Samsung SSD Survives Free Fall

For those of you who enjoy the painful and untimely death (or at least murder attempt) of electronics, this video is for you.

It seems that there is no end to how to get attention for your product, or simply prove someone wrong, big time. 

Samsung dropped one of there SSD's 3 stories, plugged it into a laptop, and it still worked. That's some hot stuff right there.

link here

Netbooks Big on Amazon.com

This is a pretty good link from Gizmodo about how Amazon has jumped on the "we sell Netbooks!" bandwagon. 

What I think is funny though is how hard it is to buy a Netbook via like Best Buy or Circuit City. Seriously, does any physical store actually carry more than say 2 Netbooks or more than 1 model of them?

For how popular these seem to be, they are hard to find outside of the interweb!

Asus Eee Going 3G

According to Gizmodo, the Asus Eee 901 computer will be getting a sizable upgrade in the near future...3G. 

"The 3.75G chip will be in all 901s that ship from October onward.

Claiming 7.2 Mbps down/2 Mbps up over the air, the updated 901's chipset should work with AT&T's network here in the states. Currently the 901 goes for around $500 in its various flavors—and Asus is not mentioning any price changes at the moment for the 3G-packing models." [Gizmodo]

Cd's Replaced By "SlotMusic"?

According to some reports, the age of CDs' may be in the final stages of life. While it is doubtful that anyone would disagree with this considering the surge over the last 10 years of digital music downloads and MP3 players, the trend that may drive the last nail might be.

According to a report on Fox News, the latest trend is Micro SD cards, preloaded with the album. The music would have no copyright protection. The report says that the Micro SD card may be as large as 1GB.

This has been tried previously with USB jump drives. These came preloaded with music and some cover art on the drive itself, or at least on the packaging.

So here is the obvious question: If one wanted, could you rip the music from the card, wipe the card clean and reuse it?

Although this is not a bad idea, why would anyone who doesn't need a new Micro SD card buy one with music, when they can download the same music for a possible lower price?

More I'm A PC Commercial Goodness

On Sunday, I finally saw one of the new Microsoft "I'm a PC" ads. Actually I saw two. I was impressed with the simplistic "everyone in the commercial is a PC, because they use PCs'" storyline. 

The fact that they did not try and mimic the Apple ads entirely is a good tribute to the ability for the Microsoft folks to do something at least partially original. I also liked the fact that the first person you see is the Microsoft employee saying "I'm a PC and I am a stereotype." That was beautiful and very realistic.

The only issue I have with the approach was that one of the commercials featured Bill Gates, or B.G as one hip young gentleman referred to him as. In my mind, if you are trying to change the common view of your company, don't show or mention the previous master of the company. Although I have nothing against Bill Gates, I think that too some people he personifies Microsoft and their ills.

Again, I loved the commercials, even with B.G. And I have to say, like in the commercials...I'm a PC.

I'm A PC - New Microsoft Commercials

Although i have yet to see one of these commercials, it does sound a little cheesy what Microsoft is doing.

From what I have gathered, it seems Microsoft is taking the funny, witty and some times inaccurate "I'm A PC" commercials from Apple, back at Apple with some re-tooling. They found a guy, who works for Microsoft, and are making pro-Microsoft ads with him as the "PC." Sounds like a bad game to me.

Compared to the latest ads with shoes and Seinfeld, I think this might be a better, but still bad idea. If you want to show people why Vista is good, show them why Vista is good. If you want to show why Apple is bad, then show how Apple is bad. These are both doable without the grade school antics.

I guess I just don't understand why you would mock a very popular string of ads trying to getthem to work for your cause. It's like the old 5th grade saying of "I know you are but what am I?"

Anyone who hates Vista hates it because of someone they know, knows someone who had an issue with it. I was weary at first, but I have found myself liking it quite a bit since I have had it over the last four months.

I know several people quite happy with it. I also know several die hard Apple people as well. If people are going to make a decision on which PC to buy, they will make it, commercials or not.

