False Information

Last week there was a buzz with the supposed collaboration between Microsoft and OLPC (One Laptop per Child) for an XP or Vista Starter Edition priced at $3 for each tiny "XO" computer. Walter Bender, president of Software and Content at OLPC, stated that there is no agreement in place between OLPC and Microsoft. Microsoft has not contacted OLPC about a $3 bundle package of Windows for the XO. None of the governments requesting the XO have specifically requested the potential for the use of a starter edition of Windows on the XO. This confusion could have stemmed from the fact that Microsoft is one of 1500 companies in OLPC's developer program. Microsoft does have access to the XO prototype, but has not stated anything about adapting a Windows starter version for the little machine.

$175 Laptop

The former $100 laptop is now expected to be closer to $175. The computer is being created for school children in developing countries. The small “XO” computer has the ability to run with extremely low electricity consumption, includes a pulley for hand-generated power, built-in wireless networking capabilities, and a screen with a feature for indoor and outdoor reading modes. The computer also features the ability to run a Microsoft Windows XP starter edition as well as its own operating system. It has been designed for those with no previous computer experience in mind. This highly original operating system has an interface heavily reliant on pictographic icons. Countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Pakistan, Thailand, Nigeria, Libya, and Uruguay have committed to being in the initial wave to buy the small computers, but it is unclear who will be the first to put the cash forth. The project must receive orders for 3 million machines before manufacturing and distribution. The machines will be made by Quanta Computer Inc., the world’s leader in portable computers. They have agreed to take a profit of only $3 per machine. Working together with the non-profit One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) project, they hope to achieve their goal of making this little computer available to many. The XO is currently focused on those in developing countries, but with inquiries made by 19 state governors could possibly be made available to U.S. schools. This can definitely be seen as one significant step to assist in the large digital divide.

New Concerns for Privacy

Google has announced that it plans to buy DoubleClick, the number one firm in digital advertising. The largest concern is whether Google will combine the two data systems. With both systems working together Google could map online searches as well as most other online activities, including what sites are visited, what videos are watched, or what ads a particular user clicks. With the combination of two large advertising networks, centralized information could become target for hackers of overzealous government investigators. Many believe this is giving Google the ability to have too much personal information and their privacy policies have not caught up with the pace of the company’s expansions.

Google claims it does not plan to integrate the two. CEO Eric Schmidt did state that Google may possibly think about an opt-in system for consumers. Repeat ads could be avoided and ads could better target customers. All personally identifiable data such as names and e-mail addresses will be kept apart.

I feel Google will have to keep their word about not integrating services. This would cause many unhappy users who felt they could trust Google. Google has been changing their policies on what information is stored in databases; much of the information is being deleted after a period of months. I believe as Google grows they will do their best to foresee privacy issues and keep their customers content.

Web Optimizer

Google has been a great success, and many companies are happy to complement Google on it's new Website Optimizer option. It is currently in its beta version and is free to users. Many companies have found this service to be very useful. For example Dale and Thomas Popcorn easily found there was no significant difference between the testing of their two different logos. They saved lots of money by turning down the chance to use the more expensive design. Dale and Thomas have future plans to determine whether a Peanut Butter and White Chocolate DrizzleCorn picture sells more popcorn than a Toffee Crunch DrizzleCorn image.

Another company that has had success is Moishe's Moving Systems located in New York City. Google's AdWords proved to be so helpful, they were eager to try the new web optimizer. Moishe's has conducted research on which promotions are most enticing and even the sort of images consumers prefer. They overwhelmingly found pictures of groups of families to generate more traffic than images of couples or an individual.

Google's Website Optimizer is a great tool for any company to utilize, especially because there is currently no cost. It can be used for very helpful marketing research. Many companies found greater accuracy by conducting simple tests and later adding more complicated tasks.

Throw Away Your Keyboard!

Controlling a device by brainwaves is something you would see in a futuristic movie, but is it actually possible? Matthew Nagle, a quadriplegic, has proven that it is indeed! After extensive research on brain patterns, a chip smaller than an aspirin that reads electrical patterns, was implanted on the top of Nagle's brain. Using this chip he has learned to move a cursor around a screen, play simple games, change channels on a television, and even control a robotic arm. The amazing part is he learned to perform all these tasks in less time than it takes the average PC user to install the Windows operating system to their computer. This offers amazing possibilities to those with disabilities, and companies are now beginning to develop products for consumers with this technology. This technology can currently write at 15 words per minute, but it is estimated by 2012 chips may be able to process thoughts as quickly as speech (about 110 to 170 words per minute). Due to ethical issues concerning brain implants researchers are also working on methods where an implant would not be necessary. If this technology does become available, PCs, keyboards, and computer mice will soon be seen as devices from the past. Something that once seemed more than impossible is quickly becoming very possible. The way the internet is used would become drastically different.