The Upper Tech

How To Use Google Voice Search On Your Pebble Smartwatch

2015-02-17T14:45:00.001-06:00

Have a Pebble smartwatch and feel a little left out as all the Android Wear folks rock the cutting edge? Sure, Android Wear smartwatches look awesome & have touchscreens. Some even have a built in microphone, which allows you to perform various voice tasks such as a Google search or tell your mobile device to play some Korn. But what if I told you that you can have nearly the same thing using your Pebble & an app called AppLauncher? Although Pebble doesn't have a built in mic, as long as your mobile device is nearby (which it most likely is), you can easily do this and here's how...

First, go to Google Play Store and install AppLauncher.

Next, under Pebble settings tap Install Watch App on Pebble.

Allow it to install the Pebble app onto your Pebble watch...

Go back into the main app on your mobile device and select Applications.

Choose Google Voice Search.

On your Pebble watch go into Settings and select Quick Launch.

Here is where you can preset the top or bottom button on your Pebble watch to trigger any installed Pebble app. Select either top or bottom button and then choose AppLauncher as the preset app.

Now, just long press the button you selected to trigger AppLauncher. When it pops up on your Pebble watch, select Google Voice Search (microphone icon). This will trigger the app on your mobile device.

When you hear that distinctive "chirp", speak your command.

Example: "Play Korn."

I've been using this method for quite awhile now and it works almost flawlessly. To be honest, it's going to depend on the proximity of your mobile device and background noise, as normal. I find it comes in very handy. I don't have to pull out my phone so often and am able to more fully utilize the abilities of my Pebble watch.

Best of luck. Also, let me know how you would use this. Give me some ideas!

Links:

Pebble

AppLauncher

How Nexus Became Premium And Hangouts Got MMS

2014-10-16T10:34:00.003-05:00

Cost and Reaction

Nexus 6

I was surprised to learn, recently, that the Nexus 6 would start at $650. In fact, I received some criticism from others when I posted about it on Google+. Truth is, I was expecting a lower price, ranging between $450 to $500. The reasons being, well... because it was a Nexus, and because the two prior models were below $400. From what I gathered while reading various threads about it online, I wasn't alone in being a bit shocked at the price tag. By the way, the Nexus 9, which is a 9" tablet that was announced the same day actually costs less. Go figure...

The main reason I've seen thrown up in most of the threads is due to it's being larger and higher specs. Ok. I get it, but I don't think that's the all there is to it. I've had some time to think about it and I've realized that there are several things in play here that are worth mentioning and I'll explain how I believe they are all related.

Juggling Act

1-3. If you've used Google Voice in the past, you know that you couldn't use MMS with it on most carriers. To my knowledge, Sprint was the only carrier that supported it. Then Google launched a new messaging service called Hangouts that was intended to merge all of their various services into one. And up until recently, everything worked except for MMS. The carriers just wouldn't budge on that. This meant that if you used Hangouts as your primary messaging app and someone sent you an MMS, you didn't receive it. But in the latest update , Hangouts (Google Voice) finally received MMS support from all but one of the carriers (Verizon).

Hangouts and MMS

4. Next up, Moto X. The Moto X currently costs about $500 unlocked, from MotoMaker. The Nexus 6, being inspired by the Moto X, would be directly competing with it and wouldn't make sense to undercut the Moto X.

motomaker.com

5. Android One is Google's newest project focused on high quality, lower cost devices, with long term OS version support, much like a Nexus. Although currently only available in India, as it just rolled out, I believe it will soon be Google's entry level tier. If you, like myself, are interested in low cost devices in the sub $400 range, then this will be right up your alley.

Android One

6. And finally, we have the artist formerly known as Android Silver. Android Silver was a program that was basically designed to head off the upcoming, cheaper competition by making the Nexus line a premium brand. That's it, in a nutshell. However, according to several reports, the program was dead or had been put on hold. I don't think it is. Regardless of the name of the program, the Nexus name will continue. I believe what we're seeing with the new Nexus 6 is this program coming to fruition, which isn't a bad thing at all.

So how are all these things related? Some concessions/deals were made, which is what Google is particularly good at. Basically, I think the carriers haven't been too interested in Nexus devices in the past because they weren't exactly known as premium and were considered "developer" models. When Google introduced Android One as its entry level tier and Nexus as its premium tier, the carriers now have a reason to get on board. As part of the deal, it seems likely that they agreed to allow MMS in Hangouts since now Google can be viewed more as a partner rather than a competitor.

So in conclusion it looks like Nexus got bumped up to premium status, which explains the $650 price tag, there's now a bigger arena for future devices to be released by Google in the Android One category, none of the devices are competing directly with each other, and now we finally get MMS in Hangouts to round out a true all-in-one messaging app. Sounds good to me. What do you think?

