Gadgets
Segway sighting
I saw my first Segway today. It looks goofy, but strangely enticing. Apparently they are illegal in New York, but that certainly didn’t stop this guy.
Audio Nirvana?
Michael Sippey found (scroll down to the last paragraph) the gadget I’ve been looking for. I almost want this very much. It is a hack, but it looks like a pretty good one. I think I’ll wait for a solution that has a good on-screen—and TiVo-like—UI. We’re getting closer. [via Kottke.org]
Damn it. I am a geek.
So I wowed some clients yesterday by controlling PowerPoint with my cell phone. I originally downloaded the Sony Ericsson Clicker as more of a novelty, but it actually came in handy yesterday.
We had a last minute client meeting on Friday and I had to give a presentation, but I had no projector. Basically it entailed everyone gathering around my PowerBook making it awkward to give the presentation and advance the slides without blocking the screen. Bluetooth to the rescue! I was able to do ‘previous slide’ and ‘next slide’ by simply pressing #1 and #2 on my phone. Geeky, yes. Convenient, also a resounding yes.
TiVo spies on me?
I must confess, that I had no idea that TiVo spied on me to this level of detail. I guess I should be outraged, but I’m not. Pretty cool, actually.
From: The gov’t, Re: The war
Kuwait is going to alert their populace bySMS about all war related matters.
Somehow I don’t see the US doing anything remotely similar. We are just so far behind on mobile phones. I couldn’t even send a text message to someone on another carrier until last year.
It reminds me of a cool service that Optus (a telco in Australia) directory assistance does when you ask for a number. In addition to connecting you, they SMS you the number so you have it for future reference. Nice.
The cell phone is older than me
Happy birthday to the cell phone! I am ashamed to admit that as late as 1995, I said I would never need a cell phone.
This person needs an intervention
I am not a geek—not that there is anything wrong with that.
Idle thoughts in Montreal
The Danger hip-top is a pretty cool little device. I am typing this entry in a cool little pub in Montreal. By the way, it is stupid cold here.
I find exchange rates fascinating. Since we’ve been here, the Canadian ‘loonie’ has dropped 5%. Why? I truly don’t grok how the currency market works.
Getting closer
Another attempt at the MP3 home audio device. This one is more about listening to internet radio, but it appears to play MP3s from your hard drive as well. This still isn’t what I want, but the device I want can’t be too far away.
Thanks to Chris D. for the pointer.
Bluetooth is your friend
I finally got around to playing with iSync, bluetooth, and my T68i. Unbelievably cool. I was definitely reluctant initially for fear of beta software. After backing everything up, I took the plunge. Excellent. You can click “SMS” from the address book and if someone calls, a dialog pops up with the name of the person calling. You then have the option of sending it to voicemail, answering it, or blocking it. Bluetooth had better catch on—I want wireless headphones for my iPod.
A better MP3 gadget?
When is someone (Apple?) going to make this device? I want a stereo component with a Big Ass Hard drive (TM) that plays MP3s. It should look like a high-end stereo component (black or silver, with a minimum of crap on the front) with a CD drive, a video out to browse music on the TV, a good remote, and an WiFi card for connecting to CDDB to get track listings. A UI especially designed for low resolution displays. Basically, I’m talking about a TiVo for music.
I can do this now without too much trouble. A low-end G3 with video out, iTunes, Airport, a Keyspan remote, and a 120GB hard drive. But it would be a hack. And ugly as hell.
I would buy this device in a heartbeat. Is this the next Digital Hub device that Apple is working on?
Update: Through the magic of the Internet, I got an email response to this musing within 15 minutes. Briscoe suggests two options, the first being running a digital out from your desktop PC and using your MP3 software to play the music. The problem is that I don’t have a desktop machine. The second option is buying this. It is definitely close, but it doesn’t have its own hard drive, so I would still need the dedicated PC. I might as well go with my hack as I would have a wireless networking and be able to view player on-screen. Keep the suggestions coming.
