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InnoPocket launched HexaPose Stand for Apple iPad

Quang Ly — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:42:47 +0000

InnoPocket have launched HexaPose Stand for Apple iPad. The HexaPose Stand is made of solid aluminum and tough polycarbonate with a chic design tailor-made for the Apple iPad. It comes with a rotatable pivot which can allow you to freely rotate your iPad horizontally or vertically. The pivot can also be adjusted 3 ways for different viewing angles for surfing, reading, gaming or movie viewing. HexaPose Stand is the perfect gadget for your iPad if you use iPad at home just as your PC. It makes your iPad look like an iMac.

Features

Clip-on, sleek looking table and desktop stand for your iPad
Solid and strong aluminum base
Precision molded polycarbonate frame to hold the iPad securely
Hold iPad in both landscape and portrait orientation
Multiple viewing angles for surfing, reading or movie viewing
Cutout gives access to iPad’s dock connector for charging and syncing

MSRP: US$49.99

About InnoPocket

Founded in 1999, InnoPocket designs and manufactures a complete line of custom cases for laptop, PDA, smartphones, MP3 players and gaming devices.

GadgetMETER’s Take

This would be great for a keyboard and desktop solution as well.

Contact
InnoPocket
Website: http://www.innopocket.com

Docs by Microsoft and Facebook

Quang Ly — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 14:28:01 +0000

Docs by Microsoft and Facebook

Look out Google because Microsoft and Facebook are teaming up to challenge Google Docs online document sharing.

Microsoft Docs looks like a real threat to Google Docs because simply Microsoft still makes a better word processor than Google. Facebook’s crowd sourcing and social networking platform creates a true online desktop and utility for productivity. Docs also have a simple domain name that people can remember http://www.docs.com.

Google needs to respond with a true social networking strategy by merging their Gmail, YouTube, and Picassa audience to a single destination to share and communicate more seamlessly. They have made a pathway so far with integrating Buzz into Gmail. It was disappointing, however, that Google Wave was still a separate destination that needed another active conversion for adoption. Furthermore, their UI across different sites like Gmail, YouTube, and Picassa do not have similar look and feel.

Via http://docs.com

Screenshot – Google Phone Confirmed

Quang Ly — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 01:22:18 +0000

Google Phone

The rumors of the upcoming Google Phone has been laid to rest. Here is a screenshot of the Google Phone running Android 2.1 operating system. It is a Google branded phone but built by HTC. It is expected to be available as unlocked GSM in early 2010 on both AT&T and T-Mobile. Google apparently had a lot of influence on how the phone should be designed and operate since it is essentially their brand.

This comes only a few months after Verizon’s successful launch of their iPhone competitor Droid which also runs Android but version 2.0. Seems like iPhone competitors are coming out before the release of the next generation iPhone 4G which will be a bloodbath.

Via TechCrunch

Want a Google Wave Invite? We have some!

Quang Ly — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:58:46 +0000

Google Wave Invite

Google Wave is a hot topic now. It is Google’s ambitious project for next generation unified real-time communication and collaboration tool. I finally got my invite and can now invite up to 8 others. I’m giving them away so if anyone is interested contact me through the web form. It even works on the iPhone!

What is a wave?

A wave is equal parts conversation and document. People can communicate and work together with richly formatted text, photos, videos, maps, and more.
A wave is shared. Any participant can reply anywhere in the message, edit the content and add participants at any point in the process. Then playback lets anyone rewind the wave to see who said what and when.
A wave is live. With live transmission as you type, participants on a wave can have faster conversations, see edits and interact with extensions in real-time.

Black Friday Deal – Brother HL-4040cdn Color Laser Printer with Duplex and Networking

Quang Ly — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:22:03 +0000

Guys, I found this amazing deal for a color laser printer. The price has come down a lot and accessible for the average consumer / prosumer. Get it for Black Friday or as a Christmas gift for that geek in your family.

From The Manufacturer

Flexible Paper Handling and High Yield Toner for Volume Applications
Using Brother’s high-yield replacement toner cartridges (TN-115 series cartridges sold separately), you can enjoy lower operating costs and greater output for increased efficiency. And with a generous 300-sheet total paper capacity consisting of a 250-sheet paper tray and a 50-sheet multi-purpose tray, the HL-4040CDN can handle large-scale print jobs with ease. Plus, with flexible paper handling that accepts a wide range of media types and sizes, you can print high-quality business materials using letter- and legal-sized paper, envelopes, and more.

Fast Printing in Brilliant Color
Create professional-quality documents in color or monochrome at speeds of up to 21 pages per minute (ppm). Produce brilliant color documents at print resolutions up to 2400 x 600 dpi for exceptional clarity when printing business materials with both text and graphics.

Automatic Duplex Printing for Easy Two-Sided Documents
Create two-sided documents quickly and easily thanks to the HL-4040CDN’s duplex feature that automatically prints on both sides of the paper for professional-looking business documents. Automatic duplexing also helps to reduce paper consumption, as well as mailing and filing costs.

Built-in Ethernet Network Interface
The Brother HL-4040CDN offers Ethernet networking capabilities for added versatility. Its standard network interface allows multiple computers within a workgroup to connect to a single printer.

Direct Printing via USB Flash Memory Drive and PictBridge
Sometimes you just need a printout fast, and the HL-4040CDN has got you covered. Simply connect any USB flash memory drive to the printer’s USB Direct Interface, and enjoy fast printing without the need for a computer. This saves time and provides added convenience in a fast-paced office setting.

The HL-4040CDN also supports quick and easy direct printing of images from any PictBridge-enabled digital camera without having to download them to a computer first.

Compatible with both Windows and Macintosh, the Brother HL-4040CDN Color Laser Printer measures 16.5 x 18.7 x 12.5 inches (WxDxH) and weighs 64.2 pounds. It is backed by a one-year express exchange limited warranty.

