Made the leap, ordered Samsung Galaxy Note, will I like the iPhone 4S or Note better?

I've been thinking more about Mobile applications, and a friend just bought his Sprint Samsung Galaxy S II.  After some technical design decisions another friend bought a Verizon Samsung Galaxy Nexus.  Yesterday Samsung announced the Galaxy Note in a Superbowl commercial.

I've been looking at the Samsung Galaxy Note, given my tech friends are getting normal sized Smartphones, and was willing to try a different form factor.  If I want a small phone I have my iPhone 4S.

We'll see if the Galaxy Note works for me.  I'll comment later when I get the device on Feb 17.

 

Wind-powered Green Data Center in the works

ZDnet reports on a wind powered data center project in Austin, TX

Wind-powered Texas data center moves closer to reality

By  | February 6, 2012, 4:27am PST

Summary: Project spearheaded by Baronyx and subsidiary WindData will draw power from offshore wind farms.

I used to hear a lot more about data centers powered by alternative energy two years ago, before energy efficiency measures started stealing some of the government and utility incentive thunder.

But WindData, an operator owned by renewable energy and data center project developer Baronyx, apparently is still hard at work on a $70 million data center project outside of Austin, Texas, that is supposed to be completely powered by wind energy. Yep, that’s right, Texas. When it is hot, the coastal winds apparently kick up nicely, helping fuel the growing demand for power in the state.

The power cost in reported to be sub $0.05 kw-hr

Because WindData is closely affiliated with Baronyx, it can offer competitive power pricing, at up to 4.6 cents per kilowatt-hour, according to some of the information that I have seen published about the project.

Another Alternative to Physical Media, Verizon and Coinstar's Redbox partner for New Streaming Service

Physical media has an environmental impact and streaming bits can have a lower environmental impact.  Netflix is infamous in this space and while we are watching the PR disasters by Netflix last year, it looked like it woke up a few to the opportunities to compete.

Verizon and Coinstar's Redbox announced a new joint venture today where Verizon is 65% owner.

The joint venture is a limited liability company with Verizon holding a 65 percent ownership share and Redbox holding a 35 percent ownership share at the outset.

Who else will join the streaming media momentum?

Verizon and Coinstar's Redbox Form Joint Venture to Create New Consumer Choice for Video Entertainment

Joint Venture Will Offer the Best of Both Worlds - Physical and Digital - to All Consumers Nationwide

 

 

NEW YORK, Feb. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Verizon and Coinstar, Inc. today announced the formation of a joint venture that will create a new choice for quality- and value-conscious consumers seeking a simple and affordable way to access the video entertainment they crave. The venture's services will offer all of the convenience, simplicity and value of Redbox® new release DVD and Blu-ray Disc® rentals combined with a new content-rich video on-demand streaming and download service from Verizon.

Amazon rumored to go Physical, Brick and Mortar Kindle store to open in Seattle

Amazon has disrupted the Retail Business Model with no physical presence.  Amazon Web Services is a self-servicing model of IT services.

There have been tons of articles written about the flaw of a Brick and Mortar store, and how Amazon has an unfair advantage without the costs of Brick and Mortar stores.

But, what happens if Amazon does open a store?

Amazon in the Process of Launching a Retail Store

By 

Amazon sources close to the situation have told us that the company is planning on rolling out a retail store in Seattle within the next few months. This project is a test to gauge the market and see if a chain of stores would be profitable. They intend on going with the small boutique route with the main emphasis on books from their growing line of Amazon Exclusives and selling their e-readers and tablets.

...

The company has already contracted the design through a shell company, which is not unusual for Amazon. When Amazon releases new products to the FCC it is always done through anonymous proxy companies to avoid disclosure to their competition on what they are working on. They are doing this for the actual first store layout and design, while modeling themselves after Apple.

What would happen if AWS had people to help sell AWS?

 

Good for a good laugh, my son misses the rail skiing

I don't blog on the weekends during ski season as there is not a whole lot of spare time, and there is limited Internet access.  Spending time with the kids is fun and great family time.  In this case, it is also good for a laugh.

Below is a video I shot today of my son having fun trying to balance his skis on iron rails.

Just to let you know my son was fine.  He didn't hit any of the metal, and just had a face plant on to soft snow.  He has a full helmet and goggles.

He is curious how many YouTube views he'll have.

I need to get him to watch this video before he tries again.