Looks like Jay Z is trying to follow Apple's Dr. Dre, formerly of Beats, to become the next billionaire rapper. That can be the only reason why he's starting his own music streaming service... (The Verge)
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Green: Sacramento Let Californians Down By Allow Drinking Water To Be Contaminated
Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources of California inadvertently allowed oil companies to inject wastewater into hundreds of disposal wells in protected aquifers. The question is how do you "inadvertently" allow this to happen? The excuse is, get this, bad record keeping.
The problem is that this will be allowed to continue even though it is against the federal law.
How does that make any sense? The problem is politics at any level of government comes down to just who has the keep pockets and what the public is willing to allow politicians and appointees to get away with.
High levels of benezene were detected. It increases the risk of cancer and bone marrow failures. A number of other adverse health effects have been attributed to benzene (wiki).
Look, I'm for a comprehensive energy solution, oil, coal, and renewables. But it does not mean we allow ourselves be compromised regardless where the sources, again, oil, coal, or renewables.
Source: LA Times.
The problem is that this will be allowed to continue even though it is against the federal law.
How does that make any sense? The problem is politics at any level of government comes down to just who has the keep pockets and what the public is willing to allow politicians and appointees to get away with.
High levels of benezene were detected. It increases the risk of cancer and bone marrow failures. A number of other adverse health effects have been attributed to benzene (wiki).
Look, I'm for a comprehensive energy solution, oil, coal, and renewables. But it does not mean we allow ourselves be compromised regardless where the sources, again, oil, coal, or renewables.
Source: LA Times.
Steve Jobs Is Smiling: HBO on Apple TV
Yup, Steve is smiling his trademark smile with a bit of a smirk at the news of the standalone HBO service, HBO Now, with Apple as its exclusive launch partner (media reports Apple with a 3-month window exclusivity). The success of this launch, which others and I have already called it, will put mucho pressure the current cable TV model.
According to Recode, HBO is hoping to gain leverage over the cable and satellite industry in generating more revenue. For now, HBO will charge $15 a month. With Apple and, 3 months later, other means by which HBO Now will be able to be watched, it will add a new market for the cable channel - cord-cutters who want HBO without paying for cable TV bundles that most do not want to watch. HBO wants broadband service providers to sell this new standalone service.
And of course, Apple is all the more willing help HBO out if it means wrestling control of the media content away from the traditional players and destroying the current TV model. Already, Sling TV with its $20 a month service that includes EPSN, TNT, CNN, and the Disneyland (there are more channels) is finding many takers.
As a Sling TV subscriber, I can tell you that I'm very happy. It would be awesome to have a science bundle includying SYFY but I'm patient.
In the coming months, we'll see more effort along this line: wrestling control away from tradtional cable TV. Apple will certainly be a major player. Even now, Sling TV is not available on Apple TV. Perhaps, Tim Cook has a few designs with a rumored upgrade to the current Apple TV model.
The end of the Recode article spoke of a stand-off between content providers and the cable TV gatekeepers and what weapons are at their disposal. As a consumer, as long as the stand-off also mean others like Disney, Paramount, and Sony also provide their content via the HBO and Sling routes and we get more choices with less bundles, I'm happy with that.
According to Recode, HBO is hoping to gain leverage over the cable and satellite industry in generating more revenue. For now, HBO will charge $15 a month. With Apple and, 3 months later, other means by which HBO Now will be able to be watched, it will add a new market for the cable channel - cord-cutters who want HBO without paying for cable TV bundles that most do not want to watch. HBO wants broadband service providers to sell this new standalone service.
And of course, Apple is all the more willing help HBO out if it means wrestling control of the media content away from the traditional players and destroying the current TV model. Already, Sling TV with its $20 a month service that includes EPSN, TNT, CNN, and the Disneyland (there are more channels) is finding many takers.
As a Sling TV subscriber, I can tell you that I'm very happy. It would be awesome to have a science bundle includying SYFY but I'm patient.
In the coming months, we'll see more effort along this line: wrestling control away from tradtional cable TV. Apple will certainly be a major player. Even now, Sling TV is not available on Apple TV. Perhaps, Tim Cook has a few designs with a rumored upgrade to the current Apple TV model.
The end of the Recode article spoke of a stand-off between content providers and the cable TV gatekeepers and what weapons are at their disposal. As a consumer, as long as the stand-off also mean others like Disney, Paramount, and Sony also provide their content via the HBO and Sling routes and we get more choices with less bundles, I'm happy with that.
Monday, March 9, 2015
Xiaomi, The "Apple" of China Pre-Installs Malware On Flagship Device
While I'm far from predicting a Samsung comeback in China with the S6, I am going to say that the news of Xiaomi installing malware on their flagship device, Mi 4 (Redmond Pie). The post did mention that this could be the result of tampering rather than a purposeful installation sanctioned by Xiaomi.
This issue here, however, is not whether Xiaomi sanctioned installation of tracking and spying apps on the Mi 4 but that Beijing likely mandated it. I'm sure the executives at Xiaomi would rather not but if you want to be the darling of China, well, you better play ball.
It's why I'm likely unwilling to purchase Chinese branded phones even if they make their way over to Western markets. I think I'll stick to my Nexus devices.
This issue here, however, is not whether Xiaomi sanctioned installation of tracking and spying apps on the Mi 4 but that Beijing likely mandated it. I'm sure the executives at Xiaomi would rather not but if you want to be the darling of China, well, you better play ball.
It's why I'm likely unwilling to purchase Chinese branded phones even if they make their way over to Western markets. I think I'll stick to my Nexus devices.
