Linux on Refurbished Computersby Clair at New Linux User
Got old computers or computer parts? Re-use them. Or donate them to a center such as the Alameda County Computer Resource Center (ACCR). They would welcome your computer parts! ;) And if you feel like volunteering, they’d even teach you how to install Linux. (They’re...
Working at Microsoftby Jason at Microsoft Weblog
Have you ever thought about working at Microsoft? It’s sure crossed my mind a number of times. I remembered the first time I really thought about it I was at a Microsoft TechNet event. The speakers that were sharing and talking about how to use a new version of a...
Viacom CEO Wants More DRM, Disses Net Neutralityby Mike Abundo at Emerging Earth
Oh, wow. I don’t want to portray Viacom as a caricature of all mass media evil, but it seems they just want to be. At an antipiracy summit held by the US Chamber of Commerce, Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman throws his support behind DRM and his opposition against net neutrality. You...
The 4.25% Solutionby Mark Evans at All About Nortel
Here’s Motley Fool’s take on Nortel recently redeeming $1.125-billion of senior convertible notes that were due next September. Good news, right? You’d think so. Nortel has been saddled with debt for so long that any meaningful balance-sheet progress is likely worth celebrating. But is it here? Honestly, I’m not so sure....
Henry Blodget 2.0!by Mark Evans at Mark Evans
Hey, you hear Google shares are heading to $2000? Yup, just a matter of time before the search monster has a market capitalization of a staggering $750-billion - which would rank it 15th in GDP if Google was a country. The $2000 “target” - and I use that term loosely -...
Unlocking frustrations turn Apple into a jaded companyby Jayvee at Cellphone9
Watch this video. It shows off the frustrations of Apple iPhone third party developers and their cry to keep the iPhone free. For me, the most successful campaign of Apple was their “Think Different” slogan. It made Mac users feel that they were special. With the way Apple vehemently strikes...
Ballmer Forgets Bill Was Young Onceby Mike Abundo at Emerging Earth
Yes, it’s official: despite his outlandish antics, Steve Ballmer is old. Here’s what he had to say about social networks: I think these things are going to have some legs, and yet there’s a faddishness, a faddish nature about anything that basically appeals to younger people. Ballmer forgets that his buddy Bill...
Updates Available to Fix Your USB Problemsby Milo at Windows Vista Weblog
I am glad Microsoft finally released an update which deals with a lot of USB related problems. I find it disappointing to be dealing with this issues. Anyways, here is the download for us to rejoice. Share This...
Which Linux distro should you install on your laptop?by Clair at New Linux User
Some friends ask me every once in a while what Linux distro they should install on their laptops. It’s not an easy question to answer. I have my bias towards Ubuntu, of course, so that’s an obvious recommendation from me. In any case, here are some of...
Tips to Buying a Gadget Bagby colbert low at The Gadget Blog
Jayvee, my colleague from cellphone9 has a good write up on how to choose a suitable gadget bag . In the meantime, the ZERO SHOCK 17-inch Wide Screen Laptop Inner Bag looks like a good bag to protect your notebooks from shocks. As a general rule, buy a bag that’s 10%...
Adobe acquires Buzzwordby Jerome Locson at Office Tweaks
With the current trend of online office suites, Adobe is now embracing the opportunities offered with the feature of webtop applications. Just recently, Adobe acquired Buzzword (byVirtual Ubiquity) - a collaborative online word processor. It is said that Adobe it has signed a definitive agreement with Virtual Ubiquity. As stated...
Will Pate Movin’ in To Sudburyby Mark Evans at Maple Leaf 2.0
If you’re moving to Sudbury, you better have a damn good reason. (Note: Nothing against Sudbury. I’ve got friends there, and visited many times!). Will Pate’s making the move after being hired to Conceptshare’s new community evangelist. (Note: What exactly does a community evangelist do, anyway?). For any not familiar with...
Love the Comments but…by Mark Evans at All About Nortel
If blogging is about having a conversation, then All About Nortel fits right in. It’s great to see so many people so enthusiastic and passionate about Nortel - its successes, failures, prospects, troubles, etc. That said, there have been a few comments recently that have crossed the line - and “the...
