I really didn’t see this one coming, but there’s no denying that it actually happened. Suddenly every box under my TV streams video. I feel a little bit behind the times with this one because there have been streaming video products available for a long time, it’s just that now it seems everything is a streaming video player, and more importantly, that there are lots of places to get the video. Read More
If you are like me and own an iPhone then you know that you have a great device that goes beyond a cell phone. We have all see the Apple ads that show the many features of the iPhone so I will not go into that. Still companies like VooMote have made gadgets to enhance the iPhone.
I was able to review the VooMote One Universal Remote. The VooMote One transforms your iPhone (3GS/4G) and iPod touch (3rd Gen/4th Gen) into a universal remote control. The VooMote One clamps onto the iPhone while still allowing full control of the iPhone itself. Once the device is connected and the free app loaded, it instantly makes your iPhone into a fully functional universal remote for your TVs, DVD players, stereo systems, and more, ultimately eliminating the need to have several remotes to control your consumer electronics. Plus the VooMote One provides you with a modern remote that doesn’t require batteries or deplete the battery life of your iPhone which is great.
Here are the things I liked from the VooMote One. The setup is quick and easy. The VooMote app is free and the interface is clear and easy to read. The remote is organized first by room and then by devices in that each room. You can tell the VooMote the brand, it asks you to press buttons and note the results, and it figures out what you have in your room. If you have a really obscure device it can learn codes from an existing remote. You can control a lot of different devices in a lot of different locations and keep them working and not have any interference when using the remote. For more info on the VooMote check out their site and the item sells for $69.99.
The gadgets have been piling up, so it’s time to get crackin’…
Wicked Audio X-Ray Yankee Zulu 3D Headphones
From Wicked Audio comes a new series of headphones with 3D designs on the mid-size ear cups. The XRay Yankee Zulu features the last three words of the NATO phonetic alphabet on the outside in raised, bold capital letters. The cups swivel 180 degrees and comes with a nice long cord and volume control. The sound is decent for a good price, as has become Wicked Audio’s reputation. The headphones lack most on bass at medium to high volume, where a little distortion is noticeable, but a good deal overall and a nice pickup for the average iPod listener. You can pick these up for about $20 right now on Amazon.
This post originally came from my blog at techsupportrich.com
I’m sitting here looking through my new triple play Blu-Ray set of Senna, great film by the way. This little pack has the Blu-Ray version of the film, a DVD copy of the film, and kind of almost a digital copy of the film. That’s the triple play idea. I can see the day coming where such a thing isn’t necessary. I only need a DVD copy of the film because I’ve got just the one Blu-Ray player. Can you imagine buying a DVD that came with a VHS copy of the film? That would be silly, but it’s effectively what we’re doing with these triple play sets.
However, what I’m interested in today, is the digital copy of the film. So why include a digital copy? I presume it’s so I don’t rip the DVD. Soon in the UK we’ll be legally allowed to transfer media from one medium to another, which will apply to ripping both CDs and DVDs. If the movie company are happy for me to have a digital copy, then why not include some software that would rip the DVD to a format of my choosing? DRM. Read More
This is the Kindle Fire tablet from Amazon. It’s a brand new, top of the range, Kindle, tablet. It’s running Amazon’s own take on Android Gingerbread, has a 7″ screen, dual core processor, and most importantly of all, costs $199. It’s available for pre-order in the US right now.
Already some people are calling this the iPad killer, I am not. It isn’t an iPad killer. It looks very nice, and should they ever release it in the UK, I will probably buy one. But it’s not an iPad killer. As far as I’m concerned, that ship has sailed. The iPad will always be the definitive tablet computer, and the one that everyone wants, even people who settle for an Android tablet. At this point, nothing is going to kill it. However, I do think there is room for more than one tablet in the world, it’s just not at the top end. Read More
The following post is from Jacob Norton (a.k.a Warp Factor on our forums & @jacobnorton on Twitter). This post can also be found on Jacob’s blog which can be found at - http://warpfactor1701.wordpress.com/2011/08/31/firesale-a-review-of-the-hp-touchpad/
The weekend before last, HP decided to give up on the webOS system they had acquired when they bought Palm last year. This decision meant that the only webOS device that had already been released, the Touchpad tablet computer, was discontinued. In order to get rid of stock as quickly as possible, HP decided to let retailers sell the devices off for under 1/4 of the usual RRP in a so-called “firesale”.
A 9 inch tablet for roughly £100 seems a pretty good deal so the Touchpad briefly became the most sought-after gadget in many countries, with shops and online stores selling out within minutes of lowering the price. On Tuesday, my boss managed to get hold of 10 from one of our suppliers at work and they were quickly snapped up by colleagues, including me, arriving by courier the next day. So the question is, was the money I spent worth it, given the lack of app support and the chances of significant numbers of new apps for an operating system that is basically dead being slim? Read More
This post was written by Kevin of the Atomic Trivia War 9000 podcast. If you’re in the market for a phone, you should read it.
The Smartphone Wars are currently being waged by three major factions: the iPhone, the Blackberry, and the many Android devices. However, Microsoft recently stepped — or perhaps tiptoed — into the ring with yet another option: the Windows 7 phone.
I’m a long time iPhone user, but I’ve recently been given a Windows 7 phone. Here are my thoughts.
The Windows 7 phone falls firmly in the “touchscreen” camp like the iPhone and Android, but with a lot of Microsoft Office integration. It clearly has its eye on the business crowd that right now are Blackberry’s territory.
The look and feel of the interface are somehow advanced and dated at the same time. The giant tiles that launch applications do look a bit passe, but the icons native to the phone dance with information. The contacts icon is a mosaic of Facebook profiles, the Gmail tile is counting up your mail, other icons are alive with weather, message counts, and news headlines.
The usual suspects are there as far as web browsing, wi-fi and Bluetooth connectivity, GPS, camera, and add-on apps you’ve come to expect from a smartphone.
For my money, here’s what’s different from the usual experience:
The following letter has just been published…
“To the Apple Board of Directors and the Apple Community:
I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come.
I hereby resign as CEO of Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board sees fit, as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee.
As far as my successor goes, I strongly recommend that we execute our succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO of Apple.
I believe Apple’s brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role.
I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you.
Steve”
As I write this, I must admit I’m holding back tears. I’m not worried about Apple, Apple will be fine. There are many people there of exceptional talent who are more than capable of continuing the fine work that has gone on there for the last few decades. Read More
I just wanted to say a few words about a little issue I have with the Android Market. Unlike the App Store that iPhone users are used to, the Android Market doesn’t check apps out before they become available to download. Some people think that’s a good thing, and some don’t. Personally I’d prefer it if Google handled things a little bit more like Apple.
Because apps aren’t subject to a vigorous set of rules, you end up getting some that are less than brilliant, but more significantly it means you get a great deal of porn. If you’re amused by games that result in you seeing a picture of a naked woman then these apps are right for you. I’m not 15 years old, so they hold little interest for me. Luckily they also hold little interest for other people too, so Google gave us a way to get rid of them from the market. We can filter apps according to their maturity rating. Read More
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Social Networking Etiquette Part 1
My main problem with social networks, is that they make things simple for people who can’t work the internet. Can’t understand email? Then there’s Facebook messenger. Can’t work Flickr? Then there’s Facebook photos. Personally I’m of the belief that if you can’t be bothered to learn how the internet works, then you shouldn’t be spoiling it for the rest of us. Unfortunately, people don’t really think about how these social networks operate either. Let me give you a rough example of something I experienced the other day. Read More »