First, the explosion of tablet personal computers has Apple, Microsoft, Google and others trying to grow or protect market share — and that translates into more options, greater ease of use, more applications, and better pricing for consumers around the globe.   As this story, Tablet PCs: The coming Revolution, in Smart Data Collective points out, it has reached a point where tablets developed by the government of India are being sold there for only $35, and their hope is to bring that down to $10.   We haven’t hit that price point in the U.S. yet, but the immersion of tablets into the global mainstream bodes well for those who want to increase access to un-served and underserved households.

At the same time, you may have noticed the infusion of federal dollars to provide computers and internet access for thousands of people in Chicago, one of my favorite cities. Check out the story, Chicago gets $16 million to bridge digital divide.   Mayor Daley points out that it is all about opportunity and jobs.  Today, people preparing for the workforce who don’t know how to unleash the power of the PC and the internet will be left behind.   And our families, cities and nation cannot afford that.

If you have a business checking account the processs is easy. The credit check is in place more to make sure you are someone credible and only because it cost them money to create the readers that they are sending out for free. No where near as painful as the process you have to go through to get a merchant account.

Originally posted as a comment
by navarrowwright
on Black Web 2.0 using DISQUS.

I’m going to say it since no one else will. This new site is a mess especially given the fact it’s from an iconic African American brand (which makes it worse). Aside from the Jet logo you can duplicate this look with a blog theme you could buy for $30. They are essentially just launching a “website” in a time when other media platforms are launching products that keep the unique “feel” that a magazine gives you while understanding that internet gives them the chance to do more. It was ironic that I read this story right after i watched the demo sports illustrated gave of their digital magazine at the Google conference (if you missed it take a look here http://youtube.com/watch?v=U3j7mM_JBNw) , not to mention what magazines like Wired have created for platforms like the IPad. With the rich history of visual content that is in the ebony/ Jet archives they could have created something that was a true testament to how they have been a key part of African American culture through the years. But instead they just threw a website and sold us all short. We have to raise our expectations and force them to give us experiences that are on par with where mainstream media is going.

Originally posted as a comment
by navarrowwright
on Black Web 2.0 using DISQUS.

• Free Education: My Iphone development example is only one of many. Itunes has a whole Itunes U section with hours of free content available in almost any subject from some of the top universities in the country. Other sources of free and low costs content are just a Google search away.  Just Think about the new skills people can acquire to create new employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for themselves.
• Online Degrees: I remember when people thought online degree programs were  scams and had no real value but that is no longer the case. These programs allow students access to scholars from any part of the world as well as access to  an enriching education experience that they otherwise would not be able to take advantage of. These degrees are recognized in the same way traditional degrees are and programs are popping up at institutions all over the country. Imagine a person who never thought that getting a degree was a reality for them who is now be able to achieve that goal with the help on a internet connection. An article I came across talks specifically about how the National Broadband Plan is aiming to help ensure that these opportunities are available to everyone. You can read about it here http://www.dotoni.com/online-education/earning-your-degree-online-growing-among-students

I truly hope that the FCC follows through our their promise of broadband access and adoption for all.  Without it the ones who already are missing out on these education will continue to fall behind and the education gap will widen even more.

@Erik
What facts are you basing this on? The Comcast case was about them slowing down BitTorrent traffic because it was hogging bandwidth from other users and giving them a poor experience. I can tell you from my experience managing a corp IT network that we constantly had to block sites like BitTorrent because they would bring our network to crawl. The other issue is that there has never been a case where any provider has slowed traffic to a site they didn’t “like” The whole Net Neutrality campaign is based on this misinformation and the use of this one Comcast case ( explained poorly) as a reason the rules need to put into place. The question we should be asking is why the FCC is now saying that because of this case they see problems with their ability to serve the underserved “yesterday’s decision may affect a significant number of important Plan recommendations. Among them are recommendations aimed at accelerating broadband access and adoption in rural America; connecting low-income Americans, Native American communities, and Americans with disabilities” One has nothing to do with the other and we need to make sure they keep their focus on adoption and digital literacy.

Originally posted as a comment
by navarrowwright
on Black Web 2.0 using DISQUS.

Infancy??? I’m sorry but where have you been? The mobile industry is one of fastest growing sectors out there. While smart phone penetration may not be high among African Americans yet, to say media outlets should not “jump in” and develop apps for this industry is just wrong. What do you suggest they do? Wait and be last to the game like they were in developing their web properties and social media strategies. I’m asking you to stop giving comments that may deter other readers away from attempting to innovate in the online space. I can’t change your thinking but I can ask that you not perpetuate it others and limit their opportunities.

