2011 August - Geek News Central

Archive for August, 2011

Is Snow Leopard The New XP?

Posted by tomwiles at 11:18 PM on August 31, 2011

Like a lot of people, I purchased the Lion upgrade on the first day of availability from the Apple App store.

I upgraded two late-model Mac Minis along with an older 17” MacBook Pro. The Lion upgrade solved a freezing problem on the Mac Mini I use as an HD-DVR. However, it created a number of serious problems on the MacBook Pro – Lion would not work with my Verizon USB aircard, it would not back up to my HP Windows Home Server, and it would not work properly with the Ubercaster podcast recording application.

After living with these Lion-induced problems for more than a month on the MacBook Pro, I downgraded it back to a prior (and fully functional) Snow Leopard backup image. Everything is now back to normal, with everything once again functioning the way it should.

My MacBook Pro is no slouch, yet it seemed a bit sluggish running Lion compared to Snow Leopard.

If you have a Mac that’s more than a couple of years old, and/or you are running a variety of software and hardware that Lion likely won’t support and/or that may never be updated to run properly on Lion, I would strongly suggest skipping the Lion upgrade.

I found the Lion interface changes mostly annoying. On a computer (as opposed to an iPod), I prefer normal scroll bars. In Lion you can turn the scroll bars so that they remain on, but they are thin little gray lines that I have a hard time seeing and grabbing with the mouse. I don’t like the changes Apple made to the Finder in Lion, nor do I like the changes they made to the Spotlight Search functionality. I found the changes to the Mail program to be of dubious value, as well as the cosmetic changes to the Address Book adding no functionality.

Snow Leopard runs perfectly well and just might be the new XP.

Tags: aircard, Apple, HD-DVR, hp, Lion, Macbook, Microsoft, pro, Snow Leopard, Ubercaster, USB, verizon, Windows, Windows Home Server, xp

Posted in Apple, application, backup, Information, ipod, mac, Microsoft, Opinion, Windows

3 Comments

Update On TomTom GO 2535M Live 5” Widescreen GPS

Posted by tomwiles at 10:23 PM on August 31, 2011

On August 19^th I posted about my experience with a TomTom GO 2535 Live 5” Widescreen GPS. After failure of a second unit, an update is in order.

To briefly recap, I had purchased it at a Best Buy store in Lincoln, Nebraska. After a little more than a week, the unit spontaneously rebooted and was then stuck in a rebooting loop. Nothing I could do would cause the unit to return to normal operation. I ended up exchanging it for an identical unit at a Best Buy store in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.

I figured the problem was resolved. Unfortunately, the after I’d had the second unit for just under two weeks, it did the same thing as the first unit – it spontaneously rebooted and then was caught in the same rebooting loop. Since the unit only has a power button and no other controls, it is impossible to do anything to reset it. The GPS must be booted in order for a computer to recognize its USB presence, but the GPS reboots before it’s possible to do any manipulation to it with the TomTom computer software.

I ended up returning it to yet another Best Buy store for a full refund.

Therefore, the TomTom GO 2535M Live 5” Widescreen GPS is a fail. That’s unfortunate, because there is a lot to like about this GPS. However, with two units in a row suffering the same operating system failure going into a non-escapable rebooting loop, I cannot recommend it or any other TomTom product.

Tags: Best Buy, GPS, navigation, TomTom

Posted in Accessory, GPS, Information

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eBooks with a Sound Track?

Posted by Andrew at 4:53 PM on August 31, 2011

US company Booktrack has just released a new concept onto the literary market – ebooks with a sound track. Yes, you read that right, ebooks with a sound track. To quote from their website, “Booktrack represents a new chapter in the evolution of storytelling, and an industry “first” in publishing, by creating synchronized soundtracks for e-books that dramatically boost the reader’s imagination and engagement. The company’s proprietary technology combines music, sound effects and ambient sound, automatically paced to an individual’s reading speed.”

One of the first Booktracked novels is Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes and The Adventure of the Speckled Band. Plenty of scope there for creepy sound effects but…

…does anyone else think this sounds (sorry) doomed to fail? I’m all for new ways of experiencing stories but we’ve done pretty well with books, radio and TV / film. Each medium has its own strengths and for me, the attraction of a good book is that your imagination creates the world in your head. Now when I read that the door creaks open, I hear it too. Surely if I want a story with sound effects, I get an audio book? Maybe I’m being too critical.

If you want to try it out, it’s available from the Apple App Store for the iPhone et al. There’s only five books available at the moment, two for adults and three for children. On reflection, children may well respond to this approach and it might encourage reading, so that changes my opinion a little. Great idea for kids, bad idea for adults.

What do you think?

