Computer insights by Ed Collins
Apple hiring hundreds of digital engineers for the Far East
Find out what's happening in Highland Parkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Apple is hiring hundreds of digital engineers, supply-chain managers, and computer technicians for their Asian factories to speed up new product developments in iPhones and iPads. More than 600 engineers and operations staff are now working in China and Taiwan. This is in response to Apple’s tough competition from Google, Samsung, and other low-cost Android –type mobile devise makers lately.
Find out what's happening in Highland Parkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Get ready for Samsung’s new Galaxy S5 smart phone in April
Samsung’s Galaxy S5 smart phone is coming to U.S. cellphone carriers in April sporting a bevy of new features for the 5.1-ounce device. The S5, successor to the popular S4, is water resistant, has a fingerprint scanner, and a beefed up digital camera with a phase detection feature found on digital SLRs that will offer the fastest auto-focusing on the market. Battery life provides 12 hours of video playback and when in energy-saving mode can power your phone on standby for up to 24 hours.
Chicago obtains $70M to develop digital manufacturing lab
It will take years to materialize, but Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said a $70 million US Dept. of Defense digital technical grant received recently would pump new economic life into the region. Centered at Chicago’s Goose Island, the Digital Manufacturing and Design Lab will partner with a regional host of private enterprise manufacturers and local universities in developing new manufacturing technologies and creating jobs for a vastly different economy in the 21stCentury. The program, which involves other regions of the country as well, is part of President Obama’s call for a national initiative to revitalize US manufacturing. “It will fundamentally change the way we build things in America,” he said. Cong. Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10th) said, “Bolstering our manufacturing sector and supporting innovation are key to helping our economy grow.”
Amazon Prime boosts annual fee by $20
For those who find Amazon Prime a convenient shopping and shipping aide the cost is going up by $20 a year to $99 on March 20. Amazon.com said its Prime’s first price increase in nine years. Company officials said the increase was needed to keep up with rising delivery and local warehouse acquisition costs. Current Prime members will be billed the new rate upon their next expiration date. More than 20 million Amazon customers are Prime members.
FCC stands firm on preventing Internet slow downs by carriers
The Federal Communications Commission says it is focusing on a fair and open Internet procedure after a cell phone carrier recently challenged the FCC’s net neutrality rules. Verizon has filed suit against the FCC’s rules adopted in 2010. The federal court case could have negative ramifications for consumers. With adverse regulations Internet carriers could provide rate structures for special content treatment to a preferential company, providing arbitral delivery rates. However, critics say too much broadband regulation by the FCC could stymie private initiatives. “The FCC intends to stand strongly behind its responsibility to fairly and equally oversee the public’s Internet standard and ensure that the Internet remains fair,” FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler indicated recently.
Microsoft plans subscription software for Office 365 Home
Microsoft has announced that it will offer a new way to access Office 365 Home Premium family plan software, but they will leave out the word “Premium.” Office 365 Home Personal Edition will hit the market later this year as subscription software for either Mac or PC and its tablets at $69.99 for a year’s subscription, or $6.99 per month. The stress on “Home” in its label reflects the fact that it is really designed basically for home, not office use. It will provide licenses for up to five PCs or Macs, plus an additional five mobile devices such as phones or tablets. The “Office Personal” is for those without any additional family members at considerable savings. The “Office Home Premium” edition is already on the market. “We’re committed to delivering a great Office experience to all our customers and believe that giving you a choice about the Office 365 subscription that fits your unique needs is one way we can do that,” Chris Schneider a Microsoft senior marketing manager said. Further subscription details for Office 365 Home will be on the Microsoft website later this year.
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Computer insights by Ed Collins
Computer insights by Ed Collins
Apple hiring hundreds of digital engineers for the Far East
Apple is hiring hundreds of digital engineers, supply-chain managers, and computer technicians for their Asian factories to speed up new product developments in iPhones and iPads. More than 600 engineers and operations staff are now working in China and Taiwan. This is in response to Apple’s tough competition from Google, Samsung, and other low-cost Android –type mobile devise makers lately.
Get ready for Samsung’s new Galaxy S5 smart phone in April
Samsung’s Galaxy S5 smart phone is coming to U.S. cellphone carriers in April sporting a bevy of new features for the 5.1-ounce device. The S5, successor to the popular S4, is water resistant, has a fingerprint scanner, and a beefed up digital camera with a phase detection feature found on digital SLRs that will offer the fastest auto-focusing on the market. Battery life provides 12 hours of video playback and when in energy-saving mode can power your phone on standby for up to 24 hours.
Chicago obtains $70M to develop digital manufacturing lab
It will take years to materialize, but Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said a $70 million US Dept. of Defense digital technical grant received recently would pump new economic life into the region. Centered at Chicago’s Goose Island, the Digital Manufacturing and Design Lab will partner with a regional host of private enterprise manufacturers and local universities in developing new manufacturing technologies and creating jobs for a vastly different economy in the 21stCentury. The program, which involves other regions of the country as well, is part of President Obama’s call for a national initiative to revitalize US manufacturing. “It will fundamentally change the way we build things in America,” he said. Cong. Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10th) said, “Bolstering our manufacturing sector and supporting innovation are key to helping our economy grow.”
Amazon Prime boosts annual fee by $20
For those who find Amazon Prime a convenient shopping and shipping aide the cost is going up by $20 a year to $99 on March 20. Amazon.com said its Prime’s first price increase in nine years. Company officials said the increase was needed to keep up with rising delivery and local warehouse acquisition costs. Current Prime members will be billed the new rate upon their next expiration date. More than 20 million Amazon customers are Prime members.
FCC stands firm on preventing Internet slow downs by carriers
The Federal Communications Commission says it is focusing on a fair and open Internet procedure after a cell phone carrier recently challenged the FCC’s net neutrality rules. Verizon has filed suit against the FCC’s rules adopted in 2010. The federal court case could have negative ramifications for consumers. With adverse regulations Internet carriers could provide rate structures for special content treatment to a preferential company, providing arbitral delivery rates. However, critics say too much broadband regulation by the FCC could stymie private initiatives. “The FCC intends to stand strongly behind its responsibility to fairly and equally oversee the public’s Internet standard and ensure that the Internet remains fair,” FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler indicated recently.
Microsoft plans subscription software for Office 365 Home
Microsoft has announced that it will offer a new way to access Office 365 Home Premium family plan software, but they will leave out the word “Premium.” Office 365 Home Personal Edition will hit the market later this year as subscription software for either Mac or PC and its tablets at $69.99 for a year’s subscription, or $6.99 per month. The stress on “Home” in its label reflects the fact that it is really designed basically for home, not office use. It will provide licenses for up to five PCs or Macs, plus an additional five mobile devices such as phones or tablets. The “Office Personal” is for those without any additional family members at considerable savings. The “Office Home Premium” edition is already on the market. “We’re committed to delivering a great Office experience to all our customers and believe that giving you a choice about the Office 365 subscription that fits your unique needs is one way we can do that,” Chris Schneider a Microsoft senior marketing manager said. Further subscription details for Office 365 Home will be on the Microsoft website later this year.
