Tech - iPhone

Apple Inc (Previously called Apple Computer Inc) yesterday announced the launch of its latest product, the iPhone. Apple touts the iPhone as a combo of iPod, Phone and Internet communicator.

You can watch Steve Job's Iphone introduction here: (Please watch... its very interesting)


Tech Specs:

• Screen Size: 3.5inches
• Resolution: 320 x 480 @160ppi
• Input method: Multi Touch
• Operating System OS X
• Storage: 4GB or 8GB
• GSM: Quad band (Mhz:850, 900, 1800, 1900)
• Wireless Data: Wi-Fi (802.11g) + EDGE + Bluetooth 2.0
• Camera: 2 Mega pixels
• Battery: Up to 5 hours talk / video / browsing
• Up to 16 hours Audio playback
• Dimensions: 4.5 x 2.4 x 0.46 inches / 115 x 61 x 11.6mm
• Weight: 4.8 ounces / 135 grams

Apple has also partnered Google to include Google Maps, Yahoo to provide push mail service for all iPhone users. The sole distributor for the iPhone in the US will be Cingular and will be avaiable in the US from June 2007, Europe 4th quarter 2007 and Asia 2008 (sigh!)

Things that I like:

Wide screen

Wi Fi

The things that I am concerned with are as follows:

Will OS X be compatible with Windows?

There does not seem to be expansion slot

The battery is not removable

Till I have more information..... and also see what others have to say as well

Try this post in Treonauts, which compares the Treo 680 with the iPhone.

Tech - Firefox 2.0

I have been using Firefox since its inception and I am a big fan. The free Firefox browser, developed by Mozilla, a non profit corporation dedicated to cultivate competitive, viable community innovation.

Personally, I like the tabbed browser windows that does not require you to open a new window for a new browser window, like IE 6 and before. Microsoft has wizened up and IE 7 has incorporated this feature.

Aesthetics wise, the new release looks more vibrant and hip. It incorporates a search engine toolbar and there are 6 defaults to choose from, Google, Yahoo, eBay, Answers.com, Amazon and Creative Commons. You can even customise the search engines from mozilla's website.

As in previous versions of Firefox, 2.0 enables to use of add ons, widgets that increase the functionalities of Firefox. Some of the add ons may not be upgraded for use with 2.0 but you will be able to check or either that when you download the add on, Firefox will automatically check compatibility. One of my favourite add on is GSpace, a web based FTP like program that allows you to make use of your Gmail account like a storage space for your files.

There is also a smart spell check when you are typing in forms or for example as I am editing this blog post, it will underline words that are not in its dictionary.

When compared to IE7, which I do not really like, especially its interface, Firefox gets my thumbs up!

Other software improvements in this version includes:

• Fixed memory leaks and improved performance
• Built-in phishing protection will warn the user of suspicious sites
• Persistent sessions will restore the session after system restart
• Live Titles and microsummaries help sites convey the latest interesting content
• Improved add-on manager helps the users manage extensions and themes
• Enhanced security and localization support for extensions
• Support for JavaScript 1.7

Tech - Internet Access affected by Taiwan Quake

The 7.1 magnitude earthquake which hit Taiwan on Tuesday damaged 6 undersea cables carrying Internet and other traffic. I have experienced problems with slow Internet access in the office and most of the time the rectifications take a few hours but this time round there was no access for 2-3 days. Only local sites and emails to local addresses were accessible, I was trying to conduct research on a deal but Google was down, I sent emails but they bounced back... on the other hand there were many people on leave, taking advantage of the long weekend holiday and nothing much was done in the end. Finally did some real paperwork to wrap up the year.... my accountants have been chasing me for the paperwork anyway!

Around the world, the disruption to the Internet had a more profound effect on some. In China, a student's hope of studying in the US is threatened as he has a deadline to file his application to study for his MBA in the US (International Herald Tribune).

It is interesting to note that the Taiwan earthquake comes exactly 2 years after the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami.

Well thankfully, most Internet services are up and we have a long weekend ahead of us, going back to work only on Wednesday.

Tech - Building a simple Media Centre

A media centre PC allows you to record television shows to a hard disk, play your favourite movies and shows on your large screen TV, have your entire MP3 collection play through your stereo, access news from Internet on your TV and generally act as an all-purpose media jukebox.

I was not willing to spend money building a dedicated Media Centre PC, as I do not really record TV shows. What I have done is to use my existing hardware and software to make a simple Media Centre.

This is what I currently have at home:

1. 37" Panasonic Plasma TV
2. A Pioneer home theatre system with CD/DVD-R/MP3/WMA playback, FM Tuner etc
3. A Compaq Presario Laptop with WiFi
   
4. Digital Cable TV encoder/decoder
5. Linksys WRT54G wireless router

Video Output:

My Plasma TV has a PC monitor input, which means I can use an extension cable to link my Laptop monitor output to my Plasma.