Friday, March 6, 2015
Amazon Brings Former Exclusive Games To iOS As Fire Device Sales Collapse, And What Of Minecraft
Source: The Verge.
Amazon bought some game studios a couple of years ago in hopes of launching exclusives that it hope would stimulate sales of its own Android-forked OS devices, the Kindle Fire tablets and its ill-advised foray into the mobile phone market, the pretty much dead and Fire Phone. It's like Fire tablets are not doing too well giving it has been many quarters since Amazon crowed about how many millions it has sold without actually giving the public a number.
This is pretty much the reason why Amazon is bring more of its game over to iOS. One title, Tales from Deep Space, has been giving good reviews and the newer games should be pretty decent. As an iOS gamer, I'm pretty happy with this.
From a competitive stand point, there are two takeaways from this. First, exclusives are not working out too well for developers unless it's on iOS. Second, Amazon with its bad bet on the Fire Phone may have killed off its mobile hardware business while it tries its damn best to keep a small foothold in the living room.
I'm personally glad that Apple has not gone down this route and it does not look like it will either. This is a strategy that console makers like Microsoft and Sony often employed to entice gamers to jump into the Xbox or Playstation camps.
And what of Minecraft? Perhaps, Microsoft actually see a profitable business in the Minecraft universe. However, I hope MC fans on non-Xbox platforms and non-Windows devices should expect Microsoft to prepare exclusives for its own platforms or cut back the perks of or at least cripple the game somewhat for non-Microsoft devices.
Amazon bought some game studios a couple of years ago in hopes of launching exclusives that it hope would stimulate sales of its own Android-forked OS devices, the Kindle Fire tablets and its ill-advised foray into the mobile phone market, the pretty much dead and Fire Phone. It's like Fire tablets are not doing too well giving it has been many quarters since Amazon crowed about how many millions it has sold without actually giving the public a number.
This is pretty much the reason why Amazon is bring more of its game over to iOS. One title, Tales from Deep Space, has been giving good reviews and the newer games should be pretty decent. As an iOS gamer, I'm pretty happy with this.
From a competitive stand point, there are two takeaways from this. First, exclusives are not working out too well for developers unless it's on iOS. Second, Amazon with its bad bet on the Fire Phone may have killed off its mobile hardware business while it tries its damn best to keep a small foothold in the living room.
I'm personally glad that Apple has not gone down this route and it does not look like it will either. This is a strategy that console makers like Microsoft and Sony often employed to entice gamers to jump into the Xbox or Playstation camps.
And what of Minecraft? Perhaps, Microsoft actually see a profitable business in the Minecraft universe. However, I hope MC fans on non-Xbox platforms and non-Windows devices should expect Microsoft to prepare exclusives for its own platforms or cut back the perks of or at least cripple the game somewhat for non-Microsoft devices.
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Coffee: Closest Thing To Magic Beans
Source: MSN.
First, I like to stress that as with most things, moderation and self-control is key to food, drinks, and anything else we do in life or put into our bodies in order to live a long fruitful life. Having said that, as an avid coffee drinker, I like to say this new report, coffee drinkers who consume three to five cups of coffee a day, showed less signs of heart or other cardiovascular trouble.
And I assume, of course, the study is mostly about straight-up coffee, maybe with milk and light sugar, rather than the more popular jazzed up variants like mocha or the newer tiramusi latte from Starbucks (which I do allow myself in indulge in once in a while).
The research centered on the 3-5 cups-a-day cofee drinkers who were less likely to have coronary artery calcium deposits, which is an early indicator for heart disease.
First, I like to stress that as with most things, moderation and self-control is key to food, drinks, and anything else we do in life or put into our bodies in order to live a long fruitful life. Having said that, as an avid coffee drinker, I like to say this new report, coffee drinkers who consume three to five cups of coffee a day, showed less signs of heart or other cardiovascular trouble.
And I assume, of course, the study is mostly about straight-up coffee, maybe with milk and light sugar, rather than the more popular jazzed up variants like mocha or the newer tiramusi latte from Starbucks (which I do allow myself in indulge in once in a while).
The research centered on the 3-5 cups-a-day cofee drinkers who were less likely to have coronary artery calcium deposits, which is an early indicator for heart disease.
Jackie Chan Probably Regrets Selling His Soul to Beijing and Not The Devil
Source: LA Times.
There was at a time when I liked Jack Chan. Huge fan of his earlier work. Every chance I got, I would rent from a local video store of his latest movies. The guy was simply a brilliant actor and there was nothing like his style of comedic fighting. And his hit it off pretty big in Hollywood with a string of movies like Rush Hour.
But his anti-American view surfaced just as China's economic might began to assert itself over his native Hong Kong. Dude sold his soul to Beijing. Become their puppet. And of course, that did nothing to help him when his son was convicted of trafficking drugs.
It likely made things worse for him. Beijing now had leverage over his career as well as the life of his son.
I had tremendous respect for the guy but once it became apparent the guy is a sellout, legions of fans including myself just can't stand the guy anymore.
There was at a time when I liked Jack Chan. Huge fan of his earlier work. Every chance I got, I would rent from a local video store of his latest movies. The guy was simply a brilliant actor and there was nothing like his style of comedic fighting. And his hit it off pretty big in Hollywood with a string of movies like Rush Hour.
But his anti-American view surfaced just as China's economic might began to assert itself over his native Hong Kong. Dude sold his soul to Beijing. Become their puppet. And of course, that did nothing to help him when his son was convicted of trafficking drugs.
It likely made things worse for him. Beijing now had leverage over his career as well as the life of his son.
I had tremendous respect for the guy but once it became apparent the guy is a sellout, legions of fans including myself just can't stand the guy anymore.
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