HiWEB-Interactive Show Log –
034 – 102308
-Opening Comments
“Welcome to HiWEB-Interactive, bringing you information from the edge of technology”
*This is a summary
of recent news and technology highlights.
HiWEB-Interactive – Show #34 – From October 23rd 2008
Airing weekly Thursdays at 9p (PST) – And available on LIVE.HIWEB.NET as well as archived
-Hot News Topics this week
(*Prepped 24 Hours Prior)
1 -
Think Firefox 3 is fast? Try Firefox Minefield
2 -
Mac malware program MacGuard masquerades as antivirus app
3 -
Netflix, Samsung partner on video streaming
4 -
AT&T setting its own record with iPhone activations
5 -
Mac mini may have had the final nail put it its coffin
6 -
BlackBerry Bold gets official release date, pricing
*Youtube viewers make sure to see HiWEB.NET for the live streaming, also this entire show and other past shows.
<<<CUT FOR YOUTUBE POSTS>>> IE: Stop Recording/Start Recording
-Review of Hot Topics
(*Elaborate on Hot Topics)
*SEE PRINTED
NOTES…..
1 -
Think Firefox 3 is fast? Try Firefox Minefield –
A colleague today showed me a cool, new browser that he's been using to browse
the web at blisteringly fast speeds. The browser?
Minefield.
The author of the code?
Mozilla.
Yes, that same Mozilla that makes the Firefox browser. Minefield is, in fact, a
way to glimpse into the future of Firefox, as it's a pre-release/alpha version
of the Firefox browser.
After spending some time with Minefield, one thing is clear: the future of
Firefox is fast. Lightning fast.
How fast?
Some claim that it has the fastest javascript engine on the planet,
which means it leaves Google's Chrome browser in the dust. In my own
unscientific tests, I'd say that this assertion is correct.
Ars Technica pegs Minefield as 10 percent faster than Chrome.
You can
download the latest nightly build for Mac OS X, Linux, or Windows,
but be warned: it's alpha code. While a quick scan of the Web shows few
complaints as to stability, Minefield may not be for you. It doesn't support
some of my favorite Firefox extensions (like Adblock Plus), but it actually has
surprisingly good support for extensions, given that it's a fast-moving project.
Feeling brave? Or simply feeling like your browser is too slow? Give Minefield a
try. It's a separate install so it won't affect an existing Firefox install. You
have nothing to lose but your chains.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13505_3-10073252-16.html
<Change Slide>
2 -
Mac malware program MacGuard masquerades as antivirus app -
Although Macs are considered to be comparatively free of viruses and other types
of malware, some Mac owners still purchase antivirus software for a bit of
additional peace of mind. Unfortunately, at least one unscrupulous company is
attempting to prey on concerned Mac users by selling an antivirus application
that is actually malware. Last week, Mac security software firm Intego released
a
security advisory
about MacGuard, a security application that appears to be anything but secure.
Recent statistics suggest that up to
30 million people
may have been hit by fake antivirus scams, although I doubt many of the victims
were Mac users. Still, that statistic doesn't need to get any higher, hence the
warning from Intego. According to the company, the MacGuard software is just a
clone of a fake Windows security application called Winiguard. WiniGuard is
known for tricking users into buying it by serving up fake spyware alerts, and
there's no real reason to think that MacGuard does anything different or useful.
In fact, the text and claims on the two sites are almost identical. Fortunately,
the MacGuard download link doesn't appear to be working, which should severely
limit the number of downloads from here on out.
As for the application's nefarious intent, Intego believes that the site and
associated application (if one exists) are being used to harvest and scam credit
card numbers. The software will likely prompt users to shell out some money in
order to clean their systems, at which point either the cards are charged
multiple times, or the card information is sold to unsavory characters (so they
can charge it multiple times). MacGuard also has the potential to bring other
malware on to your system, so I'd recommend taking a pass on it and sticking
with some well-known antivirus software (Norton, McAfee) if you're concerned
about the security of your system.
<Change Slide>
3 -
Netflix, Samsung partner on video streaming -
Samsung is adding the ability to stream Netflix videos and Pandora's online
music service to its latest Blu-ray players. Starting today, a
free firmware update
will add both services to the
BD-P2550.
(The nearly identical
BD-P2500
will get Netflix support, but not Pandora.) The Samsung players join the
LG BD300
Blu-ray player, the
Roku Netflix Player,
and (once a forthcoming
firmware update
goes live in November) the
Xbox 360
as the only devices to date--outside of a PC--that can access Netflix's online
viewing service.
Both Samsung players have been available at retail for several weeks. In
addition to Netflix and (for the 2550) Pandora support, a subsequent
firmware update due on October 30 will add DTS-HD audio support (on-board
decoding for DTS-HD High Resolution, bitstream output for Master Audio) for both
players, and
BD-Live
support for 2550 (it's already available on the 2500). Those features are in
addition to the players' already impressive feature set, which includes HQV
video processing (which, in previous players, provides improved quality when
playing standard DVDs); 7.1-channel analog audio outputs (good for interfacing
with older AV receivers); and 1GB of on-board flash memory (no need for adding
an SD card or USB flash drive to deliver compatibility with online BD-Live
features).
