The Business » Technology

Yesterday’s tools

business — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:20:09 +0000

Nick Wingfield asks in the Wall Street Journal “Why can’t I pick the technology I use in the office?” It’s a familiar lament for many office workers who struggle with aged and overburdened computers at work while using cutting-edge technology at home. There are more than a few folks in my office, including me, that spend part of each morning cleaning out emails that have pushed our allowed storage capacity beyond set limits. Heck, I’ve got years of email stored on my free Gmail account that is quickly searchable and accessable, and I’m nowhere near the limits available there.

But here’s one aspect of Wingfield’s story I found interesting. When he sought information on his company’s take on its employees’ use of new technology, he was stonewalled.

The Journal declined to comment on its policies.

Don Mecoy
Business Writer

Virtual reality biz actually imaginary

business — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:44:07 +0000

The Securities and Exchange Commission has charged 3001 AD, which claimed to be a virtual reality technology company, with fraud. The SEC claims the company was nothing more than a boiler room telemarketing scheme designed to fleece investors.

The SEC alleges that 3001 AD, LLC and these individuals raised approximately $20 million from about 500 investors nationwide through a maze of unregistered offerings that hyped the company’s supposedly promising virtual reality products, including a helmet system tracking players’ head movements to provide a 360-degree view in a video game. Investors were told in the offering materials that the sales commissions paid on their investments were dramatically less than they actually were. An imminent Initial Public Offering (IPO) was repeatedly hyped to investors while no steps were actually being taken toward going public. And prestigious business relationships between 3001 AD and Microsoft, Apple, and former Disney CEO Michael Eisner were touted to investors even though such relationships never existed.

Turns out the promised profits, like the professed products, were virtual.

Don Mecoy
Business Writer

A short stack, robot style

business — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 15:32:03 +0000

British food producer HoneyTop employs the Flexpicker machine to stack its pancakes for shipping. The robot uses a high-def camera to identify the stackable pancakes and utilizes a buffer shelf to save pancakes to fill in short stacks. The process, one part “The Jetsons” and one part “Terminator,” must be seen. First view of the Flexpicker comes at about 1:15; the buffer shelf is demonstrated at about 2:10. (via eatmedaily.com)

By the way, who buys pre-made pancackes? Is there any food that’s easier or faster to cook?

Don Mecoy
Business Writer

Put down the phone

business — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 21:15:06 +0000

The Insurance Information Institute answers a question I was wondering about — where is it illegal to use a cell phone where driving and where is it illegal to text while behind the wheel. Neither is illegal in Oklahoma. Some Democratic members of Congress have urged states to pass bans on texting while driving or face loss of federal highway funds.

Six states–California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Utah, and Washington–plus the District of Columbia, ban the use of hand-held cell phones while driving.

The dangerous practice of texting while driving is banned in 14 states–Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Carolina, Utah, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington, plus the District of Columbia.

A study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that texting while driving increased the risk of accidents by more than 23 times.

iPhone won’t stop a bullet

business — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:14:04 +0000

This guy is seriously fed up with Apple, and he takes it out on his iPhone.

Don Mecoy
Business Writer

The new phones are here!

business — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:30:04 +0000

AT&T uploaded a short video of its Fort Worth, Texas, distribution plant processing the new iPhone 3GS models. Customers are expected to line up Friday to buy the new gadget. The AT&T store at Penn Square Mall will open at 7 a.m. today, and the Apple Store there will open at 8 a.m. Mall doors open at 5 a.m. if you really want to get your geek on.

Don Mecoy
Business Writer

Oklahoma researcher discusses discovery

business — Thu, 21 May 2009 16:12:44 +0000

Dr. Paul DeAngelis discusses a new sugar-based drug delivery platform he created in his University of Oklahoma laboratory and the new company, Caisson Biotech, that has been created to commercialize the technology. The video was provided by Jim Stafford of i2E.

Don Mecoy
Business Writer

More Okies at BIO 2009

business — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:22:50 +0000

Steve Rhines, vice president and general counsel with the Noble Foundation in Ardmore, talks about the Foundation’s work with switchgrass as a biofuel and the interest that has created among visitors to the OKBio exhibition booth at BIO 2009 in Atlanta. showed in the work the Foundation is doing with switchgrass development as a biofuel alternative source.

Video shot by Jim Stafford from i2E.

Don Mecoy
Business Writer

Oklahomans at BIO Conference in Atlanta

business — Tue, 19 May 2009 15:19:39 +0000

Jim Mason of The State Chamber and a member of the OKBIO group discusses the benefits to Oklahoma’s life sciences community of participation in the national BIO 2009 conference in Atlanta. Video provided by Jim Stafford of i2E.

Don Mecoy
Business Writer

Making life easier

business — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 20:29:31 +0000

Bits & Pieces blog posts this novel way to simplify television remotes. (via)

Don Mecoy
Business Writer