Author: Serkadis

The Nexus One is another smart phone that we will inevitably see inside the walls of the enterprise. Smart phones seem to have a way of being used for all kinds of work activities.

So, what are the pros and cons of using the Nexus One in the enterprise?

First off, anyone using the Nexus One in the enterprise will be using a rogue device. That’s just the way it is. Perhaps that may change when the enterprise wakes up and realizes that people born after 1982 want to use any device to connect in any way they want. But that’s the future, unfortunately. In the meantime, let’s look at reality.

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Compliance

The Nexus One was not built as a device that meets compliance requirements. As with almost any device, compliance is a reality in the enterprise world. We doubt, though, this will stop most users.

You Can Make it Compliant

Dan Dearing of Trust Digital has a few points of advice for the IT manager with the foresight to deal proactively with the inevitability that the Nexus One will become his or her problem to solve:

• Make sure that the device can be locked and swiped of its data if a user loses their Nexus One.
• Make sure Exchange ActiveSync is installed on the device so permissions for accessing data can be set up according to the policy set by the enterprise.
• Provide the ability to configure the device to remotely provision application clients and device interfaces used to reach the application source (e.g. Wi-Fi, VPN).
• Allow for PKI support that allows Android devices to receive and ingest digital certificates. The use of certificates helps automate connectivity to enterprise applications via Wi-Fi, VPN and web by making authentication transparent to users.

It’s Not an iPhone

The iPhone has tight security features baked into it, and hardware encryption, too. Applications are tightly controlled with a centralized point for distributing applications. This may prove to be a temporary advantage for the iPhone over the Nexus One.

According to Dearing:

“The Nexus One is less secure than the iPhone 3GS. Nexus One is currently running on Android 2.1, the latest update, so is equivalent to iPhone 1.0. The iPhone 3GS provide the most comprehensive security controls with the addition of hardware-based encryption.”

“The iPhone is much more mature in this area than the Nexus One. iPhone configuration profiles provides business IT with a way to configure the iPhone over the air and according to corporate policies. In addition, the iPhone 3GS provides device encryption to help meet corporate compliance requirements, ensuring the protection of sensitive corporate information.”

Hooray – It’s Not an iPhone

The Nexus One is a cloud-connected device, making it a true web-based, data-driven device. This to us is a huge advantage. Apple is playing catch up in developing a cloud infrastructure. Google may lose a bit on security but the ability to use the computing power of the cloud may be what shoots Google way ahead of Apple. Tim O’Reilly goes as far to say that at some point, Apple may never catch up.

A Strong Start

The Nexus One represents a very strong start for Google. It’s not designed as an enterprise phone but generally smart phones are meant to be used universally.

We expect that as more smart phones enter the market, an ecosystem of middleware providers will emerge. These services will provide filters, treating the device as a computer, much like desktops and laptops.

Discuss

SAN FRANCISCO – The Apollo Alliance announced today that its president, Jerome Ringo, has accepted the position of senior executive for global strategies with Green Port, a private company that focuses on establishing sustainable “green” ports around the world. Ringo served as president of the Apollo Alliance since 2005 and will continue his association with the organization as a member of its board of directors.

“We congratulate Jerome on taking this next step in his distinguished career,” said Phil Angelides, chairman of the Apollo Alliance. “Jerome’s charismatic leadership helped Apollo reach new heights in our efforts to create good, clean energy jobs across the country. We are fortunate that he will continue to lend his voice and direction to Apollo as a member of our board.”

A dedicated champion of environmental justice and vocal clean energy advocate, Ringo came to Apollo after becoming the first African-American to head a major environmental organization as chairman of the board of the National Wildlife Federation (NWF). Ringo was the United States’ only black delegate at the 1998 Global Warming Treaty Negotiations in Kyoto, Japan, and represented NWF at the United Nations conference on sustainable development in 1999.

Ringo began his career working in Louisiana’s petrochemical industry, where for more than a decade he was an active union member and worked with fellow members to secure a safe work environment and quality jobs. As he began to observe the negative impacts of the industry’s pollution on local communities – primarily poor, minority communities – Ringo began organizing community and environmental justice groups. His experience organizing environmental and labor communities and his drive to further diversify the environmental movement helped solidify his lifelong dedication to environmental and social justice.

