My Appearance on WGST's "The Sully Show" 11/7/14 - Tech News of the Week

News topics:  Rick and Sully look at some of the top tech stories of the week...

Have a listen:

listen to ‘The Sully Show November 7, 2014’ on audioBoom

1. Larry Page Reorganizes Google

He is stepping back from day-to-day product roles to focus on longer-term projects. Sundar Pichai will take the day-to-day slot (he currently runs Android and Chrome, having risen very fast through the ranks). Fascinating to watch how the founders at Google, Facebook and Amazon try to redeploy themselves and restructure their companies to maintain the pace of innovation within vast organizations.

2.  An Update to the "MARTA: On the Go" app

Atlanta's official MARTA app gets and update.
What's new?
- Bug fixes
- Real time data now available
- Bus alerts

As always get all of your connecting route information, scheduling information and weekend rail service notices.

 
3.  The growth of free Wi-Fi is transforming life in Africa  

In Africa, the trend is towards providing citizens with free Wi-Fi in order to boost economic activity and education, in line with McKinsey’s projection that if internet penetration grows in the same way as that of mobile phones on the continent, it could contribute as much as 10 per cent – $300 billion – of the continent’s total GDP by 2025.

The provision of free Wi-Fi is becoming a continent-wide trend. In Kenya, the county of Nakuru is offering residents free access through a partnership between the State House Digital Team and the county government, at the reported cost of US$2 million.

Rwanda’s Smart Kigali initiative provides designated free Wi-Fi hotspots around the capital. The Murtala Muhammad Airport Two (MMA2) in Lagos provides free access for passengers through a public-private partnership, while Nigerian operator Visafone has launched a free service for its customers in stores across the country.

However, South Africa is way ahead of the rest of providing free access to citizens, with both the public and private sectors assisting in rollouts across the country. Free hotspots are so widespread that a website has been set up to display all the free hotspots in the country.

4.  Starwood Hotels Is Making Room Keys Obsolete

No more room keys at Starwood properties. Your smartphone can open your room.
Starwood is introducing a new app-powered, keyless entry program. In other words, your smartphone is now your key.

The process is wonderfully simple. After downloading the SPG app (it's for reward program members only, but that's free to join), guests can check-in up to 24 hours before their stay, and they're given a Bluetooth key to enable the keyless entry feature. Then, when they arrive, the guests bypass the check-in desk at participating hotels, go straight to their room, and use their smartphone to unlock the door.

Hotels included would be Sheraton, Westin, W, Aloft, etc

 

5.  Beats Music comes to Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines® (NYSE: LUV) is giving Customers a new reason to pack their headphones! Beginning today, Beats Music is providing a uniquely curated music experience onboard Southwest Airlines WiFi-enabled aircraft.

Customers accessing Beats Music onboard have an opportunity to listen to wide-ranging music programming in pop, rock, country, and other genres to hear fresh new artists and the hottest songs, which are handpicked by Beats Music expert curators.  Accessing the service inflight is on the house and includes a library of hundreds of playlists. Not sure what to listen to, but feel like Jet-Setting with your BFF to Pop? The Sentence offers a continuous playlist just for you, customized by your response to four questions about location, activity, surroundings, and musical preference.

"Southwest connects our Customers to what is important in their lives, and in this case, it's music," said Kevin Krone, Southwest Airlines Chief Marketing Officer.  "We continue to enhance our onboard offerings to remain current as our Customers' needs evolve, and with the addition of Beats Music on our entertainment portal, we're doing just that."