldwide PC shipments suffered a loss of 0.1% from the second quarter of 2011.  Preliminary data provided by Gartner found that the PC market continued to go through several quarter of very little of growth or decline.  Worldwide PC shipments accumulated only 87.5 million units in 2Q-2012, compared to 87.6 million units in 2Q-2011.

Consumers are not buying new PCs as usual as new types of hardware including smartphones and tablets attracted the new generation of buyers.  At the same time, Ultrabook is too slow to come into the market to rescue the industry. The first Ultrabook was introduced in 2011 by Apple Company, and later was imitated by other manufacturers such as Samsung, ASUS, Acer, and others.

The biggest losers include HP and Dell.  HP captured about 14.9% market share, but its global PC shipments suffered a drop of 12.1% from one year ago.  Dell controlled about 10.7% market share, but its shipments dropped about 11.5% from the same quarter one year ago. 

The biggest winners are two Asian brands Lenovo and ASUS.  Lenovo captured about 14.7% market share, and its global PC shipments increased about 14.9% from one year ago.  Taiwanese-based ASUS controlled about 7.0% market share worldwide in 2Q-2012, and its shipments increased about 38.6% from 2Q-2011.

(Table: Gartner)

Let’s say hello to Amazing Alex: the newest game from the maker of Angry Birds, available for download on Thursday, July 12, 2012, on both Apple iTunes and Google Play appstores

Rovio, the maker of popular mobile games Angry Birds announced that the company will release a new game on Thursday, July 12, 2012.  The company will name the new game as “Amazing Alex” with promotion text read “awesome physics puzzles.” 

Rovio's next generation game after birds and pigs includes a youngster named Alex and emphases on puzzle games. At the time of release the game will start with 100 levels. 

“Amazing Alex” will be available thru Apple iTunes and Google Play appstores.

In the meantime, Rovio urged its users to check out a short trailer via YouTube.  The company also asked its users to keep update info thru Twitter (which now has about 1,500 followers) and Facebook.

 

(Image: top, Amazing Alex Twitter handle)

Microsoft’s Windows 8 two important dates: one day in early August (August 6 ‘12) and one day at the end of October (October 22 ‘12)

Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC) is being held in Toronto, Canada, from July 8 to July 12, 2012.  The annual conference usually attracted about 15,000 to 20,000 people from around the world, while this year is estimated to gather about 16,000 people.  At the opening ceremony on Monday morning, the top marketing and finance executive for the Windows division, Tami Reller, announced that the newest operating system Windows 8 will be available for computer manufacturers in the first week of August.  Around August 6, 2012 timeframe, the software giant company will release a version called Release to Manufacturing (RTM).  This RTM version usually pre-installed on new laptops or desktops that are being sold at computer and electronics stores, such as BestBuy, Microsoft Store, Fry’s, Dell, HP Store, Amazon, and others.

After the release of RTM version in early August, consumers will have about 2 months to wait for their new laptops or desktops arrived in stores.  At WPC, Reller reaffirmed PC users that they will be allowed to download and upgrade to Windows 8 version for general public at the end of October. Since Windows 7 was launched on October 22, 2009, it is very possible Microsoft will stick with the same date to release Windows 8 to general public.  Windows 8 will be equipped to handle 109 languages and will be sold in 231 countries and territories around the world.

Windows 8 developers must work really hard in the next few months to catch up with Microsoft’s release dates so they can start selling their apps by the end of October.  Microsoft will open up their Windows Store and will help developers to sell their apps.

(Image: Microsoft Windows 8 logo)

3 billion download and counting: BlackBerry App World had reached a new milestone while averaging more than 2.5 million downloads per day from a total of 90,000 apps

After all the bad news lately, smartphone pioneer has some good numbers to show its users and investors.  In a blog posted this weekend, Research In Motion (RIM) announced that they have reached the 3 billion download mark and averaging more than 2.5 million downloads per day from a total of 90,000 apps.

To compare the latest achievement with the previous milestones, BlackBerry team wrote that the team took 786 days to get the one billion mark.  Then, to reach the two billion numbers, it took 210 days.  For the current stats, it took only 176 days to reach the three billion mark.

BlackBerry competitors include Apple and Google Android.  Apple announced they had reached the 25 billion downloads from a total of 650,000 apps in March 2012.  For Android, the Google’s Play Store had reached 20 billion downloads from a total of 600,000 apps in June 2012.

BlackBerry smartphone is still a very popular device in many South East Asian countries including Indonesia and Malaysia.  It is also a very popular smartphone in some Middle Eastern countries, such as United Arab Emirates.

(Image: BlackBerry App World)

Facebook and Yahoo! agreed to stop fighting over patents and will establish partnerships on advertising distribution and sharing content thru the world’s largest social network

Facebook and Yahoo! have agreed to resolve their fights over patent fight.  The fights started in the beginning of 2012 as Yahoo appointed a new CEO Scott Thompson which was later fired on May 13 by the boards due to credential issue in his resume.  At the same time, Facebook spent millions to acquire hundred patents from Microsoft and IBM to respond to Yahoo! patent lawsuit.

Yahoo! and Facebook confirmed that they have reached settlement of the case and both companies will work together to share and cross-license their patent portfolios.  In an effort to prolong the relationship, both companies will expand advertising content sharing.  They also promise to improve services to help premium advertisers to get the best out of a new distribution system, including content from Yahoo! to be displayed in the social network.   Millions Facebook users will be benefited by using Yahoo! content to connect to their friends and family members.

