Android Google Maps takes users offline

Google Maps has always been one of the top apps on the Android platform, with new features added regularly by Google. A new version has rolled out today that adds useful features that will be popular with both those in urban areas and those in rural spots.
Google has added notifications in Maps for those using public transportation on devices with GPS enabled. The new version lets users know when they reach the proper stop for their current route, or if they need to make a route transfer. Since it uses GPS it won’t do much good on subways, but bus riders will appreciate the new feature.
Another new feature in Google Maps levels the playing field for those using an Android smartphone as a navigation device. One of the arguments in my recent debate with colleague Adrian Kingsley-Hughesfor using dedicated GPS devices versus smartphones for in-car navigation was the inability of smartphones to get online to access map information in areas without cell service.

This new version of Google Maps adds the ability to download maps to the phone for navigation on short trips into areas without web connectivity. Before heading into the no service zone simply download the map for the area. Downloaded maps can also be used for offline searches in addition to navigation. Being in areas without connectivity gets a lot more bearable with these downloaded maps.
You can get the new Google Maps in the Android Market.

Four Reasons Businesses Should Start Using Facebook Video Chat

Facebook held a media event Wednesday morning to unveil 'something awesome'. That something awesome is that Facebook is adding a group chat feature, and the ability--in partnership with Skype--to conduct video calls from within Facebook.


Awesome is in the eye of the beholder. Personally I would have been much more impressed if the 'something awesome' was the rumored Facebook iPad app. Awesome is also relative. These features may be awesome for Facebook users compared with not having them, but compared with rival platforms the Facebook features just play catch up, and don't even quite get there in some respects.

While the level of awesome can be debated, the addition of video chat within Facebook is welcome. Here are some of the immediate benefits for businesses to get on board with Facebook video chat.

1. You are already there. People spend more time on Facebook than on any other online destination--I assume that includes you. Your company has invested time and effort establishing a presence on the social network, and you have reached out and formed connections with coworkers, customers, vendors, and partners. If you are already staying connected and keeping in touch via Facebook, it is only natural to just click on a contact to video chat when the need arises.

2. They are already there. Facebook has more than 750 million members. With a pool of contacts that deep, you can be almost certain that whoever you want to speak to is out there--and because people spend more time on Facebook than any other online destination, odds are fair they're online and waiting for your video chat. It would almost be more difficult to find contacts who aren't available.

3. Saves time and money. Some things are just done better face to face. Some people are more productive when they can engage eye to eye. But, you don't have to be physically in the same room to accomplish that--you can use Facebook video chat. Traveling to meet someone face to face takes time--whether it is down the hall to visit a co-worker, across town to meet with a customer, or around the world to negotiate with a supplier. Trips beyond the office building also incur additional costs such as airfare, lodging, meals, etc. Facebook video chat is a click away.

4. The price is right. It is free. That is a hard price to beat. Companies of all sizes have invested vast sums of money over the years implementing video conferencing infrastructures. Now, Facebook is handing it to you for free--use it.

Facebook video chat is limited to one-on-one calls, unlike Google+ Huddles which allow for group video chat, or even group simultaneous watching of YouTube videos. There are certainly some practical business applications for the group aspects of Google+. Hopefully, Facebook will continue to expand on the video chat concept and include a group video chat function at some point. What would really be cool is if Facebook, Google+, Skype, Apple FaceTime, and any other competing video chat platform could all get on the same page so they could all work together, but I won't hold my breath.

The initial implementation of Facebook video chat may be a little rough around the edges, but it is still good news, and it is a valuable tool that businesses can start taking advantage of immediately with the other 750 million Facebook users.

Pegatron receives orders for 15 million iPhone 5s from Apple

Taiwan-based notebook maker Pegatron Technology is estimated to have landed orders for 15 million iPhone 5s (iPhone 4S) from Apple and is set to start shipping in September of 2011, according to sources from upstream component makers. In response, Pegatron declined to comment about its cooperation with clients.

