How do you keep up with it all?

This is a constant question that I get asked by people that I work with and at times I ask myself as well. There is so much that goes on in our industry that it is a constant battle of how to spend my waking minutes on which project that I want to focus on. It is none stop so one of the things that I am constantly looking for are the tools that I can use to help make me more efficient in the use of my time. My wife asks me why I can’t just sit there and enjoy not doing anything but it makes me nervous to not do anything. I need to be doing something even if it is just watching a football game or playing Madden 11 on my iPad, or both!

So along with working through different RSS Readers until I find one that suits my style (actually I have found two that I flip back and forth on depending on whether I am on Wi-Fi or 3G), I have also started using a program called Calibre that allows me to aggregate news feeds into a eMagazine style that I can sync onto both my iPad and my Kindle so I can read these articles whether I am inside or in a shaded area or outside in the direct sunlight with my feet up at the pool. Now I have extended my reach to more places and times than I had before and can continue enjoying the things around me as well as keeping up with my daily reading.

I had mentioned Calibre a week or so ago as a great product to convert different eText to different formats to work on the many types of devices that we all use. So this is just another reason to get this great product and make it a tool that you can keep in your productivity war chest.

Veebeam Wirelessly Streams Web Video to Your TV

Here is a neat product that looked interesting when we read about it.

If you want to be able to display video content from your PC to your big screen TV, then this might be just the thing for you. 

It is available in SD (480i) and HD (1080p) version at $99 and $139 respectively. For the extra $40 it looks to me like the best configuration would be the HD Version. 

They are taking preorders on this product now and are planning on beginning shipments in early October, 2010.

It’s Features include:

• Streams Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, YouTube and other Internet sites
• Built-in wireless PC to TV link
• Easy to setup, easy to use
• Compatible with Mac OS X (10.5, 10.6), Windows 7, and Vista
• Ideal for laptops
• Use laptop keyboard & track pad to control playback

and on the HD you also get:

• Plays 1080p HD movie files
• Optical audio output for surround sound
• HDMI connector
• Displays photos and desktop in HD
• Two (2) USB ports for future support of webcams and external hard-drives

The magic behind the product is that it is using Wireless USB based technology (WUSB). WUSB uses radio technology in the Ultra-wideband realm. This high-bandwidth, low-power method of wireless data transmission enables the secure, high-speed connection required for functions like HD Video transmission. Intel has helped to support this initiative and we are now seeing it come in products like this one. One of the other benefits is that it is a secured transmission so you don’t have to worry about it being intercepted.

Wireless USB creates a secure point-to-point connection between your laptop and your TV. WUSB is more powerful than traditional WiFi because it offers more bandwidth, better security and less interference over short distances.

Best performance of this device comes when all of the equipment is in the same room. I look forward to testing this out when I get my hands on it.

Kingston Announces its First USB 3.0 Flash Drives: Data Traveller Ultimate Series

We are starting to see some USB peripheral devices coming out that support the new USB 3.0 specification.

Kingston Digital, Inc., the Flash memory affiliate of Kingston Technology Company, Inc., the independent world leader in memory products, today announced it is shipping its first USB 3.0 Flash drive. The Kingston DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0 Flash drive takes advantage of the faster USB 3.0 specification that has up to ten times the data transfer rates of the current USB 2.0 specification.

The DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0 has a read speed of 80 MB/sec. and a write speed of 60MB/sec. It is available in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB capacities. The combination of speed and size makes it ideal for data backup or fast transferring of large files including music, photos and videos. To ensure backwards compatibility, Kingston is also including a Y cable as some USB 2.0 ports require it to initialize USB 3.0 drives.

Is Hiding Your Wireless SSID Really More Secure?

Very interesting article posted by lifehacker about setting up your network wireless router and thinking that you are securing it by not broadcasting the SSID. While this may help in keeping it safe from honest people that don’t have the tools to sniff out you network, anyone that knows what they are doing and has the software tools available to them can find your network without the SSID being broadcast. However, the are some real negative problems that you might run into with older wireless equipment not being able to find your router if it is not broadcasting. So you are better off with putting strong passwords on your WPA security settings than turning off the SSID broadcast function.

