Sunday, January 20, 2008

Power of Information LIVE!



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Friday, January 11, 2008

Show #64



[Download Show #64 as MP3]

News
  • Apple & 20th Century Fox Sign iTunes Movie Rental Deal
    • There are numerous rumors going around the internet about Apple and Fox coming to a deal on iTunes Movie Rentals
    • This goes against Steve Jobs earlier desire to sell movies rather than rent them
    • While the feature of movie rentals within iTunes has been long requested, one wonders how it will be done and how it will be handled when it comes to iPods
    • We will know more next week after the MacWorld event that takes place this coming week
  • Sony/BMG Plans to Drop DRM
    • To quote the TechCrunch website, "Ding Dong the Music DRM Witch is Dead"
    • Early last week, Sony/BMG announced plans to go DRM Free on their digital music
    • They later explained the plans to sell cards at brick and mortar stores for DRM-Free tracks via a special website. Think iTunes cards but for DRM-Free Sony albums.
    • This means that the last of the top four record labels is going DRM-Free
    • What does this mean for us? Well we can not get just about every artist in DRM-Free Mp3 downloads
    • While it will probably take a while for all the catalogs from Sony/BMG and Warner to make it out to Amazon, this is still a major deal
    • The next step in squashing DRM? Movies & Television shows
  • Bill Gates introduces "Microsoft Surface," a virtual reality table
    • http://gizmodo.com/338568/gizmodos-most-popular-hits-of-2007
    • Uses computers and cameras to quickly respond to touch (like a giant iphone) which makes information and entertainment easier to use and quicker to access
    • Can set digital camera on it (wi-fi), files immediately show up on table screen with no extra software, cords
    • See them in restaurants first, where you will be able to order your food by touching the tables surface and even divide tickets, add up tips and pay your bill
    • It's really exciting b/c it shows how close we are to actually being able to design and use programs like (in that tom cruise movie "Minority Report"- not the 'seeing the future' part) the part where where an entire wall size area was completely interactive...almost like pulling the information out of thin air... and is used by companies for presentations and everyday work
  • Warner Bros. Goes Blu-Ray Exclusive
    • After this announcement was made, HD-DVD consortium canceled it's CES appearance.
    • New Line Cinema has announced that they will follow Warner Bros' and go with Blu-Ray exclusively

Software / Hardware / Power Web Picks
  • Spicebird - Mozilla Based Collaboration Outlook Killer
    • Everyone knows what Microsoft Outlook is
    • Several people know what Mozilla Firefox and Mozilla Thunderbird are
      • Mozilla Firefox is an open source desktop web browser
      • Mozilla Thunderbird is an open source desktop email client
    • Well some folks are working on a Mozilla based open source email client that will contain calendaring and task functionality in an attempt to bring about an open source Outlook like program
    • While one of these already exists in the Linux world (its called Evolution), this is something that is severely lacking on the Windows front.
    • However, I doubt that it will sync your calendar/contacts with your mobile device so until it can do that, it really will not "kill" outlook
  • Keybr.com
    • Improve your typing speed
  • Open Source Living
    • ke.
    • The folks over at the Open Source Living website are there to help you find the best piece of open source software to do what you need to do
    • The website is divided into sections for the different types of programs (Audio, Video, Web Development, Graphic & Photo, Content Management, and several more) so you can easily find the piece of software you are looking for
    • While this website does not offer a comprehensive list of applications, it is a great start and a nicely designed, easy to navigate, no frills website.

Gamer's Corner
 Editorial ("Power Up")
  • Why Today's Music Sounds Like S**t
    • While surfing Digg, I found a link to an article that discusses why music today sounds horrible
    • No, this is not why there is so much bad music out there but rather about the fidelity and overall sound quality of music
    • Turns out that because more people are listening to their music on their iPods or other media players that the record labels are essentially forcing engineers to increase the volume of the masters and compress the overall tracks so that they "sound better" when converted to compressed audio files (ie Mp3 files)
    • It goes on to mention that because of this, we as consumers are suffering from ear fatigue more often because all music is mastered louder in general and so you no longer hear the highs and lows in the overall "experience" of the music. In other words, the "quiet" parts are still loud. We have lost the dynamics.
    • I think that this is a result of both the industry and the consumer not being overly educated.
      • I think that the consumer doesn't realize that encoding at the default iTunes values or even Windows Media Player values, leaves you with a low quality encoded track (usually 128bit)
      • The article mentions that to the average person, audio tracks encoded at high bit rates (around 224) are indistinguishable from the source CD audio. This is most definitely true.
      • As a result of this "bad learnin'" the customer is encoding at low quality rips and as a result the record companies are trying compensate.
    • This proves that the record industry has lost their way. Rather than focusing on the music and the dynamics inherit within that music, they are worried about a product.
      • Also, if the record companies would master the music for the CD and not worry about the digitally encoded tracks, they would have a better overall product
      • To top it off, if they did focus on mastering for the CD, the low quality rips that show up on MOST download sites would sound bad and people wouldn't want to download them
    • The article goes on to give examples and show graphical representations of several tracks help people understand how things have changed
    • Folks, if you are going to rip your music using iTunes or Windows media player, use the "High Quality" settings rather than the default settings. You want something that is at least 224kbps encoding to get a quality rip.
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Saturday, January 5, 2008

