Microsoft deals Flash another blow

Microsoft has decided to not support plug-ins in its Tablet version of Windows 8, which means that it will not support Flash. For the uninitiated but mildly interested this does not mean the type of Flash that got Uncle Ernie in trouble but rather the technology from Adobe that is used to add animation, video and interactivity to web pages. The thinking is that Flash is old technology and the the more recent HTML5 is better suited for the mobile users because of its low power demands, among other features. Microsoft is following Apple in this move, which also does not support Flash for its iPad and iPhone platforms. However Microsoft will offer an option that is expected to enable users to continue to use the technology if they so chose.

Come for pease pudding, stay for Football?

While the use of tablets seems to be growing every day, this is a tack that might actually get me off the sofa when a game is on (well not really). A British supermarket chain in London is testing the use of iPad-equipped shopping carts. The purpose of the iPad is not as a tool to check your list or to do comparison shopping. No, it is there so that you can view streaming sports while deciding if the beer on sale is worth saving a few quid. Sainsbury is teaming with Sky Sports for the service. Sainsbury provides a cart that has an iPod dock. iPod owners can download a free app called Sky Go iPad , available to Sky subscribers, that enables them to watch several sports channels. The carts will include special bumpers and sensors to help prevent collisions while watching the latest goal. Of course I guess you could also use it for the shopping list, but why bother?

Android-based tablets losing ground to RIM? Really?

According to the latest report from market research firm IDC, tablets that run the Android operating system are losing ground to newer players, including both Research-in Motion’s PlayBook which managed to gain a 4.9% market share for the quarter. The firm said in its second quarter report that the tablet market continues to be led by Apple’s iPad, shipping 9.3 million units that account for 68.3% of the market. The Android devices fell from 34% market share in the first quarter to 26.8% in Q2. Only part of the drop was due to growing RIM sales. The Hewlett-Packard fire sale on its TouchPad has a huge impact as well, expecting to comprise 4.7% of the market by the end of next quarter. The demand was so great for the cut rate devices that the company built an additional run. At $99 per, it makes you wonder what the real breakeven point for the devices is. Still HP will be out of the running soon and expect the Android systems to continue their upward growth in sales and market share.

The Atlantic nails the NCAA, hopefully will wash it to sea

In case you have missed it, the October issue of The Atlantic just lays into the NCAA with a well written, well researched piece on what a sham it actually is. I really doubt that anything will come of it, I mean look at the pat on the hand the Fiesta Bowl received for its transgressions. While a $1 million fine might seem like a lot to a working stiff, it is just two years salary of the guy that formerly ran the program. Instead of citing all of the points that I liked I think just these early quotes show where it is going.
“Why,” asked Bryce Jordan, the president emeritus of Penn State, “should a university be an advertising medium for your industry?”
Vaccaro did not blink. “They shouldn’t, sir,” he replied. “You sold your souls, and you’re going to continue selling them. You can be very moral and righteous in asking me that question, sir,” Vaccaro added with irrepressible good cheer, “but there’s not one of you in this room that’s going to turn down any of our money. You’re going to take it. I can only offer it.” Ouch.