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Tech Take: 8/23/12

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    It's do or die for RIM as Blackberry hits the road showing off their new devices. Plus Find outhow a new bike can help you ride safely at night. Plus ...

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Well.

Welcome everybody it is that Thursday August 23 this is tech take lives and I'm -- -- This should be interesting I'm not the biggest -- person.

But I have done my research I think it's going to be okay but maybe our guests can and -- me a little bit.

Joining Israel now is David -- that he is the CEO and co-founder of world reader -- you what that is.

Right now.

But.

Starting off.

The show -- me talking with.

When talking about this organization.

That helps needy kids.

Across the globe and and we're talking specifically about Africa at this point.

But a clock across the globe learn -- learned to read read more -- better but as sort of twisted that's.

David good to see -- I'm Juliet are you doing wonderful thank you so tell us a little bit about world reader.

What world leader wants to create a world where every child in the developing world.

Has the books that they need to improve their lives.

But we're doing that using this little guy right here you know Kindle and and how many people are you distributing these -- Well we've touched the lives of about 3000 children already were operating in Ghana and Kenya and Uganda.

Each one of them hasn't even leader like this we have about a thousand.

And if you think about it and 200 books.

That's 200000 books out there that we party put out in the last a year and a half and certain these are places again where these children are very -- and we were looking at some video right now that looking at -- What is your reaction when they get these things.

You know what it blows them away and it's not just the technology that's exciting to them although of course that's fun you know it's it's sort of a gadget.

It's also the idea that they can get any book they want.

And so you know I'll be watching a girl read and -- finish a Curious George and look up at me and say.

Can I have another.

And we say of course you can in sixty seconds leaders in her hands so.

This is the sort of thing it's a little bit like you know when you were a kid going to the library are being able to get any book you wanted but now you can get it right delivered to your hands wherever you -- on the globe.

I did I pronounce your last name correct me I said Ruskin.

But it's richer.

It's -- how residents and I again.

I don't know maybe that's my twin -- yeah.

Maybe he's helping me get out -- -- If recall whether let him let him know we want him working on a good.

Digital books have several advantages over print books and I want you get into some of these some of these advantages because it really -- -- -- You know people are watching this right now and I think -- wait a second dissolve what's that sound like that so expensive all the stuff but really the -- the cost is member.

Well.

That said and that's the amazing thing so we think these little guys might even have a bigger impact in the developing world than they have here why because.

Well first of digital books of course are very cheap.

You know you can come to our web -- and can make a five dollar donation and you know later that day a child we'll have the book in their hand and so they're very cheap to distribute.

They're also the the price of this device comes down every day -- -- -- hundred dollar device yeah there was 200 dollar device.

Now it's a hundred dollars and anyway you can read them outside.

Of the battery lasts for -- I mean.

It's one of those funny things where this little bit of technology really can allow us to do something we could never do before which is netbooks to people all around the world what about the cost of shipping how is that all working out with you.

Well you know we have to ship these guys -- -- But them once they're in a child's hand the use the cellphone -- to get all that all the additional books that's -- and that's what that's -- kind of amazing and you know.

In Ghana for instance one of the places were operating.

The cellphone penetration is about 80%.

So it's like anywhere you are in the world now you can actually get the books to improve your life and that's what we're trying to make happen.

What do people do who are watching this right now to help assist you help sort of -- You know this is one of the great things about the Internet is there's so many ways for people to be connected to something greater than they are so.

You know you can go to our website world -- dot org.

Make a donation to say even five dollars digital books or are inexpensive so even five dollars is enough for us to give.

Are more books to more kids.

And if you wanna do more than that go to the website and an -- -- got some great pictures and videos and also great stories of some of the children whose lives are being approved by by the work we're doing.

It's under a crazy story.

I was traveling a couple of years ago with my family I -- two young daughters.

And we were spending the day actually in Ecuador -- an orphanage we were doing some some balls -- worked for the and at the end of the day I looked across and I -- a locked building you know it had a big padlock on it.

I asked the woman -- what is that and she said well that's our library.

And I -- why is it all locked up and she said you know what happens the books take a long time to get here.

By the time they get here they're often out of date in over their cast offs you know there the encyclopedia Britannica from 1972.

