Leadpile’s Blog

Technology these days is something that continues to be so innovative with what new concepts get rolled out. The newest concept that ceases to surprise me is the idea of having testing going on for a TV search engine. NPR news is reporting that Google and Dish Network are teaming up to bring together a search engine to our television sets (specifically Dish Network clients). This is only in a test mode, however if the testing goes successfully, Dish Network clients could utilize their televisions to search the television programming while also searching the internet for video services such as Hulu or YouTube. So is this really that big of a deal, or is this something really innovative that other television network providers are going to want to be a part of? Does this affect the Google search engine and how companies like Leadpile utilize it to generate traffic? I guess time will really tell with this one.

Just as you thought you had all of the gadgets that you needed, Apple comes up with something new! The iPad, which is a large version of the iPhone without phone capabilities, will be hitting the shelves in the US on April 3rd. The iPad was originally unveiled in Jan and expected to be on the market in March, but has been delayed now until April. The iPad is smaller than most laptops, but much larger than a cell phone. The device’s first version will only be able to connect to Wi-Fi networks, while the second will be able to connect to “3G” cell networks. Ranging in price from $499 – $829 depending on data storage size and version.
There are 12 specific new applications for the iPad, as well as it is able to run many of the apps already created for the iPhone. Apple’s Web site will allow you to place orders for the iPad starting March 12th!!

A couple years ago, there was an article that came out about the impact of the Google and does it really make us not use our brains? The verdict on this is up in the air, but one group did a study to detmine the impact the internet has on all of us. This study found that actually the internet helps to make us all smarter. “Most of the respondents also said the Internet would improve reading and writing by 2020, according to the study, conducted by the Imagining the Internet Center at Elon University in North Carolina and the Pew Internet and American Life project. Three out of four experts said our use of the Internet enhances and augments human intelligence, and two-thirds said use of the Internet has improved reading, writing and the rendering of knowledge, said study co-author Janna Anderson, director of the Imagining the Internet Center.”
I think studies like this have come up, determining if the internet really affects our intelligence, because the use of the internet and the power of it are indescribable. What else is there in this world that has so much inpact and access to so many people in this world? Of course there are going to be skeptics that think that it is making us “stupid”, but then again (like this study) many feel that the internet is truly something that is changing the way we think. So what do YOU think? OR don’t you?

Reuters is reporting that the FCC is trying to regulate a minimum broadband speed that American households are delivered by our nation’s broadband companies (ie-Verizon, Comcast, Time Warner and AT&T are the largest) provide all of us. “The planned initiative, which will be proposed in the National Broadband Plan report to Congress next month, comes a week after Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) said it would build a super-fast Internet network for up to half a million people, a project that could pressure telecommunications companies to loosen their control of Web access in the United States.”
So once again is Google pushing the envelope on the way things are done technologically? From everything I am reading it appears that they are in fact doing that and this is forcing broadband companies to compete technologically to stay in business. This new initiative potentially by the FCC could be a great thing for all of us and how we get out internet delivered to us. Nice job Google!

In the age of the internet, trying to figure out who goes online more can be a tricky question at times. However, it seems each era of people has their own “area of interest” with the internet.
4/5 of young adults between the ages of 18 and 29 are wireless internet users, while many of them are using their laptops, some are using their cell phones and other mobile devices to access the internet. The internet is everywhere and it appears it is a way of life for most young adults.
On another note it seems that 63 percent of 30-to-49-year-olds, and 34 percent of those age 50 and older use wireless connections for the Internet. Bottom line is we all use the internet as if it was something we can not live without. What will be the next generations “must have” if the internet is now already a must have? Is there something else technologically that will roll out what young adults HAVE to have? Is there a point where parents need to control how much their children are actually on the internet, and more specifically their cell phones? What about all the other things like the ipad, iphones, social networking, texting… what is next in the technology world and what parents have to “control”?

Am I seeing this correctly? Apple is actually entering into conversations with Microsoft to discuss the possibility of using it’s Bing search engine as the default browser over Google? Can this be true? There must be something true to this buzz because there are several stories referencing this news on the internet. Financially, if this is true, this could be a big blow to Google because they are currently generating revenue from being the default browser, and this could be potentially going to Microsoft. Something like this is not really surprising me too much because in recent months/year Google and Apple have been neck and neck on who has the “best” smartphone.
Could this be a low blow to Google if it gets removed from the iphones? I would say absolutely yes! Let’s see if this is just a lot of smoke blowing, or the beginning of a cyber WAR .

As a follow up to our recent post discussing China’s Internet censorship and regulations, Google has now pulled the plug on launching it’s cell phone in China. Google’s mobile phones equipped with Internet applications were decided by the company to be “not a good experience” for the consumer. Currently, China has over 700 million mobile phone accounts and consumers driven by the latest technology.
According to the Associated Press, it has been rumored that Google has threatened to shut its Chinese-based search engine if the restrictions are not eased. The Chinese government is standing strong on it’s decision that “Foreign enterprises in China need to adhere to China’s laws and regulations, respect and the interests of the general public and cultural traditions and shoulder corresponding responsibilities. Google is no exception,” as stated by a Foreign ministry spokesman at a new briefin
It will be interesting to watch this controversy unfold as many Chinese and foreign businesses rely on Google’s email and maps…If Google is blocked and access is restricted it could certainly disrupt things!

