Latest Technology & Cool Gadgets

High-Tech Turkey Day

2006-11-20T16:43:00.000-08:00

Don't let the suit fool you: Every night that thing is off and I'm cooking dinner for the wife and kids. Thanksgiving is no exception, though I do get a bit of help for holiday meals.

Still, I'm a high-tech kinda guy, obviously. Here's what I use in the kitchen for both everyday meals and the big extravaganzas.

* Chef's Choice Model 130 Professional Sharpening Station (pictured) - I use a regular sharpening steel from day to day but when knives get really dull I turn to an electric sharpener. I've got the Model 110, but the new Model 130 has an easier time at guiding the blades through to get the perfectly honed edge. Carving a turkey with a dull knife is not just hard, it's dangerous.

* Taylor #9842 Commercial Anti-Microbial Instant Read Digital Thermometer - How do you know if the turkey or the prime rib is done? Slicing into it is a fool's errand. The Taylor instant-read thermometer registers quickly and includes an anti-bacterial sheath to keep germs away. Cheap, too.

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How to Clean Your LCD Screen

2006-11-20T16:39:00.000-08:00

Old CRT-based TVs and computer monitors were tough. For the most part, you could spritz them with Windex and wipe them down when they got dirty. I never had a problem getting a TV clean.

But now the world has moved to LCD, plasma, and other flat-panel technologies. And with laptops especially, screens are very prone to getting filthy because people just can't keep their fingers off of them. But how do you clean an LCD? Here's what I do.

For starters: No Windex. While LCDs have glass inside them, they are coated with an optical film, and the chemicals in glass cleaner (namely ammonia) can damage that film. That film can also be easily scratched, so don't use paper towels or any dry cloth other than microfiber or other lint-free cloth either. Also, as with a TV, be sure to turn the device off before you try to clean it and until it is totally dry, as any liquid can cause a short.

Personally, I now use a commercial LCD screen cleaner (the kind that comes in a spray bottle and includes a special cloth) for all my LCD monitors, LCD TVs, and laptop screens. I've never had a problem (though I've read reports of people who've had discoloration due to these cleaners), and my screen always comes out sparkling. You can usually find them near checkout at any electronics or computer store, or get one online. Check out these examples. That Belkin cleaner looks just perfect. Klear Screen is also commonly recommended, but it's much more expensive.

Getting the Good Word on Portable Player Terms

2006-11-16T17:28:00.000-08:00

When shopping for MP3 players, the following terms may pop up either on the box or the advertisements. You might already know what some of them mean; others might be completely foreign. Either way, here's a translation of what you could encounter.
Skip protection

When you shake a CD player, the laser read head inside moves, making the sound skip. So, those clever engineers added skip protection. When your CD player starts reading the CD, it reads some of the song in advance, storing it in memory that isn't affected by movement. Then, should the little laser doohickey get jostled, the player reads the music from the memory - the buffer. Skip protection technology keeps the song playing smoothly.

Sometimes skip protection is measured in seconds - the number of seconds of music that's read ahead. Other times, skip protection is measured by the amount of memory used to store the music. Either way, the larger the number, the smoother the song plays under rough conditions.

Microphone

Everybody stumbles on a key thought from time to time that could change their lives - if only they could remember it when they got home. So some MP3 players add a microphone for recording those thoughts that seem so important at the time.

Beware, however: MP3 players don't record sounds in MP3 format. They record them as a WAV file. An MP3 player also records sounds in a low-quality format that's fine for speech but lousy for everything else. Most limit the recordings to a few minutes, as well. Even if you do smuggle one into a concert, you'll get only a bad recording of the first part of one song.

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Selecting a Phone Based on Its Camera

2006-11-16T17:24:00.000-08:00

First off, understand that the vast majority of the cameras on cell phones are awful, and that a slim majority are barely passable. Fortunately, most new handsets now have 1.3-megapixel cameras in them instead of the 0.3-megapixel cams that were common as recently as 2005, so more phones are moving into the barely passable category. Still, choosing a phone based on the quality of its camera will likely be an exercise in frustration. With few exceptions (which I'm getting to), know that most cell phone cameras are pretty much the same.

To answer your latter question, megapixels are more important on a cell phone camera. Why? Virtually no camera phones sold in the U.S. have optical zoom at all (some overseas models do). What you might be hearing about is digital zoom, which isn't zoom at all but rather a method for cropping and enlarging a picture while it's still in the camera. Digital zoom doesn't make a photo any closer at all, and most users disable digital zoom because it can actually decrease the quality of the resulting images.

Now let's get down to your real question. If you don't want to carry a separate camera (which will give you much better results), I have one phone on the top of my list for you: The Samsung SCH-a990 (pictured), which has the best camera of any U.S.-marketed cell phone, featuring a whopping 3.2-megapixel camera and a design that actually makes it easy to take pictures with it. (The phone has a screen that flips around and covers up the numeric keypad, making the phone look and feel just like a standalone digicam.) Per the previous paragraph, though, even the a990 doesn't have optical zoom. However, I've used the a990 extensively and can vouch for its impressive abilities. You won't find a better cameraphone on our shores today.

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Wi-Fi Hotspot Primer for the Uninitiated

2006-11-15T19:07:00.000-08:00

We've written a lot on Yahoo! Tech about how to find Wi-Fi hotspots, but for anyone who is unsure of how to go about linking to a Wi-Fi network with a laptop, or if you're worried about security issues that may come with accessing the Internet in a public venue, check out this aptly named primer on Small Biz Resources, The Definitive Guide to Wireless Hotspots.

Warning: It goes into a lot of detail, much of which many of us know. But for those who have basic questions about working with a public wireless network but are too shy to ask someone because they think they should be in the know, it's helpful. You'll find a rundown on how to hook up to a wireless network if you're laptop doesn't search for one automatically and learn about the different paid and free Wi-Fi plans offered at restaurants, coffee houses, and book stores.

