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Archive for September, 2011

GNC #705 Murphy Strikes

Posted by geeknews at 1:41 AM on September 16, 2011

What could happen did happen. Someone needs to fix Chrome so Flash quits crashing as it caused some excitement for me at the beginning of the show not to mention pushing a higher bandwidth stream seemed to create some issues for viewers on slower connections. Faster is not always better, good lessons learned. Plus a Weird Product recommendation at the end of the show plus a Family Update.

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Listener Links:
Netgear NeoTV

Show Links:
Windows 8 #1
Windows 8 BSOD
Window 8 #2
Windows 8 #3
Windows 8 #4
Xbox Live on Windows 8
Paypal Mobile Excites Me.
Google Going After TV!
NBC to Lock Down Media?
Logitech Revue running Honeycomb.
Dems say let AT&T / T-Mobile Merger Happen.
ISS Crew Home Safe.
Nov 14th New Crew to ISS.
NetGear NeoTV 200
Scammer Alert Canada!
Can you Afford Cable?
Limewire Still Rocking.
Google TV New Apps.
Netflix Stock Takes Hit.
iOS Browsers and Players.
MOG Goes Free.
Quiet Zone “What?”
Verizon going LTE Advanced.
Mastercard Google Wallet!
Bose goes Wireless.
Contractors Expensive!
Google+ API.
Blackberry Playbook only 200k Units!
Boeing Picks Android.
You can be Friends.
Arrington Launches New Blog.
P2P License.
Boycott Apps?
Family Update.

Credits: Jack Ellis – Executive Producer

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TGP #25 – CLEARSTREAM OUTDOOR HDTV ANTENNA – DOES IT WORK?

Posted by Gadget at 8:38 PM on September 15, 2011

The Gadget Professor Welcome to The Gadget Professor’s podcast, Show #25 hosted by Don Baine.

Today”s show features a review of the CLEARSTREAM OUTDOOR HDTV ANTENNA. ClearStream 2 long-range HDTV outdoor antenna receives clear digital TV signals within a 50-mile range. Designed for indoor, outdoor or attic use. Does it work? Sit back and relax while you watch The Gadget Professor.

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Audio version NOW AVAILABLE!!

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NetGear Set to Release a New NeoTV

Posted by Alan Buckingham at 4:58 PM on September 15, 2011

A while back I had the opportunity to review the Netgear NeoTV.  This week the have announced an updated and much-improved version that is designed to compete directly with Apple TV and Roku.

The new version is smaller, comes in a beautiful shiny black case and packs a whole lot of extras that were lacking in the previous release.  New apps include Pandora, Netflix, Vudu, Napster, Twitter, Pandora and a bunch more.  The remote control also has been simplified over the previous version.

The complete product hardware specs, as published by Netgear, are a s follows:

Package Contents

  • NeoTV™ Streaming Player (NTV200)
  • Remote control
  • Two (2) CR2032 coin batteries
  • Power adapter
  • Quick start guide
  • Note: HDMI cable not included

Features

  • Easy setup
  • Up to 1080p HD streaming
  • Built-in Wireless-N for extended-range (b/g/n compatible)
  • Ethernet port
  • HDMI video output
  • 5.1 surround sound

System Requirements

  • Broadband Internet connection
  • PC/tablet with Internet browser for service activation
  • TV with HDMI input and cable

Networking

  • Built-in Wi-Fi 300 Mbps (802.11 b/g/n)
  • 10/100 Ethernet (RJ-45)

While it contains “N” WiFi, I was a bit disappointed that Netgear chose to go with 10/100 ethernet, as opposed to 10/10/1000.  Honestly, I doubt it will make a any difference with this type of product, but it’s always nice to have the latest version of all of the internals when you buy new hardware.

The new box is technically known as the NeoTV 200 (the previous was the NeoTV 550).  It is available for pre-order now, and retails for $79.99.  You can get full details, picture and a video demo over at the NetGear website.

The Modern Space Race

Posted by Andrew at 8:21 AM on September 15, 2011

The Institute of Engineering and Technology’s monthly magazine always has plenty of tech articles and this month is no exception with a look at the different approaches to space flight being adopted by the US and Russia in Gateway to the Stars.

