Geek News Central is the technical site for Geeks. We Spin tech for the common man. With a Family of Tech Shows and Content.



Archive for January, 2009

GNC-2009-01-30 #447 Headed to Japan in the Morning

Posted by geeknews at 2:09 AM on January 30, 2009

Ok folks the Asia Tour starts next show. I have yet to get my head wrapped around the time change this time. But I hope to maintain something very close to a normal schedule will advise. Next stop Japan!

Support my Show Sponsors it keeps food on the table here!
[Save 15% off on any order >$20.00 at GoDaddy.com!] Use Code Geek5
More GoDaddy Promotion Codes Here
[Try GoToMeeting free for 30 days at GoToMeeting.com/techpodcasts. No credit card needed.]

Twitter Me http://www.twitter.com/geeknews
My Facebook Profile
FriendFeed GNC Room!!
Comments to 619-342-7365 e-mail to geeknews@gmail.com

Listener Links:
2TB WD Drive
Offline Gmail
Ubuntu Pocket Guide
Time for Hawaii Internet Upgrade
Music Artist IreneB Played at End of Show
Apple Approves Podcaster Application
NPR Global Warming in Future
BBB Wacks T-Mobile

Show Notes:
NASA may Abort Backup Pad
Pandora Mobile Internet Device
Britain to Legislate ISP P2P Response
Charter Communications 60Mps Down $140.00
Broadband in Every UK home by 2012
Fanne Mae Servers almost destroyed tomorrow
Firefox 3.1 Delayed
Tech Layoffs Mount how about your Company?
ISP’s get in bed with RIAA to Save Bandwidth (Told You So)
iTunes Single Some DRM Free Upgrade Available
Google and MeasurementLab.net to Watchdog ISP Net Neutrality
Camtasia 6 to get FLV Support Back
Mars Rover has Gremlins
Spitzer Watches Weather of Planet
Offline Gmail!!
Michael Arrington Takes a Break
Google Apps and Domain Renewal Means Bad News
OLPC Tries to find itself
Portland Clear Service Rocks
Next iPhone Gaming Console
NASA says whee should we point Next
Intel Eight Core Xeon
FeedDemon to Sync with Google Reader I hope so!
Podcasting is Dead? NOT!!
Comscore Fastest Growing Sites???
Pick of the Day Pipl.com
Citrix Cuts 10%
iLife 09 Upgrade Marginal

Is Your ISP Throttling Your Connection?

Posted by Matthew Greensmith at 2:50 PM on January 29, 2009

Is your ISP throttling your connection? Would you like to find out?

Google has released a platform of tools called Measurement Lab that might just be able to tell you. I’ve played around with it a little bit today, and it seems their servers are being slammed at the moment, but with a little patience, you should be able to use some of the tools to test your internet connection. I have been getting 404 errors most of the day, but a good back door to the tools page is located here. No idea how long it will last.

After hearing today that ATT, my ISP, has agreed “in principle” to the new RIAA three-strikes-and-you’re-cut-off plan, I am very interested in seeing if ATT is already performing traffic shaping on my internet connection.

Hopefully the site gets a little more stable in the upcoming days, so more people can take advantage of these tools.

How the Troops Watch the Superbowl? GBS!

Posted by susabelle at 12:45 PM on January 29, 2009

When the Steelers play the Cardinals this Sunday, 1 million are guaranteed to watch. That is why a Superbowl commercial is so expensive. But now, those 1 million people will include troops overseas.

Global Broadcast Service, a satellite communications system, will be broadcasting the game over their systems. No matter where you are – desert, mountains or even underwater – if you are set up to get the signal, you will be able to get the game.

GBS does have an advantage in that area – their communications system is already there. The company was developed to deliver imagery to troops. The systems were originally set up for the Persian Gulf War and have been used ever since.

This is not the first time they have used this system to broadcast the Superbowl – limited transmissions have been sent since 2002. This is the first time they will be broadcasting it to everyone. Since this is an IP based transmission, troops will not need a television to watch their favorite team play.