What’s in the Box
HL-4040CDN Laser Printer, one TN110BK Standard Yield Black Toner Cartridge (approx. 2,500 pages), TN110C Cyan, TN110Y Yellow and TN110M Magenta Standard Yield Color Toner Cartridges (approx. 1,500 pages each), and one DR110CL Drum Unit (approx. 17,000 pages.) [Toner yields are approximate and are based on 5% coverage (letter). Drum life may vary based on various types of use.]

Video – SixthSense Technology Is The Real iPhone Killer

Quang Ly — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:58:47 +0000

Sithsense Paper Laptop

I have been following Pranav Mistry’s SixthSense technology since his debut at TED conference in which he had a standing ovation. SixthSense allows for an ultra portable and interactive augmented reality based on genstures. It enables interactions between the real world and digital information.

His latest invention which he displayed at TED will kill any iTablet rumor from Apple or likes. Better yet, it is the introduction of the paper “laptop”. It works by attaching a microphone on the paper to sense the touch. Check out the whole video.

Via Engadget

Google Voice Quick Reference

Quang Ly — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:07:34 +0000

Google Voice Quick Reference

Google Voice is really quite an amazing service with a lot of features – for free. Granted if you have a smart phone with browser or near a computer to manage your calls. For those of you still sticking to your dinosaur phone lacking an Internet browser, this Google Voice Quick Reference is for you. Just print it out and put it into your pocket. I didn’t even know some of these features were available such as conversation recording. Managing Google Voice features is now whole lot faster.

Via TechCrunch

Transfer Your Mobile Number to Google Voice

Quang Ly — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:02:18 +0000

Transfer Your Mobile Number to Google Voice

I’ve been using Google Voice since it was owned by Grand Central. It is a great platform for managing free calls, SMS, and contacts with intelligence. Now Google Voice lets you port your mobile number from your carrier to Google as well. This way, your voicemail is accessible from the cloud. By allowing Google Voice to manage my voicemail, it solves my issue with AT&T which prevents me from receiving voicemail notifications. Once you receive a voicemail, you can be alerted a number of ways by transcribed email or SMS text messages.

Google Voice can let you have a single phone number that automatically rings to your mobile, work, home and other phones based on rules and settings. For example, calls from your kids will ring all numbers while office related contacts only ring your work number.

The process to move your carrier number to Google Voice requires a few steps. However, it is very worth it in the end.

Via TechCrunch

Google Wave Already Works With iPhone

Quang Ly — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 10:36:49 +0000

Google Wave iPhone App

Google Wave has been making headlines in the tech world. Not many people know this since not everyone received the official invite yet but it already works in the iPhone. It looks quite fantastic. You can simply go to wave.google.com in mobile Safari on your iPhone and wil be prompted that you are using a browser not supported during the preview, however, once you click through, it actually works well.

You can save a bookmark on your Home screen and it creates a little icon like other Web pages on the iPhone. However, Google Wave is a bit different. Once you launch it it removes the Safari wrapper which allows you to nagivate to another page or search the Web. It actually looks like a regular native iPhone app.

The screen shot on the right is what Google Wave looks like on the iPhone launched from the Home screen bookmark. The screen shot at the bottom is what it looks like from within Safari.

Via TechCrunch

Google Phone Coming To Verizon

Quang Ly — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:46:08 +0000

Google Phone Coming To Verizon

Google’s Android operating system for mobile phones will be available on the Verizon Wireless network under an agreement the companies announced Tuesday.

Verizon states that Android-based handsets will becoming in the next few weeks. Android is Google’s operating system for mobile phones. The new Android-based devices will come loaded with mobile apps developed by Google, Verizon, and third parties.

Even if this competes with the tremendously popular iPhone, we believe as long as there are innovative devices coming out, it will force companies to improve for the sake of consumers.

The telecom industry was stale for so long. Remember when the Motorola RAZR came out? It looked slick at first, but there weren’t many features. They also kept coming out with many different versions with little varied features confusing the market. Apple’s iPhone was a game changer and forced telecom to make better phones and provide richer services.

Dropbox Online Storage and iPhone App

Quang Ly — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:06:06 +0000

Dropbox Online Storage and iPhone App

Dropbox is an easy to use online file storage that syncs your files across all your computers. I installed it recently and must say it is very intuitive, easy, and fast! You simply go to their website, create and account, and then install on your computer (both Windows and Mac compatible). You can then select your drop box folder to by synced. Files or folders that are in your Dropbox folder are then synchronized online. The performance is great. When you make a change, Dropbox sends the “delta” only to the server thus making the change very quickly. You can also access your files through the website.

The free version begins with 2 Gig of storage space with an additional 1 Gig by referring friends. There is also premium paid version which offers much more.

Dropbox recently released an iPhone application to make it even easier to access your files anywhere in the world. This new iPhone app will let you get access to all your Dropbox documents, PDF’s, pictures, videos and much more. Dropbox also introduced offline viewing in the iPhone app, with “Favorites.” If you add a file to your ‘Favorites’, they’ll be accessible at any time. To do so, just hit the star at the bottom of any file, and it’ll be added. Otherwise, your files stay in the cloud. This is great for people who complain that the iPhone does not offer local file storage. Dropbox offers this and more with automatic sync with their cloud!

Dropbox can also let you share files and folders to anyone in the cloud. The iPhone app also lets you upload pictures and video (with iPhone 3GS).

In just a few days, Dropbox reached over 2 million users. Impressive.

When is Google’s rumored GDrive coming? Google???

Screenshot Google Wave

Quang Ly — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:18:44 +0000

Google Wave Collaboration

Google recently released their new web-based collaboration tool called Wave to developers, volunteers and select Google Apps members. The shortest way to describe Google Wave is real-time Gmail on steroids. Wave is the entire Google Product while a wave (lower case) is an individual message or document. Google is initially targeting students, colleges, and collaborative teams to test out this new paradigm of communication.

