# skatter
> a collection of sahas's thoughts
Public Ghost content for AI and LLM tooling. Use `/llms-full.txt` for consolidated page and post context.
Append `.md` to any post or page URL to get the content in Markdown (for example, `/example-post.md`).

## Pages
- [About this site](https://www.skatter.com/about.md) - My name is Sahas Katta. I started writing about technology in 2004 as a teenager and eventually created a website named Skatter Tech. At one point, this blog was actively maintained with over a million monthly page views and several incredible contributors. I have largely left this website running…

## Posts
- [5 EV charging trends to watch in 2020](https://www.skatter.com/5-ev-charging-trends-to-watch-in-2020.md) - EV charging technology is rapidly expanding and evolving in the United States and beyond. The global EV charging stations market is expected to grow by almost 50% over the next seven years. As 2019 comes to an end, we have decided to take a look at the industry and to summarize the most important tr
- [Electric vehicle highlights from AutoMobility LA 2019](https://www.skatter.com/automobility-la-2019.md) - More than 65 vehicles debuted at AutoMobility LA this year. Roughly 35% of those were hybrid and electric vehicles. While many automakers introduced their new cars directly at the show, others held press conferences at their own offices. Here’s a breakdown of the most exciting announcements we heard
- [OneDrive Needs These 4 Features](https://www.skatter.com/onedrive-needs-these-4-features.md) - I have been using Dropbox since 2010 and have nearly 290 GB of storage space in my account. However, I decided to give OneDrive another shot since it comes integrated deeply with my new Windows 8.1 device out-of-the-box. Unlike Dropbox which currently lacks document editing capabilities, OneDrive br
- [Hello Smartcar](https://www.skatter.com/hello-smartcar.md) - Although I do not blog too regularly over here anymore, I would like to share something which I began working on a few months ago. This morning I’m launching Smartcar which aspires to bring automation to the next-generation of connected vehicles. Here’s what it does: We’re starting with two features
- [Should your start-up host a launch party?](https://www.skatter.com/should-your-start-up-host-a-launch-party.md) - Start-ups have come into vogue. Today’s Silicon Valley has brogrammers, swag galore, and even its own reality TV show. Geeks are the new party rockers and we’re starting to see the resurrection of crazy start-up launch parties. Lean mean start-up machines will tell you that launch parties are poor c
- [Surface Pro: What The Kickstand?](https://www.skatter.com/surface-pro-what-the-kickstand.md) - I decided to purchase a Microsoft Surface Pro when it made a debut last month. It seemed like the perfect device which could function both as a laptop and a tablet. Since it features a full-blown Windows 8 Pro operating system, I could use for just about anything including Photoshop or running Ubunt
- [How To Build A Dream Team](https://www.skatter.com/how-to-build-a-dream-team.md) - Guest Author: Pierre-Simon Ntiruhungwa (@pierresn) is a French student in ESCP Europe Business School, currently interning in Ifeelgoods in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is the co-founder of the student organization Silicon Students and the summer program Startup Dream Team. Ideas are cheap. They a
- [Paidpiper Links Brand Engagement with Mobile Payments](https://www.skatter.com/paidpiper-links-brand-engagement-with-mobile-payments.md) - The days of window shopping are coming to an end for some customers. Instead of holding off on a purchase for a better price, shoppers can use Paidpiper to engage with businesses for immediate rewards. Paidpiper is a mobile CRM platform that lets brands directly communicate with consumers. Businesse
- [$10 Million Later, The Pebble Smart Watch Is Sold Out On Kickstarter](https://www.skatter.com/10-million-later-the-pebble-smart-watch-is-sold-out-on-kickstarter.md) - The dorm room isn’t just a place of innovation for the all too familiar tale of creating mobile apps and social networks. Eric Migicovsky, the creator of the Pebble e-paper watch, started working on smart watches four years ago in his dorm room at TU Delft. In 2010, Migicovsky launched the inPulse b
- [My Top 5: The New 500 Batch](https://www.skatter.com/my-top-5-the-new-500-batch.md) - Last fall, I took a leave of absence from college and had the pleasure of being part of the third batch of 500 Startups. I’m excited for this new class to experience the strength of the 500 community, the best workspace view of Silicon Valley and the work hard, play hard mentality. Many of our…
- [I Got My Laptop & A Windows Phone. Both Are Up For Auction. 100% Of Proceeds Go To Charity.](https://www.skatter.com/i-got-my-laptop-a-windows-phone-both-are-up-for-auction-100-of-proceeds-go-to-charity.md) - Just a few hours after publishing a story regarding my experience participating in the Windows Phone challenge at the Santa Clara Microsoft Store, my article hit the Reddit front-page. It was not long before dozens of publications picked up the story as well. Microsoft Evangelist Ben Rudolph (@BenTh
- [I Won The Windows Phone Challenge, But Lost “Just Because”](https://www.skatter.com/i-won-the-windows-phone-challenge-but-lost-just-because.md) - I headed down to the Santa Clara Microsoft Store this morning after hearing about the Windows Phone challenge last night. For those not familiar, anyone who completes a task faster than a Windows Phone on their own smart phone can win a $1000 Special Edition Laptop assuming they meet some standard t
- [The Next iPad](https://www.skatter.com/the-next-ipad.md) - After spending about a week with the third-generation iPad which went on sale last Friday after Apple’s grand unveiling in San Francisco earlier this month, here are several features I hope will go into next year’s model. Stereo Speakers This one seems trivial, but will go a long way. Every iPad to
- [Online Communities Influence The Anti-Piracy Act](https://www.skatter.com/online-communities-influence-the-anti-piracy-act.md) - It is well-known that a bill called the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) could ultimately lead to online censorship as dictated by government protocol. Erik Martin, general manager of Reddit, put it best, explaining that, “SOPA would kill Reddit” and other community-driven forums of its nature. Not eve