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Download details: Microsoft® Windows® Malicious Software Removal Tool (KB890830)

One of the tools that you can use to help clean up your computer is this free application from Microsoft. It will check your computer for infection by specific, prevalent malware (including Blaster, Sasser, and Mydoom) and helps to remove the infection if found. Microsoft releases and updated version of this tool on the second Tuesday of each month.

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Windows 7 Family Pack Returns

Microsoft is bringing back the Windows 7 Family Pack for this Holiday Season. It will become available sometime in October and will be available “while supplies last”. Come on Microsoft, just make more copies…

Here is the official Press Release:

All summer long we’ve given you some great reasons to purchase a new PC and make the move to Windows 7, an operating system loved by a whopping 94% of folks who use it! Here’s one more: starting October 3 in the U.S., Windows 7 Family Pack will be available for purchase at participating retailers and online at the Microsoft Store. Purchasing the Windows 7 Family Pack gives you three upgrade licenses of Windows 7 Home Premium for the low price of $149.99. To take advantage of Family Pack, you’ll need a PC running a genuine copy of either Windows Vista or Windows XP that is capable of running Windows 7. The Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor can tell you which features and editions of Windows 7 will run on your computer(s).

For those of you who don’t live in the U.S., Family Pack may be coming your way too. It goes on sale in Canada, UK, Germany, France, Australia and many other markets on or after Oct. 22 (Windows 7’s 1 year anniversary!)

According to IDC’s Consumerscape 360 data, there are 2.1 PCs per household in the U.S., but, as we all know, networking isn’t easy. Windows 7 has built in features – like HomeGroup- that make it easy and quick to get all of your home PCs connected and sharing files, music, photos and printers.

So, don’t delay. The Windows 7 Family Pack will be available soon while supplies last.

Fractal Design a Larger version of its Define Noise Canceling Computer Case

The Define XL is a larger version of the award winning Define R2/R3 case. Similar in design to the Define R2/R3, it offers a number of interesting functions with a very stylish appearance. The case design focuses on low noise level, without neglecting other important features such as cooling, expandability and ease of use.

The Define XL is pre-fitted with dense noise absorbing bitumen material, covered with a soft foam texture. This material effectively absorbs noise generated by the components and fans inside. Paired with other noise preventing features such as a covered top panel with a 180mm fan mounted with an angle to blow out air in the rear and silicone grommets for hard drive mounting, the XL truly excels in delivering a low noise solution.

The unit is designed around providing excellent cable routing capabilities with large holes and enough space behind the motherboard plate.The cable routings are covered with silicon covers that help to hide the cable clutter. A fan controller can be mounted in an expansion slot in the rear can control up to three fans with one knob and is included with the case.

Key Features:

• Stylish design
• Pre-fitted with noise absorbing material
• Configurable thermal chamber design
• Great cooling possibilities, 3x fans included (2x 140mm, 1x 180mm)
• 10x HDD slots
• Unique ModuVent design in side panel

Specifications:

• 4x 5,25" bays, 1x 5,25" to 3,5" converter included
• mini-itx, micro ATX, ATX and E-ATX motherboard
• 10x HDD trays. 4x HDD trays in the HDD cage in the main chamber. This HDD cage is removable and rotatable. 6x HDD trays in the lower HDD chamber. These HDD cages are fixed.
• A total of two 140mm fans and one 180mm fan included. Front 140mm fans are mounted with removable, washable filter. A fan controller is included, for mounting in one of the rear expansion slots.
• Pre-fitted with dense noise absorbing material in both side panels.
• ModuVent feature, allowing the user to choose between an optimal low noise level, having the cover mounted or optimal airflow by removing the cover and mounting a fan for intake.
• Case size (WxHxD): 232x560x561.3mm
• 17.95kg

Cooling system

• 2x 140mm fans (one 140mm included, one optional) with removable and washable filters, in the front. Recommended for intake of air.
• 1x 120mm fan optional with removable and washable filter, in the front. Recommended for intake of air.
• 1x 180mm fan included in the top of the case. Recommended for exhaust of air.
• 1x 140mm fan included in the rear of the case. Recommended for exhaust of air.
• 1x 120/140mm fan optional in the side of the case. Recommended for intake of air.

