Tech Gear Hub Network Posts

Asus 1000HE Netbook

Thu, 28 May 2009 00:31:02 -0700

By now, everyone must be familiar with the Asus 1000HE and the netbook concept – you take a lower powered PC with good battery life, nix the optical drive, and add in your various network related items such as wireless, Bluetooth, and webcams. Wrap it up in a smaller package with a 10” screen or so and you have a much lightened notebook replacement. Most weigh in around 3.5 lbs or so with power supply. Compare that to my 15” 7.75 lbs laptop with it’s power supply that’s another 4-5 lbs on it’s own, and it’s easy to see why folks would flock to this new generation of more portable but still fully functional laptops.

ASUS 1000HE Netbook

Featuring the Intel Atom N280 CPU, the Asus 1000HE netbook won’t run your newer games but will happily plug away at your older ones. Computers get better and cheaper every year, folks! With a 160GB HDD you’ve got ample storage room, and 3 USB ports to plug in your external HDDs and optical drives. The 1000HE has the full array of 2.4GHz wireless networking (802.11b/g/n) for your internet needs. The 1000HE is noted particularly for it’s battery life, with a theoretical runtime on 9.5hrs on the included battery. With 1GB of RAM you have ample memory, though it is simple and quick to upgrade the memory on the 1000HE netbook by simply adding another $10-15 1GB stick to maximize your netbook’s capability. The 10” screen at 1024x600 resolution works well for the vast majority of web pages to prevent horizontal scrolling, though of course you’ll simply have to get used to vertical scrolling in any event, unless you’re looking at a content-less page.

Now, if I can only convince lovely wife that this sub-$400 purchase is actually an investment and will simplify our travels so she won’t fight too much when my Asus 1000HE netbook shows up!

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Asus 1000HE Netbook

Tags: Asus, asus 1000HE, netbook

Garmin nuvi 255W Product Report

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 01:15:24 -0700

There are so many different makes and models of GPS systems on the market these days that it can be an overwhelming chore just figuring out which one will best meet your needs. Each model has certain strengths and weaknesses that will need to be considered before settling on which one is right for the way you drive. For starters, you might want to look at price. GPS system prices can be less than $100 for the most basic units and climb to over $1,000 depending on the specific features and capabilities you want. When you look into the choices that are available, one of the options you’ll want to examine is the Garmin Nuvi 255w.

Garmin products are considered to be the Cadillacs of the GPS world, and the Nuvi 255 is no exception. Like all 200 series models, the slim 2x5 unit fits easily into a pocket or purse for pedestrian use, but also mounts on the windshield for use while driving. Directions are given text-to-speech using clear, concise instructions. Instead of hearing "Turn left in 2/10's of a mile" as in some more basic models, the 255W includes the street name in the verbal directions, "Turn left on Main Street". in 500 feet".With you GPS device speaking the directions, you won't have to take your eyes off of the road
at the 4.3" screen often.

The Garmin Nuvi 255 is preloaded with maps of all of North America. In addition, the unit has a JPEG picture viewer, a rechargeable lithium battery, a currency and measurement converter, and a world clock.The anti-glare display provides easy viewing, especially when combined with the touch screen technology. The fact that the screen is larger than those of many GPS units means that you get a view of more of the area using a Garmin 255.

All GPS systems have some drawbacks and the nuvi 255 is no different. You need to be aware up front that the price of the unit itself is not the only cost you will be facing. Although software updates are part of the package, you’ll only get map updates by paying extra fees. These can be purchased as lifetime updates or singly. Another potential expense is that you won’t be able to replace the battery yourself. The battery life normally lasts for several years but if you should need to replace it, you will need to find a service specialist to change it out for you.

Other Garmin Nuvi 255w reviews have commented that the user’s manual is too basic to be of any assistance, but some say that the operation is so simple that anyone should be able to figure it out. There is a website available, ostensibly to help you should you have problems, but it, too, has been panned as being lacking in helpful information and user-unfriendly. If you’re trying to plot the route of a long trip, it’s also likely that you’re going to end up frustrated because there isn’t enough memory to do long, elaborate planning like this.