The advice on security concerns is particularly useful. David Haskin writes that it is imperative to have one or more firewalls on. First, make sure your Windows XP firewall is on. But you can also use additional firewalls, such as Zone Alarm.

Digital Versus Optical Zoom

2006-11-15T19:02:00.000-08:00

With so many new cameras available at great prices for the holidays, you'll undoubtedly be making comparisons on all sorts of features. One question I recently got was about the difference between an optical and a digital zoom.

First, the camera basics: A lens focuses the light from the scene onto the sensor. The sensor used to be a piece of film, but in digital cameras it's a light-sensitive circuit. People are often comparing cameras by their sensors (it's the sensors that are measured by their megapixels), but the lens is an equal partner in producing an image, and lenses haven't received much critical attention.

With a zoom lens, you can change the field of view without having to walk closer to or farther from the scene. When a zoom lens is in its "wide" setting, you get the largest area of the scene, and as you zoom "in" you continually look at smaller and smaller areas of the scene, revealing more detail.

Most of today's consumer digital cameras have an optical lens zoom. The range of the lens is the ratio of the length of the lens when zoomed in all the way versus its length on the widest setting. Zoom lenses with 3X or 5X range are very common. The greater the range of the lens, the more options you have each time you take a picture—zoom out to show the whole family group, or zoom in for a head shot of the wailing baby. Zoom out for a mountain scene, or zoom in on the wildlife.

Because today's cameras work with digital images (they actually contain a small computer), it's possible to use digital image processing to zoom in a bit more once the optical zoom has reached its limit. Typical digital zooms give you an additional 2X of range. The problem is that the image processing has to work hard to create more information than was originally present in the sensor. Digital zooms often make images look pixilated since they are putting in "the zoom" with digital effects and not a real lens.

The zoom you really want to pay money for is the optical zoom. And don't be misled by thinking the two are cumulative. A 3X optical zoom with a 2X digital zoom does not mean that you're getting a 6X zoom. My advice: When comparing cameras, only pay attention to the optical zoom—it's the one that you'll be using 99.9 percent of the time.

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What to Do with an Old PC ?

2006-11-14T14:23:00.000-08:00

Used computers have little or no value. If you wait four or five years or longer, the new stuff is so much better that you never can recover any value from your original purchase.
What are your options?

If you do try to sell your computer, ask only $50 to $100 for it; use a higher price if it's a recent system, but don't expect to walk away with a profit. Sell everything that comes with the computer when you sell. Make the computer system as complete as you can. You can throw in software too, although that doesn't add to the price of the computer. (Old software has no value.)

Ask for either cash (because it won't be that much) or a cashier's check for your old computer. The last insult you want is to sell something you paid $2,000 for to a guy who writes you a rubber check.

A better thing to do with your old computers is to donate them to charities or private schools. Give them as much computer as you can, including a printer. Give them your software manuals and discs. And, ask for a receipt based on the computer's fair market value (see an accountant for more information). You get more from the computer that way, as a tax deduction, and you give something back to your community.

What about the hard drive and personal data?

When you get rid of your old computer, don't get rid of your personal data as well! The most secure thing to do is keep the hard drive. Offer your used system without a hard drive, or, if you really want it to sell, buy a replacement hard drive for the computer. That's the safest way to ensure that your data doesn't get abused. (Companies that are serious about security remove hard drives from their old computers and have those drives physically destroyed.)

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Buying a Laptop: What to Look for in 2007

2006-11-13T18:57:00.000-08:00

I offered buying advice for desktop PCs for the 2006 holiday season a few weeks ago. At popular request, I'm turning my attention to laptops. Here's what to consider if you're making a new notebook purchase before the end of the year.

* CPU - Intel Core 2 Duo is just now arriving on laptops, and it's the CPU of choice no matter what type of user you are. However there are some great deals to be had on Core Duo machines, most of which were released only a few months ago. Most users will find the original Core Duo plenty fast.

* Memory - As with desktops, get all you can afford. 1GB minimum, especially for Vista.

* Operating System - Same deal as with desktops. If you're planning to go with Vista, wait until 2007 to buy a notebook. Driver issues are far more complex with portables than with desktops, and you don't want to be stuck trying to upgrade only weeks after you bought the machine. See my comments in the desktop shopping story for more detail.

* Hard Drive - 160GB is tops for notebooks right now, but about 80GB is more common and less expensive. That should be plenty for most users for the foreseeable future. If you're a digital movie collector, go with the big one.

* Optical Drive - A few systems are now including HD-DVD drives instead of standard DVD, however I've found all HD-DVD laptop drives slow and very buggy. I'd stick with a DVD-RW drive now, dual layer of course.

* Graphics Card - This varies widely, as manufacturers are still putting year-old graphics cards in laptops in many cases. High end cards like the Nvidia Geforce 7800/7900 series are pricey, but they're absolutely required if you want to have any hope of playing the latest games on your laptop. Remember that graphics cards are generally not upgradeable, so it's important to get the best you can afford right when you make the purchase.

* Screen - A critical decision. Widescreen displays comprise virtually the entire market now, so don't expect to find many 4:3 aspect ratio machines for sale. The big question here is whether you want a 17-inch monster display, a standard 15.4-inch display, or something smaller. The weight of the machine will vary accordingly: Expect to carry 8 pounds and up for a 17-inch system, 6 to 7 pounds with a 15.4-inch machine, and as little as 3 pounds with an ultralight. Laptops aren't going to get much lighter in 2007, so don't hold out for anything that'll be easier to pick up.

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The Method to Microsoft's Zune Madness

2006-11-12T21:17:00.000-08:00

When Microsoft announced plans to manufacture a media player nearly four months ago, many analysts thought the software giant was making a major mistake. After all, not even Walkman creator Sony (SNE) has been able to steal market share from Apple's (AAPL) dominant iPod. Criticism of Microsoft's decision has grown increasingly vehement as reviewers have had a chance to preview the Zune prior to the device's Nov. 14 launch.

