Look Out Here Comes Acer?

Source: http://www.pcworld.com/article/162833-5/first_look_acers_aspire_timeline_ultraportable_laptop.html

Rating: GOOD

Explanation:
Acer is in the process of releasing a new laptop called the Aspire Timeline. This laptop not only looks cool but if rumors can be believed, it could mark a whole new level in Acer laptops. No, I have not lost my mind and I am give Acer a GOOD rating, I never thought it would happen either, but take a look at this thing before you call me nuts.

The new timeline is going to be loaded with a core 2 duo processor and supports up to 8 gigs of ddr3 ram. It comes with screen sizes 13.3 up to 15.1 and sustains an 8 hour battery life. My 12 cell HP battery can only hold a 6 hour charge. It also is said to run 66% more energy efficient than energy star standards, that’s impressive. This is accomplished by switching automatically to adaptive charging mode when it detects a full battery, even if the adapter is still connected. This helps to swat the current problem of overcharging laptop batteries. Acer is also keeping up with a new style and design. With a sleek new look and only 3.5 pounds even grandma can carry this in her bag. In hope that Acer is on a new path of quality laptops, I am giving them a GOOD rating.

Sunblock, Swimsuit, and My Cellphone

Source: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2345626,00.asp

Rating: BAD

Explanation:
In the interest of going green, everyone is trying to conserve and find new ways to power their electronic devices. Sharp along with the Japanese cell phone company, AU KDD, are about to release a solar powered water proof cell phone. The phone with about 10 minutes of sunlight will provide enough power to talk for one minute or be powered for a couple hours on standby.

If my math is correct, for every hour I spend sun bathing I can talk to my friends for 6 minutes. I sure hope its not a cloudy day. The concept behind this new solar phone I feel is a great theory on paper, but will be unpractical in practice. If this solar phone truly only gets 1 minute of talk time for every ten in the sun, then people are going to plug it in and charge it anyway, therefore it would fail the intended purpose to conserve energy and help the environment. It’s a great concept, but we as a society need to start putting time and money into energy solutions that will have a greater effect, such as solar power houses, which would save a lot more energy. Then when I plugged my phone in to charge it, I would be using solar energy.

The waterproof feature is cool and I am sure will catch on rather quickly. In a world of clumsy Americans it’s more of a, spill and 'opps I dropped my phone in the toilet' than anything else. I expect to see this feature become popular and more widespread. Although Sharp gets an A for effort, I need more than 6 minutes of talk time; Sharp receives a BAD rating.

Going Backwards, Can Be Making Progress

Source: http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2009/04/xp-will-not-expire-once-windows-7-ships.ars

Rating: GOOD

Explanation:
My very first post dealt with the poor decision made by Microsoft to release six different versions of their new operation system Windows 7. This time Microsoft did something smart when considering Windows 7. Microsoft has announced that it will offer a downgrade service to Windows XP after Windows 7 ships. This would allow someone buying a new computer to choose to have it shipped with Windows XP instead of Windows 7.

For a company who is notorious for trying to force the computer industry to change on Microsoft's time and money, this seems strange; however smart. Generally the concept is to force everyone to upgrade at the time of a new operating system release to bring in the maximum profits. This attempt failed with Windows Vista which is why I believe Microsoft is trying to prevent this from happening with Windows 7. There was an uproar in the IT world when they could no longer order machines with Windows XP. People actually liked XP.

“As much as we [Microsoft] would like all its customers to switch to the latest-and-greatest on release day, the company recognizes that the wheels of business turn slowly, and that sometimes a little more time is needed”

For finally snapping back to reality, I am giving Microsoft a GOOD rating.