Originally posted as a comment
by navarrowwright
on Black Web 2.0 using DISQUS.

Julie
You give the solution in your own comment. Yes, there are people who have their own motives for closing the digital divide but we as African Americans need to to drive the closure so that we can have more seats at the table. If we can change the landscape and build awareness you will see the changes in the areas you speak of. Ironically there is another post on this site about Black publishers not being part of the Ipad launch that speaks to this point. If the outlets that cater to the AA audience will not in right direction towards innovation then how can we expect the audience to want to come in mass. Yes the early adopters and trend setters who are part of this site’s audience are there but for every one of us there is a person out there who is not connected to the internet at all. Mostly because they don’t see a reason to. We have to all work to change their value proposition about the internet and bring to be a part of the connected part of the nation. If businesses profit from consumers that’s fine but the benefits we will all reap by bringing connecting more creative minorities to the opportunities that broadband provides will be much greater.

Originally posted as a comment
by navarrowwright
on Black Web 2.0 using DISQUS.

Wiliam
I’m sorry but your contradicting yourself. First you say that they don’t have the capitol to build the applications and now your talking about them spending money on radio and TV advertising, creating cafes , creating wireless access points AND creating AA themed Kinkos?? I feel like i just got out of the hot tub time machine. Even in their heyday I don’t think the JET/Ebony Cafe/internet hangout/kinkos place would have been that successful. It’s that type of reluctance to see the ease and the opportunity the internet provides that has minorities facing the adoption issues that currently exist. So sorry I can’t let you do it. You can disagree with me but your wrong on this one. I can go into any of these outlets today and carve out an initial plan for them to make an impact on the Ipad/iphone platform and do it inexpensively. But sadly i don’t think they would listen because they are stuck in the same type of thinking you spoke of in your comments. Sorry if I’m coming off direct but 2010 has to be the year we turn the corner on this type of thinking and start being the innovators God planned for us to be.

Originally posted as a comment
by navarrowwright
on Black Web 2.0 using DISQUS.

Capitol???? Did you read my post here on blackweb about what it takes to build an iPhone app? http://www.blackweb20.com/2009/11/24/creating-a-new-generation-of-technology-entrepreneurs-part-2-consumption-vs-creation/ . The only cost is $99 to get your app on to the AppStore. If things are really tight go a local college and hire some comp sci interns to learn how to do it and build the app. Apple was hungry for content from publishers for this launch. Opportunity missed!

Originally posted as a comment
by navarrowwright
on Black Web 2.0 using DISQUS.

I also attended an event sponsored by the Georgetown Public Policy Center, which hosted a series of panels about the National Broadband Plan and its impact on different broadband issues that currently exist. I happened to get there during the “broadband adoption in minority and underserved communities” discussion…Call it divine timing! One of the panelists suggested that there is no longer a “digital divide,” but rather a “digital lag” based on his research, which also suggests that lower income minorities have historically adopted technology at a standard slower rate than the general population. My issue with statements like this is that it gives people a false picture of the current state of digital inclusion, or lack thereof, and allows them to ignore it. I debated with him about the existence of the digital divide. I also told him that even if there was only a “digital lag” at play as he says is the case, the speed at which innovation occurs puts minorities and the underserved at an even greater disadvantage than they have been in years past because they are not adopting the technology at speeds that can be most beneficial to them.

( You can hear his statement at the 25.20 mark of the video below)

(You can hear my question and his response at the 52:00 mark of the video. )

I  also came across an article today  that speaks to there being “two digital divides” the Quote that hit it on the head for me is right here

“What we have, in effect, is not one, but two “digital divides”: Not only do many minority communities have less broadband access than their white counterparts – a problem that the NBP should help address – blacks and Latinos are far less likely than whites to be employed in high-tech fields.”

Now if you have read any of my earlier posts I clearly recognize that this is an issue and believe there are ways to fix it, but first everyone has to recognize and admit that the issue is real. We have to make sure that broadband adoption, broadband Literacy and entrepreneurial education are the key areas of focus going forward. More people in DC and nationwide need to have a realistic understanding of the problems AND the opportunities that exist for everyone if the problems are solved.

There was a lot to be learned from each of these experiences and articles, but one thing in particular remains clear — as we attempt to navigate the nuances of broadband discussions meant to explore the needs of minorities and the underserved, we definitely need more representation in the room. I tend to be one of the few faces of color at these events, and for an issue that is so important to our communities, we really need to make sure we stay on top of the discussions at play.