30 gb ipod

MacBreak 88: Studio: Mixing 2D and 3D Assets in Motion

2008-10-13T08:42:00.009-07:00

Mark Spencer explains how to mix 2D and 3D images in Motion. Read more

GBTV #359 (small) | GeekBrief.TV

2008-10-13T08:42:00.007-07:00

GBTV #359 (small) | GeekBrief.TV
This Brief was meant to be up hours ago, but we had a computer crash just before a meeting. We had to re-edit after we got home tonight. Twitter friend, @Lindsay25 turned us on to The Great American Road Trip project. It's three guys driving through the lower 48 in 5 days. They charted a route that is only 7500 miles. Their journey started on Sunday and ends Friday, May 9th. Using mobile broadband, they've blogged about the trip all week.

Tivoli Audio announced and Internet radio called NetWorks. It streams audio via Wi-Fi or Ethernet.

PicLens is a free broser plug-in that turns browsing photos and video online into an immersive 3D experience. You can download the plug in from here, and you can learn how to make your Web site Piclens ready here.

The Kuro Plasma Displays by Pioneer have black levels that are five times deeper than last year's models.

Friday night (May 9th) at 9PM EDT, Neal and I will be on Ustream.tv/calilewis live from New Jersey talking about the status of the Big Trip. Come by and join the chat.

Mac compatible USB-GPIB controllers released

2008-10-13T08:42:00.005-07:00

National Instruments has released two new GPIB controllers, including a Mac compatible USB controller, the NI USB-GPIB-HS, and a Windows compatible low profile (LP) PCI Express controller, the NI PCIe-GPIB. The USB device is claimed to offer speeds up to 1.8MB per second using IEE 488.1 or 7.2MB per second with HS488. The cable can be connected directly between any GPIB instruments and a computer ...

GBTV #0363 (small) | GeekBrief.TV

2008-10-13T08:42:00.003-07:00

It's been an extremely slow day for gadget news, so I decided to jailbreak my iPhone today (or, rather, Neal's iPhone). I decided to use iFuntastic, recommended by TUAW. If you have your iPhone plugged in before opening iFuntastic, it immediately recognizes it and all all you have to do is click on "Unshackle", then follow directions. I installed the BSD Subsystem since many third party apps require it, then I got to the fun part and installed Pool, and Twinkle. I kept getting an error with Labyrinth, but it eventually installed. If you do get an error, try "Clear Queue", then try again. Sometimes that helps.

I'll be playing and testing with it, and will keep you updated! Remember, jailbreaking your iPhone or iPod Touch voids the warranty and the geniuses will not help you! Read more

New MacBooks to be based on NVIDIA GeForce 9400 / 9300 chipsets?

2008-10-13T08:42:00.001-07:00

New MacBooks to be based on NVIDIA GeForce 9400 / 9300 chipsets?

Filed under: Laptops

With a new MacBook announcement now just days away, speculation is unsurprisingly at a fever pitch as to exactly what Apple has in store, and the folks at PC Perspective have now pieced together a few clues to whet your appetite in anticipation of the big event. Most of those are drawn from mounting evidence from the NVIDIA camp, including the image above that made an appearance on the company's website a few days ago and, most importantly, word that NVIDIA would be releasing its GeForce 9400 and 9300 chipsets based on the MCP79 integrated chipset design on October 15th (conveniently not stepping on Apple's toes the day before). The implication there being that the GeForce chipsets would replace the relatively underpowered integrated Intel graphics on the current MacBooks, with the new MacBook Pros supposedly getting an additional boost from a discrete G92-based mobility GeForce 9600. As PC Perspective points out, if true, that would be quite a coup for NVIDIA, especially considering that it wasn't all that long ago some were talking about it quitting the chipset business altogether.

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Judge orders RealNetworks to pull DVD copying software

2008-10-10T20:21:00.011-07:00

Judge orders RealNetworks to pull DVD copying software
LOS ANGELES - RealNetworks said it had temporarily stopped distributing its DVD copying software, RealDVD, at a federal judge's request in a copyright case brought by Hollywood studios. "We temporarily suspended distribution of...

RIM said planning "near-HD" Storm sequel

2008-10-10T20:21:00.009-07:00

RIM said planning "near-HD" Storm sequel
Although the BlackBerry Storm has yet to ship, RIM is already developing a second model that would serve as the company's new flagship, two separate tips given to BGR suggest. The unnamed phone would be more a complement to the Storm than a replacement and would have a hardware keyboard in addition to the touch display. It would also carry a sharper, "near-HD" resolution and a five-megapixel cam...

Naruto Ultimate Ninja 3

2008-10-10T20:21:00.007-07:00

PS3 Pros: The latest Naruto offering is a solid step forward for the orange jumpsuit brigade - adding modes and RPG elements to the solid chop-sockey combos that made the franchise. One big addition to the combo-fest from the... Read more

Onkyo launches 2.4GHz wireless headphones for iPod

2008-10-10T20:21:00.005-07:00

Onkyo has unveiled a new set of wireless headphones meant for use in fourth-generation and newer docking iPods. The MHP-UW2 headphones rely on the 2.4GHz radio frequency to transmit signals between the adapter that plugs into the iPod and the headphones themselves. The headphones sport iPod controls that include play, pause, and track forward and back buttons. The transmitter also has a stereo inp...

GBTV #0368 (small) | GeekBrief.TV

2008-10-10T20:21:00.003-07:00

GBTV #0368 (small) | GeekBrief.TV
Griffin Technology has been busy. They released an updated iTrip AutoPilot with SmartScan that works with iPhones and iPods. The PowerDock 2 we saw at Macworld is now available and Popgadget says the PowerDock 4 will be out in July.

RickMacMerc introduced me to Animation-ish, a D.I.Y. Animation application.

PopularMechanics has a step-by-step guide to installing Linux on a PS3.

Dean Kamen has done it again. This time his team has developed a robotic arm that is controlled by thought.

Eee PC news: touchscreens, bumps to dual-core Atoms, sub-$300 model

2008-10-10T20:21:00.001-07:00

Eee PC news: touchscreens, bumps to dual-core Atoms, sub-$300 model

Filed under: Laptops

We've seen tons of Eees modded with touchscreens, and it looks like ASUS is taking the hint -- it's saying that it expects to launch touch-enabled Eee PCs next year, as long rumored. It's not clear whether the new models will run XP or a special Linux build, but we'll find out soon enough, since the company plans to show them off at CES in January. Unsurprisingly, we should also be seeing dual-core Atom 330 chips make their way into the Eee line as soon as they're available in quantity, but the best piece of news is probably that ASUS will be getting aggressive on price with a sub-$300 Eee. Now just wrap all that up in the S101's case and we're all set -- that would be just about perfect.

[Via Electronista]

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Pocket Clapper iPhone app assists moviemaking

2008-10-10T20:20:00.007-07:00

Pocket Clapper iPhone app assists moviemaking
Japan's GClue has unveiled Pocket Clapper, an iPhone/iPod touch app that simulates the clapboards used while filming movies. Users can draw virtual chalk on a blackboard, outlining a scene with production information such as date, time, camera, director, scene, and take, to be used later during movie editing. The app also replicates the clap sound used to align audio and video content that have be...

Users report iTunes Store login issues

2008-10-10T20:20:00.005-07:00

Users report iTunes Store login issues
A number of visitors to the iTunes Store on Friday have been unable to properly access the site, or its services, according to tips sent to MacNN and discussions at Apple's support forums. People are reporting being unable to log in to the store, and as a result, they are not only unable to view account details, but perform functions such as buy new files or authorize existing purchases. Music n...

