I found this video on The Onion's web site, so we must assume that it is a parody ... we hope. Still, many things that were considered at one time unthinkable have now come to fruition. So hopefully this remains a parody and not a harbinger of the future. Click here to view the video.]]>
I spend a lot of time reading about new technology products. Most of the time, the new products I read about are simply upgrades or new versions of old products. Yawn. But every so often I see something that makes me wonder why I didn't think of it first. This month, I came across a concept product that I hope will make it to production soon. I think you'll think the Infinite USB Plug is a good idea too.
As with most good technology products, the design is simple and obvious. Just look at the picture. Each USB cable has a pass-through USB port so you can stack a few USB devices into one port. Simple and convenient! This idea is great for laptops that have limited USB ports as has become the trend with many very small laptops. In one of the pictures on this page, it appears that they show a MacBook Air which does actually have only one USB port.
Unfortunately, the Infinite USB Plug is only a concept at this time, so don't run out looking to purchase this product. But hopefully enough people will think it is a good idea and we will see this product out for sale sooner than later.
If there is a new technology device that you would like more information about, please contact me today!
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A: I always feel it is better to control your technology than to let it control you. I preach to my clients to plan for technology upgrades on their terms. This is much more preferable than to suddenly be forced into an unprepared upgrade because of an unexpected failure. And failures do not always mean that something has crashed. It can also mean that a piece of technology became outdated and it no longer works as it did before. With this in mind, my recommendation is not to wait until your current computer fails you, but to start planning and budgeting now. Not only is it better for your budget, but you also get to prepare for the downtime and transition of data from the old computer to the new.
First off, there are a few exceptions where you may want to stick with Windows XP. Mostly, these cases would be in business environments, but if you really think you need to stick with Windows XP, please contact me and we can discuss your details. I think for most individuals and many small businesses, the best option is to purchase a new computer. The question of which computer to purchase is well beyond the scope of this article but let me leave you with two thoughts.
First, in today's day and age, do not assume you must purchase another Windows-based computer. More and more people everyday are purchasing Macintosh computers and are by and large very happy with them. Certainly the fact that Macintosh computers do not get viruses is a huge benefit, but users are also very appreciate of their ease of use and compatibility with the data they used on their Windows machines. One fact that many people do not realize is that modern Mac computers can actually run Windows operating systems as well. This makes a Mac the only type of the computer in the world that can run all Mac and Windows software. It is very much like purchasing two computers in one.
Second, if you do decide to purchase a Windows computer do not purchase one with Windows Vista (or do not install Windows Vista on a Mac). Most new computers sold today now come with Windows 7 but a few inexpensive models still remain pre-loaded with Vista. Just double-check before you commit to the purchase that you are in fact getting Windows 7 and not Windows Vista.
Again, the bottom line to to start planning now. You do not need to run out and buy a new computer today, but do be prepared to move away from Windows XP before you are forced into making a decision.
If you have a technology question, please let me know and it will be featured in a future newsletter!
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Years after the introduction of Windows Vista and now Windows 7, Windows XP still runs on more computers than any other operating system in the world. Certainly the Windows Vista debacle scared many users away from upgrading their computers. Also many people simply did not need to purchase new computers so they've stuck with their Windows XP computers. I myself have recommended many people to not upgrade to Vista or to purchase XP if possible on new computers. But now I believe it is time for many users to start to move on from Windows XP. If you still use Windows XP, please read on to find out if you should start planning a move away from XP and what your next computer should be.
I'm going to go over a few quick points. However, the most important is simply the fact that if you have a computer that is running Windows XP, it is likely at a minimum 3 years old, if not a few years older. Older computers are more likely to start having problems and there's always been a fine line between fixing an old computer or investing in a new one. At this point, if your computer runs Windows XP, the line has shifted towards purchasing a new one.
The second point is also important in that newer operating systems have much better built-in data backup options. With Windows XP, you must purchase 3rd party backup software, which most people never bother with. As well, if your computer is older, it may backup much more slowly, which inclines people to put off backing up if it is slow. Newer Windows and Mac operating systems have built-in backup software and newer computers can back up more quickly. These two things make it much easier to backup, so it becomes more likely that people will actually backup their data. But of course, you already back up your data, right?
The final point is that Microsoft has announced that the next version of their web browser, Internet Explorer 9, will not run on Windows XP. Internet Explorer 9 will feature support for many important new web technologies, for example HTML5. As such, it will be an important upgrade for those users who want to ensure that they can continue to visit web sites without problems. In the near future, Windows XP users will begin to have problems visiting certain web sites and they will need to decide to install a different browser (which most people will have no clue how to do) or upgrade to a newer computer.
