Facebook vrs. Google

Google is traditionally known as a search engine and Facebook as a social networking site. Both companies work on different areas of the Internet, but with the desire to attract more people and advertising they have clashed and will continue to do so. Facebook has recently announced that users will be able to obtain a ‘facebook.com’ message service very similar to an email account. Although Mark Zuckerberg clearly states that this is ‘not an email account’ the message services comes really close to one. It will enable a much greater way of communication between users and will increase the amount of time spent on the site.

This message service will give users a chance to interact in an even more personal level by bringing emails, messages, sms’ and chats into one message. People will no longer have threads, but entire messages as wholes saved up on their Facebook page. This of course raises questions about privacy, since during the convention people were told that the messages were going to be saved permanently onto the Facebook server.

Internet users have increased their amount of time spent on Facebook drastically, which shows that people are using both Google and Facebook in an almost equitable way. This of course might change a bit now that Facebook has rolled its ‘email’ service; although they do not expect users to shut down their Yahoo or Gmail accounts, they believe Facebook’s messages –email, will be more fun and more valuable for the user to experience.

Just like Facebook plays hard and continues to push Google, this company has had its share in trying to compete with Facebook. They too have attempted to undertake the social networking world by creating Orkut. Both companies go back and forth competing and trying to gain more Internet, user and market share to the point where both Facebook and Orkut blocked its users from transferring friend’s contact information from Facebook to Orkut or vice versa. This is a battle that will continue through the years to come.

E-reader, Nook Color

1. What is the Nook Color device? How much does the Nook Color cost and where can it be purchased? How is the Nook Color different from previous releases of the device?

The Nook Color is the new version of the Nook, a luxury model that enhances reading and makes it more appealing to the user. The Nook Color can be found at Barnes & Noble and it costs $249.

This device is different from previous releases because it not only has color but also has a better system. It is also built to make ‘shopping for books enjoyable’ and it allows users to share books with each other. This ‘LendMe’ feature is a key aspect that differentiates this model from the old one. It also has the ability to be interactive for children because there is a vast library of children’s books that can be played (it is read by a professional reader).

2. What operating system does the Nook Color use? What are the expected future enhancements that will come to the Nook Color when the operating system is upgraded in the near future?

The Nook Color is built on the Android 2.1 operating system, which allows access to a full Web browser, which include checking Facebook, twitter and Pandora Internet Radio. It also allows multitasking and provides the user with Quickoffice software for Word, Excel and PowerPoint but users are only able to view these files and not edit them.

Early next year Nook Color will upgrade to Android 2.2 operating system. This new system will allow the Nook Color to play Flash videos and edit documents on Quickoffice; they will also be able to download free or paid applications for it.

3. How many book titles are available for users of the Nook Color device and how do users get access to the content? What options are available to users of the Nook Color if they want to loan or borrow books from friends?

The Nook Color has access to the Barnes & Noble library of two million downloadable books and over one hundred magazines and newspapers. Users can highlight passages from books and share them on Facebook, Twitter or a limited in-book mail system with a feature called ArticleView. Users are also prompted to share their purchased e-books by using the new ‘LendMe’ feature. This feature allows users to exchange e-books for a period of fourteen days and interact in a different way. 

Samsung Galaxy Tab

1. What is the Samsung Galaxy Tab? How much does the Tab cost and what kinds of hardware configurations are available?

The Samsung Galaxy Tab is a new kind of tablet computer. It is considered the iPad’s first real rival because they both share similarities, but they too have considerable differences. The Samsung Galaxy Tab is going to be introduced by the cellular companies like Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon but unlike the iPad, the Tab will be sold with cellular capabilities. There are two fixed prices: $400 if you purchase the Tab with a cellular data contract and $600 if you purchase it with the cellular capability but no contract. This already gives the Tab an edge since the iPad is sold at a higher price and its lowest only has a WiFi connection.

The Tab uses Google’s Android operating system, which allows it to run programs like Adobe Flash and also lets it be multitasking. The problem is that there are not enough applications that have been developed to work on the Tab, therefore variety is not an option for these users. A plus is that this device possesses two cameras that allow the user to make video calls and/or record videos.

