I don't know if you all saw it, but they did release the iphone 5c and 5s models of the iphone. Not having an iphone myself I can't really comment on how great it is, but I do know that for someone who already has one or even just uses the ipod touch. These new models will be something of a draw. I did want to talk about one of the new features of the phone and that is the finger print scanner. Seen as just a novelty by most when added to laptops a few years back the finger print scanner was woefully understated and scared more people then it excited, but I think on a device such as a phone it could be quite beneficial for security and ease of access purposes. Hopefully they have a better scanner than most on the market, which are very touchy and unreliable at best. Even though it's really cool and could be of some use, I don't think it a necessary feature, but then again what features on smart phones are really necessary?
It could lend itself better to an ipad that has multiple users and could handle multiple log-ons for that device. Each person having there own setup and logon based on the finger print, but on the iphone its another one of those oooh neat features that most apple users will love. Here is the link. New iphones
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Why is it called a Smart TV?
It seems to me that the Smart TV is just a simplified version of a Wii or an Xbox, or even services that already exist such as apple tv. If all we care about is that we can watch Netflix on it, then why even get a Smart TV if you already have a Wii? I understand that they are really slim and super nice and the pixel ratio's are insane, and movie watching on them is awesome, but these fake "apps" that they load on the TV's can be accomplished using some other method already available. What I really need is a Wireless TV..., a TV that can connect to my network, and surf the web, showcase my own networked photos, and still hook to my DVD player and other devices. The "Smart" portion of the TV just seems like an overkill.
And why is it that when we label something Smart it really isn't? Is that suppose to mean we're Smart for buying it, or that the company is Smart for making us buy something we already use someplace else? It obviously doesn't apply to the intelligence of the TV, it can't guess my favorite shows, or hold a conversation with me, or do my work. So why is it Smart?
It seems to me that a truly Smart TV would allow me to choose the channels I want, whether from a cable provider or not, showcase my game devices, connect to my network, show me the video feed from the security camera on my house, sense when I'm sad and play an uplifting show for me, clean my house, and offer sound advice. These TV's aren't "Smart" so lets stop calling them that, if anything we should call them WIFI TV's. Or Internet ready TV's.
Lets put "Smart" back where it belongs describing people who are truly smart and brilliant and accomplished, don't diminish the word by applying to electronics that definitely aren't smart.
And why is it that when we label something Smart it really isn't? Is that suppose to mean we're Smart for buying it, or that the company is Smart for making us buy something we already use someplace else? It obviously doesn't apply to the intelligence of the TV, it can't guess my favorite shows, or hold a conversation with me, or do my work. So why is it Smart?
It seems to me that a truly Smart TV would allow me to choose the channels I want, whether from a cable provider or not, showcase my game devices, connect to my network, show me the video feed from the security camera on my house, sense when I'm sad and play an uplifting show for me, clean my house, and offer sound advice. These TV's aren't "Smart" so lets stop calling them that, if anything we should call them WIFI TV's. Or Internet ready TV's.
Lets put "Smart" back where it belongs describing people who are truly smart and brilliant and accomplished, don't diminish the word by applying to electronics that definitely aren't smart.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
My Smart Phone Woe's
In the last three days my HTC Sensation that I've had for years now just decided it wants to not turn on any more. When I first got this phone it was fantastic, fast and sleek, very durable. About a month or so ago the power button stopped working, thanks to a little ingenuity and encouragement from my wife I found some apps that could circumvent that problem and it has really been not too bad to use, a little annoying but manageable. But now that I find that I can't even get my phone to turn on until the afternoon, I'm at a loss at what to do. Is it a battery problem or hardware, software? Not even sure.
So do I limp along till Oct. and search for a good deal, or do I get a new phone now and get going with something new. Of course the fiscally smart thing to do is wait, but every bone in my body wants to get a new phone and stop dealing with degenerating technology that will slowly die out.
At the same time, getting a new phone now would be nice and there are some good options, but if I wait I could get a newer phone for the same amount of money, but isn't that always the case? With the advent of these every six month technology release it seems we're always behind the curve when we buy devices, and with these new upgrade every six month plans from the providers that could be worth it, but is it really? Not sure. I seems that they just want to gouge their customers for every penny, whatever happened to treating your costumers like they matter, it seems these days that these large phone companies only care about the bottom line.
