Wireless world requires etiquette...

What are the problems of the wireless world, and what to do about the increasing rudeness of people using their latest gadget to 'remain in touch'...? Not with reality, surely...

What is a "splog" ?

The modern internet is generating plenty of new words on an almost daily basis : email, spam, mp3, torrent, googling, podcast, vidcast, appcast, blog... and many many more... But what the hell is a splog ? A nuisance... How about a splogbomb? Wreaking havoc with Google's new Blog Search... Right, Mark?

One More Thing - part 3...

Apple stays in the news again this week : they announce a new software application for photographers called Aperture, as well as a whole host of improvements to the PowerBook professional laptops and the PowerMac desktops, including a model with 4 processors called the PowerMac G5 Quad.




At the same time, Apple dropped the prices on their Cinema Displays, and if you haven't bought one of these gorgeous screens yet, think again...

With all these product introductions and improvements in such a short span of time, including excellent financial results, what's next for Apple ?

And for those of you who miss the colorful iMac G3, there is a way to add a bit of color to your iMac G5 now too...

The Life ?

Ever wonder what it's like as an independent software developer? Do you lead the Life?

This week in gadgetville...

This week's crop of interesting gadgets starts off with a rather unusual, and limited edition, mouse, in the shape of Jean Alesi's helmet.

Then, on October 12th, Apple also unveiled some new products, including the improved iMac G5, now complete with an Apple-designed remote control, built-in iSight video camera, Mighty Mouse, and other goodies, to help turn a Mac into the center of the home entertainment network. Apple continues this quest with the help of iTunes 6, which comes hot on the heels of iTunes 5. The new version allows viewers to watch videos, and also to purchase them from the iTunes Music Store. Not only music videos, but episodes of TV-series also, all at a very reasonable price. Plus, in order to have you part with your hard-earned cash even quicker, you can now also buy songs for others... X-mas gift ideas, anyone?

Of course, if you have downloaded these episodes, you also need something to watch them on while you are on the move, no? Introduce the new Apple iPod, now in both black and white, sized at 30 or 60 Gb, and even though it is thinner and lighter than the 4th generation model, it comes with a much bigger color screen and improved battery life... Watch the new ad right here... Unfortunately, it does not come with Firewire, which is a drawback... All files need to be transferred via the slower USB 2.0 connection. Still, as Apple marketing puts it, "Which iPod are you ?"

Here's an interesting column on this development : "What is Apple's real plan for iPod video ?"

There are already reactions from the unions representing Hollywood actors, writers and directors. Read about it here...

And if you were one of the over one million people who have recently bought an iPod nano, but are worried about damaging your precious new player, perhaps this cool case can protect it much better... In any case, do not attempt what Jon Gales has tried, even though his nano survived the ordeal pretty well... Your mileage may vary considerably...


Enough about Apple now, although we do continue in the sphere of home entertainment and media. As some of you know, I am also a movie buff, and am working up to having our own home theater set up. For maximum cinematic experience, I am of the opinion that 'bigger is mostly better'... And while big-screen tv's are definitely nice, nothing quite beats the size of a projector on a large screen. Although, this new 102" HD TV from LG comes pretty darn close... Definitely 5 on the wow scale, more likely pretty low on the waf-scale...

Of course, if you have a home theater, you also need a DVD player. But what if you have many DVD's ? Storage quickly becomes an issue... Or perhaps not...

Still, there's really only one thing that rates higher on most men's minds than the biggest toys money can buy... So, what if we combined the two? Perhaps to play music, or monitor health ? Check this idea out...

The ultimate geek transportation is of course a Segway. Now, however, a big car firm, namely the very successful Toyota, is giving some thought to this segment of the market in personal transportation. As of yet merely a concept vehicle, the i-Swing definitely looks cool...

Whiling the time away at work, but don't want your boss to find out ? Get a Stealth Surfer USB Drive, and no trace will be left on your work PC...

Finally, and also as an interesting Christmas gift for the young ones, about 30 dollars can either buy you peace and quiet or turn your offspring into budding paparazzi... Either way, Disney wins...

The decline of manners...

Another side effect of this brand new age ? I'd say this is not confined to the USA, but is an increasing phenomenon in western societies as a whole... Can't we all just get along ?

Podcasting - what's the point?

Podcasting. It's a continuously expanding medium, and some of the bigger players are getting involved. iTunes already offered an easy way to browse and subscribe to them, and now, just recently, Yahoo joined the fray with their own Podcast Directory. Unfortunately, as with all things in life, more podcasts does not mean better ones. Is there too much chaff in the wheat? What's the whole point of podcasting anyway?

Exactly ! So, all of those who want to have a voice of their own out there, read some of these tips, and go forth and multiply (your thoughts and opinions anyway)...

Wireless will finally mean just that?

With the increasing proliferation of wireless devices, be they mobile phones, PDA's, laptops, wireless keyboard, mice, portable music and/or video devices, digital cameras, camcorders, you name it, incorporating various modes of data transmission, from wifi via Bluetooth to GSM and more, any remaining wire is always a nuisance. Unfortunately, sometimes these devices need to be recharged. And that means a wire. Or does it? Interesting concept...

Java - the original one - also arriving in the 21st century?

Here's another cool concept from the digital age. The Readywhenur SMS Kettle. This is one cool java brewer... More about it here... But, in the world of java, there are many an interesting development. Like, how to keep track of those parents that are getting on in age... Just monitor their caffeine intake from a distance, with one of these : the i-pot... If it falls precipitously, better check to see if all is well...

Gadgets of the week...

How can you turn something low-tech into something that is definitely worth having in the 21st century, even way beyond borderline 'cool'? Have a look at the iSharpener and judge for yourself...

And instead of stumbling into closets or other things that you failed to see on your nightly trip to the toilet, try some BrightFeet slippers instead...

In the Netherlands, the government is planning to test a new system to warn the populace in a given area of urgent public safety announcements. How? Geo-targeted SMS... I guess there can be good sides to knowing where all people are all of the time... Still, Big Brother is most certainly able to watch...



As most of you know, an ugly standards war is in the making between HD-DVD and Blu-Ray formats to replace current DVD's. That much appears certain, although hopefully multi-mode players can't be far behind. Even some of the studios are already hedging their bets, saying they will issue titles in both formats. What a waste though... And which format will eventually win? Some thoughts on the matter here... Is there any good news for the consumer in all of this? Perhaps...

Find yourself alone in the middle of nowhere, with a flat tire? Call the automobile club? No cellphone service? No worries. Hakuna Matata! Just break out the remote-control SuperJack tire changing kit and go to work...

But if you really want to impress your significant other or your better friends with your car-related gadget, then look no further than the Camco Prostar Watch... This tells more than just the time... Boy, does it ever...

Of course, when it comes to 'pimping your ride', there seem to be some bugs on the windshield... In Illinois, legislation was recently introduced to make watching tv while driving illegal... Now there's a silly idea... What can one do to counter that? How about some 'veil view'? Sharp is developing it for laptop use, but it could actually come in more useful in the automotive world. Both Fujitsu and Toyota are on it...

If you have space left on your keychain, a few bucks wasting away in your pocket, and you really want to know when your local terrorist outfit has gone and blown something nasty your way, then by all means get a micro bomb detector for Christmas... Better than blowing your dough on an iPod nano? Nah...

And that wraps up this week's interesting gadget round-up...

Things that caught my eye this week...

How do you get back at that person that is constantly annoying you ? The Sonic Alarm Grenade should do the trick nicely...

And what about those people who have everything (twice), and still want to look cooler ? How about this idea : Headlight LCD's ? Instant wow-factor satisfaction...