News article #13- A camera that flies

Links-

http://flynixie.com/

https://www.airdog.com/

Summary-

nixie 2

Nixie has decided it is going to release a drone that attaches to your wrist. There is a camera attached so you can take pictures without holding a device in your hand. The Nixie is similair to an Air Dog, but the only difference is that it is more compact. You can take amazing pictures of yourself without anyone’s help. You can wear it on your wrist,  or you can let it hover and follow you. The release date hasn’t been stated yet, but you can sign up to be notified.

 

Stakeholders-

1. Nixie (+) It is a cool idea and will probably gain a lot of publicity

2. Picture takers (+) People who take a lot of photos can take really cool shots to post in social media

3. Selfie Stick Sellers (-) People may like it less now that something new has come out

4. Other Competitors(-) Anyone who had this idea is at a disadvantage because Nixie will most likely come out first

 

Personal Opinion-

I think this is cooler and more innovative than the selfie stick.  The fact that it hovers around is interesting and it can be really useful. Now you can take pictures of a group easily, or you can record yourself doing something. I really want this. I found out about through a YouTube video.

 


Questions-

Would you buy this? Why or why not?

Do you think it will be successful?

Do you have a selfie stick? How does the Nixie compare?

 

 

News article #12- Avid is releasing a free version of their software

link-http://www.engadget.com/2015/01/25/pro-tools-first/?ncid=rss_truncated

http://apps.avid.com/ProToolsFirst/

http://shop.avid.com/ccrz__products?cartID=&categoryId=a3yi00000000127AAA&g=&store=shop

 http://www.avid.com/US/about.html

Summary-


Avid is a company that sells software that deals with video and audio editing. Their products are pro-level and have even been used by Michael Buble, and for the Hunger Games. This company is well known and has received two Oscars, one Grammy, and  fourteen Emmys.  Their audio products range from $200-$2,500. They are releasing free editing software that anyone can use in the near future. This software is said to be great for beginners, but it won’t have all the features of the other versions. If you wish to be informed of the release, you can sign up for notifications.

 

 

 

Stakeholders-

1. Avid(+) More people may find out about their software and end up buying them.

2. Competitors(-) People may put their focus on Avid because a free version is coming out.

3.Consumers(+) This free version gives people a chance to play around and test the software. Now there is  a free option.

 

 

 

 

 

Personal Opinion-

I have actually never heard of this company but their software looks cool. It may help people who can’t afford to pay

 

 

 

 

Questions-

Would you get the free software?

Have you ever used similar software?

Do you think this is a good idea?

 

 

 

News article # 11- CES Products

Links-

http://www.zutalabs.com/

http://www.polaroid.com/zip-instant

http://www.cnet.com/news/meet-belty-the-ridiculous-but-strangely-popular-show-stealer-of-ces-unveiled/

 

Summary-

Product 1- ZUtA Pocket Printer

1. This is a portable printer that is very small in size. Despite its appearance, this printer can print on any size of paper. You can print from any device via WiFi.

2. It is created by ZUtAlabs

3. Business people, students and maybe even teachers would benefit from this.

4. This will be a successful product if the ink isn’t really expensive.


Product 2-  Polaroid Zip Instant

1. This is a mobile photo printer that you can take anywhere. You can develop pictures instantly through Bluetooth or NFC. The cool thing is that the printer doesn’t require any ink at all. THe film has crystals that are activated to form a picture.

2. It is created by Polaroid.

3. This would be popular among teenagers and travelers.

4.  Expensive film is a problem with Fuji products, if this company can use cheaper film, they will get a lot of customers.

zip

product 3- Belty

1. This is  an electronic belt that adjusts depending on your position and how much you ate.

2. The creator is Emiota.

3. Anyone who wears belts regularly would like this.

4. If it has a nice look and fit, people will like it.

 

Personal Opinion-

I think these products are really cool. They are the type that make you wonder “Why didn’t I think of that?”

It’s time to go beg my parents.

 

Questions-

Do you have any inventive ideas? What?

Would you ever become an entrepreneur?

Which product do you think will be most popular?

 

 

 

 

 

News Article #10- Is K-pop Korean pop, or Kill pop?