Being the tech geek that I am I do long for a new phone and look forward to that switch, just not looking forward to the buyers remorse afterward.
So do I limp along till Oct. and search for a good deal, or do I get a new phone now and get going with something new. Of course the fiscally smart thing to do is wait, but every bone in my body wants to get a new phone and stop dealing with degenerating technology that will slowly die out.
At the same time, getting a new phone now would be nice and there are some good options, but if I wait I could get a newer phone for the same amount of money, but isn't that always the case? With the advent of these every six month technology release it seems we're always behind the curve when we buy devices, and with these new upgrade every six month plans from the providers that could be worth it, but is it really? Not sure. I seems that they just want to gouge their customers for every penny, whatever happened to treating your costumers like they matter, it seems these days that these large phone companies only care about the bottom line.
Being the tech geek that I am I do long for a new phone and look forward to that switch, just not looking forward to the buyers remorse afterward.
The lure of the Apps
Apps, wonderful things invented to help, delight, and entertain us. There are soo many apps that we say, "there's an app for that". Apps come in all shapes and sizes and on differing platforms. The lure of that apps comes from one word ....free. Ah free, what a glorious word, but is any app really "free". Free of what?, cost, pain, privacy, security. Do we really look at the "cost" of the word free? I've noticed that so many apps invade our privacy's, control our phones, take our information. Do we care? no. We don't mind, most of the time we don't even notice.
Perhaps the biggest lure from Apps comes from the use of them. Here is what I mean. I've been using android based phones since the arrival of the smart phone. I've loved the apps that came to me from Google Play, and the Amazon App Store. So many free amazing apps that improved my first world life and let me enjoy the amazing thing that was my phone, but that came at a cost that I only now realize. These apps have been slowly limiting my view of what smart device I can get. When people ask, why don't you get an different phone like an iphone or a windows phone, I say well because I've been using android for so long, they have all my apps. These apps have determined what I like and chained me to a platform that maybe I didn't really want to be chained too. So how do I break free, can it be done. Do I just alienate my treasured apps for others that might be inferior in some way, was my choice of phone really that important when I joined the smart phone world? I think yes.
It's time for me to upgrade my phone and I've been looking at all the models available and many of them have appeal, but because of my history of android apps I find myself disregarding phones like the windows phone and the iphone because really, they won't have the apps I want. But then I ask myself, do I really want those apps. I find the answer is....I don't know, what would I do without them? Would my life be empty without the apps I've grown to love?
The answer is no, my life wouldn't be empty and I shouldn't make the apps the most important thing. So why do I make them important. Well because I've had a personal experience with them and I've learned things about them or they've helped me learn things about the world. So I appreciate them, but I shouldn't invest so much in them that I find myself tied down to apple or android or windows. I will Free myself from the apps and the next time I buy a smart phone I will think of other things that I might benefit from and what other possibilities are there for those phones.
I declare freedom from the lure of the apps and take back control of my own buying power!
Perhaps the biggest lure from Apps comes from the use of them. Here is what I mean. I've been using android based phones since the arrival of the smart phone. I've loved the apps that came to me from Google Play, and the Amazon App Store. So many free amazing apps that improved my first world life and let me enjoy the amazing thing that was my phone, but that came at a cost that I only now realize. These apps have been slowly limiting my view of what smart device I can get. When people ask, why don't you get an different phone like an iphone or a windows phone, I say well because I've been using android for so long, they have all my apps. These apps have determined what I like and chained me to a platform that maybe I didn't really want to be chained too. So how do I break free, can it be done. Do I just alienate my treasured apps for others that might be inferior in some way, was my choice of phone really that important when I joined the smart phone world? I think yes.
It's time for me to upgrade my phone and I've been looking at all the models available and many of them have appeal, but because of my history of android apps I find myself disregarding phones like the windows phone and the iphone because really, they won't have the apps I want. But then I ask myself, do I really want those apps. I find the answer is....I don't know, what would I do without them? Would my life be empty without the apps I've grown to love?