[APP] Scan Documents With Google Drive App | PDF

2013-05-31T18:01:00.000-05:00

Google Drive: Eliminate Clutter and Scan Documents With Your Phone

Perhaps one of the easiest way to cut down on clutter and excessive apps installed on your devices is to consolidate. What I'm referring to is discovering apps that do more than one thing. Recently, I used an app called "Camscanner" to scan documents to PDF & save to Google Drive. What I discovered is that Google Drive does this, too... and very well. Simply follow the directions below...

From the app:
Just open the Google Drive app (Android) and hit Menu > Add New > Scan > Snap photo > Save to Drive

From the widget:
Tap the camera icon > Snap photo of document > Save to Drive

Can be done using the camera icon on Google Drive widget

Choose Add New

Choose Scan

Snap a photo of the document

Automatically saves document to Google Drive as a PDF

Direct Link: Google Drive

[Tip] Receive All Messages In One App | Hangouts, Google Voice, SMS, MMS

2013-05-17T09:15:00.000-05:00

+ SMS, MMS

Hangouts, Google's answer to unifying all of their various messaging services/apps has been updated recently. To date, it merges Google Talk and G+ Messenger into one app. It's a great beginning to what will most probably become the defacto messaging app across multiple platforms including, but not limited to Android, Chrome, and Apple's iOS.

Although it doesn't support SMS at the moment, there is a workaround to receive Hangouts messages as SMS when idle. Below are instructions for setting this up as well as how to route your Google Voice messages to the same app as well, if you are one of the many Google Voice users like me.

How To Route All Messages To One Place

On your device, open the Google Voice app > Settings > Sync and Notifications > Receive text messages: (choose Messaging App).
Next, go HERE
Look for SMS for Hangouts > Edit Settings > Enter your standard carrier phone # and hit SAVE. (Don't worry about the country drop-down box above the phone number field; it doesn't show USA, but it works regardless.)
On your device, you should be able to receive all your text messages from carrier number, Google Voice number, and Hangouts as well as MMS from both carrier # and Hangouts. Remember, Google Voice still doesn't support MMS at this time (5/17/2013) unless you're on Sprint.
(Optional) Add the Messaging widget to one of your homescreens. From here, you'll be able to view your messages at a glance, scroll through them, place a phone call, and even attach a file.

This is confirmed to work, although messages sent from the Messaging app on Android didn't always appear correctly on the iOS Hangouts app. Not sure why, but be aware of this glitch up front.

Be sure to comment and +1 this post. Thanks guys!

Edit: Don't want to route Hangouts messages to the Messaging app? Simply substitute your carrier number with your Google Voice number in Step 3. Be advised, by doing this, you will not be able to send MMS, as GV doesn't currently support MMS unless you are on Sprint.
Also, remember that this is merely a workaround until Google fully implements everything. So do the above at your own risk or sit tight & wait it out. Either way, at least they're working on it now;-)
-Dan

UPDATE: As Google has integrated SMS into Hangouts, the link in Step 2 no longer available. It links to a page that cannot be found.
This is a good thing, however, as it means this work around is no longer needed=D

[Tip] Great Google Reader Alternative- Feedly | Get On With Your Life

2013-03-14T14:16:00.000-05:00

So Google's decided to pull the plug on Google Reader. If you're like me, this was about like being splashed in the face with cold water; it came as quite a shock. I'm sure there are reasons why they did it, and I'm also sure that life will go on without it.

The truth is, there are alternatives. One in particular, that works extremely well is called Feedly. Feedly does a great job of offering all your RSS subscriptions to you in various ways that I believe will satisfy users across the board.

To sync with your existing Google Reader RSS subs, simply login by connecting to Google Reader and Feedly will immediately sync everything over. In the meantime, any changes you make in Feedly will show up on Google Reader, as well. After July 1st, Feedly will continue to deliver your RSS subscriptions to you without any interruption.

As previously mentioned, Feedly offers several display options designed to suit a variety of users. To change views and make it look like your old Google Reader layout, go into Settings and choose "Titles".

Feedly is available on your PC/Mac, as well as Chrome, Android, and iOS and will sync across all of your devices, no matter where you are. It has both, an app and an extension for Chrome.

If you're looking for a great, reliable Google Reader alternative be sure to try it out.

[Accessory] Poetic Slimline Case | Nexus 7

2013-02-28T22:44:00.000-06:00

If you're like me, then you probably have a few cases/covers for your devices. I probably have 3 or 4 just for my Nexus 7. I recently grabbed the Poetic Slimline case and I couldn't be happier. It's the perfect combination of sexy, slim, and functional. I got mine from Amazon for $15.

If you're looking for a great case for your slate, I highly recommend this one. Despite some early reviews on Amazon reporting poor build quality, I kept checking in noticed how Poetic was not only trying to make it up to their customers, but they were also upgrading the design on this model.