Some early criticism: It's not sufficiently sleek, it's priced too high for a non-iPod, and the color isn't a cool chocolate like LG's (LPL) popular phone, but a boring brown.

Worst of all, critics say, Microsoft (MSFT) engineered the device to be incompatible with PlaysforSure, its own digital-rights management software used by Napster (NAPS) and Time Warner's (TWX) AOL Music, among others (see BusinessWeek.com, 11/20/06, "Microsoft Plays a New Zune"). In doing so, Microsoft likely frustrated not only past partners, but also those digital music consumers who were more likely to adopt Zune because they already were downloading music from sources other than Apple's iTunes store.

Despite the initial criticism and the potential cold-shoulder treatment from consumers, don't sell Microsoft—or Zune—short. Some analysts believe Microsoft's new approach to the digital player business just might prove effective in the long run. For starters, Microsoft is not just blindly copying Apple's business model of providing seamless integration between an individual music store and player, while walling off access to outside services and players. Instead, the software giant is also adjusting its business model to win over music and movie providers who have become frustrated with Apple's unwillingness to be more flexible with its 99¢-per-download pricing model (see BusinessWeek.com, 12/19/05, "Apple May Be Holding Back the Music Biz")

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Wishlist for Technohobes & Movie Lover's

2006-11-10T18:52:00.000-08:00

Holiday Gifts for Technophobes

There are those who embrace technology and those who see it as one of life's unfortunate necessities. Sometimes all it takes is showing them the right technology to get them through the day. The s choices are easy to use and practical—and of course you’ll be there to help your loved ones out.

Here is a list.

The Movie Lover's Wish List

With portable video options exploding across the gadget-landscape and next-generation, high-resolution disc and broadcast formats upping the ante for quality images in the living room, the choices for movie lovers have never been greater. These are my picks for state-of-the-art tech gifts to keep any movie buff glued to the screen for many holidays to come.

Here is a list

Are You an Internet Addict?

2006-11-10T18:34:00.000-08:00

I was reading through an AFP report on Yahoo! News that says Serbia is now treating people with Internet addictions. This counseling center considers anyone who is not interested in daily activities with family and friends as a potential Internet addict and looks for other signs such as spending prolonged hours online, turning to virtual friends, and isolation. I'm not sure exactly how they treat Internet addiction, but they say treatment usually lasts one year.

After reading this, I headed over to Net Addiction and took an Internet Addiction Test (IAT) that told me my Internet usage is causing occasional problems in my life. I won't take that test too seriously because my occupation requires me to be online a lot of the time. However, I will keep that in mind next time I choose surfing the web over, er, household chores. Can you blame me?

Internet addiction can be harmful for those who delve into the darker side of the web, such as online gambling, cybersex, online affairs, and online gaming. But how do you know when you or someone you love is addicted to the Internet? When is it time to pull the plug and seek treatment?

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Google accidentally sends a virus

2006-11-09T18:57:00.000-08:00

Subscribers to Google Video's e-mail list might have received a little more than what they bargained for, according to the company. Apparently, updates on Tuesday night sent a 50,000 recipient mass email that contained W32/Kasper.A@mm, also known as the Kama Sutra worm.

The email was sent from Google's corporate video blog, which highlights new videos to users. Apparently, the Google Video team sent the mail out with the attached virus "accidentally," though higher-ups in the company refused to comment on how. Later that night, Google issued a statement saying "On Tuesday evening, three posts were made to the Google Video Blog-group that should not have been posted."

This is not the first time that Google has been in a bit of trouble over its corporate blogs, nor the first time it has had quality control being questioned recently. Around a month ago, hackers found ways to post to the corporate blog from outside of the company, wreaking a little havoc on the search giant.

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Cool Gadgets Shopping

2006-11-09T18:11:00.000-08:00

Following are the good sites for shopping of cool Gadgets.

1. Deals2buy

2. Amazon

3. Bestbuy

4. Compusa

5. RadioShack

6. Circuitcity

7. TheTechGeek

8. DealsofAmerica

9. ebay

10. IKEA

11. ValueCity

12. TheGadgetsBox

13. FirstStreetOnline

14. Surprise

Is Your Neighbor Scamming on Your Wi-Fi?

2006-11-08T10:06:00.000-08:00

If loading a web page or downloading an MP3 suddenly moves at glacial pace, your next door neighbor (or some kid parked in front of your house) may be using up your bandwidth. To be sure, you can check your router's logs (accessible through your router's Wi-Fi manager software) to see what other computers are linked up to your network.

Now, you could put a sign on your front lawn or in your lobby warning people to keep off your bandwidth, but the best way to prevent intruders from accessing your network is to enable WEP or WPA encryption on your network—essentially, setting up a password using your router's software. Don't lose this password, as you'll need it to connect any additional computers or devices you want on your Wi-Fi network.

Using someone else's Wi-Fi without their permission is actually against the law because it's considered unauthorized access into a computer network. Last year, a man in Florida was arrested and charged with a third-degree felony for "war driving," a practice where people park in front of people's houses with a laptop and use their Wi-Fi networks. In most cases, it's a relatively innocuous practice—people just checking mail or surfing the web.

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Holiday Gift Guide

2006-11-08T09:44:00.000-08:00

Best Gifts for the Traveling Workaholic

Just because it's Christmas doesn't mean there isn't work to be done. In fact, the holiday season is the busiest time for most of us. Check out these gifts for the guy who just can't take a break and is always on the road.

Here is the list of some cool gadgets for workholic.

Tech Gifts for the Woman Who Has It All

Everyone has a tough cookie on their holiday list. She's got the basics—be it scarves or software—and you need to find that special something that brings her comfort, joy, and that personal one-of-a-kind holiday touch.

Here is the list of some cool gadgets for Woman.

Holiday Gizmo Shopping Made Wacky

I just found gadget-and-gizmo heaven: Firebox, which is the literally just-launched (an hour ago) U.S. version of the U.K. novelty-doodad site (one of the biggest over there). I first came upon the U.K version of Firebox.com a few weeks back when I was researching wacky USB gadgets for a story and found the USB Cannon, which is exactly what you think it is. (Yes, a USB-powered mini-cannon that shoots out squishy darts.)