General consensus has it that the Garmin 255 is going to be easy to use and give you all of the features you need to travel in unfamiliar territory. This model does not come with Bluetooth capabilities to allow for hands free calling. But if you need a basic GPS unit that will be easy to use and reliable, the nuvi 255W is going to be a solid choice.

Garmin nuvi 255W Product Report

Tags: Bluetooth, garmin, garmin 255, garmin nuvi, garmin nuvi 255w, GPS, gps systems

Priceless or Useless: How to Buy Used Laptops Without Regrets

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 23:16:23 -0700

You can get extra savings when you invest with used laptops. From free to 500, you can already choose from the best brands of RAMs and hard disks whose capacity could be as much as 1 GB and 160 GB, respectively. However, the question is, how do you really get the best laptop offers without ending up with a junk in your desk?

Tip #1: Remember to set your mind with what you are after. Have you been dreaming of a laptop with the best picture and sound quality? Or would you like your webcam installed in that same laptop without having to think about extra charges? Note that these things will direct you to a final choice, whether you can get along with a used laptop or a brand new unit with the latest technology is what you are really looking for.

Tip #2 Take a look at the specs before buying the unit. With hundreds of used laptops for sale every week, it would not be surprising to know that some of them are not really what is in the label—the motherboard or the processor, for instance, could be a fake. Be sure to know what you are buying your money with, before it is too late to find out that you have invested on something that is just not worth the price after all.

Tip #3 Read reviews. They offer tons of useful information especially if they come from genuine customers (and not paid writers) who have really experienced problems in with their used laptops. You can find these kinds of information in many discussion forums and threads anywhere in the web; most of which offer free memberships too.

Tip #4 Confirm if the laptop is available. Before sticking your decision to a single laptop offer from the rest of the deals online, make sure that the unit is available for shipping, or that the price is still the same as indicated in the website. You can manage to make up your mind fast and certain of your decisions if you learn to be very familiar with the tips mentioned above.

Tip #5 Keep your line open for more offers. Used laptops are coming out so quick that there is actually more supply than demand in the recent market. Therefore, it pays a lot to keep your eyes and ears open for better deals to come, before you make a hasty choice.

Tip #6 Know where to buy the best laptop deals ever. If you can’t be sure if this new website could be any smarter in giving you the best laptop offers, or if you think that the items are unreasonably priced, you might have really picked the wrong source after all. Choose the site that can best give you the latest laptop deals without putting a compromise in the technology and price of these units.

There are just too many considerations that you have to remember before you buy used laptops of your choice. However, despite all of these complications that you will most likely encounter in your first few days of searching, nothing can help you any further than a reliable website that will truthfully give you the best laptop options and offers that you can ever get with your money today.

Priceless or Useless: How to Buy Used Laptops Without Regrets

Tags: computers, deals bargains, laptops, mac, notebooks, pc, shopping

My Xbox 360 Keeps Freezing Up - Find Out Why Does It Happen Here!

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 19:34:32 -0800

"Why does my Xbox 360 keeps freezing up?!" Is this the biggest frustrations you ever had since you started playing console games? I can bet more than 50% of Xbox 360 users are experiencing this Xbox 360 freezing up problem, so if your Xbox 360 keeps freezing up, you actually have a few options to stop xbox 360 from freezing up that you can do all by yourself.

During the whole troubleshooting process, there is one main reason my xbox 360 keeps freezing up - Overheating!

We all understand that Xbox 360 is a simplified version of a high end gaming PC. Whenever you play games with very high requirements it will get busy on the components inside and guess what - your Xbox 360 over heats and freezes!

One of the things that I've done to prevent my Xbox 360 from freezing up as often as it did is to let it "breathe" more. Well, you can certainly achieve this by not keeping your Xbox 360 in a closed cabinet while you're playing, and put it some where that allows ventilation for your Xbox 360 to cool down better.

Besides that, the another reason I've suspected on why my Xbox 360 keeps freezing up is the internal hardware that is malfunctioning. You'll see it when this happens because your Xbox 360 will first freeze up and show you the 3 flashing red lights.

For this, you are left with 2 options, either you send your Xbox 360 back to Microsoft for a $140 fees plus 6 months of no gaming, or you can fix the Xbox 360 freezing up problem yourself. However, the electronics of Xbox 360 are not as simple as you might thought it is, a small error could damage the whole system.

