Competition For The iPad 2

Since its release the iPad has been on top of the tablet food chain. Now it seems that the iPad has some competition with Samsung’s new Galaxy Tablet.

The Galaxy is capable of 4G speeds providing quick downloading and web surfing capabilities. The Galaxy is slightly lighter than the iPad 2 with the Galaxy weighing 1.24 pounds. The iPad 2 comes in at 1.32 pounds while the heaviest tablet on the market, the Acer Iconia, weighs 1.66 pounds making the Galaxy the lightest tablet on the market.

The Galaxy has a 3- megapixel camera while boasting a 1,280×800 pixel screen resolution producing vibrant colors and images that make movie watching and game playing a treat.

The Galaxy runs on a Nvidia Tegra 2 Dual Processor providing ample speed and ease for everyday use. Despite the Galaxy’s impressive features the iPad will most likely remain on top, at least for now, due to the brand name Apple has built for itself. Plus the iPad is still a great piece of machinery .

The playing field is undoubtedly getting crowded as competition grows for Apple with competitiors producing tablets like the Galaxy that is just as good as the iPad. Let the tablet wars begin. If you would like a more in depth review of the Galaxy and other tablets click here and get the best tech reviews provided by CNET.

Apple Discontinues 13-Inch White MacBook

 Apple computers has quietly discontinued the white 13-inch MacBook. Apple has made no official announcement but if you visit Apple’s online store you’ll find it’s no longer available.

The 13-inch gave buyers the most bang for the buck compared to the MacBook pro models.  I have owned the 13-inch for over a year and I have to say I’m pleased with the MacBook’s performance.

With the exception of adding memory, the computer runs like the first day I purchased it. The White MacBook will be replaced by the MacBook Air which starts at $999, the same price point at the 13-inch MacBook.

Apple Preparing for iPhone 5 Launch

Apple and AT&T are hiring more staff and part-time workers in anticipation of the release of the iPhone 5 in September. The site of long lines and consumers sleeping over-night in front of Apple retailers for days on end is becoming a common occurrence when an Apple product is launched.

Recently Apple shares rose 8.8% as Apple reported sales of up to $25 billion. iPhone, Macbook, and iPad sales make up a bulk of their sales.  Apple continues to defy expectations with every product launch and earnings report placing Apple as one of top companies in the world. It’s no wonder Steve Jobs wants to build a massive glass space ship as Apple’s new headquarters. With the exception of Google, no other tech company has been able to come close to topping Apple.  I’m not sure if I’m willing to shell out big bucks for the iPhone 5. I’m perfectly happy with my iPhone 3gs.  This does not mean the temptation isn’t there.

Sean Connery Tells Steve Jobs to F&%K Off… Not Really

Recently a fake Sean Connery Letter addressed to Steve Jobs has been going viral 0n the internet. In the fake letter Mr .Connery ,referring to himself as mother fucking Jame Bond, refuses to take part in any Apple advertising labeling Mr. jobs as nothing more but a computer salesman.  The letter, dated back in 1996, went wild on the internet as British marketing executive John Wilshire twetted it creating an internet frenzy. I have not heard a response from the former James Bond actor however I am curious to see how he would react he really was offered a spot on an Apple commercial.  Whatever the case, I find the whole thing amusing.

Steve Jobs Wants To Build a Spaceship!

Apple has become one of the most profitable and powerful businesses in the world. So much so that in order to accommodate their growing number of employees, Steve Jobs wants to build a new corporate campus in Cupertino, California.  Jobs presented in front of the Cupertino City Council plans to develop a new Apple campus on land that originally was owned by Hewlett-Packard. Jobs plans to build a four-story circular building consisting of glass.  ”There’s not a straight piece of glass in this building-it’s all curved.” Pretty impressive. The 98 acre lot will house not only the new Apple campus but underground parking garages which allows more trees to occupy the grounds surrounding the office.  Steve Jobs is a big ideas kind of guy. This building will no doubt set a precedent for future building designs.  If and when it is completed, it will certainly be visually stunning. However it will stand for more than just eye candy. It is a symbol of innovation that Apple seems to always be in the forefront. Other tech companies have had a hard time keeping up with Apple. Even if other companies develop a better product, there is something about Apple that consumers just love. It’s developed almost a cult amongst Apple enthusiast. Perhaps it’s because of the aura and mystery behind Steve Jobs. Maybe it’s the quality of their products. One thing is for sure, if the newly proposed office is built, Apple will truly be the company of the future.

