Category Archives: Technology

What if I wanted a tablet that wasn’t an iPad?

Posted on June 2, 2011 by markkolier

They’re everywhere – iPads. On the train to New York City, on planes, all over the globe I see people using them more and more. As yet I have not succumbed to Apple or any other tablet maker. Part of … Continue reading →

Posted in Innovation, Living in the World Today, Technology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Solar Highways – could they be an answer to the energy question?

Posted on May 20, 2011 by markkolier

Because our company is actively working with green technology companies in China we all have a heightened sense of awareness in this area. One of our team members sent me a great link – about a 4+ minute video – … Continue reading →

Posted in Green Products, Innovation, Technology | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Will Microsoft acquisition destroy Skype?

Posted on May 11, 2011 by markkolier

With its $ 8.5 billion acquisition of Skype announced yesterday Microsoft will yet again be put under the microscope to examine how it will manage one of the world’s most popular web portals. Skype has more than 660 million members/users … Continue reading →

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Chinese version of Facebook – RenRen is and isn’t for everyone

Posted on May 6, 2011 by markkolier

One of the benefits to my studying Mandarin is recognizing some Chinese words and phrases. This week RenRen http://www.RenRen.com – a Chinese company raised $ 740 million in an IPO on the New York Stock Exchange. RenRen in Chinese means … Continue reading →

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Amazon’s music locker – a good idea that that record labels and publishers want to mess up

Posted on March 30, 2011 by markkolier

Yesterday Amazon.com introduced the concept of a ‘Music Locker’. As a longtime advocate of Amazon I have been following the development of this release and was excited about its practical nature and customer-centric approach. Amazon is trying (unlike its rivals) … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Marketing stuff, Technology | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

College Textbooks getting it on with Inkling

Posted on March 25, 2011 by markkolier

A business associate of mine recently moved to an interesting new startup in Silicon Valley called Inkling. The more I learn about this iPad application the more I like it – and like Adam Lashinsky’s fine March 23rd article in … Continue reading →

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At least digital tablets stop the magazine insert cards from falling out

Posted on March 23, 2011 by markkolier

Now that Motorola has its Xoom on the market, and RIM is ready to take orders for its new PlayBook tablet in April, Apple’s iPad will have to stand up to some competition after having the market all to itself … Continue reading →

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Tracking people down using social media

Posted on March 18, 2011 by markkolier

Last week I posted that I thought Facebook was heading toward being the new telephone. Social media is now the ‘party line’ platform where people are congregating both personally and professionally. In the last few weeks I have received many … Continue reading →

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The golden days of group couponing are almost over

Posted on March 16, 2011 by markkolier

Groupon http://www.groupon.com and Living Social http://www.livingsocial.com are red hot as the two of the most successful online social couponing sites with IPO’s in the offing for both companies. I’ve been getting the daily emails from both sites for quite some … Continue reading →

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Is Facebook the new telephone?

Posted on March 7, 2011 by markkolier

Since I am of a certain age (I was born when Ike was President of the U.S.), I have friends that refuse to engage on Facebook. While that is of course their right I cannot understand or even accept their … Continue reading →

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