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Minnov8 Gang 323 – Stagefright is VERY Scary

August 1, 2015 By Steve Borsch

stagefright_mainPerformance anxiety, or fear of being in front of people and especially on-stage, can be crippling. It happens so often it even has a name we all know: stagefright.

If you are one of the 950 million users of older Android-based devices, there is a new exploit for Android called ‘Stagefright’ and you should be filled with anxiety and fear.

Listen and learn what Android ‘Stagefright’ is, how scared you should be, and what you can do.

Hosts: Steve Borsch, Graeme Thickins and Tim Elliott (Phil Wilson is off).
Music: Summer Blues by Mr. Gee B under a Creative Commons License.

The Podcast
https://media.blubrry.com/minnov8/minnov8.com/site/wp-content/uploads/podcasts/20150801_M8_Gang_323.mp3

Podcast: Download (Duration: 1:04:29 — 37.9MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Download or listen link

Story Links
Past Week’s Biggest MN Stories
  • Sofia Fund II Closes at Oversubscribed $5.5M
  • Amazon has a Twin Cities partner in drive-up grocery venture
  • Amazon Launchpad Takes On Product Hunt, Shopify With Launchpad
  • Target digital executive Alan Wizemann will leave company 
  • Target begins using credit card chip readers as deadline looms
  • Apple Watch to Be Sold at Best Buy
  • 360fly signs exclusive retail partnership with Best Buy and 360fly website
  • GovDelivery buys government-to-citizen texting startup and SeeClickFix
Other Top Tech Stories
  • Android ‘Stagefright’ Exploit
    • As if there weren’t enough reasons to ditch Android for iPhone — this takes the cake
    • Apple hater finds 950 million reasons to quit Android for iPhone
    • The ‘Stagefright’ exploit: What you need to know
    • ‘Stagefright’ will be shown at the upcoming DefCon 2015 Conference
  • Windows 10
    • Windows 10 review
    • Windows 10 Uses Your Bandwidth to Distribute Updates, Disable It Here
    • I noticed some disturbing privacy defaults in Windows 10
      • Reddit thread on how to turn off logging
  • Apple
    • IBM to Purchase Up to 200,000 Macs Annually, With 50-75% of Employees Ultimately Switching From Lenovo
    • Is the Apple Watch Really Worth Your Time? The Ultimate Review
    • Julio Ojeda-Zapata’s YourTechWeblog: I’ve tried the Apple Watch. My take.
    • Apple’s secret Android plan for Apple Watch
    • Get Ready For A New Apple TV In September
    • Apple Inc.’s iPad Business Could Get a Much-Needed Boost This Fall 
  • NBCUniversal Poised to Make Big Investments in BuzzFeed and Vox Media
Steve’s Security Tip of the Week

TIP: If you use Tor, and do not want to be surveilled or made non-anonymous (which is the entire point to using Tor in the first place):

a) Be completely aware of other services you’re running on your computer and that you may, in fact, not be anonymous at all!: New attack on Tor can deanonymize hidden services with surprising accuracy

b) If you do want to use Tor—and want to be completely certain you don’t leave any trail of your activity and that you are secure—then use Tails (The Amnesic Incognito Live System)

c) Whatever you use to stay anonymous and secure, you may also want to change the way you type! How to bust keyboard biometrics, and why you might want to

Cool Thing of the Week
  • Phil: is off this week
  • Tim: Windows 10
  • Graeme: SUPsquatch – for the surfer who has everything & Supsquatch in Action at Makaha
  • Steve: Lumenati CS1 – The World’s First Cinematic Smartcase
Upcoming Events
  • Prestige Conference, August 1-2, U of St. Thomas Mpls
  • Rally Cry-Video Games, August 6, GlitchHQ
  • MinneAnalytics conference on “Financial and Retail Analytics,” Carlson School, August 12th
  • SMBMSP #81, Brewing Up Buzz For Beer, August 14th
  • Twin Cities Startup Week, Sept. 8-13
  • Converted2015 (LeadPages conference), October 20-21
  • “LeanIn2”: MinneAnalytics Healthcare & Life Sciences Conference, Oct 23rd

Filed Under: Minnov8 Gang Podcast Tagged With: Android, Apple, Best Buy, Microsoft

Minnov8 Gang 320 – #IoT Goes Mainstream … or Not?

July 11, 2015 By Steve Borsch

iot-gang-mainTarget Stores has an Internet of Things concept in San Francisco? We discuss that and a bit about Apple Homekit, Google’s Project Brillo and Microsoft’s Windows 10 and Azure as IoT platforms. With Target in the game as a mass market retailer, does this mean IoT has hit the mainstream? Find out on this week’s show.

