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<title>Haaze.com / liesourse / All</title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com</link>
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<pubDate>Sun, 13 Mar 2011 08:10:32 +0000</pubDate>
<language>en</language>
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<title><![CDATA[At SXSW, a presentation on how to have geek sex]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=at-sxsw-a-presentation-on-how-to-have-geek-sex</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=at-sxsw-a-presentation-on-how-to-have-geek-sex</comments>
<pubDate>Sun, 13 Mar 2011 08:10:32 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>liesourse</dc:creator>
<category>Marketing and advertising</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=at-sxsw-a-presentation-on-how-to-have-geek-sex</guid>
<description><![CDATA[For some at the South by Southwest Interactive Festival (SXSW), the goal is funding. For others, it is networking. But some seek some other lasting and uplifting joys.While there will, no doubt, be many fine presentations that will stimulate tech minds to reach for higher goals, one of the first wanted to stimulate tech minds about something important for many attendees--stimulating tech bodies.Violet Blue, who seems to be something of an expert on all things sexual, yesterday offered a practical guide to geek sex.I wasn't aware there was anything different about technologically obsessed carnality. However, Blue felt the uncontrollable urge to offer her (s)expert perspective in a talk called &quot;The Sexual Survival Guide for Geeks.&quot;Blue seems to believe that flirting with those of geeky tendencies is different from, well, a normal variety.She believes she has tips to share with attendees so that, as she told CNN, &quot;they know what's up with getting their pants off at SXSW.&quot; It's hard to believe that anyone at a conference needs hints in order to consummate their flirtatious desires. It's even harder to imagine that there is a need for a presentation on the subject. However, Blue offered this fundamental observation of geek sexuality to CNN: &quot;Geeks tend to read signals not the way that other people read signals.&quot;The idea seems to be that your average technophile has no idea when his technophilia has become attractive to a member of his target sex. It appears that he needs an emotional cattle prod in order to bring his face and senses away from hisiPhone screen.Therefore, Blue offered attention grabbing suggestions for conversation starters, such as: &quot;Mac or PC, or both Come to think of it, that 'sounds a little dirty.'&quot;Another suggestion, that might seem obvious to those with a human pulse, was that, post hookup, you shouldn't head straight for your Twitter feed in order to announce what a fine time you had--and with whom.It does seem faintly distressing that such helpful hints have to be offered. One would have imagined that with such a dense concentration of the geek population currently in Austin, Texas, the rules of engagement would already be clear to all.As I understand it, everyone gets terribly tipsy, avoids any semblance of small talk, eschews romantic nuance and simple attempts to negotiate the appropriate location for liaison, rather than its rationale.It is my sincere hope that someone will be totting up whether certain gadgets make people more attractive. After all, last year, dating site OkCupid came to the devastating conclusion that iPhone grippers have more sex than Android clutchers. Wouldn't it be lovely if Blue had researchers out there who can prove or disprove these important findings<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Road Trip Pic of the Week, 12/30: What is it]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=road-trip-pic-of-the-week-1230-what-is-it</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=road-trip-pic-of-the-week-1230-what-is-it</comments>
<pubDate>Thu, 30 Dec 2010 08:10:27 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>liesourse</dc:creator>
<category>Gaming</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=road-trip-pic-of-the-week-1230-what-is-it</guid>
<description><![CDATA[If you know what this is and where it was taken, you could win a prize in the Picture of the Week challenge.(Credit:Daniel Terdiman/CNET)That is some seriously colorful glass--and what interesting shapes. But what is it And where is it locatedIf you know, you could win a prize in the CNET Road Trip Picture of the Week challenge.If you have the answer, please e-mail it to me no later than 6 p.m. PT Friday (to daniel--dot--terdiman--at--cnet--dot--com, and PLEASE include &quot;Picture of the Week&quot; in the subject line). I'll choose a winner at random from among everyone who sends in the correct answer by the deadline. However, I'm going to be on vacation until January 11, so until then, I won't update this post and that person won't hear from me. Please forgive me if you don't hear from me if you're not a winner. I get dozens of responses for each challenge. Also, I've turned off comments because some people would post the correct answers there. I hate to shut down discussion, but I want you to figure out the answer on your own.One caveat: no individual can win more than two prizes. The Road Trip Picture of the Week challenge takes place each Thursday, and the photos could come from anywhere, not just Road Trip 2010 locations. Plus, they might be related to stories I've written in the past. So, please have fun playing today, and then come back each Thursday. For most of the summer, Geek Gestalt was on Road Trip 2010. After driving more than 18,000 miles in the Rocky Mountains, the Pacific Northwest, the Southwest and the Southeast over the last four years, I drove 5,266 miles this summer looking for the best in technology, science, military, nature, aviation and more throughout the American Northeast. You can follow me on Twitter at @GreeterDan and @RoadTrip and find the project on Facebook.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Report: Apple ups iPhone shipment target]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=report-apple-ups-iphone-shipment-target</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=report-apple-ups-iphone-shipment-target</comments>
