ʎvesluther.name/technoskop
Apple Safari Extensions Gallery
Mit dem Safari 5.0.1 Update bringt Apple neben einigen Bugfixes eine eigene Gallerie für Extensions — Safaris Pendant zu Firefox ‘Add-ons’ bzw. den Chrome ‘Extensions’. Gefeatured werden primär die schönen Extensions, natürlich.
Neuer Kindle und reine WLAN-Version
The all-new Kindle has a new electronic-ink screen with 50 percent better contrast than any other e-reader, a new sleek design with a 21 percent smaller body while still keeping the same 6-inch-size reading area, and a 15 percent lighter weight at just 8.7 ounces. The new Kindle also offers 20 percent faster page turns, up to one month of battery life, double the storage to 3,500 books, built-in Wi-Fi, a graphite color option and more—all for only $189, and still with free 3G wireless—no monthly bills or annual contracts. Also today, Amazon introduced a new addition to its family of portable reading devices—Kindle Wi-Fi. Readers who don’t need the convenience of free 3G wireless can now enjoy the new generation Kindle for the lower price of only $139.
Feature-mäßig endlich mit den Nook von Barnes & Noble gleichgezogen. Und der Preis (für die reine WLAN-Variante) nähert sich einer zum iPad sinnvollen Distanz. Ich frage mich nur, warum die jetzt alle Grau sein müssen. Färbt das E-Ink-Display eventuell die Finger?
Apple Mac Pro
- bis zu 12 Kerne
- bis zu 3,6 GHz
- bis zu 4 SSDs
- bis zu 32 GB RAM
- bis zu ATI Radeon HD 5870 mit 1 GB
Preise bis zur Unendlichkeit.
Apple LED Cinema Display
- 27-inch
- glossy widescreen
- cinematic 16:9 aspect ratio
- 2560-by-1440 resolution
- LED backlight technology
- built-in 49-watt speaker system
Leider immer nur noch 3 USB Ports — kein Firewire Hub. Trotzdem sieht mein 30” Apple Cinema HD Display dagegen alt aus. Sniff.
Apple Battery Charger
The Apple Battery Charger sets a new industry standard: It has the lowest standby power usage value — or “vampire draw” — of any similar charger on the market.
Ich weiß, alle werden jetzt wieder wg. dem Preis kotzen. Aber wenn man Nachhaltigkeit ernst nimmt, sollte man nicht in den erstbesten Crap-Auflader aus Fernost benutzen. Außerdem sind die Batterien todschick.
Apple Magic Trackpad
The new Magic Trackpad is the first Multi-Touch trackpad designed to work with your Mac desktop computer. It uses the same Multi-Touch technology you love on the MacBook Pro. And it supports a full set of gestures, giving you a whole new way to control and interact with what’s on your screen. Swiping through pages online feels just like flipping through pages in a book or magazine. And inertial scrolling makes moving up and down a page more natural than ever. Magic Trackpad connects to your Mac via Bluetooth wireless technology.
Formal sehr schön gelöst — leider gibt es eine Kante von der sensitiven Fläche zum Aluminum. Das beißt sich mit dem Apple Wireless Keyboard.
Neue Version von Google Maps mit Places App
On Android-powered phones with Google Maps 4.4, you’ll find the new Places icon in the app launcher with the rest of your apps. Press and drag it right onto your home screen to use it when you’re looking for a restaurant, shoe store, movie theater or any other type of local business. You’ll get a detailed list of all the nearest places and can choose one to learn more about it on its Place Page.
Aua für Yelp und Qype?
Open Spot Home
Open Spot works by letting people who are leaving parking spots share their spots with people who are searching for parking.
Soziale Parkplatzsuche — ein interessantes Konzept. Dürfte nur einen hohen Prank-Faktor haben und dann genau das Gegenteil von der ursprünglichen Intention verursachen:
Start helping others find parking, and together we’ll all save time, save gas, and reduce pollution.
Auch komisch:
Open Spot requires Android 2.0 or higher and is currently only available in the US, Canada, and the Netherlands.
Ich dachte in Holland gäbe es nur Fahrradparkplätze (und foulende Fußballspieler).
