Current News: We pick through it, so you don't have to.
Computers & Technology
Xbox 360 Video Card Fried
Mar 6th
Well, I suppose I jinxed myself with my regular bragging of how I’ve never had problems with my 360. To be honest, it has been great; very reliable up to this point. However, tonight, I turned it on…everything worked fine…I connected to my media server….started playing a video and about 20 seconds into the video most of the image turned green. I mean, it was still working because I could see things moving and when I stopped the video I could still move around the dashboard it’s just that everything was green now. So, I decided to reboot the box…….BAD decision….As of now, I have an Xbox360 that seems to be working fine (NO rrod and I can hear sound and it connects to live and all) just NO video. Yes, it seems that my video card is fried. And yes, my warranty expired 3 months ago. I’ve only found one report of someone having this same problem and they said that when Microsoft fixed it and sent it back, their DVD drive failed less than a month later. Since, I’ve already noticed my DVD drive making noise I’m confident something similar would happen to me. So, I’m throwing in the towel and getting a new one (I’ll mess around with fixing this one when I have time in the future).
To be fair, I have worked it a little hard this past week or so. I’ve watched about 6 full seasons of one of my TV shows (streamed from my media server) so it hasn’t really had much time to rest.
So, it looks like I will be buying the Xbox360 Super Elite tomorrow with the 250GB hdd and the new Splinter Cell Convictions.
A new set of tires mounted and balanced and a new Xbox in the same day. How depressing…
Note: I will probably be popping open my Halo Edition Xbox360 that just died at some point to see what I can do about it (or at least mess around with it).
Logitech Rebate Scam
Feb 25th
Note: The following article is intended as a warning for consumers who naively believe they will actually receive a rebate from Logitech. It has been submitted to Logitech and will soon be delivered to the Better Business Bureau, Ripoff Report, Rebate Reportcard, Newegg.com, Amazon.com and others.
Who would have ever thought, in these harsh economic times if you need profits just make them yourself. Well, it appears as though Logitech has been taking lessons from those Nigerian Scammers. Do those scammers teach courses now? I bet Logitech was an A+ student.
Logitech’s/Parago, Inc’s obviously fraudulent business practices might have been more believable had they placed the blame on the Postal Service. However, they decide to CLAIM that consumers are submitting the wrong UPCs. Truth or a new method of making lots of money? How many of you out there have purchased items JUST because they currently had a rebate you couldn’t pass up. Well, that’s what happened to me this past Christmas when I needed a few things for my parents. Amazon was advertising a 20% off Logitech rebate so I decided to go with a few products that would fulfill that rebate. A month or so later things got frustrating…
The following is my recent submission to Logitech Customer Service emailed Feb. 9th, 2010 (Full PDF: Response to Logitech):
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Dear Logitech,
I would appreciate you looking into the matter discussed below.
Apple iPad
Jan 27th
Well, Apple finally released their much-talked-about tablet computer. They’ve donned it the Apple Ipad. I must say, I’ve never been a big supporter of Apple but this does look quite nice.
Firstly, before I show the prettiness, I would like to point out that some people are calling this the “Kindle killer”. I can’t even imagine what these people are thinking. This isn’t even targeted to the same group nor function in a similar manner. The Kindle is an EREADER with an electrophoretic (eInk) display that runs for days. In other words, no color, no full motion, no “real” browsing capabilities (I say real b/c it has been hacked). How is that a logical comparison? I mean really. The next time a new revolutionary cellphone comes out…I’m donning it the “Internet Killer”….yea, this phone is so cool you’ll be making calls all day instead of surfing the internet. Yup, you can do it too. Way to go you “Kindle killer” writers. You just started a fad. Hmm, maybe that’s what you wanted all along……….
Anyway,
Email Received from Apple:
iPad
“Our most advanced technology in a magical and revolutionary device at an unbelievable price”
Click the Image to find out more!!
TM and copyright © 2010 Apple Inc. 1 Infinite Loop, MS 83-DM, Cupertino, CA 95014.