You know this sort of and the kids -- just lost interest in the and and sizable well that sounds that's sounds awful.

You gonna take a look inside.

And she said you know what.

I think -- lost the -- -- -- consider that was yeah in my field and.

-- scene and that's and that's probably similar situation all around the globe particularly in these developing countries -- countries that haven't really developed.

Well yes and again you sad you know you can see the video that are running with the children's faces.

I mean it's you know it's kind of something like that looks like it just dropped out of outer space I think for a lot of these kids.

You got a little bit but you know your apps -- right so in in places like Africa.

There are so it's a 200 million children in Africa who don't have books in their house -- in their classroom.

And this is an enormous problem for us at at at sort of the planetary level you know it it -- those 200 million children become 400 million -- 600 million over generations.

Meanwhile you know that the Doctor Who might cure the common cold is is maybe living in Tanzania -- but doesn't have the books that she needs it to -- -- so.

So to weaken -- business there's things it's almost like cell -- you can LeapFrog the whole the whole paper -- -- LeapFrog so the kids can get books right there hands.

So world reader back in April 2012 you launch this campaign you wanna make history by being the first organization to send.

A million Indies team.

You know it's super exciting forest so you know -- we just started really about two years ago.

And already we have about 200000.

-- books distributed to these 3000 kids across Africa.

It's a once you get to a number like that you -- think we'll hold on what's the next hole.

And you know.

I I like to work at a big scale I think we all can work at a Peekskill we set our sights -- enough so.

So our goal is to get to a million ebooks in kids' hands.

Got to be about 101000 children we think.

And we hope that that takes us you know six months eight months you know depending on how many -- your viewers come and and and help us.

Get there by a donation of that happening even faster but we think we can be this kind of history to do that.

Why don't think you know that we see that beautiful San Francisco background there I would think that -- -- probably be a lot of a lot of -- up there in Silicon Valley area that would be able to help the outage as anybody really stepped forward.

Or is this are calling.

You know I think this is the call right now -- -- we've gotten great great support from from many many people I mean I will tell you that the I used to work at at Microsoft back years ago and some.

Executives at Microsoft has helped us Jeff faze us that Amazon is and they supporters -- also I don't colleagues and the somewhere else he has to work so.

You know I've been very very lucky but I think all of us at a certain point in life.

We get to move from some sort of success that we've had.

Says if we're if we're lucky to significance.

And I think this is what allows people to really work at a big scale and to help an effort like this for the first time in history.

Look at you you worked at Microsoft can and I Amazon back in the day out I didn't get a say -- I think it right now in effect if -- really good to have -- here David Richard I'm sorry mess -- your name here CEO co-founder world reader.

We've been running the information there we have your website up and all that business so all of the people that are watching this right now can help -- out.

David thanks so much for joining us we appreciate it.

-- it's been a lot of fun thanks for your questions and your support will -- -- back.

And join us right now from -- Burbank California via Skype is right Choi he's the managing editor of techno buffalo dot com.

And his Twitter handle is acts the real Roy Choi is that great.

The districts are so right let's talk about let's talk about -- this is a company that you know.

Let's face it they came out of the Blackberry was greater than ever being that we called the crackberry.

People still love I love it because highlight the fact that it has you know the keyboard that you can actually -- on its not that it's not the touch screen.

But it's it's kind of met at some -- -- a sort of an arcane company.

It's now got a chance to sort of get out there and it's sort of like on this five week roach and I guess you can caught.

To basically promote the new BB ten devices these these interest -- devices tell -- a little bit about what's happening right now with -- Currently as a company and why this is so important you.

So -- CEO Thorsten -- is taking a road show to all the carriers to show our.

Blackberry ten and the prototypes -- The Blackberry devices and you'll be happy to know there is one critters keepers in the keyboard version that area and there are also is a touch screen -- so it balances itself in in those two rounds.

But they're really bear phone line -- where they used to have about a handful 67 devices.

At one point but they're gonna go with you and they're taking -- from app.

-- focusing almost all of honor -- deliver a higher and prop.

-- blackberries and hats and all the way it's it's if they don't be fair 2013.

That window.

Immediate -- And they've they've missed -- missile ready.

All of its.

Sewn.

