Latest Inventions

posted by admin on Jan 25

There is a great new way to link up your work between your different hardware solutions! 

If you’re a techno-geek like me then you’ll no doubt have more than one computing device. Personally I use a laptop, desktop and a smartphone depending on where I am and what I’m doing.

But the use of multiple computing devices in this way can be a major inconvenience for one big reason. And that is file sharing.

The Current Problem: 
If I create a spreadsheet on my laptop while travelling, I don’t want to waste time emailing it from one computer to another, or saving it onto a memory stick and then manually copying it across to my other computer.

I just want to be able to create or edit a file on whichever device I happen to be using at the time, and then be able to access it from my other machines. So for example, if I am working on a presentation at the office and then want to move it onto my laptop so I can actually take it to my client, I don’t want to mess around. I just want it on my other computer. Without fuss.

And without fuss clearly means without wires or other gadgets. I don’t want to go to all the trouble of setting up a home network, convincing my computers to communicate with each other and so on. Not fun!

The Easy Solution?
So recently I was very pleased when a friend of mine introduced me to a fantastic new piece of software that does just this.

The software is called DropBox and comes with a variety of subscription models (including a free version for light users like me).

Essentially you install the DropBox software on all your computers and the software then creates a “worm hole” between all your devices. On the desktop screen of each piece of hardware you will see an item called “DropBox”. Simply drag a file into that folder and you will be able to access it securely from any of your other devices.

The software itself is password protected for your privacy and simply uses an internet connection to quickly and easily sync your files for you. I haven’t been this impressed with such a simple application in a long time.

Nice job, DropBox!

posted by admin on Jan 16

Happy New Year to all you readers - and here are some technological articles to inspire you in 2010.

First up, we have some extensive tips on using the Google Wave software by Herbert Anderson: 25 Tips for Students & Teachers Using Google Wave.

Sam Nash then leads with an interesting post on why we just accept the old as standard when we should be looking for the best instead - he gives his opinion on one of the alternative computer keyboards on the market: DAS Keyboard - The Successor to the IBM Model M Keyboard | Gadget News and Reviews.

A great review of the Samsung Corby Pro by Ankesh is up next with some great opinions and images: OG Review Samsung Corby Pro (GT-B5310), however the obligatory mobile apps post by Mary Jones this month, is about the 20 most useless ones that have been invented: The 20 Most Outrageous/Useless iPhone Apps!  Some are unbelievable…..

And to finish up, something fun: Jason Keller lists his Top 20 Online Games of 2010 and Ankesh gives us a quick glimpse at quite a neat looking gadget: ‘Printing Your Toast’ concept for the office geek.

See you next time!

posted by admin on Jan 3

There is lots of speculation - but nothing confirmed?

Seeing as the netbook niche has been so popular - and people aren’t put off by the size of the iPhone, it seems as though Apple are going to merge the 2 ideas and create a giant version of the iPhone - about the size of a closed netbook!

The iSlate seems to be the name in the media at the moment - and apparently Apple have already brought the domain name iSlate.com - so are they right?

Apparently Apple have recently released the patent details for such a gadget, but still the details are not certain. 

The ‘Facts’
Well, a 10.1 inch touchscreen display seems to be the most talked about quality of this new gadget, (or possibly a 7 inch smaller version) but writers are also speculating about it having an embedded front facing webcam as well - which would certainly be a nice touch.

The keyboard would be on the screen itself, with the potential for slightly raised areas within the screen to identify where certain ‘home keys’ are if not all keys having raised lips.

Also, it would have internet access - probably wi-fi - with access to iTunes as well as films, TV and books - making it a huge ebook reader!

Apparently rumoured to run on the iPhone OS software, this tablet computer should have all the standard features of any other laptop or netbook.

It is also rumoured that an industry insider reported that Apple are already in the process of making up to 10 million iSlate tablet computers for release this year; 2010.

The Idea:
Some of the mock-up images of the iSlate look amazing with a magazine front cover on it, or some photo’s of friends, but how will you carry it around?  Yeah, ladies can put it in their purse - but it won’t be fitting in any-one’s jean pocket - so will it be as social as the iPhone currently is?