Hosts: Steve Borsch, Tim Elliott and Phil Wilson (Graeme Thickins is off).
Music: Walking the Streets by DJ Ecklectic Mick under a Creative Commons License.

The Podcast
https://media.blubrry.com/minnov8/minnov8.com/site/wp-content/uploads/podcasts/20150711_M8_Gang_320.mp3

Podcast: Download (Duration: 56:21 — 33.3MB)

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Download or listen link

Story Links
Past Week’s Biggest MN Stories
  • Target opens a ministore for the Internet of Things
    • Inside Target’s Tech Funhouse and Search for Its Next Billion-Dollar Business
    • Experience Connected Home Technology Like Never Before at Target Open House
  • Medtronic made ‘smartest companies’ list
  • Minneapolis ranks fourth nationwide for digital health VC funding
  • CoCo to open co-working space in northeast Minneapolis
Other Top Tech Stories
  • Is Android the New Windows?
  • Analysis: Microsoft is Scaling Back on Windows Phone Dramatically
  • Microsoft to devs: We want your iOS and Android apps
  • Apple’s HomeKit Is Promising, But It Needs More Work
  • Apple Music Review: Behind a Messy Interface Is Music’s Next Big Leap
  • Steve Jobs trailer: watch an unrecognizable Michael Fassbender in the first extended look
  • Tampa, St. Louis, and Orlando Remain the Top Cities for Malware in the First Half of 2015
Steve’s Security Tip of the Week (SSTotW)

TIP: Critical Adobe Flash Security Updates. Uninstall Adobe Flash (or at least update) NOW.

  • no-flashWhat happened: Controversial company Hacking Team was hacked & security researchers around the world dig through the hacker’s release of gigabytes of data. In that data, researcher Brian Krebs discovers Hacking Team was exploiting a previously unknown hole in Flash: Adobe to Patch Hacking Team’s Flash Zero-Day
    • Brian Krebs Update just before this podcast’s recording: Adobe To Fix Another Hacking Team Zero-Day (two days later)
  • Complete overview: How spyware peddler Hacking Team was publicly dismantled
  • How to Uninstall Flash
    • Brian Krebs knows how to stay safe online…but even he has uninstalled Flash
    • Use these uninstallers:
      • Windows
      • Mac
      • Google Chrome uses its own Flash player. Here is how to disable it.
        • Or use this Chrome extension: Flash Control
      • How to Uninstall Flash Player in Linux
Cool Thing of the Week (CTotW)
  • Phil: Visual The 3D social media app for virtual reality. Coming soon to Samsung Gear VR and Oculus DK2.
  • Tim: CTotW update! BBC Micro Bit computer’s final design revealed
  • Graeme: (not on this week)
  • Steve: iClever® 6-Port 50W 10A Fast USB Desktop Charger – $26
    • Monoprice MFI Lightning-to-USB 6” cables for $7.99
    • Monoprice has multiple types of USB cables too
Upcoming Events
  • Conversations About The Future Of Advertising, July 15th, Fine Line Music Café
  • JoomlaDayMN, July 18th, Mall of America
  • MinneDemo 20, July 23rd at The Depot, 6pm
  • Prestige Conference, August 1-2, U of St. Thomas Mpls
  • MinneAnalytics conference on “Financial and Retail Analytics,” Carlson School, August 12th
  • Twin Cities Startup Week, Sept. 8-13
  • Converted2015 (LeadPages conference), October 20-21
  • “LeanIn2”: MinneAnalytics Healthcare & Life Sciences Conference, Oct 23rd

 

Filed Under: Minnov8 Gang Podcast Tagged With: #IoT, Android, Apple, mobile

Minnov8 Gang 319 – Technology is Everywhere…So Where are the Girls?

June 27, 2015 By Steve Borsch

technovationmn-mainIt seems like there has been lots of lip service paid to getting girls in to technology, while uncertainty seems to keep growing on exactly how to make that happen. The National Center for Women & Information Technology has this page with facts on “Girls in I.T.” (or just download the full report.) and it clearly defines the problem.

Fortunately there are Minnesotans who have found girls and are sparking their technology interest by stepping-up to mentor, guide and coach girls to experience, compete and embrace the possibilities when it comes to their futures in technology. Our guest, Shawn Stavseth, is deeply involved with several others in that mission, and she talks about their recent team winner (at the national challenge competition) and TechnovationMN overall.

Hosts: Steve Borsch, Tim Elliott, Graeme Thickins* and Phil Wilson.
Music: The Spectator by Kubbi under a Creative Commons License.

