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Comcast Xfinity to Expand Data Caps

Business

October 10, 2016

Four years ago, Comcast began capping customers’ internet data. Comcast Xfinity customers within the trial markets will be moved from a 300 gigabyte data plan to a terabyte data plan by June 1st. Comcast emphasizes, the internet is changing so their company feels the need to evolve by changing their internet plans, too. On average, 99 percent of Comcast customers use roughly 60 gigabytes of data within a month.

Xfinity customers will have the option to purchase unlimited plans for an additional $50 per month. Comcast customers will also have the option to purchase 50 gigabytes of data for $10. For the one percent of customers who use over one TB of internet data, Comcast promises not to exceed a $200 per month bill, regardless of the amount of data used. If Comcast customers exceed the one TB of data cap, they will not receive a data overage charges, for the first two months, as a courtesy. Comcast Business Internet customers, Gigabit Pro tier, Prepaid Internet, and Bulk Internet Agreement customers will not have their internet data plans capped.

Comcast began adding and expanding data caps, as an experiment to see how customers would react to having a cap placed on the data they can use. It appears Comcast customers want the freedom to download, stream, game, and enjoy all aspects of the internet. Comcast announced that customers will never have to think about the amount of internet they use with a terabyte data plan. With one terabyte of data, in one month, Comcast customers can: stream 700 hours of HD Netflix videos, play 12,000 hours of Call of Duty (video game), and download at least 60,000 hi-resolution vacation photos.
Customers can monitor the actual amount of internet data they utilize by accessing account tools offered by Comcast, via online.

The following trial markets (states) already have the Terabyte Data Internet usage Plan (capped internet data):

Alabama (excluding the Dothan market)
Arizona
Arkansas
Florida (Fort Lauderdale, the Keys and Miami)
Georgia (excluding Southeastern Georgia)
Illinois
Northern Indiana
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Southwestern Michigan
Mississippi
Tennessee
Eastern Texas
South Carolina
Southwest Virginia

Effective November 1, 2016, the following trail markets (states) will have the Terabyte Data Internet usage Plan (capped internet data):

Alabama (Dothan)
California
Colorado
Florida (North Florida, Southwest Florida and West Palm)
Southeastern Georgia
Idaho
Indiana (Indianapolis and Central Indiana; Fort Wayne and Eastern Indiana)
Kansas
Michigan (Grand Rapids/Lansing, Detroit and Eastern Michigan)
Minnesota
Missouri
New Mexico
Western Ohio
Oregon
Texas (Houston)
Utah
Washington
Wisconsin

This news comes after Netflix sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission, FCC, last September. Netflix argued that the commission should ban data caps.

Netflix says, “Data caps (especially low data caps) and usage based pricing discourage a consumer’s consumption of broadband and may impede the ability of some households to watch internet television in a manner and amount that they would like.”

Netflix also argued that data caps is a simple business tactic to make as much money consumers as possible. “Data caps and [usage based pricing] raise the cost of using the connections that consumers have paid for, making it more expensive to watch internet television,” it says.

Study: 34 % of Samsung Owners Plan on Buying an iPhone

Business

Jonathan Antonio

October 9, 2016

Study: 34 % of Samsung Owners Plan on Buying an iPhone

A new survey says 34 percent of current customers will not buy another Samsung phone or use another Android device again.

Branding Brand conducted an online survey last month in an effort to determine how much of an impact the exploding Galaxy Note 7 has had on consumers. The survey had 1,000 respondents, all of which were current Samsung phone owners who lived in the United States. 34 percent of the respondents said they would not buy another phone from Samsung. In addition, 81 percent of those respondents said they have always owned Samsung phones or other Android phones in the past. Another 34 percent of participants would leave Android completely and instead will purchase an iPhone.

The Galaxy Note 7 recall is spelling bad news for the Samsung corporation. The South Korean company’s latest smartphone was shipped with a defect in some units that has been causing them to explode. Consequently, Samsung had to issue a global recall and replace 2.5 million Note 7 phones.

This study was conducted before the replacement Note 7s were reportedly safe, but reports emerged that since the recall Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phones have continued to exploded and catch on fire. Since the study, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T are now accepting exchanges of replacement Galaxy Note 7 devices following an exploding “safe” Note 7, which caused passengers on a Southwest flight to evacuate.

