Throughout the presidential campaign, social media users took to platforms such as Facebook and Twitter to demonstrate their beliefs for and against Donald Trump. Eventually, the Anti-Trump movement was born. Social media as well as other smart phone apps have changed American politics indefinitely.
In light of the recent detainment of travelers at John F. Kennedy airport, officials are screening social media accounts in search of suspected terrorist affiliation. According to Independent, border agents are checking social media accounts of travelers whom are entering the country. What are they looking for? Political views of travelers. What does this mean for us? Individuals who post anything political on social media, are a potential target by the Trump Administration. Protesting Trump via hashtags may or may not be the safest idea, but wait, there's no need to grab a picket sign just yet. Here is a look at some alternative movements against the president.
Following the protest at JFK airport, Uber is under fire. Taxi companies under the NY Taxi Workers Alliance exhibited protest by suspending their work in opposition of Trumps ban. On the other hand, Uber tweeted, " Surge pricing has been turned off at #JFK Airport. This may result in longer wait times. Please be patient." Uber account holders were outraged by the companies decision to profit off of the Muslim ban. In result, at least 200,000 people have deleted their Uber accounts.
On the bright side, App stores on both Apple and Android devices have released an app to boycott Trump. According to the apps description, the BoycottTrump app helps users search for businesses in order to determine if they have any affiliation with Donald Trump. This allows individuals to single-handedly boycott the President by refraining to do business with him directly, or any of his supporters.
China New Information Gathering Idea Rejected By the U.S
Chinas new ideas promote gathering the information of tech companies users. The laws they are trying to in force require tech companies to turn over "snooping" mechanisms to the Chinese government. The United States is against the act of China trying to enforce laws to collect user data. China's inquiries are mainly about tech companies encryption keys to their codes for personal data. The sharing of user data can threaten the U.S of economic cyber espionage. In an interview Obama stated his concerns for China requiring tech companies to give personal data to their firms.
"This is something that I’ve raised directly with President Xi," Obama said. "We have made it very clear to them that this is something they are going to have to change if they are to do business with the United States." (BBC)
Obama spoke on cyber security and consumer protection at Stanford University. Obama felt it would be critical for any international company to prosper while collects data to keep track of user data. He stated, "I don't think there's any U.S or European firm, international firm that can get away with that whole sale turning over of data".
China is concerned with any possible threats from religious extremist or separatists. "Beijing has argued the need to quickly ratchet up its cybersecurity measures in the wake of former NSA contractor Edward Snowden's revelations of sophisticated U.S. spying techniques." (reuters.com)
Its' difficult for smaller companies to shine when large scale companies get all of the shine. Google has pushed its competing rivals buttons such as Yandex. Yandex is a Russian Internet company which operates the largest search engine in Russia with about 60% market share in that country. According to bbc.com, Yandex alleges that its rival, Google has an unfair advantage because it insists device-makers set Google as the default search setting if they want to pre-install its Play store.
Googles restrictions are conflict with the way Yandex markets its company. The amount of shares on android phones are affected because of Google services. "Google's rivals have claimed Android is used as a way to give Google's other services an unfair competitive advantage". (bbc.com)
Although Yandex has filed an antitrust complaint against Google, the search engine has yet to respond. Google will most likely make an account that their rival search engines can be downloaded to android phones as long as their services aren't pre-downloaded.
It's agreeable that Google is one of the largest most used search engines. With such reliable and safe services, Google attracts millions of servers worldwide. Of course others countries would like their citizens to use there soft- ware hence that challenge of competing against Google. Other internet companies have complained about the unfair benefits that Google has. The "take-it-or-leave-it" rule where manufacturers can either install all of Googles complete serve including google maps, gmail, google play, or reject cellular service all together.
"We believe that user-centric services, such as search, maps, email, etc., should be unbundled from the Android OS. It is essential to return to a level playing field where competition is over quality of products and services rather than bundling and pre-installation."
Android is by a long way the most popular mobile device in Russia. Googles restriction of apps and other services are pushing away customers from local smart phone vendors in Russia. "Google has been under investigation for years in Europe regarding its approach to desktop search -- something that Yandex's CEO has publicity backed. The European Commission also recently voted to push forward with legislation that could see Google (and other search providers) forced to unbundle its search engine from its other services.Google wants there search engine to be the main search engine or nothing at all.
Apple Pay was to replace the consumer's wallet of credit cards with its mobile system. But this mobile system has hit a roadblock. CVS and Rite Aid have removed Apple Pay from their stores.
Uber, “Everyone’s Private Driver”. The slogan represents the car service company all too well. Once you have a smart phone, you then have the ability to hail a Cadillac Escalade and then be escorted around a city as if you were Barrack Obama. Not only can anyone use Uber, but anyone with a license can drive for Uber as well. Uber is combining smart phone technology and taxis to change transportation. Private car services and taxis are now losing business to the new company. Claims are being made that Uber drivers don’t have as many restrictions or have to obtain as many permits as the other companies. Germany is now placing a ban on Uber drivers. Is Uber so successful because there aren’t as many limitations, or is the company just changing the game of the car service industry for the better?
