mark.bockenstedt.net » Tech http://mark.bockenstedt.net Tech Tips, How-To's, and Miscellaneous Geekery Tue, 19 May 2009 03:05:39 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 New iPod Nano Design http://mark.bockenstedt.net/2008/08/27/new-ipod-nano-design/ http://mark.bockenstedt.net/2008/08/27/new-ipod-nano-design/#comments Wed, 27 Aug 2008 20:45:45 +0000 Mark http://mark.bockenstedt.net/?p=363 iPod rumor season is in full swing. According to some accounts, we are mere weeks away from this year’s iterations of the iPod and Macbook lines. Most rumors I’ve heard about the iPod Nanos are that they’re reverting to the form factor of the second generation. I actually prefer the tall, skinny Nano to the fat, squatty Nano.

Here’s a potential (and credible) shot of what the new Nanos might look like:

Photo from Gizmodo

It’s tough to see from the picture, but the Nano’s edges are actually rounded and almost come to a point. You can also expect the Nano’s flash capacity to be upgraded to 16GB. Another possible change for this year’s line is that the price points might shift due to the iPhone being on sale for $199. I hesitate when speculating price, but I’d expect the 8GB version to come down to the $150 price (traditionally $199). The 16GB version, if it even exists, would fill the $199 slot.

Notice that the scroll wheel’s menu system changed when the device was turned on its side. This could just be an image gaffe, but maybe the wheel’s options somehow change when the device is turned. The only way to do that (to my knowledge) is by way of an accelerometer. For some reason, I’m leaning toward screw-up rather than possibility.

The previous is all my speculation and has some credibility to it, but take it with a grain of salt until Apple finally opens up about the new lineup. We shouldn’t have to wait much longer, as Apple usually introduces new devices in early September.

If you’re into Digg, you’ve been following the tech world at all, you’ll know who Kevin Rose is. Check out what he thinks of the new iPods:

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]]> http://mark.bockenstedt.net/2008/08/27/new-ipod-nano-design/feed/ 0 Introducing the iSuck http://mark.bockenstedt.net/2008/07/28/introducing-the-isuck/ http://mark.bockenstedt.net/2008/07/28/introducing-the-isuck/#comments Mon, 28 Jul 2008 21:02:54 +0000 Mark http://mark.bockenstedt.net/?p=219 Gizmodo is running a contest called “Make in Eureka” (based on Sci-Fi’s TV show Eureka) where the winner wins an iPhone. The point of the contest is for the new devices to be a little wacky, yet really cool. The contest isn’t specific to Apple devices, but will likely be inundated with them anyway. The winner of the previous contest created the iRing, a ring-like device you wear on your hand that can control your various Apple devices.

The Idea

It’s a little late now, but I came up with a pretty decent idea similar to the Roomba. It’s called the iSuck and is named after the autonomous vacuum cleaner simulator I wrote for a class in college. The point of the project was to design an intelligent vacuum that could navigate around a room with obstacles and get back to the start point in a specified amount of time. As the vacuum kept succeeding, the mazes got both larger and more difficult to navigate.

The Design

The design behind the iSuck is that it’d look like an iPhone mated with a Roomba, only it’d be small enough to fit into a standard envelope. Anyone can fit a laptop into a manila envelope, but only true genius would fit a vacuum cleaner into a regular envelope.

The Features

  • Travels aimlessly around your room, hiding its non-exceptional performance behind an elegant exterior
  • Can only be programmed to be used in one room
  • Inability to be used in conjunction with the Roomba’s docking station, for no reason other than to be a pain in the ass
  • Touch controlled, because that’s the future – and finger smudges are sexy
  • Intentional lack of supply to create hype

This is a product worthy of Apple’s brand name due to its design and functions. In case you didn’t catch the crystal-clear jabs at Apple thus far, iSuck is a double entendre, depending on your allegiance to Apple. iSuck would also never go on sale, EVER.

Disclaimer: I neither love nor hate Apple – fanboys need not get offended.