AT&T announced that they would no longer sell Galaxy Note 7 cell phones further complicating the issues surrounding the Galaxy Note 7 recall.“We’re no longer exchanging new Note 7s at this time, pending further investigation of these reported incidents,” AT&T said in a statement.

Samsung is currently working with the U.S. Consumer Product Commission in order to determine why several Galaxy Note 7 cell phones exploded. “We are working diligently with authorities and third-party experts and will share findings when we have completed the investigation,” the Samsung said in a statement. “If we determine a product safety issue exists, Samsung will take immediate steps approved by the CPSC to resolve the situation.”

Samsung added, “If we conclude a safety issue exists, we will work with the CPSC to take immediate steps to address the situation. We want to reassure our customers that we take every report seriously and we appreciate their patience as we work diligently through this process.”

How Google’s Pixel Battery and Camera Compare to Apple’s iPhone 7

Business

Megan Diane

October 9, 2016

How Google’s Pixel Battery and Camera Compare to Apple’s iPhone 7

Google announced on October 4th, the release of two new smartphones, Pixel and Pixel XL. Pixel and Pixel XL are the first smartphones designed by Google. Not only did Google announce the release of their smartphones, Apple also announced, on September 7, the release of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 plus. Apple stated, “iPhone 7 will dramatically improve the most important aspects of the iPhone experience”. While Google’s Pixel and Apple’s iPhone 7’s camera and battery features appear to be similar, when closely comparing each phone individually, the camera and battery of both smartphones are uniquely different.

Google’s Pixel is releasing the highest rated smartphone camera. Pixel’s camera allows users to take clear photos in any light, low or bright. The pixel phone includes: 12.3 MP, large 1.55 μm pixels, and f/2.0 aperture (main camera). Google’s Pixel camera has a higher aperture and larger number of MP than Apple’s iPhone 7, which produces sharper, crisp images, and bright even photos.

Apple’s iPhone 7 is introducing a new advanced camera system that includes: a 12 MP camera, with optical image stabilization, 7MP HD camera, and f/1.8 aperture (main camera). Apple reengineered the iPhone 7 camera to include a six element lens to make it easier to shoot photos and videos in low light. The iPhone 7’s camera also has Quad-LED True Tone flash that adjusts based upon the color temperature of the environment which results in sharper brightly lit photos.

Both Pixel and Pixel XL have up to seven hours of use from only 15 minutes of charging, which is a lot better than Apple’s iPhone. Google’s Pixel battery has up to: 19 days of standby time (LTE), 26 hours of talk time, 13 hours of internet use, 12 hours of video playback, and 110 hours of audio playback (via headset). Google’s Pixel XL has up to: 23 days of standby time, 32 hours of talk time, 14 hours of internet use time (Wi-Fi and LTE), 14 hours of video playback, 130 hours of audio playback (via headset).

Apple states the iPhone 7 has up to: 14 hours of talk time (3G), 10 days of stand by, 12 hours of inter use (3G and LTE), 14 hours of internet (Wi-Fi), 13 hours of video playback, and 40 hours of audio playback. Apple’s iPhone 7 Plus has up to: (21 hours of talk time (3G), 16 days of standby, 13 hours of internet use (3G and LTE), 15 hours of internet use (Wi-Fi), 14 hours of video playback, and 60 hours of audio play back.

While the Google Pixel smartphone is several weeks away from hitting stores, Apple’s iPhone 7 has grown rapidly in the last two weeks. Analysts report that the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus currently makes up 3.6 percent of the market share of mobile devices, which is up from the 1.2% previously reported last weekend.

Frequent Candy Crush Saga Players Are More Likely to Become Addicts, Study Finds

Business

Brent Edward

October 9, 2016

Frequent Candy Crush Saga Players Are More Likely to Become Addicts, Study Finds

Researchers at the Chinese University of Hong Kong have found frequent users of the popular mobile game Candy Crush Saga are more likely to become addicts.

In the Journal of Telematics and Informatics explored the psychological factors that contribute to mobile social game addictions. The purpose of the study was to explore the correlation between psychological factors, mobile game use and addiction. Researchers measured psychological factors such as loneliness, boredom, self control and in-game gratifications and compared it to how much time users spent playing Candy Crush Saga. Researchers gathered data from 409 respondents in China and found that 7.3 percent of Candy Crush Saga players in the study were considered as addicted to the mobile game.