A wave can include a message with rich content (images, YouTube video, links, maps) and can be shared with other users. There is also a video playback feature that shows a new member coming into the wave the history of the changes.

A wave can also be embedded on another site such as a blog. Currently, there are still bugs to be worked out but this does seem to be a promising step forward for Google to compete with Facebook, Twitter and other crowd sourcing social networks.

Google Wave Header

Here is the Google Wave 3 Panes: Navigation, List, Rich Content.

Google Wave Default View

A wave with rich content

Google Wave Rich Content

Google Wave is similar to Gmail with search features, tagging, file uploads, and even folders. The rich web interface is completely drag and drop.

Google Docs Now Convert Images to Text

Quang Ly — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:29:01 +0000

You can now use Google Docs to perform OCR image-to-text conversions when you upload high-resolution files. It is a nice newly added feature from Google (and of course it is free)

For 3rd party webapps or services that uses Google Docs, they can use this URL parameter to accept JPG, PNG, and GIF files for conversions. Keep in mind this is still in beta.

Tell us what you think of Google Docs OCR performance. Was it good for you?

Google Docs OCR Convert Images To Text

Via Life hacker

AT&T Introduces A-List for Free Unlimited Calling

Quang Ly — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:04:08 +0000

AT&T Introduces A-List for Free Unlimited Calling

AT&T’s recently announced A-List plans on September 20, 2009. This calling feature lets customers talk with up to five people on any network for free, including landlines. The service is very similar to T-Mobile myFaves, which provides free and unlimited calling to customers’ five favorite people. The A-List feature is available on individual Nation plans that cost $59.99 or more. FamilyTalk customers with plans costing $89.99 or more can choose up to 10 people to talk with free of charge.

Want even more free calls beyond what AT&T offers? Add your Google Voice number to your A-list so now you can talk to anyone in North America without using your minutes. Google Voice acts like a conference call with the number you want to talk to (incoming or outgoing). The call with Google Voice is free which connects you to the number you want to talk to. When someone outside your network calls your Google Voice number, your Google Voice then redirects that call to you. So now the conversation is between your AT&T number and Google Voice. If you want to make a call outside your network, call your own Google number and sign into the Google voicemail system, you’ll have the option to place a call. Just press 2 and enter the number. You can also visit Google Voice mobile on your phone.

So what are you waiting for? Log into www.att.com/alist now and add your out of network numbers for free unlimited calls.

Google Push Email for iPhone Now Available

Jay — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:50:41 +0000

Google Push Email and Calender Sync

Dammit. I just spent $2.99 on an app to give me push Gmail on my iPhone and then Google goes and adds that capability through Google Sync. Damn you Google, for making what used to cost money free. Details at the Google Mobile blog. Thanks to TechCrunch for alerting me.

If you have GSync already set up on your iPhone, all you have to do is go to the Exchange entry and activate the Mail option. Simple!

Warning – the Google mobile blog servers are apparently mobbed right now, cause performance is slow slow slow.

UPDATE: In the 20 minutes since I activated this service, I’ve noticed three things.

You don’t get a popup alert on your screen when new emails come in. This could be a good or bad thing, depending on your point of view. You will get a buzz indicating new mail (if your iPhone is set up for that).
There is a definite lag between receipt of email and Google pushing it to your iPhone. It’s not huge but it can be a couple minutes. I’m curious as to if this is due to the newness of the service or if it’s normal lag due to using Exchange. It’s no different than what sometimes happens with the Blackberry, so unless you’re OCD about your email you probably won’t notice it.
My Yahoo push email has apparently never worked properly and for whatever reason I do not get my Yahoo mails pushed to my iPhone. I only noticed this because of how Google’s push works. Luckily I don’t care about my Yahoo accounts, since they serve as repositories of spam and junk emails for various signup lists. Plus all my porn user names and passwords.

Google Liberates Your Data

Quang Ly — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 23:06:12 +0000

Google Liberates Your Data

Google officially launches DataLiberation.org to inform users their expectations on how their private data is exported. Actually, Google has already provided some of this to a certain extent. A few weeks ago, I helped my brother and his wifey export the content from their Blogger site to a self hosted WordPress installation. It was very easy to do. The only things that weren’t transferred were the images which I haven’t figured out how to do yet.

Imagine you want to move out of your apartment. When you ask your landlord about the terms of your previous lease, he says that you are free to leave at any time; however, you cannot take all of your things with you – not your photos, your keepsakes, or your clothing. If you’re like most people, a restriction like this may cause you to rethink moving altogether. Not only is this a bad situation for you as the tenant, but it’s also detrimental to the housing industry as a whole, which no longer has incentive to build better apartments at all.

Google’s Data Liberation movement plans to give users greater control over their data and easier facilities to export and import with Google apps.

Via The Data Liberation Front

Google Voice Now Fowards SMS To Email

Quang Ly — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 13:55:49 +0000

Google Voice Now Fowards SMS To Email

One of the most popular feature requested from Google Voice was the obvious forward inbound text messages to email. You can now receive incoming text messages to your email. Furthermore, you can even reply from email as well. Users previously could respond to the Google Voice text message on their phone but email forwarding was previously not an option.

Now, once we can have Gmail push to our iPhones then I can cancel the ridiculously priced text messaging plan from AT&T.

Via TechCrunch

iPhone App: Twitscoop Real Time Twitter Trends

Quang Ly — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 19:54:33 +0000

Twitscoop iPhone App

Have you ever wondered what people are talking about in the cyberspace cloud in real time? Well, now you can with the iPhone App Twitscoop.