“Jerome is among the most respected voices in the movements for environmental and social justice,” said Cathy Calfo, executive director of the Apollo Alliance. “I value his friendship, his commitment to clean energy and good jobs, and his extraordinary drive. We look forward to his continued leadership on the Apollo board.”

To learn more about the Apollo Alliance, visit www.apolloalliance.org.

###

The Apollo Alliance is a coalition of unlikely and diverse interests – including labor, business, environmental, and community leaders – advancing a bold vision for the next American economy centered on clean energy and good jobs.

In the just-so story of the evolution of our economy, our old manufacturing based economy has been replaced by an innovative knowledge economy. That’s not quite true.

In fact, the decline of the jobs in goods producing sectors of the economy–construction, manufacturing, mining and agriculture–has largely been met with an increase in jobs on the government payroll. We’ve gone from providing jobs in profit-making private industry to providing jobs in profit-eating government work. Toward the end of 2007, the total number of government jobs exceeded the total number of goods producing jobs. Welcome to the government payroll economy.

(Hat tip: Tom Iacono, who produced a version of this chart here. To check it, we collect the BLS data and re-ran the figures.)

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He kissed a girl, and she liked it! After four months of dating, Russell Brand and Katy Perry are on the fast track to wedded bliss.

The British comic, 34, reportedly proposed to the 25-year-old pop songstress while the couple vacation in India over the holidays, an Us Weekly source spills. The extravagant trip was the comedian’s Christmas present to Katy, and the home of Bollywood provided the perfect backdrop for a memorable proposal, pals say. “She told him how much she loved Indian culture while they were eating curry in England, so he surprised her,” a source reveals.

The couple began dating in Sept. 2009.

Rumors of an engagement began to swirl last month after the British comedian was spotted ring shopping in Cartier’s West London store, the UK’s Daily Mail reported. He eventually settled on a large, square-cut diamond set in a platinum band.

Katy previously dated Gym Class Heroes frontman Travis McCoy. Russell, a reformed sex and drug addict, has a well-deserved reputation as a womanizer in his native England: he even earned The Sun’s Shagger of the Year award three years in a row. But the wild-haired funny guy has only had eyes for Katy since the two met at last year’s MTV Video Music Awards.

A new free bilingual Web site (ILHousingsearch.org) featuring statewide property listings is available now to help Illinois residents find their next rental home.

ILHousingsearch.org was created by the administration of Governor Pat Quinn to allow users to search through a range of features to find a home that fit their needs.

“In this economy, it’s more important than ever to help Illinois residents locate housing quickly. Families will now have a variety of housing options at their fingertips,” said Gloria L. Materre, IHDA Executive Director.

Housing can be searched by rent range, accessibility features, location, number of bedrooms, screening criteria, acceptance of vouchers, school district, allowance of pets, deposits and fees, and proximity to public transit.

ILHousingsearch.org also provides useful tools for prospective tenants, such as an affordability calculator, moving cost estimates and a rental checklist.

The site is maintained by Socialserve.com, a national nonprofit currently building and managing housing locator services in 27 states.

Property owners and managers are already taking advantage of the free service to find new tenants to occupy the thousands of apartments currently listed.

The same service is also available through a toll-free, bilingual call center (1-877-428-8844).

Four state agencies partnered to create the Web site, including the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) and Illinois Department on Aging.

The state agencies joined in an effort to simplify housing searches for Illinois families, especially persons living on a tight budget and those with special needs.

“This housing locator will be a tremendous asset for Illinois residents. The Illinois Department of Human Services is happy to be a partner in this collaboration to help residents on the path to self-sufficiency locate housing that’s right for their individual needs,” said Illinois Department of Human Services Secretary Michelle R.B. Saddler.

About ILHousingsearch.org

ILHousingsearch.org is a free service sponsored by the Illinois Housing Development Authority, Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Illinois Department of Human Services and Illinois Department on Aging.

The Web site is maintained by Socialserve.com, a national nonprofit that manages housing locator services.

In August of last year, a company by the name of Devon Motorworks brought us a supercar based on the Dodge Viper called the GTX. Well, if sources are to be believed, Devon has canceled production of the GTX, which was scheduled to start during the first-quarter of 2010. Sources say that production has been canceled due to the discontinuation of the Viper.

Power for the Devon GTX was to come from a 8.4L naturally-aspirated V10 making 650-hp at 6,100 rpm mated to a 6-speed manual transmission.

Only 36 units were scheduled to go into production with prices starting at $500,000 with an optional racing package offered for $25,000.