In addition, researchers found that addicts were more likely to be characterized as lonely and motivated by the gameplay gratifications within the game. Users who had problems with self-control and were loneliness were more likely to become addicted to the mobile game. Researchers argue that boredom was also linked to the amount of time users spent playing Candy Crush Saga.

This news comes after China is reportedly considering shutting off Internet after midnight in order to combat Internet addiction, which may put the future of the mobile gaming industry in trouble. Rules released by the Cyberspace Administration of China last week would call for web game developers to block minors from playing online games from midnight until 8 am. Anybody under the age of 18 would also have to register their personal information on the game operator’s servers. In addition, the games would have to be designed in order to deter people from becoming addicted. Currently, the rules are still in the drafting process and are open to public feedback until the end of the month. But, China has a history of implementing regulations to stop young people from frequently playing video games. China has several “boot camps” that are described as treatment centers for people who are addicted to the Internet.

Candy Crush Saga is a free-to-play mobile puzzle game released by King in 2012. By 2012 the mobile game had over 10 million downloads and was earning $633,000 per day in the United States iOS App Store alone. But, the game became a hit in Hong Kong with studies showing one in seven Hong Kong citizens playing the video game. By 2014, Candy Crush Saga users spent over $1 billion on in-app purchases.

The iPhone Effect: Psychological Impact of Mobile Devices on Social Interactions

Business

Brent Edward

October 9, 2016

The iPhone Effect: Psychological Impact of Mobile Devices on Social Interactions

Researchers at Virginia Tech have found that conversations without the presence of a mobile device were rated as significantly better compared to conversations with the presence of a mobile device.

The prevalence of smart devices provide an opportunity for users to connect with others online. In addition, it allows for users to easily multitask between communicating with others in person and users in the digital world. In fact, researchers have found that photographing experiences usually increases self esteem. While you may assume photo-taking may detach people from what is going on around them, research suggests that people who tend to take photos of their experiences tend to enjoy events more than people who do not. In the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology researchers performed nine different experiments with over 2,000 participants to examine the impact of taking photographs of an experience and measured their enjoyment of the activity. In each experiment, individuals were asked to rate their experience. Participants who took photos reported having more fun than those who did not take photos.

While a majority of social media apps are pushing for users to share more videos and photos, new research suggests the mere presence of a mobile device has negative consequences on relationships with other people.

“The iPhone Effect: The Quality of In-Person Social Interactions in the Presence of Mobile Devices” study, which was published in the Journal of Environment and Behavior, examined the relationship between the presence of mobile devices and the quality of real-life in-person social interactions. Researcher Shalini Misra called the psychological phenomenon the “iPhone Effect”.

In the field experiment, 200 different people were randomly assigned to either discuss a topic together. A trained research assistant then observed the participants from a distance over the course of 10 minutes noting whether or not a participant placed a mobile device on the table, held it in his or her hand or put their phone away. The results of the study found people rated conversations higher when a mobile device was not present.

Researchers explained, “it was found that conversations in the absence of mobile communication technologies were rated as significantly superior compared with those in the presence of a mobile device, above and beyond the effects of age, gender, ethnicity, and mood.”

In addition, participants reported lower levels of empathy when a mobile device was presence.

Facebook Reveals Standalone App for Events

Business

Jonathan Antonio

October 9, 2016

Facebook Reveals Standalone App for Events

Facebook has announced the release of a dedicated standalone Events app. Facebook’s goal is to put more emphasis on events shared on the social media application.

The app gives users the ability to view various Facebook events coming soon. In addition, the app will also suggest events that a user may like based on their interests. The most interesting feature in the Events app is the ability to connect users to their iCloud calendar, meaning users can use Facebook as a calendar app.

Facebook issued a statement saying, “Today we’re announcing Events from Facebook, a new app we designed for event seekers who are passionate about keeping up with nearby events and finding things to do with their friends.” The statement added that, “Whether you’re looking for something to attend this weekend or just wondering what’s happening in your area, Events will help get you there.”

This news comes months after a Facebook patent application that outlined a system for system for setting up ride-sharing for people attending the same event. For future events, users will be able to select what kind of transport they plan on taking to get there and team up with others who want to get there the same way. Essentially, this could allow for Facebook to match up two people who want to take the bus together somewhere. Events on Facebook could also allow for someone driving to an event to pick up passengers who are also attending the same event.