Tech Gifts for Mom

Think accessories, because no matter how much you love tech and love your mom, tech gifts get pricey fast. And your mom doesn't want you spending all your hard-earned babysitting and first-job income on her. Leave that to Dad. It's the thought that counts, so here are some $50-and-under gifts to consider.

Here is the list of some cool gadgets for Mom.

How Do I Save a Wet Cellphone?

2006-11-08T09:41:00.000-08:00

Sooner or later every cell phone goes in the drink. For some it may be the bathtub, for others a glass of scotch. For many, the toilet. (No need to explain.)

Hey, you spent hundreds of dollars on that handset, so it's understandable that you might decide to attempt to rescue it. But how?

The Cell Freak has all the collected wisdom on the topic, including some advice I'd never heard, like soaking the phone in 95% alcohol to dissolve all the water trapped inside. I've personally had good luck with low level heat for wet phones and laptops: A few hours on the lowest setting inside an oven (150 degrees or thereabouts) can dry out a gadget and make it good as new.

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Remember that these methods are not foolproof, in fact they're far from it. Water and electronics just don't mix. My personal record on saving wet gadgets is about 50-50, but those are pretty good odds in my book, and with this advice, they're even better.

Coming Soon to your Xbox: Movies and TV

2006-11-07T15:38:00.000-08:00

In a move to draw non-gamers to its platform, Microsoft launches a movie and TV download store for Xbox 360s

By Wilson Rothman

Microsoft will launch a movie and TV download store for net-connected Xbox 360s on November 22, the company announced Monday. Xbox Live users will be able to rent high-definition movies from Warner Bros., and purchase high-definition TV shows from CBS. The service will also offer standard definition video content from Paramount, MTV Networks, Ultimate Fighting Championship and Turner's Cartoon Network.

The launch of the Xbox Live Marketplace video store is part of Microsoft's current strategy to draw non-gamers to the platform, migrate "version 1" Xbox users to the newer Xbox 360 system and keep the 360 competitive with the upcoming Sony PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii consoles.

Microsoft/Novell Patent Deal Opens Up Opportunity

2006-11-05T20:43:00.000-08:00

Microsoft's agreement with Novell to collaborate on Windows/Linux interoperability sheds light on the many patent issues surrounding open-source and proprietary-source development, opening opportunities for those who can help sort those issues out.

As part of the deal with Novell, Microsoft said Microsoft will not assert its patents against individual noncommercial open-source developers.

Moreover, according to Brad Smith, senior vice president and general counsel at Microsoft, the Redmond, Wash., software giant has promised not to assert its patents against individual contributors to OpenSUSE.org whose code is included in the SUSE Linux Enterprise platform.

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Secrets for buying a MP3 player

2006-11-04T14:41:00.000-08:00

Whether you want to get your groove on while working out or would like to amuse yourself as you commute on public transit, a portable MP3 music player could suit your needs. MP3 players--available in a wide variety of styles and sizes and capable of storing thousands of songs--capitalize on digital technology to supplant traditional Walkman-style cassette-tape players and portable CD players.

The Big Picture

Today's players pack loads of songs, and the devices are easy to manage, too. We'll help you figure out which one is best for you.

The Specs Explained

The storage capacity and battery life of an MP3 player can have a big impact on how much you enjoy it. We'll explain what's behind these and other specifications.

MP3 Player Shopping Tips

Our advice will help you find the right MP3 player for your lifestyle without paying too much.

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Pick a Snappy Digicam

2006-11-04T14:36:00.000-08:00

Which type of digital camera is right for you? Digital cameras fall into several overlapping categories, which are usually defined by the number of pixels they can capture, lens type, availability of manual controls, add-on accessories, and other features. Specifications that define a category change over time. Point-and-shoot digital cameras once had 640 x 480 to 1024 x 768 resolution. Today, even the most basic digital cameras have 2MP (megapixel) of resolution or more. Here's a look at the key features of digital cameras by category.

Point-and-shoot models

Point-and-shoot cameras are the most inexpensive type of digital camera. These basic cameras can do anything that a simple film camera can do. Most will have 2 to 3.2MP resolution; a built-in flash; some sort of removable storage; and either a fixed focal length, nonzooming lens (in the ultracompact models) or a modest 3:1 to 5:1 zoom that provides a little magnification. Expect automatic exposure and no manual controls.

Intermediate models

Intermediate digital cameras are the most widely used. As such, they have the best compromise of features to suit most consumer needs. Look for 3.2 to 5MP resolution; a 3:1 to 4:1 zoom lens; either CompactFlash or Secure Digital (SD) storage; and at least a few special options, such as different exposure modes, close-up focusing, or manual controls.

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The Best Halloween Songs to Download

2006-10-29T15:23:00.000-08:00

Back in the day, you had to dig through all your LPs and CDs to find the perfect Halloween music mix. Now all you have to do is look at this list, then go to your favorite online music store, whether it's of the subscription (Rhapsody, Yahoo! Music Unlimited) or purchase-only variety (iTunes).

Here are a few suggestions to keep your computers, iPods, Sansas, or whatever-other-brand media players buzzing this Halloween.

The Sonics: The Witch

A funny and raucous tune from the early-'60s, Seattle garage-rock scene.

Bauhaus: Bela Lugosi Is Dead

This highly danceable 1979 goth-rock song by the British post-punk band will get costumed party guests shaking to the beat.

Bobby "Boris” Pickett: Monster Mash

Probably the most famous spooky song ever—at least at elementary-school-era Halloween parties—by a little-known singer who just happened to sound like Boris Karloff.

Iron Maiden: 666 The Number of the Beast

Heavy-metal madness circa 1982 inspired by The Book of Revelation and The Omen (the original and better one).