MS may have "standing offer" to buy RIM

2008-10-10T20:20:00.003-07:00

The recent plunge in Research in Motion's shares may help trigger a takeover by Microsoft, Canaccord Adams analyst Peter Misek says. The financial expert believes that Microsoft has a "standing offer" to buy out the BlackBerry maker at a value of $50 per share and may do so if RIM's recent share decline leaves it significantly below that mark. The company is said by researchers to be independent...

Ten fun and mostly-free iPhone apps

2008-10-10T20:20:00.001-07:00

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, iPhone, App Store

Here are ten apps that won't annoy you (OK, Alarm Free might) and are either clever diversions or simply fun toys. All links take you to the App Store. Check out the gallery for a preview of everything I've mentioned. All of these were free when I first downloaded them, as I'm a terrible cheapskate, but several now cost between $.99 and $1.99, which isn't bad.

Ancient Wisdom
Basically just a database of quotes from three philosophers: Lao Tzu, Miyamoto Musashi and Sun Tzu. To make it a little more fun the developers make the quotes come from cute cartoon monkeys. Not exactly genius, but fun and the quotes are, of course, pure gold. Better than a Magic 8-Ball, I think.

Newtonica Player
This simple app has you spin a mesh ball to generate a "beat" that times the pace of the electronica music. There is a surprising amount of depth to the song, simple as it is. I was able to modify the tune a bit depending on my spinning, direction and how long I kept spinning. Terribly simple but fun because of those little tonal surprises.

Fireworks
Wherever you tap your finger a firework is launched to that spot and explodes. Nice little animations, plus it works in landscape mode and offers several backgrounds. The sounds could go further, and the fireworks aren't all that varied, but again, kids love it. Put it in "fireworks show" mode and keep it in your dock for a little fun. Note: at the time I originally wrote this Fireworks was free, but it is only $.99 now, which isn't too much to ask, I think.

xCube
This is just a Rubik's cube in iPhone/iPod touch form. But it is really easy to use, provides several customization options and has an undo feature. If you've ever wanted to learn how to solve the cube but didn't want a big cubic bulge in your back pocket, here's your answer. Note: again, here's an app that was free for a while, but is now $1.99 -- still cheaper than a new Rubik's cube, but more expensive than one at a garage sale. You make the call.

Gallery: Ten Fun and Free iPhone apps

Continue reading Ten fun and mostly-free iPhone apps

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London restaurant claims fame with touch-sensitive tables, colorful menu projectors

2008-10-09T12:44:00.001-07:00

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

A chic London restaurant and bar called Inamo is making patrons' dining experiences digital by projecting colorful menus and aesthetic patterns onto touch-sensitive tabletops. When browsing, patrons can preview the food as if it were on the plate in front of them -- only flatter, we suppose. They can also order their meals, look up neighborhood services, and select one of seven visual vibes without ever interacting with carbon-based lifeforms. Inamo isn't the first automated establishment we've seen, and this sort of table menu tech isn't new -- but the futuristic panache is hard to beat. Hit the read link for more pics.

[Thanks, Nvyseal]

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MacBreak 161: Macbreak: Wiimote Adaptation

2008-10-09T12:43:00.007-07:00

MacBreak 161: Macbreak: Wiimote Adaptation
Keith Lang stops in to show us how to adapt a Wiimote for a 3D experience.

Photo of alleged 'brick'-based MacBook Pro emerges

2008-10-09T12:43:00.005-07:00

A photo of a new, upcoming MacBook Pro has been leaked online, a report claims. The model is described by Engadget as part of an upcoming refresh, and said to be based on a rumored "brick" manufacturing process, in which notebooks would be formed out of a single block of metal, using water and lasers to carve out details. This would potentially have a number of benefits for Apple, including grea...

Mail tool could stop drunken email mistakes

2008-10-09T12:43:00.003-07:00

Mail tool could stop drunken email mistakes
SEATTLE - Here's the scenario: It's Friday night, and what began as an innocent happy-hour chardonnay morphed into quite a few more. Bidding friends adieu, you jump in a cab, head home and decide a quick email check is in order....

MacBreak 166: MacBreak: Tubemogul

2008-10-09T12:43:00.001-07:00

MacBreak 166: MacBreak: Tubemogul
Alex explains the advantages of using Tubemogul to upload and track your online media.

MBS 8.5 for REALbasic improves Java, adds classes

2008-10-09T12:42:00.005-07:00

Monkeybread software has launched version 8.5 of its MBS plug-ins for REALbasic, a collection of extensions for the development software. The plug-ins carry over 1,000 classes and 22,000 functions, and require a minimum of REALbasic 5.5 or later. MBS 8.5 adds an improved Java database and Phidget classes, as well as WindowsBurnMBS, WindowsProxyMBS, SignalHandlerMBS, NSAutoreleasePoolMBS, WindowsFo...

GBTV #352 (small) | Behind the Scenes

2008-10-09T12:42:00.003-07:00

GBTV #352 (small) | Behind the Scenes
I've been getting more and more requests for an updated behind-the-scenes look at our setup. We haven't changed equipment in over a year so I wasn't ready to do one. Well, to celebrate PodShow's name change to MEVIO, we changed our set.

In this episode, I walk you through the new set, and explain the setup we use to produce GeekBrief.TV.

It's in black and white because we're not quite finished and I thought it would be fun to do a kind of partial reveal. I forgot to mention the lapel microphone I use. It's listed below.

This is our current equipment list:

Video Production Setup

Computer: Mac Pro & a MacBook Pro for video on-the-go.
Camera: Canon XH-A1
Lights: (2) Kino Flo Diva Lite 400 & (2) Lightpanels
Microphone: In Studio: Countryman Mic, On Location: ElectroVoice Mic with the Sennheiser EW100 G2 transmitter/receiver kit
Teleprompter: ProPrompter
Software: Final Cut Pro, Visual Hub, Lostify & dvcPrompt
Audio Production Setup

Microphones: (2) Electrovoice RE20 Mics
and a Heil Classic Pro
Mixer: Mackie Onyx 1220, with the Mackie Onyx Firewire Card
Compressor/Limiter/Gate: dbx 1066
Solid State Recorder Marantz PMD570
Headphones: (2) AKG 240s

Podcasts used for uni recruitment

2008-10-09T12:42:00.001-07:00

OXFORD - What's playing on your iPod? If you're an aspiring university student, Oxford and Cambridge hope it's them. Britain's elite universities uploaded more than 350 hours of podcasts and video podcasts to a new iTunes website... Read more

Latest NPD data shows RAZR V3 still top-selling handset in America

2008-10-09T12:41:00.003-07:00

Filed under: Cellphones

No need to defog your spectacles, what you just read there in the headline is the truth. Astoundingly enough, Motorola's nearly archaic (in cellphone years, anyway) RAZR V3 is still the top-selling handset in the United States. Of course, it helps that it's highly subsidized on practically every carrier from coast to coast, but we're still a little stunned that it's selling this well nearly 2.5 years after Moto moved its 50 millionth unit. The rest of the top five isn't nearly as shocking, with Apple's iPhone snagging the silver, RIM's BlackBerry Curve grabbing the bronze, LG's Chocolate at number four and the BlackBerry Pearl at five. With the original RAZR still selling so well, one would think Motorola could just tweak it slightly and issue a second iteration for even more windfall profits. Er, wait.

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MacBreak 106: Macworld 2008: John Lennon Bus Part 1

2008-10-09T12:41:00.001-07:00

Justine Ezarik explores the John Lennon Bus in the first part of a two-part series. Read more

How to explain RSS the Oprah way

2008-10-07T10:13:00.003-07:00

How to explain RSS the Oprah way
OK, this is both interesting and disturbing – RSS, the Oprah wayR30;. (Don’t say I didn’t warn you) Today, I’m going to explain how RSS can help you live your best life online. We all have busy lives with very little time. Web surfing is fun but can take hours going to visit every single website and [...]

