Let the games begin...no not #GameofThrones

Game of Thrones is an awesome show but a review of that programme would be placed on an entertainment blog, not a tech blog such as this one. As it relates to technology, the last few months have been quite exciting for video game fans with the speculation and announcements of new and improved consoles by Sony and Microsoft.  And let's not forget Nintendo, which also vies for a piece of the multi-billion dollar industry pie. All three firms would be eager to position themselves in this highly lucrative industry, although Nintendo which got a head start with the launch of its Wii U last year has so far seen poor Wii U sale figures. This year Sony and Microsoft have been looking to promote their system as the "best of the best" so to speak.

Microsoft would be keen to see a solid sales performance for its up-coming system entitled Xbox One, especially after the poor response to Windows 8. To be fair, as the article (poor response to Windows 8) highlighted the trends in the technology industry are changing and the traditional PC/laptop as a mainstay of an individual's daily life while still important will continue to decline with the advancement of mobile and tablet devices. After all, its so much easier to sit on the couch and tweet on your tablet or mobile device about that awesome goal than have to look for the keyboard or position the laptop to type the same tweet. At this point your tablet or mobile device not only provides connectivity 'on-the-go' but also in the comfort of your living room. But I digress....looking again at the video game industry Sony looks to compete with Microsoft through its newest entry to the console market the Playstation 4 (kudos to Sony for maintaining continuity with the naming of their new system).

As has been reported there has been extensive debate about the Xbox One versus the PS4, especially as it relates to online connectivity requirements and used game sales. Microsoft seems willing to take the potential risk (at least with consumers) of creating a system which provides limitations in certain areas (namely unlimited game sharing) but promises to reward users with a system that not only will meet your video game expectations but also your home entertainment needs. This philosophy could possibly explain the branding of the unit as 'Xbox One' in that this is a new, fresh approach to gaming with a system that Microsoft envisages would be the centre of your entertainment room.

While this thinking could end up being a gamble when it comes to the consumer, we have to wait and see if game developers may be keen on the idea of limited game sharing, which could in theory lead to more profitability for them. On the other hand Sony has decided to maintain the traditional approach of unlimited game sharing.

The real test will be later this year when the systems are released and the sales resulting from the holiday season are tallied. What is defiantly certain this holiday season is that gamers will have the final say as to which of the three new video game consoles is the best of the bunch.

♪♪ Let it "Flow", Let it "Flow", Let it "Flow" ♪♪

As promised today this article will take a quick look at the newest cable TV provider in Barbados, Flow which is owned by Columbus Communication. Flow's market share potential will be strengthened as Columbus Communication bought Karib Cable which was another new entrant to the Barbados market. Flow will be offering a "Triple Play" of Cable, Broadband and Homephone.

With the purchase of Karib Cable, Columbus Communications will integrate that network with theirs to provide a fibre based roll out on the island. The service is currently available in parts of St. Michael, Christ Church and St. James with more parts of the island scheduled for September 2013 and beyond.

Flow also provides service in several Caribbean countries including Jamaica, Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago. Based on comments online there are mixed reviews to the quality of the cable TV and Internet offerings of Flow, ranging from great to disappointing.

I have only been able to see the service at a public exposition which Flow held earlier this year. During that event I was able to get a glimpse of their High Definition offering as well as their broadband speeds. In Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago Flow offers speeds up to 100Mbps and the same is here for Barbados. Just going by numbers, that speed is five (5) times what telecommunication provider LIME offers as its maximum broadband speed (20Mbps). Of course those are maximum possible speeds and many factors come into play when it comes to realisation of actual speed. However, the announcement of Flow's arrival should have positive results when it comes to competition among the Internet and Cable TV providers in Barbados.

In addition to the Internet the prospects of the Cable TV service sound quite interesting. Namely because when I glance through the Flow Barbados Channel List I see an incredible amount of HD channels on offer (by Barbados standards of course). The basic package alone has about 19 HD channels. A further browse of the channel list reveals about 30 more HD channels (available in packages and a-la-carte). So basically Flow will offer around 50 channels in HD while MCTV has 4 channels....hmmm...and to be honest looking at Flow's HD offering of 19 channels in the basic package, in terms of price Flow wins. Even looking at the amount of standard definition (SD) and HD channels offered in the other two extended packages, overall Flow looks like the better value. Flow will also offer at least two channels in 3D (the 3D channels are free, most likely because the potential market for 3D channels is small). Of course, at the end of the day the real answer comes in the quality of the actual service as well as customer service. Columbus Communication has also promised new technological developments for Flow will be introduced in Barbados later this year. At this point I can not comment on how Flow in Barbados will be overall but what I can say is that based on the channel package information Flow has online as well as the demonstration of the service at the exposition, it seems like Flow will bring a new level of technology  and innovation to Barbados, which should lead to better product offerings available by Flow's competitors. In the end this should benefit the consumers.