- [Go Daddy Draws Heat for Supporting S.O.P.A.](https://www.skatter.com/go-daddy-draws-heat-for-supporting-s-o-p-a.md) - The Stop Online Piracy Act (aka. S.O.P.A) has been making headlines around the web in recent weeks. The bill introduced by the U.S. House of Representatives aims to cut down illegal file sharing. However its critics say the bill will do more harm than good. Big tech companies such as Google and Face
- [3M Mobile Projector Giveaway – $299 Value](https://www.skatter.com/3m-mobile-projector-giveaway-299-value.md) - Looking to get your hands on a mobile projector? You are in the right place. Though this technology is relatively new, 3M already has a few years of experience in the field. For those not keeping tabs, we published reviews of the MPro120 last year and the Shoot ‘n Share eearlier this year. The lates
- [Ford Focus 2012: SYNC With MyFord Touch (Review)](https://www.skatter.com/ford-focus-2012-sync-with-myford-touch-review.md) - About a week ago, our friends at Ford lent Skatter Tech a brand new 5-door Focus 2012 Hatchback Titanium for an opportunity to check out the latest in-car tech. For those not familiar, the Microsoft-powered SYNC platform first made a debut at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show. Ford has since built on this
- [TwoSides Simplifying Online Social Debate](https://www.skatter.com/twosides-simplifying-online-social-debate.md) - What does it mean to be an informed voter? To me it means to throughly research and understand all the different choices that I have as a voter. My research process involves reading articles from multiple news sources, listening to pundits on the radio, and watching talking heads on television. And
- [Spotify Introduces Private Listening Following Forced Facebook Integration](https://www.skatter.com/spotify-introduces-private-listening-following-forced-facebook-integration.md) - When Spotify first made a debut in the United States, creating an account was easy as filling out a form. Though the service has included Facebook integration since launch, a Facebook account was never necessary to register for the service. Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worst earlier thi
- [Motorola Xoom Finally Gets An Upgrade For Verizon Wireless 4G LTE](https://www.skatter.com/motorola-xoom-finally-gets-an-upgrade-for-verizon-wireless-4g-lte.md) - For those not keeping track, the Motorola Xoom made a debut in early January at the Consumer Electronics Show. Verizon Wireless picked up the tablet and assured customers a 4G LTE upgrade would be just a few weeks away. We got our hands on a unit in mid-March and the upgrade was still unavailable wh
- [Google Analytics Gets Real-Time Data](https://www.skatter.com/google-analytics-gets-real-time-data.md) - As a 5-year-long user of Google Analytics, there is one feature I have eagerly awaited: real-time data. For those who do not remember, Google actually acquired a company named Urchin in 2005 before making this website tracking technology freely available to all. Competitors including Clicky, Chartbe
- [Samsung Mobile Schedules An Unpacked “Google Episode” Event At CTIA](https://www.skatter.com/samsung-mobile-schedules-an-unpacked-google-episode-event-at-ctia.md) - Just a couple of hours ago, Samsung’s PR team sent over an invite for an event entitled “Google Episode” that takes place in the San Diego Convention Center on October 11th during CTIA. While the email did not state any more details aside from the specific location and the 11:30 AM starting time, th
- [Pulse News Reader Debuts On Windows Phone](https://www.skatter.com/pulse-news-reader-debuts-on-windows-phone.md) - Though Alphonso Labs only had Android and iOS apps available when we published a review of Pulse News Reader earlier this year, the company finally rolled out a Windows Phone app earlier this week. Though there are slight variations between each platform, the overall concept remains the same. When a
- [Amazon Introduces The Kindle, Kindle Touch, And Kindle Fire](https://www.skatter.com/amazon-introduces-the-kindle-kindle-touch-and-kindle-fire.md) - Earlier today, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos announced four new Kindle devices at a press conference in Seattle. The new offerings start at an affordable $79 price-point for a basic e-book reader and a premium multimedia-rich Kindle Fire retails for $199. For those wondering, Amazon clearly isn’t limiting i
- [Mark Your Calendar, Apple Makes October 4th iPhone Event Official](https://www.skatter.com/mark-your-calendar-apple-makes-october-4th-iphone-event-official.md) - Yesterday, Apple sent out invites out to journalist for an October 4th event. While speculation is ablaze regarding the next iPhone, the announcement will most likely bring news of a fifth iPhone — not an iPhone 5. Taking a cue from previous release cycles, Apple will probably follow tradition relea
- [The HTC Amaze And The Samsung Galaxy S II Arrive On T-Mobile](https://www.skatter.com/the-htc-amaze-and-the-samsung-galaxy-s-ii-arrive-on-t-mobile.md) - Earlier this week, T-Mobile announced availability for the HTC Amaze and the Samsung Galaxy S II. Though the carrier is potentially in troubled water due to hold ups regarding the AT&T acquisition, these devices still make a bold statement. In addition to 4G network capabilities, the Amaze and the G
- [Posterous Pivots Into Spaces](https://www.skatter.com/posterous-pivots-into-spaces.md) - We recently caught up with Posterous CEO, Sachin Agarwal, at Tech Crunch Disrupt and had a chance to learn about the company’s new product, Spaces. The new service allows users to create individual “spaces” or microblogs for each group of users in which members can share content. Along with Spaces,
- [Amazon Schedules September 28th Press Event, A Tablet Is Imminent](https://www.skatter.com/amazon-schedules-september-28th-press-event-a-tablet-is-imminent.md) - Surprise, surprise. Amazon sent out invitations to a vague press conference taking place on September 28th, just four days from now. What could they possibly want our attention for? Oh right, the upcoming Amazon Tablet. Numerous sources have spread rumors about it for quite some time. The device sou
- [Introducing The Facebook Timeline: The Story Of Your Life](https://www.skatter.com/introducing-the-facebook-timeline-the-story-of-your-life.md) - Earlier today, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg took the stage at the San Francisco Concourse Exhibition Center to announce a major revamp to the world’s largest social network at the company’s annual F8 Developer Conference. The big news is an evolved profile page which goes by the name timeline. Faceb
