2009 marked the start of the end between Apple and Google. From the release of Android to the rejection of Google apps, what once was a solid partnership between the two (joined at Eric Schimdt’s hip) has now spiraled down to a virtual cold war between the two companies. In the latest swing, Business Week reports that Apple and Microsoft are now in negotiations on making Bing the default search engine on the iPhone. The enemy of one’s enemy is after all, a friend.
Such a move would be more than just a symbolic gesture. With both Google and Apple gobbling up mobile advertising firms (AdMob and Quattro Wireless, respectively), both companies realize that the mobile market is where the winds are blowing. Mobile search and advertising continues to grow year after year, as devices such as smartphones continue to flood the market. Of course, there’s also the third party, Microsoft, who would be more than glad to chunk away at Google’s dominance over the search market.
Whether or not Apple goes through with such a deal remains to be seen, especially given the impending Apple announcement next week, which is rumored to reveal the long awaited Apple tablet or the iPhone 4.0. Nonetheless, both Google and Apple seem to be headed towards a collision course that will change the way consumers use their electronics for years to come. [Business Week]
From the creators of Tiger Woods CGI re-enactment comes the CG-animated explanation of the Conan-Leno-NBC fiasco, done by 蘋果日報動新聞 (Apple Daily News) in Taiwan. Surprised why, in the words of the video, “之前既然沒人想過” (no one’s ever thought of this before!)! Watch Conan go all Hulk (literally!) at 1 minute in.
Yelp’s latest update for the iPhone presents another move on Yelp into the world of social networking. Similar to Foursquare, Yelp will now allow users to “check-in” at locations. According to TechCrunch, users will also be rewarded based on their interactions.
Jumping on Foursquare only recently, their badge system (often based on the number/types of check-ins made) seems almost like an Xbox achievement or PS3 trophy. It doesn’t really add any functionality and is more of a hook for me to win more badges. There are areas to list tips and comments at each location, but it’s far from established. Yelp on the other hand, already has a history of comments, reviews, and more active users. With this latest update, Yelp has the potential of taking that next step of bringing otherwise disconnected users into the 2.0 web of social networking.
The app is already available on the iTunes app store. So far the update is only for the iPhone/iPod Touch, though future updates for other devices are expected.
It hasn’t been easy for Google in regards to China. With such a large and growing market, it was obvious that Google had to make its move, especially as Baidu was making ground. However, Google’s establishment in China was met with fierce criticism in the West, as many human rights supporters blasted Google’s decision to abide by China’s censorship laws. Googling “Tiananmen Square” behind the Great Wall will get you a very different result than from outside.
All that, however, seems to be out the window now, in lieu of the latest cyber-attacks to hit Google China. Attacks were made across several sites, including Google, with what appeared to be an intent to access information regarding human rights activists. While the damage seems to be minimal, it became the straw that broke the camel’s back.
As of this afternoon, Google announced on its blog that it would open up itself up and no longer censor itself as requested by the Chinese government, effectively risking its entire operations in China. While the Chinese government has yet to respond to Google’s move, this play will definitely ripple for the days and weeks to come, quite possibly changing the face of the internet for China.
On the hours outside the showroom floors of CES, I toured the various casinos on the Strip. Being Chinese myself, it’s pretty known among the Chinese community that Chinese people LOOOOOVE to gamble. The streets of Flushing and Chinatown are always lined with buses bound for Foxwoods and Atlantic City. Still, I was a bit surprised to see just the amount of dedication these hotel-casinos in Vegas were dedicating, just to appeal to the Chinese. Nearly every hotel-casino has Pai Gow Poker tables, dedicated Chinese restaurants (though I’d NEVER pay $20 for a wonton noodle soup!), and my dinner buffet at the Mirage included noodle soups, haw gow, shu mai, and dumplings. But this is Vegas, so why stop there? The Bellagio just unveiled a huge Chinese-themed display, probably in line for the Chinese New Year (Feb. 14, 2010). To put that much money and effort just into appealing to the Chinese, I can’t help but wonder, how much do Chinese (gamblers) contribute to casinos in Vegas?
Replete with bamboo, altars, statues, and giant coins
Having a chance to get some hands-on playtime with the Sony PS3 in 3-D, I have to admit, at least when it comes to gaming, I could see myself going for it. The 3-D experience was rather nice, adding to another layer of immersion in the gaming experience. HUD displays, suddenly seem a bit more futuristic, layered closer, while the rest of the game sets back several layers.
Some of the games shown at the Sony floor included Super Stardust HD, Wipeout HD, and Avatar. The visuals for Super Stardust seemed nice, with the background planet seeming more curved, as layers of meteors and aliens circled around the planet. Wipeout HD and Gran Turismo looked good as well, with a greater feeling of depth when viewed in 3-D. Who knew there was a backseat on Gran Turismo? As for Avatar, it felt moreorless like the movie, though the visuals were nowhere as nice. Of course, the game itself wasn’t great to begin with, though I can imagine Uncharted 2 and Modern Warefare 2 making use of 3-D in a great way.
While the though of wearing 3-D glasses is normally a giant turn-off, with headsets often used, wearing another pair of glasses during gameplay doesn’t seem as much of a big deal. Games like Uncharted 2 though, touting their movie-like spectator experiences, might need to provide an extra pair of glasses.
While adoption for 3-D TVs remain to be seen, one nice improvement across television manufacturers is the continuation to the near paper thin depth AND frames of new flat panels. One notable model is LG’s tiny OLED flat screen, which can easily be fitted to virtually any room in the house. LG boasts its water-resistance, which doesn’t mean you should take it in the shower; however, it should survive the steam in the bathroom without any problem. The LG OLED was not only razor thin, but showed a crisp and high contrast display that instantly bumped it up my wish list.
The main showstopped for LG, however, was its Infinia line, which not only preserved a thin design, but also shrunk the width of the frame around the screen. Far from the days of thick 5” wooden frames around a CRT, the LG Infinia line continutes to push the standard for television design.
It’s the official start of CES and the theme for this year is pretty apparent. Every company and their little sister has their spin on the “best” 3-D TV. From the second the public walked into the giant LG entrance, visitors were greeted with new super slim LCDs, energy saving TVs, and of course, the new 3-D TV.
Panasonic stepped up the game with some very high-def projectors as well as a 3-D projector. Still, my favorite was the Sony OLED 3-D display, which was easiest on the eyes. Perhaps it was the video they used, which wasn’t as much focused on objecting popping out, and more about creating a deeper depth to the video. It’s a nice spin to things, and 3-D gaming does seem somewhat worthwhile. Still, whether or not the public decides to adopt this new item will be a question asked throughout the show.
LG’s new 3-D TV
Sony’s attempt to make those 3-D glasses somewhat digestable
Welcome to the launch of dxstuff.com! For those who are unfamiliar with chinese, the words “east” (東) and “west” (西) put together means “stuff” (dongxi). Figured it would be fitting, for someone stuck between Eastern and Western cultures, living btw the East and West Coasts.
Hopefully this blog will develop into a site for stories, reviews, and thoughts in the newest buzz surrounding tech, gaming, and the occasional random article.
To kick of the year, we’ll be covering CES live at the show. Stay tuned for articles and pictures straight from Las Vegas.
Feel free to comment with your thoughts. Here’s to 2010!
