It seems that more and more we have to deal with an ever growing amount of digital information. It is increasingly difficult to manage things like pictures, bookmarks, notes, and other digital tidbits. Evernote provides a clever way to organize it all. The system is composed of a main application that runs on a computer and supporting plugins and apps that run on mobile devices. For example, lets say that you come to a website on your computer that you want to remember. Yes, it can be bookmarked, but often it is difficult to search through the default bookmark systems in most browsers. Continue reading “A novel tool to remember things”
A multifaceted iPad case
There have been a hundreds of options for iPad cases in the market. Most do a good job protecting the iPad, but fail in increasing usability. Brenthaven 5-in1 case does a great job. The case has three pieces: a top, bottom, and overall cover. The pieces are then customized to achieve five functions: (1) full, hardshell protection of the iPad when not in use, (2) a horizontal viewing stand, (3) a strap system to hang the iPad for viewing videos, (4) a stand to make typing on a flat surface easier, and Continue reading “A multifaceted iPad case”
Make HD recordings from a DVR portable
Digital video recorders (DVRs) are presently the norm. Many people are able to pause live TV and watch shows hours and even days after the original broadcast date. The problem now is how to extract the programs from proprietary DVRs like the ones from Comcast, AT&T U-Verse, DirecTV and others and view them on the many portable devices now available. The El Gato EyeTV HD can easily accomplish this. The kit contains the award winning EyeTV 3 software and a box with analog component audio and video inputs. These can be connected to any modern DVR and allow for the recording of videos in HD. Component video is mostly limited to 1080i, but this good enough for most portable devices, specially since most HD broadcasts are in 720p. The software can be configured to automatically convert video to a format compatible with an Apple iPad, iPod, and many other mobile devices.
Flipboard, an electronic social magazine for the iPad
The makers of Flipboard devised a very clever way to present media content from numerous sources in a “magazine” format. Magazines are easy to read because of layout of text and pictures. The format is more appealing than the traditional social networking or blog website. The Flipboard application for the iPad also provides an elegant way to navigate through content from Twitter and Facebook as well as pictures and other digital media. The content is then easy to comment and even share. Pages are passed just like in a magazine. Page transitions are smooth and the content is easy to read. The “virtual slate” application is free and works very well.
A better dock for the iPad
There are only a few stands available in the market for the ever famous iPad. Apple’s version is designed to charge the iPad once docked, but it is somewhat difficult to undock. The BookArc stand, designed by Twelve South, is nicely crafted and easy to use. Combine it with a Bluetooth wireless keyboard from Apple, and you have a great typing platform. The stand sells for about $40 directly from Twelve South or at most Apple retail stores.
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.
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.