Presented by Blackberry
Talk Mobile Clouds
Talk Mobile Cloud WeekThe best things you said
The cloud. It's a distributed network of servers that receives and distributes content to remote clients. In essence, the cloud is the internet, an the internet is the cloud. But how do we best make use of the cloud? That's exactly what cloud week was all about.
Cloud Week
Cloud Week
- Recap
- Day 1: The Cloud
- Day 2: Cloud Selection
- Day 3: Cloud Media
- Day 4: Cloud Problems
- Day 5: Cloud Futures
- Comments
- To top
Cloud Week Recap
Talk Mobile Clouds week dove head first into the world of clouds, bridging the internet, mobile, and desktop computing in one fell swoop. It was less about the individual features of each cloud service and more about how these clouds fit into our lives, how they can improve our digital lives, and where they're going in the future.
As always, your feedback is tremendously important to us and continues to help shape and refine Talk Mobile. We're more than half-way through Talk Mobile 2013, but we still want to hear what you think. So there are comments below for you to do just that. Tell us what's great, tell us what sucks - we want to hear it all!
Talk Mobile has always been about elevating the discussion - not just what we write about, but what you in the community are talking about. The Mobile Nations community has definitely stepped up to that challenge, taking on our questions, our statements, and each other in broad and spirited debates about the state of mobile. And really, that shouldn't be a surprise, given how awesome you all are.
We've picked out the best comments from the past week and have them presented below. If yours has been singled out as a winning comment, keep an eye on your email, because we have some awesome prizes to send your way!
As in week's past, we have a quick little survey to gather some additional data about your thoughts and behaviors when it comes to mobile and clouds. To help with the great burden you'll bear helping us gather that quantifiable data, we've arranged for your entries to count as a chance to win a $100 Best Buy gift card. That great burden doesn't seem so heavy now, does it? Hit up the survey right here!
Talk Mobile 2013 Week Six: The Cloud
Day 1: How I learned to stop worrying and love the cloud
Day 2: How to pick from a sky full of clouds
Day 3: What we've got here is a failure to stream
Day 4: The cloud isn't all silver linings – sometimes it rains
Day 5: Clearing the fog: The future of cloud computing
How I learned to stop worrying and love the cloud
After being hit with the SanDisk/Samsung SD Card bug (and then the AllSDCards/Samsung newer bug) I decided to let Dropbox sync all my pictures. It was GREAT, until I took a trip to an isolated place with little to no network access, whether cellular or WiFi. Then the Cloud showed its true weakness: no offline life. Yeah, it's an isolated issue, but one that can still sting a bit.SpookDroid's thoughts on cloud data backup
I don't trust the security of the cloud. We have seen where companies claim your data is secure only to compromised or in the case of encryption, telling you later that they have a key they can give to authorities. If it's my data, only I should have the key. I would never, ever, put my tax filings and other financial data in the cloud.tech_head's thoughts on cloud data syncing
Day One Winning Comment!
I would say that I trust cloud syncing more than I trust my local data backups. I use and trust Google with most of my important files and pictures. If I want to make sure it's around - I send it to the cloud.mstrblueskys's thoughts on cloud data syncing
How to pick from a sky full of clouds
My primary cloud is Google's. I use Google drive over dropbox primarily for the files I need immediate access to, I use Gmail for my email, and I used synced setting and tabs for Chrome. I also use Dropbox, Copy, and Skydrive to backup my GDrive files. The cloud owns me now.BenRoethig's thoughts on using cloud services
My main three for personal and business are Evernote, Wunderlist, and Dropbox. Evernote is used for note taking, Wunderlist for to-do lists, and Dropbox for storage and moving things between devices. These have basically replaced the native local apps that serve the same functions. As a multi platform user, it's important for me to have the same info across all my devices wherever and whenever. It also means I try to avoid platform specific cloud services as much as possible.BlackBerry Guy's thoughts on using cloud services
Day Two Winning Comment!
