debcook

 2008-08-31 20:53:16Wii Sport and Wii Fit have eluded me until today. While visiting over this holiday weekend I had the chance to try the Wii. I used to think that the Wii was rather elementary (due to the graphics) but I must say that it can kick butt.

I never thought of the Wii as a mobile gadget but it is somewhat portable. There are carrying bags for the different components so all you need is a TV to plug it into. The Wii would be a fun item to travel with. Exercise and fun could be had in a hotel room or at a friend’s house.

Bowling is my best game. I beat my apponent handily. I am not a regular in the local bowling alley and in fact I have not bowled a game in several years. I was rather pleased with myself once I learned to compensate for my wild curve ball. The adjustments were easy to make and they seemed pretty accurate so I ended up pretty pleased with my game.

Baseball was my worst sport. I am a great pitcher so the opponent made several home runs. The score was embarrassing.

Tennis was fun. I came close to winning 3 out of 3 matches but only made it as far as 2 out of 3 matches. Tennis was nearly as fun as bowling and was quite a bit more intense.

Snow skiing was the next sport I tried. I have been snow skiing before but I have not raced. The Wii does not give you any breaks and like I said the balancing is intense. Wii skiing is a fast downhill run and requires quick reactions to stay between the red and blue flags. It is rather disheartening when you get to the finish line and your character just hangs their head in shame.

I consider myself to be in pretty good shape. I jog a couple of miles per day and walk another mile afterwards. My weight is well within normal range for my height. The Wii confirmed it. My BMI tested in the normal range and my Wii age was acceptable. Believe me when I say that the balancing tests are not easy.

My mind has been changed towards the Wii. It is intense enough to give you a great workout. It makes you aware of your fitness level and improves your balance. I still am not a fan of the graphics. Overall I think that if used regularly the Wii is worth the price.

 The Polaroid PoGo Instant Mobile Printer has got to be one of the coolest gadgets I’ve wanted in a while. It prints digital photos taken with a cell phone or a digital camera onto almost indestructible 2″ x 3″ sheets of Zink paper.

Zink paper allows the digital photos to print without even one drop of ink. Zink paper has 100 billion yellow, magenta and cyan crystals that are activated in one pass of 200 million heat pulses. In less than 1 minute the print is finished.

Prints from the PoGo are touch proof, smudge proof, tear proof, water resistant and has a sticky back. You can peel or not it is up to you. 

I had read about the PoGo several months back but it was actually released for sale to the public recently. Everyone that I have shown it to has drooled almost as much as me.

Pictures on my cell phone tend to stay on my cell phone. These little 2″ x 3″ pictures have such potential. Stick them on envelopes, stick them on packages, stick them on name badges and the list goes on and on. Parties could be a great place to share photos with friends and family. Family reunions would be another fun time to snap and share these little pictures.

The Polaroid PoGo Instant Mobile Printer is small enough to carry anywhere. It measures approximately 4.7″ x 2.8″ x  0.9″.  They are priced at approximately $150 and the Zink paper sells for approximately $10 per 30 sheets. The price is a bit steep but it would be fun to have.

2008-08-30 22:59:07

The iPhone 3G firmware update 2.0.2 has a lot of owners scratching their heads. They updated their iPhones like AT&T urged them to do but their major complaint was not really fixed. Apparently if you live in an area with many, many other iPhone 3G users there is a catch to the 2.0.2 update.

As I have told you before, I have not updated my iPhone yet. I don’t feel the need. In past experiences some updates (Windows) have not really been what they were cracked up to be. In this case the 2.0.2 firmware update may actually reduce the power of your iPhone instead of increasing it. I don’t know about you but I am not deliberately going to make my iPhone less powerful.

The 2.0.2 firmware update supposedly reduces the amount of power that your iPhone 3G requires to connect to the network. The intention is that when every iPhone user updates to the 2.0.2 firmware then there will be less strain on the network and everybody will have better reception.

