Nexo is a company that strives to do one thing well: online groups. Scoble says it's better than Yahoo! Groups. I don't have a use for something like this right now, but I'll probably check it out when I do.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Nexo
Uncrate tells you where to get Jack Bauer gear
Some of it is surprisingly affordable.
Now why doesn't the 24 website list all this stuff?
Oh, and good luck getting the Uncrate site to load, it seems like it's buried under all the attention.
Link
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Scoble introduces Seagate's DAVE
Seagate introduced their new product called "DAVE," which standards for "Digital Audio Video Experience" to Robert Scoble and Scoble has a video of the introduction on his blog. What is DAVE? According to the post and the video, DAVE is a 10GB-20GB hard drive with bluetooth, wifi, and USB capabilities and no screen -- essentially Seagate once you to use this as a storage extension for a mobile device be it a cellphone, smartphone, etc. Furthermore, DAVE units can interact/communicate with each other, meaning that you have storage devices that can interact (read "peer") directly assuming that you allow that peering to occur through your cellphone interface. Scoble reports that the device should be less than $200.
I have a few observations:
- The device is using a hard drive with drop protection features rather than solid state memory While I assume that's what helps keep the cost in the sub-$200 range, one more device to cart around with a traditional hard drive makes me nervous about storage reliability.
- 802.11n support. There's not mention what wifi protocols the box will support, but there is not specific mention that it will support 802.11n. Once again, I'm sure this helps keep the product retail cost down, but if I had one of these, I would want to be able to connect to it using the fastest wifi connection possible.
- Battery endurance. If this device is going to be the media storage hub for my mobile lifestyle, it needs to last at least as long as my cellphone battery. Traditionally using wifi and/or bluetooth on a phone tends to drain the battery with extraordinary rapidity, so it is not unreasonable to assume that using those connection methods on DAVE would result in the same battery issues.
- Phone interface. Hopefully this is developed in some sort of universal language (i.e., J2ME) that makes it work on most phones regardless of the OS -- one of my big complaints about phone-based applications is when they only work on certain phones with certain OS versions.
Overall the big win for this device will be what application programmers come up with to use it for. The device does have an application processor inside it and an available API, so to some degree it's all about whatever a programmer can think of to do with a net-connectable/phone-connectable hard drive.
At this point I wouldn't rush out to buy one, but there's quite a bit of time for cool stuff to come out between now and when the product luanches that might sway my decision.
Here's the video:
Link
Reminder: please update your feed
As I will be discontinuing the ATOM feed for this blog at the end of February (yes, I finally set a date), please click the RSS logo below to subscribe to this feed using FeedBurner. Thanks to everyone that's already done so.
Special characters in OSX via a widget
Probably the widget that I use most in OSX is CharacterPal -- click a symbol and ChracterPal gives you the keyboard combination that will produce the character. For example, the copyright symbol can be input using Option-g -- ©.
iPod Shuffle now available in colors
Not that it effects the functionality one bit, but the iPod Shuffle is now available in colors (although black doesn't seem to be one of them). I actually received a Shuffle for Christmas and have to say that I'm impressed with it: battery endurance is pretty good, the user interface is very easy, the size is awesome, and though I chose to load it myself, the shuffle feature works pretty well. Not bad for a $79 MP3 player, and, no, the new colors do not cost more.
Apple 802.11n enable officially available for online purchase
If you can't wait to get it included with your new Airport Extreme, you can now purchase the Apple 802.11n enabler for the following machines:
- MacBook Pro with Intel Core 2 Duo
- MacBook with Intel Core 2 Duo
- Mac Pro with AirPort Extreme option
- iMac with Intel Core 2 Duo (except the 17-inch, 1.83GHz iMac)
The price is $1.99 and the site does show you how to check to ensure that you don't already have the enabler before you drop money on something you don't need although if you've had your qualifying machine for a few months, chances are good that you need the enabler.
Configure Nokia 770 for Bluetooth DUN with Cingular 2125
I have to tell you that getting my Nokia 770 to do Bluetooth DUN with my Cingular 2125 has been totally painful, but with the introduction of a new OS for the Nokia 770, I no longer have to be a Unix geek to make it work; with that said, I wasn't able to find full instructions, so I'll provide them if you find yourself in the same situation. Please note that these instructions assume that you are trying to do DUN with a MediaNET plan
- Upgrade your Nokia 770 to the latest operating system:
- Go to the Nokia 770 Software Download site
- Download the software to a Windows XP machine and ensure the machine is running .NET 2.0 or greater framework -- you can get .NET 3.0 through Windows Update, just run the update, select "Custom", and select the .NET framework for install (note: currently you cannot update the Nokia 770 with Parallels on a Mac due to USB problems).
- Run the Nokia Software Update once it has installed and it will likely want to update itself, which takes about 2 minutes.
- Close the Nokia Software Update.
- Connect the USB cable to your computer.
- Turn off your 770 and connect it to the USB cable.
- Hold down the "Home" key (the one with a house on it) and power up your 770.
- Once you see the USB symbol in the upper right corner, let go of the Home key.