The Podcast
https://media.blubrry.com/minnov8/minnov8.com/site/wp-content/uploads/podcasts/20150627_M8_Gang_319.mp3

Podcast: Download (Duration: 50:32 — 29.7MB)

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Download or listen link

Story Links
Past Week’s Biggest MN Stories
  • Amazon to open fulfillment center near Minneapolis
  • JAMF Software to double HQ size with move
  • CenturyLink Starts Prism TV Cable Service
  • Job-search tech company moves HQ to downtown Minneapolis
  • Why WeatherBug wants to program your (Honeywell) thermostat
Other Top Tech Stories
  • Bill Gates: We’re in the fastest period of technological innovation ever
    • Ray Kurzweil’s The Singularity is Near
    • What A New Class Of Worker Could Mean For The Future Of Labor
Guest: Shawn Stavseth

Shawn_StavsethShawn is currently Senior Director of Product Development at Bluespire Marketing. Former Marketing pro at Thomson Reuters. Co-Founder and Executive Director at TechnovationMN. (LinkedIn; Twitter; TechnovationMN profile)

  • TechnovationMN Makes Furst Class Appearance at World Competition
  • How to Get Involved in TechnovationMN
  • Contact form on TechnovationMN
Steve’s Security Tip of the Week

TIP: If you are trying to stay anonymous online, and are using either Chrome or Firefox, disable WebRTC. Here is why: Chrome & Firefox Users Are Leaking Their IP Address…Even While Using a VPN

How to Disable WebRTC

  • In Firefox:
    • To disable WebRTC, in the address bar type in about:config and click-to-toggle media.peerconnection.enabled to false.
    • Or install this Firefox add-on
  • In Chrome:
    • Bad news? You CAN’T turn off WebRTC on desktop version of Google Chrome.
    • Good news? Install this Chrome Extension: WebRTC Block
Cool Thing of the Week
  • Phil: Samsung’s See-through Semi
  • Tim: CloudPlayer by doubleTwist (Android only)
  • Graeme: Lexus’ Hoverboard Skatepark
  • Steve: ZigBee Garage Door (Tilt) Sensor as well as other SmartThings Compatible Products
Upcoming Events
  • Twin Cities Drupal Camp, June 25-28, University of St. Thomas
  • BRANDisruption: How Consumers Hijacked Marketing…And What We’re Doing About It July 9th
  • Conversations About The Future Of Advertising, July 15th, Fine Line Music Café
  • JoomlaDayMN, July 18th, Mall of America
  • MinneDemo 20, July 23rd at The Depot, 6pm
  • Prestige Conference, August 1-2, U of St. Thomas Mpls
  • MinneAnalytics conference on “Financial and Retail Analytics,” Carlson School, August 12th
  • Twin Cities Startup Week, Sept. 8-13
  • Converted2015 (LeadPages conference), October 20-21
  • “LeanIn2”: MinneAnalytics Healthcare & Life Sciences Conference, Oct 23rd
* Graeme Thickins’ Lakeside Recording Studio
Graeme Thickins' Lakeside Recording Studio

Left to Right:
Recording Studio on Wheels (aka, “The Love Machine)
The Cozy Interior View, Perfect for Snuggling
Lakeside View from the Driver’s Seat

Filed Under: Minnov8 Gang Podcast Tagged With: Android

Minnov8 Gang 316 – A Grand Day Out

June 6, 2015 By Steve Borsch

Once again, Steve’s selection of music finds Phil and Tim a bit bemused and it reminds Phil of the claymation shorts and films starring Wallace & Gromit (Wikipedia; official site).

Later on we mention the story, Could UFO sighting be sign Large Hadron Collider has created portal to another dimension? which is, admittedly, a stretch as a tie-in: The first Wallace & Gromit film was a Grand Day Out*, where cheese-loving Wallace suggests a visit to the solar system’s biggest ball of cheese, our moon, because they just ran out of it.

Hosts: Steve Borsch, Tim Elliott and Phil Wilson (Graeme Thickins is off).
Music: Country Trouble by Dexter Britain under a Creative Commons License.

