T3 Tony's Tech Talk Blog

Digital Lifestyle News: AppleTV Hacks and Pandora for Mobile & Living Room

noreply@blogger.com (Tony a.k.a. "TechSavvyGuru") — Sun, 27 May 2007 11:58:00 -0400

I just updated my Sonos software and I am really enjoying the new feature of Pandora.com integration. So much so, that a annual subscription is pretty much a given for me once the 30 day trial is done. Interesting happenings here: I was a "free" subsctiber to Rhapsody via the "free basic" account provided with my cable internet service Optimum Online, and also I had tried out the free account for Pandora. So basically, via marketing deals and integration with my Sonos system, both Rhapsody and Pandora now have me as a paying subscriber. Well done Sonos!

Now to get that Apple TV purchased and set up...

In another post, last100 looks at the recent news about personalized Internet radio station Pandora, which this week announced a version of Pandora for your mobile and living room. Pandora is calling this its 'anywhere' platform. Steve wrote: "At yesterday's announcement, the company unveiled two new partnerships: Sonos for streaming Pandora around the home, and Sprint for mobile. Both the mobile and home streaming versions fully integrate with Pandora on the web, so for example, everything you create, rate or bookmark on your phone, also appears the next time you're back on the web, and vice versa.

Source: Digital Lifestyle News: AppleTV Hacks and Pandora for Mobile & Living Room

America: The Growing Digital Divide

noreply@blogger.com (Tony a.k.a. "TechSavvyGuru") — Mon, 7 May 2007 18:36:00 -0400

Well, with a self proclaimed monkier like "TechSavvyGuru" I have to put myself in the 31% Elite Tech Users category - and I feel I cross over the: Omnivore, Connector, and productivity enhancer sub-categories.

Where do you see yourself? Take a read of the study and let me know.

TSG

Link to America: The Growing Digital Divide

New Minimo browser

noreply@blogger.com (Tony a.k.a. "TechSavvyGuru") — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 21:16:00 -0400

This is something I will need to d/l and try.

Minimo 0.2, available for free download, is compatible with Windows Mobile 5.0 and is smaller and faster than previous versions, according to early users who posted comments to the blog about the browser. Minimo is designed to be an alternative to the browser that comes with Windows Mobile, and its creators promote its speed in accessing sites as well as other features like tabs, better security and support for widgets.

Source: New Minimo browser released to an uncertain future - Yahoo! News

Take Your Pick: Portable PCs

noreply@blogger.com (Tony a.k.a. "TechSavvyGuru") — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 19:29:00 -0400

I am seriously thinking about this ASUS UMPC.

Link to Take Your Pick: Portable PCs

NY Times article on Home Media Server

noreply@blogger.com (Tony a.k.a. "TechSavvyGuru") — Thu, 4 Jan 2007 19:20:00 -0500

A NY Times article about trying to cobble together a home network based media center for viewing music, photos, movies on TVs around the house for less than $1,000.

It mentions: Sonos, SlingBox, Tivo, D-Link Media Lounge device as some of the components needed and the author was successful for around $850 not counting the equipment they already had.

Of course, the author suggests "Just wait and see" in regards to all the new products in this arena sure to be announced at CES.

A good read but a bit too mainstream for me. For instance: no mention of Ruckus Wireless or their products for Streaming HD video content.

Link to Pulling It All Together - New York Times

[T3 Tony's Tech Talk]

In search of "The Ubiquitous Capture Tool"

noreply@blogger.com (Tony a.k.a. "TechSavvyGuru") — Mon, 11 Dec 2006 20:04:00 -0500

Jott says: "Think It. Jott It. Do it."

I just came across this site via a TechCrunch post and I will be signing up and trying it out. I am currently testing out Backpack Voice Notes and the BrainCast beta as a way to send voice messages to an online service from a cell phone. Jott looks to take it to the next step and eliminate the need for me to listen to and then transcrible my messages in order to get them into my GTD system.

More to follow once I get to take it for a trial run.

I am contemplating a larger series of articles for this Blog on this topic and possibly a podcast. If anyone has an interest in hearing about this - drop a comment.

More about Jott

Techsavvyguru is now offering consulting services over Skype using Bitwine

noreply@blogger.com (Tony a.k.a. "TechSavvyGuru") — Sat, 2 Dec 2006 11:09:00 -0500

Read about how Bitwine works on the Techcrunch post linked below. Bitwine will be integrated into Skype 3.0 Beta.

I plan on offering consulting services on a variety of technology topics as well as technical analysis of stocks with charting programs such as Telechart and Snapsheets.

