The $300,000 watch

If money was no object, would you spend $300,000 for a watch that doesn’t tell time?  I think most of you would probably say no to this statement but what if I told you that the watch changes the way you look at the day and “treat time”.  The watch is shown below and is made by Romain Jerom, the watch maker famous for using metal from the Titanic on each of his watches.

The watch believes in telling time in a rather binary fashion.  You can tell whether it’s day or night.  The reason why this watch is so complex, as shown in the picture above, is because it uses a tourbillon to differentiate the 12 hours of working time (i.e. day) versus the 12 hours of non work time (i.e. night).  The user can specify different panels/components to place in each category.

The real kicker though…..the watch was sold it 48 hours after it was released….talk about high demand to not wanting to know what time it is….

You can check out more here: http://www.romainjerome.ch/en/les-inatendus/day-and-night-en.aspx

Hey Have a Facebook Comment :) :)

Hey Google…we don’t need to hear about everything you do..

Have you noticed recently how everything that Google ever does, however minute it may be, seems to be coming out in the press. Today - Google indicated that they’re making some revisions to their homepage as they’re adding a “video” link on the top. Now is that really necessary to hear about every small thing that Google does?

I understand that when Google has a large product or enters into a new business, it’s definitely worthy of some press. Their overall stature in the market and ability to shake up a market sector creates a stir in any company. Google Checkout, their new payment platform for buyers created a large wave among PayPal, as PayPal was the reigning e-commerce platform champions for the past 4-5 years. Issues like that are worthy of news - a simple integration change on their website is not.

Google Local for instance came out with saved address location last week which was also worthy of the press - something that Microsoft, Yahoo and most other maps had done a year ago. I understand that Google is a large player but every change they make is not going to shake up an industry.

Which brings me to my next point sparked by a fantastic article I read in business weekregarding Google products. I love google and I love the way they have simplified the web - but their products do not gain as much traction as expected. The reason I liked this article was not because it was simply putting down Google, but because it actually took an accurate snapshot of what is going on in the market right now. It’s very simple to praise the companies that are doing very well - but to find fault in them is a much different ball game. Let’s look at some of their product which got an extremely large welcoming…but not too large following:

• Google Spreadsheets - deemed to be the “excel killer” has yet to really get any traction - reasoning? I think when you’re using a spreadsheet you’re looking to make complicated calculations…the simplicity model just doesn’t work.
• Google Writely - This is the word processor unit which came out recently - I think this has some functionality if integrated with blogger - a straight to webpage posting through the browser - without that however, it could be a nice way to alleviate the concerns of using word-pad.
• Google Checkout - considered the PayPal Killer - this app has gotten some heads to turn because of its rebate offers - it has ways to go and the initial feedback is showing that there are many delays with the user experience. Announced today however, you can get a free t shirt if you make a $20 purchase or more using it
• Google Video - YouTube seems to have taken this market - when it first came out, it really was big with the top 100 videos.
• Google Talk - Stats recently came out that only 44,000 users use Gtalk on a consistent basis - MSN has almost 10 times that number

I guess what I’m getting at is when you step back and look at the Google products, they really haven’t done as well as the reception that they get. How will this affect their bottom line? Well we’ll have to see soon.

Hey Have a Facebook Comment :) :)

GooglePlex - The new headquarters for the autobots

It’s been no secret the Google has been building a new headquarters building to keep up to speed with their thinking and their beliefs….let’s have fun and improve search. Recently, they started to really begin to up the ante by hiring a designer for their new office which, in my opinoin, rivals some of the houses you see on MTV Cribs. This office building is more of a children’s playpen that you see in the malls rather than really an office building…but what can I say as I stare at the bare walls of my cube…if I hitch my head a tad, I can kind of see the sunlight coming through. That’s not the point, the point is the this company never ceases to amaze me. Not only do they just have some pretty freaking awesome products, but now they can do it in style. If you want to see some pictures of it, here they are:

That’s right…they have a meeting room with Grass on the outsides….this is called their brainstorming room where they get most of their “work” done. As you may know, Google goes by the philosophy of working 70% of the time on Google related work and they spend 30% of their time on innovation. This new facility strives to say that over anything else:

As much as I would love to have something like that as a cube…I guess the issue of privacy never comes into play….for the time being, I’ll stick to my closed quarter and lovely half cube because at least I can have that space to myself.