Due to its cooperation with Apple for iPhone 4, Pegatron, in 2010, significantly expanded its plants, human power and equipment aiming satisfy the orders for 10 million CDMA iPhone 4s; however, since the Apple's CDMA iPhone 4 sales were lower than expected in the first quarter of 2011, Pegatron shipped less than four million CDMA iPhone 4s, causing the company's utilization rate to drop to only 50% with its gross margin also drop to 1.8% in the quarter.

The sources pointed out that as the iPhone 5, which does not seem to have any major update from iPhone 4, is already set for shipment in September, they are already started supplying components to Pegatron with Pegatron's plants in Shanghai, China also recently started hiring for manpower.

In addition to the iPhone, Pegatron has also been aggressive striving for iPad or Macbook orders from Apple, but due to the products' existing makers are defending their orders, Pegatron currently still has not yet achieved any progress. However, under the consideration of separating risks, some market watchers believe Pegatron will have chance to land a small volume of iPad orders in 2012.

Losing notebook orders from its major client Asustek Computer, Pegatron is currently working aggressively to land notebook orders from Acer with market watchers estimated that Pegatron will be able to land orders for more than six million notebooks in the second half of 2012, up from the two million units, currently.

As for dropping PS3 shipments, Although Sony already released information about PS4, the sources is still conservative about the new gaming console's shipments as the gaming market has recently been impacted strongly by online devices such as tablet PCs.

Anger and the Anthony verdict

As I said in my last post, none of us can or will ever truly know the "truth" about what happened with Casey Anthony and her baby Caylee. But what became clear when the not guilty verdict was announced this week was that a great many people believe that justice was not served. And they are very, very angry about it.

Like everyone else, I was surprised by the verdict for two reasons: 1) all of the experts, based on the evidence they heard, believed she would be found guilty; 2) when a jury comes back immediately, the defendant is usually found guilty. It was certainly a surprise when the speedy turnaround resulted in a not guilty verdict. Obviously, there was not much argument among the jury about her guilt or lack of. Many people followed this trial closely and watched every twist and turn as attentively as any juror. I believe that people are particularly angry because based on what they saw and heard, justice most certainly was not served.

People are venting their anger in an outpouring of rage I haven't seen since OJ was acquitted of murdering Nicole. Everyone has their own view of how this trial should have gone and what the law defines as "reasonable doubt" and "justice." The feeling of helplessness, that we trial watchers had no input or control over the outcome only adds to our anger. Most of the millions of people watching the trial immediately formed very strong opinions about Casey, a young mother who compulsively lied and seemingly preferred partying to taking care of her child. These trial watchers had decided that she was guilty of murdering Caylee, and emotions have run very high. They wanted and fully expected to see her punished and paying the consequences for her actions.

Attorneys, legal analysts and experts everywhere, have attempted to quell frustration over the not guilty verdict by rattling off the specifics of what "reasonable doubt" is and why the jurors may have been "forced" to come to the verdict of "not guilty." Well, emotions defy logic, and many people feel that rules of the law in this case were wrong. Other trial watchers are outraged by this verdict because they struggle to do the right thing and abide by the law. I have been hearing people spout off about the supposed benefits of excessive lying as if they too can get away with whatever they want, being that Casey appears to literally be getting away with murder. Here Casey will walk out of the door of the prison scot-free, while the people who believe she is guilty continue to sit in the rage and frustration they are feeling.

Anger is not only an intellectual reaction; it is a physical one as well. Anger causes people to lash out, become overly emotional and react in ways they wouldn't normally behave. Anger is a typical reaction when people feel powerless, and people got so attached to this case, that they feel personally wronged by this verdict and got as angry as if it had happened to them.

In my experience, the best way to manage anger in a situation where you can't change the outcome is to channel it into something productive. That might be something as small as doing something special with your own child, or something more ambitious like helping other children in need. Sadly, children disappear and are murdered every single day. There's a great deal of talk and energy surrounding this verdict right now. I'd love to see people turn their energy into preventing another tragedy like this one.