Twitscoop allows visualization of real time trends and discussions on Twitter straight from your iPhone. The tag cloud grows and shrinks in real-time depending on the popularity of the topic. The app has a trend algorithm that pulls buzz words, breaking news, and content such as pictures, links, and videos.

Strangely, the key feature lacking in Twitscoop is the lack of ability to tweet from within the app. It is such an obvious feature that they should include it in future updates.

Twitscoop is available for $0.99 on the iTunes App Store.

Screenshot – Why Google Needs To Become An ISP

Quang Ly — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 21:22:09 +0000

Google is facing a lot of threats to its future relevancy lately. First, Apple claims to have “not yet approved” its Google Voice app which allows cheap international or free calls to Canada, free SMS texting, and phone intelligence. Secondly, Google’s competitor, Yahoo, partners with Microsoft to use their Bing search engine. Thirdly, Facebook is still growing and becoming a social desktop with rumored micro payments and online check out in the works.

Successful technology companies are the ones that control the platform. The platform allows 3rd parties to extend features by using the APIs. An example is the widely successful iTunes App Store. This allows the company controlling the platform to grow exponentially with scale and thus profit with others effort. This is another reason why Google wants to be the operating system for both mobile phones (Android), laptop computers (Chrome OS), and browser (Chrome browser).

Google’s core business is search and advertising. What do you do, however, when the ISP serving the user injects their own ads instead of defaulting to your engine? Well, most recently, I noticed this when searching using Safari but instead of the usual Google Search page, I get Comcast with Yahoo results!

Is this a threat to Google? Absolutely! Is this legal? Not sure. But by the time this matter goes through the courts. Google may have lost so much revenue that it doesn’t matter if Google wins by law. Remember the fate of Netscape browser after Microsoft included their own browser in their Windows releases? Microsoft got fined a huge amount. However, by the time it was over, Netscape was gone (well, actually sold to AOL) but is no longer relevent.

Domain High Jacking By Comcast

Get Your Pre-Order of Mac OS X Snow Leopard Right Now

Quang Ly — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:04:06 +0000

Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard is now available for pre-order. It will be shiipping this Friday August 28, 2009. One of the biggest advantages is that it frees up 7 Gigs for disk space and performs faster. The reason being is that Apple decided to toss out support for PowerPC chips and go solely on Intel (Universal Binary).

Mac OS X Snow Leopard

The price is only $29 for an upgrade? Much more reasonable than the headaches and price you get from Microsoft Upgrades.

Mac OS X version 10.6 Snow Leopard

Make Free Calls to Canada with Google Voice

Quang Ly — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 19:17:25 +0000

Make Free Calls to Canada with Google Voice

Google Voice now allows you to make free calls to Canada from within the continental US. Previously, you can only make free calls within the US with your Google Voice number.

You can make the call by logging into mobile apps , or by dialing your own Google Voice number from one of your phones and selecting option 2 to place a call. You can also install GV Mobile for a jailbroken iPhone from the Cydia store. GV is now free and can utilize your phone’s Contacts.

GPush Notifications for Gmail on iPhone

Quang Ly — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 20:54:52 +0000

GPush Gmail Push Notifications

There is finally a simple iPhone app to allow Gmail push notifications. Can’t wait every 15 minutes for your iPhone to automatically check your email? This app is for you and the reviews have been pretty good. Push notifications allow you to receive a new email rather than having your mail application check (or pull) for new email. Simply turn on the app, enter your Gmail username and password (running over encrypted SSL) and you can get push notifications with From and Subject fields. It supports a variety of alerts such as sounds, badge, or vibrate.

A neat trick is to setup Google Calender notifications to push to a different email that you setup on GPush. You will still get alerts but they won’t come into your main inbox. This reduces SMS alerts which costs you less money as well. Every now and then you will just have to push your email for “junk” or notifications.

It only costs $1 at the App Store and may go up to $2 eventually.

Spy Camera Finder

Quang Ly — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 14:02:39 +0000

Remember how high-tech hidden cameras were in action movies? These rogue tools are now accessible to almost everyone. Miniature cellphones come with video recording capabilities like the iPhone 3GS. The iPhone 3G can also record video after it has been jailbroken with the Cycorder or Video Recorder app from the Cydia store. These devices are small enough to be hidden almost everywhere. ESPN Reporter Erin Andrews was recently a victim of a spy camera.

KJB Security SF-103 Spy Finder Personal [Misc.]

The Spy Camera Finder will help you find hidden spy cameras in your hotel, locker room, or next vacation. Just look through the view finder and scan your room to detect the location of hidden cameras (even if they are off). It works by using “optical” augmentation” to locate video cameras.

For $87, it is reasonable and affordable way to protect your privacy. It is also small and lightweight enough to be portable.

Via Gadget Grid

PayPal Goes Down For the Count

Quang Ly — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 19:27:44 +0000

PayPal developers are sweating trying to fix an API that is preventing PayPal’s online purchasing service from working. Website buyers and vendors are reporting that online sales purchases are not going through. We can only imagine the millions of dollars lost every minute the online merchant is down.

PayPal Failure As Seen on Twitter

Update as of noon, PayPal services are slowly coming back online. Whew! What a test for Cloud Computing.

Mac OS X Snow Leopard Goes #1 on Amazon

Quang Ly — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 19:06:48 +0000

Mac OS X Snow Leopard Goes #1 on Amazon

Apple is releasing their next version of the widely successful Mac OS X Leopard now to be called (very originally) Snow Leopard for pre-order on Amazon.com. Are they running out of felines names to call? This timely release competes with Apple’s arch nemesis Microsoft with their Windows 7.

Snow Leopard is currently the number one best seller in the software category at the affordable $29 single, upgrade version. Windows 7 isn’t even on the list of top ten.

