Gadget Grounds Recent Posts

BlueAnt S1 Bluetooth Speakerphone Review

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 20:34:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/BlueAnt-S1-Bluetooth-Speakerphone-Review

I was totally impressed with BlueAnt's Q1 headset and decided I'd give their S1 speakerphone a try. I'd tried Bluetooth speakerphones in the past with marginal success; I have a very noisy Jeep Cherokee, so midrange products like the SurfaceSound Compact from Contour Design and one of Tenqa's early speakerphones--while great for light use--don't perform well enough in the harsh environment of my 1998 Cherokee.

When I first took the S1 for a ride down the Interstate, I feared the worst--it seemed difficult to hear my callers on the other end of the conversation. Once I got off of the highway and onto city streets, my calls sounded spectacular; the people I was speaking to said I sounded clearer than on my usual headset.

That being said, living in a metro area, I do spend the majority of my commute on the Beltline and that means a lot of Interstate driving.

What's Hot: When I can hear it, call quality is awesome. I've got pretty sensitive hearing, and low-quality speakers on phones and headsets frequently hurt my ears. Even though I'm still pumping phone-quality audio through the speakers, it somehow sounds more like I'm speaking with someone else in the room rather than over a phone. The audio is also louder than any other Bluetooth speakerphone I've used (though not quite loud enough for my vehicle--see above).

The design is nice and the device feels solid. Its visor clip is detatchable to protect it from breakage in case something catches the speakerphone.

Another cool feature is A2DP Stereo Bluetooth for streaming audio. Outside of the car, the S1 has found itself serving as a portable speaker for pumping music from my iPhone.

Like the Q1, the S1 supports multipoint connectivity, but I didn't have a chance to play with the feature.

What's Not: Apart from the volume issue (which is only relevant to people with noisy vehicles like mine), the only complaint I have of the device is how the buttons work for making and placing calls. The "Call" button doubles as the on/off button, so on more than one occasion, I found myself accidentally redialing my phone rather than turning the speakerphone off.

The S1 does have voice answering features and voice dial capability, but I didn't have the opportunity to receive a call with voice and my iPhone doesn't support voice dial.

The Bottom Line: While it's not quite perfect for me thanks to my noisy Jeep, the S1 is the closest Bluetooth speakerphone I've found to being adequate for my needs. Coming in at around $60, it's a great value for the money compared to other models in the same price range.
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/BlueAnt-S1-Bluetooth-Speakerphone-Review

MSI Launches Switch to One Touch Video Contest

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:01:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/MSI-Launches-Switch-to-One-Touch-Video-Contest

Starting today, MSI Computer is giving away five Wind Top All-in-One Desktop PCs I reviewed last month in their "Switch to One Touch" video contest.

On top of that, the first 50 users who submit a video score a USB flash drive, and 20 voters each week will be entered to win a MSI digital sports watch.

Check out the video below:

Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/MSI-Launches-Switch-to-One-Touch-Video-Contest

iPhone 3GS on the way!

Sun, 14 Jun 2009 01:06:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/iPhone-3GS-on-the-way

And I want one. Bad. Here's a quick summary of the changes in the new hardware design (if you've been living under a rock lately), prioritized in my concept of importance:

--Improved (3 MP) camera with autofocus and video capability
--More memory (RAM)
--Better processor
--More storage
--Better battery life

Why do I want one? Because I have no life, really. Granted, I really hope the new hardware is jailbreakable.

Speaking of jailbreaking, QuickPWN is giving away an iPhone 3GS on their site. Click through for more info and how to enter.
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/iPhone-3GS-on-the-way

Whoops... Real life is here.

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:22:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Whoops--Real-life-is-here

So here's the recent chain of events... Rob graduates from Wake Forest University. On his birthday. The next day, he was thrown into the real world.

Posts will pick up soon. In the interim, I'm devoting a lot of time to my new startup, Connective Insights, a marketing research and consulting practice for tech companies looking to sell to the college demographic.

On the horizon, we'll be focusing on productivity here at Gadget Grounds: showing you how to make the most out of old gadgets while enhancing productivity with new ones.

Hang in there. We'll be back soon.

Technorati Profile
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Whoops--Real-life-is-here

The Perfect Mouse for Couch Potatoes

Thu, 28 May 2009 12:19:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/The-Perfect-Mouse-for-Couch-Potatoes

If your desk looks anything like mine, real estate is practically non-existent. I typically have to brush aside a half dozen empty soda cans to fit my keyboard on it, let alone my mouse. Enter the Weramouse: a wireless, hand-held pointing device that mates a Wii Nunchuck with a trackball mouse.

The Weramouse features dual right-click buttons (to accommodate both right- and left-hand users), a trackball, a scroll wheel, and a trigger-style left-click button. After a quick charge with the included mini-USB charging cable, I connected the wireless dongle to my computer and started using the device.

You're going to love the Weramouse if you can satisfy two conditions. First, you don't have no flat surface readily available. Second, you need a mouse for something other than day-to-day use. For me, it was my home theater setup; I could control my media with my media remote, but switching applications (like switching between BeyondTV and, say, an NES emulator) required far more movement than I'm typically willing to expend. I tried other wireless mice, but they were all too cumbersome for using from the couch without a book or lap desk. Using the Weramouse, I could lay back, relax, and still manage my HTPC.

I wouldn't use the Weramouse for all-day use; if you use a computer as much as I do, the trackball would probably give you a nasty case of "oh-crap-my-thumb-hurts-itis."

It's great for applications like a home theatre PC and light gaming (check out the branded Poker Mouse).

Snag one for $99 at Weramouse.
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/The-Perfect-Mouse-for-Couch-Potatoes

Biased Pirate Bay Judge Judged by More Biased Judges

Thu, 21 May 2009 03:40:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Biased-Pirate-Bay-Judge-Judged-by-More-Biased-Judges

I typically craft my own headlines, but TorrentFreak put it so eloquently that I couldn't have done better myself.

'Tis true. The Swedish legal system is officially whack. Ulrika Ihrfelt, the judge appointed to determine whether or not the judge of The Pirate Bay trial was biased, has ties to the same pro-copyright organizations as Judge Tomas Norstr�m. Fearing more bad press, the appeals court removed Ihrfelt and appointed a three-judge panel to work on the decision.

Guess what? One of those members has ties to pro-copyright groups. In a land as historically lax on copyright laws as Sweden, you'd think there would be far fewer copyright hard-asses in positions of legal power. Granted, the committee members' supposed "biases" hardly interfere with the question of whether or not Norstr�m is biased. Therefore, it doesn't matter. Sheesh.

Catch the whole story over at TorrentFreak
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Biased-Pirate-Bay-Judge-Judged-by-More-Biased-Judges

BlueAnt Q1 Headset Review

Wed, 20 May 2009 22:51:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/BlueAnt-Q1-Headset-Review

The Q1 headset is BlueAnt's latest voice-enabled Bluetooth headset. The Q1 features a full set of voice commands for button-free operation and a sleek "gunmetal" finish in addition to the standard fare of mid- to high-end modern headsets: voice isolation technology, quick pairing, and multipoint technology.

What's Hot: Hands down, the Q1's most distinguished feature is its voice-enabled features. Turning on the headset for the first time, users are greeted by a set of voice prompts guiding them through the pairing process, eliminating the need for complicated button combinations when pairing the device with a phone. Once paired, the headset runs users through a crash-course on its voice commands before turning them loose to use the device on their own.

The voice commands are totally awesome. Since I ditched my Windows Mobile AT&T 8525 for my iPhone, I've sorely missed my voice-dialing ability, especially in conjunction with my headset. The Q1 gives me that freedom back. In the car, I don't have to take my eyes off of the road to answer a call; the Q1 alerts me to an incoming call and gives me the option to say "answer" or "ignore." To pair the device with a second phone, simply say "pair me" at the voice prompt. You can hear a list of commands by saying "What can I say?"

The headset's dual-microphone noise-cancelling technology identifies background noise and processes it to two degrees: "standard" and "maximum" noise reduction. The two modes can be changed on-the-fly during a call by pressing the headset's main button. I've had problems with other headsets picking up too much background noise (especially when I'm wasting time fragging on the Xbox and chatting at the same time) and call recipients report that call quality is much improved with the enhanced feature in loud environments such as the car and late-night Resident Evil 5 fragging.

What's Not: While the voice-command interface is utterly awesome, there are some issues with the voice processing. In noisy environments or if the headset is not properly aligned, response is sub-par to, say, Windows Mobile's Voice Command. I've said, "Switch Headset Off" and accidentally called a co-worker at 12:30 AM when the headset thought I said, "Call Speed Dial 5." The good news is that the phone has user-upgradeable firmware, so future revisions may or may not improve the accuracy of the voice command processing.

The Q1 also has a pretty poor battery life--just four hours of talk time. If you use a headset as often as I do, you'll be recharging often.

The Bottom Line: I'm no stranger to Bluetooth headsets (I've owned seven), so I can honestly say that the Q1 ranks near the top of my list. If it weren't for the sometimes-poor voice recognition accuracy, I'd give the device a 5/5 rating, but until a firmware update boosts that accuracy, I'll be using the Q1 solely as an "in the car" headset.

The Q1 is available now for $129.00 in Sprint stores and through Sprint's online stores. The headset should be available at retailers nationwide starting in June.
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/BlueAnt-Q1-Headset-Review

More Facebook Phishing? Come on...

Thu, 14 May 2009 14:15:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/More-Facebook-Phishing--Come-on

As we reported a couple of weeks ago, Facebook is no stranger to phishing attacks. This time, scammers are using sites such as "151.im" and "121.im" to redirect to an official-looking (but fake) Facebook login page.

The page is hosted at traffic-exchange.ru and Google Chrome picks up on the bull-jive right away. Just another reason to download Chrome!

Phishing is a technique scammers use to steal your personal information such as email addresses, passwords, and credit card numbers. If you suspect that your account has been jeopardized, report it to Facebook immediately.

Via TechCrunch
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/More-Facebook-Phishing--Come-on

Review: MSI Wind Top All-in-one PC

Thu, 14 May 2009 03:00:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Review-MSI-Wind-Top-Allinone-PC

Today, we’ll be taking a look at MSI’s new all-in-one desktop computer, the MSI Wind Top.

The AE1900 comes in two flavors. The first option ships with Windows XP and features a single-core Intel Atom 230 1.6 GHz processor, 1 GB of onboard SDRAM, and a 160 GB hard drive. The second option gets an upgrade to an Atom 330 1.6 GHz dual core processor, 2 GB of RAM, and a 250 GB hard drive running Windows Vista Home Basic.

The most prominent feature of the AE 1900 is the 18.5-inch 16:9 touch screen display. The touch screen itself is incredibly responsive and, while it lacks multi touch capability, it is still very pleasant to use.

The device doesn’t feature much in the way of touch-enabled software outside of an app launcher, but third-party add-ons such as BumpTop can give users a fresh tactile experience. The device does include some alternative input software applications—an on-screen keyboard and handwriting recognition app—but they aren’t practical for extended keyboarding. I didn’t notice any tablet PC features in the XP operating system our review unit shipped with and, as a veteran of tablet PCs (I’m writing this review on a Lenovo Thinkpad x60 Tablet), I greatly miss those features in the Wind Top system. Our source tells us they'll be developing a Windows 7 model in the future and I'm sure that product will blow me away.

That being said, the Wind Top is absolutely beautiful. It comes in two colors--black and white--and features a clear bezel around its edge. This is a machine I'd be proud to display in high-traffic areas of my home.