Obviously the follow-up question is if I have Windows XP what should I do now? This question is answered in this month's Q & A article. But I want to make sure that you understand that I'm not saying that you should immediately upgrade from Windows XP. So don't start freaking out just yet. Just know that the curtain is coming down for Windows XP and you should start preparing for your computing future now.
If you have any questions about any technology topic, feel free to contact me today!
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It is a commonly known phenomenon among Star Trek fans that many of the futuristic devices featured on the original series have now come to fruition. Space.com took it upon themselves to make a top-10 list of such devices to help the rest of us catch up on this nugget of trekkie lore. But seriously, it is an amusing read, so take a break from your mundane existence and boldly go where no man has gone before ...]]>
I know that I had the iPad as the January Tech Toy of the Month, but this is such a groundbreaking piece of technology that I felt it deserved another mention. Since the iPad was just released this month and I've had some time to review it, there is no better time to talk about the iPad than now. For those of you that are thinking that this will be a boring dissertation on the technical details of a tech gadget, fear not! Because what is important about the iPad is not the tech details, but what the device empowers users to do.
Many people have commented that the iPad is nothing more than a big iPod Touch. The people that say this mostly have not used the device or have only given it cursory usage. Regardless, to those that think this I say "exactly ... but that's what makes it different." Of course, my response is designed to draw them into a conversation, but the thought behind the statement is spot-on. In other words, the iPad on the surface is really very much like a big iPod Touch (or iPhone). However, the simple fact that the device has a bigger screen opens up a whole new world of possibilities.
The fact that the iPad is like an iPod Touch or iPhone is good because many people already know how to use these devices. This means that for many people there will be no learning curve for the iPad. But regardless if a user has previously used an iPod Touch or iPhone, the Touch OS is extremely easy to learn. So basically using an iPad is just like using the aforementioned devices. It's all touchscreen with a single home button, along with power and volume buttons.
But with a 9.7 inch display, the iPad is a much more functional device. Things like web browsing suddenly take on a whole new experience. It's very hard to describe, but the iPad just feels natural to use. Sitting on the couch web browsing with the iPad is so comfortable that I now find it awkward to sit with my laptop anymore. The touchscreen interface, at least for tasks like web browsing, feels more intuitive to me than a keyboard and mouse. And the fact that you can hold the iPad fairly close to your face makes the screen feel a lot bigger than it actually is.
Reading on the iPad is very pleasant. This is crucial because the iPad has the potential to revolutionize the publishing industry. The long awaited promise of technology to reduce the amount of paper we use may finally become a reality. It is entirely conceivable the iPad and future devices like it will become the dominant method people use to read books, magazines, and newspapers. Given that people will be reading on an interactive touchscreen device, indeed the entire concept of what books, magazines, and newspapers are could even change. Imagine students carrying one iPad instead of a backpack full of textbooks. The electronic book aspect of the iPad alone could change the world.
However, where I think the iPad will really make an impact is in the way we use computers in the home. I have been calling the iPad the first "coffee table" computer. For as far as personal computers have come along, they are still basically tied down to desks. Even laptops are not as portable as most people would like. The iPad changes all this. The device is so small and light and its battery life is so long, that I predict the iPad will be entirely more accessible to family members in a home. As many things in a home, it will find a place on the living room coffee table and it will migrate around the house as necessary. Because the price is so low, I also predict that many homes will own multiple iPads. This will go very far in meeting the ever increasing demand of computing in homes. For the price of a single good laptop or desktop, a family could purchase 2 or 3 iPads which will likely fit the needs of most family members and give them all their own iPad to use.
Because this device could change so much in the computer industry, I recommend that you test drive an iPad as soon as you can, especially if you are considering a new computer purchase in the near future. For all that you can read about the iPad, there is no substitute for actually getting your hands on one. If you know someone that owns an iPad, try using it while lounging on a couch or recliner. I promise it will change the way you think about interacting with computers.
If you'd like to test drive an iPad, visit the MacXprts store in Edwardsville, IL. There are 3 models on display so you should be able to spend as much time as you'd like with one.
]]>A: The iPad has generated a lot of buzz among consumers and business people alike. While tremendous numbers of iPads have been sold already, many people are waiting for the 3G model to arrive, due April 30th. The difference between the Wi-Fi only model and the 3G model is that the 3G model will add cellular data connectivity to the AT&T network. Many people have been asking if they should wait and purchase a 3G model or if they would be fine with a Wi-Fi only model. The answer, of course, depends on how one intends to use the iPad.