OK, this is both interesting and disturbing – RSS, the Oprah wayR30;. (Don’t say I didn’t warn you)

Today, I’m going to explain how RSS can help you live your best life online.
We all have busy lives with very little time. Web surfing is fun but can take hours going to visit every single website and blog you enjoy. Wouldn’t it be fabulous if you could just get all the headlines of the most current stories from all your favorite websites and blogs in one place?
Well now you can, and it is called RSS feed.
The Oprah definition
The technical acronym for RSS is “Really Simple Syndication”, an XML format that was created to syndicate news, and be a means to share content on the web. Now, to geeks and techies that means something special, but to everyday folks like you and me, what comes to mind is, “Uh, I don’t get it?”
So, to make RSS much easier to understand, in Oprah speak, RSS stands for: I’m “Ready for Some Stories”. It is a way online for you to get a quick list of the latest story headlines from all your favorite websites and blogs all in one place. How cool is thatR30;. Source: cravingideas.blogs.com

Incrudo Phantom: "Mobile Phone with a Man's Character"

2008-10-07T10:13:00.001-07:00

Filed under: Cellphones

Welcome to Incrudo country, gentlemen. Out here, we grow chest hair as bushy as the tumbleweed, and we like our phones built thick. We're not talkin' no ordinary thick, either, no sir -- give us 2 to 3mm of solid titanium casing here. We like our phones heavy, too; a half pound sounds about right. We didn't get these burly muscles wrasslin' cattle just to tote around a Samsung X820, if you know what we're saying. Make it look like a brick, because it's built like a brick. Just like us, because we're men. Incrudo men.

[Via Unwired View]

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Apple too conservative on margins?

2008-10-07T10:12:00.005-07:00

Apple too conservative on margins?
Apple's predictions on future gross margins may be overly conservative, say analysts with Piper Jaffray. The group notes that Apple has warned people of lower margins for its September quarter, guiding them down 330bps to 31.5 percent; the average sequential decrease over the past two September quarters is said to have been 220bps. Piper suggests that the new figure is too low, and is keeping to...

Proposal: Two Minor Specification Edits

2008-10-07T10:12:00.003-07:00

Looks like the RSS Advisory Board felt like some changes were in order. Here, take a look for yourselfR30;. The following RSS Advisory Board proposal has been made by Rogers Cadenhead and seconded by Matthew Bookspan and Greg Smith. Under the advisory board charter, the board has seven days to vote on it. Interested parties can comment [...]

Looks like the RSS Advisory Board felt like some changes were in order. Here, take a look for yourselfR30;.

The following RSS Advisory Board proposal has been made by Rogers Cadenhead and seconded by Matthew Bookspan and Greg Smith.

Under the advisory board charter, the board has seven days to vote on it. Interested parties can comment on the proposal on the mailing list RSS-Public.
Proposal

The current RSS specification contains two minor issues I’d like to resolve.

1. The docs element refers to an outdated URL for the specification instead of the current URL.

For as long as the board operates,�http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specificatioR30; will be the permanent URL of the current version of the spec. The domain name is the property of the board, so it can move to a new host as needed in the futureR30;. Source: rssboard.org

Pro Tools 8 to host new interface, effects

2008-10-07T10:12:00.001-07:00

The Avid-owned firm Digidesign has revealed some of the details of Pro Tools 8, the next version of its music production suite. The major focus of the software will be its interface, which is firstly being given a more cosmetically "modern" look, but also adjustments to windows and options. The Edit window toolbar can now be configured, for instance, and Editor windows are dockable, including ne...

Lacquer expands Conduit to cover Flash Pixel Bender

2008-10-06T09:13:00.011-07:00

Lacquer has expanded its Conduit platform, which now has software to support the Pixel Bender technology in Flash Player 10. Pixel Bender lets developers bypass Flash's normal effects and blending systems, for the sake of implementing their own shaders. Shaders are also said to enable use of multicore processors, whether for rendering graphics or running other Flash-based processes....

Citizen journalist fakes Steve Jobs heart attack

2008-10-06T09:13:00.009-07:00

Citizen journalist fakes Steve Jobs heart attack
SEATTLE - A CNN-owned website called iReport.com , which publishes reports written by ordinary citizens, said it will give federal regulators information about the author of an item that claimed Apple CE

MacBreak 21: Renamer4Mac

2008-10-06T09:13:00.007-07:00

Emery Wells and guest Kenji Kato show you how to easily rename large groups of files using Renamer4Mac. Read more

MacBreak 147: NAB: Mogul

2008-10-06T09:13:00.005-07:00

Alex stops by Imagineer Systems to check out their new product Mogul. Read more

GBTV #359 (small) | GeekBrief.TV

2008-10-06T09:13:00.003-07:00

iStock 1.5 offers new graphic interface, preferences

2008-10-06T09:13:00.001-07:00

Danholt4mac has released the latest version of its stock portfolio application, iStock 1.5. New features include an overhauled graphical user interface, new preferences for adjusting decimal places or font sizes, and improved portfolio management. The detail info view has been restyled, and online help provided. The app now supports English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese languages....

GBTV #0365 (small) | GeekBrief.TV

2008-10-06T09:12:00.005-07:00

GBTV #0365 (small) | GeekBrief.TV
If you've thought about unlocking your Apple TV but didn't want to take the risk, aTV Flash offers a great solution in the form of a simple USB flash drive. Plug it in and get all the advantages of an unlocked Apple TV. Take the drive out, and your Apple TV is back to being Cupertino approved.

Seagate Showcase is a new solution for expanding DVR storage up to 1TB.

The Mytunes MP3 Amp is a small speaker for you MP3 player that looks like a guitar amp.

My elusive Neal makes his first official appearance on the Brief to talk about using the Wii Fit to loose 20 pounds. MakeOverMe.TV is where both Neal and I will keep track of our WiiFitness.

Because some people asked I put a clip from my hosting duties at the New York Festivals Innovative Advertising Awards. The full video is here.

Bloglines, NetNewsWire most popular RSS readers

2008-10-06T09:12:00.003-07:00

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After 10 days of collecting votes, we have some results in our Dec. 5 poll that asked you what RSS readers you use. Bloglines was the winner, with 187 votes, followed by NetNewsWire with 163 votes. It's interesting to see the number of readers who are Mac users. FeedDemon, considered tne best RSS readers for Windows by some, only received 34 votes. Readers could vote for multiple selections.

Yahoo received 89 votes, followed by Google's 51 votes. "Other software reader" garnered 94 votes, with 41 votes going to "other online reader." Seven voters said they don't read RSS feeds. Combining Bloglines, Newsgator, Yahoo, Google and "other online reader" indicates that a large chunk of our readership get their RSS-feed information online rather than from software applications.

It suggests to me that they are getting their news, but perhaps are missing some of the extra features found in software apps. But this could be good news for the new Web 2.0 online readers slowly surfacing. They may be able to attract more people than the desktop software developers can, shaking up this growing niche of the software industry.

Permalink�|�Email this�|�Linking�Blogs�|�Comments

Carphone Warehouse rumored to soon carry Macs

2008-10-06T09:12:00.001-07:00

Apple computers may be sold thorough UK phone reseller Carphone Warehouse this holiday season, rumors suggest. AppleInsider is reporting that sources close to the retail company have discovered placeholders in the reseller's inventory system, indicating that some outlets may start carrying Apple computers and accessories for the 2008 holiday shopping period....

Poll shows our readers track dozens, hundreds of RSS feeds

2008-10-06T09:11:00.001-07:00

The results of our poll on how many RSS feeds you follow are in and they suggest that most people read more than 100 feeds. A total of 40 percent follow up to 100 feeds, while 8 percent read 120 to 129 feeds and 7 percent read 210 to 229 feeds. The largest group by far, comprising 12 percent of votes, reads 390 or more feeds! (There were more than 159 potential voters,but we had a technical problem that prevented many readers from voting in the poll. You can read about many of their RSS habits in the comments section of the original post.)