Up -- -- -- that we annually.

It is a bit of a delay any there there haven't seen ample liquidity in the -- Our -- let's talk about the four months for success for rent it.

On this -- -- number one you say aggressive -- Yeah they have to drop the pricing down here about a hundred gorilla when everybody else relief and I are both -- -- go.

They've got to go aggressively they've got to make sure they hit their timeline.

The I mean they.

Deliberately -- probably like already and they admit that book -- -- not on third period they can be into -- -- -- -- apple and android and windows.

The liberate appetite wouldn't it -- Another thing that they could run Debian been -- so that it you -- a bigger.

It may be Eric.

-- very brave maybe after I they have seventy -- a better life.

They hit it it'd be a monthly there in the salute you.

Maybe people left with.

I think your own the people at least if you variety that and out that they're beautiful Robin -- -- -- -- the -- it you -- all the knowledge that they can be able.

-- -- -- -- -- Another thing adding on the owner -- you know -- of wildfires -- popular -- marketing.

Trip to get people in off the what.

They have the problem when you have -- like other Apple iPhone or android.

Or even the pocketbook windows.

They have been really great features that are capable but like great that that mark.

Let's let's get -- and more of the more -- the company based issue here what what's happened with right what what's been a problem here.

You know compared to the Microsoft's.

-- you know and some of these other companies.

You know.

Rim -- Blackberry Dave where they have the benefit of having a large expensive.

Network based.

You know they had a lot of is that when apple going to experience these mobile phone market -- drop out or -- he looked at which.

Android mobile phone it didn't -- they've exploded and -- the past.

-- -- -- And Microsoft went but did -- in the game.

They you have very little but.

There is that they're making the united the -- -- mean you're better off -- mobile the loud.

And likelihood will be that we have appropriate -- all -- up that are mobile phone companies that are operating system.

They have been hit it it -- you do but I don't think in this world on your pewter.

Here.

But what they're looking out early you know how strong -- Or like in or out there Apple iPhone pollute the plan.

Mean give me your take out your crystal -- any prediction what do you think he's gonna happen -- -- over the next years.

You know that thing but nobody walk five.

It.

But they don't vote there have been a good bit of a bat -- half -- Comfortable playing it and it'll -- battle.

You apple and explore it -- It got to be the underdog in bully you.

-- that all market earth and expand from there.

But it is what it what it good for the put it spur of -- Blackberry operating.

We want it because of what we've been quiet period and there's really neat really.

The night -- Give other company to run for their money.

It is -- speaking -- what you think that have been made.

They they it whether the company.

We're hoping that they view the Arctic Circle.

Is it not looking so good and they have to -- over -- and make sure but -- -- pretty they're.

Well I we've got you on Skype and I hope that everybody watch and be able to understand everything sad because that's a little bit and a little sketchy today.

But your website is techno buffalo dot com and basically I mean -- this is this is your world you go when you.

Cover the technology industry mobile consumer electronics -- You view you test latest gadgets of this is the guy to go to this is the website to -- to right right thanks for joining us today we appreciate you.

-- are gonna take a break your back.

Welcome -- -- -- -- Hattie so it got really cool segment coming up now we've got some visuals stories that are gonna blow -- way especially if you are a biker and especially.

If you like to write ride your bike at night not motorcycles talking conference regular normal bikes.

-- -- joining us he's the co-founder of pure fix cycles and he's got is -- great there been -- before we go before we started this.

You develop this company by fortunate for childhood for so that was afford you.

Tell us a little bit about YE it was developed in and how you guys came together.

I did so bomb the company was founded by me.

My younger brother Jordan and two other partners Michael and Austin -- we've known each other since we are very young.

And I'm tears or them and we all went elementary school together and grew up together we're best friends and then three of us went to Wisconsin to -- the University of Wisconsin and my brother went to Columbia.

And when we are graduating it was a really tough it's a terrible job market so we said let's create our own jobs so we just kind of gave it a shot and took leap of faith and Tom made it happen.

Iran will also you forgot about -- yet or do you I UW Madison's business competition at against our undergraduate and graduate student -- -- I -- in 2011 and you -- 7000 dollar prize so that was a nice little boost yes.

We did and I wish I could take credit for it but it was my two great partners Michael Halston.