Mac OS X version 10.6 Snow Leopard

Snow Leopard Features

Mac OS X Snow Leopard is built on a rock-solid, time-tested UNIX foundation that provides unparalleled stability as well as industry-leading support for Internet standards
Improvements include a more responsive Finder, new look and features for Exposé and Stacks, quicker Time Machine backup, faster common tasks and installation, a smaller install footprint, and plenty more
New core technologies unleash the power of today’s advanced hardware technology and prepare Mac OS X for future innovation: 64-bit computing, multicore-optimization, OpenCL, QuickTime X, and more
With virtually no effort on your part, Mac OS X protects itself–and you–from viruses, malicious applications, and other threats
Mac OS X Snow Leopard includes built-in support for the latest version of Microsoft Exchange Server, so you can use Mail, iCal, and Address Book at home and at work

AT&T Plays the Blame Game Card on Apple

Quang Ly — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 18:40:38 +0000

Is exclusive relationship between the Death Star (aka AT&T) and Apple reaching the breaking point as well?

The FCC recently sent AT&T, Apple and Google a letter of questions in regards to the removal of Google Voice App for the iPhone. AT&T has kept quiet until recently and now showing it’s true selfish colors but blaming publicly that it is all on Apple

AT&T Is the Death Star

“AT&T does not manage or approve applications for the App Store. We have received the letter and will, of course, respond to it.”

Now, it doesn’t take a genius to know that AT&T more than likely do not have paper trails that could hold them liable for anti-competitive behavior. Nope, a phone call to Steve Jobs to have him authorize the removal of Google Voice app will do just fine. Google Voice iPhone App can offer free SMS messaging which competes with AT&T and other telecom companies highly lucrative paid SMS service. Typically, you are paying for both incoming and outgoing text message. This isn’t true when it comes to receiving an international phone call. Only the person making the call has to pay. The recipient does not.

It will be very interesting to hear the responses from Apple and AT&T for the FCC inquiry in the coming days.

AT&T Killed Visual Voicemail and That’s NOT the Worst Part!

Quang Ly — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:36:23 +0000

I was recently aware of this problem when I noticed I wasn’t getting visual voicemail for the past several weeks. I dialed and held the #1 on my keypad to see if I missed any voicemail. Turns out I had over 20 business and personal messages. So I Googled only to find out this problem has been going on for weeks and has appeared on both CNET and TechCrunch.

AT&T Reveals Its New Service the Death Star

This leads to my rant on why the Visual Voicemail issue isn’t even the worst part. What really bothered me was AT&T’s lack of responsibility to notifying and informing their customers of this issue so people could manually check their voicemail until this issue has been resolved. AT&T is aware of this problem and has been supposedly working on a fix for several weeks now. Therefore, it is absolutely inexcusable for AT&T not to publicize this failure. Voicemail is an integral to our lives as email.

I contacted AT&T Tech Support twice and both customer service representatives were not aware of this problem. How can a system wide issue not be communicated to even their own support staff?

My real estate agent was also missing my voicemail until I told her about this issue. She’s had several dozen messages that were missed. Another friend of mine missed over 40 messages. How much loss in business do you think could have been prevented if AT&T advised their customers to check their voicemail manually? What has changed? There were not any new features in Visual Voicemail that could have broken it!

Our GadgetMETER writer, Jay Chang, made a wonderful suggestion: switch to Google Voice. Which is exactly what HE did.

Here is our laundry list of complaints with the Death Star known as AT&T….and yes, I cannot wait for the Class Action Lawsuit. Maybe George Lucas will make another Star Wars Trilogy.

AT&T did not notify customers about a known issue with visual voicemail causing loss of business and life disruptions.
Poor 3G service in New York City and San Fransisco. Would you bother upgrading to 3GS knowing you would get shady service in these cities?
Long term contracts. I get it. The contracts help subsidize the iPhone purchase. However, AT&T has taken advantage of this by overcharging because Verizon is not in the iPhone game. Once Verizon is, I’m giving AT&T a two fingered salute goodbye!
Still no official 3G tethering. I’ve heard they are planning to charge more. Why does AT&T plan to rape their customers? We already paid for the data plan, it shouldn’t matter what devices use it. Comcast Internet doesn’t charge me extra for additional devices I use on my Wi-Fi connection at home. If you want to do a simple hack to tether the iPhone 3.0, check out our post here.
Telecom companies have never been known to innovate and move technology forward. It’s always been Silicon Valley. Once we move to Wi-Max and Google offers its own low cost or free universal Internet Access, I would excpect to see low cost data and voice plans.

If you are having iPhone visual voicemail problems, try these steps from CNET. It didn’t work for me but apparently it worked for others.

I cannot imagine all the problems in people’s lives this has caused. Share your stories with us.

Get your cables organized

Sarah — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 08:30:35 +0000

One of the few things in the world of computers and gadgets that still drives me nutz are cables. Everything requires cables. Cables everywhere. Which cable is that again? I don’t know, let me follow it through this mess until I discover it’s source. Ugh.
Until that magic day (soon coming from what I understand) where almost everything (including power) can go wireless though, I’m stuck coming up with solutions to manage, organize, and hopefully hide the cord mess that clutters up my otherwise impeccable workstation. It’s the type A in me. I can’t help it!
Fortunately I found DOTZ. A cable organizing and labeling system that’s not only practical but looks really good too.

Color coded with the ability to number and label so you know which set of cables is which, which item you are depriving power from, and which peripheral you are about to unplug. Never again accidentally unplug your iPod while it’s still syncing! Or one of your three external hard drives without unmounting it first (if I had a nickel for every time I did that!).
Each packs are just $10 a piece for either eight reusable cable ties or ten cable-buttons.

Check out their products here: Dotz product site

Google Wave

Quang Ly — Sun, 31 May 2009 21:29:06 +0000

There are a lot of different communication platforms to choose from: email, facebook, twitter. Google Wave is a very promising new unified communication tool that combines all these and more.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_UyVmITiYQ

What Is Wave?