The Netflix viewing experience should be nearly identical to that offered by the
Roku player; it offers unlimited viewing of the
growing
(12,000-plus) library of on-demand movies and TV shows to any Netflix subscriber
on the $9/month plan or above. The ad-supported
Pandora
personalized Internet radio service is free.
Both players carry a list price of $400, so anybody with even a passing interest
in music should opt for the BD-P2550 (available at Best Buy). CNET will have a
complete hands-on reviews of the players as soon as the full firmware updates
become available.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10073519-1.html?tag=mncol;title
<Change Slide>
4 -
AT&T setting its own record with iPhone activations –
Apple recently
revealed that it sold almost 7 million
iPhones last quarter, the company wouldn't specify how many were sold in
different countries due to its agreements with various carriers. However, AT&T
had no problem
mentioning
this morning that it activated 2.4 million iPhones since the launch of the
iPhone 3G in July.
According to its quarterly results, AT&T had a net gain of 2 million
subscribers, including 1.7 million subscription customers, or those with a
contract for service. AT&T says this is the highest net gain of subscription
customers in its history. The company attributes this to the iPhone 3G, as 40
percent of activations are new AT&T customers. Also, iPhone users generate a
higher average revenue per user and are less likely to switch to competing
carriers than other subscribers. Of course, after using an iPhone I don't want
to give mine up either.
Besides being a boon for AT&T, it's also interesting to note that nearly
two-thirds of iPhones were sold outside the US. Clearly, expanding the iPhone
into additional markets is working well; with 20 more countries or so set to
launch the iPhone soon, expect the US to represent an even smaller percentage of
sales.
<Change Slide>
5 -
Mac mini may have had the final nail put it its coffin -
The Mac mini hasn't seen any update love for over a year, though several
improvements have been made to Apple's other machines. According to
a report
at Gizmodo, Apple is either updating the long-ignored pint-sized Mac or setting
it out on a small iceberg and floating it out to sea.
Apparently two "major European retailers" have discovered that Mac minis are no
longer available to order. Furthermore, both confirmed to Gizmodo that they were
told by Apple to "expect no more of it." Though it is the least expensive Mac
available, starting at $599, it has also been the poorest in sales. From the way
Apple put it, it could be letting go of the Mac mini.
On the other hand, rumors earlier in the year suggested that a revision was
in the works.
With updated, 45nm processors, the single-chip NVIDIA 9400M, and 802.11n the Mac
mini could still be a serious contender, especially where price or small
footprint are important considerations. Pair it with the 24" LED Cinema Display,
though, and you may as well buy the 24" iMac. And, we have already heard word
that those will be
refreshed shortly
as well.
The Mac mini has certainly filled a lot of niches as a media center, POS system,
or compact office computer. So, despite the low sales, it would be sad to see it
go. Perhaps its demise, however, will fuel further calls for a lower-priced,
compact tower—dare I say, xMac?
<Change Slide>
6 -
BlackBerry Bold gets official release date, pricing -
This is it! This is the news we've been waiting for since
May.
On Wednesday, Research In Motion announced that the long-awaited RIM BlackBerry
Bold will finally be available starting November 4 at
AT&T
for $299.99 with a two-year contract and after a mail-in rebate.
Though the smartphone was originally slated for a summer release, as we all
painfully know, the Bold was delayed time and time again. Part of it was the
lengthy carrier certification process and most recently, RIM said it held off on
the release to make sure the
3G
experience would be the best at launch (after witnessing the
iPhone 3G
debacle). Hey, whatever the story, we're just glad to know we can finally get
our hands on this sucker in a couple of weeks.
So despite all the delays and with new devices already on the market, are you
going to get one?
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10072634-1.html?tag=mncol;title
<Change Slide>
- Viewer Questions
(*Troubleshooting,
New Tech, Etc.)
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<Video Cut /
Resume>
-New Technology to keep an
Eye On
(Auto
Tech, Alt. Fuel, Environment, Hacking, High Tech, etc…)
1 -
Tech layoffs: And a scorecard -
With the overall economy slumping, the tech industry is taking its fair share of
hits. Note this is a setback, but also an opportunity for many. I have linked in
a chart below as the news of company changes comes in. See complete coverage of
how the tech sector is faring here:
Tracking the tech downturn.
HP
26,400 over 3 Years
Yahoo
14,300
TI
300
Comcast
300
Pandora
20
Sirius XM
50
Micron
15%
eBay
1000
Tickermaster 35%
Sprint
Lenovo
Telsa Motors
http://news.cnet.com/tech-layoffs/
http://news.cnet.com/Tracking-the-tech-downturn/2009-1014_3-6247138.html?tag=mncol;txt
<Change Slide>
2 -
Husqvarna's solar-powered Automower headed to the US –
Husqvarna's plain old battery-powered Automowers have been available in the US
for some time now, but it looks like the company's
solar-powered hybrid model
is now finally making the trip across the pond as well. From the looks of it,
the model is the same one we caught sight of back in March, with the 22-pound
mower promising to handle lawns up to half an acre in size and not emit a single
emission whilst it does its business. As with the regular models, it'll also
return to its base to speed up the charging process when it gets low on juice.