4G networks and not WiFi is the solution to VoIPby Jayvee at Cellphone9
“I’m a huge disbeliever in metro Wi-Fi for VoIP simply because the external Wi-Fi doesn’t penetrate into building, so it’s pretty much useless for the majority of calls.” - Dean Bubley, founder of Disruptive Analysis The dispute over which wireless network should shoulder a massive scale of VoIP can only be settled...
RSS Profile is up and aboutby Juned at A Feed Is Born
After 18 months of work the RSS Advisory Board has come up with RSS Profile - a document that aims to be the second document that programmers consult when implementing RSS, in other words a set of best-practice recommendations for RSS. The lead authors of RSS Profile are James Holderness,...
Looking for an Apple iPhone bloggerby Jayvee at Cellphone9
Yep, the b5media technology channel is in search for an iPhone blogger. We were always into the niche industry, so we’re opening up a slot for one of the most controversial consumer product of 2007: the iPhone. Love it or hate it, it doesn’t matter. With Apple cracking down on...
Linux not ready for average desktop users?by Clair at New Linux User
Maybe we should qualify that. But to qualify the kind of users would take some time. As the blog entry Where are the “average” computer users? by Jim of UbuntuKids.org says: My post was mainly motivated by reading all the threads on the forums where people complain that Ubuntu isn’t ready...
Extension for Windows XPby Milo at Windows Vista Weblog
Microsoft has extended the availability of Windows XP SKUs from January 31, 2008 to June 30, 2008. Likewise, Windows XP Starter Edition will be available until June 30, 2010. OEMs on the other hand will remain available until January 31, 2009. Support for Windows XP has been extended until April,...
Macbook Line To Be Redesignedby Juan at The After Mac
According to this blog post at MacSlice, the Macbook line up is set to be redesigned. This includes both the Macbook and Macbook Pro range of portables. The post states these specs: MacBook Black & Silver aluminum Slimmer and lighterthan current model Keyboard that resembles Apple’s new desktop keyboards New, larger trackpad with “unusual” features Prices will...
Free Wii Remote Jackets for Nintendo Wii Ownersby colbert low at The Gadget Blog
If you are prone to throwing your Wii remotes at the LCD TV, fret not, Nintendo is gonna send you some free Wii Remote Jackets to cushion the punch. You just have to get your Wii’s serial number handy and order up to 4 free units from their Website. Looks...
Microsoft puts Office on the Web and Adobe Followsby Kiven at That Damn PC
Microsoft on Monday announced new services such as Microsoft Office Live Workspace, a new Web-based feature of Microsoft Office that lets people access their documents online and share their work with others. This new strategy departs from the company’s current model of selling licenses for software that runs locally on...
Organize your info with StoreitAllby Kiven at That Damn PC
Do you ever have a hard time finding files on your computer? Do you find yourself printing letters and notes out and organizing them into physical folders just to leave them laying them around your desk? Here’s an application that makes it easy to organize all the bits of information...
Where’s Jellyfish.com?by Mark Evans at Mark Evans
When you (Microsoft) announce the acquisition of a Web site (Jellyfish.com), it’s probably not a good idea for it to be down for “scheduled system maintenance”. Saying “We Are Down But Not Out” doesn’t cut it or encourage people to come back for another look. Share This...
Nortel Backed Away From 3Com?by Mark Evans at All About Nortel
According to the Wall St. Journal, Nortel was interested in making a run at 3Com Corp. but backed away because it would have put into competition with Huawei, which ended up taking a minority stake in 3Com as part of a $2.2-billion deal led by Bain Capital. It’s an interesting...
Skype Should Do An IPO Soonby Mark Evans at Mark Evans
Okay, eBay blew it with the purchase of Skype by wildly over-paying. So what now? After cleaning up its books, eBay should set Skype free by doing an IPO. It would probably be embarrassing to eBay but how much worse can it get? If you step back, Skype appears to be a...
eBay Desktop betaby Jerome Locson at Office Tweaks
Ebay, the e-commerce giant, recently launched their new tool for their users - eBay Desktop beta. Prior to this launching, the project was dubbed as Project San Dimas. The application allows users to interactive directly from their website, both online and offline. Remember the Adobe AIR technology? Yes! eBay Desktop was...