- Launch the Nokia Software Update and follow the instructions -- note that the software update will delete everything on the device, so use the backup utility to store everything on your memory card; you can restore all of your data once the install is complete.
- Once the Nokia is upgraded, you will be presented with some configuration screens -- set the language, date, and time.
- When you reach the Phone Configuration Wizard, turn the Cingular 2125 Bluetooth on and make sure in the Settings that it is set to "Discoverable". (I'm going to assume you know how to do this)
- The 770 will detect your phone and provide you with an authentication key to put into the phone.
- The 2125 will ask if you want to pair with the 770 -- follow the instructions on the phone: enter the authentication key, name the 770, and add the 770 to the list on the phone so that you don't have to do this again.
- After the devices have paired, the 770 will run the Service Provider Wizard:
- Select "United States"
- Select "Cingular"
- Note that although you have used the wizard to create a connection, it is not properly configured for DUN with MediaNET.
- On the 770 we need to change the Connection Settings:
- Click the icon with the 2 overlapping windows on the left side below the instant messaging icon.
- Go to "Tools".
- Go to "Control Panel".
- Click "Connectivity".
- Click "Connections".
- Click "Cingular Internet" (this is the connection created for you by the wizard).
- Click "Edit".
- You can change the name at this point if you would like and ensure that the "Packet Data" radio button is checked -- click "Next".
- Here are the settings for the next page -- please note that settings are case-sensitive:
- "Access point name": WAP.CINGULAR
- "Dial-up number": *99#
- "User name": WAP@CINGULARGPRS.COM
- "Password": CINGULAR1
- Click "Next".
- Click "Finish".
- Click the icon with the 2 overlapping windows on the left side below the instant messaging icon.
- Click "Done".
- Click "Cancel".
- Click the globe icon on the upper right.
- Select "Cingular Internet" or whatever you called the connection.
- Presuming that you configured everything correctly, the 770 should take a few seconds and then inform you that you are connected.
- Test the connection by going to an internet page in the browser.
Note that while Cingular markets their MediaNET plan as "unlimited," there have been reports of Cingular either canceling data plans and/or forcing customers to upgrade to a more expensive data plan based on extraordinary data access rates.
As with all of my configuration posts, your mileage may vary, though I am happy to try and help you if you have any specific questions.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Alt-tab functionality for OSX that works
If you're like me, you may get frustrated that you can't alt-tab through open windows in like you in XP -- luckily for me Witch allows you to bring the alt-tab functionality that you know an love to OSX and it's donation-ware.
Go download it via the link below.
Parallels USB problem
So I went to update the software on my Nokia 770 (only works with Windows, which blows) and ran into what is apparently an existing USB problem with Parallels -- the virtual machine will not detect a USB device and then tells you that there is some other service that's using the device, suggesting that you manually locate the service and un-hang the device.
In Googling about this it seems that Parallels is aware of the issue, but there are no really good solutions at this point.
For what it's worth. Good thing I still have a crappy Windows machine around to take care of these kinds of issues.
You can read more abou this issue and similar issues with Bluetooth in the link below.
Skype on Cingular 2125
Skype has a beta client for Windows Mobile 5, so I figured I would toss it onto my Cingular 2125. Here's the thing: the Cingular 2125 is not an officially supported model, so not only did I download beta software, but I also but it on an unsupported piece of hardware.
Here are my observations:
- In the world of CAB files for Windows Mobile, the Skype beta is a huge file weighing in at 3+ MB -- I installed it to my 2GB storage card, but you don't have to do that.
- Installation was very easy and the home screen got reformatted after installation to include a Skype icon and presence control -- why can't someone design an AIM module like this?
- I tried to login and immediately read that Skype was recommending wifi and/or a 3G connection -- with only EDGE on the Cingular 2125, I figured I'd designate my connection as "wifi/3G' and see what happened.
- I'm guessing the login time and contact download is much faster over wifi or 3G, but it happened after about 30 seconds.
- I have the SkypeOut unlimited North America plan, so I tried a SkypeOut call. I'm guessing that due to the speed of the network there was a significant delay in voice transmission.
CONCLUSION: use Skype beta on your 2125 if you want to do text, but the network's not fast enough for voice.
I'm posting the direct download link below, but remember that if you download and install the CAB file on your 2125, you'll be installing beta software on an unsupported piece of hardware, so your mileage may definitely vary.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
I'll be watching the SlingCatcher closely
After all I've written about AppleTV it sort of sounds like I've made up my mind, right? Maybe I have for now, but I'll be keeping a close eye on the SlingCatcher device that promises to provide similar (or maybe better) functionality to the AppleTV, but be not reliant at all on iTunes. Read the full details in the link below.
Seth Godin's new book is called "The Dip"
If you work for a large or small organization, you can visit the link below to find out more about the book before it is released in May of 2007.
HDMI switcher and cables
XtremeMac is a good place to look for HDMI cables, but in February (I'm guessing right around the same date that the AppleTV drops) they will start shipping a $60 HDMI switcher that looks to have a very similar form factor to the AppleTV box. As many plasma and LCD TVs, mine included, only have 1 HDMI input, it will become increasingly necessary to have a HDMI switcher. The drawback of this switcher is that it's not autoswitching, but for the price, you can probably deal with using the remote especially if you have a universal remote that supports macros in which you would be able to program the input change on the switcher.