Hey Have a Facebook Comment :) :)

New Mercedes-Benz F700

Frankfurt Auto Show is a very important car event of the year. It draws millions of visitors and can be named a performance of the year. Each manufacturer is thoroughly preparing to the following show and chooses which car to expose. Mercedes cars are one of the best cars. They are a perfect combination of quality, reliability, ideal look and price. They are not as expensive and authoritative as Ferraris are, but, nevertheless, they are still worth paying our attention to.

This year Mercedes will be presented with a new model Mercedes-Benz F 700. Only 2 words can be used to describe it: dazzling and dizzying. It is a prototype of a future S-class Sedan. As to main characteristics and peculiarities of this car:

• it embodies low consumption and friendliness to the surroundings;
• 4-cylinder car; gets a V-6 power experimental engine, that unites turbo charging and diesel compression. This engine is much spoken about, because it is a hybrid of Diesotto (combination of two words diesel and surname of the inventor Otto) and standard Mercedes engine. The emissions from such engine will be minimal;
• has a gas engine;
• 1.8 l engine;
• can speed up to 60 mph only in 7.5 seconds;
• top speed is nearly 120 mph;
• consumes 5.3 L pf fuel per 100 km;
• presents a new engine producing technology Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI);

As to the price, it is currently unknown, but we perfectly know, that cars with a diesel engine are more expensive, that those with standard engines. But Mercedes F 700 and its brand-new engine can be a perfect alternative to the existing ones.

No doubts, the car looks very glamorous, stylish and fashionable. It will be an adornment of the roads!

Hey Have a Facebook Comment :) :)

Super express train

Highways are becoming more congested by the day, and the skies aren't doing any better. And with pollution posing an additional problem, we are running out of options. Could the newest Steel-Wheel and MagLev trains be the answer?

Steel-Wheel: JFK International Airport

Most of us are pretty familiar with steel-wheel trains. They use an overhead power-source to drive electric motors connected to the wheel. The run along steel rails and if a high-speed turn is necessary, it either has to be very wide or the train must have a tilting mechanism. The major drawback to using a steel-wheel design is the friction between the wheels and the rails. It increases the total power needed to get from point A to point B. A problem unseen in the MagLev world.

Electromagnetic SuspensionWhen talking about MagLev trains, there are 2 slightly different configurations. The first and more established is known as Electromagnetic Suspension (EMS). The chassis of the train wraps around the guide-way and uses powerful magnets on the underside of the guide-way to pull the train upward. The only real drawback to an EMS Train is the need for complex electronics that constantly monitor the gap between the guide-way and the train and adjust the current as necessary.

Electrodynamic Suspension

The other and still experimental system is known as Electrodynamic Suspension (EDS). Instead of using magnets on the underside of the guide-way, EDS Trains use "levitation coil" on the top of the guide-way. As the train moves over the coils, the magnets on the bottom of the train create a repulsive force which causes the levitation. However, EDS Trains must be in motion to levitate. When they first start from a stand-still, they have to run on wheels until they reach a certain speed.

Currently, steel-wheel trains can hit speeds over 200mph which raises the question of whether or not a transition to MagLev is necessary. MagLev supporters have a very strong argument in theirfavor, and it's one that can't be ignored. Steel-wheel trains use transmissions, wheels-and-axles, and brakes, which can all be costly to replace of repair. Most MagLev trains do not need moving parts directly tied to propulsion. "Engineers joke that the only moving parts are the doors," says Richard Thornton, MagneMotion's CEO. Over time, this has the potential to save a substantial amount of money.

The Future of Transportation?

There is no doubting the huge benefits that these trains offer. The only real question is whether MagLev trains are cost effective enough to offset the high building costs, and there are plans being developed to build tracks across the US to answer that question. Guess we have to wait and see.

Hey Have a Facebook Comment :) :)

Latest Prediction of 2008 gadgets.