2010 Devon GTX:

– By: Omar Rana

Source: Automobile

After going from hot rumor to official announcement, it’s time we take a look at what the Nexus One is and isn’t.  We’ll do our best to get to the point and answer any questions you might have about the phone.  Below are the top 10 questions we’ve been receiving from readers and interested parties.  Feel free to add your own questions at the end for others!

What is the Nexus One?
As Google puts it, the Nexus One is the first “superphone”. That is to say it’s the next evolution in what (Android) handsets are capable of.

Who makes the Nexus One?
The handset is made by HTC with input from Google.

What is so special about the phone?
For starters, the Nexus One features a blazing fast 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor.  Throw in a 3.7-inch (480×800 AMOLED screen), a 5 megapixel camera with an LED flash, wireless support for 802.11 a/b/g/n, a trackball with multicolor LED, and you see where we’re going.  There’s also a compass, GPS, accelerometer, stereo Bluetooth, a 3.5mm headphone jack, light and proximity sensors, and two microphones for “active noise suppression”.  All of this is powered by a 1400mAH battery.  Oh yeah, it’s crazy thin.  Like, less than a pencil, thin.

What else?
The Nexus One comes loaded with Android 2.1, which features the same great software found in the Motorola DROID, plus more.  This latest version also offers great voice integration.  Every text field found within Android 2.1 is voice enabled, meaning you’ll not have to physically type out emails, texts messages and tweets.  There are also ‘live wallpapers’ with interactivity, a new weather/news widget, Google Earth, and an updated gallery.

Where can I buy a Nexus One?
You can immediately order an unlocked GSM Nexus One at $529.00 at google.com/phone.

Will it work with my AT&T service?
Technically, yes.  Don’t expect 3G speeds though as the Nexus One only offers support  for T-Mobile’s 3G bands in the United States – UMTS Band 1/4/8 (2100/AWS/900) and GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz).

What if I don’t want to spend that kind of money?
A subsidize Nexus One can be yours for $179.00 as long as you commit to a 2-year contract with T-Mobile.  The catch here is that you must use it on individual, post paid, rate plans.  Family plans, and FlexPay customers are not eligible at this time.

What rate plan will I have if I get a Nexus One?
As of today, there is only one plan to choose from – 500 voice minutes, nights and weekends, messaging (SMS and MMS) and data.

I don’t want to sign up with T-Mobile.  Are there other options?
A CDMA version of the Nexus One will be available in the spring of 2010 for Verizon customers.

Will there be an unlocked CDMA Nexus One?
Don’t count on it.  The answer that was repeated a couple of times during today’s conference was that there will only be a Verizon-based CDMA Nexus One.

Article Tags: Met Office

Heavy snowfall is expected across southern areas of England, which have not seen snow so far during this cold spell, as freezing conditions persist across the country.

The heavy snow that has been affecting Scotland and northern England is moving south and the heaviest falls over the next 24 hours are expected across parts of central and southern England and south-east Wales.

Source: metoffice.gov.uk

Read in full with comments »   

One of our readers has encountered a problem with his Nexus One upgrade. Despite being a T-Mobile customer that qualifies for the full $180 contract price, his phone rang up at $379. HTC seems to think this is a-ok. UPDATED:

I just tried to order a nexus one from google as an existing T-Mobile customer and found that I was only seeing a $150 subsidy discount. I called T-Mobile and they indicated that I should see the full discount. They patched me through to HTC who then said I will only see the $150 as existing T-Mobile customer and that is the agreement. Looks like some lines are crossed or Google/HTC are holding existing customers hostage. Needless to say, I’ll wait around and see if this changes.

Is this an isolated incident, or did you experience a similar problem as an existing T-Mobile customer? What about those of you that switched to T-Mobile for the Nexus One? [Thanks Quinn!]

UPDATE: According to the pricing FAQ on the Nexus One, $379 is the price for existing customers who are updating their data plans, $279 is the price for existing customers adding data plans and the $180 price seems to be reserved only for new T-Mobile customers. That’s some crap right there.

According to General Motors’ sales executive, Susan Docherty, a total of 1,712 Saturn and Pontiac vehicles remain in the company’s inventory. Docherty told reporters and analysts that only 796 Pontiacs and 916 Saturn units remain, as compared to 32,000 Saturns and more than 70,000 Pontiacs the company had in May as it filed for Chapter 11.