Tags: audiobook, ebooks

Posted in book, ebook, Toys

3 Comments

Sony Announces 2 New Tablets

Posted by Alan Buckingham at 4:40 PM on August 31, 2011

Today, at the IFA trade show, Sony announced their first two tablet computers. The Sony Tablet S and Sony Tablet P are both powered by Android.The Tablet S is available for pre-order today and will ship next month. The Tablet P will be available later this year.

The Sony Tablet S has a 9.4 inch screen, NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor, weighs just 1.33 pounds, and is Wi-Fi enabled. The Sony Tablet P has two folding 5.5 inch screens, an NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor, weighs just 0.83 pounds, and has both Wi-Fi and 4G connectivity. The 4G works exclusively with the AT&T network. While both devices currently run on Android 3.1, Sony promises that both will have version 3.2 of the OS by the time they ship. Both devices have front and rear facing cameras for video and still images. Both also have micro USB ports and support SD cards.

Sony’s press release states that “Sony Tablet devices are also distinguished by four key features that set them apart from any other tablets on the market. These include: optimally designed hardware and software, a “swift and smooth” experience, network entertainment services and cross-device functionality.”

Sony will also include their own services which include Video Unlimited, Music Unlimited, PlayStation, Reader Store, and Personal Space. To get more information on these services and more, you read the full Sony Press Release.

Tags: Android, ifa, Sony Tablet P, Sony Tablet S

Posted in Android, Sony, tablet

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Ford Joins with ZipCar, Adds Focus, Escape to Lineup

Posted by Jeffrey Powers at 9:22 AM on August 31, 2011

Ford

This is a great announcement for all you College students that only need a car for a few hours a week. Ford has announced a tw0-year alliance with Zipcar to add Escape and Focus cars to their line-up of over 250 university campuses. The 2012 models will start arriving on campus starting this week.

Zipcar is an alternative to car rental. You join the club and you will get a Zipcar card. Reserve your car for a date and time, then on that day walk up to the car, hold the card near and the car unlocks. Drive the car, return to the same spot and you are good to go.

Zipcar is in several cities across North America and the UK. There is an annual fee (depending on city you live in) upon registration and you would pay per hour, or day, depending on what you need. Gas and insurance is not needed – they take care of that for you.

Zipcar

“Today’s students are thinking differently about driving and transportation than they have in the past,” said Bill Ford, executive chairman, Ford Motor Company. “This program enables today’s new drivers to experience our latest fuel-efficient vehicles, while helping them reduce their cost of living and help relieve congestion on campus. We’re looking forward to making Ford a staple of their college experience.”

For those who don’t need a car, this seems to be a decent alternative. The cost is low and the car choices are pretty good. Now you can Ford vehicles to the mix, which contain excellent fuel economy and technological advances. So you don’t need to take that old beater to school and fight parking fees and tickets. Just Zipcar and go!

Tags: alliance, campus, Ford, gas, rental, university, vehicle, zipcar

Posted in Ford

Comments 1 Comment

Panasonic Expands 3D Camera Line with Lumix FZ150, HDC-Z10000

Posted by Jeffrey Powers at 8:43 AM on August 31, 2011

Panasonic 3D cameras

Last Friday, Panasonic introduced the LUMIX FZ150 Digital camera. It is part of their 3D camera line as a digital point-and-shoot. With a 24x Optical zoom and 25mm Ultra Wide-Amgle Leica lens, the 12.1 megapixel MOS sensor camera can also shoot HD video (1920 x 1080 60p).

“Panasonic continues to strive to meet the photography demands of its consumers by providing unique features and advanced technology in all our LUMIX digital cameras,” said Darin Pepple, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company.

Panasonic Lumix FZ150

Their adding to the line of Pro handheld cameras, too. A prototype of a future Lumix camera (yet to be named) was displayed at IFA 2011. The video camera can shoot in 2D and 3D, and has two – 4x optical zoom lenses. Video is recorded in the AVCHD format.

Panasonic also announced their HDC-Z10000 camera, another 2D/3D camcorder with low-light and macro shooting ability. You will be able to record close in low light, thanks to the f/1.5 lens and focus as close at 17.8 inches. The Z10000 has a 10x zoom for 3D and 12x for 2D. It contains a dual 3MOS sensor (each with 6.57 MP resolution).

Tags: 1080, 2d, 3D, camera, ifa, imaging, lumix, megapixel, panasonic, pro, video

Posted in Photography

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The Loss of Tech Know-How

Posted by Andrew at 11:33 PM on August 30, 2011

What do compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), LCD screens, rechargeable batteries, solar cells and integrated circuit packaging all have in common? They’re all technologies that the USA can no longer produce within the country itself and must rely on companies in Asia, such as Taiwan and China to manufacturer. The technology has effectively been lost to the US, having migrated from West to East as part of major purchasing deals.

