Tech News & Commentary
Lonny in Nashville, Tennessee listening on WTN 99.7 FM asked: “I’m using a Razr-type phone on Verizon because it’s waterproof. I’m wondering if the (Casio G’zOne) Brigade will be as waterproof with the keyboard.”
The Brigade appears to be very tough and we’re told works great while fully submerged. The keyboard flips open.
When it was tested by Garwood Laboratories to military specifications, they immersed the phone under 1 meter of water for 30 minutes with, and this is key, all ports closed. That indicates they did not attempt to open or use the phone under water.
So, if you jump into the pool with the phone in your pocket, you won’t kill it. It will also be able to withstand driving rain and high humidity without any trouble.
“Wireless Update” Weekly Feature with Chuck Hamby
from Verizon Wireless
The “Into Tomorrow” team discussed the latest apps that they have been playing with recently.
- For Android, Dave recommends: MotoTorch LED
- For iPhone/iPad:Robrecommends: Adobe Ideas
Chris recommends: Logitech TouchMouse
- For BlackBerry, Mark recommends: Ultra Podcast Player
Tune in to Hour 1 of our podcast for more details
Jabster sent us the following email and asked: “Hi, I want to know if there is a thing where you can get Wi-Fi wherever you go on a iPod Touch.”
There is no device that will get you Wi-Fi everywhere you go, but you could look into devices like the MiFi. That will give you Wi-Fi access wherever you have cellular coverage. In the US, they are available from Sprint and Verizon. The MiFi is about half the thickness of a deck of cards and can give you Wi-Fi access fro up to 5 devices at a time using 3G.
You could throw a MiFi in your pocket and surf the web on your iPod Touch, or any other Wi-Fi enabled device. We’ve found the MiFi very handy when we’ve been traveling, especially at hotels that want to charge you a small fortune to access the Internet for just a few minutes. We’ve fired up the MiFi and been able to check our email, and do whatever else we needed to online.
In fact, when we have had rooms close together, we have been able to use it from other hotel rooms, although the signal wasn’t necessarily the best through walls.
Click here to view the MiFi on Verizon
Click here to view the MiFi on Sprint
For more information, tune in to Hour 1 of our podcast.
Trevor in Alaska sent us the following Facebook message: “Ok Rob, so being the tech type guy you are, I thought maybe you could help me. A friend of mine sent me a couple videos of herself, but when I went to play it, all I got was the audio. I tried playing in on Windows Media Player. I even tried on my iPhone. Do I just need a bigger hammer or should I just wrap it all up in det cord and blast it into next week? It’s a dell laptop if that helps at all.”
For more information, tune in to Hour 1 of our podcast.
Guest in this hour:
Tej Bhatia, President – RecreateMyNight
Do you want to recreate one of your many social nights? RecreateMyNight.com helps friends relive experiences by piecing together photos, videos, status updates, texts, voicemail and email posted around the web.
Shawn sent us the following email and said: “You asked about what apps do we use out here in the real world, and I have one for you. It is My-Cast Weather, the $3.99 version. By far, is the best weather app on the iPhone hands down. However, the last update still failed to include all of the features that I had on my Moto Razr in v7.0, but with any luck, the next update will finally be complete. As a truck driver, this is one of my 2 most used apps. The other is Google Maps, but I use that more for the real-time traffic info.”
Travis in Kingsport, Tennessee listening on WJCW 910 AM asked: “Touchscreen computers, worth the money or just stick with a regular desktop?”
It really depends on what you are trying to use the computer for. Generally, unless you want that wow factor, a regular desktop or laptop would function just fine. Touchscreen computers seem to be becoming more and more popular, especially as the technology gets better and the prices continue to get cheaper, but can you easily get used to not using a keyboard & mouse?
Many people that pay the extra money for touch screen computers quickly revert back to using a keyboard and mouse, because it is simply not comfortable to use the touchscreen monitor, as it usually means you have to keep your hands elevated. Until there is a solution to this problem, we suggest you save your money and stick with a regular desktop.
Rob has tried the HP TouchSmart PC before and, honestly, wasn’t impressed. It doesn’t seem to keep up with his commands or “touch”, and it’s a little slow. However, we learned at CES that tablets or slates will become very popular this year. These aren’t “touch” desktop computers, but we are seeing an increasing amount of people who prefer touching their screens, like they would with an iPhone. He wouldn’t be surprised to see a touchscreen iMac soon. Also, AOC has a new all-in-one touchscreen computer we featured at CES.
Greg in Colorado Springs, Colorado listening on XM Ch.139 sent us the following email and said: “Sure enjoyed the piece on the Oasis of the Seas. I served for 22 years in the Navy and found the information fascinating. Thanks and keep up the great work.”
This Week’s Prizes for Our Listeners
Firefold: Several gaming accessories & HDMI 1.4 cables
Flipper: A Big Button Remote
Honestech: Copies of FOTOBOX Plus — Easy to use Photo Slideshow Creator
SpectorSoft: Copies of Spectro Pro for Mac — Internet Monitoring Software.