Show #63



[Download Show #63 as MP3]

News
  • Warner Music Goes DRM-Free
    • Warner Music Group has announced that they will begin offering DRM-Free tracks via Amazon.com's Mp3 Store
    • DRM stands for Digital Rights Management and can limit how many copies and on what devices you can play a purchased music track
    • This means: EMI, Universal, and Warner all offer DRM-Free tracks leaving BMG/Sony the lone hold out.
    • This is a big deal for DRM-Free music, and it should mean that BMG/Sony isn't far behind
    • The Warner Group's announcement however does not make mention of releasing these DRM-Free tracks to other services like iTunes. So right now, it's Amazon only.
  • The RIAA's Target in 2008: You
    • So last year the RIAA won a court case that shook the grounds of the industry and the defendant ended up having to pay a large sum of money (they are currently in the appeal process)
    • However the RIAA's next target is anyone who takes a CD they have legally purchased and rips the tracks to their computer so they can listen to the track on their computer or iPod (or other portable digital device)
    • The RIAA lawyers are stating that digital rips of music from a CD that you have purchased are considered "unlawful"
    • The RIAA already has one case in court about this very issue.
    • Basically what this boils down to is that the RIAA wants you to buy a copy of every album/song for every type of use.
    • If the RIAA manages to win this case, it will totally change the concept of Fair-Use laws in this country
  • Wal-Mart Shuts Down Movie Download Service
    • On Dec. 22 of last year, Wal-Mart shut down their movie download service, however no one noticed until after Christmas
    • The service that launched in Feb. of 2007 offered Windows Media Files for download to PlayForSure devices
    • Not much information is given as to why they shut the service down, but it can probably be attributed to HP ending support for the technology that supported the service
  • Netscape Bows Out
    • AOL has announced they they will stop development on the Netscape Navigator web browser if early Feb.
    • This means the first mas market browser will fall away into obscurity
    • It is important to note this event because Netscape ruled the browser world before the likes of Internet Explorer
    • Also, because of Netscape, we got the Mozilla Browser suite which eventually led to the release of the Firefox Browser and Thunderbird email client.

Our New Year's Resolutions

PowerCast Technology
You hardly think twice about connecting your wireless laptop to the Internet, but you still have to fumble for a power cord when your battery runs out. How quaint. Soon those cumbersome power bricks will be a footnote in your grandchildren's history books, as being able to wirelessly charge devices becomes a .

What is it? Currently there are two technologies that accomplish wireless charging, one requires contact with a pad the other simply requires close proximity. Obviously not having to touch something makes the "coolness" factor go up, and makes it feel safer at least to me, which method will win out is not yet clear, but in either case you'll be able to simply place your laptop, phone, and music player onto a universal wireless charging pad that will immediately begin juicing them up. An adapter for your existing devices: $30. Not having to fumble for a power cord: Priceless.

When is it coming? Later this year both inductive and conductive charging technologies will emerge onto the market. WildCharge expects to roll out its first conductive-charging, the one that touches, notebook product in time for this year's back-to-school season, while eCoupled is pushing to get its inductive technology into cars, countertops, and desk surfaces by 2009. Look for wireless charging to become commonplace by 2010, after major phone and laptop vendors sign on to support it.


Octagon CPU
Regardless of what Moore's Law has to say, there's not much point in increasing processor speeds or doubling the bit paths in a CPU if the system bus can't carry the traffic. The problem is, processors today leak power, and the faster a chip goes, the more power it leaks in the form of heat. Both AMD and Intel have decided to focus on increasing the number of processor cores on a chip instead of increasing processor speeds.

The centerpiece of any given computer is it processor, which is responsible for the calculations that make the that make all of your software run. Placing multiple cores on a single chip dramatically increases the number of calculations that can be performed, without having to raise the clock speed of the chip itself. This way chip makers overcome the inevitable overheating problems that come from all that leaking power. And the more cores a manufacturer crams onto a single chip, the "faster" the CPU can go. However, the performance boost isn't one-to-one. Intel's four-core Q6700 performs just 26 percent faster than its same-speed, two-core E6700 on certain applications. (see the results of PC World tests) So while you will see improvement with eight-core CPUs, the speedup won't be as dramatic as it might sound.

When is it coming? Before AMD can start selling eight-core chips for the desktop, it needs to get its quad-core Phenom chips to market in this year. Intel has been selling quad-core desktop processors for about a year now, and it has announced eight-core chips for servers in 2008. Expect OctoCore--or whatever the company ends up calling it--to come to desktops in 2010.