Included with both Wind Top models is a DVD Super Multi Rewriter, integrated 1.3 MP webcam with microphone, 4X multi card reader, and integrated 802.11b/g/n wireless and gigabit LAN. The device consumes just 65 watts of power (about the same as an average incandescent light bulb) thanks to its nettop internals and runs exceptionally quietly.

This product would be great for casual computer users—you’re not going to run Crysis on this PC—and students who are looking for a desktop for schoolwork and entertainment. Starting at $529, I could see the Wind Top being an attractive alternative to higher-end 20-inch LCD TVs for dorm or apartment use. With TV-on-demand websites like Hulu, I’ve pretty much eliminated broadcast television from my viewing habits.

The Wind Top’s DVD playback works just fine with no noticeable lag. Menus are easily navigated using touch, eliminating the need for a remote. Other entertainment options include a couple of mediocre (but surprisingly addictive) head-tracking webcam games.

The Wind Top may be slightly underpowered, but when all is said and done, the AE1900 represents a value you won’t find in any other all-in-one PC.

MSI Wind Top Product Page
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Review-MSI-Wind-Top-Allinone-PC

Flashback: Contra (NES)

Thu, 14 May 2009 01:24:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Flashback-Contra-NES

This is the third episode in the weekly Flashback series, in which we bring you a new old-school favorite with each installment. Last week, we took a look at Apogee Software's Duke Nukem. Got an idea? Catch me on Twitter @RobLaughter!

ZOMGZ. Since I've posted on the Konami Code love on Facebook and ESPN.com, close to 50% of my free time has been spent in front of my 32" LCD TV playing NES ROMs on my laptop. Contra, of course, is responsible for the bulk of my procrastination.

If you haven't played Contra for the NES, you haven't truly lived. The plot is simple: aliens are taking over the world and you need to stop the evil jerk who is responsible for it all. Players fight through hordes of baddies, dodge showers of bullets, and defeat epic bosses after each side-scrolling level. Between levels, players work their way through faux-3D corridors (impressive for its time) to get to the next stage.

The game itself is extremely challenging; players start with three lives and it takes just one bullet to kill your character. Even with two players, the game is downright difficult, so many players (myself included) resorted to the now-sacred Konami Code (up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, start) to start the game with thirty lives. In my recent foray into the game, my friend Kevin and I only managed to get to the third stage before losing all thirty lives. Yeah--we suck.

Contra is near-perfect in graphics, music, and gameplay. When you're ready to play, go buy a vintage NES--there's no other way to play it. If you're hard up on cash (or just lazy), grab an NES emulator and download the ROM. Note: ROMs are copyrighted code; unless you own the original cartridge, downloading a ROM for any other purpose than immediately deleting it is illegal. Don't be naughty.
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Flashback-Contra-NES

Review: Fusion Case for iPhone 3G

Wed, 13 May 2009 03:08:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Review-Fusion-Case-for-iPhone-3G

I've been plagued with the hard case/soft case debate since I bought my iPhone 3G last year. On one hand, I appreciate the slim form factor of a soft case; my phone is big enough as it is. On the other, a hard case offers more protection. After a week with the Fusion case from Contour Design, I've (almost) found my happy medium.

In the manufacturer's own words:
Quote: Consisting of more than just plastic and rubber, the Fusion is made of space age polycarbonate skillfully molded around the iPhone 3G then fused with high tech silicone to create a shell more flexible and protective than anything before.

Well, I wouldn't call it "space age." The "Space Age," after all, began in 1957. I would go as far as calling it "cool," though, as it's certainly one of a kind. Here's the rundown.

Pros: Since it's a combination of both hard plastic and silicone, the Fusion is more durable than the Incipio soft case it replaced. The Incipio case was completely silicone and it wound up tearing after a few months' use. I don't see the Fusion getting damaged in that manner and it keeps the bulk of the phone to a minimum.

Cons: The silicone in the Fusion isn't as "grippy" as other soft cases. Some might call that a benefit, but I certainly miss it; the grip I've enjoyed in other hard cases helps keep my phone reasonably secure in the car, on tables, and in my pocket. Since the Fusion's silicone is tougher and glossier than other soft cases, it is a little prone to scratching, but it's better than the phone itself going all wonky.

The Verdict: The Fusion is, to me, the best of both worlds, combining the form factor of a soft case with the durability of a hard case. It's available for both the iPhone 3G and the iPod Touch 2G, so no one gets left out (except those "old" iPhone users, but they should probably upgrade to 3G anyway). At $29.95, it's priced comparably with other cases, so if you're looking for something both durable and slim, it's a good buy.

Our score: 4/5 (Above Average)
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Review-Fusion-Case-for-iPhone-3G

It\'s Post-Exams Review Week!

Tue, 12 May 2009 00:40:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Its-PostExams-Review-Week

I've been pretty much living in a hole for the past week due to exams (thanks, Wake Forest), so I've got a bunch of reviews waiting to be published. Sucks for me, but it's great news for you! I'll be posting a series of reviews throughout the week covering some awesome gadgets and some cool software. I'll update this post with links, so bookmark it and check back throughout the week.
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Its-PostExams-Review-Week

Facebook Gets Contra Code

Fri, 08 May 2009 13:05:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Facebook-Gets-Contra-Code

A few weeks back, you might recall, ESPN was graced with unicorns and rainbows thanks to a clever hack and the Konami (Contra) code. Now Facebook has implemented the code into their website as an easter egg for their users.

Check it out: press up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, Enter anywhere outside of a text box and watch the light show begin.

Sure, it's cool and all, but original? Hardly. There are other easter eggs on the site, though.

By the way... I just added an easter egg to Gadget Grounds and no, it's not the Contra Code.
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Facebook-Gets-Contra-Code

PSP-3000 Now Runs Homebrew (sort of)

Fri, 08 May 2009 04:39:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/PSP3000-Now-Runs-Homebrew-sort-of

Since its release in October of last year, the PSP-3000 (also known as the PSP Brite) has been notoriously ~~impossible~~ difficult to hack. With a new PSP model possibly looming on the horizon, the Brite has finally gotten a taste of what it's like to run homebrew; the ChickHEN Homebrew Enabler allows users to run some homebrew applications. Sounds great, right? Let me tell you why you shouldn't bother.

The first challenge in running the hack (which doesn't require any specific UMD game, etc.) is to get it to work. The hack takes advantage of a weakness in TIFF image handling to reboot the device in a state that can handle homebrew apps. By its nature, this is a buggy procedure; sometimes it "hits" and injects the code needed to run the HEN, but nine times in ten it simply crashes the device. I've managed to get it to work just three times out of nearly 100 trials on my Ratchet & Clank edition unit.

Once you do manage to get the device booted into a state that will allow homebrew, you need to have valid homebrew apps. Essentially, this is limited to some (not all) emulators and a handful of genuine homebrew games. No, friends. You cannot load game backups, ISOs, CSOs, or anything of that nature, nor can you install a custom firmware on the device. Further, there are no plans to enable that functionality.

Since the patched software lives in RAM (it's not flashed to the internal storage), the homebrew function only lasts until you hard-reset or power off the device. Want to fire up your emulator afterward? Start running ChickHEN all over again.

Essentially, with this hack, you spend thirty minutes of your time enabling the device to play Metroid. If you're really looking for that sort of outlet, there are dozens of easier ways to play emulated games. While ChickHEN is a wonderful breakthrough in the sense that it "hacks" the "unhackable" motherboard.

Despite claims to the contrary, I predict that there will be an ISO/CSO loader for ChickHEN and that it will develop quickly once the ball gets rolling. Once homebrew was enabled on the Wii, devs swore there would be no backup loader for the system, but lo and behold, I can now run my backups on the device. Will my prediction come true? Let's wait and see.

Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/PSP3000-Now-Runs-Homebrew-sort-of

Flashback: Duke Nukem

Thu, 07 May 2009 02:43:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Flashback-Duke-Nukem

This is the second episode in the weekly Flashback series, in which we bring you a new old-school favorite with each installment. Last week, we took a look at text-based classic Zork. Got an idea? Catch me on Twitter @RobLaughter!

In honor of the rumored shutdown of Duke Nukem developer 3D Realms, I decided to take a look at an old-school favorite of mine: Duke Nukem.

The original Duke Nukem was released in 1991 as a side-scrolling platform game by Apogee Software. Set in the "near future" (1997), the player's goal was to stop madman Dr. Proton from taking over the world. Through three episodes, Duke follows Dr. Proton from Los Angeles, to the moon, and to the future.

Most objects in the gameplay can be interacted with in some way--cameras can be destroyed, powerups can be discovered, and secrets abound.

My absolute favorite part of this game is the wide range of options you have for how you play it. Nearly every level is circular in some way, busting the Super Mario-style linear approach to platformers. If you're just interested in completing the game, you can easily work your way through it by simply grabbing the key to the level and finding the exit. If you're like me, however, you can obsessively scour the levels for any and every powerup you can find, boosting your score and getting some sweet upgrades.

Ready to play? Grab the shareware episode of the game here. Note: if you're using some configurations of Windows Vista or Windows 7, you will need to install a DOS emulator. I recommend DOSBox.
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Flashback-Duke-Nukem

iPhone OS 3.0 Beta 5 Released

Thu, 07 May 2009 01:30:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/iPhone-OS-30-Beta-5-Released

iPhone OS 3.0 Beta 5 has been released, breaking Apple's two week release cycle. To me, that either means there was a huge bug in Beta 4 that I haven't found yet or that we're quickly coming up on a final release. I shan't be upgrading right away on the following bases.

1.) I just spent the past 15 minutes installing Myst and I'm really itching to play it. Like right now.
2.) I'm not prepared to sacrifice my jailbreak in the name of journalism at this time.
3.) I'm busy upgrading 3 PCs to Windows 7 RC.
4.) Discussion on Gizmodo indicates that Beta 5 breaks MMS and, although I don't use MMS, I'm not prepared to find out what else it might break (*cough* tethering).

I'll jump on the boat after I get bored with Myst. Until then, party's over here.
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/iPhone-OS-30-Beta-5-Released

Rumor: 3D Realms Closing Its Doors

Wed, 06 May 2009 21:21:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Rumor-3D-Realms-Closing-Its-Doors

Shacknews reports that 3D Realms, developer of the classic Duke Nukem franchise, has closed its doors. The development studio, which has been working on aptly-named Duke Nukem Forever since 1997, is purportedly shutting down due to financial trouble.

According to recently-resurrected publisher Apogee Software's Twitter feed, the shutdown does not affect the upcoming Duke Nukem Trilogy for the PSP and Nintendo DS. Those titles are scheduled for release in the fall of this year.

There are no "official" reports of the shutdown--only what we know from Apogee and Shacknews' "very reliable source." Who knows--maybe it's a huge publicity stunt for Duke Nukem Forever?

Via Shacknews
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Rumor-3D-Realms-Closing-Its-Doors

QuickPWN Added, Removed from App Store

Wed, 06 May 2009 03:09:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/QuickPWN-Added-Removed-from-App-Store

The publisher of iPhone tech blog QuickPWN announced this morning that his latest web app--a mobile version of the QuickPWN site--had been approved by Apple's app store. By the end of the day, it had been removed.

No surprise, really. Apple's application approval (App's app app?) process is flawed at best. I can see the reviewers in Cupertino now going nuts over the news that they let QuickPWN slip through their all-knowing security defenses (just like Baby Shaker did). As for the reason it was pulled, no one outside of those offices knows for sure, but it's probably safe to say that it's because the site just happens to share a name with one of the most popular jailbreaking tools known to man.

It's interesting to note that, by the developer's own admission, he is not affiliated with the iPhone Dev Team and does not develop jailbreaks.

Via QuickPWN
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/QuickPWN-Added-Removed-from-App-Store

Do You Have the Swine Flu?