Firstly, note that Apple's official designations for the iPad models are "Wi-Fi" and "Wi-Fi + 3G". They do this in order to ensure that people realize that the 3G model also has Wi-Fi. I believe this is wise, as already we've had many people ask if the 3G model has Wi-Fi. However, the common practice is to simply call that model "3G".
Second, the 3G model's subscription plan is month-to-month and does not require a contract. This means that a user who has a 3G model does not necessarily need to pay every month for data service if they do not plan to use it.
The major determining factor on which model to buy is whether or not the user believes they will be using the iPad in areas where there is no Wi-Fi available. For users who will mostly use the iPad in their home or office, the Wi-Fi only model is likely just fine. Even users who will take the iPad around town will likely be fine with the Wi-Fi only model if they know they will be using the iPad in areas with public Wi-Fi coverage.
On the other hand, users who will require Internet access in any location will likely want the 3G model. Users who plan to take the iPad to places like trade shows or on-site to client locations where Wi-Fi is not guaranteed would benefit from having connectivity to AT&T's network for Internet.
But as with most things, there are exceptions to the rules. For example, many apps on the iPad do not require Internet access. If the user plans to use the iPad for non-Internet related activities while away from home, they may not need the 3G model. And in contrast, a user who mostly uses Wi-Fi but thinks they may need 3G connectivity periodically may benefit from the 3G model. Remember, because the iPad's data plan is month-to-month and does not require a contract, a user only needs to pay for months in which they will use the 3G service. For example, a user may only need 3G service while on vacation once or twice a year. They would only need to pay for one or two months worth of 3G service out of the year and simply use Wi-Fi the rest of the year.
Another exception are users who need Internet access anywhere but already have or plan to purchase a separate "mobile hotspot" such as a MiFi device. These devices connect to a particular wireless carrier (like Verizon, Sprint, or AT&T) and broadcast their connection over a Wi-Fi connection. These devices are very useful if you will be traveling with a group of users who all have Wi-Fi capable devices since a single device can cover many Wi-Fi devices such as laptops and iPads.
The 3G models are all $130 more expensive than their counterpart Wi-Fi only models. Honestly, if you think there is any chance that you will benefit from Internet access while on the road with the iPad, then the 3G model is probably worth purchasing. Assuming you do not have a MiFi device, the relatively small difference in price is probably worth the assurance that you will be able to connect from nearly anywhere with your iPad if you need to. However, if you are confident that the iPad will only be used in Wi-Fi areas, then save the money and get the Wi-Fi only model.
If you have a technology question, please let me know and it will be featured in a future newsletter!
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It is officially spring, and with spring comes outdoor activities which often involve water. But today, more and more people own mobile electronic devices like iPods and iPhones - and water and electronics don't mix! I can't tell you how many people told me they destroyed their device because it was in their pocket when they jumped in the pool. Or they were on a boat and they got soaked. Or they dropped it into a toilet, dog bowl, or sink of water. Others have had their devices get rained on. Especially if you have kids that own devices, the following tips might save you a lot of money!
First, I know of no warranty on an electronic device that covers liquid damage. So it's going to cost you full price to replace your device if you soak it. Especially with fairly new phones you're probably going to pay a lot more for a replacement because you're not likely to get the subsidized price you got when you first bought the phone. Unless you like paying twice as much for a replacement phone, you should definitely not let yours get wet! There are potentially some insurance policies that cover accidental damage on electronic devices, but that's an article for another time.
The bottom line, for your own sake, is to be very aware of your devices when around water, whether you are indoors or out. For example, let's say you are in the kitchen boiling water. I would not carry your phone on your hip while doing this. Lean too far over the stove and the steam could get in your device. Leave it on the other side of the kitchen or better yet, leave your expensive device out of the kitchen altogether! There are lots of opportunities for liquid damage in a kitchen! Also, if you are outside you may not want to leave your device lying around. Rainstorms can come out of nowhere and you may forget that you left your phone outside. It may be best to leave the phone indoors depending on your activity. However, don't forget that rain can come in through a window, so a windowsill may not be the best place for your device either! Finally, if you are in a bathroom and there is *any* chance of your device ending up in a toilet or sink, take precautions to make sure this doesn't happen. Put your device in a bag or purse and don't get it out again until you leave. But DO NOT swing your purse or bag over the water hazard lest it fall out and make a splash!
If you are frequently in an environment that is hostile to electronic equipment, you may want to consider a ruggedized case for your device. A common brand I recommend is Otter Box. Their products provide extra protection than most cases and some even provide some protection against liquid damage. The trade-off is that Otter Box cases are a little bulkier than most, but if you need to provide extra protection to your device, they can definitely be worth it. I have several clients that use Otter Box cases and they are very satisfied.