Printer right on your digital camera (Zink.com)
Forget about running home to print out your photos or--gasp!--ordering prints online. The next generation of mobile devices will come with their own built-in printers.

What is it? Zink (short for "Zero Ink"), its a spin-off of Polaroid, and they've been working working for years on a new way of making photo paper. Zink paper, has a crystal substrate sandwiched between its layers that colorizes as it passes through a slim-profile printer. The printers themselves are so small that you can slip one in your pocket, and they can easily be built into cameras, laptops, or other devices.

When is it coming? This year, Zink will partner with a major camera vendor (name not announced) to release the first pocket-size digital camera with a built-in printer. This early model will produce 2-by-3-inch photos. At the same time, the company will begin selling a tiny handheld printer (probably for about $99) for camera phones; it'll print adhesive-backed photos that will likely grace the school binders of many eighth-graders. Two or three years after that, the technology may be integrated into laptops and other mobile devices.


Put Your HDTV Anywhere
Despite the wireless revolution happening all around your home, your high-def television remains shamefully hard-wired in place. Wouldn't it be great if you could put your TV anywhere you wanted, without worrying about where the cable jack was, and still get top-notch video quality? Soon you'll be able to do just that.

Wireless High-Definition Interface (WHDI) is a cable-free replacement for HDMI that uses a 5-GHz radio transmitter to send an uncompressed 1080p, 30-fps high-def video signal from a WHDI-equipped DVD player, game console, or set-top box, for example, to a WHDI-equipped TV across a distance of up to 100 feet. Because the WHDI signal is compatible with HDMI, you'll be able to buy HDMI wireless adapters for your existing entertainment gear--and that means you can finally rearrange your furniture the way you'd really like it, without having to run additional cables through your walls.

When is it coming? Amimon, which manufactures the WHDI chip set, released the technology to electronics makers at the end of August of 2007. Now the race is on to bring WHDI to market. TV makers have already begun demoing new wireless-equipped HDTV models at trade shows, and fans of bleeding-edge tech should be able to get their hands on hardware by anytime now. WHDI is expected to add about $200 to the cost of a new TV, so expect to pay a premium for the technology in throughout this year. WHDI adapters for your existing hardware will likely cost $300 to $400 for a pair of adapters (you need at least two--a receiver for the TV and a transmitter for your set-top box, for example--to get started). The Amimon Vice President of Marketing Noam Geri says, "In a few years costs should drop to about $10 for inclusion in a TV and $60 for the adapters".


Take Your Presentations Anywhere
Watching video on a cell phone is a pain. Even if you find the content you want, the tiny screen makes enjoying the program difficult. Before long, however, you'll be seeing shows right-sized again, thanks to your projector-equipped cell phone.

Microvision Pico projectors employ light scanning technology to generate a complete, full-color image from a beam of light. Inside, it is simply a single red, green, or blue laser bouncing off a tiny mirror onto a wall as large as 120 inches, from 12 feet away in a darkened room. By using a single beam of light rather than three beams, Microvision is able to make the projectors small enough to fit into cell phones without appreciably increasing the size of the phones. And the company even expects the integrated projectors to play a feature-length movie on just one cell phone charge.

When is it coming? Microvision has partnered with Motorola to build Pico projectors into mobile phones, the first projector-equipped model is expected to debut later this year or early next year. Right now the company is designing an accessory for PCs and game consoles that should be available by the middle or end of this year. Built-in projectors might add as as much as $150 to the price of a phone initally, and the the accessory projectors will likely cost around $200. But who wouldn't pay that for a Google-enabled Wi-Max Projector phone.


Five Terabytes Per Drive

Even if you're not a digital pack rat, you probably still manage to cram a lot of data onto your hard drive. Digital photos, movies, music, and overflowing e-mail folders can pile on the gigabytes before you know it. But don't worry: Way bigger hard drives are on the horizon.

Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording, or HAMR (and a nearly identical technology called Thermally Assisted Magnetic Recording), uses lasers to heat the surface of a drive's platters, making it possible to pack a terabyte of data onto a single square inch of drive surface, roughly twice the current limit.

When is it coming? HAMR is still very much a research project, but it should be coming to market in the next several years. Seagate expects to introduce 5TB HAMR hard drive by 2011, with capacities of up to 37.5TB to follow a few years after that.


A New Better Internet

TCP/IP, the technology on which the entire Internet is based, is no spring chicken. The current version of the Internet protocol, IPv4, has been around for more than 25 years. The old technology suffers from some serious limitations--including a shortage of addresses for all the computers that use it. Internet Protocol version 6 will change all that.