Android Phone Discussions and Lenovo Ideapad U1 Hybrid
Jan 25th
I swear, one of these days I will make it out to CES (Consumer Electronics Show). I mean 8000 vendors with new unseen gadgets would be like Heaven on Earth.
Nexus One Review (all the apps he shows are on the Droid) Apparently he’s impressed with the 1ghz Snapdragon cpu in the Nexus One. “I will abandon the iPhone because I think this is in many ways much better than the iPhone”, said Leo Laporte. This will be available on the Verizon network Spring of 2010. Seriously, watch these videos. If you don’t have time now, then check them out when you can.
Nexus One
Leo @ CES2010
Jan 7th
Hmm…weird that on Leo Laporte’s coverage of CES2010 he mentioned that they tried Sprint’s 4G and all the other phone service providers YET VERIZON’S DATA NETWORK WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT COULD KEEP UP WITH THEIR STREAM….hmmmm….appears as though AT&T’s “better 3g network” commercials are a bunch of malarkey and do not apply in the real world. It’s a shame they have to blatantly lie to keep people from leaving, don’t ya think?
Edit: Streaming Video removed from this post. A static version of the portion mentioned in this post will be put here (if I can find it). If you would like to view the streaming video of Leo’s Show please see it under “Live Streams”.
The Tech Guy image used in cooperation with the Creative Commons License.
Microsoft Presents MUI (Muscle User Interface)
Jan 1st
Recent patent news indicates a filing from Microsoft describing the control of a computer using Electromyography (EMG) to translate electrical activity from muscles into instructions for the computer. You should really check out the article over at TechFlash and watch the video below. It’s very interesting.
Article
Droid Does
Dec 26th
I just stopped by the Verizon Wireless store on the way home. It’s Christmas time so wouldn’t you know, I couldn’t leave without asking if I was eligible for an upgrade. Well, it turns out that “New every two” is for most people but my current plan is eligible annually and my year anniversary was 5 days ago. So….yup, a Motorola Droid just found itself a new home.
I will post a review as soon as I can…
Revolutionary Display Technology
Dec 26th
Ever heard of Pixel Qi displays? Well, in a minute, you will have.
Pixel Qi is a new transflective display technology that will transform the so-called “netbooks” currently on the market as well as many other laptops. Basically, imagine a normal LCD display when you are in a normal computer environment (with the backlight turned on) and an eReader display (similar to that of the Kindle and Nook developed by E-ink) when you are outside in sunlight. It seems like netbooks may become the new eReader if these screens make it any time soon. I’d definitely opt for a netbook with a tablet-like rotating screen that can also be read like an eReader display in direct sunlight.
Why worry about hacking your Nook to get a browser and/or unlock Android’s potential and load any app you want? Just get a netbook that works principally the same as a laptop with your choice of operating system and flip the screen around when you want to read. It might be heavier but too heavy?
Anyway, here is a vid and some links to the Pixel Qi transflective displays…
Future Power Source for Machines
Dec 24th
Well, not only are we designing and building these uber-intelligent machines, but now we are even doing the research for them on how to harvest human bodies for fuel. I suppose we never learn from Hollywood, do we?
Harvesting Body Heat as a Power Source
Overdue Post
Dec 15th
I know it’s been a long time, but I’ve been extremely busy. I can’t seem to get any help with new, interesting posts so they are just going to have to come when I find time. If anyone out there likes these articles and would like to help out posting interesting things for people to see and possibly comment about, let me know.
No laptop for you!
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Will go nowhere but wouldn’t it be nice if it did…
Link
Ridiculous Judgements…Microsoft should cut India off (No Windows for you!) and take back all the jobs they’ve supplied!
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As I said…wouldn’t take long (B&N Nook hacked)
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Google’s Phone coming early 2010 (Nexus One)
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“Killing in the Name Of”….someone he stole an ID from…
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Forget about the recession…Go to the movies…Everyone else did…
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Keeping poor, uneducated people drugged and out of the way
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