Xbox 360 keeps freezing up no matter what you've done?

Learning from a step-by-step Xbox360 repair guide is the best way you can do to save your time and cost to fix your Xbox 360 from freezing up. There are certain guides out there that shows you how to dismantle your Xbox 360 and repairing it, but most of them don't include clear videos on the actual process.

A high-definition Xbox 360 video repair guide is exactly what you'll need to start working on it, all by yourself without any fancy tools, all you need are simple household tool kits.

My Xbox 360 Keeps Freezing Up - Find Out Why Does It Happen Here!

Tags: prevent xbox 360 from freezing up, stop xbox 360 from freezing up, Xbox 360 keeps freezing up

Do Disk Imaging Tools do a Good Job?

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 20:07:09 -0800

For most users of Disk imaging tools I'm sure they'd rather never know if their disk image is working correctly or not since it would mean that their PC had crashed or they needed to recover their data.It is how ever something that should be looked into since most find out their image is bad after a crash occurs and it's to late.

Educating yourself on the right disk imaging tools and learning how to check your backup are two easy ways to rest easy that you're backed up safely.

What's the Right Tool For the Job

Several disk imaging products exist.One of the more popular programs is made by Norton, the large PC utilities company called Ghost.While Norton has been making this program for a long time I've read several users found their images made using Ghost didn't work correctly in times of need.

There are many other disk imaging tools available that can do the job, one to note is Acronis True Image.

To read more about this disk imaging tool check out our Acronis true image home review.

Ensuring your Image Works

Using a program like Acronis creates a restore image, rather then just a regular image on disk.Instead of just being a image of everything on your system, Acronis creates a bootable disk that allows you to restore your computer back to the settings and setup it was at the time your image was made.What does this mean for you? well you don't just get a backup of your files. You also get your system settings, registry, email, startup folder etc. all backed up in one easy to re-install place.

Testing your Disk Image

It might seem like over kill but I'd suggest that you test out your disk image and backup after creating it.Why Test? Well as mentioned before if you don't test the results of your backup software you could find out the hard way that things didn't backup correctly, or the disk and files are corrupt.

Do Disk Imaging Tools do a Good Job?

Tags: backup software, drive image, hard drive

Quick and Dirty Method to Backup your Computer Online

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 05:41:15 -0800

Backing up files is something we all know we should do, but it's one of those things that is so easy to procrastinate on. That is until the worst happens and you lose everything.

In this article I speak from personal experience, so trust me when I say there is no better time then right now to get started with an online computer backup, and that's where we'll start in this article.

Getting Started

Backing up your computer online is the least painful way of ensuring your important files are saved some where else besides your hard drive.There isn't a requirement for any DVD's, USB drives, or external hard drives.All of your important files and folders are kept securely on an online storage server for a small monthly fee until you might need to access it because of data loss.

To get started visit Mozy Home backup, their service offers a free trial account you can use to get things started. Once you sign up for their free trial it's just a matter of downloading their desktop application for choosing which files to backup.

What do you backup?

Most backup programs online, including Mozy Home Backup, select your My Documents folder as the default backup files and folders.Of course this is probably the most logical place to start, you may also want to add in a backup of your email folders and addresses, as well as any important system settings files.

Any software that you may have bought and downloaded also be sure to include those in the backup.

Are we all done?

After you've selected which files to backup you just tell Mozy to begin the initial backup and you're all done.That's it! The first backup will take some time since you are uploading a lot of data over your Internet connection.

The good news is that once it's done you'll never have to upload all those files again.In the future the only files and folders that will be uploaded will be either files that you modify, new files created in folders selected for backup, or new folders added to areas selected for backup.

Quick and Dirty Method to Backup your Computer Online

Tags: backup software, computer backup, data backup, data recovery, online backup

Direct TV HD - Is It Actually a Better Television Experience?

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:56:03 -0800

Direct TV HD is allegedly better than normal television. DirecTV is a satellite TV company that claims to offer the best in both satellite television and high definition TV products. Is Direct TV HD really the best in the business? How can DirecTV optimize your viewing experience?