This is the top 10 gadgets of 2007. Here is the list of top 10 gadgets of 2008.
#10. Belkin N1 Vision Wi-Fi Router 

Though the new "N" wi-fi standard, which carries data signals faster and farther than its predecessor "G," isn't expected to be officially ratified until next year, it's far enough along that you can buy certified N products with confidence that they will work with your computers and other hardware. Belkin's audaciously designed N1 Vision router stands vertical and reports on network activity in your house so you can see if your kid is downloading video games when he should be doing his homework. It is designed to configure itself the first time you connect it to your cable modem or DSL, and computers still using older "G" adapters will still be able to connect.
#9. Iomega eGo Portable Hard Drive 

Who knew file storage could be so chic? The 160 GB eGo has enough room to hold up to 640,000 digital photos, 2,900 hours of music or 240 hours of video (depending, of course, on the compression rate). A new dual-interface version works over USB or FireWire and comes with both types of cords. If you accidentally knock the eGo off your desk, the shock-absorbing case will protect the important documents and precious media stored inside.
#8. FlyTech Dragonfly 

WowWee's flying insect soars, dive-bombs, hovers and glides using authentic flapping-wing action, which makes it the first commercially available toy ornithopter. It's lightweight (about 1 oz.) yet sturdy, and sports a 16-in. wingspan. The two-channel radio remote lets you control wing speed and tail rotor speed and doubles as a charging base (a 20-min. recharge gives you about 6 min. of flying time). The kids will love it — if you can bear to let them have it for a while.
#7. Toshiba Portégé R500-S5004 

This ultra thin-and-light notebook is a dream machine for road warriors. It runs on an Intel Core 2 Duo processor and offers 2 GB of RAM, an integrated DVD burner and graphics card and built-in wireless capability (both wi-fi and Bluetooth). The 12.1-in. widescreen LED-backlit display is super slim and displays in high-definition (1280 x 820 pixels). With the S5004 model you get a solid-state hard drive, which means no fragile spinning parts, so the machine is less likely to suffer damage if dropped or bumped. Total weight: 2.4 lbs.
#6. Samsung P2 

The slim and sexy P2 sounds terrific and plays a variety of music file formats: MP3, WMA and songs from subscription services like Rhapsody and Yahoo Music. The pretty 3-in. screen has touch controls for viewing photos and watching videos, which are displayed at a DVD-quality rate of 30 frames per second. The device also works with BlueTooth headsets and speakers, and soon you will be able to receive forwarded calls from a BlueTooth cell phone. (You'll have to download what's called a firmware upgrade from the Samsung website, but don't worry, it's not as difficult as it sounds.) Comes with 4 GB of memory for $200, or 8 GB for $250.
5. Sony Handycam HDR-CX7 

The CX7 records rich high-definition footage straight to a flash memory card (Sony's Memory Stick PRO Duo), so it feels light and compact in your palm, and the 2.7-in. LCD screen features touch controls for set up and playback. Should you get the shakes while shooting, the CX7 has the ability to stabilize the image (using optics, which is more effective than a digital correction) and smooth out the action. A built-in HDMI port lets you connect the camera to an HDTV and watch your home movies in all their high-def glory.
#4. Palm Centro 

Do you secretly covet your friend's smart phone while dismissing it as way overpriced? The new Palm Centro provides an opportunity to get all the essential smart-phone features without breaking the bank. This light and bright device supports Web surfing, emailing, instant messaging and text messaging, and sports a 1.3-megapixel camera and a touch screen that works best with a stylus. A mobile version of Google Maps comes preloaded. The qwerty keypad is seriously small, but the bubble-like tactile design of the individual keys makes them easier targets.
#3. Netgear SPH200W Wi-Fi Skype Phone 

This cordless wi-fi phone comes with Skype software already built in, so you can log in to an existing account and start making cheap Internet calls immediately. If you've never used Skype before, do not fear: It takes a few moments to create a new account and you can do it right from the phone's keypad. (The first 10 minutes are free; after that, you'll want to visit Skype.com from your computer to sign up for a service plan with a credit card.) The phone will also work at most public hotspots (including T-Mobile's) so if you have lots of friends overseas, you may not want to leave home without it.

#2. Nikon Coolpix S51c 

Have you ever maxed out your digital camera's memory card midway through a vacation? The 8-megapixel Nikon Coolpix S51c point-and-shoot is tricked out with built-in wireless capability, so you can email your images or beam them directly from the camera to your Flickr account or to Nikon's own online photo bank. It's also got a 3x zoom and a roomy 3-in. LCD screen — and it comes in black.

