Deep Packet Inspection

I recently was informed that companies such as Hindsight Inc. were going to start offering isp's deep packet inspection again. To those that don't know, deep packet inspection is like cookies but much worse. Deep packet inspection allows a company to analyze and collect all data going into or coming out of your computer. This includes emails, user names, passwords, and live chatting. They can look at all this information and then target you with ad's of products that they think will interest you. These ad's are very specific not only to who's using the computer, but to how they are using it. They offer different ad's if you are getting on with a single objective or if you are just surfing out of boredom. The companies say that they will not use the full power of the technology and that they won't sell your information. Do you really think if someone had the power to move a mountain he would just throw a rock. They will use the full extent of this technology to get all the information they can from you. Then they will sell this information to make millions of dollars at our expense.
I know that if my isp provider sends me an email telling me they are starting this then they are losing a customer instantly.

Google Voice Application

According to Cnet.com, the Google Voice Application has been launched after more than a year of intense negotiation and bartering with Apple Inc. It appears as if Apple and Google are trying to break into the burgeoning VoIP market. For the application to work, one simply logs into with his or her Google credentials. After that select a phone number from one's contact list assuming one has set up your Google Voice Account. Four screens display a dialer, contact list, and the application settings. There is an inbox which lists voice mails, text messages, allows one to view a voice mail transcription, or replay a voice message. One can reach or call someone by either searching for the person's name or phone number. Also, one can arrange one's contact lists by people who are frequently called. Push notifications, accordin to Cnet, are some important features that appear when one receives a new voice mail or a text message is missed. However, the Goole Voice Application has some flaws. When two people are using this device simultaneously, each person can hear the other person's voice messages. One can receive multiple alerts about missed calls or messages which can adjusted in the Settings menu. Google Voice has this odd habit of using unknown local numbers to route phone calls and messages quicker as opposed to Google Voice Numbers. The Google Voice App has potential to break new ground, but needs to work out the quinks before fully launching into the market Steve Jobs wants to dominate.

Amazon's New Gift System

On Episode 1348 of CNET's Buzz Out Loud, the hosts discussed a new idea created by Amazon concerning items purchased as gifts on their website. The new system, currently known as the "bad gift defense system," will act as an innovative way to convert unwanted gifts into things you actually want. According to the hosts, people will be able to receive gifts from other individuals through the Amazon website, and then choose to convert the item into something else. It still seems a little unclear how the actual "conversions" will work, whether an item can be replaced by items of similar value, or any unwanted item will be converted into a gift card to be used on another purchase. A unique feature to the system includes Thank You e-cards that will be automatically generated upon receiving gifts. Users will also be able to customize settings and have the opportunity to auto-convert gifts from specific individuals.

Although the system has only been patented and not yet produced, I believe this is an extremely innovative idea that can be useful, especially in light of the fast approaching holiday season. Amazon already has a large share of the online shopping market, but this new system will most likely generate more business. Shopping for others can be one of the most difficult tasks, but now any mishaps or unwanted gifts can be converted online into something more desirable. I think this is a great example of a very tech-savvy company leveraging their skills and resources to generate more business.

Google admits to WiFi sniffing!!!

Is it just me, or aren't the google streetview cars supposed to take pictures of peoples houses and not personal WiFi data from the residents. Listening to Buzz Out Loud episode 1336, I found out that Google got over 600 gigs of WiFi data from their street cars. Google says that it was a the fault of one of their WiFi programs in the cars that was not supposed to be included in the car in the first place. At first, they said that it was a bunch of bits and pieces of data and they were just going to delete it. After further review, it seems they collected over 600 phone numbers and over 700 email headers and passwords. On top of that, they now say they are not going to delete the data because of ongoing investigations in the UK and Canada. Doesn't Google already collect tons of data through cookies and such and don't they have access to millions of Gmail accounts without needing to use streetview cars to get it. I don't believe Google to be evil and wanting to steal all this information to use against us. But this kind of mishap does lead me to believe them as stupid, and isn't stupid with power just as bad as evil?