They've done a great job and I'm really impressed with the attention to detail that's gone into it, to date.

Hit the links below for the all the details on the awesome case by Poetic and maybe even pick one up for yourself:-)

Link: Poetic Slimline case- Nexus 7 (Official Site)

Source: DroidHorizon

[How To] Microsoft Office On Your Chromebook | SKYDRIVE

2013-02-21T14:21:00.000-06:00

If you've got a Chromebook and need to work with documents, you know that we have Google Docs (Drive) at our disposal. However, at times you may have found yourself needing to use Microsoft Excel, Word, or Powerpoint for various reasons. Google Docs are compatible with MS Office docs for the most part, but there are some aspects that end up lost in translation when converting. If you've been looking for a solution to this problem, this is for you.

At the moment, MS Office in its humongous footprint, program form isn't available for the Chromebook but that doesn't mean you can't use it. Microsoft offers an online web app called Skydrive that's free to use and offers most of the features found in the traditional pc suite.

It has a simple UI that makes finding your files easy. From the dashboard, you can access not only your folders and files saved in the cloud, online, but you are able to access your folders on your pc that are synced as well. More on this in a bit...

You can create a new Word, Excel, Powerpoint, or OneNote document in Skydrive, as well. Just click on the Create icon at the top, select the type of document you want to use, and you're off and running.

On your pc, you can download the app that allows you to sync specific folders to Skydrive to access them anywhere.

As for the Chromebook, this is a quick and easy way to use MS Office whenever you're not able to or prefer not to use Google Docs or other office suites available. I've had to use this in a pinch a few times, such as when editing slideshows originally created in Powerpoint. Google Slides isn't going to be completely compatible with it. As much as I love Google Docs and use it as much as possible, sometimes there are situations where you have to use MS Office apps. And I believe this is a solid workaround for fellow Chromebook users.

Hope this helps! Be sure to +1 this post and subscribe for more tech news, tips, and tricks. Thanks guys!

Link: Skydrive

[App] Music Remote - Control Your Stereo With Your Android Device | WITHOUT Wifi or Bluetooth

2013-02-20T14:47:00.000-06:00

One of the great things about Android is the ever evolving, open, and increasingly easy ways to connect everything we use on a daily basis. This has become a major selling point for the platform, and there are so many apps that lend to this. Some apps shine and actually make our lives a bit simpler; the way it should be.

For example, have you ever wished you could use your Android device as a remote control with your stereo? Music Remote by Ubergrund, is a free app that lets you do this, easily and best of all - without the need of a wifi or bluetooth connection.

I have personally been using this app for a few months and I highly recommend it. It's reliable and fairly simple to set up and use. It's also an easy and cheap way to breathe new life back into those old Android devices you may still have lying around or in a drawer.

The premise is simple:

Install the app on your old Android device, enable the app in Settings, then connect it to your stereo. This can be done via the headphone jack.
Next, install the app on your other Android device, as well. Set it up same way you did the first one and choose which device to use as the server (the device connected to the stereo).
Choose a playlist/tracks and remotely control playback, as well as volume, with your other device. Simple.

Via the Browser Interface URL (mobile)

Another great feature if you don't want to install the app on the other device or don't have a second/spare Android device to use, is the ability to control it with your Mac/PC/Chromebook via the web.

Operating this way is just as simple:

On the connected Android device, go to Settings > Browser Interface > Enable.
Then tap Share Browser Interface URL.
Send the link to your email, open it in your web browser, use the on screen controls to operate your connected device remotely. Be sure to bookmark it, baby...

Via the Browser Interface URL (pc)

So, head on over to the Google Play Store and grab it. It's easy to use and it's free! Don't forget to rate the app after you try it for a bit. Devs need love, too...

Link: Music Remote (Google Play Store)

Nexus 4 Factory Image Is Back

2013-02-05T12:43:00.003-06:00

If you own a Nexus 4 and need/want the factory image, you'll be pleased to know that it is now back online and available for download here.

For whatever reason, Google pulled the Nexus 4 image from the site shortly after releasing the device. Unless you were one of the few that grabbed it before it disappeared, access to it was a bit tricky. Fortunately, it has been restored to the site... for now.

Source: Droid Life

Airdroid 2 Beta Brings New Features

2013-02-03T12:29:00.001-06:00

Those of you that already use Airdroid will be happy to know that Airdroid 2 is now available. It's still in beta, however, from my own personal experience so far, it works extremely well. With this new, enhanced version come a variety of great, new features that make it even easier to use.

For starters, now you can connect to your devices over a mobile network as well. This is great because now you aren't limited to a wifi network. Just sign in by creating an Airdroid account, if you haven't already, then link your Google account for quicker sign-ins next time. I can now access my devices from anywhere.

Tip: You don't have to use a pc. You can also use your tablet or smartphone as well.