Read�|�Permalink�|�Email this�|�Linking�Blogs�|�Comments

Sony's 18.4-inch VAIO VGN-AW190 gets reviewed

2008-10-06T08:51:00.001-07:00

Sony's 18.4-inch VAIO VGN-AW190 gets reviewed

Filed under: Laptops

Time to face the music, folks -- 18.4-inches is the new 17-inch. Sony's recently unveiled VAIO AW is undoubtedly going toe-to-toe with HP's new HDX 18t, and while both will garner all sorts of stares from onlookers, it appears that the VGN-AW190 may have an edge in terms of extras. For starters, this unit's Adobe RGB-compatible display will be mighty impressive to those who dabble in photos to make ends meet, and the included RAM, CPU and Blu-ray drive were all smiled upon. Strangely enough, Sony tossed in a pathetically slow 4,200RPM hard drive to put a damper on overall performance, but that -- along with the $3k+ sticker -- was the only real weak spot. Overall, critics found that this machine would likely suit graphic designers and photographers quite well, but the average joe / jane may not appreciate the pricey extras enough to make it worthwhile.

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17 million German mobile accounts compromised

2008-10-06T08:50:00.005-07:00

BERLIN - Personal information for some 17 million of Deutsche Telekom AG's mobile phone customers has been stolen, the company confirmed. Deutsche Telekom spokeswoman Marion Kessing said that the data was stolen in 2006 from customers... Read more

GBTV #0357 (small) | GeekBrief.TV

2008-10-06T08:50:00.003-07:00

We had a hard time decided whether the big story for today was the launch of tomcruise.com or that Microsoft bailed on the Yahoo! takeover. I'm still not sure, but everyone should go to tomcruise.com and watch the 25 Years reel. If you don't find it funny...well...then...nevermind!

Woopra, my favorite analytics tool, now works on a Mac thanks to a recent Java upgrade. My twitter friend, @jeffmccord explains how it works on his blog.

Hitachi has a new set of 1080p displays that are only 1.5 inches thick. Some of their 01 series of displays have a power swivel feature that is remote controlled allowing viewers to turn the display 30 degrees in either direction.

AT&T yanked the rug from underneath iPhone owners by providing free WiFi and then taking it away.

Rubik's Cube got together with a Kompoloi and had a very cool love child called The NeoCube. It's a combination of 216 high-energy, rare-earth spherical magnets that connect together in unlimited configurations. They're good for creativity, focus or just as a cool thing to put on a desk. Read more

The Tagger edits MP3, AAC tags

2008-10-06T08:50:00.001-07:00

Deadbeat Software has announced The Tagger, an MP3 and AAC tag editor for Mac. The software allows users to batch edit audio files, and claims to support a wider range of ID3 tags than iTunes. Files can be automatically selected for editing using an integrated browser, and any changes are saved instantly. Included tools allow changes to the tag case or trim tag....

MacBreak 71: NAB 2007: Sony

2008-10-06T08:49:00.007-07:00

Alex and Craig discuss Sony's announcement of the XDCAM EX camcorder at NAB. Read more

MacBreak 47 Macworld 2007: MyVu

2008-10-06T08:49:00.005-07:00

Kendra checks out the personal media viewer from myvu. Read more

Tech.Life.Blogged - Send me voice mail for free and how to get yours

2008-10-06T08:49:00.003-07:00

So since when did Odeo decide to branch out from the RSS syndication business and into the voicemail racket? It must of been pretty recently because this is the first that I have heard of it. I’ve added a new link to the template (upper right) that lets you send me a voice mail. All you [...]

So since when did Odeo decide to branch out from the RSS syndication business and into the voicemail racket? It must of been pretty recently because this is the first that I have heard of it.

I’ve added a new link to the template (upper right) that lets you send me a voice mail. All you need is a microphone on your pc and the standard flash plug-in for your browser.
The service is provided through Odeo.When you leave a message I’ll get an email that lets me know there is new audio in my Odeo account and I can go retrieve it. Or I can subscribe to my Odeo in-box via RSS and find it that way.
If you are interested in this for your blog/website go to: Get you own voice mail on Odeo and they will walk you through what you need to do. Source: Scott Kingery/Tech.Life.Blogged

Briefly: Playwatch sale, apps bootcamp, iTrip Auto

2008-10-06T08:49:00.001-07:00

Briefly: Playwatch sale, apps bootcamp, iTrip Auto
In brief: Playwatch, an iTunes controller, has been reduced to nearly half-price, dropping from $13 to $7 for the month of October. Meanwhile, Big Nerd Ranch Europe is offering an iPhone Bootcamp for developers who want to learn iPhone app development. It will run December 8-12 near Frankfort, Germany. MacNN has reviewed the Griffin iTrip Auto SmartScan FM Transmitter, commenting favorably on its...

Marketing agency calls in iPhone gun

2008-10-06T08:48:00.001-07:00

Software developer Peter Watling has landed a unique new job: using his iPhone programming skills to help companies market themselves using the ground-breaking mobile device. Watling - who has 22 years experience programming Apple... Read more

Save gas and money with your iPhone

2008-10-04T14:32:00.005-07:00

Save gas and money with your iPhone

Filed under: Software, iPhone, iPod touch

There's a great article at Treehugger on saving money with your iPhone. Specifically, they explore four categories: automotive, travel, energy consumption and green shopping.

Applications like iGas, which helps you find cheap fueling stations, and GasHog, which measures fuel efficiency, are listed. However, what's interesting to me aren't applications.

PrimoSpot lets New Yorkers (Manhattan and Brooklyn only) find available parking spots, even identifying parking meters that are about to expire. That's pretty cool, and should save you some driving around.

SmartLinc lets you monitor your home's energy consumption and even remotely control lighting, heating and AC use, all from your iPhone. It's $1,400US to get set up, but definitely a useful service.

Many people still yearn for an Apple tablet. The iPhone is that tablet. Once you start to think of it as a computer with great telephone software, you'll begin to see that's exactly what it is.

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MSI Wind U90 reviewed, thrown back to the wolves

2008-10-04T14:32:00.003-07:00

Filed under: Laptops

Laptop Mag would evidently like to make two things quite clear: if you pick up MSI's Wind U90, you better love SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 and be totally cool with the sub-2 hour battery life. For those of you still with us, you can probably guess that the 10-inch Wind didn't do so hot during its review, with those two rubs really overshadowing the solid design, great keyboard and delicious price tag ($350). For whatever reason, MSI figured it'd be peachy to toss a 3-cell battery in there and let mobile users just deal with the 1 hour, 39 minute lifespan; obviously, that's an issue serious road warriors can't ignore. If you're willing to pony up for an extra battery and install your own OS (if SUSE isn't your cup of tea), the Wind U90 might not make for a bad companion, but as-is, you better do some serious soul searching before pulling the trigger.

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MacBreak 163: MacBreak Dev: Moving An Image With Motion

2008-10-04T14:32:00.001-07:00

Keith Lang shows us how to move an image with motion in Quartz Composer. Read more

MacBreak 54 Macworld 2007: Bare Bones Software

2008-10-04T14:31:00.011-07:00

MacBreak 54 Macworld 2007: Bare Bones Software
Merlin chats with the kind folk at Bare Bones Software, makers of BBEdit and Yojimbo.