Tue, 05 May 2009 10:47:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Do-You-Have-the-Swine-Flu

Either I'm being consumed by exams or "Swine Flu" isn't quite the buzz word it was just a few days ago. I guess being confined to my room to study has its advantages: less exposure to the pandemic.

If you're concerned you might have H1N1 or whatever they're calling it these days, there's a free online tool you can use to diagnose yourself. Results not guaranteed. Check it out here.
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Do-You-Have-the-Swine-Flu

Trojan2GO Keeps Love Gloves Wrinkle-Free

Sat, 02 May 2009 21:22:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Trojan2GO-Keeps-Love-Gloves-WrinkleFree

Nothing says "I'm a virgin" like a wrinkled wallet-condom. If social suicide doesn't bother you, then you've got to worry about the fact that carrying condoms in wallets just isn't safe; heat and extreme cold break down the latex in the product and can lead to breakage (ask Alice--she knows).

Alice says that if you really need a condom on the go, you should get a business card holder or a plastic compact (yikes) to keep them safe, but top condom manufacturer Trojan has another idea: Trojan 2GO. Trojan 2GO packs two of your favorite style of Willie Hats in a stiff credit-card-sized package (all puns fully intended).

Get yours now at Amazon.
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Trojan2GO-Keeps-Love-Gloves-WrinkleFree

Why is the Beer in the Oven?

Sat, 02 May 2009 20:43:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Why-is-the-Beer-in-the-Oven

What do you do when the fridge runs out of room for beer? If you're like my housemates and you have a Whirlpool Polara Refrigerated Range, you just pop it in the oven.

The Polara range not only cooks your food, but it's programmable to keep your food cool until a specified time at which it pre-heats, cooks your turkey, roast, "special" brownies, what have you and keeps them warm until you get home. Have we ever actually used that feature? Of course not. It's pretty to look at though, and fun to brag about.

Honestly. How many college kids do you know that can tell their friends that they chill beer in the oven?
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Why-is-the-Beer-in-the-Oven

iPhone OS 3 Beta 4 Gets Pwnage Treatment

Sat, 02 May 2009 19:03:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/iPhone-OS-3-Beta-4-Gets-Pwnage-Treatment

QuickPWN 3.0 Beta 4 has been released, enabling jailbreaking the latest beta release of Apple's iPhone OS. If Apple continues to follow their two-week release schedule, we can expect Beta 5 to arrive on or about May 12.

This is an unofficial release; QuickPWN's quick turnaround on jailbreak releases come with the following caveats:

Quote: iPhone 3G users, if you want to keep your yellowsn0w unlock then don’t use this. This is BETA firmware, you will definitely have problems and a lot of jailbroken app will not work with it yet.

You can download the software here.

UPDATE: Looks like all of the essentials are working exactly as with jailbreaks on previous betas--Icy is present (though I miss the absence of Cydia), video apps such as Cycorder won't work, and neither will MobileSubstrate. Granted, these probably won't be updated until a stable release.

Via @QuickPWN
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/iPhone-OS-3-Beta-4-Gets-Pwnage-Treatment

Beware of Facebook Phishing Scams

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:09:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Beware-of-Facebook-Phishing-Scams

I automatically send Facebook emails to spam anyway, but for those of you who rely on them to keep up to date, beware of the latest phishing scam to target users just like you.

Users of the social networking site are receiving emails such as the one below. The messages, apparently from Facebook, redirect users to fbaction.net, a site which captures users' email addresses and passwords.

Quote: Paul Boutin sent you a message.
Subject: Hello

“Visit http://www.facebook.com/l/4253f;http://fbaction.net/”

I got the message in the shot above from a friend of mine... I'm going to re-format my hard drive next week to install Windows 7 RC1 anyway, so I sacrificed my common sense for the sake of journalism and clicked through the link. Turns out, it's just an homeopathic med store.

According to Gadgetwise, a Facebook spokesperson has said that the company is aware of the attack and is working to correct the issue.
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Beware-of-Facebook-Phishing-Scams

Flaskback: The Zork Trilogy

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:33:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Flaskback-The-Zork-Trilogy

This is the first in the weekly Flashback series, in which we bring you a new old-school favorite with each installment. Got an idea? Catch me on Twitter @RobLaughter!

I'm what some would call a young'n--I'm 22 years old. I didn't get a computer until I was 14, but when I did get one it came tricked out with a 15-inch CRT monitor, 386 processor, 8MB of RAM, a 120MB hard disk drive, and 3-1/2 and 5-1/4 inch floppy drives. The floppy drives, might I add, were clutch; they made upgrading from Windows 3.1 to Windows 95 a snap with the 24-disk installation set. They also, however, let me install the most bad-ass text-based adventure of all time, Zork.

Zork, developed in the late-seventies, was a one of the first interactive fantasy computer games. Totally text-based, players had to remember their positions through the game (or map them out on paper like I tried to do) as they collected objects, battled trolls, and avoided the dreaded grues. The game revolved around finding objects, collecting treasures, and solving puzzles in a vast textual world. Some of the highlights: Flood Control Dam #3, the thief, and--my favorite--the witty easter eggs from the cheeky, taunting narrator. Check out the screenie above for an example I found in a moment of frustration.

I sadly never completed the game (though there are strategy guides and walkthroughs out the wazoo if I were interested in trying.

Get in on the action (and check out a ton of other abandonware games) at sites like XTC Abandonware.
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Flaskback-The-Zork-Trilogy

iPhone OS 3.0 Beta 4 Released

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 22:17:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/iPhone-OS-30-Beta-4-Released

Following their two-week release cycle, Apple has released iPhone OS 3.0 Beta 4 to developers. Details to follow once I have a chance to play with it.

UPDATE: After playing with the new update, here are some of the improvements I've found:

1.) Fixed the Stuck Pixel glitch I had with Beta 3
2.) Fixed weird glitches when switching between a phone call and music over a Stereo Bluetooth headset
3.) Corrected some random keyboard/phone keypad errors
4.) GREATLY improves the speed at which Safari, mail, and SMS apps switch from portrait to landscape mode on my device.
5.) Seems to have fixed a lot of freezing/crashing issues. I'll have to test further to tell.

Via @QuickPWN
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/iPhone-OS-30-Beta-4-Released

ESPN.com Invaded by Rainbows, Unicorns

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 17:02:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/ESPNcom-Invaded-by-Rainbows-Unicorns

ESPN.com was plagued yesterday with some of the most disgusting images I've ever witnessed: rainbows and unicorns.

The unicorns, which had apparently escaped their cages at cornify.com, were summoned with what is arguably the most recognizeable video game code of all time: the Konami code (up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, start).

ESPN.com has (sadly) removed the code from the site. Party poopers.

Image and story via Kotaku
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/ESPNcom-Invaded-by-Rainbows-Unicorns

Facebook Accepts Vote Despite Turnout

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 22:10:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Facebook-Accepts-Vote-Despite-Turnout

The results of the Facebook Site Governance Vote have been audited and are official. Of the 665,654 votes, 74.37% supported the revised documents.

Supporters of the revised documents include the co-founders of "the first and largest Facebook group against the previous change to the terms" and Jonathan Zittrain, co-director of Harvard's Berkman Center for Internet & Society.

Comments to the blog show that many users were either unaware of the vote or found out with too little time to adequately prepare themselves for the vote. As I reported earlier this week, too few news outlets and individuals helped spread positive messages urging readers to vote. Facebook will be holding future votes and I encourage you to participate.

One way in which Facebook can improve voter participation would be to more heavily publicize the vote in advance; little was done to do so for this vote besides a small box on the home page.

In response to the low turnout, Facebook general counsel Ted Ullyot says that the site is considering "lowering the 30-percent threshold" for a binding vote. Despite the small response, the vote has been accepted and Facebook will adopt the Statement of Rights and Responsibilities and Principles.

From the Facebook Blog:

Quote: UPDATE on Friday, April 24: The auditors have just confirmed the official vote results. There were 665,654 votes cast and users supported the Statement of Rights and Responsibilities and Principles by an overwhelming margin — 74.37 percent. We will adopt these documents and post them to Facebook and the Site Governance Page in the coming weeks.

Via Facebook
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Facebook-Accepts-Vote-Despite-Turnout

Judge in Pirate Bay Trial Biased

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:41:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Judge-in-Pirate-Bay-Trial-Biased

If you've been living under a rock for the past couple of months, you may not have noticed that the owners of The Pirate Bay, the largest torrent sharing site in the world, have been under heavy fire from the movie and music industries. Following a nearly two-week-long trial and almost a month of deliberation, the owners were found guilty of copyright infringement, fined 30 million Swedish krona in damages, and may face jail time.

Swedish public radio has thrown an interesting twist in the unfolding case with the announcement that the presiding judge has interests in the copyright lobby. P4 reports (Swedish) that Judge Tomas Norström is a member of the Swedish Association of Copyright, the Swedish Association for Industrial Property, and has ties with colleagues such as Monique Wadsted, a representative for American film companies in the trial.

Lawyer Leif Silbersky argues that legal action must be taken immediately.

Via Sveriges Radio Via #Spectrial
Image credit El Rincon del Geek
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Judge-in-Pirate-Bay-Trial-Biased

Twitter Junkies: Cover Up Your Tweets

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:09:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Twitter-Junkies-Cover-Up-Your-Tweets

I've been hiding my addictions to Facebook, AIM, and MySpace for years and now, thanks to Spreadtweet, I can cover up my new-found tweeting obsession.

Spreadtweet is a Twitter client cleverly disguised as an Excel spreadsheet. Use it in meetings, use it at work, use it in class... Use it when your girlfriend tells you that you tweet to much. Heck, I've taken a liking to it just because it's neat, clean, and gives me a bunch of tweets in a convenient-to-read format.

Spreadtweet runs on the Adobe AIR framework, so it's compatible with Macs and PCs. In fact, you can pick your version of Excel (Office 2003, Office 2007, or Office for OSX). You get all the bells and whistles of an actual Excel spreadsheet, but none of the buttons work. Instead, your controls are disguised as column headers, giving you access to replies, direct messages, etc.

One itty bitty problem, though. The Windows Office 2007 version gives me an Office OSX dock icon. I guess it wasn't quite designed for Windows 7.

Via Gadgetwise
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Twitter-Junkies-Cover-Up-Your-Tweets

From the Archives: Reclaim Your iPod

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:11:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/From-the-Archives-Reclaim-Your-iPod

Here's a helpful post from the archives, brought to you by our new site search! (You should probably try that out, by the way).

I bought my iPhone thinking, "what a great place to store my music!" I typically re-format my hard drive every few months, just to keep my computer running smoothly (just like changing the oil in your car) and I don't always want to backup gigs and gigs of music.

After my last re-install, I wanted my music back—no dice. Turns out, without special software, the average user would have trouble reclaiming the music that is rightfully theirs.

Apple, I'm sure, did this intentionally—if you could just plug in and download music, they'd be supporting music piracy in a big way. There are tools, however, that will help you get the job done.

Free tools:

SharePod is a free program for Windows that lets you rip music from your Windows-formatted iPod or iPhone/iTouch.

Yamipod (Yet Another iPod Manager) is also free and runs under Windows, Mac OS, and Linux iPod only).

iDump is another free utility that runs under Windows 2000 and higher (iPod only). iDump can be installed directly on your iPod so you can use the files on any computer that supports the software.

Paid tools:

If you're looking for a iTunes replacement (so you can easily add, manage, rip, and play your music without Apple's software), there are a couple of tools that do the job. They aren't free, though, so you'll have to open up your wallet for these.

iDump Pro lets you manage and share your music without a client installed on the computer you're working on, but like it's little brother, iDump. iDump Pro offers a 30-day free trial and then it is $9.95 to buy.

