Technology Wrap: April 2006

Saturday, April 29, 2006

Sidekick 3 on the FCC

It's official as far as the FCC is concerned. The FCC has approved the Sidekick III. The confirmed features are Bluetooth, 1.3 megapixel camera, and a MiniSD expansion slot. I'm guessing that MiniSD slot is meant for video and mp3 abilities but who knows...maybe it will have a hefty amount of storage on it. The pics:

Funny Vid: Guy makes iPods in his basement

This guy, makememagazine, says, "i catch the ipods, sedate them, weigh them, tag them, then release them in wild." Not really that much description there except that I'm guessing he gathers parts and must have connections in China to get them. Then he basically assembles them in his home and sells them to unsuspecting people. Pretty interesting and pretty illegal.

Friday, April 28, 2006

Response to Previous Comments in Last Post

There were 3 comments in the last post "The Digg from Hell" which was basically when I saw 666 diggs for the story "5 Creative Uses for your iPod."

I just would like to say that the digg from hell stuff was meant as a hook just to get people to check out the story and was meant as an intro to the link.

I can't believe some guys actually thought I was serious. Just chill out guys.

Thursday, April 27, 2006

The Digg from Hell

So I was browsing through digg today and I just noticed this pic:

Now I'm not trying to say anything but...who knows. Ironically, the story was for "Top 5 Creative Uses for Your iPod." Maybe this means that there should be no other uses for the iPod besides as a music player. I think not.

Nintendo Revolution, uhh I mean Wii

Wii (pronounced "we") is now the official name for the code-named "Nintendo Revolution."

Nintendo states, "While the code-name 'Revolution' expressed our direction, Wii represents the answer." We (i mean Wii) is meant to push the whole gaming online community.

Wednesday, April 26, 2006

Yahoo Launches DVR Service: Y! Go

Yahoo has launched a Media Center PC alternative based off the recently acquired Meedio. The service will be free and includes the following feature set:

Use Yahoo Go to manage photos, search Yahoo videos, watch stored movies on your hard drive, listen to music, and manage television shows via a full DVR (like Tivo). Yahoo Go is only available for Windows machines (although you could just have Boot Camp for Macs).

Here are the requirements:

Windows XP^® operating system (Yahoo! Go™ for TV is not compatible with Macintosh^® or Linux)
1 GHz CPU
512 MB RAM
40 MB free disk space for installation
20 GB additional disk space for TV recordings
High Speed Internet
Cables
TV tuner card and remote control

Monday, April 24, 2006

PSP Firmware v2.7 released

Sony has just released a Japanese Firmware update for the PSP (v2.7). *Click title for translation of Sony Japanese website. Note that this update is a Japanese release. Even though the PSP is not region specific (so basically you could download this update) it will possibly void your warranty. When 2.0 came out I was one of the ones that got the Japanese update and it worked fine. Also, 2.7 will prohibit homebrew apps so I suggest not updating unless you already have a version that doesn't support homebrew.

The features:

Network

Internet Browser now supports Macromedia Flash contents playback.
*You need to enable the Flash contents playback in the System Settings.
*The version of the flash player is Macromedia Flash Player 6 (a part of the functions is not supported).
The settings of the Internet Browser is added into Settings -> Connection Settings
The audio contents from channels in the RSS Channel section now can be saved into your memory stick.
Auto option added to Rate Change in Location Free Player.

Music

Added file extension to playable AAC format.

Settings

Added Enable Flash Player in System Settings.
*To change this option, you need to connect to the internet.
"Simplified Chinese" and "Traditional Chinese" added to System Settings-> System Language.
Added RSS Channel Settings.
Added UMD Video L & R Button into Video Settings.

Others

Fixed some issues when using a memory stick with more than 2GB free space.

MacBook Pro 17-inch released

Like previously rumored, Apple has released a 17-inch MacBook Pro. This flagship product will have an updated 8x SuperDrive, 120GB Hard Drive, a third USB port, 2.16 GHz processor, and a Firewire 800. Cosmetically, the beautiful design will remain the same.

The 17-incher will be retailed for $2,799 and ironically is the same price if you outfit the 15.4" MacBook Pro with the 2.16 GHz.

Thursday, April 20, 2006

Video: Steve Jobs on new Cupertino Campus

iPod prices to fall

Reuters is reporting that the CFO of Apple, Peter Oppenheimer, said (of iPod prices), "We expect them to be down a little bit in the June quarter." At first I didn't believe it until the CFO was quoted so this is pretty amazing news. No word yet on how low but this is definitely something to look forward to.