EMI case aganst MP3tunes owner dismissed

2008-10-04T14:31:00.009-07:00

MP3Tunes announced on Thursday that the Recording Industry Association of America�s copyright infringement lawsuit against its CEO, Michael Robertson, was dismissed by New York District Judge William H. Pauley III. The lawsuit against MP3Tunes will proceed as planned, however. The lawsuit, headed up by EMI Music and 14 other music RIAA-supporting labels alleges that MP3Tunes infringed on copyright...

Spies take war on terror into cyberspace

2008-10-04T14:31:00.007-07:00

Britain's security agencies are fighting a covert war in cyberspace against extremist Islamist internet sites as part of a new anti-terrorist strategy, senior Whitehall officials have revealed. As well running its own sites,... Read more

Apple laptops defy downward trends

2008-10-04T14:31:00.005-07:00

In my last post I pointed out that Apple generally steers clear of high-volume, low margin, low-cost products. New notebook sales figures from the States prove the point. Doom, gloom, predictions dire, toil and trouble blah blah... Read more

New-look Google Reader Is Stunning!

2008-10-04T14:31:00.003-07:00

A Google based RSS reader. Sounds sort of strange to me, but then most of the stuff Google is doing these days generally is.

Google Reader, Google’s web-based RSS Aggregator, has had a re-design and I am impressed. It now has a look n’ feel very much like Gmail, which I believe is a pointer to this product being prepped for mainstream promotion - and/or merged with Gmail. Probably a bit of both, as a standalone RSS Reader is always going to be needed. You’ll recall that the new Yahoo Mail Beta has RSS integrated into its email experience - and the reason for that is quite simply to reach the 250 Million odd people that have a Yahoo Mail account. What better way to make RSS a mainstream experience than to integrate it into the web email platform. So I expect Google to follow suitR30;. Source: readwriteweb.com

MacBreak 114: Macworld 2008: YouTube

2008-10-04T14:31:00.001-07:00

Kendra Arimoto learns about the new YouTube features, Warp and Streams. Read more

MacBreak 56 Macworld 2007: Macworld with Merlin, cont'd.

2008-10-02T17:13:00.009-07:00

MacBreak 56 Macworld 2007: Macworld with Merlin, cont'd.
Merlin continues his tour of the show floor, speaking with Dan Moren from MacUser, Brian Johnson from Microsoft and indulging in his most relaxing interview.

GBTV #0414 (small) | GeekBrief.TV

2008-10-02T17:13:00.007-07:00

Finally! Details on the Nikon D90. Same D-Movie footage is here.

Microsoft releases IE8 Beta 2.

Ubiquity is my latest favorite Firefox plug-in.

The Space Cube is the worlds smallest PC.

MXW1 wireless earphones from Sennheiser offer uncompressed CD-quality audio using Kleer wireless audio technology. Read more

MacBreak 164: macbreak: True 3D in Motion

2008-10-02T17:13:00.005-07:00

Alex brings in Mark Spencer to demonstrate how you can make a true 3D object in Motion. Read more

MacBreak 118: Macworld 2008: BlueMic

2008-10-02T17:13:00.003-07:00

Cali Lewis investigates the Snowball by Bluemic. Read more

NASA turns 50: Why aren't we on Mars yet?

2008-10-02T17:13:00.001-07:00

President Dwight D. Eisenhower established the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in 1958, partially in response to the Soviet Union's launch of the first artificial satellite the previous year. NASA's 50th birthday is... Read more

GBTV #0373 (small) | GeekBrief.TV

2008-10-02T17:12:00.007-07:00

This is our recap of WWDC08. What can I say? Monkey Balls, but that could be perceived as inappropriate. I could say Cromag Rally, but then people may think I'm pro-caveman. I'm ambivalent about cavemen, so ladies and gentleman, Steve Jobs and the 3G iPhone. Read more

Telecom bumps up data plans

2008-10-02T17:12:00.005-07:00

Telecom bumps up data plans
Telecom broadband customers will get a bandwidth bonus on both business and home plans. And users who pay more than $49 per month in areas served with ADSL2+ technology will get caps removed for upload and download speeds. The...

MacBreak 47 Macworld 2007: MyVu

2008-10-02T17:12:00.003-07:00

Kendra checks out the personal media viewer from myvu. Read more

MacBreak 88: Studio: Mixing 2D and 3D Assets in Motion

2008-10-02T17:12:00.001-07:00

Mark Spencer explains how to mix 2D and 3D images in Motion. Read more

GBTV #437 (small) | GeekBrief.TV

2008-10-01T09:08:00.007-07:00

If I could keep fish alive, I would be buying the R2 Fish Training School Kit. Train your fish to do tricks. If you try it, let us know!,b,
The Electronic Drum Kit Shirt has audio built in, so you can tap away and make music while you walk down the street.

Asus announced a new eeePC with seven and a half hours of battery life, Windows XP, 3G mobile broadband and more.

You can save money on domain name registrations and renewals from GoDaddy.com with discount codes GB1, GB2 and GB3. For an explanation of each code, click here. Read more

MacBreak 74: Studio: Motion 3 in 3D

2008-10-01T09:08:00.005-07:00

Mark Spencer takes us on a tour of the 3D capabilities in Apple's new version of Motion. Read more

Windshield GPS mounting legalized again in California

2008-10-01T09:08:00.003-07:00

Windshield GPS mounting legalized again in California

Filed under: GPS, Transportation

Though one may assume Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger would have, um, more pressing matters on his hands these days, the man has somehow found time to address a complaint put forth by a-many travelin' Californians. Just this week Mr. Schwarzenegger signed into law a bill that was put forth earlier this year that will legalize windshield GPS mounting once more. Granted, stipulations are present, but at least you won't be forced to point your retinas down at the cup holders in order to see your navigation system after January 1, 2009. In the new year, drivers in the Golden State will be able to suction their GPS unit in the "lower 7-inch corner farthest away from the driver or in the lower 5-inch corner closest to the driver." If you go pressing your luck and throw it smack dab in the middle, be prepared for whatever fine you're due.

[Via Gadling, image courtesy of GPS Tracklog]

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Geek Brief Radio | Copy and Paste for iPhone

2008-10-01T09:08:00.001-07:00

Interview with Zac White about bringing Copy and Paste to the iPhone via OpenClip.org Read more

New evidence of Martian water

2008-10-01T09:07:00.009-07:00

New evidence of Martian water
LOS ANGELES - Nasa's Phoenix spacecraft has discovered two minerals on Mars that suggest water was there in the past. Scientists report that the minerals - calcium carbonate and sheet silicate - don't usually form without...

Converting Safari RSS feeds into exportable OPML file

2008-10-01T09:07:00.007-07:00

At first, saving and reading your RSS feeds from Safari may have seemed appealing. But that may have changed. After all, there are a good five or six solid RSS readers for the Mac that can do the job better. Well, there seems to be a way to move those RSS feeds out of Safari and into the reader of your choice.

By using an XML stylesheet and running it in the Mac terminal, you can convert the RSS feeds into an OPML file. Nearly all RSS readers -- both desktop and online -- will let you import feeds via OPML. Here's how you do it:

Download the XML stylesheet from here. Then run it in the terminal with these commands:
$ cd ~/Library/Safari
$ plutil -convert xml1 Bookmarks.plist
$ xsltproc SafariFeeds2OPML.xslt Bookmarks.plist > SafariFeeds.opml
$ plutil -convert binary1 Bookmarks.plist

Now you have an OPML file called SafariFeeds.opml. Download a news reader or use an online one and import the file. Now you can enjoy those RSS feeds in a more comfortable reading environment.

Via Mac OS X Hints.

Read�|�Permalink�|�Email this�|�Linking�Blogs�|�Comments

MUO Games - Analyze Your Computer For Game Compatibility

2008-10-01T09:07:00.005-07:00

Some time ago (years ago, to be exact), I bought myself a copy of “The Chronicles of Riddick” for the PC. The game received positive reviews by Xbox owners, and although the PC review was a little less promising, I decided to try it out. It was hell. I don’t know how the gameplay was - I [...]

