Archive for February, 2009

Posted by //
Sean

Date //
Feb 27, 09 - 8:14 am

Categories //
Technology
Toys & Gadgets
Wireless

Comments Off on FCC Approves CDMA Version Of BlackBerry Flip

If you’re a Verizon Wireless or Sprint customer and have longed for the chance to get your hands on the BlackBerry Pearl Flip, there’s some good news. The FCC has recently given the green light to a CDMA variant of the Pearl Flip.

The BlackBerry Pearl Flip has been available from T-Mobile for several months. RIM took the basic design of the original Pearl and turned it into a clamshell phone, which is a form factor that many Americans happen to like. For the last few months, if you’ve hankered for some hot Pearl Flip action, you’ve had to choose T-Mobile.

Thanks to the FCC, it looks like that is about to change.

The government has approved a new version of the Flip for use in the U.S. This CDMA variant will work with Verizon Wireless’ and Sprint’s networks, and adds EVDO 3G to the mix, something the GSM version of the Flip lacks.

The only other feature confirmed by the FCC at this time is that the Pearl Flip will also have Bluetooth on board. We can probably expect most other features of the Pearl Flip to appear on the CDMA version. It has a 2 megapixel camera with video capture, microSD card slot and 3.5mm headset jack.

RIM has not officially acknowledged this phone, nor has Sprint or Verizon. Even so, it’s likely to be coming to a Verizon or Sprint store near you in the not-too-distant future.


Posted by //
Sean

Date //
Feb 26, 09 - 10:35 am

Categories //
Google
Open Source
Technology
Wireless

Comments Off on Google Shortchanges Android Developers

Developers who paid $400.00 USD for the fully unlocked Android Dev 1 are being prevented from buying and downloading premium applications from the Android Market.

I can understand Google’s point of view on the matter. The Android Dev 1 — as it’s called in Android circles — is fully unlocked in the sense that its users can access the root file structure of everything on the device. This means any software and any application on the phone is totally exposed and vulnerable to being stolen.

By blocking the unlocked Android Dev 1 phones from accessing the premium applications, Google is protecting those companies that are offering products for sale from possible theft.

It should also be easy to understand the developers’ point a view. Here they are, the premium users of the Android platform, and they are blocked from some of the best applications available to the device.

Android Authority’s Michael Oryl writes:

“If I had gone out and paid $400 for this unlocked device, I know that I’d be pissed off about this limitation.”

No kidding Michael.

I have to wonder if Google attempted to find a happy medium before instituting this policy. Surely there could be a way to get the developers access to these applications with some sort of guarantee for the publishers of those apps that they won’t be ripped off.

Until a compromise of some sort is worked out, Android Dev 1 owners will get the short end of the stick.


Posted by //
Sean

Date //
Feb 9, 09 - 1:20 pm

Categories //
Geekery
Hacking
Humor
Videos

Comments Off on I Heart Hackers – Not Zombies

Apparently someone in Austin Texas hacked a freeway construction warning sign:

Just encase the video gets pulled from YouTube, here are some of the warning messages that hackers put on the signs:

  • Zombies in area – Run
  • The end is near!!
  • Caution, Zombies ahead

This is totally geektastic! I love it.

All I can think about is how perfect this hack would be to pull off around Halloween time, but then again, Zombies could attack at any time :)


Posted by //
Sean

Date //
Feb 9, 09 - 8:28 am

Categories //
Apple
Geekery
Random Thoughts
Technology

Comments Off on Dancing with the Stars: Steve Wozniak

A Silicon Valley icon, Steve Wozniak, a.k.a. “The Woz,” helped shape the computer industry with his design of Apple’s first line of computer products.

Steve Wozniak: The Woz

Will Woz revolutionize ‘Dancing with the Stars’ as a cast member of Season 8? Only time will tell, however I’m hoping he does well.

Photo source: Yahoo! – Dancing with the Stars Season 8


Posted by //
Sean

Date //
Feb 3, 09 - 11:15 am

Categories //
Geekery
Google
Technology
Web

Comments Off on Google Adds To Gmail Features. Again

The onslaught of new features in Gmail shows no signs of abating. Today, Google added a few more more capabilities to its email product. The first lets you archive and label emails in a single step, and there are now new keyboard shortcuts, as well.

Gmail has long used a labeling system for managing emails rather than folders, which are used in email programs such as Microsoft Exchange. The labels let users organize their emails, which have a little more flexibility than folders in that emails can have multiple different labels at the same time.

Google admits:

“it’s not always obvious how to use labels, especially for people who are new to Gmail and used to using folders, and it hasn’t helped that some common tasks have been more complicated than they should be.”

Today, that changes. Google has revamped the buttons and menus along the top of the Gmail inbox. The new buttons allow you to hit the “Move to” button, which will label and archive an email in a single step, rather than the two steps it used to take. There is a separate button for labels, which are now supported with auto-complete. Start typing the first few letters of a label, and list of suggested labels will appear from which you can select the one you want.

Lastly, Google is adding new keyboard shortcuts to support these new functions. Use “v” for “Move to” and “l” (lowercase L) for “Labels.” You have to have the keyboard shortcuts turned on in order for them to work.

So there you have it, more features for Gmail that should make labeling and archiving just a little bit easier.