NFC Getting Momentum

The Near Field Communication (NFC) is gaining a momentum. Its usage will be propelled via mobile devices and would give a birth to many fantastic devices and applications.

Last week Apple introduced Retail 2.0 store that effectively used NFC.

To the heels of the Apple, Google took the techbology to the more practical and more wider usage. That is to enable credit card payments via mobile. This morning Google introduced an android App called Wallet. It uses RFID and NFC technology.

The usage of NFC in the Android mobile is going to propel a new set of innovation. Hence let us look at few facts about NFC:

1. Distance: 4 cm or less (may be increased to 20cm)
2. 13.56 Mhz
3. Speed 106Kb/s to 848KB/s
4. Typicall usage: “sharing, pairing, and transaction"
5. Passive or active (2way) communication models
6. Unlike Bluetooth, NFC doesn’t require pairing
7. NFC requires far less power than Bluetooth but its slower.
8. Drawback: not-secure (may be ok because of very short range)

Coming back to Wallet. It should be noted that all the android mobiles would not have NFC technology built in. Also the service provider (shops / retailers) should be have complimentary technology.

Is ChromeBook nothing but Larry's old idea of Network Internet Computer?

Google announced ChromeBooks at GoogleIO 2011 conference today with a great fan-far. Definitely it is an idea appropriate to current Web centric world. It seems to be giving right vibes. It's slick, fast to start, connected to web, secured, may be free from viruses, consumes low battery. It is consistent with today's cloud computing. In other word, it is perfect client device for a Cloud Computing world or new web. However, is it a real innovation? Larry had started Network computer concept and had launched a separate company for the same. May be it was ahead of time. Isn't ChromeBook recycled the same idea? Anyway, though it has an innovative subscription model for education and businesses, the cost is higher, 499 for wifi and 599 for wireless. Especially on the background of various efforts going on to introduce slick Netbook at $100. Moreover, at this price, the ChromeBook would get sandwiched between tablets and PCs. Read my detailed blog at:
http://texploration.wordpress.com/
http://texploration.wordpress.com/2011/05/12/is-chromebook-recycled-idea-of-netcomputing-would-it-be-sandwitched-between-tablets-and-laptops/

Hadoop is building a good momentum...

In EMC World this week, many new products based on Hadoop called launched.

EMC announced enterprise and community distribution as well as appliance of Apache Hadoop. This would be in competition with Cloudera which has a very good traction in Hadoop market. Moreover, Yahoo which has been pioneer in original contribution of Hadoop and a heavy user, is rumoured to be launching Hadoop spin-off. It has contributed Pig as a layer above Hadoop.

During the conference other products like Brisk,which makes Hadoop with Cassendra as a node, and SnapReduce from SnapLogic were also announced. Overall all of these are good indication of Hadoop traction. A more detailed note is in my other blog which is dedicated to emerging technologies and apps.

http://texploration.wordpress.com/2011/05/10/hadoop-based-products-launche/