- [Twitter Adds Support For Sharing Photos Through SMS](https://www.skatter.com/twitter-adds-support-for-sharing-photos-through-sms.md) - When 200 140 characters is not enough, attach a photo. After all, a photo is worth a thousand words and in Twitter currency that is nearly 25 tweets. In a press release today on Twitter’s Blog, the company announced that users can now post pictures by SMS. Simply attach a picture to the text of your
- [Pandora’s New HTML5-Based Website Now Available For All](https://www.skatter.com/pandoras-new-html5-based-website-now-available-for-all.md) - Pandora’s website has been in need of a redesign for quite some time now, and they have finally gotten around to doing just that. Starting today, the online music service is rolling out a new design to everyone, though paid members have had access for a few months. It makes the site look like a…
- [Google+ Now Open To All, Brings Hangouts To Android, And Introduces Search Too](https://www.skatter.com/google-now-open-to-all-brings-hangouts-to-android-and-introduces-search-too.md) - Just two days before the Facebook F8 conference kicks off with anticipated news of a major revamp, Google just pulled the trigger and announced several new additions to Google+. For starters, the 90 day old social network is lifting the original invitation-only system and opening up to the public. F
- [The Netflix Story Every Journalist Missed: Qwikster Is A Setup For Sale](https://www.skatter.com/the-netflix-story-every-journalist-missed-qwikster-is-a-setup-for-sale.md) - Over the past day or so, tech pundits have ranted and raged over Netflix’s decision to spin-off their DVD business into a separate entity named Qwikster. Just a quick glance at TechMeme reveals thoughts from TechCrunch, Gizmodo, Technologzier, PC World, CNN Money, Fast Company, VentureBeat, GigaOm,
- [D-Link DCS-932L Wireless Surveillance Camera (Review)](https://www.skatter.com/d-link-dcs-932l-wireless-surveillance-camera-review.md) - While there are many ways to keep an eye on your home, just about every option comes with a drawback. Professional security systems are too expensive and consumer-oriented options are often overly complicated. Skatter Tech reviewed the competing Avaak VueZone earlier this year, but there was one maj
- [Netflix Separates DVD Business, Re-brands It As Qwikster](https://www.skatter.com/netflix-separates-dvd-business-re-brands-it-as-qwikster.md) - Netflix announced yet another controversial move adding more chaos to the mob of already unsatisfied customers. Just a few weeks after the company recently increased prices for its on-demand streaming and DVD-by-mail services in an effort to separate the two offerings, Netflix is now completely rebr
- [Share Files With Friends In Real-Time With Ge.tt](https://www.skatter.com/share-files-with-friends-in-real-time-with-ge-tt.md) - Sharing files with family and friends is easy right? Unfortunately, just about every solution has drawbacks. While free services may often seem convenient, advertisements generally infest these websites. Legitimate solutions generally require creating an account which is a hassle. Fortunately, there
- [OnLive MicroConsole (Review)](https://www.skatter.com/onlive-microconsole-review.md) - Playing a brand new game generally requires a computer with the latest hardware or a current-generation gaming console such as the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, or Wii. OnLive’s service essentially shakes up these traditional necessities with a new streaming technology. With a constant high-speed network
- [Shaker: The New Tech Afterparty](https://www.skatter.com/shaker-the-new-tech-afterparty.md) - Are you too shy to go to a real party and meet someone? Want to do it from the comfort of your own home? Maybe invite some friends to join you too? Meet Shaker, it is this year’s Tech Crunch Disrupt winner. Shaker is a Facebook App which creates an online party with music, drinks,…
- [The Subscribe Button: Facebook’s Poor Attempt To Be Twitter](https://www.skatter.com/the-subscribe-button-facebooks-poor-attempt-to-be-twitter.md) - Did you hear the news? Facebook is launching a new Subscribe button for profiles, but it actually has a different functionality depending the type of friendship. If you are friends with a person, using the Subscribe button allows controlling just how much you see of them in your News Feed. If you ar
- [Microsoft Unveils Windows 8 Developer Preview](https://www.skatter.com/microsoft-unveils-windows-8-developer-preview.md) - Microsoft today gave an extensive preview of Windows 8 at their BUILD conference. The company only showcased the tablet-optimized version of Windows 8, since the operating system has two different faces. It looks like a very unique approach, but does bring one particular concern to mind. There is no
- [Shout A Tweet: Broadcasting Your Message Through Supporters](https://www.skatter.com/shout-a-tweet-broadcasting-your-message-through-supporters.md) - Imagine a virtual flashmob on Twitter feed. All your followers broadcasting the same message at the same time. A team out of Startup Weekend San Jose in April 2011, set out to create that exact tool. Over the course of 48 hours the team coded and launched it only fourteen hours after writing the fir
- [RingShuffle: Disposable Phone Numbers For Awkward Situations](https://www.skatter.com/ringshuffle-disposable-phone-numbers-for-awkward-situations.md) - How many times have you needed a burner number to give to a random contractor, a car dealer who is going to call you over and over, or a girl that you met at a party that you are not sure if you want to see again? Perhaps, maybe not the last scenario, but there…
- [Dolphin Browser Makes Its Way To The iPad](https://www.skatter.com/dolphin-browser-makes-its-way-to-the-ipad.md) - Tired of the stock Safari iPad browser? You are in luck. The Dolphin Browser HD is finally available in a tablet-optimized layout for the Apple iPad beginning today to complement the existing iPhone iteration. MoboTap, the company behind this app, already has offerings for Android smart phones and t