<pubDate>Mon, 27 Dec 2010 08:10:02 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>liesourse</dc:creator>
<category>Mobile &amp; Electronics</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=report-apple-ups-iphone-shipment-target</guid>
<description><![CDATA[DigiTimes says Apple is looking to ship 5-6 million CDMA iPhones next quarter.(Credit:Kent German/CNET)Apple reportedly expects to ship 20 million to 21 million iPhones around the world next quarter, with almost 25 percent of them CDMA phones.At least, that's the latest from the folks at DigiTimes. Citing the usual sources from Taiwan-based component suppliers, DigiTimes says Apple bumped its first-quarter 2011 shipment goal to the 20 million to 21 million range from 19 million units previously, telling its component suppliers to get ready to fill that new target.If true, that'll be a healthy jump from the 15.5 million units that will have shipped during the fourth quarter, according to estimates indicated by the sources. For the full year, the sources say Apple will have shipped 47 million iPhones around the world.But the juiciest bit of information unveiled by DigiTimes focuses specifically on CDMA phones.For the first quarter, Apple is eyeing a shipment target of 5 million to 6 million CDMA iPhones. Verizon's network runs on CDMA. The sources say all those phones will ship to North America and Asia Pacific during the first quarter, adding fuel to the fire behind reports calling for Verizon to get theiPhone next quarter.We e-mailed Apple for confirmation/comment about the DigiTimes report, but the company did not immediately respond. We'll update this story if we hear anything back.Hitting markets outside North America and Asia Pacific, Apple has also increased its first-quarter shipment goal of WCDMA iPhones to 14 million to 15 million, up from 13 million, according to the sources cited by DigiTimes.Though rumors of a Verizon iPhone have persisted for a couple of years, more news sources and analysts have chimed in lately trying to give some credence to those claims. In October, the Wall Street Journal said Apple was prepping to make a CDMA iPhone. Fortune soon followed by citing sources who said that a Verizon iPhone was a &quot;fait accompli.&quot;Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster also offered his take recently, calling for Verizon to launch the iPhone about midway through the first quarter of next year.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Angry Birds: New payment system, 50 million users]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=angry-birds-new-payment-system-50-million-users</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=angry-birds-new-payment-system-50-million-users</comments>
<pubDate>Fri, 10 Dec 2010 08:12:14 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>liesourse</dc:creator>
<category>Mobile &amp; Electronics</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=angry-birds-new-payment-system-50-million-users</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Angry Birds creator Rovio is ruffling its feathers and spreading its wings. At an event today touting the game's popularity, the company discussed an in-app payment system it will soon open up to all developers.(Credit:Rovio)Dubbed Bad Piggy Bank, the service is designed to be a &quot;one-touch payment&quot; option for consumers who want to buy goods in-game. Rovio was quick to point out that no registration or credit card is required at the time of purchase. Instead, users will be billed on their monthly phone bill.Rovio said its decision to launch Bad Piggy Bank is rooted in its desire to be a company that is &quot;all about choice.&quot; It also said the functionality should appeal to developers who want to generate more cash from their respective programs.It will take some time to get Bad Piggy Bank off the ground. Not only does Rovio need developer support, but the company must also ink deals with carriers to ensure that they can bill a user's mobile plan.Rovio said it hopes to launch Bad Piggy Bank next year, but it wouldn't provide many details on the service, other than to say it will be available only to Android developers initially. Company spokesman Peter Vesterbacka also said the revenue-sharing agreement Rovio plans to offer will be &quot;much, much better for developers than current app store models.&quot;Angry Birds has been downloaded 50 million times across all platforms on which it's available, Rovio also revealed. Vesterbacka said he expects Angry Birds to have been downloaded 100 million downloads times by next summer. The game, he said, is currently being played a cumulative 200 million minutes per day around the world. Going forward, Rovio reaffirmed that Angry Birds will be coming to PCs, Macs, and &quot;every other console&quot; next year. The company said the new versions will boast the same gameplay but offer &quot;beautiful HD.