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Extend Laptop Battery Life

2006-10-29T15:13:00.000-08:00

You can do certain things to help your laptop's battery last a bit longer. On the short list, you have computer components that consume a lot of power:

* The hard drive

* The CD/DVD drive

* The floppy drive (if you have one)

* The modem

* The network interface

* The display

Each of the above devices consumes power when you use it. Obviously, by not using those devices or by rationing their use, you can save a modicum of power.

For example, by setting a lower resolution and fewer colors on the display, you cause the computer to use less video resources (though this technique saves only a minor amount of power). For more savings, consider not using the CD/DVD drive, which requires real power to keep it spinning (such as when you're watching a DVD movie).

But you can really take control by setting various timeouts in the Power Options Properties dialog box, Power Schemes tab, as you can see in Figure 1. Here, you can disable or timeout certain laptop features and help extend battery life in a dramatic way.

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Protect Your Laptop

2006-10-26T20:45:00.000-07:00

You arrive at the airport, notebook in your carry-on bag. Suddenly, you're told you can't take your laptop onto the plane. You've got no choice but to pack it in a checked suitcase.

This once-unimaginable scenario became reality this summer after the discovery of a major terrorist plot. The ban on notebook PCs aboard flights departing from the UK was temporary--but given the uncertainties of airline travel today, it could happen again.

So what's a laptop-toting frequent flyer to do? To play it safe, travelers should always "pack with the expectation that you may have to check something at the last minute," advises Steve Heiner, a longtime photographer and senior technical manager at Nikon, as quoted in a recent PC World report. That includes electronic devices as well as other personal effects, Heiner says. Read Melissa J. Perenson's "Practical Tips for Avoiding Tech Travel Hell" for more expert tips.

At a minimum, recent events should serve as a reminder of the potential hazards of traveling with a notebook. This week and next, I've got tips for protecting your data and your laptop when you fly.

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Apple Files iPod Patent: Fear of Competition or Exposure?

2006-10-26T18:01:00.000-07:00

In spite of the massive success that Apple has enjoyed with its iPod line of portable music players, the company must still be feeling the pressure from the competition. Apple has filled a patent application on how future iPods will use wireless for electronic media purchasing online.

This application filing occurs not too soon before the much-anticipated release of the Microsoft Zune. While this could be an effort to fight the software giant and its product directly, it should be noted that Zune’s built-in Wi-Fi will be limited to the file sharing between devices with no direct Internet purchases from the handheld.

The patent attempt could be Apple’s strategy to pre-empt the success of a Zune upgrade or product line expansion. Consider this, not only will the handheld Zune not allow for Internet purchases, it cannot connect to the Internet at all. The Wi-Fi cannot even be used to sync music with files on a PC – this requires a USB cable. The Wi-Fi appears to exist merely for song sharing 3 times per song and only between Zune units.

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The Accessories Every Laptop Needs

2006-10-25T21:47:00.000-07:00

One thing that's kept the computer industry alive for years and years is that the computer purchase never stops with the computer itself. First comes software. Then follows more hardware and even more hardware. Peripherals! Gizmos! Gadgets! And then you can get fun accessories like mouse pads and tchotchkes to sit atop the monitor. The computer is endlessly expandable.

Check out these fun or must-have items to expand your laptop universe:

* Laptop bag or travel case: Buy yourself and your laptop a handsome laptop bag.

* Spare battery: Nothing cries "freedom!" to the laptop road warrior more than an extra battery. Having a bonus battery doubles the time that you can compute without being tethered to an AC wall socket. Some laptops even let you hot swap from one battery to another while the laptop is still running, meaning that the total time you can use your battery greatly exceeds your capacity to do work.

Make sure that the spare battery is approved for your laptop, either coming directly from the manufacturer or from a reliable source that guarantees compatibility. Using the wrong battery in your laptop can meet with disastrous results.

* Docking station or port replicator: A docking station or port replicator helps immensely when it comes time for your laptop to serve desktop duty. A port replicator also gives your laptop more ports and more expandability options than the laptop may come with on its own.

* Cooling pad: The ideal accessory for any modern laptop is the laptop cooling pad. This is a device upon which your laptop sits. The device contains one or more fans and is either powered by the laptop's USB port or standard AA batteries. Your laptop sits upon the device, and the fans help draw away the heat that the battery and microprocessor generate. You get a cooler-running laptop, which keeps the laptop happy.

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Google offers personal searches

2006-10-24T18:42:00.000-07:00

Users can generate cash from their custom search engines

A bespoke search engine that can be included on people's websites or blogs is the latest offering from Google.

Google Custom Search Engine, as the tool is known, allows users to choose which webpages to search.

Users can also customise the look of results, how web content is prioritised or add paying adverts to the results.

Groups using the program include climate science site RealClimate.org that searches a subset of the web it believes is scientifically credible.

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BitTorrent Partners with Consumer Electronics Manufacturers

2006-10-23T21:59:00.000-07:00

BitTorrent Partners with Consumer Electronics Manufacturers BitTorrent, Inc. has announced a collaborative effort with a number of hardware manufacturers to promote BitTorrent-embedded consumer products (CE).

Given the growth of BitTorrent technology adoption around the world, consumer electronics manufacturers are starting to integrate the BitTorrent platform into their products to ensure a fast and seamless download experience for their customers.

ASUS (pictured the WL-700gE), Planex and QNAP are among the first CE manufacturers to implement the BitTorrent download manager into their digital home devices.

The company is placing emphasis on the growing amount of legitimate content being made available via BitTorrent, thus helping CE manufacturers to incorporate the BitTorrent protocol, which will make it simple for users to consume content even while away from their PC.

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In Japan, robots are people, too

2006-10-23T21:45:00.000-07:00

In Japan, robots are more than mere gadgetry--they're practically family.

Unlike the U.S., where the icons of a dawning era of robots tend to be either the faceless, Frisbee-shaped, floor-scrubbing Roomba or the killing machines of the "Terminator" movies, the consensus on the other side of the Pacific tends toward cuddly animals and small children. It was Japan, after all, that gave the world the puppylike Aibo, the toddler-size Asimo and the cartoon figure of Astro Boy.

