Microsoft's Cyber Security EBook and Google TV

In an effort to keep up with the ongoing need for safety and security on the Web, especially for teens, Microsoft has developed and released a free Ebook that imparts and defines an incredible amount of diverse security topics.

Even though Microsoft created this specifically for teenagers, it became clear that the book's contents does offer such an indepth view into using the Internet safely that it can be used by anyone looking to gain advise and insight on Internet security.

One of Microsoft's main concerns in developing the Ebook was to not insult teens by appearing to be trying too hard to look cool. In checking out the Ebook, I must say that Microsoft did a fantastic job at, as the teen set says, "keeping it real."

Microsoft should be given high praise in that they really did create a comprehensive guide for teens as well as new computer users, which does cover everything relative to cyber security.

Some of the topics include catching phishing tactics, how to set up your browser so that you're protected against browser-based intrusions and crimes, how to handle cyber-stalking and bullying. The Ebook also offers up an interesting history and real world examples of the danger and harm that can and has come from cyber security vulnerabilities.

The great part is that you and your teenager can download the 253-page book for free. Microsoft has added an aspect of convenience in that you have the option to either download the entire book or you can download only those chapters that you feel are relevant to the specific concerns that you and your teenager may have.

In reviewing the Ebook, it was also obvious to me that it would be a great teaching tool for students and organizations.

I urge every parent, teacher, caregiver and youth organization to get a copy of this Ebook and to use it to help "tweens," teens and everyone find ways to be safe on the Web. If you would like to download the Ebook, all you need to do is visit "Own Your Space: Keep Yourself and Your Stuff Safe Online."

So, what's hot at Google? Well, Google has made a strong move into the Internet TV arena and is calling its new venture, appropriately so, Google TV. This new technology is planned to hit the scene within the next few months in the U.S. and will create a seamless connection between your TV and the Web.

Google TV will also connect to the Android app store as well as the Android-powered smartphones and the iPhone, with both having the capability to be used as remote controls for Google TV.

There will be three specific devices that will have the ability to initiate the Google TV platform and they will be Sony HDTV, Blu-ray players and a Logitech set-top box, both of which should connect to your TV, provided that your TV is in the recent high-definition realm.

This new endeavor is incredible as it will completely change the way we use and view our TVs and our computers, in that it will, in effect, merge the two. You will be able to get the Web at the push of a button and channeled TV with a smooth cross platform search tool ability and your TV will become an enormous digital photo frame with a slideshow mode that will allow you to have all your photos uploaded to sites like Flickr or Facebook.

Make sure you say thank you to the required Google TV hardware specs like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, as they will give you the ability to load a Web page on your Android phone and beam it to your Google TV.

Also, in case you forgot, remember that whole Android and smartphone voice recognition thing I told you about in the first part of this series? Well, you can also use your Android phone's voice recognition, making it possible to change channels or search for shows just by talking into the phone and this application will become available for other smartphones in time.

As you can see, Microsoft and Google are charting a course, in their respective arenas, that is both exciting and definitely expanding our capabilities in the vast, open space we call the information highway.

So make sure you're on that fast-moving ride and strap in tight, because it's going to be a wild, fast-paced and exciting ride. I hope we can all keep up!

- Andino Ward

Google and Microsoft on the cutting edge

Google was a big standout at this year's IFA convention that was held in Europe and is said to be the world's largest consumer electronics and home appliances trade show on the planet.

Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google, was on hand and gave a very revealing talk on the realm of the smartphone, cloud computing and Google TV.

Let's start with the Android platform as well as the exciting new tool for voice search recognition and mobile speech translation called conversation mode.

Because of the unprecedented development of the many variations of smartphones, it is anticipated that there will be a staggering upswing in the growth of the smartphone handset market.

The numbers are incredible and estimated to go from the current 1 billion mark to 3 billion or 4 billion in the next four years and all this movement in smartphone technology and the consumer will be tied directly to the cloud, which will provide an increased impressive array of functions to smartphones.

It goes without saying that smartphone technology is seriously becoming the driving force in the world of information technology.

When you take all of this into consideration, it really isn't a surprise that the hottest smartphone on the market, the Android, is said to be shipping 200,000 activations per day.

Now here's the really exciting part. Google has made a significant push into the area of what is referred to as the "augmented humanity" model.

This is something that seeks to make the aspect of cloud computing and smartphone apps become aligned with you and me, the human being, and what we want in the way of services from our mobile technology.