Xilisoft iPod Rip is a little more expensive, but it also lets you use your iPhone as a hard disk (without this feature, the iPhone is only recognized as a digital camera). It offers a 100-song-per-use trial (meaning you can only rip 100 songs before you have to close and re-open the program) with a 250-song total limit until you purchase the software for $29.95.

My advice? Start with one of the free programs. If they don't quite work as well as you'd like them to, then upgrade to one of the paid programs.
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/From-the-Archives-Reclaim-Your-iPod

Gadget Grounds Site Search Active

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:35:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Gadget-Grounds-Site-Search-Active

We've been posting a lot lately and we want to make it easy for you to find what you're looking for. Today, we've launched the GadgetGrounds Site Search. GG's Site Search integrates with Google so you can find the content you want via a familiar interface. Go ahead! Try it!
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Gadget-Grounds-Site-Search-Active

How to Spot an ATM Card Skimmer

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:58:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/How-to-Spot-an-ATM-Card-Skimmer

Our friends at Gizmodo have written a few articles about super-nasty, bank-account-stealing ATM card skimmers lately. Fitted gingerly into the card slot on an ATM to read your card's data, card skimmers were once upon a time thought to be a thing of movies and urban legend. Now, they're being spotted in the real world.

Luckily, the folks over at The Consumerist have shared a how-to guide to spotting them. Check it out here.

Via The Consumerist
Image credit (and more juicy info) via Network World
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/How-to-Spot-an-ATM-Card-Skimmer

Facebook Etiqutte Finally Explained

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 03:23:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Facebook-Etiqutte-Finally-Explained

Yawn... If you can't tell, I've been irritated with Facebook lately. Not only are they trying to convert me to Christianity, they're trying to lull me into a false sense of security about their terms of service.

At least I don't deal with Facebook drama and, thanks to Alice and Timmy, I've got a good idea on how to avoid it!

Via Neatorama
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Facebook-Etiqutte-Finally-Explained

Facebook Pulling a Massive Con Job?

Sun, 19 Apr 2009 22:37:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Facebook-Pulling-a-Massive-Con-Job

Since Facebook announced their Facebook Site Governance campaign, global privacy watchdog Privacy International has taken an interest in the initiative--and they're calling "B.S."

Privacy International has released an article detailing the campaign and comparing it to some of the lackluster "votes" Facebook has had in the past. The results of the Site Governance vote are only valid if 30% of the active Facebook "population" participates (which is higher than the 25% cited earlier this year). Privacy International's Director, Simon Davies claims that Facebook is fully aware that they will never achieve a 30% response, considering that recent votes on issues such as site design only brought in a fifteen to twenty percent response rate.

As of the time of this posting, only 283,109 of the approximately 45 million required have voted. Voting closes on April 23.

While Privacy International makes a very compelling argument that Facebook is pulling a fast one on us, there is one very important objection I have to the statement. Rather than whine about the issue, why not encourage Facebook's members to vote? Not only have I read the new documents, I've voted and so should you. Click here to log in and vote.

Via Privacy International Via ReadWriteWeb
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Facebook-Pulling-a-Massive-Con-Job

Vote for Facebook Site Governance

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 23:01:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Vote-for-Facebook-Site-Governance

As part of an effort to make Facebook a more democratic community, their Site Governance Vote is now underway. The new documents, the Statement of Rights and Responsibilities and Facebook Principles, will replace the site's current terms of use, which were last updated nearly seven months ago.

In Facebook's words:

Quote: Vote on which documents you think are best to govern the site using the Facebook Site Governance application. Voting begins on April 16 at 12:01pm PDT and ends on April 23 at 11:59am PDT.

If you signed up for a Facebook after February 26, you have to wait until the next voting opportunity to join in.

I think this is an important step in the evolution of social media and social networking sites. Facebook has over 200 million users. To put that in perspective, only four countries in the world have more than 200 million ~~users~~ residents. Naturally, democratic governance is necessary, especially when you have PR nightmares like these.

Did you vote? Do you plan to? Leave a comment.
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Vote-for-Facebook-Site-Governance

iPhone OS 3 Beta 3 Released, Pwned

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:24:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/iPhone-OS-3-Beta-3-Released-Pwned

Two days ago, Apple released the latest update to iPhone OS 3.0 Beta: Beta 3. QuickPWN Beta 3 was released this afternoon, enabling jailbreaking of the update.

This is an unofficial release, meaning it wasn't developed by the iPhone Dev Team. If you're interested in unlocking your phone to use it on unauthorized carriers, wait for the
official release.

According to the QuickPWN Team:
Quote: The latest iPhone 3.0 beta 3 firmware has noticeably improved in speed and performance so it’s worth the update.

I'll be updating this afternoon :)

Via QuickPWN

Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/iPhone-OS-3-Beta-3-Released-Pwned

Facebook Wants Me to Convert

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:04:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Facebook-Wants-Me-to-Convert

I know that Facebook has its benefits and drawbacks... It's great at suggesting friends, making new connections, and helping you expand your network, but now it apparently thinks that I am heathen.

MySpace never tried to convert me to Christianity... Of course, MySpace is full of spammers and webcam whores, so I'm in fair company when I'm over there.
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Facebook-Wants-Me-to-Convert

30 Creative Bookshelf Designs

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 20:53:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/30-Creative-Bookshelf-Designs

Here's an old post from Freshome that has some pretty creative bookshelf ideas. Some are admittedly more creative than others, but I could totally see myself with the "Magnetique" shelf in my study. Check out more at the link below!

Via Freshome
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/30-Creative-Bookshelf-Designs

Kid Busted for Computer Science Homework

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 21:38:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Kid-Busted-for-Computer-Science-Homework

Computer Science students beware! In today's society, "typing command prompts" just might get your possessions confiscated.

Let's set the scene. At Boston College, an email was sent to an email list alleging that a student at the University was gay. Officials promptly launched an investigation in which computer science student Riccardo Calixte became a suspect. The grounds for such accusations, it seems, were that he fixes laptops and uses Linux... Lame.

As a result, the investigating officer filed a search warrant application to seize the student's computer, flash drives, and any other media in his possession. The warrant was granted and now the student's personal property has been seized and the student himself has been suspended from his job pending the investigation.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation has responded with support of a motion for relief to quash the warrant and to return the student's property.

Honestly, how can simply using "command prompts" be sufficient to warrant search and seizure? Aren't citizens protected from such heinous abuses of our rights? Granted, the guy may have sent the email, but I highly doubt he did and any evidence gleaned from this investigation would likely be immediately thrown out if the matter were to go to court.

I find it deplorable that gross misunderstandings can yield such costly outcomes when it comes to errors in judgment.

Via EFF Deeplinks Blog
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Kid-Busted-for-Computer-Science-Homework

A New Twist to Drugs on TV

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 18:09:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/A-New-Twist-to-Drugs-on-TV

When a drug dog alerted on a shipping box for a new TV set, officers must have assumed that the pooch was just interested in watching Wishbone reruns. Upon closer inspection, however, they uncovered $50,000 worth of bona fide marijuana packed inside the TV set.

No word whether the TV set, which was wrapped in cellophane and Tabasco sauce, is still functional or whether it's just hungry.

Via SC Now via Warming Glow
Image Credit, Warming Glow
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/A-New-Twist-to-Drugs-on-TV

How YouTube gets Stupid People Fired

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:37:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/How-YouTube-gets-Stupid-People-Fired

What clowns... This is disgusting--not the fact that they're sticking customers' food in their noses or farting on salami, but the fact that they are stupid enough to upload this to YouTube.

Quote: Look at the book I'm reading. Tori, uhh, Stori telling. Yeah, that's it.

Word on the streets is that they've already been fired. Digg it anyway and pass it on.
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/How-YouTube-gets-Stupid-People-Fired

Palm Pre Seen Out In The Wild

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:14:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Palm-Pre-Seen-Out-In-The-Wild

Boy Genius Report posted pics yesterday of a pair of Palm Pre smartphones out in the wild. A sneaky ~~paparazzo~~ photographer caught a couple of people--who apparently weren't all that impressed with the handsets when they got them--using the devices in a very public space.

Via BGR
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Palm-Pre-Seen-Out-In-The-Wild

GTV Coming Very Soon

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 02:03:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/GTV-Coming-Very-Soon

Life has been hectic between managing school, updating the blog, and developing Connective Insights, but things are starting to slow down for Ethan and I. We'll be starting GTV (Gadget TV) this week, bringing you an all-new video experience.

GTV will bring you a series of short segments throughout the week, each with a different theme. We've got a couple of show ideas in the works (including my fave, the iPhone segment), but I want to know what you want to see. Leave a comment and let me know what you want out of a tech show.
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/GTV-Coming-Very-Soon

Contour Design METAL BT Headset

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 01:34:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Contour-Design-METAL-BT-Headset

Since I got my hands on the Plantronics Discovery 925 Bluetooth headset, I've had a tough time reviewing other headsets; the Discovery is just too... perfect. When the Contour Design METAL headset showed up in my mailbox, however, I was pleasantly surprised. The headset looks sharp, packs light, and delivers decent call quality for a mid-range headset.

The METAL headset has a lightweight aluminum body, giving it a pretty hot design with not a lot of bulk. It looks good--Contour Design did a great job of making the product attractive (and the packaging is well-done, too). While a lightweight frame is important to me, however, one of the drawbacks of the aluminum is that it feels a little cheap and prone to scratching/bending. I dropped it on the ground and the headset's surface became noticeably scuffed. The majority of the scratches came out with a little bit of buffing from my shirt tail, but I wouldn't subject it to too much abuse.

The call quality on the unit was nice--comparable to other headsets in the same range (like the Motorola H690), but it delivered superior comfort over the H690. The in-ear design was far more comfortable for me than that of the Motorola unit as it has a much smaller earpiece.

The METAL headset is a decent buy if you're looking for a mid-range Bluetooth headset--and I certainly wouldn't recommend anything below "mid-range." For the picky buyers out there, it's going to come down to how rugged your headset needs to be. If there's any chance of it falling into a blender, getting run over by a car, etc., I don't think this sucker would hold up. If you're careful with your equipment--unlike myself--snag this headset while you can.
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Contour-Design-METAL-BT-Headset

Google Buys Giant Ant Roaster

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 01:00:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Google-Buys-Giant-Ant-Roaster

This is exactly why I dreamed of working for Google all through high school (and most of college). The guys in Google's Santa Monica office got together and bought a huge frickin' Fresnel ("freh-NELL") lens for the sole purpose of roasting things with the sun's ~~death rays~~ energy.

Some of the cooler things they've roasted with the death beam (which is the same type of lens used in overhead projectors and lighthouses) include wood, pennies, gummy bears, yadda yadda... Oh, and they cooked bacon and eggs with the sucker. Nice.

You can get an overview of the shenanigins over at the Official Google Blog or you can see every single photo of the fun in painstaking detail at one of the team members' LiveJournal blogs.

P.S. Shouldn't he be using Blogger?

Via Big Bad Al via The Official Google Blog
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Google-Buys-Giant-Ant-Roaster

Comcast Taints Good Friday Programming

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 17:39:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Comcast-Taints-Good-Friday-Programming

When it comes to bad luck with programming (or meddling employees), Comcast just can't catch a break.

This time, Philadelphia viewers of an early morning Good Friday service at the Vatican were interrupted by a 30-second Girls Gone Wild ad. The interruption, supposedly due to a test of the Emergency Broadcast System, automatically switches viewers to a different channel that would display alerts during an emergency, but otherwise displays regular programming--in this case, GGW.

It's interesting that only one person called to complain. Perhaps it's because this "interruption" only featured gorgeous co-eds with the notable absence of the huge, flapping penis.