At that point I had graduated so.

They that was that was actually down but dom yeah I was a company prize so.

I was definitely helpful getting our business up and running.

So the business that were actually talking about is pure fix cycles which has launched the first commercially available glow in the dark.

Fixed gear bicycle it's called -- -- that correct.

That's correct the failure -- a little bit about it.

On the so this is our key -- This is the extra large sizes when -- -- actually.

But it's not be just kind of a phosphorus glow in the dark feet.

Which is awesome because.

In the daytime it's it's a cool bright sort of -- on yellow green color.

And with exposure to light it normal daylight come at night at a glow for at least -- you know a couple hours.

I'm not Rhode Island in New York City and so I don't do lot of riding my bike through problems.

Because I would like to live honor but I -- I don't we -- you know especially that you got the people they're -- me yet the bill.

Everything is lit up on them the -- itself isn't what you it took so long for this statistic to wreck coming out.

You know it wasn't easy for us we I mean.

It could have been -- if we want to sell a 2000 dollar glow in the dark bike but we wanted to sell.

399.

Dollar -- -- -- -- -- so from what the price up front -- what's what did it make why are you making it on a cheaper basis.

On -- you know if you go to a paint store in view.

And -- and buy a gallon of -- at our feet.

It's gonna cost you hundreds and hundreds if not maybe a thousand bucks.

For a big jug of high quality.

Whether kind of withstanding paint and you can't just use an eagle that are -- because this gets rained on and has to be rust proof.

And all of that so it just took a lot of time for.

You know for -- for us to develop that make it work.

Yeah and you should be you personally have had -- -- -- -- you weren't dirty you are right nearby can -- -- you were fourteen I understand you are involved in a pretty bad.

Bike accident.

I was and although wasn't at night it's really important and new cycling developments are all about staying visible and we sell night lights and it's our hottest selling accessory with a bike.

But guys where you're writing New York where vests and have reflectors all over the place -- is just one.

Added feature that you know where the whole -- obviously -- and it really helps people stay visible.

Okay how -- but this is Akeelah says all of the extra large -- -- versions do you have and what's what's the price range.

So right now we only have one -- the -- -- We as -- are releasing two more -- I'm not sure of the -- yet but they'll be available in the next month or two.

But we'll have 31 where actually the wheels will also glow which were all pretty excited about.

The price range is 399 to 399.

And they're all going to be 399.

Free shipping which is cool from my web -- and we're really excited about it happy but even getting a lot of good reaction.

We have a moment it's sort of insane the press we've got the last -- I cannot and from.

-- from this to some of our -- blogs and you are one of our bikes -- fusion Oprah magazine which is awesome for.

My -- -- in half an hour just last.

Last month but this this month we were on his mode -- and some cool blogs that were we were really excited about it was like my Oprah.

So it's -- -- to kick Sarah for.

So are you planning on staying in the bike development business or -- you plan on expanding into other areas.

-- sort of other areas like you know I'm a big bicycle guy now more so than ever and I wasn't really.

When I started this business and I was a little bit but now I really am and I love writing these things and it's.

It's like an addiction I kind of need to go home before it's.

I used to say before it got dark now I can obviously write that are -- But com.

You know I love the bicycle world and I'm leaving this weekend traveling all over the world to do bicycle things so I'm really excited about it and -- That's -- my mind it's at the moment.

Well they you know it makes biking fun and it makes a lot safer thanks so much for joining us and you can't keep us updated on your other -- -- the other versions that are coming out -- know what's going on with that we appreciate it.

-- shocked oblivion pure fix cycles -- -- website what happened -- -- find out more information on.

You can find more information about me and the company at pure fix cycles dot com.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Are ready so I -- -- the end of the show right now is it not producer.

We are done in southern Iraq and I -- take quick break when I come back we've got a lot of other interesting stuff we've got fox for a while long live.

Many talking about a new show on Discovery Channel this is that this is a -- from the guy that brought to you.

All -- -- really tough guy shows Deadliest Catch for instance now I've got another show you probably been seeing all the commercials for it sounds really really cool.

And we have a performance by a great.

Musical -- -- stay with us.

Take a little break don't get caught in what happens we'll be right back.