One thing we love about Amazon.com is its review system. What, then, if the system is gamed?
That's exactly what happened with VIP Deals, a (now former) company with an Amazon.com storefront that paid customers to give it five-star reviews. Three customers told the New York Times that VIP Deals enclosed a letter in the shipping package for the ViperTek leather case for the Kindle Fire. According to the report, the letter asked the customer:
"to write a product review for the Amazon community. In return for writing the review, we will refund your order so you will have received the product for free."
To be clear, the letter did not specify that a five-star review was required. It did, however, hint that a five-star review would be preferred, saying “We strive to earn 100 percent perfect ‘FIVE-STAR’ scores from you!”
This is a definite violation of Amazon.com's Terms of Service for resellers. However, the company was oblivious to the fake reviews until the New York Times provided its information to them. Strange, because some reviews were not just negative, they actually exposed the scheme.
For example, a customer named Robert S. Pollock wrote in a review he titled “scam,” “This is an egregious violation of the ratings and review system used by Amazon." What's worse is that he was chastised by another customer, who, it turns out, was himself a seller on Amazon and admitted not just being given but also himself given free items in exchange for reviews. “It is not a scam but an incentive."
After being alerted to the scam by the Times, the Internet retailer booted the seller and its products, and removed the fake reviews. While that's all well and good, as many use the reviews on Amazon.com in order to decide who to order from and what to order, it begs the question "who can you trust?"
It would seem the only reviews you can truly trust are those for products sold directly by Amazon.com --- as the retailer itself is not going to bribe its customers.
Ah, but perhaps not. For if we go back to 2009, we can recall another high profile review bribery case, from back in 2009. Then, not a storefront, but Belkin, a product manufacturer itself, was found to have been paying for reviews. ironically using Amazon.com's own Mechanical Turk service to do so.
Dear Maggie, I've had the iPhone 3G for a couple of years. But recently, I've really gotten tired of the slow download speeds for e-mails and Web surfing. Would the iPhone 4S be better? Also the Siri app looks really interesting, and I can't get it on my iPhone 3G. Is it worth it for me to upgrade to the iPhone 4S for this app?
I'm going to be buying a new phone in the next couple of weeks, and I am curious as to whether or not you think it is worth the money to get the iPhone 4S, or if I should consider something else. Now that I've been retired for almost five years, I've lost touch with the latest technology so your advice is much appreciated.
Thanks, Jim
Dear Jim,
I have mixed thoughts about the Siri application. It's definitely cool to speak into your device, ask a question, and have Siri answer you. And some people I've talked to who own an iPhone 4S really love it. But the times I've tried the app, it hasn't worked that well for me. It doesn't understand what I am saying, or it just directs me to a Website without telling me the answer I wanted. So in my opinion, the app can be useful at times, but it's more a novelty at this point than a reason to buy the iPhone 4S.
Even though I don't think Siri is cool enough to make me upgrade to the iPhone 4S, there are many other features of the iPhone 4S that are worth upgrading for. And without a doubt, the iPhone 4S is a big improvement over the iPhone 3G, which is now two-generations old.
The biggest benefit for you is that the the iPhone 4S will likely offer you those faster downloads you want. The iPhone 4S sold by AT&T operates on the carrier's HSPA+ wireless network, which is a slightly faster network than AT&T's regular HSPA 3G network, which the iPhone 3G uses.
But just to be clear, the iPhone 4S does not operate over AT&T's new 4G LTE network, which promises to offer much faster download speeds. (There has been a lot of talk about 4G LTE networks and I just wanted to be clear that the "4" in the name of the iPhone doesn't mean it supports this network.) Most Apple iPhone fans are hopeful that 4G LTE will be coming to the next iPhone that's released. But it's unclear when that new phone will be released.
In terms of device performance, the network is just one piece of the puzzle. The real difference in download speed between the iPhone 3G and the iPhone 4S is likely attributable to the fact that iPhone 4S offers more processing power than the older iPhone 3G. So everything you do with the phone should be noticeably faster--from downloading e-mail to surfing the Web to switching between applications. The overall response time of the iPhone 4S will just be snappier than what you're used to.
Dear Maggie, I've had the iPhone 3G for a couple of years. But recently, I've really gotten tired of the slow download speeds for e-mails and Web surfing. Would the iPhone 4S be better? Also the Siri app looks really interesting, and I can't get it on my iPhone 3G. Is it worth it for me to upgrade to the iPhone 4S for this app?
I'm going to be buying a new phone in the next couple of weeks, and I am curious as to whether or not you think it is worth the money to get the iPhone 4S, or if I should consider something else. Now that I've been retired for almost five years, I've lost touch with the latest technology so your advice is much appreciated.
