The State of Data

Today, an app that means a lot to a very small minority and almost nothing to the general population got an update. That app, built by Facebook, is a really great example of what can happen when a company tries to disrupt  the market with a new feature that will change the way we communicate.

Though Facebook Messenger is actually a little behind the times (its offerings are far behind the Google Hangouts platform), the fact that Facebook seems to hold a much larger customer base is good news for the latest feature Facebook is trying to show off, free phone calls to any Facebook user!

Now, if you're like me, you're probably saying "hold on, couldn't you already make phone calls with Facebook Messenger?". And you would be right. The ability to make calls in Facebook Messenger has existed for at least a couple of years, but it is a very underused feature that almost nobody knows about. The fact that it also doesn't require you to be friends with somebody on Facebook, and doesn't require that you know their phone number (though one of the two is required) means that it (and apps like it (FaceTime, Hangouts, Skype, etc.) SHOULD be the main way we're all communicating now.

All Facebook did in this update was make the "call" button a little bit more prominent in conversations, something that will hopefully prompt a little more use of the feature.

SMS and regular carrier minutes should have gone the way of the dodo years ago. Anybody who has made a high quality VOIP (voice-over-internet protocol) call will tell you that sound quality is lightyears ahead of anything that your carrier can provide, and access is basically ubiquitous and extremely cheap.

However, because phone carriers (especially in North America) have an oligopoly (a fancy word for saying that there are only a few providers and they can basically keep prices high; this is basically a monopoly with a couple of extra players), they can keep the costs of data high and drive people to continue to use (and more importantly pay for) their phone minutes and text messages.

The update notes from the app update for Facebook Messenger basically tell you everything you need to know about this, and also tell you the problem with this system and why these kinds of apps are not the only thing we use. It says "Calls are free over Wi-Fi. Otherwise, standard data charges apply". This statement is completely untrue, and in 2014 should have disappeared from common use long ago. 

Essentially, Wi-Fi is NOT free, you pay for Wi-Fi and have caps on the data you can use, they are just MUCH MUCH higher than anything on your cell phone or tablet. Wireless data is restricted because companies don't have to offer it in an unlimited fashion (see Oligopoly) even if the impact on the network would be minimal. The next generation of human communication is upon us, but we can't see it because massive conglomerated corporations are holding us back, and because nobody wants to pay $100s of dollars for modern unlimited data plans to send messages and make calls when the incumbent phone and SMS services are being hugely discounted because it's the only way telecommunications corporations can make any profit.

iOS vs. Android: Battle Royale

In a conversation comparing mobile platforms, there is more to consider than just the look and feel of a phone or tablet. You have to take other factors into consideration, like apps, services, warranties, and the underlying framework that either Apple or Google uses to support their respective operating systems, iOS and Android.

My cousin and contributor on this blog, +Mike Attrell, and I have been comparing and contrasting the pros and cons of choosing either iOS or Android as your phone platform (as much as Microsoft and Windows Phone are making great strides with Windows Phone 8.1, they aren't a part of this conversation yet).

We have each chosen 5 traits that make our favourite phone platforms stand out, and we'll be discussing the points below in more detail in the coming weeks:

iOS

1. Apple Stores
2. Industry-leading OS updates
3. iTunes/App Store Reach
4. AppleCare
5. Economy of scale

Android

1. Device variety
2. UI Customization
3. Google-centric Experience
4. Value/bang-for-buck
5. Non-walled garden

If you're trying to make a decision about a new smartphone now, check out our video summarizing the differences between iOS and Android:

Inside The Box: Google Chromecast

It's hereeeeee!

Thank you, Mr. UPS delivery man! Better late than never!

I must say, the wait was worth it. Who am I kidding? The wait is always worth it! In case any of you were just dying to know what it was I was expecting in the mail - this is it! I ordered the Chromecast the moment I found out it was available for shipment to Canada. Yes yes, I know I could have ordered it off of Amazon or eBay, but there's always something nice about buying something directly from the manufacturer without feeling like someone's making a profit off of your desperation and eagerness (other than Google itself, of course).

I decided I would surprise the dear wife with this purchase; we had considered getting one before, but were disappointed when we found out it wasn't immediately available in Canada upon its release (especially disappointing considering the sweet Netflix deal they had going on for a while there). Upon bounding into the house, bubble-wrapped prize clutched firmly in my grasp, I tore open the top and removed the contents from the dark enclosure in which it lay. I presented it triumphantly to the dear wife, anticipating some level of reciprocity of my already unbearable excitement.

"Did we want that?"

*sigh* Oh well. I tried.

As the dear wife departed for an evening of jovial socializing, my night of fun was just beginning as well - and the only invitees were my tech and a steak knife.

Upon opening the UPS package, I am greeted by a taunting preview of what I am about to encounter (in english and en francais - thanks to our multicultural and obligatorily inclusive nation).

The packaging is not unlike many packaging designs that you will find your tech arriving in: a sleeve/pocket-like outer jacket containing marketing materials, encasing the main vehicle for the product.

Jacket: Rear marketing materials (Man Of Steel was actually pretty good)

Jacket: Spine marketing materials ("Easy as 1, 2, 3!")

We see the classic circular tape-like seal holding the contents within the aforementioned jacket - this is where the last element of the troika comes into play.

Adult supervision required

After releasing the contents from its captor, we begin to see the journey unfold before our eyes.

Free at last!

*Queue chorus of angels*

The initial impression of the Chromecast just begs the feeling of "simplicity"; from the "1, 2, 3" of the setup guide (no other user manual included, or required) to the Chromecast unit sitting in a white mold shaped to hug the dimensions of the device.

Immediately visible after removing the Chromecast insert is the only other contents you'll need for the device to function: your power hookups (AC adapter for your wall outlet and a USB cord, to plug into the TV) and a cable extension for your HDMI port (in case the location of your HDMI port isn't optimal to allow for the Chromecast to be protruding from it).

"Look Ma, no user manual!"

Female end of the HDMI cable extension

Male end of the HDMI cable extension

Micro-USB cable connection to the AC adapter

As alluded to in the accessory characteristics, the Chromecast comes with two main connection points - one male HDMI connector (to plug into your TV) and one female Micro-USB port (to plug into the power source connector). Immediately upon picking up the device, it feels like it has enough heft and robustness to feel well-built, however light enough to feel versatile and streamlined (however not cheap-light feeling). Visible on the front (or top, depending on how you want to look at it) of the device is the Chrome branding, a power indicator light, and what looks to be a APN pairing button on the side.

For $40 (plus S&H) and the promise that this little device offers, I can't see how this can be considered a bad investment. While I fully expect the next iteration to come with even more features (Bluetooth capability, anyone?) I'm happy to be a first-generation user and I look forward to exploring the endless possibilities it has!

Stay tuned for an update on how the use of the Chromecast stacks up to the competition!