Thoughts on AI, architecture, and building systems that work in the real world.

On Location (and Other Sensitive) Data

Installing apps, Android in this case, is at times a bit of WTF. It shouldn’t have to, but it is. The amount of personal information that some apps gather can be extreme. This concern is especially true after Google removed the very necessary…

Google is the Master of Personalization…

This is personalization well done. It is the little things… Thank you, Google.

Android App Ops *WAS* a Step Forward

Android App Ops is no more… Two weeks after I wrote Android App Ops is a Step Forward, Google has disabled/removed the permission manager. After the Android 4.4.2 update, invoking the App Ops app results in a RuntimeException. The R.I.P. permission manager, a…

BlackBerry’s Little Gem

Has BlackBerry hit rock bottom? Look at the following chart for BlackBerry’s stock price and value. BlackBerry’s stock right now is around $6.06, which is up from $5.89 (all time low?). It is crazy. BlackBerry has millions of users, with a strong history…

shift 2020 – How Technology Will Impact Our Future

Check out Rudy De Waele’s new book project titled shift 2020 – How Technology Will Impact Our Future — a collaborative book including foresights on how technology will impact our future by some of the world’s leading experts. See the related Kickstarter project.…

Google Ads are not really relevant anymore

Over time, I have seen the behavior of Google Ads on my weblog change behavior. Today, when I visit websites, including my own blog, I no longer see content-relevant Ads. Digging around I found information on how ads are targeted to your site:…

Android App Ops is a Step Forward

Update Dec/15/2013: Two weeks after I wrote this piece below, Google removed App Ops… See Android App Ops *WAS* a Step Forward, and stay tuned. One of Android’s top limitations, one that totally drives me nuts, is its security model, in particular the…

Enabling Voice Communication on Android Apps

Check out the new guest post that I wrote on Enabling Voice Communication on Android Apps, for the Safari Books Online blog. It covers how to enable voice communication using the Android SIP Stack/API. Enabling voice communication on Android apps is possible via…

Congratulations to Filament Labs, Winner of the Mobile Monday Austin App/Startup Showcase at TWS 2013

“With such convergence happening with technology and healthcare, especially right here in Austin, and especially with mobile technology, it is great to see a company like Filament Labs be recognized,” said C. Enrique Ortiz, organizer of Mobile Monday Austin. At the recently completed…