Just for fun, I modified the Android logo with the Philippine flag. If you find this cute, like I do, scroll down and you can download the horizontal and vertical versions.

The archives contain different layouts and a 1024x768 wallpaper for each type.

Download Android logo with Philippine flag - horizontal

(set as wallpaper for your phone.)

Download Android logo with Philippine flag - vertical

(set as wallpaper for your phone.)

Digital convergence of news media was called "Mediamorphosis" by researcher Roger Fidler. He actually published a book entitled, "Mediamorphosis: Understanding New Media", wherein he gives the 6 fundamental principles in mediamorphosis (page 29).

1. coevolution and coexistence
2. metamorphosis
3. propagation
4. survival
5. opportunity and need
6. delayed adoption

According to the definitions of propagation and survival:

"Emerging forms of communication media propagate dominant traits from earlier forms. These traits are passed on and spread through communicatory codes called languages. While survival states that all forms of communication media, as well as media enterprises are compelled to adapt and evolve for survival in a changing environment. Their only other option is to die."

Based on these assumptions and from what we are already experiencing, methods in gathering information is almost the same, what's noticeable are (1) broadcasters and journalists are provided nowadays with multi-purpose devices like smartphones or PC tablets, so they can publish news via different technologies and (2) how they broadcast news, again they have their laptops or PC tablets so they can also check real time news from other websites.

In terms of producing devcom materials for print and radio, we would often see and hear URLs of websites, this is considered as brand extension in order to promote news from their own sites (online version) or other 3rd party sources like Twitter or Facebook.

In reality, traditional media would not be lost in this technological synergy. I believe that the process in gathering news, designing or layouting of magazines or newspapers, are also applied when creating webpages. The target audience is still the same, what's really changing is the transfer from a physical form (in this case, paper) to virtual form.

I share the same belief with InfoTrends analyst John Shane in his statement,

"I wouldn't call it the paperless office -- that's not going to happen for ages. But the less-paper office is coming."

The idea of a paperless society was presented on 1975, but the advancement in paper publishing in the 1990s lead to more production and printing of documents. Printers and scanners have been more sophisticated, the machines were able to print more documents per minute or scan images and documents which are still going to be printed or duplicated for later. Although, emails already existed at that time, people were still printing those emails for permanency. Also fax machines, are still widely used nowadays.

In reality, the idea of a paperless society is tied with the available hardware and software, and of course a person or company's budget to buy these technologies to pursue this objective. Businesses would benefit from a paperless office because this means they would save costs on paper, envelopes, postage, couriers, printers, copiers and, of course, filing cabinets. Moreover, a paperless office is good for the environment since less trees are cut-down.

Portable computer tablets, such as Apple's iPad, lets you view digital versions of a newspaper or magazine and can be used to jot down notes by the finger. But this would cost you around PHP 20,000.00. Of course not everyone, can afford this technology and they don't see the point of buying computer tablets as long as the more affordable print version exists.

Regarding portability, if I were in a plane and have to read 1 legal document, do I really need to open my laptop or computer tablet? I don't think so, I would still prefer to have that single piece of paper.

The current technology isn't prepared to store documents on a permanent basis, one virus infection on the computer server could corrupt all files. Digitally signed documents still impose uncertainty on (legal) validation. There is no law for digitally signed documents yet in the Philippines.

And personally, I prefer to write my notes on a piece of paper.


source:

Is the 'paperless' office here at last?

NASA is on fire! In just about two weeks this month, NASA has launched its first two Android applications in the Android Market, namely, “NASA Spinoff” and “NASA 360”.

“NASA Spinoff” is NASA's first Android app and was released on January 18, 2011. The application allows you to explore NASA technologies developed in your own backyard. It contains a feed of NASA’s latest technology news, a searchable database of NASA-derived innovations, a map of spinoff locations, a historical timeline and a database of NASA’s available licensing opportunities to inspire the spinoffs of the future.

This may sound exciting, since it’s “NASA” and it has started to recognize Android, but feedbacks from people who downloaded the app tell otherwise. Although it gives users news about how NASA innovations are spreading around the world in everyday use and it has a superb timeline of NASA inventions, “NASA Spinoff” is like a school project because of its poorly designed interface and crashes on some Android phones.Space and Android geeks should not be discouraged though, because NASA’s second Android application – “NASA 360” – has received better reception from its users.

NASA 360 is an award-winning television program enjoyed by millions. Catch every episode, along with transcripts, interactive maps with more information on each filming location, cast and crew bios, and even a quiz to test your knowledge about the show via your Android phone. This application was released a week after Nasa Spinoff. Comments for this app tell how easy to use and well-structured the NASA 360 is.

For those who would like to download any of these applications just search it on the Android Market through your phone to download and install it for free.

NASA has launched several popular applications for other platforms, mostly for the iPhone, iPod and iPad. Android users are hoping that NASA would also recreate these applications to be downloaded and installed on Android phones for free.

The USB tethering feature of Android Froyo allows you to share your phone's mobile network with a laptop or desktop computer, which is similar to the concept of using a usb modem (stick) or dongle.

The 3 major telcos in the Philippines today thar offer mobile broadband services are Globe, Smart and Sun cellular. In the image below, I have Globe Tattoo and Smart Bro USB modems, as you can see I don't have a Sun Cellular USB modem, however, what I do have is a Sun cellular prepaid sim card and an Android Froyo powered HTC Desire. I will use USB tethering to complement what I lack.

Below are the details on how to use this feature:

The essentials:

1. Configure the correct Access Point Name (APN) for your mobile phone. If you have no idea how to do this, contact your telco's customer service. (for prepaid Globe subscribers in the Philippines check my previous post about APN config)
2. Android version 2.2 (codename: Froyo) should be installed on your phone
3. HTC Micro USB data cable
4. Install HTC Sync on your computer.

HTC Sync

HTC Sync serves as a device content manager for your phone using a computer and also installs the required device drivers. By default, the file for this software is already on your phone's SD card, if ever you accidentally deleted this file on your phone, you can go to this link (HTC Sync for all HTC Android Phones) to download the file.

After dowloading and installing HTC Sync, connect your phone to the computer via the micro USB data cable then proceed to HTC Sync device setup. Make sure that 'HTC Sync' is selected in your 'Connect to PC' screen.

You don't really need to sync all of the contents of your phone to the PC at this time, we just have to make sure that HTC Sync can detect your phone and has a saved profile for it.

Just to make sure that everything is working, disconnect your phone from the PC, restart your computer, reconnect your phone to the PC (make sure that 'HTC Sync' is selected in your 'Connect to PC' screen); check if HTC Sync can already detect your phone automatically.

This is a one time setup, you don't need to open this software everytime you want to use USB tethering.

USB Tethering

1. Turn on 'Mobile Network'. There are 2 ways to do this:
   • Do a long press on the power button, on the "Phone options" screen, tap on "Mobile Network" to turn it on (or off).

     

   • Go to "Settings" > "Wireless & Networks" > Tap on the checkbox to turn it on
2. Connect your phone to the PC using the micro USB data cable
3. This time in the "Connect to PC" screen, select USB tethering

   

4. On the taskbar, click on the network connection icon, you would see that a new active network is added on the list. You might get a different name for the new connection. Select the new network and start browsing. Yippee!

   

Here's the the "Local Area Connection Properties" for the new network connection:

I guess this answers a friend's question, 'no? :)