Everyone else calls them briefs. We wanted to be different. So in this space we’ll present a semi-regular look at tech-related news and trends from other sources that could have an impact on how we do business. Or, a look at stuff that just makes us laugh.
RIP Flip
The venerable Flip camera was killed off recently by Cisco which bought the brand in 2009 for $590 million. Analysts say Flip had trouble keeping up in an iPhone world and that Cisco never quite figured out how to integrate a consumer electronics product into their lineup of servers and services. Could this leave the door open for growth for Kodak, which maintains a healthy line of small video recorders, or will smart phones with video capabilities continue to grow and replace such devices? How are you handling small video projects at your schools? Will you mourn Flip? Tell us what you’re up to in the comments section.
But They Still Won’t be Able to Take a Walk of Shame
Mashable reports that Google and Tel Aviv University researchers want to teach computers “regret.” That means they want the machines to figure out how wrong they were when they get something wrong, learn from that, and then make a better decision the next chance they get. The researchers are working on algorithms that help the computer prioritize better by sensing where the “mistakes” were made. This has implications for improving “packet routing, load balancing and prioritizing server resource requests by being able to evaluate all the relevant variables in advance and make the best possible decision,” Mashable says.
Now, if they could just teach regret and shame to the management of the New York Mets.
Insert Picture of Giant Ball of Twine Here
More from your Google overlords: Google Mapmaker is finally coming to the United States, according to the folks at CNET. The crowd-sourcing map app is already used in 183 other countries. The upshot, CNET says, could be vastly more detailed maps than are currently available online. You’ll likely see people editing in things like temporary street closures and much more detailed commercial data. Anyone can edit a map, but there will be levels of access –the more experienced a user you are, the faster your changes will be reflected in a map, and crews of super users will vet changes. Google Maps, Google Earth and Google’s mobile presences are all going to have access to the data. It’s possible that Mapmaker will have big benefits for college campuses. Some campuses look awfully sparse on current versions of online maps and it’s easy to see users editing in features on campuses that previously seemed featureless. Take a look at Mapmaker here.
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