Dryers That Twitter

Dryers That Twitter

Author JoeDigital | 06.01.2009 | Category Computers, Telecommunications, World Wide Web

Admittedly, some things probably didn’t need to be invented, and this is most likely one of them, but it is still an interesting idea that could come in handy: Alternate methods for your clothes dryer to let you know that load is done. Now, we realize that most dryers already sound a buzzer, but sometimes that buzzer is in the wrong room, or you’ve become too involved in something online to notice that outside world without a friendly reminder.

This video will show you how to create a dryer alert system of your own, and your imagination can guide you in creating the perfect alert for your own needs. For some, a big flashing sign may be enough, bot other among us might need our digital devices to do the notifying, and in that situation, getting a twitter from your dryer could be the perfect way to go.

iPhone: Softbank 1-Seg TV Tuner

Author JoeDigital | 03.01.2009 | Category Consumer Electronics, Mac/Apple, Telecommunications

Watch movies and television on your iPhone!

Now you can watch television on your iPhone. Softbank recently relased its 1-Seg TV tuner, which allows integrating video directly to your screen. At US$108, the price isn’t as outrageous as you may have expected, but there are a couple fo quirks that you should be aware of.

First, don’t even think about watching a full length movie unles you have a power supply nerby. With the tuner connected, your iPhone doesn’t have but about 30 minutes of battery life. The tuner is great for filling in brief periods of time away from a wall outlet, but it isn’t going to be sutable for sustained usage.

An odd item with the Softbank TV Tuner is that it connects to your iPhone via syncronized cable connection, but the video is still transmitted via wi-fi. Keep this in mind, as you’ll have to be in range of a wi-fi connection for the device to work at all.

All in all, this is considered one of the best external add-ons available for the iPhone, and it’s sleek design in intended to mimic the iphone’s casing, adding acomplementary accessory.

Iphones At Walmart

Author JoeDigital | 31.12.2008 | Category Consumer Electronics, Gadgets, Telecommunications

Wal-Mart will soon start selling the 8Gb iPhone for $197. The 16Gb version will be for $297. The phones will require a new two-year service agreement or a qualified upgrade.

The move is seen by many as a chance for Apple to reach millions of Wal-Mart shoppers who may not be as familiar with the Iphone.

 Wal-Mart typically appeals to shoppers who don’t generally buy Apple’s products like Macintosh computers, iPods and iPhones, which are more expensive that other music players and computers on the market. But in times of a recession everyone is seems to be looking for a good deal.

 Speculations that Apple would offer a 4-gigabyte model of the iPhone for $99 at Wal-Mart stores had been prevalent on numerous websites. But the phones being sold at Wal-Mart are $2 below the prices offered at other locations.

 AT&T, currently sells the Iphone for $199 for the 8 Gb version, and $299 for the 16Gb version.

Google Gmail Got PDF

Author JoeDigital | 21.12.2008 | Category Computers, Consumer Electronics, Telecommunications

As gmail continues to grow, its realized that it needs to be self sufficient at a base level. Google has periodically taken steps to strengthen its position in the email segment towards becoming a UCC (Unified Collaborations and Communications) Hub. From being the first to offer 1Gb of inbox space when other’s were offering a mere 10Mb, to the launch of its messenger and chatting program Gtalk. Google recently added a plethora of applications via Google labs including the ability to SMS anyone in the states using its messenger. The latest addition is the introduction of a PDF viewer.

All PDF files now have the option of being viewed by the user without using Adobe’s Acrobat and without leaving the web page. Google has recognized the need to embrace popular file types in the past with its “office” now with the viewer even if they are from rivals like Microsoft and adobe in order to satisfy the need of its users.