#1. Apple iPhone 

The iPhone changed the way we think about how mobile media devices should look, feel and perform. The design is exceptional inside and out: It's got a slick glass-and-stainless steel case and an elegant touch screen loaded with eye candy. It's an iPod and a 2-megapixel camera. Images and video clips display vertically or horizontally — they reorient themselves depending on how you hold the thing. When the phone detects a wireless network within range — your own home wi-fi set up or somebody else's — it lets you tap once to connect, and then proceed with your Web surfing, Google mapping, emailing and other activities that can otherwise be painfully slow over AT&T's cellular network — the only one, unfortunately, that carries iPhone calls.

Hey Have a Facebook Comment :) :)

Preview: 2010 Fisker Karma

We celebrate Danish design as technically innovative and deceptively simple. For decades it illustrated the best in mid-century-virtually timeless-modern furniture. There were a number of stars, but perhaps the best known in America are Jacob Jensen for his Bang & Olufsen sound systems, Poul Kjaerholm for seating sculptures like his PK24 chaise and Poul Henningsen's light manipulating PH lamp series. There are many more that make us wonder at the talent that has developed in the clear bright atmosphere that reflects off the North Sea and illuminates the tiny land masses of Denmark.

Henrik Fisker is a new star from the timeless grace of that universe; born on August 10, 1963, and trained in automotive design in the brief brilliance of the Swiss lakeside villa known as Art Center College of Design's European campus. He graduated in 1989, was recruited by the prestigious BMW Technik GmbH and quickly earned recognition with his Z07 show car and retro-moderne Z8 roadster. By January 2000 Fisker was in charge of DesignworksUSA, BMW's industrial design subsidiary with offices in Newbury Park, California and Munich, Germany.

Within a year he was offered the design director role in Ford's resurgent Aston Martin. After celebrating the successful introductions of his new-century interpretation of authentic Aston presence with the DB9 and Vantage V8, Ford moved him to the creative director chair of ingeni, the company's London creativity center. In August 2003, 13 years out of Art Center he became the Director of Ford's Global Advanced Design Studio in Irvine, California. Only a year after returning to the inspirational automotive atmosphere of southern California he made the profoundly courageous move to found Fisker Coachbuild, LLC, with his design colleague and business partner Bernhard Koehler. Within only one astonishing year the young firm had premium, coachbuilt sports cars in production - California dreamin' in real time.

Through this climb to design stardom Fisker shared the parallel trajectory and matching taste, talent and work ethic of Bernhard Koehler. While under the celebrity radar, Koehler has been a career-path confidant and accomplished design team member since the two met at BMW. Along with matching energy, Koehler brings training and experience in engineering, design and business to their headlong run through the automotive landscape leaving mark after memorable mark.

Germany born (1964), Koehler pursued his interests in design with a broader vision than his creative partner. He joined BMW directly out of business school in 1980 and by 1984 had finished his training as an automotive sculptor and moved to BMW Technik. He led several concept projects and concurrently established a training program for young design sculptors. A friendship with Fisker developed while they worked together on the Z8. He became Director of 3D Services at DesignworksUSA in 1997 as it became part of BMW, with responsibility for implementing BMW quality standards and establishing a manufacturer and supplier network. By 1999, Koehler became Director of Operations at Designworks to oversee all project and capacity planning. Can we see Fisker Coachbuild's shadow on the wall?

Hey Have a Facebook Comment :) :)

Best of 2008: Green versus mean

It was supposed to be the year of the green revolution. And, indeed, high gas prices and concerns about global warming have been pushing consumers away from gas-guzzling pickups and gargantuan SUVs into smaller, more economical alternatives. Environmentalists around the globe cheered.

But the automotive consumer is a fickle beast and, in the midst of all this conservation, there's been a stubborn streak of classic motorhead machismo, the car companies introducing - and the motoring public welcoming - some very hedonistic wheels. So, just as Mini introduced its E all-electric version of the iconic little car, parent company BMW was peddling the all-new X6 with twin turbochargers.

Similarly, while General Motors' Chevrolet Volt is still the darling of the alternative fuel set (Chris Paine, he of Who Killed the Electric Car? fame, is a fan and spokesman), GM took the wraps off its monster-motored Cadillac CTS-V, not to mention the even more outrageous Corvette ZR1.

There were even some vehicles that managed to reflect this bi-polarity all by themselves. Cadillac updated its hip hop-oriented Escalade SUV for 2009, but with a hybrid powertrain, its "greenness" boldly proclaimed in huge letters along its flank. Ford's answer to the fuel crisis, its EcoPower set of powerplants, all boasted turbochargers but then universally reduced the size of the engines - V8s are to be replaced with V6s and sixes with four-bangers - to compensate.

