Showing posts with label that. Show all posts
Showing posts with label that. Show all posts
Thursday, March 23, 2017
ARMs 31 billion takeover shows that information is king
ARMs 31 billion takeover shows that information is king
SoftBank is getting a bargain
ARM Holdings, a chip design firm that doesnÕt manufacture or sell any chips, has just been bought by SoftBank for a cool $31.4 billion. ThatÕs four times as much as Microsoft paid for Nokia, close to three times GoogleÕs expenditure on Motorola, and an order of magnitude more than Palm cost HP. We think of these other companies as the authors of the mobile world weÕre living in, but itÕs ARMÕs invisible contribution that has proven more influential Ñ and now a lot more valuable Ñ than all of them.
The smartphone revolution of this century might as well be called the ARM takeover. Practically every single phone, tablet, and smartwatch out in the world today runs on a processor using the ARM architecture Ñ which means licensing ARMÕs designs and paying royalties for every chip sold. Yes, that includes iPhones, Galaxys, BlackBerrys, Droids, and Lumias: all but the most loyal of Intel acolytes are manufacturing ARM-powered mobile devices. ARMÕs portfolio extends beyond mobile processors to include graphics, wireless, and server chips along with physical design blueprints and software development tools. Simply put, if you want to build a mobile device of any kind, youÕll have to deal with ARM.
ARM IS AN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY POWERHOUSE
ARMÕs product is information. The company spends its time and money on R&D, which it converts into successive generations of new mobile processor core and system designs. Its hardware partners would love to be able to build everything themselves, but ARMÕs depth and breadth of expertise is such that itÕs more efficient to license rather than compete with its technology. With more than 4,500 granted or pending patents, ARM is an intellectual property powerhouse Ñ like a patent troll that isnÕt actually trolling, it just develops smart production methods and designs and sells them.
An oft-cited aphorism from Tom Goodwin last year identified one of the prevailing trends of modern tech:
"Uber, the worldÕs largest taxi company, owns no vehicles. Facebook, the worldÕs most popular media owner, creates no content. Alibaba, the most valuable retailer, has no inventory. And Airbnb, the worldÕs largest accommodation provider, owns no real estate. Something interesting is happening."
The "something interesting" is happening behind the scenes of the tech world too. ARM is another of these prospering companies whose profits keep improving even in the absence of any tangible, physical assets. It isnÕt chasing consumers directly, but itÕs just as much a trader in information as Facebook, Uber, and Airbnb are. Consumers recompense ARM via the intermediary of a hardware-manufacturing partner, but the core mechanics are still the same: obtain valuable information, secure your control over it, sell it to a willing purchaser, and profit.
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ARMs Holdings
ItÕs a simple formula that should be extremely familiar by now. Data and software might have high initial acquisition or production costs, but once you have them, the marginal cost of producing another unit to sell or license is zero. ARM has carved out its niche by continuously being ahead of the competition, nullifying IntelÕs Sisyphean efforts to break through into mobile, and developing a wide network of satisfied licensees.
The headline reason for SoftBankÕs acquisition of ARM today is the latter companyÕs instrumental role in developing the future Internet of Things. The pair have even set up a website dedicated to the deal, where they explain their rationale and talk up plans for world domination thatÕs even greater than the 90 billion ARM chips already out there. But the IoT future isnÕt here yet, and a seasoned investor like SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son doesnÕt spend $31 billion purely on potential. He sees that ARM is an already profitable company with comparatively negligible expenses, he recognizes the massive discountthat BrexitÕs impact on the British pound has created, and he knows ARMÕs influence is far greater than its size. It just makes good business sense, especially at a time when debt is cheap to sustain and cash is more of a burden than an asset.
THE INFORMATION AGE IS DEFINED BY COMPANIES LIKE ARM, WHOSE ASSETS ARE INTANGIBLE
To casual observers, the idea of a company with no brand recognition Ñ anonymous to all but the geeky spec sheet explorers Ñ meriting an 11-figure price will seem absurd. But just like the more consumer-facing acquisitions of WhatsApp by Facebook and LinkedIn by Microsoft, this is a big investment into the information economy.
As much as hardware companies like Apple and Samsung might dominate news coverage and peopleÕs wish lists, itÕs the software and service providers that load those devices up and make them truly desirable. In ARMÕs case, its information provides the blueprint and architecture atop which everything is built. Hardware manufacturers may come and go, but the one essential and irreplaceable aspect of modern mobile computing is ARMÕs portfolio of intellectual property. ThatÕs where the value is.