So again, simply be mindful of where your mobile electronic device is, especially when water is around or if rain seems likely. A little awareness could save you hundreds of dollars.
If you have any questions about any other technology topic, feel free to contact me today!
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Do I really need to say anything about this picture? Yes. The fact is that I've seen many cats do very similar things on multi-function printers. What is it about MFPs that cats love? What do you think?]]>
One of the most common requests I get is recommendations for digital cameras. It seems like a simple question, but holy cow is it hard to make recommendations! There are so many manufacturers, models, features, price points, and target markets for digital cameras that I don't even really try to keep up with them all. However, it is such a requested item that I thought I'd give it a try. What I was looking for was a camera for an average user looking for good quality on a budget. I believe I stumbled upon such a camera, the Canon PowerShot SD780.
In reading reviews of this camera, a few things stood out. First, the camera is less than an inch thick. This makes it easy to take along in a purse or even a pocket. Second, the price point is $250 or less, which makes it a very affordable camera for the for category. Finally, the camera can take respectable 720p HD video.
Overall, the SD780 has gotten very good reviews. I've selected two reviews to link to here:
DigitalCameraReview.com
PCMag.com
As well, reading user opinions shows that most customers are happy with their purchase of this camera. I also noted that many users talked about how durable the camera was. I think this is a very important and often-overlooked quality of many tech devices. Broken devices don't make anybody happy.
So if you're in the market for a good quality camera for taking day-to-day snapshots, it seems that the Canon PowerShot SD780 could be a great fit for you.
If there is a new technology device that you would like more information about, please contact me today!
]]>A: The answer depends on several factors. You must first determine who is going to use this computer, how it will be used, and what software you may need to run on it. Once you have those factors in mind, then the following should help you decide.
If you are a more technical user, or a "power user", and this will be your main computer or laptop, the iPad may not fit your needs at this time. However, even if you are a power user and this will be an additional computer, for example, one that you will have with you just to be able to do light-duty tasks, then the iPad may be worth checking out.
If you are needing a computer for general purpose use, such as browsing the web, checking e-mail, and working with digital media, the iPad could very well be the computer for you. If you can sit tight for another month or so to try out the iPad, it might be worth the wait.
If you are in the market for a very small and light laptop (i.e. a "netbook"), then definitely wait to try out the iPad. The iPad promises to be a lot easier to use than a netbook and has many technical advantages worth considering such as longer battery life.
If the computer you are considering purchasing will need to run a particular software program that only runs on Windows or Mac, then the iPad probably won't be a good fit at this time. However, carefully consider the necessity of the particular software program to see if there is a way to get around using it. Don't let old technology unnecessarily hold you back from progressing forward. There may be no way around it in your situation, but it is definitely worth considering moving on from older software if possible.
If this will be a computer primarily for use by a child or for use by various family members in a home, then the iPad could very well be a perfect fit. The iPad will be the first true "coffee table" computer. In other words, a computer that is almost always within reach, as magazines on a coffee table would be. Instead of spending a lot of money on one desktop or laptop, you could spend the same amount on two or three iPads that can work anywhere in the home. Now you would have more computers available to meet the ever-increasing demands of computer usage in a family household. As described above, the iPad will be very good for general purpose and light-duty computing, as is the typical usage of most families, especially if there is already one "main" computer already in the house.
Hopefully, this gives you a good idea on whether the iPad may be right for you. Because this product has not yet been released, there are a lot of questions that are waiting to be answered. We will know more after April 3rd, when the iPod is made available to the public!
If you have a technology question, please let me know and it will be featured in a future newsletter!
]]>The ability to take credit cards is very important in today's marketplace. For businesses with a storefront or an e-commerce web site, it is commonplace to set up the ability to take credit cards. However, for professionals that do on-site services, the ability to take credit cards has been an elusive target. For many years, wireless technologies were not up to the task. Also the equipment or services were expensive. Personally, as an on-site services professional, I've had to deal with this problem for many years. However, I can now happily state that I've found a great solution that is easy to use and fairly inexpensive.
The solution is an iPhone app simply named "Credit Card Terminal", by a company called Inner Fence. The app was originally priced at $49, which is a great price compared to a normal credit card machine. However, the app has been priced at 99 cents for several months now, which essentially makes it free. More importantly, however, the monthly service fees are very reasonable. Inner Fence's web site has more details on the service pricing.