The last time I checked, everyone was still saying that we were still in a recessions. So why has there been a increase in smartphone sales and a huge push for big screen TV’s? Frankly, just because people want them. It is true that many consumers have been cutting corners here and there, but it is where they are cutting that is showing changes.
Most people find it very easy to switch from a name brand food to the store brand, or maybe hold off on that new pair of shoes that you have been eyeing in the store window. However, when it comes to electronics, it seems that consumers just don’t want to cut back. They buy the newest smartphone or upgrade to the new version without even thinking twice. This has been great for the technology companies seeing an increase in their sales even in the tough economy.
A lot of consumers are finding themselves trying to rationalize their electronic purchases. They upgrade to a large HD flat screen TV saying that they will stay in more and watch a movie, rather than going out to a movie. Even just switching from a regular DVD player to a Blu-ray player is something consumers are not thinking twice about. The next big electronic buzz you are going to hear about….3D TV. It really was only a matter of time before something like this was going to hit the shelves. 3D televisions are set to hit the shelves in most stores mid 2010, and experts are estimating there potentially to be 4 million sold this year.
The real question is if this is all really necessary? Smartphone are great. We use them at LeadPile all the time to get back to our clients when we are on the run, but a 3D television set? Really? I have a feeling they are not going to be as awesome as everyone thinks. What do you think?

A new calling device was announced today that could save people a lot of money on cell phone minutes they are currently racking up. This new product is called the MagicJack. The MagicJack uses the internet to make free calls from cell phones when in the home. According to yahoo.com this device uses the same radio frequencies that cellular carriers have paid billions of dollars for exclusive licenses.
The way it works is like a tiny little cell tower located in your home. It is plugged into your computer and connects to a cell phone that is located within 8 feet of the MagicJack. It places a call to your cell phone, once the phone is connected by entering a security code with the keypad of the phone, it is connected and you are able to make calls as long as it stays in range of the device. The device is said to have a range that will cover a 3,000-square-foot home. No minutes will be charged to your cell phone because the call is placed over the Internet.
Introduced at the International Consumers Electronics Show, the MagicJack is expected to start selling in May for $40, it will provide free calls to the U.S. and Canada for one year. I guess the cell phone companies are going to have to come up some more creative ways to charge the consumers.

It seems like everyone thinks that the iPhone is the best invention that has happened to cell phones. Whether you just use it for talking and texting, or if you are someone who pretty much has it glued to your hand for work or play, the iPhone does it all. No matter how hard other companies try to copy all the unique features, they just can not seem to hit it on the nose…until now that is.
Google has just released their new Nexus One Phone. The Nexus phone has a very similar style to the iPhone, but it does have one improved feature that sets it apart. This new cell phone has the ability to run multiple applications at the same time. This is a huge advantage over the iPhone. There will be no need to close out of an application because a text comes in or trying to figure out which app you need to use first to make sure that you have everything ready for the next one that you need to go into.
The only real down side that can been seen in the phone is the fact that it is not a multi touch touch screen, meaning that you are not able to increase or decrease an image size just by a pinch of the fingers. This might not even be a downsize if you are someone who is accustom to using a Blackberry. So how much will this new little item set you back? About $179.99 with a contract from T-Mobile or $529.99 to purchase the phone by its self. Price wise, it is right at the same level as the iPhone, and even the Droid (which has been receiving both positive and negative buzz). It looks like there is finally some real competition for the iPhone.
The real questions is, will this be the next big phone or will the IPhone continue to remain on top?

Believe it or not Wi-Fi is going to be available in cars in the near future (2010 to be exact). Many of us need to go to coffee shops or other public places that allow us the convenience of getting internet access, however it seems that Ford cars are going to be starting to install WI-FI capabilities in next years models. This will be possible with the SYNC system who is partnering up with Microsoft. Consumers will then be able to utilize their laptops in their cars wherever they want!
The advancement of technology is so amazing. Not only can people use their cell phones to access the internet, now they are going to be able to sit in their cars and be on an actual laptop when needed. So will something like this maybe impact the lead generation world, where more people can potentially fill out online forms such as Leadpile’s Microclick form on a website? I think so!

After months and months of talking about naming someone to help with our nation’s cyber security, the White House has finally named someone to run this very important division. This past week, they named Howard A. Schmidt as the National Cyber Security Chief. Schmidt is bringing some attractive experience with him, with having worked for eBay and Microsoft.
So the question is what is someone like this going to do to help with cyber security? This sort of position is not something that any other president has appointed, so what will he be doing? The one thing we do know is that the computer systems of the US government need watching, but what about the watching over of the whole technology world that is currently exploding?
Either way, this gentlemen seems to have some history under his belt to help with the US government’s computer systems and hopefully any threats to the our nations cyber world. Time will tell exactly what this new role will be responsible for, however I am sure it is a position that will be constantly evolving with what is going on in Cyber world!