What would Facebook be like if Google created it? The world might see an answer in Google+, the company’s newest social media site. It could be the next big thing, but because the site is only available for invited beta testers, not everyone can take a look inside and see for themselves.

IPFW information systems major and Google+ field tester Santhosh Venkatraman’s first reaction to the new site was “fantastic.” He said the most creative aspect of Google+ is the ability to sync albums from Picasa, Google’s photo-sharing site. He also said the site makes it “very easy to communicate and process.” It is the features like these, and the lack of applications like FarmVille, that many say set Google+ apart from Facebook.

Like the Picasa tool, Google+ often uses other Google applications to enhance the site. Google Search powers “sparks,” a special feed that only shows users articles and site relevant to selected interests. However, some features require exclusive-to-Google plug-ins and a Google account is necessary to sign in at all.

Despite the differences, the inside of Google+ resembles a Facebook feed. However, Facebook requires both users to add each other in order to share information. To share with someone on Google+, a user doesn’t need the other person’s permission – they only have to add them to their circles and begin posting. Though, they would only be able to see the other person’s public posts.

Circles also control what is shared with whom. By organizing different people into different circles, they can avoid sharing potentially awkward information about last night’s date with grandma and grandpa by not selecting the “family” circle. A person can also be added to two different circles at once, incase mom should really hear about how awesome the date was.

Another major feature of Google+ is the chat system, which the site calls “hangouts.” This is an open “room” in which users can video chat with each other. To start a hangout, a user can open it up and select which circles they want to hangout with. However, any user in the hangout can invite anyone else. The feature also requires the Google Voice and Video plug-in to use.

Though most of the features appear to be running smoothly, some of them are not completely available. Google+’s rival to Facebook’s “like” button, called “+1,” allows users to recommend outside articles or websites to the public. Although any site that can be found on a Google search can be +1’d, specific articles or videos might not yet boast a +1 button on the page.

This isn’t Google’s first dive into the world of social media. In 2009, Google Wave launched, a site that allowed users to share and edit in real time. However, the lack of users caused the company to shut it down after little over a year. Another Google-owned social site, Orkut, has received more popularity, though not in the United States as much as other countries.

Will Google+ face the same fate as Wave, or the American unpopularity of Orkut?

“Only time will tell,” said Venkatraman. He said he is hopeful and confident that it will be successful, though.

Because the site is still not open to the public, it might seem empty compared to bustling social media like Facebook or Twitter. This can leave current users disappointed and unable to fully utilize the site.

Such a reaction is “very unfair,” according to Venkatraman. “It still hasn’t established and still in the testing stage,” he said.

For those who are clamoring for an invitation but still can’t get it, tours of the site are available, as well as an e-mail subscription which will notify waiters when the site goes public.

It’s clear that iOS and Android gaming has exploded amongst adults. As for children, the Nintendo 3DS has an eye health warning on the box regarding how the technology has been found to damage the depth perception in children 7 or under. Regardless, this is as unbiased as I can be toward this new system.

Beginning with hardware, the device is relatively small, especially when compared to the predecessor, the Nintendo DSi XL. This small size is a positive aspect because it is easy to carry and conceal. It’s heavier, though. An odd choice in the design was to give the unit a glossy finish, which quickly becomes covered in fingerprints, making the unit constantly appear dirty.

The top screen – the one in 3D – is larger and has a better resolution than the touch screen below.

3D is probably the worst part of the unit. It just doesn’t add enough – at least in “Pilot Wings,” “Super Street Fighter IV 3D” and “Madden Football” – to really change how one experiences games to make a difference. The stereotypic 3D means that the user has to be at just the right angle and distance from the screen to correctly see the effect. I often found that I needed to refocus my eyes into the effect after naturally looking around the screen. After turning the 3D off, I didn’t see a disadvantage and, thus, don’t see a point in the technology. Graphically, the games are marginally better than the previous unit begging the question: why upgrade?

The 3D camera makes for some interesting pictures – especially with Face Raiders. The resolution isn’t very good and isn’t something you’ll want to use for anything other than games.

The most fun had with the unit was the augmented reality game. Though there isn’t a lot of material for this application at the moment, the future holds endless possibilities. Augmented reality is a manipulation of the environment in front of the 3DS camera to add something that really isn’t there. One game that I played had a dragon come out of the table I was looking at.

Overall the unit is pretty solid. I have started to notice the hinge-loosening issue that has been lighting up the Internet, but it’s nothing critical. I did find myself getting a headache after only 10 minutes playing in 3D, but if you’ve been to a 3d movie you’ll know your tolerance level.