Yahoo’s new Tool(Bar)

Author JoeDigital | 20.12.2008 | Category Computers, Telecommunications, World Wide Web

Yahoo takes a step forward with the new Yahoo Toolbar

Yahoo gave a sneak peak at its new toolbar that allows surfers to check their email while they surf the web. A toolbar is a simple program usually in the form of a bar that sits on top of the browser allowing easier access to some programs. Toolbars are offered by many companies, what makes yahoo’s new offering different is that users will be able to access the features without leaving the web page that they are currently on. The toolbar seen as a step forward in yahoos strategy towards making its products “third party” friendly.

The toolbar is part of a series of changes being introduced by Yahoo which include a new styled inbox which resembles a social networking page including the use of third party applications. Keeping with yahoo’s previous releases, the applications will be rolled out in phased manner for its estimated 275 million users rather than at once.

The company which is in the middle of a transition, with the resignation of its CEO Jerry Yang is pursuing its open strategy in the midst of a slowing economy. The company had recently announced that it would be laying off 1500 employees

SeaDragon: Microsoft For Iphone

Author JoeDigital | 20.12.2008 | Category Consumer Electronics, Telecommunications, World Wide Web

Introducing Microsoft's Seadragon For iPhone

A move that doesn’t come as a total surprise to industry watchers, Microsoft has introduced a free photo viewing application for the Iphone. SeaDragon Mobile the application developed by Live Labs (the same guys behind Microsoft live) makes use of the Iphone’s powerful graphic processor and the multi touch screen to view giga pixel images at very high zoom providing an incredible level of detail to the user dubbed “deep zoom”

Seadragon comes preloaded with very large images that make good use of its capabilities, the program works in conjunction with photosynth another Microsoft program that stitches pictures to produce a faux 3d panorama. Panning and zooming are taken care of by the multi touch screen and provides additional content through RSS feeds like flickr.

It is however, uncertain when the application will be released for the windows mobile format, Microsoft’s own mobile platform. Another application by Microsoft for the Iphone is stated for release next year is a voice recognition/search program.

Microsoft Live Wave 3

Author JoeDigital | 19.12.2008 | Category Consumer Electronics, Telecommunications, Windows

Microsoft has introduced a new set of live applications which takes Microsoft a step closer towards its end goal of integration of all its online services, like MSN Spaces, MSN Messenger, Hotmail etc. although it has faced some delays, a new set of applications namely “Messenger beta, Mail beta, Writer beta ,Photo Gallery beta, Movie Maker beta, Family Safety beta, Toolbar beta ,Microsoft Office Outlook®, Connector Office Live Add-in, Microsoft Silverlight”. Microsoft has focused integration and so accordingly all applications come with an online and desktop component, pulling a page out of Google’s (picasa) book. On top of this multiple computers and mobiles can be synchronized using Live Mesh.

Microsoft has an all new approach towards integration this time around, partnering with services like Flickr, Photobucket, StumbleUpon, TripIt, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pandora and Yelp. The end result of which coming very close to facebook.

Microsoft offers a bundled package for downloads, though one has the options to install individual programs if one was so inclined. Microsoft however wants to supply its users with a complete solution to all their needs a step up from its “passport” days. Mails to messengers and everything in between has been poked at by Microsoft. Of course the one stop solution does have its disadvantages as well, if you loose one account you can’t access anything, not just your mail.

txt on!

Author JoeDigital | 17.12.2008 | Category Gadgets, Telecommunications

A small independent Australian study has laid to rest a common misconception, that using abbreviations and simplifications while texting result’s in ruining our spelling. Although according to the study, they do take longer to read and understand than conventional messages written English.

University of Tasmania lecturer Nenagh Kemp asked students to first compose and then read out aloud text messages in “textese.” While the students were faster at composing the messages it took most almost twice as long to read and understand than those which were written in conventional English. It is because as adults we are used to reading full words and sentences and therefore takes longer for us to decipher “textese.” She explains.

No effects were shown on the literary abilities of the students contrary to popular beliefs. Not condemning the use “textese” While using mobile phones it is not advisable to use it anywhere else like emails and office correspondence.