With Direct TV HDTV, you have the option of combining several services from the company. DirecTV offers a plethora of service options for customers of all types, claiming to offer one of the broadest selections of products and services out of all of the major satellite television providers. A quick scan through their product catalog reveals that they do, indeed, have quite a lot to offer. You can find more information about DirecTV's product line at their website: www.directv .com.

DirecTV HD claims on their website that in side-by-side testing more people liked the picture on the television featuring DirecTV's services than on the television featuring conventional cable services. When it came to the TV HDTV best liked by consumers, the one featuring DirecTV won in the majority of testings. DirecTV offers digital quality television and sound on each channel, whereas most cable companies do not.

DirecTV also claims to have superior customer service. On their website, they boast of higher customer service ratings than cable companies for six consecutive years. This is an attractive feature to most people, as customer service is of vital importance in terms of how a company communicates with its consumer base.

When compared to TV HDTV cable, Direct TV HD is consistently ranked higher due to the variety of channels. More people chose DirecTV over TV HDTV cable due to channel variety than for any other reason. DirecTV also offers "interactive channels" that are not available through TV HDTV cable. These channels allow viewers to see up to eight live channels of news, sports or other programming on a single channel. While annoying to some, these channels are a dream come true to those with a short attention span.

A Quick Review

In comparison to cable services, more people chose Direct TV HD for the following reasons:

* Better customer service
* Better picture and sound quality
* More channel selection
* More extra features

Now, Direct TV HD seems to be winning the war of high definition programming. Cable television continues to fight back though, offering digital cable and even buying up satellite companies to operate under the cable umbrella. No matter what happens in the future, it appears that DirecTV will stay competitive for some time to come.

Are you tired of the bleary as well as a pixilated picture that your digital cable produces on your television? If that is the case, then it might be time to take the plunge into the world of high definition television. High definition televisions are primarily designed to run with the high quality cable and satellite signals that providers are using in order to give you the clearest and most vibrant looking picture available. High definition television will make you feel like you have left your living room and are actually at the actual game. Click on this link to discover more information:. You will not be sorry you did.

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Direct TV HD - Is It Actually a Better Television Experience?

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Nikon D90 Reviewed

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 05:08:21 -0800

Nikon has truly done it again, and apparently this camera maker recently can do nothing wrong when it comes to DSLRs. This gem, which replaces the D80, is the only camera you will require to shoot extraordinary pictures. This camera boasts many of the same features, with some improvements, all in a lighter package, in comparison to the D300.

The D3 and the D300 get a run for their money with the smartest Nikons DSLR and at a lower price. There are many useful improvements along with extra gadgets to capture buyers in the Nikon D90 not offered in the D80 or D300.

This is your best choice if you are in the $1000 dollar range for a camera. With it you'll get many of the same features available on the $5000 D3, but it will cost much less. The bright stunning 3-inch LCD will be the first thing you notice. The hues are both brilliant as well as true.

Another bonus is that it doesn't draw down on the EN-EL3e battery very rapidly. With a rating of 850 shots and a mix of flash, it's time for the D3 to move over and make room for this new leader in cameras. The photo quality of DX beats out D3, D300 and D700. It is kind of hard to tell the difference when shooting regularly in decent light. It will be preasantly surprised even for all the people who like to blow up a photo to 300% and scour for imperfections. In situations of dim light, the higher ISO of the D300 is a slight improvement, and the D3 even moreso. An additional $4000? Not likely.

The Nikon D90 also provides live view. The photo enthusiast will probably not use this a whole lot. However so that you can get in some of the stunning pictures it is very useful to pass the camera off to friends and family. Because of the popularity of point and shoot cameras, almost everyone now uses LCDs to take pictures. If you are fortunate to be the owner of a DSLR, you will undoubtedly note that people are nervous handling a DSLR, never mind being faced with actually shooting one. Live view makes it much easier to use the camera when a person is used to holding out their camera in front of them. Additionally, the "intimidation factor" is reduced by the lighter plastic body of the D90.

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Nikon D90 Reviewed

Tags: d90, digital camera, dslr, nikon

Going To a Playstation Forum for Advice

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 20:27:06 -0800

PS3 Court

Every gamer has faced a problem with a particular game. It may be a level boss or a particular area within the game that is causing frustration and anxiety. You want to find help, but no one you know plays that particular Playstation Portable game. Why not try a Playstation forum for some assistance? The forums allow members to post topics and reply to questions from other members and guests. It may be just the help you need to get past a problem area.

