Google Brings New E-mail via Text Message Service to Africa - Essay Example

number and section: Google brings new e-mail via text message service to Africa By: Dara Kerr Published: September18, 2012 Summary: In consideration of the fact that Africa has a high number of mobile users but remarkably few internet users, Google has unveiled a service that enables users to send and receive email through their mobile SMS service. The first countries to get this service are Kenya Nigeria and Ghana where users will be able to access their emails as free text messages, and the cost of replying will be the same as that charged for normal text messages. While acquiescing there was a high profit potential for the internet giant, Googles Nigeria marketing manager Affiong Osuchukwu said it was more than just a matter of making a profit. Google plan is to make the region open for business since with increased circulation of information Africa will become more viable as market. In retrospect, Google has worked in Africa on the mobile platform; in 2009, it allowed cellphone users in Uganda to get information of weather and sports through text queries. It has also collaborated with France mobile to cut down the cost of SMS services in the region. Reflection: In my opinion, this is a progressive move, and it shows that Google as a company is capable of combining a profit making venture with its social responsibility of ensuring Africa is opened to the world in terms of telecommunication. Furthermore, it will have indirect impacts by forcing the telecommunication companied to lower their SMS costs because of competition from Google. Ultimately, while Google will stand to make a tidy profit, it has considerably increased Africa’s networking potential. Student Name: Course number and section: Title: Shuttle Endeavour prepped for valedictory tour, museum duty By: William Harwood Published: September 18, 2012 Summary: The space shuttle endeavor, which has been in orbit 25 times since it was constructed two years ago, is set to take its valedictorian flight perched on the back of a jet. This is to give the public a chance for one last viewing before it takes its place in the museum. The endeavor is set to fly across Houston landing in Ellington refuel at the Field Army Airfield in El Paso White sands then proceed to S Francisco, NASAs Ames Research Center, Sacramento until it is finally returns to California on a three days trip. The endeavor, was commissioned in 1978 to replace the challenger which was destroyed in a takeoff accident, after that, it made 24 more trips many of them to assemble the international space station. The first ever trip by a spaceship through a metropolitan area. It is a complex process which is going to involve a sizeable team of engineers, who will be ensure the route used is the best possible, without too much disruption. It is going to involve a lot of restructuring and moving and uprooting of trees in Los Angles to enable the shuttle to pass. Opposition for this by environmentalist was dealt with by the promise to plant four times as many trees as they had removed. Reflection: While I think the idea was a fitting way of demonstrating to the American people how their money was spent, it is too expensive. Besides, if the idea is to take the shuttle to the museum where it can be viewed from, then there is really no need to “shuttle” it around the city, this is bound to disrupt traffic just so that people can see what will be available in the museum. Student Name: Course number and section: Title: Teens who sext more likely to be sexually active By: Elizabeth Armstrong Moore Published: September 17, 2012 Summary: According to a study done on teenagers in Los Angeles, teens who have admitted to engage in sexting are likely to engage in the real thing. According to Eric Rice, the lead author, there is a definite connection between ones propensity for sexting and engaging in risky sexual activities. According to Research, a majority of the teens claimed to know someone who had sexted. Fifteen percent of those polled said they had sexted and of those who claimed to have sexted were 7 times more likely to have engaged in the actual sexual activities. Out of the 1800 students polled, 87 percent were heterosexuals and the rest were either gay, lesbian or others, 20% were white or African Americans while the rest were Hispanics or Latino. It was noted that the nonheterosexual students admitting to having sexted were thrice as many as the heterosexual ones. Rice explained this by saying it is likely that due to the stigma assorted with nonheterosexuals, there were more likely to use sexting as a forum to express their sexuality in secret. Reflection: The study is sound pertinent largely, and common sense would suggest that with the limitations of sexting one might look for avenues to channel the resulting sexual energy in a more practical way. However, as acknowledged by the writers, it is not possible to assume the results are fully conclusive since they are a reflection of urban youth and their perspective might not be shared by youths elsewhere. Student Name: Course number and section: Title: Curiosity snaps photo of partial solar eclipse -- from Mars By: Dara Kerr Published: September 17, 2012 Summary: One of NASA’S mars rovers curiosity captured a picture of the Martian eclipse; the photo is somewhat less impressive than the ones on earth is still a fascinating picture, the moon in the picture is one of Mars two called Phobos. Curiosity has been snapping photos since its Hallowing albeit successful landing in the mars crater. It is described as the most sophisticated, robotic spacecraft to ever explore an alien planet, equipped with 17 cameras and robotic arms as well as 10 scientific sensors. These are used to collect data from mars especially pertaining to the existence of life on mars. Eclipses are more common in mars than on earth and more visible since Martian moons are nearer to the surface than earths. Reflection: Curiosity is an epitome of the lengths to which science especially the field of artificial intelligence and robotics has reached. I believe exploration of the red planet is a considerable development, and that curiosity can take photos remotely shows, we are headed towards previously unprecedented technological developments. The article has been also enlightened me since I was not aware of the frequency of the solar eclipses in the mars. Student Name: Course number and section: Title: White House pressures Google over anti-Islam video By: Declan McCullagh Published: September 14, 2012 Summary: The white house has admitted that it is pressuring Google to review a certain amateur anti Islam video for violation of its terms of use, although the clip is protected under American laws. Although Whitehouse spokesman did not respond to Questions on the issue from CNET, the video’s controversial nature has reached the attention of YouTube officials who were clearly aware that the video had been uploaded. Several national governments have demanded that the same measure is taken is take down at once in certain terms. While Google has blocked the video for Libyan and Egyptian users, other countries like Afghanistan have reacted by blocking YouTube altogether. However, the pressure from Whitehouse has caused controversy locally with people claiming it is intimidation by the government. Protests over this move also erupted on tweeter with the presence of a consensus that the government should avoid interfering with freedom of expression. Reflection: The issue is complicated since everyone involved has some level of justification, the government albeit protecting the first amendment is aware of the fact that the video is not good for its foreign relations and can encourage further attacks aimed at the USA. The citizens especially on tweeter also have a right to demand that the 1st amendment be respected. Google has autonomy and should not be intimidated as long as it is within legal boundaries. Nonetheless, it is crucial common ground is found between all the parties involved with since it cannot be a win for everyone. Read More