It was hell.

I don’t know how the gameplay was - I never got to that part. I was playing at about 60 seconds per frame and my flashlight wasn’t working. 50 Euros ($72) washed down the drain. If only I would’ve known!

If only people would’ve invented a way to compare the strength of your computer with game requirements and tell user whether his computer can play that gameR30;Wait, they have! Meet ‘Can You Run it?‘, an online tool to check if your PC is up for the job.

‘ Can You Run it?’ uses System Requirements Lab, which weighs hardware specifications from the user’s computer against certain minimum and recommended values.

System Requirement Lab is used on many big websites, like nVidia, GameSpy, Activistion, EA, and others alike.

Can You Run it?

We’ll run you through an example of the CYRI test, using my PC and a copy of Crysis. I’ve already completed the game, so I know it runs perfectly fine, although I’m not able to maximize the video settings.

1. Select Your Game

Select your game from the drop-down menu on the main page. If you can’t find your game, your best option is to perform a Google search for the game’s specifications.

2. Installation

The title is misleading. You’ll have to give Java permission to run the program and upload your computer specs. Don’t worry, the nice people at ‘Can You Run it?’ promise absolute anonymity.

Hereafter, ‘Can You Run it?’ will analyze your data. Just give it a moment.

3. Interpretation

After analyzing, ‘Can You Run it?’ feeds you three things. First, an overall analysis, where it tells you in simple terms if you can or cannot run the game.

Please note that although my computer barely approaches the middle between the Minimum and Recommended marks, I was able to complete the game without any noticable framedrops and with stunning, although not maxed out graphics.

Next, two comparable pages. On the first page, ‘Can You Run it?’ compares your specifications to the minimum requirements, on the second one to the recommended requirements.

‘Can You Run it?’ looks at the following things:

CPU type and speed
System RAM
Operating System
Video Card and Driver
DirectX Version
Sound Card and Driver
Free Disk Space
DVD

These components all get rated on a six degree scale, and you’ll be provided with information and tips.

On the subjects where you score below the minimum or recommended specs, ‘Can You Run it?’ provides you with some improvement advice, such as what graphics card they advise you to get, or where you can get your driver updated. Basically, ‘Can You Run it?’ not only helps you summarize the problems at hand, but also points you in the right direction for fixing them.

If I had this site a few years ago, I wouldn’t have made the mistake of buying that game. Also, I wouldn’t have made the stupid mistake of buying a new video card that STILL didn’t support the game. God, that was embarrassing!

(By) Simon is a student from Belgium who wastes his time relaxing, gaming and surfing the net. He would tell you to check out his blog, only he doesn't have one (yet)!

New subscriber? Get your freebies at MakeUseOf Downloads. Enjoy!

Tags:analyzer, compatibility, Games, requirements

Unlock iTunes for other MP3 players, says watchdog

2008-10-01T09:07:00.003-07:00

Unlock iTunes for other MP3 players, says watchdog
OSLO - Norway's top consumer advocate has announced the start of legal action to try to force Apple to open its iTunes music store to digital players other than its own market-leading iPod. Norway has led a two-year European campaign,...

LG set to release WWAN-enabled X110 Momo netbook

2008-10-01T09:07:00.001-07:00

LG set to release WWAN-enabled X110 Momo netbook

Filed under: Laptops

LG doesn't look to be pushing the envelope all that hard with its netbook entry -- are you sick of 10-inch screens, 1.6GHz Atom processors, and Windows XP yet? -- but the company's X110 Momo looks to up the ante ever so slightly with a built-in HSUPA modem and a slightly reconfigured keyboard with bigger arrow keys and a full-size right shift key. No pricing or availability yet, but we'll take LG at its word when it says the Momo is "coming soon."

[Via Wired]

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First Looks: BeeJive for iPhone

2008-10-01T09:06:00.001-07:00

First Looks: BeeJive for iPhone

Filed under: iPhone, App Store, iPod touch

BeeJive has had an instant messenger application for the iPhone in the form of a Web App for quite some time -- in fact, it was one of the best! Recently, BeeJive has ventured into the world of native iPhone applications. I already mentioned most of the features of BeeJive in a previous post, so this time I'll examine the main features.

"Push" notifications of new IMs
The BeeJive developers are proud to offer 24/7 connectivity, meaning you can receive IMs even if the app is closed. They accomplish this feat by connecting you through their servers and sending you updates through email if you receive an IM while the application is closed. This works well, as long as you have a push email account.

Landscape view
You can send IMs in landscape mode using the larger iPhone keyboard, which is nice, but it would be nicer to initiate landscape mode from any tab, not just chat.

Bottom Line
BeeJive has created an application that is very polished and refined. You are able to customize almost every aspect in the iPhone's Settings (from background color, to turning on/off vibration). This kind of customization really allows the user to connect with the software -- it would be nice to see this amount of customization in other iPhone apps.

However, this application is a little pricey at $15.99 (US). You can download BeeJiveIM from the iTunes App Store [link]. Be sure to take a look at our gallery of screenshots.

Gallery: First Look: BeeJive for iPhone

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New Samsung DDR3 allows 16GB RAM sticks

2008-09-29T20:24:00.019-07:00

Samsung tonight pushed its DDR3 memory lineup forward with news of a new two-gigabit (256MB) module. Using a new 50 nanometer manufacturing process, the memory is twice as dense as before and enables RAM capacities that are still rare: a dual-die, error-corrected RAM stick can now hold as much as 16GB by stacking the chips. Notebooks should also see a boost with up to 4GB per stick in a thin pac...

MacBreak 111: Macworld 2008: Drobo

2008-09-29T20:24:00.017-07:00

Cali Lewis investigates the Drobo intelligent media storage. Read more

GBTV #0385 (small) | GeekBrief.TV

2008-09-29T20:24:00.015-07:00

Drobo released an SDK today. Developers can build apps to make Drobo do more after joining the Drobo Developer Community.

Fontstruct is a free, Web-based app for future typography rock stars. I want the creator of the next Helvetica to be a GeekBrief.TV viewer.

GoLive2 is releasing a Wiimote inspired series of controllers for PC gaming and they're calling them Stix.

Philippe Starck designed a small wind turbine that might generate 20% to 60% of the energy needed to power a home. I skeptical, but definitely interested.

149 Series Mitsubishi HDTVs will include 16-point speaker systems that simulate 5.1 surround sound. Read more

GBTV #435 (small) | GeekBrief.TV

2008-09-29T20:24:00.013-07:00

Vincent Laforet's short film that we mentioned yesterday is online at Canon. He used the 5D Mark II to shoot the film. The behind the scenes footage is online at SmugMug.

We've all been waiting to see a real live phone built on Android, an open source platform. Today, T-Mobile, HTC and Google showed us the G1. It doesn't have multi-touch, but it has a physical keyboard and a trackball. More pros/cons in the show.

Sony announced the VAIO TT, an ultraportable notebook with Blu-ray included. Anyone know what the "TT" stands for? Leave a comment below.

Eye-Fi got an update. It's an SD card that automatically uploads your photos to your computer or a photosharing site like SmugMug. The update makes uploads faster.

Microsoft applied for a very interesting patent. They're calling it "Mobile Device Collaboration". The idea is that you and your friends can all lay your phones side by side and aggregate resources for one large display, surround sound, extra battery life, and more.

You can save money on domain name registrations and renewals from GoDaddy.com with discount codes GB1, GB2 and GB3. For an explanation of each code, click here. Read more

GBTV #0342 (small) | GeekBrief.TV

2008-09-29T20:24:00.011-07:00

So, this one's different. Today, we continually encountered slightly silly, but entirely lovable attempts at video today. That became the theme of Brief 342. It started with a project from Microsoft Research called MySong. The team had fun with their video showing how the technology works. It's a parody of bad commercials. The application though looks like it's going to be so much fun for kids when it's released. It creates an backing track to go along with what you sing into a mic. We had some fun with them having some fun.