Digital = Good
Apparently, HDTV is real. As part of my new TV purchase, I started looking for information on the availability of high-definition television. After getting side-tracked with tuners and antennas for over the air (OTA) HDTV signals, I found out that some cable providers can deliver it.
And who would have thought that Time Waner was one? So I called about digital cable, which incidentally is not high-definition, and asked for HDTV. They had to transfer me to this special department to handle it. Time Warner does not even advertise the availability of HDTV. I’m guessing it is because it would add confusion about what the hell “digital cable” is. The answer is digital cable is digital, but low-resolution. Kind of like an MP3 at a very low bit rate.
The TV and the Time Warner installer arrive tomorrow (between the hours of 2 and 6, it is the cable company after all) so I should be able to give a full report soon.
It is an addiction
Almost three months ago I said I was done with buying gadgets for a while. Well, I bought another gadget today and it is a big one. A 206 pound one in fact. After living with my 20” Mitsubishi TV for nine years, I decided I needed a change. So today I bought a 34” Sony Hi-Def Widescreen 34XBR800 TV. Whoa. It gets delivered on Wednesday.
Somehow I can justify this to myself, but I’m not sure how.
Dedication to gadgets
One thing I forgot to bring up yesterday about my T68i is the ridiculous dedication people have to this phone. The T68 owners site focuses exclusively on this phone. Throw in the esato (for Ericsson phones), you have the makings of some robust online offerings around a phone.
I guess this shouldn’t surprise me after the sites that sprung up around the iPod like iPod Lounge and iPodding. People loving their gadgets coupled with low barrier to publication on the Web results in a ton of community sites around a product.
Gadget!
I just bought another gadget. I think this means I’m done for a while. I bought a new cell phone and it is great. I got the new Sony Ericsson T68i. It is completely buzzword compliant (Tri-band GSM, GPRS, Bluetooth, IR, etc.). All in a tiny, well designed package.
In addition to joy of getting the latest gadget, I get two other perks. SMS (meaning I get to do real text messaging) and getting rid of Sprint PCS. VoiceStream is 100 times better, if for no other reason than their customer service is nice and helpful.
Between the T68i, PowerBook, iPod, AirPort wireless networking, and TiVo, I have accumulated all the well-designed gadgets I need for a while. I hope so. I can’t afford anymore.
TiVo rocks
While I wait for the news on how much it will cost to fix my PowerBook, I have been using my other toy: TiVo. It rocks. Simple as that. It has completely changed how I use a television. No more poor quality recordings and no more thinking about setting the VCR. Now I don’t miss Trading Spaces or Iron Chef. Do I really need to watch these shows? I’m certain I don’t, but now I can. It is a little dangerous because I may start watching more television, but at least I feel more in control of my habit.
My primary criticism is that it doesn’t handle sports very well (they vary in length and the guide data doesn’t account for this), but it has been great for this World Cup.
What I find most interesting about TiVo is that it no longer matters when a show comes on. If it is any good, I can watch it when I want it. 11 am on a work day? No problem! If TiVo (or its like) go on to dominate the world, then there could be a serious democratization of the television. Riskier/cooler shows for more niche audiences can air at odd times and can still attract a following.
Prime time TV can go to hell
Jeni and I just bought a TiVo. And, as always, I have a few observations:
I despise cables. I have a moderately complicated home theatre (TV, VCR, cable box, DVD, CD, Receiver, Subwoofer, Subwoofer amplifier, 5 speakers) and I have enough wires to connect a small village. Is there any solution to this mess? I suppose I could drop a few thousand on a custom install (yeah right), but the right answer is a wireless solution. Is this even possible?
The interface design for the TiVo is pretty good. Right now, I’m in the middle of the setup and I have to say that it does a great job of indicating your progress. On the hardware side, I’m not completely thrilled with the remote but it is a hell of a lot better than the cable box remote it is replacing.
More to come.