Without a ‘lid’ so to speak - will it be practical for use and transporting around between meetings or when on vacation?  The screen could be up for a real hard time - unless it stays at home like a coffee table ‘book’ used for parties, get-togethers or instead of the TV!

And the cost will certainly be around the same as a small netbook as well - or more for all the Apple specific features - so people are guessing at around $800 to $1000 for an estimated price.

The Launch:
Apple have apparently rented a stage at the Yerba Buena Center in San Francisco for an announcement about a ’major product launch’ on January 26th, 2010.

And there is apparently an artists impression of a possible Apple Tablet computer on a Clearwire site showing all the other Apple gadgets! Interesting indeed.

See you at the end of the month!

posted by admin on Aug 6

Want to save ink without having to shrink the font size?

Well, now you can reduce the amount of ink you use when printing normal-size fonts by using a special ‘perforated’ lettering technique.

This new Ecofont has been designed by a Dutch marketing firm to save ink without shrinking your advertising to the size of a thimble!

How Does It Work?
Basically at small sizes - such as a normal 10-font size - the printing just looks a bit paler than any other normal text, such as Tahoma. However, the secret of this potentially massive money-saving ink-reducing eco-advance can only be seen when you blow up the font size to larger sizes like 32.

Then you see that it is full of holes!

Basically someone has gone through all the letters, numbers and symbols with a tiny cookie cutter and the resulting ‘holey’ print can save a fifth of the usual ink needed for basic home printing needs.

I can’t believe nobody thought of this sooner!

Scaled up- Spranq - the company involved in this eco-invention - reckon that a company with 5000 employers could save around $125,000 per year! That is a lot of savings - and not a lot of ink cartridges to replace!

Scaled down - it would certainly be suitable for printing general stuff off the Internet like road directions or receipts and product details. Work emails can be printed off without the added costs that bosses normally moan about and kids can print out their homework without their parents giving them grief about the money!

It Has Limitations, Of Course…
…but this Ecofont isn’t designed for massive posters and street-side adverts.

Nor would it be appropriate for job applications and legal documents - but it is certainly and great idea for the home, school and small businesses - and could still be part of the recession-proofing of many larger companies who would rather cut back on ink than staff!

Download yours now for free at ecofont.eu and pass on the word!

posted by admin on Jul 27

Fancy watching Internet films on your TV without all the technology?

Basically there is now a simple gadget that can bring all those Internet only channels to your everyday TV - controlled by your standard remote.  And all this in a standard freeview box.

My brother used to be able to connect up his laptop with a TV monitor and then drag files over from one to the other to increase the viewing size - and for greater comfort.

I mean just because you miss one episode in your favorite show - why should you have to sit alone at your desk, hooked up to your pc or laptop watching the tiniest screen ever with tinny sound coming through your earphones!

What Is It Then?
Well, this gadget is the Fetch TV SmartBox 8000 and so far works with only the BBC catch-up Internet channel - basically you can watch BBCi as though it was a normal TV channel so around 400 hours of ‘free’ television.

There are plans afoot to spread this to Channel 4 and Five’s catch-up services which would mean hours of fun watching comedy quizzes and reality shows!

There is no software to install for this so it’s easy for anyone to get started without calling your mates (or kids) for help!  And, unlike some cable packages that offer Internet programmes - there is no subscription charge - just the one off purchase cost of around £220 and you are away!

What Else Does It Do?
Well, as it has a computer memory - you can move all your photos and videos onto it yourself - allowing home viewing on the couch for your latest holiday snaps!  Or the kids sports day video at a party!

It also has an 80 hour capacity for taping the TV itself - so you can watch the Sunday lunch time movie with the family while recording the motor racing on the other channel for when every-one’s gone home!

I know you are thinking that all these individual services have been on offer for some years now - and you would be right!  But this is the first time that they are all in one machine - and all so easy to use!

So, as long as you have broadband - you can get the SmartBox!