Many of the new Playstation 3 games are designed to be challenging and offer different levels of difficulty for beginners and seasoned professionals alike. Every gamer has had a problem at some time in their gaming history. Most seek out a Playstation forum for help. You do not want someone to give you a detailed walk-through, but you could use just a little assistance.

Take the Resistance Fall of Man PS3 game as a great example. This is a one that continuously receives high ratings amongst gamers. Why? The basic story line is an exotic mix of fantasy combined with history. You are Sergeant Nathan Hale fighting in WWII against the Chimera, an extraterrestrial race intent on destroying the Earth. The game proceeds through different levels and gives the player the opportunity to fight a plethora of monsters, as well as work their way through the game terrain using different manned vehicles.

The official Sony Playstation forum gives the game high marks and praises its use of graphics and fighting capabilities. The difficulties that the users are describing are typically associated to the lack of save points as wellas the level of default difficuly at the end of the game. This is where forums come into play. If there is a difficult part you are having trouble traversing and making it to the save point, then look on the board for hints to help you get through the tough parts. Do not look at it like cheating, just getting a little bit of extra help to save your sanity.

Resistance Fall of Man PS3 is worth trying even if you do not like first person shooter games. It has received excellent reviews on the Playstation forum and you can always rent it instead of buying. If you like it, then you will know that not all shooting games are alike. If nothing else, you have given the game a fair chance and can move on to another genre.

There are so many reason to purchase gifts for others however there are times when coming up with an idea for a good gift can be challenging. This particularly applies to teenagers as well as kids. With so many types of toys as well as the numerous gaming systems that are on the market, it can be very challenging to narrow it down. Take it easy because giving gifts is about to become much easier for you. Have you ever thought about a Playstation 3? The Playstation 3 is a game system that is totally revolutionary that is easily accessible in your home. In contrast to laptops, the Playstation 3 doesn't have a need for a wireless signal so that you can play a game. It can play movies as well. Search for your Playstation 3 needs by going here:

Playstation 3 Controller with more helpful material at Playstation 3 Online and certainly try Win A Playstation 3

Going To a Playstation Forum for Advice

Tags: Playstation Advice, Playstation Forum

A Great Entrance GPS – Garmin Nuvi 250

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 06:18:04 -0800

The Garmin Nuvi 250 GPS Navigator System is certainly one of the most reliable gps systems on the market today, with its modern look and unlimited selection of roadmaps of the United States, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Canada. The item is little enough that you should be able to carry along your Nuvi 250 no matter where your journey takes you.

Advantages of the Nuvi 250

The Garmin Nuvi 250 GPS Navigator System is already set with points of interest, ATM information, and even fueling stations. This additional info is very useful when you are driving around a new area and wish to get the scoop about what there is to see and do in your new town.

If you are traveling in another country, you are likely to love the currency converter and worldwide clock that comes with your Nuvi 250. You may also load individualized vehicles which offer a readout of your location on any of the many maps.

Map Accuracy

The maps used on the Garmin Nuvi 250 are good for just about any trip, and if you need to update your maps, you can do so easily. Garmin produces new maps when necessary, so you can easily take your Nuvi 250 in to be updated.

To gain the benefits of the maps on the Nuvi 250, all you must do is decide on a route. You will enter your trip’s Point A and where you want to go. The Nuvi 250 will create your travel route for you so that you will be sure not to turn onto the wrong road. If you find that you have to stop along the route, the Garmin Nuvi 250 GPS Navigator System will give you the information on where fuel stops, motels and other necessary businesses are located beside your route.

Style and Design

The Garmin Nuvi 250 Portable GPS is made in two shades: silver and pink. The style is small to enable you to easily take the Nuvi 250 with you during camping trips or anywhere you desire to go. The display on the Nuvi 250 is a sizable 2.8 inches across and 2.1 inches tall with a backlight (so you can take advantage of the readout at night) and a no-glare screen.

The unit also comes equipped with easily recharged lithium batteries. You can charge the system in your vehicle with a cigarette lighter adaptor. The Nuvi 250 also includes a touch-responsive screen that is easy to direct the system; it can be called into service for finding your directions at a touch.

