A report was just released revealing the ability of the iPhone and Android phones to be tracked constantly by the service providers and by anyone with access to the information the phones transmit. This really is not new news, but slightly ironic.
Several years ago there was a rash of iPhone thefts, with very little the victim could do to recover her/ his $500 dollar investment. In many cases, when the victim contacted Apple Customer Service for assistance, they were empathetically told there was nothing Apple could do to help. Now with the release of the article saying that the iPhone is constantly tracked, why did Apple refuse to help its customers in need?
Apple sells it's products with the idea of its customers re-returning after two to three years for the latest and greatest of their new hot items. Folks who unfortunately had their iPhone lost or stolen most likely went back to an Apple retailer and purchased another. However with the constant tracking, Apple could have simply told the customer the phones current location and eliminated the second donation of $500 dollars to the Apple fund.
As I said earlier, there should be very little surprise that the cellphones are always transmitting your current locale and now since anyone who reads knows this information, I think Steve Jobs and Apple need to be more forthright with their information to their customers. What can it hurt, they already know where I am!
Monday, April 25, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Can We Talk?
When was the last time that you had a long drawn out conversation in person and walked away as if there was nothing said? Now imagine that long drawn out conversation is in an online forum or chat room. Do you think that because you can go back and re-read the post that the conversation would be more or less meaningful? Daily people send emails, instant messages, and Facebook status updates, which at times is only an extension of the drivel of what they would have said in person.
Can our society make a shift to social media for our communication when we have difficulty speaking to one another face to face? The Internet allows for it's user to join any subculture that may fit best into their niche of life. It can help the socially challenged to expand their limited range within our social caste system, but does that help that person better communicate when they meet their online companion in person?
Several days ago, a young man said that he was being bullied online and offline and there was nothing he nor his family could do. He said the reason that he was bullied was because of his "sheltered" lifestyle and everything that he was being harassed about was true. At first, his words fell on deaf ears, but as a father I worry about my children having difficulty communicating freely on and offline well; with something meaningful to say. I am not saying that the young man's words or lifestyle is wrong, but there is a clear inability for this young man to communicate in multiple arenas and that is where his issues rest.
Can our society make a shift to social media for our communication when we have difficulty speaking to one another face to face? The Internet allows for it's user to join any subculture that may fit best into their niche of life. It can help the socially challenged to expand their limited range within our social caste system, but does that help that person better communicate when they meet their online companion in person?
Several days ago, a young man said that he was being bullied online and offline and there was nothing he nor his family could do. He said the reason that he was bullied was because of his "sheltered" lifestyle and everything that he was being harassed about was true. At first, his words fell on deaf ears, but as a father I worry about my children having difficulty communicating freely on and offline well; with something meaningful to say. I am not saying that the young man's words or lifestyle is wrong, but there is a clear inability for this young man to communicate in multiple arenas and that is where his issues rest.
My Brother's keeper
Can our society continue to self govern itself?
The Internet has become our new source for expressing our First Amendment Right, freedom of speech. The Internet allows for multiple views to be expressed freely and with very little push back from the "Man". Views that are extreme and not very popular proliferate the Internet that can anger many, but still have the freedom to share their unpopular views. Some outliers who write blogs for the internet, push the envelope of free speech to it's limits, with only his or her fellow bloggers to police their words.
Granted there are rules and regulations that govern free speech on the net that have been established by the government and the supreme court, but in many cases the laws and punishment is handed down by the masses of judges and juries who comb the web, who are merely people like you and me.
Can this freedom of speech on the Internet be dangerous? Do we need more rules to control speech that could incite anger or should we promote the new freedom that the net provides to us all?
We depend on one another to govern the actions of our peers on the net and so far, it seems to be working.
The Internet has become our new source for expressing our First Amendment Right, freedom of speech. The Internet allows for multiple views to be expressed freely and with very little push back from the "Man". Views that are extreme and not very popular proliferate the Internet that can anger many, but still have the freedom to share their unpopular views. Some outliers who write blogs for the internet, push the envelope of free speech to it's limits, with only his or her fellow bloggers to police their words.
Granted there are rules and regulations that govern free speech on the net that have been established by the government and the supreme court, but in many cases the laws and punishment is handed down by the masses of judges and juries who comb the web, who are merely people like you and me.
Can this freedom of speech on the Internet be dangerous? Do we need more rules to control speech that could incite anger or should we promote the new freedom that the net provides to us all?
We depend on one another to govern the actions of our peers on the net and so far, it seems to be working.
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