You can access and Uber driver in over 100 major cities and over 30 countries around the world. Paris, New York City, London, you name it and Uber most likely has base there. But in Berlin, Germany a ban is being placed on the usage of Uber. The Frankfurt court claims that uber doesn’t have the necessary legal permits to work in the city. While the case is being resolved in court, Uber was told that if they decide to continue operating, and lose the case then they could potentially be charged 300,000$ per ride they provided during the ban.
This isn’t the first time the American company had a ban placed on it in Germany’s court system. In April a similar case was over turned. Now that the demand for Uber is growing more popular, other car service companies are making stronger attempts to have them play by the rules.
‘‘Anyone who is willing to play by the rules is welcome in the market,’’ a Herman Waldner quote published in a NY Times article. He is the owner of one of Berlin’s leading taxi companies. That is the biggest complaint from other car service companies; they just want uber to have the same regulations and to create fair competition.
Uber claims its services are insured and that the drivers and riders wellbeing is a major concern. But it hasn’t seemed to stop the protestors yet. All precautions are taken and now it is a measure of survival of the fittest.
Israel has been a big part of app creation worldwide. Many of these apps have been changing the lives of people. Recently there has been a string of new i-Apps that helps keep the lives of the Israeli citizens safe in this time of the war. One new app that emerged during Israel's time of crisis is the Color Red App.
"The application, which is not an official warning system, is the brainchild of 13-year-old Beersheba resident Liron Bar. Bar provides constant reports on missile attack warnings, known as Color Red alerts, and rocket strikes in the south on his Facebook page as well."
This is just an all around great app for a Israeli people. The Color Red App gives the user time a warning whenever a missile is launched find a shelter. The app was created by 13 year old Liron Bar an Israeli teenager. The extra time the app provides could be the difference between life and death for the Israel citizens. The Israeli government suggest everyone should have this app on their mobile device. The next question is what do the people of Israel do after they are warned off a missile threat? The citizens of Israel uses the bomb shelter app.
"The GPS-based app assists a citizen fleeing from rocket fire to locate the closest bomb shelter or secure area, providing the fastest route to it. Updates from the emergency authorities are also provided in real time. The app enables anyone to add information about available shelters which are not yet listed on the app."
This second app that locates the closest bomb shelter using the GPS in the mobile device. This simple idea again has the power to save many lives. During bomb threat times people tend to panic and get lost and confused with app guides people in the right direction to the closest shelter where they can be safe. There are many other apps that save lives in Israel these are just two of them. Apps are making the lives of many easier everyday and in this case the apps are saving the Israeli's people lives.
Kiip is one of the coolest start up companies to integrate gaming into our daily lives. Linking advertisers and developers in conjunction with the latest smartphone technology sums up Kiip. This start-up company’s co-founder and CEO Brian Wong is only 19 years old. It seems that the youth of america is truly our future. Kiip’s innovative technology is not missing a beat. It is keeping up with the latest iphone ios 6 software and even taking its mission international. This amazing company bridges the gap between games and reality.
According to a TechCrunch.Com blog post, Kiip was created by CEO, Brian Wong and CTO Courtney Guertin. They met while working together at a startup company called Digg. The two often discussed creating a “rewards layer for the real world- and Kiip was born”. Kiip is just one of the successful startup companies that are becoming an international sensation. Wong and Guertin used their passion and enthusiasm to keep Kiip relevant in todays ever changing technology dependent world. Their latest software upgrade is linked to the release of the newest Apple IOS 6 software.
Apple released Passbook in september 2012 as a feature in the newest IOS 6 software. Passbook according to the itunes description is,“... the simplest way to store your boarding passes, tickets, coupons, gift cards and more in one place. With Passbook, you can scan your iPhone or iPod touch to check in for a flight, get into a movie, or redeem a coupon...”
The article, “Kiip Is The Perfect Company To Show Off The Potential Of Apple Passbook. Take A Look.” describes how Kiip linked into Passbook. When an IOS 6 user plays a Kiip enabled app, their rewards are sent and stored directly in their passbook. This makes rewards easy to access and organized. Lets say you had won a starbucks coffee and you went to redeem it a week later. Simply open your passbook and the coupon is waiting for you, ready to scan.
The only downside is that passbook is strictly for iphone IOS 6 users. Android users are not given this update yet. CEO of Kiip, Brian Wong is not worried. He hopes that google will develop a similar wallet gadget for the Andriod.