The Podcast
https://media.blubrry.com/minnov8/minnov8.com/site/wp-content/uploads/podcasts/20150606_M8_Gang_316.mp3

Podcast: Download (Duration: 58:01 — 34.1MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Download or listen link

Story Links
Past Week’s Biggest MN Stories
  • Inside look at the Buzzfeed office in Northeast Minneapolis (#livinthedream)
    • What does Uff da mean?
  • Minneapolis software firm Code42 looks for new CEO
    • Dornquast stepping down as CEO of Code42
  • CoCo Closing Its Fargo Location
  • Best Buy extends its online marketplace to Canada
  • Target.com’s president challenges Amazon
  • Target’s Cornell keeping eye on technology
  • HidrateMe Is A Connected Water Bottle That Will Glow When You Need To Take A Sip
Other Top Stories
  • Coming at WWDC 2015: New Apple Watch SDK, Quality-focused/refreshed iOS 9 & OS X 10.11, Apple Music
  • Internet of Things
    • HomeKit documented officially by Apple, as Apple TV confirmed as gateway device
    • Apple HomeKit-enabled IoT products roll out
    • Here’s What We Know About Apple’s Plans for Smart Homes | WIRED
    • Welcome to the smart home … of horror!
    • How the Internet of Things Will Upend Retirement – WSJ
  • iPhone 6S Release Date Leaks Via Major Carrier
    • iPhone 7: Apple to launch ‘entirely new phone’
    • Blu
  • IRS failed to address computer security weaknesses, making attack on 104,000 taxpayers more likely
  • Skype for Web (Beta) is now available to everyone in the US and UK

Steve’s Security Tip of the Week
  • Tip: Think twice before using a free VPN!
    • The Hola Matter
      • Free VPN? You had best read the small print…
      • Hola VPN still riddled with security holes, researchers claim
      • Ofer Vilenski, Hola CEO: The recent events on the Hola network
      • About Hola (VPN) on Wikipedia

Cool Thing of the Week
  • Phil: Rebel Bass Guitar
  • Tim: Han Solo Frozen in Carbonite Mini Fridge
  • Steve: One Page Love

Upcoming Events
  • Minneanalytics: Big Data Tech, June 8th
  • Anaplan Minneapolis Office Grand Opening, June 9th
  • Club Entrepreneur: Sports Technology: Under the Radar in Minnesota, Minneapolis Club, June 9
  • Mobile Twin Cities: Everything I/O June 9, BuzzFeed offices
  • IBM Content 2015 June 11-12
  • MIMA’s Summer Social at Surly, June 17th
  • Startup School FemTech June 19th
  • Twin Cities Drupal Camp, June 25-28, University of St. Thomas
  • BRANDisruption: How Consumers Hijacked Marketing…And What We’re Doing About It July 9th
  • JoomlaDayMN, July 18th, Mall of America

* Steve Borsch: If you have kids or grandkids, they will absolutely love Wallace & Gromit. Mine did.

  • wandgAmazon.com is now streaming “Wallace and Gromit,” “Shaun the Sheep”, “The Complete Collection”, and films on its Prime Instant Video service.
  • You can purchase “The Complete Collection” of the primary four episodes in HD on iTunes
  • The film, The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, is also available for purchase on Google Play, Vudu and M-GO.

Filed Under: Minnov8 Gang Podcast Tagged With: Android, Apple, Best Buy

Minnov8 Gang 315 – Flyin’ and Spyin’

May 30, 2015 By Steve Borsch

Turns out this past week there was a mysterious low-flying plane over the Twin Cities which has raised questions of surveillance. The Minneapolis FBI office only says they don’t comment on “operational matters,” undoubtedly because they don’t want people like Phil to know they’re being watched.  😉

Hosts: Steve Borsch, Tim Elliott, Graeme Thickins and Phil Wilson.
Music: Blues for Suze by Ron Davis under a Creative Commons License.

The Podcast
https://media.blubrry.com/minnov8/minnov8.com/site/wp-content/uploads/podcasts/20150530_M8_Gang_315.mp3

Podcast: Download (Duration: 1:03:32 — 37.3MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Download or listen link

Story Links
Past Week’s Biggest MN Stories
  • Recaps: HackTheGap.MN and Midwest Mobile Summit
  • SmartThings expands Minneapolis office with move to new digs
  • Best Buy Beats Profit and Sales Expectations
  • Target Q1 profit surges 52% as turnaround efforts take hold
    • Target’s web sales grow by 37% in Q1
  • Twins tap NatureWorks technology to reduce Target Field waste
  • $250M solar power project gets OK from Minnesota regulators; plan calls for 2016 completion
    • Geronimo Energy
      • Noel Rahn
  • New camera software helps hockey coaches help goalies
Other Top Stories
  • Google I/O Announcements
    • Google announces Android M, available later this year
    • Google introduces Android Pay, a replacement for its wallet app on mobile
    • Google’s Brillo, an operating system for the Internet of Things, is coming in Q3
    • Google announces unlimited picture and video storage with new Photos app
    • Google’s Project Vault Is A Secure Computing Environment On A Micro SD Card, For Any Platform
    • Everything Google announced at Google I/O 2015 in one handy list
  • Mary Meeker’s 2015 Internet Trends (recap and slides)
  • WordPress owner buys e-commerce software provider WooCommerce
  • OneNote welcomes three new partners—cloudHQ, Equil and WordPress
  • Vox Media Acquiring ReCode
    • Comcast, investor in Vox Media and Recode, could end up buying them both
    • Tech media companies find that rapid growth doesn’t come easy
  • Jony Ive promoted to ‘Chief Design Officer’
  • The Internet of Things: a Surveillance State in Disguise
Other Links to Topics Discussed During the Show
  • CNN: It’s settled! Creator tells us how to pronounce ‘GIF’