Safety Features

The Garmin Nuvi 250 also has quite a few industry-standard safety tools. When you first run your Nuvi 250, the product will not allow you to enter end points unless you have come to a complete stop. This is a safety feature that is installed in the unit at the factory, but you should be able to change this setting if you require more flexibility.

The no-glare display screen also makes it easier for you to put all your concentration on the road. With a single glimpse of the screen when stopped by a traffic light, you can effortlessly tell which way you need to go.

A Great Entrance GPS – Garmin Nuvi 250

Tags: garmin nuvi, garmin nuvi 250, GPS, gps navigation

Apple Takes On iPodMechanic

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 06:00:34 -0700

Apple is suing an iPod repair business, claiming misuse of their "iPod" trademark in his business name and website address. Per the lawsuit, he did not have permission to use the name and was give the "cease and desist" in 2006. Per an agreement with Apple, he was to have stopped using the "iPod Mechanic" name before January 2007, and parked the ipodmechanic.com domain by March of 2007, neither of which happened.

Even worse, the defendant has repeatedly defrauded Apple by getting them to send him free replacement components while never sending in the original, damaged components. Later, these replacement units would be sold at a discount, apparently costing Apple in excess of $75K.

Additionally, the iPodMechanic was so uncouth as to replace out of warrantly iPods' cases with those that were still covered by the warranty period, fooling Apple into fixing the units for free, so as not to have to pay the cost of the repair parts himself.

While he's clearly very creative, defrauding both Apple and your customers is a pretty bad way to do business and a sure way to a terrible reputation. I suspect the suit is less about the trademark misuse as much as the fraudulent behavior which directly costs Apple money (and consumers, as well) and is much easier to quantify than trademark concerns.

Apple Takes On iPodMechanic

Tags: apple ipod, ipod

Integrated iPod dock on new JVC HDTVs

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 06:09:49 -0700

...and the iPod continues to re-shape consumer electronic devices! JVC has just unveiled their new line of LCD HDTVs in 32/42/47/52 inch variants. An unusual feature is the integrated iPod docking station that allows you to directly playback your iPod's video content as well as charging your iPod up, regardless of whether or not the TV is powered on.

The HDTV unit includes several other nifty features, such as the ability to control iPod playback via the remote, which replicals the iPod control wheel. Video can be played at a variety of modesand the HDTV includes a veritable cornucopia of inputs - 3 HDMI, 2 component, S-video, SPDIF, and analog outputs. These new models should start selling in August.

Integrated iPod dock on new JVC HDTVs

Tags: apple ipod, apple ipod docking station, ipod charger, ipod dock, ipod docking station

BusinessWeek: Apple’s iPhone Costs Drop

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:29:54 -0700

Good news for Apple, and neutral for consumers: per BusinessWeek, the manufacturing cost for the Apple iPhone 3G has been reduced by over $50 from the comparable iPhone first generation models. The 8GB iPhone manufacturing cost was $226, while the 8G iPhone 3G is only $173. Most components are shared between models, but Apple's bulk buying power has bought a reduction in cost on some items, in particular flash memory. 8GB memory is running Apple $23, while the 16GB costs them about double that. This $23 expense nets them a $100 difference in retail price though, so it's a pretty good deal for them!

Given the large subsidy AT&T is paying for the iPhones, Apple's going to do very well inspite of the loss of the revenue sharing agreement they had with AT&T. It's probably a better deal instead though as they get that money front-loaded instead of on the back end. I think Apple makes a lot of questionable business decisions, but they've done very well in spite of those questionable decisions, so they're still sitting pretty, especially as compared to the previously constant expectations that they would fail, in the late 80s and 90s.

via

BusinessWeek: Apple’s iPhone Costs Drop

Tags: apple iphone, iphone, iPhone 3G

CNET’s Folly: iPhone vs Kindle

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 04:49:47 -0700

I saw over on CNET an article where the writer waxes rhapsodic about how he was going to buy a Kindle from Amazon until he heard about the iPhone 3G going on sale on July 11th. From the article:

I wanted a Kindle. I was ready to buy a Kindle. The iPhone spoiled everything.