Samsung Joins Netbook Makers With NC10

Yet another pretty entry in the competition for the best Netbook, this time by Samsung. So far, the specs I have found are:

"A 10.2-inch offering, the WSVGA LED display has a resolution of 1024 x 600, the NC10 weighs in at 1.33kg with a 6 cell battery (that claims up to 8 hours juice) and boasts a "normal-size, ergonomic" notebook PC style keyboard. 

With an Intel Atom processor, the netbook will offer Microsoft Windows XP Home and either an 80GB or 160GB hard disk drive. 

The NC10 offers 802.11b/g wireless LAN, 10/100 Ethernet LAN and optional Bluetooth 2.0+EDR. 

Others specs include webcam, 3-in-1 multi-memory card reader, a VGA connection, mic in, headphone out and three USB ports. " [Pocket-Lint]

Sounds like a goody, but still on par with everyone else. Estimated price: around $590.

Internet Explorer 8 Beta

Although I am sure it has been available for awhile, Internet Explorer 8 is available for download. Some of the more notable upgrades are:

• Accelerators
• Web Slices
  
• Improved Security
• Faster Searching

Some of these features match up to features recently released for Google's Chrome. 

IE 7 was a good break from the older versions that lacked multiple tabs, and plug in issues. Hopefully IE 8 will make similar strides with video, security and the overall Internet experience

download

Toshiba's New Netbook

According to a post on Gizmodo, Toshiba is entering the Netbook, or UMPC, market. The specs look decent, and the price tag is comparable to every body else's, around $500, but to me, that's not the issue.

If one were to look at the name of the post itself, "Toshiba Releases Their Obligatory Netbook", one would see the word obligatory. This word seems to reference that they  must sell one of these Netbooks'.

That in itself is my issue. Why must every computer company sell the same hardware at the same price in the same market? If I was designing a netbook, it would be quite a bit different in hardware specs and price compared to the ones being sold now, which are nothing more than glorified laptops.

Anyone who has read my earlier posts on how Netbooks are just cheap laptops knows where I am coming from. For those who don't, search the blog and it'll give you a better idea. If you still don't follow, ask me!

Windows 7: Updated[Micorosft News]

Although this is not a huge chunk of new or earth shattering news, it is still interesting and somewhat informative.

According to a post on Gizmodo, it seems that Windows 7 will look and feel a lot like Windows Vista. I am not sure if that is a bad thing, or if it is supposed to scare off the anti-vista crowd.

The article also states that Windows 7 Beta will be out around December, gearing for a 2009 release. 

Ad: I' am a PC [Pic]

This is posted on Gizmodo's site. It seems to be some part of a pro Windows campaign. Interesting...a PC, in the ocean, kickin' it with sharks?

Wonder what Microsoft is up to...

How Apple Decides Which Apps To Use For iPhone [Pics]

Instructions to Load OSX on Eee PC

I am not sure what would possess someone to try this, outside of being crazy about Macs, but Giz has posted some information about how to install Mac OS X on an Asus Eee.

A Microsoft Product Manager's Vista Confessions

For all of the anti-Vista static floating around out in the world these days, I still have yet to see any large or in depth list of Vista issues or failures.

The article posted here at Giz seems to have several issues lined out, not all of which are listed as Microsoft's fault. 

To me this is kinda like when GW Bush declared Iraq had WMD's. Then people said where are they?!? And he really didn't have much to show them.

This is Mac fanboys and Microsoft haters saying "look at all the issues Vista has!" And I am saying, "where are they? What are the issues?!?"

And they really don't have much to show me.

HiVision Shows Off Sub-$100 Linux Mini Laptop

I am not sure how legitimate most of these articles are, considering I cannot find a company web page for HiVision, or for any of its products. Most of what I have read both intrigues me and makes the product and its company seem very allusive.

None the less, if this is a true product that can be  / will be purchasable in stores soon...this could very well be your UMPC / Low cost laptop winner.

According to Gizmodo, "For $98, you get a MIPS-based processor, 1GB flash storage, 3 USB ports, Ethernet, an SDHC card reader, WiFi, audio in and out, voice-chat and Firefox browser support on a Linux user interface. "

That's not a 95% laptop like you get with most other UMPC's. It is truly a MID, or a simple tool on the go. 