Steve’s Security Tip of the Week
  • TIP: Secure (and encrypt) your iPhone in 60 seconds!
    • Apple: About iOS Passcodes
    • ZDNet Guide: For iPhone, iPad privacy, here’s how to turn on encryption in just one minute

Cool Thing of the Week
  • Phil: Google’s Project Jacquard
    • How to pronounce ‘jacquard’ (from Dictionary.com):
  • Tim: Meld: A Perfect Meal Every Time
  • Graeme:  iCarer iPhone 6 Plus Case
  • Steve: FlightRadar24 (apps available for iOS & Android)

Upcoming Events
  • Minneapolis/St. Paul Mini Maker Faire 2015, May 30
  • Club Entrepreneur: Sports Technology: Under the Radar in Minnesota, Minneapolis Club, June 9
  • Mobile Twin Cities: Everything I/O June 9, BuzzFeed offices
  • IBM Content 2015 June 11-12
  • Startup School FemTech June 19th
  • Twin Cities Drupal Camp, June 25-28, University of St. Thomas
  • JoomlaDayMN, July 18th, Mall of America

Filed Under: Minnov8 Gang Podcast Tagged With: Android, Apple, Best Buy, Google

Minnov8 Gang 312 – Sure Wish They Delivered

May 9, 2015 By Steve Borsch

wish-they-delivered_mainYep…we now have not one, not two, but three liquor delivery startups in the Twin Cities. Looks like anyone who wants to can get their thirst quenched easily, quickly, while still in their jammies.

Hosts: Steve Borsch, Tim Elliott and Phil Wilson (Graeme Thickins is off).
Music: Jugo Blues by Jano Gonzålez under a Creative Commons License.

The Podcast
https://media.blubrry.com/minnov8/minnov8.com/site/wp-content/uploads/podcasts/20150509_M8_Gang_312.mp3

Podcast: Download (Duration: 1:06:04 — 39.0MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Download or listen link

Story Links
Past Week’s Biggest MN Stories
  • TechnovationMn Recap
  • Twin Cities-born JamStik guitars a hit with educators, Apple fans
    • jamstik+ The SmartGuitar
  • Survey: Minneapolis-St. Paul Start-Up Climate Is Chilly
  • Star Tribune Buys City Pages; Vita.Mn To Cease Publication
  • Former Best Buy CEO Brian Dunn becomes chairman of Minneapolis startup Upsie
  • Twin Cities company Oxygen Plan taps Mayo to develop stress app
  • Minibar, the latest Twin Cities liquor delivery service, joins the mix
    • About Drizly, another Minibar competitor now in Minneapolis
  • Digital River Goes Deeper With Its Professional Services
Other Top Stories
  • Apple:
    • The Apple Watch’s Hidden Port Could Be Its Best Feature
    • Apple Watch: Volkswagen app lets users open car from wrist and send alerts when drivers speed
    • Apple store guru Ron Johnson launches concierge service for tech devices
      • Ron Johnson May “Enjoy” His New Business, But Will Shoppers Agree?
  • Comcast:
    • Comcast’s Xfinity home platform adds Nest, August, and more
    • Internet Customers Surpass Cable Subscribers at Comcast
  • Google:
    • Google Courts the World’s Teachers With Huge Web Conference
    • Google I/O

Steve’s Security Tip of the Week
  • TIP: Use 2FA!
    • What is 2FA?
    • Kevin Mitnick shows that hacking is child’s play at CeBIT keynote (Would not have happened if 2FA had been in use)
    • List of 2FA sites
    • Google Authenticator
      • Android
      • iOS

Cool Thing of the Week
  • Phil: Freedom Clip
    • Recycle a Cup
  • Tim: Bluesmart: The World’s First Smart, Connected Luggage
  • Steve: Neptune Suite

Upcoming Events
  • Secure360 Conference May 12-13
  • Beta.MN 2.0, May 14, Surly Brewing
  • HackTheGap.MN, May 16-17, LeadPages
  • Arthur Ventures’ annual Cultivate.you event, May 20, Fargo
  • Midwest Mobile Summit, May 20-21, Fargo
  • Minne-Faire 6, May 23, Hack Factory, Minneapolis
  • Cool Doesn’t Count in Healthcare TreeHouse Health May 28th
  • MSP Mini Maker Faire 2015, May 30, Minnesota State Fairgrounds
  • Twin Cities Drupal Camp, June 25-28, University of St. Thomas