Available link for download
Monday, March 6, 2017
3 iPhone Apps that Give You the Chance to Earn Money
3 iPhone Apps that Give You the Chance to Earn Money
However, if youre a mobile user looking to gain a bit of cash or rewards from your apps, the following are some iPhone apps with these perks.
1) CheckPoints:
Earn points when you check into shopping malls, cafes, grocery stores, etc. To earn points that can later be redeemed for rewards, such as gift cards and other merchandise, scan the items you purchase and refer friends to take part in CheckPoints.
2) EasyShift:
Receive simple assignments and complete them (i.e. taking photos, giving an opinion, etc.). You are paid via PayPal after completing several tasks. The more you do the more you earn.
3) App Trailers:
Preview app trailers and obtain points for your efforts. Not only can you make your opinion count and assist app developers in improving their apps, but you get paid for viewing or tying out a demo.
Other rewarding apps include:
Gigwalk, Shopkick, Phewtick, GymPact, Field Agent, and Iconzoomer.
Image credit: thanunkorn.
Image credit: thanunkorn.
Available link for download
Friday, November 18, 2016
10 lessons from video gaming that have helped my career
10 lessons from video gaming that have helped my career
Mark Kaelin has been playing video games since the 1970s. Despite the typical gamer stereotype, he thinks gaming can teach some important career skills.
I have been playing computer video games for more than 30 years nowÑit is one of my favorite hobbies. The interesting thing about playing games for so long is that through games I have trained my brain to process complex, sometimes seemingly unrelated data into actionable informationÑa skill that has proven invaluable for my career.
As Steve Johnson explained in Everything Bad Is Good for You: How Todays Popular Culture Is Actually Making Us Smarter, playing games provides tools needed for a successful career in information technology. Along the way, games have also taught me many lessons about life, work, and problem solving. Here are 10 things I learned from being a gamer all these years.
1: There is no such thing as it cant be done
At one point or another in our interactions with colleagues within an enterprise we have all heard the dreaded phrase: "It cant be done!" Of course, this is a lie because anything can be done. If games teach us anything, it is that anything is possible.
What the "cant be done" crowd is really saying is "We have never done it that way before so we are reluctant to try something new." As a seasoned gamer, I know that attitude is a recipe for failure. The real question is not "can" something be done, but rather "should" it be done.
2: The obvious solution is not always the best solution
When solving a problem, there is often an obvious, safe, and conventional solution. I remember an old saying in IT: No one ever lost their job by buying equipment from IBM. But that doesnt mean the safe answer is always the best answer. Sometimes you have to take a chance on the unconventional answer, on the answer that requires a certain amount of risk. Whether it is a computer game or the game of life, the riskier solution is often the most rewarding.
3: You should observe before you act
This lesson may seem counter to the previous one, but they go hand in hand. Choosing a solution with more risk is advisable only after you have taken the time to observe and study the possible outcomes. Bad things happen when you act impulsively. Taking time to contemplate all the potential outcomes allows you to make informed decisions that have predictable outcomes. Taking risks is important, but they should always be calculated risks.
4: Sometimes it is better to say nothing
Often when playing a role-playing game there is an option to say nothing as another character goes on a rant. In fact, saying nothing is often the best option. This is true in the enterprise environment as well.
Letting your boss or your coworker blow off steam without any input, encouragement, or discouragement from you can be your best choice. In many cases there is no reason for you to insert yourself into the situation. Your wisest choice is to observe, listen, and let it play out.
5: Its important to pick your battles
Just like in a game world, in the enterprise environment part of your worth is measured in your reputation with your colleagues. You spend time and effort every day building up a rapport with the people your work with. This goodwill should be spent only on important battles within the organization.
Realizing that some battles cant be won and that other battles are not worth fighting in the first place can help you preserve your goodwill for later, more meaningful battles. Swallow your pride and pick your battles wisely.
6: Its best to stay true to your character
One of the first choices you have to make in a role-playing game is how your character will present itself to the world. Will you be a hero with noble intentions of righting wrongs or will you be a brooding anti-hero who solves problems with noticeable indifference?
Working in an enterprise also requires you to decide how you will interact with your colleagues. In the long term, the choices you make for the enterprise should reflect your true personality. If you are the helpful type, you should be true to your character and be helpful. However, if your personality is a bit prickly, you might have to adopt a more appropriate role within the organizationÑa role that matches your natural predilections.
7: A strategic plan will help guide your decisions
When you play a game there is almost always an overarching storyline, quest, or goal. All the smaller storylines, quests, and goals you encounter along the way are there to move you toward that ultimate goal. There is always a strategic plan.