Via MSNBC
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Comcast-Taints-Good-Friday-Programming

RSS Feeds Coming Very Soon

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 01:09:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/RSS-Feeds-Coming-Very-Soon

Hot off the presses, this just in!

Since I was an ambitious little blogger and hand-coded my own blog platform (aren't I cool?), I didn't have an out-of-the-box RSS plugin that I could use. That turned into a problem when I decided that I wanted to import all of my posts into my Facebook page, so I set to work. Two hours later, I've got a beta version that works well enough for now. Email me if you want it.

P.S. I just started tweeting. Follow me here: http://twitter.com/RobLaughter
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/RSS-Feeds-Coming-Very-Soon

Share Data Through iPhone Audio Port

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 16:31:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Share-Data-Through-iPhone-Audio-Port

Alex Winston, Ltd. has demoed an app that allows you to control Wolfenstein 3D from a second iPhone through its headphone jack, all without jailbreaking your phone.

The app uses a crossover audio cable to allow communication directly through the standard 3.5mm headphone jack, bringing a virtual joystick and real-time inventory and health updates to the screen on the second phone.

As TUAW points out, while this is certainly cool, it probably won't make waves; the new iPhone SDK includes some pretty rich hooks for peripheral devices in their 1,000 new APIs.

It's still really cool...

Via TUAW
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Share-Data-Through-iPhone-Audio-Port

Crime Stopping Cell Phones

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 17:18:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Crime-Stopping-Cell-Phones

In case you didn't know, you're not the only one who likes your shiny new iPhone--thieves love it, too.

It's a good thing, then, that either technology these days doesn't want to be stolen or thieves are just too dumb to do it right. Two weeks ago, the New York Post reported that Sayaka Fukuda, 29, had her purse--iPhone included--stolen in a robbery. After she reported the incident to police and returning home, Fukuda checked her email to find an email in her outbox that she didn't send. She opened the attachment in the sent file to find--go figure--a self-portrait of the thief that stole her phone.

Fukuda submitted the photo to authorities who promptly sifted through mugshots to find Daquan Mathis, 18. Score 1 for technology, 0 for clueless crooks.

Then there's this article from Gizmodo that reports on case of a 16-year-old thief whose cell phone just happened to call 911 when he was bragging to his friends about his haul... Smooth.

Police triangulated the cell phone, dispatched an officer, and picked up the kid with stolen car stereo still in hand.

Know of any other stories? Drop us a comment and let us know.
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Crime-Stopping-Cell-Phones

Trillian Astra Sending Beta Invites

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 16:00:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Trillian-Astra-Sending-Beta-Invites

Trillian Astra has been in development for years (it was announced in late 2006) and I've been waiting patiently for my invite to the beta program ever since. Two and a half years later, the software's creator Cerulean Studios is allowing current members to send invites and, at the time of this writing, sending invites to potential beta participants who apply through their beta sign up form.

Some of the neat features of Astra include web-based IM, support for multiple user profiles (each with multiple IM accounts on different providers), a super-slick interface, and some other goodies I'll leave you to find on your own.

Act now--who knows how long it's going to last... Sign up at http://www.trillian.im/signup.html.
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Trillian-Astra-Sending-Beta-Invites

Back when Google was a little younger

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 02:09:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Back-when-Google-was-a-little-younger

Great image... I like outside-the-box thinking like this!

It kind of makes you wonder how people lived before the Internet. I certainly can't fathom a life without having constant connectivity. Granted, fifty years from now, our descendants are going to look back and ask, "Wow, Grandpa... How could you live without an embedded knowledge chip in your brain?! BTW... What's an 'internet?'"

Via Boomerang Via Gizmodo
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Back-when-Google-was-a-little-younger

NSFW Early April Fools at WFU

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 23:08:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/NSFW-Early-April-Fools-at-WFU

Last week, WFU Information Systems staff posted flyers around campus to raise awareness for a critical update that will help prevent viruses on students' computers. This morning, I received an email from one of the Resident Tech Advisers warning of fake flyers "someone or some group" posted in some areas that direct users to a different site where they may be susceptible to real viruses instead of finding an update. The website? meATSPin.com. Clever. Very clever. Very, hilariously, clever.

I laughed my ass off when I realized it was MeatSpin.com (NSFW!) in spam-like disguise. I really did.

I replied to the warning lamenting that swirling genitalia isn't really a virus (depending, of course, on your moral standards) and he realized the humorous cover-up afterward. It's probably a good thing that the real purpose of meATSPin wasn't shared...

Early April Fools, WFU!
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/NSFW-Early-April-Fools-at-WFU

Roku Player Reviewed

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:05:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Roku-Player-Reviewed

The Roku Player may look tiny, but this little black box packs a punch. The device streams Netflix and Amazon Video on Demand straight to your television in 720p HD for only $99.

The device was a breeze to set up--it works with your existing WiFi or Ethernet broadband connections out of the box and connects to your TV with your choice of Composite, S-Video, Component, or HDMI connections. The device booted quickly and, after a software update, I was able to pair the device quickly and easily with both my Neflix and Amazon accounts.

The device automatically imports your Netflix Instant Queue and any Amazon VoD purchases you have made. There is also a decent library of free content to view over the Amazon Service; the first video I watched was the latest College Humor TV show and the quality was excellent.

I very much welcome the Amazon VoD service on the Player. One of my major issues with Netflix's streaming library, as I shared in an earlier post is that it is limited primarily to older titles. That's not necessarily a bad thing--I love classics--but occasionally I'd like to see a new release without having to take a trip to the video store or my P.O. Box. Amazon Video on Demand on the Roku player adds thousands of available titles to the device, inevitably encouraging me to remain on the couch and gain weight.

There is a drawback, however, to Amazon's service: price. While your Netflix all-you-can-eat subscription is a reliable, low monthly fee, the Amazon VoD service is pay-as-you go and many titles aren't cheap. As a college student, I have a deeper appreciation of low cost (which is why I love the Roku Player), so Amazon won't be seeing too much of my business, but I'm sure I'll be tossing some of my dispensible income their way to fill the voids Netflix's library leaves on my movie palate.

Overall, the Roku Player is an excellent value for your money and highly recommended as a GadgetGrounds.com Editor's Pick.

Second Opinion
Cynthia, GadgetGrounds Student Reviewer, writes:

Overall I have been ridiculously happy procrastinating for hours watching movies on the Roku player. It is easy to use, there are many options to watch, and best of all it’s the lowest priced streaming video player I've found! 5 out of 5 stars!
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Roku-Player-Reviewed

iPhone OS 3.0 Hits Bittorrent

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 18:26:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/iPhone-OS-30-Hits-Bittorrent

With iPhone OS 3.0 announced just days ago, scores of users are itching to get your hands on the software but don't want to blow $99 on registration as a developer. Lo and behold, a friendly uploader has leaked it to the ever-so-popular torrent tracker, The Pirate Bay. Link after the break.

I hesitate to install the Beta software for two reasons. First, it is a Beta and "Beta" generally means "buggy." Second, I rely far too heavily on jailbroken programs and the 3.0 is yet unjailbroken.

If you're so inclined, however, you may download the torrent here: iPhone OS 3.0 Beta. Keep in mind that, without a developer's license, you won't be able to sync the phone with your computer.

For those of you who, like me, are waiting for a jailbreak, there is good news from the iPhone Dev-Team

Quote: And for those wondering, yes the 3.0 OS is jailbreakable on all devices.

via Technology Nerd
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/iPhone-OS-30-Hits-Bittorrent

Cool stuff with Chrome Experiments

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 15:33:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Cool-stuff-with-Chrome-Experiments

We've seen a lot of innovation in Google's web and browser applications these days and Chrome Experiments certainly doesn't let me down.

Chrome Experiments is a program that is encouraging designers and programmers from around the world to develop fast, creative JavaScript applications for the Chrome browser. From their website:

[quote]We think JavaScript is awesome. We also think browsers are awesome. Indeed, when we talk about them, we say they are the cat's meow – which is an American expression meaning AWESOME.

In light of these deeply held beliefs, we created this site to showcase cool experiments for both JavaScript and web browsers.[quote]

My favorite "experiment" is Google Gravity. What's yours? Leave a comment!
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Cool-stuff-with-Chrome-Experiments

Live from the Creativity Symposium

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 14:40:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Live-from-the-Creativity-Symposium

Sweet deal--we've been offered the opportunity to showcase Connective Insights at the Creativity Symposium's Student Entrepreneurship Showcase at Wake Forest. If you're around, feel free to stop by and chat in the Benson University Center until 4:15 or so this afternoon!

Other student entrepreneurs at the Showcase include Wake Water, Wake Wash, YouShouldKnowThisByNow, and Wake Audio. Stop by and show some love.
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Live-from-the-Creativity-Symposium

Breaking Ground on Gadget Grounds

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 01:49:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Breaking-Ground-on-Gadget-Grounds

I'm pleased to announce the beginning of our first day of operations as GadgetGrounds.com! I'll be your friendly Groundskeeper, Willie. Er... Rob.

We have big plans for the site now that we're on a dot com TLD, so look forward to some pleasant changes. Here are some the ideas we're working on:

Video Reviews
Guest Bloggers
RSS Feeds
Mobile Site

And that's just the beginning! Don't worry—all of the features you knew and loved have been ported over to the new site, with a couple more exciting, top secret new features to come! Stay tuned, kids.
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Breaking-Ground-on-Gadget-Grounds

Plantronics Discovery 925 Review

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 01:49:00 -0400

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Plantronics-Discovery-925-Review

It's not often that this reviewer gives rave reviews, but I was more than happy to do so with this beauty came my way. My hands were trembling as I unboxed the Plantronics Discovery 925 Bluetooth headset--and with good reason. This bad boy looked sharp and had a good deal of "hype" behind it, so I couldn't wait to see if what I heard was true... Quick pairing, multipoint technology, and seven days of standby time, all in a sleek, sexy package? Needless to say, I was cautiously skeptical.

To me, its description sounded like the beginning of a "too good to be true" fairy tale I've been through my fair share of Bluetooth headsets looking for something that was comfortable, provided audible call quality, and returned the favor to the person on the receiving end, no matter the environment. As I tore the Discovery 925 out of its pretty packaging like a kid on Christmas, I found the headset, a snazzy rechargeable leather case, a host of charging options, and three different sized ear tips.

Not one to judge a car by its paint job, I had to take this puppy for a test drive. I'm a big guy, so I assumed that my ears would take the large eartip that shipped attached to the device. I gave it some time, but started to notice some pretty severe discomfort. No dice. Apparently, my big head is poorly-endowed in the ear department. I switched to the next size down and it still fit poorly--the Discovery was testing my mettle! The smallest size, however, fit beautifully. I've tried other headsets that relied on over-the-ear supports and such, but none really felt comfortable, only stable at best. The Discovery feels as if I have nothing in my ear--without the need for any extra support. That's one point for the device.

Then I reached for my trusty iPhone, turned on the headset (which promptly and automatically entered pairing mode without any trouble), and searched for a device. Discovery 9XX? Yes, sir! A few key strokes later and E.T. found himself phoning home--greeted by the surprisingly clear (and pleasantly surprised) voice of my girlfriend on the phone. Score again--two points.

I made a few other calls and asked each of my friends and relatives if they could hear me well--none had problems, even in the car. Three points and going strong.