Blogs as Media Sourcesby Mark Evans at Maple Leaf 2.0
We all know that the mainstream media has had a love-hate relationship with blogs. On one hand, they enjoy nothing better than dissing blogs as the ramblings of amateurs. Meanwhile, many newspapers are busy launching all kinds of blogs, although they aren’t quite sure what do with them. Another fascinating...
Skype Recorder 1.2by Jerome Locson at Office Tweaks
Enjoying the freedom of convertion with Skype VoIP technology? If you do, then here is another feature that you may wish to add-up to your Skyping sessions. It is called Skype Recorder and as the name says, it does audio recording. Extralabs Software recently released Skype Recorder 1.2. Below is the...
Tips & Tricks: Windows Vista Recovery Diskby Milo at Windows Vista Weblog
Do you miss the safe mode in Windows XP? Microsoft Windows Vista Service Pack 1 beta version is already being tested by beta testers and as such it was reported that Windows Vista now has the feature to create Windows Vista Recovery Disk. The Windows Vista Recovery Disc allows you to...
eBay-Skype: I Hate to Say I Told You So….by Mark Evans at Mark Evans
I was one of those people who never got eBay’s decision to buy Skype. It didn’t make sense strategically despite eBay’s loud assertions it was a great fit. In fact, I opined - along with lots of other people such as Andy Abramson - that eBay got suckered. Over the past...
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Science: New Artificial Corneas Give Hope to the Blind
Posted: Wed, 03 Oct 2007 12:00:00 EDT
Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany (the same people that invented MP3s) have developed an artificial cornea that can attach solidly to a patients natural cornea. It looks to be hugely...
W580i: Sony Ericsson W580i Available From AT&T
Posted: Wed, 03 Oct 2007 11:10:51 EDT
The w580 isn't exactly new—we fondled it earlier this year—but it's now officially available on AT&T. The price actually depends on your region, and will be available for $79 to $129 with...
Im: AIM 6.5, out today, includes the AIM Tunes ...
Posted: Wed, 03 Oct 2007 11:09:03 EDT
AIM 6.5, out today, includes the AIM Tunes plug-in: you'll be able to listen to any music your online buddies put into playlists, provided of course that the tracks are not locked by DRM. Net radio,...
1Up: Mario Mushroom Lights, Fanboy Up
Posted: Wed, 03 Oct 2007 10:59:33 EDT
The Mushroom Lamp is a glowing feat of technology. But it's not the power efficient LEDs that will stretch the life of the 4AA battery power supply that has us impressed. It's the lawsuit-avoiding...
Nanoscale: Nanometer-Wide PicoToilet, Plus a Gallery of Micrographs
Posted: Wed, 03 Oct 2007 10:56:04 EDT
Man, you're going to have to have a tiny butt to use this toilet—less than a nanometer wide, to be specific. Taken with an electron microscope by nanotechnologist Kaito Takahashi, this pic not...
Cheeseball Overload: Apple Corporate Video From 1984 Rips Off Irene Cara, is Ridiculous
Posted: Wed, 03 Oct 2007 10:30:00 EDT
newVideoPlayer("appleold.flv", 475, 376);This ludicrous Apple corporate video was used during the Macintosh rollout in January of 1984. It played before Steve Jobs took the stage. My, how keynotes...
Breaking: Invisibility Cloak Is Here (For Really Tiny, 2D People)
Posted: Wed, 03 Oct 2007 10:21:50 EDT
US scientists have finally done it: they've created a cloak to hide an object in the visual light spectrum. The catch? This cloak is just 10 micrometres in diameter and only works in 2D space. But...
Patents: Nokia Develops Eyes-Free Touchscreen Controls
Posted: Wed, 03 Oct 2007 09:45:00 EDT
Nokia has invented a way to let you use a touchscreen on a cellphone or mobile device without looking at it. It's done with this special lid that has a slot in it with slightly raised places on it...
Superumor: Apple Eyes Intel Chips for iPhone?
Posted: Wed, 03 Oct 2007 09:29:19 EDT
We're pulling out our new SuperRumor™ for this news, but according to DigiTimes, Apple is considering the recently announced Intel Mooretown chips for the iPhone. Since these Intel chips won't...