Filed Under: Minnov8 Gang Podcast Tagged With: Android, Apple, Education, Google

Minnov8 Gang 310 – Why I Love Steroids

April 25, 2015 By Steve Borsch

julio-steroids-mainThough we’ve never actually seen our guest-host, Julio Ojeda-Zapata, take anabolic steroids—nor have we experienced, or even heard about, any ‘roid rage incidents he has been in—we do know he’s incredibly strong and ripped which will help him continue to lift all the tech gadgets he receives when they arrive.

Most importantly, Julio is quite passionate about Ignite Minneapolis, has delivered a fun and delightful presentation at the 2012 event, and we kick of this week’s show discussing the Spring 2015 event he attended. Maybe he’ll present on ‘roids at Ignite Minneapolis in October?

Hosts: Steve Borsch, Tim Elliott, Graeme Thickins and Julio Ojeda-Zapata (Phil Wilson is off).
Music: Blue Bird Bluegrass by Phil Botic under a Creative Commons License.

The Podcast
https://media.blubrry.com/minnov8/minnov8.com/site/wp-content/uploads/podcasts/20150425_M8_Gang_310.mp3

Podcast: Download (Duration: 1:06:34 — 39.1MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Download or listen link

Story Links
Past Week’s Biggest MN Stories
  • Ignite Minneapolis recap (Julio)
    • Ignite Minneapolis: a hot ticket to perfect hair
    • Ignite Minneapolis speaker events growing in popularity, frequency
    • Ignite Minneapolis gives shy people 5 minutes of fame
  • JAMF Software’s Relo shifts you from Android to iOS
    • Minneapolis company makes Android-to-Apple breakthrough
    • JAMF Software Announces Relo™ — Now It’s Easier Than Ever to Switch to the Apple Platform
  • Officials: MCA Testing Suspended Due To Cyber Attack
    • L.A. school district demands iPad refund from Apple
  • St. Anthony: Danish computer scientist found love and business in Twin Cities
  • Comcast | Time Warner Cable Deal
    • Franken last year on Comcast deal
    • Comcast announces Time Warner Cable deal is dead
    • Once Comcast’s Deal Shifted to a Focus on Broadband, Its Ambitions Were Sunk
    • Comcast / Time Warner Cable / Charter Transactions Terminated
    • Charter Explores Bid for Time Warner Cable
  • Minnesota ‘Mompreneur’ Launches Parent App and Crowdfunding Campaign
Other Top Stories
  • Google officially announces its mobile network service: Project Fi
  • Say hi to Fi: A new way to say hello
  • 1,500 iOS apps have this serious security flaw. Find out if your iPhone’s at risk.
  • Apple Watch Update:
    • Apple Watch: Loyalists who couldn’t wait line up in West Hollywood
    • Apple opens up the Apple Watch App Store with “more than 3,000 apps”
      • Apple Watch App Store (3,000+ apps)
      • Thousands of Apple Watch apps have been made without using the device — will they be any good?
      • Enterprise software vendors ready Apple Watch apps (even Microsoft! – click those PowerPoint slides!)
    • iFixit’s Apple Watch Teardown
    • Put A Gold Band On It

Steve’s Security Tip of the Week
  • Update! Update! Update!
    • Just this past week have included:
      • Critical Updates for Windows, Flash, Java
      • Security updates for several Apple products (e.g., AppleTV; OS X Yosemite; Safari; etc.)
      • Sucuri Security Advisory: XSS Vulnerability Affecting Multiple WordPress Plugins

Cool Thing of the Week
  • Tim: Joshua Topolsky’s new podcast, “Tomorrow”
  • Graeme:  How to Clean Up Your Messy Android and iPhone Contacts
  • Steve: Anker 40W 5-Port High Speed Desktop USB Charger for $26
    • To go with it I bought five of these 4-inch Lightning cables
  • Julio: The new MacBook

Upcoming Events
  • Wordcamp Minneapolis 2015, April 25-26th, University of St. Thomas
  • Twin Cities Code Camp 18, April 25th, UofMN Murphy Hall
  • R&D Tax Credits, April 29th, TreeHouse Health
  • LeadPages Open House, April 30th, 251 1st Ave N, #200
  • Appapalooza, May 3rd, Mpls Conv Ctr
  • The Nerdery Overnight Website Challenge, May 2nd-3rd
  • Whole View: A Framework for Overcoming Innovation Myopia, May 5th
  • MedTech Investing Conference, Loews Minneapolis Hotel, May 6th
    • Non-profits announced
    • The Teams
  • MHTA Spring Conference, May 7th, Guthrie Theater
  • The Geekettes’ All-Women Hackathon, May 16-17