&quot; Those hoping for something new, however, won't find it on the new platforms, as those versions are set to feature all of the same levels gamers have played on their smartphones. Updates for the game, however, are expected &quot;every four weeks or so,&quot; with new levels added at no additional cost.Rovio said the online and Facebook versions of Angry Birds will also be launching next year.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Microsoft: Windows Phone 7 still work in progress]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=microsoft-windows-phone-7-still-work-in-progress</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=microsoft-windows-phone-7-still-work-in-progress</comments>
<pubDate>Tue, 07 Dec 2010 08:10:18 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>liesourse</dc:creator>
<category>Mobile &amp; Electronics</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=microsoft-windows-phone-7-still-work-in-progress</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Microsoft&amp;39's Joe Belfiore discusses Windows Phone 7 development priorities at the D: Dive Into Mobile conference.(Credit:Tom Krazit/CNET)SAN FRANCISCO--A key Microsoft executive working on the company'sWindows Phone 7 project dodged many a question about the future of the software but sketched out a basic idea of who Microsoft wants to target with its revamped phones. Joe Belfiore, corporate vice president for Windows Phone program management and design, told All Things D's Walt Mossberg at the D: Dive Into Mobile conference today that Microsoft is trying to steer a middle ground between high-end consumers obsessed with theiPhone and geekier types who have gravitated to Google's Android software. Windows Phone 7 devices have been out for about a month, and while Belfiore wasn't willing to share any sales numbers, he suggested that people are responding to Microsoft's ad campaigns and ease-of-use pitch. Microsoft's mobile market share has plunged over the last four years, as the iPhone and Android phones emerged and Research in Motion's BlackBerrys continued to stay popular. Belfiore acknowledged that Microsoft was behind but said with the launch that the company now has a product &quot;that's right there with those guys.&quot; Mossberg, however, pointed out that Windows Phone 7 lacks some features common to other mobile OSes, such as copy-paste and multitasking. Recent rumors of the imminent arrival copy-paste were not definitively confirmed by Belfiore but he did say he was testing the feature on his phone, and that people should expect it to arrival in early 2011. Microsoft focused on getting the basic things right in its first release, Belfiore said, such as calls, calendars, text messages, and navigation. Mossberg asked Belfiore to confirm last night's assertion by Google's Andy Rubin that Microsoft had an &quot;old code&quot; problem, and while Belfiore did acknowledge that the kernel of Windows Phone 7 is based on the older Windows Mobile software, he said the company used &quot;mostly new&quot; code through the software and that old software isn't necessarily bad if it's been tested and debugged. One area where Belfiore dropped any pretense of trying to give a straight answer was when he was asked about Microsoft's tablet strategy. Mossberg noted it was &quot;ironic&quot; that Microsoft, which pioneered the tablet concept, has been mostly sitting on the sidelines as others define the tablet experience. The main question is whether Microsoft wants to promoteWindows 7 or Windows Phone 7 as the operating system for future tablets, and Belfiore punted. Microsoft has historically tried to extend the PC-based Windows as far as possible across different form factors, and that's still the strategy until its not the strategy, he essentially said. <br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Smartphone users: I want my unlimited data]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=smartphone-users-i-want-my-unlimited-data</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=smartphone-users-i-want-my-unlimited-data</comments>
<pubDate>Mon, 22 Nov 2010 08:10:30 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>liesourse</dc:creator>
<category>Technology</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=smartphone-users-i-want-my-unlimited-data</guid>
<description><![CDATA[U.S. wireless smartphone subscribers will do almost anything to keep their unlimited data plans, which could spell trouble down the road for AT&amp;T, the only U.S. operator without an unlimited plan. For the growing number of smartphone users in the U.S. market, loyalty to a particular phone or a specific carrier is trumped by the availability of an unlimited data plan. Cell phone consumers are a notoriously fickle bunch. And for the past couple of years, wireless operators have been stepping over each other to gain exclusive deals on hot new phones to attract new subscribers.This strategy has helped operators, such as AT&amp;T, win new subscribers. But a recent survey by Wall Street research firm Sanford Bernstein indicates that for existing smartphone customers, the security of knowing they won't exceed a monthly data usage cap takes priority over which carrier's network they subscribe to or which phone they use.