I'm an avid reader of digital books and for months I had my eye on the Kindle, the digital reader from Amazon, with its high-contrast screen and PC-less book downloads. Then Apple announced that the iPhone 3G goes on sale July 11.

I'm now in second-guess hell.

I know Apple has said nothing about offering an e-reading application for the new iPhone. But what happens if Steve Jobs later surprises us or some developer turns the iPhone into a whiz-bang electronic reader? I'll tell you what happens, my Kindle ends up on eBay.

I can imagine a slick iTunes bookstore, stocked full of titles that are easy to buy and download--sort of like Amazon.com. Even if Apple decides against getting into book sales, the upgraded iPhone will be open to developers. I'm betting one has already written an e-reader application.

There's a huge opportunity here for some enterprising developer. The person could write a reader application for the iPhone and then sign licensing deals with top publishers. The developer could sell digital books out of their own Web store. The pitch to the publishers would be: "I have the best way for you to get on the iPhone."

Of course, if Apple, which possesses complete control over the iPhone application development program, is planning something similar down the line, then a third-party e-reader application might not pass. Last January, Jobs voiced skepticism about e-readers, telling The New York Times that people "don't read anymore."

This to some is a good indication that he's interested.

Later, he goes into how the Kindle is a specialty device that is destined to shoot itself in the foot. I actually agree with that part. It's a low-quality MID with wireless access built-in. While I'm sure it's fine for reading books, so many other devices out there have that exact same capability. Why would you buy a specialized device to do a relatively generic function. I started reading ebooks back in 2003 on my HP iPaq. There are a variety of different reader programs available for Windows CE and Windows Mobile devices, so why buy an extra, dedicated device for that, when you can simply use your phone or PDA? As smartphones penetrate the market, there will be much less space for these dedicated reading devices. You'll take your phone / PDA places you wouldn't lug this larger, heavier device around. Seth Godin thinks the Kindle will be a success, and maybe it will be, but at least among the tech-savvy I'd be kind of surprised.

Now, back to the beginning of the article. Boy, wouldn't it be great to have an ebook reader program for the iPhone! Well, a search for "iphone ebook reader" leads you to 6-7 just on page 1 of Google, at least one of which is on Apple's Web Apps list. Oops! I was kind of non-plussed from the start of the article, because of this simple basic fact.

Now, had he focused on the great opportunity for being an Apple partner with something akin to iTunes for books and how the ebook market is about to explode, then it'd have been a great article. Success is all about positioning and branding. Even the iPhone itself is not a revolutionary concept, but Apple has turned it into a great success with their marketing and name. There's a potful of gold to be made and there is no doubt a successful ebook store, whether Apple chooses to do so or not, will be a great opportunity for that. But I think the article writer, the two contributors, and the editor could have done 100% better by not being so sloppy and ill-informed of the topic they were writing about.

via

CNET’s Folly: iPhone vs Kindle

Tags: amazon kindle, apple iphone, ebooks, iphone, kindle

Upgrading to iPhone 3G? What About Your old iPhone?

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 07:54:58 -0700

With lots of people eagerly looking forward to upgrading to the new Apple iPhone 3G when it gets released, what's going to happen to all those suddenly redundant iPhones? Will you give yours away to family? Pretend it's an iPod Touch instead? Will you see if it blends? I hope not; that's a terrible waste of style, technology, and money that's pretty hard to swallow.

Apple does have a tendency to do strange things in their hardware cycles. I think we all remember the near-immediate price drop fiasco when the iPhone first came out and dropped in price by $200 a mere 68 days later. There was much outrage, wailing, and gnashing of teeth. It was definitely a business decision espousing the vision of "Think Different."