Accessories: Tiny Chairs Let Your Gadgets Have a Meeting
Posted: Wed, 03 Oct 2007 09:03:24 EDT
Looking for a place to park that new Zune? Brando suggests pulling up The Chair, a $6 gadget stand that looks like those stackable chairs you lugged outside to the church picnic back in olden times....
DVR: Beyond TV Adds iPod/iPhone Auto Sync
Posted: Wed, 03 Oct 2007 08:52:35 EDT
We haven't paid much attention to Beyond TV in the past, but the new 4.7 update has caught our attention with a sweet new feature: iPod and iPhone auto syncing. While competitors like TivoToGo will...
Zune: Gates Talks Zune 2
Posted: Wed, 03 Oct 2007 08:49:43 EDT
newVideoPlayer("gateszune2_gawker.flv", 475, 376); So let's hear it from the main man himself, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates, introducing his new Zune babies and ticking off the new features and...
Painfree DIY: Nail Assist is Sadly Not What You Think
Posted: Wed, 03 Oct 2007 08:37:34 EDT
This one's going out for all the clumsy DIY freaks, people who aim for the nail, honest, but just end up playing Test Your Strength on their thumbs. Insert the nail head into the collar, so that the...
Bluetooth Watch: nTren's Bluetooth MP3 Watch Sets Your Wrist Free For Other Uses
Posted: Wed, 03 Oct 2007 08:30:00 EDT
The trouble with MP3 watches, like your manhood, is they are small beyond usability and, annoyingly, they require a physical attachment to your wrist to be of any use. The nTren Bluetooth MP3 Watch...
Waiting: New Palm OS, 18 Months Around Corner
Posted: Wed, 03 Oct 2007 08:23:38 EDT
Palm's upcoming OS is a ways out: 18 months to be specific. After Palm's unfulfilled tryst with the Foleo, engineers from that project have been moved to OS development. But all the same, engineers...
CEATEC2007: Omnidirectional Speaker Works as Jedi Training Drone Too
Posted: Wed, 03 Oct 2007 07:53:52 EDT
This is actually a 32-sided speaker from CEATEC, although I think it would work very well as either a steampunk microphone, a glitter ball for the Tin Man, or a lollipop for Ro-lita, a sexy underage...
CEATEC2007: DocoMo Shows off a Halitosis- and Fat-Detecting Concept Cell
Posted: Wed, 03 Oct 2007 07:28:19 EDT
The Wellness phone is about as mean as you can get. A concept that DoCoMo has been only too happy to show off at CEATEC this week, the cell measures how bad your breath is on a scale of 1 to 10...
Zune: First Video of Zune 2 and Flash Zune
Posted: Wed, 03 Oct 2007 03:11:04 EDT
newVideoPlayer("zune.flv", 475, 286); Giz wasn't invited to the launch of the Zune, but the folks at Edelman working late into the night supplied us with a promotional video of the event. Check out...
Cellphones: Verizon's LG VX10000 Voyager Revealed and Groped (with Gallery)
Posted: Wed, 03 Oct 2007 02:10:15 EDT
Though images have leaked here and there, not much was known about the LG VX10000 from Verizon Wireless. Sure, when open, it looks like the QWERTY-obsessed LG enV, but when closed, it's got way more...
Zune: First-Gen Zune Getting All The New Features: This is How You Treat Your Customers
Posted: Wed, 03 Oct 2007 00:21:17 EDT
The first generation 30GB Zune—which 1.2 million of you already purchased—is getting all the new Zune's features. All. Sure, the new Zune is more of a half step forward than a completely...
Cellphones: Hands On with Verizon's Cute Lil Samsung Juke
Posted: Wed, 03 Oct 2007 00:20:00 EDT
A little larger than a stick of gum, the swivel-flip action Samsung Juke is perhaps the funnest music phone Verizon Wireless has yet ordered up. The $99 phone comes in metallic navy, teal and red....
Smartphones: Hands On with Verizon's RIM BlackBerry Pearl 8130
Posted: Wed, 03 Oct 2007 00:19:00 EDT
Verizon Wireless showed me its eagerly anticipated CDMA Pearl today, and the carrier isn't going heavy handed on this one. Rather than try to VZW the hell out of it, the only software that Verizon...
