Eclectic Tech

Tech that should be used, but isn't. (Yet)

Archive for October, 2009

Barnes & Noble nook

Oct 26

Posted by Aaron in Uncategorized | No Comments

Well, they said it would have a dumb name, did we expect much else?

nook-angleThe Barnes & Noble nook eBook reader is the newest entry into the growing eReader market. A direct competitor to the Amazon Kindle, the nook offers similar free wireless service, 6-inch eInk display, and a large catalog of books direct from B&N.  It does have some advantages over the Kindle though. For example, the Kindle is limited to the wireless service offered by Amazon using Sprint CDMA cellular technology. The nook uses AT&T GSM service, in addition to built-in WiFi for faster use wherever an open network is available.

The biggest visual distinction is the nook’s second display. In addition to the eInk display, it also offers a multitouch LCD panel for browsing books, typing, browsing saved books, and other functions.

I liked the concept of the Kindle a lot, but it just didn’t seem quite right. The nook however pretty much fixes everything I didn’t like about the Kindle. I am excited for the possibilities, and would love to find one under the tree this Christmas.

Hulu Pondering Paid Content

Oct 26

Posted by Aaron in Now-Tech | No Comments

HuluTech blogs everywhere are buzzing with the rumor that Hulu, the groundbreaking TV Streaming venture, may start chargin subscription fees for content. Gizmodo has a rather dismal article about it. Crunchgear has a somewhat more apathetic view on the topic.

This is a very interesting topic. Many people have strong feelings about this. My personal opinion is that Hulu should stay free. It seems to stand as a testimony that free, legal, online television works, and works well. They still have advertisements, and still have commercials, if limited in number compared to broadcast. But the basic idea is solid.

There is a place for paid content however I think. And if you think about it, it is the most logical place for it. When Hulu first launched, they started putting up entire seasons and back catalogs of shows. People loved this! But now, after a couple years of success, most shows on Hulu are now limited to the five most recent episodes aired. No more going back to watch whole seasons of shows, or catching up after a vacation. Once an episode is expired, its gone.

A nominal subscription fee to unlock the back catalog of episodes would be a very good idea, as long as they don’t remove the current functionality of the 5 most recent episodes available to free as they have always been. If Hulu does decide to go to a paid model, I sincerely hope that they adopt this kind of strategy. But I would much prefer they stay free like they started.

Ingeneuity at its finest!

Oct 26

Posted by Aaron in Why-Tech | No Comments

With Halloween approaching rapidly, geeks everywhere are scrambling for the best costume to show off their “geekyness.” I think these two have taken the cake here though.

YouTube Preview Image

Weighing in at 85 pounds, these costumes use 42 inch LCD TV panels, a car battery, and some pretty impressive iPhone hacking to enable dual display output. These guys are my new heroes.

(via TUAW)

Allspark Rubik’s Cube

Oct 26

Posted by Aaron in Old-Tech | No Comments

If there is one thing in life that just oozes nerd cred, it would have to be the Rubik’s Cube. This classic puzzle has stumped many over the years, leading to stories of frustration, grief, and depression.

Now, two geek worlds have collided to produce this thing of beauty.

Allspark CubeThe Transformers edition Allspark Rubik’s Cube. Basically, I want this. For the nerd cred. Totally.

(via Crunchgear)

If I had $10,000

Oct 20

Posted by Aaron in Uncategorized | No Comments

So Apple just released some new computers today. Well not new, I guess, but updated. An updated polycarbonate Macbook. A revamped iMac line. And a refreshed version of the Mac Mini. But the one that really caught my eye, was this little beauty right here:

Mac Mini Server
Yes, that is a Mac Mini running OSX Server. This little box has already got me thinking of so many possibilities I would love to try if I had the money. This would make the perfect home media server. It has all the connections of a normal Mac Mini, so it could easily be stashed in a home theater cabinet. With gigabit ethernet and Wireless N, file transfer and streaming would be no problem.

Here is my ultimate home theater set up idea: Mac Mini Server hooked up permanently to a nice big LCD HD screen. Install Boxee media front end, and set up server for access from any other computer in the house. I could leave Boxee running all the time for fast access, while using other computers to the house to centralize all my media onto the built-in dual 500 GB hard drives. I could stream to any computer using iTunes Home Sharing, or launch Boxee at any time to play media on the full home theater system.

The possibilities don’t end there. It is the perfect system for a small business looking for an internal server solution. Allowing collaboration on a amazingly simple level, this could turn any small business with haphazard networking into a humming hive of productivity.

And its the same price as a MacBook. $999. Ok, where did I leave my credit card?

New LightPeak Connectors

Oct 9

Posted by Aaron in Now-Tech, Soon-Tech | No Comments

Intel Chip

Image via Gizmodo

Gadget blogs and Apple rumor websites have been buzzing about the new LightPeak connector standard Apple has been working on with Intel.

In a nutshell, LightPeak is a super high-speed, universal connector that uses optical technology is a port about the size of a USB port. What is the importance of this? Basically, LightPeak can serve as a hub for any other kind of connector, routing data from DisplayPort connections for monitors, to FireWire connections, to even the brand new and speedy USB 3.0 specification.

So, one port to rule them all? Sounds perfect for Apple, right? This is where the rumors start getting interesting. Why would Apple be so interested in developing this technology, if they weren’t working on a new product with limited space for connectors and ports? Such as, a tablet computer of some sort?

In any sense, its exciting technology, and I can’t wait to play with it my self.

<via Gizmodo>