- [Titan And Radar: Two Sleek, But Large New Phones From HTC](https://www.skatter.com/titan-and-radar-two-sleek-but-large-new-phones-from-htc.md) - HTC recently unveiled two new Windows Phone 7 devices: the Titan and the Radar. If you thought HTC made good-looking phones before, you have not seen anything yet. These two phones raise the bar for style, so much that they are perhaps comparable to the iPhone 4. And they pack a ton of features. I…
- [Bing And Twitter Flirt Over Renewed Real-Time Search Partnership](https://www.skatter.com/bing-and-twitter-flirt-over-renewed-real-time-search-partnership.md) - Editor’s Note: Paul Paliath, founder of GeekSmack, contributed this article. Get a room. At least that’s what Microsoft’s Stefan Weitz jokingly uttered when @Bing and @Twitter had a flirty exchange of tweets on Tuesday. Turns out it was a lighthearted way to reveal the news that Microsoft confirmed
- [Facebook Updates Mobile App With Friend Tagging, New Privacy Controls](https://www.skatter.com/facebook-updates-mobile-app-with-friend-tagging-new-privacy-controls.md) - Facebook has finally updated its iPhone and iPod touch app to stay in sync with the new features on the desktop website. The app finally supports tagging friends in status updates. The social network redesigned the “Update Status” UI to incorporate friend tagging, location tagging, adding photos, an
- [The Motorola Droid Bionic Is Finally Available For Verizon Wireless Customers](https://www.skatter.com/the-motorola-droid-bionic-is-finally-available-for-verizon-wireless-customers.md) - For those who have forgotten, Motorola and Verizon Wireless first announced the Droid Bionic about 9 months ago at CES 2011 in January. After several delays and speculation on whether the device would ever make a debut, the Droid Bionic is finally here. Motorola and Verizon Wireless issued a press r
- [Reddit Becomes Reddit, Inc. And Begins Breaking Away From Conde Nast](https://www.skatter.com/reddit-becomes-reddit-inc-and-begins-breaking-away-from-conde-nast.md) - After Condé Nast acquired Reddit five years ago, the publisher often struggled to allocate an appropriate amount of resources to ensure its social news site could flourish. Despite that, Reddit has grown from having 700k page views a day to just as much traffic in 15 minutes according to the company
- [Yahoo Fires CEO Carol Bartz, Appoints Tim Morse As Interim CEO](https://www.skatter.com/yahoo-fires-ceo-carol-bartz-appoints-tim-morse-as-interim-ceo.md) - Editor’s Note: Paul Paliath, founder of GeekSmack, contributed this article. Following a breaking news report by AllThingsD, Yahoo has confirmed that its Board of Directors has fired Carol Bartz from her position as CEO. CFO Tim Morse will fill the role of interim CEO as Yahoo’s Board of Directors c
- [Jabra Introduces Two New Headsets For Sports](https://www.skatter.com/jabra-introduces-two-new-headsets-for-sports.md) - According to a recent survey, 52 percent of participants indicated that they listen to music while running. 60 percent said they have answered phone calls while exercising. These statistics are key factors for why Jabra is introducing two new Bluetooth headsets into its sports line — The Jabra Sport
- [Wacom Introduces Inkling To Bridge The Gap Between Paper And Tablets](https://www.skatter.com/wacom-introduces-inkling-to-bridge-the-gap-between-paper-and-tablets.md) - Nearly two years ago, we took a look at the Wacom Bamboo Pen & Touch which lets users write with a pressure sensitive pen and take advantage of multi-touch gestures. For those not familiar, Wacom does not announce new products too often and the ones they do release are generally top-notch. Yesterday
- [HTC Jetstream Lands With Android 3.1 And AT&T 4G LTE](https://www.skatter.com/htc-jetstream-lands-with-android-3-1-and-att-4g-lte.md) - There are quite a few firsts going on with the HTC Jetstream. It is the first tablet from HTC people actually care about, the first tablet to ship with Android 3.1 Honeycomb, and AT&T’s first 4G/LTE tablet. The HTC Jetstream features a 10.1-inch display with a 1280 x 800 WXGA resolution. A dual-core
- [Long Live The HP TouchPad](https://www.skatter.com/long-live-the-hp-touchpad.md) - HP has seen the light in the TouchPad tablet. Or more specifically, HP has seen the light in tremendous price cuts. Mark Budgell made a surprising announcement yesterday: Since we announced the price drop, the number of inquiries about the product and the speed at which it disappeared from inventory
- [Sony Tablet P and Tablet S Available Today For Pre-Order](https://www.skatter.com/sony-tablet-p-and-tablet-s-available-today-for-pre-order.md) - Earlier this year in April, Sony announced plans to release two unique Android Honeycomb tablets in Fall. Sticking to schedule, today marks the pre-sale for the Tablet S and the Tablet P which will hit store shelves next month. “These devices truly represent the best of everything Sony has to offer,
- [Motorola Droid 3 – Verizon Wireless (Review)](https://www.skatter.com/motorola-droid-3-verizon-wireless-review.md) - The Droid 3 is the third iteration of Motorola’s iconic premium line following the debut of the original Droid in late 2009 and the Droid 2 in 2010. The latest model sets itself apart from the rest in terms of design and features. This smart phone is larger than previous generation models and shows
- [Windows 8 Explorer Sticks To Ribbon Interface Despite New Metro UI](https://www.skatter.com/windows-8-explorer-sticks-to-ribbon-interface-despite-new-metro-ui.md) - Today, Steven Sinofsky took to the Microsoft Developer Network blog to announce an update on Windows 8. The Explorer, which is the central file manager for the operating system, is getting a major face-lift. For those not familiar, the Explorer has been a part of Windows since version 1.0. A few mon
- [5 Things To Expect With The iPhone 4S](https://www.skatter.com/5-things-to-expect-with-the-iphone-4s.md) - Editor’s Note: Parth Dhebar (@pdparticle) is the Founder of Simple-Reviews (@simple_reviews), a blog that features simplified reviews for Apple iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch apps. In addition, he leads Community and Business Development efforts at Teens in Tech Labs. This year at the World Wide Devel
- [Steve Jobs Resigns As Apple CEO](https://www.skatter.com/steve-jobs-resigns-as-apple-ceo.md) - It is my incredible misfortune to report on this sad evening that Steve Jobs has resigned. The world-famous Apple CEO has been battling cancer since the beginning of the year. He announced a medical leave in January and, with no signs of any improvement in health, made one final announcement today.