Soothsayers looking for a definitive tack on the future direction of the automobile remain more confused than ever. The only sure thing I can say is that the following were the highlights of my automotive year.

Late to the party, not to the finish line: So, it may be a little out of step with the times. And, yes, it sucks back hi-test like Christian Slater slamming back premium on his first night out after rehab. But, my, oh my, if you love performance automobiles, you're going to absolutely love Cadillac's new CTS-V.

Faster in every meaningful way - acceleration, top speed and around a race track - than BMW's previously unchallenged M5, this ultimate Cadillac boasts a supercharged 6.2-litre V8, 556 horsepower and sprints to 96 kilometres an hour in just 3.9 seconds. But those are just the appetizers for the number that really has everyone's tongue wagging - seven minutes and 59 seconds.

That's how long it takes this latest mega-Caddy to circumnavigate Germany's famed Nürburgring race track. Virtually every manufacturer's preferred test track, the Nürburgring is a tortuous 20.8-km affair with hundreds of corners. But what's really important to those who follow this sort of thing is that the CTS-V's 7:59 clocking is 14 seconds quicker than BMW's mighty M5. It's one thing for a North American car to outmuscle its European competition; it's quite another for the lowly colonial to best its German competition on a twisty road as well. But the best part? The CTS-V's suggested list price of $68,500 is $40,000 less than that of the M5 it trounces. Hmm, maybe the domestics haven't forgotten how to make a world-class car after all.

for more http://autos.canada.com/news/story.html?id=6e9941fd-47f0-44b5-9e3b-21e270e53fde

Hey Have a Facebook Comment :) :)

Italian luxury cars of the year.

Italian luxury car manufacturer Automobili Lamborghini is suing a Saskatoon replica car company, claiming the local business used trademarked logos and created counterfeit imitations of one of its famous cars.

North American Exotic Replica Cars Inc. (NAERC), which manufactures and distributes replica Lamborghini Diablo kit cars out of a location near Eighth Street, creates the illusion that a modified stock car is a true Lamborghini, the Italian company alleges in its statement of claim.

NAERC's use of the logos and designs creates the impression that the converted cars are endorsed by, sponsored by, connected with or originated with the Sant'Agata Bologna-based company, the claim says.

"Replica cars are made all the time," said Lamborghini's Saskatoon lawyer, Richard Danyliuk. "(But) if you, for example, manufacture a replica of a 1953 Corvette you don't call it a Corvette, you call it something else. Here, the allegation is the defendants are simply calling it a Lamborghini and using the logos."

The luxury car company wants an interim and permanent injunction against NAERC, restraining it from continuing with business, as well as an accounting for all sales, revenue and profits and further unspecified damages. Danyliuk said it's not out of the ordinary for companies to defend intellectual property and brand rights.

"That branding comes with significant effort and expense on the part of the owner, and certainly Lamborghini would not be at all unusual in taking steps to protect its property and protect its investment," he said.

Randy Klassen, NAERC's sole employee, said several kit car operations in the United States are close to, if not already, being sued by Lamborghini and other car companies. Lawsuits, plus a falling American dollar, are leading to a decline in the industry, he said.

"We probably sell a quarter of what we used to do now, so it's slowed down a lot, and I think a lot of it had to do with when the U.S. dollar dropped right down to nothing," Klassen said.

NAERC's kits cost between $59,000 and $79,000 each, he explained. The company, which won a Good Manufacturing Practices award at the Knotts Berry Farm Kit Car Show in April 2007, according to its website, also sells individual parts for car modifications. To build a replica Lamborghini, a custom-made chassis or a Pontiac Fiero is required as a base, Klassen said.

Kits include reproductions of Lamborghini logos, Klassen confirmed. Replica vehicles are almost identical to the real deal.

"For most people, no, they can't tell the difference, there's a few people who are Lamborghini enthusiasts who can spot things out, but for the most part it's pretty close," he said, adding people make the cars as a hobby.

"It's more for people wanting to show off what they built and what people's skills are. A lot of people will say, 'Oh, it's a kit car, big deal,' but the amount of time and money that goes into building these cars -- it's more for that person themselves building it."

Klassen adds he doesn't expect a positive outcome for his company in court.

