Revolutionary Innovation.

BY: Toren Miller

Many people recognize Mark Zuckerberg for his fervent effort to innovate social networking, his success at it, then leave it at that. What people fail to realize is the simple business genius of Zuckerberg. The innovations we take for granted as colloquial web surfers and Facebook users are marks of pure genius! Think about it, every social network including many non-social networks are linked to Facebook. You can sign in to your twitter, instragram, collegeboard, online clothing accounts, just about every website that has a login is linked to Facebook.

What does this all mean? If it is not already clear, Zuckerberg is sticking his hand in every profitable pot across the globe as each company looks to be generationally relevant. Facebook has over a billion users including a myriad of companies who provide promotions through Facebook.  He is literally profiting without any direct contact with any other entity! How genius is that? Between signing in to your email through Facebook to users all over the globe, Zuckerberg wins the entrepreneur of the decade in my book.

Mark Zuckerberg is also cultivating an affluent business through acquisitions. In his words, "We have not once bought a company for the company. We buy companies to get excellent people... In order to have a really entrepreneurial culture one of the key things is to make sure we're recruiting the best people. One of the ways to do this is to focus on acquiring great companies with great founders.” Thus Zuckerberg buys out potential competition and allots for exponential expansion. One of the most recent major acquisitions was Instagram on April 9^th, 2012. The application has 90 millions users who log on at least once a day through Facebook. Zuckerberg is literally behind the scenes witnessing his pockets flourish due to his savvy business techniques.  

In accord with the previous statement of companies who use Facebook reveal promotions, Facebook has 21,655 companies on it around the globe. What this does is allow these companies to niche market when a user “Likes” their page. This gives the companies the opportunity to provide ads to every user who likes their page all through Zuckerberg releasing and selling the emails of the users. Imagine having 5,000 emails of people who like Starbucks, now Starbucks is willing to purchase said information with the purpose of providing these people with promotions that may potentially lead to higher sales. Now multiply that 5,000 by 100. Imagine the amount a company such as Starbucks is willing to pay for the information to gain access to those 500,000 emails. Zuckerberg is the largest third party advertising agent in the world through his systematic approach to gaining access to people’s emails and thus access to their personal preferences. Companies such as ESPN, Coca-Cola, Oreo, and Disney, put in a significant amount of work and effort into becoming one of the most popular companies on Facebook because they know popularity breeds consumption.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tekDkpmc8U

Mark Zuckerberg’s initial, internet changing invention of Facebook made him the youngest billionaire ever but his illustrious business savvy is cultivating him into one of the most powerful men in the world. I ask that we all take notes of how social media can make us all at least millionaires.

Relevant  Articles Below

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mergers_and_acquisitions_by_Facebook

http://www.insidefacebook.com/complete-list-of-21655-companies-on-facebook/

http://tech.ca.msn.com/most-popular-companies-on-facebook

http://www.biography.com/people/mark-zuckerberg-507402

Can There Really Only be ONE

BY: Gerald Gorham

In the recent years smart phone manufacturing have really explored all avenues to gain an advantage on other competitors. Although many perceive Apple’s iPhone Line to be the front runner in this competitive race companies such Google are not far behind. Many people currently know the Google’s Android line for their new Samsung Galaxy S4, but that is not their only new device for 2013.

Another major Android phone for 2013 is the HTC One. The HTC One has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 quad core processor, like the Galaxy S4. The HTC One also has 2 gigabytes of RAM, and a 4.7 inch display with 1080p resolution, which provides for a sharper image than the S4. This phone also operates using the Sense Home Screen, which turns your home screen into a live newsfeed, in which you can connect you social media accounts and other information sources.

http://money.cnn.com/2013/05/02/technology/mobile/htc-one-review/index.html

Videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUOS2ILXD-0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axc_646PpL8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBrPH0xukFs`

Technology Advancing in Education

By: Caleb Dyson

Technology is always evolving, pushing us further and expanding our capabilities. It continues to have a profound impact on us, transforming nearly every aspect of our lives. Nevertheless, one of the most important aspects of our personal growth education has yet to embrace all of technology’s transformational benefits. The future of education lies in personalized learning learning that is tailored to fit the needs of each individual. Every student has a learning profile that is as unique as a fingerprint. With personalized learning, students can focus on their own skills development to creatively and properly prepare themselves to enter and compete in the dynamic, digital and interconnected world of today.

Thanks to technology, personalized learning can take place anytime, inside or outside the classroom. Interactive video content supplements textbooks and can be further adapted to meet each student’s unique learning level. It is interesting to see how technology is growing in education. I remember when I was coming up; teachers were still using chalkboards to help us as students learn. Being that technology has grown so much, children can now be taught on the iPad’s and smart boards. Personally I think that students learn better with using technology in class rather than watch a black and white chalkboards. Technology attracts student’s attention and can keep them engaged because it is fun and interesting. With the amount of people that uses tablets in the education system, that can make the use of paper and chalk go extinct. The future is headed in a direction that will have students taking tests on their tablets and teacher teaching from smartboards.

http://youtu.be/mzi2RIt8_nk

Acer Aspire R7

BY: Elliot Cotton

We’ve seen some weird and wacky hybrids in previous years, but the newly launched Aspire R7 by Acer has gone further out on a limb than most. Its hinge, dubbed the “Ezel”, resembles the central support strut of an all-in-one PC more than a laptop hinge, and it delivers a surprising amount of flexibility.