Another new feature the Airdroid team has added is the ability to locate/track your lost devices. It's simply called "Find Phone" and it's built in to the application.

Finally, a couple things that I believe current users will love or even convince you to try it out, is the ability to remotely control your device's camera. Once connected, you can access the camera on your tablet or smartphone to take photos.

You can now add shortcuts to files and folders as well.

These are just a handful of really useful features Airdroid offers up. It's extremely reliable, has an intuitive UI, and best of all- it's free.

I highly recommend this app/utility to any Android user interested in enhancing their experience. Go check it out;-)

Airdroid (web)

Airdroid (Google Play Store)

Lenovo ditches Windows for Chrome OS

2013-01-15T09:58:00.001-06:00

Guys, this is huge news.
For the first time in ages, the prospect of Windows not being the main, go-to OS for business use is becoming a reality.
I'm ecstatic about this because I've personally used Chrome and ChromeOS. I've seen the potential it has. Matter of fact; at my previous job, I routinely locked horns with the IT Administrator there, as we differed in or opinions about Windows vs Linux (Chrome OS).

One of the debates that come to mind was about me getting caught using Chrome as my browser in my office. We weren't allowed to use anything but IE (Internet Explorer). Firefox wasn't even allowed. He had been apparently tracking my computer use & came by one day to bust me. I remember him telling me that "our company runs Microsoft products exclusively & IE is the only browser permitted on these PCs from a safety & security standpoint."

My question to him was "...so you chose to go with the least secure system & browser available?!"

We didn't always argue. In fact, we got along pretty well because at our cores, we were both tech nerds:) However, I was never able to convince him that Chrome OS was the real deal... While I was there;-)

Read the full article here.

Ditch iTunes Once and For All

2013-01-05T02:23:00.003-06:00

UPDATE: Use any cloud storage service you wish, including Google Drive.
So, I just achieved Super Dad status with my 9yr old daughter;-)

She has both, an iPod Touch and iPad Mini, and putting music onto them is a complete P.I.T.A. due to the fact you have to use iTunes. For over a year, it's been hit or miss trying to sync the kid some stinking tunes onto her iPod but I vowed to figure out a solution to this B.S. I use Google Play Music exclusively on all my stuff (Android user) and everything's so much easier to do on an Android device; why does everything have to be so complicated & require a workaround on iOS??

It came to me recently, while browsing through the Appstore on her iPad that there were generic Google Play Music apps available. So after a bit of dwelling on the issue, I figured out a way to beat the system...

HOW TO SET UP GOOGLE PLAY MUSIC ON iPAD / iPOD / iPHONE

Create a google account for my daughter. (which I had done prior...)
Open Google Music Manager on my PC, click Advanced, sign out and sign in under her email and password.
Move all the tunes/artists she likes into a folder named "Google Play Music-PC-<insert name here>.
In Google Music Manager, click Add Folder and select the folder created in Step 3, click Apply then Upload.
Go to the Appstore and install gMusic: A Google Music Player ($1.99) and sign in to her Google account.
To stream, merely tap Play. To sync (make available offline), choose Offline for each desired Artist/Track.

Hope this helps anyone who has been trying to figure out an easy workaround to this issue. Anybody who already uses Google Play Music is familiar with this process.

iPhone 5 better bring it...

2012-09-12T06:36:00.001-05:00

To my surprise, I've been hearing the same comment more & more lately, from iPhone users & diehards. That comment goes much like this: "If Apple doesn't impress me with this new iPhone, I'm seriously considering switching to Android."
This is a bit shocking to me in some ways because most of my friends who own iPhones say they prefer them over Android phones because of the quality familiar interface. Until Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), I didn't dare push back too hard, frankly because they were right about the build quality, no doubt. Interface-wise, well, that's more of a user preference. Not everybody's going to like the same thing, obviously. But with ICS, the whole thing changed. It literally put the user experience between the two operating systems on par (i.e.: slickness, ease of use, uniform controls & look across apps menus). Then, of course, Android released version 4.1 (Jellybean). This has now pushed Android past iOS in the same categories previously mentioned. So now, you better believe I push back. There's no reason not to. Every argument iPhone users have used against Android are now null & void.
Bottom line is, iOS on both the iPhone & iPad (yes, the iPad as well...) are at least a generation or two behind Android. Apple began copying many features from Android & now seems to take sort of a wait and see approach on everything. Not to mention suing everybody that remotely looks or sounds like it could ever compete with them. Pathetic.
So, this all brings me to my point: Are you in the "Apple better bring it" group, too? Do you want Apple to implement into iOS what Android users have been enjoying? Most, if not all, the reasons for choosing an iPhone or iPad over a top-tier Android device with 4.0+ are no longer valid. The Samsung Galaxy S III, Galaxy Note, Asus Transformer series, and Google Nexus 7 are proving this. Android is consistent, reliable, innovative, and fun.
Apple will announce their newest iDevice today. No doubt, the geek in me is excited because I love tech. But with Google expected to announce the next generation of Nexus phones very soon, do you think Apple will be able to maintain their user base after today & moving forward?

