Proudly Biased

I love talking tech.

[proudlybiased]

Vic Gundotra Leaves Google

His public image was defined by a bald-faced-lie story about why Android was created. 

"If Google did not act, we faced a draconian future where one man, one company, one device, one carrier would be our only choice," said Gundotra to thunderous applause. He paused for a moment, then said, "That’s not a future we want."

The truth?

Good riddance. 

[proudlybiased]

Good luck, Nest!

South Park Get More: Comedy Central

[parislemon]

One of these companies is not like the others. Can you spot it?

A few more tidbits:

The list goes to 22 with no end of oil companies in sight…

The last oil and gas company quarter on the list is from 2011. Since then, it’s only Apple.

And all but one of those Apple quarters was a holiday quarter (Q2 2012).

[proudlybiased]

Absolutely amazing.

[proudlybiased]

In some ways, the most interesting thing about [Windows 9] Threshold is how it recasts Windows 8 as the next Vista. It’s an acknowledgment that what came before didn’t work, and didn’t resonate with customers. And though Microsoft will always be able to claim that Windows 9 wouldn’t have been possible without the important foundational work they had done first with Windows 8—just as was the case with Windows 7 and Windows Vista—there’s no way to sugarcoat this. Windows 8 has set back Microsoft, and Windows, by years, and possibly for good.

Tough words, but true. It’s a shame, but unless something drastic happens this company may no longer be writing operating systems a decade from now.

[proudlybiased]

7 Years Ago Today, Steve Jobs Introduced the iPhone to the World

The iPhone was a revolution that forever changed the way the world works. 

Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.

Thanks, Steve.

[proudlybiased]

This graph comes from Benedict Evans. After Verizon stated in their Q3 earnings that 51% of their smartphone activations were iPhones, Ben put the previously reported numbers together and came to the fascinating conclusion that

"…effectively all the growth in US smartphone sales comes from iPhone. Android flat for last 2 years."

Wow, looking at that growth curve I’m fascinated to see what Q1 looks like for Apple.

[proudlybiased]

The 'c' is for kids

I was listening to Rill Rill, the song from Apple’s first 5c ad when I came across this line:

Keep thinking about every straight face yes Wonder what your boyfriend thinks about your braces What about them I’m all about them Six such straight As Cut em in the bathroom

Pretty clear who the ‘c’ is for.

Edit: Wow, just saw the music video for Rill Rill, it's really disturbing...

[proudlybiased]

I'm so freaking excited for Tuesday. My guess for the name of the fingerprint tech: iTouch.

[proudlybiased]

Microsoft buys Nokia's Devices and Services unit

That's one way to become "a devices and services company"

Finally.

[proudlybiased]

The Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch revealed by Christina Farr. 

Apple: Can't innovate anymore my ass.

Samsung: Can't design better than my ass.

[textsfromzelda-blog-blog]

[proudlybiased]

I finally beat Ocarina of Time, hands down my favorite game of all time.

[proudlybiased]

Steve Ballmer "Retires"

Finally.

(Via The Verge)

[proudlybiased]

Pretty much every American smartphone owner in the last 2 days.

[proudlybiased]

My 6 Favorite Tweeps

Happy Friday everyone! Here's a shout out to my 6 favorite Tweeps:

1) @damanr - #Tech #Lakers #Sports #NBA2K #WestWing #Humor #Business - Come for the comedy and Lakers news, stay for the geekiness. This is a man with one finger on the pulse of tech news and the other on basketball news.

2) @askvirginia - #Entrepreneur #Love #Online-Dating-Coach #The-Heartographer #Dating-Podcast  - Not only is Virginia the expert in online dating advice and the absolute best dating podcaster out there, she's an über cool geek to boot. Follow her whether you're a techie or just a hopeless romantic.

3) @swb1192 - #Apple #Mac-News #Web-Development - As an editor for 9to5mac.com Scott is the last word in Mac News. He's an interactive and positive voice on Twitter, a must follow for any geek.

4) @hydroplosion - #Tech #Programming #Bioengineering #Humor - One of my favorite tech experts plus a programmer who knows his way around medicine with a great sense of humor. What else can you ask for? Extra points if you can find The Office reference in his username.

5) @DeusExPabla - #Comedy #WorldNews #TV #Movies #Lost - He always has something funny to say and he's on top of current events, follow him if you love to laugh.

6) @Rags8 - #Law #Lakers #Sports #WorldNews - He's the last word in law, a Lakers fan, and a man who keeps in touch with current events. 

Have a great Friday!

[proudlybiased]

I am shocked by Best Buy's lack of customer service, or the horror of ordering a Google product

EDIT: Best Buy has responded and said they've changed their mind and have decided to honor the Netflix deal for Chromecast customers. The customer service rep who emailed me, Helen, was very polite and apologetic in her email. It's still a shame how Amazon will give you this level of customer service by default and Best Buy makes you jump through Twitter, blog, and email hoops. I've attached their response to the bottom of this post. 