- [Reminder: Neflix Price Hike Takes Effect Next Week](https://www.skatter.com/reminder-neflix-price-hike-takes-effect-next-week.md) - Last month, we reported Netflix would introduce new rates. As we are only about a week away from the September 1st price increases, here is a friendly reminder for those who may want to switch plans. Customers paying for the Unlimited Streaming plan are safe. Pricing will remain at $7.99 per month f
- [Facebook Makes Major Changes To Sharing And Privacy Controls](https://www.skatter.com/facebook-makes-major-changes-to-sharing-and-privacy-controls.md) - In a move that many will call an attempt to compete with unique features of Google+, Facebook made some major upgrades to sharing and privacy controls earlier today. The focus is to give users more power over the specific friends they share content with. Privacy One of the changes Facebook made to p
- [Want A Messaging Plan? AT&T Now Says It’s Either All Or Nothing](https://www.skatter.com/want-a-messaging-plan-att-now-says-its-either-all-or-nothing.md) - I really like using the “Rethink Possible” logo as the header image for these types of AT&T articles. It is so humorously ironic. Indeed, AT&T is once again forcing us to rethink what is possible by taking away even more possibilities. This time, it is in regards to text messaging plans. Engadget fi
- [RIM Refreshes BlackBerry Lineup With Three New Devices](https://www.skatter.com/rim-refreshes-blackberry-lineup-with-three-new-devices.md) - With Android and iOS taking the lead, Research In Motion (RIM) is in trouble as it slowly continues to leak customers quarter after quarter. The company is trying to push back strong with three new BlackBerry models which are available on all the major carriers: AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon W
- [With The Motorola Acquisition, Google Crosses Over To The Dark Side](https://www.skatter.com/with-the-motorola-acquisition-google-crosses-over-to-the-dark-side.md) - “We welcome everyone with open arms, while Motorola continues its war with Microsoft and Apple barely acknowledges our existence as a threat. It is time all of this changed, no matter the cost.” I imagine something along the lines of the quote above was going through the minds of Google before the c
- [Google Acquires Motorola Mobility For $12.5 Billion](https://www.skatter.com/google-acquires-motorola-mobility-for-12-5-billion.md) - This morning, Google announced an agreement in which it would acquire Motorola Mobility for a total of $12.5 billion to “supercharge the Android ecosystem.” For those not familiar, Motorola split into to companies earlier this year in January: Motorola Mobility and Motorola Solutions. According to t
- [In High Res: Future Apple Cupertino Campus Photos](https://www.skatter.com/in-high-res-future-apple-cupertino-campus-photos.md) - With Apple stealing the spotlight from Exxon Mobil as the most valuable company in the world, it can do just about anything these days — especially with $78 billion on hand. One of the largest upcoming milestones for the Cupertino-based company is a new futuristic campus. Apple CEO Steve Jobs presen
- [Opera Mini vs Opera Mobile: What’s The Difference?](https://www.skatter.com/opera-mini-vs-opera-mobile-whats-the-difference.md) - I choose to give Firefox for Android a test drive a few days ago and decided give Opera for Android a shot too. After searching the Android Market, I was a bit confused to find two apps: Opera Mini and Opera Mobile. The difference between the two was not entirely clear. After looking into the matter
- [Logitech HD Pro C910 Webcam Giveaway – $99 Value](https://www.skatter.com/logitech-hd-pro-c910-webcam-giveaway-99-value.md) - Last month, Skatter Tech reviewed the Logitech HD Pro C910 Webcam and today we are giving it away to one of our lucky readers. Sure, just about every laptop now has a built-in webcam, but yours probably does not record video in 1080p and support 720p video chat — it even has a microphone. For those
- [Samsung, I Am Done With The Galaxy Tab 10.1](https://www.skatter.com/samsung-i-am-done-with-the-galaxy-tab-10-1.md) - Shortly after the Google I/O 2011 Conference, I published a review of the Galaxy Tab 10.1. There were some bugs and only a handful of apps, but I truly felt the Android Honeycomb platform had potential and expected Samsung to push for the tablet’s success. Unfortunately, I was wrong. Very wrong. Aft
- [Google+ Now Has Games](https://www.skatter.com/google-now-has-games.md) - Google continues to make progress with its latest and most successful attempt at a social network. Today Google+ adds games. It is a great implementation that will not distract from the social aspects of the website. To get started, users can just click the new games icon in the navigation bar at th
- [Twitter’s New Activity Feed Mimics Facebook Functionality](https://www.skatter.com/twitters-new-activity-feed-mimics-facebook-functionality.md) - Just hours ago, Twitter began rolling out some new features to help users stay in the loop. The new additions are available under a new tab on the home page named Activity. The stream surfaces what people you follow are doing around Twitter. This includes tweets they recently favorited and retweeted
- [Cancel Your Texting Plan: Facebook Just Released A Messaging App](https://www.skatter.com/cancel-your-texting-plan-facebook-just-released-a-messaging-app.md) - As messaging continues to grow on both cell phones and smart phones alike, the outrageous prices carriers are charging us just is not cutting it anymore. Companies like RIM and Apple have taken it upon themselves to offer free messaging systems for mobile phones. Now Facebook is stepping in to that
- [HP TouchPad Gets 4G, Other Speed Boosts For The Right Price](https://www.skatter.com/hp-touchpad-gets-4g-other-speed-boosts-for-the-right-price.md) - Recently, the HP TouchPad with WiFi only went on sale for just $399.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate. That is down from the original $499.99 price tag. Because of this move, many immediately accused the TouchPad of having poor sales. Though HP has not yet revealed any statistics on the tablet, they ar
