Apple recently announced a new redesigned AppleTV. It is the first major redesign of the multimedia network appliance since its introduction in 2006. Different from its predecessor, it does not have sizable internal storage and it is much smaller in size. It also appears to use Apple’s iOS, which also powers the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Also new, Netflix subscribers will be able to stream videos from their instant queue. They will also be able to rent and buy movies as before. A Windows or MacOS computer running iTunes is required to stream content. This includes movies, music, podcasts, and photos. The new AppleTV has a USB, HDMI, Ethernet, and optical ports. It also supports resolutions up to 720p.
Forget sharpeners, use a liquid pencil
Since their introduction in 1964, Sharpie’s have been a useful marking tool. They come in several varieties and are used to permanently mark many types of surfaces. Sanford, the makers of Shapies, recently introduced an innovative “liquid pencil“. It is like using an ink pen, except with all the benefits of writing with a pencil. It uses a new liquid graphite technology that is very durable and equivalent to a #2 lead. Forget broken leads and no more sharpening. It is also refillable. A valuable tool for those unending math tests.
Detach from ISP’s e-mail addresses
A short time ago a colleague thought of switching Internet service providers (ISP). He had had the same provider for many years and therefore was using the provider assigned e-mail address. The problem, he would loose his long time e-mail address when changing providers. Addressess like @att.net, @bellsouth.net, @comcast.net, and many others are basically rented from the provider and only available to use if using the ISP. The solution is to use an independent e-mail address like the ones provided by Google’s GMail, Microsoft’s Live, Yahoo, and others. These addresses are usually free and allow the use of an e-mail client like Outlook, Apple Mail, or Entourage. It will not matter if changing the ISP in the future or move to a different geographic location, you can keep the same e-mail address. Many ISP’s allow for the forwarding of their e-mail address to an alternate one. In other words, you could forward all e-mails from @comcast.net to your new @gmail.com account during a transition period. The old ISP e-mail address will not be needed after a few months of using your new e-mail address
Better yet, you could register your own domain name. Domain names are relatively inexpensive with many providers offering custom domains and e-mail hosting for a few dollars a month. Providers like Network Solutions, Register.com, and GoDaddy are some good ones.
Reinventing the pen
For ages the pen has been the premiere writing instrument. It has been somewhat forgotten with the broad use of the computer keyboard and electronic communications. Most people just use the traditional pen to sign documents. Several years ago, a company called Livescribe reinvented the tool with the introduction of the SmartPen. They just released their newest product addition, the Echo. The system uses a combination of a custom notebook and “smart” pen. The pen records anything that it writes, hears, and draws. It then allows for playback at a later time. The files can be archived, searched, and distributed to other people if necessary. It is great for meetings and specially for college lectures. The pen is compatible with Mac and Windows and sells for about $170 (4 GB model).
Stream Netflix on the iPhone and iPad
The popular video rental website Neflix recently announced the availability of their application for the iPhone and iPod touch. The application was previously available for only the iPad. In the case of the iPad and iPhone, streaming is available through 3G as well as Wi-Fi. Netflix subscribers can now stream any title directly from their instant queue. It is also possible to add new titles to your movie queue. The application also keeps track of the titles watched and remembers where you left off. In other words, you could start watching an episode of 24, stop halfway, and continue watching it where you left off in your home TV or computer.
The application is the latest addition to the multiple ways to watch Neflix. Streaming is available from a Sony PS3, a Nintendo Wii, and Microsoft’s XBox 360. It is also available from Roku’s video player as well as from many of the latest TVs which use widgets. A Netflix subscription starts at $8.99 per month.
Filtering spam and viruses
The amount of e-mail spam traffic worldwide has been increasing exponentially every year. There are number of tools to filter some of this unwanted e-mail traffic. The tools are mainly split between protection at the actual mail server and protection at the computer level. Several companies like Symantec, TrendMicro, and others provide protection at the computer level. Other services like Postini and Brightmail filter mail before it even gets to the mail server. Postini was acquired by Google some time ago and Brightmail by Symantec. Protection is very affordable starting at about $1 per mailbox per month for basic protection on Postini.
The best protection is achieved by a dual approach. That is, using a service that filters mail before it gets to the server and a secondary level at the computer. I have seen mail traffic for a domain of which over 90% of it is unwanted spam and viruses. By using services like Postini and Brightmail, all of this mail is filtered before it even gets to the domain’s mail server. This saves a considerable amount of bandwidth and other system resources.
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.
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.
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.