The software basically allows you to enter in the customer's credit card number, expiration date, CVV code, zip code, and amount of the transaction. Optionally, you may enter a lot more information about the client, including e-mail address. The e-mail address is important because you may then e-mail the client a credit card receipt. Once all the info is entered, if you turn the iPhone on its side, the client may sign for the transaction by using their finger as a pen. Turn the iPhone upright again and then simply press the "charge" button to process the transaction. In my experience, it only takes about 2 seconds to complete, which is usually faster than even in-store credit card transactions. A detailed list of features and screen pictures are on Inner Fence's web site.
Overall, the Credit Card Terminal app has worked without problems and is extremely slick and polished. Everyone I've showed the app to has been very impressed with the app and wants to know more. If you need to take credit cards on-site and you own an iPhone (or are thinking of getting one), I can wholeheartedly recommend Inner Fence's product.
If you have any questions about this product or any other technology topic, feel free to contact me today!
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30 years ago, a device of sheer torture was unleashed on the world in the disguise of a toy puzzle. Ok, maybe I'm being a little dramatic, but the Rubik's Cube definitely felt like torture to me as a kid. I never had the patience to solve it. Ironically, I picked one up over the holidays and now armed with the Internet, started researching how to solve it. I almost completed it, but I put it down and haven't yet gotten back to finishing it. Now a robot made of Legos has showed me up. It can solve a Rubik's cube in under 12 seconds. I guess I better get back to that cube ...]]>
With the rising demand for Internet access, many more people are turning to mobile broadband solutions. This includes people who only plan to use mobile broadband in their homes or businesses because they can not get high-speed Internet access otherwise. One of the more common problems people are experiencing is that many buildings do not get a strong cell signal indoors. This is especially true in warehouse-type buildings that are made of metal. Fortunately, there are solutions to boost cell signals that do not require the wireless provider adding more towers in your area. I've known about the Wi-Ex zBooster for some time, so I thought this would be a good time to write about it.
There are a two different branches of zBoost devices: one for home/office use and one for travel. I'll mostly talk about the home & office versions of the zBoost, although the in-vehicle model could be very beneficial for some people. The concept of how the zBoost works is pretty simple. An antenna is mounted outside the building (or near a window), which is connected to the zBoost device by a cable. The zBoost device retransmits the signal from the outside to the indoors and vice-versa. This results in a stronger signal inside the building and improved voice calls as well as faster data connections. This sounds fairly easy and it can be, but the mounting of the antenna and running of the cable to a suitable location indoors may be challenging in some situations.
There are a few different home & office versions of the zBoost, but I recommend the $399 YX510-PCS-CEL. It covers the frequencies of all common carriers, except for Nextel/iDEN devices (no zBoost devices covers Nextel/iDEN devices). There are $299 models that cover only a particular frequency range. If you are completely sure that your provider only uses a particular frequency range then you could save $100 and go with the $299 YX500-PCS or YX500-CEL. However, with the extra $100 for the YX510-PCS-CEL you are covered in case you ever change providers or if someone comes to your location that uses a different provider. This is why I recommend that model.
While the zBoost can be a little pricey and the installation may be challenging, for someone who is desperate to improve the strength of a cell signal in their building, it may be well worth the cost and effort.
Visit my other blog, State of the Tech, to keep up with the world of technology.
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A: It is funny how many misconceptions there are regarding web browser maintenance. To hear some people talk, it would seem that "cookies" are the source of all the world's computer problems. Probably because clearing all this browser stuff is often a step suggested to people over telephone support. Because it has become part of the lore of do-it-yourself computer maintenance, I often get this question. The answer may completely surprise you.
Honestly, you should never need to clear the web browser's history, cache, or cookies if you aren't experiencing any problems with your browser. For example, I use the Safari web browser on my Mac and I do a ton of web browsing. I have my browser set to keep a year's worth of history because I often want to go back and search my history to find some article I read months ago. I don't think I've ever cleared the cache, cookies, or history of my browser since I've had my laptop, which is going on 3 years now. As long as I'm not having any problems, there really is no reason to clear out that stuff.
However, I have seen strange browser problems be resolved by clearing out the browser's files. Often, this is a necessary troubleshooting step when cleaning out viruses on Windows PCs. And unfortunately, Internet Explorer on Windows is susceptible to a plethora of issues that also require clearing out those files to resolve the issues.
But again, the bottom line is that there really is no good reason to do a periodic cleanup of those browser files. The only time it should be necessary is if you are experiencing a problem with your browser and in those situations, it is often best to have your computer serviced by an qualified technology professional. But in the same breath, it really won't hurt anything to clear out those files (other than losing your history) if you really feel like it.
If you have a technology question, please let me know and it will be featured in a future newsletter!
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