What is it? Unlike IPv4, which uses 32-bit addresses like 155.54.210.63, IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses like 2001:0ba0:01e0:d001:0000:0000:d0f0:0010. This small, simple change permits every person in the world--and even every computer in the world--to have a unique IP address. In addition, IPv6 features network-layer encryption and authentication, enabling secure communications between parties.

When is it coming? IPv6 is here right now, and has been for several years, but almost nobody is using it yet because the hardware needed for it remains more expensive than that for IPv4, and few network administrators are trained to manage it. However, the United States government has declared that it will move all of its networks to IPv6 by the summer of 2008, which even at government speeds means the technology should arrive in time to pick up the slack when the pool of available addresses runs out around March 2011. The depletion of addresses should also induce your ISP to update its network before long.


Tech Predictions

Gigabit Internet (2012): Dogged by the speed of your home broadband service? With a gigabit Internet connection over a fiber-optic line, you'll be able to download the latest movies in less than a minute at speeds up to 1 gbps.

Mobile fuel cells (2013): Now in development, hydrogen fuel cells will power your laptop for a week at a time using store-bought fuel cartridges.

Smart homes (2014): We've heard for years about the smart home--a house chock-full of computer-driven appliances that cater to your every need. As homes with built-in ethernet wiring become more common in several years, central home PCs will control everything from the thermostat to the lighting to the security system.

Probe storage (2015): Code-named Millipede, the probe storage system being developed by IBM will use atomic force microscopy (think itsy-bitsy dots) to store more than a terabyte of data per square inch on a polymer surface. An array of thousands of little probes will be able to read and write large amounts of that data far more quickly than today's drives can.

Nano lightning systems (2015): It has "lightning" right in the name, so you know it's cool, but it's really about cooling off your hardware. Microscopic nanotubes will use an electrical charge to generate tiny wind currents on the surface of your chips to cool them down without the aid of fans.

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Friday, December 28, 2007

Show #62



[Download Show #62 as MP3]

News
 Our Top 10 Tech Countdown from 2007
  • Our Top Wii Games of 2007
    • 5 - Wii Sports
      • The game comes with the Wii and for good reason
      • Wii Sports definitely
    • 4 - Metroid Prime 3
      • Just like a Nintendo system is incomplete without a Zelda game, you also need a Metroid & Mario games to complete the recipe
      • This game keeps Metroid in the First-Person Shooter realm
      • However, you have to use the Wii-mote to do just about every other character action, from opening doors to solving the game's complex puzzles
      • Excellent use of the Wii controls
    • 3 - The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
      • No Nintendo system is complete without a Zelda game
      • Use the Wii-mote to swing your sword
      • The world of Hyrule has never looked this good
    • 2 - Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
      • Play Against some of the biggest names in guitar
        • Slash
        • Tom Morello
      • Play some of rock's biggest hits
        • Rock & Roll All Night by Kiss
        • Even Flow by Pearl Jam
        • Welcome to the Jungle by Guns & Roses
    • 1 - Resident Evil 4
      • Many reviewers are calling this game, the best game of the RE series to date
    • Super Mario Galaxy / Super Mario Brothers
  • Our Top Xbox 360 Games of 2007
    • 5 - BioShock
    • 4 - Assassin's Creed
    • 3 - Rock Band
    • 2 - Halo 3
    • 1 - The Orange Box
      • Half Life 2
        • Episode One
        • Episode Two
      • Portal
      • Team Fortress 2
  • Our Top PS3 Game Picks of 2007
    • 5 - Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
    • 4 - The Orange Box
      • Half Life 2
        • Episode One
        • Episode Two
      • Portal
      • Team Fortress 2
    • 3 - Assassin's Creed
    • 2 - Unreal Tournament III
    • 1 - Rock Band
    • Burnout: Paradise
  • Billboard Top 10 Ringtones (by Sales) from 2007
    • 10 - Nickelback - Rockstar
    • 9 - R. Kelly feat. T-Pain & T.I. - I'm a Flirt
    • 8 - Hurricane Chris - A Bay Bay
    • 7 - Sean Kingston - Beautiful Girls
    • 6 - Huey - Pop, Lock & Drop It
    • 5 - Akon - Don't Matter
    • 4 - Soulja Boy - Crank That
    • 3 - Shop Boyz - Party Like a Rockstar
    • 2 - Mims - This is why I'm Hot
    • 1 - T-Pain feat. Yung Joc - Buy U A Drank (Shawty Snappin')
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Friday, December 21, 2007

Show #61



[Download Show #61 as MP3]

News
  • Dell Tries Tablets with Latitude XT
  • Activision and Blizzard Merger
  • TV Industry using Piracy as a measure of success
    • TV execs use the Nielsen ratings to gauge a show's success
    • But how do you gauge a show that hasn't aired yet?
    • Show promotions, trailers and clips that broadcasters are pushing on YouTube and other video sharing sites are getting more views than some shows do.
    • Television is reaching a milestone where online is veritably driving on air viewership.
    • [Expand]
  • Microsoft is trying to beat Apple at their own game
    • Microsoft Re-Brands "PlaysForSure" to "Certified for Windows Vista"
    • Here's the basic gist, What was once market "PlayForSure" is now marked as "Certified for Windows Vista"
    • This is confusing because while the new logo can be found on the latest version of the Zune player, not all the technologies are compatible with each other
    • PlayForSure was designed around a licensing model where you "rent" content, but it didn't always work on every device
    • Now with the destruction of PlayForSure for the new "Certified for Windows Vista" tag, this is going to cause even more confusing among customers
    • This is a perfect example of how Microsoft is not always in step with itself by keeping two completely separate DRM technologies active and then re-branding one is only going to end up ostracizing your customers.