...and then there was HD...sort of

The MCTV (Barbados) High Definition (HD) receiver

So without any research I believe the award for the longest delay in offering High Definition television channels to its cable TV lineup would be given right here in Barbados. Just about last month, MCTV in Barbados started offering High Definition channels. With the announcement of HDTV channels, I was obviously excited, having had to get my HD fix via HD-DVD, Blu-Ray, YouTube and other online sources. The opportunity to be able to watch my favourite sporting event, drama or comedy show in crisp, clear, glorious high definition was alluring. In fact the thought was magical. I have watched HD cable before while on vacation in the United States and Canada but being able to watch it here in my living room in Barbados...nice. That was until I realized what they were offering.

I must admit I was never a fan of our cable provider MCTV but that is too long a story for this blog. But a quick summary, MCTV has always had a history of receiver boxes not working properly (the remote does not respond to button presses, basically the box sticks, no programme data etc...) and that long tradition continues with the new HD box.

In addition, as can be seen their website....yeah...you get the point. If they don't put effort into their website how can you expect them to put effort into anything else. Of course there may be reasons why MCTV has the issues they have but again too long of a story for this blog. So then upon reflection it really did come as no surprise when I found out their HDTV offering was a "whopping" four (4) channels...yes...4 channels. To make it even more depressing only 2 of them sounded worthwhile to have in HD and then for the reality check only 1 of those 2 is actually in HD. The channels are CTV Toronto HD, Justice Central HD, FightNow HD and WGN HD. Now WGN HD is not actually in HD, which leaves CTV HD as the only real choice. One can only imagine what MCTV management was thinking when they thought to add Justice Central HD and FightNow HD. If those two channels were part of a 20 or 30 channel HD package then it may be more understandable but with a small offering of 4 channels MCTV offers Justice Central and FightNow HD? Not really the best channel choices with such a limited HD offering.

I should add that sometimes NBC Sports and CBS are in HD or near HD. Obviously MCTV's offering is way to small for the year 2013...and to think they are offering this when a new cable provider has entered the Barbados marketplace. So for MCTV's sake they better improve. For years they had the luxury of having the best channel package in Barbados but the new entrant into the Barbados cable TV market is offering more channels and more importantly more channels in HD. More on that new provider tomorrow.

And to be honest, MCTV's paltry HD offering is a pity, because the picture quality of CTV HD is really quite good. Hopefully management at MCTV will improve the HD product offerings soon...in fact it is in their own best interest.

Apps, Bajan style

The main screen for the "Bajan Lingo" Android OS app

Apps are the in thing when it comes to smart phones and tablets. Apple has its App Store, Blackberry has its Blackberry App world and Android has Google Play (formally the Android Market). Unfortunately application development has not been looked at a lot in Barbados. The Nation Publishing Company Ltd does have an application for the Blackberry platform available for download but this is one of the few locally developed apps.

The majority of smart phone users in Barbados are utilising the Blackberry platform and in terms of application development, apps developed for Blackberry are far fewer than those for market leading Apple OS and second place Android OS. Of course now that Research in Motion (now formally known as Blackberry) is placing a lot of hope on its latest OS, Blackberry 10. Time will tell if they are able to make any significant dent into the app market. While application development in Barbados is still in the infancy stage there have been Barbados related apps that have been developed in other countries.

We are going to take a look at a couple of them. The first is an app entitled “Bajan Lingo” which is developed by GCT Labs. This app is your portable source for Bajan sayings and phrases. Popular phrases such as “plaster for every sore (an excuse for every situation)” and “wha gine on? (a greeting saying how are you doing?)” are included in this app.

The app gives you access to Bajan words and phrases on the go

The app provides a Bajan word or phrase for the day feature and also allows users the option to look for words and phrases alphabetically by letter. It is a great little app to have on your phone and with it you can ensure you always have a piece of Barbadiana with you, even if you are “ova an’ away (overseas)”. Best of all, the app is free to download from Google Play.

A downside to this app is that unlike some translation apps, there is no audio option. Such a feature would allow you to hear the words or phrases being pronounced. That would have been a great addition and hopefully a feature that would be added in any update that may be done.

Streekes on Tech gives the “Bajan Lingo” Google Play app a 4 out of 5 'Green Coconut' rating

Flow of blog

When I got this phone a little over a year ago I thought I "had it made"...LOL...now two models have been released since

I am going to aim to update this blog as often as possible with reviews, news and opinions as it relates to the world of technology. As we all know the world of technology is one that is dynamic and fluid. It constantly changes. A great example is the mobile phone market. The variety of phone models available continues to expand at a rapid pace. So much so that it can be hard to keep up with the constant changes. But at the end of the day that is probably one of the things that technology buffs love...the excitement and constant change. So stay tuned to this blog for change...hopefully of the constant variety. Until next time...cheers!

New blog...yeah!

After weeks of promising and promising and promising...and you guessed it...promising some more I have finally launched my new blog...drum roll please...."Streekes on Tech"....so here it is....my first of many more posts to come...so sit back, relax and enjoy! And also don't forget to follow me on Twitter @LStreekes