I was going to post this review last week, but realized that I had one more complaint of Bluetooth headsets that hasn't been addressed: talk/standby time. Every headset I've purchased (four in the past few years) has suffered from miserable battery life. To test this aspect, I took the Discovery 925 on vacation with me and decided to leave the power adapters at home--I only brought the rechargeable case. That was Sunday the 8th and today is Tuesday the 17th (happy St. Patty's Day) and the battery just now quit on me. The case still has life, but I'm back in the "office" (read: dorm room) now and I have power available, so I've just given up. I'm far too impatient to keep going and hereby concede a glowing, perfect review to the Plantronics Discovery 925 headset.

You've earned it.

EDIT: I forgot to mention one of the other features I've grown to love and can't believe I never before cared to explore--Multipoint technology. Since I review a LOT of cellular handsets, it has been a total pain in my keister to switch paired devices between the demo unit and my primary handset. With Multipoint, I can pair the headset with two devices at once. Plantronics, I think you just earned yourself a score of 5.1/5 with this one...
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Plantronics-Discovery-925-Review

xGPS iPhone Voice Navigation Released

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 19:49:00 -0500

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/xGPS-iPhone-Voice-Navigation-Released

xGPS finally brings turn by turn voice navigation to jailbroken iPhones! xWaves released version 1.2 of the software today (five days before their anticipated release date, updating on-the-fly directions and adding audible feedback for routes. If you have version 1.1 installed, you can find the update ib Cydia's Update tab. Otherwise, add the xWaves repo at http://xwaves.net/repo.

More updates, screens, and a review when I get back to the PC.

Update:
I've got to say, I'm unimpressed by the voice itself, but beggars can't be choosers. It is, after all, the first (and only) turn-by-turn voice navigation system for the iPhone. Oh, and did I mention that it's free?

In version 1.1, you couldn't use "Current Location" as a starting point as you can with Google Maps for iPhone without the application throwing an error. I'm happy to report that this issue has indeed been fixed, along with a laundry list of updates covered on their pre-release write-up.

One new feature not mentioned in their preview is the Routes Manager, which allows you to save itineraries for offline use.

Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/xGPS-iPhone-Voice-Navigation-Released

TQtv Episode 2

Sat, 28 Feb 2009 03:00:00 -0500

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/TQtv-Episode-2

This week, check out some cool Bluetooth audio products from Tenqa, the Roku player, and we take a first look at Safari 4 Beta.

Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/TQtv-Episode-2

Find New Music with Mufin

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 22:29:00 -0500

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Find-New-Music-with-Mufin

Let's talk about Mufin. Not muffins of the banana nut or blueberry variety--Mufin.

Mufin is a "music discovery engine" that lets you find music that sounds similar to songs you already like. If you think that description sounds a lot like Pandora, you're exactly right. The basic premise is similar, but there is a laundry list of qualifying differences that makes Mufin a totally different beast.

Mufin comes in a variety of flavors... er... "packages." First is the web based interface, in which you can search for your favorite songs and artists and find tracks that are similar based upon rhythm, tempo, and density.

Next up is Mufin's new Mufin Player, which they deem the "World's first media player with sound-based music management and music discovery." The Mufin Player bring Mufin's web-based song-sniffing functionality to your desktop, then takes it one step further by analyzing your current tracks to sort them by how they sound.

Analyzing tracks, though, takes a painfully long time. When you first set up the software, you can import your iTunes library (or other music folders, for that matter) and begin analyzing that media. I imported 1554 songs from my iTunes library, which took around a half an hour to analyze. I'd hate to wait patiently for some of my friends' 10,000-song libraries to go through the process.

Another cool feature of the Mufin Player is Audio ID, which lets you use Mufin's analyzed data to identify songs without ID3 tags and save the updated tags automatically. I've tried it with a few of my tracks and, while it found most of them, there were a few that it wouldn't recognize.

If you don't want to use a whole new music player, you can always use Mufin's third option--Mufin for iTunes. It's not as elegant as the Mufin player, but it's a nice add-on to iTunes.

Mufin's greatest highlight, I think, is also its greatest flaw. Since Mufin uses computer algorithms to compare tracks, it can be just a little off. Sorry, Mufin. I don't see the link between Johnny Cash and Linkin Park. Pandora's accuracy is eerie--they hit most correlations right on, and here's why (copied from their own website): "we've carefully listened to the songs of tens of thousands of different artists..." They've listened. A computer hasn't listened. They have listened. There is no substitute for subjective human analysis of music that is created 100% by humans.

But don't take my word for it. Give it a try.
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Find-New-Music-with-Mufin

New Features in Google Toolbar 6

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:29:00 -0500

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/New-Features-in-Google-Toolbar-6

If you're stuck in the stone age and still haven't evolved from Internet Explorer (which cnet.co.uk has benchmarked as being the slowest modern browser to date), I'm happy to report that you can finally enjoy Google Chrome's dashboard-esque new tab page with Google Toolbar 6 Beta.

Google's new tab page (delivered unto Firefox users a few weeks back) gives users quick access to their most visited web pages, bookmarks, and recently closed tabs and windows.

The toolbar also brings Quick Search Box (QSB) functionality to users without Google Desktop Search and to users who, like myself, use 64-bit Windows Vista. What I'm quickly falling in love with about the new QSB, though, is its application launcher. Using the CTRL+Space keyboard shortcut brings up the QSB and just typing a query (such as "notepad") gives you a host of options.

What's more, the QSB adapts to how you use it most. If you usually use it for search queries, the software will put search suggestions higher on the list. On the other hand, if you're like me and love to have your applications and programs just a quick tap on the keyboard away (rather than having to navigate through menus and such), QSB will learn that you do so and start displaying program suggestions higher on the list. The first time I used the feature, the Notepad application appeared toward the bottom of the list above. After just one use, however, it was moved to the top.

Freaky, no?
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/New-Features-in-Google-Toolbar-6

TQtv Episode 1

Sat, 21 Feb 2009 02:12:00 -0500

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/TQtv-Episode-1

This week, we get up close and personal with some cool technologies like the Chumby device and the DocuPen handheld scanner. We also get hands-on with SnapStream's BeyondTV Software.
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/TQtv-Episode-1

Netflix looks at streaming only option

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 21:49:00 -0500

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Netflix-looks-at-streaming-only-option

Dear ~~cheap~~ thrifty XBOX 360 users,

Netflix may soon be offering a streaming-only option for their video service. Bloomberg reports on a recent interview with Netflix CEO Reed Hastings in which Hastings says, "in the long term, the streaming will be good enough that an appreciable number of people will find streaming is all they need."

Netflix currently streams about 12,000 of their 100,000 titles. I'm am a Media Studies student, so films are a big part of my education (be jealous). On more than one occasion, I've been disappointed to find that assigned viewings haven't been added to the streaming service. In fact, this semester, only one of my films have been in Netflix's streaming library.

I love the streaming idea, though. With services like the XBOX 360's Netflix streaming ability and products like the Roku Player on the market, the demand indeed appears to be there. Roku is sending us one of their devices, so we'll be sure to review it for you.

Where there is a demand, however, others will do their best to fill it, too. Support of Amazon's Video on Demand is currently in private beta and, as soon as we recieve our Roku Player, we'll be (pardon the pun) playing with it. One benefit I can see to Amazon's option as a business model would be that there is no constant shipping of DVDs back and forth; it is entirely web based. If a viewer wants the DVD, they purchase it directly. Further, they've got about 40,000 titles available. Weigh that, however, against the fact that you can watch unlimited streaming titles on Netflix for the price of just two titles on Amazon and you might have a good explanation of why Netflix's shares are up 39 percent over the last year.

Will Amazon's streaming be as popular as Netflix? As Hastings says about Netflix, "We’ve got one singular objective, which is 'Be successful in streaming.' If we do that, that's a homerun."
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Netflix-looks-at-streaming-only-option

MWC 2009 Underway

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 01:10:00 -0500

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/MWC-2009-Underway

Mobile World Congress 2009 has been underway for a whole day now and the web is officially littered with enough cell phone articles to give you brain cancer.

You won't see any of the phones pictured above at MWC because, well, we're not there. Keep up-to-date by visiting some of our friends in the menu to the right.
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/MWC-2009-Underway

Apple Continues to Fight Jailbreaking

Sat, 14 Feb 2009 14:30:00 -0500

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Apple-Continues-to-Fight-Jailbreaking

Apple is no stranger to legal controversy and the corporation is at it again--this time in response to an exemption to the Digital Millenium Copyright Act (DCMA) proposed by the EFF that would allow iPhone users to legally jailbreak their phones. The proposed class states:

Quote: Computer programs that enable wireless telephone handsets
to execute lawfully obtained software applications, where circumvention is accomplished for the sole purpose of enabling interoperability of such applications with computer programs on the telephone handset.

Apple's response:

Quote: Apple is opposed to the proposed Class #1 exemption because it will destroy the technological protection of Apple’s key copyrighted computer programs in the iPhone device itself and of copyrighted content owned by Apple that plays on the iPhone, resulting in copyright infringement, potential damage to the device and other potential harmful physical effects, adverse effects on the functioning of the device, and breach of contract.

In a recent legal analysis published on the Electronic Frontier Foundation's website, senior staff attorney Fred von Lohmann (who prepared the proposed exemption) writes:

Quote: If this sounds like FUD [Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt], that's because it is. One need only transpose Apple's arguments to the world of automobiles to recognize their absurdity. Sure, GM might tell us that, for our own safety, all servicing should be done by an authorized GM dealer using only genuine GM parts. Toyota might say that swapping your engine could reduce the reliability of your car. And Mazda could say that those who throw a supercharger on their Miatas frequently exceed the legal speed limit.

Regardless of the U.S. Copyright Office's decision, the trends say that jailbreaking will continue. Cydia, the open-source distribution scheme for jailbroken iPhones, has upwards of 350,000 users as of October 2008. That number has surely grown since then. Apple has released a number of "bug fixing" updates to the phone, each time breaking the jailbreaking process. Each time, the iPhone Dev Team (the masterminds behind the jailbreaking process) have issued an updated mechanism to open the phone within days.

The question I pose to you is this: Should mobile phone companies be given full authority to lock their handsets? Looking at von Lohmann's analogy, would we expect auto makers to lock down the hoods of our cars?

Discuss.

via xSellize
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Apple-Continues-to-Fight-Jailbreaking

xGPS Makes Waves, Cydia Slammed

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:48:00 -0500

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/xGPS-Makes-Waves-Cydia-Slammed

iPhone users, take note: xGPS 1.2 brings turn-by-turn directions and voice navigation to the iPhone.

Moments after news of the application hit sites such as ModMyi and Gizmodo, users reported problems downloading the utility from Cydia.

xGPS, currently in version 1.1, grants users turn-by-turn navigation on their iPhone 3G or 1st Gen iPhone/iPod Touch (using an external GPS module). Its developers expect to release the new version by the end of the month. Due to restrictions in Apple's iPhone SDK, the app is only available for jailbroken phones.

Via Gizmodo Via ModMyi via xGPS

Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/xGPS-Makes-Waves-Cydia-Slammed

Ruckus Music Service Fades Away

Sun, 08 Feb 2009 11:46:00 -0500

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Ruckus-Music-Service-Fades-Away

You may remember a review we posted raving about Ruckus when the music download service first came out. Ruckus recently and abruptly announced that the "service will no longer be provided."

Ruckus began as a subsidized music streaming service, but later offered free (ad-supported) music downloads to college students. For an additional fee, students could activate a "Ruckus to Go" subscription to play their music on PlaysForSure-supported devices. Note that neither Microsoft's Zune nor the Apple iPod support PlaysForSure DRM music.