App Inventor for Android
App Inventor is a new tool in Google Labs that makes it easy for anyone—programmers and non-programmers, professionals and students—to create mobile applications for Android-powered devices.
Top oder Flop liegen weiterhin in den Händen des Entwicklers. Wenn die Flops in Scharen in den Android Market Einzug halten, dürfte das quantitative Ziel von Google schnell erreicht sein. Und der qualitative Tod ebenfalls.
Andererseits könnte der HyperCard-ähnliche Ansatz es wert sein, von Apple mit der üblichen Liebe zum Detail neu interpretiert zu werden.
Installing GoogleCL On a Mac
If you have Dev Tools installed, and Terminal does not scare you, you should not need a crappy thing like MacPorts to install a simple unix utility like Git, SVN or GoogleCL.
Genau — als Kaltduscher habe ich es genau so gemacht und kann jetzt Google aus dem Terminal zähmen. Kusch! Spring! Fass!
Apple Mac mini
So, so schön. Un-glaub-lich.
Neu sind:
- HDMI Port inklusive Audio
- FireWire 800
- Eingebauter SD-Karten-Slot
- NVIDIA geForce 320M
- 8GB RAM
- Integriertes Netzteil
- RAM kann selbst gewechselt werden
Eine Servervariante des Mac minis gibt es auch.
Sony PlayStation Move Tech Demo
…you’ll likely be blown away by everything else Evan and I saw while we were in California at the PlayStation headquarters.
Dem kann man nichts hinzufügen. Außer vielleicht dass Xbox Kinect noch einen weiten Weg vor sich hat, den Progamer glücklich zu machen.
Mark Zuckerberg Full Session Video from D8 Conference
Erinnert stark an den heißen Stuhl - zumindest dem Schweiß auf Zuck’s Stirn nach zu urteilen.
Data Robotics Drobo FS
The revolutionary Drobo FS was designed with one purpose in mind: to deliver the best file sharing experience ever. From the moment you plug it in and see it instantly appear on your desktop, you’ll know there’s nothing like it. The all-in-one Drobo FS is perfect any connected home, home office, or small office environment needing a simple, safe device for sharing and backing up files over the network.
Endlich kann man den schnarchlangsamen DroboShare in die Tonne kloppen. Tja, halt zusammen mit dem Drobo, denn der Drobo FS löst beides ab. Engadget hat ein paar weitere interessante Details, wie
- den GigaBit-Ethernet-Port,
- den integrierten BitTorrent Client,
- die UPnP/DLNA Streaming Services
- und die installierbaren Apps, die im Falle von “Oxygen Cloud” sogar den Drobo FS von unterwegs zugänglich machen.
Bestellt.
Twitter Client in Mac OS X Terminal installieren
Yes, I know you’re asking why would I want to do that, install a command line Twitter client on your Mac when there are so many cool and useful apps with great interfaces? The geek in me would say “because you can.”
Absolut valides Argument für ein solches Vorhaben.
Gefen Mini-DisplayPort Adapter für HDMI, DVI und DisplayPort
Gefen on Wednesday released a number of new products that will hook up to the newly standardized Mini DisplayPort (MDP) connection found on late-model MacBooks and iMacs. This includes the MDP to HDMI adapter, MDP to DVI adapter, and MDP to DP cable.
Sobald ich eine neuen MacBook Pro mein Eigen nenne, werde ich hier zuschlagen.
Windows Phone 7 Series
Though I liked the Zune UI a lot I wonder if masses are willing to learn the complex and maybe not very intuitive Windows Phone 7 Series UI. And, concluding from the videos - a lot seems to be still a mock-up and would need further refinements. But anyhow, it’s always a good choice to cut with that 2002 PocketPC crap.
Opera Mini for iPhone
Opera Software, maker of the world’s most popular mobile Web browser, plans to reveal Opera Mini for iPhone in an exclusive press and partner preview during the 2010 Mobile World Congress (MWC).
Hell freezes over, if this thing gets approved in the App Store.
Well, it happened again - the cold hell thing: Opera mini gets approved.
Google Buzz
Share updates, photos, videos, and more. Start conversations about the things you find interesting.