One part of the model is designed to improve the search capability by building a more defined bridge between what you search for and what you mean with a solid degree of search efficiency that will determine and find exactly what you want to the most minute detail.

But the most exciting part of the new model is the upgraded voice recognition technology app that is expected to be released in the next few months.

Google introduced voice search recognition two years ago and it is calculated that Android search in the U.S. is now being done by way of voice at a rate of 25 percent.

The move into this area by Google is doing quite well and has very fast voice search capability and voice actions to include impressive speech to text tools.

I have personally had the opportunity to play around with this new technology and I must say that it has made a believer out of me, to the extent that I can truly tell you that it will change the way we all use our smartphones in that it will end the days of pushing buttons.

There is also the new app that Google will be releasing in the next few months called Conversations Mode and let me tell you, it is awesome.

So this is how it goes: Let's say you're in Turkey on vacation or business and you are shopping at an outdoor market place or eating at a local Turkish restaurant.

Of course you don't speak the language, but fear not, because you have your trusty smartphone.

You whip it out, go to the conversation mode app and begin to say what it is you want the merchant or waiter to know, all in English.

As you speak into the handset, within seconds your smartphone will send out a spoken translation to the merchant or waiter in their language and it will do so with perfect translation, to which the merchant or waiter will, in their own language, respond into your handset and you will then receive the spoken translation in perfect English.

Just think about how easy this will make travel to a foreign country and the fact that you won't have to make the mistake of ordering sautéeed goats eye's, when you really wanted fried calamari.

Doesn't that take a load off your mind, since you're planning on going to Thailand where there is some really exotic cuisine?

Join me next week as we take a look at Google television and Microsoft's new Cyber Security EBook.

- Andino Ward

Groupon: The next level in online shopping

Here's the thing: I was shopping around the other day for some percussion instruments, as I have started playing again with a jazz band and a blues band as well.

Without thinking, I went directly to the Internet and started looking for the various pieces of equipment I needed.

All of a sudden, I just stopped surfing the Net and started reflecting on what I was doing and it became very clear to me that over the last 10 years, at least 95 percent of my shopping is done online. The remaining 5 percent is done at the grocery store and gas station.

No matter what I am looking to buy, the ease of sitting at my desk and surfing is relaxing, economical and, I must say, fun.

There is such a plethora of online stores to choose from and the deals that I find are incredible, with a 10 to 30 percent savings every time.

Every major store chain has a site that you can go to and shop and then there are all the online stores to choose from as well. One can almost never say that they cannot find the particular item or service they are looking for when shopping on the Internet.

Well, hold on to your heavily weighted down with money fanny pack, because there's a new online shopping site that has hit the ground running and is changing the way online shopping is done.

This is all coming from one Andrew Mason, a 29-year-old music major from Northwestern who in 2008, with lightning speed, created and launched the fastest growing Web-based business in the history of the Web.

The young entrepreneur has brought to life an online company called Groupon, which is a combination of the words group and coupon. Groupon's purpose is to invoke huge sales and easy profits along with creating a solid connection between retailers and online consumers.

Of greater interest is the fact that the Groupon philosophy is a direct throwback to the dot.com era and what it was supposed to have been about.

The company provides an online audience with deep discounts on a product or service and uses the "act now" slogan as its main pitch, followed by, "you have only so many hours before this offer expires." All of which can be considered familiar come-ons, yet they are still very effective, as seen in Groupon's incredible online success.

Groupon lists with vendors in every city and they list the deals of the day on the site for consumers to partake of in their own area or any part of the country they choose.

When you shop on the site, you will find everything from tickets to sports events, museum exhibits, classes at yoga studios or spas, ice cream shops, clothing stores and so much more. I found that the savings are typically around 50 percent on must items or services, while putting you, the customer, in touch with vendors you who might never have thought of patronizing since you weren't aware of their existence.

One of the main things that has made Groupon a big and fast-moving success is its use of Google and Facebook. By connecting with them, Groupon is able to gets its offers in front of a tremendous consumer base that is estimated to be around 13 million subscribers.

I have personally been shopping online using Groupon for the past year and have consistently been amazed at the ease of use and the deals that I have come across in the process.

The young Mason has definitely created a winner and you will most definitely find Groupon a fun-filled, bargain-rich site.

Have a great time shopping and try not to spend all that money in your fanny pack. Isn't it kind of geeky to still be wearing a fanny pack?

- Andino Ward