Thanks, Jim
Dear Jim,
I have mixed thoughts about the Siri application. It's definitely cool to speak into your device, ask a question, and have Siri answer you. And some people I've talked to who own an iPhone 4S really love it. But the times I've tried the app, it hasn't worked that well for me. It doesn't understand what I am saying, or it just directs me to a Website without telling me the answer I wanted. So in my opinion, the app can be useful at times, but it's more a novelty at this point than a reason to buy the iPhone 4S.
Even though I don't think Siri is cool enough to make me upgrade to the iPhone 4S, there are many other features of the iPhone 4S that are worth upgrading for. And without a doubt, the iPhone 4S is a big improvement over the iPhone 3G, which is now two-generations old.
The biggest benefit for you is that the the iPhone 4S will likely offer you those faster downloads you want. The iPhone 4S sold by AT&T operates on the carrier's HSPA+ wireless network, which is a slightly faster network than AT&T's regular HSPA 3G network, which the iPhone 3G uses.
But just to be clear, the iPhone 4S does not operate over AT&T's new 4G LTE network, which promises to offer much faster download speeds. (There has been a lot of talk about 4G LTE networks and I just wanted to be clear that the "4" in the name of the iPhone doesn't mean it supports this network.) Most Apple iPhone fans are hopeful that 4G LTE will be coming to the next iPhone that's released. But it's unclear when that new phone will be released.
In terms of device performance, the network is just one piece of the puzzle. The real difference in download speed between the iPhone 3G and the iPhone 4S is likely attributable to the fact that iPhone 4S offers more processing power than the older iPhone 3G. So everything you do with the phone should be noticeably faster--from downloading e-mail to surfing the Web to switching between applications. The overall response time of the iPhone 4S will just be snappier than what you're used to.
Amazon.com has promised to make a paid app free every day in the Amazon Appstore, and today's app is Word Pops.
Word Pops is priced at $2.99 in the Android Market. It is normally priced at $1.99 in the Amazon Appstore. As we've noted previously, prices sometimes differ between the two marketplaces.
Word Pops is described as follows:
If you love a good word challenge, check out Word Pops. This game for your Android device combines Scrabble-style spelling with Tetris-esque movement, resulting in an addictive and fun play experience.
Bubble Up Some Fun
Your job is to spell words with your finger to stop bubbles from filling the screen. Just touch a letter bubble and slide your finger onto adjacent letters to form a word. As you spell words, new bubbles continually rise to the top of the board. Keep finding new words or you'll be overrun by bubbles and the game will end!
As you play, you'll encounter special bubbles that can help (and sometimes hinder) you. Go for bonuses that earn up to five times the normal amount. Watch for special bubbles like Freeze, Explosion, and Mutate--they'll give you a leg up at crucial moments, but they can mess you up, too.
Choose between scored and relaxed modes, depending on how intense you're feeling. Scored mode features Scrabble-style scoring, with more points awarded for less common letters, and increases the pace of the game as you go along. Relaxed mode simply lets you play--there's no scorekeeping and the speed remains constant throughout. You can adjust the speed in this mode, as well, in case you want to hone your chops.
The game's natural touch interface, which is remarkably smooth and graceful, makes it easy to play this game for hours. Challenge your friends to see who can get the highest score or create the most valuable word. Good luck!
Word Pops has a rating of 4.4 stars in the Android Market and a 2.9-star rating in the Amazon Appstore.
Back to games, abut also, back to a FAOTD that differs greatly in ratings between the Android Market and the Amazon Appstore.
What's notable is that if you take a look at the ratings in detail in the Android Market, you can see quite a few of the complaints that are in the Amazon Appstore, but a much more gently rated value, as well. The Amazon Appstore also has a higher version number (1.0.5) than the Android Market (1.0.4); while it's said the change was for "Kindle Fire compatibility" there's always a chance something was unintentionally broken.
Most annoying, however, since the Kindle Fire is a 7-inch tablet, is the number of complaints from different tablet owners that the app doesn't scale well on their tablets. It's unclear if that's because the Fire is an Android 2.3 device while the others may be (they are not clear) using Honeycomb tablets.
Those who are considering "buying" a Free Amazon Appstore app might want to consider what it means to developers.
Amazon.com opened up the Appstore despite a lawsuit by Apple, which has previously trademarked the term "App Store." Microsoft has filed an appeal against that trademark, saying the term is too generic. Amazon.com has responded to the lawsuit in the same manner.