While GM waits for a successful bid for Saab, it is continuing to wind down the brand. As of right now, 1,235 Saab vehicles remain in inventory. Hummer, which is being sold to a Chinese company, has 2,176 units.

Together, the four brands represented 9 percent of retail sales in December, compared with 15 percent in May 2009.

– By: Omar Rana

Source: AutoObserver

It’s a new year, and the January 2010 issue of Teaching Music contains new approaches to music eduction puzzles. The features include:
 

• From Haydn to Hip-Hop: a profile of an inner city Arizona music teacher
• The Cover Story: The Wonderful World of the Musical (Check out the members-only online bonus content for this feature, including sections on costume and stage design, accompaniment concerns, and working with volunteers.)
• Adventures on the Conference Circuit
• Climbing the National Board Certifcation Ladder
• Information Exchange: Pass those great ideas along


UpBeat, the news section, includes need-to-know stories about MENC projects and events. Among them:

• The Virtual Voting Booths are Open: Vote for MENC President and Division Officers
• January is All-American Marching Band Month for MENC
• The National Honor Ensembles Deadline is February 1
• Check out MENC’s New Legislative Memo
• MENC Executive Director John J. Mahlmann resigns and the search for a new executive director is underway
• Music Educators Present Creative Stagings for the World’s Largest Concert
• MENC Seeks Student Compositions for Music Education Week 2010

And don’t forget — MENC members can always visit the MENC Forums to discuss these and any other issues on your mind.
 

—Roz Fehr, January 5, 2010. © MENC: The National Association for Music Education

Google has finally made the HTC Nexus official today, which means its time for a comparison between the two Snapdragon superphones.

Engadget has posted a review of the Nexus, and note the AMOLED screen is very oversaturated and washes out extremely badly in bright light, negating one of the major features of the handset. They also note the trackball, which serves to increase the height to virtually the same as the HD2, appears completely superfluous and does not contribute to the use of the device.

In the end the device does not appear to be either very ground breaking or much more super than existing devices, including the HTC HD2, and the new additions to the UI strangely serve to bring it closer to the HTC Sense and again not very groundbreaking.

What do our readers think?  Let us know in the comments below.

Filed under: Technology

The Computer Electronics Show (CES) is underway, and the first navigation item to hit the wires is this: the Garmin Voice Studio.

The software enables Nuvi owners to record their own voice for basic navigation instructions. Garmin says the PC-based application will take about 20 minutes to complete, but when you’re done you can tell yourself when to turn instead of that computer generated voice that dominates directions. While the program will allow you to voice directions like “turn right in one quarter mile” but for obvious reasons you won’t be able to voice text-to-speech for specific directions like reading street names. Additionally, Garmin is releasing an ecoRoute cable that ties into your vehicles ECU to help you tread lighter on the gas pedal and record the results. Engadget tells us that both programs will not work for 3xx and 6xx series navigation systems, but other Garmins should work just fine.

We’re guessing that the more creative types among us will find some unique ways to voice directions including some stuff that wouldn’t pass FCC guidelines. Borrowing someone else’s Garmin long enough to program your own unique version of directions could be a lot of fun, too, but that could get you into a bit of trouble. Press release after the break.

[Source: Garmin via Engadget]

Continue reading Garmin announces record-your-own-voice feature for nav instructions, green driving system

Garmin announces record-your-own-voice feature for nav instructions, green driving system originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AARP-backed Legislation Will Provide Critical Consumer Protections

While the U.S. Congress continues to move forward on a comprehensive federal health care reform bill, Illinois has taken a positive step toward health care reform with legislation aimed at helping consumers in the private insurance market.

An AARP-backed bill, the Individual Health Insurance Fairness Act, was signed into law today by Governor Quinn.

The Individual Health Insurance Fairness Act (House Bill 3923), introduced by State Representative Greg Harris (D-Chicago), and State Senator Heather Steans (D-Chicago), addresses key barriers facing consumers who struggle with unfair and inconsistent industry practices.

The measure was strongly backed by AARP and a coalition of health and consumer advocates.

“At a time when Illinoisans are struggling to access affordable health insurance, this bill brings transparency to the health insurance industry and will help protect consumers in the individual market,” said Ruby Haughton-Pitts, AARP Illinois Executive Council member.

“AARP commends Representative Harris and Senator Steans for their leadership on this critical issue, and Governor Quinn for signing the bill into law.”