I guess if there are very many users like myself the fix will not work. I realize that eventually I will probably be forced to update my firmware to 2.0.2 but until then…

I have not read whether those of us without the initial connection problems would then start having the problem if the power from our iPhone was reduced. I assume that in less populated areas of the country we may need more powerful iPhones because the towers are further apart. Sometimes I travel through some sparsely populated areas.

I am assuming that my thoughts are correct on this matter but if anyone knows better please let me know. I really want the truth – convince me that I should update to firmware 2.0.2.

2008-08-28 21:42:39

New model cars often include an integrated GPS system. Are these built in GPS devices better than a portable GPS device? I have been trying to determine this since my mother-in-law bought her new 2008 Honda Accord.

Today was the first time for me to see the built in GPS and I am still not sure that I like it. Maybe that is because I have closely followed the progression of GPS devices from Garmin and TomTom. The high end models offer voice recognition as well as voice control. They can be used as much for entertainment as for navigation. They have Touchscreens that measure 4.3 inches. Bluetooth provides handsfree cell phone use. Street names are announced instead of just turn left or right in 500 feet. Then when the car is parked the GPS can be tucked into my purse.

The 2008 Honda Accord integrated GPS has advantages as well. The screen is a huge 8″. It is voice guided and offers turn by turn directions. It also doubles as an entertainment device with built in games and its support for MP3s and MP4s. Multiple other features include support for DVDs, VCDs and CDs. Bluetooth turns a compatible cell phone into a handsfree device which is not only safe but in some states the law. The GPS screen is set back into the dash so glare is reduced. In dash controls are extensive.

I guess it will take time for me to sort out the differences and to decide which I like best. Built in or hand held. For those that know me well, they bet on the handheld winning out. I have an open mind and am willing to give each a fair shot. Which do you like best?

2008-08-27 20:27:55

Buying new electronic gadgets is good for us as well as the economy. Discarding electronic gadgets could be good for friends and family but is often bad for the ecology.

I love upgrading my electronic gadgets to the latest and greatest. Sometimes I do and other times I decide against it because I just do not know what to do with the one I already have.

Right now I carry two cell phones. The whole point of buying my iPhone 3g was to stop using my 8525 PDA cell phone. I had no intention to increase the weight of my bag but I did. The Windows Mobile PDA functions are far better than any of the 3^rd party apps from the APP Store so I cannot leave it at home. Until I find something better my 8525 will continue to tag along with me.

In the past I have donated well-loved cell phones to charity. I have not searched out any large organizations but I have supported local drives to gather cell phones. It was easy for me and helped the local organization raise money.

A couple laptops sit on shelves in my electronic storage closet. Yes, I have an entire closet that holds unused gadgets such as digital cameras and a stand alone Sony CD Burner and an external backup drive. (I also keep my printer ink in there) Those laptops make great backup drives. Typically I upgrade my gadgets when the batteries wear out and they are no longer mobile. There is always the chance that I will need one of them in a pinch.

On the other hand laptops are usually pretty easy to hand down to a family member. I am a bit leery of doing this without either changing out the hard drive or wiping it several times. I am not worried that a family member will try to access my information but I do worry that they may eventually sell the laptop.

Everyone does not hold onto preciously new electronic gadgets like I do. In with the new and out with the old is the way for most people. Eventually I will also need to discard some of mine. Even if I keep a gadget the battery will eventually need to be recycled.  It is only right to discard batteries and used up devices in the right way.

Buying a new gadget will always make me happy. Deciding what to do with the original gadget will also make me happy. Maybe I will give it away, maybe I will store it away or maybe I will recycle it. Whatever decision I make will be a responsible one and above all that makes the earth happy.

2008-08-26 21:28:09 I just read that HP has new laptops sporting either a 80GB or 160GB SSD. WOW! I bet you think that the prices for these laptops will be prohibitive for most of us. WRONG! Prices ranging from $1000 to $1700 are expected.