Software / Hardware / Power Web Picks
  • DealLocker
  • Yahoo! Messenger Preview for Vista
    • A nifty looking re-design (looks like it will blend well with Vista's Aero Glass)
    • Adds the ability to place an icon in the Vista Sidebar for quick/easy access to the Messenger
    • Adds multiple possible view choices, select from a simple name only to a more detailed view for your contacts
    • Tabbed chat windows allow you have multiple chats going on in a single window
Editorial ("Power Up")
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Thursday, December 13, 2007

Show #60



[Download Show #60 as MP3]

News
  • JetBlue to introduce wireless in flight email and IM
    • Aboard the BetaBlue Airbus A320 @ 10,000+ feet
  • Why Comcast's rough strech may be good for its customers
    • The article makes it a little difficult to distinguish what is being said but the overall gist is that because more people are moving into the digital entertainment business Comcast is going to have to make some changes to stay ahead
  • CompUSA Closing its Doors for Good Early 2008
    • With the closing of several stores earlier this year, CompUSA is rumored to be closing its doors for good in January of 2008.
    • There are currently only 103 stores still remaining in the United States
    • Keep an ear out for more information. The last time CompUSA did some store closings, they practically gave things away.

Software / Hardware / Power Web Picks
  • How to Spot a Fake iPhone and other Knock Off Electronics
    • Everyone wants the iPhone, the latest Mp3 Player, or other cool electronic device
    • But with so many fakes floating around how can you tell that you are getting a legitamate product
      • Do Your Homework. Most manufacturers release counterfeit alerts
      • Buy directly from the manufacturer or from the people they list as vendors
      • If the product cost less than 80% of the MSRP (manufacturer suggested retail price) it's probably a fake
      • Avoid eBay for purchasing new devices, there are a lot of fakes on eBay advertised as the real deal.
    • The best advice is really to buy the device from the manufacturer or their third party vendors. This option allows you to buy an extended warranty (if one is available for the product) so that the device is protected
  • The 21 New Rules of Tech
    • 21) Relationships Start with Lust - If you feel a visceral attraction to something, chances are you want it. Sure, do your homework before you buy, but let your gut tell you what you really, really want.
    • 20) More Isin't Necessarily Better - Convergence is a great idea in theory, but nothing ruins a gadget more than an overstuffed resume. Find a tool that does what it sets out to do well, and forget the 10-in-1 hype.
    • 19) Consider The Source - With all the focus on design these days, we lose sight of the importance of materials. What good is that slick-looking mp3 player if it can't stand up to a few drops?
    • 18) A Gadget Should Be Easy To Use - Treat ease-of-use like any other feature. If the product doesn't deliver, don't be afraid to take it back.
    • 17) Buy With Your Body - Ergonomics isn't just for desks. If a product doesn't feel right, don't blame your senses--look for a new solution.
    • 16) The Best Solution Is The Simplest - A piece of gear that solves a problem and does it efficiently is a thing of beauty. Forget bells and whistles, and buy for functionality.
    • 15) Heritage Does Matter - Sometimes knowing a brand name is just a function of good marketing. But knowing a name because it's older than you are indicates quality that will serve you for years to come.
    • 14) Your Gear Should Outlast You - If you're worrying about gear giving out, you can't focus on the task at hand. Great products keep going, whether YOU want to [keep going] or not.
    • 13) Follow The Crowd - Groups of total strangers know you better than you think. In a hyper-connected world, the wisdom of crowds can be invaluable.
    • 12) Power Is Nothing...Without Control - Companies like to boast about their products' stats ("5 times the cutting power!" or even "5 stars from the 2006 Power Users group"). Make sure that you--and the gear--have some handling to go with the horsepower.
    • 11) Cut Through The Hype - The tech world's branding barrage is meant to entice and distract. Your mission: Ignore it.
    • 10) Be Your Own Gadget Lab - There's no substitute for hands-on testing—in-store or at—home under warranty. It's your final defense against buyer's remorse. [Shop in person, buy online]
    • 9) Gear Should Tutor, Not Torment - If you need an instruction manual, put the thing down. Simple, intuitive design makes products easy to use--now, and in the long run. Rember the old adage, if all else fails, read the manual. Some of this stuff is just too damed complicated for a manual -- sure, all new things have a learning curve, but it should be one step from something you are used to.
    • 8) Seek Out The Secret Spec - There are millions of metrics in the marketplace these days. Find the stats that matter and use them to create consequential comparisons.
    • 7) Splurge Smarter - Treating yourself feels empty if you aren't happy with the treat. Knowing what's worth paying for allows you to spend in all the right places.
    • 6) Adapt Automatically - Tech tools are, by definition, an extension of your body and mind. Your gear should help you adjust to your environment with ease, no matter how extreme. [Think automatic light sensor on a laptop]
    • 5) Beat The Price Cycles - As technology improves, prices drop. That's a nice theory, but the reality is messier. Follow prices shifts and deal at the right time.
    • 4) Protect Your Tech - Good tech should safeguard what matters most--whether it's your brain, bank account, or bandwidth.
      • Homeowners Insurance (additional coverage certificates)
      • Extended warranties (research first) [things like Dell CompleteCare]
    • 3) Tech Should Be Tame - Gadgets need to solve problems, not create them. Start with quality gear, then learn to work with it.
    • 2) Buy To Be a Better Man (or Woman) - What you buy can make you a better person, and how you use it can save the world. Make purchases that lead you to the lifestyle you want to live.
    • 1) Embrace Revolution, Not Evolution - Technology that changes the marketplace, like BluRay and HD-DVD, isn't just a fad. Often it's a radical breakthrough that can radically improve your life.