&quot;It is fashionable to argue that loyalty to carriers is dead (except perhaps to Verizon Wireless, whose service level is perceived to be markedly higher than that of its competitors),&quot; writes Craig Moffett, an equities analyst with Sanford Bernstein who wrote the report analyzing the study. &quot;The new conventional wisdom is that carrier loyalty has been replaced with loyalty to the device. But high inclination to switch carriers and phones to maintain an unlimited plan suggest that perhaps the plan itself is more important than either one.&quot;What's this mean for wireless operators For AT&amp;T, which has benefited from die-hard loyalty to theApple iPhone for more than three years, it means the carrier may be vulnerable when it loses the exclusive contract for the iPhone. As for the other three wireless operators that have not yet eliminated an unlimited data plan, it means they might be able to scoop up valuable customers. AT&amp;T was the first major U.S. carrier to eliminate its $30 a month unlimited data plan. In June, right before it launched the iPhone 4, the company adopted a two-tiered pricing model for new subscribers. The new pricing scheme forces new smartphone users to sign up for either a $25 a month 2GB monthly plan or a 200MB $15 a month plan. AT&amp;T &quot;grandfathered&quot; existing smartphone subscribers, allowing them to keep their $30 unlimited data plans. But according to Sanford Bernstein's survey, the move has left a bitter taste in some AT&amp;T subscribers' mouths.About a third of the more than 800 people responding to the Sanford Bernstein survey said AT&amp;T's move toward usage-based billing sparked negative sentiment toward the company. The study also suggests that if forced to take a tiered data plan in lieu of an unlimited plan, a large proportion of consumers would switch carriers even if it means buying a new phone and paying a premium on a different carrier for the unlimited plan. AT&amp;T spokesman Mark Siegel said that AT&amp;T's new pricing plans give customers more flexibility and more choice when it comes to data. &quot;We have found that our customers in fact like usage-based billing,&quot; he said. &quot;They appreciate having choices in data plans. This is probably because a majority of customers can reduce their costs through our plans.&quot;He said the response to the tiered plans has been strong both with new customers and existing customers. AT&amp;T has been signing up huge numbers of new smartphone users. In the third quarter, it activated 8 million smartphone accounts, of which 5.2 million of those devices were iPhones. This was the largest number of iPhone activations for AT&amp;T in a single quarter.But Siegel would not disclose how many of the existing iPhone subscribers have actually switched to one of the tiered plans. Moffett speculates in his report that the loyalty consumers feel toward the iPhone is uncharacteristic. Consumers don't get the iPhone because they want to be on AT&amp;T's network' they subscribe to AT&amp;T because it's the only place in the U.S. to get the iPhone. Once the iPhone is available on other networks, AT&amp;T will likely find itself in the same position as Sprint Nextel and T-Mobile USA, whose customers appear to have far less loyalty to the network than they do the cost of the overall plan.&quot;Respondents were more loyal to their pricing plan than to either their carrier or their phone,&quot; he says in the report. &quot;More cynically, they were simply not loyal, and cared merely about price.&quot;Copycats The big question since AT&amp;T introduced its plan is whether its competitors would follow with usage based plans of their own. So far only Verizon Wireless has dipped its toe in the waters of tiered data pricing. Verizon recently introduced a new tier of service that offers 150 MB of data for $15 a month. But the company wisely kept its $30 a monthly unlimited plan. Since the plan was introduced, executives have been quick to point out that the tiered offer is for the company's 3G pricing. It will be launching its 4G LTE network later this year, and when it does, it will adopt a new pricing plan. But according to a recent interview with The Wall Street Journal, even though Verizon will likely offer a tiered service offering, it may also keep the unlimited plan.  Meanwhile, Sprint Nextel and T-Mobile, which are each rolling out upgrades to their network and each with far fewer customers than either AT&amp;T or Verizon Wireless, say they may consider usage based pricing in the future. But for now, they will continue offering unlimited data service.This could prove to be a major differentiator for these operators, according to Moffett.&quot;Unlimited data plans could become a major source of differentiation, attracting customers and giving still-unlimited carriers a subscribership boost,&quot; he writes. &quot;At the same time, however, carriers who maintain unlimited pricing in the face of AT&amp;T's move to usage based pricing (and Verizon's expected move to follow) could self-select to the heaviest users, impairing future profitability.