The latest news will strengthen Ross Levinsohn to be picked as the next CEO for Yahoo!.  Many tech sources have confirmed that he will be appointed by the board next week. Levinsohn replaced Thompson who was fired in mid-May this year.  Levinsohn has been working very hard to bring peace to Yahoo! and offer to talk with Facebook’s Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg to resolve the patent issue.

(Image: Facebook logo and Yahoo logo)

OK! California high-speed rail line: a brand new bullet train will connect Los Angeles and San Francisco with a final cost totaled about $68 billion

California Senate voted 21-16 to approve a construction and financing of the first stage of high-speed rail line for America’s most populous state with 37 million people.  Majority votes were from Democratic Senators with the full support from Governor Jerry Brown.  With the votes, it will authorize the state to start collecting about $3.2 billion in federal funding and start selling $4.5 billion bonds. 

The first stage of construction of the high-speed rail line will occur in the Central Valley.  A 130-mile stretch will connect from Madera to Bakersfield near California highway 99.  The cost of this initial construction will be around $2.6 billion.

Democratic lawmakers, transportation experts, and some Silicon Valley techies and geeks have gave full support to fund the futuristic rail systems in an effort to create more jobs for people in the state.   When the project is scheduled to be completed in the next several years, it will connect from Los Angeles to San Francisco with a total cost at about $68 billion. 

Google to retire several web services including iGoogle (personalized and real-time site), Google Video (video content will be moved to YouTube), and others

Since Larry Page became Google’s CEO in April 2011, over 30 products and services had been discontinued and retired.  The new era started and required Google engineers to focus on web services and products that making more money for the company.  Therefore, by August 20, 2012, all contents stored at Google Video will be moved to YouTube or deleted.  Google Video is almost similar to YouTube and has been stopped taking uploads from users since May 2009. 

One of the popular web services, iGoogle (personalized and real-time site), which was introduced in 2005, will also retire soon.   According to a blog posted by Matt Eichner, Google’s General Manager for Global Enterprise Search, users will have until November 1, 2013 to shut down their iGoogle and move their data or information somewhere else. 

America’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves home use HIV test kit which is the first over-the-counter and self-administered HIV test kit to check virus causing acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)

America’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which is under the management of Department of Health and Human Services, has approved OraQuick In-Home HIV Test, a home use HIV test kit.  The kit is the first over-the-counter and self-administered HIV test kit that is being sold in a pharmacy.  It will be used to check virus causing acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).  The test kit can be used to check two types of antibodies related to AIDS, virus type 1 (HIV-1) and type 2 (HIV-2). Citing data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, FDA reported that about 1.2 million people in America are living with some type of HIV viruses.

The OraQuick In-Home HIV Test is used to gather oral fluid sample inside of the testers’ mouths.  Testers can use the kit to swab the upper and lower gums.  After getting the oral fluid, tester must put it into a vial and wait for test results for about 20 to 40 minutes.  If the tester found a positive result, they must go to a clinic or a medical center to obtain better test results.

(Image: FDA, OraQuick In-Home HIV Test)

Tablet PC shipments is on-track to beat laptop/notebook shipments in 2016, the sales figures for 2017 will be 416 million tablets versus 393 million laptops

As Apple iPad was introduced in early 2010 by the late Apple founder Steve Jobs, a new era of tablet personal computer has started in the world.  The sales of laptop and netbook (mini PC) continue to weaken while the sales of 11-inc tablet devices continue to skyrocketing. 

Since the introduction of Apple iPad, the stock market value of Apple has increased rapidly.  By the early 2012, Apple has become the world's richest company, while the company’s value has surpassed the value of Exxon and Microsoft.

According to a report published by NPD DisplaySearch Quarterly Mobile PC Shipment and Forecast Report, tablet PC shipments will beat laptop/notebook shipments in 2016. In the report, analysts predicted that market segment for mobile personal computer will grow to 809 million units by 2017, compared to 347 million units in 2012.

NPD researchers also forecasted that the number of tablet shipments will grow from 121 million units in 2012 to 416 million units in 2017.  In 2017, tablets will become the most popular personal computer in the world.  On the other hand, laptop/notebook shipments will grow from 208 million units in 2012 to 393 million units in 2017.

(Image: NPD DisplaySearch's Quarterly Mobile PC Shipment and Forecast Report)

Apple reached settlement and paid $60 million to a Chinese company (a computer monitor maker) in intellectual property cases

A High Court in Guangdong, China, announced that the world’s most valuable company Apple and a computer monitor maker company based in China, Proview International Holdings Ltd., has reached a settlement in the dispute of trademark "iPad." Apple agreed to pay the Chinese company $60 million and will now has the ownership of the name "iPad."   iPad is the name for the tablet computer produced by Apple and has been in the market since the early 2010.

Apple wanted to settle this case as soon as possible so they can start selling more mobile and computer devices in China.  While at the same time, Proview had been miserable in financial difficulties and have to pay debt.  $60 million is small token for the giant as the value of the company has passed over $500 billion.  At first, Proview asked Apple to pay as much as $400 million for the trademark; however, both companies’ lawyers have settled for $60 million. 

The latest settlement will help Apple to conquer China market. Although since the early 2000s Apple sales relies on buyers from America; however, Apple also wants to expand its global market.  As the most populous nation in the world, China could become the most attractive market and will help Apple to grow in the future.  As the iPad trademark dispute is now over, it is about time for Apple to fine tune its strategy to reap the China market.

(Image: Apple iPad)