Browsing through videos at YouTube can be overwhelming. There are millions of postings and you cannot always go by number of views or even by user recommendations. The “Top Rated” list is a good way to go by, but there are a series of other websites that actually compile lists of best picks. One of my favorites is the “Best of YouTube“. It can be viewed online or via podcast. If using an AppleTV or an alternate video player, it can be added to the podcast favorite list. The team at Best of YouTube frequently scours through the countless new submittals and selects notable videos.
Additional security for financial accounts
Financial companies with web portals are constantly looking for ways to further secure access to financial information. Verisign has developed a mobile application that adds an enhanced level of security difficult to break. You will be prompted to enter a random code, in addition to your username and password, on a participating financial website. Presently, several hundred companies participate in the program. The application is compatible with an iPhone, BlackBerry, Android, and Windows Mobile smart phones. For the iPhone, the application can be obtained at the iTunes App Store. It can be also be obtained for other smart phones at the Verisign application page.
An eclectic combination of product finds
Not too long ago I came across Werd.com through a friend’s Linkedin posting. The site continually compiles a list of, as they say, “Unique Finds for Men”. The products are organized by categories like Tech, Gear, Wear, Rides, and many others. They can also be sorted by price. This is a great place to have your friends ask you “where’d you get that?”. The authors are located in the design hub of southern California and call themselves “testosterone-fueled personal shoppers”. Of course, my favorite category is TECH.
Streaming music to your home system
Some years ago I discovered a Squeezebox music player and used it to stream free Internet radio stations to my home music system. The device was originally made by a company called Slim Devices. They were later purchased by Logitech. The Squeezebox has been greatly improved and now several models are available. Currently services like Pandora Radio, Rhapsody, Last.fm, Sirius Radio, and many others are available in the Squeeze Network. Controlling the Squeezebox was sometimes cumbersome since it only came with a small remote control and you had to be in close to the device to follow the onscreen menus. Later, Logitech introduced the Squeezebox Duet that came with a color handheld remote. This seemed in direct competition with the Sonos music player. In any case, with the advent of the iPhone and app store, a clever team of developers from Penguin Loves Music came up with a clever application called iPeng. Continue reading “Streaming music to your home system”
Apple’s secret material
A short time ago it was revealed that Apple Computer secured the rights to use the innovative metal technology of Liquidmetal Technologies. This will allow them to mold metal pieces on a patented “injection molding” process similar to the way plastic is molded. Parts molded using this process will prove less expensive and easier to manufacture. The metal alloy is corrosion resistant and of high strength. Furthermore, it can be cast into a variety of forms. Presently, there is only one prototype machine that can mold these parts and it is in use in Korea. We will probably start seeing much more Apple hardware use this technology.
A true MacOS tablet
Apple’s recent iPad has been truly revolutionary, but the Canadian company Axiotron has been making a MacBook based tablet for some time now. They basically transform an existing MacBook into a true tablet computer using additional Wacom parts. The system is geared for creative and design professionals. Unlike the iPad, the Modbook is a full computer system with a fast processor, hard drive, memory, WIFI, Bluetooth, and every other feature a MacBook and MacOS offers. Reviews and videos of the Modbook in actiion can be found in Axiotron’s website.
Read ActiveSync Sent Items in Entourage
Users that use Entourage and ActiveSync devices like the iPhone have probably noticed that messages sent from their mobile device do not properly show in their Sent Items folder. More precisely, the messages appear listed in the Sent Items folder in Entourage, but do not display a recipient and show no subject. The bug is actually in ActiveSync within Exchange 2003 and not in Entourage. An article in The Entourage Blog describes the problem in depth and also provides a handy Applescript that alleviates the issue. The script can be downloaded via a link in the blog article.
Learning how to ride a bike with a gyro?
I remember learning to ride a bicycle. The process is usually the same: start with training wheels, raise them gradually, and finally try without any help. The Gyrobike wheels will change this. A Gyrowheel has small embedded gyros and is powered by a built-in rechargeable battery. Settings allow for adjustment of the amount of assistance needed for the young rider. Reduce the amount of assistance gradually and you will have the youngster riding by themslves in no time. See it in action here.
Keep your bookmarks organized
I used to use a bookmark management site called Backflip since the late 90’s. After the Internet bubble burst some years ago, the offering was discontinued. Presently, there are several other great services that can store all your bookmarks and make them accessible form different devices and computers.
Google has a comparable service as part of their plethora of web applications. The bookmarks are easily accessible if using Firefox and the Google Toolbar.
Delicious happens to be one of the most popular “social” bookmarking sites. Delicious makes it easy to share your bookmarks and also lear what other people are bookmarking.
If you use a Mac and an iPhone, Apple’s .Me service keeps bookmarks synchronized between devices. These include any MacOS computer, iPod Touch, iPhone, or iPad. Synchronizing is automatic. In other words, you will be able to access that great website your friend recommended in your home computer after bookmarking it on your iPhone.