And it's Japan where the government is making a big push to have, within the next decade or so, a corps of nonthreatening robots ready to assist in office tasks, housekeeping and elder care. Colin Angle, the CEO of Roomba maker iRobot, cites estimates of 39 million household robots there by the end of the decade.

In a new book called "Loving the Machine: The Art and Science of Japanese Robotics," journalist Timothy Hornyak delves into the reasons behind the country's fascination with friendly, humanoid machines. The roots stretch from 17th-century novelty items on through Japan's pacifist reaction to the atomic bomb blasts of World War II.

Hornyak, a Montreal native who's been in Japan since 1999, recently spoke with CNET News.com while traveling through New York to promote the book. He shared his observations on Japan's robot culture, past and present, and on the challenge of building his own robot. (To see a photo gallery of the robots mentioned in this interview, click here.)

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Final Version of Mozilla Firefox 2 Will Be Released Oct. 24

2006-10-22T21:30:00.000-07:00

Not to be outdone by Microsoft's recent release of Internet Explorer 7, Mozilla will release the second major version of its rival Firefox browser on Tuesday, October 24.

According to Mozilla Vice President of Products Christopher Beard, Firefox 2.0, which should be available on Tuesday if all goes according to schedule, includes key new usability features missing in the new IE 7.

Comparative review of IE 7 and Firefox 2

Updated Mozilla Features

Mozilla has also enhanced the popular tabbed browsing feature in 2.0 that Firefox introduced when it emerged two years ago as the first significant rival to IE in years, Beard adds. Tabs allow users to navigate more easily between multiple Web pages when browsing the Internet, and Microsoft added tabs to IE 7 after Firefox's success with the feature.

In Firefox 2.0, Mozilla has added a "close" button on its tabs, as well as new visual features to make the tabs appear more obvious to the user, Beard says.

New usability features in Firefox 2.0 that differentiate it from IE 7 include one that will restore the browser to pages where the user was working if a sudden OS restart is required. "If your browser needs a restart or the OS asks you to reboot, losing all of those Web pages and content is pretty disruptive," Beard notes.

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Before You Buy a Laptop...

2006-10-22T21:20:00.000-07:00

When people ask me which laptop they should buy, I ask them three questions:

1. How will you use it?
1. How much do you want to spend?
2. How big do you want it to be - will you travel with it?

Answer these three questions, then start looking at specs and brands.

Use

There are a myriad of form factors and flavors of laptops these days. Tablet PCs allow you to use a stylus to write on the screen. Tablets are perfect for computing while standing up or for use in the classroom actually taking notes. Buying a laptop with Microsoft's Media Center Operating System affords you all the features of a regular laptop, but the OS also acts like a TiVo: recording video and storing it on the hard drive. You can plug your laptop in at home and watch your recorded shows on the airplane. Companies like Alienware make gaming specific laptops, and Apple's MacBook Pros come with enough power and style to tempt anyone into switching over.

This entry is just meant to wet your whistle if you are just starting the process of buying a laptop. Here are a few guides to help you dive in deeper once you've answered my three questions about price, size and use.

Yahoo! Tech Laptop Buying Guide
PC Mag Laptop Buying Guide
PC World Laptop Buying Guide
Dummies Laptop Buying Guide

iPod Turns Five... So What's Next?

2006-10-22T21:15:00.000-07:00

Five years, five major "generations"... it's time to pay our respects to what is, if not the most innovative, the most influential piece of consumer electronics in recent memory: The Apple iPod.

Contrary to common misconception, the iPod was not the first MP3 player—not by a longshot. The original MP3 player dates back to the Eiger Labs MP3Man, released in 1998, a full three years before the iPod came around. While you've probably never heard of Eiger Labs, you may remember the Diamond Rio, the first MP3 player to really catch on. (It was so popular it also has the distinction of being the first electronics company sued by the RIAA over the legality of digital music, a suit which the RIAA eventually lost.)

But Eiger and Diamond came and went, paving the way for the Apple iPod, introduced with a 5GB hard drive on October 23, 2001, with the promise of putting "1,000 songs in your pocket."

Best Geek Costumes for Halloween

2006-10-22T21:09:00.000-07:00

Ghost? Zombie? Nixon? Man, these costumes are old news. This Halloween, why not dress up as something from the geek universe? Here's my picks this year for the scary, the provocative, and the outright absurd.

Sony Laptop Battery Pack - What you need: Rectangular piece of cardboard or foam, black paint, a lit cigarette (to simulate the smoking effect). Bonus points for carrying those little poppers that explode when you step on them.

Sony Rootkit-Infected CD - Large circle of cardboard covered in aluminum foil, evil laugh. (Just as scary as the battery.)

LonelyGirl15 (pictured) - What you need: T-shirt or tank top, pony tail scrunchy, tweezers (to pluck eyebrows immaculately), age-diminishing cream, Aliester Crowley books, feather boa, purple monkey puppet, general sense of rebellion and ennui about life.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs - Black turtleneck, blue jeans, iPod, glasses, smug grin.

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Exploring Your Options for Turning Off the PC

2006-10-20T19:47:00.000-07:00

Here are your choices for turning off the computer:

* Log Off:

A way to tell Windows that you're done without having to turn the computer off and then on again.

* Stand By:

The computer slips into a special, power-saving Sleep mode, like going into a low-power coma.

* Hibernate:

The computer does turn itself off, but when you turn it back on it again, it comes back to life much faster. Think "suspended animation."

* Restart:

You turn the computer off and on again in one step, mainly when installing or upgrading software or sometimes to fix minor quirks.

* Shut Down:

The one real option that turns the darn thing off.

Logging yourself off

Although multiple people can use the same computer, rare is the time that you really need to log off. In fact, if you're the only one using your computer, you can skip this entire section; don't bother ever logging off.

By logging off, you allow users on the same PC to get in and use their accounts, and you ensure that your computer session has ended properly.