In my opinion, the price seems to reflect the usefulness of the product. It is not damn near a full fledged laptop, therefore, it doesn't cost as much as one does (or close to it)!

To this blogger / techy, this is where the OLPC team should've ended up. This is the on laptop for Everyone!

iTunes 8 Causing Huge Problems, BSOD for Vista Users

If anyone had any doubts out there that it's not just Microsoft that doesn't play well with others, read this article about Apple causing Havoc on Vista machines.

In my opinion, it is not up to Microsoft to design an OS suitable for iTunes. It is Apples' job to write software for their products based on the OS being used.

Again, just my opinion.

New iPod Nano...Possibly

Is this the new iPod Nano? Is if a fake or a knock-off?

Several of these images have been popping up around the Internet over the last week or so. These are some of the latest from Gizmodo.

My question is:

If this is the next great iPod Nano, would you drop $200 - $300 on it?

Apple Gives Details on Original iPod Design...Not By Apple?!

According to Gizmodo, the inspiration for the Apple iPod Nano wasn't an Apple creation...it was some British nobody's.

Actually, his name is  Kane Kramer, and he is credited with one of the first, if not the first modern portable music player.

Due to a lack of investment and funding, his idea went no where. He is now aiding Apple in a court dispute.

Google Reader

Google Reader has been out, and probably in Beta, for a while now. Since I am a quasi-Google fanboy, I surprised myself by not knowing it even existed!

Basically, Google reader allows you to attach all of your desired feeds (i.e. RSS) to one beautiful, gmail looking web page for easy access. It is free, and very easy to use.

Adding feeds is almost as easy as searching for new ones. You don't even need to know the exact name of a feed to "subscribe" to it.

If you have several blogs you follow that have feeds, I would recommend giving Google's Reader a try, even if your not a Google fanboy.

Dell Inspiron Mini 9 Available Now: Windows XP $399, Ubuntu $349

While this isn't earth shattering news, Dell is on the UMPC-Low cost-laptop kick like most other manufacturers, and now has there little gem on sale.

With an Intel Atom processor and a 4 - 16 GB SSD, this mini-Dell is a direct competitor with the Eee. But since it is a Dell, that may have some iffy users thinking twice about not buying one of these machines.

Here is the Giz link.

'Spark' UMPC Looks...Interesting

According to Gizmodo, this is a new comer to the UMPC market geared at educational and low end use.

While it may look a little alien, it seems to have more of an iPhone look and feel than that of a computer.

Chrome Review 1: Google Chrome Is Sweet, Fast Explorer

For those who want to check out Google's Chrome Internet explorer, here is the link.

For starters, it took Chrome barely a second to load once I had it installed. Instead of a link bar for inputting URL's and addresses, it is actually a search bar, using Google to search for a site based on your input.

You can also create what is referred to as an Application Shortcut. Basically, this turns a web page showing some content, like e-mail, and creates an icon to start chrome, and go directly to that e-mail website, like it was running an application. This is similar to having a page book marked, but instead of storing the bookmark in the Internet explorer, it saves it as an application execution icon.

Another neat feature is the Incognito browsing option. This option stores nothing about your Internet exploring: no cookies, passwords, history...nothing. The window has a darker color to stand it apart from the other pages. This is a good tool for using online banking or online purchases.

So far I have been very impressed with the overall functionality and speed of Chrome.

Recommendation: Heavy internet users should give Chrome a heavy work out.

Video of The New LG X110 Netbook

Here is a video clip of the new LG X110 Netbook.

Google's Possible New Browser?

According to an article on Giz, this is a rendition of what could be Google's new open-sourced desktop browser. The people I have seen use it say it rivals Firefox 3 in speed and features.

Giz reports "..predict a Google Browser soon, maybe as soon as tomorrow, that is open sourced, with an intelligent "omni" search/address bar, a multithreaded javascript engine called v8, and tabs on the top of windows." [Gizmodo]

I am under the impression that this might have a counterpart in the works for Android. It would be sweet if they did a desktop app as well though.