Then today Flickr launched support for video and they used sock puppets to demonstrate what it's like.

Then John Biggs from CrunchGear.com was at some kind of event when he was attacked by a Lego Mindstorm robot.

Drew Domkus appears courtesy of Dawn and Drew TV. You can get a Nokia N810 for 15% off at podshowoffers.com (more details here). Use Promo Code "geekbrieftv". Read more

First Look: Heart Monitor

2008-09-29T20:24:00.009-07:00

First Look: Heart Monitor

Filed under: iPhone, App Store, iPod touch

If you run, or participate in sports, you can now use your iPhone to measure your heart rate in addition to listening to your favorite tunes. Last week we mentioned that Heart Monitor [iTunes link] would be released soon, and as it turns out, it was approved by Apple this weekend. I've been testing this application all week. Here are my results.

This application can measure your heart rate using one of two methods. One way is to place the iPhone, microphone-down, on the bottom of your wrist, or chest -- this method produced poor results.

The other method, which works well, is to use the standard Apple headset/mic combo and place the microphone portion on your neck. Both methods are sketchy in a noisy room, as Heart Monitor uses sound to detect your heart beat.

If you are in a noisy location, you can use the "Pulse Count" tab to measure your heart rate manually. The application will walk you through counting your pulse rate for 10 seconds. Then, you will be prompted to press the corresponding button for the number of beats. The application will then log your heart rate in the "Results" tab. It would be nice to be able to export the results somehow (possibly through email).

The hardest part to using this application is finding your pulse, but the developer has included pictures and tips to help. Overall, Heart Monitor works as advertised and has a beautiful user interface that gets right to the point. Be sure to look at our gallery of screenshots. You can purchase Heart Monitor for $4.99 on the iTunes App Store.

Gallery: First Look: Heart Monitor

Thanks, John!

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Sky HDi - is the grass any greener?

2008-09-29T20:24:00.007-07:00

Our home is crammed full tech waiting to be reviewed, most of which my ever-patient wife is itching to get rid of. The one bit piece of gadgetary she won't live without, however, is our MySky box. Not only has it totally changed... Read more

MacBreak 10: Conduit

2008-09-29T20:24:00.005-07:00

Emery and Ben Syverson discuss Conduit, a new realtime nodal compositing plugin for Apple's Motion. Read more

A Look At The New Google Moderator

2008-09-29T20:24:00.003-07:00

Recently Google unveiled Moderator. Moderator is a tool that allows you to crowdsource questions and suggestions. To put things in perspective, Google Moderator was developed as an internal tool to see what questions a majority of people wanted to ask during a talk and then ask the top questions to the presenter. However, it found more [...]

Recently Google unveiled Moderator. Moderator is a tool that allows you to crowdsource questions and suggestions.

To put things in perspective, Google Moderator was developed as an internal tool to see what questions a majority of people wanted to ask during a talk and then ask the top questions to the presenter. However, it found more uses and now it has been opened to the masses via the app engine.

So lets take this new tool for a spin, shall we ?

The primary use for Moderator is to crowdsource questions or suggestions. Let’s say we would like all of our readers to let us know if they want us to cover a particular app or recommend a solution to a particular need or problem. Google Moderator is ideal for such things. Here’s how we would go about it.

Create a new series

A series is like the top level heading under which you would like to group all the questions. I put in MakeUseOf since most of the questions and suggestions would be MakeUseOf related.

Create a topic

Topics are the next lower level in the hierarchy to series. Topics would be used to keep the things tidy. Like there is a featured series “Ask a World Leader” over at Moderator in which people submit questions they will like to ask famous personalities. So to keep things tidy, each personality becomes a topic. So now if you want to ask Barack Obama a new question you would go to the respective topic and put in a question.

For our MakeUseOf series I put in a Article Requests topic, where you can submit your article requests or thumbs up/ thumbs down other readers’ suggestions/requests. Periodically we will pick the one that is on the top.

Now let people vote and ask questions

Others can now vote on the questions that have been submitted in the topic. People can give a positive vote (which is essentially a thumbs up) or a negative vote (thumbs down). Depending on the positive to negative count of the various questions, the most popular question will eventually rise to the top. If a question has 100 total votes of which 50 are positive and 50 are negative, it will be ranked lower than a question with 90 total votes, of which 85 are positive and only 5 are negative.

Some things I missed:

See here

(2) Since the main focus is people, letting others know that you have created a new series and would like to know their suggestions would be helpful. So I greatly missed a share this link. Right now you have to go back to the series and copy paste the link from the address bar.

(3) No email notifications or RSS feeds at the moment. I think it would be nice if people could subscribe to the topics, or if the owner could get notifications of important events like a new top question, or a new event.

Go ahead, check out Google Moderator, see how you like it, how you would like to MakeUseOf it and then let us know in the comments. Oh, and by the way, there really is a MakeUseOf series over there at Moderator. So go ahead check it out as well and contribute.

(By) Varun Kashyap - Programmer, Blogger and Tech enthusiast, who blogs about tips, tricks, tutorials, latest on the web on his TechCrazy Blog

New subscriber? Get your freebies at MakeUseOf Downloads. Enjoy!

Tags:crowdsourcing, Google, google moderator, Q&A websites

30" height="1" width="1"/> Read more

Carl Freer dishes out new Gizmondo tidbits

2008-09-29T20:24:00.001-07:00

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds

It's been a little while since we've heard from the normally very talkative Carl Freer, but the chief Gizmondo booster has now finally returned with a few new tidbits of information about the gaming handheld, which we know you've all been patiently waiting for. Most interestingly, but not surprisingly, Freer made no mention of that supposed end of 2008 release date, with him instead saying that the company plans to release the handheld's full spec list by the end of October, and that they plan to have "volume availability" of the handled by the second quarter of 2009 -- in Europe, at least. In other news, he also confirmed that the device would boast an improved camera, and that they're even planning their "own version of the Apple App Store," which would seem to be a must considering that they're apparently also going to be relying exclusively on indie developers this time around.

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Join MakeUseOf on Twitter!

2008-09-26T19:00:00.011-07:00

This goes to all of our readers who are on Twitter. I keep getting emails from readers asking me if there is a MakeUseOf Twitter feed. Yep, we got one! If you’re a Twitter user and would like to be notified everytime there is a new post on MakeUseOf Blog, web app review on MakeUseOf [...]

This goes to all of our readers who are on Twitter. I keep getting emails from readers asking me if there is a MakeUseOf Twitter feed. Yep, we got one!

If you’re a Twitter user and would like to be notified everytime there is a new post on MakeUseOf Blog, web app review on MakeUseOf Directory or something new on Geeky Fun than follow us @ twitter.com/MakeUseOf

GBTV #417 (small) | CEDIA Expo #1 repost

2008-09-26T19:00:00.009-07:00

GBTV #417 (small) | CEDIA Expo #1 repost
CEDIA Update #1 covers the Triad InWall Silver/4 Omni Sconce Loudspeaker. It's a speaker system and LED light source in one.

You can save money on domain name registrations and renewals from GoDaddy.com with discount codes GB1, GB2 and GB3. For an explanation of each code, click here.

MacBreak 43 Macworld 2007: Andrew Baron

2008-09-26T19:00:00.007-07:00

MacBreak 43 Macworld 2007: Andrew Baron
Leo dicusses the MacWorld Keynote with Andrew Baron of Rocketboom.