Tandy 2000, Tape Players, and the Land Line

Source: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_15/b4126065685084.htm?chan=technology_tech+maven+page+-+new_this+week%27s+column


Rating: GOOD

Explanation:

Verizon has released a new phone, but this time it’s not a cell phone. It’s a line to help start a new generation in land lines. It’s called the Hub. It’s a home phone which uses broadband and Voice over IP to make calls and much more. The hub is a cordless phone that makes use of your existing broadband connection, which can be from any Internet service provider. You can make phone calls and use other features over the Internet such as checking traffic, weather, text messaging, and for $10 more, even keep track of your kids.
The traditional land line is quickly becoming as obsolete as the Tandy 2000. With long distance now costing the same as calling your neighbor when using your cell phone, people are canceling their phones attached to a rj-11 jack by the millions. Verizon is trying to help bridge the gap between the old and the new which I feel is a great idea. It will help ease the process of removing the old technology by giving a security blank to those who don't want to give up their antiques. For taking VOIP to the next level and helping to push out the old I give Verizon a GOOD rating.

Time is Running Out

Source: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/04/03/ipv6_analysis/

Rating: BAD

Explanation:

There have been predictions that IPv4 numbers will be completely used in as little as two years. This means the implementation of the long awaited IPV6 is closer than most would like to believe. So what is IPv6? IPv6 is a new method of assigning addresses to networks which allows communication between computers. IPv6 has a much larger address space than IPv4. This results from the use of a 128-bit addresses instead of IPv4 which only uses 32 bit addresses. The larger addresses provide flexibility in allocating addresses and routing traffic and eliminate the need for network address translation (NAT). Ipsec is also incorporated by default into Ipv6 which allows for much more secure data transmission than IPv4.

IPv6 needs to be implemented before the Internet can no longer function properly. Unfortunately I fear the transition will be hard for the average person. Sure, the techies of the world should have no problem switching over and it will be a relative simple process. I am concerned for Grandma who likes to check her email from her grandchildren. Although this is always an issue with new technology, this has the potential to have a larger effect. This is due to the magnitude of the change. New routers will be needed and older machines which still don't use Windows XP or newer, are no longer going to be used for just email. Because a potential cyber chaos could be caused by such a switch, I give IPv6 a BAD rating.

Cool Phone Tricks

Source: http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/david_pogue_on_cool_phone_tricks.html

Rating: GOOD

Explanation:
David Pogue gave a very energetic talk at TED this year. His topic of choice was cool cell phones tricks. As a side note, if you get the chance you must watch the end of this video, especially if you have an iPhone. It’s hilarious.

In this talk, one of the many “tricks” mentioned is a new cell phone program by Google called Grand Central. This program allows you to hook one number up to multiple phones. So your house phone, your cell phone, and your work phone could all ring under one phone number. This would allow you to never miss a call. Also you can customize the voice mail depending who is calling. It allows you to have a professional voice mail for your work, and a causal voice mail for your wife and kids.

Google never fails to amaze me. A service like this for many business men and women could be extremely profitable. A doctor could always be on call with one number. His babysitter can get a hold of him in an emergency just as easily as the emergency room, with only one phone number. For keeping the world connected, Google receives another GOOD rating.

Hands Free Email

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/19/technology/personaltech/19pogue.html

Rating: GOOD

Explanation:
Cell phones started an age of hands free communication. Email has completed it. A new hands free device called the iLane has been released for your car which will read your emails to you as you drive. This device links wireless to a Blackberry phone using Bluetooth. The iLane also comes with an ear piece, which also utilizes Bluetooth to connect back to the iLane unit. Ilane uses the Blackberry to monitor and retrieve your email and dictating it aloud to the ear piece. It even allows you to respond to emails using speech to text.

Certain states, such as New Jersey have banned talking on the phone while driving. The iLane is another tool to help people pay more attention to driving than to their smart-phones. Distractions that cause your hands to leave the wheel, can be the cause of fatal accidents. For business men and women who need to stay in contact via email 24/7, this allows them to do so in a safer manner. Unfortunately I think the drivers who could benefit from this device the most are teenagers. With the iLane costing well over $600, you are not going to find many 16-21 years riding around with this slick new design. Any devices that attempts to make our roadways a safer place I am more than happy to endorse; therefore iLane receives a GOOD rating.