The answer is no, my life wouldn't be empty and I shouldn't make the apps the most important thing. So why do I make them important. Well because I've had a personal experience with them and I've learned things about them or they've helped me learn things about the world. So I appreciate them, but I shouldn't invest so much in them that I find myself tied down to apple or android or windows. I will Free myself from the apps and the next time I buy a smart phone I will think of other things that I might benefit from and what other possibilities are there for those phones.
I declare freedom from the lure of the apps and take back control of my own buying power!
Monday, September 9, 2013
My love, hate relationship with Windows 8.1 Preview
Many of your may have known that I updated to Windows 8 earlier this year and have really been enjoying it. 2 weeks ago I went ahead and updated my desktop to Windows 8.1 preview which has been really interesting to play with some of the new features. Well here is where the love hate relationship comes in.
Love: Opening email links on to a split screen so I can see the page and still see the email. (although I do have dual monitors so really not necessary)
Love: The changes to the start screen and the new way to access all your programs, also the ease of use now in customizing the start screen.
Love: Program switching and the the way that programs interact with each other and the fun way to close the programs with a swipe of the mouse from top of the screen to bottom. Makes interacting with my programs that much more fun.
Hate: That the Start button was brought back and really isn't a start button at all, the only saving grace is that I can shutdown the computer a little bit faster with a right click, but really it didn't take that long before. Now there is just a pointless start button when I don't need one.
Hate: That the Windows 8 store has not yet partnered with any really great app shops out there to increase the number and quality of apps available. I imagine that store would be sooo much better with access to some android or even a partnership with the amazon store.
Hate: Well that's really all I can think of right now and I suppose that bodes well for the OS.
In conclusion, I've really enjoyed the switch to Windows 8.1 Preview and I am looking forward to the full release in October this year. Hopefully they can make it better than is already is.
Love: Opening email links on to a split screen so I can see the page and still see the email. (although I do have dual monitors so really not necessary)
Love: The changes to the start screen and the new way to access all your programs, also the ease of use now in customizing the start screen.
Love: Program switching and the the way that programs interact with each other and the fun way to close the programs with a swipe of the mouse from top of the screen to bottom. Makes interacting with my programs that much more fun.
Hate: That the Start button was brought back and really isn't a start button at all, the only saving grace is that I can shutdown the computer a little bit faster with a right click, but really it didn't take that long before. Now there is just a pointless start button when I don't need one.
Hate: That the Windows 8 store has not yet partnered with any really great app shops out there to increase the number and quality of apps available. I imagine that store would be sooo much better with access to some android or even a partnership with the amazon store.
Hate: Well that's really all I can think of right now and I suppose that bodes well for the OS.
In conclusion, I've really enjoyed the switch to Windows 8.1 Preview and I am looking forward to the full release in October this year. Hopefully they can make it better than is already is.
Smart Watch? Really.
So many of you might have seen the new Sony Smart watch seen here: Sony Smart Watch
Is this an awesome new thing or just a fleeting niche product that mostly likely will fade away as fast as it popped up? Well my opinion is that they just might have missed the mark on this. These watches remind me of the Calculator watch back in the late 80's early 90's. At the time they were amazing and everyone had to have one, but once you got one you really didn't know what to do with it except maybe cheat on your math homework. And the day after I got mine, I forgot I had it on went to a friends house to go swimming and well....you can guess that my calculator watch didn't work so well after that.
So these smart watches will be the same, just a passing fad, unless..... With the advent of flexible displays and emerging folding screen technology these devices could be viable. Imagine you slap this screen device on your wrist like those old wrist slappers that we all know and love, and while it's on your wrist you can see the time. Then when you want to browse the web or play a game or any other smart phone activity you just take it off your wrist unfold it and go at it.
Smart watches?, I'm gonna say "Nice try" but until we can get some of these other technologies into these watches, they just aren't worth the money.
Is this an awesome new thing or just a fleeting niche product that mostly likely will fade away as fast as it popped up? Well my opinion is that they just might have missed the mark on this. These watches remind me of the Calculator watch back in the late 80's early 90's. At the time they were amazing and everyone had to have one, but once you got one you really didn't know what to do with it except maybe cheat on your math homework. And the day after I got mine, I forgot I had it on went to a friends house to go swimming and well....you can guess that my calculator watch didn't work so well after that.