Very clever from Google — the new Google Buzz:
- integrated in Gmail
- all Gmail contacts = Buzz buddies
- Twitter, Flickr, Picasa, Google Reader integration
- @replies becoming emails
- mobile web app with location sharing
- Buzz layer in Google Maps on Android
- Voice Shortcut — simply talk your status update in the search widget on Android or Google Mobile App on iPhone
- open API available on Google Code
Some further links to the Official Google Mobile Blog and the Official Google Blog.
Nexus One Update
In preparation of the next iPhone?
Google Goggles: this mobile application will now be available directly on your device by launching it from your All Apps menu. Just use your Nexus One camera to start searching the web
Google Maps: the Maps application with be updated to a new version, Google Maps 3.4, which will include:
- Starred items synchronized with maps.google.com - access your favorite places from your phone or computer
- Search suggestions from your personal maps.google.com history - makes it easy to search for places you’ve searched for before
- Night mode in Google Maps Navigation - automatically changes your screen at night for easier viewing and driving
Pinch-to-zoom functionality: devices will now include a new pinch-to-zoom mechanism in the phone’s Browser, Gallery and Maps applications
3G connectivity: we will provide a general fix to help improve 3G connectivity on some Nexus One phones
Nexus One - second to none. Not.
Das Nexus One und ich, wir waren eins. Für eine ganze Woche. Mein bis dahin geliebtes iPhone 3 GS musste so lange ausziehen. Und wie versprochen, habe ich es gemieden, soweit es mir beruflich möglich war. Zwar hatte ich versprochen täglich meinen Leidensweg zu schildern. Am Ende war es aber doch nicht so schlimm und wirklich aufregende, mitteilungswürdige Dinge haben sich selten ergeben. Aber jetzt ist die Flitterwoche vorbei - Zeit für ein erstes Fazit.
My other postings are here:
- Nexus One - Making Peace
- Nexus One Factory Data Reset
- Furnishing the Nexus One house
- Hello, I am a Nexus One
Enjoy!
Korg Kaossilator Pro
Korg’s revolutionary KAOSS products have brought intuitive finger-tip control to all aspects or modern music making! With 200 programs, new PCM drums, loop recording, vocoding, and an incredible gate arpeggiator, this supercharged version of the palm-sized KAOSSILATOR is a powerful track-making tool loaded with live performance power. 200 Programs, including 15 effect programs; 8 Favorites for instant selection, 4 Loop Recording Banks, each with unlimited overdubs; 4 measures (16 beats) per bank, Gate Arpeggiator offers 31 scales in any key; sync’s to internal, MIDI, or Tap Tempo, RCA stereo ins & outs; ¼” Mic input; ¼” Stereo headphone out; MIDI In, Out, SD card storage; USB to computer port - includes Editing, Librarian and MIDI Control software.
Goes for $399.99. I bought the consumer version some time ago and liked the ready-to-use approach. Since I will become a DJ in my next live (or was it a longboarder?) I would defenitely consider this device.
Boxee beta
After experiencing all of the good parts of the latest and greatest Boxee, I want to be able to say that it’s the best media center application that I’ve ever used. Instead, I’ll say that it holds the possibility of being the best if it can transcend this rough patch and deliver on its considerable potential.
After playing for several days with the latest beta I definitely fall in love with the UI. Though the lack of (legal) content here in Europe makes the whole experience shitty.
OnLive Video Demonstration
The founder and CEO of OnLive, Steve Perlman. Shows a demonstration on how to play Crysis on iPhone, Mac, & console. Also talks about the features and how this works to at Columbia University in New York City.
Obvious the end of game consoles as we know them. And expensive game hardware upgrades. And lousy mobile adoptions. Though OnLive needs to build their data center infrastructure here in Europe. If I were Sony I would kick the PlayStation 4 and buy OnLive — just an idea.
PS Great inspiration to rethink everything — especially at the end of the video where Steve is doing the Q & A with the students. Innovate, don’t imitate.
Nexus One
Apparently the rumors were right and the diggin of Techcrunch forced Google to this statement.
We recently came up with the concept of a mobile lab, which is a device that combines innovative hardware from a partner with software that runs on Android to experiment with new mobile features and capabilities, and we shared this device with Google employees across the globe.