- [Three Days Without A Single Gadget](https://www.skatter.com/three-days-without-a-single-gadget.md) - I did the unthinkable recently. I did something that very few in the technology industry would dare to do. I gave up my gadgets for three days. More specifically, I gave them up from Tuesday night to Friday afternoon. All of them. Certainly, I did not separate myself willingly. I had to. Sparing all
- [AT&T Begins Throttling Network Speeds On October 1st](https://www.skatter.com/att-begins-throttling-network-speeds-on-october-1st.md) - AT&T confirmed rumors of their plans to throttle data speeds today in a news release. In yet another effort to improve the network and its reputation, the company announced that heavy data users will soon notice a decrease in speed. This is due to the restrictions that those in the top 5% will have
- [Twitter Begins Placing Promoted Tweets In Your Timeline](https://www.skatter.com/twitter-begins-placing-promoted-tweets-in-your-timeline.md) - Twitter is expanding its advertising system in a move that will likely frustrate some of its users. If you use the service, you are probably familiar with Promoted Trends and Promoted Followers — both of which appear in the sidebar. Companies can choose specific words or hashtags to automatically ap
- [Microsoft Gives Windows Phone Manufacturers Some Fresh Mangoes](https://www.skatter.com/microsoft-gives-windows-phone-manufacturers-some-fresh-mangoes.md) - Who knew Microsoft was so giving when it comes to fresh fruit? Yes, the company has released Windows Phone 7 Mango to manufacturers. This is a highly anticipated update to Microsoft’s mobile operating system. The new features only intensify the pressure of competition. Microsoft first unveiled the M
- [Motorola Droid X2 – Verizon Wireless (Review)](https://www.skatter.com/motorola-droid-x2-verizon-wireless-review.md) - Launching a year after its popular predecessor the Droid X, the Motorola Droid X2 is back for another round this summer. There are many aspects about this smart phone that are appealing, particularly because it did not meander too far away from the original Droid X, and the areas where it does diffe
- [The Value of Competition: A Microsoft, Apple, Google Analysis](https://www.skatter.com/the-value-of-competition-a-microsoft-apple-google-analysis.md) - A fundamental economic theory is that a monopoly is a bad thing. When one company, website, or brand dominates the market, consumers are left with unfair pricing, mediocre to poor quality products, and an inability to choose an alternative. In order to prevent this, the U.S government has a myriad o
- [An Apple Lover Embarks On An Escapade With Android](https://www.skatter.com/an-apple-lover-embarks-on-an-escapade-with-android.md) - I was not always the Apple fanatic that I am today. A couple of years ago, I was dead against buying Macs because I thought they were pricey machines that do not offer anything special to justify their price. I still think they are expensive, but I understand the competition just can not parallel th
- [Mac OS X Lion Downloads Reach One Million In First Day](https://www.skatter.com/mac-os-x-lion-downloads-reach-one-million-in-first-day.md) - It does not look like too many people are complaining about Apple’s refusal to ship OS X Lion on install discs. If anything, a celebration has been going on for the past 24 hours. Mac users downloaded Lion over a million times in just a single day. This makes Apple’s latest operating system the fast
- [Kyocera Echo – Sprint (Review)](https://www.skatter.com/kyocera-echo-sprint-review.md) - While just about every Android smart phone features a one-piece candy bar form factor, Kyocera took a risk and stepped away from the traditional comfort zone. The Echo features a 5 megapixel camera and 8 GB of internal memory, but the star of the show is its dual 3.5-inch displays. These combine to
- [The Argument For eReaders](https://www.skatter.com/the-argument-for-ereaders.md) - Before the 21st century, it was safe to say that physical books would always trump their digital counterpart. Choosing to read a book on a massive CRT monitor back in the early 90’s was an eye sore, and the accessibility of eBooks were limited. However, consumers now exist in a post-internet and pos
- [Apple Releases Mac OS X Lion Without A Disc](https://www.skatter.com/apple-releases-mac-os-x-lion-without-a-disc.md) - In addition to some significant hardware updates today, Apple updated their famous software. Mac OS X Lion is now available for just $29.99. Lion is the seventh major release of Mac OS X. The focal point of this release is to combine all the touch aspects of iOS that make it so easy to use…
- [Apple Updates MacBook Air And Mac Mini, Kills White MacBook In The Process](https://www.skatter.com/apple-updates-macbook-air-and-mac-mini-kills-white-macbook-in-the-process.md) - The rumors were spot on about the Mac updates coming today. Apple released two brand new Macs this morning: the MacBook Air and Mac mini. Both are now up to 2x faster, and add the new Thunderbolt I/O. They also ship with Mac OS X Lion, which Apple released today exclusively in the Mac App…
- [I’m Speaking At The Teens In Tech Conference On August 5th, Come Join Us](https://www.skatter.com/im-speaking-at-the-teens-in-tech-conference-on-august-5th-come-join-us.md) - A little over two weeks from today, I will be speaking during the Teens in Tech Conference at the Palo Alto Research Center. For those not familiar with the event or the organization, I think it is best to simply quote their self-described and concise one-liner: The Teens in Tech Conference is about
- [Google’s Eric Schmidt Deals Out Harsh Words Toward Apple’s Lawsuits](https://www.skatter.com/googles-eric-schmidt-deals-out-harsh-words-toward-apples-lawsuits.md) - Google’s executive chairman Eric Schmidt, formerly CEO, is pouring a good amount of oil on the fire between Apple and HTC. He claims that the lawsuits against HTC and any other Android smart phone manufacturer have no basis. According to him, Apple premised them on pure jealousy and lack of innovati