Keep it Simple With Social Media

Out of all the social media tools that exist, I have to say blogging is favorite. Perhaps because I am an avid writerswho enjoy to sit down and type the written word. It’s just something I enjoy. Blogging has become a huge phenmenom because it has allowed ordinary folks to tell the world their opinion on various topics from current events to Lebron James.  Most Realtors surprsingly are continuing to ignore or dismiss blogging or social media in general. Some Realtors are beginning to catch on, but it’s still a small percentage. I think the reason for this is because old school agents are intimidated by social media. It’s understandable. Social media can be complicated at first, especially when trying to use it to generate business. It doesn’t have to be this way. You just need to pick a social medai tool that fits your personality. If you love to write like me, then write blogs. If you enjoy creating vidoes of your family at home, then create Youtube videos of yourself talking about the current market. If you like interacting with people directly, use Twitter or Facebook.  You don’t have to use every social media outlet that exists. That’s too exhausting and frankly too much work. Just keep it simple, and you will be suprised how far that will take you.

Rumors Galore on iPhone 5

With any release of a new Apple product comes rumors and speculation about what functions the new Apple product will have. The iPhone 5 which is projected to come out later this year is rumored to have an improved camera and faster processor just to name a few improvements. There have also been rumors that the new iPhone will not have as many improvements as the iPhone 4. It’s believed that the major feature of the iPhone 5 will be that it is capable of working with other carriers like T-Mobile.   Apple needs to continue its winning streak with the iPhone. Smart phones like the Android are catching to the iPhone. The Android is loaded with features and many consumers believe that it is superior phone over the iPhone. So Apple needs another winner if it wants to continue its reign in the smart phone market.

Microsoft Buys Skype for 8.5 Billion

Today it has been announced that Microsoft will Purchase Skype for 8.5 billion.  This acquisition marks an attempt by Microsoft to compete against tech giants Google and Apple that have been ahead of the pack for sometime. Will this buy be good for consumers. As of right now Microsoft has 50 billion cash. This leaves them plenty of room to enhance Skype and implement it in other platforms like Xbox 360. With this kind of technology, gamers and view video feeds of each other in real time as they play each on their favorite video game. This of course is just one of the many things Microsoft can do to integrate Skype into Microsoft technology. It’s difficult to say if this will give Microsoft an edge over the competition. Apple and Google have been able to create a brand name for themselves due to the quality of their products.  But Microsoft cannot be counted out. It has plenty of cash and the capabilities of creating innovative technologies to compete against its rivals.  The problem that may arise is that Apple already has similar technology through Apple face time. However Skype uses military encryption which provides more privacy for Skype users. This may be important to many consumers considering Apple has been accused of privacy violations as of late.  Well have to wait and see if this investment by Microsoft will pay off.

The New iMac

Apple’s new and improved iMac has several upgrades that will really make it stand out from its predecessors. According to CNET, the new iMac will have a new intel chip called Z68.This chip is so new that it is not even advertised on the Intel website.  The iMac will also have a Sandy Bridge Intel Core processor that promises to bring up to 3.7 ghz performance.  You will also find a new graphics processor that will surely bring improved performance to satisfy gamers and computer aficionados. So it seems the new iMac will have significant improvements compared to previous models.  One of my favorite features of the iMac is the large high resolution screen that makes using an iMac that much more enjoyable. If you don’t have an iMac and you are looking to upgrade. Then I suggest you pick one up. I doubt you will be disappointed.

Is Social Media Hurting the Way We Communicate?

Facebook and other social networks have made the world smaller by making it easier to communicate with one another. In a matter of minutes you can communicate with loved ones and business people alike. Twitter has become a cultural phenomenon as celebrities will literally go into Twitter wars battling it out in cyber space. Certainly the world of social media has changed the way we communicate with one another. But is it for the better? Whenever I got out with friends or family, or even on a date. The person I’m with is usually on their smart phone logging into Facebook to update their status or talk with a friend. It seems like people would rather talk to a virtual person then a living breathing human being.  Now a days nobody seems to want to talk over the phone anymore. Text messaging has become the communication of choice for most people.  It seems like now individuals try to avoid physical contact with one another. This is the negative side effect of social media. Yes we are talking to one another more than ever before. But the way we communicate has changed to where we have become numb to one another. Physical contact as in hearing someones voice or meeting someone face to face is an intricate part of the way we live as human beings. When you begin to eliminate that means of communication. Then no longer do we value one another as people.  This is what I fear is happening as social media grows in popularity.  Certainly social media has done plenty of good.  Facebook has become a permanent fixture in our culture. But social media should be used simply as a supplement to talk with one another. It should not be the only way we speak to each other.  We must accept the fact, for good or for bad, social media is not going away anytime soon.  We must remember that at the end, a good old fashion conversation face to face is the most intimate and enriching way we grow as people. That is something social media can never duplicate.