Upcoming Devices and What I Want (Need...)

2012-09-05T17:54:00.001-05:00

    This is the time of year when the tech world becomes a prism of ideas, rumors, speculation, wishes, & demands. The heavyweights of the world- your Apples, Googles, etc. - all converge numerous times in convention centers around the globe to launch or announce their newest, baddest, most glorious devices & innovations to the mass public. This is the season I enjoy most=)
    Google i|o was a great day for Android purists as Google announced the Nexus 7 & Nexus Q. The 7 has taken off & doing really well. It could possibly be the best selling Android tablet on the market. I was reluctant about grabbing the N7 at first, because I've seen & used several other Android tablets over the last couple of years & figured this would be no different. Why buck for another tablet that would be more of the same. As it turns out, I was very surprised & more than pleased with the performance so I got one. I've hardly put it down... The Q hasn't done nearly as well, mainly due to Google's pulling it from the Google Play Store to "enhance" it.
    Motorola announced, today, that it was releasing 3 new RAZR models on Verizon. I'm sure they're gonna be really good but my question is why are they making all the new models look so similar? Even the new Atrix HD looks like a RAZR?! I'm not sure if this is to distance itself from Apple's trigger-happiness or they just really, really like the top-heavy design. I'm on the fence...
    Apple should be having their lil get-together pretty soon, as well. From what I gather, they're giving their faithful some things Android users have been enjoying for awhile, now.
    Personally, I'm holding out for a new Nexus phone. This is going to be a bit interesting this time, as there will be 3 dropping this time, rather than only 1, as usual. 3 different manufacturers. I'm giddy=)

So what device(s) have caught your eye so far?

Anti Piracy... (sigh)

2012-02-08T22:29:00.002-06:00

The Power of Intimidation

2012-02-08T22:00:00.000-06:00

The government's recent crackdown on internet ~~piracy~~ file sharing is both frustrating yet understandable in some very rare instances.

I, personally, don't like it but we were due. This sorta thing has to happen every 7-10 yrs or so.

The list is growing, too. I'm witnessing many file storage/sharing sites voluntarily shutting down in order to avoid getting nailed by the feds. The intimidation factor is real, here. Some of our favorite sites have succumbed to the heat, such as MegaUpload, MegaShare, & btjunkie:(

Ok, so now it's not only affecting the "technologically inclined" who frequent many of these sites in search of files needed to mod and optimize their devices, such as smartphones and tablets, among others. It's affecting the way the developers working on 3rd party ROMS distribute applications such as the Google Apps package (Gapps) & what is included in it now. Mind you, I believe the biggest reason for the change in what is offered here is due to the fact that the Android OS has recently undergone a very big change so some of the stock apps in the package may not be completely compatible with earlier OS versions such as Gingerbread & Froyo. But the fact remains, that this is all quite obviously in direct relation to federal crackdowns.

Of course, there is a flipside...

For starters, for every 1 file sharing site shut down, 5 pop up in it's place. This isn't going to shut down the system at all but will most definitely force many of them to tighten things up a bit. Bummer. But something to consider is the fact that many of us have saved most if not all the files we've downloaded. Some of us have done so for different reasons, but mine has, without a doubt, been because I've seen this coming for quite some time. Many of us will continue to help other modders, hackers, enthusiasts in our endeavors by providing the files needed to accomplish whatever is needed but moving forward, it may be a bit more complicated securing newer files online.

Again, this happens every 10 yrs or so. Anytime things are made available for free over here, when so many people are paying for the same thing over here, eventually the government decides it doesn't have anything better to do and sticks its very long nose into places it doesn't necessarily belong. One word: LOBBYISTS.

For more information about the changes being made with the distribution of newer Google Apps packages and more, click the link below and read- courtesy of Rootzwiki....

Google Apps and Vanishing APKs - Addressing Best Practices in Software Distribution:

'via Blog this'

Motorola wins permanent injunction against Apple's iCloud in German court There's another legal brouhaha brewing in Germany, where Motorola today won an injunction against Apple's iCloud. In a decision handed down from the

2012-02-03T05:27:00.000-06:00

Motorola wins permanent injunction against Apple's iCloud in German court There's another legal brouhaha brewing in Germany, where Motorola today won an injunction against Apple's iCloud.

Samsung Galaxy Player: An iPod Touch Alternative

2011-12-13T10:41:00.000-06:00

I found another review floating around for the Samsung Galaxy Player that seems to be a bit more complimentary & unbiased (?) than the review link I posted on here yesterday.