These deals might be considered as best business practice too. The way it often works is that a US-based company develops a technology and a product, but a small part is subcontracted out to foreign 3rd party. Say a little daughter board. Time passes and the 3rd party comes back to the US company and offers to build not only the daughter board, but also the motherboard, and more cheaply too. The deal happens, it’s a success and profits are up all round. Time passes and the 3rd party comes back and offers to build not only the motherboard but the whole product and more cheaply too. The deal happens, it’s a success and profits are up all round. It’s all good.

What happens next? The once 3rd party contractor goes to a US-based major distributor or retail chain and offers to make them an own-brand version of the product more cheaply than the market leader, now having access to all the technology required to make the product without any assistance. Surprised? Don’t be; this is what happened between Dell and ASUSTeK but it’s a pattern that has been repeated in many industries and continues to be repeated.

If you want to know more, Forbes are running a series of articles by Steve Denning, starting with Why Amazon Can’t Make a Kindle in the USA, on the loss of technological expertise from the USA. I think they’re an excellent read that explains much of the world today, even if you don’t necessarily see the loss of know-how from the US as a bad thing. It’s also worth browsing some of the comments to see other people’s thoughts on the articles, especially those from other countries.

Tags: business, forbes, oem, Technology, usa

Posted in business, Information, Technology

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Google Search gets Football News, Stats, Standings, and More

Posted by Alan Buckingham at 4:47 PM on August 30, 2011

It’s almost my favorite time of the year, otherwise know as football season. And, today Google revealed that all sorts of football information, both NFL and college, is now available right in Google Search

Last week Google began bringing MLB results, but football is America’s number one sport, so it’s nice to see this partnership with ESPN evolve. The simple announcement from Google came from software engineer Itay Maman and reads as follows:

“Just as the NFL season kicks off and you have your fantasy football league ready to go, you’ll be able to get useful information such as the latest scores, schedules, standings and stats for football-related queries in your search results. Last week, we started showing MLB results in partnership with ESPN and we’re now expanding sports live results to include the NFL. In addition to information on the football league, teams and players, you’ll also have direct links to previews, live streams, updates and game recaps. We hope to add more and more sports information on google.com, so stay tuned. “

You can try it out by doing a Google search. A simple search for NFL yielded results such as the schedule, fantasy football, news, players, news, and more. Adding ESPN to the search gives you box scores right in the top your results. You can see screenshots of both at the bottom of this post.

This is a handy way to get quick information and news without trying to navigate the NFL web site, or an app app on your phone or tablet. As you saw in the Google announcement, they are promising even more integration is on the way. So….Are you ready for some football?!

Google NFL search

Google NFL ESPN search

Tags: College, Football, google, NFL, search

Posted in google, search

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Ford’s EVOS Concept Car

Posted by KL Tech Muse at 3:03 PM on August 30, 2011

Where does Ford think cars will be in the future, that is something that they are answering at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show with the announcement of the EVOS concept car. The idea behind the Ford concept is that your car is set to your preferences. It connects to the cloud and can check the weather, traffic, and your work schedule. It can then send the information it gathered to your in-home system. For example if you have a change of schedule the car can notify and reset your alarm clock or perhaps it can suggest an umbrella if it is going to rain. As you get in your car it is already cooled or heated to your liking. The cars audio system is connected to your home entertainment system through the cloud. The car knows what you were listening to in the house so it continues it in the car. As you drive away the car closes your garage door and sets your home to energy-efficient mode.

The car can then suggest the best route based on your schedule and traffic. The car will adjust brakes, steering and suspension as needed It will adjust the hybrid power train to give the right mixture of electric and gas to maximize efficiency. The car also measures the driver’s heart beat and as it reaches a certain level, the car will automatically turn off unnecessary gauges to aid concentration. At the same time it will also put your phone in do not disturb mode.

If you are driving through an area that is heavily polluted the car can adjust the filtration system or suggest a route that is less polluted. The car will also go into full electric mode when that makes sense. If the car is in full electric mode it will send a signal to the police and any toll booth on the route to advise them that this is an electric car even though it has a tail pipe. If the car is in full electric mood in stop and go traffic it can throttle itself. Meanwhile you can relax as it reads your emails to you. The car can find you a parking spot with an electric vehicle (EV) conductive charging pad and reserve that spot. It then can give you turn by turn directions and guide you right over the EV pad, so that when you leave work your car will be fully charged.

A concept car shows the path where the automaker believes the auto industry is going. It is a future wish list. This wish list will depend on guaranteeing security in the cloud. The building of the external infrastructure such as installing EV conductive charging pads around cities. However I like the concept and hope it becomes a reality in my lifetime. Ford has some great videos up explain the concept car

Tags: Concept, Evo, Ford, Frankfurt Auto Show

Posted in Ford, Information

Comments 1 Comment

GNC #700 Party Going on Here

Posted by geeknews at 1:23 AM on August 30, 2011

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