The patent application shows a system that outlines how a driver could pick up a group of passengers along a route to an event. In addition, the application also suggests that Facebook could match their interests such as what kind of music they like or political affiliations to the other people attending the same event. Once signed up to ride together, Facebook would show the driver how to get to the passenger’s location. The application will also outline a system showing the best route for each route, which is similar to how Uber figures out how its drivers should pick up passengers.

The world’s largest social network is moving forward on making Events a more popular feature to their 1.5 billion users, and if the Events app is a success, expect ride-sharing via Facebook to come soon. However it is important to point out that the Events app is only available on iOS and an Android version on the way.

Google Chrome Blocks Users From Visiting Pirate Bay

Business

Megan Diane

October 9, 2016

Google Chrome Blocks Users From Visiting Pirate Bay

The Pirate Bay has been blocked by both Google Chrome and Firefox. Users who attempt to visit the website will be displayed a warning page.

In an effort to combat piracy, three of the most popular torrenting websites have been shut down. It all started last July when the Federal government shutdown Kickasstorrents, which was one the most popular torrent websites on the Internet. Several weeks later, torrent search website Torrentz shut down followed by another popular torrent search engine site, Torrenthound.

While there are dozens of alternatives, The Pirate Bay is one of the most popular file sharing websites in the world. But, the new change may put the future of the torrent website in jeopardy. Users who attempt to visit the website receive the following warning:

“Deceptive site ahead: Attackers on Thepiratebay.org may trick you into doing something dangerous like installing software or revealing your personal information. Google Safe Browsing recently detected phishing on thepiratebay.org. Phishing sites pretend to be other websites to trick you.”

Many have blamed Google for purposefully discouraging users from visiting the website. However, reports of viruses, malware, and phishing attacks via The Pirate Bay have many other browsers, including Firefox, following in Google’s footsteps by issuing similar warnings to their users.

While this issue may discourage some users from visiting Thepiratebay.org, there is a simple solution to this warning page. All users have to do is click “Ignore This Warning” in the bottom right corner of the warning page. Also, those users who want to avoid the malware can also visit other Torrent websites including The Pirate Bay mirror and clone sites without being redirected to a warning page.

This news comes after Hackers are filling torrents listed on websites such as The Pirate Bay with malware and viruses. The Internet security group, InfoArmor, issued a statement warning users that hackers are implementing malware into what would assume to be regular torrent files. In fact, InfoArmor pointed out torrent websites such as The Pirate Bay, Demonoid and Kickass Torrents were being specifically targeted by hackers.

Hackers are targeting popular torrents using a tool called RAUM in order to gain access to vulnerable computers. The RAUM hacking tool installs a ransomware, which requires users to pay a certain amount of money in order to regain access to their computers and can leave users vulnerable to other viruses, spyware and malware.

Need to Register to Vote? Try the Facebook Messenger App

Business

Jonathan Antonio

October 8, 2016

Need to Register to Vote? Try the Facebook Messenger App

The Ad Council has launched a nationwide initiative to get more people registered to vote using Facebook’s messenger platform. The non-profit Public Service Announcement initiative is hoping to simplify and personalize the way Americans register to vote.

Named GoVoteBot, the Ad Councils automated service provides users with a list of questions and depending upon their answers, the bot will provide resourceful solutions on how and where to vote including polling locations and registration options. GoVoteBot is powered by Google Civic and the U.S. Vote Foundation. To start messaging with “GoVoteBot,” users only need to visit the R/GA Facebook page and click “Messenger” link on the homepage. However, it is important to note that users will have to share private information such as their state and address.

Facebook is donating free ad space in order to promote the GoVoteBot. The Ad Council also plans on marketing across several media platforms including online commercials and digital billboards. The government and nonprofit organizations are working to boost the number of voters who turn up to their polling stations on Election Day. It is important to point out that data from the U.S. Vote Foundation that found 43% of all eligible U.S. Voters did not cast ballots in the 2012 general election. In addition, a 2014 General Social Survey found that millennials in 2016 are significantly less likely to vote or try to influence others vote than previous generations. However, millennials are approximately just as interested in politics as youth in prior generations, and equally as politically active outside elections.

The AdCouncil’s investment into the Facebook Messenger service illustrates a shift in customer service and trust in the Facebook platform. Launched two years ago, Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook, has added several unique features including the ability to send money and have video conference calls. During the Facebook F8 conference on March 25, 2015, Facebook announced the Messenger platform can now be used to automate services for people and businesses to interact. Since that 2015 announcement, Facebook has partnered with weather services, CNN news, and 1-800-Flowers allowing for businesses to interact personally with their audience members.