Gamer's Corner
  • Rock Band CNN Review
    • CNN says "Rock Band hits the right notes for music fans"
    • From Harmonix, the savvy game developers behind the mega-popular "Guitar Hero" games, comes this ambitious complete band experience, which is best enjoyed with a group of friends -- each tackling a different instrument in front of the same television, or even over the Internet. While at $169.99, it might be out of reach for some gamers, packed into the "Rock Band Special Edition Bundle" is the game, a collapsible drum kit with kick pedal, real drumsticks, a Fender Stratocaster guitar (which also can be used to play bass lines), microphone and reportedly in the Xbox 360 kit, a four-in-one USB hub to plug everything into the game console at the same time. (Not necessary with the PS3 which comes equipped with four USB ports)
    • You both are music fans, what do you each think of the song selection?
    • CNN's reviewer gives the game 9.5 stars, I have to agree..."Rock Band" is the ultimate party game, best enjoyed with a group of [musically inclined] friends --or rather those that aspire to be--looking for a great time together. While it might take a few songs to get the hang of the rhythm for newbie players, it's one of the most accessible and enjoyable games I've played in a long time. Music fans, the music soundtrack in "Rock Band" is extraordinary, featuring nearly 60 classic and newer rock songs, mostly from the original bands (unlike many "Guitar Hero" songs, which are remakes by sound-alike artists).
    • Adding to its replayability, new songs can be downloaded each week for a couple of bucks apiece. These include classics from the Who, the Grateful Dead and Metallica, including a handful of full albums.

Editorial ("Power Up")
  • How to Find Out if That Special Someone is Being Naughty or Nice Online
    • Disclaimer: Some of the methods we are covering could be used to obtain private information that could be used to obtain illegal access to accounts that are not owned by the individual accessing them, we must strictly warn you that wire fraud is a serious offense and we do not advocate that behavior. We provide the information from an educational perspective, the goal is to show what can be done and tell you how to protect yourself.
    • Keystroke Loggers
      • A keystroke logger does just what it says it does. It captures the keyboard input and logs it to a file. Some keyboard loggers just log the keys typed, while others add the ability to email the log at certain times as well as other features. There are also hardware keystroke loggers that work independently of the operating system.
      • Hardware
        • Key Carbon - USB, works on USB keyboards and contains 512K of memory for capturing key strokes. Keystrokes can be recorded on one computer, and retrieved on another
        • Key Catcher - Plugs into PS2 port based keyboards (the purple plug on the back of the computer). Comes in various sizes including a 4MB size that allows for capturing a large amount of keystrokes. To access the recorded data, you simply type your password in a text editor and the Key Katcher comes to life. A menu is displayed with options to erase data, view data, search data for keywords, change password, or disable the device.
      • Windows
        • Windows Keylogger v5.0 (Freeware)
          • Automatic screenshots
          • E-mails log file
          • Saves information about the active window
          • Back dated encrypted log files
      • Mac
        • Spector ($99.95)
          • Applications
          • Web Sites Visited
          • Chat Conversations
          • Keystrokes Typed
          • Emails Viewed/Sent including Web Email
          • VCR Style Playback
      • Linux
        • LKL - Linux Key Logger, this application is simple to use and is installable via Ubuntu's application installer
        • UberKey - Works on any x86 system including Ubuntu. Requires some knowledge of compiling and installing linux applications. This program is not available via Ubuntu's application installer
    • Setting Up Instant Messaging Applications to log
      • Most of the Instant Messaging programs allow you to log the conversations you have with others online
        • Trillian
        • Google Talk/Jabber
        • Meebo
      • Key logging only gets one side of the conversation
        • See both sides of the conversation.
        • This can put things in to context.
Next Week: The Power of Information Christmas Specia
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Friday, December 7, 2007