Link to Techcrunch » Blog Archive » BitWine Gives Access To Those In The Know

Zyb adds Google calendar synching with cell phones

noreply@blogger.com (Tony a.k.a. "TechSavvyGuru") — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 16:02:00 -0500

JK On The Run reports that Zyb can now pull in your Google calendar info to your cell phone. I will be trying it with my MOT V551 if it is one of the supported phones.

From: jkOnTheRun

We covered Zyb earlier in August; this is the free service that backs up your cellular phone contacts and works with over 200 mobile phone models. Zyb solves the problem of moving all your contacts from one phone to another which is tedious when done …

Link to article...

Google Mobile - GMail

noreply@blogger.com (Tony a.k.a. "TechSavvyGuru") — Thu, 2 Nov 2006 17:59:00 -0500

I just installed this on my Motorola V551 phone and was very impressed. In just a few short minutes I was viewing my GMail inbox and looking at the contents of Word and PDF document attachments on the phones small screen.

Google really seems to get the small screen mobile application space. When I look in my phone menu, I see: Google Local, Google Maps, and now GMail. I anxiously am awaiting a Google Calendar app for Java phones.

I am going to be looking to upgrade to a WM 5.0 Smartphone soon, something with a QWERTY keyboard, and I can see these apps being a mainstay of my mobile life in the future.

Way to go Google!

Link to Google Mobile

Where Have I Been?

noreply@blogger.com (Tony a.k.a. "TechSavvyGuru") — Sat, 12 Aug 2006 16:23:00 -0400

I can not believe it has been such a long time since I last did a Blog entry! It isn't like I've been away from the computer or anything like that. In fact, I have been busy recently trying out some new stuff like:

30Boxes - Calendar and Webtop
Backpack - I just signed up for a paying account to get some more pages
CellTell.tv - Voice notes for Backpack
Tracks for GTD Server based project/next action list tool - running local on my laptop for now although I did try out ZenList and GTDTracks.com

I am hoping these web based applications and their mobile versions can help me pull together my online digital life and help to keep me better organized, on schedule, and help me Get Things Done!

More to follow on my progress with these apps in the future.

[30Boxes][GTD]
[BackPack]

Computers Outperforming Investors

noreply@blogger.com (Tony a.k.a. "TechSavvyGuru") — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 19:16:00 -0400

Many mutual funds that make their trades based on the recommendations of a proprietary computer model, known as quantitative or quant funds, have outperformed their benchmarks in the last three years. And investors have noticed.

read more | digg story

My Profile - PodShow.com

noreply@blogger.com (Tony a.k.a. "TechSavvyGuru") — Fri, 7 Jul 2006 22:31:00 -0400

My Profile - PodShow.com
Podshow+ has launched. Here is a link to my tsguru podshow home page. Here you can see the audio and video podcasts that I subscribe to, as well as some social networking site links like flickr, and del.icio.us

If you are a podcast listener, try out Podshow+.

PodShow+ Coming Very Soon...

noreply@blogger.com (Tony a.k.a. "TechSavvyGuru") — Mon, 3 Jul 2006 06:42:00 -0400

PodShow

Wetpaint Launches: Wikis Evolve - see mine at tsguru.wetpaint.com

noreply@blogger.com (Tony a.k.a. "TechSavvyGuru") — Mon, 19 Jun 2006 19:12:00 -0400

I've got a Wetpaint wiki to go with my Tony's Stock Talk Blog. Check it out...

From: TechCrunch

Seattle based Wetpaint has been in private beta since March. On Sunday night they launched to the world, allowing anyone to create a free wiki on any topic. A good example wiki is this one around the XBOX 360. Like pbwiki, Wikia and JotSpot, Wetpaint is …

Link to article...

One-Touch Cellphone Backup

noreply@blogger.com (Tony a.k.a. "TechSavvyGuru") — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 08:56:00 -0400

One-Touch Cellphone Backup: "

If you are at all like me, random cellphone dropping, throwing, punching, toilet-dropping and spontaneous combustion are all realities. With those possibilities always out there, it is generally a good idea to keep a backup of the phone data. The …

"

Gizmodo post on a cell phone back up device. I've been thinking of getting a device to do this, and possibly offering it as a service to friends and family. I've seen cell phone stores getting $20 to transfer #'s between phones. I need to do some more research on what is available, I've seen other solutions as well.

BW Review of the New Sonos ZP80 "Sweeter Music from Sonos"

noreply@blogger.com (Tony a.k.a. "TechSavvyGuru") — Mon, 8 May 2006 20:21:00 -0400

New additions to its already elegant elegant system make it even easier for beaming digital music from your PC around the house...

A mostly glowing review of the new Sonos ZP80 and the controller dock (although that has been out for awhile now). I agree with the reviewer, enhancing Rhapsody integration would get me to spring for the $10/month, and a 80/100 combo bundle would work also. I started with a ZP100 2 unit + controller bundle and then added a single ZP80. I am very happy with my system after about 10 months of having it.