Cooler Master announces a “Cool” New Case

Cooler Master Follows Up with HAF-912 Plus Case to give you a quieter case with great expansion.

Following up with the release of HAF 912, Cooler Master rolled out the HAF 912 Plus, provides some interesting upgrades of the HAF 912 with more features for a small premium. The case is has the same exact dimensions: 30 x 480 x 496 mm, weighs 8 kg, has every feature of the HAF 912, except that it includes an eSATA port on the front-panel, has a largely tool-free design comprising of thumbscrews for quick and easy entry, all-black interiors, a red LED-lit 200 mm front fan, and a top 200 mm fan. The base model has two 120 mm fans and no fan on the top (with just the room to install one). The expansion slot covers are perforated for more ventilation. The Cooler Master HAF 912 Plus is available now, priced at $79, close to $20 over the base model.

Bacterial light-harvesting proteins make a regenerating solar cell

A recent article published by ARS Technica discussed replacing the traditional technology being used in photovoltaic cells with biological materials that provide a sustainable and renewable resource. If you are interested in energy technology this is a really interesting alternative to traditional methods of solar energy collection that may bring the price down on implementing the technology.

Bacterial light-harvesting proteins make a regenerating solar cell

Buffalo Introduces MiniStation HD-PCTU2 Series Portable Hard Drives

If you follow me at all you know that I have a penchant for making multiple copies of my data on multiple devices, locations and sources. Buffalo is coming out with a  new series of portal hard drives that will help you make backups and share your data between machines and locations.The HD-PCTU2 comes in piano black and pearl white colors, and capacities that include 320 GB, 500 GB, and 640 GB, priced at around $119, $149 and $200, respectively. Measuring 77 x 14 x 114 mm, the drives weigh 165 grams. USB 2.0 handles power and connectivity. The bundled EcoManager software cuts down power draw by 20%. These devices have a 1 year warranty.

I love the size of this type of drive and that it will draw it’s power from your USB port connection. That it has less of a power draw will make it a great choice as a mobile solution along with your mobile computer for backup or extending storage capabilities.

Students: Get Windows 7 for $30

A quick post from Channel 10, here is a link you’ll want to share with any college students (or parents of college students) that you know. Window 7 is only $29.99 for those enrolled in a U.S.-based educational institution. To qualify, the student must be taking at least 0.5 course credits and have either an @EDU.com email address or attend one of the institutions listed here. If so, the deal available here, will let them grab the Windows 7 Professional Upgrade edition for digital download. Backup media can be optionally added to the order, too, if desired.

The deal is currently being featured on www.microsoft.com/student, which is a valuable resource for finding great deals on Microsoft software, with links to Office 2010 for $79.95, all the student deals on the Microsoft Store site, all the free downloads fromDreamspark (professional development tools), and more. This almost makes me want to go back to school myself. Well, almost.

Calibre Provides a Formatted Presentation of News Feeds

A one stop solution to all your eBook needs. Calibre is meant to be a complete e-library solution and thus includes library management, format conversion, news feeds to eBook conversion, as well as eBook reader sync features and an integrated eBook viewer. I am using this product to capture information for several news feeds and have them aggregated into a ePub format that is then pushed to my iPhone.

Originally I looked at this to give me the ability to convert PDF’s to either ePUb or Mobi format so that I can access and use them on both my iPad and on my Kindle. This is a really convenient function but as I looked more closely at the product it has some really good additional functions that I could use as well.This is really worth a look if you are interested in grabbing content and have it available when and where you want it.

Microsoft Cloud Storage Strategy begins to merge

Microsoft’s Windows Live Sync product is changing its name to Windows Live Mesh.