"It's pretty much a losing battle," he said. "I'm sure we'll come to agreement, whether they want us simply to shut down and we'll call it even-type thing."

NAERC's owner, Ken Esler, did not respond to calls Friday.

The kit car company has not yet filed a statement of defence. A court date has not been set.

Hey Have a Facebook Comment :) :)

Foxit eSlick enters the eBook market

The eBook reader market will be getting a new competitor with the eSlick from Foxit. It may not be the Amazon Kindle or Sony Reader, but it does have enough features to call itself an eBook reader.

The eSlick has a 6-inch display with a resolution of 800 x 600, 128MB of internal memory, and an SD card slot that can support up to 4GB of expandable memory. Fortunately, the eSlick also comes with a 2GB card, as well as a set of headphones.

Unfortunately, the eSlick can support few formats, but they are useful ones like PDF, TXT, and MP3, and it comes with a conversion tool for all of them. However, if you want to get eBooks, the eSlick doesn’t have any built-in Wi-Fi so you can download them from Amazon or something.

As for the eSlick’s power source, it is a rechargeable lithium battery that my source reveals is good enough for 8,000 page turns. I wish I had more info than that, because I don’t think any measurement of a device, even an eBook reader, should be given in page turns. Let’s just say that if you are a slow reader, the eSlick will last a while before needing a recharge.

We’ll see if consumers will take to the eSlick like they have the Kindle. At a price of $229, it may be a low-budget option, because one can’t ever argue with a low price.

I think eSlick might be in trouble with its choice of mascot on its screen. It bears a strong resemblance to Mike Wazowski from Monsters, Inc. Pixar, you might want to gear up for a lawsuit.

Hey Have a Facebook Comment :) :)

Watermelon offers wrist support, cleans screens

This is one slice of watermelon that does not offer any thirst-quenching juice - instead it functions as a wrist support and doubles up as a screen cleaner as well. Kinda makes me wonder whether a rolled up piece of rag can function both ways, too, without having me to fork out a single cent. Well, at least this looks cute on your desktop, but to fork out $12 for something like this? Best to wash this from time to time lest you dirty your sleeve with accumulated dust on both sides of the faux watermelon. Hey Have a Facebook Comment :) :)

Animated Singing Turtle

Turtles are extremely slow creatures while they’re on land, and certainly the last thing you’d expect them to do is belt out a tune, right? Well, with the Animated Singing Turtle, this diminutive fake reptile will sing the following wise words, “Slow down, you move too fast” while bobbing his head along to the 1970’s classic “Feelin’ Groovy/The 59th Street Bridge Song. His mouth will actually synchronize with words as he crawls across whatever surface you put him on. Just be careful if you place him on a desk since he might actually crawl over and drop like Humpty Dumpty to the ground, shattering into different pieces and causing you to waste $15.95. The Animated Singing Turtle is powered by a trio of AA batteries. Hey Have a Facebook Comment :) :)

Apple Watch.

The iPod touch has always been an amazing iPod. And with its groundbreaking technologies–including a Multi-Touch screen, the accelerometer, and 3D graphics–and access to hundreds of games, iPod touch puts an amazing gaming experience in the palm of your hand. It comes in 8 GB, 16 GB, and 32 GB models with new volume controls and a built-in speaker. Play hours of music. Create a Genius Playlist of songs that go great together. Watch a movie. Surf the web. View rich HTML email. Find your location and get directions with Google Maps. Browse YouTube videos. And shop the App Store for games and applications..a

Hey Have a Facebook Comment :) :)

Apple iPod touch 8 GB (2nd Generation)

The iPod touch has always been an amazing iPod. And with its groundbreaking technologies–including a Multi-Touch screen, the accelerometer, and 3D graphics–and access to hundreds of games, iPod touch puts an amazing gaming experience in the palm of your hand. It comes in 8 GB, 16 GB, and 32 GB models with new volume controls and a built-in speaker. Play hours of music. Create a Genius Playlist of songs that go great together. Watch a movie. Surf the web. View rich HTML email. Find your location and get directions with Google Maps. Browse YouTube videos. And shop the App Store for games and applications.