Original blog post:

I recently ordered a Chromecast from Best Buy's online site. With the Netflix deal the product worked out to $11, so I figured I got eleven bucks, why not take a chance and see how it works :)

Today, however, I realized I never got my Netflix code for my free 3 months. I decided to call Best Buy and ask. After 30 minutes (I was so bored I looked at the phone clock) I was first told "why don't you ask Netflix?" At which point I had to point out to the fellow helping me that as I hadn't received a redemption code from Best Buy, Netflix would have no idea what I was talking about. The honor system doesn't really work in business, how could I tell Netflix "I promise you guys, I bought 3 free months!" He then said he'd transfer me to the "back office". I was intrigued, what kind of dealings would occur in this "back office"? Maybe I would finally figure out the meaning of life!

The rep informed me that the deal had been cancelled. When I asked for a  refund, he said "The order has been shipped, so just take it to a Best Buy store." When I asked about the $13.15 in shipping and taxes, I was informed that "The order has shipped, so the shipping is on you." I asked to be transferred to a tier 2 or someone in customer service who could help me and I was told that “I have the authority to make the changes you desire, but I don’t see it necessary.” I then asked if I could speak to anyone else in the company, the agent responded, "Let me drop you back into the hold pool" and 3 seconds later I heard nothing but a dial tone. I tweeted a little about my unhappiness with the lack of customer service:

@ProudlyBiased: UNCOOL: I bought a Chromecast through @BestBuy, I was informed that I not receive a Netflix sub, and I can’t even get a full refund

@ProudlyBiased: .@BestBuy should be ashamed of themselves, after 90 minutes on the phone the only comparison I can make: They’re the inverse of Amazon

@ProudlyBiased: My @BestBuy receipt: “Netflix Complimentary 3 Month Subscription - Windows [Digital Download Add-On]” The rep’s response: It doesn’t matter

@ProudlyBiased: Direct quote from @BestBuy rep when I asked for tier 2: “I have the authority to make the changes you desire, but I don’t see it necessary.”

And I received a tweet from "Charlie" who I'm 95% sure copied and pasted a standard response to me:

@BestBuySupport: @ProudlyBiased I'm sorry for the inconvenience, if you email us the details at [email protected] we can try to help. ^Charlie

OK, so I figured I'd write an open email to Best Buy. The moment I publish this blog post, I will email it word for word to Best Buy, only difference is the first line of the email will read "Please see this link for an online version of my email: http://proudlybiased.com/post/56491937601/i-am-shocked-by-best-buys-lack-of-customer-service-or" and the second line will read "Here is my tweet about the online version of this email: https://twitter.com/ProudlyBiased/status/360630411723939840"

Here is my receipt information:

ORDER DETAILS Order date: 07/24/2013

BESTBUY.COMOrder number: BBY01-597102010935

QTY PRODUCT DESCRIPTION STATUS1 Google - Chromecast HDMI Streaming Media Player  SKU: 9071056  Karan ***My last name*** ***My Street***  ***My City and Zip*** Order in process of being fulfilled. Estimated arrival date: July 29 - July 30  1 

Netflix Complimentary 3 Month Subscription - Windows [Digital Download Add-On]  SKU: 1050005416  Will be delivered to: ***my email*** Pre-order release date is 07/16/2013

Questions about your order? Call us at 1-888-BEST BUY (1-888-237-8289). For faster service, please have your order number handy. To cancel your order, learn more here.Order Total: $43.15

So what do I want? One these things:

1) What I ordered in the first place: a Chromecast and 3 months of Netflix for the price I paid.

2) $23.97 (the price of 3 months of Netflix) taken off of my order.

3) A full refund, including shipping. I also would like FedEx to pickup the product from my house on Tuesday as I will be busy Monday.

I don't think any of these things are unfair. I can count the times I've ordered online from a non-Amazon retailer on two hands. I clearly made a mistake this time trusting Best Buy.

Karan.

EDIT: Full copy of Best Buy's email response below (Emphasis mine):

Hello Karan,

  Thank you for taking the time to contact us regarding your recent online order.

  Best Buy takes great pride in providing a fun and easy shopping experience for our customers. As I read your email though, I was able to see why you were so disappointed with the experience. I am sure that anyone in your shoes would have felt the same way. Please know that the experience you described was no more acceptable to us than it was to you.

  Furthermore, we have been advised that there was an issue with the fulfillment of the code for the free 3 months of Netflix for some orders. The Chromecast itself was shipped, but many download codes were temporarily declined. The download code will be sent separately, and you will receive an email with the code and further instructions early next week.

  Additionally, I want to again apologize for how your calls were handled. Please know that I have ensured the proper managers will see your comments. It is my intention to make them aware of service-related concerns such as yours. By doing this, Best Buy is making the appropriate personnel aware of these matters in hopes this will improve the level of customer satisfaction provided by all of our employees.

  Please let me know if you have any additional questions or concerns. Have a great weekend!

  Best regards,

      Helen | ECC Social Connections and Innovation

[proudlybiased]

Sam Byford from The Verge reported that press images of the next Nexus 7 have been leaked. Google's creativity is amazing.

[proudlybiased]

Unbelievable.