Here's how to log off:

1. Click the Start button.

2. Click the Log Off button at the bottom of the Start panel.

If you see the Log Off Windows dialog box, do Step 3:

3. Click the Log Off button.

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How to spot an internet addict

2006-10-20T19:34:00.000-07:00

Internet addiction is a serious problem with symptoms similar to alcoholism, says a new US study.

The study, carried out on 2513 adults by researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine, found that "more than one out of eight Americans exhibited at least one possible sign of problematic internet use".

Elias Aboujaoude, lead author of the study and director of Stanford's Impulse Control Disorders Clinic, says that too much focus is placed on the benefits of the internet and not enough on the problems it creates for a minority of users.

Most concerning to Aboujaoude is the fact that internet addicts are exhibiting similar behaviour to alcoholics. He specifically points to people hiding their nonessential internet use and using the internet to escape a negative mood.

"In a sense, they're using the internet to 'self-medicate,"' says Aboujaoude.

"And obviously something is wrong when people go out of their way to hide their internet activity," he adds.

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Going for the Right Amount of Laptop Power

2006-10-19T20:56:00.000-07:00

You have a lot of choices to make when it comes to getting a laptop. What do you need to consider when deciding how powerful your laptop should be? You want to mull over three basic items when matching your laptop's hardware to the software that you need:

* The microprocessor

* Memory or RAM

* Hard drive storage

The microprocessor is the laptop's main chip. It's not "the brain" - your computer's software does that job, telling the microprocessor what to do. You want to ensure that you get a microprocessor that's plenty fast enough to deal with the applications that you may need not just today, but in the future. You may want to invest in a fast microprocessor now, which extends the useful life of your laptop by ensuring that you can run tomorrow's software before tomorrow comes. So find a laptop with the fastest microprocessor that you can afford and then buy the next most expensive microprocessor. You'll be thankful later.

The action happens in a computer's memory, where the work gets done. If the software states that it wants more than 256MB of memory, then get a laptop with however much RAM the software requires. The more RAM your computer has, the happier it appears to be and the more your software can effectively use the computer.

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Microsoft's new Internet Explorer 7 - too little too late

2006-10-19T11:50:00.000-07:00

Seattle - Hoping to stave off increased competition from the open source Firefox internet browser, Microsoft on Thursday released Internet Explorer 7, a new version of its web surfing programme that incorporates some of the most popular features of its smaller rival.

Apart from copying Firefox's tabbed browsing feature that allows users to open multiple web pages in a single window, IE 7 also offers significant security improvements over IE 6 which was first released five years ago.

IE 7 will only work with the latest version of Windows XP. Some features, including a control that stops web sites from changing the settings on users' computers, will only work in conjunction with Windows Vista, the new operating system that will become available to consumers in January.

The free programme is available for individual download at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.mspx, and will also be pushed to users via Microsoft's automatic update system.

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Yahoo! Wants to Encapsulate You

2006-10-18T15:21:00.000-07:00

Where will we be in 2020? Hopefully, alive and all the wiser looking back at these tumultuous times wishing we could've done more to prevent many things. Maybe we'll remember to look back at 2006 and what videos, drawings, writings, or sounds people chose to submit to the "world's largest Internet time capsule." These digital clippings may not mean much to you today, but isn't it wonderful to find something that was once a part of you?

The Yahoo! Time Capsule project is asking users to submit expressions of love, hope, faith, sorrow, and anger to create the first ever digital capsule that will be opened on Yahoo!'s 25th anniversary.

You can contribute to this digital mosaic anytime between October 10 until November 8, before it's officially sealed and delivered to the Smithsonian Folkways Recordings for safekeeping. Between October 25-27, the project takes an interesting turn when the contents are projected to the Pyramid of the Sun in Mexico and then beamed into space. I'm not making this up.

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Some video iPods infected with Windows virus

2006-10-17T20:46:00.000-07:00

Apple Computer this week said that a small number of its updated fifth-generation iPods were shipped to customers with a virus that could affect users of Microsoft's Windows operating system.

"We recently discovered that a small number -- less than 1 percent -- of the Video iPods available for purchase after September 12, 2006 left our contract manufacturer carrying the Windows RavMonE.exe virus," the company wrote in a bulletin on its support website.

"This known virus affects only Windows computers, and up to date anti-virus software which is included with most Windows computers should detect and remove it. So far we have seen less than 25 reports concerning this problem."

Apple said its iPod nano, iPod shuffle and Mac OS X operating system are not affected, and all Video iPods now shipping are virus free.

"As you might imagine, we are upset at Windows for not being more hardy against such viruses, and even more upset with ourselves for not catching it," the Cupertino, Calif.-based iPod maker said.

In order to remove the Windows virus, Apple recommends using a free trial of one of the listed anti-virus software packages, which include default settings that should detect and remove it.

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Email Photos from Your Digcam

2006-10-17T12:18:00.000-07:00

A handful of cameras, including Nikon's S6 and Canon's just announced EOS 1Ds, have incorporated wireless connectivity via 802.11, but most people haven't felt the need to send photos wirelessly from their camera just because "it could be done."

I just came back from sitting at Starbucks with some folks from Nikon. They've made it compellingly easy for the new Nikon Coolpix S7c (which I got to preview a few months ago) to share wireless photos.

The secret weapon is a Caramel Macchiato and the Starbucks and T-Mobile network. When you buy the Nikon Coolpix S7c, you get a free year of wireless connectivity through T-Mobile hotspots, which are omnipresent at any Starbucks.

Just take your camera into the store and enter its wireless transfer mode. Enter your email name, select the pictures to upload, and select the size of the picture you want to send. Then add the recipient's email address via a virtual keyboard that appears on the camera's LCD screen. (Up to 30 email addresses can be stored in memory.) Your photos can be retrieved when the recipient clicks on the image and downloads it from the Coolpix.net server.

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Vodafone's New 3G Phones Will Be Out in Time for the Holidays

2006-10-16T18:02:00.000-07:00

Vodafone today announced a new line of headsets and 3G phones that will be available for retail just in time for the holiday season.