Remains the question why? I think that Google concluded from all the Android diversifications that they need to provide a reference platform by themselves. Maybe having in mind, that users would force other Android manufacturers to follow their reference design, because nobody could keep up with Google’s pace. If you want the latest Android phone — you need the Google Phone.
- Update 5: The launch event
- Update 4: The TMO confirmation
- Update 3: The FCC accessories approval
- Update 2: The leaked specs
- Update 1: The interface walkthrough
The Missing Sync for Android
The proper tool for cloud naysayers with Outlook, an Android phone and $39.95.
Version 1.0 includes syncing of
- Contacts
- Music
- Photos
- Video and Home Movies
- Docs and Files
- Ringtones
- Podcasts
Future features that are planned:
- Calendars Sync
- Tasks Sync
- Notes Sync
- Bookmarks Sync
- Proximity Sync
- Text Messages Sync
- Call History Sync
Kindle Software Update Version 2.3
- Longer battery life for Kindle (Global Wireless): You can now read for up to 1 week on a single charge with wireless on. Turn wireless off and read for up to 2 weeks.
- Built-in PDF reader: Your Kindle can now display PDF documents without losing the formatting of the original file. Send PDF documents directly to your Kindle (via your @Kindle address) or drag and drop PDF files from your computer to your Kindle (when connected via USB).
- Manual screen rotation: The Kindle screen can now manually rotate between portrait and landscape views so you can see the entire width of a web page or magnify the page of a PDF file. The page-turn buttons work the same in either orientation, and the 5-way controller movements are switched to match the orientation.
- Option to convert PDF files to Kindle format. If you prefer to have your personal PDF documents converted to the Kindle format (so that they can reflow), type “Convert” in the subject of the e-mail when you submit your personal document to your @kindle.com address.
A welcome update, though coming over the air without asking for permission to be installed. Next stop should be better ways to organize its contents.
Chumby One
Chumby One represents a leaner, faster, cheaper take on the original. Aside from ditching the plush Italian leather and beanbag shape of the original for the clean lines of ABS plastic, the new Chumby benefits from a faster processor (454MHz), a built-in FM radio, a dedicated volume knob, 2GB of microSD memory, and a single USB 2.0 port. They’ve now made it portable, too, with an optional rechargeable lithium ion battery good for an hour of use.
Now for pre-order for US$ 99.95. Lost a lot of his plush charm – wished my classic Chumby would have cost the same.
Boxee getting boxed
It’s prime time for Boxee:
I am very happy to announce we have signed our first partnership with a CE company. At this point we can not say more about the partner or the specs of the device, but we can tell you we are working closely with them to make sure we deliver a great Boxee experience on it.
Hopefully the content owners may not dry them up.
Spin - The all-in-one controller for djay
Spin is the perfect all-in-one hardware solution to control djay, allowing anyone to mix, scratch, and play music as a DJ would right at your fingertips. Whether you are a beginner or a professional artist, Spin offers everything you need to be a DJ with your Mac. Start DJing today with Spin and experience what it’s like to create your own mix for podcasts, slide shows, house parties and even bigger venues.
Makes me wish in my next live to become a DJ.
Rumor: Facebook, Gamercard colors in next PS3 FW update
The leaked images show the ability to manage your Facebook in your PlayStation Network account settings, changing the color of your PlayStation Network gamercard and a new, more sufficient way of looking through your photos.
Will be exiting to see if Sony will beat the Xbox 360 with a public launch.
Myka ION HD
Who thought, that Hulu would marry Boxee on a Set Top Box? That happened on the Myka ION HD player which is based as the name would suggest on the NVIDIA ION graphics. Plenty of options …
- XBMC support
- Wireless-N
- Blu-ray
- 4 Gig of RAM
- VGA, DVI, HDMI out
- eSATA, Ethernet and all kind of audio.
… in an ugly housing.
Zune HD Device Firmware 4.3
Improvements:
- Auto Suggest feature for text input.
- Faster web browsing experience.
- Landscape keyboard
- Keyboard option has been added in the settings section.
- New toggle between seek and presets under Radio.