With the Aspire R7 fully closed, the strut is flush with the lid, with the hinge itself attached to the center rear of the display. It looks odd, but this arrangement allows the screen to tilt back and forth, lift up above the keyboard so it’s floating like a desktop PC monitor, while spinning vertically to face away from you or fold flat, facing up.

While it can, of course, be used as a standard laptop, and positioning the display “normally” like this reveals the Acer Aspire R7’s other party trick its large, glass touchpad is also positioned above the keyboard instead of below it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhBBN4R3OTg

On the other hand, I have concerns about the long-term practicality of this arrangement. While testers were using it on the stand at Acer’s big launch event in New York, they found it difficult to mouse about without resting a palm on the keyboard, inadvertently pressing keys.

The position of the keyboard at the very front of the chassis also means there’s nowhere to rest your wrists while typing. On a hybrid, such as the Sony VAIO Duo 11, this isn’t a massive problem because the keyboard is so thin. On the Aspire R7, however, the front lip of the keyboard rises a centimetre or so above the desk, which makes typing feel distinctly odd.

Also, although this may not be immediately obvious from the photographs, the R7 is a very big machine. The Full HD IPS screen measures 15.6in from corner to corner, and the mechanics of that hinge means it’s a weighty piece of kit, too. Suffice it to say, it isn’t a laptop you’ll be wanting to lug around much and, perhaps in keeping with its all-in-one PC look, it’ll likely stay tethered to a desk.

While innovation is thriving now at an all time high companies are now forgetting the bare necessities and accommodations that all must consumers require. If Acer wants to see the maximum potential of this product they must take into consideration the conformability of their product as it relates to the consumers.  

High Energy Laser Takes Out Rocket

BY: Langston Brown

Recentely, Lockheed Martin has released a video of ADAM, a high energy laser system, destroying a rocket from 0.9 miles (1.5 km) away. The video evidently shows the laser beam striking and tracking a point towards the front of the rocket, before destroying it mid-flight.

ADAM, which stands for Area Defense Anti-Munitions is a laser weapon system that is designed to defeat close-in improvised rocket and unmanned aerial system (UAS) threats. Its purpose is to protect vulnerable assets such as military bases near the frontline, acquiring and tracking short-range targets from a distance of 5 km (3.1 miles), and destroying from a range of up to 2 km (1.2 miles).

Imagine being cooped up with your unit miles deep into enemy territory beyond any immediate help, behind some makeshift stone walls and plywood. Some are sleeping, while others stand watch using night vision to leach signs of danger from the dark. When the attack comes it starts with shoulder launched rockets — but rather than just seeing the flash and yelling for cover, troops are protected by Area Defense Anti-Munitions.

In the test, which took place April 22, an ADAM prototype takes out a "Qassam-like" rocket. Qassam rockets are artillery munitions used by the military wing of Hamas in attacks against Israel.

Lockheed Martin's video of the prototype test can be seen below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=kgUnDeED9MM#!

Samsung’s Folding the Competition

By: Christopher Winston

Have you ever dreamed of a flexible phone that bends frontwards and backwards? Well your dreams may soon come true with Samsung’s new Youm Smartphone. Samsung previewed some of its flexible prototype at the International CES back in January 2013. The Youm prototype was an OLED screen the size of a smartphone that could bend like paper but can emit bright colors. The Samsung engineer who displayed the prototype had this to say, "We're so confident in the market potential for flexible OLEDs that we're creating an entire new line under the Youm brand name,"

Youm panels are predicted to hit the market at some time in 2013. The downside is these OLED panels are much more expensive compared to glass based panels. Customers can expect to pay an arm and a leg for this new innovative device. Once the Youm is released it is speculated they wont come out in mass volumes, rather it will be more of a “niche” product.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaXepnrgfJo

Money is Debt. Debt is Money.

BY: Ed Ehite

Federal Reserve Notes, known as dollar bills are printed by the Federal Reserve and then lent to the United Stated. Since the Federal Reserve is a private corporation, like all loans this one bares an interest. Almost all loans are made up of the principal amount and accrued interest. If the entire money supply is borrowed from the central bank and then put in circulation by commercial banks through loans, only what is referred to as the principal is in the money supply. The first question should be is when does the accrued interest to be paid back in addition to the principal amount come into existence

Most money, around 97%, exists only virtually in the cyber world rather than dollar bills or coins. This means that only 3% of the total money supply can be held in the physical world. How does this work? The economy runs on faith that the credits and physical currency issued by the government take on the formal role actual goods or gold. If the people did not accept this relationship then this method would not be successive.