"From December 21st thru December 27th, travelers passing through or delayed in over 50 airports across the country will be able to access third-party hotspots using Skype WiFi and connect with loved ones via a Skype video or voice call for free," the voice-over IP service wrote in an official blog post.
Skype, which is owned by Microsoft, is not the first to offer this kind of holiday deal. Nintendo has also partnered with Boingo, the country's leading WiFi hotspot provider, to give free online access to 3DS owners during the busy travel season.
And last year, the nascent Gogo in-flight WiFi service was available for free, thanks to a promotion from Google.
The number of people traveling by plane for the holidays this year is expected to rise over last year, and anything that can make those travelers more comfortable - therefore less irritable when they step onto the plane - is a definite positive.
"The holidays are all about connecting with those you love. Skype is excited to help you maintain these meaningful connections wherever you may be this holiday season," said Skype. How festive.
"From December 21st thru December 27th, travelers passing through or delayed in over 50 airports across the country will be able to access third-party hotspots using Skype WiFi and connect with loved ones via a Skype video or voice call for free," the voice-over IP service wrote in an official blog post.
Skype, which is owned by Microsoft, is not the first to offer this kind of holiday deal. Nintendo has also partnered with Boingo, the country's leading WiFi hotspot provider, to give free online access to 3DS owners during the busy travel season.
And last year, the nascent Gogo in-flight WiFi service was available for free, thanks to a promotion from Google.
The number of people traveling by plane for the holidays this year is expected to rise over last year, and anything that can make those travelers more comfortable - therefore less irritable when they step onto the plane - is a definite positive.
"The holidays are all about connecting with those you love. Skype is excited to help you maintain these meaningful connections wherever you may be this holiday season," said Skype. How festive.
"From December 21st thru December 27th, travelers passing through or delayed in over 50 airports across the country will be able to access third-party hotspots using Skype WiFi and connect with loved ones via a Skype video or voice call for free," the voice-over IP service wrote in an official blog post.
Skype, which is owned by Microsoft, is not the first to offer this kind of holiday deal. Nintendo has also partnered with Boingo, the country's leading WiFi hotspot provider, to give free online access to 3DS owners during the busy travel season.
And last year, the nascent Gogo in-flight WiFi service was available for free, thanks to a promotion from Google.
The number of people traveling by plane for the holidays this year is expected to rise over last year, and anything that can make those travelers more comfortable - therefore less irritable when they step onto the plane - is a definite positive.
"The holidays are all about connecting with those you love. Skype is excited to help you maintain these meaningful connections wherever you may be this holiday season," said Skype. How festive.
The tricks, called "Easter Eggs," add to a long lineup of similar antics to amuse people using Google sites and products.
To get some of your own virtual snow, just use Chrome or Firefox on your desktop to go to Google.com and type in "let it snow" without the quotation marks.
First, you'll see snowflakes falling from the top of your screen. Next, it will appear to frost over. You can either hit a "Defrost" button to better see the snow falling, or click and hold your mouse while drawing on your frosted screen just like a kid drawing on a window with a finger.
If Hanukkah is your thing, Google's got some love especially for you. Enter "Hanukkah" (again, without quotes) at Google's main page and you'll see a string of yellow lights across the top of your screen.
Lucky individuals now walking around with Ice Cream Sandwich on their phones, for example, can open an Easter egg there, too.
Friends is an Emmy award-winning American situation comedy about a group of six friends living in the New York City borough of Manhattan... More >
Ross and Phoebe chase Rachel to the airport, but end up at the wrong one. They narrowly make it to the right airport, where Ross declares his love for Rachel, but she gets on the plane anyway. A rejected Ross returns home, where he finds a message on his
The ASUS Transformer Prime super-tablet is now available for pre-order, at several locations. Among the Internet retailers with the device available are Amazon.com, Best Buy, and TigerDirect.com.
Prices are all around $499 for 32GB and $599 for 64GB; you're not getting a discount on this baby. However, Amazon.com and TigerDirect.com don't collect sales tax in many states.
The Transformer Prime will ship with Android 3.2 (Honeycomb) but is already slated to get Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0). It will sport a 10.1-inch 1280 x 800 display, 1GB of RAM, along with 1.2MP front-facing and 8MP rear-facing cameras.
More importantly to those who love specs, the super-fast 1.3GHz quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 3. Of course, we know that Apple laughs at specs, as the iPad 2 isn't the most spec-heavy, but it has destroyed Android tablets in terms of sales.
There's still no release date, at least not a confirmed one, but the Transformer Prime is expected to ship in December.
Watch a demo of ICS on the ASUS Transformer Prime, below.
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