- Under the Internet in settings, you can now toggle to default mobile or desktop webpage layout.
- Artists bios are updated; embedded links to other artists in text.
- Other bug fixes.
Motorola Milestone aka Droid bei O2 Deutschland
O2 Deutschland etabliert sich wiederholt als ‘Alle-guten-Smartphones-außer-dem-iPhone’-Abgreifer und bringt das weltweit erste Android 2.0 Smartphone von Motorola als Milestone (in den USA Droid) für EUR 481,00. Wahlweise zahlbar sofort oder zu 24 Raten à EUR 20,00 plus einem Euro Anzahlung.
- Erstes Android 2.0 (Éclair) Gerät
- 3.7” High Resolution Display mit 480 x 854 Pixel Auflösung (WVGA) und 16cm Diagonale
- Vorinstallierte Google Applikationen
- Flash Support im Webkit Browser
- HSDPA, WiFi, aGPS, USB 2.0, Bluetooth 2.0
- 8GB MicroSD Karte mit vorinstalliertem Kartenmaterial für Westeuropa im Lieferumfang enthalten
- CrystalTalk™ mit Dual Microphone Technologie
Gefen DVI to Mini-DisplayPort Converter
The DVI to Mini-DisplayPort Converter enables computers with a single-link digital DVI-D interface to utilize display devices that have the Mini-DisplayPort interface.
Finally a European alternative to the Atlona DVI to Mini DisplayPort Converter AT-DP200. The Gefen EXT-DVI-2-MDP should launch in November 2009 and will be sold for EUR 137.00 plus VAT.
Doom Classic for the iPhone
Since Doom exists for even the dumbest devices out there, it was just a matter of minutes until it was available for iPhones and iPod touches — for jailbrakers. Now there’s an official port from Id Software, which — thanks to John Carmack himself — should have better controls and graphics. Let the download begin.
First Look: Apple TV 3.0
The highlight of the Apple TV 3.0 software update is its revamped main menu. Gone is the two-column grid introduced as a part of Apple TV “take two.” Instead, there’s a new interface that takes full advantage of widescreen TVs.
Looks like halfhearted try to me to add something other than the needed compatibility with iTunes Extras and iTunes LPs. Come on Apple — you can better.
Bing for mobile now live at m.bing.com
Just wondering how good the mobile search of Bing performs against the (former) leader in mobile search — Yahoo! Who’s obvious going more into a web based aggregation portal.
Avatar AR Cards from Mattel
Those Augmented Reality cards are getting more and more interactive. In this example Mattel includes AR cards with toy robots from the movie Avatar. In combination with a webcam and the browser plugin from Total Immersion their characters do certain actions when a button on the card is pressed.
BlackBerry Desktop Software for Mac
Available today and another indicator that RIM is taking Mac users more and more serious. No wonder since they are mainly prosumers and a target group shifting heavily towards the iPhone.
Available features:
- iTunes synchronization via BlackBerry Media Sync
- Native contacts, calendar, tasks and notes sync
- Backup and restore your BlackBerry
- Add, update and remove apps
- Mac OS X 10.5 and later
Mightier Mouse with a Touch
Nothing but a rumor for now, but it would be definitely a nice touch to get rid of all the plastic stuff.
Should the new mouse arrive alongside revamped iMacs, it’s also likely to drop the white plastic finish it formerly used to match previous Mac models. Informed speculation would suggest the new hardware could sport an aluminum appearance to fit in with Apple’s current lineup of desktop computers and notebooks, though those familiar with the product have not commented either way.
Facebook Connect photo integration with Nintendo DSi launches today
Using an Internet-connected Nintendo DSi system and the Nintendo DSi Camera application, Facebook members can take pictures with either of the system’s two cameras and upload their photos directly to their Facebook profile.
Interesting to see, that game console manufacturers leave their walled gardens (eg. PlayStation Network) of user networks and embrace existing and much larger groups — like Social Networks.
Best Buy in 3D
Best Buy puts an AR code into their print ads and violà in this way AR makes the most sense by letting the reader experience a product of the week. Maybe we should suggest this to the Sun for their page three …
© 2010 by Yves Luther