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

Command & Conquer 3 announced

The Command & Conquers used to be my PC game addiction back in the day so this story has a special meaning to me. PC Gamer is announcing that Command & Conquer 3 will be a reality. If you pick up their June issue there will be a special sneek preview. If we can get a copy of it or the story online then we will definitely have it for you guys.

P.S. if you don't know what Command & Conquer is then I command you to go out and buy anyone of them.

MacBook Pro 17-inch soon?

AppleInsider reports that Apple will introduce a 17-inch flagship MacBook Pro at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) next week. It will incorporate a faster processor and more storage capacity.

Sunday, April 16, 2006

Calendar integration into Gmail

Google has finally released an update to Gmail that includes calendar integration. Whenever you compose a mail you may 'add event info'. Then when the other person receives the email they have the option of accepting, declining, or setting it as a maybe on their own calendar.

Furthermore, much like how Gmail can auto-detect addresses and place a Map it text on the side, Gmail can now auto-detect events and allow you to place it on your calendar.

One last thing is that Gmail now has the "Google Gmail Calendar" links on the top left of the screen like Calendar has.

Thursday, April 13, 2006

Google Talk feature request

Go here if you want to vote for some new features. There is also an "Any other ideas?" section which is open-ended at the very end. I requested a pop-out sidebar where you can access user profiles, gmail inbox, and many other things. I also requested to have full Google Calendar integration so from that sidebar you can access your calendar without having to open your web browser.

If you like any of my suggestions then request them too and they could become a possibility. In addition, make sure to request some other features that you can think of.

P.S. thank you SGT for posting the link.

Video iPod delayed?

ThinkSecret reports that the rumored real Video iPod has been delayed substantially due to technology problems with the display screen. They also say that Apple will not introduce a Video iPod unless there is a movie store to go with it on iTunes. Apple is currently in talks with movie companies to get something going.

*Note: That is a fake picture as far as I know.

Google Calendar Launched, Reviewed

Google Calendar has just launched today. It seems like a decent, clean calendar interface that is very smooth and easy to use.

You can have multiple calendars if you want and you can search for multiple calendars across the Google Calendar database. This will allow you to keep up with your favorite sporting events (if someone makes it) etc and you can add that as one of your own calendars and look at it anytime you want. You can also look at your friends' calendars as well as holiday calendars. Also, you can set up phone notifications for your most important events. Google has not specified whether it is via text message or not but it seems that way. Furthermore, you may import any calendar if it is in the iCal or CSV (Outlook) formats.

From what I can tell there is little, if any, intergration with Gmail which is a huge disappointment that I'm sure everyone will gripe about.

Look and Feel: 10/10
Ease of Use: 10/10
Integration with other Google products: 5/10
Features: 7/10
Overall: 7/10

*I apologize for this story not being able to read writer earlier in the day when I first posted it (10 AM). I was not at my personal computer and for some reason it would not work (Just look at how I had to use IE in the pic).

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

iTunes to take off in flight?

Aircraft in-flight entertainment (IFE) system providers have held talks with Apple Computer on the possibility of licensing its iTunes media download software for airlines' own systems, enabling passengers to use frequent-flyer miles to download music and videos on to iPod MP3 players in-flight.

Downloads are one of a range of concepts being explored by suppliers such as Thales and Panasonic in response to airline requests to expand the range of on-board applications.

“We’ve had lots of discussions with Apple,” said Thales vice-president and in-flight systems general manager Brad Foreman last week at Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg. “The key is to get them to see the value of hosting iTunes on an aircraft. Is it a big enough market for them to be interested in? I’d try to do it tomorrow if they said yes.”

Panasonic Avionics strategic product marketing director David Bruner agreed that “there’s a lot of airline interest” in the idea of hosting iTunes. “Apple is aware of the market,” he said. “It’s a small market for them, but it’s a very visible market.”

But Bruner added: “Our interests are wider – not just Apple, but enabling any e-commerce on the aircraft. Music is one thing in that category we are working on.”

Apple refuses to confirm or deny the talks, saying "Apple never talks about the future."