The announcement is not too surprising, considering that Apple announced just last month that iTunes will now be DRM-free starting in April and, more importantly, that the iPhone will support music downloading over 3G effective immediately.
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Ruckus-Music-Service-Fades-Away

Docupen RC805 Portable Scanner

Mon, 02 Feb 2009 03:47:00 -0500

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Docupen-RC805-Portable-Scanner

After I unboxed the DocuPen RC805 from Planon System Solutions, one thing instantly popped into my head: "This is some serious James Bond material right here!" Imagine a full-color (24-bit) scanner that's just under nine inches long and weighs only two ounces. The DocuPen scans an entire page in just a few seconds (around five to ten, in our tests) without the need for a PC. Once you're back in at your computer, the DocuPen software makes it easy to pull the images off of the device and convert them to various formats (TIFF and PDF, in my tests).

There are a few kinks, however. First, scanning from books is a little tough; the DocuPen has to be pretty much flat in order to scan properly. The device operates on rollers which track down the page. If you're scanning on a soft or uneven surface and the rollers lose contact with the page, the rollers stop turning and the device assumes you've reached the end of the page you were scanning. This is little more than a learning curve, though, and it is easy to pick up some finesse on how to guide the pen down the page.

The second kink is the software--it doesn't seem to be compatible with the 64-bit version of Vista. Luckily, my primary use for the DocuPen is with the Lenovo ThinkPad X60 Tablet I'm testing as a part of my Project Paperless endeavor. The software installs fine on the Tablet (running Windows 7). Still, the software feels "old." It takes me back to the config programs of old webcams, TWAIN scanners and such under Windows 95/98. Functionality could be improved as well; the software is currently a "suite" with several dis-integrated applications that could benefit from being re-written and unified.

The looks of the pen itself more than make up for the aesthetics of the software, though. The DocuPen is a shiny bundle of really cool (and surprisingly usable) technology. Its form factor and portability are HUGE selling points--it travels well in my backpack, laptop bag, or even my pocket and seems durable enough to not break in transit. Might I also mention that the device comes with a leather case for additional protection.

Look for sample scans in a future post.

Our rating: 5/5
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Docupen-RC805-Portable-Scanner

Free Red Bull? Yes, please.

Sun, 01 Feb 2009 22:56:00 -0500

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Free-Red-Bull--Yes-please

The folks over at Gizmodo tracked down this heck of a deal: Free energy drinks.

Roaring Lion Energy drink is so confident it can take on Red Bull, they're giving it away for free. Just fill out this form and Roaring Lion will send you both a 12-ounce can of their product and a 8.3-ounce can of Red Bull so you can try them side by side.

I don't know about you, but I'm not about to pass up free energy drink to fuel my late night "study sessions" (and by that, I mean "bowling"). It still doesn't beat the case of BAWLS we were sent last semester...

Click here to take the challenge

[via Gizmodo]
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Free-Red-Bull--Yes-please

Big News for Future of the iPhone?

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 02:00:00 -0500

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Big-News-for-Future-of-the-iPhone

Rumor has it that Apple is planning to start selling premium iPhone games as early as June 2009. According to PocketGamer, only a small number of larger game publishers will be allowed to join in on the initiative.

Currently, "high-end" App Store games sell for around $5.00 to $9.00.

If the rumor is true (and "sources say" it is), then this could be a pretty big thing for Apple, allowing the iPhone to become a viable gaming platform. One issue, however, will be the iPhone's stability--any user will tell you that the device is prone to crashing apps back to the Springboard once its memory gets too full.

Well, rumors also abound about third-gen iPhones coming in June as well. Coincidence? I think not.

WIRED reports that industry analysts and developers are both saying that a third-gen iPhone will "have a strong focus on gaming."

Quote: Apple made clear its plans to seize the gaming market in November 2008 when Apple marketing executive Greg Joswiak called the iPhone and iPod Touch "the future of gameplay," posing a serious threat to dedicated gaming consoles such as the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP. The reasons? A few things: The quick, electronic distribution method of games and apps via the iPhone's App Store; the accelerometer and multitouch display, which are introducing new approaches to gameplay; and the iPhone's lighter, more portable form factor compared to its rivals.

One can only wonder what the price tag will be! No matter the price, though, I'll probably be taking a hit to the wallet come June.
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Big-News-for-Future-of-the-iPhone

Gmail Users Rejoice: Offline Emails

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:11:00 -0500

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Gmail-Users-Rejoice-Offline-Emails

Google announced on Tuesday that, starting immediately, Gmail users can access their email any time--even if they don't have an internet connection.

Quote: Today we're starting to roll out an experimental feature in Gmail Labs that should help fill in those gaps: offline Gmail. So even if you're offline, you can open your web browser, go to gmail.com, and get to your mail just like you're used to.

Offline Gmail will track changes made to your inbox and account while you're offline and will synchronize them with your online account instantly and automatically when it finds an internet connection.

Here's how to set up offline Gmail on your own account.

1.) After logging in to your Gmail account, click "Settings."
2.) Click "Labs."
3.) Find "Offline" (it should be at the top of the list) and choose "Enable."
4.) Scroll to the bottom of the page and press "Save Changes."
5.) At the top of your inbox, find the link that says, "Offline 0.1"). Click the link.
6.) A popup window will open. Press "Next," then give the application permission to use Gears.

IMPORTANT: Since offline Gmail uses Google Gears to store information on your computer, it is important that you only give offline Gmail permission to use gears on your own computer that you can keep secure.

7.) You will be given the option on install shortcuts to offline gmail. Choose one or more of the options and click OK.

Gmail will now begin synchronizing your messages and attachments. Keep in mind that the application is still experimental--that's why it is part of Google Labs. That means it may be buggy.

Until then, let me know if you learn anything new!

Offline Gmail works on Google Gears, an open-source add-in for Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Chrome that lets web applications (such as Gmail) interact with a your computer. Gears runs on Windows, Windows Mobile, Mac, Linux, and Android and comes pre-configured in Google's Chrome browser.

Gmail
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Gmail-Users-Rejoice-Offline-Emails

iPod Users: Reclaim Your 'Tunes

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 20:48:00 -0500

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/iPod-Users-Reclaim-Your-Tunes

I bought my iPhone thinking, "what a great place to store my music!" I typically re-format my hard drive every few months, just to keep my computer running smoothly (just like changing the oil in your car) and I don't always want to backup gigs and gigs of music.

After my last re-install, I wanted my music back--no dice. Turns out, without special software, the average user would have trouble reclaiming the music that is rightfully theirs.

Apple, I'm sure, did this intentionally--if you could just plug in and download music, they'd be supporting music piracy in a big way. There are tools, however, that will help you get the job done.

Free tools:

SharePod is a free program for Windows that lets you rip music from your Windows-formatted iPod or iPhone/iTouch.

Yamipod (Yet Another iPod Manager) is also free and runs under Windows, Mac OS, and Linux iPod only).

iDump is another free utility that runs under Windows 2000 and higher (iPod only). iDump can be installed directly on your iPod so you can use the files on any computer that supports the software.

Paid tools:

If you're looking for a iTunes replacement (so you can easily add, manage, rip, and play your music without Apple's software), there are a couple of tools that do the job. They aren't free, though, so you'll have to open up your wallet for these.

iDump Pro lets you manage and share your music without a client installed on the computer you're working on, but like it's little brother, iDump. iDump Pro offers a 30-day free trial and then it is $9.95 to buy.

Xilisoft iPod Rip is a little more expensive, but it also lets you use your iPhone as a hard disk (without this feature, the iPhone is only recognized as a digital camera). It offers a 100-song-per-use trial (meaning you can only rip 100 songs before you have to close and re-open the program) with a 250-song total limit until you purchase the software for $29.95.

My advice? Start with one of the free programs. If they don't quite work as well as you'd like them to, then upgrade to one of the paid programs.

Thanks to Ross from the Resident Technology Adviser program for some of the links.
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/iPod-Users-Reclaim-Your-Tunes

Going Paperless in 2009

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 03:25:00 -0500

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Going-Paperless-in-2009

In an effort to reduce the amount of clutter I have around my "home office" (read: the bed in my dorm room), boost my productivity, and perhaps in some small way help the environment, I've decided to go entirely paperless for the entire semester. Shoddy Photoshop job above not related.

By "paperless," of course, I mean to the extent that a college student can do so. For instance, if I were to have to submit a hard copy of an assignment, paper would be involved--as big a tragedy as that is. In the same vein, if I were to receive printed material from a professor, the ideal course of action would be to immediately head to my dorm room, scan the object into OneNote, and promptly recycle the document.

In an effort to make this process easier, several organizations are jumping on board. First, I'm using a Lenovo X60 Tablet PC on loan from the Information Systems department of Wake Forest University--that's really what kicked off this whole revolution. Next, the kind folks at PlanOn System Solutions are sending me one of their handy DocuPen hand-held scanners to test drive. Stay tuned for a full review.

I'll keep updating as things progress. It'll be interesting to see if I can last the entire semester by keeping up with this system.

I just hope Wake Forest doesn't decide to go paperless with my diploma...
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Going-Paperless-in-2009

Solar Power comes to iPhone

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:53:00 -0500

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Solar-Power-comes-to-iPhone

One of the biggest disadvantages of using the iPhone is its relatively short battery life. Currently, millions of people use the iPhone as their main cell phone, but only few have backup batteries ready. Most people would not carry a heavy or dangling battery charger with them when they go out.

Recently, a company called Solar Arcadia has introduced the Solar iPhone Leather Flip, a solar-powered battery charger that doubles as an iPhone case and protector. The battery charger, which carries a price tag of $45.90, gathers energy directly from sunlight and has an on/off switch to activate the charging circuit only when you need it. I personally find the Solar Arcadia to be very convenient for people that do not bring many things with them when they go out--the Solar Arcadia stays on the iPhone for battery charging at all times. Since the charger runs purely on solar energy, no additional batteries or wall charging is ever required. I also find the battery meter in the Solar Arcadia that shows how much energy remains in the charger to be very convenient.

However, there are a few drawbacks to this device. The case and battery itself is bulky--it can fit in some pockets, but not for people who wears tight jeans or pants. The charger itself does not store too much battery and a full charge of the device just won't charge the iPhone to its capacity. The battery life of the Solar Arcadia will also drain over a short period of time. Good thing, then, that the device can be replenished by solar energy.

Overall, the product is very convenient and I recommend it to people who needs to charge their iPhone batteries often but yet does not want to bring an extra battery charger set with them when they go out. The bulkiness and the appearance of the item is a huge drawback, but at least they serve as a good protector if you tend to drop the iPhone often!
For even more juice (at a heftier price tag), check out our review of the mophie Juice Pack.

Our rating: 3/5

Solar iPhone Leather Flip
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Solar-Power-comes-to-iPhone

BeyondTV turns your PC into a DVR

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 12:36:00 -0500

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/BeyondTV-turns-your-PC-into-a-DVR

TiVo users, listen up. SnapStream Media's BeyondTV can turn your PC into a powerful Personal Video Recorder (PVR) option that rivals set-top DVR boxes.

BeyondTV comes in two principle options: with or without a bundled TV tuner card. Our review copies shipped with Happauge tuners--we've used the software with both the internal PCI tuner cards and the external USB units and experienced very little difficulty getting things up and running.

After a quick setup wizard and a program guide update to import channel information, , I was greeted with a clean, easy-to-use interface. One click was all it took to start browsing my program guide, set shows to record, and watch my favorite programs.

Being the multi-media junkie that I am, I wanted to push the bar even further. My desktop PC is chock full of hard disk space--1.5 TB, to be specific--including not only my BeyondTV recordings, but my recorded videos of CounterStrike pwnage and short films I've produced. My mobile PCs (a Lenovo ThinkPad T60 notebook and a ThinkPad X60 Tablet) have a good amount of hard disk space, but if my data is already in one place, why duplicate that data across machines? Good thing BeyondTV ships with BeyondTV Link, a remote-access software that can access your BeyondTV installation from the nether-regions of the interwebs. BeyondTV Link provides you with a full-featured BeyondTV installation without the need for a tuner--all of the files are hosted on your PC back home. You can even specify additional folders to add to BeyondTV's folder "pool" and stream your own TV shows and other video media content.