Show #59



[Download Show #59 as MP3]

News
  • Google Confirms 700Mhz Spectrum Bid
    • Must meet $4.6 billion reserve price
    • Makes wireless internet faster for everyone
    • "We believe it's important to put our money where our principles are," said Eric Schmidt, Chairman and CEO, Google. "Consumers deserve more competition and innovation than they have in today's wireless world. No matter which bidder ultimately prevails, the real winners of this auction are American consumers who likely will see more choices than ever before in how they access the Internet."
    • All applicants had to file by last Monday
    • FCC will release a public list of eligible bidders after review mid-december
    • Auction begins Jan 24th and experts believe it could last as long as March 28th
    • Unfortunately, the information will all be protected under order from the DCC until the bidding is over
  • NBC Takes Shows Off iTunes, Goes Home
    • NBC's (more specifically Universal's) contract with Apple iTunes Store expired
    • As a result they have removed much of their content from the iTunes Store
    • This includes shows like Heroes, The Office, and other popular NBC shows
    • NBC is currently working on their own digital distribution method that will be windows only
    • I think that NBC/Universal are making a big mistake in this decision and I think we can expect to see the shows back in the iTunes store before the middle of 2008
  • Russian Firm Buys LiveJournal
    • Russian firm SUP has purchased LiveJournal from SixApart, whom acquired LiveJournal in 2006
    • This gives SUP ownership of Russia's most popular blogging site
    • LiveJournal is a free blogging service that competes with Google's Blogger.com and Wordpress.com
    • This will allow SixApart to focus on their other products, we have linked to each of these on our show notes
      • TypePad - Professional Blogging Platform similar to Wordpress
      • Moveable Type - Business Blogging Platform
      • Vox - Personal Blogging Platform
  • GMail Adds and Adds
    • More space everyday, we're at 5.4 gigs now
    • Color coded label system
    • Group chat
    • AIM Integration
    • Emoticons
  • Dell Moves 40,000 Ubuntu PCs
    • Dell agreed to ship PCs and laptops with the Ubuntu operating system after more than 130,000 people promoted the notion on the company's IdeaStorm web site.
    • Dell has shipped close to 40,000 systems pre-installed with the Ubuntu flavor of Linux, according to multiple sources.
    • David Lord, a spokesman at Dell, declined to discuss the 40,000 figure, saying the company "does not break out" those types of numbers.
    • Is 40,000 units over a number of months enough to keep Dell interested?
    • Your guess is as good as ours. The company does sell about 10m machines per quarter.
Software / Hardware / Power Web Picks
  • Christmas Top 5's
    • Computers
    • Guys
      • 5) 802.11n Wireless Router
        • Netgear
        • Linksys
        • 74Mbits/Throughput & 248Mbits maximum data rate
        • this is a HUGE improvement over the current 802.11g routers which get 19Mbits throughput on average and are capable of 54Mbits of maximum data rates
        • Prices vary depending on features and product Netgear's start at around $100, Linksys has not posted prices yet
        • Remember the 802.11n standard is not complete at this time (scheduled for late next year)
      • 4) dRobo
        • Four Drive USB Storage Device
        • Put in 4 drives of any size (can vary)
        • dRobo automatically maintains the highest level of data redundancy with the drives available
        • Only downside is that there is currently no network connectivity without the use of file shares, but a networked version is in the works.
        • At $499 it's a hair cheaper then the TerraStations but for no network connectivity is a little pricey
      • 3) Phillips Power2Go Portable Charger
        • We all have stuff we need to charge
        • This device is a portable rechargable charging solution
        • You charge this device then you can use it to charge other devices with the included cords.
        • You can charge just about any device with it and
        • it contains 60 hours of juice on a single charge
        • $130
      • 2) Apple iPhone
        • Such a cool phone
        • Touchscreen, iPod, Video/Photo viewer, PIM, and Google Maps
        • Plus the built in WiFi makes it easy to grab free internet on the go.
        • Downsides are EDGE only speeds and the touchscreen gets smudgy after a while
        • $399 for 8GB (with 2 year contract at AT&T Wireless)
      • 1) Nintendo Wii
        • It's the hardest geek toy on the planet to find for a reason
        • Motion controllers are all the rage. Nintendo changed the way games are play like the iPhone changed how people think about cell phones
        • Plus the virtual console so you can play your old NES, Super NES, and N64 favorites. But don't forget the Genesis and TurboGraFX 16 games that are available as well.
        • $249 if you can find one