Maybe there are things that I don’t understand or maybe I just missed it - but wasn’t it just a month or so ago that a large capacity (64GB) SSD drive added nearly this much to the price of a laptop?

After reading about this phenomenon I did a little research on the prices of large capacity flash drives. I realize that the SSD found in laptops are not the same as a USB flash drive. However, a large capacity flash drive could extend the need to buy a new laptop. Some were priced reasonably (in my opinion) and some were priced extremely high (also in my opinion).

Surely there are other 64GB flash drives out there but I like these two companies.

• 64GB FlashBlu Max flash drive (Kanguru) for under $330.00
• 64GB USB 2.0 Pro (Buslink Media) for over $4000

So far I cannot find a reason for the difference in price between these two flash drives. In fact, the FlashBlu seems to have the most impressive features such as 128-bit encryption, 10-year data retention and a 3-year warranty. 

I am looking forward to the day that I can load all of my software titles onto a flash drive. CDs are great but they are difficult to travel with and they are easily scratched. I would really love to have a copy of my entire hard drive on a flash drive. An actual copy of my hard drive (software and data) would make me feel secure in the unfortunate event of a hardware failure.

I’ll keep my eye on any new developments concerning high capacity flash drives. I may just have to buy one. Have you already bought one? I’d love to hear what you think.

2008-08-25 20:53:40

Working in a mobile office set up in a car does not sound like a good time. But, at times it is necessary. Most of my travel (although not extensive) is by automobile. I’ve talked before about working on the go and I am always looking for a better way to accomplish my tasks.

I have spent the day making decisions that require a leap of faith. I am about to trade cars with my mother-in-law (she just wants a new car). My 1998 Toyota Avalon has just less than 80,000 miles but does not have the electronic goodies available in the later models. I don’t put an extreme number of miles on a car per year so her 2002 Toyota Avalon with the electronic goodies and 127,000 miles on it seems like an OK trade. Both cares have been serviced and taken care of so the mileage is my main concern.

The gadgets that attract me most are the dashboard electronics. My 1998 Avalon tells me the outside temperature. I appreciate that feature but as starters the 2002 Avalon will tell me the outside temperature, the inside temperature, the miles per gallon on a continual basis, how many miles left till empty and a compass. Something I like as much as anything else is that there is an ordinary power outlet (115 volt) on the console. No need for a separate power adapter - there’s one built in. This may cure my problem of running out of power before my laptop can recharge while using my USB broadband card.

The Avalon has a large roomy back seat and with the addition of that electrical outlet more electronics can be used without stringing cords between the seats. Devices that operate on batteries and Bluetooth extend the possibilities.

It should not be long before I know if I am making a good trade. I am excited to update yet another set of electronic gadgets. Visit me later and I’ll tell you how well my plans have worked out.

  2008-08-24 18:08:02Mobile living is not always about work. Sometimes it is about play. Garmin is a company that can make play even more fun. Imagine hiking in the wilderness and following trails provided by a GPS. Riding a bicycle and being able to track your fitness progress in real time would be great. Fishing or boating can make use of GPS as well.

If you are anything like me I wish that one GPS would work for all of my activities. This reminds me though of people that asks me why I need different shoes to run, walk and do aerobic dancing. The answer is obvious. Each shoe has different support for the different activities. Well, the GPS units are the same. A street map would not be helpful on a wilderness trail. A trail map would not help you navigate across the Great Lakes.

The Garmin GPS that I would like to have (I think) is the Forerunner 305. There is a 405 but from what I’ve read I’ll stick with the 305. I prefer the larger display because it is hard to read much of anything while jogging. I use to jog up to 6 mile per day 5 to 6 days a week. For the last few years I walked more - but I am now returning to jogging. Motivation is easier to come by when I see that I am making progress. It is cool that the Forerunner plugs into a computer and uploads stats of your exercise for the day.