LINKS-

http://www.allkpop.com/article/2015/01/yang-hyun-suk-surpasses-lee-soo-man-in-stock-wealth

http://www.kpopstarz.com/articles/123033/20141011/sm-entertainment-stocks-down-15-exo-luhan-files-lawsuit.htm

http://www.asianjunkie.com/2013/10/busker-buskers-brad-exposes-the-reality-of-the-korean-music-industry-starts-a-logical-fallacy-parade/

http://www.allkpop.com/article/2014/05/chinese-media-outlet-reports-that-exos-kris-is-seeking-to-terminate-his-contract-with-sm-entertainment

http://www.allkpop.com/article/2014/10/exos-luhan-reported-to-have-filed-to-nullify-his-contract-with-sm-entertainment

http://www.allkpop.com/article/2014/11/bap-reported-to-have-filed-to-nullify-their-contract-with-ts-entertainment

http://www.allkpop.com/article/2014/12/baps-side-responds-to-ts-entertainment-statement
http://www.eatyourkimchi.com/dongho-quit-kpop/

http://www.eatyourkimchi.com/kpop-slave-contracts/

http://hype.my/newsdesk/lee-hi-shocks-fans-with-training-details/

http://www.hellokpop.com/news/sm-entertainments-lawsuit-history-over-unfair-contracts/

http://www.allkpop.com/article/2014/10/sm-entertainment-releases-official-position-regarding-exos-luhans-lawsuit

http://www.allkpop.com/article/2014/09/sm-entertainment-releases-official-statement-regarding-jessica-and-girls-generation

Summary-

K-pop is a genre of music that has taken the world by surprise. Many are attracted to the catchy beats, interesting videos, and almost perfect looking singers.  Another plus to K-pop is that there’s something for everyone. There some masculinity, femininity, immaturity and everything in-between.

girls-generation
Girl band SNSD

 

 

 

Boy-band BTS
Boy-band BTS

Recently there has been a lot of controversy recently in the K-pop world. Many artists are revealing the harsh conditions that they are facing. Before even being able to debut as a singer, many artists have to train for many years and have to spend almost all their time at a training center. A sixteen year old singer Lee Hi revealed what it was like during her trainee years.

Part of her story states:

“My body is tired. I want to eat but I can’t so I cried again. I want to be pretty for my stages so I go to the gym to exercise again. But exercising is really tough. There was once when I could not hear in my ear suddenly, when I was in the hospital, the doctor said its sudden deaf. As I always exercise without eating, I fell sick.”

Lee Hi
Lee Hi

You would think that once they become singers that they would have an easier time, but it is quite the opposite. This year alone there have been four bigger incidents incidents, three of which are from the same company, SM Entertainment. SM is an entertainment rumored to issue slave contracts that last for many years ( sometimes 13)  and have many restrictions. There has been many incidents in the past with SM Entertainment. SM lost three members of TVXQ(aka DBSK) in 2010. The three members joined another company and are now called JYJ. Also, a former member of Super Junior filed a lawsuit saying that his contract was unfair and lasted too long. Whether or not SM is the only company that gives out these contracts is a bit hard to say, but most of the blame is directed towards them.

 

Exo, In order from top left to bottom right-
Exo, In order from top left to bottom right- Sehun, Lay, Chanyeol, Xiumin, D.O, Suho, Kai, Baekhyun, Chen, Luhan, Toa, Kris

This year there were also three incidents in SM. The first happened near the beginning of the year when Kris from EXO filed a lawsuit. ” According to several reports, Kris’s side has cited that the idol is being treated as if he is an object rather than being respected as an artist. They also mention that SM one-sidedly decided on the schedules, not giving thought to Kris’ opinion or his health condition.” Kris is originally from Vancouver, but he became a trainee at SM in 2007. He currently is fulfilling his activities in China.

Another member of EXO filed a lawsuit later in the year. Luhan apparently gave SM a date to sort out its issues, but once an agreement wasn’t made, he filed a lawsuit. Both Luhan and Kris are from EXO-M the mandarin branch of the band. There are speculation that the Chinese members are being treated worse than the Korean members. It is hard to say as the company released statements with very little insight.

A member of Girls Generation has left the band. Jessica wanted to pursue her career in fashion design, but she wasn’t allowed to be a singer at the same time. The company and other band members criticized her for leaving and even called her selfish. She has not done any activities affiliated with SM Entertainment since.

The incident that  hit fans by surprise the most was B.A.P filing a lawsuit against their company. Before that day, B.A.P hadn’t revealed any statements or hints that they were being treated unfairly. Their company(TS Entertainment) was taking advantage of them and paying them poorly. In the three years they have been a band, each member has only been paid $16,000 USD. That averages to around $400 a month per member. A major factor of the lawsuit is the fact that the company was charging expenses to their account and not explaining how large sums of money were being used. The huge credit was making it hard for the band to pay off their debt to their company. After subtracting money that they owe, they still have to pay the company. The ratio of pay for B.A.P:TS Ent was 4:6. B.A.P joined


Blaming one or two companies isn’t something that can be done. There are a lot of faults in many businesses, and some are yet to be released. To find out how harsh life can be read an article about the struggles Busker Busker faced. This a three member band consisting of two students and their Caucasian teacher.

http://www.asianjunkie.com/2013/10/busker-buskers-brad-exposes-the-reality-of-the-korean-music-industry-starts-a-logical-fallacy-parade/

 

Despite all the things that happen behind the scenes, you can see the effort put into the videos. Sometimes they don’t leave the set for 2 -3 days, or until all the scenes are properly filmed.


