Section: Computers, Software / Applications Microsoft really seems to enjoy putting out multiple versions of products. There’s Vista and Windows 7, each with a large number of versions, two SKUs for the Xbox 360 (recently down from three, excluding limited-edition versions). Not content with those, Microsoft had decided to announce Office Starter 2010. To be fair, however, Office Starter is a free version of the office suite. Office Starter 2010 will serve as the Microsoft Works replacement for the next version of the office suite. Unlike Works, it will sport full compatibility with the standard Microsoft Office 2010 and will be easily upgraded. Like Windows 7 Starter, Office Starter is fairly limited at the start, offering only Word and Excel, both of which are ad-supported. So after Microsoft finally killed off Clippy, it’s brining ads into the free version of the software which could possibly be even more annoying. This is on top of the online version of Office 2010 that will also be ad-supported. While offering a free copy of Word and Excel in computers for those who don’t want to pay for Office 2010 is nice, it seems like it could cause some backlash. Ads can be annoying and depending on when the pop-up, it will more than likely annoy people into not using the software. Also, while Word and Excel are useful, it’s surprising that there’s no PowerPoint, though between it and Excel would be a tough decision. Perhaps PowerPoint is just so important that we have to pay for it as opposed to Word and Excel. Either way, we now definitely have Office Starter 2010, Office 2010, and the online Office 2010; I wonder how many more versions Microsoft can squeeze out of an office suite. Read [CNet News] Full Story » | Written by Shawn Ingram for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Gadgets / Other, Transportation  Bugs, tourists, muggy heat. The absence of these horrible ride-killing nuisances are gone in fall and make it the best season for riding a bike. This fall, I’ve built what I consider the pinnacle of current fashion and tech and what’s more, it doesn’t have to cost a lot. Here are 3 upgrades of the latest tech to help you get the most out of fall.
Carbon fork Many of us learned to mountain bike on a completely rigid machine - no shocks up front or in the rear. Today, a trend going back to rigid is happening thanks to the ever-dropping price of carbon parts and offshore labor. I got a hold of an eXotic carbon 29er fork that at once lightens up the rig but adding some give. Its sexy looks are a freebie. The eXotic is not only beautiful but disc-compatible and is almost unbelievably light in your hands. Road bikes have been using carbon forks for years now and I’ve been riding a carbon fork on my cyclocross bike that sees both on and off roads, so I figure it was time to try one out for full-time off road duty. The result? My bike flies up hill. I know a lot of that has to do with a light rig. The give in the fork seems to be better than the old steel fork I road back in the day. A quick lesson is learned on how critical tire inflation becomes: too much and you’ll be bounced around, too little and pinch flats rear their head. Is the light compromise worth the loss in the comfort and luxury of not watching the trail quite so well? I am not sure yet. The eXotic fork costs $199. 29 wheels The 29er revolution is here. At Interbike this year, more and more companies showed off the larger wheel size and for good reason: it makes sense. For eastern riders struggling with downed trees to west coast speed runs, the larger 29er size makes it easier to get up and over while holding speed better. I chose the Mavic Cr29ssmax wheels, they run $779 approximately. I was sold on the size after riding the Carver 96er and so far, the 29er size is working for me. Rock gardens present a challenge, but if I am honest, I was no good at them on the traditional 26” either. So far, 29” wheels are making me a more efficient (faster) rider. 
Runkeeper iPhone app Originally designed for runners (duh), the Runkeeper iPhone app is pure genius. Hit start at the beginning of your ride and put the phone in your pocket (or secure spot) and go ride. The app collects GPS data and calculates your speed, position, altitude, and even computes calories for you. After the ride, users hit stop and the data is synced automatically with the Runkeeper website. You can also view a map of your ride, which is crazy fun for mountain bikers who usually don’t have such trail maps outside of their head. Clicking along the timeline, you can see your position and speed on the map. Very neat and free. A pro version is available that adds some voice prompts to runners listening to music. Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Communications, Email / IM  AT&T Wireless CEO Ralph de la Vega raised eyebrows during a speech to industry professionals in Las Vegas yesterday. De la Vega was quick to point out that 40% of all smartphone data is used by just 3% of the company's smartphone users. While he didn't go into specifics, it's safe to say that 3% is made up of iPhone users, and those users have not been shy about voice their displeasure about AT&T's foot dragging where MMS was concerned (it was finally rolled out last month), lack of VoIP services, and their general unhappiness with the network in general.
De la Vega went on to make a statement that many iPhone users found ominous: "We have to manage the network to make sure that the few cannot crowd out the many," De la Vega continued. He said the words "crowded out" at least five times in that part of his keynote address.