Hey Have a Facebook Comment :) :)

Sony Ericsson Parts Ways With HTC

Sony Ericsson has decided to drop HTC in favor of Taiwan-based Mobinnova when it comes to creating the next generation Windows Mobile device. We've not too sure why this decision was made - after all, HTC didn't exactly botch up the Xperia X1 but did a rather splended job with it. Still, here's some skinny on Mobinnova - this handset manufacturer is under Foxconn Electronics, and this piece of news confirms that Sony Ericsson will be rolling out new Windows Mobile smartphones in the future, although you can forget about seeing HTC's touch (no pun intended) on those. Hopefully Mobinnova will be able to live up to the expectations generated.

Hey Have a Facebook Comment :) :)

Amazon’s Top 10 Best-Selling Gadgets, and a Kindle Update

In the shopping spirit of the season, I thought it might be useful to give a quick update on what the year’s best-selling tech gadgets have been on Amazon.com, and how Amazon’s own foray into gadgets is going. Probably too late to help with your own shopping list, but nevertheless here are a couple notable items from the blogosphere:

—Forget Blu-ray players and iPhones. Wired’s blog notes that four of the top 10 best-selling electronic gadgets on Amazon this year are GPS devices from Garmin. That includes the #1 item of 2008, the Garmin nüvi 350 GPS navigator. Who needs maps anymore? (OK, I do.)

—Amazon’s own gadget, the Kindle e-book reader, is apparently sold out for Christmas, and its stock as a search term on Google spiked in October to nearly triple its level during the summer, according toTechCrunch. Google searches for the term “Kindle” have since fallen off somewhat, but remain high. The Kindle faces competition from Apple and Sony, and it will be very interesting to see what all this means for the future of books.

Hey Have a Facebook Comment :) :)

Linux in 2009: Recession vs. GNU

Pundits and business executives alike are predicting gloomy economic times for 2009. But when the talk turns to free and open source software (FOSS), suddenly the mood brightens. Whether their concern is the business opportunities in open source or the promotion of free software idealism, experts see FOSS as starting from a strong base and actually benefiting from the hard times expected next year.

That's not to say that challenges won't arise, but the consensus seems to be that 2009 presents more opportunities than difficulties for FOSS.

The Outlook for Business

The idea that software available at no cost will become popular in a recession is a no-brainer. As Peter Vescuso, VP of Marketing at Black Duck Software points out, "The recession is going to force a lot of people to be more careful with their spending, and look to get more and more value out of their resources as they spend." And, Vescuso adds, the pressure to do more with less will be particularly hard on IT departments, who are always under pressure to deliver efficient, uninterrupted service. Under the circumstances, interest in software that is available at no cost or only a small one is only natural.

Zemlin also sees FOSS as remaining strong on the server, with Linux continuing to be the major player. Most of Linux's growth in 2009, he says, will be "at the expense of Sun Microsystems, which is floundering in its business model right now. People look at Linux, and they say, HP, IBM, Dell, Intel and AMD -- these are collectively not going to go out of business any time soon. Then they look at Sun Microsystems, and they say, 'Whoa! This company has some serious financial difficulties, they have an uncertain future -- that's not a safe bet for me.' Nobody is really growing much, but where there is growth, it's going to in Linux."

As for advances on the desktop, Zemlin, like many, laughs at the long-predicted "Year of the Linux Desktop." However, he quickly adds that that year may have already passed in 2008 with the use of Linux in netbook computers.

The only negative aspect Zemlin sees is that FOSS is likely to continue to be ignored by traditional software vendors in the coming year. "Software vendors need to see a growth in Linux demand and they need to see a consistent demand," he says. "This is the two-pronged challenge for Linux: How do you provide the market that would encourage an ISV like Adobe to port PhotoShop over to Linux?"

Zemlin has no answer to this question, but he clearly regards it as being of secondary importance in the current economic conditions. Asked if there were any downsides that FOSS might expect in 2009, Zemlin was succinct in his summary.

"No downside," he said. Linux is here to stay."

The Outlook for the Community

Peter Brown, executive director of the Free Software Foundation, suggests that the main concern for the FOSS community in 2009 could be funding for key projects. In hard times, donations are one of the first places where individuals and corporations alike are apt to cut back, so the possibility is very real that FOSS development may be slowed for lack of resources in 2009.

However, countering the possibility of reduced donations is the incoming technologically-savvy administration in the United States, and the need of government and education alike to do more with less, all of which could allow free software to make new inroads in the coming year. If president-elect Barrack Obama keeps his promise to appoint a Chief Technology Officer (and the appointee is not Bill Gates or some other partisan of proprietary software), "then I don't see how he could not consider free software," says Brown, pointing out its obvious advantages of low cost and high adaptability.