The real negative lies in the battery life as it is much shorter than past units.

Would I recommend purchasing a unit? Not yet. If anything, I would wait for the obvious refresh unit in a year or at least until more software is available.

Right now, Verizon offers two devices that support their 4G network (not including laptop modems) — one being the HTC Thunderbolt Android smartphone and the other the Motorola Xoom tablet. However, Verizon will launch a few more 4G-enabled smartphones later this year from HTC, Motorola and Samsung.

[Press Release]

via [Engadget]

• Dual-Core Apple A5 processor — 2x faster
• 9.7-inch LED-backlit multi-touch display
• two built-in cameras. Front camera is for FaceTime video-conferencing and Photobooth and the back camera is capable of 720p HD video recording.
• Gyroscope (just like iPhone 4)
• 10-hour battery life
• HDMI-Out (will cost you $40, though)
• Will come with the new iOS 3.
• 3G works on both AT&T and Verizon networks.
• Wi-Fi model will be $499, $599, and $699 for the 16, 32 and 64GB models respectively. The Wi-Fi + 3G models will be $629, $729, and $829.

[Apple iPad]

According to its Web site, UNY was started by Rosemary, Willy and Robert after being challenged at an internship program to “do something good, famously.” With that, they provided four homeless men with pre-paid cell phones and a month of unlimited texting, taught them how to use Twitter and eagerly waited to see what results would come.

The four men, Carlos, Danny, Derrick and Albert, showed the broad range of variation in the story of every homeless person.

Carlos has a Master’s degree and 26 years of experience as a paralegal, while Albert is a former welder now training to become a chef and hopefully gain employment. Danny is a Puerto Rican immigrant with aspirations of becoming a writer, and Derrick is a former case manager who is active within his church and shelter. They unanimously agree that the amount of support they receive from followers has been an inspiration as they work to overcome their daily struggles and achieve their goals.

Although they all occasionally receive disparaging remarks and “mentions,” the responses to UNY have been overwhelmingly positive.

Danny’s followers even helped him to reunite with his daughter, whom he had not seen or heard from in 11 years. After appearing on a live interview the same day, he was contacted by other lost family members who informed him he is now a great-grandfather.

The founders of UNY are clear that the inspiration for this project did not spawn from the recent media coverage of Ted Williams, the “man with the golden voice.” The key factor in UNY is the 24/7 possibility of interaction with their followers, as opposed to only occasional media attention. The men involved in the project are permitted to tweet what they please, to whomever they choose and seek opportunities whenever possible.

The good fortunes which UNY has given them could lead to promising opportunities even if they discontinue using Twitter.

Friday, Feb. 25, Derrick tweeted, “I have 3 employment leads for today. I am on my way to the storage facility where I can change to a blazer and slacks.”

Danny is continuing to enjoy spending time with his daughter, evident from his recent tweet: “Going to meet with daughter today at Brayank park at 10 am.”

Albert’s test for his chef preparation is set for March 3, and Carlos is working diligently to start a business in credit collections, in order to use his Master’s degree and return to financial stability.

For more information about the project, visit www.underheardinnewyork.com.

“They behave just like the desktops do, (including) Windows 7 and iDrive access,” said Melanie, who works at the Student Lab Consultant Desk. “We (also) have internet cords here.” She noted that in the first ten days that the program has been available, it has been averagely successful.

“I’ve checked out five or six,” she said.

Each HP ProBook laptop can be borrowed for three hours at a time, with one three-hour renewal allowed. The computers are not allowed to leave the library, or be used within the 24-hour student lab connected to the library. Extra equipment like power cables, computer mice and internet cords, can also be checked out individually upon request. The ProBook itself is decked out with equipment; features include a DVD burner, Bluetooth, a video camera and much more.

The laptops are synced to the library’s printer system, so students can print out papers. All machines and equipment have to be returned to the library half an hour before the library closes. The equipment has to be returned over the counter—not through any of the book deposit facilities. To borrow, simply go to the Student Lab Consultant Desk on the first floor of the library.

Before picking a computer up, the library’s website displays how many are still available.

The laptop program is being sponsored by the Indiana Purdue Student Government Association (IPSGA), who provided funds for the initiative. The only fees that students might need to pay for the computers would be replacement fees, if the equipment was lost, broken or overdue.

The laptop checkout program aims to provide more innovation and ease of use for students who need to use campus computers for schoolwork. Each laptop can do everything that the desktops can—without making students wait for an open chair in the computer lab.

