Technology seems to improve rapidly as time goes by. Think back to fifteen years ago – ah yes, I can still remember my IBM PS/1. I was drawn to it by its sexy Windows 3.1 operating system and of all things, Paintbrush. That computer system is the reason I am writing this article today, because it sparked my love for technology. But that wasn’t my only childhood love. Another was camping.
Camping isn’t for everyone, but for some, it is hands down the greatest way to get in touch with nature. Way back when, camping meant a tent (maybe), sleeping bags and fresh air. When it came down to food, you ate whatever you could cook over an open fire, if it was cooked at all. But just like the evolution of computers took us from PS/1 to PDA’s, the science of campsite cooking has made giant leaps as well. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the products that will help you cook and grill like you’re at home, all while taking in nature’s beauty.
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The folks over at MY iTablet have hunkered down in front of New York City’s 5th Ave. Apple Store and are sharing their experiences. The hype and attention surrounding the launch of the iPhone is the kind we usually only see for next-gen game consoles when they launch, but for cell phones/MP3 players/PDA’s, this is relatively uncharted territory.
iPhone Camp Out [MY iTablet]
Ever wish you could invent something that could change the world? Twenty teams of high schoolers from around the country are living that dream. Each team has received a grant (up to $10,000) from the Lemelson-MIT Program to take their inventions from concept to finished product. One of the ideas I really like is the fire-fighting grenade by Acton-Boxborough Regional High School (Acton, MA). The idea is so good, in fact, that Cisco Systems is actually supporting the team with additional funds. Don’t think the innovation stops there, though – there are 19 other teams around the country participating in the program, all working on amazing inventions of their own. Here’s to hoping the wheelchair tip alarm (Miller Place High School, Miller Place, NY), the sleep alert watch (Francis W. Parker High School, Chicago, IL) and all the rest are fully realized.
InvenTeams
Owners of the Nokia N95 will soon be treated to new firmware by the cell phone maker. The firmware update will include the new version of Nokia Maps as well as Assisted-GPS, a feature that uses a data connection to estimate the phone’s location and make a GPS location lock much quicker. The release date of the new firmware has not yet been released.
New N95 Firmware Coming [Symbian-Guru.com]
Sales numbers are coming in a few weeks after EMI’s foray into DRM-free music. The result? “Good”, says EMI senior VP Lauren Berkowitz. In fact, sales for several artists have increased, even as their CD counterparts have gone down in price. Sales for Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon are up 272% since the launch of iTunes Plus, which was the first service to introduce the DRM-free tracks. Amazon will soon join them, as well as f.y.e., 7 digital and possibly a few other services. Hopefully these promising trends continue so other labels feel comfortable following EMI’s lead.
EMI says DRM-free music is selling well [ars technica]
Joost may be getting a lot of attention lately, but it’s surely not the only new player in the TV-on-the-web game. Veoh claims that, while Joost embraces the old-school channel style of cable TV, their VeohTV service takes it a step further with DVR-like capabilities. VeohTV lets you watch any video on the web, not just channels of pre-selected content, and allows you to record what you want to watch later. Even streaming video. VeohTV is launching in limited beta later this week and will become available to all later this year.
I Want My Veoh [Business2.0]
Sources in possession of preproduction iPhones have confirmed a feature rumored earlier this year – the iPhone’s dock will include a port to charge Apple’s upcoming Bluetooth headset. This will ensure that those using the iPhone with the headset will only need one charger for both. Apple’s headset received FCC approval last week.
It looks like one judge, New Mexico’s Lorenzo F. Garcia, has finally stood up to some of the RIAA’s shady law practices. The judge denied the RIAA’s request to engage in discovery, which would have allowed the organization to subpoena the ISP of suspected file sharers for information. Without that information, the RIAA cannot determine the identity of the “John Does” they’ve filed suit against. This will hopefully ensure that those being sued have a fair chance to defend themselves before being approached by the RIAA with a settlement offer.
Judge deals blow to RIAA, says students can respond to John Doe lawsuit [Ars]
Live in Europe? Like a quiet flight? Beware; the European Aircraft Safety Agency (EASA) recently approved a trial roll-out of AirBus’s on-board mobile phone systems. Luckily, the system can be set to a “quiet mode” of sorts, where only data transmissions could be sent and received. Still, the potential for a chatter-filled trip is there. And all you wanted was a nap.
Cell phones on a plane!: Airbus gets approval in Europe [WirelessInfo]
Ken Kutaragi, the man responsible for Sony’s dominance of the console game market, stepped down today as chairman and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. With Kutaragi’s leadership, Sony’s PlayStation console became the must-have game system of its time, outselling the Sega Saturn and Nintendo 64 on its way to household domination. Kutaragi also enjoyed much success with the PlayStation 2, but has had to endure production problems and some bad press with its third incarnation, the PlayStation 3.
Father of Sony PlayStation steps down [AP]
According to a study by TÜV Rheinland, inkjet owners are taking the advice of their printers, throwing out cartridges when the printer says they’re empty. The problem? They aren’t really empty. In fact, the cartridges are over half full when thrown out, and may still have hundreds of pages worth of ink left. I personally run my ink supply into the ground, printing until my pages are streaky and faded. If you use this method, always have some new cartridges in supply.
Inkjet Printers are Filthy Lying Thieves
The Mitsubishi Electric Corporation is mere weeks away from releasing a new 20.1 inch wide-screen (WSXGA+) display to consumers in Japan. As of right now, the price is speculated to be somewhere around 49,800 yen, or approximately $410 USD. One of the more interesting technologies being touted in the display is its glare panel, which Mitsubishi claims makes colors more vivid.
The LCD is set to go on sale June 15, so mark your calendars – that is, if you’re in Japan. There is no word yet on whether or not this product will make it to American soil.
Impress
Everyone’s favorite motherboard manufacturer, Asus, has now launched a new phone. Called the J502, this phone comes only three months after its predecessor, the J501. Some of its notable features are its 2.4” QVGA display, its 3-megapixel camera and tv-out capability.
One of the cooler features included in the new J502 is SMS remote control, which allows the phone’s owner to remotely perform such actions as locking or shutting down the phone if it is lost or stolen. The owner simply sends a predefined SMS text message to the phone. Simple enough.
As of now, there is no word on release or pricing.
Unwired