Enterprises also have overarching strategic plans. All the decisions you make in an enterprise, no matter your level within the organization, should be made with that strategic plan in mind. It doesnt matter whether you are in charge of buying staples or buying billion dollar pieces of equipmentÑyou should always make decisions based on the strategic plan.
8: A tactical plan will help get things done
While keeping the strategic plan in mind is all well and good, actually getting something done requires a tactical plan. When we talk about teamwork and collaboration in the enterprise we are really talking about the implementation of a tactical plan.
By forming a tactical plan, everyone knows what is expected of them, and more important, what is expected of everyone else. The key to any plan is that everyone involved accomplishes their assigned task. Creating a workable tactical plan is the bedrock for getting things done whether in a game or in an enterprise.
9: Plans never survive intact
This lesson tends to cause tremendous amounts of frustration for many gamers and enterprise employees alike. Simply put: No plan, no matter how well thought out, will survive its implementation intact. This is probably the most difficult lesson to accept.
As your tactical or strategic plan is implemented, facts and circumstances are going to change. Results that seemed self-evident at the start will fail to materialize and events that seemed impossible during planning will take place like they were always meant to be. This is how life (and games) works and you must learn to prepare for it and embrace it.
10. Having fun is essential
The last lesson is a follow up to the previous one. Life is going to throw you a curve ball from time to time. There will be obstacles to overcome, there will be hardships, and there will be moments of frustration, but you must keep your perspective. You cant take yourself too seriously.
All these obstacles are what make the game interesting. It doesnt matter whether the game is on your computer or not. Life, real or imagined, is unpredictable. Overcoming lifes twist and turns is what makes it engaging. That is the fun part.
Available link for download
Thursday, November 10, 2016
20 awesome free OS downloads that arent Windows 7 and 8
20 awesome free OS downloads that arent Windows 7 and 8
20 awesome free OS downloads that arent Windows 7 and 8
From the site http://downloadsquad.switched.com
For the last few days, Windows 7 and 8 is just about the only OS anyone has been talking about. I figured it was high time for us to share the love and take a look at some other interesting free, downloadable operating systems.
Heres a collection of 20 that are worth checking out. There are plenty more, so if youd like to add your favorites, share them in the comments!
Heres a collection of 20 that are worth checking out. There are plenty more, so if youd like to add your favorites, share them in the comments!
Fedora 10 (pictured) - One of the few live distros that didnt have any trouble with the hardware on my MSI Wind netbook. My acid test: can it properly suspend and wake? Yes - and it does it faster than Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7. OpenSUSE and Ubuntu both failed to resume properly.
Damn Small Linux - I wouldnt feel right not listing Damn Small. Its pretty amazing what you can do with a whole OS thats not much bigger than most Windows antivirus applications. 50mb gets you Firefox, XMMS, VNCViewer, MS Office Viewer, and much more. Its also easily extendable through the MyDSL service or by using the apt command.
Linux Mint - While its based on Ubuntu, Mint has some features that I think make it a bit more user-friendly. For starters, there are several easy ways to find and install new software including the dead simple Mint Software Portal. Find an app, click the install button, bada bing!
Damn Small Linux - I wouldnt feel right not listing Damn Small. Its pretty amazing what you can do with a whole OS thats not much bigger than most Windows antivirus applications. 50mb gets you Firefox, XMMS, VNCViewer, MS Office Viewer, and much more. Its also easily extendable through the MyDSL service or by using the apt command.
Linux Mint - While its based on Ubuntu, Mint has some features that I think make it a bit more user-friendly. For starters, there are several easy ways to find and install new software including the dead simple Mint Software Portal. Find an app, click the install button, bada bing!
64 Studio - If youre into digital content creation of any kind - audio, video, or graphics - 64 Studio is a distro worth downloading. Its packed full of awesome multimedia apps and, contrary to the name, is available for 32-bit platforms as well.
live.linux-gamers.net - One of the big complaints about Linux is "Where are the games?" If youd like to see some, why not download a live DVD that contains a truckload that you can run without even installing anything? FPS, racing, platformer, you name it - this disc has it covered.
Slax - This has always been one of my favorite light Linux distros. Its about 200mb and includes plenty of great apps. It includes a really slick boot option as well: to act as a PXE server, allowing other machines on your LAN to boot Slax over the network.
NimbleX - If youre looking for a lightweight base to run virtual PCs on, check out NimbleX. Its the smallest distro Ive seen that comes with Suns Virtual Box. You can even customize your ISO on the web site before you download it if you want. Awesome.
live.linux-gamers.net - One of the big complaints about Linux is "Where are the games?" If youd like to see some, why not download a live DVD that contains a truckload that you can run without even installing anything? FPS, racing, platformer, you name it - this disc has it covered.
