Category Archives: Business

GOOGLE TRYING TO COURT FUGITIVE EDWARD SNOWDEN

imageMountain View, California –  Will 2014 prove to be a banner year for American fugitive Edward Snowden?  Mr. Snowden is now living in Russia, on the run from American charges of espionage and theft relating the National Security Agency top secret leaks.

First, The New York Times Editorial Board published an op-ed piece calling for an offer of clemency or plea bargain for Mr. Snowden, considering the value of his leaks and the N.S.A. abuse he has exposed.

Now, the country’s premier tech company Google is reportedly in secret negotiations with Snowden, offering him a hefty-paying position in Mountain View upon his return to the U.S.

The Adobo Chronicles has learned that Google has hit a snag and plateau in terms of the marketing of its much-ballyhooed product, the Google Glass.  “Obviously, we needed a recognizable and controversial face to model our product, and what could be a better choice than Snowden,” said Google CEO Larry Page.  “He’s also easy on the eyes, and the Google Glass fits perfectly on the well-defined contours of his face,” Page added.

Analysts, however,  suspect that having Mr. Snowden be the model for the Google Glass is just a front, and that Google’s real intention is to make Snowden the chief of its Internet Surveillance Department which would monitor any secret or unauthorized intrusion by the N.S.A. into Google’s data system.

NEW YEAR, NEW START-UP

imageCampbell, California – Google, be afraid. Be very afraid. The beginning of a new year signals the start of new things: new laws, new trends, new start-ups.

In an obscure garage right on the border of San Jose and Campbell, a new, fun, tech company has made its debut as of January 1. A brainchild of  two former Apple employees, Giggle made its initial bow, promising to stage a “David vs. Goliath” challenge to the Silicon Valley’s most successful tech company, Google.

Giggle’s maiden product is called iDream, a smart phone-activated eye mask, similar to those being handed out in the first-class sections of commercial airlines. It syncs with the smart phone, using an amazing app that lets the user experience his or her favorite television or movie character, and be that character for as long as the mask is in place.  For example, one can be Mary Poppins or Spiderman or  even Godzilla. Unlike real-life dreams, the iDream experience does not end abruptly.  Rather, it ends only when the user decides to take the mask off.

The young inventors (and investors) hope to have their initial product in the market by February 14. Many tech analysts are saying that the iDream is by far the biggest threat to  the Google Glass.

A television commercial introducing the iDream is set to begin airing in a few weeks, featuring Ann Hathaway reprising her tear and saliva-filled rendition of the song “I Dreamed A Dream” from Les Misérables.

FACEBOOK WILL TOTALLY SHUT DOWN WORLDWIDE FOR THREE DAYS FOR MAJOR MAINTENANCE

imageMenlo Park, California – Facebook has not been immune from glitches, viruses and technical challenges, just like most Silicon Valley companies like Apple, Google, and eBay.

Today however, Facebook took the bold and risky step of announcing that for the first time in the history of this ultra successful company, it is entirely shutting down its portal and site for three full days in order for it to perform  needed maintenance.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that he understands that the planned shutdown will upset a lot of Facebook subscribers and followers across the globe but added that the three-day Facebook blackout will be worth the  improvements that will lead to a new and improved Facebook.

Zuckerberg said that Facebook will shut down on February 29, 30 and 31, 2014. It will be back online at 12:01 am on March 1, 2014.