All I Want for Christmas is a Google Android Phone?

Reflecting

Christmas has come and gone, and I have yet to receive my gift. Boo Hiss. That's right, the fact that Google was not able to launch it's new "Nexus One" phone in time for the holiday season has had a huge impact on whether I've been naughty or nice.

So since I've been waiting patiently for my techno gift, let's hope Santa, I mean Google, doesn't Grossly disappointment.

Understanding

First, it's imperative that I fully disclose that I have not seen or read anything official regarding the new Google phone. Even Google has not made any announcements, although there has been a lot of chatter on Twitter by Google employees who apparently were given an opportunity to test drive the device before launch.

Negotiating

I have to admit that I have been a faithful and zealous user of my Iphone over the last two years and keep my iTouch handy just in case I want to multi-task while talking (no, Virginia, I would never do this while driving -- DC and now VA law doesn't allow this).

So to make a clean break from Apple in the area of telecommunications (while keeping my Mac Pro and i Mac for life) is a huge and dramatic shift for me.

So this multi-part article is purely speculation on what I think the Google phone (if it does indeed launch) will include and is based on what I believe the company stands for and the sectors they already control.

I want to also disclose that if the Google phone does not provide the features that I've indicated, it will be much ado about nothing.

Innovating

Google's main asset is their custom search engine powered by their proprietary Page Rank (named after founder Larry Page while doing a research project at Stanford in 1998).

Page Rank assigns a numerical weighting to each element of a hyperlinked set of documents in order to measure its relative importance in the web.

Despite this, Google is not only the most innovative search engine company ever. They are a monstrous media company that owns, controls and hosts a tremendous amount of content in all shapes and sizes. In a sense, by uploading your video on YouTube, or posting your blog on Blogspot, Google has a right to reproduce, display or distribute your content as they please.

As you might expect, the first new feature of the Google phone will be right up their alley.

Search Engine -- this will be an application that will have its own icon on the touchscreen (unlike the Iphone). But you say, the Android (such as the T-Mobile G1 and the Verizon Eris) already has a Google Search application -- one that is also voice activated.

But also unlike the G1 and Iphone, you will be able to customize your search engine by creating an IGoogle page (In order to set this up, you will have to already own a Google account. If you don't already own one, I'm sure Google will be happy to provide you one.

Many Gmail users already have setup their own customized iGoogle pages. One may ask what's all the fuss -- one simple word -- gadgets.

You'll be able to create your own gadget for weather, sports scores, movie showtimes -- a whole myriad of personalized information right at your fingertips -- and can be accessed directly off the touchscreen. As with the Android, there will voice commands to not only conduct a search or to surf the web, but also to select an item within a gadget.

This type of personalized information was always relevant and useful when available on my desktop at home or in my office. But on the road, when I really need to check the weather, traffic, store hours or even curious to know how my Gators, Braves or Capitals are doing -- this personalized information is priceless.

Next, I will discuss the Google Earth feature on the new Google Phone.

wherever you are and all all times, this information is considered priceless.

Second Life is Good for the Environment, but is it good for Humans?

"The world used to be flat -- now it's going 3-Dimensional."

In the early 80's most kids were unaware of the existence of computers. Today our children are the future, they are the legs on which the world stands to move forth into a new era. The virtual age is upon us and if a person is unwilling to join this new world order, they will be left in the dark, with but a piece of college rule paper and a pen and a paper bin nearby to catch rolled up scrap paper.

It is quite possible that future managers will function in virtual, work and enjoy in office space like Second Life. Unless corporations need to meet with customers or they need to be present to manufacturing something tangible, many employees will not even bother commuting to work, but will function, socialize and optimize via Second Life. People will also avoid taking some vacations or even going out, and will conduct their rest, relaxation and socializing in a virtual, cost-free, anything-goes world.

But hey, I know it's not natural, but is it all that bad. In SL, you can get more profound and deeper (after all, you can scuba dive without tanks) than real life or jump to get a 50,000 feet view (flying is one of the biggest perks).

There is a flip side to every coin. For every yin there will be a yang. For ever light there is a dark. The same boded true for second life. While it is a great way to meet people and to communicate with people far away, it is also a tool to separate the masses. It is an on going joke between some of my friends and I that the more friends you have on facebook and myspace, the less friends you have in real life. Sometimes it feels like interactive games like World of Warcraft and Second life is taking away from the physical aspect of a relationship and communication.

Pretty soon reality will become virtual. No physical contact allowed except through the virtual lines of the internet. You want to go on a date, it is a virtual date between you, your computer and a webcam. While this is an extreme case, it can quite possibly become the reality if we don't curtail our obsession with the cyberworld and have at least some time for the physical in the present world. By no means am I saying that social media is not relevant or even helpful, but it still burns true, too much of anything is never good.

However, I see great value in slipping on SL so that you can shine in Real life (RL). Now let me get back to my Avatar and teleport to Bali -- I have a date I need to impress. LOL.