Filed Under: Minnov8 Gang Podcast Tagged With: Android, Apple, Google, iPad, mobile

Minnesota ‘Mompreneur’ Launches Parent App and Crowdfunding Campaign

April 22, 2015 By Graeme Thickins

karla-lemmonKarla Lemmon has done it. She’s left a successful corporate career as a product manager to pursue her dream of becoming a tech entrepreneur and marketing her own app — an app for which she’s convinced there’s a big need.

little-peanutLittle Peanut on the Go is a personal-assistant mobile app for parents to help them stay organized and connected when they or their children are away from home. It lets parents create packing lists and to-do lists, build care schedules to share with caregivers, and connect with their children while they’re away with updates and photos. Little Peanut on the Go just became available this month, first in the Google Play App Store for Android devices. It’s expected to be available very soon in the iOS App Store. (UPDATE: it’s there!)

This month was also Karla’s official start date for taking the reins of her own firm, Karimack Productions LLC, on a fulltime basis — and beginning the process of marketing her new app. She says she’s had several business ideas over the years, “but Little Peanut on the Go is the idea that gave me the passion to actually pursue entrepreneurship.” Read more about Karla’s story in her own words on her blog.

Previously, Karla was employed by Honeywell for a dozen years in a variety of progressively responsible positions. Most recently, she was a program manager, where she managed all aspects of a SaaS communications application, including product design and development, marketing, pricing, usability and quality testing, and deployment. Karla has a mechanical engineering degree and also holds an MBA from the University of Saint Thomas. Read more about her background on her LinkedIn profile.

I first learned about Karla’s new venture last fall when I attended and reported on the 2014 “MobCon” mobile conference in Minneapolis. In my recap of the event, I wrote about how she took first prize in the startup pitchKarlaLemmon-MobConStartupWinner competition — going up against some pretty smart guys! — winning $25,000 in cash and services in the process.  As I said at the time, I was pretty blown away with the quality of her pitch and her app.

While Karla was self-funding the development and testing of her app, she realized she’d need to raise some funds to begin the marketing process once the app was available for download. But how? After considering various options, she chose to do a crowdfunding campaign — but not on Kickstarter or IndieGoGo, where it can be hard to get noticed. Rather, Karla decided to use a site designed specifically for women entrepreneurs: Plum Alley. Her campaign to raise just a modest $7500 is underway there, and it’s doing well in the short time it’s been live. Read about Karla’s decision to go with Plum Alley in a recent blog post she wrote.

Care Schedule

Packing ListPostsTo Do List

So, tell your mommy friends — and grandparents, too! Have them download the app. And, let’s see if we can help Karla reach her funding goal. You can support her project right here on Plum Alley. Creative, smart, hard-working Minnesota women entrepreneurs like Karla deserve our support!

Also, be sure to follow Little Peanut On the Go on Twitter, and Like the app here on Facebook.

Filed Under: Innovation, MN Entrepreneurs, Mobile Technology, News & Events, Startups & Developers Tagged With: Android, crowdfunding, iOS, MN Entrepreneurs, mobile

Minnov8 Gang 309 – iPhone! No, Android!

April 18, 2015 By Steve Borsch

barfite_mainWith our own iOS vs. Android discussions, we had to chuckle over one story today about roommates stabbing each other with beer bottles in iPhone vs. Android dispute since it’s clear things get heated when discussing their respective merits.

Hosts: Steve Borsch, Tim Elliott and Phil Wilson (Graeme Thickins is off).

The Podcast
https://media.blubrry.com/minnov8/minnov8.com/site/wp-content/uploads/podcasts/20150418_M8_Gang_309.mp3

Podcast: Download (Duration: 54:28 — 32.0MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Download or listen link

Story Links

Past Week’s Biggest MN Stories

  • Software startups reign in Minnesota’s Q1 venture capital haul
  • Why MSP is the once, current and future Internet of Things (IoT) alley
    • IoTMpls Smart Homes & Buildings meetup
  • This Startup Plans to Sell Advertising in Uber and Lyft Cars
  • Tech company LiquidCool picked for Wells Fargo incubator
    • About the Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator program
  • Startup’s treadmill desks land at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport

Other Top Stories

  • Announcing the MIT Media Lab Digital Currency Initiative
    • Launching a Digital Currency Initiative
  • KGI estimates over 2.3M Apple Watch pre-orders
  • Meet the Appletini Bar, a Power Mac G4 tower with a hidden bar cart
    • Macintosh Portable
    • A Big Trip to Germany
  • Amazon will stream movies and TV shows in vivid HDR later this year
  • NASA scientist: We’ll find signs of alien life by 2025
  • Microsoft delivers iOS, Android versions of Delve

Steve’s Security Tip of the Week
  • TIP: Shield your car key fob!
    • NYTimes: Keeping Your Car Safe From Electronic Thieves
      • Thieving Teens Likely Used $17 Gadget To Break Into NYT Columnist’s Car
      • A cheap device you can buy on Amazon or Craigslist may be what’s causing a huge uptick in car burglaries
      • About the article on Hacker News
  • Range Rover owners refused insurance due to theft risk
    • Scotland Yard on keyless vehicle theft
  • How to Protect Yourself
    • Key fob “Faraday cage” bag made by Select Fabricators – $16.90 per bag
    • What’s a Faraday Cage?

Cool Thing of the Week
  • Phil: Apple II Watch
  • Tim: Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens teaser trailer #2
    • Star Wars droid BB8 is a totally real-life robot
  • Steve: Interactive Tour of Abbey Road Studios

Upcoming Events
  • Twin Cities TechPulse 2015 – April 21th
  • Wordcamp Minneapolis 2015, April 25-26th, University of St. Thomas
  • Twin Cities Code Camp 18, April 25th, UofMN Murphy Hall
  • R&D Tax Credits, April 29th, TreeHouse Health
  • LeadPages Open House, April 30th, 251 1st Ave N, #200
  • Appapalooza, May 3rd, Mpls Conv Ctr
  • The Nerdery Overnight Website Challenge, May 2nd-3rd
  • MedTech Investing Conference, Loews Minneapolis Hotel, May 6th
    • Non-profits announced
    • The Teams
  • MHTA Spring Conference, May 7th, Guthrie Theater
  • The Geekettes’ All-Women Hackathon, May 16-17

Filed Under: Minnov8 Gang Podcast Tagged With: Android, Apple, Google

Minnov8 Gang 308 – Not an Apple Watch

April 11, 2015 By Steve Borsch

not-an_mainWe recorded this show at Minnebar, a 1,000+ strong attended technology event held at the headquarters of Best Buy. Yep…we talk about the Apple Watch which, unfortunately, will cause Graeme to ditch his trusty 1978 vintage Timex.  😉

Hosts: Steve Borsch, Graeme Thickins, Phil Wilson & Julio Ojeda-Zapata (Tim Elliott is off).
Music: No More Blues by Albert Hickman under a Creative Commons License.

The Podcast
https://media.blubrry.com/minnov8/minnov8.com/site/wp-content/uploads/podcasts/20150411_M8_Gang_308.mp3

Podcast: Download (Duration: 36:51 — 21.2MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Download or listen link

Story Links
Past Week’s Biggest MN Stories
  • We’re at Minnebar!
  • A Minnesota family just learned how hackable nanny cams can be. Creepy.
  • AOL launches tech-support services in Twin Cities
  • CoCo teams up with VC firm Matchstick
  • MN Apple Watch stories
    • Accessory makers are teeing up products to go with the upcoming Apple Watch
    • Mayo, Target among those developing Apple Watch apps
    • I do an Apple Watch try-on session at the Mall of America’s Apple store
    • No local gold Apple Watch sales?
Other Top Stories (focus on Apple Watch this week)
  • Apple Watch Review Roundup:
    • Apple Watch Bliss, but Only After a Steep Learning Curve
    • Apple Watch: the definitive review
    • The Apple Watch
    • What the Apple Watch Does Best: Make You Look Good
    • How Other Smartwatches Stack Up to Apple Watch
  • Exclusive: Google is close to making Android Wear work on the iPhone
Upcoming Events
  • MinneWebCon April 13th (schedule)
  • Twin Cities TechPulse 2015 – April 21th
  • Wordcamp Minneapolis 2015, April 25-26th, University of St. Thomas
  • Twin Cities Code Camp 18, April 25th, UofMN Murphy Hall
  • R&D Tax Credits, April 29th, TreeHouse Health
  • LeadPages Open House, April 30th, 251 1st Ave N, #200
  • Appapalooza, May 3rd, Mpls Conv Ctr
  • The Nerdery Overnight Website Challenge, May 2nd-3rd
  • MedTech Investing Conference, Loews Minneapolis Hotel, May 6th
  • MHTA Spring Conference, May 7th, Guthrie Theater
  • The Geekettes’ All-Women Hackathon, May 16-17

Filed Under: Minnov8 Gang Podcast Tagged With: Android, Apple, Best Buy, Minnebar

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