Again, I have personally taken this device for a spin or two & I really dig it, despite being a Sammy (don't care for Samsung). It's very fast, light, speaker is fairly loud (no problem hearing inside busy, crowded Best Buy), good video, & best of all- it has an earpiece, unlike the iPod Touch (4th Generation).

This, in my honest unbiased opinion is slightly better than the iPod Touch for the simple fact that it was faster, has the built in earpiece, & has a larger screen.

My daughter has an iPod Touch & I've noticed that it lags quite a bit. I didn't run into this issue with the Galaxy Player. Also, most will love the larger screen for web browsing & video. Fast & responsive. But, what I believe could be the best feature of all of these is the earpiece for phone calls. No, it's not a phone by default, however, one can easily configure this device to be one, unlike the iPod Touch which does not have an earpiece, so one must insert the earphones to hear or put it in speakerphone mode.

Since the Galaxy Player runs on Android, it has Google Voice & Talk preinstalled. Just go here & set up a FREE Google Voice account. You can choose your own Google Voice number & as a parent myself, I have to say that it's a parent's paradise as far as implementing controls & security.

I hope this helps. Christmas is right around the corner & I know alot of teens & tweens will be bucking for something like this.

As I stated in my previous review, this is a great iPod Touch alternative that gives users the added benefit of being used as a phone with ability to send/receive calls & text, without having to add a line to your current mobile phone account ($10 extra/mo!)

Video review via booredatwork

Before you purchase an iPod Touch & you'd prefer a media player (that can also be used as a phone) and runs on #Android , check this out.....Edit: I have to say, that I posted this before I actually watched the review video. They did a horrible job reviewing this device.I have personally taken this device for a spin & it's great . I wouldn't recommend it to someone who already has an Android phone...Galaxy Player 4.0 reviewEngadget

2011-12-12T10:58:00.000-06:00

Before you purchase an iPod Touch & you'd prefer a media player (that can also be used as a phone) and runs on #Android , check this out.....

Occupy: The Jealousy Movement

2011-12-02T09:33:00.001-06:00

I'm disgusted by what I'm seeing & reading about on a daily basis, about this ignorant "movement" currently going on called "Occupy". Basically, it's a bunch of people who have bought into this whole self-entitled, why does he have more than me? mentality.
I was raised to believe that if I want something, the first thing I need to do is get off my butt. The next thing is figure the price, the cost, the expense to me. Whether it be monetary, time, or education. It'll be one of those aspects. If you want this or that, you have to earn it. And that brings me to my next point...

I've been noticing, over the last decade or so, that there are more & more people running around claiming to have "the right" to do this or have this or say that. I've noticed that the mentality of my generation has become so different from what my parents' generation believed. It's certainly different from my grandparents' generation's mentality. They believed what I mentioned above: If you want or need something, you earn it.

Why earn? Simple. You appreciate it much more than if it was given or taken. I understand this mentality. Why don't more of my generation get it? Why have so many become so ungrateful for what they do have? I'll tell you why.... I don't mind at all:) This whole "occupy movement" crap is entirely unfortunate & could've been prevented. It begins with "Johnny" throwing a temper tantrum about a toy & Mommy or Daddy (sometimes both) not wanting to be the "bad guy", buys that toy for Johnny. Mommy or Daddy coddles him & even at times, attempts to tell him "no" but doesn't have the balls to follow through with the proclamation & caves; giving in to Johnny's tantrums & ends up giving him whatever he wants, again. This turns into a routine. The problem here is that Johnny's Mommy & Daddy don't understand what it means to be a parent. They didn't wrap their brain around the fact that parenting means disciplining your freaking kid. They don't want to be the bad guy, so they try to be Johnny's friend... but at some point, want Johnny to obey what they ask or tell him to do. What happens? You're exactly right: Johnny doesn't obey. Johnny, in fact, runs all over them. Johnny, believing he is entitled, throws a temper tantrum & gets his way again, and again, and again. Parents cave each time because they slowly lose power & control over their household to... a kid.

Fast forward 15-20 years. Johnny, now in his late teens or early 20's, is seeing how that guy over there is driving a really nice car. Maybe it's a really nice house. Johnny wants one, too. Johnny tries to buy one & is turned down for a loan because he has no money or doesn't earn enough money. Most of us ( yes, most of us, contrary to what the media would have you believe....) would either pursue a better paying position and/or save until we have the money or enough for a very good down payment. But see, Johnny doesn't understand this because Johnny's parents didn't enforce that mentality; that principle. So Johnny just gets jealous. And over time, that jealousy becomes bitterness. After awhile, that bitterness becomes a mentality, as well.