The company’s new offering will include small and lighter handsets featuring a longer battery life and access to music and TV services from the extended 3G handset range. The extended range includes 24 Vodafone live! with 3G handsets, all offering Mobile TV services 14 Vodafone live! with 3G handsets offering Vodafone Radio DJ, Vodafone’s music service 6 3G broadband consumer handsets fromMotorola and Samsung for faster access to services such as mobile TV, full track music downloads, video files; as well as high speed download of e-mails when the handset is used as a modem for the PC.

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Microsoft to give Vista data to security firms

2006-10-16T17:04:00.000-07:00

Microsoft said it would make available on Monday parts of key data to security software firms such as Symantec and McAfee to enable their products to work smoothly with its new Vista operating system.

Microsoft, previously punished by Brussels over competition issues, has promised the data to comply with European Union requirements that stem from a landmark 2004 decision that the U.S. company used its dominant Windows system to hurt rivals.

The codes are important for the software companies as they will allow them to suppress Microsoft's own security "pop-ups" if a PC user decides to buy alternative security software, thus keeping brands distinct from that of Microsoft.

Separately, Microsoft is still developing software essential to the companies so they can block "spyware" and other malicious software.

It will give Symantec, McAfee and other security firms access to the core, or "kernel," of the 64-bit version of Vista, the new Windows operating system due for release in January.

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Is Somebody Spying on Your IM Session?

2006-10-16T11:57:00.000-07:00

I'm all in favor of families setting rules about Internet use and I'm even in favor of using technology to help monitor and filter things for age-appropriateness. What I'm not in favor of is spying. Yet, I'm hearing from more and more parents who don't bat an eyelash when they talk about their obligation to spy on their kids' emails and chats.

So a queasy feeling came over me as I watched a demonstration of ChatChecker, which secretly monitors the computers in your home. ChatChecker seems like a noble effort and a worthwhile piece of technology. It's absolutely free (a premium version with more features is available for a fee) and it's developed by Imbrella, a company that really seems to care about doing the right thing.

ChatChecker works with AOL's AIM instant messenger (not AIM Express), Microsoft's MSN instant messenger, Yahoo!'s instant messenger, ICQ instant messenger, Trillian's instant messenger, GoogleTalk, and many of the third party instant messenger clients that use these protocols. MySpace IM support will be available any day.

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Backup and Restore Your PC: Where to Store a Backup

2006-10-14T22:04:00.000-07:00

There are lots of places to store your backup files: hard drives, CD-ROMs, and even the Internet. Table 1 compares several commonly used backup options. In a perfect world, your backup process will be safe, fast, and inexpensive. What's the best place for you?

On your computer's hard drive

This is the most convenient place to store files: it's free, and the backup is always at your fingertips. But it's also the least secure place. If your hard drive dies, so does your backup. And eventually, all hard drives die. Plus, hard drives have a way of filling up quickly, leaving limited space for big backups.

On a second hard drive

A second drive inside your PC offers lots of storage space and protects your backup if your primary hard drive crashes, but it is still vulnerable to other risks. An external hard drive—one that connects to the outside of your computer via a Firewire or USB cable—can be easily removed from the PC and safely stored in another location. But external hard drives are expensive; using one exclusively for backups is a luxury for most people.

On a CD-ROM or DVD

Removable media like CD-ROMs and DVDs are the best solution for lots of files because they're small, hold lots of data, and can be easily transported to a safe storage place.

On a USB flash drive

These handy USB memory sticks are the size of a pack of chewing gum, Just plug one into the USB slot on any Windows XP-equipped PC and you can access up to 1GB of data or more. They make a great backup for data files and are especially handy if you regularly shuttle files between your home and office computers.

On the Internet

Several companies like Connected.com (www.connected.com) and iBackup (www.ibackup.com) offer online data storage for a fee; you can upload your files to their website for storage and download them when needed for as little as $3 per month (for 50MB of data). However, prices climb quickly for larger amounts. This is one of the safest ways to back up data, but it can be costly and time consuming if you routinely back up more than a few hundred megabytes of data.

On a floppy disk

The floppy disk is acceptable for backing up small amounts of data such as a few documents and small spreadsheets, but a floppy's 1.44MB won't hold many large files like pictures or music. Floppies are also easy to damage, so store them carefully.

Read A Comparison of Storage Devices

New Walkman Lineup by Sony

2006-10-14T13:28:00.000-07:00

Sony has unveiled its latest Walkman digital audio players, in a bid to compete with Apple Computer's iPod, with superior sound quality.

The company says that these latest Walkman players, which are flash memory-based, will be the first of Sony's digital music players to have built-in noise-cancellation technology. Sony has already implemented this technology in some of its headphones.

Speaking on the occasion, Hiroshi Yoshioka, senior vice president - Audio Division, Sony, said that in one sense, the products are competing against the iPod, but in another sense they are more about Sony's strengths. Sony has a lot of strength that Apple doesn't have, and this is a device that takes advantage of them.

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Palm Launches Treo 680, Touts Multimedia Capabilities

2006-10-14T12:38:00.000-07:00

Palm Inc. on Thursday introduced the Palm Treo 680 smart phone, which aims to meet growing demand for devices with multimedia capabilities that let users listen to digital music, download podcasts and receive e-mail.

As part of Palm's marketing campaign, smart posters with plasma screens and cellular radios built in are being embedded at about a dozen bus stops in major U.S. cities. They will let people send SMS messages to get information on local weather or pizza locations, for example.

The message will change depending on the location of the smart billboard, said Ed Colligan, Palm CEO, during a press conference at the DigitalLife trade show in New York.

"Many times people look at Treo and say, oh, you're in the telephone business, but I look at it as a power mobile computer in your pocket," Colligan said.

Palm has historically focused on creating products based on how people use them, rather than the technology inside. "We like to think about pockets and not processors," Colligan said, explaining Palm based the original design on the ability to fit in someone's pocket.

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