Gadgets

77 posts

Hauppauge Stands Behind Its HDPVR Recorder

When I forked over the $205 to Amazon for the Hauppauge HDPVR high definition television to PC recorder, I thought two things: “I hope it’s worth it” and “How the hell do you pronounce Hauppauge?” I found out the answer to both questions this week when my recorder died after 22 months of otherwise perfect operation.

Before Crasstalk came along, I spent most of my free time working on MythTV. I don’t care for the DVR service that the cable providers are offering. The monthly fees are a part of it, but that the menus on those provider DVR units are also full of ads is unacceptable. There are already ads during the content, product placement ads in the actual shows, they even shove ads in with my monthly billing statement. MythTV is partially an act of defiance on my part. I want at least some control over the content stream coming into my home. Continue reading →

The e-Reader Killed the Bookstore Star

I’m a murderer. Yup. I participated in killing off something that I love deeply by owning an e-reader. As Borders, the second largest book seller in the nation, prepares for the liquidation process of selling off its remaining assets this Friday, I can’t help but feel somewhat responsible. If it wasn’t for my need for convenience, my desire to carry not just one book in my handbag but at least three, and the ease with which I can read said book on the subway…Borders might not be going out of business. Yes, I’ve sold my book soul for reading with one hand. Oh, the humanity. Continue reading →

Things We Already Know about the iPhone 5

September is coming soon. Not soon enough as it’s also the month of my birthday. Yes, I’m a lovely Libra. That’s why I’m so balanced. Actually no, that’s the meditation I do in the mornings. Another thing September is likely to bring us is a new iPhone 5 and the rumors and speculation about that are already flying. Calm down though: There are a few Things We Already Know: © Continue reading →

A Cell Phone is a Terrible Thing to Lose

I didn’t get a cell phone until 2004, when I was a freshman in college. I have pretty much broken, lost or somehow damaged nearly every phone that has had the misfortune of belonging to me. If there is some kind of Toy Story shenanigans going on at the T-Mobile store, my name is whispered in hushed tones by hot pink flip phones who fear to be purchased by me. My alternative theory is that the things that I say or text with my cell phones are so inane that they all commit suicide rather than be owned by me for a period of longer than six months. Continue reading →

Droid Does: Getting the Most out of your Android Device (Part 3)

Part Three: Android Advanced

As Android becomes more and more popular, people are increasingly looking for advice on which phones to buy, which apps to download, and what settings to use to optimize their Android experience. Lucky for you guys, I’m here to help. I’ve had my Android phone (a Verizon Droid Incredible) for almost a year now, and I’ve done just about everything you can do to one.

This is the third in a series of three articles, each covering a different aspect of using and playing with your Android device. This article will cover advanced level Android topics, specifically ROMs and Theming. Continue reading →

Why Unlocked iPhones are Good for Consumers and Apple

Today Apple began selling unlocked iPhone 4 phones in the Apple Store. I’m not an industry insider and certainly no fan-boy but that’s not going to stop me from shooting my mouth off about this. Lance Ulanoff over at pcmag.com took a very strong stance that Apple will NOT do this and his reason is simply: “Apple isn’t stupid.“ Well I beg to differ and we now know just how wrong he was.

Continue reading →

Cops to Get Futuristic Arm Band to Make Punching More Effective

How often do comic books inspire real life? I’d say almost never, since I haven’t developed the ability to fly or incinerate anything with my eyeballs yet. But if you could devise something…would it be a super duper arm gauntlet that could stun criminals, house a video camera, and possibly incorporate GPS, biometrics, and chemical sensors. Well, maybe. Perhaps add a batarang and I’m sold! Continue reading →

Droid Does: Getting the Most out of your Android Device (Part 2)

Part Two: Android Intermediate

As Android becomes more and more popular, people are increasingly looking for advice on which phones to buy, which apps to download, and what settings to use to optimize their Android experience. Lucky for you guys, I’m here to help. I’ve had my Android phone (a Verizon Droid Incredible) for almost a year now, and I’ve done just about everything you can do to one.

This is the second in a series of three articles, each covering a different aspect of using and playing with your Android device. This article will cover three intermediate level Android areas: launchers, rooting, recovery, and what root apps to get. Continue reading →