There are other products out there (like MythTV and SageTV) that can offer some of the same functionality at a lower cost ($79.95 for SageTV without a "link" client) or even free (MythTV), but BeyondTV is hard to beat. BeyondTV will set you back $99, but SnapStream offers a 21-day free trial to try out the software. If you're anything like me, you'll love it.

Our rating: 5/5

SnapStream Media
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/BeyondTV-turns-your-PC-into-a-DVR

Neverlate: an Alarm with Attitude

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 12:28:00 -0500

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Neverlate-an-Alarm-with-Attitude

American Innovative has sent us the most comprehensive alarm clock we've tried to date: their Neverlate Executive 7-Day Alarm Clock. The Neverlate comes equipped with three banks of seven alarm settings--21 alarms total--to accomodate even the most complicated sleep schedules.

For a student, this is a lifesaver. I personally have classes only on Tuesdays and Thursday--and I can't remember my name if you don't remind me, let alone to remember to set an alarm--so it's nice to have an alarm pre-set for each day of the week.

You may argue, "but my cell phone can already do that," and you'd be 100% correct (I presume). The Neverlate, however, also sports a USB charging jack (for your iPhone, perchance), a 1/8" stereo AUX input, and an optimized speaker system for blasting your Green Day music files from your music player. The clock also hosts a wide variety of customization options, including an adjustable display brightness, configuring pre-set radio stations, and setting snooze duration.

Using the device can be a bit tricky at first--its features are a bit much for the average alarm clock consumer. The alarm selection, for instance, is controlled by a knob on the top--it's not too bad once you get used to it, but there's definitely a bit of a learning curve.

Overall, the Neverlate Executive is a decent buy and certainly at the top of its class.

American Innovative is currently out of stock, but the device retails for $59.95.

Our rating: 4/5

Neverlate Executive 7-Day Alarm Clock
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Neverlate-an-Alarm-with-Attitude

Chumby: the Widgety Wonder

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 12:13:00 -0500

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Chumby-the-Widgety-Wonder

We got our hands on a Chumby device last semester and squeals of joy were heard around the Technology Quarters Secret Lair/Batcave. Everyone wanted to give it a test drive and everyone wanted to do it at the same time.

What is a Chumby device, you ask? The gadget, in our own words, is an open-source (read: hackable), Wi-Fi-enabled media player. The concept is simple--you log in to their website, register your device, and load it up with all of the cool widgets you can stomach. There are amazingly useful widgets like Facebook, Pandora, alarm clocks, and news/weather video feeds. At the same time, there are dozens of totally useless (but equally fun) applications. The first widget I added, I'm proud to say, was "Chuck Norris Jokes." Did you know that Chuck Norris' tears can cure cancer? Too bad he never cries...

Taking a deeper, more technical look at the device, the Chumby device sports a 350MHz Freescale iMX21 MC94MX21DVKN3 ARM9 controller. It has a couple of USB ports in the back, another USB port tucked away inside, a three-axis accelerometer, a built-in microphone, stereo speakers, and a touch screen for interacting with the unit's control panel UI.

The only problem our group had with the device is the cost. When we recieved our demo unit, the price was $179.99--a little steep for college students, especially considering that there are a lot more responsible things we could put our money towards (like food) . If you're looking for the ultimate bedside gadget, though, the Chumby device is it.

What other alarm clock/media player/awesome gadget lets you play Quake with full accelerometer control when you wake up from a dream at 4 AM? Oh, wait. The iPhone.

Our rating: 4/5
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Chumby-the-Widgety-Wonder

Mophie Juice Pack for iPhone 3G

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 18:27:00 -0500

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Mophie-Juice-Pack-for-iPhone-3G

If you, like me, are displeased with the iPhone 3G's battery life and the loads of tips on how to improve it are no match for your interweb-crawling Safari-pounding index finger, good news is here: there is a solution.

For just under $100 ($99.95 to be exact), you can double your talk, texting, and surf time with the mophie Juice Pack for iPhone 3G. While it's a bit pricey--I wouldn't recommend it for the casual user--if you're a bandwidth hog, I'll guarantee that this product will save you in a pinch. After a lengthy Pandora Radio Listen-O-Thon, a series of huge App Store downloads, or (heaven forbid) a couple hours of running PDAnet to route your internet connection through your (jailbroken) iPhone to your laptop, you're likely to need a recharge and, sometimes, there's no outlet available.

Thank goodness for the Juice Pack. The vendor advertises that you'll get an extra 6 hours of talk time or data usage on a 3G connection (up to 12 hours on 2G) and up to 28 hours of continuous audio playback off of one charge. I'm a hardcore user of my iPhone and the Juice Pack will keep me running all day.

It's just icing on an already-scrumptious cake, but the Juice Pack is also the first attached auxilliary power source to be labelled as a "Works with iPhone 3G" product. It will even let you sync and charge the battery through your iPhone connection cable at the same time.

One minor annoyance is that when using a third-party charger with a mini-USB tip, the juice pack will charge, but the phone refuses to do so. This, I'm sure, is to maintain compliance with Apple's "Works with iPhone 3G" standards, but it would be nice if it would do so.

Our rating: 5/5

mophie Juice Pack
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Mophie-Juice-Pack-for-iPhone-3G

GadgetGrounds Sections

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 23:42:00 -0500

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/GadgetGrounds-Sections

Reviews--Links to our ever-growing reviews database
How-Tos--If you've ever wondered how to rip music from your iPod, set up a home theatre, or just check your email, we've got you covered.
Gadgets--News, tips, and tricks on all the latest gadgets from Apple to Zunes.
Entertainment/Media--Did you know that you can watch Netflix movies through your XBOX 360? Now you do. Find out more.
Software--Games, operating systems, and utilities. If it runs, we can cover it.
Mobile--News and information about mobile phones and portable devices.
Gaming--Frag 'em in style! Gaming news and info.
Academics--Products that can make academic life easier to deal with.
Social Life--Technology that helps you meet new friends and stay in touch with the old ones.
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/GadgetGrounds-Sections

About Technology Quarters

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 23:35:00 -0500

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/About-Technology-Quarters

Wake Forest University has always turned to our students when considering new technology to bring to campus; students are the experts on what technologies they want and how they want to use them. Technology Quarters is the newest venture at Wake Forest that relies on the expertise of our students to evaluate what technology should be provided on campus. The program began in 2003 when a portion of a freshmen residence hall was converted into a technology testing ground.

The program expanded in the fall of 2004 to include a Technology Quarters House, a university-owned home adjacent to campus equipped with the latest technology. Some students were given VoIP phones, flat-panel monitors and other gadgets to test for possible use on campus. The students are using the equipment and providing the University with individual feedback on each device, including ease of use, practicability, and ideas for implementation in campus life. The data collected from these students is imperative, as they are reflective of the entire Wake Forest student body. The new year begins in August 2005 and will prove to be exciting given the partnership between IBM Extreme Blue and their �Dorm of the Future� program. The Technology Quarters House will be transformed with the addition of smart appliances.

In addition to the 10 students residing in the Technology House, the program continues this year in residence halls. The TQ residence hall members provides important feedback about devices used in their rooms across campus. The Technology Quarters initiative not only allows Wake Forest to gain insight from its students, it gives students the opportunity to test cutting-edge equipment, be a voice in the next generation of technology at Wake Forest, and have fun doing it.
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/About-Technology-Quarters

How can I help TQ?

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 23:33:00 -0500

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/How-can-I-help-TQ

Technology Quarters relies heavily upon its vendors for sustainability. Applying is easy and our students are very approachable. If you would like to contribute resources--either hardware, software, or your personal expertise--please do not hesitate to contact our staff. Click here for the contact page.
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/How-can-I-help-TQ

How can TQ help my company?

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 23:32:00 -0500

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/How-can-TQ-help-my-company

When a vendor submits a piece of technology to Technology Quarters for review, our vendors have two options. The first option is our Standard Review. Under the Standard Review model, our testers will take turns using the technology and provide brief feedback on the product. That feedback will be passed on to you, the Vendor, and will provide you new insight into potential marketing and product development strategies.

In our second option, the Extended Review scenario, our COO opens a project description outlining a complete set of testing guidelines. Based upon that document, which we collaborate upon with you, the Vendor, each member of our team of testers (typically five to twenty students, depending on how many units you submit to us) uses the technology in his or her daily life--not only for an hour or a day, but typically for an entire week or more--in order to provide feedback that few--if any--review websites can provide.
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/How-can-TQ-help-my-company

What is TQ?

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 23:30:00 -0500

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/What-is-TQ

Technology Quarters (TQ) is a student-led, vendor-driven initiative at Wake Forest University. Our members use, review, and recommend technology in the unique social and academic setting that only an university can offer. Our team is made up not only of technically-literate students but technology novices of all majors and backgrounds.

In addition to our university-wide program, the shining star of the group is the Technology House, a "house of the future" that ten of our members call home. Made possible through the generous donations of time and capital from our vendors, the Technology House, or "Tech House" as it is more affectionately known, is our way of showcasing the devices that we think are most applicable to university life.
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/What-is-TQ

Contact Page

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 20:40:00 -0500

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Contact-Page

To contact a member of TQ, please find the information below:

Rob Laughter (Editor-in-Chief)

Head Groundskeeper, Founder

rob@gadgetgrounds.com

Ethan Lee (News Editor)

Media Groundskeeper

ethan@gadgetgrounds.com

Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/Contact-Page

TQ Student Application

Sun, 25 Jan 2009 16:05:00 -0500

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/TQ-Student-Application

border="0">

Contact Info
First Name	id="firstname" size="10" />	Last Name	class="style2">
Mailing Address	name="address" type="text" id="address" size="10" />
City	name="city" type="text" id="city" size="10" />	State		ZIP
E-mail	name="email" id="email" size="10" />	Phone Number	class="style2">
About You
Year at Wake
Please take a moment to complete the following questions.
Why does the Technology Quarters Program interest you?

What is your favorite piece of technology and why?

How do you envision technology enhancing University life by the time you graduate?

Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/TQ-Student-Application

What is Technology Quarters?

Sun, 25 Jan 2009 16:05:00 -0500

From: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/What-is-Technology-Quarters

The Technology Quarters Program offers students the opportunity to try out the latest gadgets and examine how they can be useful in a residential setting in the everyday lives of a student. Students can opt to live on campus (TQ At Large) or in the Technology Theme House on Polo Road, but no matter where they live, they become an integral part of the program, receiving new technologies each semester to test and review.

As a TQ member, you'll have access to free training opportunities, exclusive invitations to Technology Quarters social events, and hands-on experience with some of the coolest gadgets around. You will even have access to technologies that aren't publicly available!

How can I benefit the TQ program?

As a member of Technology Quarters, you'll play a crucial role in acquiring new technologies by writing proposals to vendors worldwide, provide important feedback on products that have been donated, and potentially influence the technology choices made by the University and companies around the globe.

You don't need to be a computer science major or a "tech-savvy" student to participate in the program. We have students from all academic backgrounds--from communication and psychology to math and computer science--as well as all skill levels. While some of our past members have worked with IBM on their "Extreme Blue" student development team, it's certainly not necessary to be technologically literate to participate; that's not the point! We're interested in finding out how everyday students just like you use technology and how it can be applied to university life.
Click here for more information on how you can become a part of Technology Quarters!
Read the full post and comment at: http://www.gadgetgrounds.com/post/What-is-Technology-Quarters