In the US, privateers are pushing forwards with the new Spaceport America in New Mexico, while the Russians continue with the Soviet-era Baikonur Cosmodrome. The pictures of the new spaceport under construction and Virgin Galactic craft contrast sharply with the utility of Baikonur. Obviously the sites are aiming at different markets, one consumer-led into sub-oribital flight, the other for ballistic launches, typically satellites and cargo runs to the ISS.

Picture courtesy of Virgin Galactic. The new spaceport terminal is the building under construction in the foreground.

The article also has some great trivia. Did you know that the nearest settlement to Spaceport America is called “Truth or Consequences” or that Baikonur Cosmodrome is actually 300 km from Baykonur so as to mislead the West? Or that the launch countdown to zero can be credited to Fritz Lang’s 1929 film “The Woman in the Moon”?

Clarify by BlueMango

Posted by KL Tech Muse at 9:34 AM on September 14, 2011

Clarify by BlueMango

Top Row Clarify

 If you have a Mac you maybe familiar with ScreenSteps by BlueMango. Screensteps allows you to capture and mark multiple screens. You can then export them to HTML, WordPress, Squarespace, Zendesk, Google Sites just to name a few. It is very powerful and is great for making how to documents. However what if you just want create multiple annotated screen captures a then email the result as a PDF to someone or maybe share a special url. That is where the new application by BlueMango called Clarify comes in. Like ScreenSteps, Clarify allows you to create a document with annotated pictures and screen captures included. You can then easily email a PDF to someone, or share a special link with them. You have the option of having the text above or below the picture, export as a pdf or jpeg, choosing a border and even resizing. It also gives you the option of saving a section to your document folder. I created a couple of annotated screenshots of Clarify below to show an example. If I wanted to share this with someone I could email it to them or give them this url

Top Row Clarify

Row Two Clarify

Row Two Clarify

Final Thoughts on Clarify

Clarify is in public beta and is still being developed. While doing this post I did run into a couple of problems, which I am forwarding to Clarify. The first is when I tried to use the delete button an error dialog came up, saying it couldn’t create the process. It then asked what I was doing when the error came up and sent the information to BlueMango. The second problem I ran into was using the sequence annotation, if I cut an annotation it rearranged the sequence. I not sure why it did this or if it was supposed to, but it was driving me a little crazy. The one thing I like about BlueMango is they are very good at responding back when you send them a problem. I was having trouble creating the special url, I kept getting a 500 or 400 error. I forward a tweet to them and they responded back almost immediately. It ended up to be a user error, I had entered the wrong password. If you have a Mac and find yourself sharing annotated screen captures I recommend trying Clarify. If you need something more powerful, take a look at ScreenSteps.

The London Underground but Overground

Posted by Andrew at 12:51 AM on September 14, 2011

The map of the London Underground is world famous for its linear representation of train stations and lines. It was created by Harry Beck in the 1930s and subsequently became the standard by which other metro and subway maps were designed. The map uses a simple set of rules to great advantage, such as coloured lines, stations equally spaced, lines can only go horizontally, vertically or diagonally, curves always have the same radius and so on. Here’s a small section of the map showing some of these features (the whole map is copyright Transport for London).

However, we’re now so used this particular version, that it’s easy to forget that it represents a physical geography. With a mashup of Google Maps and station co-ordinates, Jonathan Stott has put together a representation of the London Underground, showing where the underground lines are in the real world. The image below is just a screenshot – if you go over to his website, you can play with the map.

It’s interesting to see where the underground lines actually go but it’s also worth reflecting that this is exactly what Harry Beck was trying to get away from 80 years ago.

Smashing Magazine’s 5th Birthday

Posted by Andrew at 8:12 AM on September 13, 2011

Smashing Magazine is celebrating its fifth birthday and as a wee treat, has prepared a “Best of Smashing Magazine” ebook and is giving it away free. The articles are all about web design, Photoshop, typography and user interfaces (or the user experience as it seems to be called now).

It’s no lightweight either - there are 409 pages of beautifully prepared material packed with information and examples. The first article, “30 Usability Issues”, makes interesting reading even if you aren’t a web designer. By being more educated about design, as a consumer you can be more aware and critical of websites and other media. Did you know that the Macintosh logo is an example of the Law of Pragnanz? No, neither did I but you’ll have to read the article to find out what it means.

Other articles include, “Setting Up Photoshop for Web and iPhone Development”, “What Font Should I Use?” and “10 Principles of Effective Web Design”. There’s the occasional overlap between the articles but it’s never repetition for the sake of it.