When purchasing a new phone, I will choose a device that will provide a seamless transition. The moment I activate the new device, I fully expect it to already have all my data available at my finger tips. Perhaps I'm a bit jaded, but I have no desire to go back to the days of having to transfer everything manually.DenverRalphy's thoughts on cloud services and device decisions
What we've got here is a failure to stream
The best choice is a combination, I think. Let's say I'm going to go on a long trip on a plane but there's stops to change planes. I can't have my radios on during the flight and I'm too much a cheapskate to pay for WiFi on the plane. I want to read and listen to music during the trip but I have limited storage on my device because I also downloaded some games to keep me busy. I can't stream on the flight but...Armada's thoughts on cloud media lockers
Samsung is working on flexible displays. I don't want a phone that I can roll up like a newspaper, but I do want a display that will flex upon impact rather than break. I'm curious to see how much power these displays will use.Scott Kenyon's thoughts on smartphone displays
Day Three Winning Comment!
I cancelled my satellite service months ago and haven't looked back. I watch everything mostly online, occasionally watching local HD channels (via an indoor antenna). I miss watching sports, but I can rectify it by joining different services a la carte. Now, what to do with that satellite dish sitting in my roof? :pJacques' thoughts on cord cutting
The cloud isn't all silver linings – sometimes it rains
Personally, I don't trust any of them. Give me my own cloud that I control and own. I understand there is software out there that allows you to create your own cloud on your computer. THAT interests me.Schmurf's thoughts on trusting cloud storage
I panic and dissolve into a sobbing, hysterical mess. Occasionally I soil myself.Peter Cohen's thoughts on offline clouds
Day Four Winning Comment!
Worried? Not so much. Aware? Constantly. While there are pros to cyber surveillance, they need to be balanced with competent oversight measures to mitigate the cons.Denver Ralphy's thoughts on cyber surveillance
Clearing the fog: The future of cloud computing
Move on from pure storage to processing. If I could, after so many years, be able to have all my processing done on the cloud, I could care less whether my client is thin or thick. Also, dependability is another factor. I should be able to be certain that my services are available when I want them to be.ghundirajs' thoughts on future cloud features.
Not any time soon. Hollywood is feeling the heat but the internet is still only cooking with a microwave. Until the internet starts playing with fire, Hollywood will reign supreme!aloomis76's thoughts on online media overthrowing Hollywood.
Day Five Winning Comment!
They need to reach more people first. If computing moves to the cloud, you can only collaborate with people who are also on the cloud. So they need to get this out to as many people as possible first. And then create standards so everyone can communicate through their respective clouds regardless of platform or manufacturer.AccentAE86's thoughts on future cloud features.
Conclusion and what's next!
Cloud computing is changing how we use our mobile devices, our computers, and the internet, and it stands to revolutionize computing all together. We've gone from a world of siloed and isolated devices that synced limited information over cables to a network of computing where data is automatically slung through the ether.
It's not unheard of to listen to music exclusively through streaming services, or to watch movies and television entirely from a remote server. We back up our photos, our music, our notes, and entire devices to the cloud. Everything and anything can and does go into the cloud.
That's not to say that the cloud is without downsides. While it allows for redundancy and distribution, it also adds another point of failure in our increasingly complex device ecosystems. The cloud also exposes more of our data in more places, or at least offers more points for potential exposure. And while it reduces complexity in some areas, it increases complexity in others. The cloud is the best, and the cloud is also the worst.
The size, scope, and capability of the cloud is constantly evolving and growing. It's enabling new functionality that before was the stuff of science fiction. The cloud is the future, and the future is today.
Now that clouds are out of the way, next week is going to be all about carriers. Are we supposed to pick our phones by the carrier, or the carrier by the phone? How are carriers interfering in our mobile experience, is that a bad thing, and how do we stop it? Should the carrier be just a dumb pipe, or do they have a role other than mover-of-data they should fulfill? It'll be a new week, and thus a new discussion. Carriers are a big and expensive part of the mobile experience - and one that's going to continue to generate discussion for some time to come.
And, as in week's past, it's now your turn. We want to know: what did you think of Talk Mobile Clouds week? Tell us what you loved, what you hated, what you want to see more of, less of, and changed. Whatever you want - we're listening, because the floor is yours.
