It includes some games, utilities, productivity…etc. Some of the programs we may be reviewing later.
Category: Gadgets
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Software for Starving Students
We’re always on the hunt for free stuff. Lifehacker was nice enough to point us to a site which has put together a package of free software with an installer on a CD. Software for Starving Students.
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Unlocking Your Phone
With the recent decision stating that cell phone companies have to provide unlock codes for their phones, allowing all the functionality they’ve restricted to be restored, as well as transfer to another network, we thought it would be a good idea to give people a place to start.
PC Magazine presented this article on How to Unlock Your Phone. This includes a series of unlocking services, sites, etc. For free options, try Howardforums.com, a good forum for all things mobile phone…including hacks, reviews, advice, etc.
Of course, most of the unlocking services mentioned only work for GSM phone…the ones used on networks such as Cingular and T-Mobile. CDMA Phones, used by Sprint, Verizon, Alltel, etc, have to be individually authenticated by their networks. So, even if your existing provider lets you unlock the phone, your new provider will not add it to the list of approved phones on its network.
Most providers sell different versions of the same phones, using their own custom firmware(the software that operates the phone) which could be changed to the specific firmware for a different carrier. The carriers refuse to cooperate.
For those of you who use GSM phones, check out this ABC News article on the Best Unlocked Phones. Just bear in mind that without contract you will be paying more to secure them. Of course, that means no contract, which may be to your advantage.
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Anonymous and Free Phone Numbers
Some say that with the prevalence of cell phones and internet telephony, that landlines are dead. We aren’t quite sure about that…but technology is continuing to enhance the old system.
Craigsnumber, apparently created with the goal of allowing those posting on popular site Craigslist to provide a phone number that will keep them anonymous, offers a temporary extension, although with limited area codes, that will be forwarded to your real line. You can specify the length of activation. Certainly a simple and uncomplicated service. Lifehacker has more details.
There are alternatives, of course. Freedigits.com offers a free VoIP phone line with a random US number. Their goal is to encourage you to go with them for paid service, but there are no strings attached to their free offer.
Another option is Grandcentral.com, which also offers both a free and a paid service. Their philosophy is one phone number…for life. Their free service offers three phones, caller ID, the ability to switch phones in the middle of a call, custom ringtones while waiting for you to pick up, the ability to record any call with a single button press, as well as SPAM blocking. The free service has a limitation of 100 minutes a month of calls received through them. It doesn’t offer any service not offered elsewhere as add-ons to other paid services, but it is a good option for some. Lifehacker reviews it here.
If none of these options work for you…you can always just pay for VoIP service. Just remember, despite our skepticism about customer service…if you give them money, they are supposed to help you. If you don’t…they have an excuse not to.
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USB Pole Dancer
Gearlog posted an entry on this unique USB-powered toy Pole Dancer. Most people would agree it is lacking in basic taste, however, it is certainly the most amusing thing we’ve ever seen powered by a USB port. Remember, just plug it in and she gyrates to the prerecording music.
For the next generation, we recommend the music be able to be supplied over the USB cable…then she could dance to anything. Perhaps the same company will release a more tasteful dancer…perhaps a ballerina or something suitable for children.
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Is Vista Worth It – Another Look
Courtesy of Lifehacker.com, here is the report on their Q&A with Microsoft about Vista. Vista, as you should know is the next-generation operating system that is set to replace XP. It offers several improvements, but not necessarily anything worth rushing out for the day it comes out.
If you feel you must jump on the bandwagon, wait until the majority of companies have driver support and software support for Vista, which will take a bit.
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Presto: Because Computers Scare Old People
TechCrunch reported today on Presto, a new service for people who don’t currently have internet access. The service uses a printer which hooks to a telephone line to receive email. When someone sends you email at your presto.com email address, it prints on the printer.
The Presto printer costs $150 and the service costs $10 a month. Only approved users can send email to the account, thus reducing spam printing out. But the adding of approved users requires a computer or calling an 800 number. Emails can also be sent to others, ie a more tech capable relative, advising low paper or low ink.
Such an item is perfect for those people who want to be able to receive email but do not know how to use a computer. It would allow relatives to forward pictures, documents, and other information to them with a minimum of fuss. It also helps their tech savvy relatives avoid being tech support for their less savvy relatives.
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Gift Box of USBCells
With our continuing coverage of the USBCell product, we announce that USBCell is offering a Gift Box of 10 USBCell packs(2 AA batteries in each pack), for $180.
Remember, the USBCell is a battery with a built-in USB connector for charging. Great idea. Wish we didn’t have to send to the UK for it.
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Is the Zune a dud?
The Chicago Sun-Times reported earlier this week that the Microsoft Zune…its new digital music player fails to live up to expectations and will likely be gone not long after it arrives.
For all we can say about the Ipod, both good and bad, several companies have come up with alternatives worth considering. Most of these companies, Sandisk, to name one, look for ways to target features and markets Ipod does not.
For all we can say about the Ipod, both good and bad, several companies have come up with alternatives worth considering. Most of these companies, Sandisk, to name one, look for ways to target features and markets Ipod does not.
If anyone had the power to disrupt Apple’s 85% market share, it was Microsoft. But it appears that their product has dropped the ball. Zune is not even compatible with the staple of Windows media experiences, the Windows Media Player. Even the touted wireless feature only allows transfers to other Zunes, not to allow transfers from your computer wirelessly.
Time for Microsoft to drop this like they dropped Microsoft Bob.
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Browser Wars
In the old days, the Browser Wars were when Microsoft Internet Explorer competed with Netscape Navigator for the browser market. Each would diverge farther away from each other…create HTML functions and tags unique to that browser.
It created quite a mess for the Internet. Netscape threw in the towel, but its heir, Mozilla Firefox, continues to hold a share in the market. Recently, Firefox unveiled its version 2.0, as Internet Explorer released the long-awaited IE7.
Internet Explorer 7 has a simplified interface which leaves more workspace than its previous incarnations. It implements tabbed browser, a longtime popular feature on Firefox. It implements a unified search box and RSS feed integration, long part of Firefox.
Both Firefox 2.0 and Internet Explorer 7 boast improved security features including new phishing protection to prevent visiting spoofed websites. When IE7 is used in the upcoming Vista release, it promises a protected mode that isolates it from the rest of the OS for security protection.
IE7 is a major improvement to the Internet Explorer browser. However, much of its improvements are playing catchup to the Firefox features that have proven too popular to ignore.
Firefox 2.0 has the same list of features, plus improvements to their tabbed browsing, a session restore feature allows a complete restore of a terminated Firefox session. inline spell checking, improved plugin management, as well as other improvements make Firefox the better of the two despite the higher market share Internet Explorer commands.
We don’t recommend chucking IE completely. It can still be very useful for sites that stubbornly refuse to open in Firefox. Of course, there is an extension for Firefox that allows you to open any link in an IE window embedded inside a Firefox tab, called IE Tab. Wait…perhaps you can discard IE entirely if you want…
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Update: A New Kind of Rechargeable Battery
A few months ago, we reported on a new type of rechargeable battery with a built in USB connector that would allow it to charge from any USB port.
We received an email from Moxia Energy noting that orders were being accepted for the USA now on a two-pack of AA USBCell batteries. The batteries cost GBP10.50 or approximately $19.95 with a standard delivery charge of GBP1.50(about $2.85). They will be announcing US Retail Outlets shortly. We will have that information as we hear of it.