Several airlines have requested building iPod docks, or Universal Serial Bus (USB) portsin seatbacks, allowing passengers to browse iTunes through the airline's IFE system before transferring music directly to the MP3 player. Flights could be an ideal time during which to download songs, but currently it is restricted to those passengers with laptops flying on a flight with a wireless network.

In order to license an onboard system offering, Apple would have to re-engineer the software to allow songs downloaded mid-flight to be transferred back on the customer's computer hard disk, currently prohibited.

Apple would also encounter licensing issues similar to those faced by in-flight telephony providers over where copyright and sales data are recorded for media downloaded in international airspace, according to industry insiders familiar with the negotiations.

Friday, April 07, 2006

New Details on Intel iBooks

AppleInsider reports that the new Intel iBooks will be called MacBooks like everyone expected. They will come with a 13.3-inch display, built-in iSight, Front Row (which means remote control included), MagSafe, and the wonderful Intel Core DUO processor. The processor will start at 1.67 GHz and will increase from there. AppleInsider has no details yet on pricing but most likely it will start at $999 like it is right now.

Reports say that it will come out in May.

Also, the 17-inch MacBook Pro will be introduced.

This sounds on par with what I have been expecting from Apple but take all of this with a grain of salt because it hasn't been confirmed by Apple, themselves, yet.

*Pic from Engadget contest winner

Wednesday, April 05, 2006

Apple supports Windows on Macs!!

Apple has now introduced something that they call "Boot Camp (for now)" which is currently a public beta. This new technology will be included in OS X Leopard and it will allow you to dual boot Mac OS X and Windows XP!

This will completely change the face of computing as we know it. Apple is betting big on this to help persuade more people to try OS X. Now there really is no problem to. Gamers can get Mac OS X and still play their favorite games. This is what many people envisioned when Apple announced that they would make the switch to Intel but no one expected them to support having XP on Macs. Apple has repeatedly stressed that they wouldn't dissuade people from trying to put XP on Macs but that they wouldn't support it themselves.

You can currently download the public beta for OS X Tiger.

Apple has been kind enough to provide drivers for the following so that Windows XP will work perfectly:

Graphics
Networking
Audio
AirPort wireless
Bluetooth
The Eject key (on Apple keyboards)
Brightness control for built-in displays

You will need Windows XP SP2 as well as an Intel-based Mac. You will also need 10GB of free hard drive space because you will have to partition your hard drive so Windows XP can go on one side. Here is what you need to do (step by step):

Update your OS X Tiger to the newest version and download the Boot Camp Public Beta
Burn a CD with all the Windows drivers on it (provided in Boot Camp download)
Also, with Boot Camp you will partition your hard drive and you can set how much space you would like to allocate
Next, just insert your Windows Installation CD. Apple would like you to note: "The only tricky part is selecting the C: drive manually. Be sure to get this right, or you could erase your Mac files accidentally."
After you have installed XP you'll need to insert your drivers CD that you burned earlier. And just pop it in and let it install all the drivers you need. Now, you're finished!!

You now have XP and Mac OS X on the beautiful Mac hardware.

Apple on the side also stated something really important:

EFI and BIOS

Macs use an ultra-modern industry standard technology called EFI to handle booting. Sadly, Windows XP, and even the upcoming Vista, are stuck in the 1980s with old-fashioned BIOS. But with Boot Camp, the Mac can operate smoothly in both centuries.

I have heard reports that the upcoming Vista will have EFI support so maybe Apple is wrong about this.

As well as:

Word to the Wise

Windows running on a Mac is like Windows running on a PC. That means it’ll be subject to the same attacks that plague the Windows world. So be sure to keep it updated with the latest Microsoft Windows security fixes.

Saturday, April 01, 2006

Microsoft get rid of Core XBOX360

Microsoft, in a stunning announcement, has decided to cut its XBOX360 Core system. Currently, the XBOX360 comes in two seperate options. One is the Core system which is $300 and the other is the Premium system which is $400.

This is due to the fact that Sony has announced that the PS3 will come standard with a hard drive. Microsoft, trying to one-up them, will only now offer the Premium system.

To add more pain to the misery, Microsoft is urging developers to require the hard drive for their games. Thus, it would force Core systems to go out and buy the hard drive.

This is an extremely unfair tactic especially since it hasn't even been 6 months since the XBOX360 was first introduced.

This is not going to go down smoothly with the gamer world and Microsoft could end up regretting it in the end. "This day will not be soon forgotten. No, NO!"(Stewie)

Technology Wrap