Audio Output:

Using a 3.5mm to RCA cable, I can connect my Laptop's sound to my Line In of my Pioneer HTS.

Software:

I use i-Tunes to play music, Windows Media Player 11 to play avi/M-PEG4 videos, I download mostly series like Lost, 24, Heroes, Prison Break, House and most of them have been recorded with HD, so the quality is already very good. I have just downloaded MediaPortal, an open source software similar to Windows Media Centre, to handle my Laptop's media (will try it out and review it later).

Playing Videos:

When I want to watch my favourite downloaded shows, all I need to do is to play it, WM11 will start, I will switch my video output to the Plasma, connect my audio to the HTS and voila.... Playing a HD quality episode of Prison Break on my Plasma.

Playing Music:

Run i-Tunes, select my playlist, album or artist etc, click play, make sure my audio is connected to the HTS and no need to change CDs... (just make sure when you get a new CD, you rip it into the Laptop, thats it.). I can also use my iPod or my Tre0 650 to play music using the same method. In my opinion, there is no need to spend money on a iPod dock that can connect to your stereo. The 3.5mm to RCA cable cost me at most S$8. An example of a iPod stereo docks is from Kensington . Take note that you may have to increase the volume on your iPod to about 75-80% of peak volume for the music to be clear.

I can even surf the net on my Plasma. It may sound a bit complicated, I must admit there are a few cabling issues to sort out, but it serves my purposes well. There are many other ways to configure, you can just use an old PC with enough storage for your media but the your TV will become the only video output though. I have placed my Laptop on my TV console and beside my HTS, so the cabling is not too difficult and my Laptop is connected wirelessly to my router which rests inside my storeroom, so there's 1 less cable to worry about. I also recommend using wireless mouse and keyboard so that you can be mobile, I can even surf the net from my kitchen.

Tech - Website - Giveaway of the day

Stumbled upon this website while going through Lifehacker. Its a website that offer licensed software for free! Usually for a limited time period of about 1 day. You download the software, activte it using the details provided and voila, the software's free for you to use. The software must be downloaded and installed within the 1 day time period for it to be free.

Not sure what is their business model is, but I am sure they have some tie ups with software companies to provide this service, in return for access to their registered users. I do not particularly mind, since it benefits me. Just downloaded my 1st software, Direct Audio Converter and CD Ripper. Will review it after trying it. Go take a look, you never know whats the Giveaway. They have even started a Game giveaway of the day....

Enjoy!

Tech - Sony Earphones - MDR-EX90SL

My old Sony earphones MDREX71SL (left) which have lasted me for 4 years, since 2002, decided to retire during my trip to Bali. Usually when my earphones retire.... only one side does, so its quite frustrating cos the other side still works but there's nothing I can do abt it! Anyway, my advice is not to buy white earphones cos they yellow with time, not sure abt those iPod ones. the reason I love my old earphones is that they are small and they fit snugly into your ear with silicone earbuds (they are called in-ear earphones), so it has kind of a noise cancelling effect. I was using those normal earphones for a couple of days while waiting to get the new ones. Wah lau! It was damn painful, which hardened my conviction to get the in-ear ones and I decided to stick with Sony. My old earphones have suffered a fair bit of abuse under me and they still lasted 4 years, so I am impressed with Sony for their earphones.

Went to the Sony Gallery at Wisma Atria with a buddy of mine and was intending to get an upgraded and black colour model of my old earphones. I spotted a new pair of earphones - the MDR-EX90SL (left) looking sleek and enticing. And for S$9 more at S$89, I decided to try it out.

Just saw that Bose has come out with their own in-ear earphones, looks good but at a whopping US$99.95, about S$155, its out of my league.

Its been great so far, the sound is crisp and clear from my Treo, I am not really an audiophile, so this new pair of earphones works great for me! The earphones come with 3 sizes of ear buds, S, M, L and I think M will fit most folks and I still have the ones from the old earphones even though they are grey, doesn't bother me.

Tech - A unique case for my Treo 650

My Treo 650 carrying case is getting a bit worn out and I was thinking of getting a new one. Checking through mytreo.net, a favourite Treo related website, I found an online seller of handmade fabric cases at www.foofshop.com. They also make bags for Apple laptops, iPods, Palm PDAs (including Treos), the Nokia N-series of mobile phones and Canon IXUS cameras. Very interesting indeed and I have ordered a case for my Treo (left, thats the fabric I'll be getting), a case for my wife's iPod (since I have seen her drop it twice, she's using an oversized sunglass cloth bag) and a Cable Turtle for my new Sony earphones (will review them later on). Go check it out, I have recommended the site to many of my friends and they really like the designs and fabric used (Kimono, Coduroy and Tweed etc)