The Individual Health Insurance Fairness Act will allow consumers to see critical information regarding health insurance industry profits and premium increases.

It will also establish an external review process for members of PPO plans and will simplify the complex application process for both individual and small group markets by creating a standard application, making it easier for them to get the coverage they need.

“For the first time Illinois residents will have the right to an independent, outside review of insurance company decisions that deny treatment for their families. We will also be able to find out how much of our premium dollars actually go to healthcare. I salute AARP and other consumer advocates, the insurance industry and the Illinois business community for working together on this new law,” said Rep. Harris.

“In the past, the lack of oversight of the insurance industry has lead to an unpredictable, unaffordable insurance market in Illinois for small businesses and families,” said Brian Imus, state Director for Illinois PIRG.

“This new law will help fix that problem by allowing health insurance customers an opportunity to have an independent review when they are denied a claim by their insurance company.”

Nationally, over 4 million people have lost their health care since the recession began, while roughly 17 million purchase their own coverage.

In the private market, an average annual premium for a family of four has risen to nearly $5,500, while an individual premium costs $2,500 in Illinois.

A recent AARP study found that adults aged 50-64 spend roughly 10% of their income on health coverage, and paying three times as much as their peers with employer-sponsored coverage.

Joining the Honda New Small Concept and the Toyota Etios, Maruti Suzuki showed its new R3 MPV concept at the Auto Expo 2010 in New Delhi. Suzuki says that the six-seater concept hints at a new multi-purpose vehicle that is being considered for the Indian market, which is changing rapidly with consumer lifestyles evolving fast.

Suzuki also showed off its SX4 Hybrid and Eeco Electric Vehicle as a part of a Indian government project that promotes hybrid and electric vehicles.

Click through for the press release for more info.

Press Release:

Suzuki Announces Exhibits for Auto Expo 2010 in New Delhi

Suzuki Motor Corporation is pleased to announce that its Indian automobile production subsidiary, Maruti Suzuki India, will be exhibiting the following vehicles at Auto Expo 2010 in New Delhi (to be held from 5 to 11 January 2010*): Concept model: R3

– The Indian market is changing rapidly and consumer lifestyles evolving fast.
– To cater to one such market need, Maruti Suzuki has developed a concept car, R3.
– The Concept R3 model is a Compact Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV) for such people.
– Designed by Maruti Suzuki India’s Research and Development Department, it combines compact dimensions with a stylish profiling.
– The Concept compact MPV accommodates six people in three rows.
– Reference exhibits (eco-vehicles): SX4 Hybrid and Eeco Electric Vehicle

Maruti Suzuki India is taking part in an Indian government project that promotes hybrid and electric vehicles.
It will be exhibiting two prototype vehicles that Maruti Suzuki has developed for the project: the SX4 Hybrid and the Eeco (Every+) Electric Vehicle.

Production models and other reference exhibits

Maruti Suzuki India will be showing 16 other automobiles including ten production models (13 units in total) and two reference exhibits: the Kizashi and SX4 Hatchback (three units in total).

Maruti Suzuki pavilion will also be highlighting Suzuki’s two-wheel leadership by showing nine motorcycles: the Hayabusa, Intruder, and other large models; the Thai-produced Skydrive 125 scooter; and the Burgman Fuel Cell Scooter, which was last seen at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show.

– By: Kap Shah

Sharon Stone is joining the cast of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. This April, the Emmy & Golden Globe-winning Casino actress will step into the role of a former cop-turned-prosecutor on NBC’s long-running crime drama.

“It is obviously a thrill and a delight to have a star of Sharon’s wattage and importance joining SVU,” Law & Order creator Dick Wolf says of Stone’s casting.

This is quite a coup — any thoughts on this casting news, SVU fans?

FOX has released the first promotional photos of Ellen DeGeneres as a judge on the ninth season of American Idol.

The comedienne and daytime hostess will be taking over the seat vacated by Paula Abdul, who opted not to return to the Idol judges panel in August. The new season of American Idol will feature appearances by guest judges Victoria Beckham, Mary J. Blige, Kristin Chenoweth, Neil Patrick Harris, Joe Jonas, Avril Lavigne, Katy Perry, and Shania Twain.

The nation’s most-watched television talent show returns Jan. 12 in a two-night, four-hour season premiere on FOX. Ellen makes her Idol debut next month.