Cellphones: Hands On with Verizon's Janus-Faced LG VX8800 Venus (with Gallery)
Posted: Wed, 03 Oct 2007 00:01:00 EDT
You knew there would be a successor to the LG Chocolate by Verizon Wireless (besides Chocolate 2), and Venus was her name. But does she got it? galleryPost('VZWLGVenus', 8, ''); The Venus is LG's...
Zune: Sizemodo: Zunes vs. iPods
Posted: Tue, 02 Oct 2007 23:58:02 EDT
The new Zune's just slightly bigger than the iPod classic, measuring about 5mm taler and 2mm thicker. It's also slightly thinner than the 30GB Zune, with 3mm height, 1mm width and 2mm depth...
Zune: Zune 2 and Flash Zune Official
Posted: Tue, 02 Oct 2007 22:48:01 EDT
The next-generation Zune has just been announced, coming at you with a price tag (which we already saw) of $249 for the 80GB hard drive model and $149/$199 for the 4GB and 8GB flash-based models...
Zune: First Official Zune 2 and Zune Flash Photos
Posted: Tue, 02 Oct 2007 22:15:49 EDT
We'd seen the new Zune in red, pink and black (or whatever its called) but I was curious about the green model we reported today. Here it is, leaked, along with some better photos. Now, is that a pea...
Sidekick: Sidekick LX Interface Walkthrough
Posted: Tue, 02 Oct 2007 21:40:12 EDT
Boy Genius has a walkthrough of the Sidekick LX, which you still can't buy now, but will be able to get soon. They take you through the phone, myFaves, AIM, music playback, MSN, and Emailing screens,...
Audio: Replug Breakaway Audio Connector Prevents Your Gear From Getting Pwned
Posted: Tue, 02 Oct 2007 21:12:24 EDT
It's impossible to describe the functionality of the Replug audio adapter without comparing to Apple's Magsafe power adapter, so let's just get it out of the way now. Like the Magsafe, the Replug...
Zune: Zune Getting Media Center Video Integration?
Posted: Tue, 02 Oct 2007 20:51:34 EDT
A Zunerama forum memberdude who works at an unnamed publication has written about an embargoed fax confirming much of the previous dirt on Zune 2. Here's one new tidbit, unconfirmed, but juicy: Media...
Rumor Smash: Apple Insider found out that the iPhone Extreme ...
Posted: Tue, 02 Oct 2007 20:26:12 EDT
Apple Insider found out that the iPhone Extreme is little more than a sloppy cut and paste job by an Apple code monkey. [Apple Insider]
Gadgets: Kenwood Response Kettle Changes Color As it Heats
Posted: Tue, 02 Oct 2007 20:00:29 EDT
Being as into tea as the British folks this Kenwood Response Kettle was made for, we're definitely looking forward to marveling at its color-changing capabilities. Not only is it a container to keep...
Bad Medicine: 'Rock My Teeth' Uses iPod to Help Whiten Teeth
Posted: Tue, 02 Oct 2007 19:40:00 EDT
Allow me to present to you the worst iPod accessory yet: a teeth-whitening system. Yes, the "Rock My Teeth" system promises a whiter smile with just 30 minutes of use. It works by sticking peroxide...
Zune: What the Hell is a Zune Pad?!
Posted: Tue, 02 Oct 2007 19:36:48 EDT
Zunepad?! That's the name of the new square/circle control? Is that the branding effort to combat Apple's well-known clickwheel or multitouch interface? Bad idea, Microdudes, bad idea. Here come your...
Gadgets: Mario and Luigi Air Fresheners
Posted: Tue, 02 Oct 2007 19:20:48 EDT
When we think of freshness, there's nothing better than the smell of two Italian dudes that spend their day stomping on mushrooms and sticking their heads into toilets and pipes. For $7.61, that's...
Zune: Zune 2 Price
Posted: Tue, 02 Oct 2007 19:12:42 EDT
Early unconfirmed reports are claiming that the new second-generation Zune, or Zune 2, is going to cost $249 for the 80GB version, $199 for the 8GB, and $149 for the 4GB. As for features, there are...