Kiip is not only making strides in the US. This startup company has moved international as well. TechCrunch.com has been fabulous with covering all the curent milestones with Kiip. An article found on their site titled, “Kiip Takes Its First International Steps, Inks Reward Network Deal With UK’s Yo! Sushi” by Ingrid Lunden, a Techcrunch reporter based out of London tells all about the newest overseas venture. Yo! Sushi! is the first non-US company to sign up for Kiip. As of right now the deal is localized to London, but CEO Brian Wong, believes this is the only the beginning of many deals to come.
According to Ingrid Lunden’s article,
“ Kiip is planning to announce more brand partnerships in the UK soon, and it is “on the verge” of rolling out its first campaigns in the middle east and Asia Pacific, with Kiip’s London office, led by Eamonn Carey, leading much of that growth.”
Wong has good reason to be so optimistic. Kiip recently raised $11 million for funding. Wong discusses in an interview why investors would want a part ofKiip,
This is company that investors want to get involved in because it is truly a revolutionary idea. Kiip’s platform is what sets it apart for all other apps companies. Wong says, “We’re about rewards, not ads,”. He tells more about the platform of Kiip in the first 41 seconds of this video.
Brian Wong is adamant about Kiip not being an advertising platform. Wong believes cramming in advertisements don't work. He wants people to know that Kiip is a rewards network not a platform for advertisers.
Personally, I am very excited to see Kiip expands. Just the idea of getting a free cup of coffee, and a reward that I can use locally is enough incentive for me to play a Kiip enabled game. Just today I took out my phone and searched for Kiip enabled games. I simply typed Kiip into the app store search bar and found 32 games involved with Kiip. I am sure there are more to come, I believe Kiip is the future of gaming and marketing.
While recently visiting a friend in Massapequa Long Island, she was eager to introduce me to her new friend Pierre. This introduction was through a very modern sense, that being the application Facetime, which allows for video calls. I was not blown away by Facetime however, but where this call was going to. Pierre was from France, and my friend had met him through Interpals.net, a website for seeking friends around the world, and/or to learn a new language by having a conversation partner.
I was completely in awe, and my mind fired off with possibilities. There has been much talk in recent years about social media connecting people around the world. That I day I found an online community that was bringing people of many nations into conversation. Sites like these enable conversations about politics, daily life, language, friendship, love. My friend has gained a new friend from Europe, and it all just started with a click of a computer key.
We have already passes the phase of the glorious iPhone, apparently. Now our world is moving on to the new technology of a Windows operated phone. The Nokia Lumina 900 is the newest technology in all types of media. It really is like having a hand held computer because it is operated by a computer system; Windows. This smartphone is the new face of media. The owner will be able to operate the internet and social media apps in the newest, most efficient way. Apple is not too happy about this. “There clearly is a danger now that iPhone is going to get a stranglehold of the U.S. smartphone market, and I don’t think operators are crazy about that,” Mr. Kuittinen said.
Even though last Christmas the iPhone still reached highest sales, they know that the Nokia Lumina 900 is right up their tail. Verizon and AT&Tare fiending for this; they see the potential. “We’re really looking at the Windows Phone 8.0 platform because that’s a differentiator,” Mr. Shammo said after Verizon’s earnings report Thursday. “We’re working with Microsoft on it.” He didn’t say when Windows Phone 8 handsets would be available on Verizon.
The soaring popular of the Nokia Lumina 900 was made clear by CNET: "The carrier's Lumia 900 page shows both the white and cyan models as "temporarily out of stock." AT&T's retail outlets are also reportedly facing the same shortage, according to WPCentral, which says that both color models are hard, if not impossible, to fina in store."
Both AT&T and Verizon are working vigorously with the phones makers. This phone is soon to change everything. It is predicted that when sales start rising, Apple will get wind of this and the iPhone may not be top in its game anymore. Yes, the iPhone was a remarkable piece of technology in the media and social media world. However, now we have the Nokia Lumina 900, a phone operating by a legitimate computer system.
How will anything be able to compete with their technology in the media world with a cell phone that is run by Windows? The way that we use social media and other media sources is by the computer, originally. That is also the most reliable, efficient way that we use media. Windows, one of the leading companies in computer systems now has their system running a cell phone. This is guaranteeing a change in media, because media through a computer is now in the palm of our hand.
Global Media News is a weekly webcast covering media news from around the world. This webcast is a production of Media Studies students from the SUNY College @ Old Westbury.
This week on Global Media News:
Marketing the Bromance: Splitsville for Mike & Ike
Denny's College Humor Takeover: Viral webisodes set in Denny's
Magazine Apps: Are tablets the future of magazine reading?
Bad Apple? The Justice Department's suit against Apple for price-fixing.
The N.R.A. Shoots the Messenger: Blaming the media again. . .
Covering the Mega-Millions Jackpot
Google Art: Can Google doe for museums what it tried to do for libraries?
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