“Designed to be used in the confessional, this app is the perfect aid for every penitent. With a personalized examination of conscience for each user, password protected profiles, and a step-by-step guide to the sacrament, this app invites Catholics to prayerfully prepare for and participate in the Rite of Penance. Individuals who have been away from the sacrament for some time will find Confession: A Roman Catholic App to be a useful and inviting tool.” — iTunes Description.

Remember, this app doesn’t get you out of skipping confessional, but rather help Catholics through the process of admitting sins to a priest in a confessional booth.

First of all, be aware that AT&T’s network uses GSM (Global Systems for Mobile Communications) and Verizon uses CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access). GSM is more widely used throughout the world, making it ideal for users who travel around a lot. CDMA, on the other hand, is less popular and Verizon is one of the very few carriers who use it. Some technology experts consider CDMA a dead technology, but it’s still alive and doing just fine.

Obviously there are many differences between these two technologies and both have their advantages and disadvantages. AT&T phones (running on GSM) have SIM cards, making it easier for users to switch out phones, while Verizon phones (running on CDMA) do not use SIM cards, making it more difficult to switch phones (and probably why Verizon has a stricter phone upgrade policy. They just ousted their “new every two” program).

Verizon phones, however, generally are better at keeping calls connected than AT&T is. This is because CDMA uses bandwidth more efficiently and connects to multiple cell towers simultaneously rather than one at a time like GSM, making the switch to different cell towers easier for CDMA phones.

The general consensus is that AT&T is the faster network between the two and that is correct based off numerous speed tests that have been done, but the general consensus also is that Verizon has more coverage than any other carriers including Sprint and T-Mobile. Ultimately, it’s up to you which is more important: faster speeds or better coverage. With the future widespread implementation of 4G by both Verizon and AT&T, I think we’ll start to see the speeds of both carriers equalize over time. By then (around 2013), the true battle will be coverage.

One of the big disadvantages of Verizon that I have heard too many times is the inability to use data and voice at the same time. This means surfing the web on your phone while talking to someone. This can come in handy during those times where you quickly need to look something up while on a call with a friend or co-worker. AT&T has the ability to accomplish this. Again, it’s up to you whether or not you absolutely would want this feature. Keep in mind that Verizon is looking into a solution for this by the end of the year, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Lastly, a big advantage of the Verizon iPhone (as well as Android devices) is the 3G mobile hotspot feature, which lets you turn your iPhone into a WiFi hotspot where up to five devices can connect to it whether it’d be a laptop or another smartphone. It’s essentially wireless tethering and is something that AT&T has lacked (and their users want it badly). However, according to Boy Genius Report, all iPhones (including AT&T) will get the 3G mobile hotspot feature in an upcoming iPhone software update, no matter the carrier.

GSM (AT&T) and CDMA (Verizon) are two very different cellular technologies that offer their own advantages and disadvantages. You can argue with your friends all you want about which is the better carrier, but sadly, not one is better than the other. It’s all about personal preference and what one needs out of their smartphone. Choose wisely!

Students who frequent the Liberal Arts building may recall technical troubles at the beginning of the semester. Robert Kostrubanic, CIO and Director of Information Technology Services, and David Kistler, manager of IT Infrastructure Systems, explained that last summer, plans were initiated to replace all networks. The budget was stalled at Purdue for some six weeks, which extended into the fall semester and resulted in weeks of technical troubles for the Liberal Arts building, but recently new access points were installed for the third floor. Complaints have been in decline with this change.

All ten of IPFW’s computer labs utilize the Windows 7 operating system, although faculty members have the option of using Windows XP. The Novell network management system is used throughout campus, and according to Kostrubanic, it should not be blamed for any network issues.

“Novell is a good management system,” he assures.

Student Housing experiences internet troubles as well. One resident from Building C described the land connection in his dorm as occasionally “random.” Another from Building D reported the wireless connection as being “limited,” and claims to experience difficulty every two to three days on average.

However, all of those interviewed denied seeking help from the ITS Help Desk. Resident assistants declined comment.

Despite these concerns, exciting new developments are on the horizon for our technological future at IPFW. Kistler and Kostrubanic elaborated on plans to add a program known as Novell Teaming, which will offer blogs, wikis, chat, instant messaging, private groups and more to campus computers.

Additionally, the wireless network for Phase III of student housing is more stable and five times faster than the old one, with twice the range. This network will be added to Phases I and II in the spring, hopefully alleviating issues in buildings A through I.

In the mean time, students are urged to report technical issues to the ITS Help Desk. Specialists emphasized that unless students contact ITS, the problems cannot be addressed.