In our beta release, we brought the best of Windows Live Sync and Live Mesh together. With the addition of remote access and cloud storage, we understand that the new program does more than sync files.  So following the beta period, we’ll be using the name Windows Live Mesh going forward, which we feel best reflects our broader goal of allowing you to access your stuff across your devices.

A number of our customers noted the inability to sync hidden files, so we added this support. Another point of feedback was that customers wanted a list of which files were missing in a synced folder. Now when Windows Live Mesh detects missing files, you can easily see the file name and when and where it was last modified.

When syncing files to the cloud, beta participants get 2 GB of synced cloud storage. Only 2% of these participants are using more than 1.5 GB. However, Live Mesh offers 5 GB, and while only a small number of Live Mesh customers use all their space, we want to ease migration and increase the online storage limit from 2 GB to 5 GB.

We’ve made several performance updates to Windows Live Mesh in response to your requests that will provide noticeable improvements to your experience. We worked on cutting the application load time in half and made syncing large numbers of folders and adding multiple devices to a sync folder faster. We’ve optimized both memory and CPU usage during sync activity as well as decreased CPU consumption by as much as 30% when Windows Live Mesh is idle.

So it sounds like we are going to see a merging of the Live Mesh Product with the Live Sync Product. You will have 5GB’s of space to work with hopefully we won’t lose anything from Live Mesh that we have currently (I work out of this product with all of my systems.) So when Microsoft releases the new Live Essentials Products I will be looking closely at what is being provided in these packages.

TWiT Live Specials 32: The Future of the Web

It was really amazing to listen to these teenagers and their thoughts about being an entrepreneur and their vision of the future. This is really worth the time spent to listen to their thoughts and view and of course what these kids have are planning to accomplish. It is refreshing to hear from kids that are looking at what they can do to fulfill their hopes and dreams, of their projects and thoughts about what they are going to a have to do make their dreams come to fruition.

If you need a little lift these kids will definitely provide one for you. Jump to Twit Live Specials…

Adobe’s Online Photoshop provides some nice Photo Editing Tools but is its photo storage worth it?

Photoshop.com is an online complement to Adobe’s Photoshop software according to Adobe. But if you need some simple editing functions and a place to share your photographs then here is another place that you can do so.

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Is ePub Format the Default Standard now for eBooks?

With the new update for the Pages App that now allows you to save your documents in ePub format which Apple uses for iBooks. It is also the native format for Stanza (which is the Open eBook standard from the International Digital Publishing Forum http://www.idpf.org). ePub is supported in Stanza Desktop, iPhone, iPod Touch, Adobe Digital Editions and some Sony Readers.

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ASUS Intros Eee PC 1015PEM, Powered by Atom N550

Another product is being announced that will be using the new Intel Atom Dual Core N550 Processor. Asus joins others in announcing a product that will make use of the Intel Atom N555 processor after it is release by Intel later this year. What has drawn my attention to this particular entry into the Netbook arena? Memory and Screen Resolution.

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Netflix in the News Again

Be sure to update your iPhone so you can now watch your Netflix on your phone as well. For around $9/month you have the ability to stream content from Netflix to not only your computers but also to your iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. When you think about the size of our phone it having the ability to stream beautifully formatted movies and TV shows to you phone and other media devices. The Application is simple and easy to use and renders well to the screen size that it is played on. Access to mobile media is expanding for sure. Enjoy your movies while you are on the go!

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Intuit and Morphie have introduced a product for accepting payments using your iPhone

For those of you that are working the event tent themes you have probably been looking for more ways to be able to collect funds from potential customers. If you are like me, I hardly ever carry cash, I have embraced plastic money. More and more of us are getting into that position and if you are a retailer then you need to be more concerned about losing a sale because you don’t have a way of processing a credit card transaction.

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Garmin Nuvi Recall Affects 1.25 Million Devices

From Mashable, we have the following news report where Garmin is recalling 1.25 Million of its Nuvi personal navigation devices because of battery issues, go figure! THe models affected are 200W, 250W, 260W and 7XX. Read on to get more information.

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