Google Is Not Fighting Back Hard Enough On Android

Image via CrunchBaseThe Next Web: Samsung: We can’t rely on Google, so we addressed Android IP issues on our own
The Economist: Asia’s new model company
The Economist: Samsung: The next big bet

This was not supposed to be. Now Samsung has also agreed to pay Microsoft extortion money. A PC equivalent of this bad behavior would be if Microsoft had managed to get money from Red Hat and other Linux companies. An Android equivalent would be if Microsoft had managed to get money from Baidu, a Chinese company that also has a mobile operating system out there. Baidu is not paying a dime.

Motorola Mobility is Google's shot at throwing Microsoft to the ground on this. If Motorola Mobility refuses to pay Microsoft money and wins, the other giants - HTC, Samsung - will also be able to follow suit. But Google is moving too slow with digesting Motorola Mobility. Software is Google's DNA. But the hardware part of the smartphone is important enough.

Done right this could be the Android decade. But for that to happen Android has to go back to being free. This is Google's number one challenge right now and for the foreseeable future.
Image via Wikipedia
World War III Time: Let's Go To War
Android Has To Be Kept Free

Nexus Prime: A Birthday Gift To Me?

Cover of Amitabh BachchanTechCrunch: Google And Samsung Announce October 11 Event: Nexus Prime Imminent

The Prime, which has been rumored for months but is still unconfirmed, is expected to be the first device running Ice Cream Sandwich — the next major Android update, which will unify for ‘mobile’ Gingerbread OS with ‘Tablet’ Honeycomb. .... It's also expected to be a beast specs-wise, with a dual-core processor, 4.5″ or 4.65″ screen, and 4G. Oh, and my favorite rumor: it’s supposed to be running on Verizon’s top-notch 4G network.... Google’s Nexus line of phones, which have included the Nexus One and Nexus S before now, are unique in that they come with ‘Vanilla’ Android, without any carrier or OEM modifications. They’re also typically the very first devices to get updates as they’re released by the Android team..... perhaps we’ll see a Nexus tablet as well.

October 11 is not my real birthday, just making sure you know. Don't be sending birthday gifts. I have never celebrated my birthday and would like to keep it that way. It is a cultural difference. But it is Amitabh Bachchan's birthday. Amitabh is the most recognized face on the planet.

In The Market For A Smartphone
Top Android Apps
Icecream Sandwich --> Jelly Bean --> Kulfi

Finally The iPad Has Competition

The Next Web: Amazon’s 7-inch Kindle Fire is $199.99
The Next Web: Amazon unveils super cheap $79 Kindle ebook reader
Reuters: Amazon's New Tablet, Live
Los Angeles Times: Amazon Kindle Fire tablet: $199, 7-inch screen, ships Nov. 15
The Next Web: Amazon announces Kindle touch for $99, Kindle touch 3G for $149, Nov 21st
Wired: Playing With Fire: Amazon Launches a $200 Tablet, Slashes Kindle Prices
New York Times: Live Blogging the Amazon Tablet Announcement

Paul Graham: Wrong About NYC

Image via CrunchBaseI have been to the Bay Area. I have been to northern California. And by that I don't mean the Bay Area. By northern California I mean parts of that state from where the Bay Area looks south. I have been to Los Angeles. I have been to San Diego. I have been to the valley. And by that I don't mean Silicon Valley. I mean California's vast farmlands. I have been.

I have seen the Oracle buildings. They look just like in the pictures. I have walked on the campus of Stanford University. It is just beautiful. It is an amazing, amazing place to be. I might be exhibiting some Global South bias in appreciating the architecture of the Stanford campus. What stood out for me were the Mexican style tiles. I have been.

And I have read up on it. Silicon Valley has got to be just the most fascinating place on earth. It is myth. It is legend. But the difference between Silicon Valley and New York City today is that Silicon Valley is like this giant, mature corporation, New York City is this up and coming startup. Several of the next big things will come out of New York City. (My Web Diagram)

Paul Graham, Brad Feld, Me, BBC

March 8, 2012: Next Immigration Court Date

Image by Markusnl via FlickrUgh. I don't believe this. They have a court date for me. No, it is not in Chicago. No, it is not after a gap of two years from the last scheduled court date. Why, it is as early as in 2012!