2. What is the size of the Samsung Tab's screen and in comparison to the iPad, how much smaller is the screen space actually?

The tab has a 7-inch screen, which makes it less than half the size on the iPad’s. The iPad’s screen is 9.7-inches and although it does not sound like a major difference, measuring it using diagonal measurements it is. An advantage to having a smaller screen is that it makes the device as a whole smaller and lighter, which in return becomes easier to be handled with one hand and easier to carry and store.

3. How does the Samsung Tab compare to the iPad in battery longevity tests? Overall, how did the reviewer rate the Samsung Tab in comparison to the iPad?

The life battery of the Tab is not the best. In a comparison study between the iPad and the Tab, both devices were left on their fullest brightness, WiFI ON and playing videos and the results were considerable. The iPad lasted for eleven hours and twenty-eight minutes, while the Tab only lasted six hours and fifty minutes.

Overall the Samsung Galaxy Tab is “attractive, versatile and competitively priced.” It provides users with a new real alternative that has advantages over the iPad but at the same time make it too simple to steal the iPad’s place.

Describe how cell phone works so a 12 year old could understand it.

A cell phone is a wireless device with which you can make and receive calls from anywhere in the world. It is a way in which people communicate and because it has become really useful, cell phones now can do much more than just calling. They are equipped with many other functions like text messaging, music playing, video recording, access to the Internet and many other things, but the true wonder comes from how all this works.

Cell phones work a little bit different than regular phones because they need to provide you with service everywhere you go. Cell phones use a cellular network that allows them to stay connected even when you are moving; it does it by jumping from one cell to another. These particular cells allow cell phones to stay connected thus providing you with enough service anywhere you are.

Cell phones today can do so many things that it is impossible to not be connected with people around the world. Depending on the kind of cell phone you have and the service you request, your cell phone is capable of sending and receiving emails, logging into chat rooms and having applications to play with. It can also record and play videos and play music -just like an iPod does. Text messaging is also very popular and easy to use; you just need to type up the message and press send. With text messages you might feel like you are in a chat room, because it allows quick responses and you can also incorporate emoticons to the text, making it more casual and friendlier.

What are the main issues in spectrum allocation?

The communication spectrum includes the range of electromagnetic radiation frequencies that are used in wireless communication systems. Their problems revolve around how technicians can make the service better, thus providing an improved system. At the beginning wireless communications were found at the center of the telecommunications network and they were used to carry bulk quantities of calls between cities rather than directly communication one person to another. With the development of Microwave systems, they were able to upgrade the service to carry thousands of calls simultaneously but the only set back was that this system uses directional antennas that make it impossible to extend networks for thousands of miles. This also led to the development of a new system that uses fiber optics, which also paved the way for satellite and cell phone systems. What all these systems were in need of was a more efficient way to use scarce channel space, which is way thanks to technology scientist and technicians continue to develop new ways in which to expand our communication system.  

What has been the main impact of the Telecom Act?

The development of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 brought new possibilities and had different impacts in the industry. One of them was that it enabled companies to merge and local telephone companies were able to offer cable and satellite TV and vice versa. Companies were able to compete globally and there were a succession of various big companies merging, giving them more power over others. The most significant impact this act had was long distance. With companies going global and the nation moving towards a more globalized world, long distance became an important factor in people’s lives, so companies needed to provide this service to ensure their success. Competition played a huge role on prices but as competitors began to drop, prices started to rise. Also, with technology being so innovative day by day consumers were looking more into what the companies could offer besides basic options, therefore the true competition is now placed in the providers that offer different technologies.

Imagine you are a PR practitioner hired to promote Concordia College event. What steps and tools would you use and why?