- [Avaak VueZone: Personal Video Network (Review)](https://www.skatter.com/avaak-vuezone-personal-video-network-review.md) - Keeping an eye on your home is not easy. Professional security systems are expensive to install and consumer-oriented options are often difficult to configure properly. Fortunately, Avaak comes to the rescue with the VueZone which aims to potentially solve the hassles of video monitoring in an entir
- [Logitech HD Pro C910 Webcam (Review)](https://www.skatter.com/logitech-hd-pro-c910-webcam-review.md) - It is often hard to figure out the perfect webcam for you. There are so many available on the market, and most of them do not have any unique features that can separate them from the rest. The HD Pro C910 is Logitech’s flagship webcam. Thorough testing reveals that the C910 falls short in a…
- [Developers Flock To iOS, Show Declining Interest In Android](https://www.skatter.com/developers-flock-to-ios-show-declining-interest-in-android.md) - A company by the name of Flurry Analytics has some very interesting statistics on iOS and Android to share with us. They analyzed the new projects developers started in Q1 2011 and in Q2 2011 for iPhone/iPod touch, iPad, and Android to determine how attractive each platform is to app makers. Here is
- [Motorola Photon 4G Lands July 31st On Sprint](https://www.skatter.com/motorola-photon-4g-lands-july-31st-on-sprint.md) - Though Sprint announced the Motorola Photon 4G back in June, the phone did not receive a release date or price until today. It will arrive exclusively on Sprint July 31st for $199.99 with a two-year contract. Thankfully, the Motorola Photon 4G is one of just a few devices to ship with Android 2.3 Gi
- [Netflix Unlimited Streaming And DVDs Will Now Set You Back $16 Per Month](https://www.skatter.com/netflix-unlimited-streaming-and-dvds-will-now-set-you-back-16-per-month.md) - Remember that sad tale I told about the death of Netflix DVD rentals? It had you bawling, right? Well, it looks like I was not quite 100% accurate. (Update: Maybe I was not wrong. Higher prices for DVDs might be an additional step to kill them.) Luckily, after today’s announcements, you probably are
- [Still Invite-Only, Google+ May Reach 10 Million Users By Day’s End](https://www.skatter.com/still-invite-only-google-may-climb-to-10-million-users-by-days-end.md) - The growth of Google+ in the past week has been nothing short of incredible. And even better than having a lot of users is having a lot of happy users. The social network has managed to succeed in that area as well. But just how fast is Google+ growing? Well, the numbers are in. Founder of…
- [Google+ Hangouts Can Revolutionize Video Calling Thanks To Its Informality](https://www.skatter.com/google-hangouts-can-revolutionize-video-calling-thanks-to-its-informality.md) - Video calling is a unique technology that has been around longer than most people might think. It naturally started off on desktop computers and then very slowly made its way onto some mobile phones. In 2010, Apple “reinvented” the video calling experience with FaceTime for iPhone 4, and later iPad,
- [Hold Off On Buying That iPhone 4](https://www.skatter.com/hold-off-on-buying-that-iphone-4.md) - Is a glass and stainless steel contraption constantly luring you in to your local carrier store? Is your two-year contract up on that less than reputable flip phone? Are you looking to upgrade and increase your monthly bill dramatically? If any of these questions apply to you, it is very likely you
- [Motorola Chops $100 Off Xoom Tablet, Sales Boost Unlikely](https://www.skatter.com/motorola-chops-100-off-xoom-tablet-sales-boost-unlikely.md) - Motorola took to Twitter a couple of days ago to announce some pretty underwhelming news. The company has decided to slash the price on the Motorola Xoom WiFi model by $100. That means you can now get your hands around this heavy piece of hardware for just $499. But this is not your average price…
- [An iPad HD Is Arriving This Fall?](https://www.skatter.com/an-ipad-hd-is-arriving-this-fall.md) - When Steve Jobs announced the iPad 2 in March, there was a notable slogan present in his keynote. It read: “2011: Year of the iPad 2.” Certainly, this means that competitors do not even have the slightest chance to make a tablet that reigns over the iPad. But this also put rumors of a third-generati
- [Spotify Is Coming To The U.S.](https://www.skatter.com/spotify-is-coming-to-the-u-s.md) - Apple iTunes has some competition coming its way. Popular music service Spotify recently announced that it is finally coming to the U.S. Currently, you can only sign up for an account in Sweden, Norway, Finland, United Kingdom, France, Spain, or the Netherlands. There is no announcement yet on the r
- [Verizon Wireless Announces The Motorola Droid 3](https://www.skatter.com/verizon-wireless-announces-the-motorola-droid-3.md) - This morning, Motorola and Verizon Wireless officially announced the long-rumored and repeatedly leaked Droid 3 smart phone. This is the third iteration following the original Droid which we reviewed when it made a debut in late 2009. While the Droid 2 hit stores late last year, it received less att
- [A Visit To The Sprint M2M Collaboration Center](https://www.skatter.com/a-visit-to-the-sprint-m2m-collaboration-center.md) - Last week, I had a chance to visit the Sprint M2M Collaboration Center in Burlingame, California — about 20 minutes south of San Francisco. While most are probably unfamiliar with the term M2M, this technology is likely already a part of your every day life. This new center, which had a grand openin
- [A Sad Tale About The Slow Death Of Netflix DVD Rentals](https://www.skatter.com/a-sad-tale-about-the-slow-death-of-netflix-dvd-rentals.md) - Once upon a time, there was a very popular service called Netflix. Magical and revolutionary at an unbelievable price, it allowed for unlimited movie rentals via Internet or DVD for a fixed monthly rate. Everyone cool was a member. But alas, I was not. I decided to take stroll through my neighborhoo
- [Facebook Launches Skype-Powered Video Calling and Group Chat](https://www.skatter.com/facebook-launches-skype-powered-video-calling-and-group-chat.md) - Facebook held a press event at their headquarters in California this morning to announce three major new features. The first is group text chat, which users including myself have long requested. This feature made a relatively quiet debut on the social network with the launch of Facebook Groups late