Although I stated it earlier, you should also check out their cable prices because $19.95 for a HDMI cable is pretty damn aggressive.
Enhance your TiVo experience
Gizmodo links to a post on Consumerist that has 23 tips on improving your TiVo experience -- I'm not too proud to admit that I learned a few things. If you are a new TiVo user, you should definitely check this out.
Easy kitchen upgrades today
I'm doing some simple kitchen upgrades today. Here are the 5 projects:
- Mount paper towel dispenser. Basically we'll save counter space by getting the paper towel dispenser mounted to the wall. Although designed to be mounted horizontally, we are mounting it vertically next to the sink, which is typically where we need to use paper towels any way. Total cost of $20 for the stainless steel version; total installation time of 5 minutes.
- Mount magnetic knife holder. Again, to save counter space and get rid of the wooden knife block, we're mounting an 18" stainless steel magnetic knife holder to the wall. One of the "happy accidents" of doing this project will actually put the knives right above where we typically use the cutting boards and do most of the food prep, so from a time and motion perspective, we'll actually gain cooking efficiencies. There have been some chefs and knife sites that have said that using a magnetic mount for your knives is actually better on the knife blades than any sort of block, so I guess that's another nice ancillary benefit. Total cost of $25 for the holder; total installation time of 5 minutes.
- Install a pot rack over the sink. We found a ceiling-mounted pot rack that will allow us to hang all of our pots and pans directly over the sink. Most importantly this will clear out a fair amount of cabinet space, but secondarily, the pots just look really cool hanging right over the sink (you might walk into my kitchen and actually think that I know what I'm doing). Total cost of $45; total installation time of 15 minutes (note that most of this time was measuring to ensure that the rack was centered exactly where we wanted it).
- Put a custom-fit flatware organizer in the silverware drawer. This is totally easy, but our silverware drawer was just a mes, even with the old organizer in place. The custom-fit organizer slides in and leaves very little wasted space in the drawer from front to back, and the sides of the organizer slide out to fill in the space from side-to-side. Most importantly we now have space to sort out all of the chopsticks from the take-out places, all of the sauces and crap from the takeout places, and not have to worry about everything clumped together with the silverware. Total cost of $20; total install time of 30 seconds.
- Put a custom-fit utensil organizer in the utensil drawer. Pretty much exactly the same as the flatware organizer, but the sections are different sizes. Now we don't have to worry about cutting our hands on the pizza wheels when sticking out hands in the drawer. Total cost of $20; total install time of 30 seconds.
Be warned: it's damn easy to go in an spend a bunch of money at the Container Store on this kind of stuff, so it's best to do some research on their site beforehand and go in with a list of exactly what you want.
Link -- Paper towel dispenser
Link -- Magnetic knife holder
Link -- Pot rack
Link -- Flatware organizer
Link -- Utensil organizer
Hey!Watch
In my current mode of creating all kinds of video files to test over AppleTV I ran across Hey!Watch, which is a site that lets you convert any video file format to any other video format -- pretty cool. The best part of the service is the "podcast" feed of your converted files that you can then subscribe to in iTunes so that the converted video files can be automatically downloaded and integrated into your iTunes library. There are limitation on the free version, but there's an upgraded version for $5/month. Basically if you don't want to dedicate a machine to DVD ripping and video conversion or don't have a machine to devote to the aforementioned tasks, Hey!Watch is certainly an alternative worth evaluating.
Note that there are other services out there doing much the same thing, but the "podcast" feature is not something I've seen on competitor sites.
Mark Cuban doesn't wear a suit and can't figure out why anyone else does
This is timely as I just invested in a new suit for myself, but I don't disagree with Cuban's take on things. If you're a guy, you probably should have a nice black suit in your closet for certain occasions -- black works well for weddings, funerals, and if it's nice enough, formal dinners and parties. On the whole, however, I very much dislike having to wear suits at all and do not disagree one bit with what Cuban says in his post. My $0.12 on purchasing suits is that if you are going to make the investment, you should spend enough to get a suit that looks custom-tailored and that is extraordinarily light and comfortable to wear.
I remember when I was looking at jobs after graduating from college and some companies were offering "wardrobe bonuses" to allow new college graduates to go out and purchase a bunch of suits so that they had the right "uniform" for the job. I love Cuban's take on this:
Give your suit wearing employees a raise. Tell them every day is casual day.
My biggest personal argument against suits has always been that they do not help you do better work -- wear what you are comfortable in and produce extraordinary results. Change your dress code policy simply to: "You must."
Belkin's laptop@home
Belkin has some funky, cool laptop holders and carriers designed for home use, but certainly usable in other situations. Seems like the products are each around $30.
Open-source Photoshop
Unless you are an advanced user of Photoshop, there's no reason not to consider GIMP for your photo and image manipulation needs. Sure, it's not quite as robust as the Adobe product, but it is free.
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