If I was hired to promote an event on campus my first thought would be to consider which students are going to be our target market. This is done in order to know how to approach the target market and know their likes and dislikes. If my target market is the entire student body then I would start considering various ways in which I could reach out to them and promote the event in a way that is appealing and fun for them. Since the only people I am interested in targeting are Concordia students, I would ensure that all the marketing is done on campus and any other school related website. I would definitely use the following:

• Print publications – by posting posters all around campus students would be constantly reminded of the upcoming event. Of course these posters would be colorful, have catchy phrases and somehow tell students why they do not want to miss the event. I would also print it in the Compass, since this publications is seen by many students throughout the day.
• Viral campaigns – by creating a video with Concordia students highlighting aspects of the event, students will feel more inclined to attend.
• Email – emailing students would also be a technique of mine, since by doing so the email acts as a reminder to the students.
• Word of mouth – creating a big buzz about the event would also be another tactic. By doing this, I let the students interact and also create in them a sense of anticipation.
• Social networking sites ‘Facebook’ – advertising the event of Facebook will allow me to create blogs about it so students can talk about the event, which leads to promotion of the event. Also, by using Facebook as an advertisement technique I am able to reach out the students in a more personal manner and show them that we are interested in what they think.

What are the four models of public relations?

Public Relations has many models, but Grunig’s four primary models are the ones that stand out because they describe the evolution of PR.  The models go as follow:

1.)   Press Agentry/Publicity model: this is a one-way communication method, which uses persuasion and manipulation to influence audience to behave as the organization desires.

2.)   Public Information model: also uses a one-way communication channel and it basically uses the press releases and other one-way communication techniques to distribute organizational information. When working within this category, practitioners are often referred as ‘journalists in residence’.

3.)   Two-way Asymmetrical model: is the most common PR practice today. Its method consists in sending out information and then doing research to see if the public understands it in the way you intended it. If this is not the case, then you might have to refine your methods and research.  

4.)   Two-way Symmetric model: is the most conducive for optimum mutual benefit. It involves researching the audience and finding out what is important to them and how they get their information, as well as evaluating how the public and the company see their relationship as mutually beneficial. 

What are the key elements to successful public relations?

Public relations comes down to seven basic steps: research, including public opinion polls, surveys, questionnaires, interviews, focus groups and literature searches; all done in a continuous process. By following all of these steps you know you are contributing to becoming successful at PR, but the most important element to remember is the assessment of public attitudes. Without adequate background on the people you are trying to reach and how they think it will be almost impossible to communicate effectively and reach the audience.

Without research and evaluation you will not be able to identify the customers’ needs nor the public’s attitude for your client. Another point that we must keep in mind is that PR is a detailed strategy and it has to be managed well. You should be able to multitask and balance everything out since many important factors will come into play. Also, we have to remember that the goal is to foster public support, since they are the key element towards success. Lastly, evaluating a campaign will always be good and it should be the last step in a strategy, because feedback is what will help the PR people figure out what worked best and what did not.

What are some of the specialties or functions of PR?

Public relations can be defined as: organized activities intended to favorably influence the public. People within this business have multiple responsibilities and employ various methods to target the people, these methods are: advertising, direct marketing and related tools and techniques in representing their employers’ or clients’ interests. PR is a job that requires multiple skills and specialized expertise and knowledge for the execution. The complexity of the field makes it hard to focus only on one thing, which is why PR has been divided into specialties, making it easier for people to select what they need or where they want to pursue a career. Amongst the different specialties we are able to find: publicity and media relations, promotion or selling, community and government relations, public information, special events, employee relations, lobbying and issues management –which also include reputation management and crisis communication. Also within these categories we are able to find those who serve as an early warning system and those who provide technical support for other management functions. 

mashable.com

Mashable.com is a news website. It was founded by Pete Cashmore and its primary focus is to present the user with social media news, but it also covers news and developments on entertainment, online videos, mobile, business, technology and the web. This site was ranked as one of the world’s largest websites and it recently acquired Blippr, a micro-reviews service based on the concept that users can review games, books, movies, music and web applications.

The site is extremely user friendly and is loaded in content. It has an option of singing up to receive news directly in your inbox, which a lot of people like since it makes it more ‘personal’. It also allows a connection between Twitter and Facebook, which again creates a more personal feeling to it. Blogging and commenting on articles is very popular and it gives the website a friendlier look, since everyone is welcomed to do it. In all it is a pretty interesting website and the fact that they even encourage people to write for them makes it more motivating in my perspective.