Despite being an easy way to connect with Millennials, using Facebook Messenger does come with challenges. Last March, Marriott invested into the Facebook Messenger platform and provided potential customers with misinformation and unsolicited advertisements. Customers who recently visited the Marriott website were then sent customers private unsolicited messages asking if they wanted to book a room.

Instagram Stories Reaches 100 Million Daily Active Users

Business

Jonathan Antonio

October 8, 2016

Instagram Stories Reaches 100 Million Daily Active Users

After only two months, Instagram Stories has over 100 million daily active users. That means more than two thirds of the daily active user population for Snap Inc, previously known as Snapchat, are currently using Instagram Stories.

When Instagram Stories was released many analysts called the new feature a copy of Snapchat stories. The recently added feature is nearly identical to the central feed of Snapchat; a feature that helped launch the company into a multibillion dollar business. The videos are only available for 24 hours from the time of posting and encourages users to post more frequently than traditional social media platforms.

Instagram has more than 500 million daily active users and while the app has been around slightly longer than Snapchat, Instagram’s new feature differs from the traditional features on the social network. Instagram placed a row of avatars at the top of a users’ news feed. Each bubble represents an account that you follow on Instagram or can discover on the social media app. Each bubble contains a photo and/or video clip that a user shared within the past 24 hours. In order for a user to access the Instagram story, all they have to do is tap a bubble and their story will open in full screen. Unlike the newsfeed, there are no hearts in the Instagram stories. But similar to Snapchat, users can reply by sending messages.

This is not the first time Instagram has followed in the footsteps of their competition. Instagram first started off as a place for users to share photos and connect with friends and family. But, after the rise of the Vine app, a social media application that allowed for users to upload six second video clips, Instagram quickly added a new feature allowing users to share 10 second video clips. A week after Instagram added that new feature, Vine video sharing plummeted on the app by 70 percent.

However, it is important to point out that Instagram Stories does not mark the end of Snapchat. Snapchat users have not abandoned the social network for Instagram Stories, which is a good sign for a company that is reportedly on the verge of going public. Snap Inc. is attempting to sell shares of the company as early as late March. Snapchat is working on achieving a $25 billion dollar valuation.

Fitbit Doesn’t Improve Weight Loss, Study Finds

Business

Brent Edward

October 8, 2016

Fitbit Doesn’t Improve Weight Loss, Study Finds

According to a new study by Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore, fitness trackers do not actually encourage a healthier lifestyle. The study, which was published in the Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology journal, found that men and women who wore Fitbit Zip, a fitness tracker, did not show improvements in weight loss or blood pressure.

The study involved splitting 800 participants into four different groups. One group’s participants were given approximately $2.92 and a Fitbit Zip. Two of the groups were given $11 for every week that they managed between 50,000 and 70,000 steps, but one of those groups had to donate their earnings to charity. The fourth group was only given information about exercise but without a Fitbit Zip. Participants that were given money experienced the biggest increase in physical activity, a few months later. However, after a year, 90% of the participants had given up on using their fitness trackers. In fact, despite being more active, Fitbit Zip users didn’t show improvements in weight loss or blood pressure.

“These are basically measuring devices,” said Eric Finkelstein, a professor at Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore, who led the research. Finkelstein argued that, “knowing how active you are doesn’t translate into getting people to do more and the novelty of having that information wears off pretty quickly.”

The results of the study reinforce previous studies on fitness trackers. Last month, the Journal of the American Medical Association published a study that found that adding wearable activity tracking devices to a diet and fitness program didn’t actually result in additional weight loss. In fact, those participants who did not wear devices lost approximately five more pounds than those who wore them. However, both groups did lose weight, changed their eating habits and activity levels.

Finkelstein argued that “trackers can encourage people to take more steps, but it still seems like the random extra steps aren’t enough to really improve your health.” Consequently, the results of the study shows it requires more than just a leisure walk but, more rigorous exercise.

Since the study was published, Fitbit issued a statement on Tuesday asserting their fitness products are helping millions of people lose weight. “We are confident in the positive results our millions of users have seen from using Fitbit products.” Fitbit added that they are continuing to develop and improve their fitness tracking equipment.

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