What exactly he means by managing the network is not yet clear but it certainly sounds like price increases on data plans, data caps or throttling could be in store for the future. While such moves may certainly ease the burden placed on the network, it will most certainly anger iPhone users, many of who are already unhappy. If a cap or throttling is put in place and Verizon or another carrier is successful in getting the iPhone, AT&T could see a huge loss in customers, even though it could mean having to buy a new iPhone if it ends up on one of the CDMA carriers. Data managing has not gone over well in the past. Comcast found itself in hot water after it began quietly throttling the bandwidth of users who regularly used bittorrent or streaming video services. Time Warner introduced data caps and tiered data plans in some cities as a test, and it has not done well. While it's clear that the iPhone is a data hog and as such is placing a huge strain on the network, a solution that would solve the problem without angering users will be hard to come by. Read [PCWorld] Full Story » | Written by Sue Walsh for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Gadgets / Other, Green Researchers from the University of Missouri are now working on bringing nuclear powered batteries to the masses. The goal of the engineers is to create batteries that are longer lasting, lighter, and smaller. These new batteries will use liquid semiconductors instead of traditional solid semiconductors. According to Jae Kwon, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at MU, "The nuclear battery can provide power density that is six orders of magnitude higher than chemical batteries." The prototype that the team is currently working on is about the size and thickness of a penny. Kwon assures that the nuclear battery would be safe and points out how nuclear energy has powered underwater systems and space satellites in the past. The researchers have applied for a provisional patent and hope to improve their design even more. Ideally, Kwon hopes that they will be able to make the battery hold even more power and have the dimensions as small as a strand of human hair. Read: [University of Missouri] Image Source: Gizmodo Full Story » | Written by Heather Wood for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers, Smartphones, Mobile CTIA seems to have been good for BlackBerry news, or more specifically BlackBerry Bold news. It looks like Bold fans will soon have a few more options when it comes to picking the model, color, or carrier of your choice. To begin with, the Bold which was previously rumored in white has now seen a real world confirmation complete with images. Overall nothing is all that surprising with this, it is still the Bold, except it is now white, complete with the leather back and silver trim. As far as when and where you will be able to pick this one up, well the jury is still out on this, or at least still waiting for an official word to come from RIM or AT&T. That said, it is rumored to be heading to AT&T on October 18 for $200. Of course, it is also noted as being a limited release that will be available online and in select stores.  Moving on, we also have some details on the BlackBerry Bold 2, although they are still coming on this release, however this is the model that has been going by the codename of Onyx. Anyway, according to what we have so far it looks like the Bold 2 will be available with both T-Mobile and AT&T. An announcement is rumored to be coming on October 21, but as of now there has not been any mention of a release date or pricing. Read [Gizmodo] and [Engadget] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Computers, Mobile Computers, Netbooks, Wireless Wireless charging is finally a reality. At CTIA, PureEnergy is showing off wireless charging of popular netbooks from HP, Lenovo, Acer, and Dell. Their product is a charging mat, much like the Powermat Iyaz reviewed on Gadgetell. The PureEnergy product will charge up to 2 netbooks and five mobile phone simultaneously. Typically, wireless charging involves an adapter or jacket for your gadget so it can receive the wireless power and PureEnergy offers several of these to fit popular phones as well as jackets for phones to remove a step for users. Adding netbooks to the list of gadgets that can be charged wirelessly is a handy move. It looks like PureEnergy’s strategy is to hook up with a carrier and provide their goods rebranded with the carrier’s name. That could be a tough sell as carriers are very leery to add significant cost and without products designed specifically for wireless charging, like the Palm Pre, the benefit of simple wireless charging starts to fade into the background. From Iyaz’s review of a similar product, “If you a person who carries multiple electronics or live in a house with more than one cell phone, the Powermat is pretty much a no-brainer.” Press release: [PureEnergy] Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Audio, Computers, Software / Applications Anyone who is frustrated, fed up, or just looking for an alternative to iTunes may want to consider checking out the latest release of doubleTwist. The latest version is (at this time) Mac only, however a PC version is promised to be in the works. Additionally, an international version is also noted as being in the works. Moving on, for those unfamiliar with doubleTwist, it is simply an iTunes alternative— but an iTunes alternative that offers support for a wide variety of devices. Basically, instead of having to use an Apple product, you will be able to use the device you choose, in fact there is a wide variety of support for devices including the Palm Pre, T-Mobile G1, Sony PSP, Nintendo DSi, Amazon Kindle, Archos 605, the BlackBerry lineup and many many more. And yes, you can even sync your Apple iPod. This latest version of doubleTwist has added integration with the Amazon MP3 store. Which is good news for those of us who have moved on from purchasing from the iTunes Store, not to mention those who now use multiple devices or have multiple devices in your family. In terms of features, there are some that will be missing from iTunes, it is pretty clear that you are not going to see an App Store, nor will you have the option to purchase videos, but remember you are using the Amazon MP3 store, not to mention you can still import any current video from other locations on your hard drive. Heck, the doubleTwist application can even see, access and play your iTunes library, including the ability to import your current iTunes playlists. Personally, I am not sure if I am exited more by the fact that I can now sync multiple devices with this one program and not have to worry about what I am opening, or that this has taken the Amazon MP3 store away from the browser and onto my desktop. Read [doubleTwist] Via [TechCrunch] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
More Recent Articles | 
No comments:
Post a Comment