Take "Johnny" & multiply him or her by several thousand. All have that same bitterness inside. They each have a chip on their shoulder against anyone who has more than them, regardless of the fact that those people worked for & earned what they have. These bitter folks blame the fact that they don't have all kinds of cool stuff or money on the people at the top of the hill being greedy, & plotting to keep the little guy down. They use terms like "corporate greed", "Big insert-name-of-business-or-industry-here" to explain why they don't have or can't get what they want. So they begin to assemble together & decide to protest against businesses & the government. They set up shop in public places, in front of large business or institutions around the country, & protest. Keep in mind, alot or even most of them, have no job. They block the entrances to the businesses so that the people that do have jobs & work there can't get in. They block city traffic. They can't understand why the police begin to force them to move out of the way (blocking business & traffic is illegal & a safety hazard, folks...) & become aggitated. The police begin using pepperspray & physical force. The police don't cave in like "Johnny's" parents did. The police kick their asses & hand them back to'em. Street cleared. Business entrance cleared. Traffic resumes. Business resumes. Commerce is now back in session. The Police had to do what Johnny's parent's didn't do. The police were forced to assault & injure Johnny because Johnny's parents didn't spank him, ground him, take things away for a little while, or force him/her to earn by doing chores.

That, in a nutshell is what caused the stupidity that is, the Occupy Movement. Your tax dollars are now going toward paying for extra enforcement of the law in these areas around the country where these protests are occuring. It's paying for the doctor bills & miscellaneous other expenses birthed from this crap because the majority of those "Johnnys" out there protesting are unemployed. Unemployed people still normally have access to healthcare, only they don't pay for it; you & I do through the taxes you & I pay. From our paychecks. From working. From earning. This is unacceptable.

My opinion through observation, is this:
The current administration is & has been pushing a thing called "distribution of wealth". These protesters are pushing the same thing. Basically, it means taking the money you & I earn & reallocating it to people who don't make as much as you or I do. Currently, if I go to work, I earn a wage. That wage is mine to do what I will with it. If I choose to work harder or extra hours, I can earn more money. That extra money is still mine to do what I will with it. Doesn't matter if I choose to build debt or build wealth with it- it's mine. Under distribution of wealth, or Communism or Socialism, as it really is; you work & earn but that money is automatically calculated & spread out across the board. Your money is my money & my money is yours. Nobody can get ahead or have more than the other. Assets you current own are taken & you are forced to move into something more "accommodating" to you- this could be a step up if you haven't got much or a step down if you worked your butt off to succeed & excel. Sound appealing?

I personally, wish to keep things as it is: a Capitalistic society (for the most part). A place where I decide what I want to do for a living, how hard I want to work for the things I want or need, who I want to help with the money I earn, & whether or not I want to save it or spend it.

Watch the video, below. It is a commentary by Adam Corolla describing what's going on & how it happened. He absolutely hits the nail on the head, here. I encourage you to listen & let me know what you think in the comments section below.
Thanks.

http://youtu.be/LVOPGfJG75Y

Like A Kid In A Candy Store...

2011-11-16T19:07:00.001-06:00

I have to admit, I'm having fun lately. There's so much going on in the world of Tech that its hard not to. Each day, someone steps forth with more exciting news to proclaim.
And as hard as I'd prefer not to take sides with one company or another, mainly because of the wild swings tech companies may take over a decade or so, but I am obviously partial to Google. The biggest reason is because these guys are clever, innovative, & fun. Yep, I said fun.
And they've undeniably been on a roll, lately. It's like they've been quietly building something, piece by piece, & finally flipped the switch to... take over the world. Overdramatic? Maybe. But to those who say so, I venture to suggest you check out Google+. Or g+, as we regulars call it (jk). It's honestly changed how I interact online- literally. Google has managed to effectively create a universe that includes all of the pieces of the puzzle Google has been putting together for over a decade, all under one roof, or um, browser.
The best way I know to 'splain it is to think of a supermarket years ago & supercenters of today. Before, one had to go to multiple locations to pick up the goods they needed. Fast forward to today, & we have places like Walmart that offer nearly everything under one roof. Same idea. Each day, I'm finding less need to ever really leave Google. Paired with Chrome, I can install various extensions, or plugins, that allow me to stay connected & view my notifications at any time. Throw in an Android device, & you're in media heaven.
I know I probably sound like a commercial but it's definitely worth checking out if you haven't already. Enjoy;)

Could The Next Version Of Android Be Called "Blackberry"?

2011-08-25T11:22:00.000-05:00

Wow, what a month?!

In tech news, specifically, it's been a wild ride:) Google buys Motorola, HP throws up the proverbial white flag, Steve Jobs resigns from Apple, & now Blackberry may be borrowing that same white flag HP waved.

