Eric Schwarz

Perhaps you remember the transition from analog (AMPS) to digital cellular service. (D-AMPS) If not, you may remember the transition from D-AMPS (aka TDMA) to GSM or CDMA2000. Some TDMA networks have been shut down as recently as last year, with Cingular/AT&T forcing people off those networks by charging them more. The transition for GSM users from GPRS (2G) data to EDGE (2.5G) data to 3G data has been rather seamless. Pick up a new handset to get the speed increases, but older handsets still work on the networks. In the next few years, there may be quite a bit of fear, uncertainty, and doubt about the transition to LTE, or Long-Term Evolution networks for AT&T and Verizon.

Continue reading "LTE Coming Soon: How Big of a Deal is It?" »

Posted by ecschwarz at 02:29 PM | Permalink

The FCC banned the distribution and sale of wireless devices that use the 700MHz frequency. Many expected this frequency, freed up with the move away from analog television, to be used with next-generation mobile networks. Sure enough, the disappearance of 700MHz devices clears up the market for 4G phones.

Continue reading "700MHz in the US, Other Countries to Follow?" »

Posted by ecschwarz at 11:09 PM | Permalink

It seems today that whenever people think of technology and handheld devices, their mind makes the jump to music, movies, TV shows, and other electronic media. What about books? With last week's announcement of the Apple iPad, Apple got into the book business to compete head-to-head with Amazon's Kindle and Barnes & Noble's Nook. The iPad's books can be purchased and downloaded just like those other items on the iTunes Store. Unlike much of that content, the iBooks (as they will be called) are US-only for now.

Continue reading "The Apple iPad...No Books Overseas" »

Posted by ecschwarz at 11:01 PM | Permalink

Plagiarism is a sensitive subject in academia. I always thought that the supposed plagiarism detection tools that were used as scare tactics in my high school and undergraduate days were fascinating, but I never really researched them much. Being the careful student I was, I always made sure to cite my sources, quote where appropriate, and follow the usual academic guidelines.

Continue reading "Let's All Copy!" »

Posted by ecschwarz at 12:47 AM | Permalink

It seems that in my many hours of TV watching over Thanksgiving, I've seen more and more commercials from AT&T and Verizon arguing who has the better network. Every so often we see T-Mobile and Sprint try to get everyone's attention by not being AT&T or Verizon. My question is, when are consumers going to start seeing the benefits of this little battle royale?

Continue reading "Fighting Networks" »

Posted by ecschwarz at 08:23 PM | Permalink

As promised, I'll be sharing a bit about the actual Renaissance. While trying to think about what to write, I decided to focus on a very important Renaissance invention: the parachute. A few early drawings appeared earlier, but this was another invention that Leonardo da Vinci helping improve upon.

Continue reading "The Renaissance: Parachutes" »

Posted by ecschwarz at 04:43 PM | Permalink

Ren•ais•sance: –noun

1. the activity, spirit, or time of the great revival of art, literature, and learning in Europe beginning in the 14th century and extending to the 17th century, marking the transition from the medieval to the modern world.
2. the forms and treatments in art used during this period.
3. (sometimes lowercase) any similar revival in the world of art and learning.
4. (lowercase) a renewal of life, vigor, interest, etc.; rebirth; revival: a moral renaissance.

Continue reading "The Information Renaissance" »

Posted by ecschwarz at 03:38 PM | Permalink

When I use a computer, I'm often doing multiple things at once. A few windows and applications open, lots and lots of processes, and squeezing out every last ounce of power at any given time. I was surprised when I came across litl, a new Boston-based upstart that is hoping to redefine the computer.

Continue reading "A Litl Bit" »

Posted by ecschwarz at 01:46 AM | Permalink

I've been doing this technology thing for quite awhile. I've been working on SchwarzTech for the last ten years, have been tearing apart, fixing, and improving computers since I was in elementary school; had a tech support job for the students at the Indiana Academy my freshman year, and am the unofficial "computer and media guy" in my job now. I thought I would take some of those experiences and share my theories on technology consulting. Obviously, they may not match yours, and some may be wrong, but this is an educational experience and I thought I'd share.

Continue reading "Synthesizing" »

Posted by ecschwarz at 04:46 PM | Permalink

I have been needing a new mouse for a while. My prior mouse has long since worn out and was to the point that it was creaking and not scrolling the greatest. Coincidentally, around that same time, Apple introduced the Magic Mouse. Although it looked rather interesting, I didn't necessarily want to buy it. Originally, it was only shipping with the new iMacs, but finally was getting out to stores as a standalone purchase. I hit up the local Best Buy to check it out in person, since it was a radical departure from most other mice I've used.

Continue reading "A Multi-Touch Sunday (or Eric Goes and Buys a New Mouse)" »

Posted by ecschwarz at 09:36 PM | Permalink