Google Wave allows people to communicate and collaborate using objects like rich text, photos, videos, maps, and twitter. But also share these conversations with other participants at any point. The new participant can then watch a playback of the history of the communication.

Wave is also live so a person on the receiving end can see letter for letter what is being typed for real-time communication.

Safest table saw EVER!

Sarah — Tue, 26 May 2009 14:30:19 +0000

I’m no master carpenter (or carpenter at all really), but I have two friends that are. I suspect they like the fact that their hands are intact. Also, I saw Sicko. You remember that guy with two fingers that were sawed off and he could only afford to reattach one of them?
Well, if you like to build things (or just saw wood apart very rapidly) then you should check this out.

This table saw (which comes in industrial, professional and contractor versions) has the ability to detect when the blade comes in contact with flesh and then shut off the blade within milliseconds leaving a slightly bloody finger, but an intact one. The blade carries a small electrical charge that is constantly monitored. When skin contacts the blade the signal changes and the brake is engaged immediately (within milliseconds!).
Check out the hot dog demo:

Granted, you’ll be dropping upwards of $1500 (the industrial version is over $3000). But reattaching a finger is about $12,000 without insurance. And it hurts. A lot!
via SawStop.com

Back to Basics TEM500 Egg and Muffin 2-Slice Toaster and Egg Poacher

Quang Ly — Wed, 13 May 2009 01:57:38 +0000

Do you ever get the urge for McDonald’s breakfast? That yummy tasty Egg McMuffin but too lazy to get out of the house early enough? What’s the deal with that? Why can’t McDonald’s have their breakfast menu all day long? To get around this challenge, check out the TEM500 Egg and Muffin 2-Slice Toaster and Egg Poacher.

Back to Basics TEM500 Egg and Muffin 2-Slice Toaster and Egg Poacher

Back to Basics TEM500 Egg-and-Muffin 2-Slice Toaster and Egg Poacher

Put in 2 slices of Muffin and an egg, and there’s your magic breakfast! This is fast food at light speed!

Product Features

Innovative 3-in-1 appliance functions as toaster, egg cooker, and meat warmer
Makes a breakfast sandwich in 4 minutes; wide toaster slots; light to dark toast settings
Automatic shut-off for individual toasting and poaching functions; cancel button
Easy-to-clean control touchpad; removable crumb tray; cord storage; measuring cup included
Measures 7-1/5 by 15-1/4 by 8-1/6 inches; 1-year warranty

USB Desktop Basketball Dunk

Quang Ly — Sat, 09 May 2009 15:08:13 +0000

If you don’t have enough distractions in your work life with Facebook, IM, Twitter, or MySpace, then try the USB Desktop Dunk by Jumpin Banana.

USB Desktop Basketball Dunk

USB Desktop Dunk

The USB Desktop Basketball Dunk is a fun way to take a break. It has a USB port which connects to your computer so no batteries are required. You can challenge your friends and coworkers for the highest score in a 30 second round. The USB Desktop Dunk also keeps scores and plays music. It comes with the mini-arcade basketball hoop, four basketballs, and USB. It runs on Windows XP and Mac OS X.

Who says White Men Can’t Dunk?

USB POWERED CD DVD DESTROYER

Sarah — Wed, 06 May 2009 11:02:00 +0000

What do you do when you have a CD or DVD with sensitive data on it that you don’t need anymore? Usually I put it in the microwave because electricity is pretty and I have no common sense when it comes to danger. But the guys at USB Geek have come up with something better (though admittedly it would be much cooler if it rotated the CD faster, like a circular saw)…

USB POWERED CD DESTROYER

USB Powered CD/DVD Destroyer

I don’t know how much more useful it is that you just plug into your USB port vs a wall socket, but whatevs.

How To Have A Web 3.0 Website

Quang Ly — Fri, 01 May 2009 13:34:18 +0000

Just when you think you are up to date with the latest technology platform running Web 2.0 principles. Web 3.0 is now upon us. In fact, this entire post is written with Web 3.0 technology while I was in bed.

Just what is Web 3.0? Well beyond the usual content management, social networking and widgets that weere introduced in Web 2.0, this is really about mobility and integration of devices.

GadgetMETER.com is built on the WordPress blogging platform and uses a plugin that renders the pages to various mobile devices. If you view www.gadgetmeter.com on your iPhone, this website will be rendered very appropriately. I highly recommend having your own hosted WordPress installation rather than using wordpress.com or blogger.com because essentially, you own your own site and can install additional plugins without restrictions relatively easy.

Web 3.0 Example - Our own GadgetMETER.com site

Web 3.0 Example - iPhone 4G Post

Web 3.0 Example - Website Pages

Web 3.0 Example - Website Categories

Mobile Plugins
There are various free WordPress plugins to convert your site for mobile devices. Feel free to experiment and install it. There is usually a few configuration you can do (but not required). These plugins detect the devices and renders the proper theme with managed content. GadgetMETER uses a combination of WPtouch: Mobile Plugin + Theme for WordPress, WPhone Admin Plugin, and WordPress iPhone App by Automattic, Inc.

Once you have the plugins installed and activated, just visit your site on a mobile device like the iPhone.

Web 3.0 Example - WPhone Admin

Web 3.0 Example - WPhone Admin Menus

Web 3.0 Example - Write Your Post

To capture photos and upload to WordPress, we use the WordPress iPhone App since the web based mobile WPTouch doesn’t allow file uploads (yet).

Web 3.0 Example - Upload Your Pictures

Now, save your draft and go back to WPTouch and set the version type (draft, scheduled, published) or assign an author

Web 3.0 Example - Assign Author

Using Web 3.0 is an absolutely wonderful experience. We will be live blogging at CES 2010 using the iPhone capturing photos at booths and uploading it here. We also have a Twitter Plugin that updates our twitter tweets automatically whenever a new blog post is updated. Another feature of Web 3.0 is write once, publish everywhere.