The Forerunner does not provide you with routes but it does record your routes. This would be handy because I am a routine type person. I do not need a lot of variation in my workouts. But, I may travel and my route would absolutely be different. It would be fun to compare the routes and see where I had my best results.

Hopefully I will get one of these gadgets soon. I’ve convinced myself that I really need one.

2008-08-23 22:39:03

Today I needed a few items from my local Home Depot. I was surprised to see a sign on the door announcing that they offered free WiFi. After returning home I did a Google search and sure enough Home Depot stores across the country offer free WiFi.

You need to check with the Home Depot in your area - or in an area you to plan to travel to for instructions on how to connect. TIP: If the store is closed you should be able to park nearby and type in odwifi as the network name and it might get you connected.

Finding hotspots in you area or as before in an area you plan traveling to a few options are available. Some are free others are not. This is a short list of options but you should be able to find all the information needed. Always call ahead to verify information.

• Jwire.com - gives multiple search features including location, WiFi providers for each location, addresses and maps. (I tried to find hotspots on jwire.com from my iPhone and was not successful. I could type in the city and zip code but the space for country and state were grayed out. The “go” button did not take me anywhere.)
• FlyingJ.com - These are truck stops across the country offering WiFi. From the home page click on the “Communication Services” button.
• Hotel Chatter.com - This site gives reviews and information about hotels that offer WiFi. Interesting TIP: Often the less expensive hotels/motels have free WiFi and most expensive hotels/motels include a charge for WiFi. Always ask if the WiFi is free - if it is not ask for the charge to be complimentary and often your request will be honored.
• Restaurants - McDonald’s and Panera Bread comes to mind first but remember that Jwire.com will include others in their searches.

Security is always an issue when connecting to Hot Spots especially free ones. Typing in password and credit card numbers is scary at best. I own a password vault (this is a future post) for this reason. All of the information is typed in at home and the software is already on my laptop. When I log onto a site the password vault recognizes it and logs me on.

I admit that I am surprised at some Hot Spot locations but I think that it is really cool that they are there. Most cell phones, PDAs and laptops include WiFi so accessing the Internet should not be a problem while traveling.

2008-08-22 20:40:11 

Software today is more complicated than ever – not to use but to own. Mobile workers, bloggers and everyone else that works and plays away from the office needs their laptop to have the appropriate software loaded and ready to go whenever they are. At the same time most of these same users have a desktop at the office as well. Separate licensed copies of software programs are needed for each.

I don’t have to tell you how expensive software is. In fact, a large amount of the price of a new computer is for software licensing fees. Standalone software titles can set you back hundreds of dollars and you have to multiply that by each computer.

There are ways to save money on software.

·        Buy a lesser version. Few of us need the high-end features of most software titles.

·        Buy a student version – if you are not a student find one.

·        Buy online – eBay is a great place to find software for less. Look for the new, in a box and unlicensed software deals.

·        Buy software with multiple licenses – sometimes it will less expensive to load onto several computers. Maybe you could share the cost.

Once, while attending a Microsoft event I won a brand new Microsoft XP Operating System. I ordered Microsoft Office 2003 from an eBay seller and saved at least half the price. I barely missed a great deal on Office 2007 on Craigslist. I am always on the lookout for great software at a great price. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to purchase a copy of Microsoft Office 2007 Ultimate (full retail version) for $59.95 during Microsoft’s “Ultimate Steal” promotion.

I noticed today that Microsoft is offering the “Ultimate Steal” promotion again (possibly for this year’s school year). I have included this link for you to see if you qualify to take advantage of this great deal yourself.  http://www.microsoft.com/student/discounts/theultimatesteal-us/default.aspx

The cost of software is one of the reasons that cloud computing is becoming so popular. If you are a follower of this blog you know that I do not really like cloud computing but I admit that many users are heading that way. I’d rather plan ahead and search out good deals on my software. Once I buy it I own it. I like it that way.

If you have a great source for software at a discounted price let all of us in on it!

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