 Stakeholders-

SM Entertainment- After the Luhan and Jessica incident alone, the stock for SM dropped 19% and 22% in total.

EXO-  Having to promote as ten instead of twelve may have made it difficult to use old choreography. Those who were close with the old members may not get to see them as much. The members that left are both receiving criticism and praise. Fans are all different and so are their reactions.

SNSD- Some hate is being channeled towards Girls Generation for not supporting Jessica following her dreams. Whether or not this affects their sales i can’t say.

TS Entertainment- After B.A.P released the statement about their conditions, I can’t see TS Entertainment having great stocks. Releasing a new girl group may increase their view count, but it won’t be enough to replace the fan-base B.A.P had.

B.A.P-

Other Korean music companies- YG Entertainment (my favorite) increased in stock and finally surpassed SM Entertainment. Also, more attention is currently being paid on other companies like Starship, JYP, Cube and of course YG.

Busker Busker- After their problems Busker Busker was able to receive a seemingly reasonable contract. After that failed I believe they were finally able to settle.

Superstar K- Having their secrets exposed may ruin the public’s image of the show.

Fans- Fans may feel shock or it may affect their views. All this news could affect their favorite band and/or company.

Merchandise Suppliers- The things that need to be ordered may change in quantity.

People who know fans- They will have to listen to fans rant about all the problems going on.

Korean Economy- The amount received by the government may change as different companies increase and decrease in value.

 

Personal Opinion-

I am pained to learn that people are being treated this way. It is crazy that they are/were able to keep it all in. These companies need to rethink their actions or it could cause an uprising. My current opinion is like the people, and hope they are being treated fairly. Many people are hoping for artists to leave bad companies and do what makes them happy. Id rather see their smiles than some of the sickly faces SM is marketing.

Jonghyun ( under SM Entertainment)
Jonghyun ( under SM Entertainment)
Taemin ( Under SM Entertainment)
Taemin ( Under SM Entertainment)

 

 

Questions-

What are your opinions on how stars are formed in Korea?

Have you heard of K-pop before? How and what did you see/hear?

How would you react if your favorite artist was being treated this way?

What is your opinion of K-Pop (besides the corruption)?

Would you ever want to be famous at such a cost?

If you were a CEO, how would you run things?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Journal #5 – Hello 2015

Thinks I am thankful for-

The most amazing thing of 2014 would  be meeting my little nephew. My sister (actually my cousin) visited from Edmonton and brought her son Yunis along. Even though at 8 AM he’ll wake and start ‘talking’ at the top of his lungs, it’s still so cute. All the dirty diapers, cries, laughs and everything in between are irreplaceable to me. Seeing him smile is what kept me laughing it off everyday.

My nephew Yunis
My nephew Yunis

Another thing I learned appreciate is family. My brothers and step-mother have been away in Seattle for around a month now. Being away from them has made me realize how much I need them. All this cooking, cleaning, laundry, dishes and quiet has made me want them to come back. The house has been so empty and quiet without them.

I am grateful having such a kind and generous grandfather. No matter what it is, he always wants the best for me. For him time, energy and money are things he will easily spend on me. Without him, I don’t know what I would be doing right now.

Snapchat--3544279759779420583

I am grateful for the opportunities I have had this year. .Unlike many people around the world, I have had a stable. I have been able to go to school everyday and further my education. Every year I get to attend a violin recital held by my violin teacher. The audience is only around 100 people, but it is still so much fun and I enjoy sharing my talents.

My recital in 2012
My recital in 2012

I am grateful for my friends. We have spent so much time together and those are moments I’ll never forget.

Goals for 2015-

1. My goal in Info Tech is to at-least get a 90%.This is important to me because I want a 4.0 GPA like I had last year.

2. I want to try harder with physical health because I am not doing well in PE class. This is important because health is  a something people overlook and doing so can cause many complications.

3.I want to draw better in 2015. I haven’t been using my sketchbook recently so my skills have plummeted.

4.I want to spend my time more efficiently. I want to be more productive so I can accomplish more things

5.I want to  sleep more in 2015. I have been a bit more tired lately so I should improve my sleep habits.