WEB 3.0 FEATURES

Integration between mobile devices, Web, and Internet
Even easier to use
Write once, publish everywhere
Portability
Usability

Another example of a Web 3.0 website is my personal site www.quangly.com. (yeah, yeah, it’s a shameless a-hem, plug). It uses the almost exact principles and plugins of GadgetMETER.

Track swine flu outbreak using Google Maps

Jay — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 15:44:58 +0000

We’za gonna DIE! No, I’m not channeling Jar-Jar Binks – I refer to the horrors of swine flu, delivered to us courtesy of Mexico and legions of drunk college spring breakers who just couldn’t stay the frak out of a country despite US State Department warnings about drug gang turf wars. Well now the rest of us are going to pay for their partying. To track the status of the pandemic-wanna-be, Google user Niman has mashed Google Maps with the CDC’s confirmed case identifier to show us where the spots of doom are showing up. Maybe those Japanese and their surgical masks aren’t so crazy looking now after all, eh?

View H1N1 Swine Flu in a larger map

How safe is YOUR location?

via CenterNetworks

Annoying Laptop Theft Alarm System

Quang Ly — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 11:49:46 +0000

Sometimes when I’m writing these blog posts while sitting at the Barnes and Noble bookstore, I get the urge to go pee or get up to buy some food at the counter. I do get nervous about someone snatching my laptop.

A company named FrontDoor Software has an application called “Retriever” that will irritate the hell out of any thief.

FrontDoor Software Laptop Alarm

When the Retriever detects itself as being stolen, it flashes a yellow message on screen while playing annoying sounds (every thirty seconds). When the owner can log in and disable the alarm. A normal reboot does not disable the alarm system. It has to connect to the website and enter his authorization key,

I don’t think the annoying sound will deter a thief and I’m pretty sure anyone could reformat the drive to take out the alarm. Plus, we have to assume there are people around and will do something about it if the alarm goes off.

It does have a more important feature in my opinion which is geo tagging the laptop’s where abouts which could locate your laptop. Once you catch the thief, now that’s embarrassing for him?

New Apple iPhone 4G with OLED

Quang Ly — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 10:33:14 +0000

The new iPhone 3.0 update will finally solve some of the common feature requests that are standard with any smart phone such as ability to send MMS and copy and paste functions.

New Apple iPhone 4G with OLED

Furthermore, it looks like the next generation if the iPhone 4G is rumoured to have something else skin deep. It will supposedly have an OLED screen by Korean electronics manufacturer LG. The advantage of OLED is that it does not require a backlight for displaing images or video on the screen thus vastly improving battery life. It should also be thinner and have better picture quality.

So what do you think? Think this is going to happen? Comment below.

Download 773 Free MP3s from Amazon

Quang Ly — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 20:13:17 +0000

Free Amazon Mp3s

There aren’t many good things in life that are available for free (legitimately). Except for maybe 773 Free MP3s from Amazon. There are surprisingly a lot of good songs here. If you do like the artist, I would advise you to buy more from them to support the artist community.

Download 773 Free Amazon MP3s

Let us know when your favorites are by commenting below

Zero Gravity Chair by Varier

Quang Ly — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 11:46:56 +0000

Varier Gravity Reclining Chair

Welcome to the modern world where gravity is optional. Meet the Varier Gravity Reclining Chair for your office or your living room providing you the ultimate floating comfort.

The Varier Gravity Reclining Chair by Stokkes lets you relax in a variety of positions depending on your preference.

Stokke Gravity Reclining Chair

The chair can be used as an upright office chair or rocked back like a hammock for a quick nap.

Specifications

* Wood Finishes and Stains: black, natural lacquer, mocca, cherry, natural oiled
* Leather: Yellow, Beige, Cognac, Red, Pale Green, Dark Brown, Brown, Black, Navy Blue, Blue
* Adjustable headrest

Via Gadget Grid

The ASUS U6V-B1-Bamboo EcoBook Laptop

Quang Ly — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 13:52:24 +0000

The ASUS U6V-B1-Bamboo EcoBook Laptop

This EcoBook was launched by Asus Korea built with bamboo. We do love the way it looks and it provides a feeling of Zen. Bamboo is an environmentally friendly plant that grows rather quickly and is very strong but flexible as well.

Specifications

powered by a Intel® Core™2 Duo T9400 (2.53 GHz)
4096MB (2048×2) of RAM
NVIDIA® GeForce® 9300M GS with 256MB of dedicated graphics memory
320GB (4200rpm)+TPM HDD
DVD Super Multi or Blu-ray drive
12.1″ WXGA (1280×800, Colour-Shine, LED backlight)
Intel® WiFi Link 5100 (AGN)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium

ASUS U6V-B1-Bamboo 12.1-Inch Laptop (2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T9400 Processor, 256 MB VRAM, 320 GB Hard Drive, Vista Business)

Via Gadget Grid

ThumbSaver for Homer Simpson and You

Quang Ly — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 11:58:00 +0000

ThumbSaver

If Homer Simpson had used the ThumbSaver, we probably would not have as many laughs. However, you don’t want to be the one in pain because of a nervous hand. The ThumbSaver holds the nail steady with a safe distance between your fingers and the thrust of the hammer.

It is a perfect gift for Father’s Day, the new home owner, or the overly confident delegated hammer guy.

