Orbis Blog » cmeyer http://blog.orbissolutions.com Business and Technology Advice Thu, 29 Aug 2013 01:49:24 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Google Chromecast: The Future of Streaming? http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2013/08/14/google-chromecast-the-future-of-streaming/ http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2013/08/14/google-chromecast-the-future-of-streaming/#comments Wed, 14 Aug 2013 19:27:14 +0000 http://blog.orbissolutions.com/?p=1067 On July 24, 2013, Google not only announced Google Chromecast but also made it available for purchase at the affordable price of $35. Well, what exactly is Google’s new product? Google Chromecast is a physical device, a tad bigger than a USB stick, which allows users to stream content from your Google Chrome browser to […]]]> On July 24, 2013, Google not only announced Google Chromecast but also made it available for purchase at the affordable price of $35. Well, what exactly is Google’s new product? Google Chromecast is a physical device, a tad bigger than a USB stick, which allows users to stream content from your Google Chrome browser to any HDTV over a WIFI connection in three easy steps. Users connect the Chromecast to their HDTV in the HDMI port as well as a USB port or wall outlet for power, connect to the Chromecast via a WIFI connection, then stream your favorite shows to be watched on your television. Users can stream online games, Youtube, Netflix, and anything else that can be accessed through the Chrome browser to their HDTV. In fact, Google provided early adopters, who bought Chromecast on the launch day, with a free 3-month Netflix subscription.

Google Chromecast was launched to compete with the Apple TV, which sells for $99.00, at a fraction of the price. The launch was an instant hit selling out in all of the major online retailers. Furthermore, Google is frantically posting job listings for their Chromecast team in order to meet production and create betas for Chromecast.

Chromecast is able to stream in HD quality to your TV in both 720p and 1080p, though some users reported a little lag in the 1080p streaming. Fortunately though, Chromecast works crossplatform on any machine that can download Google Chrome. In addition, Google is working hard to bring more support and apps for Google Chromecast.

In order for Chromecast to continue to move forward from its successful launch, Google needs to act fast in an effort to make it widely available to consumers.

]]> http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2013/08/14/google-chromecast-the-future-of-streaming/feed/ 0 Watch Out for Google Glass! http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2013/07/18/1022/ http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2013/07/18/1022/#comments Thu, 18 Jul 2013 16:07:59 +0000 http://blog.orbissolutions.com/?p=1022 What do you get when you mix a pair of glasses with tech giant Google? The unprecedented combination known as Google Glass.  Google acquired its first patent for Glass in April of last year.  The company announced their patent along with a teaser video which projected Google’s ideas. Well, how close did this all come […]]]> What do you get when you mix a pair of glasses with tech giant Google? The unprecedented combination known as Google Glass.  Google acquired its first patent for Glass in April of last year.  The company announced their patent along with a teaser video which projected Google’s ideas.

Well, how close did this all come to a reality?

Google Glass physically consists of a 5MP camera with a clear prism that is attached to a flexible metal frame.  Google is working to incorporate prescription lenses for those who need glasses. The product comes with built in WIFI and Bluetooth technology, but no gps chip. In addition, Google Glass comes with 16GB flash memory preinstalled.

Directly from the Google Glass “What It Does” page:

  • Take pictures, video, and live stream hands free
  • Turn by turn directions in front of you
  • Speak to send a message
  • Ask any question
  • Get translations for different languages
  • Get answers without asking

In fact, Google posted a video back in February demonstrating these features:

One of the most heavily debated aspects of the device surrounds the ability to discretely record video or use the device. Privacy is a big public concern as people are afraid of the capabilities and customization options to come. Moreover, Google Glass has not even fully launched yet and it is already being banned in public places such as casinos.

Currently, Google Glass is not available to everyone. If you are one of the lucky developer’s chosen by Google, you can purchase a pair for a whopping $1,500! The tech world is speculating a late 2013 or early 2014 widespread launch of Google Glass.

]]> http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2013/07/18/1022/feed/ 0 FaceBook Strikes Back http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2013/06/25/facebook-strikes-back/ http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2013/06/25/facebook-strikes-back/#comments Tue, 25 Jun 2013 21:01:02 +0000 http://blog.orbissolutions.com/?p=1014 In April 2012, FaceBook acquired Instagram for $1 billion. Originally, Instagram was developed for users to “capture, edit, and share the World’s Moments” via pictures, however, on June 21, 2013, Instagram unveiled its 4.0 update.  Among the small bug fixes, this update introduces a 15 second video recording feature allowing users to add videos to […]]]> In April 2012, FaceBook acquired Instagram for $1 billion. Originally, Instagram was developed for users to “capture, edit, and share the World’s Moments” via pictures, however, on June 21, 2013, Instagram unveiled its 4.0 update.  Among the small bug fixes, this update introduces a 15 second video recording feature allowing users to add videos to their profile. This new feature is FaceBook’s response to the recent success of Twitter’s Vine application. Vine allows users to post six second videos that loop on a Twitter-like feed and has amassed over 13 million users.  Therefore, FaceBook decided to delve into the video sharing market.  In addition to the longer video length, there are 13 new filters presented and user selected cover images for the video.

FaceBook’s move appears to have made a larger impact than many had predicted as Topsy’s Analytics show an increase in Instagram posts and a decline in Vine posts since the launch.

The Orbis Team decided to take a stab at it…

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