Unfortunately, there's no word on a price or release date just yet, though we
wouldn't expect it to sell for too much less (if any) than the £2,000 (or just
over $3,000) it sold for in the UK. Husqvarna will apparently have more to say
about that at the Green Industry and Equipment Expo that's now getting underway
in Louisville, Kentucky.
http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/23/husqvarnas-solar-powered-automower-headed-to-the-us/
<Change Slide>
3 - Hawaii Bans New Coal Plants, Plans to be 70% Renewable by 2030 -
Let's here it for Hawaii. The island nation is walking into the future a touch
faster than the rest of the United States by pledging to never again build a
coal-fired power plant. And since coal plants have a lifespan of between 30 and
50 years, Hawaii will someday be 100% coal free.
Another portion of the pledge is to be 70% powered by renewable energy in 2030.
These are big goals, and not simple to achieve. Hawaii has a bit of an advantage
over the rest of the U.S. though. First, a small population where power is
already far more expensive (due to shipping costs) than elsewhere in America.
They also (obviously) have tremendous geothermal potential, not to mention
plenty of windy and sunny days per year. However, they also face some unique
challenges. Because the state is geographically divided from itself, it's
difficult to generate power for each individual island. That's why part of this
plan is to create an undersea cable connecting Maui (where lots of renewable
power is already generated) to Molokai and Lanai.
The plan includes feed-in tariffs for renewable electricity, tax breaks for
biofuels, and a plan to run Hawaii's many oil-fired power plants on "sustainably
harvested" biofuels. This bit is the sketchy. If I know one thing about Hawaii,
it's that it is a biological gem, and we certainly shouldn't be harming
that...even if it means increased carbon emissions.
Details on the plan will continue to emerge, and we're hoping that other states
will be following in Hawaii's footsteps soon.
http://www.ecogeek.org/content/view/2229/73/
<Change Slide>
-Weekly
Picture
Beautiful "Fire Rainbow" High Above Spokane, Washington, USA
http://flickr.com/photos/craigzone/160120232/sizes/l/
-Tech
Tip / Demo
Samsung
EPIX – Very nice Windows Mobile Device and on AT&T 3G
(*Originally the Blackjack III now called the Samsung EPIX)
-4.4 Oz, 4.6 x 2.4 x .5
-Windows
Mobile Professional 6.1 OS
-
3.6Mbps UMTS/HSDPA (850,1900, 2100MHz) GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900MHz)
-320x320 touchscreen (2.55 x 2.55) 65k TFT Color
-256MB Internal ROM / 150MB RAM
-Expandable Upto 32GB Micro SD
-2MPix camera, Single shot, multishot, mosaic, night shot and panorama.
Resolution up to 1600x1200. A 10-second time. White balance.
Sepia/green/aqua/negative effects.
-WiFi.
-GPS.
-Stereo Bluetooth
-Customized themes.
-AT&T Navigator.
-SMS and MMS
-Stylus
-Silent mode: "Press and hold to place your device in silent mode.
-QWERTY keyboard, an on-screen keyboard, or gesture-based text entry which
"allows you to enter characters using single strokes."
-Optical
Navigator with mouse pointer (Awesome)
-Upto 7 Hours Talk Time and 14 Days Standby (1800mAh)
*I always want better battery life!
-Supports Java
-Mobile TV Offer
-Video Share Offer
Why I like better than my iPhone – True multitasking device, run 5 applications
or more at once, expandable memory, removable batter, better enterprise business
support, better LOB application support.
Not stuck with any APP Store model to load applications!
Other:
-Voice Quality is Very Good
-Love the Mouse Pointer, Touch Screen / Stylus Options
-Messaging Very Good
-Scheduling and Productivity Very Good
-Multimedia Good (Add vTap and a few 3rd Part Apps and Very Good)
-WebBrowsing Good (Add SkyFire and OperaMini and Very Good)
-GPS Navigation Very Good
-Camera Good (Nice Features/Effects)
Compared to Tilt other new phone.
I like this unit a lot….
I do like a larger screen but love the keyboard and mouse pointer a lot.
My Opinon this is Best Business Productivity device on the market today.
And on AT&T 3G, Windows Mobile you can tether device to a laptop for
simultaneous voice and data upto 1.7mbs.
Only on AT&T!!!
Manual:
http://downloadcenter.samsung.com/content/UM/200810/20081009215742718_att_I907_epix_english_ug.pdf
($199.99 w/ 2 Year Contract or
$449.99 With no Commitment)
-General Talk/Discussions
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2- Future segments will include music production segments, hardware reviews and demos
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Phone Number:
(724) 444-7444
@
Call ID:
13364
-Closing Comments
This was HiWEB-Interactive – Show #34
Remember tune in anytime at live.hiweb.net and Thursdays at 9p (PST) *Summer Hours -for the HiWEB-Interactive Tech Show
“Thank You for participating in HiWEB-Interactive, we look forward to bringing you more information from the edge of technology” Until next time have Fun with your technology – GottaJiboo!