Slax - This has always been one of my favorite light Linux distros. Its about 200mb and includes plenty of great apps. It includes a really slick boot option as well: to act as a PXE server, allowing other machines on your LAN to boot Slax over the network.
NimbleX - If youre looking for a lightweight base to run virtual PCs on, check out NimbleX. Its the smallest distro Ive seen that comes with Suns Virtual Box. You can even customize your ISO on the web site before you download it if you want. Awesome.
Haiku - Inspired by BeOS, Haiku strives to provide an environment that is simple enough for beginners to use, yet powerful enough for more experienced users to enjoy as well. As they say on their web site, Haiku wants to be "free of unnecessary complexities." Theres also Zeven OS, a Linux distro with BeOS-inspired visuals.
ReactOS - Definitely an ambitious project, ReactOS is trying to produce a free, non-linux environment that is fully compatible with Windows applications and drivers. Its got a long way to go, but its an interesting project to keep your eye on.
Mac-on-stick - Sure, OSX is pretty and functional, but can it fit on a 32mb flash drive? Mac-on-stick is a complete Mac OS 7.0.1 environment that runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, and even Pocket PC. Use it to run old-school apps or classic games like Dark Castle. Its also part of the Portableapps.Com suite.
OSX86 - No, theres no link for this one, gang. Ive included OSX86 (which you can probably find yourself on any major torrent tracker by searching for kalyway) because its an amazing example of what an enthusiastic computing community can accomplish. Theres even a customized version floating around that is tailored for the MSI Wind netbook..
NetBSD - If youre not interested in trying the Hackintosh thing, why not play around with OS Xs foundations? One of the great things about NetBSD is the amazing number of hardware platforms it can run on, including the Playstation 2 and Sega Dreamcast. You may also want to try Jibbed, a lightweight NetBSD livecd spinoff that runs XFCE4.
Open Solaris - The good folks at Sun play a big part in the development of a pretty mean free OS. Open Solaris is incredibly stable and is designed for reliability and network performance. It makes an excellent foundation for NAS devices and servers.
FreeNAS - Speaking of NAS, if youve got an old junker around that youd like to turn into something useful, FreeNAS is a nice option. Its a barebones distro based on FreeBSD and is designed to turn old hardware into simple network attached storage.
IE Application Compatibility VPC Images - More free stuff from Microsoft? The VPC images include .vhd files of XP and Vista machines that can be run inside Virtual PC to test applications in different Windows OSes with different versions of IE.
VICE - Again not technically an OS, but Im not sure anyone is really looking to multiboot the Commodore 64 or VIC20 operating systems. The VICE emulator will also run C128, PLUS4, and PET programs.
FreeNAS - Speaking of NAS, if youve got an old junker around that youd like to turn into something useful, FreeNAS is a nice option. Its a barebones distro based on FreeBSD and is designed to turn old hardware into simple network attached storage.
IE Application Compatibility VPC Images - More free stuff from Microsoft? The VPC images include .vhd files of XP and Vista machines that can be run inside Virtual PC to test applications in different Windows OSes with different versions of IE.
VICE - Again not technically an OS, but Im not sure anyone is really looking to multiboot the Commodore 64 or VIC20 operating systems. The VICE emulator will also run C128, PLUS4, and PET programs.
GeeXboX - Another great use of an outdated machine is to turn it into a media server/HTPC and GeeXboX is an excellent operating system to power it. Theres even an ISO generator that runs on Mac and Windows that you can use to build a customized GeeXboX disc with different themes, languages, network settings, and more.
Untangle - Untangle is a free, open source gateway that is available as both a full-blown OS and a Windows application. The Windows "app" is a nice option if you dont have the hardware to spare for a standalone gateway machine.
Ultimate Deployment Appliance - UDA is a slick VMWare appliance that allows you to easily serve ISO images via a PXE environment. I love it. No more griping about badly scratched Vista or XP install discs, I just boot via the LAN interface instead.
Untangle - Untangle is a free, open source gateway that is available as both a full-blown OS and a Windows application. The Windows "app" is a nice option if you dont have the hardware to spare for a standalone gateway machine.
Ultimate Deployment Appliance - UDA is a slick VMWare appliance that allows you to easily serve ISO images via a PXE environment. I love it. No more griping about badly scratched Vista or XP install discs, I just boot via the LAN interface instead.
gParted - If youre using a "questionably legal" solution like Hirens Boot CD to manage drive partitions, you should give gParted a try. The interface and functionality is very similar to Partition Magic, and gParted is totally free and open source.
Available link for download
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