We live in an amazing time – when smartphones link us instantly to all the information of the world. What happens though if you want a fresh start – to use your phone’s hardware with the newest craze in Phone OS’s. Well now the first steps have been taken to bring an exciting new OS to the iPhone – Android.
I can’t claim to understand the technical hurdles these guys had to go through to get this done – but I can imagine there were a few.
I would love to try this out – especially because the way they did it allows you to dual boot your phone (pick which OS you want to use at that time), awesome, just awesome.
Here’s what Android looks like running on the iPhone… kind of freaky.
I’ve been using my BlueAnt Q1 Bluetooth headset for the past few weeks, and I think it’s great. There’s lots to say about such an interesting device – so why don’t you check out the sweet in-depth video review I made with my fancy new Logitech Webcam Pro 9000 with its custom tripod mount.
After the semi-success of my Logitech Performance MX Video Review I thought it was about time to upgrade my video equipment. All I needed was a high quality picture with a nice autofocus (a must have for doing close-ups during reviews). I didn’t however need fancy things like.. portability – so I started looking into webcams.
I went with a Logitech 720p Webcam Pro 9000, deciding mostly because of Leo Laporte’s recommendation for his TWiT skype guests, and really like the results. I’ll make some review videos with it soon and you’ll be able to take a look.
Now there was just one problem, and that was tripod mountability. I bought this with full knowledge that it didn’t have a tripod mount. I didn’t think it would be a big deal to ziptie, tape, or clamp the camera to the tripod. However, after getting some hands-on time with the camera I saw it had a perfect place to put a mounting hole (which was going to be a 1/4-20 nut mounted onto or into the bottom swiveling part of the stand/monitor mount). The picture below shows the estimated future location of the bolt.
With much less time tonight to dedicate to gadget blogging (I sort of played the Battlestar Gallactica Boardgame for about 4 hours) I am going to pick my favorite product, and sum up the Palm announcement from Day two of CES 2010.
1. Mouse Most Likely To Become Sentient: The MadCatz Cyborg Rat
This might have been announced yesterday, but wow. Look at this mouse. It looks more like a piece of prototyped engineering equipment, fixture, or alien creature. The raw industrial design definitely does something for me, and you know what’s even more awesome – all those knobs and dials on the thing are for customizing the shape and feel of it in your hand. You can slide parts of it, swap out the thumb rest, angle things, and obviously customize buttons.
This one’s really out there, but I want to follow it.
So the greatest week of the year is here once again, with its rumors, press events, announcements, and GADGET UNVEILINGS! Yes, if you read the title you know what it is – CES, the Consumer Electronics Show, and everybody who’s somebody in the tech industry is either there in Vegas or very distracted on their work computer watching all the news flowing in. Since I didn’t make the trip to Vegas you can deduce how my day was.
I have scoured the gadget news sites (mostly Engadget because they have such complete coverage) and here are my favorite stories, from TODAY, Wednesday, 1/6/2009.
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1. Most Badass Bluetooth Headset: The Spracht Aura EQ
Who wouldn’t want this to become permanently part of their face? It looks like a piece of armor for my ear – just awesome. I think the metallic scales look excellent, and the headset can be devoid of buttons and rocker switches because under its surface is a capacitive touch sensor that you swipe with your finger to change the volume. It doesn’t seem to have A2DP music streaming… and that being my go to bluetooth feature I’m disappointed, but I’m still in love with the look.
I love my iPhone… sometimes more than maybe is healthy or appropriate. Whether it be listening to podcasts, checking twitter, reading my RSS feeds or emails there’s always something interesting to do on it.
However!!!! I have discovered that there are some situations that refuse to be improved by iPhone usage (no matter how persistent I am), and instead are hampered by the mere presence of the internet connected device. I am referring to of course spending time with your mate, partner, or significant other – who happens to not understand your insatiable need for constant connectedness.
I have to admit, I have had serious discussions with my significant other about this very issue, and am currently a recovering iPhone misuser. The rule I have finally come to follow is “don’t bust it out when there is an opportunity for conversation”, because it will instantly inhibit such a thing from flowing. It definitely takes an extra effort on my part, because when my reflex fires off to whip the phone out and look something up I have to resist for my own relationship well being.
So, when I saw the following flowchart my eyes were again opened, and I will be printing this out and making a reference sheet…… Read more »
I see thousands of gadget stories a week, but I can’t get too excited seeing rehashes of the leading devices of the day. There have been sooo many slabs of glass and metal that look like iPhones, and netbook after netbook that just look cheaper and flimsier. However, while scrolling down my Google Reader a few days ago I was awestruck. This is a netbook in size (usually anything with a 12” qualifies in general)… until it transforms!!
This first picture is what it looks like before the magic, and it looks pretty normal. A basic 10.1” netbook with some funny looking edges on the screen. Take a look at it below.
Ok, that is a boring looking computer – I know. Wait for it…… wait, for… IT. Read more »
So tonight Palm announced (right before the Apple announcement tomorrow…. because they roll like that) their new phone – the Palm Pixi. This is a candybar style phone (no sliders, flipping, turning, or transforming of any kind). I definitely enjoyed that form factor in the Palm Treo 680 because it was so accessible, fast, and bullet proof… well I wouldn’t want to shoot bullets at it – but hopefully you get it – it’s sturdy. Sturdy though… doesn’t seem like the sexiest feature in the world. Overall I wouldn’t call this form factor sexy… I would call it ungainly. It looks just too tall. I’m going to try and limit my judgment until I actually get to hold it, but I’m not in love. I do however love seeing Palm getting into other form factors with WebOS , and showing its true versatility and resolution independence.
This phone isn’t aimed at the gadget snobs, because it’s their potential high volume phone…..
Hello everyone, I’ve just completed a video review of the new Logitech Performance Mouse MX – comparing it to the reigning king of the mice, Logitech’s own MX Revolution. I tried to hit all the main new features of this latest and greatest tech, and in summary – this is a wonderful mouse (9.0 on gdgt by the one and only). Watch the video, and see what you think. I’ll sum up my feelings with this thing we call text after YouTubeness.
This is the epic struggle of a man, with a shiny red car.. or at least it used to be. He likes to keep it clean, washing it whenever possible…….. only to have this deceptively mundane little plant hydration device foil his plans with its insidious weapon…. WATER. Not just any water mind you – the water from the depths of the salt filled sea, the height of the smog filled clouds, and the healthiness of the mineral filled springs….. hard water. The horror can be seen with your own eyes above… but don’t look too long, or the spots will burn into your retinas!!!!
, deciding mostly because of 
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