Zune: Zune 2 Getting Wireless Syncing, DRM-Free Music, Video Downloads, Colors
Posted: Tue, 02 Oct 2007 18:58:31 EDT
Zunescene's reporting that they know about three upcoming features for the new Zunes courtesy of a reliable source. All the Zunes, including the old 30GB first-gen, will get wireless syncing. Zune...
Samsung: Samsung Hybrid BD-UP5000 Delayed?
Posted: Tue, 02 Oct 2007 18:55:21 EDT
It's unconfirmed by any of my Samsung contacts, but apparently the new high end Blu-ray disc player from Samsung is being canceled, while the long awaited hybrid disc player, the first with total HD...
Nytimes Pulpbite: Two NYTimes reporters are relentlessly covering ...
Posted: Tue, 02 Oct 2007 18:55:13 EDT
Two NYTimes reporters are relentlessly covering the iPhone Bricking episode. Saul Hansell interviews Palm and confirms that AT&T isn't worried about Treos bringing down the network, and Katie tells...
USB: Foot-Based USB Sheet Music Turner Pedal
Posted: Tue, 02 Oct 2007 18:50:06 EDT
Anyone who's played an instrument and knows how to read sheet music can tell you that turning pages in the score while trying to keep playing is a pain in the ass. But with this Page/Score turner...
Palm: Linux Based Palm OS Pushed Out to End of Year '08
Posted: Tue, 02 Oct 2007 18:20:16 EDT
Yesterday during Palm's Q1-08 Conference call, CEO Ed Colligan dropped some tidbits about their release schedule for the Linux-based Palm OS "[The Palm Centro] team is now totally focused on...
Design: Ex-Time Projector Watch
Posted: Tue, 02 Oct 2007 18:00:47 EDT
Do none of your friends carry watches? Do random people come up to you on the street and ask you the time? With this Ex-Time Projector watch design by Rong Yong, not only can you read the time...
Touch Dual: HTC Touch Dual Slider Video Walkthrough
Posted: Tue, 02 Oct 2007 17:40:40 EDT
newVideoPlayer("htcdemo2_gawker.flv", 475, 376);If you're at all interested in HTC's Touch Dual, also known as the sliding version of the HTC Touch, you should take a look at eXpansys's video...
How To: Disposable Camera Belt Perfect for Chris Hanson Wannabes
Posted: Tue, 02 Oct 2007 17:20:42 EDT
One of the quirkier DIY projects we've seen, the disposable camera belt is not a disposable belt for your camera, which is what I initially thought. No, it's a disposable camera strapped to a belt....
Stats Feed: Today's most popular headlines are Rocket-Powered ...
Posted: Tue, 02 Oct 2007 17:00:26 EDT
Today's most popular headlines are Rocket-Powered 21-Foot Long X-Wing Model Actually Flies (Updated: New Pics Show It Even Has Built-in R2-D2) (89,305 views today), Betavoltaic Battery Could Power...
Portable Media: iLuv Portable Video MP3 and DVD Player, for Music and Movies Everywhere
Posted: Tue, 02 Oct 2007 17:00:00 EDT
Watch movies on the go and listen to music, too, with this iLuv Portable Video MP3 and DVD Player. Its 8.4-inch widescreen LCD will show you those DVDs in slim style, and when you've had enough of...
Question Of The Day: Zune 2 Launch: Excited?
Posted: Tue, 02 Oct 2007 16:46:22 EDT
Until yesterday, Tthe Zune 2 Launch was kept under extremely tight wraps. That's all and well if you like sticking to plans, but the lack of any leaked info seems to have hurt the overall effort....
Cellphones: Helio Drift Gone, Helio Mysto Coming Soon
Posted: Tue, 02 Oct 2007 16:46:18 EDT
It's been only a year, but the Helio Drift slider has been phased out of Helio's lineup, and should be soon replaced by a Helio "Mysto." Heliocity discovered a new filing at the USPTO for the Mysto,...
Review: Lightning Round: Nyko Charge Station 360 Dual Port Xbox 360 Controller Chargers
Posted: Tue, 02 Oct 2007 16:40:15 EDT
The Gadget: Nyko's Charge Station 360, which has been around for a while, but is just the thing that new Xbox 360 owners (who got in during Halo fever) need to keep two controller battery packs...