- [Verizon Wireless Drops Unlimited Data Plan For Smart Phones](https://www.skatter.com/verizon-wireless-drops-unlimited-data-plan-for-smart-phones.md) - Verizon finally confirmed with FierceWireless that beginning July 7, the carrier will ditch its current unlimited data plan for smart phones and commence the new tiered packages. Normally, Verizon and AT&T tend to have similar plans and pricing to keep competition at a minimum. This time, the former
- [Samsung Droid Charge – Verizon Wireless (Review)](https://www.skatter.com/samsung-droid-charge-verizon-wireless-review.md) - The Samsung Droid Charge is the second Verizon Wireless smart phone with 4G LTE connectivity — the HTC Thunderbolt was first. While this device is not a part of the Galaxy S II family, there is a lot it still has to offer with a large 4.3 inch Super AMOLED display, a front-facing camera for…
- [Facebook Hosting An Event Next Wednesday, We’ll Be There!](https://www.skatter.com/facebook-hosting-an-event-next-wednesday-well-be-there.md) - Earlier today, the folks at Facebook were kind enough to send us an invite for an event taking place at their headquarters in Palo Alto next week. While there is no official confirmation as to what is coming, plenty of rumors have already surfaced. It all started about a day or so after Google+ made
- [Hulu Teams Up With Facebook For A Better Social Experience](https://www.skatter.com/hulu-teams-up-with-facebook-for-a-better-social-experience.md) - Earlier today, Hulu announced that they are teaming up with Facebook to let users interact with their friends better than ever before. Although Hulu has long had profile pages and lets account holders add others as “friends,” the extent of the social experience was rather limited. Even the share but
- [AV By AIM Brings 4 Person Video Chat To The Browser](https://www.skatter.com/av-by-aim-brings-4-person-video-chat-to-the-browser.md) - While there are tons programs for video calls, a new favorite of mine is AV by AIM. While I use Google Talk and Skype for chatting with friends and family, I hate having to add people I do not know too well to my contact list. Having one-time disposable chat rooms with video support on…
- [Join.Me Makes Screen Sharing Super Easy](https://www.skatter.com/join-me-makes-screen-sharing-super-easy.md) - Explaining how to fix a computer over the phone every time family or friends need help with their computer is just too painful. I often resort to Skype screen sharing to walk them through simple procedures, but even that becomes too complicated since not everyone necessarily has the latest version o
- [After A Long Wait, Skype Finally Makes Its Way To Select Android Devices](https://www.skatter.com/after-a-long-wait-skype-finally-makes-its-way-to-select-android-devices.md) - After a full year of speculation in 2010, things got exciting at CES 2010 when Skype announced its plans to offer an Android app with video support. Unfortunately, the company signed an exclusive partnership with Verizon Wireless limiting availability to the masses. Fast forward nearly six months an
- [Gmail Finally Gets A Much-Needed Makeover](https://www.skatter.com/gmail-finally-gets-a-much-needed-makeover.md) - For quite a few years now I have been constantly complaining that Gmail is the ugliest mail client I have ever encountered. It is cluttered, confusing, and the overall design just lacks the elegance and consistency of other popular websites such as Hotmail. For a while I even refused to use Gmail be
- [Opera 11.50 Introduces A New Interface And Other Neat Features](https://www.skatter.com/opera-11-50-introduces-a-new-interface-and-other-neat-features.md) - With Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome leading the pack of browsers, other competitors such as Opera often go forgotten. While the total market share of every version of this particular browser is smaller than just the new Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 alone, it still has a lot to offer. The latest
- [Android Growth Continues, Over 500k Activations Each Day](https://www.skatter.com/android-growth-continues-over-500k-activations-each-day.md) - This morning, Google Vice President of Mobile Andy Rubin announced the company was activating over 500,000 new Android devices each day. This comes just a month ago after the Google I/O 2011 conference in May, when company announced 400,000 new Android device activations per day. Yes, this means a 2
- [Google+ (Review)](https://www.skatter.com/google-review.md) - When Google announced Google+ just a few days ago, I was immediately skeptical about its success. Google has a history of failing in the social network arena. First there was Google Wave, then Google Buzz — and both flopped. Plus, Facebook’s immense user base means it is a huge challenge for Google+
- [Nexus S 4G By Samsung – Sprint (Review)](https://www.skatter.com/nexus-s-4g-by-samsung-sprint-review.md) - The Nexus S first made a debut late last year and Sprint finally got around to offering a its own iteration last month: the Nexus S 4G. If the name tag did not give it away, the only new addition is support for the faster 4G (WiMax) network. For those not familiar, this is the…
- [Facebook, Meet Your Newest Social Network Competitor: Google+](https://www.skatter.com/facebook-meet-your-newest-social-network-competitor-google.md) - After long speculation, Google is officially introducing the company’s Facebook rival today, named Google+. It has a number of unique features to the service. Plus, there is no sign up required for anyone with an active Google account. But is this really the Facebook killer we have been waiting for?
- [Will Apple Really Launch Two iPhone 5 Models?](https://www.skatter.com/will-apple-really-launch-two-iphone-5-models.md) - When a random analyst decides to make a prediction on something in the world of tech, enthusiasts usually know to take it with a grain of salt. That is not quite what is going on today. Deutsche Bank analyst Chris Whitmore has everyone talking about his speculation that we can expect not one, but tw

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