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]]> http://mark.bockenstedt.net/2008/07/28/introducing-the-isuck/feed/ 1 Sony Admits to Dropping the Ball on PS3 http://mark.bockenstedt.net/2008/07/16/sony-admits-to-dropping-the-ball-on-ps3/ http://mark.bockenstedt.net/2008/07/16/sony-admits-to-dropping-the-ball-on-ps3/#comments Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:49:57 +0000 Mark http://mark.bockenstedt.net/?p=113 Sony Computer Entertainment America’s CEO Jack Tretton said in an interview this morning that there was a disconnect between the hardware developers and the software developers on the PlayStation 3 team. He accredited the reason behind much of the troubles in programming for the PS3 to that disconnection. What happened, Tretton says, is that the hardware team built this platform without really collaborating with the software team. This led to the software team having no input in the hardware, which makes their jobs much more difficult. Tretton says that things will be different next time around for the PlayStation 4.

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]]> http://mark.bockenstedt.net/2008/07/16/sony-admits-to-dropping-the-ball-on-ps3/feed/ 0 Are Headsets Safer? http://mark.bockenstedt.net/2008/06/30/are-headsets-safer/ http://mark.bockenstedt.net/2008/06/30/are-headsets-safer/#comments Mon, 30 Jun 2008 14:14:11 +0000 Mark http://mark.bockenstedt.net/?p=42 A law to curb cell phone use while driving in California takes effect next week. It’s common sense that cell phones distract you from concentrating on driving. Over the weekend, I had a conversation with someone who asked me if I think headsets actually make a difference. His argument was that you’re just as out of touch with what’s going on around you if you’re talking on the phone, regardless if you’re holding it or not.

My initial, quick response to the man was yes, it’s much different. I told him that even though I’m still talking, I have both hands free and I’m not focusing on holding the phone to my head. After deliberation, I rescind my answer. No matter the medium for a cell phone conversation, I found that you’re still pretty distracted. An Australian study in 2005 proved that there is no safety advantage associated with using hands-free devices. The study looked at call logs for cell phone users at the time of traffic accidents to find their result. This proves that cell phone use is distracting and dangerous even while using the devices experts recommend you use.

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]]> http://mark.bockenstedt.net/2008/06/30/are-headsets-safer/feed/ 0 Nintendo DS As An Education Tool? http://mark.bockenstedt.net/2008/06/28/nintendo-ds-as-an-education-tool/ http://mark.bockenstedt.net/2008/06/28/nintendo-ds-as-an-education-tool/#comments Sat, 28 Jun 2008 16:05:46 +0000 Mark http://mark.bockenstedt.net/?p=41 The Nintendo DS is the only console I would consider when buying for a child for educational purposes. The DS has many games aimed at education, especially improving math and English skills. For that very reason, the Joshi Gakuen school in Tokyo is giving teachers an opportunity to use the DS as a tool for helping Japanese kids learn English.

The program is a one-year trial run consisting of weekly sessions on the DS. The program focuses on vocabulary, penmanship, and audio comprehension, as well as spelling. The Japanese Education Ministry leaves decisions on which educational tools to use up to the individual school. so this is not a widespread program – yet. If success with this school is high, I would anticipate the program to spread to other schools in Japan. Even the students enjoy learning in this manner, because it feels like a video game to them. After class ends, however, the DS consoles and games are collected so students do not have access to them during other classes.

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]]> http://mark.bockenstedt.net/2008/06/28/nintendo-ds-as-an-education-tool/feed/ 0 All Your Tweets… http://mark.bockenstedt.net/2008/06/26/all-your-tweets/ http://mark.bockenstedt.net/2008/06/26/all-your-tweets/#comments Thu, 26 Jun 2008 23:20:56 +0000 Mark http://mark.bockenstedt.net/?p=37

I’m sick of the fail whale. Fix it please.

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]]> http://mark.bockenstedt.net/2008/06/26/all-your-tweets/feed/ 0 Star Wars USB Hubs http://mark.bockenstedt.net/2008/06/26/star-wars-usb-hubs/ http://mark.bockenstedt.net/2008/06/26/star-wars-usb-hubs/#comments Thu, 26 Jun 2008 13:42:42 +0000 Mark http://mark.bockenstedt.net/?p=35 USB Hubs

These are some pretty sweet USB Hubs I saw this morning. They each have 4 full-speed USB ports and come with a 3ft USB cable. The R2-D2 hub has some sound effects and head swiveling capability (his, not yours). The Vader unit only glows and makes a few sounds, but it’s still pretty intimidating. They’ll be available in July for around $66, but it sounds like it’s going to be Japan only.

PS – I didn’t know Darth had a pimp chain around his neck in the movies…

Source: Gizmodo

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