&quot;The problem that wireless carriers face right now is that they need to increase adoption of data services without increasing consumption of those services. They're unable to keep pace with network upgrades to meet data demands. But more importantly, they can't afford these upgrades. Flat-rate unlimited pricing reduces how much revenue carriers make on each bit of data traversing their networks. In other words, the more data consumers use on an unlimited data plan, the less money carriers make from that service on a per-bit basis. So they need to be able to find a balance in which they can charge customers who use more of the network's resources more money for access to those resources.Of course, this is very unpopular with consumers, who have gotten used to all-you-can-eat Internet data buffets.People are willing to overpay For most consumers, who are likely only consuming about 300MB of data per month, the $25 plan from AT&amp;T would actually save them money since it's very unlikely they'd ever be charged overages for exceeding the 2GB cap. But many people are willing to pay for more than they need simply to have the peace of mind that they won't be hit with an overage charge. Even though the math doesn't work in their favor, the psychology of paying extra for this insurance is worth it. Indeed, the Sanford Bernstein survey found that a large number of light users, people consuming less than 200MB of data per month, prefer unlimited plans, too, even if their usage patterns suggest that they would save money by getting a plan that's capped. The problem is that people drastically overestimate how much time they spend doing data-intensive activities and thus they grossly exaggerate how much data they use. Another study by the Technology Policy Institute (PDF) that was published last week on the cost of broadband plans, discovered that most consumers on broadband data plans with data caps actually save between 15 percent and 25 percent compared with people who are on unlimited plans. The report, authored by Scott Wallsten and James Riso, stated that residential standalone broadband plans with bit caps are, on average, $164 less per year than similar, but unlimited plans. &quot;Policymakers should not immediately conclude that data caps and other pricing schemes that differ from traditional unlimited plans are necessarily bad,&quot; the report said. Instead, the authors suggest, pricing trends should be evaluated over time to identify the effects on prices, investment and usage.AT&amp;T's Siegel said the company's less expensive data plans have helped AT&amp;T tap a new crop of customers. The Sanford Bernstein survey also suggests that capped services, priced lower than unlimited plans can expand the market for operators. &quot;There is some upside for AT&amp;T and other UBP (usage based pricing) carriers, in the form of late smartphone adopters,&quot; Moffett writes in the report. &quot;There are people currently without smartphones but who would be interested in adopting one in light of cheaper data plans.&quot;The biggest hurdle may be simply persuading consumers to abandon the safety net of unlimited plans. Until then, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless may rack up some new customers at AT&amp;T's expense.<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Classroom polls via student phones and iPods - Springwise]]></title>
<link>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=classroom-polls-via-student-phones-and-ipods---springwise</link>
<comments>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=classroom-polls-via-student-phones-and-ipods---springwise</comments>
<pubDate>Mon, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>liesourse</dc:creator>
<category>Education</category>
<guid>http://www.haaze.com/story.php?title=classroom-polls-via-student-phones-and-ipods---springwise</guid>
<description><![CDATA[It''s not uncommon for educators to use student response systems (SRS) to engage their students and assess learning through polls, quizzes and other interactive tools. Most such systems rely on specialized devices known as a4Aclickers,a4 however, and they''re also typically expensive and difficult to use without training. Enter Top Hat Monocle, a Canadian company that has developed a system in which students can use the portable devices they already have, including cell phones, laptops and iPods.Teachers begin with Top Hat''s monocleCAT by registering for free and then creating an online course in about 60 seconds, the company says. Top Hat''s design team then works with the teacher to create tailored interactive content. An intuitive tool can help create questions, or existing ones can be imported' a free training program, meanwhile, offers advice culled from other professors using the system. Either way, the system can then be used to conduct polls and quizzes, interactive demos and collaborative learning exercises in class via students'' own devices. Students can participate anonymously or for a grade, and their aggregated responses can be graphically represented in real time for all the class to see. Individual grades, on the other hand, can be exported to a spreadsheet at any time. Students register to use monocleCAT at their campus bookstore' pricing ranges from CAD 6 per month to CAD 120 for lifetime access.Just as mobile apps have come to dominate many companies'' interactions with consumers, so it makes perfect sense to see mobile devices put to work in the classroom. An offering similar to Top Hat''s, incidentally, comes from Poll Everywhere. Either way, the potential is exciting not just for teachers but also for speakers and event organizers. One to help localize and bring to your neck of the global auditorium..Website: www.tophatmonocle.comContact: www.tophatmonocle.com/contact_us<br/><br/>0 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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