What I think will happen will be an upsurge of searches for "iPhone unlock" as people prepare to buy and sell their old iPhones on eBay. AT&T has said they will be resetting contracts to the 2 years term on purchase of the new iPhone 3G, so you'll be able to put it to the side and let someone else use it with their own SIM card, or make some money on the net:

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Tags: apple iphone, iphone, iPhone 16GB, iPhone 3G, iPhone 4GB, iPhone 8GB

iPod Charging While Plugged In Via USB

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 07:59:06 -0700

Ever run your iPod's battery down and want to charge it via USB but still be able to listen to it while charging? Marat writes in How to use your iPod while charging it through your computer that the way to do this is to:

Connect your iPod to your computer via the USB cable
Open My Computer
Right Click on your iPod
Select Eject

This way, instead of staring at the annoying "Do Not Disconnect" flashing on the screen, you can continue to listen to the iPod while it charges, as the Eject command tells the computer to stop using the device, but doesn't de-energize the USB port like using "Safely Remove Hardware" does. Keep in mind this won't work with the iPod Shuffle as they charge via the headphone jack instead.

iPod Charging While Plugged In Via USB

Tags: ipod charger, ipod shuffle

AT&T iPhone Subsidy $325

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 02:32:55 -0700

The AT&T subsidy for the new Apple iPhone 3G is $325, well over the typical smartphone subsidy of $200. With expected prices of $199/$299 for the 8GB and 16GB models, I would expect to see some cannibalization of sales from the iPod Touch line, as well. Why wouldn't you take the newer sister model with more features over a near twin with less features for roughly the same price? This may be a great way for both Apple and AT&T to increase revenues and move more people along to a smarthpone platform.

AT&T is taking the bigger gamble here because they expect the new iPhone to drive new subscribers to them, making up the initial loss on the long term contracts instead. I think that's a pretty smart move on their part. AT&T is also paying Apple an extra $100 for customers signed up in Apple Store, so expect to see things busier on that front. This dovetails well with the expectation that we won't see too many iPhone 3G models in the secondary markets like the first generation that could be activated at home (or sold on eBay!).

Head on over to Barrons for the original article and some discussion of stock implications.

via

AT&T iPhone Subsidy $325

Tags: apple iphone, iPhone 3G, ipod touch

iPods Cheap To Build In China

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 23:46:31 -0700

Did you know that for ever $299 iPod put together in China, the cost of assembly for Apple is only $4, and Apple makes $80 profit each? That's not a bad money maker, is it! Cheap iPods never sounded so good before!

Per How much money goes to China for every China assembled ipod, here are the figures from an upcoming TedKoppel special on the Discovery Channel.

Here is a breakdown of the costs:

Hard drive (Toshiba) $73
Display module $20
Processor $8
Contoller chip $5
Distribution costs $75
China assembly cost $4
Apple’s Profit $80

The special, "Koppel on Discovery: The People's Republic of Capitalism" will air July 9th on the Discovery Channel and should be a pretty interesting thing to watch.

iPods Cheap To Build In China

Tags: apple ipod, cheap ipods, ipod

Apple Iphone 16GB

Sat, 08 Mar 2008 07:31:49 -0800

The Apple Iphone 16GB model was released in the early part of 2008, with a higher capacity than the previous 4GB and 8GB models, not that the 4GB model lasted all that long before being discontinued of course . It has a 3.5" screen with 320x480 resolution at 163 ppi. The multi-touch screen drives the interface of the GSM band phone, equipped with WiFi, EDGE, and Bluetooth and a 2 megapixel camera. It supports SMS messaging, PDA functions, and has an MP3 player, as you would expect from a name like Apple.

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Apple Iphone 8GB

Sat, 08 Mar 2008 07:31:39 -0800

The Apple Iphone 8GB model was one of the first released in the summer of 2007, with a higher capacity than the 4GB model, which has been discontinued. It has a 3.5" screen with 320x480 resolution at 163 ppi. The multi-touch screen drives the interface of the GSM band phone, equipped with WiFi, EDGE, and Bluetooth and a 2 megapixel camera. It supports SMS messaging, PDA functions, and has an MP3 player, as you would expect from a name like Apple.

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Tags: apple iphone, iphone, iPhone 8GB

Apple Iphone 4GB

Sat, 08 Mar 2008 07:31:25 -0800

The Apple Iphone 4GB model was one of the first released in the summer of 2007. It has a 3.5" screen with 320x480 resolution at 163 ppi. The multi-touch screen drives the interface of the GSM band phone, equipped with WiFi, EDGE, and Bluetooth and a 2 megapixel camera. It supports SMS messaging, PDA functions, and has an MP3 player. This model has been discontinued and replaced by higher capacity models, so you can find them out there cheaply.