Paul Graham, Brad Feld, Me, BBC
Reluctant Video Blogger
Ugh, Immigration (4)
Questions Prepared By My Lawyer For Immigration Court Date Tomorrow
Immigration Court Date: June 6, 2011: Prepared Statement
Immigration Limbo
Immigration Mess/Humiliation And Window Shopped Tech Entrepreneurship

Events: Week Of September 26

Monday, September 26
7-11:30pm Monday Night Football party hosted by The Sporting News & Gary Vaynerchuk
Slate NY, 54 W 21st St
F to 23 St

Tuesday, September 27
7:00pm Demos and Drinks
Gallery Bar, 120 Orchard Street
F to Delancey

Wednesday, September 28
12:00-1:00 PM Tech transfer: Patents, start-ups, and technology licensing at Columbia
Columbia University, Medical Center Campus, Russ Berrie Conference Room 2
A to Washington Heights

12:00-1:30pm Jason Scott: The Rise of the Metadata Warrior
New York Public Library (NYPL Labs), 476 Fifth Avenue South Court Auditorium
F to 42 St

2:30pm-5:00pm+ E-Social Summit
Microsoft Technology Center: New York
1290 Avenue of the Americas, 5th Floor
F to 47-50 St

6:30 PM NY Alt Net Meetup: How Cheezburger.com Manages its Schema Migrations and Deployments
Microsoft Offices, 1290 Avenue of the Americas, 6th Floor

Thursday, September 29
6:30-9:30pm Digital DUMBO's Fashion Night Out: Official T-Shirt Release Party with Brooklyn Industries and Radballs
The Dumbo Loft, 155 Water Street
F to York

Friday, September 30
12:30-2:00 PM TekServe: The Power Of Custom Business Apps: Luncheon And Panel Discussion
OGilvy, 636 11th Avenue Btw. 46th & 47th Streets

Saturday, October 1
11:00 AM-1:00 PM Live United Bridge Walk And Festival
Cadman Plaza Park, Brooklyn, NY, 11021
A/C High Street

Sunday, October 2
12:00 PM-6:00 PM Atlantic Antic
Atlantic Avenue, from Hicks Street to 4th Avenue
D/N/R/2/3/4/5/B/Q Atlantic Ave

12:00 PM-8:00 PM Seaport Diwali
South Street Seaport (Fulton&South Streets, East River Pier 17)
2/3 to Fulton

Water: Top Word

Image via WikipediaWater has overtaken Brazil as the top search term for this blog. And this blog post is now the top visited post at this blog: Why I Liked The Charity Water Party.

Brazil

What happened? My passion came through? I am so impressed with the Google search engine right now. Their algorithm seems to be able to sense the passion in your voice.

Sean Parker: An Outlaw No More

Source: Sean Parker

The Facebook Revamp Is Heartwarming

Image by bsimser via FlickrEarlier I listened to a few tunes that Facebook informed me my friends had listened to and it was a good experience. I greatly liked it. And I am also noticing that Facebook now does a much, much better job of letting visitors to my page see all my activities. You get a time stamp next to each action on my part. It is now so much easier for anyone to stay in touch with me.

The subscribe thing is the best thing Facebook ever did. I don't think you should be one person to your friends and another person to your fans. And we all deserve to have a few fans.

I have not fully experienced the full set of new features, but I am reporting here to say the new Facebook has had a good start with me. It has been so good I might even seek out and watch the Zuck keynote. I already watched the Zuck parody that preceded it. Mark Zuckerberg, funny guy.

The HTML5 Whimper At F8
Facebook New Look

San Gennaro Festival

San Gennaro Festival, Little Italy (1)
San Gennaro Festival, Little Italy (2)
San Gennaro Festival, Little Italy (3)
San Gennaro Festival, Little Italy (4)

The HTML5 Whimper At F8

Image via WikipediaYesterday I meant to watch it live, but was not able to, and so I thought I would watch Zuck's speech later, but now I think I am saying a pass. The big HTML5 push I was hoping for did not happen.

Facebook New Look
HTML5 And F8

So far I am neutral about the new look. I am positive about the fact that now you will be able to see most of your wall. But I guess the whole facelift has been one for the better.

It's not only for Facebook or any one company to do HTML5. It is an industry thing. The whole industry will embrace HTML5.

Facebook New Look

The Next Web: Facebook F8 – Here’s everything you need to know

Sidewalk, Subway

Jackson Heights (8)
Jackson Heights (9)