ThumbSaver TS001 Magnetic Nail Setter Bonus Pack Includes The Standard and Mini Size

Highlights:

Protects your hands- say goodbye to banged thumbs
Magnetic Nail Holder
Picks up as well as holds nail securely
For the Home owner, hobbyist,professional, DYI
One Year Limited Warranty

Via Gadget Grid

Lowepro SlingShot 100 Camera Backpack

Quang Ly — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 12:38:54 +0000

[svgallery name="lowepro"]
One of the things that interrupts my inspiration at the moment is having to take off my backback and take out my camera to take a shot. During this time, I may miss the shot. With the Lowepro SlingShot 100 Camera Backpack, I don’t have to worry about that. It is designed in a way so that you do not have to take off the bag. You basically swing or rotate it around and have quick access to your camera and accessories. It is also weather proof so will have more peace of mind.

The SlingShot 100 holds an SLR camera with mid-range zoom lens attached. It also allows room for 1-2 extra lenses, cables and accessories, and has a full access lid to make loading it a snap.

Lowepro SlingShot 100 All-Weather Digital Camera Backpack (Black)

Apple Introduces The New MacBook Wheel

Quang Ly — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 13:41:13 +0000

Apple introduces the revolutionary One Button MacBook Wheel with no keyboard. This revolutionary product brings excitement for fans of the iPod wheel.

Apple Introduces Revolutionary New Laptop With No Keyboard

Star Wars TIE Fighter WebCam

Quang Ly — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 15:01:06 +0000

Star Wars TIE Fighter WebCam

If you are a Star Wars fanboy, I’m sure you have a few Darth Vader masks and action figure collectibles on your shelf. Now, you can add the StarWars TIE Fighter webcam to impress all the ladies checking out your bedroom.

It features a VGA camera inside the cockpit while you admire the intricate design and fanboy fantasies.

Via Coolest Gadgets

Greenciles – 100% Recycled Pencils

halo — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 10:45:51 +0000

Greenciles - 100% Recycled Pencils

More and more scientific evidence is proving that conventional wood pencils are doing more harm to the environment than good. For a conventional pencil to become a reality, trees must be cut down, the wood harvested, then mixed and fired with clay powders. What a process for something as simple as a pencil!

Greenciles are revolutionary! They are made from 100% recycled paper. No wood or raw materials are used in the process of these environmentally friendly pencils. Paper from stationary, newsprint, or any other paper source is cleaned, reused, and wrapped around a graphite core.

These “green” pencils are standard no. 2 and completely recyclable; even the shavings can be recycled. Try doing that with an ordinary pencil. To finish them off, they are topped with a synthetic eraser for optimal erasing abilities.

Greenciles are available now at greenciles.com for just $29.99/10 boxes. That’s a total of 100 pencils!

Via Great Green Gadgets

ParaJet SkyCar – Do you ever want to fly one of these?

Quang Ly — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 13:57:20 +0000

This is followup to our previous post on the ParaJet SkyCar. We now have a video. This is quite amazing and I’m really excited and passionate about this. The footage is one of the first flights of the Parajet Skycar. It also featues interview with the pilot Neil Laughton and creater Giles Cardozo.

**Footage Courtesy of Mentorn Media and Height and Hazard for Channel 4′s Daredevil series.**

www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7qg3lNsxmQ

Comment below if you want to give the SkyCar a try.

Recompute – Sustainably-Designed Cardboard Computer

halo — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 14:45:46 +0000

Recompute - Sustainably-Designed CardboardComputer

Say hello to the computer of the future! This is the Recompute, a sustainably-designed desktop computer. The Recompute is made of corrugated cardboard while most modern computers are made mostly of plastic and metals.

There are three major electronic components to the Recompute:

hard drive
power supply
motherboard with processor and memory.

Recompute - Sustainably-Designed Cardboard Computer

The Recompute is designed for users to take advantage of old hardware components. You can use your old monitors, keyboards, mice, and other hardware from your old computer by connecting them to one of eight USB ports.

And the Reconstitute is totally green! This computer is completely recyclable and renewable. It’s made to be disassembled without the use of tools, which makes it easy to recycle each electronic part separately. With green technology on the rise, this could be the future of computers around the world.

Via Inhabitat

Smart Shield Washable Keyboard

Nichole — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 19:43:58 +0000

You really shouldn’t be eating and drinking around your computer, but chances are you do it anyway. And when crumbs and spills get all over your keyboard and mouse, you probably break out your trusty can of compressed air and freeze your fingertips off, only to find out you’ve only gotten rid of half of the crumbs and none of the other collected gunk.

Enter Seal Shield and the Meditech Magic Keyboard. Yes, magic. While it won’t perform coin tricks or anything, this wireless keyboard is washable and fully submersible. That’s right, people. It goes right in your dishwasher, and you don’t even have to remove the batteries first. (Seal Shield also makes a washable mouse, in case you’re interested.)

Both keyboard ($41.90) and mouse ($34.25) are available through Amazon.com.

Microvision Show WX

Nichole — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 15:54:03 +0000

While it’s not available yet, Microvision’s Show WX pico projector is handy for the corporate climber tired of lugging around a heavy business projector, or anyone (with cash to burn) who doesn’t want to squint at video on a small screen. About the size of a remote control, the WX hooks up to a phone or laptop to project DVD-quality images (including photos, movies, YouTube video and presentations) in wide-screen format onto a wall or screen. The device is expected to go on sale in the second half of the year for $400 to $500.

The Simpsons Mr. Burns Webcam

Quang Ly — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 20:27:41 +0000

The Simpsons Mr. Burns Webcam

If you happen to be one of the few people on earth that wants to work for Mr. Burns from The Simpsons, this webcam gets you one step closer to the real thing.

The Mr. Burns webcam supports 640×480 resolution and can record video at the typical 30 fps. It has a built-in microphone and compatible with most Windows. You can use it with most of the popular instant message programs such as AIM, MSN, Yahoo, or Skype. The webcam also has a clip that can connect to your LCD monitor or laptop.

Now you thought your micro-manager was bad!

Mr. Burns USB Webcam & Microphone