IPEVO Wireless Digital Frame – Digital Experience 2009

Posted by geeknews at 11:28 PM on January 28, 2009

us.ipevo.comIPEVO has hit the mark on new Wireless Digital Frame that I cannot wait to be introduced. At $199.00 they have really been able to come up with a stylish Digital Photo Frame.

Ipevo Digital FrameNot only that but it integrates with your home library or a library you have on Flickr or Picasa. They will have a iPhone application to push images to the frame as well.

The product will be available in March and I have already pre-ordered my unit with pre-approval with the misses as she has to approve and digital products going into the living room.

The folks here have really hit the mark check IPEVO out today.

ACR Electronics – Digital Experience 2009

Posted by geeknews at 11:14 PM on January 28, 2009

ACR ElectronicsACR Electronics caught our eye because we had a huge response to survival beacon products from last year. Imagine you are lost beyond hope and you are in need of a rescue. Pull out your ACR Electronic Survival Beacon and within 15 minutes authorities will know where you are worldwide.

ACR Personal Locator BeaconThe device from ACR will transmit on 406mhz which is tied into the SARSAT global Search and Rescue system. What is different about this device is that you do not need to see the sky for the satellite consolation to get a fix on you.

It does have a Dual GPS embedded but is not necessarily needed for rescuers to determine your location. This device runs on the some of the same technology that the US Military uses and commercial ships and aircraft.

Ecoupled – Digital Experience 2009

Posted by geeknews at 10:39 PM on January 28, 2009

Ecoupled.comEcoupled is working towards making Wireless Electrical Power a reality. The team at Fulton Innovation demonstrated a number of devices like a Pan that would heat on a conductive surface or a Blender that would blend without being plugged in. Sounds almost to good to be true.

 Ecoupled PartnersThey call the power intelligent in that the ecoupled technology is smart enough to know what kind of device is being engaged and will provide the correct amount of power.

They are partnered with a number of companies like Energizer, Motorola, Texas Instruments, Bosch Amway who will be bringing products to market in 2009.

HTC Fuze – Digitial Experience 2009

Posted by geeknews at 10:22 PM on January 28, 2009

Digital-Experience-2009-HTCDigital Experience 2009  HTC FuzeJeffrey Powers from Geekazine.com was totally pumped to find the folks from HTC at Digital Experience. Jeff is a big fan of HTC phones and I must admit that I was taken by their line of phones as well.

The team at HTC was showing off HTC Fuze with all of their new features. AT&T has the HTC Fuze available for $299.00 on their network. A feature that I really like is Finger Tip control that we have gotten used to from other mobile devices

The phone runs on Windows Mobile 6.1 and is available today.

GNC-CES-2009-Novatel MiFi

Posted by geeknews at 10:21 PM on January 28, 2009

Imagine walking around with a WiFI bubble all around you? Imagine that you could have 2 or 3 devices on your person hooked up to that WiFi Bubble. Well it is soon to be possible with the release of the Novatel MiFi. This is going to be an amazing device and opens up all kinds of opportunities not only for new media folks but also companies that want to build applications to it.

Video Download Link

PlayPlay

GNC-CES-2009-Pacemaker

Posted by todd at 10:06 PM on January 28, 2009

When I first saw this product from Pacemaker I assumed it was something I would buy for my kid. But as I saw how complex it was, in that you essentially do a DJ gig with this then I realized these folks had created something pretty cool. The price is not cheap either.

Video Download Link

PlayPlay

Griffin Aircurve – Digital Experience 2009

Posted by geeknews at 9:33 PM on January 28, 2009

Ces 2009 Griffin TechnologiesGriffin is pretty famous for their iTrip but the had some pretty cool and innovative products at CES this year. We caught up with them at Digital Experience.

The product that drew us in was the Aircurve which is an Acoustic Amplifier for iPhone. We were quite shocked to hear the quality of the audio coming out of this very simple device. Very inexpensive at $19.95 as well.

griffin aircurve