Link to article...

New Sonos ZP80 is now shipping

noreply@blogger.com (Tony a.k.a. "TechSavvyGuru") — Mon, 10 Apr 2006 18:58:00 -0400

Sonos, Inc. | Products | ZonePlayers | ZP80 | Features
Rumors on the Sonos site were correct, the new ZP80 is now shipping. This is the one that works with an existing amplifier or Home Theater system and lets the ZP80 be an input into those systems. The unit is $349 which is less than the $499 price for the ZP100 with amplifier. I've been waiting to add a ZP80 to my living room home theater system - now to go see whether I can quickly pick one up at Best Buy (Magnolia) or if I should mail order from Sonos.

Borders to Sell Sony Reader

noreply@blogger.com (Tony a.k.a. "TechSavvyGuru") — Tue, 4 Apr 2006 19:39:00 -0400

Borders to Sell Sony Reader: "

Borders will offer the Sony Reader eBook nation-wide in its 200 stores. Sony introduced the Sony Reader at the CES 2006. The Sony Reader is about the size of a paperback novel and about .5 inches thin. Sony combined a electronic paper display …

"
I will be keeping an eye out for this when it hits the market. I frequent Borders about weekly, so I should see it or hear about it online. I will need to check it out in person - maybe I will have to get one.

UWB Bluetooth for connecting devices in the home

noreply@blogger.com (Tony a.k.a. "TechSavvyGuru") — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 06:22:00 -0500

UWB Bluetooth Picked to Link Home Devices - Connected Home News - Designtechnica

"The new technology should open new markets in transferring music,
television programming, movies, multimedia, and other high-bandwidth
content wirelessly over short distances within homes and organizations."

This looks like a promising solution however the article indicates consumers won't see products until 2008.

Technorati Tags: UWB, Bluetooth

Digital Magazines from Zinio

noreply@blogger.com (Tony a.k.a. "TechSavvyGuru") — Sun, 5 Mar 2006 22:17:00 -0500

[zinio]

Apple’s New HiFi Stereo: Twice The Price of Competitors’ Offerings (AAPL, LOGI)

noreply@blogger.com (Tony a.k.a. "TechSavvyGuru") — Sat, 4 Mar 2006 12:45:00 -0500

Hhhhm.... Sonos and Apple ipod mentioned in the same post. Well, I've got both a Sonos and an ipod and they serve different functions as far as I am concerned. I don't typically listen to the ipod in the home - the Sonos takes care of that. ipod is for portability (car, office, walking,...) They do share my entire 300+ CD collection which I had professionally ripped recently. 45+GB on the 60G ipod, and the same amount of data on a NAS for Sonos to access. Lovin' it!

From: Seeking Alpha

On Tuesday Apple announced a new iPod Hi-Fi stereo. How is it positioned in the market? Doc Searls writes:

Link to article...

Ether: Earn money selling what you say.

noreply@blogger.com (Tony a.k.a. "TechSavvyGuru") — Wed, 1 Mar 2006 20:02:00 -0500

Ether: Earn money selling what you say.
I am thinking that this may be a good fit for my tech consulting work. I am going to be setting up an account as soon as the beta is opened up further. More to come on this!

Welcome to TextPayMe

noreply@blogger.com (Tony a.k.a. "TechSavvyGuru") — Sat, 25 Feb 2006 10:34:00 -0500

Welcome to TextPayMe

I just signed up for this cool new service that lets you send money to others via text messaging from your cell phone. Great for those times when you need to pay someone for something, splitting a bill, chipping in for a group gift, etc...

For a limited time - you get a $5 credit for opening an account - and if you spread the word and get 36 referrals - they say you can get a free XBOX 360 (but the deadline is soon March date) I figured I would try to spread the word and see if I can get in the running for the XBOX. So, how about giving it a try.

Click on the banner below so I can be considered the referrer! Thanks!

Testing Last.FM Charts

noreply@blogger.com (Tony a.k.a. "TechSavvyGuru") — Sun, 19 Feb 2006 15:43:00 -0500

Going To Try out this Skylook app

noreply@blogger.com (Tony a.k.a. "TechSavvyGuru") — Thu, 16 Feb 2006 19:54:00 -0500

I came across this posting at jkOnTheRun, and have decided I am going to try out this app - and if I like it, well the post is offering 20% if I act within 14 days (the length of the free trial also)

I have a Skype voicemail account and I am using the Skype toolbar in Outlook. I am mostly interested in recording Skype calls for use in podcasts.

BTW - this is my first blog post using Performancing plug-in for FireFox.

Technorati Tags: skylook, skype