So these smart watches will be the same, just a passing fad, unless..... With the advent of flexible displays and emerging folding screen technology these devices could be viable. Imagine you slap this screen device on your wrist like those old wrist slappers that we all know and love, and while it's on your wrist you can see the time. Then when you want to browse the web or play a game or any other smart phone activity you just take it off your wrist unfold it and go at it.
Smart watches?, I'm gonna say "Nice try" but until we can get some of these other technologies into these watches, they just aren't worth the money.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Win7 & Office 2010
As many of you may know from my last post (which was really forever ago), I've been using Win 7 now at work and at home. Its been exciting to explore Win 7 and look for things to improve performance and squeeze every inch of power out of my box. One gem of wisdom that I wanted to pass on was how to turn off the User Account Control system on your Win 7 box. If your not sure what they is, it is the "Cancel or Allow" feature of your Win 7 system. Every time you want to change or install a program you get a window pop up that asks you if your "SURE" you want do to that. And you think to yourself "Well of course I do, that why I click on it...Duh!". Well I have awesome news for all you out there who have been wishing you could just turn that feature off. YOU CAN!
From the bottom of the screen select the start menu icon. Then when it opens lick on your user icon in the upper right hand corner of the start menu. This will take you to the User Accounts page. On the right side at the bottom is a link to access the User Account Control Settings. Click once on that link and it will prompt you what to do. You'll see a slider on the left hand side, just slide it all the way to the bottom and click OK.
In a last act of desperation the computer will ask you if your sure you want to do that. Just select yes and then restart your computer. You will never be asked from that silly User Account Control again. If your some reason after you've turned it off you decide you just can't live without it. I suggest a brain scan.....but a more simple task would be to just follow the above steps and instead of sliding the slider to the bottom slide it to the top to activate the User Account Control.
I hope that helps some of you ease the pain of using Win 7 although it really is pretty painless already.
Also this post I wanted to discuss Office 2010. I just recently upgraded and let me tell you I like what I see. Office 2010 version is finally 64-bit compatible. It about time huh? And even the database software is also 64-bit which means faster queries in Access and more available cell processing in Excel. I haven't been able to thoroughly test the software but from what I've seen so far I like the new look and I like some of the new features. If you can I would highly suggest an upgrade. In today's world there is absolutely no reason for a small business to be running office 95. Bite the bullet and spend some of that hard earned cash on a new office upgrade. You'll be glad you did. And as a side comment to that note I think it's very important to always stay up to date with the latest software. It IS an investment and you should treat it as such, your company only stands to gain from being on the forefront of technology and digital know how.
That's all for now, hope to post again soon on the joys of Smart Phones. Till then - happy computing.
From the bottom of the screen select the start menu icon. Then when it opens lick on your user icon in the upper right hand corner of the start menu. This will take you to the User Accounts page. On the right side at the bottom is a link to access the User Account Control Settings. Click once on that link and it will prompt you what to do. You'll see a slider on the left hand side, just slide it all the way to the bottom and click OK.
In a last act of desperation the computer will ask you if your sure you want to do that. Just select yes and then restart your computer. You will never be asked from that silly User Account Control again. If your some reason after you've turned it off you decide you just can't live without it. I suggest a brain scan.....but a more simple task would be to just follow the above steps and instead of sliding the slider to the bottom slide it to the top to activate the User Account Control.
I hope that helps some of you ease the pain of using Win 7 although it really is pretty painless already.
Also this post I wanted to discuss Office 2010. I just recently upgraded and let me tell you I like what I see. Office 2010 version is finally 64-bit compatible. It about time huh? And even the database software is also 64-bit which means faster queries in Access and more available cell processing in Excel. I haven't been able to thoroughly test the software but from what I've seen so far I like the new look and I like some of the new features. If you can I would highly suggest an upgrade. In today's world there is absolutely no reason for a small business to be running office 95. Bite the bullet and spend some of that hard earned cash on a new office upgrade. You'll be glad you did. And as a side comment to that note I think it's very important to always stay up to date with the latest software. It IS an investment and you should treat it as such, your company only stands to gain from being on the forefront of technology and digital know how.
That's all for now, hope to post again soon on the joys of Smart Phones. Till then - happy computing.
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