Brown thinks that the economic advantages of FOSS might create an atmosphere in which the ideals of free software -- that is, working to ensure that users are in complete control of the computer -- could reach a larger audience.

Hey Have a Facebook Comment :) :)

How Clean Is Your Keyboard?

As I keyed in those words, I couldn’t help but take a closer look at my own keyboard. My netbook is white – poor choice for someone who notices dirt easily – and it does tend to get all sorts of smudges and dirt. The best thing to do would be to wipe it on a regular basis but that does tend to get tedious, not to mention the hard to reach parts in between the keys.

Luckily, Dirt Devil has come up with a very efficient solution. Oh yeah, it is also stylish. The Dirt Devil KWIK is a hand vacuum that features cutting edge technology. It is cordless and can be charged through a USB port. This is perfect for me as I get easily irked with the countless wires that seem to be present around computers. The fact that it can be charged through the USB port is even better as you can take it anywhere with you (as long as you have a laptop).

KWIK boasts of Lithium Ion technology – in simple terms, the batteries last longer than normal. It also has a bagless dirt cup – “just tap to empty the debris.” I don’t really see this as a plus as I don’t mind the bags but hey, whatever floats your boat! I am more excited about other things such as the fact that it is light (less than half a pound), it looks sleek, and that it has tools for both brushing and getting into small crevices.

Hey Have a Facebook Comment :) :)

Apple Rival Palm Gets $100 Million, Prepares New OS Launch

A private equity firm Elevation Partners agreed to boost its investment in the struggling smartphone maker by $100 million, sending its shares surging 24 percent  in Nasdaq trading after the announcement was made public. The capital infusion into Palm Inc , the maker of the Centro and Treo smartphones, gears up for the much-anticipated launch of a new device and operating systemnext year.

The company has been steadily losing market share to rivals Research in Motion Ltd, the maker of the BlackBerry, and iphone maker Apple Inc. Share prices of Apple (AAPL) and Palm (PALM) lost about 50 per cent of its value this year.

“The additional capital from Elevation Partners will enable us to put added momentum behind the new product introductions scheduled for 2009, and will provide us with enhanced stability in unsettled economic times,” said Ed Colligan, Palm’s chief executive, in a statement.

Elevation will acquire newly issued Series C preferred stock, which is convertible into Palm common at a price of $3.25 per share, a 31 percent premium to the closing price last Friday. Elevation will also receive warrants to acquire 7 million shares of Palm common at the same price. In addition, Palm said it may have Elevation sell up to $49 million of the new stake to other investors on the same or better terms by March 31.

Some analysts have been urging Palm to raise additional capital. Elevation bought a 25 percent stake in the company last year for $325 million. 

Palm may introduce the new Nova software at the Consumer Electronics Show next month in Las Vegas, said Faucette, who is in Portland, Oregon. Colligan said last week that handsets with the new software will be available in the first half of 2009.

Hey Have a Facebook Comment :) :)

HP Releases HP iPrint Photo App for iPhone and iPod Touch

HP (Hewlett-Packard) today announced HP iPrint Photo, a free application available on the Apple App store that allows for wireless printing of 4 x 6-inch photos from an iPhone or iPod touch to most HP inkjet printers connected to a local Wi-Fi network. The HP iPrint Photo app is is fully compatible with Apple’s Bonjour technology and uses the Multi-Touch interface.

“Today’s news demonstrates how HP is enabling customers to turn special moments captured on the go into high-quality photos,” said Vyomesh Joshi, executive vice president, Imaging and Printing Group, HP. “More than any other company in the world, HP has re-imagined, re-engineered and re-invented the power of printing with exciting new technologies that address real customer needs.”

The HP iPrint Photo application provides customers the freedom and flexibility to wirelessly print the millions of photos that have been captured on iPhone or iPod touch devices. It will be showcased for the first time at the 2009 Macworld Conference & Expo and the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

“There’s a major shift happening in the mobile domain today,” said Rob Enderle, president and principal analyst, Enderle Group. “Annual camera phone device shipments are exploding on a worldwide basis, and mobile photo printing is quickly growing. Until now, customers had no easy way to print the special moments captured on their iPhone or stored on their iPod touch.” Price: Free (download).

Hey Have a Facebook Comment :) :)