The real deception is the devaluation of currency which is known formerly as inflation. How can we expect to solve the problem of debt by increasing the money supply without a proportional expansion of goods and services? The only way to create more money is from loans. Therefore, if everyone in the country were able to pay off all debts, including the government, there would not be one dollar in circulation.

Technology is only allowing this debt ceiling to rise at an even higher rate. Marrine Eagles stated, “If there were no debts in our money system, there wouldn’t be any money.” Marrine Eagles served as Governor of the Federal Reserve and stated this September 30, 1941 at House Committee Hearing.

The True Israelites: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJxeHctz82I

Started From the Bottom, Now We Here

BY: Darrell Frye

The future of flying vehicles has been undoubtedly a controversial topic that many individuals continue to engage in. However, the question regarding flying cars is more "when? rather than How?". Through thorough research of the evolution of the normal household car, it is evident that many prototypes have been created. These prototypes are being enhanced with daily innovations in order to securely promote this new form of transportation. Propellers have been designed, exteriors have been crafted, and engines have been created uniquely in order to cater to these flying crafts.  

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/08/volkswagen-hover-flying-car-nevada_n_1499501.html

Flying Cars? How will these cars land and take off? Is this Safe? The questions continue to mind boggle many of the brightest engineers who have dedicated their time towards this creation. Fortunately some have come closer in both designing and manufacturing this magnificent machine.

"Developers of a flying car say they're about $80 million closer to giving your morning commute a real lift. For years, Moller International has been working on a way to make the old science fiction dream of turning tires into turboprops a reality. Their SkyCar, designed for speeds of over 300 MPH at altitudes as high as 36,000 feet would seat four people and isn't trying to replace commercial air travel."

-DailyMail.co

The Topic of the Day:

"What a way to beat the traffic! Flying car developer says he's $80 million closer to making sci-fi dream a reality"

The "Moller Sky Car" has been named the "magic carpet" by its creator, Dr. Paul Moller. It is a vertical take off and landing flying car. The pods rotate to direct thrust with fans powered by 2 engines. Dr. Moller has experienced machine failure more than two times, but ensures the consumer that the technological brain of the flying machine will solve any immediate failure. I also found it interesting that Dr. Moller is considered an astronautical genius who earned a doctorate in engineering without any undergraduate experience.  

(embed video: http://www.dailymail.co.uk : Flying car that can hover short distances, drive on road)

The myth of flying cars is soon becoming a reality in this new generation. With the commitment of Dr. Moller, our society is one step closer of navigating through the air. I guess the next question is how will the GPS be innovated? 

Feel Free to share your thoughts. 

Where Will You Be After Graduation?

By: Vincent Carter

I have often wondered where college students around the nation go once they graduate. I know everyone is not going to work at JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs, so where are they going? A new study reports that nearly half of college graduates are working as sales clerks, waiters, janitors and other jobs that do not require a college degree. The problem is the recent downturn in economic growth in the last few years mixed with the high volume and high expectations of college graduates.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NBCmh6oK-U

Everyone is not going to receive a glamorous high paying job with a luxurious office right out of college. You have to work to earn these things and gain knowledge and experience to be able to be effective in your position. After graduation students face stiff competition not only from classmates but from current unemployed people, retirees, and other college grads from previous years who are still job hunting.

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/economy/employment/2010-05-19-

jobs19_CV_N.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTfJZbYxlSw

Google's Online Privacy Piracy

BY: Jordan Price

Google, we all use it just about everyday and most of us would admit that it is very useful and convenient, but is it safe? Google has been caught on numerous occasions now attempting to & successfully working its way around preset privacy settings for both Apples safari browser and Microsoft’s Internet explorer. Microsoft claims that Google has been circumventing their “P3P privacy protection” feature, which is a web standard that forces a website to reveal what they plan to do with the information collected from a user. Microsoft claims that Google is able to use a nuance if the P3P specifications that allows them to bypass a users specific privacy settings. This which means that even if a user sets their internet browsers privacy settings to deny third party cookies, Google will still be able to track what sites they look at and what they do on those sites; and extreme invasion of privacy in the eyes of many. Google has also been more recently accused of using these same deceptive tactics to bypass the privacy settings on smartphones, allowing them to monitor users behavior on their phones similar to the way their Internet use is monitored.  

Google Claims that they bypass these privacy policies to in fact, enhance users web browsing experience and allow for better functionality of Google’s “+1” features. However Google has always used our information for not only our benefit but also for their own as they sell much of this information to company’s that want to target us with advertisements. Google is now even planning collect all of this information they have been “monitoring” and put it in one place, giving its users a “profile,” where information bout what we do and search online in private may become public. 

The collecting of our information into once place & the concept of new Google technology such as Google glass calls for a more advanced understanding of the what you do on the web and how it can affect you in the real world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7z8YtiKEog

Google Glass

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7BklPVduFo