This is great in different ways... for Google's Android OS, anyway. How? Why? Well, it's actually very simple: Google needs patents, & quick. With Moto under their umbrella, that helped tremendously to evade being nailed by patent infringement suits. If they purchase Research In Motion (RIM), they gain even more patents to ward off the evil empire known as Apple or even Oracle, in court. See, what makes this theory even sweeter is the fact that RIM was one of the boys in the consortium that purchased & divided up all the patents up for bid at the Nortel patent auction recently. Some say that Apple, Microsoft, RIM, & others teamed up to go in together to screw Google out of all those valuable patents. Whether this is true or not, remains to be seen... but I subscribe to the theory that if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, & sounds like a duck, it must be a duck. So, now you have RIM with all these patents that Google got "screwed" out of getting, but may get to laugh last if Google does indeed absorb them.

It should make for another interesting few months, though... QUACK!

-Ars Technica

RIM is in trouble: who will buy the BlackBerry pie?:

'via Blog this'

Steve Jobs Calls It A Day

2011-08-24T22:39:00.000-05:00

Today, news of Steve Jobs' resignation chirped out across PCs & mobile devices seemingly all at once. My Tweetdeck notifications were popping up at such a rapid pace, one could almost mistake it for a small cartoon playing on towards the bottom right-hand part of my laptop's screen. Would've been easy to mistake for a nest of small birds; chirp...chirp...chirp, chirp, CHIRP.
So, Mr. Apple himself, finally handed the reigns over to someone else after so many years of building not only a brand but a culture at Apple that will be missed by many, I'm sure. Love Apple or hate'em, the fact that the man who brought that lowly company back (with some monetary help from Microsoft, of course...) can't be denied especially after the recent news of Apple's becoming the wealthiest company in America.
So Cook's gonna take over as the new CEO of the company, having been formerly employed with Compaq not too long ago. Does anybody else see the irony in that tidbit of info? If not, do let me explain: Compaq is owned by HP. HP is selling off crap left & right in hopes of possibly getting out of the computer hardware business altogether after posting some large losses over the last few years. Ever hear of the Touchpad? Anybody? Anybody....
The timing couldn't come at a better time for Jobs to step down, as the iPhone 5 is merely a blink or two away & Apple's as strong as ever. I bid him farewell, despite the lawsuits & locked-downedness of their products. The fact still remains that both Apple (under Jobs) & Microsoft (under Gates) pioneered an era of computing & communications the likes of which, no other generation has ever seen. I'm proud to have witnessed it: GREATNESS. At the end of the day he's human. I think I am, too:)

God bless you Steve.

Google Buys Motorola- THE GAME JUST CHANGED

2011-08-15T07:19:00.003-05:00

This one was music to my ears & candy to my eyes:

Google just kicked Apple, threw them into the ropes, & speared'em by purchasing Motorola:)

As I noted a few weeks ago, if Google could/would buy a manufacturer then almost all their troubles as far as fragmentation would go bye-bye & Apple wouldn't be as much of a dominant force in the smartphone world any longer. I am extremely happy about this, especially since I myself own a Motorola device. Hopefully this will mean more & better updates & a better, wholesome Android experience from here on out.

I've read that Moto was seemingly hinting around to going after Samsung & other manufacturers to collect royalties: I didn't understand this until now. As part of Google, it makes sense to an extent.

Anyway, to learn more about this acquisition click the link below for more details...

Official Google Blog: Supercharging Android: Google to Acquire Motorola Mobility

Why I Hate Apple (One Of Many Reasons...)

2011-08-07T09:13:00.001-05:00

This whole patent violation thing has gotten out of hand. If the US courts keeps siding with Apple, nobody's going to be able to compete with them. It's abuse of a hole in the system on Apple's part. Since when can you patent "the internal wiring" of a device? It's horsecrap.
You see, Apple is & has been submitting patents on every minuscule piece of their devices, including the colors, wiring, etc. Doesn't sound like a big deal at first, at least until you dive deeper & see that in order for Samsung, HTC, Moto, etc. to be able to compete with a device of their own, they can't use the color white. Or run/connect the internal wiring a certain way. Can't even have a similar form factor (which is almost impossible mind you, but will need to be done). And lately, as a company is set to launch a new device, Apple has even had the audacity to try to get a court's ruling that they must first let Apple see it & disect it... BEFORE it can be launched?! Hmmm... That didn't fly with the courts (thank goodness) but you can see the abusive nature of this situation.
To put this in perspective, imagine if the company that invented the automobile or any car manufacturer throughout the last 100yrs had patented every minute detail of the machine including 4 wheels, a steering wheel, bucket seats, etc.? Then sued every other car manufacturer for patent infringement each time they installed a bucket seat or a seat that RESEMBLED a bucket seat, a muffler configuration (they're usually snaked over & around components under the vehicle to exit out the rear). Wouldn't you say it would be extremely difficult if not close to impossible to effectively compete in that environment? I would.
In order to foster competition, companies should be able to patent certain aspects of the device, however abusing the priviledge only destroys competition & eventually drives up prices for the consumer. The less competition around, the more I can charge you for this or that- where else are you gonna go?
Just another reason why I hate Apple, folks...