The Three Word Phrase that if remembered could bring civility to Social Media

"In My Opinion, Android is better than iOS"

"In My Opinion Star Trek is a better than Star Wars"

"In My Opinion  using @import is better than <link> "

Three statements that one might read in social media, honestly the list could go on and on with any topic. There are three common words with each of the above statements however. Those words, one simple phrase, IN MY OPINION

I'm sure growing up everyone has at one time or another almost everyone in the world has either heard or are aware of the statement 

"Opinions are like A-Holes...Everyone's got one and they all stink"

There is some truth to this, everyone does have their own opinion, in fact the very definition of the word is 

Opinion (noun) A view or judgement formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge.

Even this blog that you are reading at this very moment is very much based on My Opinion, and that opinion is that the interactive nature of Social Media could see substantial growth if users were a lot more respectful of each other's opinions.

Am I saying that every post uploaded to places like Twitter, Facebook and Google Plus communities should have a blanket response equal to the cyber version of nodding our head and saying "That is 100% right" ? Not at all, for how could a society grow and learn new things without the debate that comes along with an opinion being bridged to a caucus.

What I am saying is instead of instantly calling someone an idiot, or denouncing their position on a topic as being wrong, how about we all take a minute to consider that the person is offering up their own opinion, and use the floor to find a consensus on the topic.

Now, I'm well aware that as people read this blog they may very well form a opinion that I'm coming off as condescending with my opinion on addressing opinions. If so, I invite you to, please express your opinion as to why you feel that way.

I would like to finish off this blog entry about opinions with another very common saying I grew up appreciating 

"I may not agree with your opinion, but I will defend your right to express it" 

Biometrics could be the extra feature needed for digital wallets

If you follow the technology world at all, then you have likely heard about the concept of Near-Field Communications (NFC for short), and their use in the emerging service of mobile payment options.

The concept is that for the connivence of the consumer a payment can be made simply by waving their phone near a module at the checkout, and the amount of their purchase is applied to a linked account.

One of the public concerns about this payment technology, however, has been the security aspect.  People have concerns that much like NFC enabled pay pass type cards it would be possible for someone to come along with a device that allows for unauthorized access to the account information that the NFC chip is linked to.

With Debit and Credit cards this has been somewhat addressed through the option of consumers carrying their cards in a Faraday Cage card sleeve, effectively blocking the transmission of the chip unless the card is intentionally pulled out of the sleeve.

But what can be done in the Mobile field to give the consumer the same sense of security? One option would be to apply the Faraday Cage technology to a Mobile Phone case, but this potentially could lead to issues with the consumer's device picking up signals from Mobile towers and Bluetooth devices.

The next possible option would be having the consumer key into their device a pin code or password at the point of their device exchanging information with the NFC Terminal at the checkout.

My belief, however, is that Apple might actual have the most logical and consumer friendly solution to this situation with their touch ID sensor they debuted in the iPhone 5s.

Think about this, a future device has both a NFC enabled payment system and a biometric sensor built into it. You, the customer walk up yo the check out, your order is processed and the total displayed. Taking out your Smart phone , you wave it across the access point, where both the amount of your purchase is transmitted to your device.  A pop up displays on your screen stating

Please confirm your purchase with your finger print

You touch the sensor, transmitting the payment and a verification that it is your confirmed fingerprint (no actual print needs transferred) , the device thanks you for your confirmation and you leave with your purchase.

  I believe this may just be the future of digital payments via mobile devices, but what is your opinion? Please leave your comments below  

My take on the possible fallout from Apple V Samsung

So, with everything that has been happening with the Samsung Vs Apple Patent lawsuits, which can be well summarized with this article from Vanity Fair, I actually found myself wondering if there might just be a detail that is being missed in all of this.

Could Samsung be biding their time leading up to a split from Android, which would leave Google holding the bag on the whole violations of Apple Patents issue?

First off lets look at just which Patents Apple was awarded damages for in the latest round of Court Proceedings.  According to an article on CNET, there were seven Patents involved in the latest case, broken down as follows

Apple came to this battle with 5 Patents
No. 5,946,647 related to Quick Links
No. 6,847,959 related to Universal Search
No. 7,761,414 related to Background Syncing
No. 8,046,721 related to Slide-to-unlock
No. 8,074,172 related to Automatic Word Correct

Samsung's 2 Patents are as follows
No. 6,226,449 Related to Camera and Folder organization (purchased from Hitachi)
No. 5,579,239 Related to Video Transmission Functions (also purchased)

The final results of the latest trial found that the infringements by samsung were to do with Apple's Quick Links, Slide-To-Unlock and Auto Correct patents. Resulting in Apple getting awarded, prior to appeals by Samsung, Millions.

But this brought Me wondering, since the infringed patents are all operating system related, is it really Samsung who is in violation of these patents, or is it, as owner of the Android Operating system, actually Google who violated these?

This becomes more important to look at when one asks if the violations are actually part of the operating system developed by Google or were they part of the TouchWiz overlay interface placed on top of Android's core system?

This one detail, coupled with Samsung's strong support of the Tizen Operating system, may well spell a potential issue for Google.

Samsung, if they can argue in the appeal that the violations are in fact core details of Android and NOT specific to TouchWiz, are actually in a position to drop the use of TouchWiz, transition their devices off android onto Tizen and dispute having to pay Apple damages on the grounds that Apple is going after the wrong offender

The question this comes down to , and is one I have yet to be able to find an definitive answer to, this

Are Auto-Correct, Slide-To-Lock and Quick Links programmed into TouchWiz or Android?

The answer could change the entire playing field as I see it.

The benefits of a "Proof of Concept " Design

The fact that We are living in a more inter-connected world is most likely something not lost on the majority of modern society, and surely should never be overlooked by someone who is just getting into the business environment.

Any good business owner know the importance of having researched the intended market. Keeping abreast on current trends that could effect your business and of course, the long considered valuable tool known as a Business Plan.

But what if I told you there is a missing piece in the puzzle, one that costs little, shows potential investors and clients that you are serious, and can put your business a step ahead when you do launch. what is that missing piece you ask?

THE PROOF OF CONCEPT WEBSITE

A proof of concept design actually provides many of the following benefits to a business which is in its planning stages

focused Thoughts
Much like an architect uses paper models of projects to get a view from multiple angles, having a Proof of Concept Website can help an upstart business recognize the categories they need to focus on right from the ground floor of planning.

Visual Aide for Investors
Being able to walk into a meeting with an investor, and showing them a well thought out vision of your company's future  can help instil confidence on the investor's part in your ability to stick to your plan and follow through on your vision.

Public Feedback
Ever go to a trade show and see a upstart business trying to pitch their company, only to see the, stopped in their tracks by a question like

"So when will your website be accessible, for more information?"

Fact is it happens, and by having the proof of concept with you on a tablet or laptop , the answer becomes very simple as you can actually pull up the work in progress and respond with

"That is an excellent question, and since you asked , can We please get your feedback on the site We are having developed so that at launch We can serve you better"

And, perhaps one of the Most important details is that should your Business decide to launch, you can launch knowing that you have a Web Designer on your side who has believed in your vision since the early stages. Thus allowing your Website's full development to flow smoothly.  The result being the ability to launch Your Business in a successful, all inclusive fashion when launch day is reached