Dell's One-Touch Privacy filter keeps your Latitude E6400 screen undercover

2008-09-26T19:00:00.005-07:00

Dell's One-Touch Privacy filter keeps your Latitude E6400 screen undercover

Filed under: Displays, Laptops

We're a bit miffed as to why Dell's keeping its new One-Touch Privacy system exclusive to the Latitude E6400, but whatever the story is there, it'll definitely keep straying eyes from seeing too much confidential information. Interestingly, this here filter isn't hardware based; rather, it's a software-driven application that "creates a pixel-based pattern on the screen, reducing the side viewing angles of people seated next to the user." Dell assures us that it has "minimal impact on display brightness" and that it can be activated with a single touch key, but we're still wondering how it landed on the seemingly sky-high $139 price. Talk about paying for the privilege.

[Via T3]

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RIM has "head in the sand" vs. iPhone

2008-09-26T19:00:00.003-07:00

RIM has "head in the sand" vs. iPhone
Needham and Company contributed to a steep decline in Research in Motion's share price today by warning investors that the BlackBerry creator is likely going to perform below expectations in the near future. Analyst Craig Bisagna notes that while RIM is secure in its business sales, Needham sees the company's dismissive attitude towards competitors in a financial conference call Thursday as overl...

Icons: It’s Still Orange

2008-09-26T19:00:00.001-07:00

Icons: It’s Still Orange
I am glad to see that we can maintain some level of RSS icon standards between Mozilla and Microsoft. Wouldn’t be great if this level of cooperation could continue? My last post shared some of our conceptual designs of the feed icon and expressed some of the criteria that we are using to select the right [...]

I am glad to see that we can maintain some level of RSS icon standards between Mozilla and Microsoft. Wouldn’t be great if this level of cooperation could continue?

My last post shared some of our conceptual designs of the feed icon and expressed some of the criteria that we are using to select the right icon. Several of the comments liked icon #4 simply because it looked liked the Firefox icon, and many (like this one) suggested that we work with the Firefox team to standardize on an icon.

This seemed like a very good idea, so in November, Amar and I took a visit down to Silicon Valley to meet with John Lilly and Chris Beard from Mozilla to get their thoughts on it. We all agreed that it’s in the user’s best interest to have one common icon to represent RSS and RSS-related features in a browser. And the winner isR30; [Source: Microsoft Team RSS Blog]

Yahoo upgrades ad system

2008-09-25T15:06:00.007-07:00

Yahoo upgrades ad system
NEW YORK - Yahoo has launched a much-anticipated upgrade to its online advertising system as it tries to bring to graphical display ads some of the innovations that powered Google's rapid rise in search marketing. Playing to...

MacBreak 34: Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!

2008-09-25T15:06:00.005-07:00

MacBreak 34: Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!
Sal Soghoian is back to teach us how to create auto-presenting Keynote presentations with Applescript and text-to-speech voices from Cepstral.

GBTV #0354 (small) | GeekBrief.TV

2008-09-25T15:06:00.003-07:00

GBTV #0354 (small) | GeekBrief.TV
Monday night, I thought gmail was down so I tweeted. I got plenty of responses from other gmail users that lead me to think I was the only single person on the interwebs having and issue. @quecojones shot me a link that I immediately bookmarked. The site, downforeveryoneorjustme.com, answers that very important question: Is [insert the name of a Web site here] having a major problem or am I delusional?

Page2rss.com is another recently bookmarked Web site that turns a non-RSS enabled Web page in to RSS enabled content. I tried it with a T-Shirt company I like. If it works, I should see an update in my feed reader when they add new shirts.

In prep for William the former Geek Brief Intern's 21st birthday, we were searching for Wii news and we came across MiiSculptures.com. You can upload a picture of your Mii and they'll turn it into a little sculpture for $75.

Wireless HDMI technology will soon be available in the Sharp X-Series of HDTVs. Japan will get them first. The rest of the world will have to wait.

Viewzi is a visual search engine that is really fun to use. The invitation code, "geekbrief" will get a couple hundred of us into the semi-public beta. I really like Viewzi, except for the Video x3 feature. I'd like to know what you think.

Canon EOS 40D owner hacks camera, records silent movie

2008-09-25T15:06:00.001-07:00

Filed under: Digital Cameras

This enterprising EOS 40D owner wants a DSLR that records video, too -- and he's taking action. This hack uses CHDK -- the free firmware enhancement for Canon PowerShot cameras -- and LiveView to capture video to the camera's CF Card. There are still a few issues: LiveView shuts down after a period of inactivity, video can't be transfered via USB, and unlike your $79 consumer grade camera, the EOS 40D won't record audio. But what's a little challenge in the face of a good camera mod? There's no word on file format, frame rate or resolution (though the camera's display weighs in at 320 x 240), but there are lots of other juicy details available once you hit the read link. And be sure to catch the video after the break.

[Via Hack A Day]

Continue reading Canon EOS 40D owner hacks camera, records silent movie

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Icons: It’s Still Orange

2008-09-24T23:27:00.009-07:00

I am glad to see that we can maintain some level of RSS icon standards between Mozilla and Microsoft. Wouldn’t be great if this level of cooperation could continue? My last post shared some of our conceptual designs of the feed icon and expressed some of the criteria that we are using to select the right [...]

I am glad to see that we can maintain some level of RSS icon standards between Mozilla and Microsoft. Wouldn’t be great if this level of cooperation could continue?

My last post shared some of our conceptual designs of the feed icon and expressed some of the criteria that we are using to select the right icon. Several of the comments liked icon #4 simply because it looked liked the Firefox icon, and many (like this one) suggested that we work with the Firefox team to standardize on an icon.

This seemed like a very good idea, so in November, Amar and I took a visit down to Silicon Valley to meet with John Lilly and Chris Beard from Mozilla to get their thoughts on it. We all agreed that it’s in the user’s best interest to have one common icon to represent RSS and RSS-related features in a browser. And the winner isR30; [Source: Microsoft Team RSS Blog]

The Anatomy of an RSS Feed

2008-09-24T23:27:00.007-07:00

So what the heck makes up an newsfeed, anyway? Seriously, is it all that complicated? Ah, that might actually surprise you.

RSS has become the standard data format for communicating news, updates or any other type of information that a company or individual wants to syndicate to a large audience. The name is an acronym that stands for Really Simple Syndication, which is an XML format that consists of designated elements that are consistent for all RSS feeds and conform to the XML 1.0 specification. These elements need to stay consistent to allow for a standardized data format that RSS aggregators can then consume. In this article we’ll take a look at the elements in this structureR30;. Source: WebReference

Horde of Orcs updated, Flick Bowling released by Freeverse

2008-09-24T23:27:00.005-07:00

Horde of Orcs updated, Flick Bowling released by Freeverse

Filed under: Gaming, Software, iPhone, App Store

Two big updates from our friends at Freeverse in the past few days. First off, Horde of Orcs, their extra-shiny (and funny) version of Desktop Defense, has gotten a big update to 1.1.4, and now features an in-game news system, two new maps, more helpful in-game tips, and "major performance improvements." That last note is of most interest to us -- I had a little trouble getting the game running smoothly on my mini, and can't wait to try again and see how it runs now. You can pick up the full version of the game for $24.95 over on Freeverse's site, or try out a free demo there.

And even more exciting, Freeverse has released another iPhone game: Flick Bowling brings the iPhone's touchscreen interface to one of my favorite games (after all, I did grow up in the very city that hosts the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame). With a bunch of different characters, locations, and even a choice of bowling balls to choose from, odds are that Flick Bowling is probably the best bowling game on the iPhone (though it may only one of a few, if not for long). The app is available in the App Store right now for $4.99. Once again this is a place where a demo would help us, but until Apple gets its App Store game back together, it's all or nothing. If you do decide to take the plunge, let us know how it is.

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