Tech Stuff

Engadget's review of the Galaxy Tab

2010-11-01T14:01:00.000-07:00

Engadget just reviewed the Galaxy Tab and it looks pretty good. They took some points off for the lack of scaling on applications and the lack of support from Google, but that's to be expected from a tablet that is released before Google has decided to start supporting tablets. Hopefully Gingerbread, the next android release, will provide support for larger and higher resolution screens, as well as separate applications to take advantage of the better hardware.

Check out the review here
Image source: CBS news

Playstation Phone

2010-10-28T09:58:00.000-07:00


The Playstation Phone is real!

Leaked photos of the upcoming Playstation phone have revealed the form factor. There are two shoulder buttons, the typical controller layout, and a mysterious touch strip in the center of of the game pad. The device is supposedly running android 3.0 and has a 1ghz processor. Playstation will release a store for downloading games via 3g and wifi, and there is a micro sd card slot for memory expansion.

Computer is dead

2010-10-25T12:04:00.000-07:00

I have a Sony VAIO laptop that has somehow killed itself. It won't boot fully into Windows 7 and shows a black screen and cursor. When it does work, anything internet related freezes the computer. System restore points are corrupt as well.

Virus?
any ideas?

The Future of Travel

2010-10-23T15:32:00.000-07:00

Virgin Galactic had its first successful landing at it's new runway in New Mexico, it's only a matter of time before we can shell out 200k to go to space!

Great Android Applications

2010-10-22T15:10:00.000-07:00

Here are some of my favorite applications for Android. I own an HTC Evo 4G and love to make it easy to use and look nice. These all work together to make a great system even better:

Launcher Pro: A home screen replacement for Android that allows you to add multiple docks to the bottom of your screen. You can have up to three sets of five icons to hold your favorite apps. Launcher pro has icons for many popular applications, to provide a more uniform look. You can customize the amount of pages that can be swiped through on your Home Screen, you can change the background color of the dock, there are tons of options. In addition, you can add swipe gestures for each icon to open different applications or shortcuts (you can set it up to display a preview of messages when you swipe over the messaging icon or you can have it open a folder of your favorite applications when you swipe over the launcher icon. Probably the best application in the Marketplace so far. Buy the Pro version to get HTC sense like widgets.

LauncherPro for Android on AppBrain

Itching Thumb: This application allows you to use Palm Pre-like gestures to close and open apps. It runs on top of the home screen, so you can use Launcher Pro as the main home screen and use it as an addition, only opening when you double tap the home button.

Itching Thumb (Task Manager) for Android on AppBrain

Gesture Search: Google's application, Gesture Search, allows you to open applications with gestures, similar to Itching Thumb. You draw letters on the screen and Gesture Search will search certain files on your phone. You can set it up for music, applications, calendar information, and contacts, or a combination of them. It is a quick and easy way to open any application on your phone.

Gesture Search for Android on AppBrain

Appbrain Marketplace: Appbrain is an enhanced version of the Tradiotional Android Marketplace. Instead of showing featured applications at random, it uses your existing applications to show you suggestions. In addition, Appbrain allows you to sort applications by most popular this week, today, and more. It is a great way to discover applications that typically are harder to find in the Marketplace. Also, Appbrain allows you to sync your application list online so you can remotely add or delete applications and see when they are updated. If your phone is lost or stolen, you can reinstall all of your applications at once from appbrain. It is an amazing way to find and manage applications.

AppBrain App Market for Android on AppBrain

Tasker: Tasker allows you to set customizable actions based on a variety of events happening (essentially a blocky way to program with a nice interface). I have it configured to go into silent mode whenever I am in class based on time and date, then turn the sound back on after class. Also, the phone can occasionally turn on WiFi to see what networks are nearby, or use GPS to add a location. When I am within my WiFi range in my room, the phone enables WiFi and connects. When I leave range, it turns off. Tasker could tell you to pick up groceries when you drive near the supermarket as well. Its possibilities are almost limitless. It is well worth the $6

Tasker for Android on AppBrain

Apple v Adobe

2010-10-22T12:47:00.000-07:00

Apparently, all new Macbook Airs will ship without Flash installed. This continues to add fuel to the Adobe versus Apple fire. First iPhone, then iPad, now Macbook Air... this doesn't look good.

Apple responds on missing Flash in new MacBook Airs, says get used to it -- Engadget

Hulu Plus dropping down to $4.95 a month (possibly)

2010-10-22T08:35:00.000-07:00

According to All Things Digital, who received a tip from a good source, Hulu will be dropping its price down to only $4.95 a month from the original price of $9.95. I'm no mathematician but thats about half off!

Maybe this will spur an increase in Hulu Plus's use on home and mobile devices. Currently, Hulu Plus is available for Computers, Xbox 360, PS3, Some TV's and a variety of Apples products. Fingers crossed for the Android app, I bet it's on the way.

This shows a drastic change in media consumption methods over the last couple of years, with On Demand services being more, well, in demand. Hulu, Netflix, OnDemand, Tivo, and other services are gaining popularity for the ability to instantly watch most TV shows and Movies from a plethora of devices... could this be the end of TV? (probably not, given how lazy most people are and the recent unveiling of Google TV)

Source: All Things D
Image source: VentureBeat.com

R.I.P. Chatroulette: A Sad Tale of Missed Opportunity

2010-10-21T21:41:00.000-07:00

According to this Valleywag article, Chatroulette is slowly dying. I can't remember the last time I actually used it, and I'm not sure if I will actually miss it or the thousands of penises that appeared and not a single breast....

R.I.P. Chatroulette: A Sad Tale of Missed Opportunity

Insurance

2010-10-21T19:29:00.000-07:00

here is a video of a house being destroyed by an insurance company to simulate an hurricane.

cool stuff!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCI7a5RfomY&feature=player_embedded

Great Song

2010-10-21T15:32:00.000-07:00

Completely unrelated, I know.
This is an incredible song by Australian band The Cat Empire. It's been stuck in my head for days now

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CKhBoVXST8&list=QL&playnext=2

Cyborg Rat 9! Update: more pics

2010-10-21T15:06:00.000-07:00

Engadget just reviewed the new MadCatz Cyborg Rat 9

Check it out at http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/21/exclusive-mad-catz-cyborg-rat-9-review/

Epic 4G modded to charge on Palm Touchstone | Android Central

2010-10-21T15:02:00.000-07:00

Somebody has modified a Palm Touchstone charger to work with their Epic 4G. This is the second time I have seen a mod like this, and I think they should make induction charging standard on cell phones. Imagine being able to drop your phone down to charge anytime!

I had a Palm Pre for a year and loved the Touchstone, but my EVO 4G is so much better. Maybe a hack is in order?

Epic 4G modded to charge on Palm Touchstone | Android Central

Do You Have a Painful Erection? This App Can Help

2010-10-21T14:42:00.000-07:00

Theres an app for that:

Do You Have a Painful Erection? This App Can Help

Tech News

2010-10-21T13:57:00.000-07:00

Apple just unveiled the new Macbook Air.

It looks amazing but the price is absurd (as with most Apple products)!

Check out this sexy piece of aluminum here:
http://www.apple.com/macbookair/
Unibody aluminum construction and only 0.11 inches thick at the smallest point!

Still, it's way too expensive for what you get....

New Keyboard from Microsoft

2010-10-21T13:35:00.001-07:00

The future:
http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/21/students-get-their-hands-on-microsofts-adaptive-keyboard-adapt/

Hello!

2010-10-21T13:33:00.001-07:00

Welcome!