    • Ladies
      • 5) Sony CyberShot DSC-T200 $359
        • Super Thin
        • Available in Pink
      • 4) HoMedics iSOUNDSPA
        • HoMedics Relaxation Sound Machine
        • 2-pc. Set Includes Main Unit, Remote Control
        • Consists of Electronic Element, Alarm Clock
        • Ideal for Meditation, Reducing Stress
        • Subwoofer Bass and Treble Adjustment, Wake to Radio, iPod or Tone, 6 Natural Sounds,
        • Dual Alarm with Snooze Feature, Projects Time on Wall or Ceiling, Automatic Shutoff Timer, 3" Subwoofer with Bass and Treble Adjustment
        • Features 15, 30, 45 or 60-min. Nap Modes
      • 3) BlackBerry Pearl
        • QWERTY keyboard
        • Contact, Calendar, and Thrid Party Application support
        • This is a texter's dream phone
        • Retail is $299 (no contract) can be had for as little as $149 with a 2 year contract (The "Pearl 2" at Sprint is $199 with contract)
      • 2) FujiFilm Finepix F480 8MP Digital Camera
        • 8 Megapixels
        • Image Stabalization
        • 14 Scene Modes to get that perfect picture no matter where you are
        • Currently $135 at Amazon.com
      • 1) iPod Nano / Zune
        • iPods are still popular (and probably will be for a nice while longer)
        • The recently updated iPod Nano now handles videos so you can watch movies and TV shows purchased from the iTunes Store while on the go
        • Comes in 6 colors and includes the updated iPod interface complete with CoverFlow
        • 4GB/$149 (Silver Only) and 8GB/$199
        • Suzy to ask: do you have to use iTunes with iPod?
        • Manage it with Floola
    • Family
      • 4) TomTom One XL / TomTom GO 700 / Navigon 7100 Portable GPS
        • Everyone needs a little direction every now and again
        • It's nice to get the right directions
        • TomTom ONE XL ($300)
          • a 4.3in Touchscreen LCD
          • Spoken Directions
          • bluetooth technology to connect to the net via your phone and grab traffic updates (Subscription required)
        • TomTom GO 700 ($500)
          • Traffic patterns change; GPS units don't--until now
          • Learns from its users
        • Navigon 7100 Portable GPS ($650)
          • Assist mode to help identify proper lanes for highway exits
          • Free real-time traffic for life
          • Realistic depictions of complicated intersections
          • Bluetooth-phone syncing
          • Voice command
          • Restaurant guides
          • Dhopping destinations
          • points of interest you can search by price, rating, or popularity
          • Bigger GPS players: Magellan, Garmin, and TomTom are surely reverse-engineering the device as you hear this.
      • 3) Playstation 3
        • Video Games, Blu-Ray, Music, & Photos
        • A true multimedia console
        • $399 for 40GB & $499 for 80GB
      • 2) Onkyo HT-SR800S
        • Full 7.1 Surround Sound Package
        • Includes receiver & speakers
        • Receiver contains 2 HDMI inputs and 1 output so this is also a switchbox, if you need one
        • Check the specs for more information
        • NexTagged between $400-$499
      • 1) 52in Samsung HDTV LCD Television
        • Full 1080p Resolution
        • 3 HDMI & 2 Component Connections
        • $2250 from Amazon.com
    • Kids
      • 4) Pooh Knows Your Name
        • This personalized plush features over 100 phrases, games, and stories
        • Pooh knows your name, your family & friend?s names and your birth date
        • Schedule your daily activities and see Pooh's speech and play change throughout the day
        • Programming Pooh is as easy as 1,2,3! Requires 3 "AA" batteries. Operating System - Windows 2000, XP or higher
      • 3) PlasmaCar
        • It's like magic, but you don't need to be a magician to get it to work.
        • The PlasmaCar is a mechanical marvel that makes use of that most inexhaustible of energy sources, kid-power, by harnessing the natural forces of inertia, centrifugal force, gravity, and friction.
        • It's so easy to operate; all it needs is a driver and a smooth, flat surface.
        • No batteries, no power-cells, no liquid fuel-just the occasional cookie or two.
        • It's quiet too-the only sound you'll hear is the sound of its wheels.
        • Yes, its adult safe too, 220lb limit on a flat surface
      • 2) LeapFrog
        • Handheld computerized learning system
        • Learn to write letters on the L-Max handheld screen - the letters you write will appear on the TV and star in an animated story!
        • Learn on the go or at home
        • Works with the full Leapster and Leapster L-Max software library
        • Four AA batteries required (not included)
      • 1) Nintendo DS
        • Brain Age
        • $149 for various System/Game bundles
          • There's one for Zelda, Nintendo Pets, and Brain Age
Next Week: The 21 New Rules of Tech and we reveal how to find out if that special someone is being Naughty or Nice when they are online
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