The ebook is available from iTunes or for .pdf, .mobi and .epub formats, direct from Smashing Magazine. Warning – it’s 55 MB download as it contains all three versions of the ebook.

GNC #704 New Media Models

Posted by geeknews at 1:19 AM on September 13, 2011

I talk about different podcast models and why there is room for multiple flavors in the space. I also share with you some personal info that I hope will help some of you that listen to the show. Lots of tech as usual!

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Purchase GNC gear from the Ohana Store!
Show Hotline 24/7 1-619-342-7365 or e-mail geeknews@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Listener Links:
Saturn Fly By Jaw Dropping!
Starz and Netflix Info.

Show Links:
VC Mentality.
Bad Spelling = Security Risk.
AT&T Admit GSM Monopoly Competition Issues.
Google Doc – Comments Only!
TestFlight for iOS Developers.
Facebook winning Time Battle.
Amazon e-book Subscription System.
GBTV Profitable?
Rescue with Breath Tester.
How far we have come in 10 Years.
Chumby neTV.
To the Moon.
The Game of all Games!
Samsung wants all Screens!
Robonaut Alive at ISS.
TBS and TNT on iPad!
Need some 6k Shoes?
Fantasy Football App.
Mobile Malware.
Intel Mobile Chips.
IBM Watson Super Computer your next Doctor?
Bug Labs and Ford Collaborate.
Mercedes Hybrid Car!
Your New Stove.
RIAA Lobbyist Turned Judge Biased.
Troll Sanctioned.
Band Music Payment Rates.
630 AD Copyright Infringement.
70 More Years of Copyright.
No More Plutonium 238.
Japan Renewable Energy.
Mouse with Borders.
Mobile – Dominant Internet Device by 2015.
Android Tips.
iOS 5 going Gold.
PowerPC Updates Canceled.
Chinese Gets Citizenship Revoked and Jail.
Millisecond worth 100 Million?
NinjaVideo to jail you go.
Fiber HDMI!

Credits: Jack Ellis – Executive Producer

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Mobile Malware Rises

Posted by Andrew at 4:01 PM on September 12, 2011

With the rise of smartphones and tablets, it’s not exactly unsurprisingly that they’ve increasingly become a target for cyber criminals and other unscrupulous individuals. In the first half of this year, malware for portable devices increased by 273% compared with 2010.

Cross-platform Trojans are the main source of the growth and most of these viruses are designed to enable spamming or other criminal activities. “With mobile malware, cyber criminals have discovered a new business model,” explains Eddy Willems, Security Evangelist at G Data. “At the moment, the perpetrators mainly use backdoors, spy programs and expensive SMS services to harm their victims. Even though this special underground market segment is still being set up, we currently see an enormous risk potential for mobile devices and their users. We are therefore expecting another spurt of growth in the mobile malware sector in the second half of the year.

If you think that it’s just hyperbole, think again. Zsone, an Android app in the Google Android Market sent subscriptions to Chinese premium SMS numbers and then intercepted the confirmations. The only way the user knew they’d been scammed was when the bill came in.

PC malware is on the rise too with a nearly 16% rise in the last six months. The graph below shows the rise of new malware each year since 2006 and if the growth continues, there will be more new malware in 2011 than 2006-09 combined.

It’s a bad world out there, so be careful no matter what platform you are on. Just because it’s a phone and not a PC, it doesn’t make you invulnerable.

Are You Ready For Some Fantasy Football? Yahoo and Android Are

Posted by Alan Buckingham at 1:59 PM on September 12, 2011

If you play fantasy football, and many people do, then there is a fairly good chance that you use Yahoo to manage your league.  Yahoo Sports has been a great resource for news for a number of years, and their fantasy league software has been the best for quite some time, topping even NFL.com.

A lot of people may not know, though, that Yahoo also has an incredibly good mobile app for fantasy football.  It’s available for free in the Android Market.  Just use your Yahoo log-in to set it up and you are off and running.  Logging in will only have to be done once at set-up.  After that the app opens to your homescreen automatically.

Once you are up and running, you can check your current score under “matchup”, which also shows individual players and how they are performing.

You can check all of the scores from around your league.

Click on a player to get more in-depth information.

You can even check the current standings in your league.

There’s a lot you can do with this app.  It’s a must for any armchair coach to check their team’s progress and manage, or micro-manage, their roster.  You can get Yahoo Fantasy football ’11 free from the Android Market.  Good luck this season!