HOUR 1:
Tech News & Commentary
John in Tilford, Tennessee listening to the podcast asked: “I’ve had an iPod Touch for a little while. I upgraded it to the iOS 4. I’m not able to get the multi-tasking to work. I went and Googled all the instructions and can’t figure it out. I’m wondering if that’s a feature available for the iPod and I figured you’d have the answer.”
Multi-tasking indeed is available, but only for the third generation iPod Touch (aka the 3G). If you have a previous model of the iPod Touch, it is not supported.
If you have the iPod Touch 3G, here are the instructions:
1) When an app is open, tap the home button twice, then at the bottom of the screen, there will be a list of apps to select from.
2) When you choose an app from the bottom of the screen, it will open the one you just clicked on and it will multi-task with the app already opened.
) To close an app, hold down the app icon until you see a dash symbol in a red circle on the top left corner of that icon, and tap it.
Here’s what it looks like on an iPhone. Works the same on iPod Touch.
For more information, click here, or tune in to Hour 1 of our podcast.
IFA2010 Update
Learn about the rich history behind one of the largest consumer electronics trade shows we report from each year in Berlin, Germany.
The “Into Tomorrow” team discussed the latest apps that they have been playing with recently.
- For iPhone/iPad:Robrecommends: Fring
Chris recommends: RedLaser - For BlackBerry, Mark recommends: Amazon.com
Tune in to Hour 1 of our podcast for more details
Andy in Durham, North Carolina listening on WPTF 680 AM asked: “Looking for the best VOIP for personal phone use. I’m looking at Magic Jack and Skype. I’m wondering if you had any thoughts on those two.”
MagicJack is simply a Voice over IP product selling you phone service. Compare them with Vonage, if you wish. Vonage offers special equipment so you can just plug your traditional phone in and have a dial tone like you did before. MagicJack gets your computer involved. Basically, it’s a small box-like device, where you can plug in a standard telephone, and the other end plugs into a USB port on your computer. In addition, you’ll have to install software to make it work. It’s compatible with Windows XP, Vista, 7, and Intel Macs. For people traveling with laptops, MagicJack is clearly a convenient choice. For a home just looking for cheap long distance, Vonage comes out on top for ease of use.
Skype, on the other hand, wants to be a social networking system, as well as a VoIP service. When you register for Skype, you join their network with a “Skype name.” The Skype client program on your PC offers features that are similar to an IM client, like iChat, or Windows Live Messenger. You can type, voice chat, or video chat using a web cam. Skype’s audio quality is outstanding when you have a good headset microphone.
For more information, tune in to Hour 1 of our podcast.
| HOUR 1 | ||
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| Rob in front of Haier’sWireless 3D LED TV | Gary Shapiro, President & CEO – CEA | Dave recording a segment forour ITTV Video from SINOCES |
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| Huadong Vineyard in Qingdao | Dave with Gary Shapiro’s wife,Dr. Susan Malinowski | Panasonic Exhibit |
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| MiWi – Game System byMacro Winners Electronics | Qingdao TV Tower | Paper Speaker – Vibrating Speaker System (inside brochure pictured) |
Jerry in El Reno, Oklahoma Sirius Ch.108 asked: “Wondering what the best headset and microphone brand is that’s between $10 and $50.”
You can try the AC 850 USB stereo headset from Cyber Acoustics. This headset is designed to feel good on you with soft leatherette ear pads, an adjustable boom arm, and an adjustable headband to keep you comfortable. This microphone swivels 180 degrees, so you can wear this headset on the right or left.
There are many different kinds of headsets in the range you gave us. For example, you might want a mono headset (meaning it covers just one ear) for use in a work environment, or you might want a headset that is stereo, or even 5.1 positional sound for listening to music or gaming. You might want a headset that plugs in to a USB port, or you might want one that plugs in to a sound card. We’re sort of assuming general voice chat use and a USB connector. Some other models to look at in your price range include the .audio series from Plantronics and the Comfort Chat models from Logitech. There is a range of them all priced between $10 and $50.
Bob in Greenwich, Connecticut listening on Sirius Ch.108 has advice about problems with BlackBerry’s trackball:
Tune in to Hour 1 of our podcast for more details.
Consumer Reports: “Smartphone Apps for Motorists” with Rik Paul
This Week’s Prizes for Our Listeners
Honestech: Fotobox – Easy to use photo slideshow software
OrigAudio: “Rock-It” Portable Vibration Speakers
RadioShack: Weather Clock Radios – with SkyWarn
SmartSwipe: Secure personal credit card readers for shopping online
YoGen: The Universal mobile-device charger